The Asset: The Beginning and End of the Winter Soldier

Chapter Four

"Was there a war that you did not participate in since the second world war?" Ayo asked gently.

Bucky gave a short sarcastic laugh. "No, other than some civil conflicts, but I was involved in a few of those too. When you put it that way, it sounds so much worse."

"The Korean War has significance for you, because of what you did?"

"Actually, it's because of who I met there, someone who came very close to killing me." Bucky smiled at Ayo's look of astonishment. "He was so much like Steve, and because of that I almost broke free of the Winter Soldier sixty years early."

"There was less that disturbed you," she observed.

"There was still plenty of death, sabotage, prolonging the conflict and making it worse. But there were far worse acts committed by the Winter Soldier after this. The Korean War provided Hydra with the perfect opportunity to test weapons, men, technology and to further divide the world into hostile camps as the Cold War began."

Bucky explained to Ayo how he much time he spent on the Korean peninsula, on both sides, either impersonating an American Soldier, or presenting himself as a Soviet liaison to the North, even when the North was not particularly eager for Soviet help since the Chinese were the ones funding them. The Winter Soldier played his part well, effortlessly assuming any role he needed to, honing skills at infiltration, intelligence operations and analysis of people, military strategies, group dynamics and local and global politics.

"I was rarely stored in cryo-stasis during those years and there was not much care taken to hide my actions and presence. I was almost too high profile as if they wanted me to be noticed and have rumors spread."

He fell silent, thinking of what he had done in the war, actions taken, returning to Hydra to provide updates and mission reports, and then he would be sent back out to continue their work. He was in steady contact with Hydra during this time, but also operated alone, already their most trusted asset. He received specialized training as well, on any piece of equipment that was available or even in the prototype stages. Hydra was well aware that technology would play a key role in their rise to power and the Winter Soldier had to be skilled in everything.

"He is performing superbly." A Soviet officer commented. "How many languages can he speak?"

"Thirty. He can learn others very easily if needed. And we have completed flight training. He's fully certified in all aircraft, military and civilian," a scientist answered.

"Helicopter as well?"

"Of course, that technology will only continue to improve."

"The American military has begun a new super soldier program," another officer reported as he came up to them in a hurry. "They are attempting to replicate Erskine's work."

"Are our people in control of it?" One of the scientists asked sharply.

"Hydra is guiding it in the right direction," the reporting officer was smug. "The Americans like to think their morals are above reproach, but they only need the most passive guidance to further Hydra's aims."

Through this exchange the Winter Soldier stood at attention, ignored when he was not needed and listening to all that was said. There were few true successes in the creation of super soldiers, he knew that well since he was one of the rare exceptions. Another was the founder of Hydra, Schmidt, and Steve Rogers, both dead for years. The name of Steve Rogers had once sparked something in his mind. That spark had long since been extinguished.

"Word of the Winter Soldier has been slowly getting out. It has been useful to have the stories and rumors spread, to provide a figure that will seem both unstoppable and unbelievable. The beginnings of a myth, perhaps, which could be useful in the future. Now, with the attempts at reviving the super soldier program, the stories of the Winter Soldier can have another function. The Americans will no doubt send their super soldier test subjects to engage him if they see him as enough of a threat," the highest-ranking Soviet soldier commented.