Chapter 131: Ross's Super Soldier
2022-10-19 Author: Great Demon Spirit
A secret Military meeting was being held.
The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in the exclusive Military conference room at The Pentagon. For some unknown reason, General Ross suddenly announced a change of venue, which naturally drew some criticism.
General Ross, the failure of the previous Super-Soldier Program, had only just been given a chance to atone for his mistakes, yet he acted so casually, even changing the location of a secret meeting on a whim? Did he really think he was someone important?
Many senior and steady individuals were extremely dissatisfied. Moreover, Ross had offended quite a few people in the past due to his tough and strict demeanor.
"What exactly is General Ross trying to pull? How can such a critical meeting not be held at The Pentagon? I don't believe any security or confidentiality measures can be stronger than The Pentagon's!"
"Apparently, General Ross has a new plan to announce. The Super-Soldier Program has made significant breakthroughs, and out of caution, a temporary change of venue was necessary."
"Nonsense! The Super-Soldier Program has been running for so many years, with countless resources poured into it. There's been one failure after another. Aside from Captain America during World War II, who else is there? Hulk? Abomination? Those things are, to put it plainly, beasts, and uncontrollable beasts at that!"
Some participants in the Super-Soldier Program—or rather, the observers sent by The Government and various Organizations and Conglomerates—whispered among themselves as they arrived at the main hall of the New York Army.
This was highly unusual. The person in charge of something as extremely dangerous as the Super-Soldier Program had actually arranged the meeting on his own turf. If it were someone like Stryker, whose achievements seemed impressive but were actually full of flaws, and he had at least some results, they would tolerate him causing trouble in his secret base.
But Ross was different. He was too troublesome. His two failed experiments nearly demolished New York City and even spawned a new, terrifying Mutant. He caused trouble day in and day out, and the Military found it increasingly difficult to deal with him.
Tony's power was already established; it was too late to deal with him.
Many harbored immense malice and resentment towards Ross. The Super-Soldier Program was too important; it held high status and power, and The Government provided as many rare resources as it demanded. Furthermore, the extensive connections it generated were envied by many.
Stryker had been dabbling with the X-Gene, holding great power. Despite producing a multitude of failures and accidentally letting a deathless freak like Wolverine escape, he did deliver a large number of effective reports and data. The Super Soldier program had been left vacant since Ross went to Prison. Many were sharpening their knives, eager to take over the program, but then The Government unceremoniously dumped a pile of crap on them—General Ross was released unscathed, with only a minor demerit lightly noted on his record.
There was no alternative; considering personality, scientific research, responsibility, loyalty, and connections, only Ross was currently the most suitable candidate.
General Ross walked in, pushing open the main door with an air of triumphant self-satisfaction that everyone could discern. Although Ross tried to maintain a serious demeanor, his occasionally twitching eyebrows and upturned lips betrayed his inner turmoil. What was most exasperating was that, whether intentionally or not, when Ross pushed open the conference room doors, he used both arms, one on each side, pushing them to their widest extent.
How sick in the head do you have to be to do something like that?
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Super-Soldier Program! First, I want to congratulate you. You are about to witness a historic moment. Everyone present will be etched into history and remembered by the people. It is you who protect this nation, and it is you who protect this world!"
General Ross was over fifty, his hair already flecked with gray, yet his spirit was robust. His time in Prison had left no visible mark on him. His hawk-like eyes remained as sharp as ever, conveying intense pressure beneath an outwardly calm exterior.
"I announce that the Super-Soldier Program has been a resounding success!" General Ross declared with full vigor, gesturing expansively. His expression radiated pride and ambition, his thick eyebrows raised high.
What???!!!! Did I hear that right???
Who the hell gave you that confidence???!!!
Everyone present was dumbfounded. They looked at each other suspiciously, their first thought being that they had entered the wrong conference room. This meeting, they mused, should be for mental health experts, who were reportedly researching how to block Professor X's Mind Control.
A rather impressive hypothesis was to confront the opponent with the mental state of a madman. Unless the opponent invaded their brain to plunder memories, which would, of course, mean a declaration of war, ordinary communication would not expose their thoughts, allowing them to gain the upper hand in negotiations without needing to communicate via video calls as before.
The person who proposed this wild idea was named Trofim. It was said that this guy came out of Arkham in Gotham City over a decade ago.
"General Ross, with all due respect, have you... been driven mad by Trofim?" A female official's eyes flashed as she stood up, feigning defiance towards Ross, and asked. She was a young official, serving as a recorder in this team, specifically tasked with noting every detail for the major Conglomerates behind her.
The United States itself was controlled by numerous giants; for instance, the media was entirely monopolized by six major media corporations.
Ross smiled. Though he wanted nothing more than to throttle the other person, he still smiled and beckoned behind him. An utterly ordinary soldier walked in.
People watched Ross with confusion, a hint of expectation subtly emerging. No one sitting there was truly foolish; they possessed at least basic political acumen. They could curse Ross's boasting, but if a live demonstration was truly happening, then at least some results had been achieved.
Ross took a handgun from a vigilant guard outside the door. Before everyone's eyes, he fired several shots at the ordinary soldier!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
General Ross was firing at his own soldier like a madman!!!
It was a common M9. Fired at such close range, the soldier definitely wouldn't survive!
People were on the verge of collapsing. What was happening?!!
What madness was Ross displaying? Had this guy really been brainwashed by Trofim?
"Soldier! Soldier! Ross is insane! Take this idiot down!" someone shouted!
But it was silent outside the door. No one paid any attention, and no military personnel rushed in to stop the shooting upon hearing the gunfire.
Ross twirled the M9 once, then casually slipped it into his pocket. With an arrogant smile, he crooked a finger at the soldier who had been shot but remained unmoved.
The soldier walked over expressionlessly. Under the stunned gaze of everyone present, he slowly plucked the bullets from his body one by one. He placed them on the table, where they made faint clicking sounds. The wounds on his body healed at a visibly rapid pace, disappearing within five seconds, leaving him perfectly unblemished.
The soldier, with a serious expression, gave Ross a standard military salute. "General, mission accomplished. Awaiting orders!"
What???!!!
The entire conference room fell into an instant silence. Everyone stared blankly at the soldier. No one was a fool; on the contrary, their political acumen was very high.
A soldier with Regenerative Ability, a Physique so strong that gunfire had no effect, and who maintained his own sanity?!
This carried immense significance!
Had Ross successfully replicated Captain America's Prototype Gene Serum? No, even Captain America back then didn't possess such restorative power. Injuries deep enough to expose bone, or those that pierced vital organs, could recover completely within seconds?!
(end of chapter)