October, 16th 1989
"Evening General, I hope the trip was well." Doctor Sonrail spoke in Russian, greeting the general at the facility's entrance.
"Miss Sonrail, your reputation precedes you." General Vasily Karpov nodded as he shook the doctor's hand, quickly assessing herself and the room.
"It is a pleasure to welcome you here. I've been waiting to show you my work." Sonrail spoke softly, and with ease, her features and emotions subdued to compliance. Her pale blonde hair was pulled into a tight braid that swayed on her back. Her sharp features were tentative and observant as Karpov's soldiers secured the room.
"So you're his handler? He heeds to you?" Karpov asked as he slipped off his coat and adjusted the beret on his head.
"Of course. I've been working with him for years." Sonrail replied proudly in Russian, the accent rolling off her tongue.
"Good, I'd like to analyze the asset." Karpov got straight to the point, turning towards Sonrail for instruction.
She dipped her chin and nodded to her own four soldiers in the room. With two in front and two behind her, she led Karpov and his men through a set of doors and down several hallways. They eventually arrived at a large antechamber with a windowed ceiling that provided the only light in the room.
The room was large, with little to no adorations through its cemented interior. The floor was matted with black padding that squished underneath their feet as they all shuffled into the room.
"Is this him?" Karpov asked.
In the center of the room stood a single soldier: The Winter Soldier, standing beneath the light in all his glory. He was on full display with a freshly painted star on his metal arm and in full tactical gear. Every weapon in his holsters was loaded.
"This is The Winter Soldier," Sonrail announced, making her way to the soldier. He remained still and emotionless as she met his eyes.
"Soldat, meet your new commanding officer," Sonrail informed him, though he didn't react, only keeping his eyes forward.
"How many missions?" Karpov asked as he circled the soldier, assessing each part of him. The Winter Soldier's eyes flitted past the general's figure, surely sizing him up, before pulling his eyes forward again.
"Thirty-eight."
"How many successful missions?" Karpov asked, looking at Sonrail, still speaking in Russian. She smirked.
"Thirty-eight."
The ghost of a smile crossed Karpovs features as he resumed circling The Winter Soldier.
"Trained brutally and effectively in every course, making him HYDRA's most valuable asset. Underneath every radar and successful in every mission. Zero hesitation. Zero failure. It has taken me a long time to perfect such a soldier." Sonrail said proudly.
"How did you do it?" Karpov asked her, concluding his assessment of the soldier.
Sonrail lifted her chin. "Only the greatest minds have been gathered within HYDRA to create such an accomplishment. With years and through a series of trials and errors, I have created a system to destabilize and control any soldier into compliance. Except for him," she looked at The Winter Soldier. "He is one of a kind."
"I'd like to know more about your process as I take over within the facility. I want to know every step, every procedure, every test."
"Of course."
"General," Karpov corrected. "You will address me as your superior."
Sonrail nodded. "Of course General Karpov."
"I want a full report analysis of the soldier by sunrise. Get him back to his cell." Karpov ordered her. He began making his way out of the room but turned back, looking at Sonrail, who hadn't moved. "You do keep him in a cell?"
Sonrail, who had locked eyes with The Winter Soldier, turned towards Karpov. "Of highest security." She reassured him. "I will have that report ready for you, General."
Karpov nodded, exiting the room, his pack of soldiers trailing him out.
Sonrail, who was having a silent conversation with the soldier, didn't turn from him as she spoke, "Leave us." With only a moment's hesitation, her own soldiers left the room, leaving her alone with The Winter Soldier.
Once the room was quiet, Sonrail quirked an eyebrow, speaking in English. "Something you want to say?"
The soldier's eyes glided to hers as he blinked. "He is jealous. He wants what you have." The soldier responded gruffly, averting his eyes forward again.
"I'm well aware of what he wants. He's already the head of the facility." Sonrail answered, turning away from him and stepping into his line of sight.
"I'm saying he wants you dead." The soldier said, his ice-blue eyes boring into hers.
"I'm aware of that, too," Sonrail said quietly. She sighed and turned away from him, her shoes squeaking on the rubber mats. "You'll report to me later tonight. We have another job to go over. For now, excuse yourself to your quarters."
And with that, Sonrail exited the room and made her way to the main offices, where she knew she was needed.
Sonrail knew Karpov was there to take her place, kill her likely, based on his past records. She wasn't worried about that. But oddly enough, she was only concerned about the only super soldier in the world.
One who couldn't protect himself from the one thing that could kill him: her.
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