SHIELD Agent Eleanor Flint

Chapter 6

The incident involving all the SHIELD computer monitors calling us "LIARS" was at first a one time issue and nothing else eventful happened for a year. Aside from the many missions that a SHIELD Agent is assigned to, my life became repetitive with each mission that I went on. Nothing to spark interest happened until word got around that the infamous Tony Stark had gone missing in Afghanistan while on a weapons demonstration. 

This sparked everyone's interest and concern at SHIELD. Hearing that one of the founder's sons was in terrible, life-threatening danger was something that nobody wished to happen. This sparked my interest in hearing that one of my oldest friends' son had been put into life-threatening danger. At this point in time, SHIELD had no hand in aiding in his rescue. It was out of National Security and we were not authorized for foreign ops. The U.S could handle it until further notice. 

Now what is really eventful is when Stark's situation did become of interest to SHIELD protocol.

"There is no way that the terrorists' ammo dump accidentally exploded," Fury stated at the conference meeting. 

Tony Stark's story of how he escaped the Ten Rings was a little out of wack, then again, so is Tony Stark. Fury, as well as many others, had doubts about Tony Stark's miraculous escape. Which is why this meeting was called. 

"Actually, there is a way," I spoke up. "Though it's very unlikely." 

Clint guffawed then covered his mouth. Fury gave me a look and I shut my mouth. A few other agents looked as though they were going to crack as well, but they kept their composure. 

"Then, please, Flint," Fury began, "explain to me how the Ten Rings, a terrorist group who is not naive, ammo dump accidentally exploded and Tony Stark was able to escape after being held captive for almost three months." 

The agents all looked at me and I was ready to pull out the war veteran card. 

"As one can guess, working at an ammunition dump requires a lot of easy care and handling. But, it's filled with ammunition. That's a huge hazard. Any wrong movement during unloading, packing, and transfer of ammunition could set off an accident. I've seen some mishaps while I was a soldier, so it is quite common for an ammunition dump to accidentally explode. It's not impossible." 

The agents looked back at Fury for his reply. His hands were folded on the table as he stared at me. I could see the slightest smile pulling at his lips. 

"So, how did Stark escape such a detrimental explosion?" He asked. 

I hummed a laugh. "You do know that I escaped an exploding HYDRA base with a man in tights and a tortured soldier, right?" 

At this, Coulson smiled lightly and glanced at Fury who made his reply. 

"A genetically enhanced man and a Sergeant." 

"We had no idea what we were doing, it was probably just sheer luck," I said. "And, knowing Howard Stark personally, that's probably what happened to his son." 

A small laugh erupted from a few of the agents. I saw a twinkle in Fury's eye for second before his serious expression returned. The laughter subsided and I smiled, pleased with this friendly banter that eased the tension in the room. 

"Disregarding Flint's statements, I have come to suspect that it was not a miraculous escape," Fury continued. "It's a thousand to one chance, I'm debunking Flint." 

"That's fair." I shrugged. 

"There is a chance that the Ten Rings recruited him and sent him to the only place where he could have all the necessary equipment to make more weapons for them, his home."