Chapter 27: Action
The development of the new serum went much smoother than Norbert Berkowitz anticipated, achieving success in less than ten attempts.
As the blue fluorescence reappeared in the formula before Norbert, he, already exhausted, had drained a significant amount of his physical strength and energy.
Despite his body's extreme fatigue, Norbert was immensely excited and continued to produce the new serum tirelessly.
With all the necessary materials in his laboratory and a self-healing factor sample at hand, the production of the new serum proceeded without any issues.
The light golden liquid was slowly injected into his body. Norbert lay on the sofa, closing his eyes and silently experiencing the changes within him.
The new serum primarily operates at the genetic level. Although people cannot perceive changes at this level, the serum is designed to induce targeted mutations in the genes, providing abilities similar to those of mutant genes, though it does not involve actual mutant genes.
This genetic mutation occurs extremely rapidly, almost immediately after the serum is injected.
Norbert's body began to swell like a balloon, his sunken eye sockets, protruding cheekbones, and thin physique disappearing at an observable rate.
His nearly depleted physical strength was quickly replenished, and Norbert returned to his normal state in just a few dozen seconds.
Of course, the associated pain was intense, and the self-healing factor did little to alleviate it.
However, Norbert was accustomed to it. His face contorted in pain, but he remained silent.
As the pain gradually faded, Norbert looked down at his restored body with a cheerful smile on his face.
The self-healing factor could restore physical strength but did little to alleviate mental fatigue.
Nevertheless, the recovery of his physical strength also rejuvenated his spirit. Norbert now felt more energetic than before.
A Hydra soldier, looking anxious, rushed to the laboratory door. He was about to knock when he was stopped by Eric, who had been stationed at the door.
"Stop, the doctor is conducting an experiment. No one else can disturb him."
"Get lost, kid."
The irritable soldier cursed rudely.
Eric's face flushed, and he jumped in front of the soldier, blocking the door: "The doctor said you have to wait, even if it's the commander."
The soldier's face darkened, and he raised his hand to slap Eric: "Who are you... uh, doctor, the commander is waiting for you."
Although the slap didn't land, the soldier's attitude was far from respectful; it was tinged with contempt.
Norbert stood at the laboratory door, his expression dark.
He had expected Schmidt to come in person, and he realized he had overestimated his importance.
"Eric, you go back and rest first."
After patting Eric, who looked dazed, Norbert followed the messenger and left the laboratory.
As the two of them disappeared, Eric pinched himself, reflecting: "Is the doctor also a mutant?"
Without this explanation, Eric could not comprehend how a person could change so drastically in less than half a day.
Norbert was unaware of Eric's misconception that he was a mutant. He had already arrived at the command room of the Hydra base.
"Doctor, the commander is waiting for you inside. Go in by yourself." The messenger led Norbert to the command room and then left quickly, as if something terrible awaited inside.
Schmidt stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. The bright sunlight streaming in from the window cast a slender black shadow on the floor.
"Commander."
In the past, Norbert might have flattered him, but after recent events, he no longer believed he could earn Schmidt's trust.
"Doctor, the serum materials will arrive in three days. I expect you to provide me with enough serum within a month."
"No problem. As long as there are enough materials, you can have as much as you need."
Norbert's prompt response surprised Schmidt. He had not expected such straightforwardness from Norbert.
Although puzzled, Schmidt was not inclined to challenge Norbert at the moment.
"Then prepare a batch of materials for thirty serums. Is that acceptable?"
Schmidt's sharp gaze felt like a knife cutting through skin.
Norbert thought Schmidt might know about his deal with William.
He maintained a neutral expression, seemingly unfazed by the implication in Schmidt's words, and nodded slightly: "No problem."
The conversation between Schmidt and Norbert was brief. Within half an hour, Norbert left the command room.
Instead of returning to his laboratory, Norbert walked in another direction.
**Medical Area**
After a period of treatment, Keira had regained consciousness and was out of danger. However, her injuries were severe. Although her life was not in jeopardy, she was left mute, unable to speak due to her tongue being cut off by Ramon.
Seeing Keira, lifeless and staring blankly at the ceiling, Norbert dismissed everyone else and approached her bed.
"I know you can hear me, so just blink if you agree with what I'm about to say."
Keira remained unresponsive, continuing to gaze vacantly at the ceiling. Norbert did not take this personally and continued with his purpose.
"Ramon is still alive and thriving. He has food, drink, and comfort daily. He has also successfully replaced me and is now the head of the second science department at the base."
The fabricated lie caught Keira's attention.
A contemptuous smile appeared on Norbert's face: "Don't look at me like that. I saved your life and that of your old lover, but your old lover repaid me with revenge, framed and slandered me, and even tried to kill me.
And you also betrayed me, receiving only the punishment you deserve.
For an innocent woman like you, do you think losing your appearance means the sky will fall? If you're immobile, do you think there's no hope for revenge? Are you feeling unwilling, helpless, and hopeless while you lie in bed, waiting to see if others will agree to let you die?"
...
Norbert's words pierced Keira's heart like knives.
Fear, hatred, dread, anger, resentment, and despair flashed in her eyes. Despite her inability to move, she glared at Norbert with murderous intent.
Such a look excited Norbert. He feared not that she might be vengeful, but that she might be numb and resigned.
He leaned in close to Keira's ear and whispered gleefully.
"Do you hate me so much? Do you resent me for rubbing salt in your wounds? Do you wish to stab me? Because you are innocent and now suffer because of me."
Keira struggled and whimpered.
Now unable to turn her head, she could only stare at Norbert with murderous eyes, wishing she could bite him, though she was physically incapable.
"Yes, with that expression, you could kill with just a nod. If you remain indifferent after such humiliation, I won't bother to save you."
The words ringing in her ears stirred a storm within Keira's heart.
What did he say?
Can he still save her?
"Certainly, it's just as you think." Norbert nodded to Keira, "The things you did before will be forgiven, but from now on, you will work for me. If any past issues arise again, you should know the consequences."
"How about it? If you agree, just blink."
Immediately, Keira on the bed blinked rapidly.
As long as she could return to her former self, she was willing to do anything.
Seeing Keira's agreement, Norbert smiled with satisfaction and called for the medical staff to take Keira to his laboratory.
--------------
Chapter 28: The Poisonous Snake Comes Out of the Cage
"Doctor, the serum materials have been delivered. When will we start?"
As soon as Eric raised his head, the scene before him made him blush instantly.
With golden shoulder-length hair, a captivating face, crystal-clear skin, and full, rounded curves, the woman before him was the epitome of allure. Her slender, shapely legs and the subtle flush of pink on her pale skin were particularly eye-catching. Her blue, icy eyes held a trace of surprise, and her lightly parted red lips still held a hint of sparkle. Every inch of her body radiated an irresistible allure for men.
Blonde, blue-eyed, and exuding a mature, sensual charm, the woman in front of Eric could fulfill any man's fantasies, not to mention being naked. This overwhelming temptation was almost too much for Eric, a young man unaccustomed to such sights, and even seasoned veteran Norbert Berkowitz nearly faltered.
However, recalling her previous demeanor, Norbert Berkowitz immediately lost interest.
"Hey, kid—Eric."
After being nudged repeatedly by Norbert Berkowitz, Eric finally came to his senses, lowering his head in embarrassment while his eyes darted around nervously.
"Boy, don't just stand there. Here."
Several pieces of paper appeared in front of him. Eric looked up, puzzled, and saw Norbert Berkowitz pointing at his own nose.
He blushed again, took the paper from Norbert Berkowitz, and awkwardly wiped his face. The bright red stain on the paper made Eric even more flustered. His panicked gaze accidentally met Norbert Berkowitz's half-smiling face.
Following his gaze, Eric lowered his head further.
"Ah~"
Eric crossed his arms in front of him, hunched over, his face flushed with embarrassment.
He now wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
Eric's discomfort caused Norbert Berkowitz to chuckle, feeling it was a shame he couldn't capture this moment on camera.
This was the future Magneto. Once Magneto gained fame, this scene would certainly be worth a lot of money.
Could this be part of the "Least Wanted to Mention Series"?
This was merely Norbert Berkowitz's imagination. He had not forgotten the serious matter at hand.
Pointing at Eric, who was now shrinking like a frightened animal, Norbert Berkowitz turned to Keira: "Take care of this kid, and give him a lesson while you're at it."
"Okay."
Keira responded with a charming smile and walked forward with a seductive sway.
Eric instantly felt a wave of heat surge through his heart, as though he was engulfed in a sea of fire from within.
Yet, those blue eyes, resembling crescent moons, held a chill that made him feel as though he were in a world of ice and fire.
Dazed and overwhelmed, Eric was now a puppet in her hands. Norbert Berkowitz shook his head with a secret sigh and then winked at Keira.
"Keira, I leave Eric in your capable hands."
Norbert Berkowitz was in high spirits as he left the laboratory.
Keira had been a target of his interest for some time, and she would be of great assistance in his next plan.
Since Schmidt was aware of his deal with William, it meant that there were eyes watching him in secret. There would be many things happening next that he was not suited to handle directly. Keira was an excellent candidate.
Even if Schmidt had doubts, those dark eyes could still watch the bed.
In a few decades, it would still be possible, but for now—
With no video surveillance equipment in place, there was ample room for maneuvering.
After receiving the new serum materials, Norbert Berkowitz returned to the laboratory but did not see Eric. Keira had also donned a white coat to conceal her alluring figure.
"Where's Eric?" Norbert Berkowitz inquired with some curiosity.
"He's gone."
Keira stood by the sofa. Despite her frosty demeanor, she was respectful towards Norbert Berkowitz.
"How long has he been gone?"
"Twenty seconds," Keira replied coolly, her gaze questioning. "Doctor, is there anything else you need from me?"
Norbert Berkowitz paid no heed to Keira's attitude. This woman's temperament had drastically changed since her recovery. She appeared unapproachable to strangers, but today she had been so enchanting and charming in front of Eric.
This was preferable. A cold, icy demeanor was not as captivating as a fiery, seductive one.
"Now that you are familiar with your abilities, let me give you another gift."
Without waiting for Keira's confused response, Norbert Berkowitz turned and walked towards the door.
After leading Keira through the maze-like corridors, they finally arrived at a cell.
The cell was noisy, filled not only with incoherent abuse but also with a sense of disturbance.
Keira's pretty face, once frosty, now turned ferocious and terrifying. Her bloodshot eyes exuded a shocking murderous intent. The white coat covering her body shook with her rage, and scarlet blood dripped slowly from her whitened fingers.
"Go see your gift."
Throwing a key to Keira and signaling her to enter, Norbert Berkowitz turned and left. He had no need to worry about the next part.
After standing there for a long time, with the blood-soaked key in her hand, Keira's trembling body slowly calmed down. Her ferocious expression softened, replaced by a gaze as chilling as a snake's.
Squeak~
As the cold cell door closed, Keira's figure gradually disappeared behind it.
The venomous snake—Medusa—was released from her cage!
Back in the laboratory, Norbert Berkowitz spent some time preparing two special editions of the serum before retrieving a simple, yellowed book from a pile of debris marked with mysterious patterns.
As he approached the sofa and was about to sit down, Norbert Berkowitz paused, then moved a chair from the side and placed it in the corner before sitting on it.
"We need to ask them to replace this sofa tomorrow."
Holding the book in his hand, Norbert Berkowitz recalled the terrifying giant red eye that had nearly cost him his life.
Now that he possessed a self-healing factor, his courage had grown considerably.
In fact, he had wanted to analyze the Tesseract directly, but after considering it, he realized that there was nothing more extraordinary in the Marvel universe at this stage than the Infinity Stones. Despite the terrifying giant red eye's power, it was unlikely to surpass the Tesseract. To be cautious, he decided to practice with it first.
Additionally, not only did Dr. Zola notice the flaws in the special version of the serum, but Norbert Berkowitz also noticed them. He felt that the secret lay within this book.
Prepared and resolved, Norbert Berkowitz began his analysis without hesitation.
Bang~
A ball of blood exploded in front of him, slowly forming into a blood-red eye.
It was evil, terrifying, heart-stopping, and even bore a hint of decay, accompanied by wailing sounds from the soul.
A tremendous amount of physical strength and energy was drained from his body, leaving him overwhelmed by fatigue.
Norbert Berkowitz's eyes flashed with shock, followed by ecstasy.
The eye was still the same, the sensation was still familiar, but this time it was entirely different.
Last time, the giant bloody eye had exploded in his mind.
This time~
The giant bloody eye in his sight squirmed uneasily, and terrifying roars filled his ears. Yet, a mysterious force seemed to restrain it, making all its struggles futile.
As Norbert Berkowitz's physical strength and energy were drained, the struggling bloody eye slowly disintegrated like sand, eventually turning into a blood mist in the swirling red light.
The blood mist began to gather again, forming a blood-red line. The line flew through the air and finally took the shape of a mysterious rune.
Thump~
Norbert Berkowitz fell to the ground. He had ceased his analysis, his face pale, clutching his body and gasping for breath.
It was not due to a lack of physical strength or a passive interruption as before, but because his energy was depleted.
The self-healing factor had allowed his physical strength to exceed human limits and granted him super endurance, but his energy remained at a mortal level, insufficient to sustain continued analysis.
Now, he wished even more for Professor X's psychic abilities.
Not to mention anything else, if Norbert Berkowitz had the immense telekinetic power of Professor X, analyzing this would be a mere joke.
"Sir, after dealing with Hydra, I must capture Charles."
Setting his next goal, Norbert Berkowitz rolled over and lay on the ground, unable to get up until Keira returned.
---
"Doctor, are you okay?"
Keira planned to help Norbert Berkowitz sit down on the sofa, but he stubbornly chose the chair instead.
"It's okay, just rest for a while."
Rolling her eyes at Norbert, Keira helped him settle into the chair and then stood quietly to the side.
After a while, Norbert recovered a bit and turned to look at Keira.
"How about a gift?"
"Taken care of."
Keira's tone was flat and emotionless, as if she had just swatted an insect rather than dealt with a person.
Norbert knew that the process was more complex than these two simple words, but he didn't ask. What happened to Ramon was Keira's business, and he didn't care.
What he was concerned about was whether Keira could complete the tasks she had been assigned.
"What are you going to do next?"
"Men are all the same."
Her scarlet tongue slid across her red lips, and the seductive, dangerous smile made Norbert shiver.
Early the next morning, Eric, wearing a pair of large sunglasses and looking exhausted, nervously opened the door to the laboratory.
As soon as he entered, Eric looked around nervously and found that Norbert was the only one there.
Eric's energy drained instantly. He greeted Norbert dejectedly and walked to his usual spot, though his eyes kept darting to the sofa.
Seeing Eric's demeanor, Norbert shook his head secretly.
Young man! You'll learn to endure it soon enough.
"Hmm~"
An idea suddenly flashed through Norbert's mind.
A crooked smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Eric as if he were a rare treasure.
None of his children seemed weak.
Nina, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Polaris... If Keira could give him a boy and a girl, would he also be a powerful character?
Wow~ Then if you open a harem for Eric...
Hehe~ I wonder if Eric can create an army~
Eric suddenly shivered, a chill rushing up from his feet, making him feel like he had fallen into an ice cellar.
He looked around suspiciously but saw nothing, though he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
---
Three months passed quickly, with Eric coming in uneasily each day and leaving in despair, making Norbert shake his head.
During this time, three batches of materials were delivered, and Norbert produced a total of one hundred special-edition serums, ten more than Schmidt had expected. Schmidt was delighted and praised Norbert.
Norbert accepted the praise without hesitation and then suggested studying the Tesseract.
Schmidt hesitated.
It had been two years since he obtained the Tesseract, and he had high hopes for this legendary Odin's secret treasure.
Two years had passed, and under Dr. Zola's leadership, his scientists had developed various ultra-modern technologies.
But Schmidt was not satisfied. He felt that the Tesseract had other functions, but Dr. Zola's team had made no new progress.
Now that Norbert brought up the subject, it struck Schmidt's heart.
Zola was an expert in genetics, and Norbert was an expert in chemistry (a jack-of-all-trades). Involving Norbert might yield unexpected results.
But Schmidt didn't trust Norbert completely and wasn't comfortable handing over the Tesseract.
Norbert knew it was unrealistic to ask Schmidt to hand over the Tesseract, so he made another request.
"Commander, can you let me work with Dr. Zola on it? It won't take long, just three days."
This sentence made Schmidt's eyes light up. Zola's laboratory was heavily guarded, and Norbert wasn't likely to try any tricks even if he was there for three days.
"Okay, I'll let you know when I've made the arrangements."
Back in the laboratory, Norbert took out a red test tube from the incubator and sat on the new sofa, ignoring the dejected Eric.
Due to various factors, there had been almost no progress in analyzing Eric's mutant genes. With some free time, Norbert planned to see if analyzing the self-healing factor would help understand Eric's abilities.
As soon as he started analyzing, Norbert noticed the difference.
Not only had the analysis speed increased, but the consumption of physical strength and energy had also decreased. Though the reduction was modest, it was a benefit that would allow him to work longer.
It wasn't until his energy was nearly depleted that Norbert finished his analysis.
According to the current progress, Eric's abilities would be analyzed in another three to five months.
"Well~ If there are no other issues, the timing will be just right."
After calculating the time, Norbert found that he would meet his planned schedule.
After all, future derivatives might not be as smooth as the self-healing factor, so it was better to have plenty of time rather than rush.
With Eric's abilities, his plan should be easier.
Just as Norbert was contemplating his next steps, Eric approached him hesitantly.
"Eric, what's wrong?"
"Doctor, I... I want to ask..."
Eric stammered, unable to finish his sentence.
"You want to know where Keira went?" Norbert said with a smile.
Eric blushed suddenly and looked down, embarrassed.
Young man~
It was indeed tempting to open a harem for Eric, but Norbert wouldn't reveal that.
If he told Eric what Keira was doing, he feared Eric might go mad.
The young Norbert had seen it all before.
When young people are impulsive, it doesn't matter who you are.
"Eric, Keira has her own tasks and will be back soon."
Not getting the answer he wanted, Eric shook his head, as if defeated.
Norbert glanced at him briefly and then ignored him. He stood up and walked to the test table to start making a special version of the serum.
The mysterious runes had been analyzed, and Norbert had mastered the secret of the special version of the serum.
Initially, when he saw the rune, Norbert thought it was the rune mentioned in the movie.
But it was not. The origin of the rune was unknown. The only certainty was that this rune was an incomplete version of the mind-controlling black magic from the Darkhold.
As is known, the black magic in the Darkhold could erode sanity, which is why neurotoxins were needed in the special version of the serum materials.
Serum incorporating black magic's characteristics would have a similar corrosive effect. It might not show abnormalities initially, but over time, this effect would become more apparent.
Based on the analyzed magic runes, Norbert estimated the special version of the serum would be effective for about a year.
Since Schmidt wanted this, Norbert was prepared to fulfill his request and make more. After all, it was just some consumables.
William had been demoted and sent back to lead the special agent force. The combat force was now under Schmidt's direct command. If given more tasks, he wouldn't have so much energy to focus on himself.
---
**Three Days Later**
"Doctor Berkowitz, you have permission to use the laboratory for the next three days. There will be someone there to assist you. Feel free to give him orders if you need anything."
Leading Norbert Berkowitz to the entrance of the lab, a Hydra team leader conveyed Schmidt's message and left.
Compared to his modest setup, Zola's laboratory was far more advanced. Various machines and equipment, each radiating a strong sci-fi vibe, were scattered around. To the left were classified test benches, while the experimental area on the right housed an array of completed and semi-finished instruments and weapons.
At the center of the lab stood a massive cylindrical mechanical device. Encased within it was a twenty-centimeter square pane of transparent glass, filled with a mysterious, blue light.
The lab was bustling with activity, and upon hearing the door, many turned to see Norbert. Some displayed excitement but quickly returned to their tasks under stern supervision. Only one man, appearing to be in his forties, eagerly put down what he was holding and approached Norbert.
"Dr. Berkowitz!" The man extended his hand, his voice trembling.
Norbert smiled, shaking the man's hand warmly. "Dr. Keltes, it's been a while."
"I just got the order. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. It's wonderful to see you again," Keltes said, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"Haha, I'm happy to see you too."
Norbert was genuinely pleased, surprised to see Keltes in this place.
He and Keltes had known each other for years, both having been involved in Dr. Erskine's human enhancement project. Their relationship had always been strong.
After Dr. Erskine defected, Norbert took over the research of the super serum, with Keltes as one of his trusted colleagues. However, after Norbert woke up, those who had followed him before were nowhere to be found. He had assumed they were dead, never expecting to meet Keltes here.
In fact, if it weren't for Norbert, these people might not have survived. He was their savior.
"Doctor, they..." Norbert gestured subtly towards the others, prompting Keltes to shake his head silently.
Norbert understood immediately. These people were not as free as he had imagined.
Captured initially, they were now under strict surveillance, their lives strictly controlled to prevent another defection like Dr. Erskine's. As a result, Norbert hadn't seen them for almost two years.
The two didn't dwell on the subject. Keltes stretched out his arms to hug Norbert and excitedly declared, "Doctor, this lab is yours for the next three days, and I'll be your assistant. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Hmph, don't get too excited. It's only three days. You're still just a tool, like the rest of the trash here—low-level, despicable beings."
A contemptuous voice came from the corner. Norbert turned to see a short, thin man with glasses, his expression arrogant. When he noticed Norbert looking at him, he sneered disdainfully.
"And who might this be?" Norbert asked Keltes.
"Dr. Zola's assistant, Dr. Joseph," Keltes replied, clearly reluctant to call him a doctor.
But Norbert was more interested in the previous statement.
"Oh? An assistant?"
Norbert's smile held a hint of menace as he walked toward Joseph.
Keltes reached out to stop him but missed.
As Norbert approached, Joseph looked at him with a sneer. "What? Not convinced?"
*Slap!*
A loud, clear slap echoed through the lab as Joseph's glasses shattered and fell to the ground. His face swelled rapidly, five bloody marks clearly visible, making him look like a clown.
"If I hear your voice again, I'll send you to meet your God."
Norbert's tone was cold, sending a chill through everyone present.
Joseph, now dwarfed by Norbert's imposing presence, couldn't utter a word. The entire lab was stunned into silence by Norbert's display of power.
"Hmph, pathetic."
With a disdainful smile, Norbert turned back to the stunned Keltes, patting him on the shoulder.
"Hey, Doctor, you shouldn't have done that."
Keltes looked at Norbert worriedly, shaking his head with a sigh.
"Haha, don't worry. Even if I killed that fool, nothing would happen to me," Norbert declared loudly, ensuring everyone heard him. "Because I'm the only one with the super serum."
Many eyes lit up at those words.
"Doctor, that was still a bit reckless."
Though aware of Norbert's work on the super serum, Keltes was concerned about his impulsive actions.
Norbert simply smiled at Keltes' concern.
Reckless? No.
From the moment he saw Keltes, Norbert had been planning.
These scientists, like Norbert once was, were prisoners here, with no status and no freedom.
Their only purpose was to conduct research for Hydra. Otherwise, they were expendable.
It was clear from the moment Norbert entered the lab that these people held little to no status.
Norbert had been pondering how to make a strong impression on them, and fortunately, an opportunity presented itself.
Norbert's display was meant to show them his unique status within Hydra, leaving a lasting impression and setting the stage for future recruitment.
Yes, Norbert intended to recruit these scientists.
At present, the only allies Norbert could count on were Keira and Eric Lehnsherr.
Eric, however, was not useful at the moment. The only one with potential combat capability was Keira, and even that was uncertain. Norbert himself was the only one capable of fighting, but he couldn't act recklessly just yet.
While these scientists might lack combat abilities, they were far more valuable than most soldiers.
After World War II, the rapid technological advancements in the U.S. were largely due to the captured German scientists.
These scientists were "assets" Norbert had almost forgotten.
Despite his title, Norbert knew he was a fraud. Without his cheat system, he was nothing compared to these scientists.
What's the most important resource for any organization?
Talent.
Now, a golden opportunity was in front of Norbert, and there was no way he was letting it slip away.
He not only wanted this talent, he wanted it all.
No one was leaving this lab with their expertise intact.
A slap in the face was just the beginning. If necessary, Norbert wouldn't hesitate to kill, even if Schmidt himself stood in the way.
Some say leaders need charisma.
But in Norbert's view, strength was paramount.
With these scientists on his side, Norbert felt confident in his plans, even if he had to delay them to ensure everything was in place.
But Norbert was ambitious—greedy, even.
This "wealth" alone wouldn't satisfy him.
He planned to bleed Hydra dry, crushing every ounce of value out of it.
But for now, he would wait—wait until Hydra was completely drained of use.
Chapter 31: Keira's Whereabouts
Norbert Berkowitz's slap may not have completely crushed the arrogance of some people, but after comparing their size to his, everyone wisely chose to stay silent.
One fool was enough; no one else was foolish enough to test whether Norbert dared to kill.
Joseph covered his face and fled under the mocking gazes of everyone present.
Norbert quickly dismissed such a minor character from his thoughts, refocusing his attention on the cylindrical device at the center of the room.
More precisely, his focus was on the Tesseract encased within it.
"Doctor, let me give you a tour of the facility first…"
Before Keltes could finish his sentence, Norbert interrupted, "No, Keltes, I'm here specifically for this."
Norbert made no attempt to conceal his purpose, though everyone assumed he just wanted to study this mysterious object. After all, who wouldn't?
It's in the nature of a scientist to explore and seek truth. If Norbert hadn't been eager to do so, it would have raised suspicions.
Keltes wasn't offended by the interruption. He understood perfectly, "Doctor, do you need me to take it out?"
Norbert reached out to stop him, issuing a firm command, "Doctor, I prefer to conduct research on my own. There are too many people here. Take a break for the next three days."
Seeing that Norbert wasn't joking, Keltes turned and shouted to everyone, "You all heard the doctor, clear out."
With that, he turned back to Norbert, nodding respectfully, "Doctor, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
The researchers, following Keltes' orders, put down their work and began filing out. Each one nodded politely to Norbert as they passed, though a few hesitated, standing uncertainly.
Keltes gave Norbert an apologetic smile, unable to command those who were unwilling.
Norbert clapped him on the shoulder, giving him an understanding look, then turned to those who lingered, a menacing smirk playing on his lips.
Startled, they quickly abandoned their tasks and hurried out.
With the lab now empty, Norbert took a deep breath and resolutely reached out his hand.
The world around him elongated like stretched light and shadow, rapidly fading into the background as if he were in a superluminal tunnel. Even light itself stretched into thin lines.
Hum~
After an echo akin to tinnitus, Norbert realized he was in a vast starry sky.
Countless stars surrounded him, except for the darkness directly ahead.
A deep, swirling vortex lay before him, like a hellish gateway to the abyss, pulling in stars one after another.
The powerful suction drew Norbert toward the vortex at high speed, his thoughts frozen as he was pulled into its depths.
It could have been a second, or it could have been ten thousand years. When Norbert regained his senses, a cube emitting a blue light floated before him.
"Whew~"
Letting out a long breath, Norbert realized his entire body was soaked in sweat.
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, he stared at the blue cube in silence.
When the universe was born, with the Big Bang, six singularities were formed, and the remains of those singularities were forged into six stones.
These are the Infinity Stones, each controlling a fundamental aspect of the universe.
The Tesseract contains the Space Stone, which controls the attribute of space, but it's encased in a cube, hence the name Tesseract.
Objects of such cosmic significance are, in Norbert's understanding, unparalleled in their grandeur.
After analyzing something so advanced, he found himself bewildered.
Could he really comprehend this?
It seemed almost unbelievable. He had expected something far more grand, a memory as intense as that book tied to the Darkhold, perhaps.
At the very least, an energy storm or a display of cosmic power, something to imprint the gravity of the moment on him.
"When did I become so masochistic? Do I have a tendency to overthink?"
Norbert quickly dismissed these dangerous thoughts.
In truth, the stark contrast between his expectations and reality had momentarily clouded his mind.
Analyzing the Tesseract had been his ultimate goal for enduring Hydra's presence. He had fantasized about it countless times, yet had never mustered the courage.
The memory of that giant red eye haunted him, leaving a permanent scar on his psyche and making him wary of analyzing the Tesseract.
But the reality was the opposite of his fears. Analyzing the Tesseract was surprisingly simple, the psychological gap causing his thoughts to momentarily spiral.
Fortunately, Norbert was seasoned in weathering storms, and he quickly regained his composure.
The fact that he could analyze it was the best news he could have hoped for.
With a thought, the analysis of the Tesseract officially began.
One second, two seconds...five seconds.
Norbert completed the analysis and collapsed to the ground, a mix of excitement, helplessness, and disbelief in his tired eyes.
He was thrilled that he could indeed decipher the Tesseract.
Unfortunately, he could only sustain the analysis for five seconds at a time, barely scratching the surface.
At this rate, it would take thirty to fifty years to complete the analysis of the Tesseract, assuming he worked tirelessly and without sleep.
To his surprise, the Tesseract was actually composed of two parts: the Infinity Stone and its outer cube.
The cube was merely a man-made energy storage device.
The most important discovery? The energy storage device was something he could analyze.
While the energy storage technology was of no immediate use to Norbert, the knowledge it contained was an unimaginable treasure trove.
Feeling his strength returning, Norbert rose from the ground. He decided not to continue analyzing the Tesseract for now and instead moved toward the experimental area filled with weapons and equipment on his right.
His primary purpose for coming here was to confirm whether he could analyze the Tesseract.
Now that it was confirmed, there was no need to waste any more time on it.
He had only three days. While the Tesseract was his main goal, it wasn't his only one.
Having decided to bleed Hydra dry, Norbert wasn't about to leave even a single scrap behind.
A man of his word.
Reaching the weapons and equipment area, Norbert casually picked up a uniquely designed weapon. It resembled a grenade launcher but lacked an ammunition chamber, featuring instead an energy slot behind the trigger.
Norbert didn't care what the weapon was for. He glanced at it briefly before beginning his analysis. After only a few dozen seconds, he set the weapon down and picked up another.
These were all man-made objects, not extraordinary, and Norbert could analyze them with ease.
If not for the initial drain from analyzing the Tesseract, Norbert felt he could analyze them all day.
In three days, Norbert scoured the lab inside and out, not missing a single screw.
Along the way, he recalled that villain bases in movies often had secret rooms and passages, prompting him to search the floors and walls.
In the end, he actually discovered a secret passage.
Following the passage, Norbert found a massive manufacturing plant with an unfinished aircraft inside.
It was the same one Captain America flew during his final battle with the Red Skull.
Naturally, this unfinished super aircraft didn't escape Norbert's grasp.
As the three days came to a close, Norbert left the lab. No sooner had he exited than Schmidt summoned him.
"Doctor, do you have any good news for me?"
Norbert wanted to slap him. Did Schmidt really think he was a genius capable of miracles in just three days?
But he held back. The gold hadn't been found yet, and now wasn't the time to burn bridges.
"Commander, my expertise is in chemistry, but in other areas..." Norbert shook his head helplessly.
"Alright then, Doctor, you should go rest."
Norbert nodded and turned to leave.
As soon as he returned to the lab, a shadow rushed up to him.
"Doctor, did Keira go to the club?"
Chapter 32: I Hate People Poking My Head the Most
"Are you questioning me?"
Dr. Norbert Berkowitz calmly locked eyes with Eric Lehnsherr, whose bloodshot gaze was filled with anxiety. The intensity of Norbert's stare was like a knife piercing through Eric's defenses, causing him to snap back to his senses.
"No... Doctor, I'm not... I just..." Eric stammered, unable to meet Norbert's eyes. For the first time, he realized how terrifying the usually composed doctor could be.
Norbert pushed Eric aside and walked straight into the laboratory, offering no explanation. Eric stood at the door, hesitant and unsure of what to do.
"What are you standing there for? Get out!" Norbert's voice broke the silence.
Startled, Eric quickly left the laboratory, still dazed by the encounter.
Sitting on the sofa, Norbert lowered his head, deep in thought. He wasn't the type of leader who micromanaged his subordinates. He had only one rule: focus on results, not the process.
He hadn't expected Keira to go to the club. It explained why she made such a request after recovering. If Eric hadn't crossed paths with her at the right moment, things might have taken a different turn.
It seemed that the incident with Ramon had changed Keira into a completely different person.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing," Norbert mused. "Maybe it's time to consider giving her some new abilities."
Keira was not just a woman—she was a strong, capable beauty who could accomplish much. As for Eric, Norbert wasn't too concerned. With his current abilities, Eric couldn't cause much trouble, as long as he didn't get himself killed.
But just a day later, Norbert's instincts were proven right.
"Doctor, our captain asked us to return him to you." Two Hydra soldiers tossed Eric to the ground like a ragdoll and addressed Norbert. "Our captain also said to please keep your assistant in check. If he dares to visit the club again, he'll be sent back in a body bag."
"Oh, then thank your captain for me," Norbert replied, casually touching the test bench.
He approached the soldiers with a smile, patting their shoulders. A subtle pink dust wafted into the air.
"Ahem~ I'll pass on the message, Doctor," one of them coughed, an uneasy look on his face.
After the soldiers left, Norbert glanced at the unconscious Eric. Seeing that he was still breathing, Norbert ignored him and let him lie there.
Returning to the test bench, Norbert chuckled as he examined the pink powder. "I hope the effects aren't too strong; otherwise, it won't be as fun."
He retrieved a bottle of spray containing green liquid, misted the pink powder a few times, washed his hands with the spray, and finally sprayed some in the air.
With that, Norbert resumed his work at the test bench. The new serum materials hadn't arrived yet, leaving Norbert with ample free time. Schmidt was preoccupied with the Howling Commandos, led by Captain America, and wasn't paying much attention to him.
With nothing particularly interesting to analyze, Norbert spent his days maintaining the progress of his research on Eric's mutant genes, training his combat skills, and experimenting with new formulas.
He never intended to be a full-time scientist; he was tired of being cooped up in the lab every day.
The pink powder was a concoction he had developed from a dark magic formula during a bout of boredom. It was still unnamed, and today was its first test.
The two soldiers, after leaving the lab, were walking down a corridor. The bearded one sneered, "That little brat really thought he could get close to the captain's woman."
"Heh, she's not just the captain's woman; she's ours too," the other soldier, sporting a mustache, grinned wickedly.
"Haha, you're right. She's ours," the bearded man laughed.
"The captain's not around today. I need to hurry and get to the club—there are only three spots available each day. If I'm late, I'll miss my chance," the bearded man said, dropping his pace and hurrying forward.
"Hey, wait for me," Mustache called out, rushing to catch up.
As they approached the club, Mustache suddenly stopped, his expression twisted in discomfort. He began scratching himself frantically, shouting, "Hey, it's so itchy! So itchy, ah~"
The bearded man turned around, confused, and rushed back when he saw Mustache's odd behavior.
"What's wrong with you?"
"It's so itchy~" Mustache's face was contorted in pain, his scratching leaving bloody marks. He began tearing at his clothes, desperate for relief.
The bearded man was startled by Mustache's condition. He grabbed Mustache's hands tightly and shouted for help, "Someone, come quickly!"
But just as he called out, the bearded man felt an itch spreading across his own body.
"Ah~ so itchy~" he screamed, joining Mustache in the frenzy.
Their screams caught the attention of the guards at the club, who rushed out to the scene.
When they arrived, they were met with a gruesome sight. Both soldiers were clawing at their skin, their faces a bloody mess, their original features unrecognizable.
The bizarre scene drew a crowd. Some rushed to restrain the two men, while the smarter ones hurried away to report the situation to their superiors.
As the commotion unfolded, a group of women slipped out of the club, giggling and pointing at the scene. Meanwhile, a shadowy figure slipped away unnoticed, blending into the crowd.
William, alerted by the report from his men, hurried to the scene. By the time he arrived, the two soldiers had passed out.
"What happened?" William demanded, his presence radiating menace. Nothing had gone right since he'd escaped with Dr. Zola. Though he was still one of Hydra's top leaders in name, his status had diminished.
Schmidt had secretly left the base recently. If something went wrong now, William knew Schmidt would have his head when he returned.
"Sir, this is what happened~" one of his men reported.
William's instincts, honed by years as an agent, told him something was off.
"Where were they before this? What did they do? Who did they meet?" he asked sharply.
The men exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to answer.
At that moment, a voice came from behind the crowd.
"They met with Dr. Norbert Berkowitz before this, and then they brought the kid back."
"Norbert?" William was taken aback. He hadn't expected Norbert to be involved in this.
His expression darkened. Whoever dared to cause trouble for him now would pay dearly.
He ordered his men to take the soldiers to the medical area and then stormed off toward Norbert's laboratory, murder in his eyes.
Norbert was deep in analysis when William suddenly burst through the lab door, kicking Eric aside in the process.
"Damn thing," William growled, kicking Eric a meter away, making Norbert frown.
"William, what are you doing?" Norbert asked coldly.
Not only had William beaten his subordinate, but he'd done it right in front of Norbert. The sleeping tiger had been disturbed, and now all the monsters dared to challenge him.
"What am I doing?" William sneered, jabbing his finger repeatedly into Norbert's forehead. "You think you can pull your little tricks on me, you traitorous bastard? I'm warning you—stop playing games. The commander's not here to protect you anymore."
Norbert raised an eyebrow. "The commander's not here?"
Cold sweat trickled down William's spine. Schmidt had specifically instructed him not to let Norbert know about his absence. Quickly, William tried to recover, stammering, "No~ No, I meant the commander can't protect you anymore, you bastard."
Norbert's eyes narrowed. "Did I ever tell you what I hate the most?"
"What?" William responded instinctively, struggling to keep up with Norbert's rapid thinking.
Their eyes locked, and Norbert smiled faintly.
"I hate it when people poke me in the head."
---------
Chapter 33: The Happy Tonic
William didn't immediately understand what Norbert Berkowitz meant, but it soon became clear.
When William regained consciousness, he found himself strapped to a lab table, unable to move, and his mouth taped shut.
Norbert, wearing a white lab coat, held a test tube containing pink powder, smiling in a way that made William's skin crawl. The grin seemed to embody the stereotypical image of a mad scientist, and combined with Norbert's naturally sinister demeanor, the effect was deeply unsettling.
"Mmmmph!" William struggled desperately, his eyes wide with terror.
Ignoring William's muffled protests, Norbert poured the pink powder into another test tube to create a solvent, then drew a large syringe full of the mixture. The thin needle glinted ominously under the light as Norbert approached William with a smirk.
"I just developed this formula, and you're the perfect candidate for my third test subject," Norbert said casually.
William's struggles intensified as Norbert's words sank in. He knew now who the first two test subjects had been, and the thought sent a wave of panic through him.
Fear consumed him as he tried to speak, to threaten or plead with this madman to abandon his cruel experiment. But no matter how much he struggled, it was useless. All he could do was watch in horror as Norbert injected the pink liquid into his arm.
Setting the syringe aside, Norbert patted William's head, saying with mock concern, "Sorry, I might not have gotten the dosage right on the first try. Let me know if you feel anything unusual."
William glared at Norbert, his eyes filled with hatred. He wanted nothing more than to kill this bastard.
But Norbert ignored him, turning back to his workbench.
William lay there, helpless, for over ten minutes, but still, nothing happened.
"Ugh…" Eric groaned, holding his head as he struggled to sit up from the floor.
"Huh… Where am I?"
Hearing Eric's voice, Norbert turned around. "Eric, don't just sit there. Help me check on our guest."
Still disoriented, Eric got to his feet and stumbled towards the test bench, recognizing the man tied to it. "Commander William?" he exclaimed in surprise.
"What's all the fuss about?" Norbert thrust a green syringe into Eric's hand and walked over to examine William.
"Doctor, what's going on?" Eric asked, curious despite himself.
Norbert looked at Eric with a mix of amusement and surprise. Had this kid already bounced back from his earlier trauma?
"Doctor, please stop looking at me like that… Ow!" Eric winced as he accidentally pulled at his wounds.
"Oh, nothing," Norbert said dismissively, turning back to his experiment. By his calculations, the effects should begin any moment now.
Eric was still puzzled but was quickly startled by the sudden change in William.
With a loud thud, William's body jerked violently on the table, twisting and convulsing as he tried to break free. His face turned a sickly shade of green, veins bulging on his forehead, while he let out muffled moans of pain.
"Doctor… What's happening?" Eric asked in a panic.
"Oh, I just injected him with a little something I've been working on. That's a normal reaction."
Normal? Eric stared at Norbert in horror. What would an abnormal reaction look like?
"Don't just stand there—get some more rope and secure our dear Commander William," Norbert ordered.
"Oh, right." Eric hurried to find more rope and tied William down even tighter.
After ensuring William was secured, Eric approached Norbert cautiously. "Doctor, what exactly is that stuff? Why does he look like he's in so much pain?"
"See that pink stuff over there?" Norbert pointed to the test tube on the bench.
"I see it," Eric nodded.
"That's the neurotoxin I just developed. It attaches to the brain's nerves, disrupting the normal transmission of signals between the brain and the body. It sends out incorrect information, which the body misinterprets."
"At first, the incorrect information manifests as an unbearable itch, and as the brain receives these false signals, it sends out wrong commands, causing the body to behave erratically."
"The toxin then starts to corrode the brain's nerves, misaligning sensory input, and eventually it spreads to other senses."
"Over time, this neurotoxin will destroy all the sensory nerves of the victim."
Eric's eyes widened in horror, and he nervously wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. "What happens after that?"
Norbert grinned wickedly. "If the victim somehow survives the earlier stages, they'll start experiencing the most bizarre effects. A man might start feeling like he's a woman, his body's actions contradicting his conscious mind. Drinking water might feel like ingesting acid, walking might seem like plunging off a cliff."
"The worst part is, the victim remains fully conscious and aware that their actions are wrong, but the more they try to resist, the worse it gets."
"Pretty exciting, don't you think?"
Eric gulped, genuinely terrified now.
William, who had been conscious and listening, felt a fresh wave of terror. This was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
"Mmmph! Mmmmph!" William's desperate muffled screams filled the room as he looked at Norbert with pleading eyes.
"It seems Commander William has something to say," Norbert remarked with a sinister smile.
That was exactly what Norbert wanted—to break William's spirit and force him to submit.
"Eric, give Commander William a few sprays."
"Oh, right." Eric fumbled with the green spray bottle in his hand and sprayed William twice.
As William inhaled deeply, his face gradually relaxed.
Norbert ripped the tape off William's mouth. "Commander William, do you have something to say?"
"Doctor, we can talk this out… Just untie me first," William pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.
"Untie you? Sure."
William was taken aback—was this lunatic really going to let him go?
But he quickly realized his mistake when Norbert continued, "All you have to do is pledge your loyalty to me, and I'll set you free."
"You… you bastard! I'll kill you for this!" William spat, thrashing wildly on the table, his eyes burning with fury.
"I won't agree, even if it kills me!"
Norbert raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by William's defiance. "I like people with a strong will."
"Oh, and since you've been so entertaining, I've decided to name this little concoction of mine…"
"Happy Tonic."
The Happy Tonic—it replenishes happiness… for me, at least.
William had walked right into this trap. With Schmidt away, there was no one to stop Norbert. Most people probably thought William was still planning his next move, never imagining the nightmare he was currently enduring.
Norbert had all the time in the world.
"Doctor… please… no…"
But Norbert ignored William's pleas, resealing his mouth and turning his back on the helpless man, indifferent to his struggles.
Chapter 34: Everything is Ready, Just Waiting for the Gold
As the commander of Hydra, William thought he could hold out for a while longer.
However, after only half an hour, William's resolve began to crumble.
After tearing off the tape from William's mouth, Norbert Berkowitz asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
By this time, William had already lost his initial toughness and was groveling like a frightened dog, begging for mercy.
"I promise you, I promise you anything. Just give me another dose of that stuff."
Norbert was very satisfied with the effect of his "Happy Pill," but he knew it only lasted for three days.
However, he wasn't foolish enough to let William in on that secret.
Nodding to Eric Lehnsherr, Norbert said, "Give him a spray."
Eric picked up the spray and gave William's nose two quick bursts.
William reacted like a starved cat that had just caught the scent of food, greedily inhaling the green mist.
"Alright, William, let's talk."
After untying William, Norbert sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs as he looked at him.
"What do you want from me?" William asked, his voice trembling.
"I want the locations of all Hydra bases, terrain maps of those bases, as well as the troop composition and weapon configurations at each site."
William's expression shifted abruptly. "What are you planning to do?"
"Is it really your place to question what I want to do?" Norbert responded coldly.
The icy gaze in Norbert's eyes made William snap back to reality, lowering his head as he wrestled with the decision.
At that moment, Norbert's calm voice reached his ears.
"I forgot to mention, there's no antidote for the Happy Pill. That green spray only temporarily suppresses the symptoms. I'm sure you've already experienced this firsthand."
William's expression darkened, and deep fear took over his face. The thought of enduring that agony again terrified him.
"Alright, I'll do it," William finally whispered.
Norbert smiled in satisfaction and tossed a small yellow test tube to William. "One dose of this will keep the neurotoxin at bay for a day. You have a three-day supply. Give me what I need within three days, and I'll give you the next dose."
Gritting his teeth, William replied softly, "Understood."
---
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
"This is what you wanted," William said, handing over a large map and a thick stack of documents.
Norbert glanced at them briefly before setting them aside. He wasn't particularly concerned about their accuracy. If they were real, great; if not, it wouldn't be him paying the price.
"I've done what you asked, now give me what you promised," William demanded anxiously.
Norbert nodded and threw him another yellow test tube.
William stared at the test tube with a complicated expression, wrestling with his thoughts, but in the end, he left the laboratory quietly, holding onto the vial.
After William left, Eric approached with curiosity.
"Doctor, wasn't the effect of the Happy Pill supposed to wear off? If he didn't use the antidote, wouldn't that expose everything?"
Norbert gave Eric a look of surprise and replied matter-of-factly, "Who said what I gave him was the antidote?"
Eric sucked in a sharp breath. If Norbert hadn't told him, he would have assumed it was the antidote too.
Would Norbert really give William the antidote? Not a chance.
After all, William was only being kept alive for as long as he was useful.
"But isn't he our partner?" Eric asked, the question weighing on him for some time. Just a short while ago, they were allies, but now things seemed to have taken a drastic turn.
"Partner?" Norbert tilted his head and smiled faintly, "You're still too young."
In his previous life, he had suffered at the hands of so-called partners. Norbert had no intention of making that mistake again in this life.
Eric scratched his head, confused. Seeing that Norbert had no intention of explaining further, Eric wisely chose to remain silent.
After the events of the past, Eric had matured significantly. He was no longer as naive or impulsive as before, having learned to think things through.
Based on his observations over the past few days, he noticed that everything Norbert did seemed to have a strong purpose.
Was the Happy Pill just a gadget made out of boredom?
He didn't think so.
If it were just a simple gadget, the quantity produced over the past few days would be too excessive.
"Alright, it's getting late. I still have some business to attend to, so you should go back and rest," Norbert said, putting the map and documents into a black handbag before leaving the laboratory earlier than usual.
How large was the Hydra base?
It was enormous, almost as if it had hollowed out the entire mountain.
There were seven floors that Norbert knew of, not counting the ground floor where the half-finished super soldier was stationed. Norbert had no idea how many more levels remained hidden.
Norbert made his way to the sixth floor and was stopped by a Hydra team.
"Doctor, where are you heading?"
"Staying here all the time gets boring. I just wanted some fresh air," Norbert replied, feigning a depressed expression.
The squad leader eyed Norbert suspiciously but eventually nodded. "Then we'll accompany you, Doctor."
Norbert nodded, not objecting. This was the rule here. Except for a select few, everyone else who wanted to leave for fresh air had to be accompanied by soldiers.
The captain and Norbert walked side by side, followed by a heavily armed Hydra team, making their way up to the seventh floor.
At an iron door on the seventh floor, the squad leader opened the door, then turned to a Hydra soldier and said, "You come with me; the others can stay behind."
Outside the door was a terrace overlooking a bottomless cliff. The breeze from the mountain refreshed Norbert's mind.
As soon as they crossed the door, Norbert placed his handbag on the wall, walked straight to the terrace, and took a deep breath, crossing his hands in front of him.
The squad leader and the Hydra soldier stood behind Norbert, one on each side.
After standing for a while, Norbert subtly flipped his wrist, producing a small flashlight. He pointed it at the opposite mountain, rhythmically pressing it a few times, before making the flashlight disappear again.
After a few more minutes, Norbert turned and nodded at the squad leader. "Let's head back."
As the three men left the terrace, it seemed they had forgotten about the black handbag left in the corner.
Bang!
Light red smoke exploded on the terrace, and a tall figure with red skin and an unusual appearance materialized out of thin air.
The figure approached the wall, opened the black handbag, retrieved its contents, and then restored it to its original state.
Bang!
Red smoke exploded again, and the terrace became empty once more.
Norbert and his group had just reached the stairs when the squad leader suddenly called out to him, "Wait, Doctor, where's your handbag?"
Norbert looked down at his empty hands in confusion, then chuckled. "Must've left it on the terrace. Can you fetch it for me?"
The squad leader carefully studied Norbert for a moment before nodding and instructing the soldier to retrieve the handbag from the terrace.
A short while later, the soldier returned, carrying the black handbag, and handed it to his captain.
The squad leader weighed the handbag twice in his hand before returning it to Norbert.
"My apologies, Doctor."
Taking the handbag, Norbert nodded understandingly. "No problem, I get it."
"If that's all, I'll head back now."
"Safe travels, Doctor."
---
Norbert hummed a tune as he carried the handbag down the stairs, satisfied with how everything was proceeding.
Everything was ready. Now, all that remained was for Keira to locate the imperial gold hidden by Schmidt, and Norbert could finally leave this cursed place.
----------------
Chapter 35: Zola is Captured
"Colonel, is this information credible?"
Rogers looked at the information in his hand in disbelief. They had spent so much time and effort failing to find Hydra's base, but now it was delivered to him.
Not only that, this information included detailed location maps of Hydra bases, as well as comprehensive details on the functions of each base and the configuration of troops and weapons inside, so precise that it raised suspicions.
"Captain, this information was given to me by my friends in the Hellfire Club. It is absolutely credible," Colonel Phillips said proudly.
"Hellfire Club? That elite social club?" Howard Stark suddenly interrupted, asking.
"Howard, you know about it?" Rogers asked in surprise.
Howard nodded. "It is an elite club. Its name is very famous among the upper class. Those who can join it are elites from all walks of life. They have significant influence."
"How influential are they?"
Howard shrugged. "If you wanted a tank in Berlin, I think they could arrange that."
Everyone inhaled sharply.
"Howard, how do you know so much about them?"
Colonel Phillips was a bit confused. Even he only knew that this club was very influential, and some people wanted to join it.
Howard spread his hands and looked like he wanted to be beaten. "I was invited to join before, but I declined."
"I…"
Colonel Phillips was at a loss for words.
"It seems like this information should be accurate," Rogers said.
"Of course. My friend also put in a lot of effort to acquire this information," Phillips said, looking slightly embarrassed.
Hanging the map on the wall, Phillips patted it and shouted excitedly, "With this, we can completely eliminate Hydra and end this damn war."
"And more."
"Major Carter, what do you think?"
"Colonel, even if we have the distribution map of the Hydra bases, how will we deal with that super soldier team?"
"This…"
Phillips raised his pipe and took a puff, trying to mask his embarrassment.
They had found many Hydra bases, but not many had been successfully destroyed. They had faced that formidable team many times and had been thoroughly defeated, losing many people.
If they did not address that team, they would struggle to complete their mission of destroying Hydra.
"We can attack from east and west."
Rogers' suggestion made Phillips' eyes light up.
---
*Bang!*
Schmidt, already in a frenzy, punched a base leader, sending him flying five meters away.
"Why can the Howling Commandos destroy my base so easily? What are the Scorpions doing?"
Schmidt's hysterical roar echoed through the hall, and everyone stood tremblingly.
One person had already been killed, and no one wanted to be the next.
"Call Dr. Zola and Dr. Berkowitz," Schmidt ordered gloomily after venting his anger. "William is still a failure."
Soon, Zola and Berkowitz arrived before Schmidt.
"Doctor, I want you to work tirelessly to create a super serum immediately."
Before Berkowitz could greet Schmidt, he spread his hands and said, "Commander, as long as there are enough materials, there is no problem."
"I will find a way to procure the materials; you just need to be prepared," Schmidt said, frowning and waving his hand expressionlessly.
"Yes, Commander. I'll begin preparations right away."
After Berkowitz left, Schmidt turned and glared at Zola angrily. "You failed."
"We're on the verge of shaking the entire planet, but the timing keeps getting delayed because you can't even deal with a fool with a shield."
"This is indeed not my area of expertise. I am only responsible for developing weapons, not for their deployment," Zola defended.
Schmidt stared at Zola with cold eyes and said, "Complete your mission, Doctor, before Captain America completes his mission."
Zola's hair stood on end as he stared blankly at Schmidt's terrifying red skull. He knew that if he dared to utter a word of "no," he would face dire consequences.
"Commander, the subject has been brought."
Several soldiers placed William, who had vacant eyes and a silly grin on his face, on the ground.
Schmidt took a few steps forward, then crouched down and stared into William's vacant eyes. "You're a failure. As an agent, you've become like this."
"Have you found any cause? Is it man-made or…"
Kertesz hesitated and replied tremblingly, "His brain has been irreversibly damaged. We have exhausted all means and found no signs of man-made damage. We all agree that the brain was damaged the last time, and it was not discovered."
"In other words, he is a fool now?" Schmidt pulled out a pistol from his waist and said quietly.
Kertesz swallowed. "You could say that."
*Bang!*
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of blood erupted from William's forehead.
Schmidt stood up slowly, turning his back to everyone present.
"Hydra cannot sit still and wait for death. The Valkyrie Wings must be completed as soon as possible. We must take the initiative."
"Long live Hydra!"
The shout came from an unknown source, and everyone raised their arms and cheered.
"Long live Hydra!"
Hearing the chant from behind, Berkowitz had a disdainful smile on his face.
---
A ghostly train traveled through the valley. Above the snow-covered terrain, a team of more than a dozen people hid in the cracks between several boulders.
"Here he comes, really like a ghost."
The soldier holding the telescope sighed.
"Don't sigh. We only have ten seconds," the captain said as he secured the zipline on the steel rope and made the final pre-war deployment. "This time, James, Victor, Bucky, and I will go. The others will be on standby to provide support at any time."
"Understood, captain," everyone replied.
"Capturing this big snake will bring us one step closer to freedom, Captain," James said with a smile.
"That's right. If we deal with Hydra, we will be free," the captain nodded.
Suddenly, the soldier monitoring the radio exclaimed, "Captain, there is a group of Scorpion warriors in the car."
Victor stuck out his tongue and licked his chapped lips, showing a bloodthirsty smile. "Leave those fools to me."
Hearing the mention of the Scorpion warriors, the captain glanced at Bucky worriedly. "Bucky, be careful."
Bucky gave him a reassuring look. "I know."
"Captain, it's time."
"Go, go, go!"
---
*Slap!*
Schmidt angrily slapped the newspaper on the table. The thick and large fonts of the headlines in the newspaper were particularly eye-catching.
"Dr. Zola Will Be Deported to Switzerland"
"Zola, how dare you betray me."
Schmidt's eerie voice echoed in the room.
Berkowitz, who had just walked to the door, stood in front of it with a look of surprise.
He hadn't expected that, despite his intervention, the plot would still develop this way, but the timeline seemed to have advanced significantly.
'We can use Zola's information in the future,' Berkowitz thought.
Reaching out to push open the door, Schmidt's face twisted with anger appeared before him.
"Commander, the serum has been produced."
---