At dusk, Erskine went looking for Luke, who was resting in the barracks.
The German scientist didn't beat around the bush and explained the reason for his arrival.
"Colonel Philips thinks you're the best candidate for Super Soldier. What do you think, Luke?"
Feeling that scrutinizing gaze, Luke's kept his calm..
After a moment of thought, he replied without hesitating, "What a super soldier needs to possess is not just a strong body, rather, it's knowing compassion and having a good heart!"
He could see that Dr. Erskine was testing him.
Rogers was always the right person in the other party's mind.
After the 'Red Skull' incident, the German scientist had a bit of trauma.
Even if Luke performed well, Erskine wasn't as impressed as he was by Rogers' words at the recruiting station.
Erskine pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose and asked with a hesitant tone, "Who do you think meets such conditions in the camp?"
"My friend Steve Rogers. His character is most trustworthy."
Luke's eyes were determined, as if he was inwardly convinced of this.
Hearing this satisfactory answer, Erskine's last doubt disappeared without a trace.
Originally, he was suspicious of Luke's involvement in the gangs and the high probability that he had blood on his hands.
He was afraid that if the other party became a super soldier, he would be like Red Skull and completely lose his sense of humanity!
Because of the effectiveness of the serum, that is what would happen.
"Very good!"
Erskine patted Luke on the shoulder and smiled approvingly.
Originally, he and Colonel Philips had very different ideas, and neither could convince the other.
Luke's answer completely dispelled Erskine's doubts.
He spoke solemnly, "You will both be super soldiers!"
...
Next week, Luke and Rogers left Camp Lehigh and boarded a car for New York.
As for the trained recruits, they became reserve soldiers.
If the serum injection is successful, everyone has a chance to become a super soldier.
"I never thought we would be back in Brooklyn so soon!"
Rogers lamented.
He sat next to Luke, looking through the window, gazing at the familiar buildings.
"So, the Colonel was right, fortune favors the foolish. "
Luke joked.
When Rogers learned that he had been selected as a test subject for the super soldier, he couldn't wait to find Luke to share it, only to see Colonel Phillips in the barracks.
The latter, with a look of disgust, glanced at Rogers and uttered this phrase.
Remembering that incident, Rogers didn't feel bad but rather had an earnest expression, "This isn't good luck! It's all thanks to you and Dr. Erskine! I couldn't have made it this far without your help."
He heard from Colonel Phillips that Luke had recommended him to Dr. Erskine on his own initiative.
Although Rogers wasn't very good at expressing his emotions, he remembered this gratitude in his heart.
"If you were a woman, I might have accepted your 'gratitude'."
Luke made a disgusted face and snickered, "See that block, that alley, and the parking lot out there, those are your old 'battlefields'!"
Rogers lowered his head and smiled awkwardly.
He had been beaten a lot because he couldn't get rid of his nosy habit.
These 'battlefields' were actually the places where he had been beaten before.
"Did you have something against running away?"
Carter, who was sitting in the front and driving, asked.
She was the entourage this time and was responsible for getting Luke and Rogers safely to their destination.
"You start running, they'll never let you stop! If you stand up and fight back, you will have the opportunity to defeat them one day!"
Rogers spoke of his inner feelings, and Carter was a bit moved by his sincere tone.
Dr. Erskine didn't choose him for no reason. At least this courage is worthy of praise.
"Being underestimated is something I have often experienced. "
Carter seemed to be drawn by the idea and said a few more words in a rare moment.
On normal days in Camp Lehigh, this female officer was like an iceberg, keeping people away.
Even the notorious playboy Howard Stark, would be careful around her. So far, not one dinner invitation was accepted.
"Miss Carter, I don't understand why you want to join the army. You are a beautiful lady ..."
Rogers glanced at Carter and began to speak with the emotional intelligence of a 'straight man' - You know, what the other party hated most is when people say she's too good-looking to be an agent in this line of work.
(TNote: straight man = slang word; it's not about their sexuality; it means awkwardly sexist males that don't understand women at all.)
Carter had a strong character and had never thought that she would lose to any man in terms of ability.
Seeing that Rogers was about to anger her, Luke hastily intervened by asking, "How much longer until we get there?"
"Soon. "
Carter glanced at Rogers coldly, snorted, and stopped talking.
The latter looked innocent, not knowing where he was wrong.
"Rogers, your ability to talk to women is among the worst I've ever seen!"
Luke shook his head and whispered in low voice.
The car remained quiet for the rest of the journey.
About 20 minutes or so, they arrived at their destination.
The trio stepped out of the car and pushed open the door of an antique shop.
Yes, this was the secret base of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
Carter exchanged codes with an older woman and led Luke and Rogers into the inner room.
"What a cliché design. "
Luke looked at the shelves full of books.
Entering the interior of the base, each door is guarded by heavily armed soldiers.
From time to time, some researchers in white coats would walk by with files in their hands.
Rogers, who was seeing this kind of scene for the first time, was a little nervous.
...
Binge/note: Mass release tomorrow.
Ps. Superman incoming.