Chapter 10: Into the Lion’s Den

Above the Austrian Alps – Nightfall

The moon cast a cold glow over the snow-covered mountains as a transport plane soared through the night sky. Inside, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The Howling Commandos checked their gear, while Steve and Alex Rogers stood near the open bay doors, gazing at the approaching Hydra base.

The facility, nestled within the mountain range, was heavily fortified. Guard towers, searchlights, and rows of Hydra soldiers patrolling the perimeter made one thing clear—this wouldn't be easy.

Alex adjusted the straps of his gear, exhaling sharply. "Looks like a real fun place," he muttered.

Dum Dum Dugan grinned. "Bet they've got the best hospitality too."

"Focus," Steve said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "We go in quiet, take out the outer guards, and move fast. We're getting those prisoners out."

At the mention of prisoners, Alex's jaw tightened.

They had received intel that Hydra was holding over a dozen captured Allied soldiers, but the one name that had caught their attention was Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes.

Bucky.

The last time they had seen him, he was being deployed on a mission behind enemy lines. Then, weeks of silence. Now, they knew why—Hydra had taken him.

Alex pushed down the frustration bubbling inside him. Now wasn't the time to get emotional.

Colonel Phillips' voice crackled through their radios. "You boys ready?"

Steve nodded. "We're ready."

Phillips didn't hesitate. "Then jump."

Without hesitation, Steve leaped first, followed closely by Alex and the Howling Commandos.

The wind howled around them as they free-fell toward the snowy terrain below. Alex kept his body steady, adjusting his descent with precision, his enhanced reflexes guiding him effortlessly.

Great Sage's passive analysis fed him constant data.

> [Wind Speed: 24 mph. Adjust landing trajectory.]

He shifted slightly, avoiding a rough landing. In moments, his boots hit the snow, and he rolled into a crouch.

The others landed just as smoothly. Steve signaled them forward, and they moved swiftly toward the base.

---

Infiltrating the Hydra Facility

The first Hydra guard barely had time to react before Alex silenced him with a swift strike. The team advanced like ghosts, eliminating enemies before alarms could be raised.

Inside, the base was even larger than expected. Steel corridors stretched deep into the mountain, and Hydra's insignia was plastered on every wall.

Steve took point, leading them through dimly lit hallways. The mission was running smoothly—until the inevitable happened.

An alarm blared.

Hydra soldiers rushed into the corridors, rifles raised.

"Guess we're doing this the loud way," Dugan muttered, cocking his weapon.

The air erupted with gunfire.

Alex moved fast, weaving through enemy fire with inhuman agility. He wasn't just dodging—he was calculating.

> [Enemy weak points detected. Neutralizing threats.]

He struck down two Hydra agents before they could react, disarming a third and knocking him unconscious. The Howling Commandos were right behind him, cutting through the opposition.

Steve was a force of nature,The battle was fierce, but they weren't here to fight—they were here to rescue.

Alex spotted a reinforced door at the end of the hall. "That has to be the holding area!"

"On it!" Morita rushed to the control panel, working fast to override the lock. The metal door slid open, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with caged prisoners.

And at the very back, a familiar figure sat slumped against the wall.

"Bucky!" Steve's voice was filled with relief as he rushed forward.

Bucky Barnes lifted his head, blinking groggily. His face was pale, his uniform tattered, but he was alive.

"...Steve?" His voice was hoarse, filled with disbelief.

Alex exhaled sharply, stepping in beside his brother. "You look like hell, Buck."

Bucky gave a weak chuckle. "You two finally decided to show up, huh?"

Alex smirked. "Well, we like to make an entrance."

The reunion was short-lived. More Hydra soldiers flooded the corridors, forcing them into another fight.

"Time to move!" Steve shouted.

With Bucky and the other prisoners freed, they pushed their way back toward the surface.

---

Encounter with the Red Skull

As they reached the exit, a deep, chilling voice echoed through the facility.

"You truly are persistent, Captain Rogers."

Alex's instincts flared as he turned—standing atop a balcony was Johann Schmidt.

The Red Skull.

Steve's eyes narrowed. "Schmidt."

Schmidt smirked, stepping forward. "Impressive work, breaking into my facility. But I wonder—" He reached for his collar and removed the mask concealing his true face.

The red, skeletal visage of the Red Skull was revealed.

Some of the prisoners recoiled in shock. Even the Howling Commandos stiffened at the sight.

"You truly believe you are the peak of human evolution?" Red Skull continued. "You are nothing more than a failed experiment."

Alex tightened his grip on his weapon. He already knew the Red Skull's game—trying to get under Steve's skin.

Steve, however, didn't rise to the bait. "You talk too much."

Schmidt chuckled. "Perhaps. But no matter. Hydra will rise far beyond what your small minds can comprehend."

With that, he turned and activated a self-destruct sequence.

The walls trembled as explosions rocked the base.

"He's getting away!" Steve started to chase, but Alex grabbed his arm.

"Forget him! The base is coming down!"

Steve hesitated, frustration evident—but he nodded.

Together, they rushed out as the facility collapsed behind them.

---

They emerged into the cold night, explosions lighting up the mountain behind them. The mission was a success. The prisoners were rescued, and Hydra's base was gone.

As the Howling Commandos regrouped, Bucky sat down on a rock, still catching his breath.

"Not bad for a rescue mission," he said, smirking.

Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "We're not done yet."

Alex exhaled, glancing back at the destruction. This was only the beginning.

Hydra wasn't defeated.

But tonight? They had won.