Hearing Skye's explanation, Quinn pondered for a moment before asking, "Why would they send you on such a secret mission?"
Skye smiled and replied, "Because S.H.I.E.L.D. can't break international laws—they had no choice. But I prefer having multiple choices."
…
Meanwhile-
Coulson, Killer Bee, and Ward arrived in front of a laser grid. A sign in front of them read: "Warning: No Entry. Deadly Radiation."
Staring at the seemingly empty space, Killer Bee threw a shuriken.
"Zzz..."
The yellow laser grid appeared with a buzzing sound, instantly vaporizing the shuriken.
Seeing this, Killer Bee exclaimed, "Whoa, that's some serious power!"
Coulson frowned slightly, and Ward nodded, "The patrol will be here soon."
Suddenly, May's voice came through their earpieces: "Skye is offline. I repeat, we've lost audio and biometric monitoring."
Upon hearing this, Ward immediately said, "We can't abandon her, but if something goes wrong with her..."
Before Ward could finish, Coulson cut him off, "She's still our only chance to save Dr. Hall. We're the only ones who can get them out."
Killer Bee, taking out a kunai, said, "Maybe I can give it another shot."
He infused the kunai with lightning chakra, causing it to crackle with electricity.
To Ward and Coulson's surprise, the lightning-infused kunai began to resist the laser grid instead of disintegrating like the previous shuriken. Sparks flew as the lightning and laser clashed.
Excited, Coulson and Ward shared hopeful glances, thinking they might have found a way through.
But then:
"Crack!"
"Boom!"
The kunai cracked and shattered, falling onto the laser grid where it was instantly vaporized. Killer Bee quickly pulled his hand back.
Seeing the shattered and vaporized kunai, the hope faded from Coulson and Ward's faces. Another attempt had failed.
Killer Bee shook his head, "The kunai's material wasn't strong enough. If we had chakra metal, we could probably break through this laser grid."
He added, "The twin swords I carry weren't forged with chakra metal."
Hearing Killer Bee mention chakra metal, Coulson suddenly recalled something Yakushi Kabuto had once said.
Kabuto had mentioned that vibranium was comparable to chakra metal in properties, and that both primary and secondary adamantium alloys closely matched the quality of chakra metals.
Coulson shook his head, "We don't have the chance now, but next time I can request some secondary adamantium alloy—it might help you."
Killer Bee looked intrigued, "Secondary adamantium?"
Coulson explained, "It's a material very similar to chakra metal. If you had a blade made of it, you could probably break through this barrier."
Killer Bee's eyes lit up. For a swordsman, having a high-quality blade was a tremendous advantage.
"That's a deal, then."
Just then, the sound of a patrol squad approaching reached their ears. A team was heading toward Killer Bee and the others.
…
On the other side-
Skye sat on the couch, looking at Quinn. "So you're saying they're recruiting me because I'm a threat to them?"
"Exactly, and you fit their profile."
Hearing this, Skye frowned, puzzled. "Profile?"
"That's right! You're a criminal, with people out there looking to capture you."
Skye shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe."
Quinn continued, "And you've got skills."
Skye chuckled, "I was going to be modest, but I guess that failed."
But Quinn pressed on, "And no family."
Those last four words wiped the smile off Skye's face instantly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to hit a sore spot, but that's their specialty," Quinn continued.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. preys on your fear, loneliness, and desperation, offering a sanctuary to those with nowhere else to go."
"I can offer you something better."
Skye remained silent for a long time, turning her face away from him, no longer meeting his gaze.
…
Meanwhile-
Killer Bee moved in a flash, rushing forward. To Ward and Coulson, he looked like a bolt of lightning as he swiftly took down the entire patrol squad in seconds.
Staring at the three fallen bodies and the blood slowly pooling on the ground, Ward muttered, "That was so fast... I didn't even see what happened."
Coulson pointed to his eyes, explaining, "He ran forward and used his kunai to slice their throats."
"Thanks to my physical enhancement, I could follow his movements, but even I had trouble keeping up."
Ward blinked, a look of envy crossing his face.
"Shame the Director didn't put me on the list for the injection. I hope they can replicate the formula back at HQ."
But this was all an act from Ward. He had already received the physical enhancement injection long ago. Whatever Coulson could see, Ward could as well.
If the Director offered another dose, Ward would have to find a way to switch it out, as a second injection with a different serum could lead to death.
After all, he used a product from the Sand Village's puppet shop.
Coulson walked over to the fallen patrol, pulling out one of their pistols and trying to cock it. However, the action wasn't as smooth as he had hoped.
"Damn, I might be a bit rusty."
Ward came over, took the pistol from Coulson's hand, and casually tossed it into the laser grid, where it was instantly destroyed.
Coulson tapped his earpiece and asked the team in the command center, "Everyone, time is running short. Have you been able to reach Skye?"
…
Back in the office-
Quinn sat in front of Skye, continuing his pitch to recruit her.
"Join us. No secrets, no lies, no hidden agendas. You can live freely, without worrying about someone constantly watching you."
"But first, you need to tell me—why did S.H.I.E.L.D. send you here?"
Skye looked at Quinn sitting beside her and, in a playful tone, said, "Wow."
As she reached into her bag and pulled out a compact mirror, she added, "They asked me to find a way to get inside."
Opening the compact, the mirror showed a red light.
Quinn asked, "And then?"
The red light turned blue. Skye pretended to check her reflection, touching the corner of her eye, and smiled at Quinn.
"Throw in a wink to get you talking," she said, before closing the compact and placing it on the table.