A/N* Short one this week as I was sick for quite a few days and then my pet rabbit was sick as well.
As soon as they got to the outskirts of the city, a masked group of bikers surrounded their car. It seemed as though no one was entering or exiting with others noticing. They followed them under bridges and through the desolate streets.
She couldn't even find the words to describe Madripoor,
As they wove through walkways and bridges, Aubrey's keen eyes tried to take everything in but it was close to impossible. People were everywhere. Money flashed constantly and people danced in the streets as expensive cars roared their way through. Graffiti plastered every surface, leaving no open space on walls, pillars, or even the flooring. And she began to see similar words strewn through various art pieces. The Power Broker is watching. The Power Broker knows all. Don't test the Power Broker. Zemo led them through a metal gate, Sam in front of both Aubrey and Bucky. Cigarette smoke permeated through the air, mixed with liquor, and gunpowder. It seemed that everyone was armed. Bouncers stood outside of clubs, AR's in hand. Several women hefted large sniper rifles as vendors attempted to conceal the handguns tucked into their belts. Neon signs flashed as billboards advertised scantily clad women. Music bounced around alleyways, conflicting with other tunes that played from various bars. A slight feeling of relief washed over her when Zemo led them under a glowing sign of a howling monkey. It was easier to gauge threats in an enclosed space. Less overwhelming.
The club, however, brought her alertness level right back up to max. It was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. The mass of people inside was enough to make her hands go towards the knives at her side. Music reverberated through the building as the clamor of voices rose.
Zemo continued to lead them, weaving around warm bodies "Готовы выполнить? Зимний солдат? Орел?" [Ready to comply? Winter Soldier? Eagle?" the hard Russian dialect sent a shiver down her spine as whispers began to sound in the crowd.
"Is that the Winter Soldier?"
"I think that's the Eagle."
"Why are they both here"
Men cleared away from the bar to make space for them. Aubrey moved over by Sam, leaning against the counter beside him, her stance saying everything. Bucky did the same but by Zemo, as the Bartender addressed Sam.
"Hello, gentlemen. Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger"
"His plans changed, we have business to do, with Selby" Zemo interjected as the man continued.
"The usual?"
Sam gave what seemed like a nervous nod. And they proceeded to watch the man bring out a viper and slice it open, taking what she could only assume was the heart and plop it into Sam's drink. Zemo held up his glass, Sam doing the same as a smirk played across the Sokovians face.
Zemo downed his drink in one gulp but Sam hesitated, making noises under his breath before tipping the glass back. And giving the bartender a thumbs up.
Aubrey struggled to keep her face straight in that moment, but any laughter that rose quickly deflated as a burly man turned Zemo around.
"I got word from on high. You ain't welcome here."
"I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me-" he didn't need to say anything else, just motion to Bucky and then Aubrey. "-Or bring Selby for a chat.
"A Power Broker, really?" Bucky's mouth barely moved.
"Every kingdom needs its king. Let's just pray we stay under his radar."
"Do you know him? "
"Only by reputation. In Madripoor he is judge, jury, and executioner.-" While Zemo talked, Aubrey had noticed that a few more men had come into the bar, purpose gleaming in their eyes. Zemo cut off what he was saying, turning back to Bucky as a tattooed man stalked closer.
"Зимний солдат. Атака" [Winter Soldier. Attack.] Zemo shot a look at Aubrey, shaking his head ever so slightly as Bucky surged forward. Metal arm taking a hold of the man who'd touched Zemo's shoulder. He launched into battle as Aubrey pushed off of the counter, standing beside Zemo and Sam as Bucky worked through men in the crowd. She was torn between wanting to help him and being horrified that they had to do this.
"It is enough to make a scene with one, we do not need both yet." Zemo seemed to mumble this to Sam more than Aubrey. "Didn't take much for him to fall back into form."
Just as he said that something cold and hard pushed into her lower back. Aubrey stiffened, surprised that someone had gotten this close. She'd been too busy making sure Bucky was going to be alright to realize that a man had crept up behind her. Zemo had noticed her movement and his eye was drawn to the man. "Атака" he growled. Aubrey's eyes narrowed, sharpened canines barred as an inhumane hiss exited her mouth. The Nanos gathered where the gun was in case it did fire but she moved too quickly. Her superhuman reflexes allowing her to turn and take a hold of the man's wrist, gun dropping uselessly to the floor. He gave a nervous, toothy grin. The real Aubrey would've stopped, right then and there. She would've taken the gun and left. But not the Eagle. The Eagle twisted his arm and a pained noise left his mouth as he tried to throw a punch. She caught his other arm rotating them farther than the human arms should go as her talons dug into his flesh. Something popped and she let go, kicking his chest towards the ground. He landed just as a thudding noise sounded behind her. Turning, she saw Bucky with a man on the bar, his metal hand on his throat. A menacing look was plastered on her face as her green eyes flickered around the room. Everyone whose her gaze landed on shrank backward. The click of guns echoed through the room as people drew weapons from under their clothes. "Молодец Солдат, Орел" [Well done, Soldier, Eagle]. Bucky released the man as the bartender ambled forward.
"Selby will see you now."
Bucky released the man and followed the bartender to the back rooms.
"You know Baron, people don't just come into my bar and make demands." Selby had a presence about her that said that she knew her worth. She was dressed in fine clothing and had white hair that stuck up in short strands.
"Not a demand, an offer" Zmeo sat down in one of the armchairs as Aubrey, Bucky, and Sam remained standing, not trusting this woman or her fully armed guard by the door.
"A lot has changed since you were here last. By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison? How did you escape?"
"People like us always find a way, don't we? I'm sure you've already figured out what I'm here for."
"You're taller than I'd heard, Smiling Tiger." suspicion laced her voice as she gave Sam an unsavory look. "What's the offer?"
"Tell us what you know about the super-soldier serum, and I will give you, him." pushing up from his chair, Zemo circled around Bucky. "Along with the code words to control him, of course. He will do anything you want" Zemo ran a hand down Bucky's jaw and anger flared up inside of her. A muscle in Bucky's jaw moved almost imperceptibly as Aubrey attempted to keep the daggers from her gaze.
"Now that's the Zemo I remember" Selby began, face turning up as the couch squeaked beneath her. "- I'm glad I decided not to kill you immediately…yeah you were right to come to me. Arrogant, but right.-" she paused as Zemo paced back over, reseating himself. "-The super-soldier serum is here in Madripoor. Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you wanna thank. Or..condemn, depending on what side of this you're on. The Power Broker had him working on a serum..but things didn't go as planned."
"Is Nagel still in Madripoor?"
"Oh" Selby breathed, giving Zemo a sympathetic look.- "The breadcrumbs you can have for free but the bakery is gonna cost you, Baron.-" slowly she rose to her feet, eyes flashing dangerously at Aubrey. "-And before you get all cute, don't think you can find Nagel without me."
"What do you want then?" Zemo rose as well.
"Why bring her if you're only going to give me him?" Selby paced closer to Aubrey.
"She is my contingency plan….But I would be willing to hand her over as well if you gave us the information and guaranteed our safety out of here."
"Alright-" she responded, but was cut off by the buzz of a phone on vibrate. Turning, her laser-like gaze focused on "Smiling Tiger".
"Answer it, on speaker-" as she spoke, her gunman ambled closer.
Nodding, he answered. "Hello?"
"Hey, um, we need to talk about the situation, it's been driving me nuts." A female voice came from the other end.
"What situation exactly are you talking about?"
"Are you high? You know what citation, it's the only citation me and you have" annoyance was in the woman's tone as she wondered what Sam had gotten himself into.
"What situation, Sarah, say it."
"The damn boat. And watch your tone. Okay?. I let you slide at the bank" Zemo shifted in his seat, catching Aubrey's eyes and nodding slightly. He expected this to end with blood.
Scoffing, Sam responded "the bank. Yeah…Laundered so much money... Hah, they'll come around"
"If that was the case, then why'd they dog you out, Big Time?"
"You damn right I'm Big Time. You'' see when I have that banker killed."
"Cass! What'd I tell you about the Cheerios? I don't have time for this! Sam, I'm sorry, I'll call you back."
"Sam? Who's Sam? Kill them!" the moment the words left Selby's mouth, a shot sounded and she toppled over, dead.