Bruce's guess was correct—Captain America was currently on a call with President Howard.
"Sir, requesting permission—" Captain America didn't even finish his sentence before President Howard interrupted him.
President Howard knew exactly what this Captain America was thinking.
But there was no way he could agree to it.
Especially at a time like this.
"Request denied, Captain."
Speaking via video call, President Howard's stance was firm.
"Our resources are extremely limited. The military can't even unify what remains of this country."
"Your mission is to stay in Dallas and continue overseeing the unification."
"I'll say it again—do not enter disputed territory."
But Captain America had no intention of agreeing with President Howard's words.
With a determined gaze, he looked straight at President Howard and said, "President Howard, the refugee camps are full of Americans. I can assemble a team—"
"Captain!"
President Howard cut him off harshly.
For a moment, his expression twisted in frustration.
But he quickly regained his composure, adjusting his expression before speaking again in a different tone.
"Captain, stay away from California."
"I don't have time to discuss this today—I'm in the middle of an election."
"For the last time, this is the West Coast Nation's internal issue. They wanted sovereignty, and now they have it."
"Sir, with all due respect, to my knowledge, your oath didn't end at the Mississippi River."
With those words, Captain America turned and walked away.
"Captain Rogers! Do I need to remind you?"
"Captain, don't betray me!"
"Captain…"
"Where do you think you're going?"
Just as President Howard had previously interrupted him, this time, Captain America completely ignored him.
At the border between New Mexico and Texas, Captain America arrived in his small jeep.
On the opposite side, a red Chevrolet Suburban approached.
Seeing the person step out of the Suburban, Captain America felt a sense of relief.
"Hello, Captain America."
Nick Fury stood before him, dressed in full tactical gear, as if an invisible wall separated the two of them.
Captain America stepped out of his vehicle and faced Nick Fury.
"President Howard wants me to keep my boots on American soil—whatever that means."
This left Captain America conflicted.
He was a soldier; he was supposed to follow orders. But he knew exactly where he should be—California.
"I got your message. It's good to see you back in uniform."
Nick Fury was genuinely glad that Captain America had returned to the fight to save America.
He had tried to convince him before, but he had failed.
But soon, Captain America's expression darkened.
"I feel like I'm in another world… Genocide? Concentration camps? On American soil?"
His disbelief was evident.
The very horrors he had fought so hard against had now taken root in the nation he swore to protect.
"I just want to storm back in there and—"
Captain America clenched his teeth as he spoke, his voice filled with rage.
Everyone could feel it.
Just from his tone, it was clear what Captain America would do if he went back.
"Defying orders isn't really your style."
Nick Fury bluntly pointed out the problem.
Captain America was clearly torn.
But had he truly never defied orders before?
Before Captain America could respond, Nick Fury continued speaking.
Moreover, ever since the former president abandoned it, the entire situation in the Southwest has spiraled beyond your control—beyond even my control. May God bless his soul.
Even at this moment, when mentioning the former president, Nick Fury couldn't help but express his condolences. After all, the former president had been reduced to ashes in the counterattack on the city.
"We have some rather unusual elements here, so I'm considering an unconventional solution. A young and powerful mutant has led a rebellion against the Sentinel robots. I'll handle the troubles in the Southwest, while you have even bigger problems to deal with."
As Nick Fury spoke these words, Captain America could no longer bear to listen.
He gestured toward the vast desert behind him and said to Fury, "This is hell, Fury. The entire country is. People are terrified—they fear that America can no longer protect them. And yet, here I am, just sitting around."
"You're simply doing what a good soldier does—following orders," Fury replied solemnly.
"I'm not just a soldier. People need protection. Those kids by the river… they just died." Captain America's tone grew more intense, clearly straying from his original concerns.
Fury crossed his arms and tilted his head, looking at Captain America. "I'm pretty sure your job is to follow the president, not play guardian angel."
"Damn it, Fury! What the hell is going on here? Do American lives even matter anymore? Or are we just protecting the political interests of a cowardly president who's afraid of losing his job?"
Captain America no longer looked at Fury. Instead, he turned his gaze to the desolate desert.
"Fury, the last time we spoke, you asked me—you wanted me to betray my country. If I had listened to you then, would America still be in one piece? Would the European Union still exist?"
Leaning against his vehicle, Fury watched Captain America. "Those are your words, not mine."
But Fury could see the unwavering determination growing in Captain America's deep blue eyes.
Refugee Camp, California-Arizona Border
There was no hope to be found here. Everything had driven them to despair.
Whether it was the state of America or the cold rejection and merciless expulsions from the Western Coast Nation,
It had left these people numb.
They no longer knew where they were supposed to go.
After a long and arduous journey, all they wanted was a safe place to live.
But everything around them made it painfully clear—the peaceful era they had once dreamed of was gone forever.
A refugee suddenly hurled his cup to the ground and turned his gaze toward the border fence separating the refugee camp from the Western Coast Nation.
The others took notice of his actions, unsure of what he was about to do next.
"Are we just going to wait here to die? What happened to the Henderson family will happen to us sooner or later. They treat us like animals, stripping us of any dignity!"
"We are people! We have rights! We deserve what is rightfully ours!"
More and more refugees began to gather, all eyes fixed on the man.
"If they refuse to give us what we deserve, then we'll take it with our own hands." Hatred for the Western Coast Nation burned in the man's eyes.
"But what about their drones?" Some refugees still feared the machines hovering in the sky—those deadly, wasp-like sentinels of death.
The man pointed at the ground beneath them and shouted, "Do you want to die here?"
Then he pointed toward the gates of the Western Coast Nation and declared, "Or do you want to die on the path to freedom?"
"This…"
"He… he might have a point."
"To hell with it, let's go!"
"If death is the only option, we might as well fight!"
The refugees' emotions had been fully ignited by the man's words. They no longer hesitated.
They knew only one thing now—break through that damned fence and claim true freedom.
(End of Chapter)
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