Marvel: The Gene Collector

Several observation decks surrounding the factory were equipped with searchlights scanning the area. Instead of barbed wire, the fence had a sturdy steel wire mesh. In the darkness, Steve pinpointed the main factory building, belching black smoke, with heavily armed soldiers patrolling its perimeter.

Steve contemplated how to infiltrate without drawing attention. Walking in and asking for the release of the captives wasn't an option. Suddenly, three trucks pulled up at the entrance, their headlights cutting through the darkness. Steve's eyes lit up. This was a golden opportunity.

He turned to Alex and cautioned, "Stay here and don't move. It's too dangerous inside. You shouldn't take any risks."

With that, he stealthily approached the nearest truck, planning to use it as a disguise. However, when he opened the vehicle's door, he found two occupants. Steve acted swiftly, incapacitating the pair and leaving them unconscious on the road.

"You should have tied them up instead of tossing them out. It would have bought us more time before our presence is discovered," Alex's voice came from behind Steve.

Startled, Steve turned to Alex, his tone anxious. "Didn't I tell you to stay put? It's dangerous here. Go back!"

Steve hadn't even noticed Alex's approach. If Alex hadn't spoken, he might not have noticed him at all.

"Haha, don't worry about me. I have a score to settle with these Nazis, a blood feud," Alex replied lightly. His parents in this life had been killed in a Nazi concentration camp, their bodies incinerated as fuel, leaving no trace behind.

Now as Alex, he was determined to exact his revenge.

Steve sighed and said, "Follow me, and I'll do my best to keep you safe."

Alex's lips twitched. "Protect? We will see who is gonna protect whom."

After a brief pause, the truck started moving again, entering the factory with Steve on board. Once he was sure the coast was clear, Steve leaped from the truck and helped Alex slip into the shadows. As they ventured further into the factory, they encountered more structures and soldiers.

Spotting two HYDRA soldiers escorting a long line of captives through the factory, Steve followed them into a barracks. One guard took the prisoners inside, while the other stood watch at the entrance. Steve swiftly incapacitated the HYDRA soldier with a series of kicks and slipped into the cell with the captives.

After Steve's eyes adjusted to the darkness, he was taken aback by what he saw. The barracks was a veritable nightmare.

Inside, dozens of circular cages imprisoned countless prisoners, likely numbering in the hundreds. It became evident that HYDRA had captured far more than just Unit 107. Steve needed to relay this information to Philip, but his first priority was to free the prisoners.

Above the cages, a raised platform hosted a guard who patrolled back and forth. Steve silently ascended the platform and swiftly subdued the guard with a powerful blow. The guard toppled from the platform, creating a loud noise that drew the bewildered attention of the captives below.

One of the soldiers in the cages examined Steve closely, scrutinizing his helmet and shield, and inquired, "Who are you?"

"I'm Captain America," Steve replied.

Suddenly, a chorus of skepticism erupted. Wasn't Captain America supposed to be a dancing joker?

Steve sighed, understanding their doubts. He was determined to prove them wrong.

Steve found the cage keys on the unconscious guard, tossed one to Alex, and said, "These are for you."

Each cage bore a number, and the corresponding keys matched. Steve and Alex diligently unlocked every single cage, releasing the prisoners who stumbled out, their legs and feet tingling from being confined for so long.

After ensuring everyone was freed, Steve inquired, "Is there anyone else?"

"There's an isolation ward," a soldier informed Steve, "on the ground floor of the factory."

Steve nodded and led Alex toward the factory's ground floor.

He instructed the newly liberated soldiers to locate weapons and secure the remaining guards while he and Alex ventured deeper into the factory. HYDRA's forces were still oblivious to the attack, but that wouldn't last. Steve still had someone to save, and he couldn't find Bucky among the released prisoners.

Steve and Alex moved stealthily through the shadows, avoiding group after group of enemy soldiers, until they reached the factory's main entrance. Steve incapacitated two HYDRA soldiers with his shield, gaining access to the factory.

Inside, the factory was filled with weaponry. Steve spotted numerous crates containing bombs, some of which appeared to be in various stages of production. The further he ventured, the more crates he encountered.

Piles of ammunition were scattered around, and upon closer examination, Steve realized that these bombs and cartridges emitted a distinctive blue glow, reminiscent of the super soldier serum.

Steve pocketed one of the cartridges and continued cautiously until he reached an office on the other side of the hangar.

Alex observed the proliferation of ammunition and the pulsating blue light, suspecting that it was connected to the energy of the Tesseract.

The Tesseract—a Space gem in the Marvel universe.

(End of this chapter)

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