As always, I only own Evelyn and anything you do not recognize in association with Marvel and Captain America.
I do want to say thank you for the feedback I am getting. I'm glad you guys have taken a liking to the story. Thank you.
Scientist dressed to the nines in long white coats were milling around the wide open area. A large metal device, that only could be describe as cocoon shaped sat in the middle of it all. Huddled around that were large switchboard machine each displaying something different, each with its own function. No one bothered to glance up as the newcomers entered. Evelyn took a deep breath, steadying herself against being surrounded by all this hi-tech equipment.
"This way dear," Dr. Erskine said gently, walking down a set of metal stairs on the right. Evelyn, not trusting her legs to carry her completely, took hold of the railing that was available. The pair ventured off to another set of double doors as they reached the ground floor. Halfway down the empty hall, they stopped in front of a door. A keypad hung next to it. Removing a tissue from his coat pocket, the doctor entered a code, Evelyn took note of it, and the door swung wide open. The doctor wiped the keypad thoroughly.
"I don't want any prints or oils left, in case they could be duplicated," he explained, leading the way into the room. A desk in the middle and a standard issued army cot directly behind it, was all that made up the room. No personal artifacts, no touch of decoration what so ever. It was colder than any hospital room.
"I understand the situation is not ideal for you," the doctor leaned against the desk with his arms folded. Evelyn stepped further inside and shut the door behind her.
"But what I am about to share with you is extremely dangerous. In fact, you and I are the only ones aware of this. This is a safety measure on your behalf."
"I have a feeling this goes beyond just the Hitler and the Germans invading countries," Evelyn said walking around and sitting on the bed. It groaned in protest at the sudden weight. The doctor sat in the desk chair and eyed her carefully.
"That is correct. This has everything to do with Hydra."
"What is Hydra?"
"Hydra is the research division for Hitler, much like us. It is led by a brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt, who is also a member of the inner circle. Both he and Hitler share a passion for occult per and the Teutonic myth. While Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers, for Schmidt, it is not fantasy. For him, it is in fact, very real. He has become convinced that there is a great power hidden in the earth left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist. Schmidt must become that superior man."
Evelyn listened with rapt attention. Her elbows sat on her knees, he face rested in her hands with a look of utter disbelief.
"Did it make him stronger," she whispered. The doctor smiled ruefully and adjusted his glasses before continuing.
"Yes. Among other things as well, there were other effects. The serum was not ready. But more importantly, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside so good becomes great. Bad becomes worse."
"That's why you chose Steve, isn't it?"
He nodded with a guilty smile. He continued to speak, "A strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows compassion."
"I still don't understand why I am here then, not that I am ungrateful for this of course."
"Who you are as a person, is defined a lot on the company you keep and hold yourself too. I've seen the way you mother him, how you were present at most of Stevens enlisting attempts. You are the first attempt of peacekeeping in your little group. Evelyn, what I have created will change the world, either for the better or worse. This serum I have devised will make super soldiers. But that is not what it is for. It is a means of bringing peace. Administered to the right person, like Steven, will change the world for the better. He cannot do it alone, there is no telling what other threats will arise after this war. This is why I need you. When something happens to me, I need you to carry on my legacy."
Evelyn sat in silence, contemplating it all. Her brow furrowed deeply in thought. Nothing was said between the pair for the longest time. Evelyn sighed, stood and cracked her neck.
"How do I get started?"
The doctor smiled and retrieved a notebook and passed it off to Evelyn. She took it and flipped it over to the first page.
"I admit that I have lied. The serum is completely perfected. I told you that it wasn't as a means of encouragement to join me, not that you exactly needed it. All you have to do, is memorize it. Afterwards, burn it. We don't want anyone getting their hands on this. That shouldn't be too hard for you, should it?"
"Of course not sir," Evelyn mumbled to engross in the little brown notebook.
"You have only a week before I return with Steven. You will help with the final procedures."
"Will he be okay?"
The doctor turned and stood in the open doorway.
"He'll be better than okay Miss Archer," and he shut the door behind him softly.
With a reassured sigh at her friend's safety, Evelyn dove in headfirst back into the notebook. It was going to be a long week for sure.
Evelyn removed a metal pail and lighter provided from one of the desk drawers. It had been a long week for sure, but she was confidant in her memory. The notebook, everything inside just seems physically impossible. To actually forcibly alter the human body to its peak condition, and them some seemed nothing short of a fairy tale. After placing the pail on the ground and tossing the book inside, she flicked the large light open. The open flame danced about half an inch high.
"Are you sure you are ready for this," the doctors soft German accent voice startled Evelyn. She found him leaning against the doorframe calmly. She swallowed thickly and nodded.
"Then proceed."
Evelyn knelt down, placing the flame to the tip of a corner of the book. It caught fire slowly and eventually burned into nothing. When she looked back, the doctor was offering her a lab coat of her own.
"It was either this or a nurse's uniform."
"I'm glad you brought the right one," she smiled slipping it over her shoulders. They left together, making sure that the little book was completely destroyed. The exited and found themselves back in the same room with the metal cocoon.
"Your friend should be arriving shortly," the doctor said, descending the small stairs to get close to the machine. He busied himself with checking all of the dials, despite there already being scientist there to do so. Evelyn took note of everyone piling in an observation box above them all. She could make out the face of Senator Brandt, and a few other higher ups. Howard Stark was heading her way. She had met him in her week of solitude passing in the hallways for meals.
"Are we about ready to proceed," he asked grinning wildly. At that moment, the main doors opened. Agent Carter, followed by Steve stopped and looked over the balcony. Everyone stopped and stared. This scrawny little guy was about to become the world's first super soldier. Evelyn offered him a small shy smile. Agent Carter visibly tensed before making her way down to them. Steve followed closely behind. The chatter in the crowed picked back up immediately. It was go time.
"Good morning," Dr. Erskine shook Steve's hand. A flash went off beside them. The doctor looked annoyed briefly at the intrusion and scolded the photographer. Steve turned to the metal cocoon in nothing but pure fear and determination. Evelyn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Are you ready," she asked him. He only nodded dumbly.
"Good," the doctor cut in, "take off your shirt, your tie and your hat." Steve did just that, albeit with a little hesitation and passed them over to Evelyn, who passed them carefully to a waiting nurse. Steve climbed into the waiting machine slowly and eased himself down to a laying position. He breathed deeply.
"Comfortable," Dr. Erskine asked.
Steve laughed uncomfortably. "It's a little big."
The doctor chuckled humorlessly.
"Mr. Stark," Evelyn hollered, "How are your levels?"
"Levels at 100%," he replied coming to stand next to her. He continued speaking, observing Steve closely.
"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn but we are ready as we'll ever be."
"Agent Carter," Dr. Erskine took her shoulder, "Don't you think you would be more comfortable in the booth?"
The woman was visibly nervous, and nothing was happening to her.
"Yes, yes of course. Thank you. "
The doctor only nodded and she took one last long look at Steve. This didn't go unnoticed to Evelyn, who only smiled softly.
Dr. Erskine, now with a microphone in hand, flicked it thrice to make sure it worked properly. Everyone, both in the general vicinity and it the observation booth focused on him.
"Can you hear me? Is this on? Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace."
While he was addressing everyone, Evelyn made her way over and busied herself with the machine. First, the paddles over the patient's chest.
"Are you sure about this Steve, "Evelyn mumbled under her breath. He only nodded. Another set of nurses rolled out a huge container.
"We being with a series of microinjections into the subjects major muscle groups. The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change."
A nurse passed the vials to Evelyn, who placed them in the proper slots on the machine.
"And then, to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-Rays."
Evelyn, after donning a pair of gloves, licked her lips nervously before injecting Steve. Her heart went out to him as he winced in discomfort.
"That wasn't so bad," he breathed.
"That was only penicillin," she replied. He looked up at her in shock. She could only shrug.
"Are we ready," Dr. Erskine approached the two. Evelyn nodded and took a step back.
The doctor spoke loud enough to be heard in the booth, "Serum infusion beginning in five, four…"
Pads on the machine attached themselves to Steve's forearms. Evelyn rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.
"One!"
The serum began to drain into Steve, who wiggled comfortably wincing in pain. The tendons in his neck were prominent as he held back a scream his eyes shooting open.
"Now Mr. Stark," the doctor breathed.
Howard flipped a lever on the switchboard where he stood. Evelyn stepped back to join him as the machine came to life. It sat up and closed the panels on the front and side, hiding away Steve. Only a little window, that you had to be up close to, was the only visual means. Scientist in hazmat suits secured the Vita-Rays to the machine. Dr. Erskine stood on a platform and knocked twice on the metal contraption.
"Steven? Can you hear me?"
He must have got a positive answer before turning and addressing the crowd.
"We will proceed."
Howard stepped to the right and turned a dial all the way. He passed a pair of goggles to Evelyn.
"You're really going to need these," he said before donning a pair of his own and proceeded to turn up the Vita-Ray saturation.
"That's 10%," he announced, continuing to turn the wheel. Evelyn willed herself to breathe normally. The container holding Steve glowed a brilliant white light. She was immensely grateful for the goggles then.
"20%," Howard announce again. He kept turning the wheel. The light continued to get brighter.
"That's 40%"
"Vital signs are normal," someone announced aloud. Evelyn forced herself to remain calm. She knew her friend would be ok.
"50%," Howard screamed again, looking over his shoulder. "60." He continued to turn. The light in the chamber grew even brighter. Dr. Erskine shielded his eyes.
"70!"
An earth shattering scream almost dropped Evelyn to her knees.