The next day.
The meeting room of the Strategic Scientific Reserve was filled with smoke.
The aftershocks of yesterday's chaos had not yet dissipated.
Lynn Morris, Colonel Davis, Peggy Carter, and Howard Stark.
Several high-ranking Military officials who had rushed in from Washington were seated around the table.
Steve Rogers was not there.
He was locked in a laboratory, undergoing comprehensive physical data testing.
"He must go to the battlefield!"
Colonel Davis slammed his hand on the table, making the cigarette butts in the ashtray jump.
"Those HYDRA scumbags have already unleashed a monster! We have another hero now who can fight them, are we just going to let him rot in the rear?"
"I object."
Peggy Carter spoke up in opposition.
"We know nothing about the limits of his abilities. Dr. Erskine's notes and the backup serum are all lost. Steve is the only and final sample; we cannot take any risks."
"Risk? Agent Carter, my soldiers are being torn to pieces by those puppets! That is a risk!"
"Then can you guarantee he can block MG42 bullets, Colonel?"
Peggy did not back down.
"Soldier Boy can, but what about him? Preliminary reports show his physical fitness is at the peak of human potential, but he is not an invulnerable god!"
The meeting room was filled with endless arguing.
Some wanted to use him as a sharp sword for breaking through enemy lines, while others wanted to treat him as a spark that needed to be closely protected.
Lynn sat quietly in the corner, and only when everyone had vented their emotions did he speak, unhurriedly.
"Everyone, we have all overlooked one thing."
As soon as he spoke, everyone's eyes converged on him.
This young man was, to some extent, already the ideal "spokesperson" for Dr. Erskine.
"What we need is not just a super soldier."
Lynn stood up and looked around at everyone.
"We need a name, a symbol."
He put on a thoughtful expression, and then, under everyone's gaze, said word by word.
"He fights for this country; he is the embodiment of courage and hope. Why not... call him 'Captain America'."
Captain America!
It was simple, resonant, and possessed power and patriotic sentiment.
Even Colonel Davis, who had been furious just a moment ago, subconsciously chewed on the name, his eyes showing approval.
"Good name!"
A general took the lead in finalizing it.
"This name alone is worth an entire division!"
This was exactly the effect Lynn wanted.
He waited for everyone to digest the excitement brought by the name before continuing to throw out his core plan.
"I agree with Agent Carter's view; it is too risky to send Captain America to the battlefield now."
"Soldier Boy's mission is destruction, but Captain America is different."
Lynn's tone gradually became solemn, carrying a reflection on the war.
"The fear created by HYDRA cannot be dispelled by slaughter alone. Our soldiers need hope, and the public in the rear needs confidence."
"My suggestion is to let Captain America first become a national idol."
"An idol?"
Colonel Davis frowned.
"Yes, an idol."
Lynn met his scrutiny, his train of thought perfectly clear.
"Let him go on a national tour, perform his feats of strength on stage, and give patriotic speeches."
"His story, that story of a scrawny kid from Brooklyn who gained divine power to serve his country, is the best publicity in itself!"
"We can use these events to encourage the public to buy war bonds and raise more funds for the front lines!"
"A single performance can bring in millions, even tens of millions in Military funding, Colonel. Isn't that more valuable than having him take out a machine gun nest?"
The meeting room fell silent.
The eyes of the generals and politicians lit up instantly.
What is war fought with?
It's fought with money!
There was already an invulnerable Soldier Boy on the battlefield charging into the fray.
Using this weakened version of a super soldier as a "mascot" to make money...
It was simply a genius idea!
"As for these promotional activities..."
Lynn revealed a cautious expression at just the right moment.
"I am willing to be responsible for the planning. This is Dr. Erskine's dying wish. I want him to see that what he created is not just a soldier, but a totem that can inspire the spirit of the entire nation."
No one objected.
This plan perfectly balanced everyone's demands.
The meeting ended.
Everyone left with satisfied smiles.
Lynn walked at the very back.
A tour? Fundraising?
What he was thinking about in his head was the kickback that belonged to him, the "chief planner," from every sale of war bonds.
He wanted to accumulate wealth for himself in the shortest possible time.
Then use that money to invest in Stark Industries, acquire Military factories, and infiltrate Wall Street...
Eventually establishing a superhero company of his own.
"You turned a hero into a circus star."
Peggy Carter's voice sounded from the side, carrying confusion and disappointment.
Howard Stark also leaned in, looking at Lynn with great interest.
"No, Agent Carter."
Lynn faced the two of them, the expression on his face sincere and flawless.
"War has two battlefields: the front lines and the rear. I just chose another equally important battlefield for him."
"A battlefield that can make money!"
Howard whistled; he saw through the business opportunity in it.
"A cash cow wearing the Stars and Stripes! Lynn, I'm starting to like you!"
Peggy frowned. She couldn't refute Lynn's theory, but her intuition told her things weren't that simple.
Lynn didn't explain any further; he now needed to go and soothe the real protagonist.
...
In the training room.
Steve Rogers was punching the sandbag, one blow after another.
The sandbag had become a ridiculous toy in front of him.
He had gained the power he dreamed of, yet he hadn't been able to save the benefactor who bestowed it all upon him.
Now, he couldn't even be a real soldier; instead, he was to be treated as a... display item.
"Bang!"
He punched the canvas of the sandbag, splitting it, and sand poured out from the tear.
"Feeling useless, right?"
Lynn's voice came from the doorway.
Steve turned his head, looking at this "friend" who was still exuding an aura of sadness.
"What do they want me to do? Perform tricks on stage like a Joker?"
Steve's voice was full of suppressed anger.
"Davis is right, I'm just a coward!"
"No, you aren't."
Lynn walked to his side and handed him a towel.
"Steve, what do you think is the most important thing in war? Planes? Or tanks?"
Steve did not answer.
"It's the human heart."
Lynn asked and answered himself.
"It's what makes a soldier, after freezing in the mud all night, still have the courage to get up the next day and charge at enemy lines."
"It's what makes a mother, after losing her husband, still willing to send her son to the battlefield."
Lynn looked into Steve's eyes.
"Your story and your very existence are hope. Dr. Erskine chose you, not because he wanted to create a sharper blade, but because he wanted to light a brighter lamp."
"Go, Steve. Go and illuminate those places shrouded by the clouds of war."
"Go and tell everyone why the United States fights, and why justice must prevail."
"When you bring hope to millions, everything you do is more meaningful than killing a thousand enemies on the front lines."
These words made this Captain America suddenly see the light.
The confusion and anger in his eyes were gradually replaced by a brand new sense of mission.
"I understand."
Steve nodded heavily.
"Thank you, Lynn."
Lynn patted his shoulder with a gentle smile on his face.
What a fool.
He's been sold out, yet he still has to thank me.
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