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CHAPTER XV. Secrets and Lies
Elina had parted ways with Blake and now found herself wandering the aircraft alone, her instincts driving her to check everything once more. She knew that the aircraft was secure, that each agent on board was well-trained and competent, and that nothing should go wrong. But old habits die hard, and Elina couldn't help herself; she had to ensure everything was in order. Not just once, but over and over again, until she felt a semblance of calm.
As she moved deeper into the aircraft, Elina entered a section she hadn't explored before. Fewer agents roamed these corridors, and ominous signs marked "Authorized Personnel Only" were posted at every turn. She hesitated for a moment, considering whether to turn back. But she had always been one to push boundaries, and in her mind, she was authorized enough to go wherever she pleased. Ignoring the signs, she pressed forward, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings.
The hallway stretched out before her, eerily quiet and devoid of life. The absence of agents made her uneasy. Why was no one here? The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she slowed her pace, scanning her surroundings with a careful eye. Every door she passed was identical-metallic, windowless, and secured with high-tech lockpads. Surveillance cameras dotted the ceiling, their lenses silently tracking her movements.
One door at the very end of the corridor caught her attention. Unlike the others, this one was ajar, its security pad flashing red, the lock mechanisms clearly damaged. Elina's hand instinctively went to her weapon, her fingers tightening around it as she approached the door cautiously. She pushed it open with the barrel of her gun, her heart pounding in her chest.
Inside, the room was dimly lit, shadows cast by the flickering overhead lights. Elina's grip on her weapon relaxed slightly when she recognized the figure standing in the middle of the room-Steve Rogers. He was hunched over a case, its contents hidden from her view. Elina took a few steps closer, careful not to startle him.
"You really shouldn't be sneaking around here," she said, her voice low but firm.
Steve turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "I'm not the only one sneaking around. You're here too," he replied, his tone as neutral as his gaze.
Elina rolled her eyes, shifting her weight to one hip. "I'm authorized personnel. I can be here. You, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about."
Steve ignored her comment, turning back to the case he had been examining. Elina's curiosity got the better of her, and she moved to his side to see what had captured his attention. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the contents-advanced weaponry and armor, all marked with a familiar, ominous symbol: an octopus-like emblem. HYDRA.
