Dr. Erskine smacked his lips, feeling a little thirsty. He suddenly fumbled at his chest and sat bolt upright, looking around at the unfamiliar, ancient stone chamber as if he had arrived at some long-forgotten ruin.
On a stone platform not far away, a young-looking man with shoulder-length hair sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
His features were exquisitely handsome, but his bearing was weathered and imposing. He was powerfully built, yet showed no bulging muscles.
"James Howlett. A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Erskine."
Just as Erskine was about to speak, the man opened his eyes and spoke calmly. Puzzling over the surname Howlett, Erskine asked instinctively, "Where am I?"
"Underground, beneath the Howlett Estate in Edmonton, Canada," James replied without hiding anything. He had even given his real name from the start.
Dr. Erskine pondered for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Are you Mr. Howlett? Rogers and you..."
"Yes. I'm the head of the Howlett Family. Steve Rogers is my student, though he doesn't know much about me."
James answered every question plainly, openly revealing his identity.
Erskine nodded. In the man's presence, he felt increasingly at ease, despite having just come back from the brink of death and woken up in an unfamiliar place with a stranger.
"I suppose I should thank you. I remember being shot, and yet..."
James smiled. "Dr. Erskine, how much do you know about the true nature of this world?"
"Not everyone can storm the beaches, but we can all cheer them on! Buy E Series Defense Bonds. Every bond you buy puts another bullet in a soldier's gun!"
Steve wore a tight-fitting red-and-blue suit that showed off his powerful build. Holding a star-spangled shield, he recited the promotional lines with practiced ease.
Rousing music and a troupe of lively dancers in short skirts