The Hydra Chronicles 1: Hunting Diana

Chapter 7: HYDRA POV, The Beginning of the End

(A/N: Here's two chapters for ya, since I haven't updated in a while. Like I said last post, I'm not sure how often I'll update. I'll try to once a week, no promises. 

Now, onto the story.) 

General Hoff grinned in triumph as he watched his new test subject being loaded onto a gurney. She was unconscious, which is what she needed to be until it was time to initiate Project SKULL. He would wake her when it was time. Or maybe earlier if he felt like gloating later.

Zeke walked up to Hoff and gave him the signature Nazi salute. "Heil HYDRA," he said gruffly and stood at attention. That was one of the things Hoff liked about Zeke. He was obedient. He knew what was expected of him, and he never hesitated. He knew what needed to be done and he did it.

"Well done, Haines." Hoff congratulated him and returned the salute. "You have done more than what was expected of you."

"What is to be done with her?" Zeke asked. He had not yet been filled in on what the rest of the plan was in case he ended up getting caught. HYDRA didn't want to take the chance of someone turning on them, so they started keeping their plans quiet until they were nearly done.

"Patience, Haines." Hoff laid a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Once we ensure the Avengers no longer pose a threat to us, I'll tell you everything you need to know."

"With all due respect General, but how will you ensure that? They were already formulating a plan to take us down when we first landed here. They are ready to fight and now that we have her, they are even more ready. They'll stop at nothing to get to her."

General Hoff laughed.

"Oh, ye of little faith. Let us handle the details. For now, let us precede with the set up." Turning to the attendant, he ordered, "Get her into the lab, and for God's sake, don't wake her up."

He returned to Zeke.

"You know what to do next, Haines. Don't let the Fatherland down." He turned his back and walked away.

Zeke clenched his fists at his sides.

"I will not." He vowed.

*Diana POV*

It was excruciating, the pain flooding Diana's body. She couldn't move, she was completely paralyzed. Her mind raced a mile a minute. How did she not see this coming? How did she not know?

She struggled to open her eyes but found that she could not. All she could do was lie there, helpless, and vulnerable.

Diana tried straining her ears, to get at least a flicker of an idea of where she was. To listen for anything that could tell her what kind of place she was in. She heard nothing.

She gave up with a moan of despair. She was completely and utterly crushed. But little did she know that an old friend had her back.