I'm Grant Ward

Chapter 117: Weapon Overkill

Snow fell heavily as the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter streaked across the icy Siberian sky. Inside, Coulson, May, and Ward sat silently, focused on the mission. They were about to raid a heavily guarded prison to rescue a secret agent. The tension was palpable, but at the same time, there was a familiarity in the air. Rescue missions were nothing new to any of them, but there was always the element of surprise that could complicate things.

"We're getting close," May said from the pilot's seat, her voice steady as the outlines of the shadowy facility appeared on the snowy horizon.

Coulson adjusted his gear and looked at Ward.

"Are you sure this is going to be simple?" he asked, his tone a mix of caution and confidence in what Ward had planned.

"Yes," Ward replied calmly. "The security structure of this prison is based on a pattern I've seen before on another mission." If we follow the plan, we can get the agent out before they know it.

May maneuvered the helicopter into a quick landing position while the trio prepared for insertion.

They stepped out of the helicopter onto a snow-covered field and moved quickly toward the facility. The prison was heavily guarded, but the S.H.I.E.L.D. team was well equipped and prepared. Using stealth and silencer devices, they took out guards with surgical precision. Ward, as usual, led the infiltration with almost military efficiency.

As they approached the agent's cell, Coulson checked his watch.

"We have to be quick. They'll notice the guards' lack of communication any minute."

Ward used a security door release device, and within seconds the cell opened. The agent, weakened and scarred from interrogation, looked at them with a mixture of relief and surprise.

"I thought you'd never get out of here," the man said with a weak smile.

— We're here now — May replied, helping the agent to his feet. — Let's get out before they realize what's going on.

With the agent safe, they left the prison, moving quickly along the routes Ward had previously mapped out. There were no alarms, no direct confrontation — the extraction was clean, as Ward had promised.

In the helicopter, as they returned to the base, the mood was one of relief, but curiosity took over.

— Okay, now that he's safe, who is this guy, anyway? — Skye asked as soon as everyone gathered at the HQ. She didn't hide her frustration. — And why is he so important?

Simmons and Fitz, sitting in the back of the room, also seemed interested, but maintained their professionalism. May, on the other hand, upon hearing the question, looked at Coulson, understanding that this was something bigger.

Coulson sighed, visibly uncomfortable with having to deal with the secret.

"It's Level 8 information," he said, his tone clear and firm.

Fitz, Simmons, and May nodded. They knew that when Coulson said that, it meant that the matter was not open for discussion.

"Okay, no more questions," Fitz said reluctantly.

However, Skye, ever the curious investigator, did not give up so easily.

"Level 8? What does that really mean? Why can't we know?" she pressed, crossing her arms.

Ward, who had been silent until then, approached, his voice firm but not confrontational.

"Skye, not all information can be shared. There are secrets that, if revealed, could compromise the entire organization. And trust me, you do not want to be on the front lines when that happens."

Ward's answer was enough to make Skye back off. She still didn't look convinced, but she knew when to stop asking.

A few hours later, the team arrived at the Hub, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most secret and important facilities. The place was imposing, with long corridors and cutting-edge technology everywhere. The base leader, Victoria Hand, one of the organization's most respected level 8 agents, was waiting for them for the next briefing.

As they approached the main control room, they were greeted by Agent Sitwell, who was there to ensure that everything followed protocol.

"Welcome back," Sitwell said, with his usual smile. "Hand wants to see you right away. She has an urgent mission. Coulson, Ward, have you met Agent Hand?"

"I haven't," Coulson replied, with his usual serenity.

"I have," Ward said. "I worked with her on some operations in the past. She was my handler."

The comment took Coulson by surprise, but he didn't ask any questions. Ward always seemed to have a more complex story than he let on.

Sitwell nodded, looking satisfied with the answer.

"Then the level 7 agents can attend the briefing as well. May, you can come in." Skye, Fitz, and Simmons, despite being curious, stayed behind, watching as the trio made their way to the meeting.

In the briefing room, Victoria Hand greeted them with a professional and cold attitude.

"We have a critical situation," she began, as a holographic projection appeared on the table. "A separatist group in South Ossetia has developed a weapon called Overkill. It uses sonic vibrations to remotely trigger other weapons anywhere in the world. If we do nothing, they will declare independence from Russia and Georgia within 24 hours."

Coulson, May, and Ward exchanged serious glances. Time was short, and the stakes were high.

"We need two agents to disable the device," Hand continued. "Time is of the essence. Who will volunteer?"

Before anyone could answer, Ward stepped forward.

"I will volunteer," he said confidently. "I've been to South Ossetia when I was with DEVGRU. I know the terrain and the separatist groups."

Hand looked at Ward, considering for a moment, before nodding.

"Very well. We'll need someone to disable the device." Fitz, you will be the mission technician.

Fitz, still in the hallway with Skye and Simmons, was called into the room. Surprised, he entered cautiously, but with determination. The responsibility that had just been placed upon him was immense.

"Understood," Fitz said, with firm determination in his voice. "We will be ready to go in 10 minutes."

Hand ended the briefing with a final warning.

"You have 24 hours. If you fail, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Ward and Fitz quickly prepared for the mission. As they equipped themselves with thermal suits and advanced devices, Coulson watched them.

"Be careful out there," he said, placing his hand on Ward's shoulder. "This will not be an easy mission."

"It never is," Ward replied with a wry smile.

While May checked the infiltration equipment, Fitz adjusted his bomb disposal kit.

"I don't know how they managed to build something so advanced," Fitz commented, fiddling with his devices. —But if there's a way to deactivate it, I'll find it.

Ward nodded, fully trusting the young scientist's abilities.