Second Sphere

Ready to comply

***to note any italicised font is spoken in russian***

There is a small twinge of guilt in lying to people I care about, but there was no other way they were going to let me leave. When I told Tony and Pepper I was going on a small vacation they were thrilled. To them I was finally getting out and seeing the world. By the time they figure out I was lying it will be far too late to do anything about it. I did leave a note saying my goodbyes and trying to explain what I was doing and why.

The cold Berlin wind did nothing to numb the guilt. Checking in was easy enough for a high security prison and I follow the guard closely as he leads me through the halls. All the way to a windowed cell. He's reading when we get there and I can see the confusion and then recognition flash on his face when he sees me and slowly sets down the book.

"I was not expecting you, to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Zemo asks. For a man in prison he sure looks like the cat who ate the canary.

"I never expected to be here, but you're my best shot. I'm tracking down remnants of Hydra, anyone that has managed to escape the law and continue to hurt people. I know you know where to start." I stand tense my arms crossed against my chest as I talk with Zemo.

Zemo seemingly ignores what I say, "The last time I saw you, I believe you had a giant pair of wings."

"I still do, I know you've read my file. They can be tucked away. I'm not here to talk about my abilities. Are you going to help me or not?" I ask annoyed.

He turns around, pacing the small cell for a minute. "Why now?" I can't tell if the question is to me or himself. He points at me, "You wouldn't just leave your soldier. Where is he?"

"Gone." I manage to scrape out.

Zemo puts the pieces together. "You don't need my help, not truly. You could have started anywhere. You just need someone to take orders from. This isn't justice or even vengeance you're after. You want to become him, a new winter soldier. Is that how desperate you are to have him back?"

I sneer at him disgusted. "I don't need this."

As I start to walk away he calls out in Russian, "Longing, rusted, seventeen,"

I stop and turn to him, "I didn't have words to control me. Those won't work."

He continues watching my every move, "daybreak, furnace, nine," I stare at him, unamused. "benign, homecoming, one, freight car."

"Are you finished?" I ask cocking an eyebrow at him.

"Quite. I wanted to see how you would react." Zemo sits down on the edge of his bed. "I will help you, more than you expected. Hydra failed you, now you will truly be an angel of carnage. You just have to free me."

"I'm not freeing you." I sigh. "You know where they are, who they are. Tell me and I'll hunt them down. I don't intend on giving them the chance to sit in a cell or continue escaping any punishment. For the last time, will you help me or not."

Zemo gives me a wicked smile, "You can't blame me for trying." He becomes serious again, "I will, all you have to do is say the words."

"Really?" I ask Zemo and he nods sincerely. I weigh my options in my head. Fine. "Ready to comply."