At the training base.
The military personnel set up a speech-like stage in the square-centre. In the middle of the stage was Steve Rogers speaking to audience as a Captain of the United States. Much to his dismay, there was political factors involved.
The chief of the base issued an early order forcing all soldiers from the training camp to listen to the speech in the square-centre on time. Those who ignored the chief’s commands were to be expelled from the military. Though what was intriguing was that no officer attended the speech but the enlisted soldiers and recruits.
It was not only the soldiers, but officers who also scoffed at Steve who’d never been to war yet had the gall to call himself
Captain America
. It was conceivable that Steve who was dressed in American logo tights would be destined to face strong resistance from his fellow soldiers.
Will you fight against Hitler with me?
Steve stood on the podium. Facing the silence, he tried to raise the spirits of the hundreds of soldiers below.
Are there any volunteers willing to fight with me?!
Nonsense! What are doing here then if we aren’t volunteering?
One of the soldiers shouted impatiently which was followed by dozens of soldiers bursting out in cackling laughter.
We want to see girls dance!
I think they’ll only sing one song later. I’ll think about what to do in that extra time…
In the face of the hustle and bustle, Steve responded awkwardly.
Piss off!
Hey, little fairy, why not dance in your boots instead?
The soldiers didn’t give Steve the slightest bit of respect. They grew more rambunctious and nosy. Some even threw their smashed fruits or water bottles directly onto the stage.
Peggy Carter clenched her fists watching the god awful scene from the back stage. She knew there was nothing she could do.
Steve had no choice but the decorative props in his hand as a shield to block the constant throwing of sundries under the stage.
What are you doing?
A cold and powerful voice came from behind the stage. The soldiers in the square-centre cast their eyes in surprise for they saw a young man in officer’s uniform standing behind them. He had a touch of majesty on his body as he looked at the soldiers with a sharp and cold glint.
It’s a second lieutenant…
The soldier who’d been ready to argue back suddenly noticed the rank on the young man. Quickly, he swallowed his saliva back in disbelief.
Such a young man is a second lieutenant? I’ve never heard of this.
He looks younger than us, right?
Amongst the nervous whispers of the enlisted soldiers, there was some who recognized the identity of the young officer. In a mixed tonal voice, one soldier said,
It’s Kyle! Second Lieutenant Kyle!
Second Lieutenant Kyle?
Soon as this was said, many eyes grew stupefied. They became frantically wild once more.
Hey, is it really him?
What other Kyle do we know of that would be capable of becoming an officer at such a young age? We’ve already seen how he was like back then! Of course it’d be him!
Oh my god! My American hero, my idol!
Who doesn’t know him? I joined the army because of the meritorious deeds he’d done!
The soldiers were excited, blood rushing to their head that they did not know what to do. At last, an unknown figure took the lead and shouted,
Everyone, stand up and salute!
Everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted the young man.
Greetings, Second Lieutenant! You’ve worked hard, Sir!
In the face of their godly-like worship of the young officer, Kyle responded coldly.
So you place respect on my rank as a Second Lieutenant, but not Steve, your Captain? Not too long ago, I was just one of you with Steve. Is this how you treat your fellow brothers in arms? Is this the quality bearing of a soldier?!
The soldiers looked at one another with gnashing teeth. Finally, did they turn around and bowed their heads while apologizing.
I’m sorry!
Steve did not reply, only looking at the cold young man standing behind the soldiers. For odd reasons, his heart felt excited and ashamed. Then, he remembered the time spent during their recruit training. It was sunset and the moon would soon rise. Kyle had just won the shooting contest. At that time, Kyle said to him,
Steve, from now on, no one dares to look down on us anymore.
