Broker
Chapter 289

To say Sonya was annoyed with what had happened with the representatives was more than an understatement. Their legal action had hurt her plans. She didn’t say it out loud during the encounter, but she knew that another reason at least two of them had participated was self-preservation. The world knew that Sowards had died as a consequence of a deal with Ishtar. They, on the other hand, likely knew that Sonya had some hand in it as well. They were afraid and were going to great lengths to keep her at a distance.

They’re basically barring me from entering their countries without saying it. I can’t visit Kola like this, Sonya thought irritably as she stepped out onto the balcony of the warehouse where her employees were scurrying about.

Is it that pressing to see your parents?

Sonya closed her eyes. After I absorbed Karmic Threads? Yes. More than I thought it would be. I need to settle things with them. If I don’t handle it the right way, then it will defeat the purpose.

I see. I’ll defer to you on that, then.

Sonya opened her eyes and looked towards the building being rapidly constructed outside the containment walls of Dharan. It was less an arena and more a jumbo-sized ring theater. Here the wealthy and powerful who wanted to experience the novelty of the event would pay out the nose to sit in the stands and watch. She smirked to herself. Yet another way to make money.

“Sonya,” Leiandra cut into her thoughts. “You wanted to talk?”

Sonya closed her eyes. “I wanted you to talk.”

“You want me to convince you to change your mind,” Leiandra said. “Sonya, I’m not a politician. I’m a prosecutor and legal aide. More importantly, I’m investigating you for corruption. What you’re asking me to do is to talk you out of a legal decision behind closed doors.”

Sonya smirked at her. “We’re outside, Leiandra.”

Leiandra narrowed her eyes.

Sonya waggled her eyebrows.

Leiandra looked away and pressed her lips together.

Sonya leaned towards her. “C’mon, that was funny. Admit it.”

Leiandra scoffed and shook her head, unable to hide the faintest hint of a smile. “Yes, it was funny, but that’s beside the point,” she said and fixed Sonya with a stare. “Do you really intend on letting those countries suffer if I can’t change your mind?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because consequences need to be observed,” Sonya said coldly. “We let people like that get away with too much. That needs to change. If it has to start now, so be it.”

“And you’re the one to do that?” Leiandra asked. “What gives you the right?”

“I’m in a position to do so. If not me, then who?”

Leiandra went quiet for a while, leaning against the rail and mulling things over as Sonya watched the building go up. Dolls were scampering all over the place, welding things together while living workers carried materials and made finer adjustments. It was a good system she and Amos had set up. Sonya shot the woman next to her one look; she was deep in thought. You don’t need to compromise your morals or code for this, Leiandra, as long as you handle it right. You’re one of the few people I respect in this world. Prove me right.

“I’ll report the unabridged version of what happened here today to the UN Ambassadors of their countries,” Leiandra said. “That will bring the representatives to the table. I suggest you make yourself unavailable until the beginning of the event.”

Sonya nodded. “The bare minimum punishment is losing out on participation.”

“What do you want them to offer?” Leiandra asked.

“I think you know,” Sonya said.

“Illeva will probably be pressed into stepping down,” Leiandra said with a nod. “Dubois is a political ally of Lucian Ducast. I don’t see him surrendering easily. Ma’s nephew is the current CCP Premier and is the Secretary General’s drinking buddy.”

“I’ll take Illeva. France and China can come up with some other way of making it up to me with the others.” She tapped her nail on the rail. “I won’t accept a concession that doesn’t actually sting. This needs to hurt, Leiandra.”

“I’m aware. I warned them several times that this approach won’t work with you,” Leiandra said with a sigh.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Sonya said. “The reason I’m pushing so hard for a punishment is because, as I said earlier, it did hurt. Quite a bit. That move threw a wrench into my plans, and I don’t appreciate it.” She turned to the lawyer. “I don’t lie, Leiandra. I’ve told you this already. My word is quite sacred to me.”

Leiandra met her eyes. “Wouldn’t going back on punishing them break your word?”

Sonya’s smile was flinty. “Then they better make it worth it.”

Leiandra’s hand clenched a little more tightly around the rail, and she looked away, clearing her throat to hide her flinch. Sonya chuckled and looked back down at the building again; she spotted movement and brightened. “Oh, it's Levi!” she said delightedly. 

“Who?”

Sonya was already darting for the door and scrambling down the stairs. She was out the front of the warehouse in less than a minute and sliding to a stop as Marta approached with a leashed, white-furred hound leading her along. Sonya knelt and took Levi’s face in her hands. “Hello, sweetie! How are you doing? Good boy! Who’s Momma’s best boy!”

Levi gave her a long, suffering glare as his tail wagged behind him.

She grinned and stroked his head, looking up at Marta. “Thanks for this.”

Marta inclined her head. “Just doing my job, ma’am. The maids are preparing a meal for you as we speak at your temporary quarters.”

Sonya scritched under Levi’s chin and glanced back as Leiandra hurried over. “Leiandra, are you hungry?”

The lawyer slid to a stop, glancing uneasily at Levi before looking back up at Sonya. “I could eat,” she said. “What is that?”

Sonya turned fully and scratched behind Levi’s ear. “This is Levi. My familiar. He’s really looking forward to a little air and maybe some snacks!” she said brightly. “He’s a hungry boy! Aren’t you, buddy?”

Levi turned his pained expression on Leiandra, who seemed almost conciliatory towards him. Sonya chuckled and was getting to her feet when her senses picked up on something strange. It was like a person had suddenly popped out of thin air nearby. She blinked and turned to see a man with strawberry blonde hair in a haphazard ponytail. He had a narrow face and sharp, almost black eyes. Some of his facial features seemed a little off, though. 

She glanced down at the phone he was holding off to the side, then at his neck. No lanyard. No identification at all.

<Unknown, Unknown>

…What? My eyes can’t identify him. His face isn’t that obscured.

How did he slip past our senses? Ishtar asked.

I don’t know. He just appeared out of nowhere, Sonya thought. Even Levi didn’t notice.

Levi, for his part, let out a low growl as Marta moved to stand next to Sonya. Leiandra followed their gazes and turned to see the man. Her expression turned stony. “And you are?” Leiandra asked evenly. “This area is restricted.”

He beamed pleasantly. “Grant Norman, investigative journalist for INIUS. Getting in ahead of the big event. Wanted to see if I could get a word with the lady in charge.” He nodded to Sonya. “If you have a minute, ma’am?”

Press? How long was he here? She glanced up at the balcony where she and Leiandra had talked. She looked down at the space beneath it. It didn’t take superhuman intellect to tell her what direction he had come from based on where he was standing. He was listening, but how much did he hear? Enough to make him look smug, I imagine.

Sonya grinned. “Was what you got earlier not enough, Grant? That was a neat trick, by the way.”

He tilted his head, his expression becoming even more amused by her emphasis on his name. He slipped his phone into his breast pocket and shoved his hands down into his pants pockets. “Trick?” he asked. “I’m afraid I’m not sure what you’re referring to, ma’am.”

Sonya snorted. “Dude, you just snuck into a high-security area under the nose of at least two Mythics, my personally raised security team, and the best observers in the Pandora Committee. Hell, my familiar here didn’t even notice you until you showed yourself.”

“Sonya,” Leiandra warned quietly, stepping a bit closer. “Let’s call security and move on.”

Sonya glanced her way. “Is that legal advice from the Pandora Committee’s lead prosecutor?”

Leiandra nodded. “Pro bono. Independent News International has a strong anti-PC leaning. He will spin whatever you say.”

Sonya’s smile widened. “Interesting,” she said thoughtfully. “Let’s hear him out a little.”

Sonya slipped her hands into her pockets and walked over to the man, who tapped his phone a few times. He looked relaxed despite the atmosphere. Leiandra moved to stop her but ultimately pulled back. Sonya sensed her cross her arms and shake her head before walking over to stand with her. Sonya glanced her way. She was the definition of the word ‘frenemy’ - reliable to a fault and committed to her stance on things. Right now they were a unified front. A good person to have around in a situation like this.

He’s going to ask direct questions, Ishtar said. Be careful with your compulsion.

“How has your trip been so far, Miss Chernovna?” 'Grant' asked.

“Eventful,” Sonya said with a shrug. “But that’s unsurprising given the world we live in.”

“Bit of an understatement, don’t you think? The supervillain Ishtar has been personally following you around. Don’t you think this trip puts people in danger?” he pressed.

So much for the pleasant opening, Sonya scoffed inwardly. “Are you suggesting I hide in a bunker until she goes away? How does that help anyone?”

His smile never faltered. “How do you think your trip and this event will help people?”

Sonya stood up a bit straighter. “Heroes as a part of our culture are still in their infancy. It’s only been two years since the flash. Even so, it’s become an inescapable part of our life. There are heroes in every nation on the planet. Competitions like this can create rivalries, but they can also foster unity as well.”

“How do you foster unity with a country barred from participating?” he pressed.

Sonya smiled as her compulsion acted against a momentary reticence to respond. She fought it off and cocked an eyebrow. “That’s an interesting question. What brought that up?”

“I have it from an excellent source close to the representatives that a few nations have been barred from participating in the competition over a disagreement with you,” 'Grant' said casually. She practically bathed him in his senses as he lied, yet there was not a single ounce of tell on his person. He was a masterful liar.

Sonya tilted her head. “Really? Did you hear that, Leiandra?” she asked and turned to look at the lawyer, who was glancing towards the balcony. It seemed like she was putting it together as well. “An excellent source close to the representatives. Nowhere else.”

“Do you have an answer for the question, Miss Chernovna?” 'Grant' pressed.

 “She’ll have to get back to you,” Leiandra cut in. “Also, I’m going to have to ask you to stay with security for a little while, Mister Norman.”

'Grant' grinned. “Are you attempting to suppress the free press, Prosecutor?”

Leiandra grinned back at him. “Ten thousand.”

“I’m sorry?” 'Grant' asked, tilting his head to the right.

“Your current fine,” Leiandra growled. “UN and Pandora Committee forward base regulations, Article Sixteen, on trespassing, paparazzi, and unscheduled press visits.”

“Paparazzi!” 'Grant' scoffed but slipped his phone into his pocket. “I’ve got enough anyway. I’ll be leaving.”

“Really? After only a few questions?” Sonya asked.

“I really insist that you stick around while we check the security feed, Mister Norman,” Leiandra said evenly. “Your entry through security is troubling, and we need to investigate.”

Sonya grinned. “If you didn’t do anything illegal like eavesdrop on a private conversation, then I’m sure Miss Firth here can leave it at just a fine.”

Something popped in his pocket.

Sonya felt the abrupt surge of mana from the man just as Marta moved to get between her and the reporter. There was a flicker of color, and he just… vanished. There wasn’t even a sensation of transit or dislocated air from a teleportation. Did he turn invisible? No, it’s not that. She pressed her lips together as Leiandra started barking at the nearest security guards and got on her phone.

Sonya reached out with Technopathy. She felt a cluster of phones moving away at high speed. It wasn’t fast by superhuman standards, but even as that signal came into contact with the security guards hurrying over, it didn’t stop or slow. Her lip twisted into a smile, and she shorted the phones out with a flex of will. He was ready to escape. That’s why he was so ballsy. He also did something to his face to stop my eyes from getting his real name.

We need more information.

Agreed.

Sonya pulled up the phone function in her HUD as Leiandra turned to her with a scowl. “At least he didn’t get much more out of those final questions. You knew he eavesdropped on us?”

“I wasn’t certain, but it was a strong possibility,” Sonya said and sent a message to Blackrazor. <A journalist made his way into the base. Secure him and bring him to me.>

She turned and nodded to a frowning Marta. “How about that lunch, dear?”

Marta grunted before nodding. “Hmph. Yes, ma’am. This way, please.”

As Sonya walked away with Leiandra and Levi in tow, her shadow shot out to the nearest building and slipped away.

—

Jay crouched against the wall, panting. He didn’t have superhuman speed to lean on, so he didn’t have the benefit of putting extra distance between himself and the pursuit. He reached up and tugged on the skin-tight simulated skin mask on his face, tearing it away. He slid down and let out a sigh, resting his head between his knees. Phew, that was close. Glad the mask worked. Mimir really knows his stuff.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small tarot card-sized tablet. It was made of clay and carved with an elegant and mysterious pattern. Embedded in the surface was a shard of mana crystal the size of a wood splinter. It had shattered upon use. I gotta get more of these, he thought wryly and stood up, brushing himself off. The effects should last another hour or so. I should make myself scarce.

He smiled to himself. What a scoop, though! Once Nate hears the recording, he’ll have to run this story. 

He pulled his phone out and tapped the screen, then tapped it again. He frowned and pulled his other phone out, doing the same. He tried turning them both on several times before letting out a small laugh. Alright, so that’s a bust. No big deal, it was a long shot. Looks like the Major was right, though.

He shoved his hands into his pockets as the elderly Max stepped silently out of the trees. The guy was creepy as hell in some ways and didn't make a sound when he moved. The old man held out his hand. “Time to go, boy. We’re heading to the staging point.”

Jay grabbed the old man’s hand as Max pulled at his collar, revealing an eye-shaped tattoo. It glowed, and the two men vanished in a cascade of glimmering light.