In the spatial cloaking layer above, Charles Doyle and Selene listened to Steve Rogers' speech.
Selene remarked, "With oratory skills like that, he's definitely suited to run for president."
"That was incredibly inspiring."
"The last time I saw someone with such charisma was back in the last century."
Charles chuckled at her comment, "You're not wrong. If Steve actually decided to run, he might very well become President."
In Charles's memories, in another timeline of the Marvel universe, Steve Rogers had indeed served as President of the United States.
…
Top-floor conference room-
The Russian councilor spat out a curse, "You son of a b***h!"
At that moment, a group of heavily armed strike agents entered the room. The British councilor spoke up, "Arrest Pierce."
However, the soldiers drew their weapons, pointing them instead at the British councilor.
Pierce smirked and said, "Looks like I'm still the one in charge here."
…
Elsewhere in the Triskelion-
Rumlow reached the operations command center. With the eyes of every technician on him, he approached the lead operator responsible for initiating the helicarrier launch sequence.
"Advance the launch schedule. Send the helicarriers into the air right now," Rumlow ordered.
The technician, visibly nervous, glanced at Rumlow but didn't act immediately.
"Do you have a problem?" Rumlow snapped.
"I…"
Rumlow yelled louder, "I said, do you have a problem?"
The technician, swallowing hard, quickly responded, "Apologies, sir."
Taking a deep breath, the technician resolved himself and said firmly, "But Captain Rogers has ordered otherwise. I won't launch the helicarriers."
Without hesitation, Rumlow pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the technician's head.
"Step away from your console," he demanded.
At that moment, Agent 13, Kate, drew her own weapon and aimed it at Rumlow.
"He already said it. Captain's orders."
As Kate drew her weapon, the situation in the command center escalated. Every operative on-site, except the technicians, raised their firearms, aiming at one another in a tense standoff.
Rumlow glanced at Kate and said calmly, "You've picked the wrong side, agent."
Kate countered, "Maybe take a good look at your position first."
Rumlow scanned the room, observing that S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and Hydra operatives had each other in their crosshairs.
After a moment of consideration, Rumlow lowered his handgun and casually dropped it to the floor. Yet, in the next second, he drew a tactical knife from his leg holster and swiftly slashed Kate's arm, forcing her to drop her weapon with a cry of pain.
"Ah!"
Seizing the opportunity, Rumlow picked up Kate's fallen pistol and immediately fired several rounds at nearby S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In mere moments, Rumlow had taken down several agents, plunging the scene into chaos.
As Rumlow turned to execute the lead technician, Kate, despite her injury, kicked the technician's chair to send him rolling out of harm's way.
Gunfire erupted between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra agents, both sides exchanging shots.
Amidst the chaos, Rumlow managed to access the console and initiate the launch sequence for the helicarriers. As the confirmation signal appeared, he retreated while continuing to fire.
With the launch sequence engaged, the hidden floodgates along the Triskelion's river opened, revealing three massive platforms beneath the water.
A nearby S.H.I.E.L.D. agent yelled desperately, "Shut the gates! Close them now!"
Before he could act, Hydra reinforcements arrived and gunned him down.
Rat-a-tat-tat!
Every agent attempting to halt the process was swiftly eliminated. The floodgates opened fully, and the helicarriers surfaced, revealing decks filled with Quinjet fighters. Engines roared to life, and the colossal ships began to ascend.
From their vantage point in the spatial cloaking layer, Charles Doyle and Selene watched the helicarriers rise.
Charles smiled and remarked, "Quite the impressive toys."
Selene smirked and said, "Perhaps you should keep one, sir. A collector's item, maybe?"
Charles considered it for a moment, recalling the helicarrier already stored in his system inventory.
"Not the right time, and these things take up too much space."
He mused internally, 'If only I had Pym Particles—I could shrink one to scale and add it to my collection. But alas, these three are destined for destruction.'
…
In the broadcasting room-
Maria Hill glanced at the monitor and immediately alerted the team, "They've launched the helicarriers!"
Each carrier was now fully manned by Pierce's Hydra operatives.
Sam and Steve sprinted towards the launch site. Sam asked as they ran, "Cap, how do we tell the good guys from the bad?"
Steve replied, "The ones shooting at you are the bad guys."
Sam nodded and unfurled his wings, taking off towards one of the carriers.
Steve leaped onto another helicarrier just as it rose past the Triskelion's platform, landing on its deck. Before he could advance, a squad of Hydra operatives opened fire on him.
Rat-a-tat-tat!
Steve used his shield to deflect the bullets, weaving through gunfire with swift, serpentine movements. He dodged and leaped, rendering most of their shots ineffective.
From their observation point, Selene commented with a chuckle, "Do they not realize they can aim for his legs or feet?"
"These guys are so slow."
Charles smiled and explained, "Cap's reaction speed is extraordinary. Their reflexes and ability to predict his moves are just too weak."
"And that shield of his—with its concentric rings and star in the center—doesn't it look like a giant bullseye to you?"
Selene nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Understood. It's not him; they're just incompetent."
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