Post by ReadingTrance on Jun 8, 2013 13:55:32 GMT -5
Issue #1: Stars and Stripes – Part 1
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November 19th, 1944
Berlin, Germany
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Captain America, the symbol for American hope against the Axis Powers and Nazi Germany, stood in front of Germany’s most powerful icon, and his greatest foe – the Red Skull. The two equals stood on opposite ends of the factory room, both with a handful of loyal soldiers standing by their side, ready to engage in the deciding battle of World War II.
Steve Rogers, a 23-year old man, had held the mantle of Captain America for several years. After stumbling upon the opportunity, he had become the single most important figure in America. Cap had become a ‘Super Soldier’ by volunteering to be experimented on in a lab. The result was success. Steve, once a shamefully short and weak man, had grown several inches and had his strength tripled.
The man no longer knew of fear, becoming an exceedingly brave leader.
His weapon of choice was made from an extremely rare natural metal – vibranium. It was a large, circular shield that was able to withstand just about anything. Rogers often threw it hard like a Frisbee, as it had the ability to bounce off of objects and shoot back like a boomerang.
By Cap’s side stood his two most loyal soldiers - James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes and James “Wolverine” Howlett.
Bucky, Steve’s best friend since they were children, was a couple of years younger than him. He was a great soldier and an even better friend. When Captain America had a rare occurrence of being unsure, Bucky was always there to point him in the right direction. The pair had been through everything together.
Steve had only met Wolverine since becoming a super soldier. The man remained a mystery to Rogers, but had proven himself more than capable. Cap trusted him when it came to battle, but knew he was hiding more than his fair share of personal secrets.
Captain America and his small band of soldiers had recently infiltrated a HYRDRA base that was readying to launch nuclear missiles at America. HYDRA was Nazi Germany’s international branch of warfare, and was headed by the Red Skull.
The Red Skull was once an ordinary man known as Johann Schmidt. Schmidt previously wore a ‘red skull’ mask to instill fear in his enemies, but was victim to a horrible incident with his own ‘Dust of Death’, cursing Schmidt to bear the ghastly face forever. Like Captain America, the Skull had been injected with a ‘Super Soldier’ serum that increased all of his strongest qualities, including his hatred and craving for power.
“Time to end this, Captain!” The Red Skull shouted.
“Couldn’t agree more!” Cap quipped.
It was after those words that the beginning of the end had started.
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August 12th, 1941
New York City, New York
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Steve Rogers, a man who had recently turned twenty, sat in a chair surrounded by men he didn’t know. All of them were waiting for their name to be called. Every single one of them shirtless, wearing nothing but some form of pants. Being summoned one-by-one, Rogers anxiously waited for his name to be shouted.
“Jordan, Jeff. Dugan, Timothy. Howlett, James.” The man at the desk yelled three separate names.
That meant three more names down and that Steve’s name was closer to being called. He watched as the three men approached the desk. All of them were much larger physically than Rogers. However, Steve knew he had more heart than anyone in the room. He wanted nothing more than to become a soldier to fight for his country. The Axis Powers were nothing more than bullies, and that just seemed to rub Rogers the wrong way.
After Jordan, Dugan and Howlett were done, they all advanced to the next room. They were all on their way to become soldiers. Rogers stared at the man at the desk, praying he was next to follow in their footsteps.
“Rogers, Steven.”
Steve jumped to his feet, completely blocking out the other two names called after his and approached the man at the desk.
“Steve Rogers...” The man at the desk stared through his glasses at Steve’s medical paperwork. His medical history was riddled with various health problems, such as asthma and anxiety. “Are you really trying to enlist, son?”
“Yes, sir.” Steve respectively replied. “I want nothing more than to serve my country.”
“You can serve it better here.” The man said as he grabbed a stamp. “No need to waste your life overseas.”
He then stamped the paper in front of him, giving Rogers a ‘4F’. He was rejected.
Rogers bowed his head and took the paper, quietly exiting the building. This was his fifth attempt to enlist and his fifth rejection.
Outside waiting for Rogers was his best friend, Bucky Barnes.
Bucky knew from experience that Steve had been rejected again, judging from the time he had spent inside and the look upon his depressed face.
Bucky chose words to comfort his best friend. “It’s okay, Steve. We’ll figure this out.”
“I just want to be a soldier like you, Bucky. I want to make a difference.” Rogers said as his head hung low. “It’s not fair.”
Even though Bucky was several years younger than Steve, he possessed the physical skills required to become a soldier. He was going to be deployed within the next couple of weeks and Rogers wanted nothing more than to join him.
Steve looked up and stared at the American flag attached to the enlistment building, as it waved in the wind. It was beautiful. He loved this country. He wanted to help protect it.
“Bucky, you know I want nothing more than to help defend this country, right?”
“Of course, Steve.” He supported his friend.
“Then forgive me.” Rogers turned around and marched back towards the building.
Bucky called after him. “Where are you going?”
“Making my point.”
Steve entered the building and charged towards the man behind the desk.
“This is my life and I should get to choose what I do with it!” He shouted. “I want to enlist and help defend this country.”
All eyes were upon Steve. The room was completely silenced. The man behind the desk pushed his glasses back as he looked up at the scrawny man that stood in front of him.
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave, son.”
Steve didn’t budge. “No. Let me enlist.”
“John!” The man behind the desk summoned a nearby soldier. “This man won’t leave the premises.”
John, a large brute, grabbed Steve and escorted him towards the back, where the other future soldiers had gone.
“Where are you taking me? Let go!” Rogers feebly tried to pull away.
John pulled Rogers into a holding cell in the back. He was thrown to the ground as John exited the cell, locking it behind him. Steve assumed he must not have been the first to throw a temper tantrum after being rejected. There was a cell here for a reason.
Rogers watched John as he spoke to a fellow soldier down the hall, exchanging a few laughs. Then they both went their separate ways, leaving Steve all alone.
Several minutes passed by before anyone came to visit him. A man wearing glasses and a long white lab coat approached the cell.
“Steve Rogers, correct?” The man had an accent. To Steve, it almost sounded German.
“Yes, sir.” He answered.
“I am Abraham Erskine, the lead scientist here.” Abraham opened the cell and joined Rogers. “You’ve enlisted five times, is that correct?”
No one was supposed to know that. It was illegal. However, Steve wasn’t one to lie.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ve shown heart beyond anyone I’ve seen.”
Rogers wanted to know what this man was getting at. “Thank you, sir. Respectively, where is this going?”
“Does it bother you that I am German? Do you want to kill me? Am I a Nazi?”
“No, sir.” He quickly replied. “The only Nazis are the ones trying to bully the world into submission.”
Erskine flashed a smile. “How would you like to serve your country in a way very few can?”
“I don’t quite follow...”
“We have a project running a couple of days. And I want you to be a part of it. It will start with a brief interview, but if you pass...”
Erskine paused. “You will be given a chance to protect this country in a way you never imagined.”
Steve didn’t even hesitate. “I’d give anything to help this country. I’m in.”
“Meet me here tomorrow night at eight.” Abraham handed Rogers a note with an address on it. “And I’ll talk to you in more detail about this.”
“That’s it?” Steve asked. “I’m not in trouble?”
Erskine laughed. “No, no. You are free to go. Come, follow me.”
The scientist opened the cell and escorted Rogers back to the front of the building.
“Don’t forget about tomorrow.” Abraham patted Rogers on the back before leaving him outside.
Bucky was sitting on a bench, seemingly waiting for Rogers to return. At the sight of Steve, the teenager shot upright.
“Steve! What happened?”
“A lot happened. I’ll tell you everything on the walk home. Let's go.” Rogers said as he fiddled with the note Erskine had handed him.
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August 13th, 1941
New York City, New York
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Steve sat on a bench outside the front door of a diner. It was five minutes until eight, which is when he was supposed to meet Erskine. His legs were shaking as he anxiously waited for what he believed to be an opportunity to serve his country. Rogers had no idea what Erskine was offering, but he was absolutely willing to hear it out if it gave him a chance to help defend America.
Right at eight o’ clock, Erskine approached Rogers. The German scientist gave him a friendly smile as he motioned with his right hand for Steve to enter the diner. Rogers nodded as he stood up and entered the diner.
“How are you, sir?” Steve asked, holding the door open for Erskine.
Erskine entered the diner. “Doing well, son. Doing well.”
The two of them took a seat at a nearby booth. The diner was relatively quiet, as it was just past its rush period. One of the waitresses spotted the pair and immediately tended to them.
“Hello, darlings.” The young waitress gave a warm smile. “My name is Barbara. Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Water, please.” Erskine’s German accent was heavy.
Steve noticed the waitress’ face as she showed an emotion he couldn’t quite place. Perhaps it was distaste? Fear? He was unsure, but knew that Barbara wasn’t too pleased that Erskine was German. However, Erskine didn’t seem to pay any mind to her reaction.
Barbara quickly turned to Rogers. “And for you?”
“Same, please.” He flashed a fake smile.
It was an uncomfortable situation. Not only because of the racism blatantly displayed, but because Steve still was unsure of what he was getting into.
“I’ll be back with those shortly.” She said before walking away.
“So, would you like to get down to business?” Erskine asked, adjusting his glasses as he turned to Steve.
Steve leaned back in his seat, attempting to relax. “Sure.”
Erskine leaned forward, keeping his voice down. “I have an offer for you, Steve. It is a relatively simple scenario, but it carries many risks and rewards.”
Steve nodded as Erskine continued to speak softly.
“We’re experimenting, Steve. Trying to create super soldiers to fight in this war. It has not been tested on human subjects, but if successful would transform you into a brand new man. You would become the ideal soldier with superhuman strength and speed.”
Steve took a moment to respond as this information was processed in his head. One simple, cliché question entered his mind.
“Why me?”
“Why you?” Erskine smiled, proud of his answer. “Your heart, Steve. Courage. Bravery. I can see it. You radiate leadership. I have a feeling you’ve just never been respected enough to display it, my friend.”
Rogers again nodded. Erskine was completely right.
“I know you want nothing more than to serve this country and I am willing to give you that opportunity. Just know the risks involved, Steve. There’s probably a forty-percent chance of injury or death that comes with these experiments. Only one thing is for certain...” Erskine paused.
“What is that?” Steve questioned.
“No matter the result, it will change your life forever.”