[The Mansion, Val Venezuela Special Zone]

[Basement & Detention Center]

[May 18, 2023]

The steps echoed in the small room. Lights clunked on as the separated power grid hummed to peak power. Everything was designed to be annoying and slow to open.

The room was small and dominated by a black wall. Chairs were facing this black wall. When I was ready, the blast door would retract and the thick, clear aluminum would allow us to see each other.

At my side were my three girls. Candice in full Protect Gear, Kori with a smile, and Kara scanned the room.

“All good,” Kara said as she blinked back to what we would consider the normal vision. She had found nothing out of the ordinary.

“Let us speak to our guest,” I ordered and Friday began the motor to draw up the thick lead and steel plate.

A man glared at us as he sat bolted to his chair. Dried blood and oil matted the simple metal seat he now lived on.

Kara glared back at the man. She was scanning the prisoner with every type of vision she had. She was unsurprised to see his body full of cybernetic enhancements.

At this point, the human known as Doomfist was more machine than man.

The mic system clicked on with a loud electronic click.

“Hello Akande Ogundimu,” I began and the man glared at me. “I hope you have enjoyed our hospitality so far?”

The man remained stoic.

“The UN is looking for you, and there is a rather fetching bounty for your capture,” I verbally poked at the man. He did not respond.

I was unsurprised. Men like him were hardened to the thoughts of death or imprisonment. He had gotten out once, and that meant that he could again.

“I am not lacking money, as you know, but favors? Ah, that is a different story,” I smiled as I took my seat. The girls did not as they stared at the prisoner at my side.

“You want the name of our employer?” Doomfist sneered.

“Yes!” I cheered with a smile. I leaned back and rested my left leg onto of my right knee.

“Cobra,” Doomfist said with a smile. As if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

My eyes widened in surprise. Really!?

“Friday, please replay the answer,” I asked the ceiling. Doomfist frowned as he didn’t see anyone move.

[You want the name of our employer? Cobra.] the audio came through crisp and clear.

“Did you also get a camera recording?” I asked as I stared at the idiot before me. For all his intellect, he had allowed his ego to make a smart-ass remark. Tragic.

[Video recorded in 64K resolution.] a much different voice replied. A filter to ensure that no one understood how smart Friday really was.

I nodded and stood. Kori and Kara brushed off my new suit. As the blast door lowered at a very slow pace.

“You just believe in my first answer?” Doomfist sneered at my idiocy.

“I just needed 'an' answer. I will have Candice broadcast your answer. Cobra will find out who set them up,” I smiled and waved.

Doomfist looked a lot less confident.

“The people of Val Verde, and Venezuela will also have someone to focus on. Cobra is not only an easy target, but the perfect one. Thank you very much Mister Akande Ogundimu, we will not meet again.” I said with a wave.

The mic system clicked off. Whatever Doomfist wanted to say would still be recorded.

Candice stayed behind. She wanted to be present as the man was vaporized into ashes.

I of course indulged her. One was for her own satisfaction and the other was for their client.

Candice had a bit of a mean streak, and I was certainly not going to stick up for an assassin.

The client would receive a streaming feed of the terrorist's final moments. A young woman named Ebi, a friend of Zarya's.

I didn't know how they knew about Doomfist's attack, but Zarya vouched for her. That was good enough.

I took a breath to ponder this Ebi's need to see death. Then again if I could have seen Carmen's killer in the same plight...

I took another breath. I pushed everything out of my mind.

I had a more important meeting ahead of me.

Even with the dense sheets of metal, one could hear the near-silent screams of a man getting cooked alive.

—

[The Long House, Val Verde]

[May 18, 2023]

I sat in my office as a heavy, and imposing figure walked in. He took measured steps at a pace all his own. He gave me a single nod before he sat down before me.

The man stared at me. His metal face was immobile, but his blue eyes were somehow colder. I knew he would kill me in a heartbeat if needed.

Lucky for me I was far from alone. Kara and Kori would be enough to ensure my survival if need be.

“I am pleased to hear that the news of your demise has been exaggerated,” Doctor Doom said as he settled in.

I smiled. “I am also glad that the assassination failed. You wanted to speak in person. What can I do for you Doctor Doom?”

I tried to remain polite. No reason to rock the boat, but I figured he wouldn’t want me to waste time either.

Doom smiled and now I reconsidered. Would wasting time be a bad thing?

“I have tried to delay my plans as long as possible. I cannot delay it any further,” Doom stated. It seemed that this was all business then.

I squared my shoulder. “Give us a time, date, and job.”

“I am glad you understand Supreme Leader. June 21st. I will need your forces deployed for high noon. The job ends when I finish, or the sun sets,” Doctor Doom explained.

“As per the agreement,” I said and nodded. “How soldiers do you need?”

“The entirety of your Jade Falcons. As well as your new toys you are testing on the moon,” Doctor Doom said. A faint hint of warmth as he was impressed.

Though he could design superior weapons of war, it was not one of his hobbies. Though it was amazing that simpletons were able to cobble such a thing together.

“Understood. June 21st. We will be ready,” I stood and offered my hand.

Doom stood as well. “June 21st.” He gave me a firm handshake and left.

He spared a glance towards the Kyrptionian that had been eying him the entire time. A proper response as he hated false bravado.

Had he made a disagreeable move he knew the outcome. The Supergirl and the Starfire would have made their displeasure known.

That power was something he could respect.

With a quiet chuckle, Victor Von Doom left with a sheen of plasm green light. The joy was replaced with anticipation.

Soon. Soon he would be ready to undo a great wrong.

————

Chapter 59: Favors Recalled