Cadet [Wattys 2016]

SHIELD

Five Hours Later. Location? Classified apparently

I step off the helicopter, followed by Eye Patch, the woman, and the other man, whose names I still haven't learned. We've landed in the docking bay of an underground facility. I see an eagle logo painted on the wall.

"Woah." I breathe, looking around as we walk into another hallway. The place is buzzing with people in black suits and ear pieces, nodding to my companions. Some stop and look at me. Some stop in their tracks. Others just nod and keep walking.

We turn another corner and end up in an office. Eye Patch messes with some sort of table thing which pops up in a holographic computer screen. I jump back a bit. "Where'd you get that?" I ask excitedly. "That kind of tech isn't supposed to exist except in Sci-Fi!"

Eye Patch smiles. "Glad you asked." He turns to the man. "Guess we've got our answer." The man frowns a bit but doesn't say anything. Eye Patch turns back to me. "And to answer your question, Tony Stark."

"Iron Man?" I ask, frowning a bit. "Figured that was all a TV Sci-Fi movie I caught once."

Eye Patch shakes his head. "I'd arrange a meeting, but he hates being bothered." He man and woman all nod in a slightly annoyed agreement. "In the meantime, we can discuss your future."

"SHIELD has three fields: Science and Technology, Operations, and Communications." Eye Patch starts. "Technically, that's four." I point out. Eye Patch ignores my comment.

"The most obvious placement would, of course, be Science and Technology. You'd have the opportunity to work with some of the best minds out there. But you don't seem the kind of kid willing to stay in a lab all day, or sit on a radio either. You're an athlete. You're fast. You're strong. Operations might be a good fit." Eye Patch says. "Your call, Ms. Brynn."

"Please be Operations." The other two murmur. Eye Patch gives them a look.

"And if I want to do both?" I ask. Both would be a challenge, but I'm craving a challenge after being stuck at school for years.

"We could arrange something." Eye Patch says. "It's never been done before." The woman cuts in. "But it's possible." Eye Patch responds. "How about this. Operations for a week, then Sci-Tech for a week. If that doesn't work, we can mess with the schedule. Does that work?" He asks me.

I nod excitedly. Top scientists and learning to be a super spy? I'll take it. "When do I start?" I ask.

"Tomorrow." Eye Patch says. "Welcome to SHIELD, Ms. Brynn."