hacker | ic contact | checkingin

Clint? No, I haven't run into him yet.

[Which is a little funny because of the 'stuck in a hotel' thing.]

I couldn't help but notice your conversation with someone. I just wanted to check on you.

Right. That. Ex-agent, turned out to be HYDRA when the chips fell. I can handle Ward.

Hydra?

[See, Steve was thinking it was more an ex-boyfriend sort of thing. But then she had to go and use the 'h' word.]

Has he tried anything?

Not here. Not yet. He's gonna try to make himself useful. That's what he does. He used to be part of our team, me and Fitz. Now it's like he's got some psychotic delusion that everything can be like it was except his version of helpful is kidnapping me and dropping me off in the middle of HYDRA HQ to help them get alien tech.

He should have eyes on him at all times. Does he associate with anyone else?

IDK what contacts he's made here. Sorry. Not helpful, I know, but for a while, I thought he was just another ghost. I thought I took him out in San Juan.

It's understandable. Hydra has a pretty good track record of sneaking around under the radar.

Anything I should know about San Juan?

I don't know, something tells me underground alien city isn't quite up your alley of expertise. No offense. Just wouldn't blame you for wanting to skip this one. We stopped Whitehall and his goons from getting the tech; that's what matters.

Underground city? You mean they were here before New York?

Different aliens I think. i meant for that to sound reassuring but i'm not sure if that's more or less creepy actually

I guess it's good to know. I still had that whole Roswell thing on my list, but I was pretty sure that it was a hoax.

legit actually, but shield got all the real souvenirs out decades ago. nothing invadery, just some debris. unless ward was full of shit and was making that up to see if i'd believe him.

[ there's a reliable narrator. skye seems to realize this and stop her happy train of memories. ]

yeah on second thought probably a hoax.

Probably.

[He's still thinking about that though.]

I'm not sure what to tell Bucky. I'm don't think he'd take the news that there's ex-Hydra here that well.

[ Clearly Steve expects her to have context for who Bucky is. But there's a lag on her end as she tries to sort out why that is. Given that Metal Arm Guy is super familiar with him, around him all the time, and introduced himself as James ... ]

James? Cute nickname.

[ ... wait. She knows that name in relation to cap. Everyone does. His name's on the SHIELD memorial, in museums. ]

That's Bucky BARNES?

[Steve sighs at himself, massaging his forehead with a hand before he texts a reply. Secrets were never his strong point.]

I guess it makes sense that he'd introduce himself that way. He lost his memories at the hands of Hydra.

yeah and there's way more to the story than that because dude should be like 90 not a quasi-hot amputee. what gives?

Bucky was experimented on during the war. It's probably not the exact same serum that I've got, but it's close. Plus Hydra kept him in cryofreeze most of the time. They only brought him out for missions.

wow that is the most fucked up thing i've heard all month and i'm sitting here talking about a secret underground alien city

[ and avoiding talk about her crazy dad luring her into it to give her earthquake powers. ]

It's messed up. When the truth about Hydra came out, their plan was to send Bucky to kill me on board the helicarriers. But he didn't. The only reason I'm here at all is because of him.

Aww that's sweet. When HYDRA sent Ward to kill us, he kidnapped me and ejected Fitzsimmons from a plane over water. So. You know. Glad the power of friendship worked for one of us.

You're sure you don't want me to drop by his room?

Still working on finding out which one it is. and even then i'm sure. the offer's sweet but this one's personal

[ pure, vengeful vigilantism, even. ]

Understood. But the offer stands.

Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit excited to have Captain America offering to be on my speed dial. Thank you. I mean it.

We're a team. And I mean that.