"So little Hermione is actually the famous Miss Wizard! And all of you kept it from me!"
Skye shot Hermione a look of mock outrage, then glanced around.
Jemma, Fitz, Ward, and May all averted their eyes awkwardly, though a flicker of envy crossed their faces.
They envied how naturally Skye could get close to Hermione.
Was that a talent?
Perhaps Coulson had his reasons for taking an interest in her.
Just then, Coulson strode into the room.
His expression was serious as he scanned the room, his gaze briefly resting on Hermione.
"Everyone, we just received word. We've located Ian Quinn."
Coulson's voice shattered the relatively relaxed atmosphere. "Get your things together and prepare to move out. Our objective is to apprehend Quinn."
Skye was still sticking close to Hermione, but she immediately stood up. "Got it!"
After several missions with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Team, she had grown fond of the thrill of fieldwork and forgotten that her actual job was simply being a hacker.
Jemma and Fitz exchanged a glance, then immediately headed to their workbench.
May and Ward began organizing their weapons bags as well.
The entire team instantly shifted into efficient mission preparation.
Hermione watched them bustle about with interest.
She followed them into the main room, walked over to Ward, and asked casually:
"What are you going out to do?"
Ward's hands paused.
His first instinct was to conceal the details, but when he saw Hermione, he swallowed his evasive reply.
She was Miss Wizard. Strictly speaking, her clearance was higher than his, so there was no point hiding this information.
He explained quietly:
"Ian Quinn, the owner of Cybertek, has been secretly funding and researching the Super Soldier Program. He's caused us plenty of trouble. We've been tracking him for a long time, and now