Chapter 3: Zola – “Hey~ Hi Claw~!”
While waiting, Wang Ye flipped through the confidential files locked in Red Skull's safe.
Most of the documents detailed the locations and missions of HYDRA's secret bases.
Wang Ye skimmed through the files, gaining a deeper understanding of HYDRA's operations. Since Red Skull had taken control of HYDRA, he had superficially completed assignments by using outdated weapons to appease his superiors. Secretly, however, he had been obsessively researching mythical legends, convinced that Odin's fabled treasures were real. This belief fueled his relentless search.
The rapid growth of HYDRA could largely be attributed to Dr. Arnim Zola, a brilliant weapons scientist. Zola's genius ensured HYDRA's weapons far surpassed those of the rest of the world in both sophistication and power.
Yet, as depicted in the original storyline, HYDRA's power was squandered under Red Skull's poor leadership. All their secret bases were systematically destroyed by Captain America and his Howling Commandos. This failure eventually forced HYDRA to initiate Operation Paperclip, retreating into the shadows.
But now, HYDRA was under Wang Ye's control.
The future trajectory was bound to be unpredictable.
Red Skull's vision had been far too narrow, focusing solely on world domination. He had never looked beyond Earth, failing to see the vast, star-filled expanse of the universe.
Now, with the Tesseract in hand and Dr. Zola's scientific prowess at his side, Wang Ye believed that leading HYDRA into the interstellar age was well within reach.
If HYDRA was to aim for the stars, its development strategy needed a complete overhaul. The scattered forces had to be consolidated, a new headquarters established, and the obsolete bases abandoned.
As Wang Ye silently plotted HYDRA's future, a gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
Turning around, he saw Johan standing at the door with a man in a lab coat, thick glasses, and disheveled hair—it was Dr. Zola.
"Come in," Wang Ye said, tidying up the messy documents on his desk.
"Dr. Zola, it's not easy to meet you! You kept me waiting for thirty-nine minutes!"
Wang Ye glanced at his watch, his cold gaze fixed on Zola. Then, his tone softened. "But I'm in a good mood today. Take a look at this."
Wang Ye opened a wooden box on his desk, and a dazzling blue light illuminated half the office.
Johan stood still, admiration for Wang Ye evident in his eyes.
Zola, on the other hand, immediately put on special glasses hanging around his neck and leaned closer to examine the object.
"This is incredible! The energy it contains is extraordinary—by far the most powerful and mysterious I've ever encountered!"
"This is the Tesseract, a fabled treasure from Odin's vault. Dr. Zola, I'm entrusting this to you. I expect to see satisfactory results in a week."
Wang Ye closed the box and slid it toward Zola.
"I was assembling the energy extraction device earlier," Zola stammered, "which couldn't be interrupted, so I'm late. The main components are complete, but some high-precision parts are still en route. They should arrive tomorrow, and testing can begin shortly thereafter."
Zola was visibly nervous. The imposing aura surrounding "Red Skull" felt several times stronger than before, making him uneasy.
"Very well. I'll await your results."
Wang Ye's icy tone sent shivers down Zola's spine.
"Y-yes, I'll get started right away!" Zola hurriedly picked up the Tesseract box and stumbled out, even bumping into the doorframe in his haste.
Shaking his head, Wang Ye gestured for Johan to approach. Standing before a world map marked with HYDRA bases, Wang Ye pointed to seventeen locations.
"These bases are to be strategically abandoned. Reassign loyal personnel to the Norway headquarters. Leave the remaining soldiers to guard and maintain operations. Also, establish a new identity and residence for me in New York. Here are the details..."
"Yes, Commander!" Johan quickly departed to relay and oversee the orders.
Alone once again, Wang Ye poured himself a glass of wine and reclined in his chair to rest.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Wang Ye replaced Red Skull's close confidants with young, capable officers unfamiliar with the former leader's ways. Disloyal soldiers were quietly dealt with, while double agents were promoted and stationed at bases intended as cannon fodder for Captain America.
HYDRA was now fully under Wang Ye's control.
Wang Ye tested his physical abilities, only to destroy the equipment due to its inability to handle the data. Enhanced instruments were built by Dr. Zola, and Wang Ye's abilities, except for intellect, speed, and combat skills, all maxed out at 7—off the charts.
This display of power turned HYDRA personnel into fervent believers, convinced Wang Ye was their god incarnate.
Meanwhile, Dr. Zola completed the assembly of the Tesseract energy extractor.
"Dr. Zola, is it ready?" Wang Ye asked.
"Almost, but it requires meticulous calibration. I must ensure no mistakes," Zola replied, sweating profusely.
"Take your time, but hurry up," Wang Ye said coldly, prompting Zola to work even faster.
Once the adjustments were done, Wang Ye placed the Tesseract into the extractor.
"Twenty percent... Forty... Sixty... Energy stable at seventy percent!"
"Push it further," Wang Ye commanded.
Zola hesitated, but a glance from Wang Ye made him turn the dial to maximum. The Tesseract emitted a surge of blue energy, filling the special storage container. Shortly after, the machine overloaded and shut down.
"This is incredible!" Zola exclaimed, overwhelmed by the possibilities.
"No, Dr. Zola. Earthly conflicts no longer matter to us. The universe is our goal."
Wang Ye's words left Zola stunned.
With the Tesseract's energy extraction a success, Wang Ye tasked Zola with developing a super energy source—a stepping stone to HYDRA's interstellar ambitions.
For Zola, this revelation redefined the scope of HYDRA's vision. And for Wang Ye, this was just the beginning.
(Chapter Ends)
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