After leaving Steve's dorm, Dr. Erskine began his walk back to his residence.
A light drizzle fell from the sky, and a gentle breeze carried a slight chill.
Under the dim light near his door, the doctor spotted Wang Ye standing and waiting for him. He didn't need to ask why; he already knew the reason.
"Come in. Let's talk inside—it's raining out," Dr. Erskine said.
Wang Ye nodded and followed him inside.
Inside the Residence
The two sat across from each other.
"You came this late. It's about tomorrow's experiment, isn't it? Are you worried about Steve?" Dr. Erskine asked, his voice hoarse from a light cough.
"I trust Steve. The reason I came is something else.
Doctor, I recall you mentioning Johann Schmidt from Hydra a while back. Over the past two days, I've been thinking—could tomorrow's experiment face some unforeseen complications?"
Wang Ye's tone was serious, and his expression was solemn as he looked at the doctor.
Dr. Erskine's face stiffened.
"That's impossible. The lab is so well-hidden. Could Hydra possibly—" He stopped mid-sentence, struck by a realization that sent a chill down his spine.
Wang Ye nodded.
"With Hydra's extensive intelligence network, it's likely your movements have already been exposed.
It's also possible they already know our entire experiment schedule, down to the precise time. They might just be waiting for us to succeed tomorrow to seize the results."
Dr. Erskine nodded slowly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Wang Ye continued, his calm demeanor masking the urgency of his words.
"Moreover, once the experiment succeeds, the core formula of the Super Serum will inevitably be handed over to the higher-ups.
But once that happens, who's to say it won't be misused for selfish ambitions? As you've said, the Super Serum amplifies the good and the bad in a person. It's a double-edged sword—capable of great good in the right hands, but catastrophic if misused."
Dr. Erskine, having devoted his entire mind and effort to the research, had never considered the aftermath of its success. Hearing Wang Ye's assessment, the celebratory mood from earlier evaporated entirely, replaced by dread.
"What about tomorrow's experiment?"
The doctor's voice trembled as he realized the situation was spiraling out of control.
"I think we should act while there's still time and discuss countermeasures with Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter," Wang Ye suggested, furrowing his brows.
Dr. Erskine immediately nodded. This matter required professional intervention.
Late Night
The four—Dr. Erskine, Wang Ye, Colonel Phillips, and Agent Carter—gathered for an urgent and secretive meeting in the conference room.
"Our laboratory is highly classified; only senior officials are aware of it. Even if Schmidt's spies are capable, they could never uncover its location. Your concerns are unfounded," Colonel Phillips said, tapping the table rhythmically as he calculated his response.
"Still, we cannot rule out the possibility of spies within the high command. The success or failure of the Super Serum experiment is too critical to this war's trajectory. We cannot afford to take any risks," Agent Carter countered, her brows furrowed.
"That's right, Colonel.
Hydra has always operated in the shadows. We have no idea just how powerful they truly are.
If the Super Serum succeeds, the higher-ups will undoubtedly mass-produce super-soldiers.
But if those soldiers, with their enhanced strength, ever go rogue, they would pose a threat far worse than Hydra itself."
Dr. Erskine paled further at the discussion. What had previously been a source of joy now felt like a ticking time bomb.
Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter wore similarly grim expressions.
Wang Ye, observing their troubled faces, offered a solution:
"Solving this issue is actually quite simple.
Since the core formula of the Super Serum is known only to Dr. Erskine, all we need to do is have the doctor 'die.'
If the doctor 'dies,' the formula will never fall into the wrong hands, and Hydra's obsession with it will cease as well."
"No!" came the simultaneous objections from Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter.
Dr. Erskine looked at Wang Ye in shock, unable to believe he would suggest such a thing.
Wang Ye smiled faintly and clarified:
"Colonel, Agent Carter, please lower your guns. I think I misspoke.
What I meant was to fake the doctor's death to deceive the politicians and Hydra's spies.
This would ensure the formula remains safe while also deterring Hydra.
The doctor could then work from the shadows without fearing for his life."
Hearing this, Dr. Erskine visibly relaxed. He had genuinely feared he might be sacrificed for the greater good.
Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter exchanged glances, finding agreement in each other's eyes.
"I think this plan is feasible, but we'll need to meticulously plan the details," Colonel Phillips said, slapping the table as he stood.
Everyone nodded and began an intense discussion on how to make the doctor's "death" believable and flawless.
They deliberated until dawn.
The Next Day
The lab buzzed with final preparations for the experiment.
Steve arrived, led by Agent Carter, and immediately spotted Wang Ye, who was busy at work. Excited, Steve ran over.
"Master, you're here too!"
"Of course!
On such an important day, how could I miss it?" Wang Ye said with a laugh, patting Steve on the shoulder.
"Now, take off your shirt and lie down on this platform."
Steve nodded, removing his shirt to reveal his lean, muscular frame before lying down on the oversized platform.
"How does it feel?" Wang Ye asked as he injected Steve with a dose of penicillin.
"Not bad, though this platform feels a bit too big," Steve joked, his nerves easing in Wang Ye's presence.
"Don't worry—you won't think so in a moment," Wang Ye replied with a knowing smile.
(To be continued)
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