Operation Cisco
Chapter 4
The holographic images glowed in the dark room where Coulson and his team were gathered. Everyone was concentrated but glad to hear of some information to solve the problem at hand. Coulson stood at the head of the counter, Ward and May on his left and right, Simmons and Fitz next to May, and Skye next to Ward.
“The Clairvoyant is moving. Moving quickly.” Coulson began, crossing his arms.
“You mean Quinn.” Ward said.
“Yes.”
“Where would he possibly go?” Skye asked.
Coulson remembered the date and the whole idea came flooding back. Clever.
“San Francisco, California. Today is the first day of the Stern Grove Festival and there will be a lot of people crowding the city for practically the whole summer. It’s a revered tradition there.”
“All the easier to blend in and get away quicker.” May finished.
“Lots of people, lots of loud music, and lots of chances to get lost in the crowd,” Coulson said, “That’s why we need to be vigilant. It’s going to take all of us.”
“So when are we leaving?” Skye asked.
Coulson turned the holographic board off and then glanced at everyone, “Right now.”
***
Ward was relieved to finally be in action. He was sitting in the all purpose room near the training area. He wiped the sweat off of his forehead and headed upstairs, tossing the small towel off to the side.
Skye, Fitz, and Simmons were there as always. “I’ve always wanted to go San Francisco.” Simmons announced smiling.
Skye glanced out of the nearby window smirking, “ You have no idea.”
“Can you imagine? I mean granted, it isn’t London or Paris, but it is a mecca for culture and learning.”
“This isn’t going to be a nice vacation, Simmons. We need to stop one of Coulson’s biggest enemies.” Ward reminded her.
Simmons sighed, “You don’t even know what Quinn even plans to do there.”
“Neither does Coulson…yet.”
“My guess is that he’s going to find someone to help cause his trouble,” Skye replied calmly, “If you can even call it that.”
Everyone thought about it for a second and shrugged a shoulder in mild agreement. If Skye’s casual prediction turned out to be true, who could possibly live up to the Clairvoyant’s standards except for Mike Peterson? No one had heard of Mike for a while but they knew that he was still alive. Soon he wouldn’t be the only one helping Quinn and the prospect of that was extremely inconvenient.
A couple more hours had passed and Coulson appeared.
“I’ll brief you all on the plan once we are outside.” he said plainly, turning on his heels to leave. The group exchanged apprehensive glances before following Coulson outside. May stood there too, the shining city of San Francisco behind her.
The hot air hit everyone immediately. Leave it to S.H.I.E.L.D. to have a top-secret assignment in the western California coast in the middle of summer.
“Well, welcome to the Golden State.” Fitz muttered quietly to Simmons and Skye.
Coulson said a quick word to May and then turned to face the rest of his team.
“Alright, guys, here’s what’s going to happen,” he motions towards downtown, “We have millions of people from all over the country and possibly the world coming here along with bands of security patrolling everywhere. We need to find one man associated with Quinn even though we have no idea what he looks like after he was taken,” he pauses, “Any questions?”
Fitz slowly raises his hand, “May I go to the restroom first?”
