SAM / CAPTAIN AMERICA.

“My thoughts are that not only is this complicated, it’s also something that’s bigger than any of us. You all brought me into this. Don’t expect me to not think it through or ask questions.”

“We need to figure out what that something is before anyone else gets killed. I’m with you in thinking some things are being withheld. The mutants did us a solid, though. Can we really storm their gates and make accusations?” 

“The last thing we need is people flying off the handle and making it worse. I’m tryin’ to be diplomatic because I’m not sure what else to be.”

“I’m glad you weren’t. We don’t need a dead Barnes on our hands as well.” That’s a lie. Sam wishes Bucky had blown up. It would have made life easier moving forward. He’ll be talking to the Council about getting Bucky added to the resurrection queue sooner rather than later. He’d like his friend to be able to grow as he has. “But yeah, someone attacked us. Did a pretty damn good of it. I’d be happier if we knew who that someone was.”

“Who is the they? Once we figure that out, we can star looking. Until then, we’re just running in circles.”

“One hundred percent. It’s like waking up a new man.” Not entirely, though. Sam feels like his self, just enhanced. Better. “Gotta say, Doc, this wasn’t on my bingo card, but I’m not complaining.”

“How I should feel and how I do feel don’t line up. I thought that’d bother me, but it doesn’t. Those mutants did a bang up job, didn’t they?”

“Appreciate it, man. Times are definitely tough right now.” Tough enough that Sam had been blown up. “Last week wasn’t exactly what any of us expected.”

“First time I haven’t felt like an old man trying to keep up in a long time. Of course, there’s a few other perks I’ve been enjoying.” One of which is being on the frontlines of the Sinister takeover. 

“You’re not wrong. Look, Pryde, you’ve got your head on straight. That’s more than some can say right now.” On straight, maybe, but not where it should be. “You got any idea as to who could have done this?”

Someone tried to blow us all up. Sam scoffs. “They did more than try to blow some of us up. They did a pretty damn good job.” Multiple dead, multiple injured. Those who made it were the heavy hitters. Humans had either died like Sam or been injured like the Wakandan Princess. “Secret? No. Not a secret, even if they’re trying to downplay it with the public.”

It appears pretenses are up. Sam nods once. “Days off aren’t in the job description normally. I think I’ll take a few to get ready for what’s coming up next.”

“I don’t think a gas leak could blow Jean Grey up from the inside, but I digress.” Sam reaches up to pull off his goggles. He holds them in his hands for a moment. “You sound like Carol. She’s also convinced this was a targeted attack. I’m leaning towards agreeing.”

“Looks like we’re in the same boat, kid. This time feels more personal. Half the world turned to ash. Only eleven us blew up.” Sam pauses for a beat. He feels the change from Sinister, feels the difference. It’s not an unwelcome kind of feeling. “But you and I both know it was needed.”

“I didn’t exactly pick the name. It was my callsign when I worked with the EXO-7 Falcon propulsion wing suit.” 

“Must have thought it was implied. My bad.” It’s not the other man’s fault that he doesn’t see things the right way. Sam’s just operating on a new playing field now, one that only a few have been elevated to reach. Maybe he’ll get there one day. He’ll have to if there’s a place for him in the new world. Sam’s already ready to claim his place in it. “Simple or not, we all have to deal with the fallout now.”

“I’m trying to listen. I am listening. Trust me, I’m aware of what happened, Cap. I’m still cleaning goo out from behind my ears. We just need to be strategic about our next move, really look into everything. We don’t want to risk another explosion.”