Maya Stark

Chapter 75: Ten minutes my ass

Sam and I found a sort of balcony place where we can look down towards Karli, without causing mass panic. Karli was speaking when we walked up to an opening in her viewpoint. It didn't take her long to notice us and when she did, a flash of panic passed over her face. She looked around a little and handed the kid she was holding to someone else.

'She taught me that we have to do for each other because they won't,' she continued. 'And we know who they are. They imposed struggle and hardship on us, then labeled us as criminals for pushing back. But the struggle is what brings us all together. People who have nothin' in common. For we are, after all, simply one world and one people.' She made eye contact with me. 'So, live accordingly.'

I looked away and people started placing flowers and paying their respects to Donya. When the room was cleared of everyone but Karli, Sam and I made our way down to talk to her.

'I saw you back there,' Karli said, as soon as we entered the room. She turned to look at us.

'We came alone,' Sam said. 'We just wanna talk.'

'Bold of you,' Karli said, eyeing me.

'I'm sorry for your loss,' Sam said.

'Don't condescend to me. I'm not a child.'

'I'm not condescending. I know what it feels like to lose someone. Believe me.'

'No, you don't. Not like this.'

I step in front of Sam. 'Fine. Then I'm sorry for your loss. It sucks.'

'It doesn't have to be a war, Karli,' said Sam.

'They started a war as soon as they kicked us out of our new homes and onto the street,' Karli said. 'People all around the world need me. Millions of them.'

'Right, I can't speak for millions, but we understand you,' I said, holding her gaze. 'I understand your frustration. We both understand your helplessness.'

Karli is quiet for a moment. 'So, you want me to stop because people are getting hurt, right? But what if I'm making the world a better place?'

'No, it's not a better place if you're killin' people,' Sam said. 'It's just different.'

'You're either brilliant or just hopelessly optimistic,' Karli said, sitting on a table.

Sam chuckles softly. 'Well, can't I just be a little bit of both?'

Karli shakes her head. 'No.'

'He's definitely not brilliant, but he is right, and I'm not optimistic,' I said, moving cautiously and sitting next to her.

'This guy we know, who knows more about Super Soldiers than anyone else on the planet, he says... you're a supremacist,' Sam said, leaning on the edge of the table next to me.

'Me?' Karli asks.

'Yep,' I said, nodding.

'That's ridiculous. Everything I do is to end supremacy. These corporations and the beasts who run them, they're the supremacists.'

'So, let me ask you,' Sam said. 'You have more serum, right?'

'So?'

'Are you going to increase your army?' he asks. 'You're killing innocent people.'

'They're not innocent,' Karli said. 'They're roadblocks in my journey and I'd kill them again if I had to.'

'Wow,' I said, shaking my head.

'No, no. I didn't mean it like that,' Karli said, standing up. 'You tricked me into sounding like...'

'Like what?' I ask.

Karli sighs. 'The people I'm fighting are trying to take your home, Sam. Maya, I know you've always had a problem with them. Why are you here instead of stopping them?'

'You know, my sister's waiting for that exact same answer.'

'Karli, we aren't your enemy,' I said, hopping off the table. 'We both agree with your fight. We just can't back up the way you're fighting it. And I'm sure she wouldn't either.' I gesture towards Donya.

'Karli Morgenthau, you're under arrest,' came Walker's stupid voice.

I grit my teeth and turn to see the three of them come into view.

'So, this is what that was?' Karli said.

'No, Karli—' I try.

'Tricking me until your backup arrived?'

I turned to Walker light energy playing between my left hand, so Karli couldn't see it.

Walker puts a hand up at me. 'No, I think we had enough time to talk.'

Bucky grabbed onto Lemar at the same time, Karli pushed at the shield, knocking it into Sam. She took off running, and with a glance at Sam to make sure he was moving, I raced after her, clicking my suit on. I was a couple feet behind her, surprised I could even keep up this much, and Bucky was at my heels, already about to run in front of me. She jumped to the top of some steps, Bucky followed, and I used my powers to boost me up. We follow her as she jumps down and I lower myself, Bucky following as well. My way was so much safer. I use my powers to push the group of guys charging us, out of the way, as Bucky runs in front of me. I was surprised that I was able to stay to where I could see Bucky. I was running faster than I thought I could, but Karli was faster. And she knew her way around. Bucky and I looked for a couple more minutes until we ran into Sam.

'We lost her,' I said, out of breath.

'This place is like a maze,' Sam said.

'Yeah, it's like worse than the Labrinyth,' I added, while catching my breath.

Sam looked at me like he wanted to say some sort of witty comment, but instead decided to take the time to catch his breath. I gave him a sheepish grin and then wrapped my arm around my stomach as I struggled to breathe. Note to self, don't try to keep pace with Super Soldiers.

'Shit, you two run fast,' I mutter, looking at Bucky. The corner of his lips tug up, but he doesn't fully smile.

'Come on, let's fine Zemo. Or Walker. Or Karli. Honestly let's just find someone we know,' Sam said.

I nod and follow him. We searched for a minute, speed walking but not running. We find Walker at the same time as Lemar. He was standing over a knocked out Zemo and the three of us stopped at the top of the steps. There was smashed glass everywhere and a liquid I was hoping was the serum.

'What we miss?' Sam asks, also assessing the situation.