A\N I am trying to stick to the MCU timeline with this story. I am also attempting to use real places and names that exist in our universe. However, I am not committed to the amount of time complete geographical and historical accuracy will take. There are already noticeable differences in two MCU character storylines (you may or may not have deduced my OC's relationship to certain characters), and since this is my own story, I think it's okay. If you notice any mistakes in timeline or accuracy that you feel take away from the story, please inform me so I can correct it. 3


The Baron von Strucker strode out of Le Negresco. A slight wind had picked up as the sun rose, drawing with it the refreshing scent of salt and sea from the Mediterranean. The streets were almost empty, but with a population of nearly 1 million, Nice was certainly awake. The Baron held his newspaper taken from the hotel and skimmed through it along his way. It was the March 2009 issue of Le Monde: an informative article, "What is Nato for?", a report on the controversy of the Algerian president's possible reelection... nothing of interest for sure. However, it did help with the Baron's intended effect of turning a normally imposing, thought not tall, man, into an average gentleman on a morning stroll.

On a quiet dark avenue, von Strucker tucked into an alleyway. As expected, C4 and the Soldier awaited him, standing at attention. He handed C4 a manila envelop. "Arash Ahmad. We have intelligence that he is being escorted by S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Romanoff from Iran to America. According the documentation you are given, the target will be transported by vehicle from Odessa to a small military base in five days time. Ensure he does not arrive. As you know, Romanoff was trained by the Red Room. Whether she lives or dies is not crucial to this mission. Just ensure she does not uncover the identity of the Soldier."

"Copy." C4 replied briefly.

"It is also vital that the Soldier returned to the Siberian base within a fortnight." C4 briefly glanced at the Soldier whose face was yet blank, then nodded at the Baron. With that, Strucker quickly returned to his route.

Inside the envelop was a brief overview of the mission. Arash Ahmad. Then under an image of a small middle eastern man with excessive facial hair: Nuclear Scientist for Iranian Government. In red: Former Hydra Agent. Watchlist. Risk: High. C4 quickly memorized the summary of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recovery operation, along with a detailed description of the vehicle's route, make, model, and potential factors that could result in timeline changes to the operation. She pulled out a lighter and burned it to ashes. Additional items in the envelop included passports with fake identities for her and the Soldier and a single key attached to a street address and parking spot number.

"Keep this safe." C4 handed him a passport with his picture and the name Darius Petrescu, a fitting name as C4 noted, for the Soldier, though documented as American-born, did appear to be of Romanian descent. The soldier paused at his image. He could not recall them taking one. His musing was interrupted as his partner bid him to follow, so he tucked the passport in an inside coat pocket.

A Honda Pan European ST1300. The motorcycle would comfortable seat them both. "Can you drive it?" C4 asked. It would be a more practical seating arrangement. The Soldier nodded. Though he hadn't recalled doing it before, he somehow knew he could.

The bike purred. His first few stops were janky but fortunately, it quickly became a smooth ride. They would have a long drive, especially with the need to avoid high altitudes in case of late snowfall. C4 gripped him lightly from behind. Between them she carried one small backpack. A case of extra ammo was stored with a change of clothes for each and some water in the vehicles extra storage, but their weapons remained concealed on them.


It was the second day of being alone. The Soldier was ordered by C4 to stay in the motel room. However, the mind wipes and programming allowed his brain to space out for long period, so the time was inconsequential to the Soldier. Periodically, his mind wandered to memories. But it was painful to break those barrier placed and thus his days elapsed uneventfully.

In the meantime, C4 had successfully hacked into the airlines system, monitoring the flight and passenger check-in remotely via a stolen laptop she reprogrammed and installed a VPN. She ensured the names of Ahmad and Romanoff's alias appeared on the boarded list. To his company, Ahmad was a trusted scientist who was taking a vacation in Turkey. From there C4 had knowledge of their plan to board an Istanbul-Odessa Ferry across the Black Sea, but she would be unable to monitor them on this leg.

Instead she turned to trace the precise vehicle. S.H.I.E.L.D. was able operate with the unofficial cooperation of the Ukrainian government. A blue four-door sudan would be parked at a public, but inconspicuous, location. Romanoff would be given a key and an escort vehicle would follow them discretely to the private S.H.I.E.L.D. plane waiting for them. Once on the base, they would be granted official diplomatic protection. That being said, it was still certain that the planted vehicle would be under surveillance. Stealing a spare security uniform from aforementioned semi-secure parking location's security company did the trick.

Perched on a cafe balcony, C4 awaited the ferry to approach shore. Here, with her laptop, jeans and a lacy crop top, C4 passed as a young college student enjoying the sea. With her binoculars, however, she wasn't here to appreciate the view. She observed the faces of passengers could be seen against the stark white paint of the boat. However, there was no sight of the target. The boat docked and it was a long 15 minutes as C4 anticipated them to disembark. Finally, the ramp way was set and the passengers made their way onto the shore. Just as C4 began to grow concerned, a flash of red appeared from the lower deck. Romanoff's hair gleamed in the light. About ten paces behind her, the target followed. This was C4's cue to leave.

The Soldier heard four sharp raps on the door, notifying him of C4's return. He had their items packed, leaving no trace of their presence in the motel room. "Let's go." C4 said.

Only a few minutes later, atop the bike, they passed just as the target entered the tracked vehicle's parking lot. Everything was going just as planned. C4 monitored the vehicles movements as it pulled out of the lot behind them. "We need to get ahead of them," she said through the Soldier's helmet at a stopped light. It turned green and the Soldier stepped on the gas.


Natasha drove along a winding back-country road with an important passenger. Ahmad had reached out to S.H.I.E.L.D. notifying them of an important discovery and potentially documentation of certain Hydra testing. After a limited correspondence and ensuring this was not a set-up, S.H.I.E.L.D. decided the risk was worth the information the former-Hydra scientist was offering. They were very slowly gaining elevation as they traveled inland, away from the sea and the city. So far, this operation had been uneventful. Yet, Ahmad seemed nervous and was unwilling to let her touch his briefcase which remained at his feet on the passenger side of the vehicle. A tinted SUV trailed behind them, closer now that they were further from the watchful eyes of the city.

The trees grew thicker beside them and she looked out the side to admire the nature around them. It reminded her of the landscape of her childhood home. Just as she began to slow for a winding turn, a busting tire caused her to slam on the breaks, but it was too late.


After hiding the motorcycle off the road, C4 and the Soldier got into their positions. The Soldier waited in a thicket just at the inside of a sharp bend, waiting for C4 to alert him of the targets approach. The uncanny cry of a wildcat cued him in. A car came up the hill. The windows were untinted and he could clearly see both targets. His compact rifle was less accurate than most so he took out both driver side tires instead. The vehicle wavered for a second and the driver attempted to control the vehicle but spun out as it approached the curve and careened off the cliff.

A second vehicle appeared just in time to see what had happened. It screeched to a halt facing sideways to the soldier and two soldier emerged, guns drawn and using the vehicle as a shield. One began firing over the roof of the hood, but the Soldier quickly ended him with a headshot. At their close distance, he never missed. Unexpectedly, no one else appeared from behind the vehicle. The soldier approached the vehicle carefully from the light cover of the trees until he could see the other side. Two men lay dead, and C4 emerged from the woods behind them with a MAC-10. C4 nodded and he left her to inspect the vehicle while he went to ensure the target was deceased.

Meanwhile, Agent Romanoff came to a bleary awakening. The car was at a tilt and a sharp branch had penetrated her window inches from her neck. To her right, a body hung towards her. "Dr. Ahmed?" There was no answer. Romanoff, startled back to reality, began to shift and unbuckle her belt. "Dr. Ahmed!" She tried to shake him gently but still, no response.

Against the trunk of a tree, Natasha could open her door. She painfully stretched back to grab a jacket and brush the broken glass from the window. Her head throbbed as she crawled out of the vehicle. It as a solid four foot drop from the bottom of her side to the forest floor. She slipped as she landed, but, although angled, the hillside was not too steep to stop herself and stand. She rushed uphill to the passenger side of the vehicle, using various trees for support. This part of the cart] was about a foot off the ground. The door opened with ease and relief flooded her as Dr. Ahmad was now awake. "Dr. Ahmad, are you alright?" He nodded, still trying to get his baring.

Ahmad turned towards her, "What happened?" The scientist sounded groggy.

A crunch sounded in the forest behind her and she spun around. A masked man stood 8 meters away pointing a rifle directly at her. She didn't stood still, not wanting him to shoot. "Stay where you are!" She yelled.

"Hand him over, and you live." The man's gruff voice replied. At Ahmed's mention, Romanoff heard him moving behind her.

"No," she reached to draw her pistol, but the Soldier fired. Sharp pain screamed through her abdomen. He missed, she thought. The vicinity of the discharge made her ears ring but she pursued the fleeding assailant and racked her pistol. It was a difficult uphill chase. If he was any average person, she would have caught him before either of them reached the top, but she came out of the thicket just in time to see him started off on a motorcycle alone. She fired three rounds. One missed but two hit his shoulder and arm... the man didn't even seem affected as a metal ping sounded and he sped away.

Seeing the SUV she ran towards it to pursue. Natasha was greeted by the two lifeless bodies. With no key in sight and a realization that there was probably a second assassin, she grabbed a radio from one of the soldiers and swiftly turned back down the hill. "There's been an attack. Soldiers are down we need backup."

"Copy. Is the scientist secure?" Just as she was about to apply in the affirmative, Romanoff saw Ahmed slumped over on the ground and yelled to him. There was no answer. As she turned him over, she watched blood gush out of a chest wound. With his short stature and the slope of the hill, the shot through her lower abdomen went straight into his heart.

She stood and ran her fingers through her hair, only to be greeted by an equally horrific discovery. Dr. Ahmed's precious briefcase was gone.