Zephyr One was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s next-generation airborne command center and rapid response hub, designed and built by Leopold Fitz to replace the old Bus. It had been his graduation project at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. Back then, the Bus was already approaching retirement, and the Helicarrier was another product of that same requirement.
The project had started before the Hydra uprising, but construction hadn't been completed at the time, and Coulson's team lacked the resources to finish it. Now, the craft was fully operational and performing admirably. Like the Bus, it could dock with a Quinjet, but thanks to its larger size, bigger fuel tanks, and more powerful jet engines, Zephyr One could remain airborne for days. It also possessed formidable counter-surveillance capabilities—not only invisible to radar, but also able to disappear from visual detection. That was why Wanda Maximoff and Robbie Reyes hadn't seen the massive aircraft land near South Ridge Prison, and why they ran straight into Melinda May, Phil Coulson, Fitz, and Mike.
"You really don't want to make a move, Ms. Maximoff," Coulson broke the ice first, stepping forward as the negotiator. "Fitz and Mike told me about your mission. I think we can finish this part together."
"No problem by me," Robbie Reyes muttered, brows furrowed, his fingers turning his keychain with a restless click-click.
To get to South Ridge Prison, he had blown through at least five red lights, taken shortcuts that were barely passable, and nearly run over a dog. When Wanda told him Lucy Bauer might try to get revenge on Uncle Morrow, Robbie had floored it. Right now, if someone touched his engine, they'd end up in the hospital with severe burns. The entire trip, Wanda had been quietly wondering if he was going to transform into the Ghost Rider mid-drive and set the whole car on fire. Honestly, that constant anxiety was exhausting. By the time she stepped out of the car, she was already wearing several layers of magical wards against fire, plus a primed short-range teleport spell. And now, if anyone tried to stop Robbie from seeing his uncle, there was a very real chance he'd go up in flames. This time, Wanda had no intention of putting him out—the last time she did, Robbie had spent a week in the hospital, and there was still a pile of insurance claims, police warrants, and missing person reports to deal with.
"Then let's head in together?" Coulson gestured, inviting Wanda to walk beside him. Even though there were only two of them, he was sure that everyone here combined still wouldn't be able to take them down. Never mind the new Ghost Rider—he'd seen the last one fight. And this witch, trained by Solomon, had played no small role in the Sokovia incident. Rumor had it she could rip Ultron drones apart with ease.
Melinda May's nickname might be "The Cavalry," but she was still no machine.
"I have some questions for you, Ms. Maximoff," Coulson said quietly as they passed the prison gates. "About your mission… and about Solomon. I want to know what's really going on here. I'm certain he wouldn't have just sent you out like this."
"If you run into Agent Coulson, warn him to stay away from that book. If he doesn't listen, then take him out—unless he wants a repeat of the Book of Eibon incident." Wanda had no intention of lowering her voice. The moment she spoke, the team walking behind them stiffened. Melinda May even went for her gun. That made the earlier fist bump between Mike and Robbie suddenly awkward—especially for Mike, who absolutely didn't want a fight breaking out here.
"That's the advice I was given. Before I left, he already foresaw all of this." She glanced back at Coulson and raised an eyebrow. "Never underestimate a prophet. I've read the file on clairvoyant John Garrett. My teacher is much better than that idiot. We don't have time to waste—you go in through official channels, Robbie and I—"
"—Wait!" Coulson raised a hand as if in surrender. He didn't know exactly what Solomon had taught Wanda Maximoff, but for a moment, it felt like he was negotiating with the Solomon from years ago—the young (adorable, honest, kind) man with a soft heart behind the tough talk.
"If Lucy Bauer's been here, she might have left a few lunatics behind—people capable of warping the prison staff's perception, making them think everyone is the enemy," he said. "Agent May was one of the victims not long ago. On the way here, we got a batch of stabilizing serum Fitz developed. I suggest you take a couple of doses, just in case."
He produced two small hypodermic injectors, each filled with a clear liquid.
"I'm sure you can get them past security. And if you don't mind, wear an earpiece so we can coordinate. Our opponent isn't just any ordinary person."
Lucy Bauer had indeed been to South Ridge Prison, forcing the Eternal City to send in multiple agents to contain the aftermath. Coulson was already prepared for the worst, but he definitely didn't want to be chased through the halls by every prison guard. Once Lucy discovered her abilities, she never passed up a chance to cause trouble. Not only guards—every inmate she'd touched was under her influence. Coulson and May had to physically subdue several guards before spotting another spectral figure on the surveillance feeds—a fellow researcher who had also died in the energy lab accident.
Wanda and Robbie approached the prison from the east, near Cell Block E, converging on Elias Morrow's cell from the opposite side of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team entering from the warden's office.
Robbie Reyes really didn't want his uncle to see him as the Ghost Rider, but Lucy Bauer wouldn't let an opportunity slip. She flung open the cell doors, releasing every prisoner she'd touched. The hallucination-driven felons surged toward the witch and the Ghost Rider in the corridor. At first, Wanda hesitated to use lethal spells, but Robbie had no such reservations—he wrapped his flaming chain around Lucy's spectral partner, burning the spirit into nothing but dust, then spun the chain to keep the inmates at bay. But neither his burning eyes nor the sight of men reduced to ash stopped the mob's advance. Even as Wanda and Robbie neared Elias Morrow's cell, the convicts refused to retreat.
"Robert, you—" Elias Morrow's cell door was also open, but he couldn't believe what he was seeing. The scarlet energy swirling in Wanda Maximoff's hands, Robbie's blazing eyes and chain—none of it fit his understanding of reality. "What the hell is going on?"
"I'll explain later, Uncle Morrow." Those were Robbie Reyes's last words before transforming. He glanced once at Wanda and Elias, and then the fire burned through his skin, consuming flesh. The flaming chain seemed to come alive, snapping forward to ensnare a prisoner who had crossed the line.
After that, the prison held nothing but ash—bone dust deep enough to cover the tops of their boots.
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