“Yes, thank you,” Katherine chimed in.
“And you’re running an impressive operation here, no doubt about it,” Steve said.
Gary seemed mollified. “I’m sure that, the more you learn about us, the closer you will come to seeing our point of view, rather than having to rely on Katherine to form your opinions for you.”
“I’m sure that’s right,” Steve said.
“Karl, how about you take Mr. Rogers on a tour? Tell him about your background—I think you have lots in common. He’ll listen to you.”
Karl nodded. “Sure, Gary. What about the girl?”
“Katherine, do you mind staying here with me? I want to know a bit more about your research so we can plan how we’re going to best use it for the cause.”
“Sure thing,” Katherine said. “I’m really excited about the possibilities, assuming we do decide to work together.”
“Karl, don’t keep Steve too long,” Clive said, cutting off Gary before he could speak. “He really does need his rest. Let me know when you’re done and I’ll give him another check over before he goes back to bed.”
“No worries, doc,” Karl said cheerfully. “I’ll try not to wear him out too much. C’mon Steve, I’ll take you on the grand tour.”
“Can we start with a coffee first?” Steve asked. “And some food, if that’s possible?”
“Not a problem—we’ll start in the cafeteria and then go from there.” Karl stood and gestured for Steve to follow.
Steve pulled himself out of the chair, using the armrests for leverage. He thought he might already be slightly stronger, but when you were as weak as he currently was, it was hard to tell, and any improvement was strictly relative. But he was up, and shuffling out the door. On the way past, he tried to catch Katherine’s eyes, but she was already talking to Gary, her expansive gestures betraying her enthusiasm. Steve sighed; it was going to be a struggle to get her away from this place when the time came, even if he was strong enough. But, just like how he was going to get in touch with Maria, that was a problem for the future. Like any experienced veteran, Steve knew that he should eat while he had the chance and leave the rest of his problems for the future.
Chapter 10
Freedom Foundation Offices, Washington, D.C.: 1300 hours
The food in the cafeteria was surprisingly good considering that it was the middle of the weekend. The coffee machine looked like it was close to becoming self-aware, and had far too many buttons for Steve to even think about trying to operate it. But Karl had played it like a piano, and the resulting cup of coffee was one of the best that Steve had ever had. The two men sat down at one of the tables, sizing each other up. The Uzi was gone, but Steve noticed the other man still carried a handgun. From the brief look that Steve got, it was a Glock of some sort, probably a Glock 19, but he wasn’t sure. Of course, the exact model didn’t matter, it would still do the same job. Steve took the change in firearms to mean that the other man had decided he liked Steve enough that he didn’t need the threat of the Uzi, but that he took his job seriously enough that he wouldn’t bend enough to go unarmed. It didn’t bother Steve; in fact, he respected someone who was that conscientious.
“So, the Marines,” Steve said.
“Yeah,” Karl replied. “Ten years, give or take.”
“Decent hitch these days,” Steve said. “Can I ask where you served?”
“I was a computer tech. Data retrieval specialist, to be precise.”
Steve looked at him surprise, taking in the man’s air of readiness and physical fitness.
“Please don’t take this as denigrating support personnel in any way at all, because I know how much work they do,” Steve said. “But you really don’t have the look of someone who sat behind a desk.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t. Just the opposite, actually—I was in the Raiders.”
Steve whistled softly. The Raiders were the Marines’ elite. They’d sprung out of the reorganization of Force Recon and had a reputation for skill and toughness. If Karl had been a Raider, he’d be even more formidable than he looked.
“I haven’t had a chance to work with you boys yet, but funnily enough, back in the ’40s I did some operations with the original Marine Raiders—you know, the ones your regiment is named after.”
“That’s right,” Karl said.
“They were top notch soldiers, and from everything I’ve heard, you men are worthy of the name.”
“Thank you, sir, that means a lot coming from you,” Karl said, shoulders straightening slightly. “There are battle honors in our mess hall wall that were captured on some of those missions.”
“Enough with the ‘sir,’ Karl,” Steve said. “So, what was a computer tech doing in the Raiders?”
“These days, everyone is using the internet. Terrorists have Twitter accounts and recruiting websites, and they use the dark web to send messages and transfer funds.”
“The dark web?”
“The part of the internet that lies beneath the surface, that your average user never sees. It’s where you can find anything you want, no matter how depraved. You can buy drugs, browse child pornography, recruit people for your cause—whatever it might be. It’s a cesspit, the dark side of the golden age of information.”
“It doesn’t matter what we create, does it? There’s always some way of turning it to evil. Splitting the atom could have powered the whole world—instead we used it to blow things up,” Steve said. He didn’t even want to mention the way that people had tried to duplicate the serum that had created him, not to help the sick, but to create their own super soldiers to serve their own evil purposes.
“You’re right. But the bad guys’ reliance on technology also gives the good side a weapon to use against them. If you can get access to that information, then you can break their backs,” Karl explained. “Every time there was a raid or a deep-cover extraction, or anything like that, it became standard operating procedure to have a guy like me along. If we couldn’t bring whatever computers there were back with us, I had to try and get into them as quickly as possible, and siphon out what data I could.”
“Long way from a desk of your own.”
“You bet. I hacked computers for fun when I was a kid. It was a game among the crowds I hung out with in high school and college, and we would have races or allocate points depending on what data you could get your hands on. But when you’re in some cave in the Afghan mountains with dead bodies piled up around you, or the sound of machine-gun fire getting closer, it doesn’t seem so fun anymore. And the penalties for failure aren’t just suspension or even a jail sentence—they’re people dying because you took too long, or another terrorist attack that could have been stopped with the information you failed to retrieve.”
“I may not know much about computers, but I know how that feels. It’s a heavy burden to carry,” Steve said. “I’m surprised you want anything to do with computers now. You must hate them.”
“No!” Steve was surprised by the other man’s vehemence. “I love computers. I love the internet. I just hate what people use them for. But the good they do, what they’re capable of doing in the right hands . . . well, you would never believe me if I tried to explain.”
“You’d be surprised. Why don’t you try me?”
“I was one of the Raiders’ first recruits; before that, I was in Force Recon. I’ve been on missions to more countries than I can count. I’ve done tours—some official, some completely off the books—in the Middle East, Central America, Eastern Europe. And in that time, I’ve seen how the information age is changing the world. The Arab Spring was just the start. Freedom of information, freedom of communication—they’re nails in the coffin of any totalitarian regime. Katherine has given me the rough outline of her research, and I can tell you right now, it’s going to change the world. It shouldn’t belong to any government; it should belong to the people.”
Steve felt a stab of jealousy that Katherine had already shared so much with the young man sitting across from him. He fought it down, knowing it was unworthy.
“So how did you end up here?” Steve asked.
“I had planned on making a career of the Marines, but . . .” Karl paused for a moment. “Everyone has a breaking point, where they’ve seen too much, done too much.”
Steve nodded. He knew exactly what Karl meant.
“So, eventually I resigned my commission. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I wasn’t too worried. I had plenty of benefits built up and a nice little nest egg to live off of. Part of the process when I left the Marines was seeing a doctor. Even when the physical injuries healed, there were things I still needed to work through. That’s how I met Clive. After the first few appointments, we just started talking, you know, the usual stuff, sports and all that. He may look like an egghead, but he played college ball—he just wasn’t big enough to go pro. Anyway, we bonded over that, and then one day I’d just read an article about net neutrality and I was bit steamed up and wanted to talk about that. Turned out we had similar views on the subject.”
“So he recruited you?”
“Eventually. After a few months in rehab, I decided I needed to find a job. He suggested I try Freetech—that’s the legitimate business here. With my background, I was qualified enough, that’s for sure.” Karl laughed. “Turned out my other qualifications were just as desirable. Gary took a personal interest in me and eventually invited me to join the Foundation. Once they were sure they could trust me, he asked me to act as head of security. Unofficially, of course.”
“And you lead the raids?” Steve asked.
“Yeah, and do all the planning. I told Gary that I was only willing to be part of it if we had a strict no collateral damage policy. I’ve seen too many political groups that think the ends justify the means, and that don’t care if people get hurt. So we only choose targets where we know no one could get caught up in it.”
“And what did Gary think of that?” Steve asked carefully.
“He was fine with it, of course.” There was something in Karl’s voice, a note of defensiveness.
“Are you sure about that, Karl?” Steve asked. “Sometimes these civilians who’ve never seen action don’t really understand the consequences—like what it looks like after a bomb has gone off. It’s all theoretical to them.”
“Okay, maybe Gary can be a bit . . . enthusiastic. But it’s just that he’s passionate about what we’re doing. He believes in the importance of our cause,” Karl said. “Once I’ve explained things to him, he calms down and we do it my way. That’s my job.”
“And what if you weren’t here to calm him down?” Steve asked softly.
“I am, so it doesn’t matter,” Karl said, a bit sullenly. “Anyway, the truth is that Gary is great on ideas, but not so much on the execution. I don’t think he would be doing much of anything if it weren’t for Clive and me. Clive is the administrative genius that keeps the lights on, and I’m the muscle.”
Steve didn’t say anything. He thought that Gary might be a bit more dangerous than Karl gave him credit for, but he knew that saying anything would be counterproductive. Karl was obviously devoted to the man who had given him a new purpose in life.
At a slight buzzing noise, Karl touched a finger to his ear to activate the transceiver nestled there. Steve could see the change that came over his face as he listened to whatever the voice at the other end was saying, the friendliness leeching away and leaving a lack of emotion that told Steve all he needed to know. Karl the conversationalist was gone, and Steve was now facing the head of security.
“Sir, I’m afraid that I’m going to have to ask you to return to the basement with me.”
“And if I don’t want to?” Steve asked calmly.
“I’m afraid that I have to insist, sir. It’s for your own safety.” Karl placed his hand on the butt off his gun. “We’ll both be a lot happier if you just come along without making a fuss, that’s all.”
Steve tensed, ready to launch himself at the other man, then thought better of it as another wave of pain washed through him. He simply wasn’t in any shape to resist. Instead, he raised both hands, although even that movement provoked a stabbing pain. He was relieved that it seemed be much less severe than what the same movement would have brought with it even few hours ago. His accelerated healing was working its wonders, and he was starting to believe that he might be close to his peak within a day or so. For now, though, he needed to play it safe.
“Lead on, Karl,” he said.
The other man gave him a sardonic grin. “Oh, I think I should let you go first, don’t you?”
Steve shrugged and moved toward the door. He made sure he gave Karl plenty of room on the way past.
“You know the way, right?” Karl called from behind him. “Straight to the elevator.”
“Yeah,” Steve replied. “I think I can find my way.”
He deliberately took his time, exaggerating his shuffling steps, stopping from time to time to lean against the wall and catch his breath. At least, most of it was exaggerated, but he still breathed a sigh of relief each time he was able to stop. To his credit, Karl showed no signs of impatience, letting Steve take all the time he needed. He even encouraged Steve to take a seat halfway along the corridor, and helped him in and out of it. The only thing that betrayed their new dynamic was the gun in Karl’s hand when he stepped into the elevator to join Rogers. They both pointedly ignored it on the way down, two professionals making the best of a bad situation.
Karl waited in the elevator until Steve was fully out, then joined him in the corridor. Steve walked toward the room in which he had awoken, but Karl stopped him.
“No, not that one.”
“Huh?” Steve said, startled. “Have I got an upgrade or something?”
“That was just one of the medical holding rooms. We keep them as sterile as we can for when we’re providing sanctuary for people who have been injured, or who are sick. We have much nicer digs set up for you. Third door on the left.”
This room was much nicer than his original lodgings; it had carpet and a TV, as well as two twin beds. A door in the corner led to a small en suite, and a bookshelf took up most of one of the walls. Katherine was lying on one of the beds, reading a book. When she saw him, she dropped it and sat up.
“Steve!”
“Hi, Katherine,” he replied, shuffling into the room.
He heard the door swing shut behind him, and the sound of bolts clicking into place, but he didn’t even look around. He’d been expecting it, after all. He walked over to the unoccupied bed, still slowly, but without the exaggerated shuffle from the cafeteria, and lowered himself onto it, using the bed frame as a support.
“What’s going on?” Katherine asked. “What did you do?”
“What do you mean, what did I do?” Steve said. “Karl and I were having a lovely chat when all of a sudden he got a message from your friend, Gary, and then next thing I knew, I was on my way down here.”
“He’s not my friend,” Katherine said. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You seemed awfully taken with him when he was giving his little speech earlier,” Steve said. “You looked like you were loving what he had to say.”
“Seriously, Steve? Have you never heard the expression ‘you catch more flies with honey’?”
“What?” Steve asked.
“He’s the sort of guy who loves the sound of his own voice, and especially loves it when people validate his own high opinion of himself. I picked that up straightaway. I want to think that he doesn’t reflect on the rest of the people here, but it does worry me that someone like him is the leader. I’ve been trying to work out whether we can trust them despite Gary, so I’ve been playing the role of impressionable young woman—and he’s been
lapping it up.”
“Oh,” Steve said. “It’s just . . . well, you were very convincing.”
“Of course I was. That’s the thing with being a young female in tech circles—you’re constantly underestimated by the men around you. I hate it, but it’s something that you learn to use to your own advantage,” she said. “Geez, Steve, I would have thought you know me better than that by now. I won’t lie, I’m a little hurt.”
Steve felt a little ashamed of himself. “Sorry, okay? I’m not really at my best right now.”
“Yeah, I can tell. You still look like crap.” There was concern in her voice, which he supposed was better than the hurt of just a minute ago. “Are you going to be okay? I mean, seriously, you look terrible.”
“You’d be surprised how much damage I can take. Not that I want to go through it again anytime soon. Just give me a day or so, and I’ll be as good as new.”
“Okay.” She sounded doubtful, but didn’t pursue it. “So, why do you think we’re down here now?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. Did you say anything to Gary that might have made him think you weren’t going to cooperate with his grand vision? I think that’s the sort of thing that might have pushed him over the edge.”
“I don’t think he’s that bad, Steve.”
“I’m not sure that’s true,” he replied. “Be that as it may, was there anything that might have triggered this?”
“No! We were just talking about our favorite operating system of all things, and then his mobile rang. He went down to the end of the room to answer it. He didn’t say much, not that I could make out, just ‘yeahs’ and ‘uh-huhs.’ When he hung up, he was almost a different person. Completely unresponsive, just brushed off my questions and told me that he needed me to go down to the basement for my own good. When I protested, he called in one of the other security guys—you know, the ones who picked us up?”
Steve nodded and she went on.
“He was really polite the whole time, but he made it really clear my only option was going along with Gary’s instructions. I didn’t want to force their hand—those guns look awfully nasty—so I just did what they said.”
Marvel's Captain America: Sub Rosa Page 10