At the deserted military airfield, Steve stood surrounded by two troop carriers and a company of soldiers.
He watched Major Harper slowly retreat, his expression dark as water. The bright blue of his eyes gradually dimmed.
The surrounding American troops spread out in formation, keeping less than thirty meters between them and Steve. They slung their assault rifles behind their backs, then took shorter, submachine-gun-like weapons from the external clips on their tactical packs.
A dozen special forces soldiers, whose physiques and vitality far surpassed those of ordinary people, instead fell back to the rear of the formation, as if preparing for something.
"Captain Rogers, I'm very sorry, but you must understand and cooperate."
Major Harper spoke earnestly. He raised both hands, palms out, as if trying to calm things down. Steve watched him in silence, his left hand holding his bag while his right hand clenched and unclenched. His gaze grew ever colder.
"You've been extremely uncooperative on your missions over the past few years, even openly refusing orders from the military several times. I'm sure you understand how serious it is to defy military orders!"
"Intelligence intercepted a series of communications and suspects you were incited by Soviet spies."
Steve gritted his teeth and let go of the olive-green nylon equipment bag. Inside was a combat suit with partial Vibranium armor. It hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of yellow dust like a drop of water falling into a still lake.
Major Harper's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and sweat glistened on his forehead. Suddenly, he shouted in a sharp voice, "We hope you'll accept our 'protection' and cooperate with the investigation at a secure location!"
Clap!
Nearly a full company of heavily armed American soldiers raised their silver-gray gun barrels in unison and aimed them at Steve