SHIELD's Newest

Part 6

MADDI'S P.O.V.

I opened my eyes to blackness. I was in a seat, and couldn't move from it, no matter how much I struggled. Scared, I began to wonder where I was, before screaming quickly.

"Where the hell am I?" I shrieked. I moved my hands out to my sides cautiously and felt a smooth surface against my fingertips. I must still be in the pod, or something.

A dim light began to flicker, and then the whole space was illuminated. I was in a transparent cylindrical tube just big enough to fit my chair in, yet alone me. Outside of the tube was a large screen with the S.H.I.E.L.D logo flashing dimly, and a large, completely white acrylic room that had a door to the right.

"Welcome, Miss Hex.' A computerized voice spoke, making me jump before quickly regaining my composure. The screen flickered into life, showing a mirror image of me, and the front of the cylindrical tube lifted away slowly. Wriggling my arms, I hopped from the tube onto the absoloutely pristine flooring. A numb banging begain in my head but was just dull enough to cope with.

"This is the automated designer system, helping you with your combat attire. Select wisely, as there is no return system."

"How many people have used this before?" I asked, staring at the bags under my eyes in the mirror.

"Approximately, 2."

That'd be Clint and Natasha then.

A beam of blue light scanned my body, and then the mirror image of me faded, showing a model of me against a black background instead.

"Select style."

4 pre-selected styles; 50's, Seductress, Default Agent and 20's Glamour were available up on the screen. I tapped each option carefully, seeing the way it'd work on my body. Picking an option also gave you the chance to look at the different clothes that'd also come with that category if you picked it, like Undercover and even Pyjamas. The hair and makeup came later.

After a while deciding and trying all the different outfits on the digital me I went with 50's option. I'd always been fascinated with the decade that the world tried to recover from the second World War, and had really used the fashion as a base for my day to day clothing.

The screen went black, and then showed all the outfits I'd be wearing.

During the normal S.H.I.E.L.D days, I'd be wearing a white cropped sleeved blouse, and dull faded high waisted skirt; with a pair of two inch heeled brown shoes.

On field days, chances are I'd be undercover anyway, so the two were merged into one, and I got a rockabilly dress decorated with gaudy oranges and lemons and some vintage red peep toe shoes, with a 4 inch heel.

For now.

The rest was pretty basic stuff, so we finished pretty quickly. Then I was instructed to step back into the pod, which I did sharpish, and where I was immersed into complete blackness again.

"I fucking hate you, Fury."

Darkness reminded me of Amsterdam, which really wasn't something you want to be reminded of if you nearly died in the dark there.

The pod began to move to the right, I'm assuming to the door.

When the pod was at a complete stand still, the lights turned on and I was in my new uniform. Typical.

"I hope you didn't turn on the night vision camera when they changed my clothes, Fury." I spoke loudly and sarcastically. Around me there was white again, but this time, the door to the left had a handle. This was the hair and make-up room. Apparently, if you were a female agent they'd give you two machines, one for makeup and one for hair, with pre programmed routines once you had chosen them.

Even S.H.I.E.L.D. care about good appearances.

I quickly tapped a retro updo into the hair machine, with curls and pins and all, and sat in the acrylic chair with unease, lying back unnaturally.

30 seconds later, the machine stopped whizzing and my red hair was all tied and curled and

it was beautiful, like truly beautiful.

I padded over to the make up stand, now full of a new curiosity and confidence I hadn't had before. A face was on screen, and I just had to decide where to put the make up and how much I wanted there.

When I had finished tapping in the information, I placed my head in the holder, and closed my eyes. After around 30 seconds again, a new, gorgeous flick of eyeliner replaced my clumsy old one and a beauty spot was next to my left eye, not forgetting bright red lipstick.

A smile worked its way onto my lips and stayed there while I bounced out the door into the training room, where Black Widow awaited me.

"What the HELL were you thinking??! You could've broken the machine!"

I shrugged.

"Where's Rose Baron?"

Natasha shook her head.

"She's in the pod now. She's gone with the Enchantress option."

I smiled and thanked Black Widow before leaving the training room, bored of initiation shit.

Walking down the corridor, I heard voices from another corridor that lead into this one. I backed up a few paces and turned into it casually.

Loki and Thor were walking towards me now.

Shit.

Wait, what?

"Have you seen Rose Baron?" Thor asked me, tapping his foot loudly.

"Why?"

"I've been assigned her mission partner." He boomed.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Fury told me I was to find her and discuss our plan for tomorrows delayed asylum visit."

"You don't even work for S.H.I.E.L.D. Thor, has someone had too much to drink?"

"He's been drafted in. I'm terribly sorry for his 'manners'" Loki slipped in.

"Its ok. And she's in the training room, Thor, with Natasha."

"Thank you."

Thor left the corridor, leaving Loki and I.

"You look amazing, Miss Hex." He smirked, exaggerating on the Hex.

"Wow. A compliment from the god of mischief. Made my day, you have." I smiled.

"Thor is really taken with your friend. He finds her impeccable, really."

"She's the pretty one, I'm the brains." I said, walking with Loki now.

"Well, I beg to differ."

He smiled slyly and pulled a tiny few strands of my hair from their neat coils.

"Now you have the flaming redhead look captured perfectly!" Loki exclaimed sarcastically.

"I'm not buying it Loki. Why are you on board, because I know it's not to flirt with me."

"Well. It wasn't at first, but I don't know anymore. That hair is absolutely ravishing."

"Have you /seen/ Bethan's hair?!?!"

We continued like this for a while until I realized properly Bethan wouldn't be my partner on our first proper mission.

"Are you alright, Miss Hex?" He tried to put a hand in my shoulder but I bared my teeth and he moved his hand away like it had been burnt.

"I need someone to go with on the mission tomorrow, Loki. They're trying to make sure I don't go."

"I'll sort it for you, my dear. Run along now, we wouldn't want you getting in trouble now, would we?"

Loki flashed me a million dollar smile before walking down the corridor.

I could feel myself grinning like a fool as I walked back to the training room.