Independent Combat Unit

Steve sat in the car and looked at Han Lin through the rearview mirror. The former captain seemed to want to say something, yet could not bring himself to speak...

Han Lin sensed his gaze and asked, "Is the situation serious?"

Steve nodded. After a long pause, he said, "This ambush was my failure. If I had been more careful, they might not have died."

Han Lin sensed Steve's self-reproach and shook his head. "Steve, this isn't your fault! We were enemies from the start. It was only natural that they would do everything they could to kill us.

My appearance changed many things. The doctor didn't die, and you became stronger than before, but it also pushed Schmidt to make himself stronger.

He wanted to get rid of both of us at every moment. If we hadn't rescued the Howling Commandos, Hydra would have worked them like slaves until they had squeezed out the last of their labor.

That was a death they refused to accept. By following you and me, they had already chosen their fate: die on the battlefield or return in glory.

You can't blame their deaths on your own mistakes. It was a trap. If I had led the team, I might not have done any better.

I know you feel that you failed to look after every member, but you need to understand that you saved even more people. Even if you hadn't fallen into this trap, there would have been another one. This isn't your fault."

Steve looked dejected. He spoke again. "Although we were ambushed this time, we got two important pieces of information. We learned Arnim Zola's route. After being brought back, he has been helping Schmidt rapidly produce energy weapons, and Schmidt's dormant energy arms factories have come back to life.

The other was the Valkyrie you mentioned. With Zola's return, Hydra's team has started building it at high speed again.

I overheard the base commander discussing those two things after I infiltrated the base, but I don't know whether they're true. Since this mission was a trap, I'm not sure whether they released them as another trap."

"Don't worry. Didn't I come this time? Even if I fall into a trap, I have the ability to get myself out." Han Lin sensed Steve's hesitation and tried to reassure him.

"Actually, I have more bad news. I learned from Dr. Erskine and Dr. Steinberg that Schmidt may have obtained the formula for the Infinite Formula long ago.

To others, this serum is merely a treatment that prolongs life. But to Schmidt, it is a berserk drug. Until its effects wear off, we have no idea how powerful he can become.

That's also why I came back here. The Howling Commandos used to be under my command, and you are my friend."

Steve's expression darkened further when he heard this. "Those super energy soldiers could carry those small energy cannons because they were injected with the Infinite Formula, right?"

"Very likely. I read the reports you provided. The energy cannon weighs around one hundred kilograms. An ordinary person who has not been enhanced would find it difficult to carry it while walking and firing.

This time, I brought the Infinite Formula. Aren't Fury and the other two still critically injured? I plan to use them as the second test subjects. Bucky was also enhanced by this serum." Han Lin slowly explained his speculation and plan.

Steve nodded without speaking and drove toward Allied Supreme Headquarters. Phillips was now a major general, so he and General Eisenhower were stationed at European Allied Supreme Headquarters, directly overseeing the Howling Commandos.

When they arrived at General Phillips's camp, Steve led Carter and Han Lin straight into the military tent.

The moment they entered, they saw many senior military officers arranging troops around a sand table. Han Lin had removed his faceplate before entering.

The United States would definitely inform General Eisenhower of his arrival, so there was no point in hiding it.

Carter and Steve both saluted the senior officers in the tent. Once they were done, they stood silently to one side.

Han Lin walked directly to the sand table and stood beside General Phillips. His attitude was crystal clear: I am not your soldier, and don't even think about commanding me!

Eisenhower merely glanced at Han Lin without speaking. However, a French lieutenant general saw that Han Lin had neither reported his identity nor greeted anyone before entering without a word. Though he wore the same combat uniform as Agent Carter, that attitude was clearly not one a soldier should have.

"Who are you? Entering headquarters without reporting your identity gives me every reason to suspect that you are a spy." General Eisenhower regretted it the instant his French lieutenant general spoke. Just as he was about to say something, Han Lin cut him off.

"From now on, all members of the Strategic Scientific Reserve will be removed from headquarters' control and placed under my sole command. I will transfer the five thousand men I rescued from the army. They will answer directly to General Phillips and support the Howling Commandos' logistical work. General Eisenhower, do you have any objections?" Han Lin directly placed the Strategic Scientific Reserve under his command.

The French lieutenant general's face turned livid as he glared at Han Lin and roared, "Who exactly are you? Tell me your identity, soldier."

Han Lin curled his lips and continued ignoring the idiot. He said to General Eisenhower, "If you don't stop this brainless mad dog, I won't mind you losing another lieutenant general. Your previous subordinate had ties to Hydra, so I had Carter arrest him.

I don't trust anyone here. I suspect someone among you leaked the information about the Howling Commandos' last mission. I don't mind making you take responsibility for my men!"

The lieutenant general was driven mad with rage and shouted toward the guards at the entrance, "Take him down—"

Before he could finish, General Eisenhower cut him off. "Shut up. Get out of here."

Allied headquarters included military commanders from many other countries. They were all extremely curious how this young man had managed to make the supreme commander of the European theater take his side.

The lieutenant general stormed out of the tent in disbelief, saying as he went, "France will report this to Allied Supreme Headquarters and demand that the United States give France an explanation."

General Eisenhower paid no attention to his threat. Turning back to Han Lin, he said, "Thank you for your assistance. We will fully cooperate with your actions. Even my position can be yours!"

General Eisenhower's words made the generals from every country present unable to remain seated. They stood one after another in opposition.

"No!"

"This is a crazy decision."

"You've truly gone mad!"

Han Lin swept his gaze over the group of officers from various countries and said indifferently, "I don't need your position. Just do what I said."

After speaking, Han Lin gave General Phillips a look, and the two of them headed out of the tent. Steve and Carter followed behind them.

The noise inside the tent grew louder and louder. General Eisenhower slowly revealed Han Lin's identity. "That is Han Lin, the former captain of the Howling Commandos. In one year, he led the Howling Commandos in pushing the European front forward one hundred kilometers and saved countless lives in your countries.

Do you think he cares about my position? He announced his retirement before the United States Congress. He came back here because Captain America is his friend, and the men who died in the Howling Commandos were once under his command.

He did not return to the battlefield this time to enlist. He is participating in the war as an unaffiliated member. No one has the right to command him. He is right—we may have Hydra spies among us.

So from now on, the Strategic Scientific Reserve will be separated from headquarters. We will share our intelligence with General Phillips, and their operations will be independent of headquarters."

General Eisenhower's words left all the generals present looking at one another. They all knew that this legendary soldier had led the Allies through every obstacle and forced the German army into nothing but defensive retreat. Yet after he returned home, the United States government's absurd actions had directly forced him into retirement.

Now, he had suddenly returned to the battlefield, and he was beyond anyone's command. The commanders of every nation found it extremely difficult to understand.