Sneaking into the Smithsonian museum was child's play. Basil tried to ignore the photos of Bucky as they walked through. Some of the lights had been left on for the patrolling security guards and they illuminated walls of writings and photos of the howling commandos. Bucky grinning at him. Young, happy and himself. Basil couldn't help the sickness in his gut as he compared the smiling face to the eyes he had seen. Even in photos, Bucky's eyes had a spark to them. The winter soldier's eyes were blank.

"You really want to steal that?" Basil asked as Steve stepped up to the manikin on the podium. "Cause your old costume is not bulletproof".

"It's was designed for combat by Howard Stark", Steve replied as he carefully began removing the uniform from the manikin. "I'm pretty sure it's stronger than it seems".

"It must be, since it survived seventy years in the ice", Basil muttered. He leaned back against the wall. His gaze moving on to the uniforms on either side of Steve's. Bucky's on the right. His own on the left. There was still a visible bullet hole through the breast pocket and old stains that had never truly been washed out.

Steve stepped back. His suit folded over an arm and his round shield tucked under the other. He looked at Basil calmly. "Are you not going to take anything?" He asked.

Basil sighed and walked forward towards his old army uniform. He didn't hold much fondness for it. It was just clothes. Worn thin and frayed by their time in combat. He sighed before carefully unpinning the red and white back from around the left arm. He tugged the strip of material free and tucked it in his pocket. "I can't be the mad Doctor, or medic if I'm not wearing the sign", he sighed. "Come on. I want to stop at a few places before we meet back up with fury. I can't let your star spangled ass out shine me. I want those hydra bastards to know and fear me too".

Steve chuckled as they left the museum. "Trust me Basil. You are definitely more terrifying".

Basil smiled sharply. He gave a laugh and it was not a joyful sound. It was a wretched noise. "Trust me. I know and I plan on making them remember that".

——

It was morning, just over two hours before the launch when they arrived on the roof of shield headquarters. Hill had manage to sneak them on a jet she stole. Basil checked over his knives as they landed. Sam next to him with his wings pack already strapped to his back. "The uniform still fits", he remarked to Steve. Fury and Natasha were already inside. "What has it been, seventy years?"

"It's been a while", Steve remarked. His shield was strapped to his back.

"You guys ready?" Hill called. Steve shot her the thumbs up sigh and she lowered the hatch. Basil slid a knife from one of the hills at his waist. He was dressed in a shield uniform, similar to Hill's. Dark navy blue skin tight trousers, almost like leggings, hugged his legs. His two long knives strapped to his thighs. His top was the same colour and also skin tight. It was long enough to touch his things and a heavy black belt was strapped around it for his other knives. It was long sleeved and he had it zipped up to his chin. The only colour was the old red and white cloth band pinned round his arm. It reminded him of Natasha's black body suit, just in two pieces and for males. (He still wasn't over the fact that modern clothes could be tight and breathable. It was amazing).

"Alright", Steve exhaled as he strapped on his helmet. "Let's do this".

They snuck out of the plane and round to one of the service entrance doors. It led to a set of emergency stairs which they hurried down until they got to the radio rooms. Agent hill pressed a button which, she had told them earlier, would send a signal across the radio waves. It must have worked as there was a beep on the door. She and Sam both drew their guns as the door opened and a man held his hands up in surprise. Steve stepped forwards, Basil at his side. The knife in his hands twirling between his fingers. The blade glinting. He didn't need a gun.

"Excuse us", Steve nodded as they walked through.

"Move", hill waved her gun and the men jumped away from the console. Steve grabbed the mic and turned it towards him. Hill leant over him and flicked a switch. "You're live in three, two, one". She pressed a button and a red light blinked. Steve took a breath.

"Attention all Shield agents. This is Captain Steve Rogers". His voice echoed over the intercom of the whole base. Just like they had planned. Basil's lips twitched as Steve's voice took on his 'inspiring speech' tone. It was a classic. How he did it, he didn't know. But the tone never failed to work. "You've heard a lot about me in the last few days. Some of you were even ordered to hunt me down. But I think it's time you know the truth". He paused to unclip his helmet and set it on the console next to him.

"Shield is not what we thought it was. It's been taken over by hydra. Alexander Pierce is their leader. The strike and insight crew are hydra as well. I don't know how many more but I know they're in the building. They could be standing right next to you. They almost have what they want, absolute control. They shot Nick Fury and it won't end there. If you launch those helicarriers today hydra will be able to kill anyone who stands in their way. Unless we stop them. I know I'm asking a lot. But the price of freedom is high, it always has been. And it's a price I'm willing to pay. And if I'm the only one then so be it. But I'm willing to bet I'm not". Steve turned and Basil nodded at him. He was with him until the end of the line.

The red light cut off and Steve straightened. "Did you write that down first?" Sam smiled. "Or was it off the top of your head?"

"It's always off the top of his head", Basil grinned. "It's weird but whenever we need a uprising speech, Steve's your man". He patted Steve on the shoulder. That was when the gunshots began echoing through the corridors. Three men burst through the door but Hill quickly gunned them down.

"You guys know the plan", she called and they all turned. She pulled out a chair and grabbed a headset as the others ran from the room.

"Hey cap", Sam called as they jogged across the landing pad outside. "How do we know the good guys from the bad?"

"If they're shooting at you", Basil shot him a grin. "Then they're bad".

"I could have figured that one out myself thanks", Sam grumbled as his wings unfolded. He took off just as they reached the edge of the roof, soaring up into the sky. Steve and Basil just jumped.

Unedited