Chapter Text
“So everyone ok with the plan? Questions?” Captain America stood at the front of the carrier looking at one person in particular.
“Cap, I have the feeling your specifically looking at little ol’ me?” Tony was reclining back in a rolling stones t-shirt and a pair of worn jeans and shades covering his eyes. His feet were resting on a metallic briefcase containing a version of his Iron-Man armour.
“If you can repeat anything I just said, I’ll let it go.” Steve was used to Tony’s antics by now. Despite his apparent lack of care the man was fiercely intelligent and wouldn't let the team down, at this point it was more of a ritual before battle. Steve would run the plan, Tony would make fun of it, rinse and repeat.
“I’m just spit-balling but something along the lines of, look out for each other? Take out the bad guys? Save the world?”
“That’s actually better than I expected, and your lucky we’re out of time. Ok everyone get suited and booted, we’re about to drop.”
Today’s mission involved raiding a long-running Hydra base. Some cells were still running independently after Hydra’s downfall and months later The Avengers were still on clean up.
Due to the independent nature of the cell, the team was largely going in blind and had very little information on the enemies numbers, however as they’d avoided detection for so long, estimates were relatively small.
Natasha and Clint were checking each other’s equipment. Both of them experienced veterans of this kind of thing long before The Avengers had even been formed.
Vision was quietly talking with Wanda near the back of the jet. Steve noticed she looked calm and relaxed. Sometimes he worried that she was a little too confident in her powers and their ability to keep her safe. Still there was no denying she was quickly becoming one of the strongest members of the team, and with Vision sticking to her like a shadow he wasn't overly concerned.
Tony had started to suit up, finally. Steve would never admit it but he couldn't deny that watching the suit fold up out of the Stark industries briefcase was certainly impressive. Even knowing this was only a backup suit while Tony worked on his latest version of the armour, he knew first hand how effective it was in battle.
Bruce had elected to stay back at compound, deciding that it wasn't worth risking the Hulk going on a rampage for such a small mission. Thor also wasn't with them this time around, he often joined them for these missions if for no other reason than the fun of it, unfortunately the God of Thunder was currently off-world and Steve had no idea when he planned to return.
In an odd twist of circumstance they did have the King of Wakanda with them. T’challa had been visiting the compound when the team had received the information on the Hydra cell. Deciding it would be better to go with them than wait around, he told Steve that it would be a good time to test out some changes his sister Shuri, the Princess of Wakanda had made to his suit.
If he thought Tony’s briefcase was impressive, it paled in comparison to the Black Panther necklace, a fact that drove Tony mad. He’d been spending the last couple of months trying to replicate the effect without the use of the advanced metal vibranium.
Confident his team were ready he quickly checked the straps on his shield before heading towards the ramp, ready to lead the charge. Super serum or not, Steve believed a leader’s place was at the front.
“Here we go team, lets get it done!”Moments later the ramp was opening and Captain America was hit with a blast of cold wind.
Jumping down from a height that would break a normal man’s legs Cap began to scan for imminent threats. Landing in the thick of Hydra’s defences he certainly wasn't short of them.
Closing the distance on the closest Hydra operatives he slammed his fist into the face of one goon while using his shield to block the gunshots of another. He could hear Iron-Man’s repulsers firing into their gun turrets and heavy defences. With less noise but no less effect he could pick up sounds of his team taking on the enemy, and by the sounds of pain reaching his ears, they were winning.
Resolute not to fall behind, Captain America put his head down and got to work.
These things had a way dragging on, in Steve’s opinion. The enemy knew they were cornered and had nothing to lose by hunkering down behind their defences and drawing things out hoping that something might change if they just held on.
To his surprise it was only a few minutes into the battle when he found himself looking for another enemy to engage with, “Outside perimeter clear? Anyone have eyes on the enemy”
“Clear cap” Came Black Widow’s voice over the comms.
“I’ve got eyes on the facility, no enemies in sight” Hawkeye voiced from his position on the back of the hovering Quinjet, where he covered the rest of the team with his deadly bow.
It’s true they knew very little about the forces assembled at this facility but he’d expected a lot more than the token resistance they’d so far encountered, “Iron-Man take Vision and head in from above. Hawkeye stay high, let us know if anyone approaches from our backs. Rest of you your with me we’ll start from the bottom and clear floor by floor and meet in the middle.”
Backed up by his teammates and friends, he took his first step into the Hydra facility. Quick glances into each room they passed revealed advanced science equipment that baffled Steve, some of it appeared so high tech it would have fit easily into one of Tony’s workshops, others looked barbaric even by the standards of Steve’s time when bones saws saw regular use on even minor injuries.
What he didn't see was any more Hydra agents, in fact they didn't encounter anyone. With no resistance they quickly ascended to the second floor, where Steve was beginning to suspect they’d find more of the same.
“I find myself disappointed Captain, I was under the impression we’d encounter tougher resistance” T’challa spoke up next to him while they checked another room. Steve had to give the credit he didn't drop his mask or his guard, even while he believed the enemy had been routed.
“I’ve been thinking the same thing, Hydra doesn't usually give up so easily.” Looking over to Natasha, she nodded in silent agreement to Steve’s assessment.
“Cap, get up here. We’ve got a situation!” Tony’s voice came in over the comms.
“What floor!?” Even as he questioned his teammate Steve was signalling to the others to follow him as he headed to the next flight of stairs.
“You wont miss us”
“Well that doesn't sound good” Came Wanda’s voice from behind Steve as they climbed each step. He took care not to outdistance the others, he didn't know for sure there weren't any enemies on these floors and if he wasn't careful, himself and Black Panther would start pulling ahead of Natasha and Wanda’s more human speed.
Unfortunately Tony was right, the team couldn't possibly miss them. Before they hit the next floor Wanda gripped her head like she was going to be sick, “Guys whatever were heading into…...there's so much pain, so much agony. I’m only getting residual feelings from my empathy, but...Jesus I think I'm going to be sick.”
Steve looked back towards Wanda checking to make sure she could carry on, and after a moment she waved him forward.
Slowing his pace a little before they reached the next floor, the team didn't encounter a door like they had on the other stairwells but instead a wide open space filled with racks of cages and tables. Stepping into the area he could see dried blood on the tables and floors where Hydra had failed to wash it all away. More distressing he could see small decaying corpses in a few of the cages.
Being a soldier in one of the bloodiest conflicts in all of history, Steve recognised the familiar sight of a child's dead body.
It never got any easier.
Trying not to focus on that, afraid his anger would take control. Steve carried on into the room until he saw a glass window at the end, some kind of observation station. The room behind the glass was whiter than white with a drain in the middle of the floor and a small singular blanket, that was so old it was little more than threads.
Vision was face down on the floor of that white glass room.
Wanda must have spotted Vision over his shoulder as she shot past Steve like a bullet, her hands already glowing red and crackling with the force of her power.
Before she could unleash that energy Tony’s armoured hand gripped her wrist, “Stop!”
“Why!?” Vision was no less a valued member than anyone on the team, but for Wanda it was far more personal. She clearly did not appreciate being told to wait while she observed him alone in that room.
“I said stop damn it!” Tony took the risk to step more fully in front of Wanda so she’d be unable to get a clear shot of the glass.
“Tony what’s happened?” Natasha put her hands on Wanda’s shoulders, hoping she could get the young woman to calm down so they could get an explanation.
“I’m not sure, everything was going fine until we hit this room. Taking a look at all this, I decided to try and get into their system from their computer banks over there” Tony pointed to a set of servers sitting in the corner of the room, “I could hear Vision searching behind me, and I assume he phased through the glass because I didn't hear the door open. Next thing I know I turn around and he’s laying on the floor unresponsive”
“I didn't realise Vision could loose conciseness” T’challa looked past the glass to the unconscious Avenger.
“Biologically speaking he’s essentially human, his organs are simply synthetic and wrapped in a vibranium body. That being said with his constitution most gasses wouldn't work on him”
“He’s alive though?”
“Yea, Fridays still getting a signal from him. I don't know what happened, but my guess, there's something in there with him”
“Something?” Natasha asked.
“That room’s shielded top to bottom I cant get a scan out of it, radiation, thermal, I’m getting nada. If I wasn't linked with Vision I wouldn't be getting anything from him either. Knowing gasses wouldn't affect him and the observation set up they got here...yea I think there's something in there”.
“Let me get him, and we’ll find out” Wanda didn't fight against Natasha’s hold now, but she clearly thought all the talking was a waste of time, while Vision was stuck inside.
Steve found it hard to believe there would be a random room full of poison gas. Odds were there was a threat in this building and it needed to be taken seriously.
“We’ll get him but were going to do this smart, if something is in there, its strong enough to knock Vision out before he could alert Tony. You guys have got the range, me and Panther will go in first and if it gets past us, hit it with everything you’ve got”
Not looking for any arguments and aware that one of his team members was in danger he stepped up to the door and got ready to breach.
Gripping the handle of the steel door that sealed the room, he was surprised to feel it open almost immediately in his grip. Black panther placed a hand on Steve’s shoulder, letting him know he was ready.
Pulling it open quickly he dashed into the room ready for a fight, eyes darting to the corners looking for some kind of attack. There was no obvious danger and Vision appeared to be the only one in the room, however just as he was about to lower his guard he felt T’challa slam into his back and knocking them both to the floor.
Using the momentum Cap rolled with the motion and came up on his feet, shield facing towards the door they’d entered through.
“What the…..?”
On the ceiling above the door, a small form was clinging to the ceiling by his fingertips and bare feet. The arch of the door had prevented them from seeing it from the outside window and on their entry.
Aside from its hands and feet the thing was covered head to toe in some sort of prisoner jump suit. Even its face was covered in a hood that Steve imagined was blocking any kind of visionary input.
That didn't seem to be stopping the wall crawler though as it started to crawl across the ceiling further into the room, and towards Vision. With no choice but to bring it down into a level he could actually engage with, Cap hurled his shield.
The shield didn't come close to making contact as whatever this thing was using to get around, it sensed the impact coming and dropped to the floor. Steve had already been closing in though and as soon as the figure landed, he wrapped his arms around it in bear hug.
“Enough! Who are you?” Whatever he was dealing with seemed to startle at the sound of his voice, and he could actually feel it strain against his grip, Steve could feel his arms pulling wider. Before he could redouble his grip, the figure jumped slightly and placed its feet on the centre of his chest and pushed.
Cap sailed from one side of the room to the other and his momentum was only stopped when his back met the wall.
A little dazed but otherwise fine he watched as Natasha entered the room to provide backup and joined T’challa in trying to restrain the figure.
‘Strong….and fast” Steve had no idea how, but it was staying one step ahead of both the super powered Black Panther and the skilled Black Widow. T’challa would engage directly and launch a punch to the thing’s face under the hood, only for it do duck down at the last second while simultaneously lifting his leg and dodging a leg sweep from Natasha who was trying to catch it unaware from behind.
Still it tried to get deeper into the room and closer to Vision.
Cap got back to his feet and jumped back into the fray. Luckily it seemed 3 highly trained combatants were a little too much for it. Widow managed to strike her elbow into it’s right side, when the figure bent over at the contact, Panther launched a kick into the hood and knocked across the room.
Sailing over Vision the thing flipped in the air and landed in a crouch. The 3 heroes stepped forward and formed a barrier between the figure and their teammate.
To Steve’s surprise it didn't try and step forward to engage with them but dived for the threadbare blanket he’d first noticed when they observed the room from outside. He had only a moment to wonder if that’s why the figure had been trying to reach the entire time and not Vision, when he noticed glowing red energy surround its body.
“Wait don't!”
Wanda from outside the room pulled back with her arms and in the same motion the energy grew brighter around the figure, and it flew backwards and crashed through the window towards Wanda and Tony.
Landing at their feet, Tony raised his palms up ready to fire his repulsers if the thing got back up after breaking through the thick glass. Instead of rising however it started to shake on the floor with its grip tight on the blanket still held in it’s hand.
“Don't shoot!” Steve came out of the room ahead of Natasha and T’challa. Stepping forward he crouched down next to the figure, it was convulsing on the floor uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong with it?” Natasha asked catching up with Steve and taking a knee next to him.
“I’m not sure but I don’t think its as violent as we thought” Steve started to prod around its neck looking for some kind of zipper or catch to remove the hood from it’s face.
Wanda didn't much care what was happening with their enemy she was already heading to the room containing Vision, she did however call over her shoulder, “Not violent huh!?”
“I think we just startled it, I’m not even sure how it was seeing through this thing?” Giving up Steve put both his hands on the hood and pulled, it took more force than he expected but he felt the material start to give way before finally ripping.
“Christ….he’s just a kid” Tony immediately dropped his hands and powered down his repulsers, almost ashamed he’d been thinking of using them. The wall crawler couldn't have been more than 15-16, he was pale as a ghost presumably from being under the hood, his hair was long obviously having been a long time since it had seen a cut, worse he had some kind of muzzle over his mouth and his eyes were rolling up into his head as he continued to shake.
“What is that around his neck?” T’challa voiced from behind the group, pointing with his clawed gloves. Steve followed his finger and wondered how he could have missed the thick metal collar around the boy’s neck. Focusing on the device his improved hearing could almost pick up the faint sound of crackling from the collar, as a current ran from it and into the boy.
He tried to get his fingers around it, but the device was flush to the boy’s neck and he couldn't get the grip needed to pull it off without doing so. He suspected the boy’s strength wasn't too far from his own, and the collar was probably designed this way to stop him from removing it, if he ever managed to get the hood off.
“Tony?”
Stark kneeled down next and pressed the palm of his suit against the collar, somehow interacting with it in a way Steve was sure he wouldn't understand.
“Fuck! This things running a current strong enough to take down a bear, maybe a family of them” A moment later a beeping sound followed before an invisible catch released on the device and Tony pulled it away from the boys neck. His visor lifted and Steve could see the look of disgust on his face as Tony tossed it away, “Damn things tied to the room he was in, as soon as he left, the collar activated”
“As soon as I forced him too leave, you mean” Wanda had returned with her arm around a stumbling Vision.
“You didn't know Wanda, Viz you ok?” Steve said.
“Yes thank you Captain. As you surmised I believe I surprised him when I entered the room. I failed to notice him above me as I came threw the wall, before I could prepare my defences he’d already hit me hard enough that I passed out”
Steve was reaching down and removing the muzzle around his mouth now that the kid was no longer flopping around like a fish on dry land.
“What’s he even doing here?”
“I’ll find out, I’ve already downloaded everything from their servers, but I think its safe to say he isn't here by choice. Let’s wrap this up and load him to the Quinjet.” Tony’s visor was dropping back down over his face once again.
“Agreed, Tony, Wanda, Vision head on back and join Clint. Myself, Natasha, T’challa will do a quick sweep before joining you.” The layout of the room seemed to indicate everything operated around the room the boy was being kept in.
Seeing all the medical technology around and the relatively small size of the facility ,Steve had a suspicion everything about this cell had been centred around the boy. He didn't imagine they’d find anything more of interest now that they’d retrieved him and Tony had taken their data.
**
A few miles down the road, a 4x4 was driving along a country road at high speed away from the facility. An older man was sitting in the passenger seat whilst a man 20 years his junior drove the vehicle.
“Are you sure about leaving the subject behind?” Said the younger man as he split his focus between their escape and his superior sitting next to him.
“We had no choice, those annoying self-proclaimed heroes were already closing in on us by the time we were aware of it, sadly now that Hydra’s spy network has been dismantled we were caught by surprise.” He set his briefcase on his lap, along with some tobacco from his pocket and used it for a small table as he rolled a cigarette.
“Preparing the boy would have taken too long, I couldn't have successfully kept him sedated all the way to our backup site. Stronger medication would have resulted in death”
“Still Sir, the remaining men will be unable to repel The Avengers for long, they will discover the subject. With him in their hands, by association the boy will be in SHIELD’s.
The older man, licking his wrapping paper sealed, started to pat down his pockets for a match, “It’s no great matter. The subject has no knowledge of our operations, he’s barely aware of what we did to him, let alone anything else. Much to my greater annoyance we’ve never been able to recreate the experiment, and the boy has been entirely uncooperative. Perhaps this way, SHIELD can hold onto my toy until I can find a use for him.”
“As you say sir, but the data?”
Finally locating his matches, in a practised motion he managed to light one on the first attempt despite the severe rocking of the 4x4 down the bumpy country road, “Copies are in my case. As you know the facility operated on closed servers, no outside transmissions. Everything of greater value has already been sent forward to the backup site as a precaution weeks ago. They will find no data on Hydra operations, only the boy.”
Lighting the cigarette dangling from his lips, the old man looked out the open passenger window and blew his first puff of smoke into a small garden spider hanging from the wing mirror, “If they can find a use for him, I’ll take him back for my own, if not I’ll kill him in time. First we must focus on re-building Hydra”
“Hail, Hydra!” Came the familiar response of the young man in the driver’s seat.
**
“Took your time Cap, find any more strays?” Clint was the first to greet the team as they returned to the Quinjet. They’d been at the facility for an hour or two now, but he’d stayed on over watch near the bay door, without dropping his vigil. You couldn't spend your time around super soldiers and Gods without being dedicated to your work.
“Just us, anything I need to know on your end?”
“Nothing good I’m afraid, the Hydra agents we took into custody managed to off themselves with cyanide capsules before we could stop them” It was a regular tactic of their agents. Even knowing they were going to do it, not even superheroes could afford to stop mid battle to root around an enemies teeth for potential hidden poisons. By the time the fight was done, they’d usually be dead one way or another.
“For the sake of the boy. I’d have rather relished the chance to have spoken personally with these Hydra soldiers” T’challa voiced as they boarded the jet.
The ramp was beginning to close behind them as the rest of the team entered, “Well hopefully Stark, can give us some clues after he’s gone through the data that was recovered.”said Natasha.
“Wont take me long once we get back to the compound. I’m already familiar with their encryptions, I’ll get us some answers.” Tony was already out of his armour and sitting next to the kid unconscious in the cot, probably still recovering from the shock the collar had given him. Steve could still see the deep red lines around his neck.
“If anyone deserves some answers, I imagine it’ll be the kid.” No one needed to voice their agreement to Steve’s statement, Hydra was on the outs, but the victims they’d left behind would feel the impact for years to come.