The Viper || BUCKY BARNES [2]

07 ― The Final Fight

2014 ― Washington, D.C.

Holland Stark, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Maria Hill moved with quiet precision through the halls of S.H.I.E.L.D., weaving through shadows and restricted corridors. Every step closer to the command level brought the weight of what they were about to do down harder on Holland's chest. This was the agency she had helped build—flawed, corrupted, twisted behind her back—but still, it had been hers. And now they were about to tear it down from the inside out.

Natasha had already infiltrated the high council meeting by disguising herself as one of the World Security Council members, a move designed to put her at Pierce's side when the truth came crashing down. Meanwhile, the others were holed up in a cramped supply closet, cloaked in shadows, after successfully tampering with the P.A. system's frequency.

The quiet was broken by the metallic sound of the door handle turning. One of the techs cracked the door open and instantly found himself staring down the barrels of three raised weapons. Holland, Sam, and Maria had their guns trained on him in unison. The man's hands flew up in surrender.

"Excuse us," Steve said calmly, stepping forward.

The four of them slipped out past the stunned technician and made their way swiftly through the halls until they reached the small control room where the P.A. system was waiting. Without hesitation, Steve stepped up to the mic, his expression serious but resolute. Holland stood beside him, silent, her eyes locked on the monitor as she braced herself.

His voice rang out through every floor, every corridor, every active frequency in the Triskelion.

"Attention, all S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents, this is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about me over the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But Director Stark and I think it's time that everyone knows the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what we thought it was. It's been taken over by HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The S.T.R.I.K.E. and Insight crew are HYDRA as well. We don't know how many more, but we know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want. Absolute control. They shot Nick Fury. And it won't end there. If you launch those helicarriers today, HYDRA will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot. But the price of freedom is high; it always has been. And it's a price we're willing to pay. And if Stark and I are the only ones, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet we're not."

Sam stood nearby, smiling as the words echoed across the building. There was pride in his eyes—maybe a little amusement too. "Did you write that down first, or was it off the top of your head?" Sam asked, and Holland let out a quiet breath of laughter.

"He's always been good at motivational speeches," she said, glancing at Steve with something soft and familiar in her expression. Despite everything, he still had that unwavering hope. And somehow, it steadied her.

Steve turned to her, offering a slight nod. "Are you ready?" Holland met his gaze, her features hardening with determination. She nodded.

"Let's go to work."

⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎⇎

"They're initiating a launch," Maria Hill's voice came urgently through the comms.

One of the loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. agents—someone still holding onto their integrity—had refused to follow Rumlow's orders and launch the helicarriers. But Rumlow, as ruthless as ever, had taken matters into his own hands.

Without hesitation, Holland, Steve, and Sam sprinted into action. The roar of engines echoed overhead as the helicarriers began to rise, the sky above them shifting into the calm before chaos. The mission was clear: they had to reprogram the helicarriers' targeting systems before HYDRA's plan reached completion.