//------------------------------// // Chapter 37 // Story: The six headed HYDRA // by Malcolm Merlyn //------------------------------// Chris could swim pretty damn well. The problem was, the same thing couldn't be said for Bucky as the remains of a tactical vest, a ton of ammunition, firearms and a hunk of now-useless metal began to weigh him down. He made every effort to continue in the general direction of where he needed to go, but this didn't stop him from sinking as only now he realized he weighed a ton. Chris was by far a competent swimmer. She only made it to the beach faster was because her sister had given her quite substantial help and practically leashed her all the way there. Seeing Chris was safe, Trudy breathed a sigh of relief until she realized she was missing something. Bucky. The cybernetic arm of the Winter Soldier had once provided him strength that pushed his already superhuman strength into farther levels. When left useless, it was only dead weight and when attempting to swim to a fairly distant shoreline, that was going to be the death of him. Literally. The fact he was wearing the broken remnants of a Kevlar vest and carrying enough ammunition to start a third world war, that really wasn't helping as with his good arm, he struggled to remove the vest only to find out that his arm alone was causing him more trouble than if he had actually kept his guns. Holding his breath wasn't hard, but as he sank down, he knew that he wouldn't be able to keep his breath up forever. He was just on the edges of consciousness when he saw Trudy. The medicine Bucky had given her preformed wonders. With the gloves, Trudy found herself able to carry Bucky all the way to the shoreline, which admittedly was no easy task considering how heavy the Winter Soldier actually was. Only when they were close to their destination did she realize that the entire time in which she had carried him back to dry land, his head was almost always underwater. Panic gripped her as she milled about, not knowing what to do. She had heard about CPR, but never had been trained in it or had actually been called to preform CPR. As such, she had little clue to what she was doing when she placed her hands upon Bucky's hard, almost armor-like chest. Taking a deep breath, she began compression only to realize they had no effect a moment later. Taking another deep breath, the young woman struggled to remember what the next step of CPR was which to her dismay, she did remember. It was a good thing Chris was the only one here. Opening his mouth, she placed her's right onto his. Coincidentally, he wake up that moment, throwing up about gallons of water right into her mouth. Had anyone been watching, they most definitely would have agreed that the two had been kissing. Judging from the fact that Trudy was practically spreading herself on top of Bucky, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to think they were doing something extremely indecent. His eyes snapped open to realize that he was locking lips with Trudy. The young woman didn't even know how to react, as she just stared back. "Deer in headlights" type of situation as the two just stared, realizing that their mouths were connected. Chris just watched, confused at what her older sister was doing, and coming to the conclusion that he really was a good friend. Good enough for you to make out with on a beach when you were alone. Sorta. There was one other observer. And it was that one other observer that caused Bucky to cease staring and get up in record time as his eyes burned holes in that man's skull. Bob literally wet himself when he saw Bucky glare in his direction. "Okay! Okay! I promise! I'll leave! Just don't kill me! I wasn't watching you have..." "Give me a better reason to why I am shouldn't kill you right now." Bucky threatened as his arm conveniently reactivated. Looks like someone was going to be in quite the beating. Bob was too scared to as much as run as Bucky picked him up, and slowly, drew his fist back, fully intent on smashing the HYDRA agent into a bloody pulp. "Was hat er getan? Warum ist er dabei, ihn zu verletzen?" "Weil er ein sehr schlechter Mensch. Und es ist, was sie verdienen." Because he is a very bad man. And it is what he deserves. "Aber er hat nichts schlecht gemacht." Bucky hesitated for a moment as he dropped the agent. A little German girl had successfully convinced him not to break the man in two who was currently sobbing and shivering like no tomorrow. "I see you again, I will rip you in two. You understand?" Bucky asked. "Now get lost before I change my mind." "Y-yes sir...!" Bob nodded as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. "Trudy. It's not over yet. A good portion of HYDRA managed to get away." Bucky looked. The pain of getting shot multiple times gripped him as he did his best to ignore his wounds. He would regenerate from them, but he wouldn't do it quick enough so that his injuries wouldn't effect his performance. "I'll help them. Get Chris to safety." "You know I can't just sit a fight out..." "I don't care that your some Übermensch who can survive five bullets to the chest. You're hurt. And chances are, you'll need the help more that Chris does. Now go. I'll help them. You take care." Grudgingly, he knew she was right. Crooking a finger to Chris, the super-soldier led her to safety as he cast a tentative glance at Trudy, who returned it. Their eyes met for a moment. She's cute. Skull's henchmen were of no issue. The broken bodies that littered the calls of the jormungand were proof of this as Captain America swung his fist so hard, it caused a man to get knocked right out of his socks in addition to a broken jaw. The door that separated him and the bridge had been sealed, but it would do little to prevent him from getting the Schmidt as he pried it open with his bare hands. "Come at last Captain America? I vas just enjoying a martini!" Schmidt snickered as he finished his drink and got out of his chair. "Enough talk. We have unfinished business." Cap stated as he pointed his gun at the Red Skull. "Ah. At last! My death will not bring you victory Captain America. Cut off one head, two more will grow to take it's place." "I am here to win the battle. Not the war." Steve commented. "But I am going to need a little gratification than planting a hole in your head." With that, he crushed the pistol with his hands, much to the bemusement of the former SS officer. "You're going to fight me?" "No. I am going to beat you to death." "Ah! Americans! You wage peace with one hand, and talk war with the other!" With that, the Skull bolted at Captain America, swinging down his fists. The Captain side-stepping every last blow as they made dents within the structure of the plane. The shield came up, smacking the skull right across the face which sent him back, but caused little harm as he threw his fist back, the blow catching Captain America right across the face, a stream of spit and blood came right out as he kicked Skull in the gut, sending the HYDRA leader flying towards the plane's controls. From the outside, Erica watched as the Jormungand stopped shooting for some odd reason. Not willing to pass up the opportunity, she peppered the Neuroi with machine gun fire, striking the bridge unknowingly, tearing a massive hole in it. It seemed rather convenient when Cap happened to punch Skull at the exact time. Erica would get a grew view of someone falling right out of a plane.