Rogers woke up at five in the morning.
He had his breakfast while watching the current news.
The truth is, the world of "The Boys" doesn't have that level of technological advancement. If it were as advanced as the Marvel or X-Men universes, a company like Vought wouldn't dare to be as arrogant as it is.
Rogers decided he would trade with the military and with the terrorist organizations that thrive on war and live for the atmosphere of conflict.
The first product he would introduce to the military and the world would be a hypersonic intercontinental missile, capable of hitting its targets with pinpoint accuracy in record time!
In the Marvel universe, this missile wouldn't be such a big deal. Weapons have advanced significantly since World War II, thanks to Tony Stark's father. But the military in the world of "The Boys" is pathetically backward. Rogers decided he would sell them this missile, which held little value to him, but for the military, it would be a quantum leap in weaponry.
He would sell them the hypersonic missiles, milk them for every drop of their money, and then later trade and introduce other weapons, ensuring he extracted the full value of each one, even if it was just a medium-quality weapon.
He finished his breakfast and decided to continue his work in his private lab.
He worked until nine in the morning. The equipment and tools he had ordered the previous day arrived.
As soon as the tools arrived, Rogers entered a state of intense focus. He worked on the artificial intelligence, providing the necessary materials, securing a power source, and connecting the wires to some external devices. He was attempting to transform his house, or rather his private mansion, into an AI-controlled hub.
Time passed, and Rogers continued working, sweat pouring from him from the sheer effort.
Finally, he placed the last piece and connected it to the massive generator.
Rogers stopped and stood still, staring at his enormous creation, which had taken him nearly nine days to complete.
"We're done with the work. Now we have to start it up." Rogers pressed the power and control button. As soon as he pressed it, electricity flowed into the wires, and particles of light began to gather until electrical currents surged towards Rogers.
Rogers understood the purpose of the electrical currents and activated his nano-tech suit, which connected to his nerves. As soon as the connection was made, a voice rang out throughout the room.
"Hello, sir. I am at your service."
Rogers replied, "Hello, Jarvis. Your first task is to scan the perimeter of the room, the mansion, and the nearby areas. Report anything out of the ordinary, or any superhero carrying Compound V in their blood."
"Right away, sir."
As soon as he finished speaking, screens displayed the mansion's exits, hallways, the external garden, entry and exit routes, and even the cameras on cars entering and leaving.
"Good work."
"Jarvis, from now on, your existence is a secret. I don't want anyone to know about you until I decide otherwise. Also, I will be adding a defense and attack system in case of any future intrusion. I don't want anyone entering and leaving unless they are nothing but torn flesh."
In truth, Rogers was the type of person who kept secrets well. He didn't like others knowing what he possessed.
"Jarvis, contact my personal assistant and tell him there's a company meeting tomorrow."
In fact, over the previous four days, he had created something truly evil with the artificial intelligence:
"Mind Ants!"
These were electronic ants made of pure zinc, undetectable even by some powered individuals. They were made of zinc to avoid the possibility of being discovered. Rogers hated anyone seeing what he was doing.
The Mind Ants had abilities similar to the "Winter Soldier" protocol, but more advanced and sophisticated. The ants could control the type of memories or thoughts, ensuring the person heard only what Rogers wanted them to hear and saw only what he wanted them to see!
There was another feature: explosion and poison. Whether the ant was detonated or dismantled, the poison remained. No matter what the individual did, they would never be rid of it for the rest of their life.
Rogers was a person who didn't trust others. He was prepared to do anything to guarantee his survival or to ensure that those around him wouldn't betray him, because betrayal had a price: death.
Rogers looked at the collection of electronic ants placed in the box.
"Honestly, the people living in the Marvel universe should thank their lucky stars that Tony is a good man with principles. If I were in his place, no one from the U.S. government would dare even to try putting me on trial. I would have shown them what it truly means to be a genius."
Rogers picked up his phone and told everyone in the mansion to come immediately.
Several minutes passed, and the main hall filled with about forty people, including servants and personal guards.
The guards and servants looked at each other in confusion at the sudden summons. Suddenly, a voice rang out: "Whoever hears their name, enter my office."
Rogers, sitting at his desk, looked at the display screen showing the servants and guards in the hall. "Everyone, without exception, you will be the first foundation of my upcoming plan."
Rogers scanned the faces until one person caught his attention: a huge, muscular man with red hair named "Sam." Rogers knew him as someone skilled in weapons and martial arts, the only guard who never compromised on enforcing rules and taking responsibility.
Rogers spoke through the speaker: "Sam, come in."
As soon as he heard his name, Sam moved and entered the office, standing at attention before Rogers. "Yes, sir?"
Rogers looked at him and handed him a piece of cake, inside which Mind Ants were hidden. If Sam ate it, he wouldn't feel a thing.
"Go ahead, Sam. Eat the cake. Consider it the start of our conversation, something to help you relax. Sweeten your palate from the beginning." Rogers looked at him with a bright, reassuring smile.
Sam didn't think much about it. In his mind, Rogers was a person with flaws, but because he valued talent, the company had continued even after his father's death. This demonstrated Rogers's wisdom and generosity; many people hadn't lost hope in the company.
Sam ate the cake, savoring its taste.
Rogers watched the ant as it entered the mouth, then made its way to the nose, navigating through the vessels and optic nerves until it reached the frontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and judgment. It then crawled slightly towards the midbrain and spread its legs on the oily, rubbery surface of the brain tissue.
As soon as it reached the brain, Rogers received its location and activated the control system, issuing all the pre-prepared commands: loyalty, and that the only person worth dying for was Rogers. The AI automatically deleted all negative thoughts towards the master.
Upon activation, Sam only felt a quick sting. The Mind Ant had controlled the pain receptors in that area, making him momentarily insensitive to any pain in his body for a fraction of a second.
Rogers looked at him. "Sam, jump like a frog."
As soon as he heard Rogers's words, Sam started hopping like a frog. Rogers tested him with other things: math problems, everyday questions, other tasks, to ensure there were no side effects affecting his personal intelligence.
"Jarvis, upload all information related to martial arts, all types of weapons, how to use them, and how to dismantle them. Make him a top-tier fighter."
As soon as Jarvis heard Rogers, he transferred all the data from the world regarding combat experience, dismantling, and making quick, decisive decisions.
In less than fifteen minutes, Sam underwent a radical transformation. He now had enhanced intuition, simulated experience, and information about most of the world's weapons and how to use them.