"I'm familiar with SHIELD," said Erik, frowning. "I knew someone once who was part of it. It was her whole life— but she never mentioned anything about its collapse." Though he knew from ample experience that people could be torn from their lives with no idea of what had lain in store for them— perhaps it had been a blessing that Carter hadn't been left behind to witness her beloved agency's demise.

"What do you think you'll do now?" he asked as she finally leaned down and took the shot, sinking a solid neatly into the far pocket.