The Vespidian

Arc 1 Contamination

Chapter 8

Molotov stood in front of me as the elevator ascended to the ground floor. I had been wrong with the numbers of floors when I saw it earlier. The installation had been underground, not in a skyscraper. Thinking about it rationally no lab would be above ground, especially if it was a super villain's base. At first, I was surprised that the lab was not inside of a dimensional pocket, but then I heard about what happens if you put a dimensional pocket inside of another. Both cease to exist and everything in them becomes nothing. It basically made a black hole that lasted for a day. Since Dr. Tesla is making those things he would never make his lab in one due to this. The lowest levels were his secret projects apparently. I could only fantasize about what he was working on down there. The entire time I had been here, I never saw anybody other than Molotov and Dr. Tesla. I asked her and the answer was rather simple, the lower levels were forbidden to non-important personnel. I had a feeling it was something like that.

The elevator stopped at the first floor and I realized exactly how big of an operation it was that Dr. Tesla was running. This was the secret entrance and exit, but it looked like a parking garage from the sheer number of vehicles parked. The goons wore plated body armor and were armed with assault rifles. I was a little disappointed, I thought they would have laser guns or something, but hey they were just henchmen. They had Dr. Tesla's insignia of a lightning bolt on the helmets. In this room alone, there were upwards of a hundred armed men and women. The moment Molotov and I stepped out, all eyes were on me. I could feel their gazes stabbing at me. Some were repulsed, others sympathetic, quite a few were excited and still others were indifferent. It was a strange feeling to be gawked at like some animal at the zoo.

“Look, it is Wasp Girl.” Said one soldier with a wolf insignia on his shoulder. “See that you survived. Looks like I just lost a bit of money. There was a bet going around that you would not make it.”

He got jabbed in the ribs by another. “Don't say that you ass. Good to see you up and about. You are a bit famous around here you know.”

“I-I am?” I asked wearily, looking around at the gruff veterans, starting to close in. These people seemed to be far better equipped than the guys with lightning bolts. Somewhere on each of them was a wolf head. Their armor was thicker and they carried a wide range of weapons. Some even had a few of those gauss rifles that Molotov was talking about.

“Well, yeah it is not every day that a civi gets drenched in Mutigene and survives. Last person who got some on them turned into a flesh blob. Anyway, good to have you on board Wasp Girl, need all the Supers we can get.”

I cleared my throat and said loudly. “I am not Wasp Girl. I am Vespidian. So call me that.”

“Da. Vespidian is her name so stop with that nickname unless you want words with me. She does not like it.” Said Molotov with crossed arms.

It was a very strange thing to see the movement of the people with the wolf insignia. In an ordered motion, they lined up on two sides with their hands behind their back. They stood rigid and said in unison. “As you command, Comrade Molotov.”

“Well trained eh?” She smiled, looking up at me. “These are my men. Well trained indeed all are ex-Navy Seal, KGB, Spetsnaz or Marine and are Super Soldiers. Dr. Tesla has hired us on for a while. I am brawn in operation and he is brain. Not to say that I am not sly like jackal. My teams do mercenary work for varied Supervillains and even countries should their money be adequate. This is team Wolf, something of personal guard you would say. Teams; Jackal, Eagle, Marlin, Mamba, Mongoose, Cobra, Tiger, Panther, Shepard, Albatross, Widow and Anaconda are at various other deployments around the world. We are part of larger organization of worldwide Super Villains, it is called Kraken. We have insidious tentacle in every aspect of global societies. Think of it as the big leagues. I am planning on taking you into my group. This is only because I like you, play cards right, you could be my secretary.”

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“More you know deeper my fangs are sunk into your neck. In case you haven't noticed I have taken somewhat personal interest in you.” Smiled Molotov though I get the feeling that it is bad to catch her eye. “I will have you join my group and after trial period where you complete several missions that I have planned throughout this city you will be formal member. I will also be recruiting other Supers from small time criminal groups. This city is like little league in baseball. I am what you call Major League Pinch Hitter. Given enough time you will form your own team and follow my orders completing missions.”

“What if I snitched on you or turned traitor?” I asked looking around. “With what I know I am a liability, aren't I?”

She laughed lowly and it felt like somebody rubbed ice all over my back. “That is why I like you. At first glance you play stupid, but I know that your mind is very keen on survival. Da. You have cautious mindset, always plotting and scheming how to accomplish goal. You are good at figuring things out. You try to see big picture where everybody else is content with little picture. Always probing for information. Your hunger for knowledge is commendable. Well then, since I am such nice person, let me lay out all my cards for you to see. Should you ever betray me little Vesper, I would deploy the full extent of my power to hunt you down. I have agents around the world. So do not think you can run. I would then torture you until I broke your mind and made you my pet. You think what I did to you in there was bad? You are in for a rude awakening, that was not even foreplay and given your special attributes we could have fun for long time. If you are wondering, I have done it before on many occasions. So I trust that you will do what is best for both of us. Eh, Comrade? I like you, as such, I would much rather have you as friend, than pet. I can't take pet to Nicky Mouse Land after all.”

I gulped, shivering and nodded. “You mentioned something called Kraken?”

“Da. I joined about five years after the Council founded Kraken, which was twenty years ago. When we realized that governments would try to stamp out those such as ourselves, the squabbles stopped and everybody pooled resources together. Supers have not always been looked at favorably or idolized as heroes. For long time we were ostracized and governments rounded us up like animal. They had their own lap dogs to hunt us down and so we banded together to fight them off. Soviet Union was worst offender doing terrible experiments. I was their best lap dog at one point, did many things I regret. Part reason why I defected. I will tell you later for now come along we have more pressing business.”

Molotov took my hand and dragged me along. To think that she was that much of a big shot it was rather intimidating. This also begged the question what the hell would somebody like that want with me? Is it really as simple as her liking me? I thought that I had started to understand this pint-sized terror. but now her shadow seemed to consume everything around us. What have I gotten myself into? Just how far reaching is her power? Now, I knew for sure that I could not escape this and that crossing her would be a very bad idea. She mentioned that there would be other Supers... is this going to be like a team or something? Wait, am I supposed to be the leader!?

A soldier opened the back door to a black coated hummer, the windows were tinted and it looked military grade. Molotov got in without a second thought and I was dragged in next to her. I had to tuck my abdomen between my legs to sit down. I stared at it, remembering again just how big it was. The door shut and I glanced around the interior. It was clean and downright sparkling, given how spacious it was I almost thought that we were in a limo. She sat there biting the side of a cigar while digging around in the mini fridge that was built into the front seat. Molotov pulled out a glass and filled it with Grey Moose Vodka. I stared at her until she finally lit her cigar and turned my way.

“What? Never seen someone smoke or drink?” She asked, blowing smoke towards the vent in the ceiling and taking a gulp out of her glass.

“Just strange seeing you do it. Don't you know that stuff gives you cancer?” I shifted away from her and looked out the window. The vehicle had already moved and out from the concealed entrance into the streets. The moon hung high overhead. It felt like it had been ages since I saw the sky. Just how long had I been down there? I found the street lights and high beams of oncoming traffic strangely enticing. They were vivid and mesmerizing. The world seemed to blur and I began to wonder if I was drugged or something.

“Da. It gives normal people cancer. I don't have to worry about such things. So tell me are you nervous to see parents?”

I nodded, reluctantly tearing my eyes away from the window. “What will I do if they don't believe us or think that I am a monster? What if I get rejected.”

She thought on it. “Well, it is up to them, but I have already contacted your father and explained some details. At moment they know that you had terrible accident and that you have been in my care last four months while recovering. I told them you are now a Super but I left out that you changed so dramatically.”

“Wait, how did you contact them? I never told you their names or my last name.”

“Da. Who you think I am?” Smirked Molotov, taking another puff from her cigar. “It was easy, who you think you are? CIA Jackal? I looked at missing persons cases in area around crash site for Vesper. I found out everything in five minutes. Easy, your father's name is Saar Lavii Vasska works as bouncer at local strip club Atomic Strobe and your mother's name is Caroline Amelia Vasska works as manager for Star Agencies currently her charge is a girl by name of Isabella. I did not care so much about her so did not bother for full name. You were Vesper Walda Vasska, college dropout who majored in economics and is currently unemployed and addicted to game Shattered Realms Online, handle Malachite Queen, title Goddess of Death. Impressed yet?”

I nodded wearily. How does she even know about my SR account? “So you really think they will accept me back?”

She looked me in the eyes. “It will be painful I won't lie. They might say some things that will hurt you, but once they know it is you, you will be accepted. It will take time though so do not expect them to just hold you and cry on shoulder. That not possible with extreme of situation.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Da. Give chance, but if it falls through I am always here. We will arrive shortly.”

I sighed, sitting in the chair, hugging my squirming abdomen. The trepidation still gripped deeply it was not something that could just be ignored or eased by simply talking about. Until I actually saw them with my own eyes and heard it from mom and dad, I would be stuck between feeling elated and terrified. The drive was shorter than I had thought and before I could even come to terms with this we had already arrived. Molotov had put out the cigar and finished drinking her glass. She stepped out and extended her hand to me. I uneasily took it and followed behind her.

The front steps that I had grown up knowing seemed so foreign now. The house which had always been warm was gloomy and foreboding. Molotov stepped up and rung the doorbell. There was only a short delay before the door opened and there stood dad. What the hell happened to him? His head was not shaved and the hairs were all gray. There were deep lines in his face, the kind you get from staying up all night worrying. He looked haggard and the smile he had dropped instantly when he saw me. Fear. I could see it festering behind his eyes. I could smell it. Something inside of my head was crying, but at the same time, something else was elated to see my prey, so vulnerable, so scared. I shook my head, wiping away the strange feelings.

“We spoke on phone mister Vasska,” said Molotov. “As promised I have brought your daughter. She is still recovering from accident.”

“Dad. I, well, I got out of the house.” I smiled while crying. I must look ugly and hideous like the monster I am.

He teared up and strode straight up to me. He grabbed me in a big hug even though I am taller than him now. He cried. “I am sorry. I never should have pushed you.”

“No, dad. I fucked up, not you. This is my fault.”

“Let us take this inside, neighbors might start looking.” Said Molotov, grasping my hand and dragging me and my father along.

We sat down at the kitchen table, but everything that should be familiar was unacquainted now. Something felt wrong, I could not explain it, but it felt as though something vital was missing. This was not my home anymore that was the feeling that I could not shake off. I glanced about trying to remember things about my home however it was as though my memories were being eaten. They were fragmented and broken. I recognized certain things, though they were always different than how I remembered them. The colors would be slightly off or things were in different places. I shook my head clearing my doubts.

“Where is mom?” I asked.

“She went out to the store a bit ago,” said Dad, holding my hand. “I don't even know where to start. Are you alright? Does it hurt?”

I shook my head smiling, such an ugly face. I could feel it stretching so wide. “These people are going to help me. There is no cure for this dad. I am getting used to it.”

His face was hard, he was trying not to cry. “How did this happen to you? What exactly happened?”

Molotov cut in. “She has undergone mutation due to exposure to unstable chemical compound. It occurred when she stumbled on a crash site. My associates and I recovered her and have taken the utmost care of her over the past four months. Now that she has stabilized physically I brought her here. She needs a solid mental pillar to rely on, to anchor herself. That is where you and your wife come in, I fear that without such support she will become mentally unstable. I will be having her work to pay off expenditures for her treatment. Before you offer, I am afraid you could never pay it off with your income. She is now a Super as I explained over phone. Which means that she is in delicate spot. Tell no one that she has changed. Bad people will come after her should they learn of her existence, it will put you and her in danger. If she was not insistent on meeting you, I would not have contacted you, it is safer that way.”

I nodded to everything that she said and he set his head on top of his clutched hands. “So the Hero League is going to take good care of her? Does this mean that I will get to see her on the news beating up bad guys? Will she be alright?”

“Da. We will take good care of her. I will personally watch over her.” She nodded. My eyes squinted a little as I stared at her. Why was she lying to my dad?

I heard the door open and glanced over, seeing a woman with black hair. Our eyes made contact and she stood there frozen in place, grocery bags dropping to the floor. Her face was etched in horror. I stared at her for a long moment, but I could not remember her. I could only assume that she was my mom... I mean, who the hell else would be in my house? My eyes skimmed the room until I saw the old family portrait, she was there hugging me and dad. There were no doubts now, she was my mom.

I smiled and stood, walking towards her. “Mom-” I never got to finish as she bolted upstairs screaming.

My heart sank and I felt bile in the back of my throat. I just stood there broken. My dad had gone after her and Molotov was silently sitting and watching. A part of me began to believe that she had set this all up just to crush me and make me dependent on her. The rest of me wanted to believe that this could be fixed and it was as she said, something that would come slowly. My mandibles were clacking together with irritation. Slowly I sat down across from her. We gazed at one another in silence, her face held no emotion to speak of. God damn, she had a good poker face! I stared her down and she raised an eyebrow in my direction. She was still silent.

We continued this until there were footsteps coming down the stairs. My Dad was leading Mom down the stairs with his hand on her back. He brought her to the table and she wearily sat beside me. She scooted the damn chair as far away as she could. There was no need for words. I could tell what she felt; disgust, revulsion, and hatred. She still did not believe it was me. No. Her heart would never allow me to be her daughter, not this monster masquerading as her beloved daughter. For all that she knows or cares, I ate her daughter... Maybe that was not so far off.

“Hey dad, is my computer still here?” I asked, not even looking at my mom, there was no point.

He shook his head. “The police took it during the investigation. They still have it. Do you want me to try and get it back?”

“No, they are probably beating off to all the porn I had on there,” I replied. “I will buy a new one later. Take care of yourself dad.”

“You are not leaving already, are you?” He asked, grasping my hand.

“I think I should go. This is still a lot to take in. We should meet up again soon though.” I replied gently patting his hand.

“Nonsense you are our daughter. It has been so long just stay here for a while longer.”

“You mean it?” I smiled with that ugly face. I wanted to hope this could work out. “I mean, look at me... I understand if you don't want to see me ever again.”

“Don't say that. I love you alright. This... we can work through this.” He smiled.

“Dad.” I hugged him and could feel tears pouring down my face. “I am so scared.”

“It is alright.” He went to ruffle my hair, but the smooth carapace was all that he found. I felt disappointed when he pulled away and sat back down. I lowered myself back into my chair and made the mistake of looking over at mom.

“That is not our daughter.” Coldly said my mom. “You are so desperate to replace her you would take in this abomination? Vesper is dead! This is not her!”

Every word was a knife to the heart. I could feel the constricting of my lungs, it was hard to breathe and there was a knot in my throat. My eyes twitched and my mandibles clenched together, grinding. There was the strangest urge. I wanted to kill that woman. As quickly as they came I brushed away those ideas. Those were not mine, just anger, and agony. She was my mother no matter what, that was something I would not do.

“What is wrong with you?!” Yelled dad. “We talked about this remember? No matter what happened to her, she is still our daughter.”

“That is not her! How can our baby turn into this monster? She was just a little lazy, but she was a good girl! She was smart and if she applied herself then she could do anything! This freak isn't even human!” She stood screaming, grasping at dishes on the counter and threw them at me. “How dare you come in here and try to pawn off this, this creature as my daughter! Get the fuck out of my house!”

A plate shattered on my face I did not even feel it. How odd... I don't feel anything at all. It felt like the sound had been sucked into a void and all the color in the world had bled out. There was no warmth to be found, just a cold, gray and silent world. Another crashed into me and I slowly stood. Tears gushed down my face, but that did not stop her. No. It only encouraged her. Her pace became frantic and she started throwing knives. They bounced off doing no damage at all. It hurt though, it hurt like hell this rejection. I thought I was ready. I thought I could deal with this. What did I expect I wonder? Did I think that I would have been able to just come home like nothing had ever happened? What were we going to do, roast marshmallows over a fire and sing kumbaya? Who the fuck was I kidding, this is hopeless.

Is there even a reason to try? I don't see it. My smile slowly spread and her eyes gaped in terror. Yes, that is right fear me, you fucking bitch! So pointless. I see now how useless this all is. I am a monster, how could I ever get along with anything, but other monsters? Dad was trying to calm her down and keep the dishes away from her. It was far too late I realized. I could feel it, this urge, this need to kill. Why was it so strong? I just wanted to grab her shrieking mouth and snap her neck. Maybe, if I stuck her head in my mouth and crunched down, she would shut up.

Molotov spoke while I internally wrestled with myself. Mom, no she is not my mom, not anymore. She dropped the things she had gathered in surprise. That thick booming voice was so dark it could block out the sun. “Caroline Amelia Vasska! Do you even realize that your words are ripping your own daughter to pieces?! Look at her, you stupid bitch! Do you not see what you are doing to her? How do you think she feels? How terrorized, how hurt, how desperate she is? She begged us to let her see you and this is what you do to her? She needed support! She wanted to be loved and told everything would be ok. Even if it was a lie. She is not a monster you are! What you have done today will scar her for life! I was wrong Vesper. I thought too highly of your family. I am sorry. We should leave before I kill your parents.”

She grasped my hand and tugged, my arm came off... it popped right out of the socket and my yellow blood spurt out. “Fuck!” I screamed, clutching the stump.

“Stop hurting her!” Raged dad before he turned blue from the looked that Molotov gave them.

“Arm will fix self. Mind will not.” She glared pointing my arm at them. “She is Super now with capabilities beyond your imagining yet you cast her out and treat her like monster.”

She grabbed another and pulled gentler this time, dragging me away. I stared for a moment longer my face, drooping in despair. My dad shouted when I turned, walking away. “Wait, Vesper! Don't go we love you! Give it time your mother just doesn't know how to react.”

“Goodbye Dad.” My resolve was shattered and the warm tears fell without end.

My arm really could be reattached. She just held it there and after a few moments it scabbed over and held in place. It was numb though and I couldn’t really move it for a few minutes. Her hand never let go even after the car was driving down the street. Why was it so calming, her crushing grasp that left no room to escape, nor even doubt its intentions. She held me there so that I could not kill myself. She would not let me. The only thing holding me together was the fact that Molotov wanted me for something. My head lay in her lap and her fingers drummed along the extended carapace.

“Well.” She said lowly. “Could have gone better. Could have gone worse. Dad is on board, but Mom is needing a lot of coaxing. I expected her to be cold but not violent. Not that, that foolish woman could hurt my little Vesper.”

“My heart hurts.” I blubbered.

“Da. That tends to be all it good for. Now then, next visit we will approach at different angle.” She said with a cheery tone. It made my stomach churn.

“Next visit?”

“Da. I told you these things take time.”

“I won't go back! You can't make me!” I tried to get up, but her hand held me in a death grip.

“Poor little Vesper. Not even to visit your dad, just your dad?”

“If it is just him,” I mumbled, rubbing against her legs.

“Good. See cheer up. I know somebody who earned a steak dinner.” She smiled, it was strange how I used to be afraid of that smirk.

I coiled around her seeking any comfort that she would give me. Everything hurt on the inside. It all felt broken and mangled like a train wreck. I doubted that this pain would ever go away. It was almost as bad as when I was transformed. Yet that pain went away so surely this one would as well. I just wanted to sleep, it seemed to be all that I was doing lately. Her hand rubbed my head, I did not even care that she was treating me like a pet or something.