Chapter 6: Baptism by Fire

Hydra Facility – Somewhere in Austria, 1943

The icy wind cut through the darkened forest as Alex crouched beside Steve, his breath steady despite the frigid air. The Howling Commandos were spread out behind them, their weapons ready. In the distance, the ominous glow of the Hydra base cast eerie shadows across the trees.

Peggy knelt beside Alex, her pistol holstered but ready. "Scouts say they have at least two dozen guards on the perimeter, maybe more inside."

Steve adjusted his gear. "How do we get in?"

Alex's mind was already working.

[Analyzing terrain… Hydra patrols cycle every 7 minutes. Weak point detected: South fence. Probability of success: 83%.]

'Sage, any risks?'

[Two sniper nests. One heavy gun emplacement. Suggested approach: Eliminate snipers first.]

Alex turned to Steve. "South fence has a gap between patrols, but there are two snipers covering it. We take them out first, we have a clear shot inside."

Steve nodded. "Bucky, Morita, take the snipers."

Bucky smirked. "Leave it to me."

A minute later, the first shot whispered through the air. A faint thud followed as the first sniper dropped.

Morita fired next. Another body fell.

Alex exhaled. "We're clear. Move in."

The team sprinted toward the fence, keeping low. Dugan and Falsworth cut the wire silently, and one by one, they slipped through.

Alex took point, his muscles tensed as they reached the first building.

Then—a voice.

"Halt!"

A Hydra guard rounded the corner, rifle raised.

Alex moved before he could think.

His hand snapped forward, grabbing the soldier's weapon and twisting it hard. The guard barely had time to react before Alex drove a fist into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. One last strike to the neck, and the man crumpled.

Peggy raised an eyebrow. "Efficient."

Alex smirked. "I aim to impress."

Steve shook his head. "Focus."

They pressed on.

---

Inside the Hydra Base

The corridors were dimly lit, the sound of machinery humming through the air. The scent of oil and metal filled Alex's nose.

[Enemy count: 12 in the next hall. Armament: Automatic rifles. Suggested approach: Flashbang, then engage.]

Alex held up a hand. "Twelve hostiles ahead. I'll take point with Steve—Dugan, you and the rest cover us."

Dugan grinned. "Now you're speaking my language."

Steve pulled a flash grenade from his belt, nodded once, and tossed it.

Boom.

The white light erupted, and Alex was already moving.

His first strike hit a Hydra soldier square in the jaw, sending him flying into a crate. Another swung a rifle at him, but Alex ducked, grabbed the man's arm, and twisted—the bone snapped.

Steve slammed his shield into two guards, sending them sprawling.

Bucky fired from the back, covering their flank.

Peggy, moving with deadly precision, dropped three men in quick succession.

Within seconds, the hall was clear.

Alex exhaled, his knuckles sore but satisfied.

[Mission progress: 37% complete. Next threat: Reinforcements incoming.]

Alex turned. "We need to move. More are coming."

Peggy reloaded. "Then let's not waste time."

---

The Heart of the Base

They reached a large control room, filled with glowing Hydra insignias and machinery.

And in the center of it all—a scientist in a lab coat.

Alex tensed. This man wasn't just some technician. He looked important.

Steve stepped forward. "Who are you?"

The man smirked. "Dr. Schneider. You are too late, Captain Rogers."

Alex narrowed his eyes. "Too late for what?"

Schneider chuckled. "Hydra always plans ahead."

Then—he pressed a button.

Alarms blared.

[Warning: Facility lockdown. Hostiles inbound—40 soldiers approaching.]

Alex cursed. "We've got company!"

Steve turned to the Howling Commandos. "Hold the line!"

Peggy grabbed Alex's arm. "We need to take out the control panel, now!"

Alex nodded. "On it."

The fight wasn't over yet.

Hydra Facility – Control Room

The alarm's shrill wail echoed through the metal walls, drowning out even the distant thunder of approaching footsteps. Forty Hydra soldiers. Armed. Trained. Closing in fast.

Alex exhaled slowly.

'Sage, you're up.'

[Activating Combat Mode.]

The world shifted.

Every sound became sharper. Every movement slowed—not for real, but in his mind.

Enemies. Distances. Trajectories. Everything.

He moved.

Machine-Like Precision

The first wave of Hydra soldiers burst through the entrance, rifles raised.

Before they could fire—Alex was already among them.

His body reacted before thought, each motion perfectly calculated.

He sidestepped the first burst of gunfire. The soldier hadn't even finished pulling the trigger when Alex's palm slammed into his throat—crushing his windpipe.

One down.

A bayonet came for his ribs. Too slow.

He twisted, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and dislocated it in a single fluid motion. The man screamed—only for Alex's elbow to drive into his jaw, knocking him out cold.

Two down.

More soldiers flooded in. Useless.

Alex's footwork shifted—effortless, lethal.

He ducked under a rifle butt, grabbed a knife from a fallen guard, and spun it in his grip. The next soldier didn't even realize he was dead before the blade sank into his heart.

Three down.

Another fired.

Alex's body moved—precise, efficient, merciless.

He grabbed the corpse before it hit the floor and used it as a human shield.

The bullets struck flesh. Not his.

He dropped the body, lunged forward, and drove his fist into the shooter's sternum. Bones cracked.

Four down.

The Howling Commandos had barely gotten a shot off.

Dugan gaped. "What in the hell—"

Bucky was mid-swing, fist crashing into a Hydra soldier, when he caught sight of Alex tearing through the enemy ranks. "Jesus, Al!"

Steve had seen Alex fight before. But not like this.

This wasn't just skill.

This was inhuman.

Peggy reloaded, her sharp eyes locked on Alex as he flowed from one enemy to the next—a blur of precise, ruthless destruction.

She'd fought alongside many soldiers. But this?

This was something else.

Total Annihilation

A Hydra officer shouted. "Kill him! Kill him now!"

Too late.

Alex moved through them like a ghost.

A gun was raised—he snapped the wrist before the shot could fire.

A soldier charged with a knife—Alex side-stepped and slammed his knee into the man's skull.

Another aimed a rifle—Alex yanked the barrel down, forcing the shot into the floor before smashing the butt of his stolen gun into the attacker's face.

Ten down. Fifteen. Twenty.

Numbers didn't matter.

They were too slow. Too predictable.

Too human.

And Alex?

He wasn't.

End of Combat Mode

[Threat neutralized. Exiting Combat Mode.]

Alex straightened, his breathing steady.

The control room was silent.

Bodies littered the floor. Blood pooled beneath them. The remaining Hydra soldiers? Unconscious. Dead. Broken.

Steve's shield was still raised—but there was no one left to fight.

The Howling Commandos stared.

Bucky let out a low whistle. "Well, damn."

Dugan blinked. "What the hell was that?"

Peggy's grip on her pistol tightened. "That wasn't just skill."

Steve lowered his shield, eyes locked on Alex. "What was that, Al?"

Alex exhaled. "Just... efficiency."

Silence.

Then—Colonel Phillips' voice crackled over the radio.

"Rogers, report!"

Steve still looked shaken, but he clicked the radio. "Base secured, sir."

A beat of hesitation.

Then, Phillips grunted. "Good. Now get the hell out of there before more of them show up."

Alex smirked.

He was back in control.

Mission complete.