The further the transport truck took me, the worse the air smelt. I could tell we were almost there when all I could smell was blood and smoke. The truck stopped after a moment, right outside the camps gates.
"We're here." The drivers hoarse voice told me. I stepped out, taking in everything around me.
"Thanks." I said before shutting the door.
He didn't drive any further into camp, just backed up and went back. I buttoned my uniform jacket and began walking through camp. Many of the soldiers were sitting around, some injured, some even dead.
"Anna?" I heard someone call out my name.
I turned every which way, till I saw someone standing among a group of soldiers.
"Will?" I grinned in disbelief.
"Anna!" He shouted, immediately running towards me.
I pushed past the soldiers standing between Will and I. I felt desperate to hug him again. I practically leapt on top of him, locking my arms around his neck.
"I can't believe it's only been a few weeks..." Will sighed, holding on tighter.
He set me back down, but our arms held onto each other's.
"Where's Steve?" He asked.
"Manchester-" I started but stopped when I noticed Bucky a few yards away.
Our eyes met, and I let go of Will to run to him. Our bodies practically slammed into each other, and he gave me a bone crushing hug.
"I can't believe you're here!" Bucky exclaimed.
"I can't believe you guys are alive, no offense." I laughed. I feel the strong vibration of his laugh through his skin, and he sets me back down.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, after letting me go.
"I'm your new battalion Captain." I said proudly to the both of them.
"So, basically, you came here to boss us around?" Will asked teasingly.
"Correct, soldier." I smirked.
"And where might we be going?" Bucky asked.
"A Hydra experimentation facility. We believe they're using captured soldiers for experimentation. If we succeed, we rescue those soldiers, and conquer their base."
"Sounds fun, I'm in." Will grinned.
"Lead the way, Captain." Bucky smiled as well.
⍟
We were right in the thick of battle. They talked about the horrors of the first line, but seeing it was another thing. The constant ring of gunfire seemed to be getting normal to hear.
The soldiers we had we strong, but with Hydra's superior weapons, they were picking us off like nothing.
"Will, why haven't we heard back from the two dozen soldiers in the east woods?" I demanded.
"I don't know," He said tuning his radio. "They won't respond, the scouts can't find them."
"We need to retreat, we've lost too many soldiers, I won't lose anymore!" I said with a clenched jaw. "Will!"
"Yes, Captain?" Will spoke.
"Alert the soldiers, tell them we're pulling back. I'm going to get Bucky." I said grabbing my rifle.
"I'm coming with you, we can't risk losing our Captain and our Sergeant." Will countered.
"Fine, sound the retreat, and let's get moving." Will nodded, and sounded the retreat horn.
We heard the troops shouts, and heard their footsteps fleeting the opposite direction. I waited a moment, and then left the canopy, sprinting into the open.
Bullets were fired in all directions, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was getting to him. We made it a few yards past the enemies line, that's when the rain of bullets really started coming down. Will pulled us both down in the bushes the first chance we got.
"Bucky!" I shouted over the bullets. "Sergeant Barnes!"
"Anna, we can't stay here much longer, without cover-" Will tried to tell me but I wasn't having it.
"Then cover me!" I shouted back, shoving my rifle into his arms. I grabbed the radio from my belt, crouching down in the shrubs. "Sergeant Barnes, report!"
"I'm just south outside the river, but I can't find a safe exit path!" Bucky's voice crackled over the radio static.
"Stay put, we're coming to you." I radioed back.
"No- it's too dangerous! Just get out of here!" Bucky pleaded.
"Last I checked I'm still Captain, I don't need your permission." I fastened the radio back to my belt and turned to Will. "Are we clear?"
"For now." He said, his eyes still scanning the dark woods. "We'll have to be fast."
"Alright, let's move out." I said pulling a handgun from my belt.
"Stay behind me." Will said darting out of the shrubs.
I stuck close behind him, watching our rear while he guided us through. I immediately spotted someone is the trees, and shot him down. Other bullets sounded off in different directions, but the rest hadn't spotted us yet. I could see the river from here, we were close.
"Barnes!" I called out.
"Here!" I finally heard his voice. It was faint but it was enough.
Will and I immediately took cover behind some trees, and Bucky ran out of some shrubs. There wasn't a ton of cover between us and him, and we heard bullets firing in our direction. I stepped out from cover, shooting back to distract them away.
Bucky made it to us, and we dropped to the ground behind the trees. That's when I heard Will scream out.
"Will?" I asked concerned.
"They got my shoulder!" He groaned, grabbing tightly to his upper arm.
"Damit..." I cursed. "Wrap it, we can't do anything for you till we get out of here."
"Freeze!" A voice startled us from behind. "Move and you die!"
I slowly tilted my head, five soldiers surrounding us. "Drop your weapons!" One of them ordered.
"Do what they say." I told them. As much as I wanted to fight, Will was in no condition and they outnumbered us in their territory. I let go of my gun, pushing it towards them with my foot.
Will and Bucky did the same, then they grabbed us. Our only hope was to pray for a rescue, but even I knew it wouldn't happen.
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An: I figured it was time for an update before an entire year passed, oopsie... I do have every intention of finishing this, so enjoy!
