Not Quite a Son
(Author's note: This story started out as part of a comment on another's story. There have been some very good stories based on examining Bucky's relationship with modern day relatives. All of the stories I have read so far have dealt with Bucky and female relatives. But what would happen if the relatives were male? I haven't come up with any good ideas for a great nephew (yet), but this idea popped into my brain. Let me know what you think.)
Chapter 1
When I was 13 I was taken to Washington, D.C. Mr. Pearce wanted to inspect me. And since he was the head of Hydra for our region and my foster parents boss, we went. After dismissing my guardians, Secretary Pearce told me that he wanted to meet me, to see what kind of a young man I was. He had plans for me. And then he completely shocked me by asking if I knew who my real parents were?
"Sir, I honestly don't know. I've asked my guardians at times, but they would never give me an answer. They told me I had to wait."
Secretary Pearce gave me a welcoming smile. Like the ones I'd seen on television. "Gregory, it is now time for you to learn about your true heritage." He paused. "What do you know about the Winter Soldier?'
"Not much Sir. He supposed to be a myth. But he's also referred to as the Asset and I've heard claims that he is the best assassin Hydra has ever had."
"The Asset is not a myth. He is a true soldier of Hydra also known as the Winter Soldier. I will order the appropriate files on him released to you. In a sense, the Asset is your father. But not in the traditional way. You are, in fact, a clone of the Asset."
Secretary Pearce went on talking about the glorious future of Hydra and how I could be a part of it. I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that I was a clone of the Winter Soldier. I started paying attention again when Pearce started talking about high school for me.
"I am sending you to an exclusive boarding school. It is for the children of high officers of Hydra. And for young adults of outstanding potential. You are the latter. As Hydra has cared for you so far in your life, we will continue to do so. You will be educated and trained so that you can take your place in our plans."
"You should be proud of your clone father, but you are never to mention him. As far as you know, you do not know who your parents were. When students ridicule you for not having parents who are officers of Hydra, you are to smile on the inside, but not to respond. If I find out that you have spoken of the Asset, there will be very harsh consequences." The smile he gave me now was not pleasant.
Pearce waited for me to respond. Finally I remembered that I had the ability to speak. "Thank you sir. I had not anticipated this high honor. I will remember." I paused a minute and then asked in a quiet voice. "Would it be possible to meet my clone father?"
Pearce laughed and pushed some buttons on his computer. A picture sprang up of a man in a cryogenic container. He looked to be in his early 30's. "I'm afraid that won't be possible at this time. As you can see, when he is not needed on a mission, we keep the Asset in cryofreeze. Maybe someday you can raise high enough in rank where you can be part of his team, or even in charge of him."
I kept looking, trying to look uninterested. By the writing in the picture I could tell he was in Russia. Probably Siberia. That's where Hydra keeps most of their really secret stuff. At least, that's what the rumors always said.
Pearce dismissed me and I left to start my new life. My foster parents had already prepared things, so I left for my new school almost immediately. They did let me look at the files that Pearce had released for me. My father, for that's how I thought of him, is amazing. A spotless record of assassinations stretching back to WWII. And they thought he was a myth. I didn't know why they had cloned him, but I would do my best to be worthy of him.