Split or String

Chapter 1

            Everyone looked at Jemma, having quite forgotten she was there. No one objected to her speaking.

            “I think it should be clear that we don’t know what Particle M067 is,” she began. “We don’t know if the radar is picking up a person or simply the particle’s signature.”

            “What do you mean, Simmons?” Pepper implored.

            “Well, think of it as a lightening bolt. When the event happened, there is a chance that the signatures we are reading are just places where lightening struck. I mean, it is important to gather samples. But, there is also the possibility that these are places where others are,” she paused on the word.

            “But either way, our sensors for Particle M067 will pick it up,” Maria conceded.

            “Exactly,” Jemma continued. “Think of it as searching for pixie dust. You are either going to find a fairy or the trail of a fairy.”

            “Thank-you, Agent. That is very helpful,” Pepper said as she wrote on a notepad.

            “I’ll be sure to let the team know,” Victoria nodded.

            Jemma stepped back, and Agent 13 gave her a pat on the back.

            “I think that concludes this call, Maria,” Pepper said.

            “Yes, we both have our work cut out for us,” Maria agreed.

            “When this is all over, we should take a vacation.” Pepper proposed.

            “Only if Tony’s paying.” Maria smiled.

            Pepper chuckled.

            “One more thing,” Natalia started. “You should know that Fury sent Barton out with a team of agents two weeks ago. They were headed to Coulson’s last known location. We haven’t stopped looking. I will let you know as soon as there is news.”

            “Thank-you, Natalia,” Maria responded.

            “See you in a month,” Pepper reached forward and flipped off the video.

            The spinning SHIELD eagle appeared on the screen and it was quiet on deck.

            “Do you think he will find anything?” May asked finally.

            Hill sighed deeply and looked at the ground.

            “I hope they don’t call him ‘Hawkeye’ for nothing,” Hand adjusted her glasses.

            “We need to prepare for Sif and her guest,” Hill changed the subject. She began giving orders and told the flight crew about the incoming shuttle. She didn’t want to think about Coulson and his broken team. There was nothing she could do to help them now except to do her job, and do it well.

            “Thanks,” Jemma said. She stood with Agent 13 at a computer.

            “No problem. You should share what you know more often. We need more people with minds like yours. Especially in this situation,” Agent 13 gave her another pat on the back.

            During the briefing, Agent 13 and Jemma were able to talk some. It was Agent 13 who encouraged her to mention the information about Particle M067. Agent 13 listened to what she had to say, and Jemma appreciated that. She was easily jaded by the higher level agents. She had never worked with anyone else on the battle carrier, except May. But even May was distant. It was nice to finally feel like she had a friend. She glanced over at the agent who leaned against the wall. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, blending in with her white SHIELD uniform, as her blue eyes scanned the lab.

            “So why are you a number?” Jemma promptly.

            “Because I prefer it,” Agent 13 replied nonchalantly.

            Jemma nodded, although she wanted to inquire further. Agent 13 sensed this and chuckled.

            “My last name has a lot of weight around SHIELD, so I just prefer not to use it,” she continued.

            “Are you a Fury?” Jemma guessed. Agent 13 smiled.

            “No, I’m a Carter.”

            Jemma’s eyes widened and she gasped.

            “See? Now you understand why I use a number.”

            “Sorry,” Jemma gathered herself. “How are you—“

            “Related? Peggy Carter was my aunt.”

            “That’s quite amazing, you know,” Jemma stated.

            “Yes, I know,” Agent 13 agreed. “So tell me more about this Particle M067.”

            “Well, it’s a new element that appeared on our planet after the Event. Its atomic make-up is very similar to gravitonium, but its behavior mimics the way light waves move. It’s like a colloidal emulsion of light and iron,” Jemma explained. She moved the to the table in the center of the lab and pulled up a holographic image.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before. Our earth certainly couldn’t produce such an element naturally,” Jemma continued. “When Fitz first sent me a picture of the substance, it looked like yellow tree pollen. So, that made me wonder if our atmosphere – specifically the troposphere, since it contains more water vapor – affects its natural form.”

“So does it?” Agent 13 inquired.

“Yes,” Jemma zoomed in on the molecule with her fingers. “After Fitz sent the sample, I was able to observe the particle here. When they meet a damp environment, the atoms dry out, so to speak. Which is why it became more dusty instead of the gelatin-like substance that we see her.”

She moved to the counter on the left side of the room and pulled out the small sample tube.

“Fitz said it reminded him of the pesto and mayonnaise I use on his favorite sandwich,” Jemma sighed. “But this sample is all I have left for now. I wasn’t able to get anymore after—well, I’m still waiting for more.”

Agent 13 watched the young scientist put away the sample and return to her lab work on the hologram. The way Jemma channeled her pain into her work impressed Agent 13. A sign of a good agent is putting the mission first. She felt sympathetic to Jemma, and also responsible for her. Agent 13 wondered if this was where she could truly be useful. Right now, there was no need for her skills as a specialist, but her days at the Human Resources desk could finally prove their worth. Maybe investing in Jemma and mentoring her was the best thing for both of them.

“So is there anything I can help you with?” Agent 13 walked to Jemma’s side at the table.

“Sure,” Jemma smiled and handed her a pile of lab work.