Nothing happened overnight, which can already be considered a success. I quietly went about my company's business for the rest of the day, after which I personally went to see the NSA woman. Her name was Gloria Stewart. She was a high-ranking member of Group G. One of their bases was in New York. They were spying on the U.S. as well. What Stuart and the NSA wanted from me, I didn't know, though I had a hunch. Alas, I hadn't yet managed to reach all the right organisations. But that's okay. I'll have a new contract guy today.
Why did I think that? Well, it just so happens that this lady's daughter has severe haemophilia. And that's the perfect hook to make Stuart my subordinate. And if I didn't have that leverage, I could get dirt or get her removed through internal competition. And that, by the way, is a big deal. The vast majority of people want to climb higher and cannot even be censured for it.
Taking the form of Pluto (only without the cylinder), I went to her house. The house was quite spacious and cosy, but without frills. You wouldn't think a man from the NSA lived here.
Even as I approached the house I could hear the cheerful cries of children. Gloria's own daughter, along with her two sisters from other women, were playing in the yard with the father of the family. After observing this picture for a while, I made my way towards the Stewart family.
- Good evening!
- Hello," said a stately man with a rounded face, blue eyes, and a general air of gentleness as the children looked at me with interest. - Now, young ladies, what do you have to say?
- Hello sir..." the girls said in a friendly voice, hesitating at the end. They all looked more like their father. At least in hair colour, eyes and face.
- Pluto. Just Pluto," he answered them with a smile.
- Nice to meet you. I'm Michael. So, Mr Pluto, to what do we owe the pleasure?
- I'm actually here to see your wife, Mrs Gloria. It has to do with her work," I said, resting my cane on the ground and continuing to smile. - I need some new furniture for the nightclub, so I wanted to ask your wife. I had other things to do during work hours, and now I had a free moment, so I thought I'd drop by.
According to the information I gathered, she wouldn't tell me where she worked. I didn't know what her motive was, but I suspect it was to protect her family.
- Yeah? That's unusual," the man said, apparently not buying my story until the end. I didn't care, though. - But she's still at work. You'll have to wait for her. How about a cup of tea or coffee in the meantime?
- If it's not too much trouble," I said.
- Come on, then. Girls first.
- All right, Daddy!
- Daisy, don't run or you might fall.
- All right, all right," said the little one sadly. That's Gloria's daughter.
The sisters headed for the house, while Michael and I followed at our usual pace. The man started asking me some details about the club and the furniture I needed. I don't know what he had originally thought, but since I had both a club and the need for new furniture (it just so happened that I needed to make it more presentable, because of the golden youth who were interested in the Monolith). After listening to my answers, Michael calmed down and began to make tea for those present. As it turned out, all three of his wives were out. Gloria was out late and two others had gone shopping.
So, under tea and tricks, which I showed to the girls, passed a dozen minutes, until the culprit of this campaign came into the house. She was a spectacular blonde with green eyes, a figure pleasing to the eye and a stern face. When she saw me smiling, she flashed with fear, but managed to keep a calm expression on her face.
- 'Darling, there's a man here to see you on business.
- Hello, Mrs Stewart! It's a pleasure to meet you in person," I said kindly, standing up from the table.
- Hello, Mr ... - the woman pretended not to know me.
- Pluto," I played along with a wry smirk.
- Mr Pluto," the woman finished, not giving away her true emotions in any way outwardly. - Let's talk in my office.
- I have nothing against it! - I exclaimed cheerfully, saluting with my cane.
After a quick conversation with her husband, the woman walked with a slightly wooden gait towards the back of the house, holding her bag and outer clothes in her hands. Apparently she'd even forgotten to put it away. The study itself, where she led me, was furnished rather modestly and without much frills. Respectable.
After hanging my jacket on the back of one of the armchairs, Gloria put the bag on the table next to her. Sitting down herself and gesturing for me to do the same, she asked in a tense voice:
- 'So, I'm listening to you Mr Pluto. Couldn't your case wait until tomorrow? It would be more convenient to meet in our office.
- The case could have waited, but I wanted to talk to you today. You know, I've got a lot on my plate without you. Mrs Stewart, let's not beat around the bush. I know who you are and what you're doing right now. Frankly, I don't care about the NSA at all. So here's what we're gonna do. You tell me who's interested, and then I'll just walk away. Starting tomorrow, you will sabotage the investigation into me and Kyle Smith in every way possible.
- What? Kyle Smith? - the woman asked, wanting time to think about the situation. She wouldn't mind knowing why I'd mentioned my other identity either.
- Yes, Kyle Smith. That's all you need to know," I said kindly but firmly.
- But what makes you think you can tell me what to do as a government official? Isn't that a lot to take on, Mr Last Night's Promise? - Gloria asked with a playful grin, outwardly confident, changing her demeanour.
- Not much. I decided because I'm stronger in this situation. And the gun in your bag won't help," I told her before she decided to shoot. - I think you were able to get a video of me trying to kill myself with an automatic weapon. Do you remember the outcome?
Oh, she remembered! Fear spiked all over her, and her face trembled a little. Well, she's a woman of substance, if only for the way she holds herself. She may be shaking inwardly.
- But one whip is not reliable," he told her confidentially, making himself comfortable in the chair and gesticulating with his right hand. - I suggest to the whip a sweet gingerbread.
- Sweet gingerbread? - she asked again, wanting to buy some time.
- Exactly! I-me-nno! I found out that your little Daisy has haemophilia," he said in a sad tone, putting his right hand to his chest and shaking his head. The mention of the disease caused the woman to react vividly. She twitched as if struck by a blow and frowned. - And as it happens, I have a remedy that can cure your girl. How's that? That's more interesting, huh?
- Rubbish! There's no cure for haemophilia in the world! - she said expressively, clenching her fists. - Stop mocking me!
- Tell me my name," I demanded, switching to you and moving closer to her.
- What? What are you?
- Say my name. It's my full name.
- Pluto, Yesterday's Promise," Gloria complied.
- You're damn right.
- But what's this about? - the woman began, but stopped at the end, eyes wide.
- 'I see you got it,' he stated contentedly, looking at Gloria. - I can grant wishes. You know that, don't you?
Most of my contractors didn't talk about our business. Still, most of them were serious figures. It wasn't worth it to make our connections public. But with the lesser men, it didn't make sense. And I needed more contractors. Looking for them myself was not a quick job, but I could count on an influx of new subordinates. That's why there were rumours and even certain proofs of the reality of wish fulfilment in the city for a long time. But naturally this phenomenon had a negative side. Some bastards and some big shots wanted to bend me to their liking without paying me. What cheeky bastards, right? True, they often ended their earthly journey very sadly and under unclear circumstances. And that cooled the ardour of those who were smarter.
- So..." she began, her voice hoarse, licking her parched lips and looking me straight in the eye. - So you can heal my daughter?
- Yeah. It's not a problem.
- And... And what will I owe you in return? - The woman asked, frantically considering my words.
- All of yourself," I answered briefly.
- Can I get more details?
- Please. You'll still work for the NSA, but you'll still work for me. You'll do whatever it takes. In return, you'll get a cure for your daughter that will allow her to heal once and for all. And if you prove yourself to be a good worker, you can expect bonuses. For example, life extension for you and your family or healing from any illnesses. Or maybe both. But that's only a fraction of what I can do. Don't forget what I can do.
- So betraying your country to heal a child? - the woman asked, glaring at me.
- Don't be so pathetic. I'm not interested in the United States. You would only betray the vested interests of your bosses who gave you this assignment. You heard my offer. Your choice.
- How can I be sure the cure is working? You can say anything.
- Then let's try it on you," I suggested, shrugging my shoulders. - Cut your finger and see how it works. Besides, I know you have health problems of your own. It'll cure them in one fell swoop.
And he pulled a vial of chilopnesis out of his sinus. It would be too much to give her two vials at once (it was a complicated product to make, requiring a lot of energy and time to create), but since her daughter was small and not terminally ill, half a vial would be enough for her. The rest would be for Gloria herself. As far as I knew, she wasn't exactly a model of health herself after some kind of mess, which made the demonstration make sense.
The problem was that Stuart was hesitant, which could have delayed things. And it was the baby, not the woman herself, which added to the problem. But I decided to take a chance. Right now, it could tip the scales in my favour.
- So, shall we try it, hmm? - asked Gloria, who was staring suspiciously at the chilopnesis. I could already feel luck slowly starting to affect the probabilities. All that's left is to wait. - Do you really think I would use such a long and intricate method for murder?
The woman froze, contemplating the best course of action. After a couple of minutes, she finally made up her mind and pulled out a stationery knife from her organiser and earnestly stabbed herself on her thumb. Immediately, blood started pouring out. Immediately, I injected Gloria with half of the ampoule and watched her face change. Very quickly, a look of serious surprise appeared on it. The woman herself looked at her finger and scraped the cut with her fingernail. Expectedly, there wasn't even a scar.
- It doesn't hurt... My whole body doesn't hurt," Gloria said disbelievingly, looking at me. - For years, the pain had only subsided with medication. And now... It's not just for a while, is it?
- That's right. A simple painkiller can't close a fresh wound. I hope you've got proof now? If not, I'll leave right now, and tomorrow a new person will take your place while you're being cut for the good of science.
- I agree," Gloria said hastily, looking at the XP vial. - Now what?
- And now, we'll sign the Contract, - I said contentedly, embodying a black sheet covered with red text.
- Will I have to sign it in blood? - ironically asked the woman, shifting her gaze to me.
- Not necessarily. But if you have a burning desire, no one forbids it.
The woman began to read the text carefully. Having finished with it, she asked several questions that interested her. I began to answer each of them in detail, immediately introducing my future subordinate. And she will be, there are not even any other options. After hearing my answers, Gloria ran through the terms one more time and put a sprawling signature.
- That's great. Please, this is yours," I told her, handing her the XP. The woman immediately took it in a hurry. - Now let's talk about who suddenly needed me and Kyle Smith.
And Gloria told. As it turned out, at first glance, me-Pluto and me-Kyle were interested in the Shield. But thanks to Sandra Evans' insider knowledge, I knew that these guys were primarily in Hydra's service. Stuart didn't know about the affiliation of her clients with these guys, believing that Shield had decided to take on a murky fellow like me in the name of democracy and world peace. And they were interested in Kyle Smith because they wanted to get their noses into my technology (I think so).Anyway, after getting the information I needed and giving Gloria my instructions, I headed for the exit. On the way, the woman caught Daisy and under the pretext of taking medicine (judging by the girl's face, this happens all the time), injected the little girl with KP. The wound closed instantly, and not even a drop of blood came out. The NSA girl was no longer surprised, unlike her daughter. She was used to it taking a long time to bleed. After making sure the drug was working and giving my final instructions, I went home. Well, everything went as well as I needed it to.
The next day I decided to take a drive to the company skyscraper. Lately I didn't want to do such a boring job instead of myself, so I usually left my double and teleported myself. But this time I wanted to remember my youth, so to speak. It took quite a long time to get there, as we got into a traffic jam, so I decided to return to my favourite way of travelling.
The journey itself went smoothly until my phone rang.
- Boss, we have a problem here... - Anna Stone's deputy security officer, Zafira Farhat, said in a puzzled tone.
- What's wrong? - I asked tiredly.
- A disgruntled crowd of some jerks had gathered outside the office, chanting about cleanliness from horrible prosthetics and stuff. Allegedly you're trying to subjugate the whole world through chipping.
- Yeah. I've never heard such rubbish before. They're not trying to be disruptive?
- Not yet, sir.
- Well, that's something. All right, don't do anything in response. We're on our way up.
- Problem, boss? - Diana asked, keeping her eyes on the road.
- The usual. Yeah, well. We've been around the block, haven't we?
- You got it, boss!
After another ten minutes we reached our destination. A decent-sized crowd had gathered near the entrance to the building, led by a skinny girl whose shoulder-length hair, combed to the right side, was coloured silver and gold.
As I got out of the car, I heard her standing in front of the crowd shouting, holding a placard above her that read "No to company slavery!". There was something else, but I couldn't make it out.
- They want to shackle us in metal and turn us into their puppets! But we will not be slaves!!!
The crowd went wild. Many people were holding banners, cotton boards, posters, where various slogans about chipping, zombification and other nonsense were written. Moreover, I saw a lot of crosses, biblical sayings and other church paraphernalia. This is beginning to look dangerously like obscurantism. I don't want it to get to the point of more crusades.
And the crowd, when they saw me, only increased the degree of madness. In addition to the demonstrators, there was a group of journos who had decided to get a little high.
- ...As we can see, the people here want Spectrum shut down. They see Kyle Smith as someone who wants to enslave the world with his technology," a young girl said to the camera. When she saw me, she immediately made a sharp sign to the cameraman and continued. - Here is the head of Spectrum, Kyle Smith, and we're going to try to talk to him about it! Mr Smith, could we have a moment of your time, please?
As I walked towards the entrance with the guards who had come running from the skyscraper to some very aggressive shouting, I continued on. Judging by the crowd's emotions, if I stopped, I might provoke an attack. And I certainly didn't want that at the moment.
- Mr Smith, what's your comment on what's going on?! - The journalist asked, overtaking all her rivals and pointing her microphone at me.
- As an intrigue of my competitors," I answered calmly, without stopping. - Apparently, someone didn't like the fact that my product is better than its counterparts. It's a common story.
- These are serious allegations! Do you have any proof?
- I haven't made any specific accusations yet. But I'll have my staff look into it today.
- So the words of these people are unfounded and your products do not have any control functions!? - asked the girl at the entrance to the skyscraper.
- That's a load of rubbish," I said firmly, drowning out the roar of the crowd by stopping and facing the camera. - We live in the twenty-first century, and it's embarrassing to believe such things. My prosthetics and implants fulfil only one function. Improving the standard of living of their users. That's it. Full stop. There's no tracking chips or control chips or anything like that.
- So people shouldn't worry?
- Exactly. I can assure them that implants and prosthetics won't be able to subdue anyone or anything else. And by the way, there may be another reason why this crowd showed up.
- And what's that?
- Simple. Sexism and ageism**. Apparently some of the women didn't like the fact that such a young guy was at the head of a new company with the prospect of explosive expansion. Apparently jealousy keeps them up at night. I've experienced gender and age discrimination more than once recently. But no matter how hard they try, I intend to keep going! - I said with inspiration, trying not to laugh. - Okay, I'd talk some more, but things are getting busy. Have a good day.
The journalist began to ramble on, and I could hardly contain my grin. The arrow's turning. Heh-heh-heh. I wonder what's going to happen next.
Before I could go in, Zafira and a few other workers came up to me. Nodded to them and signalled them to follow me.
- Find me information on that girl with the dyed hair," I instructed the employees on the fly. - Find out why she suddenly became a prosthetic wrestler. See if there's a Krem hand. Ahem, my competitors. Use Benji if you have to.
- Got it!
I forgot about the crowd and the girl for a while. I had other things to do. But I had to switch on the TV almost immediately to watch the news, where a journalist I already knew was interviewing the gold and silver one.
- ...What can you say about it?!
- It's an outrage against human nature! - she immediately replied, looking into the camera lens with her grey-silver eyes. - Don't you see how these horrible mechanisms, which only replicate the appearance of our limbs, are gradually taking over the world?! You can put anything in there. Corporations have been dreaming of taking over the human race for years. In fact, the head of Spectrum, Kyle Smith, has spoken of creating implants that will take over the functions of lost organs. But why don't they also have the ability to monitor you, or even take control of you at the press of a button?! This is the first step before what is described in the dystopias of famous authors!
- But isn't it too radical to think that way? After all, prostheses are very necessary for various disabled people....
- No, it's not radical! And about the disabled... The Goddess created us in her image and likeness, and in return we implant dead metal in ourselves, losing our spiritual purity! Every day we get further away from the Goddess!
- Pip!
- Tell me more about cyberpunk, clever girl. Yeah, I don't like this.
This lady looks a bit too much like someone who doesn't like mechanical implants. And keeping that in mind, I wonder if she hasn't started a cult of prosthetics haters. I could give one order and she'd be eliminated immediately, removing such a pain in the arse. But then things would get a lot worse. She's already turned into the face of protest. All I need to do is make her a martyr. No, we'll have to wait until things die down and then deal with it. In the meantime, we can try to discredit the movement, both with the prosthetics people and my lobbyists. As they say: God bless America and the institution of the lobby!
A few hours later, my staff found out that this lady's name is Francesca Cromer. She's 25 years old. She's unmarried, no criminal record. Apparently, my competitors found her and brought her here with the rest of the crowd. The same Hammer who paid off the money to organise this rally. She's not the only one. We'll find the others, too, but that'll come later. These smart guys decided that if they couldn't win fair and square, they'd use this method. Except it's a double-edged sword. As soon as I find out who's involved in this case, I'll strike symmetrically.
And the telly was still showing what was going on outside my office. The gathering had already taken the name "Purity" and Francesca announced that they wouldn't rest until my company fell. That's what she said. And it must be said that their appeals were beginning to find an audience. On two fronts at once, conspiracy and religion.
I remember even in my first world there were arguments about inoculations, vaccines, 5-G towers and so on. I don't know who was right and who was wrong in those arguments, but there were enough people like that here too. And besides, conspiracy theorists certainly looked good in this universe. Secret societies, world governments, monsters wishing to enslave or destroy humanity ... And this is just the tip of the iceberg. So the appeals of the Purity supporters fell on fertile ground.
The second was not so smooth either. There were a lot of religious people in the United States. Or those who called themselves that. And as a result, again, a certain audience. Plus, in a strange coincidence (sarcasm), the journalists were brought in at the right time, immediately whipping up hysteria on several channels.
Clearly, these claims are unfounded. There is nothing wrong with dentures and implants. Of course, I could install tracking devices and means of subduing the host, but why? It's not only cheating, it's not very reliable. Contracts are much more effective, undetectable and unbreakable.
As a result, until Gerda's birthday, I had to work like a squirrel in a wheel, organising press conferences, negotiations and not forgetting about unofficial business. I also had to look for fortune tellers... As a result, my girlfriend's holiday became an escape.
Only the five of us were present. Gerda didn't really like large groups. In the past, she confessed, she'd usually only celebrated with her mum. Miss Wright herself decided not to embarrass us and went to meet up with old friends.
The first thing we did was start with the presents. As we surrounded the birthday girl, the four of us with boxes in our hands began to think about who we would start with. We collectively decided on the following order: Daniel, Benjamin, Aki and me.
- Dear Gerda! - The boy solemnly exclaimed, holding an ornate wooden box with Asian motifs. - We may not agree on the most important question (which is better: coffee or tea?), but you are my precious friend and I'm glad we met!
- And I'm glad to have met you," replied the smiling Gerda kindly.
- I thought for a long time about what to get you, but then it dawned on me. As a result, with the help of E.G.O. Benjy, I managed to do it!
The boy opened the lid and we saw a Chinese tea set, if I'm not mistaken, made of porcelain. And it was very intricately and beautifully made. On a milky white background were detailed drawings of Asian dragons in blue.
- How beautiful! - Gerda admired the work of art, and Aki, Ben, Ben and I nodded enthusiastically.
- I made a tea set in the style of the Ming dynasty. And I painted it with dragons because they represent power and strength," said Dan, handing the box to Gerda.
- Thank you for such a gift, - the girl thanked sincerely, accepting the set.
- We already have something to drink tea from. Now we need the tea itself," Benjamin said, holding the metal box. - I used my ability to grow tea, too. I ended up with this result.
He opened the box and we saw the contents. The only difference was that the leaves were black with a hint of red.
- I hope you like it. It took me a long time to get it to taste like the teas you gave us to try. And I think I've succeeded.
- Thank you, Benjamin," said Gerda, taking the gift in her hands and admiring the contents. - We'll be sure to try it now.
- Now me! - Aki said with an ear-to-ear grin as she held up her box. - I don't know how to grow tea, but I ordered some Red Dragon from my relatives. Remember we talked about it? I just got it a week ago! So this is for you, Gerda!
- Thank you, Aki. It will be interesting to taste tea grown by a clan of warriors with supernatural powers.
- Now it's your turn, Kai! - said Aki.
- Mm-hmm. Well, I'm with tea too, surprisingly enough," I cheesed, to the chuckles of the guys. - The first tea is that original da hong pao. Aka the Big Red Coat.
- The one at a thousand a kilo? - Dan asked, leaning over the opened box.
- That's right. Here you go Gerda.
- Thanks Kyle..." the girl said confusedly, holding the precious cargo carefully.
- But that's not all.
- There's more? - Dan, who was smiling, cut in again.
- No, it's not," I confirmed, opening the second box. - This tea is grown by the mages of Kamar-Taj. And I managed to get some for you.
- Kamar-Taj mages?! - exclaimed the surprised Aki, almost jumping on the spot. - I've only heard legends about that place! So you've been there?
- That's right. But I didn't get to see much because I was on business.
- That's interesting. I've only ever heard of wizards from this place," said Gerda, looking at the second box.
- Anyway, this is all for you too, Gerdochka," he said snidely, changing her name. She usually bobbed funny at times like this. This time was no exception. But the girl quickly got over herself.
- Thank you so much, Kyle. And not just for the tea," Gerda said, and with telekinesis she put her gift on the table, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me softly. But the main reward for me was her emotions. They were so warm and tender... Not often my girl is such a girl. All the more precious for that moment.
- Whoa, Ben and I get a kiss?! - Dan was jokingly indignant.
- Leave me out of this," the boy retorted, almost choking.
- You'll be fine," said Gerda, smiling.
- Well, maybe not for him, but for me, sister! - said Aki, proudly showing off her breasts.
- Fair enough.
- Okay, don't look! - I said and covered the kissing girls with an illusion in the form of the most common censorship.
- There! - Daniel was saddened.
- But I owe you at least a hug.
Without delay, Gerda used telekinesis and gently pulled everyone towards her for a hug. We responded by wrapping her in a tight hug. After standing like that for half a minute, we all sat down at the table and continued our conversation.
- Danielle, tell me about that girl with the Bambi eyes who's been hanging around you lately," I suggested, trying to get the sight of Aki and Gerda kissing out of my mind. I even had to loosen the collar of my clothes. After all, what could be better than a favourite girl? Two favourite girls in an embrace, of course.
- Um, let's hold off for now, okay? - asked the boy, in response to the surprised looks of our company. - We're just getting to know each other. I don't want to jinx it.
- If you say so. What about Benji?
- I'm so busy right now, I don't have time for that," he admitted. - Still on the prowl, you might say.
- Well, we're not doing anything! - said Gerda. - We must try the teas you brought! I'll brew them myself in the new appliances.We naturally supported this idea, but then I felt challenged.
- Fucking hell! What does this old man want?! - I asked a rhetorical question.
- What? What old man?
- Silvio Manfredi. He's calling me with a special business card.
What bad timing...
***
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