Chapter 52: Return of Victory

A blue dazzling energy tide spread toward the four corners. The grounds and doors made of steel were vulnerable, soon falling prey to destruction.

"AHHHH!" The painful screams of the bespectacled old doctor was insignificant. His body turned into mere nothingness 'till he ceased to exist as the walls of the corridor shattered and fell, while the earth trembled and formed a shock wave. A few seconds passed before everything settled and eased into calmness.

At the other end, Red Skull ripped off the mask on his face, revealing a gaunt scarlet and deformed skeletal-like face. He looked coldly at the damaged scene he'd been responsible for. A soft, victorious smile formed on his lips as he coldly whispered, "See you later, Super Soldier." before walking away.

A while later, beneath the piles of gravel, a figure covered in dust rose to his feet. Thankfully, he had dodged a deathly bullet. He coughed, patting the dust off his body while looking coldly forward ahead. "Red Skull, next time, next time you should promise to your God that we don't meet again. Otherwise, you'll die an ugly death!" He said, voice freezing to the extreme. This feud, he'll remember it well!

Fortunately, he'd managed to use the old doctor as meat shield in the nick of time. He blocked most of the energy wave. And coupled with the vibranium block of armor on Kyle's arm, he had evaded death. Only his sleeves and clothing had been burned clean. "However, I had lost the chance to retrieve the Tesseract." Kyle sighed, knowing he suffered a big loss. He had underestimated the villain, Red Skull and founder of H.Y.D.R.A.

Amidst the destruction came the sudden sound of the alarm inside what was left of the hub control room. Kyle turned around and rushed in, glancing at the surveillance screen, or at least what was left of it. There, in the black and white screen was a warning written in German stating, "Self-Destruction Countdown: 61 Seconds." The numbers dwindled by the seconds.

Kyle clicked his tongue and looked around. Opposite of the hub control room was a young man lying comatose on a testing table with his upper body naked. Next to him was a large map hung on the wall.

[Map of German Factories]: Contains map of 6 German factories and bases. White Product Card.

"Do you wish to extract?"

"Another map?" Kyle blinked. His lips then curved, sneering even. "I've unlocked a checkpoint. Red Skull, if you run away, I'll destroy your nest one by one!" Soon as Kyle extracted the map, a tall, blonde figure rushed inside the room. The two looked at each other, both stunned.

"Kyle?"

"Steve?"

After a long, eventful ride, the duo met once again in the hub control room.

"What happened here?" Looking around the mess that'd been made, Steve popped a question.

"It's the commander. He'd been so anxious that he dropped an energy bomb to stop me." Kyle shrugged, finger pointing at the unconscious man. "But I think this is the man you wanted to save, right?"

"Bucky!" Steve was as happy as a lark. He approached Bucky, trying his best to wake him.

"Ah, just carry him. We don't have time. Look, this place, it's 'bout to explode." Kyle tapped Steve's shoulder and pointed to the black and white screen. "We 'gotta go."

Steve nodded and carried his friend over his shoulder. Kyle led the way out when, suddenly, an item resting on the table caught his eyes.

[VIP Key]: Red Skull's exclusive key of a four-wheel vehicle with crazy horsepower. Made by German's top craftsman. White Product Card.

"Yes! Come to Papa!" Kyle snatched the car keys before heading to the garage area.

The self-destruction countdown stopped at zero. Then, sounds of explosions rang out, blasting the factory and everything in its wake. Accompanied by a series of bombardments of the enemy's energy supplies, a blazing fire came next, shining brightly in the wilderness of the night.

Outside the factory, after the liberation of large numbers of American prisoners and seizures of weapons from the factory, the Germans stationed here had been defeated. And then, when the explosion of fire came, there echoed the sound of a roaring engine, and a few seconds later, a stylish and exquisite luxury vehicle made its timely appearance.

"On my command, march towards the direction of our base!" Mounted on the driver's seat, Kyle donned a dignified stature as he shouted to his fellow comrades before sitting back down and stepping foot on the gas pedal. He liked this feeling -- taking the lead in the destruction and carnage of the factory and sweeping Red Skull's luxurious treasure as his loot. "Come on! Keep up!"

When the American Soldiers saw Steve and Bucky's appearance safe and sound, they jumped and cheered wildly, following the duo behind.

*** *** ***

The sun rose, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. It was another chance to live -- the start of a brand new day. But it was not so for Peggy. She held her breath as she stood at the communication's office.

"Second Lieutenant Kyle and Captain Steve Rogers disappeared last night under the veil of the night. Mere moments later, the factory blew up in a volcanic flame. The factory had lost all its luster. Chances of survival was slim. Moreover, the search party that had just returned reported their death as official." Officer Brandt repeated the letter received from the telegram. "Because of you, we've not only lost a good officer, a captain, but also the lives of hundreds of soldiers!"

"If this is the end result, I take full responsibility." Her response was calm for she did not believe the two would die so easily on the battlefield.

"No matter what you say now it--" Amid his speech, Officer Brandt paused and turned around. He heard the vague sound of a vehicle.

"Look, what is that?"

"Oh my God!"

The soldiers in training squawked in overwhelming surprise. They clamored around the back door of the base and soon made way for the arriving guests. It was a luxury vehicle driving slowly by. In the driver's seat was Kyle. He had on a smug smile. Towards the passenger seat was Steve and Bucky who'd just awakened.

They're back?

"This boy really..." When Officer Brandt saw the luxury vehicle, the seized weapons, and the freed prisoners, he was left speechless. Had he gone and looted from the enemy base?

"Please give me a chance to show my talent as a soldier!"

Officer Brandt suddenly remembered the firm words the young man once said. It still rang in his ear. He's not sure when he made so many miracles. It had left him baffled.

"It's good that you've all arrived safely." He smiled and slowly, he clapped his hands, followed by the crowds.

For a long while, the thunderous applause could not be quelled.