T-1 day
A soft knock roused Dr. Abraham Erskine from his restless nap. He hadn't slept—how could he? Even after warning the young soldier about the procedure's risks, he couldn't shake the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He had not spoken of the risks explicitly but through the past, through the tale of what had gone wrong when greed had tainted ambition. That single failure haunted him.
Erskine had gone over every step meticulously in the hours leading up to the transformation. He had vetted every name on the attendee's list, ensuring the integrity of the machines, syringes, and the air in the laboratory. He had accounted for every variable he could control, and still, the unknown loomed like a shadow. It was only at the insistence of his ever-diligent assistant that he had finally allowed himself a brief rest. And yet, sleep had evaded him.
Dr. Erskine knew any Government-funded project had a risk of being shut down till the very end of the last stage, especially an experiment that would have grand implications on the fate of America and change the course of history. He carefully masked his tension before unlocking the door.
Now, he inhaled deeply, masking his tension before unlatching the door.
"I heard you were awake. Would you mind?" The quiet but steady voice of Steven Grant Rogers carried through the dimly lit room.
Dr. Erskine offered a warm smile, stepping aside to let the young man in. "Not at all, Steve. Do you have more questions?"
Steve hesitated before stepping forward, his movements stiff with uncertainty. "Are you sure this thing is gonna work? What if…" He trailed off, exhaling sharply before continuing. "What if I turn into something bad? Something that needs to be put down? What if you're wrong about me?" He paced slowly, running a hand through his hair, his typically unwavering resolve now clouded with doubt.
Dr. Erskine studied him momentarily before stepping forward, his gaze filled with quiet understanding. "Where is this coming from, Steve?" He tapped his temple. "From here?" Then, he placed a hand over his heart. "Or here?"
Steve swallowed, the weight of his thoughts visible in how his shoulders tensed. "Both," he admitted softly.
Dr. Erskine nodded as if he had expected that answer. "May I ask you something?" He waited for Steve's slow nod before continuing. "Have you ever loved someone?"
Steve blinked, momentarily thrown by the shift in conversation. "I don't know if I'm allowed to call it that, but I've loved two people… and my mother, with everything I have."
Dr. Erskine's expression softened further. "Would you want these two people to be here for support tomorrow? I could give you a thousand poems and proses about your strength, worthiness, and goodness—but nothing would compare to their presence."
A small, dry chuckle escaped Steve's lips, though there was little humor in it. "One's far away, fighting the war I'm trying to enter." He hesitated before adding, "And the other… will be there."
Dr. Erskine nodded approvingly. "Then you have all the reason to trust that tomorrow will bring good results." He tilted his head slightly. "Would you like to go back and rest, or might I interest you in a tour of the lab?"
Steve furrowed his brow. "Isn't the lab elsewhere?"
"Not the real one, my boy. The replica in my labs."
He turned toward the door, his steps deliberate yet unhurried. Steve hesitated only a moment before following, his doubts not fully eased—but, perhaps, a little less heavy.
The lab was dimly lit, which was a stark contrast to the sterile brightness of the actual facility. In Erskine's personal space, everything was laid out carefully—models of equipment, notes scattered across wooden desks, and diagrams pinned to the walls. The room carried the faint scent of old paper and ink, a space more suited for reflection than experimentation.
Dr. Erskine walked over to a significant schematic pinned to the wall, running his fingers over the delicate sketches of human anatomy intertwined with chemical structures. "You see, Steve, science is all I have ever known. The only tool at my disposal to make this world better. What happened in Germany was a mistake. I know it won't happen. However, if something does seem amiss, I will shut it down before you know it.", he continued. " When this goes as planned, Are you ready for the responsibility?" he asked earnestly.
Steve looked down, thoughtful. "I just don't want to let you down. I want to give my best to end this struggle. I need my friend to be safe and free to pursue what he wants."
Dr. Erskine smiled, placing a reassuring hand on Steve's shoulder. " You won't let anyone down, Steve."
They stood there silently for a moment before Erskine clapped his hands together. "Now, shall we test your knowledge of the equipment? It would be unwise to go into the unknown unprepared."
Steve straightened his back, determination flickering in his eyes. "Yes, sir."
As they moved deeper into the lab, Erskine took Steve through every instrument, explaining their functions and ensuring he understood the science and the significance of what was to come without divulging the coveted Serums's details, easing his own nerves. Steve's uncertainty waned with each passing moment, replaced by something steadier. A sense of cemented purpose.
By the time they left the lab, dawn was on the horizon. Steve needed to find Peggy and leave soon.