Chapter 34: Back to the MCU

After having established the ground rules of their relationship, they vote where to go next. Since Natasha and Carol vote for the MCU, while Ethen and Tonja vote for the DCEU, the tie is broken as Brook and Sindri tell them to get more metal for them.

''The MCU it is then!...'' Announces the bathed and dressed Pikapool as he sits down his butt on top of the altar, opening the Multiverse Gate to the MCU before stating. ''... I guess a few days have gone by since you guys left it.''

''That's okay...'' Tells him, Natasha, as the gate opens up and she takes the mouse from the altar saying. ''... I never expected to ever return, so damm if I care about a few days!''

That said, Tonja, Carol, Natasha, Ethen, and Pikapool step through the open Gate leaving two dwarfs and four androids behind...

-----

Back in the MCU, Alexander Pierce is holding a virtual meeting with the World Security Council on the top floor of the Triskelion.

Stepping in front of the Council members, Pierce starts the meeting by announcing. ''Nick Fury was murdered in cold blood. To any reasonable person, that would make him a martyr, not a traitor.''

Councilman Rockwell. ''You know what makes him a traitor? Hiring a mercenary to hijack his own ship.''

Councilman Singh. ''Nick Fury used your friendship to coerce this council into delaying Project Insight. A project he knew would expose his own illegal operations. At best, he lied to you. At worst...''

Acting defensive Pierce asks. ''Are you calling for my resignation? I've got a pen and paper right here.''

Councilwoman Hawley: ''That discussion can be tabled for a later time...''

Alexander Pierce. ''But you do want to have a discussion.''

Smirking Councilman Rockwell tells him. ''We've already had it, Mr. Secretary. This council moves to immediately reactivate Project Insight. If you want to say something snappy, now would be a good time.''

-----

While the council decides to reactivate Project Inside, Captain America and Agen 13 pull up to outside an abandoned military base where the signal originated from.

Looking round Steve states disappointed. ''This is it.''

Looking confused, Sharon Carter tells him. ''The file came from these coordinates.''

''So did I...'' States Rodgers as they walk around the base trying to pinpoint where the signal came from. ''... This camp is where I was trained.''

Surprised Sharon asks him. ''Changed much?''

''A little. Steve tells her, as he has a brief vision of his former, smaller self-running past him as he's getting trained with other soldiers.

Remembering, Steve watches nostalgically over the place.

Having checked out the hole place, Sharon states. ''This is a dead end. Zero heat signature, zero waves, not even radio. Whoever wrote the file must have used a router to throw people off.''

While looking around, Rodgers notices a building ahead of them. ''What is it?...'' As they walk over to the building he explains. ''... Army regulations forbid storing ammunition within five hundred yards of the barracks. This building is in the wrong place.''

Using his shield, Steve opens the lock with one hit and they enter inside. Turning on the lights they notice a huge coat of arms placed in the center of an office wall.

Suprised, Carter says in disbelieve. ''This is SHIELD!''

''Maybe where it started.'' Tells her Steve as they enter storage the room, where they find old framed portraits of Howard Stark, Peggy and Col. Chester Phillips.

Seeing the portraits Sharon recognizing the SHIELD founders states. ''There's Stark's father.''

Nodding Rogers comments. ''Howard.''

Checking out the other portraits Sharon asks. ''Is that my grandmother?''

Ignoring her question, Steve doesn't reply and turns away to walking further down the room before stopping by a massive bookshelf, noticing missing dust.

''If you're already working in a secret office...'' Starts Steve explaining, as he pushes the books shelf that suddenly slides open to reveal an elevator behind it. ''... Why do you need to hide the elevator?''

Going down via the elevator they are taken to a room with old looking computers.

Seeing the old technology, Sharon comments, before noticing a small flash drive port. ''This can't be the data-point, this technology is ancient.'' Placing the flash drive in it, the ancient computer in the room come to life.

On the monitor, the computer asks. -Initiate system?-

Using the keyboard Sharon types. -Y-E-S- spells yes.

Smiling as the old computer starts to cranks up, Sharon asks. "Wanna play a game?... It's from Saw!''

Rolling his eyes, Rogers tells her. ''Never saw it. Maybe when this all is over, we could...''

Mid-sentence, he gets interrupted by a heavily accented voice. ''Rogers, Steven. Born, 1918. Carter, Sharon. Born, 1989.''

Only now they notice an old camera moving above them as it scans them.

Seeing Steves creeped out face, Sharon holds his hand telling him. ''It's some kind of a recording.''

''I am not a recording, Fräulein...'' The creepy voice tells them. ''... I may not be the man I was when the Captain took me prisoner in 1945, but I am.''

That said the computer screen suddenly shows an old photo of Dr. Arnim Zola.

Looking up at Steve she asks. ''Do you know this thing?''

''Arnim Zola was a German scientist who worked for the Red Skull. He's been dead for years...'' Tells Steve her, before computer Zola interrupts him once again. '' First correction, I am Swiss. Second, look around you. I have never been more alive. In 1972 I received a terminal diagnosis. Science could not save my body, my mind, however, that was worth saving on two hundred thousand feet of data banks. You are quite literally standing in my brain.''

-----

While Sharon and Steve are learning of Hydras sinister plot of using the helicarriers from Project Insight to achieve world domination, Ethen, the woman and Pikapool arrive in MCU New York, near Stark Tower on a rooftop.

Overlooking the city Ethen asks Tonya. ''So where do we get the metals for the dwarfs?....'' Turning to Natasha and Carol he asks. ''What do you guys want to do?''

''I need to contact Director Fury...'' States Natasha before explaining. ''... I am still a shield Agent you know.''

Looking at Carol he asks. ''What about you Carol?''

Looking up into the sky, Carol tells him. ''I would like to retrieve my spaceship from the dark side of the moon. All my stuff...''

Before Carol is able to conclude her sentence she is rudely interrupted by Tonya. ''I am registering a strategic missile heading for Camp Lehigh, Wheaton, New Jersey!''

Using his telescopic eye side combined with his x-ray vision, Ethen instantly makes out the missile heading for the abandoned military facility. ''On my way!''

That said, Ethen jumps from the rooftop put on his 'Champions Mantle' and speeds at Mach 25* after the missile.

Arriving three kilometers above Camp Lehigh, Ethen uses his x-ray vision once again to look into the facility. Initially finding it empty, he intensifies his x-ray vision, penetrating even deeper into the ground. Finally finding some movement, he identifies the man like Captain America thanks to his shield and an unknown woman inside a room filled with old computers.

Having the only seconds to deal with the missile, Ethen sees Steve noticing a small open in the ground, throwing the metal door aside and just as the place is supposed to explode, he throws himself and Sharon into the hole and protects them with his shield.

The moment the missile was supposed to strike the building, Ethen takes it head-on. First using his heat vision to deal with the missiles internal hardware, then catching it in mid-air, he slowly descends with it, just as STRIKE agents arrive. Seeing Brock Rumlow, Ethen decides to walk over and greet the man.