Broker

Chapter 18

Sonya looked up at the statue of David, her hand resting against the tall glass barrier that protected it from those who could not appreciate it for what it was. Maybe it was her eyes, or the fact that she had Eye for Detail active, but something about the statue spoke to her more than the subtle carving that made it seem so lifelike. It was like Michaelangelo understood something so fundamental about humanity and the human body that he could engrave that understanding directly into the piece. If Sonya ascribed at all in the Dao as Chunhua did, she could have sworn she felt its presence in the piece.

“Breathtaking,” Sonya murmured, as the others milled about. The guide that Bernetta had sent with them was waxing poetic about the history of the piece. She paid a little bit of attention but otherwise kept her focus on it. She felt like she could learn something from it if she could stare at it long enough.

“It’s like there’s a hidden meaning somewhere,” Mikayla said quietly next to her.

Sonya glanced her way and raised an eyebrow, she hadn’t awakened Mikayla’s ability for her yet. Somehow, though, her eyes could already pick up on that strange hidden truth that Sonya noticed. What if she had her Eye for Detail active?

Sonya’s fingers twitched, but she resisted the greedy urge, looking back up at the piece, “I see it too, it’s… strange.”

“I get this feeling a lot when I look at art,” Mikayla admitted, “But it feels hollow.”

Sonya nodded, “Like you can almost understand but you’re not quite there.”

Mikayla brightened, “Yeah! Just like that!”

So Sonya’s Eye for Detail was on the level of Mikayla’s normal perception, it was an enhancer not a power in and of itself. Fascinating.

Their sight-seeing tour took them throughout Florence, to the sites of important events and great works of art. She gazed upon Venus and the Gates of Paradise, she walked the narrow streets and marveled at the roman-built river. Every single moment was breathtakingly magical, it was another world. She’d been to Italy in her past life, but it was a ruin by the time she’d visited it. A place of tragedy born out of inaction, jealousy, and greed. This was Italy as it should be, a wonder of the world in its own right.

She committed herself again to making sure that future never happened.

As they strolled through the Bardini Gardens, Marta strode up next to her and glanced her way. “I just got a call from Miss Lucci, she’s made the arrangements. Your party will be tomorrow night,” The caretaker said.

Sonya nodded and turned her gaze towards the city, the view was magnificent. “Good, gives us time to appreciate the city a little more,” She said just as a siren blared in the distance. She narrowed her eyes as her lenses began to whirr in her head. Even from this distance she could see the monsters appearing out of cracks in the air, leaping into the street as people ran away. As if on cue, a pair of bystanders flew into action, quickly dispatching the creatures with their abilities. One had an odd power that looked like blades of green light, the other was startlingly fast, wielding momentum to destroy their targets.

She zoomed back out to normal vision and glanced at Marta, “Looks like the idea of heroing is starting to spread here as well. That was a quick response.”

“You think it’ll become normalized?” Marta asked.

“I do,” Sonya nodded, “I’m certain of it.”

Amos chuckled as he approached, his vision distant for a moment before he came back to himself. He shoved his hands into his pockets, “Not bad, I can figure out who they are for ya, boss,” Amos said.

“Keep a record but no need to hunt them down,” Sonya said softly, “I have a feeling we’ll meet them eventually.”

He nodded and went to sit down on a bench, relaxing as his mind drifted into the surrounding network. She wondered what it was like for him, with his powerful mind, to bounce about from device to device until he got where he needed to go. She turned her eyes towards Mikayla who was simply admiring the gardens, blissfully unaware of what was happening nearby. She frowned and Marta mirrored her expression.

“I don’t think she’s built for our side,” Marta said.

Sonya shook her head, “I don’t think so either, sometimes ignorance is bliss. I still plan on employing her, though.”

“Snatching her away from Bernetta?” Marta asked with a smile.

“Not quite,” Sonya said, “I want the company, or part of it at least.”

Marta gaped at her, “S-sonya, Lucci is a huge corporation.”

Sonya chuckled and looked back out towards the city where the police had arrived and were collecting the bodies of the monsters. The proto-heroes had already vanished into the crowd. “Quite so, but I wonder what forty years of youth is worth to Madame Lucci?”

A bit of sweat appeared on Marta’s brow, “You are one scary lady.”

“I try,” Sonya crowed and waved to the others, it was time to eat, and prepare.

–

The following night, as shadow crept across Europe, a luxury mega-yacht drifted quietly off the coast of Genoa. A dozen smaller craft floated alongside, security teams from a variety of groups all poised and ready to deal with anyone who would draw near. The police and navy had been paid off, apparently, only the suicidal would approach at this point. It was here, on the yacht, that the wealthy and powerful of Europe had gathered with a singular desire. Longevity. They milled about the deck, talking quietly with one another as they sampled fine food and finer wine. Men and women shook hands and deals were made that could change the fate of millions.

Sonya watched them all from the bridge, behind tinted windows, with thinly veiled contempt.

“Greedy, wasteful, self-important, and disconnected,” She said, more for her own benefit than anyone else. Her hand rested on the helmet next to her, her fingers stroking the surface. Marta stood behind her in respectful silence. Unlike her usual outfit, she wore a fine white gown. Sonya glanced over her head at the Brunette, “Are you ready?”

“It’s time for Ishtar to make her debut,” Marta said with a delicate nod.

–

Bernetta checked her watch, it was only a minute before the real festivities were supposed to begin. A few of the guests had already complained about waiting but she’d urged them patience, their true host worked on her own timetable. She stood at the base of the stairs leading up to the top level of the main section of the ship, looking up at the doors that lead into the elaborate bridge. The wooden steps gleamed in the artificial light around them, and the golden decor made the entire place feel decadent beyond all reason. The message was clear for those who attended though, this was an exclusive meeting, and they were fortunate to be here.

She glanced back over her shoulder at the glass door separating the interior from the deck where ministers, CEOs, and heads of state milled about. It had taken an enormous amount of political capital to get them all here, and she quietly prayed that it would all pay off in the next few moments.

Her watch ticked over, and the doors opened. Her eyes widened, “What?!”

Sonya Chernovna descended the steps, a white gown fluttering around her body. She was as ethereal as ever, a beauty straight out of stories. Her sunglasses were on, as they usually were, she seemed self-conscious about her prosthetic eyes. But… how? Next to her was the source of her confusion, a woman wearing what looked like the most elegant and form-fitting jumpsuit she’d ever seen stepped onto the landing. She wore high heeled boots, armored gloves, and an eerie silver helmet that had a completely black partial dome. Glowing on the dome were two hot-pink eyes, they looked like they were made of hundreds of little LEDs, angular and fierce despite their simplicity.

“Ishtar…” She breathed, but still… how? She’d assumed that Sonya Chernovna was Ishtar. But here Sonya was, standing next to the mysterious woman. When had she gotten on the boat? Her mouth thinned, was it the Maid? No that was impossible, the Maid hadn’t come either. She would have seen her. Only Sonya and Ishtar had been invited.

Ishtar descended the steps, “Madame Lucci,” Ishtar said, her voice raspy and chilling, sending a shudder up Bernetta’s spine. Just like it had been over the phone. Every footfall sounded like a low, deadly thump, like a heartbeat slowing down. There was an oppressive air around the woman, aching, silver hair, like Sonya’s, floated behind her but it seemed all the brighter than the meticulous businesswoman’s. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

Bernetta felt the sudden urge to bow, like a weight on her shoulder. She obeyed it without question, swallowing, “Mad- Mistress Ishtar, welcome. Thank you for being here.”

Ishtar stopped at the base of the stairs and stood regally, Sonya a half pace behind her; “Of course, I wouldn’t miss my own debut party. You’ve done a magnificent job.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Bernetta managed, her chest tightening a bit beneath the intensifying pressure. It was hard on her old body.

Ishtar tilted her head, “It won’t be long now, Bernetta, patience.”

Bernetta froze, was she reading her mind? She swallowed and looked up into those imperious, unblinking digital eyes. Ishtar turned her head to the door, “Shall we?”

“Yes, right this way,” Bernetta managed and turned, the pressure seeming to drop off as she averted her gaze. It had to be coming from Ishtar. Her presence alone has that effect on people, is she really a goddess?

Bernetta opened the doors and stepped out ahead of the pair, “May I have your attention, honored guests,” She began and stepped aside, “I present Mistress Ishtar, our host, and her date for the evening, Miss Sonya Chernovna.”

The murmurs and conversation evaporated immediately on the deck of the ship. Dozens of eyes turning towards her. She was used to this kind of thing, though, she smiled beatifically and gestured towards the pair. Ishtar stepped out first, her hand holding Sonya’s. Sonya held her head high, smiling widely at everyone. Ishtar, on the other hand, swept her gaze over the gathering without a hint of emotion in her posture. Her steps were languid but still carried that oppressive weight to them. No one moved, no one breathed, until she spoke.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this first gathering of our little club, I hope you have found the refreshments to be satisfactory ahead of our main event,” She said, her raspy voice causing a stir amongst those present. 

One man, Erik Vaught from Germany stepped forward. He was the owner of a luxury vehicle brand and a friend of Bernetta’s. “You wear a mask at a gathering like this?” He demanded, crossing his arms, “Why hide your face while we show ours?”

Bernetta swallowed and glanced back at Ishtar who regarded him. He seemed to shrink a little under her gaze before she let out a raspy hiss of a laugh, “Because I brought one with me, there was no rule against it, Mister Vaught,” Ishtar said, “Next time, feel free to bring one if you so desire. I, for one, enjoy my privacy.”

There was a round of uncomfortable chuckles, those gathered still unsettled by her voice. Ishtar raised a hand to her heart, “As I said, I appreciate my privacy, my ability is valuable as you all well know. That’s why you are here, you alone,” She gestured towards them, “Tonight, you will consider just how valuable it is to you.”

A quiet murmur went through the crowd as Ishtar looked them over, “Nothing in this world is free, ladies and gentlemen, and I offer you the most valuable thing of them all. Time. An extended lifespan,” She continued, “I will invite each of you one at a time to join me within a private room inside the yacht and you will tell me what you think a new lease on life is worth.”

She tilted her head forward as if to stare them all in the eyes, “Then we will negotiate, and make a deal. Afterward, the process is rather swift, I assure you.”

More conversation, more leery eyes, “Of course, there is a toll here at the door,” Ishtar said, holding up a finger, “I will ask for your silence on any matter concerning me, our gathering, and the people associated with me. In exchange, you will be welcomed inside.”

“Before I agree to anything, I want proof!” An elderly man railed, holding up a cane, “Talk is cheap! Here and now, show us!”

A murmur of consensus wafted over the crowd and Ishtar nodded, “Of course, I understand. Which is why I’ve already received an oath of silence from Madame Lucci here,” Ishtar said and gestured to Bernetta. Bernetta froze, her eyes widening and turned to Ishtar. Ishtar held out a hand to her. “Bernetta, would you like to tell me what your time is worth? I believe forty years should suffice, yes?”

Bernetta glanced at Sonya and then at Ishtar again before swallowing. This was it! This was her chance! She mulled it over, forty years, what could she possibly offer that would sate this person’s desires? She’d give up half her company for it. Billions of dollars. Whatever it took. She needed her youth back. She took the woman by the hand and leaned forward, whispering to her. Ishtar straightened a little and looked into Bernetta’s eyes, she could almost feel the woman’s smile.

“It’s a deal, Bernetta,” Ishtar rasped, and Bernetta’s world was enveloped in white.

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