Split or String

Chapter 2

            “Sif and her guest have arrived. Meet us on the main deck,” the link crackled. “You’re going to want to see this.”

 

            Agent Hand was accustomed to being the tallest woman in the room; in fact, she was often the tallest person. Her height aided her demand for respect even from higher level agents. Combined with her strict demeanor and firm voice, Victoria was a rule-enforcer and proud of it. She could look in the face of anything, be it threat or failed mission, and still press on. Nothing shook her confidence because she was founded upon regulation and her own determination.

            But for once in her life, Victoria Hand was intimidated. As she stood next to Diana Price, she knew she had met someone stronger than herself. Not physically, of course. Physical strength had never been much of a factor to the woman with the red streak. There was an exceptional fortitude required to command a room, and the strange woman before her possessed it. Lady Sif’s guest introduced herself as Diana of Themyscira, an Amazon warrior princess. And she was undoubtedly from another universe. She stood eye-level with Sif and Hand, who was not at all surprised when Sif mentioned Diana was also a goddess.

            “So what brings you here?” Agent Hill asked after the formalities finished.

            “This is the fourth world I’ve visited. The bridge in your sky stretches across many dimensions, including my own,” Diana began. “Lady Sif’s galaxy was where I arrived first when entering this universe.”

            “Yes, the bridge here is also in Asgard, and we believe it is more powerful than the Bifrost,” Sif confirmed. “There are many meetings across the nine realms. I volunteered to visit Earth because Asgard trusts that SHIELD understands the enormity of the situation.”

            “Well, I assure you that SHIELD is investigating,” Agent Hill answered. “And what is your purpose here?” She directed the question to Diana.

            “The protectors of my galaxy have dispersed across the Bridge to aid any realm that needs it. The profligate responsible is not even aware of the rift he created,” Diana responded.

            “You know about Doom?” Agent Hand .

            “Yes, Doctor Doom is what I believe he calls himself. He was in the second dimension I visited. We observed him from a distance to assess how we should engage him. He is brilliant even by our standards. But, he doesn’t know the magnitude of his actions,” she continued.

            Just then, Agents 13 and Simmons entered. They were both taken aback by Lady Sif and Princess Diana. Although Simmons had met Sif before, being in the presence of both warrior goddesses with their visible might and dazzling armour was an experience.

            “Diana, this is one of our best agents, Agent 13,” Hand introduced them. “And this is Agent Simmons. Sif, you must remember Jemma.”

            “Yes, it is good to see you again, Agent. May told me about your team, and I am sorry for your loss,” Sif said.

            “Well, we aren’t sure it’s a loss yet,” Melinda voiced firmly.

            “Right,” Agent Hill spoke. “Can we talk more about Doctor Doom? I have some executives who are eager to learn more about him.”

            “Yes, of course. That is my objective,” Diana assured. Hill nodded and turned from the group as she activated her comlink.

            “I need an immediate connection with Pepper Potts at Stark Industries and Director Fury at the Triskelion,” she ordered.

            “Ma’am, Director Fury is unavailable at the moment,” a crackling voice responded over the computer speaker. “But I will open a line to Stark Industries.”

            “Why is the director unavailable, Agent?!” Hill demanded, suddenly concerned as thoughts of another disappearance filled the room.

            “Barton reported with news of Coulson and his team. He and Black Widow left an hour ago to follow up,” the corresponding agent stated.

            There was a stressed pause on deck as Maria heard these words. In that moment, Jemma gasped. May glanced in that direction as her own heart picked up pace. Hand was the first among them to gather herself.

            “We’ll find more about that later, Maria. We need to discuss Doom right now,” Victoria’s voice was tight with anxiety, but just as stern as ever.

            “Send me as much information as you have on Fury and Coulson, Agent,” Maria said finally.

            “Copy that. Line is secure to Stark Industries. Ms. Potts is waiting for you,” he replied.

            “Thank-you,” Hill switched the communication line to Pepper and the video screen appeared once more. “May, take 13 and Simmons to the lab and wait for the requested intel.” Hill ordered without turning around. Agent May left the deck without a word with Jemma and 13 on her tail.

            The corridors and ladders to the research deck could not have seemed longer. Melinda struggled to keep herself from breaking into a sprint down the metal halls of the spaceship. The only thing that held her back were the painfully unaware agents that bumbled past. Their only concerns were their remedial jobs, and May did not have time for their oblivion. She climbed the ladder to the second level, her boots hitting each run with a clang, in step with the clamouring of her heart.

            “Do you think they’re alive?” Jemma voiced both of their thoughts. She was slightly out of breath trying to keep up with May’s pace as they hurried down the next hall. Just before Melinda could answer, a massive thud shuddered the battle carrier, knocking the agents against the wall. A warning siren blared and the once-meandering agents ran to their respective duty stations. A squad of fighter troops thundered past them as Agent 13 put her hand to her ear. Her comlink was activated, and Agent Hand urgently commanded that she and May investigate the disturbance.

            “I want field agents out there, not just a crew of Level 5s,” Victoria explained.

            “Copy that,” Agent 13 replied as she helped Jemma to her feet with her free hand. “May, we need to take care of this business. Simmons, you can go ahead—“

            “No, I’ll come with you,” Jemma looked at May. “I don’t want to receive any kind of news without you.”

            May nodded and they headed back down the passageway.