.
Chapter 38
The Table is Set
Hydra Base
Cap roused slowly, with a feeling that his brain and body were working on a time delay. With an effort, he opened his eyes, but quickly had to close them again; a bank of overhead light was shining obnoxiously down on him. He was in a laboratory. The lights were LED, not the incandescent type of eight decades ago, but the cold, sterile feel hadn't changed. He eased his eyes open, adjusting to the light, and tried to sit up, but something was restraining his arms and legs, as well as his chest. As he lifted his head to look, a voice spoke from behind him.
"Ah, you're awake. This is a good sign, Captain. I expected you to sleep for another few hours. Your recuperative powers seem fully recovered."
The owner of the voice came into view, a slight man in a lab coat, holding a data pad, and bearing the unmistakable air of a scientist. As he checked the bedside monitors, Cap finally saw the man's face.
"Dr. Lerner. I was under the impression you were dead."
To his right, a second doctor came into view, followed by a third, each bearing the same blank face, the same thinning white hair, the same pale blue eye. Exact, to the smallest detail. On the platform above, two more such men walked by. Cap turned his head to the first Lerner.
"I think I see how it is you're still among the living. Genetics was your specialty, as I recall."
A smile creased Lerner's nondescript face. "I'm flattered that you remember, Captain. It's been so long."
"You made an impression. That's not a compliment." Cap glanced at the thick leather restraints holding him, and then looked back at Lerner. "Take these off."
"Certainly, Captain, as soon as I've finished my exam." Lerner lifted the data pad, a look of clinical interest on the blank cipher of his face. "How are you feeling? Please go into as much detail as you care to give."
Cap gritted his teeth and flexed his arms. With a dry tearing sound, the straps at his wrists stretched, the leather whitening as it gave way, splitting, and then rupturing with a loud 'snap'—the right restraint first, the left one seconds after. He grasped the strap running across his chest, one hand either side, and pulled. Again, the groan of inch-thick leather pulling like taffy. The strap gave way, the distressed buckle flying apart like a gunshot.
"Excellent," Lerner said, entering information into his data pad. "Your strength appears fully recovered. How would you describe—"
Cap grabbed Lerner by the collar of his lab coat, lifting him off the floor. "The leg restraints, Doctor. I won't ask a second time."
Two clones walked to the foot of the bed and began undoing the restraints. Cap dropped Lerner, who straightened his glasses, and smoothed lab coat.
"I apologize for the inconvenience. I prefer to treat my patients in a more hospitable manner, but these are unusual circumstances, as I'm sure you realize."
"Medical care requires informed consent," Cap said, hopping off the table. "I'm not your patient, I'm your guinea pig. That's over with."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," the blank-faced man replied. "Perhaps it will soften your opinion to know that I have cured you of your illness."
Cap was suddenly aware of how good he felt—better than he had in months. He kept his expression neutral, not wanting Lerner to see even a hint of gratitude.
"The illness you caused, Doctor?"
"That is not entirely accurate. The CIA exposed you to the virus. I merely created it. My purpose was—"
"I'm not interested in your demented ramblings," Cap said, glancing at the half-dozen clones as he walked up to the first Lerner. "My shield and the women your people abducted—where are they?"
"I'm afraid I don't know. My focus is solely on scientific work, I leave such matters to the military section."
"He means me, Cappy. I can tell you where they are."
Cap turned, seeing Crossbones at the glass laboratory doors, some forty yards away. He vaulted the lab table and charged him, but Crossbones lifted a data pad, halting his advance. On screen was a dual image; on one side, Jacqueline, the other, Emily. It was a live feed from a pair of small, gray detention cells. Crossbones tucked the pad under his arm, chuckling.
"That's better. You want to see them again, you'll play nice. This is for you," he said, kicking over a small chest that was lying at his feet.
Cap knelt, scrutinizing the chest. It was too small to hold his shield. He looked at Crossbones.
"What is it?"
"Dunno. Boss wanted you to have it."
Wedging the chest under his arm, Cap stood, staring at Bones. "You've come down in the world. From the Skull's pet assassin, to his errand boy."
"Got a big mouth on you, Cappy. It's going to get you into trouble one day." Bones gripped the gun strapped to his side. Cap walked up to him.
"Schmidt didn't bring me here just for you to gun me down. What is it you think you are to me, Rumlow? My nemesis? You're a cockroach, a wad of gum on my boot heel. You obsess over me…I never give you a second thought."
Crossbones stood nose to nose with Cap, his eyes seething, his fist clenched with rage. Several Dr. Lerner's rushed over, flustered and agitated.
"Gentlemen, please, this is a scientific laboratory," said one. "I can't have my work interfered with."
"These instruments are quite sensitive," a second added. "I must ask you to take your conflict outside."
Crossbones kept his gaze locked on Cap, who met him unflinchingly. After several seconds, he chuckled.
"Don't worry, Doc. Just a couple of dogface soldiers reminiscing about old times…but time's almost up for Cappy."
Crossbones took the communicator from his belt, and pressed a button. The frosted glass doors opened, and two Hydra soldiers came in, rifles at the ready.
"My men will take you to your room. Don't try anything stupid," he said, rapping his fingers lightly against the data pad. "Your lady friends are counting on you."
Cap headed to the door, the Hydra troopers flanking him. As the doors opened, Crossbones shouted out.
"And Cappy, don't worry about the girl. I'll take good care of her after you're gone. Real good care."
Cap turned, his expression granite. "Remember what I told you, errand boy. You're a cockroach. And I'm going to step on you."
The doors closed with a quiet pneumatic whoosh, leaving Crossbones staring in silence. Lerner walked up beside him, entering information into his data pad.
"This is most encouraging. The Captain appears to be completely recovered."
"Doc, I like you…but say another word and I'll break your spine."
Learner stayed silent as Rumlow left the room.
Midtown Manhattan
Swirling dust and flames obscured the ruins where Avengers Mansion once stood. The night air filled with the sounds of calamity; shifting rubble, wailing sirens, and people sobbing in shock and grief. Bodies were strewn on the streets and sidewalks, pedestrians caught in the blast. Some were moving, some would never move again. Though most of the perimeter wall had been shattered by the explosion, crowds gathered around the remains as police cruisers and ambulances arrived. As the cops began moving the people back, two paramedics approached the officers stringing caution tape around the compound.
"We need to get in there," one of the medics said, gesturing towards the smoking rubble. The cop in charge looked uncertain.
"I don't know. Could be another IED ready to blow. Let's wait for the bomb squad."
"Sarge, every second counts—we need to get in and treat the survivors."
"Survivors? Look, I know they're superheroes, but that building was obliterated. Anyone this side of Thor got caught in that blast, they're gone."
A despairing voice rose from the crowd.
"My God, the Avengers, they're…dead."
Murmuring voices picked up that impossible sounding sentiment, the people struggling to come to grips with the tragedy. Suddenly, a voice cut through the din.
"Hey, look! Something's moving!"
All eyes turned to the wreckage, and all conversation ceased. Smoke billowed from the center of the blast site, as if some giant unseen hand was pushing outwards. Rubble began to roll away, small pebbles first, then bricks, and then huge chunks of smoking masonry, tumbling outward with the smoke, riding the crest of an invisible expanding bubble that cleared the detritus away. With a deep gust of air, the bubble pushed back the last of the smoke, leaving only wisps, as the fires went out, smothered beneath the cleared rubble. A form became visible in the haze, a woman, her arms raised outwards. Someone from the crowd shouted.
"It's Susan Richards!"
A ragged cheer erupted from the crowd, growing in strength—even the hardened men and women of the NYPD joined in. Other figures came into view behind Susan, more heroes who had survived the blast. A sudden rush of jet engines sounded in the sky above them, and for a moment, the people panicked, until the markings of the Avengers aircraft became visible. The Quinjet touched down several dozen yards away from the blast site. More cheering rang out as the jet's doors opened, and a group of heroes dashed out, the crowd calling the names of Hawkeye, Falcon, and the Sub-Mariner. They raced to where Susan, famed member of the Fantastic Four, and the other survivors stood. Amidst the rubble, death and destruction, hope kindled.
Hydra Detention Center
Jacqueline Falsworth was lying on her cot when her cell door opened. A woman wearing the uniform of a Hydra intelligence officer stepped inside, holding a box. Jackie sat up, as two armed guards followed the officer into the small room. She turned to them.
"Wait outside."
The men looked at her, uneasily. One of them spoke. "Our orders are to accompany you, Lieutenant."
"And I'm changing your orders," the woman replied, glaring at them. "You think I can't handle one old woman? Wait outside."
The guards stepped back, and the doors slid closed. The Hydra officer walked up to the cot, setting the box next to Jacqueline.
"Our Supreme Leader invites you to dine with him tonight. He has graciously provided attire from your own wardrobe. He wants you to feel comfortable."
"How kind of him," Jackie said, derision dripping from her words. She sat up, glowering at the Hydra woman. "What have you monsters done with my granddaughter?"
"She's safe. That's all you need to know."
"I want to see her. I promise you, I will not cooperate until—"
A sudden change came over the Hydra officer, her haughty expression evaporating. She pulled a communicator from her belt, and then spoke with quiet urgency.
"Lady Falsworth, listen closely—I've shut off the security cameras, we have sixty seconds. I'm an agent of SHIELD. I'll do everything I can to protect you and your granddaughter…but I need your help. When you meet with the Skull tonight, do everything in your power to delay him, to draw him out. Can you do this?"
"I'll try. SHIELD is mounting an attack, aren't they?"
"I can't speak on that."
Jackie nodded. "I understand. Tell me…is Captain America here?"
"He is. He'll be joining you tonight. It's the best news I've had in eighteen months of undercover work, I can tell you."
Jackie let out a breath. "Thank God. That means we have a chance. Can you get a message to him?"
"No, he's too closely watched. Getting this message to you was risky enough." The SHIELD agent checked her communicator. "I have to go. Be brave…and keep Schmidt distracted."
As the woman turned to leave, Jackie put a hand on her wrist.
"What is your name, dear?"
The agent smiled. "It's best not to use names. Call me Mockingbird."
She walked to the doors, which slid open, the two guards standing watch outside. Her expression cool and arrogant once again, she turned to Jackie.
"Remember what I said. Our Supreme Leader is most generous…to a point. Don't expect your age to spare you his wrath, should you refuse his hospitality."
The Hydra team turned and left, the cell doors closing behind them. Jacqueline sat on the cot, her mind racing with all she just learned. Emily was safe, and Steven was here! Her heart filled with gratitude that she would see them soon…and then she thought of Schmidt, and the peril they would soon face. Her last encounter with Schmidt was decades ago, when she was young and courageous, and gifted with the power of Elvish Fire. Even so, surviving Schmidt was an ordeal. He was possessed of a dark power, and a hideous will to use it. He was cunning and pitiless, and his mind was strong. The thought of Emily facing him was terrible to contemplate…but there was hope there, too. Her granddaughter now possessed the pendant. There was still magic in that ancient gemstone, Jackie was sure of it. Like a seed lying dormant for many years, the life force within the gem was waiting to be reborn. Jackie said a silent prayer, to gods old and new, that the gem's power would rise again.
Her eyes went to the box lying next to her on the cot. She lifted the lid, surprised at what she saw: her favorite dress, the green and white Simone Rocha, and her cream Chanel court shoes, along with her makeup and hair brushes. She shuddered to think of Hydra soldiers putting their hands on her things, yet she could not deny she was glad to have them now. She needed to be at her best tonight to face Schmidt, and to help her granddaughter…and to see Steven again.
Jackie gasped, and clutched her chest. Her hand quivering, she reached to the table at her bedside, and fumbled open the bottle. She put the nitroglycerin tablet under her tongue, and waited for the pain crushing her chest to subside. Slowly, it did, though not entirely. Lying back on the cot, she closed her eyes, and whispered a prayer:
"God…let me live a little longer…let me be strong one last time…"
Lady Jacqueline Falsworth was asleep as the last word left her lips, which were pale and thin, and crimped in pain.