Shiller handed Steve a nano camera and invisible earphones, then said to him, "I helped Tony like this too, but alas, he didn't appreciate it. Hope you fare better."
Steve laughed, put the earphone on his ear, and said, "Trust me. Once you see them, you'll become like a venomous movie critic, completely forgetting to guide and remind me about this matter."
Shiller originally didn't believe Steve's words. He had almost never confronted the military; when he occasionally did, their attitude was decent. Although they might be insincere, at least they would keep up appearances. For people like this, tearing the facade isn't very dignified.
But what he hadn't expected was that these people treated Captain America in an entirely different manner.
"Why are you so late?" An admiral stood in front of the table, frowning as he looked at Steve, saying, "Isn't half an hour enough for you to get here from anywhere in New York?"
Steve looked like he couldn't be bothered to talk to him, but Shiller was seeing red. He said in the earphone, "What's going on? Is he insane? Why would he talk to you like that?"
Steve sneered but didn't explain. Then, another slightly younger admiral said, "Why didn't you take your son to the hospital for a check-up? Aren't you afraid he'll mix with those Mutants someday and ruin everything?"
"Hiss..." Shiller gasped, "What's with the check-up? What are they trying to do?"
Steve typed on his phone under the table. Shiller glanced at it; Steve sent a message: "They want Little Thomas to undergo a physical examination to figure out what his Mutant Ability is, wanting to know if it was the influence of the Soldier Serum that turned him into a Mutant..."
"And their plan is to make you send your son to their designated hospital as a test subject?" Shiller was genuinely shocked.
Of course, he knew that there were indeed some very shameless people in the military. They had no moral bottom line, viewing everyone as sacrificial lambs, but when it came to themselves, they'd do anything to survive; typical fanatical military state conspirators.
However, he truly hadn't expected these people to be so brazen. That's Captain America; how could they possibly think he's still their Puppet to be manipulated?
This world always has some extraordinary people who can easily topple sociological and psychological theories. Whenever you think some extraordinary people are impressive enough, there are always others more impressive, showing you how little you've seen.
Having been here so long, Shiller has seen quite a few extraordinary people. After more than ten years, he can still see new types, no wonder Steve reacted the way he did earlier.
Their words and actions lack any logic. Without considering Captain America's reputation, they should at least consider his Strength. Even if Captain America can't easily kill them, it's not a problem to leave them half-paralyzed. Do they really have such a sacrificial spirit, willing to exchange their future for leverage over Captain America?
Shiller feels sure that's not the case. This kind of stupidity is not something you can feign. They're certainly not provoking Captain America for some interest or benefit, they're genuinely looking down on Steve Rogers.
They're not even viewing Captain America as a subordinate or a soldier, but rather treating him as a mere tool. While they're very adept at treating everything as a tool, if they don't even bother with appearances, calling it garbage instead of a tool would be more appropriate.
"Because I don't listen to them," Steve sent a message. "Since the day I woke up, I've continually broken free from their control, and they've continually tried to control me. We've both grown accustomed to it."
Shiller began to understand. The military and those politicians are actually different. Politicians are very good at using gentle tactics, or rather, their most common method is to use a mix of hard and soft approaches. As long as they can achieve their goal, they'll ensure to provide ample emotional value, coaxing you isn't an issue.
But the military is different. Their methods are usually only tough and tougher. For instance, when dealing with some scientists, a slight twist of facts and a talk of patriotism, or even giving a bit more money wouldn't result in so many unwilling people, but instead, they insist on sending people for forced capture, completely unconcerned about whether the other party might slack off or intentionally cause damage.
Thinking about it carefully, this is indeed a kind of path dependency. Because a tough attitude is the foundation of the U.S. Military's existence. They can never show Weakness; not even negotiations are allowed. Only with a sufficiently tough attitude can they bring enough pressure to stabilize hegemony.
As I've always said, when certain things are up for discussion, it actually means hegemony no longer exists. To maintain hegemony, naturally, you can't even discuss it, let alone coax.
The same goes for Captain America. If you don't listen to me, I'll find ways to persecute you and suppress you until you bow to us. Cooperation is impossible; persuasion can't be attempted. Determined to treat you as a tool, to wield a resolute Arrogant attitude for manipulation, until you surrender.
But unfortunately, Steve is also tough. The military's means don't work on him, but these people have reached a point of no return. From the moment the action was taken, it's either you die or I die. If they try to bow and make peace now, everything will be wasted.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Shiller asked. Even he is shocked by the military's attitude; it shows how tightly Steve kept this secret.
Steve is not a saint either, he has privately complained about a few things, such as economic pressure, Little Thomas being too mischievous, Nick not giving Carter a vacation, and the like. But when it comes to this particular matter, he hasn't said a word, and kept it tightly under wraps, even Shiller doesn't know.
"Then why didn't you investigate?" Steve replied via text message.
Shiller was a bit speechless. Not because of Steve's righteousness, but because he truly felt guilty.
As everyone knows, Steve's relationship with the military is quite ambiguous. He is an American soldier, and during World War II, he supported the U.S. military, recruited soldiers through a tour. The image rights to Captain America are still in the hands of the military, and many people also assume they are one entity.
Steve cannot stand up and say "I'm not an American soldier, I don't belong to the U.S. Military," as this would hurt many people's national and ethnic sentiments. Moreover, he himself wouldn't deny he is a soldier, and as long as he admits he is a soldier, he can't be disconnected from the military.
For this reason, none of his friends investigated what his relationship with the military actually was. Because if Steve had some contacts with the military, that would be entirely normal and should not be blamed.
Just like, previously the Roxon Corporation made a big mess, they also had business dealings with Stark Group. But no one could storm into Tony Stark's office and question how he could collaborate with such an unscrupulous company. Because everyone knows that the business exchanges between the two North American industrial giants are unavoidable. This is simply not Stark's fault.
Therefore, even Shiller never investigated what kind of private dealings Steve had with the military, how much he knew about some military plans, or if he had ever promoted for the military. Because even if these things happen, it's not Steve's fault.
Everyone knows that you shouldn't treat friends the way you treat enemies. Peeking into other people's privacy and conducting very detailed investigations in hopes of getting dirt on them is a tactic against enemies. When it comes to friends, even if you accidentally peeked into their privacy, you should try your best to stand in their shoes, think about their difficulties, and show understanding and tolerance, at least provide some support emotionally. Steve's friends are doing exactly that.
Shiller deliberately ignored the military. In any case, these people won't create a big problem, they can even contribute to interstellar warfare, which is why he is shocked by the current attitude of the military.
"I know you're angry, but don't be angry." Steve sent a message, "I'm not even angry, just a bit amused."
"I can totally imagine what your mood would have been like after you woke up and saw such a bunch of things." Shiller was amused himself.
Steve's situation is a bit like, only a prematurely deceased moonlight can remain moonlight, when it lives too long, it rots. If America had died in the Cold War, Steve would definitely be sorrowfully mourning as the most loyal widow of this great nation.
Sadly, America has lingered on to today, to the point that Steve can't muster much sorrow. Whether it's for this country, or for his own experience, now he really just wants to laugh.
Thinking about those days in Berlin fighting desperately, perishing together with Red Skull, sacrificing the best decades of his life, only to maintain such a thing, anyone who can hold it in must be a god.
"What are you thinking about, Rogers?" another general called, "Who are you chatting with?"
Steve didn't even lift his head: "You better not be thinking about snatching my phone. Your most proud Super Soldier Serum is indeed useful, whoever tries, I'll twist their head off."
The general immediately took a deep breath, clearly very upset. Shiller cheered in the headset: "Awesome, Captain, I said awesome!"
The general was shut up by Steve's words. As the admiral was about to open his mouth, a voice sounded at the door: "I'm not late, am I?"
Steve looked up, both he and Shiller behind the camera froze for a moment. A young Steve Rogers was standing at the door, smiling as brightly as on the eve of marching into battle. Those eyes were bluer than they are now, even carrying a slightly naive shimmer, exuding a strong vitality.
During the era when Steve had just finished his transformation, he had a rare youthful charm. Because clearly just the night before, he was a skinny, unpopular poor kid, and suddenly became an American handsome guy. Because he hadn't adapted to this transformation, his 'handsome but unaware' was natural. And most people are more handsome when they're unaware they're handsome.
That handsome and sunny transformed exterior, coupled with his slightly confused and unconfident shy demeanor, is a universal killer among men and women of all ages. Who knows how Mephisto investigated, he perfectly mimicked this appearance and demeanor, even leaving Steve himself bewildered.
"Congratulations on winning second place in the Captain America imitation contest, Steve." Shiller teased in the headset, "Later, I'll snap a photo and send it to Bucky, he'll absolutely freak out."
"Absolutely don't, if Natasha sees this, I'm done for."
"What are you afraid of? She'd go after Mephisto first, then we'll show this devil what it's like to encounter ghosts after walking the night too much."