Hail Hydra

The white clouds drifted lazily across the boundless blue sky.

Inside a room by the window on one of the floors of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building.

A gentle breeze entered through the open window, stirring the white curtains and making the carnations in the vase on the desk sway along with them, carrying their fragrance to every corner of the room.

On the spacious bed, a muscular man was sleeping with his eyes closed.

Numerous wires were attached to the man’s forehead, temples, and other locations. The other ends were connected to various instruments, which filled the bedside table.

"All indicators are normal. Should we wake him?"

"The time has come to test our technical capabilities. Wake him up! Winter Soldier, I’ll leave this to you!"

After that, a group of people removed all the instruments and wires and left the room together, leaving behind only another soldier in combat gear with a metal left arm.

Winter Soldier picked up a syringe and injected its contents into Captain America on the bed.

A moment later, Captain America’s eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the enthusiastic smile of his good friend, Bucky.

"Hey, Steve. Sleep well?"

Steve reached up and rubbed his still-dazed head, then waved in greeting. "Hey, Bucky. Is the war over?"

"It ended a long time ago. We lost the war, but the infiltration plan was a great success. Congratulations, Steve. You’ve become the idol of all the young people in the United States."

"What?" Steve was startled. He tried to recall what had happened, but all he felt was a sudden headache.

"Urgh…" He pressed a hand to his forehead and groaned. "My head… It hurts!"

The Hydra members monitoring the room grew tense and prepared to rush in and start fighting at any moment. Bucky also watched him nervously, ready to restrain him.

"You may have been unconscious for too long and are having a reaction to some of the drugs. Don’t fight it. Lie down and rest for a while. It’ll pass soon," Bucky soothed.

"Is that so?" Steve lay down on the bed and emptied his mind, thinking of nothing. Sure enough, the pain disappeared.

Bucky let out a long breath and said, "Steve, something went wrong with your plan. You fell into an iceberg and were unconscious for seventy years."

"What?" Steve was startled and immediately sat up again.

He looked Bucky up and down before realizing that something was wrong.

"Bucky, what happened to your arm?"

"I lost it during the fighting. But technology is incredibly advanced now. This metal arm I got is actually even stronger."

Bucky extended his left hand and repeatedly clenched it, proving to Steve that losing an arm had not affected his life.

Steve relaxed, but then he suddenly remembered Peggy Carter.

"Damn, I also promised Peggy…"

"Um… About that, Ms. Carter got married a long time ago. Her grandchildren are already grown. Do you want to go see her?"

"Uh…" Steve’s expression changed repeatedly before he finally let out a long sigh. "Forget it. I don’t want to disturb her life anymore."

Bucky sat down beside the bed and patted Steve’s shoulder sympathetically. "Don’t be sad, pal. I’ll always be by your side!"

Steve held out his hand and bumped fists with Bucky. "Thanks, pal. I’m not that fragile!"

"Haha, I thought so too. Then get up. We’ll find somewhere to have a few drinks and introduce you to some new comrades."

Steve sprang to his feet and walked out with his arm around Bucky’s shoulder.

Only then did the watchers let out a long breath and begin cheering in celebration.

"That’s great!"

"Captain America is one of us now!"

"Stryker’s hypnotic techniques really are impressive!"

"Hail Hydra!"

The world seventy years later was completely unfamiliar to Steve.

As he introduced the current international situation, Bucky led Steve to a small bar on the other side of the building and found them a place to sit.

When a group of people saw Captain America walk in, they all raised their glasses and cheered.

Bucky greeted the group familiarly while introducing them to Steve.

"This is Crossbones Brock Rumlow, a master of hand-to-hand combat… This is Agent Sitwell, who’s in charge of recruiting personnel for Hydra…"

When Steve heard the name Hydra, his brows unconsciously furrowed, and he began to feel a headache again. But Bucky gave him no time to think it through and continued introducing people.

As the name "Hydra" appeared more and more often, it became increasingly familiar to him, and the headaches gradually grew lighter.

After introducing everyone, they gathered together and began drinking.

After a few drinks, the group of men had all become close friends.

When everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves, Bucky put an arm around Steve’s shoulder and briefly explained what had happened over the years.

"After you disappeared, the organization used public opinion to turn you into a heroic figure who resisted the resistance. Now the title of Captain America has already gone down in history."

"We lost the war, so Hydra’s name couldn’t be mentioned publicly. Now our branch of Hydra has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. From the director down to the agents, most of them are our people."

"Still, there are many people who aren’t on our side. For example, the group led by Nick Fury is deeply hostile toward our Hydra. We absolutely can’t let them discover your true identity."

"Even within Hydra, we aren’t all of one mind. Although we’re all inside S.H.I.E.L.D., our interests don’t align, and conflicts break out frequently. Dr. Zola’s faction, for example, is another branch of Hydra."

At first, Steve felt somewhat dizzy and confused, but gradually, everything began to seem perfectly normal.

"Do I need to hide my identity now?" he asked hesitantly.

"No, of course not. We need your strength now."

Bucky put an arm around Steve and walked to the window. Pointing toward the countless towering buildings in the distance and the streams of people and traffic below, he said, "Do what you’re best at: rallying people. The people of the United States are lost right now. They need Hydra’s guidance."

"You mean performing onstage? You should know I’m not good at that." Steve looked troubled.

Bucky smiled and patted Steve on the back, encouraging him.

"Don’t worry. Everything has become highly professional now. A dedicated team will prepare everything for you. All you have to do is memorize your script and give a speech."

"You have to believe in yourself, Steve. You can do it!"

"Everything for Hydra!"

Steve was helpless and could only nod. "All right, I understand!"

"Hail Hydra!" Bucky shouted.

Steve hesitated for a moment. Hearing everyone behind him shouting, he could only raise his glass and call out, "Hail Hydra!"