2013

New York City

S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters, Conference Room

Three Weeks Later

 

(Brock POV)

"The target's name is Sana Amanat." Fury informed us as we were gathered together in a conference room where various members of S.T.R.I.K.E sat listening to him debrief us on our new mission.

A dark skin woman's face appeared on the screen behind him as he continued speaking.

"A Noble Prize-winning scientist, who also played a crucial role in designing the defensive systems for S.H.I.E.L.D. She was kidnapped at a public appearance at Malted's, a restaurant in Brooklyn, yesterday evening." He announced grimly.

Fury paused briefly for effect before continuing, "We've managed to pull the surveillance footage taken near the scene and traced the vehicle used directly back to members of a mercenary group known as the Cadre, which makes her abduction seem highly likely to be orchestrated by another party..." His voice trailed off as he gazed distastefully at the image displayed onscreen showing images of the kidnapping suspects captured on camera.

Fury turned back to the rest of my team looking serious, "Your main priority will be locating Sana Amanat and bringing her home safely alive. For obvious reasons, she mustn't fall victim to interrogation..."

"Do-" I began, but was suddenly cut off.

"Do we have any leads on her current whereabouts?" A soothing voice inquired softly from behind me. Turning around, I saw Natasha walk through the glass door of the conference room, a suited-up Steve Rogers following behind her.

Natasha smiled warmly, greeting me silently as usual as she approached Fury to stand alongside him during his briefing. Looking thoughtful for a moment, Fury replied, "...we believe Ms. Amanat may still be within New York City limits based on the information we've gleaned."

"Uhm...Sir, I thought you were bringing this assignment to S.T.R.I.K.E?", I questioned confusedly after glancing suspiciously at Natasha and Steve.

"I am. Just thought you could use a little help since you've just returned." He lied reasonably. "Besides, there are time constraints involved with this case, so you'll need every bit of assistance you can muster."

I studied Fury carefully, not showing the skepticism that I really felt at hearing the thin excuse.

Although I wasn't sure precisely what kind of game Fury was playing, I knew there was something about this assignment he wasn't telling me.

"Where should we start?" Steve asked, oblivious to the subterfuge surrounding the situation.

Fury considered the question before answering, "We located a few key locations connected to the Cadre, but none of those places yielded useful intel. Your best bet lies in tracking down some of their associates at their last reported location and finding out whatever else they know about the kidnapping." He advised tactically.

Steve nodded understanding as he leaned forward intently studying the map projected onto the wall behind Fury. After looking over the locations on the map, he straightened up again and addressed the table.

"Okay, guys...let's split up and see if we can find anything worth noting regarding the kidnappers or the victim." Steve proposed confidently, attempting to inject enthusiasm into the S.T.R.I.KE team, who considered this an otherwise dull mission.

Each member present looked over to me expectantly, awaiting instructions.

However I had yet to decide what I wanted to do, and since I hadn't received any orders from Pierce regarding this assignment, I chose to defer my authority temporarily to Steve.

"You heard the man!", I barked loudly causing my men to jump slightly in fright. They recovered quickly however once they realized what I was doing and returned to attention respectfully.

Steve sent me a grateful glance while nodding his agreement before stepping up front to address the entire squad, "Alright everyone! We'll split up into small units and search each area separately. Agent Romanoff, Major Rumlow, and I will go ahead and investigate the scene of the crime. Everyone else, report any of your findings via commlink immediately." Without pausing between sentences, he hurriedly outlined his plan for investigating possible leads. Then he stepped aside from the podium to allow me to take charge.

After taking a second to collect myself, I took control of things formally, projecting confidence as I swiftly and efficiently divided the forty-odd members of the S.T.R.I.K.E team evenly amongst themselves according to their skill sets.

As they received their assignments from me, everyone began heading out of the conference room to prepare for the upcoming mission.

"Glad we get the chance to work with one another again," Steve commented as he moved over to me.

"Wish it was under better circumstances," I replied with false sympathy.

At my words, a look of concern crossed Steve's features as he reached over cautiously to place a hand gently upon my shoulder reassuringly.

"That woman has nothing to worry about. We will rescue her safe and sound." He assured sincerely with conviction.

As always when dealing with Captain America, I couldn't help but be bemused by the man's simplistic optimism, despite being proven wrong more often than not throughout history.

"Let's hope so," I sighed wryly to embellish the act, then gestured toward the exit doors leading outside. "Come on, let's move. Time isn't on our side."

My comment caused both Natasha and Steve to nod earnestly before moving out briskly. As we left, I shot a glance back at Fury whose eye followed us until we exited the room entirely.

**********

Brooklyn, New York City

Malteds Restaurant & Bar

 

(Omniscient POV)

As the sun dipped beneath its horizon beyond the Manhattan skyline, the lights dimmed inside Maltereds' dining hall signaling that dinner service was coming to close soon.

Most patrons had already departed due to closing hours, leaving only a handful of customers remaining scattered across tables littered with empty chairs.

Captain America, Black Widow, and Brock walked into the slightly empty establishment without fanfare, causing the citizens occupying nearby seats to turn their attention away from their meals to acknowledge their presence.

The group drew many eyes as Brock was dressed in his usual black S.T.R.I.K.E team uniform, Natasha wore her typical business attire consisting of a tight-fitting black jumpsuit, and Cap sported his updated red-white and blue costume complete with his shield strapped tightly to his back.

However, none of them bothered paying mind to the stares directed at them; instead focusing solely on reaching the bar counter situated along the far end of the large open space occupied mostly by banquettes lining either long walls.

Brock stayed near the entrance, surveying the room carefully as Cap and Widow headed for the bartender station set up midway down the length of the opposite wall.

Upon spotting them approaching, the male employee standing behind the tall wooden structure stood up nervously at seeing such high-profile guests approach.

"Hello!" He greeted enthusiastically as he stared at Captain America with a bright smile spread across his lips. "I can't believe how lucky I am! It feels like a dream, having such celebrities visit us tonight!"

He gushed excitedly, clearly pleased with himself as he bowed ever so slightly.

"Hi," Cap acknowledged politely as he kept a serious expression plastered firmly upon his visage. "We came here hoping to find out more information on the incident that took place yesterday afternoon."

Without missing a beat, the bartender responded positively shaking his head vigorously, "I wasn't working yesterday unfortunately…but maybe my manager knows something, she was probably here when it happened."

"Where would we find her?" Widow queried coolly, ignoring the employee's jovial demeanor altogether.

"She should be in the back office upstairs", the bartender stated matter-of-factly.

Cap motioned for the guy to lead them there before sending Brock, who was waiting patiently by the door, a quick look over his shoulder indicating that he should keep watch for anyone suspicious.

The pair of heroes followed the nervous staffman up several flights of stairs hidden discreetly in the corner of the building overlooking the floor below. Once they arrived at the top level, they found themselves staring blankly at the closed oak door blocking access to the office.

Looking uncertain, the bartender moved to knock on the wood surface repeatedly.

"Yes..." Came a muffled reply from behind the thick mahogany barrier. The voice sounded tired, almost exhausted. "Come in."

The bartender opened the door, revealing a heavyset woman seated behind a desk facing two wide windows providing views of downtown Manhattan lit brightly against the dusk. Her hair hung loosely past her shoulders framing her round face, which was covered partially with strands of grey curly locks. Despite appearing worn out physically, she maintained an aura of calmness radiating from deep within herself.

Her gaze shifted momentarily to regard the trio entering her small private workspace with surprise and confusion evident on her face. When recognition finally dawned on her, she rose slowly from her chair to greet them with a welcoming gesture.

"...Captain America?!" She enquired hesitantly, unable to hide her shock. "W-what brings you all throug - wait a minute…" She stopped abruptly mid-sentence, realizing why these visitors showed up at her door. "Oh no. No, please don't tell me you're here about what happened last night too!?"

The woman appeared visibly distraught, tears welling up rapidly in her hazel-green eyes as she spoke haltingly.

"I'm afraid we are, Ma'am." Captain America affirmed quietly as he sat down heavily in the seat opposite the desk.

Black widow remained standing next to him, resting her hands idly atop her hips as she observed the room closely.

"But the police already ran through this place earlier and didn't find anything.", said the woman gravelly as she shook her head sadly. "Why are superheroes, of all people, suddenly getting involved now? What is going on?!"

Despite feeling sorry for the distressed owner of the restaurant, Natasha noted that the woman seemed very agitated and worried, which would have made sense considering recent events, except the apprehensive glances cast towards us suggested that perhaps someone other than law enforcement might have spoken to this particular individual already.

Although that possibility piqued Natasha's curiosity, she chose to simply just observe the situation further rather than interrupt proceedings prematurely.

Oblivious to Natasha's thoughts, however, Captain America calmly explained to the restaurant owner why we'd shown up unexpectedly.

"…So do you remember what actually happened last night?", he prompted softly, watching anxiously for signs of distress.

Sensing the urgency in his tone, the lady paused briefly before replying in a low whispery voice: "...Yes...I think so. A dark van with tinted windows pulled up right beside the window of the booth where I worked late last evening around nine o clock. Five masked individuals wearing some kind of body armor jumped out brandishing guns and demanding for that woman come with them. When she tried to resist, one of them grabbed her roughly by the hair and dragged her out of the establishment, screaming hysterically. That was pretty much everything I saw."

Natasha frowned deeply after hearing the account given by the nervous woman. Although somewhat vague concerning details like any descriptive features, it did give us some indication as to what exactly transpired during the abduction.

"Did anybody notice anything unusual happen prior to that moment?" Captain America inquired curiously.

"N-no..." She answered vaguely looking off into thought for a brief instant before continuing. "Or at least I didn't."

Even Cap could see that the woman in front of them was hiding something important, judging from the way she fidgeted uncomfortably as she attempted to avoid direct contact with them. His suspicion grew stronger still when he noticed her reluctance to answer certain questions related directly to the incident itself. Instead choosing to steer clear of specifics whenever possible.

He glanced back at Black Widow, who gave him a subtle nod, confirming his suspicions. Both knew instinctively that whatever was happening here was more than first suspected, and the sooner they figured out precisely what was really transpiring, the faster they were able to begin rescuing Sana Amanat safely. After all, time was definitely running short.

They needed answers fast if they hoped to save her life. So, without hesitation or delay, Captain America decided to press harder. With renewed determination burning fiercely in his heart, he leaned forward intently studying the frightened woman sitting silently before him.

With narrowed piercing glare fixed squarely onto her eyes, he placed both palms flat on the table between them forcing her to lean backward slightly in her chair.

"Listen, Ma'am, I can tell that you aren't being entirely honest with us regarding certain aspects of this case ." He announced bluntly as he locked eyes with hers. "If you want to protect yourself, now's the time to start telling us everything you know."

His commanding statement immediately put a frozen expression of fear on the woman's face, making her flinch involuntarily. Forcing her to take stock of reality and realize just how dire things have truly become.

Realizing the seriousness of matters quickly, she swallowed hard, trying desperately to regain her composure. Eventually regaining enough courage, she looked straight ahead, avoiding eye contact completely whilst speaking urgently yet barely above a murmur.

"...The men that kidnapped that woman..." She started, her voice trailing off as sadness and fear filled every word uttered thereafter "…They came to me...offered me money to just make sure she was in the place for them....and stay quiet afterward.." She admitted reluctantly, staring unseeingly at the desktop between them "I...I didn't think it was going to turn into a big thing ...so I agreed".

A shocked silence fell upon the room as Cap and Widow listened intently to the woman's words, processing each detail meticulously.

"I didn't know they-"

*Glass shattering!*

At once, the entire atmosphere changed dramatically as the window behind the woman suddenly exploded outwards showering glass fragments everywhere. Startling everyone present, including the two heroes who were caught totally unaware by the unexpected occurrence.

*Thud!*

As shards of glass scatter to the office floor, the woman's head abruptly slumped atop her desk, falling lifelessly forward onto the polished wooden surface. Blood pooled instantly underfoot, soaking her white shirt and becoming visible as crimson stains began seeping outwardly. Before any of those witnessing could react, another loud crash echoed throughout the room accompanied by heavy footsteps pounding loudly from downstairs.

*********

A/n: Hey guys, surprise extra chapter this week to celebrate my personal milestone of reaching 70 chapters! Thank you all for enjoying the story so far, and as always, thanks for reading! (p.s: What do think of the new cover?)

If you like my work and want to support it, check out Patreon.com/Swarthy, where you can read early chapters or go to Paypal.me/xSwarthyx Every bit helps and is appreciated.