Tearing Relationships Apart (Book Eleven of The Bad Wolf Chronicles)

Chapter Seven

OK, a shower in my own shower with a washcloth and sleeping in my own bed with air conditioning was wonderful. I am so happy to be home.

So, here's chapter seven for everyone!

***

Steve made it to the chamber first, red emergency lights shining all around. Every agent he found was knocked out completely. "Help me," a voice rasped, and Steve narrowed his eyes; it was the same man who had been "evaluating" Bucky. "Help . . . "

Steve stormed into the chamber, seeing him on the floor. "Get up," he spat, hauling him to his feet and against the wall. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man smirked at him. "To see an empire fall."

Sam ran in – and was promptly attacked by Bucky. Sam quickly ducked, Bucky's fist smashing through the wall, but Bucky quickly grabbed Sam and threw him into his pod. Steve ran to engage Bucky, managing to punch him, but Bucky ignored it like it was nothing. Steve gradually gave under Bucky's assault, just managing to duck one of his punches. It went through the elevator doors; the next one Steve blocked, but buckled under the strength and fell into the elevator shaft.

***

Sam hurried out of the chamber, looking around, then spotted the "evaluator" looking down in the elevator shaft. "Hey!" he shouted.

The man bolted, and Sam quickly gave chase.

***

"Evac all civilians!" Ross ordered as everyone hurried into positions. "Get me a perimeter around the building and gunships in the air!"

"Did you bring a suit?" Clara asked Tony as they ran.

"Sure did," he nodded. "It's a lovely Tom Ford, three-piece, two-button. I'm an active-duty non-combatant."

"It does look good, though," the Doctor said.

"Really?" Saleen threw him a look.

"What? I was agreeing with him!"

"Follow me!" Sharon called, running past them. Tony, Natasha, the Doctor, Clara, and Saleen barely hesitated before running after her.

***

Tony peeked out from behind a pillar, watching Bucky pummel two guards to the ground. "We're in position," Natasha said over the comms.

Tony nodded, tapping a control on his wrist. In a few seconds, his hand was covered in one of his Iron Man gauntlets. He walked out from behind the pillar, aiming at Bucky, and sending out a stun burst. Bucky staggered, the gun he held in his hand turning away from the guard he was about to shoot, then he turned towards Tony. He managed to fire another shot before Bucky was on him. Tony ducked the punches Bucky was throwing, then brought his gauntlet up, just barely blocking the bullet Bucky fired at him. He grabbed the gun with the gauntlet, yanking it from Bucky's grip, then was sucker punched by the soldier and flew through the air.

Bucky didn't have time to go after him, as Sharon, Natasha, and Saleen were on him. Sharon got in the first punches and kicks, managing to get a leg around Bucky's neck before Bucky flipped her head over heels, smashing her into one of the tables.

Saleen was the next to try her luck, surfing on a pathway of ice she conjured, aiming at Bucky's metal arm and completely freezing it. Bucky used it to his advantage, however, sweeping his arm out and aiming for her feet. Not expecting an attack from that direction, Saleen tumbled from the ice, and Bucky gripped her by the throat, slamming her to the ground as well.

That left Natasha to jump on Bucky, wrapping her legs around his neck. However, Bucky just carried her towards another table, despite Natasha pummeling his head repeatedly. Bucky slammed her onto another table, wrapping his hands around her throat. "You could at least recognize me!" the redhead gasped.