Chapter 41: The Smile Gradually Changes
A young man rushed in from outside the alley, helped Steve Rogers up, examined his injuries, and then turned to Thor, saying, "Thanks, buddy. My name is James Barnes, but you can call me Bucky. I appreciate you helping Steve Rogers teach that jerk a lesson."
Thor was taken aback. He finally realized that the Ancient One had sent him back to 1942 using the power of the Time Stone.
This year had been particularly challenging for the United States.
On one hand, the German offensive led by Hydra had reached its peak, pushing several countries into battle. On the other hand, the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor a few months ago, and the U.S., which had been in a state of relative calm, could no longer remain passive.
So, the timeline anomaly occurred during this period?
It appeared that the thin man in front of him was the future Captain America. This afternoon, he had been repeatedly rejected from the army. Asthma, scarlet fever, heart disease, high blood pressure... The recruiter even questioned how the poor boy had managed to survive this long...
Despite Captain America's noble image in the movies, in reality, this guy was quite persistent and had tried numerous times to join the army using forged identities.
Reflecting on this, Thor realized that his name did not appear during World War II. So...
"Donald Blake, you're welcome. I can't stand these types who are strong but refuse to go to the front lines, hiding in the back and doing nothing," Thor said, introducing himself and shaking hands with them. It wasn't just idle talk.
Seeing the rejection notices scattered on the ground, Bucky said with a hint of exasperation, "Hey, even though identification isn't very authentic these days, constantly forging identities and trying to join the army is risky and illegal."
Steve pouted in disapproval.
Bucky, sensing the conversation wasn't going anywhere, changed the topic and said to Thor, "Hey, there's the Tomorrow's World Expo tonight. Why don't the three of us go together?"
Thor agreed. After all, he had no leads on his mission yet.
…
It was clear that Bucky and Steve had a strong friendship. While attending the expo, Bucky also tried to set Steve up with two girls. Given Steve's height and his straightforward demeanor, it was unlikely anything would come of it.
Thor wandered around, contemplating his mission. There was a problem with the timeline in this era, likely involving Captain America. He recalled something—Captain America had returned the stones at the end of his journey, staying in the 1940s for his final stop. He had spent his last moments with Peggy Carter, living a full life with her.
In this world, there might be an old Captain America hidden somewhere.
However, if Thor intervened and disrupted this incident, Captain America might never have the chance to travel through time, creating a conflict.
The goal of meeting Peggy Carter was to confirm the existence of the old Captain America.
Could this be the time anomaly?
"Drip, congratulations to the host for discovering a branch of the mission 'The Eternal Secret.' Complete the mission after finishing all the branches!"
"Branch 1: Block the future passage of Captain America at its source and maintain the timeline where the host is present!"
"Branch 2: Not unlocked, please explore further."
"Branch 3: Not unlocked, please explore further."
Blocking Captain America from crossing?
So, in the timeline Thor was in, the old Captain America did not exist.
To block it at the root, he would need to address the reason Captain America traveled in the first place...
Peggy Carter!
Thor looked at Steve and Bucky nearby and smiled—Captain America, women can be quite the trouble, and Winter Soldier is your issue! I'm doing this for your own good!
His smile gradually turned, and a plan began to take shape.
Chapter 42: Peggy Carter Appears
In another parallel world, the story of Captain America lacks a heroine, with Bucky being his only significant companion.
It's rumored that once, Captain America asked Bucky to hold onto a ring, and Bucky put it on. On another occasion, when Bucky was injured, Captain America didn't support him in the traditional way but instead carried him in a princess carry.
There was also a selection in a previous life where Marvel's favorite pairs were chosen regardless of gender, and Captain America and Bucky ranked first.
In summary, a good friend is like a lifelong companion... but in this case, Captain America and Bucky are true friends, while Peggy Carter is more like a distant interest...
…
This morning, as the doctor who was examining Steve was suddenly called away to some conscription office, Steve was left alone.
Noticing the "Falsified Military Volunteer Form" posted on the wall, Steve felt a pang of panic.
Previously, every time he was examined, it always ended in rejection, and the conscription office had never shown much concern. But today seemed different. If things went wrong, he might end up locked away for years...
Especially when a stern-looking soldier drew the curtain and walked in, Steve felt a sinking feeling.
At that moment, an elderly man with a Mediterranean accent entered, signaled for the soldiers to leave, and then had a straightforward conversation with Steve. Steve's responses seemed to satisfy him.
The old man finally said, "Let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Abraham Erskine, and I can offer you a chance!"
"I just need one chance!" Steve replied eagerly.
Just then, a voice called out from outside, "Is the doctor here? I'm here to enlist!"
Dr. Abraham nodded to the soldiers, and a young blond man was ushered in.
"Mr. Blake, you're enlisting too?" Steve greeted. "Hey, looks like I passed!"
The results of the examination were positive, and Dr. Abraham, impressed by Steve's nearly perfect physical measurements, decided to include him in the team. If Steve passed the test, he might be the second candidate for the super soldier serum.
The young man who had entered was none other than Thor.
Since Thor was going to assist Bucky in keeping an eye on Captain America, it was preferable for him to be on the same team.
Thor had observed the conscription office since early morning, and after seeing Dr. Abraham enter, he waited a few minutes before following.
The physique of the Asgardians far surpassed that of mortals, and Thor, being from the royal family, had the body of a god who had once battled Thanos directly.
Even a strengthened Captain America would be no match for him.
To avoid drawing attention, Thor suppressed his physical condition as much as possible.
Were it not for the risk of attracting undue attention and creating unnecessary variables, Thor's thunderous power alone could easily annihilate any army.
Soon, Thor and Steve appeared in the barracks wearing brown military uniforms, sitting side by side.
Steve might still appreciate having a good friend beside him, but standing next to Thor, who was 1.9 meters tall, made his own thin frame even more conspicuous...
A striking female officer walked in with elegant steps. Her curly hair and flame-like lipstick added to her charm.
A rude soldier tried to flirt with her but was instantly reprimanded. The others muttered a few desperate words before quickly backing down.
The recruits fell silent, stunned by her fierce demeanor—except for Steve and Thor. Steve was still somewhat dazed, while Thor watched her with great interest.
The future legendary agent, Peggy Carter!
Peggy Carter glanced around and immediately noticed the stark height difference between Thor and Steve.
As Peggy's gaze shifted, Thor gave her his trademark smirk and winked.
"This beautiful lady, may I be fortunate enough to invite you for a glass of wine tonight?"
Seeing this, Steve felt as though something was shifting away from him, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
He frowned momentarily but quickly shook it off.
Well, what's the point in dwelling on it? Instead of focusing on that, he should think more about Bucky, who was probably already on the battlefield.
…
Chapter 43: The Most Important Quality
"Hey, congratulations to the host for completing the task 'Eternal Secret' Branch 1: Preventing the future Captain America from living in past and maintaining the timeline where the host is present!"
In that instant, potential future developments for Captain America and Peggy had been severed.
The task itself was straightforward, but the aftermath promised to be troublesome.
Peggy Carter's eyes sparkled with a knowing smile. "Good idea. Wait for me here after training tonight; I think this will be a night to remember!"
Despite her gentle tone, even honest Steve shuddered, and the other recruits were already feeling sympathy for Thor.
"Um, is it too late for me to refuse now?"
Steve was only trying to get a reaction; he and Peggy didn't quite see eye to eye. Her character was like an old-fashioned figure—really not his style!
Thor subconsciously overlooked that he was also somewhat old-fashioned.
…
"Alright, boys, let's discuss tonight's schedule!" A middle-aged officer with a commanding presence stepped forward and joked.
"Colonel Phillips!" Peggy was the first to salute, reminding the recruits to do the same.
Glancing at the recruits, Phillips began his speech. "General Barton once said that wars are fought with arms, but victory depends on soldiers. We win wars because we have the best... soldiers?"
He glanced at Steve.
What was this? How did something unusual end up here?
Phillips felt uneasy and glanced at the expressionless Dr. Abraham.
Old man, very cunning!
He struggled to control his twitching mouth and continued, "The Strategic Scientific Reserve is an organization that brings together the best scientists and talents from allied nations and the entire free world. Our goal is to create the most powerful legion. The legion is composed of soldiers. So this selection is a training and evaluation process to find super soldiers."
After a brief speech, it was time for training.
As expected, Steve excelled in every task, finishing first in each event, although he struggled in the final challenge, despite his efforts.
In contrast, Thor consistently performed exceptionally well, nearly setting the highest records in the barracks. Phillips even suspected that Thor might be Superman in disguise.
Upon inquiry, it turned out that both Steve and Thor had been recommended by Dr. Abraham.
That cunning old man!
…
A few days later, on the training ground, the recruits were hard at work.
"How about the individuals I recommended?" Dr. Abraham asked Phillips.
"Hmm." Phillips nodded in satisfaction. "Brave, strong, flexible, and adaptable to intense training. If you choose him, I have no objections."
Peggy Carter interjected, "I have reservations. This guy has all the traits of a soldier, but you should consider how many times he's fought in recent days."
"Oh, Miss Carter, don't let one bad experience cloud your judgment. After all, everyone knows you kept him to deal with him... As for the fighting, every recruit has initiated at least one fight."
Noticing Dr. Abraham's strange expression, Phillips suddenly lowered his voice. "Doctor, are you referring to that Blake?"
"No, I'm talking about Steve…"
Phillips smacked his forehead. "Damn it, don't tell me you're looking for a test subject. Even Hodge is better than him. I thought he was supposed to be an addition to Blake's team!"
Dr. Abraham shrugged. "Hodge is indeed very good. In fact, if Steve weren't available, I'd choose Hodge. The reason I'm choosing Steve is because I value qualities beyond physical fitness. As for Hodge, I think his character needs testing. I've seen him bully Steve multiple times."
He pointed to the crowd, where Hodge was picking on Steve before being knocked down by Thor.
"Damn it, we're fighting again!" Peggy Carter cursed and stepped in to stop it.
Colonel Phillips said calmly, "War has never been about convincing people through virtue but through courage."
As he spoke, he grabbed a grenade from the equipment box, pulled the pin, and tossed it into the midst of the recruits. "Grenade!"
"Shit!" The soldiers panicked and scattered in all directions. Among them, the burly Hodge led the charge, quickly rolling behind a jeep, unknowingly losing a chance forever.
Among the chaos, only three people remained unmoved.
One was Steve. He pushed against the crowd, threw himself on the grenade with fear evident on his face, but still clutched the grenade tightly, shouting, "Get away! Get away!"
The other two...
Peggy intended to rush forward and kick the grenade to safety, but before she could take two steps, Thor charged at her, threw her down, and shouted—
"Grenade! Get down!"
Chapter 44: The Upcoming Experiment
The grenade lay still, not exploding for what felt like an eternity, and eventually, everyone began to react.
Phillips shouted, "It's a dummy grenade! Line up, get back!"
Steve asked coldly, "Is this a test?"
The doctor smiled triumphantly, and Phillips finally conceded. This slender soldier possessed some of the most valuable and rarest qualities for a soldier—self-sacrifice. With a hint of embarrassment, he added stiffly, "He's still too thin."
He then turned his attention to Thor and Peggy, who were still in shock, and said, exasperated, "Does this kid really think he's Superman? It's too close; lying down doesn't help!"
The doctor shrugged. "Probably, it's depicted like that in the comics... But at least, if it were a real grenade, Peggy could survive under the pressure. Therefore, I'm choosing him as the second candidate."
The soldiers clearly observed the scene, and all of them reacted with intense interest.
Peggy Carter's face flushed red and then pale, but surprisingly, she didn't get angry. Instead, she gently nudged Steve and said softly, "You—get up first."
Thor felt a sharp pang of discomfort. He had just seen Peggy Carter running toward the grenade amidst the chaos, and his reflexes kicked in. He felt a mix of admiration and embarrassment...
If Steve's actions in the original story were like a small pebble causing ripples in Peggy Carter's heart, Thor's actions were more like a boulder, creating a larger and more significant impact.
…
Steve's performance had silenced any dissenting opinions.
"Why did you choose me?" Steve asked Dr. Abraham in his dorm room the night before the Super Soldier project.
"Because, rather than just being a good soldier, I want you to be a good man."
"Actually—" Steve hesitated, "Blake might be a better choice..."
Despite knowing this could be his only chance, he still brought it up.
The doctor was momentarily taken aback but then appeared more satisfied.
He smiled and said, "Yes, Blake is indeed the best soldier I've ever seen. He's brave and resolute, defying the strong and empathizing with the weak. However, compared to you, he's too irritable and aggressive. His excitement in battle is unmistakable."
The doctor joked, "He reminds me of a Spartan. As a soldier, these traits aren't disadvantages but strengths. However, the Super Soldier Serum will greatly amplify a person's inherent traits."
"And you, humility, integrity, compassion, sacrifice... these are the qualities I value most."
"Sounds like a knightly selection. Do I need to take an oath tomorrow?" Steve laughed.
…
Due to Thor's disruption, Steve took Dr. Abraham's car to the experimental base the following day, while Thor rode in Peggy Carter's passenger seat.
As Colonel Phillips' favored soldier, Abraham agreed to select Steve as the second super soldier after his successful trial. Consequently, Thor was allowed to visit in advance.
In reality, Thor knew that he wasn't human and a lot of monsters in comics indirectly came form SSS , it may have weird effect on him. Besides, there would only be one Captain America...
"How do you feel? Are you disappointed not to be the first super soldier?" Peggy broke the awkward silence.
Since the embarrassing incident on the training ground, she had instructed everyone to keep quiet about it and never mention it again. Yet, facing Thor, the situation remained somewhat awkward.
Chapter 45: The Birth of Captain America
"That's not true. Steve participated before me. If it's him, I have no objections. Besides, don't you think I'm quite capable even without enhancements?"
Peggy Carter nodded in disbelief. Fighting twice in three days in the barracks wasn't something just anyone could handle, especially given the intensity of the skirmishes.
"Tell me about your past. What did you do before? I can't believe such impressive skills would come from an ordinary doctor." Thor's cover identity was a doctor running a small clinic, but it was clear it was a facade. In this era, most people preferred to remain oblivious to such details.
"Did you see? I used to be a hunter in Alaska. I managed to hunt brown bears twice in three days."
Peggy Carter rolled her eyes.
…
In the laboratory, Thor watched as Steve prepared to lie on the examination table and joked, "How are you feeling? Nervous?"
Steve nodded. "A bit, but it's part of the job!"
Following the doctor's instructions, he removed his shirt and lay down on the lab table.
Seeing Steve's ribbed physique, Thor couldn't resist snapping a few photos, planning to use them as future blackmail...
Numerous needles were inserted into Steve's body, injecting the serum into his muscles as the bench slowly closed around him.
Howard Stark, overseeing the mechanical equipment, activated the power.
"10% - 20% - 30%..." The technician read out the data from the meter.
The light inside the test chamber grew increasingly intense, obscuring Steve from view. Only Thor could still see Steve's grimacing face as he clenched his teeth to suppress his cries.
"40% - 50%…"
Another technician reported, "Heart rate discipline increased, but vital signs are stable!" This surpassed all previous experimentations.
Thor glanced at the government personnel beside Howard Stark. This man's eyes were cloudy, and if Thor's guess was correct, this individual was actually a member of HYDRA. However, with everyone focused on Steve, no one paid attention to him.
Howard, noticing Thor's gaze, misunderstood and explained, "It's said that the pain at a 30% dose is comparable to childbirth, and at 40% it's like breaking bones…"
Everyone's expressions turned to disbelief. How could he know so precisely? Had he experienced childbirth? Or perhaps he had been kicked?
Thor couldn't help but laugh. Tony Stark's father was known for his gentle demeanor, but he was actually quite the character. It was a shame he was assassinated so early...
At that moment, a system notification suddenly sounded—
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for discovering the mission 'Eternal Secret,' Branch 2. Complete all branches to complete the mission!"
"Branch 1: Completed!"
"Branch 2: Save Howard Stark from dying at the hands of the Winter Soldier in the future!"
"Branch 3: Not unlocked, please explore by yourself."
Before Thor could process the information, the serum dosage reached 60%, and Steve finally let out a scream.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah—"
Howard stopped increasing the dose, and Dr. Abraham asked urgently, "Steve, how are you? If it's too much, I'll stop immediately!" He couldn't bear the thought of this young man collapsing on the lab table.
"Don't stop! I can handle it!" Steve shouted through gritted teeth.
"70% - 80% - 90%!" The screams grew louder, and it seemed as though Steve might break down at any moment. Howard paused, looking at the doctor.
The doctor asked anxiously, "Steve, how are you holding up? Is everything okay?" Apart from the screams, no other sounds could be heard.
The doctor ordered helplessly, "Stop…"
"Wait!" Thor interrupted loudly, "He can do it; continue!"
Thor could see what was happening inside. Despite Steve's continuing demands to proceed, he was unable to speak any further. Thor intervened to prevent the doctor from halting the process and utilized the bonus skill from the original Loki mission.
Master of Lies: When you make a statement, it becomes easier for the other party to believe it!
To ensure success, Thor even employed some magic, learned from Frigga. Though not as adept as Loki, it was sufficient for influencing mortals.
With everyone watching, Howard increased the dosage one last time.
100%!
The experimental chamber slowly opened, revealing a robust figure amidst the smoke.
Chapter 46: Super Soldier? Termination!
Steve, stepping off the laboratory bench, seemed transformed. He was no longer the 5'3" man he once was; now he stood nearly a foot taller with muscles that rivaled a mini Hulk...
"How do you feel?" Thor asked.
"It feels incredible. I could fight all day now!"
Applause erupted from the crowd. People approached, and no one noticed except Dr. Abraham, the HYDRA spy, who discreetly pulled out a lighter.
Before he could act, there was a loud explosion, and chaos erupted in the laboratory.
In the confusion, the HYDRA spy grabbed the remaining tube of serum, shot Dr. Abraham, and fled.
Thor quickly moved out of the way and fell to the ground. Steve rushed to help, and the doctor shouted, "I'm fine! Go after him!"
Steve sprinted out just as the spy was getting into a car. Before the door could close, Steve yanked him out, causing the spy to panic, shed his coat, and run.
Despite Captain America's enhanced abilities, catching the spy was challenging. On one hand, Steve was still adjusting to his new strength, and on the other, he had to ensure public safety. The chase was intense, with Steve pursuing the spy all the way to the pier.
The spy had taken a child hostage and jumped off the pier into a waiting submarine.
Just when he thought he had succeeded, a pair of powerful arms shattered the window, pulled him out, and threw him onto the pier. Steve quickly subdued him.
Realizing escape was impossible, the spy smashed the serum and shouted:
"Cut off one head, and two more shall take its place!"
"Hail HYDRA !"
Then, he tilted his head and died.
The onlookers cheered. In these times, heroes were greatly needed.
…
The next day, Captain America's heroic deeds were featured prominently in the media. However, more bad news followed: Dr. Abraham had temporarily forgotten the serum formula due to the trauma and shock from the incident.
Phillips was frustrated. He wanted an invincible army, not just one super soldier, despite Captain America's impressive display of strength.
After Captain America had his blood sampled, he was thrust into various public appearances and became a symbol of hope.
Thor, the top Blake recruit, was soon sent to the front lines. Phillips regretted not selecting Thor earlier; he might have been able to protect Dr. Abraham immediately after the transformation or recover the serum.
No one doubted Thor's abilities, as many considered him the next best candidate for super soldier status. If the project was terminated, he would be the biggest loser.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor," Thor murmured to himself the night before heading to the front.
For him, the super soldier serum's effects were minimal, but the side effects were significant, so risking changing history wasn't worth it.
Saving Dr. Abraham was already a significant achievement.
The doctor's memory loss was a result of Thor's dark magic.
During his five years in Asgard, Thor not only enjoyed the luxuries but also delved into many ancient texts and learned a few basic spells.
He was determined to prevent the super-soldier program from progressing, regardless of the plot. While Dr. Abraham and Steve were honorable, not everyone shared their values. If the military mastered the art of mass-producing super soldiers, it would spell disaster for the world.
After all, with the mustached dictator's downfall, it wouldn't be long before another unjust war began. The super soldier program of this era needed to be stopped.
Chapter 47: Bucky Disappears
"Oh, how dull!"
In a barracks on the Italian front, Thor sighed in frustration.
It had been several months since he arrived, with the two sides evenly matched and the war in a state of stalemate. This was partly due to Thor's deliberate lack of urgency; had he been more serious, they might have already reached Berlin.
He wasn't in the mood to exert much effort and become a Yankee war hero.
If he were assigned to the Pacific battlefield, however, he would have gladly shown the enemy the wrath of the gods.
But thinking of Captain America still being a media sensation made him laugh out loud...
"What's so funny? Whose head did you steal this time?" Peggy Carter approached and sat down.
"Why are you here?" Thor winced. Recently, many soldiers had complained to the officers, claiming that Thor was a shameless thief who specialized in stealing heads, often blowing up opponents' heads as soon as he aimed at them. This earned him the nickname "The Head Hunter" among the soldiers.
Thor wasn't bothered by it. If he used his abilities to take heads, he didn't care .
Two soldiers passed by, chatting and laughing. One said, "Did you hear that the circus troupe is coming to perform at our barracks?"
"Forget that. I'd rather have a dozen girls!"
Thor suddenly became excited and said, "Steve is here! Let's go cheer him on!"
Peggy couldn't help but pat him and smiled gently, "Is this how you support your friends? You're so full of yourself!"
In this era, entertainers and actors were far less popular than they would be in the future. To most guys, guns were the true symbol of romance.
…
On stage, Steve's performance didn't have the expected impact. Soldiers who had seen the horrors of war were not easily impressed.
Only Thor cheered from the audience, waving his fist and shouting, "Great! Fantastic!"
Steve's face fell. He felt as though he was a street performer.
Peggy Carter had to cover Thor's mouth; it was too embarrassing.
The audience was not impressed and booed loudly, shouting, "Get off the stage! We want to see the girls!"
Eggs and fruit were thrown towards the stage. Steve hurriedly raised his shield to block them, only to realize he was inadvertently facing his own side...
"Sweetheart, give me an autograph!" one man shouted, pulling down his pants and turning towards Steve.
Steve frowned and stepped aside. A team of cheerleaders took the stage, and the mood became more lively.
…
"Hey, big star, you're doing great! I heard you're a household name now," Thor joked.
Steve gave a wry smile. "I can only improvise. Most of my previous audiences were children."
"Hang in there. You're America's new hope."
"Yeah, every time I visit a state, bond sales go up by ten percent. At least I have something to do. Colonel Phillips even wants me to stay in the lab."
"So, do you only have two options: the lab and the stage?" Thor asked seriously. "You can do far more than that."
Steve sighed, "I've always dreamed of going abroad to serve on the front lines. Now that I'm finally here, this is how it turns out."
"You need an opportunity, a chance to break the rules!"
"People don't see it that way."
"If you truly followed the rules, you wouldn't keep signing up to join the army."
Thor paused before continuing in a deep voice, "Now is the time for you to be bold. I heard today that the 171st Division was in Ah Zano and had a skirmish with Schmidt's men. Out of 200, less than half came back."
"And Bucky?" Steve asked, his voice tight with worry.
"I didn't see him among those who returned."
"What?!" The news struck Steve like a bolt from the blue. He immediately stood up and ran toward Phillips' barracks despite the pouring rain.
"This is the opportunity you mentioned?" Peggy Carter asked, breaking her silence.
"Yes. Hero shouldn't just stay on stage. He needs a chance to prove himself!"
Chapter Forty-Eight
"What about the captives? Is there a rescue plan?" Steve asked urgently at Phillips' desk.
Phillips sighed deeply and replied, "Yes, the plan is to win this war!"
"Where are the captives being held?" Captain America was anxious. Bucky's fate was uncertain, and time was running out.
"Thirty miles behind enemy lines, heavily fortified," Phillips said, his voice dropping. "This is not your concern. You have a performance in half an hour. Go prepare."
"Understood," Captain America said, his resolve firm. He knew it was time to bend the rules.
…
Inside the tent, Steve and Thor were packing their gear.
"You really don't need to come with us," Steve said. He was aware that the colonel was organizing a rescue attempt, which was extremely risky.
"No, I don't want to be a mere spectator, and I'm tired of just waiting. Let's take on this big challenge together! Besides, you're the one breaking orders, and I'm just along for the ride!"
Thor joked, then turned to Carter at the door, saying, "Ms. Carter, please contact Stark for assistance. I hear he's around. We need a flight crew. We can't just go sneaking behind enemy lines without support."
Carter frowned, "I feel like you've dragged me into a precarious situation."
…
"Stark is the best civilian pilot. He's the only one brave enough to fly us in these dreadful conditions," Peggy Carter explained on the transport plane.
"This is insane. I feel like all four of us are going to be court-martialed if we make it back alive," Stark said, trying to lighten the mood with his usual sarcasm.
"It doesn't matter," Thor said nonchalantly. "By the way, Mr. Stark, when do you plan to have a son? Your legacy needs to continue!"
"Well, if given the choice, I'd rather have a daughter. At least she'd have a lower chance of turning out like me."
Steve asked, "Any personal issues like yours?"
"I've always put my personal desires above the collective good," Howard added with a grin. "And if I have a son, he's likely to be a playboy like me."
"Don't worry too much. You'll definitely have a son, and he might even be a more charming playboy than you," Thor teased.
Peggy Carter was about to ask why when gunfire erupted in the distance.
"We can't go any further. Let's parachute in," Thor instructed. "Once you land, immediately start the rescue. I'll stay outside to draw the enemy's attention."
Captain America agreed. Though sneaking in was risky, he had no fear and jumped first.
"Blake!" Peggy Carter called out as Thor prepared to jump with a large package. "Come back alive."
"Don't worry, I will," Thor assured her.
As he leaped, he tore open the package mid-air to reveal two modified Gatling guns...
"What is he thinking?" Peggy Carter glanced back at Howard, who had to be responsible for the Gatlings. Howard shook his head, "It wasn't me."
Understanding Thor's plan to draw the enemy's attention, Peggy became anxious and shouted, "Quick, give me a parachute! Hurry!"
"No, Mr. Blake told me you must stay behind. We can't risk you dragging him down."
…
At the entrance of the HYDRA camp, Steve looked at Thor, who was wielding a Gatling gun in each hand, in astonishment. "Where the fuck did you get those?"
"Captain, no swearing!" Thor replied calmly. "Remember, I'm here to draw the enemy's attention, and you're here to sneak in!"
Before Steve could respond, Thor ran to the back of a bunker, grabbed a loudspeaker, and yelled, "The nine-headed serpent is coming out to die!"
The Gatlings roared to life...
Steve's face fell into a grimace.
Chapter Forty-Nine
As anticipated, the HYDRA soldiers were alarmed. With the Gatling guns' relentless rate of fire and the close proximity, HYDRA was convinced that the Allied forces had launched an attack. To make matters worse, Thor's loud taunts and threats further heightened their anxiety...
Steve's eyes welled up. To him, Blake's sacrifice was a testament to his noble character, a hero who deserved the Super Soldier Serum more than himself. Blake's sacrifice must not be in vain! Taking advantage of the distraction Thor created, Steve managed to slip in unnoticed.
Thor, drawing the enemy's attention, made the most of his abilities. With his strength, it was effortless to overpower a group of mortals.
"Da-da-da—" The dual-wielded Gatlings roared, unleashing a relentless barrage...
HYDRA was stunned. Despite their use of energy weapons powered by the Tesseract, they were at a severe disadvantage.
Was this man a demon? Despite carrying two Gatlings weighing several hundred kilograms each, he moved faster than anyone expected and maneuvered with extraordinary agility. Many soldiers, hiding behind cover, were blasted as soon as they revealed themselves...
Accurate marksmanship was common with sniper rifles, but heavy machine guns, especially Gatlings, were never known for precision... Were these weapons used not only for their high fire rate and large magazines but also for their accuracy?
If Thor could hear their thoughts, he would have sneered. Did they really think he had thrown his hammer for nothing all these years? Even at a distance of 800 miles, he could smash their heads with his hammer!
Not to mention these lowly HYDRA scum, even Thanos couldn't claim such precision. Thor mused, if he wanted to cut off heads, not just chests, he'd do it with ease.
Initially, Thor had picked up an energy gun out of curiosity, only to find that, without the Tesseract's charge, it was essentially a glorified stick...
…
Meanwhile, with most of the guards preoccupied with Thor, there were significantly fewer around Captain America, especially after Thor had shared some tips...
"Where did this guy come from?" The guard stationed at the prisoner cells eyed Steve suspiciously, one hand on his weapon.
Captain America could have subdued him easily, but noticing the cell was empty, he held back.
He said in a low voice, "The leader anticipated a rescue attempt, so he ordered me to pull all these prisoners out and execute them!"
The guard appeared uncertain, but when Steve whispered, "Hail HYDRA!" into his ear, the guard's suspicion vanished, and he quickly unlocked the cell. Steve glanced inside and cursed, "Why are there so few of them? Idiots, did you let some escape?"
"Um, a group was sent to the quarantine area for experiments..."
"No, he's a spy!" the guard realized, drawing his weapon, but Steve moved faster, swiftly breaking his neck.
"Hi, I'm Captain America. I'm here to rescue you. Everyone, run!" Steve quickly explained before hurrying towards Bucky.
The captives acted swiftly, retrieving their previously confiscated weapons and dispatching the remaining guards. As they made their way out, they noticed there were surprisingly few guards in the sprawling base.
Upon reaching the gate, they saw Thor commandeering a tank and charging through the camp. No wonder there had been such heavy artillery fire...
As Captain America and Bucky emerged from the camp, HYDRA soldiers were almost on their knees. Seeing Thor's head bobbing above a battered tank, Steve couldn't help but be overwhelmed with relief.
"Hi! My good friend, I'm so glad you're still alive!" Steve said, punching Thor lightly on the chest.
"Hey, I'm not so easy to kill. I'm still waiting for Howard's kid to call me 'uncle'!"
Captain America was at a loss. Why did Thor care so much about Howard's child? How did he even know Howard would have a son?
Chapter Fifty: The Howling Commando
In the early morning at the US military barracks, Colonel Phillips sent a telegram to the hospital: Captain Rogers was missing in Sector 3 behind enemy lines, and the search and rescue team had found no results. Thus, it was declared that Captain Rogers was presumed dead.
After delivering the grim news in person, the colonel struggled to conceal his sorrow.
At that moment, Carter arrived with an update: the last reconnaissance plane had returned, and no signs of life were detected.
The colonel was disappointed by Carter's resolve. He said sharply, "We can't do anything about Stark. He's wealthy and the biggest arms supplier, but you are nothing!"
Carter remained impassive. "With all due respect, sir, I don't regret anything I've done, and I'm sure they won't either."
The colonel's anger flared. "I gave you a chance, Agent Carter. But now the United States has lost its shining stars, including the young man I had high hopes for, all because of your preferences!"
Carter countered, "That's not the case. I'm confident!"
"Then wait until this department is disbanded and see if you still have that confidence!"
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted outside, prompting both to rush out.
At the camp gate, Captain America and Bucky emerged side by side, a tank following them and thousands of freed soldiers behind.
Many of the soldiers, holding their weapons, were injured—some missing arms or legs and relying on their comrades for support.
It was evident that they had recently endured a fierce battle.
In fact, they hadn't merely escaped from the POW camp. They had attacked from behind the German lines, forcibly breaking through the defenses and returning with the captives.
"Look, who's back!"
"Captain America!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
Peggy Carter anxiously scanned the crowd. Her worry subsided when she saw Thor emerge from the tank.
Steve and Thor approached Colonel Phillips, saluted, and Steve spoke.
"The wounded need treatment. We are prepared to face any consequences."
"No, it's not your fault. It's not necessary."
Phillips replied with a soft smile. He then turned to Peggy and said quietly, "You were right. Your vision was correct."
Peggy Carter approached Thor with a smile, "You're late."
"It's alright. The colonel said there would be no punishment today," Thor replied nonchalantly.
Peggy Carter's frustration grew...
"Cheer for Captain America!" Bucky called out loudly, prompting everyone to join in the cheers.
"Hey, Bucky, I had a hand in the rescue too. Don't be so biased!" Thor teased.
"Go on, go on. You said it yourself. Steve had to drag you there. Why are you going back on your word? Besides, you usually get plenty of attention. Let's let it slide this time!"
Bucky's protective demeanor made Thor glance over at Peggy Carter, who was observing from nearby.
Having rescued Bucky and a large number of prisoners, Steve and Thor were hailed as heroes and both received the Medal of Courage from the President.
No one would see Captain America back on stage again, and Colonel Phillips was adamant about not letting him go.
…
While rescuing Bucky, Steve examined the map and pinpointed HYDRA's weapon stronghold.
"I have arranged the best fighters for you as teammates," Colonel Phillips announced.
"Excuse me, I also have some candidates."
Captain America said seriously.
"Cheers!" At the celebration table, Thor assembled an elite team from the rescued prisoners.
The Howling Commandos!