video; un: sg.rogers

[livingsymbol]

[He's out of practice. Steve is quiet for a second as he starts the transmission, bracing himself.]

My name is Steve Rogers. In my world, I'm also known as Captain America. Some of you might know me, but that's not what I want to talk about.

[Well, not about his work specifically. He does wants to talk about work.]

We're all here for different reasons and I'm not going to pry into anyone's business, but I think there are some of us who are used to defending people in our home worlds and if you are, I'd like to work with you. If you're from a world like mine, then this city is quieter than others. But that doesn't mean we don't need to look out for it. The wildlife and technical problems still need attention. I know I'm asking you for more time on top of the work we're already doing with the Perimeter Guard and official positions, but I'd like to make that extra effort. A lot of you are probably better suited to organizing this than I am. If you have projects going, I want to join you. I want us to share those ideas and work together to help the city.

[His posture gets subtly more stern, with his chin raising and his shoulders straight. This part may not just be a general appeal for teamwork.]

It's easy to overlook some problems when most of the big issues are under control. We get by well enough. It's a nice place. I'm not going to let anything put this place in danger. I'm going to be on guard, to make sure nothing gets out of hand. I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but if you're interested in a little community service, maybe we can do that together. Thanks for listening.

Comments

[livingsymbol]

Good point. I guess we need to find a Hulk.

Good. We'll get some people together and see what we can find. And lend a hand to some of the work going on out there while we're at it.

[anotheroldsoldier]

I think we can make do without.

If you need any help organizing some groups, I'm willing. I'll go down to the offices tomorrow and see what projects are still on-going in the abandoned city, too.

[And then after a moment...]

[private]
Is that Pierce down there? Snowpiercer. What's going on?

[livingsymbol]

I dunno. Could be useful to have him right about now.

Thanks, Bucky. Let me know what you find. Might start some training sessions out of work too.

[Private]

[Ugh. Here it comes.]

We're talking.

[anotheroldsoldier]

If we need to break through anything, we've got your hard head.

Tell me when and where and I'll be there. I've done a bit of training for the Guard, too.

[private]
About? The least you can do is keep me in the loop, Steve.

[livingsymbol]

I'll set something up.

[He's pleased by this. He can always count on Bucky. Unfortunately, he's distracted by the other half of their conversation.]

[Private]

Nothing yet. He's just talking.

[anotheroldsoldier]

I'd say send me the details but we probably spend too much time around each other as it is, ha.

[private]
There's no such thing as 'just talking' with a man like Pierce. I know his kind.

[livingsymbol]

If you don't beat me to it.

[Private]

I had a question. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything.

[That helps, right?]

[anotheroldsoldier]

Like I beat you to everything else?

[private]
I'm worrying. What was the question? What is he saying? You know how I get when I'm in the dark about things.

[livingsymbol]

Well, not everything. Still got through the woods faster.

[Private]

He claims he's not up to anything at the moment. So far, he's just been talking about me.

[Questioning how much good Steve is actually doing, of course.]

He hasn't made any threats or indicated what he wants yet. I don't know. He's not going to give anything up easily. He's smart.

[anotheroldsoldier]

I let you win and you know it.

[private]

And I don't believe a word he says. He's HYDRA. They're snakes. You have to play this smart, Steve. He's dangerous, and not to you and me.

[livingsymbol]

That sounds like a call for a rematch.

[Private]

I know he's dangerous. That's why I have to do this, Bucky. I can't just ignore him.

I'm going to keep an eye on him. For now.

[anotheroldsoldier]

Just name the time and place, Rogers.

[private]

Of course we're not ignoring him. That doesn't mean I want you giving him anything to use against you.

Be careful, okay? I promised Barnes I'd keep you out of trouble.

[livingsymbol]

All right. I'll see you later tonight, then.

[Private]

He spoke to you?

Fine. I won't do anything but talk. And I'll leave if it gets too bad.

I wish you two would actually talk to me about these things.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[private]

We spoke, yeah. Not for all that long. He's handling himself. Nobody wants this thing to escalate.

I do talk to you. But Barnes is cagier. For good reason.

still private!

[livingsymbol]

It's not going to help if he keeps everything to himself. Pierce won't show his hand willingly.

I'm going to talk to Pierce.

private 4eva

[anotheroldsoldier]

Barnes has every reason to want to stay far away from this whole shitstorm. If this were Lukin or Karpov, would you still feel the same way?

Don't do anything stupid, Steve. Don't give him anything. We can handle this together and keep everyone else out of the mess.

private 4eva

[livingsymbol]

I'm not saying he doesn't have a reason. But if Pierce really is as bad as you say, it'll only hurt others if we leave him to chance.

That's what I'm hoping, Bucky. But the more information we have, the better off we are. No one has to be involved, but we do need a better idea of what he might be up to. Finding out too late isn't an option.

[anotheroldsoldier]

So we won't leave him to chance. But don't put too many expectations on Barnes to get into the thick of things or talk about what Pierce put him through. He hasn't had the chance to pull himself together that I had.

[Well, the chance he forcibly took, going underground on the run with Steve hot on his heels.]

We do need to know what he's up to, we just have to play this smart. He can't do anything like what I saw in Barnes' head, he's under too much public scrutiny, so just don't rush anything. That's all I'm saying.

[livingsymbol]

I'll keep that in mind.

[Which is honest enough. He's taking note of what Bucky says as far as how much to reasonably expect from Barnes and from Pierce. The other Bucky is still struggling, so probably not going to have much to offer. He won't want to be involved and there's little chance he'll want to talk.

But it's either talk to him or talk to Pierce, and either way he's got a problem to deal with. He decides to talk to Bucky first. To see if there's a way around everything... but his hopes aren't high.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

And please keep me updated. Don't try to do this completely on your own. We both work better together than solo.

[It's a subtle manipulation, to insist to Steve that they both need to work together, the promise between the lines that Bucky won't do anything on this without Steve if Steve will do the same.]

[livingsymbol]

[Bucky knows how to keep Steve from being too reckless. As stubborn as the blond can be, he wants to work with his friends and values their opinions. The promise of keeping in touch and working together is enough to keep him from breaking off and doing everything alone.]

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Which means he'll at least stay well-behaved for Bucky. It's a promise made to his friend and not just a choice based on strategy.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

[Mission accomplished there. Maybe it's shitty of him to use their friendship to steer Steve in this direction or that, but Bucky can't feel too bad about it in situations like these.]

Over post-run breakfast. My treat.

[livingsymbol]

All right.

[It might be manipulative, but it's the best way to ensure that Steve doesn't go acting out on his own. At least with Bucky keeping him focused, he'll be more likely to compromise, which is important for everyone. Now he has to check in.]

Breakfast.