Ward and May left the command room, making their way toward Fitz's lab.
As they walked, Ward updated May, "We traced her group's last known location to a biker bar called Rosie's Desert Oasis. Lorelei might be hiding there. We're meeting a S.H.I.E.L.D. support team on-site in ten minutes."
In the lab, Fitz proudly unveiled a collection of newly designed weapons laid out on a table—everything from pistols to assault rifles and grenade launchers.
Spreading his arms wide, he announced cheerfully:
"Excellent. These beauties will finally see some action."
Ward eyed the variety of guns, letting out an impressed whistle and clapping his hands, "These the sweet dreams guns?"
Fitz gestured toward the weapons, correcting him, "Same tech, but I've changed that name."
Ward smirked, "Probably for the best."
Grinning, Fitz continued, "I call them freeze guns now. Immobilization rounds, fired with precision..."
Ward picked up one of the pistols, sliding a magazine into place before mimicking a firing pose, "Not bad. You even shaved off that extra ounce of weight."
Fitz nodded, "And I tripled the stopping power. But after our fight with the Centipede soldiers, I realized we needed heavier firepower."
He lifted a grenade launcher from the table, displaying it proudly.
May picked up one of the pistols herself, testing its balance.
Ward raised an eyebrow, "I thought you said you didn't like pistols?"
May corrected him, her voice calm, "No, I said I'd take one if I needed it."
She glanced at the weapons, "We'll need these. It's hard to tell friend from foe when someone's under Lorelei's control."
At that moment, Coulson appeared behind them, chiming in:
"With this, we won't need to hold back."
The team turned to see Coulson holding a new piece of gear. Fitz looked curious, "Where's Lady Sif?"
"Thud!"
Before Coulson could answer, Sif landed dramatically, jumping from the second level of the plane to join them. Straightening, she asked impatiently:
"Are we ready to leave?"
"Let's go!" Coulson declared.
…
The team, accompanied by a S.H.I.E.L.D. support unit, arrived at Rosie's Desert Oasis.
The bar's exterior was ordinary, with a lone police car parked outside. Two officers holding Remington shotguns stood near the vehicle. As the S.H.I.E.L.D. convoy arrived, the officers approached them.
Sif stepped out of the car, her gaze scanning the rundown bar. She muttered, "Lorelei always favored palaces and castles. This place is far beneath her usual standards."
Ward clarified, "It's not the place she's after—it's the people inside."
Coulson turned his attention to the approaching officers, asking directly:
"How many people inside has she taken control of? Did you see the suspect?"
One of the officers replied, his tone oddly dreamy, "Yes, we did. She's... beautiful."
Without warning, the officer raised his shotgun and fired at Coulson.
"Bang!"
Fortunately, Coulson had already started to dodge as soon as he saw the officer aim at him.
The area quickly erupted into a firefight.
Lorelei's remaining men inside the bar, acting on her orders before she left, also began firing on the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents from the other side.
Lorelei, now en route to New York City with Roy, had strategically left behind half her forces to buy time. The two officers outside had also been left to ambush any potential pursuers.
Pinned down by gunfire from both directions, Coulson and his team sought cover. Ward observed the situation and declared:
"It's tough to get a clear shot. I'll cover everyone."
Without hesitation, Ward charged forward, shoving a large food truck—resembling a train car—sideways to create a makeshift barricade.
Coulson chuckled, "Now that's what I call cover."
Using the protection, the team began firing freeze rounds, immobilizing the officers under Lorelei's control.
Once the outside threat was neutralized, Coulson gave orders:
"All the men stay outside. Sif will go after Lorelei. Ward, circle around and block any exits."
Sif charged into the bar, where more of Lorelei's men waited. Scanning the room, Sif's eyes narrowed—Lorelei was nowhere to be seen.
"Lorelei!" she roared.
Her call was met with gunfire, but Sif deflected the bullets effortlessly.
After taking down Lorelei's remaining followers with ease, she surveyed the area thoroughly. Frustration filled her voice as she reported:
"Lorelei isn't here. She left with her people before we arrived."
Ward, entering from the back, added:
"Roy, their leader—nicknamed 'Rooster'—isn't here either."
…
Back aboard the Airbus-
In the interrogation room, Sif, seething with frustration, punched the wall with a resounding "thud!"
"Damn that Lorelei, using her followers to delay us!" she growled.
Coulson tried to reassure her, "We'll find her. Every agent in the area is searching."
Sif snapped back, her voice laced with anger:
"What's the point? The collar is broken."
She slammed the damaged collar onto the table. During the earlier firefight, a stray bullet had struck the collar, rendering it useless.
"Without it, the only way to stop her magic is to kill her."
Coulson looked at the collar and replied calmly:
"Let me worry about that. Stay here—and try not to punch any holes in my plane."
With that, Coulson left the room with the collar in hand.
…
In the lab-
Coulson approached Fitz and handed him the damaged collar.
"The device that used to suppress Lorelei's magic got hit during the fight. Can you fix it?"
Fitz examined the collar, turning it over in his hands.
"This? The material and weight... it's similar to the Berserker Staff."
Coulson smiled, his tone encouraging, "You've got a few hours."
Fitz nodded, determination in his voice, "Alright, we'll give it a try."