The Vespidian

Arc 12 Villainy 101

Chapter 8

“So what exactly is the plan? You laid out a general idea, but that isn’t anything concrete to go off. I mean, who are we using, where and when. Details are important here as things are precarious enough as is,” I said, looking over everyone in the room.

The door opened behind me, and my back eye split open to see, a man I had not seen in what felt like years, though it had only been a few months. Dr. Tesla. His face covered by a dark-colored respirator or filter like thing. Red goggles obstructed his eyes. He wore a half-buttoned white lab coat, and his hands had thick rubbery gloves. His hair was cut short and blonde.

“There you are, I was wondering if you were going to come out of your hole. Starting to think I had to drag you out,” said Molotov.

“My apologies, I was busy testing my new facilities.”

Molotov perked up, hearing that, “Good. Are they operational?”

“Two are. Would have been three but Tecton broke one, I had not been anticipating his presence when the designs had been laid out, and placement was decided. They will kill most rank and file though they will not hold up to the likes of Hubris,” replied the eccentric mad scientist, “Though I have devised a way to… remove him from the picture for the time being.”

Everyone shifted, hearing this. All our expectant eyes fell on the latecomer. “It is quite simple, really. We trap him in an alternate dimension.”

“Wait a minute,” I said, “Your dimensional pockets make black holes don’t they?”

“Ah, you remember quite well… Vespidian. You seem to have grown quite well since your departure from my facilities.”

“What is to say it is not going to destroy us as well?”

“It won’t kill him, unfortunately at best, he will be displaced for a set amount of time, even less fortunate the timing can be a few seconds to months before he reemerges into our reality.”

“That is very unreliable.” Molotov scowled, “I expected better.”

“It is hard to weaponize something as unstable as quantum displacement. It might not even work on him. He is a projector subtype after all as such reality warps to his desires.”

The Sanguine Puppeteer nodded, “Very well. Tell me of these facilities you have created.”

“As Molotov knows, I have been painstakingly creating installations throughout the underground of the city. These are fake lairs that we will lure the heroes into to kill them.”

“So death dungeons? Wait like that obstacle course you made me run?” I said.

“Yes, though every trap is meant to kill. As such, some rooms are straight kill rooms with no escape. You ran the training course, with training wheels, these are the real deal, so be careful they are designed to kill Supers, not just normies that wandered in.”

“What exactly are we talking about here?”

“I won’t spoil the fun.”

Mhmmmmhmhmhm chuckled the Puppeteer, “I look forward to watching their struggles.”

“So how do we get them to go into these places?” I asked.

“Simple, after our attacks, the two teams will retreat to each facility and start operating out of them as though they were your main lairs. When the Heroes inevitably find them, they will attack them. I will be in control over these installations to well oversee the destruction of the heroes. In return, I expect my rewards, Molotov.”

Molotov crossed her arms, “You will get your reward once they are all dealt with.”

Dr. Tesla set a data slab on the table, “Here are the locations, be sure to get familiar with the layout of the installations. Remember, these will not deal with the high rankers. You must deal with those yourselves; they will, however, get rid of anybody below rank 6, perhaps rank 7s if they are exceptionally careless or fragile. So be careful not to be trapped with them.”

The map before us laid it all out. One base was on the north side of the city, and the other was in the south near the Slums. We looked over the maps carefully, reviewing their locations. The south one was situated beneath a Hospital. The one across the street from that Fire Station that I had been assigned to as a Junior. When the hell did they have time to make that under there? Shouldn’t people have heard something?

As for the north, it burrowed into the mountain. I had never really been around there and, as such, was not familiar with the area. From the looks of it, it was somewhat near the train tunnel likely what was used as an excuse to make the thing in the first place.

“So we are bait to lure them into the traps?” I squinted at him.

“Quite.”

“Well, I guess it is better than not having a plan. Still, won’t we be trapped like rats?”

“If need be, there are escape routes and a self destruct sequence to either trap or kill anybody that can force their way through.”

“Won’t they flee?”

“The Self Destruct does not have alarms; as such, they will be unsuspecting.”

“How do we know if we trigger it then?”

“You will have to turn two keys simultaneously. Keys are across the room from one another. It will take two people to initiate the sequence.”

“What if everyone gets picked off?” I asked.

“I will be controlling both installations from my lair. If need be, I can activate the self-destruction.”

I leaned in my chair, thinking it over. “I don’t like that. I think Xava would be better to control the bases. She can be in multiple places at once.”

“They are my lairs. Be thankful I am allowing you to destroy them.”

“Vesper, there is no need to be on edge. We are all on the same side here,” said Molotov.

“Yeah, but we are all Super-Villains here. I mean hell, who is to say he won’t set them off to take us out and the heroes?”

“Now, why would I do that?” Dr. Tesla seemed offended at the very notion.

Honor among thieves? Bah. He looks like a squealer if I ever saw one.

“What if they find you first and threaten you to take us out?” I said pointedly.

“That can be said for Xava as well.”

“Stop being divisive, you two. This plan requires trust. You both work for Kraken, now start acting like it.”

“My point still stands,” I argued back, “I don’t wanna be trapped in a death dungeon that blows up on me.”

Xava spoke up, “Vesper, then what do you suggest?”

“Don’t we have anybody that can’t be threatened or bargained w-” I stopped noticing that we certainly did have somebody. Though trusting them was the most questionable of choices here.

My eyes locked on to that heinous mask sitting across from me. They certainly fit the bill, but… could Sanguine be trusted? Everyone else caught on to my pause, turning to the grinning mask.

Molotov was the first to speak up, “Nyet. Nyet. Nyet! Are you an idiot?”

Sanguine seemed to be in a good mood, “Oh, that certainly does sounds interesting. What is wrong, Molotov, you look pale.”

The little girl visibly shivered, “It is nothing, Master.”

“Is that so? What an excellent idea. I haven’t done such a thing since… the Golden Age. Ah brings back such fond memories. Ooh, my villainy is tingling. Very well, I will run the installations,” said Sanguine lightly, flicking her wrist, “I have taken some disposable fodder to be my button pushers. Now then to the initial strikes to lure them in. Molotov? Your plans?”

“We will need two teams to hit and run the scout forces. Kill as many as you can, but you must retreat to the traps, though try not to be too obvious at least try to cover your tracks.”

We nodded, following along.

“Group one will consist of myself, Boris, and Burnout. We will take the North base. As for group two, that will be Nitro, Xava, and Vesper whenever she shows up. You will take the South base.”

“Nitro?” I asked.

“Yes, Nitro. She is on her way up from L.A. to help. She is a rank 8 Endurance Super with explosive blood. She will be in charge of your group, so listen to her; she is well versed in war.”

“I see,” I said, vaguely glancing at Xava. “How come Spark Spray and Vira are not in the group?”

“Xava will also be leading their group. Once the Heroes are well and distracted, our real strike will be launched. I would have had you join them and use Glitter Kitten for the distraction, but you went and knocked her, and the rest of the Mad Dogs up.”

“I see,” I chuckled a little, scratching a tentacle.

“My Installation will have some of my super soldiers as well to ensure that it looks authentic. Though in Xava’s case, I am sure Vira’s death robots will suffice.”

“Vira?” asked Xava.

“Of course. It will be fun to let them loose. Though most of them will be kept to guard our main lair.”

“Naturally,” nodded Xava.

“Overseer, have you located Tecton?” asked Vira.

The glowing face in Xava’s likeness spoke, “We have, Vira. He is currently below the Citadel of Order. He and a group are moving towards the fault line to make a larger jolt of the tectonic plates. It is clear that they intend to… either crush us out or flush us out into the open. As such, it is imperative that they are dealt with first. Or else all subterranean activities are futile. The decoy bases will be destroyed before they can be put to use if he is not exterminated.”

“Where is the fault line?” asked Molotov.

“Processing, identified, the closest fault runs through the city center. To be precise, the closest place to harmonize would be the crater left over from the Hammer Strike. The old Hero League Headquarters acted as a shock absorber of sorts to keep the earthquakes to a minimum. Be advised, any operations in the area will be subjected to the full brunt of the Citadel’s firepower as there is no cover in the area.”

“How long until they reach the position?”

“They do not appear to be in a hurry. They seem to be… searching as they go. Tecton is most likely using his powers to sense through the ground for our lairs. He appears to be having trouble due to the extensive sewer systems.”

“It is enjoyable to watch my plans come to fruition,” Smile Molotov pulling a Cuban cigar out of her pocket, chewing on it before lighting the other end.

“How will we deal with that?” Asked Fold.

“Simple, we will set a trap. Nitro is en route as we speak, she should be arriving shortly. Fold, open up a portal on the other side of the crater. I believe there is a Hero League post that has yet to be retaken in the area.”

“You are correct, Enforcer’s base has yet to be reclaimed as it is to the south of the Citadel’s operations.”

“Good, we will infiltrate the sewer system and attack from a blind spot.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea,” I said.

“Why is that?” Asked Molotov eyeing me.

“Well… I mean, Terrakinetics can feel vibrations through the earth as such he would likely feel us coming and collapse the tunnel on us.”

“Good thinking, though I have already prepared countermeasures. Of course, that is why we will have distractions to send out pulses through the earth to disrupt his senses. Thumpers if you would.”

Xava nodded, though she tilted her head, questioningly, “Won’t they attack them?”

“While Dr. Tesla was setting up his installations, we also installed these as a countermeasure for ground sonar. They run all along with the sewer systems and under most buildings. As such, the whole city will vibrate drowning out whatever noises we might make.”

I leaned back when the hell did they have time to set all this up? How many steps ahead was Molotov on this? Well, I suppose if the whole purpose is to lure out Arachnaon, then something to this degree is only to be expected. When you aim at the Queen, you better not miss. Is it such a good idea to antagonize the big bad spider? I think not, but then again, I don’t have much say here. It like we pulling trash mobs to get to the Final Boss. A Final Boss I have never seen and have no idea how it works. Generally, in a game, such instances would lead to a few wipes. The only problem is, this isn’t a game, and we don’t respawn. I guess we still have to fight our way through the mini-bosses first. Hubris is going to be bad enough. It is worrying.

Am I too, short-sighted? I guess Molotov has been staring off into the horizon on this, gazing at the peak. Then again, we do have the void itself sitting there across from me. The Sanguine Puppeteer seemed reasonable, from my interactions. But… I get the feeling it won’t help us here, at least not with the full extent of its powers, and would gladly watch as we are torn apart for its amusement. Well, if all the stories are true. I mean Molotov is scared of it so clearly it is powerful.

So powerful, in fact… the world itself feels wrong. Something stuck out like a crooked nail. Something that Sanguine had just said.

“What was the Golden Age?” I asked.

The Puppeteer’s hands interlocked, and the elbows sat on the table as it supported the mask, “Oh. Interested in a bygone era?”

I gulped.

“That was… a long time ago. Back when things were different… new… exciting. Back before the world lost its colors.”

“What happened?”

“You need not worry about that. It is in the past. It is long forgotten. You should be concerned with your current predicament rather than events that have since concluded several lifetimes ago. What has been done can’t be undone, and so there is no need to worry about it.”

“So, this isn’t fun for you?”

Molotov stared daggers at me as she mouthed, “Don’t push it.”

“Fun?” Said the Puppeteer tapping the inside of the mask, “This is a passing fancy. You have no idea. You can’t even fathom the depths of my boredom. At best, these little games are a distraction. And even then, I can’t even get serious. If I did, well, it would end in a moment, a simple clap, a snap of my finger. It is too easy. If I willed it all life on this planet would be extinguished in a moment. Enough of this, if I burned all my puppets, who would I toy with?”

I could feel the sweat pooling in my carapace. Just about everyone at the table had gone ghost white. Molotov coughed, “Xava, you will be heading to the installations and getting them prepped. Vira, Spark Spray, and Fold will be on standby until the main assault begins. Fold open up a portal for us to get into position.”

We nodded, wanting nothing more than to leave this room. The portal opened, and light from the morning sky glistened off of the dewed courtyard. Molotov, Boris, Xava, Burnout, and I walked through the portal. After a moment, the hole in reality closed. I glanced around at the glaring surroundings. Something seemed wrong. There were no Cyberswat members here, only chewed pieces armor.

“Xava, was this place abandoned?” asked Molotov.

“It was not. Odd, I never received any distress signals. Their beacons were not destroyed either. They appear to mostly be gathered inside.”

“Of course not. They were all killed before they even knew what was happening.” Said Molotov inspecting the cybernetic helmet that had been chewed clean of flesh.

“Who did this?” I asked.

“Mantia.” Replied Molotov, “Xava, thermal vision. She can camouflage to her surroundings.”

Her eyes swept the surroundings. Xava bent over inspecting some tracks, grooves that had been stabbed into the metal ground that lead to the wall and left over it. “She appears to have left already.”

“Be careful, Mantia excels at ambush tactics.”

My antennae flicked about smelling the tracks. It was a unique scent reminiscent of myself and yet entirely different. It stood out drastically from the other smells. For some reason, it still smelled rather strongly… as though Mantia was still here. All my eyes opened as my head jerked up, looking in all directions at once. Something was watching us. But from where? The smooth gray walls left nowhere to hide, and yet, it was here. She was here; I could smell her.

“How did she get the jump on the Cyberswat? Don’t they all have thermal vision active in their visors?” questioned Molotov.

Xava released some drones, letting them survey the area. The surroundings were cold. No warmth to be seen save us. “That is a good question,” Xava replied, concerned.

“How sure are we that she can’t change her body temperature as well?” I asked my exoskeleton crawling as my senses were screaming of a nearby predator.

“It isn’t outside the realm of possibility.” Said, Molotov.

“I can smell her.” I said, “She is still here.”

“If she didn’t attack the moment we got here, then we are fine.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

Boris replied, “She is an ambush predator. She relies on surprise attacks to get the jump on her prey. Since there are so many of us, she won’t attack until she gets a better opening.”

“So, what do we do?” I asked.

“We are wasting time. We need to get moving.” Said, Molotov.

“But a mantis woman is stalking us.”

“Unless you can sniff her out, we can’t find her, so there is no point in wasting precious time here.”

“Then what we ignore her?”

“For the time being, we safe from attack. She and I have clashed before and are evenly matched as such even with just Boris here she knows better than to be reckless.”

“So we going to get stalked by a crazy Mantis woman this whole mission?” I growled.

“Unfortunately, yes, until she decides to reveal herself.”

“Won’t she blow our cover?”

“Now, where is the thrill in that?” asked an elegant voice that certainly didn’t match the words it was whispering in our ears. It seemed to come from right next to me, and yet there was no one there. “You know that the hunt is just as important as the kill. After all, I want to see your faces twist in terror. I want to savor your despair. As I drive you into a corner, ahhh I want to see your suffering as I eat you limb by limb and then when you cry and beg and plead for it to end only then will let you die~”