Howling Commandos, First Mission

"Is there anything you'd like to advise me on, Colonel?"

Sensing the faint intention of mentorship from Colonel Phillips, Luke adopted a respectful attitude at the right moment.

"Those politicians on the committee can't be trusted! They're all damned bastards! That Hydra assassin only got in thanks to Councilman Brand, and now he wants to pin the blame on us!"

Colonel Phillips first let out a string of curses, then, seeing Luke's receptive demeanor, his frustration eased slightly.

The older generation always harbored a desire to nurture and promote young talent who were driven and capable—provided you could demonstrate value worthy of that effort!

In Colonel Phillips' eyes, Luke was exactly that kind of promising young talent worth cultivating.

That's why he spoke so candidly.

"Politicians only care about profit. They can be bought, and they might even act against the nation's interests. With the Super Soldier program facing failure, figuring out how to make the most of you and Rogers has become a real problem."

With over two decades of military service, Colonel Phillips had a deep understanding of the political game.

"The President wanted an army, but all he got was two super soldiers. On the battlefield, an individual's abilities get infinitely diminished. Even if you can punch through steel plates or catch up to a speeding car, you can't block artillery shells or fly to Berlin and drag Hitler out of his house."

Luke listened quietly, his eyes flickering slightly.

Given enough time, he could actually do all that!

In less than twenty-four hours since loading the template, the boost from Stellar Energy had already surpassed the total gains from years of consistent training.

Luke could clearly feel the billions of cells in his body greedily absorbing the sun's rays.

"With all that research funding poured in, all we got were two strong soldiers. Honestly, the military brass is disappointed and has lost interest in you. If nothing changes, your next fate will probably be stuck in a lab getting blood drawn, treated like lab rats."

Colonel Phillips paused, then shifted his tone: "But I don't see it that way. Seeing your performance just now, and your outstanding record at the Caspian Training Camp, Luke, I've decided to entrust you with a more important mission."

"Do you know the Howling Commandos? It's a special operations squad under the Strategic Scientific Reserve, made up of the finest soldiers!"

"I want you to lead this team, to be their commander!"

Luke showed surprise—a genuine emotional reaction.

He hadn't expected Colonel Phillips' plan for him to be this.

Lead the Howling Commandos?

Commander?

He wondered if he'd get to see Wolverine Logan...

Luke's mind wandered.

He remembered a certain comic where Logan was also a member of this team, fighting alongside Captain America.

Maybe even a certain black-eyed Nick Fury would show up.

After all, Nick Fury had joined the Howling Commandos early in his career.

"What about Rogers?"

Luke asked curiously.

As the saying went, bigger chest, bigger responsibility!

He wondered if Rogers would still debut as America's iconic idol this time.

"Rogers? Councilman Brand has taken an interest in him. He plans to make him the face of a war bond campaign."

Colonel Phillips shrugged, expressing his helplessness.

He had originally wanted to recruit both super soldiers into the Howling Commandos to complete some plan for the Strategic Scientific Reserve.

But Councilman Brand wouldn't budge.

He had his eye on the "Super Soldier" gimmick.

He wanted to turn either Luke or Rogers into a household name.

That way, he could sell bonds, boost his political record, and set the stage for his own future campaign.

A win-win situation!

"So that's how it is..."

Luke breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Without Rogers taking the bullet for him, the task of wearing a costume, performing on stage, and playing salesman might have fallen to him.

Even if he could later find another way back into the military's sights, he would have missed out on many opportunities!

Like now—

Side Quest: Howling Commandos, The First Step to Becoming a War Hero!

Requirement: Join the team and earn the recognition of at least three members.

Reward: Scarecrow's Fear Toxin ×10.

"The quest list has opened."

Luke glanced at his character panel, where a side quest had appeared.

"Transmigrating into the Marvel World and getting props from another studio as a reward—that feels weird."

Seeing Colonel Phillips' gaze, Luke gathered his thoughts and said in a low voice, "I'm willing to lead the Howling Commandos!"

The former was very satisfied with this answer.

"Don't let me down, Luke."

The colonel patted Luke on the shoulder happily, then turned and walked out of the infirmary.

"I received a call from President Roosevelt this morning. From now on, the Strategic Scientific Reserve has a new mission!"

"We're going to fight Hydra to the death! To completely strangle this terrifying beast hiding in the shadows of this war!"

"..."

The next morning, Colonel Phillips gave an impassioned speech.

The researchers, agents, and spies all began packing up, preparing to relocate.

They were about to leave New York, following orders from above to head to the front lines in London.

The Super Soldier program had failed, and the Strategic Scientific Reserve, once burdened with great expectations, instantly plummeted in status!

Standing in the base's main hall, Rogers looked lost, like an outsider.

He didn't know what to do, and no one told him what to do.

Miss Carter, Howard Stark—they all had their own tasks.

Everyone except him!

"Colonel! If you're going after Hydra, I want to join too!"

Rogers mustered his courage and walked up to Colonel Phillips.

He harbored a deep hatred for the killer of Dr. Erskine.

"You're military property now. I don't have the authority to decide your assignment."

Colonel Phillips shook his head.

Out of two Super Soldiers, he could only choose one.

The other belonged to Councilman Brand.

Phillips hated making such deals, but he had no choice.

Dr. Erskine's murder, the failure of the Super Soldier program—these incidents all meant the military's research funds had been thrown down the drain with no return.

As the head of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, Phillips had to bear the brunt of the pressure.

Even though much of the blame fell on Councilman Brand, since a Hydra assassin had been among his entourage.

But everyone knew that this influential senator had always had the reputation of being a "Teflon Don."

Phillips didn't know how the other man had argued his case, but in the end, the committee's accountability landed solely on him.

To preserve the strength of the Strategic Scientific Reserve and retain a portion of the allocated resources, Phillips had no choice but to make a deal with Councilman Brand, handing Rogers over to him—at least it was better than being a lab rat.

"The serum worked, Colonel! I can go to the front lines..."

Rogers tried to plead his case, but Colonel Phillips cut him off: "Councilman Brand says there's a battlefield more suited to you."

With that, he turned and left.

"The colonel's under a lot of pressure too. Don't lose heart."

Seeing Rogers' dejected look, Carter, standing nearby, offered words of comfort.

She held the experiment records in her arms, sympathy in her eyes.

Through the physical transformation, the once scrawny, short man had grown to over six feet (188 cm), almost as tall as Luke.

Moreover, Rogers' muscles were even more bulging, like a bodybuilder.

Luke, also a Super Soldier, wasn't as exaggerated.

"What about Luke! Where is he?"

Rogers suddenly remembered he hadn't seen Luke since yesterday.

"I don't know. The colonel said he had another mission."

Carter shook her head.

ps: Hehe, update delivered~