Milly Taylor

Agent **Mildred Marilyn "Milly" Taylor** was one of the most prominent agents of the Strategic Scientific Reserve during and after World War II and one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. Taylor was recruited by the SSR, formed to stop HYDRA, in 1942. Alongside her friend and ally, Peggy Carter, she was able to save Abraham Erskine from Johann Schmidt. The success of their mission enabled the SSR to start Project Rebirth and develop their Super Soldier Serum. Taylor located the first candidate, it being her childhood best friend, Steve Rogers.

In 1943, after the abrupt end of Project Rebirth and Rogers' transformation, Taylor assisted him in becoming the world's first superhero. It was at this time she fell in love with Bucky Barnes, the third member of she and Steve's trio, and became engaged. After the presumed death of Barnes, Taylor used all her energy to defeat HYDRA and gain revenge. After the disappearance of Rogers, she briefly fought till the end of the war before going off with the Howling Commandos in solitude. In 1947, she came back to the United States and starred in a few of Howard Stark's motion pictures, while aiding Carter in her mission with the Zero Matter.

She helped Howard Stark, Carter and Chester Phillips founded the new peacekeeping organization, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, better know as S.H.I.E.L.D. Taylor eventually married Stark. They worked together to recreate the serum, but before they could finish, their lab was blown up with Taylor inside granting her superhuman strength. Stark and Taylor later had a daughter, Emma. In 1958, when they discovered Taylor would age at a slow rate due to the accident, she and her daughter went on the run. Carter and Stark deleted all information on her and she became known as **Agent 01**.

After being on the run for almost 60 years, Taylor met Honey Crawford and her little brother Cry in 2014, before Steve Rogers found out she was still alive. Rogers recruited her and Natasha Romanoff to maintain peace against the Winter Soldier. Taylor then discovered that HYDRA had secretly been operating within S.H.I.E.L.D. and that they were planning Project Insight. She also learned that the Winter Soldier was her old fiancée Bucky Barnes, operating as the brainwashed assassin. Alongside Romanoff, Rogers, Maria Hill, Emma, the Crawfords, and Falcon, Taylor ended the HYDRA Uprising. As the immediate threat of HYDRA was quelled, Taylor embarked on a journey across the world to locate Barnes.

Two years later, she eventually located Barnes in Romania where she started to get to know him again, and get her Bucky back. But when Rogers showed up and after a fight with Black Panther, they were captured. Taylor fought on Captain America's side in the Avengers Civil War. They learned that Helmut Zemo framed Barnes and reactivated his brainwashing so that Zemo could reveal that Barnes murdered Howard and Maria Stark. Taylor fought against Stark for the safety of Bucky. After the fight, she and Bucky were given amnesty in Wakanda by T'Challa. During this time and after Bucky was relieved of the brainwashing, the two got married and had a daughter who they named Margaret Sarah Barnes, Margo for short.

However as Thanos had attempted to kill Vision for the Mind Stone, she and Barnes returned to combat to stop him. However they were unsuccessful. Taylor was subsequently disintegrated as Thanos eliminated half of all life in the universe. In 2023, Taylor was resurrected by the Hulk and then participated in the final battle against Thanos' forces. After Barnes and Taylor were finally reunited with their now six year old daughter, and Emma. They both bid Rogers farewell, knowing of his true intention to travel back in time to live with Peggy. Taylor then witnessed Rogers, as a much older man, return home in order to then choose Sam Wilson to pass the shield onto.

## Biography

### Early life

> "Steve made me believe I could do anything. Bucky made me feel strong."
>
> Milly Taylor, Captain America: The Winter Soldier

#### Meeting Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes

Mildred Marilyn Taylor was born on 31 April, 1921 to Thomas and Marilyn Taylor in Brooklyn, New York City. Taylor had two youngers siblings, Florence and Harry Taylor. At some point during her early life, she met Steve Rogers, a family friend. Later, the two would befriend Bucky Barnes, a little older guy who had their back. As a teenager, Taylor was scrawny, but bossy. She would often find herself in brawls with older and bigger guys, where she couldn't win. Luckily, she had Bucky who always stood up for her.

Growing up, Taylor came into trouble when people would discriminate her in regards to her skin color. Her father had been the highest ranking African-American solider in the US army during the Great War and was respected widely among the higher society. However, amongst the young crowd in Brooklyn her dark skin was frowned upon. This meant that Taylor grew up with a wide sense of respect for herself and who she was, which her father had taught her from a young age.

Taylor attended George Washington High School in Brooklyn from 1935 to 1939, and later New York University from 1940 to 1942, where she studied Biochemistry. During one of the trios trips together, they ended up getting a ride back to Brooklyn on the back of a freezer truck, because thet had used their remaining train money to buy hotdogs, while Barnes had managed to spend three dollars, attempting to win a stuffed bear for Dolores. Another time, the three were at Coney Island, where Barnes convinced Rogers to ride the Cyclone, resulting in Rogers throwing up.

### World War II

#### Recruited by the SSR

The United States of America entered World War II in 1941. All three wanted to join the United States Army to go fight in Europe against the Nazis, so Barnes took it upon himself to train both Rogers and Taylor for the war, at Goldie's Boxing Gym. Rogers, Taylor and Barnes enlisted into the army shortly after. Barnes and Rogers went to a US Recruiting and Induction Center in New York City where Rogers was classified as 4F and rejected from service, but Bucky later enlisted in the Army. Taylor had more difficulties, with being a woman. However, on Christmas Eve of 1941 she was enlisted into the Strategic Scientific Reserve, originally as a Biochemist.

#### Meeting Peggy Carter

Taylor was thrown into the war in early 1942, as she was sent on a mission with SSR Agent Peggy Carter. The two spent a week in the sewers of New York City. The two women quickly got a liking to each other, a friendship that would turn them into partners during the war. She and Peggy also time in the Soviet Union, learning the local dialect which would prevent them from freezing to death.

#### Finding candidates for Project Rebirth

> "It's about the little man, right? I think I know just who you need, Doctor."
> "I don't doubt you for a second, Agent."
>
> Milly Taylor and Abraham Erskine, Captain America: The First Avenger

Taylor met Abraham Erskine later that same year, and helped him finish the Super Soldier Serum. Erskine worked as an advice-giving fatherly figure to the young Taylor. Shortly after, Taylor was made an Agent of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, and was trained by Peggy Carter.

Erskine tasked Taylor with finding him a candidate for Project Rebirth, and Taylor traveled to camps around America in search of the perfect candidate. Ending her search at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, Taylor was disappointed that Bucky Barnes had gotten his orders and left the camp.

Returning to New York City with Howard Stark for a weeks break, Taylor knew who the candidate would be. She and Stark went to lunch together at Slowly Shirley where Taylor told Stark about her idea for Steve Rogers to be the candidate. Stark was uninterested and would rather get Taylor drunk on cocktails.

Later that evening, Taylor met up with Rogers and Barnes who too was back in New York. There was strain between the friends, since none had talked since Barnes and Taylor's argument months prior. They attended the World of Tomorrow Exposition, with two girls Barnes had brought as his and Rogers' dates. When Stark mentioned Taylor on the stage as he was showing off his new Hovercar, Barnes grew jealous.

Taylor and Barnes soon found Rogers trying to enlist and followed their friend. Taylor spotted Abraham Erskine in the crowd, and motioned to Barnes and Rogers' arguing, as the candidate. When Rogers went to enlist and Taylor was sure Erskine would see to it, she confronted Barnes about the silence between them. Barnes. This turned into a heated argument between the friends, which left Barnes going dancing with his date, and Taylor left at the steps.

Taylor and Erskine would later that night have a long talk about her friendship with Barnes, and Erskine gave her advice on how to handle it. Taylor then went to Barnes' apartment to once again confront him. This time they ended up confessing their love for one another and spending the night together, before being parted from each other the next day.

#### Project Rebirth

After spending a few days at Howard Stark's Mansion, Taylor returned to Camp Lehigh where the candidates for Project Rebirth were being trained. In effort to prove to Chester Phillips that Rogers was the right choice, Taylor threw a dud grenade at the group, which was in the middle of a jumping jack exercise led by Peggy Carter. The candidates all ducked for cover, except for Rogers who jumped over the grenade in order to protect his fellow soldier from the blast, and told everyone to get back.

Proving her point about Rogers' bravery, Phillips finally relented to her and Abraham Erskine, much to his annoyance and their satisfaction. That evening, Taylor visited Rogers in the barracks. Rogers was shocked to see his friend in uniform and as an Agent, but asked no questions. Taylor explained the project and that Rogers would became their first experiment.

Howard Stark and Taylor arrived at Project Rebirth together, awaiting Rogers and Carter who would arrive later. Taylor helped Erskine prep the room, before Rogers arrived and she and Carter go to the observation chamber, where Taylor was introduced to Senator Brandt.

Once Rogers was strapped into the Vita-Ray Chamber, Erskine gave a short speech to Phillips and all the other people watching, about how exactly Project Rebirth would work and what their procedure entailed, promising this would be the first step towards peace during World War II. They observed Rogers being injected with the Super Soldier Serum. Erskine then ordered Stark to activate the machine which lifted Rogers before dosing him with Vita Radiation. Taylor witnessed how Rogers was injected with the Super Soldier Serum. During the procedure, Rogers began to scream in pain; Carter ordered Erskine and Stark to stop the procedure, but Rogers insisted he could finish the procedure. Eventually, the experiment was complete and Rogers finally emerged from their experiment with a greatly enhanced physique.

Taylor and Carter emerged from the deck to greet the new Rogers. He had successfully transformed, growing over a foot in height and gaining incredible muscle mass. Taylor cheered with Stark over their success, while everyone around them congratulated them. Stark even gave her a kiss on the cheek, which she greatly reciprocated.

#### Assassination of Abraham Erskine

Amidst their joy however, one the guests, Heinz Kruger, detonated a bomb, destroying much of the lab. Kruger then shot and killed Abraham Erskine before making his escape. Both Taylor and Carter shot at the thief, Carter managing to shoot him in the arm before he left the lab. Instead of pursuing the thief, Taylor raced to Erskine's side to be with him in his final moments. She promised him that his work wasn't done in vain, and that they would win the war on his behalf.

Following his assassination, Taylor was the only person with knowledge on how to recreate the Super Soldier Serum. When Kruger killed himself with a cyanide pill and destroyed the last vial of serum, Taylor was officially the only link to the serum. Finding Howard Stark still working on the Fieser Dorsch, Taylor explained that HYDRA was the Nazi deep science division that was led by Johann Schmidt. As Colonel Chester Phillips had noted that HYDRA has bigger ambitions and that the Strategic Scientific Reserve had been retasked, Taylor tried to ask what Phillips was doing but he declined her assists and told her to pack her bag to fly over to London as well as Carter and Rogers. Taylor then listened on as Rogers tried to convince Phillips to allow him to serve, but Phillips refused. Carter then witnessed Senator Brandt offering Rogers a chance to serve his country

#### Back to Work

> "You always said you wanted to learn how to fly a plane. Could there be a better time than now?."
> "Damn straight."
>
> Howard Stark and Milly Taylor, Captain America: The First Avenger

Taylor was reunited with William Cox, training combat with him. They discussed Abraham Erskine, HYDRA, Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers and the war. Cox was able to defeat Taylor when she showed a moments weakness. He gave her a lesson about showing weakness, and always being ready to fight.

Colonel Chester Phillips showed up, letting Taylor and Cox know they were to travel to Italy to meet up with Peggy Carter and Howard Stark. Once reunited, they were set to work with salvaging what was left of the 107th Infantry Regiment. Knowing that it was Bucky Barnes' regiment, Taylor immediately sought to find out if he was alive. To her dread, she was informed by Phillips that he believed the name had been among those deceased. Taylor, however, did not believe Barnes was dead, feeling like she would know if he was. Phillips tasked her with helping with the condolence papers.

Soon enough Steve Rogers, now known as "Captain America", showed up wanting to know the same as Taylor had. Rogers looked to Taylor for an answer, who just shook her head in response. Rogers demanded to know what rescue mission was taking place, but Phillips confirmed none was planned as it had been deemed far too dangerous and would risk the lives of even more soldiers.

Although Phillips seemingly confirmed Barnes as K.I.A., Rogers had refused to believe that Bucky was dead and stole weapons and some equipment, including his shield, in an attempt to drive to the HYDRA base and find him. Taylor and Carter begged Rogers to let them aid him, and together with Howard Stark they were able to help Rogers get to his destination at the secret HYDRA base in Austria where war prisoners were held. Taylor flew as Stark's co-pilot for the first time, and learned the ropes of flying a plane. During the journey, Stark asked both Carter and Taylor about stopping in Fontaine for some fondue. The plane was soon fired upon by enemy guns, so Rogers leaped from the plane while Stark and Taylor kept the plane at bay to fly away. She and Carter quickly discussed the odds of his survival, and deemed them slim. However they both had faith that he'd bring the soldiers home.

#### Liberation of Allied Prisoners of War

After a few days, Rogers hadn't returned from Austria, and had failed to call for Carter for help. This led to Chester Phillips deeming him killed in action. Phillips was furious with the two agents who'd aided him, telling them they were neither rich or a weapons contractor like Howard Stark, they both said they had no regrets and neither did Rogers. Phillips informed Taylor that Stark had protect her from being fired.

But before he could punish them for their part in Rogers' death, Rogers returned with over four hundred rescued soldiers. Taylor spotted Bucky Barnes and immediately jumped into his arms. Barnes gave her a chaste kiss on the lips, to the shock and excitement of Rogers, who just told them he was happy for them. Barnes then called for all the people to acknowledge that Captain America was a hero and every soldier cheered and applauded for the man who had saved the prisoners from the clutches of HYDRA and Red Skull.

## Relationships

* Marilyn Taylor † - Mother
* Harry Taylor † - Brother
* Florence Taylor - Sister
* Howard Stark † - Ex-husband
* Bucky Barnes - Husband
* Emma Taylor - Daughter
* Margo Barnes - Daughter

Allies* Strategic Scientific Reserve
	+ Abraham Erskine † - Friend
	+ Peggy Carter † - Best Friend
	+ William Cox † - Friend
	+ Louis Moore † - Friend
* United States Army
* Howling Commandos - Former Teammates
	+ Dum Dum Dugan
	+ James Montgomery Falsworth †
	+ Gabe Jones †
	+ Jim Morita †
	+ Jacques Dernier †
	+ Junior Juniper †
	+ Pinky Pinkerton
	+ Happy Sam Sawyer
* Maria Stark † - Friend
* Ana Jarvis - Friend
* S.H.I.E.L.D.
	+ Chester Phillips † - Former Superior and Co-Founder
	+ Nick Fury
* Avengers
	+ Steve Rogers/Captain America - Best Friend
	+ Tony Stark/Iron Man † - Godson
	+ Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow †
	+ Sam Wilson/Falcon - Friend
	+ Clint Barton/Hawkeye
	+ Anaztazya Oztrovzky/Elementa
	+ Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch
	+ Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver
	+ Scott Lang/Ant-Man
	+ James Rhodes/War Machine
	+ Peter Parker/Spider-Man
	+ Bruce Banner/Hulk - Resurrector
	+ Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel
* Golden Tribe
	+ T'Challa/Black Panther - Former Enemy, Friend
	+ Shuri - Friend
* Dora Milaje
	+ Okoye
	+ Ayo
* Jabari Tribe
	+ M'Baku
* Border Tribe
* Wakandan Royal Guard
* Guardians of the Galaxy
	+ Peter Quill/Star-Lord
	+ Thor
	+ Drax the Destroyer
	+ Rocket Raccoon
	+ Groot
	+ Mantis
	+ Nebula
* Master of the Mystic Arts
	+ Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange
	+ Wong
* Brunnhilde/Valkyrie
* Pepper Potts
* Hope Van Dyne/Wasp
	+ Adolf Hitler †
* Schutzstaffel
* HYDRA
	+ Johann Schmidt/Red Skull
	+ Arnim Zola †
	+ Heinz Kruger †
* Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian - Rival
* GSG 9 - Situational Enemies
* Joint Counter Terrorist Centre - Situational Enemies
* Helmut Zemo
* ISIS
* Black Order
	+ Corvus Glaive † - Attempted Killer
	+ Proxima Midnight † - Attempted Killer
	+ Cull Obsidian †
* Outriders
* Thanos †
* Phyllis Jenkins (alternate timeline)
* Chester (alternate timeline)
* Thanos † (time-traveled version from 2014) - Attempted Victim and Attempted Killer
* Nebula † (time-traveled version from 2014)
* Black Order (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Ebony Maw † (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Cull Obsidian † (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Proxima Midnight † (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Corvus Glaive † (time-traveled version from 2014)
* Chitauri (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Leviathans (time-traveled version from 2014)
	+ Chitauri Gorillas (time-traveled version from 2014)
* Outriders (time-traveled version from 2014)
* Sakaarans (time-traveled version from 2014)