C148 End of Hydra

C148 End of Hydra

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In the infirmary, Peter watched as Peggy sat beside Bucky, who still remained frozen and asleep in the pod. The room was filled with a quiet tension, the hum of the medical equipment providing a soft background noise. It had been hours since the operation had finished, and the adrenaline had long since faded, replaced by a weary calm.

On the other side of the room, the twins, Wanda and Pietro, were fast asleep in their hospital beds. Their faces, now more peaceful, still bore the traces of their recent ordeal.

The Jedi healer had confirmed what Peter had suspected: they had both been subjected to severe deprivation of food and water, a cruel tactic to keep them weak while Hydra's scientists conducted their experiments.

Peter felt a pang of empathy for them. He remembered the early days after he first arrived in this world, struggling to survive in a similar situation, though he had been spared the horrors of experimentation...

At least now, with the healer's assurance, he knew they would recover. They just needed time to rest and rehabilitate.

Turning his attention back to the cryogenic pod where Bucky lay frozen, the sight of the forgotten Winter Soldier stirred a mix of emotions in him.

Annoyance, regret, and a promise to himself never to overlook such crucial details again. After all, what if he had enacted some plan that endangered Bucky and got him killed?

Peter wasn't Bucky's biggest fan, but he wouldn't want to get him killed either.

Peggy’s hand rested gently on the pod, her eyes filled with a sorrowful hope. She had spent the last few hours keeping vigil beside Bucky, refusing to leave his side.

Seeing her like this, Peter thought, ‘Maybe I should fish out the Capsicle as well...’ He knew how much Steve meant to her, which had to be why she was so attached to Bucky right now.

Peter approached her, his footsteps quiet on the infirmary floor. "Peggy," he said softly, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, her eyes tired but determined. "Peter," she acknowledged, her voice soft but steady. "How are Wanda and Pietro?"

"They're going to be fine," Peter replied, glancing over at the sleeping twins. "The healer said they just need to rest and build their muscles again. They’ll recover in no time."

Peggy nodded, a small smile of relief touching her lips. "Good. They’ve been through enough."

Peter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "How’s our resident popsicle?"

Peggy chuckled ever so slightly. "He seems to be alright. We’re just running tests before unthawing him. I don’t want to risk anything..."

“Smart...” Peter nodded, glancing down at Bucky curiously. "So, who is he to you?" he asked, his tone gentle but probing. "I noticed this seems to be personal for you. You called him by name when you were unloading him earlier, and you’ve been sitting by his side ever since we got back."

Peggy let out a deep sigh, her gaze fixed on Bucky's frozen form. "Bucky Barnes was a Sergeant in the army," she began, her voice soft and filled with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. "He was presumed dead nearly 50 years ago, after falling off a train during a mission against Hydra in World War II. But somehow, he hasn’t aged after all these years."

Peter listened intently, noting the weight of her words. "You knew him personally?"

Peggy looked up at Peter in confusion, prompting him to clarify. "The Jedi. We have all sorts of ways to help. Not to mention the mutants as well."

A small smile crept onto Peggy's face. At least she had a way to help Bucky if there was anything wrong with him. She just hoped Hydra hadn’t messed him up too badly.

As they continued talking, the door to the infirmary swung open, and Fury and Coulson came pacing in, urgency in their steps. "Director, you’re needed in the control room," Fury called out.

Peter looked at them, his interest piqued. "Is it finally time?"

Fury nodded. Peter smirked, a sense of anticipation lighting up his face. "I'll meet you there," he said, striding out of the room.

Peggy watched him go, then stood up, her gaze lingering on Bucky for a moment longer. She gave one last look to the man in the pod, her expression a mix of determination and concern.

With a deep breath, she turned and walked out, Fury and Coulson following closely behind.

...

Peggy walked briskly through the corridors of the Red Room, her mind focused on the task ahead. Fury and Coulson flanked her, their expressions equally determined. As they approached the control room, the door slid open, revealing a bustling hub of activity.

The room was filled with screens and consoles, each manned by their various allies, all working in unison to coordinate the final stages of their operation against Hydra. At the center of it all, a camera was set up, broadcasting to every Shield base across the world.

Rocket was at the controls, his small hands deftly moving across the panels. He looked up as Peggy entered, his eyes sharp and focused. "You ready?" he asked, his voice carrying a serious tone.

Peggy took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Yes, let's do this."

"Good luck," Peter remarked from the side, leaning against the wall with Natasha by his side.

Rocket nodded and initiated the broadcast. The camera focused on Peggy, and her image appeared on every screen in every Shield base across the globe. The atmosphere in the room was tense, knowing the importance of this moment.

Around the world, Shield agents, who had been left in a state of alert and confusion after the sudden attacks, now gathered around screens, their faces etched with worry and curiosity.

Peggy began to speak, her voice steady and authoritative. "Agents of Shield, this is Director Peggy Carter. I know many of you are confused and concerned about the recent operations that have taken place. I am here to explain and to assure you that everything is under control."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. The faces of the agents watching her on the screens were a mix of apprehension and relief. "Over the past few weeks, we have been conducting a covert operation to identify and dismantle a significant threat within our own ranks. Hydra, a dangerous and insidious organization, had infiltrated Shield at every level."

Murmurs of shock and disbelief rippled through the agents, their eyes widening at the revelation. Peggy continued, her tone firm but compassionate. "I understand this is difficult to hear, and I apologize for not warning you sooner. However, had we revealed our plans, it would have tipped off the Hydra operatives among us, jeopardizing the entire mission."

She took a deep breath, her eyes resolute. “But, I’m pleased to announce that as of this moment, we have successfully identified, eliminated, and apprehended all Hydra agents, and our operation has officially concluded.” She paused, letting the feeling of victory sink in. “Moving forward, I ask for your understanding and cooperation as we work to restore trust and integrity within Shield."

Peggy's image, broadcasted across the globe, conveyed a sense of strength and reassurance. The agents watching her began to feel a renewed sense of purpose and solidarity.

"Together, we will rebuild Shield, stronger and more resilient than ever. Thank you for your dedication and bravery. Carter out."

A/N: 1973 words :)