Rumors and Ghosts

xi. the price of freedom is high

The Tech opened the door only to be faced with Steve, Sam, Anastasia and Hill on the other side of the door. Sam and Hill pointed their guns at him.

"Excuse us," Steve and Anastasia said and the tech held his hands up and stepped aside to let them enter.

Pierce addressed the World Security Council members. "I know the road hasn't exactly been smooth, and some of you would have gladly kicked me out of the car along the way. Finally we're here, and the world should be grateful." They started drinking to Pierce's toast and suddenly heard Steve over the S.H.I.E.L.D. microphone that everyone in the building could hear.

"Attention, all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. This is Steve Rogers. You've heard a lot about me and Miss Romanov over the last few days, some of you were even ordered to hunt us down. But I think it's time you know the truth. S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what we thought it was, it's been taken over by HYDRA. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The STRIKE and Insight crew are HYDRA as well. I don't know how many more, but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want: absolute control. They shot Nick Fury and it won't end there. If you launch those Helicarriers today, HYDRA will be able to kill anyone that stands in their way, unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot, but the price of freedom is high, it always has been, and it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if Anastasia and I are the only ones, then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not."

"Did you write that down first, or was it off the top of your head?" Sam asked.

Anastasia smiled. "He's quite good at speaking in the moment."

---

"You smug son of a bitch," Councilman Rockwell retorted.

Councilman Singh said to the two HYDRA agents that entered the room, thinking they were S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, "Arrest him." The HYDRA agent pointed his gun at Singh.

"I guess I've got the floor," Pierce said.

---

Steve, Anastasia and Sam made their way to the Helicarriers.

"Hey, Cap, how do we know the good guys from the bad guys?" Sam asked.

"If they're shooting at you, they're bad," Steve replied.

Sam, in his Falcon suit, flew off and Steve and Anastasia headed down. The HYDRA agents started shooting at them. Sam flew around avoiding getting shot.

"Hey, Cap, I found those bad guys you were talking about."

"You okay?" Steve and Anastasia asked.

Sam flew off as the HYDRA agents continued to shoot at him. "I'm not dead yet." Pierce watched from the window the commotion caused by Steve, Anastasia and Sam trying to stop the Helicarriers launching and turned to Singh.

"Falcon, status?" Hill asked.

"Engaging," Sam replied as he managed to fly down to the Helicarrier bay, taking down the HYDRA jets chasing him. "All right, Cap, I'm in." Just then, another HYDRA jet headed toward him and started shooting. "Shit!" He managed to fly off and avoid getting hit.

Steve and Anastasia were trying to get away from the HYDRA agents shooting at them on the Helicarrier.

"Eight minutes, Cap, Romanov," Hill warned.

"Working on it," Steve and Anastasia answered.

Steve put a card in the first slot and said, "Alpha locked."

After dodging guys shooting at him in planes, Sam said, "Whoo!" He flew into the Helicarrier and got the second card in. As he flew off he said, "Bravo locked."

"Two down, one to go," Hill told the three.

"Hey, Sam, Anastasia and I are gonna need a ride," Steve said.

"Rogers! Romanov!" Sam called. "Let me know when you're ready." Steve and Anastasia just managed to jump off the edge as a HYDRA agent shot a missile at them.

"We just did!" he yelled. Sam flew in just in time to catch Steve and Anastasia. Sam flew himself, Anastasia and Steve onto the last Helicarrier.

"You know, you're a lot heavier than you look," Sam said.

"I had a big breakfast."

Anastasia rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh.

Suddenly, Bucky appeared and pushed Steve off the edge. He went to push Anastasia off, but she just barely managed to avoid him.

"Steve!" Sam called.

Sam went to fly off and help Steve. Bucky grabbed one of his wings and threw him back. Sam started shooting at Bucky and as Sam went to fly off, Bucky used his weapon to rip off one of Sam's wings and kicked him off the Helicarrier. Sam managed to get his parachute out and landed on the roof of the Triskelion.

"Cap?" Sam called again. "Cap, come in. Are you okay?" Steve was holding onto the side of the Helicarrier.

"Yeah, I'm here!" Steve answered. "I'm still on the Helicarrier. Anastasia's around too." He pulled himself up, then Anastasia up. "I got her. Where are you?"

"I'm grounded, the suit's down. Sorry, Cap."

"Don't worry, I got it." Bucky watched Steve and Anastasia from above the Helicarrier.

Anastasia noticed Bucky and locked eyes with him. His gaze was cold and she did her best to keep from breaking down at the evil that had been done to him.

---

As everyone at the Triskelion was rushing around trying to evacuate the building, Rumlow fought and killed some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.