The grenade never exploded. After a moment of stunned silence, the recruits realized it was a dummy. Phillips barked, "It's a fake! Now fall back into formation!"
Still in shock, Steve muttered, "Was that… a test?"
Dr. Abraham gave a satisfied smile as Phillips, though embarrassed, nodded. "He's still scrawny, but that one has something you don't often find—a willingness to sacrifice himself."
Turning, Phillips looked down at Thor and Peggy, both still on the ground. He groaned. "Does this kid think he's a Superman? Just lying on it wouldn't have helped in a real explosion!"
Dr. Abraham shrugged with a chuckle. "Perhaps. But if it had been real, Peggy would've been shielded. That's why he's my second candidate."
The recruits had noticed the scene and whistled with exaggerated enthusiasm. Peggy's face reddened, but she only muttered, "You… get up already."
Thor rolled his eyes, muttering to himself. He'd seen Peggy running toward the grenade and had reacted without thinking.
If Steve's self-sacrifice was a small pebble in Peggy's heart, he thought, then I just threw in a boulder.
…
Steve's act of courage left few doubting him, silencing any remaining objections.
Later, that night, Steve asked Dr. Abraham in his dorm, "Why me?"
The doctor replied warmly, "Because more than a good soldier, I want you to be a good man."
Steve hesitated, "But… maybe Blake would be better."
The doctor was taken aback, then smiled approvingly. "Yes, Blake is an excellent soldier—brave, determined, protective of the weak. But he's also impulsive and aggressive. When he fights, you can see the excitement he tries to hide. He reminds me of a Spartan."
Chuckling, the doctor continued, "As a soldier, those are strengths. But the serum amplifies a person's nature. And you, Steve—you have humility, integrity, compassion, sacrifice… exactly the qualities I need."
Steve grinned. "Sounds like you're looking for a knight. Should I take an oath tomorrow?"
…
Thanks to Thor's intervention, Steve ended up in Dr. Abraham's car the next day, heading for the experimental base, while Thor rode with Peggy Carter.
With Colonel Phillips' approval, Dr. Abraham had chosen Steve as the first super soldier. Thor, meanwhile, would be permitted to observe as a secondary candidate.
Peggy broke the silence in the car. "How do you feel, not being the first super soldier?"
Since the embarrassing incident on the training ground, Peggy had ordered everyone to keep quiet about it. But there was still a lingering tension.
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