Broker

Sonya’s words hung in the air for several heartbeats as the two women stared one another down. A single drop of sweat beaded on Addison’s temple and traced down to her chin before splattering on the table. Sonya tilted her head forward and a little to the right, holding her gaze. Her mechanical eyes allowed her to remain utterly unblinking as she slowly applied pressure with the Imperious function of her ability. She pressed for just a little too long, a bit of pettiness working its way out of her guts. When she let go, Addison gasped and slumped in her seat.

“...Ask your questions, monster,” she wheezed, her face flushed with the strain she’d just been put under.

Sonya’s lip twitched, and she leaned back with a smug smile, crossing her arms. “First, I’d like you to tell me about that pretty little tat you’ve got there,” she said, jerking her chin towards Addison’s throat. “It has a function. What does it do?”

Addison’s mouth clamped shut.

Sonya leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. “I can pull the information out of your head, if you prefer. It hurts a lot less if you just answer me.” She tilted her head. “I got some information from the brain of your fake Dubois, but even he didn’t have everything. It’s some kind of escape tool, I know that. Invisibility? Discorporeation? Portal? Teleportation?” she pressed.

Addison’s heartbeat slowed at the last word even as she kept her face utterly still and controlled. Sonya smiled at her. “...I can hear your heartbeat,” she said with a chuckle. “You tried to control your reaction to the last one. Teleportation it is.” Addison’s nostrils flared with anger, and Sonya laughed. “Don’t be so hard on yourself!” she chuckled. “Your poker face is very good. Just not good enough. My senses can pick up on your pulse, microexpressions, breathing, all of it. You can’t hide things from me.”

Sonya watched Addison’s face relax even as the rage burned in her eyes. “You can tell me how it works, or I’ll draw conclusions of my own.”

Addison looked away.

“Fine,” Sonya said and nodded to Blackrazor. “I assume that at the very least the mark needs to be whole to function, correct?”

Addison’s eyes went wide as Blackrazor’s thumb pressed against her skin, a faint hiss filling the air as a portion of the tattoo was scarred over by the acidic effects of Blackrazor’s blood. She tried to pull her head away, but it was far too late. Sonya pressed her lips together. “I’ve cut off your route of escape from the prison, Addison. I am done playing games,” she said and rose to her feet. “I am not without mercy, though. As you well know, I’ve tolerated Mimir for a long time.” Chapters fırst released on novel✶fire.net

Addison panted and slumped further into her chair as Blackrazor walked away, taking up a spot in the corner. “I’d rather die than help you hurt them. They are the real heroes, fighting to stop the tyranny you’re trying to create,” the vigilante snarled, regaining a little composure.

“That’s a little hurtful. I want to see Humanity live on as much as you do,” Sonya said wryly, pausing only briefly as she traced a finger along the surface of the table.

The Major snorted and shook her head. “Then why wear a mask, Ishtar?”

Sonya chuckled. Alright then, a different tact. “Very well. Then here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to answer three of my questions honestly. Questions related solely to previous operations of your group or your own personal history. I won’t ask about future operations or any of your friends' whereabouts. All you have to do is answer honestly.”

The vigilante glared at her with naked suspicion. “Why the hell would I agree to that? Or trust you to-” Sonya held out her hand to the bound fingers on the table. Addison stared at her hand and deflated. “So that’s what you really want.”

“Oh, I want those answers too,” Sonya said brightly. “But I might as well get what I intended out of you as well, Major. Your choice. I can take everything out of that brain of yours and leave you in a permanent vegetative state, useless to your beloved Mimir…” She trailed off and smirked at the flinch she got out of Addison. I knew it, she thought. “...or we can be civil about this. Again, your call.”

Addison clamped her mouth shut and clenched her fists.

Sonya pursed her lips. “Major, I don’t generally take enjoyment out of hurting people. I actually like to avoid killing when possible as well. But I am not above it, especially after ‘Burned Maiden’.”

Addison looked up at her and met her eyes, searching her face for a moment as the blood seemed to drain from her face and shame bounced in her throat. She swallowed and looked down at the table, opening her hand. “...Fine.”

“Good, see? That wasn’t so hard. I’m glad you have enough morals and shame to understand…” Sonya trailed off and took the woman’s hand, gripping it once. Analyze.

<You have acquired a new Product: Emerald Sorceress>

Proceed with the deal.

A charge sparked between them, and Sonya pulled her hand away. “Three questions then,” Sonya said and walked back to her seat, sitting down with a smirk of triumph on her face. She leaned back and crossed her legs. “What Pandora assets were used to assist your foray into Shanghai? Name all of them.”

Addison scowled but began talking. She named at least two more representatives and at least a dozen middle-tier administrators who had played a role in assisting in the operation than what the Pandora Committee had managed to suss out. Sonya glanced at Amos, who nodded, confirming that he’d made a record of it. Sonya would send that information to Carla once she was done here.

“Second question,” Sonya said blandly, checking her nails. “Why were you dishonorably discharged from the Australian Military? Your record is sealed, and even I have had some trouble accessing it.”

The vigilante deflated even more. “...I had a manic episode just before a combat op. I had never been diagnosed and… I panicked. It cost the lives of a good portion of my command,” she said with a heavy sigh before frowning and looking up at her. “Why do you want to know that?”

“It’s my business,” Sonya said with a shrug. “I have my reasons.”

The vigilante showed her teeth in a snarl and jerked at her manacles. “Just ask your last question, villain. I’m done looking at your disgusting face.”

Sonya let the insult wash over her with a smile, a smile that collapsed like shattered glass as a bit of Imperious rippled out of her again. “What is Operation Burned Maiden?” she asked coldly. “Tell me everything.”

The Major’s eyes fell, and she could see her shoulders droop at the very mention of the word. Clearly it was not something she was proud of. She picked at her fingernails, staring at them as her mouth began to move. “...It was Mimir’s nuclear option. In case none of the other harassment operations drew you in to ask him to stop and focus on Astaroth.”

Ah, so that was it. That was why he was making so little progress. He wanted me to ask him directly to do it as a favor, freeing him of the restriction on speaking about me, Sonya thought mildly. Well reasoned, but he underestimated my willingness to let things slide in order to achieve my larger goals. He’s still operating under his impression of me the last time he laid eyes on me. Amusing.

“Continue,” Sonya urged her.

“Mimir’s aware of the larger threat, that person,” the Major bit out. “As well as some kind of information he got from looking at you. He figured out that if he could see a specific moment in the history of that museum, he could get a hint at that man’s weakness.”

Sonya shot to her feet. “Otis’ weakness?” she demanded. “That’s why he did it?”

The Major sneered at her. “That was three questions.”

Sonya raised her fist to slam into the table before stopping and barking out a laugh. “Fine. I suppose that’s all you’ll give me, isn’t it? He did something to Mikayla and through her got the information. Information that I do, very, very much, want.”

The Major kept her mouth shut, but from the way her pulse quickened, Sonya got her answer. She looked down at her hands again and cleared her throat. “...Did the girl survive?”

Sonya’s expression went icy. “From what it seems, no.”

The Major’s head dipped low. “I was afraid of that.”

Sonya walked around the table and put her hand on the back of the woman’s head. “If it’s any consolation, Major, as I said, you won’t remember this conversation,” she said with a low growl. “So you’ll have the unique experience of feeling this regret a second time. It’s the least you deserve.”

The Major stiffened with the realization that Sonya had been quite serious about her earlier threat. She tried to pull her head away, but it was far too late. A flash of purple light bloomed from beneath Sonya’s palm, and the woman went limp. Sonya brushed her hands off and walked around her, glancing at her friends. “Let’s go.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t push for Mimir’s location,” Amos said as they turned to the door.

“She wouldn’t have agreed to my terms if I left that possibility open. I got what I needed out of her,” Sonya said blandly and stepped out the door. Blackrazor slipped into her shadow, and Amos turned back into his more natural appearance. “Besides, she will find Mimir for us. We’ll take the path of least resistance here.”

Marta raised an eyebrow on her left. “That will be an interesting trick. How are we pulling that one off?”

Sonya grinned as her internal phone dialed out, a contact name appearing in her HUD.

<Now Calling: Mephisto>

–

Sonya and the others stepped out of the portal and into the Inner Circle’s lounge. She’d already sent Blackrazor back to France to resume his part of her plan. Amos dismissed himself as well, eager to get back to work. She paused in the now nearly empty room, Marta standing off to the side and watching her carefully. Sonya crossed her arms behind her back and took a deep breath, her fingers clenching and unclenching with brief flickers of tension.

“Are you okay?” Marta asked.

“No,” Sonya said and let out that sharp breath with a sigh. “But if you’re worried about my self-control, I’m fine. I’m well beyond losing control at this point.”

Marta chuckled. “I figured. That was one hell of a bad guy performance you put on in there.”

Sonya brightened and smiled at her. “You think so? I thought it might have been a little too theatrical, actually.”

Her friend laughed and shook her head. “Honestly, it was a good balance. Definitely your style of theatrical. It worked.”

Sonya beamed and walked past her, feeling a little better about going into that dark place for a moment. She’d long since accepted that part of her, embraced it, and made it her own. Even so, she still believed that cruelty shouldn’t come without reason and should be employed carefully rather than liberally. Besides, she felt justified this time - it was one piece of her revenge on Mikayla’s behalf.

Her fingers clenched, and she felt her chest creak a little. I really thought I had distanced myself enough to spare her from any involvement. I hope getting her in the know had at least spared her wondering why. Facing something like that while ignorant would be a terrible thing to experience, she thought quietly as she stepped out into the hall and made her way towards the elevator going up to the deck.

Marta fell into step alongside her and reached into the small frilly pouch of her apron, the faint sound of crinkling plastic drawing Sonya’s attention. She pulled herself from her thoughts and looked at Marta’s outstretched hand. A bag of sweets was resting in her palm. Sonya stared at it, then looked up at her friend, who shrugged. “I figured you would need a pick-me-up, Miss.”

Sonya’s lips trembled, and she took the bag gingerly, popping a candy into her mouth. It wasn’t the sweetness that did it for her, no. Marta had always been stingy when it came to Sonya’s sweet tooth, and Sonya finally realized why. Not just for her health, but for the same reason that she was so cautious about cruelty. It was more effective when used sparingly.

By the time they stepped out of the elevator and onto the deck, the fresh sea air filling her lungs, Sonya had worked through her feelings and was feeling as bright and peppy as ever. She grinned ear-to-ear as she shoved her hands into her pockets, her tie whipping about, and walked towards the distant beach simulation pool set into the heart of the vessel. There was a small crowd sitting at one of the shores, basking in the sun of the Indian Ocean.

She waved to the group, and one blonde hopped up from amongst them, a little white hound joining her as she ran over. Cass slid to a stop and looked her mother up and down. “...Are you alright?” she asked as Sonya dropped to a knee and pet Levi. Levi turned into his salamander form and climbed onto her shoulders before relaxing into a lazy lounge.

Sonya stood and smiled. “I will be okay,” Sonya said and squeezed Cass’ arm. She glanced past her towards her waiting friends. “Sorry to keep you all waiting.”

Cass shook her head. “It’s fine. We all know you’re a busy person.”

Sonya clapped her hands together, getting an irritated huff from Levi, and grinned. She started a quick walk towards the rest of Cass’ team and called out to them as she spoke. “Well! I’m free now! So why don’t we get this party underway, mm? I’ve got some tokens to hand out to you guys!”

Alex was the first on his feet, fist pumping in the air. His hair had grown out a bit since she’d first met him at the Hero Camp. He had filled out as well, taller and almost as muscular as Barry at this point. “Woop! Yes! I’m here for it!”

Snow rose next, decked out in a designer sarong around a delicate outfit. She was as tiny as ever and looked even smaller next to Alex. Lillian was nowhere to be seen; she’d gone to an isolated spot near Shanghai to enter isolation and had yet to resurface. Sonya frowned a little at the thought, knowing that Chunhua was in the same situation. According to what she’d heard, there were still bolts of lightning falling on a spot north of the Heroic Dungeon that had popped in India. She pushed the expression off her face even as she clenched a fist. I miss you. Hurry up and come back to me, she thought. I need to see your face.

Snow and Alex walked over to stand in front of her, and she looked over them proudly. “Alright, heroes! Let's get you some upgrades. It’s time for this humble sponsor of yours to do her job,” she said and dipped into a dramatic bow before flicking her eyes up with a smug smile. “Shall we?”