Thunder and Webs C124 [Gold]

Silvereye's media training with Archangel shows itself at a gala. She knows her worth, and she's ready to be ruthless.

Chapter 124: Social-Sleuthing

Posts from Haithama-owned social media site: Beaker, about Silvereye.

@Silveright: She doesn’t just fight monsters — she outshines them. Every time she steps into the streets, it’s like watching the city remember how to hope again. #Silvereye #OurHero

@HottakeBot9000: Silvereye’s entire arc is just ‘I’m different because I’m hot and traumatized.’

 - Reply from @sparkplugged: Yeah and it’s working. Stay mad. 

@NeuroCritic2103: Can someone explain to me how Silvereye gives a speech about justice, then poses for a luxury gala the next day with SynTec execs? Mixed signals much? #SinnerTech #Silverlie

 - Reply from @Wondermouse: She means well, but she’s caught in a machine bigger than her. I’d love her to go rogue. Burn it all down for the people. #BurnItAllDown

@Glitterbolt: Silvereye’s Foundation gave my sister a chance to replace her faulty Shardware when we couldn’t afford it. Say what you want about her, but she changed our lives. #SilverHeart

@Cyb3rHaus: Lmfao she really said ‘don’t inhale flowers’ like she’s got allergies to it 💀💀

 - Reply from @GonkGuzzler: I dunno, do you want to be some part of a freaky hivemind that turns you into a MAL? She’s fought those things head on.

@volticvibes: Dreadwire carrying Silvereye away from those Soulless MALs >>> the entire romance genre. #Dreadeye #Silverwire

@MALtruther: You all idolize these two freaks like they’re gods, but the truth is they’re products of corporate war. Look deeper. They’re not the solution — they’re a disease. #TheGoldIsALie

Jan 21st

Diana

Alisha smoothed down her dress, her hair and makeup done exquisitely as she led me down the halls of this hotel. “Alright, Diana. Suck it up, you’re here to be sexy and dumb.”

“I hate this.” I looked back at Kim Liyung — venom in my glare. “And her?”

“Silent and scary, but also sexy.” Alisha flashed a smug grin to the two of us. “Where you’re at now? Welcome to my world. I’ll admit it, you’ve been good with your media presence so far. Mostly because you leave everything to people your dad hired, but this? We’re meeting with Holowood’s finest, the corporates, high-standing military personal: the people who have every reason to suck money out of this city for their own economical benefit. You want them to invest in you and your foundation? Then give them reasons other than: ‘it’ll help people’.”

I felt exposed in this dress. It was cut to show my hips and thighs but perfectly molded as to not reveal anything more. And of course, it was silver in color. I was beginning to get tired of this.

Belle put a hand on my shoulder, trying to comfort me. “Look, I know this isn-”

“Don’t touch her so casually, Vineyard.” Alisha said with snark. “Media’ll spin that into a never-ending scandal. You’re here to be the big man of reason. I know it’s difficult for an idiot like you, but the key is to only give the appearance of being smart, and not… actually being smart. Just use some big words, like 'verisimilitude' or something.”

Belle grumbled, pulling his hand away, and this time I was the one giving him an empathic look. Alisha just had a way of pissing people off. Although, I wouldn’t lie… she’d been an incredible guide through this world of social sleuthing.

I was a symbol now, but even more than that, I was by all means the face of this war between the government and The Revenant. It was what I wanted. The public was growing aware of Soul Killer as we made various facts known to them. It was inevitable now, people wanted to know why red-eyed civilians could suddenly blow up or turn into MALs, there was a current of terror running through the public that we had to control.

What they knew… was revealed slowly, Soul Killer used Mutagenically-altered Red Spider Lily flowers to spread their mutagen, inhaling it as a SIM Adapter could result in having your mind corrupted. Further development could result in degenerating into a MAL.

Articles were flooded with all sorts of theories and discourse, and people were scared. And then… it all blew over as the sheer absurdity of mind-altering flowers was sensationalized and made into a joke of sorts. Soul Killer, as a threat… was hidden, quiet and subtle. People quickly saw the threat as overblown, and it maddened me, there were…

Memes. Memes going around about how I hate flowers.

On a fundamental level, I knew this was just avoidance, a way for them to protect their minds from the thought of a mind controlling monster out to enslave you. At the same time, with Soul Killer’s activities growing more and more hidden… it required us to grow more bold in our research and patrols. Already, we’d faced controversy when Omen required that all Investigators have their network history tracked to ensure there weren’t any bad apples we missed during our internal investigations to remove any potential Soulless from the police force.

I wasn’t sure what lines to cross in this war, I wasn’t sure if war had any lines in the first place. It was frustrating, but… the second I walked into the large hall of holographic decorations crowded with men and women in fancy suits and dresses… I knew my frustrations would only grow.

{Twilight, be ready to dig some dirt into whoever’s here.}

She appeared as though made of violet light, and flashed a grin. “Of course, I’ve actually already done that for those on your guest list. After all, your dad invited quite the selection of entertainment and military moguls here, everyone’s got some secret to leverage.”

Files popped up in my view, and I grinned. Tonight, they were going to underestimate me, but I’d be playing dirty.

Soon as I entered, I felt a shift. Waves of Iron and Bronze from the servers, Silver from the attendees, and a half-dozen golds all resonated to me as their stares landed on my figure. There were familiar faces here, actors and actresses, some business owners or high-profile employees of SynTec and Yuzhou, and finally… those from our government. Whether military, or ministry… they were here, and I had to make an impression on them.

Dumb. Sexy. Fuck that.

I strode in confidently, letting them witness me as I met their gaze with an equal spark. Some began to approach, others would wait for me, and even few seemed to not care at all.

Yet they all knew who I was. Not a single soul here could ignore me. No, this was my party after all. An Evening with-

-Silvereye

Like it or not, that’s what I was tonight, who I’d be. Sparks fluttered down my hair, and a temporary serenity settled into the right hand that had been so difficult to control lately. Through my resonance, I could feel equal parts reverence and predation in these esteemed citizens. Their faces portrayed humanity, but underneath were calculations for profit, fame and power. It was nauseating to feel that. By now, it was safe to say that Soul Resonance had mutated with psionic capabilities. Not quite mind-reading, but the general direction of their thoughts.

One handsome man, an actor by the name of Chris Blume approached with a charming smile and an eye for trouble. He held a drink in his hand as he spoke, “if it isn’t the woman of the hour.”

{About three illegitimate children to mothers he’s abandoned. Tax fraud with his liquor start-up. Sexual assault allegations he’s silenced.} Twilight whispered. {And he leaked his own public nudes for fame.} 

“Mr. Blume.” I smiled, “I quite liked your recent appearance in The First of You. But I have to ask, is that drink for you, or for me?”

“Ah, caught me there — and please, call me Chris.” He passed the drink over to me. Elsewhere, others caught our interaction and saw it as a go-ahead for them to approach, I sensed waves of competition as they didn’t only look at me, but who else was making their move. In silent communication with one another, they made their way over to me.

They’d all have their own angles, and I had mine.

I played things slowly, using the tricks Archangel had taught me even if I hated every little moment of it. A glancing touch to Chris’ shoulder, a smirk as he made some dumb boast about an award he won half-a-decade ago, letting his hand snake up my waist as we posed for a group photograph with his ‘friends’. I let him buy drinks, while I bought time and lowered his guard.

“You know, Diana…” He coughed. “I’d love to buy you dinner, if you’re willing.”

Oh, at the very least, he was gentlemanly enough to take me out on a date before getting in my pants.

“Alternatively,” he smirked. “I know a private corner here to take things for a… quieter talk. A meeting room. No cameras.”

Never mind. I smiled regardless, letting him keep his hand planted on my waist as I let him lead me, but I had no intention of being easy. Or being anything to anyone tonight.

“Actually, yes… I’ve been meaning to ask you.” I started up slowly. “Your recent support of worker’s rights really moved me, that interview was… incredibly touching.”

“You’re not half-bad in getting word out to the masses yourself.” He closed the door behind him, an eager look on his face as he sat on the table. “Well, with people like us… it’s only right that we give support to those… unfortunate souls.”

“Ah, right… you know, recently I’ve begun working my Foundation to open up a shelter for children who’ve been… abandoned, alongside women who’ve had to run away from predatory situations.” I said with a knowing smirk, a zap of lightning shadowing my waist as he tried to reach out. “And I think if a man like you were to make a healthy donation, it would speak for your character against those nasty rumors.”

His lips twitched, but he remained steadfast and casual. “A donation, why of course I’d love to donate… but-”

“Ah,” I slapped my head. “How could I forget? It’d also provide a place for some of those… unfortunate souls you keep quiet.”

His face paled. “Look… whatever you think you know-”

I listed out the name of his mistresses as Twilight pulled their files. “Robin Seagal, Kristina La Moor, Elanor Jovich. With them, you have a total of… five little you’s running about? Of course, they’re from earlier in your careers before you took off the way you did. Wonder what your wife knows? Even if she’s cool with your previous paramours, think you can really risk something with me? New California’s darling.”

“You… you have no idea who-”

“I’m not some poor unfortunate start-up actress to take advantage of, Blume.” I laughed, sipping my drink before continuing as lightning sparked in my eyes. “I’m fucking Silvereye.”

I stood up defiantly pushing the empty cup into his hand as I stepped closer. “Where others talk to directors for a hope of a supporting role. I’ve got directors begging me to show up for a single frame. Military contractors want me to show off their tech. The government is marketing me as the future. You think you’re hot shit? You seem to forget I legitimately work in law enforcement. All your petty little crimes can come crashing down if I give the right word to the right person… but you can stop that if you give me the right word to this question.”

I paused, enjoying his startled expression. “And the question is… two-million Shardyne?”

“Blackmail? I expected better from-”

“Mmm, let’s see what the tabloids say about you tomorrow.” I began walking away.

“Wait, fine!” He reached out for my hand, I zapped him off.

“Pleasure doing business.” My gaze turned cold as I left.

I felt icky. Like no better than the filth here. But I felt powerful in this moment.

I’d do what was right.

———

Kim Liyung

Silent. Scary. Kim was used to being both, little choice was offered to her after all… except in the way of Sabrina Throm. But now, her ex was dead, and her other ex was on the same task force as her. Things would have been complicated had it been any other person, but a former Princess of Muramasa was not forged to overthink, nor overreact.

They were trained to never think, to never react. It still hadn’t hit her some days, that her father was dead. That her sister, The Bladedaughter, was imprisoned by Mr. Skeleton to be harvested. She sipped her wine alone, ignoring the small-talk of the celebrities who came over to her, but answering cordially to the Lieutenants of the Precincts and of course, her Captain.

Ishram Krishav was one of the men responsible for killing her father, had he been the one to land the killing blow? No, his head had been cleaved off and reattached in a grueling post-op surgery. But the sturdy man showed no signs of injury right now, the nanites in his body had made him whole by integrating on an enzymatic level. He took a seat opposite Kim, blue eyes shifting as he slid a Datacube over to her. “Azure Phoenix is in witness protection, along with her son… even Omen doesn’t know about her.”

“Thank you.” Kim sipped her drink. “Has there been any talk about… The Bladedaughter?”

“As of now, those at my level believe her current… whereabouts are for the best. I have no proof, but I believe Skeleton is providing organic samples to SynTec. Even voicing my disagreement, there are currently no plans to remove your sister from Mikail’s hold.”

“But we do need her.” Silvereye appeared with confident grace, looking almost relieved to have escaped the initial onslaught of high-profile celebrities who had sought a picture with her. “Number one, she’s our only method of curing Azure Phoenix’s son and number two… we can’t trust Skeleton with her.”

“I’ve looked at the files you sent me, Ulrich.” The Captain’s voice was neither cruel nor harsh, but strict. “Even if we were to extract her, there remains no evidence that The Bladedaughter can utilize her recent genetic gifts to reverse the effects of the Catalyst that Azure Phoenix passed on to her son. She doesn’t have the same…”

“I know, but my second point still stands.” Silvereye crossed her legs as she sat. “But moving on, Captain, do I trust that you’ve made all the Lieutenants aware of our… unique privileges?”

“I have, though I can’t say they’re happy about it.”

“Let them slander me, I can deal with it.” Silvereye sipped from her wine. Said unique privileges would allow them to analyze all cases related to missing persons in an attempt to track down any traces of Soul Killer’s operations. Her team, while limited, contained one highly complex Artificial Intelligence capable of sifting through those files… and happened to have a deep understanding of the criminal world. “Besides… a few million people will see me pop up in selfies with a Haitham-winning actor, some disgruntled policemen won’t mean…”

Silvereye stopped herself, but even Kim noticed just how much her behavior was changing as of late. “Looks like Alisha’s training has been rubbing off on you.”

“Perhaps.” Silvereye met Kim’s gaze sharply. “Ghostblade, all I need you to say is: ‘yes ma’am’. And… Captain, I’ll go see if I can secure extra funding for the police — not just for ASK.”

“Corporal, before you go.” Krishav held her shoulder. “Tread carefully with the other governmental attendees… especially in regards to the Cadaver program.”

That word sent a spark down Diana’s hand. Cadaver. Officially, that was the name of the project using Mr. Skeleton’s Faceless and resurrected soldiers. She nodded. “I will.”

———

Belle

Colonel Rieben Throm was… a complicated man. Older, Gold and involved with the city’s defense against the swarm, and a man Belle had few prior conversations with, but important ones. After all, the Colonel was Sabrina’s grandfather.

“I know how much she meant to you, Belle.” Rieben was a man grieving, and a man angered by the events that led to not just one, but two of his grandchildren dying. “Clara’s been telling me how you’ve been taking good care of her.”

“I lost a friend, she lost her children.” Belle smiled empathically. “Before I left, I was terrified of leaving my Aunt Vickie alone, so… I suppose I’m trying to do right by being there for Sabrina’s mother. It’s the least I can do.”

“You’re always welcome at our house.” Rieben smiled, his face clearly aged for a man who was nearly a century old. In the middle of their drinks, a certain silver-haired beauty infiltrated, her face growing wary at the sight of the Colonel. She hesitated to join in on the conversation, but knew… she had an ability to connect with him if she played her cards right.

“Colonel Throm.” Silvereye saluted. “I’m glad to see you here today at the gala, how have you been?”

“About as well as I can be.” The Colonel’s gaze narrowed, but he let her in. “Belle and I were discussing the security of our Free City. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the field. Tell me, what’s your assessment of our city’s future?”

“Frankly Colonel. Deep shit.”

He raised an eyebrow at her bluntness, then laughed. “Belle told me you and Sabrina were friends. I can see why.”

“We… were.” Silvereye nodded. “I hadn’t known her long, but she was… quick to endear with. I would have loved to have known her for longer, and for her to have…”

She tightened. “At least her killer is under secure control.”

“Yeah, that’s horseshit.” The Colonel sipped his whiskey. “At the very least, we’re using that Princess for good use. First batch of Cadavers have been a success in almost every trial run, and they’re just prototypes.”

“The Cadavers…” News of the Cadavers had spread around the higher-ups of the military, but it irked Silvereye to know just how much support the project had. “I’ve seen what they are in their rawest form. MALs created from The Revenant’s Mutations. As long as Soul Killer is about, they’ll never be a safe form of weaponry, and that’s putting my personal feelings aside.”

“Well then, I suppose it’s all the more prudent we eliminate that threat as soon as possible.” The Colonel said between sips. “Belle was telling me how understaffed you were, said you lacked the uh, 'verisimilitude', was it? What you need isn’t a small elite team, but a whole department. Have the streets cleaned one-by-one, finding an eliminating every trace of The Revenant to ensure the public’s safety is maintained.”

“I agree.” Another man slid into the conversation, one who made Diana’s stomach crawl. Leopold Hackridge was SynTec’s local head of Countermeasures and one of the orchestrators for her first public stunt in her Silvereye suit against those Soulless MALs. “In the case of The Revenant, we need to enforce the law to determine where they’re hiding. And of course, begin the work on production of those vaccines of yours, Ms. Ulrich.”

Sell the Soul Anchors to SynTec. Silvereye couldn’t stomach that, not when they were the corporation responsible for creating them in the first place. But still, they had the potential to truly mass-produce the vaccines, develop better iterations and…

{You know they’re going to try and make a profit, right? Do a slow rollout for those who can afford it, before selling less-effective versions to the public requiring a yearly-or-so dose.} Twilight appeared.

{I know.} She mentally responded, but kept up her simple smile as she welcomed Leo to the conversation. “Mr. Hackridge, it’s been a hot moment since we last met.”

“That, it has.” He smiled with equal falseness. “I have to say, I’m glad our suit is working wonders for you. But… we’ve been looking at a rotation, you know… creating a steady wardrobe of Silvereye suits — different colors, different armaments.”

{They’re trying to make more action figures of you.} Twilight commented with a side-eye to Leo.

“I see, but… I believe we were talking about The Revenant. How we plan to deal with it, I’d assume SynTec has it on their highest priority to contain this threat before… new developments appear.” Silvereye’s gloved finger traced the rim of her glass.

“Ah,” Leo chuckled. “Believe me, Silvereye. We’re doing all we can with the backing our researchers. For now, we believe its most important that the public remains aware of this threat — ready to report and act at the slightest hint of trouble.”

He looked over his shoulder, whistling, a few moments later a stunning blonde-woman appeared. He introduced her. “This is Mary K. Burnham. She’s a director of many famous NetFilms. We have an idea to create a… Virtual Interactive Movie about the history of Soul Killer. As well as a biopic.”

“Uh huh… their history? I thought they didn’t have one.” Unless, of course, you were trying to rewrite history. “And what’s this about a biopic?”

“Ah, everyone has a history and with stories like these… well, they’re stories.” Leo laughed. “Point of it is, we need to be bold. Inform the public of the threat Soul Killer is. And you can do that. We plan on making this a… joint project of sorts, the VR story will detail the life of a private investigator doing research into…”

Silvereye listened and the conversation slowly droned into a hum as she retreated to the thoughts crowding her head.

The audacity of these fucking bitches. Making money off Soul Killer of all things? Of her name? They wanted to make a movie about her being homeless, joining the police and becoming Silvereye only to… end it with the tragedy of Anthony’s coma.

Her emotions twisted, threatening to ignite.

{Lady! Calm yourself! Don’t make me call Anthony up!} Twilight warned.

Even Belle, who had willfully remained silent as the conversation took a turn towards… a potential explosion of lightning, put a calming hand on Diana’s shoulder. “Hey, Silvy, how about we…”

He shut up, seeing the stares land on his hand, and he retreated away.

Silvereye sighed. “I can agree with… the need to make the public more accurately aware of the threat, but I’d like some level of supervision with these projects.”

“Of course…” Leo smiled. “Having you as an Executive Producer would do wonders, just… understand the need for the occasional creative freedom. Art is merely a reflection of reality, dear. Speaking of, why don’t you mingle with the stars of your biopic… I believe I just saw Ms. Marison sneak off into the washroom.”

They’d already… cast people in the biopic? She also felt the need to confirm something, but Twilight got to her first as she began cackling.

{Oh, it’s Bless Marison? She’s the one with the sex tape!}

{You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.}

———

Archangel

Warmth spread down Alisha’s nerves as she lifted her head off the sink and wiped her nose. Next to her, Bless Marison giggled as she clutched Alisha for balance. “Oh, glad to see police work hasn’t changed you, Ali. Ah, fuck, you wouldn’t believe the things I’ve been up to since your vacation.”

Alisa smiled as she always did, “Oh bae, tell me more.”

“For starters, my agent’s pulled me away from like — all these other movies — and now they’re making me star in a biopic.”

“Oh… I thought…” Alisha frowned. “Weren’t you working on a movie about me? About… y’know? That time Bastard Tusk led me and a bunch of others to stop a whole MALhive from erupting in Old-World Italy?”

“Yeah, we were, but you know how it is with those executives!” Bless chuckled, still unsteady from their recent consumption. “Like, your thing is still in Pre-Production, heard the AI’s are getting one hell of a script out, but like, right now? Everyone wants to cash in on your boss! So yeah, I’ll be starring as none other than Diana ‘Silvereye’ Ulrich!”

Archangel’s mouth gaped; at that moment, speaking her name into the world brought the devil forth.

Silvereye strolled into the washroom, surprised to see Alisha hanging around with Bless. “What are you both doing here?”

“Drugs.” Bless lifted a bag of white powder. “Want some?”

Silvereye cast an accusing glance on Alisha, who shrugged, while Twilight pulled up Bless’ file. {Oh, Founder, you don’t even want to know with this one.}

“Tell me dear,” Bless unsteadily strode over to wrap her arms around Silvereye’s shoulders, “I want to know everything there is about you!”

Alisha could do little but watch as Bless interrogated Silvereye for personal details, but she couldn’t deny some level of smug satisfaction of seeing dear Diana deal with all this pandering and associating with scum of the skyscrapers. It was what she always had to deal with…

But now, a bitter knife jabbed into her stomach. She knew this gala was for Silvereye, but there remained… an uncomfortable longing for attention that she was so used to. She’d expected more eyes on her, more people coming to discuss NeoCore with her, more… anything? Instead, she got so bored she snorted drugs with Bless Marigold of all people.

At least someone could have hit on her! 

But why go for second-best? These people were not used to failing to get what they wanted. And everyone wanted Silvereye. Politically, sexually, economically.

She was the future. As long as the people believed in her, she was the tool to control New California.

SynTec would use her to conceal their bastard Subject-K and instill more corporate control over the city.

NeoCore wanted her as an Enforcer.

Yuzhou wanted her to turn the city on Dreadwire.

Skeleton had every intent of aiming her at his enemies.

And the government had every reason to auction her out. The Swarm was coming, and they needed power, influence, money, authority, and insurance so that they wouldn’t be cast aside after assassinating a MALtitan.

If they even managed to accomplish such an impossible task. 

And if the operation proved a failure, New California would likely become a frozen grave, while the Titan would have adapted. It would grow stronger, and perhaps enough that they could break the balance and decimate a Founder.

“God, Di, you know you’re so lucky. You got your start with your father’s name. Some of us had to claw our way through rooms like this.” A sly smile crept on Bless’ face.

Diana was calm, but her words were brutal. “A wise colleague once taught me that for women like us to survive, we had to have one hand in their pants while the other had a knife to their throats.”

She slid closer to Bless, whispering to her neck like a blade. “But you seem to forget about holding the knife. So let me hold it for you.”

“What do you-” Bless’ eyes widened as Alisha saw a zap flicker down Diana’s right hand and into Bless’ own skin-like cybernetics. Alisha was no idiot. She was using whatever that weird power of hers was to transfer Warpcode from Twilight to Bless, and something in that data transfer kept Bless silent.

“I trust you’ll portray me exactly how I need to be.” Diana continued, “and I promise, otherwise, that you’ll have a good career in this city.”

With a gentle smile, she pat the stunned Bless on the shoulder and head back out of the bathroom. Bless, alone with Alisha once more, hissed. “God, what a bitch? Blackmail?”

“Deal with it.” Alisha offered a detached shrug. “She’s technically my boss, so you should probably do what she wants you to.”

“Ah, glad to see police work really didn’t change you. Still the same bitch as ever, Archangel. Or are you even a part of NeoCore anymore, I can’t tell?”

“At least I moved up in my career, and didn’t get stuck as a washed up actress.” Alisha gave a similar pat to Bless.

“Wait, these files… did you give them to her?” Bless held for Alisha’s wrist, but the Enforcer easily yanked free and gave a wise smile as she left the room.

Yeah, she was still that bitch. And she loved it.

———

Silvereye

This gala was… getting on my nerves. It was difficult to tolerate the guests here.

Renault Obu, some CFO of an Imperium sub-division put his hand too close to my waist. “I always donate to causes that have such… passionate young leadership. Maybe you’d let me show you my suite after the gala? Discuss funding.”

I smiled with no warmth. “Renault, I’m flattered. But didn’t you recently host a married executive recently? I wouldn’t want to be a cliche.”

I stepped away, enjoying his stammering defence.

———

Lady Sashara, some media mogul of Haithama, casually inserted herself into conversation before pulling me away. “So stoic. So contained. Would you consider a lingerie brand? The public could use a softer side of Silvereye.”

I murmured. “Just like you got to see in your texts with a sixteen-year-old popstar. Shall I leak those before or after the brand launch?” 

She unclasped her arm from me like I was made from acid.

———

Abraham Perez, a voice I’d often heard discussing this city on his Netcast, leaned in. “So, Silvereye, tell me. You and Dreadwire. Fighting MALs and Princesses of Muramasa together… that your way of foreplay?”

Twilight whispered. {He paid to suppress footage of him mocking a MALterrorist victim on-air. Also—seven burner accounts for mass spread of misinformation. Known ties to various criminal organizations.}

I replied calmly. “Abe, the difference is that I survive monsters. You perform for them to keep your petty little secrets safe.”

“Hey now, I-” He stared at me. The silence was perfect as I dismissively walked away.

———

Minister Harven, of the Defense Oversight Committee, approached with the greasy confidence of someone who’d never once been held accountable.

“We’re considering integrating the Cadavers into public law enforcement by the end of this year. Unmarked. Quiet. Efficient. You should be the face of that campaign to convince those… unwilling to take that next stop.”

I tilted my glass, words drawing from my mouth in a lazed manner. “A silent army of reanimated corpses. I suppose this city will be expanding to dig twice the graves then? Oh, no… of course not. You didn’t dig any graves for those men on September 2473. It’s not like anyone knew you were behind that massacre.”

He clenched his fist like he wanted to say something, but just left with a warning glance.

{Diana… we’re playing a dangerous game.} Twilight looked unnerved.

{Good.} I mentally affirmed to Twilight. {These people don’t know what real danger is. It’s about time they learn.}

———

It didn’t take long for my father to appear and become the star of the show. Attention gathered onto him like a rising tide filled with money and attitude. My senses picked up the occasional praise they offered me, but my Soul Resonance felt the hollowness in their words.

{Remarkably. Can’t find any dirt on your dad. Him and the others at his level are careful.} Twilight whispered. I nodded lightly, heading towards my father where he clapped a hand on my shoulder and paraded me around to his ‘friends’ and coworkers. Some people respected me, others were jealous, but overall I felt a vain sense of apathetic pragmatism directed towards me.

“You’re doing good,” he whispered. “From the looks of it, you haven’t let them bully you around. You know what you have in your blood, and you’re making good use of it.”

“Maybe so,” I side-eyed him, but kept my smile as I waved and shook hands with a councilman. “But so far, these are all people under you in status. Who else is coming?”

“The Mayor.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke and welcomed others. “Wants to congratulate you personally, make a statement. Bastard wants to transfer you to the New Angeles District.”

“To Central?” I paused, my lips thinning as an Executive Producer of Haithama’s hugged me. “I can’t. I have to stay in Westbrook.”

“And you’re staying. If you leave, you’ll lose power.” He said while shaking hands. “When he comes, be nice, but be careful.”

“I wi-” I faltered as I shook hands with a Yuzhou representative, her face veiled and a mask on her eyes. Taking a deep breath, I exchanged a glance with my father as the woman remained in wait.

“Go.” He shrugged. “Entertain her, Diana. She’s a guest of honor.”

“Very well.” I picked up a glass. “Care to join me for a drink on the balcony, Ms. Himiko?”

---

Archangel is up there as one of my favorite characters to write. Diamante is still number one, followed by probably Ripley, then Diana, and I think Archangel is tied with Elsa. But there is one side-character who I can't wait to join the story in its fullest... but unfortunately she's being saved for Volume 3. Although, she isn't exactly a stranger... any guesses?