Chapter 545

"They’re getting ready to move."

The moment Killian gave the order, the entire estate sprang into motion.

Several Jeeps were already waiting in the courtyard, along with a medium-sized truck carrying a shipping container. Their doors stood open, ready to receive the people and equipment being brought out of the mansion.

Hidden in the roadside brush, Captain America and Peggy Carter immediately understood what was happening.

"Perfect."

Steve had already changed into his combat uniform. He pulled his mask into place and watched the convoy prepare to depart.

"This makes our job easier."

Experience had taught him that ambushing a group while it was moving was far easier than assaulting a fortified position.

Peggy suddenly spotted another group emerging from the mansion.

"Look. That’s the Mandarin."

Several guards were hurrying the robed man toward one of the waiting Jeeps.

Tony Stark was brought out next.

The guards carried him on the metal-framed bed he’d been restrained to.

"Hey, fellas!"

Tony called out as they carried him toward the truck.

"Could you be a little gentler? It’ll make it easier for me to be gentle when I beat the hell out of you later."

"Shut up!"

One of the guards snapped.

They carried Tony to the back of the truck.

"One, two, three!"

They heaved.

Tony was tossed inside like an oversized package.

"Wait! Just wait!"

Tony shouted from inside.

"I swear, I’m going to beat you so badly you’ll spend the rest of your life in a hospital!"

Steve spotted him and couldn’t help smiling.

"Looks like our nephew made it out too."

Peggy glanced at him.

"Oh, Steve. Technically, Tony is my nephew."

She smiled sweetly.

"But if you want him to call you Uncle Steve, that’s going to depend on how well you perform."

Steve gave an awkward little cough.

"Right."

He looked toward the courtyard.

Everyone was getting into the vehicles.

"Time to move."

Steve knew exactly when to strike.

Guards were generally most alert while loading cargo and during the middle of an escort. But there were two moments when their attention naturally dipped: when a convoy first started moving and when it was approaching its destination.

This was the first.

Peggy drew her gunblade, Havoc, and aimed at the lead vehicle.

The occupants were heavily armed guards.

Their deaths would cause no complications.

The instant the lead vehicle cleared the estate’s gates, Peggy pulled the trigger.

A muffled report sounded.

Brilliant green flames erupted across the vehicle.

The car became engulfed in fire.

Not one of its occupants climbed out.

They had died almost instantly.

Peggy lowered Havoc with satisfaction.

"Your turn."

"Got it."

Steve bent down and picked up a brick.

He twisted his torso, planted his feet, and hurled it toward the last vehicle with enough force to qualify as a weapon.

The brick wasn’t nearly as impressive-looking as Peggy’s weapon.

It worked just fine.

It smashed through the windshield and struck the driver directly in the head.

The driver’s body jerked.

Whether he’d been knocked unconscious or killed, Steve had no idea.

Either way, his foot slammed down on the accelerator.

The vehicle lurched forward.

With the lead vehicle destroyed and the rear vehicle out of control, the convoy was effectively trapped.

Before the guards could understand what was happening, Steve and Peggy burst from their hiding place.

"Blade Throw!"

"Shield of Justice!"

Peggy hurled her axe.

Steve launched his shield.

The six guards who had barely stepped out of their vehicles before the ambush began were immediately knocked flat.

Both weapons curved through the air and returned to their owners.

Steve and Peggy vaulted over the vehicles and attacked the guards on the opposite side.

The fight lasted seconds.

Two super-soldiers against ordinary armed men was never going to be a fair contest.

Steve threw one of the guards aside and glanced at Peggy.

"I’ve discovered another advantage to living in the modern era."

"What?"

Peggy wiped the blood from her axe against the coat of a fallen guard.

Steve shook his head.

"Criminals today are much easier to ambush than Hydra troops used to be."

Peggy nodded.

"That certainly is an improvement."

She walked to the back of the truck.

With one sharp pull, she snapped the chain securing the doors.

They flew open.

Two guards inside immediately opened fire.

Peggy casually swung her axe.

The blade deflected their shots.

Then she threw it.

Both men clutched their throats as blood sprayed between their fingers.

They collapsed.

Tony cautiously raised his head and peeked outside to see who had rescued him.

The moment he saw Peggy, his mouth twitched.

"Oh, shit."

He immediately lowered his head again.

Please don’t let her be the one who rescued me.

Peggy climbed into the truck.

She smiled down at him.

"What was that, Tony?"

"Hmm?"

Tony gave her an innocent grin.

"I said thank you."

He swallowed.

"Really. Thank you so much."

"Hmph."

Peggy snapped the handcuffs securing him to the bed.

"I’m dealing with you when we get back."

Tony’s heart sank.

That sounded considerably worse than being kidnapped.

"Now," Peggy said, "let’s go meet the Mandarin."

She helped Tony down from the truck, and the three of them approached the Jeep containing the supposed terrorist mastermind.

Peggy opened the door.

What she found inside was deeply disappointing.

Based on everything they knew, someone like the Mandarin should have been sitting upright with an imposing expression, radiating menace while desperately maintaining the last scraps of his dignity.

Instead, the man inside looked like he was trying to disappear into his own lap.

Peggy grabbed him and hauled him out.

"Ah!"

He flailed wildly.

Then he realized who was holding him.

His panic vanished.

His eyes lit up.

"Captain America!"

He practically squealed.

"It’s really Captain America! You’re my idol!"

He clasped his hands together excitedly.

"Seriously! You’re only second in my heart to Manchester United!"

Steve stared at him.

Then he slowly turned toward Tony.

"This is... the Mandarin?"

Tony shrugged.

"It’s all a conspiracy. There is no Mandarin. He’s just an actor."

Steve looked back at the man.

The revelation was almost surreal.

The United States had been terrorized by a fictional villain played by an actor who apparently worshipped Captain America.

It was difficult to imagine a stranger outcome.

The man suddenly extended both hands.

"Trevor Slattery. That’s my real name. It’s an honor to meet you."

Steve covered his face with one hand.

His country had been fooled by an actor.

An actor.

He lowered his hand and gave Trevor an exhausted look.

"Slattery?"

He paused.

"Can you talk to snakes?"

Trevor considered the question with complete sincerity.

"If they’re not poisonous, I can probably pretend to have a conversation with one."

Steve stared at him.

Peggy sighed.

Tony quietly looked away.

For once, nobody had anything to add.

...