"Why not turn back and blow up Hydra's base too?" Natasha stepped forward, looking at the display in the plane and gesturing with her fingers. "At this speed and altitude, it has enough momentum to glide back to Hydra's base."
Alex shook his head repeatedly. "Of course not. There are a lot of missiles in the plane. Their explosion would be enough to destroy the entire European Continent and kill countless people!" With Red Skull dead, Hydra would be his. Why would Alex do something so stupid?
Steve slung his shield onto his back, nodded, and said with delight, "Alex, it's wonderful that you think that way!" Steve had always had a good heart, and he hoped his brother could be like him.
Alex smiled modestly and nodded. "There isn't much time. We should head back!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Alex spread out his Psionic Power and wrapped it around everyone, instantly returning to the base. After setting them down, Alex used Teleportation again and returned to the bat-wing aircraft. After checking the direction, Alex piloted the powerless plane as it glided north.
A moment later, the bat-wing aircraft crashed onto the thick ice of the Arctic. It gradually fell silent, sinking beneath the frozen river until it vanished from sight.
At the same time the plane crashed, Alex used Teleportation to leave. He did not appear at the Howling Commandos' camp, but beside Strucker.
After a day of recovery, Strucker's injuries had fully healed. He was resting at one of Hydra's bases, his face stern and imposing. However, when he saw Alex suddenly appear, Strucker's expression changed abruptly. After dismissing the nearby Hydra soldiers, he respectfully called out, "Master!"
"Red Skull is dead. Take over Hydra immediately!" Alex looked at Strucker expressionlessly and spoke slowly.
Strucker's expression changed upon hearing that. He knew very well how formidable Red Skull was; otherwise, Red Skull would not have seized power from him in the first place. Yet he had never expected that Alex had said yesterday that Red Skull would die, and Red Skull had truly died today. This made Strucker even more fearful and reverent toward Alex.
"Once you have complete control of Hydra, go into hiding immediately!" Alex cast Strucker a cold glance, his tone threatening. "Without my orders, Hydra is not to appear again!"
"As you command, Master!" Strucker did not dare object and answered loudly.
Alex said nothing more. In the blink of an eye, he vanished and instantly returned to the camp.
Steve and the others had been anxiously waiting in the camp. When they saw Alex return safely, the last of their worries disappeared.
"Carter, the mission is complete!" Alex gestured to everyone, then turned to Carter, who was smiling at the side. "Go give them the good news. Schmidt is dead, and the world will not be destroyed. They can rest easy now!"
Carter gave a charming smile, turned, and strode out of the camp.
"Guys, what reward do you think headquarters will give us this time? Could it be the Victoria Cross?" Nick rubbed his chin with his right hand and looked at Alex enviously. "I've been jealous of Alex for a long time!"
Alex's tongue went numb at the words. With a pained expression, he said awkwardly, "I hate British food!" The impression United Kingdom cuisine had left on him was simply unbearable.
"Alex!" At that moment, Vivien Leigh walked in from outside. She happened to hear Alex's words and said somewhat angrily, "Although food in the United Kingdom isn't as delicious as China's, it isn't as awful as you make it sound!"
"Fine, pretend I said nothing!" Alex shrugged and secretly rolled his eyes.
Natasha saw that Vivien Leigh seemed to want to say more, so she stepped forward and stood in front of Alex. Deep anticipation appeared on her beautiful face. "I also want to know what reward headquarters will give us." After a slight pause, Natasha added proudly, "We saved the world."
"We're soldiers. Protecting our homes and defending our country is our duty!" Steve called out weakly, but his words drew no response. No one paid him any attention.
Logan held a cigar between his fingers, a rare trace of anticipation appearing on his face. "I have no other requests. I just hope to smoke a premium cigar. I heard Churchill has plenty of good cigars!"
"Steve, please come with me to headquarters!" Carter returned, a faint smile on her face.
Steve looked at Carter in confusion, pointed at Alex and the others, and asked in surprise, "Just me? They aren't coming?"
"Yes, those are headquarters' orders." Carter nodded and spoke slowly. "It's only to report the mission details."
Steve nodded and left with Carter.
However, only a short while later, Steve returned. His face was filled with anger, and Carter, following behind him, wore the same expression.
Alex rarely saw Steve with such an expression and asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Steve?"
Steve looked up at Alex. He opened his mouth and stammered for a long while, yet did not say a single word.
Seeing Steve like this, Alex knew he would not get anything out of him. He turned to Carter. "Carter?"
"Headquarters has already issued the mission rewards." Carter looked at Steve and said quietly, "The Medal of Honor."
"The Medal of Honor?" After receiving the Victoria Cross, Alex had specifically learned about medals. The Medal of Honor was America's highest and rarest decoration, and every recipient throughout history had been an influential figure in American history. "That's a good thing. Why are you unhappy instead?"
Carter hesitated for a while, then looked up at Alex and the others with an angry expression. "The Medal of Honor is being awarded only to Steve. The other members of the Howling Commandos are only receiving the Cross."
"Alex, I told them that this mission succeeded entirely because of you, and that the Medal of Honor should be awarded to you." Steve looked at Alex guiltily. "But they refused to agree."
"It's only a medal. Is there really any need to be this angry?" Alex shrugged, looking unconcerned. "What difference does it make whether I have one or not?"
Seeing that Steve's expression had not changed, Alex looked around at everyone present, chuckled, and continued, "Do you know where I put that Victoria Cross?"
"Where did you put it?" After hearing Carter's words, Nick had also become somewhat angry and felt it was unfair to Alex.
Alex spread his hands and frowned as he thought for a long time before saying, "Actually, I forgot where I put it too. Maybe it's in some garbage heap."
Steve looked at Alex and called out, "Alex!"
"Alright, Steve, it's no big deal. It's just a piece of metal." Alex patted Steve on the shoulder in consolation, then changed the subject. "Red Skull is dead, and Hydra's destruction is inevitable. I'm no longer needed on the European battlefield. I've decided to go to Asia and help my homeland."
"Alex!" Steve abruptly rose to his feet and looked at Alex with grief and indignation. "Alex, don't leave! I'll definitely get a Medal of Honor for you!"
Seeing Steve turn to run out of the camp, Alex hurriedly reached out and grabbed him. Half laughing and half exasperated, he said, "Steve, my leaving has absolutely nothing to do with this!"
"In fact, I had this idea long ago!" Alex soothed Steve while repeatedly explaining, "I am of Chinese descent. China is in trouble, and I should naturally lend my aid."
"But..." Steve looked at Alex with suspicion.
"Steve, Hydra has fallen, and Japan's defeat is imminent." Alex raised his head. Images of the War of Resistance photographs he had seen in his previous life kept surfacing in his mind, and his expression became ferocious. "But in my homeland, the Japanese are tormenting my compatriots. They are crying. They are bleeding. I must return and help them. It is my responsibility."
Before you continue