Broker

What is that stupid boy doing here? 

Sonya stood in front of the two-way mirror and frowned. She had not planned on slipping out that evening. Her intention had been to take a little time for herself and relax. She even had some shows queued up that she had fallen terribly behind on. She let out a sigh and slumped her shoulders in a pout. “Do you have any idea how much processing power I use to filter out spoilers for War Games when I’m browsing the internet?” she asked the room. She turned around and met Charon’s red eyes.

He was lounging on the couch across from her, smoking a cigar and grinning back at her. “Can’t you just watch them while you’re walking around or something?” he asked. “That brain of yours can do some crazy shit.”

Sonya crossed her arms. “It’s the principle!”

He barked out a laugh. “Just say you wanted to watch it in your new personal movie theater instead of beating around the bush.”

She rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Fine. I’d rather be watching it on my fancy, new, multi-billion-dollar boat, which, by the way, I have spent less time on than you guys. And you’ve been in a dungeon for half a week!”

Charon laughed again. “So did you want me to not tell you that he was asking for you?”

She scoffed. “Hell no,” she said. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I just want you to understand where I’m coming from when I go in there.”

She glanced around the room while he chuckled. They were in what looked like something between a lounge and a locker room. A place where people could observe what was going on in the room on the other side of the two-way mirror. It made her think of a police station, but that clearly wasn’t it. She turned her attention to the sole door leading out of the space other than the one next to the mirror and pursed her lips. “You had me teleport to this room; what’s out there?” she asked, jerking her chin towards the door.

He glanced at it. “Hum? Oh, this is a branch of the Styx here in Sydney,” he said with a lazy wave of his hand. “The room’s soundproofed, otherwise the noise from the club would be deafening.”

She chuckled. “He must have been really confused when you brought him here.”

Charon snorted. “You can say that again.”

She turned back to the door next to the mirror. “Let’s see what this kid wants.”

Ishtar?

I am here.

Sonya raised her hand up and reached past her face, gripping the air before pulling back down with a single breath. The air stilled for a heartbeat before she felt power rush through her veins and into her muscles and bones. A glittering fog of infinitesimally small motes of light spread across her skin until the armor took shape. She raised her head up and basked in it as she felt Ishtar’s mind settle in beside her own. She opened her eyes behind the helmet and exhaled, the air chilling around her.

She turned her head towards Charon. “Enjoy the show.”

He raised his cane in salute, and she smirked before opening the door and stepping through with a low-level burst of Imperious for good measure. She raised her chin up and looked down at the young man who had nearly risen from his seat at the cheap card table. Nietz slumped back instead and stared up at her with wide eyes. Sonya strode across the room to stand over him. “You shouldn’t be here, little hero,” she said sharply.

He winced and looked down at his hands. “I didn’t have a choice.”

She floated a few inches off the ground and drifted to the right, gliding behind him. “Lie. There are always choices. It’s just that there’s an obvious path of least resistance among them.”

She didn’t even have to look at him to feel him shrink a little more before he rallied himself. She could hear his teeth grit and feel the tension in his muscles. She could sense his heartbeat. She continued her circuit around the table as he pushed himself to lean forward and stare at her. “If I want to achieve my goals, this is the best option,” he said firmly. “There’s someone I need to protect, and to do that I need to be the best I can possibly be.”

“Why should I care?” Sonya asked, examining the claws on her gauntlets and not bothering to look at him. “In what universe does helping you net me any sort of gain?”

He pressed his lips together and leaned back, glowering at her, but said nothing. She raised her eyebrows behind her helmet and slowed a little to look at him. “Hoh? Nothing to say? You came all this way without a plan?” she demanded and tilted her head forward to look him in the eyes. “Did you ask for me as a way of getting out of being killed by Charon? Coward.”

He sprang to his feet and slammed his fist into the table, crushing it. “I won’t be called a coward by a monster like you that pulls everyone’s strings!” he shouted. “I came here to make a deal to get stronger so I can take people like you down!”

Sonya blinked, stunned for a moment.

The audacity of this boy, Ishtar commented.

I like him. Let’s test him a bit. I want to see how strong that heart of his really is, Sonya agreed, and with only a flicker of movement, was before him. She shut down the lights in the room and grabbed him by the face. He didn’t even have time to react before chains of hardened light grabbed him by the arms. She squeezed and felt his jaw creak beneath her grip. “Watch your tone,” she hissed. “You forget where you are, little hero.”

He returned her stare, wide-eyed but unblinking. Cowed but unbroken, good. 

He nodded, and she tilted her head to the right and drew in closer, letting Imperious leak out to pound on his spirit a little bit. “You came here, demanded an audience with me,” she hissed. Her etheric voice, echoing with both her and Ishtar’s tones, radiated through the room. “You, who aren’t even a proper hero. Just a glorified security guard,” her eyes flashed. “That’s right. I’ve done my research on you.”

He opened his mouth to retort, but she squeezed again.

“I didn’t give you permission to speak! Know your place!” she snarled. “You came here with the express intent to make a deal for power so that you could use it against my beloved villains? Is that what I’m hearing?”

He returned her stare but said nothing. She smiled behind her helmet. “He learns quickly!” she chuckled. “Speak.”

He bared his teeth. “Yes.”

“The answer is no.”

He blinked. “No?” he demanded, pulling his chin out of her grip. “Why not? I heard you would make deals with anyone! I need this!”

She swatted him across the face and sent him to the ground. He scrambled back up, but she planted her boot on his chest and pushed him back down. She leaned down and conjured up a khopesh of hardened light and placed it beneath his chin. “You need to understand that you are nothing compared to the resources at my disposal. What could you possibly offer me that would even make this conversation worth my time? Come back when you become International or something. You’re pathetic.”

He flinched and looked away.

“Struck a nerve, did I?” she hissed. “Let’s see…” she hummed. “Anton Hosk. Ability Unknown, but it seems to be some manner of defensive power. Renders you resistant to all sorts of things. Curious,” she murmured. He tensed again and tried to rise, but she pushed down hard enough to force the air out of him. He gasped and coughed. “Pandora Security. You left abruptly to participate in Chernovna’s competition. I wonder why. What would motivate a man who has a comfortable job out of harm's way to suddenly push for a sponsorship?”

He glared at her, and she snorted. “Was my jab about making International a hit too close to home?” she asked. He did his best to keep his face still, but he wasn’t good enough to escape her eyes and observational abilities. A tiny twitch of his lips, a rise in temperature on his face, an increase in heart rate. “Ahh… I was right. Again, though, why? What is there to gain?”

“I want to be a better hero-”

“DO NOT LIE TO ME!” she bellowed and the room shook.

He looked away, and this time she saw his brave facade crack a little bit. You aren’t going to be getting anything from me beating around the bush and hiding things. If you have a wish, you must be upfront. 

You’re going to give him what he wants? Ishtar asked.

If there’s a decent benefit for me and he holds his own here, I don’t see why not. I’m not going to coddle him if that’s what you’re asking, Sonya replied.

We’re of the same mind, then. True-spirited heroes are hard to come by. Ishtar said.

“I have a friend who needs my help,” he said quietly. “Hero Locke was relieved of her position and blacklisted by those bastard Representatives.”

I knew it, Sonya thought smugly.

“You want her on your support staff,” Sonya said.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Then you need to win this competition?” she pressed.

“Yes.”

She drew the khopesh back and pulled her foot off of him. “And how far are you willing to go to achieve that goal, hero?” she asked.

He glared at her. “I won’t spy for you, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I’m not a traitor.”

She tilted her chin up and looked down on him. “And what if I decide that is exactly what I want out of you?”

“Then just kill me already,” he growled. “I won’t compromise who I am. I want to be the best I can be. I’m willing to make a deal, but I’m not willing to sell out the other heroes.”

She scoffed and brandished her weapon casually. “You seem to think you have a lot of say here. That’s quite the delusion, don’t you think?”

“If you really wanted me gone,” he growled, “you would have killed me already. I do have something that you want, don’t I?”

Sonya cocked her head to the right. Smart boy. Too smart for his own good in some ways. 

I wonder what manner of power he wants. He’s intelligent enough to understand that if we give him something flashy, it’ll be obvious he made a deal, and not only will he be disqualified, he’ll lose his license, perhaps even go to prison. Why take the risk? Ishtar wondered.

Love, I’m guessing.

Hmph, of course, Ishtar grunted.

He’s a strapping young man, it isn’t that much of a surprise, Sonya teased. Don’t be such a Grumpy Gus, love is a respectable motivator in my opinion. 

Let’s just get to the point, Ishtar said.

Fine, fine, Sonya chuckled.

“Why don’t you tell me what you want, little hero, and we will see if what you have is payment enough for your heart’s desire,” she hissed, and with a wave of her hand the lights came back on and the restraints vanished from his arms. 

He sat there for a heartbeat before getting to his feet, rubbing his wrists, and watching her warily. She drifted into the air and floated around him, watching him carefully as the wheels turned in his head. He didn’t so much as move, cautious of angering her again. “I need an ability that will improve my natural regeneration. Something to heal my wounds quickly. As long as it does that, I’ll take the lowest tier you have to offer.”

There were a couple of abilities with that function in the batch you got from the preliminary winners, Ishtar said. 

I could spare one, but why bother? He’s already caused me enough trouble and doesn’t strike me as the type to change sides even if I crushed his spirit right here, Sonya replied. It’s better that I deny him and send him on his way.

I say feel him out, Ishtar suggested.

You have something in mind? Sonya asked.

Just a working theory, Ishtar said. He has a defensive ability but needs regeneration. Why?

Interesting, maybe there’s more to it, Sonya agreed. Fine, we’ll let this play out.

“I happen to have a few lying around,” Sonya said absently while she pretended to check her nails. She flicked her head in his direction and fixed him with a stare. “Why regeneration?”

He scowled before sighing. “My ability adapts my body to the damage I’ve sustained. It’s a growth-type, but it only improves once I’ve fully healed from an injury.”

Oh my! Now that is a catch! Sonya and Ishtar thought simultaneously. Such an ability would be invaluable, even if it was undeveloped when she got a copy of it. Given its nature, it was probably in the Rare or Epic-tier. A power like that could push her body or that of one of the members of her Inner Circle to the next level. The ideas swirled in her head as she regarded him. “Give me your offer.”

“If you can give out abilities, you can take them, right?” he asked, and Sonya shifted a bit to focus on him even more. He raised his hand to his chest. “If something happens to me. Take mine. It’s yours the moment I die.”

Sonya blinked in disbelief. “That is… something I can make happen,” she admitted. “But did you really just ask for a deferred payment?” she asked. “Do you really have no shame?”

He stepped forward and clenched his fists, returning her stare with his own. “If my shame is all I have to give up to become the best hero I can be, then I’ll toss it aside in a heartbeat. If I can save one more life, help one more person, and all I have to do is humiliate myself? So be it.”

I don’t think this is just about his love for Locke, Ishtar said thoughtfully. I think he might actually be one of the good ones.

Where the hell was this ray of sunshine in the previous timeline? Sonya wondered before lowering her legs back towards the ground and drifting towards him. “I won’t accept a deferred payment, but the fate of your ability after your death can remain on the table.”

He frowned. “What do you want?”

Sonya leaned in close and took his chin in her hand. “I want a copy of your ability, to start.”

His eyes went wide. “You can do that?” Then he paled. “I’m not leaving here alive now, am I? Not without a deal.”

“I’m afraid so,” Sonya agreed with a melodramatic nod. “You’ll have to agree to remain silent about the nature of my ability. Which, by the way, creates binding deals. You won’t be able to break the terms even if you wanted to.”

He clenched his fists. “So that’s how it works.”

“Indeed,” Sonya said. “So? What are you going to do?”

“You want two copies of my ability,” he ground out. “I want to add some terms.”

She scoffed. “I’m listening. Don’t push your luck, though.”

“When I die, if you encounter Heroes Locke and Hammond, spare them,” he said quietly.

Sonya kept her emotions in check. “Very well then-”

He stepped forward and spoke quickly. “And I want you to agree to not kill me the moment the deal is struck. The binding nature of the contract goes both ways, right? If I die, I want to be standing on my feet as a hero.”

Sonya frowned. “Don’t push it, hero.”

He scoffed. “Push it? It was a long shot of me getting out of here alive to begin with! Charon’s still out there,” he nodded at the door before looking back at her. “And you could probably splatter me with a punch. I figure if I’m going to flip a coin, at least make sure it doesn’t bite my friends and I in the ass if I get tails.”

Sonya couldn’t help herself. She threw her head back and laughed. It was a stringent laugh, a mixture of delight and frustration. He was the kind of hero she wanted to see in them all. He had the stuff to be like one of the greats. He even had the flexibility that Lillian lacked. 

He’s asking for a lot, Ishtar commented.

Broker will cry foul if I’m giving too much, Sonya said and reached into her warehouse. She plucked out an Uncommon-tier regenerative ability that one of the participants in the prelims had. He said he’d take the lowest tier we had.

Ah, didn’t that person have two abilities like Amos? Ishtar asked.

Yeah, shame their combat power was only Epic and they got knocked out in the first round, Sonya said. I’m already sparing his life and that of his friends; he’s getting a bargain.

How do you want to do this? Ishtar asked.

I figured I’d merge it in; it’s easier that way, and I’m curious about the results. Either way, I’m getting it back when he dies, Sonya said. I can give him some time to enjoy it for now.

“You may leave this place alive, little hero. I will not pursue you for a year.” She leaned in close, “But if you interfere with me during that time or prove yourself a liar and commit an act of villainy, I will end you.”

I can always pull strings to prevent him from going on missions related to me for the year as long as he behaves himself.

“Fine,” he snarled.

She raised a finger. “I’m not done. You’re making a deal with me, little hero. You’ve crossed a line. If you come to me again, if you give into that temptation, I will have a blank check on you. This clause is for keeps.”

I only agreed to not hurt your little friends after you die. They’re fair game right now. If I need to, I will drag them in and force you into a deal. Don’t think you can beat the dealmaker, brat. 

A good thread to pull on if he becomes famous, Ishtar pointed out.

And if a certain asshole takes an interest in him. If he wins the competition, he’ll become my sponsee. I won’t have him fall into Otis’ clutches, Sonya agreed.

His expression went stony, and his eyes hardened. “Challenge accepted. The next time we see one another, I’ll bring you in.”

She straightened with a cold laugh. “We will see, won't we?” This is going to hurt a lot,” she said.

He scowled. “That’s a small price to pay.”

“Pragmatic, good,” she said and held out her hand. “Let’s make a deal, little hero.”

He looked at her clawed gauntlet and swallowed hard before reaching out and taking her hand. She tried analyzing him again for shits and giggles and found that he was still very much immune. She wouldn’t be able to copy it until the deal went through. 

<Broker Deal: Deal Ready!>

<Party: Anton Hosk will receive the ability Lesser Regeneration (Uncommon) and have it merged into his existing ability. Party: Sonya Chernovna will not intentionally bring harm to Parties: Hero Hammond and Hero Locke after Party: Anton Hosk’s demise. Party: Sonya Chernovna will not directly or indirectly attempt to end Party: Anton Hosk’s life for one year as long as Party: Anton Hosk does not interfere with her or commit an act of villainy. If at any time Party: Anton Hosk attempts another deal, he must agree to any and all terms presented.

In exchange, Party: Anton Hosk will vouchsafe the secret of Party: Sonya Chernovna’s abilities. He will also lower the guard of his ability and grant a copy of his ability to the warehouse. Upon his death, all of Party: Anton Hosk’s abilities will be taken and deposited into the warehouse.>

Looks good so far.

<Warning: Granting a full, permanent ability from your warehouse will remove it from your warehouse.>

Yeah, yeah, I know.

<Checking… Services provided are insufficient to act as payment for the exchanged items. Deal is too heavily imbalanced in favor of the Party: Sonya Chernovna. Deal cannot proceed. Calculating additional costs…>

The hell? What do you mean it’s not enough?

<Chance of retrieval of ability post-deal detected. Party: Anton Hosk’s ability’s value is too high in comparison to Lesser Regeneration and provided services. Please choose an ability of at least Heroic-tier.>

Two copies of a growth-type, even if one is deferred, is quite valuable, Ishtar chimed in.

Even so, I’m sparing three lives along with it? Was he lying to me about the nature of his power, or is he ignorant of it? How curious. Is it because of how it adapts to things? This is troublesome, Sonya grumbled.

Agreed, Ishtar said. A Heroic-tier regenerative ability. Do you have one?

One, Sonya said begrudgingly. I was planning to give it to Amos. Now I’ll have to rethink that build I had in mind for him.

Such is the life of a power broker, Ishtar chuckled.

Har har, Sonya grumbled good-naturedly and reached into her warehouse as Nietz stared at her awkwardly. “I am balancing the agreement,” Sonya explained. “It seems your ability is more valuable than I anticipated. This won’t take long.”

She sighed inwardly. It’s hard to find abilities that are pure variants, like this one and Heroic Strength. Shame I’m using it up like this.

<Ability Lesser Regeneration (Uncommon) has been replaced with Healing Factor (Heroic) for the purposes of this deal.>

<Checking…>

<Deal Ready!>

Proceed.

Sonya felt the power leave her warehouse as the charge ran down her arm. She watched his face as it suddenly paled, his eyes bulging and his throat bobbing. He staggered back and broke contact with her, letting out a cry of pain. He dropped to his knees as she stood over him. “Endure it. You got what you asked for. Now you have to live with it.”

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