Eclipse - Book 1 (Born at Dusk)

1

October, 16th 1989

"The infamous Winter Soldier." General Karpov murmured in awe, his eyes transfixed with the soldier before him. "i on ubivayet kak volk."

The doctor beside him hummed, pleased that he had taken a liking to her project. Doctor Sonrail waited back, allowing Karpov to circle the soldier like a vulture targeting its next carcass.

Though the Winter Soldier was anything but a carcass, simply by breathing. He stood exceptionally taller than the general admiring him, built twice as thick and still as a statue.

His shining metal arm glistening beneath the cracked lights above them, its freshly painted red star drawing their eyes. He was coated in all black, a weapon strapped to every single one of his limbs, being capable of killing a man with each one.

His face was muzzled, the black mask doing little to hide the near perfect bone structure of his face. His hair had grown, the dark brown locks falling down his face and touching the edge of his brows. Everything about him was cold, obedient and compliant.

That was, except his eyes.

They were currently set on the woman across from him, the Doctor dually noting his interest despite the general completing his search.

The Winter Soldier's ice blue eyes danced with fire, a mixture of hatred and intention as he refused to look away from Doctor Sonrail. If allowed, he'd unload every round in his arsenal into her body before leaving her to rot in the snowy alpine outside the walls.

But, he was the one with the least amount of power in the room. He was undeniably the strongest, deadliest and most equipped person within a thousand yard radius; but even the bus boy soldiers had superiority over him.

Doctor Sonrail looked at him, the hint of a smile on her face as a taunted look fell from her green eyes. Their silent conversation spoke volumes, a mix of contradictory emotions jumping between them like folk around a fire.

The interaction was cut short as General Karpov stepped into their view.

"How many missions?" He asked, looking the Winter Soldier in the eye. His emotionless eyes set on the general and the Doctor nodded.

"Thirty eight, General."

His head tilted, "how many successful missions?"

Sonrail smiled smugly, "thirty eight."

Karpov hummed in approval, losing in the staring contest with the asset in front of him.

"How does he do it? The missions. Without hesitating." Karpov asked, turning to her.

From Sonrails point of view, the Winter Soldier stood behind Karpov, his silhouette easily outlining the general. A singular blue eye peaked into her view, a haunting look as the soldier seemed to near them. Sonrail could've sworn a smile was creeping onto his lips before she turned to Karpov proudly.

"I hold the position of specialized engineer and neurologist for the asset. I've altered his brain chemistry to cut the tie between emotion and action. Meaning his emotions don't interfere with orders. He may dislike his assassinations, but it doesn't stop him from being the best that exists."

Karpov brows raised a millimeter. At that, Sonrail tucked her chin smugly, acknowledging the praise.

Karpov turned and stood next to her, leaving both of them to assess the Winter Soldier. "What is the consistency? His level of restraint required for such compliance?"

Doctor Sonrail, who had sparked yet another stare down with the soldier, folded her hands in front of her. "I have to wipe his memories every few months. He no longer remembers his time before, but his assassinations occasionally crawl to the surface. Between that time, I maintained a consistent neurological alteration to keep him psychologically and mentally intact. It fails to create such a prize if he isn't able to think of his own survival. Meaning he'll never stray from completing the perfect task, from what has been coded in his brain."

"And you put him back in the box?" Karpovs question seemed odd, as if referring to a child putting away a toy when finished playing with it. But, that's exactly what the case was.

"Yes. Both myself and the asset undergo cryostsis treatments in between assigned tasks. This process preserves him, keeping him young and in his prime while allowing usage for several decades. I follow alongside him to maintain that compliance and perfection of the asset."

Karpov hummed, catching the harsh glare of the Winter Soldier towards the Doctor. "Does he remember faces?" He asked, indicating the soldiers intense focus on Sonrail.

Sonrail didn't hide the smile that crept onto her face, "primarily, no. They sometimes arrive subconsciously, but he has a particular dislike for me because he understands our positions. You, General Karpov, are the head authority for his mission. But he understands that I'm the one who touches his mind, who erases his memories. His fear and hatred for me is grained deep into his core."

Karpov shook his head, amused at Sonrails implications. Though they were partial lies, Sonrail knew they'd satisfy the General enough.

"Don't worry. I will do the same for you," the doctor informed him. "he understands fear from myself, but has yet to see your teachings. General, if you approve the notion, I will begin the process at first light."

Karpov took a moment's hesitation as he looked at the asset in front of him. "Yes. You have the order. Proceed with the altercations."

Sonrail nodded, watching the general continue looking over her prize. Still, the Winter Soldier looked at her with the same intensity as before. They could fill an ocean with the amount of emotion he was unable to show, and Sonrail was currently drowning in it.

Though Karpov was yet another authority that had entered their game, he didn't quite compare to what they had between each other. Her asset had lived more of her years than she had. She could almost say he had the years that were stolen from her.

But what they were doing was a game, which meant she stole something in return. He didn't take a liking for their roles, often giving her reasons for disapproval, but he thought the same.

Doctor Sonrail was the bad guy, to her soldier at least. But he was the ghost, the bad guy to the outside world. But the generals, now Karpov, was the bad guy to both of them.

Their roles and positions only complicated their obligations. Neither one of them were innocent, which was why they both accepted the 'treatment' each of them thought they deserved. Because they were both monsters. Both of them are vile enough to validate burning them alive. But neither of them would allow it, being too strong and stubborn to do so.

So they did the only thing they could do, watch everything else burn.