Chapter 312 |
"Josh, long time no see. You’re back in the U.S. for once and didn’t even let me know?" Howard Stark greeted Josh with a faint smile as he stood before him.
Just as Josh had said, he wouldn’t be staying long in the U.S. this time. After attending the council meeting and meeting separately with the Rosses, the Osborns, and various subordinates and partners of the Chicago Group, he was preparing to return to Europe.
Then, on the day before his departure, an uninvited guest arrived—none other than the current S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, Howard Stark.
“Haha, didn’t expect you to be so well-informed. It’s not that I didn’t notify you—just that you’re a busy man these days. I didn’t want to bother you over something trivial,” Josh replied casually.
Though the two had cooperated many times in the past, due to their positions in opposing factions, their relationship had never advanced beyond that of “friendly acquaintances.”
“Oh? Coming from you, any appearance is far from trivial,” Howard said with a smile.
“What’s this? Sounds like Director Stark is here to investigate me?” Josh chuckled in response.
“Hahaha, I wouldn’t dare! If I really tried, I’d probably be retiring tomorrow like Director Hoover!” Howard laughed off the comment.
“Heh, you’ve gotten better at taking digs at people over your years as director,” Josh grinned, clearly amused at the mention of Hoover. That comment made it sound like Howard had nothing to do with Hoover’s downfall.
After all, though Hoover had been powerful during his tenure, he’d also made many enemies. Once things began to unravel, the crowd quickly joined in to push him down.
“Just kidding, just kidding,” Howard said, waving his hand before sighing. “Actually, I came this time hoping to play the role of a mediator.”
“A mediator? Hah! Who’s got that kind of pull to get you to mediate?” Josh asked, surprised.
“It’s the Kennedys…” Howard answered.
“…Howard, I consider you a friend. That doesn’t mean you get to bring me this kind of aggravation,” Josh said with a smile that didn’t waver in the slightest at the mention of that name.
But it wasn’t surprising. Compared to Josh’s current position, the Kennedy family, while still influential in American military and political circles, no longer held much weight. If Josh let someone like that get under his skin, it would only cheapen him.
“I really didn’t mean it that way… truthfully, aside from Joseph, you and the Kennedys haven’t had much direct conflict, have you? And Joseph’s been dead for over a decade,” Howard said, clearly a bit helpless.
To be honest, he hadn’t wanted to act as a mediator.
While the conflict between Josh and the Kennedy family patriarch during their time in the UK had been covered up publicly, it wasn’t much of a secret among America’s elite.
The conflict had spread into the military, political, and business worlds. At the time, Howard, as Josh’s largest “competitor” on the surface, had received quite a bit of support from the Kennedys, forming close ties.
Initially, both sides were evenly matched but as Josh’s power continued to grow, the Kennedy family's influence had become laughable.
Even without Josh actively suppressing them, the Kennedy family could barely hold on.
That was why they had turned to Howard to act as a mediator and attempt to smooth things over.
Just like Howard said, in the Kennedys’ eyes, there wasn’t really a blood feud. The only serious conflict had involved Joseph, who had died during WWII. Later tensions were more about conflicting interests.
There was no reason to continue bearing pressure from Josh’s faction for such a minor grudge.
Especially now that Eisenhower was in his second term with only two years left. John F. Kennedy was preparing to run for president.
For Kennedy, Josh’s attitude would be crucial to his success.
And Kennedy’s success was equally important to Howard.
“Hahaha, look at that expression! It’s just a small matter, and I’ll give you that much face. Honestly, if you hadn’t brought it up today, I’d have completely forgotten about it,” Josh said, laughing loudly when he saw Howard’s constipated-looking face.
That was no lie—Josh truly had almost forgotten about the “Emperor of America.” Unless he really did become president like in the original timeline, they simply weren’t operating on the same level.
As for reconciliation? Yeah, right.
“That’s great to hear! How about this—pick a time and I’ll arrange a meeting with John. I’m sure you two will have a lot in common,” Howard said excitedly, thinking things were going well.
“Haha, no need for that. I’m heading back to Europe tomorrow anyway. Besides, this isn’t a big deal. And hey, we’re both Democrats—we’ve got to support each other, right?” Josh declined politely.
Hearing that, Howard suddenly remembered—right! Josh, like John F. Kennedy, was a Democrat. After all, Truman, the president Josh had been closest to, was a Democrat too.
And from various past incidents, it was clear that Josh didn’t always see eye to eye with the current Republican administration under Eisenhower.
“Leaving for Europe tomorrow? So soon?” Howard asked, clearly disappointed.
“Heh, you know how things are in Europe. I can’t really leave my daughter to deal with everything on her own, can I?” Josh replied vaguely.
“Well, alright then. I’ll pass the message to John,” Howard nodded.
After a bit more small talk, Howard said his goodbyes and left.
Once he was gone, a slight smile appeared on Josh’s face.
“Both Democrats?” Don’t make me laugh. At their level, do political parties even matter?
Then Josh picked up the phone and made a call to Linus Leibler.
A few years back, John Leibler had retired. The Chicago Group was now led by Linus—his “brother-in-law.”
“Josh? It’s pretty late. Something important?” Linus asked, surprised to receive the call. The Kane and Leibler families were close due to Margot, and they’d just had dinner a few days ago. So calling this late was unexpected.
“It’s not that important. I’m heading back to Austria tomorrow and suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask you for help with,” Josh said with a light chuckle.
“Oh, come on. You don’t need to ‘ask’—just say the word!” Linus replied warmly.
“Vice President Richard Milhous Nixon—you know him, right?” Josh asked.
“Of course. What about him? Did he offend you?” Linus asked. A vice president was no small figure—he certainly knew who Nixon was.
“No, nothing like that. I just want you to arrange a meeting with him on my behalf and tell him that I’m ready to fully support his campaign for the next presidency,” Josh said.
“Support him? Josh, he isn’t one of us!” Hearing that Josh wanted to back Nixon, Linus said in surprise.
“Linus, whether he’s one of us or not isn’t what matters. What matters is whether he can become one of us, right?” Josh said leisurely.
“You have a point. All right, I’ll take care of it!” Linus thought it over— with their current influence, so what if a man isn’t one of theirs? Just turn him into an ally.
After ending the call with Linus, Josh phoned several other council members to inform them of his decision—he was using phone lines monitored by Pangu, so there was absolutely no chance of eavesdropping or recordings.
John Kennedy wants to be president? Keep dreaming!
Originally Josh had almost forgotten that family, but now they’d jumped out to make trouble for him—so they had only themselves to blame.
Of course, the most direct way would be to have John killed; for Josh that would be easy: send any sorcerer and John could die “in rhythm,” leaving no trace at all.
But that would be no fun.
Shrimp has to be served with pig heart, doesn’t it?
First you give the target a little hope, then at the crucial moment you knock him flat!
John didn’t have to die right away, but his brother and the old man—those could be dealt with first.
Isn’t there a rumor in later generations that the Kennedy family is cursed? Then let that curse come true.
Just two years until the election: little Kennedy dies one year, old Kennedy dies the next, and when the final election year comes, it’ll be John’s turn!
How perfect?
Start with old Kennedy…In what constructive way should he die?
A few days later, news of old Kennedy’s drunken-driving plunge into a river and subsequent drowning appeared on the front page of Massachusetts papers.
After a police investigation, it was ultimately ruled an accident.
No one in the Kennedy family found anything amiss and could only accept the facts.
This dealt a heavy blow to John F. Kennedy, who was preparing his campaign.
All of the family’s political clout rested on old Kennedy; his death instantly put John at a huge disadvantage.
Just then, however, Howard Stark brought good news: Josh had “agreed” that the Continental Group would fully support his campaign.
The news swept away the gloom of his father’s death; John Kennedy was instantly energized and even placed a trans-Atlantic call to Josh, who had returned to Europe, to express thanks—
—and to promise all sorts of benefits for the Continental Group once he won!
“See? That’s being sold and still helping count the money. If you run into this sort of thing in the future, keep your eyes open,” Josh said with a smile to his eldest son, Mike, as he hung up the phone over afternoon tea in Neuschwanstein.
“You should say that to Ben. The kid’s completely smitten by that Sif—he’s got nothing in his head but becoming the strongest; he’s almost a battle maniac!” Mike rolled his eyes at his father’s lecture.
Josh’s face twitched. When the Asgard delegation had come, his youngest son fell for Sif—that he had not expected. Children really were too simple, too easy to get carried away.
Fortunately, his eldest son and daughter did not show that tendency.
That gave Josh some comfort.
Especially his eldest daughter Carol: in the year since becoming queen, with the personnel and power Josh left her, she had already seized the real authority of the Austrian United Kingdom—turning from a figure-head queen into the true ruler.
Former Austrian president and current prime minister of the kingdom, Karl Renner, though slightly downcast, felt even more gratified: though still young, Carol was indeed showing the qualities of an excellent sovereign.
However…
“Your Majesty, this is a Life Tablet, a treasure of the legendary civilization—the royal family of Atlantis. It can evolve the wearer’s life form, granting limitless wisdom and power… Of course, as a divine offspring it won’t help you much, but as an ornament it’s still quite nice.” In her private reception room at Schönbrunn, Loki respectfully handed a green crystal plaque to Carol.
“Thank you, Loki! I like it very much. But I’ve told you many times: don’t call me ‘Your Majesty,’ it’s too formal—just call me Carol. We’re friends, aren’t we?” Carol happily accepted the Life Talisman.
“All right, Carol, but I really do have to leave. I can’t be away from Asgard too long,” Loki hesitated a little, then nodded.
“Pfft, don’t think I don’t know—you can stay away from Asgard; you’re just afraid of my father, aren’t you?” Carol said unhappily.
Loki could only tug the corner of his mouth helplessly. How could he not be afraid? If Josh found out that he was meeting Carol in private, he’d probably be wiped out on the spot.
Right now he regretted ever giving Carol his magical communicator. He’d only meant to curry favor with the queen so that she might speak well of him to Josh if need be.
But somehow this queen kept wanting to chat every few days and meet up whenever she felt like it.
Loki didn’t dare refuse; if she took it the wrong way and complained to Josh, he’d be finished as well.