The Captain & Ice Raven

Chapter 5 - Discussions, Questions and an Ordered Hit

Rosalie and Erskine walk into the bunk area, finding Steve sitting on his bed reading a book. "Hello again Steve," Rosalie greets, sliding onto the bed across from Steve with Erskine sitting beside her.

"Oh hi," Steve greets them, setting his book aside.

"Can't sleep?" Erskine asks, setting down his bottle of alcohol and glasses onto the table.

"Yeah I guess," Steve admits sheepishly. "What about you?"

"Yeah, me too," Erskine admits, nodding to the man.

"Can I ask you both a question each?" Steve inquires.

"Only one?" Rosalie shoots back, but nods for Steve to ask his questions.

Steve looks to Erskine first, "why me?"

"I suppose that is the one that matters most," Erskine nods. He picks up the bottle of alcohol, looking to Steve, "this is from Augsburg. My city. So many people forget that the first country Nazis invaded was their own. You know after the last war they, my people struggled, they...they, they felt weak, they felt slow... then Hitler comes along." Erskine sighs, pausing for a moment, but continues as Steve listens intently. "With the marching and the big show, and the flags and all of that. And he hears of me, my work. Then he says, you," Erskine points at Steve, "he says, you will make us strong. Well, I'm not interested. So then he sends the head of Hydra. East research division. A brilliant man by the name of Johann Schmidt. Now Schmidt is a member of the inner circle. And he's ambitious, even Hitler shares his passion for occult power and titanic myth."

"Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt it is not fantasy. For him, it is real," Rosalie picks up where Erskine stopped, "he has become convinced that there is a great power. Hidden in the earth. Left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by the superior men. So when he heard of Erskine's formula and what it could do, he could not resist. Schmidt wants to become that superior man."

"Did it make him stronger?" Steve asks curiously, glancing between Erskine and Rosalie. But his eyes linger on Rosalie's a bit longer.

Erskine nods, a grave look coming over features, "ja. But it had other effects. The serum wasn't ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so... good becomes great. Bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because a man who has known strength all his life, they lose respect for that power. But a weak man, who values that strength, and loves. Compassion."

"Thanks," Steve says, "I think."

"Give this. Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man," Erskine says, passing a drink to Rosalie and one to Steve.

"To the little guys," Steve raises his glass to his mouth about to drink it, but Erskine stops him.

"No wait, wait. What am I doing?" Erskine asks, taking Steve's glass from him, "no, you have procedure tomorrow. No fluids."

Steve nods, "all right, we'll drink it after."

"No, I don't have a procedure tomorrow. Rosalie doesn't have a procedure tomorrow, we can drink it now," Erskine says, clinking glasses with Rosalie.

Lowering her glass, Rosalie looks back to Steve, "you said you had a question for each of us. What's your question for me?"

"How come your eyes are so blue like icicles?" Steve asks innocently, not noticing the glass freeze over with frost.

"We'll talk in the morning," Rosalie states, getting up the bed and walking out of the bunk area. Steve watches her angry form leave the room, his face full of confusion.

Turning back to Erskine, he questions his choice of question, "that was the wrong thing to ask wasn't it?"

"It greatly was the wrong thing dear boy," Erskines says with a heavy sigh, "that is the most sensitive topic to be asking about. If she tells you in the morning, consider yourself lucky that she trusts in such a short amount of time."

"I just keep messing things up with her," Steve sighs.

"Yes well I believe that was your second shot with her," Erskine says, standing up from the bed as well, "third time is always the charm. If you fail this, then soon you have some trouble coming your way. Goodnight Steven."

Steve nods, contemplating Erskine's words. Laying down, sleep consumes him as the days events finally catch up to him.

Meanwhile Rosalie storms over to her and Peggy's shared living space, a trail of ice behind her. Stopping just outside the door, she takes a deep breath before going in and straight to bed, silently contemplating telling Steve about herself.

IN THE ARCTIC CAVE

Dr Zola walks into the lab, looking around when the lights are suddenly turned off. He looks at Schmidt, seeing his silhouette. He glances over to the painter, and the colors he's using tensing when he spots the palette of red shades.

"Is there something in particular you need?" Schmidt questions the man, resuming his position for the painter.

"I uh, understand you found him," Zola says, straightening his posture.

Schmidt gestures to a table, "see for yourself." Zola walks over to the table, examining the pictures of Erskine. Spotting the frown on Zola's frown, Schmidt questions the man, but it is more of a statement, "you disapprove."

"I just see why you need concern yourself," Zola says, looking up from the photos to Schmidt, "I can't imagine he'll succeed. Again."

"The serum is the allies' only defense against this new power we now possess," Schmidt informs Zola, "if we take it away from them, then our victory is assured."

Zola nods solemnly, "I shall give the order then."

"It has been given," Schmidt tells Zola, who nods to his leader,"as well as the order to strike against the woman." Zola tenses, remembering the woman he speaks of. Zola begins to walk out of the lab, but Schmdit calls out to him, "Doctor Zola. What do you think?"

Schmidt turns on the lights, allowing Zola to see the painting. Broadening his shoulders, Zola smiles, "marvelous." The painter sighs, continuing to work on the painting.