Leaving the two gazing at each other with deep affection, Colonel Phillips approached Chen Mo, looking up at his tall, stern figure with a more pronounced smile.
"Why did it take you so long to come back? This isn't like you."
Chen Mo shook his head helplessly.
"It was because of those Hydra tanks."
Chen Mo pointed behind him, where the captured tanks and armored vehicles were parked in the camp's open space. A large group of soldiers was gathered around, pointing and discussing. These Hydra weapons were clearly more advanced and powerful than their own.
Colonel Phillips rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Only you would call these junk. If you think they're junk, why don't you make something better?"
Chen Mo shrugged. "You should talk to Howard about that. Equipment development is his job. I just handle the fighting."
Colonel Phillips glared at him but couldn't do anything. Although he was nominally the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chen Mo was the most outstanding among them. His unique charisma made him highly respected and valued by the core members of S.H.I.E.L.D., who all had a close relationship with him.
Within S.H.I.E.L.D., Chen Mo's influence and voice were even greater than his. Sometimes he wondered if, instead of Chen Mo nominating him as director, they had held a vote, Chen Mo would have been unanimously elected, including his own vote.
He had always held Chen Mo in high regard. His strength, intelligence, talent, and style were impeccable.
Colonel Phillips had long planned that after a few more years, when Chen Mo had matured enough, he would retire and let Chen Mo take over S.H.I.E.L.D. He would then handle logistics and support.
Unfortunately, his wish couldn't come true. Retirement? Dream on!
…
London
Strategic Scientific Reserve Underground Base
Chen Mo, Colonel Phillips, Carter, and Steve, freshly returned from the Italian front, sat in the conference room in their crisp uniforms. Howard, who had returned earlier, was also present. Except for Dr. Erskine in New York, all the core members of S.H.I.E.L.D. were present, along with the new recruit, Steve.
In less than a year, Chen Mo had risen to the rank of major, a promotion justified by his significant achievements in destroying several Hydra bases.
Steve, however, felt a bit out of place. After returning to the Allied camp in Italy, Chen Mo had ignored Senator Brandt's order for Steve to return home and brought him to this secret underground base in central London.
Now, they were in this heavily guarded conference room, forbidden to anyone else.
"There are some things you need to know," Chen Mo explained, seeing Steve's confusion, which only made him more puzzled.
Chen Mo waved towards the door, and the two armed guards saluted and left, closing the door behind them. After ensuring no one was eavesdropping, Chen Mo began to recount his findings from his trip to New York.
Howard had secretly helped Steve infiltrate enemy lines and, fearing the colonel's wrath, had flown back to London after dropping Carter at the camp. He had hidden until Chen Mo returned, so the colonel and Carter were unaware of the serum and Adamantium alloy.
Hearing Chen Mo's account, both were delighted. The improved serum would greatly enhance S.H.I.E.L.D.'s strength, and Adamantium alloy had numerous applications beyond combat.
However, Howard looked at Chen Mo curiously. Chen Mo hadn't mentioned that Dr. Erskine had successfully tested the serum on himself. He only said that the doctor had developed a new serum with a higher success rate but slightly weaker effects, without specifying the enhancement details.
Howard was about to add this information when Chen Mo's sharp gaze stopped him. Howard quickly pretended nothing had happened and sat quietly, listening intently.
Steve, meanwhile, was shocked and incredulous.
"Master, did you just say the doctor… is still alive?"
Steve had witnessed Dr. Erskine being shot dead by a Hydra spy during the serum enhancement experiment. He had mourned the doctor's death for a long time.
Now, hearing from Chen Mo that the doctor was alive and had developed a new serum, Steve found it hard to believe.
Chen Mo glanced at Carter without speaking. He couldn't say that the doctor's fake death was his plan, that he had kept Steve in the dark, letting him grieve and act in Senator Brandt's show to cover up the whole incident.
Carter rolled her eyes at Chen Mo and explained to Steve. She recounted the initial speculation that Hydra might sabotage the experiment, the decision to fake the doctor's death to prevent serum misuse, the secret formation of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the deployment of the special forces to fight Hydra.
After hearing Carter's explanation, Steve wasn't angry about being deceived. Instead, he looked at the group with admiration.
Steve was a kind-hearted, gentle person. Knowing Dr. Erskine was alive made him very happy. He understood that they hadn't told him the truth to better conceal it from the outside world. Now that he knew the truth, he felt only joy and admiration, with no resentment.
When he heard that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mission was to maintain world peace, he looked at Chen Mo with boundless respect. His master had always said his ideal was world peace!
Steve had admired his master's lofty ideal but hadn't believed it was achievable. It seemed too grand and elusive.
But now, Chen Mo was making it happen. From Bucky and Carter, Steve had learned that while he was playing the "star," Chen Mo had led teams to destroy several Hydra bases. The fall of Hydra was only a matter of time.
With Hitler's trump card gone and the powerful Hydra army no longer a threat, the stalemate on the European Western Front would be broken. With simultaneous offensives on both fronts, Hitler's defeat was inevitable!
At that moment, Steve realized how small he was compared to his master. His vision had been too narrow. This war wasn't just about one country or one nation; it concerned the entire world.
He had only thought of serving his country, never considering fighting for the whole world. The United States was just a small part of the Earth. His love for his country was a small love; Chen Mo's love for the Earth was the greater love!
Chen Mo exchanged glances with the others, and they all nodded slightly.
Chen Mo then looked at Steve and solemnly said, "Now, I formally invite you to join S.H.I.E.L.D."