"Something I can help you with, Mr. President?" Clark asked.
"I just want to make sure you're prepared for what could happen, Lieutenant." He said and Clark was a little confused. "I stand by your decision to have your team up there with you and honored as they should be, I just want to make sure you understand that your decision may not be so popular with everyone."
"I'm aware, sir and I know." Clark replied. "And I'm ready. Colonel Phillips had the same concern sir, but I stand by my decision and maybe this will be for the better."
"What do you mean?" The President questioned.
"A lot has changed in this war and how we fight so why not the people who do the fighting." Clark said, repeating what he had said to Colonel Phillips back when he first formed the team. "I have no doubt that when the war is over the world isn't going to be the same as it was before so why not do some of the changing now."
"That's a very optimistic point of view there Lieutenant. I happen to agree with you and I'm sure there are many others as well, but I feel the trouble will come from the more that outnumber us. Change like what you're suggesting can't happen overnight."
"I know, sir but it's got to start somewhere. My team got plenty of questionable looks and protests from others in the SSR but the work we did together was able to quell that. We're fighting in this war to stop an evil force from taking over Europe and Asia. I know I've avoided all the politics of this war so far but if we're really here to do good then shouldn't we do the same for our own country?" Clark questioned and President Roosevelt smiled at his sincerity and hope.
"I can see now why Colonel Phillips has such a high opinion of you, Lieutenant, and why you were chosen for Project Rebirth." President Roosevelt praised him.
"Thank you, sir. I know how idealistic this may sound but Dr. Erskine chose me for that reason and it's also how I chose the members of my team. I looked at their qualities beyond what people saw on the surface as I knew Dr. Erskine and Colonel Phillips saw in me. I owe it to them and everyone to do what's right both in the war and here at home in any way I can. I know not everyone may agree with me and if I have to stand by himself on my views then fine, but I don't think I'm the only one." Clark stated. "My apologies if this causes a headache though, sir. I know you're busy."
"None needed, Lieutenant. I would've been busy regardless of your decisions. And just know that you're not alone." The President held out his hand and Clark shook it gingerly. "Now, we've got a medal ceremony to get to."
"Yes, sir." Clark replied as he got behind the President and pushed him out of the oval office where the President's aid took over. Clark and the President made their way through the White House until they arrived at the hallway leading to the terrace facing the South Lawn and, in the distance, they could see the Washington Monument. All the secret service members and military personnel stood at attention as the President and Clark walked by. Clark joined his team as a White House Aid stood at the podium to address the small crowd of politicians, senators, military personnel, and reporters arriving for the ceremony and had everyone take their seats. Clark stole a quick glance outside with his x-ray vision and he saw Senator Brandt of all people outside. "Colonel, is that Senator Brandt outside?"
"Yes, Lieutenant. Your eyes do not deceive you." Colonel Phillips replied and both he and Clark sighed in disgust.
"Who's Senator Brandt, boss?" Lucas wondered.
"Part of the Armed Services Committee that Colonel Phillips had to deal with when they were getting Operation Rebirth up and running. He's the moronic senator that had the Hydra spy as part of his entourage." Clark answered.
"Then how the hell is he not in jail?" Logan questioned.
"Senator Brandt has some pull in Washington." Colonel Phillips replied. "Didn't help that he scooped up Rogers and turned him into Captain America so now his office is vital to the war at home."
"Basically, we all hate him." Howard Stark added. "He's probably here to try and scoop up some photos for the press or he'll try to hitch his wagon to Elbert's wagon."
"Fair warning, Colonel. If he tries that then I'm throwing him into the Potomac." Clark said.
"Officially, I can't condone that. Having said that if I don't see it then I can't do anything about it." Colonel Phillips remarked before he joined the other military personnel outside on the terrace. Howard and Peggy joined him while Clark and his team would wait until the President introduced them.
After everyone took their seats, the President's aid helped him stand up and they locked his metal leg braces before handing him a cane. With the help of two aids, he walked out onto the terrace towards the podium and everyone in the audience stood up with the military personnel saluting him and the cameramen taking photos.
"Thank you, everyone for coming. This is a momentum occasion as I stand before you, here, September 1943, on the very terrace of the White House here in Washington DC. As many of you know, our men of the Armed Services of the United Stated of America, along with our allies in Europe and in Asia have been in fierce fighting against the combined military might of the Axis powers. Nearly two years since that fateful day at Pearl Harbor when the Americans realized that they had become part of this global war and were thrusts into battle against two enemies that sought nothing but total domination. Slowly but surely, through hard grit and determination, we have begun to beat back their advance and now we have dealt the enemies their most momentous defeat. Approximately, two weeks ago, a special taskforce undertook a most dangerous mission far behind enemy lines in Axis controlled Italy. They, through great harm and obstacles set against them, successfully captured and transported Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, leader of the Fascist Party of Italy into Allied control where he will stand trial for his horrendous crimes against man. This is but the first moment to assure the American people and our allies abroad, that we will win this war and see it through to absolute victory." President Roosevelt spoke, and the crowd clapped in applause. "This mission, set against impossible odds with innumerous obstacles in the way could only be accomplished by a taskforce of Allied soldiers who were up to the task. Allow me to present to everyone, Taskforce Vanguard and their commander, Lieutenant Kalvin Elbert, The Superman."
Everyone in the crowd clapped their hands in applause and stood up as a nearby band played some merry music. Clark was outside in the hallway and groaned. "Really, not liking how that name is sticking." Clark muttered.
"Well, it's stuck now and you're not getting rid of it." Logan joked as he and everyone took a deep breath.
"All right. Show time." Clark took a deep breath and walked out onto the terrace but was nearly blinded by the numerous shutter flashes of the cameras. Despite that, he kept walking and then stopped next to the podium. The rest of his team followed and stood next to him. The applause and camera flashes continued but once the senators, reporters, cameramen, and visitors saw the makeup of Clark's team many of their expressions had changed from admiration to quiet contemplation. They continued clapping but internally many had questions and concerns.
"The men and women before you were specially picked and trained for the mission that they undertook. A mission that couldn't be undertaken by a battalion of armed soldiers or tanks but men and women with special training that made them specially qualified for capturing Benito Mussolini. But there is only so much that I can say about their good work that isn't better said by the man who brought them all together. Lieutenant Elbert…" President Roosevelt motioned him to come up to the podium. Clark was momentarily but taken back but he nodded and walked over to the podium after the President stepped down. To say that Clark was a little nervous standing up at the podium in front of everyone was an understatement which was a little ironic considering how he could stare down a battalion of Wehrmacht soldiers or an entire mechanized tank column without thought yet dealing with politicians and reporters made his stomach jump. Clark took a deep breath for a moment of contemplation and readied himself.
"Thank you, Mr. President." Clark thanked him as he stood at the podium and looked at everyone and his team. "By now, I'm sure that many of you have heard the stories that the news have printed about me and my actions during the course of the war and those that have would naturally assume that I played the main part in the mission to capture Benito Mussolini. Many would wonder what use a team is to man who can supposedly lift a tank over his head. But the truth is the mission was only a success and I'm only alive because of the actions of my team. The Germany army and special weapons programs have proven to be formidable, and one man alone cannot stop them. I am capable of doing many great things, but I am still just one man, and I alone cannot end this war in a fortnight. A lot has changed in this war including how we fight so with the changing times why not change the people who do the fighting. My team may seem unconventional and unorthodox, but this team wasn't assembled purely for raw strength or overwhelming force. The group of people you see before you have talent, skill, and above all else strong hearts and beliefs that make them stronger than a simple collective of soldiers blindly following orders. They've proven themselves with qualities and skills beyond that of standard soldiers and each with a drive to win this war for the right reasons. The war is about standing up against the mad tyranny and psychopathic drive of the Axis powers to take over the world, a fight that is not just restricted to the armies of the nations' standing against them but every man and woman willing to give it all to stop them. American, British, Canadian, Australian, Dutch, Indian, and African. All from different backgrounds and cultures but each driven and dedicated to standing against tyranny to win this war at whatever the cost."
Clark's impassioned speech earned him a round of applause from the audience and some more pictures snapped by photographers. Even those that weren't as open minded as Clark was clapped but that was merely out of curtsey as not doing so in the moment would be bad optics. President Roosevelt clapped just as loudly as Colonel Phillips, Agent Carter, and Howard Stark before walking over and shaking Clark's hand. Clark stepped down from the podium and the President resumed his spot.
"Well said, Lieutenant and the actions of your team speak volume. I'm sure that this will only be the first of many victories for this war. People everywhere owe you a great deal and I hope that this honor shows you and your team that we truly appreciate your hard work. I'm proud to present to you and your team with the Legion of Merit." President Roosevelt announced as several aids came over and pinned Legion of Merit Legionnaire medals onto each member of Clark's team. Clark was given a Legion of Merit as well but since he was a Lieutenant, he was given the Legion of Merit Officer medal. Colonel Philips smiled at Clark and the team with pride as this was a big moment for them, obviously but the added assurance and political backing from the President would help tremendously in the years to come. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Taskforce Vanguard!"
Clark and his team gave salutes as music played and people applauded before they walked back into the White House. Secret Service members kept the reporters and politicians back as the President answered any last-minute questions while Colonel Phillips, Agent Carter, and Howard Stark joined them inside the White House. "Whew, that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Clark admitted.
"It was good. A little sappy for my taste but nice message." Lucas joked.
"Well done, Lieutenant. You handled yourself very well." Colonel Phillips praised when he noticed Clark perk up a bit. "What is it?"
"Just picked up some interesting chatter. Apparently, my hunch about Senator Brandt was right. He's gonna try and use Superman to help boost his own political influence with his USO shows." Clark told him.
"What an absolute wanker." Arthur Kingsley remarked when they all felt a gust of wind brush past them and saw Clark was gone. Everyone looked around trying to see where he went but then a few seconds later Clark reappeared in front of everyone with another gust of wind blowing in their faces.
"That's starting to get annoying." Logan told him.
"Sorry." Clark replied but he had a noticeable smile on his face.
"What did you do?" Peggy asked.
"Nothing…but if you get word that Senator Brandt was found in the middle of the Potomac river…I had nothing to do with it." Clark told them. Everyone chuckled a bit, imagining the scenario in their heads and how funny it must have been to see with their own eyes.
"Like I said, if I didn't see anything I can't do anything." Colonel Phillips stated. "All right, I still have some business to take care of so until the Gala dinner later tonight at 6pm you have free passes. Enjoy yourselves."
"Sounds good to me. I will see all of you later. I have some business to take care of." Howard bid them all a fond farewell, giving a female White House aid a wink as he was escorted out.
"Five bucks says he's gonna do something to piss her off and he'll come running to us for help." Clark said to Peggy.
"With Howard that's a near certainty." Peggy remarked as Clark and his team were escorted out of the White House to the cars that took them out into the city.
With their free time before the gala, they explored a little of Washington DC as pretty much all of them had never been to the city before. They saw some monuments along with some typical tourist places and along with getting some food which brought up some issues as there were several places, they went to that wouldn't serve the members of Clark's team. But then they found a place to eat at a diner named Big Bang Burger which was honestly way better than any of the fancy places they would have found, and the owners had no problem with the team sitting at the counter.
Clark closed eyes and sighed in joy and happiness as he ate his double big belly buster combo, easily one of the best burgers he has ever had. And after being overseas for a while, it was missed. Many of Clark's team were having a hamburger for the first time and their looks of surprise, confusion, intrigue and then pure joy, and in that order, were very amusing. Even Peggy, who was as buttoned up, prim, proper, and elegant as a British Royal let her hair down, grabbed her burger with her fingers and got messy which Clark found even more attractive. Clark took a sip of soda when he saw the owner come back in from the back storage room. Big Bang Burger was a family run operation by Bert Beeman, a great cook along with his wife Rhonda. The two along with their longtime friend and waitress Sandy Sledge had been working their butts off to keep Big Bang Burger open and running. Business was good but had been stagnant for a while.
"So, how were the burgers?" Bert asked and got happy nods all around the counter. "Anything I can get for any of you?"
"More fries and some soda and beer refills would be great." Clark answered and Bert nodded with Rhonda putting in some fresh cut fries into the fryer while Sandy refilled sodas cups or got new beers. "Thank you again for lunch. We've had some trouble finding places to eat for all of us."
"Ah, don't mention it." Bert assured him as he cleaned an ice-cream malt glass with a clean towel. "Let those scruffy, uptight people in those restaurants turn their eyes but my father always told me that anyone willing to risk their life in a war deserves a good meal and after hearing what you and your team did then it's the least, I can do."
"Well, thank you. It's been so long since I've had a hamburger and never one as good as this." Diggle said and he took a sip of beer and then another bite of his burger.
"This is my first one and I don't think I'll ever have one ever as good as this." Solange praised, dipping her fries in some ketchup.
Padma, who was Hindu couldn't have beef, so she was missing out on the burgers, but a specialty of the place was Fried Chicken, made by Sandy's own home recipe which was easily as delectable and so good that Clark ordered an extra one that everyone else shared and it was as amazing as the burgers. "I've had chicken all my life but never one as good as this. It's so different yet it's still amazing. Thank you." Padma praised.
"You're welcome. A secret family recipe and I'm glad that Bert and Rhonda agreed to serve it. It's a hit when we can make it." Sandy smiled as Lucas wiped his mouth to clean it of burger juice and mayonnaise before taking a sip of beer.
"You know what would be really good? You put your fried chicken in a burger. That would sell out every day, I guarantee." Lucas suggested.
"Now that is a great idea." Richard Webb agreed.
"I would eat that. Just take a chicken breast off the bone and treat it like you did the fried chicken and it would sell." Clark added leaving Bert, his wife Rhonda, and Sandy to contemplate the idea.
"Sounds like a good idea." Bert admitted.
When they finished all their food, Clark and his team paid for their meals and left a nice tip for the nice service they were given. Granted, some ate too much so they walked slowly out of the diner. The team walked to a nearby park to walk off the food while Clark stayed behind a bit. Sandy's brother had a camera and they wanted to get a picture with Clark before he left which he was more than happy to do because of the good meal he just had, and they were nice people. Sandy's brother used a Kodak 35mm camera and took several photos of all of them.
"Thank you again for the delicious meal. If I lived in DC, I guarantee that I would be here weekly." Clark praised them.
"Thank you. Hopefully you come back to DC and if you do then we'll be more than happy to serve you again, Lieutenant." Bert told him.
"Be careful there, sir." Rhonda and Sandy said, and Clark smiled.
"Thank you. But as a satisfied customer…could I make one suggestion?" Clark wondered and they nodded. "Everything was great, but the name of the diner just doesn't seem to fit."
"Yeah…we're inclined to agree. The more the name has stayed up there the more out of place it feels." Rhonda admitted with Bert and Sandy agreeing. "Any suggestions?"
"Name it after your number 1 burger on the menu." Clark answered.
"Double Big Belly Buster?" Sandy asked.
"Maybe something simpler. How about Big Belly Burger? Simple and kind of entails what people can expect. To leave with big bellies." Clark joked. "Thank you again."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Best of luck out there." Bert shook his hand and Clark left the diner, leaving them to think over his suggestion. "Big Belly Burger? It has a nice ring to it."
Thankfully for them and for Clark, Big Belly Burger wouldn't be going away anytime soon in the near future which would end up being good news for everyone…well anyone who liked food. Clark and his team walked off the burgers, fries, soda, and beers they just had and with a few more hours to kill most were ok with heading back to hotel where they would spend the night. Clark was fine with that and walked with them back to the hotel but entered his room only to change out of his Superman suit and into some regular clothes, basically a nice suit but had his glasses on along with a fedora. Those combined with the way he walked and carried himself made it so that nobody in the lobby, fellow guest or hotel worker never spared him a second glance. Clark walked with a bit of a slump on his shoulders and more of a meek aura which helped as when he wore his Superman suit, he held himself up with more confidence and poise like that of the soldier and leader he was. He exited the hotel lobby and walked a few blocks until he found a secluded enough alley he slipped into. After waiting a few moments, Clark super sped out of the alley at top speed and headed west. He was moving at his current top speed of 1,200 mph, breaking the speed of sound easily and moving so fast that he was hard to see and if anyone did see him then he was just a fast-moving blur.
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