Chapter 38

A week later…

Clark, Steve, and their teams were in London awaiting the intel and orders for their next assignment. Clark and his team have earned a fair bit of rest and recovery after their efforts in the Italian campaign while Steve and his team were undergoing some additional training with the SSR. They were good but now they would be better being trained by some of the same teachers that trained Clark and his team. And they gave themselves a bit of a codename. The Howling Commandos.

Taskforce Vanguard and the Howling Commandos. A bit of a playful rivalry had formed between the two, all in good nature but where talent and skill usually shined also came with it rivalry. They were all on the same side, so it was good natured and beneficial in a way as it kept them on their toes. They would need it for what was in store for them in the future. Physical and combat training, stealth and espionage tactics, along with explosive and weapon drills made up the bulk of their time which helped turned them from soldiers into SSR agents much like with Clark and his team. But with the training they were also given some time to rest and further bond as a team. And nothing helped soldiers bond better than comradery fueled by alcohol.

"Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!" Clark and Steve's team cheered on with the rest of the bar's patrons as they watched Clark and Steve respectively chugging down large mugs of beer. What seemed like a competition was more like an experiment by the members of the two teams. A few beers in Steve admitted that he wasn't feeling anything, and Clark told him it was likely a result of Project Rebirth. The procedure that gave him his powers not only increased his strength, speed, reflexes, and durability but also improved his healing, creating a protective system of regeneration so he could heal from serious injuries faster than a normal human. It wasn't limited to physical wounds but chemical ones as well so in essence he couldn't get drunk. Clark was the same though it was more to him being an alien but still, they couldn't get drunk. Logan was the only one who knew Clark couldn't get drunk because he told him back when they returned from capturing Mussolini. The others didn't know because it was never brought up but now that they did, they were going to have some fun.

Clark and Steve finished their beers and then stood up, standing on one leg and placing their mugs on their head and balancing them. 20 other empty beer mugs were on the table and now Clark and Steve were balancing as a sort of sobriety test. By now, even the best drinkers would be feeling something so standing up straight on one leg while they balanced a mug on their head was to test if they felt anything. Someone counted down from sixty seconds as a timer and if either of them tripped or fell then it was a sign that the alcohol had some affect. Clark and Steve kind of felt like circus animals but everyone else was loving it, watching with anticipation and money on the line.

Sixty seconds passed and Clark and Steve were still perfectly balanced with the mugs on their heads. No problem, discomfort, or any feelings of unease. "I feel nothing." Clark said.

"Same." Steve added and many groaned in annoyance.

"Dammit." Lucas muttered as he and others put some money onto a table. They were the people who bet that all the beers they drank would have some affect but were now paying the winners who bet that nothing would happen. Some of those included Logan and Arthur.

"Oh, come on. Ten beers one after another and you feel nothing?" Bucky asked Steve who shrugged in response. Surprisingly enough, Bucky ended up betting against Steve in this instance.

"Sorry. Nothing." Steve answered as he and Clark returned the mugs to the bar when they noticed Lucas speaking to the bartender who began pouring shots of alcohol into clean mugs.

"All right, all right. One last try. If this doesn't do anything then they really can't get drunk." Lucas announced, gesturing Clark and Steve to sit at the bar as the bartender worked on the concoction.

"What is this?" Clark wondered.

"I call it the ringer because your head will ring like a church bell the next morning. One part beer and the rest is whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, rye, brandy, bourbon, and vermouth." Lucas listed off as the bartender finished placing all the shots into the mugs. An incredibly potent alcohol mix that no sane person would take unless they wanted to get extremely drunk with a horrible hangover the next morning. Quickly, new bets were made. "Bottoms up, boss."

"We need to come up with different ways to keep people entertained." Clark remarked as he and Steve picked up the mugs. "Cheers."

"Cheers." Steve clinked his mug against Clark's and they both drank the potent mixture. Everyone waited with bated breath as the two super soldiers finished the drinks and placed the mugs on the bar. Even the people working in the bar were intrigued as they waited to see something. "Whoa…ok. Ok, I do feel that…"

"Yes…" Lucas prayed that it was enough.

Steve sat still for a moment before he covered his mouth from a burp and cracked his neck. "It's gone."

"Damn…" Lucas cursed, and everyone groaned. "Boss?"

"Yeah, I felt nothing." Clark replied.

"Well, it's official. You have a stomach made of steel." Lucas told him.

"Sorry, Lucas. Maybe next time." Clark patted him on the shoulder and decided to call it an early night. He walked past Logan who slipped him a portion of their winnings, giving him a nice amount of spending money. It would be times like this that Clark would look back on fondly. Not the fighting or the bloodshed but the comradery. The friendships forged through battle that turned strangers into family.

The next morning…

Clark and Peggy were enjoying a very nice quiet morning walk through London. If there weren't so many soldiers and military police on the sidewalks and streets or the newsstands advertising articles on the war effort, they could have been walking through the city on a date during peacetime. Hopefully they'd have that chance in the future once this was all over.

"They really tried to get you drunk last night?" Peggy asked and Clark nodded. "That must have been a foolhardy endeavor."

"It was. Not even Lucas's toughest mixture did the trick. If anything, it just tasted horrible." Clark said and Peggy chuckled. "But I did get some nice spending money and the two teams are getting along. That's more important."

Peggy chuckled and leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked down the street.

"Any news?"

"Nothing concrete. Our assets and spies in the field are still working on confirming all the locations and facilities on the map. The areas closest to Germany are proving to be the most difficult. Our assets need to be cautious in how close they get and the frequency in which they can get back to us adds onto the problems, but they know their objectives. Colonel Phillips emphasized Project Endstation in Poland and the two workcamps in Germany. With the information you stole from Savage's lab, those weapons projects could be the most dangerous if they're completed but they're also deep into enemy territory." Peggy said.

"Which makes getting in difficult enough and once we make noise getting out will be even tougher. Doesn't help that winter is coming up so moving throughout the continent is going to get harder." Clark surmised and Peggy agreed. "Any news on the next offensive?"

"According to Colonel Phillips, Allied Command's next objective would be an invasion of France. Italy is secure and Charles de Gaulle is pushing forward a France invasion to liberate the country from the Vichy government. The OSS and SOE are working with the Maquis in occupied France to assist in the plans, but plans are still being made." Peggy answered as they walked by the London Embassy where a large fleet of military vehicles were waiting outside. There they saw French Soldiers at attention and waiting for them was Charles de Gaulle, General and leader of the Free French Forces after the country's armistice in 1940.

The General had just left the building after a meeting when he saw the Superman walking by outside. "Captain Elbert." De Gaulle walked over. "It's an honor to finally meet you."

"The honor is mine, General. Apologies, I didn't expect to run into you today." Clark shook his hand.

"A random chance of happenstance but it is about time we've met. My apologies, I've been unable to meet you before. I understand it is you I have to thank for the recent success the war has had in the past year. On behalf of the people of France, thank you for all you have done. You and the SSR advanced the offensive faster than anyone could have anticipated and saved countless lives that would otherwise have been lost. With Italy secured, we're now closer to liberating France than we were years ago." De Gaulle praised. "You should know that medals for your valor and courage are being arrange, I can promise you that."

"No thanks necessary, General. I'm just doing what I can." Clark answered.

"A humble man. A fine quality. Still, all your work deserves recognition and I promise that the new French government will honor all you have done." De Gaulle said to him, and Clark smiled before they shook hands. "I trust the rumors are true?"

"Rumors, sir?" Clark asked.

"Rumor has it that you shall be joining President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and myself in Tehran with Stalin and the Russians." De Gaulle told him.

"As far as I'm aware of I was not informed of any plans of travel with the President but should the President request me to accompany him than it would be an honor." Clark replied.

"Well, I hope the rumors to be true and I see you there. If anyone can get Stalin and the Russians to play ball I daresay it will be the Superman." De Gaulle praised when his aid came over and whispered to him. "Apologies but I must be going. I hope we meet again, Captain."

"So do I, General." Clark shook his hand and he walked to his car. Then time seemed to slow down as Clark's senses picked up oddities. He heard an odd electric hum from radio parts like something was receiving a signal and the smell of nitroglycerin which meant explosives. A quick flash of his x-ray vision and Clark quickly grabbed the General and pulled him away as a bomb blew up his car, killing his driver, aid, and the soldiers standing nearby. Clark covered him with and Peggy with his body as the shrapnel bounced against his back and the shockwave brushed over him. It knocked some people to the ground but unless they were right by the car than they would be fine.

Clark got up and helped De Gaulle back to his feet as they saw the burning wreck that was the General's car. It wasn't an accident as the timing of the explosion was right when he entered the vehicle. If Clark hadn't pulled him away, he would be dead, so this was an assassination attempt. Civilians ran away or covered in fear while soldiers rushed over to the general to keep him safe or help those who were injured. Clark looked around trying to find any clues as to who was responsible when he saw a man in a three-piece suit walking down the street. He put a hat on his head and walked away from the area where everyone else was watching. That was odd and suspicious, so he used his X-ray vision and saw a small detonator in his pocket.

"Hey, you!" Clark shouted and the man turned around. "Stop!"

The man took off running so Clark chased after him. "Peggy, stay with the General and call for backup!" Clark shouted as he ran across the street.

The assassin ran down the sidewalk with incredible speed, pushing past civilians in his way. He ran across a street and vaulted over a car showing off peak human physicality, so this wasn't just a crazed lunatic or even a soldier but a trained assassin. He looked back and saw Clark chasing after him, so he turned into an alley. He used a trashcan to jump over a tall fence, quickly discarding his jacket and hat and stopping on the sidewalk. He saw a taxi stop nearby so he ran over and pulled the driver out before getting in and driving away. Seeing no one in the rearview mirrors he thought he was in the clear when the taxi jolted to a stop. Despite having his foot on the accelerator, the taxi wasn't moving which is when he noticed that his chair was leaning forward so he turned around and saw the man from before holding up the back of the taxi with one arm. The back tires were spinning but without the car on the ground than the tires had nothing to propel forward.

With a simple heave, Clark lifted the taxi, so it rolled onto its roof before walking over and pulling the assassin out of the window. The assassin didn't go quietly as he pulled out a knife and stabbed Clark in the chest, but the knife shattered when he drove it into his body. Clark knocked the broken knife away as the man slipped out his grasp and pulled out a Colt pistol, firing all 8 bullets. Nearby civilians ran away or ducked for cover while Clark just used his hand to block the bullets one after another. When the last bullet was fired the assassin tossed the gun aside and fought with his fists. He started off with a flying side kick to Clark's chest and then did several palm and elbow strikes all over Clark's stomach, arms, and his face showing off training in martial arts. Clark had never seen the kind of hand to hand fighting before as the assassin targeted pressure points and nerve clusters that on a human would have worked and likely won him the fight but not on a Kryptonian. Despite the pain in his hands and arms as he continued attack the assassin didn't let up, so he made a final attempt with a palm strike to the throat, but Clark knocked his hands aside, grabbed him by the shirt and tossed him up into the air. The toss appeared haphazard, but the force sent the man flying up into the air at least a hundred feet if not more as he kept going up. He likely had a good view of the Tower of London and the Great Clock of Westminster since he was eye level with them.

"Apologies for your taxi, sir. Hang on." Clark easily put the car back onto wheels and popped out a dent on the top, so it was like nothing happened.

"Thank you." The taxi driver told him.

"You're very welcome." Clark held out his right arm and caught the assassin before he hit the street pavement. Suffering from a severe case of whiplash and vertigo, Clark dropped the assassin on his head, and he was rendered unconscious. "Would someone call the police?"

The taxi driver rushed into a nearby store to use their phone while Clark secured the assassin. He didn't have a lot on him other than another knife, pistol, and ammo. Nothing else but Clark did something odd. He had a tattoo on the inside of his right wrist. Ten circles connected to one around in a larger circle with a Chinese character in each one. And in the middle of the circles were two crossed swords. Clark's Mandarin/Chinese wasn't as good as his Italian, German, Russian, or French was but he knew enough to read some of the Chinese characters in the circles. The characters translated to mean authority, extraordinary, influence, mighty, and dominate. He didn't know what the other five characters meant and as far as he was aware, Allied Intelligence wasn't aware of any ill-will from China against the French. The Cairo Conference was going on which involved discussing the Allied position against the Empire of Japan and it did involve Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek so it could be that some elements against his rule wanted do destabilize relations but why go after the French leader and not the British or American.

Someone else just played their hand and unfortunately, they would be a recurring thorn in Clark's side for years to come.

Tehran, Iran Late November 1943

The United Stated Delegation in Tehran, Iran arrived via motorcade to the hotel they would be staying at. President Roosevelt arrived with his political team, his aid, and his daughter Anna Boettiger. Along with them was a doctor and several assistants for the President's comfort and to assist in his mobility as well as a dozen secret service members, high ranking generals and military advisors along with the US Ambassador to the Soviet Union. The motorcade pulled up to the front of the hotel with attendees and local Iranian police and military personnel there for protection. A growing crowd of civilians and reporters were anxiously waiting for the arrival of the President of the United States but the first people to exit the motorcade were the Secret Service and members of Taskforce Vanguard. President Roosevelt asked for Clark to accompany him to the Tehran conference and Clark agreed, bringing Taskforce Vanguard with him. Part of them coming was somewhat for additional security but also for a bit of political maneuvering. Showcasing the special taskforce led by the Superman was a nice deterrent in the event that Stalin got confrontational.

Clark was in the lead car as was Logan and Padma. Arthur, Lucas, Anna, and Solange in the next car, Webb, Daniel, Halima, and Diggle in the rear car. All of them had their sidearms holstered to their side while their rifles or submachine were in the trunks of the vehicles. They were here on a peace mission and didn't need to drum up any fuss. The members of Taskforce Vanguard scanned the perimeter looking for anything out of the ordinary. The members of the foreign press took their photos and the crowd of civilians wondered who they were but instantly recognized Clark due to the S on his uniform. The Superman had come with the Americans.

Clark did a quick scan of the surrounding area with his x-ray vision and saw nothing out of the ordinary. No bombs waiting and no ambush. The only weapons were on the police and soldiers present. He gave a nod of affirmation to a secret service agent who nodded to the rest, and they got the President out of his car. Photographers took his photo as he was escorted into the hotel and after the Secret Service and Taskforce Vanguard did another sweep. They ensured that the top two floors were clean as they were reserved for the President and his party. They were given a moment to rest from the long flight and the trip wouldn't be that far as the hotel was adjacent to the Soviet Embassy which is where the bulk of the meetings would take place.

Under heavy guard and protection with the local police keeping the civilians out of the way, President Roosevelt arrived at the Soviet Embassy where all major weapons were to be handed over to the security teams for lockup. The Secret Service were allowed to keep their sidearms but for Clark and Taskforce Vanguard they were asked to remove their weapons, citing security reasons. Kind of a blatant lie and also kind of ridiculous as Clark himself could do more than a pistol. Still, if it kept things from getting complicated than fine and they handed their pistols over. They were escorted through the Embassy to an outdoor pavilion where Stalin and the Soviet party were waiting. Roosevelt had Clark and his team hang back while he met with Stalin first. No need to ambush the Soviets all at once and this way the President could smooth over any fear or anger that could arise. Stalin and the Soviets were their ally and they agreed to this meeting but seeing the Superman appear could put them on edge and make them feel pressured. Some could say that's a good thing, but they needed Stalin as an ally rather than an adversary at the moment.

A few minutes passed and an aid gestured Clark and his team to follow so they did, and they walked out onto the pavilion where Stalin and the Soviets saw them arrive. "Marshall Stalin, allow me to introduce Taskforce Vanguard and their leader, Captain Kalvin Elbert, the Superman." President Roosevelt announced.

Clark and his team stood tall and proud under the eyes of scrutiny from Stalin and the Soviet Party. Predictably, many had looks of apprehension edging on slight fear while others put on false bravados against a man who for all intents and purposes was a god among men. If the Western propaganda was to be believed than the Superman was the reason the Western efforts against the Germans were going so well and why Italy was no longer under Allied control. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap a mountain with a single bound. Stalin looked at Clark with intrigue and kept a calm visage. Stalin walked over and held out his hand, so Clark shook it out of manners.

Stalin spoke with his translator coming up from behind him. "Grand Marshall Stalin welcomes Captain Elbert and thanks him for his aid in the war. It is because of him that the German offensive in Russia has lessened."

"No thanks necessary, Grand Marshall Stalin. I'm just doing what I can." Clark replied in perfect Russian.

"Impressive. The Superman has both strength and intellect." Stalin praised as he and his translator walked back over to the president.

Clark and the team could feel the stares sent their way and the murmurs from the various members of the Soviet party. Disguised as various members of the Soviet Party were members of the NKVD AKA the Soviet Secret Police and with the arrival of the Superman, they were more cautious than ever. No doubt that they had agenda and if they didn't then Stalin would give them one.

"I feel like a deer staring down a hunter." Daniel Take-Yatsu said.

"That's an understatement. We've got their attention." Clark whispered.

"What do we do?" Arthur asked.

"We do what Colonel Phillips told us. Our main priority is to protect the President and safeguard these meetings. We be on our best behavior and we're out of here in a few days. These meetings aren't about us but Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill. Let's let them discuss everything and get out of here but keep your ears open for anything interesting." Clark whispered to his team, and they nodded.

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