The Howling Commandos Ambushed

With Carter's mission concluded, the nation's war bonds sold like hotcakes once again.

Overall sales rose by around ten percent, giving the entire country a faint sense of recovery.

And our Congressman Brand turned Carter and Steve's love story into a film for a large-scale publicity campaign, driving enlistment enthusiasm across the United States to its peak.

The number of enlistees grew by the day. Though they were all recruits, which veteran had not once been a recruit? The European and Pacific battlefields, never one to turn anyone away, absorbed all the new soldiers and quickly integrated them into their respective corps.

When Carter returned to the Strategic Scientific Reserve base, she found Han Lin, whom she had not seen for days, conducting research at S.H.I.E.L.D. with the two doctors. She teasingly asked, "Why are you back? You know you've been discharged. You're no longer a member of the Strategic Scientific Reserve."

Feeling that he had been treated unfairly, Han Lin rolled his eyes dramatically at the beautiful woman before explaining why he was there.

"I was about to be tortured to death by those two doctors at S.H.I.E.L.D. They keep cramming all kinds of knowledge into my head, hoping to hand over their unfinished research projects to me. I'm going crazy, so I hid out here. My blood research won't produce results that quickly anyway, and I'm not in a rush. So I came here. Beautiful, interested in having a drink?"

As he spoke, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and pushed it toward Carter.

Carter said nothing. After downing the drink, she said to Han Lin, "I plan to head to the battlefield soon. This encirclement operation I led made me realize that I've become much stronger than before.

"I want to stay by Steve's side and help him. He shouldn't have to shoulder all those responsibilities alone. Tomorrow, I'm going to apply to the military for deployment to Steve's battlefield."

"You've made up your mind? The battlefield isn't like a domestic encirclement operation. Still, with your abilities, you should be able to survive. Looks like America's Mr. Perfect Ass will be charging across the battlefield with his girlfriend." Han Lin teased the valiant agent.

Carter's cheeks flushed red, but she said firmly, "I've made up my mind. I need to be with him. Even though he's a blockhead who knows nothing, it's fine if I take the initiative!"

Han Lin looked at Carter with some envy, wondering what was so good about that buff, perfect-ass Steve. But he said, "Then congratulations in advance!"

Just then, a communications soldier came running over from outside, holding a telegram. It was probably important. Seeing both Carter and Han Lin there, he did not know whom to hand it to.

Han Lin had no patience to wait for the soldier to make a choice. He stood up and took the telegram from his hand.

The telegram contained the latest battle report: "Steve's team encountered an ambush while raiding the Hydra Research Base. The Howling Commandos suffered heavy casualties. Five Howling Commandos members were killed, three seriously injured. Vice Captain Nick Fury is unconscious, while Captain Steve Rogers sustained minor injuries. The enemy's new Super Energy Soldiers have completely suppressed the entire battlefield."

As Han Lin's expression gradually turned grave, Carter quickly snatched the telegram and read it. The moment she saw that Steve had been injured, she could no longer sit still. "I'll go to the military to apply for a flight route in a moment. I'll probably depart for the European battlefield tonight. Are you coming with me?"

Han Lin nodded. What he had not expected was that his interference as a butterfly had made Hydra so much stronger than before.

Originally, Steve had suffered no injuries in the early campaign raids, aside from getting hurt during his final fight with Schmidt. Yet Han Lin's involvement had clearly made Steve stronger than he had been before.

But Hydra had also been provoked into becoming far more powerful. Han Lin could no longer remain still under such circumstances and decided to head to the battlefield to lend Steve a hand.

"You go apply for the flight route. I'll find the doctors now and get some Infinite Formula injections. Nick is a rare and capable subordinate—I don't want him dying on the battlefield. If you're going to help Steve, remember to ask Howard to make you a combat suit. You probably won't fit into the ones custom-made for us."

The two split up. Han Lin hurried back to S.H.I.E.L.D., greeted the two doctors, and took five vials of Infinite Formula. Looking at the two doctors, who wanted to dump all their knowledge into his head at once, Han Lin felt immense pressure. He was not a top student, yet he was forced to worry like one.

He quickly left under the resentful gazes of the two doctors, while Dr. Steinberg did not forget to shout after him, "Remember to record the data!"

Han Lin knew that the doctors' Infinite Formula had not yet undergone formal testing. Their only test subject, Lieutenant Bucky Barnes, was also on the battlefield, so the experimental data from this time was extremely important to them.

Han Lin quickly waved to show that he had heard, then headed for Howard's laboratory. Since settling the hotel matters last time, Han Lin had not seen Howard again. Han Lin had been busy researching his own blood.

Howard, meanwhile, had been looking for construction teams, meeting with the government, and arranging a meeting with the famous designer Frank Lloyd Wright.

Although Howard was an important figure, Frank Lloyd Wright truly did not have that much time. So Howard had pulled every string and called in every favor just to meet the artist once. Frank Lloyd Wright had not rejected him, but he was still considering the matter.

When Han Lin reached Howard's laboratory and saw his bird's-nest hair and the deep dark circles around his eyes, he knew Howard had once again begun living as if he had a death wish.

Ever since injecting the Super Soldier Serum, Howard had felt healthier than ever. He began spending every night in revelry while working hard during the day. Even when he had no time left, he still managed to squeeze in more things to do. Han Lin could only admire him completely.

Han Lin said to his somewhat wayward friend, "Hey, buddy, you really will die if you keep this up! Don't think getting the serum means nothing can happen to you. That isn't an excuse for you to indulge yourself!

"Even Steve got lightly injured on the battlefield. Do you really think you're tougher than him? We're still human. We're only a little stronger. We can still die, grow old, and feel pain."

Han Lin's solemn warning stunned the playboy, who had become somewhat lost in himself. Thinking back on his recent behavior, Howard found it unbearable to look at. He rubbed his face and said,

"I understand. I'll keep myself under control. Carter came by and asked me to prepare a combat suit for her. I happen to have some good news. I invited Myron to join the Strategic Scientific Reserve, but he didn't like the laboratories there.

"So he took over a laboratory here. He has been researching Sound-Absorbing Steel—the Original Adamantium formula—for some time, but he made no progress.

"However, during his research, he created a metal far harder than any current steel alloy. He calls it Secondary Adamantium. It is inferior to Steve's shield, but it can withstand two shots from an energy gun.

"That's what my test data shows. Interested in waiting two more hours? I'll upgrade your equipment and Steve's. I'll also make Carter a combat suit."

Han Lin found the boasting playboy rather amusing. "If you know time is tight, hurry up and make them. Once you're done, fly Carter and me directly to the battlefield. If you need my help, just say so."

Howard said irritably, "I haven't rested in almost twenty-four hours! We're not going behind enemy lines, so why do I have to go? Any pilot can take you there."

Han Lin looked at him and threatened, "If you don't speed up, make a set for yourself too. I'll take you behind enemy lines for a little tour."

Seeing Han Lin's ugly expression, Howard felt as though he was always the one being bullied. He said faintly, "Lin, other than exploiting my labor, what else can you do? What happens to the hotel if I leave? Master Frank Lloyd Wright still hasn't replied to me."

Then he silently began cutting and separating the large metal plates on the workbench. Short on time, Howard used Secondary Adamantium to make Carter a bulletproof vest, while Han Lin and Steve received large metal inserts sized perfectly for the slots in their original combat suits.

Optimized the reading experience for VIP members. Tap the center of the screen to bring up the menu, where you can conveniently select "Settings," "Previous Page," "Next Page," or "Back to Top."

At the request of many readers, an ad-free feature is now available for VIP members.

Tap to view