Traceur

•09•

Autumn's POV.
I make it back to the HYDRA base, slipping in like a snake returning to its burrow. I remember on one mission, where I had to go scope out an enemy ground. I was out in the wilderness for days, all alone. In my 'spare time'- the moments I spent not watching my surrounding area- I would hunt down snakes, since the area I was in had a large population of them. And then, after I ate, I would collect the venom.

That's what I used to kill all the targets on that mission.

I slide inside, unnoticed by the guards, and make my way towards the post-mission room. It's where Winter and I go after our missions, so that he can get his bionic arm looked at, and so that the both of us can be checked to make sure we're healthy. Well, healthy as in, 'we didn't acquire any wounds during our mission'. They honestly don't care about our personal health, but if we get shot on a mission, it's probably best if they remove the bullet.

I sit down in the metal chair. The one that I hate. The one that both of us hate. It's the wiping chair, but they also use it as a seat for us while they look us over. I make sure not to flinch as the cold metal presses against my back, and wait patiently for the doctor to get here.

Soon enough, she's here, and makes me strip as usual until I'm in nothing but underclothes. It makes it easier for her if she can see my entire body all at once, instead of just peeks under my shirt and glances at my arms.

While she's bandaging up my fingers- that shield of his dug pretty far into them when I caught it- I reflect on the mission. The blond dude was angry, but I'm pretty sure I recognized his shield from somewhere. The eyepatch man always stayed calm, but, of course, died in the end. But there was something familiar about the two of them, something that makes me shiver a bit. But, when I'm asked, I just say that the shiver was from the cold metal.

She doesn't ask any questions. They never do.

I look up as I feel vibrations through the floor, and hear Pierce's signature business shoes clacking against the concrete.

"Mission report," he demands, standing in front of me, back straight. I falter.

Doesn't he know that the target is dead? It would make sense; none of our targets ever escape.

"Mission report!" He barks again, and I finally look up to meet his eyes.

"Target terminated."

"Were you spotted?"

I hesitate, then reply, "Blond broad man with a shield. Gave chase after I finished the mission. I disappeared."

It's my signature move. I'm a ghost in pretty much everyone's files; nobody ever spots me, and nobody can ever catch me. The tactic is to blend with the crowd. I'm a young female, it can't be that hard. But also, with my skills, even if there is no crowd, I can find a way to leave my pursuer wondering if he was ever chasing anything at all.

Pierce nods in satisfaction. "Good work, Soldier," he praises, something he never does. This target must've been very important to him.

He turns to his guards. "Ready the asset for its next mission," he commands, then turns to me.

"Soldier?"

"Ready to comply."

...

The next day, I'm wandering around a mall, dressed in casual civilian clothes; a yellow top with no sleeves and blue, rough shorts. For some reason, HYDRA insisted that I also wear a blue hat. They said that my attire is 'what I was last seen in'. What that means, I have no clue.

I keep my eyes on the lookout for two of my targets, one of which is the man from the rooftop, who turned out to be none other than Captain America himself. HYDRA said I have to act like I know him. Apparently, I've met him in the past, but I have no memories whatsoever associated with the man. However, HYDRA's word is my command, and I keep my eyes peeled for him and the ex-assassin Natalia Romanova.

I amble into what looks to be a shop full of gadgets, none of which look very useful. They're just...metal squares called 'phones'. I know because HYDRA ordered me to carry one around and act like I'm 'texting' on it. Maybe the world is more advanced to me than I'd like to admit.

I wonder if Levi has the same problem.

My eyes scan the store, and immediately latch on to the man and woman I'm supposed to be tracking. I remember the instructions I read earlier today, recalling the pages of directions on how to act around them. I play my part, a smooth, easy smirk pulling up the corners of my lips.

"Hey, Nat," I greet, then nod my head towards the man. "Steve."

The male target- I suppose I should call him Steve- furrows his brows at me. He seems to be...suspicious. And worried. Very concerned.

"Levi!" He gasps, and I almost face-palm. That's why they're telling me to act like I know him. Levi knows him. They should've divulged that information.

"What are you doing here?!" 'Steve' angrily whispers, waving his arms in short, abrupt movements. "It's been almost two days, Levi! Two days, and no word from you! That's insane!"

"I told you, I went to library," I lie, remembering the lines I went over. This whole conversation wasn't planned out, but I was given words to say if the moment called for it. "And then afterwards, I spend time with Carlos and Marian. I stayed the night."

I realize that I'll probably have to put more acting than I thought I'd have to into this. I thought HYDRA had meant that I met him on an earlier mission, not that my 'other side' knows him personally. I try to summon up a bit of Levi's spirit, but it's kind of pointless.

'Natasha' raises an eyebrow at me curiously, going back to tapping on the computer. I look over her shoulder.

"Whatcha up to?"

"Hacking." Was her short answer. Steven decided to explain.

"Fury's dead, Levy. Somebody shot him last night."

My eyes widen, in both realization and acting. He knows Levi...he's the one I fought on the roof...I watched him pick up a stray hair...does that mean I left evidence?

It could have been anyone's hair, I try to reason with myself. But for some reason, I can get a hold of the odd, fluttering feeling in my rib cage.

This mission might already be compromised.