The rewards were perfect—the motorcycle was easy to use, always available, and had unlimited fuel. Comfort at its finest!
After changing into a disguise, Steve sneaked into the cave carrying food.
Along the way, scattered terrorists stood guard with guns, but they pretended not to see him, as if they were used to such oddities.
After about twenty meters, a fork in the road appeared.
On the left was an iron door, from which clanging sounds echoed. Steve approached and looked through the small surveillance window.
Inside, Tony was working like a blacksmith, a simple reactor embedded in his chest replacing the old electromagnet.
The explosion hadn't killed Tony, but tiny shrapnel had entered his bloodstream.
If any had pierced his heart, he would have been dead. The reactor maintained the magnetic field to keep the shrapnel at bay and save his life.
Steve put the food aside and moved toward the other fork. No surveillance along this path made it ideal for sneaky work.
At the end, another iron gate stood. Through its small window, two terrorists monitored a screen showing every movement of Tony in the cave.
Steve thought: if he could hack this surveillance, things would become much easier.
Without rushing, he returned to the original route and delivered the food, silently placing it on the table beside Tony before leaving.
Outside, he left a few U.S. dollars and a note for the unconscious terrorist guard.
Half an hour later, the guard awoke, ready to shout. But upon seeing the stack of money and the note, he froze.
Written in the local language: "Cooperate, and you will be paid. Resist, and your entire family will die."
Simple and blunt.
The guard hesitated, then tore up the note, pocketed the money, and quietly left.
Steve observed from a distance to ensure the man hadn't tipped anyone off.
This approach avoided unnecessary bloodshed while maintaining stealth. Fortunately, the guard's poverty made bribery effective.
"Sharon, do you know how to hack? I need your help to loop the surveillance cameras so they won't see the real footage."
Steve admitted he didn't understand the tech in this area. Next time back, Hill would have to teach him hacking properly.
"No problem. I just need a signal receiver. Plug in the USB, and I can remotely infiltrate the system," Sharon said, obeying without question, ready to help in any position or scenario.
The next day, the same routine occurred. The food-delivery terrorist was knocked out, and on waking, he discovered another stack of money. Excitedly, he counted it—it was the same as before!
Everything was meticulously planned. Steve didn't rush to save Tony; his mission was to help him build the Mark I armor. Patience was key.
Over two months passed in a flash. U.S. forces had ceased searching, unaware that Tony was still alive.
Steve didn't tell anyone else but informed Hill, who relayed it to Fury. Fury was obviously interested in building the Iron Man armor and assigned Coulson to assist Steve.
Initially, the plan was for Hill to manage the rescue so the couple could reunite.
But vampire activity had intensified, requiring Hill's attention on another mission. Still, she found time to visit Afghanistan briefly to offer support.
In a temporary cave dug beneath a nearby sand dune, Steve, Sharon, and Coulson monitored the terrorists on screen.
The kidnappers were pressuring Tony, demanding the Jericho missile be finished within three days or threatening to kill him.
"Looks like Mr. Stark needs help," Coulson said excitedly, thrilled to operate alongside his idol.
"Here's the plan: I'll infiltrate and help Tony build the armor.
Coulson, contact Rhodes and arrange a helicopter for extraction. Handle the terrorists in the meantime. Sharon, you monitor and report everything."
Steve had already delegated tasks efficiently. Coulson, a Level 9 agent, was happy to follow a Level 6 agent's command.
"Got it, Captain. Mission accomplished," Coulson saluted before leaving.
Steve readied his shield. Before leaving, Sharon called him back.
"Wait, Steve." She planted a sweet, caring kiss.
"Go ahead, be careful. We'll meet again in New York," she said, straightening his uniform, her eyes full of tenderness.
After more than two months together, their bond was deeper than any memory of Peggy. Steve, with no lingering feelings for Peggy, felt no guilt being with Sharon.
An hour later, Steve infiltrated the cave. Sharon had looped the surveillance footage; the terrorists didn't notice.
When the guards returned, Tony—busy assembling his armor—quickly covered his work with oilcloth.
"Didn't you say there were still three days left?" he asked.
Steve removed his disguise, revealing his true face. "Hurry up and finish your masterpiece. The surveillance is hacked. Call it a day."
He pulled out a bottle of Coke and drank contentedly.
"Steve? You're here! Oh my God!" Tony exclaimed, astonished. Over the past two months, he had changed—still arrogant, but more humane.
Yinsen watched them, confused and bewildered. Not American, he had no idea who Captain America truly was.