Cadet [Wattys 2016]

Genetics

Sci-Tech, Monday morning

Simmons and I leave our first class with a mountain of homework. Luckily, we've also got the rest of the day off. It's been about two months since I joined SHIELD. About a week or so ago, I travelled to England to say goodbye to my brother. Things have been going well. I haven't forgotten my promise, and have been sending him all the non-classified pictures I can.

"An essay on the organic properties of bones, presentation on genetics, and another essay on how to properly treat a bullet wound. All due Friday. Ugh." I sigh. Simmons and I are partners on the genetics project.

"Welcome to the real world, Rosie." Fitz walks up behind us. I laugh. "Still much better than what I was doing."

"Which was?" Simmons asks. "Studying the basic levels of organization." I say. All of us make a face. Easy stuff.

We drop off our genetics project materials in Jemma's room, and head to lunch. "Okay so properties of bones. They're made of living tissue. They create more tissue. They have carbon. They store calcium. And I've got nothing else." I say. "That should be good." Jemma says. "Just make sure to include that they're made of carbon especially. How is Operations going?"

"It's fine. Hard, but fine. Last week, I made bullseye shots, and lasted more than a half hour in the weekly paintball tournament." I reply. Fitz laughs. "Paintball?"

"Every week on Friday morning." I smile. "Everyone gets a mini paintball gun and we get to tear the place up. I feel truly sorry for whoever has to clean that mess up." Jemma and Fitz nod in agreement. "I wonder who's idea that was." Jemma says.

"Probably Barton or Romanoff." I reply. I'm greeted with blank stares. "Right. Not so famous over here. They're top agents. Legends over at Operations."

After lunch, we head back to Jemma's room to get started on that genetics project. I pull up PowerPoint on my laptop, and begin transferring our notes. We've already planned this whole project out. "Do you have any friends at Operations?" Jemma asks.

"Nah." I reply. "It's super competitive over there. Not a lot of room for friends. Besides, I'm usually training almost all day over there. I don't mind." Jemma nods. "I'm finished transferring these. Any suggestions on graphics?" I say, handing Jemma the computer. She messes around with a couple of pictures. "That should work." She says. "It looks great."

I smile. Things are going great. I've finally found a place to call home.