The interrogation room Zola was escorted into was dank and dark. In the corner he spied a dripping faucet. On the far wall was dark observation room. And in the corner, was an empty cot. On the floor beside the cot was a stain, perhaps it was blood, but before he could inspect it further the door clicked open.

In walked Colonel Phillips carrying a metal tray and a manila folder. Stopping at the metal table he set down the tray, and gestured for the scientist to take a seat.

"What is this?" asked Zola.

"Steak." The Colonel curtly answered.

The Doctor sniffed at it, "What is in it?"

"Cow." Phillips replied before continuing, "Doctor, do you realize how difficult it is to get ahold of a prime cut like that out here?"

Zola shook his head, "I don't eat meat."

"Why not?"

"It disagrees with me."

The Colonel stared at him not amused. "How about cyanide? Does that give you the rumbly tummy, too?" he scoffed. Then turning the tray around he started to cut into the meat. "Every Hydra agent that we've tried to take alive has crunched a little pill before we can stop him. But not you. So, here's my brilliant theory." Phillips paused to take a bite of the savory steak, "You want to live."

"You're trying to intimidate me, Colonel." Zola smirked.

"I brought you dinner." The military man gestured to his plate. Then he slid over the folder for Zola to read.

Looking down at the papers the Doctor read aloud, "Given the valuable information he has provided and in exchange for his full cooperation, Doctor Zola is being remanded to Switzerland."

Sprinkling salt on his vegetables the Colonel explained, "I sent that message to Washington this morning, of course it was encoded. You guys haven't broken those codes, have you? That would be awkward." He finished taking a bite of the potatoes.

Zola cut in, "Schmidt will know this is a lie."

"He's going to kill you anyway, Doc. You're a liability. You know more about Schmidt than anyone." Philips paused for dramatic effect, "And the last guy you cost us was Captain Rogers's closest friend. Not to mention the Captain is still angry over his girl being taken, Lucy? I'm sure you know about her. So I wouldn't count on the very best of protection. It's you or Schmidt. It's just the hand you've been dealt."

"Schmidt believes he walks in the footsteps of the gods."

The Colonel made a sound of fake interest allowing his annoyance to show through.

Zola continued, "Only the world itself will satisfy him."

"You do realize that's nuts don't you?" snickered Phillips pointing his knife at the Doctor.

"The sanity of the plan is of no consequence." Zola shrugged.

"And why is that?"

"Because he can do it!" Zola responded harshly.

"What's his target?"

"His target." Zola leaned in toward the Colonel, "Is everywhere."

-permafrost-

Meanwhile

An announcer broadcast over the city, "The blackout is still in effect throughout the London area. Please wait for the all clear. Your attention please. All citizens shall remain indoors until further notice. The blackout is still in effect throughout the London area."

Peggy was currently stepping in and around rubble. Slowly making her way through the wreckage trying to find a certain super soldier.

Steve sniffed as he heard her approach looking around to see whom it was. Clearing his throat he spoke, "Doctor Erskine said that the serum wouldn't just affect my muscles, it would affect my cells." Pouring himself a drink he continued, "Create a protective system of regeneration and healing. Which means um… I can't get drunk." He paused then looked up at the agent, "Did you know that?"

"Your metabolism burns four times faster than the average person." Peggy sighed as she pulled a chair up from the ground, "They thought it could be one of the side effects." Peggy refrained from saying her name. Steve was grateful for that. Then she added, "It wasn't your fault." Referring to Bucky.

"Did you read the report?" Steve spit out.

"Yes."

He huffed, "Then you know that's not true."

"You did everything you could." She tried to console him, "Did you believe in your friend? Did you respect him? Then stop blaming yourself. Allow Barnes the dignity of his choice. He damn well must have thought you were worth it. They both did." Then she mentioned what she came to tell him, "Also the Colonel said to tell you, Zola said Lucy is alive."

Steve looked up his heart beginning to quicken like it hadn't in a long time. "Where." He demanded.

Peggy shook her head, "He doesn't know. She escaped from the last base he was at. From there, he has no idea."

It was like a stone had been forced down his throat and settled in the pit of his stomach. Both of his best friends, lost to him in the same place. How poetic. She's tough, he reminded himself, she can take care of herself.

"There's something else…" Peggy continued slowly, not sure how he would take this news. "Zola said she was forced to take the serum."

Steve blinked, "Schmidt's formula or Erskine's?"

"Schmidt had her develop Erskine's formula for him and then tested it on her. Zola said it worked out fine."

Letting out a small laugh Steve smiled, "Of course it did, its Lucy." Then his face turned serious, "I'm going after Schmidt." He clenched his jaw as he played with the fragile cup in his hands, "I'm not gonna stop until all of Hydra is dead or captured." His harsh tone turned soft, "We need to end this, and then I can go look for her."

Peggy nodded approvingly, "You won't be alone."

-permafrost-

"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bughouse." Colonel Phillips stated as he stared at a large map. "He thinks he's a god, and he's willing to blow up half the world to prove it, starting with the USA."

"Schmidt's working with powers beyond our capabilities." Howard said as he sauntered up to the war desk, taking a seat. "He gets across the Atlantic; he'll wipe out the entire eastern seaboard in an hour."

"How much time have we got?" Gabe questioned looking around at the sea of grave faces.

Phillips responded, "According to my new best friend, under 24 hours."

"Where is he now?"

"Hydra's last base is here." The Colonel pointed to the pictures he held in his hands then passed them around the table, "In the Alps, 500 feet below the surface."

Dum Dum sighed and spoke up, "So what are we supposed to do?"

"I mean, its not like we can just knock on the front door." Jim agreed.

"Why not?" came the absolutely serious voice of Captain America, causing every other face in the room to swivel in his direction. Steve was done with Hydra. Completely fed up with how they were affecting his life. The anger that had been simmering inside him since Lucy had been taken finally turned into a boil. The fire that now raged inside him would not be tamed until Hydra was no more. This was unacceptable; no one else should die at the hands of these insane men. Looking up he met the eyes of all the other dedicated members of the SSR, "That's exactly what we're going to do."