A Bunker - South Ireland
The world was under attack again; in a motion to preserve whatever future they had, many of the elite sheltered themselves in Soviet Era bomb shelters to wait out the storm.
Though they continued with faux enthusiasm, she could feel the fear dripping from everyone in attendance--suffocating them like perfume abuse.
This was the second invasion this year, but rather than cower under the pressures of what appeared to be an extinction-level event, the Poetic Assassin saw this as a way to expand the Order. She knew they'd cower, it's what they did, and it was solely up to her to provide a purpose.
"Order. Order." She whispered just before taking a small hit of her cigarette. Gradually the chatter from around the room subsided until their eyes dart to her as if she were some magnet.
"What are we doing?" She asked, blowing an obnoxious smoke cloud into the atmosphere until it stalled in the ambient air above them. "We have been provided with a marvelous opportunity to expand our control, yet here we are. Inside a bunker hoping that the invaders somehow become envious of your status as elite."
At the far end of the table, she could see one of the attendee's scoffs, and this subtle disrespectful gesture was enough to warrant Ada's attention. This particular brute was Jessie Plume, a pharmacy executive from Solace City. "Monsieur Plume, you have something on your mind." She asked, smoothing out her dress before resting her hands solely in her lap.
"I do but I don't think it's for the group"
"Perhaps, but you've come unhinged in your displeasure with my words. So I am allowing you to say what is on your mind."
Plume scoffed again, the other attendee's attention swaying back and forth between the Parisian Poet and the newcomer. "Heh, not gonna let this go. You could always use your powers to draw it out of me. That's what you got'em for, ain't it...."
Ada rose from her seat, hands steepled out in front of her, her verdant gaze fixed on Plume as she circled the table. "Make no doubt about it, I could. And for you, it wouldn't be pleasant. But the good Lord blessed you with a mouth and a tongue. So I don't think such savagery is necessary."
Once again, the eyes settled on Plume, now uncomfortable he leaned a bit on the table with his hands steepled too--seemingly regretting his decision.
"Well, I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks this but. We do these meetings and listen to you tell us how we suck. Did the Knightfall chick NOT cure your flu? Did we not waste millions of dollars on your crusade to crush the Liafador Empire? Only for Catalina Liafador to parade around downtown L.A as if nothing happened. You failed to get President Glover back in the fold, and you failed to get Samson Starr too!
The Serene Slaughterer nearly chuckled at his confession; instead, she took her glass of wine to her lips before taking her seat back at the head of the table.
"That is an interesting perspective. But if I may, allow me to correct certain inconsistencies in your argument. The Sapien Flu was a Proof of Principle and a rather effective one, if I do say myself. We demonstrated the ability to depower millions of people effectively just by coming into contact with one another. Imagine that as a techno virus?"
She reclined with her legs crossed before lighting another one of her cigarettes. "As for this Liafador Crusade, I don't think it's a crusade at all. They had something I needed. I took it. End of story. You were just a boy when I was in the Red Cardinals. I learned from them, and when I could learn no longer, I took what I needed from them. Catalina's resurrection was always a known variable, even when she didn't know it herself. The Liafador's have been the pioneers of immortality for decades. So, where you see failure, I see Triumph.
Ada released another obnoxious smoke cloud into the air before pressing a button on a remote. A screen lowered showing the various leaders of the world. "I can assure you I did not fail with Samson Starr, no I did not gain an audience with him, but rest assured he is now looking for one with me. Full Disclosure. Any one of you currently sitting at this table can be replaced. I cannot. Now what we came here for."
Ada turned her attention to the screen more. "Freedom is humanity's greatest lie. The Idea of it is so dangerous; many good men were turned bad in the name of freedom. But to tread on such freedom will be met with retaliation. We need people to give up their freedoms willingly. For years now, we have been chipping away at people's trust in the system. Grimm City, Valor City, The Sapien Flu now we give them the promise of immortality and make them submit everything to us to keep it."
Ada turned back to the table members, and she wouldn't tell them the full plan yet. Removing her burner phone, she sent a message to her friend. "I don't think I need to explain to you corporate executives what that means. Now if you'll excuse me. I must return to Paris. Happy Hanukkah ladies and gentlemen."
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