Author's Note: So in this chapter I include a flashback that I originally wrote for Agent Tolvar. It explains a little about Strucker since I wrote him a little differently from AoU. I think he's a very interesting villain, but we really don't get to see much of him in the movie. I was disappointed by that, so I wanted to give a little more about him even if it was in the past.
I can't believe Civil War is coming up so quickly. I was thinking I'd have to take this big, long hiatus between Age of Ultron and Civil War in my story, but I haven't even written the party scene yet and the movie is coming out in half a month! I'm excited to catch up with the movies although I'll probably end up writing some stuff between AoU and Civil War since (I think) there's a year in between. Anyway, I'm excited and also kind of terrified...
19 – Ghosts of the Past – April 25, 2015
"You're pretty calm considering Aspen's on a mission alone," Natasha said, leaning over the back of the couch where Steve was sitting. He'd been going through old SHIELD files to see if anything useful caught his eye – any hint of where Strucker might be hiding.
"Outward appearances can be deceiving," he replied. In truth he was more concerned about the fact that this was Tony's plan. Tony's plans could sometimes be too focused on results rather than how one went around getting those results. Aspen was always eager to prove herself, so she tended to dive headlong into whatever plans her teammates came up with. For the most part that wasn't a bad thing. Natasha and Clint's plans were always well thought out and took every possible eventuality into consideration. Steve had his military background and a lot of experience with strategizing. Tony, however, saw an outcome and assumed he'd have no trouble overcoming anything that got in his way. Steve knew Tony would never consciously put Aspen in harm's way, but not even Tony with all his genius could predict every outcome. "I'm not so much worried about her handling herself. It's that she's going back to the life she came from. It wasn't a good life."
"She doesn't let her past define her," Natasha assured him. "She's stronger than that."
"I know. I just wish I could spare her from painful memories. It's a part of her life I wasn't even there for. I remember when she first told me about it. I was so surprised because she seemed far too young be involved in something like that. I just had this instinct to protect her, but it didn't take me long to realize she was more than capable of taking care of herself. That instinct never went away though."
"We always want to protect the ones we love," Natasha said, sitting on the arm of the couch. "That's no bad thing." She nodded to the files he had strewn all over the coffee table. "Find anything yet?"
Steve sighed. "If I wanted to know the restaurants Hydra's top thugs favor, I'd be in luck. Most of this information is either outdated or incomplete."
"Maybe we're looking at this wrong," Natasha said, sliding a file toward her.
Steve motioned for her to take whatever she wanted. Maybe she'd find something he had missed. "I've tried looking for patterns, for anything that might lead us to Strucker, but all they lead to are dead ends."
"We're pretty sure Strucker has the scepter and is most likely experimenting with it," Natasha said.
"Yeah."
"Well he'd need scientists to help with his research. People who specialized in studying energy. Are there any files on SHIELD scientists that might have gone rogue or been double agents?"
"This file has information on the SHIELD Station where the scepter was studied. It lists all the scientists involved. Since most of them kept their identities hidden until after SHIELD fell, I have no idea who was Hydra." He handed Natasha the file.
"I can get in touch with some of my contacts, see if any of these names are active with Hydra. If Aspen's mission goes as planned, hopefully she'll be bringing home a name or two. I'll let you know when I have something." She left, taking the file with her, and Steve stood, rolling his achy shoulders and stretching his arms. He found it hard to sit for long periods of time, seeing little action, little progress. He walked over to the window and looked down at the miniature cars clogging Park Avenue. He wondered if the people down below ever looked up and felt safer knowing the Avengers were in their city. If they couldn't even find Strucker though then how were they supposed to protect people? He saw movement behind him in the reflection of the glass and turned to see Clint entering the room.
"You're not moping, are you?" he asked, flopping down in one of the chairs and fixing Steve with a look.
"Not intentionally."
"Natasha sent me to find you. Said something about helping you research files." He made a face. "Not my idea of a Saturday night, but I'm here to help." He grabbed a file at random, flipping through the pages. "You do know SHIELD kept most of their files on computers, right?" he asked, quirking a brow.
"Sometimes I like having something I can actually hold. Besides, some of these files predate computers." Strucker was a name he was familiar with. During the war, he'd come across Strucker and his experiments in a village at the base of the Alps. Strucker had taken the villagers and experimented on them. Strucker himself had somehow survived the war like Zemo, his life lengthened by some Hydra science. Old enemies seemed to have a way of popping back up in his life when he least expected it.
"I don't know what you're hoping to find," Clint said, setting the file aside.
"I thought maybe Strucker's past might give some sort of clue as to where to find him now."
"Okay, wait, Aspen mentioned something about that. She said you'd actually met him. Freaky Hydra science…" He shook his head. "They can't just die, they have to live on for several generations, continuing their evil work. So what's his story?"
Steve sat back down. "Well," he said. "It was during the war…"
1944
Steve turned to survey his surroundings. The snow flurried around him in torrents, clinging to his eyelashes. Bucky came up beside him, snow dotting his dark hair and melting into rivulets down his cheeks. He gave Steve a grim look. "Are you sure you dragged us out here for a reason?"
"Coordinates indicate that Hydra took over a small village on the outskirts of the Alps. I'm not sure why they're interested in this village. I guess we'll find out."
The Howling Commandos followed them as they forged their way through the snow. Howard Stark had flown them in as close as he could get without alerting Hydra to their presence. They'd taken down a fair share of Hydra bases over the past year, and Steve didn't have any reason to suspect this would be any different. As they rounded on the village, Steve motioned for the Howling Commandos to spread out in the trees surrounding the base of the mountains. Bucky joined him behind an outcropping of rocks. He pulled out a set of binoculars and handed them over to Steve. "What do you see?" he asked.
Steve focused the binoculars on the village in the distance. It was hard to see through the snow, but he was able to perceive the outlines of buildings along with the distinctive sign of Hydra. Soldiers lined the edge of the village, Hydra weapons in hand. "Hydra is there guarding the perimeter. I can't see any further because of the snow."
"I thought they improved your vision before you came to war," Bucky said, his tone edged with teasing.
"Yeah, well they didn't give me the power to control the weather, so we're going to have to make due." They joined the rest of the Howling Commandos and Steve outlined the plan. "Alright, we need to take them from all sides. Hydra will try to use the villagers to their advantage if there are any left here. Civilian protection is priority. Now we don't know how many Hydra soldiers are down there or why they're down there so tread carefully. Dugan and Jones, you take the northern side. Morita and Dernier and Falsworth the west. Bucky and I will take the south. Wait for my signal."
They nodded and moved out, disappearing into the snowfall. Bucky stuck close to Steve's side as they moved toward the southern entrance to the village. The road led straight up to the village. Even though Steve could hardly see through all the snow, he was glad for the cover especially when he heard a truck rumbling toward the village. He motioned for Bucky to drop. His friend did so at once but gave Steve a disgusted look as the snow soaked through their clothing. Steve gave him a shrug from where he lay a few inches away. The truck slowly rumbled into view, and Bucky's face registered why Steve had told him to drop.
"I thought we were making snow angels," he teased softly, rolling his pale blue eyes at Steve.
"No time for that." Steve flashed him a grin. "Maybe after the war."
"Sure."
They fell silent as the truck passed. The Hydra guards went forward to meet it, speaking with the driver for a second before waving him through. The truck drove straight into the village, vanishing into the winter fog.
"Come on." Steve motioned Bucky forward and they leapt up from the snowy ground. Steve could feel the chill working its way through his suit. He readjusted his shield on his left arm, keeping his eyes on the Hydra guards. They worked their way down the incline, and he motioned for Bucky to sneak behind while he met them head on. Bucky tipped his head to the side but nodded moving silently away. Steve gave a sharp whistle. Before the Hydra soldiers could figure out where the sound had come from, Steve and Bucky were on them. Steve's shield crashed down on a Hydra guard's head. He spun around to knock a gun out of another's hand. Bucky used his rifle to knock out the other two guards. They heard shouting from inside the village, but the Howling Commandos had it well under hand. Steve and Bucky ran to join them in the center of the village. Steve saw people peering out of the windows of the small houses. They looked terrified even though the Howling Commandos had knocked out all of the Hydra guards. Dugan and the others helped pull them into the center of the village where they stood around them, weapons aimed just in case any of them woke up. Steve and Bucky worked their way toward the east of the village where the houses ended and the mountain started. Built into the side of the mountain was what looked like a temple. Hydra banners hung across the front of the building. Steve and Bucky exchanged a look before striding toward it. Steve didn't know what to expect but what they found when they entered the building was a shock. Equipment lined the walls and villagers lay strapped to cots, some with wires sticking out of their arms. Hydra scientists turned to survey Steve and Bucky. One of them scurried into another room.
"What is this?" Steve asked aloud.
"They're experimenting on them," Bucky said, his voice strained. Steve looked over and saw hooded fear in his eyes. He reached out and put a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Across the room another man entered. He was dressed in a lab coat but had the bearing of someone in charge. One of his hands was missing from the elbow down and had been replaced by a metal hand. A monocle was positioned over one eye.
"I see we have some unwelcome guests," he said, striding forward. "We are in the middle of some very important discoveries. Perhaps you could come back another time."
"That's not going to happen. You need to let these people go. We took your guards down. You have nowhere else to go, so let's make this easy."
The man chuckled softly. "Oh, I don't think I'll be going anywhere, Captain."
"How do you know who I am?"
"The costume? The red, white, and blue shield?" The man lifted an eyebrow. "All of Hydra knows who you are. I hope you don't think you intimidate me." He flexed his metal arm and sparks rose along the surface until the entire arm was letting off an electrical charge. He took a step toward Steve and Bucky.
"Who are you?" Steve asked.
"Baron Wolfgang von Strucker," the man replied as if everyone should have heard of him. The Hydra scientists behind them were hurrying to pack up papers and folders, fear etched on their faces. Bucky gave Steve an uncertain look. Strucker didn't look like much of a fighter, but as they watched, he pulled a long saber out of a sheath, tossing his lab coat aside.
"This research is important. I will not have you destroying it."
"You got this?" Bucky asked. "I'll get the villagers out of here."
"Go," Steve said. "I've got it." He faced Strucker wondering exactly how skilled he was with his saber. He held it his metal hand, and the electrical charge ignited the blade as well. Steve sidestepped cautiously, keeping his eyes on Strucker, waiting for him to strike. Strucker seemed intent on studying him first though.
"Such an interesting specimen you are, Captain. One of a kind. Well, perhaps not one of a kind."
"I'm not a specimen," Steve ground out.
"Do you prefer 'experiment'?"
"I'd prefer less talking."
"Ah yes, always the soldier. Ready to jump into battle for his country." Across the room Bucky was releasing the villagers, helping them to their feet. The Hydra scientists didn't make any attempts to stop him. They huddled in the far corner of the temple, sending worried glances at Strucker. Strucker himself paid them no mind. "Well then," Strucker continued. "I shan't disappoint you." He struck so quickly Steve hardly had a chance to avoid the blow. He sidestepped and flung his shield up as Strucker stabbed at him again. There was nothing inexperienced or clumsy about Strucker's fighting. He was obviously very skilled – reminding Steve of Baron Zemo, another swordsman he'd come up against – and graceful as well, providing a certain elegance to their fight. Steve focused, knocking the sword aside and punching out at Strucker. His fist collided with the man's face, but as Strucker flew backward, he grabbed Steve's arm, dropping the sword in the process. An electric current surged through Steve's body, and he cried out, trying to force the metal hand off of him. Strucker let go, and Steve stumbled backward, his body aching from the electric force that had traveled through it.
"Hey!" Bucky shouted. He threw something at Strucker and it hit him in the back, knocking him off kilter. Steve struck out with his shield, and Strucker hit the floor. Strucker reached for his sword. Steve nearly put his foot down on Strucker's arm, but he was afraid of getting shocked again. He watched Strucker warily as he got to his feet.
"Bites, doesn't it?" Strucker asked. "Not as much as losing my arm, but now I have much more use of it."
"You think because you have a metal arm you have the advantage?" Bucky asked. "Think again." He flung himself at Strucker, forcing his metal arm against his own throat. Strucker jolted as the electricity turned against him.
"Bucky!" Steve shouted as his friend collapsed on the ground, sparks fizzing off his fingertips. Strucker fell to his knees.
"I'm fine," Bucky waved Steve off. "Finish him."
Steve hesitated, conflicted, but he knew he needed to press his advantage. He turned to Strucker and kicked out straight at his chin sending him flying backwards. A punch to the face, and Strucker was out cold, his electrical arm fizzing harmlessly next to him. Steve immediately hurried over to Bucky, crouching down next to him.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "That was a stupid thing to do," he scolded Bucky without giving him a chance to reply.
Bucky groaned, struggling to sit up. Steve placed a hand on his back to help him up. "You're welcome."
"I had him on the ropes."
Bucky grinned. "I know you did."
"Let's strap him down before we join the others." He helped Bucky to his feet and the two of them pulled Strucker up onto one of the cots, carefully avoiding his electrified arm. Bucky tightened the straps around his non-metal arm and legs, face grim. Steve knew he must be remembering his time strapped down by Zola. Anger heated his face. He looked over and saw one of the patients that Bucky hadn't unstrapped from her cot. Steve realized why at once. The patient was dead, a trickle of blood running out of the corner of her mouth. She looked young, perhaps not even twenty yet. Ugly stitching ran down the collar of her thin dress. Steve pulled a white sheet over her head.
"Horrible, isn't it?" Bucky asked. He'd moved alongside Steve, blue eyes clouded with disgust and sorrow.
"I don't understand such disregard for human life," Steve agreed. "Were there any others who were…gone?"
"No. Some weren't in good shape, but they should be all right now that Hydra's done for. I sent the scientists packing. The Commandos should have them now."
"We'll transport them back to the Allies in the truck that came in. I imagine Colonel Phillips will be glad to get his hands on Strucker." They left him strapped down to the cot, still unconscious and made their way outside where they found the Howling Commandos already ordering the Hydra soldiers and scientists onto the truck.
"You alright?" Dugan asked, striding up.
"Yeah, we're okay," Steve replied. Bucky rolled his shoulders, but gave Steve a stiff smile. "We've got their leader in there. Nasty guy with a metal arm – an electrical metal arm."
"Well we'll see how he likes it when we throw a bucket of water on him," Dugan said. "I'll go get him."
"I'll help." Steve followed Dugan back into the building. Bucky stayed behind to help the others.
"Where did you leave him?" Dugan asked, turning to Steve. Steve looked over his shoulder. The cot was empty, restraints loose on the floor. Strucker had escaped.
Present
Clint looked a bit ill after Steve was done with the story. "I've been fighting Hydra for a long time, but somehow it always surprises me how little they value human life."
"Agreed."
"You don't suppose he's experimenting again, do you?" Clint asked.
"I don't know."
"We know the scepter can affect people," Clint said, his expression growing dark. "But other than mind-control, I'm not sure what else it could do."
"One thing is clear: we need to stop Strucker. Whatever he's doing, it's not good."
"Aspen will get something," Clint assured him. "In the meantime, let's pore over some old files."