Joining Hydra

"Without question, your contributions to the development of computers are extraordinary!"

Doctor Zola eagerly showered Brad with praise.

"Dr. Brad has astonishing foresight. In computing, at least, I feel his ideas are probably more than a century ahead of their time."

After exchanging ideas with Brad, even someone as proud as Howard Stark had to admire his outstanding research into computers.

Only a genius could appreciate another genius.

In fact, after giving it some serious thought, Howard became friendlier toward Brad, for reasons he could not quite explain.

He had almost never been friendly toward researchers who fell short of his own abilities.

Countless times, Howard Stark had felt that the age he lived in was holding him back.

He could certainly achieve far more, but the limitations of the era prevented him from bringing all the brilliant ideas and research in his head into reality.

Yet Brad's arrival made Howard feel as though some of the shackles this era had placed on him had suddenly loosened.

If Brad could maintain this terrifying talent for computer research throughout his life, at least a third of the wild ideas in Howard's head could become reality in this era.

To Howard, Brad was an irreplaceable scientist.

As for Doctor Zola...

He craved Brad's new research even more.

The story in Brad's head revealed that Zola, afraid his limited lifespan would prevent him from continuing to put his intellect to work for HYDRA, had built an enormous computer array in his old age and uploaded his mind into it.

For the next hundred years, Doctor Zola had continued serving Hydra as a digital life-form.

That process always gave Brad a sense of déjà vu.

He seemed to have once uploaded his own mind into a computer as well, becoming an Artificial Life.

But when he tried to recall it in detail, he could find no specific information.

Zola wanted to become a life-form living inside a computer. Brad's sudden appearance was practically a gift of a second life to him.

Brad settled comfortably into the Strategic Scientific Reserve.

One day, he finally met the woman who had organized the Strategic Scientific Reserve: Agent Peggy Carter, now Director Peggy.

Wearing glasses and a white lab coat, Brad rose from his desk, took a somewhat battered leather wallet from inside his coat, and handed it to her.

"Seven years ago, I met Steve Rogers."

Peggy took the wallet in disbelief. Inside was a photograph of her.

"He was a very good man. When I was on the verge of starving to death, he bought me a proper meal. I'll never forget his kindness."

Peggy gripped the wallet in one hand and raised the other to shield her reddening eyes.

"Now it's back where it belongs."

The woman before him no longer possessed the beauty she had in the photograph. Over the years, grief and the heavy responsibilities on her shoulders had etched wrinkles into her face.

But she still carried herself with spirited poise.

Even Brad himself had come to look much older. His full beard and round, gold-rimmed glasses gave him a distinctly bookish air.

Looking at the grieving woman before him, Brad suddenly felt something strange.

Over the years, whenever he woke from a bloody nightmare, he would take Captain America's wallet out of his coat and tell himself that he had to repay that kindness.

But for seven long years, he had also looked at the woman in the photograph to soothe the strain in his heart.

He wanted to offer some comfort to the strong woman standing before him.

"Would you like to go for a walk?"

Brad opened his mouth. He wanted to phrase it more elegantly, but he had so little experience talking to people that, in the end, he could only offer that simple invitation.

"No, thank you. I should get back to work."

Without question, the short, scrawny Brad was no woman's ideal date. Peggy turned him down.

With his hands tucked away, Brad watched Peggy compose herself and continue toward her original destination with firm steps.

She left Brad with a lovely view of her retreating figure.

Brad stood silently where he was until Peggy disappeared completely, just as Steve had dwindled to a speck in the night seven years earlier.

"Clearly, she... well, she doesn't go for our type."

Doctor Zola walked up behind Brad with one hand in his pocket.

He pointed at his temple. "Countless people in the organization like her, but she only has eyes for the Captain America type. Men like us, whose best qualities are hidden inside our heads... heh."

Seeing Brad still standing there in a daze, Zola gave a helpless look.

"If you were taller and more handsome, or fabulously wealthy, you might have a chance. Peggy occasionally goes out for cheese fondue with Howard."

"As you know, neither of us can compete with that fellow Howard in looks or finances."

Brad came back to his senses and turned to look steadily at Doctor Zola, his words carrying a hint of something more. "I might not mind trading the technology in my head for some wealth. And if I remember correctly, Captain America used to be a little guy like me."

Brad's words left Doctor Zola momentarily stunned. Then, at last, he smiled.

Brad had ambition. That was good.

From that day onward, Dr. Brad and Doctor Zola were practically inseparable. Every day, they gathered to discuss academic questions with great enthusiasm. To everyone else, nothing seemed amiss.

But once Howard noticed, he began to worry.

"A genius with endless technology in his head has teamed up with a genius with questionable motives. I'm worried that sooner or later, Doctor Zola will lead Brad astray."

Although Doctor Zola had never done anything out of line since being brought into the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Howard had always had a certain gut feeling.

That fellow had to be plotting something.

But Howard was also proud enough to believe that, as long as he remained in the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Zola would never be able to cause any real trouble.

Now, however, another genius who could rival them both had joined their ranks, upsetting the balance.

Howard suggested to Peggy that Brad and Zola be assigned to different departments.

Peggy found that rather odd. Brad's and Zola's research overlapped to a considerable degree, and separating them could well bring their rapid technological progress to a standstill.

They would lose the sparks that flew when their ideas collided and ignited one another.

But out of trust in her old friend, Peggy ultimately agreed to Howard's suggestion.

Brad was sent to a branch in Canada, where some of the work required cooperation with the local government.

Doctor Zola seemed particularly reluctant to see him go. For once, he actually left his laboratory to attend Dr. Brad's farewell ceremony.

The two embraced beside the plane. To the onlookers, it was a moment of mutual appreciation between two geniuses.

"Hail Hydra."

Doctor Zola spoke softly.

"Hail Hydra."

Dr. Brad smiled and replied in kind.

Howard knew Doctor Zola had been concealing his abilities, but he could not begin to imagine just how much the man had hidden.

Zola was, in fact, a genius no less gifted than Howard himself. It was simply that his talents were not all devoted to scientific research, and his years of playing the weaker man had caused Howard to lower his guard.

This temporary separation was the result of Brad and Zola's joint scheming. They had clearly factored Howard's and Peggy's reactions into their plans. Their recent closeness had been a deliberate performance.

Doctor Zola would remain in New York, quietly awaiting the day Peggy stepped down. Then he would eliminate Howard, who had rejected Hydra no matter how many hints Zola dropped.

Brad, meanwhile, needed to turn the Canadian branch into a research base belonging to Hydra. Far from the center of power, he would build Hydra's rebirth right under the Strategic Scientific Reserve's nose.

If you enjoyed this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you can find it again next time.

At the request of many readers, an ad-free feature is now available to VIP members.

Click to view.