You Called, I Answered (Salvatore Shield)

1.33 | Thunderbolt

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"Bruce Banner is a scientist who specializes in gamma radiation. While working on a project to recreate the super-soldier serum, he was exposed to dangerous amounts of gamma radiation, which turned him into a powerful and uncontrollable green beast he calls the Hulk."

After his eyes dart around at the other agents in the plane, MG's hand slowly raises in the air.

"What is it, MG?" Coulson turns his attention to the vampire.

MG asked, "Is it the same super-soldier serum that HYDRA tried to make in Germany? The one that burnt off their leader's face?"

Coulson's expressions hardened slightly at the mention of HYDRA. Agent Romanoff noticed, and she turned her gaze to the young vampire, "How do you know about HYDRA? That wasn't in the report we gave you."

MG shrugs nonchalantly, "Hope told us about it, and about the Nazi vampires."

Coulson's eyes turn to Hope, nodding as he realizes she knows more than he assumed. He turns back to MG to answer his question, "The serum isn't exactly the same as before. HYDRA's attempts at replicating the serum led to...well, the Red Skull. But Banner's work was focused on improving the serum, using gamma radiation to stabilize the formula."

"That clearly didn't go as planned," Lizzie mutters under her breath. She crosses her arms, leaning back in her seat as she continued, "So, what we're dealing with is a massive green version of a Nazi maniac? Perfect."

"Not exactly," Coulson continues, "Banner isn't the Red Skull. He's just a brilliant scientist who made a mistake."

Suddenly, the small trail of blood on the map that was used for the locator spell to find Banner stops moving, showing everyone where Bruce was hiding out.

Josie's eyebrows furrow in concern. "And what are we supposed to do if Banner loses control again?"

Coulson sighed, "Our mission isn't to fight him. We're here to locate Banner and extract him without triggering the Hulk. Ideally, we won't have to deal with that side of him at all."

"But what if we do?" Jed asked, not looking reassured at all.

"Then we do what we always do," Hope says, glancing between all of the agents, "We help him."

Josie meets her gaze, nodding her head in agreement as the plane began to descend, and everyone started to gear up, Coulson's agents in their usual uniforms, and Hope's agents in the uniforms designed by Lizzie.

The blonde looks around proudly at everyone in her designs, "At least if we die, we'll look really good."

While the comment did earn a few chuckles, the tension in the air remained palpable. Everyone knew this mission came with its own unique set of risks. And if they weren't careful, things could escalate very quickly.

The plane touched down smoothly on the outskirts of a remote, industrial area. As the SHIELD agents all got off the plane, they were met by a team of federal agents, all heavily armed and posted around the perimeter.

Their leader, Lieutenant General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, got out of an armored SUV, his posture stiff as he approached Coulson and the team.

Coulson adjusted his jacket as he stepped forward, Hope at his side. She was subtly scanning the area with her eyes, taking in the amount of agents, the amount of guns. The rest of the team followed only a step behind them.

"General Ross," Coulson greeted him with a professional nod and extended his hand.

Ross shook it, "Agent Coulson," his eyes then went to the girl at his side.

"This is Agent Hope Mikaelson," Coulson introduced her, watching as Hope stepped forward, her sharp eyes assessing Ross as she shook his hand. She didn't say a word, but there was something about her presence that even made Ross hesitate. Coulson continued, "She has expertise in locating high-priority targets under extreme circumstances. "

Ross didn't really seem convinced, but before he could voice his doubts, Coulson continued, "She's the one who tracked him to this area. We have a map." He pulled out the map they had used earlier for the locator spell, unfolding it on the hood of the nearest vehicle. "This has given us a rough idea of where Banner might be."

Ross glanced down at the map skeptical, "What is...?"

"We marked it with a red sharpie as we tracked him," Kaleb quickly said, knowing the Lieutenant General was looking at the blood trail.

Ross still questioned them, looking back at Coulson before uttering sarcastically, "And you're basing this on...what? Magic?"

Coulson exchanged a brief look with Hope before he replied, "Let's just say we have access to resources that go beyond conventional methods."

Ross gave them both an unimpressed look, "Well you're unconventional methods only gave us a 5 block radius. We have no idea which building this guy is hiding out in."

"She'll find him," Coulson said surely, "I can guarantee it."

Ross glanced once more at Hope, still clearly not trusting in her abilities. With a gruff sigh, he stepped back, motioning to his men, but Coulson stopped him.

"We don't need to upset Banner with a ton of men with guns and armor. SHIELD will handle this case from here."

"Who is SHIELD?"

"We are," Hope replied. And Coulson gestured for the SHIELD agents to carry on with their tracking, while Ross shot Coulson and Hope an incredulous look.

Ross shook his head, contemplating it. His team was getting nowhere with tracking before Coulson contacted them with this location. He is running out of options trying to find this guy. So he sighs, "You have one hour, Coulson."

"That's more than enough," Hope replied, her eyes narrowing on the distant industrial buildings. She stepped away from the group, breathing in deeply as she concentrated, allowing her heightened supernatural senses to take over. The faintest trace of Banner's scent lingered in the air, and that was enough. She turned back to the group, nodding once to Coulson, who grinned at Ross, "She only needs 30."

As Coulson began to follow after Hope and the SHIELD team, Ross called after them, "Wait, she's unarmed!"

Coulson smirked, not bothering to turn back, "Oh, trust me, she's armed."

~~~~~