Marvel: Starting From The Bottom

[Year 1944]

The amount that I have amassed within the last year is massive, to say the least. 

I published a few books that were enough to make my mother believe that all my money came from books. While I kept 90% of my actual wealth scattered around multiple banks and vaults. 

So, what was I doing with my current wealth? 

Using it in the underworld, of course. I spent 54% on my total wealth on making connections within the underworld. As it turns out, it's quite simple to do so during the times of war. Most of the weapon and information transactions take place through the underworld and I managed to secure quite a few weapons myself. Not that I need them, but a few extra weapons doesn't hurt. 

Bucky most probably is being experimented on by the Soviet but the government still hasn't said anything about him 'dying' yet. Skull will be pulled into Vormir and Steve will be frozen within the next few months. 

Saving them is not worth it and I am definitely not going out of my way to do that. 

My connections already informed me that there are rumors circulating within the underworld that many scientists are trying to come up with an advanced version of the Super-Soldier Serum. 

Also, both me and Sylvester were able to get the broadcasting rights which will be extremely helpful in the future.

It was not very difficult considering televisions were still in their early development and very few people had a TV in their house. The broadcasting rights were mostly under Jenkins and with the help of money, it was not very difficult to take those rights from him.

Requirements for owning broadcasting rights will become very harsh in the future so getting them now was extremely important.

*Knock* *Knock* 

"Marcel, are you there?" I walk towards the door and find my mother, waiting there with a letter. "This is addressed to you." 

I smiled at receiving the letter which made her curious. "What is in it?"

"Remember I told you about me learning about computers?" This made her raise an eyebrow.

"Yes, and I told you that learning about them is a waste of time." Now, this made me sigh.

Computers were mostly used by the military and thus the general public didn't know much about it.

"And I told you that it was also the field with the highest potential." I opened the letter and showed it to her. "This is a letter of acceptance from the military. I applied for this 9 months ago and they accepted." 

Being a thief had its perks. As a thief in my previous life, I had known a lot of people with shady backgrounds. Hackers were one of them. Computers always fascinated me so I learned about them from the scammers and hackers from our syndicate.

I am way ahead of the current generation of computer programming… But that is not enough to be accepted by the military to work on their projects.

I had forged multiple fake documentations with their help and after a lot of effort, my project was selected by them.

Another reason that I was making connections with them... was related to the start of my business.

I started my business with stolen money. The fact that the bank near my house was robbed... was in the headlines back then. That is one of the reasons why I didn't launch some of my projects right after I got the money, instead I invested them in long-running business programs. The fact that a poor boy started a major business a few days after the bank robbery was bound to create chaos.

And being a part of the military was enough to set up a perfectly forged background for my business... which is obviously with the help of the high-ranked officials.

"And don't worry, it is a government program. They only selected a few people to work with them and I am lucky that I got selected. I want you to trust me, mom." I said with a calm smile.

"*Sigh* You know that I trust you, sweetie. But are you sure about this?" 

I nodded which made her release another sigh. "You have already become successful. So, there is nothing much I can say. But please be careful son, the war hasn't ended yet."

"Don't worry, mother. It will be ending soon… very soon." Western Europe has already been liberated from the Nazis, and soon the war will be coming to an end.

…

[7 months later]

"Welcome General Isenberg." I greet the burly middle-aged general.

"I hope everything is going well, Mr. Hanley?" Besides me, he is the person who has been the most invested in this project. So, him coming to check the project frequently wasn't weird. 

"Ah, yes General. In about two years, it will be functional." This made a massive smile to appear on his scarred face.

"You are without a doubt one of our most brilliant members. I am glad that Zain gave me your letter." He said, patting my shoulder. "Our staff were able to improve the computers using the blueprints that you handed us. And with the project you are working on, our department will be "unstoppable!" He barked out a laugh at the end.

"Indeed, project I2 will be available within two years" 

"The war is also seemingly coming to an end and with your advancements, we will rise to the top once again!" His laughter was even louder than before.

"Indeed. With the launch of project I2, we will be starting a new revolution." I said as a small smile appeared on my face. 

"Indeed, my friend, indeed." He suddenly stopped laughing. "And you will be one of the only few people who will be able to use it without any restrictions."

"Never in our history, have we given such rights to an individual. But… this program is different. Totally different." He got serious. "And if you reveal even the slightest bit of information about this project. You will be executed on the spot."

"I know and I will never betray you, sir. You can trust me." I saluted which he returned.

"I trust you, Marcellus. But do not disappoint me. I would hate losing a person as talented as you." He said with a sigh.

"I would hate losing my life as well, sir." This made him laugh once again. 

"You never fail to surprise me, Marcellus. But then again, if you were to be scared by such things… you wouldn't be Marcellus Hanley." He gave me a pat on the shoulder. "And Miss Carter has asked me to arrange a meeting with you."

"I see... I will be free next Monday. So if we both can agree on that day, we can arrange for the meeting on Monday morning." He nodded.

"Very Well, I will inform her. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to look over the other members as well. Good luck with your project, Marcellus." He said before walking out of the room.

"Thank you, sir."

So, I will be meeting Margaret 'Peggy' Carter. 

[A/N: As you must have noticed... My English sucks. I am trying to improve. So, I hope that it gets better as I continue writing this fic. My goal is to improve my grammar by the end of this fic.

Discord Link: discord.gg/GwFen4t

Little spoilers will be given there and members can heavily influence the future plot.]