Chapter 225. Frontlines (Part1)

"Any hope of reproducing the program is locked in your genetic code. But without Dr Erskine, it would take years...."

In the lab, Agent Carter spoke to Steve.

With the death of Dr Erskine and the destruction of the last of the serum, Steve had become the only successful super soldier subject so far.

"He deserved more than this."

After a moment of silence, Steve spoke in a low voice.

Dr Erskine was a good man and had changed his life. He shouldn't have died like this.

"If it could work only once, he'd be proud it was you."

In that regard, Agent Carter couldn't help saying a few words of comfort.

...

"Colonel Phillips, my committee is demanding answers ..."

Somewhere else, the senator expressed dissatisfaction with the previous attack, especially the death of Dr Erskine, which caused the entire project to almost stop that was expected to continue for several years. Currently, they couldn't see any other achievements except for Steve.

Many people, including the senator, couldn't accept such a result.

"Great, why don't we start with how a German spy got a ride to my secret installation in your car?" Suppressing his innermost thoughts about the death of Dr Erskine and the attack they had suffered, Colonel Phillips went to Howard and asked,

"What have we got here, Howard?"

"Speaking modestly, I'm the best mechanical engineer in this country. But I don't know what's inside this thing and how it works." Howard raised his eyebrows, looked at the submarine in front of him, shook his head, and reluctantly replied, "We're not even close to this technology. According to Steve, that other guy piloted this thing to escape by diving into the water ..."

"It's not only this machine but the burnt corpse as well, right?"

Colonel Phillips and his men also brought back the body of the spy.

"Colonel, I'm only a mechanical engineer and not an expert in biology."

In response, Howard shrugged and couldn't help reminding Colonel Phillips.

"Then who are they?" Listening to the conversation between Howard and Colonel Phillips, the senator couldn't help asking.

"Hydra." Colonel Phillips said, reciting the name Steve had mentioned. Colonel Phillips turned his head to look at the senator, "I'm sure you've been reading our briefings."

"I'm on a number of committees, Colonel. I have a lot of things to do."

Frowning, the senator replied with an unhappy face.

"Hydra is the Nazis' deep-science division. It's led by Johann Schmidt. But he has much bigger ambitions." Agent Carter spoke up and gave a brief explanation about Hydra.

"Hydra is practically a cult. I spoke to the President this morning. As of today, the SSR is being re-tasked." After continuing the introduction from Agent Carter, Colonel Phillips turned and announced that with the death of Dr Erskine, Project Rebirth had lost the possibility of continuing, and Colonel Phillips had to change their objective.

"We are taking the fight to Hydra. Pack your bags, Agent Carter. You, too, Stark. We're flying to London tonight."

"Sir? If you're going after Schmidt, I want in!"

Hearing the words from Colonel Phillips, Steve couldn't help but ask.

"No." Without hesitation, he refused Steve's request.

Colonel Phillips looked at Steve, who was taller than himself and spoke in a heavy voice, "I asked for an army, and all I got was you. You are not enough."

After saying that, Colonel Phillips turned and left the laboratory without giving Steve any chance to respond.

"With all due respect to the Colonel, I think he may be missing the point." Stepping in front of Steve, the senator looked at the tall figure in front of him, "I've seen you in action, Steve. The country has seen it. You don't take a soldier... a symbol like that, and... hide them in a lab. Son, do you want to serve your country on the most important battlefield of the war?"

"Sir, that's all I want."

The senator's words clearly persuaded Steve, and he responded without thinking.

"Then congratulations. You just got promoted."

...

Italy, in a US military camp five miles from the front line.

Ryan couldn't help laughing out loud when he looked at the "Captain America" comic book in his hand and the character on the cover that was somewhat similar to Steve. Steve probably never dreamed that his first mission after being injected with the Super Soldier Serum wouldn't be defending his country but instead to become a stunt performer, touring around selling government bonds.

"Did you guys hear it? Captain America is coming here for a speech today."

"Captain America? You mean the clown in the costume. What's he doing here?"

"I can guarantee you, he's just one of those weak-willed actors who won't even join the frontlines. He'll cry the moment he hears gunshots ..."

"I'm not talking about Captain America, I heard he brought a whole bunch of beautiful women for the show."

"Oh, women ..."

Outside the barracks, the noise faded away, and Ryan glanced down at the comic in his hands and then up at the reputation points that were on the system data panel.

[Reputation points: 42015]

Although there were a lot of points right now, there was still a big gap from what Ryan had expected it to be.

'Maybe, when Steve comes to the barracks, I can take the opportunity to ...'

Right now, Ryan was secretly thinking about preparing for Captain America's arrival.

In the next moment, the ticking of the pocket watch was in his ears again.

Hearing the sharp ticking, Ryan's expression was solemn. He had a premonition in his heart that the next time he heard the ticking sound again, it might also mean the end of his time travel journey.

...

"How many of you are ready to help me sock old Adolf on the jaw?"

On the front lines, on a makeshift stage, Steve, in a cheap costume, held up his star-spangled shield in his hand and shouted at the soldiers in front of him.