Disclaimer: I Own Nothing

June 1942

Bucky had been training non-stop since arriving in England and was anticipating when he would be sent into battle. Everyone at the camp had assumed that they would be landing in Europe but rumors were spreading about going to North Africa first and clearing out the Axis powers there. His commanding officer Dugan had been straight forward with them during the training he had told them that things would be bad once the bullets started flying. All the training in the world would prepare them for the battlefield. He was running the obstacle course at the moment, but stopped when he saw Dugan calling him off to the side. Dugan was slightly taller than Bucky was with red hair with a large mustache covering his upper lip. Bucky ran up and saluted Dugan "A colonel back at the barracks wants to see you right now and after that report for marksmanship" he ordered sending Bucky on his way. Bucky made his way to the barracks and slowed his pace as he approached the door. He entered and spotted an older man wearing a colonel's uniform. He turned to see Bucky who immediately saluted.

"At ease and take a seat" the colonel ordered as Bucky sat down on his bed with the colonel sitting across from him. Bucky looked him over noting his graying brown hair and his serious demeaner "I'm Colonel Chester Philips" he said as he opened up a folder that contained a stack of papers. "I hear you're the best shot in the camp" he says matter of factly looking over the papers. It was true Bucky was the best shot in the whole base and it wasn't even close at that.

Philips was blown away by Barnes skill set it wasn't very often that you find a crack shot like him with so little experience, but based on what he was hearing he wouldn't be available for Operation Rebirth, he was going to be deployed by the time Erksine felt comfortable with the formula Barnes would be fighting and be difficult to get. Still Philips felt compelled to at least talk to the young man since if everything went well the Science Strategic Reserve would be getting some upgrades and a shooter like him would certainly be useful. "No combat experience as of yet but looks like that may change pretty quickly" he stated closing the folder and looking Barnes in the eyes.

"You must know more about that then we do sir" said Bucky not knowing when he would be deployed.

Philips sighed "I'm just here to talk about a possible reassignment later down the road. I'm in charge of a special division of the Army and I am confident that at some point down the road I could use a man with your skill set within this division" explained Philips quickly needing to catch a plane to New York.

Bucky was intrigued by Philips, a man who was quick to the point and obviously thought about things far down the road since he was bringing up reassignment so far in the future "I look forward to the opportunity sir" he said standing with Philips who began to move towards the door.

"It was a pleasure Barnes and good luck" Philips said shaking Bucky's hand and leaving the room. Bucky gathered himself and reported to marksmanship.

Steve Rogers was sitting inside another enlistment center hoping beyond hope that this doctor would give him the all clear to enlist. He had been at six centers all over New York since February and every time he was rejected. He even resorted to falsifying his name on applications in order to continue attempting. Faking his name was worth the risk for Steve even if he suffered the consequences legally for his deception.

Abraham Erksine was walking through a local enlistment center in finalizing his list for Operation Rebirth, Philips was flying back from England this evening and he wanted the final participants for the experiment. He looked over the files searching for something and stopped at a picture of the smallest man that he had ever seen. Buck Jones was barely over five foot and didn't even weigh 100 pounds, Erksine looked over the file and searched for him. He pulled a sheet back and found Jones staring at him.

Steve nearly had a heart attack after the curtain flew open, a smaller man walked in sporting glasses and a brown tweed suit. "Good Evening Mr. Jones" he said.

"Oh you must be looking for someone else" said Steve without remembering that he changed his name for the application. Erksine had a feeling that this man had lied on his application someone with such poor physical condition would not bother at an enlistment center especially given this one was on the other side of town from his listed address. Steve went pale when he realized his mistake. He stammered for a response but was cut off by Erksine.

"My name is Abraham Erksine, I am a scientist and I would like to ask you a few questions" he said simply not taking his eyes off of Steve's own pair. Steve nodded and kept his mouth shut so he didn't incriminate himself any further. "Why are you seeking to enlist? And please be more honest about this than you were about your name."

Steve sighed but held eye contact with Erksine "There are some bad things happening all over the world and I think I can help. But I can't help sitting here and watching film rolls showing the devastation and our boys getting ready to fight. My best friend got called over there and I need to do something, anything I can do to help is worth any price I have to pay."

Erksine could tell he was telling the truth, he often heard similar speeches from other men but he rarely believed their words. Erksine had an underlying fear beneath this Operation, he feared granting such a gift on someone who could use it poorly and for the wrong reasons. He wanted and needed someone who would use it the right way. Erksine smiled and stood up and motioned for Steve to follow him. He grabbed a pen and began writing something on Steve's application "Now if I'm gonna fill out this form I need to know your real name" he said turning his gaze towards Steve.

"Steve Rogers" he said proudly.

Erksine grinned and stamped Steve's application "Welcome to Operation Rebirth."