Chapter 112: News
The next morning, when Carter woke up, Mason had already prepared breakfast for her and placed it on the bedside table.
Last night, he had raided four locations, dismantling all of Hydra's safehouses in New York City and seizing a massive amount of classified intelligence.
This included not only a roster of Hydra operatives throughout New York City but also dossiers on politicians and businessmen connected to them.
Turning on the television, every channel was reporting on Allied victories on the front lines. Although Hydra hadn't been completely eradicated, Steve Rogers was leading a relentless offensive across Europe.
Apart from a few fortified facilities, Hydra's influence was practically nonexistent.
"After you were captured, following extensive investigation, Agent Carter finally found direct evidence that Hodge murdered Professor Erskine, proving your innocence,"
Carter said, sitting down opposite Mason with two cups of coffee.
"Tell me in detail what happened during this time."
"The committee's top candidate, Hodge, turned out to be the murderer of Professor Erskine. This dealt a devastating blow to the entire Super Soldier program, and even the Strategic Scientific Reserve was nearly disbanded."
"Intelligence about Hodge was completely classified. Senator Brandt originally wanted to promote Steve as Captain America."
"He believed that a single super soldier couldn't control the entire war—Captain America should be a symbol of hope, rallying the nation's morale through public appearances and propaganda."
"However, Steve refused his request."
"Steve said he had to find you. If one base didn't have you, he'd hit another, until every Hydra facility was rubble. He wanted you back—alive or dead!"
"After destroying one of the facilities, he obtained experimental records there, including modification protocols targeting you. They didn't tell me about this—I only discovered it by chance through SSR channels."
At this point, Carter covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My God, how did you survive all that?!"
"It's all in the past. I'm fine."
In fact, Hydra had been using an empty vessel—Mason had no recollection of it at all. This unexpected revelation deepened everyone's understanding of Mason, and everyone who watched the footage praised his resilience.
"Where is Steve now?"
"Hydra's defenses have tightened, and some hidden facilities are now extremely difficult to locate. We recently discovered some leads, and Steve led a strike team to England."
"What about you and Steve? How are things between you two?" Mason asked with genuine curiosity.
It's hard not to become close friends with someone like Steve after spending significant time with him, so this time Mason planned to completely alter the plot of Captain America: The First Avenger.
The relationship between Carter and Steve in the movie brought tears to many viewers. They clearly loved each other, but couldn't be together, and when they reunited, 70 years had passed.
70 years had stolen their youth, but couldn't erase their memories. In fact, it was precisely this enormous span of time that created Captain America's tragic uniqueness.
Perhaps without those 70 years frozen in ice, Steve wouldn't be the man he became, but even so, Mason was willing to try changing fate.
In Steve's heart, Mason was both his older brother and his mentor—he'd watched Mason transform from a scrappy Brooklyn kid into the renowned Captain America through sheer determination.
Despite facing setbacks, opposition, and threats from Gilmore Hodge, Mason never gave up on him. In the end, to buy Steve time for the transformation, he'd even confronted Hodge directly.
All of this made Mason the most important person in Steve's life, even surpassing his close friend James "Bucky" Barnes.
"We've officially started dating," Carter said with a soft smile. "Steve was incredibly endearing on our first date. He practically stepped on my feet the entire time we were dancing."
"Due to the Hodge incident, Colonel Phillips has stepped down, and I'm now directly overseeing Strategic Scientific Reserve operations."
"Steve and I work seamlessly together—we've taken down several Hydra facilities and greatly relieved pressure on the Allied forces!"
"I heard Steve promised me that once you're rescued, he'll propose in your presence!"
"That guy's finally gotten his act together!" Mason said with a grin.
Mason placed the documents he'd obtained from the Hydra safehouses on the table. "This is intelligence I recovered from Hydra's New York operations. Get it to SSR command."
"Actually, they sent me to eliminate you. Although I've fabricated the assassination report, you shouldn't make any public appearances for a while. Stay off the grid."
"I'll come back for you after I've dealt with these loose ends."
Carter took Mason's hand.
"Can't you stay? Leave these operations to the field agents—it's not your responsibility."
"Following your previous financial advice, I liquidated my family's holdings and invested in multiple industries. My assets have multiplied exponentially. Let's find somewhere remote where no one will bother us and just... disappear together, okay?"
Mason shook his head.
"Carter, there are some things I have to do personally. Although I can't explain everything to you, please trust me—these matters are life and death, and I have no choice!"
"I trust you. Promise me you'll come back alive!" Carter leaned against Mason's chest and whispered.
Mason held her.
"Contact Peggy Carter at SSR—I need to speak with her about something."
Not long after Carter made the call, Agent Peggy Carter arrived at the safehouse at breakneck speed, accompanied by Howard, who looked exhausted from pulling an all-nighter.
"Carter, what's the emergency that you called me here so urgently?" Peggy asked directly as soon as she entered.
"I've invited you to meet an old friend," Carter said with a mysterious smile.
"Good Lord, you know how swamped I am? Steve escorted Professor Broom to England, and I have to monitor Hydra operations constantly. Where would I find time to socialize with old friends?" Peggy's face showed irritation.
"Are you certain about that?"
"This old friend is crucial to your future happiness."
Mason, watching from around the corner, found this somewhat amusing. He didn't want to play along with Carter's theatrics anymore and walked out with a smile.
"Agent Carter, long time no see!"
"Ma...Mason!"
Even Peggy, usually so composed, couldn't help but stare in shock, stammering.
"Oh my God, it really is you!"
She stepped forward and gave Mason a fierce hug.
"I should contact Steve immediately—he'll be beside himself when he hears you're alive!"
"Now you understand what I meant, right?" Carter playfully gave Peggy a knowing wink.
"Now that Mason's back, shouldn't you and Steve start planning your wedding?"
Author's Note
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