831/Slightly Overkill Escort

Slightly Overkill Escort
Date of Scene:	29 March 2020
Location:	Manhattan
Synopsis:	Samuel Morgan is used to SHIELD SUVs picking him up to visit the Triskelion. Today's car ride is different.
Cast of Characters:	Melinda May, Samuel Morgan, Mikhail Uriokovitch

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Melinda May has posed:
Knowing that the young man known as Samuel Morgan would be participating in an upcoming mission, a driver in one of those ubiquitous black SHIELD SUVs is sent to 'retrieve' him to bring to the Triskelion. The time and place for pick up are arranged ahead of time, and precisely at the agreed upon time to the minute, the black SUV pulls to a stop in front of the residence where young Mr. Morgan has been staying.

Wearing dark aviator sunglasses, May puts the SUV in park and sets the hazard lights to flashing. And she leaves it to one of the other agents who came along to actually disembark and meet the kid at the door. She's driving, she said nothing about actually interacting with the kid.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    There is one thing you can count on, and that's punctuality from a semi-retired assassin. He's at the front door of the brownstone roughly thirty seconds before the agreed upon time, just enough of a lead to let him quickly slip back inside if he sees anything he doesn't like, and probably not enough time for an opportunistic attempt on his life. For all the world, he looks like just another teenager taking his dog out for a walk, the German Shepherd known far and wide as Bear obediently on a leash.

    When the agent comes over, Sam walks up to the SUV, like he has done dozens of times before. He waits for the door to be opened, just like he has done dozens of times before, and urges Bear in ahead of him.

    Looking into the car before getting in, just like he has done, literally, dozens of times before.

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
Mikhail has spent most of his time training in SHIELD facilities, and for this purpose has been sent in the car. He has kept to his usual training attire, dark sweatshirt and sweats, though he does wear sunglasses. As the dog jumps in the car he looks down and then says, "I see we bring dog." He shrugs and takes a drink from his water bottle. "I guess we do not need to walk to door, then."

Melinda May has posed:
Clearly not at all surprised by the dog's presence alongside Samuel, May waits calmly until they're both settled into the SUV before starting the drive back to the Triskelion. Her driving is precise and unhurried, and her sunglasses conceal her glance through the rearview mirror to make sure the canine has been correctly and securely seatbelted.

"Mikhail Uriokovitch, Samuel Morgan and Bear. Morgan, Contractor Uriokovitch." If anyone wants better introductions than that, they're on their own unless they enjoy uncomfortably silent car rides.

The radio isn't even on.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    /Not/ as it has gone dozens of times before. The mere fact that the car isn't perfectly empty when he's getting in tells Sam that something is off. And that usually means he'll have some questions to answer. Not exactly common, not particularly uncommon either.

    Given that he's outnumbered three to one, generously speaking, Sam gets into the car as if nothing is wrong, only the most astute observer of humanity would notice the slight pause at the door when he first glanced inside. And, as usual, he reaches over to make sure Bear is properly belted in before he reaches for his own seatbelt. At least Melinda offers the introductions, which saves the usually taciturn teenager the trouble, and he inclines his head in a polite nod.

    <Good afternoon, friend. Hope you don't mind sharing the car with my friend Bear?> It comes out in Saint Peterburg accented Russian, offered alongside with a smile, before the polyglot assassin switches back to English, and his usual mixed New York/North Carolina accent. "Trying to save fuel? Didn't know we were that hard up for money these days." Yup. A contractor and a former HYDRA assassin in the same back seat. Something was very much off...

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
"I've dealt with worse than dogs," Mikhail says bluntly in English, and then looks to May, "Where to, now?" He stretches his neck, a tad cramped in the SUV at the moment." He takes another drink and looks out the window, taking the opportunity to absorb the environment around them.

Melinda May has posed:
"The Triskelion, unless we need to stop for a meal." May makes it sound like the drive could take HOURS. It's at most forty-five minutes, using only the surface streets which is exactly what she's doing. Perhaps she's indulging Mikhail's curiosity about their surroundings? Or maybe she just detests Manhattan's ring roads that much.

"And no, not carpooling because of fuel expenses." They stop at a traffic light, The car braking smoothly and gently enough to not knock Bear's balance off. It's almost like she's driven with a pet in the car before, one that overbalanced frequently.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    When the first red light is spotted, Sam already has an arm across to stop Bear from tipping forwards or sliding. It's a habit, most people don't know how to drive with a large dog belted into the back seat. That it turns out to be unnecessary is something he can't possibly miss. Yet another bit of information filed away. For a few seconds he looks into the rear-view mirror, before looking around through the tinted windows. It's not paranoia when they really are out to get you.

    "So, you're not the usual driver. Am I going to be enlightened as to who you are, or do you want me to start playing twenty questions?" It's asked with an eyebrow raised in amusement, and a faint smile on his face.

    Before long he turns to observe Exhibit B, 'Contractor Uriokovitch', and slips back into russian without hesitation or visible effort. <You should see these streets half an hour from now, or during the week. It's faster to walk most days. Don't worry, Bear doesn't bite.>

    Indeed, the Shepherd is looking around him with every indication of being as happy as can be, ears perked up and tongue lolling. A car ride! His absolute favorite!

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
Mikhail notes, "Meal can wait, road too dangerous," he keeps his eyes out the window and sticks with English, "I believe that, cities tend to be busy during rush hour." He takes a long drink from the bottle, and looks back to the dog, "Dog is not problem, I have dealt with far worse." He looks back out the window, "More worried about potential problems between points A and B."

Melinda May has posed:
May appreciates that Uriokovitch is sticking to English. While she knows no less than four Asian languages, her Russian is strictly limited to curse words. And still more appreciation as Mikhail explains his presence in the vehicle to Samuel. Clearly, no matter how other similar car trips have gone, May herself opted to take no chances whatsoever.

"Agent May," she finally replies to the young man's question about who she is, not that her name alone will really tell him anything. "And if you want to play twenty questions, you can. Not promising I'll answer."

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "So, twenty questions it is." Sam smiles and leans back, glancing out of the window, in a posture typical of someone his age. What's not typical is how his eyes are scanning rooftops and windows, and how he seems to be making mental notes about the cars that move around them. "How about we start by telling me what's going on? And before you tell me everything's just fine, let me lay some logic out for you."

    "For one, there's an extra in the car, who I first thought was here to restrain me. But considering that the webbing was set up to put Bear between me and him, and that he himself isn't sitting in the middle where he could have grabbed me no matter which seat I chose, I was leaning heavily towards our contractor friend here actually being extra security in case someone makes a play for me." He extends a hand in gesture towards Mikhail, without even looking at the man, eyes still outboard.

    "Let's add to that. This car isn't the usual vehicle. The door appears to be bullet resistant and these windows..." he knocks on the one next to him for emphasis "Are roughly three inches of bullet resistant poly urethane. I can't help but notice the central tyre inflation system, the second turbocharger under the hood, the smoke launcher below the rear bumper and what I can only assume is a CIWS system mounted below this seat. Lastly, you're too calm and far, far too professional a driver to be anything but a very senior agent. You planned this route, you planned for Bear, you have a loaded submachine gun in the center console."

    "So, to reiterate, what the hell is going on?"

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
"I was told to show up, so I did," is all Mikhail reveals, "Was not told we would be picking up child." He shrugs and takes another drink, wiping the remnants from his mouth, "Very simple, we do as told. You ask too many questions." He shrugs again, "But if you keep asking so many questions you do not take time to listen." The Russian snorts, "I assumed we babysit child." He laughs and sets his drink down and looks back at the cab of the vehicle, "But assume there is purpose for this."

Melinda May has posed:
"I don't believe in taking chances," is May's vague reply to Samuel's question about what's going on, though the evidence of this is likely unusual when the bright green doggie seatbelt is factored in alongside the extra beefy SUV and even MORE beefy contractor along for the ride.

While their route has been fairly steady toward the Triskelion, at the next intersection, she takes a turn that leads them very much NOT on the same path. The signs on the buildings quickly change, no longer solely in English, but increasingly in some Asian script or other. The buildings are also far more colorful, if smaller in stature.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    For the whole time, Sam's body language was about as relaxed as it could be under the circumstances, smiling the whole time. Even being called a 'child' doesn't seem to bother him, aside from a quick glance over towards Melinda. "He doesn't know? Oh wow... oh that's rich. This is going to be fun, I can see that now."

    He offers a hand to Mikhail, turning in his seat and leaning across in front of Bear to do so. "Sam Morgan. Until about six months ago, I was playing for the other team. Hope you're getting hazard pay for this."

    It's as he's being facetious that he notices the car take a wrong turn. Notices the route it's now taking. Chinatown is very much /not/ on the normal itinerary. Within moments, his body language changes, suddenly regarding everything and everyone with deep suspicion.

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
"Arrogant and obnoxious, all in one package, how effecient of you," Mikhail remarks dryly and accepts the hand, "Outstanding." He frowns and notes the change in the area, "I am paid enough, and clearly you do not know me, which is exactly what I want." He drains the bottle and sets it on the floor, "But it seems that we are likely getting near our job."

Melinda May has posed:
"No. This is a planned detour." May did indeed notice the change in the young man's demeanor and when Mikhail comments, she has to say something to reassure them both. "We're stopping for food."

Another turn, another block, and the black SUV pulls to a stop in front of one of those tiny, clearly VERY authentic restaurants. "I'll return in a moment." And with that, she's out of the SUV and heading into the little restaurant. She's left the SUV's engine running. Another precaution, perhaps?

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "Only when I'm nervous." Sam shrugs towards Mikhail, starting to relax when Melinda reveals her ulterior motive. Still, he doesn't rule out the possibility that this is all an elaborate ruse to get him into a vulnerable position, but everything seems to be very... well, ganz in Ordnung. And, to be fair, he could do with something to eat.

    He's sixteen, he can /always/ do with something to eat.

    He waits until Agent May has left the car, notices with professional satisfaction that she's leaving the engine running, and leans back in his seat again. "So, where are you from, Contractor Uriokovitch? Me, I'm from Virginia originally."

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
"Fair," Mikhail says and tries to get comfortable in his seat. "Food is acceptable, but I am not picky as to what or where." He nods to May as she departs and then looks to Sam once he asks, "Where I am from does not matter. It is sensitive issue, but in Russia." His tone becomes less jovial and more serious, "My past is my own."

Melinda May has posed:
May returns quickly enough, carrying a brown paper bag clearly holding food containers. Yes, plural. She hands it across to Mikhail then buckles in and gets the car moving again. "If you'll distribute the containers please, Uriokovitch. The container with the skewer is for the dog, if he's allowed. Just don't spill anything in here."

It's, of course, Chinese food. Though the offerings appear to have been planned with eating in a car in mind as they're they're not heavy in sauces or easily dumped rice.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    Someone, Sam suspects, is either trying to score points or is also a dog owner. Currently, he's leaning towards the latter. Luckily, Bear isn't wearing his vest at the moment, the universal sign of the service dog, and Sam nods to Mikhail. "He's allowed, he's not on the clock." And now, a more critical look is given to Melinda.

    "I don't normally get fed on these trips. Think you could become my permanent driver?"

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
Mikhail distributes the packages accordingly, including the skewer one for the dog to Sam, "Excellent, solves that problem." He begins looking through his carefully, "Thank you, agent." He smiles and gets comfortabl again, "Will have to note this for future visits." He looks over to May again, "Where to, now?" He begins working on his food.

Melinda May has posed:
"If you mean that seriously, I will submit the paperwork. But no promises," May replies. Her driving is once again precise and adjusting for the fact that there is now food in the vehicle as well as the dog. "Now, no more detours. Morgan has a briefing to attend."

Interestingly, there wasn't a container of food left for her after the ones for the others are handed out. It's only a couple of blocks and they're back on the route to get to the Triskelion. But still, no radio.

Samuel Morgan has posed:
    "I like working with professionals." It's the last thing Sam is likely to say for a while, opening the container with Sui Mai and picking up his chopsticks one handed. His other hand opens the container for bear and offers over a skewer. Soon, both Bear and his human are eating with every sign of enjoyment and as if they've just come in from a three week desert survival training.

    Yet still those eyes scan around.

Mikhail Uriokovitch has posed:
Mikhail looks to May, "You did not get any?" He sets his food down, "My apologies, I should have waited." He sighs, "But I hope all is well?" He regrets having an empty bottle at this point.

Melinda May has posed:
"It's fine, I'm driving. Go ahead and eat, I'll likely stop there again on my way home for dinner." Because that's something she will indeed very likely do, if she's not tapped to fly an overnight mission. This place has almost the best Sui Mai she's found in the Eastern time zone. There's a better place in San Francisco, but she doesn't make it out there as often as she does Beijing. So, semantics.

The rest of the drive is uneventful enough, with the loudest noise besides the SUV is likely the dog's eating chicken from his skewer.