Chapter 13. Feedback

It was a vivid dream that woke Bucky up and he sat upright, breathing deeply while he recalled it. How could he dream if he wasn't alive? It didn't make sense but then neither did the dream. He had been on a mission to somewhere near the Panama Canal. For some reason Sam and Torres weren't on it, but Carol, Yelena, Thor, Shaun and Kate were. So was Iron Man, the suit at least. There were other odd things about it. For starters, he wasn't the pilot, as he was relegated to a seat in the cabin with the others. He wasn't sure why, because there was no sound in the dream, either, nor could he see anyone's faces long enough to read their lips. For another thing, his tactical suit was all black, reminding him of what he wore when he was the Winter Soldier. It was bizarre but so was the mission.

The quinjet landed near their target location, they met with a friendly armed force, and together they advanced on the target. The word was given to attack, and they entered the building. It was empty and quiet, obviously not what they were expecting, then they came under heavy fire from hidden locations, and returned it, except their shots had no effect. Apparently, he realized it sooner and began using his machine gun as a club, hitting anyone who advanced on him as the enemy began streaming out towards the team. Leading the others back through the door while Carol burst through the roof, they took fire from armed robots, a force of fucking armed androids, coming towards them in the compound, while Iron Man, Carol and Thor provided what cover they could. The armed force that came with them took over the fight as their weapons seemed to work, while a portal opened and Dr. Strange beckoned them all through. Without question they obeyed him, finding themselves back at the Avengers compound.

It got even weirder as the armoury wouldn't accept his handprint or his iris scan to open so he could get new weapons. Apparently, the compound was also under attack and Noelle was in danger. He finally got a working weapon and headed for his quarters, with Torres lagging behind him. Along the way, he took out four intruders, disabling them with shots to their knees: painful but not fatal. How he knew they were intruders wasn't clear, except he had never seen them around the compound before and he knew the face of every employee, family, contractor... everyone. When he arrived at his quarters, the door was broken by gunshots to the door handle. Security Chief Hamilton was on the floor, dazed, and Noelle was standing over the chief with a frying pan in one hand and a small knife in the other. He felt a rush of desire for her at that moment, seeing her in what was obviously a fighting mode. His pride at her taking down that smug, self-assured asshole filled him with emotion.

That was when he woke up, certain of one thing. It was no memory, at least not one that he could remember. Yet, he was there, on the mission and at the compound. What the hell was going on?

The One swirled around the Barnes entity, who was responsive and obviously questioning what he sensed in his mind.

"How is he able to access the events in the other universe?"

The query came from a portion of the One. It was a valid question. They had been able to establish and maintain a connection to the Soldier, and to the female Noelle through their connection to Barnes, and to the smaller entity Winnie through the micro-portal and particle of the One, but it had all been sent from this universe in an effort to establish connections to the beings in that universe. This event appearing in Barnes' mind meant he was receiving feedback from the others in that universe. Something strong enough to reach Barnes had obviously occurred.

"Should we cease all communication?"

The thought from another part of the One was answered almost simultaneously by yet another part, the portion which had suggested they form their own individual entities that mimicked the beings from the other universe.

"No, it is likely a byproduct of the bond between them. If we isolate the Barnes from his other parts, it could further add to his distress. We should use it as an opportunity to test our efforts to create an individual form."

The comment was met with consensus and the One felt satisfaction at how cohesive they still remained, even though portions of them had already indicated their willingness to try separating from the main body. With the consensus of the rest of the One, the portion that had presented itself in shadow form the most to Barnes began to coalesce in front of him, almost eagerly.

The grey was definitely changing as Bucky looked up. He stood and waited, watching as the shape became darker and more body-like in appearance, with a definite head shape. This was different than before.

"Hello," he said to it. "Can you talk?" There was no sound in response, so they didn't have verbal ability. Bucky pointed to his head, then moved it in accordance with his words. "Sometimes, when I don't want to speak, I move my head. If I move it in an up and down manner, that means yes or agreement. If I move it side to side, that means no or disagreement. Are you able to talk?" The head portion definitely moved side to side. "Okay. I would try to teach you sign language but that requires fingers, and you don't seem to have any."

He gave a demonstration, signing the words for hello as well as Where am I? The shadow form didn't respond and without features he couldn't tell if it noticed how he made the signs. At first, Bucky sighed then he looked firmly at the form. It might be best if he asked it a direct question, to settle something once and for all.

"Am I dead?" It seemed to turn its head away then back at him and shook it from side to side. Bucky's jaw trembled, the impact of that movement hitting him hard. "I'm still alive?"

The being nodded its head and Bucky fell to his knees, bursting with so much emotion he found it hard to breathe. He was alive. Somehow, whatever had happened on the mission hadn't killed him. He sobbed for several moments then collected himself and stood up, scrutinizing the other being. Forcing himself to breathe steadily so that he didn't hyperventilate he asked the next thing he really needed to know.

"My wife, my friends ... do they know I'm alive?"

The shadow form felt something inside the unnatural shape it had assumed. It was a feeling unlike anything it had ever experienced. There was no description for it, but the form could tell the Barnes entity desperately needed a response and that desperation manifested itself in his own formation. It moved the portion of its form that Barnes called the head in an up and down manner. The portion of Barnes' head where sound came out, opened in a curved fashion that was pleasing to the shadow form. His response was indicative of understanding belonging to a larger entity, even though Barnes and the others like him were individual units. The individual beings like Barnes were obviously familiar with the concept of community, understood Oneness, even if it was different from theirs. The shadow form sensed a feeling of satisfaction from the rest of the One around it. It was progress and perhaps the effort to further split from the One into a unique entity would enhance communication with Barnes and his kind. It might even provide answers as to the state of the missing part of them, the part that was trapped in Barnes' universe. The strain of the sensation became too much for the form to sustain, however, and it released its hold on the shape, reintegrating into the main body of the One. The sensation it felt when Barnes asked about his others was distributed through the One. Following it came more thoughts.

"Barnes is like the lost part of the One. Barnes must be reunited. Barnes must go home."

It would be done. Somehow, Barnes would be returned to his universe. The One had decided.

The Compound

Winter felt it first, that overwhelming emotion in the centre of his chest. He gasped as it occurred during the second briefing where Noelle was in the middle of describing the encounter with Security Chief Hamilton as he tried to force his way into their quarters. Just as she noticed the look on Winter's face, she felt it as well, and wavered, putting her hand out to steady herself. Fury jumped up from where he sat and reached for her.

"What is it?" asked the Avengers director. "Are you alright?"

"Winter? Did you feel it?"

"Yes, he knows he's alive. He found a way to communicate." A genuine smile broke out on his face. "He's overwhelmed but he's happy."

Noelle began to cry, her face full of joy. "He's aware that we know he's alive. Somehow, they found a way to tell him, or he found a way to figure it out ... but he knows he's not alone. Oh my. I can't breathe."

She began to waver, then her eyes rolled back into her head. While Fury tried to support her, Thor rushed to catch her then lifted her up, carrying her bridal style. He looked at Fury.

"Take her to medical," said the other man. "We'll recess this debriefing and give her some time to recover."

Followed by both Fury and Winter, Thor carried Noelle up to the medical centre. Immediately, a nurse directed them to a treatment room, as both Bruce and Helen quickly walked over from where they had been working. Thor laid her on the bed and stood back against the wall next to where Fury was waiting, folding his arms and observing.

"What happened?" asked Bruce.

"She fainted," said Winter. "We both received a vision from Barnes, and it overwhelmed her." Bruce turned to Winter with a questioning look. "Barnes found a way to communicate with the beings in that universe. He knows he's alive. Somehow, they told him we know he's there. He reacted with great emotion and we both felt it."

"Friday? Can you go back through the last 10 minutes and check all sensors for any changes in Winter's brain waves?" Bruce looked at him. "We still monitor you for brain activity changes. Looks like we might have to start watching Noelle as well. Did she fall when she fainted?"

The three men shook their heads while Helen brought out a stethoscope, listening to Noelle's heart, then looked at Fury. "Could you give us privacy for a moment? There's something else I need to check."

"Just me?" Fury frowned, glancing at Thor and Winter.

"It's okay, he can stay," said Noelle, coming around. "I'm pregnant. About 8 weeks. Bucky knows."

A glimmer of a smile crossed Fury's face. "Congratulations. I take it, you're trying to keep it under wraps."

"Trying, not succeeding very well." She started to sit up, then gave up when both Bruce and Helen put their hand out to her to stay back. "I'm fine. Really."

"Let us do our thing," said Helen. She looked at all the other men who weren't medical personnel. "Just give us some space and a little bit of time to check her out then you can come back in and ask all the questions you want. Go on, all of you."

The three men left, standing awkwardly as the medical staff elsewhere tended to their duties, looking up every so often at the Avengers director, the God of Thunder, and Winter. A few minutes later Bruce looked out at them.

"Okay, Noelle's given her official permission to share her medical information with you."

They re-entered the room and Fury approached the bed where Noelle was now sitting up.

"You said Barnes knows about the pregnancy. How?"

"He's very observant and can notice subtle changes in body chemistry ... pheromones," she replied. "I had just bought a home pregnancy test and we took it the morning he left on the mission. He was right. I was about 3-4 weeks then and it's been just over a month since he went missing. Winter knew because he shared Bucky's brain, and he likely has the same abilities to detect pheromones. Thor was there when Winter brought it up while he was still a patient. I wasn't trying to keep you in the dark. It was just making sure the pregnancy was viable before sharing it with everyone. Other than the medical staff only Sam and Dawn know, because we're best friends."

"The baby is alright?" Fury looked at Bruce and Helen, who both nodded. "Alright. Has Friday come up with any readings?"

"Yes, a spike in Winter's brain activity. We're going to start monitoring Noelle's brain activity as well."

"Dr. Banner, Dr. Cho, do you have any theories why they're receiving these visions?"

She gestured to Bruce to go ahead and answer.

"Princess Shuri speculated it's part of the quantum entanglement between them. Bucky and Noelle are husband and wife with a close physical and emotional relationship, whereas Winter shared Bucky's body and brain. So far, it's been connected to moments of great emotion."

"Is there any way to expand that so we can use it as a communication tool? We need to find out how Bucky is being kept alive in a universe comprised of sentient gaseous vibranium and how we can retrieve him from there. Not to mention, reintegrating him into his body."

"We've met several times to figure out a way to send some sort of probe there," said Bruce. "Unfortunately, the lowest temperature of any probe we send would be high enough to set off the gaseous vibranium in a chain reaction event. Even their attempt at communication with us by sending the single particle of vibranium was being extra cautious on their part."

"Yet, they managed to send shadow forms into our universe without apparent problem," said Fury. "Can't they just send another?"

"They don't communicate verbally," stated Noelle. "Bucky's communication with them was by him asking a question and them shaking their shadow form head yes or no. If he's there in their universe and they can only communicate by gestures, then I'm guessing their shadow forms are just as restricted. In fact, I wonder if the shadow forms even have mass. Perhaps they were thought projections, their versions of probes, that revealed as little about us as what we've found out about them."

There was a definite smile from both Thor and Bruce at Noelle's speculation.

"That's a very good observation," said Thor. "We wondered why their shadow forms didn't react with our higher temperatures. If they were just projections without mass, they wouldn't react. They communicate by thought, with a single consciousness as Dr. Strange thought. I wonder, if we can create a virtual probe, with little or no mass but the ability to provide a communication link between the two universes, we can work with them instead of both universes working on their own. Stark has more experience with virtual display systems, does he not?"

"Yes, he does," answered Fury. "Alright, some progress." He turned to Noelle. "Was Chief Hamilton aware that you were pregnant?"

"No, I never told him," she replied. "I never really liked him."

"That seems to be a common feeling," muttered Fury. "Do you feel up to completing the debrief?"

She looked at Bruce who nodded. "I feel fine. Let's get it finished so we can start working on a virtual probe."

With Helen giving Noelle clearance to resume the debriefing she returned with the others, except Fury, who motioned to Bruce. With the examination room clear, Fury closed the door and looked at the doctor with some concern.

"Friday, did Chief Hamilton have access to medical records of personnel? Can you check to see if he accessed Noelle Barnes' records?"

"Affirmative," it replied after a long moment. "Chief Hamilton accessed the records of Noelle Barnes several times in the last 3 weeks. He also accessed the medical records of Winter."

"He knew about the baby," stated Bruce. "That son of a bitch was going to sell Winnie, then he likely had a buyer lined up to sell the baby. Friday, why didn't you inform me of this incursion into the medical records? They are supposed to be private from everyone, except medical staff, and even then, only accessible during treatment."

"Stand by," said the AI's voice. "Accessing logs and deleted files." Fury said nothing while they waited although he observed Banner, knowing the breach of medical privacy could make him very angry. "I have completed the search of Chief Hamilton's inquiries in the medical database. He wanted to know how far along the Barnes pregnancy was and requested information on how soon enhanced abilities show up in a child. With the only child of note being Winnie Barnes, he was given information that was known about her. He also made queries about whether Winter could be transformed back into a programmable state. Although unlikely, since all known memory suppression machines were destroyed or confiscated, it is possible."

"Wait, confiscated?" Fury perked up. "There is an intact memory suppression device?"

"Affirmative," replied the AI. "The location is marked Top Secret, Need to Know, by the order of the Director of the CIA. A programming change in my matrix was instituted by an unknown entity, shortly before the mission to Norway. Unless I was asked directly about it, I was unable to inform anyone of the queries. Since Dr. Banner asked me about Chief Hamilton accessing the medical records and you asked about the memory suppression device, I am no longer required to follow that programming change. So, I am now able to tell you that Chief Hamilton was also accumulating information on the shadow universe, compiling it into a single file which is still in his saved folder."

"Motherfucker," muttered Fury. "Friday, can you find out exactly who ordered that programming change and make sure they are unable to access anything in your database, on my command? Fury, Nicholas J., security code Alpha Alpha Alpha Zero Alpha. If anyone tries to circumvent any of your security functions, I need to know immediately. That's a priority order. Confirm." She confirmed it. "Friday, make sure that access to you by Avengers command staff is not compromised in any way, shape or form. If you find anything questionable on anyone, I want it forwarded to me and me only." He looked at Bruce. "Keep this on the down low until I get a chance to tell Stark. Someone put Hamilton up to this. I feel it in my gut." He huffed a little. "No offence, Banner, but I really miss Hill at times like this."

"At least he's not a terrorist, right?" He didn't like the look on Fury's face at that moment. "Right?"

"Friday, I'm on my way to finish the debriefing. You keep me notified of anything you find related to that programming change but only by text. I'll be onsite for the time being."

With his trademark glare at Banner, Fury opened the door and headed towards the briefing room. Only a few minutes had passed since the others left the medical centre and they were congregated in small groups until he entered. With his arrival, Noelle finished her report. By that time, Friday had interrupted the meeting with the results of a previous inquiry about the attack, confirming Hamilton's confession that all of the intruders at the compound were associated with Cerberus, based on the discovery they all had the tattoos of the three headed dog. The force at the Panama location were a mix of Cerberus associates and mercenaries, some of them with previous CIA connections. There was an actual trafficking auction, but that information had been used to lure the Avengers there, probably with the intent of recapturing Winter, and taking any other high value Avenger. The real auction location was determined by Friday and shared with the special forces task force still in Panama, who were preparing to carry out the raid.

"What happens to Hamilton?" asked Yelena. "He put us all into danger."

"His confession means the death penalty is off the table," said Fury, "but he will be in the Raft for life. He's lost everything and the payment to his secret account has already been confiscated. Sergeant Shore will assume temporary command of the security detail while we search for a suitable replacement. Sarge?"

"Thank you, sir," replied the man who had been there ever since the compound had been rebuilt. "I wish to apologize on behalf of every man in the detachment. We should have clued into Hamilton's disloyalty sooner. He showed quite a dislike for any enhanced individuals, including Winnie. Anyone can see she's the sweetest little girl but all he saw was a spoiled brat. I'm kicking myself, now."

"Don't," said Fury. "I hired him. That's on me. Whether the new chief is an outsider or an existing staff member it will be expected that they have a more acceptable attitude towards any enhanced individuals, adult or child." He looked around at everyone. "Anything else about the intrusion?" No one spoke. "Well, the team working on communication with the other universe have a new development to consider which Thor can update you on. We'll call this debriefing complete so they can meet right away. That's it."

Just as Tony Stark approached the door to leave, Fury motioned for him to stay a moment.

"What's up?" he asked. "Shouldn't I be going to the communications meeting?"

"Yes, but I'm going to be sending you a secure email of something Banner and I just found out about Friday," said Fury. "Someone messed with her programming. She's searching for who, but it apparently was instigated shortly before the Norway mission. I don't know if you have a way to make sure that Friday is secure, but you should look into it. Keep it between us for now."

"Alright," replied Tony, obviously not happy about it.

From there Fury headed back to the security office, noticing through the window the Federal Marshals were waiting to take former Security Chief Darren Hamilton and the other suspects into official custody. They should have been gone already which set off an alarm in his head. The longer he looked at them through the window the more there was something about them that he couldn't quite put his finger on, so he made a quick decision. Using his phone, he sent several messages to several numbers then waited, until he was joined by Winter. A received text made him frown and he looked at the super soldier.

"How do you feel about being intimidating again?"

Winter stared at Fury impassively. "Do you wish me to physically hurt Hamilton?"

"No, but I want him to believe that you will. He hid something from us, and I need to know what and why. Right now, I'm just asking you to read the situation like you did before and follow my lead. Do you think you can do that without resorting to lethal violence?"

Winter's head tilted slightly as his eyes became steely. "That implies that someone may have done something that will make me want to hurt them."

"Yes. But I need people to spill their guts and they can't do that if they're spilling out of their bodies. Keep your eyes open." Winter nodded. Fury spoke as they entered the waiting area where the eight marshals were. "Gentlemen, we have a new development. It appears Hamilton withheld information from us during his confession. I need to bring him back into interrogation and perform another investigation on the ten intruders."

Two of them looked at each other. "Our orders are to bring them in as soon as possible," said one, to Fury. "You're welcome to submit a request for interrogation at the Raft."

"No, I need to know now," answered Fury. "I'm pulling rank here. You can take all of them into custody once I verify something."

Out of the corner of his eye, Fury noticed Winter's posture changing as if he was reacting to a subtle signal displayed by the other marshal who was slightly separated from the others. The super soldier's hand was near a knife in his thigh holster. Refocusing on the face of the marshal in front of him he noticed a slight shift in the man's features, a hardening almost as if the man expected things to go south.

"I'm sorry sir but our orders were pretty specific," said the man. "We're here for 11 men and that's how many we're taking."

"Who issued those orders?" asked Fury.

"Not at liberty to say," replied the marshal. "When will they be ready for transport?"

"What's your name?" Fury noticed another person he texted coming down the hallway, his long blonde hair visible through the window as he came closer. "I'll call your superior myself and tell him we need all of them to stay here a bit longer."

The door opened and Thor walked in, standing next to Winter, noticing his stance immediately. Fury almost grinned at how the tension suddenly ramped right up. Acting Chief Shore entered from the cells hallway and stood in front of the door with his arms folded over his chest, his eyes on the man closest to him, who seemed like he didn't know what was happening as he looked between the two marshals in charge of their detail and Fury.

"I checked on that issue, Director Fury," announced Shore, without taking his eye off his target. "You were right. I also sent you a follow-up for your eyes only, from Panama."

"Gentlemen," said Fury to the eight marshals. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to surrender. Something isn't right and we have evidence of the Federal Marshals Service being infiltrated by a hostile force. Until we can verify your identities, I am asking for your cooperation in this."

The man directly in front of Fury glared at him, then suddenly relaxed and nodded.

"Certainly, Director," he replied, a little too smoothly. "The sooner we can get this sorted out the better."

With a nod to Shore, Fury watched as the six marshals behind the two nearest him automatically went towards the acting security chief, removing their weapons belts to hand to him and go through the door. Thor and Winter kept their eyes on the two men closest to the Avengers director. Just as their turn came to surrender, they both launched themselves at him, stopped only by the superior reflexes of Winter and Thor, who reached them before they were able to traverse the shorter distance to Fury. They never even got their weapons out as both were pushed face down into the floor, their arms immobilized behind their backs. Shore immediately produced cuffs to restrain them as their weapons belts were removed. Winter patted them down, producing several additional items of interest and offering them to Fury for scrutiny. The two men who had been closest to Fury were also wearing a nano veil. Winter removed it from the one who did all the talking to reveal the face of Jack Rollins. The other was also a man who had been part of SHIELD before the HYDRA infiltration became known.

"I thought you were in the Raft," said Fury, angrily.

"I was," he replied defiantly. "You have no idea of who you're up against this time."

"Well, it looks like you've given me a reason to stay and find out." Shore looked at Fury for orders. "Check them all out for hidden bugs and molar implants. Don't be gentle with these two and any of the ones originally taken into custody. These two were HYDRA and are likely with Cerberus now. I think the marshals with them are real since they surrendered as ordered but double check just the same."

As more security people arrived to take the two fake marshals into custody Fury looked at Winter and Thor with concern. Cerberus were definitely involved in this latest operation. What the hell was going on?