Chapter Text
Steve and Dariq walked with one of the local fishermen to his boat. He looked around at the other men, smiling at their waves and nods of welcome.
“Dariq, do they know who I am?” Steve couldn't help wondering why so many people were being so nice to him.
Dariq smiled, nodding as they moved through the crowd. “Some recognize you from stories and others are just surprised to see you here. We don't get many blue eyed people in the villages.” He grinned as Steve's eyes widened in surprise. “Come, Captain, Abdiel's boat is the next one over. He says that this morning's catch had the same smell as the ones in the barrel.”
Steve frowned as he followed the two men. “And it was this morning's catch?” At Dariq's nod, Steve ran a hand through his hair. “Did the system some how fail or has it been tampered with? How can the fish go bad before it's even caught?”
Dariq shook his head as they finally reached the boat. “Honestly, we don't know, Abdiel said they sent emails and letters but never got a response.” Shaking his head, Dariq sighed. “It's almost as if someone didn't want them to know about the issues going on here.”
Steve nodded, studying the bucket of fish in front of him. “They look like the same fish, can he take us out to where he caught these? Maybe there's something being dumped in the water?” Steve frowned in concern, the smell of the fish was the same as the ones from this morning. “They even smell the same, just not as strong.”
“The ones in the barrels were delivered two days ago, these were caught this morning. Either way, they shouldn't have gone bad so quickly.” Dariq frowned as he stood next to Steve. Turning to the silent man behind him, he smiled. “Hal'ant qaliq bishan ma hu'akthar min alsamki?”(You're worried about more than the fish?) At his short nod, Dariq glanced at Steve. “Wujuduh masdar qalaqun?”(His presence is a concern?)
“Limadha laysuu huna? Limadha tursal hadha algharib lilnazar fi hadha?”(Why are they not here? Why send this stranger to look into this?)
Dariq led Abdiel away from Steve, a frown curving his lips down. “Lam nukhbirhum 'anana qadimun alkabtin rujarz talab miniy 'an 'ahdirah liruyatika.”(We didn't tell them we were coming, Captain Rogers asked that I bring him to see you.) Dariq watched as Steve studied the nets before turning to look out over the lake. “Sayukhbiruhum bima wajadah wasayaqumun bi'iislahih kama hu alhal dayman.”(He will tell them what he finds and they will fix it as always.)
“Hal tathiq bihadha algharib liaqul alhaqiqatu?”(Do you trust this stranger to tell the truth?)
“Naema, li'anahum yathiqun bih bima yakfi li'iihdarih 'iilaa huna.”(Yes, because they trust him enough to bring him here .) Dariq gave Abdiel a small grin as he watched Steve. “Captain, do you see anything of concern?”
Steve scanned the other side of the lake, a frown of worry curving his lips down. He wasn't sure but he had a feeling that someone was poisoning the water. “The smell of the fish is off for a lake this size. Especially since the water treatment system they set up has worked for years.” Turning to the men behind him, Steve shook his head. “We need to get a sample to Bruce or Tony. Hopefully, once they take a look at it we can figure out what needs to be done.” Running a hand through his hair, Steve turned back towards the lake. “Let's go out where Abdiel caught his fish, if we can get a water sample..”
Dariq nodded, pulling his phone out and sending a text. “I'll let Aveline know so she doesn't worry. She can also let Bruce know that we'll bring in a fresh fish to look at.”
Steve nodded, climbing into the small boat behind Abdiel. Giving the other man a small smile, Steve looked up as Dariq climbed in behind him. “How long has this been an issue? Does anyone know when it first started?”
Turning to untie the ropes, Dariq frowned as they left the dock. “Abdiel said they reached out to Bruce and Tony about three months ago, when it first became noticeable. They've been having the same issues we have when it comes to communication, however. Either we're told they're unavailable or we get no response at all.”
Shaking his head, Steve watched the other boats they passed. He wondered why there was no response to the emails? Could Dariq be right, was someone deliberately trying to harm the villagers? “What about Pepper, you never got a response from her, either?”
Dariq shook his, studying the waves beside the boat. “We could never reach her, either. Then this new woman comes to the restaurant with paperwork from Av..” Dariq broke off as something flashed under the water. “Did you see that, Captain?”
Steve nodded, trying to see what could be the cause. “How far are we from where Abdiel was this morning?” Watching the soft blue lights, Steve counted the time between each flash. “There's three lights so far, what could be the cause?” Voice soft, Steve leaned closer to the water.
“He said it's right next to us.” Dariq looked down, frowning in concern. “Those look like waste barrels. They would never approve of toxic dumping here, there's a site for that.”
Steve shook his head as he moved to the other side of the boat. “Some one is deliberately dumping them here. The water near the house doesn't smell like this but here, right in the center..” Steve broke off as his phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he grinned to see Bucky's name.
Pressing the answer button, Steve reached for the glass jar held out to him. “Yeah Buck, everything alright?” He put on the gloves Dariq handed him, smiling in thanks.
“Stevie, what're you doin', is there something wrong with the lake?”
Putting the phone on speaker, Steve leaned over the side, slowly dipping the jar into the water. “I think so, there's a couple of blue lights flashing under the water. I'm going to get a water sample and bring it in for Tony or Bruce to look at. The fish from this morning smell almost as bad as the barrels we moved earlier.”
“That's not good. Angel, Rhodes, and Tony are sitting right here, tell them what you're seeing.”
Steve lifted the jar, frown deepening as he studied the murky liquid. “The water in the jar is cloudy but..” He broke off at something floating in the liquid. “There's something in the water, almost like a fish but, it's smaller.”
“Captain, this is Tony. If you haven't already sealed the sample, please do so. If it's toxic we don't want it harming anyone.”
Steve held the jar as Dariq sealed it. “It's been sealed, I'll bring the catch from Abdiel as well.” Steve nodded to Dariq as he placed the jar in a basket. “We also need to talk when I get back. There's a number of concerns from the villagers..”
“We appreciate your concern, Captain, but we'll take care of it from here.”
Steve blinked in surprise at Tony's tone, looking up at Dariq. “I, uh, o-ok, I'll, uh we'll be back soon with the sample and fish, Rogers, out.” Disconnecting the call, Steve stared at the now dark device. He could feel his face hot with a flush of anger as he tried to control his temper. “Let's get back, we need to get this to them as soon as possible.” Voice soft, Steve glanced up at Dariq as the boat headed back towards the docks. “I'm sorry..”
Dariq shook his head, giving Steve a small smile. “Tony is protective of those he calls family. Don't worry, Captain, once we return to the house, he will have changed his tone.”
Steve gave Dariq a small smile as he turned to look out over the lake. He didn't share Dariq's optimistic outlook, not from Tony's tone. Releasing a soft sigh, Steve hoped that if Tony wouldn't listen, Bruce or Aveline would.