Chapter 73: A Thief's Treasure

Chapter 73: A Thief's Treasure

2013

New York City

S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters, Reception area

(Omniscient POV)

As the sun began rising above the horizon line somewhere above Manhattan Harbor, Brock, Steve, Natasha, and several members of S.T.R.I.K.E, were spread out in the Reception area of HQ awaiting word from Fury on the status update of the Operation.

With a heavy sigh, Captain America turned away from the window overlooking Manhattan harbor, gazing despondently at the cityscape beyond, lost in thought.

It seemed like forever ago since he had first arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters aboard one of the helicopters, and he was anxious to begin the Operation to rescue Sana.

"You look troubled, Cap," Natasha remarked casually, walking briskly towards Steve Rogers, stopping beside him near the windowsill and leaning comfortably against the wall next to him.

Steve sighed once more before responding worriedly, "What is taking Fury so long? It has been hours already and still no word."

Natasha shrugged nonchalantly. "They will contact us soon enough."

After several moments passed during which neither said anything else, Natasha continued speaking.

"You don't trust Fury?" She inquired bluntly.

Struggling to keep calm despite being caught between wanting desperately to speak frankly about his suspicions surrounding Fury's intentions concerning Sana's kidnapping, aside from the obvious desire to get her back safely, and needing to maintain control while dealing tactfully with a bureaucratic organization such as S.H.I.E.L.D.

Steve chose his words carefully, choosing instead to respond diplomatically rather than confrontationally.

"This may sound harsher than intended...But no, I don't." His response came reluctantly. "Sometimes I wonder just how much faith I can truly put in...certain people, especially when it comes to handling sensitive operations like this one..."

Natasha frowned suspiciously, narrowing her eyes slightly as Steve continued.

"It's just...I'm getting the feeling that we're not being told the whole story." He admitted cautiously. "Something feels...off."

Natasha looked sharply at Steve curiously wondering where this line of thinking was heading, though she didn't press further due to her concern about talking so openly about issues with authority figures. Knowing it could potentially cause major problems later down the road.

She watched closely as Steve shifted uneasily on his feet, constantly glancing at the clock mounted on the wall opposite them.

Feeling awkward, Natasha opened her mouth to break the silence, however, at precisely that same time Agent Hill approached alongside Director Nick Fury entering through the front door leading directly into the reception area.

Fury cleared his throat loudly, stopping all conversation as everyone present turned their attention toward him.

"We've received intelligence suggesting that Ms. Amanat is likely being taken to Liberty Island," He informed grimly. "Which means our operation must proceed immediately. All operatives are to assemble and prepare-"

"Wait!" Steve interrupted abruptly, cutting Fury short mid-sentence. "Why is she being taken to the Statue of Liberty? What aren't you telling us!?"

Fury paused briefly, frowning darkly at Steve before answering after considering the best approach.

"That information isn't available for public dissemination yet, Captain Rogers." He replied stiffly.

Steve glared angrily at Fury, who appeared unmoved by the display. The tension grew thickening the atmosphere and filling the room significantly.

"Just tell him," Natasha interjected calmly, moving between the two men. "He should know all aspects involved regarding his mission."

Turning his glare fully upon her, Fury regarded Natasha coolly for a few seconds before nodding curtly, acknowledging her request. Turning his focus back to Steve, he responded flatly: "Ms. Amanat's kidnapping is part of a larger investigation involving terrorist activities conducted by a man named William Baker."

Agent Hill pulled out her tablet and flipped it around to show the mug shot of a bald-headed man with pale green eyes and a thick ginger beard.

"A petty thief turned domestic terrorist after his daughter died from an accidental chemical leak. The corporation responsible paid millions in compensation to settle the lawsuitsbut was ultimately let off with a slap on the wrist. This caused Baker to be consumed with revenge, eventually becoming convinced that only violence would bring justice and retribution to his murdered child."

Captain America listened attentively as Fury went on explaining what they knew thus far, remaining silent throughout most of the briefing until finally asking pointedly:

"So why does he need Sana specifically?"

Looking uncomfortable, Fury hesitated before replying somewhat defensively, stating simply, "...Ms. Amanat designed an advanced security system we use in a lot of our facilities. One such facility is a Vault containing a few highly dangerous experiments that were decommissioned decades ago following their failure to yield the desired results. We have reason to suspect that Baker is after one of these failed experiments."

Nodding his head understandingly, Steve considered this new revelation silently. After a moment or so spent pondering various possibilities, he offered another question.

"How did he find out about this particular experiment anyway?" He queried. "Surely nobody outside of S.H.I.E.L.D knows about this place?"

Fury glanced around, uncertain how exactly to reply given recent events. However, seeing no harm in offering whatever insight he possessed into matters pertaining to this situation.

"Alright, Let's go!" I order, as I turn around and motion for Sana to come over.

Moving carefully around the corpses strewn carelessly around the corridor, we proceeded in front of the heavy metal doors blocking our way.

"Open it," I demanded roughly, pushing the scared woman toward the sealed door.

She stumbled forwards and, with shaky hands, moved aside the hidden sliding cover of the control pad located above the handle built into the side of the massive steel door.

She punched in the correct sequence of numbers using trembling fingers. Moments passed slowly as the electronic locks engaged automatically, unlocking the mechanism and keeping the vault firmly shut tight.

Then suddenly, the entire structure began descending downward, operating like a giant elevator shaft toward the bottommost floors of Lady Liberty herself.

A loud grinding noise echoed loudly throughout the vast subterranean space, as aged hinges groaned out ominously.

The inner mechanisms continued lowering downwards, before finally coming to a stop at least sixty feet lower than the previous level.

As soon as the lift came to a halt, the door of the vault opened soundlessly, letting loose a flood of stale humid air emerging from within. An eerie silence ensued, save for occasional creaking noises emanating from somewhere deep inside the bowels of the storage area.

I peered cautiously inside, scanning the interior space for threats. Seeing none, I gestured for all present to follow closely behind me. Moving stealthily forward, we made our way further down into the darkness accompanied by ominous echoes reverberating eerily from around us.

Hundreds of rows of shelves lined either side of a narrow winding passageway that stretched seemingly endless into the distance, disappearing into shadow depths beyond sight. Each shelf contained dozens of metal crates stacked neatly atop one another, separated only by thin partitions.

Labels were attached atop the boxes, denoting the contents and dates written in faded ink.

"I-it's this way," Sana informed nervously, leading us through the rows of shelves.

As we progressed deeper into the labyrinthine, Sana stopped abruptly near one crate marked: 'Oscorp Industries: PSAMATHE Project, Confiscated and Decommissioned in 1987'.

The name would mean nothing whatsoever to anyone who wasn't familiar with Oscorp Industries, but it meant everything to me.

After all, it is the same company responsible for my daughter's death!!

"I-is this what yo-"

Before the woman could finish speaking, I pulled her forcefully backward towards my men and moved up towards the metal crate myself without hesitation.

The crate was about the size of a mailbox and was locked securely closed with a small keypad affixed to the top. Picking up the metal crate, I briefly examined the locking mechanism mounted on the upper portion before an annoyed look crossed my face, and looked back at Sana.

"How do I open it!?" I questioned angrily.

Shrugging helplessly, she responded shaking her head. "I-I don't know. I just designed the security systems for the vault, not these particular containers."

"What!!" I growl out and move to hit her in the mouth so badly that she would never speak again! But then thought better of it, realizing such action might jeopardize things unnecessarily. Instead, I grabbed hold of her hair forcing her head back painfully as she look up at me with teary eyes, pleading desperately and begging for forgiveness.

"*Static*...Baker!! *Static*...Help!! *Static*...is attacking!!" A voice crackled weakly on the radio, interrupting my rage.

"What are you talking about!?" I shouted furiously over the radio but receive no response. "Shit! The signal must have gone bad or they're jamming transmissions..."

Turning back to Sana once more defiantly demanding answers from her. "You tell me how to unlock this damn thing NOW!!! Or maybe you want me to give you a taste of what real pain feels like?!"

Without waiting long enough for a reply from the frightened woman, I slammed my fist into her stomach causing her to double over onto the floor.

"...Please." she choked out barely able to get anything coherent out, "I don't-"

*Clank!*

An audible clanging sound emanates throughout the room startling everyone present temporarily until someone realizes exactly why. A small metal cylinder was thrown vigorously, ricocheting between two rows of shelves before landing at our feet.

"Take cover!!!!" I yell as I hug the metal crate to my chest and duck low instinctively.

*Boom!"

As the grenade goes off, black smoke billows forth, filling the confined space immediately obscuring visibility completely.

"William Baker!" A voice boomed loudly throughout the enclosed space. "This is Captain America. You are hereby under arrest for treason and conspiracy against the United States government! Release Sana Amanat and surrender yourself peacefully now or we will be caused to use force!!"

**************

A/n: Hey guys, I hope you are enjoying the story so far, and as always, thanks for reading!

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