Issue 6: picking a mad scientist's brain (Cap)

[dakota]

" Be careful old man." Tabitha said as she herded Blink and Daredevil through the portal. It closed behind them, leaving Captain America alone with Zola.

Zola looked at Captain America. " So now no witnesses. will you beat your answers from me, hero?"

[doc]

"We've discussed that Zola, and we both know you can download into a new body. But your fortress, all that work?" He looks over the castle. "That would hurt you, wouldn't it?"

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[dakota]

" Nothing that cannot be rebuilt in time. " Zola scoffed. " I have more of these workshops than you will ever find. But enough. I will give you something in exchange for leaving me to my work. Once young synthia stopped her cursing about appearance with the Exiles, she mentioned something about drawing you out with someone named Bradley. He..." Zola stopped as a red dot traced up the doctor's body. Cap could see in a reflection an unmistakable figure was in the doorway, his ausault rifle trained on Zola.

James Buchanan spoke, clear and concise," Deactivate the android, Arnim. Make this alot easier for both of us."

[doc]

"Bradley? What have you done with-?" Before he can finish, he turns to see the figure. "Buck? What are you doing here?"

[dakota]

Buchanan's eyes narrowed as Cap spoke, but he didn't lower the weapon. " Nice Zola. It even sounds like the real thing. Deactivate it before I let you watch me tear it apart."

Arnim laughed, facing Cap. " How rich. He doesn't beleive it is you either."

" It can't be. I snuck into the States to help bury him . Now stop playing games." James replied.

[doc]

"Hmm, well that explains it - this must be the same world Ghostsabre and that other Hawkeye are from." Cap takes it in stride and then pushes Zola towards Bucky. "I can explain everything, Buck. Give me a chance, you owe me for that time I stopped you from killing the Allied Supreme Commander after being brainwashed by the Red Skull." He gives him a knowing look.

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[dakota]

" Ghostsabre? How do ..." Bucky caught Zola, and as he did, Cap caught a glimpse of the emblem emblazoned on his friend's bionic shoulder. It matched his shield. " I'll give you a chance allright, considering only three people know you were the one who wanted to kill the commander. " He smiled as he lowered the rifle with his good arm to the floor and wrapped his bionic one around Zola's ESP box atop his head and gave a twist. The face image faded from the cybernetic body with a muffled cry for mercy and dropped to the floor. Barnes didn't so much as bat an eye as he removed his mask from his eyes ," Steve? Is it really you?" Cap hadn't heard that enthusiasm since before a fateful mission in London.

[doc]

"Yeah Buck, it's me. " He looks the deactivated body. "You didn't kill him, did you?" as he removes his own mask.

[dakota]

" Well, I think disassembled is a better choice of words." Bucky replied. " He's probably already activating another body halfway around the world from here . God it's good to see you" Barnes couldn't help but embrace his old friend. " but not too many people call me Bucky any more. I still go by Winter Soldier, even though my agent days are long passed. Now what are you doing here?"

[doc]

"Oh, you know; end of the multiverse, mad tyrants on the loose looking for godlike powers. The usual." Steve rattles off, smirking for a moment. "But I should explain something for a moment. I'm Steve, but not the one from your world. Parallel universes. Still, it's good to see you Jim."

[dakota]

" So it that how you know Tabitha?" Bucky raised a brow." She went missing quite a while ago. We figured she was lost. What, parrallel ... what the heck are you doing here then at the same time I come after Zola?

[doc]

"Zola's involved in whatever is going on. Someone called the Lady Mandarin hired him to make LMDs of a group in my universe called the Illuminati. I was hoping to get intel from Zola, but it would have been much harder to interrogate in the middle of a firefight. Especially given what a crack shot you are." Steve answers. "Any chance you've got some answers?"

[dakota]

Barnes shook his head. " Sorry, but none of that rings any bells. I was after Zola because he was planning on building a new version of Primus for the Public Army's leadership. Steve, these guys make what we saw in Europe look like a cakewalk."

[doc]

Steve grimaces. He know the last thing he needs is another diversion, but the cry of people in need, especially his old friend, is too strong a temptation to resist. "Tell me Buck. All of it."

[dakota]

Bucky started to explain, a tale similar to the one Ghostsabre had told him, though his version was alot bleaker. He reached into his pack, pulled out a device and set the timer. " Got to make sure nothing is left when Zola's next body gets here to pick up the pieces. Did he say something about a Bradley? Did he mean Eli or Isiah..., wait, Eli is off stomping around the galaxy with that idiot Summers and his Starjammers."

He pulled out a modified cellphone and dialed. As he waited, Cap could see his former sidekick was toying with a ring on his finger. Hi Rach... yes, I'll be back soon. Listen, I need you to get ahold of Sam or Clint. Have them go pick up Isiah and bring him to our place. I'll explain when I get home. ... No, tell Bucky I'll talk to him when I get there... I don't have time to argue, I was setting explosives, remember? ... I'm ," he looked at Cap, " bringing home an old friend for supper. Seen you then... Love you too." He hung up and looked at Steve," Alot has changed, old friend. Let's get out of here. My ride back to civilization should be ready to go." He started for the door.