Chapter 28. Back in Service
A pocket of turbulence woke Bucky up as he sat in the back of the courier aircraft reserved for transporting diplomatic documents to England from Washington. The courier, a Captain, still slept, not stirring at the sudden movement of the aircraft. They left Greenland after refuelling there several hours before. Rising from his seat, Bucky made his way forward to the cockpit, receiving a backward glance from the pilot then the copilot.
"Everything okay?" he asked, looking out into the darkness.
"Nothing to worry about, Sergeant," said the copilot. "Just some weather coming from the southwest. We're through the worst of it. In a few more hours we'll be over England, and you'll be reunited with your unit. It's kind of late in the war to be returning to duty, isn't it?"
"Special forces," smiled Bucky. "Classified."
He patted the shoulder of the pilot, glancing at his left hand, then smiled, walking back to where he had been sleeping. Sitting back in his seat, he flexed the hand again and once more found himself remembering the day he got his arm and hand back. A week after the wedding, he and Gladdie went to the SSR lab, finally receiving approval to receive the treatment. After getting examined by the two doctors, he stripped down to his boxers, approached the capsule, sat on the edge, then looked up at the viewing gallery where Gladdie sat with Anya and some suits from Washington. Her eyes were only on him as she blew him a kiss. Then Dr. Erskine, Dr. Waslewski, Lt. Hay, and Howard Stark gathered around his open capsule.
"One last chance to change your mind," said Stark.
"No, I'm ready," replied Bucky, sincerely. "No matter what happens, I'm ready to get back to work." He looked at Dr. Erskine with confidence. "Your serum saved me in the mountains. I believe this will give me back what I lost there."
"Very well," said Erskine, looking at the others. "Let's prepare the serum injectors and begin the procedure. James, if you wish to stop at any time, you may do so."
Bucky nodded, then looked again at Gladdie sitting in the gallery, mouthing the words "I love you" to her. Lt. Hay observed the technician loading the serum injectors, while Dr. Waslewski injected something in his right arm.
"Hopefully, this will lessen the pain of the procedure, but everyone is different. You've already proven your pain tolerance levels are greater than most men. This should be bearable to you."
He smiled and nodded at her, then Bucky laid flat on the platform, watching as they strapped him in just below his chest and the paddles came down over his pectoral muscles, on the bicep of his right arm, and on the stump of his left arm. He rested his head back on the support, watching as the last vial of serum was placed in its injector.
"Begin the serum infusion," ordered Dr. Erskine.
The serum being injected into Bucky's body immediately brought back the memory of the burning sensation from the one vial he received in the mountains, then the thought of burning alive overwhelmed him as the serum began to circulate in his body. Struggling to breathe normally he tried to stave off the panic that threatened him. Was it supposed to be this bad? As if Dr. Erskine knew what Bucky was feeling he leaned close to his ear.
"Right now, it feels like you are burning alive but you're not, James," he said calmly. "This is the serum flooding every cell in your body. You can yell or scream if you wish. Steven did and we almost stopped the procedure, but he insisted he could withstand it. So can you, if you believe. Do you wish to continue?"
He breathed deeply several times to get his reaction under control then swallowed. "I'm good, Doc. Carry on."
"Very well," replied Erskine, then he looked to Stark. "Begin the radiation." He looked at Bucky confidently, placing the protective goggles on his head and making sure they were firm against his eyes. "The radiation will slowly be turned to maximum, and this is where we believe your body will rebuild itself."
Stark activated his controls as the capsule began to close up while rising to an upright position. The power came on and Bucky tried to breathe evenly inside the claustrophobic confines of the capsule, listening to the various components being attached to the outside.
"If Steve could do this, so can I," he told himself.
A glow and a loud hum came from the inside of the capsule, and he closed his eyes to the brightness, even though the protective goggles dimmed it considerably, feeling the burning pain increase dramatically throughout his entire body. A flash of intense agony from his stump began radiating everywhere, flaring into something almost unbearable, causing him to yell in response. He wanted to watch but the brightness of the radiation was so much that he didn't dare open his eyes. The intense pain began spreading below from where his stump had been, extending downward, towards his elbow, then forearm and finally hand and fingers. He had no idea how long it took as his sense of time seemed to be distorted by the extent of the torment. Reflexively he wiggled his fingers, then almost laughed when he could feel the fingers of his left hand touching the surface of the platform he was on. Even though the pain was greater than anything he had ever felt, the sensation of touch was like a balm to the agony. As the glow slowly faded so did the hum of the exposure, and the capsule began to open, releasing the pressure inside. The pain eased quickly as he felt the cool air of the lab hit his sweaty skin. Dr. Erskine and Dr. Waslewski were with him immediately, each of them taking an arm, after removing his goggles. He laughed for real at that, looking at his left arm as he grasped for Dr. Erskine.
"I can feel it," he gasped, as he stepped unsteadily out of the capsule, the strap broken by the act, his now powerful body breaking it easily. "It worked."
"Ja, it worked, James," smiled Dr. Erskine. He looked back at the viewing gallery. "Allow Mrs. Barnes to enter."
Suddenly, Gladdie was there, and Bucky noticed she was shorter ... no, he was taller. As he watched her hands run over his arms, he took a better look at them, realizing they were more muscular than they had been just minutes before. Then she looked up at him, and his left hand touched her face before he enclosed her in an embrace using both his arms. It was a bit of a blur after that, although he was escorted to an examination room where the two doctors gave him a thorough exam, while Gladdie stayed by his side. Finally, Lt. Hay measured him, entering the results in the file that she first started on him after his rescue from Azzano. Height: 6 feet, 4 inches. Weight: 230 lbs. He was bigger and more muscular than he had been before. Although slightly leaner than Steve's proportions he was still physically an impressive sight. Fortunately, the doctors had ordered in several sizes of new clothing for him to wear, as his old clothing was too short and too small to accommodate his longer legs and increased upper body development.
He spent a day at Fort Hamilton being put through the obstacle course there and the rifle range. All of his skills were still there, and the Erskine serum had improved his eyesight, hearing and sense of smell even more than the HYDRA one had. After a few more days of testing to confirm his range of abilities and strengths he received his orders to report for duty with the Howling Commandos in England. He spent as much time with Gladdie and his family as he could before taking his leave of them. It was bittersweet leaving his wife behind after only a short time of being married but he had the picture of their wedding day with him in his wallet and they promised to write to each other often.
England, Home base of Howling Commandos and Phantom Patrol
General Phillips waited at the airfield, the jeep driver leaning against the vehicle while having a cigarette with his permission. The pilot of the courier aircraft that Sergeant Barnes was on had radioed for landing instructions. With the two units already in Europe, Phillips wanted to brief the sergeant himself on what was waiting for him. Unfortunately, the young soldier wouldn't have much time to relax before hopping on another aircraft. As it landed, the General nodded at the driver, who jumped behind the wheel and sped towards the space assigned to the airplane. When it came to a stop the courier came out, saluting the General then moving past him, towards a waiting staff car. His documents pouch was meant for General Eisenhower, and he would be transported to his headquarters. Barnes stepped out next, carrying his duffel bag in his now intact left hand. Phillips stared at it, still finding it hard to believe that the procedure actually succeeded in restoring the arm and hand. Bucky noticed the General and saluted who returned it then gestured to him to sit in back of the jeep.
"Sergeant, you look good. How does it feel?"
"Like I never lost it, sir," said Barnes, dropping his bag off in the back seat of the jeep and sitting next to it. "Wasn't expecting you to pick me up."
"Both squads have been in Europe these past ten days. You won't have much time to relax. I need you in your gear and ready to go in an hour. I also have some disquieting news for you."
"Sir?"
Phillips breathed out audibly. "We lost Sergeant Howlett. Took a bullet to his head." He glanced at the driver. "I can't tell you more since Private Sherman doesn't have clearance, but you can find out the rest when you get to your destination."
"I'm sorry to hear that. He was a good man. Who is sergeant of that unit, or are you placing me with them?"
"Bradley has been promoted to sergeant. You'll still be with the Commandos as Staff Sergeant, with both Bradley and Dugan reporting to you. Both squads will be working together more often than not." He looked back at Barnes. "I understand you married Corporal Norton."
"You met her, sir?"
"I did, under less-than-ideal circumstances," he replied. "How is she?"
Bucky understood at that moment that General Phillips knew everything about Gladdie. "She's good, sir. She's stronger than she looks."
Phillips smiled at him. "I didn't doubt that for a moment. Congratulations. I hope that when you return, you'll have a long and happy life together."
"Thank you, sir. I plan on it. Thank you for giving her clearance to be in the lab."
General Phillips nodded, then faced forward, waiting until they were back at the barracks to fill in Barnes on the classified details of his mission. It felt strange to Bucky to find that he now had his own private quarters, next to the quarters for Rogers and Grant but as Staff Sergeant he would be more involved in planning, leaving the running of the squads to Dugan and Bradley. Since he had to fly out immediately, he changed out of his uniform then put his new sergeant's gear on, noticing the updated insignia had already been attached to his sleeves. Inside his upright locker was a new blue jacket and dark combat pants in the event he was called upon to be a sniper, so he packed those in his knapsack. As he went to the quartermaster for his weapons he wondered if they still had his rifle, since he hadn't taken it on the mission to intercept the train.
"Holy shit, the rumours are true," said a voice and he noticed the Quartermaster Sergeant coming out from behind the door of his office, sending the private on duty for a coffee, then locking the door to keep others out. "I heard you were coming back."
"Loose lips, Smith," said Bucky. "I need weapons. Is my rifle here?"
"Yes, it is," said Smith, going in back and coming back with Bucky's Johnson rifle, several boxes of ammunition, two handguns and two combat knives. "It's been stripped and cleaned but I imagine you want to check it yourself."
Bucky looked up to see Smith staring at his arm and smirked. "It's the real thing but we're keeping it on the down low. Perhaps if you have a couple pairs of leather gloves, I could be given those."
"You got it Bucky," he replied, heading towards a large cabinet and pulling open a drawer, bringing several pairs out.
Bucky tried on the first pair, finding them too loose, then tried another and was satisfied, taking two pairs of them. He placed the handguns in his holster and the knives in a slot in front of them then stuffed the ammunition in his knapsack and shouldered the rifle. Smith watched him intently.
"You've grown," he said, finally. "You're taller and heavier."
"Keep it under your hat," said Bucky, then he gave him his old grin. "I'm a new man in many ways but I'm still Bucky Barnes from Brooklyn. That's all that matters." He went to the door, undoing the latch. "See you around."
Reporting to the General he was shown into a briefing room, where the door was locked and only Phillips and a captain were present. Placing his gear on a table he stood in front of a map of Germany and Austria, updated on where the allies were. The Russians were closing in on Berlin while the Americans were still pushed up against the Elbe River in the east, and Stuttgart and Nuremberg in the south.
"In a week Berlin should be almost encircled by the Russians, while the Americans and British will be at the Danube," said Phillips. "Both the Commandos and the Patrol are in Frankfurt, originally supporting the Seventh Army under General Patch. He is continuing to press south along the flank of Patton's tanks. When you join them, you'll all be flying into Austria and parachuting near a target. HYDRA Research Facility Number 4 is there, and the combined squads will be taking control of it, while arresting the commanding officer, General Werner Reinhardt. It is a warehouse of artifacts that Schmidt and his troops acquired in his search for the Tesseract. Under no circumstances is General Reinhardt to be allowed to escape, as there is fear he may make contact with Russian HYDRA agents. He is as dangerous as Johann Schmidt and has vowed to continue his work. Extreme sanctions have been authorized for him and anyone else in HYDRA's leadership. It is entirely possible that you may find more PoWs subjected to experimentation there."
"Any sign of Zola?" asked Bucky.
"No, he's disappeared into the woodwork, but we plan to interrogate the prisoners we acquire from the facility as well as any of our men who were experimented on, as it's almost certain he was there at some point." The captain offered Bucky a very small container. Opening it he saw a black pill. "Every super soldier under my command has been given these. Fight to the best of your abilities but if you are taken prisoner and the situation is hopeless you have permission to deny them their prize. I hope it doesn't come to that, Sergeant. Your new abilities should be used to maximum effect, but we don't want to lose you to HYDRA again. The container fits into a small pocket in your lapel. It should escape notice if they search you."
Bucky looked meaningfully at the black pill, then closed the container. If he was captured again, he would go down fighting and take as many of them with him as he could. After eating a meal with the General, Bucky was driven to the airfield where a unit of paratroopers were being loaded for deployment at the front lines. After they jumped, the aircraft was landing in Frankfurt, picking up injured soldiers for return to England. By nightfall, he was in a jeep being driven by Corporal Rose, who looked carefully at Bucky, then shook his head in amazement.
"It's incredible, Sarge," he commented. "I was there when they found you in the ravine and saw you at death's door while we tried to get to the airfield. Yet, here you are, bigger, taller, and whole again."
"What happened with Howlett?" asked Bucky, wanting answers to that before anything else.
"Special Agent Grant wants to brief you on that himself," answered Rose. "He took it hard. It was always a possibility, I guess, but that it happened was still difficult for him to accept." He noticed Bucky seemed grim. "Don't blame him. Howlett was his own man and proposed the operation, knowing it would put him into danger. He never shied away from the fight."
Bucky let a breath of air escape between his lips and nodded his head at the Corporal. None of their men would have taken part in an operation without knowing the risks. They were all in on the planning. It was the way Grant did it and Steve followed suit.
"So, you're as strong as Cap, now, in every way?"
"Yup, same abilities," replied Bucky. "Find any more super soldiers?"
"Just Nazi ones, but ..." He lowered his voice even though they were in the jeep, travelling down the road towards their billet. "Every indication is that we may find several PoWs on this next mission. If they're up to it, they may be added to the unit. But you didn't hear that from me."
Bucky grinned. "No, I would never give you up. Just get me to the base in one piece and your secret will be safe with me."
They pulled into the base, checking in at the guard house before driving towards a small collection of tents. Everyone was out, waiting on their arrival. When the jeep pulled up Bucky stepped out, receiving various greetings. Then he stood in front of Steve, looking down at him slightly, with a grin.
"There, that's better," he stated. "You don't know how much it bugged me that you were bigger than me."
"Sure, Bucky, whatever helps you sleep through the night," laughed his friend. "How's Gladdie?"
"She's great. Marrying her is the best thing I ever did." He turned to Steven Grant. "I guess I have you to thank for finding Gladdie."
"I don't know what you're talking about," smiled the older man. "I just helped a woman in trouble one night and made sure she got back home safely. How are Eva and Anya?"
"Eva's good. Anya is better now that they've confirmed she's not in the family way. She asked me to deliver a letter to Raines. They've been writing." He looked at the others, who were still joking around. His face faltered a little. "Howlett?"
Grant shook his head. "Come see me once you're squared away, and I'll fill you in."
Hefting his duffel bag, Bucky was shown to the tent he was sharing with Bradley and Dugan. After changing and delivering Anya's letter to Raines, along with a tin of his mother's cookies for the men, he reported to the tent that Rogers and Grant shared, bearing another tin of cake. The latter pulled a bottle of scotch out of his footlocker and poured a glass for each of them, helping himself to a piece of the cake.
"We got word of a sighting of Zola in the Balkans," he began, sipping his drink first, then biting into the chocolate piece of home baking. His eyes rolled at the taste, then his face became serious. "While we were preparing a joint operation with both teams, we got word of several Nazi super soldiers in cryostorage in Russian held territory. That came from the partisans, so we had no reason to believe it was a trap."
"But it was?" Bucky looked from one to the other. "And Zola?"
"False sighting," said Rogers. "Meant to split us up. We were sent on a wild goose chase while Grant's team were attacked. Before we could get there to back them up, Russian HYDRA made their play."
Bucky looked at both men, alarmed. "They know?"
"We think Zola found out about Howlett, Bradley, Murphy and Costello," said Grant. "And me. Probably when he was still being offered a place in the American weapons development program. The opportunity to take five of us prisoner was too good to pass up, I guess. Somehow, they knew Howlett was a mutant with resurrection abilities. They targeted him specifically, taking head shots at him to test out his power to revive. We tried several times to retreat but were always unsuccessful. He offered to keep them busy along with Bradley, while Rumlow, Raines and Rose built some improvised explosive devices, using the rubble around us. IEDs are what they were called in the future. Used by several terrorist factions in the Middle East they were an effective way to hit the enemy randomly and throw them off their game. Except there was nothing random about our placement. We booby trapped the perimeter of where we were, then told them to come and get us. They took the bait and destroyed themselves coming after us. But Howlett took a head shot from one of their sharp shooters on his way back from a lookout. Isaiah carried him back the rest of the way."
"How did you get away with Howlett's body?"
The two commanders looked at each other then Grant spoke. "I didn't. He woke up, with no memory of himself or us. I'd already put his file inside his uniform so he would have it. He was lucid but didn't recognize us, except as American soldiers, then insisted that he had to leave. I wasn't going to hold him back, not with those claws extended. Wouldn't even let us treat his injuries, so, I let him go. He took out the remaining HYDRA soldiers who were regrouping, brought us a truck, then disappeared into the night. Wished us good luck before he left. There have been reports of a lone soldier making his way east towards China. He's faster than we ever thought as the latest intel has him near northern India. We think he's headed towards the Japanese front."
"Damn, that's a tough way to lose him. Why the Japanese?"
Both commanders shrugged. Whatever had happened to Howlett when he came back to life had seemed to reset his brain into survival mode. With such a high survival instinct, the fact that he helped them out wasn't lost on them, as Grant indicated the man's file was full of him being antagonistic towards anyone he encountered after previous resurrections. Hopefully, this time, Howlett took the opportunity to read his file and avoid any future contact with a man named William Stryker, a man cut from the same type of cloth as Arnim Zola. It would be years before any of them saw James Howlett again.