Carousel of Time - An Alternative Bucky Barnes Story

Chapter 23. Stepping Forward

In February there were two significant announcements that affected Bucky and Kate.  Steve and Peggy Rogers announced they were expecting their first child.  They were approached early by Dr. North to see if they would allow him access to the placenta and umbilical cord of their child.  He explained he was just inquiring but he would secure their formal permission first and arrange with their doctor or midwife to secure the item after the birth.  He had learned a lot from studying the Barnes biological tissue after the birth of their daughter Rebecca.  Because Steve's abilities had formed from a different process they wanted to see if there were differences between the Barnes and Rogers progeny.  Peggy talked to an obstetrician as well and like Kate found the encounter deeply unsatisfying.  Kate introduced her to Barbara Bell and the women forged a good relationship after meeting.

The second announcement was the unveiling of the world's first electronic computer, called ENIAC for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.  Although it had been in use since late 1945, officially it was announced to the world in 1946.  Kate told both Bucky and Steve that computers would dominate the world by the turn of the century.  It would seem slow at first but computer growth would be exponential by the late 1980s.  Both men took it to heart and kept up with the literature on the subject and careful investment in companies taking advantage of the "new" technology.  In keeping with the advice of the ancient one they focussed on computer advancements that benefitted society, especially those in the medical field, scientific use and education.

March 10, 1946 was Bucky's 29th birthday.  The night before Kate treated him to another private dance performance which pleased him immensely.  On the Sunday afternoon they had a more restrained celebration with cake and their friends.  During his following weekend duty Bucky was approached by Dr. Meyer and was asked more questions about how his transition to super soldier had been accomplished.  Not yet receiving any word from General Phillips clearing him to tell Meyer anything he had again refused, claiming it was classified.  He reported the conversation to the General who just nodded.

President Truman asked Kate for advice on the growth of Soviet controlled countries in Eastern Europe and its influence in the Far East.  Although she met with him she had to admit her knowledge was limited to what she had seen on television, and had learned in school.  The differences were ideological and it created a Cold War situation where propaganda, destabilization and espionage seemed to rule.  She did tell him that the threat of nuclear war was always there, even in 2025 but neither side wanted to be seen as the one that started it.  She encouraged him to strive for nuclear disarmament but admitted most treaties ended up being broken by one side or the other. 

In May Bucky brought a small newspaper article to Kate and asked her opinion on it.  A company had just started in Tokyo called Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering.  Although she didn't recognize it she told Bucky that the Japanese would revolutionize the electronics industry becoming leaders in the manufacture of radios, televisions, computers, and other entertainment related products.  He made a modest investment in it and let it ride with the company as it grew.  Years later in 1958, the company underwent a name change to Sony and Bucky felt vindicated that he recognized the company's potential before his wife did when they came out with the first transistor radios.

Bucky's first year of law school ended with his final exam on Friday, May 10.  To celebrate Bucky's parents agreed to look after John and Rebecca overnight so Bucky could take Kate to the law school formal on Saturday, May 11.  As one of the older students, who was married, with children and working he had been unable to attend many of the social events over the year but he wanted to go to this one.  He bought a tuxedo for the event and bought Kate a new gown.  They made a big splash at the event and danced all evening.  A photograph of them ended up in the law school newspaper showcasing the glamour of the event, declaring mother of two, Mrs. Kate Barnes the Belle of the Ball.