7:00 AM, Lower Manhattan subway station.
Disguised, Steve Rogers stood at the exit, staring at the Vought International headquarters building that soared into the sky across the street.
Grey jacket, jeans, and a pair of worn-out military boots.
He looked no different from any other ordinary person who came to Manhattan looking for a job.
Dum Dum - Dugan walked out of the convenience store, carrying a cup of hot coffee and with an unlit cigar in his mouth.
" Steve, are we really going to step through that door? Looking at us like this, we'll probably be kicked out by the security guards as beggars."
Dum Dum handed over the coffee, but Steve shook his head.
"I'm not drinking anymore, let's go inside."
Frank Castle was the last to arrive. He had changed out of his blood-stained tactical vest and was wearing a regular work jacket.
The three people stood on the side of the street, looking up at the building.
The glass curtain wall reflected the morning light, compressing the entire New York skyline into its frame.
Dugan muttered under his breath, "Damn, that's impressive. The Pentagon looks like a country granary next to it."
Frank squinted, staring at the top floor of the building.
Let's go.
Steve took the first step.
The three crossed the street and pushed open the revolving door of the Vought International headquarters.
The lobby was well-air-conditioned, and the floor was spotless.
The receptionist looked up, a professional smile on her face.
Hello, do you have an appointment?
Steve walked to the front desk and gave his name.
" Steve Rogers, Dum Dum Dugan, Frank Castle."
The receptionist did not check the computer or reply.
Suddenly, a blue light appeared in the air above the hall, the air trembled slightly, and a phantom holographic projection appeared directly in front of the three people.
An image of Motoko Kusanagi with short hair appeared. " Captain Rogers, Mr. Morris has been waiting for you for a long time."
Steve paused for a moment.
He and Dum Dum exchanged a glance, then looked at the phantom.
Did he know I was coming? Had he been waiting for me for a long time?
" Captain Rogers, Mr. Morris has been waiting for this day ever since you were pulled from the ice floes in Greenland."
Tifa, dressed in a dark gray formal suit, carried a folder and emerged from the VIP entrance.
With a smile on her face, she gave the three men a slight bow. "Please follow me."
Upon reaching the internal security checkpoint, the infrared detector sounded an alarm, and two armed security personnel approached Frank, demanding that he hand over his weapons.
Frank's gaze darkened slightly, and his wrists were already clasped behind his back.
"No need to check anymore."
Tifa stopped and gestured for the security guards to step back.
"Mr. Frank can bring whatever he wants in, and Mr. Morris doesn't care. Bring them up."
The two security guards stepped back with their hands at their sides.
This lack of vigilance is more unsettling than having a gun pointed at your head.
In Vought's eyes, the guns and knives hidden on Frank's body posed no threat whatsoever.
The three followed her uphill.
As the elevator ascends, you can see the office area outside through the glass.
Upon reaching the top floor, the elevator doors opened.
At the end of the corridor was a solid wood door. Tifa said, "Please come in, gentlemen. Mr. Morris is waiting inside."
Steve pushed open the door.
The office is large, with floor-to-ceiling windows along one entire wall, offering views of the New York skyline shrouded in morning mist.
Lynn Morris stood by the window, his back to the three men.
" Steve, when was the last time you were in New York?"
Steve paused for a moment, unsure how to respond to this seemingly unrelated question.
"... Seventy years ago."
Lynn nodded, but still didn't turn around.
" New York was different back then; you must have found it very difficult to adjust."
Steve paused for a few seconds before getting straight to the point.
" Lynn, we've come today to ask you for a favor."
Lynn then turned around and looked at Steve: "Speak, what do you need?"
Steve hesitated for a moment. "Twenty million US dollars in start-up capital, special operations-grade weapons and equipment, and intelligence on the Shocker South American base."
After saying that, he glanced at Lynn's expression and carefully said:
"In exchange, the Howling Commandos can provide support should Vought encounter any difficulties."
If Vi were here, she would definitely be shocked and loudly mock Steve Rogers for his arrogance.
Howling Commandos support Vought?
Are there no capable fighters left on Earth?
Look at these three guys!
Steve Rogers, Captain America, is a product of the Super-Soldier Serum, an ordinary person with considerable strength.
Dum Dum - Dugan, a weakened version of the Super-Soldier Serum, is an ordinary person with some strength.
Frank Castle, an ordinary man.
Lynn walked to the desk, took the water glass Tifa handed her, and asked a question directly.
Before you came, did you ever think about why I should help you?
Steve paused for a moment.
Dum Dum chimed in, "Because it's not good for anyone if Shocker becomes too powerful in South America."
Lynn turned his gaze to Dugan and nodded.
"That's one reason, but not the whole one."
Frank didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "What do you want? Do you want us to get into Vought's tank? Or do you want to use the Howling Commandos as pawns?"
Lynn laughed, "You're much more direct than those two veterans. I like people like that."
He walked to his desk, sat down, and opened the folder.
Three photos were pushed onto the table.
The first image is a satellite view of the Shocker Wolf's Lair, so clear that you can see the camouflage netting at the underground entrance.
The second document is the modification progress report for Shocker -2 Elektra, filled with dense data and medical terminology.
The third image is the latest surveillance screenshot of Bucky Barnes.
Steve reached for the photo of Bucky, his fingers trembling slightly.
In the photo, Bucky is wearing a black combat suit, has a mechanical left arm, and has a vacant look in his eyes.
Lynn spoke up.
"Give us everything: money, weapons, and intelligence."
Steve looked up and stared at him.
What are the conditions?
"During Operation Shocker, the Howling Commandos received real-time intelligence support from the Clock Tower."
Lynn said calmly, "It's just for communication; command and operational authority remain with you."
After listening, Steve looked up at him. These conditions...
Dugan took the cigar out of his mouth, smacked his lips, and said, "You... you're no pushover, Mr. Morris. But we have no other choice."
Steve stared at Lynn in silence for a long time before finally extending his hand.
As the two shook hands, Chloe O'Brien walked in carrying a thick file folder.
"The agreement is ready, and the underground blueprints for Shocker are included."
Steve took the file bag, stood up, and turned to leave.
Lynn said behind him, " Steve, Bucky's not dead yet, but he won't last much longer."
Steve paused for a moment, but without turning around, continued walking towards the elevator.
Frank walked last, and before the office door closed, he glanced back at Lynn.
Lynn was looking down at the next document, his expression unchanged.
The elevator descended, and none of the three spoke.
Dugan put the cigar in his mouth and lit it.
Frank stared at his reflection in the elevator and thought of that little revolver.
He couldn't explain why, but he always felt that the gun would eventually be used on someone in this building.