When Mar-Vell emerged from the bathroom, she was surprised to see Carter sitting on the bed, fully dressed in her Captain Britain battle suit, holding her shield and sword.
"Has something happened? Are we under attack?" Mar-Vell was confused. She went to the balcony and looked outside. The guards were still patrolling as usual—nothing seemed wrong.
"No, nothing happened. I just suddenly felt like working out. There's a training area on the ship. Get dressed, let's go test our skills," Carter said.
Although it sounded like a suggestion, her tone made it clear that refusal wasn't an option.
"Uh... okay..." Mar-Vell still wasn't sure what was going on, but since Carter had invited her, she had no reason to refuse.
Besides, although they had known each other for over a month and were aware of each other's strength, they had never actually fought. Mar-Vell was quite curious to know the full extent of Carter's abilities.
Soon they were both suited up and out of the cabin.
The night shift guards were startled to see the two suddenly armed to the teeth. They almost sounded the alarm, thinking there was an emergency.
But after learning that they were just out for a sparring match, the guards relaxed and escorted them to the ship's lower deck, where the security team's training arena was located.
Some of the night-shift security guards were still working out in the training area. When they saw the two women arrive, they immediately stepped aside and cleared the area.
To the outside world, Captain Carter, a senior CIA operative, remained a mysterious and unknown figure.
But to Josh's men, her reputation was well established.
After all, she was the CIA's ace agent, and that carried weight.
So everyone was curious to see if she was as strong as the rumors made her out to be.
As for Mar-Vell's background, they had no idea. But if she was about to spar with the legendary super-soldier, she was clearly no ordinary fighter.
Not only did they make room, but some even ran off to call others to watch.
Of course, there was another important reason—both of them were stunning women.
By Western standards of beauty, they were absolute head-turners.
Although, in Josh's opinion, aside from Carter's almost unfairly perfect figure, neither of them could compare to Margaret.
News of this unexpected duel reached Josh quickly.
It was late at night, but Josh and Margaret were still awake.
When their subordinates informed them through Francesca, Margaret had just finished tucking two exhausted little troublemakers into bed.
Meanwhile, Josh sat staring at a glass of water. It was an ordinary transparent cup, but the liquid inside glowed with a dazzling silver-green light.
It looked eerie, yet strangely beautiful.
"Why would they suddenly decide to spar in the middle of the night?" Josh was confused.
They had the whole day to do it, so why now?
Had Carter's energy level skyrocketed after becoming a super soldier?
"Honey, don't you think Peggy and this Mar-Vell woman have a rather... unusual relationship?" Margaret suddenly pointed out.
"Their relationship? Unusual? …Wait, are you saying—" Josh's eyes widened.
"I can't say for sure about Peggy, but I have a feeling Mar-Vell might be interested in her," Margaret explained.
Josh was speechless.
He knew that in American comics, thanks to certain writers and directors, unusual pairings were not uncommon.
But he had never expected to see it first hand.
And with Peggy Carter, of all people—someone you'd least expect this from in this era.
Josh knew that in movies, TV shows, and comic books, Peggy's romantic partners weren't limited to Captain America.
And he also knew that she and Mar-Vell had struck up a solid friendship over the past month.
But the idea that their relationship could go beyond friendship had never occurred to him.
However, thinking back to Mar-Vell's behavior earlier that day… it wasn't entirely impossible.
Was this... friendship turning into something else?
He wondered how Steve Rogers would react if he ever returned and saw this—Josh suddenly found himself looking forward to it.
"Margaret, starting tomorrow, I think you should avoid getting too close to Mar-Vell," Josh said seriously.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Margaret found his words both amusing and annoying. Was this man actually jealous of a woman?
"Ahem, that's just a precaution. Right now she seems interested in Peggy, but what if that changes? Oh, and Francesca, you should be careful too!" Josh added, looking stern.
"Huh? Oh, okay, got it!" Francesca, who had been laughing quietly on the side, was taken by surprise. She hadn't expected to be involved in this, but she didn't dare disobey Josh, so she nodded quickly.
"Should we go watch?" Margaret asked, shaking her head at the absurdity of it all.
"Of course we should! We can't miss this!" Josh replied immediately.
A battle between Captain Carter and the first Captain Marvel from the comics? That was something worth seeing—and recording.
"Oh, before we go, you two should drink these first."
Before leaving, Josh grabbed another glass and, out of nowhere, produced a water jug, pouring the same silver-green liquid into two more cups. He then pushed them toward Margaret and Francesca.
"What is this?" Margaret asked, finally noticing the strange color of the liquid.
"Something good," Josh said mysteriously, without further explanation.
Since he didn't elaborate, Margaret didn't press the issue. She trusted Josh completely, so she took the glass and drank it in one gulp.
Seeing that her mistress had already finished hers, Francesca did not hesitate and did the same.
The cups weren't large, and there wasn't much liquid inside—just a few sips, and they were empty.
But the moment they finished drinking, both women felt something change inside them.
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