Chapter 23: The Face of Evil
"Where the hell did you find this wonder boy, Abraham, and did his medical report be fake?"
Colonel Chester Phillips rubbed his big nose and stared wide at Steve Rogers, the first to complete the armed swimming training, the shortest, emaciated boy who had once again won the first place in the training mission.
Professor Erskine was pinching the hem of his shirt to wipe his round-rimmed glasses, he inhaled and said in a strange voice.
"I'm as surprised as you are, Colonel Phillips, although he has always said that he is very good, no worse than anyone else, but I have never believed it, I just value his original intention and character to join the army."
When Steve first entered the camp, he attracted everyone's puzzled and mocking eyes, his head was almost only up to everyone's chin, and his body was also on the thin side, but he looked fairly shapely.
But with such a physical foundation, under the same standard of weight and training tasks, he has always been at the top, his physical strength seems to be extraordinarily abundant, and Steve Rogers can hardly be seen sweating.
It didn't take long for Steve to attract more attention, only to become more complicated.
Combat training has become Steve's one-man performance, and none of the officers and soldiers of the battalion can last more than ten seconds in his hands, he always makes the opponent quickly incapacitated at a single contact, and can also ensure that the opponent will not cause serious damage.
"I also think he's the guy in the end of the plan, not only because of his physical condition and martial arts skills, but also because of the character he's shown these days."
Peggy Carter's thick British accent spoke softly but firmly, she was wearing a military uniform, her hair was coiled, her makeup was slightly sloppy, her eyebrows and eyes were typical of British women, and she was intellectually intelligent, which was particularly dazzling in this all-male training camp.
"But I found out his unusual background." Colonel Phillips said solemnly.
"He had a close relationship with Bruce Howlett, and it is said that he called Mr. Howlett, who had a great influence throughout the West, as a teacher."
The Colonel's words drew the attention of Dr. Erskine and Carter, although they did not care much about high-level capital and politics, but Howlett, a family that was famous in the military industry, still had basic common sense.
"You're worried he has another purpose?" Professor Erskine pondered for a moment, then rolled his tie and said.
Agent Carter smiled, pulled out a grenade from the nearby armour box, and looked at it twice.
"Gentlemen, it's easy to test."
In winter, Carter threw a grenade into the middle of the team doing push-up workouts and yelled, "Watch out for grenades! β
There was a moment of confusion in the crowd, and everyone immediately dispersed, except for Steve who ran over alone.
There was no bulletproof bunker around, and this was not an explosion training ground, so Steve picked up a grenade on the tip of his right foot, stepped into a step, and kicked his left leg from the bottom up to the top of his head, pumping the grenade high into the air, and disappeared in an instant, and then quickly withdrew, allowing the people around him to continue to stay away from the area.
Agent Carter, the Colonel, and the Doctor watched in amazement, of course, the grenade did not explode, and it was hard for them to imagine how high the kick was, and it took more than ten seconds before it fell back to the spot almost accurately, smashing out a small dirt pit.
People throughout the camp also noticed a problem with the grenade and did not pull the insurance.
Erskine said with a strange expression: "This way of dealing with it is indeed a bit ...... But at least he's the only one who rushes to solve the problem instead of just running for his life. β
"So if he really has another purpose, he will definitely not risk his own safety." Agent Carter continued, looking at Steve with a different look in his eyes.
"The power of serum will not only make people's bodies reborn and break through the limits, but also amplify emotions and character, the better the better, the worse the bad, I never care whether the candidate's combat quality and physical condition are outstanding, but whether his will and spirit are worthy."
Dr. Erskine remembered the horror of John Schmidt after being injected with the semi-finished serum, and he finally said firmly, "Prepare for the experiment." β
Brooklyn, New York.
Asazzo has been following his father's instructions for a while now, staring at Dr. Abraham Erskine, waiting for Steve to complete this experiment and look for an opportunity to take him away.
He had already discovered that there were other people stalking Erskine, but in Assazo's eyes, whatever their purpose was, it would not affect him.
Steve and Carter rode together to an old antique store in the Brooklyn neighborhood, and he looked at the neighborhood with some familiarity, and there were too many memories left here since he was a child, and he was beaten up and later beaten back one by one.
Asa Zuo waited boredly on the roof of the antique shop, if today was the day of the experiment, then he would soon find an opportunity to rob the doctor, and the boring tracking task would be over.
He pulled out his newly crafted Erdman dagger and played with it with a smirk.
With a pop, Asa flickered left and disappeared, came to the underground space of the experiment, and teleported several times in a row, finding the location of a hidden ventilation duct, although the conditions were cramped, but he couldn't miss the scene where Steve's kid was used as a guinea pig.
"Mr. Senator, gentlemen."
Colonel Chester Phillips greeted a group of dignitaries and army chiefs in the observation hall above.
"This is ...... Crane," the senator said to Colonel Phillips, introducing him to a man with glasses, a high nose, and a wide-collared suit, but he didn't seem to be familiar with it, and he couldn't remember his name.
"Fred Klemson, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expects your experiment to be successful, Mr. Colonel, so that it will soon be vigorously promoted."
Mr. Clemson cleverly took the senator's words and introduced himself.
Steve took off his shirt and hat and lay down in the much larger test chamber, the cold touch around his body making him a little nervous and uncomfortable, and he and Ms. Carter took one last look at each other, watched her back as she walked up to the observation room, and took a few deep breaths.
As the experimenters finally adjusted and prepared their instruments, Professor Erskine spoke with the microphone and made eye contact with Howard Stark. Steve's mind was a little confused, and he didn't listen, he kept adjusting his qi and blood, and finally stabilized, looking as usual.
β...... The experimenter will inject a series of serums to stimulate cell division and growth, followed by a large amount of high-energy vitamin radiation, and the serum injection counts down to 5, 4, 3 ......"
Dr. Erskine finally gave the order to start the experiment, and the chamber slowly closed like a giant metal silkworm chrysalis, and Asa Zuo bit his fist a little excitedly as he watched the changes below through the vent near the ceiling.
Airplanes...
The machine began to hum loudly as six tubes of turquoise serum thrust into Steve's body, and he felt a chill creep into his body, followed by a tearing burning sensation.
Howard Stark pushed the lever, increasing the energy input a little, and the experiment chamber erupted with dazzling bright light, and as the energy advanced to its maximum, the mechanical control panel and cable circuits burst into blinding arcs and sparks.
Steve couldn't help but roar inside, the pain seemed to break and tear the bones and muscles of his whole body, and the growth that his body could clearly feel, like the development of the body that should have been ten years, was compressed into just one minute.
He suddenly felt that the strange energy that he could play in the past training was growing wildly, and the third stage that the teacher said, the energy that could spread all over the body, completely broke through the last level on the top of his face.
Ha! Peng!
Steve yelled at the end in the experimental cabin, the majestic strength in his body penetrated through every pore, the experimental cabin was collapsed from the inside out, he stood naked on the metal platform, his pants became extraordinarily small, his thighs were already broken, and many people around him were hit aside by the air waves, and they got up in embarrassment.
He seemed to feel that his vision had changed differently, and he had become a lot taller, from the original 1.6 meters to nearly 1.9 meters, and the muscles on his body were swelling, like an ancient Greek sculpture.
Steve, who already had good facial features, really became a handsome and majestic man, the qi and blood in his body were like the tide hitting the shore, constantly surging, and the strength was like substance at the mercy of his thoughts.
Dr. Erskine didn't expect the final change to be so dramatic, and as if some kind of energy was coming out of Steve's body, he pushed his glasses and leaned in to check them.
Everyone in the observation room above also hurried down to witness this miracle up close, Agent Carter had already rushed into the experimental site, unconsciously touching the reborn Steve, concerned about whether he was injured in the explosion just now.
Mr. Fred Klemson from the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" stared straight at the experimental subject in the center of the field, like Hercules, and assembled a miniature firearm in his leather bag with both hands, he had already made up his mind.
For the sake of German victory, even if it is all the same, this miraculous plan of the enemy must be stopped.
Taking advantage of everyone's panic, he touched the side of the experimental table, and fortunately the only remaining serum was still there, he pulled out the medicine and inserted it into his arms, and walked towards Dr. Erskine.
Bang bang!
Two shots in a row simply hit the doctor, and Clemson turned around and ran out, frantically escaping before everyone could react.
"Oops!"
Asa couldn't hide his identity, and he flickered to Dr. Erskine's side, grabbed his arm, and disappeared for a moment.
The people around him just looked at each other, and then saw a puff of black smoke, and Dr. Erskine was lying on the ground and disappeared.
Only Steve Tong Kong shrank, and he could see clearly the person wrapped in a silver-gray silk bandage, but he didn't know that this "elder" who had known him for five or six years still had such a ability.
He quickly came to his senses and flew to the door of the lab, the metal floor sunken in as Steve chased after the Assassin who had opened fire.
Burst!
Underneath the Howlett Manor on Long Island, Asa Zuo took Dr. Erskine to the stone chamber where James was retreating.
"Go!"
James didn't ask much, and when he saw Erskine who was dying of being shot, he just said two words that he didn't know why.
Asa Zuo did not hesitate, and disappeared again, and in two breaths, a huge black-skinned giant with a height of more than two meters was brought over.
He was as thick as a black bear standing upright, with thick lips, small eyes, a coarse linen coat on his body, and even a bloody apron, like a ferocious butcher, which was formidable.
"Sir."
The monster-like giant man didn't react for a while, but when he saw James, he bent down deeply, humbly lowered his head, touched his chest with his hand, and greeted respectfully.
"Save people first". James spoke in a steady but eager tone, and the black giant nodded, and walked towards Abraham Erskine with heavy steps, the old man had begun to vomit blood, and the boy began to fall apart, and he was about to die.
The black hand of the giant man was like a fan and gently pressed on the two bloody holes in the old man's chest, his eyes were tightly closed, the thick black veins on his forehead and the beads of sweat the size of beans suddenly rose, he raised his head, opened his mouth wide, and roared.
Roar!
Clouds of black and red smoke erupted from the giant man's mouth like a wasp, filling the space of the stone chamber, and soon disappeared, and he sat limply on the side as if he was extremely tired, like a mountain of meat.
Dr. Erskine's face was visibly rosy, his breath became steady, and he had two bullets in his chest, but the hole in which the bullet had been shot disappeared.
"Thank you, John."
James breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately in time.
Asa Zuo Evil on the side unloaded his tense nerves, and removed the bandages on his face, if this job was ruined, Daddy would definitely be angry, since Steve's kid came, he was often mentioned to other people's children.
"It's a privilege to be there for you, and he loves to help others."
The big black man said angrily, he was huge and terrible, his voice was low, but his tone was extraordinarily gentle and gentle, and his rough and ferocious appearance revealed a warm and innocent smile, with a childlike natural sincerity.
James shook his head with a smile and asked kindly, "Are you still used to staying in the manor, your help is very important to me, and I really have to thank you." β
"Sir, although you don't want Coffey to be called that, but you will eventually become my king, Coffey is infinitely happy to be able to stand by my king's side, thank you for your protection, I live very happily there, get along well with everyone, Coffey is taking care of a newborn calf, is a big boy, so that his mother suffers a lot."
The dark-skinned giant man smiled innocently, and James patted him on the shoulder, and seeing that he was in a hurry to go back to take care of the newborn cow, he asked Asa Zuo to send him away first.
John Coffey was rescued by James from Louisiana in the southern United States around 1935.
For many years, he has been using his capital power to covertly investigate and unearth mysterious events or people in places where the Howlett Group can reach, most of which are false rumors and tricks.
But in this long half century, we have also found some real people with mysterious powers.
Louisiana has a miserable Cold Mountain Prison, where there is a prison house numbered E District, because the floor is green, people call it "Green Lane", and it is occupied by heavy death row inmates, and at the other end of the prison cell, there are electric chairs for the execution of these death row inmates.
The Howlett Syndicate's local investigators had heard that there was a strange black prisoner on death row, and it was rumored that he could take away the pain of others, and although it sounded absurd, he did the absurd work, and if it was confirmed, he would receive a very large bonus.
After careful and in-depth investigation by this investigator, and after personally meeting the black giant twice in the name of the Howlett Group, he was sure that this man was really eccentric, and reported it to his direct superior.
After a few days, the "murderer" John Coffey disappeared, and the warden was secretive about it, only vaguely mentioning that there was a big man intervening, and he should not ask about the whereabouts of this black man.
James wasn't sure if Coffey was a mutant, and his research methods weren't yet capable of identifying them by their genetic makeup, but the monstrous man had extraordinary mystical powers.
He can transfer the other party's illness and injury to his own body through physical contact, and then discharge it from the body like spitting out filth, and even seriously injured and dying people, as long as there is still a breath, there is still salvation.
Of course, he can't reverse life and death, and he can't prolong the life of those who die.
Coffey was left by James at the Howlett mansion in Edmond, taking care of the livestock and farming, and the reason why he was put in prison was to save two young girls who were mutilated to death by perverts, and was found in the eucalyptus scene, with the attitude towards blacks in the current era, he was put on death row without any suspense.
This evil man is terrifying-looking, huge, but surprisingly peaceful, sensitive, and silent, naΓ―ve like a child, and at the same time, he seems to have some indescribable mysterious power that makes people involuntarily trust him.
When Coffey first saw James, he was inexplicably frightened and in awe, calling him "my king", and he lowered his head and refused to get up for a long time, and James did not know why.
After a while.
Asa dodged back, James thought about it, and asked him to take himself and Dr. Erskine, who had not yet woken up, back to the old Canadian mansion, and put him on a stone bed in the palace of the old mansion, and quietly settled on the side.
In the end, Steve failed to capture the German spy alive, not because he couldn't do it, but because he couldn't control the surging strength and energy, and the force of a punch burst into the agent's chest, and in the chase, the last tube of serum also shattered to the ground.
The experiment was successful, but the most important researcher was shot and mysteriously disappeared, and the last finished serum was destroyed, Steve did become a super soldier, and everyone saw him powerful, but the military and the government wanted super troops that could be created in batches and affect the situation of the war.
The new tanks and weapons that the Germans have recently appeared on the battlefield have a destructive power far beyond the current category of thermal weapons, much like energy weapons that exist in the theory of scientists.
An experiment broke up unhappily, and the military frantically used the power of light and darkness to search for the whereabouts of Dr. Erskine, and disappeared without a trace in front of everyone's eyes, which made the top brass even more jealous, if this was some secret German method, it would put the entire Allied high-level at risk.
Only Steve didn't say a word from beginning to end, thinking about something in his heart.
........................
Poland, Krakow, Auschwitz.
Although Sebastian Shaw was left far outside the inner circle of the war by the German military and the "Hydra" of the unified strategic research and development department, he felt that he had come to the right place, a place that could not be more than right in the world.
Xiao looked at himself in the mirror, carefully groomed his tie and hair, put on glasses, and wore a decent coffee-colored suit, but it was not ostentatious, in line with his status as a medical officer and psychotherapist.
He was about to attend a banquet hosted by SS Major Amon Gott, the commander of the concentration camp, and he couldn't wait to share his new discoveries with Gott.
"Aha! You're here Klaus, Klaus Schmidt, why are you here so late! What the hell are you doing in your little 'operating room' again. β
Amon Gott had already drunk twice, and with his half-open shirt and the smell of smoke in his arms, he came to the center of the banquet in the room, which was his personal residence in the camp, a three-story mansion where he liked to live on the top and could walk out on the balcony at any time and overlook the whole camp.
"This is Schindler, you have seen, such a gathering is still thanks to our excellent German entrepreneur, he got a lot of good things!"
As he spoke, he introduced Xiao to a few bottles of good wine, smoked sausages, sturgeon caviar and other rare delicacies in today's world, and slyly patted Xiao's chest, and took out a box of copper cigar boxes with a simple texture from his pocket, with a letter H on it.
Schindler even got a box of this! Although it is American, not German, this is the best cigar in the world, and there is no one, I think, not unforgivable. β
Shaw smiled shyly as Amon ostentatiously displayed a very small number of top-of-the-line cigars from an American capital giant, and shook hands with the tall and heroic German businessman Oskar Schindler.
At the invitation of Amon Gott, the three of them went to the quieter third-floor balcony to drink wine and sip cigars, the merchant Schindler seemed uncomfortable and uncomfortable, and Shaw did not like to share his research with people who were not familiar enough.
"Tell me, Klaus, what new tricks have you come up with, Schindler must want to hear about it, isn't it?"
Gort's gloomy eyes slanted at Schindler, who didn't speak much, and urged Shaw, who was named Klaus Schmidt, and the merchant Schindler nodded with a restrained face, and snorted without smiling.
"Hmm... You should know about liquid nitrogen. β
Xiao rubbed his hands and couldn't help but chat, he helped his glasses and continued.
"I've always wondered how the human body reacts in extreme cold, so I tied up the arm of a Jewish prisoner and put it in a liquid nitrogen cylinder, of course, this substance would not hurt for a short period of time......"
β...... But when liquid nitrogen breaks down all the water molecules in your body and freezes it, you start to freeze painfully, and then your skin will blister a lot like you've been burned. Finally, Peng! Will crumble into slag like ice! β
Ammon Gott's shrill laugh, his laughter echoing in the dead night sky, shaking his head and pointing at Shaw, next to him Oskar Schindler with his hands in his pockets, clenching his thighs tightly, trembling slightly.
He took a deep breath of his cigar and looked out at the endless rows of concentration camp buildings in the night, as if looking at the endless decaying coffins.