1963-06-29 - Preparations for Paperclip Pt. 3
Summary: To try and help convince Captain Rogers to help them, Sousa recruits Brian Falsworth, aka. Union Jack to help bring Cap up to speed.
Related: http://marvel1963mush.wikidot.com/log:1963-06-20-protesting-paperclip, http://marvel1963mush.wikidot.com/log:1963-06-21-preparations-for-paperclip, http://marvel1963mush.wikidot.com/log:1963-06-26-preparations-for-paperclip-pt-2
Theme Song: None
uj sousa 


A message was sent to Falsworth, requesting that he come find Sousa at his convenience. The latter has been mostly camping out in the Director's office, trying to keep up with that work as well as his own. It's easier than trying to go back and forth…his own secretary can make the trip much easier and faster than he. She's also holding down the fort there as needed.

He's made a few notes from his recent meeting with Captain Rogers and he's going over them as he waits.

*

There's a rap on the door and a moment after Brian enters the office, closing the door behind him. "Good day, Daniel. What is it I can do for you? Is there news from Peggy, by chance? And our esteemed guests to be had a tragic accident that required their immediately burial so won't be joining us?"

*

"God, I wish," Daniel offers one of his first smiles for today. "Nothing from Peggy, but I know that if anything went South, we'd hear. So I'm still hopeful and still making preparations." He gestures for Brian to come in and close the door behind him. "I need to ask you a favor. Sort of…well, I'm not sure that it's 'official' but I don't know anyone else who could do it." He stands then and leans on the desk for support.

*

"Well, perhaps she's still arranging it and the good news will be forthcoming." Wishful thinking of Brian's part. "A favor?" So not official business then. "Do tell. You have my undivided attention."

*

"I'm hopeful," Daniel admits. "If anyone can do it, it's Peggy." There's another flicker of a smile then before it fades into a sigh. "If you can, I need you to talk to Captain Rogers. I understand that it's difficult for him and I can't imagine the extent of discombobulation he must be feeling. But we need him with us and he's still stuck back in 1944. Maybe I went about it the wrong way, but he's convinced that since we're in America, we can make all the rules. But SHIELD isn't just an American organization and he just wasn't able to see that."

*

"Steve?" Brian asks, brow furrowing. "He's objected to the Nazi scientists I suppose. Unsurprising given our own reaction. Recall that he was still killing Nazis a month ago as far as he is concerned. How is it that you went about trying to convince him?"

*

Sousa nods. He's not yet comfortable being on first-name basis with the super-soldier, especially since he isn't sure Peggy's told him who he is in her life. "I wasn't surprized at the objection. We all voiced it. But we all also understood that this was coming from over our heads. That we weren't being given the choice. I tried explaining that to him," He raps on the desk, "Maybe I did a poor job of that." He lifts a shoulder and lets it fall, "I couldn't seem to convince him that America isn't the boss of everyone. I know that he doesn't know what NATO is and the idea of the United Nations was new back then." There's a pause before, "Do you think he'll be able to grasp all of this? Quickly? I'd really like to have him with us when these Nazis arrive."

*

"If we need him, and we do, he'll be here." Brian states, sounding quite sure of that. "If there was one Yank during the war I knew I could rely on, it was Steve. I'll try to explain things to him in a way that he can accept. Exactly what is it that you want of him?"

*

"I'm not too sure," Daniel frowns. "He seemed pretty upset that we were allowing Nazis in our house. I honestly don't blame him but I know we've all tried to figure out a way around it. I know Peggy is -still- trying to figure that out." Even out in Geneva. He'd demand she take a vacation when she gets back, but that won't be possible. "Right now, I'd just like him on our side. Eventually, well, I'd like him to be on the team. Probably a Special Agent, much like yourself." Minus the high level of access that Brian has.

*

Brian nods. "I'll speak with him. I have no doubt that he'll come around. Steve is not the type of person to just sit back and do nothing. Now, I suppose it's possible he might not choose to join SHIELD and instead strike out on his own. But I'll speak with him and see what I can do."

*

Sousa nods, "I appreciate it. I do. Even if he's willing to collaborate with us if he's on his own, I think it would be beneficial to all." He may have bungled this in trying to help, but this is the reason he's not Director of SHIELD. "I hope that if I did any damage, it's not permanent."

*

Brian shakes his head. "I doubt it. There is much for Steve to get used to and whether he's willing to admit it or not, it's going to take time. Time he won't allow himself as he'll consider it weakness. Being part of SHIELD will give him a framework he's familiar with while he adapts."

*

"That's what I was sort of hoping. I don't think anyone would see his taking time as a weakness." Daniel moves to sit on the edge of the desk, his bum leg getting a break from the weight of standing on it. "I'm at a disadvantage. You knew him. Peggy knew him. Even Howard knew him. Maybe it should have come from one of you." It's done.

"Howard was uninterested in helping us create new surveillance for our potential guests. He has, however, asked that they not be given access to his lab. That seemed reasonable. What are we overlooking?"

*

Oh, definitely not Howard. "A very reasonable request." Brian agrees. "Though not one we can guarantee since without keeping close tabs on them, we can't be entirely certain if they manage to gain their own access to his lab, even if not in person. They are, after all, extremely intelligent scientists and some might be on par with Howard himself. But if he doesn't think he can come up with some foolproof way of keeping them surveilled, we'll have to manage without his help. You might want to put it that way when next you speak to him." He considers the question then shakes his head. "Had I thought of something before now, I'd have already said so. We might just need to wait till they are here and then patch any holes we missed as we spot them."

*

"Dangerous, but I think you're right," Sousa admits. "These men may be ahead of us even as they arrive and even if we have surveillance, agents on their tails, and the kitchen sink thrown at them. I'll suggest that Howard work on some way to prevent them from getting into his Lab since that seemed to be his concern. That might get him to do something." He lifts a hand to scrub through his hair, "I appreciate the help and advice. Let me know if you need anything."

*

Sousa also adds, "Oh. I didn't tell him anything about me. I'm not sure if Peggy wants to do that herself, but…might want to keep that out of the conversation if possile."

*

"Of course, Daniel. We're all in this together, after all." About ready to depart, Brian pauses at the addition. "Ah. Good to know and perhaps wise to wait for Peggy to tell him herself. Though she has aged since he saw her and does have a daughter. He's undoubtedly put two and two together, even if he's not aware of who."

*

"We've all aged," Daniel starts before he gestures to Brian, "Except for maybe you and Rogers. Peggy doesn't look her age," although he's biased, "And I'm sure he's realized that she moved on with her life. You're right though about maybe him not knowing whom with. Maybe we should keep it that way until Peggy makes the call." Especially now.

*

"I do not think that knowing would change how he regards you." However that is. "But it is one less distraction he probably does not need to deal with at the moment. The transition is difficult enough as it is." Brian says then considers Sousa. "How are you handling things, Daniel?"

*

"I'm not really worried about how he regards me," Daniel manages a wry smile, "It's not about me. It's about him." And Peggy, but he isn't going to voice that. Even though she's across the Atlantic, he can almost hear her 'You don't need to stick up for me' chiding in his ear. The question actually gets a laugh, "Well, nothing's burned down or exploded yet, so I'm considering that a 'win' right now. Honestly, I don't want to have this job any longer than I have to. I'm trying not to get behind on my own department, which might have been arrogant of me to think I could do both -and- take care of Mickey after work."

Wait.

"Or are you asking about something else?"

*

Brian just smiles and makes a gesture, letting Daniel interpret the question any way he wishes to. "I'm pleased to hear things are going as well as possible. Do not neglect your daughter though. If you need me to take over some things, you are welcome to ask. In fact, if you have something that I could, perhaps, involve Steve in, it might serve as a way to broach other subjects."

*

"She wouldn't let me even think about neglecting her. Peggy got it into her head that she can have a pet and I'm trying to convince her that it's not the right time. That doesn't stop her from bringing it up every. Single. Day." He grins fully at that before considering Brian's suggestion. He hops off of the desk and moves back to pull out some papers, "I don't have too much. The usual reports of UFO's and Big Foot sightings." He rolls his eyes at that. "I do have something, but I'm not sure that it will be of interest to you or even utilizing any of your's or Rogers' skills." He pulls out another sheet of paper that looks like a copy of a handwritten note.

"We have a vigilante going around killing mafiosi but that's been in the news. Also, there seems to be some mutant-led research facility somewhere near the City. Seems it's dedicated to," and he's reading the paper, "'seeking out and obtaining more mutants'. There's a name, 'Alex Summers'." The note is held out, "I don't know if that's of interest."

*

"Eliminating organized crime seems to be more of a public service. And regardless, it seems more of a job for the local Bobbies." Brian decides. "Obtaining more mutants for what purpose?" he asks as he takes the paper to look over.

*

The paper is a photocopy of a handwritten note. "That was left on our fridge by our nanny." Yeah. He's not terribly thrilled that this was even there. Daniel watches the other as he reads it, "I'm not too sure. I don't think the nanny was sure, but with all that's happened with self-declared and media-declared 'mutants', it bears investigating. I was going to put some others on it, but if you and Rogers want it, I'd be thrilled to have you on the case."

*

Brian reads the paper then quirks a brow at Daniel when he explains. "Your Nanny. You should perhaps pay her more." Good nannies who are also spies are worth their weight in US dollars. "Unless we can tie them to Hydra or to something like the recent violence against the police, I don't see a need myself. Being a mutant is not yet illegal here or in other civilized countries. Better we should devote our resources to known threats."

*

"She had better not be a spy. Peggy interviewed and hired her when I was away. I'm still not convinced she's using the job to get a position here," or worse. "Can we -not- tie them to the recent violence against the police? I'm more concerned about the collection of mutants. Are they building a mutant army? Are they protecting them?" But his department is also that of Supernatural Investigations.

"But I do agree that our major resources should be spent on known threats." And they aren't a threat. Yet.

*

"I can't. But I can't -not- tie your President to the recent violence either and that doesn't seem sufficient lack of evidence to investigate him." Brian points out. "Nor is it an international threat or one to yours or any government." At least, there's no indication there is yet.

*

"Let's -not- investigate the President," Sousa chuckles. "I think that would be best for everyone." He'll take the paper back, "No international threat aside from what Peggy's fighting in Geneva…" and Cuba, but that seems to be a continual threat. "Luckily, we're Status Quo here. If I come across something that seems appropriate, I'll certainly pasas it on." He sort of hopes he doesn't.

*

Brian is happy to pass back the paper. "Let us leave the minorities alone till they give us a true reason to consider them to be a threat. There are enough agencies already who consider them a threat regardless of actual evidence. Such often becomes a self fulfilling prophecy, I fear. Meanwhile, I'll speak with Steve and see what I can do."

*

Sousa looks at the paper as if Brian's words may have clicked something on. "Huh." It's set back on his desk, "Sure. No need to make them into a threat." Been there, done that. He doesn't want to deal with that again for a while. "I'd appreciate it, Brian. And if anything comes up or I hear from Peggy, I'll let you both know. Keep your fingers crossed that they realize that prison is still the best place for them."

*

"I doubt that will happen. No one can be more convinced of the rightness of their decision than the bureaucrat that made it." Fortunately, SHIELD is run by actual field agents and not paper pushers. "Do let me know if you need a hand with anything." Brian tells Daniel. "I'll let you know of the outcome once I speak with Steve."

*

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