Under or Over: Hawkeye & Black Widow

CHAPTER #47

Barton already was working undercover as a waiter.  He couldn't even remember how many times he'd been in this type of disguise.  But working with Aaif, gave him access to people, who would have information on high up government officials and the like.  The few men that he felt could be potential leads, Barton put trackers on. These trackers also had bugs, so he could listen in on the wearer's conversations. That's one thing he loved about technology, that a tiny unit, could be so instrumental and take off days of foot work.  For the next few days he tracked and listened to conversations.  Bird often came in handy, as she had to translate the dialog to English.  Working as a waiter, also allowed him to pick-pocket cellphones and install the same tech in them.  Barton's instinct told him that he was getting closer to his true target.  Luck was with him and he found his target.  The tracker was switched to global and he reported in to Romanoff.

"I've found what you've been looking for," Clint said cryptically.

"Have you confirmed?" Natasha asked.

"Come on Nat, I'm not a newbie.  Of course I confirmed and re-confirmed.  Are you ready?" Clint asked.

"What do you think?  Don't come back in though, keep your eyes on the target. I don't trust technology as much as I trust your eyes."

He gave her his co-ordinates and then went to tail the Council member he'd found.  Barton didn't know how Romanoff planned on dumping her Director position, without alerting HYDRA to her dual status.  He also didn't know how she'd re-introduce Fury, but this is what those two were best at.  Barton was just glad that she hadn't sent him back to S.H.E.I.L.D.  He hoped they'd team up and find the rest of the Council. But he was given little time to think about his reunion with Romanoff.  The Council member he had found, realized he was being followed.

"Shit, you sneaky little..."  Clint swore as men with guns advanced on him.  

He remained calm, even as the men obviously were going to surround him.  With a grin, Barton sent four arrows into the sky at the same time.  On the bow his fingers found the button he needed, to trigger the arrow heads. As the four arrows fell from the sky, their heads exploded into multiple arrows.  When this rained down, the men around him fell down either dead or wounded.

"Thank's boys, I haven't tested that one yet."  Clint hit another button and the arrows retracted their heads.  This allowed them to mechanically return to his quiver.

He could still see his target, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got work to do."  He located Bird and jumped on the motorcycle.  "Remind me to thank Stark for that little invention of his," Clint said to Bird, once the helmet was on.

They pursued, but in stealth mode.  Romanoff had been right to have him continue tracking the Council member. Had his eyes not been on him, the man would have been lost when the tracking beacon was removed.  The target wasn't dumb, but he'd never encountered a man like Barton before.  Barton loved that Hawkeye was always underestimated by the Council, it gave him an advantage.  Lurking in the shadows, out of sight was the way he preferred to work.  Let Stark, Banner, Rogers and Thor stand in the lime light.

"Bird what's Romanoff's ETA?"

"She has re-introduced Fury as Director.  He has said she's a spy for HYDRA and of course she escaped, but was seen fleeing in a HYDRA jet.  She's on route to join all the HYDRA agents that went after Captain America.  Once she makes sure he's okay, then she'll be on her way here," Bird reported.

"Taking her sweet time as always," Clint joked.  Then he asked, "and that status of Banner's return?"

"Stark has made contact finally, but they still can't bring Banner back.  I can contact Jarvis to give you a full report."

Clint's expression soured, "never mind... those idiots!" He shook his head in disgust.  "Scientists and Geniuses, they're so smart and yet so stupid all at the same time."

"Sir you now sound like Agent Romanoff," Bird observed.

His grin returned, "was that a joke Bird?"

"No sir."

Barton laughed, this AI unit was getting as cheeky as Jarvis.  He liked it, machine or not, Bird was developing her own personality.  "Do we have any of that nanomite tracker stuff left?"

"One vial sir."

"I need to get close enough to spray him with it.  Those mites have trackers that can go through skin pores and don't wash off."

"But sir, if the target sweats a lot, they will be flushed out."

"One of the flaws of that spray, but it's a chance we'll have to take.  This guy is being extra cautious and I don't want to loose him.  Romanoff would have my balls."

Bird changed into jet form, as their target left his vehicle and went into a private jet.  "Sir the jet's tail colours, are those not HYDRA?"

"Yellow and green are, but not the blue... either it's a clever disguise or just a strange coincidence.  The plane has it's identification markers exposed.  Check it out," Clint said. 

Bird later reported that the current flight path requested by the jet they were following, would take them to Samarkand in Uzbekistan.  "Should I report this to S.H.E.I.L.D and Director Fury or just Romanoff?"

"Neither, both are surrounded by people I don't trust.  If Romanoff requests our location, you can give her the co-ordinates, but not Fury."

"Understood sir," Bird replied.

"Are there any other flights coming in at the same time as our target lands at the airport?" Clint asked.

"No sir."

"Damn it.  I need to get close to him.  When he lands you stay airborne over the whole airport and watch for his departure. I'll follow him by foot.  Will it be day or night for arrival?"

"Late sunset."

"See if you can hack into the flight tower and have his air clearance delayed.  The later it is the better for me."

"Yes sir."

Barton prepared his quiver and checked to see if the black diamond head was ready.  An idea formed in his mind and the more he thought about it the bigger his grin got.  Maybe they wouldn't need Romanoff to get the information out of the Council member.  If he was given the chance, he'd follow through on his plan.  If Romanoff arrived before he had the opportunity to put his plan into action, then he'd wait until they located the next member.