Phase One: Captain America by Alex Irvine

Author:Alex Irvine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Media Tie-In, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Superheroes, Juvenile Fiction / Media Tie-In
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-11-03T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Colonel Phillips sat in front of his typewriter, his fingers hesitating over the keys. Taking a deep breath, he continued his note: Senator Brandt. Regret to report Cpt. Steven Rogers KIA. He stopped typing as Peggy Carter came to the door. She looked tired and sad. In her hand, she held aerial photographs of the destroyed Hydra camp. “No sign of activity,” she reported.

Phillips stared at her, his expression cold. She had disobeyed direct orders and helped Steve on his ill-fated mission. While Phillips had never really liked Steve, he didn’t think the kid should have been put in a situation like that. He wasn’t equipped to handle it—even if he had a “captain” before his name.

“We can’t touch Stark,” Phillips said after a tense moment of silence. “He’s rich, and he’s the army’s number one weapons contractor. You are neither.”

Peggy nodded. She had expected that reaction. And frankly, she didn’t care. Not anymore. Not with Steve dead. “You’ll have my resignation in the morning,” she said. She paused, as if not sure whether to go on. “With respect, sir, I don’t regret my actions. And I doubt Captain Rogers did, either.”

“What makes you think I give a damn about your opinions? I took a chance on you, Agent Carter,” Phillips said, untouched by her words. “Now America’s golden boy—and a lot of other men—are dead. Because you had a crush.”

“It wasn’t that,” she said. “It was faith.” But Colonel Phillips didn’t hear her because of a rising commotion outside. Soldiers were running by, shouting to one another excitedly. Walking to the window, Peggy and Phillips looked out. The gates to the camp were opening. And beyond them—battered and bruised but very much alive—was Captain America.

Steve and Bucky walked slowly up the road, leading the squad of rescued soldiers back to their Italian home. A ragtag group of vehicles followed farther behind, carrying the wounded and weak.

Once inside the base, Steve pushed through the growing crowd and made his way over to Phillips and Peggy. “Colonel,” he said, his tone weary, “some of these men need medical attention.” Phillips nodded and Steve went on. “I’d like to surrender myself for disciplinary action.”

The colonel looked at Steve, then at the soldiers stumbling into the camp, and then back at Steve. Despite the bruises and scratches all over his body, Steve’s eyes were alert. The events at the factory had changed him. He wasn’t the same man who had gone beyond enemy lines. He had faced real danger—and survived.

“That won’t be necessary,” Phillips finally said.

“Yes, sir,” Steve said.

Phillips turned to Peggy. “Faith, huh?”

Then he walked away, leaving Steve openmouthed with shock. He had finally proven himself to the toughest man he knew. Turning, his eyes met Peggy’s. There was a jolt of electricity, and Steve felt his heart begin to race. There was so much he wanted to say to her. But she beat him to it. “You’re late,” she stated.

He smiled. That was probably the closest he was going to get to a “welcome home” from Peggy.

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