Chapter 79 "Bucky Is Still Alive"

New York, Osborn Group Employee Community.

Steve Rogers took the vintage car he purchased from the used car lot cautiously home after a busy day. The amount Norman pays Steve is plenty for him to live a high-society lifestyle, so it's not as though he can't buy the newest car.

Steve prefers to put some effort into old items because he doesn't enjoy that style of life. Such as records, antiquated timepieces, and vintage vehicles.

"I'm back, Peggy. Do you have any visitors? Whose dark automobile is it at the door?" After removing his shoes, Steve unlocked the door and peered inside.

He observed Peggy Carter, his sweetheart, carrying a plate of hot, freshly baked bread, and two strangers, a man and a woman, seated in the living room.

When Peggy saw Steve arrive home, she eagerly set down the baking sheet, hurried over to him in a few tiny steps, and gave him a passionate kiss.

"These two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have been waiting for you for a while."

The two got to their feet and went their own ways to the entrance to the living room. Steve knew who the two men were. Hawkeye and Black Widow are Avengers members who were formerly part of S.H.I.E.L.D.

However, ever since Nick Fury's defeat and the dissolution of the Avengers, the two of them have resumed their roles as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Steve scowled as he saw the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents approaching.

When he sees someone from S.H.I.E.L.D., bad things always seem to happen.

"Has something happened recently? Let me start by saying that I have already used up all of my annual leave. Monday just passed. I won't have time till the weekend."

Rejection's meaning is already clear. Before Hawkeye could finish, Black Widow interrupted.

"Bucky is still alive," she added gravely as she looked through Steve's gaze.

"Is the Bucky you're referring to the Bucky I had in mind?" Steve asked hesitantly after staring in shock for a while.

"Yes, the Bucky you we referring to is your Bucky." Black Widow grinned.

"Sit down and speak."

Steve instantly invited the two to sit down and explain after mentioning his close friend Bucky. Everyone in the main room reclined. Black Widow in-depth described a string of recent incidents to Captain America and Peggy Carter.

"Recently, S.H.I.E.L.D. looked into HYDRA. There have been indications of HYDRA activity in regions like Siberia and Sokovia, among others..."

"After lurking in Sokovia for more than ten years, our agents have suddenly stumbled onto a project known as the Winter Soldier Project."

Steve had some impatience. "What does this have to do with Bucky?" he said a little irritably because it had been a while since he had heard from Bucky.

"Bucky is a member of the Winter Soldier. After falling off the cliff, Bucky was reportedly abducted by HYDRA and taken to a lab where he was subjected to human experimentation. The Winter Soldier Project is this experiment..."

Steve caught Black Widow's attention as she continued, "We were unable to locate any other details regarding this Winter Soldier project. All we know is that it might be a test to duplicate the super soldier serum. The Winter Soldier project's experiment with Bucky was a success. A chief of HYDRA by the name of Strucker just discovered Bucky after his body had been frozen for several years."

Steve, unable to contain his joy, questioned, "Bucky is still alive? Now, where is he?"

Captain America is still around in this time period, and his former flame is still there. She has given him back his youth. Even without knowing that his best friend was still alive, he thought that this was a wonderful gift.

When Black Widow noticed Steve's worry, she swiftly clarified, "We are getting ready to assemble a squad to attack the HYDRA facility in Sokovia, which is Baron Strucker's domain, and Bucky is at the HYDRA base there. Captain, you have no choice but to let it go because you don't have an annual leave."

She pretended to stand up and walk away while she spoke.

"Wait a minute, I will phone my leader to beg for leave, please allow me to participate in your operation," said Steve, whose face was covered with dark lines.

Even though his annual leave was over, he had to depart. That is his very best pal. Steve will go to help Bucky without hesitation, even if the money is taken away and the number of working years is increased.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. gives you permission to take part in this operation in this case, but we have a tiny request." Black Widow said.

Without even giving it a second thought, Steve accepted, saying, "No problem, as long as I can do it, I will promise you regardless of the conditions."

Black Widow nodded in approval "It goes like this. Baron Strucker has been in control of Sokovia for a long time, and he is a powerful man. I want you to call your fellow superheroes to join the action as they have HYDRA energy weapons that were used in World War II."

"I had assumed HYDRA energy weapons were all but destroyed, yet there are still some." Steve was against HYDRA.

Black Widow sighed a little and brought up the subject of energy weapons, "It is real. Even Inside S.H.I.E.L.D. believes Nick Fury has ties to HYDRA. Numerous energy weapons he previously acquired point to HYDRA..."

"Is Nick Fury associated with HYDRA?" Peggy Carter is the one who is restless this time. Nick Fury, in her opinion, was one of the most promising young agents when she retired.

Black Widow shook her head, "It is simply a theory at this time. Although the problem is currently under internal investigation and certain hints have been discovered, no verdict has been reached. I hope a misunderstanding arises as a result."

A moment of quiet was experienced by all. Hawkeye and Black Widow both previously served as Nick Fury's employees. Now that HYDRA is being accused of working with Nick Fury, it's even plausible that he is a member himself. As a result, Black Widow and Hawkeye are inspected just like the rest of Nick Fury's troops.

Now attacking the Sokovia HYDRA base is mainly composed of agents under the former Nick Fury, which can be regarded as a way to prove his innocence.

But the HYDRA base in Sokovia has been under construction for a long time. There are powerful soldiers and enough weapons among them. It cannot be attacked by only a group of special agents.

Black Widow focused on Captain America and his fellow superheroes after being encouraged to do so by Sitwell, the current director of S.H.I.E.L.D. especially the 'Superman' Rorschach and the two Thors.

The HYDRA base in Sokovia will be reduced to nothing but ashes with the help of these three players.

"Jane Foster traveled to other nations to research the data on heavenly body migration, Thor and Loki returned to Asgard. Regarding Mr. Rorschach…" Steve stopped before continuing.

"Don't tell me none of these folks are here," the frightened Black Widow pleaded.

"The Osborn Group has Mr. Rorschach, but I'm not sure if he's available."

Steve had some reservations about inviting Rorschach, "What if I ask Iron Man or Spider-Man on your behalf? They left a contact number for me."

In order to find the phone numbers of Spider-Man and Iron Man from the address book, Steve pulled an old-fashioned flip phone out of his pocket and started fumbling with the up and down buttons.