Combustion ✦ STEVE ROGERS² [✓]

10 | EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

"ULTRON KNOWS WE'RE COMING," STEVE SAID TO THE TEAM AS THEY STOOD IN THE QUINJET. "Odds are we'll be riding into heavy fire, and that's what we signed up for. But the people of Sokovia, they didn't. So our priority is getting them out. All they want is to live their lives in peace, and that's not going to happen today. But we can do our best to protect them. And we can get the job done. We find out what Ultron's been building, we find Romanoff, and we clear the field. Keep the fight between us."

Everyone watched Steve expectantly as he paused to take a breath. Then, he continued. "Ultron thinks we're monsters and we're what's wrong with the world. This isn't just about beating him. It's about whether he's right."

Steve nodded at Clint, who jumped into the pilot's seat before he flew the jet off to Sokovia.

Most of the flight was spent in silence. The hangar was thick with anticipation mixed with anxiety. Hundreds of thousands of lives were at stake here. If they failed, that was on them. But there was no room or time to dwell on it. They had to be ready. They had to win.

Kato sat down near the edge of the jet, her arms wrapped around herself as her head leaned back. Knowing what was at stake now, and how many lives were at risk... it was terrifying. Not to mention all her conflicting feelings over her relationship with Steve. It was making her thoughts cloudy and her mind muddled, which was the last thing she needed. Especially with a killer robot out on the loose.

"We're coming up, Cap," Clint said from the cockpit, bringing Kato out of her thoughts.

Kato took a deep breath as Sokovia loomed into view. This was it. The fight was about to begin.

They all had their missions: Pietro was supposed to go to the police station and recruit the law enforcement to help. Wanda was using her powers to make the citizens evacuate the city. Tony and Vision were staying on the jet until Ultron arrived, and while Steve, Clint, Luca, and Kato were overseeing ground operations, Thor and Bruce were to find Natasha and free her.

Tony hovered over a quiet square, and the rest of the team jumped out of the jet. Then, they all split off, heading for their respective assignments.

It was time to take down a murder-bot.

The team was quiet as they ushered the citizens of Sokovia through the city. They all thought the same thing: where was Ultron? It wasn't a matter of "if" he would strike, it was a matter of "when". So they had to be ready when he did. But there was no way to tell when he would.

"Steve," Kato said as the people walked past them. "I know we're doing the right thing by getting these guys out, but it might be pointless. There's no telling when Ultron will strike the city, and everyone may not make it out in time."

Steve just shook his head. "They'll be fine. Let's just keep them moving."

Kato sighed, shaking her head. Sometimes she wished Steve wasn't so optimistic.