Bab 18: News from Bucky

After an extensive conversation with Steve, it was soon time for him to depart from the city and continue his performance in the next one.

Due to Alex's age and appearance, the young ladies of the singing and dancing troupe each took turns holding Alex, their feminine fragrance enveloping him along with their gentle touches. For the first time, Alex found comfort in being seen as a child.

During this time, Steve had risen to become a renowned star in the country. His fame reached far and wide, with Steve's posters gracing military camps and public spaces alike. However, Steve's standing among the soldiers left much to be desired, as they often treated him like a jester.

Two months later, the newly trained recruits were deployed to the front lines, stepping onto the European battlefield.

These two months allowed Alex to gain better control over his body and abilities, unlike the bewildered Magneto in X-Men who struggled without iron. Alex could now expertly manipulate magnetism and magnetic fields for various purposes, making it exceedingly convenient.

Since Howard was also heading to the European battlefield, Alex decided to accompany him. Howard wasn't overly concerned about Alex's safety, believing that as long as Alex didn't harm himself, no one in the world could pose a threat to him.

With his control over magnetic fields and energy absorption, Alex could withstand even a nuclear bomb blast, provided he wasn't at the epicenter of the explosion.

Howard, being both a scientist and an arms dealer, naturally followed the army.

During a military break, Alex once again encountered Steve, the captain of the United States and a popular idol. This time, Steve had come to the front lines to work diligently.

However, his well-prepared speech failed to impress the soldiers. The rugged men, unaccustomed to finer things, preferred the long-legged dancers. Discontented voices erupted among them, some even resorting to crass behavior like baring their bottoms and requesting Steve's autograph.

Laughter rang out as Steve stepped down from the stage with a heavy heart.

Following that, a group of graceful dancers took the stage, captivating the attention of the soldiers. These men had been confined to a barracks with no female presence for several months, and even though the surroundings were far from luxurious, the sight of these dancers seemed like a fairy tale come to life.

Not to mention, these dancers were not just good-looking; they were incredibly talented.

As the performance concluded, rain began to drizzle outside. Alex made his way backstage and observed Steve sketching with a pencil—a monkey riding a unicycle. Ironically, the monkey's costume was identical to Steve's own.

"The artwork is quite impressive," Alex commented as he glanced at the drawing.

"Like me, huh? I suppose I'm now akin to a circus monkey," Steve replied with a helpless smile.

A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes. He was a super soldier, not an entertainer, and he felt his strength should be put to better use.

"Well..." Alex hesitated before replying, "at least your performance is helping these folks earn their keep, right?"

"I feel it's the dancers who truly deserve the credit, not me," Steve stated matter-of-factly. With all those dancers in miniskirts, flaunting their long legs, the audience was more interested in their attire than his performance. Who knows what kind of role he was really portraying?

Alex found some truth in Steve's words.

Just then, Peggy approached, wrapping her arms around both of them. She cleared her throat and asked, "Steve, Alex, am I interrupting something?"

"Why are you here?" Steve inquired, puzzled. As an agent, she shouldn't have had time to visit him.

"I couldn't resist watching your performance," Peggy replied, taking a seat in another chair and adjusting her dress.

"Ah, I had to improvise. My usual audience consists of... ordinary folks and children," Steve explained somewhat cryptically.

Alex couldn't help but curl his lips. It seemed Steve wasn't quite the charmer when it came to socializing with women.

While the two friends conversed, an ambulance siren wailed in the distance, growing louder as it approached.

"They've been through a tough battle," Steve noted, looking at the wounded soldiers.

"These soldiers had it rough. Schmidt sent them to attack the village of Azano. Two hundred soldiers were sent to face the enemy, but fewer than fifty made it back. Among your audience, there are 107 survivors. The rest were either killed or captured..." Peggy explained.

Peggy's intention had been to help Steve understand the significance of his performance, but she was surprised when his expression grew uncertain, and he asked, "You mean the 107th Infantry Regiment?"

Peggy responded with confusion, "What's the matter?"

"My friend, 'Bucky,' served in the 107th," Steve explained as he abruptly stood up and rushed toward headquarters. He needed to find General Philip and learn what had happened.

(End of this chapter)

=========

Do you want to read ahead? Explore more chapters filled with sizzling encounters, and heart-pounding adventures.

Then what are you waiting for Join my Pa*treon right now.

Link : pa*treon.com/MidnightWonder (Remove the *)

komentar 12 komentar

Pilih

next chapter

Bab 19: Assault

When General Philip laid eyes on Steve, he derisively remarked, "Well, look who we have here, the American hero wrapped in Stars and Stripes. What brings you here today?"

Steve replied without hesitation, "I'd like to get the list of soldiers in the Battle of Azano."

"You're not in a position to give me orders, young man," Philip retorted coldly.

"I just want to know the status of Sergeant James Barnes from the 107th Infantry Regiment."

Philip gave Steve a piercing look and replied, "I'll settle the score with you later."

"Please, just tell me if he's alive!" Steve implored anxiously.

Philip stood up, retrieved a letter of mourning, and somberly stated, "I've signed too many of these today, too many to count. But this name is all too familiar, I'm afraid."

Steve was left in shock, and after a moment, he inquired, "What about the others? Are you planning a rescue?"

"They're thirty miles behind the front lines and would have to navigate the most heavily guarded areas in Europe. Attempting a rescue would only result in more casualties. I don't expect you to understand, as you're nothing but a dancing joker," Philip remarked bluntly.

Steve gritted his teeth and replied firmly, "I understand perfectly."

But General Philip had clearly lost interest in the conversation. "Where can I find more information about this? If I read the posters correctly, you'll be headed to another location in half an hour."

With that, he walked away.

Steve returned to camp to gather his belongings. Alex stood by his side and asked, "Are you really planning to cross a 30-kilometer battlefront and venture behind enemy lines to rescue your friends?"

Peggy entered the scene and advised, "Can't you calm down? The general said your friend is dead, and do you plan to go to Austria? The general is devising a rescue plan. He'll save our comrades when he's ready."

Steve shouted resolutely, "By the time he's ready, it'll be too late."

With that, he loaded his possessions, including the makeshift shield, into a jeep and turned to Peggy. "Is it true what you said, that I have a greater mission?"

Peggy nodded earnestly. "It's true," she affirmed.

"Then you'll let me go." Steve hopped into the jeep, ready to drive off, but Peggy stopped him in his tracks. "I can actually be of more help to you."

The two exchanged glances, and Alex rolled his eyes. Unbelievable!

Peggy contacted Howard, and his company's medium-sized plane flew in from behind. By nightfall, Steve, Peggy, and Alex were already on the plane.

Peggy gave Howard a puzzled look and asked, "Why in the world did you bring this kid along?"

"Don't worry, this 'kid' is smarter than any of us and won't get himself killed," Howard replied, completely untroubled.

"He's just a kid! What if something goes wrong?!" Peggy protested.

"Have you ever seen a kid who can take on a group of grown soldiers?" Howard retorted.

Peggy was momentarily taken aback, then smiled helplessly. She had spent a few days with Alex and knew firsthand about his strength and intelligence, but his appearance was indeed deceiving.

At that moment, the enemy spotted the aircraft, and anti-aircraft shells started exploding around it.

Steve gripped his parachute tightly and leaped out of the plane.

Seizing the opportunity while no one was paying attention, Alex followed closely and jumped as well.

"Alex!" Peggy shouted, pulling at the hatch.

"Damn it! This kid!" Howard, who had clearly seen Alex jump out, grew frustrated.

How could he forget that Alex had escaped from a Nazi concentration camp? Wasn't that the same as throwing him into the enemy's hands?

All Howard could do was hope that Alex's abilities would be of some use.

The descent was perilous, but to Alex, it was a trivial matter. He could easily shrug off bullets hitting his body, and even if he were hit by a shell, it wouldn't harm him.

As for Steve, Alex had no worries. The protagonist couldn't just die like this, after all.

Alex utilized his magnetic field manipulation to float in the air and land gracefully without the need for a parachute.

Steve, on the other hand, was surprised to find Alex standing beside him after landing.

"Stay behind me!" Steve pulled Alex close, shielding him from the Nazis.

Steve led Alex through the jungle. He wasn't entirely surprised by Alex's calm demeanor; after all, Alex had always been a mystery.