Bob sat around a conference table with several other minions. He slouched over in his chair, barely moving a muscle. Everyone else sat up straight, avoiding his gaze.

“Please tell me we’re ready.”

Minh and Cikizwa looked at one another and nodded.

“We got most of the materials, the last one should be delivered today.”

Bob looked at the pair. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Any more complications?”

The two rapidly shook their heads.

“Nothing we couldn’t handle. We kept it quiet and shouldn't have made any waves.”

Bob let out a deep sigh, tension draining from his shoulders.

“Sergei, are the necessary systems operational?”

“For the most part. We’ll need to run some tests once the last materials arrive, but the individual systems are running. We just need the power source and the magnetizer and we should be fully operational at about 64% efficiency.”

Bob nodded again.

“That’ll do. Tina, how did we do?”

Tina frowned but nodded.

“We cut it close but we’re just within budget. As long as we don’t have any more surprises, we should be in the clear. Not getting the maximum bonus this time though.”

Everyone around the table sighed.

“Villains.”

“Seriously, did we really need that much gold?”

“We could’ve cut the cost in half if it weren’t for the mountain base.”

Bob cut in.

“How about the retreat?”

Tina nodded.

“Still have enough for that, at least.”

Bob turned to Chris.

“What’s the ETA on construction?”

Chris looked at his notes.

“We should be done with the functional systems, the throne, and the exterior by the end of the week, minus the parts Sergei is still testing. Barracks and living systems outside of the boss’s room won’t be done though.”

Bob nodded again.

“Good work, make sure it gets done. Yuhan, are your men ready?”

Yuhan nodded.

“I’d like to run a full on training exercise once construction is finished, iron out the kinks.”

Bob nodded.

“Should be enough time for that.”

Yuhan placed his fist in his palm and bowed. Bob checked his notes one last time and nodded.

“Good work everyone, looks like we’re just about ready to go. Start wrapping up and remember to finish your newbie evals.”

Each of the men and women around the table nodded or saluted. The group stood up.

“I’ll talk to the boss then. Everyone keep each other posted on any complications.”

Miss Le Blank strode into her office, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.

“That Vivienne! I can’t believe she humiliated me like that! And all those imbeciles who believe her dribble! What does Mr. Soyer and some idiotic movie have to do with anything? She’s the one making up fairy tales!”

“It’s most confusing, Ma’am.”

“Almost as confusing as your laziness, minion! What on Earth is taking so long?!”

“We’re almost ready for you, Ma’am. Just one more week and you can visit at any time.”

“Finally! It’s about time! I have to say I’m disappointed in your lack of enthusiasm.”

“Just one thing, Ma’am, could we have your signature?”

“What?! What could it possibly be now?! Could you be any less competent?! Honestly, I will have words with your supervisor when this is over.”

Miss Le Blank snatched the clipboard from Bob’s hands and sloppily signed the sheet. Bob nodded as she thrust it back at him.

“Thank you, Ma’am. With that everything should be in order. Will you be stopping by as soon as construction is finished?”

“Obviously! And everything better be perfect when I get there, minion!”

Bob bowed his head.

“As you will, Ma’am.”

Bob left the office and headed to an unassuming janitor’s room. He opened up a cabinet, flicking a switch hidden under the brooms. A low hum sounded as the privacy mode engaged. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Bob.”

“Londyn.”

“What do you have for me this time?”

“26w, could be a 25 if left unchecked.”

“Ugh, things are pretty tight here, Bob. How long do we have exactly?”

“A week.”

“Hm, we should just make it. What are the details?”

Miss Le Blank sighed as the car bumped yet again. Why on Earth did the minions choose some backwater in Eastern Russia of all places? There’s not even a functional airport in the area! All in all this had been a most disappointing affair.

And then they crested over the final hill.

Miss Le Blank’s jaw dropped.

The castle of her dreams stood before her, shining in the dawn.

“Finally…”

Miss Le Blank remained in a daze as she toured through the castle. She entered the throne room. A golden room with a red carpet leading to a golden throne. The room was at the base of the central tower, extending all the way to the highest point of the castle. In lieu of a ceiling was a transparent dome that glimmered in the sunlight, the focal point of the castle built into the center of the main spire. She held her tongue as she strode down the hall and took her seat upon the throne. The minion who escorted her knelt before his rightful ruler.

“There is still work to be done on the barracks for the minions, but the systems are ready for you, Ma’am. Just waiting on you.”

Miss Le Blank vaguely nodded and closed her eyes.

She began to glow, brighter and brighter until she could no longer be seen. Then she thrust her hand upwards.

Beams of light shot into the air. The throne and the walls lit up in a dazzling display of rainbow lights as the light traveled through the air.

And then it hit the dome.

And the sun shone upon the throne.

The dome grew as bright as the sun and could no longer be viewed directly. Rainbow lights lit up around the walls and floors, traveling through the entire castle. Before Miss Le Blank, holographic screens appeared in the air, showing the status of the facility and the views of various internal and external cameras. Miss Le Blank gave a nod.

“This is…adequate, I suppose. There may be hope for you yet, minion.”

And then the whole facility shook with a roar.

“What was that?!”

The minion looked at his phone and gasped.

“We’re under attack Ma’am!”

“Under attack?! By whom?!”

The minion gulped.

“The ILS, Ma’am! Looks like the Tesla Titan is hitting our perimeter!”

“How did they even find us?! Those blasted heroes will ruin everything! Minion, where is the security?!”

“T-That’s the thing, Ma’am…”

“What?!”

“Most of the team is on a company retreat at the moment. We only have the perimeter guys at the moment.”

“WHY ON EARTH ARE THEY ON A BLASTED RETREAT?! JUST WHICH IDIOTIC IMBECILE APPROVED THAT?!”

“Um…you did, Ma’am. Everyone was most grateful for your magnanimousness…”

Miss Le Blank gripped her hair.

“You know what? I don’t care anymore. I’m done with you people.”

“Ma’am?”

“Minion, get out there and stop the heroes.”

“Me? By…myself…Ma’am?”

“Unless you see anyone else actually doing their jobs!”

“B-But…I mean…it’s the ILS, Ma’am!”

“So what? I don’t expect you to win, just slow them down a bit! Trip them with your body or something!”

“U-Um…”

“JUST DO IT!”

“O-Ok…”

The minion shuffled out of the room. Miss Le Blank started pressing buttons on the holographic screens.

“If I can just get this into the air…then it won’t matter. Nothing will matter! No one will be able to stop my rise! And I will make this world…beautiful.”

Tesla Titan strode down the hill, his boots hitting the ground with heavy thuds. Before him, armored minions set up a barricade, guns at the ready.

“Huh, less than expected. Is good, easier is better.”

He raised his right arm. A surge of lighting jumped across the barricade, sending minions convulsing on the ground as they screamed, arcs of lightning sparking around their bodies.

Tesla Titan shielded his eyes as he looked up at the castle. The glow from the centerpiece had spread, and now the entire structure was shining.

“Seems wasteful. Villain should learn to be more efficient, like me.”

Tesla Titan strode towards the castle, passing by the convulsing minions. He approached the main gate.

And was struck by a purple beam.

He checked his suit for damage. There was a purple glow around the suit but no physical damage dealt. He shrugged and continued forward.

Or tried to.

But the suit wouldn’t move.

“Hm…checking connections…”

The suit UI didn’t respond. Tesla Titan stirred up his lightning and surged it through the suit. The interior of the suit was filled with blue light and cracking air.

But the exterior remained a dull purple glow, with occasional purple lights blinking about.

And the suit still wouldn’t move.

“...that’s not good.”

Behind the corner of a nearby barracks, a minion packed up the Anti-Ionizer ray. He smirked and whispered.

“From the Red Colonel with love. Forgot who built your suit did you?”

The minion walked behind the barracks back towards the barricade. He nodded to the minions on the ground.

“Miss Le Blank no longer requires our services.”

The minions immediately stopped convulsing and stood back up. They placed their fists in their palms and gave a short bow, and then scattered from the area. The minion shook his head as he got into a parked car.

“Heroes are so annoying.”

Just then the ground began to tremble. Cracks appeared around the castle walls, right in front of the immobile Tesla Titan suit.

The castle began to rise, the ground underneath floating with it.

Miss Le Blank’s flying castle had been activated.

Tesla Titan grimaced. The suit still refused to move. His comms were down, built into the suit and so deactivated with it. He could do nothing but watch.

The castle flew into the rising sun, heading towards the sea.

Fully armed and operational.