V. G. D base, senior instructors dormitory.
Steve·Rogers had just finished taking a shower and was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the black and white photo in his hand in a daze.
In the photo, they are Howling Commandos's comrades, Bucky is standing next to him, smiling brightly.
"Zi... Zi..."
The old-fashioned button cell phone placed on the table suddenly vibrated.
"Hello, I am Rogers."
Steve put down the photo in his hand and picked up the phone.
"If you are here to sell insurance, I already have full coverage."
"Stop making wisecracks, Captain. With my current behavior, I have to raise money to even buy myself a wooden coffin."
The voice on the other end of the phone was tired.
"Fury?"
"It's me."
"Where are you?" Steve sat up straight and his tone became serious.
"Listen, Captain. I don't have time to chat with you. Natasha, Clint are with me, we are at New Jersey."
"New Jersey?"
"Yes! Your second hometown." Fury sneered, "We found S.H.I.E.L.D.'s birthplace there, and it was also Hydra's incubator."
"There we found... Arnim Zora."
Steve's hand clenched suddenly. "Zola? Is he still alive?"
"His body is dead, but he turned his brain into data." Fury gritted his teeth, "That Nazi bastard said everything. Pierce... That son of a bitch, he is the current leader of Hydra. In the past few decades, they have been sucking blood and creating chaos inside S.H.I.E.L.D.."
"This is not new, Nick." Steve sneered quietly, "I went to Triskelion not long ago, and it took less than five minutes to confirm this matter. With your efficiency... it seems that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s budget really needs to be cut."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for two seconds.
"Fuck Fake... Okay, I admit that I was fooled." Fury's voice was a little embarrassed, but it quickly became hard again, "But there are some things you don't know."
"Zola has developed an algorithm!" Fury's voice became extremely serious. "It can predict a person's future by analyzing his past, bank records, voting tendencies, and even the flavor of pizza you ordered! As long as the algorithm determines that you may hinder Hydra in the future... you will die!"
Fury quickly adjusted his status and his tone became urgent.
"Listen, Captain. The situation is worse than we thought."
"Pierce has gone crazy! He plans to brainwash the opposing board representatives in two days and force Project Insight to pass."
"Once the three Helicarriers take off, they will be connected to the Insight Satellite and instantly lock and eliminate 20 million targets."
"Among these 20 million people, there are neurosurgeons, news anchors, and of course you and me."
"And... that iron-armed killer. Winter Soldier."
"Winter Soldier is more than one person, captain. Pierce will release all those monsters..."
"I need you, Steve. I need you to help me."
Steve was silent for a moment.
"Fury, I am now Vought's person."
"If you need help, you should follow the formal procedure. Talk to my boss Homelander. He is willing to save his earth, and I also believe he has the ability to take down a few broken ships."
"Homelander?"
Hearing this name, Fury immediately exploded.
"You want me to find that narcissist wearing Stars and Stripes Cloak? That actor who can only fake smile at the camera?!"
"Damn it! Steve, are you out of your mind?"
"I tried to contact him! I made countless calls! What was the result?"
"Every time! Every time it's the woman named Ashley who picks up the phone!"
Fury imitated Ashley's tone, sarcastic:
"Oh, sorry Director Fury, Mr. Homelander is shooting the cover of <Vanity Fair>. Oh, Mr. Homelander is attending the fan handshake meeting at Hollywood. Sorry, Mr. Homelander is playing golf with the president."
"I can't contact him at all! He's busy being a star, not a hero!"
"You want to leave the fate of the world in the hands of such a person?"
Steve listened to Fury's roar, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised a slight arc.
"Fury, maybe he just doesn't want to talk to you because you are biased against him."
"He may be vain, or he may like to show off. But at the critical moment, he is really protecting the world."
"And..." Steve paused, "He is very strong. Stronger than all of us combined. If we really have to face several Helicarrier and a group of super soldiers, he is the best choice."
"Fuck Fake..." Fury cursed on the other end of the phone, "I really don't want to owe that guy a favor."
"Then there's no need to talk." Steve pretended to hang up the phone.
"Wait!!"
Fury is anxious.
"Steve... one more thing."
Fury's voice suddenly became very low, with a heaviness that made the secret rot in his stomach.
"About that Winter Soldier."
"The iron-armed killer who beat you away."
"We found out his identity."
Steve's fingers froze.
"Who... is he?"
"His name is James Buchanan Barnes."
Fury slowly spit out the name.
"Your old friend...Bucky."
Buzz--
Steve's mind went blank.
The surrounding sounds seemed to disappear, leaving only that name echoing in my ears.
Bucky.
Bucky is still alive.
That killer with the metal arm... is it Bucky?
"It's impossible..." Steve murmured to himself, "I saw him fall with my own eyes..."
"Hydra rescued him and turned him into a monster." Fury's voice was cold, "This is what Hydra is good at doing."
"Steve, if you want to save him, or if you want to free him... you must stop Pierce."
"Of course, I can also lose my dignity and go to Homelander, kiss his boots and beg him to take action."
"But hopefully he won't shoot Bucky right in the head with his laser eyes."
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Five seconds later.
Steve's eyes became firm.
"I understand."
"I will go and ask for leave from Homelander."
"Waiting for my news."
After hanging up the phone, Steve grabbed the shield on the table and strode out of the dormitory.
General Office.
Homelander is leaning on the chair, enjoying Ashley's report.
"... The new movie <The Seven: Odyssey>, the box office has reached a new high. In addition, <Time magazine> would like to invite you to do an exclusive interview with the person of the year..."
"Bang!"
The door was pushed open.
Steve·Rogers rushed in, with unprecedented anxiety on his face.
"Steve? You look like you just learned that your wife cheated on you."
"It's more serious than that." Steve got straight to the point, "I'm here to ask for leave."
"Ask for leave?" Homelander raised his eyebrows, walked behind the desk and sat down, "What's the reason? If it's because of that blond nurse, I can approve you for three days."
"No." Steve shook his head, looking serious, "It's a private matter. Some... old debts that haven't been settled yet."