"The equipment is fine. The serum enhancement can begin."
Howard upheld the rigor of science, repeatedly calibrating and checking the equipment several times to ensure the experiment would not go wrong.
At that moment, everyone turned their eyes to Steve. He was today's main character.
If it succeeded, America would forge a superhuman army that would sweep through the Axis powers' forces like a crushing tide.
"Old Man, don't be scared. In eighteen years, you'll be a hero again," Allen comforted him thoughtfully.
You're such a nice guy.
With mixed feelings, Steve walked toward the serum fusion machine and lay down inside the capsule-like apparatus.
The many researchers were equally nervous. Failure would mean more than one lost life; the entire project might be shelved, and all their shared efforts would turn to nothing.
As the hatch closed, Steve shut his eyes and waited for the result.
Dr. Erskine took out the metal case containing the Super Soldier Serum and removed the serum vial stored within.
He had only researched the serum; Howard was responsible for the injection and fusion process.
He installed the vials into the injection ports one by one, then turned to Howard, who stood ready.
"Prepare for the first stage."
Howard shouted, and the worker controlling the power supply threw the switch.
At once, indicator lights on multiple machines lit up, showing that the power connection was functioning normally.
"Allen, do you think it'll succeed?"
Wilson looked expectantly at the serum machine.
He was merely a layman when it came to biological enhancement research, but that did not mean he lacked curiosity.
"If he dies, this won't be any fun."
A mysterious smile appeared on Allen's face.
Wilson's eyebrows rose at once. He already had a feeling that something had to be wrong.
After spending so much time together, he understood Allen's personality well enough. There was no way Allen would settle for peace and quiet. If he did not stir up some kind of trouble, it simply would not suit his nature.
Of course, Wilson did not press for details. If nothing unexpected happened, Allen would jump out and brag about it himself.
For example, Wilson himself was a fine case. The moment they boarded S.H.I.E.L.D.'s disguised cargo ship, Allen had announced the truth.
"Proceed to the second stage!"
The serum immediately flowed through the tubes and into the fusion machine.
At the same time, the light visible through the machine's glass window gradually intensified.
"Old Howard used an optical transmission method for the fusion. It's much safer than conventional injections. Its advantage is more thorough absorption and extremely balanced enhancement."
Allen stroked his chin, having figured out the machine's operating principle.
"How do you know so much about it?"
Wilson stared at him in disbelief. Allen was supposed to be a mechanical engineering expert, yet he even understood energy-related fields.
"Wilson, read more books when you have time."
Allen added, "The downside is that light energy is unstable. One little accident, and you'll be crispy on the outside and raw on the inside."
"..."
Wilson could understand being told to read more and learn more, but hearing it from a lunatic made it feel especially strange.
In truth, Allen had been cramming knowledge and grinding skill levels all along.
"Proceed to the third stage!" Howard commanded.
As the power output increased, Steve's face could no longer be seen inside the machine. It was as though the chamber had been stuffed full of blazing heat lamps.
"Ah..."
Steve let out a pained groan.
Everyone present felt their hearts leap into their throats.
"Stop it! He'll die!"
Dr. Erskine tried to stop them anxiously.
On one hand, he feared something would happen to Steve. On the other, he feared the experiment would fail and the military would cut off funding for the research.
"Don't stop. I can take it."
Steve's conviction supported him through the experiment, and he refused to admit defeat so easily.
He did not want to return to his former frail self. He wanted the chance to fulfill his ambitions.
Nervous expressions hung on everyone's faces as they remained alert for any sudden accidents.
So far, the experiment was proceeding very smoothly. The only question was whether its subject could endure it.
"Why aren't you nervous at all? You and Steve have gotten pretty close these past few days," Wilson asked curiously.
Whenever Allen latched onto someone, he usually tormented them relentlessly.
Actually, Wilson rather hoped Allen would wreak havoc on someone else.
Allen clenched his fists and struck a cheering pose. "Success is never accidental. It is bound to be inevitable. Oh yeah."
Suddenly, the equipment's power supply began to weaken.
Howard had set a threshold, which calculations had shown was sufficient for the serum fusion process.
Once it reached the critical threshold, the equipment automatically reduced its energy output.
Pfft!
Pressure vented, and the hatch opened.
The once-frail Steve had undergone a complete transformation, becoming a muscular man standing six feet two.
Breathing heavily, Steve stepped out of the machine. His chest rose and fell with every breath.
Carter, the only woman present, was practically staring at him with dreamy eyes. Unable to help herself, she reached out and touched his taut pectoral muscles.
"The patient has severe mammary gland hyperplasia. The preliminary assessment indicates a C-cup. Dr. Allen recommends a Miracle Bra for physical treatment."
Steve and Carter both turned to look at Allen, who was spouting nonsense with a completely serious expression.
"Steve, how do you feel?" Carter asked with concern.
"I've never felt better."
Steve looked at his powerful arms and the eight bulging abdominal muscles he had never dared imagine having.
"Looks like the operation was a success. The side effect is self-delusions of grandeur."
Allen adjusted the nonexistent monocle over his right eye. "I recommend conservative treatment: two hours of regular humiliating beatings to suppress the condition before it spirals out of control."
"..."
Please be human. After getting beaten for two hours, would anyone still look human?
Boom!
An explosion suddenly rang out.
In an instant, sparks scattered and glass flew everywhere.
The people who had come to observe fell into chaos.
Among them, a hidden spy agent used the confusion to quickly approach the remaining vial of Super Soldier Serum.
"Protect the serum! It's the only vial left!" Dr. Erskine warned anxiously.
It was the result of years of his painstaking research, something he valued above his own life.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three gunshots rang out as the spy agent ruthlessly shot Dr. Erskine dead.
Clearly, the goal was to prevent America from building a superhuman army.
The spy agent had come prepared. The instant the mission succeeded, he immediately withdrew.
He fled swiftly along a route prepared in advance.
At that moment, everyone from S.H.I.E.L.D. was focused on Dr. Erskine's condition.
"Get the serum back. It cannot fall into Axis hands."
With that, Dr. Erskine breathed his last.
Hearing this, Steve chased after the fleeing spy agent.
Allen looked at the dead Dr. Erskine, wondering whether he had indirectly caused his death.
He had only told the Soviet Union about the serum. According to the normal plot, it should have been an Axis agent who carried out the killing.
It seemed he would have to wait for the investigation results. Otherwise, Allen was prepared to shed three tears as an apology.
Carter and Colonel Phillips rushed after Steve to support him.
However, they found Steve lying on the ground in an alley, wounded by a gunshot.
"The ones who stole the serum were from the Axis powers. The small submarine he boarded had an Axis symbol on it. Another group was trying to seize the serum too. They were the ones who shot me."
Steve held on long enough to provide the useful information before slipping into unconsciousness.
"Steve, hang on!" Carter cried urgently.
Before you continue