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Hydra Base - Lab
Schmidt and Dr. Zola walked through a lab with several of the injured soldiers on tables, preparing to give them a version of the serum.
Including Bucky and Alec.
Bucky had been taken away to be tortured, having discreetly given the engagement ring he planned to give to Bree to Alec for safekeeping until he was returned to his table. They were both drugged, disoriented and loopy.
Zola turned to Schmidt. "As you can see, production and the work here is progressing on schedule. Even with components of this size. Increase the output by sixty percent. And speak with our other facilities to do the same. But these prisoners, I'm not sure they have the strength."
"Then use up what strength they have left, Doctor," Schmidt told him. "There are always more workers."
Thinking Schmidt and Zola were leaving, Alec's bleary eyes widened in remembrance. Despite the drugs clouding his mind, he knew he had to return Bucky's ring. With trembling fingers, he reached into his tattered pocket, fumbling for the small circle of metal that represented so much hope and love.
"B-Bucky," Alec slurred, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your ring... for Bree..."
Bucky, strapped to the adjacent table, turned his head weakly towards his friend. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of hope igniting in their depths. He tried to reach out, but the restraints kept him from taking the ring. His face was pale and drawn, dark circles under his eyes from days of torture and experimentation.
Bucky looked behind Alec in time to see Schmidt and Zola return. "Alec..."
Schmidt's keen eyes had caught the glint of metal in Alec's shaking hand. With surprising speed, he strode over and snatched the ring from Alec's grasp. He held it up to the light, examining it with cold curiosity.
"What's this?" Schmidt asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "A token of sentiment? How quaint."
Bucky's eyes widened in panic. "No, please..."
Bucky croaked, his voice hoarse from screaming during the experiments.
Schmidt turned the ring over in his fingers, reading the inscription inside. "'To Bree, my guiding star. Forever yours, Bucky.'" He let out a cruel laugh. "How pathetically romantic."
Alec struggled weakly against his restraints. "Give it back." His words slurred, the drugs making his words thick. "It's not yours."
Schmidt's eyes flashed dangerously. "Nothing here belongs to you anymore, Sergeant. You, your possessions, your very lives. They all belong to Hydra." He held up the ring to the light, admiring its sparkle. "Such a pretty little thing. I wonder who the lucky lady might be?"
