[Chapter: 18 The Cube and Winter Soldier]
Zola and William walked among the various weapons being made. He was being introduced to them with great enthusiasm by the doctor.
"See? These are the most advanced weapons on the planet. With them, we can destroy any country," Zola said.
"It looks terrific," William commented, observing the busy workers.
"That is a matter, of course. These are all designed by me, using the power of the Cube," Zola bragged, proud of his achievements. He enjoyed the opportunity to talk about his intellect and the Cube. Then, realizing he had said too much, he abruptly stopped. After all, the Cube was a secret, known only to a few core members in Hydra.
"The Cube? Why don't you tell me more about it? Or is it that you don't believe me?" William asked, placing a hand on Dr. Zola's shoulder.
Dr. Zola swallowed nervously. "It is possible to say that the Cube was stolen by Schmidt, as he didn't tell me how he got it. Well, I believe the Cube holds power left by God. The Cube contains a very powerful energy, which is now used in the weapons I've built."
"Really, Doctor? That is most impressive," William said in admiration, though he was thinking the opposite.
William began inflating Zola's ego, and it worked like a charm.
It is often said that highly intelligent individuals possess a certain level of pride and ego.
"Okay, William, you are a really interesting person," Dr. Zola said, clearly satisfied. "Come, I will take you to my laboratory to show you my greatest creations."
---
In the laboratory:
William examined the high-precision weapons. In this era, Zola was undoubtedly a personal talent capable of inventing such powerful weapons.
The laboratory door opened, and Schmidt entered with three officers.
Dr. Zola was working with a few people on the blue Cube generator amid the complicated machinery.
"Hitler speaks of a thousand-year Reich. Yet, he cannot feed his armies for a month. His troops spill blood by the gallon across every field in Europe, yet he gets no closer to achieving his goals," Schmidt said, walking to a table. He pulled a black cloth off an object, revealing the weapon beneath.
"And I suppose you still aim to win this war through magic?" one of the leading officers dismissed.
"Science. Though I understand your confusion. Great power has always baffled primitive men," Schmidt said, gesturing to the complicated machinery.
"Hydra has perfected a weapon that can destroy my enemies in one swift, brutal stroke. Wherever they are, no matter how many forces they possess. All in a matter of hours," Schmidt said proudly.
"Your enemies?" one officer asked.
Schmidt indicated a map marked with red pins.
"Now, I wield enough destructive force to decimate every hostile capital on Earth. Simultaneously. Quite simply, gentlemen… I have harnessed the power of the gods," Schmidt continued.
The Nazis exchanged uneasy glances. "Thank you, Schmidt," one said.
"For what?" Schmidt asked.
"For making it clear how obviously mad you are," the officer dismissed, apparently disbelieving Schmidt's claims.
"Berlin is on this map!" the youngest officer exclaimed. Apparently, Berlin was also Schmidt's target for destruction.
Schmidt looked calmly at the officers. "So it is." His ambitions were revealed. Berlin, the capital of Germany, was on his list of targets.
Schmidt pressed a switch, and a cannon rose from the apparatus. Its chamber glowed with an unfamiliar blue light.
The officer, unaware of what was about to happen, shouted, "You will be punished for your insolence!" The device rotated toward the officers, calibrating.
"You will be brought before the Führer himself!"
Shoof!
The cannon fired, turning the officer into mist. The remaining Nazis scrambled.
Schneider tried to jump away, but the cannon fired again, missing him. Schmidt frowned and started to pull out his Luger. However, Schneider tripped.
William moved faster. The young officer was sprayed with blood and thrown aside. He fell to the ground, pointing at William. "You, you..."
"What are you doing?" William asked as he walked up and kicked the young officer's head.
"You dare murder an officer of the Empire! You will be sentenced to death!" The remaining two officers pointed their guns at William.
William laughed. "Gentlemen, Hitler's time is over. Facts have proven that he cannot win. Only Hydra can conquer the world."
"What are you talking about? Do you want to rebel?"
BLAM!
A blue energy beam struck an officer, instantly disintegrating him into molecular fragments, leaving no trace. The weapon's terrifying power, derived from the Tesseract, was clear.
"Schmidt!" the last officer screamed in horror.
"Leave him to me," William said, walking toward him.
"Don't—don't come closer!" the officer shouted, firing at William in fear.
William blocked the bullet with a shield and smashed it into the officer's head.
"Ah!" Blood sprayed from the officer's mouth as he flew backward. He struggled for a moment before succumbing.
Schmidt gazed down at the dead Nazis impassively. He turned to Zola and the Hydra techs, who stared in shock.
Schmidt approached William. "William, you are doing very well. We all know Hydra could grow no further in Hitler's shadow. Hail Hydra."
"Hail Hydra! Hail Hydra! Hail Hydra!" several researchers shouted. Zola hesitated before finally offering a measured Hydra salute.
"Hail Hydra!"
Schmidt left, satisfied, while Dr. Zola stood, stunned, saying nothing.
William walked over and patted Zola's shoulder. "Things will change. If you don't get used to it, you'll die."
"Oh?" Zola murmured, still dazed.
---
On the other hand, Captain America had become the idol of countless American children, performing in various places without being given the opportunity to enter the battlefield.
Steve arrived in Italy, encouraging American soldiers fighting against the Germans to hold their ground and never suffer ridicule.
Depressed, Steve sat in a tent, where Peggy Carter joined him. Her expression was conflicted.
"I heard that work on two sunken cruisers was done by William. He has done so many evil things. Do you hate him?" Steve asked.
Peggy Carter's eyes were filled with complexity. "Of course, I hate him. I can't wait to kill him."
"Really? Then why didn't you shoot him that day?" Steve pressed.
"I..." Her face showed contradictions. "Don't ask me." She kept thinking about why she didn't shoot. Why? Damn it, it's that bastard's fault, right?
A medical ambulance drove into the barracks, and several doctors carried stretchers out.
"They went through a fierce battle. Schmidt sent a 100-man army. Our 500 went to fight them, and less than 50 returned. The rest were either killed or captured. The main force was the 107th Infantry Regiment," Peggy said lightly.
"The 107th Infantry Regiment?" Steve stood up and ran toward the command barracks. His brother, Bucky Barnes, was in the 107th Infantry Regiment.
---
In Hydra Square, about a hundred prisoners of war were escorted in, all Americans.
William looked at the soldiers being escorted, then focused on a specific person. Grabbing him, William threw him to the ground and stepped on him.
"Who would have thought, Bucky Barnes, the future Winter Soldier, huh?"
*****
You can support me by joining my Patreon and get upto 60 chapters in advance.
patreon.com/Translator_God