Hydra Coup

As total war erupted, Han Lin's forces pressed forward across the European battlefield step by step. Watching Schmidt suffer defeat after defeat from behind enemy lines, Hitler grew increasingly distressed. A dictator who ruled through tyranny had no need for a subordinate who only knew how to lose.

As he watched his research bases being wiped out one after another, Schmidt's dissatisfaction with Dr. Zola gradually deepened. Ever since Zola had returned, Schmidt had wanted to use superior scientific prowess to suppress Han Lin's army, pouring far too many research resources into the development of the Valkyrie.

Although the energy weapons Hitler had demanded had been upgraded, most of the resources had been diverted into building the Valkyrie, leaving the enhanced energy weapons completely ineffective on the battlefield.

So Hitler sent another Hydra leader to supervise Schmidt: Daniel Whitehall, one of the heads of Hydra's research division.

However, because Schmidt had long enjoyed Hitler's favor over the years, he had always been Hydra's top leader, while Whitehall was Hydra's second-in-command.

At Hydra's secret research base in the Alps, Schmidt met Daniel Whitehall, a subordinate he had not seen in a long time.

"Whitehall, it's been a long time. Is the Führer well?" Schmidt sat behind his desk, his face expressionless beneath his human-skin mask as he greeted Daniel Whitehall.

"Of course he isn't well, Schmidt. You have disappointed the Führer beyond measure. This time, he sent me to take over your work. So hand over the Cosmic Cube and the construction progress of the Valkyrie, then go to Berlin, Germany immediately. The Führer needs you to explain yourself in person." Whitehall smiled as he delivered the information that made Schmidt frown.

"I will not return. And as for my work, do you think you can stop Captain America and the Shura of the battlefield?" Schmidt refused firmly.

Schmidt's tough attitude left Whitehall somewhat uncertain. "That is none of your concern. You only need to explain yourself to the Führer. I have my own plans!"

Schmidt looked at Whitehall mockingly. "It seems I really have been away for too long. You people have developed some misunderstandings about me. Hydra is my Hydra, not Hitler's. Go outside and see for yourself whether they listen to me or Hitler.

"And you, don't think I don't know what you're planning. You've had your eye on the Obelisk for a long time, haven't you? I need a subordinate to research the Obelisk, and what you need to do is pledge loyalty to me—to Hydra."

"You want to betray Hitler? What will you do about him? Without his funding, your research plans are meaningless." Whitehall was tempted by Schmidt's offer. In truth, he and Schmidt were the same kind of people. Schmidt pursued self-enhancement, hoping to become a god.

Whitehall likewise pursued supernatural power. The appearance of the Obelisk and the Kree made him feel that he could take another path, one opposite to Schmidt's.

"That is why I chose to cooperate with you instead of killing you when you tried to replace me." Schmidt spoke coldly. "You have not seen me for too long, so you know nothing of my power. Soon, I will drag those two clowns on the battlefield into hell. Then my plan to destroy the world can begin."

Han Lin knew nothing about what was happening at the Hydra base. As time passed, he pushed the entire European front to within less than a hundred kilometers of Switzerland. The rear areas were left to the European General Command for cleanup.

Han Lin spent nine months reclaiming every region except those north of Switzerland. The entire Allied force marveled at Han Lin's immense strength and felt fortunate that they had not offended him too badly in the beginning.

At the latest advance line, Han Lin received another message from Dr. Zola. The Valkyrie was nearly complete, and Schmidt planned to take Zola back to the secret base for the final tests.

The route of Zola's train lay directly along Han Lin's advance route, so the moment Han Lin received the intelligence, he gathered everyone for a meeting.

"Right now, there is a railway ahead of us leading to Switzerland. Dr. Zola will pass through here tomorrow afternoon. His escape last time caused us tremendous trouble. I need to capture him tomorrow and force him to reveal Schmidt's hiding place." Han Lin laid out the intelligence he had received.

Everyone present exchanged looks. Dr. Zola was a super-genius who had developed energy weapons. Although the rate-of-fire issue still needed to be resolved, it was undeniable that energy weapons were products far ahead of their time.

Steve spoke up. "If we go capture Dr. Zola, what happens to our main force? They have no way of dealing with the Hydra base holding out against them."

General Phillips was the first to speak. "I think capturing Zola is more important. If we capture him, we can buy ourselves some time.

"The Valkyrie has not been tested by its designer. I do not think Schmidt will send it into the sky, and if we capture Zola, Schmidt will not easily attempt a launch."

Han Lin nodded in agreement. "Then we'll station the troops at this base. Once we complete the capture mission and return, we'll begin the cleanup operation.

"We don't need many people for this mission. Steve, Carter, Gabe Jones, Bucky, and I will move out. The five of us will take Zola down as quickly as possible."

Early the next morning, the five stood atop a mountain. Snow blanketed the exposed rocks. Looking at the snowy landscape before him, Han Lin finally knew exactly when this was.

Three years since his arrival had vanished amid the war. As time passed, more and more of the plot had become impossible to recall. He could only keep running across the battlefield, sending every enemy he encountered to meet God.

Dr. Zola, the train, and the completion of the Valkyrie all signaled the arrival of the final act. Han Lin's mood grew heavier. Schmidt had never shown himself, and Han Lin knew nothing about his strength.

Han Lin would not assume Schmidt was still the same as before. Only Schmidt himself knew the true effects of the Infinite Formula, so Han Lin did not dare underestimate him.

Gabe Jones fiddled with his radio, listening in on communications from the train. A steel cable hung between the mountains above them.

Bucky asked Steve, "Do you remember riding the Cyclone at Coney Island?"

"I remember. I threw up."

"This isn't revenge, right?"

"How could it be?" Steve looked up at the cable with an amused smile. Soon, they would ride it down toward the train. For Bucky, who was obviously only a little stronger than an ordinary person, this was a bit too thrilling.

"The intelligence is accurate. Dr. Zola is on the train." Gabe Jones, the communications specialist, cut in at just the right moment.

"Hydra's people told him to open the bypass valve. No matter where he goes, we definitely need him."

Watching the train speeding toward them from the distance, Han Lin said, "We only have ten seconds to get onto the train. If we miss it, we'll be crushed to death. Carter, Steve, Bucky, come down with me. Jones, pack up and return to camp."

As he spoke, he fastened the sliding lock onto the cable and leaped down. The other four jumped after him in turn, speeding toward the train.

After Han Lin landed on the train roof, he looked back at the other three. It was best that nothing had gone wrong.

Han Lin transformed his hand into Claw Form and cut a hole large enough for one person to pass through in the roof. Steve leaped down with his shield in hand.

"Clear."

At Steve's call, the other three jumped down as well. Standing in the dim carriage, Han Lin looked at the cars ahead and behind them. Unsure whether there was an ambush, he felt it was necessary to stay alert.

He took out the Secondary Adamantium shield.

"Carter, stay close to your boyfriend. Bucky, stay close to me. I'm not sure whether there are traps."

Han Lin's tense tone made the other four increasingly nervous.