Multiverse: Deathstroke

Chapter 184: Ch.183 Speech

"General Patton once said, \'Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.\' We will win because we have the best soldiers."

However, as he spoke, Phillips noticed Steve in the lineup. Amidst the towering soldiers, Steve stood out like a glaring hole—where everyone else was six feet tall, Steve was barely five foot four.

The visual contrast was too much. Phillips opened his mouth but suddenly forgot what he was going to say.

Turning his head away, as if unable to bear the sight of Steve\'s pitiful stature, he shot a disapproving glance at Dr. Erskine, who was standing behind Agent Carter, quietly enjoying the spectacle.

But Erskine remained unfazed, calmly gesturing for Phillips to continue, as if he were just an innocent bystander.

Phillips had no choice but to endure it. The Super Soldier Serum project was Erskine\'s brainchild, and this small recruit had been handpicked by him. If he didn\'t humor Erskine, the doctor could easily delay the project by several years. The entire Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) was counting on the success of the SSS project.

He decided to let the small guy stay for a few days. Surely, Steve wouldn\'t be able to handle the intense training and would voluntarily leave soon enough.

Colonel Phillips regained his composure and carefully avoided looking at Steve as he continued his speech, "But our soldiers will soon become even stronger, even more exceptional! The Strategic Scientific Reserve brings together the finest scientists from all Allied nations. We are creating the greatest military force in human history."

Phillips paused to gauge the new recruits\' reactions. They all seemed excited, except for Steve, who stood stoically, eyes forward, showing no visible emotion.

"But every army starts with a single soldier. By the end of this week, we will choose that soldier—the first Super Soldier, who will personally deliver Hitler straight to the gates of hell!"

Despite the grand rhetoric, the truth was they were merely searching for a test subject. While Erskine\'s serum had been tested in Germany once before, it had created a monster. No one in the lineup seemed to realize the potential dangers of failure—they were too wrapped up in dreams of thrashing the enemy.

Having achieved his objective, Phillips signaled for Agent Carter to begin training them. At the very least, they needed to reach a certain level of physical fitness before the experiment could take place.

Turning on his heel, he walked towards the shade at the edge of the field, where a long, black car awaited. Inside, a shadowy figure sat in the back seat, holding a glass of wine.

When Phillips reached the car, he glanced around. Aside from some soldiers doing push-ups in the distance, no one seemed to be paying attention. He quickly opened the door and slid into the back seat.

"Apologies for the delay," he said.

Su Ming set his glass down on a small table and smiled as he extended a hand. "It\'s a pleasure to meet you, Colonel."

"I understand that Mr. Wilson specifically asked General Patton to arrange this meeting. What can I do for you?" Phillips, ever the military man, disliked beating around the bush. In his experience, businessmen often sought opportunities in the military, especially arms dealers.

Su Ming\'s smile widened as he poured a fresh drink for the colonel and placed it in his hand.

"Nothing serious. I just heard that Mr. Stark is providing technological support to a newly-formed unit, and I was curious."

"Oh?"

Phillips had never heard of any rivalry between Wilson Enterprises and Stark Industries. Besides, their products didn\'t compete in the same markets.

One specialized in communications and precision instruments, while the other was a supplier of rations and small arms. What connection could they possibly have?

Su Ming clinked his glass against the colonel\'s. He could tell exactly what Phillips was thinking. "Don\'t worry. I just heard Howard complaining about budget issues, and I thought I might lend a hand—do my part for the country, so to speak."

Phillips furrowed his brow. Howard\'s loose tongue was becoming a problem. Did he have to share everything?

Meanwhile, far away in New York, Howard Stark shivered amidst a sea of long legs and soft arms. He\'d had a bad dream but quickly fell back into a deep sleep—he\'d been working too hard lately.

Su Ming, of course, had never actually spoken to Howard, but it was convenient to pin the blame on him. Even if Phillips confronted Stark later, anything he said wouldn\'t hold water.

Phillips: "You leaked classified information."

Howard: "I didn\'t."

Phillips: "Someone\'s here asking questions."

Howard: "Believe it or not, I didn\'t."

Phillips: "I knew it was you."

Howard: "Sure, whatever you say."

Both Howard and his son shared this trait—each believed that geniuses were destined to be misunderstood. Their rugged lives required no explanation. You could think what you liked; they would continue to be the unique firework in the sky.

But what could Phillips do? General Patton had given his blessing. Stark had introduced Su Ming as an investor, and the SSR was desperately short on funds. Phillips himself had been scrambling to secure sponsorships.

So...

"Thank you for your generous offer. Would you prefer to donate cash or wire the funds?"

Su Ming laughed and downed his drink. "I\'ll donate goods—ten tons of compressed biscuits, twenty tons of Power Drinks, and our latest products: instant noodles, stews, sausages, and instant coffee. And of course, if you need more single-use weapons or consumables, Wilson Enterprises has you covered."

Phillips didn\'t hesitate to shake Su Ming\'s hand. In wartime, material goods were often more valuable than money. Even with cash, it wasn\'t always easy to procure supplies. A direct donation of goods was perfect.

The entire SSR had nearly a thousand soldiers, and the daily consumption of food alone was significant. Receiving such a donation was a huge relief.

"Thank you for supporting the Strategic Scientific Reserve. We will defeat fascism and ensure that everyone around the world enjoys the same freedom and democracy that Americans do."

"Heh..."

Su Ming smiled wryly as he shook the colonel\'s hand. Having built his empire on bootlegging and running the largest sweatshop on the East Coast, the irony of the "freedom and democracy" speech wasn\'t lost on him.

Still, letting them believe in such ideals was useful. By getting closer to the SSR now, he could later infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. with a few well-placed spies.

After all, the Strategic Scientific Reserve was the precursor to S.H.I.E.L.D., whose full name was the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. That last part, "Logistics," was key.

Once S.H.I.E.L.D. became dependent on Wilson Enterprises for its supplies, it would be easy for Su Ming to slip in operatives. They wouldn\'t even need to gather intel; simply notifying him of any large-scale movements would suffice.