"I've always been curious. How old are you, exactly?"
"Twenty, sir."
In Dilos's suite, Sharon Carter stood straight-backed. Though her face remained expressionless as she answered, Dilos could still hear a hint of pride in her voice. But...
"How old are you, really?" The information he picked up through telepathy made Dilos raise an eyebrow. "You look younger than that. You're not an adult yet, are you?"
Though Dilos phrased it as a question, he sounded certain.
At his words, Sharon's heart gave a sudden leap. She quickly explained, "I've been training since I was little. I only recently turned eighteen."
Even so, she sounded a little guilty.
That small change naturally didn't escape Dilos. Looking at the young woman who was doing such a good job of hiding it, he silently rolled his eyes. I've realized I had the wrong idea about S.H.I.E.L.D. I used to think I'd already seen how low they could sink. Turns out there's no bottom to them—only lower depths.
Of course, Dilos only said those things to himself, quietly adding S.H.I.E.L.D. to his never trust list.
"Sorry, would it be all right if I called you Sharon?"
"Of course, sir."
Sharon nodded, once again putting on that natural, radiant smile.
But Dilos wasn't fooled. With his telepathy active the whole time, he could easily sense how nervous she was.
"I have a plan, but I'll need some people to help carry it out."
Hearing that, Sharon relaxed a little. Then Dilos continued, "So I'd like you to gather everyone on our team. There are a few things I want to discuss with them."
"Yes, sir."
Sharon replied and hurried out. Dilos noticed that her steps were a little too quick, as if she were making a hasty escape.
Ten minutes later...
"So you're saying