Avengers: Hunt for the Winter Soldier - Ch. 6.
Mission Reports 1954 – 1957
(Steve reads more of the Files and spends time with the Soldier)
After the team had finished their evening meal, Steve approached Dr. Golden again with a request to read a little more in the files before ending the day. She was hesitant, but he was adamant, and she had to admit that his dealing with the Winter Soldier earlier that day was superbly handled, so she'd relented and asked Natasha to join them.
Dr. Golden collected the folder from her office where she'd secured it for safekeeping and brought it back to the private office where Nat and Steve were waiting. Steve was looking out the window and Nat was pouring drinks.
"Are you certain you wouldn't rather wait until tomorrow?" she asked him. "Do you really want to sleep on this knowledge?"
"After what I've already read, Doctor, I doubt I'll be getting much sleep anyway," Steve told her honestly and moved to take his seat.
"Well," she replied, "I can give you something to help you in that regard."
Steve looked up at her from his seat and offered a small smile. "Strong enough for a super soldier?" he pointed out.
"Touche'," she answered. She didn't usually deal with clients who were actual super soldiers, so she needed reminding that the usual "cures" probably wouldn't work with their metabolism.
Natasha walked back to the seating area and handed Steve a drink he hadn't actually asked for. He looked up at her with a curious expression and Nat shrugged. They shared a conspiratorial grin and he took the glass from her. "Thanks."
"The papers are as you left them," Dr. Golden told him. "I just clipped together the ones you've already read. The next set in the file are details of test missions and actual missions Hydra began sending the Soldier on to see how he'd respond to his… training," she informed him.
Steve nodded that he understood what he'd be seeing and, as she handed him the folder, he paused and asked, "Did you remove anything from this that you'd prefer I not see?"
Dr. Golden took her seat on the couch and looked him in the eye. "I will not do that, Captain. Director Fury sent this along so you'd have full transparency. I will not take liberties and withhold anything from you. That would undermine what we're trying to accomplish here."
"Thank you, Doctor," he said, his tone reflected sincerity and a growing respect for Dr. Golden.
He opened the file and removed the papers that were clipped together and the photographs he'd already seen and placed both on the coffee table between them. Natasha watched as he set them down and sipped her drink.
Steve glanced at the two women and took a deep breath as he flipped open the cover. The first report stared him in the face; he took a deep breath and began to read.
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Field Test – 5 November 1954
Hydra agent Codename: Winter Soldier prepped for field test; given a shave and hair cut to resemble U.S. serviceman, outfitted in American military battle dress and equipped with American accessories and weapons.
Objective: infiltration of enemy forces.
Codename: Winter Soldier has been instructed to speak only English for duration of this field test mission. Soldier is instructed to return to handlers by 2230 hours in East Berlin and to dispatch anyone who may be witness before he begins self-extraction.
*As predicted, Americans and allies mistake Winter Soldier for one of their own.
* Americans and allies allow Soldier unimpeded entry into West Berlin.
*Agent spends evening in Berlin nightclubs among U.S. and U.K. troops unsuspected.
*Jeep carrying agent and three U.S. soldiers overturns en route to base from nightclub. Soldier dispatches the three enemy combatants. Deaths considered result of crash.
*Crash not investigated further; assumed accidental.
*Investigators unaware that a fourth – a survivor, exists.
*Mission successfully completed. Codename: Winter Soldier crosses border, returns to handlers in East Berlin without incident.
Results – All objectives achieved. Codename: Winter Soldier encounters no difficulties on test mission. Soldier dispatched all witnesses without prejudice.
Outcome: Mission successful
*Future assignments being considered; under evaluation.
Steve's imagination gave life to the words on the paper. It was difficult for him to see Bucky Barnes as being the one who killed three American soldiers without mercy or hesitation. He had to remind himself that the Soldier carrying out these missions was not the same Bucky with whom he grew up. He turned the page and glanced at Nat. She was watching him closely, but said nothing. Steve looked down at the paper now in front of him.
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Cairo, 11 January 1955
Objective: United Nations Diplomatic Negotiations Team.
Result – All targets eliminated without prejudice; significant collateral damage and losses. Fire reported as accidental.
Outcome: Mission successful
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
West Berlin, 14 May 1955
Objective: NATO General James Keller
Result – Target eliminated with extreme prejudice. No unsanctioned kills reported. No collateral damage or losses.
Outcome: Mission Successful
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Madripoor, 1 January 1956
Objective: British Ambassador Dalton Graines
Result – Target eliminated, along with acceptable collateral damage. Madripoor authorities have no leads. Investigation continues.
Outcome: Mission Successful
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Algeria, 1 April 1956
Objective: French Defense Minister Jacques Dupuy
Result – Target eliminated with prejudice. Algerian Nationalist Movement implicated.
Outcome: Mission Successful
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Paris, 12 May 1956
Objective: Algerian Peace Conference Envoy- specific individuals identified to Soldier for sanction.
Result – All targets eliminated with extreme prejudice.
Outcome: Mission successful.
Dept. X
Mission Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
Mexico City, 17 February 1957
Objective: United States Colonel Jefferson Hart
Result – Target eliminated with extreme prejudice
Outcome: Mission Successful
Steve pulled the papers he'd just read from the file folder and placed them face down on the table atop the others Dr. Golden had clipped together. He closed the file on his lap and raised the glass he'd been holding the entire time. He took a long drink and then sat silently thinking about what he'd read so far.
"Captain..?" Dr. Golden said, inviting him to share his thoughts or express his feelings. Steve looked to her and thought about what he wanted to say.
"When Natasha told me about the Winter Soldier and that most of the intelligence community doesn't believe he exists, I couldn't even comprehend how someone like that could go unnoticed… especially for fifty years," he told them. "These mission reports… they don't detail how exactly he was able to complete these missions without bringing the force of full armies down on himself. I can't even… I can't put that together in my head," he told them.
"He was specifically conditioned to be covert in all his actions," Natasha informed him. Her voice was soft as she explained how it was for those in secret service to covert entities. "Like the Black Widows… we were trained as spies, to infiltrate, gather information, and return without incident. The Winter Soldier was conditioned in the same covert tactics, with a few additional skills in his arsenal… to sanction with or without prejudice, as each mission dictated and the extraction of highly sensitive materials when necessary. He was trained to be—"
"—a ghost," Steve interjected.
"Exactly," Nat replied. "He's extremely successful at what he does, which is why he's considered a myth, a legend…"
"- a ghost story," Steve finished her sentence.
"Yes," Nat said with a nod.
"Why don't you take a break, Captain," Dr. Golden suggested.
"Just a few more," Steve told her and opened the file again.
Nat got up from her seat to get another drink and paused next to Steve's chair with her hand out. He looked up at her, realized she was offering to make him a fresh one, so he downed the remainder of the first and handed her the glass. The liquor didn't really do much for him, because his body metabolized the affects so quickly he couldn't get drunk, but just the action itself made him feel better. As Nat prepared the drinks, he took the next paper from the file. This report had a different heading and he noted that the body of the letter was much more detailed. He sat up a little as he lifted the paper closer to read.
Dept. X
Scientific Analysis of Sleeper Agent
Codename: Winter Soldier
Moscow – SSR Laboratory, 7 June 1957
A comprehensive mental evaluation of Codename: Winter Soldier was conducted over the course of the past week. Diagnoses are varied, but most in Dept X: Special Science Research team believes that his mental state is becoming unstable.
In the three years since initially being awakened from stasis it appears his mind is seeking to fill in the memory gaps caused by his amnesiac TBI.
Some on the team believe his mind is rebelling against the implanted programming. Subject has recently begun to exhibit more than usual curiosity about himself, his past, and his surroundings, even to the point of questioning orders and mission parameters. Handlers and superiors are concerned. Once in the past month he attacked a fellow operative, nearly killing him before being tranquilized and removed. Upon interrogation, subject could not explain his actions nor remembered the incident at all.
One theory suggests just as he has retained reflex memories, which allow him to be such an effective operative, he may also have a deeply buried sense of self; of who he was before, or at least the sense of what kind of a man he used to be. As such, this deeply buried sense of self may be causing him mental stress and confusion; triggering an inner turmoil in his subconscious mind.
Another theory, which is even more disturbing, is that he may actually be remembering portions of his former life. These fragmentations of memory will continue to cause issues, therefore it is recommended that Codename: Winter Soldier be kept in stasis between missions, and that he undergo at least one session of Memory Erasure and Mental Implantation at every wakening.
This procedure will consist of no less than Electro-Convulsive Therapy to wipe his memory and Visual and Audio Re-Conditioning. We believe this will correct his instability issues, at least in the short term; so he can continue to be of use to Dept X and Soviet government interests on brief excursions outside our facilities, in order to complete singular missions.
Steve had to take a few deep breaths as he realized what that last part meant to a subject undergoing such procedures. He knew of it, first hand, due to his interactions with the X-Man, Logan. Knowing how lethal Wolverine could be at any given moment, even without notice or overt provocation, gave Steve pause as to how far they might be able to get on their own with his old friend, Bucky.
He turned the page and the heading on this report made him sit forward in the chair. Part of the heading had been crossed out and amended and that was the part that caught his attention.
Dept. X
Mission Report Incident Report
Codename: Winter Soldier
7 August 1960
Codename: Winter Soldier was removed from stasis for a planned mission. Subject was prepped for memory erasure and a complete Mind Wipe, but before the handlers could secure subject in the chair, he attacked the two handlers and three of the four technicians present for the procedure. Significant damage was done to the monitoring equipment and the injured were taken to the infirmary. Subject was tranquilized. Subject was returned to stasis for further investigation into his mental instability.
A call to Canada's Weapon X Project has been made. Hopes are high that their research and expertise can remedy our situation. Professor Thornton suggested that it may be due to repeated mind wipes and mind controlling efforts which is resulting in our inability to maintain complete control over our subject. Thornton agrees with our decision to keep Winter Soldier in cryo-stasis until the issue can be corrected, or else we could end up with a rogue sleeper agent running around unchecked. It would seem they have experienced the same issue with some of their subjects.
Weapon X Program has agreed to send a group to assist the Winter Soldier Program as this project presents a potential for mutual benefits to our respective programs.
Steve read the report and his heart began to pound. To think that his pal, Bucky Barnes had been the focus of not one, but two secret military scientific projects, that spanned several countries and multiple secret agencies; with the intent of turning an innocent person into a mindless, but controllable, assassin was incomprehensible.
"Captain," Dr. Golden said to get his attention, but he seemed deep in his own thoughts. "Steve?"
Steve looked at her and, realizing what she was trying to do, he held up a finger signaling her to wait and then turned the page.
"One more, Doctor then we can close for the night," he told her and settled in to read the next as the heading on this page couldn't be ignored.
Weapon X Files
Project: Codename: Winter Soldier
Subject ID: Barnes, J.B – Sgt. U.S. Army
Series: 1960 Mind Control Research
2 December 1960
Objective: To investigate and attempt to correct, modify, and control the individual subject's behavior by covert means for top secret and highly sensitive covert missions around the globe.
Experiment #1
Notes: Subject has been kept in a comatose state for weeks. The use of the projection helmet and visors to introduce visual and auditory images in order to imprint memory function is implemented. Combined electro-convulsive therapy with continual doses of LSD is also introduced into subject's system as he sleeps. Large amounts of the LSD drug are needed due to the heightened metabolism of the super soldier subject.
Results: Upon waking, subject lacks motor functions; is unable to stand on his own, subject stares straight ahead, verbal communication with subject is ineffective, appears to not understand what we are saying, subject experiencing full body tremors, swallow reflex is non-existent
Outcome: Successful tabula rasa – subject is a clean slate, will need extensive physical and mental therapy in order to regain the use of his mind and body and be fully functional under extreme conditioning, subject will be returned to stasis and kept in a clean state so he can heal from experimentation
"Oh my God," Steve choked out and dropped the entire file on the table, pressing his face into his hands. Natasha and Emily both slid forward in their seats.
"Captain, please, that's enough for tonight," Dr. Golden pleaded with him.
Natasha got up and moved to his side. She rubbed his shoulders, offering support. Steve nodded in agreement to Emily's plea, as he knew he couldn't take any more of these truths tonight.
"I need to see him," Steve told them. "Excuse me," he said as he stood up and walked toward the door.
"Do you want -?" Natasha began to ask.
"No, I got this," he answered without breaking step and walked out the door.
Steve was standing in front of the door to the Soldier's room, before he even realized he'd gotten into the elevator and pushed the button for the basement level. He paused with his hand on the door handle and then slid the locking mechanism to the side.
He opened the door slowly and noted that the lights in the room had been dimmed. Steve glanced at the clock above the head of the bed on which his old friend was lying; it showed the time as 11:17 pm. He hadn't realized it was that late. No wonder he was feeling exhausted.
He stepped into the room quietly and closed the door softly. Steve moved closer to the bed to get a better look at his friend. The Soldier appeared to be asleep with his face turned away slightly. Steve watched the rise and fall of the sheet covering his chest; it rose and fell in slow relaxed rhythm. The Soldier's expression was also relaxed and it was easy for Steve to see the man who was once his best friend.
Memories began dancing through Steve's head, vying for his complete attention. The day Steve's mom had died he had called out the window of his apartment for Bucky who lived one story above him in the same building. He was still calling out for Bucky when Barnes came down the fire escape as if he was sliding on ice and landed in front of him. Bucky had stayed by his side while Steve made all the arrangements for her funeral. Bucky ran errands that needed doing while Steve took care of his mother's final details. After the funeral Bucky drove him back home and extended an offer to come stay with him for a while, but Steve was strong and declined the offer.
"Thanks, Buck… but I can get by on my own," Steve had said.
Bucky had put his hand on Steve's shoulder and told him, "The thing is... you don't have to, 'cause I'm with you til the end of the line, pal."
There it was again; their promise to each other since they were kids.
The images flashed in his head; the many alleys and school yards where Steve would get picked on or beaten up by bullies. He never ran away though, he always stood his ground. He believed that once you start running, the bullies will never let you stop. So he stood firm and resolved to fight back the best he could… until Bucky Barnes swooped in out of nowhere and took care of the bullies himself. He was Steve's protector, his big brother, his guardian and his confidante.
Bucky was there at the recruiting station, trying desperately to talk Steve out of trying to enlist. He used to think that Bucky simply didn't understand that Steve's desire to go to war, to fight the Nazis, was based on his core principals to never run away from a fight, and not because he felt he had something to prove. Steve realized now that Bucky had been desperate back then to keep Steve safe, even as he went off to war.
James Barnes had always kept Steven Rogers safe, from the bullies and from the world at large, because that's who James Barnes was. But Bucky also knew that the only thing holding Steve back from his own greatness was his small stature and unending health problems. Bucky seemed to know that Steve embodied a great sense of honor and courage. He held onto pure virtues and his integrity and was honest with himself and in all his dealings. That's what Bucky was truly protecting. Steve was a symbol of great fortitude and virtue for Bucky.
For Steve, his best friend had set a high standard for kindness and loyalty at an early age. Bucky had the physical prowess that Steve lacked, before Project: Rebirth turned him into a super soldier, while Steve had the perseverance to never quit and the honesty to never surrender his ideals. Together the two friends each found their own worth in the value they held in the other. They empowered each other by offering a different perspective of the world around them, which widened the greater context of their lives.
Steve slowly emerged from his thoughts to realize once again where he was standing. He'd been so inwardly focused that he hadn't even heard the tick of the clock, which now read 1:08 am. He'd been standing there, lost in his own thoughts and memories for nearly two hours.
He looked toward the man on the bed again and his breath caught in his throat. The Soldier was awake and looking right at him. He hadn't made a sound and Steve had been so lost in his own internal conflict that he hadn't even noticed. As the two men simply looked at each other; Steve wondered if his friend was in there somewhere and maybe recognized him… even a little. The Soldier simply looked back with a serious expression, but not one of anger, at least Steve didn't feel any anger coming from him at the moment.
Despite the late hour, Steve decided to stay for a while and hoped his presence wouldn't distress the Soldier. Drawing the single chair in the room to a place under the TV in the direct line of sight of the Soldier, Steve sat and just looked at Barnes, offering him a small smile.
The Soldier watched the blond man settle into the chair a few yards away. He didn't speak or make demands of him; he simply sat down and smiled. The Soldier was a little confused, especially because he sensed that the man wasn't here to harm or provoke him. He appeared to have been lost in his own thoughts for quite a while and when he came out of that fugue, he just sat down. The Soldier blinked at him a few times and then turned his head to a more comfortable position and closed his eyes. Steve watched him and thought perhaps they were making a little progress.
TBC