The war was over.
As the final surrender agreement was broadcast across the World, the entire Planet was plunged into an ocean of revelry.
New York, London, Paris...
People poured into the streets, hugging and kissing total strangers.
They threw their hats into the sky, celebrating this hard-won peace with tears and laughter.
Lynn stood by the window, overlooking the celebrating crowds below, his eyes calm.
Beside his ear, Motoko Kusanagi's calm voice reported.
"Catwoman has successfully retrieved all research data on the Tesseract, as well as the thirty-seven most valuable art pieces and all rare metal reserves from the HYDRA treasury. She is currently on standby at Safe House No. 4."
"Professor Pyg has arrived at the secret Base in Argentina via the pre-planned escape route, carrying the full set of equipment and initial funding required for the new HYDRA development plan."
"He has shown great... enthusiasm for this."
"Soldier Boy and Human Torch have been recovered and are currently under quarantine observation."
Lynn nodded slightly.
The fruits of war were being harvested silently.
The old era had come to an end.
A new era would unfold with the overture he had composed himself.
He turned around and gave new instructions to Motoko Kusanagi.
"Submit a report to the Department of Defense in the name of Vought International."
"Hold a state funeral for Steve Rogers; I want the whole World to remember this hero."
...
This report, along with Vought International's offer to cover all expenses, left the generals at The Pentagon feeling relieved.
They were racking their brains over how to explain Captain America's fate to the public.
Lynn Morris had once again provided them with the perfect solution.
An unprecedented and grand state funeral was held in Washington.
That day, the sky was overcast, and a light rain was falling.
The coffin, draped in the Stars and Stripes, was carried slowly down the long street by the surviving members of the Howling Commandos.
The streets were lined with people who had come spontaneously to see him off.
Among them were white-haired elders.
Widows who had just lost their husbands.
Survivors who had been rescued from concentration camps.
They did not cry out; they just stood in silence.
With white flowers pinned to their chests, they paid their highest respects to that empty coffin.
The whole World was focused here.
Peggy Carter, dressed in a black uniform, walked up to the podium as a representative.
She straightened her back, struggling to maintain the composure of a top Agent.
But her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed the sorrow in her heart.
"People will say he was a legend."
Peggy's voice carried through the microphone to the square and to the whole World.
"They will remember that he ended the war and saved the World. But what I want to speak of is not that symbol called Captain America."
"What I want to speak of is Steve Rogers."
"That scrawny youth from Brooklyn, that fool who couldn't even pass a physical examination yet signed up for the army again and again."
"The soldier who, in the face of a grenade, would not hesitate to throw himself onto it to protect his comrades with his own body."
"He was not born a hero. He was just a good man, a man who was braver and kinder than all of us."
Her voice began to choke with sobs, and a tear finally couldn't be held back, sliding down her cheek.
"He once told me that he owed me a dance."
"Now, I'm afraid I'll have to wait a very long time."
In the square, countless people shed tears.
The tough men of the Howling Commandos could no longer hold it in, and one after another, they lowered their heads, wiping away hot tears with the backs of their hands.
Howard Stark stood in the crowd and took off his sunglasses.
For once, he didn't make a quip; he just silently watched the replica of the star shield, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
This scene was broadcast live to the whole World via television signals.
Human Torch watched in silence, saying nothing.
Soldier Boy was dismissive of it.
In the office at Vought Tower.
Lynn watched quietly at the tear-stained face on the screen, watching the tragedy he had personally orchestrated and which had moved the whole World.
There was no expression on his face.
A perfect finale.
The aftermath of the state funeral had not yet dissipated.
A secret meeting to decide the future security landscape of the World was held at the headquarters of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
The conference room was filled with smoke.
General Chester Phillips.
This battle-hardened veteran stubbed out the last of his cigar in the ashtray.
"The war is over, but the threat is not."
"Red Skull has disappeared, but who can guarantee there won't be another Red Skull? The power of the Tesseract has shown us a World far beyond our imagination."
Howard Stark took over.
He leaned back in his chair with a relaxed posture.
"More importantly, we now have gods."
He was referring to Soldier Boy and Human Torch.
And to Lynn Morris and his unfathomable Vought International.
Peggy Carter nodded.
"We cannot be as passive as we were before. We need a brand-new agency, an organization capable of dealing with all future threats."
"It will inherit the will of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, but with greater authority and stronger power."
The three of them locked eyes.
A brand-new name surfaced in their minds.
Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
"This agency must have special forces."
General Phillips looked at the two.
"Invite Lynn Morris to join?"
Howard and Peggy both fell silent.
They knew better than anyone how terrifying Lynn Morris was.
But precisely because of that, they needed even more to bring him into the system.
A Lynn within the system could still be constrained by rules.
A Lynn outside the system would be a nightmare for the whole World.
...
Vought Tower.
Lynn looked at Howard and Peggy, who had come to visit him personally, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division? That's too much of a mouthful. Why not call it S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Lynn poured them black tea after hearing the purpose of their visit.
"A very grand concept."
"Lynn, this is not a concept; this is the future."
Howard became uncharacteristically serious.
"We need you. Your intelligence, your resources—you are an indispensable piece of the S.H.I.E.L.D. puzzle."
Peggy also stared at him.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with earnestness.
"Lynn, Steve's sacrifice was to bring about a safer World."
"We are inheriting his legacy, and I hope you can stand with us."
She was trying to move him emotionally.
Lynn put down the teapot and leaned back on the sofa, looking at these two future founders of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Then he shook his head gently.
"Sorry, I decline."
"Why?!"
Howard jumped up from the sofa.
"Don't you understand what we are facing? This concerns the safety of the entire World!"
"Of course I understand."
Lynn's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes were so deep they were unsettling.
"But I am no longer suitable to appear; don't you know why?"
"As for the safety of the World..."
He picked up his teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves.
"I believe that with your abilities, you are capable of handling it. Vought International will provide you with all necessary support. Weapons, equipment, technology... as long as you can afford it."
Howard was stunned.
Peggy was also stunned.
"You will regret this, Lynn."
Howard finally managed to squeeze out only this sentence.
"Perhaps."
Lynn smiled noncommittally.
After seeing off the two founders of S.H.I.E.L.D., Lynn returned to his desk.
Motoko Kusanagi appeared before him.
"Boss, the purchase agreement for the island in the South Pacific has been signed, and the first phase of the infrastructure renovation plan has been launched."
"Very good."
Lynn nodded and turned his gaze outside the window.
"Send our two big guys there for a vacation."
"Let them get some good rest. After all, times of peace are always very short."
plz support me if you can
readfictional.com
patreon.com/AZFANFICTION
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AZofficial
All the novel and fanfiction are 30 chapter ahead there.