"The objective of this counterattack operation is to concentrate our forces and destroy five German encampments," Colonel Marcos began explaining the operations and every officer in the command tent listened attentively.
It was evident that they had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity for a counteroffensive for a long time now.
With the front defense zone continuously under pressure from the German forces, it was only a matter of time before it would completely collapse. But once this counterattack succeeded, it would deal a severe blow to the morale of the German troops.
"The enemy's large-scale operational base will be assaulted by me and two Lieutenant Colonels, leading five or more units," Colonel Marcos explained while gesturing at a large map.
The map was a three-dimensional model specifically designed for military use, clearly indicating the five German encampments outside the defensive line.
"It seems like this is going to be a big one. The Colonel is personally leading the operation, intelligence on the enemy's base coordinates, sufficient manpower... combined with a nighttime assault— winning this battle will not be difficult," Kyle thought to himself.
As the one responsible for deciphering the code messages, he had a clear understanding of the information recorded on the map. Upon hearing Colonel Marcos' distribution of forces for the assault plan, Kyle knew that victory was almost guaranteed.
This was the importance of intelligence in warfare. The side that seized the advantage often emerged as the victor.
Colonel Marcos proceeded to allocate each officer their respective units and provide them with briefing documents for the assault plan. After receiving their assignments for the night, the officers swiftly left the tent to prepare for the upcoming operation.
Soon, Kyle found himself alone in the command tent.
Did the Colonel forget about me?
Kyle inwardly grumbled as he looked at Colonel Marcos, who had resumed his seat. However, he didn't waste any time. During the planning meeting, he took the opportunity to extract a few excellent green Ability Cards from the officers around him.
Although accumulating a certain number of green Ability Cards and stacking similar ones would no longer result in significant enhancements to his physical abilities and skills, Kyle knew they might come in handy in the future.
Colonel Marcos took a sip of water and then shifted his gaze onto Kyle. His stern expression softened, and he smiled, saying, "Soldier Kyle, tonight's assault plan is crucial. Although you just returned from the front lines this morning, you will be participating in the operation after resting in the afternoon."
"Of course. Participating in the first counteroffensive against the Nazis would be an honor for me, Sir. Tonight, I will give my all, using my full strength to fight the enemy," Kyle declared firmly.
"Your determination as a soldier, your eagerness, and your outstanding performance on the battlefield— I have heard about them from several Sergeants," Colonel Marcos nodded with satisfaction as he looked at Kyle.
He genuinely admired this new soldier, finding him more impressive the more he observed him.
Typically, a new recruit sent to the battlefield could be expected to perform at around 70% of their normal capacity. However, Kyle, despite being new, fought like a seasoned veteran, adapting effortlessly to the battlefield.
For the past few days, in addition to arranging the counteroffensive plan, Colonel Marcos had made multiple verifications of Kyle's identity at the rear base, fearing he might be a secret spy disguised as a German soldier.
Clearing his throat, Colonel Marcos spoke with a meaningful tone, "But tonight, I'm not only asking you to participate in the assault as a soldier."
"Not as a soldier? Then what..." Kyle was taken aback, and a strange expression crossed his face. He guessed what was coming and said, "Colonel, you're not asking me to lead a unit to assault the small-scale German transit encampment, are you?"
"Correct," Colonel Marcos nodded, assuring him that he wasn't joking. He took a rank insignia badge from a drawer and placed it on the table, stating precisely, "Indeed. Not as a soldier, but as a 'Corporal.'"
"Me, a Corporal?" Kyle pointed at himself with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
Although the rank of a Corporal wasn't high, in the military, it was considered an entry into the "non-commissioned officer" level!
He had only been here for three days and he bypassed the ranks of Private, Private First Class, and Technician 5th Grade and went straight to being a Corporal. Since when did the rank of Corporal become so cheap?
"Why? Don't you believe in your own abilities?" Colonel Marcos smiled as he asked this question.
"Naturally, I believe in my abilities. But I never expected to be directly promoted to Corporal. I am after all a newbie with no rank as a Soldier," Kyle shrugged before he quickly regained his composure.
Putting it in peacetime, it would be impossible for a new recruit to rise to the rank of Corporal in just three days, even with a General as their backstage support," Colonel Marcos said solemnly.
"But now we are in the midst of a World War! Kyle, the number of enemies you have personally killed in the battles you've experienced in these past few days is probably several times more than those old veterans who lived during peacetime and killed over a dozen years," Colonel Marcos continued.
"With your exceptional individual combat performance and superior analytical skills in intelligence, it would be a waste for someone like you to remain just a no-rank soldier. Since you possess the ability and the army urgently needs elite talents like you, directly promoting you to Corporal is only a natural course of action," Colonel Marcos explained.
"I understand," Kyle nodded.
Heroes often emerge in troubled times. It is precisely because they are in the midst of World War II that individuals with abilities can quickly rise in rank, regardless of their background or accumulated experience.
Kyle also liked this kind of era where one only needed their ability to prove themselves.
Kyle's lips curled slightly, and his azure eyes radiated with confidence. For the first time, he felt fortunate to have been reborn in the World War II era of the Marvel Universe.
Colonel Marcos smiled and said, "Rest assured, as it is your first time leading a unit, especially in such a crucial counterattack operation, I won't leave you to command alone."
"That's good. I was afraid of messing up on my own," Kyle let out a sigh of relief after hearing this. He now understood that Colonel Marcos was not only launching a counteroffensive but also providing him with an opportunity for training.
Colonel Marcos called out to the Communications Officer outside the tent, "Notify Sergeant Fury and ask him to come here."
"Sergeant Fury?" Kyle rubbed his chin, feeling somewhat familiar with the name.
Soon after, an African-American officer entered the tent. His left eye was bandaged, but he was already dressed in a complete combat uniform, ready for action.
"It's you, Sergeant," Kyle exclaimed in surprise when he saw this man. The person who walked in was none other than the African-American sergeant he encountered on his first experience on the battlefield.
"Kyle, not just a soldier, but Corporal Kyle now," Sergeant Fury greeted him warmly, then saluted Colonel Marcos, saying, "Sir! I'm Sergeant Fury, fully recovered and ready to carry out any mission!"
"Very well," Colonel Marcos nodded, introducing Fury to Kyle. "This is your partner for tonight's operation, Nick Fury. As a sergeant, he has already commanded for some time and has extensive field command experience."
Kyle blinked, and upon hearing the name of the African-American officer, he was momentarily stunned.
Nick Fury? Hmm, the future Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
"Let's get along," Sergeant Fury said with a serious expression as he nodded toward Kyle. He appeared far from the fierce and authoritative aura he would exude in the future; instead, he still looked quite young, around twenty-five years old.
"Let's," Kyle composed himself as he replied. It is the World War II era now, and not even S.H.I.E.L.D. has been established, let alone the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
But leading troops into battle alongside the future Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
Now that is interesting.
(From the Translator -- Fury's age is correct in this. This seems to have happened in one of the infinite Marvel Multiverse. Later, he kept himself alive with the "Infinity Formula" also called the Forever Formula.
It happened like this, The Forever Compound is an alchemical serum produced by the Brotherhood of the Shield. It is a diluted form of the Elixir of Life developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1652. Nick Fury was seriously wounded in France during World War II. He was saved in part due to Professor Sternberg's Infinity Formula. Fury must be inoculated by the serum every year or he will age dramatically. Since Fury's first inoculation, the Colonel had to pay a blackmail price to Sternberg every year to acquire the serum which was the way he was able to remain alive and he also took the formula from Professor Sternberg later and became its owner. You can search for more information on the internet
The most important thing to remember is that this is Marvel AU so there would be many such instances)
(End of the chapter)