Author's Note: It's been a month that I actually update on this. Here's some few things that I want to say:
1. First is that last month, I have finally watched 'The Avengers' and it's one of the top contenders for biggest movie of the year! It has a simple story, but it has lots of action and stuff! 'The Dark Knight Rises' and 'Skyfall' is next on my list.
2. There are a few changes to be made. I better divide the Cap flashback story (based on 'Captain America: The First Avenger') into two parts because it seems that it's longer than I expected; it's 9,000 words! Don't worry, I'm currently working on the 2nd part. I decided not to put 'The Avengers' flashback in order to not to spoil for those who never watched the film. Maybe another fanfic of sorts, but who knows what the outcome will be.
So enjoy this new chapter!
Black Rock Shooter belongs to Huke
Captain America belongs to Marvel Entertainment
It was almost 6:00 in the evening. The sun is still setting and there are few stars appearing in the sky. Sharon picked up the bento boxes and returned to the room upstairs and goes on contacting her superiors upon telling on their ongoing mission. Every agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. should daily reports about their progress because the organization needs more intel and other important information. If they have one, they will need it in order to help the organization for future missions and other projects. But Sharon had thoughts on her mind: she had mixed feelings of confusion and astonishment after he heard BRS's story: she was the Otherself of a human girl yet she also lived a normal life in the real world. But the bottom line is, BRS is a good girl at all.
"Hmm, it seems it's good that I left them outside. I can't wait when she will be surprised about Steve's story." Sharon thought.
Steve Rogers and BRS are on the rooftop of the apartment. They sat on the ledge as they overlook the city and the setting sun. The gentle breeze of the wind really helped them to refresh themselves. Now she was done with her own flashback, BRS can't wait any longer to know more about Steve as he began to share his story to her.
Steve turned to BRS. "It seems you are calm on the outside but on the inside, you're impatient and getting giddy."
BRS was surprised a bit. "H-hey! W-what do you mean by that!"
"See, that's what I thought. I even see you blushing right now." Steve chuckled.
"Oh, come on Mr. Rogers! I-I mean, i-it's-"
"Steve." The American recalled his first name to Rock.
"Huh?" Rock turned to him.
"Just call me Steve. It'll be better to call me that."
BRS tried to object. "Hey, here in Japan, we-"
Yet Steve waived. "No, that's fine with me. Honestly, I just want to be your friend. And it's better you know me, personally."
"Oh really." BRS said. "If that is the case then I don't mind. But aside that, I can still call you 'Captain Rogers' or 'Cap' since you are a superior. Am I right?"
"Hm. You're right about that." Steve was taken aback. "Well, it all started back… 90 years ago."
When she heard this, she hesitated as she spoke. "Wait a sec! 90 years! B-but how?"
"You have an unbelievable story, yet I also have one. But believe it or not, it's true." Steve told her.
"Well, ok. I guess we're even then." BRS said.
"Now, let's continue." Steve began continuing his story. "I was named Steven Rogers and I was born in July 4, 1920 to my parents Joseph and Sarah Rogers, who are Irish immigrants."
"'Born on the Fourth of July'", BRS mumbled.
"Hey, I was born in a holiday. For us Americans, July 4th is an important day. That was the date where our nation has declared independence from Britain. And that was in 1776." Steve explained with a bit of a 'history lesson' approach.
"It seems I need to read history books in my spare time." BRS
"Well, you should be." Steve chuckled. "Anyways, my father served as a soldier during the First World War and my mother served as a nurse. But he died during the war when I was a kid and when I was a teen, my mother died of tuberculosis."
BRS noticed the solemn look on Steve's face. "It seems you had a hard time swallowing up all that." And she came up with a thought. "Do you think that losing your own parents while you were younger is somewhat painful?"
"Of course, it can." Steve noted. "Parents are one of the best things in the world that a child can have. They are the ones that can take care of you, guide you, protect you, and even love you. It can also be a core for the term called 'family.' You know kid, it seems that you don't have parents but actually, that term wasn't just found on blood but on bond. That's all that matters."
She heard the words loud and clear. BRS doesn't have any parents to care for her; she was a loner all along. But she imagined that along with Mato and others who care for her, she thought that they were in one picture. She liked it because being with Mato and others are like a family.
She turned to Steve since she wanted to know more. "But that was the start for me. Like everyone else, I moved forward. Back there, I was bullied by other kids because I'm weak. Until I met James Buchanan Barnes, nicknamed Bucky, and we became best friends. As I grew up, I became a fine arts student. Yes, I drew stuff like illustrations, paintings, portraits, landscapes, posters, and even comics. And through that, I earned my living… until the news about World War II came to our shores."
"World War II?" BRS inquired. "You mean-"
"The last great war. And that was 70 years ago." Then Steve continued. "When the news came around, I decided to let go of my job for a moment and tried to recruit for the US Army. But I failed… 5 times."
"You tried to recruit for the Army but, how did you fail?" BRS asked.
"Good question. That is because that I have a weak body. And I'll tell you…"
70 Years Ago
Manhattan, New York City
Still, despite of the alarming news about the war, everything was peaceful. Yet most of the people have mixed reactions whether if America should enter the war. Germany, which it became powerful in the 1930s due to the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi followers and culminating the Third Reich, cast the first stone; and on September 1939, World War II began when the Nazis invaded Poland. France and Great Britain stood against this looming threat, but day to day, the Nazi war machine is unstoppable, occupying almost all of Europe, including France. England is the only one standing; instead of giving in, they continue to fight. The US never hesitated on helping the Allied nations through funds and weapons; even they never entered in… yet.
The recruitment center is a place where most men are gathered to enlist in the Army. The US Army is in need for soldiers to be in the front lines. For many, it's a great opportunity to serve their country. But for others, it seems that they were being forced to do it. The battlefield is also a dangerous place, not only you engage yourself in combat but your life is also at stake; either you survive or you die. But that is the price if you have any reason to fight in a war. And these men will take their chance to prove themselves.
"O'Connell, Michael." The doctor called. And the man stood up.
"Kominsky, Henry." Another man was called.
"Rogers, Steven." Steve's name was called next. He was reading a newspaper alongside with another man.
"You never think twice about enlisting, huh?" the man asked.
The frail-bodied man stood up. "Nope." And he went to the doctor.
The military doctor checked the papers as Steve Rogers stepped into the weighing scale. Steve prepared himself and he is expecting to make it out with luck so he can serve in the Army, despite of his physical stature. The doctor still needs to examine him if he is eligible to serve in the Army.
"Rogers…" the doctor recalled. As he looked on the records, he asked Steve. "How'd your father died on?"
"Mustard gas." Steve answered. "He was on the 107th Infantry. Hoping that… I could be assigned on."
"Mother?"
"She worked as a nurse in a TB ward. Got hit, couldn't shake it."
As the doctor looked on the records, he saw something. And it was not good. The list is full of many ailments and other health disorders like heart trouble and even asthma. The doctor has no choice.
"Sorry, son."
"Look, just give me a chance." Steve tried to plead.
"You are not eligible on asthma alone."
Steve sighed in desperation. "Is there anything you can do…?"
"I'm doing it. I'm saving your life." The doctor stamped a document. As Steve got it, what he saw made him disappoint just like the past few days: it's a 4F. It means rejected.
He sighed mentally. "Oh great."
The following day, Steve was in a theater along with many people. It showed many footages about the ongoing war against the Axis, which is composed of Japan, Italy, and of course, Germany. Soldiers were wounded, tanks are moving, and the soldiers are even marching on to battle. Even there is a boy who also helped in the war effort by collecting scrap metal. Then suddenly, some annoying wanker apathetically raised his voice.
"Who cares? Put a movie already!"
Some have noticed the man's recklessness, including Steve. "Hey, would ya show some respect?"
Most of the crowd looked on the wanker. "C'mon, let's get it on with it! Hey, just start the cartoon!"
Steve shot back. "Would you please shut up!"
Then the man stood up and turned to Steve. The man is taller than him and able-bodied compared to Steve's weak and frail one. Steve can't help but to prepare himself for the worst.
Someone was punched in the alley. And it was none other than small, weak, and skinny Steve Rogers. It's just one punch in the face that took him down. Yet, he stood up quickly and grabbed a trash can cover to defend himself. Yet the man took the trash cover and punched him again. Although bruised, Steve stood up as he prepared his fists.
"You just don't when to give up, do you?" the man taunted him.
"I can do this all day." Steve said in response.
He charged on trying to punch the man yet the man blocked it and he punched him again, this time it took down Steve. Before the man makes another move, someone stopped him.
"Hey, don't you know there's a war going on? Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?"
The man turned around as he was shoved by none other than a man in a military uniform. He wanted to strike back but the man in uniform punched him and kicked him out, shooing the annoying wanker away. And he turned and walked to Steve, where the latter trying to get up.
"Sometimes, I think you like getting punched." the military guy said.
"I had him on the ropes." Steve got up and tries to wipe the blood that came from his mouth.
He looked on Steve's papers. "Now this time, what is this?" As he saw it, he realized that he failed yet it says that Steve Rogers came from New Jersey. And then he looked at him. "You know, it's illegal to lie in an enlistment form."
After he cleaned up himself, Steve faced the man and said, "You get your orders?"
And the man responds. "In the 107th, Sergeant James Barnes. I'm shipping out for England tomorrow morning."
"I should be going." Steve told James, who is also known as Bucky.
When Bucky heard it, he decided to cheer him up as they walk off. "Come on, you need to clean up."
"Where are we going?" Steve asked.
Bucky handed a pamphlet of a special exhibit dubbed 'World Exposition of Tomorrow'. "To the future."
"Five times." BRS recalled. "Yet you failed but still…"
"Yeah, I was rejected because I am small, frail, weak, and skinny. In other words, I'm ineligible. But I decided to stand up and try my luck." Steve noted.
Because of this, BRS knew something from Steve: even he has a weak body, he vowed to never give up and there is still hope for a guy like him. But she asked another question. "But… why would you want to do this in the first place?"
"Glad that you asked for it." Steve said. "I'll give you an answer as we move on to another part of my story… hmm, maybe should summarize it for you." And he continued. "Bucky and I went to the exhibit called 'The World Exposition of Tomorrow', which is remarkable during that time. There are many things that were featured like fast trains, suits with gadgets of some sorts and even floating cars! Speaking of that, those things were now existent. And it was also headed by a friend of mine, Howard Stark."
"Stark?" BRS clicked. "Wait, have you heard of the billionaire businessman Tony Stark?"
"Tony is Howard Stark' son." Steve noted. "He's a bit of a jerk sometimes but he's a hero who wears an iron suit. But I'll tell you more lately about the dad himself."
Another discovery BRS have found: Steve Rogers have met Howard, who is the father to Tony Stark. And Tony Stark is also known in the world not just as a playboy billionaire and a genius but also the man who wears a suit of armor: the invincible Iron Man. But she decided to dodge it right now because he wanted to know more about Steve has he went on.
"We watched one of his exhibits, including a demonstration of the so-called flying car. But I decided to slip out and went to the Recruitment Office. Bucky followed me and then…
US Army Recruitment Office Branch, World Exposition of Tomorrow
Even in a place like the World Expo of Tomorrow, a booth sponsored by the US Army is also included. You can have some fun but you can also enlist in a booth like this. Steve stepped into the platform and it shows that he can't fit into the image; in other words, he's short. But yet he attempts to enlist again. Bucky followed and patted him in the back.
"Hey Steve, come on, you're missing a double date. We're dancing with the girls tonight."
"Go ahead; I'll catch up with you." Steve told Bucky.
Bucky sighed, "Are you really gonna do this again?"
"Well, I'll try my luck." Steve answered.
"As who? Steve from Ohio?" Bucky tried to shot back. "Getting caught is the worst action that'll take you."
But Steve is still stubborn. "I know you don't think I can do this..."
"But this isn't a backyard, Steve. It's a war!" Bucky raised his tone.
"I know it's a war, but it's the war! It's a war that we can't lose. It affects us all and that's why I'm gonna go there." Steve sternly said.
"But there are so many important jobs other than being in the battlefield."
"Like what, collecting scrap metal while carrying a red wagon?" Steve inquired.
"Yes! That's what I meant." Bucky exclaimed.
"Well, I'm not gonna sit down in a factory, Bucky!" Steve shot back.
Bucky tried to retort but Steve continued. "Come on, they're meddling down their lives. I have no right to do anything less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."
"Right. Because you nothing else to prove." Bucky remarked.
Then the two girls outside called Bucky out. "Hey, Sarge! You're coming with us, right?"
The officer turned to the girls and told cheerfully. "Yes, we are."
As Bucky began to left, he couldn't stop thinking on what Steve said to him. Honestly, it's rare to have people like Steve. He wants to admire him for his bravery but what can a frail weak man do? He decided to turn off his stint to say something bad on his best friend.
"Don't do anything stupid 'till I get back." Bucky told the skinny guy.
"How can I? Taking all the stupid with you?" Steve inquired.
Bucky sighed and came back. "You punk."
"Jerk." And the two best friends hugged each other. Steve gave Bucky a handshake and said, "Be careful."
As Bucky left on his way, Steve wasn't finished yet. "Don't win the war till I get there."
Bucky turned and gave him a salute. And he left with the two girls for the dance. After seeing his best friend go, Steve went on his way, trying to enlist again. Without knowing, he was noticed by an old man in his 50s who wears a casual outfit and glasses. And he also went his own way to the clinic room.
As BRS recounted that part, "So you want to enlist in the Army is because you want to fight the bad guys, despite of your weak physical body back then?"
"Yeah," Steve affirmed. "Because no matter what I am or what kind of physical condition I have, I just want to prove myself that I can do this. I may be a skinny guy, but true strength lies on inside."
"Resilience…" the kind of word that BRS formed on her lips.
As he prepares himself for a medical checkup, the nurse came and whispered to the doctor. The doctor nodded and he turned to Steve. "Wait here."
"Is there a problem?" Steve asked.
"Just wait here." The doctor repeated as he left.
When there is no one around, Steve has noticed something on the wall as he looked back, and it was a note.
"IT IS ILLEGAL TO FALSIFY YOUR ENLISTMENT FORM."
But Steve had no choice. He will do anything in order to serve in the Army; even he needs to break rules. So he hesitantly went to the chair and quickly tried to wear the long boots but he was caught by an MP (military police) officer as the latter saw the little man trying to wear the boots. Until the old man who is holding a folder containing some records came and he said to the MP Officer, "Thank you." And the MP Officer left.
The old man began to speak. "So, you want to go overseas? And kill some Nazis…"
"Excuse me?" Steve inquired.
The old man introduced himself. "I'm Dr. Abraham Erskine. I represent the Strategic Scientific Reserve."
"Steve Rogers." The little man also introduced himself as the two men shook hands.
As he nodded on Steve's introduction, he went on to open a folder. Yet Steve tried to ask Dr. Erskine. "Where are you from?"
"Queens. 73th street. Before that, Germany." Erskine answered. Then he looked back at Steve if there is something wrong on what he said. "Does that trouble you?"
"No." Steve replied.
Erskine continued to look on the file. "So where you from, Mr. Rogers? Is it… Bahamas? As far as I can see it, it's 5 exams in 5 different cities."
"Wait," Steve stopped for a bit. "Maybe that is the wrong file."
"No, I'm not talking about 5 cities. It's the 5 tries." Erskine reaffirmed. But he decided to go straight to the main topic. "But you never answered my question. 'Do you want to kill Nazis?'"
"Is this a test?" Steve asked.
"Yes." The old man replied.
Without delay, Steve came up with an honest answer on why he wanted to enlist in the Army. He said, "I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they from."
Abraham Erskine was struck a bit on Steve's answer. He knew that the Nazis in Germany, which is his home country back then, are the bad guys in WWII. It is impossible for a guy like Steve to join in, but he saw something that relieved him; something inside. And then the he remarked. "Well, there are already so many big men fighting in this war. Maybe what we need now is a little guy, huh?"
As he continued, he made up his mind. "I can offer you a chance. Only a chance."
His eyes widened. Then he approached Erskine without any second thought. At last, Steve finally had his chance to be on the frontlines, but that is just the beginning for him. He replied, "I'll take it."
"Good." As Erskine took the file and opened it, he is holding a marker to stamp on Steve's enlistment form. But before that, he asked Steve again. "So, where is the little guy from… actually?"
Steve formed a smile on his lips as he answered. "Brooklyn."
Then Erskine stamped the enlistment form. "Congratulations, soldier."
As he gave the folder to Steve as he left, the little guy looked on his form. It says "1A." That means he is now approved to join in the army. He doesn't know what will happen to him, but one thing is for sure: he can now fight in the war.
"So you want to prove yourself, no matter what the cost? Even your life?" BRS inquired after hearing that part.
"Uh huh." Steve replied. "In my part, there is no greater duty than to serve your country… fighting. My role model is my father and he fought valiantly in the First World War. I want to follow in his footsteps, even though I have a weak physical body back then."
"And how about that Dr. Erskine guy?" BRS asked.
"Well, he's the man who changed everything for me. And he's the reason why I am like this." Steve answered, showing his some parts of his strong, physical body.
"You mean?"
"The Super-Soldier Serum." Steve said. "But before we go there, let's go to the 'boot camp'. At Camp Lehigh…"
Camp Lehigh
Camp Lehigh is one of the active training camps of the US Army during that time. Tanks, trucks, and other supplies were stored there for later use, even sending them to the frontlines. A group of soldiers lined up, most of them are recruits. But Steve himself is the only odd guy to be part of the because of his short stature. They are waiting for the supervisor to start the orientation process.
"Recruits, attention!"
The entire group of recruits stand firm as a woman arrived. She wears an officer's uniform, had shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. She was known as Peggy Carter, an operative from England. She introduced herself.
"Gentlemen, I am Agent Carter. I supervise all operations for this division."
One recruit opened his mouth, as like he is complaining. "What's with the accent, Queen Victoria? I thought I've signed up for the US Army."
The woman noticed it as she turned to the recruit. "What's your name, soldier?"
"Gilmore Hodge, 'Your Majesty.'" He cockily introduced himself.
"Step forward, Hodge." Peggy ordered the recruit. "Put your right foot forward." The cocky recruit did so.
"You know, I got a few moves I know you'll like." Hodge noted.
Instead, Peggy punched the cocky guy in the face, knocking him down. Most of the other recruits, including Steve, smirked and chuckled inwardly because Hodge was taken down by a woman. A very tough woman. And Agent Carter was one of the best in the British Intelligence Service so she is fit for a job like this.
"Agent Carter!" someone called the agent out.
As Peggy turned, a military jeep stopped by and came a man in his 50s and wears a military officer's uniform and a jacket as he comes off from the jeep, following him is none other than Dr. Abraham Erskine.
"Colonel Philips." Agent Carter responds to the Army officer named Colonel Chester Philips.
"I can see that you're breaking some candidates, that's good." He commended.
Then Colonel Philips saw Hodge on the dirt. And he told him, "Get your ass off the dirt and get back on the line of attention before someone calls you what to do."
"Yessir!" Hodge answered.
When BRS heard the surname 'Carter', she wanted to ask Cap about that matter. "Peggy Carter… wait a minute. Is she related to Ms. Sharon?"
"On that, yes." Steve answered with a chuckle. "Actually, Peggy is my first love. And most of all, she is Sharon's aunt."
Steve's explanation has made Rock confused a bit. She knew that Sharon was his partner and love interest but Peggy? Not only that, Steve also lived during World War II so maybe they have a relationship together before meeting Sharon when he awoke from his 70-year sleep. Steve looked on BRS' confused expression.
"What do you expect from the "Man Out of Time'?" Steve said. "Confused?"
BRS shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it. BRS tried to say a word but Steve halted her as he chuckled, "Ok, maybe Sharon will explain everything to you. Is that alright for you?"
"Heheh, uh… maybe." BRS replied. "Woah, things are getting complicated here..." She mumbled with a blush. Then she goes with another question, straying off the Peggy-Sharon thingy for a while. "Is your training really THAT hard?"
"Hard? Of course!" Steve said. "But for a skinny guy like me back then, it's 10 times harder. Learning how to shoot, jogging, running, crawling, everything. It's all day long. Even though there are bullies ganging up on me, making fun, well, I still get going. We are preparing ourselves; one of us will be selected as one guy, who will become the first ever Super Soldier. That top-secret project was called 'Operation: Rebirth'."
Then BRS came up with a question. "Only one?"
"What Colonel Philips said is not only one, but an army. The goal of 'Operation Rebirth' is to 'create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man.' That way, those kind of soldiers can help us win the war." Steve explained.
"'One man can make a difference', isn't it?" BRS wondered.
"I can give that as a yes. I agree with you." Steve answered. "Oh, there is even a time when those guys wanted to climb a flagpole because those who will get one will have a backride with Peggy in a jeep. And I was still running."
"Really?" BRS raised her voice in amusement. "Then what happened? Lemme guess, those guys tried to climb that flagpole to get that flag yet they didn't make it, right?"
Steve's eyes were widened when she made that intelligent guess. And it can't be denied that she was right all along. "It seems you have brains at all, nice guess you have there."
"Uh, thanks." She scratched her head as she chuckled. And the two both chuckled.
"Not only that, kid. When I reached the flagpole and the drill sergeant ordered to go back in formation, I just looked at the steel that supports the flagpole. I took it off and the flagpole fell. And I got the flag… and went with Peggy. I turned to the drill sergeant and said, 'Thank you, sir.' And most of the guys in the back can't believe it."
"A little guy beating those big men. You're very smart." BRS commented.
Steve chuckled. "You ain't heard anything yet, kid. I'll tell you more."
"Faster, ladies! Come on! My grandmother has more life than the rest of you. Move!"
Agent Carter walked as he surveyed the recruits' exercise routine. Even Steve himself has a hard time doing pushups unlike the others. While the soldiers resume their regimen, Colonel Philips and Abraham Erskine had a conversation as they walked to the scene.
"You're not thinking on picking Rogers, are you?" Colonel Philips said as he went in a slightly not hood mood concerning Rogers.
"I'm not having second thoughts on him. He's a clear choice." Erskine retorted.
"Will you bring up a 90-pound ass medic on my army base? I'll let it slide. Maybe he'll be useful to you, like a gerbil. Never thought you picked him."
Both men were now in the vicinity, but still, Colonel Philips is reluctant on Erskine's choice on choosing Steve. As they observed, they are now doing jumping jacks. Steve gets very tired on doing it yet he needs it, of course. As Philips observed, her whining still continued.
"That kid's arm is gonna throw up right through. Look at him, he's making me cry."
But Erskine stood firm as he said, "I am looking for qualities that are beyond the physical."
"Do you know how long it took to set up this project?" Colonel Philips asked the doctor.
"Yes, I do. And I appreciate your efforts." Erskine answered.
"Well, throw me a bone." Colonel Philips said as he takes a look on Hodge. "Hodge passed every test we gave him. He's big, he's fast, he takes orders; he's a soldier."
"He's a bully." Erskine told the officer.
But Colonel Philips huffed, "We don't win wars with niceness, doctor." As he said that, he approached the truck and in one of the supply boxes, he picks up a grenade and pulls out its pin detonating it. "We win wars, with guts."
Colonel Philips threw it and he shouted, "Grenade!"
Most of the recruits were alarmed and they were scattered and hide somewhere for cover save themselves from the supposed explosion. But instead of hiding, Steve jumped on and tried to cover himself in order to protect everyone. He shouted as he waived his hand to stay low, "Get away! Get back!"
After 5 seconds, nothing happened. The grenade was just a dummy. The other officer ordered the men to go back in formation. Actually, Colonel Philips can't believe that this skinny guy has guts more than those who are able-bodied. Peggy Carter can't help but to admire him.
"Is this a test?" Steve inquired.
In his disbelief, Colonel Philips remarked. "He's still skinny." And then he left. Erskine turned on Steve and he smirked.
"A skinny guy has more guts…" BRS recalled.
"Unbelievable, isn't it? But I did." Steve said.
"So what happened after that?" BRS inquired.
"Well, when I'm back in my quarters the night before I went to the Operation: Rebirth project, Dr. Erskine came to me. Good thing that he came since he also can't sleep during the night. So I ask him about why he chose me for project…"
"Why me?" Steve asked.
"It seems that it's the only question that matters." Erskine answered. Then he showed him a bottle of wine that he carried all along. "This is from Augsburg, my city. So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know about the last war; my people struggled to get things back on track. Days, weeks, years, depression is everywhere. And then Hitler comes around with the salutes, rallies, shouting and marching. Then he hears of me and he says "YOU". He says 'YOU who will make us strong'."
Shrugged off, he continued. "Honestly, I am not interested. Instead, he has sent HYDRA."
"HYDRA?" Steve inquired.
"It was his research division, headed by brilliant scientist Johann Schmidt. He also a military officer, being part of Hitler's inner circle. Not only that, he had great interest with occult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt, it was real and not fantasy. He always believes that there is a great power hidden beneath the earth, left by the gods. And it will later be seized by superior men. So when he asked me about the formula, he cannot resist. Schmidt must become that superior man."
Then Erskine remembers of flashbacks on death threats made by Schmidt. But the most painful of all is when he found out that his family was sent to a concentration camp and died. He vowed revenge but he was stopped by Agent Carter, who was sent to rescue him. Instead of killing Schmidt, he escaped along with Peggy. And mostly, he was glad that he lived in the US and helped the Allied war effort by taking part on the "Operation: Rebirth" project.
Wanting to know what happened to Schmidt on using the Super-Soldier formula, "Did it make him stronger?"
"Yeah, but with other effects. The serum is not ready."
When Steve heard this, he realizes that something went wrong about Schmidt and that led the Nazi scientist to madness.
But Erskine continued on his story. "But here is one important thing: the man. The serum amplifies what's inside. So good becomes great, bad becomes worse. This is why you were chosen. Because the strong men, who have known power all his life… might lose respect for that power. But the weak men, learns the value of strength. And knows… compassion."
Steve wasn't sure about this yet he said, "Thanks, I think."
Then Dr. Erskine ordered Steve to give him the bottle since he wants a drink. As he concluded, he wants to inspire the little guy. "No matter what happens tomorrow, you have to promise me one thing… that you must stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier. But…
"a good… man." Steve recalled.
BRS can't help herself, but to awe. It seems she was like him a little bit. She was from the Otherworld, an antithesis. Yet, she managed to live a normal life along with her friends. Every day, she is becoming more human. And best of all, she learned how to help others. Steve Rogers at first was a skinny guy, short, weak and frail. But deep inside, he's a man with a good heart.
"So… this is what you have become, right?" BRS inquired.
"Well, I kept his promise." Steve noted. "But what Erskine said to me, he has a point. You don't need to be big, fast, and strong to fight back. Bravery comes from within, not from outside." Still, he continued. "The next day, I was accompanied by Peggy as we went to the place where the top-secret operation will take place, which is also located inside Brooklyn. We have a little chitchat about how I was beaten by bullies back then. We keep on until we reached the place: it was a shop from the outside, but it has a secret facility on the inside. I marveled on the whole sight. All of the machinery were there, all in the place. All were provided by Howard Stark himself; he even made the chamber were I can be put there to infuse the serum. Only few number of people were there; the crew, the newspaper guys and even some officers and politicians, including Senator Brandt…"
Steve is now preparing himself to lie flat on the bed part of the serum infusing machine. Dr. Erskine approached him and asked, "Comfortable?"
Steve joked, "Yeah, but a little big." Erskine chuckled in amusement.
Then Steve asked again. "You save me any of the schnapps?
"I have no much as I should have. Sorry, next time." Erskine assured.
Then the scientist turned to Howard. "Mr. Stark! How are your levels?"
"Levels are all 100%." Howard replied as he approached the little guy.
"Good."
"You didn't have the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready. For whoever be." Howard said.
"Agent Carter, don't you think it will be more comfortable in the roof?" Erskine requested.
"Oh, yes. Sorry." Peggy answered.
"Good." Then Agent Carter went upstairs.
As he checked on the microphone, Dr. Erskine started to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace. These vials contains contain the serum than can inject to the subject's major muscle groups. The serum's infusion will lead to immediate cellular change and then to stimulate growth the subject would saturate with Vita-Rays."
He concluded his explanation and it seems the people are ready to witness something remarkable. Erskine has injected something on Steve. The skinny man wanted to find what it is, believing it was the serum.
"That wasn't so bad." He said.
"That was penicillin." The doctor retorted. Then he said, "Serum infusion, beginning in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1."
And they were all set off. Howard and his crew began to activate all the systems that began the serum infusion. All of the 6 vials are emptied as they were injected to Steve's weak and frail body. He began to feel an unusual sensation that he has no idea if it strengthens him or something.
"Now, Mr. Stark." He ordered the genius inventor to pull the lever, activating the chamber as it is closing until Steve was sealed shut. And the crew put the necessary compartments for the Vita-Ray infusion. Then Erskine knocked and checked in on Steve.
"Steven? Can you hear me?"
A response. "Isn't it probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?"
Although he smirked in humor, Erskine took it as an ok sign and he confirms Howard, "We will proceed."
Howard turned the dial part to activate the machine. As he put on his goggles and so was his crew, he turned the wheel for the Vita-Ray stabilization process and a glow of light was made inside the chamber…
Stark began. "That's 10%... 20%... 30… that's 40%..."
"His vital signs are normal." One crew member told Howard.
"Alright, that's 50%... 60… 70-!"
Suddenly, an unusual scream was heard. Peggy's eyes were widened since she is worried about Steve. So does Erskine.
"AAAAAAARRRRRRGHHHHHHHH!"
"Steven! Steven! Are you all right? Steven!" he shouted.
"Shut it down! Now!" Peggy pleaded.
As Erskine heard Peggy, he told Howard to shut down the reactors. But he heard someone from the chamber and it was Steve himself.
"STOP! DON'T! I CAN DO THIS!"
Erskine saw the little guy's determination. He saw that Steve was the one guy who will do everything in order to make a difference. Since he had full trust on him, he allowed the operation to continue as Howard returned to continue the process.
"80… 90… that's 100 percent!" Howard raised his voice because they were unsure of what the outcome will be, since what they saw is a great light. Then it reached its peak as the systems were overload but not malfunctioning; shielding their eyes. The sparks were gone as the glowing light has died down. They're waiting for this moment, they're waiting if this will be a success or it will be a failure.
"Mr. Stark!" Erskine told to open the chamber. And…
It opened and most of the people are in awe on what they saw. The once weak skinny Steve Rogers was now a changed man, physically. He emerged as a tall and more muscular man. Erskine and Howard were in dropped jaws because they even can't believe that in reality, the operation was a brilliant success.
"I was exhausted back there. But the focal point is…"
"You did it." Rock made intelligence.
"Not just 'I'" Steve chuckled." WE did it. Without Erskine, Howard Stark, and even Peggy back then, I can't be like this. And here I am, being a tall, muscular, strong guy."
"Who wears an unusual costume and wields a shield." BRS retorted.
"BEFORE that." Steve pointed out. And they both chuckled.
"Going on, I was helped out both by the doctor and Howard Stark, still, they have relief and joy in their faces. Peggy came forward with a t-shirt and you know what the funny part is… she's sweating."
Upon hearing this, BRS tried to cover her mouth to suppress her laughter a bit. She got what Steve said: Peggy have seen, thanks to the Super Soldier serum, a strong and tall guy, yet hot and handsome!
"Well, on the contrary, you're a hot guy after all. Even all the girls will love you." BRS told Steve.
"Maybe." Steve replied. Then he tried to guess. "But I know you're sweating right know…"
BRS noticed that there is a bit of sweat, and she is on hysteria a bit in embarrassed. "W-wait! It's not like that!"
Steve laughed a bit because maybe this petite little girl may fall for him, but he has Sharon. Deep inside, he knows that someone is waiting for BRS, a right man for her. Shrugging it off, he asked. "You ok, kid?"
BRS took a deep breath and sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Alright, we're good." Steve noted with a smile on his lips. "You know, as Peggy looked at me, she's nervous when she asked this…
"How'd you feel?" Peggy inquired, like she was drooling on something.
"Taller…" Steve answered.
"You look taller…" Peggy noted as she tried to calm herself down yet did and she gave the t-shirt to Steve.
Colonel Philips smirked on the commotion. He can't help but to congratulate Steve on this. As he approached to Senator Brandt, he inquired. "It's good that you're in Brooklyn, Senator?"
He made this reaction. "I'm sure the folks in Berlin are getting very nervous."
While everyone wanted to join the celebration, especially on congratulating Dr. Erskine, there is a man who keeps on surveying the whole room, checking that everything is clear. He has slight black hair and wears a grayish white suit. He was known as Fred Clemson, an official of the US State Department who is also invited to see the results. But actually, it was a cover after all. His real name is Heinz Kruger, and he was a HYDRA agent who was sent by Schmidt to infiltrate the secret facility and assassinate Erskine, and finally, to steal the Super Soldier serum and to erase all evidences of his work. This mission is crucial for him, but HYDRA is also known for their resilience: they will achieve their goals, no matter what, even if it means death.
"So what's up with that guy?" BRS asked about the said HYDRA agent.
"The obvious, of course. But we're not aware until… a bomb was exploded. Most of the people who are present are in panic. Then Kruger got the serum as he tried to escape. Erskine tried to stop him, but…"
"He was dead…" BRS mumbled, turning her head down.
"He was shot." Steve recalled. "I approached him and tried to carry him to a nearby hospital, but the wounds are fatal. He pointed my chest and then, he held his last breath. I got what he said: even I'm a soldier; I should stay who I am. Now I have my new resolve: chase that killer. This is how I'm gonna repay Erskine."
"Whoa. It seems it's a great loss for you…" BRS frowned in sorrow.
"Maybe, but his death won't be in vain, after all. I need to use this kind of new power… to do something right." Steve noted. "So, can we go on?"
"Oh, right." BRS replied, shifting her attention back.
"I hurriedly went outside to chase the HYDRA agent. As I looked for him, I saw Peggy standing on the middle of the road, holding a pistol. As I turned to find out who her target was, it was a cab, where the driver is none other than the killer himself. She attempted to shoot him in the head for the instant kill, but I rushed in and saved her, fearing that she would be hit instead. And I say sorry to her, so instead, I'm chasing the killer." Steve continues his summary of events.
"So… how did you chase him?" BRS asked, wondering how Steve will chase the said guy.
"Well, I'm just… running." He answered.
"You just ran?" BRS asked again in curiosity.
"Yeah, but I ran fast. Tirelessly." Steve told BRS. "It seems that I can run fast like an athlete. I was amazed on what my body can do. And I also have improved vision so it helps a lot. As I keep on running, I've passed through any alleyways but I set my sights on that car. Even some slight distractions, I just keep on running. And you know, I noticed something aside that I can run fast, I can even jump higher."
Still curious, BRS asked. "I'm just curious. How does it feel when you jumped high for the first time?"
He answered, "Uh, well. It's great. I've never felt so much… alive. But despite that, I still keep on chasing the guy, hopping on cars, trucks and stuff until I went on the cab and hold on it, trying to stop him. He tried to ward me off and he even tried to shoot me from the top yet I keep holding on until we both reached the pier. And then…
"After that what happened?" BRS asked.
The car was tumbling down; it crashed yet it didn't explode. Lucky that Steve jumped off to safety while Heinz managed to get out unscratched. He tried to shoot Steve yet the pursuer had ducked cover himself from the fired bullets. As he went on his way of escape, he saw a young boy and held him hostage, much to anguish of the boy's parents. He continued on holding the helpless boy, still making his way to escape as he keeps on shooting on Steve yet the tall guy covered himself. As he made to his escape location inside the pier, Steve followed suit and when Heinz spotted him, he pointed the gun on the poor boy, threatening to kill him.
"No, don't!" Steve pleaded on hopes that the boy would not be shot. Seeing this as an opportunity, Heinz pointed his gun at Steve but when he fired the gun, it was out of bullets so he had no choice but to throw him into the water. As he continues to escape, Steve rushed in order to help the boy, but he was stopped by the boy saying,
"Go get him, I can swim!"
What a sigh of relief for Steve since he can focus on chasing Erskine's killer and then he proceeds. Meanwhile, Heinz is preparing his underwater vessel as it submerged from the water. He entered the cockpit, turn on the engines of the said vessel as it submerged into deep water and attempting to escape. But Steve jumped down and swims fast; his movements were as similar as an Olympic athlete. Without hesitation, he reached to the cockpit door, water gushing out, opened the hatch and grabbed the killer upwards as he threw him back. Steve got out from the water and when Heinz tried to slash him with a combat knife, Steve dodged it and kicked him, knocking him down and yet the vial which contains the serum is broken, spilling it down, making the super-soldier formula completely lost.
Steve grabbed Heinz's shirt as he tries to interrogate him, "Who the hell are you!"
"We're the first of many. Cut off one head…" before he continued, he picks off a cyanide capsule from his teeth and bites on it, killing himself. "…two more shall take its place. Hail HYDRA." After he said that, he died.
Peggy entered the scene. She saw the dead HYDRA assassin yet her eyes turned on Steve. As she saw it, the man was speechless: he can't believe that he can do anything with this body. In other words, the serum worked.
"HYDRA…" BRS mumbled as the incident involving Mato remains on her memory.
"It was HYDRA who ordered the assassination of Erskine. It's really a loss because all of his work, and the serum. They're lost forever." Steve noted.
"Particularly, SHIELD is attempting to replicate the formula but those attempts are nothing but to no avail. There is nothing as perfect, balanced, and more effective than Erskine's formula. The rest is history."
Steve and BRS turned and it was Sharon Carter who spoke about it.
"Thanks for reminding me that." Steve remarked. "The kid needs to know."
"Well, I don't mind about it but thanks for informing me anyway." BRS shrugged it off.
"Oh yeah, it seems you're two are hungry, right?" Sharon inquired. It's 15 minutes before 7. Dinner is ready."
BRS noticed a growl on his stomach. She rubbed the back of her head as she slightly chuckled in embarrassment. "Oh yeah, I'm almost hungry."
"Come on, kid. It seems that you should know more as I continue my story, especially on the part why I become Captain America."
BRS can't help but put a smile on her lips as they went back to the safe house for dinner.
This is the end of chapter 10, the first part. Like I said earlier, I'm working for the 2nd part so no matter what, I'll keep you guys posted.
Read and review!