Chapter 1
“You have visitor” said the guard.
This was not the first time someone had requested a visit with the Baron. In fact, after the rather successful operative dealing with the Flag Smashers, Zemo had been given missions here and there throughout the year. There were also those visits by none other than Bucky Barnes, some mission related, some just for intel. After spending years in solitude, Zemo had learned to treasure every moment he can spend with him. There was also the intimate part of their relationship. Zemo noticed as the visits went on, Bucky seemed somewhat happier and more serene, and he was counting less and less wrinkle lines on his forehead. Maybe the therapy does work.
“I believe I was not who you were expecting.” The woman said, taking off her shades.
Zemo, upon hearing the woman’s voice, came out of his train of thoughts, and faced to face with the said woman wearing a dark maroon blouse suit, a shining pendant hang from her neck. Zemo had seen the woman visiting the raft a few times, her full name Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. She’s quite the enigma given the limited information on her, but she’s definitely not someone to mess with.
“Oh? And who might I be expecting?” Zemo asked coyly.
“We all know how lonely it can get locked up in a cell, and I’m afraid I’m just not your type.” Val smirked.
“Oh, you’d be surprised. But what do I owe the lovely visit from you, Countess?” Zemo retorted.
“I think you’ll have General Ross to thank for this. But how would you like to earn a ‘permanent’ freedom? Well, that depends on how you behave. Let’s just say I pulled a few right strings, and I think I have just the right role for you.” Val proposed.
“Ha, as if they’d let someone as much of a menace as myself to walk the earth other than a couple of side missions they throw at me. If you need me to retrieve a bone, just get on with it already.” Zemo spited.
“No, Baron. I think you’re over-estimating yourself slightly. You might still be in solitary confinement, but you’re far from the most dangerous villains there is. You see, times are changing, and I’ve been scouting for unique and interesting additions to my ‘team’. I believe you already know one of my most prized member.” Val said.
Oh, Zemo knows who she’s talking about.
“You know my history with Super Soldiers, how would you trust that I won’t just kill them off behind your back. Furthermore, I’m just a mere human, what do you expect me to do, be a human shield?” Zemo laughed.
“That’s where you’re underestimating yourself, Baron. You have what most ‘heroes’ don’t have, patience and conviction to do what must be done. You also have the connections and resources. You don’t like Superheroes, but I’m not asking you to work with them, you’ll lead and manipulate them to do what needs to be done, since you seems to be so good at it. You have experience leading a team as a Colonel, wouldn’t you like to keep a watchful eye on the so called ‘superheroes’? And if you do decide to act out of line, yes you’re just a mere human, Walker will know what to do with you.” Val added.
“So, Walker will be my guard dog.” Zemo remarked.
“Walker is the current team leader, in which you’ll be the co-leader. I need both brawns and brains. Walker is not opposed to working with you. Yes I know you guys had a brief history in Madripoor, but that is in the past. Walker is very focused on his missions, he’ll not let trivial things get in the way.” Val assured.
“Wow, what a relief. I guess Walker and I can both gallop into the sunset, am I right?” Zemo said sarcastically.
“You don’t get that many chances in a lifetime Baron, better than rotting away in a cell. Think about it, sleep on it. Oh check that book over there, you’ll find how to contact me.” Val said.
With that she gave a little gesture of good faith and was led away by the guards.
Zemo turned to the book.
How did she…
Zemo picked up a business card, except it had nothing on it but a black side.
Well this was certainly interesting.
As much as Zemo didn’t like the prospect of being in a team full of superheroes, or perhaps reformed supervillains. The years Zemo had come to known James, well James was the exception to his no super solider rule, he came to soften his view on the matter, just a little. Perhaps he can keep an eye on those, just for the time being, but he’ll not hesitant to eliminate those who he feels deserve to die though. Also he will get to see James again, not mostly through the glass wall barrier that reminds him everything is short lived. But how would James react to it, getting out of jail, that he must be getting something out of this. Would James want to take their relationship more seriously then, or keep it a secret until he dies? There was only one way to find out.