"What guidance do you have for me, Colonel?"
Having keenly caught the faint intention Colonel Phillips had shown to cultivate him, Luke promptly adopted an attitude of eager willingness to learn.
"The politicians on the committee can't be trusted! They're all a bunch of damned bastards! That Hydra assassin got in thanks entirely to Councilman Brand, and now he wants to dump the responsibility on us!"
Colonel Phillips first launched into a furious tirade. Then, seeing Luke's humble, receptive attitude, some of the dissatisfaction in his heart eased.
The older generation always had the urge to nurture and support young people who were ambitious and capable—provided they could demonstrate value worthy of such investment!
In Colonel Phillips's eyes, Luke was exactly that kind of young talent worth cultivating!
That was why he had said so much from the heart.
"Politicians only care about profit. They can be bought off, and they may even do things harmful to the country! The Super Soldier program has failed, and figuring out how to make use of you and Rogers has become a problem."
With over twenty years of military service behind him, Colonel Phillips understood the workings of politics very well.
"What the President wanted was an army, but all he got were two Super Soldiers. On the battlefield, an individual's abilities are diminished without limit. Even if you can punch through steel plates and outrun speeding cars, you can't withstand artillery fire, nor can you fly to Berlin and drag Hitler out of his house."
Luke, who had been listening quietly, had a slight flicker in his eyes.
Given enough time, he really could do all of that!
Less than twenty-four hours had passed since he loaded the template, yet the boost brought by Stellar Energy had already surpassed the total results of all his years of training.
Luke could clearly feel the trillions of cells within his body greedily absorbing the sun's rays.
"After pouring in so much research funding, all we got were two strong soldiers. To be honest, the military is very disappointed. They're no longer interested in either of you. Unless something unexpected happens, your future will probably be staying in a laboratory, having your blood drawn, and serving as lab rats."
Colonel Phillips paused, then shifted the topic. "But I don't see it that way. After seeing your performance just now, along with your outstanding record at Caspian Training Camp, Luke, I've decided to give you a more important assignment."
"Do you know the Howling Commandos? They're a special operations squad under the Strategic Scientific Reserve, made up of the finest soldiers!"
"I want you to lead them and become their commander!"
Luke looked surprised. It was a genuine reaction.
He had not expected Colonel Phillips to arrange this for him.
Lead the Howling Commandos?
Commander?
I wonder if I'll get to see Wolverine Logan...
Luke's thoughts drifted.
He remembered that in one comic, Wolverine had also been a member of this team and had fought alongside Captain America.
Perhaps a certain bald black guy would be there too.
After all, Nick Fury had joined the Howling Commandos in his younger days.
"What about Rogers?"
Luke asked curiously.
As the saying went, the bigger the chest muscles, the greater the responsibility!
He wondered whether Rogers would still make his debut as an idol in the eyes of Americans this time.
"Rogers? Councilman Brand is more interested in him. He plans to make him the face of a campaign to sell war bonds."
Colonel Phillips shrugged, showing his helplessness.
He had originally intended to recruit both Super Soldiers into the Howling Commandos and carry out one of the Strategic Scientific Reserve's plans.
But Councilman Brand refused to budge.
He had his eye on the "Super Soldier" gimmick.
He wanted to turn either Luke or Rogers into a household-name celebrity.
That way, he could sell war bonds, add to his political achievements, and build support for his future campaigns.
It was simply killing two birds with one stone!
So it really is like that...
Luke secretly felt fortunate.
Without Rogers taking the bullet for him, the task of wearing a costume, performing onstage, and working as a salesman might have fallen to him instead.
Even if he could later use other means to return to the military's notice, he would still lose many opportunities!
For example, right now—
Side Mission: Howling Commandos, the First Step Toward Becoming a War Hero! Requirement: Join them and earn the recognition of at least three members. Reward: Scarecrow's Fear Toxin ×10.
"The mission list has been unlocked."
Luke took a moment to glance at his character panel, where a side mission had conspicuously appeared.
"Transported into Marvel World, yet getting props from the neighboring studio as rewards. That feels kind of strange."
Seeing Colonel Phillips looking at him, Luke gathered his thoughts and said in a deep voice, "I'm willing to lead the Howling Commandos!"
The former was very pleased with that answer.
"Don't disappoint me, Luke."
The colonel happily patted Luke on the shoulder, then turned and walked out of the infirmary.
"I received a call from President Roosevelt this morning. From this point on, the Strategic Scientific Reserve has a new mission!"
"We're going to fight Hydra to the death! We will completely strangle this terrifying monster lurking deep in the shadows within this war!"
"..."
The next morning, Colonel Phillips delivered an impassioned speech.
The researchers, agents, and spies all began packing their things, preparing to relocate.
They were about to leave New York and follow orders to the front lines in London.
With the Super Soldier program declared a failure, the Strategic Scientific Reserve, which had once carried enormous expectations, saw its status plummet overnight!
Rogers stood in the base's main hall with a dazed look in his eyes, like an outsider.
He did not know what he should do, nor did anyone tell him what to do.
Miss Carter and Howard Stark each had their own assignments.
Everyone except him!
"Colonel! If you're going to fight Hydra, I want to join too!"
Rogers gathered his courage and walked up to Colonel Phillips.
Rogers harbored deep hatred for the killer who had murdered Dr. Erskine.
"You are military property now, and I have no right to decide where you go."
Colonel Phillips shook his head.
Of the two Super Soldiers, he could only choose one.
The remaining one belonged to Councilman Brand.
Phillips hated making such deals, but he had no choice.
Dr. Erskine had been shot dead, the Super Soldier program had failed, and this series of incidents meant that all the military research funding invested had been thrown into the water, with no return whatsoever.
As the head of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Phillips had to bear most of the pressure.
Although much of the blame lay with Councilman Brand, since a Hydra assassin had appeared among his entourage.
But everyone knew that this influential Senator had always been known for never getting his hands dirty.
Phillips did not know how the man had defended himself, but in the end, the committee's accountability fell entirely on Phillips's head.
In order to preserve the Strategic Scientific Reserve's strength and retain some of its allocated resources.
Phillips had no choice but to make a deal with Councilman Brand and hand Rogers over to him—at least it was better than remaining in a laboratory as a lab rat.
"The serum worked, Colonel! I can go to the battlefield..."
Rogers still wanted to fight for an opportunity, but Colonel Phillips cut him off. "Councilman Brand says there's a battlefield better suited to you."
With that, he turned and left.
"The colonel is under a lot of pressure too. Don't lose heart."
Seeing Rogers's dejected expression, Carter, who stood nearby, spoke to comfort him.
She held the experimental records in both hands, sympathy in her eyes.
After the human enhancement process, the formerly skinny, undersized man had grown to over six feet tall (188 cm), nearly as tall as Luke.
Moreover, Rogers's muscles were even more swollen, making him look like a bodybuilder.
Luke, also a Super Soldier, was not nearly as exaggerated.
"Then where's Luke? Where is he?"
Rogers suddenly remembered that he had not seen Luke at all since yesterday.
"I don't know. The colonel said he has another assignment."
Carter shook her head.
P.S. Hehe, the update is here~
Before you continue