JUNE 1943
"Step right up folks! See the best trick roper and sharpshooter since Will Rogers and Annie Oakley!" shouted the barker to the crowd wandering around Queens at the World Exposition of Tomorrow.
Most people ignored him, more interested in seeing the future Howard Stark was proposing rather than a cowgirl twirl a rope and pick off tin cans at 30 paces.
Olivia Yardley sighed as she swung her rifle onto her back, letting it hang by its strap. Wild West shows were a thing of the past.
Why had she let Peggy talk her into coming to the East Coast for a couple of weeks? She should be riding the range and helping round up cattle on her father's ranch back in Texas. Not standing around trying to impress these Yankees.
"I'm sorry," her cousin said as she approached, her British accent turning a few heads nearby.
Liv shrugged and smiled at the dark-haired beauty in front of her.
"Don't worry about it," she said, looping her lariat. "At least I got to see you. That alone was worth the long train ride. We don't see each other nearly enough."
Peggy Carter smiled and nodded.
"Agreed. How about we head back to my place for the night and then I can take you out to the base in the morning and show you around?" Peggy asked. "I have a group of new recruits to whip into shape."
"Sounds promising," Liv said, a gleam in her eye. "I look forward to seeing how they react when taking orders from a woman."
When Peggy and Liv arrived at Camp Lehigh, New Jersey, they were greeted with salutes everywhere they walked.
"I'm impressed, cuz," Liv said as she followed Peggy around. "I know it ain't easy being a woman who commands men. But looks like you've got it under control."
Peggy let out a snort as her assistant picked up a box of clipboards and quietly stood waiting for instruction.
"I've got it under control, alright," she muttered as she motioned for them to head for the field. Liv trailed behind, wanting to watch the scene unfold without interruption.
"Gentlemen, I'm Agent Carter. I supervise all operations for this division," Peggy informed the Strategic Scientific Reserve recruits standing at attention.
"What's with the accent, Queen Victoria? Thought I was signing up the U.S. Army," one of the men piped up. Liv rolled her eyes. The things they had to deal with.
"What's your name, Soldier?" Peggy calmly asked.
"Gilmore Hodge, your Majesty," he snarkily replied.
"Step forward, Hodge. Put your right foot forward," she commanded.
"We gonna wrastle? 'Cause I got a few moves I know you'll like," he said, winking at her.
Liv held her breath. This was definitely not going to end well—for him anyway.
With a strong right hook, Peggy felled him in one swipe without blinking an eye.
Liv had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing outright.
"Agent Carter," a gruff looking commander called out as he climbed out of a Jeep.
"Col Phillips!" Peggy replied, saluting him. Liv stood ramrod straight as the man passed her.
"I can see you're breaking in the candidates. That's good," Col Chester Phillips told her with a smirk on his face before glancing at Hodge, still rolling on the ground in pain.
"Get your ass up out of that dirt and stand in line at attention 'til someone comes and tells you what to do," he ordered Hodge.
"Yes, sir," Hodge answered. Liv stifled a snicker when Hodge sniffled.
"This was so worth it," Liv later told Peggy as they laid out in their bunks that evening. "When you punched that Hodge character and then when Rogers toppled the flagpole outsmarting them all … It has been a great day."
Peggy stared at the ceiling.
"Steve may be a scrawny thing, but he is a scrappy one, isn't he?" Liv commented, rolling over onto her stomach and glancing at her cousin.
"Earth to Peggy," Liv added, waving a hand toward Peggy's face.
"Sorry, was thinking about next week," Peggy said.
"What's on the agenda?" Liv asked.
"We will be testing to see if we can make super soldiers and Steve is the first candidate," Peggy said.
Liv gasped.
"Like an experiment? You sure that's a good idea? He might die, being weak and all," Liv said.
"Dr. Erskine has faith this will work to Steve's benefit," Peggy replied.
"This I can't wait to see. I guess Daddy will have to do without me for a little longer," Liv said, laying her head on her pillow and shutting her eyes.
A week later, Liv sat in the front seat of the car with the driver while Steve bumbled along in the backseat with Peggy on their way through Brooklyn. Liv listened to the conversation and smiled to herself. She could tell her cousin was well on her way to falling in love with the kid.
She followed them in amazement as they walked through the passages of the secret facility. Peggy and Liv stood to the side as Steve hesitantly pulled off his shirt in front of them and climbed into the chamber.
Dr. Erskine directed them to the balcony so they watched behind the glass as Steve was injected with the serum and Howard turned the dial.
Peggy leapt to her feet when she heard Steve scream in pain. Liv ran to the platform with Peggy and both winced when Steve shouted he could do it.
Liv was sure Peggy was going to pass out when the chamber opened revealing a much taller, ripped version of Steve. They rushed down the stairs and Peggy barely contained herself from reaching out and touching Steve.
"How do you feel?" Liv asked as Peggy couldn't seem to utter any sounds, her mouth agape as she stared at Steve.
"Taller," Steve breathed, looking around for a moment before staring into Peggy's eyes. She handed him a T-shirt right before all hell broke loose.
Peggy raised her pistol and then ran after the shooter while Liv stayed by Dr. Erskine's side. Steve cradled the dying doctor, who pointed at Steve's chest before the light went out of his eyes, and then looked up at Liv with pure determination.
"Go," she whispered. Steve jumped to his feet and darted through the throng of people.
"Spoke to the President this morning. As of today, the SSR is being re-tasked," Col Phillips informed Peggy as she, Steve, and Liv stood there in surprise.
"Pack your bags, Agent Carter. You, too, Yardley. I've seen what you can do with a gun. That also means you, Stark. We're flying to London tonight," Col Phillips said, turning away.
"I want in," Steve requested, halting the commander in mid-step.
"You're an experiment," Col Phillips retorted. "I asked for an army and all I got was you. You're not enough."
Liv wanted to wring the commander's neck; Peggy looked crestfallen.
That's when the senator stepped in and invited Steve to represent America by promoting war bonds to fund the war effort. He reluctantly agreed to do the USO tours.
Peggy wanted to weep at being separated from Steve and Liv wanted to punch someone—namely the colonel—on her cousin's behalf. They both settled for hugging Steve goodbye and wishing him well.
