Everyone gathered in a neat line as Peggy Carter made her way over, commanding everyone's attention. "Recruits, listen up," she began, projecting her authority. "I am Agent Carter, in charge of overseeing all operations for this division."
A man in the crowd couldn't help but make a snarky remark. "What's with the accent, Queen Victoria?" he said, attempting to mock her. Y/N glanced at Steve, sensing the rudeness in his comment. "He's a little rude, isn't he?" she whispered to Steve, who nodded in agreement.
Peggy suddenly caught Y/N's gaze and couldn't help but appreciate her beauty. However, she quickly snapped herself back to reality, reminding herself that she was at work. She redirected her attention back to the disrespectful man, asking for his name. "What's your name, soldier?" Peggy inquired, her tone unwavering.
The man, known as Gilmore Hodge, replied, "Gilmore Hodge, Your Majesty." Peggy motioned for him to step forward, wanting to address his disrespectful behavior. "Step forward, Hodge," she commanded, the sternness in her voice unmistakable. Hodge complied, eagerly following her instructions.
But then, Hodge couldn't help but make another inappropriate comment. "We gonna wrestle? 'Cause I got a few moves you'll like," he brazenly stated. Peggy's thoughts immediately rejected the idea, knowing she would never entertain such a proposition. However, Y/N spoke up, calling out the man's disrespectful behavior. "Hey, isn't that a bit disrespectful to say to a lady?" she said, her tone filled with indignation.
Peggy looked at Y/N, a small smile forming on her face in admiration for her courageous remark. "Yes, it is, isn't it?" Peggy replied, validating Y/N's statement. Hodge, undeterred, responded with a wink and said, "You can join too if you want, darling." Y/N, not willing to entertain his advances, firmly replied, "I would rather not."
Steve, protective of his sister, chimed in, "Hey, you can't talk to women like that, especially my sister!" The man scoffed at Steve, displaying his arrogance. Peggy had enough of the disrespectful behavior and swiftly took action. She delivered a powerful punch to Hodge's face, sending him crashing onto the ground. Steve and Y/N couldn't help but smile, appreciating Peggy's display of strength.
The colonel, witnessing the entire altercation, shouted out, "Agent Carter!" Peggy turned around, facing Colonel Phillips. "Colonel Phillips," she replied, acknowledging his presence. He commended her for breaking in the candidates and issued the next command. "I can see you're breaking in the candidates; that's good! Get up, stand in line at attention until somebody instructs you further." Hodge, now on his feet, responded obediently, "Yes, sir!"
Colonel Phillips continued, sharing General Patton's belief that wars are fought with weapons but ultimately won by men. He acknowledged Steve and Y/N, emphasizing their potential for improvement. "And because they are going to get better, much better. The SSR is an allied effort consisting of the best minds in the free world. Our goal is to create the best army in history, and every great army starts with one man."
After the inspiring speech, Colonel Phillips dismissed them briefly, instructing them to return in a few hours to gather their belongings and prepare their living quarters. As the men dispersed, the colonel approached Peggy, asking for a favor. "Do you have a spare bed in your room?" he inquired. Peggy confirmed, "Yes, I do, sir." The colonel conveyed that Y/N would have to share Peggy's room, as it was not appropriate for her to be housed with the men. Peggy nodded in understanding, and the colonel left to inform Y/N of the arrangement.
Peggy couldn't help but worry about her growing attraction towards Y/N. She reminded herself of the importance of maintaining professionalism and not jeopardizing her job. "Relax, she'll never find out," Peggy reassured herself silently. With her internal dilemma resolved, Peggy approached Y/N, who stood expectantly. "Hi, Agent Carter," Y/N greeted her formally. "The colonel says I need to share with you because I can't share with the men." Peggy smiled warmly and responded, "Yes, that's right. Come, I'll show you the room. And please, call me Peggy." Y/N nodded, returning the smile. "Well, Peggy, you can call me Y/N," she said, initiating a friendly camaraderie. Together, they headed towards the room, and once Peggy ensured Y/N was settled, she left her to get acquainted with her new surroundings.