Chapter 323 - 320 | Old Friends Reunite, Superman Returns (II)
Boom boom! Boom boom boom!
A few spherical lightning containing high-temperature energy evaporated the assassins that appeared later into a mass of charcoal.
"It should be over now."
Captain America wiped the nonexistent sweat on his forehead and turned to Howard.
That car, like the Suburban Chevrolet, had infinite space. Ten people had come down in groups.
It was like a steady stream of small teams for target practice.
"I wonder if it is a car or … an unusual vehicle."
Howard lifted his chin, beckoning Captain America to take the lead and investigate what it was.
The latter had no problem with it. He carried the iconic vibranium shield in his right hand to prevent accidents like explosions.
Rip!
Tearing open the door with his bare hands, Rogers saw a silvery-white computer with a sci-fi appearance inside.
Several red and green wires are connected to ten culture bottles, which only need to follow the established procedures for growing and maturing.
"It's Essex Biotech."
Rogers wasn't surprised. He had seen the same clone fighters in the Soviet Union and Hydra.
According to the written gene templates, those killers with empty eyes and no feelings were continuously delivered like batch products on the assembly line.
"Such biotechnology is at least a century ahead of what's currently available!"
Howard glanced at it for a few moments and concluded.
He had always regarded Essex Biotech that had recently risen as a replica of Hammer Industries, which relied on government support and connections.
But he was shocked to see all the cutting-edge technology such as breeding vials, gene editing, and accelerating growth of these clones.
This wasn't something that could be developed casually!
"I have seen similar clone fighters."
Rogers said in a deep voice.
"When I learned that Superman disappeared, I was ready to come back, but on the way back, I encountered a massive attack."
Howard's eyes slightly dimmed, and he felt a large net was slowly coming down on him.
Not only himself, but also any person or thing related to Superman, or anything that could potentially harm the other party, were being erased.
"I found similar numbers on some clone fighters, all of whom were produced by Essex."
Rogers continued.
With the Howling Commandos, he conducted a long-term reconnaissance and gained some secret information.
"Hydra has close ties with this company. The man at the helm of Essex Biotech, Nathaniel, has always kept a low profile."
"However, according to our investigation, this person has close ties with the White House."
"By linking these clues together, we can draw a complete network of relationships."
Hearing this analysis from Captain America, Howard nodded slightly. It was exactly as he had guessed.
"I have some more … great information that I want to share with you."
He stroked his mustache and spoke in a deep voice.
The President might be a future con-man, and Superman left the universe …
Compared with those above, these two pieces of news might be more difficult to digest.
If he weren't psychologically sound and capable of accepting, Captain America would definitely think Howard was crazy, saying such outrageous 'facts'.
"Let's go to my house first. By the way, were you the one who came to my house this afternoon?"
Captain America nodded. He followed the trail, and after finding out the mastermind behind the scenes, he wanted to contact Howard.
In the absence of Luke, the only person who could be trusted and be of help was probably the latter.
Howard got into the intact car to go to the villa on Long Island.
His Mark-1 power armor was there. If Essex Biotech launched the second round of attack, his own armor would definitely give the other party a surprise.
"What did you learn in the Soviet Union? I mean, about Barnes."
While driving, Howard took the initiative to find a topic.
He heard from Luke that Captain America and Bucky had a deep relationship and a deep friendship.
Knowing that the latter might be in the Soviet Union and in the hands of Leviathan, Rogers, who was considering retirement, didn't hesitate to leave his beloved girlfriend and sneaked into Moscow with the Howling Commandos.
Such friendship sometimes led Howard to some extreme speculation.
"We were in Moscow for two months and ran into agents of the Red Room and almost got killed by them."
Rogers recalled the days when he hid his name, changed his identity, and lurked in Moscow.
"The Red Room was said to be Leviathan's secret organization, dedicated to training spies, agents, and assassins."
"They took in many war orphans and taught them etiquette, culture, dance and other skills; so that they could enter the upper class in the future."
"Of course, shooting, interrogation, counter-interrogation, and close-quarters combat … are also mandatory."
"Everyone is a tool there. The best ones will be given the name [Black Widow]."
Rogers paused, thinking of a blonde woman.
"I ran into a black widow, and it was difficult for me to escape the trap with the Howling Commandos."
Howard raised his eyebrows. He had always been very sexually interested in female spies and female agents.
In Luke's words: Just eat the icing and shoot the shells back.
"Bucky really fell into the clutches of the Leviathan. He has a new name, Winter Soldier."
When it came to his good friend, Rogers's tone was a bit complicated.
"It's a pity that I couldn't bring him back."
"Bucky's existence, as well as his movements, is confidential in Leviathan. I have no access to them."
"I had to give up the idea of rescuing him for the time being because of Luke's accident and sudden disappearance."
Howard was silent for a moment. The urgent task was to locate Superman and bring him back.
As long as Luke was around, S.H.I.E.L.D, him and Captain America, and even the Cold War rivalry between the two superpowers could all be solved.
That was Superman's position!
A weight that was enough to change the whole world's situation!
"Here we are."
The car drove straight in and stopped at the door of the Long Island villa.
"Jarvis should be awake."
Howard stepped out of the car and raised his arm to look at the time.
His personal butler was usually busy until after 12 o'clock, and after finishing everything, he would go to bed.
"If you're hungry, you can ask him to make a sandwich or something."
Captain America was covering his stomach. He really was a bit hungry.
As a [battleship-class] soldier, his energy consumption also needed to be supplemented.
"Wait! Something's not right!"
Howard pushed open the door and saw the light in the living room, but Jarvis, the butler, didn't come to greet him.
This was very abnormal.
His butler had always been dedicated to his duties.
From his personal etiquette to ability, there wasn't a single fault to be found.
Every time Howard came home, the other party would stand at the door.
"Possible danger …"
Howard stepped forward lightly while Captain America raised the vibranium shield.
The two men crept into the living room.
They saw a man sitting at the dining table who looked taller than Jarvis.
"I say, shouldn't you guys be more excited about meeting an old friend again?"
The familiar voice suddenly rang out, startling the two nervous men.
The man at the dinner table turned around, his lips smiling.
…