Chapter 7
"The Subject should be honored." the Handler states bluntly, "Our Superiors have finally deemed Subject A-0001 worthy of being trained by the Asset."
Subject A-0001 stands stoically in position.
The Handler approaches Subject A-0001 and runs his fingers in Subject A-0001's short brown hair before grabbing the strands painfully. Subject A-0001 does not betray any discomfort. "You will not fail me. Understand?" the Handler growls out, "Understand, Subject A-0001!"
"Yes, Primary Handler."
The Handler releases Subject A-0001, but not before stroking the Subject's back. "Good. I will no longer be lenient towards your mistakes, Subject A-0001."
When has Subject A-0001 committed mistakes before?
Subject A-0001 does not question the Handler.
The Asset is observing the Subject A-0001 calculatingly as it stands by the side of its Handler. Subject A-0001's Primary Handler is posturing arrogantly at the Asset's handler as he boasts about Subject A-0001's skills and abilities with unrefined glee. The Asset's Handler regards the Subject's Handler derisively as he eyes Subject A-0001 with unconcealed contempt.
"Subject A-0001 is rather long. Has it no codename yet?" the Asset's Handler interrupts bluntly.
The Asset looks... familiar to Subject A-0001. Though that wasn't necessarily strange considering that the Asset and Subject A-0001 were both properties of HYDRA. Though... Subject A-0001 would have still heard the staff whispering rumors and idle gossip if the Subject and Asset had met before. It was something that Subject A-0001 often found unbecoming of most of the staff, what if their gossiping ways revealed secrets to non-sympathizers? Though Subject A-0001 should not hold the staff to the same standards that the Subject upheld. After all, Subject A-0001 was a weapon, and the staff was comprised of humans. Humans, apparently, were prone to gossip. Even those that were supposed to uphold the dignity of a position as a member of HYDRA.
Subject A-0001's Primary Handler bustles somewhat in anger before controlling himself, "There are a couple of codenames in the works. Ten' Zimy seems to be the favorite of many."
It would be appropriate for the Winter Soldier's shadow to bear such a codename.
Winters Shadow would strike fear into the hearts of many.
The Asset wore a black kevlar suit covering its entire body barring the gleaming metal left arm with a soviet red star painted in the middle of the upper arm. The Asset's eyes were a cold piercing bluish-grey color that was framed by the Asset's choppy dark hair that reached the weapon's chin. Its lower face was muzzled, leaving the rest of the Asset's facial features open to imagination. The Asset was heavily muscled, combined with its overall stony disposition, it made an imposing figure. As should be expected of the Fist of HYDRA. Of the famous Winter Soldier.
The Asset's Handler let out a mocking chortle, "We'll see."
Subject A-0001 and the Asset are led into one of the reinforced training rooms before Subject A-0001 is instructed to demonstrate its fighting capabilities against the Asset. Fighting the Asset is different from sparing with the trainers and the guards. For one, the Asset's strength far surpasses Subject A-0001. The Asset also fights and responds to the Subject's advances with a ferocity that equaled its own. The metal arm the Asset wields is nothing to scoff at either. It is quite evident to Subject A-0001 that the Asset far surpasses the Subject right now. However, Subject A-0001 was not going to take a beating lying down... not even when it would perhaps spare the Subject some modicum of pain.
The Primary Handler had cautioned Subject A-0001 from embarrassing him in front of the Asset and its Handler before the match began. Subject A-0001 was to land at least five well places hits on the Asset and make the older weapon lose its footing once. Punishment would be severe if Subject A-0001 did not complete its objective.
While Subject A-0001 lost the match, it did not fail its objective.
Still... the Handler was not pleased.
The punishment wasn't as severe as it could have been.
The Asset's Handler approved the training of Subject A-0001 as the Winter Soldier's companion. The Asset would remain at this branch, unless it is called for a mission, to train Subject A-0001. The Primary Handler was smug. Subject A-0001 is indifferent overall, but is inwardly pleased that it would not be punished for failure.
Subject A-0001 almost longs for punishment when it is plagued by nightmares during sleep once more. Its become an inconvenient habit. Still, the Subject forces itself to sleep. After all, it needs rest to train.
The Asset and Subject A-0001 are never left alone for training. Though, Subject A-0001 can never put together the reason for it in the back of its head... nor why the thought itself plagues it either. The Asset is a force of nature, like its namesake. Every move the Asset makes is calculated and precise. It is also unforgiving like the trainers as it makes Subject A-0001 fly over the Asset's head and slam painfully onto the mat below. Subject A-0001 quickly rolls onto its feet and blocks the metal arm from crashing into its face. Subject A-0001 delivers quick jabs under the Asset's arms and into its ribs before the Asset's leg wraps around the Subject and trips it.
"Be aware." the Asset growls out in warning.
The Subject pants as it gets back up with its arms raised in a defensive manner. When the Asset fakes a right swing Subject A-0001 ducks under the arm and wraps its leg around the Assets and copies the motion the Asset had performed on the Subject a few moments before. The Asset is tripped onto the ground and lands on the mat. The Asset hooks its foot around Subject A-0001's knee forcing the Subject onto the ground where the fight continues on the floor.
The Asset hovers above the Subject, throwing a well-aimed fist into the Subject's cheek. Subject A-0001's face moves with the punch, though it quickly throws its knee up thrice into the groin of the Asset and drags the Asset's face down making the Asset lose its balance so that the Subject can roll their bodies around so that it is now on top. Subject A-0001 presses against the windpipe of the Asset harshly before losing its balance when the Asset bucks its hip harshly under the Subjects. The Asset throws two quick punches at the temple of the Subject, making Subject A-0001's vision impair before the Asset grips the Subject's short hair with its flesh hand and encloses its fist around the Subject's throat warningly and growling out.
"Yield." before tightening its grip around the sensitive throat of the Subject whilst the Subject tried to pry the metal fingers off with both of its hands. Spots danced across the vision of Subject A-0001. The Subject wrapped its legs around the Asset's hips in an attempt to dislodge the Asset's grip.
"Yield." the Asset commanded once more. With the Subject's vision darkening progressively and lack of air straining its lungs, Subject A-0001 became boneless and pliable in the Asset's grip.
The Primary Handler clapped slowly from the other side of the room as the Asset released the Subject. Subject A-0001 took in deep breaths as its vision slowly returned. The Primary Handler looked both pleased and disappointed in the fight, "Subject A-0001 lasted seven minutes longer than the previous match. Good work, Soldat."
The Asset stood stoically neither accepting nor dismissing the praise.
The Primary Handler eyes the Subject with disdain, "Subject A-0001!" it snaps making the Subject jump onto its feet, "Report to the Lab for more testing. You've disappointed me once more Subject."
Subject A-0001 nodes stoically as it allows itself to be led to LAB 241.
Punishment is the only recourse needed for its failure to dominate the Winter Solider in battle.