Chapter 6
Fury strode into the room, ignoring the fearful glances from his subordinates. He’s been looked at that way most of his career but it had increased ever since New York. Apparently he had a reputation, something which he encouraged truth be known. It helped get him further and made his job easier. If they were wary of him they wouldn’t bother him unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Well?” He questioned as he stood in front of the young agent. He’d been called out a meeting so they had obviously found something.
“We’ve managed to isolate the energy source and have tracked it to a new destination. Like before it’s a warehouse. Commander Hill has the specs and is debriefing the team as we speak.” Tripp in formed him as he glanced at a nervous looking scientist stood beside him.
“And?” Fury knew that could be everything, the scientist was too jumpy for it to be that simple.
Trip nudged the scientist and glared at him until he spoke.
“Director. I… I examined the energy that we are tracking as the system flagged it. Although not the same it showed a similar signature to something else we’ve examined previously.”
Fury resisted the temptation to his temple where pressure was rapidly building. It was going to be one of those days, he could feel it.
“Sir… the energy signature… it’s very similar to the Tesseract. Obviously it maybe something very different…”
That was all he needed. Thor had removed the Tesseract but not before it had caused enormous amounts of destruction. When the Aether had been brought to Earth it had caused a similar amount of destruction. He didn’t want to even think what another similar object could do.
“Agent Triplett with me.” He ordered striding towards the doors. He’d heard all he needed to hear. Once they were out of the room he ensured that they were on their own and couldn’t be overheard.
“I’m assuming that you’ve heard of what the Aether and Tesseract did when on Earth. We cannot allow another incident like those again.”
“You suspect that the energy signature will be coming from a similar… item?” He seemed to struggle for a word to describe the phenomena. Fury knew the feeling well, he hadn’t initially believed Thor when he had explained the Aether was liquid not a stone. Not until he’d seen the video footage of what occurred in London.
“The last time I ignored a scientist Greenwich nearly got completely destroyed. Inform Hill of this development and inform her I will be joining you on this mission.”
He’d learned with these items you needed to keep an eye on them. If it was like the Tesseract then he wanted to be able to examine it for himself.
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Tripp watched as Maria argued with Fury, knowing the Director’s mind wouldn’t be changed. After he had informed her about what they had found she had wanted to call in the Avengers, believing they would be the best equipped to deal with this situation. Fury wanted it kept in house. Besides none of them were close enough to help quickly and Coulson’s team needed help sooner rather than later.
The addition of Fury to the team had not made things any better with the strike teams. They knew something was on going; the Director never participated in missions. The glances in his direction told Tripp that they knew he had information on what was going on. However, he was under orders to tell no one what he’d found out. It didn’t make him many friends but that wasn’t why he was here. It was job to rescue his taken teammates, who he did consider as his friends.
Once again the van pulled to a stop, signalling that the mission was about to begin. Maria and Fury broke off their argument and exited the van without another word. Unlike last time they were hitting this target hard and fast. They didn’t want to have to chase whoever was doing this across the country.
With a quick hand signal Fury lead his team to one side of the Warehouse while he and Maria took the other. There was a slight pause while they all got into position before they entered the warehouse. It was very similar to the last one they entered. However this one didn’t contain an office but did contain something that was giving off a clear orange glow. It was so bright it was like daytime within the warehouse, emphasizing the screened area in the centre of the warehouse. It was there the teams congregated, the rest of the warehouse empty. Tripp made quick work of the screens using his knife to cut them down.
Lying in a circle was the team, all connected to a machine that appeared to be powered by the orange stone that lay within the centre of the circle. It was this that was giving off the light and Tripp guessed, the energy readings they had been picking up. Frowning slightly he noticed something that his relief upon finding the team had caused him to overlook. Lying on a bench within the circle of the team was a man he didn’t recognise. Turning to Maria he saw a frown on her face.
“He’s not an agent.” He guessed.
“No.”
“Let’s wake him up. Maybe he can tell us what he wanted with the team. No need to be gentle agent Triplett.”
“Yes Director.”
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Laughing they all left the shop. The shopkeeper clearly didn’t know what hit him when he’d tried to rip off May. She and Ward had simply hung back and watched as May had informed him what she thought of people like him. When she was done the man had apologised profusely and would probably think twice about ripping anybody off ever again. Skye felt a perverse joy in watching May work her magic, even though she herself didn’t know the man. She knew the feelings came from the person who she currently was controlling. Searching through memories revealed that the man had made her life hell, making an already difficult time worse by reducing their rations and refusing to accept their tokens. Skye hoped that May’s actions might be a small payment to any problems they’ve caused by being present in this time. If they could give something back then being here may not be such a disaster. At least they might help some people’s suffering by making things that little bit fairer.
They were just planning what to do next when a voice nearby sent shivers up her skin.
“Well look what the cat dragged in. I hope your enjoying yourselves because it’s the last time you will.”
“Charlie!” She growled turning to face the man. She’d never wanted to punch someone so much in her life.
“Making everyone’s life better by taking down the nasty man.” He used a child’s voice, clearly enjoying mocking them. “Such a shame not all of you will benefit from it.”
“What do you mean?” Ward retorted, clearly having difficulty keeping his temper.
“Unlike you I did my research on this time period. Specifically what happens when. Not to give away the surprise but you have to admit some of you have such rewarding but dangerous jobs. You never know what happens when you go to work.”
Skye’s eyes widened, as she understood his implications. Only one of them had a job in this timeline and it was possibly one of the most dangerous jobs there was apart from being a soldier.
“You little…” May strode past her towards Charlie, only stopping because Ward grabbed her. Skye knew he would love to let May at Charlie but they needed more information.
“Now. Now. Little wildcat. Let’s not be hasty.” Rather than be scared of May, Charlie appeared amused by her reaction. “Anyone would think you have feelings if you keep this up.”
“What do you know?” Ward demanded, struggling to keep May from attacking him.
“Well I would help you but it’s more fun to watch you struggle to figure it out.”
Ward released May no longer being able to hold her back or no longer caring about stopping her, Skye wasn’t sure which. She’d taken two steps towards Charlie when he suddenly doubled up as if in agony.
“What did you do?” He screamed, glaring at them. “No!”
Skye watched stunned as he crumpled to the ground in front of them.
“Not that I’m complaining that he shut up but what the hell just happened?” She looked at both of them but they looked as baffled as she did. Heading over they all examined the man who was still breathing but otherwise looked completely out of it. May nudged him with her foot, which got no response. Bending down Ward took his pulse,
“It’s fine.”
As they rolled him over they saw his eyes begin to flicker. Reacting Ward got a secure grip on him while May moved in front of Skye.
“What? What happened? Where am I? Do you mind you’re hurting me!” The voice sounded different to what she was used to, sounding like a completely person.
“What were you insinuating before?” Ward growled, looming over the man.
“I have no idea what you are taking about. I don’t even know how I got here. Last thing I remember I was sat in my living room.”
“Let him go.” Ward blinked up at May but followed her directive. “I suggest you go home and have a lie down.” She told the man.
“Bloody war. Got everyone suspicious. Anyone who’s different is a spy. Just because I keep to myself, it doesn’t make me a spy.” Skye watched as he dusted himself off and staggered down the road.
“What just happened?”
“I’m not sure but that clearly wasn’t Charlie.” May watched as the figure moved into the distance. Skye would have questioned her more but she suddenly felt light headed. She’d felt that sensation before. Ward managed to catch her before she hit the ground but then everything went black.
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Waking to find Director Fury peering at you isn’t the most comforting thing in the world. It took all of Ward’s strength and training for him not to climb up whatever he was lying on just to get away from the man. Satisfied he moved away leaving Ward to reorientate himself. Clearly he was no longer stuck in the past. Glancing around he saw various teammates in various states of wakefulness with Skye stood beside Maria Hill and Director Fury. Glancing behind him he saw an orange stone that was strangely compelling, encouraging him to reach out his hand to touch it.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. We still don’t know exactly what it is.”
“Tripp!”
“Hi mate. It’s good to see you awake.” Ward slid his legs to the side of whatever he was lying on and embraced Tripp. It was good to see him.
“Now take it easy. I don’t know how long you’ve been in that machine but I’ve already had to catch Skye. I don’t think I can manage the same thing with you.”
“Is she alright?”
“Yep. Checked her over myself. Just a bit stiff. Now I have to do an examination, Fury’s orders. So just sit still and don’t complain too much and it will be done quickly.”
By the time the check up was done and he was given a full bill of health the rest of the team were fully awake. After giving him orders to take it easy Tripp moved off to examine the rest of the team. Having eventually declared everyone fit to be moved they were helped away from their prison and into cars to be driven to a Shield facility. After a quick shower and some food they all sat down with Director Fury who was impatiently waiting to hear what had happened.
He started off the story with a little help from Coulson, explaining how he and Skye had been placed in the machine and their trip to medieval times. He once again deliberately missed out how they may have caused someone else to become pregnant and skipped onto how they knew they were stuck in the past. They explained meeting Charlie and the time jumps pausing only so Fury could ask questions about the time periods they had been in.
“Well the person you call Charlie will no longer be a problem. Shield has taken him into custody and as far as we can tell there was no one else helping him.”
“How’d he manage it? All of our research was only theoretical. We never dreamed it was possible.” Simmons questioned timidly.
“According to the other scientists it may have something to do with the stone we found beside you. The energy signature described in the letter to me was being given off by it. Plus it is very similar to the energy signatures of the Tesseract and Aether. That doesn’t leave this room.”
“But Sir, it still doesn’t explain how we went back in time.” Fitz argued.
“I believe it has to do with the stone its self. When Thor contacted me after Asguard secured the Aether he told me a tale of six stones each with their own ability. One of which would allow the user to control time, including allowing time travel. From what the scientists are telling me this Charlie couldn’t use it properly so build the machine to transport people through time. He then selected you as guinea pigs.”
“So if used properly…”
“Yes you could travel in time and not take over someone else as you did.”
“But it wasn’t there when we found Skye and Ward or when we found the team the second time.”
“Apparently the power can be stored.”
“What is going to happen with the stone? After last time…” Coulson trailed off clearly thinking about his first encounter with a stone very similar to the one they’d found.
“It is to be studied. Specifically by your team. They are the best qualified to understand its capabilities.”
“But Sir after last time…”
“I understand your reluctance Coulson but this time few people will know of its existence. Plus it’s safer with you as you move around the world.”
“Wouldn’t it be safer with Asguard?”
“I’ve already thought about that. But there is an issue of having more than one stone of power in one place so it’s out of the question. Unfortunately that leaves us to take care of it.”
“I understand sir.”
“Good. Now if that’s everything I have a meeting. You’re dismissed.”
May waited until they were out of the Director’s hearing before voicing her doubts.
“Do you think this is a good idea?”
“No but we don’t have a choice. Now come on. Let’s head back to the bus.”
“One question.” Fitz announced. “Where did we leave it?”
They all looked at each other blankly. Laughing Tripp put his arm around the scientist.
“Come on. I’ve made some friends in communication who can help us find it!”
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