January 11th, 2014

Later, I was deleting the CapWatch on my phone. As good as it was, a dedicated program for finding Cap wasn't useful anymore. And without my supercomputer, I couldn't turn in into something new, so, bye bye CapWatch. You have served me well.

Sam came in with a pot of coffee. “Oh thank god,” I said, walking over to join him at his dinner table. “I'm running at fumes at this point.”

“Yeah, you all look like you had a hell of a day,” Sam noted with a look at me, then at the hallway where Cap and Natasha had gone. “What exactly is going on?”

I shrugged, watching as Sam set out some creamer and sugar, bringing some cups to him. “I'm honestly just the guy who shoved myself into the mess. I wanted to help Captain America, then they're trying to kill me. But here's what I know, and what Cap and Nat told me on the way here...”

I gave Sam the low down. Project INSIGHT, Fury dying, SHIELD attacking Cap, SHIELD attacking me, the stuff we'd found out from Arnim Zola, and finally the x-shaped device I'd made from Arnim's parts.

“So that little thing has all the info you need?” Sam asked. He was scrambling some eggs now and had some toast set aside.

“Yep, as far as we know,” I took another sip of coffee.

“By the way, do you know me somehow?” Sam asked. I sipped my coffee again. “I mean, you seemed to recognize my name.”

I didn't speak for a moment, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah. SHIELD had a file on you. They said you were a good soldier. I didn't dig through anything, but apparently, they were planning to recruit you one day.”

Sam froze for a moment. He looked up. “And if SHIELD is HYDRA-”

“Not all of it,” I corrected him. “Black Widow isn't. There's a whole lot of people there who are probably just trying to help people and have no idea they were even infiltrated by HYDRA at all.. But yeah. If SHIELD knew about you, HYDRA might too.”

“That's mildly terrifying,” Sam put the eggs he'd cooked onto a plate.

“I think the world got terrifying the moment I woke up in a New York City that had aliens and superhumans as part of the day to day,” I admitted. “Compared to that, all this espionage stuff is almost normal. At least we know HYDRA is a threat made by normal men. Normal, racist men.”

Sam, a black man, and me, an Arab man, shared a glance. “Can't believe we're dealing with Nazi's,” Sam mumbled.

“Hey they came back, and Captain America came with them,” we shared a grin at that. “I want to kick some HYDRA ass. I'm just wondering what we need to do to get it done. I mean, all I knew about Project Insight was that they had three big old helicarriers with repulsor technology installed.”

“Sounds like you can do a lot of damage with those,” Sam said. He put the eggs and toast on the table, and I thanked him as I got some. “I'm gonna go get those two.”

He walked back to where Steve and Natasha were, and I continued to eat. The group entered shortly. Natasha gave me a look, eyeing the Omnitrix, but didn't say anything. I decided that was progress. Steve sat next to me, while Natasha took a spot nearby to lean against a wall. Sam took some toast and started buttering it, sitting down with us.

“So what do we do?” I asked the two superheroes.

“Have you gone through the information that you took from Zola?” Natasha asked me.

I shook my head. “I may have a genius on my wrist, but I'm not skilled in espionage or military tactics. I wanted to wait.”

I reached for my device and tapped the top of it. “X-Device, wake up.”

The glass and steel creation buzzed for a moment before projecting a holographic screen facing me and Cap.

“Whoa,” Sam looked at the hologram, ignoring the toast in his hand.

“How is that possible?” Natasha asked, as stunned as Sam. “Arnim Zola wasn't made of any tech to make holograms.”

“Doesn't matter,” I said. “Jury Rigg doesn't see technology based on what it is. When he tears things apart, it gives him insight into what is possible. He's like a guy who breaks apart a Lego house so he can see the pieces, then makes something new.”

“I'm not going to question it,” Steve said. “Show us what you've got.”

Funnily enough, he actually didn't seem too worried. I suppose his experience with sudden new tech was more flexible after being frozen in the ice.

“X-Device, what do you got on Project Insight?” I asked.

“One moment, sir,” Natasha flinched when the device spoke.

“Wait, is it alive?” She stepped forward, staring at the X-Device.

“No, I am not ma'am,” The voice was very country, the sort you'd hear in Texas. I'd wanted a voice based on something American, seeing as we were fighting Nazi's. “Mahmoud made me as an interface to access my files.”

“He's just a basic virtual intelligence,” I explained. “He can simulate responses and reactions, but beyond that, he's not a real person. No offense meant, X.”

“None to be taken sir,” He responded.

“That means you killed Zola?” Steve asked me.

I scoffed. “No. He wasn't AI. He wasn't even a brain upload. Damn close but... true AI and brain uploads can develop. They can come up with new ideas, process emotion, learn, even do stupid things. Zola wasn't alive. He was just a recording. A tape that could spit out the responses on cue. He was stuck in time, no soul, no true intelligence.

“That is correct sir,” X said. “At most, he was a lesser version of myself. Ah, I have the files.” X said, displaying the files on the holographic screen in front of us. I lifted a hand up to flip through them by 'pressing' my fingers to the screen and moving them.

“Let's see, Project Insight,” I brought up files of various blueprints. I threw those over to Natasha, who blinked when the X-Device created a second screen for her. “Here are the blueprints for the helicarriers. But Zola said it required an algorithm. What for?”

“Fury said that the goal was to kill terrorists before they could strike,” Steve sounded a bit disgusted. “Maybe HYDRA wanted to do something with that?”

“Hm, no,” Natasha flipped through the blueprints I'd sent her, zooming in to look at the various hallways. “It can't be just a plot to kill terrorists. The way Zola spoke, it was as though this was some sort of endgame. We have the algorithm, and we have the information Zola had. Um, X?” Natasha said hesitantly.

A southern accent replied. “Yes ma'am?”

“Is there anything in your files on what the algorithm was supposed to do?”

“No ma'am. It was made to predict things on a massive scale, using the internet, stored footage, medical records, social media, actual media, and various other sources.” X replied. “Zola believed that you could predict the course of a man's life by following these trends. But there is no record of what HYDRA itself was going to do with it.”

“Well, that's convenient,” Natasha said with a sarcastic grumble.

"It makes sense though, right? Zola made the algorithm so it makes sense he would have that in his brain, but I doubt Hydra put all their plans in an outdated location that wasn't even guarded." I stated before asking, “So what now?”

“Well, someone launched that domestic missile at us,” Natasha closed her screen, tossing it to me. “Who in SHIELD can do that?”

“Pierce,” Steve leaned back in his chair, looking annoyed.

“Alexander Pierce,” X said. “Head of HYDRA, and one of their highest officials. He would often visit Zola for advice.”

“Well, right now he's in one of the most secure buildings in the world,” Natasha said.

“Not a problem,” I raised the Omnitrix. “I can just smash my way in and grab him. But then, I don't know who is HYDRA in the building and who isn't. X, do you have a list?”

“One moment... I have select personal, but many of Hydra's operatives are hidden and I'm sure that Zola's information base was heavily outdated. The various leaders do not trust each other to share a full list of soldiers and Zola was 'technically' a defunct asset beyond his algorithm.”

“But it's a good start,” Steve leaned forward. “Who in HYDRA worked under Pierce?”

“Jasper Sitwell,” We all looked at Natasha. “He was on the Lemurian Star. Where I first stole Zola's algorithm.”

“He is on my list of subordinates. Apparently, his son is currently going to HYDRA Preparatory Academy.”

We turned to look at X. “Uh,” I looked around. “HYDRA has an academy... for kids...”

Steve let out an explosive breath, running a hand down his face. “Okay, focus. We need to kidnap Sitwell, find out what the algorithm is for. So the question is, how do the two most wanted people in Washington and their shapeshifting friend kidnap a SHIELD officer in broad daylight?”

Sam got up, drawing our attention. He went into the kitchen and threw a folder on the table. “Answer is; you don't.”

Steve looked down at the folder Sam had dropped. “What's this?”

“Call it a resume,” Sam said confidently.

I leaned over to stare at the photo. Sam was there, a little younger than he was now, wearing a tight suit. A man stood next to him wearing the same suit, both holding goggles in their hands. Natasha picked up the photo, looking at it closely.

“Is this Bakhmala?” Natasha asked. Sam nodded. “The Khalid Khandil mission, that was you,” she gave Steve a glance. “You didn't say he was a para-rescue.”

Steve was focused on something else as he took the photo. His eyes were on the other guy standing next to Sam. He looked up at Sam.

“Is this Riley?”

Sam nodded. “Yeah.”

Sam and Steve seemed to pass something between each other with that look. I didn't comment on it. Natasha spoke once again.

“I heard they couldn't bring in the choppers because of the RPGs. What did you use, a stealth chute?”

“No,” Sam stepped forward, picking the folder up to hand to Steve. “These.”

Steve took the folder, opening it. I grinned at what was inside. I'd guessed, but it was still cool to see the truth.

Steve seemed amused. “I thought you said you were a pilot.”

Sam grinned. “I never said pilot.”

Steve looked down at the folder. After a thoughtful pause, he shook his head. “I can't ask you to do this, Sam. You got out for a good reason.”

“Dude, Captain America needs my help. There's no better reason to get back in,” Sam said firmly.

Steve and Natasha gave me a look. I held up my hands. “Hey, he didn't hear it from me. When Captain America needs help, people want to help him.”

Steve looked between me and Sam, and he seemed overwhelmed for a moment. After a while, he nodded. “Okay. Where do we get these things?”

“The last one is at Fort Meade, behind three guarded gates and a twelve-inch steel wall.”

Steve and Natasha shared a look. She shrugged. Steve looked back at Sam. “Shouldn't be a problem.”

He threw a folder onto the table. On it, several words were emblazoned. EXO-7 Falcon.

“I guess I'm gonna need to make another radar jammer,” I said before turning to Steve. “And you need to make a phone call.”

“Wait,” Steve interrupted, already guessing what I was getting at. “I don't think that's necessary.”

“...They'll want in on this,” I said to Steve. “I mean, the stuff you're dealing with? At least let them know you're okay man.”

“I,” Steve looked at Natasha. She smirked. “I have no secure way to contact them-”

My answer was to throw my smartphone to him. He caught it out of the air easily. “That's my phone.

It's undetectable by anything short of actual magic. You can call anyone on the planet, and not worry about people listening in.”

Steve stared at me, at a loss for words. I shrugged. “They're your friends, right? I'd want to know my friends are safe.”

“He's right,” Natasha said. “Plus... we might want to call them to help later.”

“I don't want to drag anyone else into this,” Steve protested.

“I'm not sure what's going on,” Sam said, drawing our attention. “But if the people you want to call are friends... If Riley was alive, and he didn't ask me for help with something this big, I would never forgive him.”

Steve looked around. After a moment, he sighed and walked to the other room. “Fine. I'll make the call.”

------

A while later, I was sitting in a room with Natasha and Steve, waiting for Sam to do his part of the plan. He was looking over the city from a nearby window. Natasha, on the other hand, was asking me questions.

“So you say you're from Oakland?” She asked pointedly.

“Born there,” I answered. “Raised in different cities in California, then spent part of my life in Oregon before I came here.”

“Where you got the Omnitrix?” Black Widow asked.

“Yep.”

“Who gave it to you?”

“No idea.”

She raised an eyebrow at that. “None?”

“Well, some,” I admitted. “But I have no idea for sure.”

“So someone gave you, a random nobody by your own admission, alien technology programmed with the ability to turn you into beings like Diamondhead, and you have no idea why?” Natasha asked skeptically.

“None,” I looked at her. Her gaze was neutral. I sighed. “Yeah, I know it's suspicious. I'm just doing the best I can with the tools I've been given.”

Just then, the elevator down the hall opened. Natasha gave me a look. “You ready?”

“Yep,” I answered easily. The three of us went over the elevator. Inside stood Sam and another man.

Older than us, with a bald head, skin a shade darker than mine, wearing glasses, slightly overweight. He also looked scared as hell and about to piss himself.

He stared at us as Sam shoved him forward. I grinned.

This was going to be fun.

-----

Steve threw the guy, Sitwell, through the door to the rooftop as Natasha and I followed. Sitwell fell, rolled back, and got up almost tripping over his feet as Steve followed him. I circled around, and the three of us strode towards the man. I stared at him, feeling my anger fill me. HYDRA. This guy was one of the people who had tried to kill me. Things were feeling pretty personal about now.

Steve didn't waste time. “Tell me about Zola's algorithm.”

Sitwell took fast steps back, trying to stay calm. “Never heard of it.”

“What were you doing on the Lemurian Star?”

“I was throwing up, I get seasick.”

We got to the edge of the roof, and Steve grabbed Sitwell's suit, pulling him close so they were face-to-face. It was tense for a moment. Then Sitwell smiled. “Is this little display meant to insinuate that you're gonna throw me off the roof? Because it's really not your style, Rogers.”

Steve eyed Sitwell. After a moment, Steve smiled back, stepping away. “No, it's not. Luckily, I've got people for that.”

I pressed the Omnitrix. Instantly, orange fur sprouted across my form, and my eyes faded away. I got down on all fours and roared, a snarling bestial cry of rage and joy all in one.

“OH MY GOD!” Sitwell squealed.

“I know right?” Natasha stepped forward, a rush of sweet scent and beautiful sound moving along the rooftop to step past me. “And that's not even your immediate problem.” With a smooth move, she slammed her foot into Sitwell's chest as he freaked out at the sight of my Wildmutt form.

“WAAAAaaaaaaaaa....”

As Sitwell's voice faded in the distance, Natasha looked over at Steve, snapping her fingers. “Oh, wait, what about that girl in the science division, Diana...”

“Debbie!” Steve replied, looking down at the falling form of Sitwell. “With the blue stripe in her hair?”

“Yeah!” Natasha said happily. “She's cute, right?”

“Yeah, I'm not ready for that.”

I let out a bark, a small chuff, trying to sound disapproving.

“I know,” Natasha said, sounding as disappointed as I did.

Steve didn't know what to think of that.

Suddenly, in a burst of noise, Sam rocketed past us on his winged jetpack.

A winged jetpack, man. With big gray wings, graceful flight, and cool rockets. How freaking awesome was Sam?

Sitwell was in his left hand, still screaming in fear. Sam went over us, dropping Sitwell onto the rooftop. As soon as Sitwell dropped, I rushed him. Sitwell screamed anew, trying to escape, but I landed on his back, twisting him so he was facing up at my snarling jaws. I bit down in front of his nose, and sucked in the sweet scent of fear.

“OH GOD!” Sitwell screamed in horror. I drooled on his face. He screamed louder. “Please, get him off!”

"Think we forgot to mention that in this form he likes the taste of people." Widow happily added, which only made Sitwell whimper in fear.

I laughed, a growling noise filling the air.

“Kid!” Steve barked as they came closer. I stepped away immediately, letting Sitwell rise.

“Zola's algorithm is a program!” Sitwell said hurriedly, trying to back away from Sam, Natasha, me, and any other monsters hiding nearby. “For choosing Insight's targets!”

“We got that part,” Natasha said wryly. As she walked by me, she ran a hand along my head, getting a pleased growl as she scratched my head. “Who are the targets?”

“All of you!” Sitwell looked around, trying to breath, flinching whenever he laid eyes on me. “A TV anchor in Cairo, the Undersecretary of Defense, a high school valedictorian in Iowa city. Bruce Banner, Stephen Strange, anyone who's a threat to HYDRA! Now, or in the future.”

I stopped growling.

Anyone. Anyone. Even a baby could eventually grow to have a rebellious hatred of HYDRA. What if he developed that as a child when he saw his parents were killed? Would Project Insight decide he was a risk? Hell, anyone could decide HYDRA was evil. Peter Parker. Matt Murdock. Jessica Jones. The people of Wakanda. If any of them decided to rise against HYDRA, HYDRA would attack. And once they did...

I slapped my Omnitrix symbol. In a snarl, I rose to my feet as a human, ignoring Natasha backing away hurriedly from where she'd been petting me. “How many people!?”

Sitwell stared at me.

“HOW MANY!?”

“Millions!” Sitwell looked around at us. “The Insight Helicarriers will kill millions.”

------

We were in Sam's car later, driving at high speed towards the Triskelion, the headquarters of SHIELD. I was sitting in the back on the left of Sitwell, behind Sam, while Natasha sat behind Steve on Sitwell's right.

“So we're going to sneak in there and shut it down?” I asked.

“That's the plan,” Steve said grimly.

“Well, Project Insight is launching in 20 hours, we should be able to get it done in time,” Natasha noted, leaning forward to speak to Steve and Sam.

“I know, but let's make it fast anyways,” Steve said. “We'll use him to bypass the DNA scans and get to the helicarriers, then we can have Jury Rigg or Diamondhead stop them from flying.”

“What!?” I winced when Sitwell yelled in my ear. “Are you kidding me!? That is a terrible, terrible id-”

A massive impact hit the roof. Then a robot hand shattered the back window, grabbed Sitwell, and threw him screaming from the car.

“Holy shit!” I yelled, shocked. I could see Sitwell fly twenty feet before slamming into a car, rolling to a stop only to get run over. “Damn!”

“Move!”

Natasha grabbed me and pulled me from my seat as a bullet slammed into the cushion. I let her move me, following her lead, and she forced me into the front seat with Steve, where we crammed ourselves in as awkwardly together as possible.

“How did he even get on the car!?” I yelled in shock.

Natasha shot at the roof as the guy on it fired back. Steve reached over Natasha to slam the parking brakes on as Sam drove, and we came to an abrupt stop. A man came flying off the roof, rolled along the pavement, then got to a kneeling stance and slammed his fingers into the concrete, coming to a stop. His robotic arm glinted in the light, and I stared. “Winter Soldier.”

He rose to his feet. His face was covered in a mask and goggles. But I knew Bucky Barnes rested beneath that mask.

I reached for the Omnitrix. Natasha raised her gun.

And a car slammed into us from behind. For a moment, Natasha's elbow was in my stomach as we were thrown around by the impact, and I hurriedly pushed myself into the back seat. Our car was forced forward at high speed towards the Winter Soldier. He leaped over and onto the car with another loud 'thump'. Sam tried to put on the brakes, but we were getting pushed by the car behind us even so.

“Put on the gas!” I yelled.

Sam punched it. Behind me I could see Winter Soldier's feet as he hopped from the roof to the hood of the truck. The truck came around as Sam sped down the road, and I cursed when my body was slid from side to side all over the place. The truck slammed into the car once more, and we were sent into the guardrail. There was a horrific moment where I was airborne. I reached for the Omnitrix. Steve, Natasha, and Sam flew out of the car.

I had a brief moment where Natasha and I shared a horrified glance.

And then I was alone as the car flipped through the air.