Chapter 3

[Maxine Calum]

She is fighting her mind from behind that smile 

She had exactly 10 minutes before she was supposed to meet Ward down in the Cargo hold. So Alora quickly locked the bathroom door and shrank down to the floor. She was shaking as she pulled out her black bag. Alora opened it and quickly grabbed the lighter in it. She pulled her leggings down exposing her thigh. Flipping the lighter open and on, she touched it to her skin and counted 1 2 3 4 5 repeat 1 2 3 4 5. Continuing on her thigh until she heard someone coming down the hall. She quickly patched herself up and shoved the lighter in her back before walking out of the bathroom almost running into Skye. 

“Oh sorry I didn’t - are you okay?” Skye asked, seeing her red eyes Skye reaches out to put a hand on her shoulder but Alora flinches .

“Yeah I’m fine something fell and it startled me” Alora said quickly walking away. When she made it back to her bunk she quickly threw her hair up in a ponytail and slipped on her runners. She now had three minutes to get down to the Cargo hold, so she got out of her bunk and down there just in time. 

Skye was already down there when she got there, “Is that a tattoo?” Skye says pointing at the sun on her arm,  when she walked over to her while Ward was setting up equipment Alora noticed that he glanced over slightly. 

“Yeah, is that surprising?” Alora asks getting a yes from both Skye and Ward.

“Wow okay, I have tattoos it’s a normal thing” Alora said sitting down on a bench.

“Wait tattoos as in more than one” Skye says.

“Yes Skye, that's why I said tattoos instead of tattoo” 

“How many do you have?” Skye asks 

“10, why?”  Alora asks re-tying her shoe. 

“Wait really 10! I wonder if Fitz or Simmons have any tattoos” Skye says, Alora just looks at her.

“Is it surprising because I am a scientist?” Alora asks 

“Yes” Skye says 

“No” Ward counters before continuing. “Because everyone has an assumption about you before they meet you, for example we thought that you were a naive child who was in over her head who would provide no additional advantages. An innocent, scared, sheltered, good family. A liability. I am hoping you prove us wrong” 

“I plan on it, also none of the statements above are true” 

“Okay then. Let's start with pull ups” 

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Okay Alora likes the lab way better, because no one is mean in the lab. Ward is mean, he likes seeing others misery, at least that's the conclusion Alora came too. She was no stranger to working out, according to her old therapist it was excessive. Though that was for her own pleasure, Ward does not make it fun. 

Maria went to operations, so naturally she knew almost nothing about any of the sciencey things she talked about, but she did at least make an effort. She had a deck of flashcards that would have questions from all different subjects. 

But now all she does is work out which is way less exciting since she has to meet Ward back in the Cargo hold in 2 minutes. When she walked down the steps, Ward was already punching the punching bag. 

Alora walked over to Ward who grabbed her hands making sure she wrapped them correctly. “Jab cross, 10 minutes”   Alora didn’t really say anything just got to it. It wasn’t a really good day today. She all ready had a nightmare about some not so pleasant things that have happened in her life. 

She wasn’t dealt a good hand when it came to family. Today was one of those days that she could almost feel her step dad's hands around her throat, his foot kicking her, his fist colliding with her, being locked in a dark room, just all those terrible things. Someone grabbed her hands, and flipped her around holding them firmly. 

“Stop it. If you keep punching that hard you will break your fingers.” Ward said Alora snapping back into reality 

“Sorry, I need to go,” Alora said, moving her arms out of his grasp. She could feel all the objects around her, almost begging to be broken apart. Her powers can be quite destructive so if she doesn’t find something to focus them on she is going to give herself away. Alora was so focused on her hands she ran straight into Coulson.

“I am so sorry sir, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and-” Alora started rambling a bit.

“Robin it’s fine, are you okay you look very pale” Coulson asked

“I’m alright Agent Coulson” Alora smiles and walks away quickly, heading into her bunk. The first thing she sees is a bottle which she looks at and pulls her hands down. The bottle spilling in half, that was a close one. When Mays voice goes over the inter com, Alora heads out of her bunk and to the lounge where everyone else is arriving.

“A Shield transport was attacked, while carrying A priority red protected asset off route 76 near Sterling” Coulson said, swiping on his tablet. 

“Priority red” Simmons said 

“The Asset was Canadian Physicist Dr. Franklin Hall,  Known for his work-” Coulson started before getting interrupted by simultaneous saying of his name. 

“I met him when he was working with my dad, we are going to save him right?” Alora said, crossing her arms and leaning onto one leg. 

“He's one of ours. We’re going to try” Coulson said. After Ward asked about the attackers Alora walked out of the room and to her bunk to change. She changed into dark blue jeans and a dark red top. Alora grabbed her gun and slipped it into the holster, she threw on her combat boots and grabbed her leather jacket before heading down to the lab. On her why down she slipped on the jacket, it had once belonged to her friend, the jacket was exactly like her personality, the collar lined with pins from different bands the sleeves were stained with red and blue paint. It was one of the few things she had gotten from her before they had to bury her in a makeshift grave. 

“So I think we should bring the goggles Fitz designed, because if the attackers were invisible there is most likely a scientific reason because there is no one on any of the lists this government has with the power of invisibility. I should know because I checked.” Alora said walking into the lab where Fitz and Simmons were.   

“Was just about to say that, they are in the case below you Robin” Fitz said, Alora looked down and grabbed the case sliding it over. 

“Robin you are with me, so that means no sciency things” Ward said from behind her

“You are banning me from doing science” Alora said spinning around 

“You wanted to learn how to do operations, we don’t sit in a lab ” Ward said 

“There will be a time you wish I had done science” Alora told him while walking out of the lab. When they landed it was dark out, and she had ended up just walking around because she wasn't allowed to do anything useful. She felt a strong pull of energy coming from where Simmons was. So naturally she gravitated that way. Everyone else soon followed as Simmons threw a few pebbles in the air. 

When Fitz had gotten it to stop there was some sort of metal contraption on the ground. 

“What is that” Skye asked waiting for anyone to reply

“Something big” Coulson said, not really answering the question. 

When they had gotten back to the plane her phone had binged. When she opened it it was an invitation to Ian Quinn's party. Alora had never really known what they were about just that she always had an invitation. She closed it out and went to help Ward check the tread pattern they had found. It came up with three results after filtering through a few requirements for the person they were looking for.

“Do you guys have a truth serum?” Skye asked when she walked in the room.

“I am not at liberty to discuss that with you” Alora said as May dropped communication logs into Skye’s hands. “You have fun with that, Ward’s not here so I’m going to make myself useful over there” Alora continued going over to Fitz 

“Can I have a look” Alora asks 

“Ah sure,” Fitz says, sliding over. Alora looks at the thing in the device. 

“I know this is highly unlikely but looking at this and seeing how it affects the things around us could it be Gravitonium?” Alora asks this starting the scavenger hunt through the internet to find everything on Gravitonium. They put a pause in it to examine the gold that came in. Low and behold Ian Quinn makes another appearance in her day. When Coulson leaves, Skye comes in and Fitz starts to explain it to Skye. Skye has doubts about Quinn being a bad guy. 

“Okay Skye look at it like this, My mum and Step father are crazy scientists but their discoveries are remarkable, Quinn has worked with them multiple times, knowing what they do can be very bad.” Alora explained after Simmons tried to. 

“So wait you parents worked with Ian Quinn, so do you think we could get into contact with them to see if they know anything.” Skye asks

“No, absolutely not” Alora said 

“Why not” Skye said 

“I haven’t talked to them since I left 6 years ago. They are not good people at all. Especially Jacob under no circumstances should you contact them, and tell them where I am. I left without telling them for a reason. Leave it at that” Alora told her and walked out of the lab. She walked up and into the conference room where everyone else was.

She was barely listening to the arguing until she heard Coulson say 

“Quinn Worldwide's got it’s annual shareholders gathering. We'd risk global outrage, but-”  She opened her phone and went back through her messages until she found the one from Quinn Worldwide to see if it was for the shareholders gathering. It was. 

“I’ve got an invitation, well technically it's an evite ” Skye said. After Coulson agreed he left the room Ward was following after. 

“Impressive Skye, but how would you like a bit of company on this mission?” Alora asked once everyone was out of the room.

“Robin I don’t think I can get another invitation especially for a shield agent.” Skye told her. 

“ Skye don’t underestimate me, I got an invitation hours ago. Well Maxine Calum did, that's my real name don’t freak out.” Alora told her 

“ I’m freaking out, What!” Skye said 

“My real name is Maxine Calum, I changed it when I came to the states because my step father isn't a very good person..” Alora said, lowering her voice at the last part.

“ Is that why you left?” Skye asked 

“Yeah It was really bad” Alora told her 

“Wow, Okay to answer your question yes please come on the mission with me” Skye said 

“Okay, I'll go talk to Coulson, feel free to raid my wardrobe for a suitable outfit” Alora said quickly leaving the room and going up to Coulson's office where she heard him and Ward talking. She knocked on the opened door.

“Sorry to interrupt but I know your reservations to put Skye in this op alone, So put me in” Alora said walking into the room 

“ Robin this is serious, and you would need an invitation ” Ward said 

“Agent Ward with all due respect I have connections all over the world, and because of my binding contract to my mother and stepfather's company I am a shareholder, and with Quinn trying to get my enterprise into the fold for years now, I get an invite every single year. Plus I can get closer to Quinn”  Alora said smiling as if that would make it better. 

“Okay Agent Robin if you can get in and be our second pair of eyes on the ground then you can go in.” Coulson said

“Hold on I’m her S.O i do not think either of them are ready for this kind of mission, she is going in risking blowing Skye’s cover. With no self defense skills on top of that” Ward said while Alora walked around to the other side of him. 

“Ward do you happen to know where your gun is?” Alora asked and Ward looked in his holster then back at her. 

‘I took your gun, badge, watch, and your phone, ' Alora said, holding them out to him. “ I have a few tricks on standby” 

“Meet me in the Cargo hold” Ward said leaving the room 

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When Alora got there Skye and Ward were already there. It seems as though they had been practicing getting the gun away from someone. 

“Someone is holding you at gunpoint, what do you do?” Ward asked, pointing the training gun at her, as she got off the steps. 

“Getting the gun away is probably the right answer,” Alora answered. 

“And how would you do that?” Ward said

“Like this,” Alora said, doing what Ward was previously showing Skye.” I’m not helpless you know” 

“We’ll see once you're actually held at gunpoint” Ward said 

“Little late, that was so last mission” Alora jokes

“This isn’t the time for jokes Robin, you both will die and leave us without anything” Ward said, taking the gun back.

“Sorry trying to lighten the mood, and plus he doesn’t know I work for shield no one does. That was the whole point of me going in. If you think I’m scared of a stupid man who wants my company then you are wrong, I don’t need everyone thinking I am incompetent because I am not. I have self defense skills, probably a little above average. I’ll do what I have to do'' Alora said back, going back up the stairs to the conference room. 

After being told the plan Alora went to get ready for the mission ahead. She picked out a black and a muted orange midi dress. It had sheer sleeves and a high neck. Alora put on a pair of black heels and silver jewelry. For her hair she parted it in the middle and fixed her natural blonde waves. She did a very neutral makeup, Alora never really wore makeup  so this is all she really knows how to do. 

Alora went back to her bunk and went to the very back of her storage area. This held one of the projects she had worked on a long time ago. It was a pair of batons, so maybe she's holding back in training a bit but that's just because she doesn’t really like fighting.  She slipped them into their holster and walked out into the lounge where everyone was waiting to grab equipment from Fitz and Simmons. 

“You clean up nice Robin” Skye said once she walked into the lounge. 

“Thank you,” Alora said as Fitz and  Simmons came in. 

“These are your ear pieces, we will be able to hear what's going on around you.” Simmons said and Fitz handed them their respective earpiece. Alora put hers in Skye doing the same. 

“Robin, make sure you have eyes on Skye the whole time” May said 

“Got it, I’m a shadow,”  Alora said.

_________________________________

Alora got out of the Taxi and made her way into the courtyard. She arrived minutes after Skye had. “I see Quinn and Skye I’m going over to talk” Alora muttered going over to them. 

“Ian Quinn I must say you’ve always outdone yourself with parties.” Alora said from behind him 

“Everyone you might not know her face but you definitely know her name, this is Dr. Maxine Calum. She owns the Phoenix hospitals and Calum enterprise. She also owns a third of Fox-Evans, who own a share of my company, they oversee most of the sciencey things. This girl is probably one of the smartest I know”  Quinn told the group he was with Skye included.

“Oh you are too kind” Alora said, trying to ignore the questions coming through her ear piece.

“Maxine I want you to meet Skye, she is a member of the Rising Tide” Quinn said 

“Impressive, I am a big fan of your groups work” Alora said shaking Skye’s hand 

“Your work with others biology and prosthetics is remarkable” Skye said listing to the information Simmons is feeding her

“Thank you, I could always use someone like you on my board. I would even fund the Rising Tide, if you guys ever need a friend just give me a call” Alora said handing her a business card. 

“Ian you asked me to bring something, find me after your little speech” Alora told him before walking away. 

“What did he ask you to bring, and who is Maxine?” Alora heard Simmons say through her ear piece 

“My fathers work on Gravitonium. Not that I’d give him it and that's me ” Alora said, grabbing a glass of champagne and listening to the speech. 

“I hear that speech every time I come to one of these things, and every time it gets more boring” Alora said as Quinn walked over to her. 

“Well I don’t know if you remember but you wrote that speech for me when you were what 14?” Quinn said 

“I was 13 and you have changed it so  much to the point I don’t recognize it” Alora laughed

“It wasn’t that bad, and you have the work?” Quinn asked

“Yes but it's in a locked case and only my father and Dr.Hall know the code, so your only luck is Dr.Hall if you can find him ”  Alora said handing over the case she had. 

“Don’t doubt me Maxine, I have my ways” Ian said Alora did her best to try not to react 

“Alright then” Alora said walking away “Skye has entered the building ,so am I” Alora said walking into the building. 

When Alora heard other footsteps, she quickly looked around to make sure no one could see her before quickly concentrating and slipping out of the visible field. When she was invisible no one could hear her movements, so she started moving closer into Skye and Quinn's area.

While listening to them talk she slipped into the office with them and stood in the corner observing. “We’ve lost vitals from Robin” She heard May say through the ear piece. Though Alora couldn't say anything, she sat there and watched Skye complete her part of the mission.

As Soon as Quinn pulled out a gun, she got ready to throw up force fields. Though Alora watched as things played out, And when Skye jumped out the window so did she. Though way more gracefully because of the element of energy flight, not everyone can do that so you take what you can get.

When she got to the ground she stayed invisible until she got to an area with no windows or cameras, she slipped back to the visible field right in time for guards to come get Skye. Ward was there fighting already. 

Alora grabbed her batons and clicked them together to make a staff. She hit the one still holding Skye in the leg, before breaking them apart and spinning them in her hands. She blocked his punch, and kicked him in the gut. 

There were two guys with her and two guys with Ward. She got grabbed from behind, A blow to the face had her tasting blood. She kicked her legs out, knocking the guy in front of her to the ground, Using that momentum she swung around the guy's waist and freed herself. Pain went through her abdomen as she got kicked. 

Alora hit the back of his knee with her baton. When his knee went down she pulled it out from under him. Alora bashed his head with her baton. The guy who was previously on the floor pulled her up and punched her in the stomach. She blocked his next punch with her baton, He grabbed the batons and started pushing her down. Alora quickly slid a button on her batons and electrified them. He quickly let go and Alora pushed them up under his chin. He looked dazed as the batons tased him, Alora punched him in the face, grabbed his arms and flipped him into the water. 

Alora switched her batons off and walks over to Skye who looked scared

“Are you okay?” Alora asked Skye 

“I think so, shouldn’t I be asking you that you just took on two guys 3 times your size” Skye said

“Not the worst someones done to me, but I did split my lip open”  Alora said 

“Does anything feel broken? Ward said as they started going to where Coulson was

“No just bruising I think” Alora said as they started running down to where Coulson had just pushed Dr. Hall into the gravitonium. “Hard calls” Alora whispered. 

__________________________________

Alora was sitting in the Cargo hold with an ice pack while Skye punched the punching bag. When Ward came down she listened as Skye talked about the brody’s. 

“Robin what about you, you said when you left it was bad” Skye said, Alora sighed, I guess it's time to tell the life story 

“I grew up In a big fancy houses, my parents got divorced, dad died, and had a stepfather who beat the shit out of me. I had no friends. I was a 17 year old runaway, changed my name, got recruited by shield. Went to the academy. Found my best friend dead in a ditch. Got put on this team, end of story. “ Alora summed up. Holding the ice pack to her jaw

“Robin I had no idea” Skye said 

“Don’t feel bad, I can acknowledge it happened, but I don’t need sympathy” Alora said getting up “I am going to go to bed, I have to talk to Coulson in the morning” Alora told them walking up to her bunk.

Alora turns off the light and flips the lighter open