The Cavalry |
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Portrayed by Ming-Na Wen |
Statistics |
Full Name |
Agent Melinda May |
Age |
50 (Redacted) |
Height |
5'4" |
Build |
Athletic |
Eyes |
Brown |
Hair |
Black |
Factions |
S.H.I.E.L.D. |
Occupation |
Field Ops Specialist |
Alignment |
Hero |
Claim to Fame
The Agent S.H.I.E.L.D. calls when they have no other options left.
Reputation
To the public, May does not exist. Within S.H.I.E.L.D., May ranks right up there with Romanoff on the list of agents you never, ever want to make angry.
Biography
Most of May's background is unknown, having been erased from public knowledge after she joined SHIELD. What is known is that she is one of the longest-lived active field agents out there, with more successful missions under her belt than almost every agent out there short of the much younger agents Romanov and Barton. One noteworthy mission in Bahrain earned her the codename 'The Cavalry' — a moniker she actually detests — because she went against orders to single-handedly rescue a team of SHIELD agents. No one other than May knows what really happened during that rescue, but it was after Bahrain that her previous spark of humor seemed to disappear. She even left active field duty for a while, choosing to take an administrative position within SHIELD.
When May was tapped to join a special task force, she made it seem like she was accepting the assignment reluctantly, initially agreeing only to pilot their transport jet known as 'the Bus'. Honestly, though, the desk job would have eventually driven her off the deep end. She is simply not built to pilot a desk. Thus, she is unofficially back on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s active roster, available to pilot an aircraft or help with a difficult extraction mission. If the request is phrased politely.
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Character Details
Melinda May comes across as dour, perpetually the serious and humorless SHIELD agent. People rarely get to experience her quick and acerbic wit, as she's not one to chitchat idly. She was originally known for being a prankster underneath her stern and serious demeanor, but after a particularly unpleasant mission she seemed to lose or at least suppress that underlying hint of a light-hearted nature. Most junior agents only know her as The Cavalry, the scarily efficient agent that does her job extremely well. Just don't get in her way.
Athletic |
Having trained in many different martial arts disciplines, trained others, and been an active field agent for a number of years, May is about as close to peak physical conditioning as a human her age can get without artificial enhancement. She might not be quite as strong or fast as she was when she was in her twenties and thirties, but she hasn't lost much. Of course, you're welcome to try and tell her she's getting soft. Go ahead. |
Martial Artist |
May's service record lists her as having black belts in a veritable laundry list of disciplines, more even than the Black Widow. Her black belts are in Aikido, Capoeira, Escrima, Hojo Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, Wing Chung, and Wu Shu. The other martial arts disciplines that May is at least passably proficient at include: Karate, Savate, Boxing, Wrestling, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Jiu jitsu. |
Melee Weapons Specialist |
As much as May is dangerous at bare-hand combat, give her a melee weapon of almost any sort and she is downright scary. Amongst the non-projectile weapons specifically listed on her service record mastery list are: Knives, swords, staves, spears, polearms, maces, batons, and even fans. Her skill list also mentions "soft" weapons such as whips, flails, chain weapons, garrotes, and so on. |
Firearms Specialist |
May's proficiency ratings on firearms of all types, from tiny Derringer pistols to vehicle-mounted 50-caliber mini-guns is among the highest in SHIELD, but of course not even close to on par with the likes of Black Widow or Hawkeye. |
Improvised Weapons |
Where do you think Coulson learned how to turn a bag of flour into a weapon? May practically wrote the SHIELD manual on turning everyday objects into defensive and offensive weapons. Setting her loose in an office supply store would be frightening. Add Coulson, and it would very quickly turn lethal. |
Veteran Pilot |
Remember that scene in the movie '5th Element' where the military-types point out the kinds of vehicles the hero is proficient in piloting, and the paper unfolds all the way to the floor? That's May, for real. She can pilot just about every Earth-based aircraft that currently exists or has ever been made. It's very likely, even, that the controls for the current generation of Quinjets were configured to her specifications. If she has a choice — and she nearly always does — she pilots the air and ground vehicles for any mission she is on. |
Interrogation |
There are not many agents who can intimidate better than May — Natasha being chief amongst them — and get people to spill their secrets. May is a member of the Teal'c school of interrogation, silently staring the subject down until they start talking just to get her to stop. |
S.H.I.E.L.D. |
As a certified field agent for S.H.I.E.L.D., May has access to a very wide range of the agency's resources, including uniforms, weaponry, vehicles, intelligence, other personnel, and so on. |
Not a Spring Chick |
Let's face it. May isn't some wiry little girl like Romanov. She's been doing this job for literally DECADES. That kind of longevity doesn't come without a price, and she knows it. She's skilled enough to compensate for most of her reflexes starting to slow down, but that won't last forever. It can't. That, and every time she takes a hit, it's that much more difficult to pick herself back up again. But she will. It might take her a split second longer, but if her enemies want her to stay down, they'll have to make sure to finish the job. |
Only Human |
The game is changing. May is no longer the top dog, at SHIELD or elsewhere, both in terms of physical prowess and otherwise. Out in the world at large, the growing numbers of super powered beings in the past decade or less mean that she is becoming less and less likely to be the deciding factor of whether or not a mission is a success or a wash. She's trying to take this as a matter of course — after all, she knew that just by aging it was eventually going to happen — but that doesn't mean it doesn't rankle from time to time. |
Haunted |
May is serious enough most of the time that only those who know her well can tell when her inner demons are out to play. She's more than practiced enough to hide them most of the time, but an ill-thought comment from someone who doesn't know better — or worse, an intentionally hurtful word from someone who does — and she'll either go into full lockdown Vulcan mode to stick to the business at hand or she'll let her demons out for just a few seconds and let them lash out at the people around her with all of vitriol she usually keeps bottled up. |
Relationships
Image |
Name |
Relation |
Notes |
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Agent Phil Coulson |
Coworker |
The agent's agent. Partners for several years back in the day. No one in SHIELD that I trust more. |
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Agent Natasha Romanoff |
Coworker |
Spy and assassin. Refreshingly no nonsense. One of a very few that I would possibly consider trusting beyond the missions. |
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Agent Clint Barton |
Coworker |
Wetwork specialist. Talks way too much and is like a four year old at a birthday party, but can be trusted to have my back during missions. Prefers a bow over firearms. I can respect that choice. |
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Deputy Director Maria Hill |
Boss |
Fury's second in command. Serious case of stick up *** but not afraid to snark back at Romanoff. |
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Evelyn Wolstenholm |
Potential Coworker |
Synthetic human. Still on the fence about whether Evelyn is truly sentient or just a really really good imitation of it. Withholding opinions pending further observation. |
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NYPD Officer Paul Manning |
Acquaintance |
NYPD cop, which means he's seen more than some Afghanistan-stationed soldiers. Slow to offer trust, which I can respect, but it means I won't offer trust back freely. |
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Former Staff Sergeant Jericho Trent |
Acquaintance |
Former Army, ex-guinea pig. Wears circuits like tattoos that give him unusual abilities. His loyalties are still very much in question, but at least he can follow orders in a crisis. Not yet sure of his trustworthiness. |
Character Gallery
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Logs
Fussy Gus
April 1, 2015: Partisan invites May, Fenris and Zee to go flying. Who would have thought the Mistress of Magic doesn't like flying.
(log: 20150401-fussygus | tags: fenris partisan the_cavalry zatanna | posted: 03 Apr 2015 08:28)
The Butcher Of New York
March 31, 2015: The Butcher hits New York and Partisan, May and some others take him out.
(log: 20150331-thebutcherofnewyork | tags: partisan spearhead the_cavalry trailblazer | posted: 01 Apr 2015 22:17)
It's Marvelous
March 28, 2015: Ms Marvels starting to make a name for herself.
(log: 20150328-itsmarvelous | tags: ms._marvel oracle the_cavalry | posted: 29 Mar 2015 09:50)
Join The Team
March 27, 2015: Oracle and May catch up with more on their short list
(log: 20150327-jointheteam | tags: gotham hawkeye_ii misfit oracle the_cavalry | posted: 28 Mar 2015 10:25)
Tacit Approval Please
March 26, 2015: Simmons and Skye track down May to discuss Jerichos' request and watch an abandoned building getting clean.
(log: 20150326-tacitapprovalplease | tags: jay_donohue simmons skye the_cavalry | posted: 27 Mar 2015 23:10)
Re Recruited
March 26, 2015: Deathstroke comes looking for Dinah and Oracle and May approach a group of women to work together.
(log: 20150326-rerecruited | tags: batgirl black_canary deathstroke oracle power_girl the_cavalry | posted: 27 Mar 2015 18:46)
Wizardly Catchup
March 24, 2015: Constantines return has Fenris organising a meet with some friends
(log: 20150324-wizardlycatchup | tags: constantine fenris hawkeye_ii partisan simmons supergirl the_cavalry | posted: 25 Mar 2015 18:59)
Bio Weapons
March 23, 2015: May takes Skye and Simmons into the field to crash a biochemist ring…
(log: 20150323-bioweapons | tags: gwen partisan simmons skye the_cavalry | posted: 24 Mar 2015 07:38)
Why So Much Power
March 22, 2015: Jericho arrives at the Triskelian to discuss his findings. Simmons briefs everyone on what she found out at Stark Industries
(log: 20150322-whysomuchpower | tags: aspect emmett-argyle fitz paul_manning simmons skye the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 23 Mar 2015 21:39)
Gotham Interconnection
March 22, 2015: May has information on HYDRA to pass to Oracle, Jericho assists.
(log: 20150322-gothaminterconnection | tags: aspect gotham oracle the_cavalry | posted: 23 Mar 2015 22:39)
Primal Force: Fighting The Storm
March 20, 2015: A magical disturbance that effects the weather. Fenris calls on Primal Force and few extras turn up.
(log: 20150320-fightingthestorm | tags: contingency_c fenris nighteyes primal_force storm supergirl the_cavalry zatanna | posted: 21 Mar 2015 11:02)
Primal Force: Cyclops Goes Primal
March 20, 2015: Cyclops and Gambit are introduced to other members of the Primal Force team… Cyclops might go missing
(log: 20150320-cyclopsbecomesprimal | tags: cyclops fenris gambit primal_force supergirl the_cavalry zatana | posted: 21 Mar 2015 07:25)
Transposition
March 18, 2015: Aspect has bad news for Shield
(log: 20150318-transposition | tags: aspect simmons the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 19 Mar 2015 11:37)
Turning Cyborg
March 15, 2015: Aspect calls May and Simmons to consult on Nyx's interesting problem
(log: 20150315-turningcyborg | tags: aspect nyx simmons the_cavalry | posted: 26 Mar 2015 18:40)
World on Fire: Agent Carter and the Rainbow Connection
March 14, 2015: Simmons asks May to transport her to the offsite facility and ends up with an unxepected guest, for which Simmons is grateful
(log: 20150314-agentcarterrainbowconnection | tags: aspect simmons the_cavalry world_on_fire | posted: 15 Mar 2015 12:42)
World On Fire: Accessing Level 10
March 14, 2015: Simmons briefs May on her discussion with Howard Stark
(log: 20150314-accessinglevel10 | tags: simmons the_cavalry world_on_fire | posted: 15 Mar 2015 04:34)
The Short Artificially Lit Tea Time Of The SHIELD
March 13, 2015: Various SHIELD agents come and go, talking about various things over coffee and tea. There are no pastries or cucumber sandwiches.
(log: 20150313-the-short-artificially-lit-tea-time-of-the-shie | tags: black_widow emmett_argyle fitz paul_manning shield simmons the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 14 Mar 2015 15:50)
Not Going Smoothly
March 12 2015: In the aftermath of the raid on the Ironworks, Shift interrogates a Triad leader with May's help much to Jericho's amusement.
(log: 20150312-not-going-smoothly | tags: aspect shift smooth the_cavalry | posted: 13 Mar 2015 11:37)
Primal Forces: SHIELD of Magic
March 09 2015: Fenris decides to ask a warrior to be a guardian of the world's magic.
(log: 20150309-primal-forces:shield-of-magic | tags: fenris primal_force the_cavalry | posted: 11 Mar 2015 10:59)
Fussy Gus
April 1, 2015: Partisan invites May, Fenris and Zee to go flying. Who would have thought the Mistress of Magic doesn't like flying.
(log: 20150401-fussygus | tags: fenris partisan the_cavalry zatanna | posted: 03 Apr 2015 08:28)
The Butcher Of New York
March 31, 2015: The Butcher hits New York and Partisan, May and some others take him out.
(log: 20150331-thebutcherofnewyork | tags: partisan spearhead the_cavalry trailblazer | posted: 01 Apr 2015 22:17)
It's Marvelous
March 28, 2015: Ms Marvels starting to make a name for herself.
(log: 20150328-itsmarvelous | tags: ms._marvel oracle the_cavalry | posted: 29 Mar 2015 09:50)
Join The Team
March 27, 2015: Oracle and May catch up with more on their short list
(log: 20150327-jointheteam | tags: gotham hawkeye_ii misfit oracle the_cavalry | posted: 28 Mar 2015 10:25)
Tacit Approval Please
March 26, 2015: Simmons and Skye track down May to discuss Jerichos' request and watch an abandoned building getting clean.
(log: 20150326-tacitapprovalplease | tags: jay_donohue simmons skye the_cavalry | posted: 27 Mar 2015 23:10)
Re Recruited
March 26, 2015: Deathstroke comes looking for Dinah and Oracle and May approach a group of women to work together.
(log: 20150326-rerecruited | tags: batgirl black_canary deathstroke oracle power_girl the_cavalry | posted: 27 Mar 2015 18:46)
Wizardly Catchup
March 24, 2015: Constantines return has Fenris organising a meet with some friends
(log: 20150324-wizardlycatchup | tags: constantine fenris hawkeye_ii partisan simmons supergirl the_cavalry | posted: 25 Mar 2015 18:59)
Bio Weapons
March 23, 2015: May takes Skye and Simmons into the field to crash a biochemist ring…
(log: 20150323-bioweapons | tags: gwen partisan simmons skye the_cavalry | posted: 24 Mar 2015 07:38)
Why So Much Power
March 22, 2015: Jericho arrives at the Triskelian to discuss his findings. Simmons briefs everyone on what she found out at Stark Industries
(log: 20150322-whysomuchpower | tags: aspect emmett-argyle fitz paul_manning simmons skye the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 23 Mar 2015 21:39)
Gotham Interconnection
March 22, 2015: May has information on HYDRA to pass to Oracle, Jericho assists.
(log: 20150322-gothaminterconnection | tags: aspect gotham oracle the_cavalry | posted: 23 Mar 2015 22:39)
Primal Force: Fighting The Storm
March 20, 2015: A magical disturbance that effects the weather. Fenris calls on Primal Force and few extras turn up.
(log: 20150320-fightingthestorm | tags: contingency_c fenris nighteyes primal_force storm supergirl the_cavalry zatanna | posted: 21 Mar 2015 11:02)
Primal Force: Cyclops Goes Primal
March 20, 2015: Cyclops and Gambit are introduced to other members of the Primal Force team… Cyclops might go missing
(log: 20150320-cyclopsbecomesprimal | tags: cyclops fenris gambit primal_force supergirl the_cavalry zatana | posted: 21 Mar 2015 07:25)
Transposition
March 18, 2015: Aspect has bad news for Shield
(log: 20150318-transposition | tags: aspect simmons the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 19 Mar 2015 11:37)
Turning Cyborg
March 15, 2015: Aspect calls May and Simmons to consult on Nyx's interesting problem
(log: 20150315-turningcyborg | tags: aspect nyx simmons the_cavalry | posted: 26 Mar 2015 18:40)
World on Fire: Agent Carter and the Rainbow Connection
March 14, 2015: Simmons asks May to transport her to the offsite facility and ends up with an unxepected guest, for which Simmons is grateful
(log: 20150314-agentcarterrainbowconnection | tags: aspect simmons the_cavalry world_on_fire | posted: 15 Mar 2015 12:42)
World On Fire: Accessing Level 10
March 14, 2015: Simmons briefs May on her discussion with Howard Stark
(log: 20150314-accessinglevel10 | tags: simmons the_cavalry world_on_fire | posted: 15 Mar 2015 04:34)
The Short Artificially Lit Tea Time Of The SHIELD
March 13, 2015: Various SHIELD agents come and go, talking about various things over coffee and tea. There are no pastries or cucumber sandwiches.
(log: 20150313-the-short-artificially-lit-tea-time-of-the-shie | tags: black_widow emmett_argyle fitz paul_manning shield simmons the_cavalry witchblade | posted: 14 Mar 2015 15:50)
Not Going Smoothly
March 12 2015: In the aftermath of the raid on the Ironworks, Shift interrogates a Triad leader with May's help much to Jericho's amusement.
(log: 20150312-not-going-smoothly | tags: aspect shift smooth the_cavalry | posted: 13 Mar 2015 11:37)
Primal Forces: SHIELD of Magic
March 09 2015: Fenris decides to ask a warrior to be a guardian of the world's magic.
(log: 20150309-primal-forces:shield-of-magic | tags: fenris primal_force the_cavalry | posted: 11 Mar 2015 10:59)
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