Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 33.0 - Maximov?

Carter...

The voice- familiar from their previous conversations -echoed in her mind.

Carter...open your eyes...

Its accented speech was soft, welcoming Carter out of her slumber.

But she knew that the world was out there...she could feel that pressure, the waves upon waves waiting to hit her.

You're close, show me where you are...

The voice called again, urging her to take in her surroundings.

"You're just in time, our guests are about to arrive..." The dark, matter-of-fact voice spoke from above her.

Her last grip on sleep severed, and she let out a shuddering gasp as waves crashed into her.

She finally opened her eyes and noticed the darkness around her.

But the waves came slower than usual, they were fewer and weaker. The world seemed less cramped than it normally was.

"Where are we?" Carter asked, finding her voice after a few moments.

"Not New York, that's for sure..." Ultron responded vaguely.

Carter almost had the strength to roll her eyes but instead, she looked around, taking in what seemed to be a ruined cathedral as her eyes quickly adjusted to the dark.

Lower population, and it's the middle of the night...Carter mused, deciding to be grateful for both those facts as it may be a while before she can get her E.A.R.S.

As if he could read her mind, Ultron spoke again.

"I should apologize for the incident back in New York, the frequency of your- what did he name them..." He trailed off, thinking for a moment, "E.A.R.S., right, the irony is lost on no one," He chuckled to himself.

"Anyways, that frequency was irritating, so I had to adjust it. Causing you pain was not my intention, though it did get everyone's attention quite efficiently..." He paused, "Ah, time to greet our new friends,"

Carter looked around but saw nothing. After a brief moment of hesitation, she closed her eyes again and reached towards that bond at the back of her mind.

She felt a presence at the other end.

It was almost like she could reach out and touch them, they were so close.

...Carter, can you hear me?

The voice echoed, weary, but urgent.

Yes, you're close, where are we?

Hang on, we'll find you-

She heard a gasp, out loud, and her eyes snapped open.

They were met with the glowing, red eyes of Wanda Maximov, who stood beside her twin brother in one of the crumbled doorways.

Carter knew her own eyes glowed amber, and she felt herself slip into that link.

Suddenly she was feeling her, her fears and concerns. Deeper she found...anger...injustice...

In the blink of an eye, she was out, and they were both gasping for breath- Wanda less-so.

"How fascinating..." Ultron mused, facing away from the twins.

The two jumped when they heard his voice, unaware that there had been another presence in the room.

Wanda finally looked away from Carter, and to the dais where he sat.