Broken Wings

Chapter 10 Awkward Reunions

May 2016

Berlin, Germany

Talia strode ahead of the thick glass cage she was overseeing, stepping up to report to her superior and her father.

Everett was waiting just inside the CIA headquarters, with Sharon Carter and a few other agents as well as a few armed soldiers standing by just in case. His eyes glanced at Talia briefly before fixing on the man inside the cage she was bringing in - James Barnes. The Winter Soldier.

The man had so far refused to meet anyone's eyes, staring mostly at the ground before his bound feet. He had been like that since they cuffed him and had him locked into the cage designed specifically to withhold enhanced individuals. In theory. Talia wasn't super convinced after having briefly tested the metal casings moments before they secured Barnes inside. But it was the best they had at the moment, and at least Talia had one thing up her sleeve to bring Barnes under control, if absolutely needed.

As Talia reached Everett, another car pulled to a stop before the CIA agents. Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson and T'Challa exited the armed vehicle as soon as the doors were opened. They weren't cuffed... yet. Wilson and T'Challa's eyes were drawn to her and Everett first while Rogers looked around until he found his friend. Talia noticed the tension that entered his jaw when he finally spotted Barnes held under lock and key.

Turning back toward Everett, Rogers called out to the CIA agent as he walked over.

"What's gonna happen to him?"

"Same thing that ought to happen to you." Everett retorted curtly. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander." Carter introduced, not that any of them were interested in introductions.

"What about a lawyer?" Rogers asked, as if Carter hadn't spoken.

Talia did nothing to disguise her scoff. Rogers's eyes flickered to her briefly before looking back at Everett as he chuckled humorlessly.

"Lawyer. That's funny."

His smile dropped and Everett jerked his head back at his agents as he addressed them next.

"See their weapons are placed in lockup."

His men moved without question to execute his orders while Everett added to Steve sarcastically, "We'll write you a receipt."

Turning on his heel, Everett added to Talia, "Go make sure he's secured safely in the holding block."

He nodded at Barnes.

"Yes, sir."

Talia dismissed herself as she strode away from where Everett was about to lead the rogue Avengers and the king of Wakanda into the building. She saw Rogers glance her way and then back toward Barnes one more time while Wilson growled after his wingsuit, "I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that."

He would be lucky if he ever got to fly around it that again, Talia thought sourly although her face remained perfectly blank as she led the agents guarding Barnes's cage down toward the holding cell. They went down several levels of thick concrete before reaching the holding block that had been refurbished when news reached them of Barnes's imminent arrival. Talia barely looked around the dark room however as she instead led the way inside the concrete cell that lay at the heart of the entire building. The only way someone was going to get in or out of here was via the single elevator - not even a bomb at the edge of the building would crack into the basement.

Talia stood to the side, watching as Barnes's cage was pushed in and she remained waiting patiently as the guards started to make final adjustments. Someone tested the glass one more time while another soldier plugged the cage into the building's power line. Immediately, the lights inside the cage flickered a little bit brighter and the extra alarms in the cage locked into place. Barnes squinted at the sudden light but he otherwise didn't move as the guards finished up their work and started to exit the cell.