Immortal (Bucky B., Steve R., Logan H.) Book 1

7.

Through a window, we see...Howard Stark, in coveralls and goggles, slowly taking apart the HYDRA Minisub.

Steve stares down at him as an SSR doctor and nurse draw blood from his arm. Peggy watches with concern.

"You think you've got enough?" Steve asks, a little annoyed, this was something he was a little to used to.

The nurse fills the vial, resting it beside A dozen others. Her eyes briefly peer up at him in annoyance, she was just doing her job. The snark doesn't slip her lips as Peggy steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder, and signaling her to leave.

"All of Dr. Erskine's research and equipment is gone. Any hope of reproducing the program is locked in your genetic code. But it would take years. At the moment, you're the only super soldier there is." Peggy says

Steve sighs as he rolls down his sleeve. On the desk he sees...Erskine shattered glasses.

"Erskine deserved more than that." Steve says with a small mumble, he was the only man who truly believed in him, he couldn't let that go to waste.

"If it could work only once, he'd be proud it was you." Peggy says

The quiet moment lingers.

....

Stark works on figuring out what the hell weapon they had used earlier in the lab. Phillips enters, with Brandt and his aids on his heels.

"Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers." Brandt says, peering at the side of the Colonel's face. "Great. Why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?" Phillip asks, arms crossing over his chest as he approaches the man.

Brandt frowns and shuts up. Phillips turns to Stark as Steve and Peggy join them.

"What've we got?" Phillip's asks

"Well, speaking modestly, I'd say I'm the best mechanical engineer in the country..." Stark says

Stark opens a hatch. Impressive circuitry blinks inside.

"And I've got no idea what any of this is or how it works. We're nowhere near capable of this technology." Stark says

"Then who is?" Brandt asks

"Hydra." Phillip's answers, voice gruff and somber. Brandt looks at him blankly. "I'm sure you've read our briefings?" Phillip says, lifting a haughty brow.

"I'm on a number of committees, Colonel." Brandt says, that wasn't the Colonel's question but he doesn't pursue it.

"Hydra is the Nazi deep science division. It's led by Dr. Erskine's first test subject, Johann Schmidt." Peggy says "Hydra's practically a cult. They worship Schmidt, think he's invincible." Phillip's says

"So what are you going to do about it?" Brandt asks

"I spoke to the President this morning. As of today, the SSR's being re-tasked." Phillip's says

"Colonel?" Peggy asks, surprised.

"We're taking the fight to Hydra. Pack your bags, Agent. You, too, Stark. The three of us fly to London tonight." Phillip says, motioning to the busy scientist.

"Sir? If you're going after Schmidt, I want in." Steve says, slowly approaching, arms crossing, causing his new muscles to bulge.

Phillips glares, eyeing him up and down. "You're an experiment. We're sending you to Alamogordo." Phillip's says

"As what, a lab rat? The serum worked!" Steve exclaims "I asked for an army. All I got is you. And you are not enough." Phillip's says

Steve looks sunk. Brandt waves his aide over.

"With all due respect, Colonel, I think we may be missing the point. You've seen Steve here in action. More importantly, the country's seen it." Brandt says

Brandt's aide hands over a copy of The New York Examiner:

"NAZI SABOTEUR FOILED! MYSTERY MAN SAVES CIVILIANS!"

In the photo, Steve deflects gunfire with a starred car door.

"Enlistment lines have been around the block since this hit the newsstands. You don't take a soldier, a symbol, like this and hide him in a lab." Brandt says

Steve looks surprised. He didn't expect Brandt to step up for him.

Brandt turns on the charm, becoming the consummate politician.

"He needs to be out there, showing the world what the American fighting man is made of. Son, do you want to serve your country? On the most important battlefield in this war?" Brandt says

"It's all I want." Steve says "Then congratulations. You just got promoted." Brandt says

Off Steve's smile...