Tracing the Webs

Chapter 6

"SHIELD 616 with new orders, set for Colorado Air Field, north."

616, huh? Technically, this is Earth-199999, but it was referencing the comic universe.

Is it a reference if it's real?

"Come on, rookie. Get ready," Ward said as they moved away from the punching bag.

Ward had been training both of them to be field agents. He was pleased with how Gwen had been doing so far. She mentioned taking self-defense classes and he could see it. She had some muscle on her and she seemed to have been a very active person. She didn't get as tired after a workout as Skye did.

But he could see where she lacked technique and finesse. He had her focusing on precision and technique training rather than strength.

"Right," Gwen responded, "let's go."

Gwen watched as the team discussed how to handle Ian Quinn in Malta.

After Fitz's brilliant idea of having a monkey go in, Gwen instead focused on Skye, who was on her phone.

"I could go in," Skye offered.

No one seemed to hear her.

Skye repeated herself and the team questioned her.

"I got an invitation. Two, actually," Skye stated as she looked at Gwen.

That was not what I was expecting to hear. Two? I'm going in?

"Technically they're evites."

"Do it again," Ward demanded as he trained the two of them on what to do when held at gunpoint.

Gwen did it again and again, and thought that she could do it in her sleep by now.

"You shouldn't even be going in, Gwen. You're not a member of the rising tide and you're not combat-cleared."

Ward hadn't shut up about his thoughts on the plan, but he trained them anyway.

"We're the only ones who can go in, and having two of us is better than having Skye go in by herself," Gwen said matter-of-factly.

"You're just a kid."

Raising an eyebrow, Gwen questioned, "what age did you enter the Academy at?"

Ward signed and lowered the fake gun he was pointing at her. "That's different. No one sees combat or goes on an active mission until they've graduated. You're not even 20."

"We'll be fine, and I'm not letting Skye go in alone."

Ward growled in frustration. He turned to look at Skye who was sitting and drinking water on the side. "You're not against this?"

Skye just shook her head in resignation. "Gwen may look young but she's capable. She survived on the streets by herself before she started living with me."

Ward turned back to Gwen, "you were homeless?"

"Well, when you're a legal adult with no money or prior experience, the shelter is the only place I could think to go. And it wasn't for all that long," Gwen replied and motioned for Ward to raise the fake gun again, but he didn't move.

"Where did you come from, Gwen? Why don't you have any records? Do you know that you practically don't exist? Skye at least has an online presence."

Gwen just looked down and paused before answering. "I don't want to talk about it right now. Maybe later. Okay?"

She motioned again for him to restart the training, and he looked at her again. Then he raised the gun.

Gwen got out on the other side of the car than Skye. She was wearing a light blue dress with lacy sleeves.