I didn't think we'd get to the end of the first arc so fast but here we are.

Chapter 157: Doppel-Rogers Part Six

Sue's Roadside Diner, Tennessee - 10:52 AM

Brody's strike team had the diner surrounded. He formally arrested the frauds and had four of his men restrain and escort Katherine and Carlton back into custody. While he was handling that, Angela and Xavier's names were cleared back at SHIELD which put them more at ease than defeating their frauds. Now, as Brody's strike team continues their sweep of the premise, the twins and their parents sit in a barely damaged booth with only torn cushioned seats (possibly there before the fight) and glass shards that were swept onto the floor. There's a nearly empty coffee pot in the centre of the table and a steaming cup in front of each person. They brewed it for themselves as the frauds were getting their rights read to them.

Brody approaches the family, pulling up a chair and dusting it off. He pats Xavier and Angela's backs, specifically where he guessed he kicked Xavier when he was hiding in the hay bale. Xavier stands and hugs him tightly, patting his back which he receives in return.

"Thank you so much," Xavier says, "I say that but I truly can't thank you enough."

"Don't sweat it," Brody responds as he hugs Angela, minus the extra patting where he kicked Xavier. "You two would've done the same for me."

"I recommend electromagnetic holding cells for them until further questioning," Angela says as she takes a seat. Her light tone suggests she's joking but she's far from it.

Brody laughs a little. "I saw that imprisonment method when I was at the Cube. Fascinating stuff."

"Aha..." Angela mutters. "I hate the Cube. I will genuinely pick SHIELD Island over the freaking Cube."

"Only my daughter would," Peggy says proudly. "The Cube does have some remarkable technology."

"You know I know that, Mom."

"But you got the information about Harding and Brewster," Xavier says to Brody.

"From them," Brody points at Steve and Peggy.

Angela and Xavier gawk at their parents, whom they had no idea were involved. On their way to the diner, Angela and Xavier knew they would see their frauds there but when they arrived, they were beyond stoked to see their parents starting the fight for them and helping them finish it off. Truthfully, their parents didn't think Xavier and Angela would show up.

Turns out, their parents were the ones who lured the Doppel-Rogers here, sending them a fake encrypted message about an update in their weapons shipment that had to be discussed in person. Before that, they got word about "Angela and Xavier" signing off on the shipment which is when they got suspicious. They noticed the holographic masks and tried to narrow down their suspects, landing on Harding and Brewster upon seeing their release and convictions. It wasn't a direct accusation, but they sent the information to Brody when they found out he was in charge of the strike team. With that knowledge, Brody promised to pass it onto the twins should he find them but he gave it to Orchid instead to give to them.

"You two knew the whole time?" Angela asks, still in disbelief. They've been on the run while their parents were cool with it.

Steve and Peggy nod since they already gave the lengthy explanation.

"Your mother and I didn't want to get you two involved," Steve continues. "Hell, we didn't think you two would since the less you knew, the better."

"We were still chased," Angela states.

"Chased, not caught," Peggy corrects.

Angela glares at them before smiling. Being on the run in the South while wearing matching jackets and stopping a robbery with her twin was so much more fun than intensive questioning in electromagnetic holding would've ever been. She doesn't regret fleeing with Xavier, not one bit.

"Oh my god!"

The booth turns towards the door, that was left open to ease traffic flow so they didn't hear the bell, and see Orchid walk in. She's suited up, showing her badge to Brody's strike team who need verification (despite being at her house and searching the property hours before). As she and the Rogers assumed, she would be called into action during her vacation since she was an agent nearby. As if SHIELD ever cared about vacation days. As if any agent knew to truly adopt a vacation mindset.

Orchid gasps dramatically as she looks at the remnants of the fight scene. The signs of battle were everywhere. Chairs were thrown, shattered with their pieces scattered. Tables knocked over, wires dangling from the ceiling where light fixtures and ceiling fans were once hanging. Glasses and plates - so much damage clutter on the floor.

"My golly," Orchid sighs, putting a hand on her heart as she disgracefully shakes her head, "the memories of all the dates I went on in this diner, ruined. I sure hope those dopple-rascals go to jail for the sin of impersonation but since there are laws and technicalities, I hope they rot in hell!"

When she looks up and sees everyone staring at her oddly, even the agents taking a roll-call of the scene, she furrows her brows and storms over.

"Angela, Xavier, my besties! I didn't believe you two were up to that sort of shenanigan!" She smacks the back of Xavier's head before pointing disapprovingly at Angela. "I can't even remember the last time I saw you two. Where were we? Montenegro two years ago? Or maybe it was three? Whatever. And now you're here ruining my vacation!" She then smiles at Steve and Peggy. "Hello, besties' parents, welcome to Tennessee."

Xavier glares at her with a small smile. "Geez, Orchid, how are you an agent?"

Orchid smiles down at him as she puts an arm around Brody. "My superb acting skills. But I wasn't kidding when I said I had many dates here and about their fate in hell. They got the best hash browns in the state. We should grab a bite once everything's cleaned up and repaired. Boy, do I have to pay for the repairs in my taxes?"

"Orchid," Angela says, getting her friend's attention again, "focus."

"Right."

"Okay, so Harding and Brewster cleared for weapons to be shipped," Angela reminds them. "Do we know where and do we still have enough time to interfere before they reach their destination?"

"I looked into that and it got handled yesterday afternoon," Brody states. "Weapons are now back in SHIELD's ownership."

"You're joking." She looks at her mom for verification since she's a higher-level agent.

"Darling," Peggy checks her phone, "you all might want to see this."

Peggy slides her phone across the table which Angela repositions so she, Xavier, Orchid, and Brody could look. They skim through retrieved footage from where they assume the weapons were delivered and the unredacted portions of the joining debriefing. The agent who signed off on it is different from who's in the video and mentioned in the report. They don't even understand what they're seeing in the time-stamped snapshots of the report. They can't believe their eyes. Nothing about that mission debriefing made any sense. Even if certain lines weren't barred out, it wouldn't clear anything. Chances are it'll confuse them more.

"How?" Xavier asks.

"Who is that?" Orchid asks, leaning in to get a closer look.

Angela can't hide her grin, especially when Xavier has the same one on his face. "You won't believe me after I tell you."

So what happened with the weapons shipment? Who do you think will be involved? (Hint - I told you in an earlier AN). We'll find out in our next Rando Week arc which will start next week!