An Hour Before Dawn
Charlie had to physically drag herself off of the cold hard floor that she had used as a bed that night. Her entire body was stiff and she felt like a giant bruise. Her training hasn’t even started yet and she is already rethinking whether or not Fury’s information was worth it.
After Charlie had managed to escape her room without waking the other recruits or notifying the security around the compound. It didn’t take long for her to find Clint at their meeting spot, a large oak tree at the far end of the grounds.
“Look who finally showed up,” Clint teased.
Charlie rolled her eyes, “you couldn’t have chosen a time where the rest of humanity is alive?” she grumbled.
Clint shook his head, “This isn’t matters of your training,” he said as she leaned down to grab a backpack that he had stashed behind the tree.
Charlie sighed.
“Fury requests that you take thorough notes. He suspects there are at least one undercover HYDRA in this year’s class,” Clint explained as he took out a thick file from the bag and handed it to Charlie.
Charlie quickly flipped through the first few pages, “What if it isn’t HYDRA agents enlisting with S.H.I.E.L.D. rather someone is enlisting them from within S.H.I.E.L.D.,” she suggested as she looked at the pages, “It would explain why the screening process doesn’t pick up any HYDRA activity from applicants.”
Clint smirked, “that’s precisely what Natasha thought.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow.
“Fury doesn’t know what to think,” Clint added.
“Fury doesn’t strike me as much of a thinker,” Charlie said as she folded her arms over her chest.
Clint smirked, “I knew I’d like you.”
“What can I say,” Charlie said gesturing with her arms, “I’m very likable.”
Clint raised his chin slightly in place of a laugh.
After a beat, Charlie asked, “is there anything else? The sun will be up shortly and I want to be back before the other’s wake.”
“Yeah, here,” Clint handed the bag over, “inside is a laptop and charger, use it to keep your notes.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for me to make hard copy notes?” Charlie asked, “What if it gets hacked or something.”
“It won’t get hacked.”
Charlie practically snorted, “I am here because of hacking, do you really think someone else won’t try the same? Especially if someone finds out about my mission.”
“No one will hack your computer because you won’t let them.”
Charlie threw her hands up, “what is that supposed to mean?”
“I guess you should be figuring that out.”