Echoes of Eternity: The Timeless Promise

Chpt. 2

A/N - TW - Vormir

New York – 2012

Y/N POV

Taking a deep breath, I feel my heart race in my chest as I rush toward the ladder leading up to the cockpit. My flight suit fits tight to my skin, and the weight of my helmet in my hand reminds me of my responsibility. As I climb into the cockpit, familiarity surrounds me. I never wanted to be a SHIELD Agent. That was always Laura's and Bobbi's dream. Although they never told me until Laura wanted to recruit me. My passion has always been the Air Force. Nothing beats having your head in the clouds. High further faster, my three favourite words.

The leather seat contours to my body as I settle in. My gloved hands move with precision over the switches, buttons, and controls surrounding me. Grasping the throttle firmly, I power up the engines with a flick of a switch. The jet responds with a growl that carries an air of menace. The hanger bay doors on the Helicarrier start to open from above. The jet shakes as the elevator propels me upward to the tarmac.

I had raced to the cockpit when I got my orders, and this was our last resort in stopping the invasion in New York. When Loki attacked the Helicarrier, led by my Brother-in-Law, almost all of our jets were destroyed. Although this one had been damaged in the fight between Hulk and Thor, it took us time to fix it. I can't say I am not pissed off at Clint for not taking me with him. I'm a better pilot than he is, and having a Quinjet right now would be better than this jet. Although I currently have a nuclear missile in the undercarriage, I may be the last resort to stop this alien attack. Maybe I shouldn't complain too much.

"Director Fury is no longer in command. Override order 7-Alpha-1-1." Says the Councilwoman in my communication link in my helmet as I prepare my jet.

"7-Alpha-1-1, confirmed. We're go for takeoff." I reply as I hit another switch when the elevator fully ascends to the Helicarrier tarmac. The cockpit vibrates, and the afterburners kick in, ready to propel me into the sky.

"Anyone on the deck, we have a rogue bird. We need to shut it down. Repeat, takeoff is not authorized." Maria Hills' voice is laced with anger as she comes through my communication, but the ground crew ignores her.

My hands and feet fall into the property coordination as I taxi along the runway that stretches ahead of me, which is endless and inviting. Adrenaline surges through me, and tension builds palpably as each moment and inch brings me closer to takeoff. I push the throttle. The roar of the engines intensifies, and the jet accelerates down the runway with breathtaking speed. I feel a lump in my throat when I see Nick Fury aiming an RPG from the corner of my eye. Oh god, please don't hit me. He fires and hits one of my colleague's jets, destroying it. I let out a sigh of relief as the G-forces pressed me into the seat, and the world outside became a blur of colours.

As I edge to the end of the Helicarrier runway, I gently pull back on the control stick, and the jet responds gracefully. The wheels lift off. I'm embraced by the feeling of soaring through the air. Retracting the wheels, I watch the Helicarrier fade beneath me as I race toward Manhattan.

"Stark, do you hear me? You have a missile headed straight for the city." I can hear the frustration in Fury's voice, and it only makes me increase my speed.

"How long?" Stark responds with desperation. He grunts, and I hear him get hit by something through the communication.

"Three minutes, max. The payload will wipe out Midtown." Fury replies.

I don't want to fire this missile on Midtown. It'll kill my brother and everyone in it, but I have my orders. My heart races as I fly closer to Manhattan.