hey y'all, I am sick, like, sick sick. Woooo. My eyes are fine, no surgery! Just sick with COVID. I will update tomorrow as an apology. I will drag my ass outta bed if I have to. Enjoy.
Howard found her as she was prepping for the Commandos first mission, having gathered her Colt 1911, boots, dog tags, and other personal supplies from Peggy. Howard knocked on the door frame, leaning against it with a grin. "Well, isn't my fellow science-in-arms."
Lorelei looked up, brows furrowed. "Howard? Is there something Colonel Philips needed?"
"Nah, not exactly. Y'see, Steve, Bucky, and I have been working on something a little special for ya." Howard winked, grinning like a cat who caught a canary.
Lorelei straightened from her rucksack, packing forgotten as she eyed him with curiosity.
"Sorry? Something special? I've already got all I need." Lorelei said slowly, brushing a strand out of her face.
"See, and that's where you're wrong." Howard pointed at Lorelei while pushing off the frame and gesturing for Lorelei to follow. Lorelei trailed behind Howard to his lab. When Howard and Lorelei entered, Steve and Bucky were quietly murmuring amongst themselves, talking last minute strategies over a map in the corner of the room, the stress of the impending mission looming over everyone.
"Gentlemen, the woman of the hour has arrived." Howard declared in sweeping grandiosity.
Lorelei rolled her eyes, gently brushing past Howard as she folded her arms. "So?" She asked, raising a brow, "I'm sort of in the middle of prepping."
"It's nothing special… just a little uniform." Howard's eyes twinkled with excitement.
"Uniform? I already have one." Lorelei tilted her head, gaze on Steve and Buck.
"And that's where you're wrong. See, Barnes and Rogers know you a lot more than I do, and they wanted me to make the best of the best for our little miss Lorelei." Howard ignored Lorelei's glare, turning to a table and gesturing for Lorelei to take a look.
Lorelei approached the table, taking in the uniform that was arranged on it. The fabric was primarily a matte black and dark forest green.
"Top of the line, made by yours truly. It should keep you well hidden in the shadows, as I've been told you like to hide. The fabric is made out of high-density, lightweight, and noise-reducing fabric. That ensures stealth, durability, and flexibility. The material is also breathable and moisture-wicking to provide comfort during long missions." Howard said.
Lorelei lifted the clothes, examining the jacket with a critical eye.
"Go on, we've gotta make sure it fits."
Lorelei eyed Howard with a wary eye.
"Is there a place for me to change?" Lorelei asked, "I'm not undressing out here."
Howard gestured to a door to the left. "It's a closet, would that do?"
"That'll do quite fine." Lorelei said, gathering up all of the essentials and shutting the door behind her.
Lorelei began donning the uniform, noting the reinforced stitching and padding on the pants. The pants were fitted, slightly loosely. And the pockets! They were so big!
Tugging on the shirt, she laced up the boots, appreciating the quick-lace system that allowed for quick application and removal. The boots were purposefully left matte, so as for no light to give Lorelei away.
Lorelei stepped out, boots ghosting across the floor. They didn't make any sound, and allowed for quick movement.
"Well?" Howard asked.
"It fits." Lorelei said, crossing to the table and grabbing the jacket.
She pulled it on and rolled her shoulders. Fitted yet flexible, it allowed for a full range of motion.
Lorelei peered down at the multiple pockets, grinning in excitement as she found multiple interior and exterior pockets. Lorelei could feel the reinforced shoulders and elbows, allowing for extra protection.
Howard handed her the utility belt, gloves and lower face mask.
The belt was equipped for carrying grenades and other gadgets, with a holster for her Colt and extra ammunition. The gloves were black tactical gloves with reinforced knuckles and fingertips for protection and enhanced grip. The lower face mask could be pulled up to cover the lower face for extra concealment.
"And the pièce de résistance," Howard said, turning and holding out a sleek, black carrying case. "This was made with the last remaining vibranium. The blades are covered in a coating that absorbs light and makes them almost invisible in low-light conditions."
Howard opened the box, revealing the extent of the reinforced exterior and the plush interior lining. The interior of the case was embossed with Lorelei's name in elegant script, which was accompanied by the Stark Industries logo.
Two daggers rested snugly in the container, eight inches long and covered in a matte black finish, the edges finely honed with a slight curve.
"The hilts are made out of high-strength lightweight carbon fiber, the grip is non-slip, even in wet conditions."
Lorelei was impressed, and a little touched at the whole uniform, the craftsmanship was well-done, and Lorelei could see Howard and her two friends put a lot of thought into the whole thing.
Lorelei lifted the daggers out of the box, immediately noticing the light weight and balance of the daggers. They fit comfortably in her hands.
"There's built-in hilts on your pants for the daggers. The sheaths are custom made with a silent withdrawal mechanism which ensures you can draw your weapons without making any noise."
Lorelei sheathed her daggers, the blades sliding in without any noise, latching in with an almost imperceptible click, that could only be heard by someone with enhanced hearing.
Lorelei turned, allowing the three men to get a good look. "So? What do you think?"
The men appraised Lorelei, taking in Lorelei in her new uniform. She exuded an aura of lethal elegance. Her fitted jacket and tactical pants highlighted her athletic build while providing the functionality needed for stealth operation. The matte black and green colors would make her an elusive shadow in the night, with her equipment strategically placed for quick access.
The boots were silent on all surfaces, and Lorelei's daggers rested securely within her sheaths, ready to be drawn in an instant.
"You look great." Steve said.
"Thanks. I kinda like it. It has pockets! Like, seriously big ones. You won't believe how small women's pockets were where I come from." Lorelei said, a satisfied smile on her face, shoving her hands inside the pockets.
"You're really excited about those pockets, aren't you?" Bucky asked, amused.
"Hell yeah!" Lorelei said. "Now, I'm gonna go pack all this stuff up. You know, finish what I was doing? Thanks for the gifts!" Lorelei called back, a swagger in her step as she left.
･ ｡ﾟ: *. .* :ﾟ.
Lorelei hauled a box on the supply truck, ignoring Falsworth's insistence she 'sit pretty and let the men do the work.'
Maintaining eye contact, Lorelei lifted the 8very heavy container of munitions, of which two of the men would have had to lift, and hoisted it onto the truck.
Bucky patted his shoulder with a grin. "She's a lot stronger than she looks."
The rest of the Howling Commandos watched, a little startled, as Lorelei and Steve worked like machines.
Lorelei glanced around, ensuring they were all ready.
"Alright," Lorelei said, hand on her belt, "I think we're all set."
They all packed in, heading towards their first base in Belgium.