The freed captives followed Steve through the Hydra base, engaging in fierce battles with Hydra soldiers. Along the way, they armed themselves with weapons scavenged from defeated enemies.
As they passed the open area where armored vehicles and tanks were parked, some Allied prisoners with knowledge of operating tanks climbed in and started them, turning them against the attacking Hydra forces.
Under the dark night sky, blue beams of energy pierced through the air. Whether hitting enemies, walls, or armored vehicles, they left no trace behind but ash and scorched marks, evidence of the brutal battle.
With the base commander already dead, the remaining Hydra soldiers were uncoordinated and disorganized, unable to harness their full combat strength. Shockingly, even a group of undernourished, long-imprisoned captives inflicted heavy casualties, forcing the Hydra forces to retreat.
Steve led the group to the warehouse they had entered earlier, using it as a temporary refuge. While waiting for Wang Ye, Steve began organizing tasks to plan their breakout.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the entrance of the base's main building, quickly surrounded by Hydra soldiers. Steve, with his sharp eyesight, immediately recognized it was Wang Ye and prepared to help.
However, before he could act, Wang Ye swiftly raised his AK-47 and fired precise bursts. Each shot was a headshot, effortlessly eliminating the surrounding Hydra soldiers.
Wang Ye slung his rifle over his shoulder and nonchalantly walked toward Steve and the others.
The Allied prisoners stared in stunned silence, some even slapping themselves to confirm they weren't dreaming.
"Master!" Steve called out, his voice filled with respect. Wang Ye nodded slightly and addressed the group solemnly.
"When I reached the main control room, I discovered the base's self-destruct system had already been activated. In a few minutes, this entire area will be obliterated. We must evacuate immediately and as quickly as possible!"
Without hesitation, Wang Ye climbed into an armored vehicle, started it, and fastened his seatbelt. "Didn't you hear me? This place will be blown to pieces in a few minutes—move it!" he shouted.
Snapping out of their daze, the prisoners hurriedly boarded vehicles and prepared to leave. All Hydra soldiers along the escape route had been eliminated by Wang Ye, including the last group of a dozen he had dispatched moments earlier. The remaining factory workers had been transported to the Mlade headquarters through a dimensional portal, left in Jon's care.
The convoy faced no resistance on their way out. Tanks led the charge, clearing obstacles effortlessly. They continued driving until they were over ten miles away from the base, finally coming to a stop.
From behind them, the sound of explosions echoed as the base erupted into a massive fireball. A towering mushroom cloud illuminated half the night sky. Despite the distance, the shockwave reached them, causing the armored vehicles and tanks to shudder.
"What a waste," Steve muttered as he stuck his head out of the window, watching the mushroom cloud. "There was so much useful equipment in that base, and now it's all gone."
Wang Ye, puffing on his ever-present cigar, replied grimly, "That base was filled with super-sized missiles of immense power. We don't know how many other bases like this Hydra has. If they deploy these missiles against Allied camps…"
Steve quickly pulled out a map he had retrieved from the base. "Master, no need to worry! Look, I found this map—it marks the locations of Hydra's bases, including detailed troop deployments!"
Excitedly, Steve unfolded the map, showing Wang Ye the marked missile factories. "Master, there are three more factories like this one!"
Without looking away from the road, Wang Ye cast a sharp glance at Steve. "Do you want us to crash? Our priority is to safely escort these prisoners, including the wounded, back to camp. Once they're secure, we'll plan with Colonel Phillips and Agent Carter to wipe out those bases completely."
Realizing his misstep, Steve carefully folded the map and tucked it into his jacket.
Back at the Allied lab, tension filled the air.
"Still no signal from their transmitter?"
"Could it be a malfunction with their equipment?"
"It's been almost ten hours with no updates," Agent Carter said anxiously, pacing the room. "I shouldn't have let just the two of them infiltrate such a massive base. We all knew the risks, yet we still sent them."
Howard Stark, tinkering with a seemingly fine receiver, glanced up. "Carter, your pacing is giving me a headache. It's probably just a technical issue. Wang Ye and Steve are resourceful—they're likely on their way back. Why don't you rest for a while? You've been up all night."
"You're one to talk," Carter retorted, but she stayed focused.
Colonel Phillips burst into the room, looking flustered. "I just got a call from Senator Brandt. He said if anything happens to Steve, he'll disband our Strategic Scientific Reserve!"
Howard shook his head, focused on his repairs. Carter remained silent, her brows furrowed in deep thought.
"Say something!" Phillips barked, but Howard calmly replied, "Without a signal, we can't assume the worst. Equipment fails during combat—there's no point in panicking. We'll wait."
Phillips sighed heavily, sinking into a chair. Carter poured him a cup of coffee in quiet solidarity.
"Sir, report!"
"Speak!" Phillips shot up like a spring.
"Scouts have confirmed that Captain Steve Rogers and Lieutenant Wang Ye are returning with 400 rescued prisoners. They've also brought back a substantial amount of weapons, along with over a dozen armored vehicles and tanks!"
"They're back!" Phillips exclaimed, relief washing over him.
(End of Chapter)
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09