The Gap Between Reality and Ideals

At the Avengers' new base, some of the agents with clearance to access intelligence were shrouded in gloom, yet none of them dared tell anyone. The reason was simple: the Avengers' two most important members had been imprisoned, and no one knew whether they were dead or alive, or when they might return. "I'll talk to Salomon. But I can only ensure that the Avengers' members survive. I can't guarantee the safety of every agent unless they exist in the future Salomon sees. Like Agent Coulson, Rogers, and Stark." Nick Fury frowned, his tone severe. "This should never have happened in the first place. Agent Hill, you failed to control Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' actions."

"I couldn't." Maria Hill shook her head. Facing the accusation, she answered bluntly, "It was impossible. Even Agent Coulson's team and the remaining Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are no longer within my control. Gonzalez and Agent Weaver are still aboard the carrier. I can't contact them."

"Your intelligence is outdated, Agent Hill. Agent Coulson didn't tell you everything." Nick Fury sighed. "Gonzalez is dead. His killer was Skye's mother, Jiaying, the Inhuman Salomon is holding now. As for Agent Weaver, she was deeply disappointed in Agent Coulson and has already defected to Victoria."

Agent Hill shrugged, indicating that there was nothing she could do.

Although, as the World Security Council's undercover agent within S.H.I.E.L.D., she had not faced much blame over Hydra's rebellion, she had endured many interrogations as Nick Fury's most trusted deputy and even had to undergo regular lie-detector tests. She simply lacked the ability to weave an intelligence network and obtain up-to-date information as she had before.

Now, her identity was more that of Congress' undercover agent within the Avengers, just as the role she had played in the past.

"I know,