Betrayal

It wasn't long before the agents returned to the SHIELD black site. Sitwell's excited expression bordered on manic. The technology he witnessed in the vehicle was hundreds of years beyond anything on Earth. That included the near-magical tech of SHIELD, other government organizations, and mega-corporations. 

When they entered the 'house' Gar was standing in the living room with his hood pulled over his head. He looked mystical and mysterious. He set the atmosphere further throwing Sitwell off.

"Jasper, this is Jedi Padawan Gar Finn," Coulson introduced the two. Sitwell extended his hand and Gar shook it while giving a slight bow.

"You are a good friend of Coulson's. He could use a good friend right now given the situation," Gar said.

"Of course, but I haven't written Brock off yet. I've worked with him off and on for a few years, it's hard for me to believe that someone like him could be a traitor," Sitwell commented.

"The worst thing about this situation is the betrayal," Coulson said. Sitwell nodded as if his words had nothing to do with Sitwell. 

"I understand that we're spies and we've all participated in missions where we pretended to be friends with our targets. This is different, these are colleagues who we've worked with for years. How can a person be so despicable that they can laugh and cry with you? How can they pretend to understand you? Pretend to share their heart with you, and then turn around and stab you in the heart!" Coulson was enraged.

Sitwell was surprised by Coulson's visceral reaction, "I didn't know you were that close to Brock."

"It doesn't matter," Coulson said. 

"Why don't we proceed downstairs and let Sitwell conduct the interrogation?" Gar placed his hand on Coulson's shoulder and gave two quick squeezes. Coulson didn't know what Gar was hinting at, but he knew Gar had something in mind. He needed to follow his lead and support him. 

"Fine, that's a good idea. How should we do this?" Coulson asked Gar. 

"We'll do it the same as last time. Surj is waiting for us," Gar said and headed toward the secret entrance to the interrogation rooms. 

"Who's Surj?" Sitwell asked.

"You know how I explained that R3 in the car is called a droid and that there are different types of droids?" Coulson asked Sitwell who nodded in confirmation. "Surj is another one of Padawan Finn's droids. It specializes in medicine so he calls it a medical droid." 

"Did something happen to Rumlow?" Sitwell asked.

Coulson understood Sitwell's misunderstanding and laughed, "Not quite, as a medical droid it's proficient at administering truth serum."

Sitwell paused, "Would truth serum work on Rumlow?" 

"That's why you're here," Gar explained. "Surj is administering a stronger serum, but I think an experienced interrogator such as yourself will be more useful."

Sitwell nodded in agreement, "Well-trained agents such as those from SHIELD have high resistance to chemical interrogations. That's why we're still training people in traditional interrogation methods." 

The group descended to the lower room and entered the observation room. While everyone took their places to look at the room, Gar discretely tagged Coulson with something. That's what the experienced agent felt. 

"That's a medical droid? Impressive," Sitwell commented.

"He's even more impressive up close. Follow me, you, me, and Coulson will conduct the interrogation. 

Sitwell seemed confused, "Do we need so many people to conduct an interrogation? I should be more than enough."

"I'll be there to confer with Surj and make sure he administers the correct serum. Plus, I'm a calming presence," Gar smiled. Sitwell didn't care.

"I was part of the first interrogation, I want to be there for some follow-up questions," Coulson said. 

"Okay, let's get to it," Sitwell walked boldly into the room. 

"Brock, wake up, it's me, Sitwell," Sitwell started the interrogation, but Rumlow was unresponsive.

"He's still under, Surj wake him up and inject the new serum," Gar commanded.

"Yes, Master Finn, give him a minute to wake up and I'll interject the serum. It will only take a few seconds after that for it to take effect. 

Sitwell waited and observed the droid as it conducted its job. His eyes sparkled, "Any chance you could sell a few of these droids to SHIELD?" 

Gar looked at the man thoughtfully, "It's not impossible, but I need to make sure I'm selling it to SHIELD." 

Gar's comment caught him off guard, "Who else could you sell it to?"

"Oh, you know, Hydra. That's what Rumlow said earlier, but I don't know if that's reliable," Gar said. In the observation room, the agents were joined by Barton who finally returned. When he heard Gar's comment he laughed out loud, but thankfully the door was closed and secured. He still received dirty looks from his team, but they too were amused by Gar. Maverick, especially appreciated Gar's approach. It was along the lines of something he would do. 

"Hydra?" Sitwell pretends ignorance.

"You know, that organization that Captain America and the SSR shut down during WWII," Coulson added.

"I know who Hydra is, but it's surprising for Rumlow to tell you he's working with Hydra," Sitwell said.

"That's why we brought you in," Coulson said. 

"You may question the subject," Surj's voice interrupted the conversation. Coulson signaled for Sitwell to begin.

"Brock, it's me, Sitwell...Jasper. Can you understand me?" Sitwell asked.

"Yeah, Jasper, it's good to see you. You got to get me outta here," Rumlow said.

"I'll do what I can, but first, I need you to answer my questions. Can you answer my questions, Brock?"

"Yeah, of course, Jasper, but we can't say anything to Coulson," Brock commented.

Sitwell nodded and pushed his questions forward. 

"Are you a spy for Hydra?" Sitwell started strong.

"Yes," Rumlow answered.

"When did you become a double agent?" Sitwell asked.

"From the very start, I was raised to be Hyrda," Rumlow answered.

"What's your mission?" Sitwell asked.

"To bring down SHIELD and replace it with Hydra," 

Who brought you into Hydra?"

"I don't know, it's all I've known," Rumlow answered. 

"You see, he's Hyrda!" Coulson said as Sitwell nodded in acceptance.

"How could you betray your friends?" Gar asked.

"You compartmentalize," Sitwell answered. Gar cast a look at Coulson.

"Didn't you care that you would betray friends?" 

"Friends? Is a dog your friend? Even if it is, it's just an animal," Sitwell responded.

"So you think of me as a dog?" Coulson asked.

"Yeah, but sometimes it feels like there's more to you than that," Sitwell continued. Coulson looked at Gar, wondering what was going on. Gar smiled and made a gentle sign to wait. 

"What's Hydra's plan, how is it going to take over SHIELD," Coulson asked.

"From the inside, and Project Insight, we have so many ways," Sitwell laughed happily, all of the agents were shocked. Sitwell didn't seem to realize he was spilling the beans even more than the confession. Brock seemed to fall asleep again. It was like he was awake long enough to make Sitwell think he was awake and then returned to his slumber.

Gar guided Sitwell to a chair, "Have a seat, don't tire yourself out." Gar started strapping Sitwell's hands and legs to the chair.

Sitwell watched as Gar secured him, "What are you doing?"

"I'm restraining you so you don't hurt anyone," Gar responded.

"That's a good idea," Sitwell finally realized he was saying everything out loud. 

"Coulson, what did you do to me?"

"Nothing, you're the one who did everything," Coulson responded despondently.

"Let's start the real interrogation, well, I leave it to all of you," Gar said as he left the room filled with agents.