BlackHill | If only

Chapter 1

Natasha's POV:

"Der'mo" I was cornered. Gunshots sounded round after round echoing through the courtyard. My back was stiff; pressed against a hard brick wall, the sharp edges digging into my spine. Fury had said this was an easy target, an easy elimination that only required one agent. The target was said to have no defence systems and certainly no personnel. However the 40 armed sentries and machine gun firing hundreds of 14mm bullets into the wall I was pressed up against suggested otherwise.

I needed a quick escape but all the exits were covered since I had lost the element of surprise as soon as I step foot in the courtyard. I had unknowingly triggered some kind of invisible alarm system when I crossed the threshold. The thought of calling the others briefly crossed my mind but I couldn't handle seeing her, not right now. This would have to be a solo job. No matter the consequences I had to complete the mission.

Voices began to shout at each other, It seemed to be Russian but I couldn't make anything out over the noise of the machine gun. I tried to peek my head round and fire a few shots with my Glock but I couldn't tell whether they hit a mark or not. All of a sudden the clattering stopped. My ears started to ring and smoke billowed up in front of my eyes. It appeared my target had a few more tricks up his sleeve. By the time the stench of gas began to fill my nose, I didn't have the time to call them. To call her.

My vision became dark. 'Goddammit Fury!' was the only thought filling my head as I started to lose consciousness. Suddenly the ground began to shake, dust swirled around me in a frenzy as if conjured by some storm. I managed to open my eyes one last time, peering towards the sky only to see a ship settling on the ground. My eyes tried to drag themselves shut but as I caught I glimpse of red I let myself go.

Maria's POV:

"Steve Get Down There Now!" My heart was racing in my chest, I could feel my pulse thrumming in my throat. This was no ordinary mission. Fury had massively underestimated our target and sent Romanoff out there alone. "Bastard!" I cursed, thankful no one was around to see my frustration.

The only visual I had of the team was transmitting from an old camera placed on the inside of the ship. I inched my face closer to the screen, trying to get a better view of the situation, on Romanoff. Only to see Steve pummelling what looked like a machine gun, with his shield. We couldn't afford to lose another agent, especially one with Romanoff's expertise. I shouted into my earpiece "Does Anyone Have Eyes On Romanoff!" Nothing. Radio Silence.

Panic began to settle in as I realised our line was being cut off by some kind of signal blocker. I tried to radio indirectly to Stark's suit, but nothing. Just an empty crackling on the other end. This kind of mistake could cost Romanoff's life. I was completely helpless, all I could do was watch through the pixelated camera and hope this mess didn't cost us any more avengers. Pietro was a huge loss this year and none of the avengers thought Wanda could take any more loss. Her power was barely contained as it is. Nat had to be alive for the sake of all of us. God knows what she would do if anything happened to Nat.
God knows what I would do.