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[COLOR=00aeef][indent][sub][I]20,000 ft. over the Pacific Ocean[/I] - [I]Present Day[/I][/sub][sup][right]Issue 1.04.2: Allied[/right][/sup][/indent][sub][hr][/sub][INDENT][sub][B]Interaction(s):[/B] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][b]Previously:[/b] [I] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4904230]Issue 1.04.1: South of the Border[/url][/I][/right][/SUP][/indent][/color]

Steve shook his head. [color=00aeef]”This is clearly a trap.”[/color] He stood on one side of the mirrored glass, while Phineas Mason sat at a metal table in a high-tech detention room. In the corner were the appropriate bathroom facilities and a bed. Standing next to Steve and also monitoring Mason was Nick Fury, who had his arms folded.

Fury simply shrugged. [color=purple]”Possibly. But this is the only lead we have, Captain. And he wants to talk to you specifically.”[/color]

Steve Rogers sighed and entered into the detainment cell. Phineas gave a small smile to Steve upon entering, and Rogers took the seat across from Mason. [color=00aeef]”Let’s keep this simple, Mason. Where is Rina Patel?”[/color]

Phineas pursed his lips for a moment, seeming to weigh the options for a moment. [color=lime]”I will explain... but first I want a deal.”[/color]

Rogers shook his head. [color=00aeef]”You really think we’re going to give you a deal, ‘Tinkerer?’ This isn’t a negotiation.”[/color]

Mason nodded his head for a moment. [color=lime]”I didn’t want to help them. One moment, I was in an SUV with a few SHIELD agents. Next thing I know, we’re upside down and everyone was dead. I was pulled into a different van, and I was given an ultimatum: build whatever they want or they would kill everyone I cared about.”[/color]

Rogers leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. [color=00aeef]”Do you really expect me to believe that you care about anyone?”[/color]

[color=lime]”Even I have family, and I’m sure you understand how I can be of use to you. Who do you think made your outfit and gear? Who do you think can get you Zemo?”[/color]

Cap tilted his head slightly, leaning forward. [color=00aeef]”Zemo died in forty-five the same day I went in the ice. You’re going to have to do better than that.”[/color]

Phineas gave a small smile. [color=lime]”Zemo had a son. And then a grandson.”[/color] Steve remained silent, so the Tinkerer continued. [color=lime]”Helmut has had me working on something that can undo everything you did in forty-five.”[/color]

[color=00aeef]”I’m not here for games. What are you talking about, Mason?”[/color]

The Tinkerer waited a moment for dramatic effect. [color=lime]”HYDRA wants to use one of your former agents to stop you and the other heroes from winning your little war.”[/color]

Steve rolled his eyes and stood up, walking out of the room to leave Phineas alone. He entered back into the observation  room, where Fury was standing there waiting. [color=purple]”What do you think, Rogers?”[/color]

Cap shook his head while standing at attention while watching Mason through the glass. [color=00aeef]”Well, sir, he’s a known criminal and liar. He’s responsible for the deaths of our agents, and he’s been working for HYDRA.”[/color] Cap stopped for a moment, hesitating before he continued on. [color=00aeef]”That being said, Romanoff stated that he was compliant and seemed to be waiting for us to find him. And my gut says he’s telling the truth.”[/color]

Fury gave a nod. [color=purple]”Then we pretend to make a deal with him. We give him his old job back for now until we get Patel and take down Zemo. Afterwards, we can throw him in a cell.”[/color]

Fury turned to quickly exit the observation room, but Steve stepped aside and held up a hand to stop his CO. [color=00aeef]”As much as I think he deserves it, if Mason is telling the truth, then he deserves a legally binding agreement. He seemed to be just as much of a victim as our agents, and since when did we start throwing human dignity out the door?”[/color]

Fury tilted his head slightly in disbelief. [color=purple]”Have you lost your damn mind, Captain Rogers? Let me remind you that I’m the motherfucker who gave the order to recover your frozen ass. Yet, ever since you joined this team you’ve questioned every decision I’ve made, Rogers. You’re on thin ice, Rogers. If you so much as think about subordination in this matter again I will personally make sure we drop you back in the ocean again so you can be someone’s else’s problem seventy years from now.”[/color] Colonel Fury stormed past Captain Rogers, leaving the veteran to watch Mason nervously fidgeting in the other room. Steve sighed and entered back into the detention room.