Just a short crack fic for my birthday! This is a twist on the last chapter, but if Bucky was still with HYDRA
Another perfectly executed mission, completed. The STRIKE team members peeled off to their own devices the moment they had returned to base, while the Soldier followed protocol to report to the armoury, then to the handler for a mission report.
The armoury was strangely empty, even the STRIKE members missing, but it wasn't in the Soldier's place to ask questions. He categorically removed his weapons, checking for dirt and damage as he went. He was internally pleased and proud that he'd only required the bare minimum of his weapons for the missions. Just a few bullets from his rifle, not even a single one of his four handguns and four knives had been used.
After replacing the weapons, he gave the room one last glance-over, then exited and made his way to where his handler would be. He entered the room, and the handler looked up from some papers, a pleased expression on his face.
"Well done on another mission, Soldier," said the man. "There is one more thing before you will be prepped for cryo."
The Soldier nodded, "ready to comply." He tilted his head minutely as the handler gestured for him to come and let him to another door. Inside, was a large crowd of people. His eyes roved over them, taking stock that the majority were STRIKE agents of all teams, plus what looked like various other field agents.
He followed the handler silently through the group, until they came up to a table. On it, was a white cake. It looked horribly out of place, with its tiny frosting drops and a big "100" candle, with two more candles sticking out beside it.
The handler leaned down, flicking open a lighter, and lit all 3 candles before going around the front of the table, facing the Soldier. He nodded once, and then loud pops erupted around him. The Soldier blinked as colourful streams of paper and plastic drifted down from the air around him, and everyone in the room was clapping. Rumlow stepped forward, a blank expression on his face, as he placed a colourful cone-hat atop his hair, and slid the elastic under his chin.
"Congratulations, Soldier. Today is your 100th birthday," intoned the handler. The Asset blinked again, then dropped his eyes to the glow of the candles below. With a silent question in the Asset's eyes, the handler nodded again. Slowly, the Soldier raised a hand to his face, removing the mask and then leaning down to blow out the candles. The sound of clapping reverberated in his ears as he stared at the cake.
