An Interesting Alliance (ON HOLD)

Chapter VIII

  Percy

  "...This is how S.H.I.E.L.D. works...", before he can continue a carton box apppeared out of nowhere.

"What now?", I groaned, "what did the gods forget?"

"For your dyslexia... The gods", read Uncle Nick from a note that was attached to the package, "with a smiley face next to a sun wearing sunglasses and shoes with wings  on the ankle of the shoes... Whatever god this is is very mature" mumbled Fury sarcastically.

Reyna and I looked at each other and simultaneously said in a explanatory voice:

"Apollo and Hermes"

The director of S.H.I.E.L.D. ripped the package open with a knife (where did he get that?) and got out to bags. One black with a sea-green rim on top, the other also black but with a purple rim instead of green. No need to guess which is for whom. I grabbed mine and Reyna did the same with her. Inside there are glasses and lenses and a piece of paper. Reyna popped the lenses on while I put on my glasses. I took the paper and read without difficulties what was written on it:

"'It doesn't only help you with dyslexia, it also has different settings that you can figure it out on your own.' Very helpful".

"Never mind the glasses or lenses now. Let me explain to your friend here before your S.O. arrive", grumbled Uncle Nick annoyed. I just held up my hands in surrender.

"There are 10 levels of clearance, as well as Level Alpha Clearance. As agents move up from Level 1, they gain access to more information, and frequently, more power, though rank. An agent's clearance level is not based on how long they have been a part of the agency, but primarily on their performance.Clearance levels are used to keep order in our system. Clearance level 1 and 2 have the least access in S.H.I.E.L.D. and agents assigned to this level usually get job technical, maintenance, or secretarial jobs. If an agent has lost the trust of multiple agents for a serious matter, they can be reduced back to level 1.Agents with level 3 access usually get jobs in administration to sort files for S.H.I.E.L.D.For clearance level 4 and above, agents must be in good physical condition for hand to hand combat.Most level 5 agents are scientists, researchers and mechanics. This is usually the highest a rank a S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist can get.Level 6 agents mainly do espionage and combat. This level usually requires going into battles without full information on the mission.Clearance level 7 agents also specialize in espionage and combat, getting much more of information than most level 6 agents. Clearance level 8 gives agents more access to information that could risk the lives of agents in lower clearance levels.Level 9 Agents have access to most of the agency's files and generally hold a high rank. They will also know of high ranking projects, secrets and missions about SHIELD. The Level 9's know several important things connected to other agents in lower ranks. S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives in level 10, such as myself, have the most access to the world's most important files and secrets. These operatives hold the highest rank in the agency."

"Wow", muttered Reyna, "if it weren't for Athena's blessing we might have stayed all day explaining it to me. You said something about Level Alpha?"

"You noticed that", Nicky's eyebrows were raised in concealed appraising. Something I wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for the blessings or the fact that he raised me up. "I with Alexander Pierce who is also in the World's Security Council, are the only one in the Level Alpha clearance. We have access S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most secret and highly encrypted files."

Reyna nodded slowly, the information digesting itself in her brain.

"What is the World's Security Council?"

"The are the international group that makes sure that the world is safe through the help of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operatives," this time it was me who answered.

"Which level are we going to be? You said something about us being level 6...?" I asked.

"I would've put you on a higher level clearance, but only Maria Hill and Phil Coulson who are both level 9 agents know the fact that Percy is a half-blood therefore also knowing the fact that you are a half-blood too. And only a handful of people know that Percy is my goddaughter and they are sworn to secrecy. If anything, we just say that her mother, Sally Jackson, was an agent which is true".

Reyna raised an eyebrow at that but she kept her poker-face in check. She'll definitely ask me about that later.

"One more thing," continued Fury, "your S.O.'s will show you your rooms and they may know about your heritage if you want to share it with them".

We both nodded. Let's way for our S.O.  I wonder who they are...

Tell me what you think...