"We all ready?", Dazis asked as he flipped the switches and got the narwhal warmed up. "Yeah, just some last second goodbyes...", Bucky sighed as he was looking out towards where Rebecca was. "God, feels like the day I shipped out all over again, seeing her and Steve waiting at the docks...", as Steve was small back then before the changes.
Audrey squeezed his hand, "But she won't be alone anymore...She's honestly a woman now with a beautiful baby girl, and she will be beyond relieved when Dazis gets back to them after the drop off, eh, Dazis?".
Dazis nodded, "Indeed...Even right now, if I know it's only a couple of hours, my heart pains at leaving her, and jumping at the same time at knowing that I'll be back to her and Helena with good news that you made it just fine into the sub.".
Bucky exhaled, smiling at him, "Sounds familiar.", with a glance at Audrey, rubbing her growing small baby bump, and Manuel replied, "Let's get going before the day gets any longer, eh, Preston?".
Preston nodded, "Yes. We're all ready, Dazis.", as he was composing himself after saying goodbye to his best friends, his pseudo-grandchildren including Milo, and everybody else. Dazis nodded, and then with his crystal, the narwhal then hovered up, higher and higher from the city center, and then zoomed off on the familiar way back to the air pocket.
"How are you feeling?", Abraham asked Rebecca as she was clutching her daughter fairly close at that moment, "Alright, just... sad... that I have to say goodbye to Bucky again. Not knowing what's going to happen to him... probably even worse now since if the worst does happen... I won't receive a letter... would have to wait for someone to come back with the news.".
Thaddeus nodded, "I know...Same for us with Preston, but it's a bit more relieving that he'd be in the US, using his age as a cheat page which is good, as I have a feeling if I or Abraham was back there, we would have been caught to be drafted for war...leaving the twins alone with Preston, which was another thought as well, but Preston was right...Hiding our relationship would be even harder if they find out that we got married...".
Rebecca nodded, "True...I wouldn't want to put Dazis up to suspicion either, or Helena as she is unusual in the most incredible way...", kissing her daughter on the forehead to reassure her, "Don't worry, Daddy will be back.", as Helena cooed, resting in her mommy's arms.
The narwhal has made the journey flawlessly well with no issues in the way, and after landing, and helping push the grounded sub into the air pocket pond, after shaking hands or hugging gently with most of the quartet before they boarded the sub, Dazis looked at Bucky as he's the last one to go board the sub, "I solemnly swear to take care of Rebecca and Helena with my life, they have given me a new purpose and a new outlook on life, and I love them beyond belief, you can count on that.".
"You better...", Bucky said. "Because if I found out...", with a hard look at him. "Rebecca told me what happened when you found about the other guy; how your sisters told her that you looked ready to already kill that man if he hadn't fled town.", Dazis explained.
Bucky nodded, "Of course she did...And since Helena is officially not his, but yours and Rebecca's, forever, thanks to the Heart and the Great Kings, and that you have been there through the birth and all...I suppose I'd let this go...", with a sigh, but glared at him, "I know you two are mates and she practically had moved in with you and all, and I'd allow that since it's Atlantis and all, but you better not have any more kids until you two are properly married on her 18th birthday or soon afterwards of that, with me giving her away to you. Rebecca already has to learn how to be a teenage mother even if 16 is the start of adult age in Atlantis, but I'm still her big brother, is that clear?".
Dazis gulped, blushing, nodding, "You will not have to worry about that...Rebecca was clear on the tradition when she explained to me that she wanted to get married on her birthday or afterwards of that, it's technically true that she is...not a virgin, she would take upon the anti-pregnancy herb for at least two years until the wedding preparations and such, which I absolutely understand as I want to have time to learn how to be a father to Helena to give Rebecca a break...I...I still can't believe that on the surface, I'm disgusted at the fact that people look down on women who got deflowered long before the wedding night, and on children who are born out of wedlock...", with a soft angry look as children, no matter what situation they are in, Atlantis sees them as precious gifts for they are innocent, and pregnant women, they are aided by neighbors, friends, family, no matter what.
"Yeah, well, it's a bit complicated with things up there; I'm gonna be fully honest, I still can't fully wrap my brain around the whole same sex stuff at times. It's kind of ingrained in much of the population that such a thing is... well, practically almost as bad as murder in a way.", Bucky admitted as Dazis raised an eyebrow. "I'm... I've had some of those bad thoughts in regard to it in the past; but Steve telling me about it and all, I've been trying to keep an open mind and I'm more accepting I like to think, but it still takes time to try to forget much of bigotry you grow up learning.".
Dazis squeezed his shoulder, "I'm sure Thaddeus and Abraham would appreciate that so much after I tell them, and I'm sure you will be more accepting of it eventually when you get back here, either to visit or stay permanently...You're a good man, Bucky Barnes...And I hope I'm worthy enough to be a future brother-in-law to you, as Rebecca deserves to have all the good men in her life including you, so, give the Nazis...what was that phrase? a kick in the ass?".
"That's about it.", Bucky chuckled as he shook Dazis's hand. "And don't worry, or better yet, pass that message along to Rebecca, I'm not going to get killed. I already cheated death a few times already, I'm not gonna press it anymore if I can help it.".
Dazis nodded, "Understood. And look after Audrey too when you can, okay? It isn't every day that I get to be an uncle as well.", with a smile. Bucky smiled, "You got it, my friend. See you later, Dazis.".
"See you later, my friend. Good tidings to your journey home, and prayers for the war's end, Warrior Bucky.", Dazis saluted him with a Atlantean salute, and Bucky nodded, saluting him with an American salute before turning around to board the sub.
Dazis waved, watching the sub swimming through the surface, and then submerged into the tunnel off the deep end, and then went back to the narwhal, boarding and taking off back home to Atlantis, intending to pass on all the messages and wishes from the group.
The Levithan was very kind to encourage some deep-sea creatures like whales to distract patrolling Navy ships and such, while the sub journeyed the long night to Preston's secret underground harbor they had left in the first place.
Audrey glanced at Bucky, "Do you think Steve and Peggy is back in Europe by now, after spending the last weeks of shore leave?", and Bucky nodded, "Probably, as it's October now, and I bet they took Harrison and Amanda home to England, to at least take care of Brookyln while Peggy is working with long-communication code-breaking and General Phillips upon the missions for Steve.".
"Makes sense, since I don't see them leaving Brookyln on American soil with Peggy's parents when she still needs supervision as she is not independent yet, and it is not even a year since she had been born...", Audrey hummed in thought.
Bucky hummed, "True enough, as Brookyln is still in need of her mother's milk and such...I wonder if Steve had luck with the President about denying Dr. Zola and others like him...", with a sigh.
Indeed, it took some coordination and a bit of time, but there was finally a day in the President's schedule where he is clear to have a day with Steve, General Phillips, with Peggy visiting to show Brookyln off to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, the President's wife and play with Franklin's children, back in August.
Steve was in his full military uniform rather than his suit for this meeting; dressing similar to Phillips who was writing things down on some notepads while the two waited. "More than likely, we'll have Stimpson in the meeting too.", Phillips explained.
"If the previous meetings were any indication, Stimpson has a lot of pull-on Roosevelt.", Steve said.
"Well, he's Secretary of War; Roosevelt was only Assistant Secretary to the Navy back in the last war, he trusts his advice.", Phillips sighed. "Every day is looking closer and closer that one way or another, we'll be coming to a requiem when it comes to Joe Stalin and the Russians. Our intelligence is giving more dire news every week; the Russians are recovering from their near fatal wounds and coming out stronger. The whole world stage is changing; passing are the old empires of Europe and rising to center is us and the Soviets."
"Do you think we'll be having to fight them sooner or later?", Steve asked. "No idea. I doubt Stalin is foolish enough to start a whole new war with us once we defeat the Nazis and the Japs. He'll obviously need time to recover; at least a whole generation's worth of time if he lives that long. But that's not to say we'll probably be butting heads sooner or later if not in actual conflict, then via proxies.", Phillips replied.
Steve nodded sharply, "Good point, sir...We only have so much to deal with the Nazis, the Japs, and especially Hydra...I really don't want Zola or people like him to ruin things, especially if they are loyal to Schmidt in morals, even when they are afraid of his temper and such...I...I wouldn't want them to cause a third world war, putting even more innocent people in danger...It was one thing with Pearl Harbor, who knows what either the Nazis or Hydra would do?", with a torn look on his face.
Last he heard was that the rebuilding of the naval base and full recovery is taking a long time, precented to take years. General Phillips glanced at him, "Professional and personal for you, huh, since little Brookyln is one of the innocent souls?", with a small, stoic nod.
He may be hardheaded at times, firm and loud, but the few times he met Brookyln, there was something about her that softened his heart even more than having Steve and Peggy as friends and comrades he can count on.
"I just want her to grow up in a safe and peaceful world; not one with the looming threat of the jackboot of fascism and God knows what sort of diabolical weapons Schmit can come up with. Of course, certainly don't want to let those like Zola get away or even worse, be incorporated into whatever sort of group or project this country could have.", Steve said.
"Even if we kept him on total watch?", Phillips suggested as Steve shook his head, "No; even if you did keep an eye on him 24/7, he'd still somehow sink his HYDRA tentacles into it, probably right before your very own eyes even. The man's insidiously clever.".
"Probably would make us think it's for a greater good or something. Yeah, the thought crossed my mind. The argument I'm sure Stimpson and those under him from the Pentagon that floated this Paperclip plan is that if we don't use whatever advances these Nazis scientists and engineers have come up with; no doubt the Soviets won't hesitate.", Phillips said.
"The carrot and the stick approach. The Western Allies will give them comforts and freedom as well as allowing them to continue their efforts over here as opposed to being forced to work at gunpoint in a gulag in Siberia.", Steve bit his lip. "I can understand the temptation but there's got to be limits at least. Zola and others in HYDRA at the very least must be destroyed; whatever they've learned goes to their graves if we can't already grab it.".
"Well, we have at least got some things thanks to you in no small part. But I'm pretty sure Schmidt and Zola have the best and most destructive ideas locked tight in their heads.", Phillips commented.
Steve nodded, "Exactly. So, we have to make the best of a calm, collected argument for this...", looking at Phillips, and he exhaled, seeing the determination in Steve's eyes, and understood with a sharp nod when they heard the sound of footsteps and a distinct sound of a wheelchair, turning around to stand up at attention to see a group of secret agents surrounding the President, with Stimpson not far from the side, either.
"Gentlemen.", Stimpson spoke up as Steve and Phillips saluted and took their seats. "Secretary, Mr. President.", Phillips nodded.
"First things first, let me be the first to say that I'm glad to hear of the blow that you have and the SSR have dealt to HYDRA recently, Rogers.", Roosevelt said. "Removing Dr. Zola from the Nazi war machine's efforts will be a crippling blow to anything Schmidt and his HYDRA division have in service to the Third Reich.".
"Thank you, sir. I only wish that mission hadn't come at the cost we took. We lost Mole, from the Iceland and Atlantis expeditions.", Steve explained.
"So, I've heard, but at least he died in his homeland, in free territory too if I remember the report.", Roosevelt gave a small respectful bow.
"It's only frustrating that we're still in a similar stalemate in France like it was in the last war.", Stimpson rubbed his temple. "We've helped liberate much of France; especially thanks to your efforts and the Marquis; including that coup de grace in Brest which got our foot into the door and completely caught the Germans off guard. Shame it didn't last longer before they finally resolidified the frontlines similar to where it was during the last war.".
"Not to mention parts of Southern France close to Italy where chunks of the Italian Army are holding. Though, one more kick from Sicily might just finally teach the Italians, they'd be better off simply dropping their arms and letting us pass through.", Phillips said.
"After the Grand Council of Fascists ousted Mussolini some weeks ago, we have intel that they might be open to that idea. But the Germans won't simply abandon Italy. They'd be fools to give up their southern flanks without at least some fight. Still, we have plans regarding opening another front; but that's all you'll know for now.", Stimpson said.
"The Soviets are beginning to make a new major offensive in Russia; already starting to drive the Germans back closer and closer to pre-war borders. The Italians are on their last foot, and we're still holding in France and still need months to build up supplies and troop numbers before we go on any major grand offensives in France if what Eisenhower says is true. But we can see the end of the war in Europe, even if it is still a bit in the distance. Provided the HYDRA group hasn't made any... devastating advancements compared to us.", Roosevelt added.
"That... actually is part of what we, or rather, Steve here, wished to talk about in detail. Something that I agree quite a bit with him too, I'll add.", Phillips said.
Roosevelt looked at Steve, "Oh? Permitted to say your piece, Rogers.", with a nod, and Steve nodded, "I won't beat around the bush, sir, or you, Mr. Stimpson. General Phillips has explained to me in great detail about how Congress and Pentagon has been talking about the Paperclip plan proposal to put war prisoners of Hydra and Nazis to work here in America.".
He then took a deep breath, "Zola is the most brilliant mind of Hydra next to his leader, I can admit that, but brilliance is arrogance and greediness in most situations of war, and I fiercely believe that Zola and many others from either Hydra or Nazis are in that situation, putting us in danger, for even if we put an eye on them 100% all the time, they would sneak under anyone's nose like a crafty snake, and if I am compelled to vote to the plan, I apologize for this, but I would say plainly no, and my mind will not be changed on this.".
"Is it no to the whole plan or just say a few actors?", Roosevelt first asked as Steve sighed, "Truth be told; if it was up to me, after some of the stuff I've already seen on the front lines, I would practically say every last leading scientist and engineer who has contributed to Hitler's insanity and the overall war machine should be locked up and have the key thrown away. Now Phillips has at least tried to talk me down a bit...".