The image of Tony Stark beamed from the tv screen as he said, "The first graduates of the Camp Hammond training facility are being deployed to cities across amarica, and we're fulfilling our promise of a super team in every state." "Yeah, as long as we knuckle under to you," the redhead muttered as she flipped burgers in the cafe's kitchen. Tall and muscular she looked like a amazon, and Katrina Van Horn often lived up to the name. "Kat," the young blonde scolded as she carried dishes over to the sink. The healer known as Fixer answered to the name Rio, but Kat didn't even know if that was really her name. 'Not my business, either,' Kat added mentally before saying aloud, "Sorry, I just have a hard time swallowing his crap." "Me too," Donnie Gill agreed, he now black haired man smiling wryly at his two employees. The owner of the caf‚ had been the c-list villain the Blizzard until he reformed, joining a later version of the Thunderbolts and having his power granting suit destroyed. Despite the risk to himself he offered them both employment in his small restaurant, very pointedly not asking about if they were registered ir not. Both Kat and Rio appreciated that, even though they didn't trust him a 100 yet. "You mind helping up front?" Donnie asked, tossing Kat a towel to dry her hands. Kat caught it easily, "No prob." The Last Chance caf‚ was a odd little venue in New York city, frequented by those commonly on the wrong side of the law. B and C list villains came in for some food and conversation, paid up and went on their way, no doubt planning their next job. "Damn it, my eggs are runny," Cutthroat muttered, the assassin staring down at his plate of food in disgust. "That's how you ordered 'em," Kat reminded him dryly, looking at the costumed man in aggravation. "What's with the suit?" she demnded, "Are you trying to get caught?" "A professional," Cutthroat sniffed, "must always be ready for action." Kat was tempted to ask how his garish uniform might help him, but decided not to ask. Instead she moved through the busy caf‚, nodding greetings to familiar faces and filling up cups with coffee. "Here you go, sir," Kat said as she topped up a coffee. Judas Traveller calmly drank his coffee, the white haired psionic seemingly harmless in his corner seat. But locked within him were incredible mental gifts such as telepathy, telekinesis and other talents, all of which the Occasionally deranged man had used against Spider-Man. "Good brew," Judas said seriously. "Thank you," Kat smiled calmly. Aaron Chord nodded respectfully as he held up his empty cup, and Kat hurried over to help him. Sometimes a criminal, sometimes a vigilante Aaron used the name Midnight's Fire, and controlled a crime empire on the mean streets if New York. "Could I get some more toast?" the ponytailed and brown skinned young man asked. "Coming right up," Kat said as she relayed the order to the cook, Victor. Once called the Orator Victor Ludwig had tried to be a servant to Magneto, but in the end had been cast aside . Now he used his mutant gift to covince people the food was great, as well as occasionally showing girl a good time. "Patrick," Kat growled to the next customer, "watch the hands before I take your stick and shove it where the sun don't shine." Patrick Mahony held up his hands innocently, "I didn't do northing!" "I know you can control fabric, Ramrod," Kat said dryly to the mutant villain, "so don't play dumb." "You're no fun," Patrick sighed. Rio shook her head in admiration as she watched from the kitchen as the older woman so easily handled the crowd. The Shocker, Puma, Stiletto and more ate out there, but Kat navigated the deadly waters with ease. 'I wish I could do that,' she sighed. The doorbell rang and Kat looked up in relief as their replacements arrived. "Okay bodd," she nodded to Daniel, "we're off." "Watch yourselves," he said as both women passed their aprons to Asp and the latest villain to call herself Snapdragon. The two women walked casually towards the flop house they were staying in, keeping a wary eye out for the armored capehunters that SHIELD had been deploying. The country was a dangerous place for a unregistered super, as both Kat and Rio were well aware. "What do you think of the Hood?" Rio wondered quietly. Kat grimaced. The Hood was a formerly small time crook who saw the Civil War as a opportunity, assembling a army of hoods and plotting to take over crime in America. His agent John King had been recruiting, even approaching the customers of the Last Chance with offers of money and protection. "I don't want any part of it," Kat admitted as they walked along, her pants and coat shielding her from a cool breeze, "even if he's successful, someone else will take him down." Rio's skirt fluttered a bit as she slid closer to Kat. "That's about what I thought," she agreed, "which is why I turned him down." She frowned slightly in thought, "But is there any way we can use this?" Kat fought back a grin, thinking how proud she was of her partner. When Kat had first rescued Rio she was a babe in the woods, despite her gang background. Now she was really developing some street savvy, and was doing a pretty good job of watching Kat's back too. 'I wonder if she's doing it because we're friends,' Kat stole a look at the lovely blonde, 'or...?' "Kat?" Rio looked at her questioningly. "Heh, sorry," Kat shook herself. "We could offer the info to the Avengers, but we'd need to make sure it couldn't be traced back to us." "You got that right," Rio shuddered, "I never want to be back in the Negative Zone prison ever again." Kat reached out and tentatively put a arm over her shoulders comfortingly as she said to Rio, "Me too." Rio sighed softly and leaned into Kat's warmth, snuggling in close as they staggered a bit. "You smell nice," Rio murmured, "I like that." Kat was about to say something when they heared sirens off in the distance, making both stiffen in alarm. "Let's go," Kat lead them on a run for the flophouse, both women ducking out of sight as they watching for any sign of trouble. "Shit," the older man at the desk blinked as they raced in, "what now?" Kat flashed him a comforting smile, "Looks like something's going down and we want to get a good look." "Prob'ly SHIELD and their damn armored fascists again," the manager muttered, "I felt safer when Cap'n America was still around." "You can say that again," Rio agreed softly. They descended from the sky in black armor, bulky figures who carried frightening guns and looked ready to use them. Steel wings were mounted on their backs, the shape of the armor plating giving them a sinister look as they lined up in the street. "Robin Braxton," the lead agent yelled, "aka Gladiatrix, you are required by law to register! If you refuse to comply, we are authorized to use whatever means needed." "What'll we do?" Rio whispered as they waited for the woman to appear. "If they rush in here," Kat shrugged, "fight." "You're right," Rio agreed after a moment, her expression grim. "All right squad," the chief agent started... just as a head of lettuce hit him in the head. "Get outta here!" a old lady yelled from a upper story, "Go on!" A tomato soared out another window, then eggs began to pelt down. The armored SHIELD agents looked confused as people all over the street began to pitch items down on them, emptying trash bins and covering them in filth. "Robin hasn't dome anything," another old lady shook her cane as she yelled, "you oughta be ashamed of yourselves!" "We're just doing our jobs," another agent called, egg yolk dripping off his shield arm. "Yeah, I heard the Nazis were fond of saying that too," Kat yelled from the doorway, "just following orders!" "You're supposed to be protecting us!" a old man hollered, "Not chasing down people just living their lives! Go away, yer not wanted here!" The lead agent took in his battered people, the angry people and the overall situation and made a on the spot decision. "Return to base!" he yelled, ducking under a bad tomato, "I repeat, all units return to base!" As they watched the SHIELD agents soar off Rio mused, "You know, I think I could get to like this part or town." Kat couldn't hold back her grin, "Me too."
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