S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters -
Simmons used her clearance badge, granting her access with her Level 5 clearance.
Skye, keeping watch, whispered through the comms, "Alright, Simmons, the flash drive is in your hands. Go for it."
"I've written a decoy search program. It'll simulate my usual online activity based on my browsing history. So S.H.I.E.L.D. will think I'm just wasting time on social media."
"Meanwhile, I'm hacking into Ward and Fitz's mission files. But remember, once you plug in the flash drive, you've only got three minutes before they notice. You have to pull it out when time's up."
Simmons nodded, a bit nervously, "Got it. This is actually kind of thrilling."
She headed down the corridor, while Skye asked through the earpiece, "Glad you're excited. Now, how do we get the panel open?"
Simmons chuckled. "Don't worry. I've got a special tool for this. We're professionals, after all."
In no time, Simmons used her tool to pop open the wall panel.
"All set."
Skye was impressed, "Really? That's amazing."
"Now, just find a USB port."
Simmons plugged Skye's flash drive into the port and closed the panel. She stayed in the restricted corridor, counting down the time.
Meanwhile, Skye got to work on her tablet, "Alright, let's see what you're up to."
Skye hacked into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s central server, navigating through current mission files and editing documents. But soon, something caught her attention—a file on herself.
Tempted, she searched for her own information. With one minute remaining, Skye said, "Found it. Wish I could access the original file though."
Seeing the timer ticking down to 30 seconds, Skye sighed. "Damn it, not enough time."
She quickly refocused on the current mission files and found the location of the military operation.
Status:
Two-person team.
Timeline: 18:00
Rescue plan: None.
Skye's eyes widened as she realized, "No rescue plan? This is bad."
Just then, Coulson appeared and closed her laptop with a snap.
"What did I tell you?"
Skye glared at him, "You told me to trust the system, but the system is sending Ward and Fitz to their deaths."
…
Meanwhile-
At Charles's base-
The three Cloud Ninja visitors had arrived. In the meeting room, C handed Charles a sealed scroll containing the 084 items.
"My lord, here are the two 084 items."
"This time, we traded two vials of body-enhancing serum. One vial was exchanged for our safe house in New York, plus $300 million in cash and some intel."
"Another vial was traded for one 084 item."
"In addition, Killer Bee agreed to give S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Melinda May one vial of the serum, but we asked for $30 million worth of medicinal herbs as compensation."
Charles looked at Killer Bee, who scratched his head sheepishly, "Lord Charles, I hope that's okay."
Charles smiled, "No problem. Since I entrusted the serums to you, you can handle them however you see fit."
"But S.H.I.E.L.D. has more than just 084 items. They've got some great materials, too. Both secondary and pure adamantium are valuable resources."
Killer Bee nodded. "I'm aware. Coulson promised me a long sword made from adamantium."
C glanced at Karui and Killer Bee—both skilled swordsmen. In the future, Killer Bee would even develop his own Eight-Blade Style, requiring numerous weapons.
"We'll trade for the metals and 084 items they have."
"But Lord Charles, I can't assess the value of these 084 items. How should I handle that?" C asked.
Charles replied, "Just let me know before making a selection. I'll send a shadow clone to assist."
"Understood, Lord Charles."
Charles nodded, "Proceed with the plan as usual."
"Coulson will come across some interesting things soon. Killer Bee, you should take the opportunity to propose trades and secure them."
"And don't forget, Coulson still owes you 11 concert performances. Continue working as their consultant."
Killer Bee nodded, "Yes, Lord Charles."
Charles smiled at the three Cloud Ninjas, "Alright, I won't keep you for a meal. Go explore and enjoy this world."
The trio stood up and left the meeting room.
…
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters-
Coulson stated, "I told you, I'll help you find information about your family."
Skye countered, "I wasn't looking for info on my family. I was trying to figure out what Ward and Fitz are up to."
"That's a classified mission."
"No, it's a suicide mission. I've seen the plans." Skye argued.
"There are military formations, airstrike arrangements. The moment Ward and Fitz disable the device, a massive assault will hit that place."
"And there's no rescue plan. You didn't tell us that."
Coulson pulled Skye aside into a corridor, "I haven't kept anything from you."
"It's just you don't have clearance to know the details."
Skye looked frustrated, "Is that how S.H.I.E.L.D. operates?"
"Do higher-clearance agents matter more than those with lower clearance?"
"Are we just numbers to you?"
Coulson stared at her, "Are you done?"
Skye hesitated, then responded, "I don't know. Are you?"
Coulson continued, "If S.H.I.E.L.D. keeps something from you, it's for a reason."
Skye shot back, "So secrets are only for certain people to know?"
"Don't interrupt me," Coulson warned.
"You hacked into an eight-level clearance server and saw classified mission plans. If this information leaks, the entire operation could fail."
"People could die. Ward and Fitz included."
Skye shouted, "I know! Those are the very people we're worried about. On the plane, you kept telling me to think outside the box. That's why I broke the rules—I wanted to keep an eye on things and protect them."
Coulson explained, "Our team can bend the rules because we have rules to guide us, supported by a strong organization."
"You said you wanted to be a part of it, to become an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., didn't you?"
Skye nodded, "Yes."
Coulson continued, "Because one day, I might need you to carry a secret, and I need to know you can keep it."
With that, Coulson turned to leave.
Skye called out after him, "Can I ask you something?"
Coulson stopped and turned back, "What?"
"Did you know there's no plan to rescue Ward and Fitz?"
"That's classified," Coulson replied.
Without another word, he turned and walked away.