With Fury leading the way, Kyle followed him to the command room of the US general base.
"You can go in. I'm just here to pass on a message," Fury said, stopping at the door of the command room and motioning for Kyle to go in alone.
"Okay, I'll find you later," Kyle said, nodding, and walked confidently into the command room.
The room was plain and simple, with a huge strategic map serving as a decorative background banner and the US flag with its stripes and stars displayed prominently. A middle-aged officer was sitting behind a military desk, piled high with documents.
The middle-aged officer appeared to be in his early forties, with a dignified and tough face. He was wearing a full officer's uniform, and the left chest of the uniform was clearly pinned with the noble rank of a five-star general.
A five-star general! The highest-ranking general in the US during World War II, and the supreme commander of the Tri-Nation Alliance this time! Kyle looked at the general in front of him, stood firmly on his feet, gave a standard salute, and said loudly, "Major Kyle, here to report!"
General Chester looked up and his sharp eyes looked up and down at Kyle, who was standing within three meters of him. He then nodded with a gentle smile and said, "Major Kyle, you're finally back."
Kyle nodded and said, "Yes, in the battle of the Alps, there was an accident at the end when we were chasing Hydra's leader, Schmidt. Steve lost control of the fighter plane and fell into the sea, and I parachuted back in advance to escape."
"Steve... I've already read the telegram sent by Agent Carter with the specific details," General Chester said, sighing regretfully. "Your safe return is already the greatest victory for our army. In such a critical moment in World War II, we can't afford to lose war heroes easily."
General Chester paused for a moment before saying meaningfully, "Actually, I've wanted to see you for a long time. You know, the super soldier experiment was originally completed under my orders. You refused the pioneer experiment of the super soldier and gave the opportunity to Steve, who was in the same camp. This is still fresh in my memory."
Kyle was embarrassed and shrugged. "About this, I can only say that I was too proud at the time and didn't cherish the opportunity to become a super soldier. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to become the second super soldier by coincidence."
"It turns out that you had the capital to be proud," General Chester said, shaking his head gently. "After Steve became the only super soldier, I was also very optimistic about the justice and iron will of the United States in him, so I specially taught him combat skills."
"Although it was beyond my expectations that Steve could become Captain America, it was still within my expectations," General Chester said. "But you, Kyle, from a recruit in the training base to creating miracles on the frontline battlefield, step by step, through your own strength to become the hero who dominates the battlefield today, it is far beyond my imagination."
After General Chester finished speaking, he looked at Kyle with undisguised admiration.
"Luck, it's all luck," Kyle said modestly. The general had praised him to the heavens, so it was rare for him to keep a low profile.
"If it's all luck, then I hope the goddess spent all her luck on you," General Chester joked. He then said seriously, "Yesterday, after finding out that you returned safely to the training base, I specially contacted the President to discuss your matter."
"Discuss me?" Kyle was slightly taken aback as he waited for General Chester's next words.
"I suggested that you be promoted to major general as an exception, and the President has already agreed," General Chester said seriously.
Major, major general? Kyle was completely stunned this time. What did major general mean? It was the rank of a general! Although he had previously jumped from a recruit to a corporal, then from a corporal to a second lieutenant, then from a second lieutenant to a major, the jump this time was simply too shocking.
It had to be known that every time a major was promoted, it required a large amount of time and accumulation of military merits, and Kyle had only been promoted to major for less than a month.
"General Chester, I don't think I've accumulated enough military merits to be promoted to major general yet," Kyle said with some hesitation.
"Hahaha, if it's just based on military merits, then even if I work hard for fifty years, I'll only be a four-star general at most," General Chester said, laughing. "This is the second World War, there are exceptions to everything!"
That was true. There was only one five-star general in the United States during World War II. Kyle nodded thoughtfully.
General Chester continued, "Those peacetime military rules don't apply here. As long as you can lead the war to victory, you can even become a five-star general, let alone a major general!"
"It's just a major general. There's no reason why I don't dare to take it," Kyle said, nodding confidently. He then voiced his last concern. "It's just that I'm better at fighting alone on the battlefield than commanding soldiers. Isn't it a bit too extravagant to give me the title of major general?"
"It's not extravagant at all," General Chester said with a smile. "With your reputation as a war hero, even if you were to make an exception and be promoted to major general, all of our soldiers would raise both hands in approval."
"More importantly, in the upcoming battle against Germany, our army will be leading the battle against the Allies. Your status as a major will inevitably be looked down upon by some officers from other countries," he added.
Hearing this, Kyle quickly understood. General Chester made an exception to promote him to major general not just for him, but for the face of the entire country and the army. A hero who symbolized the strength of the country and was only a major? That wouldn't do, he had to be at least a general to have face!
General Chester had finally said slowly, "The part of the army you command can be handed over to an officer you trust enough to take command. If there are no other questions, you'll be a major general from now on. The corresponding rank badge can be handed over to you now. I'll also help you submit the relevant information. This promotion news will be spread before our army meets up with the allied army."
"General, you've already arranged everything, so why should I refuse?" Kyle spread his hands. This was a major general rank being forced on him, there was no reason not to accept.
Five minutes later, Kyle left the command room speechlessly. Fury had been waiting outside the command room the whole time. When he saw Kyle come out, he immediately went up to greet him. "Hey, Kyle. What's wrong? You look unhappy."
"See for yourself," Kyle said, lifting his left shoulder expressionlessly.
"Hm? Your major rank, how did it become one star?" Fury's words came to an abrupt halt as he rubbed his right eye. He widened his eyes and said bitterly, "Is there something wrong with my other eye? Why do I see the insignia of a major general?"
"You didn't see wrong. It's a major general," Kyle said uninterestedly.