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Three days later.
Vought Media's propaganda machine was running at full power.
Every giant screen in Times Square, YouTube, and the prime time slots of major television stations worldwide were looping a carefully edited (fake) documentary—
"Winter: The Forgotten Sacrifice."
In the video, there was no cold-blooded killing by the Winter Soldier.
Only the tragic scene of the handsome Bucky Barnes from World War II falling off a cliff to protect Captain America.
The documentary began with black-and-white World War II footage.
A young and handsome Bucky Barnes fell off a cliff in the cold wind. The background music was solemn and stirring, bringing people to tears.
Immediately after, the scene shifted.
From the blurry perspective of hidden surveillance, it showed "footage" of him suffering "severe torture" in a HYDRA Base. (Since Bucky's acting was poor, it was filmed by a top Hollywood stunt double, and the special effects makeup was flawless.)
The narrator explained in a deep, weathered tone:
"He didn't die... he just fell into hell."
"Seventy years of torture, brainwashing, and modification."
"HYDRA tried to destroy his will, tried to turn him into a weapon."
"But he never truly surrendered."
In the footage, Bucky was strapped to an electric chair, his face covered in blood, cursing HYDRA. Even as he drooled from the electricity and his expression was contorted, his eyes remained stubborn and resolute.
"In the depths of his subconscious, that boy from Brooklyn was always fighting back."
Then, the scene cut to the moment Steve and Bucky reunited and recognized each other at the Ili Hydroelectric Power Station.
"Even with his body controlled, he never forgot his brother."
"He is a victim, and a survivor. He carries the pain, but he chooses to stand up and use that cursed arm to crush the enemy's throat."
The end of the film showed Bucky's current image.
Hair cut short, beard shaved clean, wearing a custom V.G.D. tactical suit, that metal arm shining brilliantly in the sun.
He stood beside Steve, and the two of them saluted the camera.
Finally, Homelander appeared on screen in person, closing the film with a magnetic, low voice.
"He was once a hero, but was swallowed by darkness."
"He spent seventy years in hell, but the light in his heart was never extinguished."
"Now, he is back."
"Not to find the past, but to... protect the future."
"Welcome home, Sergeant Barnes."
Subtitles slowly emerged:
[James Barnes. Codename: Silver Hand.]
[Howling Commandos, assemble.]
As soon as this film came out, the effect was explosive! It ignited the entire internet.
@AmericanSweetheart: #SergeantBarnesIsInnocent# I'm crying my eyes out! He endured so much and was still misunderstood! He is the real victim!
@MakeUSAGreatAgain: Waaaah, it's too heartbreaking! Even after being treated like that, he still tried to resist! He is a true patriot!
@Stucky4Ever: Seeing him and the Captain standing together, I'm fulfilled! This is true brotherhood! This is love!
@WarriorJohnny: The codename Silver Hand is so cool! When will Vought release merchandise? I want to buy a figurine of that mechanical arm!
Striking while the iron was hot.
Vought Media immediately announced a blockbuster reality show—"Howling: Soldiers' Assault."
New York, Times Square.
On the giant screen, Steve Rogers, wearing that classic blue and white uniform, pointed at the camera with a righteous face.
"Seventy years ago, we fought for freedom."
"Today, the threat still exists."
"We need new soldiers, new blood."
"If you have the ability, the courage, and are willing to stand up for justice."
"Join us."
"Become a member of the Howling Commandos!"
"Whether you have superpowers or not, as long as you have a brave heart!"
Then the scene shifted.
Steve raised his shield and blocked a high-speed RPG Rocket.
"I can do this all day with the enemy."
"But your car can't."
"Vought Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance, giving your car Vibranium-like protection."
"Call now and get a limited edition Captain America... non-slip floor mat."
When Steve finished this line, the corner of his mouth twitched noticeably, and a flash of "forced business" helplessness appeared in his eyes.
In front of the television.
Tony Stark spat a mouthful of coffee onto the screen.
"Hahahahahaha!!"
He laughed out loud, laughing so hard he almost fell back in his chair.
"Jarvis! Quick! Record it! Record it all!"
"I want to play this video on a loop on all V.G.D. outdoor screens!!"
Meanwhile, on the V.G.D. training ground.
Steve looked at himself on the training ground's large screen, wishing he could bury himself with his shield.
He had sworn never to do commercials again, but this time he owed Vought.
"Captain, it actually looks pretty cool."
Pietro stopped beside Steve, barely holding back his laughter.
"Especially those non-slip floor mats, I want to get a set for my Pagani too."
"Shut up, Pietro."
Steve's face was dark.
"Weighted run, 30,000 kilometers. Now."
"Huh? No way, Captain? My body just recovered!"
"60,000 kilometers!"
"Yes, Captain! No problem, Captain! Long live Vought Insurance!"
...As soon as the recruitment ad was broadcast, veterans, patriotic youths, and even some tough guys hidden among the populace across America were boiling with excitement.
Unlike the high-and-mighty Seven, the Howling Commandos gave ordinary people a chance to become "superheroes."
The registration website had only been online for thirty minutes when the server had to be urgently expanded three times due to excessive traffic.
Washington, a veterans' support group.
Sam Wilson looked at the recruitment ad on TV, looking at Steve, who still had firm eyes even while reciting awkward lines.
He stood up, walked to the cabinet, and opened it.
Inside lay the newly repaired mechanical wingsuit.
This was something Natasha had repaired for him for free out of pity after the last hydroelectric power station operation.
Sam took out his phone and dialed the hotline number on the screen... New York, Long Island, V.G.D. Second Training Base.
This place had been transformed into a massive reality show set.
There were cameras, jib arms, and directors with headsets everywhere.
Steve held a megaphone, standing on a high platform, looking at the dense crowd of applicants below, feeling his head grow large.
"There are too many people, Bucky," Steve said to Bucky beside him. "How long will it take to screen them all?"
"Ashley said the first round is an audition, mainly looking at... faces and bodies." Bucky looked at the score sheet in his hand, the corner of his mouth twitching, "It says here, extra points for abs, extra points for tragic stories?"
"We are recruiting soldiers, not male models." Steve sighed.
"Forget that, let's just follow our own rules."
Steve threw away the ridiculous score sheet.
"Everyone! Listen up!"
Steve picked up the megaphone, his voice drowning out the noise of the crowd.
"This isn't Hollywood! This is a battlefield!"
"The first round of testing is simple. Forty kilograms of weight, run fifty kilometers. The finish line is at the seaside."
"The last two-thirds to arrive will be directly eliminated!"