"Are you sure it's a good idea to have our headquarters so near your employees?" Warbird asked, the blonde dressed in her usual black and gold uniform. Olivia Stane smiled back calmly as the jeep they were in bounced a bit, heading towards the rear of the Stane Enterprises lot. "We have more than adequate security," the nearly white haired woman answered, "and the building is as far away from regular staff as I could manage and still be on the property." "None of us want to see innocents hurt," War Machine said firmly, the black and silver armored figure sitting by Olivia in the driver's seat. She and Olivia were up front, with Warbird and Thunderstrike in the back seat, talking loudly over the wind. "Of course not," Thunderstrike agreed, her long black hair blowing in the breeze, her Asgardian style garb resembling armor from another era. The chainmail shirt fit her tightly to reveal well shaped breasts, black leggings tucked into golden boots and a bold red cape finishing off the look. A squarish three storey building soon came into view behind a carefully planted strand of trees, with a high gate around it. A harmless red laser beam washed over them and the jeep for a second or two as they came up to the gate, then with a soft beep the door slid away to let them go up the drive. Painted white it had a office look rather than a residential, with windows all around the first and third floors. It was reasonably large, probably with the sort of space a smaller office building might have, and from the looks of things they had just finished some kind of renovations to the facility. "Sorry about the dust," Olivia said as she got out of the jeep, the slight breeze on this bright and sunny day stirring up the dirt left over from construction, "we only finished work a few days ago." "You built this facility specially for us?" Thunderstrike asked curiously. Olivia's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Well it was going to be my and Jennifer's love shack, but I thought you could use it more." "Olivia!" War Machine sqwaked. Warbird fought back a chuckle as they went up to the double doors, also noting Thunderstrike's blush. ‘Wonder what that's all about?' she thought. Another security scan washed over them as Olivia said, "We wanted to make the facility as secure as possible. In the reconstruction titanium reinforcement was added to the outer walls, as well as other improvements." The scan stopped and the door unlocked with a soft sound. "The security scan is automatic," War Machine noted, "and we'll also issue you special pass cards for the system. We hope you'll be comfortable using the facility in your off hours too." "So this is going to be our superhero clubhouse as well as headquarters?" Thunderstrike asked with amusement. "Actually, there is a pool table," Olivia smirked as they went inside, "and a decent recreation room.". The main entrance way was a large chamber, nearly two stories tall, with a polished tile floor that gleamed. Three doors led off of it, one at the back and two smaller doors to the right and left. The rear door led into another large room, with a round table and comfortable business style chairs waiting. A sophisticated computer system was up against one wall, a radio broadcasting rig as well as a coffee and espresso machine. "Coffee?" Warbird smirked. War Machine flipped up the face plate of her armor as Jennifer Swensen smiled, the redhead looking sheepish. "I'm a bit of a addict," she smilingly confessed, "I insisted on at least having good coffee." "You should see her in the mornings," Olivia smiled cheerfully as she made up a coffee and a cup of tea, "just a grumpy ol' teddy bear." Thunderstrike had to fight hard at hiding her amusement on seeing the two women together. She had met gay people before, of course, who in New York hadn't, but these two took the cake. "May I?" she asked, going to the espresso machine. "Help yourself," Olivia addressed both her and Warbird. Fetching a water from a mini-fridge Warbird took a seat, soon followed by Thunderstrike and War Machine with their coffees and Olivia with a cup of tea. "So," Warbird addressed them, "how do we want to organize this?" "You're team leader," War Machine said promptly. "Miss?" Warbird looked questioningly at Olivia. "Your internal organization is up to you," Olivia said promptly, "my intention is to stay hands off your operations." A smirk, "Just consider me your sugar daddy. Or mommy." Thunderstrike nearly choked on her coffee with that remark while War Machine scolded her lover. Again. "What else is in here?" she asked, changing the subject. "Rec room, training hall," War Machine said briskly, "a public relations office and mini-studio, as well as a full kitchen and living quarters if needed." "PR office and studio?" Warbird raised a eyebrow. "This is LA," Olivia noted. "Good point," Warbird conceded. "We'll also have one or two staff members here at all times," War Machine added. "In addition to monitoring police band and keeping us updated to emergencies, we'll also have cleaning staff and a cook, too." "Do we really need a cook?" Thunderstrike looked surprised. "I usually get takeout," Warbird admitted after a moment. War Machine looked amused as she drank her coffee, "I can make instant noodles with the best of them. And I do a mean kraft dinner." "Sorry," Olivia shrugged, "I have a professional cook at home for a reason." Thunderstrike shook her head, "Okay, we need a cook." "Miss Stane, I..." Connie said as she strode in from a side door. "Oh, everyone's here," she said brightly. "You've all met Connie I trust," Olivia smiled as the brown haired woman hurried over to the table, "she's one of the staff who volunteered to help run your headquarters." "Don't listen to her," Connie joked, "we're slave labor. Anybody who pisses her off at the office has to work here with you all." With that she winked impishly at Thunderstrike. Warbird blinked, faintly surprised at the flash of jealousy that wink caused. ‘What the hell?' she thought, trying to figure out her odd reaction. "I'm sure they'd exile a capable employee like you," Thunderstrike teased back with a little smile. "You're such a charmer," Connie laughed. Warbird fought the uncharitable urge to get Connie away from Thunderstrike by force. "So what will you be doing for us, Miss Leeds?" she asked a bit flatly. Connie looked up at Warbird with eyes that were first surprised, then worryingly perceptive. "In addition to my normal personnel duties I had experience with the police," a smile, "I was a volunteer dispatcher. I'd like to do similar duties with you, if I can." "We'll have a rotating group of volunteers,"Olivia added, "including both Connie and myself." "I thought we were going to talk about you volunteering?" War Machine asked, giving her girl friend a pained smile. "We are," Olivia flashed a smile, "but you know I'm going to win that argument." A smirk, "As a last resort I can always withhold..." "Olivia!" War Machine squeaked. "TMI," Connie blushed. "Way too much information," Warbird found herself chuckling. She turned in her seat to gaze out a window at the trees within the fenced off yard as she thought, ‘This is going to be an interesting job.' "So, should we see the rest of the building or..." Thunderstrike asked into the awkward moment of silence. BA-WOOGA! "What the...?" Warbird jerked as the loud siren pierced the room. Connie leapt from her chair and raced to the computer. "That only goes off it there's a superhuman crime reported," she jumped into the chair, "and officers on scene have requested assistance." "What is it?" Olivia asked as her lover War Machine flipped her face plate down and readied herself for action. Connie pulled on a headset hanging on a hook, "According to this it's those high tech thieves the Raiders. They're hitting the bank on 41st and Oak." "Shall we?" Warbird asked as she lead the way to the door. "Let's," Thunderstrike agreed as she and War Machine followed her out. "Good luck," Olivia murmured.
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