The war is over.
When the final surrender agreement was broadcast across the world, the entire planet erupted in a sea of jubilation.
New York, London, Paris...
People flocked to the streets to hug and kiss complete strangers.
They threw their hats into the air, celebrating this hard-won peace with tears and laughter.
Lynn stood by the window, looking down at the celebrating crowd below, her eyes calm.
He could hear Motoko Kusanagi's calm report in his ear.
" Catwoman has successfully retrieved all the research data on the Tesseract, as well as the thirty-seven most valuable works of art and all the rare metal reserves in Hydra's treasury. She is currently on standby at Safe House No. 4."
" Professor Pyg has arrived at the secret base in Argentina via a pre-planned escape route, carrying all the equipment and initial funding needed for the New Hydra development project."
He showed great enthusiasm for it.
" Soldier Boy and Human Torch have been recovered and are currently under quarantine."
Lynn nodded slightly.
The fruits of war are being harvested silently.
The old era has ended.
A new era will begin with the prelude he himself composed.
He turned around and gave Motoko Kusanagi new instructions.
"Submit a report to the Department of Defense on behalf of Vought International."
"I want to give Steve Rogers a state funeral, so the whole world will remember this hero."
This report, along with Vought International's offer to cover all costs, brought a sigh of relief to the Pentagon generals.
They were racking their brains trying to figure out how to explain Captain America's fate to the public.
Lynn Morris once again provided them with the perfect solution.
An unprecedentedly grand state funeral was held in Washington.
That day, the sky was overcast and a light drizzle was falling.
The coffin, draped in the Stars and Stripes, was carried slowly down the street by the remaining members of the Howling Commandos.
The streets were lined with people who had come spontaneously to see him off.
Among them were elderly people with white hair.
There was a widow who had just lost her husband.
There are survivors who were rescued from concentration camps.
They didn't cry out; they just stood there in silence.
Wearing a white flower pinned to his chest, he paid the highest tribute to the empty coffin.
The whole world is focused on this.
Peggy Carter, dressed in a black uniform, walked onto the eulogy platform as a representative.
She straightened her back, striving to maintain the composure befitting a top agent.
But her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the grief in her heart.
People will say he's a legend.
Peggy's voice was amplified through the Mike, reaching the square and the entire world.
"They will remember that he ended the war and saved the world. But what I want to talk about is not that symbol called Captain America."
"I'm referring to Steve Rogers."
"That skinny young man from Brooklyn, that fool who couldn't even pass the physical exam but kept signing up for the army."
"That soldier who would not hesitate to throw himself into the face of a grenade and protect his comrades with his own body."
"He wasn't born a hero. He was just a good person, a better person than all of us."
Her voice began to choke, and a tear finally slipped down her cheek.
He once told me that he owed me a dance.
"Now, I'm afraid I'll have to wait a long time."
Countless people in the square wept.
The tough guys of the Howling Commandos could no longer hold back and lowered their heads to wipe away their scalding tears with the backs of their hands.
Howard Stark took off his sunglasses while standing in the crowd.
Unusually, he didn't utter a single witty remark, but simply stared silently at the replica of the star shield, his gaze complex.
This scene was broadcast live to the world via television.
Human Torch watched silently, without uttering a word.
The Soldier Boy dismissed it dismissively.
Inside the offices of the Vought Tower.
Lynn stared quietly at the tear-streaked face on the screen, at the tragedy he had orchestrated that had moved the world.
His face was expressionless.
It ended perfectly.
The aftershocks of the state funeral have not yet subsided.
A secret meeting that will determine the future security landscape of the world was held at the headquarters of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
The conference room was filled with smoke.
General Chester Phillips.
The weathered veteran stubbed out the last puff of his cigar in the ashtray.
"The war is over, but the threat remains."
" Red Skull is gone, but who can guarantee there won't be another Red Skull? The power of the Tesseract has shown us a world far beyond our imagination."
Howard Stark picked up the conversation.
He leaned back in his chair, looking relaxed.
"More importantly, we now have God."
He was referring to Soldier Boy, the Human Torch.
It's Lynn Morris and his unfathomable Vought International.
Peggy Carter nodded.
"We can no longer remain passive. We need a completely new institution, an organization capable of addressing all future threats."
"It will inherit the will of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, but with greater authority and stronger power."
The three people's eyes met in mid-air.
A completely new name came to mind.
Homeland Strategic Defense, Attack and Logistics Agency.
"This organization must have special capabilities."
General Phillips looked at the two men.
"Invite Lynn Morris to join?"
Howard and Peggy both fell silent.
They knew better than anyone how horrible Lynn Morris was.
But that's precisely why they need to bring him into their system.
Even Lynn, who is within the system, can be bound by the rules.
A Lynn outside the system would be a nightmare for the whole world.
The Vought Building.
Lynn smiled gently as he looked at Howard and Peggy, who had come to visit him in person.
"Homeland Strategic Defense, Attack and Logistics Agency? That's too much of a mouthful. Why not just call it S.H.I.E.L.D.."
After hearing the purpose of their visit, Lynn poured them some black tea.
"A very grand idea."
" Lynn, this isn't a concept, this is the future."
Howard became unusually serious.
"We need you. Your wisdom, your resources, you are an indispensable piece of the S.H.I.E.L.D.. puzzle."
Peggy was also staring at him.
Those beautiful eyes were filled with earnestness.
" Lynn, Steve's sacrifice was for a safer world."
"We are carrying on his legacy, and I hope you will stand with us."
She was trying to win him over with her emotions.
Lynn put down the teapot, leaned back on the sofa, and looked at the two future founders of S.H.I.E.L.D..
Then he gently shook his head.
"I'm sorry, I refuse."
"Why?!"
Howard jumped up from the sofa.
"Don't you understand what we're facing? It concerns the safety of the entire world!"
"Of course I understand."
Lynn's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes were so deep they were unsettling.
"But I'm not suitable to reappear. Don't you know why?"
As for the safety of the world...
He picked up his teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves.
"I believe you are capable enough to handle this. Vought International will provide you with all the necessary support: weapons, equipment, technology... as long as you can afford it."
Howard was stunned.
Peggy was also stunned.
"You'll regret this, Lynn."
Howard could only manage to utter this one sentence in the end.
"Maybe."
Lynn smiled noncommittally.
After seeing off the two founders of S.H.I.E.L.D.., Lynn returned to his desk.
Motoko Kusanagi appeared before him.
"Boss, the island purchase agreements in the South Pacific have been signed, and the first phase of the infrastructure upgrade plan has been launched."
"Very good."
Lynn nodded and looked out the window.
"Send our two big guys there for a vacation."
"Let them get some rest. After all, peaceful times are always short-lived."