Chapter 1: Heroes in a Time of War
Chapter Text
May 4th, 2013
"My name is Dooku of the nation Serenno/Denmark and I'm speaking out against the corruption within the United Republic. Our world was forever changed by the terrorist organization Hydra and its leader the Red Skull. I proudly served the Jedi Order at that time as a young man alongside my former apprentice Qui Gonn Jinn. His murder at the hands of a cloaked assassin hurt me deeply.
Therefore I left the Jedi Order and reclaimed my birthright as the head of the House of Dooku. Using my family's vast fortune I sought to help the less fortunate all over the planet. In my travels I realized how corrupt the planet became due to the influence of the United Republic. Shield are the United Republic's lackeys and the Avengers are their pawns. Shield cannot be trusted and aren't held accountable by the United Republic.
They keep secrets from the people and use weak justifications for this behavior to maintain power. They're no different than Hydra the organization that plagued the world nearly a century ago that my former apprentice and I risked our lives to defeat all those years ago.
By calling the movement I represent a pejorative such as Separatist even the media is culpable in the corruption inside the government. We aren't Seperatist but freedom fighters seeking to fight for the poor, the non human, and non conforming galactic humans.
We are the Confederacy of Independent Nations and we want to be free to govern our respective territories in a transparent, fair and just manner as we see fit not the way the United Republic does. Using Loki's attack on New York City last year to make the public fear us will not deter our dream of making sure our citizens have justice and freedom. We will use whatever military measure to prevent the United Republic from destroying our movement."
Introduction
And there you have it. Former Jedi Master Dooku is now known as Count Dooku and is leading the Confederacy of Independent Nations as Chancellor. Dooku has formed an arrangement with rogue former members of the Trade Federation to build a droid army to fight a large scale war against the United Republic and its allies. The Jedi despite a lack of formal military experience are tasked via an agreement with Shield to lead an army of clones based on bounty hunter Jango Fett to combat the Seperatist droid army.
Meanwhile Dooku operates secretly as Sith Lord Darth Tyranus who is the apprentice to Sith Lord Darth Sidious. Tyranus has an assassin who is a former Jedi and is now a student of the Dark Side of the Force. In response to this secret development Nick Fury, Grandmaster Yoda, and Master of the Jedi Council: Jedi Master Mace Windu task recently ressurrected Shield Agent Phillip J Coulson in forming a joint task force of elite Shield Agents and elite Jedi to find and stop Dooku's secret plans and schemes in order to bring a swift end to the Clone Wars. A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of this newly formed team.
Skye sat in her van across a comic book store and watched construction worker Mike Peterson and his son Ace. She smiled as the young boy admired all the action figures of the superhero team the Avengers on a display inside the store window. Ace stared in awe at Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the Incredible Hulk. Skye wondered why Black Widow and Hawkeye weren't included in the display. Skye shook her head in disgust. It was just like Shield to fly under the radar. To act like their secretive way of operating wasn't tyrannical and destructive.
Skye knew it was only a matter of time before someone as connected and influential as Count Dooku would challenge Shield. The fact that he used to be a Jedi made it more obvious to Skye that Shield was secretly using the Jedi as a clandenstine army to protect secrets and weapons. Skye's investigation into Shield also exposed their operations that focused on targeting innocent men like Mike. Skye concluded Shield's goal was to kidnap him and use his gifts to fight in the Clone Wars against Dooku's forces. They didn't care about his son and they definitely didn't care about keeping the truth from the public.
Mike and Ace continued walking down the street until Ace pointed at the sky. A building nearby was on fire and Mike leapt into the upper window of the building and retrieved a red haired woman who was coughing violently from the smoke. A crowd of people stared in awe at the sight and some of them started taking pictures. Mike smiled and picked up his son and placed him on his shoulders. The woman named Debbie profusely thanked Mike by shaking his hand vigorously.
Skye grinned at the sight. She was confident there was no possible way that Shield could abduct Mike. Skye decided to send Shield a message to let them know she and her fellow hackers Rising Tied would protect ordinary citizens from Shield. She turned on her computer and faced the camera on top of the computer screen.
"The secret is out. For decades your organization stayed in the shadows. Hiding the truth. But now we know...they're among us. Heroes...and monsters. The world is full of wonders. We can't explain everything we see. But our eyes are open. So what now? There are no more shadows for Shield to hide in. Something impossible just happened in plain sight today and the frequency of that statement being said is increasing. You teaming up with the Jedi means nothing. Soon we'll learn the Jedi Order's secrets too. So, what are you going to do about it? What now Shield? What now Jedi Order?"
The van door opened and four people stood in front of her. A teenage alien girl with orange skin and long bright white hair with blue horizontal streaks. Next to her stood a tall handsome young man with brown hair and blue eyes and next to him stood an even taller and just as handsome Shield Agent with dark hair and blue eyes. Rounding out the quartet was a middle aged man with brown hair and sun glasses who was also a Shield Agent. Skye was shocked to be found so quickly by two Jedi and two Shield Agents and was at a loss for words.
"Your days working for Count Dooku are over Skye. And Rising Tide is finished." The teenage Jedi said with a smirk
She brandished her lightsaber at Skye and Skye promptly raised her hands in surrender.
"Do you always have to snip and joke every 5 seconds? I should call you snips from now on." The male Jedi groaned
"What? I can't celebrate a successful end to the mission Master?" She argued
"We still have to interrogate her." He said with gritted teeth
"Oh...I knew that." She replied with a sheepish grin
"So...is this a we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way situation?" Skye asked jokingly
The middle aged Shield Agent placed a bag over Skye's head. Skye was grabbed and placed in a plane of some sort. They flew to a hidden base and when the bag was removed from Skye's head she was in an interrogation room. The three men sat across from her but the teenage girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's the girl? Did you people get rid of her for knowing too much? Is that what you're doing to me? Am I that much of a threat to your little Shield and Jedi alliance?" Skye questioned
"I'm Phillip Coulson and this is Agent Grant Ward and the Jedi is Anakin Skywalker. We need to know if you or your group of hackers are allied with Count Dooku and the Seperatist." The middle aged Agent explained
"We don't want to hurt you. Also Ahsoka is fine just a little enthusiastic for interrogation work." Anakin explained
"Is she your protégé?" Skye asked
"She's my Padawan or in layman's terms my apprentice and I'm responsible for her training in the Force and the Jedi way." Anakin answered
"Oh..ok. Um...I still don't trust any of you. I know you'll torture me to get the information that you want. So just get it over with. I know what kind of organization you are." Skye accused
"Shield isn't perfect and neither is the Jedi Order. But both of our organizations genuinely want to keep people safe. Words aren't going to convince you of that. So I'm going to use a different tactic and don't worry it's not torture."
Skye started to panic as Coulson pulled a small black briefcase from underneath the table. He opened it and inside was a syringe. He held it up in front of Skye and Skye eyed the syringe in fear.
"This is QNB-T16. It's the top-shelf martini of sodium-pentathol derivatives. It's a brand-new and extremely potent truth drug. Don't worry. The effects only last for about an hour." Coulson explained
"This is a much more effective way to extract the truth from you than torture." Anakin added
"And then you'll have a nice little nap. And we'll have all the answers to our--" Ward began to explain but Coulson injected Ward with the syringe.
"Gah! What the galaxy?!" Ward yelled
"I'm sorry, did that hurt?" Anakin asked
"No. But Coulson's lost his mind. He should never do that to a member of the team. And yes, it did hurt a little bit. But I always try and mask my pain in front of beautiful women because I think it makes me seem more masculine—my goodness this stuff works fast."
"Ask him whatever you like. Hopefully that'll allow you to trust us." Coulson said as he leaves the room
"Wait a minute. You can't just …" Ward started to say
Anakin stood up to leave as well and both he and Coulson observed the reverse interrogation by Skye. Anakin wondered if this new arrangement would lead to a swift end to the war. He was not working with the Avengers and no longer serving as Obi Wan Kenobi's Padawan. Weeks after Loki's defeat by the Avegers and the Jedi, Anakin endured the Jedi Trials. He emerged from the ordeal as a newly recognized Jedi Knight.
He and Obi Wan worked well under this new arrangement even though Obi Wan was newly recognized as a Jedi Master and was inducted into the Jedi High Council an order of highly respected Jedi Masters that advise the Master of the Jedi Order which was Jedi Master Mace Windu. Six weeks ago things changed. Anakin was given a Padawan named Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka recently passed her Jedi Order trails and was now a member of the Jedi Order with her own lightsaber as a Padawan. Soon after this revelation Coulson requested himself, Ahsoka and Obi Wan to be the Jedi that make up his special joint Shield and Jedi task force.
While watching Ward under the influence of the truth serum Anakin thought back to how Ward joined the team. Like Anakin Ward was not enthusiastic about this new team. Unlike Anakin Ward always operated alone. Ward worked at Shield as a field operative specifically a retrieval specialist. He recovered dangerous Hydra weapons still in circulation on the black market and prevented them from falling into the wrong hands.
Ward's espionage skills were superb as good as Jedi Master Quinlan Vos and legendary Shield Agent and Avenger Natasha Romanoff. This skill made him one of best field operatives in Shield. However Anakin found very quickly Ward didn't play nice with others and got testy when asked certain questions.
Coulson's second in command Maria Hill once asked Ward, "What does S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for, Agent Ward?"
Ward replied, "Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
Hill added, "And what does that mean to you?"
Ward irritably responded, "It means someone really wanted our initials to spell out "Shield."
Anakin wondered why Agent Melinda May was recruited to this team of Coulson's. Ward and May both functioned as field operatives and even though May was a tactical team leader not a retrieval specialist it still seemed redundant to Anakin. Even more unusual was the fact May hadn't worked in the field since 2010. She'd been an information analyst within Shield for 3 years due to a mysterious mission gone wrong in Bahrain.
May was nicknamed the Calvary and was an Agent with a legendary reputation equal to Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow and Clint Barton aka Hawkeye. Yet Coulson recruited May specifically to pilot the fancy airship Fury commissioned to be built for Coulson nicknamed the bus. All of this seemed weird to Anakin as Anakin watched Ward pass out in his chair due to the truth serum drugs.
"He'll be fine Anakin. FitzSimmons will help him deal with the side effects of the serum." Coulson explained
"So is FitzSimmons a he, a she, a they, or a droid?" Anakin asked weary of another unknown person joining the team
"FitzSimmons are two people. Brilliant scientists who have...um...well they've never..."
"Are you saying that you brought in two scientists with little experience in the field. Count Dooku is dangerous. When I fought him I lost a hand and my master was almost killed by him. Without Master Yoda's intervention I wouldn't be standing in front of you! And you think it's a smart idea to send in kids with little experience to dismantle his military operation from the inside-out?" Anakin yelled holding up his artificial hand
"Hey FitzSimmons don't have little experience. They have zero experience but they're the youngest graduates from Shield's science Academy in history. They are actually junior level instructors at the school under the guidance of Academy Director Agent Weaver. They're talented enough to handle the scale of this operation...trust me Anakin." Coulson reassured
"Oh my goodness this airship is brilliant. I cannot believe we're gonna be living here Fitz!" Simmons shouted with joy
"The amount of functions this airship has is incredible. The sheer amount of laboratory space and the equipment to build more equipment with precise design capabilities is something I couldn't even imagine doing in my wildest dreams. And we're going up against an army made up of advanced Androids of a design that no non galactic human researchers would have created for another 100 years after the end of World War II. Thanks to the dimensional rift created by the Red Skull's experiments with the Tesseract in 1942 galactic humans and galactic non humans have introduced so many incredible ideas in technological development. To see most of it on this aircraft is beyond exciting." Fitz rambled ecstatically
Simmons shouted with joy when she saw Ahsoka.
"Oh my goodness. Its a galactic non human Jedi! I'm standing next to a non human Jedi and she's a girl! Remarkable! What species are you? Can I examine you in the laboratory space? Simmons asked
"I'm Togrutan but I have a name you know." Ahsoka challenged
Anakin and Coulson made their way to the main deck of the airship. Anakin groaned and placed his hand over his face in disappointment. FitzSimmons arrival signaled the embarrassing truth that this team wasn't a well oiled machine. Now Anakin wished he was in DC Coruscant with master Kenobi. Instead he and Coulson were going to be glorified babysitters.
"Master, Simmons says she likes my lightsaber. Can she hold it Master...please?" Ahsoka asked
"No. Ahsoka you know what Master Kenobi told me when I was training under him? He said Anakin this weapon is your life. Ahsoka you can't give away something that precious even for a second."
"But master..."
"Ahsoka please stop. This is a serious spy operation. There's no room for childishness. Wow is that a flying car."
R2D2 Anakin's blue and white astromech droid rolled up to a classic red sports car. He stared in awe at the vehicle alongside Fitz.
"I would love to work on this vehicle and test its flight capabilities." Fitz gasped
"Are you an engineer?" Anakin asked
"Not just an engineer. Physicist, Mathematician and Inventor. What would a Jedi know about that stuff anyway? You guys are just warriors." Fitz replied
"You see that astromech droid next to you...I built him when I was 9 years old. He's been my best buddy ever since." Anakin explained
"Fascinating." Fitz said as he stared at R2D2 more closely
"Um...Master I thought you said no childishness." Ahsoka said
Anakin and Fitz ignored her as they excitedly talked about machines.
"You have a lot to learn about men." Agent May said with a smirk
"Woah you snuck up on me without even trying." Ahsoka gasped
"Of course. Coulson will be conducting out first briefing in just a few minutes. If this mission is successful we could do a lot of damage to the Seperatist army before they launch their first large wide scale attack." May explained
"Sir with all due respect Skye isn't qualified to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent." Ward whispered in Coulson's ear
"Agreed. That's why I've invited her on as a consultant. S.H.I.E.L.D. does it all the time. Technically, Tony Stark's a Shield consultant." Coulson argued
"And technically, Skye's a member of the Rising Tide. She hacked our RSA implementation to intimidate us." Ward replied
"Twice. From a laptop. Imagine what she'll do with our resources. Besides this isn't up for discussion. The matter is settled." Coulson said
Ward frowned as he stood against the wall. Coulson cleared his throat.
"Skye will be joining us on a temporary basis. I spoke with her privately and I'm convinced Rising Tide has no affiliation with any government involved in the Clone Wars. Also Skye understands the potential threat Dooku poses if he gained access to technology that gave him a decisive advantage in the upcoming war.
Dooku has recruited a different organization. One called Project Centipede run by a mysterious individual known only as the Clairvoyant. The Clairvoyant has provided Dooku and his allies with classified Shield documents on persons suspected of having extraordinary abilities. Shield calls them gifted. They're not Jedi obviously but they're potential recruits to join the Seperatist army.
Skye will be tasked with making contact with the Seperatist latest potential recruit Mike Peterson. She'll be backed up by Anakin and Ahsoka while the rest of us will monitor their progress from the bus. The goal is to ensure Mike and his son are protected and safe within Shield custody. Are their any questions?"
"Ooooh oooh I have one sir. Are we going to be able to study Mr. Peterson's abilities here on the bus?" Simmons asked enthusiasticly
"Absolutely not. I reassured Skye we wouldn't be utilizing Mr. Peterson as a recruit for the United Republic military. The focus would be to ensure the health and safety of Mr. Peterson and his son." Coulson replied
"What do we do if Mr. Peterson joins Dooku? Do we cross him of the list sir?" Ward asked
"What? No we can't do that he has a son!" Skye protested
"Skye's right there has to be another way if it comes to that. We can't murder an innocent man if he's deceived by Count Dooku." Ahsoka argued
"Ahsoka please..." Anakin started
"Listen if Mike demonstrates fanatical devotion to the Seperatist cause then yes Ward we will have to terminate him. However I'm confident it won't come to that. Mike Peterson is a good man and he wouldn't join the Seperatist unless deceived."
"Good then it's settled. We save Mike and his son Ace." Skye said boldly
****
"Deborah what is taking you so long to win over Mr. Peterson over to our side. He's the only successfully enhanced specimen. Your boss the Clarvoiyant promised you'd develop specimens like Mr. Peterson in numbers around the thousands."
"I'm sorry Count Dooku. I've been struggling to cover up the experiments from the public. They can't know the full extent of Seperatist operations within the United Republic. We'd lose a major tactical advantage in the war." The red headed woman rescued by Mike explained
"Leave the logistics of the war to General Grevious and my apprentice Asajj Ventress. Just ensure that the experiments that I've funded using CIN financial council credits are successful. Or else your employer's partnership with me will cease to exist and the funding they so desperately need will disappear. Is that clear?"
"Very clear," Debbie replied as Dooku ended the holo vid call, "Did you get all of that Clairvoyant?"
"Yes. Reestablish contact with Peterson and convince him that Shield is after you and you need his protection. If we play our cards right we can eliminate Coulson's strike force and prove ourselves to Dooku and the Seperatist at the same time. Then we our organization will replace Shield as the global clandenstine operation." The Clairvoyant explained cloaked in shadow
Chapter 2: Rookies
Summary:
A squadron of rookie Clonetroopers known as Domino Squad are at the center of a secret operation by the Seperatist to infiltrate the United Republic military communication network. Skye is sent to Malta/Batonn to use the computer network of a powerful technological industrialist named Ian Quinn to help Domino Squad retake their base at Rishii Station.
Chapter Text
"Hi Mike. I saw what you did on TV and it meant a lot to me." Skye said
"Are you a reporter? Listen I'm just a regular guy trying to make a living. I'm not interested in giving a statement." Mike replied
"No...no I'm someone that is trying to warn you because there's not many good men out there anymore. I think it's honorable that you're using your abilities to help people. You're setting a good example for your son. The Separatist want to recruit you and use you to cause destruction. You gotta come with me if you want your son to be safe." Skye warned
"Debbie warned me about someone like you. Someone that would recognize me and want to recruit me. So she sent me back up to stop you."
Skye stared in horror as a non human woman with chalk white skin and thin black lines on her cheeks and the sides of her forehead glared at her behind a crowd of tourists.
"Listen Mike you need to calm down. Where is your son? You need to get him away from these people. Please? The Separatist are dangerous."
"He's with my sister. And I'm tired of being stuck with no options and no money! My son deserves better. He deserves the toys behind that store window." Mike replied pointing at the store window
It was the same store display that Skye saw Mike and his son looking at yesterday. Mike clenched his fists in frustration. His hands started to glow orange and his eyes glowed a bright yellow color.
"Did Debbie do something to you?" Skye asked
Skye placed a sympathetic hand on Mike's shoulder. Mike was at a loss for words over his temper.
"Why are you trying to help me?" Mike asked in fear
Debbie walked into the conversation standing behind Skye. For a brief second Skye saw the cloaked woman but she disappeared again.
"Because she has no choice just like you Mr. Peterson. Shield is using you Skye. Your talents would do wonders for people like Mike who need financial support and as a result volunteer themselves for my experiments to receive that support. You think those rich snobs in the United Republic care about hard working people like Mike just trying to make a living?" Debbie argued
"Please I'm not fooled. I can tell you did something to Mike and its hurting him. Remember Mike with great power comes...a lot of weird stuff happening to you but you still have to do right by your son." Skye explained
As Debbie took Mike who walked gingerly away from the public square.
Out of the corner of Skye's eye she saw Ward perched on a roof with a sniper rifle.
"Sir you should have authorized me to take the shot. Mike is deregulating. He's using extremis tech that Shield confiscated from Advanced Idea Mechanics and he's starting to break down. If we aren't careful an explosion will..." Ward gasped
A red lightsaber passed through his chest and he turned and saw the chalk white woman who was skulking in an alleyway earlier. He gasped and started choking as he collapsed to the ground.
"Nice moves Shield Agent but I'm not falling for it." The woman said with a smirk
Ward disappeared and in his place was a small black ball that emitted a bright light. The real Ward appeared on the other side of the roof firing his blaster. The woman blocked the blaster bolts with her twin lightsabers. She then knocked Ward off the roof by extending her arm forward utilizing the Force. Ward flew off the roof and Ventress smirked.
"Don't underestimate what Shield can do with Jedi backing them up Ventress." Anakin warned
Anakin gestured to Ward hanging from the roof by a strand of rope at his waist buckle.
"Skywalker." Ventress growled
"And his trusty Padawan Ahsoka Tano!" Ahsoka cheered appearing next to Anakin
"Ahsoka you're supposed to be protecting Skye!" Anakin shouted
"Oh right..."
Ahsoka leapt off the roof while Ventress and Anakin engaged in lightsaber combat. Ahsoka ran after Skye who was chasing Mike and Debbie down multiple alleyways. Ahsoka channeling the Force increased her speed and managed to catch up to them very quickly. Ahsoka saw Mike expel explosive energy from his body and when the energy dissipated the pair vanished.
"Now what do we do?" Skye wondered aloud
"My guess is that both of you surrender and come with me." A mysterious figure in the shadows said
The mysterious figure stepped out of the shadows holding the two women at blaster point.
"A Clone working for the Seperatist but that's impossible!" Ahsoka gasped
"I thought the same thing but he betrayed the United Republic." Another Clone said
The Clone holding Ahsoka and Skye at blaster point crumpled to the ground. The Clone who shot him gave a smile towards Ahsoka.
"Rex it's you! Thanks for saving us!" Ahsoka greeted with a friendly wave
"Now Commander that is not how you address the soldiers under your leadership." A second Clone said as he joined Rex's side
"Wait a minute? You actually command an army of Clones?" Skye asked Ahsoka in shock
"Technically General Skywalker does but since Ahsoka is his apprentice she is able to issue commands when Skywalker isn't present." The second Clone explained
"Cut the official sounding explanations Cody you're boring me. Besides we gotta move this traitor to the bus so we can interrogate him." Rex said exasperated
"We could use that truth serum?" Skye offered
Rex and Cody started laughing.
"What? Was it something I said?" Skye asked confused
"That truth serum was fake. It was just a sleep toxin." Ahsoka explained
"Are you serious? Shield tricked me!" Skye exclaimed
"So what brings you guys here so soon? You weren't due to report to the bus for another two or three days." Ahsoka asked
"We'll explain on the way. We've found some important clues about what Dooku is planning and how we can destroy Project Centipede to disrupt his plans." Rex answered
****
24 hours earlier
"Echo what are you babbling about?" A Clone named Hevy groaned
Hevy's Clone trooper armor helmet was on a console while Echo paced back and forth with his helmet on reciting something.
"It's obvious he's reciting security protocol. You know how Echo is so just relax Hevy." A Clone named Fives said
"You telling me to relax? When we've spent weeks on this remote base with no action. We're on a Scandinavian island covered in snow in the middle of nowhere. When we completed our combat training on Kamino I thought we'd get assigned missions where we destroy some clankers. But no...we are just stuck here doing nothing." Hevy complained
"That's not true. We've maintained communications equipment, helped direct airships on supply runs and we listen for any chatter from Seperatist communication arrays. Count Dooku's native country is close by in Denmark. It'd take a few hours to get there by car. So if we overhear any important information we'd have a huge advantage over the Seperatist in the war." A Clone named Droidbait argued
"Yeah all of that isn't exactly disproving my argument Droidbait." Hevy replied irritably
"Can you just stop whining? Yes we get it. This post is boring. But your whining is just making it worse for Sergeant O'Niner. It's only a matter of time before he shows up with a diaper." A Clone named Cutup complained
"I'm sorry but are you arguing Echo reciting security protocols from regulation manuals is less annoying than me? Cutup your observational skills need work."
"Maybe I should get the popcorn because you two arguing Echo every day is the most interesting thing on this base." Fives groaned while sighing
"What are you five doing? You men are a team and you have a name...Domino Squad. You need to carry yourselves professionally. We have to be suited up and ready for an inspection today." Sergeant O'Niner called out
Sergeant O'Niner stood before them with his helmet on at the front of the hallway to the base entrance. Echo was in the corner reciting protocols to himself from memory. Droidbait was staring at one of several monitors for displaying all important information from the communications equipment on the base. Fives was busy cleaning and fine tuning his blaster pistol. Cutup was reading a magazine and Hevy was sitting in a chair staring out the window daydreaming about combat.
"That inspection isn't for another hour sir." Cutup replied
"These are high ranking Clone officers who work closely with the special Shield/Jedi task force. They could be arriving at any moment as a way to test us. Therefore all of you need to be suited up and have your weapons holstered and ready. You never know..."
A blue and silver whirlwind emerged from the underneath the ground and hit Sergeant O'Niner in the chest. O'Niner was slammed into the wall and the blur vanished back into the hidden entrance underneath the ground.
"We need to warn the United Republic. This station has been compromised-" A blaster bolt hit him in the face
A specialized droid that the five inexperienced Clones of Domino Squad had little experience fighting stood before them. It was the tall sleek and dark gray Commando Droid. It held out a Vibro Blade in its right hand and a blaster in its left. Before the Clones could open fire more Commando Droids appeared and started to attack.
"Run!" Fives shouted
Domino Squad ran for the emergency protocol exit that had constantly updating codes every two hours. Echo knew the route to this exit by heart and so he led the way. A sound of a crumpled body could be heard by Echo and Echo turned around and saw that it was Droidbait. There was no time for the other Clones to mourn their fallen friend. They needed to keep moving and warn the United Republic of an impending attack. Domino Squad reached the exit and managed to get outside their base of operations. Echo turned and saw Cutup get swallowed by a Rishii Island underground creature.
Present Day
"So what happened next?" Ahsoka asked
"Cody and I made contact with them when we realized something suspicious was going on. They're hiding out waiting for an opportunity to make their move to retake the base but those shinies need our help in order to do it." Rex explained
"Shinies? What's that supposed to mean?" Skye asked
"It means they haven't seen any real combat. They're rookies fresh out of training." Cody replied
"I don't get it. Why can't the Separatist just stage an attack from the station if they're in control of it?" Skye asked
"Easy. It's because Shield was smart enough to reverse engineer your cyber attack of Shield into a code. That code was used to create a firewall that's stopping the clankers occupying the station electronically by taking full control of its systems. There's a businessman close to Count Dooku named Ian Quinn with a computer network powerful enough to break through the firewall but it's currently not operating at full capacity due to an incident in one of Quinn's secret research labs.
Quinn is using a scientist named Franklin Hall as leverage to gain a high ranking and financially lucrative role in Dooku's operation. Franklin Hall is trapped inside the laboratory. Slick the Clone that attempted to attack you earlier knows a secret entrance to get us to Dr. Hall and claim the lab space. He was going to give that info and Skye to Dooku so that Quinn would lose his leverage and the Seperatist forces can take complete control of the Rishii Island base." Cody explained
"And as a bonus we can capture Ian Quinn and learn more about the relationship between Project Centipede and the Seperatist." Rex added
"So...who is distracting Ian Quinn while Dr. Hall's lab is being retaken?" Skye asked
****
2 Days Later
"I don't like this at all. I'm in the belly of the beast with no backup." Skye whispered into her earpiece
"Hey that's not nice. I'm your backup Skye." Ahsoka replied in a whisper
"You don't have your lightsaber and you're not exactly in a position to help me. You're supposed to be an exotic dancer which is completely gross by the way." Skye replied
"Whatever it takes to stop Dooku's operation right?" Ahsoka argued
"No heroics Ahsoka. If the situation is beyond your control you message me is that clear? Also Skye Coulson gave me authorization to pull you out as well." Anakin said
"Sure thing boss. Signing off our prized catch is approaching me." Skye said
Ian Quinn sat down across the table from Skye. The music was loud but not too loud. People sat at different tables enjoying their drinks engaged in conversation while others enjoyed watching the exotic dancers on stage. Skye spent the last few minutes trying to enjoy her surroundings but failed miserably as she stirred the alcohol in her glass. She hated the fact that she was essentially bait for Ian Quinn. The tight red dress she was wearing basically confirmed her interpretation of the situation.
"If it's not the famous hacker Skye. You are a legend in the hacking world my dear. What's your real name by the way...because there's no way it says Skye on your birth certificate." Ian Quinn complimented as he sat down in front Skye
"It actually says Mary Sue Poots but you can call me Skye." Skye replied
"Sense of humor as well. I like it. Are you enjoying the party? I was hoping representatives from the Republic would be here. But figures those cowards want to label me as a "Seperatist sympathizer". Dooku didn't even show up just his lackey Nute Gunray but I still get stuck with the Seperatist label by the media." Quinn complained
"I can relate. I was arrested by Shield on flimsy grounds and they called me terrorist. They threatened to torture me if I didn't give them information they wanted." Skye replied
"How did you get out?" Quinn asked
"A perfectly timed cyber attack. It was so strong it disabled one of their remote bases. Rising Tide is growing stronger and when I heard you were working on something big I knew I had to meet you. You're a genius and I like your sense of style." Skye said while rubbing her hand on his leg
Quinn was taken aback but he grinned.
"Why don't we discuss a proposal in my office?" Quinn offered
Skye struggled to maintain composure but quickly responded, "If I went into your office right now, people wouldn't think of me a master hacker anymore. They'd view me as a groupie or a fan girl."
"If we end up working together you'd be a 50-50 partner not one of these dancers. It beats being bossed around by Shield or by Dooku. Together we'd be difference makers and you could help me solve a very unique problem I have right now." Quinn said
"Sure why not. Where's your office?" Skye asked
"Follow me and I'll show you." Quinn said
Skye winced as an object poked her underneath her seat. Skye looked below and saw that it was a blaster rifle.
"Don't say anything that gives your allies a chance to swoop in and save you. Like I said I need you to solve a unique problem I have. I need you for that not Shield and not the Jedi." Quinn said with a smirk
Chapter 3: Brotherhood
Summary:
Agent Coulson learns something shocking when he attempts to rescue scientist Dr. Hall from wealthy Indistrialist Ian Quinn's secret laboratory.
Chapter Text
24 hours earlier
"I don't like this." May said
"What's not to like? Skye and Ahsoka will keep Quinn occupied. I sneak into the laboratory where Quinn is held with the codes that Sergeant Slick has. I rescue Dr. Hall and recover the specs for whatever secret project he was working on. Skye gains access to Quinn's network and that will allow the base at Rishii Station to be retaken by the Clones. Anakin and Ward are backup agents in the field ready to help Ahsoka and Skye if they get into trouble and you can just sit tight waiting to pilot the Bus when the mission is complete."
"This plan of yours has multiple steps. Any plan like that isn't simple. Something unexpected could derail things." May argued crossing her arms
"I never said the plan was simple. Just said there was a lot to like about the plan." Coulson joked with a smile
"The only reason I'm here is because of you. You're not just a fellow Agent you're a friend. So that's why I'm telling you to be careful. The Separatist are unlike anything we ever faced." May said
"Don't worry May. I'll be fine. I fought in missions with the Avengers." Coulson replied
"Yeah...and you died." May muttered bitterly
Coulson walked down from the cockpit to the main laboratory on the Bus to visit FitzSimmons.
"You two are something else. Always chattering between yourselves away from the others. You guys need to know this isn't a game. We are on the brink of war. There is a warrior on the other side just as powerful as the Jedi. She almost killed me out there. So the equipment you design and the intel you provide on the biological capabilities of Seperatist forces needs to be precise. Now do you have any thing to say for yourselves?" Ward asked
Simmons gave a sheepish smile but Fitz bowed his head low and said, "I'm sorry Ward, I'll adjust the weight of your customized stun blaster by 4 ounces and moving forward I'll follow all your weapons requests exactly."
"Good. I appreciate the understanding both of you have for this matter." Ward said as he left the lab
Ahsoka and Skye sat behind them examining the map of the island where Ian Quinn's mansion and research facility was located. They both struggled to maintain their composure and not laugh at Ward's overdramatic lecture. Seconds passed after Ward left and they both erupted in laughed with Ahsoka laughing so hard she was gasping for air.
Simmons with a smile said in a gravelly voice, "My name is Grant Ward and I'm a super Agent of Shield. The only weapon I use is one made out of pure Doonium with gold plating."
Fitz laughed and added in his own gravelly voice, "It's the perfect weapon because it's only .00001 ounces off from the design specs."
Simmons shrieked in laughter but then stood at attention saluting a person standing behind Fitz. Fitz continued to laugh until Skye started coughing as a signal to get Fitz to turn around.
"Hello Agent Coulson is there anything you need from us?" Ahsoka asked politely
Fitz whirled around and stood at attention with Simmons giving a quick salute. Coulson smiled at FitzSimmons and turned to Ahsoka.
"No Ahsoka. You and Skye can continue studying your mission details packet," Coulson then turned back to FitzSimmons and said, "I need you to explain to me what you found from the data that Skye managed to get from Debbie the scientist. Any new information about the experimentation on Mike as well as anything you learned from the data related to the Rishii Island base that the Seperatist could use?"
"Sir did you learn anything from Clone Sergeant Slick? Is there data for me to analyze from him?" Fitz asked
"Anakin, Rex and Cody are still interrogating him. They should find an some answers from him shortly. We need an analysis on Debbie's experiments but more importantly on the Rishii Island base. Agent Barton and General Kenobi are on route to the base but they'll get shot down by long range weapons the Seperatist droids have set up unless they have information on how to workaround the bases defenses." Coulson answered
"Is Agent Romanov going to be on this mission too sir? I'm such a huge fan of the Black Widow!" Simmons said
Coulson gave Simmons a serious and silent look and she quickly stiffened and answered Coulson's earlier question professionally.
"Debbie isn't only utilizing Extremis technology that was created by the organization AIM sir. She's combining it with Gamma radiation and a weakened strain from an unknown virus that's meant to weaken the muscles of patients fitted for Cybernetic surgery." Simmons reported
"Is Mike's response to these experiments normal or are there variations in the abilities patients can gain from Debbie's experiments?" Coulson asked
"Right now the results of the experiments have resulted in fatalities. The only person to survive the experimental procedure is Mike. Project Centipede formed a business partnership with Dooku in order to find non Droid officers to serve with General Grevious. Strategically these officers would be organic beings with various "superpowers" that could potentially overwhelm United Republic forces in different theaters of combat internationally.
The problem is that even though Mike survived the experiments he is deregulating. Very much like the patients that volunteered for AIMs experiments. Eventually the formula fueling his powers will deregulate causing an explosion. The Clairvoyant is struggling to find an alternative means to create enhanced beings that strengthen the Seperatist military. We need to find out where Debbie is or anyone connected to her in order to shut down these experiments before they become successful." Simmons warned
"Yes but before we do that we need to understand what Rishii Station means for the Seperatist's overall plans. It's apparent the Seperatist are more confident in that operation than Project Centipede's operation. My initial research has gathered that the base contains training protocols and troop formation strategies for all Clone battalions. It also contains information related to Papa New Guinea/Kamino. Information for what I'm not sure but Seperatist could use that information to cause damage to the Cloning Facility where Clones are made." Fitz interjected
"Good. We just need to gain access to Ian Quinn. He's engaged in more communications with Count Dooku. He has Dr. Hall in his research facility working on some kind of dangerous project. Something that could win the war for the Seperatist before it truly gets started. Once we have the information we need from Sergeant Slick. Ahsoka and Skye can head out to Malta/Batonn and get access to Quinn's technological network."
****
"Slick we've been doing this for hours and you're holding out for who...Count Dooku. He doesn't care about you. You were just a tool to him. A means to an end." Rex explained
"You don't think I know that? It feels good to be in prison clothes instead of that slave uniform you call armor. I made a business arrangement with Dooku's agent Asajj Ventress. It was mutually beneficial and that's what our alliance was based on not loyalty. My loyalty is to you my brothers. I did whatever it took to free you from just doing whatever the United Republic told you. I wanted to free you from just living a life of following orders." Slick replied
"If you were our brother you wouldn't have sided with our enemies. You wouldn't have to sit through an interrogation and you wouldn't be abandoned and alone by the people sided with." Cody said sternly
"The Seperatist are the United Republic's enemies not our enemies Cody."
"If you have no loyalty to the Seperatist as you claim Slick then tell us what the plan is with Rishii base. Clones all over the world are at risk if the information at Rishii base are in Seperatist hands. Don't you dare us call us brothers again or I swear I will do something I'll regret to you Slick." Rex threatened
"If I gave you that information it would just further the grip the United Republic has on you brother."
Before Rex could attack Slick in anger Anakin stepped into the interrogation room. He stretched out his hand and Slick levitated out of his chair.
"You don't know what brotherhood really is you traitor. All you care about is yourself and your using the United Republic's deployment of Clones on military missions as an excuse. You looked your so called brothers in the face and lied to them for weeks. Even though they would die for you. You disgust me." Anakin said with tranquil fury
Slick struggled to breathe as he wriggled in the air. He started to wheeze and gasp in helplessness as Anakin's left hand squeezed slightly.
"Anakin stop. Put him down." Ward ordered on fear
Anakin promptly dropped his left hand and Slick fell to the ground with a thud. Slick breathed and gasped for air as he scrambled to his seat. Cody and Rex stared at Anakin in confusion while Ward checked Slick's vitals. After everyone settled down and Slick's breathing returned to normal the interrogation resumed. This time Ward asked the questions in a gentle and professional tone and Slick provided the answers.
Present Day
"Dr. Hall we need to get you and the Gravitonium out of here. If you don't help us then the Separatist are going to use Rishii Station as a remote hacking station for United Republic droids stationed outside Papa New Guinea/Kamino. If Kamino is destroyed millions of people will die in a hostile Seperatist takeover by their military." Coulson warned
"How did you get in here?" Dr. Hall asked in alarm
"That's not important. What we need to do is run before Quinn and his security team find out I broke into this facility." Coulson urged
"I'm the one keeping Quinn out. My plan is to use this facility as a bomb to blow up the entire island. I plan on ending the Clone Wars so both the Separatist and the United Republic lose." Dr. Hall said
Coulson stared in shock as he tried to process Dr. Hall's statement.
Chapter 4: I've seen the Future
Summary:
Coulson and Dr. Hall debate the merits of the Clone Wars and whether Shield, the Jedi Order and the United Republic are the good guys.
Chapter Text
"I'll be honest. My plan did not take into consideration you'd be kidnapping yourself. I guess Agent May can tell me I told you so." Coulson acknowledged
"It wouldn't have been possible without Sergeant Slick. He and I both realized that this war between the United Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Nations would result in the indentured servitude of Clones and Scientists like myself. I tricked Slick into becoming a defector and the Seperatist believed it. Then I urged Quinn to hold out on sharing my discovery with Dooku to get more power within the Seperatist movement. Quinn also thought he could use me as bait to lure Shield out. A captured or killed Shield team would make Quinn look impressive to Dooku or that's what he thought to himself." Dr. Hall explained
"Sergeant Slick was the head of your security detail...this all makes sense. You do realize you telling me your plan while I'm armed with a weapon and you're not isn't the smartest idea." Coulson said
Dr. Franklin Hall was a balding man in his early 60s who was short with a pauch belly and glasses. He wouldn't be considered a physical threat even on his best day.
"You shoot me or anyone else kills me then this device in my hand activates. It'll trigger a bunch of explosives that Sergeant Slick planted throughout the island. Their proximity based explosives once their set they're wirelessly connected to the trigger device in my hand." Dr. Hall warned
"Dead man's switch." Coulson gasped
"Exactly. I've seen the future, Agent Coulson, and it's a catastrophe. No one will understand the good I did here." Dr. Hall said
Coulson walked closer to Dr. Hall on a walkway he realized was just glass. He could see a shiny and silvery liquid that floated in an erratic fashion bumping up against the glass. The liquid then drifted to the bottom of the floor and then once it hit the floor rose towards the glass. Dr. Hall took a step back and shook his head.
"Don't come any closer. Or I press this button and this base is a hole in the ground."
"What's your play here? Wait for Dooku to send Seperatist forces here to take you away from Quinn and take away his leverage? Dooku doesn't care about Quinn. He could just stall and wait for Quinn to give up his scheme for more influence in the Seperatist movement. Then the only people who die from this attack are just innocent people."
"Your Shield team isn't innocent Coulson. Shield, the Jedi, the United Republic...none of you are innocent. Your presence provokes violence from outside forces. Escalating into a wave of destruction that no one can escape. Opportunists like Quinn and the Trade Federation are the fuel that keeps this destruction going. I will not allow my research to be used to continue this pattern of violence." Dr. Hall said
"You blow the island than Dooku wins. You're basically doing what Dooku wants." Coulson warned
"No because the Rishii Island base is a homing beacon for a massive EMP that will plunge Denmark/Serenno and all the surrounding territory into the stone age. Every device or power source will shut down and that includes the droids stationed there and in nearby territories. In addition it will automatically do the same to Papa New Guinea/Kamino. I'm going to end the Clone Wars before it escalates and produces something much worse." Dr. Hall explained
"Killing innocent people? Is this who you've regressed into?" Coulson asked
"Millions could die but I'd be saving billions more. We have to live with the choices we make, but sometimes we have to die with them, too. If I die then I know it's because I stepped up and did right even if it means playing the villain."
"Shield aren't the bad guys. We use technology to help people. You can still help us Dr. Hall. All you need to do is give me the device. You don't have to die." Coulson offered
"Shield's search for an unlimited power source brought an alien invasion. Now you want me to trust you with Gravitonium. A substance that alters the gravity field in any environment it's in. Gravitonium misused can destroy the entire planet! I can't risk that." Dr. Hall replied skeptically
"Fair enough. You've made your point Dr. Hall. We have to live with the choices we make. So I'm sorry about the choice I'm about to make." Coulson said
Coulson aimed his blaster at the floor and shot the glass underneath their feet. Coulson grabbed the railing of the walkway while Dr. Hall fell into the Gravitonium. His body rose but broke down until it disappeared into the Gravitonium. The substance floated around harmlessly inside the laboratory but Dr. Hall was nowhere to be found. Coulson bowed his head and looked at the floating Gravitonium that absorbed Dr. Hall.
"Ward I'm going to need help getting out of this lab." Coulson said into his comm link
Coulson continued to hold the railing to the walkway.
****
Ian Quinn was furious. His plan to use Dr. Hall and his research as a way to form a business relationship with Count Dooku and gain considerable influence within the Seperatist movement failed. Now Skye a person he knew by reputation who initially wanted to form a business partnership was a traitor. A spy working for Shield. Skye was surprisingly silent while Quinn attempted to question her in his office. Her face was neutral as he pointed a blaster at her. The fact that Skye didn't look scared made Quinn more infuriated. It seemed Quinn's place at a table full of power players wasn't ready to be filled.
"Malta/Batonn is where I could pursue progress and profit without the stranglehold of regulations that are now choking our world. The United Republic, the Jedi Order and S.H.I.E.L.D. These are just a few of the institutions that are guilty of halting the development of new technology for anyone except themselves. We dare defy them with a new idea, they steal in and sweep it out from under us. Skye you used to believe that but now you're selling out for Shield." Quinn accused
"Dooku attempted to kidnap me and he kidnapped Mike and his son Ace. Shield has its shortcomings but it's a whole galaxy better than you trying to be Dooku's mascot." Skye shot back
"This is Agent Phil Coulson. Everyone must leave this island immediately. It's currently rigged to explode. All you partygoers need to evacuate the island immediately. Oh and Quinn just wanna say that the Gravitonium isn't your property anymore. So if I were you I'd stay far away from Count Dooku. Underneath that calm demeanor of Dooku's is a guy who can get very angry when confronting people who fail him." Coulson announced over a loudspeaker
"Well Skye since I'm about to lose my home maybe you'd like to accompany me. Perhaps Rising Tide and I could get acquainted and form a partnership." Ian Quinn suggested still holding Skye at blaster point
"Skye already has a partnership and it's with me." Ahsoka said
She used the Force to hurl Quinn into a wall and he was knocked out cold.
"Where did you come from?" Skye asked in shock
Ahsoka pointed to the ceiling vent.
"I snuck in from the ceiling vent in the room next door. One of Quinn's bodyguards wanted me to give them a private show. Yuck." Ahsoka explained
"Thanks Ahsoka." Skye said
"Are you guys alright?" Anakin asked as he barged into the room
"We're good master. Look I captured Quinn!" Ahsoka said in excitement
"Most impressive. I'll bring Quinn back to the Bus. Skye you're going to need to access Quinn's network in order for us to retake Rishii base. Ahsoka will protect you. Ahsoka make sure to take good care of R2. I have him helping Coulson on depowering Dr. Hall and Sergeant Slick's explosives."
"Yes master. Don't worry I won't let you down."
"May the Force be with you." Anakin said before departing
Chapter 5: 501st Battalion
Summary:
The Battle for the Rishii Station Base begins with Obi Wan Kenobi and Hawkeye assisting the surviving members of Domino Squad.
Chapter Text
"Hello my name B1-X rank private chain code number 4527819-D. I'm malfunctioning and cannot gain access to the door." Clint Barton said imitating the voice of a droid
"This is most unusual. Why are your speech patterns different 819-D? Roger Roger." The Commando Droid replied staring at the monitor
Fives stared in alarm, while Hevy placed a hand over Echo's mouth. Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi smirked.
"I'm fine Roger, Roger. Just a minor glitch Roger, Roger." Clint Barton replied awkwardly
Clint Barton strained to hold the droid head he cut off a random droid on guard duty using one of his explosive arrows steady. He also concentrated on the instructions Skye was feeding into his comm link.
"There is movement on the west side of the base I just detected. It must be the Clones attempting to retake the base Roger, Roger. I can assist with the apprehension of these Clones by utilizing the monitoring system. My programming was specifically designed to look for problems via the monitoring system Roger Roger." Clint Barton explained struggling to maintain his battle Droid voice
"Ok 819-D. Just one moment. Roger, Roger." The Commando Droid replied
The door opened and Obi Wan Kenobi channeled the Force to push all the droids backward. Though a couple of the Commando Droids managed to stay upright by utilizing the magnetic clamps underneath their feet. Clint Barton aka Hawkeye drew his compact bow and highly pressurized explosive arrows. He fired at the heads of both Commando Droids while the three remaining Clones of Domino Squad fired their blasters at the dozen beige B1 level battle droids as they struggled to their feet. Obi Wan used his lightsaber to destroy the two Commando Droids on the ground.
"More droids are coming from other parts of the base. Skye how much time would it take to shut down the connection between Rishii Base and Kamino?" Hawkeye asked
"Ask her if there is enough time to hack into any Seperatist networks in Denmark/Serenno? We could learn a lot about what Dooku is planning." Obi Wan requested
"General, Kamino should have priority! Our brothers are at risk if this mission fails sir!" Hevy yelled
"Hevy you shouldn't talk that way to a General. You should respect the chain of command." Echo scolded
Hawkeye continued to consult with Skye over his comm link in the background.
"This isn't time to be following regulations or following orders. Our brothers are at risk because of the actions of a traitor among our midst. We cannot allow the actions of one traitor to cause our home to be destroyed! The place we grew to care for one another and become a family is what Kamino means to us! General Kenobi doesn't understand what losing Kamino means to us Clones!" Hevy bellowed
"Forgive him General Kenobi. Hevy just wants to protect our brothers back home." Fives said to Obi Wan
"I understand. If the Jedi Temple were attacked. I'd feel the same way. We will not waste this opportunity Hevy. We will ensure Kamino remains safe from Separatist hands." Obi Wan promised
"Guys Skye said there isn't enough time to disrupt the connection between this base and Kamino electronically. We're going to have to blow it to smithereens and disrupt the connection physically. Problem is the droids will be coming in less than 5 minutes. Skye is stalling them with turret guns inside the hallways but that tech will only hold them off temporarily." Hawkeye explained
"I have an idea but it's going to require us to go inside that underground exit in the back of the room." Hevy said
They all fled to the exit when Hevy closed the door. He fired his blaster bolt sealing the lock and Obi Wan bowed his head. Hawkeye and the Clones realized that Obi Wan knew what Hevy was doing and Fives and Echo called out to Hevy. Hawkeye grabbed Fives and Obi Wan grabbed Echo and dragged then out of the tunnels. They could hear the door to the main room of the base break open. Fives started crying knowing that he'd never see Hevy again and that he and Echo were the final two survivors of Domino Squad.
"General Grevious we managed to break through. We also blocked all network access to the base's information network. The hacker is locked out of the system. We can continue taking control of the Rishii Station network and connect to the network on Kamino. Roger Roger." A B1 Battle Droid Officer explained
"Once you are done. Let me know so that I begin to coordinate the attack on Kamino. Kill anyone you capture that's remaining on the base." General Grevious replied
"Yes sir. Roger Roger." The B1 Battle Droid Officer replied
"Sir it's a Clone. We can detain him and subject him to an interrogation." A Commando Droid reported
"No the General said to kill all the intruders. Understood." The B1 Battle Droid Officer replied
"Yes Commander. Roger Roger." The Commando Droid said with a salute
Three dozen droids approached the Clone who sat cross legged on the floor. They pointed their weapons at him and didn't realize he was holding a heavy blaster canon. Hevy smiled knowing that he would die but he would die firing the weapon that his name was based on. The weapon that helped his squad succeed during training on Kamino.
"Surrender Clone. You're outnumbered and outgunned. Any last words." The B1 Battle Droid Officer said
"Yeah. You lost clankers, Roger Roger." Hevy said as he fired his heavy blaster canon
The weapon was connected to the energy core that powered the whole base. If overheated too quickly through connection to a device that uses a lot of energy than the core would explode. In seconds the core overheated and a fiery explosion spilled out throughout the military base.
"Hevy!" Echo called out
Obi Wan and Hawkeye stood in respectful silence as Echo and Fives mourned their comrade in the snowy cold outside the burning base.
***
"Congratulations to both of you. You showed true courage in the most challenging of circumstances. You lost your brothers due to treachery within your own ranks. Faced a situation greater than what your rank required of you and played a role in the disruption of a major Separatist operation that saved our home Kamino. Both of you have earned the right to be inducted as full fledged combat ready Clone troopers in my unit the the 501st." Captain Rex said with a salute
"Wow...I'm honored. The 501st...combat ready trooper...we've earned this right." Echo stuttered while saluting
"I can see why you're named Echo." Rex joked
"I thank you sir. We thank you sir. We're honored to serve under you in the 501st. We will honor the deaths of Droidbait, Cutup and Hevy by serving the United Republic with excellence and courage." Fives replied
"Well let's roll out. We have another mission. We are to accompany General Skywalker and Commander Tano and the Shield team." Captain Rex ordered
"Yes sir." Fives and Echo replied
Chapter 6: Journey to the Hub
Summary:
On their way to an advanced Shield facility called the Hub one member of the team suffers from a crippling illness.
Chapter Text
"Fitz you don't have to do this. We completed many missions together. I'd like to think we understand each other now. Are you seriously going to betray me after all we've shared together?" Ward asked
Fitz bowed his head low clutching something in his left hand. Simmons looked on with fear while Skye and Ahsoka stared in silence confused. Anakin on the otherhand glared at Fitz shaking his head. Fitz took a deep breath and made his move.
"I'm playing the draw 4 card." Fitz stoically
"You should be ashamed of yourself. Ward already played draw 4 and now you're playing a draw 4." Anakin said
"I think it's a great move." Simmons said beaming with pride
"Well..." Ahsoka said
"Ahsoka what I did was a perfectly legal move." Fitz pointed out
"Yeah but Ward already played a draw 4. There's a certain way to play Uno and the way you're doing it is just not right." Ahsoka replied frowning
"My young Padawan has learned a great deal under my guidance and that's another example of it." Anakin complimented
"Ah thanks master! I'll win this game of Uno for you." Ahsoka promised
"Wait a minute Ahsoka I only have 1 card so that means I'm going to win. And don't worry I said Uno." Skye said as Simmons opened her mouth to protest
"I play two reverses on top of each other so I win. Uno out." Ahsoka said
"You criticized Fitz for doing what he did but the whole time you ended up doing the same thing." Ward complained
"Ward has a point." Fitz added
"What I did is the winning move so its different. Besides what matters is that I won the game. Right master?" Ahsoka argued
"Exactly. Ahsoka won and that's the end of the story." Anakin said with a smirk
"Please we know what really happened and that's the fact Fitz won in spirit." Simmons boasted
"You mean I won in spirit because I don't remember agreeing to stacking cards when we started playing." Ward argued
"That's right. I agree with Ward except for the part where he would have won because I obviously would have won." Skye said
"As fun as it is to watch you kids play. We need to be downstairs for a briefing. Coulson has a new assignment for us and it's big." May announced over the loudspeaker
"It's been weeks on this aircraft and May has only said less than a few hundred words. All of this time I thought Master Obi Wan was extra serious. Turns out May has him beat." Ahsoka said pouting
"May is focused on the mission at hand. I heard stories about you avoiding that at times from Admiral Yularen, Anakin. You think I'm wrong about that Ahsoka?" Ward said with a grin
Ahsoka blushed slightly and muttered that Yularen sometimes exaggerated mission details.
"Hey I succeed with a little bit of style Ward. You could use that. That way no one confuses you for a Seperatist Droid." Anakin retorted
"Well he's got you there SO." Skye replied with a laugh
"Ha, ha, ha. How about me and you go a few rounds? And let's do that without the weird Jedi powers you rely on as a crutch." Ward challenged with a smirk
"You're on. After the mission that is." Anakin replied accepting the challenge
"Oh and I'm sure you'll finish that mission with style." Ward said as he got up to leave
The group cleaned up the game room and left to go to the main deck to get the details for this latest mission from Coulson. Coulson's team became more comfortable and relaxed in their new surroundings over the past few weeks. It helped that the fighting between the United Republic and the Seperatist was at a minimum. Dooku's partnership with Project Centipede hadn't yielded him any new super-powered soldiers other than Mike Peterson and that mysterious blue and silver blur that attacked the Rishii Station base last month.
"Fitz it's ok that you lost. You seem to have won a completely different way if you know what I mean." Anakin said with a smirk
"Yeah you're right. The more I hang out with Skye the higher the chance she'll go out with me on a date." Fitz said with a dreamy look on his face
"No." Anakin said his palm over his face
"I'm talking about Simmons. I have a good feeling about you and her. I think you guys should tell the truth about how much you love one another." Anakin suggested
"Of course I love Simmons. She's my best friend. She was there for me when I learned my father died at Shield Academy." Fitz replied
"There's more between you two than friendship and deep down I know you can tell." Anakin argued
Fitz gave nervous laughter and said, "You are the weirdest Jedi I've ever seen. You blokes aren't known for being in touch with your feelings nor are you known for being skilled with building and repairing machines."
"Let's just say I'm full of surprises. Where is Simmons going anyway?" Anakin noted
"Back to the lab to check on the contraband we raided from that Project Centipede base in Italia Naboo a few days ago." Fitz answered
The two men continued ahead to the main deck walking past Ahsoka and Skye as they continued their conversation.
"You know Fitz and Simmons are so cute together. I liked Simmons defending Fitz final move during the Uno game." Skye told Ahsoka
Anakin whispered told you to Fitz and Ahsoka giggled.
"It feels good to be outside of the Jedi Temple. To be on this aircraft with all of you taking on the Separatist threat." Ahsoka said with a pleasant sigh
"Yeah. You Jedi and the Shield Agents aren't that bad." Skye teased
"During the game a term specific to Shield was used. It was SO. What's an SO?" Ahsoka asked Skye
"Supervising Officer. Every Shield Agent gets one. After Coulson exposed how Rising Tied was created by Ventress and faked having a bunch of hackers; Ward decided to vouch for me. Coulson allowed Ward to be my Supervising Officer." Skye explained
"Wow that's so cool. Its kinda like being a Padawan and being assigned a Knight of the Order to be your Master to train you." Ahsoka replied
"Yeah. That means we should make a bet on who wins the competition between Ward and Anakin. The student of the losing mentor has to get a banana cream pie in the face from the student of the winning mentor. Get ready to lose because the Force won't be with your master." Skye challenged
"My master can adapt to any challenge. Can yours?" Ahsoka challenged
"Can you adapt to the challenge of having a banana cream pie in your face?" Skye retorted
"I'll be ready with a towel for your face Skye." Ahsoka taunted
The two women entered the room and the arrangements were as usual. Ward stood in front of Coulson in the center of the room at attention. May off to Coulson's right against the wall. Anakin stood to the left of Ward. While Fitz and Skye stood behind Ward while Ahsoka was to Anakin's left.
"Today is a big day for us. We'll be working with one of the highest ranking Shield Agents and a director of a highly advanced Shield facility called the Hub. Agent Victoria Hand will be assisting us along with Jedi High Council member and Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi. The Hub is only welcome to high level Shield Agents or Shield personnel with the proper clearance. Our ship has to go through a long and detailed credential check hours before landing on a designated landing pad with the Hub. So consider this a journey.
This will be a multipart operation directed by Hand and Master Kenobi. These are experienced leaders trusted with this mission by Director Fury and Master Yoda. We trust their judgment and will follow their orders to the letter. This is the system that Shield operates under and it assures successful completion of missions. Dooku and the Clairvoyant are getting desperate so we need to be a well oiled machine in order to give the United Republic a decisive edge in the war."
Simmons began screaming in agony so loudly that everyone could hear her from the main deck. They raced to the laboratory space and saw a chrome helmet worn by the Chituari in the battle of New York levitating off the ground. Simmons was also levitated in the air screaming in pain. Just as violently and quickly as her screams began by the time the Shield team reached the door to the lab Simmons collapsed on the ground.
"Wait don't open the lab yet. We need protective equipment before we touch her. We don't know-" May began
Fitz entered the lab and promptly closed it. Then propped Simmons on his shoulder. Simmons placed a hand on his cheek.
"Fitz. My whole body aches." Simmons groaned
"Don't say anything I got you." Fitz comforted
Anakin reached out in the Force and felt a surge of power that he never felt before. His left hand which was still flesh and bone started burning. His right hand the one Dooku cut off a year ago felt tingly. He realized the Force was protecting him from some kind of radiation but foreign to any kind of radiation technology he was familiar with. That explained why his cybernetic right hand was tingly. The Chituarian helmet was from another dimension and something on its surface must have created a violent reaction with the chemicals in the air.
"I have a working theory on what happened based upon on my connection to the Force." Anakin told Coulson
"A few years ago I would have thought you're talking nonsense but...then I saw you in action against Loki two years ago. Listen only Anakin, myself, and FitzSimmons are going to figure out what happened. The rest of you just go to your quarters and sit tight. We'll notify you when we learn more." Coulson instructed
"Coulson perhaps-" May began with tears in her eyes
"That's an order." Coulson said sternly
Coulson was struggling to maintain his composure but he managed. He didn't want his mind to drift on the possibility that Simmons could be dead in mere hours. He needed to stay focus if he wanted to get through this situation. Coulson held back tears as he saw dark circles under Simmons eyes and blood leaking from her nose.
"Alright Anakin tell me your theory." Coulson said
****
"So what you have is nothing." Agent Victoria Hand said via the Holo Net communicator
"To be fair to Coulson its a working theory. Each dimension has a energetic residue and when certain objects come into contact with an atmosphere outside their home dimension there can be a chemical reaction. This reaction is poisonous to a object or being that's outside a particular dimension. If we can isolate the source of the reaction at a molecular level then we can create a chemical substance with properties opposite of the substances that result from the initial reaction." Fitz explained from the laboratory's Holo projector
"What the galaxy does any of that mean in plain English?" Agent Hand asked in frustration
"It means that if we understand why the Chitauri helmet reacted the way it did to the environment we can create a serum to stop the virus from killing Simmons." Anakin elaborated
"According to the Shield protocol the timetable for a virus of this magnitude is 24 hours. You'll have to delay your approach to the Hub in order to restart the credential check required for all aircraft approaching the Hub." Agent Hand said
"24 hours! That's barely any time to find a way to cure Simmons. Ma'am Simmmons is a valuable member of our team and someone I have tremendous respect for. Please reconsider your order." Coulson said
"There's no other way. Shield can't afford to crumble due to a possible viral outbreak. If Simmons demonstrates no progress in 24 hours you'll need to euthanize her. That's my final order." Agent Hand said before ending her transmission
Coulson clenched his fists and exhaled deeply to control his anger. Anakin used the Force to hurl a pen across the room. He stormed off and Ahsoka reluctantly followed him. May walked over to Coulson and placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"We're going to get through this. Simmons will be ok." May reassured resting her head on Coulson's shoulder
"Jemma! Jemma stay with me okay. Keep breathing! Jemma!" Coulson and May could hear Fitz yell through the holo net projector
They saw Anakin approach the door of the laboratory with Ahsoka. Anakin stretched out his arm and used the Force to slow down the symptoms of Simmons cardiac arrest. Simmons spasms stopped and her breathing slowed. Soon Simmons was relaxed her breathing at normal speed.
"This is a temporary fix Fitz. It's enough to allow her to rest and then wake up in a couple of hours. I slowed the effects of virus through the Force but it will still attack her body. Unless we find a cure I simply just prolonged the inevitable." Anakin explained
"We'll find a cure. I will not fail Simmons." Fitz proclaimed
Chapter 7: Powerless
Summary:
Simmons condition worsens as she and Fitz struggle to find a cure for the Chitauri virus.
Notes:
I hope you're enjoying the story so far. As we progress into the story you will see some interesting new changes from this crossover between Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Agents of Shield. Changes related specifically to Anakin Skywalker and Skye. Please read my other story Avengers Wars Episode I: Steps into Shadow to get the full perspective how Anakin's journey differs from the Disney canon continuity and LucasArts Legends continuity. That particular story takes place in 2011 two years before the start of this 1st book in this Shield/Clone Wars crossover series Agents of the Clone Wars.
Chapter Text
Skye wiped her eyes and stopped crying. She knew Simmons condition had stabilized yet it was hard for her to not cry. Ahsoka told her that Anakin used some kind of special ability via the Force to help Simmons. Yet...Skye wondered if Simmons would have to be killed according to Shield protocols designed to stop the spread of unknown infections. Skye's feelings toward Shield were mixed but she adored Simmons. Her excitement, her wonder at everything scientific, and her genuine kindness stood out. Simmons helped to dispel the notions Skye had of Shield being emotionless and disinterested in helping the public.
It amazed Skye that in just a few weeks operating as a Shield consultant she made friends. Skye got up and left her room seeking Ward. She saw Ward exercising in the physical exerise space by throwing punches at a punching bag. Ward's punches grew in intensity and only when Skye called out to him did he stop. Ward hung his head and slumped down his shoulders hunched on a nearby bench.
"I wanted it to be a person, some superpowered psychopath, someone I could hurt, someone I could...punish. That's something I know I could do. What I can't do is protect you guys from stuff I can't even see or understand." Ward said sadly
"Thanks but you can't protect us from everything. I just...it hurts to see Simmons in so much pain." Skye said depressed
Ward placed his arm around Skye's shoulder. They sat together quietly as Skye curled up inside Ward's arms.
***
"We need to fly out of here and ignore Agent Hand's orders." May told Coulson
Coulson was pacing in his office while May sat in his chair behind his desk. May official title was pilot but Coulson treated May as an advisor. Usually May would give him yes or no answers to Coulson's questions. This time was different...Coulson ignored May yet May offered unsolicited advice beyond giving a yes or a no to a question.
"We need to consider other options. Phil, we can't kill Simmons. She's...young and has a whole future ahead of her. There's definitely a cure but to create one in 24 hours is impossible." May argued
"What you're asking me to consider is too much. We violate protocols then Shield will send V wings to shoot us down. That means this entire team is terminated not just Simmons." Coulson replied
"So you're just going to allow a bunch of faceless goons to "terminate" Simmons? Phil that's not you. We've known each other for over 20 years. You wouldn't just react like a droid to an order like that." May said
"I know and I remember you used to have my back. I remember I could count on you to help me navigate difficult situations. Now you're a ghost and just half there. I understand what you lost a few years ago Melinda but ever since you've been on the bus all I see is a pilot, not the friend who helped me in tight spots." Coulson replied
"That's not fair Phil! You know why I left the field and chose to work behind a desk! You don't need me to realize that following Hand's order is wrong." May said crying
"I never said I was going to comply without thinking through our options! Why do you think I'm pacing? I'm trying to figure a way out of this. This isn't easy for me!"
May got up from Coulson's seat and walked towards him.
"You know the way out. We give up the bus and exit on an escape pod. Skywalker can fly past the V Wings in the pod using his...abilities. Then we can get to a safe house stocked with medical equipment. That way Simmons..." May began
"Will be shot to death along with the rest of us. You don't realize that there is a system in place Melinda. That we're all expected to trust the system and that expectation is of a greater emphasis for me. I'm in command. If I don't trust the system, if I don't allow my superiors to keep secrets from me to protect Shield from being compromised, then the people that come to me for orders won't do that either."
"The people that follow your orders also expect loyalty and for you to defend them." May said leaving the room
Coulson sat down on his office chair and stared pensive at the wall. The only thing he could think of for the next few minutes is Tahiti is a magical place.
"How do you run all of Shield Fury? How do you make these life or death decisions?" Coulson asked out loud to no one in frustration
Talking to himself broke Coulson free of thinking about the strange mantra Tahiti is a magical place.
****
"Master, are you ok? You haven't said anything after you healed Simmons." Ahsoka said
"I didn't heal her Ahsoka. The Force can do much more to heal the wounds of a Jedi or a Force Sensitive. However someone that's not sensitive to the Force will only show a small amount of improvement. Due to the nature of this virus I only gave Simmons 12 extra hours to live at most. As a consequence of using the Force the virus caused an even more violent reaction in Simmons body than normal. Those 12 hours are going to be more painful for her than what she's dealing with now." Anakin replied saddened
He got up from the mat in his room where he was meditating and sat on his bed. Ahsoka walked away from the doorway and sat on the bed next to Anakin. She had a firm look in her eyes while Anakin's eyes sagged with exhaustion.
"But with the extra time FitzSimmons have they'll be able to develop a cure to save Simmons." Ahsoka said confident
"I doubt that. This virus is complex. It's lashing out at everything in its environment that's foreign. The oxygen, the air pressure, the amount of light and heat in addition to the Force itself. It's emitting some kind of radiation or energy that's harmful to Simmons body. It's an energy I only sensed once...when Loki held the Tesseract and the Scepter."
"Is that the mission were you fought the Chitauri in New York/Lothal with the Avengers?" Ahsoka asked
"Yes. That's why I'm worried. The energy I sensed during that battle was different...it was dangerous." Anakin answered
"The good news is that Simmons is awake. She and Fitz are working hard on creating a cure. I can sense them through the Force but..."
"What is it?" Anakin asked worried
"They're stressed. I'm going to go see if I can help master." Ahsoka said
"I was doing just fine tucked away in a safe, indoor, non-mobile lab at the academy! Then you had to go and drag us into this crazy mission with two Jedi. We didn’t even pass our field assessments, for galaxy's sake!" Fitz yelled
"Oh, please, as if I forced you to follow me anywhere." Simmons retorted
"You said, and I quote…'Oh, Fitz, it’s the most perfect opportunity for us to see the world! We’d be fools to pass this one up!' " Fitz replied mocking Simmons English accent
"I hate it when you use that voice. That’s not even how I sound. And you're just afraid of going into the field." Simmons argued
"I'm not afraid." Fitz replied
"And don’t you dare act like these last couple of months haven’t been the highlight of your entire life!"
"Well of course its been the highlight of my life. Every minute of every day you’ve been beside me. Now you're...sick." Fitz said his head bowed low
Simmons coughed and walked over to a shelf that had a bottle of water.
"Fitz you're one of the smartest people I know. Together we've accomplished great things and creating this cure is just one more thing we'll succeed at together." Simmons reassured
"I believe in you guys. Simmons I'm not mad that you wanted to examine me in your lab. I know that you meant no harm by it. You're very important to me. I just wanted you to know that." Ahsoka said outside of the entrance to the lab
"Awww thank you Ahsoka. You're such a delight. We'll find a cure, its only a matter of time. We'll let you know if we need anything." Simmons said
Ahsoka nodded and left the room.
"Let's just try the sample GL-77 on the infected specimen and monitor the progress. This is attempt number 17." Fitz said
Simmons nodded and Fitz injected the mouse with the serum that could be a possible cure. The mouse started to convulse just like Simmons did a few hours ago. Simmons started to cry as the mouse lay limp on the experiment table its breathing shallow.
"Have you made any progress?" Coulson asked
Coulson stood outside the laboratory door looking exhausted. Anakin and May stood beside him examining the mouse as its breathing slowed.
"No sir. We managed to isolate the elements in the residue that came from the chemical reaction from the Chituari helmet. The serum is supposed to weaken the virus and accelerates its breakdown within the host body. However each attempt we use to inject the serum in a test subject, the subject experiences a violent reaction from the virus's response to the serum that the body cannot survive. As a result the subject dies before the virus is broken down."
"I can feel it growing hostile inside Simmons," Anakin said closing his eyes tapping into the Force, "as if it's a guard dog looking for any outside elements that can be a threat."
"You know I still haven't gotten used to the fact you guys can do that? Can you also predict the future?" Coulson joked nervously
"Jedi Masters with tons of experience get visions of the future. Younger Jedi like myself can get these visions from certain artifacts." Anakin answered
"That was a joke Anakin. Coulson tends to make those when he's nervous." May explained
"I'm not nervous. I'm attempting to assess what the situation is so I can report back to Agent Hand."
May stared at Coulson with a raised eyebrow and folded her arms.
"Sir I understand what's being unspoken here. Before you follow protocol please notify my parents. You can tell my dad first that way he can tell my mum. It'll be easier to hear about my demise from dad instead of you sir." Simmons said solemnly
"There's still time Simmons. In fact we have another 12 hours to figure this out. I will update Agent Hand and you two continue working. I promise you Simmons, I will not give up on you. You're not just another Agent, you're a valued member of our team." Coulson reassured
"But sir if we don't do this Shield will send in aircraft to attack the Bus. Everyone on board could be killed because of me. Sir I can't allow that to happen." Simmons said tears in her eyes
"No. Don't talk like that Jemma. We are going to find a way to save you. You are not an acceptable loss, you are my best friend and I don't want to hear another argument from you. Sir tell Agent Hand we will succeed. Please." Fitz finished talking to Coulson
Coulson nodded and then he, May and Anakin exited the room.
"We’ll try again. The electrostatic pulse from this mouse seemed much less than the other test subjects. That means its clear we're making progress. There's no need to worry. If we can calibrate the antiserum…" Fitz said leaning over the examination table
Simmons could see the mouse lying still. She knew the mouse was dead and soon she'd be next. Then Shield would target her friends in order to prevent the possibility of a viral outbreak. Simmons didn't want that to happen but she knew no one on the Bus would surrender her to Shield. So Simmons reached over and grabbed a fire extinguisher. She placed it behind her back and while Fitz's back was turned hit him in the back of the head. Fitz slumped to the ground unconscious.
"I’m so sorry Fitz. I love you and that's why I'm doing this." Simmons said as she exited the laboratory
****
"Ma'am I encourage you to reconsider applying Shield protocols in this specific circumstance. There is a chance I can use my connection to the Force to give FitzSimmons more time. I know relations between Shield and the Jedi have been fractured at times. That Director Fury, Deputy Director Hill, Master Yoda and Master Windu have disagreed over important issues in the past. Now in the present Shield and the Jedi Order are united against a common foe: The Seperatist. We ask that you trust us to ensure to safety for one of our valued agents Jemma Simmons who is dedicated to help us in the fight against Count Dooku and his forces." Anakin argued
"That's a cute little speech Skywalker but you are not the head operative of this team nor are you the head Jedi for this task force. That's Obi Wan Kenobi and he's currently monitoring the skies for an imminent Seperatist attack. So we don't have time for cute and we certainly don't have time for trial and error. Agent Coulson what's the current timetable for finding a cure for Agent Simmons? And don't waste my time with a speech...I need a direct answer." Agent Hand demanded
"As of now they've exhausted 33% of the test samples for a possible cure in 12 hours. Unless one of the current test samples they've created is a cure then they'll need another 48 hours to create a possible cure from a new set of samples." Coulson answered
"They currently have less than 12 hours to find a cure. That means I'll send out V wing aircraft. You’ll transfer her over to the V wings so that she can safely be disposed of. If you refuse to comply we will shoot you out of the sky." Agent Hand instructed
"Wait a minute! I just said they're testing a batch of samples...one of which is a potential cure! You're just giving up before FitzSimmons finishes this part of the process!" Coulson accused
"I'm not giving up. I'm making the proper preparations based on your assessment. Coulson you've been apart of Shield for over 20 years. You should know how these procedures work."
"What I understand is that we wait until our options are truly exhausted before we just discard a highly decorated Agent like she's a piece of garbage!" Coulson yelled
"Are you seriously considering insubordination over one Agent?" Agent Hand asked
"He's not your enemy Count Dooku is. Agent Phil Coulson has dedicated half of his life to Shield. He died for Shield 3 years ago Victoria! Coulson has the confidence of his entire team including a well respected Jedi Knight in Anakin Skywalker who's also a member of the Avengers. So don't you dare question Agent Coulson's loyalty to Shield! Or I'll tell Director Fury how poorly you're treating one of his most trusted Agents. An Agent Fury claimed was his one good eye. Don't test Director Fury Victoria!" May challenged
Agent Hand folded her arms and gave a smirk.
"Using my first name that's very childish of you May...you have 11 hours until the V Wings come for Agent Simmons. You're dismissed." Agent Hand said coldly
The transmission ended and both Skye and Ahsoka cheered.
"Agent May that was incredible. Normally my master tells off his superiors and disobeys orders but to see you do it was awesome! I'm with you. I know there's a way to save Simmons!" Ahsoka said confidently
"May you actually have emotions and they're passionate ones too. That's so cool that you care about Simmons as much as the rest of us." Skye complimented
Agent May gave a small smile but didn't say anything.
"We need to be careful from here on out. If FitzSimmons doesn't make any progress the V wings are coming." Anakin said
"Sir we might need to work on a plan to intercept them. That needs to be the focus if we're going to protect Simmons." Ward said to Coulson
"We can't focus on that right now. None of this matters. What does matter is ensuring FitzSimmons can find a cure for the virus. I agree with Ahsoka there's a way to save her." Coulson said
A loud noise echoed throughout the Bus and startled everyone in the room.
"What is that?" Skye asked
"Someone is lowering the cargo ramp." May answered
Ward alarmed and realizing why this happened raced out of the main deck area and hurried to the area of the airship where the cargo ramp was. He bumped into Fitz who was hysterical screaming about the test subject isn't dead the serum actually works. Ward could see the bruise on Fitz's head and he immediately grabbed the serum and a parachute hanging on the wall. He continued towards the ramp and saw Simmons. Simmons looked weaker than she had before with sweat covering her body. Her skin was pale and Ward could see shadows under her eyes.
Simmons fell off the ramp while Ward was still 50 feet away from her. Ward increased his speed and he could sense Anakin was 20 feet behind him. Ward jumped off the ramp just as Anakin reached the ramp's edge. Ward straightened his body so that he could catch up to Simmons. She was roughly 50 feet below him but the distance was closing between them. Ward reached Simmons twenty seconds later and injected her with the serum. Simmons gasped in pain but Ward could sense her heartbeat as it began to beat at a normal pace. Ward ejected the parachute and the pair's descent slowed down. Suddenly Ward and Simmons felt an upward sensation and realized Anakin was pulling them upward using the Force.
Simmons laid sprawled on the ground while Ward sat with her. Everyone surrounded them checking if they were okay. May gently moved people out the way and did a basic medical check. When they received medical clearance from May, she escorted Ward and Simmons to Coulson's office. Coulson looked enraged at his desk. Simmons shuffled towards the desk head bowed low and Ward joined her staring at Simmons apprehensively.
"Don't me get me wrong I'm happy you're both alive. Truly I am. Simmons I realized you were trying to save the team by jumping off the Bus. But what you did was not your call. It was stupid and dangerous. If Anakin wasn't nearby you would have landed in neutral waters. The Duchess of Mandalore has declared the nation of Mandalore a neutral nation and has an anti trade clause with both United Republic and Seperatist nations.
Mandalore is the head of a group of neutral nations and territories called the Association of Neutral Nations. If you were caught in their waters you'd be held by the Mandalorians indefinitely until Director Fury and Chancellor Palpatine could negotiate your release. This team would be exposed and that would give Count Dooku a huge advantage in the war! More importantly you'd be in greater danger and you could have gotten hurt. Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again!" Coulson yelled
He bowed his head as Ward stared at him nervous while Simmons looked as sheepish as a child caught out of bed past her curfew.
"We don't want to lose you Jemma. You're a special part of this team." Coulson continued his voice cracking
"Thank you sir." Simmons said softly
Ward nudged his head toward the door and Simmons followed him outside. Simmons walked back to the lab to talk to Fitz. Ward said goodbye to Simmons while Simmons thanked him for saving her. Ward decided to go to Skye's private quarters to check on her.
"Hey Skye I'm willing to cancel some of our training sessions so you and Ahsoka can spend some time with Simmons. I know her illness shook you up pretty bad." Ward said outside Skye's room
Ward knocked on the door and heard no sound. He entered the room and saw that it was empty. He checked Ahsoka's room thinking she and Skye were spending time together and saw that it was empty too.
"Wow...never a boring moment on this Bus." Ward said exasperated
Chapter 8: It's How You Do It
Summary:
Anakin and Ahsoka encounter surprises on a search and rescue mission.
Chapter Text
"Master we just avoided a volatile situation where we almost violated official Shield protocols. And now you have me in my personal ship on a secret mission without Shield's knowledge. You're allowing my Padawan to learn bad habits." Anakin complained
"If I had one credit for everytime you disobeyed orders when you were a Padawan, I'd be as wealthy as Count Dooku. Besides this is an urgent search and rescue mission that's related to the classified mission being lead by myself and Agent Hand at the Hub." Obi-Wan replied
"Oh so basically you're saying it's ok to disobey official Shield protocols when you're a Jedi Master." Anakin joked with a smile
"Are we going to start the search soon? Master Plo Koon is one of the missing Jedi and scanners haven't confirmed that he's dead." Ahsoka insisted
"Ahsoka please. Don't interrupt." Anakin warned
Anakin's airship suffered some tuburlance as it continued up into space and the storage compartment opened with Skye spilling out of it. Skye gave a nervous laugh at Ahsoka and Anakin as they stared at her rising to her feet.
"Are you serious Anakin? You finally have the freedom that comes with a position of authority and you have a stow away. You were explicitly commanded to bring Ahsoka and only Ahsoka with you." Obi Wan chastised
"Technically he didn't know I was coming. I just thought I could help. My laptop is calibrated with specific audio signals that could sort through the debris field that makes up the search area." Skye argued
"Unfortunately Miss Poots the search and rescue aspect of this mission is a formality. What truly matters is the salvage aspect of this mission and the search for the Separatist's secret weapon. That weapon caused a lot of destruction towards our space surveillance aircraft." Chancellor Palpatine said on the holo comm
"Chancellor...I didn't realize you'd be authorized to run this mission sir." Anakin said startled giving a hasty salute
Chancellor Palpatine an older man that was similar in demeanor to Santa Claus but was tall and skinny with no facial hair gave Anakin a warm smile. Palpatine smoothed relations between Shield and the Jedi over the years and in the process interacted with many Jedi on a personal level. Anakin stood out the most amongst the Jedi despite still being a student or Padawan. They formed a friendly bond over the past few years that motivated Palpatine to speculate that Anakin was destined for great things. Anakin defeating Loki in single combat two years ago validated Palpatine's confidence in Anakin.
"Wait! Just because there hasn't been any survivors before, doesn't mean there won't be any this time." Ahsoka protested
"Boldly spoken for one so young." Chancellor Palpatine observed
"She is learning from Anakin." Obi Wan replied ruefully
"Excuse my Padawan Chancellor. We will deploy as you have instructed. The search and rescue will be a quick visual check of the debris field and then a scan. After that we will comply with salvage instructions and tracking down the weapon." Anakin replied
Master Kenobi and Chancellor Palpatine bowed their heads and the transmission ended. Anakin in shock turned to Ahsoka and Skye.
"Skye why are you violating your superior officer's commands? You aren't officially a Shield Agent and this could prevent you from being recognized as an official Shield Agent. I dont think Ward is going to be happy about that." Anakin warned
"And Ahsoka! As a Padawan you know better to speak out of turn when in the presence of authority." Anakin scolded
"But Master if anyone could survive, Master Plo could. I don't understand why--" Ahsoka started to argue
"What you don't understand is Jedi protocol or your place, my young Padawan." Anakin snapped
"This is ridiculous. If we followed protocol back on the bus Simmons would be dead. We saw what happened when we have faith in our allies and now you want to give up on one of your own. Someone in the Jedi Order that Ahsoka clearly cares about. How can you put your student through that? What will your attitude teach her?" Skye questioned
"You don't get it Skye. This is a war. Master Plo Koon knew what he was signing up for." Anakin replied
Ahsoka stormed out of the cockpit in anger and walked to the back of the ship slamming the door.
"Thanks Skye. You're such a huge help." Anakin said sarcastically
Admiral Wulff Yularen appeared on the holonet comm. Admiral Yularen was a man a few years younger than Coulson but one with extensive experience in the United Republic military. He was stern in his facial expressions but carried himself like a gentleman typical of what you found in military men in London/Coruscant.
"General Skywalker how much time should we devote to the search for survivors? Should myself and the junior officers expect you to land your airship in the Star Destroyer." He asked
"No. I will remain in my personal airship Admiral. Ahsoka and I will conduct the search for survivors alone and you can organize the airships in the fleet to maximize our defense area. Once I complete the initial search I'll scout ahead for enemy activity."
"Isn't that risky, with the mystery weapon out there General?" Admiral Yularen questioned
"It might be, but unlike a certain someone I know you won't argue my orders. I'll report back if I find anything significant." Anakin said ending the transmission
Skye emerged from behind Anakin's chair and sat in the co pilot's seat. Skye annoyed opened her laptop and started searching for sonic frequencies. After 10 or so minutes Anakin sighed heavily.
"Could you just...go talk to her. Convince her to come out." Anakin asked
Skye frowned, "So now I have to clean up your mess?"
"You know I've been at this for a few weeks. It's not that easy. You've been doing things by yourself. Now that's easy."
"I tried doing things by myself but I failed. I've spent my whole life trying to fit in somewhere because by myself didn't work. I was bounced from foster home to foster home and I thought I found a family in the Rising Tide. Turns out that was just Dooku attempting to use me to spy on you and Shield. Now I find out Shield might be where I belong but I see you making a mistake that Coulson didn't make. A mistake that could convince Ahsoka maybe Shield and the Jedi Order isn't where she belongs." Skye said
Anakin sighed, "Ahsoka is young. She's not like us. I grew up with my mom but we drifted from owner to owner as slaves. Bought and sold like that laptop your using. Ahsoka grew up in the Jedi Temple. The Jedi Order is all she knows because Plo Koon brought her to the temple as a 3 year old. That's why she's so obsessed with finding him."
"You have to say something to her. She looks up to you. Like a big brother. If you don't she may not want to follow you anymore." Skye pleaded
"I understand. I truly do but if we're going to find Master Plo Koon then I'm going to need you to go back there and talk to her. I'm the only skilled pilot out of the three of us so I can't afford to put this aircraft on autopilot to talk to Ahsoka because it'll make it hard to find Master Plo Koon."
"So it's only okay when you don't do what the Council says!" Ahsoka said bursting into the cockpit
"Doing what the Jedi Council says, that's one thing. How we go about not doing what they say, that's another. That's what I'm trying to teach you, my young Padawan!" Anakin replied
"So much for talking to Ahsoka in the back of the ship Anakin." Skye said annoyed
"Hey cut me some slack Skye. I bought us extra time with Master and the Chancellor to find Master Plo Koon." Anakin stated
"So you always meant to come out here looking for survivors?" Ahsoka asked confused
"Of course. Lives are in danger, Ahsoka. We can't just turn our backs on them. Remember its not what you say to those in authority but how you say it. Skye did you find any unique audio signatures?" Anakin replied
"Yes. Sending the coordinates to your nav computer and sending the signals to R2D2." Skye replied
"Good let's go save Master Plo Koon." Anakin said
***
"Why is General Skywalker's ship not returning to the Hub's airspace? Agent Hand is expecting both Admiral Yularen and the General for her briefing on the mission." Chancellor Palpatine asked
"I just received word that Anakin has found the remains of Masters Plo's fleet and is searching the debris field for survivors alone without the rest of the fleet. Anakin's left Admiral Yularen in charge of his forces." Obi Wan answered
"On whose authority has he done this?" Chancellor Palpatine questioned surprised
"His own, I'm afraid." Obi Wan replied worried
Chancellor Palpatine contacted Agent Hand through the Hub's holo vid inter comm system.
"We have a situation involving Anakin Skywalker. This will complicate things when Coulson arrives." Palpatine warned
"Understood. I'll have my best people monitor the situation. Ever since his ressurrection Coulson hasn't acted like himself and now people under his command are ignoring orders and Shield protocol. If Coulson becomes a problem I have someone I trust who will deal with him Chancellor." Agent Hand reassured
"Thank you Victoria." Palpatine replied before ending transmission
"Isabelle...sweetheart...we need to be careful. If Coulson discovers our secret or if he's compromised..."
"I understand. I'm on it boss. I'll watch Coulson and deal with him if he does anything unusual." Agent Hartley said with a smile
Chapter 9: Welcome to the Hub
Summary:
Jedi Master Plo Koon encounters a dangerous Seperatist weapon before Anakin and Ahsoka can assist him with destroying it. Agent Hand and Agent Coulson's conflict intensifies after they've met in person.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"Permission to land. We're designation 9613." May said into the radio of the cockpit
"We see you 9613. You can land on landing pad 5." The Air traffic controller for the Hub replied
May landed the Bus on the landing pad and her eyes narrowed when she saw Agent Hand standing nearby with Agent Jasper Sitwell. Sitwell was someone that Coulson worked with on the Avenger Initiative program back when Fury was trying to form a team of powered individuals with Shield resources. Out of all Shield Agents beside Director Fury and Deputy Director Hill to make visits to the Jedi Temple and communicate with the Jedi Order Sitwell and another high ranking Agent John Garrett communicated with the Jedi the most. May realized this was a passive aggressive power move by Hand.
"Where's Master Kenobi?" May asked Agent Hand
"He's currently handling a different part of this multi-level mission. We need to move quickly this nonsense involving Agent Simmons put us behind schedule on dealing with the latest Separatist offensive." Agent Hand said dismissively
Before May could verbally challenge Agent Hand Coulson exited the Bus and walked towards Hand to greet her.
"Agent Coulson good to finally meet you in person. Hopefully despite our earlier disagreements we can move forward in dealing with this threat together." Hand said shaking Coulson's hand
"Whatever you need my team will provide it. We understand Director Fury and Master Yoda put you in charge of the Hub." Coulson replied
"It is such an honor to be working with the Calvary on a mission." Agent Sitwell said to May extending his hand
May glared at Sitwell, "Don't call me the Calvary. You do that again and I'll snap your arm in half."
May then walked past Agent Sitwell and Agent Hand and entered the Hub.
****
Jedi Master Plo Koon stood at the bridge of his airship the Star Destroyer the Quantam. Star Destroyer airships outclassed Shield Helicarriers. They're designed to be flown into space at low orbit. The organization Sword helped build and design these ships to assist the United Republic during the Italia Naboo crisis. Sword withdrew its silent partnership with Shield and the Jedi at the onset of the Clone Wars claiming to be a neutral organization and refused to take a side in the war.
Master Plo Koon was grateful that Sword didn't attempt to reclaim these airships after declaring themselves neutral. The Star Destroyer's ability to fly in low orbit above the Earth helped Master Plo Koon's Clone batallion the 104th battalion monitor the skies and stars for Separatist activity. The Quantam's crew observed strange signals and activity from a computer source. One of Master Plo's officers Commander Wolfe traced the signal back to the specialized Quinjet used by Agent Phil Coulson's team called the Bus.
Plo Koon remembered that Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano were assigned as the members of the Jedi Order for Coulson's Shield team. He decided to contact Anakin but not until he determined if the Quantam's earlier alert about a disturbance 30 miles away from their current airspace was genuine. After a few minutes passed Plo Koon saw the source of the disturbance. An unusually shaped airship that appeared to be tracking Plo Koon's fleet of airships.
"Sir the 3 United Republic airships we're tracking just discovered us. How would you like us to proceed." A B1 Battle Droid asked
General Grevious growled in frustration and shook his fist. Count Dooku remained calm and replied, "Jam their transmissions."
"The fleet is holding its position General. Do you want us to attack?" Commander Wolfe asked
"I think it wise to notify members of Shield and the Jedi Order before we attack. Is Coulson's team nearby?" Plo Koon asked
Commander Wolfe nodded and Plo Koon made his way to the Holo communications area of the Quantam.
"I'm contacting Anakin Skywalker to see if he can reinforce our attack." Plo Koon notified Commander Wolfe
"From what I hear Skywalker's always ready for a fight." Wolfe commented
"So I've heard." Plo Koon dryly noted
"Hello Master Plo! It's so wonderful to see you." Ahsoka greeted
"Likewise little soka." Plo Koon replied
Plo Koon as a non human couldn't smile. His species was Kel Doran and Kel Doran's jaw muscles worked differently than a human's muscles. Even if that weren't the case Plo Koon's species needed to wear a rebreather mask with special goggles over their eyes in oxygen rich environments. Facial expressions for his kind became limited as a result so Plo Koon placed extra warmth in his voice when needed. He loved Ahsoka's spirit, enthusiasm, and her compassion. He was proud that she was elevated to the rank of Padawan and an official member of the Jedi Order. He knew it would be just a few years until Ahsoka became a full fledged Jedi Knight of the Order and he felt privileged to witness her growth in the Force.
"How goes the hunt for the secret Separatist weapon? Coulson had his tech consultant Skye run a trace on any unusual sonic activity. Did that help your fleet's search for the weapon?" Anakin asked
"Yes your new team has been quite helpful in the war effort. Skye's intel allowed us to locate the source of the attacks from the Seperatist weapon. In the interest of caution Skywalker I want your forces to assist in the attack."
"That's a good plan. But I'll have to run that by Agent Coulson. I can just leave the team without permission unless it's an emergency." Anakin said through loud static
"Anakin something's wrong with the transmission." Plo Koon replied alarmed
"Master Plo what's going on the static is louder..." Ahsoka started to say before the transmission cut out
Suddenly the claw shaped Seperatist weapon approached. In the middle of the claw shape was a circular and flat firing canon of some sort. Plo Koon wondered what that canon was for but he snapped out of his bewilderment to issue orders.
"Prepare for a counter attack. Increase energy to all of our airship's shields."
The B1 Battle Droids on the Separatist airship the Malevolence initiated a firing sequence for the state of the art energy wave gun. Dooku smiled. He normally followed developments on Seperatist operations from the comfort of his mansion in Denmark/Serenno but this was a rare opportunity. The war hadn't been going well for the Seperatist. Coulson's team engaged in secretive operations that stifled all major Separatist military engagements. The only positive outcomes for the Confederacy of Independent Nations was that it managed to hold onto its territory and protect the nations that officially swore allegiance to the Confederacy.
Dooku knew that once the United Republic gained control of any part of CIN territory than the United Republic would soon win the war. The CIN needed a major strike against the United Republic and against Shield. Dooku initially hoped an army of superhumans helping General Grevious lead the CIN Droid Army would achieve that outcome. Yet the Clairvoyant's attempts to create that army was a huge letdown. For some reason the Clairvoyant couldn't explain his team of scientist only mutated one successful specimen named Mike Peterson. Dooku was excited that his other silent partner the Clairvoyant's financial sponsor helped design and build the Malevolence. The airship looked impressive and it's energy weapon astonished Dooku. The initial tests within CIN territory were successful prior to being cleared for combat in the field. Now Dooku wanted to be present when the Malevolence struck the first major blow against Shield and the Jedi Order.
"General Grevious this will be a suitable test for our new weapon. If successful we will gain a huge advantage in the war. Fire upon the United Republic ships." Dooku ordered
"Yes my lord." General Grevious replied
Grevious pressed the button that triggered the firing mechanism on the energy wave gun. Bright white energy similar to lightning shot out of the Malevolence and streaked toward the Quantam's fleet.
"Brace for impact!" Plo Koon yelled to his crew
"We've lost all our power. That includes our shields. That Seperatist energy weapon has left us defenseless General!" Commander Wolfe exclaimed
"Now fire the proton canons!" General Grevious ordered
Grevious laughed as he saw the Quantam and its fleet being hit with a barrage of hot red plasma that caused the airships to shake and rattle around. After a minute one of the airships exploded and a burst of fire and smoke lit up the visual display on the Malevolence.
"We need to evacuate! Quickly into the escape pods." Plo Koon called out
Plo Koon lead two dozen Clone soldiers and officers to the escape pods on the back of the airship. Roughly 30 escape pods ejected from the three remaining airships before the airships exploded. The pods floated towards the Earth but still remained in space.
"Another successful test wouldn't you say Count Dooku?" General Grevious boasted
"We still need to keep this weapon hidden. Send out the hunters and have them destroy every pod and everyone in it before they can be rescued. After the series of setbacks we suffered it was nice to witness that General. However the job isn't quite finished. Every pod must be eliminated." Count Dooku ordered as he departed for the hangar
Count Dooku saw what he needed to see and decided to make the journey back to Denmark/Serenno.
"It'll be done and I'll enjoy every second of it." Grevious replied
****
"So the transmission cut out and Skye your consultant snuck out to assist with this mission without authorization. What kind of team are you running Agent Coulson?" Agent Hand asked skeptically with her arms folded
"I'm not here to take criticism for my leadership skills. I'm here for mission details. What are they?" Coulson snapped
Everyone in the room was taken aback by Coulson's rude tone. May especially gave a brief look of alarm but returned to her typical stoic demeanor. Agent Hand shook her head slightly and continued speaking pointing to a visual display.
"This is Sokovia and as you know it's a country that has suffered extreme political instability for the past twenty years. The Trade Federation attempted to instigate a coup in 1996 after a failed attempt at instigating a Civil War in 1991. Sokovia has rich mining facilities in its mountains and that made it attractive to the Trade Federation. Civil wars and general unrest have existed throughout the nation in the years since but now the Separatist have control of the country. Sokovia has officially sided with the Seperatist.
The Seperatist have used these mining facilities to build the control panel that powers the subsonic frequencies of their secret weapons. We need to send a small team that has experience with infiltration jobs to sneak into Sokovia and also the expertise to destroy the control panel on site without triggering a lock out procedure on the panel. That'll allow the tech teams within the Hub to locate the weapon and allow Skywalker, Tano and Skye the consultant to destroy it." Agent Hand explained
"So who do you want from my team on this mission? Ward and Rex?"
"I'm not trusting a Clone with this mission besides I already have Ward for infiltration. I need someone from your team that can disable the control panel on site without being locked out of the system. Ward is going to be joined by..."
"Sorry I'm late everyone I just couldn't help but look at these new designs on all these data pads." Fitz said as he walked into the mission briefing room
"Fitz doesn't have field experience." Coulson protested
"He does have Seperatist tech experience. He's better than the tech's at the Hub in this area. As I already explained Ward is one of the best field operatives and infiltration experts in Shield. Ward finished 2nd to Romanoff in infiltration training at the Academy. He's spent 1 year and a half undercover in Sokovia so he should have an efficient way to sneak into the country." Agent Hand said
"This mission is dangerous even for someone with Ward's skills. We should at least have Skywalker's 501st Clone battalion as backup for Ward and Fitz." Coulson argued
"I have an extraction team for them. Now please be quiet. This isn't your little airship called the Bus. You are in my domain...the most state of the art Shield facility after the Triskelion. I make the rules and you'll follow them. Welcome to the Hub Coulson."
Notes:
Thank you for reading this far into the story. In the next few chapters there will be shocking new information revealed to the characters. This information will create changes in this story from the canon Agents of Shield storyline. So please keep reading to see how the inclusion of Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano on the team will change the story for the beloved Shield characters.
Chapter 10: The Maximoff Twins
Summary:
Ward and Fitz meet a pair of superpowered twins on their mission in Sokovia. The search for Master Plo Koon continues.
Chapter Text
Plo Koon and the 2 remaining Clone soldiers and 1 Clone officer managed to use their limited oxygen supply to give a propulsion boost to their escape pod. Plo Koon decided on this course of action due to a series of Octopus like droids called Hunters. The bulb shaped droids had wimmm six tentacles made out of the rare and powerful metal Doonium that sprouted from its bulb core in all directions. These tentacles ripped open the window of nearby escape pods which caused the pressurized air to exit the pod ejecting its inhabitants into the vacuum of space.
Plo Koon and his men stared helplessly as their comrades fell victim to the Hunters.
Any Clones that managed to survive in their armor outside the escape pod were shot to death by B1 Battle Droids utilizing jetpacks to fly. Plo Koon sadly admitted that this was a clever plan by the Seperatist army because their forces mostly being droids could survive the vacuum of space. This thought gave Plo Koon his idea because his species the Kel Doran's had thick leathery skin that allowed them to survive outer space without special suits. Plo Koon exited his escape pod and ordered his 2 armored Clone subordinates to follow.
He then told Commander Wolfe to tamper with the control panel inside the the pod to lower the air pressure.
This resulted in a massive propulsion boost that allowed the pod to fly at low speeds further into the debris field. With the propulsion boost their pod traveled a far distance allowing them to avoid an attack from the Hunters. Plo Koon tapped into the Force and felt a slight disturbance. It was too small for him to be certain if it was a rescue airship or a Hunter Droid. Plo Koon could sense a tiny flicker of light through the Force and he assumed this was a indication of a rescue airship. This insight through the Force calmed Plo Koon and his body language confused the men under his command.
"Sergeant, why are you so certain no one is coming?" Plo Koon asked
"We're just clones, sir. We're meant to be expendable."
"Not to me. Every single one of you are important." Plo Koon replied firmly
***
"We're closing in on the debris field Anakin." Skye said
She peered over her laptop and took in the majestic view. Skye remembered her time in St Agnes orphanage in New York/Lothal and how miserable it became in a short time. Yet one thing that made her time there bareable was the Priest of nearby Clinton church Father Lantom. Father Lantom took the well behaved children to the roof of Clinton Church to stare at the stars using a powerful telescope donated by one of the church parishoners. It didn't bother Skye that Sister Maggie the head of the orphanage glared at all the children during this activity and that the nun terrified Skye. Skye was ecstatic just to see how bright and beautiful each star was.
"Shield Agents dropped you off here...Mary Sue." Father Lantom muttered
"My name is Skye not Mary Sue. I don't care what Sister Maggie or my birth certificate says. Wait a minute...Shield Agents?" Skye asked
"Yes. One of them retired from Shield and confessed to me several weeks ago. I assume she wasn't authorized to do that and I believe this particular Shield Agent went into hiding. They confessed because of what they felt uncomfortable with the idea of lying to a child even if its for a good reason. Normally nothing that is said in the confession booth leaves the booth but if it concerns your safety...anyway your birth parents may have come from the stars Skye. At least that's what the Shield Agent told me." Father Lantom told her as Skye stared at the moon
Skye was now in space as an adult no longer a child needing a telescope and adult supervision to see what she saw now. Skye felt strange staring out of the visual display of Anakin's airship. As if the Force itself was a presence that surrounded her instead of some concept that Anakin and Ahsoka talked about. She wondered if this mission Master Plo Koon was on had anything to do with her missing parents. Or Father Lantom's comments about a Shield Agent speculating that Skye came from the stars. Skye wondered if she was a galactic human like Admiral Yularen or Chancellor Palpatine or she thought am I a Jedi like Anakin or Ahsoka. Being in space sparked questions that Skye never thought about since she was Ahsoka's age.
"Master, I should tell you why I spoke up before. I'm sorry about my outburst." Ahsoka apologized
"You don't have to explain anything.
I understand how much Master Plo Koon means to you. However as you grow older you're going to need to think through your decisions more carefully. Do you understand?"
Ahsoka nodded.
"Anakin, where are you?" Obi Wan Kenobi said over the radio
"Oh, hello, Master. We're just doing a quick triple check of the debris field. In fact we're finishing up now." Anakin lied
"Multiple checks of the debris field? Based upon your flight trajectory of your aircraft it seems you're undergoing a rescue operation. You had specific orders that you're not following Anakin." Obi Wan said disaprovingly
"It was my idea, Master Kenobi. Don't blame Anakin or Ahsoka." Skye said hurriedly
"Oh, I'm sure it was Mary Sue. No wonder Anakin and Ahsoka have warmed up to you Skye." Obi Wan remarked with a sigh
"Give us another hour Master and then we'll rejoin the rest of the fleet and search for the weapon." Anakin begged
"And for the record Master Kenobi my name is Skye not Mary Sue Poots." Skye corrected
"And for the record I like it when my orders are being followed but we don't always get what we want in life Skye Poots." Obi Wan joked
****
"What are you doing with that sandwich?" Ward asked irritably
"Simmons made it. It's made with every single one of my favorite ingredients. She made it with love just like my mum used to make it when I was young." Fitz answered joyfully
"Don't you realize the Sokovians don't just rely on Seperatist droids? They have their own standing military." Ward said in alarm
"And...you're the stealth expert. You'll be able to sneak us past twice the number of enemies." Fitz said confidently biting in the sandwich
"The Sokovian military uses trained attack dogs to assist the Seperatist droids with patrols. That means they can smell things from far away." Ward said impatiently
Ward grabbed Fitz's sandwich and hurled it out of the back of the truck.
"Why'd you do that?" Fitz asked upset
"We need to go now. Grab the gear. We're hopping off the truck."
"Wait...what..."Fitz managed to get out
Ward grabbed Fitz and hurled him off the truck. Ward then cursed as he heard dogs barking in the distance.
"We need to move quickly. Hopefully that sandwich distracts those dogs. We're going to have to go with plan B." Ward grumbled
"But...Simmons made that sandwich with love." Fitz complained
"If we don't move Simmons will find out that you ended up exactly like that sandwich. Come on, there's a small town nearby where we could bum a ride off a passerby to our location. Let me do the talking...I can speak Sokovian." Ward said
"Ok." Fitz said
****
May was furious at Agent Hand for her passive aggressive attitude but she was pleased with the quality of the Hub as a base. The exercise area was excellent with the most advanced equipment and with a precise voice activated temperature control system. May ordered the system to be slightly cool and she began her stretching and meditation routine. This also helped calm her not from Hand's disrespect but also from the worry she had about the rest of the team.
Skye snuck out (predictably) to help Anakin and Ahsoka. May knew why Skye had such a strong connection to Anakin and Ahsoka. However May couldn't tell anyone on the team. May hated keeping secrets from the team and doing such a thing heightened her stress level. May had no choice though...and then there was Simmons. May knew how much Simmons cared for Fitz and she also knew that Simmons hearing that Fitz would go on a dangerous field mission when he hadn't passed his field assessment must be hurting Simmons. May then thought about her best friend Agent Coulson...how far they drifted apart over the past few years. May felt similar to Ward...both acting as loners and keeping to themselves. She assumed Ward was struggling working with a partner on a mission. Coulson on the otherhand was starting to crack under the pressure of leading his own team and dealing with other senior Agents like Hand who outrank him.
These thoughts started to disappear when May started her rhythmic breathing. She began her stretches and she felt the quiet. The calm and cool air took over and her mind relaxed. There was nothing in her head other than the calm and cool air as she moved gracefully through her exercise. Each movement precise and detailed May stretched her legs first and just when she went to stretch her arms someone called out to her.
"Agent May I'm worried about Fitz. I know he's with Ward and I made him his favorite sandwich to encourage him. It's just...it's been a couple of hours and there's no update on the progress of the mission. Should I talk to Agent Hand and ask for an update? I know Coulson is the only Senior Agent on our team and only he's authorized to do that. But perhaps Coulson is mistaken to be so deferential to Agent Hand. Hand doesn't care as much about Fitz as I do...I mean as we do. What do you think I should do Agent May?" Simmons said
May turned and gave Simmons an annoyed look.
"Oh you're right Agent May I should talk to Agent Sitwell. He's Agent Hand's trusted confidante. He should be able to provide a quick update on Fitz...and Ward also."
May shook her head in annoyance knowing Sitwell would deny Simmon's request. Sitwell was a by the book Agent that was meticulous and detailed. May knew Phil respected Sitwell's intense focus on details in addition to his willingness to cooperate with any Senior Agent on important missions. May didn't blame Simmons for thinking that Sitwell would help her. But May put thoughts about Ward and Fitz aside to continue her stretching.
****
Ward and Fitz reached a bar at the edge of a nearby village. The base that contained the control panel was still 20 miles away in the Sokovian capital Novi Grad but this bar would have to do Ward thought to himself. Ward told Fitz the plan was to scope out the bar to determine the best route to take to the city. If there was a contact of Ward's that remembered Ward under his false identity Mateo Polinik Ward would ask that person for a ride to the capital city. Fitz agreed to let Ward do all the talking since he spoke mostly fluent Sokovian.
The bar was empty and Ward realized too late the sounds of people talking and moving around in the bar were holograms. A cloaked Asajj Ventress emerged from the shadows and Ward drew his blaster. Ventress gave a smile and stretched out her hand before Ward could fire. She tapped into the Force to knock the blaster out of Ward's hand. Then Ventress raised her arms causing Ward and a Fitz terrified in stunned silence to levitate off the ground.
"I used the trick you used against me Agent Ward. Don't worry I won't kill you...yet. I want to find out what you and your partner know first. I have some people that will help me with that. First I want to introduce the oldest. This is Pietro Maximoff. His speed will ensure that you won't be rescued by any extraction team that Shield sent in to pull you out. No one will get within a 100 feet of this bar because he'll kill them before they'll get that far. Second the younger one who helped me track you down with her set of abilities. She can sense thoughts and the people around more precisely than a Jedi or Dark Sider like myself can. This is Wanda Maximoff."
Pietro a man in his early twenties grinned mischievously flexing his shoulders while wearing a blue tracksuit with a hood. Wanda a woman with a red sweatshirt and skirt gave a shocked gasp when she saw Ward.
"You...you...you...know her..." Fitz asked visibly sweating and shaking
Ward sighed, "Yeah...we used to date."
Chapter 11: Seeds
Summary:
Dark secrets about different characters pasts are uncovered.
Chapter Text
Skye hung her head wanting to convince Anakin to keep searching for Master Plo Koon but thinking better of it. Skye didn't want to be the catalyst for more conflict between Anakin and Ahsoka. Yet an hour had passed and there was no sign of an escape pod with Master Plo Koon inside floating in the confines of the debris field. Skye gave Anakin a pleading look but Anakin shook his head.
"Time to go, Ahsoka." Anakin said
"We have to stay!" Ahsoka begged
"Ahsoka, I want to believe Master Plo is alive, but-" Anakin started to say
"I know he's alive! I can sense him through the Force!" Ahsoka protested
She took the controls for Anakin's airship and flew to the edge of the debris field. Skye stared in shock and realized her left hand was shaking. Skye felt a spark of energy and she wondered is this what the Force feels like? Anakin struggled to retake the controls from Ahsoka while R2D2 who was plugged in through a interface outside the airship beeped loudly in alarm. By the time Anakin reclaimed the controls he saw Master Plo Koon with 3 clones. 2 of the clones outside the pod and one inside the pod.
"Yes I knew he was alive!" Ahsoka cheered
Anakin gave a bemused smile while Skye beamed with joy seeing their efforts to rescue Plo Koon weren't in vain.
****
"Why do you want to leave Mateo? I love you. I...you make me feel happy. I haven't felt that way in years. Ever since that bomb..." Wanda's voice trailed off
Ward leaned in and gave her a kiss. He held her close not sure what to think. After a year of undercover work he was scared that he loved Wanda as himself not Mateo Polinik.
"I can't...I don't want to say goodbye but my doctorate program has ended. I'm expected back in the United States to present my findings on how best to help Sokovia."
"This isn't how best to help Sokovia. American dogs." Wanda said bitterly gesturing to a news report on the TV discussing Iron Man
"I'm just a researcher Wanda. I don't work for the American government." Ward lied
"There is a war between the United Republic, Shield, and the Trade Federation, and they're fighting that war by using Sokovians like play things used by children. We are just tools to them, to Tony Stark. You're the first one from outside Sokovia who understood. Yet you are leaving to go back to America." Wanda complained
"Shield is struggling to trust the Jedi. They're too secretive and they are protected by the United Republic. Something happened in the year 2000 that changed all that. That's why I immigrated to the United States. I hoped to learn over there in order to create a plan that would lead to peace for Sokovia. That's why I'm going back, its not because I dont love you." Ward reassured giving Wanda another kiss
Wanda held him close and moved to sit on Ward's lap on the couch. She kissed him again deeply and squeezed him.
"I want to do something to make you stay. To let you know how much you mean to me."
Before Ward could utter a protest she started undressing and Ward stopped protesting.
****
Wanda screamed and knelt on the ground her eyes stopped glowing red and she could see the abandoned bar.
"I can't. Too many emotions within his memories of us together for me to read his mind my Lady. I'm sorry." Wanda told Ventress
"Ugh. Of course a bachelor like Grant Ward could do that to a woman as powerful as the Scarlet Witch. But you're strong Wanda...you are one of a rare breed of superhuman that's deeply connected to the Force. Unlike that disappointment called Mike Peterson. However you still have Agent Leopold Fitzgerald or "Fitz" to read. He's new to combat and extremely terrified so it should be easy for you to read his mind." Ventress reassured
"I'm not afraid of you." Fitz choked out
Ventress laughed, "All I see is not only fear but a dead man. Now go ahead Wanda."
Wanda peered into Fitz's mind her eyes once again glowing red. Fitz entered a trance as he stared into Wanda's eyes. Before Wanda could learn much information she was pushed backwards into Ventress by an unknown Force. Ward turned around and saw Obi Wan Kenobi standing in the doorway of the bar.
****
"Why are you accessing that control panel?" Agent Sitwell asked
Simmons turned around in alarm and struggled to maintain composure.
"Oh hello. Agent Sitwell. You certainly have a lovely head." Simmons said and she attempted to stroke Sitwell's bald head
"Agent Simmons I understand you're worried about Agent Ward and Agent Fitz but I assure you. They'll be fine. Do you need some tea or water?" Agent Sitwell asked kindly
"Oh you are so sweet. That's why...I think we have a deep connection. And...you should not mention the fact I asked about Fitz and Ward as well as you catching me...me at this control panel. We can act on our connection and have a relationship like in slash fics on AO3! Simmons/Sitwell. Doesn't sound intriguing?" Simmons said with an awkward smile
Agent Sitwell stared at Simmons in confusion for a moment. Sitwell moved his hands to his earpiece and Simmons knew he was going to communicate what just happened to Agent Hand. Simmons pulled out a blaster and shot Sitwell before he could activate his earpiece. Simmons stared in shock at the unconscious Sitwell. Then ran when she spotted a masked tactical Agent at the corner of the hallway. The Agent saw Sitwell and pressed their earpiece.
"Victoria I just found Sitwell knocked out unconscious. It's definitely one of Coulson's people do you think-"
"Don't move. Why are you following my people to begin with?" Coulson demanded
The masked tactical Agent placed their hands above their head. Coulson pressed his blaster into the Agent's back.
"Why is Victoria Hand having my Agents followed? Answer me or I shoot." Coulson warned
"It's me Isabelle. Let me take off my mask. Phil we've known each over forever. You can trust me." Isabelle warned
Coulson shot Isabelle. It was a stun blaster and after checking Sitwell's pulse Coulson could see that Sitwell was stun blasted by Simmons. Coulson realized he needed help to get his team away from Agent Hand. It's clear that something was off about this entire mission and he needed to find out what it was. Coulson wondered if this had anything to do with his survival from Loki's attack 2 years ago or if it was related to the Clairvoyant and how they managed to evade Shield. He needed to call in the favor of an old friend to escape and figure this out.
****
"Agents Ward and Fitz the control panel you seek is inside this bar. It's behind the barstool. I'll hold them off while Fitz deactivates it. Ward stay close to Fitz." Obi Wan called out over his shoulder
Obi Wan had the unenviable task of fighting Wanda Maximoff and Ventress at the same time. Obi Wan's Clone Battalion the 212th Attack Battalion struggled against Pietro Maximoff outside the bar. Obi Wan grimaced as he used the Force to block Wanda's telepathic attacks and choas energy attacks while fighting Asajj Ventress in lightsaber combat.
"Kenobi I'm so disappointed you're refusing Agent Ward's help. One of these days he and I are going to have a rematch." Asajj Ventress teased
"I know you dark siders are cruel but bullying non galactic humans is a new low. Conceding defeat to me already." Obi Wan joked
"Oh Master Jedi you should be a comedian. Wanda target Agent Ward for me please. I'm sure you'd like to express how you feel about your ex boyfriend." Ventress ordered
Wanda nodded and walked towards Ward levitating several random barstools in a rotating circle around her. Ward fired his blaster at the stools and they splintered. Wanda sent the debris chunks flying in all directions forcing Ward to duck beneath a table. Ward turned the table on its side so that Fitz could hide behind it while he worked to disable the panel. Obi Wan and Ventress managed to use the Force to move the chunks of wood away from their duel.
"Almost done Ward."
"You have less than 30 seconds." Ward said as he tossed a flash grenade at Wanda
Wanda covered her eyes once the grenade detonated.
"You are despicable! You used me! Made me a tool to use for your mission!" Wanda shouted while blinded
Everyone in the bar started levitating and Ward could see a horrible vision from his past. Ward saw a young boy drowning in a well and another slightly older boy wanting to help. The oldest child of the group a young teenager kept punching the middle child in the back whenever the middle child wanted to help.
"Dont even bother. She keeps talking about her precious seed. How one day it will grow into a huge tree. Yet she treats us like dirt, so don't bother saving him." The oldest kid said
The youngest boy was crying begging to pulled up. The middle child started crying and the oldest boy mocked the middle one for crying.
"Make it stop! Make it stop!" Ward yelled at Wanda
The illusion broke and Ward fell hard onto the ground. He looked around wildly as his vision slowly started to become clear. The feeling returned to his body and he could see Skye cradling him in her arms. Skye looked horrified and Ward could see that he was crying. She wondered what Wanda did to Ward.
Ward turned around and saw that the Maximoff twins had fled with Ventress. Obi Wan and Anakin were in the corner discussing something while Ahsoka was talking to Fitz.
"We need to move. Coulson seems to have made some enemies within Shield. We'll need to sneak a trusted friend of Coulson's onto the Bus. Agent John Garrett and his protégé Agent Antione Triplett are assigned to Plo Koon's division and they'll help us sort through all this." Obi Wan said to everyone in the bar
****
May breathed a huge sigh of relief. She finally finished her exercise and meditation routine. She was ready to report to Agent Hand's mission briefing room to hear updates on Ward and Fitz. May was impressed with how relaxed she felt. She reminded herself to suggest to Coulson to get the exercise area on the bus remodeled to resemble the one on the Hub.
"Agent May I've done something terrible! It was an accident and I didn't mean to but I shot a Senior Shield Officer! Don't worry he's still alive and I know that he'll come to consciousness soon." Simmons announced
"What?!" May screamed in alarm
Simmons bowed her head in shame but before May could chastise her further Coulson entered the room. His anger transparent on his face he glared at May.
"Sir I'm sorry I shot Agent Sitwell. I was trying to find out what happened to Fitz." Simmons started with tears in her eyes
"Fitz is fine Jemma. We need to leave the Hub immediately. Agent Hand can't be trusted and you...Melinda. You and I are going to have a chat with Agent Barton and his wife Laura."
"What are you talking about Phil?" May asked confused
"Stop pretending. Stop lying to me. I know you know the truth about Skye. She was at the Jedi Temple as a child. She was training to become a Jedi but for some odd reason Fury ordered you and Agent 19 to remove her from the Temple. When we get on the bus you're going to tell me why." Coulson said
May nodded admitting to her deception.
Chapter 12: Branching Stories
Summary:
Anakin and Skye's past is revealed.
Chapter Text
April, 9th, 2000
Anakin and Skye chased each other around one of the Jedi Temple courtyards. They startled the old librarian of the Jedi Archives Jocasta Nu. She dropped a stack of data pads and used the Force to lift them from the ground back into her arms. She scolded the pair of younglings but Anakin and Skye were laughing to loud to hear her.
They kept running accidentally knocking over R2D2 who beeped loudly in annoyance. Skye attempted to use the Force to leap over Anakin to tag him but Anakin tapped into the Force to detect her acrobatic move and react to it quickly. Anakin stopped and Skye failed to tag him landing sprawled on the ground. Other younglings laughed as Skye struggled to get to her feet.
"Leave her alone!" Anakin yelled glaring at the group of younglings
One of them a black girl with flat hair apologized and the rest followed with apologies of their own.
"Thanks Anakin. I'm glad you have my back." Skye said
"I know what it's like to be different, to be the new person. But you had it worse than me. I still have my mom and when I become a Jedi Master I'm going to free her from slavery. But I also want to use my power as a master to help you find your parents Skye."
"Thanks Ani." Skye said kissing Anakin on the cheek
"Hey that's weird." Anakin said
"I'm sorry I just wanted to thank you for being so nice to me all year. If it wasn't for you and Master Yoda I'd be stuck in that orphanage on DC Coruscant." Skye explained sadly
"Oh I'm sorry Skye I didn't realize it was that bad in the orphanage. Well then if I help you find your parents you can kiss me on the lips." Anakin said with laughter
"I thought you said a kiss on the cheek was gross but you're saying a kiss on the lips is ok?" Skye asked
"We can't be boyfriend and girlfriend Skye. Jedi can't form attachments but we can definitely kiss if it's to thank one another when we're older."
"Ok. How long do I have wait for you to become a Master? I mean how old is Master Yoda anyway, he's a Jedi Master?" Skye asked
Anakin frowned struggling to formulate an answer.
"Who knows? He's so old he makes Master Dooku look young." Anakin finally replied
"I heard Master Dooku fought in World War II with Captain America. That must have been like 250 years ago. You really want me to wait that long to give you a kiss?" Skye asked incredulous
"Well Master Yoda said I'm the Chosen One. Destined to defeat the Sith and bring balance to the Force. So that means I can become a Master faster than anyone else. I'll be a Jedi Master in no time."
"That makes sense. You're really talented Anakin. Aren't you going to start your lightsaber trials next year?" Skye asked
"Yep. Me and Raina are actually going to start our trials around the same time. I can't wait to become a Padawans and no longer be a younglings." Anakin said excited
"So that means I have one more year before we have to say goodbye." Skye replied
"Oh that's right. I'm sorry Skye. I didn't mean to make it sound like I'll leave you behind. I'll definitely visit you every week. I promise." Anakin said hastily
"Thanks Ani. I really wish I had a lightsaber right now. One day we'll be Jedi together and I can help protect your mom and you can help find my parents." Skye said with a smile
In her excitement Skye started moving her arms as if she was swinging a lighgsaber making humming noises similar to how a real lightsaber swords when swung around by its owner. Anakin joined her and the two began to have a mock lightsaber duel. The duel quickly devolved into another chase but this time into the corridors of the Jedi Temple. Skye bumped into a tall man with an eyepatch who looked identical to Master Mace Windu. Skye startled by the resemblance the eyepatch man had to Windu hid behind Anakin.
"Mr. Skywalker I know you. Shield saw how you blew up an entire armada of droid airships as a 9 year old back in the Battle of Italia Naboo back in 1996. Very remarkable. Seems Ms. Poots is also impressed with your skills but I need to talk to her about something extremely important."
"My name is Skye! And who are you?" Skye asked moving away from Anakin
"My name young lady is Nicholas J Fury. I'm the Director of an organization called Shield. Just like the Jedi Order we who work at Shield focus on keeping people safe. You must call me Fury, just like you I require people to call me a certain name. Skye I need you to come with two nice women who work for me. There going to give you something very important to do. Don't worry, Master Yoda said it was ok. Do you understand?" Director Fury explained
"What's going on?" Anakin asked apprehensive
Fury pulled Anakin aside as Skye walked toward Agent May and Agent Danning. Danning was a short brunette woman with a warm smile.
"Skye needs to be moved to a safe location. She's being targeted by the Trade Federation. The group of people that attacked Italia Naboo when you were younger. Their influence is spreading because the unrest from the bombings in Sokovian has increased dramatically. Also there's a Sith Lord after her. His name is Darth Sidious. Master Yoda had a vision about that and considering how much damage Maul... Sidious former servant did in Italia Naboo think these things are linked. Therefore Skye must leave the Jedi for good. It's the only way to keep her safe."
"But...why can't we just train Skye to deal with these threats as a Jedi?" Anakin asked tears in his eyes
"No. Ironically the Jedi and Shield agree about something for once. We both believe Skye will be safer if she is moved and doesn't remember her time here. That she doesn't remember she trained to be a Jedi." Fury said solemnly
"No! Skye is my friend! You can't take her from me!" Anakin yelled
He tapped into the Force in anger and hurled Fury into the Temple courtyard. Anakin ignored the shocked stares of those walking by and the thud as Fury hit the ground. He barged into the room where Agent May and Agent Danning took Skye.
"Leave my friend alone!" Anakin yelled
"Young man please stop its done!" Agent Danning called out in fear
"What's done. What did you do to Skye?"
"Skye? Whose that? My name is Mary Sue." Skye said
"No your name is Skye. Come on let's go." Anakin said walking over to Skye
Skye moved away from Anakin in fear.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Skye asked
"Anakin...you need to calm down. I understand this is hard for you but we had to wipe Skye's memory to keep her safe. Now Skye go with Agent Danning to the quinjet. It's a fancy airship that's going to take you to your new home." May said
"So is Skye my nickname and Mary Sue's my real name?" Skye asked
"Agent Danning is going to explain everything and answer your questions on the airship ride."
"I'm sorry your sad but maybe you'll find a new best friend to play with." Skye said to a saddened Anakin
Anakin started crying as Agent Danning walked Skye towards the temple exit.
"Young man I deserve an apology." Fury groaned as he walked towards May and Anakin
Anakin still angry and disheartened walked past Fury without saying a word.
****
"I'm sorry Phil." Laura Barton said as she finished explaining Skye's past at the Jedi Temple
"Laura Barton...not Laura Danning, not Agent 19 code named Mockingbird. And I guess your communicating with me via holo from a classified location?"
Phil Coulson replied
"Fury set it up once Laura resigned from Shield. The location is off books. Laura was the 1st person I could truly trust. My mom was betrayed by my dad. He walked out on her when I was baby. Then my mom betrayed me and I was alone. Laura loves me for me not because of my accuracy with a bow and arrow or with any kind of weapon. We fell in love after the Battle of Italia Naboo in 1996. We managed to get assigned to work on missions as a team permanently." Hawkeye explained
"After May and I transferred Skye over to the St Agnes orphanage in New York/Lothal Dooku Serenno left the Jedi Order. He reclaimed his family name and title becoming a wealthy philanthropist. It was all a cover to set up the Seperatist movement but Skye was the 1st place prize in his plan. Asajj Ventress was just a lucky consolation prize. Things changed though and a few months later I resigned." Laura explained
"Why did you resign from Shield 11 years ago? Why did Fury set up this undisclosed location for you and Clint?" Coulson asked
"I got pregnant and it wasn't planned. The mission involving Skye and Anakin it broke me because I thought about getting rid of the baby to remain an active operative of Shield. I started feeling guilty about how many more kids lives I would ruin for the greater good. I thought about how I'm preventing myself from being a mom just to lie and keep secrets for a living.
So I told the Priest at St. Agnes the truth about Skye's parents. I told him to tell Skye she isn't normal and that Shield knows the truth. Skye's father was half a non galactic human and galactic human. He trained as a Padawan and his Master was Jedi Master Mace Windu. He left the order because he failed his trial to become a Jedi Knight." Laura confessed
Coulson felt a mixture of emotions. Sympathy for the Bartons. They have a family to protect and it made sense Fury set up a secret location for Clint to raise his family and for Laura to be a stay at home mom. Coulson also felt sympathy for Skye and how Shield had moved her around like a valuable piece of jewelry. Then Coulson felt rage at how everyone in Shield had lied to him despite the fact he died in service of Shield.
"Why was I not trusted with this information?" Coulson said
"Because your ressurrection is extremely dangerous and experimental. In fact you're just as unstable as Mike Peterson." May answered
****
"Why did your older brother Christian make you drown your younger brother Thomas in the well?" Skye asked
Ward turned over on his side of the bed and gave Skye a kiss. Skye returned the kiss and held him tight. She liked this side of Ward as opposed to the obsessive and stiff side of him. Skye wanted to comfort Ward after he told her the memory Wanda tormented him with. Things started out with a hug and a kiss on the cheek but escalated very quickly. After they made love Skye thought about Anakin and her previous friendship with him. How Shield erased all of her past but now she was actively operating within Shield. She was sleeping with her Supervising Officer an experienced and dedicated Shield Agent who didn't care the organization regularly deceived people against their will. Skye was confused about all of this but she felt connected to Ward.
"Christian tormented all of us. My sister, she's the youngest...her name's Diane. Mom shipped her off to an all girls boarding school. It was hell living in that house with my father who did nothing to stop it and my mother who encouraged Christian to rule over us. As soon as I turned 18 I got recruited to join a military institute and from their Agent John Garrett recruited me into Shield."
"Wow...I didn't realize Shield was an escape for you. I never grew up in a home. I was separated from my parents and sometimes I daydream about having a nice normal dinner with them. I didn't even know what they looked like so I just pretended I did. Made up what they looked like in my head. I didn't think someone could be in a living nightmare growing up with their parents." Skye replied
"Skye I shouldn't have done this with you. This type of relationship is frowned upon within Shield. I'm supposed to be training you to become a Shield Agent. If the rest of the team find out...if Agent Garrett found out...he was my SO and he's like a father to me...I'd be embarrassed."
"They're not going to find out. Besides Coulson doesn't trust Shield anymore. Hand is up to something...she's keeping secrets from all of us. So until we figure what she's up to I say screw protocol. Let's just screw each other." Skye said with a mischievous grin
She grabbed Ward and started rubbing his chest softly and kissing him deeply. Ward momentarily resisted but eventually stopped and wrapped his arms around Skye's back and kissed her back.
****
Ahsoka stared in shock at a video she found in Skye's laptop. Ahsoka suspicious about Skye's behavior snuck into her laptop. She used R2D2 to crack through the encryptions in order to see what Skye was hiding. Ever since Coulson ordered the entire team onto the Bus along with Master Plo Koon's assigned Shield Agent's John Garrett and Antoine Triplett Skye's suspicious behavior began. Ahsoka took advantage of Ward and Skye's extended training session to see what had Skye worried.
"Director Fury I understand you wanted to achieve something the Jedi thought impossible. Something the Sith attempted and failed to accomplish according to the history the Jedi have recorded. Either way you believed through alien technology that ressurrection after death could be achieved. Unfortunately even though the test subjects have been ressurrected the side effects are to devastating to their mental and physical health. They experience hallucinations, paranoia, increased irritability, repetitive ideation of chants or slogans, and heightened stress. As head of Project T.A.H.I.T.I. I recommend the project be shut down and you don't use this technology to ressurrect anyone not even a dead Avenger or a Jedi."
Ahsoka realized that Fury made Coulson go through Project T.A.H.I.T.I. That Fury was using Coulson as bait to draw out the Clairvoyant and their secret project. That's why Dooku and Darth Sidious valued the Clairvoyant the most out of all Seperatist leaders even more than Asajj Ventress. The Clairvoyant told Dooku and Sidious the secrets to ressurrection would be found within Shield. Ahsoka realized Agent Hand was the Clairvoyant.
****
"You understand why my patience is wearing thin." Darth Sidious growled
Darth Sidious was a hooded figure wearing a black cloak that obscured his face. Secretly Darth Sidious was Chancellor Palpatine elected leader of the United Republic and Chairman of the World Security Council. Yet Palpatine was truly a Dark Lord of the Sith the latest in a long line of Sith Lord's that existed throughout history. His face was etched in wrinkles that formed spider web patterns and his eyes glowed a haunting yellow color. A stark difference to the kindly old man that gently encouraged Anakin as Chancellor Palpatine.
"I'm sorry Master. The Clairvoyant still hasn't uncovered the secret of Coulson's ressurrection nor have they kidnapped him and brought him to me." Count Dooku said
Dooku knelt on one knee in reverence to the power and superiority of Darth Sidious. He looked at the ground in shame aware that his master wasn't pleased with his progress leading the Seperatist army.
"You have to force the Clairvoyant to act. They cannot hide forever within Shield waiting for an opening to attack Coulson. Phil Coulson has become too suspicious and therefore too cautious. The Clairvoyant will be waiting forever to strike at him directly or create a scenario that would draw Coulson into the open like they did with Ian Quinn and Franklin Hall on Batonn/Malta. You need to push the Clairvoyant harder my apprentice. Give the Clairvoyant incentive to want to fulfill their promise to find out how Coulson was ressurrected. With this technology the emergence of a planetary Empire under my rule and your guidance will be assured and that Empire will be immortal. No enemy or threat could destroy an Empire with the power over death not even Thanos." Palpatine elaborated
"Yes my master. I shall push the Clairvoyant to act more aggressively and if they refuse. I will send Asajj Ventress and the Maximoff twins to deal with the Clairvoyant." Dooku said
Chapter 13: The Girl in the Flower Dress
Summary:
The Shield team incorporates John Garrett a close friend of Agent Coulson into the team dynamic along with his protégé Agent Antione Triplett.
Chapter Text
"All the test subjects have been killed sir. They became too mentally unstable. One of the head scientists Albert Thompson believed injecting the formula into the spine would lessen the impact of the side effects. As a result you need to open the head and operate on the brain to ensure the formula would attach to the nerve endings on the spine. Even though it would reduce the negative side effects. That would put the subjects through too much excruciating pain." Coulson told Fury
Fury leaned back in his seat and frowned. Coulson stared at the pilot seat and wondered if May could hear their conversation. Ever since May refused field operation missions, May seeked more quiet and less expressive. Coulson couldn't blame her for this change in her personality. He understood why what happened in Bahrain caused this. Coulson shook his head realizing it wasn't smart to worry about May right now.
"This isn't good news Coulson. We're about to make contact with Stark and his life is in danger. Quinjet is due to land in Malibu in an ten minutes. I'm sure Stark is sleeping off a hangover but he's too valuable to not find a way to save him from death or his current illness." Fury countered
"I thought Stark was just a consultant for Shield. His lack of teamwork skills disqualified him from the Avengers Initiative. At least that's what Natasha told you."
"Well Natasha is a model employee at Stark Industries who reports on what she sees. She isn't paid to project the future or consider alternate solutions to a stubborn problem." Fury argued
"Stark isn't just a corporate labor efficiency project. He's a difficult man to deal with. I happen to know from personal experience. As much of a pain in the backside he can be I know he doesn't deserve to go through what the Project T.A.H.I.T.I test subjects endured. The homicidal ideations the test subjects had were disturbing. They kept thinking to themselves have to kill everyone to protect the city. I kept asking what city and they said the city is a place that gives birth to secrets and the unworthy who attempt to enter it and learn those secrets will die." Coulson explained horrified
"They kept saying this over and over and over again. Yes you mentioned that in your report. I understand my friend. I honestly do but things are getting more dangerous in the world. When that happens we need to consider all our options. I just spoke with Master Yoda and he informed me Dooku is up to something. He believes Dooku is behind the assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala's life and has assigned Jedi Knight Obi Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker to protect her.
Something is happening I can feel it and the bodies will soon start piling up. We need a way to ressurrect a fallen Avenger. There the only hope to stop Dooku or any threat to Shield and the United Republic citizen. I havent given up on Stark. I think with the right push he and the other potential candidates can become the Avengers." Fury explained
"Why are you so obsessed with Dooku though? The Jedi Order obviously are weary of Dooku but that's the only enemy they're concerned about. Stark was almost assassinated by Vanko aka Whiplash and Shield has other enemies. What makes Dooku stand out more than other threats? Does it have to do with his departure from the Order on April 9th, 2000?" Coulson asked
"No. This is solely based on what Yoda told me regarding Senator Amidala. We'll have to keep exploring other ways to provide emergency medical assistance to potential Avengers in critical condition." Fury lied
"Well find a new method to help injured or sick Avengers. I'm confident of that. Thank you for taking my concerns seriously sir." Coulson replied
May landed on a private airstrip reserved for Shield personnel. Coulson's friendly wave towards May was returned with a nod and a sad smile by May.
Coulson thought about all of this when he stared at May in the conference room. He focused on May's sad smile from that day. Coulson wondered if May knew the truth about Project T.A.H.I.T.I all the way back then. Clint and Laura Barton sat in silence while May continued to explain her role in Skye's placement in New York/Lothal when she was 10 years old.
"I agreed to place Skye in New York/Lothal because I trusted the system. I trusted Director Fury's judgment. Fury believes Master Yoda when he says Dooku seeks Skye to be his first in a line of Force Sensitive servants to the Sith. Inquisitors under a new branch of the Separatist military called the Inquisitorious." May finished
"What does this have to do with Director Fury resurrecting me against my will?" Coulson asked
May was taken aback.
"You didn't think I knew about that? When Simmons accessed the control panel to get more information on Fitz's whereabouts she exposed the truth. That Fury refused my recommendation to shutdown Project T.A.H.I.T.I and just like with Skye he erased and rewrote my memories. You knew the whole time and you didn't bother to tell me?
I thought we were friends. So what am I just bait for the Clairvoyant? Is this entire idea of me leading a team to stop a secret operation of Dooku a joke, a farce, a false reality to give me something to do until the Agent Hand exposes herself as the Clairvoyant? So now what? What's Fury have next in store for us? Because this isn't my team!" Coulson yelled in frustration
May screamed back, "No of course not! It's my team! I built this team with Fury's guidance to protect you. To ensure you didn't suffer the same symptoms degradation as the other patients in the T.A.H.I.T.I project. I had Fury convince you to pick certan people for it just to ensure you wouldn't break down physically from your ressurrection.
Simmons monitors your health, Fitz designs weapons for myself and Ward to contain you if you became violent or unstable, if you gained superhuman abilities Anakin and Ahsoka would step in to stop you with the Clones backing them up. Skye wasn't planned but Fury was having Agent Barton run point on a team to find her but then you and Ward got to her first. So don't treat me like a Seperatist. I did this for you, Phil."
"You did this because you were following orders. Not out of friendship. And officially I'm still leading this team and from now on I'm trusting John not you. As far as I'm concerned you're just a pilot." Coulson said walking out of the room
****
"Where were you Ahsoka?" Anakin asked
"I was looking for Skye. I wanted to play a game of uno with her." Ahsoka lied
Anakin folded his arms and eyed Ahsoka suspiciously.
"You can't play a game of uno with just two people? Also Skye is in an extended training session with Ward. Didn't she tell you about that?" Anakin replied
"I know it's just...destroying General Grevious ship the Malevolence and then Master Obi Wan having to come rescue Ward and Fitz. It's a lot for me to deal with. I mean what if Master Obi Wan was to late to save Fitz and Ward?" Ahsoka said half truthfully
"Listen we are called as Jedi to not have attachments but that's hard for us now. We are building bonds with our allies in the midst of a war. And now there's corruption within Shield. It's hard to trust people and so when you do find that person you trust and that person becomes a friend...letting them go isn't easy. It's something I struggle with. I lost my temper thinking about what Sergeant Slick did to harm the other Clones a couple of months ago. I care about Rex as much as I care about you. Even as your teacher I'm still learning and now that chaotic things are happening there's still more for me to learn. So why don't we learn together and you tell me the truth." Anakin offered
Ahsoka distraught opened her mouth, then closed it and then started fumbling over her words.
"I saw a video that was evidence of you and Skye...that Skye was...she was a youngling at the Jedi Temple. She and you were friends and you helped her connect with the Force but Shield took her away. They erased Skye's memories so that she'd live as a regular human and no longer return to the Jedi Temple." Ahsoka replied
Anakin put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"I was able to let go of Skye but not on that day. I was furious about losing my closest friend. She understood what it was like to be an older child brought to the Temple. You on the otherhand were brought to the Temple by Plo Koon just before your 4th birthday. It took me a few weeks but I managed to move on. That's why I never told her about that past when we found her. I wanted to respect Master Yoda's wishes about his decision to have Shield remove her from the Temple."
"Did you really use the Force to throw the Director of Shield 20 feet backwards in the air the day Skye was taken away?" Ahsoka asked incredulous
"Yes." Anakin replied embarrassed
"So it's safe to assume Fury will never ever bring that up." Ahsoka speculated trying to hold in laughter
Anakin nodded while laughing.
****
Fitz saw Jemma laughing at a joke the tall black and handsome Agent Triplett said and felt a rush of anger. He wanted to talk to Simmons about the mission he and Ward went on to Sokovia in great detail. Unfortunately Fitz learned that Coulson ordered Simmons to give Agent Triplett a tour of the bus while Captain Rex of Anakin's Clone batallion would show Agent Garrett around the bus. Fitz wondered if he really did love Simmons as more than a friend. He wondered if he was jealous of Triplett.
"Hey Fitz I just learned something incredible! Agent Triplett's Grandfather fought in World War II with Captain America and Count Dooku. Well ok the latter person is a traitor to the United Republic and a war criminal but Captain America is a hero and an Avenger. Triplett was telling me his grandfather attempted to teach Captain America French but it didn't go so well. Steve Rogers thought fondue referred to sex." Simmons said while laughing
"Do you just talk about your war hero grandfather to impress people?" Fitz snapped at Triplett
"No...I actually hate talking about it but Simmons is a huge fan of the history behind the Howling Commandos and their work with Peggy Carter. Peggy Carter is Simmons role model and I look up to my grandfather and what he stood for. I asked Simmons if its because Carter is famous but it's because she truly appreciates the work Peggy Carter did to help innocent people." Triplett answered startled by Fitz aggression
"Leopold are you alright?" Simmons asked worried
Triplett could sense tension in the air especially since Simmons addressed Fitz by his first name.
"No actually. It's nothing. I'm fine Jemma. It's just been a crazy stressful day but I'm good thanks." Fitz said hastily
"If you guys want some space to talk I can go meet up with Rex and Agent Garrett." Triplett said politely
"No! It's fine, really." FitzSimmons said at the same time
"What's it like fighting with Master Plo Koon and his 104th battalion? I hear they call themselves the Wolfpack." Simmons asked
"It's tough. We had a mission in Geonosis. The bug species that lives there. The Genosians picked an annoying place to live in the Sub Saharan Desert. Garrett found evidence that the Genosians are building something. I think whatever that object is what motivated Ian Quinn to try to join up with Dooku in the first place." Triplett replied
Before FitzSimmons could respomd Agent John Garrett arrived with Captain Rex.
"The famous FitzSimmons. I've heard a lot about you two. You guys are like super geniuses. Do you guys think Hand is the Clairvoyant? I'm betting my credits on it being Agent Hand. Shield Officer that always does things by the letter of the law and she's close to Sitwell whose spent lots of time visiting the Jedi...makes perfect sense."
"Sir Agent Hand is a suspect but she could be acting suspicious because she thinks we're the Clairvoyant. We need evidence to get to the bottom of this." Triplett said
"Triplett I swore I ordered you to lighten up a few days ago. If you don't I might think you're the Clairvoyant." Agent Garrett joked
"I'm not used to hearing jokes from a Senior Shield Agent sir." Captain Rex observed
"I'm not sure how the scientist that created you Clones could tell you apart. I mean it's not like you guys wear name tags. How often do you get called the wrong name?" Garrett joked
Fitz chuckled but stopped when Rex frowned.
"Well I find the fact you and the other Clones choose your own names and practice self expression within a brotherhood very sweet. It's wonderful to see you all work together." Simmons complimented
"Thank you ma'am. I think if we maximize our teamwork on this Bus our combined forces will stop this Clairvoyant. Skye should have the file Coulson took from Hand decrypted. Soon we'll discover our next lead on who this person is." Rex said
****
"Raina are you there?" The Clairvoyant asked through Raina's earpiece
"Yes my teacher what insight do you have to share." Raina said
"The tear in space time that the Red Skull created during World War II opened up new possibilities. People with the potential for great gifts. Project Centipede was a test to see if we could recreate those posibilities based on what occurred naturally in the farthest reaches of space in different dimensions. It failed due to Debbie being a normal being human. We must give up on Debbie and seek another way for you to fulfill your potential. Are you willing to follow my instructions exactly?" The Clairvoyant asked
"Of course teacher. I've learned so much about my potential to gain superhuman power thanks to you. What do you want me to do?" Raina asked
She smiled as the Clairvoyant instructed her and she stared at the headquarters for Debbie's base in Italia Naboo. Raina waved at passerby that politely complimented her on her beautiful flower dress.
Chapter 14: The Secrets of the Jedi
Summary:
The Shield team learn about Skye's secret while preparing for an important mission while Dooku is a witness to a surprising development during an important meeting.
Chapter Text
"This is our destination. It's Italia Naboo the home nation of Senator Padme Amidala. She's attending a conference that will discuss a growing refugee crisis within certain nations and territories as a result of Seperatist attacks. Senator Amidala has also assisted the Queen of Naboo with an investigation on a set of symbols on a tablet found on the mountains of Italia Naboo. The tablet is didplayed within a lecture hall across the street from the Theed Public Library. The person sitting outside the Cafe across the street from the library in this photo is our target." Coulson explained
Coulson pointed to a person in the photo on a holo projector. A beautiful black woman with short hair in a pristine dress with a distinctive floral print was staring intently at the Public Library. Anakin eyes widened in realization when he studied her face. Coulson continued speaking.
"Her name is Raina she helped run point on hiding the locations of Debbie's experiments. She also scouted and chose the locations so that Debbie could safely test the abilities of patients without causing any collateral damage. Raina paid scam artists and homeless to do low level surveillance in the area, she deceived law enforcement or security by pretending to read their minds by using intuition and guess work. Raina turned these displays of "precognition" into street shows. This gives Debbie the necessary distraction to relocate her makeshift experiments to another location."
"So that's how Debbie's avoided Shield and Jedi pursuit teams for the past few months." May observed
Coulson turned glaring at May and then continued, "This system of creating what amounts to a makeshift mobile lab to develop superhumans hasn't yielded any successful test subjects. The only exception is Mike Peterson whose deregulation is accelerating due to the Extremis enhancement that's powering his superhuman abilities. The symbols that are in the library's exhibit are the key to improving Mike's condition but also the experiment results for other patients."
"Rescuing Mike needs to be the priority. He needs to be with his son not stuck in a Seperatist lab." Skye said
"Don't worry Skye we'll do everything in our power to rescue Mike and save the other patients." Coulson reassured
"What do these odd symbols mean in terms of biological experimentation? They don't reference any human or sentient beings genetic information." Simmons questioned
"They refer to a code that only the highest ranking Agents know. It's related to a location that's connected to Skye's unique condition. The symbols are a reference to a genetic enhancement for people like Skye. The location contains scientific information that would improve the results of Debbie's experiments." Coulson replied
"Unique condition? What's wrong with Skye?" Fitz asked
"There's nothing wrong with Skye. She's Force Sensitive and was moved from the Jedi Temple to an orphanage. Her heritage is half galactic and non galactic. Her genetic code was harvested in the secret location the tablet is referring to. If it's discovered by Project Centipede then Dooku will have the superhuman army he seeks for the Seperatist military." May answered
"Except that army will have superhuman abilities but also a connection to the Force." Ahsoka said horrified
"So why now? Why did Project Centipede wait so long to utilize this solution to their problem?" Ward asked
"Risk. The Clairvoyant who I'm betting is Agent Hand considers this solution to be too high a price. Shield attention would disrupt this cozy operation. One of the most prominent Senators within the United Republic who was the former Queen of the country means any hope of remaining under the radar is gone. Yet due to lack of success with these experiments. Dooku probably isnt happy and so the Clairvoyant needs to take a big risk." Garrett theorized
"So how do we approach Raina who seems to be aware anybody who comes near her is a threat because what she wants is connected to Shield?" Agent Triplett asked
"Easy we don't try to trick her. We introduce her to the one person she's willing to talk to. That's Skye and we use her the same way the Clairvoyant uses Raina." Coulson replied
"What are you talking about?" Ahsoka asked
"Raina used to be at the Jedi Temple as well. She was one of the few younglings to be expelled from the Order. Raina didn't pass her lightsaber trials. She never became a Padawan. Master Yoda told her to meditate to see what path the Force had for her future. Raina refused due to her anger and resentment at not being considered worthy by the Order. Raina attempted to sneak into the restricted area of the Jedi Archives reserved for Jedi Masters. To gain knowledge and understanding about her abilities and potential. That's what got her expelled." Anakin explained
Skye head throbbed in pain and she saw a memory of a young black girl with short hair. She was laughing with a group of younglings at Skye who laid sprawled on the ground in a courtyard within the Jedi Temple.
"I knew her. When I was a youngling at the Temple she used to mock and tease me. I don't know how I remembered that but I did." Skye blurted out
"You're a Jedi?" Ward asked surprised
"No. I was being educated on how to become one until Shield took me from the Jedi Temple. They wiped my memories and made me think I was never there to begin with. I figured Shield knew where I came from. That's why I joined Rising Tide. To find out what Shield was hiding and exposed it. It turns out that Agent Hand was the one who concealed the information about Shield's involvement with my childhood."
Agent Triplett turned to Agent Garrett and gave him a nod while Agent Garrett shrugged his shoulders. FitzSimmons stared on shock while Ahsoka pretended to be in shock.
"None of this definitively proves Agent Hand is the Clairvoyant. We need to apprehend Raina and Debbie and question them on what they know." May said
"This is just wild. Skye you grew up as a Jedi and Shield wiped your memory of it. That's not morally problematic?" Fitz asked Coulson
"It was but I wasn't on that mission. Agent May was. Regardless Skye is a high priority target of Dooku due to her unique genetic profile. Skye is one of the few Force Sensitive non galactic humans on Earth. Her father actually trained with Count Dooku within the Jedi Temple decades ago. We need to be careful if we send Skye in. If she's kidnapped Skye's genetic information could be used by the Seperatist to give their superhuman army Force sensitivity and other abilities." Coulson explained
"Interesting. How come nothing showed up during the medical physical I did on Skye when she first joined our team?" Simmons asked
"Only a trained medical expert of the Jedi Order or one familiar with measuring midichlorians within a Force Sensitive are able to detect a person's connections to the Force in a medical examination." Anakin explained
"Fascinating." Simmons said with a smile
"Fitz we're going to need your drones to monitor Skye. We're going to split into pairs and use the drones camera's to monitor Skye's approach of Raina. That will give us the element of surprise to stop these experiments and apprehend Raina. This will protect the location of the Shield base with the chemical genetic enhancement. Then May can give whatever information we get from interrogating Raina to Director Fury and determine if Hand is truly the Clairvoyant. Since May's been having secret communications with Director Fury behind the team's back."
May frowned and folded her arms. Everyone except Coulson gave May confused looks.
"Sir, are you sure it's safe for Skye to go out in the field if she's Dooku's priority target?" Ward asked
Skye turned and glared at Ward, "I'll be fine. I can handle myself Ward."
Awkward stares from everyone in the room forced Skye into silence but Ward said, "Sorry. I'm being overprotective. I need to trust that your ready for a mission like this."
Anakin struggled not to smirk. He thought about his marriage to Padme and how it was against the Jedi Code. Apparently in Shield being in a romantic relationship with your trainee was also against protocol. Ward and Skye were hiding a relationship and Anakin wondered if he should say something. He didn't want to come across as a hypocrite but he also didn't want Ward to be compromised on this dangerous mission. Anakin also worried about Skye and wondered if she would resent him for not helping her remember they're past together as younglings.
"Ok...so we gonna get this show on the road boss?" Garrett asked giving Coulson a playful punch on the shoulder
"Yeah...let's get this done." Coulson grumbled
****
"Hello Senator Amidala! Your speech on refugees was incredible. I was a refugee myself. Out in Florida/Trandosha when I was a little girl there was a Hurricane called Andrew. I remember the United Republic Senate did nothing for us for two years. But a young girl from Italia Naboo roughly 13 years old gave an amazing speech about the Senate needing to do better for those that need help. I was in an orphanage in DC Coruscant watching it on TV and I was amazed that a kid could tell adults to be compassionate with their power. I wasn't surprised you were elected Queen of Italia Naboo weeks after that speech." Raina said with tears in her eyes
Padme was startled by these words and she put up a hand to stop her Clone Commando bodyguard. Padme approached Raina and sat down. The two women started talking and Skye could hear Anakin cracking his knuckles and muttering to himself. Before this scene took place Anakin apologized to Skye about concealing her past from her. Skye felt numb during the apology and said as much. There were so many secrets within Shield and the Jedi Order she didn't know what to think. Skye wondered if Anakin and Senator Amidala had a secret.
"Con artists. There just as bad as politicians." Anakin grumbled
"Aren't you friends with Senator Amidala and Chancellor Palpatine?" Skye asked skeptically
"Three months you claimed you would expose all of Shield's secrets. That's how Ahsoka and I found you and now you are on the path to becoming a Shield Agent. Things can change."
"I was on the path to becoming a Jedi until Master Yoda betrayed my trust by letting Shield take me away. So in a different universe I would be Ahsoka's teacher not you. Who knows maybe your mom would have married a Senator and you'd have an adoptive father." Skye countered
"Touche." Anakin said
Out of nowhere a blinding light overtook the entire square and Anakin and Skye were knocked out.
****
Agent Hand was excited and Agent Hartley grabbed her and kissed her in celebration. The two women held each other close and cherished this brief moment. Then they turned to face Count Dooku.
"I delivered as I promised but you need to deliver. Disable the eye implant in Isabelle's eye. You don't need to keep her as your leverage." Agent Hand demanded
"You still need to perform the interrogation on Coulson. Once that is complete then...and only then will I tell you the secrets of the Jedi." Dooku replied
"I had a feeling you'd say that. Code name hammer. I just activated the hammer protocol. You weren't granted official clearance Dooku so you will succumb to its effects."
Dooku in his rage channeled the Force and levitated Hand off the ground. He reached for the trigger on the device for Hartley's eye implant. Once Dooku pressed it a nano sized explosive inside Isabelle's eye socket would detonate killing her instantly. Yet Dooku was groggy and weak. The air was laced with the faint odor of a chemical Dooku realized. He could only sense it when fully channeling the Force but he didnt use the Force fully when entering the Hub. He stumbled to his knees and Hand landed on the ground clutching her throat. Hand managed to get back onto her feet and she watched Dooku succumb to the effects of the sleeping gas.
"Looks like the Clairvoyant just ended the Clone Wars. Without you the Seperatist are just a headless snake." Hand said with a smile before Dooku passed out
Chapter 15: Here's Hondo
Summary:
Anakin, Obi Wan and Dooku are captured by pirates but Coulson and his team are trying to regroup from Raina's attack.
Chapter Text
Anakin woke up and realized he was chained to Count Dooku and Master Obi Wan Kenobi in a cell within a rundown compound. Anakin looked around and realized Skye was gone and Padme was missing. He wondered if this was a strange nightmare. One moment he was with his childhood best friend and keeping an eye on his secret wife Padme. The next he was chained to Dooku, and his former Master Obi Wan Kenobi. The last time the three of them were in the same area at the same time was the first battle of the Clone Wars a few months ago. The Battle of Geonosis was where Obi Wan and Anakin fought Dooku and Dooku cut off Anakin's arm. Anakin glared at Dooku and tried to get to his feet to attack the elderly Sith Lord but struggled to move.
"Young man...you are not fit to be a teacher if you think you can escape chains designed specifically to hold Force Sensitives like us." Dooku criticized
"Don't you dare reference Ahsoka's name. You vile piece of human garbage." Anakin threatened
"I merely stated the facts. Honestly Master Kenobi have you taught this young man anything? How did he ever become a Jedi Knight?" Dooku asked
"Anakin being stubborn has nothing to do with my teaching ability. And criticizing Anakin's status as a Knight is a bit odd coming from someone who wants to destroy all Jedi." Obi Wan joked
"At the moment. I don't want to destroy you. I need your help to escape. Humor won't work in this situation Master Kenobi. A plan is what's needed to get free from our captors." Dooku reasoned
"And who are our captors and how in the galaxy did they catch us?" Anakin asked
"What Count Dooku is failing to mention is that his operative who call themselves the Clairvoyant has betrayed him. The Clairvoyant used Raina another Seperatist operative as bait to lure the Count into a position to be drugged and captured by pirates. The great Sith Lord and the leader of the Separatist military fooled by his own servant." Obi Wan explained with a laugh
"You laugh yet you and your former student were also deceived by the Clairvoyant. All three of us are in grave danger if we don't strategically form an escape plan." Dooku warned
"They're pirates Dooku. Its obvious the Clairvoyant hasn't been effective at helping the Seperatist movement. The Clairvoyant is worried about becoming a victim of your wrath. So they hired pirates to kidnap you out of desperation. There are no superhumans to protect the Clairvoyant so he hired pirates that just steal from different places looking for a big score. They have no interest in picking a fight with Jedi." Anakin said dismissively
"This isn't an ordinary gang. This is the pirate gang run by Hondo Ohnaka. His gang is feared amongst the criminal underworld. They are devious and deceitful, and most importantly...reckless." Dooku argued
"It's a wonder you don't get along with them. You have so much in common." Obi Wan joked
24 hours earlier
Simmons sat across from Coulson in an outdoor cafe near Padme and Raina. She looked sad and disgusted about something. Coulson was confused and asked Simmons if everything was alright.
"No father. It's not alright. It hurts me to see you like this. Always on another assignment from your job where you conduct research in remote areas like Ryloth/Algeria. How could you father?
I know you and my mother never could connect on an emotional level. Yet I thought you'd at least be there for me. I'm your oldest child and you're only daughter who like you is pursuing a career in research. Yet I spend time with the rest of our family. My twin brothers who are young teenagers need their father! But you chose Twi'lek prostitutes over them at a Rylothian nightclub!" Simmons cried out in sorrow with fake tears
Coulson winced at how poorly Simmons was acting as a daughter with daddy issues. She was speaking in a stilted manner like an actress in a cheap soap opera. Then Coulson realized too late his wincing made it look like he was guilty about Simmons false accusations.
"Prostitutes? As in many of them? I have a type that I specifically like too? Twi'lek's?" Coulson sputtered in shock at how bad Simmons was at undercover roles
The cafe patrons stared at Coulson offended by his distasteful behavior. He excused himself to find a more secluded area where he could monitor Raina and Padme.
Simmons was comforted by a random patron. She thanked them and then walked across to the courtyard. Skye attempted to signal Simmons to stop but Simmons ignored her. Skye panicked as Simmons approached Padme and Raina's table. Then without realizing it a bright flashing light occurs.
May and Rex are undercover with Ahsoka as street performers juggling objects with clown make up. Ahsoka used the Force to redirect the flashing light from the flash grenade before it could reach her, May and Rex at the far end of the courtyard.
"Master!" Ahsoka called out
"We can't do anything for him Ahsoka. Raina dropped a second grenade after the flash grenade. It's a toxic nerve gas."
"Looks like Coulson and Ward were also affected by it." Rex noted
"I'm contacting Fitz, Garrett and Triplett right now. I can't reach them. Ahsoka can you reach Master Plo Koon?" May asked
"No the signal to Plo Koon is jammed. Even R2 can't get through."
"R2 track Padme's comm link. We have to hope Raina and Padme are still together. Be careful because this is clearly a trap." May warned
****
"It's bad enough that we have to be in the same cell, but could you at least spare me the sound of your constant chatter?" Anakin complained
"And while I hold my tongue, the two of you will devise a brilliant strategy for getting out of this dilapidated prison." Count Dooku said
"Of course." Obi Wan and Anakin said at the same time
"Excellent." Dooku replied
****
Ward and Coulson awoke abruptly whirling around in confusion. They were on the bus and there was a message in Coulson's miniaturized data pad. It was from Fitz, Agent Garrett and Triplett. They were pursuing Simmons who had been kidnapped and placed an unconcious Ward and Coulson on the bus to recover. Ward and Coulson tried to use Fitz's holographic imaging table to study all the footage on the security cameras in the Cafe before the explosion. They couldn't find the on switch for the holographic imaging table.
"Where is the on switch for this thing?" Coulson wondered aloud
Ward shrugged as he continued his search for the on switch. He eventually found that it was underneath the holo imager on the opposite side of the room where the table was. Ward smiled as he flicked the switch on and video of the Cafe right before the grenade went off was visible.
"That's good Ward but...how do we rewind and then play the video without Fitz?" Coulson asked
"Fitz would move his hands in a sort of flourish." Ward replied
"A flourish?" Coulson asked staring at Ward in confusion
Ward waved his hands in an odd swirling motion. The video started to rewind but then abruptly stopped. Ward tried it again but it stopped every 10 seconds and Ward groaned in frustration.
"You know I think it's just a flick of the wrist. You know just...just like this..." Coulson suggested reaching over the table
Coulson flicked his wrist while imitating Ward's flourish hand motion. The images in the video enlarged and then shrunk as Coulson moved his hands. Ward sighed and placed his hands on his hips as he watched Coulson struggle to operate the holo table.
"You know what we'll just send the video files to R2." Coulson said after the eleventh attempt failed
Ward nodded, "Excellent idea sir. Now let's go save our people."
****
"This can't be happening. Are you actually going to ransom us back to the highest bidder?" Anakin asked in frustration
"Of course not. I'm going to ransom you to the highest bidder between the United Republic and the Seperatist. Whichever is the highest wins. So theoretically the United Republic could lose the bidding for all three of you and it will be the Seperatist that will make me a rich man." Hondo Ohnaka the leader of the pirates said
Hondo was a weequay an alien species that was vaguely amphibious in his facial features but otherwise had human features. The Clairvoyant was already paying Hondo and his gang to kidnap Dooku but apparently his greed was the reason he wanted to auction them off instead of waiting for the Clairvoyant to take them away.
"This can't be right." Anakin said
"Are you calling me a liar?" Hondo asked with an edge to his voice
"Uh, isn't that kind of what you do for a living?" Anakin asked
"You reject my hospitality, refuse to wait in your cell, and now, you're going to insult me?!" Hondo said offended
"I'm just saying-" Anakin began to say
"Anakin!" Obi Wan interrupted
"What? He is a pirate!" Anakin replied exasperated
Hondo pulled out the electronic pad that was wirelessly connected to their handcuffs. There was a shock button on the pad that would cause Anakin, Obi Wan and Dooku immense pain if Hondo pressed it. His powakian monkey lizard which was a cross between a monkey and a lizard hissed at the three Force users.
"Yes, but this may not be the best time for you to speak at all Anakin!" Obi Wan argued
"You two fools are going to be my downfall but at least you'll be going down with me." Dooku criticized with dry disdain
At that moment the power to Hondo's base went out. Preventing Hondo from using his remote to shock his prisoners.
"What happened to the power? I was about to have fun!" Hondo complained
Chapter 16: Rescue Operation
Summary:
Coulson and his team rescue Anakin and Obi Wan but at a steep price.
Chapter Text
Hondo was annoyed. Apparently there was to be no auction as his pirate forces struggled to defeat one woman.
"Well what do you know the Calvary has arrived." Obi Wan said
"How is one woman who isn't a Jedi considered a Calvary?" Hondo asked surprised
"Agent May isn't an ordinary woman." Obi Wan noted
"I can't see. My men can't fight. I was gong to retire from this life of thievery. Go somewhere nice like Italia Naboo. Instead of living in Cyprus/Florrum. Well as my mother always said when there is no profit in a place of business...find a new place of business.
Good day gentlemen." Hondo said as he left the room
The lights abruptly turned back on the three Force users as if Hondo did a magic trick he was nowhere to be found. However Anakin realized it was due to the backup generators. Anakin knew his trusted droid R2D2 and Fitz caused the power failure. He smiled when R2 showed up inside his cell as if he read Anakin's thoughts. After being freed and receiving his lightsaber Anakin and Obi Wan held Count Dooku at lightsaber point. Dooku smiled.
"What's so funny Dooku?" Anakin demanded glowering at him
"You're not the only one with backup Skywalker and I've concealed his presence from you and Obi Wan using the Dark Side."
"Who could possibly free you by overcoming our combined efforts Dooku?" Obi Wan asked
Mike Peterson entered the room and he was covered in cybernetic parts just like the Seperatist military leader General Grievous.
****
May was furious. She didn't like operating in the field. It brought back dark memories of her final mission before resigning as a field agent. The mission in Bahrain kept playing in her head over and over. A pirate would fire their blaster and miss and May would leap over them. Before the pirate could turn around she'd strike them in the temple of their head to knock them out. She was even angrier that Captain Rex and his Clone battalion stared in awe at May's combat skills. She didn't want to be a celebrity within Shield's ranks. All she cared about was rescuing Anakin and Obi Wan and hopefully putting an end to the Clone Wars by capturing Count Dooku.
"Skye you're cleared to proceed." May commanded
Skye didn't respond and May saw that she was nowhere to be found. Then she saw an airvent nearby and the panel blocking it was removed. May cursed as she realized Skye went after Anakin and Obi Wan alone. May was afraid of this ever since Skye learned that she and Anakin used to be friends. Skye was impulsive and obsessed with her past and now May realized Skye was putting herself at serious risk of getting hurt.
"Coulson you and the rest of the team need to move in quickly. Skye could be in trouble. Rex and the 501st follow me." May said struggling to remain calm
****
Skye could hear Anakin and Obi Wan struggling to fight Mike Peterson. He was equipped with multiple blasters and blaster cannons on his arms and shoulders. She assumed that amount of fire made it difficult for the two Jedi to defeat Mike. She tried to catchup to him but Ian Quinn held her at blasterpoint. He was blocking the cell area where Anakin, Obi Wan and Mike were fighting. He gave Skye a sinister smile while Skye was forced to put her hands above her head after dropping her blaster on the ground.
"You cost me a lot of money. Even worse Skye you cost me my credibility with the other Seperatist leaders. It's sweet knowing I have you under my thumb and I will win favor with Count Dooku."
Quinn taunted
"Dooku and Mike are gone and soon you'll be locked up with nothing to show for it. So much for your brilliant plan." Skye taunted back
"It's not my plan it's the Clairvoyant's plan to earn Dooku's trust. The real Clairvoyant and their mole will be the key to winning the Clone Wars. You will just be a small sacrifice to ensure it will happen." Quinn said
"What?" Skye asked confused
Quinn shot Skye in the stomach with her blaster and Skye groaned in pain.
"It's ok Skye. You're not dead. This is all part of the plan." Quinn falsely reassured shooting her a second time
Skye whimpered as she lay on the ground. Quinn dropped his blaster and surrendered as reinforcements arrived. All of a sudden Quinn struggled to breathe. He was being levitated off the ground. He turned and saw Anakin Skywalker enraged holding out his arm and using his right hand to lift him using the Force. Quinn was terrified because he never saw Skywalker like this.
"Anakin put him down! Skye needs medical attention!" Obi Wan yelled
Anakin reluctantly dropped Quinn. Quinn wheezing and gasping as he got from the ground and with a raspy voice said.
"For the right price Coulson I'll tell you why the real Clairvoyant and not the cheap impostor wanted me to shoot Skye."
Before Coulson could understand what Quinn meant Ward shot Quinn in the head and Quinn fell to the ground dead.
Coulson looked at Ward in shock while Obi Wan gave orders to transport Skye to a medical bay on the Bus.
Chapter 17: Project T.A.H.I.T.I
Summary:
Coulson takes an unconventional approach to save Skye's life.
Chapter Text
"It's not looking good. Her internal organs are too damaged. I'm sorry but you're going to need to prepare for the worst. You're going to need to call her family. Skye might not make it so you need to get them here as soon as possible." The nurse said
Simmons had tears in her eyes as Ahsoka comforted her. Anakin was sad alongside Obi Wan, May, Fitz, Coulson and Ward.
Coulson struggling to compose himself said, "We're Skye's family."
The nurse looked at the group of people saddened by the realization Skye's only family were members of Shield and the Jedi Order.
"In that case I'm very sorry." The nurse said
The hologram shut off and May went over to Coulson to comfort him but he ignored her. Coulson gestured for Agent Garrett to join him in his office. May scowled and then grabbed a distraught Ward and pulled him into the situation room. The room where Coulson conducted debriefings after missions alongside Obi Wan.
"What the galaxy were you thinking!" May shouted
Ward started crying,"I wasn't thinking. I just saw that Skye was shot and reacted on instinct."
"That's not an instinct you are trained to have Agent Ward! Not only did you violate protocol by killing a defenseless suspect but you also killed Quinn before we could get intel on him!"
"Why does that even matter right now! Skye is going to die and you're worried about protocol! I'm sorry I can't be as perfect as you are Calvary!" Ward shouted back
"Don't call me that! You don't think I care about Skye! You don't think I don't curse myself for losing sight of her at the pirate compound! I should have been right there with her to save her but at the end of the day we have a job to do. We don't have the luxury to be sad. Not with the Separatist and Count Dooku on the loose." May argued
May stormed off and went to the training rooms frustrated. Ward sat by the window staring into nothing unsure of what to do. Anakin glared at Ward in contempt upset that he had the luxury to shoot and kill the enemy. Anakin knew May was unhappy and that Coulson would reprimand him but ultimately he would suffer little consequences.
The Jedi on the otherhand were weak and hamstrung by their ways. This restriction was the reason Skye was in the hospital. It made Master Yoda's involvement in taking Skye away from him when he was a child a decision that resulted in disaster. Anakin wondered if the Jedi Order was approaching this war with the Seperatist the right way. That their unwillingness or stubbornness to operate the way Shield does could lead to a Seperatist victory. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine argued as much in their conversations with one another.
"Anakin I believe there is a chance Skye can be saved. Unfortunately we have to go. We just received orders to report with our respective Clone Battalions to Ryloth/Algeria. Dooku is redirecting a large amount of his droid forces there but General Grievous is currently in hiding. He avoided a trap Master Plo Koon and Coulson's friend Agent Garrett attempted to spring on him. We cannot allow Skye's plight to prevent us from seeing the bigger picture." Obi Wan warned
"Skye was part of the bigger picture but she was seperated from me. Perhaps the Force is saying she is the key to winning this war and that it was a mistake for Master Yoda from removing her from the Jedi Temple. If Skye had the training that I had she wouldn't be inside that medical chamber." Anakin said
"You are in no position to judge what should have or could have happened. None of us are. The Force is a guide but that doesn't guarantee it leads us on a smooth journey. There are going to be challenges and obstacles that will test us." Obi Wan explained
"Did you know about the Jedi High Council's decision to have Shield remove Skye from the Jedi Temple?" Anakin asked
"Anakin I don't see what this has to do with our orders to go to Ryloth/Algeria-"
"Did you know?" Anakin demanded sternly
"Yes...I did. I'm sorry Anakin."
Anakin stormed off with a frown on his face as he made his way to the medical chamber where Skye was being kept.
****
"I think that's risky John and it could spark a Civil War within Shield." Coulson said
Coulson placed his fingers over his face sighing loudly. This crisis was starting to undermine his determination to remain calm.
"You're overthinking things Phil. It's simple. Quinn was trying to confuse you by saying there are two Clairvoyant's. There's only one. It's Victoria Hand and she's dangerous. She hired a bunch of pirates to capture Dooku, Anakin and Obi Wan. I always thought Vic was boring and too fixated on numbers like a droid but there's another side to her. A ruthless side that's willing to do whatever it takes to seize power." Garrett advised
"That may be true but we don't have enough intel to act against Hand. We need to figure out how to replicate the operation to bring me back from death. Then use those methods on Skye." Coulson suggested
"You want to go mad scientist on Skye? That sounds too risky. How are you going to figure out what exactly she needs to heal without killing her accidentally? Don't you think this could be some elaborate trap by Dooku to kill Skye? She used to work for the Seperatist through the Rising Tide organization. Maybe Dooku wants Skye killed by us by accident as payback for bringing her into Shield?" Garrett speculated
"No. Dooku has something else planned. We won't know what it is until we figure out what Fury has been keeping from me."
"Keeping from you? Director Fury has been keeping secrets from you?" Garrett asked
"Yeah and I don't want to keep secrets from my team. I'm calling a meeting."
****
Ahsoka overheard her master's argument with Master Kenobi. Ahsoka was unsure what to make of Skye being Force Sensitive but not in the Jedi Order. She wondered if Coulson's survival from Loki's attack was connected to Skye's current predicament. Ahsoka wanted to know what the purpose of the makeshift family between herself and her master and Coulson's team was. Was it simply to find a way to end the Clone Wars immediately through unconventional means, to keep the conflict between the United Republic and the Separatist from escalating or was it something more? Was Skye a sign that she was meant for something more?
Ahsoka was comforted by Skye resting inside the bacta tank filled medical chamber but it was a cold comfort. Skye's vital signs were weak and she couldn't wake up from her current state without risk of dying. Skye looked down at her and placed her hand on the chamber. She willed herself to tap into the Force to heal Skye but it was no use. She wasn't strong like her master Anakin and even he had resigned himself to frustration over Skye's state.
Ahsoka knew Anakin could lose her temper from time to time. Yet...she never saw anger from him that was explosive like the argument between him and Obi Wan. It made Ahsoka feel useless. She couldn't help Skye nor could she find words to comfort Anakin. Now she had no idea what was going to happen next.
"It's ok Ahsoka. We're going to find a way to save her." Simmons reassured
Simmons sat down next to Ahsoka and she put her head on Simmon's shoulder.
"I know. I just wish there was more I could do. Skye's like the big sister I never had."
"And who am I chopped liver?" Simmons joked
"I'm sorry Simmons. You're totally family it's just Skye and I have mentors. Ward trains Skye and as a Padawan I receive training from Anakin. We could relate to one another because Ward and Anakin are different but similar in a lot of ways. After I found out Skye used to be in the Jedi Order it confirmed why we grew so close do quickly."
"I understand. Well...I don't understand how the Force works but I understand how you and Skye are the most different members of this team because of your connection to the Force."
"Sorry to interrupt guys but Coulson's calling a meeting. He has a plan that could help Skye." Agent Antione Triplett informed Simmons and Ahsoka
****
"I have a confession I need to make. Considering the threat the Clairvoyant posesses and the fact Agent Victoria Hand could have an accomplice and that both her and this unknown person are the Clairvoyant we need to change. We cannot keep secrets from one another even if we think it's for the greater good. We need to be transparent if we're going to work together to save Skye. It all starts with me." Coulson told the assembled group
Ward shifted his stance uncomfortably aware that he was concealing his romantic relationship with Skye from the group. Agent Garrett gave him a glance and Ward wondered how long would it be before his former Supervising Officer Garrett learned the truth.
"I died before the battle of New York/Lothal two and a half years ago. I was dead for several days and Fury ordered unauthorized experiments to resurrect me after death. Dooku hired the Clairvoyant to find out the secret of my death and ressurection. He wants to know the secret in order to replicate the operation for the non human factions that are fighting for the Seperatist. If the Seperatist had an immortal army of human and alien loyalists to support the droids then that would greatly increase their chances to win the Clone Wars."
Everyone except May and Garrett stared open mouthed in shock at this news.
"Why did Fury keep this information from the Jedi Order?" Obi Wan asked
"I'm not sure but the data regarding this secret Project...Project T.A.H.I.T.I. will be given to FitzSimmons. They'll use it to locate the secret lab where I was brought back to life and use its secrets to save Skye."
"Are you sure you want to potentially risk the Clairvoyant finding this secret laboratory?" Obi Wan asked
"Skye is a member of this team. We aren't sacrificing her life to gain a victory over the Clairvoyant."
Chapter 18: Revelations
Summary:
A Civil War erupts within Shield and the true identity of the Clairvoyant is revealed.
Chapter Text
Skye's recovery was remarkable and devoid of any side effects unlike Coulson's recovery after the Battle of New York/Lothal. The secret laboratory known as the Guest House according to Fury's encrypted files was also linked to the islands of Kamimo/Fiji. The same set of islands where Captain Rex and his fellow Clones were created from the DNA of infamous bounty hunter Jango Fett. The Kaminoians secretly aided Fury in his quest to save Coulson's life in the aftermath of the Battle of New York/Lothal. They did this by isolating a compound within the corpse of an alien of unknown origin discovered by Shield while they were searching for Steve Rogers after his disappearance in World War II. The compound was called GH325 and was injected into Skye's arm. Once it hit her bloodstream her blasterbolt wounds healed and after a brief moment of cardiac arrest where she died for one minute her heart restarted and she was alive.
All of this was a lot for Skye to take in. Including the fact brothers of Captain Rex died fighting to prevent General Grievous and his droid army from taking over Kamino/Fiji. Entering the Guest House triggered a protocol that deactivated the security codes for Kamino/Fiji. Normally there would be two guards under a specific clearance of level 10 directly given to them by Director Fury to cancel the deactivation. This would be a way to alert the Kaminoians without anyone within Shield or the Jedi Order knowing...only Director Fury of entry into the Guest House. However Ward and Garrett killed the two guards and Kamino was exposed to a Seperatist assault. The only way Dooku would be aware of this vulnerability was if he gained this knowledge from the Clairvoyant.
Victoria Hand attacked the Bus two weeks after the battle of Kamino and in the aftermath of a ceremony where Skye officially became appointed as a level one Shield Agent. Skye and Ward hadn't talked about their romance since she got shot. There was little time for the two to be alone outside of training sessions. Due to her near death experience Skye was determined to improve her combat skills. She also could tell something was off about Ward especially when Victoria Hand was mentioned. Skye was just grateful that her friends...no...her new family worked together to save her life and that she recovered in a couple of days.
Yet there was no happy ending for Skye as it was revealed by Agent Maria Hill shortly before Hand's attack that Hydra existed within Shield. The evil organization that almost took over the world in World War II and caused the creation of the United Republic to ensure the world would never be threatened that way again wasn't destroyed. Instead Hydra simply disguised themselves as members of the Republic while feeding information to Dooku and the Seperatist.
Skye's ceremony was an excuse for Hill to communicate this to Coulson before going off the grid with Fury so that Hydra couldn't track her. The Bus unfortunately was damaged and needed to land so Anakin and Ahsoka alongside R2D2 hacked into the mainframe of the Hub base so the group could land. Anakin, Ahsoka and R2D2 managed to rescue Ward and Skye. Hand's forces caused them to retreat and Skye was at a loss at what was next considering Shield no longer existed and the United Republic was on the brink of being conquered by the Seperatist.
****
"Hand is outside the East Situatuon Room." May said studying the security cameras in the server room
"This is definitely a situation." Garrett joked
"We can track her movements from there and ambush her. She's only with one Agent right now." May explained
Coulson charged his blaster and began thinking through their current predicament. He, May, Garrett and Fitz barely escaped Hand's forces. Agent Hand captured Simmons, Agent Triplett with Captain Rex going to rescue them. Anakin, Ahsoka and R2D2 managed to rescue Skye and Ward. Coulson knew that they needed to move soon while they still had the element of surprise.
"Whatever we do we need to make sure we find Simmons." Fitz demanded
"Best way to find out where Simmons is would be to use the ventilation system to go into the East Situatuon Room from the ceiling. We blast Vic in the head and use that to intimidate her right hand man to get him to tell us where Simmons is." Agent Garrett suggested to Coulson
"I think it's a good plan." Fitz told Coulson
"We need to question Hand not the Agents working underneath her authority." Coulson replied
"Question what? Whether or not she'll kill us or give us to Dooku as an apology for trying to double cross him?" Garrett challenged
"We shot Quinn before we got confirmation from him on who the real Clairvoyant is. He claimed they're two people with that title. One of them an impostor. For all we know Hand might not be the real Clairvoyant and the real one is still out there." Coulson explained
"Phil you're one of my best friends. I don't want you to get hurt. We gotta to be united on this. I trust you but it's like you don't trust me when we've fought alongside each other for over a decade."
"That's right John. We've fought side by side and I've trusted you for a long time. But this battle is different. This is a battle for Shield's soul. Executing defenseless enemy combatants without any consideration-"
"Consideration? Hand gave intel that killed two dozen Clones under Jedi Master Plo Koon's Wolfpack squadron. Those weren't just faceless soldiers. Those were good men of honor and character that I served with alongside my protege Agent Tripplet. Those men died because Hand supplied General Grievous with intel so that his superweapon could destroy Plo Koon's fleet of airships. Plo Koon is one of the most powerful Jedi in the Jedi Order and if wasn't for that sweet kid Ahsoka and your girl Skye...Plo Koon would be dead. One less Jedi in the battle for not just Shield's soul but for democracy...for the survival of the United Republic!"
"John we need to think through this. So much has happened the last two weeks." Coulson said
"I'm not done Phil. She's the one that ordered Quinn to shoot Skye. You don't want Hand to pay for that?" Garrett challenged
"We can just as easily use a stun blaster on her." May argued
"You don't use a stun blaster on someone as despicable as Victoria Hand. She had Skye shot in the stomach...in the stomach! All so she could learn the secrets to cheating death. Hand had Mike Peterson burned alive so she could turn him into some kind of cyborg freak like General Grievous! Now she's probably torturing Simmons right now so that she can relay what she knows to Agent Hartley. She's the one that was spying on you so it's obvious Hand is dangerous and needs to be put down." Garrett replied
Coulson eyes widened in shock as he realized the truth about Garrett.
"I never told anyone that it was specifically Agent Hartley who was spying on me. The only way you would know that is if you were the Clairvoyant. The real Clairvoyant making Agent Hand the impostor Clairvoyant."
"Phil what? The stress is causing you not to think straight. We need to find a way to stop Hand quickly before more people suffer. Simmons could be dead if we don't act quickly enough." Garrett warned
"Simmons will be fine. I know she'll be fine." Fitz insisted
"Sorry kid I'm just trying to be realistic." Garrett replied
"No...no...John. Quinn said after Skye was shot that this was all apart of the Clairvoyant's plan. Then right after that Kamino/Fiji is attacked as soon as we get the cure for Skye's blasterbolt wounds. I led you right to the location where the chemical compound to heal Skye was. The Clairvoyant wanted to tell Dooku the secret to immortality. I gave that to you." Coulson explained
"Phil I think the stress is really getting to you. Do you honestly believe that me of all people is the Clairvoyant and that I work for Count Dooku?" Garrett argued
Coulson glared at Garrett realizing that his friend of many years was a traitor to Shield and the United Republic. That he had been lying to Coulson the entire time and was responsible for the deaths of good people and was the one behind Skye's shooting, Mike Peterson's torture and Jedi Master Plo Koon's near death. Coulson wanted to punch Garrett in the face and Garrett could see rage in Coulson's eyes.
"Karabast." Garrett said with a sigh
The doors of the server room burst open and a Shield tactical team armed their blaster rifles at everyone in the room.
"OK guys let's take it easy. No need to do anything crazy." Garrett said
"You need to take Agent Garrett into custody. He's the murderer called the Clairvoyant and he's a traitor who works for the Seperatist and Count Dooku!" Coulson called out to the agents
"Gentleman I know Agent Sitwell is in charge with filling your ranks so I know a few of you know what to do in this situation. Go ahead." Garrett instructed
Half of the tactical team members shot their companions in the back of the head and they dropped to the ground dead. Coulson looked at Garrett in shock and Garrett casually said, "Hail Hydra."
"Hail Hydra!" The surviving tactical team Agents called out
"And for the Confederacy and Count Dooku!" One of the Agents called out
Chapter 19: Shield's Soul
Summary:
Coulson, May and Fitz are rescued by their friends.
Chapter Text
"Are you, Skye and R2 in position?" Anakin said over his comm link
"Yeah we're on the left side of the West corridor. Thanks for trusting me with this...after I shot Quinn...Coulson and May have questioned my judgment."
"Trust me Ward. I can relate to your position more than anyone else. I know you're capable of navigating tight spots. Besides this last minute change in strategy will keep Agent Hand guessing and ensure Agent Triplett has no escape if he is the mole working for the Clairvoyant. Ahsoka will be waiting for you guys as soon as you cut the power."
"Understood. May be the Force be with you." Ward said
"May the Force be with you." Anakin replied before signing off
"Skye I understand if you want May to be your SO and continue your training. I shouldn't have shot Quinn, I didn't set a good example for you by doing that." Ward apologized
"You don't need to apologize besides we have a mission to complete. Anakin is counting on us." Skye said
"That's exactly why we're having this conversation now. There are 12 level 5 Shield Agents outside of this closet. If it were 12 random criminals or even B1 battle droids I'd have a chance. But it's likely I'm not going to make it and you and R2 will have to reach the control panel at the end of the hall."
Skye started crying, "Ward don't talk like that. We aren't going to fail and you aren't going to die. I know you can do this because you're the best Agent since Black Widow joined Shield. We are going to get through this together."
"I'd be doing you a disservice if I continued to be your SO. If you knew the real me, you wouldn't like what you see."
"You're wrong. You're not just my SO. I love you Ward. Screw Shield protocols. We need each other more than ever." Skye said before kissing him
Ward startled soon returned the kiss. Then said, "Thank you. You're right. I love you too. We'll get through this together."
R2D2 didn't beep but his lights blinked in alternating colors surprised by the kiss. Ward smiled as he got to his feet, "Get ready to move after I take stun the first four agents."
Skye nodded as she stood behind Ward. R2D2 stopped blinking and positioned himself behind Skye. She opened the closet door and Ward shot 6 agents in successive order. One of the Agents punched him as he saw Skye and R2 race to the end of the hallway where the panel was. Ward grabbed a railing and swung his legs up to kick the agent who punched him in the chest and stop him from getting to Skye and R2. Then he leapt in the air off the railing and kicked two nearby agents in the face. He flipped a nearby agent over his back onto the ground and knocked him out. Then grabbed a knife from the unconcious agent and threw it at the neck of an agent attempting to attack him from behind.
"Power should be out in one minute. R2 is working on the control panel. I just finished decrypting it." Skye said into Ward's comm link
****
Garrett smirked as he finished putting handcuffs on May while she scowled. The Shield tactical team raised their weapons at her, Coulson and Fitz. Fitz was nervous but managed to avoid breaking down into tears.
"Are you going to kill us?" Fitz asked
"That wasn't my original plan. Up until today it was always about keeping the secret. Making you think Hand was involved. Strangely enough she's suspected me for months. Galaxy she's been very paranoid since the Clone Wars started and it intensified when Sergeant Slick was exposed as a Seperatist agent. Who knew a genetically bred Clone would figure out the winninv team to fight for?" Garrett explained
"Terrorists lead be a wannabe dictator is the team you chose and that's not a winning formula John. I know Dooku made lots of speeches on the Holo Net before leaving the United Republic but I didn't think they moved you to want to join his side." Coulson said bitterly
"Well Phil...I'm not a true believer. Like I said I just think Dooku is more likely to win the Clone Wars than you guys. Come on Phil it doesn't have to be like this. We go way back to our days at the Academy when Fury taught us how to sweep corners and split the pie with weapons that would make a Mandalorian uncomfortable." Garrett said with a laugh
"Fury would bury you for betraying Shield." Coulson threatened
"He isn't gonna be able to do that because top brass took care of him. He'll be rolling in his grave for asking too many questions."
"Top brass? More people at Shield are involved in this...betrayal?" May asked shocked
"Oh yeah tip top brass in fact. It's the only reason Dooku didn't kill me for having him kidnapped by pirates and failing to stop Hand from pretending to be me. She almost killed that old geezer even though he's got Jedi powers. Vic is one dangerous Shield Agent. But alas before I kill her I'm going to have to kill you and Coulson. Ironic that you'll die without forgiving one another over the fact you lied to him May." Garrett taunted
"I lied to Coulson to keep him safe on Director Fury's orders! You lied because you're a selfish pig that wanted a piece of the power that Dooku had. You didn't care who you had to hurt to get it." May shot back
Garrett laughed.
"Wow so sanctimonious. Definitely going to kill you first May. So how about it kid? Dooku would value you greatly. His deluxe droids are formidable specially the Commando droids but they're expensive to make. Your tech skills are incredibly impressive and could help make the droids stronger. Dooku would not only spare you he'd spare Simmons. You'd be a high ranking member of Hydra with your own research facility. Come on kid you're not gonna pass that up to die with these two? That'd be crazy."
"I would never work for you or Count Dooku in a million years. I will happily die for Shield, die for the Republic and die for my friends." Fitz said with tears running down his face
"That's unfortunate kid. What a waste. Well Phil any last words before these guys shoot you."
"You won't win. Even though I'm dead, Fury's dead, May's dead and the rest of my team are dead along with all the Clones and the Jedi...Shield's Soul will exist in any Shield Agent who survives this Hydra takeover. They'll fight with every breath they have to make sure you don't win. To make sure you pay for what you've done. To be a Shield of protection for the Republic." Coulson threatened
Garrett laughed, "As corny as that speech was it explains why the kid over here is willing to die for you even though he's a tech guy with no combat experience. It's gonna suck for Fitz seeing you die after May does. Alright gentlemen aim your blasters at May."
Before they could fire their weapons the lights went out.
Chapter 20: For the Republic!
Summary:
Ward and Tripplet interrogate Agent John Garrett aka the Clairvoyant and something unexpected is discovered during the interrogation.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Anakin hoped Agent Triplett wasn't a traitor like the Clone Sergeant Slick was.
Anakin still got angry whenever he thought about Slick and how he betrayed his clone brothers. He felt sorry for his Clone, Captain Rex who was forced to arrest Slick alongside the Clone Commander Cody. Anakin calmed his thoughts and burst into the room Simmons and Triplett were hiding in. Simmons aimed a blaster at Anakin and fired. Anakin blocked the blast with her lightsaber.
"General glad you could join us. We were giving Simmons pointers on using a blaster in case we had to fight our way out." Captain Rex explained
At that moment the power went out but Anakin's blue lightsaber illuminated the room. Agent Triplett said, "I am so jealous that you Jedi get lightsabers and us Shield agents don't have one. Don't worry though I'm not dumb enough to be a mole and challenge a Jedi to a fight."
"Good because R2 located where the true Clairvoyant is. Follow me so we can put an end to all this." Anakin said after the power to the facility returned
Triplett was shocked to find his SO Agent Garrett was the real Clairvoyant. His father figure and mentor being a traitor was too much for him to take. Anakin aimed his lightsaber at Garrett who was handcuffed as his underlings on the tactical team lay unconcious. May sported a blaster bolt wound on her arm while Coulson was bleeding from the forehead. Simmons and Fitz embraced in a hug while Ward and Skye smiled alongside Ahsoka and R2. The all had just entered the room and Ward went over to Triplett to comfort him. He insisted the two of them interrogate Garrett before Agent Hand transported him to the Ice Box a prison facility for high value Seperatist assets. Ward argued that Garrett was his SO before he was assigned to be Triplett's SO.
Coulson reluctantly agreed and Anakin did as well. Garrett remained silent when Anakin questioned him despite Anakin's lightsaber being an inch from his neck. Anakin, Rex and the 501st was needed at Ryloth/Algeria. Now that Coulson had the upper hand Garrett would remain quiet around him whereas earlier Garrett convinced of his victory and confident Coulson would be killed talked a lot about his schemes. Coulson allowed Ward and Triplett to do the interrogation on a Quinjet while Garrett was blindfolded until he got on the Quinjet.
"The course is locked into the system. We're on auto pilot and the destination is a mystery...to you. Now you know exactly how all the good people you hurt and killed feel. Powerless with no control. I wish I could take back all the times I called you sir." Agent Triplett said to Garrett
Garrett looked angry but he remained silent. He just stared at Ward barely acknowledging Triplett. Ward aimed his blaster at Garett's head glaring at him not saying a word.
"Ward shot and killed Quinn because he shot Skye. What the galaxy do you think he gonna do to the person who ordered Skye to be shot? If I were you...I'd confess everything you know about Dooku so you can live." Triplett threatened
Ward turned around and shot Triplett in the chest. He fell to the ground confused and horrified. Ward unmoved by Triplett's look of betrayal shot him in the face. He then freed Garrett and then ordered a small droid called AD-3 to edit the security footage.
****
Dooku stood in front of the Holo projected image of his master Darth Sidious. The cloaked figure stared down at Dooku frustrated and Dooku was apprehensive. He didn't want to anger his master but he was confident the news was good.
"Hydra made for poor allies in our quest to defeat the United Republic, Shield and the Jedi Order. Alexander Pearce failed to take over Project Insight. You better have good news regarding Project Centipede. It's bad enough an impostor of the Clairvoyant tricked you into getting kidnapped by pirates Lord Tyranus." Darth Sidious chastised
"Yes my lord I do have good news. Agent Garrett who is the true Clairvoyant has escaped from Agent Coulson thanks to his mole Grant Ward. They've promised to give me information regarding the alien symbols regarding secrets about unlocking the special abilities of uniquely gifted individuals."
"Where in Ryloth/Algeria are the symbols located? We can't afford to waste time digging." Sidious complained
"The newest member of Coulson's team is a hacker. She erased all traces of that information off the Holo net and downloaded onto an encrypted data pad in her possesion. Garrett and Ward plan to kidnap this hacker to gain the location of the symbols." Dooku replied
"The hacker is a former initiate from the Jedi Temple. Skye. The one that eluded your grasp 13 years ago because of Master Yoda and Director Fury. The one with DNA similar to the alien symbol and a great connection to the Force. Skye could be the key to discovering the secrets of immortality. Are you still in contact with her father?"
"Yes my lord."
"Good. Tell Raina that Agent Ward needs to deliver Skye to her father so that she learns the truth about her past. That will motivate Garrett's mole to be loyal to us and not Shield.
Agent Garrett must prove his worth by getting that encrypted data pad. Once that happens kill him. His arrogance makes him difficult to control and his earlier betrayal of you and I can not be forgiven. The Battle of Ryloth/Algeria will be a good distraction to allow us the opportunity to capture Skye and the information in her possesion."
"Yes my Lord. I will not fall you. Coulson's team has barely survived and their run of good fortune will come to an end." Dooku promised
Notes:
Author's Note
In Canon Grant Ward being a double agent for Hydra and betraying Shield after kissing Skye and them wanting to be in a romantic relationship is a huge storyline in Agents of Shield. In fact it's the biggest storyline and it sparked a ton of fan fiction where Ward got redemption and became heroic.
In this story Ward killed a Shield Agent but unlike Canon it will be for a heroic reason. However Ward won't get a redemption arc but instead have a more complicated story. So yes Ward killed a Shield Agent but instead of Agent Hand it was Agent Triplett. Agent Hand has a character arc in my story therefore she is spared.
Chapter 21: Purpose
Summary:
Ward thinks about his past as the path to completing his secret mission becomes more difficult.
Chapter Text
April, 9, 2000
Victoria Hand sat across from an angry teenage boy with handsome features. He looked like a star quarterback for a high school football team. The glass separating them from each other and the heavy chains that wrapped around his wrist and ankles like a spider web alarmed her. This kid should sorting through his dozens of options for Junior Prom dates not thinking about how many years he would be locked up.
Grant Ward was only 16 but he was being treated like a serial killer.
Hand knew Ward was the son of a prominent United Republic Senator from Massachusetts/Correlia named Christian Ward Senior. She smiled because she knew from rumors that his wife Leslie Ward was the one that was in charge. Officially she was Senator Ward's chief of staff and advisor but secretly she was the one who truly controlled Massachusetts/Correlia. Hand had a feeling her controlling and abusive nature over himself and his siblings caused Grant to snap. Ward attempted to kill his mother in her sleep by burning the house down with her in it while the rest of the family went to visit a family friend.
"I'm not here to make your life difficult Grant. I want to give you a second chance. Your traumatic experience could be the beginning of the ability to stomach being in the same room as a horrible person and then turning the tables on them when they least expect it. That could make a huge difference in the world."
Hand sat in her seat relaxed as if she was a cool Aunt trying to reassure Grant that he'd overcome his fear of stage fright. Ward angered by this approach treated Hand with distrust.
"Does that apply to you?" Ward asked sarcastically
"Funny. I like that. No. It applies to people like your mother Leslie." Hand observed
"What do you know about my mom?" Ward questioned
"That she's a nasty piece of work like some people I know. That she has the skill of getting under someone's skin through abuse but the talent to make the outside observer think she's a kind soul who loves to smile." Hand said with a sardonic grin
"Are you a lawyer like she was? You here to try to convince me that you have a way to get me out of prison?" Ward asked
Hand laughed, "No. Not even close. I work for the government."
"Are you recruiting me to join some special forces military group? You want me to be a grunt?" Ward asked annoyed
"No. I represent an organization more powerful than the Judicials in the United Republic Military. I'm a high ranking member of Shield and I see potential in you Grant Ward. You can see past people's hyperspit. People like your mother exist within Shield. They act friendly and dedicated to the idea of justice but they are corrupt and up to no good. I need someone to root these people out while giving them the impression that you want to partake in their corruption."
"I haven't even finished high school. How am I supposed to do all of that?" Ward asked skeptical
"This plan will take years and it will require rigorous training and instruction. I will be your secret SO or supervising officer. I will equip you with the same infiltration skills as the famous Black Widow...Natasha Romanov. You will be my secret triple agent and you will exorcise your demons. You'll root out the bullies who take advantage of the weak." Agent Hand demanded
"You're serious about this. If it gets me out of this facility I'll take it. My family especially my mother think I'll be stuck in a place like this forever. They hate me and I feel the same way about them. Being a hero and saving the day would be sweet. The look on their faces when it's me whose done more for the innocents of the world than they can from the United Senate will be sweet." Ward boasted
"I love your attitude but we need to work on your approach. You're going to have to be more subtle and less emotional. You can't allow people to read too much into your emotions. You need to act professionally and only focus on completing your mission. You have to do whatever it takes to complete your mission even if it means doing something evil. Do you understand?"
Ward nodded.
"Good let's get to work." Agent Hand said
****
"It's close. The coordinates to the secret base that Fury gave May...we just need to walk a little further." Coulson called out to the group
"Are you sure about this Coulson? It looks like we are just in the middle of the woods. My master needed me on Ryloth/Algeria but I convinced him to let me join you. If we are at the wrong location than this would have been a waste and we could have just joined Anakin at Ryloth. My mastercould figure out a way to sneak you guys onto one of the shuttles in his airship fleet." Ahsoka insisted
"We are not turning around. Fury discussed contingency plans with May behind my back in case my health deteriorated. It's clear that there is a base here. We have no choice. Palpatine has declared all Shield Agents who don't surrender to questioning from the United Republic military criminals." Coulson argued
"Perhaps we surrender and get Anakin to back us up when we tell the Supreme Chancellor and his inner circle what we know. Rumor has it Skywalker is good friends with Chancellor Palpatine.
Prior to today Shield improved it's relationship with the Jedi, Skye used to train with them and Ahsoka is with us. We don't have to risk everything on a plan with little chance of success when we have powerful allies with connections." Agent Hand argued
"As far as I'm concerned you aren't a real Shield Agent. You're a liar who decided to take on Dooku with your right hand woman Agent Hartley whose your secret wife. You preach about following protocol but this whole time you've violated it and put my team at risk to challenge Dooku by yourself. So don't talk to me like I'm your friend Victoria." Coulson criticized
"I get it Phil. You gave your life for Shield and Shield has let you down. But we have a chance to win. To accomplish the mission. That's preventing the Separatist from getting the intel Skye has hidden in the encrypted data pad of hers as well as taking down Garrett's secret superhuman lab project. Project Centipede." Hand urged
Coulson shook his head dismissively and walked away from Hand. The rest of the team walked past Hand ignoring her shivering in the bitter cold. After a few more minutes of walking the group reached the coordinates and there was nothing but trees and snow. Everyone started to worry and Coulson's frustration grew to anger. Shield couldn't just cease to exist. It'd be just as crazy for the Jedi Order to disappear. Yet Coulson was confronted with the grim possibility that there was no way to stop Project Centipede or avoid capture by the United Republic military.
"There's gotta be something here. Stay alert team and keep your eyes open."
"What's the plan if we don't find anything? Do we just head back to the Bus and just find a safe place to hide it?" Skye asked
"We're not going back. We need to utilize the resources Fury has set up for us." Coulson replied
"What about satellite tracking systems. They're monitoring the skies for unregistered airships. We can't outmanevuer those things forever." Fitz said
"It doesn't matter. We used up all the Bus's fuel just to get to this location." Coulson said
"Are you insane! You didn't think about the risks of what to do in case you couldn't find Fury's secret base?" Simmons interjected alarmed by Coulson's answer
"This is the right play! Fury sent us these coordinates for a reason." Coulson argued
"What reason could that be?" May asked exasperated
"I don't know May! There's gotta be something here. This has to mean something. We are not Agents of nothing! We are Agents of Shield! We have a purpose and that's to protect the weak. We have to stop Garrett or else Hydra helps the Seperatist win the Clone Wars. That's why we have to keep fighting! We can't give up! It can't just be for nothing! There's too much at stake for it to be for nothing!" Coulson screamed in frustration
Everyone stared at Coulson with a mixture of sympathy and fear and sadness. Ahsoka went over to him and gently said, "You're right sir. I still believe in you. So does Anakin. That's why I'm here."
Coulson patted Ahsoka on the shoulder and nodded breathing a little heavily.
"Congratulations to you all. You've passed the first test. Welcome to the secret base known as Providence. You're screening will begin shortly." A mysterious person said through a loudspeaker that startled the group
****
May 2007
Agent Hand slapped Ward in the face.
"Why did you do that?" Ward questioned angrily
"You have talent and skill Ward but you lack technique and discipline. If you're going to earn Agent Garrett's trust to let you in on his secret plan you need to not react. You need to not show any emotion even involuntary emotion. You can't allow any distractions from completing your objective. There's too much at stake for you to fail. You have to do whatever it takes to succeed." Agent Hand demanded pointing at the TV screen in her office
"We need to challenge the United Republic to do better! Even if it means potentially taking up arms against them. The world's stability and peace has lead to your poverty while the politicians within the Republic get rich. They use Shield and the Jedi Order as guard dogs to protect their secrets while you suffer! That cannot stand any longer! There's needs to be transparency about what the Jedi and Shield are hiding. There needs to be more laws that give opportunities to nations that don't have Senators in the pockets of corporations!" Count Dooku shouted to a crowd from a podium
The crowd applauded and shouted we want justice, no more Shield, and no more Jedi. We want justice, no more Shield and no more Jedi. Dooku basked in the applause and after a minute continued his speech.
"He's causing choas specifically in Sokovia and Garrett is involved with it. You need to be opaque emotionally to let Garrett's guard down. If not then Dooku wins and so does Garrett." Agent Hand reiterated
"He breaks Shield protocols. He's even killed defenseless unarmed suspects. I can't just shoot and kill a defenseless person even if they're a violent suspect. It's not just about protocols. It's not the right thing to do ma'am." Ward said sheepishly
Ward felt uncomfortable like a teenager admitting to his mother about having a girlfriend. In a lot of ways Ward was still that teenage boy that Hand got out of a detention facility. Hand was essentially his mother as much as his secret SO.
"I'm sorry Ward. I just...you need to be strong. I've been where you you've been as a kid. My family...when they found out about my dating relationships with other women they were just like your family. They smiled in my face and acted as if everything was fine but it wasn't. There was veiled insults and awkward stares and lots of emotional abuse. Anytime I brought it up they acted as if nothing was wrong.
Shield saw more in me than my family ever did but...there is another side to Shield. A darker side and you have to embrace your dark side if you hope to destroy the darkness within Shield. I know you don't want to be the monster your family thinks you are but you have to become a monster in order to defeat other monsters." Hand explained
"How do you do it? How do you keep your emotions down in high pressure situations? Situations where you have to make impossible choices?" Ward asked
"Training and discipline." Hand replied before slapping Ward across the face
This time Ward didn't react as she immediately slapped Ward again. Smiling with a tear coming down her eye Hand was full of pride in Ward's progress. It was like watching her own son graduate from college.
"There's hope for you yet Agent Ward...Grant. I'm proud of you. Just remember that men like Garrett aren't your friend. They are charismatic for a reason. To get you to like them. To get you to let your guard down. No matter what Garrett makes you do, you have to stay focused on the mission. Remember who you are and what your purpose is." Hand said
Days later Ward murdered an innocent man on Garrett's orders. A man who was asking too many questions about what Garrett was doing. A fellow Shield Agent who found out about Garrett's dark deeds and wanted to report him to Director Fury. Ward's shame, guilt and fear was buried beneath his desperation for Garrett's acceptance and ultimately Hand's acceptance. Acceptance he never got from his mother or his family. Acceptance that he hoped Hand would give him now that Garret trusted him.
"There's hope for you yet son." Garrett said with an approving smile
****
"Now Agent Ward I want to know why your heart rate is spiking?" Agent Erik Koenig asked
"Shield doesn't exist anymore. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has declared any Shield Agent who hasn't turned themselves into United Republic authorities a terrorist. Hydra is still out there and doing galaxy's knows what and we are stuck in this base powerless to stop it." Ward answered grumpy with gritted teeth
"That was a great answer. A measured answer. This base is secret for a reason and it's because it's only avaliable to those that pass my tests. You pass the test and you get a lanyard that gets you through that blast proof door. Jedi can't even get through that thing. But you're failing all of my tests based on how you answer my questions. What are you hiding Ward? Why are you really here?" Agent Keonig questioned suspicious
"My team are behind those blast doors. You let them into your secret base. Let me in. I have nothing to hide." Ward protested
"As you pointed out Ward things are chaotic out there. That means I have more reason to be skeptical of you. My readings indicate that you're hiding something. If I let you in without you passing the test then I could be putting people on your team in danger as well as all the remaining Shield Agents." Keonig protested
"Skye. I love her and we're dating. It's against Shield protocol because I'm supposed to be her SO." Ward falsely admitted
What Ward said was true from a certain point of view. He did feel bad about keeping this secret. His head was down in shame as a result of this breach of protocol. Yet deep down Ward's true shame was from being Garrett's mole. In that moment Ward remembered what Hand taught him about burying his feelings and remaining emotionally neutral.
"Congratulations Agent Grant Ward. You passed the screening test. Here's your lanyard. With this you'll get full access to Providence base."
When the blast doors opened Ward saw Agent Hand with a lanyard on her neck giving him an apprehensive look. Ward remembered his mission wasn't finished yet. Garrett needed Skye for his next scheme. As Agent Hand taught Ward you have to do whatever it takes for the mission to succeed. Right now, Ward needed to do whatever it took to kidnap Skye from this base and bring her to Garrett. Ward smiled as satisfied with his plan to accomplish this mission.
Chapter 22: The Mole
Summary:
Coulson's team suffers a setback in their mission.
Chapter Text
"We need to help Anakin get through the blockade over Ryloth/Algeria. We can't take the bus. We'll be arrested but we can't just stay here because Garrett is going to aid the Seperatist with his Extremis powered super soldiers." Coulson told the group
"Hand needs to come with us. She can give Anakin intel over a secure line about everything she knows about Dooku's strategy in Ryloth/Algeria." May suggested
"I don't know everything. Besides the bigger issue is Garrett. We capture Garrett and we bring down all of Project Centipede. Think about how many volunteers that believe in Dooku's propaganda would be given the Extremis formula? That would then fight for Dooku on the front lines after gaining powers? The Jedi would be at a huge disadvantage." Hand argued
"That's only because you fooled Dooku in the first place by pretending to be the Clairvoyant. Now you have to make up for that by using what you know to help us." Coulson replied
Before Hand could interject Ahsoka added, "Ma'am according to Agent Koenig, Director Fury placed Coulson in charge."
Everyone stared at Ahsoka the youngest person in the room bewildered by how direct Ahsoka was. It was as if they were still on the bus and Shield still existed fully intact.
"Anakin calls you snips all the time but that was a good point." Fitz blurted out breaking the silence
Agent Hand folded her arms and frowned and Fitz sheepishly shrugged his shoulders.
"Well this base is linked to satellites that track virtually any target once you have a specified set of parameters plugged into any device connected to it. The best person at holo net tracking in this group should stay here while the rest should go outside the base." Agent Keonig suggested
"I volunteer myself and Skye to stay behind." Ward blurted out
"I didn't realize you were such a Holo Net savvy guy Ward." Coulson remarked in surprise
"I'm her SO and I can help her with the parameters. Skye can input the info I learned from Agent Triplett before he tried to kill me when Garrett escaped."
"Well I'm staying too. I can add the little I know about Dooku to Skye's Holo Net parameters." Agent Hand said
"No. You're helping Ahsoka and May with the blockade on Ryloth/Algeria. FitzSimmons you're coming with me. Skye is going to help us find Garrett's base of operations with Ward giving her any intel. Agent Keonig we're going to need you to monitor the airspace for any United Republic military personnel." Coulson orderd
"Finally I get to do really cool spy stuff. Fury trusted me to guard this base but I didn't think it would result in me getting field work. My brother's Sam and Billy would bust my chops about not getting field work while we played Call of Duty. He actually had a cool assignment that involved spy stuff." Agent Keonig complained
Everyone stared at Keonig but Ahsoka muttered, "Finally someone who understands what I go through whenever Sky guy gives too many orders."
May shook her head and said come on Ahsoka let's go with a groan. While Simmons turned to Coulson and asked, "Sir are you sure this is a good plan. What if we are surrounded by a United Republic air patrol?"
"Don't worry we will not be surrounded by an air patrol." Coulson reassured
One Hour Later in Mon Cala/Jamaica airspace
"This is Leuitenant Colonel Glenn Talbot of the United Republic military! Don't move and prepare your ship to be boarded by my men." Talbot ordered over a loudspeaker
"Skye we need an exit route now!" Coulson shouted on his comm link
"Sir I thought you said we wouldn't be surrounded by an air patrol!" Simmons yelled in frustration
"Skye come in! We need an exit!" Fitz yelled over his comm link
Meanwhile back at Providence Base
"Eric there's some weird signal interference. I lost contact with Coulson and the others." Skye called out
Her data pad only had static lines and she couldn't contact any of her teammates. Ward went to find Agent Keonig but it had been fifteen minutes since he left and Skye grew restless. She left her desk and got up looking around the base for calling Agent Keonig by his first name.
"Eric!" Skye kept calling out
She grew nervous as the base was quiet with everyone gone. She checked the storage room after consulting her data pad which determined where everyone was based on the signal from their lanyard. She was confused why Eric was in the ventilation system. Then a drop of blood from the vents landed on her data pad. Skye looked up in horror and saw Agent Keonig dead body stuffed in the vents. She barely had the self control to refrain from screaming but she couldn't prevent herself from crying. Skye looked at her data pad and saw that Ward was walking towards the storage room. She ran into a nearby bathroom struggling to maintain her composure.
"No, no, no...oh no..." Skye whispered panicking on what to do
She was trapped in the base by herself with a serial killer loyal to Hydra and the Seperatist. This serial killer was her own boyfriend.
"Skye where are you?" Ward called out
"I need to...I have to leave a message to help them..." Skye whispered
Mon Cal/Jamaica airspace
"These aren't Shield Agents Colonel Talbot. This is a scout ship of the United Republic Navy operating under my jurisdiction as a General of the 104th battalion." Jedi Master Plo Koon said over a radio frequency
"What kind of a mission and why don't these operatives of yours have the proper transponder on their scout airship?" Col. Talbot questioned
"Simple. The mission is classified and the transponder would give them away to the Hydra cell they're tracking." Plo Koon answered
Coulson could tell Talbot was frustrated with this answer but legally had no authority to challenge a Jedi Master.
"I know it's you in there Agent Coulson. This isn't the last you'll see of me. Alright men let's move out so Jedi Master Plo Koon's subordinates can continue their "secret" operation."
Colonel Talbot's fleet cleared the area and FitzSimmons sighed in relief.
"Thank you Master Plo Koon for saving us from Talbot."
"No need to thank me. It was members of your team who saved me from the Seperatist super weapon a few months ago. Besides all of you are the best hope the Republic has of stopping his operation. My fellow Jedi and I are tied up in an escalation of attacks by the Seperatist. It's all a distraction by Dooku to aid Agent Garrett."
"Don't worry. Garrett will be stopped and so will the rest of Hydra." Coulson replied
Coulson, Fitz and Simmons returned to Providence base two hours later and saw the Bus was gone and a message on the ground written in invisible ink. Ward is Hydra the message said.
"Ward and Skye took the Bus?" Fitz wondered aloud
"No Fitz. Ward kidnapped Skye. What do we do sir?" Simmons asked
"I don't know." Coulson said confused
Chapter 23: Nothing Personal
Summary:
Ward reveals his true intentions to Skye.
Notes:
Skye and Ward's conversation may be similar to the canon Agents of Shield storyline but trust me when I say it will go on a different path than the Canon storyline and that Ward will get some form of redemption unlike Canon.
Chapter Text
"Wow...Ward you have impeccable taste. Skye is a cutie. Look at her. Ten out of ten. You know Skye I thought you were just a pretty face but you're much more than that. You encrypted this data pad so that I can't have any access to the information you have on the chemical that saved your life. Coulson has taught you well but...I can give you a trade.
I can end the blockade on Ryloth/Algeria and allow the United Republic to deliver much needed supplies to the Twi'lek civilians in the nation. Dooku is basically my partner now that I have you. He's been interested in you for many years. A Force Sensitive girl with the potential to have unique powers don't grow on trees. Just give me the decryption code for your data pad and the Twi'le civilians can get food and water." Garrett offered
Skye scowled at Garrett as she eyed Mike Peterson equipped with armor and weapons standing behind him and Ward leaning on the wall to his left.
"Mike please think of your son. He looks up to you as a hero. Help me escape so we can stop Hydra and the Seperatist." Skye pleaded
"There's no use begging Mike for help. As long as I have his son Ace. He'll do exactly what I will say without saying a word. I guess you can call Mike...my Ace in the hole." Garrett joked with laughter
Ward folded his arms and looked uncomfortable as he leaned against the wall. Mike Peterson remained motionless and silent. Skye continued to scowl at Garrett with disgust.
"What? Lighten up guys. To get through war you gotta crack a few jokes. Ward...seriously. I like Skye but there'll be other women for you to date when we win."
"You're not winning! I'm not going to decrypt the data pad and give you the information you want! You might as well just kill me and get it over with. Have your pet psycho killer slice my throat like he did to Agent Koenig!" Skye yelled pointing at Ward
Garrett sighed, "I guess we're going to do good cop and bad cop. Believe it or not Skye...Ward is the good cop. He'll get first opportunity to change your mind and if he doesn't then you'll be dealing with me and Mike. Oh and Skye, I won't be in a good mood the next time we see each other so think carefully before you reject Ward. Come on Mike. Let's give the two love birds some privacy."
Garrett and Mike left the room leaving Ward alone with Skye.
****
"Are you sure about this sir? Ward is with Garrett and Fitz's life form scans picked up Mike Peterson aboard the Bus. How are you going to sneak inside and get Skye without getting captured yourself?" Simmons asked
"Ward isn't...he can't...there's a good reason why he kidnapped Skye. He can't be evil." Fitz insisted.
"Fitz you need to wake up! Ward is evil! He tricked all of us into thinking he was loyal to Shield and the Republic! But he killed Agent Triplett, Agent Keonig and who knows how many others and for what? Service to sociopaths like Garrett and Dooku!" Simmons shouted
"Stop arguing you too. You guys are friends. The best of friends and have known each other for five years. It's times like these that you work together with the ones you're closest to and trust them." Coulson urged
"If that's the case then why did you send May with Agent Hand and Ahsoka? You two have known each other for 15 years!" Simmons challenged
Coulson was speechless struggling to think of an answer.
"I mean sir. Why isn't Agent May with us if we need to work those we trust?" Simmons repeated with more respect towards Coulson's rank
"He's right Simmons. We can worry about Ward later. The priority is to save Skye and prevent Agent Garrett from torturing her to open the encrypted files on the hard drive. If Garrett gets that info Dooku will be able to end the Clone Wars and the Seperatist would take over." Fitz insisted
"No Simmons is right. May should be here. Regardless of her lying to me in the past she's my right hand. My partner. For now we do the best we can to get Skye out. I have a plan but without May it's going to be risky. Do you guys trust me?" Coulson asked
FitzSimmons nodded.
"Good. Here's the plan."
****
Ward and Skye stared at each other and the silence between them was intense. Garrett and Mike had left them alone and Ward struggled to find the words to explain that he was a triple Agent for Shield and a fake Hydra and Seperatist loyalist.
"Skye I can explain everything." Ward insisted
"Liar! Murderer!" Skye screamed
Skye reached out with her free hand and struck Ward in the face. Ward groaned in pain as he struggled to restrain Skye from attacking him again.
"You need to stop. It's over. You can't win." Ward insisted grabbing Skye's arm
Skye headbutted Ward in the face and his nose started to bleed. He tightened the handcuffs on her to the pole they were attached to. He left the room to enter the nearby medical bay to retrieve a towel to wipe the blood off his face.
Ward shook his head at Skye's outburst.
"All this time after everything we've been through...why? How could you betray us? Betray me?" Skye demanded
"I was on a mission. Under Agent Hand's orders. If I didn't take on this mission the Seperatist were going to win. It wasn't personal." Ward replied with no emotion
"It wasn't personal! Are you insane! We were together and you are going to look me in the face and say it wasn't personal. Oh my galaxy I actually slept with you. Ugh! It wasn't personal! You actually believe that mudscuffing hyperspit!" Skye yelled
"Skye calm down. There's a way out of this situation." Ward said calmly attempting to reassure Skye
"Please I don't want to hear another lie from a freaking nazi! You totally look like a Hitler youth type. I should have known." Skye complained
Ward was startled and protested Skye's accusation.
"What are you talking about? I'm not a Nazi."
"Yes you are. It's in the first page of the Shield handbook. It says Hydra founded by the Red Skull who was a follower of Hitler a big fat Nazi! I'm not surprised you're happy innocent Twi'lek's are getting bombed by Seperatist droids right now."
"No. Skye listen. I'm not a Seperatist or Hydra. I'm a spy. That's it. Agent Hand gave me a mission help Garrett win this battle so that the Separatist and Hydra lose the Clone Wars. Do you know how many sacrifices I've had to make to ensure that would happen! Do you know what I'm risking right now. AD-3 is saying Garrett isn't listening to our conversation but he could be and both of us could be killed. Dooming the entire nation of Ryloth/Algeria to oblivion."
"You think after all the lying that you've done I'm just going to believe you. Even if what you say is true, you still killed Triplett, Agent Keonig and who knows how many other Shield Agents that were fighting Hydra and figured out what you were doing. As soon I decrypt that data pad were you just going to shoot me. Prove to Garrett that you are a good little Hydra soldier that can be trusted for the sake of the mission!" Skye accused
"No. When I said I loved you that was true. My feelings for you are real. I'm doing this for you." Ward insisted
"Was me getting shot by Quinn a part of your little mission?" Skye asked
"I didn't know that was going to happen. That was all Garrett. It's why I lost control and shot Quinn. I would never hurt you."
"You know what you're right Ward. I wouldn't like the real you."
"Someday you'll understand Skye." Ward said reaching out his hand to touch Skye's face
Skye shrunk away disgusted and said, "No I won't. I will never ever let you have what you want!"
Skye turned her back to Ward and looked away from him. Ward struggled to find the words to win Skye over to his side of things.
"Well that was a waste of time. Don't worry lovebirds. I watched your lovely reunion through a security camera with no sound. Even without sound it's obvious I overestimated Ward's ability to charm you. I won't be the bad cop Skye instead I'll have your old friend Mike play the role of bad cop. Dooku wants that information you encrypted and after I allowed Hand to sell him out to pirates he's not in a good mood." Garrett said over a loudspeaker
Ward returned to his previous post leaning on the door. Mike strode in and hit Ward with a tranquilizer dart. Ward shocked by the chemical in the dart dropped to his knees and started gasping for breath.
"I hit Ward with a neurotoxin that prevents him from breathing. He'll die a slow and painful death unless you decrypt the information on the chemical used to heal you in your data pad." Mike explained
"Good. He deserves it. He's a liar and a murderer. I'm not giving Garett what he wants." Skye replied glaring at Ward
Ward grabbed his chest desperately trying to breath and whispering Skye please in desperation.
"Even though he did lie and murdered innocents to try to win the Clone Wars for the Republic; aren't you doing the same thing as him by letting Ward die? That's not you Skye, at least the Skye I first met. Unless you changed." Mike Peterson questioned
Skye slumped to her knees and in frustration said, "Fine. Give him the antidote. The decryption key is Nevada Bravo Tango Tango 3439856172."
Mike Peterson shot another tranquilizer dart at Ward and Ward inhaled heavily and exhaled as his breathing slowly returned to normal.
"Thanks Skye. Now Mike will take this datapad to your old pal Raina and she'll make things better. She's gonna help me end the Clone Wars." Agent Garrett said over the loudspeaker
"You won't get away with this! As long as Coulson is out there he will stop you. And I'll be there to help him every step of the way if you don't kill me."
"Skye please-" Ward began
"I don't want to hear another word from you." Skye spat at Ward
"Unlike Ward you actually got some spunk kid. But as a part of my agreement with Dooku, I won't kill you. You'll be spending time with him instead." Agent Garrett gloated
Before Skye could respond the lights went out and someone grabbed her from behind.
Chapter 24: Whatever it takes
Summary:
Coulson rescues Skye and Ward must make a difficult decision with the captured FitzSimmons.
Chapter Text
Coulson grabbed Skye and covered her mouth as he freed her from her handcuffs.
"We need to go while the power is still out." Coulson whispered
Skye and Coulson ran for the hangar bay of the Bus but a stun blaster bolt barely missed them. It was fired from Mike's wrist mounted blaster and he used his cybernetic enhancements to increase his speed. Mike was catching up to them but thankfully Coulson's flying car Lola was close. Ward was shooting at them from the other side of the hangar with a stun blaster of his own. Coulson threw a flash grenade that blinded Ward and Mike. Then Skye and Coulson scrambled into Lola flying out of the hangar bay.
"How did-" Skye began
"FitzSimmons are controlling the base from the inside using our shuttle aircraft. We'll guide Lola to the ground and rendezvous with FitzSimmons at Providence base." Coulson explained
****
"Ward have I been a fool to put my trust in you?" Garrett asked
He was standing next to two battle droids that Ward didn't realize Garrett stashed away on his own shuttle before docking it inside the hangar bay of the Bus. Mike Peterson stood to the side of Garrett glaring at Ward.
"No. You taught me everything I know about being a Shield Agent. You're my SO."
"Son don't patronize me. Shield doesn't exist anymore. Galaxy I'm not even telling you to be a true believer to Dooku's cause like Raina is. All I ask of you is loyalty to me. That's it. Do you even think I need these battle droids or Mike anymore? Thanks to your little girlfriend Skye, Raina had the data to perfect the GH 325 formula that saved her and Coulson's lives. Except Raina refined it so when she injected me with it I became immortal. Battle droids shoot me."
"Um sir. The Seperatist programmed us to protect anyone in service to Count Dooku. We can't shoot you Roger Roger." The 1st battle droid said
"Well technically we could if we knew you wouldn't be harmed and this furthered the mission. However we don't know if the calculations that Raina provided-"
"Assume the calculations are accurate!" Garrett screamed
"Yes sir. Roger Roger." The second droid said sheepishly
They shot at Garrett and to Ward's surprise Garrett wasn't dead. The blaster bolt scars on his clothes remained but his skin healed in seconds. Garrett laughed.
"You know what Shield did to me kid. They betrayed me. They said all the right things about how they were honored that I chose to serve the United Republic by joining Shield. Yet in Italia Naboo in the middle of a war between the trade federation and the people of Naboo I was wounded on a mission. Droids shot me so bad my guts were spilling out. Ha, ha, ha, I didn't have a magic formula to heal back in the 90s. I needed a medical evacuation but Shield didn't get me one. I bled for them and was dying for them but I was just another Agent. A number like those Clones the Republic use."
"Ugh I hate Clones they suck." The first droid said
Garrett looked at Mike and gestured with his head. Mike understood the order and used his wrist launcher on the first droid. The rocket from Mike's wrist launcher hit the droid and it exploded. Ward threw up his hands to protect himself from the debris despite standing ten feet away. Garrett who was only three feet away was hit by metal shrapnel. Both Ward and Mike noticed it took longer for Garrett to heal from Mike's wrist launcher blast than a blaster bolt attack from the droids.
"Now what did we learn?" Garrett asked the remaining droid
"Don't talk while you're talking. Roger Roger."
"Good. As I was saying I was less valued than a Clone and a Droid. I was just canon fodder. That's the day I realized that I can only count on myself. I stapled my stomach, found a medical droid and reprogrammed it with the help of a random Naboo resident. Barely made it home but I got a commendation from Shield and a promotion too. I'm not even angry at Shield anymore. Ward how far are you willing to go to survive? Prove it by killing the two science nerds...Fitz and Simmons or uh FitzSimmons as you called them. Then I'll know your true loyalty is with me."
"I'm the one that captured them in the first place. Not Mike. Not those droids of yours. I don't need to pass one of your tests. I'll go out back to where I placed them and finish them off myself." Ward insisted
"Ha, ha, ha. I'm not a fool Ward. No this droid over here is going to lead the science nerds from their cell to be executed. In fact the droid gets a five minute head start. But if you manage to beat him to the rear of this airship then you'll win the honor of killing FitzSimmons. Fail and well...I already lost one protege in Agent Triplett, what's losing a second one. Especially since I have a much larger plan in place now that I've achieved immortality." Garrett said
****
"We need to go back for FitzSimmons! They can't die because of me!" Skye cried out
Skye attempted to grab the steering wheel of Lola but Coulson used his right hand to shove her off. Skye started crying.
"Skye you can't blame yourself for what FitzSimmons volunteered to do. They made the decision to join my team. They made the decision to resist Hydra even though Shield no longer exists. There was no way they were going to sit back and allow you to be Garrett and Ward's prisoner. They're your friends. They would happily risk their lives for you because you would do the same for them." Coulson reassured
"I was so stupid. I dated Ward against protocol behind your back and I didn't realize he was a traitor." Skye moaned in misery
"Ward fooled all of us including me. It was my responsibility to figure out he was the mole not you. But right now we need to stop Garrett. Agent Hand, May and Ahsoka are trying to help Anakin break up the blockade over Ryloth/Algeria. Garrett expects us to race over their but I have a different plan. We can disrupt the mass production of the GH325 at his secret base. Without it he has nothing to offer Dooku and he won't have access to Seperatist resources to protect himself."
"You sure? It's just the two of us. I don't have any experience." Skye argued
"That's more than enough to take down a two bit narcissist like Garrett. You're special Skye. It's not because of your Force Sensitivity or your history at the Jedi Temple. Not because of your hacking ability or your training. It's because of your compassion. You want to help people. That's why you joined Rising Tide and fought for Dooku to begin with. You thought the Seperatist were helping people. Helping those who are weak. Your compassion is your superpower. Garrett is powerless against that."
Skye nodded, "You're right. Let's finish this...together."
****
"The rest of our team is still out there. They won't rest until every Hydra Agent is dead or behind bars." Fitz said
Fitz and Simmons were being escorted by droids and when they were momentarily distracted by the droid AD-3 flying nearby the exit to the laboratory they were walking through Fitz reacted. He grabbed some random supplies on a shelf and flung them towards the battle droids.
"Run Jemma!" Fitz shouted
Fitz and Simmons ran past the lab's exit and frantically searched for an escape pod to leave the Bus. Ward was walking down a ladder nearby an escape pod and Simmons screamed in fear.
"Fitz it's Ward we need to turn around and find another way out!"
The pair spun around and continued running until they found another escape pod down a hallway. In horror they realized it was disabled but they closed the door so Ward couldn't get in.
"Open the door Fitz." Ward demanded
"Not until you tell me why you betrayed us. I need to understand." Fitz
Simmons groaned, "You need to accept the truth. He doesn't care about us or anyone except himself."
"No that's not true. We're friends. Come on Ward. You and I have had laughs together. That doesn't mean anything to you? I know you're a good person Ward. You can choose right now to be good. You can walk away from all the bad things you've done."
"Garrett has given me my orders. Now open the door. AD-3 has already deactivated the escape pod. There's no way out of this. No way you can win."
Simmons and Fitz refused to open the door and stood defiant. Fitz with a sad but determined look in his eye and Simmons with an angry glare and her arms folded.
"Okay. Have it your way." Ward said emotionless as he walked to the control panel
"Stop Ward. You can't do this to us. We were a team!" Simmons called out
"Wait Ward don't do it. You don't have to do this. We can work together to escape!" Fitz yelled
Ward ignored their shouts and screams and inputted the override code for the escape pod...yet he couldn't hit enter. He thought about Agent Hand and what she said.
"In order to beat these people you have to become a monster. To become just like them so that you get close enough to stop them."
Ward knew to regain Garrett's trust for not preventing Skye's escape he needed to press the enter button. FitzSimmons wouldn't last more than a couple of hours in the ocean without a rescue airship to save them. He would tell Garrett to fly at low orbit over the escape pod for two hours. Then FitzSimmons would drown and his mission could continue. A spy for the United Republic against Garrett and the Seperatist. Agent Hand told Ward in situations were he was unable to remain in contact with Shield and needed reinforcements to contact Captain Tarkin of the United Republic Military Intelligence. Tarkin was his only ally at this point.
Still Ward couldn't hit the enter button. FitzSimmons cries grew louder. Ward knew what he had to do and he blocked out FitzSimmons begging and crying to not hit the enter button to initiate the command sequence to eject the escape pod.
"I'm sorry but I need to be a monster in order to gain Garrett's trust. Then I'll have a chance to take down the Separatist from the inside. I have to do whatever it takes for the mission to succeed even if it means ejecting this escape pod and dumping you into the ocean." Ward said looking away from FitzSimmons
Fitz stared at Ward in shock over these words while Simmons continued to plead with Ward that they could find another way to defeat Garrett together.
Ward hit the enter button and the command sequence initiated. The escape pod ejected into the sea as Fitz yelled, "I thought you cared about us Ward!"
Ward in his grief and anger turned to the battle droid that was standing nearby. He held up his blaster aiming it at the droid.
"Wait a minute Agent Garrett is supposed to punish me for failure not you Ward." The battle droid complained raising his hands
Ward in anger over betraying FitzSimmons a second time fired his blaster at the droid over and over again ignoring its screams until it turned off. The droid lay an empty husk full off blaster bolt holes as Ward glared at it. He hated what he'd just did to FitzSimmons but he wondered if there was a part of him that enjoyed working for Agent Garrett. He wondered whether he was pretending to be a monster or if he truly was a monster. At this point the answer to that questioned remained unclear.
Chapter 25: A Safer World
Summary:
Raina begins to understand Ward and Garrett's motivations.
Chapter Text
November 20, 2000
"Failed to listen to your Master you have." Yoda said to Raina
"My master is terrible. She doesn't have any vision for what the Force can do for the world."
"Keepers of the peace Jedi are. To mold the world through power we do not. Disobedient many padawan are at the beginning. Worse than a typical padawan you are in this area hmmm...why?" Yoda questioned
"I have visions. About the Jedi not seeing how much the world resents them. The Jedi can't see how much the world thinks of them as selfish. So much power but they use very little of it to change the world. Because of their arrogance a terrible war will happen and it will lead to an uprising against the Jedi. We need to act on this information now Master Yoda before the Jedi lose their way." Raina protested
"Natural gift for precognition you have. Understand how to use this power you must. Humility towards your master you need. Consumed by fear you will be. So you can avoid a dark path submit to teaching you need." Yoda chastised
"Master Qui Gon complained about the Jedi Council being too stiff and unimaginative. I thought it was because they not only restrict the use of Force for charitable works on society but also because only Masters can go into the Restricted section of the Jedi Archives. Now I know it's because you value control. That's why the Council forces the rest of us to see things rigidly and to ignore the warnings about the future the Force is trying to show us." Raina accused
"Foolish I was. Allowed you to deceive us I did. Fail to cover your deceit your natural giftedness in the Force did. Access to restricted section of Jedi Archives you gained. Aided Count Dooku to access these archives you did. Secrets about Master Qui Gonn learned from Dooku you did. Expelled from the Jedi Council you are. Turn over your lightsaber you must." Yoda said firmly
Raina eyes widened in shock with tears in her eyes. She silently presented her lightsaber and placed it on Yoda's desk. Yoda bowed his head in grief and used a holo communicator to contact the chief of the Jedi Temple guard Cin Dralling to escort Raina off the Jedi Temple grounds.
Raina spent the rest of her teenager years split between an orphanage in London Coruscant, a juvenile detention center and the downtown streets of London Coruscant homeless. She would scam tourists out of their credits running a myriad of cons or do complicated dances on the street aided by the Force for credits. Her Force Sensitivity weakened due to lack of practice and study under a Jedi Knight or Master but she still had a connection to the Force.
Her visions about an impending war that would lower positive reception of the Jedi amongst the public grew stronger. They intensified when she was adopted by a former Padawan of Count Dooku. Calvin Johnson failed his Jedi Trials to become a Knight of the Jedi Order. He reunited with Dooku decades later to assist Dooku in his travels across Europe and Asia where he gave fiery speeches to the people and aliens there. Speeches about the corruption of the United Republic and the Jedi's complicity in this corruption. Calvin took Raina under her wing as a protege and taught her medicine when he used his weak Force Sensitivity to expose one of her cons when he traveled to London Coruscant. Dr. Johnson saw Raina's potential. It was these con artistry and medical skills that Garrett required for his plan so Dooku and Calvin assigned Raina to the Clairvoyant or Agent Garrett.
Raina was disappointed that Garrett wasn't a true Clairvoyant. He sensed nothing about the Force within him. It explained why Garrett never told Raina his real name or talked with Raina in person. Dooku was focused on his own apprentice Asajj Ventress and despite meeting in the Jedi Temple when she was young Dooku barely paid attention to Raina. The fact that she was an expelled Padawan probably lessened Dooku's opinion of Raina. Ultimately Raina knew that the Force showed her a higher purpose to become something more as a unique Force Sensitive superhuman. With greater power she could create a safer world...one in which Dooku and her mentor Dr. Calvin Johnson would be in control. If she had to put up with the fraudulent Agent Garrett to make that happen so be it.
So Raina obediently used the information from Skye's data pad to recreate the GH325 formula that healed Skye using samples of Skye's blood. After months of trying to find a formula to accelerate healing and physical strength by doing secret experiments in a hidden mobile lab. Using Separatist military attacks to hide the lab while being on the run from Coulson and her team. Dealing with test subjects who died or failed to exhibit any new powers so they were killed by droids to preserve the secret laboratory. Debbie being killed by Dooku's assassin the former Jedi Asajj Ventress for failure. In spite of all of those setbacks Raina was on the precipice of accomplishing her goal. To make a safer world.
Now that Hydra was forced to come out of the shadows Project Centipede needed to be recalibrate. Dooku's contacts with the Banking Clan allowed Garrett to use a series of shell companies to purchase a cybernetic robotics company called Cybertek Incorporated. This company was used to create the cybernetic enhancements for Garrett when Hydra had spies within Shield working for Cybertek. Cybertek was also the company that turned General Grievous into a powerful cyborg.
Garrett sought even greater power than cybernetic enhancements and had Raina inject him with the GH325 formula. Garrett's improved healing and strength was proof the formula was effective. Yet those without the genetic potential for superhuman abilities would develop nasty side effects even with the improved formula. She would need to convince Garrett to run more tests to determine exactly what the negative side effects are. Raina projected it would take days to run through tests on Garrett at Cybertek. Yet Garrett wanted to wait by his phone for an update from Cybertek before flying Coulson's plane over there.
"Skye. Good to hear from you. You sound different on the phone." Garrett greeted with a pleasant tone
Raina couldn't hear what Skye was saying but Garrett continued to smile. Raina had a bad feeling about this but Garrett acted as if everything was still under control.
"I don't care that you've taken over Cybertek. I have an assigned handler watching over Mike Peterson's son at an undisclosed location on Ryloth/Algeria. There's currently a Seperatist blockade over the airspace in that country and the United Republic can't get past it. As long as I have control of Mike you have no way of stopping me or Project Centipede. I took the GH325 formula Skye. As long as I'm alive I can continue to create more super powered soldiers for Dooku using my blood samples. I'm a permanent medical mobile lab." Garrett gloated
Raina wished she could hear what Skye was saying in response to Garrett's boasting. Raina wasn't surprised Skye and Coulson found out about Cybertek and took over the facility. Garrett talked about Coulson's skill as a Shield Agent all the time and she was familiar with Skye's intelligence and gifted connection to the Force. It reminded Raina of her own connection to the Force but Skye lacked her vision and foresight. She was clouded by her emotions and failed to see that Dooku wanted to create a safer world.
"Coulson's with you. Great he should know I got the same GH325 injection that he got. We should compare notes. Also I'm sorry about your scientist friends FitzSimmons. They were brave until they breathed their last breath." Garrett joked
Ward looked down at the ground in shame when Garrett hung up the phone. Raina could sense conflict within Ward through the Force. There was a small amount of light but it was shrouded by a lot of darkness.
"Now Ward you're not out of the woods yet. You wanna prove your worth to me. Then you get Skye and you bring her to Dooku. After the injection you gave me Raina I understand why you think Skye is special. So does Dooku. You do this last mission for me Ward and well...you'll not only have my complete trust but Dooku's as well."
"Yes sir." Ward replied
Chapter 26: Storm over Ryloth
Summary:
Anakin gives command of the fleet to Ahsoka and trusts her to break up the blockade of Ryloth/Algeria. FitzSimmons plans their escape from their sunken escape pod.
Chapter Text
"Ahsoka you're in trouble. You're too rash just like your teacher Anakin. I should be running this operation because we are wasting time." Agent Hand complained
"This isn't your place to talk to Ahsoka like that it's Anakin's." May said with disapproval
"Garrett is using the battle and this blockade around Ryloth to further Project Centipede. Coulson just communicated with us that even though Garrett lost his base of operations he has the means to create more GH325. The Jedi are going to have their hands full if the Seperatist get supersoilders." Agent Hand argued
"That doesn't give you an excuse to talk to my padawan like that. I should order you off the bridge of my ship for you selling Master Kenobi and I to pirates." Anakin said as he entered the bridge
"I was trying to preserve my cover as the Clairvoyant. Dooku hadn't met the real Clairvoyant in person so there was an opportunity to get close enough to stop him. If it meant sacrificing two Jedi out of the thousands of Jedi that are in this war than so be it." Agent Hand replied dismissively
"That's not your call to make Hand. It's Director Fury's and Master Yoda's. You can't just unilaterally make these decisions and act like it's ok. We are a team and we need each other. We can't do this alone." May challenged
"She's right. Ahsoka you need to remember to work with others and not rush off and do things your own way. Don't act like Agent Hand and risk the lives of those you command like their worthless chess pieces." Anakin warned
Hand scoffed and shook her head while May continued to glare at Hand.
"I thought I could knock out those battleships so when Master Obi-Wan arrived, he could get through. It took so long for Agent Hand, May and I to get to your airship I wanted to make up for lost time. We lost Agent Triplett and so many others. I was trying to save lives by ordering our troops to move quickly." Ahsoka explained
"I know you meant well, Snips, but there's a bigger picture that you're not aware of. You need to think before you issue commands. A good leader and a good strategist considers all their options and values their subordinates." Anakin said to Ahsoka gently
"I understand Sky Guy." Ahsoka groaned
"What's with the attitude Ahsoka. He's your SO. Show him some respect." Agent Hand demanded
"What would you know about being an SO Victoria? You haven't had that role in your entire career at Shield." Agent May questioned
"This is Phil Coulson with an urgent message. Agent Hand has been operating as Agent Ward's secret SO. She trained him to be an unauthorized triple Agent within Shield with Agent Garrett as his official SO. Due to Hand's influence Ward has kidnapped Agent Skye, Agent Fitz and Agent Simmons and murdered FitzSimmons and countless other Agents to preserve his cover as a triple Agent. Ward and Hand need to be detained immediately for questioning." Coulson announced over the Star Destroyer's loudspeaker system
"I'm being arrested but not Agent May? All Shield Agents are wanted for questioning by the United Republic." Hand complained while raising her hands in surrender
"Agent May puts her life on the line for those under her command. Therefore as the ranking authority on this Star Destroyer she and the rest of Coulson's team are officially under amnesty. You on the other hand, ha, ha, ha are a suspect in an investigation on the Separatist. You're lucky I don't kill you where you stand. FitzSimmons death is on your hands. Captain Rex take this suspect to the brig." Anakin ordered
Hand scowled as Captain Rex and his fellow Clones Echo and Fives arrested Hand and took her to the brig.
"Thank you for having my back Anakin." May said
"I'm just returning the favor. Thank you for looking out for Ahsoka ever since she joined Coulson's team. You aren't a woman of many words but your selfless actions more than make up for it. That's why I need to trust you to watch over Ahsoka again.
The only way we can break the blockade is if I pilot the Defender airship right into the Seperatist battleship and take out the commander.
It'll throw the rest of Seperatist fleet in complete disarray and would make it easier for Coulson and the others to locate Garrett. His forces on Ryloth will be too distracted to protect him."
"What?! That's too risky Master! You could die!" Ahsoka exclaimed
"I'm not like Agent Hand and you're not like Agent Ward. When I lead I can be tough on you but I also want to protect and support you. That's why I'm doing this so I'm the only one at risk. Besides, the Defender is damaged already and May is going to help you come with a strategy so that you and the rest of the fleet will have my back when I fly out towards the command ship." Anakin reassured
"Master, I-I can't. If something goes wrong, I can't be responsible for anyone else dying under my command." Ahsoka argued
"You are responsible, Ahsoka. That's the responsibility that comes with leadership. And I've failed before and learned from it. May has failed and I believe it's why she stopped doing field missions for Shield but she's learned from it. She's here by our side right now. You're not alone Snips. We can do this together. That's why I'm counting on you and so does May." Anakin complimented
May nodded and gave Ahsoka a smile
Ahsoka returned May's smile with one of her own.
"Ok Master. Alright May let's get to work so that we can help Sky Guy succeed at taking down this blockade."
"Sky Guy. I'm starting to like that nickname." May teased with another smile
****
FitzSimmons struggled to process how their former teammate no friend betrayed them. Ward was someone they spent months with on the Bus not just helping him complete missions in the field with their scientific expertise but also playing games and sharing laughs with him. Ward wasn't even a friend at that point he became a big brother who protected them. However it was clear that all of that was a facade. Ward simply wore a mask to hide his true self just like all of the other Hydra Agents who infiltrated Shield.
Simmons was surprised at how quickly Fitz moved on from Ward's betrayal now that the escape pod began to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Then again...their situation was dire and time sensitive. Their oxygen was limited and once it ran out the two of them would pass out and die from suffocation. She wasn't exactly sure how much oxygen they had but Fitz was using a screwdriver to break open a control panel for the escape pod.
"We need to act quickly. The priority is giving ourselves more oxygen. The default setting on the escape pod is two hours worth of oxygen. So Ward and Garrett are going to fly the Bus around in a circle for that amount of time. Once 2 hours passes they'll think we're dead and move on to another location."
"Based upon the escape pod's programmed ability to recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen and its internal power supply you'll be able to give us another 6 hours of oxygen. That'll give us plenty of time to-" Simmons said
"Reconstruct a distress signal on old emergency Shield codes. A number of Jedi loyal to Coulson as well as Shield Agents on the run should pick up this signal and come to rescue us. We just need to create a propulsion system using the excess oxygen-" Fitz interrupted
"To generate air pressure that would be greater than the sea pressure that's forcing this escape pod to the bottom of the ocean. We should be able to build this propulsion system in a few hours. Brilliant idea Fitz." Simmons complimented
"Even in life threatening situations we still finish each other's sentences. I'm so grateful that I have you as a partner Jemma."
"I should be the grateful one Fitz. You always seemed to lock in and problem solve in a way that I couldn't do."
"Well then let's do what we do best and science our way out of a horrible situation." Fitz said with confidence
Simmons nodded and the pair got to work. It took a little bit longer than their initial calculations but they finished after 7 hours of work. They had an emergency signal and a makeshift propulsion system that would push them towards the surface. That meant their oxygen supply was dangerously low. FitzSimmons margin for error to escape was zero. They only had one opportunity to escape.
"Alright we need to hurry. We have to do this soon because-" Fitz began
"We don't have much oxygen left." Simmons finished giving him a confident nod
"Now when I press that power button the escape pod will collapse and the air pressure will push the pod to the surface. It's going to feel like a hundred punches to the stomach so the wind will be knocked right out of us. This oxygen tank is near empty but I rigged it so that it will have a burst of air pressure into your lungs. You need to hold onto it and don't let go but hold on tight okay?"
Simmons confused said, "One burst of air? There's two of us. Fitz there has to he another way."
"I've done the calculations. This is the only way. You have to take it because you're a better swimmer than me. The odds of our rescue are higher if you take it."
"No...I'm not going to let you put your life at risk. We need a new plan." Simmons argued
"We're not discussing this. You're taking it end of story. I couldn't live with myself if you didn't take it." Fitz insisted
"I'd feel the same exact way if I let you hurt yourself for me. Why would you do this? You're my best friend in the whole world I don't want you to get hurt!" Simmons shouted
"Yeah and you're more than a friend to me Jemma. I love you but I was...too scared to tell you. So please...let me show you."
Simmons eyes widened in shock unsure of how to process this information. Simmons struggled to do this and started crying. She hugged Fitz and gave him kisses on his forehead and each of his cheeks. She realized Fitz could potentially die and she didn't want to lose her closest friend. Yet she knew Fitz's mind was made up but she still stubbornly continued to hug him refusing to let go.
"It's ok Jemma." Fitz attempted to console
"No...no...it's not." Simmons said as she continued to cry
"You have to take it."
"No."
Fitz shoved the oxygen tank in Simmons hand and then immediately pressed the button to their makeshift propulsion system.
"No!" Simmons screamed
The escape pod cracked open and floated upward. Simmons wearing the oxygen tank grabbed the unconcious Fitz with her left hand and pressed the nozzle of tank to her chest with her left arm. She continued swimming for another 50 feet as she saw the escape pod sink back to the bottom of the ocean. She reached the surface holding Fitz with her left arm and she let the oxygen tank drift to the bottom of the ocean as well. She stared at Fitz as she felt him getting cold. Their was very little time before he...Simmons shook her head refusing to accept that Fitz was going to die. Simmons started to panic as she looked out at the vast ocean with no air or water ships in sight.
Chapter 27: Innocents of Ryloth
Summary:
Ahsoka leads the mission to destroy the blockade over Ryloth/Algeria. Anakin is recruited to help Fury and Coulson take down Agent Garrett.
Chapter Text
"Ahsoka even if Anakin is successful in destroying the command airship you still need to consider the combined power of the remaining Seperatist airships." May advised
"I thought about that and I came up with a plan to deal with that." Ahsoka replied
"What's the plan Commander Tano?" Rex asked
"If we took the Resolute and angled the hull to take the incoming blasts from the Separatist frigates the bridge and hangar deck would be relatively safe from their attack." Ahsoka explained
Ahsoka brought up a holographic representation of the Resolute and inverted it to demonstrate her plan to Rex and May. She inverted the holographic model of their airship so the bottom of it was facing in front.
She continued, "We could draw the frigates in and use our bombers to outflank them. The bombers would be moving too fast and then the frigates would be trapped.
Rex frowned skeptical about this plan.
He spoke saying, "We would need to be certain our airship's shields would hold to withstand their initial attack."
"He has a point. We need time to conduct analysis to ensure the shield's would hold." May added
"No! We don't have anymore time! Master Skywalker needs us! Coulson and Skye also need us. If we don't act now then the Seperatist will take over Ryloth/Algeria and Garrett will be able to use the resources on the planet to create an army of super powered soldiers for Count Dooku. The United Republic would lose the Clone Wars if that happened. We need to act now."
"The commander is right. I know this strategy is very bold. Our situation requires drastic measures." Admiral Yularen said as he entered the room
"He's right. Ahsoka I trust you. I'm starting to see why Coulson wanted you and Anakin on this team." May added
"As do I. Coulson and his team may technically be fugitives but they give us a chance to take back this nation for the Republic. So let's end this blockade shall we." Admiral Yularen said
Anakin using R2D2 to control the Defender programmed the airship's autopilot system to crash into the Seperatist command ship. Anakin smiled thinking about how if he was still Obi Wan's padawan he wouldn't conduct a mission as crazy as this in a million years.
"Ok R2 we are good to leave. The Seperatist command ship is going to be scrap metal. The blockade will end and the United Republic food and medical supply ships will be able to break through. The Twi'leks and humans suffering in that country will be ok." Anakin said to his faithful droid
R2 started beeping excitedly as he followed Anakin into the escape pod.
"Once those two airships collide they'll be choas. We'll need to use that as a distraction to get a tractor beam to bring in Master Skywalker's escape pod." Ahsoka instructed
"Look at you Ahsoka. Leading the fleet to a victory! I had a good feeling about Coulson adding you to his team. I'm going to need to borrow your mentor Anakin Skywalker. I'm sure you can keep bringing the fight to the Seperatist without him." A familiar voice said through the Resolute's intercom system
"Director Fury?" May said aloud in surprise
Obi Wan Kenobi's fleet entered the airspace over Ryloth/Algeria.
"Is the invasion force able to land Ahsoka? Is the blockade broken up?" Obi Wan asked over the intercom system
"Yes Master Kenobi your invasion force can land." Ahsoka replied
"I won't even ask where the rest of Anakin's fleet is or why he's in an escape pod that's being tractor beamed by an unregistered airship." Obi Wan said
"That's probably for the best." Ahsoka said sheepishly
"Anakin Skywalker. It's been a while. Garrett has increased his power using a chemical cocktail I used on Coulson after he died. A Jedi of your talents is needed to stop him." Nick Fury said over the intercom system of Anakin's escape pod
"Garrett is the one responsible for my best friend Skye getting shot. You don't need to recruit me to stop him. I happily volunteer to join you in defeating Garrett." Anakin replied
Chapter 28: Liberty on Ryloth
Summary:
Coulson, Fury and Anakin have a final confrontation with Garrett.
Chapter Text
"Help!" Simmons screamed
She waved her right arm in desperation while struggling to hold the unconcious Fitz with her left arm.
"Someone please help!" She kept screaming
An airship flew towards her and inside it was Director Fury. Simmons wondered if she was hallucinating but realized this was really Director Fury when he and Anakin pulled her inside the airship. Simmons ran towards Anakin and hugged him crying all over again. While Director Fury placed Fitz inside a bacta tank chamber.
"It's alright. It's alright. We got you." Anakin reassured
Simmons passed out and Anakin and Fury placed Simmons in her own bacta tank chamber but with a bacta chemical gas instead of fluid.
"I need you to fly this thing while I look after Simmons. Agent Hill says you are the best pilot amongst the Jedi and you've scored several aerial battle victories against Separatist commanders. Well we're going to need you to live up to that reputation. We need a stealth like aerial approach if we're going to catch Garrett off guard." Fury instructed
"It's not reputation. My piloting skills are top tier. Garrett is finished. Even with enhanced super powers he can't stand up to the might of a Jedi Knight." Anakin boasted
"I hope you're right. Stakes are very high and we can't afford for you to be wrong. I'm going to talk to Simmons when she wakes up. She's going to be disoriented after everything Grant Ward put her and Fitz through."
"Ward better hope he doesn't run into me. If he does..."
"Noted. Go take a seat in the cockpit young Skywalker." Fury ordered
Anakin walked to the cockpit with R2D2 and Fury saw that Simmons was awake.
"You're in decompression on a Quinjet headed towards Ryloth/Algeria." Fury explained
"Agent Keonig told us you were dead." Simmons said
"Good. We don't want Hydra or the Separatist to know that I'm alive." Fury said
"Fitz!" Simmons called out attempting to sit up
"Easy easy. He's alive but barely. He's in a bacta tank and I got a couple medical droids looking after him. Fitz's brain was without oxygen for a long time but you saved him. It's going to take a while for him to recover."
"It was the other way around. How did you find us?" Simmons asked struggling to not cry again
"That makeshift beacon of yours. I picked up that it was using an old Shield frequency. That was a smart idea and led us straight to you. Luckily I've been looking for Shield Agents the past few days." Fury explained
"You're looking for loyal Shield Agents."
"Yes. Specifically for my right hand man Coulson. I understand that him, you and the rest of your team are involved in a dispute with Agent Garrett I might want to weigh in on. You have any information on Garrett that could be useful?" Fury asked
***
"Where is my father? You have to help me find him!" A young Twi'lek girl said with a French accent
A battle between hundreds of droids and hundreds of clones of the 212th Attack Battalion led by Obi Wan Kenobi was taking place outside of a large command center. The Seperatist converted a school to serve as their command center and Skye tracked down the location of Ward's secret droid AD-3 to this location. A dozen droids were placed at various positions guarding the building. Obi Wan obliged Skye's request to have his forces start an engagement against the droid platoon a half mile from the command center to distract the droids but a dozen droids remained near the command center. The surronding cities outside the capitol of Ryloth/Algeria had been liberated by Obi Wan's battalion with Anakin's 501st legion prividing rear support under Ahsoka's command. Yet Skye wondered how she was going to reach Ace and find this young girl's father.
"I'll help you. My name is Skye. What's your name?" Skye asked
"My name is Hera. Please...I'm scared."
"Don't worry just give me a second. I'm going to use my data pad to call my friend to let him know I'm helping you ok?"
"Okay." Hera said walking towards Skye
"Coulson I'm going to need more time to find Ace. You're going to have to stall until I can find Mike's son. The command center's heavily guarded and Obi Wan and Ahsoka are occupied. There's a Twi'lek girl that also needs my help but it shouldn't take long."
Hera screamed, "Behind you!"
Skye turned around and saw Ward. Before she could react she fainted due to being hit with a stun blaster pulse wave. Hera started crying as Ward knelt down near her and said, "Shhh...Skye is going to be ok. I know how I can get you to your father. She thinks I'm a monster but I'm not. My name is Ward and I'm here to help."
****
Coulson ran into the same command center that Skye saw was guarded by droids but on the other side. With Anakin by his side he was able to clear out the 50 super soldiers that inhabited the building. Skye must have been captured by Ward but Coulson was grateful that she sent him Garrett's last known location within the command center. Hopefully if Coulson and Anakin are fast enough they could catch Garrett off guard and stop him before he escapes.
"We're close Coulson I can sense Garrett through the Force." Anakin said
Anakin leapt in the air and yelled get down as an explosive trap was triggered. Coulson leapt forward and the explosion knocked in a wall separating Coulson from Anakin.
"Don't worry I'll find another way around. Keep going Garrett is close Coulson." Anakin reassured
Coulson shot two more super soldiers with his blaster but took a punch to the chest by Garrett. Coulson slid across the floor from the impact of the punch. He got his feet and threw three consecutive punched one at Garrett's stomach, chest and head but with unnatural speed Garrett dodged all of Coulson's punches. Coulson then pulled out his blaster and fired it at Garrett but he dodged the bolts that ejected from Coulson's blaster. Then he hit Coulson in the face with such force that he was thrown across the room onto the upper deck of the room they were fighting in. The deck featured platinum containers that housed crude oil to power Seperatist droids.
"Well that's new?" Coulson mused while groaning in pain
Coulson struggled to his feet as he bled from his forehead. He reached out for his blaster which was a few feet away from him. He looked up and saw Fury. He heard Anakin's lightsaber but after several seconds the hum from Anakin's lightsaber ceased. Soon more supersoilders appeared and fired their blasters at Fury and Coulson.
"We need to act fast. Skywalker's alive and luckily his droid is going to pull him out of harm's way. You on the otherhand need to be more careful. I took great pains to make sure you didn't die the first time." Fury said
Coulson immediately stood up and said, "I'd like to have a conversation about that. That conversation is going to involve me shouting my frustrations towards you. It's going to be loud."
"Understood. I owe you an explanation and deserve to be shouted at. However right now we have to deal with Garrett. He deserves a serious punch in the teeth don't you agree?" Fury asked
Coulson nodded.
"Good because I got something that'll help you in a fight against Garrett. It packs a powerful punch."
Fury somehow pulled out a massive blaster canon. The same type that Coulson used on Loki two years ago before Loki murdered him. Coulson smiled as this was his chance to turn the tide of the battle.
****
Skye woke up and saw Hera was safe. She scrambled to her feet and saw that Ward was nowhere to be found.
"What happened?" Skye asked clutching her head
"Ward brought us in here and found this droid named Chopper. He fixed it up and used it to call my father. My father is coming to get me but Chopper is still hurt so he's rebooting right now. Ward told me to tell you that Ace is in the room down the hall. He gave me this thing and told me to give it to you when you woke up." Hera explained holding out the object to her
Skye shook her head in confusion. It was a flash grenade that had a message on the button. I'm not a monster. Good luck stopping the real one.
****
Coulson armed with the massive blaster canon that Fury gave him used it to take out the dozen super soldiers working for Garrett. As accurate as they were with their weapons due to their enhancements the plasma ejected from Coulson's blaster canon overwhelmed them. Unfortunately the cannon overheated and shut down. It would be a while before the weapon cooled down enough to be used again. Garrett arrogant and overconfident refused to take cover and Fury used that to his advantage. He came out of cover and fired his blaster pistol at Garrett's chest 8 times. The force of the blaster bolts knocked him to one knee but he stood up with only a bloody mouth as a sign of injury. Garrett was still alive and smiled after Fury's attempted attack failed to kill him.
"Wow Fury you're alive. Good thing Mike is here as my backup. It's funny a tag team match with four dead guys. I'd say my team's got the advantage considering I just knocked out a Jedi. Would've killed him if it wasn't for his meddling droid." Garrett said
Mike walked over to join Garrett but glared at him. Mike was annoyed at Garrett's over confidence and lack of respect towards Anakin Skywalker a member of the Avengers who saved Earth. Someone that his son Ace looked up to but was now held hostage by Garrett.
"The only person in this room who deserves to be killed is you Garrett." Coulson said bitterly
"Me. I've gained more knowledge than any Jedi whose ever lived. I'm more powerful than Count Dooku. All thanks to that GH325 injection that I got. It's showed me secrets about how the world will change and that humans will evolve. Human beings have untapped potential to be greater than the Jedi. I know you saw the same truth when you were injected with GH325 Phil. See Fury, me and Phil share a bond. We're blood brothers."
"Coulson you didn't tell me that Garrett was speaking that Jedi mumbo jumbo." Fury said to Coulson confused
"Except Anakin and Obi Wan never sounded this crazy." Coulson remarked
"You remember that speech you gave us Fury. Back in the days when Shield didn't really talk to the Jedi that much. You said that one man could accomplish anything when he knows that he's something bigger? Bigger than any limitation? I've just revealed to you that I'm bigger than any limitation."
"A part of something bigger. My speech was about one man being a part of something bigger and together we as a group will exceed any limitation. Don't tell me you did this entire mad scientist for Hydra and the Seperatists scheme because you misunderstood my one man speech?" Fury asked skeptically
"I'm invincible Nick. Don't you get it. I've made myself not only stronger but wiser. I've seen the origin of life itself and nothing can kill me..." Garrett started boasting
"There's one chance to stop Garrett though. Have you figured it out Coulson?" Fury speculated
"Yeah. I put Skye in charge of that. Any moment now..." Coulson said with a confident smile
R2D2 started beeping and Anakin slowly got to his feet as he woke up.
"That little droid and the pretty little girl Ward was obsessed with is going to stop me Phil? Mike put Nick and Phil out of there misery." Garrett ordered
Mike aimed his wrist launcher at Fury and Coulson. Before he fired the rocket on his launcher he saw the message on his cybernetic eye. It said dad what are we? We're a team! Mike realized why Coulson mentioned Skye. Coulson sent her to rescue his son Ace so that he didn't have to listen to Garrett anymore. Mike was free and now he set his sites on Garrett.
"See John I know you made yourself more powerful and technically you're immortal. But your immortality operates like my blaster cannon. If your healing factor is overcharged it slows down until your body can cool down. There's only so much body heat your body can generate to fuel your healing factor.
The difference between me and you is that you used Ward as a tool for your selfish ends. I empowered Skye to be stronger than she used to be and we worked together as a team. She found Mike's handler who kidnapped his son and rescued him. You're selfishness has left you all alone John and that's why my side is going to win and why people like you are always gonna lose." Couldon boasted
Garrett realized that's why he was bleeding from the mouth when Fury shot him eight times with an ordinary blaster pistol. Garrett started to panic because now he had no way of withstanding the firepower from a wrist launcher. His body temperature was too high right now so he wouldn't heal fast enough.
"Wait Mike don't do this-" Garrett tried to explain
Enraged Mike hit Garrett with his wrist launcher. Garrett flew 20 feet backward and landed on the ground hard. His legs were broken and his skin was covered with third degree burns. He was still alive but his healing factor was exhausted. It would take hours from him to recover from Mike's attack. Anakin joined Coulson and Fury on the upper deck. He smiled as he saw Garrett's severe injuries and an angry Mike walking towards Garrett.
"You can't do this Mike. I order you to stand down! You neee me!" Garrett shouted
Garrett coughed as he struggled to crawl towards a nearby blaster one of his dead super soldiers was using earlier. The smoke inhalation his lungs was suffering from was beginning to heal but not fast enough. His legs remained broken and he realized each part of his body took would heal at a slow rate one part at a time. Mike walked towards Garrett kicking the blaster away from him. He continued to glare at Garrett angry for torturing him, turning him into a cyborg and kidnapping his son.
"Skywalker you're a Jedi. You don't believe in executions. Phil I thought you didn't sign off on executions! Tell him to stop Phil!" Garrett called out
"Mr. Skywalker and I aren't doing anything violent right now and Mr. Peterson is free to do anything he wants." Coulson said
Mike Peterson screamed in anger as he stomped on Garrett's head crushing it.
"So you're not going to tell Ahsoka I was knocked out for half of the battle against Garrett?" Anakin asked
Coulson gave him an annoyed stare and Fury asked, "Did you not here Coulson give a speech about empowering the younger people who learn from you so that you can win together?"
"Really? I thought that speech was for Garrett and I think Garrett he's too dead to apply that lesson." Anakin argued
Coulson rolled his eyes while Fury shook his head.
"Just have your Clone battalion process all this tech and equipment that Garrett was using Skywalker. I need to have a word with Coulson." Fury chastised
Chapter 29: I'm not a Monster
Summary:
Ward gains a new purpose.
Chapter Text
Raina managed to trick a Seperatist droid to expose themselves to a group of Clones. The Clones chased after it shooting at the droids legs for sport. Raina's instincts were correct. This group of Clones lacked experienced and rank. This was probably the largest battle they've personally fought. This chasing after a single droid was how they processed their stress and grief. Their foolish act left the nearby shuttle unguarded. She attempted to sneak onboard but a man grabbed her.
"You think you can just steal the Gravitonium and walk away." Ward threatened
"It doesn't belong to Garrett and it doesn't belong to you either." Raina protested
"What did you do to Garrett? Ever since you injected him with that drug he's been psychotic. Now he's dead and I don't even know what to do now. My orders were to be a mole under his command to bring down him, his entire operation and cripple the Separatist military. I accomplished none of those things and I lost the one person who brought me into Shield...Victoria Hand. Because of you I'm lost with no purpose! Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now!" Ward screamed
"You're not lost. You're free. Garrett wasn't meant for this life because he wasn't meant for what's next. There's an evolution coming. A birth of unique individuals with special gifts more special than the Avengers or the Jedi. Garrett saw it but he wasn't meant to participate. This entire Clone War is a smoke screen...a facade from what the Force is trying to reveal. The Jedi are too stubborn and too blind to see it." Raina explained
Ward started laughing, "Don't tell me you're buying into that jibberish about the Force."
"You trained Skye and taught her what it takes to be a Shield Agent. Well sort of. Before Shield Skye was in the Jedi Order and she had a unique connection to the Force. I know because I was once apart of the Jedi Order. Skye and I have the potential to become something more. Something greater than if we remained members of the Jedi Order. Her father knows more and I was going to convince Garrett to allow me to take Skye to her father instead of Count Dooku to reveal the hidden truth about the Clone Wars being a falsehood."
"That doesn't make sense. You work for Count Dooku and he leads the Seperatist government and is commanding his leuitenants of the Separatist military to participate in the Clone Wars." Ward argued
"A means to an end. My true employer is Skye's father and he wants Skye back. Shield took her from him as soon as they learned Skye's father made a deal with Dooku to get her back from the Jedi Order. Shield found out about it and convinced Master Yoda to erase her memories and move her across different orphanages to hide Skye from him." Raina said
"So what? You want me to pretend to be loyal to Dooku along side you? To get Skye to her father? How am I supposed to do that? She detests me and thinks I'm a monster. But I'm not a monster and I'm done doing things that make me a monster." Ward said gritting his teeth in anger
Raina laughed, "Of course you're not a monster. You behaved like one because Agent Hand taught you to to do that. But you have to realize Skye is being molded by Coulson to be someone she's not. The only way Skye discovers her true self is if you bring her to her father. That's your purpose. Skye needs to fulfill her destiny to make the world a better place and you'll play a big part in that. In a better world you two could be a couple again."
Ward had a conflicted look on his face while Raina had a devilish grin.
"Come on Ward. We need to escape Ryloth before those heartbroken Clones show up again. Mistress Ventress is going to meet us at Brazil/Felucia for our next assignment. Someone with your piloting skills should get us there in half the time."
Chapter 30: A New Shield
Summary:
Coulson is the Director of a new version of Shield.
Chapter Text
"Stupid, stupid, stupid and cruel and very stupid!" Coulson shouted
"How elegant Agent Coulson. I suppose you were an English teacher in your life before you joined Shield." Obi Wan joked
"I don't have time for your sarcasm Kenobi." Coulson replied
"Kenobi let the man vent." Fury said
Fury was sitting down while Coulson paced throughout his office. Obi Wan and May stood in between the two men. May as usual choosing to remain silent but listening very carefully.
"Stupid!" Coulson shouted
"Ok you've made your point." Fury said holding up his hand to calm Coulson down
"Why did you bring me back in the first place! Clearly I didn't think it was the best idea because all the test subjects injected with GH325 lost their minds!"
Coulson yelled
"May is on top of the situation and she said you're fine." Fury said gesturing at May
May nodded her head to reassure Coulson.
"Master Yoda didn't sense anything wrong with you and he tends to pick up on persons or things that could be potentially dangerous...most of the time." Obi Wan added
"I figured you of all people would have a problem with this. Anakin told me that you are the strictest Jedi in the Order and the most reluctant to the idea of Shield working with the Jedi."
"Well a devastating global war with a terrorist organization led by my master's master would definitely be the thing that would change my mind. It's not like Anakin hasn't had a history of exaggerating my actions to dramatic effect." Obi Wan sarcastically replied
"Kenobi has a point and we didn't just use GH325 for no reason. Think of it as a break glass in case of emergency option."
"But sir the emergency was supposed to be in the event an Avenger was injured or killed!"
"Exactly." Fury said leaning towards Coulson
Coulson stared shocked at what Fury was implying with his words.
"I'm very glad I did it too," Fury said firmly and he continued, "When you want to build something you want a strong foundation. You know I don't trust many people Coulson."
"You can only count them on one hand." Coulson replied
"And I'm not afraid to cut off fingers. The principle that Shield was founded upon was pure."
"Protection." May replied
"Protection. Unfortunately Shield has lost its way. The Jedi fortunately are still whole and are still motivated by that one word. It's why I allowed Master Kenobi to sit in on this conversation."
"Contrary to my reputation when it's required I am capable of breaking the rules." Obi Wan added
"Exactly. I may know jack squat about the Force but I do know Kenobi, May, you and myself believe in protecting one man or all mankind."
"Because they're all worth saving." Coulson added
"That truth lives inside you Coulson. Before Shield was torn apart it was a lot of moving parts. You were Shield's heart but now you'll be the head." Fury said holding a small black cube in front of Coulson
Coulson reached out and grabbed it staring at it in wonder.
"What is it?" Coulson asked
"Toolbox. So you can build Shield back up." Fury explained
"You're choosing me to rebuild Shield?" Coulson asked in awe
"From scratch. Take your time and do it right. May you'll still watch his back?" Fury asked
"Of course." May said
"Obi Wan. Can I count on you as a Jedi High Council member to do your best to keep United Republic military intelligence off Coulson's back."
"I'll try my best but I can't make any promises." Obi Wan replied
"Good enough for me. I'll be disappearing off the grid."
Fury turned to leave the office but Coulson stopped him.
"How should I proceed? Where do I start?" Coulson asked
"That's up to you...Director." Fury holding out his hand
Coulson shook his hand and the two men smiled.
****
"Wow so you're the boss now. I mean not of our team but all of Shield." Ahsoka said
"Ha, ha Ahsoka my SO has a higher rank than your SO." Skye teased
"Actually May is going to be your SO. Though she's my 2nd in command so she still outranks Anakin." Coulson said with a mischievous grin
"Actually Anakin is a member of the Avengers so he outranks May." Ahsoka boasted
"May was the 1st Shield Agent Fury asked to join the Avengers. The only reason he selected Natasha Romanov in her place was because May refused to do field missions after her mission in Bahrain." Coulson explained
"That's the mission where May got her nickname the Calvary. So instead of Black Widow, the Calvary would have been an Avenger." Skye said with an approving nod
"Just remember not to call May the Calvary. Her training sessions are brutal enough and calling her the Calvary would make them worse." Coulson warned
"So does that mean me and my Master can train with Skye and May? Please?" Ahsoka asked
"Did you not hear me warn you that May's training sessions are brutal?" Coulson replied
"I know. But I wanna see my master fight May without the Force and his lightsaber."
"Now you're just wishing Anakin suffers a humiliating defeat when he's been a very good mentor towards you Ahsoka. He told me about what you did on Ryloth/Algeria? He was very proud of you."
"Really? Wow that's awesome! So what's next for our team? I can't wait for the next mission. I wanna take out more Separatist droids!" Ahsoka asked
"I'll let everyone know in the morning. Though with Fitz still recovering from his injuries our group is smaller but as long as we stick together we will help the United Republic end the Clone Wars. For now I need to talk to Skye alone." Coulson said
"Ok. Good night Skye. Good night Coulson."
Ahsoka smiled and waved at them as she left Coulson's office to go to her quarters.
"Good night." Coulson and Skye replied
"Skye I have a lead on where your father could be. R2 was tracing Ward's droid AD-3. He traced Ward to Felucia/Brazil. It's a world the United Republic failed to take from the Separatist."
"Meaning he's using the Separatist to get to my father. Ward thinks doing that is going to make up for all the horrible things he did to us. It's why he helped me rescue Ace at the compound on Ryloth/Algeria."
"We need to keep an eye on him. I've been interrogating Agent Hand to get a full picture of what's going in Ward's head. He's erratic and unpredictable but he genuinely cares about you."
"So what? He's a piece of garbage."
"I get it. I don't like Ward either but we need to be prepared for him to do whatever it takes to get to your father. But...whatever happens we'll face it together and we'll learn what the Jedi Order tried to hide from you." Coulson promised
Skye hugged Coulson and Coulson after being surprised for a moment hugged Skye.
"I'm sorry Sir. I just...thank you for believing in me. You believed in me when no one else would. I'm so grateful you helped me to get this far."
"You welcome Skye. Believe it or not you've helped all of us on the Bus. Especially Ahsoka. She looks up to you like a big sister. I know together we'll get through this."
Coulson mind started playing flashes of images. Clones killing Jedi, buildings on fire and Avengers fighting each other and random people with powers, people who weren't human but Inhuman.
"Coulson are you ok?"
"What...oh yeah I'm fine. I'm just tired. Good night Skye."
When Coulson closed the door. He started rambling about the Force and the Clone Wars being a lie and evolution just like Garrett did. Apparently the GH325 chemical that brought Coulson to life caused him to experience negative side effects just like Garrett and the previous test subjects. He and May needed to find a cure before the symptoms got worse. If Coulson succumbed to madness and insanity than Shield would never be rebuilt and the Seperatist would gain an advantage in the Clone Wars.
GodOfWar23 on Chapter 1 Tue 17 Jan 2023 06:12AM UTC
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NaldMoney on Chapter 1 Tue 17 Jan 2023 02:17PM UTC
Last Edited Tue 17 Jan 2023 02:18PM UTC
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bella705803 on Chapter 1 Tue 17 Jan 2023 07:13AM UTC
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NaldMoney on Chapter 1 Tue 17 Jan 2023 02:17PM UTC
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miniaturesketches on Chapter 1 Thu 28 Mar 2024 03:31PM UTC
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NaldMoney on Chapter 1 Sat 13 Apr 2024 06:25PM UTC
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