Live A Little

2110

Bavaria,  Germany

When you reach the end, there will be a fork. Head to the right.

Copy that, Agent.

Can I just say that the castle’s interior architecture is amazing! Its origins date back to the 1400’s! I wish I could see it with my own eyes since the blueprint itself is intricate to say the least.

Agent Parker, I need you to focus.

Right, right. Sorry. Force of habit. So Castle Zemo was the home of the Zemo bloodline, dating back to Harbin Zemo, the first Baron. With the guise as a home, it supposedly hid an ancient but advanced technology machinery called Sleeper. Based on the diaries of Heinrich Zemo, the 12th Baron, the origins of Sleeper was, as quoted, “possibly hailing from aliens or gods”. 

Aliens or gods, huh? Never thought I’d see the day.

But it gets interesting. Apparently HYDRA took over the castle from the Baron and tried to activate Sleeper. They couldn’t do it and it says here that Sleeper needed some sort of alien mechanism that acts as a key to activate it. Can I just say that this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever read? Aliens and gods tech? I’m glad to be alive to possibly be able to witness the tech!

Agent. 

Sorry. Can’t control it sometimes. Won’t happen again. 

It’s fine but if you were here on an undercover mission to find a secret family heirloom that could possibly be used as a weapon  I’m sure you wouldn’t be too thrilled.

…..

You’re probably right.

I’m messing with you. I get that you like these things. You should join one of the missions sometimes. See the places for yourself.

Oh, I’m perfectly fine here. Where I know it’s safe from any threats and or secret weapons. They have my favourite flavoured Lays chips in one of the vending machines. Can’t miss it.

Sure, Agent. The offer still stands though.

Copy that, Cap. Will keep that in mind. In the far end of my mind. A small corner with a sign that says, “Things to consider if all else fails”.

-laughs-

I see a passage but it’s a dead end.

It seems like that but in the blueprints, there is supposed to be a way down.  Look around for a lever or secret compartment.

-distant sounds-

Cap? What’s going on?

I might have found the path. Might have stepped on something and now the wall is opened.  Well, it seems like I’m heading down. What can you see, Agent?

No heat signatures, no cameras. You’re good to go but I have no visuals when you get down there. Be careful, Cap.

Copy that.

Cap? Do you see anything?

It’s pitch black. I’m not feeling anything so far.

I’m not seeing anything suspicious on the radar so far but it’s better to be aware.

Oof.

Cap?

I think I bumped into something. It feels metallic, cold and rusty. It’s….big. The height of it is….undetermined.

Do you think that’s the family heirloom?

I’m not sure-

-Lights on-

Cap? You okay?

Agent.

What do you see?

It’s some sort of machine. Approximately 8 feet. The structure seems alien. Inactive.  But that’s not the main concern right now.

What do you mean?

I’m seeing a whole army of it. The whole room is filled with it but they look more advanced. If one can be used as a weapon, I can’t imagine what an army can do.

They’ve been building an army of Sleepers? Does that mean they know how to activate them?

I don’t know but I’m not staying to find out.

Funny you mentioned that, I’m seeing multiple heat signatures heading your direction.

Where’s the nearest exit?

It seems that the floor you were on before has another entrance. Big possibility can only be accessed if you find the secret compartment. 

Got it. I’m on my way up. How much time do I have?

Approximately 4 minutes and 13 seconds. When you find it, it will lead to the back of the castle. It’s just a one way path. Comms might be fuzzy on the way. Be careful, Cap.

Copy that. See you outside, Agent.

2120

Bavaria, Germany

Cap, -static- copy?

Loud and clear. I’m almost out.

They -static- Sleeper! You have to -static-

Again, Agent Parker. You’re breaking up.

Sleeper -static-

I made it out. Can you repeat that, Agent?

Watch out!-

-explosion-

Cap are you okay?!

The Sleeper machine blew a hole in the wall. I’m back in the castle. The machine is searching the vicinity. Is there a way to stop it?

There are two ways. One is to destroy it’s core from the inside. The other one-

-crash-

-thud-

Out of the question. What’s the other way?

There should be a master control room on that level. From your location, head north then turn left. It’s the only room there.

I’m on my way.

So this is THE Sleeper! I’ve read files on this machine and tonight I get to see it with my own eyes! Through cameras but still. Thankfully SHIELD’s visual quality is crisp as f- heck!

If I weren’t chased by it, I would marvel at it as well. I found the control room but the door is locked.

-heavy footsteps-

-brick wall collapse-

-machine falls-

That’s one way to get in. Sleeper is down but not for long. How do I deactivate it?

I couldn’t find a manual for the deactivation. The last known version of Sleeper was destroyed from the inside. So far no official reports on manual deactivation. I do have an idea! However, I cannot guarantee the repercussions it would cause.

So what do you suggest, Agent?

Destroy the control panels. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

-machine restarts-

Sleeper is back up again!

It’s better than nothing.

-sounds of metal on metal-

-electrical buzz-

-machine shuts off-

It’s off. 

Well, that worked out better than I expect-

-Timer starts-

Is that-

Let’s not find out! The exit was where you came from the hole in the wall just take right then through the hall. 

Copy that, Agent.

2135

Bavaria, Germany

-distant explosions-

Cap are you safe?

Made it out just in time. The castle is going down.

A shame, really. I would have loved to see Sleeper in person. Not hinting at joining missions though! 

That’s a shame since I was just about to invite you on the next one.

No thank you. I’m fine in the safety of this office. Informed the extraction team, they will retrieve what’s left of Sleeper soon.

Good thinking. Also good work tonight, Agent Parker. I wouldn’t have made it out alive without you. 

It’s no biggie, Cap. That’s the job of guy-in-the-chair! Your transport will be there soon too.

Thank you, Agent. As a reward, I’ll let you off early tonight. Don’t forget to submit your log files by tomorrow. Have a good night, Agent.

Will do, Cap! Good night! 

-communication ended-

0320

Peter’s Apartment

-communication started-

-static-

Cap? Is that you?

-muffled sounds-

-ringing-

Hello? Is anybody there?

-static-

-electrical buzz-

Identify yourself.

-static-

-ragged breathing-

Not gonna lie, I’m getting freaked out. State who you are.

-metal clanking-

-static- 

-communication disconnected-

Huh, that’s strange.

-communication ended-