When Alex returned to the camp, every member of the Howling Commandos had gathered there. Even Namor, who had never liked Alex, had come. Their expressions made it clear that they already knew something had happened to Steve.
"Alex, is there anything I can do to help?" Human Torch spoke up on his own initiative for the first time, his weathered face full of concern. "Just give the order, and I'll do it."
"Thank you!" Alex stared at Human Torch for a long moment before nodding in thanks. Then he turned to the others. Blazing fury burned in his eyes, but his voice was chillingly cold. "I know who did this. Now I'm going to make them pay."
"Who?!" Logan and the others asked in unison.
Alex swept his gaze over them again before finally settling on Carter in the corner. "The Hellfire Club!"
"How is that possible?" Carter shot to her feet, staring at Alex in shock. "They've already reached an agreement with the Allies..."
"They don't care, and neither do those generals." Alex's voice suddenly rose several octaves as he threw back his head and shouted, "In their eyes, Steve was just an ordinary soldier, someone they could sacrifice at any time for their own interests!"
Carter froze. Two streams of tears slowly slid down her face before the dam broke completely, and tears poured down like rain.
Alex ignored Carter and turned to Howard beside him. "Howard, do you have any information on the Hellfire Club?"
"Just a few days ago, they tried to invite me to join the Hellfire Club." Howard shrugged casually. "But I turned them down."
Alex said nothing and simply continued looking at Howard.
"Coincidentally, Sebastian Shaw was the one who approached me." Howard gave a sly chuckle, looking quite pleased with himself.