Chapter 7. Trouble

While Steve was at HQ to meet with Howard Stark, Bucky was waiting to be examined by Dr. Erskine and Major Lambert. On Lambert's and Lt. Hay's arrival in London they had proceeded directly to a lab set up for Dr. Erskine carrying Bucky's blood sample in the small cooler. In the last few days, the two doctors had studied his blood, exposing it to all sorts of tests, solutions, and outside stimuli before sending for the soldier. Receiving a direct order to report to the doctors Bucky showed up and sat, fidgeting, in an outer office. When Lt. Hay appeared and smiled at him, he felt much better.

"Sergeant Barnes, please come with me."

Walking behind her he couldn't help but watch her in her nurse's uniform, admiring her figure.

"How long have you been a nurse?" he asked.

"Since I graduated at the top of my class from college," she replied, looking back once at him. "I was recruited into the SSR before I graduated. That was in 1941."

He did the mental math. "So, you're what, 25? That's awfully young to be involved in a top-secret experiment."

"You're only 26, Sergeant," she replied, stopping at a door with an MP on guard. Her brown eyes gazed at him as she looked up at Bucky. "I've heard most sergeants are much more experienced and come with attitude."

"I have the attitude and the experience, sweetheart," grinned Bucky. "Don't you worry about that."

She turned to the MP and nodded. He opened the door, then glared at Bucky, not thrilled about him flirting with the attractive nurse, seeing as how he had his own designs on her. Once she entered the lab, she was all business, and took her place at the end of the examination bed. Dr. Erskine and Major Lambert were bent over a report on a desk and turned around when they heard the pair enter.

"Sergeant Barnes, may I introduce Dr. Abraham Erskine," said the major.

"Doc," waved Bucky, then he looked at the older man with recognition as he sat on the bed. "You were at the Stark Expo. I saw you at the army recruitment centre there."

"I was, Sergeant," replied Erskine. "I witnessed you saying goodbye to Steven. The friendship between you was very much evident at that time. I am pleased that he was able to rescue you from Arnim Zola. It was unfortunate that Special Agent Grant wasn't able to convince General Phillips not to send your unit into battle. The serum that was administered to you after your capture worked but it is a poor imitation of my serum."

"What does that mean?" asked Bucky, shifting uncomfortably on the bed.

"The blood sample that was taken from you shows the serum hasn't affected you as deeply as the one which Steven has. You reported increased appetite, and healing capabilities when the Major examined you in Italy. Anything else since then?"

"I couldn't get drunk," admitted Bucky. "Yesterday I had about six doubles of scotch and didn't feel anything from it."

"Have you noticed an increase in strength, speed, endurance, or any other physical manifestation?" asked Major Lambert.

"No, but we've been relaxing since we got back," said Bucky. "We're starting training tomorrow. I guess it would show up then, wouldn't it?"

"The Sergeant could try to lift something here, in the lab," suggested Lt. Hay, gesturing to a large cabinet. "That has to weigh several hundred pounds. Perhaps we should also take his physical measurements, height, weight, and body measurements... to see if those change over time."

"Ja, we should do that," said Erskine. "Steven's change was visible immediately, but he received a massive dose of the serum, followed by the radiation treatment. Sergeant Barnes received an unknown amount of serum, administered over several days, and no radiation, at least none that we know of, although you were subject to an electrical charge, is that correct?" Bucky nodded. "As for lifting weights, I would rather we have accurate weights for the Sergeant to lift so that we can keep track of any increase in his capability." He noticed Bucky scowling. "Forgive me for talking about you instead of with you, Sergeant. May I call you by your first name, James? I don't want you to feel that you are a laboratory animal, under observation. The changes to you are permanent but understanding the differences between my serum and the serum you received is a priority for me, for your own health and peace of mind."

"Thanks, Doc, I appreciate that," said Bucky. He could understand why Steve liked him.

"Very good," smiled Erskine. "As for the serum, I am still some ways away from duplicating it. Until I do you will not be subjected to any testing of it. In fact, we would test your blood first before even requesting your permission to try it on your body. Remember, you always have the right to reject the serum. We are not HYDRA, subjecting you to anything without your consent. Major, if you would please examine James again and Lieutenant, if you would please undertake the physical measurements of him."

Both of them murmured, "Yes Doctor," to Erskine and Bucky was asked to disrobe down to his boxers so that Major Lambert could give him a full physical examination, with Lt. Hay marking the results down on a paper attached to a clipboard. Once the doctors finished their portion of the examination the lieutenant took Bucky over to a weigh scale to measure his height and weight.

"Do you recall what your height and weight were at the end of your basic training?" she asked.

"5 feet, 11 inches," said Bucky, trying to see her eyes better. "170 pounds. I boxed, was YMCA welterweight champion three years in a row. I gained more muscle in basic."

He watched Lt. Hay for any reaction, but she kept it professional as she asked him to stand on the weight scale and slid the weights into place.

"You've gained weight," she said, peering at where the weights lined up. "You're now 185 pounds. Were you fed well at the HYDRA factory?"

"Nope, we were starved," he replied. "But I'm hungry all the time now and I've eaten well since we were rescued."

She looked at his body. "I would say your body is pre-disposed to converting your caloric intake into building up your existing muscles. Were you always this well-built?"

"Like I said, I was a boxer," he grinned, then he licked his lips as he stood while she measured his height. "I'm good with my body."

"6 feet even," she said, ignoring his comment. "You've grown an inch. Please extend your arms out to the side."

"You seeing anyone?" he asked, then smiled when he noticed a slight pinkish hue on her cheeks.

"Yes, an Air Force lieutenant," she replied, running the measuring tape around his chest. She marked down the measurement, then took his waist and hips. While she was marking his hip measurement Bucky watched her closely with more than a little amusement.

"Is it serious?"

"Yes, it is," she answered. "Turn around." She measured across his back at the shoulders, then his biceps in both a relaxed and curled position. "Stand with your legs apart so I can measure your thighs."

Bucky did as he was asked, seemingly enjoying as she wrapped the measuring tape around the thickest parts of each thigh. She then measured his calf muscles, before finishing up with his neck measurement. As she looked up at the tape, he looked down at her, fixing his gaze on her face. Her eyes were hazel and very nice.

"You should go out with me," he said, in a voice low enough only she could hear, running his fingertip along the back of her hand. "I found a little pub nearby with a quiet room in back. We could get to know each other."

"I'm taken," she replied, then she looked him in the eye. "I also outrank you and we could both get into trouble for fraternization, although I'm the one who would likely suffer the greater punishment. As attractive as you are, Sergeant, it's not going to happen. You can put your clothes back on and I'll ask the doctors if you can be dismissed."

She turned away from him to report her findings to the doctors. He gave out a little huff at being summarily turned down. It wasn't a usual thing for him, and he put his hand over his mouth, breathing into it to see if his breath was bad. When he was finished dressing, she returned and told him he could leave. Nodding his head he walked to the door, turning just before he left to see if she was watching but she wasn't. With a shrug he walked through and headed for the mess hall as he was hungry.

"No, we're not using this man," said Steven Grant, firmly, as he sat in the passenger seat of the Jeep and looked at the file of the man Corporal Rose had found.

The man, a thief, was currently being incarcerated in the 6833rd Guardhouse Overhead Detachment in Somerset, where they sat outside the gate. Found guilty of breaking into his commanding officer's file cabinet and removing a disciplinary report charging a fellow soldier with insubordination, the man, a native of the lower east side of New York, had put up a fight when he was discovered. Knocking out two men before he was put into custody, he had refused to say anything since, leading to his sentence of 6 months in the military prison.

"Look, you said yourself that we need a break-in specialist because some of these places are going to have locks in place that you can't break," said Rose. "He was only caught because his lookout got scared and abandoned him. He's the best and is well known in New York criminal circles. He also volunteered for the army so he's a patriot. If you don't use him then we're back at square one and I know I won't be able to find another one good enough in the time frame we have."

"You don't understand," said Grant, breathing heavily. "I know the name. If he's who I think he is, his own grandson becomes a member of HYDRA in the 21st century. The picture looks just like a man who betrayed me and was one of Bucky's abusers."

"What's to say that you using him now won't change the other man's future?" asked Rose. "You ever thought of that? You keep saying that there are people you have to save from HYDRA. Well, maybe this guy's family is one of them and putting him on your team sets the stage so that his grandson doesn't become that man who betrayed you. Maybe it's the way to make him an honourable man."

Grant sighed and ran his hand over his face. Trust a Roma corporal to throw his own words back at him. He looked at the file again. Benjamin Rumlow, age 31, volunteer for the army, demolitions expert, former safecracker. Married, one son, and the spitting image of a younger Brock Rumlow.

"Fine, we'll go in and talk to him," said Grant. "I'll decide once I meet him, but I won't make any promises. What about Bradley? Have you located his unit yet?" Rose looked down at his hands. "What's wrong?"

"He's all that's left of his unit," said Rose. "He's here, in this prison, in solitary confinement."

"What?" Grant glared at him. Rose shrugged. "Why is he here?"

"Not sure, but the Germans had him, that much I do know," said Rose. "He escaped but when he got back here, he was court-martialled, found guilty of some trumped up charge and sentenced to solitary. He's been here since August."

Steven thought furiously. Every file he had on Isaiah Bradley said he fought with an African American unit in World War II, then stayed in the army after the war ended. Part of the secret group serum experiment in the late 1940s he was one of seven who survived the treatment. The others were either killed or captured by the Winter Soldier during the Korean War. Bradley was sent to Korea to confront HYDRA's weapon. Surprisingly, to HYDRA, at least, he defeated the Winter Soldier, ripping his artificial arm apart. For his efforts, he was imprisoned by the CIA, supposedly dying by suicide in 1953. At least, that is what SHIELD was told when they learned of his existence. In reality, he was held prisoner, experimented on by both the CIA and HYDRA, until a sympathetic nurse helped him fake his death in the early 1980s. Another man's existence who Steven didn't learn about until just before he returned to the past, courtesy of Dr. Strange.

"Alright," he said. "Time to bring out the real Special Agent Steven Grant of the Army Counter Intelligence Corps. Let's go see our two final candidates."

Both men approached the guard detail at the entrance to the military prison. From the looks on their faces these weren't run-of-the-mill soldiers turned into guards. By the stony looks they gave Grant when they said no to his ID, they were used to denying access inside. Placing his hand back inside his jacket he pulled out a paper.

"I have my orders, gentlemen," he said, waving it in front of them. "I'm here to speak to two of your inmates. They both have skills that are needed for a top-secret unit. You can see my orders are signed by General Chester Phillips and General Eisenhower himself. Now, either you let us in to speak with your commandant or I'll advise General Phillips that you were interfering with an intelligence operation of vital importance to the war effort. I hear they may create a special unit whose primary duty will be the cleaning of latrines at bases all through England, staffed with soldiers who interfered with the operations of Army CIC."

With the slightest of grunts one of them opened the door for them then escorted them to the commandant's office, leading them inside. Grant looked at Rose, rolling his eyes slightly. One barrier down, more to come. A rather severe looking sergeant sat at a desk and looked up at them as they approached. He didn't say a word when Grant introduced himself and Rose.

"I have orders allowing me to speak with two of your inmates," he said. "Privates Benjamin Rumlow and Isaiah Bradley are needed for a special unit."

"No," said the sergeant. "Good day, Special Agent Grant."

"You don't understand," said Grant. "I have orders signed by Eisenhower himself that I am permitted to choose who I need from this facility."

The sergeant put his hand out for the orders, then read it before handing the paper back. Standing up, he knocked on the inner office door and entered it, closing it behind him. Emerging a minute later he left the door open and nodded at the two men.

"You may go in," was all he said.

The two men entered, and Grant took in a quick breath. Colonel John Flynn sat in front of him, former second in command to Chester Phillips, demoted after it was revealed he had given the okay to Senator Brandt bringing a guest to the Project Rebirth procedure that turned Steve Rogers into a super soldier. The guest, Heinz Kruger, posing as Fred Clemson of the State Department, had succeeded in killing Dr. Erskine in Steven's original timeline but not in this one.

"Special Agent Grant," said the man, who looked up and frowned. "Have I met you before?"

"Perhaps in New York," admitted Grant. "I was at the lab when the HYDRA agent shot Dr. Erskine."

The man's mouth stiffened in response. "Yes, that must be it. Why do you need to speak to two of my inmates?"

"Need to know, Colonel," said Grant. "I have orders from General Eisenhower and General Phillips to assign men with particular skills to my unit. It allows me to pull them from whatever situation they are in."

Flynn sat back in his chair, trying to portray himself as being the one in charge, although he was sitting and the other two were standing. Even though his sergeant had mentioned the orders to him and was now on the phone verifying them he found it hard to believe that the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force would allow two dangerous prisoners to be taken from custody to join a special forces unit. Especially when one of the men was a common criminal and the other was a Negro there under strict orders. He said as much to the Army CIC agent.

Grant kept his temper. "I can only tell you that their abilities will be needed behind enemy lines," he said. "Surely, giving them the opportunity to serve their country should be seen as important, Colonel."

"They are being punished for their transgressions, Special Agent Grant," reiterated Flynn. "You taking them interferes in army discipline." The phone on his desk buzzed and Flynn answered it, his face only slightly betraying his irritation. He hung up and looked impassively at the two men. "It appears you have the power to take the men. My sergeant will process their release immediately."

Grant started to protest that he wanted to speak with the men first, but Rose whispered in his ear. "Sir, just take them. If they aren't what you want, I'm sure you can get them reassigned. This guy has a major stick up his ass."

Straightening up Grant nodded, and Flynn dismissed them to wait in the outer office. They didn't see him again as the sergeant took the release forms inside for the Colonel's signature. When the two prisoners came out, escorted by two MPs, Grant was surprised to see how big Isaiah Bradley was. The man was massive, but he was also obviously traumatized as he found it hard to keep his eyes open in the bright lit office and his demeanour was one of defeat and almost subservience. After signing for the two men Grant and Rose led them down to the Jeep where Grant looked at Bradley with concern.

"Private, you were in solitary confinement?"

A slight nod was followed with barely more than a whisper in response. "Yes sir, since August. What is it now, sir?"

"November," said Grant, remembering he had sunglasses in his inside pocket. Taking them out he offered them to Bradley. "Wear these, Private, so your eyes don't hurt. We'll get you both squared away with some of your own, some clothing, and decent food. Why did they court martial you?"

Bradley breathed out a little as he put the sunglasses on. "I survived. I wasn't supposed to, I guess."

The other three men looked at each other with alarm then they all got into the Jeep. "Get us the hell out of here," ordered Grant.

Inside the prison Colonel John Flynn was on the phone, explaining to the person on the other end of the call that he had just released Private Isaiah Bradley to a Special Agent Steven Grant from Army CIC. He very angrily defended his actions, telling the person on the other end that Grant's orders gave him the right to request any inmate and that he requested Bradley by name, as well as a common criminal in for theft. Whoever he was speaking to must have said something derogatory because Flynn took it, becoming red in the face as he listened. Then he hung up and looked out the window, rueing the day he ever agreed to let a man from the State Department into the Project Rebirth lab.

As Rose drove the Jeep for the almost three hour drive back to London, Steven Grant turned back towards Bradley, still concerned about the condition and behaviour of the man. Bradley was a private now but had been a sergeant before his court martial.

"Private, what was it that you weren't meant to survive?" he asked.

"A mission, to Germany," said the quiet man. "Seven of us, from the same project were sent in June to intercept supplies to Camp Schwarzebitte. One died en route, a reaction from the serum." Grant looked at Rose who shook his head. "Three more died in the battle to stop the supplies. Then we were ordered to stand down and wait for the Project Rebirth super soldier to arrive but he didn't and the other two died fighting each other, after the one heard his parents had died, believing he was already dead. Apparently, they told all of our families that we were dead. That left me as the only super soldier. I stole a Captain America suit, as I heard it had more protection than a regular army uniform, and found a shield lying around. I went back to Schwarzebitte. It was a German super soldier project, headed by some doctor called Ernst Koch. I tried to free the PoWs they were using but I was captured and tortured. An anti-Nazi resistance group got me out of there and smuggled me back to Allied lines. I was arrested, charged with desertion, theft of army property and court-martialled. They sent me to the prison and said I would be in solitary confinement until the Army decided what to do with me. I assume the Army has decided now that you've come for me."

Even with the sunglasses on he looked at Grant with a sense of defeat and acceptance of whatever they were going to do with him. Grant's surprise at hearing Bradley refer to Project Rebirth and the serum was now replaced by a sense of growing anger at the treatment the man and his fellow soldiers had received. Anger that was directed at General Phillips, and possibly even Dr. Erskine. Had there been two projects, with one using black soldiers and the other using Steve Rogers? By keeping Rogers away from action for so long, had General Phillips doomed those other soldiers to die? He was going to get to the bottom of it, before anything else.

"Private Bradley, whatever was done to you wasn't done with my knowledge," he said. "In fact, I'm appalled at the treatment you received. I promise you, that I will find out the truth. Before I start investigating, I want to know two things. Did you receive the super soldier serum and who was in charge of the project?"

"Yes, sir, I received the serum from Dr. Josef Reinstein," said Bradley. "He was the doctor on Project Super Soldier. General Saunders was in charge of it all at Camp Cathcart. Dr. Reinstein said the serum wasn't ready when he gave it to us, but the General ordered it to be done. Said we had to be ready before Project Rebirth was ready to go."

Throughout this exchange Private Rumlow sat quietly in the Jeep, still wondering why he had been released to be part of something that sounded like special forces. How had they found out about him? Regardless, he was glad he was out of that prison. There was something not quite right about that place and anywhere was better than it.

Author notes: This version of Isaiah Bradley and his activities is derived from the website backstory for the comic book version. I decided to use portions of it as an example of how this timeline may have been different even before Steven Grant's arrival, with Bradley being part of another secret super soldier experiment but at a different time from his own original timeline. characters/isaiah-bradley