the Winter Soldier

Bucky / Captain America 11

Strength 9c

Agility 8a

Intellect 4d

Willpower 9a+

Hand Size: Edge:

5 (30) 3

Origin:

James Buchanan Barnes, known to the world in general as just Bucky, was the partner of the original Captain America. Though originally an ordinary human with superior fighting skills, James has been augmented with a bionic arm to replace the one he lost back in '45.

Powers:

(none)

Cybernetics: having lost his arm in the World War II incident that put both himself and Captain America 'on ice', James was rebuilt with Soviet science, which was later upgraded with top of the line SHIELD hardware. His artificial arm has these characteristics:

* Detachable Parts (a): James cyber-arm can be operated even when not in direct contact with his body! This intensity 12 ability allows James to control this artificial limb anywhere within firing distance of his person, though he performs remote actions at an increased difficulty.

* Disguise (a): the artificial arm James wears can be rather intimidating at times, as most people aren't used to palling around with cyborgs. However, it can project a holographic image around itself that makes it look like it is made from flesh, doing so at intensity 5.

* Electricity Generation (a): on touch, James' robotic hand can dish out a powerful jolt of electricity! Primarily used to knock others unconscious instead of kill them outright, this weapon only functions at intensity 10, inflicting like Stunning energy damage with each use.

* Electromagnetic Pulse (i): alternately, James' artificial appendage can emit a massive burst of electromagnetic interference, to disable other electronic devices. It can do so with intensity 18 ability, knocking out all electronics within artillery distance!

* Hard Points (s): while it is quite durable, James' cybernetic arm has been trashed on more than one occasion - which lets SHIELD keep tabs on him, since they're his repair guys (and girls). James' artificial appendage has a material strength of 15.

* Implant Psychosis Statistic: intensity 4.

Hindrances / Augmentations:

Implant Psychosis Statistic: as a cyborg, James is subject to the problem of implant psychosis. Under duress, he must pass an easy difficulty Willpower action against his IPS, or will suffer from extreme mental instability for a time - usually until he next falls unconscious.

This instability can take any form, really, but will likely involve a flashback to any number of mind control experiences James has been subjected to. When experiencing implant psychosis, James is at Willpower zero (0) to avoid doing something... permanent... he might regret.

Equipment:

Body Armor (s): James' costumes are woven of from a blend of Kevlar ™ / Nomex ™ fabrics, giving him some manner of protection from the rigors of heroism. Functioning at intensity 8, they offer him like (or +2) defense against physical, energy and chemical assault.

Colt M1911A1 (a): though he's usually got better firepower on hand, James nonetheless packs this venerable piece at all times. He carries his trusty Colt wherever he goes, which he can fire to inflict his Agility +4 damage, +5 in a semi-auto burst.

Knives (s): supplementing his Colt, James carries a blade on his person to cut ropes and such - or to silence enemies quietly. Made from m.s. 12 materials, James can use his knife to cut through objects of like m.s. - or to inflict +2 damage in melee.

Rifles (a): James often wields a variety of rifles in the field. These range from sniper rifles, which inflict his Agility +5 damage in a single shot, and have a scope for a +1 to hit in ambush, to automatics which inflict like damage in a semi-auto burst, +6 rock and roll.

Shaped Charges (i): James carried several small, disc-like explosives with him as the eleventh Captain America. These 3 inch diameter, half inch thick discs can attach to metal objects with a strength of 8, and explode to inflict intensity 12 slashing (fragmentary) damage.

Shield (s): the shield his former mentor wields, James donned this implement in his role as the eleventh Captain America. This iconic defensive weapon has the same basic properties it always has while James carried it. For one thing, the thing is nigh-unbreakable.

A Vibranium-iron alloy developed (but never reproduced) by Dr. Mryon MacLain, the shield possesses a material strength of 28, acting to absorb like damage when attacks strike it front or back - though it can be used to inflict +3 bashing damage when striking with its edge.

Skills:

Acrobatics (a): trained by Captain America himself, James uses a similar fighting style, mastered by training his body to be highly nimble and limber. James' intense exercise regimen training allows him to reduce the difficulty of actions to dodge attacks or lower falling.

Boxing (s): trained by both the Army and Captain America, James can easily defend himself with his hands and feet. As such, James can divide his pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which will happen as a contingent action.

Driving / Motorcycles (a): while James can operate most vehicles with competence, he truly shines when riding his hog. In fact, his skill with such vehicles is world-class, and as such, when he performs motorcycling maneuvers, he receives the benefits of an autotrump.

Guns (a): an essential portion of his military training, James is well versed in the use of most firearms. He can fire most standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifles or pistols, or even odd weapons like shot guns, at one difficulty level lower than is normally required.

Languages / English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish (i): James has mastered numerous tongues in addition to his native English. He may wield all of these languages fluently, whether reading, writing or speaking - save for his weak French.

Leadership (w): James is a true leader. If he concentrates on directing a team of individuals, he can give them a +1 to all actions. If his leadership disappears, however, this bonus transforms into a -1 to all actions for the remainder of the encounter.

Military / United States (w): an Army brat, James grew up on various bases. Easily falling into the Army way of life, James knows military protocols and procedures instinctually, and can lead a body of fighting men and/or women into battle should he be given such responsibility.

Manipulation (w): supplementing most of his other talents, this skill describes a knack James has for talking to people and getting what he wants. When attempting to sway folks to his mindset or gain a favor, the inherent difficulty level of such actions are reduced by one difficulty level.

Resist Domination (w): due to his considerable stint as a mind controlled Soviet operative, James' mind was modified by SHIELD science to better resist manipulation in the future. As a result of this work, effects of this type function at an increased difficulty on him.

Shields (s): though he's not the expert that Steve Rogers was, James practiced with the man's shield non stop while acting as Captain America for a time. Thanks to this work, he may now wield the shield in either an offensive or defensive fashion, as circumstances dictate.

Survival (w): left to his own devices at a very early age in various Army bases, James has learned how to get by all by himself. He can easily scrounge up enough food, water or shelter to not only get by but to thrive, regardless of the environment he finds himself stuck in.

Thrown Weapons (a): in addition to being proficient with most firearms, James can throw objects at people with deadly effect. Whenever he's flinging a weapon designed to be thrown (daggers, grenades, etc...), James may do so at one difficulty level lower than is usually necessary.

Contacts:

James was Captain America's partner for several years during World War II. During this time, he gained innumerable contacts in heroic circles including his fellow Invaders, the Liberty Legion, the Kid Commandos, and the Young Allies. He also had several Army contacts he can rely on.

But that was then.

Having lost that life when he was captured and reprogrammed into the Winter Soldier by Soviet operatives, James' existence has consisted of short bursts of activity followed by long years of cryogenic stasis, which meant he made few friends besides the Black Widow.

After recovering his mind, James was quickly chosen to replace Steve Rogers as Captain America upon his seeming death, during which time he met many of the country's current super heroes - and rapidly earned the respect of the Avengers, who he worked with for a time.

Having seemingly died again, at least as far as the world at large is concerned, James has few contacts he can rely on. Those who would aid him if asked include those who know he didn't really die, including Captain America, the Black Widow, and of course Nick Fury.

Calling:

Youthful Exuberance, then Idealist, then Soldier, then Repentant: when he first started on as Captain America's side kick, James performed his missions with a wide-eyed enthusiasm. However, this quickly evolved into a more mature, idealistic pride in his nation and what it represents.

After he was revived by the KGB however, James was primarily a Soldier in motivation, a brainwashed drone of sorts who mercilessly did what he was told. Now that his memories have returned, James has become Repentant, ashamed of the terrible things he has done over the years.

Costume:

James' first costume consisted of a blue button-up tunic with a red collar and buttons, red flared gloves, red leggings under blue shorts, a black leather belt with a 'flag' belt buckle, blue Cavalier boots, and a black domino mask. This, of course, when he wasn't working under cover.

As the eleventh Captain America, James wore black trousers, black leather boots, red leather gloves, a black belt with various holsters and pouches connected, and a black shirt with a red, white and blue metallic covering that honored the original Cap's look.

As the Winter Soldier, James wears a black leather vest with a star on the left breast over a deep blue, sleeveless T-shirt, blue stretch pants, black leather boots, various black leather straps to hold his gear, a black domino mask, and a star etched onto his robotic arm.

Personality:

A true hero at heart, James is horrified by the things he was forced to do by the Soviets. This has tempered his former, upbeat sensibilities, but he's come to terms with his past somewhat, having made great pains to rectify much of the chaos he caused while brainwashed.

Real Name: James Buchanan Barnes
Occupation: adventurer, Army mascot
Legal Status: American citizen with a criminal record, legally deceased (again, for the moment)
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: former member of the New Avengers, former member of the Invaders, former Kid Commando, former Crazy Sue, former member of the Young Allies

Height: 5' 9"
Hair: auburn
Eyes: brown
Weight: 260 lbs. (cybernetics and all that)
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: James has a chromed out artificial left arm, adorned with a red star on the tricep. He doesn't always disguise it as a normal limb, and when he doesn't this really stands out.

Story:

James Buchanan Barnes was born in 1927 to a military family.

His mother died at a very early age, while his father was killed in an accident during his basic training. James was then separated from his sister and became a ward of the state, and remained on at Camp LeHigh as something of a base mascot.

In this curious 'home' environment, James picked up a variety of skills, both savory and otherwise, that would prove to serve him well in the future. A consummate con man, James had a tendency to help his friends get non-requisition supplies, or swindle others out of the same.

One night he discovered his friend, Steve Rogers donning the uniform of Captain America, rumors of which had been circulating around the area of late. Half blackmailing and half sweet-talking Rogers, James got the man to agree to let him be his 'partner in crime'.

Once this arrangement had been reached, James received lots of formal training, not just the sort of slap-dash 'jack of all trades' business he'd been collecting over the last few years. Properly skilled in military combat and intelligence techniques, James became very dangerous.

This skill set proved more than useful as Captain America's partner, and the duo inflicted a serious amount of damage to the forces of Evil - whether they were Nazis or independent - for quite some time. While Cap was the duo's 'public face', James took care of various 'wet works'.

An efficient trouble shooter (and trouble maker), James was proficient enough in battle that Captain America brought him along when he joined up with Namor, the Human Torch and Toro to form the Invaders, a group of super-humans dedicated to stamping out the Nazi scourge.

This wasn't James' only team, though. A member of the Young Allies and the Kid Commandos, James was a driving force in both of these groups, and he even formed the Liberty Legion when the Invaders were captured and mind controlled by the Red Skull once.

Throughout the war, James facilitated missions for either Captain America alone, the Invaders as a whole, and even other heroes now and then. And this was just fine with James, as he had no problem getting his hands dirty to stymie Nazis and their co-conspirators.

Things changed in early 1945, however, when James and Steve had to act fast to prevent Baron Zemo from attacking America with a stolen drone, one armed with an explosive device. Catching up with it as it launched on their motorcycles, the duo attempted to disarm it while in flight.

This did not go well, and the drone plane exploded over the Arctic Circle. While Captain America was put in suspended animation thanks to his super soldier serum, James was killed by the extreme cold - not to mention blood loss caused by the loss of his arm in the explosion above.

While he was in fact deceased, James' story didn't end. This is because his body was recovered by Vasily Karpov's submarine, and taken to Soviet authorities shortly thereafter. They then resuscitated James' body, though he suffered severe brain damage from his ordeal.

Inspecting James' body, the Soviets couldn't find any trace of the Super Soldier Serum in his body, so they simply put him on ice for a time. Though James couldn't remember his former life, he still retained most of his reflexive skills. As such, the Soviets decided to use him.

Subjecting him to intense brainwashing, the Soviets turned James into a potent assassin for the KGB, made even more dangerous with the cybernetic arm he'd been given to replace the limb he'd lost back in '45. And James was frighteningly good at the task he was given.

Placed in stasis when not needed, as he was beginning to recall his past life despite his conditioning, James was eventually forgotten when Kaprov died, only to be found decades later by Kaprov's protege, General Alexander Lukin, who went rogue when the USSR fell.

Knowing that the Red Skull possessed the Cosmic Cube, Lukin reactivated James and sent him after the villain. James killed the Skull and seized the Cube, and continued on in Lukin's service until his true identity was discovered by Captain America himself.

Eventually gaining control of the Cube, Captain America used it to restore James' memories in full, at which point he was immediately overcome with grief and remorse regarding his many heinous actions under Soviets control. Turning against Lukin, James then went underground.

After a few conflicts with other super-humans, James resurfaced as the right hand of Nick Fury, who himself was in hiding after involvement in some 'Secret War' that he had engineered. Since Fury himself was on the outs with SHIELD at the moment, this was rather 'unofficial'.

All of this changed, however, with Captain America's seeming death. When his former partner was assassinated after the super hero Civil War, James became bent on bringing the true killer to justice. As such, he sought out the Red Skull, knowing that villain was behind it all.

At the same time, he blamed Tony Stark for Steve's demise, and had a special place on his 'list' for the man as well. When SHIELD captured him in the wake of his latest operation against the Skull, James broke out and went after Stark on his own heli-carrier, and the two had quite a fight.

Though he seemed ready to kill the man, James nonetheless listened to reason when the man mentioned a letter he'd received from Captain America after his death, a 'just in case' kind of thing. Reading it, he and Tony started discussing the future, and the Captain's legacy.

Discovering that Steve wanted him to assume his role in the event that he died, James reluctantly agreed to do so, and designed an all new uniform with Tony's help. While he could live with honoring Steve and his role, James was completely unwilling to wear his costume.

Assuming his partner's old identity, James began to unravel the Red Skull's plot to destroy America, and ultimately managed to defeat that villain with the aid of the Falcon, the Black Widow, and Agent 13 (fighting her own brainwashing all the while).

With his minions scattered and the Red Skull himself seemingly dead (though his mind had been transferred into one of Zola's robots), James grew more comfortable in the role of Captain America, and began to act more publicly once people realized that Captain America was back.

James eventually joined up with the Avengers, though he opted not to lead them. And in time, when Steve proved he wasn't dead so much as lost in time (or something), he stayed on as Captain America - at least, until he was himself seemingly killed by the Red Skull's daughter, Sin.

This proved to be something of a blessing in disguise, for James' dark history had been made public by his enemies, who were waging something of a public relations battle against him. But, with everyone thinking he was dead, James was free to clean up his messes under the radar.

Resuming his Winter Soldier identity on his own terms, James has done his best to sort out his past, with the help of the Black Widow - who he has had an on again, off again relationship with over the years. And so far, he's made great progress in this work!

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