Late in the evening the paper had been printed, copies of the evening edition left on each of the reporter's desks. "Oh my god," Monica Stewart breathed out, her eyes wide, "how close did you get?" The older redhead was looking at the front page of the Herald, where Carol Danvers' first story and photos were on the front page: Former Avengers wreck Wrecking Crew! Carol was looking at her cover feature with wry amusement as she said, "Close enough." She shook her head, "Warbird was the only Avenger there, so why did they put that headline on it?" "Because it sells papers," Monica laughed. She tapped a photo of a member of the Wrecking Crew being hammered and asked, "Does anyone know who the other hero was?" "Not for sure," Carol answered, "I checked with a few super-hero fan websites and I think the mace belonged to a hero called Thunderstrike." Silently she added, 'Of course Warbird knows who she is, but reporter Carol Danvers couldn't realistically have that information.' "Thunderstrike?" Monica blinked then chuckled. "That must have been a pretty obscure Avenger," she remarked. "Yeah," Carol agreed, "my source says he was killed in action about a year ago." "Ouch," Monica winced. "Yeah," Carol agreed, tiredly picking up her purse from the desk. In addition to her stopping the Wrecking Crew there had been a visit to the courthouse and the police station as well as rushing down to several crime scenes. All in all it had been a busy first day, and a part of Carol just wanted to go home and collapse. Monica smiled as they walked out of the building together, "I was wondering if you needed some help in getting around town?" With an impish smile she added, "I know most of the best bars and pick up joints in town." "Sorry," Carol chuckled, "but I think I'll be busy settling in, first." She looked at the other woman and smiled gently, "But thanks." Monica laughed, "You don't know what you're missing." With that they separated, the older woman heading for her car even as Carol headed for hers. 'Besides, I think I may have another appointment,' Carol thought as she sat in the front seat of her little sports car and fished out the business card that War Machine had given her. A phone number and address were printed there, both for a company called Stane Enterprises. Carol recognized the name, of course, though it had taken a bit of digging to confirm what she had heard. Obadiah Stane had been a problem for Iron Man during the time she had been off Earth, using underhanded tactics to try to beat him. Stane Enterprises even succeeded in buying out Stark's company, but Tony Stark recovered and challenged him once again. In a final confrontation in armored suits Tony beat Stane, then the other man committed suicide. Eventually Tony bought back all the assets that had formally belonged to him, leaving Stane a distant memory. 'So what,' Carol thought as she pulled out into the flow of traffic, 'is a company named Stane doing trying to recruit superhumans?' After a bit of debate she had decided to at least hear what the job was that War Machine had mentioned, then she would decide what to do. A half hour later found Warbird flying down to where the complex was in a valley not far from LA, a mix of industrial and business facilities.. Standing by the front gate was Jackie Lucas, the black haired woman's long coat gently blowing in the breeze. "I was sort of hoping you'd come," Jackie smiled at her shyly, "I would have felt nervous about going in here on my own." "Shouldn't you be...?" Warbird mimed striking a mace on the ground. Jackie looked amused, "I seem to have my powers if I'm transformed or not." "Ah," Warbird nodded. The black costumed heroine lead the way towards the front gate where a young man was looked at the two of them in surprise. She smiled slightly as she addressed him, "I think we're expected?" He smiled back, "Yes ma'am, you are." The gate swung open on the pressing of a switch and they walked in, the soft clang of them closing echoing behind them. "Main building?" Jackie guessed as they walked along the lane towards the office structure, a few cars still parked there despite it being evening. "Worth a try," Warbird agreed. Walking up to the front doors they swung open automatically, revealing a nicely decorated reception area where a younger redheaded woman waited. Jennifer Swensen smiled as they came in, the simple business suit she wore hugging her body, "Welcome to Stane Enterprises, ladies." "Nice to be here," Jackie said cautiously. Warbird carefully studied her surroundings even as she commented, "I'm surprised you're not dressed in your armor." "It's not my armor, technically," Jennifer said calmly, "but I think the boss would be the best person to explain all that." She gestured towards a side door as she said to them, "Would you care to follow me?" "You mentioned a job," Jackie said as they went down the hallway together towards an elevator, "I guess your boss will explain that, too?" Jennifer pressed the switch to summon the elevator, then she answered, "I'm afraid so." Warbird debated using her powers to scan their surroundings, but she figured that might be a bit much. 'Especially since I have no idea if they could detect me trying,' she mused, 'best to just stay on guard, instead.' The elevator rose up smoothly, finally coming to a stop at the penthouse level ten floors off of the ground. The first room on that floor was a office, finely decorated with oak desk, leather chairs and a few tastefully placed potted plants. Already getting up from behind the desk was a woman who's hair was nearly white, her blue eyes full of seemingly honest pleasure. "Welcome to Stane Enterprises," she smiled at them and continued, "I'm Olivia Stane." Her cheeks dimpled as she smiled, "I already know who you are, Warbird, and I think this is Thunderstrike?" "Jackie Lucas," she nodded with a faint frown, "but yes." "Stane," Warbird murmured, "as in related to Obadiah Stane?" "My late and unlamented uncle," Olivia coolly confirmed, "and before you get too paranoid I'm well aware he was swine and have no intention of following in his footsteps." "You might want to lead into that a bit, first," Jennifer said gently into the silence that had followed Olivia's fierce declaration of intent. "I'm sorry," Olivia softened her tone a bit, "I just get that reaction a lot." Jackie surprised them by meeting Olivia's eyes and smiling, "I can understand that, considering my own background." "Huh?" Warbird blinked in confusion but Jackie didn't explain further. Olivia took a steadying breath, standing right behind one of the leather chairs. Gripping the back nervously she said, "I've asked you all to come here for a simple reason, one that I hope you'll consider seriously." Jennifer gave her an encouraging smile and Olivia relaxed a bit, "I want to form a west coast based superteam." This time Jackie was the one to look surprised, "Eh?" "Even before the Avengers disbanded there's been a lack of organized superhumans here," Olivia smiled wryly, "with the exception of Wonderman and Ultra Girl. Force Works was the last major team here, and they were folded back into the Avengers a while back." "And why are you doing this," Warbird asked warily, "out of the goodness of your heart?" "No," Olivia shook her head, "I'll get significant tax breaks from the federal government along with state incentives." She flashed a grin, "Not to mention the benefits to my company in helping found and host such a team." "And what would we get out of it?" Jackie asked, her expression thoughtful. "In addition to the pleasure of helping your fellow man," Jennifer jumped in this time, "you'll also receive a reasonable monthly salary." "And why are you specifically doing this?" Warbird looked at Olivia. "My uncle left me a great deal of wealth, blood money in my opinion," Olivia said frankly, "I can't imagine anything that would make him spin in his grave more than spending as much of it as I can in helping others."
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