— I'm so glad you've joined us, General. How are you?
A mocking question with a mocking smile sounded in the room while Ledov, satisfied, sat in a luxurious chair.
The once-respected man decided not to respond to this, but simply walked over and sat down in the chair to which the guards led him. A sealed, transparent bag containing the poisoned tooth and other small items the prisoner had been wearing was placed on a small table in the center. Leaving him behind, the soldiers moved to the wall so as not to disturb them.
- Well then, let's start the conversation.
Considering that there were four chairs in the room and all the seats were occupied, the conversation might have gone well if Natasha had not suddenly stood up and tried to punch the man she hated so much in the jaw.
But she didn't do it.
Her fist stopped a few centimeters from her face, causing a smirk to appear on her former boss's face.
"Natasha? Nat?" Both of Black Widow's allies began to worry about why she'd decided to stop the attack.
Tension and confusion were evident on the legendary spy's face. She poured all her hatred into the blow, for herself and for those who now stood silently, helpless, but somehow she couldn't land it.
After several attempts, she finally stopped and, in shock, retreated a couple of steps back.
— Haven't anyone told you that attacking old people is bad?
- Go to hell.
"What's wrong with her?" Alex's heavy voice only caused the "old man" to raise an eyebrow.
Clint and the guards were on high alert, anticipating any possible trouble.
"I thought this was a civilized surrender, but you decided to just beat me up like a pack of jackals."
Alex was about to follow Natasha's path himself, but his hand, when he reached out, also stopped at some distance.
- What the hell?
Dreykov's moment of jubilation turned to horror when one of Alex's water balloons, hanging above him, wrapped around his arm, forcing it into an unnatural position.
The man, who in his old age had forgotten what pain was, was now lying on the floor and trying to somehow hug his crippled body part, screaming in pain.
"You can play your games all you want, it won't change the situation. You'll either tell me everything voluntarily, or..." Alex's face, returning his broken arm to its original position, made it clear to Dreykov that if he didn't cooperate, the pain would be the least he'd have to endure.
"She, like all the Widows, is under the influence of pheromones," Dreykov hadn't even finished, and Alex had already begun examining Natasha with his abilities. "None of them can harm me. Just like you."
Having heard the full story of why they had been unable to physically strike, he led her away from Dreykov while the guards took a few steps closer, moving away from the walls.
"Well, since you can't touch him, I will. That's what friends are for—helping," Clint stood up and, at his friend's nod, simply began delivering powerful blows to every accessible area, of which there were many.
The general's attempt at self-defense was unsuccessful against the experienced agent, and soon the general lay battered on the floor, covered in bruises and glaring at the archer with the wrath of the undefeated. Suddenly, the bleeding general was engulfed by a wave of water, which within seconds erased all traces of the beating.
Clint knew about Alex's abilities and, for the first time, had seen wounds simply heal. And he was surprised that this ability had been used on Drake.
- Go on, I like it. Just don't overdo it.
Clint looked at Dreykov lying on the floor and wanted to continue. For all those years that had weighed on Natasha, he wanted to do so much about her nightmare. But it wasn't his business. If necessary, he would exact vengeance, but it wasn't his job to decide what to do.
"That's enough for now. Solve her problem, or I'll do what needs to be done, if you want."
Alex understood and gathered some water around Natasha's head, creating a small ball for her to breathe in and not be affected by the pheromones.
Natasha carefully examined the ball around her head and then turned her gaze to Alex.
"Don't look at me like that. It's to protect you. But now you can continue in peace..."
A predatory smile appeared on the Widow's face, and she slowly, like a predator that has cornered its prey, began to approach him.
The Red Room leader was about to relax again, hoping she wouldn't strike again, when he received another blow to the head. And another. And another.
Alex watched the man's groans with pleasure. He had already exacted his revenge, defeating him morally. Now it was the others' turn. If this made Natasha feel better, he wouldn't spare the leader of the Red Room.
Clint and the guards simply stood and watched as the woman beat up her worst nightmare. No one planned to stop her.
The widow stopped herself after a while.
The already barely alive and beaten man was on his last legs.
"Alex, can I ask you to make sure he doesn't die anytime soon?" Natasha asked, looking intently at Dreykov.
Without saying anything, Alex approached Dreykov with a restrained smile of victory and checked that he should not die from the beating.
"You know," Alex looked closely at the blood that was again flowing down the captive's face, "everything could have turned out differently if you had agreed to give Elena back then."
After which he gave the order to the guards to take away the leader of the Red Room.
*****
Having tidied themselves up a bit, the trio left the guest room and went on to explore the air complex.
While "conversations" were taking place in one location, the entire complex was completely cleared of any threats. Several assault teams managed to break through the barricades and neutralize anyone who was aggressive. Elsewhere, the base's exploration continued, yielding some results. A laboratory where various studies were being conducted was discovered.
A multitude of different equipment. Several stands were now empty, and no one was working on them, because several dozen employees who had been working there just a couple of hours ago were now kneeling in the middle of the large lab, under the guns of Alex's men.
As soon as the Avengers arrived, many of the employees began to tremble. They understood that the people who would decide their fate had arrived.
While most of the people sat with their heads down, some stared intently at one of the newcomers.
- Natasha?
A grown woman, quite good looking for her age, with black hair and a white coat, looked at the Avenger in disbelief.
Natasha looked closely at the woman: "Melina?"
Alex recognized this woman from the information he had on Natasha.
Melina Vostokoff proved to be a godsend for Ledov. She is the closest thing Natasha has to a mother. For several years during their childhood, they went on missions under the guise of family, with Melina playing her mother.
"You work here?" Romanov's face clearly showed contempt for this fact.
Having led her out of the general group, Alex saw that she did not feel much remorse, but she did not feel delighted either.
"I just got here recently," Melina looked at Alex. "After his people started getting hit en masse, Dreykov decided to gather his assets nearby. I must admit, I'm amazed by everything that's going on around me. Whatever you've done..."
"And what are you doing here?" Natasha continued her impromptu interrogation.
Melina didn't answer right away, only a small smile appeared on her face.
- You are too emotional now...
- You have no right to tell me anything...
"Ladies, ladies," Ledov said, drawing attention to himself, earning a nasty look from the red-haired widow, but he wasn't fazed. "No need to quarrel. Melina, what are you doing here?"
Several of the water spheres attracted attention by spinning faster, causing groans of pity from the crowd.
"Alexander Dmitrievich, no need for threats. I'll tell you everything anyway."
And she did. Melina, as one of the Red Room's leading scientists, had a wealth of classified information. After a brief interrogation, it became clear that it was precisely because of her project that the Widows were now standing motionless, awaiting orders.
"You... how could you?" Natasha couldn't believe what she was hearing, and Melina was absolutely right about one thing: Natasha had become too emotional when she went to her adoptive mother in anger. That's why Alex had stood in her way.
- Are you protecting her?
Alex became like an impenetrable wall.
— I'm protecting you. From overly emotional decisions.
A few seconds of their glances and Natasha simply left the laboratory.
Alex made eye contact with Clint and motioned for him to follow his friend.
As the two Avengers left the lab, Alex returned his attention to Melina.
- Well, now we can talk about business.
*****
"Yes, Alexander, I admire you. Dreykov thought he was a mighty force, but it seems someone has become stronger and more powerful. I want to thank you for not using long-range missiles. I wouldn't want to die just like that."
"The world is changing, and so are the rules. Organizations like the Red Room only hinder unity in the face of external threats. Therefore, we must put an end to them."
Alex and Melina walked down the base's corridor. While they were chatting pleasantly, several soldiers behind them were ready to use their weapons on the Red Room scientist.
As they walked to Dreykov's office, where she had been many times, Alex satisfied the woman's curiosity about what was going on and why Dreykov had given up.
Seeing the big picture and realizing that Drake was no longer a threat, Melina tried her best to be helpful. She explained everything she could and even showed where and how to regain control of the programmed Widows.
- Melina, do you know where Antonia is now?
Melina tensed at the question.
- What do you want to do with her?
"Don't worry. I'm just curious about her fate after I saved her and left Dreykov's long arms."
Their gazes met, and seeing only good intentions in his eyes, Melina decided to give an answer.
"After you left him, Dreykov hid her in a place he visited periodically. You were able to heal the external injuries. Unfortunately, Antonia is now a little girl trapped in the body of an adult woman."
Melina said she currently lives in a remote house with people who care for her. She spends her time playing with animals and gardening.
- You know a lot about her.
"I tried to use my techniques to bring her back to her senses, but Dreykov was categorically against it. He didn't want her genuine, childish smile to disappear from her face."
"We'll have to find her. Who knows what will happen when the money for her care stops. Don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to her."
Melina merely nodded in gratitude.
As they walked to the required location, they encountered a column of bound base guards, marching under escort; the evacuation of the base was already in full swing. Dangerous elements were being evacuated first. However, the column wasn't just marching; it was also carrying several corpses, clearly demonstrating what happens to those who try to escape. Seeing this, Melina glanced with a little apprehension at the calmly walking Alexander Ledov.
Having reached the right place and opened the luxurious doors, Alex was the first to go inside, examining what was happening around.
A luxurious, enormous office greeted them. Considering the airfield's already limited space, it could have easily housed an entire laboratory. A huge desk and a pile of expensive but unnecessary junk took up the space, leaving the center of the room clear for briefings.
- He probably made his bedroom huge too. Like his...
Melina walked a step behind Alex, and her heart stopped for a moment . She watched as the floating water balls instantly lost their shape and collapsed onto the floor in wet puddles. Behind them, as if mown down, Ledov himself sank silently.
Before he could do anything, Melina joined him a couple of seconds later, but there was a nuance.
The barrel of soldier Ledov's pistol was near her head.
— I don't know what happened. Please believe me.
Melina was completely serious, but the soldier, of course, didn't believe her and knocked her out with a taser. Two soldiers dragged the two bodies out of the office while they radioed in to report what had happened.
*****
- Have you calmed down?
Clint stood next to his girlfriend, who was leaning against the wall.
"Yes. It's just that the room, Dreykov, Melina... it all came at me so suddenly." Natasha sighed heavily. "It would have been easier if I had to fight here."
- One against all, the odds are clearly not in your favor.
— But there would be no time to think, there would only be a goal.
Their conversation was interrupted by the message that Ledov was unconscious.
Clint had seen Natasha instantly switch to agent mode. Her features hardened, her body braced for any eventuality.
Natasha practically ran to the required location. Upon arrival, she saw six operatives, one of whom was examining the prone Alex, and four of whom stood ready to shoot if necessary.
Coming closer, the guards did not shoot, but, to her own surprise, did not let her go to Alex.
- What are you doing?
The only one not standing guard reacted to Natasha's appearance by calmly moving closer, but not into her reach. Clint stood a little behind, ready to protect his friend.
"It's best for you not to interfere in this, Natalya Alianovna. We'll sort this out."
"I have no doubt about it. I just want to make sure he's okay. So..."
Natasha looked intently at the soldier.
- …Cat.
"So, Cat, I know your primary goal is his protection, and somewhere a little further down the line, my protection is a priority. So, better yet, tell me everything and let me pass."
The soldier with the call sign "Kot" was in a stalemate. Natasha Romanoff technically had no real authority over them. But everyone knew they spent a lot of time together with their leader. Attacking her was out of the question, but security procedures also prevented her from being allowed near them.
The atmosphere around was growing a little tense. Fortunately, the quiet voice of the culprit himself calmed the tension a bit.
- Cat.
The soldier, hearing his call sign, quickly approached the lying Ledov and bent down.
"Have Portal take Dreykov and keep him under surveillance," the commander began giving orders, lying on the floor and speaking in a heavy voice. "Get everyone out of here and send them for questioning. I want to understand what knocked me out."
- Eat.
Before the fighter could leave, Ledov grabbed his arm, attracting his attention.
— Consider Natasha my deputy in field work.
The commander of the fighters did not particularly like this command, but it was not a request, so he would have to carry it out.
- Yes sir.
Considering that everyone had heard their conversation, no one stopped Black Widow, and she walked towards the lying man.
— Are you okay?
Alex had a severe headache and couldn't think clearly. But even the slight tenderness in her voice brought a smile to his face.
— I don't know yet. But I'm sure a kiss will help me.
"I'm going to hit you now." Natasha was torn between tenderness and professionalism.
This phrase only brought a tired smile to the mutant's face.
"Natasha, there's an antidote for the Widows here." He eased the tension a bit, then drew the attention of the best Widow with his words. "Make sure we have a sample. Use the rest to free them from control. Then contact Anna, she'll tell you where to deliver them."
Natasha froze at Alex's words. She remembered those women standing like statues in the room, awaiting orders.
- I'm ready to help.
Melina, slightly battered, made herself known by lying on the floor and not moving, so that they wouldn't start shooting at her.
"Damn." Alex saw the other Widow's state. "Natasha, she'll help you."
Natasha looked at Melina, and it was clear in her eyes that she was not particularly eager to work with her.
— Carry out, Agent Romanov.
With those last words, Alex gave in to his body and lost consciousness. The paramedic gently moved Natasha and began checking on their leader.
Standing up, Natasha met Cat's gaze, who was clearly interested in her next steps.
"What are we standing there for? Get him evacuated and find someone who knows what happened to him inside. From there, we'll get on with our assigned tasks. Clint, help Miss Vostokoff; she'll tell us everything and show us everything."
After her commands, everyone began to do their assigned tasks.
*****
Tears, screams, sometimes even prayers.
This is exactly what Black Widow was listening to as she watched her "younger" sisters being released from chemical control one by one.
Natasha's mother from her past life turned out to be very helpful and tried in every way to prove it.
She brought the serum and began to inject it into the girls, who, receiving emotional freedom, began to release the emotions that had accumulated within them.
At one point, Melina even wanted to somehow say that she didn't know what would happen in Dreykov's office, but Natasha simply stopped her and said that a mission was currently underway, clearly making it clear that a conversation on this topic, if it took place, would take place later.
Natasha, as Alex had ordered, kept one sample with her and watched as the girls, one by one, were driven out of control.
Clint, who had been watching all of this, quietly approached Natasha.
"You told me all sorts of stories about the past in the Room, but I couldn't even imagine this."
Natasha decided to answer without even looking at her friend, but rather watching the young girls.
"Before, it was just psychological control; we were programmed to carry out our missions." Natasha's gaze hardened at the memory. "Now, Dreykov doesn't even worry about their stability. Once they're under his control, they become nothing but his playthings."
After Natasha's answer, Clint looked at these girls, and he really wanted to deliver a couple more punches to the face of one of the generals.
"What do you think will happen to them?" Natasha decided to turn her head toward her friend, so he could elaborate. "Ledov won't let them go. What if he wants to use them?"
"Of course he will," the archer was astonished by the directness of his answer. "He tries to use everything he can get his hands on. He certainly won't let them go just like that."
- And you talk about this so calmly?
Natasha looked at her friend as if he were a stupid boy.
"I don't know everything, but if he wanted to do something bad to them, I wouldn't be here. He knows I wouldn't allow the program to happen again, so I conclude that everything we do here is done more for me than for anyone else."
- What do you mean?
"Alex didn't do all this just for victory. Victory was in his grasp from the moment Heimdall found this base. He did it for me . So that I could see the end with my own eyes. So that I could strike. He closes my gestalt, Clint. And in our world, everything comes at a price."
- And what is your price?
For a few moments the agent's features relaxed.
- Be there and cover his back.
Clint knew there was more to those words.
"But why am I here then?" The archer watched as the two girls began to hug when they realized this nightmare was over.
— So that I wouldn't be alone. So that there would be someone I trusted who could take care of me if something went wrong.
Natasha was like a robot and practically did not react to anything that was happening around her.
"Alex started with diplomacy and ended with it. He tried to negotiate to get Elena back in front of me, but they laughed in his face. He couldn't do it then. And now, under the chaos of Hydra, strengthened by his friendship with Stark and Thor, with his connections in the Kremlin, he's demonstrated that he can literally crush any opposition that stands in our way."
— At our place?
Natasha just smiled mysteriously at her friend.
- Of course, us. We're the Avengers, remember?
Clint clearly sensed there was something more here, but now was not the time for it.
When the last of the Widows was brought out of their stupor, their evacuation to safe territory began.