The World's Most Successful Agent? Director Nearly Headless Nick of the Serpent Shield Bureau

"Come on! Are you kidding me, Coulson?" Nearly Headless Nick looked wearily at the damaged plane and suppressed the urge to curse. "Six days. It took you only six days to turn a fully refurbished state-of-the-art aircraft into a pile of junk?"

"My team acted under my authorization," Coulson said weakly, lowering his head.

"Don't give me that authorization crap. Do you know how much this plane costs?" Nearly Headless Nick's face darkened. "You even put a bar in here. A very nice bar."

"Authorization, my ass. You know what? I have the authority to demote you below Level Zero."

"Yes, sir."

"Fix it. Restore it exactly as it was." Nearly Headless Nick pointed at Coulson's nose. "And don't let Fitz and Simmons make any more modifications. No stupid fish tanks or anything."

"Yes, sir."

"And that new girl. She's a risk factor."

"I know, sir."

"How's Lola?"

"She's doing well, sir."

Aaron placed Abei on the nearby sofa and flicked the cork out of a bottle.

He poured Crystal Cola into three tall glasses. Tiny bubbles shimmered like crystals one after another.

"Director Fury, Agent Coulson, if you're done chewing each other out, why not come have a drink? This one's on the house. Consider it something to settle your nerves."

"Settle our nerves?" Nearly Headless Nick did not understand. "Why did you make me pull everyone out? What are you trying to tell me?"

"Before that, I need you both to ensure that no fourth person hears what we're about to discuss. There must be no record of it, not even the slightest trace. Otherwise, if this information gets out, the consequences will be extremely serious."

Nearly Headless Nick and Coulson exchanged a glance, seemingly realizing how grave this was. Aaron had never been this serious before. Even