Sergeant Barnes: The Last Mission (COMPLETE)

Chapter 17: Natasha

On my part, the trip was uneventful. Other than some mild turbulence, we got to Berlin without much trouble.

When we landed, it was snowing enough to stick on the ground. We set down in the same airport that we fought at during the Sokovia Accords debate. No one really said much at first.

SHIELD had sent a vehicle ahead of us, and it was waiting for us on the side of the road. When we saw it, Bucky started jogging ahead towards it.

"Everyone in. We've got about an hour drive out from here."

I heard Peter mumble behind me "Is he allowed to drive?", but I don't know if Bucky heard it or not. If he did, he didn't mention it.

As he settled into the driver's seat, I claimed shotgun. Raven, Tony, and Peter climbed into the back. The entire plane ride had been silent, but once we hit the ground, the group started talking.

"So, Barnes." Tony looked forward. "What's your plan?"

He didn't glance back. "I don't have a plan. I just know where we're going." He merged onto some highway. "We drive down this for about 40 minutes, then we'll get off and take a few turns. That will get us as close as we can to the base without being caught."

I cocked my head towards him. "How close is that?"

He hesitated before answering. "I'd say...about a mile, give or take. There's a mountain side that will give us some cover, so we can plan what you want to do once we see it."

"So just, get there and figure it out?" Peter asked. I could tell he was getting antsy from not talking for so long. I was surprised he had been so quiet up until now.

Bucky shrugged.

Tony started, like he was going to say something, then decided better and shut his mouth. Then he changed his mind. "How familiar are you with this area?"

"This is the same location as the first HYDRA base I had ever been to. It was blown up in 1945, back in World War II. They must have rebuilt it after the war."

Tony nodded. "How many exits?"

He though for a moment. "One main one, but it's watched by towers and we can't get through there. There's another back entrance, near the back. It's supposed to be an evac route, but it has enough cover that we can use it to get to the building, if it's not too heavily guarded."

"Should it be?" Peter asked.

"I don't know."

"Any others?" I turned back to the street in front of us. "In case we need a backup plan?"

"Not that I remember."

Tony turned back to Peter and started chatting with him. I think they were just catching up. I didn't listen.

I listened to Raven, who hadn't spoken since we left SHIELD. She hadn't made small talk, or contributed to the conversation just now, but I secretly felt better that way. I still didn't agree with Nick about her going, but if she talked less, the safer she would stay, from the fight and from being distracted.

So far, she was holding to my training. I looked back at her, and saw that she still had on a mask of indifference. Her posture was still at the ready, even after a thirteen hour flight. She was still hiding herself. I had to admit, this was good practice for her. I still wished she hadn't come. I hoped there was enough of the mountain cover Bucky talked about to hide her as she covered our exit. If she got shot...

I didn't let myself think that. She wouldn't get shot. She was too smart, to skilled to let that happen. I had to believe that if I was going to do this. If she was going to do this.