Just as Josh and General McGinnis were drinking and chatting cheerfully, Peggy Carter stormed back into the Strategic Scientific Reserve headquarters and barged into Colonel Phillips' office.
She happened to see Howard Stark there as well, and the two were discussing something.
"Peggy, you're back!" Colonel Phillips greeted her upon seeing her enter.
"Colonel, I saw General McGinnis at Josh Kane's estate. He mentioned a drug called 'Bright Light.' What is that?" Carter got straight to the point.
Phillips didn't answer immediately but looked over at Howard Stark.
"A few samples were sent over. I did a bit of analysis—it's a highly potent neural stimulant similar to NightLight, but its effects are several times stronger than the amphetamines and methamphetamines currently used by the military, with far fewer side effects than Night Light. Also, its components are completely different. The only side effect is that, like amphetamines and methamphetamines, it has a considerable addictive potential…But the generals don't consider that a big deal," Howard shrugged, briefly explaining the Bright Light drug.
The amphetamines and methamphetamines he referred to—both of which would later be classified as illegal drugs—were standard military-issue medications in this era: the former used by the Allies, the latter by the Germans.
In fact, the U.S. military continued using them until the 1970s, when they were finally banned.
So Bright Light's minor side effects were hardly worth worrying about at this time.
However, while Howard explained the drug, his face showed none of the disappointment or frustration that General McGinnis had likely hoped for.
Having supplanted Einstein's role in this universe (where Marvel canonically has no Einstein) and being this era's greatest scientific mind, Howard Stark's temperament was beyond what McGinnis could gauge.
Even knowing that the name "Bright Light" was chosen to mock him, Howard didn't take it seriously at all.
"So, Josh Kane is completely cleared of suspicion?" Hearing this, Peggy Carter let out a sigh of relief. Investigating someone of Josh Kane's stature was no easy task—it involved too many layers and connections.
Both Phillips and Howard nodded. The appearance of Bright Light rendered Night Light meaningless. As for Night Light's harmful side effects? Please, it might as well have been mustard gas.
In this context, Josh Kane had absolutely no reason to steal Night Light.
"And that actress?" Carter asked, not forgetting to shoot a disdainful glance at Howard.
Howard awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"Let her go after 48 hours," Colonel Phillips thought for a moment before replying. "That woman has strong nerves. She hasn't confessed to anything so far. The lie detector showed nothing. And we have no concrete evidence she swapped the drugs. Her identity prevents us from using harsher methods."
"So that's just it?" Carter was slightly unwilling. To her, Whitney was highly suspicious.
"Nothing we can do. The frontline troops using Bright Light have already reported back with glowing reviews, so higher-ups don't want to dwell on this anymore." At this point, seeing Carter's frustration, Colonel Phillips suddenly gave a mysterious smile. "Actually, whether this is the end or not…isn't up to us!"
"What do you mean?" Carter was confused.
Soon, two days passed, and good news from the frontlines kept pouring in.
The Normandy landings were a resounding success, and after the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, the 8th Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division also reported great results.
Almost without hesitation, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force placed a massive order with Josh Kane's newly established Kane Industries:
Ten million doses of Bright Light, priced at twenty dollars each.
This was already a very high price and had been carefully calculated by Josh based on the drug's purity and effects. After all, unlike the Super Soldier Serum, which provided lifetime benefits from a single dose, this was a consumable product.
Each dose lasted approximately 24 hours, and continuous use was necessary to maintain effectiveness.
If priced too high, even the wealthy U.S. military couldn't afford it.
Besides, this ten million-unit order was just the first batch but the cost wasn't entirely covered by the U.S.
The U.S. paid for 50%, the U.K. 30%, and the remaining 20% by France, Canada, and other nations.
What? Britain and France were broke?
No problem—the Lend-Lease Act was still in place. America didn't mind lending a little more.
Upon receiving the order, the pharmaceutical factories Josh had previously acquired in London, Birmingham, and other British cities immediately ramped up full production.
At the same time, hundreds of thousands of pre-manufactured doses were promptly shipped to the front.
Fortunately, Yuri had originally developed this drug for his Mind Corps with the intent for it to be mass-produced—its ingredients were simple and easy to source. The necessary plants were common in Josh's own universe and also existed in Westeros.
Even though Yuri's Cretaceous world didn't have these plants, its climate was also well-suited for their cultivation, which had now begun on a large scale.
Of course, whether it was Daenerys or Yuri, they weren't growing the ingredients just for Josh. This kind of drug that enhanced military performance was something they wanted for themselves too.
But it was precisely because of this that Josh could fulfill such a huge order. Otherwise, given Britain's current conditions, sourcing raw materials alone would've been a major issue.
And so, under these circumstances, Whitney—who had never confessed and couldn't be convicted—was finally released by the military police.
"Welcome home, Whitney!" After being held for 48 hours without rest, a haggard-looking Whitney stepped out of the military police building to find Josh waiting outside with Vito and others.
"Mr. Kane…was it you who got me out?" Whitney was surprised to see Josh.
Inside the military police facility, she had been under tight surveillance with little contact with the outside world. She had mentally prepared herself for long-term detention by the military.
Being released after just 48 hours was completely unexpected.
But seeing Josh at the door, she realized that perhaps her generous boss had pulled some strings.
"Of course, Whitney. I believe you're innocent. Just bad luck, that's all. That playboy Howard…tsk." Josh shook his head as he spoke.
"Yeah, I misjudged him myself!" Whitney quickly went along with the sentiment.
"Alright, don't overthink it. I've prepared a welcome-back dinner for you. Eat well, get some sleep—everything will be behind you." Josh gently patted Whitney's shoulder and led her to the car.
Whitney didn't refuse. Though the military police had fed her, going two days without sleep had left her without much appetite.
"Wait, we're not going back to the hotel?" After Vito had driven for a while, Whitney realized something was off. This wasn't the way to their residence.
"You were with Howard before, so you might not know—I bought a manor in the countryside. And with the war on and no current activities for the entertainment troupe, everyone's moved in," Josh explained with a smile.
Whitney nodded, saying nothing, but felt a flicker of caution inside.
However, when the car actually pulled up to a countryside manor, and she saw the company actors laughing and relaxing in the garden, her guard lowered.
Then, following Josh into the dining hall and seeing a lavish table full of food, her defenses dropped even further.
"Eat up. I'm hungry too. Let's eat together," Josh gestured for Whitney to sit, then sat down himself and began eating.
Whitney, long tempted by the aromas, didn't hesitate and began devouring the food.
But as she ate, she suddenly felt weak all over, and her consciousness started to fade.
At that point, there was clearly nothing she could do anymore.
Just before she lost consciousness, the last thing she saw was Josh standing coldly beside her, saying:
"Did you really think this matter was over? Naive."
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