The Before [Prequel- Part 1]

Deke

~~~Catherine's pov~~~

"What did you guys find on your trawler run?" I asked Phil and Mack as we entered Grill's workshop the next day.

"Some radio. We're going to try to get a signal during break."

"Great. I'll join you." I nodded, getting to work on sorting the rocks because it's just so important.

"New girl!" I heard Grill yell from behind me.

I turned and subconsciously rolled my eyes. "I'm going as fast as I can."

"Doesn't matter. You're done."

I stopped moving, stunned. "May I ask why?" I tried hard not to make it sound like I was ungrateful because this was probably the best thing to happen all week.

"Someone took pity on you. They're taking over your shift."

I furrowed my brows. "Who?"

He didn't answer and went back to whatever he was doing.

I looked back to Mack, Phil, and Yo-Yo. "Did one of you guys..."

"No." Mack shook his head. "But maybe it's-"

"Nothing! No one." Phil said quickly.

"Phil, what do you know?" I asked, my gaze hardening.

"Nothing! I know nothing!" He went back to work. "You should probably leave before Grill gets mad."

"Fine, but we are talking about this later." I pointed at him as I walked out.

He knows more than he's letting on, but I don't want to scan his mind. I trust he'll tell me the truth eventually.

Immediately after exiting the workshop, I ran into Tess.

"Hey, Catherine. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in there with the others?" She looked past me and gestured to the door about twenty feet behind us.

"You'll never believe it. Grill let me go."

"What? Why?" She furrowed her brows, confused.

"He said someone volunteered to take my place." I shrugged. "He didn't tell me who, though."

"That's strange. Anyway, today's my day off, so I can show you around. Help you blend in." She offered.

"That would be great. Thanks." I smiled gratefully.

We were walking over to the Exchange when I remembered something.

"Have you seen Daisy?" I asked, and she stopped walking to turn around and face me.

"No, why? Is she missing?"

I nodded. "Yes. Well, sort of... She was supposed to find Jemma with Loki but went solo when Deke tried to stop them."

She groaned, running a hand over her face. "Of course he did! I don't know why I'm so surprised!"

"If you don't mind me asking, why is Deke so..." I paused, searching for the right word.

"Overly cautious?"

"Yeah."

She rubbed the back of her neck. "I... For you to understand, you'd need to know his background."

"So, tell me."

"Okay, but it's a sad story. Deke lost his parents when he was five. He doesn't remember them. They were killed when the Kree took over. That's all he knows."

"When did the Kree take over, exactly?" I questioned.

I was trying to build my own timeline of events to try to figure out how and why the Earth cracked apart. And more importantly, if we could stop it.