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QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

"Damaged people are dangerous.
They know they can survive."
—Unknown
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Location: Washington, D.C.

February 8, 2014

"BREAKING News! It's just in that Senator Alan Brooks was declared officially dead as of 6:45 p.m. yesterday. The only connection to the felony was some hotel guests complaining of hearing loud cracking noises." A T.V. News Anchor announced as he turned to the viewers.

"Officials have yet to declare whether who was the suspect and responsible for his murder. And on upcoming news, will talk about the opening of Captain America's Monument that will take place in less than a week. Stay tuned for more info—."

A SHIELD agent turned off the radio as she walked to an occupied crime scene before her eyes. Other agents were chattering around the crime scene, as they were trying to find as of any clue as to who murdered the US Senator. However, many of their conclusions came with dead-ends.

"What happened here?" The same female agent asked as she analyzed the aftermath of Senator Brooks' slaughter. It was quite gruesome but it wasn't the first time this has happened before. In fact, the attacks appeared after the Battle of New York in 2012, and it has occurred randomly across the world.

Amid rumors, many believe that an underground organization is creating some sort of propaganda to everyone around the globe. However, the US Government dismissed this as a mere coincidence about the killings of important government figures around the world. SHIELD took this warning as a precaution of sending their elite agents around the world to collect any information of their arch-enemy HYDRA.

So far, they collected some files on their secret facility base and some incidents from the past years. Mostly containing information about a discreet academy in the United States, some HYDRA targets, and recruits that could potentially be perfect candidates of an experiment. And just recently, SHIELD grasped their hands with the file of the Winter Soldier and a new identity known as Phantom.

"It seems that he was bleeding out alive. But, you see here," A male investigator refers to the bloody head wound, as he concluded, "The gun wound was what killed him instantly."

The female agent then inspected the tattered suit as the blood stains led to his left arm that was exposed by some type of injury. She inched closer as her eyes flickered to the slit that exposed the tissue and even the humerus bone.

"What's this?" She questioned, as she lifted the Senator's left arm as a reference. The Senator's arm had a vain practically popping out of its place, where a trail of dried crimson blood was stained.

"It appears to be a stab to the Brachial Artery... whoever this person is, they knew how to make their victims suffer."

"And why is that?" The brunette agent known as Maria Hill faced the investigator.

"Because at the right angle anyone can bleed out in less than 30 seconds." The man nodded, walking away to collect some more blood samples. Another person wrapped the senator in a plastic bag, covering his body before collecting the gun bullet located from his head.

She asked no more as she walked away, her attention was towards the blonde agent that was having a conversation with other agents. The blonde woman was known as Sharon Carter, Agent 13.

"Anything?" Sharon shook her head, as she bid goodbye to her colleagues. She then ushered Maria to follow her before saying, "The surveillance cameras were offline around the time of the attack."

"Suspects?" Hill added, wondering why there was absolutely no lead on the murder. Usually, it would be associated with the infamous Winter Soldier. However, what stood out like a sore thumb was that this assassin was a ghost.

"None, they all have solid alibi's. His wife and youngest son were at the Davis Planetarium, and his eldest son explained that he was asleep and could only make out his father's voice." Agent 13 sighed softly, before remembering about her missing possession that occurred last night.

"Agent Hill, I also want to say that last night I seem to lose my wallet, I have a feeling that someone is trying to find out about SHIELD's involvement with the Senator."

Maria quirked her eyebrows from interest as she asked the next question. "Where was it last time you last saw it?"

"I always have it inside my jacket pocket, so there was no possibility that anyone could reach in without letting me know. And I wasn't with anyone last night ever since I retrieved the files..." Sharon then came to the realization that she, in fact, came across someone after her brief meeting with Brooks.

"Agent Carter?" Hill examined Agent 13's facial features.

"Unless it was the teenager from the elevator last night. Excuse me, Agent Hill I'll have to scan the videos from another point of view." As Sharon headed inside the building, once again surveying the footage, this time for a different perspective.

"Well, anything?" The infamous Black Widow requested the Deputy Director of SHIELD.

Maria nodded as she explained to Natasha Romanoff everything that occurred and came to the conclusion that this was no accident. The former assassin listened intensively not once interrupting the Deputy Director.

"Romanoff, I believe that someone is trying to keep an identity a secret." Hill explained discreetly, as Natasha turned to face the Deputy Director.

"Is that why whoever it was had to assassinate the Senator, because he had valuable information?" Hill nodded, as Natasha continued, "For it can potentially expose HYDRA's plans for over many decades."

"Agent 13 shared some information on HYDRA's new recruit, after extracting the file from him." Hill nodded, as one of the SHIELD agents handed the file towards her. "Here's everything you would need to know, Agent Romanoff."

Natasha studied the items of the file inside, the file itself had a decent amount of documents of the subject. Romanoff stared at the image shown clipped onto the file, a young girl no older than 15 years staring blankly at the camera.

"Activation?"

"Two years, there's the list of her assignments. Agent, I want to advise you that she's classified as a level 13 threat." This sparked Natasha's interest on the young teenager, the highest threat possible is a level 15. Heck, even Natasha herself was a level 10, therefore with this new revelation caused the agent to investigate more on the HYDRA teenager.

"Occupation?"

"International Assassin, was experimented on at the age of 4. Rumored to inject a serum that grant her superhuman abilities, the only survivor of the serum."

"So basically like Steve?" Natasha interjected.

"In other words... yes. Inside there's another file, containing everything you need to know about the Winter Soldier." Maria Hill whispered the last two words, as Natasha's senses heightened from the name being mentioned. They both nodded in mutual agreement after the brief explanation they parted ways as Hill continued to investigate and not wanting to leave anything behind.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ🕷: *.☽ .* :🔪 ﾟ. ───

HYDRA Research Base

Location: Sokovia, Europe

February 10, 2014

"AGAIN."

Aurora attacked at her much larger opponent as she swiftly grabbed her obsidian dagger as an attempt to stab him in the head. Yet, he held a grip onto her wrist, before using his other hand to punch her in the abdomen, causing her to cough out some air. Aurora backed away, as she moaned softly, grunting from the pain spreading from her gut. Nonetheless, her sparring partner walked towards her, yet she inflicted pain into his mind as he grunted in anger.

The man stopped as he gripped his head tightly, wanting to get rid of the pain penetrating his mind, as he began to shake violently. Aurora didn't want to do that to her best friend as she lessened the pain, yet the effect was minimal towards him.

"нет сил," A HYDRA general demanded her.

She simply glared at the general before lifting herself up. She used the distraction as an advantage for she lifted her legs into a butterfly kick, thus targeting his head and neck successfully. Her opponent went down as she swiftly pressed her dagger against his throat, still his left arm crushed her shoulder blade as she reluctantly let go of the dagger. She screamed from frustration, as she felt her left thigh being punctured by his dagger.

'Shit! I have to keep going,' Aurora thought to herself, as she tried to the best of her ability to ignore the pain penetrating her leg. He charged at her, yet because of her enhanced senses she stepped away and flipped him onto the ground. Although he was much bigger and stronger than her, she used the momentum to use it against him, thus giving him the disadvantage.

He once again immediately stand back up, his icy blue eyes flickering onto Aurora's hazel-green eyes. Neither took the first move, as they analyzed their targets. Daring one another to make the first move. After a few moments, Aurora decided to sprint towards him as he twirled his own obsidian dagger before lifting over his shoulder.

I could do this.

No, I need to do this.

She smirked as the young teenager did a full front twist flip, going over him as she landed on her feet expertly. She kneed down looking at her sparring partner's back. She jumped off the ground as she wrapped herself onto his body. She hit his head as she twirled around, causing him to turn as well. Therefore, she flipped both of them onto the ground, herself on top of him.

He pushed her away roughly, Aurora already knowing that she'll have bruises later on. She tumbled back before doing a backflip. Her hair blocked her vision, as she swatted it out, she then glared at him. The man twisted her arm harshly as she yelped in pain, she didn't want to give in, not yet.

Just breathe.

Hit. Block. Strike. Repeat.

She thrust her legs up wrapping onto his neck, she squeezed some pressure onto his throat, trying his hardest to let her go. Her opponent punched her ribs as she squeezed even tighter on his throat.

Aurora let loose, as she decided to punch the man onto his throat, as she stepped away before she twirled around doing a reverse roundhouse kick. His body tumbled down, as she circled around him, almost like she's the predator and he's the prey.

He stood still for a few moments, Aurora took action, as she walked over gripping his brunette hair lifting his head upwards. He then buttheaded her nose as she felt a trickle of blood flowing down from her nose. She wiped it out as she motioned him to attack her, and that's what he did. Aurora tried to kick him, still he managed to grip her throat as he lifted her off the ground, her feet were dangling and her airflow was losing oxygen.

I cannot lose now.

Just breathe.

I am better than this; I will prevail.

The teenager started to suffocate as she glanced down at her partner, his gaze didn't waver as he tightened her throat. She tried to move, so she did the one thing that works every time. She kicked him in the groin. At first he didn't react to the kick, so she grabbed her dagger hidden inside her sleeve as she slashed his flesh arm.

Aurora then dragged her obsidian dagger to his wrist as she felt his grip loosens. Aurora smirked proudly as she twisted his left unharmed arm, even with the inhuman strength his arm possesses she managed to disable it, thus as she decided to make a comeback.  

With his injured arm as a distraction the brunette punched his face a couple of times before she could finally felt her knuckles begin to bruise. She managed to make him fall to his knees with the amount of punches he has received, even if he tried to prevent the injury. Using her enhanced combat, she busted his lip as she kneed him in the face, that's when he fell with barely any consciousness.

She forced herself back up as the brunette huffed heavily, trying to control her breathing as she turned to her superiors. They all held an emotionless expression plastering their faces as they stared down at the young girl.

"Спасибо за вашу демонстрацию. Вы хорошо справились, агент Хантер." A female general spoke in Russian, as Aurora nodded her head before helping her friend. She noticed the damage she caused as she channeled her energy onto him as she saw his injuries healing rapidly before she smiled.

"Cпасибо, маленькая звезда." The man spoke softly as he lifted himself up, before ruffling the teenager's hair. She rolled her eyes, as they walked out of the private training room.

The mysterious man himself stood proudly at 5 feet 11 inches, which compared to Aurora she was petite towards the soldier. His sharp features were framed by his shaggy brunette hair, and what stood out the most from his facial features were his icy blue irises. His lean yet strong defined body made it seem like he had been molded from vibranium. However, even with his captivating looks that made him look human, his left prosthetic arm made him weirdly even more irresistible with his flirtatious charm.

"нет проблем, белый волк." Aurora answered as she dragged her friend away from wondering eyes. Everyone knew that those two were the elite death duo and with their bond, that made them even stronger. Although he rescued her when Aurora was a mere 3-year-old, the Soldier knew that he would do everything in his power to protect her. And Aurora will do anything for him too, no matter at what cost.

Something inside him stirred when he laid eyes on the little girl as if he knew her or her relatives, even though his conscience was wiped out, he felt the urge inside him that this was wrong. He couldn't recognize the feeling, yet he knew better that HYDRA was going to manipulate the young girl's mind, having her to altogether believe in something for the greater good.

Even if their time was limited, they did everything they can to use the time wisely. Eventually, Aurora was called to report to Strucker's office, she said nothing as she glanced over her shoulder and she smiled softly. Aurora gave the man a quick hug, as he didn't register what just happen. Even, if his icy blue eyes were stone-cold, his barely noticeable smile told a different story.

She then sighed gently, her eyes gazing at every direction and movements, her senses on edged. Her feet pounded against the concrete floor, lights flickering as she strolled down the dark corridor. She only went to Strucker's office twice, and that was when she was rescued by HYDRA and the other was her graduation.

"Fifth door to the left." Aurora uttered in remembrance of her past.

Her self-confidence wavered as she turned to the corner, her insecurity caused the lights to flicker uncontrollably. She tried to calm herself down, she had to control herself. Aurora breathed heavily as she glanced up at the ceiling, it slowly stopped flickering as she felt the electricity swirling inside her.

The young teenager gathered enough courage to give the door three raps, as per instructed. Her knuckles ached of the slightest pain, that occurred from today's earlier match. She gripped her knuckles tight, hoping in her mind that she did not fail her superiors from her assignments from previous weeks.

"заходи."

Aurora dare look inside to see two distinct people there; Baron Strucker and Brock Rumlow. The teenager's eyes never wavered as she stared at Rumlow, and neither did his with hers. It was something taught at HYDRA; to learn the act of confidence, to never be the first one to look away. If said did, it would demonstrate as a sign of weakness and being expendable. And Aurora Hunter was not expendable.

After a few moments, he finally turned his gaze away as he nodded at Strucker. As a sign of mutual agreement. The scientist folded his arms as he leaned forward to the desk; adjusting the papers of Aurora's file in front of him. "You've been progressing well, Aurora. Completing every assignment without hesitation."

Aurora knew that. She wasn't an imbecile, she was known to be intelligent for a reason. Nonetheless, she knew that it wasn't meant to be a compliment, rather it was just informative. "Thank you."

Strucker shrugged the gesture towards the side; as he cleared his throat once, twice. Although, Aurora officially didn't met the man, but she knew that he was quite flustered with something important. His left eye twitched with anticipation, his right foot rapidly tapping onto the concrete floor.

She eyed him as she remembered that it was the same man that was responsible for experimenting on the Maximoff twins. Rumlow, on the other hand, had a more collected and calm demeanor. Crossing his arms over his chest, a small smirk evident on his lips.

"Agent Hunter, there's an opportunity available for an important assignment, and... you've been called the best choice." Strucker started. Aurora quirked her left eyebrow, a curious and equally confused expression on her features.

"I'm afraid I don't understand with this so-called opportunity."

This time however, Rumlow spoke in a calm voice that personally Aurora thought it wasn't meant for him. "Over the course of two years, you've proven yourself how valuable you are to HYDRA. Your progress as a field agent and an assassin shows how dedicated and loyal you are. HYDRA needs someone like you, ambitious and power-hungry who wishes to prove themselves to others. Thus, you were one of the few people to come in mind— well, certain minds." 

Aurora masked her face into an emotionless void, as she was trained to do. Her eyes dare not give away anything as she felt her insides churn with such mixed emotions of confusion, determination, and nervous excitement.

"And I'm assuming that the Winter Soldier was your first option?" The teenager announced confidently. The male scientist nodded, as he answered, "Yes, however he will have an assignment in relation to yours."

"Understood. What do you need me to do?" Aurora questioned as she clenched and unclenched her sore hand.

"It's a rather urgent mission that relates someone of great importance... Steve Rogers and Nick Fury."

Aurora gave thought to the name he just mentioned, she discreetly noticed Rumlow twitch slightly at the names. She narrowed her eyes as Aurora have heard stories that her partner once was friends with Steve Rogers, who was internationally known as Captain America. And for Nick Fury, she has heard some HYDRA agents mention that he's the Director of SHIELD.

"Why does it concern me? Does America's righteous man need some protecting?" The teenager smirked sarcastically.

"No Agent Hunter, they need to be monitored so that you and White Wolf—."

"Hey! I'm the only one allowed to say that!" She hissed at her superior, yet he simply sway it off.

"And the Winter Soldier will make sure that he doesn't meddle with HYDRA association with SHIELD, Most importantly, so that he doesn't go rogue."

"Rogue?"

Rumlow then continued, "You just have to make sure that you inform the Солдат, so you pinpoint the locations for both subjects."

"And?" Aurora knew that there was some more information both men were not telling her, she concentrated at the scientist, narrowing her eyes.

"And you have to make sure no one meddles with HYDRA's plan for world domination."

Aurora smirked at the moment, before asking, "Because it has to do with the involvement with Project Insight?"

Rumlow quickly glared at the girl as he asked dangerously low, "How do you know that?"

Aurora rolled her eyes at their ignorance of keeping secrets from her, therefore she made up a quick lie. "It was one of the files the Senator had."

Strucker eyed the assassin, yet her face was kept neutral from emotions. "You will personate under a new identity when you go to Washington. You will now be known as Olivia Gray, and everything else you would need to know is inside this file."

Aurora reached forward to grab the file, yet Rumlow took it from Strucker's grip. "Not so fast, Agent Hunter. Do you accept this mission."

They both knew the answer, it was clear how her lips curved into a soft smile. Her eyes sparkled with a glint of ambition and cunningness, as her thoughts run insanely inside her mind.

"I accept," As she snatched the file from Rumlow, she scanned her new identity and everything else she needed to know about her next mission.

"One last thing Agent, you have eight weeks to complete this mission along with the Солдат. If you both fail to complete this mission, we have no choice but to... well you will find out in two months." Strucker spoke with high authority, as Aurora nodded in understanding.

The teenager was used to death threats, she has always been ever since she joined- or at least was rescued- by HYDRA. But, how Strucker spoke and that Rumlow simply nodded in confirmation, proved that this was to the next level threat. Sudden chills coursed through her spine, her fingers twitching with anticipation of action and accomplishment.

She needed to prove herself that she was more than capable of being an assassin. She needed to prove it to HYDRA, and to everyone else.

"Is that clear?" Rumlow questioned the assassin. Aurora nodded softly as she spoke clearly. "Crystal clear."

"Good, you will be leaving in 24 hours, packing everything you need. Rumlow, already reserved a place for you to stay for the meantime. Here's your communicator if Pierce will ever want to communicate with you about SHIELD. That's all Agent, you may go." Aurora stiffly stood tall, her petite frame ached from earlier match, but no matter if she was having the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Hail HYDRA!" She saluted clearly, her loyalty will only lie to HYDRA. Aurora eyed both men as she strolled through the door, ready to complete her next mission.

If there are any Russian words that are either completely wrong or out of context, please let me know to fix the grammatical error. I therefore apologize; I don't speak the language well, so must of the Russian words are coming from translation sites.

нет сил — No powers.

Спасибо за вашу демонстрацию. Вы хорошо справились, агент Хантер. — Thank you for your demonstration. You did well, Agent Hunter.

Cпасибо, маленькая звезда. — Thanks, little star.

нет проблем, белый волк. — No problem, white wolf.

Солдат. — Soldier