James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes (
nerves_of_ice) wrote2025-02-22 05:47 pm
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[Ohio AU] the heart of winter
Coulson had been called away on something for Fury before they'd gotten more than halfway to wherever his locker is and the set of trading cards stored within it. Without anything else to do, Bucky makes his way back to the quarters he's been given. It's either that or explore the rest of the helicarrier on his own, and that seems like something that can wait safely enough.
He swings by the mess on the way back. As he'd suspected, it's not placed too far distant from what serves as a commissary on this boat. He requisitions a couple of notebooks, a couple of pencils and pens and takes it all with him.
Might as well start with a report on the other Soldiers, he decides. That's likely to be more important in the immediate future than anything else.
He swings by the mess on the way back. As he'd suspected, it's not placed too far distant from what serves as a commissary on this boat. He requisitions a couple of notebooks, a couple of pencils and pens and takes it all with him.
Might as well start with a report on the other Soldiers, he decides. That's likely to be more important in the immediate future than anything else.
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He says it matter-of-factly. It's the best option; he's the one most likely to be able to hold them off long enough to have any real chance of survival.
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Reluctance spirals through him, as it'll reveal some of his own weaknesses, but if it helps keep the others alive and unhurt it's necessary.
"Concussive force can distract. Electroshock'll hurt, a lot. Cattle prods, tasers, the equivalent."
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"Concussive force I can do," Tony says. "Electroshock too, if a few other things are in place."
"Good," Sharon says. "And, Tony, you may be on the hook for getting Bucky out." With that arm, he's too heavy for any of the rest of them to carry.
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"I climb fast," is all he says, and slides the last pistol into place between his shoulders.
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She reaches for the warm coat she'll be wearing and nods to Coulson to get himself ready, too, as Nat goes to set the Quinjet down. "Everybody know what they're doing? Time to go."
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Nothing appears. It's a good start, even though he's dismally aware that doesn't mean there isn't all hell waiting below.
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Coulson gives a small shiver and revs the engine, then drives them down the ramp and into the brilliant morning sun, glowing over endless fields of snow.
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It's good strategy for multiple reasons. He's the one who knows the way; he's the one who's likely to be recognized and acknowledged as someone with a reason to approach if anyone's watching; and if something goes wrong he's better situated to take a hit if it comes to it.
They'd landed a reasonable distance away to keep anyone from observing the Quinjet directly. The others shouldn't have any trouble following their trail.
As they draw near, Bucky tenses, watching the horizon intently. He doesn't see any signs of trouble, but that doesn't stop him from being on alert.
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She dismounts the vehicle and waits politely for Coulson, then follows him and Bucky to the door itself. Coulson stands in front of the camera, patient, his voice as mild as ever. "Anyone gonna let us in, or am I gonna have to have this guy knock a little harder?"
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A speaker crackles. "Кто вы? Почему вы здесь?"
He doesn't know if Coulson knows Russian, or how much Sharon knows. Bucky holds himself ready to mutter a translation if needed and waits to see.
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"I did," Sharon answers, smoothly. "He assured me he'd made the appropriate calls."
"Then I'll take it up with him when we're back," Coulson says, sharp. "It seems they aren't interested in anymore of our money... well, we have the Soldier. I don't see how anything they could offer might be better."
He turns to the door and starts speaking in clear, crips Russian, informing the suspicious voice behind it that Vasiliy Karpov had promised him a much warmer welcome after his purchase of the Zimniy Soldat.
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Bucky reaches out with his left hand and shoves the door open. An empty hallway lies ahead of them.
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The door swings shut behind them and latches with a sound like a gate falling. There's no backing out now.
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Bucky pads down the walkway, moving with deadly grace that’s reminiscent of a wolf on the prowl, and keeps watch for any signs of danger.
“Do you wish me to explain what you are seeing as we go, or simply to reach the center as fast as possible?”
As with his tone, everything about his manner indicates both the deadly skill of the Winter Soldier and utter, complete submission to Command at the same time. There's no indication at all, not even the slightest, that it's anything but the absolute truth.
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He leads the way to an elevator and enters the security code to open the door to the depths, then blocks the door open with his own body for them to enter.
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"Not a very warm welcome, is it, Ms. Kruhl?" Coulson asks the air. "With our resources and what we're willing to pay, you'd think they'd have managed to find a red carpet and rolled it out for us."
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Bucky ignores the conversation, such as it is. It's not meant for him.
The elevator continues its steady descent into the depths of the Siberian permafrost. When it finally stops and the door slides open, Bucky is the first to step through, braced for attack.
The only sign of presence is the man standing in front of the elevator, clipboard in hand, eyes wide and innocent-seeming. He's anything but. Bucky knows this man, the facility's operations officer, Sergey Volkov, one of Karpov's trusted seconds.
He doesn't give any sign of recognition. The Winter Soldier stands between him and Coulson for a long second, checking the space around for any signs of ambush. Only when he spots none does he step to the side, giving Coulson precedence.
"We were not expecting visitors," Volkov begins.
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She looks around, disdainful. "He promised us a unique opportunity to join your great work, but I see nothing great here. Only a lazy man complaining about expectations."
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"You keep interesting company, Ms...?"
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She looks back at Volkov, half-raising one slim eyebrow. "And of course you are already familiar with the Zimniy Soldat."
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"I apologize for this ... confusion... in communication. Perhaps you would accompany me to one of our nearby conference rooms to discuss the business that brings you here?"
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She meets his gaze with her own haughty one. "One Soldier is not sufficient for our needs. We understand you have several more... defective versions. We are interested in acquiring them from you. At a discounted price, of course, as we understand they are currently almost useless."
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"You - you want to acquire the other Soldiers? As they are now?"
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