Chapter 529

Dottie was dressed for a quiet evening at home, a light touch of makeup on her face as she carried dishes out of the kitchen.

Tonight was supposed to be special.

Her last attempt to drive a wedge between Captain America and Peggy Carter, with Sharon Carter’s help, had ended in spectacular failure. Worse, the scheme had actually forced the two of them to confront their lingering feelings and brought them even closer together.

But Dottie was a spy.

Spies didn’t quit after one failed operation.

After two days of sulking, she had recovered completely and resumed her campaign with renewed determination. If anything, she was more motivated than before.

Her strategy was simple: minimize the amount of time Peggy spent alone with Steve, then seize every opportunity that presented itself.

She had already made excellent progress.

As a woman, Dottie had certain advantages she was more than willing to exploit. She could squeeze into the bathroom and insist on showering with Peggy. She could throw an arm around her, steal an occasional kiss, or otherwise take advantage of the intimacy they had developed.

There were limits to how far she could take things, of course.

Still, Dottie considered her current progress quite satisfactory.

Tonight, however, had been carefully planned.

Dinner first.

Then, perhaps, a little time in the bathroom with Peggy.

Maybe even a back rub.

Everything had been going according to plan until Evenson’s voice suddenly came through the mental link.

"Of all the times to get a mission..."

Dottie’s expression collapsed.

She couldn’t refuse, either.

Evenson hadn’t addressed her by name.

He had called her Agent Black Widow.

Dottie knew exactly what that meant.

This wasn’t a personal request.

It was a company assignment.

She sighed, set the plate down in the cupboard, yanked off her apron, and stormed through the dining room toward her bedroom.

Peggy and Steve, already seated at the table and waiting for dinner, exchanged baffled looks.

A few minutes later, Dottie emerged wearing outdoor clothes with a long, narrow pack slung over her shoulder.

She smiled sweetly at Peggy.

"Little Peggy, something came up. I need to take care of it."

Before Peggy could ask when she’d be back, Steve smiled.

"Looks like we don’t need to wait for you to eat."

Dottie’s eyes narrowed.

That smile.

He was happy she was leaving.

The nerve.

Steve, meanwhile, was practically celebrating internally. Maybe tonight, for once, he’d get to stay home alone with Peggy. Perhaps he’d even get the privilege of helping her wash her back.

Dottie caught the expression on his face.

Fine.

If he wanted to play that game...

She immediately put on a worried expression.

"Little Peggy, I know this is a bad time to bother you, but there’s something you should probably know."

Peggy frowned.

"What is it?"

Steve’s heart immediately skipped a beat.

He hated those words.

Whenever Dottie used that tone with Peggy, somehow he ended up being accused of something.

But he’d been behaving lately.

Aside from going out for his morning runs every few days, he’d spent most of his time at home. He’d practically become a shut-in.

His heart slowly settled.

Then Dottie pulled out her phone.

She opened a news report and handed it to Peggy.

"Your nephew’s house just exploded. The news is saying Tony Stark may have been killed. Aren’t you going to take a look?"

Peggy’s expression changed instantly.

She snatched the phone, scanned the report, and shot to her feet.

"Tony!"

She threw on her coat and rushed out the door.

Steve stared after her in helpless disbelief.

Tony Stark. Couldn’t your house have waited two more hours to explode?

Unfortunately, Peggy’s nephew had just been caught in a major disaster.

There was no chance Steve could stay behind and eat dinner while she went to investigate.

With a resigned sigh, he grabbed his coat and followed her out.

Dottie watched them disappear.

"Hmph."

A victorious smile curled across her lips.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at Evangelion Corporation.

The Eredar twins were currently away, but her clearance had already been arranged. Dottie stepped into the elevator and descended toward the company’s restricted core facilities.

By the time the doors opened, she had changed into her combat gear.

"Black Widow. I’ve been waiting."

Gnos stood outside with a squad of fully armed personnel.

"The boss sent word. I’ve prepared everything you’re supposed to take."

Dottie held out her hand.

"The special equipment."

Gnos handed her a small briefcase.

"Here. Don’t open it until you reach your destination."

Dottie glanced past him.

The soldiers weren’t merely carrying weapons. They were also pushing five large containers that looked disturbingly like coffins.

"What are those?"

"These four are cryogenic medical pods," Gnos explained. "The boss specifically ordered us to bring them."

Dottie pointed toward the fifth.

"And that one?"

The fifth container was clearly different from the others.

Gnos grinned.

"That’s a new weapon developed by my assistant, Adrian. Do me a favor and take it along. It’ll be a good opportunity to test its combat performance."

He gestured toward a woman standing nearby.

"This is the weapons operator."

The woman stepped forward.

Unlike many of the company’s operatives, she wasn’t wearing a mask.

"Farah."

Dottie studied her for a moment.

"Egyptian?"

She had recognized the woman’s features, but the real giveaway was the Eye of Horus tattoo beneath her right eye.

"Yes, ma’am."

Farah answered without hesitation.

Her unusual religious beliefs had made life difficult for her back home, so she’d come to America looking for a better life.

America, unfortunately, had not turned out to be the land of endless opportunity she’d expected.

She eventually found work as a hostess at a nightclub.

That was where the Eredar twins had found her.

And recruited her.

Farah remembered exactly what her life had been like before they took her in.

The darkness.

The desperation.

The feeling that there was nowhere left to go.

Now she had purpose.

She had been given responsibility.

And she had been given a place in the company.

Her emotions overwhelmed her.

She raised both arms.

"All glory to the mighty Eredar twins! Hail Umbrella!"

The people around her immediately caught the enthusiasm.

Arms rose throughout the room.

"Hail Umbrella!"

Dottie watched the display without comment.

She had spent two days being subjected to the Eredar twins’ methods during her own transformation.

She knew exactly how effective their brand of devotion could be.

"All right. We shouldn’t waste any more time. Let’s go."

"The transport aircraft is ready," Gnos said. "It’s waiting on the roof."

His smile turned cold.

"Don’t disappoint the bosses."

He glanced toward the equipment.

"My laboratory is running short on test subjects."

Dottie and the others loaded the equipment and made their way to the top floor.

When they reached the aircraft, however, Dottie noticed someone already sitting inside.

A bald man.

She stepped into the cabin and raised an eyebrow.

"So you’re going too, Number 47?"