Broker

Chapter 253

For a moment there was darkness.

Then light came down from above atop a single figure, a woman in a black and red dress, her hands resting atop a microphone. She swayed as the piano started to play and she opened her eyes. A cruel red gleaming in the shadows cast by her jet black hair.

“You think you’re a king, you think you’re a god,” she sang, a wicked smile stretching across her lips. “A shining knight,” she pointed towards the camera and gestured up and down. “With that perfect bod,” she turned her hand over and curled her finger. “Gather ‘em up, your world wreckers,” she crooned as the song stalled and her eyes flashed bright. “I’m playing chess, you’re playing checkers.”

She threw her head back and let out a peal of wicked laughter and the crowd went wild and she threw her hands up into the air as the song cut out. “Sup bitches and bros and non-binary hoes! Villains of all shapes and sizes! Monsters and mutants, weirdos and outcasts! Welcome to the Styx!” She leaned forward with a sinister glare. “I hope you paid your toll.”

TE-NE-BRA! TE-NE-BRA! TE-NE-BRA!

“That’s right babes! It’s your favorite idol and Pandora Committee approved supervillain!” she shouted and plucked her mic off the stand and started walking. “First couple of lines of my next single. What’d you think?” she called and pointed her mic out towards the crowd. It roared in response while she cupped her ear. “Yeah? I like it too!”

She struck a pose. “Been a while! I’ve been a little busy lately on my tour, causing a bit of grief for Liberty. Anybody catch the trial on TV?” she barked out a laugh. “I don’t think we’re gonna be seeing much more of it! That bitch is dead!”

More cheering from the crowd and she whipped her hair back. “Thought she could lord over us, throwin’ her weight around like some kinda queen,” she tapped her nose and winked. “I think we all know who the real queen is in the underworld, don’t we?”

ISH-TAR! ISH-TAR! ISH-TAR! ISH-TAR!

“The head bitch in charge, that’s right!” she laughed before leaning forward enough to show off a bit, sweeping her gaze over the darkened crowd. “Wanna know a secret? I’ve got a message from the queen herself. She’s pretty happy about how things went with the Liberty bounties. You guys raised some hell, didn’t ya? Those of you with the skill to get away with it.”

The crowd roared and she stood up. “Yeah, if you can’t tough it out against a couple heroes, do you even deserve to be called a villain? What’s a little risk,” she held up and rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, “If the pay is good?”

One guy in the crowd threw his hands up. “WOO! BOUNTIES! LETS GO!”

She pointed at him. “This guy gets it!” she laughed and walked back over to the mic stand. “We’ve been havin’ a lot of fun raising hell and taking what we want, but you know what the heroes have that we don’t?” she asked. “What they’ve been keeping from us? Those greedy governments and heroes sitting on their pile of treasures?”

Her tone went serious. “Dungeons.”

The room went quiet and she sneered. “Dungeons have monsters inside, monster corpses worth quite a bit, magic metals, materials, and most importantly, the magic tools dropped by the bosses,” she said. “I think we can all agree that the heroes have hoarded the good stuff for long enough. That shit should be ours!”

The crowd exploded and she laughed again. “Yeah yeah yeah! We’ll bust in if we have to, fuck them! Take what we want!” she shouted before turning around as a screen lit up behind her. “Ishtar has issued bounties on dungeons all over the world! Limited time offer! Raise some hell, Villains and make some cash!”

The screen turned off and Sonya pulled back in her chair with a smirk. “She’s a damn good spokesperson. Should invite her to hang out more,” she said absently, playing with her hair before getting to her feet. The Captain's cabin was basically a small luxury apartment with a clear view of the sea. She watched the waves churn for a moment as she let her mind continue to work. The ideas are coming so much easier these days. It’s like everything’s just so clear to me now, she stood up and ran her finger down the smooth glass of the window. I can see the path.

New addition to the plan? Ishtar asked from the back of her head.

Sonya smirked. Not really, more like another angle I hadn’t considered that just dawned on me, she thought and dialed out with a thought. 

A moment later a man answered. <“Chernovna?”>

“Representative, how are things at home?” she said smoothly.

<“Would be nice if I could get you in to talk a little with Congress,”> he said awkwardly. <“Some of them are a little concerned about your popularity these days.”>

She snorted. They think I answer to them, cute, she snickered. “I’ll worry about it some other time. I have a request, if you don’t mind.”

<“From you? Got something interesting planned?”> he asked.

“I do, actually. I’d like you to make a push for me to get International Hero protection during my trip,” she said. “Think you can manage it?”

<”I assume you don’t want to be on the record as requesting it?”> he asked.

“No,” she said. “Make it seem like the US Government is concerned for my safety. I’ll be putting up some resistance to it on my end for a while until I cave.”

<”Interesting. I’ll make it happen,”> he said.

“Thank you,” she purred and looked out the window. “How’s your father?”

<”Much better, thanks to you.”>

She nodded to herself. “That’s really good to hear. Have a wonderful evening, on me. I’ll send you a car.”

<”You as well, Mistress.”>

She hung up and traced a circle with her fingertip on the window, letting the thoughts come and go before she turned around and started walking to the door. Going for blood are you? Ishtar asked and she grinned.

This is going to be so much fun.

–

Sonya gestured and the doorway-sized portal appeared before increasing slightly in size. It flickered on the inside, changing to several different places before becoming indistinct and blurry inside as always. She clenched her fist and the portal stabilized and she crossed her arms behind her back. On her left was Marta in her usual gown, and on her right was Setsuna, who had changed into a sundress with a wide brimmed hat. 

The air stilled.

Then the procession began.

The end of a black cane gilded with gold stretched through the portal before a man in an elegant black and gold suit stepped through. His skin was pallid and gray, discolored in places and covered in stitches. His hands were blood red with long wicked nails. He had a crazed grin on his face emphasized by one eye slightly larger than the other. Charon reached up and ran his cruel fingers through his black and white hair before turning and holding out a hand to the portal.

A woman’s hand adorned with long metallic black nails reached out and took his hand. He pulled and Tenebra stepped through in the same black and red gothic dress she’d been wearing during her performance. She looked up and her eyes widened when her gaze landed on Sonya, her mouth opening as the wheels turned. Then her smile turned wild, she curtsied and stepped to the side with her boss.

Next through the portal was the huge muscular man in a polo and thick chain necklace. He had a brand new watch on his wrist and wore fitted slacks that ended in shiny shoes. He thumbed his nose and smirked in Sonya’s direction before glancing at Marta and shooting her a wink. He stepped to the side as several others followed him. A man in a black shirt and tan pants with a short beard and a long thickly-stitched scar on the side of his head. After him was a gruff looking man with a tan complexion and stern eyes. Then there was a wiry man with black hair and pale skin, who kept glancing around the room as if looking for a way out. Finally, a steely-eyed man with brown hair and a baseball cap strode through in a flak jacket and denim jeans.

The five men, Kingshark, Stitches, Haus, Wake, and Trigger all nodded to Sonya and moved to the side. She tilted her chin up and felt the next group pass through. The first was a handsome young man of Asian descent with short black hair and a perpetual scowl. He wore a black collared shirt and slacks. His hands were stuffed into his pockets as he turned to wait for the next person. A woman with gray hair and purple highlights, she had a dramatic figure that would have put her on the cover of magazines if she didn’t have a penchant for electrocution. Behind Blackrazor and Kerauna, another pair appeared.

The first was a buff middle-aged man with a grim face and scars all over his face and hands. He wore a carefully fitted suit that was clearly made to make him look even bigger. After him was a woman in a silver gown and tan skin, her glowing yellow eyes swept over her surroundings thoughtfully before she quirked her lips into a smile. The two of them first nodded to Blackrazor before all four bowed to Sonya and stepped aside.

Next came a person who would have thrown almost anyone for a loop with their appearance if everyone here didn’t know him already. He was a pretty thing with a slightly pale face and brilliant red eyes, his brown hair tied into a thick braid that hung over his shoulder. He wore a suit coat and black skirt over black hose and heels. In his hand was a suitcase that he set to the side before turning to await his traveling companion. Another young man with brown hair stepped out, his eyes were hard and glowed a brilliant green. He wore a simple white shirt and brown pants as he leaned on a cane in a way that said it was more out of habit than necessity.

Mephisto and Blight turned and bowed to Sonya while she raised her hand and dismissed the portal. Out of the corner of her eye, a door opened to the room and Amos stepped out with his hands on his hips, walking over to join the large group.

Sonya held up her hands in greeting. “My Inner Circle and their subordinates have all gathered!”

The majority of them save for one all bowed again in unison. “Greetings to the Queen of Villains!”

She turned to Blight with a smile. “And we also have a special guest. Glad to have you, Blight.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in Australia,” he said. “Even if we’re in open water. Thank you for having me, Ishtar.”

Sonya glanced at Mephisto. “All contracts have been signed by the new visitors?”

“Yes, Mistress, all bases are covered as requested,” he said with a wicked smile and held up the suitcase.

She nodded. “Excellent work as always, Mephisto,” she said before gesturing to those gathered. “I’m sure you’re all very excited to get down to business. Most of you know the plan and the improvements I’ve made. It all begins here in Australia,” she said. “The people of Australia know that I am on the hunt for the next great hero out of this country. While the world watches, we will strike.”

Kingshark slammed his fist into his palm. “And while the little villains are causing trouble in dungeons all over the world, we’re gonna hit the big ones.”

She laughed. “Damn right. We are here to raid the Lake Eyre Epic dungeon and take its resources and its reward treasure out from beneath the noses of the heroes,” she said. “While we’re at it, we’ll ruin Representative Sowards and send him to an early grave. He made a fatal error in crossing me,” she paused and chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle him personally. Focus on enjoying yourselves as we get the mayhem going.”

“So who gets to try to knock you off first, boss?” Kera asked.

Sonya laughed. “Would you like to?”

Kera blinked and hesitated a little. Sonya met her eyes and smirked a little. Yes, Ishtar told me about your little encounter, she thought with amusement. You hated me so much you tried to put me down in my hospital bed. I suppose I don’t blame you.

Kera cleared her throat and shrugged noncommittally. “I couldn’t take the first round. I’m more of a final act kinda girl after all,” she said with a flip of her hair.

Aww, she feels bad, Sonya thought.

Don’t be too hard on her, Ishtar chimed in, rising up from her instincts. She’s a good girl and quite loyal now.

“I’ll take the first round,” Kingshark said, holding up a hand.

“You sure?” Sonya asked. “You know what that means, right?”

He glanced at Marta and coughed a little before laughing. “Honestly? We’ve talked about wanting to see what would happen for a while.”

Sonya turned a surprised look to Marta, whose usual stoic demeanor during these meetings broke into a playful grin. “Just think of it as foreplay.”

Sonya pulled her head back with a gasp. “Who are you and what have you done with my head maid?”

“Head maid?” Mephisto chimed in.

Sonya froze and cleared her throat, looking around awkwardly. “Uh…” she shrugged. “I… got a few more recently?”

The main members of her Inner Circle all burst into laughter, while the newcomers, the unnamed pair next to Blackrazor as well as Tenebra and Blight, all looked around in confusion. Blight tilted his head and squinted at her. “So this is the real Ishtar, with all the pomp and ceremony set aside?”

Sonya shrugged. “This is it! The world’s greatest villain in the flesh,” she said with a dramatic bow and stood up straight. “I think you’re well aware of why I more than deserve the reputation.”

Blight snorted. “One woman pulling the strings of both sides like a maestro. If I wasn’t already impressed with your power from what I saw from the footage of the war,” he shook his head. “Your sheer audacity is mind boggling.”

Sonya grinned. “Just wait till you see how I plan on keeping my promise to you.”

He brightened. “Is that why I’m here?”

She nodded and turned to the others. “Most of you already know, but for those of you who don’t, I have a goal, and to achieve that goal I need to eliminate a very specific group of people as a precursor to what comes next,” she said before tilting her chin up high. “Today we begin the operation to slay the International Hero, First Wind,” she announced. “Get some rest. We’re gonna be busy in a few days.”