Chapter 023: The Plan
Hodge was pinned by the throat by Mason's hand, unable to move. He watched helplessly as the sharp pen tip descended toward his eye socket.
A scream tore from his lips, barely coherent. Having just learned he was about to become the first super soldier in human history, Hodge didn't want to die here for no damn reason.
Mason had considered various ways to complete the mission, but none were as insane as this. However, now that he'd committed, he had no choice but to follow through. Without hesitation, he gathered all his strength and thrust the pen downward!
It was just an ordinary barracks brawl—no one expected this turn of events. Overwhelmed by Mason's bloodlust and killing intent, everyone froze in shock.
But then Mason felt a sharp pain in his wrist. His fingers loosened involuntarily, and the pen slipped from his grasp. When his hand struck Hodge's face, having lost its weapon, it only broke Hodge's nose, spraying blood across his features.
Mason turned his head and saw the barracks door wide open. Agent Carter had appeared there at some point, staring at Mason with lingering fear in her eyes. Then a stern face pushed in from behind Agent Carter.
It was Colonel Phillips
, his expression thunderous. "What the hell is going on here?" Colonel Phillips roared, surveying the chaos in the room.
"Instead of saving your energy for the battlefield, you're beating the crap out of each other! Everyone outside, now! Run 20 laps! No—make it 40!"
"Colonel, Colonel, he tried to kill me!" Having narrowly escaped death, Hodge's face filled with survivor's terror as he pointed at Mason and screamed.
Colonel Phillips frowned. "Don't lie there crying like a damn child! Get out of here right now and find a mirror. You're an embarrassment!"
Hodge lowered his head in shame, concealing the murderous gleam in his eyes.
"Once I become a super soldier, I'll make you bastards pay..."
Looking at the pen lying on the ground, Mason sighed, knowing he'd missed the best opportunity to eliminate Hodge. Hodge was on guard now—it would be much harder to strike again.
Fortunately, Colonel Phillips hadn't witnessed the actual attempt; otherwise, given the colonel's temperament, Mason probably would've been in serious trouble. Thinking it over carefully, Mason realized he'd been too impulsive. If he really wanted to take out Hodge, he needed to plan it more strategically.
Several soldiers helped Hodge up and fled the barracks. Mason pulled up the bruised and battered Steve and was about to head toward the parade ground when Colonel Phillips stopped him at the door.
"Mason, hold up."
Colonel Phillips studied Mason for several moments. "I don't know who started this mess, and frankly, I don't care. I just need everything to stay calm until the experiment proceeds smoothly. Understood?"
Mason nodded.
He didn't have strong feelings about Colonel Phillips one way or the other—the man was a pure soldier, someone whose position just happened to conflict with his own. Just as he was about to leave, Colonel Phillips continued,
"You don't need to stay at Camp Lehigh anymore. I'm giving you and Rogers three days' leave. Report back in three days." Mason turned abruptly, his gaze locked intensely on Colonel Phillips.
To avoid complications, he was trying to completely remove them from the equation! Though Mason understood their positions differed, he couldn't help feeling angry, wishing he could deck the man right there.
"Damn stubborn officer!"
"That's final!" Colonel Phillips didn't look at Mason again, instead addressing Agent Carter standing nearby. "Escort them off base." His words carried clear implications of surveillance.
Mason's jaw tightened. He didn't have much time left—he needed to speak with Professor Erskine. Now that he'd completely antagonized Hodge, he couldn't just stand by and watch him become a super soldier.
"Pack your gear. I'll escort you out," Carter said in a formal tone.
Steve seemed somewhat disappointed about leaving the camp, but he didn't say much and began gathering his belongings.
Carter slowly approached Mason from behind.
"You were trying to kill him," Carter stated firmly. Mason paused slightly.
"If you hadn't intervened, he'd be dead."
"Jamming a pen into Hodge's eye socket—I don't know if Hodge would've died, but an enraged Colonel Phillips would definitely have put a bullet in your skull!" Carter's expression was icy.
"Why did you want to kill him?"
This time Mason didn't answer. He turned and met Carter's gaze directly. "Take me to Professor Erskine. I have something critical to tell him."
"That's impossible." Carter shook her head. "I will personally escort you off Camp Lehigh and back to the city. During this time, you cannot see anyone except me!"
Mason looked anxious.
"You saw it yourself—Hodge is a thug. Someone like him becoming a super soldier will only bring disaster to this country. We have to stop him!"
"Please take us to Professor Erskine. I promise I'll leave immediately after I speak with him. Just for Steve's sake—don't you want someone like him to become a super soldier?" At this crucial moment, Mason didn't hesitate to leverage Steve's relationship with her.
"What are you guys talking about? I think I heard my name." Steve, who'd finished packing his duffel bag nearby, called out.
Carter's face showed internal conflict. She glanced back at Steve. "You get three minutes!"
"Deal!"
Mason thought to himself, though his face remained neutral. "I'm all packed. Let's move."
"Follow me!"
Carter opened the door and led Mason and Steve along the building shadows toward a standalone structure in the distance.
Approaching Professor Erskine's independent laboratory, they were stopped by MPs at the entrance. No matter how Carter tried to negotiate, the guards firmly refused entry.
"This is urgent. Even if we can't go in, at least inform him we're here."
The guard hesitated momentarily, then nodded and headed inside. A short while later, Professor Erskine emerged hurriedly.
"Professor, about..."
Professor Erskine winked, pulled Mason aside, and discreetly slipped a note into his hand.
"I've already devised a foolproof plan. This isn't the place to discuss it. Come to this address at 8 PM tonight and wait for me. We'll go over everything then."
Mason's many questions remained unanswered. "Colonel Phillips is in there complaining about you. Says you roughed up Hodge pretty good—he probably won't be making any recruitment posters." Professor Erskine's words didn't carry much reproach. He patted Mason's shoulder.
"Get off base for now. Wait for my message tonight. Colonel Phillips is still inside waiting for me." With that, he turned and left.
Mason carefully palmed the note, concealing it so Agent Carter wouldn't notice. This matter was of critical importance—he had to be extremely careful to avoid any mishaps.
"What did the professor say to you?" Carter asked with concern as soon as Professor Erskine departed.
500 PS = +2 Extra Chapters
10 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter
Reviews are always appreciated.
P2treon DarkFoxx (30+ advance chapters)