Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Framed and Betrayed
Captain America asked, "Rumlow, why do they want me to come over now?"
The voice on the other end replied, "They want to see you and ask about Director Fury. You need to remember your duty, Captain."
"I understand." Captain America hung up the phone, exchanged a glance with the team, and prepared to leave.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Suddenly, Tony called out, "Friday, bring me yesterday's device."
"On it."
Friday's mechanical arm extended, delivering a palm-sized black box. Tony opened it and handed Captain America a set of 26 transparent, earbud-sized communicators.
"Wear this. You can contact us if anything critical happens."
Captain America put on the communicator and stepped into the elevator.
Before long, he arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base. From Rumlow, he learned that the person who wanted to see him was none other than Alexander Pierce.
Captain America found it suspicious but said nothing as he walked toward the office.
Inside, Pierce was reading a freshly printed copy of the Daily Bugle, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Steve Rogers, today I'll turn you into a traitor in the eyes of the public," he muttered to himself before closing the laptop in front of him, which carried Zola's interface. Tossing the newspaper into the trash, he heard a knock at the door. Captain America's tall figure appeared in the doorway as Pierce stood and greeted him with a slow, deliberate tone.
"Captain, I called you here for a very important mission."
He retrieved a folder from his desk and handed it to Steve, continuing, "Through our investigation, we've discovered that Nick Fury seems to have had a secret base. I want you to handle this personally."
"A secret base?"
Captain America's words transmitted back to the Avengers Tower through the communicator, and everyone listened carefully as Pierce continued.
"This location used to be a military base, but it's long since been abandoned. We never imagined Fury would hide a secret base there."
Captain America glanced at the file. It included an address and satellite images showing nothing but ruins. He couldn't help but feel doubtful—would Fury really set up a base in such a place?
Noticing Steve's hesitation, Pierce pressed on, "Steve! Don't you want to go? You're Nick Fury's friend—don't you want to prove his innocence?"
Steve's expression hardened as he looked at Pierce. Of course, he wanted to uncover the truth behind Fury's death, but the words coming from Pierce's mouth filled him with unease.
In his earpiece, Tony's voice reassured him.
"Don't worry. We'll join you when the time comes."
Steve nodded in agreement. Pierce's demeanor suddenly brightened, and he urged him to suit up.
After changing into his combat uniform, Steve stepped outside to the roar of jet engines. A fighter jet was waiting to take him to the so-called secret base.
Once aboard, Steve noticed something odd: apart from the crew, he was the only one assigned to this mission.
When did S.H.I.E.L.D. ever entrust such an important mission to a single person?
Unless... this was a suicide mission.
High above the ground, clad in his blue-and-white combat suit, Captain America leaped out of the fighter jet with a parachute on his back.
His powerful frame cut through the wind effortlessly, descending like a meteor. He landed with a resounding crash in the center of the abandoned military base, sending dust and debris flying in all directions.
...