Connections

19: The Winter Soldier Program

We walked through the building in silence. Bucky stood ahead of me with the case. So far he managed to keep is calm and quiet demeanor. I however was starting to go into freak out mode. The amount of Hydra agents surrounding us was a larger then normal. We stopped walking once we came into a large room. Albrecht just stood there with his hands held behind his back. He kept his back to us until we stopped.

When he turned, he didn't look angry. This type it was a whole different kind of amusement. I just stood silently as Bucky walked up to him with the case. Albrecht took it as Bucky took his spot back with the agents. Albrecht just smiled as he turned back to the wall.

"Come, I want to show you something." He said. In an instant the wall began to separate. I watched as it opened slowly to reveal another sliver door. I took a deep breath. Everyone seemed to have a secret door. He held his face forward as a scanner flashed against his eye. The silver door opened as well.

I took a sharp breath as I began to move forward. Only two agents following behind along with Bucky. We all walked into the room. The lights began to flickered on. I took a sharp breath looking around. There were about five people in cryochambers. Each one asleep, and frozen in time.

My breathing became heavy looking at each one. I glanced over at Bucky while he shifted a bit nervously. His eyes still stayed locked onto Albrecht. I could see him take in a deep breath as well, but trying to keep his Winter Soldier persona up. I gazed back at Albrecht as he just smiled. He set the case down on the table and opened it up.

"What is all this?" My voice shook. Albrecht just smiled as he held the small red vile in his hands.

"The Winter Soldier program." He answered nonchalantly, "In 1991 we managed to get a case of super soldier serum that Howard Stark made. We used it to create more like the one standing next to you. However, Starks serum had a side effect." He turned back to me as he held the small vile up between his fingers. "Mental instability. This vile will help...when we figure out how to properly change the formula to fit a super soldier."

I took a deep breath and look around at the frozen soldiers. Knowing how Hydra worked these guys were probably the best of the best. I closed my eyes and looked away. I agreed to help in hopes to get us out, however...a project like this could destroy countries.

"Now for you." Albrecht said as he walked over to me. I felt the agents behind me grab my arms. They quickly place some cuffs onto my wrists and held tightly to me. I could feel my body begin to shake.

"Don't get me wrong. I appreciate you brining this to me." Albrecht walked towards me. He grabbed my chin tightly between his fingers, "However you didn't follow the rules." He let go as the agents began to drag me out of the room. I struggled against them trying to break away from them. I could feel the cuffs draining my energy.

We arrived into a small room. Just a simple metal chair sat in it. The agents pushed me down to sit. I breathed heavily. The fear of what was about to happen was setting in. I looked over at Bucky. His eyes glaring. As Albrecht began to move around the room I shook my head at him slightly. Reminding him that he promised not to react.

"Come, Soldat." Albrecht spoke up to Bucky. They began to wrap my hands into metal cuffs on the arm rests of the chair, "We'll wait outside while they...talk."

I looked at Bucky as he just stood there for a moment. Albrecht began to walk out the room. Bucky's eyes glaring at the Hydra agents before moving back to mine. I nodded to him lightly. I saw him clench his fists before turning around. My eyes followed him until he was out the door. I closed my eyes as the door slammed. A tear slowly falling.

BUCKY

I stood outside the door trying to keep calm. I knew what they were going to do to Layla. Its what they do to any agent that doesn't follow orders. I stared at the wall ahead of me as the her screams began to fill the silence.

My hair fell over my eyes as I lowered my head. I glared a bit, her screams becoming deafening. Albrecht stood by a table in front of me. Watching my every move. I could tell he was seeing if I would react.

"No please..." I heard her cry behind the door before another scream echoed. My teeth clenched down onto my tongue trying to keep myself from doing anything stupid. I promised her I wouldn't react. I promised her I would insure they wouldn't know I remembered. I felt the blood begin to fill my mouth. My tongue becoming raw from clenching down too hard.

I looked over as a few agents came running into the room. They stopped in front of him, all three of them looking as if they were trying to catch their breath.

"Sir, something just broke through out shields." One of the agents said. Albrecht looked at me before quickly running to the computer on the table. Multiple screens lit up as he began to push a few buttons. I watched as a screen focused on a group outside the compound.

"The Avengers..." Albrecht said. He quickly turned around and walked to the door where Layla was held. "That little bitch." He whispered to himself. He quickly opened the door. Layla's screams had stopped for a moment. He looked over at the men as they stood up straight. His eyes shifted between the two of them.

"We need to wipe her." Albrecht said. I took a sharp breath as the men grabbed her out of the chair. They dragged her out. My eyes followed her as I saw the damage they had done. Blood ran down her nose, her eyes had become swollen. I just stood quietly as they placed her into the chair for the memory suppression.

I watched as she began to hyperventilate. My fists beginning to bleed from clenching hard.