Lance and Adam arrived separately at the docks of Sector Three. They both wore athletic garb intending to "jog” as many people did in the public areas around this side of the city’s seaports. They met up near the entrance and took a brisk but deliberate pace, their bodies still sore from the previous night’s events.
“I just want to sleep for the whole week…” mumbled Adam as they moved down the designated walking path.
“I second that motion…” Lance agreed.
“Last night was… rough…”
“I feel that's underselling it a bit,” Adam said with a tired laugh.
“Parkouring through half the city, climbing fifty floors, and fighting not one but two mythological creatures… and you say it was just ‘rough’?”
Lance gave Adam a sideways smirk.
“It makes what we do easier to think about…”
They continued on until they reached the warehouse at Dock 25. Unsure of who to look for, they walked towards the main bay door that appeared to have been left open for their arrival. They entered the building to find a woman waiting for them.
“Good morning, Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Chase,” she said with a slight bow.
“I take it that you work for our aspiring patron?” asked Lance.
“Indeed. You may call me Miko,” responded the woman.
“Are you his secretary or something?” asked Adam.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
“You could say I am an assistant to Mr. Midas in any business capacity as he deems necessary,” Miko noted.
“How about a tour?”
She turned to walk farther into the warehouse, pressing a button on a fob to close the bay door behind the two.
“I believe you will find this facility to be much to your liking.”
Lance and Adam followed. The warehouse floor was mostly empty, save for a long workbench along one wall and several shelves set up for parts and supplies.
“Plenty of space on the main floor to set things up,” Lance commented.
“I see an office area in the corner, and this workbench looks decent.”
“This isn't the main floor,” Miko said with a gleam in her eye.
The two looked at each other, then to her. She smiled, then waved them over to where one of the supply racks had an open floor space tall enough to stand under the shelf. She gestured for all of them to stand under it and pointed to an electrical panel three feet behind them. Adam opened the box to find a handprint scanner. He shot a surprised glance at Miko, who motioned for him to use the panel. Adam placed his hand over the panel and a mechanism hidden in the floor came to life, and the floor inside of the rack’s footprint began descending.
The secret platform moved through the floor and revealed an even larger space underneath the warehouse. There was an area with a training ring, complete with exercise equipment and weights. Nearby this was what appeared to be a station for dealing with both post-training cooldown and some medical treatment. On the opposite end was a workshop that appeared to be equipped with modern tools and mobile equipment for creating new gear. At the base of the elevator was a catwalk that led to a round platform with computers and holographic screens that easily dwarfed Lance’s home system.
Lance and Adam were in awe at the extent in which this facility – their new facility – was equipped.
Seeing their awed expressions, Miko voiced what they were thinking: “My employer made sure to allocate the appropriate assets to help you in this endeavor. He believes in what you are doing for this city and he will do everything in his power to fund your mission.”
“It’s… a lot to take in…” Adam said.
“There is so much potential here!”
Lance nodded.
“Send our regards to Mr. Midas and our immense gratitude.”
“He knew this would be your response and reaction to everything before you,” Miko said with a smile.
“He simply said: Have fun!”
She stepped back onto the lift platform and gave a slight bow.
“I will leave you to explore your new headquarters to begin to acclimate to it. I hope these assets will be to your liking. I am anticipating many great things from the both of you.”
She pressed the button on the wall and it made its ascent back to the above floor.
The friends gave each other a look of amazement as they stepped further onto the command platform. As they approached its center, a holographic node built in the center of it glowed with a soft blue and a projection of the city appeared in front of them. Screens came to life around them in a wave of color as various scanners and readings came into view, revealing the secrets of their new abode.
Adam looked around at the immeasurable information at their fingertips.
“It seems that we’re in for a heap more than we thought we signed up for…”
Lance smiled.
“This is everything I have ever had before and more…”
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