That's what I'm worried about. The butterfly effect. Just us being here, walking down the street, we could've already changed the course of events.
Yeah, the butterfly effect is just one aspect of the multiverse branch theory. Personally, I subscribe to the Time-Stream idea.
Let me guess. That's the one that lets you do whatever you want.
Okay. Imagine time as a stream, right? And we were sticks that were thrown into it. The water, it... it moves us... it moves around us.
But it ends up in the same place.
Right. Now, too many sticks thrown in and that will create what's called a dam, and... and that'll change the direction of the water forever, and that's bad. So as long as we can avoid that, we should be able to splash around a little bit and we're all good.
Okay, I know where this is going. Agent Shaw, you will not be filing any patents. Is that understood?
[The team is posing as members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police]
PPolice Officer
What's a gal like you doing trying to be a Mountie? Can't you find a husband?
Okay. Yeah, I mean, I wish that I could hold on to a husband. But for some reason, they just end up with broken ribs whenever they give me lip. Now move, or a gal like me will knock out a guy like you in front of people like them.
The new gang. They're after Freddy.
EHErnest Hazard Koenig
Oh, applesauce. He's a nobody.
He's a target. Give me a reason.
They're not after his dad's money. When old man Malick jumped out that window, his debts were paid.
What did you just call him?
His full name. What is it?
Wilfred Malick. As in father of Gideon Malick? Future head of Hydra in America?
If the Chronicoms kill Malick, then Hydra is stamped out before it ever takes hold and S.H.I.E.L.D. is never formed.
So you're saying, to save S.H.I.E.L.D...
If Hydra doesn't form, then S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't form in response.
Well, because it doesn't have to. I mean, think about all the future lives we'll save if there's no Freddy Malick.
We can't disrupt the timeline. If we take out Malick, something even worse could rise up in his place.
But then we'll just deal with it when we get back, right?
To a future we won't recognize... Killing Malick was the Chronicoms' intent. They do know the consequences.
And we'll only know what happens if he lives. None of this is pretty.
But why does it have to be a live-or-die situation? Can't we stay here awhile, uh, be a good influence for him, change his heart?
Technically, that would still be killing the historic Malick, who...
[Simmons wants to run tests on a drop of green liquid that she found]
I need some alcohol. 90 proof or better.
I like the way this bird sings.
I'm a biochemist, not a bird. I also need some salt, some cork, something made with silver. Let's hope it's not what I fear.
[After testing]
I know what it is. By heating the compound inside an alcohol-based solution, I was able to produce a decomposition reaction, separating and isolating...
Whoa, cut... cut... cut to the chase. I'd like to get this package before Christmas.
The compound is part of a formula that first appeared in Germany during World War II.
D... During World War II? I think you're half-cocked from the moonshine.
It was synthesized by a German scientist named Abraham Erskine.
I don't like where this is going.
And first used by a man named Johann Schmidt.
Freddy Malick is about to deliver the key ingredient used to create the Super Soldier Serum.
You give a name like that to your juice, it better have a helluva kick.
If we don't stop him, he's gonna build up Hydra and create the Red Skull.
He already did. We can't fix the mistakes of the past.
I'm beginning to think you people are crazy. Hydra? Red Skull? Super Soldier Serum? Sounds like something out of the funny papers.
Yeah, well, there's nothing funny about it.
I mean we shouldn't. I'm sorry.
With all due respect, it's not your call to make. Mack is the Director, and he doesn't have all the information.
[Interrogating a woman from Hydra]
Now that I know what you are, I will ask you one more time. Where is Freddy gonna end up?
WWoman
On the right side of history. You can't stop progress.
We don't want to stop anything. We just want to find our friends.
WWoman
Well, then you can go to Hell.
Wait. Wait. I know where that is. I've been there.
No, no. Hell's Harbor. Where the double-crossers go to double-cross the double-crossers.
[Enoch has been left behind in 1931 with Koenig]
It is my specialty. I call it a Barracoolada.
Hmm. Ooh. That's a damn fine concoction.
I do, as you say, know my onions.
Oh, that, you do. You're hired. But I have a couple of conditions. First, I want to know more about this S.H.I.E.L.D. outfit. I feel like I could be a help there.
Indeed, you will. As will this fine establishment. What is the second condition?
I want to know all there is to know about robots.
Whatever you call yourselves. I-I find it fascinating.
As will your grandchildren.
My... My grandchildren? Enoch... this looks like the start of a marvelous friendship.
Look. We know you're not the bad guy. But you may have given access to one, so help us out.
GSGerald Sharpe
Okay! Okay. Okay, I'll tell you. [Changes his tone to one of defiance] When hell freezes over. I'm a loyal American. Did you really think that I would break for bush league commie scum like you?
We're trying to prevent something terrible from happening.
SSharpe
And by "terrible", do you mean America's continued dominance and unparalleled excellence?
That arrogance is putting lives at risk.
SSharpe
Oh, is that so, Mamacita? Ooh. Caliente. Good thing your boy's here to keep you in line.
Did he just call me "boy?"
SSharpe
Allow me to introduce myself. Gerald Sharpe. Department of Defense. Ex-military. I didn't just teach interrogation and resistance, I wrote the field manual. So do your worst.
[Speaking to LMD Coulson II] Getting to the bottom of this may be difficult. If the Chronicoms have infiltrated, they would all look and act exactly like this.
Okay, but now you're just trafficking in stereotypes.
Well, I mean, perhaps. But until a more diverse population goes into STEM fields, I'm afraid... any one of them could easily be mistaken for a Chronicom.
True, but we don't have to test if they're Chronicoms. We just have to test if they're human. All we have to do is trigger an emotional response.
[Speaking to the group of scientists in front of them]
[Speaking quickly holding up three fingers] How many fingers am I holding up? Nope, you're wrong...
S1Scientist #1
You didn't give me a chance...
It was two fingers. Thank you.
John Wayne. Bit overrated, don't you think? I mean, you're rugged, you're on a horse... who cares?
S2Scientist #2
Who cares? Who cares about John Wayne? America cares.
[In tears] She couldn't stay with Rick. She had to go with Victor. Haven't you ever made a sacrifice for someone you love?
How does it make you feel when I say the word "moist"? [Pause] Moist.
S4Scientist #4
P-Please stop.
[Simmons has been posing as Peggy Carter]
DSDaniel Sousa
Agent Carter?
Well. Glad to finally put a face to the name. I gotta say, I've waited a long time to meet the famous Agent Carter. But I'm surprised to find you here, running a security op in our little patch of desert.
I apologize for the short notice, but we had to act quickly. I believe this base may have been infiltrated.
No. Imagine that. An infiltrator, right under our noses.
And you arrived just this morning, Agent...?
Daniel. And where exactly did you materialize from?
Oh, you work at the old SSR [Strategic Scientific Reserve] office.
Daniel, your surname wouldn't happen to be Sousa?
Which would make you the former colleague of Agent Peggy Carter.
I suppose you'll be arresting me now.
You got it all figured out, don't you?
[Sees Daisy in his office] Who the hell are you?
Who I am is on a need to know basis.
Ah, no, you don't. Because I don't exist and we never met. Now, can you shut the door, please?
Not to be rude, but it's been one of those days, so produce some credentials or I'm gonna put you in handcuffs.
Here. [Shows him a card] I should inform you that's not my real name. My initials are "C", "I", and "A". Catch my drift?
Subtle, but yeah, I get it. I'm also gonna call your bosses in Foggy Bottom and confirm it. [Picks up a phone]
Oh, please do. I'm sure they would love to learn how two moles walked into this base on your watch. Let me guess. They rolled in with flawless ID cards, made a beeline for the scientists... for some routine questioning?
[Puts down the phone] How'd you know that?
CIA. We know all. Even about you, Mr. Sousa. How you were a scout for the 28th infantry till you took shrapnel at Bastogne, worked at Isodyne Energy, took down Hugh Jones and the Council of Nine. And those are just the investigations that I am cleared to talk about.
Why are you really here? Is this about the report I sent you guys?
I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Well, I hope so. Because if S.H.I.E.L.D. has been infiltrated with sleepers post-World War II, we need to root it out right now, before it takes hold.
Look, all I can say is that you are not crazy. And the people that you have locked up [Simmons and LMD Coulson II] might be the key to proving it.
[Outside the cell where Simmons and LMD Coulson II are being held]
The lady pretending to be Carter? Worst fake accent you've ever heard.
You should tell her that.
[In the cockpit of Zephyr One]
[Over an intercom from Zephyr One to Sharpe, who is on the ground] Earthling. You will not reveal what you've seen here today, or the next time we abduct you... you will be... [Pause] probed. [Flies away]
[In a nearby diner]
SSharpe
Someone help me! I was just abducted by aliens!
WWaitress
Looks like we got a live one.
SSharpe
You have to believe me! I saw their spaceship! And... And I'm pretty sure they were Communists... from the future!
[Narrating in a film noir parody] Fate. I don't believe in it. But I know history. I know how the story goes. And when it's playing out right in front of you, it feels like you can't escape it. That fate's gonna catch up to you, tap you on the shoulder, whisper in your ear that your time's up.
[Cut to Sousa confronting someone]
I thought I shook you. [He is shot]
And then your story ends. Sometimes the hero has to die, and there's nothing you can do about it. That day started in a fog. My circuits were crossed up. Color had bled from the world, and I could hear my thoughts pinging around my head.
