Lady Liberty |1| The Liberty Saga (An MCU Fanfiction)

Chapter Four: Saving Sergeant Barnes

As night fell over Europe, a Stark Industries plane soared over an Austrian forest. In the back, Steve, Elke and Peggy were huddled close together in the limited space, going over the plan one last time. "The Hydra camp is in Kreischberg, tucked between these two mountain ranges," Peggy explained, pointing to the spot on the map. "It's a factory of some kind."

"We should be able to drop you right on the doorstep," Howard called from the pilot's seat.

Steve nodded. "Just get us as close as you can." He glanced across at Elke, who was studying the map. "I don't suppose there's any point trying to convince you not to come with me?"

"Not unless you want a bruised shin," she replied cheerfully. Then she looked up and met his eyes. "Remind me again which of us has more military training?"

"I'm a supersoldier," he pointed out.

"And an impulsive idiot who doesn't know when to quit," she countered. "You need back-up, and I'm the only one stupid enough to do it. Besides, it's Peggy and Howard we ought to worry about." She gave her friend a pointed look. "You two are going to be in a lot of trouble when you land."

Peggy scoffed. "And you won't?"

"Where we're going, if anybody yells at us, we can just shoot them," Steve said, shrugging.

"They will undoubtedly shoot back!"

He rapped his knuckles on the shield he used for his performances. "Well, let's hope it's good for somethin'."

From the cockpit, Howard called back over his shoulder to them. "Hey, Ellie? If we're not in too much of a hurry, I thought we could stop off in Lucerne for a late-night fondue."

"Howard, if you weren't a genius, I would have shot you by now."

"Promises, promises!"

Catching Steve's curious gaze, Elke rolled her eyes. "Stark's the best civilian pilot I've ever seen. He's annoying as hell, but he's also the only one mad enough to brave this airspace. We're lucky to have him." She hesitated. "Of course, I have to keep reminding myself of this, to allay the urge to punch him in the face every time I talk to him."

"So, are you two...?" Steve trailed off, puzzled. One second she was charging into enemy territory with him to rescue Bucky Barnes, the next she was getting late-night propositions from Howard Stark. It didn't exactly tally. "Do you... fondue?"

Elke's brow furrowed. "I... is this an American euphemism?"

Before they could get distracted, Peggy cleared her throat and handed Steve a small metal box. "This is your transponder. Activate it when you're ready and the signal will lead us straight to you."

He looked it over, frowning. "Are you sure this thing works?"

"Been tested more than you, pal," Howard remarked. Suddenly, gunfire whistled past them, and he had to bank sharply to avoid getting hit.

As gunfire rained all around them, Steve went to the door of the plane, opening it up in mid-flight. "Get back!" Peggy exclaimed. "We're taking you all the way in!"

Steve shared a look with Elke. "Sure you wanna do this?"

"We could be down there by now if you didn't keep asking me that," she returned, shouldering her parachute. "Would you excuse me?"

At her request, he stepped aside and with one leap, she disappeared out into the cold, dark night. In her wake, Steve nodded to Peggy. "As soon as I'm free, you turn this thing around and get the hell outta here!"

"Hey!" she exclaimed, indignant. "You can't give me orders!"

"The hell I can't!" He met her eyes. "I'm a Captain!" He leapt from the plane and all Peggy could do as Howard turned the plane around was watch through the gunfire and smoke, hoping desperately to see two parachutes unfurl.