Chapter 3. Return
Bucky set the course while everyone else busied themselves doing more preparatory work; Sam and Shaun monitored the onboard computers for any updates, while Peter, Kate and Yelena checked the comms pieces and timers for the explosives which would be transferred by portal shortly after their arrival. Dr. Strange and Tony's remote-controlled suit would arrive with the explosives. The decision had been made to use a portal sparingly, not wanting to introduce any excessive energy ripples into the environment of the lab that could interfere with their operations. Scott and Hope were going over some intelligence on their iPad. Thor slept. Carol Danvers acted as co-pilot for this trip, looking over at Bucky.
"Your daughter has sure grown," she said. "Looks just like her mom."
He smiled. "She does take after Noelle," he agreed. "Has my eyes, though. She's quite the kid. Thor wants her to begin training but we want her to be a kid for as long as possible."
"You like being a family man?"
"Love it," he answered. "Avoided even thinking of it before the war, decided during the war that it might not be so bad, then never got the chance until I met Noelle out of the blue."
"I'm happy for you," said Carol. "Does Winnie have abilities?"
"Yeah, she does." He shrugged. "We encourage her to be active like any other kid, but she's already given us a few scares, like jumping from the top of the playground equipment when she was two. She took to swimming like a fish. Already wants to be an Avenger." He looked over at Carol. "I'm good with that. What kept you away so long this time?"
"Hunting renegade Skrull terrorists," she replied. "After what happened here Fury asked me to keep looking for others. Found a few but it wasn't easy. For so long the Kree made it seem like they were all like that but most just want a quiet place to live in peace."
"Don't we all," he replied, then he got a message from Air Traffic Control and activated the mike on his headset. "Roger New York. Avengers aircraft Quebec Mike zero one, acknowledging transfer to Gander Domestic ACC." He switched frequencies and listened for the controller to confirm his position. When it came, he acknowledged them. "Roger Gander. Avengers aircraft Quebec Mike zero one, maintaining assigned course and frequency."
"You want to take a break until we transfer to Shanwick Oceanic?" she asked.
"Sure," he replied. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night." He noticed her grinning. "It wasn't all that. Too many variables on this mission kept me awake. Had to leave for the couch because I was so restless. I could use some shuteye."
"Go ahead," she said. "If anything comes up, I'll wake you."
With a nod he went over to Sam, advising him that he was going to sleep for a bit. Heading to the back of the quinjet, he pressed a button that popped out a handle and pulled out a bunk. Slipping his jacket and boots off, he laid on the bunk, turned off the overhead light and began some deep breathing, listening to the hum of the aircraft, reading somewhere that it was the equivalent of pink noise, a frequency that should have a calming effect on listeners. It must have worked because when he was awakened, they were under the control of Bodø Oceanic OCA out of northern Norway, less than an hour from their target. He quickly put his boots and jacket on then headed to the pilot's seat, grimacing a little at Carol.
"You should have woken me sooner," he said.
"You needed the sleep," she replied. "The flight was all by the book. I didn't mind."
She updated him on their position then turned control of the quinjet back to him. Sam had already advised HQ of their position and the final preparations of the explosives were being made, prior to sending them through the portal. Just before they landed Sam took another look at the latest satellite readings for any sign of the portal, but nothing was showing up. They landed some distance away from the entrance into the site then everyone assembled their weapons, and each took a number of timers, while Bucky and Carol completed the landing checklist. Bucky then fastened his holsters and inserted his weapons as Carol went out to do a quick recon before they all left the quinjet.
"Everyone miked up?" he asked, receiving their responses in his earpiece. "Carol? What's it like out there?"
"Quiet," she replied. "I don't like this, but we don't have much choice, do we?"
"Nope," answered Sam. He contacted HQ. "Ready for portal insertion. Locate those explosives far away from the quinjet. Don't want them going up and taking out our transport." Acknowledgement came and they watched as a portal formed outside, closer to the entrance of the facility. "Okay, you all know your duties. Carol, Tony, and Strange will monitor the airspace, with Thor at the entrance. The rest of us will take an assortment of charges and place them, then set the timers. Mapping of your assigned section is on your wrist piece. As soon as you're done, come out. Let's go."
The explosives came through the portal by magic, accompanied by Dr. Strange and the Ironman suit, under Tony's remote control. They joined Carol in the sky while the others went to the pallet, noting that their names were on the assorted cases that contained the devices. With Bucky on point and Thor guarding the entrance they entered the facility and raced to their assigned coordinates, setting the charges, then the timers, all of them rigged to go on a signal when the final charge was set by Captain Marvel in the portal. By then they were all to be inside the quinjet, ready for a quick take off. Strange and the Ironman suit were to be back at HQ through another magic portal.
Everything seemed to be going well, as one by one the team members laid the charges and returned to the outside, gathering at the quinjet. Just before Bucky, as the first one in and the last one out, signalled that he was approaching the exit, it all changed. The portal opened above them, visible to Tony first as he was monitoring in the long-range infrared frequency they had discovered. Then the cold started bleeding through, causing the Ironman suit to start malfunctioning. Dr. Strange found out he couldn't handle the temperatures, lowering himself and Tony's suit to the ground where it was warmer, while Carol ventured into the portal to send the explosives, setting the timer and advising everyone to leave. Just as she did that a multi-beam of energy came through as if targeting every individual out there, doing exactly what Joaquin had described; batting them away as if they were flies. Bucky came out of the facility to the scene of everyone on the ground, including Carol, which surprised him as she was virtually invulnerable. Not having been hit by the beam he picked Thor up first, as he was closest, carrying him to the quinjet, somehow avoiding notice of whoever was controlling the beam. Carol was next then he dragged everyone else onboard. Returning for Tony's suit, he had carried it to the ramp, where his luck ran out as he was hit by a glancing blow of the beam, unable to avoid it completely. At that moment, the explosives in the portal went off, followed by those in the facility, and he was caught in the blast wave which lifted him up, then throwing him hard against the side of the ramp. Dazed, he didn't move for a moment before he came around, finished dragging the suit up the ramp, raised it and stumbled to the pilot's seat.
"Emergency takeoff," he mumbled, placing his right hand on the security readout. "Authorization, Barnes, Sergeant James Buchanan ..."
Friday requested the rest of the authorization code but didn't get it as Bucky had passed out and no one else had responded as they were all out as well. Taking a scan to confirm that and noting the addition of Ironman's suit and the presence of Dr. Strange, the AI instituted its own emergency evacuation procedure and took off. The AI made several attempts to initiate communications with HQ, but it wasn't until the aircraft was almost out of Norwegian airspace before it was able to relay the emergency to air traffic control, receiving priority to return to base. It had been 23 hours hours since they left the Avengers base on the mission.
Avengers compound
"What do you mean you've lost contact?" asked Joaquin, who was in the control room with the support staff, monitoring communications. "Bring up the satellites, include the long-range infrared images." As he saw the evidence of the portal opening, then the signs of the explosive charges going off as planned he watched the replay, before noticing the quinjet transponder had moved away from the site. "Contact all the Air Traffic Control agencies for their return flight path. Notify them of the possibility of an emergency evacuation. You better contact Fury as well. This is above my pay grade."
Fury arrived by portal within minutes and watched the displays closely as Joaquin and Tony filled him in on what they had seen. By all indicators the explosives had done their job, destroying the facility and at least had closed the portal, hopefully destroying it. Joaquin also briefed the director on what happened to him previously at the site.
"Let's get all available satellites monitoring that infrared frequency for the reemergence of that portal at any other location," said Fury to the technician on duty. Then he watched the quinjet transponder move from Norwegian airspace into the Scottish ACC airspace. A Scottish accented voice came on. "Avengers HQ, Scottish ACC has received an emergency evacuation request from the aircraft Quebec Mike zero one's AI. How do you want to proceed?"
"Roger, Scotland. Can you give them priority to cross the Atlantic?" asked Fury. "The AI only takes control if there is no one physically able to fly the aircraft."
"Roger, we can do that," said the man's voice. There was a pause. "Confirmed with the AI that all passengers are unconscious and will require medical attention, but all are alive. It updated the passenger list which has been emailed to your contact. The AI also indicated that its multiple attempts to contact you directly have been unsuccessful. Will be flying top speed, with ETA of 2.5 hours. We have advised Shanwick Oceanic, Gander Domestic and New York ATC to continue priority emergency evacuation status of aircraft Quebec Mike zero one. Good luck, Avengers."
"Roger that, Scotland. Thank you for your assistance."
Fury turned to the other two. "We better notify medical, all staff on alert. Just medical, no one else yet."
"Even Noelle and Dawn?" asked Joaquin, referencing Bucky and Sam's wives who were both nurses.
The man in black would have normally glared at anyone who questioned an order, but he also knew he better talk to the two women first. He grimaced slightly at the flyer.
"I'll alert them personally," he said, turning around and leaving the control room. "Friday, locate Noelle Barnes and Dawn Wilson."
"Both women are in their quarters," replied the female voice. "They should be walking their children to play school within moments then reporting for duty in the medical centre."
"Advise Dr. Banner that both women will be delayed and possibly not reporting for duty," he said. "Do not let them leave the play school hallway until I get there. Friday, keep me updated on the quinjet flight."
There was no acknowledgement of any of his requests, but he knew they would be done. As he strode towards the family services wing of the compound, he could see several people hugging their children. Standing back, he watched as Noelle and Dawn arrived, both of them affectionately hugging their children then waving goodbye at them. He stepped forward blocking their path.
"Director Fury," stated Dawn Wilson, smiling. "We don't see you here often."
Noelle read the look on his face instantly. "What's happened?"
"Come with me," he said. "I'd rather do this in private, but they're both alive according to the AI."
Slipping into a nearby office he pressed the control to close and lock the door, then faced the two women who stood in front of him.
"At this point I'm not sure exactly what has happened," he said. "By all the satellite images we have studied so far, the mission went off the way it should, but Scottish air traffic control received communication from the quinjet's AI that it was requesting emergency evacuation priority as all passengers were unconscious. The passenger list included Dr. Strange and the Iron Man suit. They were to have returned by portal, so something went wrong, and they ended up on the quinjet. We were advised to have medical on alert. ETA is 2.5 hours. Since both of your husbands are on that flight, I'm leaving it to you whether you want to be there in your capacity as experienced medical professionals or if you would rather wait as a spouse and let the assigned medical staff deal with whatever is coming."
The two women looked at each other then fixed him with a firm gaze. "We're reporting for duty," said Noelle. "We'll make sure we're assigned to other crew. We've both been there before with family members."
"Very well," he replied, with a stern nod. "I'll let you go. If it gets too hard, you'll be relieved of duty."
They both acknowledged him, and he unlocked the door, watching them leave. All they could do was wait. Neither woman said anything as they quickly strode to the medical centre. Bruce nodded to them as they entered, then drew everyone together.
"All I know so far is that everyone is unconscious, and Friday is flying the quinjet home at top speed," he said. "Considering that Falcon sustained an injury at the same site from an energy beam I am assuming that a similar incident happened. We're looking at broken limbs, possible internal injuries, head injuries, and because of exposure to a cold source with a temperature of absolute zero, possible hypothermia. Let's prep for all contingencies. I'll coordinate triage at the landing site while Helen is in charge up here."
Both women dove into their duties, assembling a cart of supplies to cover the injuries specified by Bruce. Neither said anything to anyone but they could feel the eyes of their co-workers on them, as it was known they were married to Barnes and Wilson. When they had a moment, they called the daycare, advising them they may be delayed picking up their children at the end of the day. Then they waited for anything to come down the line, both of them doing their best to tamp down their worries over their husbands.
Inside the quinjet, 1 hour later
Carol groaned, slowly opening her eyes, then realized she was in the quinjet, and they were in flight. Looking around at the others she realized that she was the only one awake. Tentatively moving her arms and legs she confirmed she had no injuries then stood up, feeling dizzy at first. As she breathed deeply to get her bearings back, she spoke to the AI.
"Friday, what happened?"
"An energy beam from the dimensional portal incapacitated all crew members except one," said the AI. "Sergeant Barnes was still inside the facility when the beam erupted. He carried everyone inside the quinjet and was in the process of bringing in the Ironman suit when he received a glancing blow by the beam, then again from the blast of the explosion at the target site. Although it dazed him, he completed his task and was able to request emergency evacuation before passing out."
"Are we in contact with HQ?" asked Carol.
"Negative, although I have acquired contact with all Air Traffic Control agencies on our flight path. We have received emergency clearance for the entire flight back to the compound." The AI paused for a moment. "If you wish to administer first aid, I am fully capable of continuing to operate the aircraft."
"Do that," said Carol, getting businesslike.
She went to where the first aid kit was, satisfied when she saw there was a portable diagnostic unit, as well as an assortment of sedatives and stimulants, splints, bandages, and neck braces. Starting with Thor she set the unit to the normal settings for an Asgardian, confirming he had no physical injuries other than being unconscious. Peter was next to him, and she reset the unit for enhanced human, found some internal injuries, a bruised lung and kidney, as well as a hairline fracture of his jaw. Quickly she printed a slip with the details of his condition off the unit and attached it to his suit, assuming a triage team would be in place when they landed. There was a broken arm, suffered by Kate, but surprisingly the majority of the others so far had only bruising, superficial cuts, and sprains. Other than the fact everyone else was still out, they had come through it pretty unscathed. She was surprised to see Dr. Strange, but it appeared his cloak had protected him as he had no injuries other than being unconscious. Then she reached Bucky.
"Shit," she said, when she saw the readings indicating a brain bleed, as well as a broken right shoulder, several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. "Bucky? Can you hear me?"
She tapped his cheek, then pinched the back of his right hand to check his pain stimulus response but there was nothing and she printed out the slip that identified him as priority. Being hesitant to even try treating his injuries she instead went for the backboard and used her abilities, which thankfully still worked, to levitate him while she slid the board under his body. Gingerly, she attached a collar to keep his head steady then strapped him on the board. When she finished, she glanced over at Thor, who had started moving.
"Thor," she said, moving closer and tapping his cheek. "Wake up, big guy. I need you."
"Father, were we the victors?" He mumbled some more then opened his eyes and slowly focused on Carol. "Danvers, what happened?"
"Same thing that happened to Joaquin by what Friday tells me," she said. "You have no injuries, but I need you to monitor Peter. He has a bruised lung and kidney. Keep him from moving around. There should be another backboard you can load him on. Just be careful you don't do more damage." She looked over at Bucky. "Apparently, he carried us all in then was hurt himself. He's in rough shape."
Thor smiled slightly and nodded. "He has always been worthy of our trust," he said, with admiration. "I will take care of young Peter."
"Captain Marvel, I have reestablished communications with Avengers HQ," said Friday. "Do you wish to respond?"
"Yes, put me through," said Carol. "Avengers HQ, do you hear me? It's Carol."
"Roger, Carol," said Joaquin, sounding relieved. "We've been trying ever since we lost contact. What's your status?"
"So far, only myself and Thor are conscious, neither of us have other injuries," she said. "I've already done preliminary triage, identifying Bucky, and Peter as priorities, followed by Kate with a broken arm. Everyone else is just banged up, with cuts and bruises. Was our objective achieved?"
"So far, it appears the link has been destroyed but we are monitoring all available satellites for other incursions," said Joaquin.
"Fury here," said another voice, and Carol smirked, not surprised he was there. "How bad are the injuries?"
"Bucky has a brain bleed, broken right shoulder, several broken ribs and a punctured lung. Friday said he was thrown by the blast wave, but he still managed to get us all onboard and start the emergency evacuation then the AI took over when he passed out. Peter has a hairline fracture of the jaw, bruised lung and kidney. Kate has the broken arm. Everyone else is just banged up but they're all still unconscious."
"Okay, your ETA at this point is 10 minutes," said Fury. "We'll let medical evacuate everyone. I still want you and Thor to get checked out then we'll talk. Fury out."
She sat back, satisfied that she had done all that she could but until Dr. Strange looked into the past and saw exactly what happened they were still as clueless about that portal as they had been. Returning to Bucky's side she monitored his vital signs, letting Friday land the quinjet. When the ramp came down the triage team came up, picking Bucky up first and carrying the backboard down to the waiting gurney where Bruce read the triage note. He looked back at Carol, smiled and gave her a thumbs up for thinking of doing this part of his job first. Then Bucky was wheeled away, and they came for Peter next. He was also wheeled away. Carol and Thor moved down the ramp, leaving more room for the others to be lifted onto gurneys and wheeled in after Bruce gave them the once over. Finally, it was just him and those two.
"Fury wants you two to be checked out quickly," he said. "I can do it in the elevator on the way up. Since you're both enhanced, I'm guessing you're okay. Let's start with you Carol, tell me everything. You shouldn't have been affected by anything."
She recounted her last memory before waking up on the floor of the quinjet, of being lightheaded when she woke up then recounting what Friday told her, before she began treating the injured. Then he turned to Thor who told him what he remembered, except Carol mentioned what he said when he first started stirring.
"I must have been dreaming of a battle fighting at my father's side," he said. "I don't remember thinking of any of it or of saying it. Very strange."
"Okay, I'm good with declaring you both released from medical," said Bruce. "But let me know immediately if you experience anything out of the ordinary and I mean anything."
The elevator to the medical floor opened to a scene of organized chaos where everyone was intent on treating the patient in their care. Carol and Thor stayed at the entrance to the medical centre, not wanting to add to the scene then she nudged Thor, gesturing to where Noelle and Dawn were treating their patients, while trying not to look over at their husbands. He gave her a grim smile.
"They are good wives," he said. "Both men chose well."
Bruce joined Helen who was bent over Bucky, checking all of his vitals before sending him for an MRI to determine the extent of the brain bleed. She had already inserted a tube into his chest to treat the punctured lung.
"I have a neurosurgeon on notice for immediate surgery," she said, in a low voice, trying not to alarm Noelle. "But we'll need to use a portal to get him there. If Bucky's already sustained significant brain damage, there might not be much he can do."
"That's why you need me," said a voice nearby and Dr. Strange joined the pair, still looking a little pale but alright otherwise. "I can do the surgery. I'm still certified. They'll treat him as a normal human, but we know his enhanced abilities gives him a better chance than most people." He looked over at Noelle briefly. "He's already been unconscious for several hours. I can stop time in the operating room, time I can use to treat him and fix the damage. Get him to the MRI then straight to the surgical suite. You still have a neurosurgical package in storage?"
Bruce nodded. "Alright, I'll get the OR ready," he said. "Know any residents or OR nurses that you can work with?"
Strange smiled his enigmatic smile. "Leave that to me. Just get the imaging done."
Twenty minutes later Strange and Dr. Nicodemus West were scrubbing up to perform surgery on Bucky. Two neurosurgical nurses had already scrubbed and were preparing the super soldier for the procedure while an anesthesiologist who had monitored Bucky before agreed to do it again, although this was going to be a slightly different situation. Strange explained to West how he had already stopped time on the brain bleed and that Barnes, as an enhanced human had great regenerative abilities. The MRI imaging was being displayed as they scrubbed.
"Why me, Stephen?" asked West. "I know you've never thought of me as a capable surgeon."
"On the contrary," replied Strange. "Your shortcomings were because you were trying to compete with me. Since I no longer need the thrill of performing exemplary work to prove my superiority you have allowed your own abilities to excel." He stopped and looked at West in a conciliatory fashion. "I have faith in our combined skills to save Barnes' life."
West sniffed, understanding that was the closest to an admission of confidence he was ever going to get from Dr. Stephen Strange. One of the medical centre nurses met them with sanitized towels to dry their hands while another helped them gown up. As they entered the OR both surgeons acknowledged the others as they approached the operating table where Bucky's head was elevated and a spot on his skull already shaved.
"Begin the music," said Strange.
Outside the operating room, the sounds of jazz reached where Nick Fury, Bruce Banner and Helen Cho were observing the craniotomy surgery. When the piece of Bucky's skull was removed and placed in a tray Fury left and headed towards a waiting area where several of the Avengers who had been released were waiting. They were all sitting with Noelle who had been relieved of duty after she finished treating Scott Lang.
"It's started," he said. "It's going to be a while. What about your daughter?"
"Dawn Wilson has picked her up and will look after her until I have something to tell her," stated Noelle. "Are you staying?"
"Yes," he replied. "I'll stay if you wish me to stay."
She nodded and Fury took a seat. He did take his cell phone out to monitor other situations, occasionally texting something. More of the Avengers came to wait but no one talked. Instead, they all sat silently although Thor started to fidget. After some time of becoming more agitated he finally stood up and kneeled on one knee before Noelle, taking one of her hands in his.
"I'm sorry, I must do something," he said. "It is difficult for me to wait in silence. Buck is a strong man and a worthy one. He will come through this. I am sure of it."
"Thank you for waiting," she smiled. "Go do whatever you must." She looked at the others. "Please, don't feel you have to stay with me. As soon as I hear anything I will pass it on."
Several of the others stood up then came over to hug Noelle, leaving reluctantly. She truly didn't mind as most of them hadn't even changed out of their tactical gear and likely needed a shower and some food. Fury, Sam, and Joaquin stayed, along with Yelena, who held hands with Joaquin. Carol returned a short time later with donuts and coffee, then sat down with the others. As the surgery neared the 5-hour mark Bruce and Helen appeared in the waiting area.
"It's done," said Bruce. "Dr. Strange is just removing the time spell and checking to make sure the sutures hold."
A few moments later there was yelling and Dr. West, the anesthesiologist and the nurses came running out. The others stood up, with Noelle wanting to go in immediately, but Fury looked to Sam, who held her in place. Fury then gestured to Carol to go with him, finding Strange on the floor, wrapped securely in his cloak except for his one hand which was keeping Bucky floating in the air. He was immobilized but his face was full of anger as he struggled to free himself from the spell.
"What the hell?" said Fury, looking from Bucky to Strange.
"As soon as I removed the time spell, he awakened but he wasn't Bucky," said the doctor. "He ripped his IV out and was trying to get away. He was speaking in Russian."
Fury looked closely at Bucky who stopped struggling when he noticed the director. It was an eerie sensation for the director to look into the dark eyes of Bucky Barnes but instead of seeing the usual recognition from the man, saw something he hadn't seen since 2014.
"Soldat, speak English," said Fury, in Russian, already dreading what may have happened.
"Fury, Nicholas J., targeted for elimination on March 14, 2014," said the Soldier, in a deep, almost monotone voice. "Target eluded first attempt. Second attempt was thought to be successful, but it was revealed that the target survived." He noticed Carol. "Danvers, Carol Susan Jane, code name Captain Marvel, human-Kree hybrid." The others came in and he identified Joaquin and Yelena in a similar manner, then Noelle pushed her way in, and he stopped speaking for a moment when he saw her, staring at her intensely instead. When he resumed speaking, his manner was more like Bucky's. "Noelle Belanger Barnes, married to James Buchanan Barnes, June 1, 2024. Mother of his daughter, Winnie Sarah Barnes, born March 17, 2025."
"What's happened to him?" asked Noelle, her face clouded by fear. "Why is he talking like that?"
Sam was behind her, drawing the Soldier's notice. "Wilson, Samuel Thomas, code name Captain America, present during elimination attempt on Rogers, Steven and Romanoff, Natasha, targeted under previous code name Falcon during launch of Project Insight ..." His voice trailed off as he looked at Noelle again. This time his voice was anxious. "Where's Winnie?"
"Soldier, what was your mission?" asked Fury. The Soldier still stared at Noelle, so he repeated it in Russian. "Soldat, what was your mission?"
He slowly turned his gaze towards Fury. "Set and detonate charges at site of suspected Cerberus lab, protect Avengers team, return team safely to headquarters," he said, as if he was repeating it by memory.
"Mission report," ordered the director.
"Site destroyed; beam of unknown origin was directed at team members, incapacitating them, requiring immediate evacuation. The Asset lost consciousness until awakening in medical lab. The Asset panicked, assuming recapture by HYDRA. The team, are they safe?"
"Everyone came back in the quinjet," said Sam. "You saved everyone."
"No, there is one casualty," said the Soldier. "He isn't there anymore. The Asset failed the last requirement of the mission."
Noelle came closer to him. "Who is the casualty?" she pleaded. "Please tell me."
He blinked his eyes several times, then licked his lips, displaying anxiety. "Barnes, James Buchanan, Sergeant. Birthdate, March 10, 1917. Previous code name, Winter Soldier. Current code name, White Wolf."