I'm Grant Ward

Chapter 130: The California Trap

The team was gathered in the Shuttle's control room, the sound of monitors and keys echoing softly in the background. Coulson approached the panel as images of one of the super soldiers' brother, Laura, appeared on the monitor. She was the key to discovering Po and Raina's location.

"Laura gave us a clue," Coulson said, pointing to the map that showed the location of a warehouse in a remote area of ​​California. "Apparently, that's where they're hiding the super soldiers and preparing for their next attack."

"It seems suspicious that they would give us that information so easily," Ward observed, crossing his arms and frowning. "It could be a trap."

"That's not out of the question," Coulson replied. "But if it's our only lead, we need to check it out. The priority is to find Raina and Po, and stop these super soldiers before they do more damage."

May, who was standing next to Coulson, nodded silently. Skye, looking at the map, was typing some coordinates into the navigation system.

"I'm going to prepare the Shuttle for us to leave," May said, already moving towards the cockpit.

Ward, although visibly worried, took a deep breath.

"If it's a trap, we have to be ready for anything." Mike Peterson, who was nearby, heard every word. His face was tense, and he knew that this mission would not be easy. He knew that Po and Raina were relentless, and the idea of ​​facing more super soldiers made him apprehensive, but determined.

"I'm ready," he said firmly, crossing his arms. "I need to solve this. If I can help prevent more destruction, I'll do whatever it takes." Coulson put a hand on Mike's shoulder.

"I know you're ready, Mike. But remember one thing: you haven't seen your son since you got back. This fight isn't worth it if you can't get back to him." Mike nodded, recognizing the truth in Coulson's words.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll do whatever it takes to get back."

Hours later, the Shuttle landed near the warehouse, a dusty, abandoned industrial structure at first glance. The silence in the air was unsettling. There was no sign of movement, but the team was on high alert. Coulson, Ward, May, Mike, Fitz, and Simmons cautiously advanced along the perimeter.

"It's too quiet," May commented, scanning the surroundings with her watchful eyes. "I don't like it."

Ward, beside her, checked his weapons.

"Neither do I. Something's wrong."

When they finally reached the warehouse, they saw that the place was empty. No super soldiers, no sign of Raina or Po. It was a cavernous, dark space, lit only by the dim light that entered through the broken windows.

"They knew we were coming," Ward said, examining the room carefully. "This is a trap."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the structure. The floor began to vibrate slightly, and a heavy door opened at the back of the warehouse. From there, the super soldiers emerged, imposing and ready to attack. Fast as ever, they launched themselves at the team.

"Watch out!" Coulson shouted, drawing his weapon as the first soldier charged at them.

Ward was the first to react, moving with precision as he fired at the super soldiers. However, the regular bullets barely tickled them. He quickly changed his approach, pulling out one of the devices Fitz had developed to temporarily disable the soldiers' enhanced muscles.

"Use the paralysis devices!" Ward ordered as he threw the first device at one of the soldiers, making him fall to the ground, temporarily immobilized.

May and Mike fought side by side. Mike, using his superhuman strength, managed to face the soldiers on equal terms, but it soon became clear that the number of enemies was overwhelming him. One of the super soldiers threw him against a wall brutally. Mike tried to get up, but his strength was quickly running out.

"Mike, get out of there!" Coulson shouted, realizing that Mike was in trouble.

But Mike didn't back down. He kept fighting, even when the odds were against him. With one last effort, he took down two super soldiers, but the effort was too much. He fell to his knees, panting, almost exhausted.

At that moment, Coulson realized something. Mike hadn't seen his son since he started training at the SHIELD academy. He couldn't let Mike fall now.

"Mike, call your son," Coulson said urgently, pulling Mike to a safer spot while Ward and May dealt with the remaining super soldiers.

Mike, panting and struggling to concentrate, pulled out his phone. He dialed the number of Ace, his son, but instead of hearing his voice, he heard something that chilled him to the core.

"Hello, Mike," Raina's soft, calculating voice said. "Ace is with me. If you want to see him again, you're going to have to cooperate."

Mike froze. Coulson's face hardened, knowing that Raina had just played her cruelest card yet.

"What do you want, Raina?" Mike asked, his voice filled with desperation.

"A trade," she replied calmly. "Ace for Coulson. Meet me at the coordinates I'll send you. Don't delay, Mike, or you might not see him again."

Mike looked at Coulson, his eyes desperate. Coulson nodded, accepting the situation.

"We have to do this, Mike," he said, placing a hand on Mike's shoulder. "Let's plan this right."

Fitz and Simmons quickly implanted a tracker on Mike, hoping that during the trade, they could track the exact location of Raina and the super soldiers.

"We'll bring him back," Simmons said, adjusting the device.

The trade was scheduled for a secluded bridge surrounded by mountains. Mike arrived with Coulson, his heart pounding. On the other side of the bridge, Raina stood with Ace, holding him tightly. Edison Po and a few super soldiers stood beside her, ready to act if anything went wrong.

"Here we are, Mike," Raina said with a cold smile. "Now, make the trade."

Mike handed Ace to Coulson, trying not to let his emotions get the better of him. He knew this was the only chance to save his son. Once Ace was safely in Coulson's arms, Mike ran back to face Raina and rescue Coulson.

But at that moment, a thunderous explosion shook the bridge. The foundations shook, and a series of explosions tore the structure apart, collapsing with devastating force. Mike disappeared into the smoke and rubble, while Raina escaped in a helicopter that flew away.

Ward, injured in the impact, tried to get up while screaming for Coulson.

"Coulson! Mike!"

But when the dust settled, all that was left was destruction. Coulson had been captured, and Mike was presumed dead, buried under the rubble of the bridge. The crew looked at the wreckage in horror, aware that the consequences of this mission were only just beginning.

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