"Is our asset ready?" questioned Zemo, looking through the bulletproof glass as the once-gentle man struggled violently against his restraining bonds. An unrestrained man holding a faded leather book decorated with only a single midnight star seemed to be talking to him. After a moment, the anguished, crazed expression drained from the soldier's face, his eyes becoming icy and distant. His metal arm fell lax in its iron and he looked up at the counselor with a blank but attentive stare.
Not waiting for the guard to answer, Zemo opened the door of the containment room and approached the prisoner.
"Soldier?"
"Ready to comply."
With a satisfied nod, Zemo motioned for the soldier's restraints to be removed and he looked his weapon in the eye. For a fraction of a second, the Winter Soldier's gaze changed. It was impossible to describe what the emotion was, but Zemo didn't like it. He looked anxious and hurt...innocent, almost. The opposite of everything the Baron wanted the scum to think he was. But, in a fleeting moment, it was replaced by the same empty stare. Excellent.
The psychiatrist calmed his own nervous foot tapping which had begun when his client's bonds were removed, and composed himself. "May I talk to you for a moment, sir?" he whispered, his voice betraying his worry.
Zemo straightened and turned, disgusted by this little man's lack of confidence. "Speak."
"Episodes caused by his memories returning at unexpected times are growing increasingly frequent, sir." He shrugged shakily. "I don't know how long he'll last without a complete wipe, sir."
The small man almost looked remorseful at the thought of cleansing their weapon of his imperfections. Loathsome twit - Zemo would be sure to be rid of him as soon as possible. "Yes, yes," he acknowledged the concern with a dismissive wave. "After this mission, if he's still worth using I will certainly look into it, thank you."
"I don't think you understand-"
"I have worked in this business longer than you, doctor. I'm sure I understand perfectly," hissed the Baron, losing his patience. "Now, leave me alone with our soldier."
"Your victim is here, мой друг*. He meant to make you his." He studied the man's haggard expression. "Our enemies sent him here to kill you, but fortunately I was able to stop him in time. Of course, I think you could have handled him quite well." There was a ravenous hunger in the soldier's grin that told Zemo he was more than capable. "He'll be sent in shortly. We've interrogated him for a few days, but we can't seem to break him." he continued. "Deal with him how you like. I only ask one thing: don't let him leave alive. Any man sent to attempt your death doesn't deserve to live."
A spark in the soldier's eyes was Zemo's signal to leave. The assassin needed to find the perfect end for their common enemy by himself; it would give him a feeling of choice, the sweet taste of freedom. Weapons were laid out all over the tables and walls; Zemo was only curious to see what the man would pick.
"Kill him slowly."
The prisoner frowned, unsure whether he enjoyed the privileges this command gave him or not.
"And, if you manage to draw a few words out of him beforehand, all the better.
Understood?"
Silence.
Zemo's lip twitched in irritation. "Understood?"
The assassin's eyes clouded over, confused. They seemed to see a different world than the one before them.
"Военный**!" barked Zemo, striking the man and startling him out of his thoughts.
The asset lowered his head and mumbled the only words he could. "Ready to comply."
*My friend
**Soldier