Captain America - The Last Campaign

by J.D. Finck

Captain America is dying. A conspiracy to unlock the secret of the Super Soldier Serum is achieving what no enemy ever has: the death of America's greatest hero. While fighting to stay alive, Cap must also prepare for his final battle against the Red Skull...with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. *This is based on the comic book Cap*

6. Chapter 6 Top Secret Files

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Classified: TOP SECRET
U.S. Army

File No. 99—745
(Classification re—authorized 4/10/97)

June 12th, 1939
To: General Harlan Rhodes,
4th Army Brigade, Special Projects and Development,
Division Command Center

From: Dr. Wesley Scott
On Site project director
Project: Super Soldier
New Mexico

General,

A few items of concern. First: security. Twice this week our sentries have spotted vehicles driving slowly past the base perimeter. Both times, the vehicles left before security could ascertain their identities or purpose. A six man security team is insufficient to maintain a base of this size. Also, there are reports of strange sounds over the telephone lines. We need stronger safeguards. Second: I request a coding specialist. As it is, one of my people must do it, taking them away from their duties. As for my report; much of the news is bad.

As for my report; much of the news is bad.

Corp. William Beets (army): DECEASED
Pvt. Kenneth Henning (army): DECEASED
Pvt. Spencer Fox (army): PARALYSIS (stable condition)
Pvt. Thomas Pyle (marines): HEART FAILURE (stable condition)
Lt. Andrew Weisman (navy): COMA

Lt. Weisman has been unconscious for three days and is completely unresponsive. Pvt. Fox is showing improvement; while still paralyzed below the waist, he is regaining sensation in his upper body and last night was able to move the fingers of his left hand. Our head physician, Dr. Coty, believes there is a good chance his paralysis may be temporary. Pvt. Pyle suffered congestive heart failure but is in stable condition and is expected to recover.

As for the remainder of the test subjects:

Capt. Guy Hesston (army): NEGATIVE RESPONSE
Corp. Will Sturgis (army): NEGATIVE RESPONSE
Pvt. Aaron Widener (army): NEGATIVE RESPONSE

All three men exhibited nausea after the procedure, which may have been due to stress, but otherwise, show no effects from the serum. The good news (I hesitate to use the term with so much having gone wrong):

Cdt. James Barnes (West Point): INCONCLUSIVE

Cdt. Barnes is the youngest test subject (18 yrs.). Like the men who died or became ill, Barnes suffered loss of consciousness, fever and convulsions. He regained consciousness within ten hours, showing no ill-effects. There are signs of physical improvement, but too moderate to be conclusive at this time.

Steven Rogers (civilian): POSITIVE RESPONSE

Rogers was the least physically fit test subject. He had slight paralysis in his left leg (cause: poliomyelitis), and was 30% under his ideal weight. Upon taking the serum, Rogers suffered the same effects as Cdt. Barnes - only in his case, the improvement has been dramatic:

At date of admission - As of today

Height: 5' 9" - 6' 4 1/2"

Weight: 137 lbs - 235 lbs

Eye Sight: 20/40 - 20/15 (exceeded test apparatus)

Hearing: 6.6 army scale (average) 10.0 army scale (exceeded test)

These changes occurred in a period of 42 HOURS, far exceeding our projections. The increase in sensory perception was unanticipated. The growth in bone and muscle tissue is without precedent. Rogers is on an ultra-high calorie diet (including a glucose IV) to keep pace with his growth. Although still weakened from the shock to his system, he exhibits an exponential increase in physical strength and reflexes. Dr. Erskine projects that by next week Rogers will pass beyond mere enhancement, and will become a "Super Soldier" in fact, as well as in name.

There are even more astonishing changes. Rogers exhibits no signs of polio - not merely free of symptoms, but of the virus. I urge caution when reporting to the President: it is too early to label the serum a cure. More testing is required. Rogers bore a 6 inch scar on his lower right abdomen (appendectomy). Not only is the scar gone, he has completely regenerated his appendix. Dr. Erskine can offer no medical explanation. These occurrences are outside the parameters of his serum, further proof we are in uncharted waters.

Rogers appears to be a most successful test subject. However, with two men dead and three others seriously ill, we must suspend testing until the serum is safe for human trial. I recommend transferring the men to the alternate facility in California, to avoid impacting morale when they learn of the deaths. Dr. Erskine concurs with this course of action.

Dr. Wesley Scott,
Project Director