GUEST: Author Michael Harkins, 82nd Airborne

Link to Mike’s Website

Aboard the Stark Industries plane, flak bursts illuminate the night sky as Peggy Carter shouts over the roar of the wind, “You can’t give me orders!”

Steve Rogers, gripping the open rear door, flashes a determined grin. “The hell I can’t! I’m a Captain!” He leaps into the darkness, flak exploding below. Peggy watches, her breath catching as his parachute blooms against the murky sky.

Deep within the Hydra factory in Krausberg, Johann Schmidt and Dr. Arnim Zola stride along production lines, where futuristic weapons pulse with eerie blue light.

Zola gestures to the machinery. “As you can see, production of the Valkyrie is progressing on schedule, even with components of this size.”

Schmidt’s eyes glint with ambition. “Increase the output by 60%, and see to it our other facilities do the same.”

Zola hesitates, his voice cautious. “But these prisoners, I’m not sure they have the strength.”

“Then use up what strength they have left, Doctor,” Schmidt replies coldly. “There are always more workers.”

A tall Hydra worker with a clipboard approaches Zola, but Zola waves him off sharply. “Not now!”

In another part of the Hydra facility, members of the 107th, now haggard prisoners, are marched toward a cell block under the watchful eyes of Hydra guards.