_______________
__________
_____
W I N T E R
58
"Cruelty, like every other vice, requires no motive outside of itself; it only requires opportunity."
???, Russia.
December, 1991
SHE'D COLLAPSED FROM THE DRASTIC temperature difference the room produced. The vents would let loose a sweltering, almost unbearable heat, that Verfall couldn't tolerate. She'd sweat and tremble and swallow nothing, agitating her throat like sand brushing against each other in the middle of a bone dry desert. Then a blast of cold air would enter the room and she'd get the taste of sweet relief as the room grew neutral in temperature. But the relief would only last a few seconds before the walls would start to grow too cold. And she'd shiver, her hands still clasped behind her back as she struggled to remain standing. It was no surprise when her knees hit the ground with a crack.
She'd tried to stand back up- she had- but her muscles had locked and she'd found herself sprawled across the floor. Her body ached and her limbs hung onto her like weights that shouldn't have been there. The sweltering heat was back, and she wondered if she'd been laying there overnight. She didn't sleep- she'd just fallen unconscious without her permission. It was hard for her eyes to remain focused as the door screeched open.
The sound was muted, and so were the footsteps approaching her. Her body trembled as she tried to move, only achieving a slight twitch in her fingertips. Karpov hauled her onto her feet, accompanied by two other agents who helped the handler as she was dragged out of the room, legs limp beneath her.
A cold towel was pressed into the back of her neck and she shivered at the feeling, sweat still drying against her forehead. Another door was unlocked and pushed open, and Verfall had enough conscience to see the blob of flesh in the corner of the room, reflecting the ceiling light with his metal limb.
Winter remained motionless as his eyes settled on Verfall.
Verfall was thrown onto the floor and she winced as pain exploded across her entire body. She wrapped her arms around her torso, curling into a ball as the two agents stepped forwards, lips pressed into a tight grimace as one of them unclipped the baton attached to his hip.
He didn't swing it like the agents usually did when they beat Winter. Instead he pressed the object against the side of her neck as it flared to life. Verfall found herself uncomprehending of the white hot pain shooting up and down her skin as her lips let loose animalistic groans of pain.
"Ты живое оружие."
You are a living weapon.
Karpov's voice was muddled as Winter's eyes sharply moved to him.
Verfall shuddered as the baton was pulled away from her skin, the veins in her neck pulsing as she tried to breathe the pain away. The agent above her didn't seem particularly sadistic as the baton hovered in front of her face.
"Не подведите меня снова. Вы понимаете?"
Do not fail me again. Do you understand?
Her body seized as the baton pressed against her collarbone. She tried to tuck herself away from the object but she only made it worse as the other agent- the one grinning from ear to ear- pressed the object harder into her bone, causing the pain to explode even further across her skin.
"Так точно, сэр."
Affirmative, sir.
Winter replied gravelly and Karpov straightened out his sleeves.
"Оставить ее."
Leave her.
Karpov ordered and the agent rolled his eyes.
"Ладно, хорошо."
Okay, alright.
He threw his hands up and Karpov turned around.
He grinned, tapping her with the baton once more. Her mouth opened in a half cry, bringing her knees to her chest as electricity shot down her torso.
In the second Karpov's back was turned, Winter lunged, crossing the small space between them as he punched the man hard with his right arm. There was a god awful snap and the agent's eyes grew wide before they rolled into the back of his head. His nose- was- it was terribly misshapen and blood splurted from his nostrils, gushing down his mouth and clothes.
Winter had been so incredibly gentle when he'd broken her nose.
A feeling of appreciation swelled in her chest.
The man collapsed and the other agent caught him before he could hit the ground.
Karpov sighed, massaging his temples but not disappointed in Winter as if he knew he'd done it with reason. He led the pair of agents out and locked the door behind him.
Verfall forced herself to crawl closer towards the wall, chest heaving with fatigue.
Winter shuffled back to her, dropping to his knees as his hand came close to her face. She flinched away, stopping her pathetic movements and curling into a protective ball.
"No- no- sorry. I'm sorry." Winter whispered, pulling his hand back.
Verfall blinked several times, mind hazy.
Winter's hand lifted again, hesitant, before placing it in her nest of sweaty hair. She closed her eyes, melting at the feeling as he pulled strands of hair away from her face.
His movement hadn't had such warm intent for- for decades.
He gently moved his arm under her shoulders, pulling her closer into his chest. She shuddered at the cold of his metal arm, but found it welcoming once it didn't grow unbearable. She curled into his chest as he scooted into the far corner of the room.
"Was my fault." She muttered. "I'm sorry."
He shook his head in refusal, stubborn even without the rest of his personality. His metal hand was gentle as he placed it on her forehead. She exhaled at the cold, the metal plates shifting ever so often.
They remained silent for a long time, the soft hum of his metal arm the only sound in the room.
She knew Winter didn't remember anything- didn't remember Howard or the way he recognized him with a gaze of confusion and terror. She knew James might've wanted her to do more of something. She knew he wouldn't want her to get hurt in the process.
Her eyes fluttered open, moving to gaze up at Winter as he stared a few feet ahead of him. She would've thought he wasn't thinking at all, but the small furrow of his brows- the slight concern- made her scarcely curious and worried.
The Soldier is not capable of expressing emotions.
What a lie.
"There are more." His voice was soft. "Of us. Sir said so. Said they would be better than us."
Verfall swallowed, wincing as she struggled to sit up. Winter placed a hand under her back, helping her maneuver so she would lay back on his chest.
"What?" She breathed hoarsely.
His eyes shifted to the side of her face.
"He said there are five Soldier's, better, stronger, faster. He wants us to evaluate them today." He hesitated. "Will he- are they- you are important, you are good, you're a good weapon so- are they- going to decommission you?"
Verfall's heart seized at how much he cared about her rather than himself. The concern in his eyes only worsened at her silence and she cleared her throat.
"No." She assured. "They won't."
There was a pause, and then-
"Will they decommission me?"
Verfall tilted her head up, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. Her hands reached up to grab tightly to his, brushing her finger against the palm of his metal hand, tracing the little grooves.
"No." She said firmly. "You're very important. You're the best weapon. They won't."
Winter tilted his head, hair falling into his face unceremoniously as his tense shoulders loosened. He shut his eyes for a moment.
"Okay." He sounded convinced.
Which he should've, since they'd been the best weapons HYDRA had ever utilized. They hadn't rebelled drastically, nor had they tried to run away for the last few decades. They had learned their lessons from punishments and tried to be good. In fact, they'd had a really good track record for their past missions. So much so that no bloody punishments had been ordered upon them- although there were those few agents who were more interested in feeding their power trip rather than HYDRA itself.
Howard's case was. . .special- a one time case that wouldn't happen again.
So yes, Verfall liked to think they'd done enough to remain useful because they were still so powerful and quick and- and useful.
The door to the cell started unlocking and Verfall removed herself from Winter's arms, tucking into the corner in a feeble attempt to hide. Winter moved in front of her like a shield, expression growing blank and passive as Karpov appeared
"Стоять и следовать."
Stand and follow.
He ordered.
Karpov's eyes were indifferent as he waited for the pair, who sprang to their feet.
Verfall staggered only for a moment before catching her balance and ducking her head, keeping her eyes low to the floor as they stepped behind him. Their handler's footsteps were quiet and carefully placed as they turned down a long hallway, passing the wide cavern holding the chair. They entered another open area which was rather wide and held multiple different cabinets, desks, and machinery.
In the center of it all was a cell that looked more like a cage for exotic animals, tall enough to tower over them, and wide enough to fit at least ten people inside with leisure space.
There were five towering soldiers sitting on a thick metal bench, two technicians dressed in lab coats, and four agents wearing head gear that protected their faces. She and Winter wouldn't lash out enough to harm their skulls unless they did something against protocol. . .did that mean the others were-
Karpov unlocked the bar door, pushing it open with a soft creak.
As soon as the pair entered, the agents moved their hands to the batons by their sides, looking agitated as they were led to stand at the very far side of the cage.
The soldiers bore holes into their heads as they followed every single movement the two weapons made. Verfall stood tall, a foreboding force alongside Winter who regarded the others coldly, his metal arm whirring and shifting.
"Джозеф, встань."
Josef, stand.
Karpov said firmly and the Caucasian man sitting closest to them rose to his feet.
He was tall, just the same height as the pair who widened their stance instinctively.
"Верфаль."
Verfall.
She blinked, shifting her gaze to Karpov who held a circular device in his hand. He spun it clockwise and she slowly shuffled her feet together, remaining poised and relaxed.
"Внимательно следите за ним."
Watch them closely.
He continued and she resisted the urge to furrow her eyebrows.
The order wasn't clear but she was smart enough to get the gist of it. She was to step in if something was to go utterly wrong. She stepped to the side of Karpov blankly, leaving enough room for Winter and Josef to engage in combat. She activated her abilities and observed the molecules thrumming in the air.
"Cпарринги."
Spar.
Karpov ordered, his eyes flicking between the two soldiers.
Winter lunged forwards, using the momentum from his legs to throw a quick punch with his metal arm. Josef jumped into action, blocking it with his right arm. He tilted his torso back to avoid a right hook from Winter.
Verfall's eyes tracked their movements, her shoulders tense and her body slowly lowering into a crouch.
Josef continued to defend himself as Winter tried to pummel his face with his metal arm again.
Josef grabbed onto his hand, barely avoiding the metal threatening to tear his face apart. He turned Winter around fiercely as he tried to reach him with his fist. The metal plates in his arm screeched as Josef glared almost animalistically.
Winter's eyes flicked up to him as Josef slammed his arm into his upper shoulder. He let out a grunt of pain as Josef threw him upwards, roundhouse kicking him in the abdomen. Winter went flying into the cell bars.
Verfall swung her arm out, stopping him before he could slam into the metal. He hit the ground with a clang.
Josef's eyes were focused on her now, his breathing heavy as adrenaline sped through him.
She kept her stare on Winter as he pushed himself to stand, his hair dangling in front of his face as he glared a few feet in front of him. Verfall resisted the urge to rush to his side, knowing it would only hurt the small bit of pride he had.
He hadn't lost, not exactly, because he hadn't been told to kill. Winter on a mission to kill was nearly impossible to stop.
Verfall tilted her head.
The order wasn't fair.
"Очень хорошо, Иосиф."
Very good, Josef.
Karpov complimented as he crossed his arms over his chest.
His eyes moved to Winter, disappointment so clearly radiating off of him. Winter kept his head down as he stood to his feet, his eyes mostly blank.
A technician stepped forward to take Josef's heart rate and Verfall's eyes narrowed as Josef's veins pulsed at his neck. She noticed the tension in his body growing worse as his hand suddenly clenched.
She was prepared when he lashed out, grabbing the back of the technician's neck and slamming his face into the ground. A deadly crack resounded and she knew he was dead- or dying, at least.
One of the agents slammed a baton into Josef's back, other agents stepping forwards to join him.
Josef slowly turned, and suddenly the other four soldiers jumped to their feet.
"Солдат, вытащи меня отсюда!"
Soldier, get me out of here!
Karpov's usual calm and controlled voice was frantic and nervous as he cocked his pistol, pointing it towards the soldier's besides Winter's head.
One of the soldiers- a woman- push kicked one of the agents into the cell bars, an angry snarl plastered on her face.
Winter stalked forwards with an arm around Karpov protectively. His head was held a little higher, his back straight and content as he guided his handler out of the cell.
He might've lost the sparring match but he was listening to Karpov while the others weren't. That immediately put him on a higher pedestal.
Verfall remained in her crouched position, even if everything in her told her to run. She watched the chaos unfold as the agents fell to the ground like ants, useless against the super soldiers raging within the cage. A technician was slammed into the ground, spine cracking.
Winter punched one of the soldiers with half force from his metal arm. The soldier went flying as he made it to the exit. His hand curled around the cell door and his eyes wandered to Verfall for a split second.
She clicked her tongue twice.
Even if he couldn't exactly hear the sound, he saw the motion and slammed the door shut.
"Их выбивать, Верфаль!"
Knock them out, Verfall!
Karpov shouted.
Verfall moved swiftly to her feet as Josef's eyes snapped to her.
He stalked towards her and she raised her arms, palms forward, fingers curled. Pure white energy circled her fingertips before unfurling across her arms and down her torso. Josef moved to kick her hard in the side when the buzzing energy exploded across the cell.
Blinding white tendrils sped towards the super soldiers and she disrupted the connection of their brains.
They failed to keep their eyes open, stumbling on their feet before collapsing to the ground, joining agents with broken bones and bloodied faces, chest heaving.
Her eyes swept the room as she lowered her hands to her sides.
The two technicians in the room were dead, the other agents moaning and groaning in agony.
She glanced at Karpov.
She'd been good. She'd done something to redeem herself of disobeying him. She'd listened to him and that meant she was good.
Winter had listened too, which meant they'd both been good and it would make Karpov content with them. It would make him happy, and he'd give them approval and they wouldn't be decommissioned because the other soldier's had been bad, they'd disobeyed, but the Verfall Soldier and the Winter Soldier had listened which meant they were important and useful and good.
Nothing was different with Karpov's expression, but she did catch a small glimmer of pride in between his eyes.
She didn't let herself remain relieved as she stepped over the crumpled bodies on the ground, approaching her handler. Karpov moved next to Winter, opening the door to allow her out.
He stared at her, before hesitantly raising his hand. He beckoned her forwards and she stepped towards him. He waved his hand and she slowly lowered her head.
She froze when his hand gently glided over her head.
"Хорошая работа."
Good job.
She exhaled softly.
"Двоих вполне достаточно."
Two is enough.
He nodded to himself, before walking further out of the area and down a familiar hall.
Verfall pressed closer to Winter, a look of relief flickering between both their eyes. They were going to be placed in cryo, and finally get a few seconds of rest- of quiet- to themselves. There was an eagerness to her shoulders- she'd been good and they were being rewarded, she'd been good, good-
The hallway, which held a few chattering agents, instantly quieted down as their eyes landed on the two towering figures following the Colonel. Karpov didn't give them much attention, instead leading them away from prying eyes and towards another hall.
He stopped in front of a familiar glass door, opening the door to reveal a familiar bright eyed face.
"Yello." Volya saluted cheerfully to Karpov, whose eyebrows twitched.
Volya's eyes moved to the two soldiers behind him and he waved as they carefully entered their storage room.
It was identical to the ones she was used to: two metal tables with heavy duty cuffs; two very expensive glass cryostasis chambers pushed to one side, a foot apart. The sinks and cabinets looked brand new as four tall glasses awaited them.
Two of the drinks were a deep purple, and the other were a translucent blue, light in color and impossible to drink.
But she was used to it now, and so was Winter.
She strode towards her designated table, sitting atop it swiftly. Her eyes flicked to Winter who mirrored her movements. He noticed her gaze and nodded to her in acknowledgement.
They picked up the purple smoothie-like drink in a synchronized motion, draining it with one long gulp. Once they finished with the first glass, they grasped the second, thicker and more congealed one.
Verfall blinked, staring at the blinding ceiling light as she resisted the urge to throw up- don't make a mess, Ver. She placed the glass down with a tiny clink.
A nameless technician approached Winter, who remained relaxed. He placed a thick mask over his face.
One of the technicians moved to approach Verfall and Winter's posture immediately stiffened, growing hostile. No one was allowed to go near her, much less place the mask connected to the most vulnerable part of her body- her neck.
"Heyo!" Volya huffed as he quickly intercepted the new lab technician.
"У тебя есть предсмертное желание?"
Do you have a death wish?
He frowned, not in an unfriendly tone but sounding genuinely confused.
The technician blinked and his senior appeared beside him, pulling him away with a stern look.
Winter's eyes remained on Verfall, his metal hand clenching and unclenching in his lap as he stared. Volya held his hands up in surrender and Verfall relaxed when Winter shifted to face her, his hands brushing delicately against the back of her neck as he clipped the tiny metal keeping her mask in place.
He turned to Karpov who shot him a gaze of approval.
A few technicians started to disable Winter's arm, removing some plates and playing with a few wires. Another technician took their glasses, dropping them into the sink carefully.
Verfall felt herself stiffen instinctively as she mentally readied herself for entering a state of nothingness. It wasn't the unconsciousness that unsettled her, it was the fact she would close her eyes then re-open them in what felt like minutes, only to realize she was in a completely different year with completely different people.
Her time in cryostasis was too short.
The technicians left Winter alone, and Verfall glanced up at him. He leaned his forehead against hers for a moment before pulling away and turning to face the other direction.
Silent reassurance.
Verfall faced forwards as they waited for their cryostasis chambers to boot up and circulate.
"Значит, мы не отправляем их в Америку?"
So we're not sending them to America?
Karpov questioned as he spoke to the older man.
Verfall knew she wasn't supposed to listen in on her superior's conversations but she couldn't help it because they were just speaking so loud.
Her eyes shifted to Winter who was as still as a statue.
But she knew he was listening too. It was impossible not to. Their enhanced hearing may have been a little too enhanced, not that a normal person couldn't hear their hushed voices.
"Американское отделение согласилось сдать оружие в аренду. Мы также согласились
The American branch agreed to lease the weapons. We also agreed.
The Colonel across him continued.
Verfall carefully controlled her blank expression at the words. She didn't really know what to think of them. She was numb to being human- in fact if someone treated her like a person she would think they might've gone the slightest bit crazy.
"В Красную комнату? В КГБ?"
To the Red Room? In the KGB?
Karpov raised a skeptical eyebrow.
The other Colonel shrugged.
"Если не хочешь идти, Пирс вызвался добровольцем."
If you don't want to go, Pierce volunteered.
He said suggestively.
Karpov crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall as he looked between the quiet pair.
"Пирс? Та блондинка?"
Pierce? That blonde?
He questioned and his comrade nodded.
That name- Pierce- that was. . .Verfall blinked slowly. The Steve lookalike genuinely scared her for more reasons than one. He immediately had Winter's respect because somewhere inside of him recognized the man as Steve. He held one of the most manipulative demeanors she'd ever seen in her entire life- Dr. Schaffer was at the top of that ladder. And he saw them as true weapons- not soldiers on the battlefield like most Russian's did, like Karpov did- but things to use at their disposal.
James Rumlow had reasons to be cautious of him, and Verfall trusted him more than she trusted anyone else within HYDRA really- except for Winter.
Volya approached the pair, mindful of Winter's stare.
"C'mon, let's get you guys in." He said with a smile, his Russian accent light.
Winter obeyed quietly as he stood to his feet.
Despite Volya's easy going and somewhat immature attitude, he had high enough clearance to give them orders. Verfall didn't mind. She kinda liked his personality, though it did make her wonder why he was in HYDRA of all places.
The glass tube to their cryostasis chamber had risen, and cold air was seeping outwards.
Verfall entered her chamber first, letting the technicians strap her into the machine and connect her to several different wires to keep her in place.
Winter watched the technicians, who nervously backed away from her once they were done. He relaxed once they were far gone from her.
She shifted her head up to look at him.
Winter clicked his tongue twice.
The chamber lowered and two clicks left her lips, before she let the cold bury into her skin.
_____
__________
_______________