Marvel: The Journey

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 Ian and his fellow recruits were going through the obstacle course and the instructor was shouting at them to keep moving, "Move! Move! Move! Move your fat ass, Marvin! How the hell do you and your wife fuck with your trash stamina, Eric?!", he taunted them, hoping to get them riled up and push themselves harder.

Ian, however, was already ahead of the rest, jumping over the spiked fence with ease and maneuvering around the obstacles with agility. But as he began to slow down, he heard the instructor's voice yelling at him, "You better not slow down, Ian! You don't want me to chase you! Run, Ian, or else!"

Ian felt his stamina fading, and he whispered to himself, "Fuck! I can't!" But then, he suddenly pictured a blue liquid in a container in his mind and an obsessive smile crept over his face. His whole demeanor changed, and he repeated to himself, "Serum! Serum! Serum!" He began to pick up speed and raced toward the finish line.

"That's what I'm talking about!" the instructor praised him as he crossed the finish line. "You did great, Ian!"

"Haaah...Haaah...Haaah!" Ian fell to the ground, panting heavily, and soon the rest of the recruits joined him on the ground a few minutes later.

As they caught their breaths, one of the other recruits asked Ian, "What's with the serum thing, man?"

Ian just grinned slyly and replied, "Let's just say I have a secret weapon."

The instructor strolled over to the group of recruits, a sadistic grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the scene. The recruits lay on the ground, panting and sweating after their strenuous obstacle course. Suddenly, he barked, "Time's up, ladies! Get up and give me fifty!"

Ian let out a sigh and was the first to spring to his feet, eager to comply with the instructor's orders. He began doing push-ups, setting the pace for the rest of the group. Some of them groaned and struggled to keep up, exhausted from the intense physical activity they had just endured.

While doing his push-ups, his mind drifted back to when he first enlisted in the army. It had been two weeks since then, but it felt like it had flown by in an instant. After packing his bags and bidding farewell to his old life, he burned any evidence that connected him to any criminal activity. He sold his home to an elderly couple for a couple of hundred dollars and arrived at the station ready for the next chapter of his life.

Along with the rest of the recruits, Ian was sent to a basic training camp by bus. The first thing that happened was what he called the "Reception." He and the others were issued uniforms and equipment, underwent medical examinations and vaccinations, and were given basic orientation and instruction about military life.

Then, the training began. Every day, the recruits had an instructor present to supervise them as they did calisthenics, ran, and engaged in other physical activities to build strength, endurance, and discipline. They were also taught how to march, stand at attention, and execute various military movements with precision and discipline.

In addition to physical training, the recruits also received instruction in various types of weapons, including rifles, pistols, and grenades. They were taught how to handle, clean, and maintain these weapons, as well as how to shoot them accurately. Classroom learning was also an essential part of their training, covering a wide range of topics, including military history, tactics, first aid, and military law.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the training was the obstacle courses. These courses were designed to test and improve the physical fitness and problem-solving skills of the recruits, with various obstacles such as walls, ropes, and ditches. 

The instructor called an end to their grueling physical training for the day. The relief was palpable as the recruits eagerly sat back to catch their breaths. However, their rest was short-lived as the instructor soon reminded them that they had only two hours of rest and that they would be discussing military tactics that day.

After completing his push-ups, Ian was exhausted and eager for some rest. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see a tall blonde guy with a friendly smile. "What do you want, Adam?" Ian asked wearily as he made his way toward the barracks to catch some shut-eye before class.

Adam followed him and asked for a favor. "Can you do me a favor, Ian? I need some cash for something." Ian listened to Adam's request but made it clear that he couldn't do anything too difficult. Adam hesitated before finally confessing that he wanted the cash to buy cigarettes.

Ian stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Adam. He noticed the guilt in Adam's eyes but decided not to press him on it. After all, it wasn't his problem. He nodded and gave Adam a few dollars before heading off to rest before class.

Ian lay on his bed, reflecting on the past two weeks of his life in the army. He had realized that his time here was not just about surviving basic training, but also about building a reputation for himself. He had two main goals: to uncover any mutants that might be hiding among the recruits and to distinguish himself as a standout recruit worthy of the attention of the army's top brass.

He had been vigilant, watching everyone around him with a keen eye, but to his disappointment, he had not found a single mutant. As for his second goal, he had been pushing himself to the limit every day, determined to excel in all aspects of training and obstacle courses. He knew that his performance and attitude would be recorded on his file, and he wanted it to be impressive enough to get close to Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter, or Dr. Abraham Erskine.

Ian had realized that even minor achievements in the army could help him get closer to his goal. He had vowed to himself that he would leave a lasting impression on everyone who watched him, especially the instructors and other staff who had the power to influence his future in the army.