Italy
Five miles from the frontlines, at the S.H.I.E.L.D. expeditionary forces camp.
Colonel Phillips was in his command tent, studying the battle map and formulating the next stage of operations, when his adjutant rushed in.
"Report, Colonel!
Allied forces, comprising 200 soldiers, including the 107th Infantry Regiment, encountered an ambush by HYDRA during their engagement with enemy troops. The casualties are severe, and fewer than 50 soldiers have returned safely to the camp!"
"When did this happen? And why were we not informed about their attack?"
Colonel Phillips hastily flipped through the communication logs but found no records of the 107th Regiment's advance.
"The orders were issued three days ago. We failed to receive them in time due to a malfunction in the communication equipment."
"The critical communications system failed, and you didn't report this to me immediately? Do you understand the consequences of delaying vital military intelligence?"
Phillips scowled at the casualty reports in his hands. His frustration deepened as he glared at his adjutant, who remained rooted in place.
"What are you waiting for? Investigate immediately and figure out where the problem lies! Fix the communication system at once!"
Antique Shop
"Leader!"
Wang Ye picked up the phone.
"What is it?"
"The bases we previously abandoned have all defected to HYDRA.
Just yesterday afternoon, they ambushed a military convoy and captured most of the Allied soldiers, including members of the 107th Regiment!"
"107th Regiment? That's the infantry unit where Steve's friend Bucky serves, isn't it?"
Wang Ye raised an eyebrow in surprise. The timeline's corrective forces truly worked fast.
"Exactly. According to intelligence, James Barnes is listed among the captives. It's also likely the traitors are attempting to brainwash him. Should we intervene and rescue him?"
"No need. I'll handle this personally. In the meantime, focus on fortifying the base in the Alps and proceed as I instructed..."
After ending the call, Wang Ye smirked.
"Now comes the real test of my acting skills!"
Frontline Camp
"Report!"
"Speak!"
"There's a man outside the camp who identifies himself as Wang Ye. He's asking to see you!"
"Bring him in immediately, and prepare a fine cup of cappuccino for him!"
Upon hearing Wang Ye's arrival, Colonel Phillips hurriedly issued the order. The timing couldn't have been better—he was at his wit's end.
Soon, Wang Ye, dressed in a vintage-style casual outfit, entered the command tent.
"Colonel, care to explain? A blunder of this magnitude demands a flawless justification."
Wang Ye seated himself comfortably in a nearby armchair, his tone calm and unreadable.
"Two days ago, a sudden storm damaged our power lines and communication systems.
This prevented us from receiving the orders promptly. Between HYDRA's activities and strategic planning, I only managed to restore communications yesterday. That's when I received the orders and casualty reports…"
Phillips's voice grew increasingly uncertain, and by the end, he slumped into his chair in defeat.
"Now is not the time to wallow in regret, Colonel.
Mistakes have been made, but dwelling on them is pointless.
What matters now is finding a way to resolve the issue, correct your missteps, and minimize further losses.
The fact that they've been captured means they still hold some value to the enemy. For now, their lives are likely not in immediate danger."
Wang Ye stood and approached the massive terrain model in the center of the tent, studying it closely.
"This represents the current battlefield layout?"
"Yes, this model was created based on reconnaissance reports…"
Phillips began, but Wang Ye waved him off and focused on examining the three HYDRA bases marked on the map. His brow furrowed.
According to his memory, these bases housed fewer than 100 soldiers each, equipped with only the most basic space-energy weapons. How had they managed to defeat an entire infantry regiment and capture so many Allied soldiers?
Could it be that they'd produced a tactical genius like Han Xin, who thrived on being outnumbered?
Though momentarily displeased at being interrupted, Phillips suppressed his irritation, realizing that Wang Ye's intervention was critical. After all, the current mess was partly his fault, and Wang Ye's assistance was a godsend.
As Wang Ye pondered, a theory began to form.
Recently, Jon had reported that Sethis had taken center stage again, ascending as HYDRA's new leader.
If these bases were under Sethis's control, everything made sense. He recalled Sethis from Red Skull's memories.
Sethis and Red Skull had been contemporaries at the HYDRA Academy, their bond resembling that of blood brothers.
But blood brothers they were not.
During HYDRA's leadership selection, Sethis, brimming with confidence, narrowly lost the position to Red Skull by a single vote.
From that moment on, Red Skull's power and influence soared, while Sethis retreated into obscurity as an academy instructor. His resentment grew with time.
As the saying goes, "Thirty years east, thirty years west."
Discontent with his position, Red Skull became obsessed with mythical powers and began neglecting his duties.
HYDRA's leadership, dissatisfied with Red Skull, shifted their attention back to Sethis.
They needed a loyal servant, not a duplicitous, untrustworthy wolf.
The more reckless Red Skull became, the faster Sethis ascended. After the mysterious disappearance of key personnel in the Alps, Sethis was officially appointed HYDRA's new leader, gifted with 30,000 elite troops as a token of authority.
Of course, he'd only inherited HYDRA's outermost shell.
(To be continued...)
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