Outside the camp, a grand procession of several hundred Allied soldiers was making its way toward the camp, either on foot or in vehicles.
At the forefront of the group walked Wang Ye, clad in camouflage combat gear and holding an AK rifle. His expression was calm, and a faint smile played at the corner of his lips.
On his left was Steve, draped in tattered clothing and carrying a shield, while on his right stood Bucky, sporting a trendy, ragged outfit and holding a lightweight sniper rifle.
The classic pairing of "bright flowers and green leaves" was vividly embodied. Wang Ye, flanked by the two men and followed by hundreds of scruffy Allied soldiers, stood out prominently, becoming the center of attention. His tall, handsome appearance only added to his undeniable charm, making him the focal point of everyone's discussions.
Compared to their last mission, where they destroyed three Hydra camps, Wang Ye's achievements this time were even more astonishing. Not only did he and his two companions rescue all the captured Allied soldiers, bringing every single one back unharmed, but they also returned with even more advanced weaponry and equipment than before.
On both sides of the road leading into the camp, soldiers lined up to welcome them like devoted fans. Their eyes shone with admiration and fervor as they gazed at Wang Ye.
Steve's reputation had also spread within the ranks, earning him a growing number of supporters, though he still fell short of Wang Ye's fame. Even so, Steve was content, his heart warmed by the recognition.
As for Bucky, who had been relegated to the role of a background character, he watched his two friends with a satisfied and gratified smile. He felt no jealousy—only joy that his friends were finally receiving the recognition they deserved.
Inside the camp, Colonel Phillips, Agent Carter, and Howard Stark had all stepped out to greet the returning heroes.
Wang Ye and Steve strode briskly up to them.
"Report, Colonel! Wang Ye and Steve reporting! Mission accomplished: 400 Allied soldiers rescued and brought back safely. Enemy assets seized include 15 heavy tanks and 15 specialized armored vehicles, as well as countless personal weapons. One Hydra base was completely destroyed. Mission successfully completed, awaiting further orders!"
The two stood at attention and saluted, reciting their prepared lines in unison.
Colonel Phillips nodded with satisfaction, his heart lifting at the sight of the two men returning safely. The mission's details were secondary—what mattered most was their safe return.
"Excellent work! This mission was outstanding. I'll send a report to the President right away. Get ready for a promotion!" The usually stern colonel broke into a rare, broad smile.
Agent Carter stepped forward and carefully examined Steve, checking him for injuries. Her concern was evident in her eyes, which softened Steve's heart. Their gaze met, and sparks seemed to fly between them, much to Howard Stark's annoyance.
"Why didn't we receive your signal? You've been out of touch for so long. Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Carter, in an uncharacteristically soft tone, almost seemed to be pouting.
Steve pulled a deformed communicator from his pocket.
"This got damaged during a fight with Hydra soldiers. I imagine the others were destroyed too."
Carter shot an accusatory look at Howard, who shrugged innocently, before turning her attention back to Steve. The two locked eyes again, their unspoken emotions palpable.
Howard, clearly fed up with the unexpected dose of romance, shuffled over to Wang Ye.
"When did they get together? Why does this feel so sudden?"
"If you weren't buried in your lab all day, you'd know. Steve liked Carter from the first day of training. Spending time together just made their feelings stronger. And what's with the long face? That's my apprentice's future wife. You'd better not get any ideas. Trust me, if Steve finds out, he'll handle you before I even have to!"
Wang Ye smirked knowingly. Having spent enough time with Howard, he was well aware of his playboy tendencies. After all, the apple didn't fall far from the tree—Tony Stark's reputation wasn't exactly spotless either.
Howard, visibly alarmed, quickly glanced at Steve to ensure he hadn't overheard before relaxing. "Me? Interested in her? Don't be ridiculous! I'm not that kind of guy. Do I look like that kind of guy?"
Ignoring Howard, Wang Ye approached Colonel Phillips and whispered a few words. The colonel's expression shifted, and he promptly ordered everyone to the conference room for a meeting.
In the meeting, Colonel Phillips stood before a large blackboard, where a detailed map of Hydra's base network was displayed.
"This is a map of Hydra's base distribution that Steve recovered from one of their labs," Phillips began. "It marks the locations and defensive layouts of 48 Hydra bases in great detail. Ten of these bases were only recently discovered, and the intelligence gathered by our scouts matches perfectly with the information on this map. In fact, the map's details are even more comprehensive."
He pointed to a few additional locations. "I've already dispatched scouts to verify these bases. We should have confirmation soon."
"Moreover, Captain Wang Ye has reported that Hydra is secretly mass-producing a powerful new type of missile. It appears they're planning a massive operation—possibly a catastrophic attack."
"Thankfully, one of their four missile factories was among the bases destroyed during this mission. This has given us crucial insight into their plans. However, three factories remain operational, posing a significant threat to the Allied forces and the world at large. These factories must be eliminated immediately."
The group unanimously agreed.
"Captain Wang Ye—" the colonel began, intending to assign him the next mission, but Wang Ye politely declined and instead recommended Steve.
"I believe Steve is more than capable of completing the next mission. Also, have you all forgotten that I'm a director? My office in Brooklyn is probably drowning in paperwork. If I keep going on missions, you might as well find a new director!"
The group chuckled awkwardly, realizing they had indeed overlooked Wang Ye's administrative responsibilities.
However, everyone also understood Wang Ye's true intention—this was about paving the way for Steve. By giving him more opportunities to lead, Wang Ye was helping him build a reputation as a true hero.
Although "Captain America" was already a popular figure, much of his fame was based on staged performances and propaganda. Completing these missions would give Steve real accomplishments and solidify his status as a genuine hero, earning respect and admiration far beyond the confines of a stage.
Wang Ye's decision ensured that Steve's legacy would stand tall, untainted by any shadow of doubt.
(End of Chapter)
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