𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 || 𝘈𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴

"OVERLORD TO COWBOY-1, WHAT'S YOUR SITREP?"

The enchanting winds of Siberia's winter hollowed out any sign of suitable life. A set of snowstorms had been sweeping across Russia in recent information. Starting near Vladivostok and not stopping anytime soon judging by the recent weather patterns. Leaving a large opening for S.H.I.E.L.D. to continue their fight with enemies that threatened the well-being of the world. People still trying to process the recent attack of the Chiatuari in New York had been leaving the planet utterly unaware of the smaller dangers occurring under their noses.

But in this large intangible snowstorm, Nova and Cooper flew in the middle of it. "Approaching target location, Overlord," Nova stated, voice strained from the wind that pushed against her and with her. Unable to make up its mind if it was her enemy or ally. "You see any time of this weather clearing? I think Cooper is going to hurl in his helmet soon."

A sarcastic laugh was heard. Turning her gaze to find her co-pilot, flying around 100 feet from her left. "Very funny, Nova," he grumbled. "Just wait till we get back to base. I'm going to kick your ass."

"Overlord to Cowboy-1 and 2, continue to target location," Fury appeared over the coms. "We'll have some nice warm hot chocolate ready for you on the jet for your exfil."

Nova smiled. "We'll be there." Her hud beeped, displaying their fast approach to their destination. "Arriving at overwatch location. Cooper, cut engine power to 25."

The pair slowly descended until they landed on a hillside. Snow hitting their frames with the howling winds muffled by their condensed helmets. Walking to the edge, Nova took a knee, snow crunching under her weight. Cooper joined her side and looked down on the village that could just barely be seen through the gusts of snow pushing past them.

Pressing a hand to the top left of her chest plate, one of the shoulder cannons activated and rose, resting just above her shoulder. "Cowboy-1 to Overlord, we have sight of the town," she announced. "Scanning for our target."

"Zeus, zoom." Cooper's order was followed with his hud giving him a closer visual of the town. Through the snowstorm, he could make a truck out front of one of the buildings. A few figures are able to be seen, but nothing actionable. "Overlord, I don't see much. This storm is scrambling my scanners. Targeting systems are useless. It'll have to be manual."

"Aleksandr is in that town, Cowboy-2," Fury stated to the pilot, tone definite. "Two agents passed through 10 minutes ago and confirmed it."

"Sir, we should confirm before making any sudden actions. Aleksandr hiding in a village just seems too out of his character," Cooper protested. "We might just be here wasting our time. If we can't confirm, then this-"

"Cowboy-2, we have only one shot at this. If we miss this, we can't be sure when he'll rise to the surface again," Fury announced. "We know he is in the village. We know his troops are with him. So, complete the mission."

The man's tone showed no room for argument. Cooper gritted his teeth, looking at Nova, who was already watching him. Although her visor hid her face, he knew that she was allowing him to make the call. "What do you want to do?" She inquired, cutting off coms with Fury for the moment.

After the battle on New York, Nova had given up taking the reigns of each op. One tip given by Steve was to allow your squad to weigh in their opinions. And so far, it hadn't failed either her or Cooper. Why give up something that was working well?

After a few moments, Cooper grunted, rising from his kneeling position. "Let's just get this over with." He activated his two missile launchers. "Don't want to get grounded because your dad's ego is so fragile."

Nova sighed, reactivating coms and allowing her reticle to focus on the two main buildings that were marked in the briefing. Shoulder packs emerged from their idle positions on her back and shifted to her shoulders. Plates covering the tiny projectiles opened, clearing a passage for said missiles. "Cowboy-1 to Overlord, readying T.G.M's. Bombs away in 3, 2, 1."

Missiles were fired from both pilots' shoulders and sent whistling through the air. Both watch the explosives travel through the gusting winds before making an impact. The explosions caused flames to appear and black clouds of smoke to blossom from both buildings. "Direct hit. Confirming target neutralized."

Both pilots hopped from the hillside and flew down. Growing closer and closer to the small village that was now up in smoke. Fires burning brightly from the buildings and the truck Cooper mentioned before. But the closer they got, the better sight they were to see what had been caused.

Landing in the centre of the village, Cooper felt his stomach turn as he heard cries and screams from inside one of the buildings. "Oh, fuck." He jogged over with Nova hot on his tail. Coming to the doorway and saw a woman covered in dust with debris in front of her. But the woman was holding the hand of a child, who was trapped beneath the rubble. And the longer they took in the destruction, the more they saw the bodies that were inside the building. From older women to kids, boys and girls. Some were injured, and some deceased.

"Holy fuck," Nova breathed placing a hand on her stomach, feeling the churning of sickness building. "Athena, give me a scan of life signs in the building."

There was a long dwindling silence from the A.I. with only Nova able to hear the screams and cries of the woman and children. Only it worsens the sick feeling in her stomach. And when Athena finally spoke, Nova had to fight the sensation of acidic bile rising in her throat.

"15 alive and 6 deceased."

"Overlord, I need immediate CASEVAC for 15 civilians," she announced frantically. "All critically wounded and in need of medical attention, pronto! Fuck! Coop- Coop, help me with this!" She ordered her co-pilot, walking to the debris and beginning to lift pieces of wood and rock off the body. But when she glanced back, she found Cooper frozen in his spot. His shaky breaths were able to be heard over the coms. His hands shook as he looked at all the bodies.

"Cooper!" The blonde snapped out of his gaze, looking at Nova who had his shoulders in a firm grip. "Help me with this," she said much softer. It took a moment, but he did. Lifting what could be moved from the debris and freeing the lifeless body for the mother to take. Sobbing and cradling the little girl that couldn't have been older than five years old.

"Is Aleksandr dead?"

That question hung in the air for a few seconds, both pilots processing it and the chaos in front of them. Both are equally on the verge of vomiting right there and then. But it took Cooper less time to step out with a deep scowl on his face, hidden beneath the helmet. "Did you not hear what Nova just told you?" He questioned. "We need CASEVAC, now!"

"We have no jurisdiction being in Siberia, Cooper," Fury responded. "This is out of our hands. All you can do is confirm if Aleksandr is K.I.A. and get out of there before any military force converges on your location."

"Are you fucking insane, Fury?" Cooper exclaimed. "These people are going to die if we don't get them some medical help. Send medics, now!"

His bickering with Fury had led Nova to back away from the first building and move to the next. Unable to stomach the mistake she made, she pushed open the door to the other building. She stepped inside the dark room and turned on her flashlight that was attached to the side of her helmet. "Holy shit!" She jumped back in fright, placing a hand on her chest when she found Aleksandr. A piece of the wooden structure pierced through his stomach, killing him instantly. Whatever else was in the room was destroyed by the explosion.

"Aleksandr is K.I.A., Overlord," she stated. "Now, you're going to send that CASEVAC now or else you'll have a lot more to deal with than Russian officials coming for you." She growled, stepping out of the building, and finding Cooper helping the women and children to one of the untouched buildings across the street.

"Nova, you and Cooper need to exfil immediately! There is no telling-"

The woman couldn't handle it anymore and ripped her helmet off. Allowing it to dangle from her fingers as she watched Cooper get all the civilians to safety in an untouched building across the street before shutting the door. He leaned against the wooden divider for a moment before ripping his helmet off and vomiting. Thankfully, the howling winds and crackling of flames blocked out the gags that fell from his lips.

Nova licked her lips, catching her bottom between her teeth as a sharp cold sensation slid down her cheek. Exhaling shakily, she bowed her head. This wasn't supposed to happen. None of this was in the briefing. The village was supposed to have been devoid of innocents, only occupied by Russian mercenaries.

It was supposed to be a kill-and-confirm mission!

Her gaze lifted to the sight of headlights approaching from the distance. Lips parting and eyes widening in shock, helmet slipping from her grasp. Rolling into the snow with the faint glimmer of headlights blasting off the helmet. "Massive fucking force," she muttered, able to hear the shouts of Russian over the winds of the storm.

Nova's lips wobbled. Why did this have to be the thing that destroyed hers and Cooper's winning streak?

That was enough to put her into high gear, reclaiming her helmet and sprinting over to Cooper. "Coop, we have to go, now!" She yelled, grabbing his shoulder and ushering him forward.

"We can't just leave them here," he protested, slapping her arm from his grasp. "There has to be something we can-"

"Jack!" Nova's harsh and loud voice made the blonde's eyes widen as she grabbed his shoulders. "There are vehicles heading this way and they're military. I know this isn't what we should do, but we have to leave."

Cooper pursed his lips, nose twitching as he looked in the direction of the vehicle approaching quickly. Cursing under his breath, he slipped his helmet on and shot into the air. Nova watched the sight of his engine's flames disappear into the distance. Back peddling as she stared at the vehicles that were just now entering the town, the Russian's voice yelling at her. Turning heel, she leapt into the air and took off.

Leaving their mess behind them with only more waiting for them back in Washington.

Landing at the Triskelion, Nova followed behind Cooper off the Quinjet. He hadn't said a word since they left the village. Fury was building in his belly and Nova didn't judge him for it. For the entire trip back, the man made his feelings known in his actions. Tossing his helmet, scratching the tough exterior and punching the walls of the Quinjet.

Natasha and Steve were there as well with the STRIKE team, their mission having been scheduled around the same time so they all got home together. But as Natasha and Steve noticed the two pilots' arrival, they were also quick to notice the scowl on their expressions.

"Bad mission, kiddos?" Rumlow called out, stepping into the pair's path.

"I suggest you back the fuck off, Rumlow," Nova spoke up, moving Cooper away. "We don't need to hear your bullshit right now."

"You didn't answer my question," he pointed out smartly. Nova had never liked the man and the entirety of the STRIKE force. All of them were some cocky assholes that could barely keep balance with how large their heads were. And when their second in command, Rumlow, decided to act like a dickhead, they all did.

But before she could bite back, the sight of Fury walking over with Maria stopped her. "Make contact with Doctor Gene on Meridian. I need to know how far along she is with Project Omega," he told Maria, earning a nod in response.

Nova uncaring of what exactly had him so enraptured, her eyes flickering to Cooper, who had also taken notice of the man's presence and didn't falter in step with walking to the Director. Then came the chaos.

And before she could stop him, Cooper punched Fury in the face. Fury stumbled back a few steps, holding his jaw and broken bottom lip that began to leak blood. "You piece of shit!" Cooper yelled, about to attack again, but was restrained by Nova and Steve, who were quick to run over. "You made me kill children, you fuck! I'm going to fucking kill you!"

Steve forced the man away as Nova stood by and watched her friend be escorted away. Looking at Fury, who held his jaw as Maria muttered quietly to him. "You happy with the results?" She asked, walking over to the man. Shoving her helmet into his chest, she smiled fakely. "I hope this is easier to clean than the blood on your hands." Bumping shoulders with the man, Nova made her way out, ignoring the calls of her name by her boss.