The First Mission - Winter Soldier

December 16, 1991.

This was the day Phil has been planning for a whole year. The death of Starks and the event that will break away future avengers.

In the morning all the unit members of shadow knights received a notification on their pagers to assemble in the mission debrief room. Even Rogers, Hope and our two new winged heroes were called for the mission briefing. Apart from rogers, no one knew what their first mission will be and they have been training this day for more than half a year.

In the beginning, the team had more than 50 operatives but after 6 months and regular filtration, there were only 35 people that remained. In the beginning, Phil had carefully selected ex-army men from the botched up super soldier programs and mercenaries and agents running or hiding from their own past. He provided them with a sanctuary and a goal to work for him and make the world a better place.

But still day after day and week after week, after long hours of training and working together, he had to cut 15 of these chosen people. They were either too violent in nature or simply could not work in any team unit. Also, their health was deteriorating faster than others. This was the price for that super-soldier experiment they went through. These people were now part of the maintenance and security team around the base.

So 35 combatants, 2 winged operators and 1 Silent Bee, their operations head. Today they would meet their 'lord commander' and finally dispatch for their first mission.

-------------------Hope POV---------------

I woke up early and went jogging. After an intense workout and practising my new skills with a virtual projection from Martha, I received a message to come to the lake base and meet with the captain. I knew the captain was back but I didn't have the opportunity to work with him till now. Well, he was handsome and brooding in their first meeting but that was all I had to work with it. He was a legend though and his story was still in our history books. My father does not believe we rescued the captain but I can click some pics to share with him now!

"Ms. Hope, welcome to the base. Today, the team will be dispatched for the first operation. All the information regarding the mission will be displayed shortly and you will meet the rest of the team and commander shield in the mission briefing room." Martha informed her when she finally entered the base.

"Good morning Martha. Phil is not coming today?"

"No, Ms. Hope. Master Phil needs to be present in a public place to avoid any sort of link with this mission," answered Marth as specifically instructed by Phil.

"Oh, so he is skipping his training now. I have seen him gaining weight recently. Martha, please note that If I found he is not training properly, I will have to use more strength in my kicks and punches from now.

I waited before Cap came. I could not believe my eyes. His face was completely different. He looked nothing like Steve Rogers I knew and met. If Martha had not wished him, good morning captain, I would have thought he is someone else.

"Hello, Captain. When did you a plastic surgery?" enquired Hope. Cap was still so handsome. The broad shoulders and tight uniform. It was a much more sleek look. The whole uniform was covered in black and there was obvious protection near the shoulders, chest and thighs.

"Oh, this? Well, Phil created this digital mask for me. It can help me easily blend in with the crowd and change face from more than 100 different templates. You know sometimes I wake up and don't recognise myself in the mirror. Easy to wear and take off and it's more or less safe as Phil said. Also please call me, knight commander now. Captain America is gone now and I have given myself promotions for my services you see," the Captain said while giving Hope a big smile.

'Damn, a face-changing digital mask! What is that bastard making these days? I need to drill him properly. A lady needs such a mask more than anyone. And oh my commander!' Hope had many thoughts going through her head now. Especially seeing the captain smile like that. Controlling herself and trying to act more mature she said - "Well Commander, let us look at the first mission we have for the team and then let us debrief those guys in the unit. Those two birds are also full of too many hormones and energy these days. From soldier birds to love birds, they took quite a big leap you know."

"Well, I haven't met anyone till now. This is my first time coming to meet the whole unit. I will be leading them today for the mission so I need to spend the day with them and I am also excited to see the two birdmen I have been hearing about. Icarus and Valkyrie right?"

"Yes, Can't have two Icarus on the same team. Too confusing. You know I chose that name, Valkyrie," replied Hope in a slightly proud tone. She also wanted to go on the mission with Captain...Commander. But she knew her training was still not helpful in face of a super-soldier.

Both came to the operation room and Martha started playing the mission details on the screen regarding the Winter soldier and HYDRA. Hope felt her anger rising. These bastards were trying to control her father's company and stealing research that could bring her mom back.

And now, they were going to kill Howard Stark. Howard stark was no friend of her family but he did not deserve this. And 'winter soldier', how can these bastards turn a war hero into a mindless killer!

"Commander, you knew about Bucky Barnes right? This is the main reason Phil was confident in bringing you into the mission," asked Hope in a very serious tone.

"Yes, that and Bucky is no longer a simple human. He is a super soldier like me. While I was sleeping in Ice, they were training him into a killing machine. He has a lot of practice and had developed more ruthless fighting skills than we ever had during the war," answered the captain while looking at mission details. Every time he looked at Bucky and these reports, his emotions will fluctuate greatly. He took some deep breaths and calmed his mind.

"Let's go, commander. The team needs to meet you and need to be briefed about the mission. I will be in control of the operations and help you from here and you will be leading them from the ground," Hope said and took the commander to the debrief room and the commander silently followed her.

"Let's go then. Let's meet the team," finally said the commander with a slight smile.