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Almost's Lost to Time
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They were running out of options. With every new bit of information that came to light, the trio were seeing just how deep and corrupt the system was. There was no way they could do this by themselves.
The idea to use SHIELD to help them was pitched by Ron and the other two thought it was a brilliant idea. SHIELD was stationed all across the world and had connections in all types dealing with information and technological advances. If anyone could help them take down HYDRA, it would be them.
It was also agreed upon that SHIELD would have more information on HYDRA than Hermione was able to access. Their firewalls had been updated and any recent attempt Hermione made to breech their system had been shut down.
Though it was his idea, Ron was adamant that Rynan was not to take part in the mission. He didn't trust her track record to not get in some kind of trouble.
"You're not going! I have a team of Aurors that can complete this with no problem."
Rynan groaned in frustration. She had to stop herself from pulling her hair out. "I have the connections, I have the knowledge. If we send someone else in there, they'll never believe 'em."
"Every mission you go on ends with you seriously hurt!" He turned to his wife for support. "Tell her Hermione! There's no reason for her to go."
The arguing friends considered the third member of their group when she elected not to respond immediately agreeing with her husband.
The bushy haired woman had a calculating look, her eyes darting back and forth, analyzing data only she could see. She must've found what she was looking for as she gave her husband an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Ron but Rynan has a point. SHIELD will doubt any outsider coming in. Rynan has the connections, not only in Parliament but MI6. They'll listen to her. Send an Auror as security but she needs to be the one to meet with SHIELD." She was firm, knowing how protective Ron could be over them. It was endearing but his stubbornness was truly taxing at times. It was a wonder they all survived, between the stubbornness of the three of them.
Rynan gave a triumph smirk; it wasn't often Hermione sided with her. Ron crossed his arms; he knew they were right but he also didn't like sending Rynan in to missions like this blind. They had no information about SHIELD. For all they knew, they would capture Rynan if they discovered that she was a witch or if they believed was part of HYDRA.
Rynan conceded to let an Auror accompany her. Ron would've gone himself but as Head of DMLE, it would turn heads on why he was going to America and he also couldn't leave his department for so long, especially with Rose. It wouldn't be fair to Hermione.
With the information they had gathered, though there was no evidence that HYDRA was in the Wizarding World, they knew they had to tell Kingsley. They couldn't sit on information like this hoping for the best. That was how people got killed. Hermione and Ron were taking care of that while Rynan was in the United States meeting with SHIELD.
A general meeting between intelligence agencies and SHIELD was due to take place early March and Rynan had just enough connections and blackmail to get a spot on the British convoy. Like she said, there were perks to her reputation. This also left her with enough time to make sure Teddy could come home for the Easter holidays.
Organizing everything into clearly marked folders, they spent the week before her departure rehearsing what she was going to say. Nothing could be tied back to Hermione. Unlike Ron, Hermione was still listed in the muggle records. Hermione left it up to Rynan if she wanted to disclose James' involvement and status. They still weren't sure just how deep HYDRA was. They were taking a huge risk with revealing this information to so many people but it was the only way to get to SHIELD and maintain control of the situation.
"Oh Ryn, do be careful." Hermione pleaded as she gave her friend a final hug. "And try not to make any more enemies."
Rynan promised to try as Ron brought her into his embrace. "MACUS shouldn't give you too much trouble. I double checked all your paperwork and they're valid for the next month."
Rynan pulled away, exasperation written across her face as she rolled her eyes. "This isn't my first time visiting America. I can deal with them."
"President Tagarelli is a perceptive wizard. He'll start to question why you keep coming through his country. From what I've heard, he doesn't like SHIELD. They've been inquiring about MACUSA; he's taken steps to prevent any deeper inquires but the higher ups do know about the existence of us. If he finds out you want an alliance with SHIELD he'll want to recruit you as a spy for them. SHIELD has been known to hoard information about what they deem 'abnormal'. He'll want you to find out just how deep their information on the Magical Community runs."
"You're looking at the Defeater of Voldemort here, the Woman Who Conquered. I don't think President Tagarelli has any hold to Voldemort." The arrogance coating her voice made Hermione sigh and Ron roll his eyes.
"Could you please take this seriously? If you're not careful you could cause an international incident. That would involve ICW and we don't hold much power there anymore, not since Professor Dumbledore was forced out as the Supreme Mugwamp."
Rynan felt awful. She could see the stress the two were carrying and it was because of her. She just didn't want them to worry about her. They were 30 and it feels like they still treat her like a teenager, like she would break at any given second. She didn't ask for it but she also knew they worried for her.
"I promise I'll be careful. I'll ask Bernie to tell me if he hears anything. It shouldn't be a problem since I'll be in D.C. not New York."
With her promise to be careful, the couple released Rynan. She had to meet up with Charles Oxley who was her ride to the airport. He was nearing his mid-60's now, his grey beard neatly groomed and his suits always freshly pressed. He was nothing if not presentable. He was the only delegate aware of her real identity. He had been her supervisor when she was in MI6. She had known him for the better part of the decade and it was thanks to him she was able to go. Oxley knew that there was something else going on. Rynan Potter had stepped down from MI6 for a reason, so for her to ask to participate in an international meeting with them was suspicious. He trusted her judgement and that she would tell him in time exactly what she was doing.
A black sedan pulled up to her driveway. Looking at the time, it was definitely Oxley. Taking her bag, she activated her wards as she closed the doors to her home. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too long before she was back.
/
Washington DC was everything Rynan remembered it being but she still let herself be in awe of the Presidential Monuments. D.C. hadn't been on their list of places to visit. There wasn't much to see there, magical wise. The city was almost completely muggle. She often forgot the beauty muggles could create without magic.
The convoy arrived the day before the meeting was to take place. It gave her time to go over exactly what she wanted to do and say. During this time, she also let Oxley in on her plans. She needed another set of eyes to see everyone's reaction to her news. She trusted Oxley completely with this information. In all the time she had worked with him, he had never once given her reason to doubt his commitment.
A SHIELD van pulled up outside the hotel and they were off to the Triskelion.
The purpose of the meeting was to negotiate the boundaries in which SHIELD operated within their respective countries and shared their information. While SHIELD did operate globally with a diverse nationality of employment, they were still technically an American Intelligence Agency and as such they had to operate within the limitations of the respective governments discretions.
Rynan had never interacted with SHIELD before, her duties in MI6 involving interactions between wizards and muggles and identifying any magical terrorists that may be operating as muggles.
The building was impressive but it had nothing on the Woolworth Building in New York. That was an impressive building.
They arrived with the other delegates and were led to the 35th floor.
Auror Mattis, who had replaced Rynan as the MI6 liaison, stuck close to her as they took the elevator. There were many people, each country having sent at least four people. They both knew to keep their guard up and avoid any use of magic. These people were trained to see everything so they had to be extra careful.
After formal greetings were taken care of, the meeting officially stated with the Director of SHIELD standing up.
"This meeting has been called to discuss SHIELD ability to operate in your given country. Seeing as every protocol has been signed and we work with each of your governments individually when we need to deploy agents into your respective countries, I fail to see why this has become a concern." Director Fury was direct and to the point. Rynan wondered how exactly he was put in charge of this meeting.
The Canadian representative who had introduced himself as Winifred, was the first to speak up. "While we fully cooperate with SHIELD when the situation provides, SHIELD does not always provide us with all the information. We are left guessing what is happening inside our own borders!"
Rynan leaned in to question Oxley about that. "Have they ever been in the UK?"
"Scarcely. We've been able to handle anything that pops up, nothing too dangerous. But there has been an increase in activity in other countries and SHIELD has recently crossed through the UK without prior approval and refused to state who they had been chasing." Oxley answered Rynan as he studied his colleagues. They, the UK, were here to make sure SHIELD was held responsible for actions committed in foreign countries.
"I haven't heard about that. Why didn't that make it to Parliament?" That surely would've raised voices.
Mattis was the one to answer. "It was after you had stepped down and after eventually learning the reason, it was decided to keep the information private."
"We can't afford the luxury of notifying you every time you think you need to know something. The real world isn't like that. Split second decisions need to be made for the success of the mission and consulting each official every time this happens would get my agents killed.
"That doesn't excuse omitting information from the reports you send us!"
Fury turned to regard Monsouir Pouletti. "And does DGSE release all their information to us?"
That quieted the argument as the silence was answer enough.
She was aware that SHIELD operated all over the world but that didn't mean they operated within the jurisdiction of the country they were in. There were limits to what a foreign intelligence agency could do outside their country without permission. There were actual laws prohibiting these types of actions.
There was still another day to the Intelligence Conference and she was sure she couldn't sit through another day of this back and forth. As the discussion wound down, she saw her opportunity to intervene and examine what these people knew.
"While my colleagues have made tremendous points, I must admit to being here for other reasons." Rynan drew all eyes towards her as she interjected herself over the current conversation. "I would like to know why SHIELD has not been doing anything about the continued operations of HYDRA throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East?"
Puzzled looked crossed a majority of the delegates face's as for many of them it was their first time hearing the name HYDRA, never mind what it meant.
A suspicious, searching look crossed Fury's face. HYDRA was a dead organization that no one outside of SHIELD and SSR personnel should know about.
"I'm not sure where you've been living Ms. Potter but HYDRA has been gone for decades." Fury's gaze was uncomfortable. Even with one eye, it was like he could see right through her. She'd been under worst gazes where the person could actually look at her thoughts though. You learn to ignore them; he especially didn't have any power over her. She had him though. By his reaction, he had no idea about HYDRA so she held the power now.
"That's the thing about 'spies', you always think you know everything." Rynan could see how her words effected the present SHIELD agents. They took her statement as a threat. "HYDRA is still active –How do I know this? – I had a run in with an agent trying to kill me a while back. With my own contacts, I have conducted extensive research and have confirmed multiple HYDRA bases around the world, one of which I have confirmed as operational."
Whispers broke out across the meeting room, ranging from what HYDRA was, to how could they be operating without anyone knowing, to flat out denying it. She knew many would find it hard to believe. How could a group like HYDRA operate with almost zero limitations for near 70 years?
"This is why we must have full and accurate information being exchanged. That HYDRA was able to operate and grow under all our noses, it should not have happened." Oxley spoke up over the commotion. He had been waiting for Rynan's announcement. Like her, he had studied the reactions of all those present. He hadn't seen anything suspicious when the news was announced.
Fury was now standing, leaning forward on the table. "And you believe her, that she has evidence of all this?"
"I've seen it for myself. I was also the one to oversee the investigation into her attempted murder back in 2004."
Oxley and Rynan shared a look as the Director began to speak with the woman who had been introduced as Maria Hill. She left once their conversation had finished and they knew exactly what she had been sent to do: confirm her statement.
"Would one of you like to enlighten us on what exactly this HYDRA is?"
Of course, India hadn't played a large part with HYDRA during or after the Second War.
"They were part of the Nazi Regime during the war, a science division based on making advanced weaponry. They were also discovered conducting human experimentation. They were supposedly dismantled after the war in the early years of SHIELD." Oxley supplied for those still in the dark.
Rynan knew Fury was waiting for evidence before he went any further. So she indulged him. Taking the report Oxley wrote up on her shooting and as well as the SHIELD agent's from a few months ago, she placed them in front of him. It wasn't confirmation of HYDRA but the similarities would be enough to draw his attention to the fact that something was going on.
She saw his eye scan over the findings and narrow when he came to the second page. He had just realized she had hacked their systems.
Mattis, who was aware that it was his bosses who had done the deed, hide a smile as he came to the same conclusion as Rynan.
Fury didn't want to outright accuse her with everyone still in the room. It would be damaging if he revealed SHIELD had been hacked by a foreign agency and hadn't been aware of it.
"Ms. Potter, if you'd come with me." Rynan cut him off before he could go any further. She could hear the anger in his voice. He knew he couldn't publicly arrest her in front of the other delegates. That would create an international incident he couldn't explain to the Security Council. No, he had to play to her game now.
"I'd actually prefer to remain here. This information involves all of us. We share a commonality. We're stronger together than we are divided against this threat."
You didn't want Nicholas Fury as your enemy, Rynan heard this multiply times from Oxley before they left. She was trying very hard not to make him her enemy but they had two conflicting personalities.
Seeing that she wasn't going to budge, Fury conceded. This also gave him time to locate his own information. He wanted to know why Rynan Potter hadn't shown up on any of their radars and how exactly she had managed to hack into their servers and steal information.
"I suggest we continue this meeting tomorrow then. I'll need my agents to verify your reports."
She tried to keep the smile off her face but she knew she had won this battle. "Good luck with that. It took me the better part of a year to get all this information."
Fury stormed out of the conference room, set on proving her wrong. He was not about to be humiliated by this girl!
"Director Fury!" He paused in his exit. "I'd start in Ukraine."
That was all the hint she was giving him. Turning to Oxley, they had plans to discuss for tomorrow. She followed him out to the waiting car that would return them to their hotel.
Once they were in the safety of their hotel room and Rynan had erected security barriers, Oxley turned to interrogate her. She wasn't supposed to have antagonized the Director of SHIELD!
"You're lucky you weren't arrested! Openly presenting evidence of clear cyber-attacks on an intelligence agency! What were you thinking!?"
Why was she being scolded like a child when she had told him exactly what she was going to do?
"Because you didn't say you had hacked SHIELD!"
"Technically," she drew out. "I wasn't the one to hack them."
Mattis let out a snort at that.
"Technically, you're an accomplice." He dropped into the chair by the desk. Rubbing his face, he could only hope that their plan had succeeded. They needed SHIELD as their ally, not them thinking they were operating against them.
Rynan took a deep breath and held it. Letting it out slowly, she moved to sit on the desk. Mattis was on the opposite wall, the perfect vantage between the door and window.
"I know what revealing that document meant. I had to see what he would do. He needs us as much as we need him. He had to see that." She ran her hand through her hair before deciding to put it in a braid. She continued speaking as she did so. "James told me he thought there might be a base here, in the city. This was the last place I had contact with him."
Mattis straightened at that. He hadn't been aware of that particular information. That meant they were likely to be attacked. Pulling out his wand, he exited the room, intent on putting up stronger detection and protection wards.
Oxley's head snapped towards her at the bit of information.
"It's one of the reasons we decided to come." Outside, she could see the light from the surrounding buildings making their way into the room. "I couldn't find anything when I was here last time. I need their help to find him."
It pained her to admit it but it was the truth. She couldn't find James by herself. She had tried and failed.
The two sat in silence as the city slept around them. They could feel the change in the tide. They were at the beginning of a war, a war they weren't sure they could win without help.
/
If there was a HYDRA mole in the meeting they would tell their commander, who she was counting on to send Bucky to finish the job. It was a long shot but this was the only way she knew to get to him.
She wasn't wrong.
There were few things that could ever surprise Alexander Pierce. Decades of intelligence and political had exposed him to many unexpected situations. Which was why Nick showing up in his office as he was leaving for the day garnered a questioning look. Typically, Nick only personally sought him out on things beyond him, which rarely happened.
The unexpected information released by the English representative, Rynan Potter, was worrying. From what little his agents could find, Nick Fury was forced to admit she was right. Which is why he found himself in Pierce's office this late at night.
Alexander Pierce knew they had made a mistake in prioritizing the retrieval of the Asset over finishing that woman off. But with her gradual withdrawal from politics, they had conceded her had got the message and left her alone. It seemed she had done more than that and had spent that time operating against them. He would not make that mistake again.
"This is troubling information, Nick. If this turns out to be correct, we'll need to conduct an internal investigation into how and why this information was overlooked." Pierce knew he had to move his agents quickly but with purpose. Fury was smart and he would need a flawless plan to get past him. "I'd like to attend this conference tomorrow. See what she has to say."
Fury agreed, knowing he could use his insight and experience.
Rynan stayed awake all night hoping HYDRA would retaliate somehow but nothing happened. She resigned herself to the meeting, preparing everything she had. She had multiple cards to play today and it needed to go flawlessly.
The anticipation hung in the air of the conference room and Rynan noticed the new arrival right away. She sent a questioning look to Oxley who informed her that he was Alexander Pierce, Undersecretary of the State Department.
Well, at least Fury was taking her claims seriously.
Needing to take back control of the meeting, Fury put his own documents on the table. His best people had been put on the case last night and it as Agent Romanoff who provided him with the name and connection they needed.
"The Winter Soldier. The assassin who tried to take out you and my agent. Over two dozen kills in the past half century. Sniper, soviet slug with no rifling, metal arm, superhuman strength, fast, efficient. My agent is the best. She wasn't his target yet she was still seriously injured. You-you were targeted yet survived. Tell me how a civilian with no training was able to survive an attack by the Winter Soldier?"
Many heads turned to her in consideration. She had to admit, she didn't look that intimidating. At 5'5", 125 lbs, she didn't stand out as frightening. She took great care to cover her scars up, not because of shame but because of the questions.
Sighing, she knew this would be a difficult meeting. She motioned for Mattis to stand down when he began to move to defend her.
"I've seen my fair share of war, Director. Just because I don't flaunt it, does not mean I don't know how to defend myself. I was knighted for a reason." Drawing from that, she stood, rolling her sleeves up so those in attendance could see the scars littering them. "I had precautions set up that stopped him from killing me. A good knock to the head also helped."
She let that sink in as she made her way around the table, picking up the discarded clicker to turn on the projector.
"Until now, many intelligence agencies have believed him to be a ghost story. In a way, they're right. He is a ghost…someone who supposedly died decades ago." James' picture was pulled up on the projector. "James Buchanan Barnes, Sergeant in the United States Marines, and member of the Howling Commandos. Presumed dead in 1945 after falling from a train on a mission to retrieve HYDRA scientist, Arnim Zola."
Voices began to speak out at what she was implying. "If he fought with Captain America that would put him well into his 90's; impossible for him to be this 'Winter Soldier'!" Monsieur Monreau exclaimed. He was somewhat familiar with the Howling Commandos, with a French citizen having been part of the group.
Fury turned to her for an explanation. It seemed he thought he had turned the tables on her. He was in for a surprise.
"In 1943, Sergeant Barnes and his unit were captured by HYDRA. The reports were classified but when Steve Rogers found his friend, he had been under Zola's care for an unspecified amount of time. Zola had been one of the scientists trying to recreate Erskine Super Soldier formula. According to what the SSR was able to get from him, James had been the only subject to survive at that point. Erskine had hypothesized that with the formula, aging would be slowed significantly. If Captain America has survived the war, we can only assume that he too would not appear to be in his 90's."
"So he succeeded in creating a super solider?"
"A bastardized version, yes. It was for this reason that the United States recruited him along with dozens of other enemy scientists to work for them." She turned her accusing glare onto the Director.
"Drastic steps were taken after the war. Tension escalated with Russian and losses had to be cut and wounds closed. I don't like it any more than you do but we were desperate." Fury conceded. There was no point in disagreeing with her when he too thought it foolish that his predecessors had trusted those men.
Oxley cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention. "How do you know this James Barnes is the Winter Soldier?" He was keeping her on track.
"Besides seeing him up close…he lived with me for two years." Silence permeated the room at her confession. Was she crazy? Did she not just admit to him trying to kill her?
That was it, Nick Fury knew he was dealing with a suicidal lunatic.
So that was where the Asset had been those two years. Interesting. Pierce filed away this information for later.
"Contrary to what everyone is thinking, I am not crazy or suicidal. The blow to the head I mention earlier broke a bit of the mind control he was under." Claiming a blow to the head was the reason for his regained memories was easier than explaining how she tore into his head, desperate for a memory that would make him stop. "He found his way back to me months later, confused about everything. He didn't stay but every few weeks he'd come around and I'd help him as best I could."
Electing to leave out certain details didn't hurt. She didn't trust these people and if there was a HYDRA mole she didn't want them getting too much information about what transpired during his rogue years.
Oxley gave her a stern look. She knew she had put her trust in the right man. "And you elected not to disclose this for the past six years because.."
"It was from him I learned about HYDRA. With further research and various contacts, I was able to piece together the picture. HYDRA could be anywhere and anyone."
It was unspoken that she suspected there might be a mole among them but few picked up on it.
Not everyone was as attentive it seemed. "You harbored a fugitive for months without contacting military? You willingly put millions of civilians in danger?" One of the Indian delegates accused her of.
"A fugitive that did nothing for over two years, if what Potter is saying is true." Winifred came to her defense. "It seems he has been an unwilling accomplice in all this."
"He has still killed over two dozen people! That can't be overlooked!"
Rynan threw the man her ugliest glare. It was people like him that pissed her off. They only looked at the surface and refused to look any deeper.
"So are we going to prosecute all our soldiers for following orders and killing the enemy? Are we going to go after the victims because they couldn't defend themselves as well? How far are you willing to take that thought?"
Rynan could feel her magic rise up, the static in the air becoming heavier. Mattis gave her a sharp look. The muggles could feel her magic settling around them. Reigning in her anger and magic,she turned her attention to the projector to calm down.
Pierce gave her a searching look. The heavy static presence had descended upon them suddenly as just as quickly left. It coincided with Potter's outburst. Interesting.
Fury was also giving her a searching look. Now he could see how she survived the Winter Soldier attack. She had it hidden but now he could see the evidence of fighting in a war. She was holding back information. How she held herself was not a soldier, she had been a commander.
"You have elected to avoid the question: Why are you coming forward now?"
To her surprise, it was Pierce who came to her defense. "Perhaps," he gave her another look, "Ms. Potter is hoping to protect the man, James Barnes, from accusations and persecutions of actions carried out by the Winter Soldier? She is doing what she has done for the past decade, protecting and advocating the rights of veterans. I'm sure most of you are familiar with her work back in the UK seeing as it is being implemented in the US currently?"
Rynan shot the man a thankful smile. She hadn't expected to convince him but it seemed he was more manageable than the Director…who was unusually silent.
"When I free him, he will be a free man." Mattis kept his eyes glued on the Director when his charge made her declaration. This James Barnes…he wanted to meet the man who the Woman Who Conquered defended so venomously.
Fury broke his silence. "When you free him?" Was she planning to take on HYDRA by herself? From her little performance here, he was under the impression that she was trying to get SHIELD's support in this crusade.
"Of course when. I don't do things by half Director. I will find him and I will bring him back. I just thought I would share this information with you first so you can take care of the fallout when it does happen."
Pierce chuckled. There weren't many people that could or would talk to Fury like that. She had guts, it was too bad she would never see things his way. He had underestimated her that was for sure, they all had. She was assumed to be a rich heiress, doing whatever she wanted but now he saw she was a typhoon, a walking disaster whose winds and destruction reached far. With training, he would put her up there with Romanoff in manipulating people.
"I believe we are 'ere to talk about 'YDRA." Monsieur Gauthier of France tried to bring the meeting back to order. He had grown tired of the verbal battle between Potter and the others. As far as he was concerned, she could go on her suicide mission for this James Barnes. He was more interested in HYDRA and what it meant for the world.
Pierce took this as his turn to speak. "Our agents are currently looking into all possible HYDRA activity since their assumed fall. Anything found will be compiled for Director Fury and I to examine."
Glad that the man hadn't been too arrogant to disregard her suggestion, Rynan decided that now was the perfect time to get down to business. She had said her piece on James so hopefully it resonated when she finally found him.
Drawing a map from her bag, Rynan spread it across the table, using a small amount of magic to keep it flat. To those paying attention, they could tell she had done this before, planned military strategies. "From my research I've got possible bases here, here, and here." She pointed to all Eastern European countries.
"Would you like a pointer Ms. Potter?"
"It's fine Director. I have full confidence in everyone's ability to both analyze and follow what I will be explaining with this map." Rynan could tell she was pulling a string but it was too much fun. Last time she did this much fun was with Snape in 6th year. She had so many detentions but it was worth it.
"A HYDRA base stationed in Ukraine is worrying. Even with our help, tensions are still high between Russia and its former satellites." Brandt spoke up, having been part of the talks some years ago with her.
"I am aware. The base that truly concerns me is the one here in America. This was where I lost all communications with him." It was left unspoken who the 'him' was.
If she didn't have Fury's attention before, she did now. "HYDRA infiltrating the United States Government?"
"That's all the information I have, sir. He didn't want me to follow. He remembered being in America but not where. He was hoping the memories would come back once he returned."
Brandt drew the conclusion everyone was thinking. "So he was correct that there is a base here in the States. If this was the last place he was before he disappeared, HYDRA got to him here."
"Just because this was the last point of contact doesn't mean HYDRA is operating from the US." Pierce pointed out. It did make sense but Rynan wasn't convinced. Everything was conveniently pointing away from the US and to the Eastern European countries. It's a classic move of all strategists to divert the attention away by hiding behind multiple covers.
"I'm not accusing your government of anything Undersecretary Pierce, I am merely pointing out what I know. HYDRA has been known to infiltrate governments." Rynan turned back to the map, remembering the hours she poured over similar WWII Ally maps. "Captain America and the Howling Commando's took down HYDRA bases all across Europe during the Second War."
She placed markers on all known bases from 1945 that had been taken out.
"With how big they were, I can only assume not all members were apprehended. The body of their leader, Schmidt, was never recovered."
"While this history lesson is enlightening, I want the proof that HYDRA is still operating. This could be some wild chase you Brits want to send us on while the inquiry of your governments involvement in the Iraqi War is taking place." Monreau growled. He didn't trust her, hadn't since he met her yesterday.
It had taken forever but Hermione had managed to hack into a satellite and got pictures from the Ukrainian base. Activity was highest there, it looked like they were either shipping or developing weapons. Rynan took the folder with the pictures and placed them in front of the director. These were only a few of the pictures they had gathered, they hadn't wanted to lose what upper hand they had managed to gain. They weren't sure who they could trust and they didn't want to alert HYDRA to how much they really knew. Once they had SHIELD's cooperation and trust, then she would share what they had discovered with the director.
If there was one thing that was hard to do, it was impress Nick Fury but this small English woman had managed to do just that.
"These pictures were taken on May 15. I'm no weapons expert nor counter terrorist agent but it looks like those weapons are being supplied to the Iraqi war and surrounding terrorist cells."
"And let me guess, your friend got you these pictures?" Fury sarcastically stated.
"What can I say, they're the smartest person I know. They can find anything and everything out."
"Does this person have a name?"
"Sorry. Confidentiality and everything. I don't need you guys breathing down their necks."
"I thought we were sharing?"
"We are Director. They get the information and I'm sharing it." Rynan knew she was being snarky but she couldn't help it. She spent an entire summer under Sirius' influence and this man was getting under her skin. Something just didn't feel right and she couldn't put her finger on it. Looking to Mattis, it didn't seem like he felt it.
Oxley interrupted before it could become a pissing match. "This is troubling. We all have troops over there. If the terrorists are being supplied with advanced military weapons, the war will carry on for years. They need to be stopped."
"This needs to be brought to the UN. They can take measures to organize a Ukrainian agreement so an infiltration can take place." Patel demanded as his country was closest to the war.
"The UN would take forever and there could be a mole there to alert HYDRA that their cover has been blown. This needs a team of skilled individuals to go in and take them out."
"Let me guess, a team of SHIELD agents?" Rynan gave a sarcastic laugh.
"As a matter of fact, I want you to lead the operation. I have read about your exploits when you were younger. They would be perfect for this mission." He was finally recalling who she was. Rynan Potter, youngest person ever knighted for her efforts in taking down a terrorist when she was 17. She had led her entire school against the group and came out victorious.
That stunned everyone in the meeting. They were under the impression that Fury didn't like Rynan, with the feeling mutual on the other end.
"I don't do that anymore." Her voice had gained an edge. She had spent the past decade trying to put that behind her. She wasn't ashamed of what she did but she hated that her generation had lost so much.
Brandt spoke up, wanting to dissolve the tension and conclude the meeting. "I propose that until we are certain of no HYDRA moles, this information stays between us. A sweep of our government and intelligence units will take place before our superiors can be notified."
"And if they are HYDRA?" questioned the Canadians.
"We take them out." Stone cold, there was no options for fighting him on this.
Rynan shrugged when everyone turned for her objection. She had seen what these people had done to James, she wasn't in the mood to defend them.
"We will meet again once the operation in Ukraine has been complete?" Oxley inquired.
"Yes. We'll be putting together a special task force with the specific mission of taking down HYDRA." Pierce promised. This changed everything for him. The timetable had been disrupted. With the knowledge that HYDRA still lived, Fury would make it his mission to see them taken down. This provided him with the perfect opportunity to get rid of Rynan though.
As the delegates were exiting, some stopping to talk to each other in more discussion, Piece pulled Rynan to the side.
"I would like to speak to you Ms. Potter, in my office if it's not too much of an inconvenience?" No one ever accused him of lacking any charm.
"Of course Undersecretary Pierce." Rynan motioned for Mattis and Oxley to go on ahead. Mattis hesitated but continued on when Rynan shook her head.
"Please, call be Alexander. I have a feeling we might be seeing a lot of each other in the coming months." He shot her a disarming smile.
Rynan smiled back, he kind of reminded her of Remus. "Call me Rynan then. What did you want to talk about?"
"Not here. Let's wait until we get to my office." They entered the elevator and Pierce stated his floor number. He had to override for Rynan to be there. He laughed when he saw her expression at the technology.
"Are they that behind over in England?" He joked. He knew the Triskelion had the most advanced technology available so she had likely never seen anything quite like this.
"No, I'm a bit old fashion. I didn't grow up with a computer or cell phone and my boarding school didn't allow electronic devices. It's fascinating to see what people have been able to do since I graduated." Her eyes greedily took in the view the elevator provided of the city below them. Pierce could tell she was a person who enjoyed heights if her expression was anything to go by.
"It is something else. My niece seems to know how to work all the new gadgets before I do. The world is advancing, I can't imagine what we'll be creating in five years." At the ding, Pierce gestured for Rynan to exit first.
"This is an amazing view. You can see the whole city from up here!" Rynan's eyes were drawn to the glass wall behind his desk. She eyes were able to scan the rest of his office as she made her way in though.
"It is a beautiful site. If you could take a seat." Piece gestured to the seat across from his desk as he waited for her to take it before taking one himself. "I wish to talk about Fury's proposal. I would like you to accept his offer. Coming from Nick, that's the closest thing to a compliment you will get."
"Really, he seemed to hate me, then again I have been wrong before." Actually, she hadn't been wrong. Snape was just protecting her because of an oath.
Pierce tried to explain his friend to her. "Nick doesn't trust people, don't take it personally. It comes with the job."
"It's kinda hard not to take it personally."
"And that's why he chose you for the mission. You're not afraid to stand up, your information is unparalleled, and you command respect from those around you without even realizing it."
Rynan was baffled by what Pierce was talking about.
"Nick was leading the conference until you decided to speak up. From there, all the questions and answers were filtered though you."
Yes, he had seen her in the conference and was amazed at her ability. She could barely be out of her 20's yet she commanded the meeting like she was a seasoned general. He could see why Oxley had brought her with him. She would be an asset to an intelligence agency, especially if what he remembered out her was true. That she wasn't part of MI6 anymore. She had done most of that work without the help of the English Intelligence Agency.
"No. I just had the information, that's why."
"I haven't met someone like you in a long time, Rynan. If I knew you wouldn't reject me, I would offer you a place in SHIELD right now."
"I'm flattered sir, but I have my own mission."
"To find the Winter Soldier." Pierce looked at her, really studying her. All 5'5, long midnight hair, and emerald eyes. She didn't look like much but then again neither did Natasha. "It won't be easy. If what you say is true, he won't remember you."
"I'll make him remember." There was such conviction in her voice that Pierce didn't doubt, given the time, she would take back the Asset. That was why she needed to go on this mission.
"What better way to help then to take down the HYDRA base. Someone there is bound to have information on him and all information gathered will be directed to you."
That really surprised Rynan. When she first met the man, she thought he would be exactly like Fury but she was liking him more and more. He also made a convincing argument.
"I'll do it but I want your word that the information will be passed to me after it's been processed; no tampering, all the original documents."
"I can see why you have amassed such a loyal following. You have my word. I shall inform Director Fury of your agreement and a mission report will be sent out as soon as the agents in question return."
/
Pierce sends the Asset to Ukraine with strict orders to kill Rynan Potter. It didn't matter if there were witnesses, as long as it was done.
When SHIELD and the other countries find out that the Winter Soldier killed Rynan, the girl who venomously defended him, they would give up any sympathy they had for him and see the true might of HYDRA.
He wasn't expecting Fury to send Romanoff and Barton but Pierce knew Fury didn't want to take any chance with this.
Two days after the meeting, Romanoff, Barton, Potter and four other agents departed for Ukraine. They were debriefed and sent out on the Quinjet before the sun even rose on the second day.
Rynan felt awkward being there with the agents. It wasn't that this was foreign to her, it was that these weren't the people whom she fought with and trusted with her life. They didn't go through all the troubles she did with Ron and Hermione.
Natasha was the one to approach her, slightly offsetting the other agents.
"Hey Potter. That was some pretty clean work with the Russians back in '04 and '08. What's your secret; how'd you get on the team with not even five years of experience?"
Rynan chuckled, she knew what Natasha was trying to do, Ginny used to use the same tactic.
"I have a friend who taught me Russian and Bulgarian when I was 14." A few language spells also helped. "We would discuss the politics in his home country in our down time when I would visit. His father was high up in their Ministry and was part of the transition movement when Bulgaria rejected communism for democracy." She had actually used a mild Confundus charm on the officials on both sides to get the fighting to stop because each side was starting to use dirty tricks, the one with the children was the tipping point for her. No one had realized as she had been the only magical at the meetings.
"Вы свободно?"
"Я немного ржавый , но я могу управлять."
Barton smiled when he heard nothing but Russian fill the Quinjet and the other agents try to inconspicuously move away from the two women. Honestly, Natasha wasn't that bad, just don't piss her off.
Rynan was thankful for Natasha, she had eased her nerves and had given her information about Bucky. Apparently, it had been her who had been protecting the nuclear scientist when the Winter Soldier killed him with a shot through her abdomen. Natasha understood why Rynan was defending the ghost assassin, she reminded her of Clint in that aspect: willing to give a stranger a chance, not caring about their past. Fury had also given her the mission to gain Rynan's trust through any means necessary.
They were twenty minutes out when Natasha began explaining the specifics of the mission and everyone's job. Clint was their eyes in the sky, Natasha would sneak in with Rynan. Once in, they would split, Natasha to take out controls while Rynan went for information. The others were to incapacitate the HYDRA agents while trying to leave at least one alive for interrogation.
Both women were amazed at the others ability. Natasha was under the impression that Rynan was a civilian, albeit a very rich civilian. While Rynan was in awe of Natasha's ability to take out their opponents; she had never seen someone fight like that before. She wasn't even sure some of that was physically possible!
"When we get out of here, you need to show me that." Rynan demanded when she saw Natasha work with her wire and Black Widow Bites.
"You have to tell me how a civilian can move as quietly as you first." Rynan wasn't making any noise when she ran or walked, something that impressed Natasha as even she made a little noise.
"It comes with raising a kid as mischievous as Teddy." Rynan laughed. In truth, Bucky had taught her how to move so silently. He wanted her prepared in case he ever relapsed. It also helped that she put silencing charms on her shoes.
"This is where we split. Channel 7 secure."
"Channel 7 secure."
"Give 'em hell."
Natasha just gave her a smirk before sauntering away. Rynan breathed out a laugh, yes, Ginny would love her.
It was time to get serious. Pulling out her wand, Rynan cast a 'Point Me' for the direction of the research wing. Hopefully, there would be folders there. The Winter Soldier program had been around too long to have been initiated and kept on computer. She found the room and with a quick Alohamora, she was in. "Accio James Barnes folder."
It was worth a shot but nothing came towards her. "Accio Winter Soldier Program." Still nothing came. So it was the hard way. Good thing it looked like HYDRA liked organization. All the folders were categorized by dates. Unfortunately, the folder in question wasn't there. She did find some interesting information though. There were some recent programs that were authorized by the top of HYDRA. It seemed there were different divisions with different leaders. It seemed all paper based information had been stopped around the beginning of the 90's but there were still folders with experimental information.
"The folders not here but there is some curious information. I'm heading to the rendezvous."
A series of 'secure' resounded from the com-link. Rynan was still cautious making her way out; she didn't survive a war just to die here. She made it out before Natasha but after the other agents. Surprisingly, there were quite a few HYDRA agents taken alive. She was able to make out at least five agents tied up.
She was barely out the door when two rifle slugs tore through her chest. She fell ungracefully to the ground, the power behind the shots blowing her back at least two feet back into the doorway. All she felt was pain, it wasn't as bad as the Cruciatus Curse but it was up there; that was her last conscious thought before she lost conscious.
From the Quinjet, Clint was speechless. He had went over the perimeter thoroughly, no one could've gotten past him!
"Potter's down!" Clint was yelling into the mic a split second later, frantically searching for any sign of the shooter; the trajectory originated from the east so the shooter made the shot against the wind. The agents on the ground immediately fanned out, weapons at the ready while two rushed towards Rynan.
The first one to reach her immediately took her pulse and checked her breathing and responses. His fingers probed her chest, looking for the entrance wounds. He found the two wounds, blood now coating her entire torso along with his hand. He tore her ruined shirt off, needing access to her chest to treat her. It wasn't good. He didn't know how much more blood she could lose before they lost her.
"She needs emergency evac. Put pressure on it here." The first agent, Engelward, commanded his partner. "Barton, she needs to get out of here!"
By this time, Natasha had come running out. She knelt beside the English woman, looking her over. "Do you have eyes on the shooter?!"
"No, I don't see anything. I did a full sweep." The frustration was clear in Clint's voice. Natasha could tell he was blaming himself for this one. He was responsible for the perimeter sweep but she didn't know the Winter Soldier like she did.
"It was him." She knew exactly who had been sent. It just confirmed that there was a mole somewhere. This mission was kept between only those in the conference and the mission members. He was called in because HYDRA knew Rynan would be here; it was a set up from the start.
She pulled out her anesthetic injection and injected it into Rynan. "Clint, we need the Quinjet. Sontag, Moirz, and Dewey will stay and secure the base until reinforcements can come." She ripped off the rest of Rynan shirt; unlike the other agents, she had forgone their uniform and wore her own with a light bullet proof vest over it. The vest had done nothing to stop the rifle slugs from ripping through her chest.
"Don't jostle her chest too much." Engleward advised Clint who had just landed the Quinjet and rushed out to help carry Rynan aboard while Natasha took over controls. He had already radioed into Fury with the situation and to expect them at the nearest hospital. There wasn't time to get her to a SHIELD facility.
"Change into civilian clothes. We don't want to draw any more attention." Natasha ordered from her pilot seat. They were already in route to the nearest emergency hospital where an undercover SHIELD agent had been stationed.
Luckily, Engelward had past medical training and was able to remove the bullets which had barely missed her heart and lungs. He had just finished removing the last bullet when Natasha landed them on the roof. There was a team of doctors prepped to take her into surgery.
Clint left everything in Engelward and Natasha's hands, flying back to the HYDRA base to control the situation and see if he could find any evidence of the shooter.
Engelward followed the team into surgery to provide insight on what he did and her vitals throughout the trip.
Natasha stood guard outside the room.
Rynan was only in surgery for 45 minutes. Engelward had done most of the work, but the doctors were working on stopping the internal bleeding.
He came out to stand with Natasha when the surgeons were stitching Potter up.
"Two slugs in the chest, with both missing all vital organs. I thought the Winter Soldier never missed?"
"He doesn't." Her mind went to the scar that was still healing from a year ago.
Two to the chest, nonfatal if treated in time. This wasn't the Soldiers M.O. so maybe Rynan triggered something in his memory. Like his mind was rebelling against the actions of his body enough to stop the fatal shot.
She was stabilized enough to be moved a few hours later. She was loaded onto the Quinjet with the three of the four agents that had accompanied them on the mission. Moirz was staying behind to oversee the relocation of information from the HYDRA base. All the electronic data had already been recovered but Fury wanted everything.
Rynan was flown into the Royal London Hospital for recovery. She was taken in for an MRI to make sure all the bullet fragments had been removed and no organ damage had been missed. She was put in an isolated ward with no outside visitors but family.
Hermione and Ron rushed to the hospital when her hand on their clock moved from mortal peril to hospital. Hermione was able to quickly locate her and they had no choice but to bring Teddy with them as they were watching him since Rynan was supposed to be back yesterday for the holidays. Ron was holding little Rose tightly in his arms as Teddy followed between the two adults.
It didn't take much to get to her, a few looks and well placed words had the hospital staff making way for the couple.
Hermione was the first to notice Natasha standing guard outside Rynan's room. The couple stopped, maneuvering Teddy behind them.
"I assume you're the mysterious friend with all the information?" Though it was phrased as a question, everyone knew it was just formalities.
"And you're an agent of SHIELD. Now that that's out of the way, what happen to my best friend?" Hermione demanded with a venom rarely shown. She hadn't been this frightened in years. The moment Rynan's hand moved to mortal peril, she had dropped her tea cup, not even registering as it shattered on the floor as she rushed to get Ron. Honestly, it felt like her heart had stopped beating for a few moments.
Teddy broke away from the group to look at the window to his godmother's room. He had never seen her so still before. It frightened him.
He didn't even wait for permission, he rushed into the room, only stopping when he reached her side.
The adults didn't stop him, this allowing them an opportunity to talk freely. "She was right; there is a mole. HYDRA knew we were coming and sent the Winter Soldier in to take her out. His shots missed all her vitals."
"I told you we should've went with her!" Ron turned to his wife, conscious of disturbing Rose. He hadn't wanted Rynan to go into this alone, they were better as a unit.
"Honestly Ronald, she's a grown woman. You can't make decisions for her." Natasha got the feeling this was a common argument between the two. "So he remembered her? Everything on the Winter Soldier states his kill rate at 100%, he never misses." She had turned back to the SHIELD agent with the question.
"No one saw him but I was thinking the same."
"Where are my manners? I'm Hermione Weasley and this is my husband, Ronald. That is Teddy, Rynan's godson."
It was easy to see they were Rynan's friends. They all held themselves the same. Natasha was sure what to think of Potter's 'family'. They were just as strange and unusual as her.
"I'll leave her in your hands but Director Fury will be around when she wakes up. He'll want to question her." It wasn't usual Fury questioned people himself but this wasn't the usual case Natasha had to concede. She left the ward to join up with her partner who needed reassurance that this wasn't his fault. He was good but Yasha was always going to be better.
"Thank goodness Molly is visiting Charlie in Romania." Hermione tried to lighten the mood but there wasn't much to be done. They hadn't forgotten what it felt like to have lost Rynan. It haunted them for months, seeing her dead body carried out of the Forbidden Forest by Hagrid.
They joined Teddy in waiting for their friend to wake up. Hermione ran a few diagnostic spells to make sure everything was okay; they all came back positive. At least it looked like the physicians knew what they were doing. She was still going to have her checked out at St. Mungos once she was discharged though.
/
The Winter Soldier made his way back to base, his mission complete or so he told his handlers. For some reason he couldn't get those green eyes out of his head. He knew those weren't kill shots. Just remembering those eyes brought flashes of emotions he had never felt before. He had to find her.
Luckily, his next mission was to assassinate Charles Oxley, the representative of the United Kingdom in the intelligence agreement. HYDRA didn't want to take any chances that Rynan had given him her information she had collected.
His team flew to London, where Oxley was staying until his team was called back to the States. This hit wasn't to follow his usual methods. This one was to send a message. Before he killed the man, he heard the last of his phone call: Rynan Potter was at the Royal London Hospital in the Trauma Unit.
That would be his final stop before he headed back to base. Something was bugging him to go to her like an itch he couldn't ignore. Normally he could ignore it but it was too strong. He had to see her.
When he saw her and a blue haired kid, he felt like he was missing something, someone else should be with her. He didn't have much time to observe them; someone would notice his presence.
After he left the hospital, he made his way back to base, inner turmoil raging within. Flashes of events he didn't remember were bombarding him. Emotions were rising up that he never remembered experiencing. He felt like he was someone…someone other than the Asset. Like he had been human once.
He didn't want to lose these feelings.
When he made it back to the base, he was escorted to his chair for repairs. He knew what would happen next, he would forget. He had a flash of his last wipe, of the pain, the screaming, the desperation.
Everything finally made sense when he mind conjured a long forgotten memory and little pieces started to come back to him. He knew his target. She had helped him become human, helped him…escape? She had done so much for him and he did that to her, he put those bullets in her chest, he put her in the hospital!
Guns were drawn against him but he didn't even notice. The memories were coming back. Green. Everything was centered on her eyes. Those eyes, how could he forget those eyes? They were the most calming thing he could think of. Never once did they look at him with disgust or fear. There was only understanding and love. A pair of crystal blue eyes joined the emerald green in his memory: Steve.
He could feel his heart racing, sweat gathering on his brow as he struggled to hold on to these, to not let them take away his life again. He knew these were important and he wouldn't let them take them away again. He eyes stared forward, unseeing, as his mind and body struggled against one another. He wanted to kill them but he couldn't, they were his handlers, he had to protect them.
"Mission report!" Pierce knew it was a risk to send the Asset in but he needed to see if the programing was still operational. With the revelation of his whereabouts when rogue, he needed to make sure his Asset wasn't compromised. He would need another mind wipe and conditioning when he was needed again. Hopefully, with Potter out of the way they wouldn't have any problems with him.
Bucky refused to answer him. He knew exactly who his handler was and this would be his last act of defiance. He wasn't stupid; there was no way he could make it out of here alive. He was weaponless and his arm was being rewired. He had just enough strength and cognitive awareness that he swore he would protect her as much as he could. They would not discover his failure until it was too late.
As Pierce gave the order, Bucky continued to stare defiantly at the man. It was unnerving for the surrounding people but Pierce wasn't fazed. He knew the Asset couldn't do anything, it was against his programming and his own wellbeing.
Bucky clung to the memory of Rynan's eye's and her smile, desperately, as if it was the last thing he would ever see. He couldn't forget her again!
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We're here! Finally, right? Bucky makes an appearance!
I've also created an AO3 account under the same name where I'll be cross-posting all my fics.