Time's Backlash

Barton brought Hawkeye and Black Widow to a safe house near his home. From the outside, it looked like nothing more than a tiny shack. Anyone unaware of its purpose would probably think it was a place for forest rangers to rest.

But Hawkeye and the others found it unremarkable. After all, in their world, S.H.I.E.L.D. had lost government support, and its budget had become extremely tight.

Even the First-Generation Helicarrier, which usually flew through the skies, had been left gathering dust in a warehouse. They could not bear to send it into the air even once more. It had only been brought out for the Sokovia incident.

After settling Hawkeye and Black Widow inside, Barton said, "You'll probably have to wait a while before you see him. I suggest you sit in those chairs and wait."

"Thanks."

"No need. I'm only helping myself."

With that, Barton drove off.

Watching Barton leave, Hawkeye promptly sat down on a small chair beside the table and said to Black Widow:

"How do you think Fury will show up in front of us later?"

"Wait a second."

Black Widow seemed to have remembered something. She searched all around the room and only sat across from Hawkeye after confirming there were no hidden doors or secret rooms.

"Alright, I can confirm he isn't here right now. Let me think... He'll probably come over in a Quinjet."

Hawkeye nodded and joked, "I think he'll crawl straight out from underground or from inside a tree trunk."

"Don't lump me in with those monkeys. You're reminding me of some bad memories."

Fury's voice emerged from the table between them. Then the entire floor began descending, revealing metal walls below.

Hawkeye and Black Widow exchanged a glance. "I didn't expect you could still afford an underground base like