NEW YORK 2024. 10 {PRESENT DAY}

                                    

                                          
NEW YORK, 2024 - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER 
The conference erupts into chaos as the Flag Smashers deftly execute the initial phase of their plan to smoke out the building. Sam Wilson seizes the shield, now in his possession, and forcefully smashes open the nearest window, soaring into the building with a resounding crash landing. 
"Bucky, Avery, what's happening on your end?" he commands through the comms, scanning his surroundings. 
Barnes and Walker remain at street level on the fair side of the conference building. The pandemonium from the east side hasn't reached them yet, and without the comms, Avery and Bucky would be oblivious to the unfolding events at Sam's location. "Nothing. It's quiet," she responds, casting a concerned glance at Bucky, who is also surveying the area as they brace for the impending chaos. 
"I still haven't spotted Karli, but the Flag Smashers are smoking everyone out," Wilson explains as he advances toward one of the Smashers, prepared to engage in combat. 
"Do you need backup?" she inquires, shifting eastward and compelling Bucky to follow. 
"Ave, you're staying put right here," Bucky warns, earning a frown from her. 
"Bucky's right, Walker. Don't go disappearing, not now," Sam interjects amid his skirmish, incapacitating his opponent with the shield. 
"I was only offering to help with this damn chaos... I thought we've moved past this." She responds to Sam however, her gaze is on Bucky.  
Barnes halts as they step into the building, a visible conflict etched on his brow and his jaw tightly clenched. After a moment, he releases a sigh and scans the surroundings. "Alright, fine. There's a Flag Smasher approaching from our right, Ave. I'll conduct a sweep of the floor," he instructs before proceeding to carry out his plan. Avery watches, not entirely impressed, but she heads toward the adversary, poised for the impending confrontation. 
As Barnes diligently sweeps the area, Avery narrows her focus on the approaching Flag Smasher. The atmosphere is charged with tension, and her senses are heightened. The adversary, clad in the distinctive Flag Smasher attire, moves confidently towards her. 
Avery adopts a defensive stance, her training kicking in. She gauges the Flag Smasher's movements, anticipating the confrontation that is about to unfold. The chaos of the conference swirls around them, but in this moment, it's just Avery and her opponent. 
Barnes, amidst his systematic sweep, maintains a vigilant eye on the unfolding events, his movements deliberate and calculated. Swiftly traversing the upper level, he encounters a woman dressed in professional black attire. She approaches him, holding out a phone. "Mr. Barnes, I have Sharon Carter on the line; she needs to speak with you," she announces, earning a perplexed yet irritable expression from Bucky. After a moment of hesitation, he takes the phone, placing it to his ear. 
"Sharon? This better be good. What's with the shadiness?" he questions, pacing slowly down the hall.  
Sharon Carter remains concealed in the darkened corners of the underground car park below the building, a silent observer to the next phase of the Flag Smashers' plan. The getaway vehicles for those in power are prepared, armed with explosives, ready to be set into motion. 
"We have about thirty seconds here, Barnes, so keep quiet and listen. Where's Avery?" Sharon communicates through the earpiece connected to their call. 
"Why'd you want to know?" His response is direct, carrying a hint of suspicion. 
"Because she can't be trusted, Bucky," Sharon snaps quietly, the urgency in her voice underscoring the gravity of the situation.