Broker-Chapter 214

Outside, Liberty kept her chin up as usual. Her eyes down across her nose at everyone she looked at. That was just one part of the image she maintained. Power was everything, after all. Power sets you apart. Power allowed you to accomplish things that even money could not. She didn’t need money to rule. She didn’t need charisma like her groveling clerics. No. She only needed strength. Strength enough that no one would oppose her. Strength that she possessed already, though she had to be careful when applying it. To that end, she had to admit that it wasn’t quite her strength yet. It wouldn’t be until there was no one else who could defy her even when she was only channeling a single timezone’s worth of strength that that it would be real power.

She wasn’t a fool. She understood her limitations, however few of them remained. That’s why she formed the round table in the first place. It was why she hadn’t annihilated her family’s cult and struck off on her own. It had its uses. She’d merely altered the canon.

I’m feeling sentimental, she thought as she walked into the chamber. It was a large square room that had a stage off to one side. It looked like it was intended for everything from press conferences to fundraisers. She glanced around it briefly as she walked, Ito and Phillip in tow. No security whatsoever and those cameras don’t look active. This is going to be a very private meeting… she thought before shooting a glance at the two parties who entered with her group.

Sonya Chernovna was a withered husk of her former self. Gaunt and thin sitting in that wheelchair. Somehow, despite that, she retained a serene elegance that galled Liberty for some reason. She couldn’t put her finger on exactly why. With her was the so-called ‘World’s Strongest’ and the Chairwoman. For someone who’s predecessor I had blown up, she’s awfully brave. Or is it some sort of misplaced confidence? Liberty turned her eyes to the other group and had to restrain a frown. Ishtar.

She had made plans for both outcomes but had put the chances of the supervillain actually showing up to the meeting at next to nil. Even if it did happen, it should have taken a monumental effort from the Pandora Committee to even contact her, let alone convince her to attend. Yet here she was and there was no evidence among her people spying on the Committee to point at their private dealings with her. Nothing to rub their nose in. Nothing to throw out to the world and show just how corrupt they were. In fact, to all the world, it seemed like Ishtar had come because she wanted to and had heard about it.

Lies… Lies and smokescreens. Something is amiss here and I’m just not seeing it. Where’s the trick? Is this really Ishtar or some fake the Committee cooked up?

“Liberty.” Ishtar rasped from one head of the single long table that sat in the middle of the room. She had her legs crossed and was reclining with all the casual ease of a queen. Behind her, her two armed attendants remained standing at attention. The woman of the pair was grinning to herself as if she was remembering a joke that no one else had heard with the man stared at her blandly through the eyes of his mask. “I gotta say, I’m really glad to see my favorite footstool in one piece!” The supervillain’s hissing voice came through the helmet, her eyes flashing with each word.

Liberty paused in her march towards the other head of the table. She turned slowly to stare into those two glowing bars that took the place of eyes on that helmet of hers. “Excuse me?”

Ishtar inclined her head towards Liberty’s right, “Little Phillip of course.”

Liberty stiffened. Only Ishtar would know about that humiliation… She took a step to the right and put herself between Ishtar and Phillip, “Sir Phillip is my right hand. If you want this negotiation to go anywhere I suggest you show some respect. Ishtar.”

Ishtar shrugged, “So you’re satisfied I’m the genuine article.”

She goaded me, Liberty realized, The game of politics has already begun.

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She exhaled and inclined her head, “I have to admit I’m surprised to see you here,” she said, “Showing your face after running rampage through my compound takes a lot of guts.”

“Says the woman who ordered the killing of young people who had barely entered adulthood. Trainees, If I’m going to kill a hero, it will be one who can put up a fight,” Ishtar hissed as Chernovna slid into position at the midpoint of the table. She sat between Liberty and Ishtar with her hands in her lap and a small smile on her face.

“She’s right, y’know. You have no ground to stand on if that is your complaint with Ishtar, Liberty,” Chernovna quipped.

“Pffft!” The gray and purple haired woman at Ishtar’s side had to restrain a laugh, looking away and covering her mouth. Kerauna, the Lightning wielder from the Hague. So she was one of Ishtar’s subordinates. Liberty’s lip twitched but she didn’t dignify the impropriety with a reaction, looking back to Ishtar.

“I’m here,” she grunted and sat down in the chair at the opposite head of the table from Ishtar. She made a grand gesture towards the room and those sitting in it, “Let’s get this over with.”

“You don’t seem particularly invested in the proceedings,” Chernovna said.

“This is a negotiation for a cessation of violence between myself and the Pandora Committee,” Liberty pointed out, “Ishtar and I are still at war, so, ultimately, these negotiations are pointless,” she said with a shrug and gestured lazily towards Ishtar, “Why should I bother making peace with you and keep fighting a war anyway?” She paused and stared daggers at Chernovna, “You could return my sister, though, and I might take this a bit more seriously.”

Chernovna frowned, “She isn’t a commodity to be traded,” she said.

“Is that so?” Liberty asked with a grin, “I thought your entire business model was based on Heroes as a commodity.”

Chernovna let out a sigh and shook her head, clearly not entertaining the comment. Liberty glanced towards Ishtar who had remained still during the exchange. They met one another's eyes and Liberty scowled. Our animosity goes beyond the ‘human’ level of the Pandora Committee. This war is unavoidable-

“Peace is on the table from my end as well,” the supervillain rasped without preamble.

The Chairwoman shifted forward, “You don’t have anything to lose by staying out of it. Why contribute?”

“I want to see where this goes,” Ishtar hissed.

Liberty blinked and looked squarely at Ishtar, “What?”

“She was pretty blunt,” Chernovna said with a chuckle, “Sounds like you have every reason to take this seriously, Miss Hanks.”

Liberty pressed her lips together and leaned back in her seat. What is happening here? They’re so coordinated. It’s like talking to the same person taking different approaches. She frowned and considered the six people in front of her before speaking, “What do you want?” she asked. I want a war, but if I can reduce the amount of interference then that would be optimal. Crushing the Pandora Committee is more than enough to get what I want, worshippers. If Ishtar’s withdrawal is on the table, I suppose I can consider it. Keeping her out of the battle can only help me.

“You’re currently wanted for war crimes against the Sovereign Nation of Japan,” the Chairwoman said from Ishtar’s side, her expression grave, “You need to stand trial.”

Liberty barked out a laugh, “First of all, there’s no solid evidence of my involvement. From what I hear the two causes were a rogue experiment by Japan itself or it was orchestrated by Ishtar here. Second, there is no authority that can judge me,” she finished her little speech with a growl of warning, resting an armored hand on the table.

“We have a witness right here putting you at the Seattle dungeon afterwards making moves that hinted at you attempting a similar disaster with far greater consequences,” Chernovna chimed in, raising her hand to gesture at Black Lotus even as her face remained pointed at the table, her eyes shut. Is she blind? I heard she was blind prior to the flash.

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Liberty huffed, “Again, there’s no proof of my intentions,” she said, “If you must know I was hunting the treasure in the dungeon. An Epic dungeon likely possessed a valuable tool at the end,” she said and shot a look towards Black Lotus, “Though I was beaten to the punch.”

Black Lotus’ dark eyes fixed on her face but she didn’t rise to the bait, “We’re here to talk peace, not look for more reasons to hate one another.”

Liberty raised an eyebrow, “You really think any of this talk can change things at this point?”

“As much as I hate to say it,” Black Lotus grumbled, “I’m reminded of something that one said once,” she jerked a thumb towards Ishtar who turned her head to stare at the hero. “A ruined world isn’t worth living in.”

“I said ruling,” Ishtar pointed out.

Black Lotus frowned but kept her mouth shut, not breaking the staring contest between her and Liberty. Liberty snorted and set aside the woman’s impudence before turning to Chernovna, “Regardless, you ask too much,” Liberty ground out, “I suggest you rethink your demands. You have no true evidence concerning Tokyo and anything you think you might have gotten from Sir Ewen is inadmissible as far as I am concerned. With the kind of abilities present in the world, coercion is not only likely, it is a certainty,” she said and leaned back in her seat like a throne, looking down on Chernovna over her nose.

“Still trying to make the Committee look bad,” Chernovna said, “Is there any real point to that? All you’re doing is pissing people off.”

“You know my views,” Liberty shot back.

“Right, right, might makes right, you’re the strongest in the world, sure whatever,” Chernovna said with a wave of her hand, “Uhuh, that rhetoric sounds familiar,” she sighed, “Listen. After Tokyo my friend Amos was able to calculate the estimated blast radius for dungeons of various tiers. Around your main compound there are sixteen dungeons within range of one another. The Pandora Committee doesn’t want a war because that would mean the possibility of blasting the southern US into nothing but a monster filled apocalyptic wasteland.”

Next to Liberty, Ito hummed to herself, “That doesn’t sound so bad,” the scientist said with a thoughtful sigh, “Imagine all the work I could get done.”

Liberty shot Ito a warning look before turning back to the others “If you’re so concerned, then stay off my land.”

“It’s not that simple,” The Chairwoman cut in but Ishtar interrupted her.

“Given how your ability works, Liberty. Do you really want people fearing that being associated with you will get them blasted to kingdom come?” Ishtar asked, “You’re playing a dangerous game. Your philosophy is all about how strength trumps all, but a dungeon break is the great equalizer. Nobody would survive that kind of blast.”

“If you say so,” Liberty snorted, unimpressed by the comment about her ability. “Seems like my sister has been talking and the Pandora Committee’s ability to keep secrets is sorely lacking,” she chuckled. It didn’t bother her that they knew the bare bones of her ability. In fact, I’m counting on it. Go ahead and come.

Ishtar slammed her fist on the table as the Chairwoman looked away with a scowl, “This is exactly why I can’t tolerate you! It’s bad for business, another catastrophe like Tokyo will send the world into a tailspin!”

“It’s all about money with you,” Liberty said with disgust, “Is that how they got you here?”

Ishtar rose to her feet and placed her hands on the table. Liberty did the same, the two of them staring one another down. Ishtar gestured and blades of light appeared around her body. Liberty sneered and reached for her sword only for a glowing blade to appear in the air between them. It looked somewhere between a jian style sword and a western longsword in design and hummed with dangerous promise.

More interesting, it was floating.

Liberty flicked her gaze away from Ishtar long enough to look at Black Lotus who was scowling, fury in her eyes. “Enough,” she snarled, “Sit. Down. Both of you.”

Liberty would be the very last to admit it, but she felt something in her gut twist a little bit at the way Black Lotus spoke in that moment. She’s advanced again since Seattle, hasn’t she? How does she keep getting stronger? Liberty thought before huffing out a breath and sitting down. “Fine,” she shot a look towards Ishtar, “If that one will behave.”

Ishtar looked down at her, “There is only one animal that needs taming here, but I’ll comply. For now,” she hissed.

Off to the side, Chernovna sighed, “We’re getting off topic. Our goal for this meeting is to prevent a war not escalate towards it.” she said and turned her closed eyes towards Liberty. “Liberty. Is there really nothing we can do to settle this? Reparations need to be made, say what you want but Tokyo is at your feet at the end of the day. We will find the truth one way or another.”

Liberty frowned, “You’re presumptuous,” Liberty growled, “Even if I did take responsibility for Tokyo, it would ultimately mean nothing. You hold no authority to judge me or convict me. I am authority.”

“You’d lose a lot in a war,” Chernovna cautioned.

“I don’t care,” Liberty said, “I will rebuild. You will not. Mythics are rare and I will slay all of your strongest heroes, leaving you with nothing. That is just a fact and the clear out come of an attack by your organization.”

Black Lotus opened her mouth but Chernovna raised a hand to stop her. The hero gestured and the floating sword returned to her hand before disappearing into her palm. That must be the toy she got from Seattle. It could have been mine. Liberty smirked, “See how the so-called hero obeys the one with the deep pockets.”

Isthar scoffed, the sound like something between a cough and a bark through the modulator on her helmet. She gestured dismissively towards Liberty, “She clearly does not want to actually negotiate. Every word out of her mouth is another jab,” she said sourly before turning her head towards Liberty. “I should have known you just wanted to show off that you could bring the Committee to the table, you had no interest in peace. I wonder what your people would think.”

Liberty restrained a withering glare. She put both hands on the table before pushing to her feet, “It’s a good thing this is a private negotiation, then,” she said with a confident shrug.

“You seem confident in that,” Ishtar said, “Stop playing games and put forth some effort, Liberty. You aren’t in front of your worshippers here, it’s time to face facts. You can’t beat the world. At least try to playact sanity. You’ll live longer.”

Liberty glared at the woman, holding back the anger that was boiling beneath her skin in that moment. I am unstoppable. I do not need to listen to this. She glanced towards Phillip who kept his eyes forward even as he swallowed hard. Liberty clenched a fist beneath the table, Do they have a chance? No. My strategy is perfect. She exhaled and looked to Chernovna; Just put an end to this farce already. Give me my war, set off my trap, and let's put this question of who’s in charge to bed.

“Can we at least set a time frame for this ceasefire?” The Chairwoman asked, exasperated, “I would like to evacuate as many people as possible from the affected area if you are so insistent on this, Liberty.”

Liberty scowled at her, “You make me sound unreasonable,” Liberty said with a mocking smile as the Chairwoman stared back at her. The insignificant woman didn’t even blink. Liberty’s expression fell into a scowl. How dare… She closed her eyes and exhaled, “Fine,” she bit out, “You have until the end of the month. Fifteen days. Then I am-”

“Deal,” Chernovna cut in, drawing a surprised look from everyone at the table. She looked up at the Chairwoman, “Does that work for you?”

The Chairwoman chewed her lip, glanced up and met Liberty’s gaze. “Fine. I will ask that you stay out of any evacuation operations Liberty. Hands off.”

Liberty huffed, “In that case I have a demand of my own.”

“Greedy,” Ishtar scoffed.

I don’t want to hear that from you, Liberty thought but steadied her feelings, “Return my sister.”

Chernovna barked out a laugh, “This chick,” she sighed, “What part of she isn’t a commodity didn’t you understand? You aren’t getting her. Just back off-”

“Take the win, Liberty, let it go. You too, Chernovna,” Ishtar interrupted with a shrug and got to her feet, “Either way it doesn’t matter. I’m done here. This was a waste of my time and it doesn’t help that you bore me to tears, Liberty,” she gestured for her subordinates to walk with her, “I’ll see you in half a month.”

Liberty scowled at the back of her helmet. Why do I feel like I lost even after getting exactly what I wanted? She thought, standing up straight, “Negotiations seem to have broken down, as expected.”

Black Lotus sighed, “We can try again in fifteen days. The loss of life would be catastrophic if we let this happen.”

The Chairwoman was the one to shake her head, “Black Lotus, as much as I wanted this to go well, I think Sonya was right in her expectations here. Liberty was not going to bend,” she said before glancing towards Ishtar’s group, “Despite her attitude, she at least made an effort. You truly are an unreasonable beast, Liberty.”

Liberty scowled and got to her feet, “I’ve heard enough from you, you unawakened trash. Say one more word and-”

That glowing sword appeared at her throat. Liberty glanced down at it as a coppery light suffused her skin. Her lips spread into an eager smile, “What about the ceasefire?”

Black Lotus glared at her, “I’ll see you in fifteen days, Liberty,” Black Lotus snapped.

Liberty huffed, “Do what you want, hero,” she growled and turned away, “We’re leaving,” she barked and tapped her ear, “Halloway!” she commanded and a rip formed in the air before her. Her two subordinates strode inside. She didn’t bother looking back as she followed them. If she had, if she had only turned back, she would have seen something that would have chilled her to the bone. She would have seen the truth.

Behind Liberty, Chernovna’s eyes were open, very familiar pink symbols inside, spinning as they glowed brightly. False eyes inside her eye sockets. Beneath them, Chernovna smiled in victory.