The Strategic Scientific Reserve underground laboratory was another World.
Here was the kingdom of reason, the temple of science.
Lynn knew that.
What was enshrined in this temple was a god about to be created.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"I had an idea about an anti-gravity stabilizer on the way, which held me up."
The lead door of the laboratory was pushed open.
A man wearing an expensive suit, his hair combed until it was slick and shiny, walked in.
He had a flashy little mustache on his lip.
He was carrying a silver briefcase in his hand.
A confident smile hung on his face.
Howard Stark.
A man who could change the course of the war with money and wisdom.
He scanned the room.
His gaze finally landed on Peggy Carter.
"Oh, Agent Carter, your uniform today is more lethal than any new weapon I've designed."
Howard walked up to her and performed an exaggerated gentleman's bow.
"Any interest in joining me for a drink after we witness a miracle?"
"There's a place where their champagne is as charming as your eyes."
Peggy Carter didn't pay him the slightest attention, just turned a page of the document in her hand.
"Mr. Stark, I think the seven minutes you were late were enough for you to run through those boring pickup lines in your head. Can we start now?"
Howard was rebuffed, but he didn't look embarrassed at all.
He shrugged and placed the briefcase on the conference table with a "snap."
"Fine, fine, let's talk business."
He opened the case.
"The core components of the Vita-Ray projector have all been calibrated. The energy output is stable at 120%, with a peak reaching 135%—enough to roast an elephant into jerky, or... create a god."
He turned to Dr. Erskine, who had been silent the whole time.
Dr. Erskine's eyes were bloodshot.
There was both the excitement of imminent success and a hidden worry about creating something unknown.
"The final formula for the serum is also complete."
He took a vial from a portable cooler.
The liquid in the glass bottle was a translucent blue.
It refracted a dreamy luster under the light.
It seemed to contain the mysteries of the Universe.
Everyone was captivated by that shade of blue.
That was humanity's ambition to challenge God, the ladder for mortals to reach the divine realm.
Lynn lingered on the syringe for a second before looking away.
This was it.
The Super Soldier Serum.
"Dr."
Howard Stark's expression became serious.
"Are you sure this dosage is safe? My machine can provide enough energy, but if your formula has a problem..."
"Steve Rogers won't even have a scrap left."
"The formula is perfect."
Dr. Erskine stroked the glass bottle as if he were soothing his own child.
"What truly determines success or failure is not the formula or the machine, but Steve's heart."
Peggy Carter frowned slightly; she was more concerned with practical issues.
"Dr., I have confirmed the experimental procedure countless times."
"But I need to know the worst-case scenario. If the experiment fails or an uncontrollable mutation occurs, what is our emergency plan?"
"There is no plan."
Dr. Erskine shook his head, his eyes revealing a scientist's obsession.
"It must succeed."
Lynn looked at these three top figures in their respective fields.
One idealistic. One tech-obsessed. One pragmatic and cautious.
It was time for him, the "consultant," to speak up.
"Agent Carter's concerns are necessary."
"We are facing an unknown field, and I have a suggestion."
He stood up.
"Dr. Erskine's serum aims to reshape the human body at a genetic level, while Mr. Stark's machine is the key to activating it all."
"My question is, Dr., once the serum is activated, is its nature stable or is it a one-time thing?"
Lynn looked at Dr. Erskine.
"In other words, if Steve succeeds, will his blood still contain serum with the same efficacy?"
This question stunned the three people present.
They were all considering how to "create" a super soldier.
But they hadn't considered the possibility of "replicating" a super soldier.
Dr. Erskine pondered for a moment and answered somewhat uncertainly:
"Theoretically, the serum will completely fuse with the host's DNA and become a part of his body. His blood will be active."
"But it would be very difficult to create another super soldier; that requires the precise catalysis of the Vita-Rays. Neither can be missing."
"Then, what about the backup serum?"
Lynn pressed on.
"To deal with emergencies, there's more than just this one vial in the lab, right?"
Howard Stark whistled and sized up Lynn.
"Mr. Reporter, your questions are even sharper than Agent Carter's."
"That's right, there are indeed backup doses stored in a high-security refrigerated safe. What, are you worried we're putting all our eggs in one basket?"
"I just want to confirm that we have a chance to try again."
Lynn's expression was flawlessly sincere.
"After all, with a weapon like Soldier Boy, one is enough of a headache. What we are creating is a role model and a hope, not a mass-produced army of monsters."
These words perfectly aligned with Dr. Erskine's ideals.
The old Dr. nodded in agreement.
"Lynn is right; this technology must be strictly controlled. After the experiment, all backup serum will be sealed, or even... destroyed."
Hearing the word "destroyed," Lynn's eyelid twitched.
What a waste!
The atmosphere of the meeting became more harmonious because of Lynn's "farsighted" remarks.
Howard Stark even rarely stopped harassing Peggy, instead discussing the "paradox of energy conservation in superhuman individuals" with Lynn with great interest.
Lynn used concepts he had seen in movies and comics, combined with his own observations of Soldier Boy, to deal with it half-truthfully.
Even so, it made the genius Howard nod repeatedly.
It was as if he had found a kindred spirit.
"Hey, Lynn, you really are a genius! You should damn well be working at my Stark Industries instead of eating sand on the battlefield! I'll pay you triple—no, five times the salary!"
"I'll consider it after the war, Mr. Stark."
Peggy Carter watched coldly from the side.
This man named Lynn Morris could always easily gain others' trust.
Whether it was Dr. Erskine or Steve.
Or even arrogant guys like Howard Stark.
He was like a fog; you could see him, but you could never see through him.
The meeting ended.
The experiment date was finally set for two days later.
High-ranking Military officials and government dignitaries would all be present to witness it.
Everyone left one after another.
Dr. Erskine checked the serum's refrigeration unit one last time before walking out with Peggy.
Howard Stark hooked his arm around Lynn's shoulder, still enthusiastically inviting him to visit his private plane.
"Let me tell you, that thing has my latest autopilot installed; we could even be drinking whiskey at 10,000 meters in the air while..."
Lynn smiled and politely declined.
His gaze crossed over his shoulder toward the heavy metal door at the deepest part of the lab, where a red warning light was glowing.
That was where his target was kept.
A comprehensive improvement in strength, speed, endurance, healing ability, and cognitive ability.
This was the most ideal enhancement.
"Hey! Lynn? What are you thinking about?"
Howard's voice pulled him back from his thoughts.
"I was thinking that in two days, we will change the World."
A meaningful smile appeared on Lynn's face.
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