CH 28: Prepration
Everyone had gathered inside the mansion's meeting room.
The room itself had originally been designed for corporate meetings rather than planning assaults on ancient ninja cults, though at this point the distinction was becoming increasingly blurred. A long table occupied the center of the room while one wall was almost entirely covered by displays currently showing maps, surveillance photographs, financial records, and various pieces of intelligence that had been gathered on the Hand over the past several weeks.
A holographic figure stood near the front of the room.
Cortana.
The AI looked entirely at home as she manipulated dozens of floating screens with casual gestures, occasionally reorganizing information faster than most people could read it.
Lex leaned back in his chair and looked around the room.
Somehow this had become normal.
A few months ago his biggest concern had been figuring out what exactly his powers could do. Now he was sitting in a mansion surrounded by superheroes, mutants, assassins, former villains and an artificial intelligence while planning an international operation against one of the most dangerous organizations on the planet, according to Cortana.
Life was strange.
Sharon sat near the front of the table, already focused on mission details. Unlike everyone else, she looked completely comfortable in an environment built around planning and coordination. If anything, the operation seemed to have energized her. Papers, notes and mission profiles had been arranged neatly in front of her, and every so often she would quietly correct or add something to Cortana's presentation without missing a beat.
Donna occupied the seat beside Lex.
She had thrown herself into preparation almost immediately after returning from Greece and, while most people probably wouldn't have noticed anything unusual, Lex knew her well enough to recognize the pattern. Whenever conversation drifted too close to personal topics she redirected it elsewhere. Whenever somebody mentioned travel, family or home, her attention mysteriously shifted toward something work related.
It wasn't difficult to understand why.
Fortunately nobody seemed interested in pushing the issue.
Across the room, Kara looked profoundly unimpressed by the concept of meetings as a whole.
She had somehow managed to sink into her chair in a way that suggested physical discomfort from simply being required to remain seated. One arm hung over the backrest while the other lazily supported her chin.
"Anyone in favour of just going with the flow? Isn't it just a few ninjas?”
"Ninjas," Sharon answered without even looking up from her notes, "who are controlling almost half of Japan.”
Kara sighed dramatically.
"It's a small country…”
Ava immediately snorted.
Kitty wasn't far behind.
Cortana chose that exact moment to advance the presentation.
"As amusing as Miss Power Girl's tactical proposal is, the probability of catastrophic failure associated with blindly attacking multiple concealed facilities exceeds eighty-three percent."
Kara pointed toward the hologram.
"Yeah I'm not trusting you… I trusted Brother Eye and look what happened.”
"Didn't you say you guys solved that problem.”
"Doesn't mean this AI won't go rogue.”
"True," Cortana admitted. "Unfortunately, that does not have much to do with the current situation.”
A few muffled laughs spread around the room.
Even Angela looked mildly amused.
The tall woman remained standing near the wall rather than sitting with everyone else. Ava sat considerably closer to the table, though Lex noticed she occasionally glanced toward Angela whenever something important was discussed. Despite agreeing to participate, Angela clearly remained cautious about the entire operation.
Not that Lex blamed her.
Trusting Elektra alone required a significant leap of faith.
The assassin in question occupied a corner of the room with the sort of casual posture that somehow still looked alert. She hadn't spoken much since arriving and seemed perfectly content allowing everyone else to discuss the mission. Every so often Angela's eyes drifted toward her before returning to the presentation.
The distrust was obvious.
Elektra appeared entirely unconcerned by it.
"As I was saying," Cortana continued, clearly accustomed to managing difficult audiences, "the Hand possesses numerous facilities throughout Japan. Direct assault remains a viable option for some locations, but several sites require infiltration, reconnaissance and confirmation before engagement."
A new map appeared in the air.
Colored markers spread across multiple cities.
Immediately Sharon leaned forward.
"Which is why we'll be splitting responsibilities."
The room grew noticeably more focused.
Unlike Kara's complaints, nobody argued when Sharon started speaking.
Lex noticed the transition immediately. Sharon wasn't simply respected. People instinctively paid attention when she moved into operational mode.
"We already know where several of their facilities are located," Sharon continued. "The problem is determining which sites are actually important. We aren't interested in destroying random safehouses. We want leadership, logistics and infrastructure."
Another display appeared beside her.
"Cortana's recommendation is the most efficient approach."
Regan’s mind meanwhile, was not completely on the meeting.
The young mutant had only returned recently and still looked slightly tired from her unsuccessful search for her missing friend. Despite that, she seemed relieved to finally focus on something she could actually help with.
"Cortana's plan divides us into specialized groups."
The hologram smiled.
"Because sending all of you into every situation simultaneously would be the strategic equivalent of using a missile to open a locked door."
"I am the missile, aren't I?”Kara muttered.
"Yes."
"Fair."
Several mission profiles shifted into place.
"Donna, Lex and Power Girl will function as primary response assets," Cortana said. "If significant resistance appears, they will engage directly."
Kara looked pleased.
Donna merely nodded.
Lex was mostly relieved nobody expected him to make tactical decisions. Otherwise, he'd have to wake Raphael from her research.
<I do not require sleep. I am merely conducting simulations.>
"Elektra and Angela will handle infiltration and intelligence gathering."
Angela's expression remained neutral.
Elektra simply inclined her head slightly.
"White Tiger, Shadowcat and Dazzler will function as secondary field units under Donna's supervision."
Kitty straightened slightly.
Ava looked excited.
Alison looked determined.
Donna immediately glanced toward all three of them, and despite the seriousness of the conversation there was something unmistakably older-sister-like about the look she gave them.
There was something protective, encouraging and experienced in the look she gave them, the sort of confidence that came naturally to somebody who had spent years looking after younger heroes.
Lex had noticed that tendency becoming stronger over time.
"Lady Mastermind will provide support."
Regan nodded.
"Communications, battlefield awareness, illusion deployment and contingency support."
Finally, Cortana gestured toward Sharon.
"And Sharon Carter will maintain overall operational command."
"So that's everyone?" Kara asked.
"Correct."
"Good."
Kara immediately stood.
The movement was so sudden several people looked toward her.
"That means the meeting is over."
"It absolutely does not mean that," Sharon replied.
Kara slowly sat back down.
"One day," she announced gravely, "I'm going to discover who invented meetings."
Lex immediately knew where this was going.
"And then?"
"And then I'm going to punch them."
For the first time all meeting even, Donna laughed.
After the meeting concluded and everyone gradually dispersed throughout the mansion, Lex found himself with something he hadn't enjoyed much of in the last couple of days.
Free time.
Which naturally led him toward the Gacha.
More specifically, an in-world Gacha.
He had already completed almost all of his current Templates, the only recent addition being Aoi Todo, which he had finally equipped earlier that day. That one had turned out to be surprisingly interesting. The introduction of an entirely new energy system in the form of Cursed Energy had immediately captured Raphael's attention, and she was already busy studying it.
Honestly, Lex was curious too.
The fact that entirely different worlds could operate on completely different supernatural systems was fascinating.
Still, the real reason he was considering another Gacha was much simpler.
He wanted a new Template.
Technically, he could use one of his Character Cards and convert somebody into a Template through the Essence of Transcend Self. The option was available to him.
He simply didn't feel like doing that.
Not when he could just roll the Gacha again.
Of course, the optimal decision would be waiting until next month. Three hundred points combined with another hundred pulls would significantly improve the efficiency of his resources.
Unfortunately, patience had never been one of humanity's strongest qualities.
Besides, he still hadn't fully utilized all the cards he already possessed. Another hundred draws could wait.
His thoughts drifted briefly toward Character Cards.
Recently he had considered summoning people like Blackfire or Grayfia specifically to handle some of the less morally comfortable aspects of conquest. Not outright evil actions, just the sort of things Sharon would never agree to.
The woman had annoyingly high standards.
According to Raphael, however, he should first trying doing it himself in some other world.
Rather than complicating matters on Earth, he could simply use one of his Universe Travel Cards and attempt conquest somewhere else entirely. The risk was minimal. If he died, he'd eventually return anyway, and the time limits attached to the travel cards ensured he wouldn't accidentally strand himself forever.
Raphael had produced an sound logic supporting the strategy.
Eventually Lex dismissed the thought and focused on the Gacha itself.
"Ten pulls. Same world."
Immediately, ten cards materialized before him.
[Elixir of Life
Rank: ★★★
Type: Consumable
Description: A bottle of Elixir of Life that grants Eternal Youth to the consumer.]
[Mysterium
Rank: ★★★
Type: Material
Description: A 100 gram biscuit of Mysterium. Mysterium is highly conductive and has anti magic properties.]
[Terrax's Axe
Rank: ★★★
Type: Weapon
Description: A durable Axe that can generate destructive waves, forcefields and contains a part of Terrax's power.]
[Black Widow - Natasha Romanoff
Rank: ★★★
Type: Character
Description: An assassin trained by the Red Room who later joined SHIELD and became an Avenger. Highly trained in martial arts and firearms.]
[Inhuman Gene - Psionic Soul-Shaping
Rank: ★★★
Type: Mutation
Description: It allows the user to split their soul, starting with a single soul at a time. Over time, you can split it into multiple psychic phenomena.
These psychic projections, armed with psionic weapons like bows and arrows, can inflict physical damage on targets. Furthermore, you can project your own soul into the world, engaging in conversations as if interacting with a person. Your phantoms hold the intriguing capability to merge with and possess the minds of others, utilizing their bodies as your own. However, this link bears a two-sided consequence, as serious harm to the host can backfire on you.]
[Super-Soldier Serum (Infusion)
Rank: ★★★
Type: Mutation
Description: You are a "perfect" specimen of human development and conditioning thanks to the Super-Soldier Serum...]
[Red Hulk - Template
Rank: ★★★
Type: Template
Description: The template of General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross after his transformation into the Red Hulk. Grants immense physical strength, durability, regeneration, and the ability to absorb and generate heat. Unlike the Hulk, the Red Hulk grows hotter rather than stronger as his anger increases, eventually releasing devastating amounts of thermal energy.]
[Marvel Earth-TRN454 - 6 Month Universe Travel Card
Rank: ★★★
Type: Travel
Description: An alternate Marvel Universe.]
[Hela
Rank: ★★★★
Type: Character
Description: The manifestation of the Death Stone, an artificial Infinity Stone. Adopted daughter of Loki, the Asgardian goddess of Death. An immensely powerful warrior and ruler of Hel.]
[Obedience Potion
Rank: ★★★
Type: Consumable
Description: A magical Asgardian potion that can make anyone obedient to the one making them drink it. Can be resisted by powerful individuals.]
Lex went through every card one by one.
The first was Elixir of Life.
Completely useless.
His blood could do a far better job at this point.
Mysterium, on the other hand, could be given to Raphael to see if it had any useful applications. Anti-magic materials were always worth investigating, and if it turned out to be useful, he could always acquire more through the Essence of Wealth.
Terrax's Axe also seemed practical. Not something he personally needed, but several people around him could certainly benefit from a weapon that came bundled with a portion of Terrax's power.
Black Widow - Natasha Romanoff was someone he actually recognized.
Raphael had included her in one of her SHIELD briefings and, thanks to his memory, Lex remembered everything perfectly. He found himself oddly curious about how a summoned Natasha would react to meeting this universe's Black Widow.
It would probably be either fascinating or a complete disaster.
Possibly both.
The Inhuman Gene - Psionic Soul-Shaping looked quite promising. Soul manipulation, possession, psychic constructs and remote projections all sounded useful, though he'd have to see how the mutation interacted with the Essence of Transcend Self before making any decisions.
Super-Soldier Serum (Infusion) was less exciting.
Mostly because he wasn't actually getting the serum itself.
<It is already possible to create several variations of the Super Soldier Serum. However, it is not sufficiently impressive to justify further replication.>
Lex blinked.
"Wait, you can already create it?"
That was news to him.
Then again, Raphael was constantly doing suspicious things in the background.
<All of my research is available for you to review.>That somehow wasn't reassuring.
Moving on to Red Hulk Card.
Lex stared at the card.
Then stared some more.
"Do I have to become a Hulk to use this?"
Because if the answer was yes, he was significantly less interested.
The Hulk was already terrifying enough.
He wasn't sure he wanted to become a red version of that.
Marvel Earth-TRN454 - 6 Month Universe Travel Card was considerably more interesting.
An alternate Marvel universe.
That description somehow answered absolutely nothing.
Would it send him somewhere within this multiverse or an entirely different one? Maybe it would be worth visiting before he started experimenting with travel to completely different worlds.
As for Hela, well, from the name alone and the fact that she was apparently the Goddess of Death, Lex was willing to bet she was either villainous, morally questionable, or completely indifferent to most people's suffering.
Death-themed individuals rarely had a reputation for being cheerful.
Finally there was the Obedience Potion.
Lex stared at the card thoughtfully.
"...This could probably be used for certain kinky activities."
<It is recommended to be researched. Understanding its composition may assist in deciphering additional aspects of Asgardian magic.>Lex immediately abandoned the topic.
Well.
Raphael had already claimed it.