Meeting a legend
[Camp Lehigh, Virginia: 07/02/ 1941]
The Camp Lehigh military base was busy as always, but there was a crowd gathering near the training ground. This was Steve Rogers' last test before being officially accepted into the army, after receiving the Super Soldier serum. A few figures stood out in the crowd, closely watching Steve's every move.
General Phillips, with his rigid posture and critical gaze, was the first to notice any flaw or hesitation. Beside him, agent Peggy Carter, with a calm and confident expression, observed Steve with a mix of professionalism and admiration. Further away, Howard Stark, the genius inventor and businessman, was murmuring something to his seven-year-old son Tony.
"See Tony, this is the project I've been working on for the last few months." He said pointing at Steve.
"Were you working on...the next Olympic champion?" Tony asked, feigning innocence, already knowing who that man was.
"Haha no son, but without a doubt he will be more famous." Howard said ruffling his son's unruly hair.
The test was about to begin. Steve, now taller and more muscular than he had ever dreamed of being, positioned himself in the center of the field. He looked around, taking a deep breath, feeling the anticipation of the crowd. It was time to prove that the Super Soldier serum was enough to send a man to war against the worst of the enemy.
The first challenge was agility, measured by an experimental device created by Howard Stark. Cones were arranged in a winding path, each equipped with motion sensors. Steve had to complete the journey in the shortest time possible, activating each sensor along the way. With a signal from General Phillips, Steve left. His movements were quick and precise, dodging obstacles with almost supernatural ease. The sensors recorded his speed and accuracy, displaying the data on a dashboard controlled by Howard.
The second test was of strength, using advanced measuring equipment developed by Stark. Huge weights, each connected to a dynamometer, were lined up, ready to be lifted. Steve walked to the first bar, lifted it above his head without any difficulty, and then repeated the process with each subsequent bar, each heavier than the last. His muscles stood out beneath his uniform, and sweat ran down his face, but he showed no signs of tiredness. The dynamometers recorded the force applied, with Howard noting the impressive numbers that emerged.
Finally, the endurance test arrived. A running course was established around the base, a distance that would make any ordinary soldier hesitate. Biometric sensors were attached to Steve's body, monitoring his heart rate, oxygen levels and other vital indicators. Steve started the race, maintaining a steady and incredibly fast pace. Upon completing the first lap, the data showed that he had barely begun to exert himself. On the second lap, spectators were amazed at the efficiency of his cardiovascular system. By the third lap, murmurs of wonder and amazement began to spread.
When Steve finally crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted in applause. General Phillips cracked a rare smile, Peggy Carter had a proud gleam in her eyes, and Howard Stark made a quick note in his notebook as Tony watched with wide eyes.
"So how did I do?!" He asked, taking a deep breath, even though his physique had improved to the extreme, this journey took a lot of energy from him, but he was no longer recovering it.
Howard Stark adjusted his glasses and looked at the notebook where he had recorded the data.
"Steve, you've gone beyond what any of us could have imagined." he began, with a tone of enthusiasm.
"We will analyze your results." He said.
He turned the first page of the notebook so everyone could see the graphs and numbers he wrote down.
"In the agility test, the sensors showed that you completed the course 40% faster than the previous record for a normal, fully fit soldier. This means that your reflexes and motor coordination are beyond human peaks, but still within the limits of limits of what we consider possible." He said as he turned the page.
"In the strength test, the dynamometers recorded a lift of 800 pounds at its peak, with no signs of muscle damage or extreme fatigue. That's about twice the maximum capacity of a highly trained human." Howard turned the page.
"And finally, in the endurance test, your heart rate and oxygen levels remained incredibly stable throughout the race, suggesting phenomenal cardiovascular efficiency. You completed the race course with almost instantaneous recovery, indicating an ability to regenerate which is truly extraordinary!!." Howard finished and left the notebook with Tony.
"In short Steve, you are the newest and most improved human on the planet!" Howard said in awe.
Steve nodded, absorbing Howard's words. He knew that despite his new powers, he was still human and that meant he had to continue training and striving to live up to the responsibility he now carried.
General Phillips, ever practical, intervened.
"Well, Rogers, you are officially accepted into the Science and Combat Division. Now let's get you up and running." He said he was already thinking about strategies to put Steve into practice.
Steve smiled and exchanged a small look with Peggy Carter who only gave him a small smile, but it reached her eyes, making him even happier.
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A few hours later in his dorm Steve was packing his things and putting only the essentials in his suitcase, but a white star on a blue background was all that was left before he closed the zipper.
"*Sigh* I don't know what high command was thinking." He said thinking about the demands that the Senator had made, especially regarding his "clothing" during the battle.
"I just hope I'm doing the right thing." He sighed once more.
"I thought your test was pretty cool." A childish voice said from behind Steve who jumped back in fright.
"Jesus!! Boy you almost gave me a heart attack." Steve said as he breathed a sigh of relief seeing only Howard's son, Tony if he remembered.
"Realistically speaking, it is highly unlikely that you will have a heart attack, just look at the data from your cardio vascular test." Tony responded with the same look as Howard when Steve asked a somewhat ignorant question or statement.
"*Sigh* You look a lot like your father." Steve said as he sat down on his bed.
"Thanks, but back to the topic, you didn't seem very excited for someone who will probably be a hero." Tony said, jumping up to get to the bed and sitting next to Steve.
Steve sighed again, looking at the boy next to him.
"It's not that simple, Tony. It's not just about being a hero. I wonder if being a soldier is the right way to bring peace and save lives. Sometimes it seems contradictory."
Tony looked at Steve with a serious look, unusual for his age.
"Are you afraid that even with all these powers you won't be able to make a difference?"
Steve nodded slowly.
"Yes. Being strong, fast and resilient is one thing, but using it to do good is another. War is complicated, and I don't know if I'm prepared for the difficult decisions that lie ahead. And this suit they want me to wear wear...it looks more like a symbol than a combat uniform. I wonder if they are more interested in propaganda than the true end of the battle."
"You know, Steve, you don't just have to be a soldier. You can be something more, a symbol. If you believe in what you're doing and what you stand for, others will too. The world needs someone to believe in right now, more than that never."
Steve was surprised by the maturity of the boy's words.
"You're smarter than you look, Tony. I'll try to remember that."
Tony shook his head.
"I kind of understand you, my father always talks about our family legacy. How he wants Stark Industries to help transform the world with technology. But I also have doubts. What if I can't continue that legacy? What if I can't make a difference like he wants?"
Steve smiled, placing a hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Tony, the fact that you are already thinking like this, wanting to do good, is already a big step. You don't need to have superpowers to change the world. Your father's intelligence and creativity are in you too. And you can do it Amazing things."
Tony smiled.
"Hey, I'm supposed to be giving advice here." He said
"You're a few decades away from being old enough to do that my boy, but who knows, maybe when you're an adult and the war is over you might need a super strong bodyguard?" Steve joked.
"I don't know, we already have Jarvis, he's super efficient, it's almost absurd." Tony smiled back.
"Well, it was a good chat, but I have to hurry." Steve said getting up..
"See you later Tony." Steve said smiling as he walked to the door.
Tony on the other hand felt sad.
"See you...see you later, I hope to see you soon." He said with a sad smile at the older man.
'Just do what you do best, Steve. Be the hero everyone knows you are.' He thought as he hoped to meet him again in the future.
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In 1945, the war finally came to an end. After years of intense battles, sacrifices and heroes who rose to face tyranny, the world began to breathe a sigh of relief. Germany's surrender in May brought hope of peace in Europe, while the fighting in the Pacific still raged. But for Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, the end of the war meant facing his greatest challenge.
In the autumn of 1945, crucial information reached the Allied high command. Hydra was planning a devastating attack on New York using a mass destruction bomb. It was a threat that could change the course of the war and cause incalculable suffering. Knowing there was no time to waste, Steve led a desperate mission to stop the attack.
Aboard the bomber, the battle was fierce. Hydra soldiers, equipped with the most advanced technology of the time, protected the plane with fervor. Steve, with his shield in hand, faced each opponent with fierce determination. The roar of the engines and the piercing Arctic wind created a chaotic scene, but Captain America advanced, taking down every enemy that stood in his way.
In the heart of the plane, Steve found the bomb device, already counting down. The Red Skull was there, laughing with a sadistic smile, sure of his victory.
"You're too late, Captain." He sneered, holding the control of the bomb.
"That's what we're going to see." Steve replied, jumping forward.
The blows exchanged between Steve and the Red Skull echoed through the metallic fuselage, while the countdown continued relentlessly. Steve knew he needed to deactivate the bomb at any cost.
With one last act of heroism, Steve managed to disarm the bomb control, but the struggle pushed him to the limit. In a final effort to ensure that the bomber and bomb did not reach New York, he drove the damaged aircraft into the icy ocean. He knew that the only way to avoid the catastrophe was to sacrifice himself.
From that day on, Hero's Day was celebrated, where Captain America Steve Rogers was honored in the United States, receiving a statue below the Statue of Liberty.
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From here on out the story will focus exclusively on Tony's development, so I need your opinion.
When to start Iron Man's career?
At 16, during the Korean War?
At 20, just before the Vietnam War?
At 29 years old, to reference the character's debut in the comics?
That's all, a hug.