A/N: Woooooo! An actual chapter. Enjoy lol
Disclaimer: Yeah, still don't own DC or Mortal Kombat.
Time Traveler
Belgium, 1918...Nyoom! That's all he could hear. Well, outside the rumble of the bomber's engines. He shook his head at the noise, regaining focus as he drew his M1911 and took aim, the gas canisters in the drop bay illuminated by a few hanging lights that ran along a catwalk. Taking a deep breath, he fired his weapon. Then everything went black as something red came charging at him.
Boom!
A.R.G.U.S. Headquarters, 2055…
A man in a red leotard made of spandex came running into existence, as he stopped in the middle of an empty bay filled with two other people. In his arms, he carried another man dressed in a German Officer uniform dating back to the first World War.
"Good work, Flash. Get him to medical and we'll have him looked over. Better see if he's good to go," A man dressed in a blue Air Force dress uniform said.
"No problem-o, General. I'm sure that Diana will be beyond stoked to see Steve, it's been over a hundred years since she last saw him," the man in red said, a smile on his face as he still held what seemed to be a German Officer.
"Under no circumstance, is Diana to catch wind that we've managed to bring back Steve Trevor. It'll hinder his focus on the mission we're gonna need him for." The second man said, this one being dressed in a black suit.
The man in red frowned, "You're a party pooper, Bruce. Why can't we tell her, at least?"
"Barry..Diana even knowing would cause complications. Such complications we don't want or need for this operation. You know how she is, she'll go following him the second we send him out." The man identified as Bruce, said. The man in red, now known as Barry, just shook his head some as his frown deepened. He didn't seem to like that answer.
"Just..Why couldn't we use someone else if the one person he'd know, he can't even see? Much less, the guy having to play catch up on over one hundred years of tech." The man in his arms stirred.
"They don't make spies like they used to, Barry. No offense, General."
"None taken, Mister Wayne." The General said, an amused grin on his lips.
"In all seriousness, Barry…Captain Trevor is probably our best bet. His record is outstanding. Marvelous, even. The man was the second serviceman to receive the United States Distinguished Service Cross, post mortem, received the Medal of Honor post mortem, and plenty of other decorations. Not to mention, with how Diana described him..he should play catch up pretty quick. He's also one of the very few that can utilize the augments."
"I get it, I get it…It's just..what if Diana finds out about him and knew we were hiding him from her? What then?"
"We'll cross that road when we get there. Now get him to medical, he's starting to wake up. General, I believe we have more to discuss?"
"Of course, Mister Wayne. After you," The General said, motioning for Bruce to take the lead as Bruce offered a polite smile and nodded. With the clicks of their dress shoes hitting the marble floor as they walked off, Barry just kept his frown as he took the man to medical.
His journey was unobstructed, as it was late in the night. Around eleven PM local time. The only people left at headquarters, were the data moles and a few others pulling late shifts to wrap up a few things. Barry made sure to take the quickest route, as he entered the medical bay which screamed perfect and clean with it's bright white tile walls and flooring. Setting Steve down on a medical bed, one of the personnel assigned there came walking over and glanced over Steve, "This the subject?"
"Uh, yeah. His name is Steve too, he's not a subject. From what Diana said, he likes ice cream just as much as she does."
"Who's Diana?"
"Forget it. Just look him over."
The Doctor just shrugged, glancing over him once more as she lifted up his shirt and found no injuries or anything of the like. Waiting for him to wake up, she stood there next to Barry as he finally began to stir once more before waking up.
"W-where am I..? Why is it so bright? Where's Diana? Why am I not dead?" Steve seemed so confused, looking around as he quickly tried to find out where he was, "Who are you guys!?"
"Calm down, Steve. The Doc here, is gonna look ya over. I'll explain some things once you're good to go. Until then, listen to what she asks of you."
"I-uh..sure..Fuckin' hell," Steve said, shaking his head as he rubbed his face.
The Doctor pulled out a few instruments, performing various basic checkup procedures before passing him off with a clean bill of health. It would be a moment before she filed all the paperwork, the Doctor having to clear out a few things before tossing Barry a set of keys and a key card, "Mister Wayne and the Director told me to give these to you. Room keys and locker keys for Steve, there."
"Sweet! Thanks, Doc. C'mon, Steve. Time to get you up to speed." Barry said, flashing a grin as he caught the keys and key card.
With a huff, Steve got up and off the bed as he dusted off the uniform he wore. Barry would begin to lead the two of them out of the medical center, Steve walking next to him as Barry hummed.
"Where are we headin'?" Steve asked, raising a brow at Barry.
"Command center. Bruce and the General said that they'd update you on some things there."
"I'm gonna pretend that I understood what you said there, guy."
"Shoot! Never told you my name, it's Barry by the way. Barry Allen. Most people know me as the Flash, though. I already know your name, Steve. Your middle name is Rockwell..right? Forgot what it said in that top secret little file of yours." Barry smiled at Steve, as Steve was just lost. He was a man out of time, a fish out of water. Was this how Diana felt when he had brought her into Man's World for the first time? Was she even still alive? All of these were questions that Steve had but knew he probably wouldn't get the answer to.
Steve just sighed, rubbing his face again as he said, "Yes. It's Rockwell."
"Awesome." Noticing the sad look across Steve's face, Barry frowned as he said, "Cheer up, Steve! No good being mopey. Otherwise you'll dress up in a bat onesie."
Steve just tried not to understand what Barry was saying, still processing that he wasn't dead when he knew he should've been.
"Little bit more, and we're at the Command Center. Just try and cheer up a little bit..alright? Seriously, it'll help."
Steve just remained quiet, not saying a word as they kept walking. After a few more minutes, they rounded a corner and entered a room filled with various screens and such filled with data. Bruce and the General stood at a holographic display map, with another man present as well.
"Good to see you're in good health, Captain!" The General said with a grin, as Steve immediately snapped to and saluted. Even with the Air Force not being a branch of Steve's time, he knew the stars of a four star General on any uniform, "At ease. Come join us at the table, we have much to discuss."
Nodding, Steve followed Barry to the table as they all stood around it before introductions were made. The new man turned out to be the Director of ARGUS, who was named Andrew West. A former Navy SEAL and CIA operative for the Special Activities Division.
"Moving on to the important things: I assume you gathered that this isn't the year nineteen-eighteen, Captain?" The General said, as Steve nodded, "Thought so. The year is twenty-fifty-five. Over a hundred years since you were first marked missing in action, and later KIA. Plenty of things have improved, Captain. But things have also hit the fan, as well. Which is why we brought you into your future, and our present."
"I've already seen plenty of jacked shit already, General. Excuse the language, there." Steve said, his arms crossed.
"I'm well aware, Captain. But allow Mister Wayne here, to fully brief you."
Bruce cleared his voice some before speaking, "As the General has already established, we've brought you forward into time. The Flash here, or Barry as you might know him as, was able to run back in time and retrieve you before the explosion caused by the bomber killed you. The reason we brought you here, is for your unique skill set. Very few have shown what you have, Trevor. Your record backs that. But enough filled, and let's get right into the nitty gritty of what's going on here."
Steve nodded, "Just one thing, if I may ask..If this is the same stretch of time, is a woman by the name of Diana Prince still alive? She's of Greek descen-"
"Not to cut you off, Trevor. But I'm afraid we can't answer that, not at this point in time. Back to the topic at hand, we're gonna send you on an undercover operation. Something hush hush that us in current time, can't do. We're too public, too well known. But you? You're supposed to be dead and died over one hundred years ago, no one will bat an eye at you."
"Whatever you're about to ask, what if I don't agree to do it?" Steve said with a raised brow.
"Does it look like we care if you say no? What will you do?" The Director said.
"Touché. Continue."
"To cut it short, Trevor. We're gonna send you into the metahuman underground. What's a metahuman? Someone who is a human with superpowers slash mutations of some sort."
"But I'm literally just a normal guy. What will I do against a person with laser vision or something akin to that? Not to mention, I'm way outta my element here. Gonna have to play catch up with over one hundred years of technology and history."
"We're gonna get you up to spec with those metahumans, don't worry. As for catch up? It won't be as hard as you think it will."
"Fair enough, when do I start the whole process of getting back into the swing of things?"
Barry looked around before saying, "Now, probably. Maybe after your augmentations. Whichever Bruce and those other two dudes decide."
"After the augmentations. I had Doctor Lockwood get the surgery room all squared away and set up, the procedure should be quick. You'll be knocked out for the whole thing, so don't worry about feeling anything." The Director said, with Bruce and the General nodding.
Steve nodded, wondering what they had in store. It could only help him, right?
"Gentlemen, let's resume the briefing. Yes? Anyways, Trevor. We'll be sending you into the metahuman underground. It's not exactly a pretty place, but what's going on there might be vital to solving a hint slash hunch that we've had for the past year or so. You see, we received word some time ago about an underground revolution. Where metahumans down there, would come up to the surface and strike down innocent civilians and attempt to take over. What you're going to be doing is gathering evidence on this and seeing if it's a hoax or actual event that's either in motion or being planned. If it's a real thing, you'll be tasked with finding the leadership and having them killed by one way or another. Killing is against my code, but it's the only way we can ensure that this won't happen if it's a true event. Prisons and mental institutions will only further spread their influence."
"Where will I be heading?" Steve asked, listening intently. It was too much to take in if he was being honest, but this seemed like something right up his alley.
"You'll be heading up near Chicago in Illinois. That's where the largest pocket is. But keep in mind, not all of them are bad. You'll probably make some allies down there, so don't consider yourself going in alone. But until the mission is complete, do not let anyone outside of this room, know that you're on assignment for ARGUS."
Steve nodded, "I had a buddy who lived up in Chicago, said it wasn't bad."
"Eh, depends on who you ask for today's standards. Anyways, we need to get you squared away so that you'll be prepared for this. General Ticonda here, will be in charge of getting you modern military training. You'll be pushed through a mesh of two years' worth of combat training, ranging from the combat training of Navy SEALs, marksmanship training of Marine Scout Snipers, medical knowledge of Air Force Pararescuemen, and so on and so forth. Barry will be in charge of getting you up to speed with current tech, as I get you sorted with legal documents and Director West gets everything cleared for the operation."
"Two years? But won't I need to be out there as soon as possible? Rebellions don't wait on anyone, if they do happen. I'd be one to know," Steve seemed a little worried at the time frame. With how they were making this sound, a revolution could occur at any moment in time.
"You do. But we won't send you in unprepared. You're training is a little dated, Captain. Whether you like to admit it or not." The General said, chiming in before Bruce could speak.
Steve nodded, "Of course, General."
Bruce cleared his throat, "With that settled, let's get you squared away for the operation. The Director will lead you to the surgical section, the surgery for your augments should only take a few hours."
"With that, I think that's meeting adjourned?" The Director glanced around with a brow raised, as everyone else nodded.
"Any other questions you might have, Steve, we'll get answered as time goes by." Barry said, placing a hand on Steve's shoulder as he gave him a comforting smile. It couldn't have been easy for the Spy, not by a long shot. Jumping from near death to being sent on an undercover operation in over a century in the future? He was amazed that Steve's head hadn't exploded yet. If only he could tell Diana that he was here. Oh how happy she'd be, he could only imagine how big her smile would be at the sight of her lost love. Maybe after the operation, he could. He just had to hope.
As the Director began to speak, Barry was slapped out of his thoughts, "Let's get going, Steve. The surgeon is waitin' for us."
"Right behind you, I guess."
With that, Barry could see Steve walk off with the Director, as his shoulders looked like they carried the burden of a thousand suns.
Steve felt confused. All of these new people..all of this new..everything. Even the floor looked more futuristic compared to back in his day, which said a lot. But as he and the Director walked, he tried not to think too much about it. He had dealt with Gods and Amazonians before, so time travel wasn't as jarring to him as it would be to any other poor soul.
The Director glanced over at Steve, "I know this is a lot to take in, Steve. But what we're gearing you up for, is important."
"Why'd you have to get me specifically? Isn't there some other guy you could've found?"
"In all honesty, probably not. You see, these augmentations we're giving you..they're limited. Very limited. Your specific gene pool makes it to where you're eligible to utilize these without suffering any sort of side effect."
"Oh, lucky me. I guess."
"Lucky you, indeed. Try not to get too excited. But these augments are gonna do wonders. Increased strength, bone density, reaction time, vision. You name it, it'll be better."
Steve raised a brow, his interest peaked, "Huh. All of this just done through a simple surgery?"
"Yup. Not to mention the years of training you'll be given, and you'll be as prepared as you can be. Bruce will be sure to get you some of the best gear available."
"Great, I appreciate it. What'll happen if the revolution happens during my training, though?"
"It can't. Not right now, at least. You see, Chicago is under heavy military restriction. There was a massive terrorist breach two years back, half a block worth of residential area and commercial business was lost in the wake of multiple attacks. Can't get in or out without high clearance, which is why we have the General on board with us. Couldn't get clearance into the city without him. He's also gonna be the lead in getting you trained. Guy has connections across every branch to get you the best military training imaginable. He's also rumored to have connections with the Mossad, an Israeli agency."
"Israeli?" Steve rose a brow at that. Modern day Israel hadn't been a country of his time.
"Nation founded in the mid-nineteen hundreds after the second world war. Yes, there was a second one. More bloody than the one you fought in. But, it was made in the wake of the massacre of the Jewish people, and was recognized as their own state by the United Nations. Which is a conglomerate of the world's leaders." The Director explained, Steve just absorbing all of the information.
"Huh. I'll have to read more into that after this whole augmentation thing."
The Director grinned slightly at Steve's curiosity, "It's an interesting topic."
They would soon come upon the surgical center, as the Director opened up the double doors, Doctor Lockwood stood near the surgical table which held various instruments and the likes. Steve gulped, but swallowed that fear as he walked into the room and towards the table.
"Director. Captain Trevor." Doctor Lockwood said with a nod towards the both of them.
"Evenin' to you too, Doc. I've got Steve here for yah, if you wanna get started."
"I appreciate it, Director. Steve, if you'd get changed for me? There's a medical gown placed for you in the attached bathroom. Try not to linger in there for too long, okay?" Lockwood said, giving a slight tease towards Steve as he just nodded and took the gown to go change, "Isn't he a social one."
"Cut him some slack, Doc. Guy has been through something that probably none of us will ever have to go through."
"At least he's cute. He's in good hands now, Director. So feel free to depart if you have any needs to attend to."
The Director smirked at her words, "Don't get too attached now, Doc. Guy has a lady friend out in the world already."
The Doctor visibly frowned at that, before smirking herself, "Soccer has a goalie, but that doesn't mean one can't score."
"You're insufferable. Just get the guy squared away so that we can begin his training."
"Right away, Director. I promise to not do anything too naughty to the man, while you're away." Lockwood said with a devilish undertone.
"With how old fashioned that guy probably is, you'll be lucky to catch him in his briefs after this."
"Stop bursting my bubble and go away. Let a woman dream."
The Director chuckled before turning to as he left the room, "Dreaming wasn't in the job description, Doc!"
As the Director left, Steve came back into the surgical center in a hospital gown as he was nude outside of that, "Did I miss anything?" He asked.
"Nothing. Now get your toned ass over here so that we can get over this," The Doctor said, grinning internally at the sight before her. Oh how she loved scenes like this. They always reminded her as to why she got into this field.
Shaking his head, Steve nodded and walked over. Laying down on the cool bed, Steve got himself comfortable before sighing as the Doctor looked over him.
"I'm gonna knock yah out real quick, then we'll get started. Okay?" Lockwood prepared the anesthesia, as Steve nodded and closed his eyes. Moments later, Lockwood placed a mask over his mouth as she knocked him out with a concoction of medication as she called in a lieu of medical aides and a few other surgeons as the process began.
The first step was to enhance his vision and brain capacity, as they quickly shaved the sides and back of his head where hair was to the point where there was only skin, leaving the top with hair. After this, they made a small incision on the back of his skull, where they removed part of the bone and placed a biomedical chip into his brain, connecting to his nervous system as the chip would be placed deep within his brain to avoid any damage to the surrounding skull and to the brain itself. There, the chip would enhance his cognitive function and reaction times, as he could learn at rates unprecedented to current humans and would have reaction times so quick, that he could dodge the Flash running at him at normal speed while eating an ice cream cone. Next, they would close up and repair the incision after they made sure the chip was secure. It was patented against degradation or EMP wave attacks, after being tested by the most powerful options available in that department.
As the incision was closed, Doctor Lockwood would grab a needle filled with a special stimulant as she injected it into the tear ducts of both of his eyes while injecting another stimulant into the cone of each eye. These injections would increase his vision past perfection, as he would be able to see in low light conditions perfectly, and could read fine print off of an eleven inch by eight inch flyer from over two hundred meters away. But a side effect would come in to play immediately after, as his blue eyes were now even more blue. So much so, that it looked like they were glowing with the color as they matched the deep sea but with blue lightning bolts running through them.
Next came his enhanced muscles. A series of injections were administered, as they were placed along the length of his body as a growth hormone was activated among immediate use. The hormone would only last for a week or so, but it would lead to another foot in growth as he would stand at around seven feet and two inches after all was said and done.
After the muscle enhancers were applied, it was time to increase his bone density. One of the other surgeons would cut open part of his forearm as a series of injections were made right onto the bone as whatever was in the ejection swept across his entire skeletal system. What came after was a visible metal shine as a combination of graphene, titanium, and tungsten was grafted to his bones. What had been done to his body to graft the metals, was a series of incisions, as the ejection had eradicated a very small percentage of his total bone structure to allow for a paper thin layer of this metal combination to be placed onto his bones. What would result though, was a skeletal system capable of taking a punch from Superman and not breaking immediately upon impact.
Once all of that was done, an experimental cell enhancer was injected into his system. This enhancer would be made to slow his aging and the degradation of his cells. It was how Bruce was still alive and in his current conditions of appearing like how he did in the year following the attack from Steppenwolf.
Soon after, the surgery would be wrapped up, as they made sure everything was all squared away before waking Steve.
It would be hours before Steve would wake up. But when he did, he was in for a treat.
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