Disclaimer: Same as last time ;)
Margaret Carter wasn't really as cold hearted as she seemed. In actuality, Peggy was one of the best, actually the only female friend Lucy had. Perhaps it was because the two strikingly gorgeous women put more stock in their brains than their beauty. Lucy met the skilled agent the same day she officially became Dr. Erskine's assistant. Tales were told about Agent Carter's bravery for going undercover as a maid deep into the headquarters of HYDRA, successfully freeing Erskine, and spectacularly escaping afterwards. Peggy did what Lucy aspired to do, to help her country in anyway that she could. She hoped that way could be by helping develop the Super Soldier Serum.
-permafrost-
Lucy coughed as the army car pulled up to a building and jerked to a stop. The ride to the New Jersey base was long and dusty. The seats in the truck, though worn, were hardly forgiving either. Howard exited first then offered her a hand to helped her out of the tall vehicle. She raised a hand to cover her eyes as she stepped out into the bright afternoon sunlight. Allowing her eyes to adjust to the brightness and waiting for the other men to get out of the car Lucy looked around the camp, familiarizing herself with the new surroundings.
"Everything is just so brown isn't it?" she remarked to Howard who had come to stand besides her eyeing the multitude of soldiers running around camp.
"Hmm. We should consider ourselves lucky doll. At least we don't have to wear the uniforms." Howard nodded toward the group of soldiers standing at attention as a brunette woman called to them not too far in from of where they were standing.
Lucy looked down at her faded day dress with a frown. "Technically everyone is wearing a uniform Howard." Lucy commented grimly tugging at a hole in her worn hem, "War means less fabric, less everything. Everyone has a uniform sadness."
Howard turned to her stroking his mustache thoughtfully "Oh cheer up Lu." He looked at her expectantly, "that's why we're here isn't it? To win the war?" He smiled encouragingly, "Chin up darling, they haven't seen what we've got up our sleeves yet. Now if you'll excuse me I must go see if they'll allow me to bring my plane to camp. I'm in of need some practice flying time." Pausing just as he was about to turn away, "You're always welcome to come join me again." He beamed mischievously, "One lesson does not mean you can pilot your own aircraft especially as it probably was beginners luck." Then he scampered off with a wink and a grin before she could swat at him for doubting her skill.
"Don't forget Stark," she shouted amused after his retreating back, "I helped you design those aircrafts! If anything I know them better than you do!" He waved his arm behind him in acknowledgement.
"Miss Barnes!" Called Erskine causing Lucy to look over at her colleague, "Come! We must go find Colonel Phillips."
Cheered from her encounter with Howard Lucy turned around and went back to talk with the Doctor. Together they marched into the imposing military building to find the Colonel.
-permafrost-
Chester Phillips was an army man through and through, straightforward, no frills, no nonsense, and very by the book. "Colonel Phillips!" Doctor Erskine greeted the stern military man. "I would like to introduce you to my assistant Miss Lucy Barnes. Lucy this is Colonel Chester Phillips the officer in charge of our little project and chief of this fine training camp." Erskine motioned toward Lucy to step forward.
"Nice firm handshake Miss Barnes, makes a respectable impression." The Colonel nodded toward Lucy. Then to Erskine, "I approve of this one. Not sure I like some of the other men out there though." He gestured gruffly toward the recruits visible through the windows.
"Well," said the Doctor with a shallow bow, "let's go meet them shall we?"
-permafrost-
Lucy and Doctor Erskine exited the car as it pulled up to the recruits. As they moved toward the standing men she saw Peggy nail a soldier right across the face. 'Same old Peggy' she mused to herself and inadvertently let out a short bell like laugh, catching the attention of a few soldiers, including Steve who also happened to be in this group.
The pregnant pause left in the wake of her outburst was broken by the Colonel's resounding rasp, "Agent Carter." He called in greeting.
Peggy whipped around, standing at attention to address him, "Colonel Phillips."
The Colonel gave her a quick glance before scrutinizing the men. "I can see that you are breaking in the candidates," he gave Peggy a quick nod, "that's good." Then to the man sprawled limbs all over the dirt he ordered, "Get you ass up out of that dirt, and stand up in that line at attention until somebody comes and tells you what to do."
"Yes, Sir!" the disgraced soldier replied with a slight sniffle, still recovering from his fall.
Colonel Phillips paused still looking over the men before starting on his speech, "General Patton has said, 'Wars are fought with weapons,'" he paused for emphasis, "'but they are won by men.' We are going to win this war, because we have the best… men." His speech sputtered to a stop as he glanced at Steve in disbelief. Here was a man, with the audacity to come to war, who was a foot shorter than he himself and skinnier than a pole. Phillips then snapped his gaze over to the scientists in disbelief, specifically Erskine, the only man mad enough to bring such an unfit specimen to his camp.
Erskine met his gaze unashamedly with a little quirk of his lips.
Gathering himself with a slight huff Colonel Phillips continued what he was saying, "And because they're gonna get better. Much, better. The Strategic Scientific Reserve is an allied effort made up with the best minds of the free world. Our goal is to create the best army in history. But every army starts with one man. At the end of this week, we will choose that man. He'll be the first of a new breed of super soldiers. And they will personally escort Adolph Hitler through the gates of hell." Satisfied with his little monologue Phillips dismissed the soldiers with a nod.
Lucy watched the soldiers go and after a wave toward Peggy she turned to join Erskine and Phillips as they strolled away.
"That boy is a shrimp. You brought a shrimp onto my training yard!" the Colonel growled lowly at the Doctor.
"All will be explained at the end of the week my dear fellow." Replied Erskine mysteriously with an air of nonchalance.
Phillips puffed his chest in annoyance and as his breath deflated he rubbed his nose and shook his head. "Anyway, if you'll both follow me I can show you to your lab, it is located right next to Starks…"