Chapter 10: The Price of Power

Alex awoke in his bunk at the edge of the Howling Commandos' makeshift base, drenched in cold sweat. The dreams had come again—visions of swirling blue light and a voice he couldn't quite understand, whispering just out of reach. His hands trembled as he sat up, and the faintest blue glow flickered along his fingertips before vanishing. He clenched his fists, his breath shaky as he tried to steady himself.

"What's happening to me?" he muttered under his breath.

The effects of the Tesseract's energy were growing stronger, more unpredictable. It wasn't just the dreams. Objects around him seemed to react to his emotions. The previous night, a simple flare of frustration had caused his water glass to hover mid-air before shattering into shards. Worse yet, Alex had begun noticing faint tears in reality—small, shimmering slashes of energy that closed almost as quickly as they opened.

He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep this a secret.

---

Concern and Resistance

Peggy Carter wasn't one to let things slide, especially when it involved the safety of her team. Over breakfast, her sharp eyes never left Alex. She had seen the way his hands shook, the way he avoided direct contact with anyone.

"You're not fooling anyone, Alex," Peggy said, her voice quiet but firm. "Something's wrong, and you need to let us help."

Steve Rogers, seated beside her, nodded in agreement. "We've all seen what you're capable of, Alex, but this isn't just about strength anymore. If the Tesseract's energy is affecting you…"

Alex interrupted, his tone sharper than he intended. "I'm fine, Steve. Really. I don't need to be poked and prodded like some science experiment."

Peggy crossed her arms, unfazed. "You might not have a choice. If what's happening to you puts the rest of us at risk, we need to know now."

"I said I'm fine!" Alex snapped, the room falling silent as the air around him seemed to hum faintly. His outburst caused a nearby coffee pot to rattle violently before toppling over.

Steve raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Alex, we're on your side. Just… talk to us."

But Alex was already on his feet, shaking his head. "I need some air," he muttered before storming out of the mess hall.

---

Erskine's Notes and Hydra's Return

Back in the Commandos' briefing room, Peggy and Steve poured over the latest intel alongside Howard Stark. Dr. Erskine's journals had been uncovered in a Hydra bunker a week earlier, and the notes painted a grim picture of the Tesseract's potential effects on human physiology.

"It's all theoretical," Howard explained, "but if Erskine's right, prolonged exposure to the Tesseract's energy could start to… rewrite someone. Physically, mentally. Maybe even open up connections to other dimensions."

Steve frowned. "And you think that's happening to Alex?"

Howard shrugged, but the worry on his face was evident. "I think the guy's got more energy running through him than his body was ever meant to handle. If it doesn't find a way out… well, let's just say we could have bigger problems than Hydra."

Peggy's voice was cold. "Speaking of Hydra, what do we know about their regrouping?"

The team's intelligence officer stepped forward, unfurling a map. "Hydra's forces are rallying under a new leader—Baron Zemo. He's fanatical, like Schmidt, but more strategic. Their priority seems to be retrieving the Tesseract, and they know Alex is connected to it."

The room fell silent as the implication hung in the air. Alex wasn't just part of their team anymore—he was a target.

---

The Raid on Hydra

The mission came quickly—a Hydra facility deep in the Alps was reportedly housing advanced weaponry and data on Zemo's plans. The Howling Commandos moved swiftly under the cover of darkness, slipping past guards and security checkpoints.

Alex kept to himself, his mind racing. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was a liability. Every step closer to the facility felt like a step closer to disaster.

Inside the base, the team split up, planting explosives and collecting intelligence. Alex worked alongside Steve, his unease growing as they moved deeper into the compound.

It all fell apart when an alarm blared, Hydra soldiers pouring into the corridors. Steve immediately raised his shield, barking orders to the team. "Fall back to the extraction point!"

Alex hesitated, his powers buzzing just beneath the surface. He could feel the energy begging to be released, but he was terrified of what might happen if he lost control.

"Alex, move!" Steve shouted, snapping him out of his trance.

The firefight intensified as the Commandos tried to retreat. A grenade rolled into their path, and Steve instinctively threw himself in front of it, but before it could explode, Alex's powers surged.

Time seemed to slow as a wave of blue energy erupted from Alex, catching the grenade mid-air and suspending it in a glowing field. The explosion was contained within the energy, but the force of the blast sent Hydra soldiers and Commandos alike flying.

The walls of the facility groaned as the energy spread, creating cracks and small rifts that flickered ominously.

---

Unintended Consequences

When the dust settled, the Hydra soldiers were either incapacitated or retreating, but the damage to the facility was catastrophic. Fires raged, and sections of the building began to collapse.

Steve hauled himself to his feet, staring at Alex in shock. "What the hell was that?"

Alex didn't answer, his hands trembling as he looked around at the destruction he had caused.

Dum Dum Dugan's voice cut through the chaos. "I'll tell you what that was—damn dangerous. He's a walking time bomb, Steve!"

"Enough!" Steve barked, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Peggy stepped forward, her tone measured but firm. "Alex, we need to talk about this. Whatever's happening to you, it's getting worse. You can't keep ignoring it."

"I didn't mean to… I just wanted to protect you all," Alex said weakly, the glow around him fading.

Steve placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "We know, but you're not in this alone. Let us help you before it's too late."

---

The Team's Growing Fear

Back at the base, the Howling Commandos gathered in the debriefing room. The raid had been a success in terms of intelligence gathered, but the team's morale was shaken.

Dum Dum slammed his fist on the table. "He's not just a danger to Hydra—he's a danger to us! What happens the next time he loses control?"

Peggy shot him a glare. "And what do you suggest we do, Dugan? Turn our backs on him?"

"I'm saying we need to think about the bigger picture. If Hydra gets their hands on him, or worse, if he goes rogue…"

Steve cut him off. "Alex isn't the enemy. He's one of us, and we're going to figure this out together."

---

Alex's Isolation

Outside, Alex stood alone under the night sky, staring at his hands. The faint glow of the Tesseract's energy was still there, a constant reminder of the power he couldn't control.

He thought of the Howling Commandos—of Steve's unwavering support, Peggy's sharp determination, and even Dum Dum's distrust.

"I'm not a monster," Alex whispered, as if trying to convince himself.

But deep down, he wasn't so sure anymore.

---

Closing Scene

Far away, in a hidden Hydra facility, Baron Zemo stood before a group of scientists, his expression cold and calculating.

"Alex Carter has become more than just a nuisance," Zemo said, his voice dripping with disdain. "He is the key to unlocking the Tesseract's full potential. And I will see to it that he either joins us… or is destroyed."

Zemo turned to a massive device humming with ominous energy. "Prepare the extraction device. It's time to bring the Tesseract back where it belongs."

The camera pans to the glowing machine, its energy eerily similar to the power coursing through Alex.

To be continued...