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Seeing as how Silvermane was going to be busy with introductions and negotiations, you decided that now was as good a time as any to meet your new teammates.
Joseph seemed to be waiting for you to ask, because when you did, he directed you through the most efficient route that would lead you to the office building’s basement level. When the elevator dropped you off, you were greeted by the sight of a cellar that didn’t look like it had seen much use, aside from storage.
<span class="mu-r">“I don’t suppose you recruited a live-in maid for our little hit-squad?”</span> you asked.
Joseph smirked, but he didn’t reply right away. Instead, he led you to a seemingly normal brick wall, and pressed his hand against a brick that was hidden behind a pile of boxes. Almost immediately, a column of bricks slid out of place, and a part of the wall slid open to reveal a hidden entrance.
Just past the secret door, the floor transitioned from hard concrete to velvety smooth carpeting.
<span class="mu-b">“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this business, it's that hired help has loose lips. And going forward, we can’t trust anyone that isn’t a member of the family. That’s why pops came up with this condition.”</span> Joseph said, gesturing for you to follow.
You both made your way through the dimly lit hallway at a leisurely pace. A cluster of voices echoed down the hall, growing louder as you approached the room they were in.
The hallway ended in a plush lounge, with a fully stocked bar, a pool table, and an entertainment center that consisted of arcade games and several flat screen tv’s.
There were five people in the room aside from you. The only woman was sitting at a bar, looking bored as she swirled her drink around in her glass. The masked man that was animatedly chatting her up seemed completely unbothered by the giant, mechanical scorpion tail that was hovering uncomfortably close to him.
Another one of the guys was abusing a pinball machine in the corner of the room, shifting his body back and forth at incredible speeds as the machine rumbled.
And in the middle of the room, two costumed seemed to be using their powers to play an impressive game of pool.
<span class="mu-b">“All right, everyone. Listen up!”</span> Joseph shouted, clapping his hands together to get their attention. <span class="mu-b">“Our little team’s getting a new member today. When I’m not around, I want you to listen to what he says. If he gives you an order, you do it. Around these parts, we call him the ‘Huntsman’. You might’ve heard of him.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Of course.”</span> said the woman with the scorpion tail. It swished back and forth behind her, its stinger scraping slightly against the floorboards. She looked far more interested in you than the guy who had been chatting her up at the bar.
<span class="mu-b">“This is Scorpia.”</span> Joseph began. <span class="mu-b">“She’s strong, fast, and that tail of hers can punch through solid steel like it was a sheet of construction paper.”</span>
(Cont.)
