Dum Dum Dugan finished another beer, foam clinging to his mustache. "Hell, I'll always fight. But you got to do one thing for me."
"What's that?"
Dugan handed over his empty glass. "Open a tab."
"Done," Steve said without hesitation.
The cheer that went up from both the Howling Commandos and Easy Company could probably be heard three blocks away. Glasses raised, fists pounded on tables, and someone started singing what sounded like a very inappropriate song about Hitler.
As the celebration continued, Falsworth caught Steve's eye and nodded toward a quieter corner near the bar. Steve followed him over, away from the noise.
"Rogers," Falsworth said quietly, checking to make sure they weren't overheard. "Need to have a word with you."
"What's on your mind?"
Falsworth glanced around the pub, then leaned closer. "Got word from my superiors. Seems the brass are rather impressed with what happened in Austria. Word is, they're planning something involving yours truly."
"What kind of something?"
"That's just it, I don't know exactly," Falsworth said, frustration clear in his voice. "But they've been asking questions. About the mission, about how we worked together, about whether I'd be interested in 'special assignments' going forward." He took a sip of his beer. "Reading between the lines, I think they want their own version of Captain America."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "Their own?"
"Think about it," Falsworth said. "You've become this symbol, this hero that people rally around. The Americans have Captain America leading impossible rescue missions and inspiring the troops. The British government sees that and thinks, 'We need one of those.'"
"And they're considering you?"
"I was there, wasn't I? Fought alongside the famous Captain America, helped rescue four hundred prisoners from an impossible situation." Falsworth's expression grew thoughtful. "Makes for good propaganda, having a British hero who can stand shoulder to shoulder with America's finest."
"What would they call you?"
Falsworth's face darkened. "That's the part that really gets under my skin. They keep throwing around 'Captain Britain.' Can you believe that? It's like they took your name and just swapped out the country." He shook his head in disgust. "No imagination whatsoever. Makes it sound like I'm just some pale imitation of the real thing."
Steve studied his friend's face. "How do you feel about the assignment itself?"
"Honestly? Part of me is flattered. Part of me is terrified." Falsworth managed a wry smile. "I joined the army to fight Nazis, not to become some sort of national symbol. But if it helps win this war, if it gives people something to believe in..." He shrugged. "Could be worse assignments. I just wish they'd come up with something more original than 'Captain Britain.'"
"Just be careful," Steve said seriously. "Once you become a symbol, you stop being just a soldier. Everyone expects you to be perfect, to never fail, to always have the right answer." He looked back at the celebrating soldiers. "It's not always as glamorous as it looks."
"Noted," Falsworth replied. "Though I suspect whatever they have in mind won't involve quite as many sequins as your old costume. And hopefully they'll let me pick a better name than 'Captain Britain.'"
Steve laughed despite himself. "God, I hope so. You deserve better than being called a knockoff."
As they rejoined the group, Steve's focus shifted to another collection of tables where his enhanced friends, along with the royalty and warriors who had fought beside him in Austria, were gathered. It was quite a sight.
Diana had traded her armor for civilian clothes, though she still carried herself like royalty. Beside her, Mala kept the alert posture of a bodyguard even while relaxing. Azzuri and Amaya sat together, their quiet dignity making it obvious they weren't your average pub patrons. Logan nursed a beer in the corner, looking like he might disappear into the shadows at any moment.
Jay Garrick was trying to eat fish and chips at normal speed, which required visible concentration and kept making him twitch. Alan Scott's ring cast a faint green glow even when he wasn't using it, while Jim Hammond kept his temperature carefully controlled to avoid setting anything on fire.
At a smaller table nearby, Peter Parker was showing Ted Knight some photos he'd managed to take during their captivity, his camera having somehow survived everything they'd been through. Ted Grant sat with them, still moving carefully from his injuries but alert and engaged. Steve Trevor had found a chair near the group's edge, close enough to participate but positioned where he could watch the room. Patrick Wayne and Rex Tyler had claimed chairs at the end, both looking slightly out of place in the working-class pub but trying their best to fit in.
Steve Rogers walked over, carrying the collection of empty glasses from both groups of soldiers. "Another round for everyone?"
The response was immediate and enthusiastic. As Steve headed to the bar, he gestured for the whole group to follow him to a quieter corner where they could talk without being overheard.
"We need to talk about what happens next," Steve said once they'd all gathered around several pushed-together tables. "Phillips is putting together operations to hit every HYDRA facility we've identified. But after what we pulled off together..."
"You believe we should remain as one unit," Diana said. "To continue fighting as we did in Austria."
Patrick Wayne leaned forward, his expression mixing admiration with frustration. "I wish I could have seen what you all accomplished out there. From what I've heard, it was incredible."
"You should've been there," Jay said between bites of fish and chips. "Steve here was like something out of the movies. And Diana? She went toe-to-toe with an actual god and won."
Patrick's face darkened slightly. "Yeah, well, I was dealing with my own problems back then." He glanced at Rex Tyler, who was nursing his beer with the careful attention of someone trying to drink slowly. "Rex needed some help with his... research."
Rex looked up from his glass, his expression sheepish. "The pills. The Miraclo. They work, but..." He paused, taking a measured sip. "Let's just say they come with side effects I didn't anticipate."
"What kind of side effects?" Jim asked.
"The addictive kind," Rex admitted quietly. "Each pill gives me enhanced strength and speed for exactly one hour. But the more I use them, the more I want to use them. And when they wear off..." He shrugged. "Well, let's just say alcohol helps take the edge off."
Steve studied Rex's face, recognizing something familiar in the man's struggle. "How bad is it?"
"Bad enough that Patrick had to babysit me instead of going on the mission of a lifetime," Rex said with bitter humor. "Bad enough that I'm sitting here drinking because it's the only thing that stops me from wanting to pop another pill."
Patrick shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't babysitting. Rex was working on improving the formula, trying to reduce the addictive properties. I was just... providing moral support."
"And making sure I didn't overdose," Rex added. "Because apparently enhanced strength doesn't mean much when you're shaking from withdrawal."
Logan looked at Rex with new understanding. "Addiction's a bitch. Whether it's pills, booze, or the rush of a good fight."
"And making sure I didn't overdose," Rex added. "Because apparently enhanced strength doesn't mean much when you're shaking from withdrawal."
Logan looked at Rex with new understanding. "Addiction's a bitch. Whether it's pills, booze, or the rush of a good fight."
"How do you handle it?" Rex asked Steve directly. "Having all that power, all that ability. How do you stop yourself from abusing it? From thinking you're better than everyone else?"
Steve was quiet for a moment, remembering Dr. Erskine's words the night before the procedure. "Someone once told me that the serum amplifies everything inside a person. Good becomes great, bad becomes worse. But he also said something else." Steve met Rex's eyes. "That I would stay who I am. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man."
Rex absorbed this, his grip on his beer glass loosening slightly. "A good man."
"The power doesn't define you," Steve continued. "What you do with it does. Every time you use those pills, you have a choice. Use that hour for yourself, or use it for something bigger."
Rex nodded slowly, something shifting in his expression. "An hour is all you have," he said quietly, as if testing the words. "Use it for good."
"That's it exactly," Steve said.
"An hour is all you have, use it for good," Rex repeated, this time with more conviction. "I like that. Might make it my motto."
Patrick clapped Rex on the shoulder. "See? I told you talking to Steve would help."
"Yeah, well, you also told me that drinking beer would help," Rex replied with a weak smile. "But this actually does."
Diana had been listening with interest. "In my homeland, we believe that true strength comes not from the power one possesses, but from the wisdom to use it properly."
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Rex said. "The wisdom part. The power's easy. It's knowing when not to use it that's hard."
Azzuri spoke up from across the table. "In Wakanda, we have warriors who undergo enhancement rituals. The greatest danger is not that the ritual will fail, but that it will succeed too well. Power without purpose becomes corruption."
"Which is why we need each other," Amaya added. "No one should carry such burdens alone."
Steve Trevor, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "Independent operation would give you flexibility, but it also means operating without official support. No intelligence networks, no logistics support, no political backing when things go wrong."
"And things will go wrong," Logan added. "They always do."
Jay paused mid-bite of his fish and chips. "Wait, are we talking about going rogue? Because that sounds both terrifying and exciting."
Jim chuckled. "I don't think we'd be going rogue exactly. More like finding our own path."
"Dr. Horton always said I was built to protect people," Jim continued. "But he never specified whether that had to be through official channels or not."
Mala leaned forward. "On Themyscira, we have a saying: 'The strongest shield is forged from many metals.' Each brings different properties, but together they create something stronger than any individual component."
Diana nodded at her protector's words. "Mala speaks wisdom. In my homeland, we understand that true strength comes not from individual prowess alone, but from the bonds forged between warriors who trust one another completely."
"That's all well and good," Logan said, taking a long pull from his beer, "but what happens when the politicians decide they don't like what we're doing? When they want to control us or shut us down?"
Ted Grant, who had been quietly listening while nursing his own drink, spoke up. "Then we deal with it when it comes. Right now, we've got Nazis to fight and people to save. Everything else is just noise."
Logan looked at Ted with new interest. "You talk like someone who's been in scraps before."
"Boxing ring, mostly," Ted replied. "But a fight's a fight, whether it's in Madison Square Garden or a HYDRA prison camp."
"Boxing, huh?" Logan's eyes lit up. "What weight class?"
"Heavyweight. Won the Golden Gloves three years running before the war started."
Rex looked up from his beer, seeming more focused now. "You know; I've been thinking about what Steve said. About using power for good." He paused. "Maybe that's what this team could be. A way to make sure we all stay on the right path."
"A support system," Patrick agreed. "People who understand what it's like to have abilities others don't."
"And who aren't afraid to call you out when you're being an idiot," Jay added with a grin.
"Exactly," Steve said. "We keep each other honest."
Logan flexed his arms, his enhanced musculature clearly visible even under his casual clothes. "No kidding. Think those fancy boxing moves would work against someone who heals fast?"
Ted Grant's grin widened. "Only one way to find out."
Peter looked between them nervously. "Please tell me you two aren't about to start a bar fight."
"Nah," Ted said, standing up and rolling his shoulders. "Just a friendly test of strength. Right, Logan?"
"Course," Logan replied, though his smile had a predatory edge. "Just two guys seeing who's stronger."
Jay had stopped trying to eat at normal speed and was now vibrating with excitement. "Oh, this is gonna be good."
Diana watched the exchange with interest. "In my experience, such contests often reveal much about a man's character."
Alan Scott created a small green construct that looked like a miniature boxing ring. "Well, if we're doing this, might as well do it right."
The group gathered around as Ted and Logan faced each other across one of the smaller tables. They clasped hands, elbows planted firmly on the wooden surface.
"Standard rules?" Ted asked.
"Standard rules," Logan confirmed.
Patrick Wayne appointed himself referee. "Gentlemen, you may begin on my mark. Three... two... one... go!"
The match started immediately, both men straining against each other with visible effort. Ted's boxing training was evident in his form and technique, while Logan's raw power and healing factor gave him an edge in pure endurance.
"Come on, Wildcat!" Jay cheered, apparently deciding to back the boxer. "Show him what real training can do!"
"Are you kidding?" Jim called out, taking Logan's side. "Logan fought through a HYDRA prison camp with his bare hands!"
The table creaked under the pressure as both men pushed harder. Logan's face was set in a grimace of concentration, while Ted maintained the controlled breathing of a professional athlete.
"Logan's got this," Rex said, though he didn't sound entirely confident. "Raw strength always wins."
"Not always," Diana said, clearly supporting Ted. "Technique and training matter more than brute force."
Azzuri leaned over to Amaya. "The boxer uses leverage and technique to maximize his strength, while the other relies on brute force."
"Both approaches have merit," Amaya replied, watching with tactical interest. "But discipline often defeats raw power. I believe the boxer will prevail."
Steve stayed neutral, but Peter found himself pulling for Ted. "Come on, Ted! You've got this!"
The crowd in the pub had started to notice the contest, with other patrons gathering around to watch and place informal bets. Someone started calling out odds.
"You're stronger than you look," Logan grunted through gritted teeth.
"You're not as strong as you think," Ted shot back with a strained grin.
After almost two minutes of deadlock, Ted suddenly shifted his grip slightly, using a technique he'd learned from years of fighting opponents with longer reach. The small adjustment gave him just enough leverage to begin pushing Logan's hand toward the table.
Logan's eyes widened as he felt his position weakening. "What the hell was that?"
"Technique," Ted said simply, pressing his advantage.
"That's it, Ted!" Jay shouted, now fully invested in the outcome. "Use that boxing brain!"
"Don't let him trick you, Logan!" Jim yelled back. "Power through it!"
The Canadian tried to rally, his healing factor allowing him to push through the burning in his muscles, but Ted's superior training and experience gave him the edge he needed. Slowly but steadily, Logan's hand moved closer to the table.
"Come on, Logan!" Alan called out, his ring pulsing with excitement. "Don't let the pretty boy beat you!"
"Pretty boy?" Ted laughed, which seemed to give him extra strength. "I'll show you pretty boy!"
Diana leaned forward, caught up in the moment. "Yes! Victory through skill and determination!"
Rex was on his feet now, his earlier melancholy forgotten. "Finish it, Ted!"
With the entire group cheering and yelling, Ted gave everything he had. His face red with effort, sweat beading on his forehead, he pressed Logan's hand down in one final, decisive movement.
SLAM!
The sound of Logan's hand hitting the table echoed through their corner of the pub. The Ted supporters erupted in cheers while Logan's backers groaned in defeat.
"YES!" Jay shouted, jumping up from his chair. "That's how you do it!"
"Unbelievable!" Peter exclaimed, snapping a photo of Ted's victory pose.
Diana actually applauded, her competitive spirit clearly satisfied. "Magnificent! A perfect demonstration of skill over strength!"
Logan sat back in his chair, shaking his head with grudging respect. "Damn. That was good."
Ted flexed his hand, working out the strain, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "Not bad yourself. Most guys would've given up after the first minute."
"Most guys don't heal as fast as I do," Logan replied. "But that technique thing... where'd you learn that?"
"Fighting guys bigger than me for most of my life," Ted said, still breathing hard. "Sometimes you gotta be smarter than the other guy, not just stronger."
"I'll remember that," Logan said, extending his hand for a shake. "Good match."
"Hell of a match," Ted agreed, shaking Logan's hand firmly.
Jay applauded enthusiastically. "That was awesome! Can we make this a regular thing? Like team bonding or something?"
Jim Hammond's flames flickered with amusement. "I don't think arm wrestling would work quite the same way for me. Might accidentally set the table on fire."
"We could use Alan's constructs," Peter suggested. "Make a green table that won't burn."
"Now there's an idea," Alan said, already forming a small construct table in the air above them.
Diana watched the easy camaraderie developing between the group with obvious satisfaction. "This... this is what true companionship looks like. Warriors who can compete fiercely yet remain united in purpose."
Mala nodded approvingly. "The princess speaks truly. I have seen many alliances forged in battle, but few that maintain such spirit in moments of peace."
Steve Trevor, who had been quietly observing from his position, spoke up. "You know, watching you all together like this... it reminds me why I volunteered for that intelligence mission in the first place. This is what we're fighting for. Not just to win a war, but to preserve the ability for good people to come together like this."
The sentiment seemed to resonate with everyone at the table. Even Logan, typically the most cynical of the group, nodded in agreement.
"So," Jay said, looking around at the assembled faces, "are we really doing this? Forming some kind of official team?"
"We'll need a name," Ted Knight pointed out practically. "Something that reflects our purpose and composition."
Orion leaned forward from his position at the table. "In Atlantis, we have the Council of Tides. Perhaps something that evokes unity across different realms?"
"The Allied Enhancement Division?" Rex suggested tentatively.
Jay made a face while swallowing another bite of fish. "Sounds like a government department."
"What about something with 'League' in it?" Peter offered, lowering his beer for a moment. "League of... something?"
"Too formal," Diana said. "We are not a political alliance. We are warriors bound by common purpose."
Mala nodded in agreement. "On Themyscira, our fighting units are called 'Bands.' Simple, but it speaks to our connection."
"The Champions?" Ted Grant suggested, still working his hand from the arm wrestling match.
"Too generic," Logan said bluntly. "Lots of teams call themselves champions."
Jim's flames flickered thoughtfully. "What about something that speaks to what we're trying to protect? The Guardians? The Defenders?"
"The Defenders has a nice ring to it," Amaya said, considering the suggestion.
"But we're not just defending," Azzuri pointed out. "We're taking the fight to the enemy. Seeking out injustice wherever it hides."
Alan created a small green construct of scales, the universal symbol of justice. "What about something that speaks to what we're fighting for, not just against?"
Steve Trevor, who had been listening from his position near the group's edge, spoke up. "You know, you're all thinking too complicated. What's the one thing that unites everyone at this table?"
"We all want to stop the bad guys?" Jay suggested.
"Deeper than that," Steve Trevor said. "You all believe in doing the right thing, no matter the cost. That's justice."
Patrick Wayne, who had been quietly thinking throughout the evening's festivities, straightened up. The conversation had been swirling around him, but suddenly he could see it clearly. "The Justice Society of America."
The table went quiet as everyone processed the suggestion. Several people started to speak, then stopped, clearly thinking it over.
Diana was the first to respond, though she spoke slowly, testing the words. "Justice... yes, that does capture what we're fighting for. Not just winning battles, but actually protecting people who can't protect themselves."
Azzuri nodded but looked thoughtful. "Society suggests we're equals working together, rather than a military unit with ranks. I like that."
"Yeah, that's good," Jim agreed. "We're not soldiers following orders. We're choosing to do what's right."
But Amaya frowned slightly. "Not all of us are American, though."
Logan took a swig of his beer and shrugged. "I'm Canadian, for what it's worth."
"And I am of Themyscira," Diana added.
Patrick nodded, having expected this. "Then just the Justice Society. Justice doesn't belong to one country, does it?"
Mala considered this for a moment. "Justice is... universal. Even on Themyscira, we understand this."
"Same in Atlantis," Orion said simply. "Justice is something all civilized peoples recognize."
Logan set down his beer and looked around the table. "Justice Society. I gotta say, it's better than 'the guys who beat up Nazis.'"
"But what does that mean, exactly?" Ted Knight asked. "Are we vigilantes? Are we still part of the military? What are we?"
Peter lowered his beer. "That's a good point. What happens when the war's over? Do we just... stop?"
"There will always be injustice," Diana said quietly. "The war may end, but evil will find new forms."
Jay stopped vibrating for a moment, looking serious. "So we're talking about something permanent. Not just for the war."
"That's a big commitment," Rex said, his earlier conversation with Steve clearly still on his mind.
Steve Trevor leaned forward. "It also means we're talking about operating outside normal channels sometimes. That could get complicated."
Jim's flames flickered as he thought. "But if we only work within the system, what happens when the system fails people?"
"Or when the system is part of the problem," Ted Grant added.
Alan created a small construct - just a simple scale - and set it on the table. "Justice. Yeah, I think that's what we're all about."
Azzuri looked around the table. "In Wakanda, we have a saying: 'Where there is no justice, there can be no peace.' Perhaps this is what the world needs."
Amaya nodded slowly. "And if we're truly a society, then we support each other. No one carries the burden alone."
Logan took another drink and shrugged. "Hell, I was gonna keep fighting anyway. Might as well have backup."
Jay's grin returned. "Plus it sounds way cooler than most team names."
Patrick looked around the table, seeing genuine consideration in everyone's faces. "So... the Justice Society?"
Steve Rogers had been listening quietly, and now he spoke up. "The Justice Society," he repeated, testing how it sounded. "I like it. It says what we stand for."
Ted Knight was nodding enthusiastically. "It's got weight to it. Substance. Makes it clear we're serious about what we're doing."
Peter looked up from his beer. "The Justice Society. Yeah, that works. That really works."
Steve Rogers looked around the table, seeing the faces of people who had risked everything not for glory or recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. "The Justice Society," he repeated, testing the sound of it. "I like it."
"All in favor?" Diana asked, raising her hand.
The vote was unanimous, hands raising around the table with varying degrees of enthusiasm but complete agreement.
"Well then," Jay said with satisfaction, "I guess we're officially the Justice Society now."
"Hold on," Steve said, looking directly at Patrick. "We need to talk about leadership."
Patrick looked uncomfortable. "What about it?"
"It was your idea," Steve continued. "The name, the concept of what we could be. I think that makes you our chairman."
"What?" Patrick's eyes widened. "I never said anything about—"
"Makes sense to me," Diana said immediately. "Leadership should fall to the one with the vision to see what we could become."
"Steve's right," Ted Grant agreed. "Your idea, your team."
Patrick looked around the table, clearly overwhelmed. "I don't have any powers. I can't do half the things you all can do."
"Neither do I," Steve Trevor pointed out with a slight smile. "Neither does Peter or Ted Knight. But we're all part of this, aren't we?"
"Powers don't make you a leader," Azzuri said firmly. "Wisdom does. Vision does. The ability to see what others cannot."
Amaya nodded. "In Zambesi, we have a saying: 'The chief is not the strongest warrior, but the one who knows when to fight and when to seek peace.'"
Orion raised his hand slightly. "In Atlantis, I am heir to the throne not because of my strength, but because I can see the broader picture. Patrick has shown that same quality."
Mala, ever practical, added, "Someone must coordinate. Someone must see the whole while others focus on their part."
Logan shrugged. "Hell, I don't want the job. Too much paperwork."
Jay was vibrating with excitement. "Come on, Patrick! You'd be great at it!"
Jim's flames flickered warmly. "We trust you. That's what matters."
Alan created a small green gavel and set it in front of Patrick. "All in favor of Patrick Wayne as chairman of the Justice Society?"
The vote was unanimous again, though Patrick looked like he wanted to crawl under the table.
"I... I don't know what to say," Patrick managed.
"Say yes," Steve said with a grin. "Because like it or not, you're stuck with us now."
"But hold on," Diana interjected, looking directly at Steve. "Patrick may be our chairman, but we all know who our real leader is."
Steve looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"You brought us together, Steve," Jim said simply. "If it wasn't for you, none of us would be sitting at this table."
Jay nodded enthusiastically. "Diana's right. You're the one who made us want to be better."
"It's more than that," Diana continued, her voice growing more passionate. "When everyone told you the odds were impossible, when they said you couldn't save your friends, you said to hell with the odds and did it anyway. You were willing to walk to Austria if that's what it took."
"Even if it meant certain death," Peter added quietly. "I saw it in your eyes back at the camp. You weren't going to leave us behind, no matter what."
Ted Grant leaned forward. "That's what real leadership looks like. Not giving orders, but showing the way."
"You made us all want to rise to the occasion," Alan said, his ring pulsing with soft light. "When I saw you charging into that HYDRA facility, I knew I had to be better than I thought I could be."
Azzuri nodded gravely. "In Wakanda, we believe that a true leader is one who inspires others to become their best selves. You have done this for all of us."
"You didn't just want to end the war quicker," Amaya said with a smile. "You made us excited about what comes after. About the world we could build together."
Logan took a swig of his beer and grinned. "Plus, you're the only one crazy enough to actually do the job."
Rex looked up from his beer, his earlier melancholy replaced by something like hope. "What you said earlier, about staying a good man... that's what this is about. You remind us who we're supposed to be."
Mala spoke up, her warrior's voice carrying absolute conviction. "On Themyscira, we follow those who lead not through strength alone, but through honor. You have shown us both."
Orion nodded. "In Atlantis, we have a saying: 'The tide follows the moon, not because it commands, but because it lights the way.' You are our moon, Steve Rogers."
Steve looked around the table, clearly overwhelmed. "I... I don't know what to say. I'm just trying to do what's right."
"That's exactly why you're our leader," Diana said with a warm smile. "You don't see yourself as special, but you inspire the rest of us to be special."
Steve Trevor chuckled from his position at the table's edge. "For what it's worth, Steve, I've seen a lot of officers in my time. Most of them command through fear or authority. You lead through example. That's rare."
Ted Knight nodded. "You make us want to be heroes, not just soldiers."
"All in favor of Steve Rogers as our field leader?" Diana asked, raising her hand.
The vote was unanimous, every hand at the table going up without hesitation.
Steve sat back in his chair, looking stunned. "Patrick's the chairman. I'm just—"
"You're our leader," Patrick said firmly, looking more confident now that the spotlight was off him. "I'll handle the planning and coordination, but when it comes to making the hard decisions, when it comes to showing us the way... that's you."
"And that includes all of us," Diana added, looking at Steve Trevor, Peter, and Ted Knight. "Powers or no powers, we are all members of this Society. We all have something to contribute."