Siberian Hell Chapter 25 - Mapping, a captain america fanfic

Chapter 25 - Mapping

A new video begins dated January 1950.

Bucky is sitting in The Chair. It's older than the ones they've seen more recently - not as technologically advanced. He is strapped in with metal restraints across his ankles, thighs, chest, wrists, biceps, neck, and head. His hair has been shaved off again, and his head is covered in electrodes attached to an EEG machine while a scientist sits in front of a computer. Other electrodes, these larger, are attached to a car-like battery.

Even though Bucky is currently high as a kite, Steve notices that he visibly blanches, and his whole body shudders at the sight of The Chair that has been the cause of so much pain and agony for Bucky.

The scientist begins recording his notes:

"Day 1.

"I am Doctor Johann Fennhoff, recruited by Doctor Arnim Zola for the purpose of hypnotizing, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, and altering the synaptic pathways of the Hydra Asset known as the Winter Soldier. As such, we will begin mapping its brain and pruning the memories utilizing electric shock therapy to the areas of the brain that signal certain key recollections. We will begin using 100 volts held for 10 seconds. We will map the way its brain responds to a list of questions and stimuli, then cauterize the pathways to that information."

"Oh my God. This is how they erased you, how they erased everything," Steve realizes.

"It's how they made me a bla … blank slate and inserted the … the programming," Bucky slurs.

"Although the Soldat has been relatively compliant recently, we are ready to begin pruning the synaptic pathways that allow it to remember its past. In order to achieve its full potential as the Fist of Hydra, it must not resist or question any orders at any time.

"We are beginning the procedure by administering the chemical cocktail that I have formulated. Doses include: 5 milligrams Phencyclidine, 100 milligrams Sodium Pentathol, 5 micrograms Lysergic acid diethylamide, 50 milligrams Phenobarbital, 50 milligrams Phenothiazine, delivered intravenously with saline.

"These dosages should make the Soldat very receptive to instructions and suggestions. The goal is to keep the Asset's attention focused, if it starts to drift, make sure the combination doesn't stop his breathing, while also having antiseizure effects. Overall, the Soldat should remain in a state of conscious sedation throughout the procedure. Upon locating the errant memories which still linger, we will apply electro shock therapy at 100V for 10 seconds to cauterize the neural pathways."

The IV drip begins, and after a few minutes, Bucky's pupils start to widen, as the drugs take effect. Dr. Fennihoff's assistant then blindfolds him to keep him from becoming distracted by external stimuli and begins asking questions in Russian.

"Soldat, I am going to ask you a series of questions. You must answer as specifically and truthfully as you can. Do you understand?"

"Da, Готов подчиниться." (Yes, Ready to comply.)

"Do you know where you are now?"

"Hydra base, Siberia, Russia," Bucky answers in English.

Fennihoff records the baseline data.

"What is your name and designation?"

"Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes - 32557038."

Fennihoff records the area in the brain where the memory is stored and flips a switch. Electricity tears through Bucky's head, and he goes rigid with pain. The brain waves on the EEG screen shoot up in amplitude, and Fennihoff compares them to the initial baseline readings. After 10 seconds, he turns off the electricity and the assistant resumes questioning.

"What is your name and designation?"

"Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes - 32557038."

Again the switch is flipped and Bucky's muscles tighten and freeze as the electricity runs throughout his body.

"What is your name and designation?"

"Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes - 32557038."

Fennihof flips the switch again for 10 seconds before the assistant repeats his question. The power is turned off, and Bucky goes slack. He was breathing heavier with the strain.

"What is your name and designation?"

"James Barnes - 32557038."

Fennihof flips the switch again for 10 seconds before the assistant repeats his question.

"What is your name and designation?"

"I … I don't know."

"How did you come to be here? To be the Soldat?"

"I fell … off a train, I think."

The switch is flipped as Fennihof records the data. Bucky grinds his teeth and throws back his head in agony.

"How did you come to be here? To be the Soldat?"

"I fell …"

Fennihof flips the switch again for 10 seconds before the assistant repeats his question again.

"How did you come to be here? To be the Soldat?"

"I'm not sure. I think Hydra made me."

"When were you born?"

"March 10, 1917"

Fennihof records the data and flips the electricity on again. Bucky screams as the memory is erased.

"Hydra made you. When were you born?"

"Born?"

"Where do you work?"

"At the docks."

Fennihof flips the switch and burns away the memory.

"You are Hydra's Asset. You are a weapon. Where do you work?"

"I am the Asset."

"Tell me about your family. What about your mother and your father? Any siblings?"

"I'm not sure … I think I have a little sister - Becca?"

Fennihoff again records the area in the brain where the memory is located and flips the switch. The Soldat lets out a sharp cry as the memories are wiped out of existence. After 10 seconds, questioning resumes again.

"Tell me about your family. What about your mother and your father? Any siblings?"

"I … I'm not certain."

"Very good, Soldat. Tell me about your home, where are you from? Where do you live?"

"I'm from Brooklyn."

The switch is flipped as Fennihof records the data. Bucky throws back his head and screams in agony as another memory is lost and the synapses are fried.

"Tell me about your home, where are you from?"

"I'm not sure. Why can't I remember?"

"Tell me about your friends. What do you do together?"

"Ah, Stevie's my pal. We do everything together. I gotta help him out of fights all the time because he's little, but he doesn't know when to quit. He likes taking up for the little…"

Fennihoff throws the switch and electricity races into Bucky's brain. He screams as the scientist records the location of the memory.

"Tell me about your best friend, Steve, was it?"

"Yeah, Steve." Bucky's breathing hard, trying to focus. "He's got a good heart, but he's dumb as dirt sometimes, a real punk. When his mom died, we got a place together to share the rent."

Again Fennihoff records the data and throws the switch which sends electricity coursing through Bucky's synapses, wiping away the memories.

"Who is Steve?" the assistant asks again.

"My best friend, I think? Who is he?"

Bucky's jaw clamps shut and his head jerks backward violently as the unrelenting pain tears away his memories.

"Who is Steve?" the assistant asks again.

"Steve?"

The movie continues to play in time-lapse, recording the experiment and pruning each day. Every time Bucky is hooked up to the machines, the questions are reiterated. Each day he remembers less and less as his memories are wiped away.

On Day 10 the following entry is made:

As usual, we are beginning the procedure by administering the chemical cocktail that I have formulated. Today's doses include: 10 milligrams Phencyclidine, 125 milligrams Sodium Pentathol, 10 micrograms Lysergic acid diethylamide, 65 milligrams Phenobarbital, 65 milligrams Phenothiazine, delivered intravenously with saline.

These dosages should make the Soldat very receptive to instructions and suggestions. We are increasing the dosages to compensate for the deepest and most ingrained memories that we must prune. These are the most troublesome to eliminate. Again, the goal is to keep the Asset's attention focused and make sure the combination doesn't stop his breathing, while also having antiseizure effects. Overall, the Soldat should remain in a state of conscious sedation throughout the procedure. Upon locating the undesirable memories which still linger, we will apply electroshock therapy at 125V for 15 seconds to cauterize the neural pathways. We are again increasing the electrical current to make certain that the most ingrained memories are eliminated completely. We will also begin programming the Asset with alternative memories and conditioning."

The IV drip begins, and after a few minutes, Bucky's pupils dilate as the drugs take effect. He is again blindfolded to keep him from becoming distracted by external stimuli and the questioning begins in Russian.

"Soldat, I am going to ask you a series of questions. You must answer as specifically and truthfully as you can. Do you understand?"

"Готов подчиниться." ( Ready to comply. )

"Do you know where you are now?"

"Hydra base, Siberia, Russia," Bucky answers in English.

Fennihoff records the baseline data.

"What is your name and designation?"

"Bucky … maybe?"

Fennihoff records the area in the brain where the memory is stored and initiates the electrical charge. It tears through Bucky's head and he goes rigid with pain. After 15 seconds, he turns off the electricity and the assistant resumes questioning.

"What is your name and designation?"

"I … I don't know."

Fennihof flips the switch again for 15 seconds before the assistant repeats his question.

"You have no name. You are a weapon. The Asset, the Soldat, the Fist of Hydra. What is your name and designation?"

"У меня нет имени. Я Актив… Кулак Гидры." (I have no name. I am The Asset … the Fist of Hydra. )

"How did you come to be here? To be the Soldat?"

"I fell … I think."

The switch is flipped again. Bucky grinds his teeth and throws back his head in agony.

"Hydra made you - gave you purpose. How did you come to be here? To be the Soldat?"

"Гидра сделала меня." (Hydra made me.)

"When were you born?"

"Гидра сделала меня." (Hydra made me.)

"Tell me about your family. What about your mother and your father? Any siblings?"

"Does Becca sound right?"

Fennihoff again records the area in the brain where the memory is located and flips the switch. The Soldat lets out a sharp cry as the brainwaves are compared again. After 15 seconds, questioning resumes again.

"Tell me about your family. What about your mother and your father? Any siblings?"

"I … I'm not certain."

"Very good, Soldat. Tell me about your home, where are you from? Where do you live?"

"Гидра сделала меня." (Hydra made me.)

"Tell me about your friends."

"Steve is my friend. Where's Steve?"

Fennihoff throws the switch and electricity races into Bucky's brain. He screams as the memory is burned away.

"Tell me about your best friend."

"Who is my best friend?"

Steve just looks over at Bucky who is concentrating on not moving the anal hook. Without opening his eyes Bucky whispers, "I swear, I tried to keep remembering."

Bucky hangs his head low and hisses as the choke collar tightens and the anal hook catches his prostate - yet again. "Fuuuuuck. Ohhhh. Shit," he swears.

The movie time lapses further.

Finally, it's Day 30. This is the last day of the rigorous mind-wipes. The Asset is complying. He speaks only in Russian and answers the questions asked of him.

"As usual, we are beginning the procedure by administering the chemical cocktail that I have formulated. We began using this regimen on Day 20. It seems to have worked. Today's doses include: 20 milligrams Phencyclidine, 150 milligrams Sodium Pentathol, 15 micrograms Lysergic acid diethylamide, 75 milligrams Phenobarbital, 75 milligrams Phenothiazine, delivered intravenously with saline.

"These dosages have made the Soldat very receptive to instructions and suggestions. The dosages were increased to compensate for the deepest and most ingrained memories that had to be eliminated. These were the most troublesome to prune. Again, the goal is to keep the Asset's attention focused and make sure the combination doesn't stop his breathing, while also having antiseizure effects. Overall, the Soldat should remain in a state of conscious sedation throughout the procedure. Although I do not expect any more undesirable memories to surface, we will apply electroshock therapy at 150V for 20 seconds if we need to cauterize the neural pathways. We increased the electrical current to make certain that the most ingrained memories were eliminated completely. We have also programmed the Asset with alternative memories and conditioning."

Tony looks at Steve, his eyes wide. "That's more than enough to kill a normal human or turn them into a vegetable. It's no wonder he didn't remember anything … and the drugs … shit."

"Ваше имя и звание?" (What is your name and designation?)

"У меня нет имени. Я Кулак Гидры. Я отвечаю Солдату. Я активен. Актив - это инструмент, оружие." (I have no name. I am the Fist of Hydra. I answer to Soldat. I am The Asset. The Asset is a tool, a weapon.)

"Расскажи мне о своей семье." (Tell me about your family.)

"У Актива нет семьи - только Гидра." (The Asset has no family - only Hydra.)

"Very good, Soldat. Tell me about your home. Where do you live?"

"Я живу здесь, на базе Гидры." (I live here, at the Hydra base.)

"Расскажи мне о своих друзьях." (Tell me about your friends.)

"У актива нет друзей. Актив ожидает заказов на выполнение задания." (The Asset has no friends. The Asset awaits orders for a mission.)

"Какова твоя цель, солдат?" (What is your purpose, Soldat?)

"Я Кулак Гидры. Моя цель - служить Гидре и помочь установить новый порядок в мире, чтобы человечество стало свободным." (I am the Fist of Hydra. My purpose is to serve Hydra and help bring a new order to the world so that mankind can be free.)

"Кто ты? Что ты?" (Who are you? What are you?)

"I am The Asset. The Asset has no name. The Asset does not have wants. The Asset is given everything it needs to survive and complete its mission. The Asset does not ask for food or water. It will eat and drink when Hydra chooses. The Asset accepts pain and does not ask for it to stop. The Asset does not beg. It makes no requests and has no desires. The Asset does not speak unless instructed to. The Asset complies without question. The Asset is a weapon."

Steve just looks over at Bucky again. He's still concentrating on not moving so that the anal hook doesn't move. His eyes are still closed and there's a single tear running from the corner of his eye, down his cheek. Bucky whispers, "I swear … I tried. I'm sorry. I tried to keep remembering. I kept trying, but every time there was more pain, and then it was gone anyway. The memory ... If I remembered, they hurt me again and again and again, and then they would take it anyway. It became too hard to try to hold on … so ... so I let go. There was so much agony … and my brain would heal some overnight … but then they'd do it again ... the next day.

"That's why it took so long for them to make me … make me forget … to program me. Every day for a month they put me in the Chair. Every day … for hours … they erased me. For hours ... for hours... Every day. They erased my parents ... They erased Becca … they erased you, Steve.

"They filled me with the Soldat. They made me theirs … and I couldn't fight anymore … I was so tired ... So tired ... and you were dead. They erased me, and I let them. I let them."

The tears are flowing down Bucky's cheeks and he hangs his head low and hisses as the choke collar tightens and the anal hook catches his prostate - AGAIN. "Fuuuuuck. Ohhhh. Shit. Fuck them!" he swears.

Steve is crying, too. "It's not your fault, Bucky. No one could've lasted that long. No one would have been able to remember after all that. They had you for 5 years by then. They mapped your brain to purposefully eliminate key memories … they electrocuted you with enough volts to kill ... and God ... they did it over and over and over."

"The drugs they gave you … everyday … would have fried a normal human brain, too. They gave you PCP and LSD and barbiturates all at the same time. It's a wonder that you didn't become an addict or a vegetable using that combination of drugs … in those quantities. Guess that was the serum," Tony adds.

NOTE: An electroencephalogram - EEG is a test that detects abnormalities in a person's brain waves, or in the electrical activity of the brain. During the procedure, electrodes consisting of small metal discs with thin wires are pasted onto the scalp. The electrodes detect tiny electrical charges that result from the activity of brain cells.