Start at the Beginning

"*Yawn*"

Blake chuckled swinging Yang's arm as they walked along jand in hand from the cabin. "Tired?"

Yang nodded. "I was wrong the otherday... this is worse than being back home on Patch."

Blake giggled. "I told you you could sleep in!"

Yang shook her head. "Naw... if you're up, I'm up. Just don't expect me to "shine" before the sun does." She yawned again and Blake teasingly smacked her shoulder as she yawned too compulsively. "Quit that!"

Yang chuckled. "Sorry! I can't help it! I'm still getting used to the rural living/going to classes routine again. Oh looks like someone is in the kitchen!"

The kitchen lights were on and when they made their way in they found Kali, Lita and most if the usual helpers and maids already up including...

"Hello there!" Pyrrha cheerfully waved already changed into her exercise uniform.

Blake smiled and waved. "Hi Pyrrha. Good morning everyone." while Yang commented "Ugh". Blake elbowed her and Yang said, "Yeah... good morning folks... urgh, did I just say "folks"? *Sigh* Yup, I did. We're going back to our country roots already."

Everyone laughed but they noticed Yang did too. She might be complaining a bit but her heart wasn't actually in it. Pyrrha handed them their water bottles already to go. "Let's get an early run in and then help out since we're going to be short handed today."

Yang covered another yawn while Blake sighed. "I take it they already left then?"

Her mother stopped what she was doing to give her daughter a hug. "They did but Walt wanted you all to have hugs so here. He, Ahnassi, Mission, Curie and the others left earlier to head out with the teams."

Lifts-Her-Tail nodded. "That's right. They're living proof so he needed them with him today. Once he takes care of some 3S matters it's straight to RealDreams coporate HQ for the surprise inspection as well as a semi-secret meeting with their board of directors, which according to Master Walter means, "Everybody and their dog already knows about it but not what will be talked about. Not so secret at all, I reckon"."

Everyone chuckles at Lifts-Her-Tail's impersonation. Blake nodded. "Alright, we'll be back shortly to give you all a hand." Pyrrha nodded and they waited until Yang finished her cup of coffee she'd grabbed before dragging her towards the door, Pyrrha calling towards the porch, "Nora let's go!" followed by a snoring startled snort and mumbled "Pancakes..."

"Did yall get enough to eat in the mess hall?"

Ahnassi and the others nodded waiting for him to finish his paperwork. "Walter worry unnecessarily. Everyone ate properly except for him. Eat," she told him.

Walt nodded and bit into the sandwich she held out as he worked. He obligingly chewed and swallowed. It was good but-"Needs a touch of mustard."

"Non," Curie said. "You have important meeting and your good suit on. If you stop to eat properly and wear a bib you can have ze condiment."

He heard the others laugh but he thought about her point. He took another bite of the sandwich and kept working. "No time. Coffee?"

Balalaika came in with a cup and his beat-up old thermos with a faded "Drinking Fuel" sticker on it the kids had put on it. A Stark/Gardner tradition. He had to pretend to be unhappy until he was presented a new sticker from the youngest one for Christmas every year. *Maybe if we have children I'll finally be able to return the favor to Chuck,* he thought. "Thanks," he said. "Status?"

Balalaika nodded. "Flight, inspection and escort teams are a standing by. We'll take off as soon as you're ready, Boss."

(("All teams worlds wide standing by and awaiting mission start, Boss."))

Ahnassi held out another egg sandwich and he bit into it fingers flying across the paperwork. He could take care of the rest remotely. He scartched with the pen and set it down, then slid the last folder towards Balalaika and nodded. She stamped the paperwork for him as he drained the coffee cup in one go and stood up. "Very good. Mission start is a "go". Commence operations."

He grabbed the thermos and sandwich and the others grabbed his briefcase and the equipment. They made their way out the office heading for the airfield.

"...and we'll start in 3... 2... 1... go!"

"Hello and good morning to all of you! I'm April O'Neal and we'll be continuing what has become a popular weekly segment!" April said sitting in the transport. "This time however I'm not reporting to you from a studio. It's an undisclosed place and mission!" She turned to Walt. "With me is recuring guest Walter Stark of 3S!"

Walt smiled and waved to the camera. "Howdy folks! And thank you for the introduction April!"

April smiled. "You're very welcome Walter. Thank you for making time gor us on a very busy day!"

Walt smiled at April. "The pleasure is all mine April and please... just call me Walt, as always."

April nodded. "You got it, Walt-as-always!" They both chuckled. "All kidding aside what can you tell me about your "secret mission"?"

Walt grinned. "Not much. No seriously I can't go onto any specifics but I can give you some of generalities if you'd like?"

April nodded. "I would like that and I'm sure our veiwers at home would as well!"

Walt grinned and winked at the camera. "Far be it from me to not give the viewers what they want! Today you're seeing just a small part of the 3S inaction. Most know us for our training facilities and Stark products but we do so much more. Today it's a security audit and inspection for a major business. 3S provides many companies, corporations and even local to global governments protection and safety as well as training and policies for day to day as well as emergencies and coming up with action plans for those emergencies that are custom tailored to a client's particular needs. Everything from what to do in a personal medical emergency or a natural disaster to being under attack by a rampaging monster or containment core breach of a power plant or laboratory for just a few common examples."

"That's a large area of things to cover!" April said. "And each plan is personalized for each client?"

Walt nodded, "That's absolutely correct April! Having training teams or plans in house is actually a consider drain on an a business or other entity. Hopefully you never need to worry about it but if you ever need one, you need one. However in the past having those kinds of specialists sitting around "in house" as it were and doing nothing until a crisis arose was a costly drain on businesses. 3S is a much more viable solution. Statistics show that trained professionals who are always actively working in their field and areas of expertise are always better able to act than ones who are sitting idle." He winked at the camera. "And statistics show your insurance company thinks so too! Most customers with 3S see a drastic lowering on their rates!"

April laughs. "You heard it here folks! Call 3S! 15 minutes may save you some cashola!" They both laugh. "Jokes aside it's a serious matter, isn't it?"

Walt nodded. "It is, April. But panic isn't the solution. A solid plan and training for the worst case scenarios, prepared by competent and experienced experts is however. That's a large part of our business. From small families to multi world spaning operations. Our experts can give that training, help come up with personal or specific action plans and even provide onsite security and emergency personnel that will meet any clients needs. We also do evaluations and assessments of security and emergency preparedness... which is what we're doing today!"

April nods. "That's some dedication! I think I'll look into that myself! You wouldn't believe how high my insurance rates are... I have a penchant for getting into trouble!"

Walt nods. "You and me both, Sister!"

They both laugh. "And you're coming along personally on today's security assessment? Does that mean I can get you over to my place for a "security assessment"?" April asked with a wink.

Walt grins. "I'd like that April but unfortunately I can't personally gaurantee that I'll be among the assessment teams. Today's client is not only a big one but I also happen to have other business in the area. Two birds, one stone. Even I have to try to cut costs just like everyone else, you know!" More good natured laughing. "However it can happen! I do join my people in these excercises and evaluations sometimes so you never know! It's an important part of our business so I feel the need to oversee things when I can. So don't be surprised if you see me at your business, school or Aprils house!"

April laughs delighted and touches his shoulder. "Oh dear! I better clean up!"

Walt shakes his head. "Completely unnecessary and infact that's why we keep these things a surprise if we can. 3S will treat every customer, whether a business or an individual, with courtesy and politeness as we want to evaluate things "as they actually are". There's no judgements and only complete professionalism."

"Professionalism?" Asked April jokingly disapointed. "*Sigh* Sorry ladies. Guess there's a tiny bit of bad news there after all!"

Walt chuckled. "Sorry. We don't do "that kind" of professionals, the market is flooded with those anyways! But we do have trainers! And we don't do weddings! But we do cover just about everything else!"

Aprils eyes light up! "Oh, I am definitely getting an assessment plan and some "training", then!" They both laugh. "Speaking of... it looks like we have just a few more moments of time. Can we ask about something else, Walt?"

Walt raised an eyebrow and got the sign and nodded. "Absolutely April but we'll have to make it quick!"

April nodded too. "Then I'll just dive right into it. A few days ago this footage was released by 3S and PWBI as well as your "Cowboy" speech about it where you were involved in a Hulk takedown. Accurate?"

Walt shook his head. "Mostly. Point of clarification. Target wasn't "a Hulk" or "The Hulk". They'd just been hulked. They were a more or less normal Prime worlder with an illegal "Hulk" mod."

April nodded. "That's a good point. Thank you. Not one of the "Hulks", an illegal hulk mod. And that is you in the footage along with others assisting in the apprehension?"

Walt smirked and nodded. "It most certainly is! I just happened to be visiting the park. My ladies seem to love them as much as I do!"

April winks at the camera. "Take some notes there gentlemen! Another handy tip! But seriously, Walt. That's impressive!"

Walt shakes his head. "Not really. I'm an experienced and highly trained veteran. And I'm not just the founder of 3S, I'm also a client! Seriously, I have worked hard and studied with best. This is a classic example of power isn't everything. Expertise, knowledge, know how and proper training trump power most of the time. This is an amateur with power, a nasty disposition and little else. Basically a jumped up punk. Nothing more." He turned to the camera seriously. "Still dangerous though and not to be underestimated! Remember avoid danger if you can, leave it to the professionals and when stuck in the middle of it, that it's important to trust in the appropriate training and keep your wits about you." He tapped his temple.

April nods. "Sound advice and a good place for us to wrap things up as we're about out of time! Thank you for another delightful interview, Walter!"

Walt grins and shakes her hand. "The pleasure was all mine April and 3S will be looking forward to your call!" He turns to the camera. "And hopefully yours as well! Until then... Happy trails, folks!"

April grins too and turns to the camera. "And this was Walter Stark and April O'Neal signing off!"

"Annnd that's a wrap!"

April smiled. "I really might give 3S a call you know! It's a great idea... and thanks again for accommodating me."

Walt shook his head. "No really it was my pleasure and thank you for joining us so early. I have a transport that once we touchdown will whisk you and your crew back as soon as possible or whenever or wherever you like."

April sighed. "I'd actually love to get the scoop on what you're actually up too but I understand confidentiality... and as much as I'd love to soend time in NYC with the promise of a personal chauffeur I should get back, edit, etc..."

Walt smiled. "It's still early. You can take a little time if you want. Grab an early breakfast, coffee and donut in the park or very late slice of pizza for that matter. My treat, wherever and whatever you want with 3S protection and service the whole way in the Big Apple. You and your crew."

April grins and actually gives him a hug. "Thanks Walt. That's very sweet! We'll take you up on that for a little bit! I'm dying for some pizza and pickles!"

Walt blinked.

Walt put his glasses on and watched April and her crew get into the provided luxury vehicle. "She was certainly flirting with you," Curie said as they excited the three winged transport. "A bit like Piper, Oui?"

Walt shrugged. "It's all part of the act. She puts on a slight bit of a persona to ease her way through the interviews. That way she's not 100% on camera. It's a common human reaction psychologically speaking. It allows us to decieve ourselves into believing that that the world doesn't see "all" of us. A self-imposed fiction for psychological welfare. Her flirting is a part of that. She is only marginally interested when the camera is off. Besides nothing will happen."

They watched the car drive away.

"Why is that?" Curie asked.

Walt nodded. "Two things. She's not really my "type"," he took Curies hand. "I like beautiful and intelligent, inquisitive women but I know better than to confuse the fiction and reality. If her interest were more genuine in me and not "the story" then maybe, but it isn't. Remember it took me awhile to warm up to Piper unlike with you and Cait."

Curie smiled. "Oui. That's true. You saw through Cait quickly and we "hit it off" even quicker, even in my old body. You always treated me as a person"

Walt smiled and kissed her cheek. "That's because you always were... I could tell. You had a beautiful soul and we quickly became friends."

"And Cait?" She asked.

Walt shrugged. "She pretended her indifference too much. People who do either truly don't care about anything or they're trying to pretend that they don't, so she was very obvious to me. She tried to mask her vulnerability, only highlighting it. A wild rose with wicked thorns. Piper on the other hand cared about a lot of things loudly and vehemently but it also meant her loyalties and motives were unclear other than to her paper and her sister. Her being pushy with her inquisitive nature put my guard up despite her chams, unlike you who is very genuine and earnest with your curiosity and thoughts and therefore, honestly charming. The more we got to know each other, the more enchanting I found you as a person."

Curie smiled happily. "You are such a sweet talker when you speak from your heart as well. I like that... what is ze second reason?"

Walt tapped the glasses. "Her cravings had me suspicious. Friday confirmed. She is most likely experiencing an Iron and calcium deficiency so either stressed, experiencing sickness, about to start menstruating... or pregnant." Walt shook his head. "Not our business and we shouldn't pry... and we have our own problems to handle right now. Let's go."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O and Merida

Will Return In

Start at the beginning Pt 2

Coming Soon]