Split or String

Chapter 2

            “What happened to them, Jemma?” she asked gently.

            Jemma sighed and turned back to the hologram table.

“Well, after the Event, Hand called our team to this battle carrier where she and Hill were stationed. A lot of things happened, as I’m sure you’re well aware, but what we focused on was the energy spikes across North America.” As Jemma spoke, she busied her hands with work for it was the only way she could stay calm. “Specifically, our mission was in Colorado to investigate one of these spikes. I stayed behind to receive and process data as we found it. Fitz and I could work faster that way.”

“Why did May stay behind?” Agent 13 asked.

“Oh, she didn’t actually. She is the one who brought me the particle sample.”

“So they disappeared after she left?”

“Not exactly. They didn’t just suddenly disappear,” Jemma sighed. “They were attacked first. They were in the middle of the forest, and Fitz was using his drones to survey the site. Agent May accompanied the sample back to the battle carrier, and right after her shuttle took off, these mercenaries jumped down from the trees and started assaulting them. I wasn’t able to see much since Sleepy, the video drone through which I was watching, was smashed.”

“Did May return to help?”

“Yes, but it took time before we were able to get back down there because of the shuttle—“

“The shuttle’s auto-pilot. One-trip wonders, they are,” Agent 13 rolled her eyes. “So she didn’t go back until the shuttle came all the way back to the battle carrier.”

“Right.”

“And when she returned, there was nothing.”

“It was like they were never there,” Jemma sighed again and went back to examining the isotope count in front of her. Agent 13 stood up and walked the length of the room, her brow furrowed.

“The same thing happened to a team in Chile. Only, there was no intel on any bandits or whatever they were,” she said finally, turning to face Jemma.

“Well, we don’t have much on them either. Although they were wearing a lot of green,” Jemma recounted. “I didn’t know about the other teams.”

“I’m not surprised. Hand only commands so many regions, and with the way things have been lately, I wouldn’t be shocked if she didn’t know either,” Agent 13 paced in front of the table. “How many times have you visited the site?”

“Only once. But this carrier has made four shuttle trips. Agent May went alone once, then with Hill and Hand twice. I went on the last one.”

“And now Barton is looking.”

Jemma nodded. Agent 13 stopped pacing and stared at the wall. Her lips formed a hard line of concern as she ruminated on all the missing agents.

“I’m sorry to hear about your team,” Jemma said softly.

“They weren’t my team, but thank-you,” Agent 13 turned to face her. “My field work usually doesn’t involve anyone else. I just happened to be aboard the corresponding helicarrier when they disappeared. It caused quite a clamour when it occurred.”

            “I believe it,” Jemma declared flatly.

            “I’m sure we’ll find them soon,” Agent 13 used her comforting voice again. She wanted to say more but her comlink buzzed and Agent Hand’s voice filled her ear.