AHumanMadeMOFO
patreon
Chapter 72: The Conflict
🕑 Added 2024-12-08 13:23:31 +0000 UTCIn the following days, neither Josh nor Lyndon saw Angela return to the hotel where their team was staying.
Later, through their subordinates' inquiries, they discovered that Colonel Kennedy had arranged a residence for Angela in London's West End.
During WWII, while the U.S. Army was stationed in Britain, the West End of London essentially became the playground for American troops.
For regular soldiers, the key hotspots were areas like Hyde Park and Piccadilly Circus, where the night air was thick with the scent of heather. Every morning, sanitation workers would clean up buckets of discarded "helmets" from the previous night.
Yes... these men didn’t even bother finding proper venues.
It’s no surprise that the infamous figure of 1.8 million illegitimate births came about. (T/N:I don't know where the author is getting these numbers from)
However, for high-ranking officers like Kennedy, the chaotic nightlife of the streets held little appeal. Instead, they gravitated toward upscale apartments where affluent widows — and sometimes married women — eagerly awaited their company.
Many high-ranking officers even moved directly into these high-end residences, acting as if they owned the place, returning to their camps only during the day.
For a Navy aviator colonel like Kennedy, setting Angela up in a private residence was a trivial matter.
For Lyndon, however, it was a direct humiliation.
Yet, Lyndon wasn’t someone to act impulsively. Having navigated the gray zones of society since the aftermath of World War I, he understood the futility of directly confronting a powerful, well-connected military officer in such extraordinary times.
Without Josh even needing to advise him, Lyndon chose to ignore the insult and bury himself in work, assisting Josh in contacting local business elites in London and selling high-end goods.
But both Josh and Lyndon were keenly aware that this matter would not end so simply.
What they didn’t expect, however, was that while they refrained from causing trouble for Kennedy, Kennedy himself sought out trouble with Josh.
At the Rainbow Corner in London’s West End — an establishment run by the American Red Cross exclusively for U.S. military personnel — Josh and a group of officers, including Aldo, gathered to toast a farewell.
The Rainbow Corner was a haven for American soldiers, offering 24-hour food service and featuring a massive dance floor that could accommodate up to 1,000 couples.
This was the same iconic location where Steve Rogers, Captain America, had promised Peggy Carter a dance in the Captain America movie.
Typically, civilian men weren’t allowed entry, but Josh was an exception due to his status as both an American and a semi-military figure, as well as his recent role as a supplier to the club.
Over the past month, his reputation as a resourceful American tycoon had spread among London’s high society and the ranks of U.S. military officers.
This gathering was to bid farewell to the officers, as the countdown to the famous D-Day invasion was nearing its final week. By tomorrow, no U.S. soldiers would be allowed to leave their bases.
“To another meeting, Josh, though it might be a while before it happens again,” Aldo said, raising his glass of beer.
“Stay safe out there, buddy! You’re America’s best, and I’m confident you’ll return victorious. I’m already planning your victory party in Paris,” Josh replied with a grin, finishing his drink in one go and patting Aldo on the shoulder.
But the festive atmosphere was suddenly disrupted.
“Huh, You capitalists can only hide behind the front lines, leeching off the blood of brave soldiers,” a disdainful voice called out from nearby.
The group turned to see a man in a colonel’s uniform standing with Angela by his side. Angela kept her head down, avoiding Josh’s gaze.
“Do we know each other, Colonel?” Josh asked with narrowed eyes, already guessing who the man was but feigning ignorance.
“Joseph Kennedy. And you must be Josh Kahn,” Kennedy replied as he approached. But Aldo stepped forward to block his path.
“What’s this? A mere lieutenant standing in my way?” Kennedy sneered.
“Oh, my apologies, Colonel. I just wanted to greet you properly,” Aldo replied sarcastically, giving Kennedy a sharp salute. “But judging by your tone, it seems you have an issue with us in the Army.”
“And if I do? What will you do about it, Lieutenant?” Kennedy shot back, his voice dripping with disdain.
“Nothing, sir. We in the Army don’t waste time with fools,” Aldo replied evenly, his emphasis on the word “sir” laced with mockery.
Enraged, Kennedy retorted, “Well, it seems you’re quite bold, Lieutenant. Just remember—this isn’t about rank now!” He handed his glass to Angela, who grew visibly uneasy.
“Joseph, please don’t—” Angela began, but Kennedy silenced her with a dismissive wave.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. They wouldn’t dare—”
Before Kennedy could finish, Aldo’s fist landed squarely on his face.
Josh and the other Army officers froze, their hearts sinking.
This was bad.
They hadn’t expected Aldo to actually hit Kennedy.
Striking a superior officer wasn’t just insubordination; it could trigger a full-blown conflict between the Navy and Army on the eve of the invasion.
“Stop him!” Josh yelled.
If it was just one punch, there might still be room to de-escalate the situation.
But if Kennedy was seriously injured, Aldo would inevitably face a court-martial.
The other officers quickly intervened, pulling Aldo away before he could throw another punch.
“Damn you! I’ll kill you!” Kennedy roared, staggering to his feet. He swung at Aldo but was abruptly restrained by a powerful grip.
“Who—?” Kennedy began, but the words died in his throat when he turned to see who had stopped him.
Standing there was a man whose identity needed no introduction: Captain America.
