At this moment, Ward approached, "They've stopped firing but we can't shoot back from the windows."
May warned, "They want the plane intact. Next, they'll send in a precision strike team."
Ward added, "Fitz sabotaged the hydraulic system on the boarding ramp. They'll have to force their way in."
Coulson grimly noted, "That won't hold them for long."
"We need an escape plan. Take everything we can carry."
Ward asked, "Speaking of that, what are they really after on this plane?"
Gathering everyone in the command room, Coulson answered, "Hand is after our 0-8-4 data."
"Asgardian weapons, a portal device, Donnie's weather controller."
Fitz, moving quickly, was transferring files onto a USB drive.
Ward added, "If they find the gravitonium in the cryo vault, then…"
Among all the dangerous items on board, Ward considered the gravitonium the greatest threat—powerful enough to destroy a city.
Coulson interrupted, "The gravitonium is stored below the cryo chamber. No records link it to this plane."
The cryo vault was located underground, beneath a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility designed as a freezing prison, where they detained dangerous criminals, superhumans, and the world's most wanted fugitives.
Ward nodded, "Good. But if they discover it, the enemy could weaponize it."
"And the Tahiti serum, sir?"
"It's all here. If Hydra takes this plane…"
Coulson, his expression serious, said, "We need to wipe the system."
Fitz responded, "I'm backing everything up onto a hard drive just in case."
Coulson nodded, "Good. Wipe the data on the plane completely."
Fitz added, "I need a little more time."
Garrett appeared, carrying a crate of weapons, "I'll set up some surprises and buy you that time."
Killer Bee suggested, "Why don't I just go out there and take them down?"
"Those people are no threat to me."
Coulson firmly replied, "No. We'll infiltrate their ranks."
"These strike team members are following orders from higher-ups; they might not even be Hydra."
"I don't want unnecessary casualties."
Hearing this, Killer Bee shook his head slightly, "If that's your decision, I'll follow your plan."
…
S.H.I.E.L.D. Lab-
Simmons said, "This signal is blocking all channels. Something big is happening."
BANG!
Suddenly, the lab doors were blasted open as a squad of fully armed agents stormed in, "Freeze! Hands up!"
Simmons immediately raised her hands, surrendering, while Triplett stood still.
"Hands up!" the agents ordered, pointing their guns at him.
Reluctantly, Triplett complied.
…
Outside the plane-
A strike team member attached a directional explosive to the hydraulic rod of the boarding ramp before quickly retreating.
BOOM!
The blast opened the ramp, and a voice commanded, "GO! GO! GO!"
The strike team rushed inside.
Just two seconds after stepping into the ramp, a hidden explosive was triggered.
BOOM!
Three operatives were blown backward, lifeless.
Despite the setback, more strike team members poured in, searching the plane—but the crew had already evacuated.
…
Inside the hidden escape route-
Fitz explained, "This is called a rat tunnel. It can cut through anything."
"I submitted it for testing a year ago, but it was never distributed."
The equipment was identical to the gear Nick Fury had used during his escape, capable of slicing through solid concrete in seconds.
Garrett grumbled, "Top agents always hoard the good stuff for themselves."
Fitz smiled, then approached Killer Bee with a hard drive containing the vital data and said, "I'm entrusting this to you. You're the strongest among us here."
"If even you can't protect it, then we have no other options."
Killer Bee took the drive, nodded, and replied, "Don't worry. I've got this."
Although Killer Bee wasn't particularly interested in the data itself, he recognized its value as intelligence.
At this point, Coulson said, "Alright, we split up."
"Killer Bee, you're with Fitz. Head to the control center."
"Disable their systems and, more importantly, regain control of the plane."
Killer Bee nodded, "Got it. I'll protect Fitz."
Coulson added, "Remember, these agents are just following orders. Knock them out or use the ice guns."
Killer Bee nodded again, and Fitz immediately led him toward the control center.
Turning to Garrett, Coulson said, "We're going to find Simmons and get her out."
Garrett countered, "We should go after Hand."
"Isn't Hydra always saying, 'cut off the head'?"
"We go straight for the decapitation."
Coulson reiterated firmly, "Our top priority is rescuing Simmons and Triplett."
Garrett responded, "I agree, but taking down Hand is how we do that."
"Unless you have a better plan, say so now."
As the true Clairvoyant, Garrett was more than happy to pin everything on Agent Hand.
At that moment, May approached Coulson and said, "Coulson, I can help."
She shook her wrists, bound by the specialized handcuffs.
Coulson replied, "We do need your help, but the cuffs stay on."
May sighed in resignation and followed closely behind Coulson.