Queens, New York, Niva thought as she walked a brisk but casual pace along the busy street, was the armpit of the Universe. People were rushing, and rude, staring into their iPhone or jarring one another, unseeing and uncaring of the other humanity that occupied their world.  Her black tank top and blue jeans didn’t call attention to her for 75% of the other women were clad similarly. Her blonde hair was in a pixie cut, the better to accommodate a wig when needed, and her eyes were blotted out with black shades. The only spark of interest about her no nonsense appearance was the rhinestones glittering from the ear pieces of the sunglasses. Any one actually paying attention would peg her for one of the aspiring models who moved to New York to make it big but didn’t. A real nobody would be the assessment and that is how Niva Waldrin liked it.<br/><br/>Traffic jams always made her jobs so much simpler. Today was no exception. She stepped off the curb and walked between the vehicles. Horns were already blaring and no one seemed to pay her any mind for she certainly was not the cause of the congestion nor would she be the relief from it. At the shotgun side of the big black van, Niva jerked the door open and hopped inside.<br/><br/>Giving the big bald guy a quick and cold once over, Niva said,<br/><br/>“Relax, Gabriel. If the mission had been to eliminate you, you would have been dead before I slammed the door.” Her voice was sultry, like honey over a warm yeast roll. She stared at him from behind the black glasses before settling back against the seat. The seatbelt snicked into place.<br/><br/>“I won’t be around long but with traffic like this, better safe than sorry.” She said simply as if hopping into strange vehicles in the middle of rush hour traffic was an everyday occurrence.<br/><br/>“Let’s get this straight. I’m from the government and I’m here to help. “ she held up her hand. “Don’t speak. My futile attempt at humor. I am from the government and we do have a common enemy. You are embroiled in a mess with a certain corporation. The group I represent wants to fight terrorism without calling attention to the fact that said terrorists are being acknowledged. I’m off the books, so to speak. You have been dubbed, for all general and practical purposes, Iron Man, after the character played by Robert Downey, Jr, you know, Tony Stark. What can I say? We have lots of Marvel comic book fans on the squad. See, Iron Man, you are high profile and the corporation knows all about you. You need an accomplice who is a ghost, who doesn’t exist and that would be me.”<br/><br/>Niva crossed her arms and glanced out the window at the line of taxis drivers waving their fists out the window. She turned back to the bald man,<br/><br/>“Who am I? Some call me the Bitch. Some call me deadly. Others don’t call because they are dead. You may call me Niva. So here is your chance. Tell me you don’t want my help and I’m out of here faster than a fart can escape your ass. Tell me to leave and buddy, you will be on your own. No hard feelings. You will never see me again, and that includes if things go south on you with the corporation. Or you can just nod your head and keep on driving. I will be with you until we have a successful resolution. Look, traffic is moving now. Your call. What will it be?”