Shepard will be taking the place of Captain America (Only without being Captain America) He is immortal like Wolverine and will be pairing with Black Widow. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Thoughts
Speech
Chapter one: The thousand year old man
Shepard sat up holding his gun in front of his face directed at the door sweat running down his face. Placing the gun down he slowly got up out of bed. Looking in the mirror he was a muscular man with black hair and goatee leading from his mouth to his chin. He had blue eyes that held great emotional strain behind them. Walking down to his basement he walked to his punching bag. Shepard began punching the bag hard left and then right, over and over for the next fifteen minutes. With a final punch it flew across the room with the hook still attached to it.
"Not again" Shepard sighed tiredly.
Walking up to his kitchen he heard knocking at his front door. Approaching the door slowly he peered outside to see who it was. Sighing he opened the door revealing Colonel Chester Phillips and SSR Agent Peggy Carter. "Commander we need to talk" Philips demanded sternly.
"I am not in the military anymore Colonel" Shepard said annoyed closing the door in their faces, Peggy stopped the door with her hand "Please, just listen to what we have to say" she said with a pleading look in her eyes.
Shepard remained silent for a moment. Opening the door he motioned for them to enter.
"Thank you" Peggy said walking to the kitchen.
"Beer Colonel?"
"Please"
Shepard grabbed a beer from his fridge handing it to him and sitting down at the table.
"Say what you have to say before I change my mind"
"We need you Commander, this war isn't going as well as it could be. If you joined it would be over before Hitler knows what hit him" Phillips explained.
"No"
"Excuse me?"
"No"
"Why not? You are the best man we have. There isn't anyone else who could do what you do"
"I don't kill anymore Colonel. Not unless there isn't a choice"
"What happened that made you change your policy against killing?" Carter asked curiously.
"I met someone"
"Met someone? Who?"
"We are done, you can show yourselves out"
"Commander you have fought in every war since the revolution. You practically shaped America to what it is today" Phillips said annoyed.
"I killed people for a paycheck. I never cared about anything else, money and fighting were the only things I cared about. That's changed after the last war. I won't continue with this cycle of unaccountability. I am accountable for all the men I have killed in defense of this country and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life. Now, you can either see yourselves out or I can force you out" Shepard explained in an Icy tone.
"I see" Carter said disappointment evident on her face "Thank you for your time" she added walking out the front door.
"You're a disappointment to the uniform" Phillips said following behind her.
I need a drink
"I knew I would find you here" a voice said grabbing Shepard's attention.
"Bucky" Shepard said hugging the man as he walked over.
"You have your orders?"
"107th infantry regiment" he answered fixing his hat "I ship out tomorrow"
"I wish you luck" Shepard said raising his glass to him.
"Thank you. Why haven't you enlisted?"
"I am not in the killing business anymore" he answered taking a swig of his drink.
"Well then I guess you are going to have a lot of women around to keep you company" he joked elbowing Shepard in the shoulder.
"I'd settle for just one" he said back with a smile.
"Then why don't you try giving one of the girls swooning over you a chance?" Bucky asked.
"None of them are my type"
"What is your type? I have known you my entire life and not once have I seen you with a woman"
"Maybe I just didn't want you to know I was dating someone" he said back with a playful wink.
"Seriously, you practically raised me and yet you haven't ever taken the time to be with anyone"
"It's not easy finding people who aren't put off by my healing ability and the fact I don't age"
"That's because you haven't found the right woman yet"
"And how exactly will I know when I find 'the right woman'?"
"Trust me, you'll know" he said standing up from the barstool "Do me a favor and give someone a chance every now and then" he said walking towards the exit.
"Good luck!" he yelled out to him receiving a wave in recognition.
Shepard quietly mulled over his words. What was his purpose in life now that he has no war to fight, No assassinations to complete, hell there wasn't even any gangs that he could take down while the war goes on. Should he join? ending the war would make Bucky safer so he wouldn't be in a foxhole every day for the next five years or more. Worse even end up dead.
Shepard sighed in annoyance not being able to decide what to do with himself "Another" he called to the bartender.
"Is this seat taken?" a man asked approaching him. Shepard turned to the man "Doctor Erskine? I would've thought you were still in Germany"
"No, not after the war started. I couldn't bring myself to continue to support a country of butchers"
"So you came to America? That's not much higher up on the scale. American's will still kill you , but they will feel guilty about it later"
"Yet you remain?"
"I have no where else to go. The rest of the world has gone to shit"
"That's a crude but fairly accurate statement"
"Surely you didn't come here to tell me about Germany's butchers"
"No I didn't, and don't call me Shirley" he said with a wink.
"I am about to leave if you don't start talking"
"You're right, I came here to tell you the serum is complete thanks to your DNA"
"Really? Congratulations, I am happy to hear your work is finished"
"Oh I am nowhere close to being finished"
"What do you mean?"
"I still need to pick a candidate"
"Good luck with that then"
"I want you to be one of the possible candidates"
"Doctor I am not a soldier anymore"
"I am not looking to make a soldier, I am looking to make the next step in human evolution. I believe you should have a chance to be that man as a reward for helping to perfect it"
Shepard stared at him weighing his options "Fine, I will join the program. It will give me something to do while I figure out where my life is headed"
"Excellent, I will send a car for you in the morning" he said excitedly walking towards the exit.
"You don't know where I live"
"Then I will expect you at Camp Lehigh first thing in the morning" he answered back as the door closed behind him.
"Gentlemen, I am Agent Carter. I supervise all operations of this division" she said pacing in front of the line of men.
"What's with the accent, Queen Victoria? Thought I was signing up for the U.S. Army" One soldier said rudely.
"Have some respect for your superiors" Shepard coldly responded.
"What's your name soldier?"
"Gilmore Hodge, your Majesty"
"Step forward, Hodge" she ordered. Hodge steps forward "Put your right foot forward"
"Are we dancing? Cause I got a few moves I know you'll like"
Carter punches him in the face sending him to the floor.
Shepard smirked to himself Disrespectful little shit
"Agent Carter" Colonel Phillips addressed exiting the vehicle transporting him.
"Colonel Phillips"
"I see you are roughening up our men, that's good. Pick your ass out of the dirt, soldier"
"Yes, sir" he responded standing back up with a crisp salute.
"General Patton has said that wars are fought with weapons but they are won by men. We are going to win this war because we have the best men" Phillips stopped looking sternly at Shepard with a shake of his head.
"And because they're gonna get better. Much better. The Strategic Scientific Reserve is and allied effort made up of the best minds in the free world. Our goal is to create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man. At the end of this week we will choose that man. He will be the first in a new breed of super-soldiers. And they, will personally escort Adolf Hitler to the gates of Hell"
The men all stopped running at the flag pole, most of them looked like they were about to pass out. Shepard wiped beads of sweat from his forehead looking to be not even slightly tired.
"If anyone can get this flag they will be awarded a ride back in the car!" the instructor yelled as the men struggled to climb the pole.
"No one has ever gotten that flag before and I don't see any of you doing it today! Fall in!" he yelled, the men responded with groans as the ran back to the track.
Shepard approached the pole, pulled the stakes out of the pole out resulting in it falling over. Shepard grabbed the flag and handed it to the instructor "Thank you" he said stepping into the car.
Peggy smiled at him with an amused expression on her face. "Fighting isn't something you do with your body, your mind can make all the difference between winning and losing a battle" Shepard said leaning back in the car.
"You're not thinking about picking Shepard, are you?" Phillips asked Erskine.
"I am more than just thinking about it. He is the clear choice"
"That man is a pansy he refuses to fight in the war because he would have to kill people, he doesn't follow orders well and doesn't even want to be picked"
"I am looking qualities beyond the physical"
"Do you know how long it took to set up this project?"
"Yeah, I know"
"And all the groveling I had to do in front of senator what's his name"
"I know, I am well aware of your efforts"
"Then throw me a bone! Hodge passed every test we gave him. He's just as big, just as fast, and he obeys orders. He's a soldier"
"He's a bully"
"You don't win wars with niceness, doctor"
Phillips pulls a grenade in hand "You win wars with guts" he throws the grenade to where the candidates were doing pushups "Grenade!"
All of the soldiers quickly move away, Shepard jumps onto the grenade instantly covering it with his body.
"Get away! Get back!" he yelled anticipating an explosion, realization hit him. Standing back up "It's a dummy grenade? Is this a test?" he asked looking to Phillips and Erskine.
Erskine looks at Phillips as to confirm his point about choosing Shepard "He's still a pansy" he said walking off.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Just one?"
"Why me? You had an entire group of candidates just as qualified for the serum"
"I suppose that is the only question that matters. Do you know what the first country the Nazi's invaded was?"
"Their own right?"
He nodded "You know, after the last war...my people struggled. They...they felt weak. They felt small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags and the...and the..."
He waves his hands.
"And he...he hears of me, my work and he finds me. And he says, you...he says you will make us strong. Well, I am not interested. So he sends the head of Hydra, his research division. A brilliant scientist by the name of-"
"Johann Schmidt, I know the man and am familiar with Hydra"
"Not many are. Now, Schmidt is a member of his inner circle and he's ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for a cult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced that there is a great power in the Earth, left there by the Gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist"
"Did it make him stronger?"
"Yeah, but there were other effects. The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside. So good becomes great. Bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because a strong man who has known power all his life, will lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength, and knows compassion"
"You picked me? I am not sure I am a prime example of a week man"
"You are a strong man but did not begin there, you fought your way to where you are now. When I first met you I would've never even considered you for the serum. But I can see you are a different man then you were then and I know with my serum you will do things no one has ever dreamed of"
"Thanks, I think"
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man"
"Thank you doctor, everyone always wanted me around when I was this merciless killer with no regard for what my actions may have done. But ever since I swore off killing no one has stood behind me everyone always questioned everything I did, people suspected I had switched sides and was a spy for Germany. Bucky, my friend was the only one who never did, and you. You have more faith in me than I have in myself. I promise you Abraham, starting tomorrow I will do everything in my power to be the man I used to be a long time ago and worthy of the faith you have in me.
"To the little guy" he toasted with the two drinks.
"No! No! Wait! Wait! What am I doing? No! You have a procedure tomorrow. No fluids" he yelled pouring the contents into his own glass.
"All right. We will drink it after"
"No! I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? Drink it now! he said gulping it down quickly. Shepard laughed lightly in response
"So what made a beautiful girl like you join the SSR?"
"Are you flirting with me Commander?"
"No"
"You have a woman back at home?"
"No"
"Why not? Don't tell me the woman aren't lining up to dance with you?"
"No they are, It just hasn't ever matter to me"
"Really? No one caught your fancy?"
"People don't exactly stick around when they find out you'll outlive the next five generations of their families"
"I suppose that makes sense"
"Figure I can wait"
"For what?"
"The right partner"
"How are you feeling?" Erskine asked as he walked him towards the machine.
"Nervous, I am already bigger than most men. What will the serum do to me?"
"It will not make you any larger than you already are, you will become stronger and faster, you will heal faster than the average man and your brain will become enhanced. At least that is the hope, I have never tested this on a human yet"
An explosion knocked everyone over, a man stole the serum shattering the others.
"Stop him!" Erskine yelled before being shot by him. The man ran up the stairs being followed by Carter.
Shepard caught Erskine, he pointed to Shepard's chest before dying. Shepard quickly followed. Arriving outside he saw a car headed straight for Peggy standing in the middle of the road pointing a pistol at the driver.
Pushing her out of the way Shepard was hit by the car sending him flying into another nearby vehicle. Standing up his wounds healed as he ran quickly following the vehicle, running down an alleyway using his left leg he pushed off the wall doing the same with the opposite wall flipping over the fence.
"Who the hell are you?"
"The first of many. Cut off one head, two more shall take its place. Hail Hydra!" the man chanted popping a fake tooth loose and swallowing it, he foams at the mouth and dies.
"Cyanide" Shepard says to himself. Noticing the shattered vial on the ground "Phillips is gonna be pissed" He walked back towards where the experiment was supposed to take place.
"Erskine deserved better than this"
"The serum never got to be put to use" Carter said disappointed.
"Hydra is practically a cult. They worship Schmidt, they think he's invincible. And they are technologically more advanced than us!" Phillips yelled in annoyance.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Senator Brandt asked.
"Spoke to the president this morning. As of today the SSR is being retasked"
Carter looked to Phillips "Colonel?"
"We are taking the fight to Hydra. Pack your bags Agent Carter. You too, Stark. You're flying to London tonight"
"I want in" Shepard said stepping in front of Phillips.
"Now you want to fight?"
"Only against Hydra, they don't have any loyalty to Germany they would see the entire world burn so they can rebuild it in their own image"
"You gonna attack to kill them?"
"No"
"Then the answer is no, I have no use for a soldier who wont kill the enemy"
"I know more about Hydra and Schmidt than all your intelligence reports put together"
"I asked for an army and I didn't even get one. You are not enough if you wont kill" Phillips left the room.
"Do you want to-"
"Finish that sentence Brandt and I will reconsider my policy on killing" Shepard interrupted darkly.
Brandt quickly left the room leaving Shepard and Carter alone "You are holding something back about Schmidt aren't you?"
Shepard stared at her not answering her question he turned to leave.
"If we are to have any chance of beating Hydra we need to know everything we can, even if Phillips wont let you fight you can still help"
Shepard stopped upon hearing her words "Johann Schmidt was ordered to execute me and other prisoners during the last war. Instead he staged an escape telling us to return to our families. Johann and I became friends after the war and met many times often to loan him money due to his country's poor economy at the time. He was the one who restored my faith in humanity and reminded me that all people have people who care for them and they deserve the right to have them for as long as they can. I swore to never kill another living creature for as long as I live unless I had no other choice and I was saving a life"
"He clearly isn't the same man you once knew him to be, why continue with this belief of yours?"
"Because if good men like him are capable of being bad and bad men like me are capable of being good. Then even bad men like him deserve the chance to try to atone. Even if they have to do so from a jail cell" Shepard explained "I was there when he formed Hydra and I know what its goals are, and while they are noble their methods are quite the opposite"
"So you believe that he has the capability to be good again?"
"I believe everyone deserves the chance"
"Not everyone would agree"
"I have faith" Shepard said smiling to her over his shoulder before leaving the room.
Chapter one! I hope you all like it so far next chapter coming soon
