#thirtean

KERN: This is a pretty damning report, Director. You disobeyed direct orders, against intervention policy and you got an American asset killed, with no real discernible results as to our own humint interests. Is it fair to say this was a failed mission? COULSON: Depends on your definition of failure. KERN: What's your definition, then? COULSON: Our orders would have left fifteen innocent children to burn to death. We went back to save them and we did. I'd say that was a success. KERN: At the loss of a highly cooperative, highly important American asset. COULSON: In my professional opinion at the time, it was a drop in the bucket in comparison to what we already had gathered during our time in [REDACTED]. KERN: In your professional opinion? Or someone else's? COULSON: What's that supposed to mean? KERN: Have you considered the possibility Agent Romanova was running a honeytrap? COULSON: That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say and I watch a lot of C-SPAN. DURANT: The Director is reminded he is under oath and that this is a Senate hearing, you are to behave with better conduct or you will be held. KERN: Director, has it occurred to you that having an infamous Russian spy working with top level security clearance at, arguably, one of the least regulated branches of American Intelligence might look bad when you are under investigation for being compromised from the inside? COULSON: At the advice of my attorney, I invoke the fifth amendment. KERN: How are we to trust the decisions you have made during your time as a handler and as the Director of SHIELD if you won't give us a straight answer regarding your involvement with foreign agents. COULSON: She's not a foreign agent, she's an Avenger. She's put herself on the line day in and day out to save not just my life, not just the lives of the American people, but your life too. If it weren't for her, there would be a lot more flags folded on mantlepieces. So, let's just keep that in mind before you go Yosemite fuckin' Sam. KERN: Director you will watch your tone in this court. [ EXCERPT CONTINUES AT 02HRS 08MINS. ] DURANT: At what point would recruitment become a counterintelligence threat to our country? COULSON: Senator, that's difficult to answer in the abstract. When a foreign power is using coercion or some sort of pressure to try and co-opt an American, especially a government official, to act on its behalf, that’s a serious concern regardless of who is on what side of the aisle. DURANT: So any document detailing specific claims against an individual or individuals regarding their involvement in this matter would have to be verified independently, is that correct? COULSON: Yes. If it's a credible allegation, we would be in contact with the C.I.A. or the the Department of Homeland Security. DURANT: How often have you had to do that? COULSON: Never. DURANT: You have never had a single concern raised regarding the involvement of an agent in counter intelligence recruitment? COULSON: Not independently checked by an outside organisation, no. DURANT: What about Sharon Carter? COULSON: Agent Carter was never co-opted or coerced by a foreign power. That's the basis of an investigation. DURANT: Have you ever had an intimate relationship with Agent Carter? COULSON: I invoke the fifth amendment. DURANT: Phil, I'm starting to see a pattern. You've got an Air Force Colonel who you left to rot in a gulag. You've got a Russian Black Widow on one shoulder and ex-communicated black ops specialist on the other who is now on the run after being accused of treason. You're at the helm of a ship overrun by Neo-Nazi's and the most you have to say is that you invoke the fifth. COULSON: I have served this country - DURANT: And we thank you for that service, but it does not make you immune to reproach or questioning. [OFF MIKE.] DURANT: Alright, we'll take a break there. This committee will reconvene with the Director at 09:30 hours. [ TESTIMONY CONTINUES AT ANNEX B. ]

DURANT: Director, allegations have been swirling in the press for the last several weeks, and today is your opportunity to set the record straight. I have read your initial statement with keen interest, but I would like to ask - did you have any suspicions whatsoever about the possibility of a leak within SHIELD? COULSON: At the advice of my attorney, I invoke the fifth amendment. DURANT: You're saying you will not state one way or another whether you were aware of any secret operation to undermine SHIELD? COULSON: At the advice of my attorney, I invoke the fifth amendment. DURANT: Phil, how long have you worked for SHIELD? COULSON: Eighteen years. DURANT: And in that time, how many agents have you acted as a handler for? COULSON: Seven. DURANT: One of which being Air Force Colonel Carol Danvers? COULSON: Yes. DURANT: Did the two of you have an intimate relationship? COULSON: [NO REPLY] DURANT: Phil? COULSON: Forgive me, Senator, but I'm unsure of the relevance of that question. DURANT: Let me rephrase the question: during your time as Counter Intelligence General Counsel, also known colloquially as an Asset Handler, did you ever have an intimate relationship with Colonel Danvers? COULSON: [OFF MIKE.] COULSON: Yes. DURANT: For how long were the two of you involved? COULSON: That's not relevant. DURANT: It certainly speaks to your conduct. COULSON: My conduct is not the purpose of this Committee... DURANT: Correct, Phil, the purpose of this Committee is to investigate the infiltration of a largely unregulated and often overlooked branch of American Intelligence - of which you have been a part of, as you said, for almost two decades. Your conduct is exactly relevant to this investigation and to this committee. COULSON: Eight years. DURANT: During your time as Counter Intelligence General Counsel, did you ever have an intimate relationship with Natasha Romanova? COULSON: No. DURANT: You are under oath, Phillip. COULSON: During my time as Counter Intelligence General Counsel, I never had an intimate relationship with Natasha Romanova. DURANT: What about as Intelligence Command Chief of Operations? COULSON: At the advice of my attorney, I invoke the fifth amendment. DURANT: Are you familiar with Operation: Infinite Reach? COULSON: At the advice of my attorney, I invoke the fifth amendment. DURANT: That's alright, I can refresh the committee's memory. [ THIS SUBSECTION HAS BEEN REDACTED DUE TO ONGOING SECURITY OPERATIONS WITHIN NAMED COUNTRIES. TESTIMONY CONTINUES AT 01HRS 56MINS. VICE CHAIR KERN TAKES OVER. REPORT CONTINUES HERE. ]