Chapter 371: New and Better (Part 2)

In a Hydra base beneath Lake Michigan, Peter was busy at a computer, cold light reflecting on his mask, revealing his serious, focused expression—he had just discovered files on numerous human experimentation programs.

But after enduring so much, Peter had learned to suppress his sorrow and focus on the task; after working at the computer for hours, Steve crossed over fallen desks and chairs, shield in hand, and asked, "Found anything? Where did the researchers go?"

Peter shook his head, staring at the screen. "They destroyed most of the data before leaving. What I recovered is only a tiny fraction, and they certainly didn't leave their destination in the system."

"What about surveillance equipment?"

"All the footage was erased. I'm trying to recover it." Peter kept his eyes fixed on the screen as data streamed through his vision; after a moment, the screen flickered, and Steve asked, "How's it going?"

"Only a minuscule portion was recovered. Whether we get any leads depends on luck." Peter tapped the keyboard one final time, and an image appeared on the screen.

It looked like a security camera from a janitor's closet, but the door had been left slightly ajar, capturing the scene outside—perhaps that's why this footage hadn't been deleted. Faint voices echoed from it, as if someone was on the phone.

Steve stepped forward and said to Peter, "Pause. Play that line again."

Peter pressed a key, setting the audio to loop. They listened for a long time, barely distinguishing a few words from the muffled sounds.

"Evacuation… Preservation Protocol… and 'Doctor'?" Steve narrowed his eyes. "It seems that before we breached this place, they contacted another Hydra cell and relocated to other bases."

"But we've already destroyed all the nearby bases. Where could they possibly hide?" Peter asked, puzzled.

Steve explained, "Hydra is a secretive organization. They establish countless safe houses to evade investigations by any force."

"These safe houses are nested within each other. No one knows the full list. Even though we and Stark have destroyed nearly all of them, there may still be deeper, hidden ones lurking beneath the surface…"

Peter took a deep breath. "So after all this work, they slipped away?"

"You must learn to accept it—most missions are wasted effort, but they lay the groundwork for ultimate victory." Steve stepped closer, placing a hand on Peter's shoulder and turning to meet his eyes. "A cunning enemy can only strike for a moment. We will win in the end."

The next day, they found another laboratory—still underground. Hydra had buried countless secret bases beneath the surface, and Captain America, leading the Avengers, pulled them out like potatoes from soil.

With a crash, Spider-Man smashed through the final door. Inside was the standard control room of a Hydra base—but empty.

Peter took a deep breath, shoulders tense. Behind him, Steve spoke in a low voice: "Something's wrong. One or two bases evacuating could be coincidence—they heard rumors and fled. But every key personnel from several consecutive bases vanished?"

Matt walked in. "If I'm right, there's a deeply hidden safe house where all the fleeing personnel have gathered. We must find its location."

"Remember that name we heard last time?" Steve looked at Peter, stroking his chin. "The one who arranged their evacuation—called 'Doctor' or 'Ph. .'?"

"With all due respect, Steve, you've been obsessing too much," Matt said, stepping forward. "As long as we're fighting criminals, we can cooperate with anyone—even Stark. Even if we disagree on methods, our goals are the same. We should've joined forces long ago."

Peter added, "You two don't have any fundamental conflict, Captain. Maybe you just don't understand each other. I still believe people who stand for justice always become friends."

Steve shook his head. "I don't dislike Stark. I just believe fighting Hydra is my duty—and I won't force anyone to shoulder it for me."

Similarly, I don't know why he suddenly changed his approach, but I have to tell him this isn't a child's game—it's not something he can finish with a burst of passion and three-minute enthusiasm.

"But…" Steve's tone shifted. "His recent actions have proven to me he truly wants to destroy Hydra."

"In the past few weeks, he's achieved significant results. I think it's time we unite all our strength to eliminate them completely."

"Good. You've come around," Matt nodded, reluctantly admitting that Captain America was indeed a noble man—and a good friend: steady, open-minded, and willing to listen.

"I'll check the computer here again for any data. Then we'll go back to Mr. Stark and ask if he can help us locate that hidden safe house."

As Peter turned toward the console, he paused. "Huh? This system seems… different from the others?"

Steve, still examining paper files, looked over. "Different how? What's special?"

"It has a unique encryption system—a special password lock. It's complex, so they didn't have time to erase it before fleeing. Let me see…"

"Oh God, another damn human experiment. What's this? Winter Soldier Program? My God! How could they…?"

As Peter gasped in shock, Steve and Matt moved closer. Peter explained: "This system holds an ancient encryption. Its access method is complicated and easily overlooked—maybe the evacuating agents didn't notice it…"

"But I think it's important. I've decrypted part of the data—it mentions a human experimentation program called 'Winter Soldier.'"

"They aimed to create perfect emotionless soldiers: implanting brainwashing modules into human minds, modifying their bodies, inserting mechanical components, then sending them to assassinate key targets."

"I always said Hydra's evil is like an iceberg beneath the water—we only ever see a tiny corner." Steve sighed. "Archive this data."

"By the way, is there a list of test subjects? If we can find their families, we could send them compensation. I'll pay."

Peter bent over the computer. "List… list… found it. Oh no—it's damaged! Only the first half remains—surnames starting with G and before. Want to take a look, Captain?"

Steve hadn't wanted to move, but he remembered his comrades brutally killed by Hydra—every one of them a victim. He wanted to pray for them.

So he walked over, glanced briefly at the list, made the sign of the cross—and then saw the surname at the very top, beginning with B.

"Barnes?" Steve narrowed his eyes. Peter asked, "What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just knew a friend with that surname. By the way, can you see their full names?"

The First Cause of the Ten Thousand Realms

"Oh, the names are folded." Peter stepped forward and clicked the screen—every name unfolded. Steve stared, frozen. "James Barnes? Bucky…"

"Is there data on him?!" Steve suddenly grabbed Peter's shoulder. Peter winced from the pressure. "You okay, Captain?"

Steve snapped back to himself, lowered his arm, fingers trembling. "I'm fine. Can you find his file? He might've been my old comrade…"

"Sure. Let me check… James Buchanan Barnes. Origin unmarked, but records show he participated in the Winter Soldier modification program and received a mechanical arm after losing his own…"

Steve's face lit up with joy. "Yes! Bucky's arm was severed! It's him! It has to be him!"

But sorrow quickly darkened his expression. "These victims are probably all… Damn Hydra. Bucky suffered terribly. I'll destroy them all."

"You mean this Barnes might've been your old comrade?" Peter asked, then resumed typing. "He might not be dead, Captain. The files say they injected these test subjects with a special serum to enhance cellular activity and extend lifespan."

"They also mentioned a weapons storage protocol—sealing these subjects in a base, to be activated only when needed."

Steve turned sharply, fixing Peter with intense eyes. "Really? Could he still be alive after all this time?"

"Look—here's the detailed report on the serum. Based on its molecular formula, I believe it's highly effective. It should multiply cellular vitality and lifespan several times over. If he didn't die in combat, he's probably still alive…"

Steve immediately grabbed his shield and strode toward the exit. Peter chased after him. "Captain! Captain! Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find that base. I'm rescuing my friend!"

Matt stepped forward to block him. "Steve, calm down. Don't you remember our previous encounters?"

"Every base we found was empty. If we can't locate that safe house, the researchers will keep moving with critical data—you'll never find your friend!"

Steve slammed his shield against the floor. His chest heaved for several seconds. Finally, he calmed. "Fine. Let's go find Stark."

About an hour later, the Avengers gathered in Stark's lab. Steve clearly saw Stark's brow furrow the moment he heard "Barnes." Steve narrowed his eyes. "Have you heard of him?"

Stark denied it. "No. I have no interest in you or your friend."

"Mr. Stark, can you help us find clues to that safe house? I can hack their systems, but most data was erased—only a tiny fraction was recoverable…"

Peter shook his head, sighing. "Guess I still need to improve my skills."

Stark walked over, pulled Peter close, and slung an arm around his shoulder. "I've always said you should join me. Don't waste time with these uneducated fools. Come on—we'll analyze their system together…"

Peter was dragged away. Steve stood frozen, anxious and furious at Stark's attitude.

Steve couldn't read minds—he didn't know Stark was giving him the cold shoulder precisely because of Barnes. If Steve hadn't mentioned the name, Stark would've gladly accepted his cooperation.

The reason? Stark's own campaign against Hydra had been going poorly.