The next day, noon.
"Commodore Luke Cavill and Captain Steve Rogers went missing in the third area behind enemy lines. The reconnaissance teams conducted a thorough search but found no clues."
The radio operator reported the received message to Colonel Phillips, who was pacing back and forth in agitation.
The latter's face was ashen, and he said nothing.
The wrinkles on his face bunched together, while his eyes burned with fury.
The radio operator standing before him trembled, afraid of being caught in the crossfire and becoming the colonel's target for venting his anger.
"Keep the search going!"
Colonel Phillips slammed his palm down on the table and gritted his teeth.
If Luke still could not be found within the next twelve hours, the military would have no choice but to list him among the dead.
Once that news spread, it would undoubtedly deal a devastating blow to Allied morale on the front lines.
The War Hero and legendary figure whose deeds had been heavily promoted just days ago had suddenly died at Hydra's hands...
How were they supposed to explain that?
By then, not only would The President fly into a rage, but the Allied Nations would demand accountability as well.
"This is terrible!"
Colonel Phillips let out a heavy sigh.
He had thought Luke would have a longer path ahead of him, a broader future.
But who could have expected that a rising military star would fall completely before he had even begun to shine?
Even though Luke had once achieved the astonishing miracle of conquering Italy, his chances of surviving against a Hydra base of six hundred men, along with those massive tanks and energy weapons, were still slim.
"The last reconnaissance plane is back..."
Carter hurried into the temporary barracks tent, holding a stack of blurry black-and-white photographs.
"Still nothing! That Hydra base suffered an incredible explosion. The nearby buildings collapsed, and it even started a mountain fire... Luckily, it didn't spread."
The moment Colonel Phillips saw the British female agent, his anger flared. He said coldly, "What's the point of telling me that, Agent Carter? We lost a general! The Allied Nations lost a hero!"
"If you had informed me in time, informed Allied Command, and stopped Luke from acting so recklessly, perhaps none of this would have happened!"
"The military can't do anything to Howard Stark. He's a famous young millionaire in New York and the Allied Nations' largest weapons sponsor! But you're nobody!"
"Agent Carter, I hope you'll think through the consequences before acting in the future... Oh, right, you won't have a future. Once Allied Command learns this news, they'll definitely come after the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Then we'll all be finished together!"
A barrage of scolding erupted inside the barracks tent.
Colonel Phillips glared at the female agent before him and lowered his voice. "I've told you many times not to let personal feelings affect your work. That's the first lesson of being an agent!"
"I didn't, sir!"
Carter bit her lip lightly and shook her head.
"Don't rush to deny it. I haven't even said who it was yet. Luke, Rogers, or that playboy Howard Stark... Agent Carter, can you tell me who made you lose your mind and risk a court-martial to help him?"
Colonel Phillips kept sneering, then added, "I said it long ago. Women shouldn't be involved in war! Damn British!"
Faced with her superior's discriminatory words, Carter took a deep breath. Her chest rose and fell, but she remained silent.
Just as Colonel Phillips was about to inform Allied Command, noisy sounds from outside reached the barracks tent, where the atmosphere had frozen solid.
Faintly, applause and cheers could be heard as well.
"What happened?"
Phillips strode out of the barracks tent in anger, with Carter following close behind.
At the front of the camp, soldiers stood packed into two lines.
On the tree-lined road in the distance, two familiar figures appeared.
Luke and Rogers!
The Allied Nations' Superman and Captain America!
Behind them followed a group of captured Allied soldiers!
Even farther away, massive tanks rumbled toward them, apparently captured spoils of war.
"They're back!"
The soldiers were overjoyed, looking enviously at the former captives, who held energy weapons in their hands and marched with their chests high.
They looked like victorious warriors returning in triumph, spirited and proud beyond measure.
"What is going on?"
Colonel Phillips, who had stepped out of the barracks tent, asked in astonishment.
Not only had those captured soldiers returned safely, they had also brought back Hydra's secret weapons!
This was a great victory!
A victory for the Strategic Scientific Reserve!
"It must have been Superman! He led everyone to defeat Hydra and rescued those comrades!"
One soldier guessed excitedly.
The others nodded repeatedly.
The Allied Nations' propaganda over the past few days had already cemented Luke's legendary image in everyone's hearts.
The returning group received a hero's welcome.
The more impatient ones had already started asking what had happened and how the captured soldiers had escaped from Hydra's clutches.
Colonel Phillips, who had been throwing a tantrum moments ago, personally came out to welcome the group—though he was mainly concerned with Luke's safety.
This young commodore, only twenty years old, was now a legendary figure to the Allied Nations, a model promoted by the military, and the idol of countless soldiers of this era.
If Luke had truly met with an accident and died on the front lines, it would absolutely cause a huge upheaval within the Allies!
That was why, when he had previously requested to head to the front lines, many higher-ups had opposed it.
Even President Roosevelt, who had proposed sending Luke back to the battlefield, had actually preferred for this young commodore to remain in the rear as a propaganda tool to stabilize public morale.
But Luke, who was determined to establish a solid foundation, accumulate experience, and earn reputation points, could never have accepted such a tempting suggestion.
Completely crush Hydra and lead the Allied Nations to true victory.
As long as he accomplished that, no one would ever be able to criticize his achievements again.
"You've created another miracle, Luke!"
Colonel Phillips looked at the triumphant Luke with excitement written across his face.
As for Rogers at his side, Phillips deliberately—or perhaps unconsciously—ignored him.
After all, the Allied Nations only needed one hero!
Just as the world could only ever have one sun!
"Some people are injured and need treatment. Also, Colonel, I was too reckless in this rescue operation. I will take the initiative to explain the matter to Allied Command."
Luke accepted the praise with a calm expression.
After dealing with those four enhanced warriors, he and Rogers had charged straight into Red Skull's command room.
But Red Skull had already escaped by plane, taking the Tesseract and Dr. Zola with him.
And with Hydra's base about to explode, they could not continue the pursuit.
Thus, Luke could only return to camp with the captured soldiers and a dejected Rogers.
Those massive tanks and the energy weapons seized from the military factory became their spoils of war.
"The President sitting in the White House surely never imagined that he would receive your victory report so soon!"
Colonel Phillips's face was piled high with smiles, with none of his earlier fury in sight.
Just two people had completely destroyed Hydra's secret base, wiped out two military factories, and eliminated the six hundred Nazi guards inside.
What an astonishing record!
Colonel Phillips's instincts told him that Luke was capable of far more than this!
Once this war ended, he would receive even greater honors!
The youngest major general in United States history?
Or perhaps even a full general?
For the first time, Phillips felt that his imagination was so utterly impoverished.
"This is a great victory for the Strategic Scientific Reserve! We'll celebrate your achievements a little later!"
Colonel Phillips glanced at Carter beside him and said with a genial smile.
In terms of rank and position, Luke was the highest-ranking officer in the camp.
Other than being unable to defy direct orders from Allied Command, he had the authority to make any decision.
Yet this young commodore did not turn his back on everyone or put on airs simply because he had risen to prominence overnight.
On the contrary, whether dealing with his old friend Rogers or his former superior, Colonel Phillips, Luke maintained an approachable and friendly attitude.
He lowered his own aggressiveness and made those military bigwigs who harbored dissatisfaction toward him relax their guard.
That was his true intention.
"Is there something you want to say to me?"
Luke saw Carter standing in his way, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Welcome back."
After remaining silent for a long time, the cool and beautiful female agent said those words.
PS: Thanks to Brother Dai, One of Us for the 2,500-point tip; Lazy Qiūqiū for the 600-point tip; Seductive Bitch, Innocent and Unpretentious for the 100-point tip; ZHY Technology for the 100-point tip. Much love~
PS2: Dear readers, remember to vote for and bookmark the author, whose gastroenteritis has flared up again~
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