Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Craig shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat, humming to himself as he ambled his way to his room. It was going well! She was beautiful, famous, and the perfect person to put on as the face of his next line of projects. She’d even agreed to reach out soon. He imagined a glorious high-rise in New York City, built by his people and funded by the UN. He grinned to himself as he reached his door, pulling out the keycard and holding it up. He frowned a little, tilting his head. Did she seem a little off? It was like she instantly distrusted him at first.

He chuckled, “Given the company, I don’t blame her,” He said and tapped the door, pushing it open and stepping inside.

More importantly, his new employer would be happy that he was building a relationship with her. The odd young man had expressed interest in Sonya Chernovna during their last meeting. Maybe he should set up a meeting between the two? That would be good. He nodded, Yeah, I’ll talk to her about that next. Mister Otis will be happy for sure. He thought, wondering at what the young man’s face would look like, so happy, for some reason his youthful sponsor’s face wouldn’t come to him. He thought that should bother him, but he really didn’t feel like it did. He shrugged, it didn’t matter.

Craig walked into his room and set the coffee on, it was probably going to be a late night.

“Ah... I need a shower,” He grunted, and tossed off his coat and shoes.

He hummed merrily as he stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, grabbing his mug as he walked by the counter and making way for the desk set up in the corner of the large, luxurious room. He sat down and took a sip, flipping open his computer and typing in his password. It was a long one, but he’d learned to be careful with his information. Having access to this computer was as good as having access to his business and his assets. His arm felt a little stiff and he stretched, grumbling, “Not even a hot shower will do it these days...” He groused.

He took another sip of his coffee and tapped a few more keys, “Okay now,” He mumbled only to feel his arm stiffen again, then his legs. He blinked and looked at his hand. It was trembling. “Huh?” He gasped, I can’t move. Why can’t I move?

“Mister Craig Hart,” A voice came from behind him. He tried to turn his head but his body wouldn’t move an inch. He trembled, flicking his eyes about as he tried to get a look at the dark figure that slipped into place at his right. A hand fell on his shoulder and he stiffened when he saw a knife in the figure’s other hand. “Mistress Ishtar has requested your presence.”

The next thing he knew, he was sinking. He looked down and saw a black hole in the floor, shadows billowing off of it. They felt so cold. His heart rate spiked, he wanted to scream, call for help, do anything. Yet all he could do was endure the chill as slowly he was consumed by the darkness beneath him.

He didn’t see the figure turn to the laptop and pick it up before writing something down on a piece of paper, “That’s quite the password,” The figure said before disappearing into the ground as well, leaving the room spotless.

–

At first, the copy was going to do as it was told, stay in place and wait to hear from Blackrazor. It really was, and to be honest it didn’t have any real good reason to leave and cause trouble. However, the more it thought the more it realized that there was a step to the plan that was overlooked. It considered whether or not to reach out to the original, its legs crossed on the chair in the hotel room. Finally, it decided to go for broke. It sent the suggestion out and received a response almost immediately.

<If you can manage it, do it.>

The copy, no, for the moment it was wearing the mask of Ishtar, got to her feet and grabbed a suitcase before she strode towards the door, technopathy already working on the cameras in the hallway. She stepped out and made a beeline for the elevator. With a single flick of will she temporarily locked all the doors in the hallway preventing anyone from stepping out until she was long gone. She took the elevator up, willing the elevator not to stop on the way. When she reached her destination the door opened and she stepped out onto a beautiful gold-inlaid marble floor. The walls were mirrored and there were absolutely no cameras present.

This wasn’t a place for the average visitor.

She strode up to the counter where a man in a suit stood, looking down at something. He glanced up and froze when he saw her.

“Excuse me,” He said after catching himself, “I don’t believe you should be here, miss. How did you get up here?”

Ishtar tilted her head, “Tell Prichard that he has a guest,” Ishtar said coldly.

“I think I’d rather call security,” He said instead and reached for the phone only for it to fizzle and spark, he pulled his hand away in surprise and looked up at her.

“This isn’t your fault,” Ishtar rasped consolingly, “He won’t blame you. He might if you don’t take me to him, though.”

The host hesitated and reached up to dab a bit of sweat from his brow before turning towards the single archway leading into the private restaurant beyond. He cleared his throat, “R-right this way Miss...?”

“Ishtar. You can tell him before I step inside if it helps your nerves,” Ishtar said, that seemed to give the man a bit of his agency back as he relaxed, sighing and nodding. He lead her into a brightly lit hall colored with expensive wallpaper. Instead of the traditional open atmosphere of a restaurant, it was separated into private rooms for the guests to enjoy their meals and have their conversations in the utmost confidence. It was a good strategy, given the kind of people that would get invited up into this place.

The host stopped at a door and knocked twice before opening the door and stepping inside. Even with her senses she couldn’t pick up on any words on the otherside. Excellent soundproofing. She thought before the door opened and the man nodded to her, opening it completely to let her inside.

“Mister Earl will see you,” He said, looking immensely relieved.

She nodded and walked past him, stepping into a stately dining room with a long table. Only one person in the room besides herself. Prichard Earl was standing next to his chair, his eyes wide. “You’re real,” He breathed.

Ishtar tilted her head, “In a manner of speaking.”

“Lian Chuhua, in the flesh, I can’t believe you’re more beautiful than on the television,” She said with a wry smile. She gave the woman a wink, “You aren’t single, are you?”

The Chairman barked out a laugh and Marta sighed next to her. Chunhua on the other hand just stared at her and at her hand then up at her again, a look of confusion on her face. She squared up a little, “I greet the Voice of the Hero-”

“Call me Sonya, please. I have a name,” Sonya cut in, giving Chunhua’s hand a squeeze, “Please use it.”

The irony wasn’t lost on Sonya.

Chunhua blinked and then relaxed visibly, which for some reason got a few odd looks from the rest of her group, “Very well, Sonya it is,” She said with a small smile and it may have definitely been Sonya’s imagination, but a look of amused interest. Yeah, definitely my imagination, not wishful thinking at all. Quit it you idiot, you’re getting carried away!

Sonya cleared her throat, “Aha! Enough flirting,” Sonya teased and released Chunhua’s hand before turning to the others, “Let’s see!” She walked over to the first in line. Vytal was a slightly heavy set man with a easy smile and eyes that were a startling near-white blue. They reminded her of glaciers. “Vytal, right? Or should I say, Edgar Wolf,” She said and took his outstretched hand.

“You make quite the impression, Sonya,” He said with a startlingly deep voice, “It’s a pleasure ma’am.”

Analyze.

<You have acquired the product: Vital Force>

“The pleasure is all mine!” She said brightly and gave his hand a brisk shake before turning to the next. A powerfully built man with short black hair, thick eyebrows and dark eyes. “Sapporo, Takeda Goro,” She said and took his hand with a brief handshake and a partial bow.

His dark expression remained unchanged but he did manage to speak at least, “Your work has resulted in a peaceful east, even if unintentional, you have my gratitude and that of my family and people.”

Analyze.

<You have acquired the product: Festival of Dionysus>

“Thank you,” She said, “I hope that my work can inspire more success for humanity in the future.”

He nodded brusquely and she moved on. The next person was a younger woman, late teens probably, with bright eyes and a too-wide smile. She was bouncing on her heels when Sonya reached out to greet her, “Molly Byrne? Or should I say Euclidia?” She asked.

The girl snatched up her hand with both of her own hands, shaking it vigorously, almost so fast that she didn’t get to use analyze, “Oh my gosh it's such an honor! You are a frigging icon! Like, seriously, oh my god, can you believe what you’ve done for the community, not to mention you know, all the hero stuff and uh... can I get your autograph? For my girlfriend, I mean, oh man, wow you’re pretty.”

Sonya blinked.

Analyze?

<You have acquired the product: Non-Euclidean>

Sonya laughed, “Sure!” She said, “What do you want me to sign?”

Molly brightened, “Could you sign my t-” She began only to get cut off by Chunhua clearing her throat in warning, she grinned at the leader of their group sheepishly, “I got a postcard.”

Sonya just laughed and shrugged, “I’ll sign whatever you want later, cutie,” She said and moved on past a squealing Molly to the far more serious looking man next to her. He bowed his head once before standing up straight and shaking his head.

“I apologize, I cannot,” He said.

“I understand,” Sonya said without dropping a beat, “Thank you for coming.”

He inclined his head, “It is the right thing to do.”

She stepped back to give him a bit of respectful space before looking between the five of them and put her hands on her hips, “Now that we’ve had our introductions! Let’s eat!”