Ch.17

Like that years pass by with several more superheroes making debuts. One of them caught my eye, her name was 'Liberty' and she seemed very similar to the woman from Germany. However, Eisenhower has asked me to stand down for now, once he is in power we can begin looking further into Vought. 

The Korean War finally took place on the 25th of June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, but by the time it came around, I retired from War, having enough of it. Instead, I stayed alone on the land I purchased years ago. There I got books on meditation and other anger management lessons. Eisenhower also retired at this point, leaving the War effort for newer commanders. 

Along with all these things, a new religion was becoming increasingly popular. Calling themselves the 'Church of the Collective' and from what I heard and read about them, they are more like a cult. Then in 1952, Soldier Boy's movie called 'The Soldier Boy Story' was nominated for Best Picture but lost to 'An American in Paris'. That was a great week for me since I could imagine the pouty man-child being upset at being overshadowed. 

Then the time finally came when Dwight D. Eisenhower was officially elected 34th President of the United States on January 20, 1953. A week after he got elected, he called for me to meet him at the White House. At this point, the war was starting to wrap up in Korea, but I knew he called me here for another reason. 

After getting through the White House's gates, I was brought inside to the Oval Office. Walking in I see Eisenhower sitting at the Presidental desk while looking through some papers. Plus a few Generals were speaking with him, they all stopped and looked at me when I entered. 

"James! Glad you made it," Eisenhower says standing up and shaking my hand, which I return. 

"What do you think of these plans?" Eisenhower asked me showing me the war map, which a few of the generals were about to protest, but he just glared at them. 

"Seems like it should work on paper, just have to see if it works in practice," I say shrugging my shoulders after looking at the plans. 

"Plus the American people are tired of War, getting into this mess only a few years after we got out of WW2. That makes people very drained, they just want it to end. That means the men who are over there already have low morale. Along with the ones we lost, unless we plan on dragging this out, I suggest you take a draw," I say seeing the casualty toll report and knowing the sentiment of the people is heavily in favor of ending the war. 

"We can't just roll over!" one of the Generals says. 

"Mr. President, who is this man and what does he know about planning warfare?" another one says while glaring at me. 

"This man has fought in both World Wars. Commanding men in both and a decorated war hero from both. His opinion is much more valuable than you all who have nowhere near the same experience," Eisenhower says to them making them all shut up. 

"Now leave, James and I have much to talk about," Eisenhower says dismissing them before they can speak up. 

We sit and wait for them to leave, and then Eisenhower with a heavy sigh sits down. He then rubs his eyes while groaning. He then looks up to me with a mentally drained look. 

"This job is much more stressful and annoying than I thought it would be," Eisenhower says as I just stare at him with a look of 'really'. 

"Listen, the other Presidents made it seem easier. Plus from the ones in the past, they really didn't do much outside the few that did," Eisenhower says to me as I shrug. 

"True, but it seems you are going to be one of the ones that has to deal with certain issues. Especially now that Vought is gaining popularity and even more connections," I say to him as he sighs nodding his head. 

"Speaking of them, I figure you know why I asked you to come?" Eisenhower says and I shrug. 

"I assume about what we discussed a few years back about me becoming an asset?" I say to him and he nods his head with a serious look now. 

"I'm worried that Vought like you said is gaining a lot of traction. Along with having this unspoken monopoly on Super Heroes. At this rate, they could take control of the government and we might not be able to stop them. I can't sit by and let that happen, therefore you'd be our greatest and secret weapon against them," Eisenhower says while bringing out some papers. 

"You'd only ever report to the US President, having complete immunity and secrecy of your identity. Your only job on paper would be to be our shield against the superheroes and Vought. I can see that Soldier Boy fears you and since he is the strongest that means you are our best defense against them," Eisenhower continues as I listen to him. 

"Well, my identity is pretty well known at this point. With me being a war hero and such," I say to him and he nods his head. 

"Which is why… why we need to 'kill' you. James Howlett would die of a heart attack or something like that. Then we will make a new alias for you, though that means you will have to leave your current life behind," Eisenhower says to me while giving me a nervous look. 

"Makes sense… I'll do it, not like I really had a life to leave behind anyway," I say shrugging my shoulders and reading through the contract which was very simple. 

Stating that I only answered to the USA President, that I could even deny his orders if I found them to be FUBAR. That like Eisenhower told me, that I'd have complete immunity to my actions as long as they were a part of national security. That my identity was on a need-to-know basis, only those who need to know me would. A code would be given to me, that I could give to any police or government employee which would give me full access to whatever it was I needed. I would also be paid monthly which would match inflation, along with having my housing, food, and other necessities completely covered. The biggest being that once I signed and it was stamped by Eisenhower, this contract cannot be changed or broken, unless I choose to break it. 

"This seems… too good to be true," I say raising my eyebrow since usually the government doesn't give great deals out to people. 

"I did that for two reasons. First, because we are friends, and the bigger one being because you are our ace and hidden weapon. We can't mistreat that weapon, but make sure it is taken care of for when it is needed," Eisenhower says as I nod my head and then sign the contract. We both take a copy after he stamps both. 

"So, how do I 'die'?" I ask him. 

"How do you want to die?" Eisenhower says with a shrug. 

"Nothing fancy… Guess a faked heart attack," I say and he nods his head. 

"I'll make the arrangements," Eisenhower says to me before giving me another curious look. 

"What about your new name?" Eisenhower says. 

"John Logan… I want to be called John Logan," I say taking credit from my past life and this one's past memories. 

"John Logan… ok, I'll get everything in order. Then once it's all set, I'll have someone from the CIA set you up. Where do you want to live?" Eisenhower asks me as I pause to think. 

"I hate the cities, so somewhere away from people," I say while not wanting to be surrounded by people. 

"Upstate New York? That way you are closer to New York City where Vought is located," Eisenhower says while thinking. 

"Yeah that's fine," I say with a thoughtful nod. 

"Though I want to grab a box of mine… It holds the only things I care about," I say and Eisenhower nods his head in understanding. 

"I'll give you a few days and then we'll 'kill' you," Eisenhower says and I nod my head. 

"Thank you again, James," Eisenhower says as we shake hands before I take my leave. 

I then head home grabbing my metal chest which holds my War Uniforms from all three wars. Along with my medals, pictures, and other trinkets I kept during those times. Then I met with the agent outside my house, where they took me to upstate New York. They brought me to a place a few hours outside New York City. 

The place was a nice estate which was two stories and had several bedrooms and bathrooms. Along with a furnished basement, it was also surrounded by several acres of land which is now my private property. The estate was completely furnished with all the latest things, like a small library filled with books that I requested, TVs, and radios. 

"Here are the keys sir and should you need anything please contact this number," the CIA agent says giving me the keys and business card which I assume goes to someone in the CIA. 

"Thanks," I say taking them before he takes his leave. 

A week after I moved in, I got the newspaper that was delivered to my mailbox at the edge of my property. On the front page was my name and obituary made by Eisenhower himself, from what he wrote I was even saddened. Since from what he wrote it appears we are good friends. Like that I was dead to the world, making a few people happy I'm sure.

I then spent the next few years learning to control my anger completely. Though meditation and other methods I found in books. The CIA would reach out to me once in a while to check on me and keep me updated with the latest information regarding Vought. 

The only time I left my estate in this time, was to go to Eisenhower's funeral. Though much like the movies, I couldn't attend it and only watched from afar. Once everyone left I paid my respects to him. Then I returned to my estate and my recluse attitude only increased further, having lost my latest good friend. 

That two decades passed by, with many things happening. In 1963 before Eisenhower died, a news article came out with Soldier Boy being seen spraying protestors at the Birmingham campaign for civil rights. In 1965 Vought established a college for Superheroes called 'Godolkin University'. 

After Eisenhower died, in 1970 a violent incident later known as the Kent State massacre occurred. Soldier Boy traveled to Kent State under the orders of the U.S. government and killed several anti-war demonstrators during the shootings. The killings took place during a peace rally opposing the expanding involvement of the Vietnam War in Cambodia by the United States military forces.

The news that interested me the most was the sudden disappearance of Liberty. As she abruptly left the public eye, presumably in response to the increasing backlash against her openly racist views and ideologies.

The biggest news of the last few years was in 1983 'Red Thunder' was released, starring Soldier Boy and his team, Payback. Soldier Boy attended the premiere of 'Red Thunder' along with his sidekick, Gunpowder, and his girlfriend, Crimson Countess. 

On March 10th, 1984, I walked out to my mailbox a couple miles from my home. When I reached it I grabbed my newspaper, before a car pulled up. One I recognized to be a CIA vehicle. I stood there and waited for them to get out and talk with me, with a man doing exactly that. 

"Good morning sir, the President is requesting your services in Operation Charly," the CIA agent says as I raise an eyebrow. 

'So I'm finally being called into action… For what?' I think as I nod my head and get into the car.