Symbiotic Agent

"Daisy, the situation is urgent," Phil Coulson said, his voice tinged with helplessness as he faced Daisy with a tense expression.

"I know. So just answer the phone," Daisy replied, shoving the phone toward him with a determined look.

Coulson studied her briefly, seemingly piecing things together, before taking the phone from her with a resigned smile.

"Director, what do you need?" he asked into the phone.

A curt voice answered on the other end, and Coulson's face shifted slightly as he listened.

"Are you certain about suspending the outbreak? We've just managed to curb the spread. If we delay, we can't predict what unforeseen complications might arise."

His tone grew sharper as he pressed for clarification. "The serum? Is such a thing even possible?" A pause followed before Coulson sighed. "Half an hour? Understood. I'll handle it."

After hanging up, Coulson handed the phone back to Daisy, his sharp gaze fixed on her.

"Did Holm Clint tell you about this?" he asked.

Daisy shook her head firmly. "No, I saw it myself."

A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Coulson's lips as he pointed to her phone. "You didn't even prepare a good lie. The records of your conversation with him are still right there."

Daisy froze momentarily before anger flared in her eyes. "You tricked me?!"

Coulson shrugged, the smirk widening. "I just threw out a guess. Looks like you need more practice in the field."

Despite her growing skills, Daisy's reactions betrayed her too easily. Coulson had effortlessly coaxed the truth from her.

Shaking off his teasing demeanor, Coulson's expression turned serious. "Make sure to inform him that the plan's suspension is temporary—30 minutes, no more."

He paused before emphasizing, "If they don't deliver within that time, we'll proceed as planned."

Daisy frowned, biting her lip before voicing her concern. "Only half an hour? Isn't that cutting it too close? Holm and Spider-Woman are capable, sure, but they're just two people. Couldn't we provide some backup?"

Coulson sighed heavily, his weariness evident. "Getting even this 30-minute window was a hard sell. The higher-ups have the final say, and they're already out of patience."

His tone softened as he added, "As for assistance, our hands are tied. Our resources are stretched just maintaining the containment. The 30 minutes we've given is our best effort. We can't let this drag on."

Daisy nodded reluctantly, her gaze drifting toward the distant encircled area outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Searchlights swept the scene, illuminating the tense atmosphere. Her brown eyes reflected her worry—not just for Holm, but for whether their desperate gamble could succeed.

Could the two of them really pull this off? Overcome Dr. Lizard's defenses, swap the lizard reagent for the serum, and save those transformed into monsters?

Coulson noticed her troubled expression but remained silent. Instead, he joined her at the window, staring out at the same encircled zone.

"Holm Clint," Coulson mused inwardly, his lips curving into a subtle, mysterious smile as he turned back to the scene.

Inside the containment zone, atop Stark Tower, Holm Clint wiped his blade clean after silently dispatching another lizardman. He lowered the lifeless body gently to the ground, his movements precise and efficient.

Nearby, Spider-Woman—Gwen—wrapped another lizardman into a cocoon of webbing.

After completing their tasks, Holm approached her, speaking in a low voice. "This floor is clear. I'll head further up and create a diversion to draw Dr. Lizard's attention."

He gestured to the exterior of the building. "You climb from the outside and switch the reagents in the instruments on the top floor with the serum."

Holm's tone grew more urgent. "We've got 30 minutes. If we can't launch the serum in that time, the missiles won't stop, no matter what we're doing here."

Gwen nodded but hesitated, concern flickering in her eyes. "There are going to be more lizardmen up there—and stronger ones at that. Plus, you'll have to deal with Dr. Lizard himself."

She paused, recalling their earlier reconnaissance. Dr. Lizard, visible briefly on the rooftop from the neighboring building, was larger and more intimidating than they'd anticipated. His hulking frame and grotesque features were unnerving, even from a distance.

Holm offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm not exactly ordinary myself. I can handle it."

He glanced at the building. "Besides, I'm not equipped for your role. I can't climb walls or operate those instruments. This plan works because it plays to our strengths."

With a wry grin, he added, "I'm better suited to taking out enemies than messing with tech."

He raised his right arm, where his hand had transformed into a sleek, dark blade. The weapon gleamed faintly in the searchlight's glow, its sharp edges exuding an ominous presence.

Gwen studied him for a moment, then nodded. His confidence, paired with the efficiency he'd shown earlier, eased her worry slightly.

"All right," she said, determination hardening her voice. "I'll move quickly. Once the serum is launched, I'll come back to help."

With their plan settled, the two split up.

Holm ascended to the next floor through the stairwell, moving with calculated precision. One by one, he eliminated lizardmen, cutting them down silently and laying their bodies aside to avoid drawing attention.

Meanwhile, Gwen scaled the exterior of Stark Tower, her web-shooters aiding her as she climbed higher and higher. Her pace matched Holm's, or perhaps trailed slightly behind.

This timing wasn't accidental—Holm needed to draw the lizardmen's attention inside, ensuring Gwen's movements outside went unnoticed.

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