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[b][center][color=527CAD]CAPTAIN AMERICA[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=527CAD][I]WINTER 2022[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=527CAD][b]DISCOVERY OF THE CENTURY[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][indent][sub][COLOR=527CAD]NORWEGIAN SEA[/color][/sub][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][indent][color=87a4c7]Onboard the research vessel [i]Axel Boeck[/i], scientists from the University of Tromsø were preparing for another day of marine research on the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea. More specifically, they examined the recent warmth spike to see if the ecosystem structure had already been affected. Getting ready for another day of research was somewhat of a routine for the scientists. Lene Saugstad, a graduate from the same university sponsoring the voyage, was responsible for scanning the seabed with sonar. It was a tedious task that barely made use of her talents (and degree) obtained from university; still, it was essential to the overall research. But that meant she didn't have to dive into that cold water.

Lene stared at the computer monitors for a couple of hours from any out-of-the-ordinary readings. Then, she caught a glimpse of distinctive peaks in the middle of the predominantly flat seafloor. It was noteworthy considering that the sonar didn't pick anything else abnormal in its scans. But, of course, that meant a straightforward argument with the captain and other crewmates to rescan the area with the side-scan sonar. That lasted for a half-hour until the captain agreed to turn the vessel around for another scan. Finally, the towfish was prepared and cast out into the icy sea, where it descended for a bit until it reached one hundred meters above the seafloor. 

Almost everyone gathered around Lene as images of the detailed seafloor began emerging on the monitors. Then, they all saw it: a torn-off plane wing lying on the seafloor. Further ahead was the entire plane, still in excellent condition despite being underwater for decades. Even the faded iron cross on one of the wings was still somewhat visible. But when the towfish reached the cockpit, it caught something unimaginable that defiled scientific reason. The entirety of the aircraft's front view had been completely frozen, preventing it from corroding in the seawater. And sitting in one of the cockpit seats was a man still gripping the control wheel and bearing a star on his chest. 

That was when Lene knew that she had stumbled upon the discovery of the century.

[i]Axel Boeck[/i] made contact with the Norwegian Coast Guard shortly after the remarkable find. Efforts to salve the sunken plane commenced once the United States Navy offered assistance in the salvage operation upon learning that there were remains onboard. It was challenging to prevent the details from appearing on the news. But the unexplained arrival of a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier No. 64 made the headlines of every news outlet on the planet. Millions watched the live feeds to see what emerged from the frigid sea at the end of the day. By the following day, the salvage crew was done with securing the aircraft for lift up from the seafloor. And after waiting an additional day for clean weather, the operation was ready to start.

Three marine cranes were utilized to ensure that the aircraft remained entirely in one piece. And to carefully place it, the helicarrier was going to be used as a landing pad. The lifting began at noon with routine inspections to ensure that the plane was stable. Finally, after four hours of intense uplifting, it emerged out of the sea with no concerns noted by the salvage crew. Shortly after the sun started going down on the horizon, efforts to place the aircraft on the helicarrier's flight deck started. Then suddenly, the wire rope holding onto the cockpit began failing before breaking from stress. The front broke away from the rest of the bomber as it smashed against the hard surface. No one on the deck was harmed by the incident.

It took a few minutes before someone from the salvage crew approached the cockpit to inspect its current state. But before examining it, the person noticed that the drop and the sunlight's warmth managed to thaw enough ice that the preserved human remains broke away from the cockpit itself. His hands were still frozen into the chair and the control wheel itself; however, it made it easier to extract the corpse without any more potential damage. Then, when they were about to leave to report on the situation, the crewmate saw something bizarre from the corner of their eye. That was when they saw the corpse's hand move for a brief second after being freed from the icy casket. Their exclaim caught everyone's attention.

The rest of the salvage crew ran over towards their crewmate, not realizing what they were about to witness. Then, soon after, a crowd formed around the bomber, eager to capture a glimpse of the frozen person. Many of them didn't know what to make of it and couldn't even comprehend such a feat. But then, Colonel Nicholas Fury—Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and founder of the Avengers—emerged from the crowd to confirm the rumors himself. He entered the cockpit and immediately was greeted by the sight of the frozen corpse. When Nick saw that star emblem, a faint smile appeared as he placed his hand on it—a thick layer of solid ice greeted him instead. And then said in a soft, delightful tone to avoid drawing any attention.

[color=727E86]"Welcome home, Captain."[/color][/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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