Well, in my day, when you wanted to tell someone how you felt, you'd just save up your tokens, you'd buy a lemon, you leave it on their bunk. That's... That's a thing here, right?
Please go to the main computer terminal and choose from the following options. If the Lighthouse is experiencing an extreme-weather event, press 1.
KAgent Kim
Agent Coulson, I can't silence the alarms.
SStoner
If you're experiencing a nuclear attack, press 2.
Coulson
Screw it. [Presses 2]
SStoner
For an alien invasion, press 3. You have selected nuclear attack. For your own health, safety, and radiation protection, all outer doors will remain sealed for 15 years.
[Over the intercom] You may be noticing that the Lighthouse is going into lockdown mode. This is not a drill. The Lighthouse is keeping us safe. All exits, including the hangar, have been sealed to protect us from any outside intrusion. Which is good, 'cause there is currently a sizeable alien spaceship overhead. Oh, and due to a technical malfunction, the Lighthouse thinks we're under nuclear attack, so we may be trapped inside for 15 years... ish.
You will be dealing with me now. I'm here for what was promised, the Gravitonium.
Coulson
Yeah, that's gonna be a hard pass. Maybe you haven't realized it yet, but this bunker, it's apocalypse-proof. It can withstand a nuclear blast. We have years of food, water, and air.
And pretty soon, the world's gonna realize there's this giant ship in its atmosphere, and I'm thinking, in the current political climate, won't be long before you're blown out of the sky. [To May] Too much?
You wouldn't wake up. But now the decision is yours. You're too weak to stand? Well, we'd like to see you walk out of this room and rejoin the fight. But it's up to you if you think more time is worth it. I've made it clear how I feel.
Yeah. I'm aware that we rolled the dice with Coulson, and I still believe that we need him for this, but I will admit that I let my emotions get the best of me. I thought that Coulson was the only one who could keep us all on the same page. You would say that's proof that I can't do the job, that I shouldn't lead. Well, I agree. The truth is, I can't hold the team together. But he can. Coulson wants me to call the shots in his absence. Well, that's my decision. Mack should call the shots. He has the biggest heart. I mean, physically, but also, you know... You are our moral center. And, look, I never want to stop being a soldier. He's a general we can all rally behind. Anyone who thinks I'm 100% right about this, raise your hand? :[Everyone raises their hands.]
Coulson
[Enters the room] Couldn't have said it better myself.
I spent a lot of years– Sorry. I've lived a life– surrounded by heroes. None bigger than all of you. Since the day you joined, same as anyone in the line of duty– heroes, because you– because we sign up to lose each other. To get close to good people– and have them taken away. We've all suffered losses. Never lose sight of that.
No. With respect, sir, you're wrong. We don't move on. We hold that place in our heart, we close it off, we lock the door, we visit from time to time, but we don't move on. Even after we say goodbye.
Take it one step at a time. It's not your job to solve every problem. Your job is to put together a team you trust and then to tell them to take it one step at a time. That's all you can do. If you think about everything you're up against all at once, you'll crack. Fury always said, a man can accomplish anything once he realizes he's a part of something bigger.
Yeah, we would love the chance to discuss it and think about it more, I think, probably, alone.
Coulson
Of course. Look. I know the field isn't for everyone. Some people want to remain behind the scenes. I get it. But to be out there, seeing the lives you're changing, you end up being the one most changed by it.
Yeah, well, look at what happened because of it. What was that thing you kept on saying? Um, Oh, yes, that's it. "Chin up, Fitz. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. · 679 quotes
Coulson
