Chapter Fourteen

Knocking out a receiver dish, Zoë crossed her arms as she waited for a technician to come check it out.
"You sure someone will come?" Sam asked.
"Imagine your earpiece emitting a sharp, piercing noise," Zoë said. "Would you wanna fix it?"
"I see your point."

The door swung open, and Sam and Hill trained their guns on the poor tech.
"Excuse us," said Steve. The tech moved aside, hands trembling. Following Steve inside, Zoë walked around him to set up the broadcasting system. She handed him a mic and he took a deep breath.
"Attention, all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. This is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about me over the last few days, some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But I think it's time you know the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what we thought it was, it's been taken over by HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The STRIKE and Insight crew are HYDRA as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they are in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want: absolute control. They shot Nick Fury and it won't end there. If you launch those Helicarriers today, HYDRA will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way, unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot, but the price of freedom is high, it always has been, and it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not."

Stepping away from the mic, Steve nodded to himself.
"Wow," said Sam. "Did you write that down first, or was it off the top of your head?"
Zoë chuckled, "Off the top of his head. I'm willing to bet that he's had that speech in some capacity or another since he took the serum." She winked at the look Steve gave her. "Come on," she said. "Helicarriers this way."

The trio made their way through the building.
"Hey, Cap," Sam suddenly said. "How do we know the good guys from the bad guys?"
"If they're shooting at you, they're bad," Steve said.
"Great!" Sam took off into the sky as Zoë followed Steve. Sam's voice came through their comms a few minutes later.
"Hey, Cap, I found those bad guys you were talking about."
"You okay?" Zoë asked.
"I'm not dead yet."
"Falcon, status?" buzzed Hill.
"Engaging."

A shot whizzed past Zoë's head and she lifted her gun, shooting at a few HYDRA agents coming her way. One of them fell at her feet and she looked down.
"Yazmin," she murmured. The other woman just stared lifelessly up at her. How many others that Zoë called friends were HYDRA? Sharon? Emerson? She took a deep breath, then continued after Steve. Now was not the time to dwell on what-ifs.
"Alright, Cap, I'm in." Steve threw a punch as Zoë fired another shot. "Eight minutes, Cap," said Hill.
"Working on it. Z, get to the control panel."
"Got it!"

Ducking around another agent, Zoë darted into the Helicarrier. She pressed some buttons, smiling when she saw a message appear.
"Alpha locked," she said.
"Falcon?" asked Hill.
"I had to take a detour! Bravo locked."
"Two down, one to go. Wait… Charlie Carrier's forty-five degrees off the port bow. Six minutes."

Walking to the edge, Zoë glanced at the Charlie Carrier.
"Hey, Sam, I'm gonna need a ride," said Steve.
"Roger! Let me know when you're ready."
"Good luck boys," Zoë said. She shook her head as Steve jumped off the edge of the Helicarrier, being caught by Sam.
"You know, you're a lot heavier than you look."
"I had a big breakfast."
"Boys, focus," Zoë chided.

Something happened behind Zoë, and she spun, seeing The Winter Solider. She fired at him, and he blocked the shot with his metal arm She bolted away, ducking behind a wall.
"Sam, where are you?" asked Steve.
"I'm grounded, the suits down. Sorry Cap."
"Don't worry about it, I've got it. Z, head out."
"On it."
"Z, Falcon," said Hill. "Rumlow's headed for the council."
"On our way." "Leave me Rumlow," Zoë said. "Deal, see you there, Zoë."

Running through the building, Zoë found Rumlow.
"I'm on forty-one, headed towards the southwest stair—" Zoë threw herself at him, knocking him to the ground. Rumlow flipped them over, holding her hands over her head.
"This is gonna hurt," he told her. "There are no prisoners with HYDRA, just order. And order only comes through pain. You ready for yours?"
"Shut the hell up," Sam said, knocking Rumlow off of Zoë.

Snarling, Rumlow fought Sam.
"You're out of your depth, kid," he snapped, pulling a gun on Sam.
"Brock, stop!" Zoë knocked the gun out of his hand, pointing hers at his head.
"Be smart, Z," Rumlow hissed.
"We were friends, Brock!" she spat. "What the hell happened?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. happened. It isn't the same organization we once joined, Z."
"Go to hell." Zoë went to pull the trigger, but before she could do that the building collapsed on top of Rumlow.
"Sam!" Zoë screamed as Rumlow grabbed her arm, dragging her down with him.

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