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[b][center][color=527CAD]CAPTAIN AMERICA[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=527CAD][I]SPRING 2022[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=527CAD][b]A MAN OUT OF TIME[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr][indent][indent][sub][COLOR=527CAD]CLASSIFIED, NEW YORK CITY[/color][/sub][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][indent][color=87a4c7]There wasn't much for someone entirely detached from the world so familiar but foreign at the same time to do other than process everything properly. So for the past three hours and forty-eight minutes, Steven Rogers made use of the modern computer (graciously provided by S.H.I.E.L.D.) to learn about how the world transformed since his decades-long slumber. And he learned extensively from Hitler's suicide and eventual surrender of Nazi Germany to the United States' emergence as a world power. He then discovered The Howling Commandos remained active after the war under the leadership of Corporal Timothy Dugan until the late 1970s. But then Steven found the death dates of his comrades shortly afterward.

[color=F8F8FF][indent]Timothy Dugan. Date of Death: 3 February 1968. Killed in action.
Gabriel Jones. Date of Death: 5 June 1999. Death by heart failure.
Jim Morita. Date of Death: 29 December 2005. Death by cancer. 
Robert Ralston. Date of Death: 12 July 1985. Death by strangulation.
Margaret Carter. Date of Death: 26 April 2015. Death by natural causes.
Aleksey Lebedev. Date of Death: 11 March 1952. Unknown.[/indent][/color]
Steven hesitated to type out the name of his closest friend on the "search engine," but he needed to know. And in an instant, several results showed up, including a Wikipedia article and a detailed page from the Smithsonian.

[color=F8F8FF][indent]James Barnes. Date of Death: 18 April 1945. Presumed killed in action.[/indent][/color]
But instead of sorrow, there was a sense of confusion and disbelief from Steven as he reread the articles again and again. He knew that it could easily be his emotions refusing to accept the reality that his best friend was indeed dead. And yet, there was something else within that refuted the notion. He kept on scrutinizing every possible source delivered by the "search engine" for almost a half-hour. Then, something in his mind just clicked into place as he examined the date of death. April 18th, 1945. Even known it was also Steven's final day, he would've undoubtedly recalled his friend's death in great detail. So why was he unable to do it? Was there something wrong with his brain... or with the date itself?

Before there was a chance for further insight, a woman opened the bedroom door and introduced herself with a salute. The badge on the right shoulder pad of her military uniform made it clear that she was part of SHIELD. And yet, she wasn't dressed like the other agents as she was wearing two holsters—one was a shoulder holster while the other was a covert leg holster with firearms ready for use. Steven was admittedly surprised (in a good way) to see a woman on active duty. [color=929BA2]"It's an honor to meet you, Captain Rogers. My grandfather fought aside the Howlers during the liberation of Paris as a gunner from the field artillery brigade."[/color]

Steven got up from the chair and greeted the woman with a handshake. [color=5F86B4]"You too, miss..."[/color]

[color=727E86]"Maria Hill."[/color] Nick Fury interrupted to make his presence known to both individuals. He approached and put his hand on her shoulder. [color=727E86]"Deputy Director of SHIELD and my right-hand woman."[/color]

Steven was pleasantly surprised to see that women were finally able to seek the same positions as their counterparts. But the presence of both the deputy director and the director himself clearly meant that they wished to discuss something sensitive. [color=5F86B4]"I assume you aren't just here to check up on me, sir."[/color]

[color=727E86]"You'd be half correct, cap."[/color] Nick answered, making his way towards the metal table and chairs. [color=727E86]"Have a seat, and we will give you a debrief."[/color]

[color=5F86B4]"On what?"[/color]

[color=929BA2]"On your sudden reappearance."[/color] Maria interjected while handing over a strange device to Nick before taking a seat on the bed nearby. [color=929BA2]"The whole world still believes that you died protecting the free world from Red Skull's last scheme in 1945."[/color]

[color=727E86]"But, defying scientific explanation, you managed to stay alive—encased in thick solid ice—without aging a single day."[/color] Nick briefly examined the device before placing it on the table, looking somewhat satisfied with the contents. He turned his attention back to Steven with a hint of disappointment for what was about to be said next. [color=727E86]"And while it may seem that the world has thoroughly changed in your eyes, some things remained the same."[/color]

For some odd reason, Steven already knew what the director was going to say. After all, his entire existence would've not happened to combat the most threatening organization of the century besides the Axis forces. [color=5F86B4]"HYDRA."[/color]

[color=727E86]"Unfortunately so,"[/color] Nick answered with disgust in his voice and then slid the device towards the captain. [color=727E86]"But that isn't the only threat plaguing the world nowadays."[/color]

Steven picked up the strange device as it began to blink with text asking for clearance. Then, seemingly instant, the device recognized the user's fingerprints and started booting up the classified information in a flash. It was unsettling to know that his own fingerprints were immediately registered to the device but rather effective in preventing leaks to adversaries. Something that admittedly happened a couple of times during the war thanks to spies and defectors working for HYDRA and Nazi Germany. Steven noticed that the device was now revealing a cover page cautioning the reader about the severity of classified information. And then, the device went to the next page, which was titled: 

[center][color=F8F8FF][b]"REPORT OF INVESTIGATION UPON ENHANCED VIGILANTES AND INFLUENTIAL METAHUMANS"[/b][/color][/center]
[color=929BA2]"In recent years, we have seen a sharp increase in vigilante activities from enhanced individuals."[/color] Maria remarked as the device began displaying images of vigilantes like "The Batman," "Wonder Woman," and "Thor." But one image caught Steven's attention. It was a man flying through the sky bearing a red S on the shirt, holding up a semi-truck as if it weighed nothing. And when Steven touched the screen on accident, the device revealed paragraphs underneath the image. It contained theories, opinions, and a detailed summary of "Superman" from his arrival to his death; however, Steven didn't feel fine with learning so much about someone he had never encountered before and properly handed the device back to Nick.

[color=727E86]"Is there a problem?"[/color] Nick raised his eyebrow.

[color=5F86B4]"I don't feel comfortable knowing someone in grand detail before I had the chance to meet them, sir."[/color] Steven expressed concern about the breach of privacy and made them clear to both the deputy director and the director themselves. [color=5F86B4]"And, respectfully, I don't like the amount of information SHIELD assembled on these individuals even if they're a danger to the country."[/color]

[color=727E86]"Duly noted."[/color] Nick sarcastically remarked with a subtle hint of annoyance in his voice, but Steven noticed it relatively quite easily. [color=727E86]"Let's just get straight to it then. Your country needs you more than ever in these uncertain times."[/color]

[color=929BA2]"We need you to take up the mantle of Captain America again."[/color] Maria declared in the manner that she expected an emotional response from the captain, but nothing was coming out of him at all. It had only been hours since Steven was awakened in the world of tomorrow, but it was nothing like envisioned by innovative minds from the world's fair. And while his friends and loved ones went on to live out their best lives, he sent forth into the future and expected peace for his service. But instead, he was being asked to pick up the shield and resume the fight. It was getting tiresome; still, Steven struggled to speak the honest truth to someone who believed in him.

[color=5F86B4]"Everything I knew and everyone I care about is all gone... I honestly don't know if I am ready for the mantle at this moment. Maybe a breather would do me good."[/color]

Maria seemed understanding and was attempting to respond until Nick interfered. He leaned toward Steven with a serious expression, ready to be brutally candid to get a satisfactory answer. [color=727E86]"Look, I won't sugarcoat it for you. America—hell, the whole world—faces a crisis that will burst the modern sense of peace. Captain America inspired a generation to never back down from bullies and oppressors. It is time for him to do it again."[/color]

[color=5F86B4]"Are you asking or insisting, sir?"[/color] Steven asked, knowing full well what the director was trying to accomplish.

[color=727E86]"No need to do either, for I already know your answer, cap."[/color] Nick smirked, knowing that the favors were in his odd. Steven remained silent for what Nick said was correct, but it didn't make him happy at all. [color=727E86]"You will be leaving for the White House tomorrow morning to have a friendly secluded chat with the president. Then, there will be a ceremony at the Rose Garden to announce your return from the dead, along with your reenlistment to the army. After that, the president, in a gesture for our allies and enemies abound, will personally gift your shield back to you, which you will accept. And you will shake the hands of influential senators and representatives while smiling for the cameras. Afterward, we'll talk about your future. Understand?"[/color]

Steven clenched his hand into a fist, furious for not having a choice on the matter. He felt ignorant for assuming a military man like Nick would've understood the situation. But in the end, the director was right. The free world was evidently in danger once more, and it needed someone like Captain America to defend it. That was the real reason he was given the serum in the first place. Steven relaxed his hand and bowed his head down in sorrow. [color=5F86B4]"Yes, sir."[/color][/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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