1944

"Out of the question."

"But sir, with all due respect, this guy, Zemo-"

"Zemo? Forget everything you know."

"Why?"

"...classified."

"Really? Because I can just go out and show myself to the press and tell them that you, mister president, have been making super soldiers?"

"They wouldn't believe you, son."

"You can't take the risk."

The president sighed. He leaned forward on his wooden table.

"There is an organisation, called HYDRA. Been working above the Nazis, making weapons of immense power. Zemo is one of the top heads of the organisation. We have reason to believe that Zemo was here to seize the Super Soldier formula from Erskine."

"Did he get it?"

"The apartment was too burnt out to-"

"So yes?"

"Yes. We believe he has it."

Steve sighed. He stood up and looked at the president.

"Let me at him."

The president sighed.

"Fine. But if he's using it on himself, you're not in for an easy time."

"I know, mr president."

"Please, call me Chester."

"I'd rather call you President Philips. That way if either of us die, we don't feel remorse."

He walked outside, but stuck his head back in.

"Where do I suit up?"

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

The scrawny soldier raised the phone to his ear.

"Zemo, sir. Rogers is on a plane heading for you. What number? Eh, Delta 59912387455. It's white, blue markings. Got a guy called Bucky Barnes with him. No, I don't know how that's important either. Ok."

He hung up. Feeling so regretful for the actions, he raised his revolver into his mouth and pulled the trigger.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

They never saw it coming. The smaller aircraft zoomed next to them, firing against the plane with a "ratatatat croosh". The "croosh" was the result of some important element being irretrievably damaged, naturally.

"We're going down!" Bucky yelled. Below them was the closely approaching glaciated sea of the Arctic.

"Bucky, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have gone! I shouldn't have dragged you along with me!"

"Shut up, we're not dead yet!"

"I'm sorry!"

"I know! We're gonna make it, I-"

CRASH. The water enveloped them, as the plane broke up into various chunks. The two men, unconscious, sank, slowly. They would sleep evermore.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

"Zemo, target's down."