AVENGERS EVOLUTION
in
"The Chessboard Is Set - Avengers Assemble Part One"
Note: All characters and locations mentioned here are property of Marvel Comics Inc, I claim no ownership to them whatsoever.
In the woods of German-Occupied France
April 1942
"The Red Skull's got that place guarded heavier than Fort Knox, Cap!"
Bucky Barnes, the youthful sidekick of the star & striped hero Captain America, peered through the black binoculars, looking over the many German guards patrolling the grounds of the French Castle which housed the Red Skull - the leader of HYDRA.
The auburn-haired beauty Miss America approached from behind Bucky, kneeling down next to him. Bucky handed over the binoculars to her, so that she could look at the fortress.
"Bucky is right, Cap,"she replied. "Even if the rest of the All Winner's Squad were with us, they'd still have us outnumbered 100 to 1."
Captain America stepped out of the bushes, carrying his Star and Stripes shield, his normal round shield he had left behind in America while the Spirit of 76 was masquerading as him. "We all knew what we were getting in to, Miss America," he assured her. "As long as we remain united, we can beat them!"
Bucky spoke up. "How are we going to pull this off, Cap? I'm really itching for a fight!"
Captain America approached Bucky and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Patience, son. You'll get your chance soon enough. First we must wait for the Whizzer to come back from his recon of the castle."
A gust of strong wind blew past Miss America, causing her hair to go flying all over the place. As the wind finally died down, there standing next to the Captain was the yellow and blue garbed Whizzer.
"Captain, there are more Germans down there than there are attending a schnitzel party," gasped the speedster.
"What else do you have to report, Whizzer?" asked Cap.
"Not a whole lot, there are a whole battallion of guards, all armed with submachine guns. And there's even a couple of heavy tanks patrolling the area."
"Good work. Once the rest of the team arrives, we'll begin our assault on the castle. The Red Skull will be brought to justice, to pay for his many war crimes against humanity." Cap pounded his gloved fist into his open hand, it was obvious to everyone that he had a personal score to settle with the Red Skull.
Bucky got the binoculars back from Miss America, and took another look at the Hydra stronghold. Miss America walked up to the Whizzer and put her arms around him.
"You took quite a risk, Robert," she said to him, her voice low. "What if you were seen?"
The Whizzer smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "Are you kidding, Madeline? I'm too fast for them, they'd never catch me."
It was known by everyone in the All Winners Squad that both the Whizzer and Miss America were romantically involved. In their personal lives they were Madeline Joyce and Robert Frank, but trying to maintain a professional relationship was difficult - even for them.
Bucky didn't much like this kissy-kissy stuff, that kind of stuff turned his stomach. But as a young teenager, he couldn't help but take a look.
Whizzer noticed him right away. "Hey!" He said loudly. "Eyes front, kiddo!"
Bucky turned away from them, focusing back on the castle. As both the Whizzer and Miss America broke away from their romantic embrace, Madeline noticed Captain America wince in pain.
"Cap?" She whispered to him. "Is everything alright?"
He looked at her and smiled. "Nothing to .. worry about," he whispered back. "Just a little ... war wound." He managed to get the binoculars from Bucky and looked at their target, little did Miss America or anyone knew that his pain was caused by something much more than just some old "war wound".
Deep within the castle stronghold resided an evil no one could ever thought possible to exist, the bitter stench of evil clung to the interior and flooded the hallways, the German guards marched and walked through the hallways unaware of the foul stench's existence - unaware ... or just used to it?
One soldier, carrying a stack of papers, came running down the corridor, barely avoiding running into his fellow officers. He came up to the closed door of the chamber belonging to the Red Skull, it was guarded by two sentries - each wearing the full green and yellow bodysuits of HYDRA.
One of the sentries stepped forward to stop the man. " Halt and be identified! " He ordered with a strong German accent.
The soldier stepped back, holding the papers in one hand, he quickly gave the salute across the chest. "Hail Hitler!"
Both HYDRA sentries returned the salute, but said nothing. " State your business ," demanded one of the sentries.
" I have been given direct orders to deliver these reports to herr leader. " The soldier showed the men the papers.
Both sentries conversed with eachother, whispers that the soldier could not make out. They returned their stone-cold gaze on the man. " You may proceed. "
The soldier gave a quick salute to the sentries, before approaching the closed metal door as the sentries had returned to the statuesque pose. As the soldier knocked on the door, a deep powerful german voice from within ordered him to enter.
The door opened with a loud creaking sound, and the soldier stepped in to the dimly lit room. He saw a figure sitting by a large window looking out to the forest, and choked on the cigarette smoke that filled the room.
The figure spoke with a strong german accent. " Report. " he replied in German, while puting out the cigarette he was just smoking.
" Mein leader ," replied the soldier. " Everything is going according to plan, I have the reports you requested. "
" Excellent. " Red Skull turned in his chair to face the man, even with the lights so dim in the room, the soldier cringed in fear. Even though the Red Skull wore the normal german leather uniform of black and grey, complete with the Nazi armband, his head was the most frightening,a crimson red skull with a pair of red eyes filling up empty eye sockets. The soldier had heard rumors, even though he knew that the Red Skull wore a mask to give his head that blood red shriveled look. He had heard things which spoke to the contrary, that the Red Skull was actually no ordinary man, but one constructed of modern German science - an experiment gone horribly wrong.
The Red Skull could see the fear in the man's eyes, that fear would normally strengthen his resolve, and it was good to have some fear in his subordinates, so that they would be intimidated and be willing to obey out of that same intimidation. But what he wanted to come along with that intimidation was respect, and he'd get that respect soon enough.
" How much longer until the project is complete? " He asked.
The soldier looked over his data. " Estimated time of completion ... two hours. "
The Red Skull frowned. " Unacceptable. This is just unacceptable.I want them to double their efforts! "
" At once, mein leader! " The soldier placed the rest of the papers down on the nearby desk and gave the salute. " Hail Hitler! " He clicked his heels, turned, and was about to leave until the Red Skull called to him.
" What is your name, Corporal? " He asked.
The soldier turned to face him. " Corporal Hans Oberfeld, mein leader. "
The Red Skull walked over to a cabinet, opening it up, and pulling out a bottle of brandy and a single glass. " I have read your personal file, " he said as he poured himself a glass. " Your record is not without merit. "
" Thank you, mein leader. "
" After this war when I have crushed the Amerikans, there will be a place for you in my HYDRA orrganization. "
" I am honored, mein leader, " Hans smiled, then suddenly he gave a look of confusion. " You mean 'Hitler', dont you? "
Red Skull chuckled. " Of course. "
" I will inform the men of your orders right away. " Hans gave another salute, turned on his heel, and marched out of the door.
As soon as Hans left, the Red Skull took a sip of his brandy. " Hitler ... that pitiful escuse for a leader ... " He grumbled. " I won't be his second anymore ... I WILL BE FUHRER! " The radio on his desk buzzed, he placed the glass of brandy on the desk and pressed the call button. " What is it? "
" Mein Leader, " replied the commander. " Radar has picked up a single craft entering our airspace. It is an American bomber. "
That was very unusual., it was like the Americans to send out one single bomber. It must be delivering supplies to rebels.
In the main communications room, the communications officer was listening to the instructions that were given to him by the Red Skull.
" Launch a squadron of warplanes, " ordered Red Skull. " I want that craft destroyed! "
" It will be done. Hail Hitler! " He pulled the cord out of the comunications board, severing the connection with the Red Skull, he then reattached it into another socket to contact the nearby German airfield, and began to give the order to shoot down the enemy aircraft.
What is this aircraft? To be continued.