29

You hit the last key on the control sequence and turn to follow Natasha out of the room at a run. You know you're supposed to stay and verify that the sequence is running (Tony's told you at least three times by now), but that kind of seems like less of a priority when it's a choice between that and not saving just your life, but Tony's and Steve's as well. You'll just have to cross your fingers and hope you did it right.

"Coulson, we're gonna need backup in here," you say as you run.

"Serious backup," Natasha adds.

It's a good thing you ran when you did, because just as you skid to a halt in the room where you left your teammates, you hear the thundering of heavy combat boots up the stairs below you. Natasha exchanges a look with you; the safety on her gun clicks off loudly, and you draw back your bowstring with one of your best arrows nocked. You're ready.