778/Flatline: S.H.I.E.L.D. Aftermath

Flatline: S.H.I.E.L.D. Aftermath
Date of Scene:	04 June 2017
Location:	Triskelion, New York City
Synopsis:	Nick Fury sentences the compromised Clint to death but Agent May asks for more time.
Cast of Characters:	Hawkeye (Barton), Nick Fury, 271, Darcy Lewis, Melinda May
Tinyplot:	Flatline

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Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
So today has been interesting in the SHIELD facility. Hawkeye was rendered comatose after a run in with a creature at the Stark Tower. Though while visited by a couple of Agents, Natasha and Darcy, things went horribly sour. Darcy was thrown and put into a coma and Barton escaped the Medical Ward, only to ensue chaos. Another Agent was put down into a coma and further another one killed before Natasha could neutralize Barton long enough for a group of Agents to get him transported into the holding facility.

And here we are to the present. All Agents that were put into a coma by Barton or otherwise are in separate containment cells. At the moment, Hawkeye is the one awake. He is dressed only in jeans and shows no sign of damage from his rampage. His eyes are glassed over in a haze, filled with pain and fury. Though most notable? The sound. Even without his hearing aids he is filled with the screeching horrid noise in his head and he screams in a pain filled wail from behind his containment field- a solid sound of a horrifying flatline as his fists beat on the containment field.

The electric shock that usually deters people from touching the field don't even affect him as he only continues to punch at it relentlessly with a primal rage and need to be free to fuel that horrid screaming order in his head.

Nick Fury has posed:
The bootsteps of the SHIELD director announce his approach before he enters the security area where Hawkeye is held. He exhales audibly and steps toward the containment cell, posture perfect despite the horrendous sound emanating from Barton.

"Computer," Nick Fury says curtly to no one in particular, "Status report."

He steps to a nearby touchscreen and begins maneuvering through its interface, providing retina and fingerprint biometrics to access a set of particular programs.

Keane (271) has posed:
    S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resident alien shows up a little after the base commander, not with or following him but turning up as word filters through channels of what's gone on and who's locked up on account of it. Wearing his black body-cover under lab scrubs, Keane is far less interested in what the computers or even the human medical and scientific staff think about Barton's condition. While Fury goes to the machines for a status report the 8' alien walks right up to the barrier Hawkeye is beating against and stands there staring through it at the human.

    His alien hearing organs take in that high-pitched scree, individually analyzing each frequency in the sound, while his literally from-out-of-this-universe eyes look into and through the human body at the subatomic level.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"The following agents are non-responsive: Lewis, Darcy; Keegan, Michael; Jacobson, William; Rodriguez, Jezenia. The following agents are KIA: Gillman, Timothy. Agent Clint Barton has been placed in containment under order of Agent Natasha Romanov, current location: Unknown," replies the computer oh so helpfully.

Melinda May has posed:
Agent Melinda May heard the alert as well, but was training some new recruits and thus couldn't just abandon them. The moment the all clear is given, she sends them back to their quarters and rushes to find out what's going on. To do so, she tracks down Director Fury.

She all but materializes next to the director as the computer answers about the agents, and all she can do when she hears that Natasha's location is unknown is breathe out a faint curse in Mandarin. A particularly vile one.

"Director. Orders?"

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Barton recognizes Fury, even in his state, but it doesn't stop his wailing. He stalks around his cell for a moment, growling in that flatlining sound.

Keane's presence makes him launch at the containment field again, every muscle in his lean body tight as he screams in fury and beats on the shield separating the dangerous Avenger from everyone else.

His soul is still there, but his eyes are almost empty aside from the pain and rage.

For Keane: Telepathically in Barton's mind, it is the same screaming screech of the flatline noise that overrides anything else. Otherwise, his body is enhanced and infected by an infection that has taken him over. His soul is still there, but its like he's taken over by a primal rage and drive to 'infect'. Depending on the level of ability- he may be able to pick up that his right hand has basically been weaponized and is what he used to comatose the other Agents.

Nick Fury has posed:
Fury executes a series of touch input as he listens to the computer's response, tilting his head slightly as if to try--however unsuccessfully--to tune out Barton's incessant scream.

Then, Keane and May arrive, and Fury rubs his chin for a moment in thought.

"May," he says with a nod to the confined agent. "I'm going to need your help with a special task."

Fury looks back toward the touchscreen, which shows a window that reads 'SIMULTANEOUS AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED'.

"May...as a necessary matter of security--to say nothing of SHIELD personnel safety--I need you to help me KILL Agent Barton."

Keane (271) has posed:
    The alien in the scrubs turns halfway around from where he's standing to examine the agent in the cell, and if there was such a thing as eyebrowless body-language of a raised eyebrow it would become apparent even though that fluid-like black energy field conceals his face from view. Keane looks from Fury to May and back again before he turns slowly back to regard Clint Barton through the security cell wall.

Melinda May has posed:
May just stares at Fury. That was something she never thought she'd hear, even if there were many times that she suspected the director was thinking about making Barton take a dirt nap.

"Sir?" She's very clearly questioning the director, unsure of his reasons for wanting to kill the archer. And that is likely the closest she's ever gotten to saying no to Fury.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
While Barton had gone back to stalking back and forth in front of the force shield- Think Darth Maul... He's in a clean line of sight of Fury and is reading half the conversation of what he can- but he reads enough.

He launches into an instant furious rage, screaming even louder than before as he launches a new flurry of attacks on his force field. If he was pissed and raging before, he's downright lost it now.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
Cue the MPs. SHIELD agents trained for field ops. People have been getting nervous about rage-Barton getting loose and now with the Main Jefe Dude here, there were risks they weren't willing to take. The twenty of so agents all set up in a formation, rifles trained on the containment cell.

Nick Fury has posed:
"You heard me, Agent May," Nick Fury replies in a slow, cold tone. "Barton is compromised--irreparably, it seems." He turns to stare into May's eyes. "Or perhaps you're seeing a kinder, gentler 'Hawkeye' than I am? I know I've only got the one good eye, but..."

He trails off, gesturing with a wave toward the raving man in the cell.

"How about you, P3X-495?" Fury asks, calling toward the non-human in the room. "Does that look like a sane human to you? One worth sending out on important operations?"

He shakes his head. "Computer: compute statistics for the likely recovery of Agent Barton and make a recommendation: worth lethal intervention?"

As the MPs arrive, the SHIELD director holds up a hand. "Easy now, officers. Let's not do anything stupid--at least nothing that might break the quarantine."

Darcy Lewis has posed:
"Likelyhood of recovery: Unknown. Agent Barton's vitals match those of Agents Lewis, Keegan, Jacobson, and Rodriguez. Lethal intervention was already attempted by Agent Romanov," states the computer coldly.

The MPs remain in formation but for the moment their index fingers are not on their triggers.

Keane (271) has posed:
    Keane turns halfway from the cell to regard Fury again when the director addresses a question to him, then turns back to his inspection of the man in the cell. "Whether there is sanity left in this human," he says by way of reply to Fury's question, "is impossible to tell. Sentients rarely think what they say and more rarely how they actually speak," the alien turns back to stare at Barton some more. "This one's brainwaves carry the same red noise it emits vocally."

Melinda May has posed:
May's expression hardens at Fury's words. God knows, she's been tasked to do worse than this in the past, and she's done it. So really, what's another Bahrain under her belt? She looks toward the containment cell Barton rages inside, and at the alien who's just offered a particularly unhelpful assessment.

"Computer, extrapolate from available data. Why is Agent Barton exhibiting different behavior than the rest when his vitals are the same?" She is NOT about to murder another person without every possible bit of information she can get.

Darcy Lewis has posed:
There is a notable delay in the response from the computer, as if it were having to really work at this particular query before it finally replies.

"Agent Barton was brought to SHIELD headquarters with current vitals. JARVIS reports that current vitals were caused by the attack he suffered while at Stark Tower."

Nick Fury has posed:
"Surely," Nick Fury says, "it should be POSSIBLE to tell whether or not an agent's sanity is intact. Otherwise, they're no longer an agent--an asset--but a liability. A risk. A threat."

Fury shrugs. "May, you know as well as I do that threat containment is only viable for so long." He turns and points his finger toward Barton's frothing face. "Does that look viable to you?" Fury glances to the collected MPs. "To any of you?"

The man takes a step backwards so as to stand next to the computer touchscreen that still reads 'SIMULTANEOUS AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED'. "P3X-495, I'd recruit your help," Fury states, "but I'm doubtful you have human fingerprints."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Some of the MPs look amongst themselves, but they don't outright answer Fury. This whole situation is bad, and they are here to contain the threat and protect the Director. For now, they remain stationary, waiting for orders.

Keane (271) has posed:
    "I can tell you unequivocally that this is not the symptom of any biological or chemical intervention on the agent's person," Keane answers Fury without turning to face the director this time. "I am aware of but unfamiliar with other forces in this universe capable of inflicting such symptoms and frankly, Director," he does turn halfway back to eye Nick Fury now, "I suspect you'd react the same way he is if subjected to that particular frequency originated at the cognitive or perceptive centers of your brain. It might take me an hour to rig a crude technological simulation, if you'd like to experience it for yourself, sir."

Melinda May has posed:
Even after the computer's assessment, May is hesitant to authorize just outright killing Barton. Besides, she has a feeling she knows where Natasha went.

"Director, give me twenty four hours. If this situation isn't corrected by then, I will put him down myself." Not that she wouldn't be having to do so anyway, but still. It's the principle of the thing.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
The raging Barton has calmed a little, going back to pacing behind the containment field. He isn't screaming anymore for the moment, but the pain of the screaming in his ears is evident in those glassy, empty eyes. Every once in a while he still throws a raging punch or kick at the field, but he is aptly watching Fury and May. A cold, hard stare.

Nick Fury has posed:
"No..." Nick Fury says, shaking his head. "No, I'm good, P3X-495. But thanks nonetheless."

He turns to May once more. "Give you twenty-four hours? I suppose..."

fury nods to the MPs. "You heard the lady. Agent May has sole and full responsibility for Agent Barton here. You all are dismissed." He begins punching in a cancellation sequence in the touchscreen.

"Agent May," he adds quietly, "see to it that this situation IS taken care of in a productive manner. Because I expect it to be resolved within that time regardless."

Fury begins slowly walking toward the exit, but he stops to regard Hawkeye. "I know you can't tell one damn thing from another right now, Barton, but you'd better begin praising May until the end of your time on Earth, son."

Keane (271) has posed:
    The alien turns to watch Fury walk out and listens to what the director says when he pauses, but turns his attention on May when Fury's done. "What do -you- have in mind?" he wonders aloud, toward Melinda.

Melinda May has posed:
May watches Barton, but doesn't move closer to the containment cell. "I don't. But I'd be money that Natasha does, and she's already on her way to do something about it. If anyone can fix this, she can. Hopefully, I bought her enough time to do so." She watches Clint pace, noticing where his expression and motions are different from his usual and where they're the same. And the amount of him that seems to still be there behind whatever this is is ... really worrying.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
As far as subtle nuances for those that actually know the Agent well enough- he can be as secretive and masked as Natasha. But May might notice some things. Such as- if she watches any of the footage from earlier, he expressly kept his weaponized right hand back and away from Natasha but had no problem raging out on anyone else.

At the moment, there is the cold hardness in his eyes that is usually only present on certain kinds of missions where he has a kill order- but that is a look no one has really seen other than Natasha. He is there- under the screaming rage and pain in his head. Somewhere.

But with May watching him, he watches right back, pacing and growling from his chest- Almost a warning, but at the same time like a caged animal just waiting for an opportunity...

Fury's passing word is only rewarded with a snarled flatline noise as he punches at the shielding again.

The MPs in the area stand down, shouldering their weapons, or holstering them- whichever they might be equipped with. But as per Fury's order- they clear out, leaving the Agents and the Director alone with the caged rage-zombie called Barton.

Nick Fury has posed:
As he leaves the area where Barton's containment cell is located, Fury catches up to the departing MPs.

"Stop right there, soldiers," he calls out. "Huddle up."

As they approach their director, Fury puts his hands on his hips and sighs.

"I told you to let May have sole responsibility of Barton, and that's true. But..." He pauses for a moment. "I need YOU to watch over MAY."

Fury lifts a hand to the bridge of his nose, and he pinches it. "It is entirely possible that May will be compromised in her quest to save Hawkeye. If that happens, I need you to be ready to take her out. Do you understand that order?"

He looks at the face of each assembled MP. "You're on deck to take out the Cavalry. And this mission is one you absolutely cannot let fail."

Keane (271) has posed:
    "In the meanwhile," Keane answers May, his voice dropping to a level that won't carry without going to the level of a whisper, "a powerful enough telepath may do more good than medicine and science," he looks from May to Barton in the cell, "if there is such a thing as a telepath who can be trusted with the kind of information they'll read in this facility."

Melinda May has posed:
May turns from watching Barton to look at Keane. "A telepath that powerful would never be trusted anywhere near the Triskelion," she confirms for the alien. What do you know about what happened before Barton was brought back here? I heard mention that he had been to Stark Tower."

Her eyes flick toward the archer again briefly. "If we can determine where this started, maybe we can find a way to reverse it." This is so damned far out of her wheelhouse it's not even funny.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
Barton is still stalking in his cell- bored and raging against the screaming in his head still.

The MPs pause and huddle around Fury as ordered. Though at the order, some look amongst the others, but they do sound in unison: "Yes, sir!"

This whole situation is just.. Weird. The 20 MPs return and spread out, giving May and the others room, but like a security detail for the area, monitoring the situation for now and ready to act if something happens.

Nick Fury has posed:
For his part, Fury imparts one final command to the MPs. "If you see anything at all that suggests this situation is going south, you alert me immediately--no matter what--and you lock this level down. Clorox protocol. You dig?"

Then, he heads off toward whatever other probably shady and definitely top-secret dealings he needs to coordinate with SHIELD's web of undercover operatives.

Keane (271) has posed:
    Keane turns his back on the security cell and steps across the wide corridor to the computer terminal recently vacated by director Fury. His clawed fingers dance over the keyboard before the system demands a voice print identification, and although he leans in toward an armored mic built into the wall near the terminal he doesn't make any sounds a human ear could pick up. After a few seconds the system chirps its affirmation that he passed its security check. He stops when the director barks a final order at the MPs, eyeing each individual in the security detail in turn and then watching as the director himself walks away.

    As Fury leaves he murmurs, "Computer: Relay JARVIS reports of incident leading to agent Barton's current physical state."

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
At the request, the computer responds: "Processing..." After a few moments delay, it pulls the video file that JARVIS sent: "Playing video log sent by JARVIS at 1100 hours..."

The video pops up of a camera surveying the living room area of the Stark Penthouse. Aspen and Clint are carrying on a light conversation as Adrien rests. Though Aspen wakes the boy to ask him questions and he becomes unstable, turning into... something else. He first attacks Aspen and the woman surrounds Clint in some kind of ice shield. The Avenger gains his freedom as Aspen avoids an attack by turning into a water based so it passes through her unharmed. The creature, then Flatline, attacks Clint. He nearly dodges but his right hand hits the Avenger's back, making him convulse and fall face first into the floor like a limp noodle.

The video clip ends and the computer speaks: "This is before Agent Barton was recalled to this facility and placed in the medical ward. More security logs are available relating to the Agent's condition."

OOC Note: Reference scene 763.

Melinda May has posed:
May follows P3X-495 and watches the footage as well. "Well. That explains exactly nothing." Except that it reminds her of a movie. Which isn't helpful. She crosses her arms, and looks abut is disconcerted as she's ever been. "I think we have to wait and hope that Natasha succeeds in figuring this out." Because she is completely stumped.

Keane (271) has posed:
    Keane looks from the screen to Melinda May and then turns his back on the monitor to watch Hawkeye prowl inside his cage. "It tells us that this was brought on by agent Barton's exposure to a pair of what appear to be mutants, and that at least one other infected individual is running loose on the streets." He crosses his arms on his chest, one set of clawed fingers tapping a stacatto on the opposite rocklike bicep.

    "And it leads me to wonder if surgical removal of that infected hand would provide any relief to the psychological stress factor brought on by what he's hearing in his head."

Melinda May has posed:
At Keane's assessment May gives the alien a VERY unimpressed look. "Remove his hand and you might as well just kill him. I think a better option is for you to track down the other person in that video feed." Why is she tasking the alien with that? Probably because she plans to stay here and stand guard over Barton until those twenty four hours are up. She owes him at least that much.

Hawkeye (Barton) has posed:
The MPs will remain stationed in the area, frosty and alert with a constant watch over the next 24 hours. Barton, relentlessly, will pace and prowl in his cell, randomly beating and screeching at random intervals. He doesn't sleep either.

Its all up to outside forces to call the fate of the tied fates of Barton and May, it seems.