Author's Note: What if Steve Rogers wasn't the first super soldier?
~~~
You're walking through a barren underground facility, following the big shots into a lab. Apparently the run down tunnel is supposed to lead into the secret to making you stronger. More capable as most of the men would say.
Agent Peggy Carter walks beside you and, although she doesn't talk to you much, her presence warms you. She shoots you a small smile and you relax, if only slightly. You don't feel alone. Signing up for the war is one thing but being part of an experiment is another. Having a warm body besides you that doesn't look at you with disgust makes it worthwhile. And she's easy on the eyes.
You feel uneasy. You're surrounded by soldiers and scientists, each one of them talking amongst themselves about your fate. Some kept it to leveled whispers while others openly placed bets on what would happen once you all crossed the door at the end of the hall. You had to admit, while the stories and theories were entertaining, they did little to stop your imagination from spiraling down a really dark place.
"Super Soldier" is what you kept hearing from these men. You were to be injected with a serum that was suppose to make you a top notch soldier, an enhanced being who could help lead others. The only problem? The serum wasn't fully done meaning that anything could happen to you.
To put it lightly, you were an overgrown lab rat.
A part of you knew this was a suicide mission while the other part just wanted to prove your worth. You were divided between staying put and following orders or climbing up the ranks in anyway possible. Of course it was a really unattainable goal but, oh boy, did you love to dream big.
~~~
The door begins to appear closer and closer. Before you know it, you are dragged inside and made to strip to your undergarments. While embarrassed, you comply knowing that this was part of the process that was explained to you since day one on the field.
Minor tests are run to make sure you are in good health before shoving you into the machine which resembles an iron casket. They lock you into place by shoving needles into your arms and legs and the door follows soon after. With not so much as a "good luck", you are locked inside and listen to the muffled chatter as the machine powers up.
The needles in your arms are uncomfortable and you want to move but stay put out of fear of dislodging anything. And then it hits you. This feeling of something coursing within you. While a bit unpleasant it isn't an untotally welcome feeling. You feel fresh, renewed.
Then the machine keeps going and going and going and going and going... and you begin to become enveloped in pain that you nearly pass out but will yourself not too. You cannot afford to appear weak and even through quaking limbs, you smile at the thought of being equal to the others.
Finally, the machine stops and the doors creak open. You are met with a blinding light and a waiting audience. They help you out, various arms holding you upright as you adjust making sure you don't fall over. Once they see that you're secure, they step back and begin running tests.
As you ace each and everyone of them, you feel a surge of pride within you. Maybe you will be able to fulfill your dreams after all.
~~~