Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Arms Race

Chapter 1: Demonstration

"We shouldn't be here, Jess." Matt said as they climbed up a ladder into the higher floors of the unfinished apartment building.

The two friends stood in the middle of the fifth floor. Nothing but concrete floor, ceiling, and walls were done. Matthew was a young nineteen year old with black, wavy hair that was cut at neck length. His pale blue eyes stared with worry around the massive empty space and then back to his best friend who was twirling around the blank canvas of a building.

Jessica flashed an innocent smile as she slid over Matt grabbing his wrist with both hands. "Come one, live a little. Look!"

Her long, light brown hair flowed as she spun around, dragging her anxious friend to the window. Matt looked out the opening. Watching the cars rushing by, and the people scurrying about their lives was soothing.

A pair of arms hugged Matt from behind him. Jessica's bright smile poke out from over his shoulder. Her soft hair brushed his neck. He suddenly found it hard to breathe.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Jessica sighed.

Matt smiled. "It is."

Jessica was always the adventurous one, taking risks and getting them into trouble. Almost always worth it. To be honest, she was probably the best thing in his life. Especially now with the sun gently streaming into the window, reflecting off her tan skin.

On almost an impulse, Matt kissed Jessica's cheek. What he expected to be instant regret was more like a rush of satisfaction. His only regret was that he hadn't done it sooner. Then he realized Jessica's face. She was staring at him wide eyed and mouth open in shock.

Matt took a step away from her and out of the way of the window. "I'm sorry I just–"

Before he could finish his apology, Jessica had already closed the gap and was touching her warm lips to his. It felt natural, like it was always meant to be.

"Wait." Matt said, cutting off the moment.

"What's wrong?" Jessica questioned. "Was it too fast?"

"No, do you hear that? Something's buzzing."

Jessica heard it, too. A faint buzzing came from the opposite end of the area. A corner of the floor hummed with a dim purple glow coming from the source. The two young adults walked slowly toward the sound. Jessica had suggested they leave, but a curiosity in Matt seemed to push him forward. It was a small brown duffle bag. Inside was a black box with what looked like an LED light in the middle of it. The light pulsed in a slow, steady pattern.

"I don't like this, Matt." Jessica complained. "We should find someone."

"It's just a box, Jess. What's the worst–"

Flames burst in front of the box as it exploded with a bright purple flash, engulfing the entire room. The unearthly scream of the explosion rattled the building.

From the street, pedestrians screamed in terror as large chunks of debris fell from five stories up. Tires screeched and cars slammed into one another trying to dodge the concrete slabs.

A man watched from a shadowed alleyway, a phone pressed to his ear. His black trench coat helped him to blend in with the darkened view point. His twisted smile grew from the flames that climbed from the detonation point.

"Are you satisfied with our product?" The man asked.

The deep disguised voice answered from the other end of the call. "I am."

"Good. I'll be in touch when your request is complete."

"One more thing." said the demented voice. "I have a client who might benefit from your innovative thinking. They'd pay handsomely for your efforts."

The bomber's smile lowered into a softened grin. "I accept."

"Excellent. I will give you more information when our deal is made." The other end clicked and the line went dead.