Disclaimer: song credits: "Courage" by Manowar
"Now, you've probably heard this before, but Captain America doesn't just wear the Flag. It's like… he is the flag. He doesn't just protect the Nation or the ideals that make America what it's supposed to be. I think he has this… this empathic relationship with the country as a whole. If the country is prosperous, he seems prosperous. If the country is sad, he seems pretty sad… and if the country is anger… Holy Lord does he get angry. He literally transforms into… into the Sentinel of Whatever-We-Need-Him-To-Be-At-The-Time-We-Really-Need-It. It's so pure that I don't even notice he's doing it until I think back on it. Does that make sense? And I'm not saying he's trying to make everybody happy because as we all know, it's impossible to make everybody happy. I'm saying that at the core of his being… In his DNA… deep in the space between his molecules… he is America." - Heroes of Marvel - Avengers: Fear Itself issue 16.
Sentinel of Liberty
Chapter 1: Worth Fighting For…
Middleton, Colorado … December, 1941…
The world was at war.
It was just a few weeks ago that the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor, and with that the United States stopped holding back and had entered the battle against the Axis. The tension could be felt even in the snow covered town in the Colorado Rockies.
Dragging his bad leg Jon Stoppable hobbled out of the Army Recruitment office. The big red stamped "FAIL" still burnt in his mind. His life had degraded since his lifelong friend Mim became a fugitive. He failed her. He couldn't find the evidence to prove her innocent of the theft she was accused of. And because of that she had to run. His friend was only the first thing he lost. His job as a Police Detective followed shortly after, a moment of not paying attention caused several gunshots passing through his leg.
He knew with his crippling injury he'd never make it, but he thought maybe he could do something for the war effort, anything really. But the military had no use of a crippled former police detective.
He leaned heavily on his cane and clutched his coat closed as he approached his apartment. He sighed when he saw yet another note taped to the door. His Landlords were being very lenient but he was still late on his rent. He took the letter and stuffed it into his pocket as he dug for his keys.
He entered his small two-room and bath apartment and reached clumsily for the light switch. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw the Hanukkah candles set up on the table with the traditional Jewish Passover meal prepared. "What?"
"Happy Hanukkah, Jon," A familiar voice rang behind him and his jaw went slack for a moment.
"Mim?" He turned quickly to see the familiar green eyed, auburn haired woman standing in door way of the bedroom.
"I wanted to surprise you…" She smiled shyly.
"What are you doing here? They'll catch you if you're not careful!" Jon said, before hobbling to her and pulling her into a fierce hug, "Yahweh, I've missed you!"
Miriam "Mim" Possible returned the hug just as desperately, clinging to him, not knowing if this would be the last time she'd ever find herself in his arms.
"I… I may have found a way to come home, Jon," Mim pulled back, but letting her hands rest on the slightly shorter man's chest. "It may take a while and it's dangerous but… but to come home is worth fighting for… you're worth fighting for."
"No, I'm not… not really," He said, patting his bad leg, "but I'd more than willing to welcome you home. Your brother just got married, you know? Nan's a good woman, you'll love her. So what do we have to do to get you cleared?"
"This… this is something I have to do on my own, Jon…" Mim stepped back, hugging herself, and that was the first time Jon noticed she was wearing a military uniform.
"I didn't think they'd allow fugitives to join the military service…" He said, before the pieces started to fit together. "They're making you report the war for your freedom?"
"No… you know how daddy taught me and Timothy James all those forms of martial arts to defend ourselves? Uncle Sam wants me to put them to use in Europe…" Mim explained.
"Doing what… exactly?" Jon asked, a feeling of dread flowing through him.
"I can't… I can't tell you, Jon," She said, touching his cheek, "You just have to trust me… and please… believe in me." The pleading in her voice tore at his heart.
"You know I'll always stand by you, no matter what and no matter where you are, Mim…" Jon smiled.
"I leave tomorrow. I just wanted to take a moment to spend with you; just in case I don't make it back… no one going to fight in this war is promised a return ticket…" Mim sighed, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
"I'll be praying for you every day, every hour till you make it back home," Jon said, wrapping his arms securely around her. "And you're going to be free."
"I thank you, Jonathan Stoppable," Mim smiled into his shoulder.
"So what are your plans for your last evening in the US of A for a while, Ms. Possible?" Jon asked.
"If he's willing… I'd like to be held by my best friend for as long as possible," she whispered, and Jon noticed the shoulder of his shirt began to get wet.
"I think he might be able to oblige you," Jon whispered into her hair.
"Though I do ask one thing for when I get home," she said, nuzzling his shoulder.
"Yes, ma'am?" Jon asked, moving them to his chair, sitting down slowly and she curled into his lap, neither moving out from the other's arms.
"Could you… maybe…" he could hear the smile in her voice, "shave that stupid mustache… for me?"
"I'll see what I can do…" Jon chuckled, and the two best friends fell into a comfortable silence, neither noticing the old man who was looking through the window.
-A-
Jon awoke the next morning alone. He sighed as he sat up in his chair. His back was stiff from how he had slept. She hadn't been gone long. He could still feel her against him, could still smell her scent in the air around him. "Yahweh, please bring her home safe or give me a way to get there and help her…" Jon stood up, and almost fell when his bad leg buckled. "Who am I kidding?" He said, grabbing his cane, and started toward the door. "It'd take a full miracle for me to be able to walk right let alone be able to help Mim fight a war…" he grumbled as he exited his apartment.
"Good morning, Mr. Stoppable," A old man with a thick german accident approached him as if he had been waiting there for some time.
"Who are you?" Jon asked, on guard.
"My name is Abraham," the man introduced and the older gentleman held up his hand. "No need to be suspicious, I am a friend of a friend of yours. Ms. Miriam is a very special young woman. She wanted me to give you this," Abraham held out a small envelope, "She said something about you being easily able to lose yourself in the blame messy house."
Jon smiled and opened the enveloped and pulled out the folded piece of paper written in the sloppy handwriting he recognized as Mim's.
Jon,
I hope you aren't upset at me for leaving you asleep. You of all people know I struggle with saying goodbye, and if I had attempted to say that to your face, with your eyes upon me I doubt I could do that and leave. So, I took the coward way and slipped out as a thief in the night. Please do forgive me. I'll be writing to you regularly, but even though I know you will please do not worry if I delay a week or two. There may be long missions that will prevent me from writing. I am in good hands, some of the fiercest and most loyal soldiers the allies have to offer. And I have something very special and powerful to fight for: You. You've been there for me when even my own family faltered, and truthfully I can't imagine any place called home without you nearby. I have to say you have been constantly on my mind during my run from the law. And I am confident you will remain there with me in my mind and heart as I go into battle. I swear to God in Heaven and the Devil in Hell no matter what happens to me in this war or who wins or loses, I will find a way back to you. I swear it, Jonathan Ronald Stoppable. So keep a light on and a place for me when I come home.
Love always,
Mim
Jon wiped his eyes, and blinked when he felt a hand patting his shoulder. "It's always hard having to stand by and watch a lover go off into uncertainty," Abraham said comfortingly.
"What? Mim and I are just friends," Jon squeaked, blushing slightly. "She's closer to a sister than anything…" he mumbled.
"Those were not the tears of a sister when she handed me that letter, mein friend," Abraham smiled, "Whatever the case may be, she is a very strong woman. You needn't worry."
"They don't come stronger," Jon smiled proudly.
"Indeed," Abraham said, glancing around for a moment. "I had originally chosen her for a special project I am working on with the United States Government. A Project Rebirth is the title. I cannot give you many details on the project, but she was rejected on account of her criminal record and the simple fact she was a woman. The fact they allowed her to do what she is doing now surprised me to no end."
"She can be persistent," Jon smiled.
"As can you it seems," Abraham said, smiling knowingly at the young man. "How many times have you applied for military service?"
"A few…" Jon ducked his head.
"And why are you so desperate to fight?" Abraham asked, "You that anxious to go and kill some Nazis?"
"I don't want to kill anyone, I was never even really thrilled to carry a gun when I was doing police work," Jon said, "I just want to do my duty to the country. I might not make a difference, but I can at least say I tried. And if I did make it and died on the battlefield I can at least say it was for something bigger than me. Those guys over there want to take away freedom… especially from my own people… They're not going to stop there, someone has to stand up and try to put a stop to the bullies. If I don't try, then what good am I?"
"A Jew as well, huh?" Abraham smiled, "my knowledge and scientific skill kept me from the camps and gave me the window to escape… I only wish I could have saved my family as well. But indeed if good men do nothing than that is evil enough."
Abraham pulled a card from his pocket and placed it in Jonathan's shirt's breast pocket. "If you feel the need to apply for service again, Mr. Stoppable, call me. I may be able to help you… until then, have a good day, mein friend." he said turning and walking down the street.
Jon stood there, and pulled the card from the pocket and looked it over. It was a nearly blank card with only Dr. Abraham Erskine and a phone number printed in black letters.
He sighed and stuffed it into his pocket as he looked to the sky. "Be careful out there, Mim…" He whispered to the air.
-A-
The weeks passed and to Jon's surprise, once a week, an unmarked envelope was found at his doorstop. There were never any real details from Mim, just that she was well, the battles were hard and trying, but she was holding out hope that they would win this war. It went on that way for several months then suddenly they stopped.
Needless to say, Jonathan Stoppable began increasingly worried about his life-long best friend.
Some want to think hope is lost
See me stand alone
His mind began to fill images of her body lying lifeless on the battlefield, riddled with bullets or worse yet alive but in the hands of the Nazis. It was no secret to Jon that Mim was a beautiful woman. The thought of those… beasts laying just a finger on her made his blood boil.
I can't do what others may want
Then I'll no home
"I have to get over there… somehow, some way…" He whispered to himself. The thought of his Mim alone fighting was tearing him apart, and the worse case scenarios were even worse. He picked up his phone and dialed the number. A woman answered it, "Hello, I'm trying to get in touch with Abraham Erskine. He gave me this number…"
"Yes, Dr. Erskine isn't available right now though. May I take a message?" She offered.
"Tell him… Tell him that this is Jonathan Stoppable, I want to try again… if he can help me, I'd appreciate it," Jon left the message and hung up the phone.
So for now wave goodbye
And leave your hands held high
Jon gripped his cane and made his way out of his house. He had a bad leg, but he had to do something. He couldn't just sit back and watch while others died trying to stop the Axis, trying to stop the attack on freedom itself. Mim was risking her life along with countless others to defend what they all held dear. He glanced up and saw the bright red and white stripes and stars over blue waving in the wind on the pole before his apartment. How much blood was already shed for that flag?
Hear this song of courage
Long into the night
It was freezing, the wind was blowing hard against him, but he still managed to force himself to the Army Recruitment office in the center of Middleton.
There were snickers by some of the well bodied boys there to sign up. Yes, he was small. Yes, he was skinny. Yes, he was a cripple. But, by Yahweh, he would stand and fight.
And wind will bear my cry
For all those who hope to fly
To his surprise standing beside the desk was Abraham and another man with General Stars on his uniform collar. "THIS is who you told me about?" General Barkin snorted.
Abraham smiled, offering his hand to Jon. "Yes, this is who I wish to take part in Project Rebirth," He whispered with a hint of pride in the old German's heart.
Hear this song of courage
"You wish to fight, Mr. Stoppable?" Abraham said as Jon stopped before them, his hand out reached.
"No," Jon shook his head, "I don't want to fight. But I think I have to…" he said, taking Abraham's hand.
Ride into the night
To Be Continued…
Coming soon… Sentinel of Liberty Chapter 2: Birth of a Super Soldier…