"The first thing I remember the Sergeant ever saying was how neat aliens are," the Soldier says, more absently than directly, distracted by trying to remember. There's the sensation of sprawling on a chair, musty and threadbare, in a tiny apartment. They recognize that apartment, from the memory on the fire escape with Steve. A book in their hands-- his hands?-- while Steve works on a drawing for an ad.

"There was a book. About a black alien monster? That ate astronauts? Fuck, I don't remember anything else about it." But they don't sound disappointed. It's a new memory, and it's a happy memory, and it's from Before HYDRA. Like the pinky promise with the little girl. No, they're not disappointed, they're smiling.