Avengers: Wreckage
Chapter 22
Amy Ray lay against Jackie Lukas, the lovely blond as naked as the other woman was. Her round breasts bounced naturally as she pushed herself up with a tired smile. "Wow," she murmured, smiling happily.
"Wow?" Jackie asked teasingly, her black hair flowing over the pillow on the bed.
"Wow," Amy repeated firmly, smirking. "You are a very good lover, you know," she said, smiling down at her.
Jackie smiled back, but a blush colored her cheeks as she said, "Would you believe I've never done this before?"
Amy felt a slight burst of surprise, then willingly let it show. "If so, you're a very fast learner," she reassured her gently.
Jackie hesitated, the two laying there together with one of her arms around Amy. "Have you ever...?" she asked.
As Amora she had seduced a few women here and there, but always for a tactical motive. She had never sought out someone based on love or desire, and it felt oddly good. "A few one night stands," she admitted, "things just never clicked."
Jackie chuckled softly, "I'd say we're clicking on all cylinders."
Amy kissed Jackie's cheek, snuggling closer as she purred, "That we are." She let a hand trail across her check then stroked one of the other woman's smaller breasts, "Do you want to do it again?"
"What, already?" Jackie blinked, blushing. As she felt Amy's hands on her she shuddered slightly then conceded, "Well, why not..."
Meanwhile, in another part of the city a group of scientists clad in bright yellow looked around the underground base worriedly. They were members of Advanced Idea Mechanics aka AIM, a cell of high tech terrorists who created or adapted technology for destructive purposes.
"Where is out contact?" one asked, hefting a rifle as the masked, helmeted figure studied the nearly empty base.
"Patience," Carolyn smirked as she emerged from the shadows, dressed in her protective green light armor and the unique octopus arms connected to her sides. She looked over the men in disdain, "I wish to see your leader."
"Why don't we simply take what we want?" the man demanded, leveling his gun at her and firing of a bold of energy.
With inhuman speed a metal arm whips around, blocking the bolt even as another telescopes towards him. In a splash of red it punches right through the helmet, killing the man instantly as most of the AIM troops cringe in fear.
"That was wasteful," the voice croaked as a scarred, intense looking brown haired woman rolled through the shaken fighters, a tube piercing her neck along with feeding tubes into her arms and dressed in a similar yellow jumpsuit.
"Clytemnestra Irwin," Carolyn nodded to her respectfully.
An unusual and dangerous woman, Clytemnestra Irwin was deeply connected to the Avenger Iron Man. Her brother Morley was the technical support when James Rhodes became Iron Man, and she and Morley assisted him and Tony Stark in founding a small company called Circuits Maximus. But the existence of the company was a threat to Obadiah Stane, so he bombed the facility, killing Morley, hurting Rhodes and forcing Stark to confront him. After Stane died Cly blamed him and Stark for her brother's death, and plotted with AIM to kill him. They failed, and the world thought Clytemnestra Irwin was dead.
"So," Clytemnestra said flatly, "you wish to ally with AIM. Why should we assist a second stringer who was defeated by Spider-Man, of all people?"
Carolyn grit her teeth, fighting to control a burst of rage that made her want to rip the woman out of her medical support chair and tear her apart. "Because I can give you a shot at revenge against Tony Stark," she told her, "not to mention against the heir of Stane, too."
Clytemnestra tilted her head to the side thoughtfully, a almost grotesque motion considering all the tubes and attachments to her chair. "Interesting," she said, "I'm listening."
"I have Mandroids, several Guardsmen armor and SHIELD anti-superhuman tech, all of which I'm confident I can use," Carolyn said frankly, "but while I'm technically skilled, I lack the ability to fully upgrade the suits."
"While AIM does," Clytemnestra agreed. She looked curious, "You wish us to hybridize the different technologies?"
"It's up to you," Carolyn said frankly, "blend the suits into one, upgrade each type of suit, I leave it in your hands."
"And in return for our efforts?" Clytemnestra asked curiously.
"You have targets that these suits could strike at," Carolyn said briskly, "I am perfectly willing to let you use these units to strike at them, before I use the suits."
"That is surprisingly generous of you," Clytemnestra noted. "Why?"
Carolyn smiled faintly, "I have a agenda I intend to follow, and your attacks may serve to hide my own motives."
"You are a devious woman," Clytemnestra nodded approvingly. "I insist that AIM be given the opportunity to study the technology," she said.
"If I'm asking you to refine the suits, you'd have to," Carolyn shrugged. She gave a shark like smile, "I plan to return to the east coast, you can do whatever you like here."
"I like the way you think," Clytemnestra smiled back coldly.
Out and away from the city Stane Enterprises was as busy as ever, the company pumping out cutting edge designs for other corporations and manufacturers. The parking lot was jammed with cars, even though the company encouraged ride sharing and transit alternatives for their staff.
May Scott, the head of security for Stane, sat in her office by the entrance to their office building as she calmly reviewed security footage, sipping a very good cup of coffee. The black haired woman was more handsome than beautiful, a quality brought out even more by the expensive business suit she wore.
After the attempted break in by two reporters May had her staff on high alert, but so far there was nothing. Not that she minded, exactly, but she did want to justify her generous pay stubs. Besides, she liked her bosses and wanted them kept safe.
A chime told her these was a incoming call, and May swiftly noted it was from the front gate. "Yes?" she answered the phone briskly.
"There's a reporter here from the Herald, says she has a appointment?" the young man frowned, his brown hair carefully tucked under a uniform cap.
"Name?" May asked dryly.
The guard quickly clarified, "Monica Stewart."
"Call a guard to watch the gate then escort her to the administration building," May ordered, "I'll meet you there."
Monica was a brassy redhead, a bit older than May but quite attractive and fit. She had a slight smile on her face as May walked up to them, her eyes twinkling with hidden amusement. "Thank you," she smiled to the guard as he quickly left.
"Wonder what got into him?" May asked innocently, a smile tugging at her lips.
Monica rolled her eyes as she muttered, "I'm sure I don't know."
"I'll take you up to see Ms. Stane," May said politely, leading the woman inside.
"Thank you," Monica answered as they walked through the front foyer, a staff member providing Monica a security pass. "Is this really necessary?" she asked, fingering the plastic and metal card clipped to the front of her dress.
"Yes, it keeps the laser array we built into the hallways from frying you," May said, her voice entirely deadpan.
Monica gave her a skeptical look as she asked, "You're joking, right?"
"I'll never tell," May answered blandly.
They went up a hall to the office, where the secretary waved them on through. Inside May was once again struck by her boss' odd looks, from the snow white hair to her wise, prematurely old eyes. She had been through a lot over the years, and it showed.
"Welcome," Olivia smiled calmly as she rose to offer her hand.
"Thank you," Monica shook it as she added, "this welcome is a lot warmer than the one Chad and I got earlier."
Olivia just shrugged casually as she said, "That will teach you not to try to sneak on other people's property."
Monica had to smile as she took a seat, Olivia sitting behind the desk and May lingering off to one side. "I suppose so," she conceded. "So," she asked as she sat back, "why the high security?"
"Stane Enterprises is a research and development company," Olivia said calmly, "a leaked design could cost us millions, not to mention possibly voiding contracts with our partners." She flashed a smile, "Plus, we're hosting a super team."
"Isn't three members a little small for a team?" Monica asked.
"I prefer quality to quantity," Olivia shrugged, "though I have feelers out for several other possible members."
May Scott watched in admiration as Olivia fed the reporter just enough information to create a story, yet didn't reveal anything she didn't want known. It was a masterful handling of the woman, just what she would expect from her boss.
"Well, thank you for the enlightening interview," Monica said wryly, apparently also aware that she had just been deflected quite effectively.
"You're quite welcome," Olivia answered smugly. She nodded to May, Ms. Scott will give you a tour of the facilities, at least the publicaly accessible parts."
"Thanks," Monica said as she and May filed out. They left the executive office and headed down the hall as she muttered, "That may have been my worst interview ever."
May had to work hard to hide her smirk. "Don't worry, I'm sure we can make it up to you," she said as she showed her around the offices.
"Oh?" Monica asked as she used her digital camera to take shots of the ultra modern offices, then they went downstairs and outside once more.
May smiled slightly as they went across the parking lot to one of the research buildings, "I think we have a dinner date planned? We could do it tonight if you like..."
Monica looked at her with a suddenly warmer smile. "Yes, I think I'd like that," she admitted, reaching out to squeeze May's hand.
"Good," May squeezed back, then let go as they went inside.
To be continued...
Notes: Just catching up on some plot threads. I wanted Amora to 'land' Jackie, so that's why they're here. Clytemnestra Irwin is a canon character from Iron Man, but she hasn't appeared since the early 200s of the series. I thought her and AIM would be interesting 'tech support' people for our villains.