Coronation Of Flame (A Marvel Fanfic)

Chapter 6: The Hub

Hi again! I'm just going to apologise for the weird updating thing that just happened. I could've sworn I published the last flashback last week. Clearly that didn't happen, so thesis going to be huge dump of chapters. Actually three, but you know what I'm saying.

Anyways, here's the sixth chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: The Hub

If someone told me that I of all people could get into the Hub, I would've grabbed the nearest beverage and become a public fountain. However, here I was, walking down the halls of the S.H.I.E.L.D facility.

This was insane.

The team and I walked in a horizontal line as if in a music video. "Didn't realise your big brother was this big," Skye wondered, gazing at the polished cream floors and the pillars which were part concrete, part frosted glass. Simmons chuckled, hair loose around her navy sweater, on the right of which was an embroidered rose. "Wait till you see the Triskelion."

"The Triskelion?" I asked, turning over to Fitz beside me. "It's like S.H.I.E.L.D HQ."

Skye turned to Simmons, looking particularly badass in an army jacket, canvas shirt & skinny jeans. Maybe I was brushing off on her. The team approached a table, retrieving a bunch of electric blue lanyards.

"Do I get one?" Skye inquired, asking the same question I was about to ask. "That's your badge," Coulson gestured to Skye's bracelet, "Means you've got a long way to even make Level 1." I jumped between them, "What about me?"

"You just started; you've got as far as Skye. Depends on May," he informed, essentially signing my death warrant. If May was my judge, then Skye would beat me no matter what. "On May?" I repeated, throwing a small glance back at the Cavalry, who grinned.

Coulson smiled, "Don't worry, she's impressed with you. She'll come through. She always does." I fell back in line, still listening in, because reasons.

"Does it also mean no access to any computers here? I could run a search on the S.H.I.E.L.D file on my parents," Skye suggested. It seemed these 'reasons' proved useful; I knew Skye's reasons for staying were complicated, but now it made sense. "Skye," Coulson warned. But she pressed on, "But I just- seems like the place they'd keep them, right?"

"Well, get to it, but right now we have more pressing matters," he answered, leaving her in the dust for...oh crap. "Agent Sitwell," Coulson greeted.

Why me? Sitwell was HYDRA!

Standing still, I let Ward and May pass by so I would be next to Fitz-Simmons at the back. I knew that HYDRA members could be trusted, but I couldn't run the risk of Sitwell's expressions giving me away.

"Agent Coulson. Good to see you're feeling better. Agent Hand's waiting for you in the Situation room," Sitwell answered, shaking his hand and directing us, light glinting on his bald head.

"And she doesn't like to wait," Coulson stated, approaching a door with an expensive looking sensor. "You know her?" Sitwell asked; he still hadn't seen me yet, and I prayed it stayed that way- until I could get him alone.

"Only her reputation. After you," Coulson remarked, stopping by the sensor.

Simmons stood by the doorframe, awestruck, "Victoria Hand..." Fitz finished her sentence, mouth open in wonder, "Is here." The team all walked through the scanner, but Skye's bracelet was drawn to it like a magnet, releasing a dull alarm. "Is this your subtle way of saying I can't come?"

With a fatherly grin, Coulson answered, "We'll be back."

"I'll wait with Skye," I offered once Fitz-Simmons left us, looking back at Skye with a wink. She only grumbled in response, "I don't think it likes me."