SSR Headquarters London, England
Colonel Phillips called a strategy meeting with everyone to discuss Red Skull and how they were going to stop him. Howling Commandos and Taskforce Vanguard sat around the giant map table littered with all the information the SSR and SOE could get them on his base of operations and the region. Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter's interrogation of Dr. Zola bore more fruit as they now knew the details of Schmidt's plan and like the Red Skull himself it was psychotic and grandiose in equal measure. Schmidt had built a massive aircraft using parts from all his Hydra facilities Steve and Clark had taken out. It was powerful and fast enough to circumnavigate the world faster than any other aircraft being built. It took the idea of Hitler's jet fighters to their zenith and would be equipped with enough Cosmic Cube energy bombs to end this war with a Hydra victory. England, the US, Germany, the Soviet Union, everywhere would be destroyed and Hydra would rule.
"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bughouse. He thinks he's a god, and he's willing to blow up half the world to prove it, starting with the USA." Colonel Phillips pointed to a map to show them the flight paths Dr. Zola told him about and the targets which included most major US cities just as Howard returned to the table from his lab.
"Schmidt is working with powers beyond our current capabilities. He gets across the Atlantic, he'll wipe out the entire Eastern Seaboard in an hour." Howard informed everyone and they all felt the pressure. This was it. Do or die.
"What's our timeline? How much time do we have before he launches his plane?" Arthur Kingsley asked.
"According to my new best friend, just under 24 hours." Colonel Phillips answered and now they had a very short window to stop him.
"Where is he now?" Dum-Dum Dugan asked.
"Hydra's last base is here. In the Swiss Alps, 500 feet below the surface." Colonel Phillips showed them old reconnaissance photos of a base which only further added on their problems. The photos were passed around and everyone was left with some serious thinking to do.
"So, what are we supposed to do? I mean, it's not like we can just knock on the front door." Jim Morita pointed out.
"Why not?" Steve asked aloud and everyone looked at him. "That's exactly what we're going to do."
"I'm in." Clark agreed. "Schmidt knows we're onto him. We don't have many moves left. An all-out assault is one of the best options we have. It beats trying to track down an advance airplane in the air."
Colonel Phillips agreed that it was their only real plan. Take the fight to Red Skull and end this on their terms. "You heard them. We're leaving in an hour."
"All right, let's get going." Logan added and everyone quickly got to work. Calls were made to request as many aircraft as possible to get the teams to Switzerland as fast as possible while equipment was organized for the trip. Ammunition and guns, lots of guns.
Clark gave Steve a pat on the shoulder before he walked over to Colonel Phillips who quickly sent his aids to work. "Colonel, permission to speak with you in private?"
"Follow me." Colonel Phillips led him to his office and closed the door so they could speak in private. "What is it, Elbert?"
"It's about our plan, sir. I still believe it's our best option but Zola informed us that Von List and Dr. Vogel are working with Schmidt, which means there will be Maschinensoldaten there. He knows he can't face me and Steve on his own so he got help and the odds are more tipped into his favor, especially regarding this secret project he said he was working on." Clark reminded him.
Colonel Phillips called a strategy meeting with everyone to discuss Red Skull and how they were going to stop him. Howling Commandos and Taskforce Vanguard sat around the giant map table littered with all the information the SSR and SOE could get them on his base of operations and the region. Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter's interrogation of Dr. Zola bore more fruit as they now knew the details of Schmidt's plan and like the Red Skull himself it was psychotic and grandiose in equal measure. Schmidt had built a massive aircraft using parts from all his Hydra facilities Steve and Clark had taken out. It was powerful and fast enough to circumnavigate the world faster than any other aircraft being built. It took the idea of Hitler's jet fighters to their zenith and would be equipped with enough Cosmic Cube energy bombs to end this war with a Hydra victory. England, the US, Germany, the Soviet Union, everywhere would be destroyed and Hydra would rule.
"Johann Schmidt belongs in a bughouse. He thinks he's a god, and he's willing to blow up half the world to prove it, starting with the USA." Colonel Phillips pointed to a map to show them the flight paths Dr. Zola told him about and the targets which included most major US cities just as Howard returned to the table from his lab.
"Schmidt is working with powers beyond our current capabilities. He gets across the Atlantic, he'll wipe out the entire Eastern Seaboard in an hour." Howard informed everyone and they all felt the pressure. This was it. Do or die.
"What's our timeline? How much time do we have before he launches his plane?" Arthur Kingsley asked.
"According to my new best friend, just under 24 hours." Colonel Phillips answered and now they had a very short window to stop him.
"Where is he now?" Dum-Dum Dugan asked.
"Hydra's last base is here. In the Swiss Alps, 500 feet below the surface." Colonel Phillips showed them old reconnaissance photos of a base which only further added on their problems. The photos were passed around and everyone was left with some serious thinking to do.
"So, what are we supposed to do? I mean, it's not like we can just knock on the front door." Jim Morita pointed out.
"Why not?" Steve asked aloud and everyone looked at him. "That's exactly what we're going to do."
"I'm in." Clark agreed. "Schmidt knows we're onto him. We don't have many moves left. An all-out assault is one of the best options we have. It beats trying to track down an advance airplane in the air."
Colonel Phillips agreed that it was their only real plan. Take the fight to Red Skull and end this on their terms. "You heard them. We're leaving in an hour."
"All right, let's get going." Logan added and everyone quickly got to work. Calls were made to request as many aircraft as possible to get the teams to Switzerland as fast as possible while equipment was organized for the trip. Ammunition and guns, lots of guns.
Clark gave Steve a pat on the shoulder before he walked over to Colonel Phillips who quickly sent his aids to work. "Colonel, permission to speak with you in private?"
"Follow me." Colonel Phillips led him to his office and closed the door so they could speak in private. "What is it, Elbert?"
Zambesi, Africa
A speeding blur skid to a stop, kicking up a large plume of dirt revealing Clark in his Superman suit. He smiled as the sun light filled his body with energy, fresh air filled his nose, and the calm sounds of nature echoed in his ears. The two-hour run and swim from London all the way back to Africa was worth it to be back in Zambesi, even for a little bit. Despite what happened the last time he was here he enjoyed how quiet things were. It reminded him of being back on the farm though less roasters screaming in the morning.
Clark walked into the village and the people smiled when they saw him. Adults bowed in his presence while laughing children swamped him. Clark was all smiled, holding their hands and patting their heads. He even lifted up a few in a show of strength but as much as he would like to enjoy his time here he was on a clock so he walked through the village until he saw Amaya walk out of a hut with Shayara, Carter, and Dan. "Kal, it is good to see you again." Amaya smiled and bowed her head and Clark bowed in return. "What brings you back to Zambesi? Hydra isn't back here, are they?"
"No, they're not, Amaya. I'm actually here to see them." Clark looked at Carter, Shayara, and Dan.
"Come inside. I've just made some tea." Amaya motioned for him to follow and led him into her hut. She sent the children away so they could talk in private. "How did you know that they were here?"
Amaya poured Clark a cup of tea before doing the same for the others and they all sat down around the fire. "I didn't. I was hoping that they would have mentioned to you where they might be going if they did leave. Guess I got lucky." Clark took a sip of tea and it was delicious. "I'm sorry to drop in unannounced but it's important."
"So, what's wrong?" Dan asked and Clark explained the situation. Johann Schmidt AKA the Red Skull was planning to rule the world and his ultimate plan involved the destruction of half the world to do it. His plan was less than a day from commencing but he was prepared for an attack with help in the form of more Maschinensoldaten lying in wait for Superman along with some kind of special weapons project. Clark also explained how the person helping Red Skull and Von List was the same person who likely sent the SS to Zambezi to get Amaya's necklace and gave Hydra the information to try and invade Wakanda for Vibranium.
"Wow…you're up against a ticking clock here." Carter admitted.
"Yeah and who knows what else Schmidt could have planned. It's why I came to find you three. You helped me once before in protecting Zambesi and stopping Hydra. I was hoping you would help me again." Clark told him, Shayara, and Dan before the three exchanged looks. "I know this is a lot to ask and I swore that what I saw would stay with me which it has. I didn't tell my CO anything about what I saw, just that you three helped me as a guide. I want you to know that. Even if you can't help that secret won't change…"
"Kal." Shayara got him to stop talking so she could give him an answer. "All you had to do is ask. We'd be happy to help."
"Of course, and we believe you when you said you didn't tell anyone about us until now otherwise we'd have had the US Army come visit us. You're a man of your word and we respect that." Carter added.
"Carter's right. And if Hydra really is going to do what you say they are then it'd be selfish of us not to do what we can." Dan told him.
"We'd all be happy to help." Amaya volunteered herself to help as well.
"Amaya, I can't ask you to do that. You have this village to protect. I can't take you away from that." Clark said and she nodded.
"Yes, I am the protector of Zambesi but if Hydra is truly as big of a threat as you say they are then the best way for me to protect Zambesi right now is to help you stop them. Besides, with everything you said could be waiting for you then you will need all the help you can get. You came to my aid and protected my home. It is only right I help you do the same." Amaya stated.
"What she said. We're in." Carter told him and Clark smiled.
"All right then. The odds are shifting away from Hydra." Clark said when he realized one thing. "How good are all of you with motion sickness?"
Clark's question caught them off guard and they definitely wouldn't like what happened next. It was going to be a long trip back.
12 hours later…
The Alps
The roar of a modified 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA Liberator echoed through the forests of Switzerland as Captain America drove down a dirt road towards Red Skull's base. His eyes focused on the road as his mind and heart were ready for the coming battle. To end Hydra and get revenge for Bucky.
As his motorcycle turned a corner, seven Hydra soldiers drove around the bend on their own motorcycles following Captain America. They fired the energy cannons on the front of their vehicles but they either missed or were deflected by Captain America's shield which he had on his back. The Captain saw them following him so he planned out his next move. After turning another corner onto a straight path for the next quarter mile, he flicked a switch on his handlebars and pressed a button. Twin hooks attached to a rope shot out in opposite directions from the spool on the back of his bike. The hooks embedded themselves in trees and were tightened, forming a clothesline. Five of the Hydra soldiers ducked in time but the last two weren't as lucky and got caught, being launched off their bikes. The Captain flicked another switch on his bike which caused the large exhaust on the back to light up before it let out a torrent of fire. His bike's miniature flamethrower engulfed another Hydra soldier who veered off the road and crashed into a tree.
The remaining four Hydra soldiers sped up, closing in on the Captain when a speeding blur ran by. The front wheels of two of the bikes were crushed causing their drivers to get launched forward. The Captain hit the brakes, so the remaining two Hydra soldiers sped past him but as they did he pulled the pin on the grenades they had hooked to their bikes. A few seconds later the grenade went off and engulfed the two bikes in an explosion. Captain America slid to a stop and Superman appeared right next to him. The latter looked back and saw one of the Hydra soldiers slowly picking himself up so he picked up a rock and threw it, hitting the soldier in the head and knocking him out.
"What happened to us attacking the base together?" Clark asked Steve.
"I waited up for you. You were late." Steve pointed out and Clark conceded that.
"Sorry. Had to handle some things and it took longer than expected. I ran into some problems but we're good now." Clark apologized and Steve let him know it was ok. Clark looked to the west towards where the base was located and used his X-ray vision to get a look. "Well, they know we're coming and are waiting. You still ready for this?"
[Engine revving] "I am. Are you?" Steve asked him.
"Lead on, Captain." Clark gave him a two-finger salute. Steve smirked before he sped up his bike and drove towards the base. Once his motorcycle exited the forest clearing down the main road to the base he saw the main gate. Two large, reinforced stone walls with gunner ports that housed Hydra energy cannons. In between the two stone walls was a Hydra tank. Steve removed his shield from his back and placed it on the front of his bike as he drove forward. The energy cannons opened fire but Steve wasn't deterred and swerved to avoid being hit while the tank moved forward into position. It's cannon powered up when Clark leapt from the forest into its path and used his heat vision to melt a hole through the tank before let out a sharp gust of super breath. It kicked up dirt, obscuring the view of the energy cannon gunners and allowing Steve to press on. He rode his bike up one of the stone walls of the gate and landed in the base, throwing some grenades as he drove through. Hydra soldiers tried to shoot him as his grenades went off and were killed in the explosions. He pressed another button on his handlebars and the front of his bike fired two rockets that blew up another tank before he steered toward the entrance to the bunker. He pressed the final button on his bike before he grabbed his shield and jumped off. He shield bashed a Hydra soldier trying to get into a Hydra tank before throwing his shield and hitting an SS soldier who tried to shoot him. His shield ricocheted back to him and he blocked the bolts from a Hydra energy rifle before parrying the gun out of the soldiers arms. He kneed him in the chest before he shield bashed another in the chest, then blocked the punch from another Hydra goon and uppercut him in the air. One Hydra soldier came up behind him but Cap turned around and kicked the gun away before knocking him back with a rising knee to the face. The Captain's bike continued driving through the dirt until it crashed into the doors of the bunker, blowing up a huge hole and making an entrance.
Captain America ran to the bunker and threw his shield at a tank. It ricocheted off and hit a Hydra soldier in the face while Cap disarmed a second and threw him in the air. He caught his shield as two Hydra brutes armed with flamethrower packs approached him from opposite sides and released steady streams of hot fire. The Captain was trapped with Hydra and SS soldiers surrounding him with their weapons. He was outnumbered and dead to rights but it wasn't over when he heard a sharp whistling sound indicative of something falling through the air so he dropped low and covered his head with his shield.
[Crash]
Superman crashed down into the base and his impact shook the ground, sending out a shockwave that knocked down the two Hydra brutes with the flamethrowers and staggered everyone else. Before they could open fire, he unleashed his super breath as he turned around and the sudden powerful gust of wind knocked everyone back. Some guns were fired by accident which took out a few Hydra and SS soldiers with one stray energy bolt hitting a truck that then exploded. One of the flamethrower brutes got back to his feet and aimed his flamethrower at the Captain so Superman got in his way. He inhaled and unleashed his freeze breath which quickly overwhelmed the flamethrower and the brute until he was frozen in ice.
The Captain stood up and threw his shield, hitting a few more Hydra soldiers when he saw a Maschinensoldaten walk out of the destroyed bunker entrance. It marched forward and raised the arm that had twin MG-42 machine guns bolted on and fired. Superman quickly got in front of the Captain and shielded him from the bullets as the Maschinensoldaten then raised its Kryptonite laser. The tip glowed green so the Captain dove out from behind Superman and picked up his shield as the Kryptonite energy beam was fired from the laser. It would have hit Superman had Captain America not gotten in front of him and raised his shield. The green energy beam was deflected to the side where it struck a truck causing it to explode. The Maschinensoldaten leapt into the air so the two heroes jumped to the side as it crashed down while firing the machine guns on its arm. Captain America used his shield as he dove behind some barrels while Superman kept his distance so the Kryptonite didn't affect him. He leapt back before firing his heat vision while the Maschinensoldaten fired its Kryptonite laser and the two energies clashed against one another. A spectacle of red and green light for all to see as the two sides fought for dominance. The Maschinensoldaten was jostled forward as Captain America had leapt onto its back. With the sudden weight change it stumbled around momentarily waving its arms which caused the Kryptonite laser beam to swing around erratically. Superman wisely got out of danger and dove behind a car to avoid getting hit. Captain America grabbed onto a gap in the armor plating before bashing it in the back with his shield. The first bash dented the titanium-alloy plating before his second bash hit the ammo pack feeding the machine guns on its left arm. The Maschinensoldaten began to buck and reached its arms back trying to grab him so the Captain's third shield bash managed to hit the wires and tubes connected to the Kryptonite laser before he backflipped away. He backflipped a few more times as the Maschinensoldaten punched and tried to grab him when Superman came from behind with a shoulder tackle, sending it face first into the ground.
The Maschinensoldaten pushed itself back onto its feet when Captain America got an idea. "Superman, give me a toss." He held out his hand and Superman was a little confused until he saw him hold up the shield and realized what he wanted to do.
"Shield first." Superman grabbed his right hand and spun, lifting him off the ground and on the second spin he let go and flung him forward. Captain America flew like a javelin but was holding his shield in front so he was a flying battering ram. When the Maschinensoldaten turned around it got struck by the Captain America's flying shield first near the speed of sound and landed flat on his back again. Captain America bounce off and flipped through the air before landing on his feet but quickly rushed the downed metal soldier and shield bashed the chest plate holding the Kryptonite. It cracked and he was quick to yank it out before throwing it up into the air. Superman vaporized it with his heat vision and as the Maschinensoldaten picked his head up, Captain America gave him one good shield face to the face plate and knocked him out. More Hydra and SS soldiers began to funnel out of the bunker when Superman got an idea, remembering what happened at the SSR when Steve first held the shield. "Shield up and brace yourself!"
Captain America crouched and held his shield up with two hands just as Superman leapt toward him and pulled his fist back. The Hydra and SS soldiers raised their guns just as Superman's fist contacted the shield. A loud metallic hum was heard followed by a flash of light before a shockwave erupted which knocked the soldiers down.
"Glad that worked out." Superman remarked and Captain America smirked but just as the two were about to walk into the bunker they both saw a bright green glow coming from inside. "Get—"
A blast of Kryptonite energy hit Superman and sent him flying back into the dirt while a second blast hit Captain America who ended up bouncing off the side of a tank. "Ugh…"
Both super soldiers lingered on the ground for a moment, Superman longer than Captain America because of the adverse effects the Kryptonite had on him. Even with the lead plating underneath his suit, Clark could feel the Kryptonite eating away at his cells. For some reason this Kryptonite blast was more powerful than the previous ones he's had to deal with. He managed to push himself onto his side as the pain slowly began to fade when he saw a figure through the smoke coming from the bunker. One key thing he was able to tell was that it wasn't a Maschinensoldaten since it's frame was that of a regular human. The person was still large but he didn't see the curves of the armor. The figure stepped through the smoke and Clark could hear the clank of metal but he wasn't quite sure why he heard that when what walked through was a man.
"What the…" Superman muttered t himself as he got back to his feet.
The man in question was wearing the same black uniforms that the Hydra soldiers were wearing like the boots, pants, and flak jacket though without a helmet. Just a regular man though very tall and well built with blonde hair and blue eyes. The man stared down Superman with anger.
"Oh, how long I've waited for this." The man said though his voice sounded weird, somewhat garbled like he was speaking through a radio. "To pay you back for what you did to me."
Clark was confused at what he meant but the man did seem familiar until he remembered from where. Clark remembered seeing the man's face when he and his team captured Mussolini. He was the SS-officer who lead the extraction for the Italian Fascist leader and underwent the transformation with the Blockbuster serum. Clark hadn't seen him since he punched him off that mountain back when he was all big and monstrous looking. Now, he looked normal.
"It's you. But how?" Clark wondered as Skorzeny walked towards him.
"It's you. But how?" Clark wondered as Skorzeny walked towards him.
"Ah, you do remember me. Well good because I remember you and what you did to me. The pain and indignity I suffered at your hand. My body broken, my honor tarnished…and all my thoughts after lingered on how I would make you pay." Skorzeny spat out in anger. Clark readied himself but glanced behind Skorzeny where he saw Steve slowly walking up behind him. Steve nodded to Clark who gave a subtle nod back. Clark would keep Skorzeny distracted so Steve could take him out. Let the bad guy's ego ruin them. "And now, here I am. Born again and now I get to kill you."
"You tried that last time and it didn't work out…just like it won't here." Clark told him as Steve rushed him from behind and came in with his shield for a right punch only for Skorzeny to turn his head and raise his right arm to catch the shield. Steve tried to push the shield forward but Skorzeny's grip was just as strong as Clark's. He then yanked the shield off Steve's arm and punched him in the gut before landing a backfist to his face which sent him flying back. Clark super sped forward to tackle Skorzeny only for the man to turn back around and grab Clark's hands. There was a loud clang like Clark hit metal and small shockwave when the two collided. Skorzeny had Clark's hands in his grasp fighting against his strength with his own. Skorzeny was matching Clark like he did before so clearly he was still under the effects of the Blockbuster serum.
"Serum or not, you're not as strong as I am." Clark told him as he began to push forward.
"No…I'm stronger." Skorzeny gave him an evil smirk as a green glow could be seen getting brighter and brighter until it was visible underneath the black leather of the suit. Kryptonite. Clark slipped out of Skorzeny's grasp as he began to feel weaker, taking a few steps back. "I'm going to enjoy this."
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