And I'm back! Sorry for the wait, but my cousin got married and there was a lot of things to take care of ^^
Let's go over again? I still only own Anderson - everything else isn't mine. Well, the grammar mistakes are too. Read and enjoy :D
Ch.25 Lost
"So, what do you have to do?" Dugan asked when Bucky returned from meeting Peggy.
"She wants me to smuggle in coffee for her while she works," Barnes explained and sat on a chair.
"That doesn't sound too bad, considering you won the war with her help," Jim shrugged, finally free from his cleanup duty. Dugan wasn't as fortunate however…
"Where are Monty and Steve at?" Dernier asked as he just got back from the toilet.
"They were called in by the higher ups," Jones explained, adding something new to the transmitter.
"Must be big then," Morita already sounded worried.
"Anyone hear from Anderson yet? I mean, wasn't he supposed to be back yet?" the sniper looked at his teammates who frowned in confusion.
"Yeah, he left like 3 days ago… shouldn't take this long to get the General there and back again…" Dum Dum swallowed, head swimming with fear.
"I'm sure he's fine… Maybe he stayed a bit loner?" Frenchie tried, but the others didn't really buy it.
"Guys get your gear!" Rogers and Falsworth rushed in, concern on their faces.
"What happened?" the Commandos jumped to their feet, already getting ready.
"General Pierce and his escort were attacked by Nazi…" the Brit's voice was grim as the others needed a few seconds to process what they were told.
"Two hours ago we received a distress call from one of the men that were escorting the General. We haven't been able to make contact again, and don't have much to go on, other than they were attacked on the border between Franc and Belgium," Captain America explained as the Howlers made their way to their ride. They were given a squad of 16 men to go along. Their orders? Find out what happened and bring back the General or anyone else… if they're still alive.
"Captain," Peggy was standing next to the one of the two trucks, already in gear.
"Sir she's coming along?" one of the privates asked, a bit surprised.
"Is that a problem?" Cap wasn't in any mood to deal with this, and frankly, neither was anyone else.
"N-No problem at all, sir…" the private quickly muttered before they all boarded the truck.
"Good, now let's go get our men…" they all knew this could very well be another ambush, but they didn't care. This was personal now.
"Do we know how many are dead? Captured?" Gabe asked.
"That's what we're about to find out."
"We'll need about half an hour to get there at top speed… So why are they coming along?" Jim turned to the TV recorders who were prepping their own truck.
"We're going with you. We have permission," Mayson said, loading the last part of the equipment on the truck. The soldiers frowned, but they knew they didn't have a choice.
"Colonel Phillips, have you lost your mind?" General Luther almost hissed as the said man stood before his superiors in the meeting room.
"Luther, calm down," General Samson slightly glared at the man, before letting out a sigh.
"Just… tell us why you decided on your own, that this was the best course of action?" that was directed at Phillips, who was far too calm.
"I don't find it necessary to explain sir," he kept his voice and face straight.
"And why is that?" Brigadier Canady raised his eyebrows.
"They are best qualified for something like this," a simple answer that carries a deeper meaning.
"From what I've heard, the Commandos were all close to Commander Adam Anderson… don't you think they will that this personally?" Colonel Twain was a bit worried for everyone that went there.
"That's what I'm counting on sir," that took the higher ups by surprise.
"Care to explain?" Canady shook his head.
"It's what drives them, gives them all the more reason to hate and eliminate the enemy. They aren't doing this out of revenge, don't misunderstand. They're avenging their fallen comrades and brothers."
"There is a thin line between the two… they might not fully see it…"
The ride was quick, quiet and serious, and that worried some of the other men. They've never or hardly ever seen the Howlers this serious, worried or dark. There were no jokes, no one even tried to lighten the mood, try to assure them everything was fine, because it wasn't. The recorders were behind a bit, since they couldn't drive as fast.
"We're closing in," the driver said, and the Commandos locked their jaws.
"Careful… we don't know if they left us any surprises," Monty said as the truck slowed down a bit.
When nothing happened and the truck stopped, the soldiers careful got off and needed a few seconds to take in what they were seeing.
There were four trucks that escorted the one Pierce was in, making a total of 5 vehicles, all military, and now, what they were seeing, all of them were destroyed. Two crashed into one another, one drove into a tree, the fourth was blown up and the General's was flipped over. In addition, there were bodies of men littered all around, no one moving.
"Quick, check for any survivors. Peggy you're in charge of finding them. Dugan, Jim, check the General's truck. Bucky and Dernier, have a look around the perimeter. Falsworth, figure out what exactly happened," the others were cold, quick and everyone acted the second they left the Super Soldier's lips.
The privates quickly separated in two man teams, going to the fallen soldiers, looking for any signs of life, and shaking their heads when they found none. It was around then the other crew arrived.
"No one seemed to have survived… they either died on impact, or were killed afterwards…" Carter reported, as Rogers took a sharp breath, trying to keep a straight face.
"Right… get them together, we'll take them back for a proper burial," he nodded to the soldiers, who understood and got to doing.
"Steve, are you feeling well?" she was worried for him, as she knew they were all good friends with the General and Adam. And the fact this was all going on record wasn't helping.
"I'm fine… Let's just focus on the mission…" he answered dryly, hiding his anger and sadness.
"Cap!" the call came from Morita and Steve quickly made his way to where they were.
"What do you have?" he didn't need an answer when he saw the body Dum Dum carefully managed to get out of the truck.
"Is he…?" the medic shook his head, and Steve locked his jaw.
"He was killed on impact… broke his neck and got shards of the window in his chest…" the body of General Pierce was put on the ground, before some of the other soldiers rushed closer, using blankets to clover the man.
"What about Anderson?" his voice sounded choked as his lips felt dry.
"…We haven't found the body yet…" the three Commandos shared a look of confusion and surprise.
"What do you mean? Wasn't he the driver?" Steve dared not get their hopes up.
"Yes, and that's why I don't understand… but it looks like he managed to get out after the crash… there is blood on the seat, but I don't see a trail more than around the door…" Jim was as confused as ever.
"Colonel… what gives you such trust in these men?" Samson was very intrigued by Phillips' constant support of the Howlers.
"Because I have seen them in action… I have seen what they're capable of. But they were never forced to be in a team. They were all actually told to go to a different front – one not too packed. But when Captain Rogers asked, they all joined his team without hesitation. We didn't even know at first he got his team, and we planned to turn them down, but instead gave them a chance. Now look at them – a dream team wouldn't you say?" Phillips couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips as he spoke.
To him, they felt like family and he was the grumpy uncle. He will fight on a front they can't. If kids are risking their lives out on the battle field, he felt like he had to do his best fight here and he'd be damned of he lost to a bunch of pushovers. Well, some of them anyway.
"Cap!" Bucky called, kneeling on the ground and looking towards the west side.
"Found anything?" the Super Soldier came over, anxiety in his words.
"Think so…" Barnes pointed to a trail of blood that leads away from the crash.
"Who's do you think it is?" kneeling down as well, Captain America tried to analyze it best he could.
"I have no idea, but it's weird… the trail starts here… If you ask me, I'd have to say they tried to patch someone up but his covers fell of around here…" the two stood up, sharing a look.
"Barnes! Rogers!" Dernier called, running towards them with something in his hand.
"Where did you find this?" Steve quickly took the piece of cloth and looked at his teammate.
"Further down there…" Frenchie pointed down where the trail led.
"This is an ally's mark!" James looked in shock at the cloth.
"That means someone might still be alive… Wait… Could it be- I need to get Falsworth!" without another word, Cap ran off, cloth on hand, towards the tactics specialist.
"Monty, where are you?" he knew the Brit was around one of the crashed trucks, but wasn't sure which one. He heard a call from behind the blown up one and made his way there.
"You finished yet?" Steve asked, seeing the thinking look.
"Yes… but there is something I can't put my finger on…" James admitted before seeing the cloth.
"What have you there?" he motioned to it and Rogers handed it to the Brit.
"We need to connect the dots fast! I think Anderson might still be alive," Falsworth looked up in surprise before returning his gaze to the cloth.
"Right… I need everything you have so far…"
"What do you have Monty?" Dugan asked when everyone was assembled.
"Alright… The crashes were a set up as I'm sure you all know. The two trucks that hit each other were pushed into the crash by enemy vehicles. The one who drove into a tree was assassinated on the road, likely first to go. The forth probably received a pulse blast or grenade while the General's own truck was knocked into the sky by land mines. Bottom line – they were expecting him here," the Brit looked at the pained faces of his fellow soldiers but continued:"In addition… we believe one of the men was taken from here… There is a body missing from the men, a bloody trail leading away from here and a piece of cloth from one of our own uniform… We believe Commander Adam Anderson is still alive and in the custody of HYDAR."
Well, this got... dark again. Sorry about that. And sorry for what's to come. But will you stay? Or will you run away? Hope you liked it and do review