STRIKE Team Omega

Chapter 88: Tony Stark's Security

It was a sunny day in Washington, D.C., and the Triskelion was busier than usual. As a leader, John was used to being called for high-priority missions. However, Fury's call for a meeting in his office had a different tone. It wasn't a combat or infiltration mission. When John received the message, all he knew was that he needed to be present for something delicate.

When he entered Fury's office, John found the director already standing, looking at a series of reports on his desk. Maria was next to him, with her usual serious posture.

"Hawke, good to see you," Fury said without taking his eyes off the documents. "We have a new mission for you. This time, no gunshots or explosions." John arched an eyebrow.

"What's going on, boss?"

Fury finally looked at John.

"Stark. Tony Stark. He's organizing a charity event in Washington, and he and Miss Pepper Potts will need extra security. The eyes of the world have been on him ever since he announced he was Iron Man. I need you to handle their personal security at the event."

John frowned, processing the mission.

"Me? Personal security? Don't we have specialized agents for that kind of thing?"

Fury gave a half smile. "Yes, we do. But I want someone who can handle the unexpected, and you, John, are the best we have. If something goes wrong, be it an internal or external threat, I'd rather know you're there."

John nodded. He understood Fury's logic. Even if there was no physical confrontation planned, his presence would be a guarantee in case things got out of hand.

"Considering Stark's ego, I'm going to assume this event will have maximum media attention and a lot of eyes on him, right?" John asked, as he crossed his arms.

Maria intervened. "Exactly. And with that comes the possibility of someone trying something. Stark already has plenty of enemies, especially after his decision to leave the arms industry. We want to make sure nothing interferes with the event. And most importantly, we want to ensure the safety of Stark and Potts."

John was silent for a moment, pondering the mission.

"Understood. When and where?"

"The event will be at the National Museum of American History, in two days," Hill said, handing him a tablet with the details. "You will have full access to security information and will be in direct contact with local agents and Stark's private security."

Fury stared at him.

"Captain, I know this mission is less 'glamorous' than you're used to, but I trust you to keep them safe. After all, Stark may be a genius, but he's also an easy target when he's in the spotlight. And... Miss Potts is a target by association."

John smiled slightly and nodded, taking the tablet.

"Don't worry, boss. I'll take care of this."

Two days later, the event was in full swing at the National Museum of American History. The venue was dazzling, with elegant lighting fixtures and decorations that reflected the luxury Stark was known for. The red carpet was lined with photographers and journalists, all awaiting the arrival of the star of the evening.

John was dressed in a tailored black suit, an ensemble that hid his immense strength and combat skills, making him look like an ordinary security guard. His role at that moment was to ensure that nothing interrupted the event and that Stark and Pepper Potts were safe. In the distance, he saw Stark's limousine arrive.

Tony Stark stepped out first, with his characteristic style and confident smile, waving to the reporters and enjoying the attention. Right behind him, Pepper Potts appeared, wearing an elegant silk dress that highlighted her sophisticated beauty.

As they began to approach the entrance of the museum, John walked up to them.

"Mr. Stark, Miss Potts. Captain John Hawke of S.H.I.E.L.D. I will be in charge of both of your personal security tonight," he said, his voice firm and polite.

Pepper blushed slightly upon seeing John. He was an imposing man, clearly strong and athletic, but there was a softness in his manner of speaking that surprised her. His tailored suit made him look like he had stepped out of a fashion magazine, and the determined, intense look in his eyes made her look away for a brief moment.

"Oh... Hello, Captain Hawke," Pepper said, smiling slightly and trying to hide her blush. "It's a pleasure to have you with us."

Stark immediately noticed Pepper's reaction and raised an eyebrow, giving John a discreet glance. He wasn't blind and could see the attraction that many felt for his personal assistant. But as he looked closer, Stark noticed something that made him relax: a ring was shining on John's finger.

"Captain Hawke, huh?" Stark began with a smile. "I imagine you're some kind of super soldier or something. SHIELD doesn't let just anyone take care of me."

John smiled slightly, keeping it professional.

"Something like that, Mr. Stark. I'm here to make sure you two are safe and that the event is a success. If you need anything, I'll be around."

Stark shrugged, clearly more relaxed now that he knew John wasn't a romantic threat to him.

"Very well. I guess I won't have to worry about that, then. Come on, Pepper. We have an event to light up."

As Tony headed inside, Pepper gave John another quick glance, her face still slightly flushed. She felt something odd about the presence of someone like him. Tony's confidence was unshakable, but John's presence made her feel an extra sense of security that was hard to explain.

During the event, John remained vigilant at all times. He kept an eye on every entrance, watching every person who approached Stark or Pepper. Stark's private security team was there, but they clearly didn't have the same combat and surveillance experience as John.

Every now and then, Stark would wave at him from afar, as if reassuring him that everything was under control. Pepper, in turn, made a point of casting discreet glances at John while chatting with guests, still a little intrigued by the imposing figure.

At one point in the evening, when Stark was busy discussing technology with a group of businessmen, Pepper approached John.

"Captain, it looks like the event is going well," she commented with a gentle smile.

John looked around, checking the environment before answering.

"Yes, Miss Potts. So far, everything has been peaceful. I hope it stays that way."

Pepper nodded, glancing at Stark, who seemed immersed in their conversations.

"I must say, I'm surprised you're here. I didn't think SHIELD would send someone so... well, you seem more like a field agent than a security guard."

John smiled slightly, keeping his tone professional.

"SHIELD values ​​maximum security at events like this. I'm here to make sure nothing goes wrong, no matter the situation."

Pepper was silent for a moment, and then gave him a warmer smile.

— Well, I'm glad to know we're in good hands, Captain Hawke.

Before the conversation could continue, Stark approached.

— Pepper, my love, we're late for the next group of guests. Hawke, keep doing what you do best, being intimidating and saving the day.

John just smiled slightly and nodded, watching as Tony and Pepper headed off to the next event of the event. The slight jealousy Stark had felt at first seemed to have dissipated, and the rest of the night went by without incident.

As the event drew to a close, John maintained his vigilance until the last moment, ensuring that Tony and Pepper left the venue safely. He knew that even in seemingly peaceful situations like this, there could always be a hidden threat. But tonight, the job was done, and he did his duty.

With the mission complete, John retired, leaving behind another safe event for Stark and his team. However, he knew that this was only the beginning. The world around Stark was changing rapidly, and new threats would soon emerge. But for now, the mission was complete, and John was ready for whatever came next.

Chapter 89: Investigating Captain Hawke

It was a peaceful morning at Tony Stark's Malibu mansion. The sea was gently lapping against the rocks, and the ocean breeze brought with it an air of serenity. Tony, however, was not at peace. The night before at the charity event still haunted him. Captain John Hawke, the SHIELD security guard, lingered on his mind. Tony couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this man. He was much more than just a security guard.

Tony was sitting in his lab, surrounded by screens and holographic projectors, when Pepper Potts walked into the room, still holding a cup of coffee.

"Tony, what are you doing?" she asked, noticing the intense focus in his eyes.

Tony didn't take his eyes off the screens.

"Pep, I was thinking about that security guard last night. The John Hawke guy. Didn't he seem... a little much to you? A muscular super soldier from SHIELD just to protect us from paparazzi?" Pepper smiled.

"Well, I didn't see any problems. He did his job and was very professional. Besides, he seemed quite competent, to say the least." She blushed slightly, remembering John's imposing presence.

Tony, however, was more interested in the question of who Hawke really was.

"I'm going to find out who he is. Something tells me there's more to Captain Hawke than meets the eye. And you know how I am when I get curious." He turned to the artificial intelligence system controlling the house.

"Jarvis, access SHIELD's servers. I want all available data on Captain John Hawke." Jarvis, Tony's advanced AI, responded immediately in his elegant and formal voice.

"Sir, accessing SHIELD's servers requires higher-level permission. Hacking such a database could jeopardize our relationship with the organization."

Tony smiled, adjusting his glasses as he quickly typed on a holographic screen.

"Ah, Jarvis, you know me. I have no patience for formalities." Do whatever you need to do, but do it discreetly. Let's find out who this guy is.

Jarvis hesitated for a moment before getting to work. The screens around Tony lit up, displaying a multitude of codes, as Jarvis silently hacked into SHIELD's systems.

Pepper, who had settled into one of the chairs, watched with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Tony, do you really think this is necessary? SHIELD might not like the idea of ​​you digging through their files."

Tony shrugged.

"Pep, SHIELD is full of secrets. If they're sending someone like Hawke to protect us, I want to know exactly who he is."

A few minutes later, Jarvis completed the operation.

"Sir, I've gained access to a detailed file on Captain John Hawke. He has an extremely high security clearance, being a Level 8 agent of SHIELD. Most of his missions and information are classified as classified, but I was able to extract public data and some information from past operations."

The screens around Tony began to display information about John Hawke's life and career. Pepper walked over, curious. A hologram of John appeared, showing his full name, age, and an impressive list of military accomplishments.

"John Hawke, former Green Beret, later transferred to Delta Force. Performed numerous combat operations before being recruited by SHIELD," Jarvis explained, as the information continued to scroll across the screens.

Tony raised his eyebrows, impressed.

"Delta Force, huh? No wonder the guy looked like a walking tank."

"There's more, sir. John Hawke was subjected to a secret military experiment to recreate the super soldier serum, making him the only known modern super soldier. His internal SHIELD code name is Omega 1, indicating his status as the leader of the special tactics team known as Strike Team Omega."

Tony and Pepper exchanged glances. Pepper seemed particularly impressed.

"He's a super soldier? Like Captain America?" she asked, surprised.

Tony frowned, crossing his arms.

"Not exactly like the Captain. The process seems to have been different, but the end result isn't too far off. He's faster, stronger, and more resilient than the average human. And he's the leader of a covert special ops team. Basically, he's the go-to guy when the going gets tough."

As they continued to sift through the data, more details about John's life began to emerge.

"Here's something interesting, sir. Despite being a super soldier and a high-level operative, John Hawke's personal information is very limited. He seems to keep an extremely low profile outside of his operations. However, one detail stood out: he's in a relationship with another S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, although there are no photos or other information about her."

Pepper frowned.

"No photos? It seems like and that SHIELD really does keep its secrets. Who could this agent be?

Tony, still digesting the amount of information, leaned forward in his chair, a glint of interest in his eyes.

"So, our friend Captain Hawke is basically SHIELD's James Bond, but with muscles and superhuman stamina. I wonder how someone like that manages to balance a personal life. It must be hard to be a super soldier and still have time for a relationship."

Pepper laughed softly.

"You're not that different, Tony. Maybe he just finds someone who understands the complicated life he leads."

Tony shrugged, without losing his playful tone.

"Maybe. But I'm not going to jump out of planes without a parachute or face terrorists unarmed, so I guess his life is a little more complicated than mine."

Pepper looked back at John's image on the screen, his expression more thoughtful.

"He seems very reserved. Even with all these accomplishments, there's not much personal about him. He must be very disciplined to be able to keep his life so private."

— Yeah, but that also makes him someone I'd like to get to know better — Tony said, with a mischievous smile. — You know, I could use a guy like him on the team. Who knows what we could do together, with him and my Iron Man suit.

Pepper shook her head, laughing at Tony's audacity.

"I don't know if he's for sale, Tony. Besides, he already has a special team at SHIELD."

"You never know, Pep. You never know," Tony said, still immersed in the information.

He looked at the file one last time, before closing the screens.

"I don't think we need to worry about security with him around. But it's good to know we're dealing with one of the best SHIELD has to offer."

"I agree," Pepper replied, standing up and preparing to leave the room. — But, Tony, don't go trying to 'recruit' him like you did with Rhodes. He might end up being harder to convince."

Tony smiled.

"We'll see, Pep. We'll see."

With John Hawke's information stored in his mind, Tony Stark began to plan how a super soldier could be useful in future endeavors. After all, with the growing threat of powerful enemies on the horizon, strong alliances would be more than necessary.

Chapter 90: Memories and Connections

It was a winter afternoon in Washington, and the sky was covered in gray clouds. The city was quieter than usual, and a thin mist spread over the monuments and historic streets. John and Natasha walked down the hallway of the nursing home where Peggy lived.

John had been visiting Peggy regularly over the past few years, whenever his missions allowed. Their relationship had become a kind of family bond, and to him, Peggy was like the mother he never had.

Natasha, next to John, was serene. She admired the story of Peggy, one of the first female spies and co-founder of SHIELD. Natasha also knew how important this visit was to John, so she remained silent, following him closely.

"Is everything okay?" Natasha asked softly, noticing John's thoughtful expression as they approached the door to Peggy's room.

John looked at her and smiled slightly.

"Yes, everything is fine. Just thinking about what to tell her." It's been a while since we've talked about the past, and I think she'll like to know who I met recently.

Natasha nodded, understanding that John was referring to Tony Stark, the son of Howard Stark, an old friend and ally of Peggy and Captain America. The meeting John had with Tony at the recent event, where he acted as security, was still fresh in his mind, and he knew it would bring back memories for Peggy.

When they reached the door, John knocked lightly before opening it.

"Peggy? It's John."

On the other side, the firm, although aged, voice answered with a touch of joy.

"John! Come in, dear."

John pushed the door open gently and entered the cozy room. Peggy was sitting in an armchair near the window, covered by a shawl, with a welcoming smile on her face. Despite her advanced age, her mind was still sharp, and her eyes lit up when she saw John's familiar face and Natasha's presence by her side.

"Natasha, dear. How are you?" — Peggy asked, her tone warm and gentle as she gestured for them both to come closer.

Natasha smiled as she approached and leaned in to give Peggy a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm fine, Peggy. It's always a pleasure to see you."

John followed soon after, kneeling beside Peggy's chair and holding her hand tenderly. The bond they shared was strong, and John always felt a familiar warmth when he was with her.

"How are you today, Peggy?" John asked, taking in her peaceful countenance.

"Old, as always," Peggy teased, with a sarcastic smile. "But happy to see you both. You make my day every time you come to visit."

There was a moment of comfortable silence as John and Natasha settled into the nearby chairs. The room was filled with mementos, with photos from times gone by, framed trophies and medals, a true time capsule of Peggy's life.

After a while, John gathered the courage to bring up the subject he knew would touch Peggy deeply.

"Peggy, there's something I wanted to tell you," John began, his voice a little more serious. "Recently, on a SHIELD mission, I ended up meeting someone very important. Someone who has a connection to your past… and to Howard."

Peggy raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Howard?" She repeated the name with a touch of nostalgia. "What are you talking about, John?"

John took a deep breath before continuing.

"I met Tony. Howard's son. Tony Stark. I worked as his and Pepper's security at a recent event. He's… well, he's exactly what you'd expect from Howard's son, with his genius, his arrogance, but also with a heart of gold, when you get to know him better."

Peggy blinked for a moment, absorbing the information. The name "Tony Stark" wasn't new to her; She had been following the news and knew the impact Tony was making on the world with his tech company and innovations. But hearing that he had met John, and that he was somehow closer to SHIELD, brought up a range of emotions.

"Tony…" She murmured, a soft smile on her lips. "Howard always talked so much about his son's future. He hoped Tony would continue the legacy of inventions and science. I never imagined he would get involved with SHIELD. How is he?"

John looked at Natasha for a moment, and then turned his attention to Peggy.

"He's doing well, despite everything. He's been through some tough times recently, he was kidnapped in Afghanistan by a terrorist organization, but he managed to escape. Since then, he's been transforming into something bigger. I think he's trying to find a purpose for all the technology he's created. He even built a combat suit. Can you believe that?"

Peggy laughed softly.

"Howard would be proud. He always believed that science could save the world, if used in the right way. It seems Tony has found his way."

She paused and looked at John fondly.

— And you, John, you are in a better place than he could have ever dreamed. Howard admired soldiers like you, those who fight for the greater good. I'm sure he would be very proud to see the man you have become.

John squeezed Peggy's hand tighter, feeling the weight of those words. He had always strived to live up to the sacrifices and legacy of people like Peggy and Howard, and hearing that from her meant a lot.

"Thank you, Peggy. I try every day to honor what you have built. And now, to see Howard's son follow a similar path... It's strange, but also comforting."

Natasha, who had been watching in silence until then, smiled when she saw the affection between John and Peggy. She felt honored to be able to be part of this circle of trust and friendship.

Peggy looked at Natasha, realizing how important she had become in John's life as well.

"Natasha, my dear, are you taking good care of this young soldier?" Peggy asked, with an affectionate smile.

Natasha smiled playfully.

— I do my best, Peggy. But he can be stubborn sometimes. It's not easy taking care of a super soldier. — She gave John a playful look, who rolled his eyes with a smile.

Peggy laughed, watching the two of them.

— You make a good team. Take care of each other, like Steve and I did in our time. Life is unpredictable, and the only thing we truly have is our love and care for each other.

The room was silent for a few moments, as everyone absorbed Peggy's wise words. John knew that every visit with her was a gift, and he never took that for granted.

As the afternoon wore on, and the sun began to set over the Washington skyline, John and Natasha prepared to say goodbye to Peggy. Before they left, John knelt down next to the chair again and gently kissed her hand.

— Thank you for everything, Peggy. You mean so much to me.

Peggy smiled, her eyes shining with emotion.

— And you mean a lot to me, John. Never forget that.

As John and Natasha walked away, leaving Peggy to rest, he couldn't help but think about what the future held for him and Natasha, and how the lessons of the past, especially from people like Peggy and Howard, would continue to guide them on their path.

The world was changing rapidly, and with that, John knew that he and Natasha would have to face new challenges. But with Peggy as a pillar in their lives, he felt they were prepared for whatever came.

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