Sonya twirled the knife between her fingers. It was a long blade made of mithril, the bluish-white blade slightly curved to vaguely imitate the function of a khopesh. It wasn’t enough to be obvious, but it served its purpose. The edge itself was odd, though. It was made of a darker material, and her skin crawled a little when she looked at it for too long. Amos claimed it was made from the axe of one of those zombies in the backrooms. She really wanted to know how he pulled that off. All the same, it was a beautiful piece of hardware. Smooth, clean lines and a grip made specifically for her hands. She slid it back into the scabbard and glanced back towards Amos.

“You outdid yourself,” she said as the car neared their destination. They’d chosen to take one of Charon’s nondescript black taxis rather than something that would stand out.

Amos thumbed his nose with pride. “I put a bit of my own twist on what you were asking for; hope that’s okay.”

She actually flushed a little and looked down at the weapon in her lap. “Better than okay. It’s like a little bit of my past and a little bit of my present put together. It’s perfect, Amos.”

He leaned forward and pointed at the other case at her feet. “There are only six rounds per magazine for the gun,” he said. “They’re big bullets, and I treated the powder too. The round I tested on Euclidia was just tipped, but these? These bad boys can take out a Lurker at point-blank range.”

She laughed and cocked an eyebrow in his direction. “Why on earth would you tip a bullet like that with the seeds I gave you?”

He shrugged lackadaisically, and a manic grin spread on his face. “In case they think a little armor is gonna do them any good.”

She rolled her eyes and opened the case, pulling out two spare magazines and the audacious pistol. It was made of a pale white metal treated with what was probably the remaining mithril from the crafting of the knife. The etchings along the barrel and grip gave it an almost holographic finish that was perfect for her aesthetic. “Sexy,” she chuckled, and it dissolved into her storage space. The car hit a bump, and she glanced towards the driver, who shrugged. She rolled her eyes and crossed her legs. “Did you pick out our getaway car?” she asked.

The driver’s eyes glowed faintly, and its bland face cracked into a wild smile. “Oh yeah, I'm finally gonna get to drive an ASTA model. I’m excited,” Charon said eagerly.

Amos leaned forward. “Don’t go too crazy.”

Charon snickered. “Consider it marketing!”

Sonya’s eyes widened. “Oh, that’s a good idea. Amos, make sure to film it.”

Amos turned to her with narrowed eyes. “All of it?”

She gave him an innocent smile. “Aww, I’m sure you can edit the rough parts out, right?”

He leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs. “Yeah, yeah, I can do that.”

The vehicle turned as she turned over in her seat and set her chin on the headrest. “You’re the best,” she crowed before glancing towards the silent members of her assembled cast for the fun and games that were close at hand. One big guy in an ASTA security uniform and a curvy woman in the same outfit. The big guy was well into character, his arms crossed and his head forward. The woman, on the other hand, was leaning back in her seat with her hands behind her head and her legs crossed.

She pointed at both of them. “You two know what to do when he shows up, right?”

Barry chortled. “Do absolutely fuckin’ nothing.”

“Easier just to let me zap him, you know,” Kera sing-songed.

Sonya threw her head back and laughed. “Where’s the fun in that? The plan’s set. All the pieces are where they need to be. You’ll have your fun!” she said as the car started to slow. She wiggled and turned to Charon. “All clear?”

“Yep,” Charon said with a nod. “The three of them are waiting, and he’s nowhere in sight.”

She spun and landed on her seat. “Blackrazor?”

Blackrazor’s voice rose from her feet. “I am ready, Mistress.”

Sonya rubbed her hands together. “Alright then, my Inner Circle. It’s time to cause some trouble.”

The vehicle came to a stop in a loading dock behind a small strip mall just a short distance away from the expo center. Sitting on the dock were Colin and Marta, who were having a pleasant conversation as Sonya got out of the car, giving the grim and stormy sky barely a glance. She waved to the two of them before shooting a look towards the third person of the assembly. Qilin stood off to the side with her chin up and her usual bored posture held steady. Sonya smiled at her. Good, keep it up and you’ll live longer. Qilin, for her part, surreptitiously looked away and squeezed her arms tightly.

Sonya closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the heady morning air, walking over to shake hands with Colin as he hopped off the dock. Her lawyer grinned up at her. “They’re already here,” he said quietly.

Sonya cast out her senses and felt several presences hidden in the area around her. Some were using their abilities to conceal themselves, while others had found spots within the buildings. All of them wanted to quietly record the handoff of the vaunted ability tokens. One presence in particular made her smile. I knew you couldn’t resist, Jay. Just keep watching and don’t blink.

Barry and Kera moved over to the dock to join Marta, who hopped down in her full combat gear, armored gauntlets and breastplate gleaming as she scanned the surrounding area. Charon moved the car a bit further into the lot and remained where he was. Sonya smiled at them all as she approached her caretaker and took up a spot amongst her security, hands on her hips. As she did, she felt Ishtar’s presence rise up in the back of her mind. And the last member of the party arrives. How’d it go, big Sishtar?

I made a few last-minute adjustments. Just follow the cues we discussed, Ishtar said pleasantly. And don’t call me that, silly girl. I have a name.

You haven’t given it to me yet, Sonya protested.

After we’re done, her sister chuckled. Let’s have our fun first.

Fine, fine, Sonya thought and pursed her lips. How many do you think are going to come out of the woodwork?

The Vigilantes will make a move on you, I’m sure. The Detective has been remarkably patient for all the growing power at his disposal, her sister said. From the sounds of it, what’s left of the political opposition to you being friendly with ASTA is also ready to make a move. Qilin’s Grandmother is in a position to act as well. There are a lot of people who do not want you to see the end of today.

Sonya showed her teeth, her eyes flashing as an armored car pulled into the alley, going past them briefly before stopping and backing in. Perfect. The more, the merrier.

The armored car looked like any other cash transport vehicle, with heavy plating covering the outside and a reinforced windshield. The markings on the side indicated it was a local company. Sonya’s smile turned smug as it came to a stop, and a man wearing an ASTA security uniform hopped out of the passenger side, heavily armed with an assault rifle strapped across his armored chest. He walked around to the back of the vehicle and tapped his jaw twice. A moment later, the door slid open, and six more guards were revealed, all seated around a suitcase on a reinforced podium in the truck.

Sonya sensed cameras rapidly taking pictures and footage around her. That’s right. See how seriously I’m taking this?

Her sister laughed. This has to be the most elaborate scam in history.

Sonya squinted. Maybe. There was that one Greek guy. What was his name? Alcibiades? That guy is like a role model for me, you know?

Her sister groaned, and Sonya smirked to herself. She glanced at her companions, and they all moved into position. Kera and Barry moved forward and formed up with the guards pouring out of the back of the vehicle to form walls on either side. Meanwhile, the man who had been in the passenger seat climbed in and secured the suitcase. He slipped out and started to approach. Marta stepped in closer behind her, and Colin moved to her side before standing in front of Sonya. “I’ll check the cargo,” Colin said pleasantly.

A pulse of a presence nearby drew Sonya’s attention, and she resisted the urge to look up. It was stronger than before, closer to ‘adulthood.’ He’s coming. 

A chime rang in her ear. ”The guests are seated, Miss Chernovna.”

She tilted her head forward and responded with Technopathy. ”Good. I’ll be there shortly.”

The guard opened the case, and Colin glanced inside. He nodded once and stepped back with the suitcase in hand. “All tokens accounted for, Miss Chernovna,” he said demurely.

Three… two…

“Great work, let’s-”

One.

“Chernovna!”

She resisted the urge to smile as the others raised their weapons and turned in the direction of the voice. Your greed is so predictable, First Wind, she thought and turned to look up at the man as he floated down from above, the wind wrapping around him as he descended to the ground. Sonya held up a hand, and the security team lowered their weapons. “My other bodyguard finally arrives!” Sonya said brightly. “Fashionably late?”

First Wind looked down at his floral shirt, t-shirt, and shorts before looking up at her with irritation. “I’ve had just about enough of listening to your crazy bullshit, shiela,” he slurred as the wind still roiled around his body, sending his hair fluttering around his face.

Marta took a step forward. “Watch your tone, Hero.”

He tilted his head and sneered. “How about you watch your tone, lapdog?” He growled and took an unsteady step forward. It wasn’t a drunken sway, though. It was like he hadn’t used his legs to walk for hours. He clicked his tongue and floated a bit higher, looking down on Sonya as Marta put herself between the two of them. Sonya let out a sigh as Marta was blasted to the right by a ferocious gust of wind that sent her hurtling into the nearest building.

Marta was quick to pull herself out of the hole she’d made, the stormy look on her face falling as Sonya held up a hand. “What do you want, Luca?” She growled. “You just crossed a line, you know that, right?”

He grinned and tilted his chin up. “It doesn’t matter,” he said and pointed at the suitcase. “Give me that. Now.”

Sonya narrowed her eyes, fighting down a growing fit of delighted giggles. Hook, line, and sucker. “Those aren’t yours, hero. Those tokens were earned by-”

Wind blasted her in the face, and she shut her mouth as First Wind waved a dismissive hand. “Yeah, yeah, shut it. I don’t give a shit. Save your speeches about courageous heroes for someone who cares,” he said and turned his hand over, beckoning with a finger. “Give it here.”

Sonya’s eye twitched. Rude, my monologue. “And if I don’t?” she asked.

He smiled and glanced up at the sky. She intentionally followed his gaze before looking back down and meeting his eyes. “Then I flatten Shanghai and everyone in it. Their lives are in your hands, Chernovna. Give me the suitcase, and I’ll leave them be.”

Sonya felt Qilin choke; she sensed the woman’s muscles locking up as she tried to shout a warning. Sonya kept a carefully structured scowl on her face as she forced herself to hesitate. He took a step forward, and blades of wind began to take shape over his hand. “I’m not a patient man, Chernovna. Give me what I fucking want!”

“I give you the suitcase, and you’ll spare Shanghai?” she demanded.

He shrugged. “Most of it, anyway. I might have to test things out, but I’m sure the Pandora Committee will be happy to provide me some punching bags. Accidents happen.”

Like the cities you destroyed while ‘training’? she thought. “Are you willing to shake on it?” she demanded.

He furrowed his brows a little before snorting. “You put way too much stock into a handshake, lady,” he said and dismissed the wind blades. Qilin was struggling against the compulsion holding her down as First Wind approached Sonya. Sonya held out a hand, and he took it, her breath coming steady as she used every function of her cybernetic body to maintain her cool.

Proceed.

She held his gaze as she felt Broker do its work before letting out a sigh. “Give him the suitcase.”

Colin turned to her, wide-eyed. “What? Miss Chernovna, as your lawyer, I can’t-”

First Wind snarled at Colin. “Shut your trap and do what she says, twink.”

Sonya’s eye twitched, but she just set the fury aside for what came next. The fury turned into amusement as Colin sighed and handed the suitcase over to the Herald. First Wind opened the case and checked the interior one last time before tilting his chin up in victory. “Good luck with your ceremony, bitch. It wasn’t nice knowing you.”

She forced a smile. “Good luck with your new acquisitions.”

He scoffed and shot into the sky, a sonic boom shaking the windows as he altered direction at a right angle and disappeared from sight. Sonya’s heart was pounding as she turned to the others and started barking orders. “I want the security team to get to the expo building immediately! Handmaiden will cover me. We need to get the non-heroes away from the building as fast as possible.”

The guards nodded and hurried back into the armored car, joined by two more. Sonya turned back to the car before glancing at Amos. “Start distributing the footage. Our voyeurs are reporting to their news agencies right now.”

He nodded with a grin. “On it.”

She glanced towards Qilin. “Be ready to move when I order it.”

The doomed Herald nodded sullenly while Sonya approached the car at a brisk walk. She used her senses to follow the movements of the sole individual who was heading in her direction rather than away. A pair of feet landed on the ground behind her, and she turned to see Jay Cash standing there with his phone in his hand, his eyes wide. Marta took a hostile step forward as Sonya slid her hands into her pockets and looked the reporter up and down. “You saw something unpleasant, Mister Cash.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why are you in such a rush to evacuate the non-heroes?” he asked without preamble, holding his phone out to her.

She shrugged at him. “Because those tokens were fake.”

His eyes widened with panic as he looked up at the sky. “What?!”

She grinned and gestured to the car. “Need a ride?”