Disclaimer: Other than myself and Nadia, none of the characters in this fic belong to me. I'm just borrowing them.

Author's Notes: No real plot here, but this is the actual request I posted to OTL (Outside the Lines) for a beta-reader for Entropy and Irony. Ironically (no pun intended), I got more response from this request/fic than I did for Entropy and Irony.

In Need of a Beta-Reader
by Corina "Mako" Borsuk

The tall, thin woman walked up to the receptionist, waited a few moments to be acknowledged, and announced, "I need a temp, one with special qualifications. Can you help me?"

"We'll do our best ma'am," replied the receptionist, whose name was Nadia if the nameplate on her desk was any indication. "That's what Out-of-Work Heroes for Hire is for."

"Why Out-of-Work Heroes for Hire, if I may ask?"

"Heroes for Hire was already taken, and Iron Fist threatened to sue if we used that name," Nadia replied as she pulled out a form and grabbed a pen. "Now, why don't you have a seat, and we'll get started, Mrs. . . ."

"Oh, it's Miss, but you can just call me Corina or Mako."

"Mako? That's an unusual name."

"Not my real name," the woman explained, "but it's the one I use as a fan-fic writer."

"Ah, so is that why you're here? Need help with a fan-fic?" Nadia asked as she jotted down a few notes.

"Yes, actually."

"Well, we've had some experience with that; although, I must warn you that some of our temps will no longer take positions dealing with fan-fiction. Bad experiences, you know."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Mako replied. "I always try to treat my fan-fic characters with respect."

"I'm sure you do," Nadia said, sounding as if she didn't care one way or the other. "Now, what kind of work did you need done? A muse, maybe, or someone to advise you on writing fight scenes? Or, do you need the heroes you're writing about, or close approximations thereof, to act out the scenes you've written?"

"Oh, nothing like that. I just need a beta-reader."

"That's sounds straight-forward enough, but you mentioned special qualifications earlier."

"Well, yes. You see, this is a Star Wars: Episode II fan-fic, and I need someone familiar with the characters and the events of the movie."

"Well, that does narrow things down quite a bit. And, which characters?"

"Obi-Wan and Anakin."

"Oh, dear. You realize that eliminates all of our under-age temps."

"Why would that . . .?" Mako looked puzzled for a moment, and then realized exactly what Nadia was suggesting. "Oh, no, nothing like that. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But, the story I'm writing is more about their relationship as master and apprentice. Maybe some hints of Anakin and Padme's relationship. Really, that's all."

"Well, let's see what we can do," Nadia said, entering some information in her computer. "What about Illyana Rasputin? I believe she was better known as Magik."

"Has she seen the movie?"

"Yes, and not only that, but she is an expert in conflicts between student and mentor, as well as having personal experience with fighting one's dark side."

"Wow, her qualifications are great, and I've always been a big fan of hers. When can she start?"

"Next month."

"Oh, I was hoping for something sooner than that," Mako said, slightly disappointed at not being able to work with one of her most beloved characters.

Nadia nodded and returned her attention to the computer screen. "What about Supergirl? The original? She's seen Episode II. And, she's available . . . Oh, I'm sorry, she's not available. It looks like her previous client renewed her employment contract for another few weeks." Leaning a little closer, as if she was imparting some sort of secret, Nadia said, "I'm not really surprised. The client's a fan-fic writer like yourself, but he seems to be quite partial to Supergirl. In fact, I think he's the only one to ever hire her, and for long stretches, too."

"Um, yes, well, do you have anyone who could help me?"

"Oh, here's a perfect candidate, Fuu Hououji. She's seen Episode I and II. She has experience with a sword—similar to a lightsaber, you know—and she's available right away. Oh, no. I remember this girl now. She rarely gets hired because she prefers to be employed at the same place as her two friends."

"Well, that could work out okay. It's always good to have more than one opinion. Have the other two seen the movie?"

"Yes, yes, I believe Hikaru and Umi have both seen it. In fact, I . . . oh, um. You don't happen to speak Japanese, do you Miss Mako?"

"A word or two, but not really, no. Why?"

"It seems Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi are from our Tokyo office. While they can be here in a few hours, it seems they only speak Japanese. I'm sorry."

"Isn't there anyone else?" Mako asked in desperation.

"No, I'm afraid not." Nadia paused a moment, then said, "I really shouldn't tell you this, but you might want to try OTL. While they mainly deal in comic-based fan-fiction, I'm sure someone there has seen Episode II and would be willing to help you. Plus, their services are free."

"Really? Well, thank you. I'll contact OTL right away."

Mako, addressing readers, "So, can anyone out there give me a hand and beta-read my little Star Wars fic? It's not really that long. If you're interested, email me personally. And, thanks!"

More Author's Notes: I don't need a beta-reader for Entropy and Irony any more, as I'm sure you figured out. But, feel free to leave your feedback for that story or this omake/bonus material.

Iron Fist, Heroes for Hire, and Magik all belong to Marvel. Supergirl belongs to DC. And, Fuu, Hikaru, and Umi belong to CLAMP.