Grey leaned against the cold wall, watching as the encrypted data he'd extracted from Strucker's base loaded onto his screen. ALICE worked tirelessly in the background, sorting through the vast amounts of intelligence they now had. HYDRA's operations had grown larger, more insidious, and the implications of the research Grey had uncovered were far-reaching.
But there was one piece of information that stood out among the rest.
A name. "Bucky Barnes."
The files detailed a HYDRA asset who had been weaponized beyond recognition—an assassin who had been the cornerstone of many of their covert operations. Grey had heard whispers of a Winter Soldier, a mind-controlled killer with a metal arm, but this was different. The information in the files confirmed it. Barnes wasn't just any soldier. He was an agent of destruction, a machine bred to carry out HYDRA's will without question.
Grey couldn't ignore the growing sense of unease. This was personal. The Winter Soldier wasn't just another pawn in HYDRA's game—he was a weapon that would be used against him. Grey had crossed their path already, but he knew it was only a matter of time before HYDRA sent Barnes after him.
But there was another layer to this. Grey wasn't interested in destroying Barnes. He wasn't interested in making more enemies. In fact, what if Barnes could be turned?
Tracking the Soldier
Grey's thoughts were interrupted by ALICE's voice in his ear.
"Target acquired. Winter Soldier, location confirmed. Target heading towards your vicinity. Estimated time of arrival: 15 minutes."
Grey didn't flinch. He'd prepared for this moment for days. The information on Barnes was invaluable—if he could get close enough, he could see what made the Winter Soldier tick. ALICE had identified Barnes's mission: neutralize Grey Whiteheart. It wasn't surprising. HYDRA had been tracking his every move, and the Winter Soldier would be the perfect tool to eliminate him.
Grey wasn't worried about surviving an attack. He wasn't even worried about defeating Barnes in combat. No, he was more concerned about what came after. He had a plan. A complicated one, but if executed properly, it would give him leverage over HYDRA's greatest weapon.
The Encounter
When Bucky Barnes appeared, it was like a storm rolling in. The Winter Soldier moved with the precision of a predator—his footsteps barely making a sound as he approached Grey's position. Grey didn't flinch. He stood still, waiting for Barnes to make the first move.
The Winter Soldier's eyes, cold and unfeeling, locked onto Grey's form. He was a machine, trained to follow orders, and right now, his orders were simple: eliminate Grey.
Without a word, Barnes lunged at Grey, his metal arm swinging with terrifying speed. Grey dodged, moving with the same fluidity he had trained in under Xu Wenwu's watchful eyes. His mind raced, calculating every possible outcome, as he sidestepped the strike. Barnes's arm crashed into the wall, sending debris flying.
Grey quickly countered, striking at Barnes's exposed side with a series of rapid blows, but the Winter Soldier barely flinched. He was fast, stronger than any opponent Grey had faced. It was clear—Barnes had been honed into a living weapon.
ALICE's voice broke through the fight.
"Target is enhanced with cybernetic implants. Core brain functions are controlled by HYDRA. Mental reprogramming in place. Attempting to override command signals."
Grey didn't hesitate. He knew this wouldn't be a fight he could win by brute force alone. It wasn't about overpowering Barnes; it was about reaching him.
With a swift motion, Grey used the Winter Soldier's momentum against him, tossing him into a nearby wall. As Barnes struggled to get back on his feet, Grey took a step back. His mind was racing. He needed Barnes to understand—he wasn't just another HYDRA pawn.
"I know who you are, Bucky," Grey said, his voice calm, almost sympathetic. "HYDRA's broken you. But I'm not your enemy. I want to help you."
The Winter Soldier's expression didn't change. He lunged again, but this time Grey was ready. He dodged once more, this time getting behind Barnes. He pressed a small device against the back of Barnes's neck, sending a signal to ALICE to interrupt HYDRA's control. The device was a prototype—a neural disruptor that would block the programming in Barnes's brain.
Breaking the Control
For a moment, Barnes stiffened. His eyes flickered, and for the first time since the fight began, there was a brief flash of recognition in his gaze. Grey didn't let up.
"You don't have to do this," Grey continued, his voice firm. "HYDRA has used you, manipulated you. You don't have to be their weapon anymore."
It was a gamble. Grey wasn't sure how much control he had over the Winter Soldier's mind, but he knew he had to try. HYDRA had done this to Barnes for years, but there was still a part of him—somewhere—still human.
Barnes staggered, his hands grasping at his head as if struggling to free himself from an invisible force. The struggle lasted only a moment, but it felt like an eternity.
Finally, Barnes dropped to his knees, panting heavily. "Who… are you?"
Grey didn't hesitate. "I'm someone who can help you. My name is Grey Whiteheart. And if you want, you can leave this all behind. You can be free."
It was a risk. But if it worked, it would mean the beginning of an alliance between them. The Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, was no longer a tool of HYDRA. At least, not yet.
Grey extended a hand.
"You're not alone anymore. Join me, and together we'll take down HYDRA. You don't have to be their weapon. You can be something more."
A New Comrade
Bucky looked at Grey's outstretched hand, his eyes still filled with confusion and hesitation. But something in his expression softened. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Slowly, cautiously, he reached out and took Grey's hand.
"I don't know if I can trust you," Bucky said, his voice raw, as if he hadn't spoken in years.
"You don't have to trust me right away," Grey replied. "But together, we'll figure it out."
With that, the Winter Soldier—Bucky Barnes—joined Grey's cause. And the war against HYDRA was about to take a dramatic turn.