Seeing two operatives rise again, Steve resumed his assault.
Since they were S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Steve held back, avoiding lethal force.
Rumlow, now gripping two electric batons, faced Steve and said, "This isn't personal, Captain."
He attacked again, but in the cramped elevator, Rumlow's batons offered little advantage against Steve's superior strength.
Though the batons caused Steve to grimace in pain, he eventually seized an opening and struck Rumlow's head, knocking him unconscious.
Breathing heavily, Steve looked at Rumlow and muttered, "Feels personal to me."
He stomped on the edge of his shield, flipping it into his hand. Using it, he severed the magnetic cuff from his wrist before pressing the elevator's button.
When the doors opened, he was greeted by a team of heavily armed strike agents aiming their weapons at him.
"Drop the shield and raise your hands."
Realizing the situation, Steve quickly turned back into the elevator. Using his shield, he shattered the elevator cables.
The alarm blared as the elevator plummeted downward.
After descending over ten floors, the emergency brakes kicked in, halting the elevator abruptly.
Steve pried open the elevator doors with brute force, spotting incoming strike agents. He quickly closed the doors again.
The assault rifles couldn't penetrate the S.H.I.E.L.D.-reinforced elevator doors.
Steve glanced down—there was still a considerable drop.
From outside, a voice called out, "Surrender, Captain. Open the door."
"You're cornered."
Steve took a deep breath. For him, the height wasn't an issue.
He smashed the elevator glass and leaped down.
"Boom!"
He landed in a superhero pose—one knee on the ground, perfectly balanced.
Rising to his feet, Steve scanned the surroundings before sprinting toward the garage.
To escape quickly, he'd need his motorcycle.
…
In the control room, Sitwell shouted at the screen, "Impossible!"
He couldn't believe that even with three serum-enhanced operatives and a coordinated ambush, they had failed to stop Steve Rogers.
"He's heading for the garage. Seal the bridge!"
As the bridge gates began to close, Steve sped through on his motorcycle just in time.
At that moment, a Quinjet appeared overhead, issuing a warning, "Captain Rogers, surrender immediately."
"Repeat, surrender immediately."
As the announcement played, the Quinjet's heavy machine gun emerged, ready to fire.
Steve ignored the warning, pushing his modified motorcycle to full throttle.
Seeing Steve refuse to stop, the Quinjet opened fire.
"Rat-tat-tat!"
The shots were warning rounds, targeting the ground ahead of Steve.
Steve weaved through the gunfire, tossing his shield toward the Quinjet's engine.
The shield struck one engine, disabling it and causing the Quinjet to lose balance.
Taking advantage, Steve braked hard, using the momentum to leap onto the Quinjet.
He retrieved his shield from the damaged engine and began dismantling the other engines.
After destroying two more engines, Steve jumped off as the Quinjet spiraled downward.
With only one engine left, the Quinjet crashed but didn't explode, sparing the crew.
Steve got back on his motorcycle and sped away.
…
Back in the control room-
Sitwell barked orders, "Listen up, everyone! Drop whatever you're doing."
"This is now a Level One alert."
"Notify the Department of Transportation—turn all intersections in the district red and seal off all nearby airports."
"Put every surveillance feed in the city on that screen behind me."
"Track all communications—phones, computers, tablets—everything!"
"If someone tweets, I want to know immediately."
Agent Kate 13 interjected, "With all due respect, if S.H.I.E.L.D. is hunting Captain America, we deserve to know why."
Alexander Pierce entered the room, speaking calmly:
"Because he lied to us."
"Captain Rogers knows how Director Fury died, but he refuses to tell us."
"I know it's hard to believe, but Steve Rogers and Nick Fury met just before his death. Rogers asked Fury for a dose of the Super Soldier Serum."
"I suspect some of you have already heard the surveillance recordings."
"Rogers was already enhanced. What kind of deal or reason could convince Fury to grant that request?"
"And now, he won't share any details about Fury's death. He refuses to cooperate."
"That makes Captain America a fugitive of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Carry out your orders!"
"Yes, sir!"
…
Elsewhere-
After escaping S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Steve disguised himself and headed to the vending machine where he had hidden the USB drive.
Finding the hiding spot empty, he froze in shock.
Seconds later, Natasha appeared beside him.
Steve spun around and dragged her into an empty room.
"Where is it?"
Natasha replied calmly, "In a safe place."
Steve removed his hat, his expression stern, "Cut to the chase."
Natasha countered, "Where did you get it?"
Steve retorted, "Why should I tell you?"
Natasha, slightly puzzled, asked, "Why did Fury give it to you?"
Realizing the USB drive might be the one Natasha had originally copied, Steve asked, "What's on it?"
Natasha shook her head, "I don't know."
Steve snapped, "Don't lie."
Steve glanced outside to ensure no one was eavesdropping before continuing, "You must know Fury hired the pirates."
Hearing this, Natasha froze briefly, her mind racing.
"It all makes sense now," she muttered.
"That ship was compromised. Fury needed a way on board."
Steve, furious, grabbed her arm and demanded, "Don't make me ask again."