Split or String

Chapter 1

            “Simmons, I’m so glad you joined us,” Maria smiled.

            “Couldn’t sleep, ma’am,” Jemma shrugged. “Plus, I would much rather be working.”

            “Well, I appreciate your help,” she turned back to the map on the table. “Especially since you are one of the few who are helping.”

            “I’m sure the other researchers are doing the best they can,” Jemma defended her fellow scientists.

            “I’m sure they are,” Maria muttered under her breath as she pulled up a keyboard. 

            Just then, a technician ran up the short stair case from the lower deck.

            “Agent Hill, Ms. Potts and Agent Romanoff are sending a transmission. Grant data transfer request?”

            “Yes,” Hill typed quickly, and the map was replaced with a screen. The spinning SHIELD logo in the center disappeared as the video connected, and Pepper Potts materialized.

            “Maria, it’s good to see you are well. Who are the agents with you?” Pepper began. White letters on the wall behind her proudly spelled out Stark Industries. The pen behind Pepper’s blonde hair jostled as she adjusted the files on her desk.

            “Same to you, Pepper. This is Agent Simmons and Agent May,” she gestured to them. “They are from Coulson’s team.”

            “I take it they are the only ones remaining,” Natalia Romanoff’s red hair bounced as she sat down next to Pepper.

            May clenched her jaw at the notion of Coulson being pulseless.

Hill cleared her throat. “Yes, that seems to be the case. “

“But we have every reason to believe the rest of their team is alive.”

            Everyone turned to see Agent Victoria Hand standing on deck.

            “I’m glad to see I didn’t miss what appears to be an important meeting,” she continued as she approached the table. Simmons took a step back as Hand walked briskly past her.

            “It’s always nice to see you, Victoria,” Maria nodded as she stood next to her. “Did Agent 13 join you?”

            “Yes, I’m right here,” Agent 13 had quietly entered, letting her counterpart interrupt and take the room’s attention. She planted herself next to Jemma and stayed there. Jemma tried to make herself as small as possible, given all the high level agents in the room. She shifted on her feet as Agent 13 stationed herself beside her. Agent 13 noticed her anxiety and gave her a quick smile.

            “Don’t worry, I don’t bite,” Agent 13 whispered. “And I don’t tattle.” She winked. Jemma smiled back.

            “Glad you both made it,” Maria turned back to the screen. “Let’s get back to work. Pepper, what does it look like down there on Earth?”

            “Well, as you know, it’s been four months to the day since the event. Local and international news call it ‘The Rift’. People around Stark Industries call it ‘The Bridge’. Last time we spoke, we confirmed that our universe is, in fact, connected to at least fifteen other parallel universes,” Pepper sighed. “At least, that’s fifteen we know of. Did you receive the catalog?”

            “Yes, I reviewed it last night,” Maria replied.

            “So far, we haven’t had contact with anyone from other—.”