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***
- ... In the end, she grabbed three vials of Light and ran off. No matter how many times we tried to find her, nothing worked. Even Hokma's abilities failed," Anna said guiltily.
Since it was a long conversation, the girls and I went to the conference room and settled down to listen to what they were going to tell us.- To think of it," Gerda said in a voice that could freeze the ocean. - With all those resources, people and equipment, you all screwed up.
- Mr Jones, did she become a Distortion or did she get an E.G.O.? - I asked, interrupting the girl.
- ... I can't say for sure," the man replied after a short thought. - Her eyes are red and her body has changed a bit, but as far as I know, Miss Bina's E.G.O. also affects her appearance. As for the Distortion... She didn't turn into an incomprehensible thing.
- Was there an aura of horror and impropriety?
- ...It seems... Yes. But only faintly," Jones said.
- It's the Moonstone," he said, pondering his unhappy thoughts. - Then we're in big trouble. Have you been able to figure out what her powers are?
- No. Maybe speed, agility and luck? Still, all we've been able to do with our talismans is hold her back.
- Something tells me it's the law of meanness that this-- what's her name?
- Carmen Reed, Anna tells me.
- That this Carmen will have worse powers.
And that name and looks. She's like the Carmen who dreamed of bringing light to all people. But in the end, her terrible fate made her crazy and she wanted to turn everyone into Distortion. What does this one want exactly?
- What could be worse than luck? - Aki asked.
- Trust me, lots of things...
- Excuse me Head, but how do you know so much about the Distortions? - Amelia interjected. - After all, you're the one who created the Anomaly and the enkephalin and Light mining devices. And right now there are only E.G.O. users. Or am I wrong?
- The information comes from another world where the Light was misused, resulting in the Distortions. That's where all the technology comes from.
While the audience considered my words, I asked the question again.
- Did you find out anything about Carmen? Who she is, where she's from, what she breathes?
- Yeah. She's 23, orphaned. Born in New York. Her mother died in an accident. She's a child prodigy herself. Graduated from M.I.T. at 16 and later went to C.I.T. after spending a year at each school. The Hydra people gave her a grant for that. After which they recruited Reed to join them. Since she dreamed of helping humanity, it wasn't a big deal. You know the rest.
- Yeah, it's not much. Did you find the wizard who created the spell that locked our base?
- No," Stone replied. - And John Siemens, who ordered the attack, doesn't know anything about any wizards.
- What about the information about the base itself? Where did he get it from?
- This is where the real hell starts to happen," Stone began.
- Like it didn't exist before," Aki said quietly, rolling her eyes.
- ...He got it from a spy who had no way of knowing that kind of information," the woman finished.
- How?
- There's an email on his computer with all the data and calculations showing the best time to attack. When Siemens read it, it was like his mind went into overdrive. Apparently he was under some kind of influence, which was subsequently wiped clean. As a result, this bloke decided to attack our base without thinking twice. He just happened to have the right number of men on hand. And most importantly. The letter shows up as being sent from the spy's address. Except she didn't send it. It's like the message just showed up in Siemens' mailbox.
- Is this an Enemy thing? - I asked Benji.
- Yes. The handwriting's the same," the scowling guy confirmed. Apparently worried about not being able to get the information he wants.
- What does he or she want? - I asked rhetorically, putting my palm to my forehead. - Create a Distortion? Steal the Light? And how could he or she get so much information about us?
Everyone was silent as there were no answers.
- Head, I want to say that my guys are not to blame for what happened," Jones interrupted the silence, looking straight at me. - I was the one who didn't give the right instructions....
- Calm down Mr Jones, I'm not going to punish you or your subordinates. It doesn't make any sense. And I don't think you meant to do it on purpose. The contract wouldn't allow us to hurt our case.
- Thank you for your understanding.
- One last question. Have all the tails been cleaned up?
- Yes," Benjamin replied. - I've checked everything. There's no trace of any of them coming back to us.
- Good. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're all tired. We need to rest and clear our heads. From one Aleph-class Anomaly, we have gained a lot of Light, which will be used to create more nightmares that will come to life. This will bring the Plan closer to completion and strengthen our soldiers many times over. We may have lost the battle, but the war is not over. You may be free to go. And you, Hokma, I'll ask you to stay.
After waiting for the others to leave, I turned to Benji:
- Don't get too excited. Apparently, this operation was planned to bypass all our options. The enemy anticipated everything. Quite possibly literally. I wouldn't be surprised at the outcome.
- But I let you down," the sad guy started to say, but I interrupted him.
- Bollocks. You did your best. It's just that the enemy was more prepared this time. Well, next time, it won't be that easy. I'll modify the Contract link so my subordinates can tell me anything at any time. So just calm down and come to your senses," he told Ben, patting him on the shoulder. - Go get some rest, or you're going to collapse from exhaustion.
The boy nodded absent-mindedly and left the room. The girls and I were left alone.
- They're all useless," Gerda said with a frown as Aki thought hard about what had happened. - How could you screw up like that?
- Calm down my lady. It was unexpected, brazen, and too timely. Or bad timing. It depends on which way you look at it. And we can't see the future.
- You're too soft with them," the girl said unhappily. Apparently Gerda had taken the incident to heart.
- Perhaps. But I'm not some kind of an autocrat. They are my subordinates, whom I have chosen myself. Therefore, I am partly responsible for what happened.
The girl pressed her lips together stubbornly, but she didn't argue further.
- Aki, why did you use the Sin of Greed in the fight with Dahaka? - I asked the girl a question that interested me. - You're not really greedy.
- I am, but once in my life," Aki said cheerfully, putting her hands behind her head. - When we became a couple, I remembered the world you told me about, where the sexes were about the same. And I wanted to be your only girlfriend. That's when I got a taste of Greed. I managed to overcome it, though. So there you go.
- Pfft, to think what a girl who looks as simple and straight as a spear is hiding," Gerda said with a wry smile, folding her arms across her chest and looking at her friend. - I can understand that, though. It's a tempting prospect to be the only one.
- What am I talking about? - Aki asked proudly, grinning toothily.
I teleported them home to rest, and we talked about the fight and what had happened.
Left alone, I turned to Dahaki's E.P.O.S. with my mind, trying to understand its properties in detail. I figured out the basics right away, but not the details yet. In general, this "set" could be called Continuity, or Anchor. The name reflected its essence. The suit and the gift gave impressive protection from all sorts of negative effects, including time management. The gloves gave him the ability to manipulate sand, darkness, and create tentacles on a limited scale. But all of this was only revealed with a full "set". If all three items were present, the attacking capabilities became a true "ult", roughly comparable to the level of Dahaki's powers, if the wearer was able to unlock the full potential. It was the same with defence. But that all paled in comparison to the main "passive" bonus. Namely, the Anchor. Its meaning was quite simple and at the same time not quite.
This ability gave a sort of "save point" while the E.P.O.S. was on. If some smart guy wanted to kill me in the past, he wouldn't succeed. The universe, for which my existence at this point in time was an indisputable fact, will not tolerate emptiness. If necessary, I will be reborn without remembering how I died. That may well have already happened. The only way to kill me is without the tricks of travelling back in time. Suppose I were to die at the hands of an enemy right now. The Anchor won't save me from that. But if I survived that moment and wore E.P.O.S., but one of my enemies travelled back in time and wanted to erase me from the future, then nothing would work. Cause and Effect. I've already survived today and reached the future by inscribing myself in the book of time, so that means I just can't die in the past. Something like that. I remember Dahaki himself had a special relationship with the timeline. He was both in the past and the future, chasing after the Prince without rest. That's what you call giving yourself completely to your work.
Admittedly there were two downsides. If my will weakened, there would be erosion, which would be unpleasant. Plus, while I'm wearing all the gear, Dahaka gets to travel to me through space and time. And the increase in strength when fighting me and knowing where I am isn't even worth talking about.
Still, today's acquisition was quite valuable. Something good on such a bad day. I'll have to give this E.P.O.S. to everyone around me. Just in case.
Now, I want to go for a walk and clear my head. After giving my last orders, I teleported into town.
Retreat.
In the evening, in the direction of one of the most turbulent areas of New York, namely Harlem, walked a tall smiling man in a black three-piece suit with red patterns, tightly fitted body, with a cylinder on his head, a red tie and a monocle in his left eye. The patterned cane in his hand only completed the dandy image. The man was definitely handsome, but there was something otherworldly and eerie about him. The girls watching him could characterise this feeling with the words - look, but don't touch.
Definitely, this man looked alien here. Even the unsophisticated realised that this dandy's hat alone was worth more than many locals earned in a year. What he was doing here was completely incomprehensible.
But the man, ignoring the stares, kept walking until he was stopped by two policewomen who were on duty near the car.
- Hello, sir. Lieutenant Steele," the older woman with blonde hair addressed him politely.
- Hello ma'am," the dapper man replied kindly, covering one eye. - To what do I owe the honour?
- If you want to visit Harlem, we advise you to do it in the daytime. There's nothing for white people to do there at night.
- Oh, don't worry about that! Believe me, I can defend myself," the man replied with a broad smile.
- And from a bullet? - A younger policewoman with red hair asked sceptically.
- And from a bullet," the man confirmed seriously, and both women suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.
- Then we won't keep you. Have a good trip," the older woman said and walked back to the car.
- And to you," said the smiling fashionable man, lifting his cylinder slightly and heading in the same direction.
- Oh, these men," the younger policewoman sighed tiredly. - They'll shoot him in the head and that's all. The death of such a handsome man would be a great loss to the whole country.
- They won't," said the blonde. - If you work with me, you'll learn to spot dangerous people. He's one of them.
- Really? - Her partner asked incredulously.
- Seriously. So maybe he's the one who's going to bury some black people in there.
- I didn't see the "danger" part.
- That's because you should have stared less at his face and arse," the blonde snorted derisively.
- Oh, like you weren't staring!
- I'll admit, there's a lot to look at. But not at the expense of work.
- Yes, yes, Mummy....
Dandy had just entered Harlem, avoiding a lot of rubbish. The man followed a path he knew only to himself, looping between buildings. Or maybe he was just walking at random. Some of the less law-abiding residents wished to rob him in a quieter place, but caution prevailed. Well, they got lucky today.
But not all of them had the brains for it. Five young African-American women in a hidden nook between the houses surrounded the man and the main one, holding a joint, politely addressed him:
- Hey, snowball, what are you doing here!
- Walking, - smiling, answered the dandy. - Why?
- White oppressors like you are not welcome here! Get out of here, or we'll count your bones! But first, empty your pockets! You got that?
- Hey, C.J., this guy's creepy. Why don't we just stay out of his way? - the shortest girl pleaded with the ringleader. Apparently, the other African-American girls shared her opinion.
- After he pays to walk down our street! - she replied.
- And if I don't want to? - The white man asked with interest, tilting his head sideways. His cylinder did not move a millimetre.
- Then I'll make a hole in you! - CJ said, pulling a switchblade out of her pocket and bringing it into a fighting position.
- Hey, nigga, fuck it! We're gonna get shit-faced for cutting up a man! - exclaimed with panic in her voice one of her mates.
- Can you do it? - As if nothing had happened, smiling, asked the white man.
- It's easy! Take that arsehole!
And she stabbed the dandy in the stomach. However, the blade couldn't even pierce the fabric of the suit, which began to change structure as if alive.
- Hmm. The metal's not good," the man said, looking at the gop company. - And it's not going to have much punching power. But since you've decided so, then....
Grabbing the blade of the knife with his bare hand, the dandy clenched his fist with such force that the metal broke. The African-American women watching opened their mouths in surprise.
- In the past, hands were chopped off for attempted theft. Maybe we can follow suit, hmm? - The man asked a question and, without waiting for an answer, grabbed the bandit's hand, squeezing his fingers tightly.
- Aaaaaaah! S**a! O-let go! - she screamed, trying to unclench the man's hand.
- Let go of CJ, you freak! - The girls tried to intervene, but the man's glare was enough to make them all stop.
- If anyone else twitches, I'm not responsible for myself," the man said calmly, holding the whimpering fool firmly by the forearm. - Now let's get on with this like civilised people. Have I offended you in any way? Come on, I'm waiting for an answer to my question.
- N-no," the ladies said in a discordant voice.
- Then why are you bothering me?
- Whoo! Ooh! Let go!
- C.J. got high and decided to get to you, sir.
- Well, look at that," the man said cheerfully. - It's just a little pressure and everyone's so polite. What am I supposed to do with you?
- Understand and forgive? - The little girl asked hopefully. All the others frantically nodded their heads.
- All right, I'll let you go. But first I'll punish your friend.
Before the black girls could say anything, the man squeezed his fingers harder and broke the radius bone.
- Aaaaaaaaaaah!
- C.J.!
- Fuck!
- C**a!- And if you tell anyone about what you saw, I will eat your souls for breakfast.
At that moment, the man's face fell away, revealing to the African-American women a black skull. And the barely perceptible eeriness that had been emanating from the creature before was intensified, making their blood curdle. The unlucky bandits had never been so pale as they were now. As if that wasn't enough, all the shadows in the back room trembled as if alive and crawled towards the bandits.
- Oh, Goddess!
- Holy shit!
- And-begone demon!
- Get out of here," the man said, letting the crying girl go.
The girls scooped her up and rushed off, heels blazing, to the creature's loud, bone-crunching laughter. After waiting for them to scramble away, the man spoke softly under his breath:
- Hm. It was definitely the Strangeness title working, affecting the likelihood of a stoned attack. But why was that necessary?
After standing in thought for a while, the man twitched, sensing something interesting.
- Well, well, well! I think I've got it! Something tells me there's a lost soul waiting there, literally eager to make a Contract!
And whistling a merry tune, the man headed in the direction of the man whose desires were so strong that they could be felt a kilometre away.
The feeling led to an abandoned building, on the outskirts of Harlem. At that, the rest of the way was quiet and peaceful. Inside, however, was a woman, in gym clothes, swinging a practice sword. Moving closer, the man scrutinised the swordswoman. It was definitely an Asian woman, most likely Japanese, not too tall, but strong and very shapely. It was obvious that the woman was a serious athlete. Her raven-black hair was gathered in a bun. A barely restrained anger occasionally ran through the concentrated, graceful face with a thin nose and lips, as if the woman was not training, but chopping the heads of her worst enemies with her training sword. In her hands was a bokken, which she waved frantically, apparently with some style.
- How interesting," the man said quietly, rubbing his chin. - I hope she'll be a good acquisition.
Casting an illusion with the Light, he watched the woman closely, enjoying her skill. But the spectacle did not last long and the Japanese woman, having finished her training, began to pack her things. Dandy on the other hand having removed the illusion began to clap. Hearing this, the woman sprang up, and instantly turning to the source of the sound, she thrust her sword forward in a stance.
- Bravo! - said the man admiringly. - What a beautiful dance of death I have just witnessed. It was truly superb!
- Who are you?! Are you from Tsukasa Keiko?! - exclaimed the Japanese woman belligerently.
- I don't even know who that is," the man replied, slowly approaching the woman and smiling disarmingly. - And since we're on your terms, why don't you tell me? I feel like you have a lot on your mind. Talk it out and it'll get easier. Believe me, I know.
- Why would I talk to a stranger who appeared out of thin air?! - Without falling for the man's suggestion, the woman asked, holding her bokken in a fighting position. - Don't take me for a fool!
- And what do you want to do with this wood? Can't you at least use something metal? - suggested the dandy in a sympathetic manner.
- You'd be surprised what a professional can do with this, as you put it, 'wood'," the woman said with a grin that did not bode well for her interlocutor.
- Well, of course not. I willingly believe that you are able to do her miracles. That's not the problem. It would take at least a tank to harm me.
The man wasn't bragging. Just stating a fact. And the woman, being a seasoned fighter, recognised the point.
- However, I am here because of your Desire, - said the dandy with a broad smile. - Oh, where are my manners?! Pluto, at your service!
The man took off his cylinder and bowed like an aristocrat.
- Why don't you introduce yourself? They say it's customary in civilised society," Pluto said cheerfully, squinting one eye.
- ... Ren Yamada," the frowning Japanese replied after a moment's silence, realising that she wasn't going to get off that easy. - And what did you say about desire?
- Not a wish, but Desire. I happen to be able to fulfil them," Pluto explained, coming closer. - But for me, a strong Wish burns like a beacon in the night. Yours burns like the sun.
- What is this nonsense? - Ren asked unhappily.
- It's not nonsense," the man said, shaking his finger with the smile of an adult trying to argue with a child. - I sense in you a Desire... Revenge, perhaps. You want to kill someone. And bitterness. You blame yourself for being weak at the time of their death. Am I right?
- ...
Yamada's stricken face was the best answer.
- Would you like to tell the story? Believe me, I'm a good listener. Even the strongest man needs to talk from time to time. Besides, it's kind of easier to tell a stranger. And afterwards, I may well be able to offer a mutually beneficial deal that will help you fulfil your deepest desire.This Pluto spoke very convincingly, and the woman also felt that he could really fulfil what he promised. Yes, and the man accurately named the feelings that were eating her. Either he knew the Japanese woman's history very well and was most likely planted by Tsukasa, or he was a charlatan psychologist who had become obscurely attached to her, or he really had some powers.
In the first case, she'll use her skills to kill him. In the second case, she'll just walk away, hitting him a couple of times on his stupid head. And in the third... What would happen in the third, Ren was afraid to guess, not wanting to be disappointed.
So she told him. She told him that she was the daughter of the woman who had crossed Tsukasa Keiko, the yakuza oyabun*. The same Keiko who eventually ordered Yamada's mother to be drowned in Tokyo Bay. The woman found out by accident and barely escaped to the United States. And now she's out for revenge.
- Yakuza, huh? - Pluto asked thoughtfully as if to himself. But very quickly he looked at the Japanese woman again and spoke with a smile. - And you know, I have some scores to settle with the Yakuza. What's more, I'm putting together a squad to reduce their population. And you'll fit right in. Plus, I'll give you strength in addition to the knowledge you need to carry out your revenge.
- I can sense the but in your words," Ren remarked, lowering her wooden sword.
- Heh, that's right. There will be a price to pay for all of this.
- And how is that?
- Service to the man I work for. We'll sign a Contract that will bind us together in unbreakable bonds," Pluto said pathetically as he stepped closer.
- But why should I agree if you are going to kill yakuza yourself? - The Japanese woman asked mockingly, slinging her bokken on her shoulder.
- Because I can leave Tsukasa out of it. It's quite possible she'll work for us. Besides, don't you want to bleed her personally, hmm? - Pluto asked with a knowing smile.
He didn't need an answer, though.
- I'd like to know in detail what I have to do," said the woman, after a moment's thought.
- It's simple. Serve the organisation I work for with my sword. Your soul, body and mind will no longer be yours. You will not be able to betray, tell, or harm us in any way because of the Contract you signed. In return, you will have the means to live without poverty, the ability to cure any wound or disease, and of course, power. The power to carry out your Revenge," Pluto said as he stepped up close to her and gazed into her eyes. As he did so, he held out to the Japanese a black paper with red pulsating text that appeared out of thin air.
Ren took it carefully and read it carefully. The whole thing was like a story about demons who promised to fulfil wishes, eventually deceiving stupid people. The woman looked for a catch in the text, but there was none, unless you counted the conditions themselves. This was not strange to the Japanese, however. They had always served someone. Daimyo, shoguns, corporations, the state... You couldn't name it all. Besides, serving isn't the worst prospect. You're not alone in this inhospitable world. There's someone to protect you, comfort you, or show you the right path. And most importantly, it's a chance to get revenge so you can move on with your life and breathe. So her answer is obvious.
- I agree," Ren said firmly, looking into Pluto's eyes, burning all bridges. - What is to be done?
- Marvellous! - said the man with a twinkle in his eye. - It's enough to sign and the Contract will become active. Here you go.
Taking a pen that appeared out of thin air, the woman signed the contract. In that instant she felt an invisible thread linking her to this strange man.
- And now it is time to give you strength my dear Ren.
- In what way? - she asked with interest.
Pluto didn't answer, instead grabbing the woman by the arm, teleporting to the laboratory beneath the mansion. There, after quickly explaining what was involved, he placed Yamada in the sarcophagus. In the next hour she was stuffed with Iredzumi, had combat skills and some needed knowledge pumped into her mind, Light, and had some genetic enhancements done.
When all the procedures were over, the woman began to look at the places where her skin was covered with black cloud tattoos.
- How are you feeling? - The man asked, sitting regally on a chair and holding a katana in black and grey, decorated with cloud motifs.
- I've never felt so light," Ren replied admiringly, trying out some of the moves from her style. - It's like this isn't even my body. And then there's the knowledge I've never learnt.
- I pumped information into your mind that will help you survive and benefit the Refraction. Even though you know everything you need to know now. Your body has been upgraded as well. All the data is also in your head. Also, take this. It's made to fit your hand.
With these words, the man held out the katana to the Japanese woman. Gently accepting the weapon, she nudged it. After a few trial swings, Ren saw that the blade left inversion traces in the form of black clouds. The grip of the handle felt like it fit in the palm of her hand, Pluto was telling the truth. The woman immediately liked the katana, so much so that she didn't want to let it go.
- I see that you are pleased with it," the man said, watching her carefully.
- Yes. What should I do next? - Yamado asked, returning the blade to its scabbard.
- After the operations, you should rest and get a good grasp of your knowledge. At the same time, you'll get accustomed to your new abilities. You have a week to do that. Then you'll be in touch. For now, let me send you back.
The woman nodded and moved to the outskirts of Harlem.
- Another good acquisition. But it's not enough," Pluto said quietly, taking on his original appearance. - That's okay, we'll see who's who.
***
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