READY OR NOT | SUNHAVEN, BAST NEEDED

[buckingham barnes]

The Soldier thought it's plan was inevitable. It sounded perfect in it's mind, kill enemy, extinguish threat from head. It didn't think anything would get in the way, and that the Asset's metal claws would dig deeply into Bastille's neck. But in the middle of it's lunge, another creature quickly got in the way. There was no way the Asset could avoid them, the shark feline stood firmly in front of it. Instead of meeting Bastille's neck, it's metal claws made firm contact with Monroe's shoulder. Monroe's skin was thick, far rougher than the skin it originally intended to slay. The Soldier had to put more effort into digging it's claws into Monroe's skin, but that did not bother the Asset. It's dealt with stronger, more dangerous creatures. Quickly it ripped it's, now bloodied, metal claws out of Monroe's skin, intending to use Monroe's body to ricochet itself off.

But before it could put it's strength in it's back legs, it's ears pricking up at a hissing, commanding voice from the shark feline. "Buckingham, back off ya ain't got tae attack him!" It didn't take very long for the Asset to recognize that as an order. The Asset processed their tone and diction in a matter of seconds, leaping off of Monroe. It landed firmly on the ground, bloodied metal claws staining the green grass below. For a moment, the Soldier thought off the urge to lunge at Bastille again, it's gaze landing on Monroe. Monroe spoke to the Asset as if he knew it, even calling it by a name. Buckingham. The Soldier's head cocked to the side, confusion gleaming in it's cold eyes for a second. "Who the hell is Buckingham?" It questioned Monroe, it's tail slowly swishing behind it. As it got a closer look at Monroe, it was then the shark feline's scent invaded it's nostrils. Monroe doesn't have a scent that smells like the enemy, kitten, and snow leopard. Actually, the shark feline's scent matched it's own.

Oh, it was all falling together now. It's been months since the Soldier had a handler, that it didn't even dare to think of the possibility for a moment. The Asset was not exactly sure how it ended up here, but it must have gotten a new handler in the time of it's absence. Monroe looked, and acted like an authority figure- the Soldier couldn't even find any ounce of fear on their face. Usually, people would be afraid of the Soldier, knowing how dangerous it can be- but handlers do not express that fear. Handlers keep the Asset under control, the Asset cannot go against them unless there's a severe malfunction. The Asset was about to open it's jaw to speak, when it caught the snow leopard in it's peripheral vision.

The Soldier is quick, it knows how to move it's body to the best of it's ability. It wasn't fazed by Thea's larger size, it's first handler was slightly bigger than her. And the Soldier knows what it's like to fight it's first handler, if the Asset didn't defend itself, it's whole purpose of existing would have been lost. The maine coon quickly dodged to the side, avoiding Thea's paw with ease. The Soldier didn't make a move to attack, as before it could even process it, his new handler intervened.

They were trying to defend the Asset. They were even attempting to bring harm to the snow leopard for potentially damaging the Soldier. If anything, that proves to the Soldier that Monroe is his handler even more. The Soldier was Monroe's property, and it would be a great loss if the Soldier was killed, or even injured. The Soldier didn't even belong to itself, and it quickly began to think that Monroe having to step in was the Soldier's fault. The Soldier should have thought of a new handler, should have looked for someone to await orders by. Due to it's fault of attacking without permission, the Soldier has caused several problems. 1) It's handler stepping in to prevent the Asset from attacking it's 'target'- which wasn't even a target at all, as it wasn't authorized to attack. 2) Someone else attempted to attack the Asset, and it's handler had to protect his property from harm.

The Asset took a step back, lowering it's head into submission as it looked at Monroe again. They seemed upset, the Soldier knowing they have every right to be. The Soldier was malfunctioning badly, and a severe punishment should come it's way. It forgot that it does not have it's own rights, as it's a living weapon. "Awaiting punishment," The Winter Soldier spoke up, cold eyes locked on Monroe. It probably should give a list of it's malfunctions, even if it grants it a worse punishment. It does not get to pick what punishment it will receive, and does not get a preference. "The Winter Soldier attacked without your orders. Other malfunctions include speaking out of term and inflicting harm to you."