"DragonFly" by Jorge Martinez

H4H PRECINCT

An old police precinct now stands as the residence of Heroes for Hire. They have been hired by the New York City Police Department to help clean the metropolis from it's high crime problem. The precinct is not in very good shape.

SPIDERWOMAN: Sam are you sure they cleaned this place?

FALCON: That's what they said SpiderWoman.

POWERMAN: It looks better than I thought actually!

A voice comes from the floor and then the Ant-Man grows to full height.

ANTMAN: You wouldn't say that if you saw things from my point of view. This place is a bit on the messy side.

SPIDERWOMAN: Finally someone agrees with me! Men think dust is to protect furniture.

IRONFIST: This will be more than adequate. I think I am the only one living here. I don't mind it.

FALCON: Well I might move in here with you Fist. I have my own apartment but this place might become a target in the future. That's why I am having Tony Stark help with security and have his people put some hitech equipment in this joint.

ANTMAN: Great! Did you remember when I worked for Tony I installed the security in the Avengers old mansion. C'mon Sam that's when we first met. Ofcourse you didn't know Scott Lang was actually AntMan back then.

FALCON: Actually, I did remember. I just wasn't sure if you wanted to announce your name to everyone.

ANTMAN: Well I trust everyone here. I mean we are the good guys, right?

SPIDERWOMAN: Well guys this gal has her secrets. Sorry. So we just sit around for a call?

FALCON: Yes, for the most part. I hope to have more people at one point. Where we actually have the man power to be more aggressive.

POWERMAN: Yeah we are going to need some heavy hitters. I mean I had to fight the Rhino. Christmas! I was lucky I didn't die!

IRONFIST: I agree. But with enough practice as a unit we can become a fighting force.

FALCON: That's why I hope Fist agrees to train each of you atleast 2 hours a week in combat. As a team we train three times a week. That fine with everyone?

POWERMAN:(to self) Falcon is taking this team real serious. Good so am I and it seems like everyone else is too.

SPIDERWOMAN:(to self) I wonder if this is mistake. I don't want to be a superhero because of my daughter. She deserves a normal mom. But I am not a normal mom. I'm a mutant. I even wanted to be part of the Avengers. Hoping they'd ask me to join. But they asked the veterans. I hope I fit in with this team. They need more women though.

ST.JOSEPH'S CHURCH

FIREBIRD: Thankyou Father.

FATHER CRUZ: No, thankyou child. Your kindness and sacrafice to our community has been useful.

FIREBIRD: I am away from my own community but I still like to help others.

FATHER CRUZ: Why have you left your community in New Mexico, Bonita?

FIREBIRD: Some...friends invited me for a reunion. I was never really part of them. But I enjoy their company. They are good people.

FATHER CRUZ: I'm sure they are. Bye now.

FIREBIRD: Bye.

FIREBIRD:(to self) I can't tell him my friends are the Avengers. Or that I am also known as FireBird because I create hot fire. He would banish me from here most likely.

FIREBIRD:(to self) I hate to leave my people. But I enjoy it here. I have never been in these streets. I was intrigued by the proposition the Falcon had. These Heroes for Hire are not mercenaries as would have thought. They work on a smaller scale than the Avengers. They work with the people and the communty. Everything at home seemed fine when I left maybe I should join these heroes.

MEDINA CAFE

POWERMAN: This place is great! Right down the street from the precint!

FALCON: The food is good too!

POWERMAN: That it is!

A young black child runs up to Luke.

CHILD: PowerMan, PowerMan can I have your autograph.

POWERMAN: Sure kid what's your name?

CHILD: Devon!!!

POWERMAN: Here ya go Devon.

CHILD: Can I have yours too Mr. Falcon?

FALCON: How did you know I was.......

POWERMAN: C'mon Sam just because you don't wear the bird suit all the time don't mean they don't know.

FALCON: Yeah, I know. I guess I really don't have any family to worry about! Except my sister and she moved out of town after her son died.

POWERMAN: Hey man I don't have any family neither does Danny. You need a brother you got two!

FALCON: Thanks man.

POWERMAN: Sam I gotta ask you something. Are you are leader? I mean do we vote for a leader? I know you set up the whole thing but ya never really told us if you was leader.

FALCON: I never really thought about it. I mean I guess we do need a leader. I was handling everything for the team but never thought of appointing myself with that title. But maybe being the leader of the reserve Avengers squad it got to my head!

POWERMAN: No prob. But I think you should address it with the others.

FALCON: Allright Luke.

H4H PRECINT

ANTMAN: Yeah I can install some new holding cells for this place. It won't be that hard. The city will have to pay Stark a pretty penny for all the equipment though.

SPIDERWOMAN: I know Stark I'm sure he won't even charge for it.

ANTMAN: Yeah, I know him pretty well too!

ANTMAN: So how did you like being an Avenger?

SPIDERWOMAN: I liked it lots but I ....

ANTMAN: What?

SPIDERWOMAN: It's hard for me to be a superhero. I have things that...

ANTMAN: You have a kid too.

SPIDERWOMAN: uh, yeah.

ANTMAN: I have a little girl she's 6.

SPIDERWOMAN: Yeah! So is my little girl.

ANTMAN: I'm divorced and you?

SPIDERWOMAN: Yeah me too.

ANTMAN: Hey if I am making you uncomfortable just let me know.

SPIDERWOMAN: No...it's okay.

ANTMAN: So can I ask you on a date?

SPIDERWOMAN: Uh, no!

ANTMAN:(to self) Damn!

ANTMAN: Is it because your a spider and I'm an ant?

SPIDERWOMAN: Something like that. Look I have to go now. Seeya tommrow.

ANTMAN:(to self) I am such a dork!

FISK TOWERS

MR GREEN: We're still on top but things are going to get ugly.

KINGPIN: Yes, I know.

MR.GREEN: The other rival organizations are putting all their funds towards a supreme offense and defense. They have gotten technology used by the Power Broker to create supermen.

KINGPIN: Really?

MR.GREEN: Bought robots such as Dreadnaughts or funded the building of similiar war robots!

KINGPIN: Hmm.

MR.GREEN: Hired every merc or super mercs in town.

KINGPIN: You don't say.

MR.GREEN: And with the heroes back and this new team created by the mayor things are going get ugly!

KINGPIN: Not for us though, right?

MR.GREEN: Uh, I ...well...for everyone...but sir did you have some kind of plan setup or hired new operatives?

KINGPIN: Yes, I have some new agents on my side.

MR.GREEN: And those would be besides the usual assassains already on payroll?

KINGPIN: Well Heroes for Hire ofcourse!

NEXT ISSUE: The team meets new villains, old rivals and Luke has a meeting with the Kingpin!