Downstairs at Voss's apartment building, Steve and Coulson stepped out of a black SUV. Coulson checked his comms, then glanced at Steve beside him.
"Captain, you doing alright?" he asked, noticing Steve's uneasy expression.
"Just need some time to adjust," Steve admitted, looking up at the towering glass buildings around them. "Seventy years of change… more than I ever imagined."
They entered the lobby, and Coulson pressed the elevator button. When the doors slid open, Steve paused, studying the automatic motion with faint surprise.
"This is an elevator—modern lift system," Coulson explained.
"I know what an elevator is," Steve said with a faint smile. "They just weren't this… advanced before."
As the elevator rose, his mood grew heavier. The man they were about to meet might know Hydra's secrets—and his most private memories.
"Captain," Coulson said suddenly, "I've got to admit—I've been a fan since I was a kid."
Steve gave an awkward smile. "Thanks… but I might not be who you imagined anymore."
"No—you're the hero I always looked up to," Coulson said, eyes bright. "I even collected all your trading cards. Got the 1943 limited edition, too."
Steve blinked. "Cards?"
"Captain America collector cards. They're antiques now," Coulson explained, grinning. "If possible, I'd love for you to sign them."
"Of course," Steve agreed. "After we finish this."
"Thank you. I'll treasure it forever," Coulson said, nearly glowing with excitement.
The elevator dinged, arriving at their floor.
Inside the apartment, Tom suddenly perked up, making a gesture to alert the others.
"They're here," Voss said, standing and straightening his clothes. "Everyone—get ready to meet our guests."
Aqua hopped up, eyes wide. "Government agents? Do they give out money?"
"Don't say nonsense," Voss sighed. "And remember—don't reveal who you really are."
Artoria nodded calmly. "Understood, Master. I will protect you."
A firm knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Voss asked, though he already knew.
"We're with S.H.I.E.L.D. We'd like to speak with Mr. Voss Nibbler," came Coulson's voice.
Voss opened the door to find two men waiting: a middle-aged agent in a suit, and a tall blond soldier radiating military discipline.
"You must be Mr. Voss?" Coulson showed his badge. "I'm Agent Phil Coulson with S.H.I.E.L.D. This is… Mr. Steve."
Voss's eyes lit up. He had expected this, but seeing Steve Rogers in person was still surreal.
"Mr. Phil, we've met before, haven't we? Last time you claimed to be a fisherman," Voss said with a sly grin.
"I apologize for that," Coulson replied evenly. "But this time we're here on urgent, serious business."
Coulson met Voss's gaze without flinching, proving his nerves of steel.
"Alright," Voss said, stepping aside. "Come in."
As Steve entered the living room, his eyes went wide. A blue-and-white cat sat across from a brown mouse at a chessboard, both completely focused on their game.
"This…" Steve pointed in disbelief.
"Oh, those are Tom and Jerry. My roommates," Voss explained calmly. "Don't mind them—they're… unique."
Tom looked up and gave a polite nod, while Jerry waved cheerfully.
Coulson's expression tightened. The surveillance reports had been accurate.
"This is Aqua," Voss said, pointing toward the blue-haired girl lounging in front of the TV.
And then there was the blonde woman, sitting with perfect elegance, sipping tea, radiating an aura of quiet authority.
"And this is Artoria."
Aqua turned her head and brightened when she saw Steve. "Wow! What a handsome uncle!"
Steve coughed lightly. "Uh… thanks."
Artoria rose gracefully and offered a polite curtsy. "Welcome."
"Please, have a seat," Voss said, gesturing to the sofa. "Coffee? Tea?"
"No, thank you," Coulson replied as he sat down. "Mr. Voss, we came here to discuss your novel."
"'Reborn and Transmigrated to World War II, I Became Captain America's Comrade'?" Voss asked knowingly.
"Exactly," Steve said, his blue eyes fixed on him. "How did you know all those details?"
Voss feigned surprise. "You mean my little sci-fi story? Is there a problem with it?"
"A very big problem," Coulson said, pulling out a file. "The crash coordinates you described—S.H.I.E.L.D. actually found something there."
"Found what?" Voss asked, playing dumb.
"Me," Steve said quietly.
Voss widened his eyes, acting stunned. "You mean… you're the Steve Rogers? From World War II—the one who defeated Hydra? The real Captain America?"
"Yes," Steve confirmed. "And I want to know how you knew about my private conversations with Peggy. No one else could have heard them."
Voss scratched his head, feigning embarrassment. "You probably won't believe me… but I see things in dreams. Like movies—so vivid it feels real."
"Dreams?" Coulson frowned.
"Yes. Dreams where I saw World War II, through the eyes of a man named John Smith. From his perspective, I witnessed a super-soldier named Steve, his girlfriend Peggy, and a scientist named Howard."
Steve and Coulson exchanged a glance. Absurd as it sounded, the strangeness of Voss's companions made it harder to dismiss.
"What about Hydra?" Steve pressed. "You wrote that they infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D."
Voss grew serious. "I saw that in my dreams too—men in suits posing as government officials, secretly pulling Hydra's strings."
"Can you give us a name?" Coulson asked.
Voss leaned back, meeting their eyes. "Alexander Pierce."
Coulson's face went pale. "Secretary Pierce? That's impossible!"
Steve turned to him. "Phil, you know this Pierce?"
"He's the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director, now on the World Security Council. He's Nick Fury's mentor—the one who recommended him as director! If Voss is right…" Coulson's voice faltered.
"That's what makes him so dangerous," Voss said evenly. "Sometimes the person you trust most is the one you should fear."
Steve was silent, then asked, "Do you know of anyone else?"
Voss pretended to think hard. "There's also Rumlow. He leads some kind of special ops unit."
Coulson stiffened. Brock Rumlow—the head of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Rapid Response Unit. One of their top operatives.
"Mr. Voss," Steve said seriously. "If what you're saying is true, then S.H.I.E.L.D. has a serious problem."
"I hope I'm wrong," Voss said with a shrug. "But since you found yourself exactly where my 'dream' described, maybe I'm not."
"Then tell us everything you know about Hydra," Steve urged. "If they've really infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., we have to stop them."
Voss looked into Steve's eyes and thought, Even after seventy years, Captain America is still the same—always thinking about protecting the world.
"I'll tell you what I can," Voss agreed. "But promise me this—you won't harm innocent people because of it."
"You have my word," Steve said without hesitation.