Universal Chaos

Chapter 7

The others gathered back around the table shortly. Sutton was still seated while they stood and talked, but she was too stripped of energy to try and prove anything by standing at the moment. Conversation grew more focused as they debated again on what was going on and how to react.

Natasha stood with her arms crossed as she contemplated.

"So, the question is: who in SHIELD could launch a domestic missile strike?"
Steve didn't even hesitate.

"Pierce."

"Who happens to be sitting on top of the most secure building in the world."

Sutton had no idea who Pierce was. Outside of the late Director Fury, Rumlow, and Axel she'd had very little run-ins with SHIELD agents. But this guy had to be more than an agent if he had that sort of power. He most likely was on a similar tier with Fury. As hard as that was to imagine.

Steve shook his head then, something obviously coming to mind.

"But he's not working alone, Zola's algorithm was on the Lemurian Star."
"So was Jasper Sitwell."

Her face twisted as she tried to recall who Sitwell was. And then she let out an outraged scoff.

"The bald one with the glasses?" They nodded and her face grew stormier. "He worked with Coulson," she said. "In the short mov- nevermind. I just never thought-"

There was a moment of quiet and then Steve shook his head.

"So the real question is: how do the three most wanted people in Washington kidnap a SHIELD officer in broad daylight?"
Sutton jerked in her seat.

"Wait, me-"

"The answer is, you don't."

Sam moved forward and dropped a file on the table. It landed in front of her and Sutton just eyed it as Steve reached down in front of her to pick it up.

"What's this?"

"Call it a resume."

He'd been on a mission that even Nat had heard about. His partner hadn't made it out of that operation. Nat tilted her head as she drew her attention from his portfolio and up to Sam.

"I heard they couldn't bring in the choppers because of the RPGs. What did you use, a stealth chute?"
"No." Sam handed another file over. "These."

Sutton squeezed out of her seat and stood on tip-toes next to Steve to see what was in the file. It was some sort of suit. Like a jetpack, but with wings instead of jets. They looked pretty cool actually. She tugged at the end of her braid as familiarity struck her again.

She knew he was someone. Tyrese had always been into the comic books more than she had. He'd mentioned a superhero that'd he'd liked because the hero had looked like him.

Now what was his name?

"I can't ask you to do this," Steve said. Sutton pulled out of her musing and started listening again. "You got out for a good reason."

Sam wasn't deterred. She might even say he was excited.

"Dude, Captain America needs my help. There's no better reason to get back in."

Wings, thought Sutton.

"It has to be bird themed."

"What?"

Her head shot up as Nat looked at her oddly and Sutton gave a sheepish grin.

"Sorry. Thinking out loud. I just, I know I know him and- Oh! Falcon!"