Chapter 3 - Mission

Harlow's night was restless, her mind consumed by thoughts of her parents. As a result, she overslept and found herself rushing to the training room.Walking into the room filled with new recruits, Harlow felt a mixture of nerves and determination."Aw someone lost their way" a girl called out and shot Harlow a nasty grin. The girl who had made the snide comment caught Harlow's attention, but Harlow simply smirked, they had no idea what she was capable of.Trainer Eric Meyer called for a demonstration, specifically requesting Harlow and the girl, Riley. They both stepped forward, and Harlow took her fighting stance, ready to prove her skills.She launched herself at Riley, landing a punch on her nose and another on her stomach, causing her to double over in pain. Harlow's voice echoed through the room as she delivered a lesson."Never be caught off guard, always be ready for a fight," she declared confidently."Are you fucking crazy!" Riley screamed. She attempted to escape, but Harlow swiftly grabbed her, locking her in a chokehold. Demonstrating her control, she brought Riley to the ground by kicking her knee, rendering her defenseless.Harlow's voice carried across the room as she continued her lesson, pinning Riley down and emphasizing her point."If you end up on the ground, you're basically dead," she stated firmly.To drive her point home, Harlow applied pressure to Riley's arm, causing it to break with a sickening crack. The room fell silent, a mixture of shock and awe hanging in the air."Never talk shit about someone you don't know to their face, they may kill you for it," Harlow concluded, releasing Riley's broken arm before returning to her position next to Trainer Meyer.Meyer thanked Harlow for the demonstration and offered her a chance to address the class. Harlow took a moment to catch her breath before speaking with determination."The people who raised me were Hydra's loyal agents until they betrayed Hydra and died as traitors. I am no traitor. I lay no claim to them as their daughter. We are Hydra, and we show no mercy when it comes to the enemy, whether they be friends, family, or people who don't know their place," she said, glancing back at Riley on the floor.She continued, addressing the importance of enduring pain during training and proving oneself worthy of becoming an agent of Hydra. Harlow introduced herself, showcasing her determination and ambition, earning modest applause from Trainer Meyer.Leaving the training room with a sense of purpose, Harlow knew she had put on a performance for Mr. Fastner, who would likely be watching the live security footage. She needed to demonstrate her strength and loyalty to stay in Hydra's good graces, even if it meant breaking a bitches arm.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Three months had passed since Harlow's return from the Blip. In those months, she had thrown herself into her training, using it as a distraction from the pain and grief she carried. Now, she found herself in the training room, relentlessly pounding the boxing bag.Most of the base was at lunch, but Harlow had no appetite. She wanted to push herself until her hands were bruised and her body exhausted. Enduring physical pain had become a familiar coping mechanism.Interrupting her intense training session, a guard appeared at the door of the training room and called out her name. Harlow acknowledged him, her breath heavy as she turned to face him."Mr. Fastner wants to see you," he informed her.Harlow nodded, understanding the urgency implied in the guard's message. After a quick shower to freshen up, she arrived at Mr. Fastner's office, ensuring she didn't keep him waiting.Upon entering, she greeted him with a respectful tone, standing at attention as she waited for his instructions. Mr. Fastner was occupied with filling out forms on his desk, but he soon addressed her purpose."We have an assignment for you," he began, catching her attention.He reminded her of the Winter Soldier program and her parents' involvement with it. Harlow listened intently, her mind racing with the gravity of the task ahead."The Winter Soldier, along with Sam Wilson, has been working closely with Nick Fury since their return. Now that Captain America is retired, we believe it's the safest time to strike," Mr. Fastner explained.Harlow's heart skipped a beat as the real mission became clear. "What is my mission, Sir?" she asked, her voice steady but her mind filled with doubt.Mr. Fastner's response hit her like a punch to the gut. "You are one of the best agents we have left, and you must prove your loyalty to Hydra. We want you to kill the Winter Soldier," he declared.Harlow's throat tightened as fear and apprehension coursed through her. Killing the Winter Soldier, a lethal assassin with a notorious history, seemed like an impossible task. She voiced her concerns, feeling the weight of the mission pressing down on her."You might not have been a science experiment, but you have trained to kill as well," Mr. Fastner retorted, moving closer to her. "Remember, if you fail, Hydra will show no mercy. You must succeed, Harlow."With those words, Mr. Fastner led her out of the office, leaving her with a chilling reminder of the consequences she faced if she failed. Harlow couldn't shake off the shiver that ran down her spine.As she made her way back to her room, Harlow allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. She stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, her mind filled with thoughts of her parents. Her heart ached for their absence, but she knew she had to push through.She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face, trying to regain her focus. The mission to kill the Winter Soldier loomed over her, a daunting challenge that would define her future.Determined to increase her chances of success, Harlow resolved to explore the Hydra armory and gather any resources or information she could find. She needed every advantage possible if she was to confront and defeat one of Hydra's greatest killers.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meanwhile, in a small apartment, Bucky burst into Sam's room, startling him awake. Sam voiced his annoyance at Bucky's lack of manners, but he couldn't ignore the urgency in Bucky's voice."What's going on?" Sam asked, curious and slightly alarmed."Fury has some work for us in DC. We leave in an hour," Bucky announced.Sam sighed, realizing that his plans for a leisurely morning had been abruptly disrupted.