Doll. // Bucky Barnes X OC

TWENTY-FOUR

The jet shuddered as it descended toward the remote HYDRA outpost, the hum of the engines vibrating through the floor. Everyone was strapped in, helmets on, weapons checked and rechecked. Sharon sat across from them, a tablet in her lap, finger tracing over the satellite feeds she'd gathered.

"Coordinates are confirmed," she said, voice tight with focus. "They've split into two smaller squads. The majority are near the main compound; a smaller group is guarding the supply cache to the east."

Steve tightened his grip on his harness, eyes narrowing. "We hit the main compound first. That's where the others will be."

Bucky, sitting beside him, flexed his fingers around the edge of his seat. He could feel the tension coiling in the cabin, the quiet before the storm. "We need to move fast. No mistakes," he said, voice low but sharp.

Nat checked her weapons one last time, scanning the data on Sharon's tablet. "Looks like minimal reinforcements. They're scattered, disorganized. If we hit them now, we can shut them down completely."

Sharon looked up, meeting Bucky's eyes. "I'll guide you through the safe entry points. They won't see you coming."

"Good," Bucky replied, jaw tight. "Let's get this done."

The jet landed with a low rumble, skidding slightly on the gravel airstrip before coming to a stop. Everyone froze for a second, listening to the quiet, broken only by the wind whipping across the clearing.

"Remember the plan," Steve said, voice clipped. "Go in silent, neutralize threats, secure intel. No one goes rogue."

The rear door lowered with a metallic clang, revealing the perimeter of the outpost. Shadows moved near the compound's edges. Bucky swung his rifle into position, scanning for movement.

"Move," Nat whispered, leading the way, silent as a shadow. The team fanned out, cutting through the underbrush toward the compound.

Bucky's eyes flicked constantly, alert for any sign of HYDRA agents. Every second mattered. Every wrong move could cost someone their life.

Sharon's voice crackled softly in his earpiece. "Left flank, two guards. Take them down quietly."

Bucky moved, silent, efficient. A swift motion, a suppressed shot, and the first two threats were neutralized before they even realized anyone was there. Nat covered the right flank, cutting down a pair of agents trying to escape. Steve intercepted another as he attempted to flee through the side door.

The main building loomed ahead, dark and menacing. Shadows shifted inside. Bucky signaled, and the team moved as one unit, fluid, precise. Every step, every heartbeat, brought them closer to the last remnants of HYDRA.

Inside, Bucky cleared the hallways with ruthless efficiency. Agents tried to run; they were met with coordinated strikes from him, Nat, and Steve. Suppressed shots, quick hand-to-hand takedowns, and flawless teamwork left no room for mistakes.

From his earpiece, Sharon guided them through the remaining blind spots. "Two guards on the upper level. Left stairwell—take them down quietly."

Bucky moved, following the instruction, neutralizing the threats with cold precision. Ahead, the team converged in the central lab wing. HYDRA's final agents were scattered, desperate, realizing too late that escape was impossible.

Bucky's chest rose and fell with controlled breaths, metal arm resting at the ready. The compound was theirs. The last of HYDRA in this sector would not escape. And Sharon—silent, calculating, guiding them—was already marking the coordinates for the remaining bases.

Bucky allowed himself a brief glance at his teammates. They were exhausted, but alive, precise, and victorious. Every step, every quiet kill, every careful move had ensured it. For now, the threat here was gone—and he could almost, for a moment, imagine Melany safe back at the compound, waiting for him.