Trust, but verify

[JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES]

His cell phone had been quiet since he has written a message to Wesley, but the man seemed too busy or too nonchalant towards him as that he thought it important to write back. Fine, Bucky was able to find the man, if 'the suit' wanted it or not. Mayhap it was not bad that Wesley hadn't answered his message, this way Bucky could get home without answering questions why he was riding a car with a damaged window and weapons on the backseat. It would be bad enough to face Natalya again after she has learned that her car had been 'borrowed' by him. Somehow he had to get away from the hiding place she has brought him to face Steve and this strange woman who was kind of confused herself, and he couldn't take the bus, could he? Bucky was still not certain if it was a good thing to have met Steve again. He was still not entirely sure of his emotions towards the man and his memories were still flawed as that he could trust them completely. It was yet uncomfortable and at the same time comforting to be in the man's company without him being able to explain it. Steve liked to repeat the word 'friend' when he was talking to him and he referred to things Bucky too could remember, so it felt only logical to trust the man. However, Bucky was not able to stay in this company for long, because it was not all love, peace and harmony when being around Captain America. There were also the memories he carried in his heart that belonged to the Winter Soldier and the things he had done did weighed hard on his conscience. Even though these memories kept him awake at night, they weren't the only thing. What made him avoid Steve was the programming in his mind. Only hours ago it came to surface again without anyone using the coding at all. It was his own recall of memory that brought out the soldat. Bucky had done his best to fight it and stay away from trouble and for two years it worked just well. But what happened in the buidling where Steve was hiding just proved that it was still there and no matter what Bucky did to control it, it was in vain. Perhaps I should burry myself in a hole which wasn't such a bad idea... He'd already reached the point of ending it all once and for all, but then there were these memories of his past life, the close and unique friendship as well as the illusion that he was able to control the soldat within him that kept him going. Illusion and reality... two words he wasn't able to seperate in his life. He stopped at a red traffic light and turned his head to the left, looking out the window. There he saw the logo of the hotel he had been brought by Wesley the day he has met the man and his, their employer. He remembered that the restaurant was lacking in guests when he had entered it. There had been only men of King Pin to keep him safe. Could it be that Wesley was there, by any chance? The traffic light turned green and Bucky indicated that he was about to turn left. He changed direction and came to halt in front of the hotel. He turned the key and stopped the motor. Motionless he looked at the building and then concentrated on the restaurant. There again, people were missing. Was the restaurant closed today? Certainly not, it was part of the hotel and guests needed to eat, they couldn't effort to lose guests or their reputation. Only obstacle now was his own etire. He should have listened to Wesley when he suggested another wardrobe... Sighing at his own stubbornness not having agreed to the man's suggestion, he searched for a solution, driving home was out of question since it would take him too long and he did not wish to start the search for Wesley all over again. He had to get himself a shirt or jacket or... suddenly he got an idea. He started the motor and drove around the building. Every hotel has a back door... The car stopped some meters away from the back door since Bucky had noticed a security camera outside. No employee was outside taking a break and Bucky got out of the car, bending down to grab a small stone which he threw hard agains the camera so it turned its focus away from the door. When he reached the door, it was closed. What a surprise... he clenched his iron fist and smashed it against the lock. Before he entered, he peered inside and found another camera at the end of the corridor above another closed door. Slighty unnerved and yet unimpressed by the security of the hotel, he threw another stone and damaged the eye of the camera, before the security guards will recognize it, he'll be alread in and if this venture was in vain, he'll be out again. No one there... he noticed when he followed the corridor and opened the door. Something wasn't right, Bucky couldn't remember a hotel that had been so quiet beneath its surface. His hand slid trained to the knife that was still in its holder that was around his thigh when he opened the door. Bucky did not know what he expected to see but certainly not what he was seeing right now. Wesley, he said with his eyes focused on the one man whose face he did know for sure... The face of the man across from him was blurry as if it was covered by a grey curtain. I know him... lyrics: TIM MCMORRIS words: 971 tagged: JAMES WESLEY | WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER outfit: here! notes: Hopefully it isn't too messy, got slightly carried away. TEMPLATE BY LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE @ CAUTION 2.0

[JAMES WESLEY]

It was official. As much as Wesley hated to admit it, he now knew what it was like to be a teenager in the twenty first century, feeling his cell phone vibrating in his pocket, and swallowing the urge to check it. A ‘millennial’, wasn’t that what they called them? The self-entitled dregs of society, who wouldn’t know what it was to earn something if they were provided with a textbook definition of it, who hadn’t the slightest notion about what effort really was, and expected everything to just fall into their laps. He shivered at the very thought of being associated with that elk, considering where he himself had come from, and what it took for him to get there.

Though, it had nothing to do with whether he’d been ‘poked’ or however many ‘likes’ he’d scored on Facebook, which was all the fulfilment those kind of people required, in order to feel like they’d achieved something worthwhile. He didn’t like social media. It wasn’t just the way in which it was slowly killing the English language, and as someone who had spent the better part of four years studying a variety of languages, he had too great an appreciation for grammar and sentence structure to tolerate the notorious ‘text speak’ for longer than a few minutes, it was the way in which people seemed addicted to it that was a true cause for concern.

It had become so normalized, to be bumped into while strolling around the city, because the device in one’s hand had drawn their attention. Never mind the roasting cup of coffee that could have spilled as a result. Upon crossing the streets, a simple ‘bleep’ could be the difference between life and death, and no one batted an eyelid at it. Plenty of eyelids had been batted at him when he’d had issues of a similar nature. Wesley had required help, and yet, they didn’t. It was a strange kind of world they lived in, nowadays. But his attention, unlike theirs, was drawn to his cell phone because he had a job, and that job constantly required him to maintain contact with a wide range of belligerent people.

He quickly rifled through his mind, thinking who it could be, checking them off one by one. His employer was unlikely. What he’d received was a text message, and Mr Fisk usually called him. It wasn’t the Ranskahovs. Being short this week, they wouldn’t dream of contacting him. Leland was quickly ruled out as well, since he’d only spoken to him this morning. Nobu was about as intolerant of technology as Wesley himself, preferring to unceremoniously drop in on him as opposed to giving him any kind of prior notice. Gao was no different, so that left one of two options. Since Walker had seemingly disappeared, Barnes was the most likely candidate. At that, he couldn’t help but smirk to himself inwardly as he considered the soldier’s timing as well.

Maintaining contacts made up a large part of what he did, and it was about time he made contact with their most important connection to date. His employer hadn’t, so it was up to him. Wesley had known since he’d first set out to locate the soldier that HYDRA was looking for him, and while Mr Fisk was more inclined to use him for his own ends, he’d always supported returning him to those he belonged to, and that was what he intended to do. But he wasn’t prepared to just hand the soldier over to them. He still felt that the soldier was more trouble than he was worth, especially where his programming was concerned. A few odd words, and Barnes could be immediately reduced to a living weapon.

Wesley might not have seen any worth in that, but there were others who did, otherwise there was no sense in keeping Sergeant James Barnes alive all this time.

He wasn’t one to express relief, given so much of his job required him to be tolerant, and tolerant he was, but he was relieved to be speaking to the Grand Imperator himself. Not that he would have taken issue with Wulf, but he dealt with people like her on an ongoing basis, that it was almost like having a day off, dealing with someone that knew not to allow the simplest things to shake one’s composure. Wesley was fast starting to believe he was in a minority, but he was simply settling for the wrong people, between the Ranskahovs, and Nobu. Heck, he even flinched whenever his employer got riled up, and he had been working for the man for years, which made Strucker a huge departure from the norm.

For starters, he had yet to find himself taking deep breaths, and mentally counting to ten, as he furnished the Grand Imperator with the necessary information in relation to Barnes. Wesley was actually surprised to learn that he wasn’t aware of the code words required to activate the Winter Soldier, but as surprised as he was, he was also reassured that if they didn’t know the activation words, they’d hardly be aware of the deactivation ones. “If you’ll excuse me, Grand Imperator, my Russian is a little rusty, given I find myself more often exposed to the cruder variants of it” he explained, jotting down the code words, since all the Ranskahovs and the rest of their associates did was whine and complain, before heaping more whining and complaining on top of that.

He jotted them down phonetically, since his ability to speak the language was far greater than his ability to write it, and after spending years studying Japanese and Chinese symbols, he was certain he could be forgiven for never quite being able to grasp Russian characters. “They have to be spoken in this exact order: zhelaniye, rzhavyy, pech', rassvet, semnadtsat', dobroserdechnyy, devyat', vozvrashcheniye na rodinu, odin, gruzovoy vagon” but before he could explain what they meant, whatever the significance behind them was, there was a disturbance outside, and one that offered him an opportunity to check his phone. Barnes, like he’d deduced, and going by his text message, it was probably him causing all the ruckus as well.

And people wondered why he felt the soldier was more trouble than he was worth. Quickly, and without even looking at the keypad, Wesley text back, highlighting precisely what Barnes was walking into:

new text from...
james wesley <3

I told you that I intended to offer you a way to take back control, and that is what I am doing, so if you could, Mr Barnes, please refrain from shooting me when you kick that door in, at least not in this suit.

Then, the door to the downstairs restaurant was blown in, and as soon as Barnes stepped over the threshold, Wesley was quick to rise from his seat, smiling at the soldier. “Mr Barnes, how good of you to join us” he welcomed before making to approach him, amiable as always, taking his hand to shake, “Although, I would say the entrance was a little unnecessary, no need to prove yourself after all, not to Baron Von Strucker, anyway. I believe you two have met?” he smiled, turning back to the Grand Imperator.

TAG: WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER
WORDS: 1,211
OUTFIT: Self explanatory.
NOTES: Not my best...

[WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER]

It was amusing for the Baron that things had been going so well concerning HYDRA. On the one hand, everything they have been working for for the past seventy years was coming along. Sure, after the detour they had to take two an half years before concerning Insight and the Pierce's dead things seemed to return to square one, but Kasandra's dedication and the utter stupidity of HYDRA's enemies had set in motions everything they thought lost back when Romanoff and Rogers got involved with the Insight Project. He was still sowing the seeds of dissension inside the World Security Council and the U.N., playing both sides of the Superhuman Registration Act against the middle and all the while, he managed to dismantle SHIELD and put in place a new agency that reported directly to HYDRA. The Avengers were divided, Rogers' and Romanoff's days were numbered and everything was good in the world... at least in the world according to HYDRA... hail indeed.

In his personal life, however, things were not as smooth...

After the revelation that Ophelia was Kasandra's long lost daughter, things had gone from bad to worse. To say that his Baroness was a bit miffed about it was an understatement of biblical proportions. So much so that she decided to take a bit of a break from everything and clear her head alone, which did not sit well with Strucker. She should have known that he would go with her, abandon everything if necessary, but she said that she wanted to be alone and he allowed her that. Although Kasandra was the most essential part of HYDRA and the organization's long term plans, it would work out in the end. He rather have a focused and determined Kasandra and not one plague by doubts and fears, so for the time being he would allow her that space she needed. Which meant that dealing with HYDRA members like James Wesley now fell onto Strucker. Not that he minded... Wesley was one of the few HYDRA's underlings that Strucker could deal with without wanting to Deathspore him out of existence.

So they met after Wesley contacted him about finding the Winter Soldier. It has been more than two years since the Grand Imperator saw the HYDRA assassin last, back at that fiasco that was the R.A.G.E. Fundraiser, when Barnes actually helped Romanoff. That night was a bad memory for Strucker, as he almost lost Kasandra. But it was also the closest his Baroness has gotten to finally put an end to that fotze Russian redhead. Missed opportunities and one big reason for that was the Winter Soldier. He had to admit that Pierce was always the one dealing with the soldat, as Strucker gave him the reign of that little project after he got Contessa Valentina to forward the Winter Soldier to HYDRA from Leviathan. With Pierce's untimely demise, it felt onto Kasandra and Strucker to get their property back, but they had no luck. Now, though, it seemed that Wesley – under that obese fool Fink – managed to not only get in touch with Barnes but also to control him. Connoisseur, connoisseur. “I myself never liked the language, so do not worry about it.” Strucker replied concerning Wesley's rusty Russian. The Baron despised everything Russian. Not only were they the ones that put his country to hell during World War II but also... Romanoff was Russian and oh how much he hated that woman! 

So there were actual activation codes for Barnes? Well, Pierce had said as much but again, Strucker never gave it a second thought, never thinking he would need them. That was a bit of an oversight on his part, and that was unusual for the usually strategic minded Strucker, but in a way he always thought that either Pierce or Kasandra would run the Winter Soldier. After all, Strucker could not waste his time dealing with every single lower pawn in the organization. He was the Grand Imperator, after all. He memorized the words and nodded at Wesley. Truth be told, as great as a tool Barnes was for HYDRA, Strucker was not concern about his past allegiance to Rogers. If needed be, Strucker would stop any damage Barnes do to HYDRA if he decided to go off the reservation. Still, it was good that Kasandra would have a way to control him in case that happened.  
And speaking of... he made his appearance.

Strucker just sat there, staring at the man that for the past seventy years have been at the fringe edge of history. When the very unstable Barnes said that he knew him, Strucker smiled. Oh yes... they have met. Back at that same R.A.G.E. Fundraiser. “How nice to see you again, Soldat. More importantly, I am very glad that you have decided to come back to the fold...” How best would they use him... Strucker was still thinking about it. Oh God, how much he missed Kasandra at this moment!

TAG: JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES
WORDS: 853
NOTES: So sorry for the late reply

[JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES]

He got a text message and for no reason, Bucky deemed it better to take a look at it before he'd enter the room where he suspected Wesley to be. And for the first time since he knew Wesley he was glad he overcame the nature of the soldat to just ignore the signal and storm in. He read through the lines the man has written and wondered what that meant “I offer you a way to take back control”. What the heck was the man talking about? And Bucky would certainly not restrain himself from shooting the man in the face when he was wearing whatever suit if he was doing something Bucky hadn't agreed upon. But curiosity was now winning and Bucky opened the door, a bit more forcefully than he intended it to be. There Wesely was but not alone, so no time to get a truthful answer from the right-hand man of Fisk, not that Bucky expected the man to be truthful. He still hadn't answered his question for the code which he had put behind his name when saving his number in Bucky's cell phone. He would get it out of him, sooner or later. For now however, his attention was entirely on the other man's face who was with the suit. The name with what Welsey had introduced the man sounded familiar to his ears as well but his mind still failed to remember the memory that housed both, the face and the name of the man. Frowning and little bit disturbed Bucky looked back at the door he rushed in seconds before after hearing Wesley's remark. He wasn't proving himself... he merely tried to get in without being seen by people who would tend to scream and run in circles. I was just being cautious... only that he failed in being exactly that by bursting in like a hurricane. Why was he excusing to Wesley at all? His eyes turned sharp when he once again focused on Strucker... Wesley was being secondary to him and not worth any attention, not as long as he hadn't made out where he got to know the man. How nice to see you again, soldat. More importantly, I'm very glad that you have decided to come back to the fold... To the fold. To the fold... that could only mean he was referring to HYDRA. So far so good, but it did not explain who the man in front of him was. His mind was so messed up that he could be glad when he did know his name after waking up in the morning, and now he had to remember someone from HYDRA. Funny, not funny! Just because I know you does not necessarily mean I know you he replied and made clear that he truly was messed up. Bucky narrowed his eyes and tried hard to remember where and when he had seen the man and in which context he had heard the name but no matter which memory he managed to dig up he failed to find a useful one. Since I know you but can't remember why, I assume you are one who works in the shadows within the ranks of HYDRA and/or do not bother to deal with people like me. He got closer to the two man, but his hand was ready to grab the knife hanging down his thigh, his eyes shifting back and forth between Wesley, the man he knew with certainty and the man who was a grey shadow in his memory. While he could not place the man, he slowly could make sense of Wesley's cryptic text message. He remembered the conversation he has had with Fisk and what the man has promised Bucky. To exact revenge on HYDRA for all they've done to him and made him do. Slowly, he adjusted himself to the awkward situation. Now was the time he had to act and act like an actor. Only obstacle to it was the fact that he'd never been a good pretender, and Steve didn't count. The man would not even see a lie when it was standing in front of him with the lettering in bold black letters written all over. The tension in his muscles left his body and his bodily posture relaxed visibly. Where else should I go? This world isn't mine anymore, and all that I am is HYDRA. The grip around his knife loosened while he spoke and a lie couldn't be detected in those words. Because that was what he was, what he had become, what they have turned him into: HYDRA. Then his attention left Strucker and Bucky remembered Wesley and that this man was the only one who might be his ally in this. Only that Bucky couldn't be sure about it. Wesley did not seem too bothered to brief Bucky in his plan first before he started this. So, what was Bucky's task now? And how much did Wesley know himself what he could pass on to Strucker? How much did Strucker know himself? Everything would be easier if he would know which role Wesley was playing here and who the hell the man was. lyrics: TIM MCMORRIS words: 869 tagged: JAMES WESLEY outfit: here! notes: / TEMPLATE BY LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE @ CAUTION 2.0

[JAMES WESLEY]

Temper, temper, Wesley had been forced to tut to himself, on an alarming number of occasions. The amount of people he dealt with that had issues managing their anger was truly outstanding, an endless stream of ‘shoot first, ask questions later’, and the only thing that made Barnes different from the others, was he reached for a knife as opposed to a gun. At least, distance needed to be eradicated before he could act with that. Wesley tried to make sure he didn’t, tightening his grasp on the hand he had opted to shake previously, the hand that the soldier attempted to reach the knife he had sheathed at his thigh with, the hand that was comprised of some kind of metal alloy that to hear it told, was capable of tearing a S.H.I.E.L.D armoured SUV apart.

Needless to say, more damage was probably inflicted on Wesley’s fingers in the process of trying to hold Barnes back, that was, before the soldier’s arm relaxed and he could release the grip he was barely managing in the process. “What, exactly, is that arm made of?”  he questioned inwardly, discreetly flexing his digits so as to ensure none of them had been broken, and that none of them had, surprised him. ‘Where else should I go? This world isn't mine anymore, and all that I am is HYDRA’  further relief, as Barnes realized what Wesley was trying to do, so he didn’t have to say much more on the subject that had been shared in that text message. He couldn’t, even if he, quite frankly, didn’t care about the soldier’s desires.

Short sighted as he was, albeit, in a literal sense, Wesley didn’t care for the whole process of ‘revenge’. It took more out of the person seeking it, than it did the person deserving of it. In his own experience, ‘comeuppance’ seemed to follow people like that. It certainly had done in his own father’s case. He’d never sought retribution against that man, all he did, was leave him to it, and ‘comeuppance’ took care of the rest. He didn’t even have to lift a finger. In Barnes’ case, it simply benefitted him, that the soldier seemed to want to thread down that path, because it meant setting him down it. And in setting him down it, Wesley had found a way into HYDRA, at least, a way to endear himself to them, and solidify some manner of a position within the group. He’d always thought there was more benefit in handing Barnes over than keeping him for their own devices.

“… back into the fold, indeed. Remember what we discussed, Mr Barnes? About bringing you home, resuming your previous responsibilities? It’s what you wanted, after all. What I promised” Wesley explained for the benefit of the soldier. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll allow you two get reacquainted. Rest assured, we don’t intend to lose complete sight of you, Mr Barnes, and on that note, Baron Von Strucker” he turned his attention to the Grand Imperator, “Just as there is are code words to activate the soldier, there is a single code word to deactivate him, and should you require assistance in that regard, I’m only a phone call away” Wesley smiled, but just before he was prepared to leave, he stopped to shine some light on a question Barnes had asked him.

“As for that ‘secret code’ attached to my contact details, and it’s meaning, turn your phone on its side, and take a good look. That should solve the mystery” Wesley smirked, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, gentle-well, one gentleman” he added, and with that, he excused himself.

TAG: WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER
WORDS: 626
OUTFIT: Self explanatory.
NOTES: Not my best... again.

[WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER]

Throughout the whole exchange, Strucker remained calmly seated, observing. The knife in the soldat's hands did not worried him, nor did the clear indications that the man was not completely stable. It was natural that a man that for the better part of seventy years has been put in cryogenics, then thawed out and his brain constantly being wiped clean would be unstable. Even if Barnes went on a rampage right then and now, Strucker would be able to subdue him if needed be, with or without the codes although he much preferred to not damage HYDRA's pride and joy... the Winter Soldier. Even though unwillingly, Barnes has been invaluable to HYDRA and Strucker was looking forward for him to continue to be so. To be honest, though, he was not sure how best use him now but that did not matter... once Kasandra returned he was sure she would find a place for someone with his abilities. Maybe send him to finally end Rogers and Romanoff... a man could dream.

He kept his eyes on Barnes and smiled softly at him. Yes... the soldier remembered their encounter a few years back, which incidentally was their first and only encounter ever. Kasandra had dealt with the Winter Soldier more than Strucker had and before Kasandra there was Pierce, which in a way was what intelligence operatives called his 'handler'. Now, Strucker supposed it fell on him to be that, at least until Kasandra returned. Not that he did not have so much to do to also now 'babysit' the unstable Barnes, but as the said went... no rest for the wicked. “Work in the shadows... I like that. Meine liebe Kasandra Wulf is the heart and soul of HYDRA, so you can say that I am the brain. And you my friend are the hand that holds the sword.” He replied to what Barnes said with that soft smile of his.

“I usually do not have the need to deal with every minutia concerning the organization, but that does not mean I am above it. HYDRA has been blessed to have very reliable people, just like our friend mister Wesley here.” Although not many of HYDRA's operatives were as thorough and effective, though. It has been a problem for the Grand Imperator ever since he founded this new version of HYDRA that sprung from the ashes of World War II. He had kept the circle very tight and closed because many HYDRA commanders and operatives had been less than reliable. He only trusted one person to actually carry out things as they should be carried out and she was not here with him at the moment.

Where else should I go? This world isn't mine anymore, and all that I am is HYDRA. 

Strucker smiled and nodded. “I am glad you see it that way. You have been an instrument of manifest destiny, had shaped the world for seventy years and now you shall have a chance to shape it even more.” Strucker said and then cocked his head to the side. “That said, I am a very cautious man... zhelaniye, rzhavyy, pech', rassvet, semnadtsat', dobroserdechnyy, devyat', vozvrashcheniye na rodinu, odin, gruzovoy vagon” He began to say the code that Wesley gave him. If anything, he wanted to test that they worked and also wanted to see Barnes reactions to them.

“Just as there are code words to activate the soldier, there is a single code word to deactivate him, and should you require assistance in that regard, I’m only a phone call away”

Interesting. It seemed Mr. Wesley was not fore-coming about everything. There was a code to deactivate him in case he went off the reservation. The Baron could force Wesley to reveal it but decided there was no need. Let him keep his secret if that made him feel safe. In any case, if needed, he or Kasandra could pay him a visit and 'convince' him to divulge the code, but Strucker's Deathspores were a good tool to 'deactivate' the Soldier if it came to that. “Of course Mr. Wesley. We shall keep in touch.” Strucker said to the sharp dressed man and then turned to Barnes. “Soldat... welcome home.”

TAG: JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES
WORDS: 751
NOTES: I'm so sorry this reply sucked and that it took me so long to reply. I feel awful that after making you wait so long, this reply is so bad

[JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES]

The handshake which Wesley tried to greet him with ended with the purpose to hold back Bucky's initial intention to forestall a possible attack from the other man. It had been a reflex to shield himself from any harm and attack had always been the better defence besides the fact that no one had ever greeted him properly, so he was rather unaware what it meant to be met that way. Only seconds later he understood the meaning of Wesley's handshake, the man seemingly was intented to stop any harm before it could be inflicted. Bucky had been well aware of the strength he had put into his hand when holding the hand of his ally but he did not feel sorry for having caused some pain for the man. He of course, was also able to use the metal hand not only in a way of destruction but also to be gentle with it. Most people seemed to be unaware of the fact that although the hand and arm was made of metal he could feel with it the same way he could feel with the other arm and hand. It was just slightly different. ”[...] Remember what we discussed, Mr Barnes? About bringing you home, resuming your previous responsibilities? It's what you wanted, after all. What I promised.” Wesley tried to be as cryptic as he could when he told Bucky to be less defensive and remember their chat days ago. Bucky did remember their chat and he very well remembered the hatred he bore for Hydra over the last decades of his life. The following words of his 'ally' to the Baron however, the trust he has had in Wesley faltered. The mentioning of the codes did not sit well with Bucky and he narrowed his eyes at Wesley dangerously. What had he done? He should know that he was unable to be himself – whatever that meant – when the soldat was activated. He also should know that the one person speaking those code words was then his handler and Wesley would have no say in it anymore... Rest assured, I'll find you whenever the situation calls for it, Mr 'Suit'. He answered and bid Wesley a good day and the man could count on it that Bucky will find him if his former suspicion against the man should prove to be true. He did not waste to look after the man who betrayed him although he will make sure Wesley will get his chance to explain his intention to him somewhen in the future. However, he was eager to pull out his phone to check if what the man said about the 'code' deteched to his contact details indeed solved the riddle. But Bucky has had another more pressing matter he needed to focus on as long as he might be able to. The Baron now knew the code words that turned him into the deadliest assassin the world did know, a man without scruple, pitty or even mercy. The man did not waste any second to tell Bucky the same old story he has heard his entire life within the ranks of Hydra. But being a human being right now he was able to understand the meaning of the words. He had shaped the century through not necessarily the way Bucky, the human being, wanted to shape it. He once signed a contract to free the world from superstition, suppression and manipulation of the highest level until he became part of it. The thought of it robbed him off his sleep at night, the faces and screams of his victims will haunt him his entirely life without him being able to make amends. ”желание,” a word he did know so well did make it to his ears and triggered him immediately but he was able to fight it, yet. Not now! Not so soon! ”ржавый, печь, рассвет...” It cost him strength to withstand the programming but most of all it caused him pain to hear the words, well knowing what came to follow them. Bucky, the few pieces that were left of him, will cease to exist once again and he will lose all the memories that belonged to this persona. But those memories were precious to him. ”семнадцать, добросердечный, девять, возвращение на родину,... he'd never come home and he'll never be. His muscles soon relaxed and he stopped fighting. There was no chance for him to make it stop, there'd never been. ”один, грузовой вагон.” There was it: the end. There now stood a man who did feel nothing, who did know nothing and who was unable to make his own decisions, ya even unable to answer questions concerning himself. His eyes ice cold, murderous but emotionless. When he was addressed again, his eyes turned to the man and there only was one sentence, only a few words the soldat would reply: готовы соблюдать* lyrics: TIM MCMORRIS words: 828 tagged: WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER outfit: here! notes: * готовы соблюдать = Ready to comply TEMPLATE BY LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE @ CAUTION 2.0

[WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER]

This was one of the many moments when the Baron missed his Baroness by his side. Strucker have not been in the tactical side of running HYDRA for a long time, depending on Kasandra to be his sword, eyes and ears on the field. The irony of it all was that when she disappeared after World War II, it was Ophelia who was his sword, eyes, and ears. Irony indeed that both mother and daughter basically had the same position in HYDRA. But that was not entirely true... Ophelia never could replace Kasandra. In his view, she was only there filling the place that Kasandra once held, but once the Baroness returned, there was no doubt who the Baron wanted to be by his side. Regardless, it was Kasandra who would eventually run Barnes, just like Pierce did before and she should be the one now making these arrangements, but as said she needed a time for herself to think and reflect after the revelation that the woman she despised – Ophelia – was actually her long lost daughter and Strucker would never deny his woman anything. It was amusing, but the Baron was in a way wrapped around Kasandra's finger. It could be said that she could ask him anything and he would not hesitate to give whatever she wanted to her.

As he observed the Soldier's transformation, the Baron reflected on how he would have to deal with that problem... Ophelia and Kasandra. It was Ophelia and in a way Frost's brother who broker the possible working relationship between HYDRA and the Hellfire Club and now this revelation concerning the green haired woman and Kasandra could complicate that. The fact that Ophelia used to be Strucker's lover did not help matters either. The problem was that a HYDRA and Hellfire Club alliance benefited both groups and it would be bad not to pursue it. But it was clear to the Baron that Emma Frost was very fond of Ophelia and if Kasandra or Ophelia did something to each other, that would put both groups into a collision course... a war between HYDRA and Hellfire Club and that was something neither Strucker nor Emma Frost wanted. He realized that the best course of action is maybe have Emma Frost tell Ophelia the truth, maybe that way it will soften the blow.

The other question he was asking himself as Barnes said 'Ready to comply' in a monotone voice was how to best use the Soldier. Strucker could send him to get rid of Rogers and Romanoff, but in a way he was waiting to see if the Avengers themselves did that for him. By all accounts, there was a split between 'Earth's Mightiest Heroes' and Strucker was intent to cash in on that. The first thing he would have to do was to put Barnes under Kasandra's control and let her use him as she saw fit, but again, his woman was taking a bit of 'time off', so that would have to wait. He could put him back into cryogenic sleep but he saw that as a waste. Might as well get some use out of the Soldier while he was still awake and back in HYDRA. But again... what?

God, he did miss Kasandra...

“Glad you are, Soldat” He said and stared at Barnes. “Let us start with something simple, shall we? Report on your time dealing with our esteemed Mr. Fisk and Mr. Wesley.” Strucker said, curious to learn what Fisk was planning concerning the Winter Soldier without deeming it appropriate to inform Strucker or Kasandra about it. “And then tell me a bit about what you have been doing during your time away from HYDRA.” He added.

TAG: JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES
WORDS: 652
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[JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES]

The soldat stood there like a pillar, unmoved and untouchable by whatever should come his way. With simple words it was possible to remove the human side of him and make it cease and replace it with a weapon that was unable to feel remorse or mercy. It was hard for others to see what kind of weapon the Winter Soldier really was but actual, it wasn't all too complicated. Most made the mistake to see the soldat as human being but that was a mistake and reason enough to fail to understand his meaning. He was a weapon that only did what was ordered him to do. Think of the soldat as a rifle: It could do good in the hands of good people though, weapons always brought death to others. But when it was put into the hands of bad people it would only do bad things. A weapon did not feel, a weapon did not ask questions, a weapon did not hesitate. That was the soldat, he only did what was ordered him to do without him thinking of the consequences, the blood that would be shed nor would he ever think of the victims and if they were good or bad. To him, good and bad did not exist and he did not ask if they deserved what he brought upon them or not. And so, here he was waiting for his handler to command him. Mr Fisk spoke of keeping me to protect himself while dealing with old-employers of mine. He said he wishes to renovate the building. The soldat did not include his own understanding of the subject into his report. How should he? He did not have an opinion. He only reported what was asked of him and that was it. He knew that Fisk was speaking about Hydra that was the reason why his human side agreed to get involved with him. The man used analogies while speaking and it was hard to keep track when he was doing so, but neither Bucky nor the soldat were dumb enough not to get the hint. There are two phases. The first would be the slowest and involved either removing those who oppose the renovations or cenverting them. Once that is done the second phase would start. Though, he did not go into detail on that. The soldat spoke and did not know that he was also betraying himself in the process. He had become an associate of Fisk and his right-hand man and the conclusion would come fast to Strucker why that has been the case. Again, it was not the soldier's decision, he had always been unable to make choices, decisions or voice his opinion. Concerning Mr Wesley... he's more than just a pretty suit. He handles a lot of Fisk's schedules and contacts. The next question posted an issue for the soldat. He could report on it but there were gaps in his memory including Bucky that was not banned permantently from his current state. Of course, the human would fight for his friend in order not to betray him but to the soldat such human weaknesses were unknown. I tried to eliminate Natalya... he paused since he remembered the weakness he was feeling during the fight and he could not tell why, possibly because of Bucky. ... Then I was facing Captain America and another woman, trying to fight them... again he could continue to talk but this time it was Bucky fighting his way back to the surface, preventing the soldat to tell more about this encounter. Using the code on Bucky was one thing but it was not enough to get the soldat under permant control. Strucker did not seem to know as much about the Winter Soldier as his former handler, Pierce. Other than that he would have taken him to the facility of Hydra, where he could ensure the Winter Soldier program was working without error due to the use of the Memory Suppressing Machine. Now Strucker got only a shell that could easily be broken down, through easy was relative. The soldat might not be in complete control he was yet stronger than Bucky, who stood back unable to swap places and yet, using his will to get a tight grip on the reins of the soldat. lyrics: TIM MCMORRIS words: 722 tagged: WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER outfit: here! notes: Sry for the wait TEMPLATE BY LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE @ CAUTION 2.0

[WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER]

So it seemed that Fisk was looking to go into business himself and without HYDRA? Unless the 'old employers' was in reference to Leviathan, who had control over the Winter Soldier before the Contessa Valentina forwarded Barnes to HYDRA and Pierce. It was no secret in the shadow world of secret groups that Leviathan and HYDRA were in what amounted to a sort of cold war. Strucker managed to strike a deal with Valentina and both organizations were giving each other a wide berth. Sure, he had to seduce the Russian woman to get her to agree to a ceasefire, but so far it has been holding. Kasandra was not too happy about that, but she understood that the benefits could not be denied. It really did not matter. If Fisk was planning to double cross HYDRA or Leviathan... well... time would tell. Strucker had a lot of other things going on to be concerned about an underling getting to big for his breeches. It seemed, though, that Wesley had other ideas... if not, then why bringing the Soldier back to HYDRA? Herr Wesley seemed like a man who knew what was best for him.

I tried to eliminate Natalya... Then I was facing Captain America and another woman, trying to fight them... 

That peaked the Baron's interest. He deduced that 'Natalya' was Romanoff, for he knew that the two of them – Black Widow and the Winter Soldier – had history together, especially when they both were members of Department X back in the forties and fifties. Interesting, though, that neither of them managed to eliminate the other, and for Barnes to say he also had to fight Rogers, it meant that Romanoff actually managed to stop him in his track and even took him prisoner. How much of that was Romanoff's skill and how much was Barnes not been able to finish the job? A pity, really... Strucker would have given anything to learn that Barnes eliminated that torn on his side Romanoff, but it seemed that the Soldier still had some conflict in his mind. Although Romanoff was good, she would not have stood a chance against a fully operational Winter Soldier, which implied that he was not fully in Winter Soldier mode when they fought. Another wasted chance to get rid of that redhead schlampe. Bringing her head to Kasandra on a plate would have been a nice gift for his Baroness.

Now the fact that he did not managed to eliminate Rogers either was even worst. Still, Strucker was not going to punish the Soldier... in fact, in a way it was better that he failed. He could use that to HYDRA's advantage. The other woman Barnes spoke of, though... “Who was she? This other woman?” he asked, curious. Pryde? Pfft, that would have been a joke. Hill? No way Barnes would have lost to her. Whoever she was, it seemed she was powerful enough to make the Winter Soldier fail in his mission, and that was something not many people could say. “As much as I would have loved for you to eliminate Romanoff, it is fine. You will get another chance. But I am intrigued about what you saw. Were you in their base? Do you remember where it is? Who else was there?” He paused for a moment and then continued. “And how come you managed to get away?” he added.

TAG: JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES
WORDS: 581
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[JAMES 'BUCKY' BARNES]

The soldat looked at the man in front of him like a dog who had difficulty to understand what was asked of him. But in the next moment, his lips moved and a name slipped his tongue. Sif... She was called Sif. The name was all he could tell since he could not remember whatelse the American Soldat and the woman said in their discussion with one another, and it did not matter to him either. It was not on him to take the information and analyse them, he was the one who provided others with information, to a small account and then would be the executive power who would put an end to those who were deemed a thread to his handler or Hydra in general. The soldat, however, was startled by the memory of the woman being able to knock him out with a single blow against his head. How was that even possible? Even Natalya had to use all her amoury to achieve that but this woman... Anyway, Hydra will make sense of it and then deal with her. He was pulled out of his rather floating thoughts by other questions that were directed at him and although Bucky behind the bars of his cell within the Winter Soldier knew that, when the soldat answered those question, his friend wouldn't be safe. However, all screaming inside his head did not help his case and tear the walls of his prison down. Yes, I was and yes, I can remember where it's located, he answered every question, one by one as simple as they were asked. No soldat of whatever army answered questions like a normal civilian, telling more than was asked in the original question, concise and humble. There was another, a weird woman... he looked into the distance to remember her face clearly, because she did not pose a thread in the soldat's conception. She called herself Feral. His eyes and attantion were back on the Baron. There had been no one else around, at least not when I was there. Of course there was a chance that other people called this building their home, but on this day no one else crossed his path not even, when he searched for the front door to leave the house. It was fascinating to see, how the Winter Soldier was able to relate to the memories of Bucky when he was with Captain America and Sif in this building. Those memories belonged to Bucky and had nothing to do with the Winter Soldier. But as Bucky could remember all the victims and blood the Winter Soldier left on his road as could the soldat feed from Bucky's memories as well. It was sometimes not easy to seperate the one from the other althought they were two different personalities who had nothing in common. Worse even, they fought each other but it was a fight no one of them could win nor lose. There was no need to escape. I was free to leave the house without being hindered. One thing the soldat could not comprehend was why that was. Through, Bucky and the solat were one and could relay on each others memories, the soldat was unable to make sense of why the American Soldier was kind and caring when it came to the man inside him, Bucky. He was free from concept of friendship. The American soldier did not see me as a thread it puzzled him too since it was his task to hunt the soldier down and they fought each other several times in the past and yet, no one of them both were able to eliminate the other. His face showed signs of puzzlement when wrinkles appeared on his forehead, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully, not typical for the soldat. Why is that? A question, posed by the soldat was always a sign that he was not entirely the weapon Hydra wanted him to be. It was an indication that there was still a human being inside the machine, something that Department X tried to erase and Leviathan, like Hydra, always had ignored. lyrics: TIM MCMORRIS words: 688 tagged: WOLFGANG VON STRUCKER outfit: here! notes: / TEMPLATE BY LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE @ CAUTION 2.0