1 | SURVIVE • BUCKY BARNES [COMPLETED]

XI.

Experimentation day. Or day of a new beginning as Gideon, Abraham, and soon the world would come to call it for its representation of a new advancement for the Allies in World War II. This day had the entire scientific community of Brooklyn and political figures scrambling into the hidden laboratory within the false antique shop.

Standing on the platform, Gideon took a moment to process the scene. Doctors in lab coats surrounded her, checking monitors and prepping the mountainous machines that took center stage, and it still came as a surprise to her that she could call herself one of them. With graduation behind her, she had the title added to her name, and she couldn't have been more excited. Being amongst them now, she felt at home.  

Standing next to Agent Carter, a woman she had only recently met but admired for her courage, Gideon checked Steve's vitals for a final time after he had settled into the machine. With her father soon joining, he checked on Steve as well before turning to Dr. Stark, "Mr. Stark, how are your levels?"

"Levels are at one hundred percent," the scientist exclaimed, joining them on the platform.

"Good," Abraham nodded.

"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready, as we will ever be," he assured.

With the experiment soon commencing, Gideon joined Agent Carter in the trek upstairs to the observation booth, and a small smile came to her face when she noticed Peggy's last glance of concern at Steve.

Entering the booth, the brunette doctor met Colonel Phillips once more, "Sir," she smiled, "It's great to see you again."

"You too Dr. Erskine and Agent Carter," he nodded. "Miss Gideon I still hope to see you in England soon, yes?"

"My plane is scheduled in two weeks," she confirmed gladly before a series of sharp raps upon the microphone came from outside the booth as the experiment was soon to begin. Everyone then hurried to settle in a chair, Gideon placing herself between Agent Carter and Colonel Phillips.

"Ladies and gentleman," Dr. Abraham Erskine began, "today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace."

Gideon's wide blue eyes, scanning the room, she watched the assistants assemble the machine onto Steve, her interest and anxiety hitting its peak. Although she had full faith in the serum's success, worry began to creep in with her friend on the table.

"We begin with a series of microinjections into the subject's major muscle groups," he explained as test tubes filled with the blue serum were placed into their designated slots in the machine. "The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. And then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with vita rays."

Sitting on the edge of her seat and unable to sit still, Gideon watched them administer a primary injection of penicillin before the countdown began.

"Serum fusion, beginning in five... four... three... two... one."

As soon as a series of levers were pressed down, the vials drained. The grimace of pain that passed over Steve's face made her bite at her unpainted fingernails, and her heart raced as the machine encapsulated around him. She could feel Peggy stiffen at her side, yet she had a better mean of hiding her worries. Once Howard supplied the power to activate the vita rays, a blinding light emanated from the machine as did screams from Steve.

Both Gideon and Peggy flied to their feet out of the observation door. Standing on the railing, the agent shouted, "Shut it down!"

Dr. Abraham jumped to give the orders to Howard, but Steve shouted, "No! Don't! I can do this."

With a confirming glance, Howard proceeded to crank the power to its maximum level, resulting in a series of circuit breaks along the machines covering the walls.

But it was completed.

And an utter success.

Steve emerged entirely transformed. His muscles defined with enhanced power behind them, and his height towering over the one his former body.

Her father and Howard raced to his side to help him out of the device as Peggy stood to greet him and Gideon congratulated her father and team.

"How do you feel," the concerned agent asked,

"Taller," the man breathed, finding his footing on the metal floor.

"You look taller," she admired yet attempted to conceal it in her voice.

Everything that happened next though came in a succession that made Gideon's head spin when she attempted to process it in the aftermath.

And it all came within the blink of an eye. Everyone, politicians and spectators alike rose from the risers and came to the floor to congratulate her father in his success, but when an explosion came from above, chaos surely ensued. 

Gideon spotted the undercover culprit from across the room, but it was already too late. He had his hand clasped around the last remaining vial of the serum, and a round of bullets was fired off before he made his break to the exit.

Although Gideon, didn't see his getaway, her eyes were frozen on her father with the bullets embedded in his chest. Her feet felt like lead as did her heart, but she reached him when Steve did. Kneeling at his side, she pressed her hands to his wounds out of instinct.

[It was the first time for blood to stain her hands].

"Papa," her voice broke, tears threatening to break free.

"Meine tochter, ich bin so stolz auf dich," he uttered, the words faltering as it became harder to speak.

(My daughter, I am so proud of you.)

Turning to Steve next to her, he pressed a finger to the man's heart for the last time.

He died, giving his final message to Steve, yet Gideon lived on to never rest until HYDRA met its end.
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This was so sad to write oml
[7/14/16]