Captain America
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part three.
The small submersible moves silently under the waters of the deep – the fact that it is of Atlantean design does not make its non-Atlantean pilot perturbed at all – after all, its designs may look newer – sleeker, but its controls are hardly that different from its World War II predecessors; the ones that their monarch lad taught him to pilot back then, while the team’s senior members would jump out of the ship – charging the enemy.
Memories of Toro come to him; his first real friend in that crazy world nearly a lifetime ago, of the times they would follow their mentors to battle. After all, how would you feel reluctant or afraid, when clearly the enemy literally froze upon seeing the charging figures of the Human Torch, the Sub-mariner and Captain America.
But they were hardly invulnerable, and thank God for that – for had they really been unbeatable, then his efforts to save them from Hitler’s control would have been doomed – even with the help of other heroes like the Patriot and the rest of the Liberty Legion. He was always proud of that achievement in his life. It was one aspect where he was able to prove that a young man could still make a difference – even one with no powers.
He never admitted it to Steve, but he had nights where he would doubt his worth in the team – but after the Liberty Legion, those doubts disappeared… that is, until he woke up realizing that he had been manipulated for decades into becoming the Winter Soldier. Heck, he was more than doubtful, he was down right ashamed of himself – so much so that he could not directly face his best friend and mentor… until it was too late…until Steve died through the Skull’s manipulations.
“…I said, starboard two degrees.” He hears Namor’s voice, and snaps back to attention to make the necessary adjustments. Namor – the self-exiled prince - no, monarch of Atlantis, prince was back in the days of World War II. Still, Namor remains one of his links from past to present, and looking at him right now, Bucky sees his preternatural impatient face. His life had been hard, and he constantly had to prove himself – thus he grew up being hard on himself – demanding a lot of himself – and by extension, others. Thus he understands Namor’s constant edginess – one that made him steer clear of the Atlantean in those early days. He even recalls one of his early talks with Steve about Namor back then.
They were recently grouped with the Torches, and his seeing Toro made him elated – finally, someone to relate to… and it seemed that Steve, as Cap, felt a feeling of kinship with Jim – the Torch. They hit it off almost at once, and General Hammond was pleased with what he saw. But when they all saw the final member of their ‘team’, he noticed that both Steve and the Torches went a bit stiff. Namor, after all, was – at one time, someone they had to fight, due to the Atlantean’s seemingly warped sense of righteousness about the seas – and how man was polluting them.
It was that evening that when he was alone with Steve, he had a talk with him. He questioned the General’s asking them to team-up with Namor, and Steve, in his seemingly, educating way, patiently explained why Atlantis’ help was needed against the War efforts.
“It’s a World War, Bucky – and just as our allies are affected by the incursions of Germany and company, so too is Atlantis threatened by our battles.” Even as he talked, Bucky spied Namor’s form several yards away – seemingly looking at the direction of the seas, yet somehow – possibly listening to their conversation – with ears like that, Bucky wouldn’t be surprised..
Steve adds, “Namor could just as easily fight anyone who would be sinking so many ships, mines and bombs into the sea – it so happens that he has seen both sides, and I’m glad he has the keen sense to realize that we’re battling for a noble cause – and freedom does not distinguish between surface or sea dwellers. I, for one, am glad he’s on our side.”
“James! If you won’t be paying attention to these instruments, maybe I should just turn this ship back and forget this trip altogether.” Bucky’s face turns slightly red – not because he was starting to get impatient with Namor, but more because he had not counted on being reprimanded – rightly so, though – in seemingly immediate succession.
“Sorry, Namor…” he says, “… this trip can’t help but bring back memories”, he pauses and adjusts a few instruments, then continues “Plus, this ship – I hadn’t remembered how silent its propulsion system is. I mean, compared to the S.H.I.E.L.D. ships, this one does not even have any semblance of engine sounds.” The comparison seems to mollify Namor a bit, and his next words are less harshly addressed.
“I understand James, and you should remember that Atlantean technology is years ahead than that of your surface world’s – though I admit to your advances, through the courtesy of Stark, catching up slightly in the past years, it is still a far cry from what we are capable of.”
“Even with the inventions of Dr. Richards?” Bucky asks, and he sees a mixture of grudging respect and frustration cross Namor’s face. But rather than retort most passionately, Namor says, “Reed Richards may be intelligent even beyond Atlantis’ level, but his inventions are strictly for his personal satisfaction. Besides, though he is honorable, the man is a fool. He sometimes does not appreciate the true treasures he has.”
James Buchanan Barnes sees it, but until this moment, he had not really believed the news – or talk, of Namor seeming amorous with the wife of Dr. Richards – yet the Namor he briefly sees just now may prove the greatest evidence his analytical mind can process to ascertain the truth to said rumor. Namor sees Bucky staring at him, and seemingly reading his mind, confirms what Bucky is thinking. “You’ve yet to meet Susan, James – a magnificent woman… strong-willed, caring and loving. I am cursed to know she is very loyal to her family. At another time and place, I might have given up the throne for her.”
‘Damn…’ is all Bucky can think, he’d known, or had thought he’d known how Namor’s current situation was difficult – but to have an unrequited love as well… damn.
“Down another twenty fathoms, James, and you should see it. Will you be needing an environmental suit?”
Spotting a small cavern made of ice, Bucky maneuvers the ship into the opening, as he replies “Not really Namor” I don’t really need to step out – your ship’s montors and its viewing plate will do just fine.” They move a few hundred meters down – the only illumination coming from the Atlantean ship, yet as they approach, the ice seems to have a luminescence making the cavern’s directions visible – and easy to follow.
Namor points to a spot, and James seems a makeshift mausoleum. Namor looks at it with respect, and he can’t help but feel a sense of peace in this place. “There it is James.” He says, Steve is in that container…”, pointing to the left-most shiny container – one of two, “…and Jim – what I can find anyway, is beside him.” They both look for a while, then Namor explains further, “I had thought it prudent to make their resting place as… unobtrusive as possible – not wanting to attract attention… and the place does not come unprotected.”
Upon saying this, it is only now that Bucky notices crevices hidden in certain angles of the cavern, and he seems to glimpse a tentacle or two… enormous at that. Bucky smiles at this, ‘Guess this is Namor’s version of the honor guard’, he muses. Then he does what he came to do – he stands up to pay his repects. Namor just silently moves to the ship’s aft – giving him the privacy he did not need to ask for.
‘Steve… Jim…, hi...’ he thinks, mentally striking a conversation – brining to fore many glimpses of his happier, more innocent, past – this despite the horrors that war had. ‘…sorry I wasn’t able to help either of you when you needed it – specially you Steve, I know you wanted to talk, but I wasn’t ready. Damn, …but as you can hopefully see, I’ve decided to continue your mission in my own way. I can’t be you, Steve, but I’ll be the best Captain America I can be’ emphasizing the last few words – promising this both to his friends, ad well as himself.
“I’ll keep the world safe from the likes of the Skull” he mumbles to himself, hoping his friends – wherever they may now be, can see and hear him. Then he snaps to attention, gives his fallen comrades a salute, returns to a relaxed state – then whispers… “Goodbye”
“Namor, I'm ready to go.”
Namor gives the place a few seconds glance, and then replies, “As am I.”
The Atlantean vessel leaves – as silently as it came, its only witness, a pair of cyclopean eyes – from two giant man-o-wars, eternal silent guardians, Atlantis' honor guards to the valiant heroes at peace.
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot…”
Part three.
The small submersible moves silently under the waters of the deep – the fact that it is of Atlantean design does not make its non-Atlantean pilot perturbed at all – after all, its designs may look newer – sleeker, but its controls are hardly that different from its World War II predecessors; the ones that their monarch lad taught him to pilot back then, while the team’s senior members would jump out of the ship – charging the enemy.
Memories of Toro come to him; his first real friend in that crazy world nearly a lifetime ago, of the times they would follow their mentors to battle. After all, how would you feel reluctant or afraid, when clearly the enemy literally froze upon seeing the charging figures of the Human Torch, the Sub-mariner and Captain America.
But they were hardly invulnerable, and thank God for that – for had they really been unbeatable, then his efforts to save them from Hitler’s control would have been doomed – even with the help of other heroes like the Patriot and the rest of the Liberty Legion. He was always proud of that achievement in his life. It was one aspect where he was able to prove that a young man could still make a difference – even one with no powers.
He never admitted it to Steve, but he had nights where he would doubt his worth in the team – but after the Liberty Legion, those doubts disappeared… that is, until he woke up realizing that he had been manipulated for decades into becoming the Winter Soldier. Heck, he was more than doubtful, he was down right ashamed of himself – so much so that he could not directly face his best friend and mentor… until it was too late…until Steve died through the Skull’s manipulations.
“…I said, starboard two degrees.” He hears Namor’s voice, and snaps back to attention to make the necessary adjustments. Namor – the self-exiled prince - no, monarch of Atlantis, prince was back in the days of World War II. Still, Namor remains one of his links from past to present, and looking at him right now, Bucky sees his preternatural impatient face. His life had been hard, and he constantly had to prove himself – thus he grew up being hard on himself – demanding a lot of himself – and by extension, others. Thus he understands Namor’s constant edginess – one that made him steer clear of the Atlantean in those early days. He even recalls one of his early talks with Steve about Namor back then.
They were recently grouped with the Torches, and his seeing Toro made him elated – finally, someone to relate to… and it seemed that Steve, as Cap, felt a feeling of kinship with Jim – the Torch. They hit it off almost at once, and General Hammond was pleased with what he saw. But when they all saw the final member of their ‘team’, he noticed that both Steve and the Torches went a bit stiff. Namor, after all, was – at one time, someone they had to fight, due to the Atlantean’s seemingly warped sense of righteousness about the seas – and how man was polluting them.
It was that evening that when he was alone with Steve, he had a talk with him. He questioned the General’s asking them to team-up with Namor, and Steve, in his seemingly, educating way, patiently explained why Atlantis’ help was needed against the War efforts.
“It’s a World War, Bucky – and just as our allies are affected by the incursions of Germany and company, so too is Atlantis threatened by our battles.” Even as he talked, Bucky spied Namor’s form several yards away – seemingly looking at the direction of the seas, yet somehow – possibly listening to their conversation – with ears like that, Bucky wouldn’t be surprised..
Steve adds, “Namor could just as easily fight anyone who would be sinking so many ships, mines and bombs into the sea – it so happens that he has seen both sides, and I’m glad he has the keen sense to realize that we’re battling for a noble cause – and freedom does not distinguish between surface or sea dwellers. I, for one, am glad he’s on our side.”
“James! If you won’t be paying attention to these instruments, maybe I should just turn this ship back and forget this trip altogether.” Bucky’s face turns slightly red – not because he was starting to get impatient with Namor, but more because he had not counted on being reprimanded – rightly so, though – in seemingly immediate succession.
“Sorry, Namor…” he says, “… this trip can’t help but bring back memories”, he pauses and adjusts a few instruments, then continues “Plus, this ship – I hadn’t remembered how silent its propulsion system is. I mean, compared to the S.H.I.E.L.D. ships, this one does not even have any semblance of engine sounds.” The comparison seems to mollify Namor a bit, and his next words are less harshly addressed.
“I understand James, and you should remember that Atlantean technology is years ahead than that of your surface world’s – though I admit to your advances, through the courtesy of Stark, catching up slightly in the past years, it is still a far cry from what we are capable of.”
“Even with the inventions of Dr. Richards?” Bucky asks, and he sees a mixture of grudging respect and frustration cross Namor’s face. But rather than retort most passionately, Namor says, “Reed Richards may be intelligent even beyond Atlantis’ level, but his inventions are strictly for his personal satisfaction. Besides, though he is honorable, the man is a fool. He sometimes does not appreciate the true treasures he has.”
James Buchanan Barnes sees it, but until this moment, he had not really believed the news – or talk, of Namor seeming amorous with the wife of Dr. Richards – yet the Namor he briefly sees just now may prove the greatest evidence his analytical mind can process to ascertain the truth to said rumor. Namor sees Bucky staring at him, and seemingly reading his mind, confirms what Bucky is thinking. “You’ve yet to meet Susan, James – a magnificent woman… strong-willed, caring and loving. I am cursed to know she is very loyal to her family. At another time and place, I might have given up the throne for her.”
‘Damn…’ is all Bucky can think, he’d known, or had thought he’d known how Namor’s current situation was difficult – but to have an unrequited love as well… damn.
“Down another twenty fathoms, James, and you should see it. Will you be needing an environmental suit?”
Spotting a small cavern made of ice, Bucky maneuvers the ship into the opening, as he replies “Not really Namor” I don’t really need to step out – your ship’s montors and its viewing plate will do just fine.” They move a few hundred meters down – the only illumination coming from the Atlantean ship, yet as they approach, the ice seems to have a luminescence making the cavern’s directions visible – and easy to follow.
Namor points to a spot, and James seems a makeshift mausoleum. Namor looks at it with respect, and he can’t help but feel a sense of peace in this place. “There it is James.” He says, Steve is in that container…”, pointing to the left-most shiny container – one of two, “…and Jim – what I can find anyway, is beside him.” They both look for a while, then Namor explains further, “I had thought it prudent to make their resting place as… unobtrusive as possible – not wanting to attract attention… and the place does not come unprotected.”
Upon saying this, it is only now that Bucky notices crevices hidden in certain angles of the cavern, and he seems to glimpse a tentacle or two… enormous at that. Bucky smiles at this, ‘Guess this is Namor’s version of the honor guard’, he muses. Then he does what he came to do – he stands up to pay his repects. Namor just silently moves to the ship’s aft – giving him the privacy he did not need to ask for.
‘Steve… Jim…, hi...’ he thinks, mentally striking a conversation – brining to fore many glimpses of his happier, more innocent, past – this despite the horrors that war had. ‘…sorry I wasn’t able to help either of you when you needed it – specially you Steve, I know you wanted to talk, but I wasn’t ready. Damn, …but as you can hopefully see, I’ve decided to continue your mission in my own way. I can’t be you, Steve, but I’ll be the best Captain America I can be’ emphasizing the last few words – promising this both to his friends, ad well as himself.
“I’ll keep the world safe from the likes of the Skull” he mumbles to himself, hoping his friends – wherever they may now be, can see and hear him. Then he snaps to attention, gives his fallen comrades a salute, returns to a relaxed state – then whispers… “Goodbye”
“Namor, I'm ready to go.”
Namor gives the place a few seconds glance, and then replies, “As am I.”
The Atlantean vessel leaves – as silently as it came, its only witness, a pair of cyclopean eyes – from two giant man-o-wars, eternal silent guardians, Atlantis' honor guards to the valiant heroes at peace.
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