Sirius Zero: Building A Corporate Kingdom After Being Expelled
Chapter 44: Preparing a counter-attack

Chapter 44: Preparing a counter-attack

Aaron watched the security feeds from the Temporary Office, as high pressure water jets blasted the swarm of reporters and paparazzi that had gathered outside the Sirius Software compound.

"Natasha, more warning shots, and tear gas," he ordered over the intercom.

He watched as tear gas canisters exploded in the crowd, sending the reporters and paparazzi fleeing in all directions, coughing and choking.

"Status report, Natasha," he said into the intercom.

"About ten reporters are still holding out sir, but the rest have fled," reported Natasha.

"Warn those ten that they’ll get napalm instead of tear gas if they don’t clear out, I don’t explain myself to filth," said Aaron.

"With pleasure, sir," replied Natasha, she switched on a loudspeaker, and shouted: "This is your final warning! Clear out now, or we will use napalm on you!"

The remaining reporters scrambled away, leaving the compound in peace.

"Good girl, Natasha. Now come back to the Temporary Office," ordered Aaron, as he leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

"On my way, sir," replied Natasha.

"We have a problem Aaron, this cease-and-desist order includes a summons for a full senate hearing," said Andre, as he entered the Temporary Office.

"I’m not going to a kangaroo court, Andre. Get Michael on the horn, and find a way to get this thing cancelled," said Aaron, his calm but icy voice sending a chill down Andre’s spine.

"I’ll try, but if it comes to it, you’ll still need go to the hearing," said Andre, as Natasha re-entered the room.

"In that case, I want you and Natasha to assemble a team of law-bunnies to go up against Monica," said Aaron.

"Law-bunnies?" asked Andre, raising an eyebrow.

"You know exactly what I mean, Andre. And get them outfitted by The Feminine Professional, it’s time for Margaret to make her store debut," said Aaron, smirking.

"You are one twisted bastard, you know that?" said Andre, shaking his head.

"Harry, have your crews ready for a nighttime demolition operation, we’re razing the entire district to the ground and sealing it off," said Aaron.

Harry grinned, "You got it, boss. We’ll have the whole place flattened by morning."

"Wait, you’re ignoring the cease-and-desist?" asked Andre, his voice incredulous.

"St. Ignatius is going to be rebuilt, even if I have to do it over the bodies of those vermin. Tell Michael that I want full legal ownership of that dump," said Aaron.

"Come along, Natasha. I’ve got a legal team to assemble," sighed Andre, as he and Natasha left the Temporary Office.

----

Natasha shielded her face from the turbulence generated by a massive twin rotor transport helicopter as it landed in the compound’s makeshift helipad.

The helicopter’s rotors slowed, and the door opened.

A tall, imposing man with silver hair stepped out, followed by a young man, not much older than Aaron.

"Friedrich, it’s been a while," said Aaron, as he walked up to the older man.

"Indeed it has, and I see that you’ve been ruffling all sorts of feathers," chuckled Friedrich, as he shook Aaron’s hand.

The younger man stepped forward. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Herr Zakhrov. I’m Axel, Friedrich’s nephew," he said, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you, too Axel. I have high hopes for what you’ve got for me," said Aaron, shaking his hand.

"I shall endeavor not to disappoint you, Herr Zakhrov," said Axel, signaling to the chopper pilot to open the cargo bay doors.

The pilot nodded, and the cargo bay doors opened, revealing a wide, low-slung, jet-black car composed almost entirely of flat surfaces and sharp angles.

It was secured with heavy-duty straps to the floor of the cargo bay, and had a sleek, retro-futurist design.

"May I present the Albrecht Automotive Streikkämpfer," said Axel, handing Aaron an old-school car key.

Aaron took the key, and ran his fingers lovingly over the car’s sleek surface.

He inserted the key into the driver-side door lock, and the scissor door swung open with a hiss of hydraulics.

He closed the door, and turned the key in the ignition.

The car’s engine rumbled to life, its deep growl echoing in the cargo bay.

He shifted the car into first gear, and the car rolled forward, like a monster emerging from the depths of a dark cave.

"An excellent machine, Axel. I look forward to seeing your enterprise grow," said Aaron, as he stepped out of the car.

"Thank you, Herr Zakhrov. I could not have done it without your mentorship," said Axel, bowing slightly.

"Friedrich, Axel, please make yourselves at home. I’ll be back after the first round of the senate hearing," said Aaron, getting back into the car.

He flicked the passenger door open. "Come on in, Natasha," he said.

Natasha nervously climbed into the passenger seat, and Aaron closed the door.

He started the car, and slowly drove it towards the security checkpoint.

"Checkpoint Alpha, prepare to open the exit gate. Rapid response window protocol," ordered Natasha, suppressing a shudder as Aaron revved the engine.

"Copy that, Ms. Parker, rapid response opening in 3, 2, 1," came the guard’s voice over the intercom.

The massive security gates slid open in a flash. With a banshee-like wail, the Streikkämpfer shot out of the compound.

----

"Andre, Margaret. Is everything ready?" asked Aaron, as he met them in the senate hearing antechamber.

"Yes, Master Zakhrov. Your legal team is assembled, and they look fabulous," said Margaret, puffing out her chest proudly, gesturing to the group of six sharply dressed female aides and paralegals.

Aaron looked them over. They were all dressed in sleek black skirt-suits, the blazers had notched lapels, and their blouses gleamed and shimmered.

Their shoes were black leather pumps with gleaming 8 cm high titanium stiletto heels, similar to Natasha’s and Olga’s combat stilettos.

"You girls comfortable? You’ll need to answer that under oath," he asked.

"Mr. Zakhrov, let me just say that this stuff would make every law firm bring back the 1940s dress codes, and in a good way," said one of the aides, a tall blonde with a confident smile.

"Natasha, Olga, get these fine ladies to walk in cadence with you," said Aaron, as he gestured to the law-bunnies.

"Yes, Master Zakhrov," said Natasha, as she and Olga stepped forward, their heels clicking on the marble floor.

"One, two, three, four," chanted Natasha, as she and Olga led the law-bunnies in a synchronized march.

"Excellent. That will make a perfect entrance," said Aaron, as the law-bunnies perfected the synchronized walking cadence.

"Mr. Zakhrov, I don’t know what you’ve done to these shoes, but this is the first time I’ve been able to do this without twisting my ankle," said one of the law-bunnies, a petite brunette with a neat bob.

"I’m glad that you like them," chuckled Aaron, as the law-bunnies buzzed in excitement. He turned to Andre, who was adjusting his tie.

"Are you ready to advocate? I’m not giving Monica the time of day," he asked.

"Oh, yeah. I’m ready. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to go all out," chuckled Andre, picking up his briefcase.

"Good. I want you to tear her a new one, and then some. Enter exactly two minutes after me," said Aaron, as he walked towards the hearing room.