Chapter 33. New Year's Eve

As Sam flew on ahead to be their eyes in the sky the others kept low and approached the barbed wire fence. After cutting a hole Thor pulled it apart to enlarge it and Yelena, Shaun, Madsen, and Logan, from the task force, began their hunt of any perimeter guards. A couple of minutes later they confirmed that all guards had been neutralized and they were on their way to the guard complex. The others ran through the hole towards the buildings. Bucky and Suzuki split off towards the tall manufacturing plant while the others went to the housing.

After trying the door and finding it unlocked the task force entered the housing structure and got into position while Thor and Walker advanced towards where Lemar was being held. Major Piper called for a countdown and at the number they began their assault. There were two guards outside of Lemar's room and neither one saw what was coming as Walker ran up to them firing with his gun, then turned it on the door, blowing it open.

"Lemar!" he called as he looked for the vent on the wall.

"Here Dad," replied the boy and Walker pulled the vent off with his hands, seeing his son lying on his stomach inside the metal ductwork.

"Come on, I have to get you to a safe spot," he said, pulling him out, then holding him close.

As he did so Scott jumped out and made himself full sized. The drone chirped and Sam's voice came through.

"Walker, it's getting hairy down there," he said. "Bring your son out."

"Roger," said Walker, then he looked at his son with a grin. "Want to fly with Captain America?"

Lemar nodded vigorously and Walker took him in his arms. With Thor and Scott running interference for him he headed outside and looked for Sam.

"Where are you Cap?" he said. "I'm outside the door."

"On my way," replied Sam, and landed within a few moments. "Ready for a ride, Lemar?" Taking the boy from Walker he looked at his predecessor. "Kick some ass."

Then he lifted off and Walker watched until he saw Sam start to descend in the distance, accepting that his son was safe. Sam sent out the signal to everyone that the boy was secure. Walker and Thor went back inside and wreaked havoc while the task force laid charges to blow the building up.

In the guard house Yelena and Shaun went through the people like whirlwinds, easily taking them down. Logan gave them the signal that the charges were laid, and they went outside where Sam directed them to a building that held equipment and vehicles. Walker and Thor were already there destroying everything, and they joined in.

At the manufacturing building Bucky and Suzuki stood outside looking up at the tall structure before them.

"You wanted to do this again," stated Bucky, as he firmly grasped the soldier around his waist.

"Hell yes," replied Suzuki, with a grin.

With a great leap they reached the top of the building and Bucky pulled the air vent apart, dropping down into it and catching Suzuki as he jumped down. They located the vent that overlooked the manufacturing floor and again saw row upon row of blue canisters. There were also stacks of bigger containers that they assumed held more canisters.

"You think they made this much from that little boy's blood?" asked the soldier from their perch in the vent.

"I saw the formula on that medical supply ship," said Bucky. "It was mostly way over my head, but they only need a few drops into the medium that would allow it to grow. But you're right, this seems like a lot more."

Grasping the vent with his hands Bucky pushed it off then angled it inside the duct work. He looked out and then drew his head back in.

"It's a bigger drop than the other one, I'll have to catch you," he said.

Stepping to the edge he dropped quietly down to the cat walk, confirmed he hadn't been seen and gestured to the soldier who dropped down. Bucky caught him before he reached the walkway. They both kneeled down and looked at the number of people inside. Unlike the previous times there were people who were working on the lines but the more Bucky observed them the quieter he became.

"The people on the lines, something's not right," he said. "Do you have a spotter scope?"

Suzuki nodded and pulled it out of his jacket pocket handing it to Buck. He focussed in on a person then swore, handing the scope to Suzuki. He looked then curled his lip at what he saw.

"What the fuck," he muttered. "They're chained to the machinery. They're slaves."

"That's my take on it," said Bucky, then he sighed, before pressing his comms. "People, we have a situation here. They have people chained to the machinery in the manufacturing building. They're slaves and we need to free them before we blow this place up."

Bucky looked for the guards who were scattered throughout the building. They each had machine guns and he had no doubt they would fire on the people that were chained up. A voice beside his ear startled him for a second.

"Right beside you, Buck," said Scott. "Want me to have a look down there?"

"Shit, you scared me," he replied. "Yeah, can you? See how they're chained, if we can break the chains apart manually."

"On it."

Another voice sounded in his comms. "On our way," said Walker. "You want us to enter through the roof?"

"Yeah," he replied quietly. "Enter the vent and follow the duct work to the opening. We're on a catwalk."

A few minutes later he watched Walker jump down beside him, followed by Thor who caught Yelena. Shaun followed her. Then Sam appeared and instead of flying to a landing he used his wings in silent mode to drift down in the darkened upper reaches of the space. The spotter scope was passed around to everyone so they could see.

"They made this much from Lemar?" asked Walker, his face grim. Then his lip trembled. "Do you think they would have ..."

Bucky put his hand on Walker's arm. "Don't go there, John," he said calmly. "It's a frightening thought and those people down there need us to be focussed to get them out of here unharmed before we destroy this place. Scott is doing some recon to see how they're chained up. If we're lucky we can just pull the chains apart."

"Everyone outside is neutralized and the charges set," reported Sam. "Piper and the rest of his team have our six. Was there this much in the last place we blew up?"

"No, about half this amount," replied Bucky. "But it was a smaller setup. This one seems to have been going for a while. It's possible they used the last of your blood then ran out and decided to take your son for their new source, John. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he said. "You didn't put your trust in the wrong people. The plan is to destroy all of it, right? All of the serum, all of the machinery, blow the whole place up?"

"All of it," confirmed Bucky. "But we get the people in chains out first." He pressed his comms. "Scott, do you have anything to report?"

"Yeah, just standard issue locks and chains but they are also shackled at the ankles," he reported. "That's going to slow us down. What do you want to do Buck?"

Before he could answer Walker spoke. "You, me and Thor are the strongest," he said. "We can snap those chains in no time. If everyone else goes after the guards that will give us the time to set them free. We'll have to let Piper know they're coming out."

"I can go supersize and create a big hole that will give them a better exit," said Scott. "There's about 20 people chained up. It will take a while to get them out of that single door."

Bucky pressed his all-comms button so that Piper and his men would hear it outside. "Walker has come up with a plan," he said. "Thor, Walker and I will break the chains of those who are here as slaves. Ant Man is going super-sized and will punch a hole in the side of the building to allow their escape. Everyone who is chained is wearing hazmat suits, but their heads are clear. Piper, you and your men make sure they get the hell away from here. Once they're clear we're taking this lab down and Suzuki will set the charges. Everyone clear?"

He received everyone's acknowledgement either visually or by comms. Those that couldn't safely jump down to the floor moved closer to the stairs while everyone else spread themselves along the catwalk. Bucky counted down from three and they moved. As the others went after the guards Thor, Walker and Bucky went to the nearest people and ripped apart their chains telling them to follow Scott. He led the first group to an outer wall, pressed the button on his suit that enlarged him and punched a large hole into it. As they ran into the night he went back down to normal size ready to lead the next group which had been freed. After a few minutes everyone who had been shackled was free and Scott made sure they all got out of the building.

"Building is clear of friendlies," he announced then he enlarged and began stepping on the containers which held more serum, crushing them underfoot.

Thor used his axe to sweep through rows upon rows of serum canisters shattering them. Bucky and Walker did the same with pieces of the machinery they had ripped away, using them like scythes scattering the canisters which broke open when they hit the ground. Then Suzuki went on comms.

"All my charges are set," he announced then went out the large hole to meet up with Piper.

Bucky looked around, making sure that all of the guards were down, then he pressed his all comms. "All charges are set," he said. "Everyone outside. I'll be starting the timer right away." The others acknowledged and when he was the last one inside he made the call. "Omega in 30, repeat Omega in 30. After the count of five. 5-4-3-2-1."

He started the timer and began running out when he felt several sharp pains in the back of his leg that knocked him over. Looking behind him he saw a guard with his gun, and he grabbed the shield throwing it at him then catching it on the rebound, unsure if he had killed him or not. He began hobbling to the open wall before hitting his all comms as he realized he wasn't going to make it.

"I'm hit," he announced. "I can barely walk. Everyone get to safety. That's an order."

"Fuck that," said Walker and the next thing he knew Walker was beside him with Thor on his other side. "We all go home, Buck. That's how this works."

The two men grasped him around the waist and began running towards the fence in the dark. Above them in the sky Sam was verifying everyone as they went through the hole in the fence.

"We have him," said Thor. "We're clear and almost to the fence."

Thor used his axe to blast the fence out of the way and they kept going until they heard the sounds of the explosions behind them. Stopping they turned around and watched as the place went up. Several of the people who were shackled were near them and they cheered, laughing and hugging each other as they watched the sheer destruction.

Bucky called out to them in Spanish, and one came over. After a brief but excited conversation the man grasped Bucky's hand and kissed it then did the same to the others. Bucky smiled at the look on Walker's face.

"They're from the town nearby," explained Bucky. "They were forced into working the line or else their families would be hurt. He said he thinks there's another complex northwest of here near a place called Granados. The guards were talking about it. I think we have another place to visit. What do you say, John?"

"I have to admit that was very satisfying," he replied quietly. "Felt good. Lemar will be safe if we leave him in your jet?"

"Yeah, although we can ask for a portal to send him to his mother," said Bucky. "Your call."

"Let's do that," he answered. "What about your leg?"

"Piper's medic can dig out the bullets, wrap up my leg, and it should start healing immediately," said Bucky. "A few bullet wounds won't stop me if it's HYDRA. I've had worse."

"Okay," replied Walker. "I stole the truck I used to drive here but I do have some weapons I want to bring."

"Need help carrying anything?" asked Scott.

Thor continued supporting Bucky to the quinjet as Walker went into the thicket of bushes with Scott. As the army medic treated Bucky's wounds Walker started up the truck for the Mexicans to transport them back to their village, accepting their thanks again. While he approached the quinjet he saw the ramp was down and Lemar was sitting on a seat inside with a juice and an energy bar. After dropping his gear off Walker kneeled in front of his son.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Did they hurt you?"

The boy shook his head. "They were mean, but they were scared of me," he said. "They put a needle in my arm, and I fell asleep for a while. Then they kept me in that room but let me go outside sometimes. That's when I heard that drone, but they couldn't hear it. I drew the triangle so if it was you then you would know I was okay."

"You did real good, Lemar," said Walker. "We found out there's another place where they're making bad stuff. I'm going with the Avengers to stop them. Bucky Barnes over there says there's a way to send you to Mom. All you have to do is walk through a circle, a magic circle. Do you think you can do that?"

The boy nodded his head vigorously then hugged his father, who kissed his cheek. "I love you, Dad," he said. "You were a hero today, weren't you?"

"I was one of several," replied Walker, his eyes glistening. "All these people who came to rescue you are heroes, too."

He sat down holding Lemar for a long time while the others prepared to depart. Sam contacted Avengers headquarters to tell them about the second facility, waiting for approval to take it out. He brought up the satellite feeds and zeroed in on the location, some distance west of the other village but accessible by road. There was an airstrip just outside of the village but he confirmed it had been there for a long time so they wouldn't destroy it. He also searched out a place for them to land that wouldn't attract attention.

"We should stay here tonight," said Sam. "We have about 4 hours until sunrise. Half sleep for 2 hours now and the other half the final 2 hours."

The others agreed and Sam, Yelena, Thor, and Walker slept, along with Lemar and three members of the task force. Bucky, Scott, Shaun, Piper and the remaining task force stayed awake. They sat outside at the base of the ramp watching for any sign of trouble. Nothing happened and the change was made so the others could rest, except for Lemar who was allowed to keep sleeping. After the sun came up a message was sent that a portal would open in half an hour for Lemar to join his mother. There was also word that something would be coming through the portal for them. No other details were given and there was speculation about what they were getting. When the sparkle of the portal began, they all moved out of the way as it enlarged. When Julia and Olivia came through, each with a tray of breakfast sandwiches, there was a small cheer.

"We heard you were eating energy bars," said Julia. "You need real food so Olivia and I got up early and made all these. Clint will come through with coffee for all of you."

Walker looked at Bucky, smiling broadly. "I think we have a pair of amazing wives," he said.

"Julia, this is John Walker," said Bucky, introducing them.

She looked at the taller man with a broad smile. "It's nice to meet you John," she said. "Your wife and I had a really good talk. I hope you had a good talk with Bucky."

He coloured slightly. "I did," he said. "Thank you for breakfast. These are very good."

Walker looked at his wife and she smiled, as Lemar came up and hugged her. "You did good," she said to her husband, kissing him on the cheek. "You're going after the second facility?"

"How did you know?" he asked, puzzled.

"We have a panic room," said Bucky, "with access to Avengers HQ. I'm guessing they watched the mission on the screen there."

"Panic room?" repeated John. "How did you get that built?"

Julia smiled. "He's a general contractor in his downtime," she said, "and a good one as well. Maybe if you ask he would build one for you. Just a thought."

Bucky smiled softly at her. The trays were almost empty and both women put the extras on a bench. Then they both kissed their husbands and left through the portal, Olivia taking Lemar with her. Clint came through with paper coffee cups, and a large carafe of coffee. Julia returned with sugar packets and creamers, giving Bucky another kiss before she returned home. Bucky noticed she didn't say anything about his bullet wounds.

"I'd forgotten what a good organizer Julia is," said Clint. "Good work on the first part of the mission. The discovery of these two facilities in Mexico has prompted a satellite search all over the world for similar places."

"And?" asked Bucky, expectantly. "Did they find any?"

Clint smiled broadly. "Oh yeah," he said. "There's some major planning going on and everyone wants to be in on the action, this old man included. You guys just got the ball rolling. Colonel Rhodes will probably ask if you want in on the others John. Your choice but you were impressive."

Walker smiled, then looked at Bucky. "As long as I'm with Buck and Sam," he said. "They have a great team."

Clint poured out the last of the coffee and headed towards the portal. "Another portal will open with more supplies for you," he said, just before leaving. "Good hunting."

The portal closed behind him, and another opened immediately with some soldiers bringing in a case of explosive charges for the next facility. As soon as they left the portal closed and everyone looked at each other then began laughing.

"I could get used to food and explosives delivery," said Major Piper. "When do we go?"

"As soon as we get official permission," said Sam. "HQ said it should be within the hour."

Fifty five minutes later they received the go ahead and Yelena took the quinjet up for the short hop over to Granados. Using the satellite feeds Sam pinpointed a safe place for them to land. It was a little further away from the serum facility but the quinjet would be secure. When darkness came Sam sent out the Red Wing units and split them into their components. Scott hitched a ride on the one that went to the suspected serum building so they could determine if there was another forced labour situation. As they watched the different feeds on the video screens Scott gave them a running commentary in the manufacturing building.

"Just like in the first place," he said. "They have about 20 people in hazmat suits, and they're all chained up around the waist with their legs shackled. Shit, a few of them are kids, teenagers maybe. Some have bruising on their face as if they've been slapped around."

"Scott, how many guards?" asked Bucky.

"Hold on, I have to climb up on a piece of equipment to count them," he said, as they heard his exertions. "A dozen, all armed with machine guns. A lot of them have facial tattoos, a skull between the eyes, a tear drop from one eye."

Sam looked it up on the computer and swore. "Drug cartel," he said. "The skull means they have killed, a lot. The tear drops are for murders they have committed. These are hardened killers."

"Anything else of note, Scott?" asked Bucky.

"Yeah," he replied. "The catwalk is right over the manufacturing line, not along the side where the other one was and there are a couple of armed guards on it. You won't be able to get in unnoticed."

"Come back," said Bucky. "We'll have to think of an alternate plan to get in there."

"Roger that," replied Scott. "I'm on my way back to the vent."

A few minutes later he resized himself and walked into the quinjet, taking his helmet off. He looked shaken and Bucky looked at him questioningly.

"I don't know how we can get in there without those guys opening fire on the captives," he stated. "There's no place to enter without them being aware of us."

Sam pulled up a plan of the compound then looked at Scott. "Are you able to resize Red Wing?" he asked.

"Yeah, what are you thinking?" asked Scott.

"We need a location for those guards," said Sam. "If you take a sized down Red Wing inside it can map the manufacturing building, show us where those guards are, without them noticing it. Then, when we take the building we don't free the captives, we send Thor, John and Bucky in at top speed to grab the guards. You're all fast enough to sweep them off their feet, knocking them out in the process, right?"

"They could still fire on us," replied Bucky. "Unless ..."

"You think she would?" asked Sam, immediately guessing what Bucky was thinking. "I mean, my suit is and I'm willing to fly in there and grab a gunman."

"What are you talking about?" asked Walker. "Who is she?"

"Queen Shuri of Wakanda," said Sam. "They have the nanotechnology to create bullet proof suits. Mine is bullet proof. She has Bucky's measurements and I'm sure could send someone via portal to measure you, John. Thor, are you fast enough to dodge bullets?"

The big man smirked so Sam took that as a yes. He looked at the others then at Bucky. Reaching into his bag Bucky took his kimoyo bead bracelet out, placing it on his right wrist and placed a request to speak with Shuri. Within moments she was on the holographic display, her smiling face looking at everyone inside the quinjet.

"I wondered when it would occur to you," she said. "For this mission, yes, we can lend you bullet proof wear for all of your team, even John Walker. After learning of a number of these manufacturing sites around the world we are making our own plans to handle the ones on African soil. How soon do you wish to implement your plan?"

"Eight hours?" said Sam. "That gives us time to map out the guard's positions and come up with the plan to take the rest of the site and lay the charges. Do you need to send someone to measure the others?"

Shuri smiled enigmatically. "That won't be necessary, Captain. We have the information we need."

Her image disappeared and the team began planning their attack on the base. As soon as it was dark Sam gave Scott one of the components of Red Wing so that he could shrink it down. Holding on to it, Scott got on a regular sized component and went back into the manufacturing plant to release the shrunken component to map out the layout of the assembly line, guard locations, and anything else they would need to know. The rest of the Red Wing units were sent throughout every building looking for how much opposition they could expect. They also located a cell that held more captives but none of them were shackled. While the super soldiers and Sam were attacking the manufacturing plant the others would release the captives then deal with the small army. Finally, all the charges would be set and they would blow the place to bits.