Disclaimer: I do not own the original canon nor am I making any profit from writing this piece. All works are accredited to their original authors, performers, and producers while this piece is mine. No copyright infringement is intended. I acknowledge that all views and opinions expressed herein are merely my interpretations of the characters and situations found within the original canon and may not reflect the views and opinions of the original author(s), producer(s), and/or other people.
Warnings: This story may contain material that is not suitable for all audiences and may offend some readers. Please exercise understanding of personal sensitivities before and during reading.
Author's Note(s): This is how Happy joined the Stark family. Amazing how some things tend to echo throughout time, like the type of people who end up being the one keeping the Stark out of trouble.
Challenge/Competition Block:
Stacked with: MC4A (FPC; BAON; ToS; Star; Fence; Shower; Spring Bingo)
Individual Challenges: Team Logic; Hitter MC; Ethnic & Present; Short Jog (Y); Booger Breath
Space Address (Prompt): 1C (Union/Covenant)
Representation: Defense Squad; Jenny Rhodes
Bonus Challenge(s): Middle Name; Nightingale; Unwanted Advice; Tomorrow's Shade; Second Verse (Found Family; Nontraditional; Ladylike; Not a Lamp; Persistence Still; White Dress); Chorus (Peddling Pots)
Tertiary Bonus Challenges: n/a
Word Count: 1450
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The Purpose of Aeries
Justia's Sword
Part 01: Knowledge
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"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
– Thomas Jefferson
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Goldie's Gym was not the kind of place that anyone would ever expect a woman like that to walk into willingly. She wore slacks that were just off of black, likely some fancy shade like charcoal or soot, and a blouse that was that bright shade of reddish orange that matched the koi that the little dojo up the street kept. Despite the fact that she had to already be pushing six foot, she wore heels that looked dangerously high and piled her braided hair on the top of her head like a crown. That was fitting, since she strutted into the gym like a queen, effortlessly taking control of the room without speaking even a word.
Happy eyed her, even as he corrected the form of the kid he was coaching. Hell's Kitchen had its fair share of oddballs. He had lived there his entire life, excepting the few years he spent bouncing around doing maintenance for the Air Force. He knew how someone moved when they knew they held power and how they moved when they were just pretending. It was rare for him to not be able to recognize those things in someone, and it set him on edge more than just a little.
Though she did look vaguely familiar, like he had met her in passing, maybe.
"I'm looking for Sgt. Harold Hogan," the woman announced to Grace, the gal who ran the check-in desk. Happy felt something still inside of him. He hadn't heard himself addressed like that since the court martial that ended his career. Grace began the standard disassembling for anyone looking for a gym regular. The woman let Grace rattle on for a few moments before finding a natural pause to continue speaking. "I do not have any ill intentions towards Mr. Hogan. In fact, I have a job opportunity for him."
"The answer's no," Happy called over to her. The kid stopped punching the bag. He gestured for the kid to continue before heading over to take the woman off Grace's hands. "I don't know what you've heard, but if you're looking for me because of my service record, then you're wasting both our time because the answer is no."
The woman looked amused.
"You haven't even heard the offer, Mr. Hogan," she said, as commanding as any officer. "I think you will find it very interesting and right up your alley."
"The answer's still no, lady."
She grinned at him, reminding him of the cat out back that liked to drop rats and lizards off on the gym's stoop. Her hands folded in front of her stomach as her eyes assessed him. There was something about that measuring gaze that made Happy straighten his back like he would before an officer or his mother. Tension hummed around the room as everyone else stopped pretending to not watch.
"I am here because of your service record, Mr. Hogan," she said finally. He took a deep breath, ready to deny her once again. She held up one finely-boned hand, silencing him effortless. "Not because you were dishonorably discharged, and I think that makes you more willing to perform jobs of questionable legality. What interests me is the reason behind the dishonorable discharge. Aiding fugitives in escaping military captivity is a very serious charge."
"Just having an active X-gene isn't a crime," Happy argued, already tired of this same old argument, "and locking people up for it was wrong."
"You say that so simply, Mr. Hogan," she countered without inflection. "What if the young man had gone onto hurt someone? After all, he was untrained with a very potent ability with potential military applications. You could have just been handing over a weapon to the enemy."
"He was a person, not a weapon," Happy growled, "and he deserved to live his life as he wanted, not how the military wanted. If I had to do it over a thousand times, I still would have helped."
"And that is why I'm certain that you're ideal for the job."
"Wait, what?"
"Oh, you're finally willing to listen to the offer?" she asked as if surprised. Her smile belied the sarcastic bite of the words. "I am looking for someone in possession of a specific set of skills. It may surprise you, but I have a dumbass that needs someone to watch his six, whether he likes it or not. It took a while to wear him down to the point of accepting this, but I've had my eye on you for a few years now, Mr. Hogan. You've come highly recommended."
"Who the hell would recommend a dishonorably discharged sergeant?"
"I believe you knew him as Captain James Rhodes."
Happy groaned before scrubbing a hand over his face. At least he knew now where the woman was getting the details of the event. The whole incident had been classified to the point that Happy couldn't appeal the discharge status. Grace murmured an excuse before ducking discretely away.
"Look, I don't know what you think you know, but—"
"He's my brother," she interrupted. Her gaze never left his face. "Jamie's a bit of an idiot, but he's my idiot. Now, I need help to keep him from doing something that he will regret."
"You want me to watch the six of a black ops specialist?"
"Oh, no," the woman corrected hastily. "I need you to watch over Jamie's stray so that we can convince him to not give up his commission." She made a few gestures that Happy recognized as sign language, even if it was beyond the few words and phrases that he knew. "Something happened recently, and Jamie is blaming himself for not being around more. Arranging for a bodyguard that Jamie would be able to trust is the compromise I've managed to negotiate between the two idiots. Honestly, this situation was inevitable, even if they refused to admit it."
"Hold on," Happy said, waving his hands like he was warding off smoke. "It sounds like you want me to be the bodyguard to Captain Rhodes' BE." She nodded. "Look, I don't think you fully realize this, but your brother? He's not just any specialist. He's the guy they call in to finish things. He's a legend, right up there with any of the Howling Commandos or Tuskegee Airmen."
"I actually do know that."
"Do you also know how rare it is for anyone to actually file for a BE prior to any incident? I don't know the exact numbers for the other branches, but that's pretty damn rare in the Force. Most of those cases go into the Army like their precious Rogers. Now you've got to know that BEs are classified, right?"
"Yes, for protection."
"Yeah, but you've gotta know that everyone who's ever served anywhere near Rhodes knows the identity of his BE."
"Yes," she agreed, "he's not exactly good at being subtle."
"So, you're really standing there, suggesting that you want me to protect Anthony Edward Stark, the Bucky Exception of the guy they call in when they can't resolve the issue any other way."
"It's not a suggestion, Mr. Hogan. You are the candidate at the top of a very short list. You made quite the impression on Jamie."
"All because I didn't rat him out for looking the other way when he caught me busting that mutant out?"
"I did mention that Jamie was an idiot, right?"
"You're crazy."
"Brothers do that to you." She smiled at him. "So when should I expect you to come in to do the paperwork?"
"I don't even know your name, lady, let alone if you even really have the right to make this offer."
"I'm Dr. Jennette Rhodes," she announced confidently, "and I assure you that the job is real."
"You're still crazy."
"Day after tomorrow good for you?"
"No," Happy corrected, already feeling like he was in over his head, "tomorrow might be better. After all, it sounds like the world may be at stake."
"The world is always at stake, Mr. Hogan," Dr. Rhodes agreed, "but some things are even larger than that. Tony Stark may very well be the future. You know, if we can keep him from accidentally blowing himself up."
"Are explosions that much of a problem?"
"There's hazard pay and full healthcare coverage included."
"That's not exactly reassuring."
"Have I mentioned that my brothers are idiots?"
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
"Just remember: you can walk away," she said. "I'm stuck with them."
"You're wrong." Happy scrubbed a hand over his face again. "It's already too late to walk away. If this is what the Captain needs, then he has my support."
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To Be Continued
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