After leaving the White House, Luke drove to the Army Club in the Northwest District, where Rogers was still waiting for him.
During the days after returning to New York from London, every day was full of interviews in various public places and commendation ceremonies held by the military, leaving little personal time.
It wasn't until Roosevelt's death that Luke got rid of his busy schedule and came to Washington to attend the funeral and complete the decoration.
"I wonder if Steve can adapt to his new life?"
The black car parked in front of the club, and the person driving Luke was an officer.
After being promoted to major general, the military equipped him with a dedicated secretary, driver and bodyguard - the last one was actually completely unnecessary.
If an accident really happens, who will protect whom
To be able to serve as a bodyguard for Superman, he should be at least at the level of the Sorcerer Supreme, or Odin.
"But having said that, I really need to find some people who can do things for me."
Luke has several suitable candidates, but they haven't been finalized yet.
In his opinion, there is no future in going it alone.
You can't wait until the Chitauri army comes to Earth in the future, and you have to go there alone with your fists.
Of course, the miscellaneous soldiers are left to his subordinates to deal with. Only enemies like Thanos, Apocalypse, and Dormammu are worth taking action personally.
"SHIELD's recruitment campaign is about to begin. I don't know how many people can be recruited."
Luke's thoughts wandered and he walked up the steps.
As soon as he stepped into the lobby of the Army Club, there was a loud exclamation.
Luke, wearing a crisp military uniform and his hair meticulously combed, instantly became the center of attention.
No way, who said he is a celebrity now, and the recruitment posters have changed from Uncle Sam to Superman with a red cape.
The aura of the legendary hero is too attractive to the public.
This is just like how many people relish the story of Washington cutting down cherry trees and Columbus setting up eggs.
Whether it's true or not, I don't care.
And Luke has many legendary deeds that are worth talking about after dinner.
"Hello, Major General Cavell! I am the second batch of recruits from the Caspian training camp!"
"Major General, I am your loyal admirer. Can you sign your name?"
"Thank you for sealing away those Aryan demons! You are a great hero!"
“…”
The sound of chirping came over, temporarily covering up the soothing music flowing in the hall.
The atmosphere in the entire club became noisy, with retired soldiers or resting officers surrounding Luke in the middle.
"Sorry, I have a date with a friend."
Seeing that the topic was getting more and more skewed, Luke hurriedly squeezed out of the circle and walked towards the second floor with a gentle smile that was not impolite.
It is estimated that in the future, the name Superman is destined to be closely tied to topics such as Aryan demons and sorceress pile drivers.
I really don’t know whether I should be grateful to Colonel Phillips, or I should be worried that my reputation has been compromised.
Luke had foreseen the embarrassing scene when a reporter came up to him with a microphone and asked Superman how many sorceress friends he had.
"So, I prefer a low-key life, but unfortunately my strength does not allow it."
The young major general shook his head and came to the relatively quiet second floor.
The first thing that caught his eye was Rogers sitting at the bar.
"Hey, Colonel Rogers from Brooklyn, why are you frowning? Did you have a conflict with your cute little girlfriend?"
Luke patted the other party's shoulder and teased: "Or are you just mourning the passing of the president?"
"neither."
Rogers, who already had the rank of colonel, was a little depressed. He took a sip of whiskey and said, "The war is over. This should be something to be happy about, but I feel like I have lost my goal."
As the well-known Captain America, Rogers is not much less famous than Luke.
In the eyes of many children who love reading comics, the Stars and Stripes uniform is more iconic than Superman's red cape.
"You look a little down."
Luke snapped his fingers and ordered a glass of fruity gin.
Because of his relationship, Rogers' life trajectory changed.
He didn't fall into the glacier, nor did he sleep for seventy years.
Captain America has since ushered in a new life - although I don't know whether it is good or bad.
He successfully returned to Brooklyn, assumed the glorious identity of Captain America, received a presidential medal, and fell in love with a blonde girl who looked like Little Rose.
Except for the temporary whereabouts of my good friend, everything seems so wonderful.
"I find myself with nowhere to go, Luke."
Rogers smiled bitterly. Not long ago, he was received by the newly elected president and awarded the Medal of Honor.
Those who also receive this kind of treatment include the Howling Commandos who followed Luke and important members of the Strategic Science Corps.
Logically speaking, Rodgers should be content.
But after staying in Brooklyn for a while, he felt at a loss, as if he had lost his direction.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s doors are always open to you."
Luke smiled and swirled the wine in his glass.
He could understand Rogers' mood, just like many veterans who walked off the battlefield and were unable to integrate into society immediately.
Soldiers who are accustomed to guns and smoke often find it difficult to adapt to the laughter and laughter around them.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Rogers was a little surprised that he had never heard of this organization.
"It's the Strategic Science Corps." Luke explained. "The war is over, and the Strategic Science Corps, which was originally used to fight against Hydra, is facing reorganization. I simply changed its name."
"Does S.H.I.E.L.D. sound better?"
"So, you have something to do, unlike me, I haven't found my target yet."
There was a hint of envy in Rogers' eyes.
What he wanted most was Luke's firm attitude of always moving forward and never feeling hesitant.
"Steve, don't always think about everything you experienced on the battlefield. Even if you are not an excellent soldier, you can still do other things. What's more, this country still needs you."
Luke once again played the role of a spiritual mentor and said persuasively: "Peace is only temporary. Even if fascism is disintegrated and the Nazi camp is crushed, the politicians in the White House will soon discover a new one." The enemy is a red brown bear standing on the plains of Siberia.”
It is a huge country that occupies one-fifth of the world's land area, and is the main core of the bipolar pattern.
"You mean, there will still be a war?"
Rogers was a little shocked, but he didn't doubt Luke's judgment.
Because after many fact tests, it has been proven that my friend’s vision has always been accurate and he can always penetrate the truth sharply.
"In a sense, it was indeed war."
Luke took a sip of his wine. It won't be long before the new president will implement the "Truman Doctrine" and start the Cold War.
The Warsaw Pact and NATO represented the emergence of two military and political blocs and the confrontation between two social systems.
"So think about it, Captain America will pick up his shield sooner or later and go to the battlefield again. S.H.I.E.L.D. will be a good place."
Luke was like a Wall Street broker selling stocks. Rogers, who had originally planned to retire and return to ordinary life, was a little shaken.
"Let me think. Thank you, Luke."
Rogers expressed his sincere thanks.
"It's not just you, Steve. This country is in mourning for President Roosevelt and at the same time immersed in the cheers of victory in the war. Everyone feels confused and no one knows where to go..."
Luke drank the gin in the glass and patted Rogers on the shoulder.
Captain America is actually in an awkward position.
In the original plot, Rogers fell into a glacier and was recognized as a war hero by the military.
Of course, for a dead person who cannot speak, he can be promoted infinitely, and it cannot be exaggerated.
But it's different now, Rogers is still alive.
Therefore, apart from the false reputation of the hero, the military does not intend to give any actual rewards.
Luke understood this very early.
The so-called "war heroes" are nothing more than mascots for the military.
When the country needs you, it will naturally hold you high and vigorously promote the so-called heroic deeds and positive image.
But once the war is over, they will lose their use value and instantly become dispensable.
Such was the case with Rodgers.
The United States, which has won the war and is ready to sit down and share the cake, no longer needs a Captain America selling bonds.
So he was abandoned, the military ignored him, and the White House could not give him anything but honor.
Luke, who knew the future trajectory, started preparing long ago.
By capturing the city of Rome in Italy, he achieved an astonishing and indelible record.
Then he defeated Hydra, initially laid his foundation, and gradually won his personal voice.
Today, he is no longer a hero in name only, but a general with real power.
"I hope you can give me an answer next time we meet, Steve."
Luke raised his hand to look at the time, put the tip under the cup, and paid the bill for Rogers.
He has to meet the next customer. (End of chapter)