Chapter 127: Omniscience in Marvel 123
Title - Life as a Soldier
…
A month soon passed and the events that led to the Evolution of Steven Rogers to Captain America played out as they were supposed to.
As an officer of the SSR, Lucas also got a front row seat to Captain America's test and Dr. Erskine's death.
It was a pity for one of the very few intelligent humans capable of tapping into the Realm of Super Flow even for an instant to die, however Leucadius felt it was the Universe correcting an anomaly…or rather the universe doing away with the loose variable after it had served its purpose.
As a human, Leucadius felt it was cruel to the living beings of the Universe, but his Initial Godly Persona was quick to understand, and to prevent a schizophrenic situation, Leucadius did away with the thought.
…
Having a status was a very nifty thing, and without pulling the weight of the Hawthorne family, Leucadius or Lucas, bore witness to everything, even the scenes of the politicians and militants debating on how to go about Steve's case as he's now a super soldier.
The one and only.
Ah. Lucas had taken to calling Steven as Steve due to Agent Carter's influence on him, plus it was less of a mouthful.
'Weird how I never wondered why 'N' was such a long alphabet to pronounce properly.' Lucas thought to himself in amusement.
(A/N: I feel 'n' has two alphabetical pronunciations - é-ñ. Just my thoughts.)
On this very day, Agent Hawthorne moved through the corridors of the Strategic Scientific Reserve.
The recent development of Steve Rogers as Captain America had created a buzz throughout the facility, and Lucas was keen in establishing his presence in this new environment.
The first month had been a whirlwind of activity, with Rogers undergoing rigorous training and acclimatization to his new role.
Lucas had observed the transformation with great interest, and his role as a special agent granted him a front-row seat to the unfolding drama.
He wished to see how Captain Rogers differed from the regular Human and what peaks his body could reach.
On this crisp morning in early April, Lucas found himself walking alongside Peggy Carter through the SSR's expansive training grounds.
Peggy, dressed in her standard SSR uniform, looked every bit the determined and disciplined officer she was known to be, and Lucas, in contrast, wore his tailored attire reminiscent of an admiral's
The duo walked side by side, their steps echoing across the polished floors of the training area.
"I must say, Agent Carter," Lucas began, breaking the awkward silence, "I'm actually quite impressed by the level of training the men and women here undergo."
Peggy turned to him, her expression softening slightly. "Thank you, Agent Hawthorne. We take pride in our work as the mission requires every bit of our dedication and skill."
Lucas smiled. "I've seen quite a lot of the world, but the discipline here is something to be admired."
As a person who'd lived for so long amongst the Humans, mingling with every single vocation and walk of life the World of Humans had to offer, making conversation with practically anyone and capturing their attention was a no brainer.
Peggy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You've traveled a lot? From what I've heard, your family is quite influential, what even brings you to this humble operations?"
"I'm here to support the cause, of course," Lucas replied, his tone nonchalant. "But more importantly, to understand and contribute to the fascinating developments happening here. Especially with Captain Rogers."
The mention of Steve Rogers prompted a flicker of curiosity in Peggy's eyes. "Captain Rogers is indeed a remarkable soldier. His transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary…supernatural even."
"Hmm." Lucas nodded. "I've been following his progress closely. The changes are impressive and I understand there's much more to him than meets the eye."
As if on cue, they arrived at an area where Steve Rogers himself was on the training ground, his new uniform beautifully attached to his body.
He was in the midst of a training session, where his remarkable agility and strength was being observed by the entire SSR military and actual science division.
'I must say...that is one glorious ass...' Lucas thought to himself in admiration.
The transformation from the scrawny young man who had first appeared at the SSR to the now current Captain America was evident in every aspect of his body.
"Ah, there he is," Lucas remarked, nodding towards Rogers. "Shall we?"
Peggy nodded, and together they walked over to where Steve was performing some drills at the utmost ease that made him look nothing short of "super".
"Captain Rogers," Peggy called out, her voice carrying over the sound of the training exercises. "May I have a word?"
Steve paused, wiping the nonexistent sweat from his brow as he turned to face them with a salute. "Of course, Agent Carter. And you, Agent Hawthorne. I've Heard quite a bit about you."
"All good things I hope," Lucas replied, offering a polite nod. "I've been keeping an eye on your progress, Captain. It's quite impressive."
(A/N: Steven and Lucas only met once, so despite the one-time kind of familiarity, they'll still treat each other according to their rank in the military.)
Steve looked between Lucas and Peggy, his curiosity piqued. "Well, thank you. It's been quite a transition, but I'm getting used to it."
Peggy cleared her throat, drawing Steve's attention. "Captain, Agent Hawthorne has shown a keen interest in you. I thought it might be beneficial for him to see your progress up close."
Steve nodded. "I don't mind at all. What would you like to know, Agent Hawthorne?"
Lucas smiled. "I'm interested in understanding how you've adapted to your new abilities. It's one thing to read about it, but quite another to witness it firsthand."
Steve nodded, his expression serious. "It's been a challenge. The physical changes are obvious, but the mental and emotional adjustments are just as significant. I'm still learning how to balance my new capabilities with my old sense of self."
'That is just your self-esteem returning from wherever you buried it, but I'll treat it as advanced knowledge to them.' Lucas thought as he studied Steve for a moment. "That sounds like a difficult transition. But from what I've seen, you're handling it remarkably well."
Steve nodded at Lucas, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I appreciate that."
Lucas's smile widened. "It's my pleasure. I've found that understanding the people you work with can make quite the difference."
As they continued their conversation, Peggy watched with a mixture of interest and approval.
Lucas's approach was measured and respectful, and he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know Steve.
After a few more minutes of discussion, Peggy suggested, "How about we continue this conversation over lunch? There's a lot more to discuss, and I think it would be beneficial for all of us to have a more relaxed setting."
Steve agreed, and the three of them made their way to the SSR's dining area. The atmosphere was more casual here, and Lucas took the opportunity to engage Steve and Peggy in deeper conversation.
...
As they settled at a table, Lucas served himself from the buffet, selecting a variety of dishes. "So, Captain, how are you finding the training regimen? Is it aligned with your expectations?"
"Call me Steve. I'd like to believe I'm amongst friends." Steve said to which Lucas nodded and said. "Then you can call me Lucas."
Steve nodded and then began considering the initial question thoughtfully. "It's intense, but necessary. The training is designed to push my limits and ensure I'm ready for any situation. It's demanding, but I understand why it needs to be."
"Good." Lucas thought that for a drug that boasted a 3x multiplier on the body, Steve was pretty weak in comparison to some Gods he knew to be actually weak physically.
His speed is left to be seen though, but from what was he understood from his body current state, he could outrun most cars of the current century.
Peggy added, "We want to make sure Captain Rogers is fully prepared for the missions ahead. His role is crucial, and we need him to be at his best."
Lucas nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. And how about the team? Have you found it challenging to integrate with everyone?"
Steve sighed. "It's a mixed bag. Some people are supportive, others… not so much. But I'm focusing on the mission and trying to build trust where I can."
Peggy looked at Steve with a reassuring smile. "It takes time, Captain. The important thing is that you're making progress."
Lucas leaned in slightly, his tone very thoughtful. "And progress is often more about the connections we make along the way than just the tangible outcomes. Building trust can be slow, but it's worth it."
Steve nodded. "That's true. It's not always easy to be at the front of so many emotions"
Peggy tilted her head, considering his words. "How do you manage that…? That confidence…staying positive despite the obvious challenge, Lucas?"
Lucas smiled warmly. "I suppose it's a matter of perspective. I grew to understand every challenge to be an opportunity to learn and grow. If I can help create a positive environment and build meaningful connections, then I consider it a success."
"That's so…Elitist of you."
"Is it? I guess I'll say…it runs in the family." Lucas replied jokingly, but his expression made them all misunderstand since he himself didn't even laugh.
"I…see."
Steve looked intrigued at Lucas' outlook on this. "You seem to have a natural knack for it. Do you have any advice on how to approach building relationships in a challenging environment?"
Lucas leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "One key aspect is listening actively. People appreciate when they feel heard and understood. It's also about showing genuine interest in their perspectives and finding common ground. It's not always about agreeing, but about respecting each other's views."
Peggy nodded thoughtfully. "That's a valuable approach. It's not always easy to put into practice, but knowing about it can make a significant difference."
Steve chuckled softly. "You make it sound so simple. Sometimes it feels like there's so much pressure."
Lucas's eyes shone in amusement. "Proving oneself is important, but it's equally important to be authentic. People respond to honesty and sincerity. It's about being true to yourself and letting others see that."
Peggy raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "And do you always practice what you preach, Agent Hawthorne?"
Lucas grinned. "I do my best. It's a continuous learning process. Ah, that reminds me, have you had any CQC Training?"
Steve shook his disappointedly. "The facility doesn't have anyone capable of sparring with me without sustaining injuries."
"Is that so? That settles it then, till you're capable of controlling your strength, I'll be your combat instructor."
Lucas said with a grin that only earned him weird looks.
"Did you not hear what he said?" Agent Carter asked .
"Yeah, no soldier has been able to do half the things I can do, having a close combat spar with you would only serve to hurt you." Steve added.
"Oh, you guys do not have to worry about that. Agent Hawthorne has seen way ahead of you and asked me to create this." Just at that moment, Howard Stark marched towards them with a few soldiers carrying several wooden boxes behind them.
"Ah, Stark. I see your excitement couldn't keep you hostage for long." Lucas said with a jolly laughter and stood to shake Howard Stark who laughed.
"You have a way with words Agent Hawthorne and I don't dislike it as it leaves me with no chance of a come back." He said. "And as you've rightly guessed, I'm done with the what I'd like to name - Graviton Flex Armour!"
…
(A/N: The 3X multiplier makes Captain America at the level of the Eternals and Gods…Yes. BUT, while the Gods and Eternals are basically over 1000 years each, there is no way they haven't strained their muscles. The Eternals aside, even the Gods have access to a certain form of energy. With their bodies absorbing all these energies for so long, how do you compare?
So while they're all at Level 50+, Captain America is at Level 1.
At the period of End game, he was strong enough to allow the Cosmic Lightning being held captive in the Mjolner flow through him and withstand the heat of a Star.
Let's not forget that Jane's cancer was aggravated by this very lightning, yet Captain managed to live till Old age which shows that Racial traits plays a role.