Chapter 2: Two Candidates for the Super Soldier Program
Brooklyn – Erskine's Office
The dimly lit room smelled of old paper and tobacco, the kind of place where important decisions were made behind closed doors. Steve sat upright in a wooden chair, his eyes burning with determination.
Beside him, Alex leaned back slightly, arms crossed. He wasn't nervous—he already knew what was coming.
Dr. Abraham Erskine sat across from them, his sharp eyes studying them both.
"So," Erskine began, adjusting his glasses. "Two brothers. Twins, no less."
Steve straightened. "We're not the same, sir. Alex is—"
Erskine raised a hand, stopping him. "I am aware. I have read your files." His gaze flicked to Alex. "You are… different."
Alex met his eyes, calm. "In what way?"
Erskine leaned forward. "You are healthier, stronger. The army should have accepted you without question. And yet… you did not enlist."
Alex smirked. "I prefer to pick my battles."
Erskine chuckled. "And yet, you are here."
Steve cut in, "Alex is a fighter. If you're looking for the right people for this program, you couldn't find anyone better."
Erskine's eyes softened at Steve's unwavering loyalty. Then he turned to Alex again. "And what do you think, Alex? Why do you want to do this?"
Alex exhaled. He couldn't say, I was reincarnated, and I know this is the path to changing history.
So instead, he said, "Because I refuse to stand by while others suffer."
Erskine smiled. "Good answer."
Then, after a pause, he nodded.
"Congratulations. You have both been selected for the Super Soldier Program."
---
Training Camp – Two Unlikely Soldiers
The next few weeks were brutal.
The Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) put them through grueling training—obstacle courses, endurance runs, and combat drills.
For Steve, it was an uphill battle. He was smaller, weaker than the others. But he never quit.
Alex, on the other hand, had it easier. His peak human body let him keep up with the best soldiers, and Great Sage helped him anticipate attacks and improve his movements.
But he made sure not to stand out too much. If he suddenly seemed superhuman, it would raise too many questions.
[Suggestion: Feign exhaustion at 75% exertion to avoid suspicion.]
'Got it,' Alex thought, slowing down slightly during a sprint.
Despite everything, Steve never resented him. He just pushed himself harder.
And Alex?
He was always right beside him.
---
Enter Peggy Carter
One afternoon, the recruits were gathered for a briefing. Their instructor, Colonel Phillips, barked orders as a group of officers watched from the sidelines.
Among them stood Margaret "Peggy" Carter.
Alex noticed her immediately—the way she carried herself, her sharp eyes scanning the recruits. Confident. Intelligent. Beautiful.
"She's staring at us," Alex whispered to Steve.
"She's probably wondering why we're still here," Steve muttered.
Before Alex could respond, one of the recruits, a loud-mouthed bully named Hodge, snickered. "Hey, sweetheart! Maybe after this, you and I could—"
CRACK.
Peggy punched him square in the jaw, sending him stumbling.
The entire camp went silent.
Alex blinked.
'Okay. That was hot.'
Peggy dusted off her knuckles and turned to the recruits. "Now that I have your attention," she said coolly, "fall in line."
As they obeyed, Alex found himself grinning.
'I think I'm going to like her.'
---
The Flag Test
During one training session, Colonel Phillips led them to a tall flagpole with a flag tied at the top.
"Retrieve the flag," he ordered. "First one to do it gets a ride back to camp."
The soldiers scrambled, trying to climb the pole. Each one failed, sliding down helplessly.
Steve stood beside Alex, panting. "No one's gotten it in seventeen years."
Alex smirked. "Let's change that."
Instead of climbing, he walked up to the pole and removed the bolts holding it in place. The pole collapsed, and the flag fell right into his hands.
He tossed it to Steve.
Phillips scowled but gave an approving nod. "Get in the truck, Rogers."
As Steve climbed in, Alex turned—only to find Peggy watching him, one eyebrow raised.
"Clever," she said.
Alex grinned. "I aim to impress."
Her lips twitched, almost a smile.
And for the first time since coming to this world, Alex felt something unexpected—a spark.