Shuri was good on her word and the ship from Egypt was excavated, quietly and under cover of a Wakandan stealth field. Shuri was marvelling at not just the new technology they had activated within Wakanda itself but at the log files, she could now access and transcribe.
Peter had a new task as well. Setting up a meeting with Ross, they agreed that once the international incident that Doom was threatening over Shuri's refusal to give Latveria any vibranium, Starks huffiness as Pepper coming to work for Peter and the collapse of AIM Peter had to focus on what he was going to do next.
Which was why, Felica, Gwen, Natasha, Pepper, Emma, and Liv were all sitting in the meeting room in his apartment.
"So, with AIM gone, we need a new strategy, and I came up with this." Peter handed out folders to each of the women, each with a general outline but specifics for them all.
"First, Pepper. You will be CEO of AIM, Killian left us the name, and even then with Hammer dead, Parker Inc is the only company left. While I'm not going to head AIM, I do want to keep the original idea alive," and as Liv leant forwards to interrupt Peter shook his head, "Liv, you will be head of Octech, or whatever you want to call it, I will be head of Parker Industries, Gwen, I thought Stacy Solutions, cause you know its a pun but still works," and Gwen did smile and nod, "and then Nat, Black Cat Securities, and Felicia, you'll get legit papers for everything through that. Emma, you need to speak to Gwen, but I don't see why we can't have White Cat Cosmetics." As the group slowly worked their way through their files a few frowns and a few smiles appeared,
It was Pepper who spoke first, "So, I do everything?" but Peter shook his head,
"Not really, you run everything delegating resources and manpower, yeah okay you run everything. I'll stick to R and D, Liv does manufacturing, Gwen has her cream and cosmetics, Nat runs our security. Emma needs a business strategy but I guess you know that already, and anyone working for us is employed by whatever company they work for."
Pepper nodded and flicked to another page, "So, Salary?" and Peter sighed.
"You can look at our cash flow, our patents and decide that. Look Pepper, or uh I know that's a nickname, Virginia?" but she shook her head, "Pepper. You have all the experience. I mean, you'll make us more money in a week than we could in a year. You're the brains, I'm sure Emma will be able to help but really, this is on you."
"Really?" Liv added, "I did work at Oscorp dear, and I did manage most of Normans projects," and Peter nodded but pointed at the file,
"Yup, projects. Pepper is above that, managing teams is one thing, managing teams of teams is another, dealing with lawyers, HR and recruitment. Liv, everyone sitting here is an expert in their field, which is why I want everyone to stick to that field, and Liv. Pepper ran Stark's life as well as his company," as he shrugged, "I think she'll do a better job."
Liv leaned back with a sour look on her face, "and I agree, but it does feel a little off. I mean, I was doing a good job until," and Peter stretched over and took her hand,
"You were, buuuut," and he smiled, "what about lab work?" and she frowned, and huffed,
"Fine, so I wasn't getting any lab time, and you are right," and Peter laughed,
"At least this time?" and Liv lifted his hand with hers and kissed it,
"So, any questions?"
Gwen was still reading but Felicia slid her folder onto the meeting table, "You want to hire me and everyone who works for me as a consultant for your Black Cat security?" and Peter nodded,
"We don't have to call it that though, I mean, I picked names I thought everyone would like," and Felicia looked over at Nat,
"I don't mind, Black Cat, Black Widow. Still black. No costume change required," Natasha said, and Felicia snorted,
"So how would that work, I mean, we can't exactly add Venom and Huntress to the books."
Peter flicked through the folder and pulled out the forms,
"We can. Officially, neither Venom nor Huntress have criminal records. So, go back to Black Cat, and I'll get a new name too. We keep Huntress and Venom as off the books underworld and have legit identities, Black Cat and I dunno, I'll think of something."
Gwen coughed, "Night Monkey," and everyone looked at Peter and laughed,
"Yeah yeah, but it still stands, legit and above board, two teams. One as security for the vibranium and one for fieldwork. Cindy and Eddie are for home, and I'll lead the other."
Nat leaned forwards and frowned, "you? You don't want me on your team?" and Peter shook his head,
"If I could trust anyone else to lead the team I would, but I need someone trained and proficient at what she does. Cindy and Eddie are both rookies, I've at least been on one mission plus everything else. We can't leave the warehouse's security to amateurs, and we need someone here twenty-four seven."
Nat nodded, "Seems you do listen. If you'd come up with any other plan then I'd have smacked you." and Peter laughed and winked at her.
"Right, so do we now get the lawyers in and make it official?" he asked and they nodded.
"Pepper?" and she stared at the file, spinning it with a finger.
"It'll work. But cash flow will be your biggest issue. Forty per cent and I'm in, and that's forty of it all."
"Forty of all of it? A bit greedy aren't we? No. You can negotiate individual percentages with everyone, but forty gives you the ability to freeze us all out. I can read your mind, and I know that's what you're after. I am going to cheat, You can get ten per cent of Parker Inc, no more, and I know you'll take it."
Pepper tutted, "fifteen for cheating," and Peter grinned and nodded.
"You have a deal, Miss Potts. You are now the controlling Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Idea Mechanics." and as he looked at the others, "oh, and I'm not the only telepath, so might as well just spill it now." and Pepper rolled her eyes,
"Fifteen per cent controlling share of all business, final offer, and I want free samples from White Cat Cosmetics, and that is the only thing on the table, Mr Parker," Pepper said, emphasizing the last part, and while he grinned he nodded. They both knew where the line was and were happy.
"Bathhouse too?" and Pepper, having never been to the warehouse since its renovation took a quick look, and nodded,
"I accept. I'll get contracts written up and Mr Murdock can oversee the final signage. There will be no repeat of Tony. You will come through me before you even think of putting pen to paper." Pepper leaned back and gave a moment's thought, "In fact, no signing anything without me present. Leave business to the business expert, and that goes for all of you." and Peter nodded.
"Any others?" Peter asked the group before they wrapped up and Pepper got to work. Gwen looked over at Emma, who raised an eyebrow. "I have no problem with a business to market my stuff, but I do want to sell outside of New York, can you?" Emma looked over at Pepper, who nodded,
"Is that all?" Gwen asked but Peter shook his head,
"Poison," and Gwen slumped.
Since the incident Poison had been kept on a rat in Gwen's lab, and Cindy had been forcefully unbonded and was suffering from withdrawals. After a series of tests it seemed that to control her, Hank had used a stimulant combined with a suppressant, and the combination kept Cindy happily stoned and Silk sedated.
After being separated Poison had refused to rebond with Gwen, much to everyone surprise and instead hid in the rat Gwen kept as a lab mascot. It was Norwegian black, normally used for testing, but Gwen took a shine to it and now it lived on her desk and kept her company while she worked.
Now it ate cookies by the dozen and hissed every time it saw Gwen. Unless Peter came by once a day, Poison was belligerent and unruly, kicking sawdust around her cage and gnawing the wheel they had given her until it collapsed.
"If Cindy is okay, then we rebond them. She was happy enough as her host, and with Logan taking Rage," and he shook his head, "then really if they want to bond we let them."
"Do you think that's a good idea though?" Gwen asked and he shrugged,
"I keep saying, not pets or toys. We can't just say, 'oh you don't get to bond because you're a pain in the ass', I mean, she just ate cookies and ignored you, sounds like Fel after a bad day," and while Gwen snorted Felicia made a small ball of webbing and pinged it at Peter. Grinning as he remembered the first few months in the warehouse, he shook his head, "I'll make it up to you later, but sure. Why not? Cindy's fine now right?" and looking over at Liv she indeed,
"It's just withdrawal from a stimulant, no different than coming off caffeine. My next question though is do we enhance her. Eddie was given purple heart formula and Natasha has one as well, do we leave her the only normal person?" but Peter shrugged,
"I have no problem giving anyone any formula they want, but tie her to a huge contract, and I mean, owe us her soul kinda deal. We don't enhance or host anyone who looks like a flight risk, " and he pushed, "In fact, no one unless I say so." and Pepper looked over,
"Why?" and Peter sighed,
"I have an ability that I can use, one I don't advertise as it's kinda invasive."
Liv sighed, "You might as well tell her, Pepper is CEO, she needs full disclosure."
Peter explained about the Mind Stone, and the others, while Pepper stared.
"You have that right now?" and he nodded, "And you can control someone's thoughts?" and he shrugged and nodded. But Pepper laughed, "prove it."
"Really? no strings?" and she nodded, "fine. What do you think of me?"
"Nice ass, amazing body, young and you'll kick Tony's ass into the next century with my help. But you don't need a stone to find that out, I mean,"
Peter used the Stone, connecting to its power, "Tell me really." he commanded,
"I would screw you on this table right now if you didn't have eight others you bed-hopping asshole, and I have thought of fleecing you for all your money and retiring to the Bahamas away from all this super-powered bullshit," and Pepper was shocked at the words coming out of her mouth but was unable to stop herself.
Peter shrugged, "yeah, please don't do that." and Pepper laughed,
"Fine fine, so you've got magic rocks. And we leave recruitment up to you. Can you use that on anyone?" but Peter shook his head
"Natural telepaths will feel me using it, and Viktor was immune, but I felt he lied about why, the other me saw him use magic and I think that was what he used to block it. It's not infallible, but anyone coming in looking to steal will be found out, and anyone who's immune but didn't tell us already raises a red flag, so either way."
"Good."
Peter nodded, "so, clear the table or book a ticket?" and Liv laughed, but Pepper looked unamused.
Peter raised his hands in mock surrender, "I know I know, Tony." and she crossed her arms and nodded, "Business only then."
"Good, I've got a few contacts I can bring over. If Nat is head of security, she can fill them in on what you'll be doing. If you have any other employees send me a list and I can set up your systems, get your departments set up properly," and Peter shrugged, "it's fine, nobody expects you to have a degree in business"
"That's what I hired you for." and Pepper nodded,
"Damn right."
Gwen sat back, "uh Pete. If Poison gets to move, can I ask for something?" and he nodded,
"Sure, another?" but she shook her head
"No, I kinda agree with Logan on that one. We need to start keeping better track of hosts, I mean, Silk just up and walked off on Logan, and while Octave and Huntress seem to be happy, what if Muse or Ravage just up and leave too?"
Peter nodded. There had also been an issue with Emma. Octave had touched her, and recoiled, refusing to even move to the woman, and unsure of what that meant, Emma was left without a Symbiote. Octave had just said 'Bad' and after refusing to elaborate, Peter was hesitant to create a newborn, just to have it suffer.
"We can leave that option open for the future. I mean, it's not like we can't create a new Symbiote for you if you change your mind. Nobody thinks you'll just up and leave right?" and Gwen nodded,
"But uh, I want more. I want Extremis enhancement, and uh" and rested her arms on the table, "I want you to use the Mind Stone as well, I want to be like you."