Chapter 74

Gordon: "You directly intervened militarily? Utterly foolish. Haven't the events at the Caribbean branch taught us anything? Do you want to provoke a direct confrontation and start World War III? That would be a war with no winners."

Captain America: "Don't get so worked up. We've always remembered what happened at the Bay of Pigs. Although we didn't know you had allied with the new regime on Paradise Island, we prepared a corresponding contingency plan to avoid any misunderstandings. Please continue to turn a blind eye."

Gordon: "A corresponding contingency plan? What plan? I haven't seen anything. You're just lying through your teeth. You sent regular U.S. military units to land there..."

Captain America: "You misunderstood. The ones who landed were not regular U.S. military units, but volunteers with completely different designations."

Gordon: "Volunteers?"

Captain America: "Yes, a group of active-duty soldiers spontaneously formed the 'American People's Volunteer Army.' This shows that it's not the U.S. government declaring war on S.H.I.E.L.D., but the American people voluntarily supporting the people of Paradise Island in their fight against dictatorial tyranny."

Gordon: "Volunteers? Volunteers to die? This is not something you Americans would do. They were clearly forced by their superiors."

Captain America: "No, no, no, you don't understand. While Americans value life, we still have beliefs. We believe in universal values that transcend nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, culture, and class, values worth defending and striving for with our lives."

Gordon: "Hmph, just a bunch of arrogant people, thinking the world can only be saved by Americans. Don't make yourselves sound so noble."

Captain America: "Even if it's true, I won't force you to believe it. I only ask if you accept our explanation and acknowledge that the forces that landed were volunteers. I hope you can think of the bigger picture and not act out of spite."

Gordon: "To limit the war to Paradise Island and prevent it from escalating, I have no choice but to acknowledge it..."

Captain America: "Indeed, you are a smart man."

Gordon: "But don't think I'll just let this go."

Captain America: "That's a foolish thing for a smart man to say. Your team is for covert operations, while mine is for war. The disparity in strength is too great. It would be wise to retreat now before the volunteers arrive. Fighting me with such limited forces would be like an egg hitting a stone."

I (narrator): "Indeed, he brought a full military unit, while the old man only brought Cheshire Cat. There's no way they can fight."

Gordon: "Hmph, an egg hitting a stone? It depends on the angle and the egg and the stone."

Captain America: "What do you mean?"

Gordon: "Dale! Forget about the Winter Soldier. With the enemy's main force approaching, it's not wise to stay here. Let's go back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and regroup. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Captain America: "Let her go back to S.H.I.E.L.D.? You want her to form a government in exile and come back to fight later?"

Gordon: "Of course. Do you think only Americans can form volunteer armies?"

Captain America: "Bucky, Diana, stop Eris! Don't let her and Gordon escape!"

Gordon: "What do you mean by 'escape'? This is a strategic relocation! (shouting, afraid Dale might fall for the taunt) Besides, do you really think the Winter Soldier can stop her? He's in no condition to help."

As Gordon said, Bucky had already been knocked down by Dale and was being tortured.

Captain America: "Bucky!!" (breaking free from the force field, Gordon's armor energy also depleted, he ran over)

Diana: "Steve!!" (knowing Dale's skills, she was afraid Captain America would be at a disadvantage, so she dragged Cheshire Cat toward Bucky)

Gordon: "Cheshire Cat, Dale, don't tangle with them. Abandon the original plan and immediately relocate to preserve our forces." (recalling Dale and Cheshire Cat)

Captain America: "Bucky, where are you hurt?" (trying to treat his injuries)

Bucky: "Ah, ah~~~~ (screaming) Captain, don't touch me. I don't know what she poured on me, it hurts all over. If you're not careful, you'll be affected too." (in excruciating pain)

Captain America: "Is this poison or witchcraft...? Inject this (painkiller) yourself; it will help reduce the pain." (with no other options, he handed Bucky a morphine syringe to try to alleviate his pain)

I (narrator): "Captain America has quite a few things on him, but do you have a medical license? Giving medication without knowing the cause could be fatal."

Bucky: "Thank you, Captain (injecting the morphine)... Ugh, ugh (convulsing)." (after injection, his condition worsened, and he was on the verge of death)

Captain America: "Bucky!!" (ignoring his own safety, he performed CPR on Bucky)

Diana: "Steve, stop fooling around, you'll be poisoned too!" (quickly pulling Captain America away, preventing him from further contact with Bucky)

Captain America: "Let me go!!" (struggling, shouting)

Diana: "He's beyond saving. Calm down and accept the reality! Trying to save him is futile and will cost you your life. Who will avenge him if you die?!"

Captain America: "Right, I will avenge Bucky! Eris!!" (shifting his target to Dale, but Dale, Gordon, and Cheshire Cat had already escaped)

On the run

Dale: "Was the drug you gave me for interrogation?"

Gordon: "Yes."

Dale: "Then why did the Winter Soldier die after a while? Did you trick me? Now I have another enemy on my hands."

Gordon: "How could I trick you? (seeing Dale's disbelief) The bottle is still with you. There should be some residue left. You can test it on a pig or a dog to see if it's highly toxic."

Dale: "You mean this drug can't even kill a pig or a dog? How did the Winter Soldier die so quickly? I know my strength, and he's a strong man. How could he not withstand it?" (confused)

Gordon: "Maybe he had some underlying condition or took something like morphine. To understand the drug's effects, you shouldn't take it randomly, as it could be life-threatening. Anyway, it's not your or my fault... There's a stable ahead. Let's buy a few horses to speed up our escape."

Dale: "Okay." (rushing into the stable) "I am the governor. All the horses here are bought by the governor's office!" (shouting, pushing aside the attendant who tried to stop her, she led away three fine horses without paying)

I (narrator): "Is this buying horses? It's more like robbery or requisitioning."

Page flip, ad starts

Page flip, ad ends