"Ha-ha-ha mate, you're not taking offence to the locker room incident, are you? - Deadpool put a friendly arm around August's shoulder. - I'm just not a guy person. I only like girls.
"I've already told you everything, but you keep bringing it up to provoke me? You're such an annoying bastard," August threw Deadpool's arm off his shoulder. August might have seemed angry, but the jokes of the chatty mercenary didn't really hurt him at all. On the contrary, he was even partially laughing at them internally. Deadpool tried to appear to him as a simple, shallow bully, without a shred of intelligence in his head. Trying to create a deceptive feeling around him. August wouldn't be fooled by that. He could clearly feel the power emanating from the mercenary's body and felt Deadpool's eyes watching him closely. The chatty mercenary was studying him, looking for weaknesses.
Now the two of them were walking through the Ozcorp lab in special yellow protective suits. They were hot and uncomfortable to move around in. Neither August nor Deadpool had weapons on them. They would not be allowed inside with weapons. When their employment with the company was complete, Norma would have them issued special badges. The badges would serve as documents within the company and as electronic keys.
Ozcorp's laboratory was impressive in its scale. Numerous drugs were being developed inside. In addition to the infamous Super Soldier Serum, a large corporation like Ozcorp had a number of other major contracts. The super soldier serum was given special attention because it was a government military order.
Ozcorp had never worked with the military before and the creation of the serum could become their calling card, a pass to military government contracts. Preliminary estimates of the US military budget were around a trillion dollars. "Ozcorp wanted a piece of that trillion. Even five per cent of the budget would be fifty billion dollars. That's a lot of money, even for a corporation as large as Ozcorp.
It was easy to get lost in the lab. Norma had specially assigned a local employee for August and Deadpool. She was their guide in these catacombs of white corridors.
There were three of them walking, but Deadpool had apparently figured something out in his head and had chosen August as his target for bullying. Though it couldn't be said that the chatty mercenary was mocking him. Rather, he was just living up to his name and trying to find a common language with August.
The lab employee led them through a network of corridors into a spacious hall. Apparently designed here especially for various business meetings.
Inside the glassed-in room, a group of twenty-four people were already waiting for them. All of them were dressed in yellow rubber suits. It looked funny from the outside.
"Listen mate, we've got to get out of here. I've seen this in a film before. You can't trust the yellow men! - Deadpool leaned in close to August's ear and whispered quietly. But it was "quietly" that everyone in the room could hear. - They will be friendly to us at first, and then when we let our guard down, they will bore us, brainwash us and take our anal virginity. That's how all dark organisations work.
"I can still understand the first three points, but the last one? - August asked Deadpool, puzzled.- You don't understand anything. Believe me, I have a lot of experience in the affairs of dark organisations. The last point is mandatory for them. They do it to all the washed up, they just don't tell about this shameful experience.
August decided not to argue with Deadpool anymore. He saw that the chatty mercenary was deliberately provoking the group of people in front of them to find out more about them.
"Who the hell is this jerk? - One of the twenty-four men asked her comrades. - This idiot is wearing the same yellow suit.
"Apparently it's the other two we've been waiting for. Why does Osborne need a couple of useless idiots? - the yellow men made August an idiot because of Deadpool's antics. He had mixed feelings about it. He wanted to open his mouth and say that the chatty mercenary had nothing to do with him and that they had only recently met. But his words probably wouldn't be believed. The red-bellied freak was hugging his shoulder too tightly, showing that they were best friends. They're like inseparable.
"I see you've all gathered and met each other? - Norma came in, not in a yellow suit, but a white one. It looked much better than the yellow suits. In general, all the lab staff wore white suits. The yellow ones were only used for guests. The lab guards rarely seen on the way into the hall were dressed in black sealed suits, with extra gas masks on their belts.
Getting no answer to her question, Norma decided to introduce the mercenaries to each other. This was how the pair of Augustus and Deadpool found out who the organised bunch of women were. They were from a private military company called Anvil, former US Army veterans currently working for a privateer. The twenty-four female mercenaries were divided into two small platoons of twelve each.
The girls had also learnt who August and Deadpool were, but their attitudes hadn't changed. On the contrary, their attitudes hardened even more. There was tension in the air.
Norma sensed the changed atmosphere between people and decided to get to the point of the mission. They would be in the laboratory for two months. The serum ordered by the US Army was almost ready, all that was left was to carry out the final tests. During these two months the mercenaries will have to work together with the security guards of the complexes to ensure the safety of the laboratory.
The task of the mercenaries, according to Osborn's explanations, seemed quite simple. They only needed to provide protection for the scientific complex for two months. The complex itself was located almost in the centre of New York. What could possibly go wrong? Downtown wasn't a hot spot, two dozen experienced soldiers were already more than enough to provide adequate protection. This should go well.
"Mrs Osborne, the task seems too trivial. The compound guards and our squad should be more than enough to provide adequate protection. I don't see the point in paying extra money for two more mercenaries, let alone useless men," she was the commander of one of the platoons. It was clear from her searing glances at August that she hated the white-haired mercenary for something.
""These two 'useless' mercenaries," August pointed to himself and Deadpool. - They are worth ten times more than your entire squad, and the price is justified. In our eyes, you don't pose any threat. We'll only be here to reinforce you in case of emergencies, am I right Norma?
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying," the woman nodded.
"We'll see who's not a threat to whom..." the Anvil platoon leader snapped at her. No one took her words seriously and Norma continued to explain to the mercenaries their tasks.
...
"Nice job putting that yellow Girlz Band in their place! Would you like to celebrate our acquaintance tonight with a drink at the bar? - Taking off his chemical suit, Deadpool asked, forcing a smile on his ugly face.
August thought for a moment. This was a good opportunity to get to know Deadpool better. Just whether it was worth taking it? What, in theory, would be the benefit of this acquaintance? Deadpool's excessive friendliness made August uneasy, and he was expecting some kind of trick from him. This was not how strangers just met, there had to be a purpose behind it.
Wade Wilson wasn't an idiot, although he tried to appear to be. Deadpool's history as a mercenary had only begun six months ago, he hadn't yet had time to legendise his name in the mercenary world. Although he had enough achievements to be called one of the best.
"I don't really have anything to do today. We could go out.
"That's the answer I've been waiting for! Just cover your face, because I don't want to look more ugly than I really am.
"I don't think covering my face will make any difference.
August decided to take Wilson up on his offer. Getting to know one of Marvel's best mercenaries wouldn't be a bad thing, and if there was some malicious intent behind his offer, there was no point in running either. Better to meet the perceived threat face to face than to be unexpectedly blown up in his flat or car afterwards.
"Holy shit! Who did you use to get a car like this?! I want one! - As soon as the pair of mercenaries stepped outside. August asked Deadpool about the car. As it turned out, the chatty mercenary had travelled here by public transport, so August offered Wade a ride in his car. He agreed, but when he saw the car he was offered, he couldn't keep quiet. - Would you let me drive it?
"No, - August answered uncompromisingly.
"Damn, man, I envy you," Wilson sat down sadly in the passenger seat. His eyes roamed the interior of the car until they came upon the dashboard. He immediately reached for it, pushed back the seat, switched on the heating and air conditioning. He was fiddling with the dashboard buttons like a child.
"What I can't understand is, why did you switch on the seat warmer? It's almost plus 30 outside.
"You have to use all the functions this car has to offer. Only then it will be possible to feel the full comfort, - Deadpool raised his finger importantly, August sighed.
Having learnt the address of the bar Wilson wanted to invite him to, the white-haired mercenary started the engine and drove off. The bar was in the south of New York, almost on the very outskirts of the city. When he arrived at the location, August was greeted by a shabby sign on an old, old building.
The car park in front of the bar was full of cars, and there was nowhere to park. Apparently the bar was popular enough that the car park was completely full. So they had to drive around the block to find a good spot.
They entered the bar through the back door. Wilson had a key. A woman in an apron greeted them in the bar's kitchen. She snorted unhappily when she saw Deadpool, then stared at Augustus with interest.
"Who do you think you've brought to us?
"Auntie Hammer, this is my good friend Augustus. I've come to see your daughter. Is she in?
"She's behind the bar. I told you not to come in on weekends. You're scaring the customers with your face.
"I may not have a face, but I'm full of energy," Wilson patted his chest confidently.
"Yeah, right.
Apparently this woman didn't know Deadpool's real identity. Unlike in the comics, Wilson didn't wear his bright red suit on a regular basis. He was now wearing an inconspicuous grey hoodie, with a bright oil stain around his belly button, and blue jeans with sneakers. It was impossible to recognise him as an immortal mercenary. Against Deadpool's background, August stood out brightly with his black fitted suit and flashy appearance.
Through the kitchen, they walked out into the common room, which was now filled with people. Some of them were seated at tables, others stood in separate companies quietly whispering among themselves. Wilson walked towards the bar, where a skinny girl with thick glasses and slightly greasy hair stood as a barmaid.
Noticing the approaching Deadpool, the girl behind the bar curled her lips in displeasure.
"Jackie, it's been a long time.
"We just met yesterday, Wade. What do you want from me again?
"Why are you so disgruntled, you didn't get a proper wank this morning? - Wilson smiled, but after a while he noticed that the barmaid's gaze was directed behind his back. Following the girl's gaze, Deadpool realised who she was looking at. - This is my friend Augustus," the chatty mercenary said in an important voice.
"I know him," Jackie said, embarrassed. - I'm registered on his fan site.
"What?! Is that the guy you jerk off to every morning?! - Deadpool opened his mouth in shock. - Is that allowed?!
"Unlike you, August is special. You're not his equal.
"But here I am being humiliated again, and I haven't even done anything wrong yet.
"What are you guys talking about? - August joined their conversation. Initially, when he and Deadpool had entered the common room, he had been struck by the atmosphere created in the bar. While studying that atmosphere, he missed the beginning of the conversation between Wilson and his girlfriend.
"How did you get a fan site? - Deadpool asked in an envious voice.
"I don't know, I've heard a bit about it, but I wasn't really interested.
"Mr August, can I take a selfie with you? - Jackie asked with hope in her voice as she pressed herself against the bar. Her large breasts dangled over the bar, revealing a deep cleavage.
"'Go ahead,' Jackie and August took selfies under Deadpool's envious and shocked gaze.
Next came the drinking. In general, the main purpose of arriving at the bar. August was not affected by alcohol, but for some reason Deadpool was. Either Wilson was good at faking alcohol intoxication, or he had some special methods, thanks to which he could feel intoxication.
"You know, August," Wade said in a drunken voice, putting his arm around the man's neck. - I've actually been wanting a mate for a while now, someone who works in the same field as me. There are no male heroes, let alone mercenaries, or they're just weird faggots ...
"Yeah," August agreed neutrally, sipping his beer from the bottle.
"What was I saying?" Deadpool muttered. - I remember! How would you like to form a boy band with me? Let's call it "Charismatic Handsome and Nice Guy."
"I don't like the name.
"All right, if you don't like the nickname 'nothing guy' you can call it 'Charismatic Handsome Guy' too," Wade slammed the table.
"Wilson, I'll think about it.
"Great!
The drinking continued for a few more hours. Deadpool kept coming up with creepy names for their future team, and August sat thoughtfully pondering Wilson's idea.
The idea of starting his own team didn't sound as bad as it might have sounded. By gathering the supers around him, August could have the strength and support he needed in a short period of time. No matter how strong you were, it was impossible to do it all alone. This has been proven many times by comic book villains. No matter how strong they were, the team of heroes through their collective work always defeated them.
Leaving a drunken Deadpool in the closing bar, under Jackie's disgruntled gaze, August was about to head home. Though he had been drinking, the alcohol had no effect on him whatsoever. If he were to be breathalysed now, there would be no sign of alcohol in his breath. The alcohol from the beer in his body was instantly broken down by his body, leaving no trace behind.
August was clean as a whistle.
"Hey, did you get the door open?
"Now, the window's almost open.
As August approached the abandoned car, he heard whispering in the alley. Two black girls, very shabby looking, were standing next to his car, trying to use some kind of tool to gently roll down the driver's door window.
"What are you trying to do? - August quietly approached them almost closely.
"What the fuck! Jessica, you're a fucking great lookout! He saw our faces, now we'll have to finish him off," the first car thief called out her friend's name as she tried to roll down the car window to no avail.
"Look at him, maybe we should just kidnap him and deliver him to the boss. I think Pero would pay a lot of money for him," Jessica replied.
"Hmm, you're right. They didn't beat your head off at the boxing," the burglar finally peeled away from the door of the Bugatti. - Listen, boy, hand me the car keys without any unnecessary actions, and then voluntarily get in the boot.
"I'm afraid I won't fit in the boot," August replied lightly, and was about to take some action, but then a white lump flew over his head. It hit Jessica's face and knocked her to the ground.
"What the hell is this sticky shit?! - The car thief tried to get the projectile off her, but she couldn't.
A miniature figure in a white suit landed gracefully in front of Augustus. The mercenary stared at her in surprise.
"Who the hell are you, you mutant cunt?! - shouted the burglar and to August's surprise, instead of colliding, tried to run away. The remaining bandit seemed to have her head cooked and looking at her partner's plight, she realised she couldn't do it alone.
Extending her right arm, the girl in the white tight clothes fired a couple more clods at the fleeing girl. The clods hit her feet and the bandit fell to the hard asphalt, smashing her nose.
"Don't worry man, I'm spider girl! You're safe! - It was only now that Gwen decided to turn round to take a closer look at the rescued man. What was her surprise when she came across the impassive face of Augustus.
***
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