Fitz finally uncovered information about the strange device resembling a miniature gyroscope. He projected the details onto the large screen and began his explanation:
"Gravitonium is an extremely rare element with a very high atomic number. It's also the core component of this device, which is so rare that most people don't believe it exists, let alone the theory associated with it—where an isolated positive charge can reverse isotropic properties of..."
Skye interrupted, "Guys, I dropped out of high school. How does this thing work?"
Simmons clarified, "Gravitonium disrupts its own internal gravitational field, forming an unstable, amorphous shape. When an electrical current is applied, it solidifies, and its gravitational fields erupt outwards, randomly altering the surrounding gravity."
"That's what caused the scene of the accident—why the truck and the convoy were thrown into the air."
"And years ago, a genius published a paper on gravitronium and its various potential applications."
Skye caught on and said, "Dr. Franklin Hall."
Fitz nodded, "Exactly. Dr. Hall and Ian Quinn were classmates at Cambridge."
Killer Bee thought to himself, a device that can randomly alter gravity around it? If you could control its direction and force, it would be similar to the Iwagakure ninjas' secret light weight jutsu.
The technology in this world is certainly advanced. The only question is—how expensive would it be?
At this moment, Skye shared her thoughts, "Maybe Coulson got it wrong. Quinn is widely known as a philanthropist. His charitable donations amount to around eight billion dollars."
Simmons added, "Yeah, money he made by exploiting Earth's resources. Looks like he's onto something new."
…
Meanwhile, elsewhere-
Dr. Hall was looking at the miniature gravitronium in his hand. Beside him, Quinn said,
"Twenty years, twelve mines, six continents. But I finally found it."
Seeing Hall's gaze, Quinn smiled, "And now, we're going to have some fun with it."
Hall replied, "Do you remember when we talked about this on Orchard Street? We mentioned how dangerous it was—extremely dangerous?"
"Everything powerful is dangerous," Quinn replied.
Hall nodded in agreement.
"I'm not going to persuade you with more talk of 50% ownership or a Nobel Prize," Quinn continued.
"No, you don't want any of that."
"You just need to see it for yourself."
With that, Quinn tapped a few buttons on the monitor in front of him, and a window opened, revealing a massive gravitronium device.
It was a twelve-foot-diameter behemoth—much larger than the 2.5-centimeter miniature gravitronium in Hall's hand.
"I built a large generator, but I need you to teach me how to control the gravitational field."
"You can finish the work of your lifetime, whether you choose to help or not—I'm going to do it. But I know you. I know you'll want it to work correctly."
Hall looked at the miniature gravitronium in his hand and then at the massive device outside the window. After a moment, he nodded.
Seeing Hall agree, Quinn smiled and said, "Now, you should be thanking me."
…
Onboard the Airbus jet-
Coulson walked over with Ward, and once everyone had gathered, Coulson began speaking:
"Dr. Hall has been kidnapped. We're going to rescue him."
Ward chimed in, "We've confirmed there are only two ways to get into Quinn's compound. One is using a full SHIELD assault team, with enough personnel, we could break through."
"The other way is sending someone in as a mole. He has surrounded the place with a neodymium laser fence."
"The strength of the laser grid is such that even with your enhanced physique, Coulson, there's no way you could survive going through it."
Coulson shook his head, "They won't allow an assault team into Malta. Plus, Quinn International is hosting its annual shareholder meeting this weekend. If we go in full force, we might spark global outrage, and we can't afford that."
Killer Bee, curious, asked, "How high is this laser grid? If it's not too tall, I could jump over it—might even carry two people with me."
Ward immediately pulled up the specs of the neodymium laser grid and responded, "It's not just a grid. It's more of a laser dome. All sides, including the sky, are sealed off. The only way in is underground."
Killer Bee shook his head in disappointment, "Too bad I don't know any earth-style jutsu. Otherwise, I could sneak in underground."
May then spoke up, "Seems like we'll need a mole."
Ward considered it for a moment and said, "Drop me outside Valletta, I could spend a few weeks building a cover and gathering intel."
Coulson shook his head, "Hall doesn't have that long."
Simmons added, "Just a reminder, any SHIELD agent captured on Maltese soil can be legally executed..."
"And it would be completely lawful."
Fitz nodded in agreement, "That's right."
At that moment, Skye, who had been fiddling with her phone, suddenly spoke up, "I can get in. I won't get executed."
Ward glanced over at her and said, "Skye, we're talking about serious business here."
Coulson interrupted, "Wait, Skye, go on."
Skye explained, "I'm not a SHIELD agent. Going in wouldn't violate any stupid laws."
Simmons corrected her, "International law."
Ward then added, "This isn't some Rising Tide operation you can just hack into, Skye."
Fitz followed up, "Didn't you hear me mention the lethal lasers? If we can't shut down the grid..."
Skye interrupted, "You guys said earlier if we had a mole, we could get in."
May looked at her and asked, "You want to be the mole?"
Skye continued, "Fitz and Simmons clearly like this guy, and he really does need help."
"They're probably torturing him as we speak."
She then jokingly looked at Ward, "Or worse, forcing him to do some kind of physical training."
Ward, who caught the joke aimed at him, responded, "But you don't have the clearance or the experience to go undercover."
Killer Bee, noticing the skepticism surrounding Skye, thought the team dynamics were a bit strange, but he could also understand their concerns.
"Maybe we should at least hear her plan. She might have a good idea."
With Killer Bee defending Skye, the rest of the team turned their attention back to her.
Skye then revealed her trump card, holding it up for everyone to see: " I have an invitation."
"Well, technically, it's an electronic invitation."