The next unfortunate victim of this law was Spy, much to his annoyance. He wondered if this was going to become a routine. The art of Spying wasn't about mindless carnage. He left that job to the boorish oafs on his team whom he was too polite to personally identify. There was flair and subtly to each of his backstabs that this new rule completely overlooked. Perhaps there wasn't as much quantity with his kills, but he more than made up for it with quality. It was injustice of the highest order.
He huffed as he adjusted his bonnet. He always took the effort to look well presented, and simply wearing women's clothing would not change that fact. For identity protection his balaclava remained, but everything else was a picture of femininity.
Soldier had picked out a unique outfit for every member of the team. They were hand tailored to compliment each mercenary's personality. Spy was appropriately assigned a French maid's outfit, complete with feather duster. The fine fabric was crumpled from storage, which was why Spy had spent the last hour carefully ironing it out. Maids had standards and so did he.
Dressing like a woman didn't really bother him as much as he might have professed. During his long career in espionage he had been subjected to far worse disguises. He patted the recently shaved skin around his mouth with a floral scented aftershave. It wouldn't do to have stubble when dressed in this outfit. In Spy's opinion, it was the attention to detail that separated the cream from the milk.
Lacing up his own corset was difficult, but pride vetoed any request for assistance. To his surprise the shiny black high heels fit perfectly. He wondered how Soldier sourced a manufacturer who even made them in his size. Spy made a personal note to do some reconnaissance on Soldier's supplier. Solider had put a suspicious amount of effort into this whole operation.
But, that would have to wait for later. Right now he had a job to do, and that was to dress like a dainty cleaning lady.
He appraised himself in the mirror, running his hands down his waist and along the lacy ribbon holding his apron in place. No, dressing like a woman wasn't unpleasant at all.
Maybe, in the right circumstance, it could even be enjoyable.
Being a spy for so long meant that his ability to shifting into character came as easily as blinking. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before he opened them with a brand new perspective. "Ah, sacrebleu!" He said, his voice a full octave higher. "Everything is filthy! Men, zhey are such abominable pigs."
Walking out into the common room came with the expected immature comments. Scout was always the most vocal, with predictable lines such as "hey baby" and "whataya doin' tonight, dollface?" Spy knew the only way to retain his dignity was to appear completely impassive. He strode past the men, not entirely hating the attention he was receiving.
"How do you like it now, maggot?" Shouted Soldier who was much more at home dressed in his army fatigues. "How does it feel to show the world you're a lazy surrender monkey?"
"Ooh monsieur, I am so embarrassed!" Tittered Spy. "I am only here to be at your service." He leaned over the table and batted his eyes at the confused American. "Eet is 'ard to control myself around such a big, strong man."
This was not the response Soldier expected. He tugged at his collar and cleared his throat. "Well, uh, carry on madam. Uh, I mean private."
Soldier was quick to make a hasty retreat. The rest of the team however, were a little more enamoured with Spy's new persona.
"Aye mate, I have some rods back in me van that need a good polish." Said Sniper as he leaned back on the couch and tipped his hat at Spy.
Spy sauntered up to Sniper, carefully placing one heeled foot in front of the other. He dusted the top and Sniper's hat and leaned down at eye level with the Australian. "I 'ave seen the inside of your van. You are a filthy man."
"All the more reason for you to be there, yeah?" Sniper's face stretched out in a sharp toothed grin.
Spy was aware that they were pushing the boundaries of playful banter. Perhaps he should tone it down. He knew how convincing he could be.
With a flick of his feather duster, Spy sent Sniper's hat flying across the room. "Humph!" He stood up and looked down his nose at the man before waving a hand at his laced up corset. He turned away, making his short skirt bounce at the movement. "You could not afford it."
Spy smiled to himself. He didn't need to look back to know what effect he'd had on Sniper. The rest of the team hadn't taken their eyes off him. Interesting. Spy was of course well trained in the fine art of seduction. Every self-respecting spy was. Unfortunately, it was a talent that had no use in his current place of work. Spy worried that being isolated for so long with these nitwits would keep him out of practice. So, he was surprised at how naturally it came back to him when given the opportunity. He approached Engineer who was twirling his helmet nervously in his hands.
"Monsieur ingénieur." He flicked some feathers across the Texan's bald head making the man squirm. "Can you believe ze boors I 'ave to work with."
"Well now," Engineer murmured. Not quite prepared to look directly at Spy. "Y'all don't have to worry about me behavin' like that. I can show a lady respect."
"Oooh darling." He leaned down, making sure his chest rubbed against Engineer's shoulder, and gave him a light peck on the cheek. "I know you can. You are ze sweetest thing."
Spy walked away from the stuttering Engineer smiling to himself. Men were so easy to manipulate.
That evening Spy enjoyed himself immensely. Somehow his clothes gave him a newfound power that not even his masculine, Italian suited persona had achieved. His colleagues were more than happy to drop what they were doing to satisfy any request Spy demanded. By the end of the night Spy was seriously considering throwing the next fight for another opportunity to play 'la femme de chamber'.
When he returned to his room for the night, he discovered a bouquet of handpicked wildflowers placed against his door. He picked them up an inhaled deeply.
"Belle." He sighed, and pushed his door open.