O' Say Can You See...
The year is 1943, and there is a war raging in Europe. The US of A has...
The year is 1943, and there is a war raging in Europe. The US of A has...
O' Say Can You See... (MCU Captain America x Shadowrun)
- Thread starter torrmercury
- Start date
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Statistics (15 threadmarks, 33k words)
User Total KnightDisciple 1 torrmercury 13 qsurf 1 -
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1. O' Say Can You See...
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
O' Say Can You See...
The year is 1943, and there is a war raging in Europe. The US of A has just entered on the side of the Allies in the Second World War, and you are just a guy trying to join the army.
...
And what a fat lot of good that's doing you.
A fist smashes against your face and the force of the blow sends you sprawling across the floor. Jeering laughter stabs into your ringing ears while you struggle to rise and taunts wash over you as you concentrate on getting up again. A kick sends you rolling and your body aches. Your arms feel like lead and your chest vaguely burns when you breathe. Huh, your asthma must be kicking in.
Police sirens sound and you watch the bullies run off, tails tucked between their legs.
You sigh. Everything aches, but without anyone around to distract you, you concentrate on getting up…
Only to collapse from the dizziness of a concussion. Dangit. Looks like you won't be getting up anytime soon then.
So for now you groan and turn over, only to see:
[] glittering stars against the dark sky. Huh, and that's strange. Shouldn't the stars over Brooklyn be invisible due to light pollution? Was there a blackout? Mass Effect-verse
[X] Bucky's stony face. Your best friend spares you a sympathetic look before he stares off at the directions the bullies ran. You slur "I'ad 'em Bucky... Wha'd youdo dafer?..." Continue character creation
[] a strange bobble head doll. It's blue jumpsuit and blonde hair contrast against the dirty pavement below you, and you reach out to grab it. Fallout-verse
[] strange lights flashing across the sky. Weird. You can't hear any planes flying by. Maybe the lights around the street are blurring into each other from your concussion. XCom-verse
[] a sprinking of a blue dust like substance settles on the ground in front of your face... It's so cold and it's definitely not snow. What is it? RWBY-verse
[] white sparks against the pavement, as if a live electric cable were running across metal. As quickly as you saw it, it was gone. Huh. Are you seeing things? Shadowrun-verse
[] a metal dog tag. Someone must have dropped it. You reach out to grab it and see that it is shoddily made and only has the numbers 117 on it. A fake then. Halo-verse
[] Write-in?
Your vision starts to go black at the edges, and someone starts hauling you up. You struggle to stay cognizant, but the concussion and the pain is making it really hard to focus…
"Iha'em…"
"I know buddy. I know."
NOTE: I reserve the right to deny any write-ins of settings/franchises that I am not familiar with.
~~~
"Welcome! To the modern marvels pavilion, and the world of tomorrow! A greater world! A better world!"
There are people everywhere, and you can't help but to compare this to the World's Fair from just a few years ago. But this is dedicated to the works of Howard Stark, "inventor extraordinaire."
… though you will give credit where credit is due; the man is brilliant, and it's not as if he's not sharing the stage with all of his competitors.
"Hey… What was your name again?"
Huh? Oh, right. Bucky's friend.
"I'm ___, what was your name again? I forgot too."
[] Steve Rodgers
[] Write-in?
-[x] Steve Rogers
A chuckle is all the response you get. You huff.
Then, whispers of Stark start floating around, and you can practically feel the air get charged. You practically have to run to catch up with Bucky and co, but once you do you see the stage looming before you.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!"
~~~
Your mirrored reflection looks back at you, far too low for where the face should be. You look on for a second and a tightness forms in your chest...
You breathe in sharply as someone claps on your shoulder.
You turn, ready to-
Bucky.
"Come on, you're missing the point of a double date. We're taking them dancing."
"You go ahead. I'll catch up with you."
Something must have shown on your face because Bucky just gives you a look. He sighs and gives you his best disapproving voice.
"You really going to do this again?"
"Well it's a fair, I'm gonna try my luck."
"What, and pretend to be from Ohio this time? Cause they'll catch you, or worse, they'll take you."
The tightness in your chest comes back and you struggle not to show it. You just keep breathing easy.
"Look, I know you don't think I can do this, but-"
"This isn't a back alley, you know? It's a war-"
"Wh-why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs-"
"What am I going to do? Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon-"
"Yes! Why not?"
"I'm not going to sit in a factory-"
"I don't-"
"Bucky- Bucky! Come on, there are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."
His disbelieving look is all the answer you need.
"Right. Cause you got nothin' to prove."
You don't. Or at least that's what you keep telling yourself. The tightness comes back as Bucky looks you dead in the eyes, as if he could make you change your mind through sheer willpower-
"Hey Sarge! We going dancing?"
And just like that, it's over. Your best friend turns and puts on his best game face, puts his arms wide like a total ponce.
"Yes we are!"
And then he turns back to you before you can turn to leave. He looks at you, but your face is set. He gives you the barest of nodes before slowly walking backwards.
"Don't do anything stupid before I get back."
His voice is laced with worry, and you can't help but to forgive him. Or maybe you're reassuring him? You're not sure right now, so you call out before he gets too far away, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." You smile at him, just to let him know that everything is still okay between you.
He comes stalking back, an insult on the tip of his tongue, "You're a punk."
He hugs you and you hug back and reply with your customary retort, "Jerk."
As you part, you become serious again.
"Be careful. Don't win the war till I get there."
Bucky turns and salutes you before running off.
You turn around to walk back into the recruitment center, and you pause.
Right there, you swore to yourself that no matter what, regardless of if you get into the army or not:
[] you would try your best to keep others safe. So long as you breathe, the innocent need not fear those that would do them harm. [Trait Gained: Shield Bearer]
[] you devote your life to service so that the next generation will live better than yours. Maybe you can... [Trait Gained: We The People]
[] you will help in the war effort in any way you can. If you can't fight, then you'll think. Maybe become an army engineer or something? ...Crud, you'd have to start studying, and fast. [Trait Gained: Free Thinker]
[x] you will help in the war effort in any way you can. If you can't fight, then maybe you can help organize people? You can lead good men and women in an effort to support the troops abroad. Maybe even become an officer... [Trait Gained: Leader of Man]
Hello SV! Welcome to the newest torrmercury quest.
Many thanks to @Icipall @Shark8 and @ACTHEAC for being wonderful idea bouncers/betas.
The year is 1943, and there is a war raging in Europe. The US of A has just entered on the side of the Allies in the Second World War, and you are just a guy trying to join the army.
...
And what a fat lot of good that's doing you.
A fist smashes against your face and the force of the blow sends you sprawling across the floor. Jeering laughter stabs into your ringing ears while you struggle to rise and taunts wash over you as you concentrate on getting up again. A kick sends you rolling and your body aches. Your arms feel like lead and your chest vaguely burns when you breathe. Huh, your asthma must be kicking in.
Police sirens sound and you watch the bullies run off, tails tucked between their legs.
You sigh. Everything aches, but without anyone around to distract you, you concentrate on getting up…
Only to collapse from the dizziness of a concussion. Dangit. Looks like you won't be getting up anytime soon then.
So for now you groan and turn over, only to see:
[X] Bucky's stony face. Your best friend spares you a sympathetic look before he stares off at the directions the bullies ran. You slur "I'ad 'em Bucky... Wha'd youdo dafer?..." Continue character creation
[] strange lights flashing across the sky. Weird. You can't hear any planes flying by. Maybe the lights around the street are blurring into each other from your concussion. XCom-verse
[] a sprinking of a blue dust like substance settles on the ground in front of your face... It's so cold and it's definitely not snow. What is it? RWBY-verse
[] white sparks against the pavement, as if a live electric cable were running across metal. As quickly as you saw it, it was gone. Huh. Are you seeing things? Shadowrun-verse
[] a metal dog tag. Someone must have dropped it. You reach out to grab it and see that it is shoddily made and only has the numbers 117 on it. A fake then. Halo-verse
[] Write-in?
Your vision starts to go black at the edges, and someone starts hauling you up. You struggle to stay cognizant, but the concussion and the pain is making it really hard to focus…
"Iha'em…"
"I know buddy. I know."
NOTE: I reserve the right to deny any write-ins of settings/franchises that I am not familiar with.
~~~
"Welcome! To the modern marvels pavilion, and the world of tomorrow! A greater world! A better world!"
There are people everywhere, and you can't help but to compare this to the World's Fair from just a few years ago. But this is dedicated to the works of Howard Stark, "inventor extraordinaire."
… though you will give credit where credit is due; the man is brilliant, and it's not as if he's not sharing the stage with all of his competitors.
"Hey… What was your name again?"
Huh? Oh, right. Bucky's friend.
"I'm ___, what was your name again? I forgot too."
[] Write-in?
-[x] Steve Rogers
A chuckle is all the response you get. You huff.
Then, whispers of Stark start floating around, and you can practically feel the air get charged. You practically have to run to catch up with Bucky and co, but once you do you see the stage looming before you.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!"
~~~
Your mirrored reflection looks back at you, far too low for where the face should be. You look on for a second and a tightness forms in your chest...
You breathe in sharply as someone claps on your shoulder.
You turn, ready to-
Bucky.
"Come on, you're missing the point of a double date. We're taking them dancing."
"You go ahead. I'll catch up with you."
Something must have shown on your face because Bucky just gives you a look. He sighs and gives you his best disapproving voice.
"You really going to do this again?"
"Well it's a fair, I'm gonna try my luck."
"What, and pretend to be from Ohio this time? Cause they'll catch you, or worse, they'll take you."
The tightness in your chest comes back and you struggle not to show it. You just keep breathing easy.
"Look, I know you don't think I can do this, but-"
"This isn't a back alley, you know? It's a war-"
"Wh-why are you so keen to fight? There are so many important jobs-"
"What am I going to do? Collect scrap metal in my little red wagon-"
"Yes! Why not?"
"I'm not going to sit in a factory-"
"I don't-"
"Bucky- Bucky! Come on, there are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me."
His disbelieving look is all the answer you need.
"Right. Cause you got nothin' to prove."
You don't. Or at least that's what you keep telling yourself. The tightness comes back as Bucky looks you dead in the eyes, as if he could make you change your mind through sheer willpower-
"Hey Sarge! We going dancing?"
And just like that, it's over. Your best friend turns and puts on his best game face, puts his arms wide like a total ponce.
"Yes we are!"
And then he turns back to you before you can turn to leave. He looks at you, but your face is set. He gives you the barest of nodes before slowly walking backwards.
"Don't do anything stupid before I get back."
His voice is laced with worry, and you can't help but to forgive him. Or maybe you're reassuring him? You're not sure right now, so you call out before he gets too far away, "How can I? You're taking all the stupid with you." You smile at him, just to let him know that everything is still okay between you.
He comes stalking back, an insult on the tip of his tongue, "You're a punk."
He hugs you and you hug back and reply with your customary retort, "Jerk."
As you part, you become serious again.
"Be careful. Don't win the war till I get there."
Bucky turns and salutes you before running off.
You turn around to walk back into the recruitment center, and you pause.
Right there, you swore to yourself that no matter what, regardless of if you get into the army or not:
[] you devote your life to service so that the next generation will live better than yours. Maybe you can... [Trait Gained: We The People]
[] you will help in the war effort in any way you can. If you can't fight, then you'll think. Maybe become an army engineer or something? ...Crud, you'd have to start studying, and fast. [Trait Gained: Free Thinker]
[x] you will help in the war effort in any way you can. If you can't fight, then maybe you can help organize people? You can lead good men and women in an effort to support the troops abroad. Maybe even become an officer... [Trait Gained: Leader of Man]
Hello SV! Welcome to the newest torrmercury quest.
Many thanks to @Icipall @Shark8 and @ACTHEAC for being wonderful idea bouncers/betas.
Last edited:
Character Sheet
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Current Character Sheet
Captain Steve Rogers
Current Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Captain
Subject Alpha
SSR Division II Commanding Officer
Captain America
Former Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Recruit
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private First Class
Skills
New Skill System: Skills now have 5 ranks -
1) Proficient - Roll 3d100, take the highest
2) Trained - Roll 2d100, take the higher
3) Untrained - Roll 1d100
All skills start at Untrained and will not be marked until you have trained the skill.
Traits
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. You are one of the commanding officers of the SSR, and your current mission is to recruit, train, and enhance a team to become super solders like yourself. You will do your utmost to choose good men, so that there is not another monster in the world like Schmidt.
Provides a +10 bonus to leadership actions. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours... And learn you have! You are now stronger, faster, and more capable than any single Olympic athlete, and are able to learn and comprehend far more than you were able to before the serum.
All rolls gain a +10 bonus.
Brothers and Sisters in Arms: You will always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
Makes it far easier to recruit extraordinary people and to have them stay true to whatever cause you pledge yourself to. Can avert a Civil War. Unlocks Trait choice: Path to Peace
Path to Peace: You will always think back to Abraham's speech when you underwent your procedure. That today, you took not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace. Everything that you do, you will try to honor his faith in you by doing the same.
Provides a +10 bonus to actions that prevent needless loss of life or show mercy to the undeserving. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Lead Without Doubt, Serve Without Fear: You were taught that being a leader does not mean that you command others to do your bidding. To lead means that you are taking upon yourself the burden of guiding those who entrust themselves to you. You must have no doubt even in your darkest hours, and shepherd those who follow to safety, victory, achievements, or whatever they may be trying to do.
Provides a +10 bonus to leadership actions. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Items
Captain America's Shield - An indestructible shield made of vibranium. Created for you by Howard Stark, it served you well in World War II.
Doc Wagon Silver Trauma Kit - A medical kit given to you by Naz. It contains all sorts of things, but you don't know what most of them are because everything is written in Chinese/Japanese. You're not sure which.
-Bandages (Used 15%)
-Stethoscope
-Sheers
-Tweezers
-2 pairs of vinyl gloves
- 2 needles filled with ???
-???
-???
-???
-???
Captain Steve Rogers
Current Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Captain
Subject Alpha
SSR Division II Commanding Officer
Captain America
Former Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Recruit
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private First Class
Skills
| Proficient | Trained |
| Military Tactics | Media Training |
| Leadership | Mid-20th Century General Education |
| Create Super Soldier Serum | Mid-20th Century Cutting Edge Chemistry |
| Create Vita Chamber | Super Serum Biology |
| Close Quarters Combat | |
| Terrain Traversal | |
1) Proficient - Roll 3d100, take the highest
2) Trained - Roll 2d100, take the higher
3) Untrained - Roll 1d100
All skills start at Untrained and will not be marked until you have trained the skill.
Traits
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. You are one of the commanding officers of the SSR, and your current mission is to recruit, train, and enhance a team to become super solders like yourself. You will do your utmost to choose good men, so that there is not another monster in the world like Schmidt.
Provides a +10 bonus to leadership actions. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours... And learn you have! You are now stronger, faster, and more capable than any single Olympic athlete, and are able to learn and comprehend far more than you were able to before the serum.
All rolls gain a +10 bonus.
Brothers and Sisters in Arms: You will always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
Makes it far easier to recruit extraordinary people and to have them stay true to whatever cause you pledge yourself to. Can avert a Civil War. Unlocks Trait choice: Path to Peace
Path to Peace: You will always think back to Abraham's speech when you underwent your procedure. That today, you took not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace. Everything that you do, you will try to honor his faith in you by doing the same.
Provides a +10 bonus to actions that prevent needless loss of life or show mercy to the undeserving. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Lead Without Doubt, Serve Without Fear: You were taught that being a leader does not mean that you command others to do your bidding. To lead means that you are taking upon yourself the burden of guiding those who entrust themselves to you. You must have no doubt even in your darkest hours, and shepherd those who follow to safety, victory, achievements, or whatever they may be trying to do.
Provides a +10 bonus to leadership actions. Also provides story effects and extra choices during a decision point.
Items
Captain America's Shield - An indestructible shield made of vibranium. Created for you by Howard Stark, it served you well in World War II.
Doc Wagon Silver Trauma Kit - A medical kit given to you by Naz. It contains all sorts of things, but you don't know what most of them are because everything is written in Chinese/Japanese. You're not sure which.
-Bandages (Used 15%)
-Stethoscope
-Sheers
-Tweezers
-2 pairs of vinyl gloves
- 2 needles filled with ???
-???
-???
-???
-???
Last edited:
Initial Character Sheet
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Character Sheet
Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private
Stats
Explanation of Stats: Scale of 1-11, with something between 3/4 as human average. Peak human is 7 in every stat, with few things able to go beyond that. Example: Tony Stark has an intelligence of 10 while Thor has a strength of 10. The Hulk has a strength of 11, but intelligence of 2.
Skills
Traits
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. And maybe since you can't fight nearly as well as others, you can help lead instead. Well, that is if you make it through the SSR boot camp that is...
Front Page Char Sheet has been updated.
Edit: Changed stats to a 1-11 base instead of 0-10 because tables literally cannot use 0s for whatever reason.
Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) Private
Stats
| Mental | 16 | Physical | 4 | Social | 9 |
| Intelligence | 4 | Strength | 1 | Presence | 2 |
| Wits | 4 | Dexterity | 2 | Intuition | 4 |
| Resolve | 8 | Stamina | 1 | Composure | 3 |
Skills
| d12 skills | d10 skills | d8 skills | d6 skills | d4 skills | d2 skills | Misc skills |
| Self Sacrifice | Get up get up get up... | Roll with the punches | Education | |||
| Brawling | ||||||
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. And maybe since you can't fight nearly as well as others, you can help lead instead. Well, that is if you make it through the SSR boot camp that is...
Front Page Char Sheet has been updated.
Edit: Changed stats to a 1-11 base instead of 0-10 because tables literally cannot use 0s for whatever reason.
Last edited:
2. ...By the Dawn's Early Light
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
...By The Dawn's Early Light
"...I can offer you a chance. Only a chance."
You are breathless.
"I'll take it."
"Good."
As you walk out of the exam room, you follow Dr. Erskine into the reception room and watch as he finds the right stamp.
"So where is the little guy from? Actually."
You have no hesitation now. There is no room for anymore self doubt now that you've gotten your chance.
"Brooklyn."
The man stamps the paper and hands you the folder.
"Congratulations. Soldier."
As he walks away, you breathe deeply and look at the retreating back of the good doctor. Your chest, for once, is not tight, but relaxed. Warm, even.
You smile to yourself and leave the office.
"General Patton has said that wars are fought with weapons, but they are won by men. We are going to win this war because we have the best men. And because they are going to get better. Much better. The Strategic Scientific Reserve is an Allied effort made up of the best minds in the free world. Our goal is to create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man. At the end of this month, we will choose that man. He will be the first in a new breed of super-soldiers. And they will personally escort Adolf Hitler to the gates of Hell."
It's the 7th day of boot camp and you smile to yourself as you give the flag to the sergeant. Your body aches and you feel like you've been barely able to breathe for the last week from everything you've had to do, but you wouldn't trade it for anything. Dr. Erskine has given you this chance, and you won't waste it. You climb into the jeep with agent Carter and give her a smile too. And she actually smiles back!
You know that the others are look at you right now. They're probably jealous, thinking of ways to sabotage you, or planning some way to humiliate you later. It must sting that you're really the first guys in 17 years to get that flag, but you don't begrudge them. Some of them are bullies, but none of them are truly bad men, and if push comes to shove, you know that they'd lay their life down for anyone else on this base.
Day 23 of boot camp, and you're still here. Though you might not be the strongest or fastest, you definitely got by and kept proving that you belong here. The flag was only the first in a list of you accomplishments so far, and you've been hearing some whispers from the sergeants that they want to transfer you to an officer program once boot camp has finished. Looks like that resolution you made really means something!
As the day's heat bears down on you, Agent Carter barks new orders. Jumping jacks. Your lungs are still burning, but not nearly as much as when you started a couple of weeks ago. You see Colonel Phillips and Dr. Erskine standing beside a truck, but can't make out much more than that. Not just your lungs, but your body is burning with exertion so you need to focus more on finishing the workout.
Something comes flying into the line of recruits and someone shouts...
"GRENADE!"
You break out into a cold sweat, your hands are clammy and it's not hot anymore.
Your breathing hitches and you can see the grenade bouncing into the middle of your group. If that goes off here, there's a chance that any number of you might get hurt.
Everything seems like it's moving in slow motion, everyone is running and diving away. It won't be enough. The shrapnel will hit at least a few of you at this range.
A knot forms in the pit of your stomach, your aching body is shaking, and your breaths come fast and shallow, but there's nothing for it now. You know what you need to do.
You dive for the grenade and cover it as much as you can.
"GET AWAY!"
You see Agent Carter approaching you and you wave her away, nearly losing the grenade in the process. You grab it and cover it as much as you can.
"GET BACK!"
You're prepared for the searing pain, for the inevitable death sentence. Every part of you is tense, shaking as you grip yourself and curl as tight as you can around...
"Dummy grenade... All clear, get back in formation."
Wait. Nothing's happening. It had to have been 5 seconds already. You start uncurling and breathe deeply, looking around. While the relief that you feel is incredible, the smile on Dr. Erskine's face sends chills down your spine and agent Carter's proud smile gives you shivers.
"Is this a test?"
Dr. Erskine looks to the Colonel and shrugs at him, but the Colonel just mutters something before leaving. The doctor looks after the man for a moment before turning back to you and smiling again and then turning to leave himself.
In that moment, you know that something had just happened; but what? You figure you'll find out eventually.
The next morning is the same as every morning. The sergeant comes in at 0500 sharp and belts out First Call. 0530 PT is next and once you get through it, you get to the mess hall to eat breakfast.
However, that's when things start to get weird. When someone in another squad tries to cut you in line to get food, Hodge (Hodge!) grabs the guy's shoulder and tells him, "Hey, Rogers was here first. Get in line." even though he already got his ration. Hodge nods at you and sits back down to eat.
Then at the end of breakfast, agent Carter walk in and calls for you to meet with Colonel Phillips and that the rest of today's training is canceled for you.
You look around at the rest of the mess hall, and your squad gives you knowing looks.
You turn back to agent Carter and walk out the mess hall with her.
You don't turn back.
You're still in shock when evening comes. The meeting with the Colonel only took half an hour, where he explained to you what exactly was going to happen to you in 6 days.
The super soldier serum. First of a new army. The thought scared you.
Though you've told yourself that there's no more room for self doubt, it has come back in full force after that meeting. Why not Hodge or Poole? Either of them would be far better soldiers...
You sigh and look back at your notebook. Your various doodles fill the pages and look at the portrait of Bucky you drew right before he was deployed.
You wonder if he'd be proud of you.
The sound of foot steps brings you back from your reverie, and the rest of your barracks-mates walk in.
You put on a winning face before pulling out a novel so you can set in for the night.
It's the night before your transfer back to New York, and everyone else has been cleared out of the barracks. The rest of the men were transferred back into the regular army divisions until further notice of the success of the super soldier serum.
Though you've been distracting yourself all week with the last days of training, you can't help but to stop and think now. One question plagues your mind above all others: Why you? Surely there were for better candidates than you. Heck, you are a 140 point asthmatic. You can't believe that the serum can turn that into a super soldier.
And then, there was the whispers that you would be sent to undergo officer training too. That you would lead the new soldiers into battle. While the Colonel didn't say as much, you've seen his eyes light up when you're mentioned in the same sentence as leadership. That he sees the potential in you makes your chest swell in pride.
A knock sounds at the barracks door, and you turn in surprise.
"May I?"
Dr. Erskine...
"Yea."
You close the book you weren't reading anyways.
"Can't sleep?"
The tightness in your chest is back.
"Got the jitters, I guess."
A short chuckle comes from the man.
"Me too."
You look up at him as he puts the mattress down onto the empty bed beside yours. Maybe you should... Yes. You will.
"Can I ask you a question?
"One?"
"Why me?"
He gives you a look, as if evaluating you. The moment seems to drag on into infinity.
"I suppose that is the only question that matters."
You only just notice the bottle in his hand as he looks down at it.
"This is from Augsburg. My city."
He looks up from the bottle at you, dead in the eyes.
"So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know, after the last war, my people struggled. They-they felt weak, they felt... small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags..."
He looks down a moment. Lost in memories, you think.
"And he hears of me. My work. And he finds me. And he says 'You. You will make us strong.' Well, I am not interested."
Dr. Erskine puts the bottle down onto the floor and looks back up at you.
"So he send the head of Hydra, his research division. A brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt. Now, Schmidt is a member of the inner circle. And he is ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt, it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced that there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist."
The doctor's eyes glaze over a little as he tell you this. Definitely remembering.
"Schmidt must become that superior man."
"Did it make him stronger?"
"Yes. But there were other effects. The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great."
His eyes are searching as he tell you.
"...and bad becomes worse."
The tightness in your chest returns, you only just noticed that Dr. Erskine's story has made you relax earlier, as you contemplate the ramification of the serum's effects.
But then the man's face breaks out into a kind smile.
"This is why you were chosen."
Your breath hitches for a moment.
"Because a strong man, who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength. And knows... compassion."
The tightness loosens and warmth replaces it again, just as it did that night just over a month ago.
"Thanks."
Wait, did that mean he's calling you weak?
"...I think."
You give him a wry smile and he smiles back in amusement and gestures with a noise at the glasses he brought. How the heck did you not notice them before? You grab them and hold them out so Dr. Erskine can pour the schnapps.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are."
He takes a glass from you and looks you in the eyes again.
"Not a perfect soldier, but..."
He points at your chest.
"...a good man."
You smile.
"To the little guys."
He chuckles.
As you bring the glass to your lips, he suddenly leaps towards you, "No no, wait wait wait! What am I doing? No, you have procedure tomorrow. No fluids."
Oh. That makes sense.
"All right. We'll drink it after."
He pours your glass' contents into his.
"No, I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? I drink it now."
The amusement must have shown in your face because he nearly chokes on the drink with a chuckle.
Is there anything else you want to talk to him about?
[] Write-in?
"Are you ready?"
You look towards the machine. It is intimidating. You can only nods to Dr. Erskine.
"Good. Take off your shirt, your tie, and your hat."
You nod quickly, look back and, oh there's agent Carter. Well, this is going to get awkward very quickly.
You start undressing and once your shirt is off, you get onto the modified exam table and lie down. Dr. Erskine walks over and checks on you.
"Comfortable?"
You scoff.
"It's a little big."
You both laugh a little. Nervous.
"You save me any of that schnapps?"
He looks a little guilty and sheepishly smiles.
"Not as much as I should have. Sorry. Next time."
He steps back and is all business again. All you can do is remember to breathe as they take care of everything around you.
"Mr. Stark? How are your levels?"
Stark?
"Levels at 100%"
Huh.
"Good."
"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready as we'll ever be."
Mr. Stark looks at you and you look back. You can't get anything out of his dark eyes. You remember to breathe. In and out.
"Agent Carter? Don't you think you would be more comfortable in the booth?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry..."
She's still here? You look over and see her walking towards the stairs. She turns back, as if she knew that you'd be looking, and meets your eyes. She gives you a distracted, worried look that quickly melts into a smile when she meets your eyes. Your heart flutters and you don't have to remember to breathe anymore.
You see Dr. Erskine looking up at the men in the booth above, his face holding mild disdain. He smile wryly as he is handed a microphone and flicks it, producing a screeching noise.
He sarcastically asks, "Do you hear me? Is this on?"
The men up top finally look down at the proceedings.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace."
Orderlies bring out various pieces of machinery and put more pieces onto you; sharp but not cutting.
"We begin with a series of micro-injections into the subject's major muscle groups."
Dr. Erskine looks towards you and winks. He's probably saying everything for you benefit as much as theirs. You appreciate it.
A nurse walks over with a needle and swabs your arm before injecting.
"The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. And then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-rays.
The doctor comes over to you as soon as she's done. You joke, "That wasn't so bad."
His face though, is stony. None of the usual mirth or laughter is apparent, though some compassion is still there.
"That was penicillin."
He looks away.
"Serum infusion beginning in five, four, three..."
He gives you a sympathetic look before putting a comforting hand on your shoulder as the machinery comes down. The knot in your chest loosens a bit, but does not dissipate. You're ready for the pain of the injections. He looks away, though his warm hand remains where it is.
"...two, one."
You feel the liquid being injected into you. It is a slow and agonizing process, though not overwhelmingly so. The seconds tick by and you refuse to make any noise through it.
Everything is tingling. Everything is numb.
"Now, Mr. Stark."
The machine you're on starts moving and closes around you. There is nothing else you can feel or see at the moment.
There is a knocking on the glass.
"Steven? Can you hear me?"
Your breathes come in shallow, but you still manage a short laugh and a quip.
"It's probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?"
Your eyes focus and see Dr. Erskine's face through the glass. He give you a reassuring smile and nod before stepping away.
Breathe. In and out. In and out.
Huh. Your asthma is gone. You'd usually be completely unable to breathe by now.
And then, comes the light. Blinding.
You feel nothing at first, hearing only the muted speech from outside the pod.
And then a tingling all over your body.
The intensity starts to rise, and the tingling starts to become painful. You refuse to make any noise.
Your breathes come in faster now. Deeper.
And all of a sudden, the pain becomes too much. You restrain a scream, but it only gets worse.
You hear Dr. Erskine shouting your name outside of the pod. The undiluted fear in his voice is enough to drag you out of the pain filled haze.
"Kill the reactor Mr. Stark! Turn it off! Kill it! Kill the reactor!"
And despite the pain you're in, you cannot. You will not. Allow Dr. Erskine's work to be left unfinished. So you yell.
"NO! DON'T! I CAN DO THIS!"
And then, the pain becomes so intense that you cannot even scream anymore. All you can do is bear it and clench as hard as you can as your body feels like it's ripping apart.
And then, all of a sudden there is a hiss and the pod starts opening. Your dilated pupils only give you vague impressions of everything around you, and the machine feels far too small for some reason.
The relieved voice of Dr. Erskine is all you hear.
"Steven? Steven."
You nod. He breathes deeply and helps you off. There is someone on your other side as well. You can barely stand right now, but as you get off the exam table, you can't help but say, "I did it."
"Yeah, yeah. I think we did it."
[Trait Gained- Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours...]
Then, someone else's voice.
"You actually did it."
And then, another welcome face fills your sight. Agent Carter.
"How do you feel?"
And you have finally recovered enough to lift your head and look around-
And holy cow. Everything is so short now. Or... are you? You start nodding to yourself.
"Taller."
Yes. You definitely feel taller.
And suddenly, you feel a hand touch your chest before quickly pulling away. You see Carter looking awkward for once. Her face is flush, some red in her cheeks, and... You're not quite sure what that look in her eyes is, but you definitely like it a lot.
"You look taller."
She hands you a towel that you gladly take to dry off... Oh, and wow. Man, are you soaked.
Your breaths are coming in much more normally now, and you are starting to feel your limbs. You look over at all the people here for the first time-
And wow that's a lot of people.
And... Is that a lighter?
Why is he-
The upper balcony explodes and sends glass flying everywhere. You duck and shield yourself and Carter with the tower, but you keep your eye on the man.
He is running for the machine that you were on, only seconds (minutes? You can't tell...) ago.
Dr. Erskine yells,
"Stop him!"
He pulls out a gun and is starting to point it at the crowd. Dr. Erskine is the only person standing up straight and is right in front of you.
What do you do? (Pick 1)
[] The man might shoot Dr. Erskine! Get in front of him! (Roll Dexterity on Self Sacrifice - 8d12 rolling against 7d12)
[] Chase down the man and get the serum back! (Roll Stamina on Endurance running/sprinting - 8d10 rolling against 4d6)
[] Write-in? (Please write me a stunt, no more than 50 words, and give me a stat to roll on a skill, like above. I reserve the right to deny unreasonable write-ins.)
New Character Sheet
Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR)Private Private First Class
Subject Alpha
Stats
Explanation of Stats: Scale of 1-11, with something between 3/4 as human average. Peak human is 8 in every stat, with few things able to go beyond that. Example: Tony Stark has an intelligence of 10 while Thor has a strength of 10. The Hulk has a strength of 11, but intelligence of 2.
Skills
Traits
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can.And maybe since you can't fight nearly as well as others, you can help lead instead. Well, that is if you make it through the SSR boot camp that is... Now, it seems like you have the ability to fight. But even still, you made a promise and you will stick by it. Your aim is to take this chance that Dr. Erskine gave you and make the most of it. You'll take the officer training if it's offered, and if not, you'll become an NCO as quickly as possible. You'd do your best to serve by leading others to do better than they can alone. Maybe you'll even lead a team of super soldiers like yourself?
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours...
"...I can offer you a chance. Only a chance."
You are breathless.
"I'll take it."
"Good."
As you walk out of the exam room, you follow Dr. Erskine into the reception room and watch as he finds the right stamp.
"So where is the little guy from? Actually."
You have no hesitation now. There is no room for anymore self doubt now that you've gotten your chance.
"Brooklyn."
The man stamps the paper and hands you the folder.
"Congratulations. Soldier."
As he walks away, you breathe deeply and look at the retreating back of the good doctor. Your chest, for once, is not tight, but relaxed. Warm, even.
You smile to yourself and leave the office.
"General Patton has said that wars are fought with weapons, but they are won by men. We are going to win this war because we have the best men. And because they are going to get better. Much better. The Strategic Scientific Reserve is an Allied effort made up of the best minds in the free world. Our goal is to create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man. At the end of this month, we will choose that man. He will be the first in a new breed of super-soldiers. And they will personally escort Adolf Hitler to the gates of Hell."
It's the 7th day of boot camp and you smile to yourself as you give the flag to the sergeant. Your body aches and you feel like you've been barely able to breathe for the last week from everything you've had to do, but you wouldn't trade it for anything. Dr. Erskine has given you this chance, and you won't waste it. You climb into the jeep with agent Carter and give her a smile too. And she actually smiles back!
You know that the others are look at you right now. They're probably jealous, thinking of ways to sabotage you, or planning some way to humiliate you later. It must sting that you're really the first guys in 17 years to get that flag, but you don't begrudge them. Some of them are bullies, but none of them are truly bad men, and if push comes to shove, you know that they'd lay their life down for anyone else on this base.
Day 23 of boot camp, and you're still here. Though you might not be the strongest or fastest, you definitely got by and kept proving that you belong here. The flag was only the first in a list of you accomplishments so far, and you've been hearing some whispers from the sergeants that they want to transfer you to an officer program once boot camp has finished. Looks like that resolution you made really means something!
As the day's heat bears down on you, Agent Carter barks new orders. Jumping jacks. Your lungs are still burning, but not nearly as much as when you started a couple of weeks ago. You see Colonel Phillips and Dr. Erskine standing beside a truck, but can't make out much more than that. Not just your lungs, but your body is burning with exertion so you need to focus more on finishing the workout.
Something comes flying into the line of recruits and someone shouts...
"GRENADE!"
You break out into a cold sweat, your hands are clammy and it's not hot anymore.
Your breathing hitches and you can see the grenade bouncing into the middle of your group. If that goes off here, there's a chance that any number of you might get hurt.
Everything seems like it's moving in slow motion, everyone is running and diving away. It won't be enough. The shrapnel will hit at least a few of you at this range.
A knot forms in the pit of your stomach, your aching body is shaking, and your breaths come fast and shallow, but there's nothing for it now. You know what you need to do.
You dive for the grenade and cover it as much as you can.
"GET AWAY!"
You see Agent Carter approaching you and you wave her away, nearly losing the grenade in the process. You grab it and cover it as much as you can.
"GET BACK!"
You're prepared for the searing pain, for the inevitable death sentence. Every part of you is tense, shaking as you grip yourself and curl as tight as you can around...
"Dummy grenade... All clear, get back in formation."
Wait. Nothing's happening. It had to have been 5 seconds already. You start uncurling and breathe deeply, looking around. While the relief that you feel is incredible, the smile on Dr. Erskine's face sends chills down your spine and agent Carter's proud smile gives you shivers.
"Is this a test?"
Dr. Erskine looks to the Colonel and shrugs at him, but the Colonel just mutters something before leaving. The doctor looks after the man for a moment before turning back to you and smiling again and then turning to leave himself.
In that moment, you know that something had just happened; but what? You figure you'll find out eventually.
The next morning is the same as every morning. The sergeant comes in at 0500 sharp and belts out First Call. 0530 PT is next and once you get through it, you get to the mess hall to eat breakfast.
However, that's when things start to get weird. When someone in another squad tries to cut you in line to get food, Hodge (Hodge!) grabs the guy's shoulder and tells him, "Hey, Rogers was here first. Get in line." even though he already got his ration. Hodge nods at you and sits back down to eat.
Then at the end of breakfast, agent Carter walk in and calls for you to meet with Colonel Phillips and that the rest of today's training is canceled for you.
You look around at the rest of the mess hall, and your squad gives you knowing looks.
You turn back to agent Carter and walk out the mess hall with her.
You don't turn back.
You're still in shock when evening comes. The meeting with the Colonel only took half an hour, where he explained to you what exactly was going to happen to you in 6 days.
The super soldier serum. First of a new army. The thought scared you.
Though you've told yourself that there's no more room for self doubt, it has come back in full force after that meeting. Why not Hodge or Poole? Either of them would be far better soldiers...
You sigh and look back at your notebook. Your various doodles fill the pages and look at the portrait of Bucky you drew right before he was deployed.
You wonder if he'd be proud of you.
The sound of foot steps brings you back from your reverie, and the rest of your barracks-mates walk in.
You put on a winning face before pulling out a novel so you can set in for the night.
It's the night before your transfer back to New York, and everyone else has been cleared out of the barracks. The rest of the men were transferred back into the regular army divisions until further notice of the success of the super soldier serum.
Though you've been distracting yourself all week with the last days of training, you can't help but to stop and think now. One question plagues your mind above all others: Why you? Surely there were for better candidates than you. Heck, you are a 140 point asthmatic. You can't believe that the serum can turn that into a super soldier.
And then, there was the whispers that you would be sent to undergo officer training too. That you would lead the new soldiers into battle. While the Colonel didn't say as much, you've seen his eyes light up when you're mentioned in the same sentence as leadership. That he sees the potential in you makes your chest swell in pride.
A knock sounds at the barracks door, and you turn in surprise.
"May I?"
Dr. Erskine...
"Yea."
You close the book you weren't reading anyways.
"Can't sleep?"
The tightness in your chest is back.
"Got the jitters, I guess."
A short chuckle comes from the man.
"Me too."
You look up at him as he puts the mattress down onto the empty bed beside yours. Maybe you should... Yes. You will.
"Can I ask you a question?
"One?"
"Why me?"
He gives you a look, as if evaluating you. The moment seems to drag on into infinity.
"I suppose that is the only question that matters."
You only just notice the bottle in his hand as he looks down at it.
"This is from Augsburg. My city."
He looks up from the bottle at you, dead in the eyes.
"So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know, after the last war, my people struggled. They-they felt weak, they felt... small. And then Hitler comes along with the marching and the big show and the flags..."
He looks down a moment. Lost in memories, you think.
"And he hears of me. My work. And he finds me. And he says 'You. You will make us strong.' Well, I am not interested."
Dr. Erskine puts the bottle down onto the floor and looks back up at you.
"So he send the head of Hydra, his research division. A brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt. Now, Schmidt is a member of the inner circle. And he is ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and Teutonic myth. Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt, it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He has become convinced that there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do, he cannot resist."
The doctor's eyes glaze over a little as he tell you this. Definitely remembering.
"Schmidt must become that superior man."
"Did it make him stronger?"
"Yes. But there were other effects. The serum was not ready. But more important, the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great."
His eyes are searching as he tell you.
"...and bad becomes worse."
The tightness in your chest returns, you only just noticed that Dr. Erskine's story has made you relax earlier, as you contemplate the ramification of the serum's effects.
But then the man's face breaks out into a kind smile.
"This is why you were chosen."
Your breath hitches for a moment.
"Because a strong man, who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power. But a weak man knows the value of strength. And knows... compassion."
The tightness loosens and warmth replaces it again, just as it did that night just over a month ago.
"Thanks."
Wait, did that mean he's calling you weak?
"...I think."
You give him a wry smile and he smiles back in amusement and gestures with a noise at the glasses he brought. How the heck did you not notice them before? You grab them and hold them out so Dr. Erskine can pour the schnapps.
"Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are."
He takes a glass from you and looks you in the eyes again.
"Not a perfect soldier, but..."
He points at your chest.
"...a good man."
You smile.
"To the little guys."
He chuckles.
As you bring the glass to your lips, he suddenly leaps towards you, "No no, wait wait wait! What am I doing? No, you have procedure tomorrow. No fluids."
Oh. That makes sense.
"All right. We'll drink it after."
He pours your glass' contents into his.
"No, I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? I drink it now."
The amusement must have shown in your face because he nearly chokes on the drink with a chuckle.
Is there anything else you want to talk to him about?
[] Write-in?
"Are you ready?"
You look towards the machine. It is intimidating. You can only nods to Dr. Erskine.
"Good. Take off your shirt, your tie, and your hat."
You nod quickly, look back and, oh there's agent Carter. Well, this is going to get awkward very quickly.
You start undressing and once your shirt is off, you get onto the modified exam table and lie down. Dr. Erskine walks over and checks on you.
"Comfortable?"
You scoff.
"It's a little big."
You both laugh a little. Nervous.
"You save me any of that schnapps?"
He looks a little guilty and sheepishly smiles.
"Not as much as I should have. Sorry. Next time."
He steps back and is all business again. All you can do is remember to breathe as they take care of everything around you.
"Mr. Stark? How are your levels?"
Stark?
"Levels at 100%"
Huh.
"Good."
"We may dim half the lights in Brooklyn, but we are ready as we'll ever be."
Mr. Stark looks at you and you look back. You can't get anything out of his dark eyes. You remember to breathe. In and out.
"Agent Carter? Don't you think you would be more comfortable in the booth?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry..."
She's still here? You look over and see her walking towards the stairs. She turns back, as if she knew that you'd be looking, and meets your eyes. She gives you a distracted, worried look that quickly melts into a smile when she meets your eyes. Your heart flutters and you don't have to remember to breathe anymore.
You see Dr. Erskine looking up at the men in the booth above, his face holding mild disdain. He smile wryly as he is handed a microphone and flicks it, producing a screeching noise.
He sarcastically asks, "Do you hear me? Is this on?"
The men up top finally look down at the proceedings.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace."
Orderlies bring out various pieces of machinery and put more pieces onto you; sharp but not cutting.
"We begin with a series of micro-injections into the subject's major muscle groups."
Dr. Erskine looks towards you and winks. He's probably saying everything for you benefit as much as theirs. You appreciate it.
A nurse walks over with a needle and swabs your arm before injecting.
"The serum infusion will cause immediate cellular change. And then to stimulate growth, the subject will be saturated with Vita-rays.
The doctor comes over to you as soon as she's done. You joke, "That wasn't so bad."
His face though, is stony. None of the usual mirth or laughter is apparent, though some compassion is still there.
"That was penicillin."
He looks away.
"Serum infusion beginning in five, four, three..."
He gives you a sympathetic look before putting a comforting hand on your shoulder as the machinery comes down. The knot in your chest loosens a bit, but does not dissipate. You're ready for the pain of the injections. He looks away, though his warm hand remains where it is.
"...two, one."
You feel the liquid being injected into you. It is a slow and agonizing process, though not overwhelmingly so. The seconds tick by and you refuse to make any noise through it.
Everything is tingling. Everything is numb.
"Now, Mr. Stark."
The machine you're on starts moving and closes around you. There is nothing else you can feel or see at the moment.
There is a knocking on the glass.
"Steven? Can you hear me?"
Your breathes come in shallow, but you still manage a short laugh and a quip.
"It's probably too late to go to the bathroom, right?"
Your eyes focus and see Dr. Erskine's face through the glass. He give you a reassuring smile and nod before stepping away.
Breathe. In and out. In and out.
Huh. Your asthma is gone. You'd usually be completely unable to breathe by now.
And then, comes the light. Blinding.
You feel nothing at first, hearing only the muted speech from outside the pod.
And then a tingling all over your body.
The intensity starts to rise, and the tingling starts to become painful. You refuse to make any noise.
Your breathes come in faster now. Deeper.
And all of a sudden, the pain becomes too much. You restrain a scream, but it only gets worse.
You hear Dr. Erskine shouting your name outside of the pod. The undiluted fear in his voice is enough to drag you out of the pain filled haze.
"Kill the reactor Mr. Stark! Turn it off! Kill it! Kill the reactor!"
And despite the pain you're in, you cannot. You will not. Allow Dr. Erskine's work to be left unfinished. So you yell.
"NO! DON'T! I CAN DO THIS!"
And then, the pain becomes so intense that you cannot even scream anymore. All you can do is bear it and clench as hard as you can as your body feels like it's ripping apart.
And then, all of a sudden there is a hiss and the pod starts opening. Your dilated pupils only give you vague impressions of everything around you, and the machine feels far too small for some reason.
The relieved voice of Dr. Erskine is all you hear.
"Steven? Steven."
You nod. He breathes deeply and helps you off. There is someone on your other side as well. You can barely stand right now, but as you get off the exam table, you can't help but say, "I did it."
"Yeah, yeah. I think we did it."
[Trait Gained- Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours...]
Then, someone else's voice.
"You actually did it."
And then, another welcome face fills your sight. Agent Carter.
"How do you feel?"
And you have finally recovered enough to lift your head and look around-
And holy cow. Everything is so short now. Or... are you? You start nodding to yourself.
"Taller."
Yes. You definitely feel taller.
And suddenly, you feel a hand touch your chest before quickly pulling away. You see Carter looking awkward for once. Her face is flush, some red in her cheeks, and... You're not quite sure what that look in her eyes is, but you definitely like it a lot.
"You look taller."
She hands you a towel that you gladly take to dry off... Oh, and wow. Man, are you soaked.
Your breaths are coming in much more normally now, and you are starting to feel your limbs. You look over at all the people here for the first time-
And wow that's a lot of people.
And... Is that a lighter?
Why is he-
The upper balcony explodes and sends glass flying everywhere. You duck and shield yourself and Carter with the tower, but you keep your eye on the man.
He is running for the machine that you were on, only seconds (minutes? You can't tell...) ago.
Dr. Erskine yells,
"Stop him!"
He pulls out a gun and is starting to point it at the crowd. Dr. Erskine is the only person standing up straight and is right in front of you.
What do you do? (Pick 1)
[] The man might shoot Dr. Erskine! Get in front of him! (Roll Dexterity on Self Sacrifice - 8d12 rolling against 7d12)
[] Chase down the man and get the serum back! (Roll Stamina on Endurance running/sprinting - 8d10 rolling against 4d6)
[] Write-in? (Please write me a stunt, no more than 50 words, and give me a stat to roll on a skill, like above. I reserve the right to deny unreasonable write-ins.)
New Character Sheet
Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR)
Subject Alpha
Stats
| Mental | 26 | Physical | 24 | Social | 18 |
| Intelligence | 8 | Strength | 8 | Presence | 10 |
| Wits | 8 | Dexterity | 8 | Intuition | 4 |
| Resolve | 10 | Stamina | 8 | Composure | 4 |
Skills
| d12 skills | d10 skills | d8 skills | d6 skills | d4 skills | d2 skills | Misc skills |
| Self Sacrifice | Terrain traversal (free running/parkour) | Marksmanship | Education |
|
||
| Get up get up get up... | Endurance running/sprinting | Roll with the punches | ||||
| Brawling | ||||||
| Desperate Gambit | ||||||
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can.
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours...
Last edited:
Rolling dice in a torrmercury quest!
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
So everyone! For those of you who are familiar with my quests, you all know that NOW IS THE TIME TO ROLL!!!
And so, I would like to ask for each of the following rolls be rolled by ONE person each. You may use any dice roller you'd like, so long as you can show proof of the roll. However, the forum's roller is usually the easiest one to use so if you are unsure as to what to use, then please use that one.
When rolling, please CALL the roll that you want to make before actually making the roll. ALSO, since this is not ItB and we have a different dice system, I will allow multiple people to roll on each action. Specifically, I will allow the following rolls:
[] 1) 2d12
[] 2) 2d12
[] 3) 2d12
[] 4) 2d12
for a total of 8d12 on Self Sacrifice.
And:
[] 1) 2d10
[] 2) 2d10
[] 3) 2d10
[] 4) 2d10
[] 5) 2d10
For a total of 10d10 on Desperate Gambit.
Edit from the future: Basically what that means is, when you roll you must VOTE for the roll you want to take. It does not have to be the actual vote, but as long as it is along the lines of:
[x] 3) 2d10
or
[x] Rolling Desperate Gambit 2
You will be fine. And then once you post, you can edit in the dice roll from elsewhere or use the forum roller.
So? What are you all waiting for? There are 9 dice to roll! Hop to it!
And so, I would like to ask for each of the following rolls be rolled by ONE person each. You may use any dice roller you'd like, so long as you can show proof of the roll. However, the forum's roller is usually the easiest one to use so if you are unsure as to what to use, then please use that one.
When rolling, please CALL the roll that you want to make before actually making the roll. ALSO, since this is not ItB and we have a different dice system, I will allow multiple people to roll on each action. Specifically, I will allow the following rolls:
[] 1) 2d12
[] 2) 2d12
[] 3) 2d12
[] 4) 2d12
for a total of 8d12 on Self Sacrifice.
And:
[] 1) 2d10
[] 2) 2d10
[] 3) 2d10
[] 4) 2d10
[] 5) 2d10
For a total of 10d10 on Desperate Gambit.
Edit from the future: Basically what that means is, when you roll you must VOTE for the roll you want to take. It does not have to be the actual vote, but as long as it is along the lines of:
[x] 3) 2d10
or
[x] Rolling Desperate Gambit 2
You will be fine. And then once you post, you can edit in the dice roll from elsewhere or use the forum roller.
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(Non-canon) Captain America: The First Omake
- Location
- New Mexico
Captain America: The First Omake
The day had been… interesting. Immediately after your dose of serum the Nazis had broken into the lab where the process had been administered, announcing his presence with a bomb planted on that upper level and Dr. Erskine's life immediately in danger: you threw yourself in front of the one targeting Dr. Erskine and probably saved his life while Ms. Carter ran down the agent that had stolen a vial of the serum and shot him.
The debriefing had been almost immediate, almost before you'd expected the adrenaline crash… which oddly never came. — Interesting that. — In any case, the whole camp was under lockdown, perimeter patrols called up and you and the rest of virtually everyone involved with Dr. Erskine herded into a tent which was itself under heavy guard as you waited.
The trucks would be here shortly, to pack up their belongings and the lab equipment as the whole operation was being moved elsewhere, secret even from them.
It was as if the day had been equal parts terrifying excitement and oppressive boredom, and you find yourself wondering if that's what combat generally felt like… if so, it certainly altered your perspective.
Still, you don't have to do nothing right now, so you pull out your pocket bible and begin reading to pass the time.
The new 'camp' was down in Tennessee, just off a little stream/river coming off the Great Smokey Mountains, about 25 miles from both Greenville and Johnson City both.
Smack dab in the middle of nowhere to finish the evaluation of Dr. Erskine's formula's effectiveness. So far the results seemed about as spectacular as that explosion you remember, and you're confident that there will be a whole unit of Super Soldiers, as had always been the plan, but… you feel something different than what you'd felt entering the program: it's almost like there are forces operating behind the scenes battling about how the serum ought to be used.
Both the Colonel and Dr. Erskine had appeared very ragged and worn out when they had returned to the camp, and they'd left and returned twice after that… both times looking as if they'd run marathons on nothing but willpower — you suspect that the fight, if it is one, is between a stance of "give the serum to everyone!" and both the Colonel and Dr. Erskine's stance of only giving it to good men.
In any case you feel somewhat frustrated that you can't help them, and given how you are the first to receive the treatment you're genuinely surprised that the higher-ups haven't given you an interview or something to help decide on which stance to go with.
A knock on your door, a temporary building made from sheet-metal, two-by-fours and little else — just like everything else in the camp — interrupts your brooding over things you can't do anything about.
"Hey Steve!" says the Corporal who delivers the irregular mail, one Hiram Jones.
"Hey Hiram." You respond, almost automatically — the corporal seems to have his own powers as you've noted, it wasn't "always being happy" or really optimistic, but something more like an 'undercurrent' of joy, a confidence that things would eventually be good — "How's today treating you?"
"I got food and a cot." Hiram replied, shifting the slightly oversized mail-bag hanging on his shoulder, "No letters for you today, but… there's this!"
You look ad the box in his hand for a moment before taking it, the weight inside seems very, very poorly distributed… and shifting?
"It's a gift from me and the rest of the guys…" Hiram explained, as you open the box.
Inside is a small cat, a kitten really… you don't know what to say, especially in response to the small uniform someone had made and dressed him in, to include a hat.
The debriefing had been almost immediate, almost before you'd expected the adrenaline crash… which oddly never came. — Interesting that. — In any case, the whole camp was under lockdown, perimeter patrols called up and you and the rest of virtually everyone involved with Dr. Erskine herded into a tent which was itself under heavy guard as you waited.
The trucks would be here shortly, to pack up their belongings and the lab equipment as the whole operation was being moved elsewhere, secret even from them.
It was as if the day had been equal parts terrifying excitement and oppressive boredom, and you find yourself wondering if that's what combat generally felt like… if so, it certainly altered your perspective.
Still, you don't have to do nothing right now, so you pull out your pocket bible and begin reading to pass the time.
****************************
The new 'camp' was down in Tennessee, just off a little stream/river coming off the Great Smokey Mountains, about 25 miles from both Greenville and Johnson City both.
Smack dab in the middle of nowhere to finish the evaluation of Dr. Erskine's formula's effectiveness. So far the results seemed about as spectacular as that explosion you remember, and you're confident that there will be a whole unit of Super Soldiers, as had always been the plan, but… you feel something different than what you'd felt entering the program: it's almost like there are forces operating behind the scenes battling about how the serum ought to be used.
Both the Colonel and Dr. Erskine had appeared very ragged and worn out when they had returned to the camp, and they'd left and returned twice after that… both times looking as if they'd run marathons on nothing but willpower — you suspect that the fight, if it is one, is between a stance of "give the serum to everyone!" and both the Colonel and Dr. Erskine's stance of only giving it to good men.
In any case you feel somewhat frustrated that you can't help them, and given how you are the first to receive the treatment you're genuinely surprised that the higher-ups haven't given you an interview or something to help decide on which stance to go with.
A knock on your door, a temporary building made from sheet-metal, two-by-fours and little else — just like everything else in the camp — interrupts your brooding over things you can't do anything about.
"Hey Steve!" says the Corporal who delivers the irregular mail, one Hiram Jones.
"Hey Hiram." You respond, almost automatically — the corporal seems to have his own powers as you've noted, it wasn't "always being happy" or really optimistic, but something more like an 'undercurrent' of joy, a confidence that things would eventually be good — "How's today treating you?"
"I got food and a cot." Hiram replied, shifting the slightly oversized mail-bag hanging on his shoulder, "No letters for you today, but… there's this!"
You look ad the box in his hand for a moment before taking it, the weight inside seems very, very poorly distributed… and shifting?
"It's a gift from me and the rest of the guys…" Hiram explained, as you open the box.
Inside is a small cat, a kitten really… you don't know what to say, especially in response to the small uniform someone had made and dressed him in, to include a hat.
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3. ...And the Rockets' Red Glare, The Bombs Bursting in Air...
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
...And the Rockets' Red Glare, The Bombs Bursting in Air...
Dr. Erskine yells,
"Stop him!"
He pulls out a gun and is starting to point it at the crowd. Dr. Erskine is the only person standing up straight and is right in front of you.
Your first instinct is to cover him, so you leap to your feet, almost tripping over yourself as you get used to your (now much) larger body. But, you manage to leap between Dr. Erskine and the gunman...
Three shots ring out.
And searing pain rips into your arm and lodges itself into a bone. Two more points of pain dot you, one in your rib cage and one in your back, but Erskine remains unhurt. You push through this. The assassin has the last vial of the Super Soldier Serum in his hand. The pain is secondary right now, all of your focus goes to him now.
Time almost seems to slow as your heart races. The gun looks like a standard P38, intercepted 3 out of the 3 he shot, no one else is hurt, gunman has 5 rounds left in his magazine. There should be 6 Military Police on site, two in the room, plus agent Carter. All should be armed. Immediately, you dive for the assassin.
Pain shoots through you as you try to-
Another shot rings out.
But it's too slow. Pain lances through your left rib cage, but you manage to knock into him.
A gun clatters to the ground.
You fall to the floor and wince but get up again... Too slowly. The assassin is already up again and you make to move, but the pain is too much. You won't be able to do anymore.
So, you start calling out orders.
"Agent Carter, he has the serum! Bring it back or destroy it! The assassin is secondary!"
The MPs snap out of the fugue that engulfed the room after the bomb went off, and you see Carter already readying her pistol, lining up a shot as soon as you knocked the man over. Carter looks over to you in surprise at your order, but does not question it. She gives you a grim smile, eyes filled with determination, before she look back to aim. She squeezes off two shots of her pistol, barely missing one and the other hitting the assassin's arm. He barely slows down and did not drop the serum. Agent Carter takes off after the assassin, her training evident as she runs with a charge that would not be out of place on a battlefield. He is already up the stairs running down the hall, but Carter is moving up the stairs even as she squeezes off another shot.
You turn away, trusting her to get the job done. You've seen what she could do at boot camp, and you're not eager to be in the gunman's shoes. So, you get up, slowly as to not exacerbate your injuries.
"MPs, on me. Someone sweep the area for anymore explosives!"
You turn back to the crowd of civilians and VIPs-
And all eyes are on you, some wide and fearful, others steely and calculating, and one familiar set with kindness and worry. You hesitate for only a moment before you start directing the MPs to start a bomb sweep.
The MPs salute and go off on their task while you start directing evacuation of the base.
"This base is compromised, so we need to relocate to the nearest military installation. Fort Hamilton is only 10 minutes away by car, so someone needs to to requisition half a dozen cars to get us."
A shout from one of the MPs directs your attention to the back of the room, where the assassin stole the serum.
"There's another bomb here!"
Your focus becomes razor sharp.
Adrenaline pumps through you, and the pain becomes a dull ache rather than a stab.
"MOVE MOVE MOVE! EVERYONE UP AND OUT!"
You start directing everyone up the stairs, as far away from the bomb as possible, even as you direct more MPs to sweep the assassin and Carter's trail for more goodies, just in case.
As soon as the last man is up the stairs, you rush up after them and shut the metal doors behind you-
And not a moment too soon, as an explosion pings the doors behind you. Thankfully there is no explosion chain.
"Alright, people. Let's ge-"
You cover your mouth as you cough. And again. And then a few more. Breathes are hurting your lungs, and as your eyes come back into focus, you see blood splatters on your hand. It dawns on you that you took four bullet wounds and that you were still standing. You finally start feeling the blood loss and your vision swims.
You hear a faint shout and Dr. Erskine's horrified face comes into view for a moment before the black at the edges of your sight engulfs you.
You are looking in at a familiar barracks. There is no one here because everyone just left, and you are the only one left.
Empty beds all lined up in a row, and only one is occupied. And strangely enough, you see yourself sitting there on your bed. You look down at your hands, and they are far larger than they should be. Everything feels so low, though you suppose you just grew?
The door opens and a knock sounds, and you turn in surprise. The original you as well.
"May I?"
Dr. Erskine...
"Yea."
You watch yourself close the book you weren't reading anyways.
"Can't sleep?"
...
You watch as the conversation replays, exactly as you remembered it, tho probably with even more detail than before. You sure as hell didn't realize that Dr. Erskine had the bottle the first time around, but you picked it out immediately this time.
You are in awe at the replica of the barracks, and you wonder what the limits of the dream are, because you are obviously dreaming or reliving a memory or something.
As you approach the edge of the barracks, you feel and see a darkness at the entry way. It fells your very being with dread. You feel fear just the same as anyone, but you know how to overcome it if needed. But, mankind has not survived thousands of years due to ignoring fear, and there is no need for you to do so now. Something tells you that there is nothing to fear should you leave it well alone.
So you back away at the wisps of inky blackness that is seeping in. You turn back to the conversation.
"All right. We'll drink it after."
You watch as he pours the glass' contents into his.
"No, I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? I drink it now."
The amusement in your face is amazing. So that's why he nearly chokes.
"Doctor..."
He hold up a hand before coughs once more and then clearing his throat.
"Please, Steven. Call me Abraham."
"O-okay then. A-Abraham."
Ouch. So that's how you sounded. Your voice cracked a little like a teenage boy.
"Is there anything we should worry about with the serum?"
He looks thoughtful for a moment before looking at your counterpart again.
"With you? I doubt it. I spoke no lies when I told you that the serum amplifies everything. In the wrong hands... In Schmidt's hands... He has become a twisted parody of what he once was. Before, he was ambitious, intelligent, and proud. But now? He has become maniacal. His genius has only grown, but so has his pride to become arrogance. He leads Hydra and seeks to take the entire world. Steven... I must confess that I chose you in part to atone for my part in Schmidt's rise."
You didn't think anything of it at that time, but now that you think about it, Abraham has nothing to atone for. From what he said, he was forced to give Schmidt the incomplete serum. Though, if you were in his situation you would probably feel the same. Nothing for it now, you guess. You turn back to your counterpart.
"If it's that dangerous to give to the wrong people... have you given any thought to hiding how it's made? In case you're not around to help choose a candidate? I-I mean, not that I think anything will! But... Just in case, you know?"
He chuckles softly and closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, there is a steely determination there.
"I have given much thought to that. I am currently the only person in the world who knows how the serum is made. And though I know that Schmidt is trying to recreate it, I know that he will fail. And, had I been unable to find you, I would have taken the secret with me to the grave. Others will follow in my footsteps, but they will not succeed. At least, not for a long time. I trust that good men and women will be able to keep an eye out on that after I am gone. But..."
The pause is significant. Dr. Erski-Abraham! Abraham looks like he is wrestling with himself. You were tired, so you didn't notice is as much as you are now, but you can see now that the conflict within him is raging. But, he resolves it and sets his face, determined. He continues.
"No. I will tell you after the procedure tomorrow. It is not important now."
His kind smile is telling. He thinks that he is sparing you a burden. Before now, you would not have even realized. Your counterpart nods and asks his next question.
"Do you know anyone else that is trying to make the serum? Uh, other than Schmidt."
"Not that I know of. My formula was somewhat of a curiosity in Germany, and not many thought that I could succeed. Only Schmidt took any stock in what he heard of me."
A shrug, and that is that.
"What was Germany like? Before the Nazis invaded, I mean."
"So many questions! I thought you only had one?"
It's strange watching the emotions play out on your own face, one that is so familiar to you and yet is not your own anymore. A sheepish grin is plastered on your face.
"What can I say? It's just interesting talking to you."
Dr. Erskine (nuts, you still need to remember that he asked you to call him Abraham) chuckles before he sighs. His previous mirth evaporates.
"To tell you the truth, Germany has not been a good place to live for a very long time now. Since before the Great War, in fact."
Last time around, you didn't notice the lines in his face as he talked about his home country. The sadness resounded in you.
"Otto von Bismarck was the man who had led Germany to prosperity but the next Kaiser, Wilhelm II, fired him. And that was the beginning of the end. He was far too ambitious to remain content with just the united Germany that his grandfather had build with Bismarck. So? The Great War happened."
"What did you do during the Great War? I can't imagine that someone like you would have condoned any of the fighting, especially for such a weak reason."
"Such pointed questions, Steven. I almost feel like you are interviewing me, no? Maybe the schnapps were not such a good idea for this conversation."
"Oh, no no, sorry, I'm jus-"
A short laugh and a smile and you see how the worry in your face melts away. It is fascinating to watch your own expressions like this.
"Steven, relax. I'm just teasing you. But to answer your question, I did what I am doing now. Trying to find a way to bring back peace. Trying to do that in a way that does not breed more resentment than what started it. Trying to make sure that good men and women are the ones that broker peace."
"And the serum is that way? I mean, I guess it is since it makes good become great."
"Yes. I planned on introducing the serum in the Great War. Giving it to the good men that fought, so that when they came home, they would be symbols and cry out against the power hungry Kaiser. To prevent another war like this from happening. But my work had only just begun. Back then, all I knew was that I had a serum that could turn any man into something far greater. He or she would gain strength beyond most, intelligence to match, and a slew of deformations that prevented me from continuing my trials on people."
"You mentioned that there were other effects on Schmidt. What happened?"
"Schmidt had only minor effects compared to the earlier subjects."
Dr. Er- Abraham looks distinctly uncomfortable now. And just as you remember it, you immediately change the topic. The relief that you see on his face was not imagined then.
"Do you have any family? How are they?"
And you also remember that the crestfallen expression he wore afterwards is even worse.
You resolved then to talk to him about it later. For now though, you will put your faith in him in return for all the faith that he put in you.
"Doct-... Abraham. I just want to thank you for the chance you gave me. It meant so much to me. I'm sure that every test subject you had, besides maybe Schmidt, thought that even should you fail, that they were helping you to help the world."
The smile that he gives you makes your chest tighten. Even with your new body, some things have not changed. His breathing becomes hitched.
"Steven. I am so glad that I picked you."
He takes off his glasses and wipes away tears.
"Thank you for your faith in me. I promise that I will not fail you. Not like I did for those who came before."
"And thank you for the faith that you put in me. I think I speak for everyone who you asked, when I say that my faith is not misplaced."
The tears fall faster now, and all you hear is a mutter. It was too quiet for you to make it out the first time.
"You are too good a man to forgive me so easily..."
You didn't know what he meant that night, but you think you do now.
What did you resolve that night? (PLEASE see the note at the bottom of this update for voting instructions)
To always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
Marksmanship 5d10 = 33 vs Escape Artist 4d10 = 20
+ 5d10 bonus dice from Desperate Gamble = 24
True result is 57 vs 20
3 Degrees of Success = Minor Critical Success!
A dull ache wakes you up. Everything hurts. There is a weight on the sheets to your left and you cannot pull them up to cover yourself better.
Your head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton, and your limbs appear to be... Oh so you do have a cast. At the very least, the cast is on your left arm.
Oh... and now you feel it. Your chest has a dull ache that runs deep. You can't help but to groan in pain as you shift to get a little more comfortab-
"Hrn..."
You freeze. You open your left eye and see that the room you're in is dark. It looks like a hospital, but much nicer than any that you've ever been in. And Dr. Erskine is sleeping in a chair a little ways off on the left, his head thrown back as he snores once every so often. You smile.
You look down and- oh. So the weight is agent Carter's head on your bed.
You look around, and see a clock on the wall reads 4:30 in the morning. You decide that It's way too early for this shit, so you shut your eyes and just go back to sleep.
You wake up again, and this time the fuzz is all gone and the aches are much dimmer. No one else is in your room at the moment, though you're willing to bet that should you make much of a commotion, Dr. Ers-... Abraham and agent Carter will be in here in an instant.
It's a... warm feeling.
You hear talking get louder in the hallway, and it's moving towards your room. You don't see any machines connected to you, so you get right up. You are wearing a white shirt and fatigues for pants, so at least you're decent. As you walk towards the door, your body twinges from the bullet wounds, but it feels like nothing major compared to the fresh wound. Your breath quickens.
How long have you been out?
"-demanding answers."
"Good. Why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?"
You awkwardly open the door and clear your throat.
"Colonel Phillips. Senator Brandt."
You nod to the colonel and to the Senator.
Apparently your room is in another military installation. Down below, you see a strange machine. A vehicle perhaps? Howard Stark is working on it, and agent Carter is sitting next to him, folders in hand and reading through something.
You turn back.
"How are you feeling, Rogers? The doctors all said that you'd be out for a month at the least, but Dr. Erskine was confident that you'd be fine within a week. And by the looks of it, he was right."
"I've felt better sir, but I'm just glad that I could save his life."
Both men nod at that.
"Well, in any case. I talked to the President this morning, and as of today, the SSR has been given a second objective. We are taking the fight to Hydra. If what Stark said is true, then we need a response yesterday."
"Sir, if you're going after Schmidt and Hydra, I want in."
"Not yet Rogers. Dr. Erskine and agent Carter have both sponsored you to lead the new branch, and have requested to join your team. And based on your performance yesterday and during boot camp, I'm inclined to agree. You're being assigned as chief of the SSR's second division. While I'm leading us from the front, you will be the backbone that supports us."
You can only blink as this is said.
"However, I did have to make a concession to the Senator here, that you serve in the USO for a month, as soon as you recover. And after that, you'll be going to officer school for six months while you work on your division's project."
"And what is that project, sir?"
"To assemble your team. You and Erskine will be selecting and training the super soldiers that you will be leading. Once your team is ready, you'll be deployed to the front line with the rest of the SSR. Understood?"
"Yes sir, understood. Thank you sir."
The colonel quirks his mouth, as if undecided if he wants to smirk or not.
"You're welcome. Oh, and you're also promoted. Congratulations Captain Rogers."
Your heart thumps in your chest as the colonel moves on, shouting for Stark and Carter to pack their bags and that they've been reassigned to the second division.
You take a deep breath. You're ready.
You take a deep breath. You're definitely not ready.
"I don't know if I can do this."
"Nothing to it. You sell a few bonds. Bonds buy bullets. Bullets kill Nazis. Bing, bang, boom. You're an American hero."
"It's just not how I pictured getting there."
"The Senator's got a lot of pull up on the Hill. You play ball with us, and you'll be leading your own platoon in no time. Take the shield."
"Who's strong and brave, here to save the American way?"
...
You are so glad that that month was over.
While you're glad that you were able to serve your country in some way, you are very glad to finally be at the new SSR base. Though you still have 6 months of officer school to finish, you'll be starting to put together your team, and you already know exactly who you want as your second in command.
You had put in a request by radioteletypewriter to the colonel to pull Bucky from 107th. His reply was short, but no less important. He would see what he could do.
And now, you need to keep up on your end.
What do you focus on while in officer school? (PLEASE see the note at the bottom of this update for voting instructions)
Improving your mental acuity so you can better lead your men
[] Something else?
(Rules for something else: You may pick up to 3 stats to improve. If you pick a stat over 7, then you may only improve it by 1 point. If you pick a stat under 8, then you may improve it by 2 points. If you forego a 3rd stat, you can improve another stat by 2 instead of 1 OR another 2 stats by 1 if you pick stats under 8. You may only forego 1 stat, meaning a minimum of 2 stats to improve. Remember that the stat limit is 11.)
We will be implementing a new system for voting today!
When you vote for the trait, PLEASE use the ranking system. Example:
[1] Trait Gained: Brothers and Sisters in Arms
[2] Trait Gained: ...Nothing but the Dream
[3] Trait Gained: Righteous Drive
[4] Trait Gained: Strength in Compassion
However, when you vote for the stat gain, PLEASE use a standard vote. Example:
[x] +1 Intelligence, +1 Wit, +1 Resolve
Voting will be closed Tuesday, June 14th at 7pm Eastern Daylight Time.
Dr. Erskine yells,
"Stop him!"
He pulls out a gun and is starting to point it at the crowd. Dr. Erskine is the only person standing up straight and is right in front of you.
[X] The man might shoot Dr. Erskine! Get in front of him! (Roll Dexterity on Self Sacrifice - 8d12 rolling against 7d12)
-[X] Shout for/Tell Agent Carter to stop the shooter. (Roll Presence on 'Desperate Gambit' - 10d10)
-[X] Shout for/Tell Agent Carter to stop the shooter. (Roll Presence on 'Desperate Gambit' - 10d10)
Self Sacrifice 10d12 = 70 vs Marksmanship 7d12 = 57
1 Degree of Success
1 Degree of Success
Your first instinct is to cover him, so you leap to your feet, almost tripping over yourself as you get used to your (now much) larger body. But, you manage to leap between Dr. Erskine and the gunman...
Three shots ring out.
And searing pain rips into your arm and lodges itself into a bone. Two more points of pain dot you, one in your rib cage and one in your back, but Erskine remains unhurt. You push through this. The assassin has the last vial of the Super Soldier Serum in his hand. The pain is secondary right now, all of your focus goes to him now.
Time almost seems to slow as your heart races. The gun looks like a standard P38, intercepted 3 out of the 3 he shot, no one else is hurt, gunman has 5 rounds left in his magazine. There should be 6 Military Police on site, two in the room, plus agent Carter. All should be armed. Immediately, you dive for the assassin.
Pain shoots through you as you try to-
Another shot rings out.
But it's too slow. Pain lances through your left rib cage, but you manage to knock into him.
A gun clatters to the ground.
You fall to the floor and wince but get up again... Too slowly. The assassin is already up again and you make to move, but the pain is too much. You won't be able to do anymore.
So, you start calling out orders.
"Agent Carter, he has the serum! Bring it back or destroy it! The assassin is secondary!"
Desperate Gamble 10d10 = 75 vs 35
4 Degrees of Success: Minor Critical Success!
4 Degrees of Success: Minor Critical Success!
The MPs snap out of the fugue that engulfed the room after the bomb went off, and you see Carter already readying her pistol, lining up a shot as soon as you knocked the man over. Carter looks over to you in surprise at your order, but does not question it. She gives you a grim smile, eyes filled with determination, before she look back to aim. She squeezes off two shots of her pistol, barely missing one and the other hitting the assassin's arm. He barely slows down and did not drop the serum. Agent Carter takes off after the assassin, her training evident as she runs with a charge that would not be out of place on a battlefield. He is already up the stairs running down the hall, but Carter is moving up the stairs even as she squeezes off another shot.
You turn away, trusting her to get the job done. You've seen what she could do at boot camp, and you're not eager to be in the gunman's shoes. So, you get up, slowly as to not exacerbate your injuries.
"MPs, on me. Someone sweep the area for anymore explosives!"
You turn back to the crowd of civilians and VIPs-
And all eyes are on you, some wide and fearful, others steely and calculating, and one familiar set with kindness and worry. You hesitate for only a moment before you start directing the MPs to start a bomb sweep.
The MPs salute and go off on their task while you start directing evacuation of the base.
"This base is compromised, so we need to relocate to the nearest military installation. Fort Hamilton is only 10 minutes away by car, so someone needs to to requisition half a dozen cars to get us."
A shout from one of the MPs directs your attention to the back of the room, where the assassin stole the serum.
"There's another bomb here!"
Your focus becomes razor sharp.
Adrenaline pumps through you, and the pain becomes a dull ache rather than a stab.
"MOVE MOVE MOVE! EVERYONE UP AND OUT!"
You start directing everyone up the stairs, as far away from the bomb as possible, even as you direct more MPs to sweep the assassin and Carter's trail for more goodies, just in case.
As soon as the last man is up the stairs, you rush up after them and shut the metal doors behind you-
And not a moment too soon, as an explosion pings the doors behind you. Thankfully there is no explosion chain.
"Alright, people. Let's ge-"
You cover your mouth as you cough. And again. And then a few more. Breathes are hurting your lungs, and as your eyes come back into focus, you see blood splatters on your hand. It dawns on you that you took four bullet wounds and that you were still standing. You finally start feeling the blood loss and your vision swims.
You hear a faint shout and Dr. Erskine's horrified face comes into view for a moment before the black at the edges of your sight engulfs you.
[x] Ask the doctor some more questions.
-[x] Do you have any family? How are they?
-[x] What is Germany like?
--[x] What did he do during the Great War?
---[x] Does he know anyone else, other than Schmidt, that does this kind of experiments?
-[x] Is there anything we should worry about with the serum?
--[x] If it's that dangerous to give to the wrong people, has he given any thought to hiding how to make it in case something happens to him?
-[x] Do you have any family? How are they?
-[x] What is Germany like?
--[x] What did he do during the Great War?
---[x] Does he know anyone else, other than Schmidt, that does this kind of experiments?
-[x] Is there anything we should worry about with the serum?
--[x] If it's that dangerous to give to the wrong people, has he given any thought to hiding how to make it in case something happens to him?
You are looking in at a familiar barracks. There is no one here because everyone just left, and you are the only one left.
Empty beds all lined up in a row, and only one is occupied. And strangely enough, you see yourself sitting there on your bed. You look down at your hands, and they are far larger than they should be. Everything feels so low, though you suppose you just grew?
The door opens and a knock sounds, and you turn in surprise. The original you as well.
"May I?"
Dr. Erskine...
"Yea."
You watch yourself close the book you weren't reading anyways.
"Can't sleep?"
...
You watch as the conversation replays, exactly as you remembered it, tho probably with even more detail than before. You sure as hell didn't realize that Dr. Erskine had the bottle the first time around, but you picked it out immediately this time.
You are in awe at the replica of the barracks, and you wonder what the limits of the dream are, because you are obviously dreaming or reliving a memory or something.
As you approach the edge of the barracks, you feel and see a darkness at the entry way. It fells your very being with dread. You feel fear just the same as anyone, but you know how to overcome it if needed. But, mankind has not survived thousands of years due to ignoring fear, and there is no need for you to do so now. Something tells you that there is nothing to fear should you leave it well alone.
So you back away at the wisps of inky blackness that is seeping in. You turn back to the conversation.
"All right. We'll drink it after."
You watch as he pours the glass' contents into his.
"No, I don't have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? I drink it now."
The amusement in your face is amazing. So that's why he nearly chokes.
"Doctor..."
He hold up a hand before coughs once more and then clearing his throat.
"Please, Steven. Call me Abraham."
"O-okay then. A-Abraham."
Ouch. So that's how you sounded. Your voice cracked a little like a teenage boy.
"Is there anything we should worry about with the serum?"
He looks thoughtful for a moment before looking at your counterpart again.
"With you? I doubt it. I spoke no lies when I told you that the serum amplifies everything. In the wrong hands... In Schmidt's hands... He has become a twisted parody of what he once was. Before, he was ambitious, intelligent, and proud. But now? He has become maniacal. His genius has only grown, but so has his pride to become arrogance. He leads Hydra and seeks to take the entire world. Steven... I must confess that I chose you in part to atone for my part in Schmidt's rise."
You didn't think anything of it at that time, but now that you think about it, Abraham has nothing to atone for. From what he said, he was forced to give Schmidt the incomplete serum. Though, if you were in his situation you would probably feel the same. Nothing for it now, you guess. You turn back to your counterpart.
"If it's that dangerous to give to the wrong people... have you given any thought to hiding how it's made? In case you're not around to help choose a candidate? I-I mean, not that I think anything will! But... Just in case, you know?"
He chuckles softly and closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, there is a steely determination there.
"I have given much thought to that. I am currently the only person in the world who knows how the serum is made. And though I know that Schmidt is trying to recreate it, I know that he will fail. And, had I been unable to find you, I would have taken the secret with me to the grave. Others will follow in my footsteps, but they will not succeed. At least, not for a long time. I trust that good men and women will be able to keep an eye out on that after I am gone. But..."
The pause is significant. Dr. Erski-Abraham! Abraham looks like he is wrestling with himself. You were tired, so you didn't notice is as much as you are now, but you can see now that the conflict within him is raging. But, he resolves it and sets his face, determined. He continues.
"No. I will tell you after the procedure tomorrow. It is not important now."
His kind smile is telling. He thinks that he is sparing you a burden. Before now, you would not have even realized. Your counterpart nods and asks his next question.
"Do you know anyone else that is trying to make the serum? Uh, other than Schmidt."
"Not that I know of. My formula was somewhat of a curiosity in Germany, and not many thought that I could succeed. Only Schmidt took any stock in what he heard of me."
A shrug, and that is that.
"What was Germany like? Before the Nazis invaded, I mean."
"So many questions! I thought you only had one?"
It's strange watching the emotions play out on your own face, one that is so familiar to you and yet is not your own anymore. A sheepish grin is plastered on your face.
"What can I say? It's just interesting talking to you."
Dr. Erskine (nuts, you still need to remember that he asked you to call him Abraham) chuckles before he sighs. His previous mirth evaporates.
"To tell you the truth, Germany has not been a good place to live for a very long time now. Since before the Great War, in fact."
Last time around, you didn't notice the lines in his face as he talked about his home country. The sadness resounded in you.
"Otto von Bismarck was the man who had led Germany to prosperity but the next Kaiser, Wilhelm II, fired him. And that was the beginning of the end. He was far too ambitious to remain content with just the united Germany that his grandfather had build with Bismarck. So? The Great War happened."
"What did you do during the Great War? I can't imagine that someone like you would have condoned any of the fighting, especially for such a weak reason."
"Such pointed questions, Steven. I almost feel like you are interviewing me, no? Maybe the schnapps were not such a good idea for this conversation."
"Oh, no no, sorry, I'm jus-"
A short laugh and a smile and you see how the worry in your face melts away. It is fascinating to watch your own expressions like this.
"Steven, relax. I'm just teasing you. But to answer your question, I did what I am doing now. Trying to find a way to bring back peace. Trying to do that in a way that does not breed more resentment than what started it. Trying to make sure that good men and women are the ones that broker peace."
"And the serum is that way? I mean, I guess it is since it makes good become great."
"Yes. I planned on introducing the serum in the Great War. Giving it to the good men that fought, so that when they came home, they would be symbols and cry out against the power hungry Kaiser. To prevent another war like this from happening. But my work had only just begun. Back then, all I knew was that I had a serum that could turn any man into something far greater. He or she would gain strength beyond most, intelligence to match, and a slew of deformations that prevented me from continuing my trials on people."
"You mentioned that there were other effects on Schmidt. What happened?"
"Schmidt had only minor effects compared to the earlier subjects."
Dr. Er- Abraham looks distinctly uncomfortable now. And just as you remember it, you immediately change the topic. The relief that you see on his face was not imagined then.
"Do you have any family? How are they?"
And you also remember that the crestfallen expression he wore afterwards is even worse.
You resolved then to talk to him about it later. For now though, you will put your faith in him in return for all the faith that he put in you.
"Doct-... Abraham. I just want to thank you for the chance you gave me. It meant so much to me. I'm sure that every test subject you had, besides maybe Schmidt, thought that even should you fail, that they were helping you to help the world."
The smile that he gives you makes your chest tighten. Even with your new body, some things have not changed. His breathing becomes hitched.
"Steven. I am so glad that I picked you."
He takes off his glasses and wipes away tears.
"Thank you for your faith in me. I promise that I will not fail you. Not like I did for those who came before."
"And thank you for the faith that you put in me. I think I speak for everyone who you asked, when I say that my faith is not misplaced."
The tears fall faster now, and all you hear is a mutter. It was too quiet for you to make it out the first time.
"You are too good a man to forgive me so easily..."
You didn't know what he meant that night, but you think you do now.
What did you resolve that night? (PLEASE see the note at the bottom of this update for voting instructions)
To always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
[] Trait Gained: Brothers and Sisters in Arms
To always stay true to your beliefs and ideals, no matter if the world is coming down around you. If you know something to be true, you will stand your ground and make the world move instead.[] Trait Gained: ...Nothing but the Dream
To always do the best you can to do the most good you can. When the cards are down, you will always get up again, no matter the opposition you face.[] Trait Gained: Righteous Drive
To always show mercy to your foes, be it the mercy of a better life or the mercy of the grave. Compassion is not a weakness, and kindness is not a flaw.[] Trait Gained: Strength in Compassion
Marksmanship 5d10 = 33 vs Escape Artist 4d10 = 20
+ 5d10 bonus dice from Desperate Gamble = 24
True result is 57 vs 20
3 Degrees of Success = Minor Critical Success!
A dull ache wakes you up. Everything hurts. There is a weight on the sheets to your left and you cannot pull them up to cover yourself better.
Your head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton, and your limbs appear to be... Oh so you do have a cast. At the very least, the cast is on your left arm.
Oh... and now you feel it. Your chest has a dull ache that runs deep. You can't help but to groan in pain as you shift to get a little more comfortab-
"Hrn..."
You freeze. You open your left eye and see that the room you're in is dark. It looks like a hospital, but much nicer than any that you've ever been in. And Dr. Erskine is sleeping in a chair a little ways off on the left, his head thrown back as he snores once every so often. You smile.
You look down and- oh. So the weight is agent Carter's head on your bed.
You look around, and see a clock on the wall reads 4:30 in the morning. You decide that It's way too early for this shit, so you shut your eyes and just go back to sleep.
You wake up again, and this time the fuzz is all gone and the aches are much dimmer. No one else is in your room at the moment, though you're willing to bet that should you make much of a commotion, Dr. Ers-... Abraham and agent Carter will be in here in an instant.
It's a... warm feeling.
You hear talking get louder in the hallway, and it's moving towards your room. You don't see any machines connected to you, so you get right up. You are wearing a white shirt and fatigues for pants, so at least you're decent. As you walk towards the door, your body twinges from the bullet wounds, but it feels like nothing major compared to the fresh wound. Your breath quickens.
How long have you been out?
"-demanding answers."
"Good. Why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?"
You awkwardly open the door and clear your throat.
"Colonel Phillips. Senator Brandt."
You nod to the colonel and to the Senator.
Apparently your room is in another military installation. Down below, you see a strange machine. A vehicle perhaps? Howard Stark is working on it, and agent Carter is sitting next to him, folders in hand and reading through something.
You turn back.
"How are you feeling, Rogers? The doctors all said that you'd be out for a month at the least, but Dr. Erskine was confident that you'd be fine within a week. And by the looks of it, he was right."
"I've felt better sir, but I'm just glad that I could save his life."
Both men nod at that.
"Well, in any case. I talked to the President this morning, and as of today, the SSR has been given a second objective. We are taking the fight to Hydra. If what Stark said is true, then we need a response yesterday."
"Sir, if you're going after Schmidt and Hydra, I want in."
"Not yet Rogers. Dr. Erskine and agent Carter have both sponsored you to lead the new branch, and have requested to join your team. And based on your performance yesterday and during boot camp, I'm inclined to agree. You're being assigned as chief of the SSR's second division. While I'm leading us from the front, you will be the backbone that supports us."
You can only blink as this is said.
"However, I did have to make a concession to the Senator here, that you serve in the USO for a month, as soon as you recover. And after that, you'll be going to officer school for six months while you work on your division's project."
"And what is that project, sir?"
"To assemble your team. You and Erskine will be selecting and training the super soldiers that you will be leading. Once your team is ready, you'll be deployed to the front line with the rest of the SSR. Understood?"
"Yes sir, understood. Thank you sir."
The colonel quirks his mouth, as if undecided if he wants to smirk or not.
"You're welcome. Oh, and you're also promoted. Congratulations Captain Rogers."
Your heart thumps in your chest as the colonel moves on, shouting for Stark and Carter to pack their bags and that they've been reassigned to the second division.
You take a deep breath. You're ready.
You take a deep breath. You're definitely not ready.
"I don't know if I can do this."
"Nothing to it. You sell a few bonds. Bonds buy bullets. Bullets kill Nazis. Bing, bang, boom. You're an American hero."
"It's just not how I pictured getting there."
"The Senator's got a lot of pull up on the Hill. You play ball with us, and you'll be leading your own platoon in no time. Take the shield."
"Who's strong and brave, here to save the American way?"
...
You are so glad that that month was over.
While you're glad that you were able to serve your country in some way, you are very glad to finally be at the new SSR base. Though you still have 6 months of officer school to finish, you'll be starting to put together your team, and you already know exactly who you want as your second in command.
You had put in a request by radioteletypewriter to the colonel to pull Bucky from 107th. His reply was short, but no less important. He would see what he could do.
And now, you need to keep up on your end.
What do you focus on while in officer school? (PLEASE see the note at the bottom of this update for voting instructions)
Improving your mental acuity so you can better lead your men
[] +1 Intelligence, +1 Wit, +1 Resolve
Improving your physical abilities so you can better lead by example.[] +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Stamina
Improving your social skills so you can better interact with the men and women in your division.[] +3 Intuition, +3 Composure
[] Something else?
(Rules for something else: You may pick up to 3 stats to improve. If you pick a stat over 7, then you may only improve it by 1 point. If you pick a stat under 8, then you may improve it by 2 points. If you forego a 3rd stat, you can improve another stat by 2 instead of 1 OR another 2 stats by 1 if you pick stats under 8. You may only forego 1 stat, meaning a minimum of 2 stats to improve. Remember that the stat limit is 11.)
We will be implementing a new system for voting today!
When you vote for the trait, PLEASE use the ranking system. Example:
[1] Trait Gained: Brothers and Sisters in Arms
[2] Trait Gained: ...Nothing but the Dream
[3] Trait Gained: Righteous Drive
[4] Trait Gained: Strength in Compassion
However, when you vote for the stat gain, PLEASE use a standard vote. Example:
[x] +1 Intelligence, +1 Wit, +1 Resolve
Voting will be closed Tuesday, June 14th at 7pm Eastern Daylight Time.
Last edited:
(Non-canon) One Man Can Change the World
KnightDisciple
Brotherhood. Unity. Peace.
- Location
- Midwest, USA
One Man Can Change The World
These are dark and desperate times. I know that some of you are afraid. It's alright. It's perfectly natural. But I want you to know that I am not. I am not afraid to die this day because what we do here is necessary. It may seem impossible, our enemies may appear to be endless, but that doesn't matter. Because there is no one else. Look at me. I believe in an idea, an idea that a single individual who has the right heart and the right mind that is consumed with a single purpose, that one man can win a war. Give that one man a group of soldiers with the same conviction, and you can change the world.
Speech to Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Dark Reign: New Nation
Speech to Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Dark Reign: New Nation
Steve Rogers laid on his bed at the Fort, tossing and turning. As if his mind, his spirit, were troubled...
Perhaps because, to him, he was roaming far beyond the normal bounds of his dreams.
He found himself in a place that seemed both comforting and terrible, all at once. It was bright, yet his eyes struggled to focus, as if he had only candlelight to see by.
And the man in front of him...it was hard to see him properly. He seemed friendly, but distant.
Steve frowns in his sleep, clenching his blanket for a moment, and turning sharply in his bed.
Steve continued to toss and turn.
Steve is still frowning in his sleep, but seems a bit calmer.
The two men returned to the strange place they started in, and the mystery man turned once more to Steve.
"You've truly given me much to think about, which says a lot, considering my current situation."
Steve looks curious.
"Which is? You never told me about yourself, but you know so much about me. Just who are you, and why did you do this?"
"My current situation is complicated. Who I am isn't really that important. Other than someone who learned something, and perhaps helped you learn something as well. That's all I wanted; was to learn. And maybe help you learn, too. As for who I am..."
He smiles mysteriously as he begins to fade into motes of golden light, and Steve feels like he's starting to wake up.
"You can call me Adam."
Then Stever Rogers wakes up in his own bed again, already half-forgetting the strange vision quest he'd gone on. But the ideas he'd had, the convictions he'd solidified, those would stick with him for a long time to come.
Considering what was ahead, that was likely to help quite a lot.
Perhaps because, to him, he was roaming far beyond the normal bounds of his dreams.
He found himself in a place that seemed both comforting and terrible, all at once. It was bright, yet his eyes struggled to focus, as if he had only candlelight to see by.
And the man in front of him...it was hard to see him properly. He seemed friendly, but distant.
The other man, who seemed, mostly, to match Steve in height (but also seemed much taller?). He regarded the new super-soldier calmly, before finally speaking.
"Are you ready?"
Steve blinked.
"Ready for what?"
"For the sacrifice."
"I'm always ready to give my life for-"
"No. Not your life. The lives of others. Are you ready to sacrifice them, for the greater good of mankind?"
Steve blanches.
"I don't, that's not what it's about! I'm not throwing away good men and women just to-"
"I didn't say you would waste their lives. I asked if you were ready to sacrifice the lives of those under your command, to accomplish your mission. To spend their lives with care and somber attention."
"I don't want to "spend" any lives! That's not what they signed up for!"
"What if there was no choice? What if the only way to stop these...Nazis, to stop Hydra...was for someone to take an action that would result in their death? And before you say you would spend your own life, what of the next time? And the next? Do you truly believe a man who leads must put his life at more risk than anyone else's?"
Steve opened his mouth to answer, then stopped. He stood there, a thoughtful frown on his face, even as the other man waited patiently. Finally, he spoke, slowly at first, but then with more and more conviction.
"I think that a good leader, at least in the field, needs to be willing to take risks. I think it's good to be willing to give up our lives to protect others. I won't ever stop doing what I can to protect the people who fight with me. But...I do understand that sometimes, I can't take all the risk. I'm just one man. I can make a difference by myself, but if I'm leading others, leading good men and women, I can make more of a difference. Even if it means asking them to lay down their lives, if I need to. But I refuse to do that unless there's no other choice. If I'm able to, I'll make another option."
And the other man...smiled.
"Interesting."
And then the world seemed to shake for a moment.
"Are you ready?"
Steve blinked.
"Ready for what?"
"For the sacrifice."
"I'm always ready to give my life for-"
"No. Not your life. The lives of others. Are you ready to sacrifice them, for the greater good of mankind?"
Steve blanches.
"I don't, that's not what it's about! I'm not throwing away good men and women just to-"
"I didn't say you would waste their lives. I asked if you were ready to sacrifice the lives of those under your command, to accomplish your mission. To spend their lives with care and somber attention."
"I don't want to "spend" any lives! That's not what they signed up for!"
"What if there was no choice? What if the only way to stop these...Nazis, to stop Hydra...was for someone to take an action that would result in their death? And before you say you would spend your own life, what of the next time? And the next? Do you truly believe a man who leads must put his life at more risk than anyone else's?"
Steve opened his mouth to answer, then stopped. He stood there, a thoughtful frown on his face, even as the other man waited patiently. Finally, he spoke, slowly at first, but then with more and more conviction.
"I think that a good leader, at least in the field, needs to be willing to take risks. I think it's good to be willing to give up our lives to protect others. I won't ever stop doing what I can to protect the people who fight with me. But...I do understand that sometimes, I can't take all the risk. I'm just one man. I can make a difference by myself, but if I'm leading others, leading good men and women, I can make more of a difference. Even if it means asking them to lay down their lives, if I need to. But I refuse to do that unless there's no other choice. If I'm able to, I'll make another option."
And the other man...smiled.
"Interesting."
And then the world seemed to shake for a moment.
Steve frowns in his sleep, clenching his blanket for a moment, and turning sharply in his bed.
Suddenly, the two men are in the air, above Washington, D.C. It looks the same as any photo Steve has seen, yet...
"Majestic enough, I suppose. A center of power, and, according to you, freedom and liberty."
Steve shrugs.
"We're not perfect, but we try. And Roosevelt seems like he has a good head on his shoulders."
"Indeed. But. He is a frail man. One day, he will die. Who is to say the character of the man, the men, to replace him."
"Well, that's just how it works. No one can live forever, and even if they could, they shouldn't be President forever. That's kind of what we're all about."
"But what if a good man could live forever? Shouldn't he continue to lead, if it's the will of the people? What if that man could lead his nation, and perhaps even the world, to a shining new age? And the people loved him for it? What if they gave him all that power, gave him their freedom?"
Steve shook his head.
"Shouldn't matter. That's not what America's about. No man is perfect, and so eventually he'll mess up. Besides, how can someone like that really represent everyone very well? Eventually, they wouldn't. America's about more than just a really popular person. We need new people in charge."
"But what if that one man could protect the people? Wouldn't you pledge yourself to that idea, to keep the people safe, forever? What trade would be worth a few increments of the liberty you currently have? Better to survive than die a supposed moral paragon."
Steve shook his head.
"No. Ben Franklin warned us about trading liberty for security. But even that aside, taking over for the "good of the people" is every tyrant's excuse. I'd never pledge loyalty to a man like that. I'm a soldier, but ultimately I'm loyal to the Constitution, to the people, to America. To the dream it all represents."
The scene blurs, and they're in an Oval Office that has subtle hints of...Steve can't place it, but things don't seem right, in a variety of ways.
Then he sees himself in the seat, but a version of himself that seems to have undergone a transformation into a harder, sterner. He seems much older, yet his body shows not a single sign of age. If anything, he looks and seems stronger, more vital that Steve. The mystery man speaks, and dreaming-Steve recognizes that, first, this is a sort of "still scene", and second, they're basically ghosts there.
"So even if that one man was you, you reject this idea?"
Steve blinked, then frowned fiercely, shaking his head.
"No. Not even then. I'm not a good choice for President, but even if I was, I wouldn't try to do that. That's not what I'm fighting for. I'm fighting to help keep the American Dream alive, and maybe give people beyond our shores a chance to make their own Dreams. They deserve the chance, too."
The mystery man just smiled.
"Majestic enough, I suppose. A center of power, and, according to you, freedom and liberty."
Steve shrugs.
"We're not perfect, but we try. And Roosevelt seems like he has a good head on his shoulders."
"Indeed. But. He is a frail man. One day, he will die. Who is to say the character of the man, the men, to replace him."
"Well, that's just how it works. No one can live forever, and even if they could, they shouldn't be President forever. That's kind of what we're all about."
"But what if a good man could live forever? Shouldn't he continue to lead, if it's the will of the people? What if that man could lead his nation, and perhaps even the world, to a shining new age? And the people loved him for it? What if they gave him all that power, gave him their freedom?"
Steve shook his head.
"Shouldn't matter. That's not what America's about. No man is perfect, and so eventually he'll mess up. Besides, how can someone like that really represent everyone very well? Eventually, they wouldn't. America's about more than just a really popular person. We need new people in charge."
"But what if that one man could protect the people? Wouldn't you pledge yourself to that idea, to keep the people safe, forever? What trade would be worth a few increments of the liberty you currently have? Better to survive than die a supposed moral paragon."
Steve shook his head.
"No. Ben Franklin warned us about trading liberty for security. But even that aside, taking over for the "good of the people" is every tyrant's excuse. I'd never pledge loyalty to a man like that. I'm a soldier, but ultimately I'm loyal to the Constitution, to the people, to America. To the dream it all represents."
The scene blurs, and they're in an Oval Office that has subtle hints of...Steve can't place it, but things don't seem right, in a variety of ways.
Then he sees himself in the seat, but a version of himself that seems to have undergone a transformation into a harder, sterner. He seems much older, yet his body shows not a single sign of age. If anything, he looks and seems stronger, more vital that Steve. The mystery man speaks, and dreaming-Steve recognizes that, first, this is a sort of "still scene", and second, they're basically ghosts there.
"So even if that one man was you, you reject this idea?"
Steve blinked, then frowned fiercely, shaking his head.
"No. Not even then. I'm not a good choice for President, but even if I was, I wouldn't try to do that. That's not what I'm fighting for. I'm fighting to help keep the American Dream alive, and maybe give people beyond our shores a chance to make their own Dreams. They deserve the chance, too."
The mystery man just smiled.
Steve continued to toss and turn.
The world turned in a whirl about them, and suddenly, they saw a desolated field, bodies everywhere. Some wore Hydra uniforms or Nazi uniforms, but many, many more wore the uniform of the United States or one of the other Allied powers.
In the middle of the desolation, two men struggled, wrestling like the gods of mythology. One, Steve saw as himself, bloody and battered and worn, wearing a rather patriotic outfit almost coated in blood (his? other peoples?), and his knees were clearly shaking and bent a bit, as he struggled to stay standing, even as his arms remained locked with a figure whose look was vague and obscured, but who exuded menace, evil, and hatred. For some reason, Steve got the sense of the color red...
"You are beaten, Herr Rogers! Yield!"
"Never!"
Dreaming-Steve looked about, and all but sobbed when he saw the lifeless eyes of Bucky, Peggy, and many more staring up at him. He looked back at the wrestling contest, and gaped as this...future him?...finally began to lose against the accumulation of injuries. His knees buckled, and Dreaming-Steve winced as he heard an arm break. The menacing figure moved, fast as a snake, and had a hand on Vision-Steve's throat.
"Perhaps I should rephrase my question, Herr Rogers. Surrender, and not only will you live, not only will you be allowed to rule your little fiefdom over the ocean...perhaps I can bring your friends back. With the power of the Cube, and other such artifacts, I will be a god, after all. I can be benevolent to those who are useful."
And the broken man in his hands seemed to actually consider it, even as tears and blood ran down his face. Then, the scene froze.
"Would you? Take his offer, I mean. Would you do it?"
Steve's response was almost immediate.
"No. If Bucky and Peggy died fighting him, they wouldn't want to be "brought back" by him. Someone who makes that kind of offer? I'd never work for him. I'd die first. I'd die spitting in his face. I don't like bullies, and I don't give up or give in to them. Never have, never will."
The mystery man nods.
In the middle of the desolation, two men struggled, wrestling like the gods of mythology. One, Steve saw as himself, bloody and battered and worn, wearing a rather patriotic outfit almost coated in blood (his? other peoples?), and his knees were clearly shaking and bent a bit, as he struggled to stay standing, even as his arms remained locked with a figure whose look was vague and obscured, but who exuded menace, evil, and hatred. For some reason, Steve got the sense of the color red...
"You are beaten, Herr Rogers! Yield!"
"Never!"
Dreaming-Steve looked about, and all but sobbed when he saw the lifeless eyes of Bucky, Peggy, and many more staring up at him. He looked back at the wrestling contest, and gaped as this...future him?...finally began to lose against the accumulation of injuries. His knees buckled, and Dreaming-Steve winced as he heard an arm break. The menacing figure moved, fast as a snake, and had a hand on Vision-Steve's throat.
"Perhaps I should rephrase my question, Herr Rogers. Surrender, and not only will you live, not only will you be allowed to rule your little fiefdom over the ocean...perhaps I can bring your friends back. With the power of the Cube, and other such artifacts, I will be a god, after all. I can be benevolent to those who are useful."
And the broken man in his hands seemed to actually consider it, even as tears and blood ran down his face. Then, the scene froze.
"Would you? Take his offer, I mean. Would you do it?"
Steve's response was almost immediate.
"No. If Bucky and Peggy died fighting him, they wouldn't want to be "brought back" by him. Someone who makes that kind of offer? I'd never work for him. I'd die first. I'd die spitting in his face. I don't like bullies, and I don't give up or give in to them. Never have, never will."
The mystery man nods.
Now they were somewhere else. What looked to be a war-torn city, near a rather empty military base. Another Steve stood in front of rows of men in Nazi uniforms. Men who looked afraid of the Allied military men, many of whom were of a size with Steve, all of whom were heavily-armed, and basically all of whom looked like they wanted to take care of some "escaping prisoners".
Vision-Steve had Bucky to one side of himself, and an unknown man (who sounded British?) on the other. Bucky was simply vigilant, while the other man looked very angry.
"Why bother taking them captive, Captain? Plenty of other prisoners to take, and we know these men fought for Hitler! No one will ask-"
"They won't need to, Leftenant. I'd know. You'd know. We'd all know. That would be worse than any questions anyone would ask. Ask again, you'll be lucky if I just have you court-martialed when we get back to England."
The man's jaw almost clicked shut. He huffed and walked away. Vision-Steve turned toward the lines of captives, walking toward them before stopping in front of them, almost perfectly centered. He spoke up after a few moments, his voice carrying over the whole field.
"You all fought for a murdering, bigoted tyrant. You lost. The lesson here is not that you are the same, but that you were mislead. You have a chance, today, to change. When you take off these uniforms tonight, I challenge you to cast aside the ideals they represent. I believe you all can be more than what you were. Germany can be more. You can be better."
Again the scene froze, and the mystery man turned to Dreaming-Steve.
"Do you agree? Would you offer them the same mercy that they likely never showed to anyone else?"
"Yes. Doctor Erskine said Hitler invaded Germany first, and I think he's right. Most of the Nazis are bullies, but really, bullies are generally just people who are afraid and take that fear out on other people. Beating Germany down again just makes them afraid again. I think if we help them back up, after we knock them down to stop them stepping on everyone, they could end up just as great as America."
"Don't you want America to be the greatest country in the world?"
Steve shook his head.
"Not really. I just want it to be great. Not because it has the most guns or ships, but because it's Free, and because we take care of each other. Why shouldn't I want more of the world to be like that? The more like that the better we all are, the better things are for everyone. The Dream isn't just for America. Why not make an enemy a friend?"
Vision-Steve had Bucky to one side of himself, and an unknown man (who sounded British?) on the other. Bucky was simply vigilant, while the other man looked very angry.
"Why bother taking them captive, Captain? Plenty of other prisoners to take, and we know these men fought for Hitler! No one will ask-"
"They won't need to, Leftenant. I'd know. You'd know. We'd all know. That would be worse than any questions anyone would ask. Ask again, you'll be lucky if I just have you court-martialed when we get back to England."
The man's jaw almost clicked shut. He huffed and walked away. Vision-Steve turned toward the lines of captives, walking toward them before stopping in front of them, almost perfectly centered. He spoke up after a few moments, his voice carrying over the whole field.
"You all fought for a murdering, bigoted tyrant. You lost. The lesson here is not that you are the same, but that you were mislead. You have a chance, today, to change. When you take off these uniforms tonight, I challenge you to cast aside the ideals they represent. I believe you all can be more than what you were. Germany can be more. You can be better."
Again the scene froze, and the mystery man turned to Dreaming-Steve.
"Do you agree? Would you offer them the same mercy that they likely never showed to anyone else?"
"Yes. Doctor Erskine said Hitler invaded Germany first, and I think he's right. Most of the Nazis are bullies, but really, bullies are generally just people who are afraid and take that fear out on other people. Beating Germany down again just makes them afraid again. I think if we help them back up, after we knock them down to stop them stepping on everyone, they could end up just as great as America."
"Don't you want America to be the greatest country in the world?"
Steve shook his head.
"Not really. I just want it to be great. Not because it has the most guns or ships, but because it's Free, and because we take care of each other. Why shouldn't I want more of the world to be like that? The more like that the better we all are, the better things are for everyone. The Dream isn't just for America. Why not make an enemy a friend?"
"You've truly given me much to think about, which says a lot, considering my current situation."
Steve looks curious.
"Which is? You never told me about yourself, but you know so much about me. Just who are you, and why did you do this?"
"My current situation is complicated. Who I am isn't really that important. Other than someone who learned something, and perhaps helped you learn something as well. That's all I wanted; was to learn. And maybe help you learn, too. As for who I am..."
He smiles mysteriously as he begins to fade into motes of golden light, and Steve feels like he's starting to wake up.
"You can call me Adam."
Then Stever Rogers wakes up in his own bed again, already half-forgetting the strange vision quest he'd gone on. But the ideas he'd had, the convictions he'd solidified, those would stick with him for a long time to come.
Considering what was ahead, that was likely to help quite a lot.
Not my best work but there it is. I felt inspiration, I decided to get it out.
And yes, that's who you all think it is. Something of a small tribute to @torrmercury and a memorial to ITBTWM.
And yes, that's who you all think it is. Something of a small tribute to @torrmercury and a memorial to ITBTWM.
Interlude 1: The Calm Before the Storm
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Interlude 1: The Calm Before the Storm
Your name is Margaret Elizabeth "Peggy" Carter, and you are running as if your life depended on it.
And in a way, it does.
The spy has a vial of the super soldier serum, and should Hydra acquire it, the entire world will be in jeopardy. The Axis is already pushing the Allies back on all fronts, and just imagining them with super soldiers is enough to send shivers down your spine.
So you are running. And shooting. But mostly running.
The assassin has already killed half a dozen people in as many minutes, and you're no closer to taking him down. Rogers entrusted you to do this, and you'll be damned if you fail.
As you run out into the streets of Brooklyn- You narrow your eyes. Your target has allies and a car waiting for him. Other undercover agents have already fallen to the concentrated fire, and you refrain from shooting for fear of hitting a civilian. You curse as you run up to the car's passenger side.
A machine gun pointed at you is the only response you get, but you duck into a roll as the man shoots at you. As you recover, you draw your pistol and squeeze off two rounds into the car's window, hitting the driver, only for an explosion to bloom behind you.
You duck and turn, only to see that it was a planted car bomb. You purse your lips and watch as the assassin hijacks a cab. You shoot at a wheel to cripple it, but miss when the car makes a sharp turn. You lower your gun, about to grab a car yourself, when you see the cab on its way back. The spy wants to run you down.
You line up your shot as the cab starts speeding towards you.
One shot missed. 500 feet away.
Two shots missed. 300 feet away.
Your third shot is lined. 50 feet away.
The car is barreling towards you.
You later found out that the assassin was named Heinz Kruger, a well known name to all Allied intelligence agents. One of the best assassins in the world, if that they say is true. And you can confirm.
If not for the actions of Rogers, eliminating his weapon early on and throwing him off balance, you would have been hard pressed to take him down so easily, especially with the backup he had. As it is, it was a close call and you would not have succeeded had you not been as confident or as trained as you are.
You shake you head as you glance over at Howard, arguable one of the only men on the planet your age that treats you like another human being instead of a fragile woman. You give a tired smile at his glance when you see the lines around his eyes. The two of you have been friends for nearly a year now, and in that time you've found him to be thoroughly incorrigible. Though you mistook him for a standard rich playboy at first, he quickly proved to be much more than what his public persona displays. And now? He is one of your closest friends. How that happened, you'll never know.
He appraises you and then turns back to his work. The... submarine is a mechanical marvel of a sort that even Howard cannot solve. The pit in your stomach only gets harder, and you thank your lucky stars that you recovered the serum. It did not break when the car crashed, knocking out Kruger.
Once the SSR apprehended him for interrogation, you departed to check in on Rogers. The only other man on the planet that treats you as a human being and not as a fragile woman. And you'll admit, there is something in his earnestness that draws you to him. All throughout boot camp, you were rooting for him. And at every turn, he impressed you in a way that no man ever did.
His determination, sheer will, and devotion to a cause gave you butterflies. You admire him.
"What's with the dreamy look? You were pretty upset just a second ago."
Oh. You had forgotten that you were sitting with Howard.
"Just thinking of someone."
"Really now? Someone new or someone old?"
One thing you appreciated is that Howard, for all his flirting, never actually made any moves onto you. Nor onto any of the women on base for that matter. That he has such integrity is something that you can respect, and is what made you give him a chance in the first place.
So, you cock an eyebrow at him.
"Oh come on. Don't give me that look."
"Alright I won't give you that look."
He sighs in mock defeat and the you watch the tension drain from him. And from you as well. The clever man.
"I was thinking about Rogers."
"Rogers, eh?"
"Yes."
He nods.
"I gotta say, the little guy impressed me. I didn't think that he'd be able to handle the vita rays, but he pushed right on through. Also holy cow, did you see his musculature afterwards?"
You fight down a blush and don't deign to give him an answer.
"...I'm taking that as a yes."
...maybe you can't fight the red that tinges your cheeks.
"Whoa there! I think this is the first time I've ever seen you so flustered! ...wait."
His eyes widen a bit. You know exactly what he's thinking.
"No."
"Waaaaait."
His eyes are searching as he stares you down.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No? You mean yes! So you're into buff men."
You roll your eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
His easy smile grows into a full blown smirk and his insufferable side comes out.
"Oh, no. You're not getting away that easily. You already know all about Maria so it's my turn."
...you suppose you should have seen this coming.
Your name is Margaret Elizabeth "Peggy" Carter, and you are running as if your life depended on it.
And in a way, it does.
The spy has a vial of the super soldier serum, and should Hydra acquire it, the entire world will be in jeopardy. The Axis is already pushing the Allies back on all fronts, and just imagining them with super soldiers is enough to send shivers down your spine.
So you are running. And shooting. But mostly running.
The assassin has already killed half a dozen people in as many minutes, and you're no closer to taking him down. Rogers entrusted you to do this, and you'll be damned if you fail.
As you run out into the streets of Brooklyn- You narrow your eyes. Your target has allies and a car waiting for him. Other undercover agents have already fallen to the concentrated fire, and you refrain from shooting for fear of hitting a civilian. You curse as you run up to the car's passenger side.
A machine gun pointed at you is the only response you get, but you duck into a roll as the man shoots at you. As you recover, you draw your pistol and squeeze off two rounds into the car's window, hitting the driver, only for an explosion to bloom behind you.
You duck and turn, only to see that it was a planted car bomb. You purse your lips and watch as the assassin hijacks a cab. You shoot at a wheel to cripple it, but miss when the car makes a sharp turn. You lower your gun, about to grab a car yourself, when you see the cab on its way back. The spy wants to run you down.
You line up your shot as the cab starts speeding towards you.
One shot missed. 500 feet away.
Two shots missed. 300 feet away.
Your third shot is lined. 50 feet away.
The car is barreling towards you.
You later found out that the assassin was named Heinz Kruger, a well known name to all Allied intelligence agents. One of the best assassins in the world, if that they say is true. And you can confirm.
If not for the actions of Rogers, eliminating his weapon early on and throwing him off balance, you would have been hard pressed to take him down so easily, especially with the backup he had. As it is, it was a close call and you would not have succeeded had you not been as confident or as trained as you are.
You shake you head as you glance over at Howard, arguable one of the only men on the planet your age that treats you like another human being instead of a fragile woman. You give a tired smile at his glance when you see the lines around his eyes. The two of you have been friends for nearly a year now, and in that time you've found him to be thoroughly incorrigible. Though you mistook him for a standard rich playboy at first, he quickly proved to be much more than what his public persona displays. And now? He is one of your closest friends. How that happened, you'll never know.
He appraises you and then turns back to his work. The... submarine is a mechanical marvel of a sort that even Howard cannot solve. The pit in your stomach only gets harder, and you thank your lucky stars that you recovered the serum. It did not break when the car crashed, knocking out Kruger.
Once the SSR apprehended him for interrogation, you departed to check in on Rogers. The only other man on the planet that treats you as a human being and not as a fragile woman. And you'll admit, there is something in his earnestness that draws you to him. All throughout boot camp, you were rooting for him. And at every turn, he impressed you in a way that no man ever did.
His determination, sheer will, and devotion to a cause gave you butterflies. You admire him.
"What's with the dreamy look? You were pretty upset just a second ago."
Oh. You had forgotten that you were sitting with Howard.
"Just thinking of someone."
"Really now? Someone new or someone old?"
One thing you appreciated is that Howard, for all his flirting, never actually made any moves onto you. Nor onto any of the women on base for that matter. That he has such integrity is something that you can respect, and is what made you give him a chance in the first place.
So, you cock an eyebrow at him.
"Oh come on. Don't give me that look."
"Alright I won't give you that look."
He sighs in mock defeat and the you watch the tension drain from him. And from you as well. The clever man.
"I was thinking about Rogers."
"Rogers, eh?"
"Yes."
He nods.
"I gotta say, the little guy impressed me. I didn't think that he'd be able to handle the vita rays, but he pushed right on through. Also holy cow, did you see his musculature afterwards?"
You fight down a blush and don't deign to give him an answer.
"...I'm taking that as a yes."
...maybe you can't fight the red that tinges your cheeks.
"Whoa there! I think this is the first time I've ever seen you so flustered! ...wait."
His eyes widen a bit. You know exactly what he's thinking.
"No."
"Waaaaait."
His eyes are searching as he stares you down.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No? You mean yes! So you're into buff men."
You roll your eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
His easy smile grows into a full blown smirk and his insufferable side comes out.
"Oh, no. You're not getting away that easily. You already know all about Maria so it's my turn."
...you suppose you should have seen this coming.
Last edited:
4. ...Gave Proof Through the Night, That Our Flag Was Still There
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
...Gave Proof Through the Night, That Our Flag Was Still There
"Mornin' Howard, Peggy, Abraham."
A chorus of good mornings go all around the room.
"I think we all know why we're here today."
You look at the three people in front of you.
"While Peggy and I are not scientists, and Howard is not a biologist, we three are probably the three most qualified people to carry on Abraham's legacy. He wants to teach each of us the secret of the super soldier serum, and from Howard, we'll learn the mechanisms behind vita-radiation. With the two pieces together, any of us will be able to create more people like me. Should the worst happen to any one of us, someone else can carry forward."
The classroom/lab is set up so that Abraham will be able to teach you all about the various materials and ingredients that go into the serum, while also teaching you about why it does what it does. After you have the knowledge of the serum, Howard will begin his part and teach you and Peggy in his workshop. You will be learning about each topics for two hour a day for the six plus months that you will be stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Ideally, there will be no need to write anything down; the formula is top secret, even among the Allied Countries that sponsored the SSR. If files are created, and they fall into the wrong hands, the results could very well be disastrous. So, the information will live only in the minds of the leaders of the SSR's second division.
Speaking of which, you should name your division. But what should the name be? This is a standard vote. But, please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
Howard suggested:
[] SHIELD - the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division
Peggy suggested:
[] STRD - the Strategic Threat Response Division
You have a different idea:
[] Write-in?
Six months come and go, and during that time you are recruiting and screening candidates while helping Abraham produce a stock of serum, fend off six more assassination attempts, and learn about vita-radiation, biology, and chemistry. All that, in addition to your officer schooling.
Today is October 15th 1943, and news keeps coming in from the battlefront. The Allies make progress day by day, but the causality count is ticking. HYDRA has deployed terrifying new weaponry that can disintegrate a human being in a single shot, and the Nazis are rallying to start a new offensive.
Worst of all, Colonel Phillips has gotten in touch again and informed you that the 107th had entered into battle. They were in Azzano, Italy and were overrun by the combined HYDRA and Wehmacht forces. There were hundreds of POWs taken from that battle, and the rest retreated for fear of becoming HYDRA's next target. There is currently no way for Allied forces at the front to stage a response against HYDRA's new technology, so Colonel Philips has finally given the order.
You have two weeks to prepare for deployment, and so you start looking over your assets.
What did you accomplish during the 6 months that you led the Second Division? (Pick 3. Choices can be picked multiple times unless noted otherwise.) Everyone, please vote by plan for this section. If you do not vote by plan, then your vote will be discarded. Please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
[] The discovery of Vibranium.
(Can only be taken once) All of what the Allies were able to find in the world went into creating a shield for you. You still have the one you used during your time in the USO and it's grown on you. Especially after using it to fend off an ambushed by another assassin during the end of your month long tour. The US went crazy after the incident, and Captain America became a national icon.
[] 1 The creation of a squad of super soldiers.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) Project Rebirth was productive during your time as commander. You have created and trained new super soldiers that will be following you into battle once the time comes. Each squad consists of 13 members, 3 fireteams of 4 men, with one leading non-commissioned officer.
[] 1 The reverse engineering of HYDRA tech.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) Howard and his engineers have been hard at work. They've managed figure out quite a bit of HYDRA's earlier technologies. He's also figured out why they have not been using some of it since the start of 1942. Many of the designs are too fragile to be kept in use for a long period of time and the repairs and maintenance needed to maintain the technology is cost prohibitive. However, Howard thinks that he found a way to solve some of those issues, and has created blueprints for new designs and has begun manufacturing them for the SSR's first division as a partial answer to HYDRA's current tech. Each time this is taken broadens the technologies that were improved upon.
[] Peggy has volunteered and you have given her the serum.
(Can only be taken once) While the procedure was successful, there were... complications that necessitated more scrutiny into the actual serum's effects. For one, she became barren. Though she shrugged it off in short order, there was something in her eyes that no one else caught that made you question whether or not it affected her as deeply as she made it seem. Speaking of which, you're pretty sure that you have become sterile as well. You're also quite unsure how you feel about that. Starts relationship with Peggy, and future supersoldiers can have normal (non-enhanced) children.
[] 1 Howard worked on his own technology.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) HYDRA is not the only ones with innovations to bring to the table. Howard has been working on his own technology and we now have some things to answer HYDRA's newest weapons. The great thing about the new innovations is that they are easily mass producible, and can be given out to the regular armed forces, along with scaled up version for the SSR and other special ops organizations.
[] Howard worked on recreating Vibranium.
(Only only be taken once. Counts as 2 actions. Can only be taken if you take Discover Vibranium.) "The strongest and most versatile metal on Earth was turned into a frisbee." Capitol Hill came down on us hard due to that, and though you are able to put the shield to good use, the SSR cannot afford to make crazy one offs like that. So, Howard went off to Africa for 5 months and you joined him for the second half of his trip there. You visited Wakanda, the most advanced country in Africa, and one of the most advanced in the world. They originally declared neutrality in the Second World War, just as they did in the first. Well, you've now talked them into helping the Allied effort to contain the Axis. And they renounced their isolationist policy. Also their king, Azzuri the Wise, is now a very good friend of yours, after resolving a misunderstanding and a ferocious duel. How bout that for your first six months in command? Available due to both Leader of Man and Bothers and Sisters in Arms.
"You have great timing Rogers. Unfortunately, I can only give you bad news."
Colonel Phillips looks down and gestures at the papers on his desk.
"I have signed more of these condolence letters today can I would care to count. And your friend, Barnes. I saw his name here. I'm sorry."
Your blood feels like ice in your veins. The rain and cold are the only signs of the oncoming winter, but you don't feel much of it. The chill is from within.
You swallow, and steel yourself. You gird your soul with the knowledge that you can make a difference.
"What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?"
"Yea, it's called 'winning the war.'"
"But if you know where they are, why not at least-"
"They're 30 miles behind the lines, through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe."
He walks towards the map on the wall and points out to you where the POW camp is.
"We'd lose more men than we'd save."
The sympathy drains from the Colonel's face. It hardens and looks straight at you.
"Why are you asking me this, Captain? You of all people should know better than that."
"Because, with all due respect, that's a load of bull. This is exactly what the second division was formed for. Sir."
He looks you dead in the eyes and you can see him evaluating you.
What are you thinking right now? This is a ranked vote, like what we did for the previous update. But, please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
You are thinking back to Abraham's speech when you underwent your procedure. That today, you will take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace.
Notes:
"Mornin' Howard, Peggy, Abraham."
A chorus of good mornings go all around the room.
"I think we all know why we're here today."
You look at the three people in front of you.
"While Peggy and I are not scientists, and Howard is not a biologist, we three are probably the three most qualified people to carry on Abraham's legacy. He wants to teach each of us the secret of the super soldier serum, and from Howard, we'll learn the mechanisms behind vita-radiation. With the two pieces together, any of us will be able to create more people like me. Should the worst happen to any one of us, someone else can carry forward."
The classroom/lab is set up so that Abraham will be able to teach you all about the various materials and ingredients that go into the serum, while also teaching you about why it does what it does. After you have the knowledge of the serum, Howard will begin his part and teach you and Peggy in his workshop. You will be learning about each topics for two hour a day for the six plus months that you will be stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Ideally, there will be no need to write anything down; the formula is top secret, even among the Allied Countries that sponsored the SSR. If files are created, and they fall into the wrong hands, the results could very well be disastrous. So, the information will live only in the minds of the leaders of the SSR's second division.
Speaking of which, you should name your division. But what should the name be? This is a standard vote. But, please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
Howard suggested:
[] SHIELD - the Strategic Hazard Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division
Peggy suggested:
[] STRD - the Strategic Threat Response Division
You have a different idea:
[] Write-in?
Six months come and go, and during that time you are recruiting and screening candidates while helping Abraham produce a stock of serum, fend off six more assassination attempts, and learn about vita-radiation, biology, and chemistry. All that, in addition to your officer schooling.
Today is October 15th 1943, and news keeps coming in from the battlefront. The Allies make progress day by day, but the causality count is ticking. HYDRA has deployed terrifying new weaponry that can disintegrate a human being in a single shot, and the Nazis are rallying to start a new offensive.
Worst of all, Colonel Phillips has gotten in touch again and informed you that the 107th had entered into battle. They were in Azzano, Italy and were overrun by the combined HYDRA and Wehmacht forces. There were hundreds of POWs taken from that battle, and the rest retreated for fear of becoming HYDRA's next target. There is currently no way for Allied forces at the front to stage a response against HYDRA's new technology, so Colonel Philips has finally given the order.
You have two weeks to prepare for deployment, and so you start looking over your assets.
What did you accomplish during the 6 months that you led the Second Division? (Pick 3. Choices can be picked multiple times unless noted otherwise.) Everyone, please vote by plan for this section. If you do not vote by plan, then your vote will be discarded. Please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
[] The discovery of Vibranium.
(Can only be taken once) All of what the Allies were able to find in the world went into creating a shield for you. You still have the one you used during your time in the USO and it's grown on you. Especially after using it to fend off an ambushed by another assassin during the end of your month long tour. The US went crazy after the incident, and Captain America became a national icon.
[] 1 The creation of a squad of super soldiers.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) Project Rebirth was productive during your time as commander. You have created and trained new super soldiers that will be following you into battle once the time comes. Each squad consists of 13 members, 3 fireteams of 4 men, with one leading non-commissioned officer.
[] 1 The reverse engineering of HYDRA tech.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) Howard and his engineers have been hard at work. They've managed figure out quite a bit of HYDRA's earlier technologies. He's also figured out why they have not been using some of it since the start of 1942. Many of the designs are too fragile to be kept in use for a long period of time and the repairs and maintenance needed to maintain the technology is cost prohibitive. However, Howard thinks that he found a way to solve some of those issues, and has created blueprints for new designs and has begun manufacturing them for the SSR's first division as a partial answer to HYDRA's current tech. Each time this is taken broadens the technologies that were improved upon.
[] Peggy has volunteered and you have given her the serum.
(Can only be taken once) While the procedure was successful, there were... complications that necessitated more scrutiny into the actual serum's effects. For one, she became barren. Though she shrugged it off in short order, there was something in her eyes that no one else caught that made you question whether or not it affected her as deeply as she made it seem. Speaking of which, you're pretty sure that you have become sterile as well. You're also quite unsure how you feel about that. Starts relationship with Peggy, and future supersoldiers can have normal (non-enhanced) children.
[] 1 Howard worked on his own technology.
(Can be taken multiple times. Replace the 1 with how many times you'd like to take the action.) HYDRA is not the only ones with innovations to bring to the table. Howard has been working on his own technology and we now have some things to answer HYDRA's newest weapons. The great thing about the new innovations is that they are easily mass producible, and can be given out to the regular armed forces, along with scaled up version for the SSR and other special ops organizations.
[] Howard worked on recreating Vibranium.
(Only only be taken once. Counts as 2 actions. Can only be taken if you take Discover Vibranium.) "The strongest and most versatile metal on Earth was turned into a frisbee." Capitol Hill came down on us hard due to that, and though you are able to put the shield to good use, the SSR cannot afford to make crazy one offs like that. So, Howard went off to Africa for 5 months and you joined him for the second half of his trip there. You visited Wakanda, the most advanced country in Africa, and one of the most advanced in the world. They originally declared neutrality in the Second World War, just as they did in the first. Well, you've now talked them into helping the Allied effort to contain the Axis. And they renounced their isolationist policy. Also their king, Azzuri the Wise, is now a very good friend of yours, after resolving a misunderstanding and a ferocious duel. How bout that for your first six months in command? Available due to both Leader of Man and Bothers and Sisters in Arms.
"You have great timing Rogers. Unfortunately, I can only give you bad news."
Colonel Phillips looks down and gestures at the papers on his desk.
"I have signed more of these condolence letters today can I would care to count. And your friend, Barnes. I saw his name here. I'm sorry."
Your blood feels like ice in your veins. The rain and cold are the only signs of the oncoming winter, but you don't feel much of it. The chill is from within.
You swallow, and steel yourself. You gird your soul with the knowledge that you can make a difference.
"What about the others? Are you planning a rescue mission?"
"Yea, it's called 'winning the war.'"
"But if you know where they are, why not at least-"
"They're 30 miles behind the lines, through some of the most heavily fortified territory in Europe."
He walks towards the map on the wall and points out to you where the POW camp is.
"We'd lose more men than we'd save."
The sympathy drains from the Colonel's face. It hardens and looks straight at you.
"Why are you asking me this, Captain? You of all people should know better than that."
"Because, with all due respect, that's a load of bull. This is exactly what the second division was formed for. Sir."
He looks you dead in the eyes and you can see him evaluating you.
What are you thinking right now? This is a ranked vote, like what we did for the previous update. But, please see the end of the update for more detailed voting instructions.
You are thinking back to Abraham's speech when you underwent your procedure. That today, you will take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace.
[] Trait Gained: Path to Peace
You are thinking to the future, of what the world will need with people like HYDRA running around. That today, you will take not another step towards annihilation, but the first step on the path to peace.[] Trait Gained: Visionary
You are thinking to the past, to all of the time that you spent with Bucky. Back when you had nothing, you still had Bucky. And that means a lot to you, so you'll do your absolute best, come hell or high water, to rescue him. And if he's dead, then to do his memory justice and rescue as many men as you can.[] Trait Gained: For the Dead, and For the Living
You are thinking of how to bring HYDRA, and the Nazis by extension, down. They have caused mass suffering, and you refuse to let more good men and women endure the deprivations of those madmen.[] Trait Gained: Crusader
Notes:
- We will be voting in phases. Phase 1 is voting by plan for the second section. Phase 2 is a combined vote for the trait and name.
- Votes for Phase 1 will be closed at 6PM Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday the 21st. Votes for Phase 2 will be closed on Wednesday the 22nd at 6PM Eastern Daylight Time.
- Since no dice were rolled for this update, the bonus dice that you have accumulated for this update will be applied to the next. You're going to need it. Total of 4 bonus dice, in addition the the 2 that you will get for vote tallying.
I'm adding the char sheet update to the end here, because I'd like to keep the threadmarks cleaner.
Character Sheet Update
Captain Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR)Recruit Private Private First Class Captain
Subject Alpha
SSR Division II Commanding Officer
Captain America
Stats
Explanation of Stats: Scale of 1-11, with something between 3/4 as human average. Peak human is 8 in every stat, with few things able to go beyond that. Example: Tony Stark has an intelligence of 10 while Thor has a strength of 10. The Hulk has a strength of 11, but intelligence of 2.
Skills
Traits
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. You are one of the commanding officers of the SSR, and your current mission is to recruit, train, and enhance a team to become super solders like yourself. You will do your utmost to choose good men, so that there is not another monster in the world like Schmidt.
Provides bonuses to any leadership roll. Bonuses can be extra dice, a bump in the skill level, story effects, or extra choices during a decision point.
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours... And learn you have! You are now stronger, faster, and more capable than any single Olympic athlete, and are able to learn and comprehend far more than you were able to before the serum.
All physical and mental stats start at 8.
Brothers and Sisters in Arms: You will always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
Makes it far easier to recruit extraordinary people and to have them stay true to whatever cause you pledge yourself to. Can avert a Civil War. Unlocks Trait choice: Path to Peace
Character Sheet Update
Captain Steve Rogers
Titles
Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR)
Subject Alpha
SSR Division II Commanding Officer
Captain America
Stats
| Mental | 26 | Physical | 24 | Social | 24 |
| Intelligence | 8 | Strength | 8 | Presence | 10 |
| Wits | 8 | Dexterity | 8 | Intuition | 7 |
| Resolve | 10 | Stamina | 8 | Composure | 7 |
Skills
| d12 skills | d10 skills | d8 skills | d6 skills | d4 skills | d2 skills | Misc skills |
| Self Sacrifice | Terrain traversal (free running/parkour) | Marksmanship | General Education | Material Science | Chemistry |
|
| Get up get up get up... | Endurance running/sprinting | Roll with the punches | Working the Crowd | Super Human Biology | Create a batch of Super Soldier Serum | |
| Leadership |
|
Physics | Create Vita-ray chamber | |||
| Desperate Gambit | ||||||
Leader of Man: You made a promise to yourself and swore that you will help people in any way you can. You are one of the commanding officers of the SSR, and your current mission is to recruit, train, and enhance a team to become super solders like yourself. You will do your utmost to choose good men, so that there is not another monster in the world like Schmidt.
Provides bonuses to any leadership roll. Bonuses can be extra dice, a bump in the skill level, story effects, or extra choices during a decision point.
Super Soldier: You did it! You've gone through Dr. Erskine's procedure and have emerged with far more ability than you ever imagined you could have. Now you'll need to learn how to use this new body of yours... And learn you have! You are now stronger, faster, and more capable than any single Olympic athlete, and are able to learn and comprehend far more than you were able to before the serum.
All physical and mental stats start at 8.
Brothers and Sisters in Arms: You will always have faith in the good men and women that serve along side you, be it on the battlefield next to you or as part of the machine that keeps your efforts going.
Makes it far easier to recruit extraordinary people and to have them stay true to whatever cause you pledge yourself to. Can avert a Civil War. Unlocks Trait choice: Path to Peace
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