The second helicarrier loomed above the Triskelion like a descending god of war. Its matte-black armor gleamed as it pierced the smoke-filled sky, blotting out the sun. Its underside split open with mechanical finality, revealing the barrel-lined depths of its precision-targeting systems. The whine of charging plasma cannons escalated into a deafening crescendo, drowning out even the blaring alarms below.
Steve shielded his face from the gale-force winds sweeping through the shattered ceiling. Debris swirled like shrapnel around him—chunks of concrete, sparks from torn wires, the twisted remnants of overhead structures. The pressure in the air grew heavier with each passing second. He could see inside the open belly of the vessel—rows of targeting arrays aligning with cold, mechanical precision.
He activated his comm. "Status! I need a shutdown, now!"
Monroe's voice crackled back, thick with static and urgency. "Tower Three's offline! Bucky's close—Tower Two hasn't confirmed!"
Steve didn't wait.
He turned and ran.
The tower shook beneath his feet. He leapt over a collapsed bulkhead, narrowly dodging falling steel beams as explosions echoed above. A flaming pipe burst overhead, showering him with embers. The corridor was barely holding.
Smoke thickened, blinding and bitter. Sparks burst from shredded power conduits along the wall. He reached the junction where all three tower conduits met, boots skidding as he rounded the corner.
Gunfire erupted from the eastern corridor.
Steve didn't hesitate.
He charged toward it.
Ahead, Bucky was pinned behind a wall of support girders, exchanging fire with a dozen HYDRA soldiers entrenched near Tower Two's control entrance. Muzzle flashes lit the smoke in stuttering pulses. Bullets pinged and sparked off the metal around Bucky, keeping him trapped.
Steve slid in beside him, shield raised. "Glad you could join me," Bucky muttered, reloading with gritted teeth.
Steve gave a tight nod. "Let's finish it."
With unspoken synchronicity, they moved.
Steve stepped out first, his shield deflecting the barrage of bullets as he advanced. Each impact was a thunderclap against the vibranium. The gunfire focused on him—just as planned.
Bucky darted low and wide, disappearing into the smoke. He reappeared moments later at a flanking angle and hurled a grenade overhead.
The detonation was immediate—a wall of thick smoke poured across the corridor, cutting visibility.
Together, they advanced.
Steve threw his shield into the enemy line, sending several HYDRA soldiers flying. He rushed in behind it, fists flying. Bucky vaulted over a scorched barricade, firing short, controlled bursts to keep the rest suppressed.
Within seconds, the corridor fell silent.
They reached the blast door—just as it began to close.
"Go!" Steve shouted.
Bucky dove, his boots skimming the floor as he slid beneath the narrowing gap.
The door slammed shut between them.
"Bucky!" Steve pounded on the metal, but there was no time.
Inside, Bucky hit the ground and rolled to his feet. The control room was smaller than expected, its interior flashing red.
Two guards stood at the far end. They opened fire.
Bucky zigzagged through the chaos. Bullets tore past him. He reached the first attacker, slammed his shoulder into the man's chest, and disarmed him in one move. A twist and a sweep sent the second crashing to the ground.
He didn't wait.
He raced to the console.
ACCESS DENIED.
The override lever blinked red—unresponsive.
His metal arm sparked. A tremor ran through it.
Then a pulse.
His vision flickered—something new activated.
[SYSTEM UPGRADE: 98% → 100%]
[SHADOW STRIKE: LEVEL II UNLOCKED]
Power surged through him. His arm didn't just feel strong—it felt alive. His instincts sharpened.
He clenched his hand. Shadows flickered along the lines in his metal skin. Energy pulsed up through his shoulder.
With a roar, he punched through the emergency lock. Steel gave way like paper.
He reached inside, found the main rod, and twisted.
The terminal flashed.
OVERRIDE ACCEPTED.
TOWER TWO: SHUTDOWN CONFIRMED.
Outside, Steve's comm buzzed.
Monroe's voice came through, triumphant. "All three towers confirmed. Shutdown complete. Firing sequence canceled."
Steve's body relaxed. His shoulders sagged.
Then the tower rumbled.
Above him, the ceiling cracked.
A groan of bending steel echoed through the shaft.
Steve looked up.
A massive slab of concrete and steel—ripped loose by the earlier explosions—plummeted toward the blast door.
He stepped back instinctively, eyes wide.
End of Chapter 109
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