6848/The Framework: Behind the Blue Door

The Framework: Behind the Blue Door
Date of Scene:	08 July 2021
Location:	Lounge - Playground
Synopsis:	McLaren shows Jemma, Daisy, and May his unique transportation method, leaving the door wide open for the rescue of Dottie Underwood and Leopold Fitz, the race to escape the matrix, and the final showdown with the ghost in the machine..
Cast of Characters:	Melinda May, Daisy Johnson, Jemma Simmons
Tinyplot:	The Framework

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Melinda May has posed:
To say that Robert Gonzales is feeling a little overwhelmed, right now, is something of an understatement. The old warhorse is skilled at hiding it behind a dour expression and his bushy moustache, but in the past 24 hours he's had three of HYDRA's top operatives dumped in his lap -- all of them with some reason as to why they *shouldn't* be locked up or shot on sight. Grudgingly, he's released Melinda May and Bobbi Morse (and walking-dead-man Lance Hunter) from custody, allowing them limited freedom to move throughout the base... providing they have a proper SHIELD escort. Proper, in this case, being code for 'someone Gonzales trusts implicitly'. Which is actually a pretty short list.

'Proper' means people like Trip, Mack, Ward, or Hartley. Failing that, there's Piper or Davis and a handful of others. But, given the skill May and Morse possess even without the addition of their new Inhuman abilities, it's more often Ward or Mack that lurk in the corner of the room playing watchman.

He hasn't, however, released Holden Radcliffe. That man is far too valuable an asset to be let wander. So, he's sitting down in Vault D, cooling his heels behind an energy barrier, mostly confident in his deal with Skye... Daisy... whomever she is now. He'll tell them where his personal back door out of this world is, but only if they find some way to take him with them.

As a result, though, several of the ragtag group of real world SHIELD agents now find themselves gravitating to the rec room where the broom closet door has only recently tranformed from a regular closet door to, of all things, the blue painted door any diehard Doctor Who fan would recognize as a London Police Phone Box. Even the constructs standing around can see that particular door -- though none of them have been able to open it, a fact that has Gonzales feeling a little grumpy.

Add it to the viral videos that have completely taken over the in-world internet and are interrupting television programs all over the nation -- videos with Skye's face decrying the atrocities HYDRA has committed and urging citizens to resist, thus putting SHIELD in a VERY awkward position of needing to go on the offense just as they also need to be playing defensively against inevitable retalliaton -- and the beleaguered Director is completely at a loss as to what to do next. He's half a mind to toss them all out onto the street and wish them luck... then evacuate his people to somewhere safe. Like New York City.

Thus, he stands in the middle of the rec room looking at the bright blue door, waiting for Mack, Ward, and Trip to bring at least *some* of those he deems responsible into the room to explain it.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Of all the people that Daisy imagined she might ally with, or even be on the same side as, Radcliffe was right down there in terms of probability. But now here she was, having brought her former 'sugar daddy' back to a SHIELD base. But that was just how spy life was. Compromise. Making allies out of former foes. There was a lot more to the 'game' than just hacking her way through things, or even quaking stuff apart. And that was just what she was learning now...

Of course that it didn't help things she had mostly been kept apart from the rest of them. 'To get their stories straight' or so they said. But she did miss her friends, even if the talk about them all being okay had done much to soothe down worries. She just had to learn about Fitz's whereabouts.

Eventually she is called over for a talk. More like an interrogation she imagines but hey, fine by her. She needs to put into perspective that in this world she is some kind of pop star. And look who her chaperone is. Ward himself. She only chuckles. "Hey Ward." maybe surprising the man by knowing his name.

The corridors are familiar enough, the base a relic of the past, not much changed to the present even if a room or another is used for a different purpose. As they are reaching the door she casts a glimpse of a familiar doctor making their way in the same direction and rushes in to her for a hug.

"It's good to see you again, Jemms." Daisy exhales in relief.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
It is certainly a relic of the past. And, as such, there is not much that is different between the real world and this Playground. So, when Jemma makes a point to ask to go to the recreation center, she seems to know the way there. Without the assistance of her SHIELD handler. With Jemma being 'only' a school teacher, she didn't seem to warrant the attention of Mack or Ward. After all, it was just a teacher, with a smartphone and a vial of crystals. Surely not a danger at all. Though, depending on who was chosen to follow Jemma around, that little vial might have been confiscated.

Oh well, it just means that Jemma will have to sweet talk her way back to get it, again.

Still, Jemma's handler is having an awfully easy time watching Jemma. And directions? It is as if Jemma has been there before. A turn here, a few steps there, and Jemma has her entourage of one behind her as she approaches the rec room. And...that is a familiar sight up ahead!

"Daisy!" Jemma quickens her pace, accepting that embrace with a smile. "I can honestly say the feeling is mutual." There is that big smile of hers, all for Daisy. Those brown eyes flicker over towards Daisy's escort, as Jemma responds with a greeting of her own. "And hello to you, Agent Ward." Did Jemma actually meet Ward before? Does it really matter?

The confusion that Ward must have is missed as Jemma turns towards the Rec Room entrance. "So, I believe I am not necessarily expected, but I did insist on at least going to the recreation area. I have heard of some rumours about an object that is quite unexpected. I can only imagine that is why you might be here as well, Daisy. Shall we go in together?"

And...Jemma doesn't wait for an answer, nor for her poor SHIELD escort. She turns to the recreation area with Daisy...and walks right in.

Melinda May has posed:
The presence of Grant Ward suggests either May or Morse must be present. And, indeed, in this case it's May. Mack has remained down in the other room that has been turned into a makeshift barracks for refuges, keeping his eye on Bobbi and Lance. But Ward, Trip, and Hartley are all present, as is young Piper and her usual partner-in-crime Davis. Of course, the latter two are the same as any of the other interlopers in the small group. They, too, are trapped in pods in the Sphere. It's just no one in the Framework really realized it. No one, but Bobbi, who saw AIDA's version of the Sphere and the monitors there.

May stands, leaning against the end of the couch in the middle of the room, her arms crossed over her chest. She's eyeing that blue door, much as Gonzales is. Though, in her case, she can guess where it's come from.

When she sees Jemma and Daisy arrive, her expression lightens just a trifle, bouyed by their relief at seeing one another again. Gonzales glower, however, is as palpable to her as their emotions now, however. Which means that defaulting to that stoic watchfulness that is her default presentation.

Gonzales turns as the other two women enter. He leans on his cane and gestures to the blue door. "Can one of you explain that?" he asks bluntly. "Piper says she fixed the door, after your friend Morse broke it off. She didn't fix it with that."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
Well, that's a blast from the past. All the usual suspects in the same room! And even a few that have been lost... Daisy shifts her gaze to Gonzales, taking in the man, offering him a kind smile expression somewhat bittersweet, knowing what happens to the man in the future but also at least glad to see him. "Ah, Gonzales..., Sir." a pause, a look towards the phone booth entrance and a smirk.

"Look, I only programmed it. Someone -else- that is quite the doctor Who fan chose the design." there. Pushing Jemma into the blame game. Not that she points out who it was. She will let them know if she wants.

"That was supposed to be the way out of here." a look around, "I am sure the others have briefed you by now on where we are. And what Hydra did here.." a small frown coming to her expression.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
As Gonzales points to the blue door, Jemma's eyes follow....

...and grow wide in just sheer excitement. Oh, McLaren, you outdid yourself this time.

Yet, somehow, Jemma's voice remains calm. Part of that stiff upper lip and all. Only May would really sense the sheer joy that radiates from Jemma as she looks onto that magnificent blue door. "Well, to be perfectly honest, the initial door design was quite ordinary. As was the point if one was trying to hide a back door out of this simulation." Oh, so perfectly manner of fact and so insufferably British. "The idea was to hide the existence of the back door, not advertise its existence. And...since we..." Jemma indicates both Daisy and herself. "...know that the back door was promptly shut down after one use, then this...is something else entirely."

As Jemma speaks, she slips into her pocket to produce her smartphone. It isn't like the SHIELD agents could take it away anyways...since the damned thing keeps finding its way back to Jemma's possession. A text is fired off towards Mark, with Jemma knowing that he is watching.

<<Lovely touch with the door. Is it bigger on the inside?>>

A pause, then another question, tapped away.

<<Where does it lead?>>

Jemma shares a glance with Daisy...and it is then that the smile comes to light. The fangirl inside Jemma simply could not be contained.

Melinda May has posed:
Somehow, Gonzales' glower seems only to deepen. He lets out a deep rumble that's half grunt of skepticism, half sigh of frustration. Yes, he's been 'briefed'. He just doesn't know what to make of that briefing. "I'm having difficulty accepting that theory," he says with regard to the idea that he's living in a simulation. "Philosophers have posited the possibility that life is a dream or a simulation for centuries. I have to deal in practicalities." He's a well-read man, and can be given to philosophical reflection upon occasion. But, really, at the end of the day, he needs to deal with the here-and-now.

Which, at this moment, means the rearranging of his base in the middle of a very real military crisis.

His heavy gaze settles on the teacher and the popstar. "Regardless, you're saying you *are* responsible for this. Which means, you need to fix it. We're evacuating this base. We don't have a choice. Beyond the fact that, somehow, its location is public enough that half of HYDRA seems to know where it is, my spies inside the Triskelion are telling me that Madame HYDRA is on the warpath and coming here. We have families, here. Refugees. And I don't want them caught in the crossfire."

His jaw works silently for a moment, almost like he's chewing on his words, before he adds, "We will be out of here within the next four hours. You are not welcome to come with us. You can have this place, whatever we can't take with us. But, until we're gone, I expect you to stay out of our way, and we'll stay out of yours."

It's those words that make May react. A brow rises quizically -- though she can see the sense in his decision. She can also sense his frustration and concern. And really wouldn't be surprised if he scuttles the base after he's gone, whether or not they leave, despite the fact that would be a very HYDRA thing to do.

She pushes off the couch and gestures to the blue door. "We were told Carol Danvers went through that door," she tells Jemma and Daisy. "Morse says she saw a readout that said Danvers flatlined in some monitoring station she found deep beneath Manhattan. Is that why?"

Are they suggesting, somehow, that the way out is to die? May isn't keen on that. She knows that, with the way things are going, in this world she's very likely to be arrested and charged with war crimes. She'll either end up in jail or in the electric chair. That doesn't particularly scare her. Indeed, she's willing to concede she probably deserves it. After all, she's one of the monsters, too. But she's not sure she likes the sound of the alternative.

It takes McLaren's response a few moments to arrive on Jemma's phone. When it does, however, it simply reads:<<Open it and find out. ;) >>

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Dying won't lead anyone out of this place." Daisy says with certainty. If it was that simple it would had happened by now, "These doors were programmed as an emergency exit for those of us who were stuck in this reality. The use of it triggered it to be closed by the AI running things around here." she explains. "In fact she has been playing scenarios in these last few years with all of .., 'us', and you."

"And with all due respect, Sir." And she looks at Gonzales now, "Where exactly will you be running to? AIDA is off the control of the one person who was reigning her in. There isn't a place in which anyone is safe." she lets that sink in. ".. but if our plan works and we are able to reach the alternative escape hatch then there is a chance we can defeat her from the outside. Give this place some peace.." shutting it down? Keep it running with the various simulated lives in here? Lots of ethical questions that she really didn't want to go into right now.

"If everyone scurries off to their own corner Hydra will have already won." The woman furrowing her brows. Clearly she is not too happy with SHIELD's decision to leave. But then again she often thinks with her heart and not her head.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Excuse me. But, if you are leaving this base in four hours time, then what would be the point in 'fixing' this door, as you so distinctly phrased it?" Jemma certainly is confused with the request. "How is this door broken? It doesn't open? If I remember correctly, it was a broom closet prior. Are we that desperate for a dust mop?" A touch of that dry British humour hits Jemma's tone as she just regards Gonzales. "Obviously, a door like this means that it should be opened."

A pause, then Jemma turns to May. "Agent Danvers only flatlined in this reality because she was able to awaken and detach herself from the virtual reality system that was monitoring her vitals in the first place." Her attention shifts to the current head of SHIELD. "Really, I could have pictures sent of Daisy, May, Bobbi and me to this particular phone right now, but then you will suspect that the date and time stamp was forged and the pictures staged, so that would be rather pointless." Not that she probably could receive images in text...but Jemma isn't about to say that.

And, speaking of phones, her smartphone chimes in with a message. And...Jemma shows it to Daisy. Then...she shifts, placing the phone back in her pocket and steps up to the door. "Imagine life as a door. People keep pushing past you. All of the knocking, but it's never for you. And you get locked up every night. So, if you are just a little bit nice..." The scientist's voice trails off as she reaches for the door handle of the seemingly locked door...

...and opens it, without any issue. Did Jemma just quote the 12th Doctor? She isn't going to say, although McLaren, on the other side of a monitor, is probably giggling like a schoolboy. Because, yes. Jemma totally did quote the Doctor.

"See? I told you. It wants to be opened." The door slowly pulls open, about to reveal whatever secrets it has hidden within...

Melinda May has posed:
"If you fix it," Gonzales says, "perhaps I'll be able to understand how all this technology works..." He gives Daisy a hard look. "We're not going to stop fighting, Ms Star. But this base is clearly compromised." And, at the end of the day, he's really not sure he trusts these people.

Not that it actually matters, as Jemma opens the door. The constructs couldn't open that door, but Jemma certainly can.

When she peeks within, what will doubtlessly delight her fangirl heart is the perfect replica of the 10th Doctor's TARDIS. The curved columns, the copper and brass colouration, the great glass tower rising out of the center console... it's damned near perfect. All it really needs is David Tennant in a rumpled suit and oversized overcoat.

Which is just about when an avatar appears. McLaren stands, hands shoved into the trousers of a rumpled blue plaid suit, a cheeky grin on his lips. "Now, first things first," he says to Jemma when he sees her. "Be honest. How do I look?" He rocks on his heels and spins in a small, almost playful circle.

"Before you freak, I'm working with a time delay, still, using an old fashioned VR interface. No strings on me." In this case, he means the electrode harness that everyone else has used. "But I figured it's time to get real."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
If Jemma would squeal....this would be the time to do it. Those brown eyes of hers are wide open, the smile growing wider and wider. She lets the door swing open, hey head tilted up and taking in the incredible sight. "It....is incredible. Better than what I could possibly imagine." The steps are slow...it really is more than Jemma would have hoped for. "The TARDIS....10th generation. It...it..."

The words just die off as McLaren appears. In full Tennant regalia. A laugh escapes from Jemma as she just pauses there. "You look fantastic. Simply fantastic." Jemma walks up to the console, a hand reaching out to touch it, almost reverently. "You have been busy." A fingertip touches the console, even as those brown eyes look up towards Mark. "I didn't even expect this. Though...I imagine that you have a reason you did this."

A glance is given back towards the entrance. Back towards the Playground. "You got a lot of people curious." Then...back to facing McLaren. "So, Doctor. I assume you have a plan?" The cheeky grin is there. Jemma is enjoying this entirely too much.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
A smirk comes upon Daisy's expression when McLaren 'pops' out dressed to kill as the Doctor. Really. And even if Daisy hasn't exactly seen much of Doctor Who (something she will NEVER admit to Jemma) she can at least recognize the Tennant look! Mmmm, sexy David Tennant.... But then she waggles a finger at McLaren's image, "I will let you know that if this is your attempt of woo'ing my 'sister's' heart you will have to get my approval first." there, because Furiae stick for each other!

But quickly enough she sobers up to join in to look over the console, arms folding together.

A nod, and she waits for the man to explain what the plan is.

Melinda May has posed:
"I do," McLaren says to Jemma when she comments he must have a reason for all this. He echoes the sentiment again, when she asks about a plan. "I do."

Daisy admonition, however, puts a sheepish, unrepentant grin on his face. "Give me time..." He actually winks. Whether or not he's joking is impossible to say in virtual space. Unlike them, his physical reactions don't translate into game pixels.

He gestures now, beckoning them into his fancy Timelord hideaway. "Come in. Better to talk in here."

The only thing that stops Gonzales from joining them is a messenger who comes to deliver news to him. He grunts, a scowls, shooting a look between the messenger and the strangers commandeering his... broom closet.

"This is not happening," he growls, lifting a hand to take off his glasses and pinch the bridge of his nose briefly. "Don't go *anywhere*," he tells them perversely. "I want to know what this is all about." That doesn't stop him from getting called away, nonetheless.

Thus, May watches as he retreats, looks over at Ward, Trip, and Mack briefly, and then follows Jemma and Daisy through the blue door. Gonzales isn't the only one who wants information.

As Ward and the others make to follow, a strange barrier stops them. "Sorry, gents," McLaren calls out merrily. "Real people only, today. No constructs need apply." The doors draw closed in their faces and, from their perspective on the outside, the door just disappears, returning the old broom closet door to its rightful place.

McLaren turns, then, to the three women, grinning broadly to Jemma and Daisy before he gives May a long once over. "You're looking pretty good, May," he says. "Don't worry. We'll have you out soon."

May's eyes go flat and her brows dip as her lips press together. Rather than respond verbally to that, she merely crosses her arms over her chest and cocks her hip in that Let's get on with it way of hers.

Thus, McLaren's attention returns to Jemma and Daisy. "I suppose I could've done a Stargate as easily as a TARDIS," he shrugs, "but the TARDIS gives us a place to talk. I've embedded this place in between servers, effectively. AIDA can't quite reach here." A beat. "Not yet, anyway."

He moves to the console and pulls up a terminal screen. "Think of this place as a waystation of sorts. I can reprogram the door on the fly to match geo-coordinates throughout the matrix. Especially if there's already a door in that vicinity. It's effectively like relinking a game level." He keys in some numbers and gestures to the door. "Take a look..."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Well now....

That little playful outburst from Daisy catches Jemma unawares. And, to Jemma's credit, she actually blushes. She certainly was not expecting something like that. And...really, it is kinda apparent once one steps away to look at it. But, being Jemma, she just reaches up to cover her mouth, the palm of the hand conveniently hiding the smile that is behind it as that elbow rests upon her other arm, crossed just about an inch or two above her navel. There is even a hint of amusement floating in the aether, something that cannot be hidden from those sensitive to thoughts or feelings.

Though, one look at May and the amusement stifles away. And, when the hand drops, the smile is not there. Perhaps, after this is all done, there will be a discussion. But now? Now is business.

"A floating room, essentially. With the doorway being linked to whatever other door or location instantly to allow access? How very exciting." There is a hint of that same amazement in that voice of Jemma's. "Instead of a time machine, you created a hub, with the exit going to wherever you wish to go. Brilliant." And yes...there is true admiration in that.

When Mark indicates to check the door, of course Jemma is off to do so. The hand reaches out, grasping the handle from the inside. "So...essentially, we have a shortcut to the end boss level?" In keeping with the video game cliches. But...Mark wants the door to be opened...and Jemma more than willingly opens it, to see where they are linked to this time.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
A glance is given over her shoulder as the constructs are blocked from coming in, Daisy waving her farewell at them. She knows it might be the last time she sees a few of them. Well, Gonzales in this case. The rest she *might* see again, if she gets out of here alive and doesn't get turned into a construct, doomed to repeat evil Ophelia scenarios over and over. Somehow that just seems to jolt her out of her playfulness too, sobered up and following McLaren's motions while he explains the place.

"Ah, you outdid yourself. Good job with this. So we virtually can go anywhere we want..." she starts pondering about it, a faint smile given over to May.

"Seems like momentum is on our side, we will get you guys out of here in no time."

"And can we use it or it needs to be linked with you?" she then asks. Attention then goes to the doorway and she peers curiously when Jemma goes to open it.

Melinda May has posed:
Beyond the door is a busy street somewhere in London. A red doubledecker rumbles by, an advertisment for city tours on its side. Cars and lorries choke the narrow roadway. Pedestrians pass by with hardly a glance toward them, most of them focussed on where they're going or a device in their hands.

Mark grins at the praise, but his expression sobers as they start considering the ramifications of this place. "Essentially, yes," he tells Jemma. "I can open up doors in the Triskelion or anywhere else. Which means, if we can figure out where AIDA is, I can transport you right to her."

He glances between them and May. "It also means I can open doorways to places where other agents are trapped." He's been watching enough of the feed to know his words will have some impact on May. "Dottie Underwood is being held by Fitz. We need both of them pulled out and brought to wherever that back door is Radcliffe promised you."

Yeah. He's seen snatches of the latest episode of Skye TV.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Well...there was a moment where the smile was back, seeing the familiar sights (at least, to Jemma) of London. Though, she does close the door before any of the passersby do not recognize a police call box with dimensions that would exceed the rather finite area the outside of the call box would entail. "So, we have a door that is looking for a room to open into. We...need to find the room."

There is a definite deflation of her mood as Jemma considers the others. Including the one that she supposedly jumped in the virtual nightmare for in the first place. "We need to get them first. Before we attempt to jump to the final level. It should be considerably easier for that, since we have a feed established for Fitz, do we not?" Jemma doesn't immediately remember if they do or not. "I...would start there."

A beat...then Jemma continues onward. "Has Fitz ever interacted with the AI? Perhaps he may have gone to this location where AIDA is? I mean, that is a point to start. Conversely, one could monitor the data flow in the virtual construct. I suppose that this construct will be where ever the data concentration is the highest, considering this program must be analyzing the subconscious of everyone trapped here. That has to be a noticeable spike in data flow."

There Jemma goes, analyzing the situation again.

Daisy Johnson has posed:
"Then that will be the priority." Daisy says about Dottie and Fitz, a bit of a frown coming to her expression, "Has there been any ..., improvement on Fitz's condition?" she knew that of the whole group he seemed to be one of those more .., changed. It makes her shift her weight from foot to foot, troubled but then she dips her head, "But Jemma is right, we can simply open a doorway to the labs and take them both before most anyone notices. Of course that we should do this when are *ready* to go, because it will for sure alert Aida about our intentions."

"Do we even have a possibility of keeping Radcliffe's mind intact somewhere when we get out?" She then asks McLaren. Clearly she isn't the type of wanting to make a deal with someone and breaking it.

Melinda May has posed:
"You can't be serious," May says, finally breaking her silence, when McLaren says they have to rescue Fitz. Dottie... okay. She's not sure about that -- Dottie did shoot her, after all. "Underwood... I get. Sort of. But, the Doctor?" Dottie is a SHIELD agent here. She might be able to help, if she can keep her more murderous urges under control. But Fitz? "Hell no."

She looks at the three of them and starts pacing. "You don't want him in your world. You don't. Trust me on this. I..." Her expression shut down into something hard, unforgiving. "I know. I've helped. Hell, you should probably leave me here. I don't care. I just want those kids -- and their parents -- safe."

"It's not that simple," McLaren replies. "You... none of you are like you are here in the real world," he tells May. "Bobbi, you, Fitz. You're nothing like you are here." A beat. "Well. You're still the Cavalry, but... Fitz is a really good guy. You need to trust us."

May snirks at that, clearly not sold. She turns to Jemma and Daisy. "Hey, if you wanna take out AIDA, I'm all for it. The bitch tried to turn my brain into a blender. I don't know where her place is, but Morse said something about some place way down underneath Manhattan. A sphere thing or something..."

McLaren's brows rise. "Oh, shit," he swears. "The Sphere. That makes sense..."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
Normally, with any other time, Jemma wouldn't say anything to May to contradict her. Sure, there may be nudgings and suggestions...but flat out telling her she is wrong? That usually does not happen.

So, when Jemma turns to May to speak, it seems for all the world that Jemma is going with her usual method. "Respectfully, Agent May, I disagree." Agent May. Yet another fall back to comfortable levels. "We all have dark sides to ourselves. Aspects that normally are not cultivated. Not brought to the fore. This world simply...we have very little information on whether or not Leopold Fitz is doing whatever he does here in this virtual reality on his own free will or if he is being coerced." Perhaps it is a little naïve of Jemma to think as such, which certainly could be the case.

But then Jemma continues. And, while her words remain respective, the tone shifts. Growing stern. It is a tone that May might have heard before. From either Peggy here, or perhaps another Jemma, another time. "I am not leaving this infernal waking nightmare without ensuring that each and every one of my friends get out of here with me. That includes Bobbi, Peggy, you...and Fitz."

As McLaren chimes in with the moral values of Fitz in the real world, Jemma adds to it. "He is right. This world is not real. You are not Hydra. Daisy isn't a pop star. I am certainly not a school teacher." Pausing, those brown eyes level with May's. "And Fitz is not the Doctor. He is leaving this simulation, same as you." The finality of that statement lingers in the air. Nothing more is said of it from Jemma.

Really, she seems to feel the matter is closed, regardless of what others may think.

Then...a shift towards McLaren. "Wait. That episode in which Bobbi almost had a cardiac arrest. Wasn't that when she was in the virtual approximation of the Sphere? I remember seeing something similar, before Sarah and I needed to tend to Bobbi." Yes....Jemma saw the feed. And...it makes sense. "If...that is the case, though....then we know where we need to go."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
If there is one thing that Daisy would go against May for? That would be in standing by the rest of her SHIELD family. Something that Fitz is clearly a part of. So a small frown comes to her features and she replies to May. "Hell yes.." she says, a nod towards McLaren. "Like McLaren says he is one of us. One of our best too. And so are you, May. *Noone* will be left behind." jaw tightening in that stubborn look that is so like her mother, the young Agent joining her voice to Jemma's own words.

With the talk shifting to the Sphere Daisy furrows her brows, tapping her fingers to her lips. "Mmmm." then eyes turning alight. "It might just be actually. Because that's the nexus outside, why not be the nexus inside? The connection will make it easier for her to extend her tendrils everywhere too." a nod.

"All that's left is getting Dottie and Fitz then."

Melinda May has posed:
Beyond the obvious conviction the SHIELD agents display in their body language and tone, May can feel that convinction in her own bones. Even McLaren's emotions are open to her here -- and it has nothing to do with Jemma's Terrigenesis trick. They're all in the same room in the real world, after all.

In a rare show of pique, or perhaps concession, she rolls her eyes and sets her jaw. "Fine," she growls back at the three of them. "I don't know how to get to Fitz. And I still think it's a bad idea. But I can make a pretty good guess about where he's got Underwood. Give me some weapons and a way in and I can pull her out."

A beat. She admits, "Chances are, if I go after her, he'll follow, anyway. Based on what AIDA said, I think she kept the rest of us away from him. He'll be out for blood. If Underwood's is the best he can get... that's where he'll be."

McLaren is back at his terminal, fingers on the keyboard. He looks a little distracted, which isn't entirely a surprise since he's seeing two overlays at the same time -- the VR world and his actual terminal. "Yeah," he says, answering Jemma's question. "Yeah, she was. Which means I know exactly where to open the door for you." He's comparing his guess to geodata he's able to pull directly fromt he simulation. "Ah-huhn. Yep. There's a door there..."

He turns back to the three women. "So, all we need now is Radcliffe's back door and we're almost home free. Get the gang back together, beat the Final Boss, collect the treasure."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
"Splendid." The comment is to McLaren, not to May. Jemma heard the tone in May's voice with that one-word concession. And, although Jemma herself is not an empath, she does know May. Once she agrees to something, it's locked in. Jemma walks over towards the terminal in the TARDIS, looking on over McLaren's (virtual) shoulder. "Yes...perfect. Chances are that we are going to need to split the party on this...and get people out while the Final Boss is distracted. Therefore, we need everyone together first. Let's work on that, while Daisy and I go over what ever final preparations that we need to do for this. It...would be best if we were to face this AIDA. We have been in here the least amount of time and we have the advantage of knowing absolutely that this is a computer generated simulation. There is less for AIDA to use to influence us over the others."

Jemma shifts her attention to May. "If you know where Underwood may be held, then I trust you to go after her. If Fitz has taken an interest in her as you think he has, he will follow. He always was tenacious when he wanted to be. Though, he is also extremely clever, too. So, as much as it pains me to say this....please be on your guard. Knowing Fitz, he will have contingency plans for his contingency plans."

Then, her eyes are upon Daisy. "So, Daisy, you think we are ready for a level skip to the end boss?" Yes, Jemma might have played a video game or two in her time. "With what we have mapped out with the cheat code, I think we can at least buy us some time to keep the AI distracted to get everyone out. Then...once we have that, McLaren maps the door to whatever back door there is to here...and we get out. Sound like a plan?"

"I certainly hope so...because that is what we have to work with."

Daisy Johnson has posed:
As May seems to agree with the saving there's a grunt out of Daisy and a bit of a smile. She looks at McLaren. "I think we need a matrix weapons rack for May to get a few guns from.." she suggests. Then she leans in to whisper. "Try command ./weaponrack..." look, Daisy may have indulged in a few things when she was programming her way into the Framework before. Though with that taken care of she looks back to Jemma.

"I just hope that going past the side quests won't come and bite us on the ass in the end.." She tells her friend, "If we get a chance we *need* to destroy the sphere though, as it's her central hub. That's the best way of slowing her down."

But other than that, they would have to hope Aida hadn't learned too much with what they had been doing so far on the Framework. It was going to be a tight affair.

Melinda May has posed:
May's brows rise speculatively as Daisy suggests a weapon rack. McLaren grins at her and types the line into the console. A moment later, the rack appears and May lets out a soft grunt of approval. She's finding it very hard to be skeptical about this other world in the face of all this evidence.

She moves toward it and selects a pair of pistols and a handful of mags -- including both live and ICER rounds. "This will do," she agrees. "Let me find my staff and I'll be good to go."

She stalks off to find it, but it won't be long before she returns. Even less time after that before she embarks on her rescue, leaving Neo and Trinity, and the Operator, to finalize their plans.

The final level awaits.