- "Mr. Secretary, we need to move you to a secured location."
"What's going on?"
"Sir, we believe there might be an attempt on your life." - ―Brock Rumlow and Bucky Barnes[src]
The Attack on Bucky Barnes was a failed assassination of Secretary of State Bucky Barnes by the Red Room.
Background[]
- "If the stories are true, then the HYDRA Stomper is responsible for some of the world's worst acts of terror, which cost the lives of dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, including friends of mine."
"Fury, Steve would never do that."
"He would if the Red Room was in control." - ―Nick Fury, Captain Carter and Black Widow[src]
Following the end of World War II, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes formed a two-man army to hunt down the remnants of HYDRA all over the world. However, during a mission in Argentina in 1953, Rogers disappeared and was considered killed in action, while in reality he was captured and brainwashed by the Red Room. Under their orders, HYDRA Stomper carried out some of the worst acts of terror in human history, killing dozens of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, although his existence largely remained a myth.
HYDRA Stomper is found on Lemurian Star
Intending to capture Captain Carter, Melina Vostokoff came up with a plan that involved luring her away from S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. She knew of Carter's feelings toward Rogers, so HYDRA Stomper was stored at the Lemurian Star with a directive to escape and assassinate Barnes, who was now a United States Secretary.[1] When the ship was hijacked by Georges Batroc, Carter and a STRIKE team executed a rescue mission, where Black Widow discovered HYDRA Stomper in the cargo.[2][1] Upon being discovered, HYDRA Stomper woke up and confronted both Carter and Black Widow, before retreating to prepare for his mission.[1]
Attack[]
Captain Carter protects Bucky Barnes
- "You have the green light to shoot it down."
"Lethal force, sir?"
"That thing is an international terrorist attempting to assassinate a U.S. official. I'm trusting you to do the right thing." - ―Nick Fury and Black Widow[src]
While S.H.I.E.L.D. uncovered the Red Room's plans and sent STRIKE agents to protect Bucky Barnes, HYDRA Stomper targeted him at the Triskelion, during his meeting with the World Security Council. He opened fire on the Triskelion, and while Brock Rumlow and other agents covered Barnes, Captain Carter jumped in and deflected his attacks with her shield. STRIKE agents proceeded to move Barnes to safety and Carter stayed behind to stall HYDRA Stomper. Meanwhile, Nick Fury called for air support and gave Black Widow an authorization to use lethal force in order to stop HYDRA Stomper.
Bucky Barnes tries to reach out to HYDRA Stomper
Carter, Rumlow and the STRIKE agents led Barnes to the rooftop for evacuation, although HYDRA Stomper found them and flew up the staircase in pursuit, prompting Carter to jump and fight him in close combat. Following a brief fight throughout the Triskelion, HYDRA Stomper brushed Carter off and flew away before being attacked by several Quinjets. HYDRA Stomper attempted to pursue one of the Quinjets that was piloted by Black Widow, but was distracted by another, so he destroyed it and killed the pilot inside. HYDRA Stomper was able to corner Barnes in the hallway, where he was confronted by STRIKE and Black Widow's Quinjet. She locked on HYDRA Stomper and prepared to shoot, despite Carter's protest; however, Barnes then stood in front of them, not allowing his friend to be killed.
Captain Carter fights HYDRA Stomper
Barnes faced HYDRA Stomper and attempted to reach out to him, believing that the Steve Rogers he knew was still inside and would listen to him, and although he briefly hesitated, HYDRA Stomper then attempted to kill him. Carter managed to intercept him just in time and fought HYDRA Stomper, ignoring Rumlow's order to stand out and let STRIKE take him out. Carter held onto HYDRA Stomper while he flew up through several building floors and escaped from the Triskelion. They continued fighting in the sky and Carter managed to briefly neutralize his armor with a shield throw, causing both of them plummet back down. Carter caught up to him and attempted to wake Rogers up, before noticing Black Widow's Quinjet flying under them. Carter managed to get maneuver both herself and the unconscious HYDRA Stomper inside the Quinjet as Black Widow flew away from the Triskelion and S.H.I.E.L.D.[1]
Aftermath[]
- "What did he mean by 'mission accomplished'? Barnes is still alive."
"Oh, Natasha, so you believe you 'rebooted' him? That is strange. You never struck me as a child foolish enough to buy into fantasy." - ―Black Widow and Melina Vostokoff[src]
Natasha Romanoff brought both Captain Carter and an unconscious Steve Rogers to a safehouse in Scotland, and upon examining him, they realized that the HYDRA Stomper armor was the only the thing keeping him alive. Knowing that they could not return since Rogers was a wanted terrorist, Carter decided to go to the Red Room and find a way to cure him. When Rogers woke up, he was back to his normal self and he told Carter that he could bring them there. HYDRA Stomper brought Carter and Romanoff to an old Red Room training camp in Sokovia, where they were suddenly attacked by robots armed with Black Widow's Bites.
HYDRA Stomper suddenly deactivated while the robots neutralized Carter and Romanoff. The duo were approached by Melina Vostokoff and her Black Widows. HYDRA Stomper then reactivated and reported to Vostokoff that he accomplished his mission, before locking his weapons on Carter and Romanoff. Vostokoff then told them that the attempt on Bucky Barnes' life was only a trap to lure Carter away from S.H.I.E.L.D. and allow the Red Room to capture her. As they resisted, HYDRA Stomper immediately moved in to attack Carter, while Romanoff stayed to fight Vostokoff and the other Black Widows.
Eventually, Carter dropped her shield, stating that she did not want to fight him anymore and pleaded for the man she loved to come back, which resulted in Rogers breaking through the brainwashing. Rogers made a decision to bring the Red Room down once and for all and targeted the Red Room Academy, while Romanoff managed to connect Vostokoff to his armor while he was taking off. Rogers then flew through the facility and destroyed it, resulting in Vostokoff being killed in explosion while Rogers disappeared once again.[1]