//------------------------------//
// Super Soldier Prelude: Tiny Stowaway 
// Story: A New Brand of Freedom 
// by Spettro138 
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After Firebrand's mysterious little display in the lab, the dedicated scientists of the SSR worked tirelessly for two days and nights. They worked on not only Steve's new gear but also to unlock the secrets of Firebrand's abilities and that of his new horseshoes. Unfortunately, just as Howard's predictions stated, most were unable to find out anything useful about the colt. Only that the horseshoes seemed to be tuned in to Firebrand's unique energy signature and they would only respond to his commands.  Science it seemed had not advanced far enough to delve into the secrets of magic and the far reaches of the universe. Howard knew that someday, perhaps if he ever had a son himself, that he could potentially unlock the secrets behind Firebrand and his mysterious origins. 

Two days later, most of Steve's new gadgets and gear had been completed and calibrated just the entire intelligence department became all abuzz with news of a new Hydra threat that had surfaced in Allied army territory. Firebrand had to stay up on Steve's shoulders just to avoid being stepped on by anybody rushing around the building. Steve himself, however, was called into the Colonel's office to receive orders and updates on what he should do next. Firebrand followed along as well, doing his best to keep up with the rather complex conversation.

"We've received intel that Hydra has been spotted behind our lines taking out both Nazis and Allied troops in France."

"Is it Schmitt?" Steve asked hopefully. After what he did to Erskine, Bucky, and Firebrand...

"That snake is probably ordering them around from somewhere else, but as far as our scouts have been able to tell, Schmitt himself hasn't been sighted near the vicinity." the Colonel explained. "However, there is something strange about these sightings."

"What do you mean sir?"

Phillips pulled out a stack of pictures from a folder and dropped them down onto his table for Steve and Firebrand to look at. Most of them were rather blurry and hard to make, but they all contained unusual images of strange-looking men. One of them had a flat head, glowing linear eyes, and long silver claws. Another Appeared to be a massive man in some kind of juggernaut armor holding what appeared to be at first glance a massive flamethrower.

"Those were taken only a few days ago, and if our intel is correct, these came from the closest Hydra base in France."

"Which is thirty or forty miles west from there," Steve concluded thoughtfully.

Steve looked over to his shoulder and watched how inquisitive Firebrand's eyes were as they looked at the photographs, as if he was processing the information like a fully grown adult would be rather than a human baby.

"You catch on pretty quick. Which is why I am planning on sending you on the next available transport plane alongside your new team to take out that Hydra base and get some idea of what we are dealing with over there. We need answers Rodgers and we are sure as hell hoping that you can give them to us. Now gather your gear and your men, who I'm assuming are still hanging out at that seedy Irish pub nearby. Sober or not, we need you to get over to the Maginot Line ASAP."

"Will do Sir," Steve said as he stood up and saluted the Colonel.

An hour later, Steve and Firebrand were called back into the lab where Howard had finally finished Steve's idea request for a uniform. He was quite amused and flattered somewhat by how much of a spectacle the lab had made presenting his uniform for the very first time. He walked in and found all of the scientists lined up by something covered by a large tarp. When Howard finished his small speech about how appreciative they were of the two and the many accomplishments they were sure to have thanks to their gear, he dramatically pulled off the tarp, revealing a giant upright glass display case. 

Inside the case was the suit he had requested, which was indeed much like his own stage outfit, except more military appropriate. The blue accents were darkened to blend in better with the night, the star on his back was turned into a flexible plate of armor for added protection, his helmet carrying the initial of his new title Captain America was made into a more battle-ready helmet, and his gloves and boots were given steel knuckles and toes for added damage and protection from enemies. Underneath, the suit was insulated with a special cooling carbon fiber gel layered with high-quality wool for added protection against the elements.

Steve noticed how excited Firebrand was to see him put on the suit and wondered how long it would be before Firebrand would want a suit of his own.

After a few handshakes and congratulatory compliments from members of the staff present at the SSR, Steve grabbed his new utility belt and his new uniform and proceeded to put them on in a nearby washroom. He was finally fully ready to go off on his first official mission as Captain America and fulfill the promise he had made to the late Dr. Erskine. There was only one thing he remembered that he had to deal with as he began walking towards the exit of the Intelligence office and off to pick up his new squad. And he was certain that a certain blonde-maned, red-furred colt would not like what he had to say to him.

Pulling Firebrand off to the side, he began to explain the situation delicately to the colt as best as he could.

"Listen, little buddy, where I'm going is not a place for little colts. I'm gonna need you to stay here with ahem Mommy and Uncle Howard for a while." Steve tried to explain.

"You're going away again daddy?" Firebrand asked with tears welling up in his eyes. "But I want to go with you!"

"I know you do," he chuckled. "But I love you little buddy and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I want to come! I wanna help!" he mewed out. 

"No Firebrand," Steve said firmly. "There are just things out there that a little guy that's as young as you just can't handle. You will understand what I mean someday. Now go back to Uncle Howard, I'm sure he would be glad to take care of you until I get back."

Steve felt bad as he watched Firebrand with his head sunk low, forlornly walk back down the hall back to where the living quarters were. Before he turned the corner, he could have sworn that he heard Firebrand begin to cry.

'I like the little guy a lot. I've grown fond of him in a really short time, but I can't risk him getting hurt on one of these missions. Schmitt is still looking for him and I don't want to know what would happen if that bastard ever got his mitts on the little guy."

As Steve started walking out onto the street, he realized he had forgotten something important. 

'My duffel bag!" he thought frantically. "The Colonel would have my hide if I forgot that!"

Running back inside, he made his way back to the living quarters where he had been sleeping for the past few days. He was 
quite surprised to find that Firebrand wasn't there curled up under the covers.

'Must have gone to Peggy or Stark to help them' he thought with a sad smile. 'Peggy will be great company for the little guy, I'm sure of it. Stark will probably try some new weird experiment on him.'

Looking around the room, he found his duffel bag under the bed where he put it and took it with him, letting the strap hang over his shoulder. He was slightly surprised to feel it have some extra weight but figured at the time that it had to have been Howard giving him extra gear to assist him on missions.

Running to the nearest phone, he had the operator dial the pub that Bucky and the rest of his friends were occupying. Bucky answered almost immediately as he told them to suit up and meet him at the landing strip where the transport plane was scheduled to pick them up. Before he left the base, he was informed by one of the scientists working under Howard that his equipment would be delivered immediately to the plane before it takes off.  

As he finally left the base and had two SSR members transport him to the landing strip, he felt like he was missing something important. Feeling the new magnetic harness that was to be worn beneath his new shield, Steve started to feel somewhat sad without the little colt hanging off his back. He had grown quite used to the colt and feeling the added extra weight on his back. It had become something of a comforting feeling to him knowing that he was not the only strange individual in the world of his caliber. For now, though, he convinced himself that he needed to focus on the task at hand if he was going to stay alive.

Little did he know that as his escort slowly but surely made his way back to the landing strip on the other side of London, a certain pony had found a way to come with him after all and make his new mission that much more easy for him to accomplish. 

Unfortunately, none of them could have known how formidable their adversary was going to be...

Next Time: Super Soldier: France