Interlude Bucky
The Soldier was made to carry out missions and obey his superiors. He always felt pain if he disobeyed. He was supposed to be ruthless, silent and obedient. And yet sometimes he saw strange images in his mind.
A little blond boy.
A woman's hand on him.
The sound of laughter.
It was all very blurry, and yet the Soldier felt it was real. Soldier's world was basically divided into three types of people: superiors, doctors and targets. He used to be one of the targets. He knew that. And now he was just one of Hydra's resources. He had tried to escape a few times in the beginning. But they wouldn't let him and he had to stay and do missions. His new mission was to the mythical God of Mischief and his companion Sylvie. Director Pierce wanted her personally for himself. If Soldier had feelings, he would have felt disgusted by this. However, he had no right to feel. He was a thing. Nothing more. He was supposed to accomplish a mission. And yet he knew, somewhere deep down, that he would rather this mission fail.
He had felt this way many times.
When he reported it to his superiors, they cleared him. According to them, the Soldier needed this to work well. And yet it always hurt. And then the Soldier felt disoriented and unsure of where he was.
Sylvie's blonde hair. Blonde hair. A woman.
An always small man with blonde hair.
A woman with dark hair.
The smell of cigarettes.
The cards on the table.
These were bad thoughts. They distracted him from his goal. The soldier looked carefully for any hiding places where the fugitives would be hiding. However, there was no sign of them. Director Pierce was furious for the lack of results. Yet the Soldier did what he could. Finally, he was told to find and follow a new target : Doctor Erik Selvig, who would lead him to Loki and Sylvie.
Erik Selvig was controlled and headed for Loki in a stolen car. And the Soldier was heading after him. He had to do it intelligently so the Doctor wouldn't notice him. It made Soldier flinch a little that Loki was controlling his thoughts. It filled him with deep terror inside. So did Sylvie's. And yet something inside him felt warm, too. Like he was glad that they understood mind control. It wasn't important! Focus on the mission! Ultimately, the Soldier was to take Loki and Sylvie to the Hydra laboratory in Sokovia. Doctor List was to experiment on Loki there in detail. And Sylvie was to meet with Director Pierce. She was to undergo special training.
Some voice in him said: Brainwashing.
So that she would be a proper wife and bear powerful children. Her DNA and Loki's DNA was also to be used to extend the lives of Director Pierce and a few other selected Hydra commanders and doctors.
Again, a voice inside him: Do you really want to do this?
The soldier had no choice. He had already tried to run away.
Pierce is playing with powers he doesn't understand. Loki can control atoms. He's a real god. You can't catch him. I know he's scary. And he has no human sense of morality. But he is a god. They've always been above humans.
The soldier had to catch him! If he didn't catch him there would be pain! He did not want to suffer! He didn't want to do the mission either, but he had to obey. The hydra was powerful.
Suddenly there was a strange flash.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Church. Beautiful stained glass windows and that blonde one. Only even more small than before.
"James, don't talk to Steve" scolded the blonde woman voice beside him.
"Yes, Mrs Rogers" the Soldier heard a child voice that was clearly lying.
"You really will be a scoundrel for women when you grow up" the blonde Mrs Rogers replied quietly, smiling.
A priest preaching a sermon.
God is great. His power is unparalleled. That's why we need to remember this. God is not only just and merciful. He can do everything. That is why we pray. Because he can do everything. He works miracles to strengthen us in our faith. We must repent and believe in his Omnipotence. Remember this, especially those who are sick and weak.
"Steve, I will pray and you will be well! God can do anything," the child said, James, quietly.
"Don't talk to me! Mummy's angry about it" muttered the blond boy, Steve.
The Soldier growled and hit himself in the head. Let those images stop haunting him! He had to obey the Hydra. He drove, glancing at the road.
You don't have to. Loki is a god. He will help you. He will heal you. Just that you must be humble. God doesn't like it when you're proud. Hydra has already messed with him once. No wonder he came to Earth and unleashed his wrath on humans. You can be free.
The Soldier shook his head. Would it be possible? To be free? What was freedom? Could he really escape forever? He tried.
Human powers are nothing compared to God's. Get down on your knees before him. Tell of Pierce's plan. Beg for mercy on you. There is no shame in asking for mercy when the being before you is a god.
The Soldier drove and wondered. He had tried so many times. He had lost hope that he would be free. And yet, he remembered the reports about the atoms. About how they were consumed by a strange energy. Omnipotence. An attribute of the divine.
Energy was everywhere. Even in Director Pierce. Even in the Soldier. That power could accomplish anything. Director Pierce could collapse to the ground, dead.
God's punishment.
Punishment for sins.
Fear hell, sinners! For the devil is out to get you!
The Soldier drove and took off his mask. He looked at his face in the mirror of car.
Stand before God in purity of body and mind.
James! You don't go to church in soiled trousers!
What did he look like?
The Soldier accelerated. He needed help. He immediately reached Dr Selvig's car and forced it to stop.
There were no blue eyes.
Just like in the report.
What did that mean?
The Doctor seemed terrified, but the Soldier slowly began to speak.
"You're going to God, aren't you?" The Soldier asked slowly. Doctor Selvig stared at him suspiciously.
"To the Norse God of Mischief, Loki?" Doctor Selvig looked at the Soldier strangely. The Soldier didn't know what he was thinking, but that wasn't important.
"Help me. I can't look like this. You have to stand before God in purity of body and mind" said the Soldier.
"Why do you want to go to Loki?" quipped Doctor Selvig.
"He will set me free. He will heal me. He will give me hope. For the Lord is a merciful and gracious God," said the Soldier.
"You're mixing gods, but it doesn't matter. I will help you. And you will tell me how and why you are following me" said Doctor Selvig and showed the Soldier a seat in the car.
The Soldier sat down next to Doctor Selvig. The Doctor seemed to be saying something under his breath. The Soldier's sharpened hearing helped to hear it: First Thor and now him. I guess it's my fate to collect strays.
Thor, brother of Loki. The God of Thunder. And yet an enemy. He gave blood to Hydra. He is an ally of Hydra. He is also a God. Surely he knew that Shield was Hydra. The Soldier was a little afraid. Erik Selvig was considered Thor's friend. Yet he was going to Loki without blue eyes.
"Why don't you have blue eyes?" asked Soldier.
"I will not explain to you. I am going to Loki of my own free will and I had to have an excuse for Shield" replied Doctor Selvig.
He was, however, an ally of Loki. The soldier breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't a mistake to get into that car.
God will help you. Kneel before him, Bucky.
What's Bucky?