- "You made a scene, didn't you?"
"What now?"
"We're gettin' you outta here." - ―Natasha Romanoff and Alexei Shostakov[src]
The Escape from the Seventh Circle Prison was a successful rescue of Alexei Shostakov from a Siberian prison by Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova, in order to obtain the location of the Red Room.
Background[]
- "I really don't know where the Red Room is, though. I'm sorry."
"I know. But I think I know somebody who does." - ―Yelena Belova and Natasha Romanoff[src]
Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova plan to free Alexei Shostakov
Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova met in Budapest and discussed the continued exitence of the Red Room, with them both planning to raid the Red Room in order to stop Dreykov and kill the Black Widows. However, they were been ambushed by the Widows, led by Taskmaster, though they managed to escape. They went to Varoil Üzemanyag in order to hide once more from the Red Room as the two planned that night to free their adoptive father, Alexei Shostakov, who had been imprisoned by Dreykov in the Seventh Circle Prison.
With Rick Mason's assistance, Romanoff and Belova were able to use a helicopter to fly to the prison Shostakov was being held at. However, he warned Romanoff that General Thaddeus Ross was close to getting on him as she got dressed in her winter uniform.[1]
Escape[]
- "Today is your lucky day, Alexei. Move to the door on the south wall."
- ―Natasha Romanoff to Alexei Shostakov[src]
In the Seventh Circle Prison, Alexei Shostakov was recalling one of his "war stories" with Captain America as he was arm-wrestling with the other prisoners. He made fun of the other prisoners who failed to beat him as Ursa Major challenged Shostakov, questioning when his story happened. Shostakov guessed a date, though Major reminded him that Captain America was still frozen in ice. Shostakov broke Major's hand as the officers ordered Shostakov to pick up some packages that had arrived.
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Alexei Shostakov finds the toy figure
Shostakov went to pick up the packages from the officer's booth and sat down, finding a Red Guardian figure in the package. Analyzing it, Shostakov pulled on the doll's string, which caused its head to pop out. Inside its head revealed an earpiece, which Shostakov put on. Romanoff greeted Shostakov and told him where to go, though not before breaking through the booth and beating one of the officers.
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Alexei Shostakov fights the guards
Shostakov continued making his way through the prison as the alarms were activated, alerting the officers as well as the other inmates. Shostakov made his way through the riot teams and used one of their shields to hold the gate in place as he made his escape. Eventually breaking outside, Shostakov ran to the center of the yard and spotted the helicopter above him as he asked what to do next. Romanoff told him that they were there to break him out as the other inmates broke through the doors and rushed towards Shostakov.
Natasha Romanoff makes her landing
Eventually, the prison guards started pacifying the other prisoners as Shostakov tried to make his way up, but was stunned by one of the guards, causing him to fall down. In the helicopter, Romanoff told Belova to move closer so she could help Shostakov, which she did as she landed in the middle of a group of guards. Romanoff took the guards out, though Belova was attacked, causing her to slightly lose control of the helicopter as Romanoff ducked. Romanoff, annoyed, told Belova to move back as she remarked that they were doing a good job.
Yelena Belova fires at the heavy gunner
The helicopter was attacked once more by a heavy gunner tower, though Belova was able to take the tower out with a rocket. However, this had caused an avalanche as Shostakov asked if it was a good sign, only for Romanoff to tell him to move. As the avalanche moved in, Shostakov made his way to higher ground as all the other prisoners and guards rushed back inside. Belova picked up Romanoff and together, they were able to grab Shostakov in the midst of the avalanche. The two climbed into the helicopter as Shostakov shouted at the other prisoners.[1]
Aftermath[]
Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova and Alexei Shostakov end up in a field
- "It means so much to me that you came back for me."
"No. No. You're gonna tell us how to get to the Red Room." - ―Alexei Shostakov and Natasha Romanoff[src]
Once they flew out of the prison, Shostakov tried to talk to the two and was eventually able to as Belova punched him in the face. With this reunion, Shostakov thanked the two, though Romanoff demanded that he tell them how to get to the Red Room Academy as she dismissed Shostakov as being part of her real family. Romanoff, more annoyed, tried to get answers, but Shostakov revealed that he was betrayed by Dreykov in Ohio. Romanoff and Belova believed he was not useful until he mentioned Melina Vostokoff and how she was still alive in Saint Petersburg, though Belova told him that they could not make it. Though Shostakov believed they were good, the helicopter would crash in a field miles away.[1]