Chapter 26

"Colonel Phillips —" I greeted the designated person when I entered the office, " Abraham.

"Mr. Howlett," Chester nodded, " the Doctor and I were just about to discuss the most obvious candidates for the first intake of the serum.

"Hello, James —" the scientist shook my hand.

— I understand that you have your own favorite? I smiled at Phillips.

- Yes, I think that Gilmore Hodge is the best of all fighters — - the colonel replied with conviction — - He is strong, stronger, faster and obeyed orders without question, so I think that the serum should be injected into him.

— What do you think? I asked Abraham.

— In my opinion, Stephen Rogers is much better suited for this role, because the most valuable qualities that are important for this project are personal, - said Erskine.

Yes, Steve was registered under the name Rogers, so that there would be no questions about the fact that the son of the head of a rich company went through the gang. In fact, it was, but... I don't care. It's better for someone I know well to get the serum than a complete stranger.

"I suggest we run a test," Phillips said.

- Which one? I asked with interest.

— If these personal qualities are so important to you, then we will check it now, — he took a training grenade from the locker and headed for the parade ground.

We followed him, understanding what the colonel wanted to do. And indeed, when our company approached a group of engaged candidates, Chester shouted:

- A grenade! - and threw a training fake directly to them.

All the fighters scattered everywhere, only Steve acted like a real ... idiot. But the idiot is right. Well, who else will jump on the explosives to cover the others? That's right, either an idiot or a hero, although I don't see any difference in these concepts. I've never been a hero myself, so I don't know what it's like for such people.

— And still a weakling, pf, - the colonel snorted and left.

— Was it a test? - the blond man got up in bewilderment when he found that nothing was happening.

— Yes, it was a test, - Abraham smiled with satisfaction — - You did well, Stephen.

"Thank you, Dr. Erskine," the guy said with a wry smile.

That evening, Abraham signed several papers stating that the serum should be administered to Steve. And then I went to the guy himself to inform him. I took with me a bottle of cognac, which he brazenly stole from my stash. I can't get drunk, but I can feel the taste! Therefore, I was sorry to part with such a valuable item.

He didn't stay long with my son. I told him something from my life and how good it was that he found such a good guy like Steve. And also this phrase of his: "The serum develops everything that is inside and from it the good becomes great, the bad becomes terrible. That's why I chose you. After all, a strong person who has possessed strength all his life loses respect for this gift. And a weak person knows the value of strength and has compassion."

Pathetic, but the words are correct. The one who got something without spending any effort will not appreciate it, as the one who achieved it with his blood and sweat. My son, like no one else, understands the value and responsibility of having power.

At the end of their conversation, Erskine took two glasses and poured alcohol into them, but…

- Oh, what am I doing — - the scientist caught himself, - You have procedures tomorrow — you can't, - and poured everything into his glass.

Yeah, yeah, that's how I believed you, you old alcoholic. You think that if others buy into your innocent speech, but I know that alcohol does not stay in your hands. Well, I'll assume that I didn't see or hear it, and my drone flew there by accident, yes. After all, it is necessary to prepare everything according to the highest level, since I will not inject the serum to a stranger.

The next morning, Erskine and I went to check the place of preparation for the experiment. Howard met us there and the three of us got busy. Soon Carter brought Stephen, who sometimes cast his eyes at her. Yeah, we need to talk to him about it sometime. He likes her, but the guy slows down.

"Oh, Margaret, Stephen, come in, come in," Abraham greeted them.

"Hello," I waved to them. I know it's childish, but Carter is so hilariously annoyed about it that I can't help but do it.

"I'm glad to see you, Dr. Erskine," the girl answered him affably, "Mr. Howlett," she said with a hint of displeasure.

"Hello," the blond man said, looking at everything around him.

About five minutes later, Colonel Phillips brought several guests, among whom was Senator Brandt, who looked at everything with disgust, because he did not believe that the serum would work at all. Stark was now connecting our generator to the capsule in which my emitter was built, so that the Vita-rays would not go anywhere, since they require a lot of energy.

— Well, are you ready, fighter? I asked my son with a grin — " It's not too late to refuse.

— I can handle it, " he said firmly.

"Then undress to the waist and lie down —" Abraham said without looking at the test tubes.

After a while, everything was ready, and the camera with Steve inside began to close. First, he was injected with several drugs so that his body entered a state of tension, and then they began to inject the serum itself. The guests watched the process with interest. Especially that Hydra agent who got mixed up in Senator Brandt's entourage.

"Here we go," the scientist gave the command, and Howard turned on the emitter.

— Ten percent, fifteen, twenty... - Stark turned the toggle switch that amplified the radiation, - Fifty, fifty-five, sixty…

- Aah! - the blond man started shouting in the capsule.

- Turn it off! Carter shouted from above, but before we could do what was said, there was another sound from the camera:

- No! Don't! I can handle it!

"Let's continue," I said through gritted teeth.

— But there's your ... - the scientist tried to reason with me somehow.

— I said keep going! - I growled, - He said that he would cope, so he will do it! Increase the power!

Hearing my words, Howard again began to increase the intensity of the Vita-rays. The scream from the cell only intensified, but only a little bit remained.

"Eighty-five percent ... ninety... ninety-five… After that, the beams worked for another five seconds, until the generator failed.

The capsule opened and a completely different person appeared to us. The guy's appearance has changed dramatically. His height reached almost one meter ninety, his whole body was covered with muscles, he probably also lost all his diseases. We will need to conduct some tests. In the meantime, it is necessary to swat some beetle.

While everyone was rejoicing at the success, I quietly moved towards Kruger while he was looking at Steve. But I had to speed up when he started to put his hand to his pocket. I know there must be a bomb in the guest room, so I had to hurry. Arskane finally noticed a strange man standing in the distance. And now I'm grabbing him and knocking him to the ground, taking the detonator out of his pocket.

There was a shot from a pistol, which I did not have time to pull out of his hand, but his shot went into the milk. A blow to the wrist and the weapon falls to the floor. A blow to the jaw, dislocation. So now he will not be able to crack the cyanide seal. That's fine now. It remains only to tie him up and conduct an interrogation.