8/10/2019 Earth-717: Cap Vol 1 - Full Version http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/earth-717-cap-vol-1-full-version 1/118 Earth-717: Captain America Vol 1 Chapter 1: Miss Carter As much as she tried to hide it, a wave of grief washed all over Pegg!s face" #er austere e$pression was %etraed %the modest shivers in her hands& the trem%ling of her mouth" 'oo(ing down at her lap, she massaged her hands together as %est she could, %ut eventuallrelented and )ust stared into her right palm" *he silver, circular loc(et in her hand was latched shut" +t was four centimetres in diameter, with a set of thin chains attached to a tin, round hoo( at the top, wrapping themselves around her fingers" *hefelt li(e small strands of sil(liuid, flowing and tracing themselves along the rivets of her s(in" Cradling the loc(et with a curved palm, she pressed the inside of her thum% against its smooth surface, ru%%ing it %ac( and forth" Miniscule splotches of moisture were left %ehind on the metal surface" eeling the edges of her ees curve downwards, she heard the familiar and et faded voice in the %ac( of her mind" “I got something for you.” “Oh, really?” #er ga.e perused the small latch on the side of the loc(et" /ith the flic( of one of her fingernails, she could easilunloc( it and see what was inside" “What is it?” “I can't tell you yet. Before I hand it over, you have to make me a promise.” *he trem%ling of her palm grew more pronounced as she stared at the latch" “on't open it until !e get "ack.” /e" 0uch a seeminglinnocuous word at the time" #e had no idea of the implications that one, simple word choice would have" o reason to %elieve that she would linger on that single two letter word for the rest of her life" “#romise?”
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As much as she tried to hide it, a wave of grief washed all over Pegg !s face" #er austere
e$pression was %etra ed % the modest shivers in her hands& the trem%ling of her mouth" 'oo(ing downat her lap, she massaged her hands together as %est she could, %ut eventuall relented and )ust stared
into her right palm"
*he silver, circular loc(et in her hand was latched shut" +t was four centimetres in diameter, with
a set of thin chains attached to a tin , round hoo( at the top, wrapping themselves around her fingers"
*he felt li(e small strands of sil( li uid, flowing and tracing themselves along the rivets of her s(in"
Cradling the loc(et with a curved palm, she pressed the inside of her thum% against its smooth surface,
ru%%ing it %ac( and forth" Miniscule splotches of moisture were left %ehind on the metal surface"
eeling the edges of her e es curve downwards, she heard the familiar and et faded voice in
the %ac( of her mind"
“I got something for you.”
“Oh, really?”
#er ga.e perused the small latch on the side of the loc(et" /ith the flic( of one of her
fingernails, she could easil unloc( it and see what was inside"
“What is it?”
“I can't tell you yet. Before I hand it over, you have to make me a promise.”
*he trem%ling of her palm grew more pronounced as she stared at the latch"
“ on't open it until !e get "ack.”
/e" 0uch a seemingl innocuous word at the time" #e had no idea of the implications that one,
simple word choice would have" o reason to %elieve that she would linger on that single two letter
#is face pressed against his right fist, 0teve too( another sip from the straw that led into his
glass %ottle of Coca-Cola" >lin(ing in disinterest as another group of patrons entered the diner, he thenscratched his forehead for a couple of moments" 'oo(ing %ac( and forth from the inside of the %uilding
to out the window, he found that he wasn!t reall loo(ing at an thing in particular, %ut rather )ust noting
things that he saw out of %oredom"
#e called out the manufacturers of the various automo%iles that drove down the street in his
mind" #e counted the num%er of women wal(ing on the sidewal(s with ellow clothing" #e (ept trac(
of all the %ase%all cards the set of teenagers at the near% ta%le traded amongst each other" All the
while, the sound of the music pla ing over the radio flowed through his ears" #e smiled as a new song
started"
“Of all the "oys I've kno!n and I've kno!n some,
%ntil I first met you I !as lonesome,
&nd !hen you came in sight, dear, my heart gre! light,
&nd this old !orld seemed ne! to me . . . .”
odding his head to the rh thm, he then loo(ed %ac( down at his plate"
*here was a half-eaten sandwich there" +t had an assortment of sliced ham, lettuce, mustard,
mo..arella cheese and pic(les all stuffed %etween a %aguette st le %un" ripping it with %oth hands,
0teve sighed as he too( as generous of a %ite as he could" #e uic(l reali.ed his mista(e, struggling to
chew what he had ta(en" roaning and sha(ing his head, he dropped the sandwich %ac( on the plate
and hurriedl pulled the straw to his lips"
0ipping down more cola, he swished it around the inside of his mouth, helping to soften and
%rea( down the food" After swallowing the whole lot and coughing once he forced it down, he pounded
his fist against his chest a few times to tr and mitigate the pain" raining the last of the cola, he loo(ed
2*he were una%le to confirm the destination of the Allied agents" /e still don!t have a location
on Ers(ine!s secret la%"4
0chmidt sat forward, loo(ing around the edge of his chair at her" 6oaring in anger, he stood and pic(ed up his chair, throwing it at the corner of the room" After the chair smashed to pieces, he then
swiped his hand across the des(, (noc(ing over several of the items" Punching his fist into the des( and
putting in a severe dent, he then rushed around it and stood directl in front of 8phelia, his nostrils
flaring" uring all of this, she did not move at all"
#e snarled and furrowed his %row at her, %ut softened his face after a few seconds"
2Ers(ine " " " " must %e found" And this %o " " " " must %e eliminated"4
uic(l ta(ing in and letting out deep %reaths, 0teve (ept his e es focused straight ahead" #e
tried not to let his ga.e wander despite all the activit going on around him" *echnicians and scientistswere %u..ing around the room, wor(ing at consoles and ta(ing down notes" *he o%servation dec(
a%ove had a do.en people watching him, waiting for the moment that would change his life forever"
Closing his e es, he thought %ac( to the first time he arrived at this place"
B B B B
*he round metal door closing %ehind him, 0teve loo(ed %ac( with a disconcerted face" Carter
did not stop wal(ing, and he found that he had to lightl )og to catch up with her" 8nce he did, he
loo(ed up at her head and gave a small smile, which she did not return" 0teve nodded and loo(ed
forward, attempting to emulate her st le of marching"
/hen the reached the end of the hallwa , Carter pressed a (e code into the panel at the side
of the door" *he panel flic(ed green, and the door automaticall opened" 0he turned around and loo(ed
down at 0teve" #e %it the inside of his lip, having alread grown tired of having to loo( up if he wanted
to maintain e e contact"
2+n here,4 said Carter, gesturing towards the door"
2Alright"4
0teve wal(ed through the door, with Carter following %ehind him" 8nce inside, he panned his
head %ac( and forth, tr ing to ta(e ever thing in" +t was a large office comple$, with at least twent
wor( stations" Militar officers, securit guards, and people in la%orator coats were all a%out the place,
conversing, writing and moving" 8n the wall at the far end was a painted s m%ol of an eagle em%lem,
with the letters !006! in the centre"
0teve found himself transfi$ed % it all, and didn!t move for a few moments" 0tanding %ehind
him, Carter loo(ed down at him with a slight frown" After a few minutes, a man with gre hair, old-
Ever one in the room was loo(ing at 0teve" Ers(ine let a wide smile grow on his face"
2Congratulations, 0teven" /elcome to Pro)ect P thagoras"4
B B B B
0teve pulled himself onto the operating ta%le" Putting his head %ac(, he silentl waited as a pairof technicians strapped him in" *he material of the straps caused him to shiver when the touched his
%are s(in& he was onl wearing a pair of %o$er shorts" 8nce the were done with the straps, the
technicians stepped awa as a set of in)ector tu%es on the apparatus moved into place over 0teve!s arms"
2+n)ectors in position,4 said #oward" 2/e are coo(in! with gas"4
Another man sitting on the console ne$t to #oward rolled his e es" #e had red hair and a red
moustache, with glasses and a %eige suit" 'oo(ing %ac( at his console, the man turned one of the dials"
2Vitals are solid,4 said the man" 2All chec(s green" /e are read for initiation on our mar(,
Professor"4
2*he serum will %e in)ected into the su%)ect via si$ nodes,4 said Ers(ine, to the o%servation
dec(" 2*he su%)ect capsule will then close, and vita ra %om%ardment will commence to stimulate
growth along the desired rates"4
Ers(ine turned to #oward"
2/e ma %egin"4
B B B B
/incing as the needle entered his arm, 0teve gritted his teeth and (ept his e es pinched shut
until it was pulled out" 8pening his e es again, he loo(ed up at the man holding the s ringe& he had red
hair and a red moustache, with glasses and %eige suit" Carter was in the room, standing in one of the
corners" *a(ing the needle with the %lood sample awa , the man returned after a few moments"
2*hat!s the last %it,4 said the man" 2 o more needles for now"4
2*han(s,4 replied 0teve"
Ers(ine wal(ed into the room, and nodded at the other man"
2+!m Colonel Chester Phillips, on special assignment as director of the 006" 'ord (nows +!d
rather %e fighting alongside m men than holding hands for the damn %ureaucrats who need this to
ma(e their resumes loo( good" And despite Professor Ers(ine!s proven %rilliance, his o%session with
ou has made me wonder if this program isn!t going to go down as an em%arrassing waste of resources"+f he didn!t have %ac(ing from the administrative %oard and 0tar( " " " " well"4
2+!m sorr ou feel that wa , Colonel,4 responded 0teve"
2+ want to ma(e things ver clear, son" *he onl reason + haven!t shipped ou %ac( stateside is
%ecause the doctors have attempted chemical %onding with numerous su%)ects and ou!re the onl one
whose %lood melded well with the serum" /e need results, and +!m not going to turn awa a via%le
candidate %ecause + thin( it!s a waste of time" +!ve got too much invested in this" >ut if ou don!t
perform to the cali%re that Ers(ine thin(s ou will, ou!re out of here" +s that understood34
25es, sir"4
2 ood"4
*he Colonel turned around and marched out of the room" #orton gulped"
2+ should, uh " " " " chec( on the samples"4
#orton loo(ed awa and wal(ed out of the room through a different door" 0teve frowned"
2#e seemed distracted,4 said 0teve"
2Phineas34 as(ed Ers(ine" 2#e!s alwa s %een a little a%sent minded" #e was upset that the %oard
chose m serum proposal over his android one" 0till, he!s a ver s(illed scientist"4
2#uh"4
B B B B
*he operating ta%le apparatus %egan moving, so that 0teve would %e facing forward rather than
upward" As it did, the walls of the capsule %egan closing around him" >efore it finished closing, 0teve
got a glance at the o%servation dec(, and he saw Carter, the Colonel and several other people he didn!t
recogni.e watching him" Carter gave him a su%tle smile"
Ers(ine didn!t respond" *he were %oth sitting in 0teve!s private uarters, 0teve on the %ed, and
Ers(ine on a near% chair" Carter was standing ne$t to the door, which was open" Closing his e es andru%%ing his forehead for a moment, Ers(ine then stood up and closed the door %efore returning to his
chair" #e then loo(ed %ac( at Carter, who nodded at him, %efore turning to face 0teve again"
2 o,4 said Ers(ine"
2/hat34
25ou (now the mandator %lood tests that were done during our enlistment attempts3 /e
ordered them ta(en in and + tried to %ond them with the serum" +t melded well " " " " as did a%out one
third of the candidates we tried"4
25ou lied to the Colonel34
2/e had to,4 said Carter" 28therwise, he never would have allowed ou to %e 0u%)ect 9ero"4
0teve widened his e es as he loo(ed over at her"
20teven,4 started Ers(ine, 2 ou have to understand what " " " " what Pro)ect P thagoras means"
#ave ou heard of the P thagorean *heorem34
2 rom math class" #as to do with triangles, right34
25es" 0pecificall , right angle triangles" *he theorem states that the s uare of the h potenuse of
said triangle is e ual to the sum of the s uares of the two sides forming the right angle" *his is the %asis
for the entire pro)ect" +n an candidate we need two things " " " " one, for the su%)ect!s %lood to properl
%ond with the serum" *he other " " " " is for the su%)ect to %e the sort of person who deserves to have this
power"4
0teve raised an e e%row"
2/e need someone with %oth of those things " " " " the h potenuse " " " " %efore we could pic( a
su%)ect" *he Colonel insisted on us testing on a num%er of his soldiers" >ut the !re li(e him " " " " the
2+ was chosen to help spearhead # dra!s science teams" *he 0uper 0oldier 0erum3 Pro)ect
P thagoras3 +t all started at # dra" <sed to %e (nown as the !Master Man! Pro)ect" +t was an effort togive a.i soldiers an edge over the Allies " " " " to crush the opposition with an arm of superior
soldiers" >ut as time went on " " " "4
Ers(ine and Carter loo(ed at each other for a moment"
2+ %egan reali.ing that " " " " this time, at least " " " " we reall were the monsters"4
Ers(ine loo(ed at the floor for a few seconds %efore continuing"
2+ saw what the other scientists were doing" 0pecial pro)ects ordered % # dra!s leader"4
2/ho!s that34 as(ed 0teve"
2 er 6ote 0chFdel,4 responded Ers(ine" 2*he 6ed 0(ull" *he most dangerous man on Earth, in
m opinion" #itler ma lead the A$is powers, %ut the 0(ull " " " " the things +!ve seen him do will haunt
me until the da + die" +!ve loo(ed into his e es " " " " and seen nothing in them" o personalit " o
feeling" othing %ut outright contempt for humanit itself" *he things he ordered the other scientists to
create " " " " the a%ominations growing in those la%s " " " " + couldn!t ta(e it an more"4
20o what did ou do34
2+ ran" ra%%ed m research, %urnt down m la%, and fled into the countr side, with the 0(ull!s
minions at m heels" + still remem%er the dogs chasing me, hounding me " " " " and then someone
helped" ot me out safe"4
Ers(ine gestured his head towards Carter"
2+ was sp ing on # dra!s %ases in Eastern Europe at the time,4 said Carter" 2+ (new a%out the
Professor!s defection" + got him out of there, and %rought him here" #e!s %een on our side ever since"4
2And ma %e " " " " if this turns out well " " " " if m wor( ma(es ou into the soldier + %elieve ou
can %e " " " " then ma %e someda , + will %e vindicated"4
0teve loo(ed from Ers(ine to Carter and %ac( again"
2/e %elieve in ou, 0teve,4 said Carter" 2>oth of us"4
B B B B
0teve screamed as the vita ra s assaulted his entire %od " #is s(in felt li(e it was fla ing off,and his innards were charred masses of coal and dust" *he pain was so e$treme that it %linded his
nerves to the point of %eing una%le to feel an more" or a few crucial seconds, his mind was gone" #e
couldn!t sense an thing" #e felt his thoughts go silent, and his world fade to mist"
0teve and Pegg maintained silent e e contact for several more seconds until the whole roomrum%led at the sound of an e$plosion" 0teve darted his head around in confusion" Pegg immediatel
pulled out her pistol, loo(ing at the door" An alarm then sounded"
2/hat!s happening34 as(ed 0teve"
2 othing good"4
B B B B
Morita!s e es widened as he watched a missile stri(e the guard tower" +t was engulfed in a %all
of fire, with the metal instantaneousl melting into heaps of slag" +nstinctivel lowering his head and
clutching his rifle with a firm grip, he turned his head to where the missile came from"
*hree green helicopters were approaching the %ase" Each one had a red logo painted on the side"
+t was composed of a s(ull with si$ tentacles protruding from it" *he helicopters %egan firing more
missiles into the %ase, some stri(ing the ground and others stri(ing the infrastructure" /ithin moments
the troops on the ground %egan scattering in disarra , and the alarm sounded"
As Morita %ac(pedalled awa from the incoming aerial assault, he also noticed multiple tan(s
moving in from the road" *he were at least si$ metres tall, and had a turret section with two frontal
cannons" *he had the same colour scheme as the helicopters, with the same logo" *he tan( closest to
the %ase %egan firing cannon %lasts into the camp, %lowing apart one of the convo truc(s" 0everal
guards who tried to stand their ground were cut down % machine gun fire from the tan(s"
Moving %ac( and getting %ehind a set of suppl crates, Morita crouched and placed his assault
rifle atop a crate to sta%ili.e it" #e watched as troops %egan to march into the camp, as well as some
rappelling from the helicopters" *he wore dar( green com%at suits and %attle helmets, %ut were
distinguished from erman soldiers he had seen %efore % their use of what loo(ed to %e st li.ed gas
mas(s" Most of them were carr ing assault rifles, shotguns or sniper rifles& one of the soldiers was
wielding a flamethrower, which she used to spra down another truc( with a stream of fire"
*a(ing close aim through his iron sights, Morita closed one e e as he place his cross-hairs on
her fuel pac(" iring a three shot %urst, he grinned as he saw a puncture in the tan( lead to it e$ploding, %lowing her and several near% enem soldiers to smithereens"
2 efensive positions; Push them %ac(;4
*he shoc( having worn off, do.ens of defending soldiers %egan their counterattac(" A violent
firefight stormed across the main court ard of the camp, with the aggressors slowl %ut persistentl
ta(ing ground" Morita was providing covering fire for a near% s uad when he saw, out of the corner of
his e e, an enem soldier flan(ing him from the other side"
#e uic(l tried to turn to face him, %ut the soldier, wielding a stun %aton latched to his wrist,
(noc(ed Morita!s rifle out of his hands" *he soldier then pulled his %aton %ac( for a thrust stri(e"
2#ail # dra;4
Morita tried to anticipate where his foe was going to stri(e so that he could dodge, %ut it was
unnecessar when the # dra soldier was %ashed over the side of the head with the %ac( of a shotgun"
#e crumpled against the crates as the man who attac(ed him spit on the ground and loo(ed at Morita"
2Alwa s saving our ass, huh34 as(ed a%e"
2+t!s an ass worth saving,4 retorted Morita"
2#ah;4
Morita pic(ed his rifle off the ground as a%e covered him" After tapping him on the shoulder,
loo(ed to the left, which led to the la%orator " 0topping and loo(ing %ac( and forth for a moment, he
then tore into a sprint down the left hallwa "
26ogers3 6ogers;4
0houlder ramming down a set of dou%le doors, 0teve continued to %arrel down the hallwa tothe la%" After %ursting inside, he saw that almost all of the e uipment was on fire, and pieces of
furniture were torn apart and littered around the room"
2Professor3;4 called 0teve" 2Professor;4
0teve heard coughing and hac(ing coming from within the room, %ut couldn!t figure out where
it was coming from" #e (ic(ed a ca%inet out of his wa as he darted his e es around the room"
2Professor34
2 et " " " " %ac( " " " "4
2Professor;4
#is hands in front of his face as he wal(ed, 0teve then saw Ers(ine huddled on the floor, with
one hand clinging to a door(no%" #e was on his (nees, and was coughing into his coat" 0teve!s e es
widened upon seeing the figure of a woman calml approaching him" 0he was wearing a st li.ed 00
uniform and a gas mas(, with all the pieces of her outfit %eing tinted various shades of green"
0he whipped her emerald hair around %efore loo(ing down at Ers(ine, pulling a %lade from her
%elt" 0teve groaned as he tried to move towards them" Pegg ran into the room, %ut was stunned % a
waft of dust and ash, momentaril impeding her movement"
2 octor,4 said 8phelia"
0he reached down and sei.ed Ers(ine % the throat, pulling him to his feet" 0he then placed her
head on his shoulder"
2*he 6ed 0(ull sends his regards,4 she whispered into his ear"
8phelia violentl plunged her (nife into Ers(ine!s chest, and 0teve elled" *earing the (nife out,
she then loo(ed over at 0teve with her vi%rant, viridian e es" or a few seconds, the stared at each
Ever one loo(ed up to see one of the # dra helicopters fl ing out of the compound" *he sidehatch was open, and %oth 8phelia and #orton were standing there, flan(ed % multiple # dra soldiers"
*he hatch then closed shut, and it was onl a few moments %efore the helicopter flew over the treeline
2/hat happened34 as(ed 0teve, per(ing up his head"
*he Colonel groaned under his %reath upon %eing spo(en to % 0teve, %ut reluctantl answered
after a few seconds of pause"
20ome of our insertion teams have lost contact" /e!ve confirmed them (illed in action asidefrom one, a team of handpic(ed soldiers from the 1I7 th division" *he were in 'u$em%ourg, tr ing to
e$tract the head of # dra!s science division, octor Arnim 9ola"4
0teve!s e es widened"
2*he 1I7 th3 /as =ames >arnes on the team34
*he Colonel narrowed his e es"
20ergeant >arnes3 5eah, he was leading the team" + was the one who assigned him to the
mission after seeing him in action" 5ou (now him34
2#e!s a friend"4
*he Colonel!s face softened"
2+!m sorr "4
0teve started %reathing more heavil , sha(ing his head as he did so"
2>ut ou don!t (now that the !re dead et" *he can %e rescued, right3;4
2/e can!t esta%lish contact" o contact, no e$traction" /e haven!t heard from that team in da s"
+ntel can loo(, %ut we can!t send an one in without a location" +t!s too dangerous" 'ast we heard, the
had made it to ie(irch, %ut " " " "4
0teve put %oth of his palms on his forehead" Pegg too( a step towards him"
20teve " " " "4
2'et me go after them,4 said 0teve to the Colonel"
2A%solutel not" 5ou!re getting shipped to a new science facilit , %ac( on American soil"
*he !re going to run tests and see if we can get the formula from our %lood"4
2 o can do, Colonel,4 said Pegg " 2Mister 0tar( is a civilian, and thus outside the militar chain
of command" 5ou can!t give him orders" *hese planes are technicall his compan propert , and thus,he is allowed to use them as he sees fit" As well, since 0teve 6ogers has et to %e officiall enlisted in
the armed service, he too is a civilian"4
2'isten here, Miss " " " "4
2And +!m on special assignment, remem%er3 <nder no circumstances am + to leave 0teve
6ogers! side" + %elieve those were our e$act words" /here he goes, + go"4
2Carter; ammit, +!ll " " " "4
2#ave a good da , Colonel"4
*he plane too( off, heading out of the hangar" 8ne of the soldiers loo(ed up at the Colonel"
20ir3 o we open fire34
*he Colonel sneered"
2 o" 0tand down"4
*he soldiers watched as the plane lifted off into the air" *he Colonel then threw the %ullhorn
against the concrete hangar wall, smashing it to pieces"
B B B B
2#ow ou doin! %ac( there, 0teve34
0teve was sitting on the %ench at the side of the plane, his hands held together" #e was wearing
the uniform that had %een designed for him, and had his shield latched to his %ac(" #is helmet was at
his side" Pegg was sitting across from him"
2#e!s alright, 0tar(,4 said Pegg "
2 otcha"4
0teve and Pegg were silent for several more minutes"
2Ers(ine is dead" /e did not have time to o%tain the research data, so we destro ed ever thing
we could" *he %o ma still %e alive"4
2+t does not matter now,4 replied 0chmidt" 2/ithout Ers(ine or his research, the Allies supposedscience division has nothing" 8ne lone soldier is worthless" ot against the weapons we now possess"
/hat a%out the others34
20truc(er reported %ac(,4 continued 8phelia" 2#is troops are progressing as scheduled" 9emo
and /hitehall are wor(ing well together, all things considered" 0till no word on 9ola" 'ast intelligence
we received states that he ma have %een captured in 'u$em%ourg"4
2 isappointing"4
#orton lifted a piece of the stea( into his mouth using his for(, %iting into it" #is teeth ripped
into the flesh, piercing it and allowing the %loodied )uices to tric(le against his tongue" Chewing
slowl , he savoured the taste %efore swallowing" 0chmidt loo(ed at #orton with a raised e e%row"
2#ow is it34
#orton finall felt his nerves settle"
2 amn good"4
0chmidt nodded in approval %efore loo(ing at 8phelia again"
2Madame, ou are dismissed" + want updates on all operations % this time tomorrow"4
2<nderstood"4
8phelia turned awa and marched out of the meeting hall" After the were done eating, 0chmidt
%ec(oned #orton to stand up and wal( over to the ne$t room, which was his personal office" *he
destro ed furniture had since %een replaced"
2+!m glad that we could help each other, Professor" # dra has need of e$ceptional thin(ers li(e
ou" Men and women of vision who are a%le to see past the shac(les of the past"4
eeping her head low, atalie found the right %alance of crouching and running to ma$imi.e
her speed" Vaulting over a smashed chun( of concrete that used to %e a wall, she then duc(ed %ehind itas cover, turning her head to loo( over at one of the near% %uildings" *hree erman soldiers %urst out
of the door on the %uilding!s side, with the lead soldier spotting her"
2#alt;4
atalie flic(ed the switch on the detonator in her hand"
2#eil this, assholes"4
#er sentence was immediatel followed % a large e$plosion that shattered the foundation of the
%uilding" A wave of flame engulfed the soldiers, incinerating their %odies %efore the had time to react"
*he remaining pillars of the structure %uc(led under the weight, and the second floor %egan caving into
itself" atalie got out of cover and ran awa as large swaths of dust and ash filled the air"
/eaving through the deca ing alle wa s of the town, she found her wa into an a%andoned
diner" e%ris and gar%age littered the floor, with much of the furniture destro ed or otherwise in
disarra " Man of the windows were crac(ed or outright %ro(en, and numerous %ottles, glasses and
plates were smashed, with their pieces strewn a%out the place"
*a(ing care to avoid stepping on an thing that might cause a loud noise, she made her wa to
the %ac( room, which contained a wooden staircase" Clim%ing up it, she arrived on the second floor,
which formed a ma(eshift apartment" Carefull stepping over the tripwire fashioned to the top of the
staircase, she entered one of the rooms and loo(ed inside"
A man was near the window, la ing in a prone position" #e had dar(, dishevelled hair, a toned
frame, and dirt on his face" #e was wearing a %lue )ac(et, gre pants, and %lac( com%at %oots" #e was
peering through a sniper rifle, utterl still" /hen atalie too( a step into the room, he )er(ed his head
around and aimed a pistol at her" #is aim was wo%%l & his hand was uivering" 0he uic(l put up her
2'isten, (iller" 5ou!ve got to give it a rest" 5ou!re gonna %urn out, hear me3 et some shut e e"
5ou!ll feel %etter" /e need ou at top shape, not running on fumes"4
2+ " " " " uh " " " " eah" Alright"4
atalie nodded as >uc( pushed himself off the ground" #e staggered over to the ne$t room,which had a %ed composed of a rusted metal frame and a soiled mattress" #e clam%ered onto it and
rested on his side" +t onl too( a couple of minutes to close his e es and do.e off"
0ighing in relief, atalie stepped into the washroom" *he tiles on the floor were %ro(en, and
grime was %uilding in crevices along the walls" *he light fi$ture on the ceiling was non-functional and
dangling % a single wire" 6eluctantl relieving herself in the decrepit toilet, she then stripped off her
gloves and washed her hands in the sin(, which than(full still had running water"
After ta(ing off her helmet and placing it on the floor %eside her, she grasped the edges of the
sin( with %oth hands and loo(ed into the crac(ed mirror" #er curled, %londe hair was mess and ca(ed
in soot" *he s(in around her e es was chapped& scars had ta(en shape along the %ones in her chee(s"
*he colours in her lips had long faded" *he onl part of her visage not marred were her %right, a.ure
pupils"
0tepping out of the %athroom, she then sat down on the floor, her %ac( to the wall" or multiple
hours, she )ust sat there, in silence" 0he drifted in and out of consciousness until she heard the sound of
someone stepping on one of the pieces of glass on the floor %elow" 0he then heard a faint voice spea("
20hit;4
atalie uic(l pulled her pistol from its holster and too( cover at the top of the staircase"
/aiting for the footsteps to reach the stairs, she too( a pee( around the corner" <pon seeing who it was,
she lowered her gun"
2 alsworth34
2 at3 *hat ou34
atalie stepped into view" 0he smiled at alsworth, who was wearing his %rown )ac(et, red
vaulted over the edge of the %alcon , landing %ehind one of the attac(ing erman s uads" *hree
soldiers, all wielding ?K Mauser rifles, were facing awa from them, shooting at >uc( !s %uilding"
Approaching from %ehind, Pegg gra%%ed the nec( of the soldier furthest to the right, pulling it
from %oth sides and snapping it clean" 0teve smashed his shield over the s(ull of the soldier furthest tothe left, (noc(ing him against the wall, his crushed helmet %rea(ing through the s(in on his head" *he
middle soldier turned in surprise, %ut had no time to react %efore Pegg whipped out her pistol and shot
him in the throat"
2Come on,4 said Pegg , turning to move down to the ne$t room"
0teve too( a moment to loo( at the %odies of the erman soldiers %efore following her"
B B B B
2Chew on this, raut;4
ugan s uee.ed the main trigger on his Pan.er tan(, firing a shell %last directl at the enem
side of the street" *he resulting e$plosion of concrete and wood %lew apart a large section of a
convenience store, ta(ing two ermans with it" #e unloaded with the machine gun turrets, stripping the
remaining ermans of their cover and riddling their %odies with %ullets"
Allowing the adrenaline to ta(e over, ugan did not see the erman soldier flan(ing him and
holding a %a.oo(a until he was read to fire"
28h, mother " " " "4
0cram%ling out of his seat, ugan punched open the tan(!s hatch and leaped out of it as the
%a.oo(a %last shredded the armour on the right side of the tan(" >eing %lown awa % the e$plosion,
ugan!s %od slammed against a %ric( wall" Cradling his ri%cage with one arm and holding on to his
%owler hat with his other one, he tried to move %ut found himself crippled % the pain"
ugan watched as the erman soldier dropped the %a.oo(a and swapped it for his rifle %efore
calml approaching him" /incing at him %ut una%le to move, ugan loo(ed up at the soldier"
2#e , rit.,4 said ugan" 2 imme a minute" >e right with a"4
o$ gen mas( over his face, and a %lan(et covering his %od " #is head was hanging down, and his
%reath was audi%l la%oured" *he %eeping of his slow heart rate on the monitor set ever one on edge"
2*his is 9ola34 as(ed atalie"
2'oo(s li(e he!s half in the grave,4 said ugan" 2 ot much left to capture"42+ don!t understand,4 said alsworth" 2+ntel said he was a priorit target" +f he!s d ing " " " "4
2 ools,4 said a computeri.ed voice, with a thic( 0wiss accent"
*he whole team was startled and loo(ed around for a few moments %efore collectivel reali.ing
the voice was coming from the computer screen, which morphed from the statistics page to a green,
flic(ering image of 9ola!s face" +t was difficult to ma(e out& it loo(ed li(e a ha. circle with glasses"
20impletons" +ncompetents"4
2+s that thing " " " " tal(ing34 as(ed >uc( "
20ounds li(e,4 replied 0teve"
25es, + spea(" + am superior" + am the voice of eternit " + am intelligence immortali.ed" + am
Arnim 9ola"4
Ever one was silent for a few moments" 0teve then stepped forward"
2Ah " " " " " ou are 0teve 6ogers" Ers(ine!s pet pro)ect" 5ou are the u%er soldat" *he one child of
the miracle serum"4
2#ow are ou tal(ing34 as(ed 0teve" 25ou loo( li(e ou!re on our death %ed"4
2/hat ou see %efore ou is m flesh form" /ea(" 6epugnant" +nsignificant" An anti uated
vessel %etra ed % its own frailt " Evolution has deemed it inferior" 8%solete" +t shall soon cease to %e,
and wither awa , li(e all flesh"4
2*his is seriousl out there,4 whispered ugan to alsworth"
2*oo right"4
2>ut if ou die,4 continued 0teve, 2how can ou %e immortal34
25ou fum%le in ignorance& pett tin soldiers" M flesh shall die" M mind however, shall live
28f course ou don!t, for ou do not (now the (e to our evolution, as + do" + have spent mentire mortal life see(ing the answers to the plight of death" All flesh is wea(& it lives onl to die" *o
deca " *o wither" +t is a poor vessel for m genius" After decades of research, + finall found a wa to
preserve m mind forever"4
2#ow34
2> tapping into the newl discovered field of c %ernetics and computeri.ation" + have created
the perfect vessel& a s nthesis of mind and machine" o flesh to wither& no cells to deca " A %od of
steel and circuitr " A perfect casing for m eternal consciousness"4
25ou put our %rain in a " " " " a ro%ot34
25our words are simple, %ut our meaning is correct"4
2*hat!s insane" +t!s not possi%le"4
2 or the trul intelligent, nothing is impossi%le"4
2/hat are ou going to do ne$t3 /hat!s our plan34 as(ed Pegg , stepping past 0teve"
2M plan has alwa s %een the same, raulein" *o use m scientific e$pertise to ensure that
# dra shall inherit this Earth"4
2# dra34 as(ed 0teve" 2# dra!s )ust a part of the a.i regime" 5ou serve #itler"4
2+ncorrect" # dra ma have %een founded as a division of the *hird 6eich, %ut li(e m self, we
have evolved" Adolf #itler is a colossal im%ecile who will never %e a%le to accomplish his goals" #e
sa%otages himself and he does not even (now it" Even with our help, he would have lost his foolish
war" # dra predicted this outcome far in advance" *he *hird 6eich shall fall, %ut # dra will live
again"4
2 ot if we ta(e ou and the other # dra leaders down"4
Clutching the silver, metal lighter in her right hand, /hitford flic(ed it open and lit up the
cigarette she was holding to her mouth" Placing the lighter %ac( in her %reast poc(et, she too( a fewmoments to en)o a deep drag %efore pulling the cigarette out from %etween her lips with her inde$ and
middle fingers on her left hand"
/hitford turned to Pegg , who was staring at the files and images in front of her"
20o that!s where the name came from34
25eah" a%e!s idea" #e said ugan was alwa s howling li(e an idiot, so wh not call ourselves
that3 *he #owling Commandos"4
2#ow )uvenile"4
Pegg scoffed, %ut otherwise did not respond" After a couple minutes of silence, /hitford spo(e
again"
2+ was reviewing the mission reports from the various ops our team performed" + was " " " " less
than impressed"4
2*he administrative %oard seemed to thin( otherwise"4
2+!m not the administrative %oard"4
26ight" 5ou!re )ust their %itch"4
/hitford responded % ta(ing another drag" 0he then pic(ed up one of the files and perused its
contents"
25ou were tas(ed with %ringing down # dra34
25es" /e resumed the mission that the Colonel had %een underta(ing while 0te " " " " Captain
6ogers, was in training" #unting down and attempting to capture the mem%ers of # dra!s high
council"4
2+t sa s here that our mission to capture >aron von 0truc(er was a failure" #e got awa 34
0teve loo(ed up at the helicopter to see the side door open" >uc( was crouched ne$t to it,
holding his sniper rifle" 0teve!s team then moved forward, getting through the cleared cart" /hen theopened the door at the end of it, the saw that the ne$t cart was a flat, open wagon, with several suppl
pac(ages fastened to the floor" *he trudged forward, slowed down % the wind"
As the reached the middle of the wagon, more # dra soldiers poured out of the door of the
ne$t cart, which was the engine locomotive" *he one leading the pac( charged forward %efore her head
suddenl e$ploded into a mess of flesh chun(s" *he other soldiers duc(ed %ehind the near% crate to
avoid the sniper fire"
Crouching %ehind a suppl crate, Morita fired a %urst from his machine gun, putting four %ullets
in the side of another soldier" 0tunned % the shots, he toppled over and fell off the edge of the train"
8ne of the other # dra soldiers then shot at a%e, hitting him in the leg"
2Agh;4
Morita!s e es widened"
2 a%e;4
Pegg fired at the soldier who shot a%e, forcing him to ta(e cover" Morita pulled a%e %ehind
the crate and loo(ed at the %ullet wound"
2Agh,4 moaned a%e" 20on of a %itch"4
2Cap, he!s wounded %ad,4 said Morita" 2/e need to get him to alsworth; Patch this up"4
0teve nodded"
2 et him out of here; /e can ta(e care of this;4
Morita waved at the helicopter, and ugan swerved over, lining up the open window with the
floor of the flat wagon" >uc( gunned down another soldier to provide cover for Morita, who helped
a%e onto the helicopter" =ust as the were getting on, another # dra soldier aimed her roc(et launcher
8phelia flipped over the railing of the elevated platform, landing in a three point pose" Pegg
aimed her pistol and fired, %ut 8phelia dodged the shot and threw out a dagger from her %elt, (noc(ing
the gun out of Pegg !s hand" 0he then flipped forward and performed a cartwheel (ic(, connecting withPegg !s chest and sending her fl ing %ac(wards" 0he smashed against the %ac( wall of the engine cart
and slumped to the floor"
0teve )utted forward with his shield, %ut 8phelia gra%%ed it with one hand and slashed over it
with a (nife in the other" #e duc(ed under the slash and pulled the shield %ac( with %oth hands, ripping
it out of her grasp %efore charging with it, slamming into her ri%cage"
8phelia withdrew a step, pulling out another %lade so that she had one in each hand" 0he then
lashed out with a vicious com%ination attac(, %rea(ing 0teve!s guard with the impact of her repeated
%lows" 0licing upwards along his chest with one of her %lades, she then put all of her weight into a front
(ic(, connecting with his stomach"
0teve reeled %ac(wards from the force of the (ic(, dropping his shield" 8phelia pressed her
advantage % following with a (nee to the chest, %ut 0teve had recovered enough to counter with an
el%ow to her face" #e then punched her in the ovaries, stunning her, %efore following up with another
punch to the )aw"
8phelia flipped %ac(wards to roll with the %low, landing on her feet and uic(l pulling out her
twin lugers" 0teve was )ust fast enough to pic( up his shield and deflect the %arrage of %ullets" *he
deflected %ullets %ounced around the engine compartment, with one of them hitting a%rielle in the
heart, (illing her instantl " As she slumped over, more deflected %ullets hit her instruments, )ostling the
entire train"
*he sound of crunching metal and %uc(ling %olts pla ed over 0teve and 8phelia struggling to
(eep their footing" A fire at the front of the engine %ro(e out, and the steam coming from the train!s
smo(e stac( whistled loudl as the heat grew" 0teve too( the initiative to roundhouse (ic( 8phelia in
*he heat coming from the near% fire startled 0teve awa(e" Pushing himself into a seated position on the ground, he wiped his e es and waited a few moments for his %lurred vision to realign
itself" ra%%ing his shield off the ground %eside him, he placed it in the holster on his %ac("
2Ergh " " " "4
0teve %rushed awa some of the leaves and twigs around his legs as his vision returned to him"
A horde of frosted trees surrounded him, with c an mist shrouding his view %e ond a few do.en metres
in ever direction" As he stood up, his feet crunched into the faint la er of snow atop the dirt %eneath
his %oots"
eeling pain in all of his ma)or muscles, 0teve pushed it out of his mind as he turned to face the
source of the heat" *he smouldering wrec( of the train was utterl still, with several small fires %urning
in various places along it" #undreds of pieces of twisted metal and shredded wood were strewn a%out
the wrec(age"
0teve scanned his e es around the wrec( until he saw what he was loo(ing for"
2Pegg "4
#e rushed up to Pegg , crouching ne$t to her motionless %od " #er head was slumped forward&
her %ac( pressed against one of the pieces of the train" #er arms la limp at her side, and her
dishevelled hair had several leaves in it" 0teve frowned as he loo(ed at her"
*hen he gasped when he loo(ed at her pelvis"
2 o " " " " no " " " "4
A long, thin %ranch had punctured her stomach area, with part of it )utting through her clothing"
A small %lotch of %lood had soa(ed the cloth surrounding the wound" 0teve instinctivel reached for
the %ranch, %ut stopped himself %efore he touched it"
or a few minutes, he )ust watched her, silentl hoping she would wa(e on her own"
2Pegg " " " "4
0ighing, he let his head lower" #e closed his e es, %ut the tears still managed to slip through hise elids" #e then reached out and wrapped his arms around her head, %ur ing his face in her shoulder"
0teve watched in terror as the missile struc( the cit " *he sheer force of the e$plosion
annihilated several %uildings, %ut rather than causing a %all of fire as e$pected, it was instead a crimson,mist-li(e mushroom cloud" *he mist uic(l enveloped the streets, cho(ing the air and engulfing
hundreds of pedestrians"
*he %egan shrie(ing and screaming in a%)ect agon as their %odies twisted and writhed" /ithin
seconds, steam %egan coming off of them as their flesh %oiled" *heir s(in started to melt and fla into
strips of roasted flesh that peeled off as the were coo(ed from the inside out" Man of the people fell
to the floor as s(inless corpses"
8thers started to mutate into the creatures he had faced earlier" *he ones that had changed
started to growl and pounce on the other %odies, %iting and tearing into them" >lood uic(l filled the
streets as the creatures rushed from one corpse to the ne$t" 0teve cringed upon seeing that one of the
creatures running along the street was onl a%out a metre tall"
8ne woman who had changed then turned to the screen and pounced at it %efore the video feed
cut out"
*he screen then changed to a taping of the 6ed 0(ull sitting at his des("
2/hat ou )ust witnessed was a recording of a C>V-K? missile stri(ing the heart of >erlin"4
0teve, Pegg , the Colonel, #oward, the rest of the Commandos and several other militar
officials were all standing in the room together, watching the video from a pro)ector screen"
2+ want this to %e a declaration to the world" # dra is no longer a part of the *hird 6eich" /e
are the true masters now" + am in possession of two do.en missiles loaded with the Corrupted >lood
Virus, read to fire on enem capitals all around the glo%e"4
Pegg loo(ed over at 0teve, %ut he did not turn to her" #is narrowed e es were focused on
%ut he alwa s returned to the pacing after a few moments" After doing this for a while, he heard a
(noc( at the door"
2+t!s open"4
Pegg opened the door and wal(ed into the room, closing it %ehind her" 0teve put the file downon the %edside ta%le, ne$t to the record pla er" #e gave her a %rief loo(" 0he was wearing her %rown
)ac(et"
2#e "4
2#e "4
2Can!t sleep34
2 o"4
2Me neither"4
Pegg leaned against the door, folding her arms"
20hip!s captain sa s we!ll %e at launching range in four hours"4
28h" #uh"4
20teve34
25eah34
2'oo( at me"4
0teve turned to loo( at Pegg %ut then uic(l turned around"
2/hat34 she said" 2 ot good enough for ou an more3 0hould + get one of those 5an( tarts in
0teve pulled his hand from his poc(et and held it out, clenched in a fist" Pegg reached out with
her hand and held it open" 0teve opened his palm, and the item dropped into her hand" #er e es
widened upon seeing what it was"
+t was a silver, circular loc(et that was latched shut" +t was four centimetres in diameter, with aset of thin chains attached to a tin , round hoo( at the top, wrapping themselves around her fingers"
*he felt li(e small strands of sil( li uid, flowing and tracing themselves along the rivets of her s(in"
Cradling the loc(et with a curved palm, she pressed the inside of her thum% against its smooth surface,
ru%%ing it %ac( and forth"
2/here did ou get this34
2'ittle (nic(-(nac( shop + found while we were on shore leave"4
Pegg (ept her ga.e fi$ated on the loc(et" #is hands in his poc(ets, 0teve %o%%ed %ac( and
forth"
2'i(e it34
2+t!s, uh " " " " it!s %eautiful"4
2*hought so too"4
Pegg (ept staring at it"
2#ere, +!ll help ou put it on"4
Pegg loo(ed up at 0teve and nodded as he too( the loc(et from her hand and wrapped the
metal strands around her nec(" *he sil( strands were cold %ut calming at the touch" 0teve secured the
hoo( and let go, standing %ac(" Pegg loo(ed down at it as the loc(et rested a%ove her %reasts"
28h, + almost forgot" +, heh " " " " + got something else for us"4
0teve wal(ed over to the %edside ta%le and opened the drawer on it" Pegg watched him as he
pulled a %lac( vin l record from the drawer %efore facing her and smiling"
Ever one loo(ed out the coc(pit window of the plane to see the # dra %ase" +t was a gargantuan
construction that loo(ed li(e a cross %etween a medieval castle and a technocratic command centre"
=ust as it came into view, the s( was lit up with fire from fla( cannons" ugan swerved the plane hard"2/ell, no one ever accused us of %eing stealth ,4 remar(ed alsworth"
Ever one was roc(ed % the plane %eing struc("
2'eft wing damage;4 reported ugan, loo(ing at his displa screens" 2 oesn!t loo( prett "4
20uggestions34 as(ed atalie"
2Airdrop, all of ou,4 commanded ugan" 2*a(e the parachutes and go"4
0teve loo(ed at ugan with concern"
2And ou34
2Me3 + drop this %ird right on !em and do enough damage to ma(e all our )o%s easier"4
2*hat!s suicide;4 elled >uc( "
2*hought this was a suicide mission;4 retorted ugan" 2=ust gettin! mine in earl ;4
25ou!ve got to %e )o(ing,4 said alsworth, with a stern face"
28ne time +!m not" o"4
2 ot a chance;4
2#e ;4 elled ugan" 2'emme pla the hero, alright3 5ou alwa s told me + was gonna get
*he immediate moments following the team!s crash landing inside of the # dra fortress were
utter chaos" 0ome of the team mem%ers had landed in different locations or on different floors"E$plosions and gunfire filled the air with a harsh cacophon of stifling sound, rela ing through the
continuous drone of the station!s siren alarm" A fur of %rutal fighting too( over, and onl when it was
over did 0teve finall stop to %reathe and get his %earings"
#e crouched on the floor near the %odies of a half do.en # dra securit officers inside of a
large li%rar , with several tall %oo(shelves lined with numerous volumes" *he decor was a mashing of
othic- erman high art sensi%ilities mi$ed with a.i fashionings, with # dra logos rather than
swasti(as" 0teve pulled his radio transceiver from his %elt as alsworth and a%e stood around him"
2*his is 0teve" /here is ever one3 >uc( 3 Pegg 34
2+ read ou,4 said Pegg " 2'anded near the lower dec(s with at" ood for us& e$plosives will
do more good near the foundations"4
2Morita here" +!m with >uc(" #e got (inda %ruised, %ut nothing we can!t handle" 'oo(s li(e
we!re on the floor a%ove ou"4
28(a , good" Pegg , at, sta on course and plant those e$plosives" Morita, ta(e >uc( and
wor( our wa down to us"4
25ou sure34 as(ed Pegg " 2/e could find a wa to " " " "4
2 o" 0ta with at" eep her safe"4
Pegg hesitated for a moment %efore answering"
2 ot it"4
20ee ou soon"4
=ust as 0teve placed his transceiver %ac( on his %elt, the dou%le door at the other end of the hall
%urst open" 0everal # dra soldiers ran into the room, followed % a metallic form" +t was humanoid,
Morita stepped into the la%orator area, scanning the room with his tomm gun" #e was %arelinside the door when he heard screaming and gunfire headed in his direction" *wo # dra soldiers were
on the far end of the la%, shooting at him" Morita duc(ed %ehind one of the des(s %efore wildl
spra ing in their direction"
2 o; 0top;4
*he spra of %ullets cut down the soldiers, %ut also shattered several pieces of la% e uipment"
Morita loo(ed up to see that a circular glass vial of red li uid had %een destro ed, with the li uid
turning to gas" *he small, red gas cloud surrounded the man who had shouted, and he violentl
coughed and stum%led forward"
+t was #orton"
2 o " " " " no " " " "4
Morita watched in horror as steam started to emanate from #orton!s %od " #e then stared down
at his hands and screamed as the s(in of his palms peeled off" /ithin seconds, coo(ed %its of flesh
fla ed off of #orton as %ones in his arms and legs started to protrude through his muscles" #is clothes
were ripped apart % the various )agged pieces of cartilage tearing through what was left of his s(in"
#is glasses fell to the floor as the mandi%les on his )aw too( shape, completing his transformation"
#orton then opened his e es" *he glowing red pupils at the centre of the %lac( voids stared right
at Morita, who was fro.en in place % what he had seen"
2 rrrrrrrrrrrrrr aaaaaaaaagh"4
#orton too( a step towards Morita, %lood dripping down his legs and claws" *he %ones in his
fingers had outgrown the muscle, turning all of the digits on his hands into thin %lades" #orton too(
another step, with hunger in his e es" #e then roared and leaped forward"
Pegg then uic(l whipped her pistol out of her hand" *he une$pected attac( too( the 0corcher
off guard& the pistol crac(ed against his helmet, hitting with enough force to cause him to drop hiscannon" Pegg then )umped over the des( %etween her and him %efore pulling out her %lade"
0ta%%ing him in the throat, Pegg then uic(l circled around to his %ac( as he fell to one (nee"
0he then )ammed her (nife into the leather around his fuel pac(, carving out a small hole" *a(ing a
grenade off her %elt, she stuffed it inside the newl formed orifice %efore turning around and sprinting
awa "
atalie was near the door"
26un;4
*he 0corcher elled out as he e$ploded, setting a large fire as he did so" Pegg and atalie %oth
ran up the stairs that led awa from the storage floor" 8nce the reached a grand hall, atalie pulled out
her detonator and pressed the %utton, without %rea(ing her sprint" 0he was a couple metres ahead of
Pegg " 0he loo(ed %ac( at her friend with a wide smile"
2#ahaha; /e did it; *hirt seconds and this place is " " " "4
>efore atalie could finish spea(ing, a sniper round entered through one of her temples and
e$ited out the other" 0he fell to the floor without a sound, landing with her face to the side" Pegg
uic(l spotted the sniper and shot her down %efore loo(ing at atalie!s corpse" A single trail of %lood
ran from her temple and down her chee("
0he was still smiling"
B B B B
a%e ran down the hallwa , wildl firing his shotgun as the terrified # dra soldiers fled" 0teve
a%e was too consumed % rage and h steria to hear the pleas of his friends" uic(l reloading
his shotgun, he chased the # dra troops around a corner, onl to %e met with a s uad of ten soldiers all
pointing their weapons at him"
a%e unloaded his shotgun into the crowd, and the returned fire" /ithin seconds, %oth he andnine of the # dra soldiers had %een riddled with %ullets" inall coming around the corner, 0teve and
>uc( loo(ed at the scene of carnage with disma " >uc( was holding a pistol in his left hand"
0uddenl , the tenth # dra soldier stood up and aimed her gun at 0teve" >uc( returned aim and
pulled the trigger on his pistol, %ut it onl clic(ed, revealing an empt maga.ine" +mmediatel reacting,
0teve gra%%ed the pistol out of >uc( !s hand and threw it at the soldier" *he force of the throw caused
the gun to pierce her ri%cage and rip through her torso, e$iting through her %ac( and landing on the
floor %ehind her, covered in %lood"
*he soldier coughed %lood onto the inside of her face mas( %efore slumping to the floor" 0teve
and >uc( then silentl too( a moment to loo( at a%e!s %od " *he were then )ostled % several large
e$plosions coming from the floors %elow them"
28h no"4
B B B B
2/hat the hell3; 0omeone, report; ow;4
0chmidt was standing ne$t to his des(, holding the edge with %oth hands as his room shoo("
*he %loodhound in the transparent cage roared into the air" 0chmidt then heard a voice coming through
the intercom on his des("
2#err 0(ull; Catastrophic damage to the lower levels; *he foundations of the %uilding are no
Pegg sat %ac( in her chair" 0he was still holding the loc(et in her hand"
2And that!s how it happened" + wo(e up in a helicopter" 8ne of 0tar(!s" #e sent it after us as adesperate e$traction option" + was the onl one he found"4
Pegg sighed as she finished off her sentence" /hitford, who was leaning against the ta%le,
narrowed her e es, loo(ing at an image in her hand" +t showed a helicopter landing on an ice shelf" *he
helicopter had a 0tar( Enterprises logo em%la.oned on the side"
2#ow did he find ou34
2 ot that hard reall " 0aw the wrec(age, and spotted me la ing on the ice" + was near the edge"
Couple more metres and + would!ve %een in the water"4
2And ou don!t (now how ou survived34
2 o clue" *old me + should!ve %een dead" all from that height " " " " there shouldn!t have %een
an thing left"4
/hitford paused to thin( for a moment, pondering her ne$t uestion"
25ou said ou were with Captain 6ogers when the platform gave out34
25eah"4
2>ut ou did not (now where he was when ou awo(e34
20tar( said he didn!t see an one else" 0aid he made several passes over the wrec(, %ut didn!t see
an other %odies"4
Pegg %reathed in %efore continuing"
2 alling down, ever thing was a %lur" idn!t feel it at all" /as )ust li(e, a snap" 8ne second +!m
tum%ling through the air, ne$t +!m still, and + see #oward!s face"4
Pegg shoo( her head"
2+ don!t (now how it happened" + should!ve %een dead" 0hould!ve %een dead"4