Chapter 015: I'm Going to Be a Dad?
Splash!
A bucket of cool water poured over his head, and Mason let out a satisfied groan. He casually toweled off and stepped out of the shower room.
"Mason, Dr. Erskine wants to see you. Says it's important," a runner called out.
"What's it about?" Mason asked casually.
"Dr. Erskine didn't say, but he seems to be in a good mood."
Mason dried his hair and walked toward the barracks. It was free time, and the barracks were empty. Dr. Erskine was sitting at a small table by the entrance, golden afternoon sunlight illuminating his face, giving him a peaceful, serene appearance.
He really was a great scientist—perhaps he shouldn't have to die so unceremoniously like in the movies.
Dr. Erskine gestured for Mason to sit down.
"What did you want to see me about?" Mason asked directly.
Erskine was about to answer, but then reconsidered. "I'd like to hear your thoughts on the super soldier selection."
Mason's eyes lit up; he was absolutely qualified to answer this. "If I had to recommend someone, it would only be Steve Rogers!" he said without hesitation. Wasn't that obvious? If Steve didn't become Captain America, his mission would be completely screwed.
Erskine's eyes flickered slightly. "I know you only met Steve the day we first spoke. I'm genuinely curious why you'd stand up for a stranger you'd known for barely twelve hours, even strongly advocating for him in this program."
Dr. Erskine asked the question that had been nagging at him for some time. As the sun set and twilight fell, neither of them noticed that Steve—standing hesitantly in the shadows near the corner of the barracks—was passing by.
Having overheard their conversation, Steve was uncertain whether to step forward. Approaching would seem awkward, but standing there eavesdropping was equally inappropriate. Just as he wavered, Mason spoke up.
"Steve is the most honest and principled person I've ever met. I believe only someone like him deserves to be a super soldier. Only he can handle power far beyond ordinary men." Mason didn't reveal his knowledge of the serum's properties; he took a more diplomatic approach.
Surprise crossed Erskine's face. He studied Mason for a long moment. "If I didn't know your background, I would genuinely suspect you were involved in the original program."
Mason displayed a perfectly calibrated expression of confusion.
"The Super Soldier Serum was only a prototype; it was never perfected. After Schmidt forced me to use it on him, he underwent a horrific mutation—his skin burned away, making him look like a demon from hell." Dr. Erskine's eyes revealed deep concern.
"To be honest, it's a miracle he survived that transformation at all."
"After extensive research, I've eliminated the mutation's side effects, but the serum's fundamental properties remain." He paused slightly, then continued,
"It amplifies everything about a person—making the good better and the bad worse."
Mason feigned shock, but Dr. Erskine's next words genuinely startled him.
"So in my assessment, you are the ideal candidate for the super soldier!"
Mason nodded seriously at first, then suddenly processed the meaning behind Dr. Erskine's words. His hand trembled, nearly dropping his cup. He shot to his feet, refusing decisively. "Me? No, absolutely not!"
Mason shook his head vigorously. Dr. Erskine seemed about to speak, but Mason rudely cut him off.
"No way. Not happening!"
He was serious—if he became Captain America, he was completely finished. At that moment, Mason recalled everything he'd done to impress Dr. Erskine, and instantly understood.
"Damn it! So this old man had his sights set on me all along, but I was too blind to see it, thinking Steve was his pick!"
"No one but Steve! Only he can be Captain America!" Mason's head was spinning, and he stammered incoherently.
"Captain America? What's that?" Dr. Erskine asked, puzzled.
"Uh..." Mason hesitated briefly, then quickly improvised. "That's a codename I came up with for the super soldier. But that's not the point right now. What matters is that I absolutely cannot be that super soldier. Only Steve—only he qualifies!" Mason's eyes were resolute.
In the shadows around the corner, Steve's face flushed crimson, his hands clenched into fists, fighting to keep silent. He'd known Mason always looked out for him, but he hadn't realized that behind the scenes, Mason held him in such extraordinarily high regard!
Mason's care for him wasn't like Bucky's. He and Bucky had grown up together, like brothers—practically family. But Mason treated him as an equal; that feeling of being respected and valued was something Steve would treasure forever.
This moment planted the seeds of a lifelong friendship.
"But I have even higher expectations for you," Dr. Erskine said quietly, his voice calm yet immovable.
"According to the original plan, this selection process was only supposed to last two weeks, but I'd already decided you were the final candidate. To convince the oversight committee, Colonel Phillips and I spent twice the usual time building political support before they finally approved."
"You, this young man from Norway, will become the first super soldier in American history!"
Mason was genuinely touched, but even with gratitude, he couldn't risk his life on this. Forget Captain America—even if they were offering him Thor's hammer, he wouldn't agree.
He wasn't from this world, after all. After completing the mission, he'd eventually have to leave, and even if he gained superhuman abilities, he couldn't take them back to his reality.
Mason shook his head, now completely composed. "Trust me, Dr. Erskine—Steve is your best choice. You won't regret selecting him."
He drained his water in one gulp and loosened his collar. The professor had originally assumed dealing with the committee was the biggest obstacle, but now Mason was actually refusing him.
Yet Mason's selfless attitude only strengthened Erskine's conviction in his choice.
"The committee prefers Hodge, and Colonel Phillips and I have invested countless hours persuading them otherwise. Believe me, they've finally agreed to my candidate, and there's no way they'd reverse their decision for Steve."
Mason was about to argue when a soldier rushed over, calling from a distance, "Mason, somebody dropped off a letter for you outside the gate. Says it's urgent!"
During training, all recruits were strictly forbidden from outside contact; phone calls were completely blocked. Dr. Erskine seized the opportunity to collect his thoughts and gestured for Mason to take the letter.
Mason knew very few people in this world. Curious, he tore open the envelope, and the first sentence on the paper nearly made him piss himself.
Written in delicate feminine handwriting:
"Mason, I'm pregnant."
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