After World War II, as the two superpowers expanded and annexed territory at a frantic pace, the international order became like a taut bowstring, trembling as it approached the moment the arrow would be loosed.
The newspaper headlines announcing America's deployment of troops to East Asia quietly omitted Captain Steve Rogers, who should have represented the image of the entire military.
As a World War II hero of the Allied forces, Rogers was widely recognized around the world. The original plan to heavily promote "Captain America" joining the war on the Korean Peninsula was shelved completely.
From that day on, people would no longer hear stories about Captain Steve Rogers in newspapers or on the radio. The "Captain America" comic books beloved by children also vanished from the shelves in a most peculiar fashion.
Perhaps in just a year or two, American citizens would remember the super soldier—said to be worth an entire infantry regiment on his own—only during some discussion of the U.S. military's campaign in Europe during World War II.
And they would scoff, attributing his many impressive deeds and military achievements to the government's exaggerated propaganda.
"Sir, the White House is on the phone."
Butler Jules Burnham quietly came over to James. Seeing him bent over his desk in the study, he asked in a hushed voice.
"Put Wallace on. Tell them I'm not here—yes, I've gone exploring in Antarctica."
James Howlett looked down at a letter covered in elegant, flowing handwriting. He sounded fairly cheerful as he spoke.
Jules nodded. Remembering something, he added, "Mr. Foss will be here shortly."
James nodded, put away the letter, and slipped into an indigo smoking jacket embroidered with the Howlett Family Crest. After giving the butler his instructions, he headed upstairs to the terrace.
The old butler Mr. Casper's