On Skye's laptop, another new instruction appeared on the intercepted feed.
"Location confirmed. Proceed to D5 sector."
Looking at the message, Skye remarked, "Living like this must be unbearable, always wondering if someone's watching."
Ward, keeping his eyes on the road ahead, said, "Test the reverse-scatter."
After speaking, Ward pressed a button on his glasses and looked toward the car's hood. The inner workings of the engine became visible. Confirming the effect, Ward turned off the test.
Skye finished preparing a wireless receiver and handed it to Ward.
Taking the receiver, Ward said, "Killer Bee, I can't watch you two, and I can't assist you."
"Skye's safety is in your hands."
Killer Bee struck a rapper pose, "Don't worry, I've got her. She'll be fine with me around."
Skye chimed in, "Got it. I wasn't counting on your help anyway. With Bee here, we're all good."
She playfully draped her arm over Killer Bee's shoulder, pulling him closer in jest.
Without further comment, Ward opened the car door and stepped out.
Skye glanced at her computer screen and said, "I'll be monitoring you the whole time."
Ward entered the building, and Skye's voice came through his earpiece.
"Fitz and Simmons are ready for the operation. They'll start at any moment."
"Remember, your hands are a man's hands. Don't look at them when you swipe the card."
Ward calmly replied, "I know."
Reaching the security checkpoint, Ward confidently swiped the keycard, keeping his gaze straight ahead.
…
Elsewhere-
On the aircraft-
Coulson turned to Fitz and Simmons, asking, "Where's Ward now? Time is tight."
Fitz, standing beside Amador, who was lying on the operating table, said, "We need to remove her eyeball."
Simmons, looking anxious, explained, "I'm not exactly skilled in eye surgery."
Coulson firmly replied, "We don't have a choice. There's a kill switch in Akela's eye. It could be poison, or it could be a bomb."
"Whatever it is, if Ward gets caught, they'll kill her instantly."
With that, Coulson turned and left.
Fitz quickly asked, "Sir, where are you going?"
"To find the mastermind."
…
Meanwhile-
Ward had already passed through security and was nearing the D3 sector.
As he moved forward, Skye's voice suddenly called out, "Watch out for the mirror!"
Ward quickly turned his head, avoiding the mirror, and muttered, "I don't need your help."
In the car, Skye rolled her eyes while Killer Bee, wearing headphones, was engrossed in watching performances from other rap crews on his tablet.
…
Back in the command center-
Seeing Coulson enter, May immediately spoke up, "The handler is close by."
Coulson stepped closer and asked, "Do we know where he's sending the signal from?"
May brought up a map and said, "Somewhere in this area. Every time he sends a message, we get closer and narrow down the range."
Coulson nodded. "Contact me through channel 3 if you get any updates. I'm heading out."
May glanced at the screen and suggested, "I could go track him down. You can stay and monitor things."
Coulson paused and looked at May, "Thanks, but this one is mine."
"About what happened before…"
Before Coulson could finish, May cut him off, "Just go. Find him."
…
Meanwhile-
Simmons looked at Amador, who was lying on the operating table, and said, "During the procedure, I might need some feedback from you."
"So I can only use local anesthesia on your eye; I can't put you under completely."
Amador, unfazed, replied, "Do what you need to."
Seeing her calmness, Simmons nodded, "Alright."
She then looked up at Fitz and said, "Let's begin."
Both switched on their headlamps and prepared to start the operation.
Simmons picked up the syringe to inject the anesthetic into Amador's eye, but her hands trembled slightly, as it was her first time performing this kind of procedure.
Noticing this, Amador quickly raised her arm and grabbed Simmons' hand, saying, "I'll do it myself."
Amador then guided Simmons' hand and injected the anesthetic into her own eye.
…
Meanwhile-
Ward had reached the D5 sector. Through a window, he spotted a security officer sitting inside.
As Ward caught sight of the man, the handler also noticed it and sent him a new message.
"Target confirmed. Prepare to engage."
Skye, seeing the message on her screen, was puzzled, "What does 'target' mean?"
Ward, hiding behind a wall, muttered, "It's probably bad news, especially for that target."
"Let's hope I just need to knock him out and not kill him."
Skye suggested, "Why don't you just come back?"
Ward refused, "I'm already this far in. No matter what, I'm finishing the mission."
Peeking around the corner again, Ward saw the target inside D5. His glasses displayed a new set of instructions.
"Seduce him."
Ward froze in shock and whispered, "Help me."
Skye laughed, "Did I hear that right?"
"Are you asking for help? Weren't you the one who said you didn't need it?"
Skye was clearly enjoying this, and even Killer Bee leaned in curiously.
"What's going on?" Killer Bee asked.
Barely able to contain her laughter, Skye replied, "Ward has to seduce a man, and not just any man—one of those big, burly security guards."
Killer Bee smirked, "This is too good. Make sure to record it."
Ward, still hiding, muttered, "That was before they told me to seduce this guy."
Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'll just knock him out."
Skye quickly interjected, "Wait, Ward! We might need him to get through the next door."
"Remember, the instruction said 'seduce,' not 'kill.'"
Ward sighed in frustration, glancing at the target once more, "I don't think he's into my type."
Skye teased, "Let me see."
"Messy hair, unshaven beard…"
"Alright, I'm guessing you're both straight."
"You'll have to bond with him—talk sports, vodka, maybe Victoria's Secret models."
"Be friendly, Agent Ward. Can you handle that?"
"And try not to die."
Taking a deep breath, Ward used his keycard to open the door to D5 and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, the man inside stood up and walked over from his post. "Show me your ID," he demanded.
Ward patted his pockets, replying, "Last night's game was something, wasn't it?"
Ignoring the small talk, the man repeated, "Your ID."
Ward hesitated for a moment before sighing, "Oh, I must've left it at home."
"Last night got pretty wild—met a couple of Ukrainian girls, didn't get much sleep."
"You know what I mean, right? Right?"
But the man showed no reaction, staring at Ward with a blank expression.
Dropping the act, Ward sighed, "Guess not."
In an instant, Ward moved, knocking the man out cold in just a few swift strikes, leaving him slumped over at his position.
###
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