Like a steel bird of prey, the black transport aircraft slowly descended through the thunderous storm-laden clouds, hovering above the churning waves...
Beneath the turbulent sea, faint white light flickered intermittently, as if some colossal beast were stirring up swirling vortices of varying sizes.
"Raft Control Center, permission to land granted."
The pilot presented the electronic clearance pass issued by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s director.
Inside, the three prisoners; Captain America, the Winter Soldier, and Falcon, sat bound in electromagnetic restraints, their hands and feet locked in place. Through the small porthole windows, they caught glimpses of the structure below.
Being located in the North Atlantic, this top-secret prison was said to be designed specifically for superhuman criminals. Its defenses were impenetrable, making escape virtually impossible.
It was called 'The Raft' because it resided two thousand meters below sea level. At such depths, unless one had a deep-sea submersible, even the sturdiest metal would be crushed by the immense pressure.
When the prison surfaced, it resembled a lone island rising from the ocean... hence its name.
The roaring waves parted as a blinding white light pierced the surface. A massive black structure that looked like a steel island emerged from the depths. Its cold and unyielding form radiated an aura of absolute containment.
Powered by nuclear engines, The Raft tore through the swirling currents and stabilized itself on the open sea.
Amid the howling wind and lashing rain, the transport aircraft shuddered as it touched down on the landing pad. After a brief descent, it entered the prison's interior.
The three prisoners whose movements were restricted were escorted by armored soldiers to change into standard blue prison uniforms before being placed in isolated cells.
What awaited them was a sentence with no end in sight...
"Well, well, Captain Rogers. Never thought we'd meet again under these circumstances." Dressed in a sharp suit, Sean greeted the captured hero with a faint smile.
As the overseer of this facility, he held absolute authority over The Raft... Its security protocols, prisoner management, and maintenance were all under Umbrella Corporation's jurisdiction.
The two had last met at the Stark Expo shortly after Steve's awakening from the ice. Back then, the disoriented super-soldier who still struggled to adjust to the new era had shared a brief conversation with Sean.
"Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" Steve's tone was laced with self-deprecation.
Who would have thought that America's golden war hero would one day become a government fugitive?
"Make yourself at home." Tony, now out of his armor, delivered the remark with cutting sarcasm, "Everyone in here is a real charmer. You might even like it."
His burning gaze locked onto the Winter Soldier. The rage in his eyes was so intense, it could have pierced flesh like blades. Every fiber of his being screamed for vengeance, to tear this merciless killer apart.
"The only reason you're still breathing is international law and basic human decency." Stark's voice dripped with hatred.
Sensing the volatile tension, Sean signaled the guards to escort the prisoners away. He couldn't guarantee that the furious Iron Man wouldn't snap and do something irreversible...
The Raft was divided into four specialized sectors:
Sector 1 was designed to imprison mutants. It was equipped with bio-energy suppression fields and electric shock collars.
Sector 2 mainly housed superpowered criminals who were restrained by gravity shackles. High-risk inmates received spinal inhibitors.
Sector 3 was reserved for high-profile fugitives like Captain America.
Sector 4 is a classified zone for future non-human entities...
"This place is impressive." Tony glanced around, begrudgingly admitting its flawless design.
Even he would struggle to escape if imprisoned here. The Raft's security systems, electronic alarms, and fail-safes left no exploitable weaknesses.
Beyond the prison's walls, within a half-mile radius, lurked bioluminescent jellyfish. Their stunning glow masked a deadly neurotoxin. Through the thick glass, they resembled lanterns floating in the abyss... They were a mesmerizing yet lethal barrier.
No creature; squid, octopus, or even sperm whale, dared approach. One brush with these venomous tendrils, and the victim would swiftly become prey...
"What happens to Barnes now?" Tony asked, his voice tight.
"A fair trial. You know how delicate things are with the Registration Act in play. Every step has to be by the book." Sean's tone was diplomatic, soothing Stark's simmering fury.
What Tony wanted was justice, not necessarily murder.
The raw knee-jerk rage from watching that tape of his parents' deaths had faded slightly. Though hatred still festered, it no longer drove him to brutalize or execute Bucky.
What truly stung was Steve's betrayal.
After Obadiah Stane's treachery, Tony loathed that familiar feeling of trust shattering. For a man like him, trust didn't come easy.
"And Steve?" Tony hesitated.
"Hard to say. Captain America is a war hero, a government icon. But publicly defying the Registration Act? That's a political nightmare for the White House and Pentagon." Sean feigned concern, though inwardly, he was pleased.
Steve's true power wasn't his strength. It was his unshakable ideals and the loyalty he inspired.
In the original timeline, after the Avengers' schism, countless allies had chosen exile over compliance. They opted to stand with Rogers against Stark's faction.
That kind of influence was dangerous.
A man of unyielding conviction was a problem. And in a new world order, problems had to be removed.
"Captain Rogers will be safe here. If he agrees to the Registration Act, he will be released immediately. Case closed." Sean clapped Tony's shoulder, his smile reassuring.
But beneath the surface, the gears of a larger plan were already turning...