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After Peggy's announcement, the entire Red Room was buzzing with activity. The operation against Hydra had been a monumental success, but now came the equally challenging task of dealing with the aftermath.
Peggy was beyond busy, managing the remaining agents and handling the World Security Council, who had been both shocked and infuriated by the lack of prior notification about the operation. She navigated the storm with her usual grace and authority, ensuring that everything was settled as smoothly as possible.
Meanwhile, Peter returned to his quarters, feeling the fatigue from the day's events. He needed a break, a moment to relax and unwind.
After a refreshing shower, he hopped into bed, ready to relax for the rest of the night. He pulled out his Walkman, intending to listen to some music and drift off to sleep.
But just as he was about to hit play, his datapad lit up with an incoming video call. He glanced at the screen, surprised to see Padme Amidala, the Queen of Naboo, requesting a call.
A smile tugged at his lips, but he quickly remembered that he hadn't shown her his face or told her his real name yet. She only knew him as Star-Lord.
He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed his mask, slipping it on before answering the call.
The screen flickered to life, revealing Padme's elegant figure seated in her lavish quarters. Her face lit up with a mixture of happiness and mild annoyance as she saw him.
"Star-Lord," she greeted, her voice tinged with a hint of reproach. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me."
Peter chuckled, leaning back against his pillows. "How could I forget about you, Padme? I've just been… busy..."
Padme's eyes narrowed slightly. "Busy, huh? Too busy to send a simple message? I was starting to worry, you know."
Peter's smile widened under his mask. "I'm sorry. Things got pretty hectic here. But I'm here now. How have you been?"
Padme's expression softened a bit. "I've been well, managing the affairs of Naboo. It's been quiet here since you left, but that doesn't mean there's any less work to be done."
Peter nodded. "I can imagine. I'm sure you're doing an amazing job, as always."
She blushed slightly at the compliment, but seconds later, her tone turned more serious. "When are you going to come and visit me again? You promised last time that it wouldn't be too long."
Peter's brow furrowed at the longing in her voice. He felt a pang of guilt for not reaching out sooner. "I promise, Padme. I'll come and see you soon. And… I'll show you my face and tell you my real name the next time we meet."
Padme leaned forward, a small, hopeful smile on her face. "Really? You promise?"
Peter nodded. "I promise. I want to see you too, Padme..."
Her smile widened, brighter this time. "Good. Because I was starting to think you enjoyed keeping me in suspense."
Peter laughed. "A little mystery never hurt anyone, right?"
Padme giggled softly. "True. But I'd like to see the man behind the mask."
"Soon," Peter assured her. "I'll make sure of it."
They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, simply enjoying each other's presence through the screen.
Padme then leaned forward slightly, an eager glint in her eyes. "So, when you come back, are you going to sneak me out of the palace again?"
Peter grinned. "If that's what you want, then yes. As long as Captain Panaka isn't breathing down our necks, we'll have another night out, just like before." He paused, smirking as he asked, "Are you going to kiss me again?"
"D-Don't mention that!" Padme blushed deeply and turned away, quickly changing the subject. "I had so much fun last time. It was nice to forget about my duties for a while and just... be myself."
"Then it's a date," Peter said, his tone warm and affectionate. "Maybe I'll take you off planet next time too. We can visit a moon or something..."
Padme's eyes sparkled with excitement, her embarrassment forgotten. "I can't wait. Just promise me you won't take too long."
"I won't," Peter promised, his voice sincere. "I'll be there before you know it."
They continued to talk, the conversation flowing effortlessly. They shared what they've been up to lately, laughed at each other's jokes, and even flirter lightly, the connection between them growing stronger with each word.
Padme's initial annoyance at not hearing from him melted away, replaced by the joy of their conversation. She felt at ease with Peter, enjoying the lighthearted banter and the way he made her laugh.
Peter, on the other hand, found himself more and more drawn to her with each passing moment…
…
..
.
Eventually, the call had to come to an end, much to both of their reluctance. "I have to go," Padme said softly, a hint of sadness in her voice. "But promise me you'll call more often."
"I promise," Peter said, his voice equally soft. "Take care, Padme. Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again, Star-Lord," she replied with a smile, her image flickering out as the call ended.
Peter removed his mask, a content smile lingering on his lips as he set the datapad aside. He lay back on his bed, feeling more relaxed than he had in days…
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As Peter drifted off to sleep, Peggy was entrenched in a high-stakes meeting with what remained of the World Security Council. The holographic conference room was filled with the anxious faces of Chao Yen, Jakuna Singh, Pamela Hawley, and Douglas Rockwell. Each of them was tense, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.
[Insert picture for the council members here]
Peggy began, her voice steady and authoritative. "Thank you for convening on such short notice—"
Pamela Hawley, a middle-aged woman in a baby blue suit, interrupted with a tone of irritation, "You didn't call this meeting, Ms. Carter; we did."
Ignoring her comment, Peggy pushed on, "As you are aware, recent events have uncovered a significant threat within our ranks. Hydra had infiltrated Shield at every level. We have executed an extensive operation to identify and eradicate them."
Chao Yen, a young man of slim build with sharp features, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "This operation you speak of, does it have anything to do with the disappearance of Alexander Pierce and Gideon Malick?"
Peggy nodded, anticipating the question. "Yes, both Pierce and Malick were Hydra plants. They have been captured and are currently in our custody."
Douglas Rockwell, a heavyset man with a stern demeanor, frowned deeply. "These are serious accusations, Director Carter. Do you have proof?"
Peggy was prepared. She activated a holographic projector, displaying a series of documents, intercepted communications, and video recordings that irrefutably linked Pierce and Malick to Hydra. The council members examined the evidence in silence, their expressions growing more grave by the second.
Jakuna Singh, whose calm and composed exterior often masked his intense scrutiny, finally spoke up. "This is damning evidence. But the scale of this operation... How did you manage to coordinate it without alerting Hydra?"
Peggy's gaze was unwavering. "We had to be meticulous and discreet. We couldn't risk any leaks. Our allies played a crucial role in this operation."
Chao Yen raised an eyebrow. "Allies? You mean the aliens and mutants?"
Peggy nodded. "Yes. The Jedi, the X-Men, and the Brotherhood. Their involvement was instrumental in ensuring the success of this operation."
Douglas Rockwell's frown deepened. "Director Carter, working with such groups raises significant concerns. How do we know we can trust them?"
Peggy anticipated this line of questioning. "We took every precaution. The Jedi have proven to be good and upright people, and the mutants share our goal of eradicating Hydra. We have established mutual trust and cooperation with both parties."
Jakuna Singh leaned back, his fingers steepled. "And what of the political ramifications? The public's perception of us working with extraterrestrial and mutant forces?"
Peggy unwaveringly met his gaze. "The public should know nothing of what happened; we kept it as quiet as possible. Even if they did find out, Hydra's infiltration posed a global security threat. We needed all the allies we could get to fight this while keeping it under wraps. There should be little to no political fallout."
The council members exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of Peggy's words hung heavily in the air. Chao Yen finally broke the silence. "Director Carter, we need to address the broader implications. With Pierce and Malick compromised, what assurance do we have that other members of Shield are not similarly compromised?"
Peggy's expression was resolute. "We have conducted extensive vetting and background checks on all Shield personnel. Those found to have any connection to Hydra have been either detained or killed."
Douglas Rockwell's eyes narrowed. "And what of the mutants? The Brotherhood in particular has a history of violent activism, to say the least."
Peggy took a deep breath. "The Brotherhood, under Magneto's leadership, played a crucial role in the operation. Their actions were coordinated with our teams." She paused and added, "Honestly, I hope this partnership leads to future cooperation."
"You want to turn Magneto into an asset?" Pamela Hawley asked in disbelief.
Peggy nodded, "I know it seems farfetched, but I'm hopeful…"
Jakuna Singh's calm voice cut through the tension. "Director Carter, it seems you've thought of everything. But we must ask—what is the endgame here? What assurances do we have that Hydra is truly eradicated?" He asked, his suspicious gaze shifting to his fellow council members.
Peggy nodded, grasping the gravity of their concerns. "The operation was thorough. I can assure you beyond a shadow of a doubt, Hydra is gone." She paused before adding, "But if you're still worried, we can arrange to vet every Shield employee, including ourselves."
Pamela Hawley shook her head. "There's no need for—"
"Do it. We'll comply with whatever you decide to do." Rockwell cut her off.
"What?" Pamela was shocked. "But what if she's a Hydra plant? How can we be sure of her intentions?"
Rockwell burst into laughter. "Peggy Carter? A Hydra plant? That's hilarious." He could barely contain himself, and the other councilors joined in his laughter.
"…" Pamela appeared embarrassed, realizing her mistake. After all, this was Peggy Carter—the nemesis of Hydra, who had dedicated her life to eradicating them since Captain America's death. There was no way she could be a plant.
As the meeting seemed to wind down, Peggy knew it was time to drop the final piece of information. "There is one more thing you should know," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of tension.
The council members looked at her expectantly. "Go on," Chao Yen prompted.
Peggy took a deep breath. "This entire operation was made possible because of one man—Peter Quill. He was the one who brought the Jedi to our aid and convinced the mutants to join our cause. His contributions were invaluable."
Douglas Rockwell's eyes narrowed. "And?"
Peggy's expression hardened. "I promised him something…"
"What does he want?" Chao Yen asked, his voice cold.
"The cube..."
The room fell into stunned silence. "?!" The council members exchanged shocked and incredulous glances.
A/N: 1911 words :)
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