HIATUS

CHARLES A.CARTER'S POV

My staff members and I arrive in Greece. The plane landed in "Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos". People were weary due to the long 13-hour flight from America to Greece.  As I was descending from the plane, 100 meters or so away from me was the American Ambassador to Greece, Ambassador Monteagle "Monty" Stearns. Ambassador Stearns or as he likes to be called "Monty" is a kind and humorous man.

"Secretary Carter, how was your flight? Okay I hope," he said as he shakes my hand.

"Fine for the most part. Lucky for me I was able to sleep most of the time in the flight," I said as I shake his arm.

"How is the situation developing here?", I asked him.

"Minister Li Wie, of The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China has offered a wonderful trade agreement to Greece," Monty said to me.

"Did you do the favor I ask of you?" I ask him.

"I did, the Greece Ministry of Trade, Minister Vasileios Kedikogloue, I dare say is a friend of mine. He has agreed and was able to persuade the Prime Minister to delay signing any "Trade Agreement" with China. He will meet with you in 3 days," Monty said to me.

"Thank you Monty, I will remember this favor," I said.

The two of us went to the embassy. Following us were two cars, the first being my staff members and the second being our security detail.

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3 DAYS LATER:

CHARLES POV

"Minister Kedikogloue, thank you for meeting me," I said to the man as I shake his hand. Minister Kedikogloue was a tall man, with an imposing presence.

"Secretary Carter, I'm not going to lie to you. There are only 2 reasons why were our having this talk right now. The first being my friendship with Ambassador Monty, him asking me personally for this favor. The second is due to the friendship our two nations have, but China's offer for a trade agreement is extremely beneficial for my country", the Minister said to me.

"I understand that China is a growing economy with great opportunities for investors," I said to him. An intrigued look could be seen on his face.

"I believe you're here to make a counter offer. Let us not waste each other time Secretary Carter," Kodikogloue said.

A smile marks my face, "Of course Minister," I said to him.

We entered the building of the Ministry of trade.  My meeting with the Minister took an entire day.

He told me that he will discuss this with the Prime Minister. He showed no signs of being interested in the agreement. It was a "solid poker face" if you ask me. I had no clue if the agreement was desirable to him or not.

I left the building with my security detail. Hoping for the best. My ticket to Presidency now in the hands of Greece, even if they don't know it. Just thinking about this makes me hate the Chinese more.

I seated myself in the car in silence. The soldiers who were my security detail seeing my mood decided to return to the embassy with due haste. With an unfocused gaze, I watched the City of Athens as we travel.

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ONE WEEK LATER:

CHARLES POV

I opted not to return to the US and wait for the decision of the Prime Minister of Greece. All my responsibilities at home were left on the sidelines for the time being.

"Secretary Carter I have news," said  Ambassador Monty.

I compose myself. Focusing on every word that would be going out of the Ambassador's mouth.

"The Prime Minister likes your revised trade agreement better than the Chinese and has decided to make the US their trade partner. They wish to meet with you this afternoon at 1 pm to make the agreement official. The Prime Minister wants to hasten this process. Once the document is finalized both the President of the US and the Prime Minister would sign this agreement in a Signing Ceremony for the world to see", the ambassador said.

A smile marks my face. Finally the key to my success, to my Presidency is assured. "Thank you, for the news Monty. The favor I owe you will be paid handsomely in the future," I said to him.

"It doesn't matter if it's too early let's have a cup of wine to celebrate," said Monty.

"An excellent idea," I said.

After our celebratory cup of wine, the rest of the morning was preparing everything ready for the meeting with the Prime Minister.

I left the embassy at 12:30 pm to not be late for my appointment at the Maximos Mansion. With me in the car is my 2 man security detail. Inside of the moving car, I had an ominous feeling.

"Something doesn't feel right," I said to myself. The intense feeling of dread was crawling at every fiber of my body.

"Is everything ok sir?" said one of the soldiers acting as my security detail.

"It's 12:30 shouldn't there be more people traveling on the highway. I see no cars on the road but ours," I said to him.

"Maybe we are just lucky sir. I take an easy drive any day", said the driver who is part of my security detail.

'Lucky??.No...I don't think I'm lucky...Something bad is going to happen.' I thought.

Suddenly something was thrown in the middle of the road.

"What the, hold on," said the driver.

"What's going o----," I wasn't able to finish my sentence due to the car hitting something in the road. The car swerves from left to right. The driver was doing everything he can to stop and stabilize the car.

"WHAT THE FUCK!!!" said one of the security detail.

"SPIKETRAP!!!" the driver said before we hit a pole.

CRASH…..(heating a pole/ crashing sound)...

"Ah…..everybody okay",  I ask.

"Out now!!. Secure the Secretary," said the driver.

"Let's go," said the other soldier. As he tried to help me move.

'BANG'' BANG'

The moment the driver got out of his seat, a gunshot fire was heard. Blood spatter can be seen in the window. Everything seems to slow down. I could see the resolute face of the remaining security detail I had. He immediately went out of the car holding his gun. He died as quickly as he got out. He wasn't able to fire even one shot of his gun.

'BANG'

I knew I was going to die. Why now? When my success is so near me. Why did I live throughout the war but still die due to a gunshot wound? Who would dare attack a Secretary of the United States? So many thoughts going through my mind.

I could see the hinges in the car door being destroyed. Suddenly the door in the side of my car was removed by force. Then I saw him, my assassin. The man sent to kill me was wearing a black Kevlar suit. "Military-grade," I thought. Then I saw his left arm. It was metallic of some sort. For a brief moment, I look into his eyes. There was no emotion in his eyes. It was empty. He slowly lifts his gun and points it at my forehead. I close my eyes waiting to die. Only 1 thought was in my mind. "Martha's going to hate me for this,".

'BANG'.

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Somewhere in a cold mountain region of Siberia. A military base can be seen. In the topmost part of the base, there was an office. Inside the office, a man of Russian descent can be seen drinking a cup of coffee while reading through important documents.

ringz.....ringz...

He picks up the ringing satellite phone on his desk and answered.

"Hello," he said.

"The target is eliminated," the other person on the phone said.

"..." The Russian man gave no reply.

"The scapegoat has been made. No information can be lead back to us"

"Secure the Winter Soldier and return to base immediately," the Russian man said.

"Yes sir" the other person replied.

The Russian man ended the phone call and said in a whisper only he could hear, "Hail Hydra".