It was a chilly December day in 1946, and the SSR branch office was abuzz with activity. Peggy, one of the few women in the office, sat at her desk, feeling disheartened. Her male colleagues seemed to pay her no mind and never bothered to engage her in conversation.
As she looked around the room, she couldn't help but notice how her boss, John Flynn, treated her differently. He was known for being sexist and often overlooked her for important missions. Peggy remembered the day she had mustered up the courage to ask for more work, and he had belittled her, reminding her that she was only there because of Steve Rogers.
Peggy despised men like Flynn, who failed to recognize her worth and belittled her contributions. Their actions were a constant reminder of the systemic barriers she faced as a woman in the male-dominated world of SSR.
Yet, her thoughts soon turned to a beacon of hope - Valexis. Peggy's mind drifted to the day when Valexis had seen something in her that others had failed to recognize. It was then that Valexis had given her the serum, which had transformed her into a powerful and capable agent.
Sitting at her desk, Peggy flexed her fists, feeling the raw strength and energy coursing through her veins. She couldn't help but think back to a time when her male colleagues and even her boss had dismissed her as a mere secretary, reminding her that she was only there because of Steve Rogers.
But Valexis had given her something more - the power to break through those limiting beliefs and to prove her worth through her actions.
Peggy clenched her jaw, frustration bubbling up inside her. She had worked tirelessly to earn her position in the SSR, yet it seemed that some people were unable to acknowledge her contributions. And if news of her serum intake ever got out, she knew she would face even more criticism and disdain.
But then, her thoughts turned to Valexis, who had told her something important - that without the serum, there would be no Captain America. The words had resonated with her.
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Valexis had also warned her about those who would try to bring her down with their jealousy and insecurity. Their words were not a reflection of Peggy's worth, but rather a reflection of their limitations.
Peggy sat at her desk lost in thought when the sound of a creaking door broke through her musings.
* CREAK *
Startled, she looked up to see Flynn walking out of his office, his gaze fixed straight ahead without so much as a glance in her direction. Peggy couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at the way Flynn consistently ignored her presence as if she didn't even exist.
Taking a deep breath, Peggy closed her eyes for a moment to collect herself. As she exhaled, she noticed Flynn walking out of the SSR branch office. Her gaze followed him for a moment before drifting towards the open door of his office.
With a sense of curiosity, she glanced around the rest of the office. Despite the pervasive feeling of sexism and condescension that often permeated the workplace, Peggy remained undaunted. She was determined to make a name for herself, no matter the obstacles she faced.
After glancing around the empty office and finding no one in sight, Peggy took a deep breath and rose from her chair. With a determined stride, she made her way toward Flynn's office.
As she entered the room, her eyes scanned the area, taking in the various objects and decorations that lined the walls. Finally, her gaze came to rest on a file sitting atop Flynn's desk.
When she drew closer to the desk, her eyes fell upon the file that lay open on its surface. With a sense of curiosity, she reached out and picked it up, her fingers tracing over the cover as she read the title.
As Peggy's eyes scanned the mission report, her heart quickened with a mixture of fear and excitement.The file revealed the existence of a terrifying weapon known as Zodiac - a small vial containing a deadly chemical that could wreak havoc on the world.
For a moment, Peggy was filled with doubt. Could she really take on such a daunting task alone? But then, a sense of determination washed over her. She had faced adversity before and she was not one to shy away from a challenge.
With a steely resolve, Peggy closed the file and rose from her desk. She knew that if her boss wasn't willing to entrust her with critical missions, she would have to take matters into her own hands.
As she strode confidently out of the branch office, Peggy felt a sense of purpose that she had never experienced before. She was ready to face any obstacle that stood in her way, driven by a fierce desire to protect innocent lives from harm.