Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Pov Levi:

As we soared through the skies, the aircraft's engines humming smoothly, I glanced over at Dr. Erskine, concern etched on my face. He was nodding off, his body weak from the ordeal we had just endured. I turned my attention to Agent 13, who was sitting opposite me, her eyes fixed on mine.

"So, Agent 13, I think we didn't introduce ourselves properly," I said, a smile spreading across my face.

Agent 13 raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I suppose we didn't," she replied, her voice smooth as silk. "I'm Margaret Elizabeth Peggy Carter, but please, call me Peggy."

"I'm Levi Hart," I said, extending my hand. Peggy shook it firmly, her grip strong.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Levi," she said, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "And congratulations on a mission well done. You're quite the driver."

I chuckled, feeling a sense of pride. "Thanks, Peggy. I try my best."

Peggy leaned back in her seat, her eyes never leaving mine. "So, Levi, what do you think of our little adventure?"

I grinned. "It was a wild ride, that's for sure. But we made it out alive, and with the documents. That's all that matters."

Peggy nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, it is. The war is far from over, Levi. And we need all the help we can get."

I nodded, my mind somber. "I know. I've seen some terrible things, Peggy. But I'm ready to do my part."

Peggy smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I think you'll do just fine, Levi. And who knows, maybe we'll even have some fun along the way."

I laughed, feeling a sense of camaraderie with this woman I had just met. "I'd like that, Peggy."

As we approached the SSR headquarters, Peggy's face turned grave, her expression a clear warning. "Levi, we need to exercise extreme caution. There are those who would go to great lengths to capture Dr. Erskine."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. "I'm prepared for any situation, Peggy."

Her eyes sparkled with approval as she gave me a nod of acknowledgement, her smile a fleeting display of confidence in my abilities.

And with that, our aircraft landed smoothly on the runway, our mission finally over. But I knew that this was just the beginning.

We entered Colonel Phillips' office, our exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the face of our triumph. "Sir, we've succeeded in extracting Dr. Erskine and the documents," Peggy reported, her voice crisp and professional.

Colonel Phillips' face broke into a wide smile. "Well done, Agent Carter. Well done, Levi." He rose from his seat, his eyes shining with pride. "Your bravery and skill have saved the day once again."

I felt a surge of pride, my weariness forgotten in the face of the Colonel's praise. "Thank you, sir," I replied, my voice filled with gratitude.

Peggy smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It was a team effort, sir," she said, her gaze flicking to me. "Levi here was instrumental in getting us out of some tight spots."

Colonel Phillips nodded, his expression serious. "I'm glad to hear that. We'll need all the talent we can get in the days ahead."

The Colonel's gaze turned to me. "Levi, you've done an outstanding job. I'm proud to have you on our team."

He paused, his expression serious. "Dr. Erskine is in medical care, receiving treatment for malnourishment and weakness. We'll need to keep a close eye on him."

I nodded, my concern for the doctor's well-being evident. "I understand, sir."

Colonel Phillips smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I know you do, Levi. That's why I'm counting on you to help us see this through."

He turned to Peggy. "Agent Carter, keep me posted on Levi's progress. We'll need him at full strength for what's to come."

Peggy nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, sir."

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The next day, I completed my daily routine, feeling refreshed and ready for whatever lay ahead. As I finished my breakfast, Peggy Carter walked into the room, a purposeful look on her face.

"Levi, we need to talk," she said, her voice firm but friendly.

I nodded, my curiosity piqued. "What's up, Peggy?"

She sat down across from me, her eyes locked on mine. "I've been assigned to brief you on your new mission."

My heart began to race as I leaned forward, my mind racing with possibilities.

"Your mission is to safeguard Dr. Abraham Erskine," she said, her voice serious. "He's a valuable asset to our organization, and we need someone we can trust to keep him safe."

I nodded, my mind already racing with strategies and scenarios. "I'm on it, Peggy. I won't let anything happen to him."

As we continued to talk, I asked her about her previous job, curious about her background.

She leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Before I joined the SSR, I was a British MI6 agent," she said, her voice reflective, a hint of pride in her tone.

"I've seen my fair share of danger and intrigue, worked on some high-stakes cases, and made some difficult choices." She paused, her expression turning serious, a hint of frustration in her voice.

"But despite my skills and experience, I was often discriminated against, not taken seriously because I'm a woman. It was a constant uphill battle, fighting for respect and recognition in a male-dominated field." She shook her head, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "But I never let that hold me back. I worked harder, proved myself time and time again, until I earned the respect of my colleagues."

With that, she stood up, her mission briefing complete, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her strength and determination. I watched her go, my mind already racing with strategies and scenarios, but also lingering on her words about facing discrimination and bias. I thought about how she had to fight harder to earn respect, and it reminded me of my late mother's struggles as a nurse. She had faced similar challenges, being underestimated and undervalued because of her gender. But she had persevered, and her dedication and compassion had saved countless lives.

I felt a surge of resolve, knowing that I had to do the same for Dr. Erskine. I was ready to safeguard him, no matter what it took, just as my mother had been ready to care for her patients, no matter the obstacles. I stood up, my heart filled with purpose, and began to prepare for the mission ahead.

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Two weeks had passed, As I entered the laboratory, Dr. Erskine was hunched over a cluttered workbench, surrounded by papers, test tubes, and various scientific equipment. He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even notice my presence. I cleared my throat to announce myself, and he looked up, startled.

"Ah, Levi! Come in, come in," he said, his eyes squinting slightly as he took in my curious expression.

I approached him, my eyes scanning the array of equipment and notes spread out before him. "What's all this, Doctor? You're looking for a way to create a super soldier, I presume?"

Dr. Erskine's expression turned cautious, and he hesitated for a moment before responding. "Ah, yes...well, you see, Levi, I'm trying to create a serum that will enhance human physicality to twice its natural strength."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's quite ambitious, Doctor. What makes you think it's possible?"

Dr. Erskine's eyes lit up with excitement as he began to explain. "You see, Levi, I've been studying the human body, and I believe I've discovered the key to unlocking its full potential. With the right combination of chemicals and biological agents, I'm confident we can create a serum that will grant individuals extraordinary strength and agility."

I listened intently, my mind racing with the implications of such a discovery. It was uncanny, given my own abilities, but I pushed the thought aside and focused on the task at hand.

"That sounds incredible, Doctor," I said, my voice filled with genuine interest. "But what about the risks? We can't just create a serum without considering the potential side effects."

Dr. Erskine nodded, his expression serious. "I'm well aware of the risks, Levi. But I believe the potential benefits far outweigh them if give to right person."

Just then, Colonel Phillips entered the room, his expression grave. "Levi, we need to relocate Dr. Erskine to a more secure location," he said, his voice low and serious. "The SSR has received intel that HYDRA, the Nazi organization led by Johann Schmidt, is closing in on us. We can't risk Dr. Erskine's safety." His eyes locked onto the doctor, and I could sense the weight of the situation.

We had learned about HYDRA through the documents Peggy had retrieved and Dr. Erskine's own accounts. They were the ones who had imprisoned him, killed his family, and sought to exploit his research for their own sinister purposes.

Dr. Erskine's eyes widened slightly as he processed the news, his face pale. "We have to go,"

I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Where do you propose we move him, sir?" I asked.

Colonel Phillips respond. "We have a safe house in Queens, New York City. It's located on 73rd Street and Utopia Parkway. We'll move Dr. Erskine there, and you'll be his escort."

I nodded, my mind already racing with the logistics of the move. "When do we leave, sir?"

Colonel Phillips glanced at his watch. "We have an aircraft waiting for us. We'll leave in an hour."

I turned to Dr. Erskine, who was watching our exchange with interest. "Pack your bags, Doctor," I said, smiling. "We're heading to New York City."

Dr. Erskine nodded, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for something. I could see the worry etched on his face, the fear of being captured again, of facing the horrors he had already endured. But he stood up, resolute, and began to gather his things. "Let's go," he said, his voice firm, but his eyes betraying his concern.

With that, we set off for the aircraft, our destination Queens, New York City. As we soared through the skies, I couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose. I was protecting Dr. Erskine, and his research could change the course of human history. I was ready for whatever lay ahead, knowing that I had the skills and the strength to keep him safe.

As we flew over the city, I gazed out at the towering skyscrapers, my heart pounding with excitement. We were about to embark on a new chapter in our journey, and I was ready to face whatever challenges came our way.