The air is charged with anticipation on the much-awaited day. Excitement mingles with nervous energy, casting a veil of tension over the room. Amidst the crowd, Steve stands at the center, a bundle of nerves and anxiety. Observing the scene closely, you position yourself beside Doc, the seasoned expert in charge of the experiment. His meticulous eyes scan over every detail, ensuring that everything is in perfect order before Steve's moment arrives. Sensing the weight of the occasion, you direct a reassuring gaze towards Steve, silently conveying your support.
A hushed silence envelops the space as Doc begins his pep talk, his words brimming with encouragement and determination. Each word he utters seems to infuse Steve's spirit, gradually eroding the layers of unease etched on his face. With unwavering focus, you absorb the energy in the room, allowing it to surge through your being. In a decisive moment, as Doc rises from his seat and exits to conduct a final inspection of Stark's ingeniously crafted equipment, you seize the opportunity to approach Steve.
"You alright?" Concern lingers in your voice as you pose the question. His apprehensive expression speaks volumes, revealing the depth of his inner turmoil.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just nervous..." Steve's response is sincere and vulnerable, his admission hanging in the air like a fragile thread.
"Deep breath, you going to be fine." Drawing upon your own reserves of strength and reassurance, you gently place your hand upon his shoulder, a conduit of cosmic energy. In that tender touch, a transfer of solace and tranquility takes place, permeating Steve's being. Gradually, you witness the visible relaxation that washes over him, as his worries are momentarily eclipsed by a newfound sense of calm.
Silently, you slip away from the center of attention as the sound of Doc's return fills the room. His commanding presence resonates as he approaches Steve, extending a guiding hand towards the location where the crucial experiment is about to unfold. Aware of the significance of this moment, you fade into the periphery, melding with the encroaching shadows, finding solace beside a mysterious cloaked figure.
"All should be set." In hushed tones, barely audible, you exchange words with Ajak, the cloak enveloping both of you adding an air of secrecy to your conversation. Your voice, barely a breath, carries a sense of reassurance as you remark. The weight of responsibility and anticipation hangs heavily in the air, intermingling with the faintest rustle of fabric.
The gravity of the situation demands unwavering vigilance, and both you and Ajak harbor concerns that the enigmatic German assailant who previously targeted Doc may yet resurface, casting an ominous shadow over the experiment. With every nerve attuned to the slightest disturbance, you lock your senses on the surroundings, scanning for any signs of an unwelcome intrusion.
Time seems to slow as you stand united, each breath measured, attuned to the rhythm of the room. A shared sense of trepidation lingers, a collective watchfulness etched upon your features. The stakes are high, the possibility of interference palpable, driving you both to maintain an unwavering focus, unwavering commitment to safeguarding the experiment from uninvited disruptions.
In the grand scheme of things, the process had proceeded relatively smoothly. Your watchful gaze remains fixed as Doc commences his speech, guiding Steve towards the formidable machine that will inject him with the transformative Super Soldier serum. With meticulous precision, Howard Stark manipulates the levers, each movement intensifying the luminosity emanating from within the contraption. Amidst the anticipation, you take a moment to scan the room, alert to any irregularities. A faint flicker of caution tugs at your senses, heightening your awareness.
As the dissipating smoke reveals Steve's reborn form, an aura of awe envelops the room. His physique now markedly different, he stands before Peggy, who blushes in his presence. "How do you feel?"
Still disoriented from the experience, Steve stammers, "I feel taller..."
Casting a glance towards Ajak, the radiant smile adorning their face mirrors the euphoria coursing through your own being. The surge of elation finds solace in the collective joy that permeates the room, ensuring that you and Ajak blend seamlessly into the jubilant atmosphere.
The air crackles with excitement, electrifying every molecule, until the abrupt sound of a gunshot shatters the euphoria. The acrid tang of gunpowder pervades the room, casting a shadow of darkness upon the scene. Panic ensues, triggering a flurry of activity as the medical staff rush to attend to the wounded Doc, while Steve desperately seeks updates on his condition. Simultaneously, both you and Ajak catch sight of the agile assassin, swiftly evading capture, clutching the last vial of serum tightly in their hand. The lingering smoke from the discharged pistol intertwines with the tension, intensifying the gravity of the situation.
"Go!" Ajak's commanding voice slices through the pandemonium, urging you into action. Adrenaline surges through your veins as you propel yourself forward, relentlessly pursuing the elusive assassin. Through the labyrinthine streets and winding alleys, you navigate with unwavering determination, each stride bringing you closer to your quarry.
Street after street blurs past, the rhythm of your pursuit quickening. Alley after alley, you maintain an unwavering focus, honing in on the fleeing figure. With a surge of power, you launch yourself into the air, defying gravity as you land effortlessly before the target. In one swift motion, your left hand tightens around his collar, gripping with an iron resolve.
Every fiber of your being tingles with anticipation as your right hand rises, poised to reveal the truth that lies beneath the surface of this enigmatic assailant. Suspended in a fleeting moment, time slows as you scrutinize the man standing before you, his features etched with a mix of fear, defiance, and a flicker of recognition. In this tense standoff, Steven, relentless in his pursuit, catches up to your location,
"Arex?" Steve's voice carries a mixture of surprise and disbelief as his eyes meet yours. However, his astonishment quickly gives way to renewed focus, his gaze returning to the assassin who callously snuffed out Doc's life before his very eyes. "I've been ordered to bring him in..."
Silently acknowledging Steve's words, you momentarily block out his presence, allowing your instincts to guide you. With resolute determination, you press your empowered right hand against the assassin's forehead, unleashing a wave of excruciating pain. A piercing scream of agony tears through the air, echoing the depths of the assassin's torment as you delve into his consciousness, extracting the vital information you seek. Time stretches, each passing second laden with unbearable weight as the relentless cries persist, etching themselves into your memory.
However, the cacophony becomes too much for Steve to bear. Consumed by compassion, he wrenches the assassin away from your grip, unable to tolerate the continued infliction of pain.
"What the hell was that for?!" Steve's voice reverberates with anger, slicing through the charged air as he attempts to rouse the now unconscious assassin.
"He got no info of any use to me..."A murmur escapes your lips, barely audible, as you observe Steve's futile efforts to revive the fallen captive. Before any valuable information can be extracted, a swift demise befalls the assassin as he ingests a concealed pill capsule, severing any chances of unraveling the truth. Steve rises from the ground, a tempest of fury swirling within him, poised to confront you. Yet, in a fraction of a moment, suspicion flickers across his features, halting him in his tracks.
"Who the hell is he?" Steve's words spill forth, dripping with frustration. "Who are you really?!"
Raising your head, you meet Steve's gaze with a steady resolve. "Stay well, Steve," you respond, your voice carrying a hint of enigmatic wisdom. "This world is vast."
The distant sounds of Steve's approaching backup reverberate in your ears, their presence drawing nearer. With a deliberate gesture, you lower your hands, unveiling the mesmerizing display of pulsating golden energy coursing through your palm.
"I pray that our paths will cross again in the future."
With those parting words, you take flight, harnessing the power of the air to lift you high amidst the billowing clouds. The shrill whistle of bullets pierces the atmosphere, a futile attempt to hinder your escape. Yet, with an innate grace and agility, you navigate the aerial onslaught effortlessly, gracefully evading each projectile. Soaring ever higher, your movements become a symphony of fluidity, harmonizing with the serene expanse of the boundless sky. As the clamor of the city fades into the distance, only the tranquil embrace of the ethereal heavens remains, embracing you as you vanish into the vast expanse.
The moment your feet touch the floor of the shared living space with Ajak, she wastes no time in raising a pressing question. "Was he?"
Understanding her inquiry pertains to the recently encountered assassin, you provide a swift response. "No, I've extracted every piece of memory from him. He is not a Deviant."
"Since our cover has been compromised, we should move." Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Ajak agrees with a decisive nod, acknowledging the need to relocate. Together, you embark on the task of gathering your belongings, an activity that has become all too familiar due to the necessity of swift relocations. Fortunately, your lifestyle has accustomed you to a minimalistic approach, allowing for an expedient packing process.
Across the vast expanse of Earth, numerous safe houses akin to the one you currently inhabit exist. Ajak unveils the origin of these sanctuaries, revealing that they were constructed by Phastos, left behind as he traversed the globe in his nomadic journey. Although news of the ongoing war pains both you and Ajak deeply, you persist in living in self-imposed exile, resolutely striving to forge ahead despite the hardships. However, the tranquility of your existence is abruptly shattered, the very foundation of your beings shaken to the core, as the impact of two explosive detonations reverberates through the air.