Thread: Empire - City of Wonder (Black_Out and The Supple Nail)

Warm blue and yellow flames hissed within the confines of the elegant tiled fireplace, spilling out a shifting wave of muted light across the otherwise darkened room. Solitary, the figure of a man lounged upon a long curving leather sofa of plush cushions. Gentle flashes of subdued luminescence popped from a variety of monitors arranged upon the wall surrounding the glowing fireplace. The mans hawkish eyes were attentively focused on the central most screen, where the recent events that unfolded at the carnival were being meticulously digested. Something was different when she left. He wasn't quite sure what, but it caused him to stir as swept his feet away from the comfort of the sofa and settled them on the plush carpet. He leaned forward staring at the image of Wonder Woman as she departed the scene after having vanquished the Creep. Leaving the rescued worker in the care of the ambulance personnel that had responded. The police hadn't even arrived yet. It was very unlike her to leave without a brief meeting with the law. Rewind to the beginning. Evan spoke to the room through pursed lips. Of course sir. A male voice responded from hidden speakers arranged throughout the room. The footage from the Empire Carnival's security camera rewound again while Evan Reynolt watched the replayed video clip with keen interest. Sentry, pause the video. The computerized artificial intelligence obliged the spoken command, freezing the frame in crystal clarity. There on the screen was Wonder Woman, entering the House of Horrors, her sword draped across her back between her shoulders. Now, fast forward to the portion when she is leaving again. As you wish sir. The image blurred and then shifted to a different angle provided by another camera monitoring the park. She left her sword behind. Evan narrowed his eyes as he watched the heroine exiting the building, carrying the rescued worker over her shoulder. Pause and zoom in on her face just before she turns to leave. Once more the video froze, catching Diana standing by the paramedics after she had placed the worker under their care. There was a flicker of a smile. A glint of curiosity mingled with devious intentions as he watched the picture close in on her frozen facial features. It was unmistakable, that look he witnessed in her ocean blue eyes. Wonder Woman was rattled. Unsteady, her glossy red lips pursed as if gasping. That famous heroic confidence that he had always seen her so easily putting on display was nowhere to be found. Oh my dear, did the Creep stir something inside you? Evan felt a hardness swelling in his silken bed pants, and as much as he wanted to relish in that surge of arousal, there was work to be done. Why settle for a picture, when you could have the real thing. She'll be back for the sword. I'm certain of it. His gaze wandered away from the freeze frame picture of Wonder Woman as he turned his attentions to an angled monitor rising up from the sleek black marble coffee table before him. The park will be on lock down, no cops, not a soul around. My lawyers will see to that. By the time they get their warrants in order, she'll have returned to claim her sword. Make sure your ready. I want her, unblemished, bound and delivered to my estate. There was a single nod from a platinum blonde haired man with a hard chiseled face from upon the screen. His intense green eyes shined with excitement from the order given though his teeth nudged against his bottom lip with a hint of uncertainty. She'll be a handful, even for me, sir. The man with the simple code name of Conquest responded. That is why I'm sending Paradox to meet you. He'll supply you with whatever it is you might need to bring her down from her lofty heights. Evan paused as his fingers wove together and steepled beneath his chin. In fact, I might suggest he try out his newest strain of Euphoria on our dear Wonder Woman. A sliver of maliciousness wove its way across his handsomely refined features. A new strain sir? Conquest arched a single brow at the mention of the potent aphrodisiac that had been flooding the streets of Empire City over the years. Indeed, it's just as powerful, but it is supposed to cause hallucinations in the subject as well. From the reports I've read, a persons deepest, darkest, desires swallow them up. It would make what the Creep did to her seem like child's play. What if she's immune, sir? The mercenary inquired over the private feed. Well, your the super soldier. Mercenary extraordinaire. If the tools that Paradox provides don't do the trick on her, I'm sure he'll have something to sway the tide in your favor. Or you'll just have to do it the old fashioned way. Evan thinned his lips. Regardless, I don't want to hear excuses. I want results. Make it happen. Contact me when you have her. I'll tell you how to proceed from there. His gaze was drawn away from the bounty hunter as his attentions shifted back up to the screen, focusing on the alluring figure of Wonder Woman, frozen in time, with that look of doubt etched upon her face. Now go, find her sword and wait for Paradox to meet you. Be quick about it. In case our target decides to hurry back to reclaim her lost weapon. We need to be ready for her. ------------------------ It didn't take long for Conquest to arrive at the shut down carnival park. In the deep hours of the night he entered the House of Horrors. The mystical sword spotted as it shined in the narrow beam of his flash light. Before he could reach out to grasp it a voice spoke from the shadows. Don't touch it. The vulture like metallic mask of Paradox emerged from the darkness. I've already sprayed it. One touch and the newest strain of my Euphoria will surge into your body. The sinister visage recoiled back into hiding. Obviously, your not the intended target. Conquest took a moment to look around, trying to ignore the shiver rolling down his spine that the appearance of Paradox created. Alright. What else do you have in your bag of tricks if that doesn't work? Gloved fingers curled and beckoned Conquest into the pitch black abyss. Come, I'll show you. Last edited Jan 8, 2019