[Leipzig AU] a means to a necessary end

[nerves_of_ice]

It's a long flight from Berlin to Novosibirsk and the secret location far beyond it, even in a Quinjet. They spend the time planning and coordinating. Bucky describes the structure and security of the facility itself as best he remembers. Tony calls up plans and blueprints from god knows where and throws them into the middle of the plane for all to see. They're not the same as what Bucky remembers, they figure out fairly quickly, but they're better than nothing.

Tony also takes over the back of the plane and snaps at anyone who comes close, doing something that involves shifting screens and models of buildings and wave patterns and a human skull, and the eventually the low humming grind of a machine. Soon after, he stalks back up to the front of the plane and shoves a set of custom-fabricated earplugs at Bucky, who stares at them and then at Tony.

"Noise-cancelling all the way to total sound blackout. Tap the end of the earpiece to deafen yourself," Tony informs him. "Last thing we need's for you to be his puppet." Bucky starts to stammer a thanks, but Tony growls something under his breath and stalks back to the back of the plane again to work on something else. Steve catches Bucky's eye and shakes his head, and Bucky decides to leave well enough alone.

Sam advises everyone to rest in shifts; Bucky knows he's not wrong, but neither he nor Steve can do it, and after a while Sam stops trying to convince them. Natasha sits with him for a while, her eyes dark with concern. They don't say much, but there's no need to.

A Snowcat is parked outside the door of the facility when they land. Bucky's jaw sets in hard lines at the sight of it, and he trades a look with Steve.

They're already here.

Comments

[marvel_npc]

Drakov's formula works precisely as advertised. The mouthy and aggressive Sharon Carter spends their flight as quiet and meek as a lamb, aside from when he requires her to speak. She dons the winter coat and boots when he requests, and sits calmly by his side as the Snowcat trundles out to the facility.

Once inside, he orders her to assist him with first the search and then the set-up, once the appropriate video footage has been found. Afterwards, as he shoots each of the sleeping Soldiers in their chambers and sends them to an unknowing death, he considers eliminating her as well... but she has proven useful thus far, and if Captain Rogers turns out not to be the man she described, he may yet require her.

She leaves the winter coat and boots on the cold metal floor as ordered and climbs into the chamber when requested to do so, uncomplaining as the cryogenic mist descends and transforms her from a warm, living woman to a statue seemingly carved from incredibly lifelike marble.

Once the hiss of the gas subsides, the facility sinks back into frozen silence. His footsteps echo as he readies the final details and retreats to the silo, double- and triple-checking his way out before taking a seat to wait.

He believes it will not be long.