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Chapter 2: Shadowy Dealings
Location: An unknown building, somewhere in Crown Ridge, Maine
Richard Midas hated the city of Crown Ridge. It was a decrepit cesspool that seemed to be on the constant verge of collapsing in on itself. However, at the same time, he saw a city of unlimited potential, assuming that the city’s
wilder elements could be tamed. Should that happen, opportunities were endless.
Which is why he was here on this night. The arrangement that he had entered into with The Eye of Osiris, while still in its infancy, could prove to be a lucrative one, in more ways than one. Indeed, Midas stood to gain a lot by partnering with The Eye, more than just money, this partnership offered Midas a chance at
real power. Although the upside to this arrangement was limitless, there were also some real risks, and the legality of their business was not one of them.
While Dullahan had done a remarkable job of keeping his name and his organization out of the limelight, he was still notorious to those in the know. He was not one to suffer fools or failures, and he was known to punish those who did not live up to his expectations harshly. In a way, Dullahan reminded Midas of himself, however, the crime lord was much more savage than the billionaire.
Midas respected that.
“Keep that close.” Midas said as he gazed at the briefcase which Peter Jordan had clutched in his grasp. The briefcase held a gift for Dullahan, one which could potentially elevate the Eye of Osiris to heights that not even their ambitious leader could have ever hoped. “That thing might as well be filled with gold.”
Jordan looked to his employer and nodded. Everyone in the limo knew just how important this meeting was, and unlike the fiasco with the delivery of the Daybreak device, everything had to go smoothly. However, unlike the intentional theft of a billion-dollar device, there was a very little inherent risk with this meeting.
“We’re almost there.” Sparks said as the limo rounded the final turn before they reached their destination. The limo traveled several more blocks before pulling into a small lot in front of a nondescript building, and then proceeded around the back of the building. As the limo came to a stop in front of several armed guards, Midas looked to Jordan and Sparks.
“It looks like we’re here,” Midas said with a grin as he opened the limo door and stepped out of the car.
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It had been a few days since the meeting at the warehouse between Ms. Sparks and Anhur. Dullahan and Sobek returned to Crown Ridge after checking in on a few of the issues that came from New York, Montu remaining behind to make sure that everything that was corrected during the visit remained that way for the following few weeks. Sitting back in the chair in the office, the Eye leader sat and watched as Anhur recounted the details of the meeting that occurred in his absence. While it was expected for another meeting between both him and the CEO of Midas Industries was to take place, the notion that Midas didn’t turn up to meet Anhur was disappointing but completely expected. After all, he would be a fool to think that the man that blew up Chinatown and covered it up with War-Pulse as the scapegoat would show up at the first meeting. And likewise, Dullahan thought that Midas was no fool to think that he himself would show up to the meeting. Especially when Midas had an asset such as Allison Sparks.
Dullahan listened to the skull-faced man as he poured through the details of the report that no doubt Anhur didn’t fully check. A lot of the things that were in there were accounted for in the shipment information, including the specifications for the Daybreak. He heard that there were some complications in its delivery, but it was due to arrive in the next few days to ‘reduce the heat’. While there was a list of things that were already obtained and what was to be delivered, but he looked through the things that could be offered to The Eye as well. He had to admit, there were a few things that were attractive.
“But honestly, Sobek,” Anhur piped up, seemingly exasperated that the second-in-command was unfazed by what had been said. “You should have seen her body! And boy… was she a good fuck!”
“I honestly don’t care about your sexual escapades while we were out of state,” the brown-haired Sobek replied. “You had one job to do while we were out of state. Granted, you did do that job well in order to secure the meeting later today… But you don’t need to go into that much detail. God, I don’t think I’ll be able to get your naked ass out of my imagery for the next few weeks.”
Anhur raised his arms in further exasperation. “I figured you’d say that, but don’t forget you did say give you the details of what happened in that meeting. And I’m giving you those details, including all the rounds we spent with me dumping my…”
”Enough.” Both men dropped the argument as Dullahan spoke with a slightly irritated tone.
”We got all the details we need of the meeting, we do not want to hear about your latest notch. Honestly, this bickering is starting to piss me off.”Just as he finished, all three men heard a knock at the door. They turned as it opened to reveal Dirk, Anhur’s second-in-command, showing the doorway to three figures. The skull-faced man instantly recognized Allison walking with them. Dullahan relaxed into the chair, his glowing red eyes peering through his helmet at the trio entering the room. While it hadn’t affected Sobek and Anhur as much as before, but the atmosphere seemed to turn tenebrous with a sense of unease. It was enough to make the most stalwart of people nervous.
“I see that our esteemed guests have arrived,” Sobek spoke up, dismissing Dirk as he greeted Midas and his entourage. His hand pointed at the already prepared seats on the other side of the desk. “I hope your journey was pleasant. Please, have a seat. Would any of you want a drink for the meeting?” Slinking in the corner of the office, Anhur gives a small, creepy wave to Allison.
Midas stepped into the office first, followed by Allison and Jordan. Allison made eye contact with Anhur as he gave her a weak wave and simply nodded as she took her place beside Midas and Jordan. The brief exchange did not go unnoticed by Midas, who suppressed a smirk as he stood before Dullahan.
“Yes, the ride over was...uneventful.” Midas said as he took his seat across from Dullahan’s desk, motioning for Ms Sparks and Jordan to follow suit. Once the trio had been seated, Midas continued.
“Nothing for us, thank you.” He said, answering Sobek’s inquiry about whether they would require a drink. “Dullahan, it’s good to finally meet you face to face. Now, what do you say we get down to business?” Midas said as leaned back in his chair.
“That is understandable,” Sobek responded, putting the decanters of various spirits back into the closet. “Drinking during this meeting might be unsavory to getting things that are still to be discussed.” Reinforcing that point, his eyes glance between Allison Sparks and Anhur with a domineering intensity. His eyes give off a sense of trepidation to those he stared, though Anhur seemingly appears to be unaffected by it. Dullahan’s bodyguard then focused again on Midas.
“Forgive the appearing rudeness from Dullahan. His…
abilities... can be a little bit intimidating to those not accustomed to them. To save everyone the trouble of that from happening, I’ll be speaking on his behalf. If that is alright with you.”
A hand was raised by the Eye leader to motion Sobek to lean in to listen. After a moment, the bodyguard raised his body upright and looked to Midas himself.
“One thing about the deal previously struck and a possible deal of this meeting raised a curiosity in him. As you did approach us with the deal you made, which will be fulfilled once the Daybreak device is delivered, he wonders one question: why did you approach The Eye? There are other organizations that work in Lost Haven you could have made the same deal to, especially with the Yakuza and Triads having caused hell in Chinatown prior to the Hound attacks.” As Sobek asked the question, Dullahan remained seated in a seemingly bored body language. Despite the body language, the red glowing eyes bore intensely on Richard Midas as he waited for an answer.
Midas sat for a moment as he mulled the question posed by Sobek. His gaze shifted from Sobek to Dullahan, who’s red eyes were burning a hole through him. While it was true that Midas could have approached anyone with his proposal, Midas believed that he stood the most to gain by working with The Eye. This is why Midas was more than happy to play along with Dullahan’s excentricities, that and the fact that he knew that unlike most other people that he dealt with, the crime lord was not afraid of him.
And that was something he respected.
“To be perfectly honest, I did not then, and I do not now believe that the other organizations would be capable of holding up their end of the deal. In fact, the Triad and Yakuza doing what they did in Chinatown is exactly why I did not want to work with them on this matter.” Midas started. “While those organizations do have their uses, they are more like a blunt instrument, where as The Eye is more akin to a scalpel, which is exactly what this arrangement needs.” Midas let his words hang in the air for a moment before he continued.
“You see, we are on the verge of making great things happen, not just in this city, but all over the world. Together, we are going to change the world, and nobody out there can help me do that the way that you can. Nobody out there has the reach, or the influence that The Eye has.” Midas leaned back in the chair as Sobek, and more importantly, Dullahan himself pondered what he had to say.
Dullahan carried on watching Midas with the same intensity. He listened to the businessman talk about the Triad and the Yakuzas making a mess in Chinatown. While he didn’t motion about the knowledge of the area, the Eye leader nodded slightly at the points. While not visible, a smirk formed across his face when talking about The Eye being a sharp instrument. When it came to the spiel about wanting to do great things, that did catch the leader’s interest. He leaned in slightly as he listened.
Maybe our interests do align slightly, he thought.
As soon as Midas finished talking, silence filled the room. The glow in Dullahan’s eyes dimmed slightly in thought about what to say. Slowly, the right hand that had propped his head up in place moved to motion Sobek closer. The bodyguard did the same thing of lowering his head to hear what the enigmatic leader had to say. After a minute, seemingly forever in the silence, Sobek stood back up and looked at the trio.
“Dullahan… agrees with your comments on the Triad and Yakuza,” Sobek replied, his tone cutting the silence. “They did indeed make a mess of things throughout Chinatown with their squabbling over territory that was claimed by the Hounds. Territory in which we claimed for ourselves with the ‘scalpel-like’ precision you mentioned.”
The bodyguard’s eyes then turned to Allison Sparks, his eyes betraying that he knew something that they had done and learned. “However, another thing piqued his interest. You do say that you are on the verge of something great. Does that involve the two drones you used to destroy half the block in Chinatown just to get one… Racheli Lorna Desdemona, while she was fighting War-Pulse? It’s more of a surprise that you went to such extremes for the great things in the world instead of asking one of the numerous ‘heroes’ in the city. And while you did an amazing job to cover up that strike with pinning the blame on the mercenary, it is somewhat of a concern that despite this that there was one witness to the whole thing that you might not be aware of. Now, we can do great work with the monetary and legality of your corporation and the reach and influence of The Eye, but what is to say that this slight blip isn’t going to unravel everything you want to accomplish?”
“Indeed it does.” Midas smiled, nearly baring his teeth at the bodyguard as he glanced over to Jordan, and more specifically, the briefcase he held. “As far as the witness, she is nothing to be concerned about. She is little more than a little girl playing hero.” Midas started. “We are keeping tabs on her. You see, what you may or may not know, is that my extraction operation in Chinatown was successful. I was able to obtain Ms Desdemona and aside from the bomb I implanted in her brain to keep her loyal to me, I also have equipped her, completely unbeknownst to her, of course, with some monitoring devices which allows me to be kept informed of her movements. Then, I released her back into the wild.” Midas grinned as he glared towards Alison Sparks. “I know exactly what she’s been up to, and who she’s been working with. This witness really doesn’t know anything, and she poses no threat to me, or to you.” Midas let his words hang in the air for a moment before speaking on the other subject that Dullahan, through his intermediary had mentioned.
“As for the other heroes in Lost Haven…” Midas Started. “You see, the problem with the heroes in the city as that they are either incompetent or self delusional. They can’t be trusted to get the results you desire, or they can’t be manipulated to work towards your goals. Like Icon, for example. After he made his grand debut I reached out to him, offered him a place at my side. After all, you can’t have someone with that much power running around unchecked. He rebuked me, insulted my intelligence and left me standing there like a goddamn idiot. ”
Up until this point, Dullahan sat there and watched as Sobek discussed with Midas about a few of the issues that occurred during the drone strike on Chinatown and the extraction. He mulled over the thought about the archer being known by the businessman and how that could be of use to him. However, the air of boredom he gave off changed as soon as Icon was mentioned. The dull red glow from his eyes that looked at the three guests suddenly shone like an oncoming car.
Bang!His right hand, which had been used to prop his head up during the meeting crashed down onto the desk. Both Sobek and Anhur recoiled with the sudden release of fear energy that stifled the room, though the bodyguard was more of a surprise than fear. The Eye leader’s posture changed from boredom to pure hostility.
”That name…” he snarled in response.
From the two words he spoke for the first time during this meeting, colossal waves of fear resonated through the room. Whatever shocked stance Anhur had turned to cower, nearly crippled with the fear emanating from the leader. Even Sobek, a man who was considered his right hand and obtained the most from his leader, was breathing quickly with fear.
”... Will not be spoken here. He is nothing more than a charlatan who thinks he is a hero to these people. He and all of his heretic ilk will rue the day they took the mantle of hero throughout this world. A biblical reckoning is coming and they will perish in it.”Each second word, much like the sea crashing to the shore in a storm, sent further waves of fear throughout the building as more people are swept up in its influence. Then, the waves slowly ebb until calm reached the room. The upright position Dullahan rose to eased itself back into the chair, both of his hands now steepled in front of him.
”But alas,” he continued, his voice eerily calm after what came before.
”It seems that our goals are aligned on one thing: the heroes of this world are a scourge and needs to be cleansed. And from the looks of things, you manage to get your shit together on things that my subordinates are unable to do.” Anhur winced at the pointed barb directed at him.
”Perhaps we can be of assistance to each other. You have supplied me with the goods requested and, judging by what is to come today and what could possibly be in that case of yours, shortly fulfilled. While I can assume the monetary fulfilment of that deal was completed on our end, perhaps other services are more what you need. Maybe you want access to almost everyone within the Eye of Osiris? Perhaps our influence to cripple competitors to bring you all the riches you could ever ask for? Or, as you are a man with ambition, you would want that influence to gain political power, all the way up to the President of the United States? All of that is a reasonable ask of us as well as the time to prepare for what is to come. All I ask is two things in return. What say you on this deal?”An intense wave of fear washed over Midas as Dullahan spoke for the first time, nearly exploding at the mere mention of Icon’s name. It was an odd sensation for the mogul, as he was not one to give in to, or even acknowledge such base emotions. In fact, Midas took great satisfaction in seeing the effects of fear wreak havoc on people who opposed him. This in fact, was quite the reversal, and not something that he cared to repeat anytime in the near future. However, as Dullahan spoke, the fear abated.
“Indeed.” Midas said, more as a way to clear his mind and gather his thoughts than an actual statement. Midas had spent his entire life dealing with competitors in the boardroom, or twisting the arms of politicians in order to get special considerations in regards to new legislation. He was accustomed to dealing with hostile work forces and entire corporations that wanted what he had. He had even dealt with men, and women who specialized in areas of expertise that were less than on the up and up. Some of those people were more than capable of making someone disappear from the face of the earth.
Dullahan was an entirely different animal altogether.
“I think that this deal will certainly be mutually beneficial.” Midas agreed, looking over toward Jordan, who appeared to be somewhat preoccupied by the appearance one of Dullahan’s employees. The young woman was quite striking, Midas had to admit, and if he knew anything about Dullahan, she was probably more than capable of killing everybody in the room. Midas cleared his throat, which caught Jordan’s attention.
“And as for what is in the briefcase...it is merely a gift.” Midas said as he motioned for Jordan to place the case on Dullahan’s desk.
“Inside the case is something that can tip the scales in your favor, in the event of an emergency.” Midas said as Jordan opened the briefcase, revealing a single vial containing a strange reddish black liquid.
“My friend, what you are looking at is the blood of one, Racheli Desdemona, though slightly altered and synthesized. If you have been keeping tabs on my new pet, then you know what she can do, and that she gets her abilities from the special...properties in that blood. And now I offer you a sample to do with what you will. I just caution, that it should only be used in the event that there is no other option.” Midas said as he stood from the chair and closed the briefcase.
”And a fine gift it is. I am certain that it will go to good use closer to when my plans for change happens. That plan, of course, you can be a part of.” The leader looked as glances to a woman that hung quietly nearby.
”Ah, I see that you’ve already been acquainted with Anput,” Dullahan spoke, his eyes focused on Jordan’s gaze on the woman who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
”She might be a person to watch for days on end, but don’t let the looks fool you.They are more than what they appear to be.”Anput appeared as a woman in her mid 20s, glowing blonde hair dangling gently past her shoulders. Her left hand placed on Jordan’s right shoulder, nails in contact with his clothes as blue eyes looked at him. As soon as Dullahan finished his last statement, her form shimmered until the visage of the secretary dissolved away. In her place, an androgynous figure that gave little in the way of gender. They appeared in full military gear of numerous knives, bullet belts and padding on the elbows and the knees above combat boots. The fabric underneath the gear appeared charcoal in colour with tessellating hexagonal shapes fading to black from a purplish light they gave off. A mask with glowing purple eyes stared at Jordan while the hand on his shoulder revealed a combat knife that remained mere moments away from his throat. At the moment of revealing their true form the assassin removed the hand from the shoulder, retracting the knife with it.
”Now while I cannot allow full control of everyone in The Eye as there are people such as Sobek that are needed personally. However, Anput’s services are available at your beck and call. While the name might not ring any bells, the moniker Silent Death might be more… readily available.” The assassin slowly walked around the desk, keeping their eyes on the three guests.
”And in a world where every so-called ‘hero’ has abilities, they are more than capable of eradicating them. With you having knowledge of the archer that has been a minor nuisance to my operations in Lost Haven, I believe there is some knowledge that would be shared here.” The Eye leader turned to Anput.
”The hero known as Icon. I know who they are and who they are associated with.”Dullahan’s arms went up to indicate the knowledge being welcomed to the room.
”There we have it. You know the identity of the archer known in the city as Fletch and I know the identity of the charlatan. Now, as a man who had been humiliated by the ‘hero’, I think it seems personally reasonable to send a message that he chose wrong. You only need to say the word and it is done. All I ask is for the same to the archer and possibly locate one Kayla Mason and have her brought to me.”Midas’ eyes shifted from Anput to Dullahan when the leader of the Eye revealed that he knew who Icon was, and who his associates were. If the old saying was true, that knowledge was power; then this knowledge alone would make Dullahan, and by extension, Midas himself, the most powerful men on the planet. With this knowledge, Midas could make Icon pay for rebuking him so long ago. After all, Midas was a man with a long memory, and the ability to hold a grudge even longer.
“If that is true, then we can change how this game is played. You say that all I have to do is say the word, and you’ll deal with him. So, by all means...do what you must.” Midas said as he leaned back in his chair.
”That is a good choice, Midas,” Dullahan replied to Richard, nodding in agreement. His head turns towards Anput.
”I think it is time to ‘hint’ at our knowledge to the charlatan. Send a message to him before destroying everything he loves.”Then, as quickly as they appeared in the room to announce their presence, Anput nodded at the pair of them and slinked into the shadows. As the assassin visage dissolved into the shadows, the silhouette seemed to meld into the shadows as their presence is no longer in the room.
“As for your archer…” Midas said after a momentary pause. “I don’t know her identity. Not yet, anyhow. However, I do know her location. She has been spending quite a bit of time getting very friendly with one of my assets. If you want her, I can certainly give her to you.”
Midas let his words hang in the air for a moment as he pondered the question of the mysterious Kayla Mason. Midas hadn’t heard of this woman, however, he realized that if Dullahan and the Eye of Osiris wanted her, no matter the reason, then perhaps he should familiarize himself with her.
“Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about this, Kayla Mason. However, I may have something that can help you locate her. Due to the sudden emergence of so many metahumans in recent years, my people have been working on a new technology that will help us track anyone on the face of the Earth. Essentially, it combines facial recognition with biometric markers that help us identify and locate just about anyone we’re looking for. It is in its early stages, but thus far has proven to be effective, afterall, it did help us locate and acquire Ms Desdemona. If you give me the information you have on this Kayla Mason, I can certainly locate her for you in short order. All you have to do, my friend...is say the word.” Midas said as a smirk began to stretch across his face.
When the words of knowledge of the archer’s whereabouts and having the technology to find the woman he had been needing to locate, the leader laughed. The laugh at such news made Anhur worried, especially with the weight behind the news.
”I get the sense that this will be a fruitful relationship,” Dullahan announced, the maniacal glee hinted in his voice.
”With the failings of tracking down the archer with the large bounty on her head, that will certainly be appreciated. In fact, I think it seems reasonable to me that the bounty would be sizable for any trust fund that you will use in the future.”The leader’s demeanour shifts slightly to a more serious one when it came to the subject of Kayla Mason and what was tied to it.
”But for Ms Mason, that knowledge can be easily obtained in public record…” Without moving his eyes away from the mogul, his hand reached into a draw. Pulling it out, it revealed an older looking newspaper that seemed to be at least 5 years old, various stains of age on its surface. Dullahan placed it onto the table, the title of the LA Times in bold on the top of the page. Apart from the advertisement on the page, one headline stood out from the page of text:
OLYMPIC HOPEFUL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER DEADLY ATTACK. Attached to the news story is a headshot of a woman of American Indian descent with charcoal black hair and cognac eyes holding a recurve bow.
”But to save you a lot of the legwork, Ms Mason was an athlete aiming to compete at the Olympics for archery. At least, until I intervened after her then-fiance stole an important object from me. An urn dating back long before the Egyptians. I believe she still has the information to where this urn is and I want it back for my future plans to change this world. So yes, locating this woman is important and any assistance you can have that can end the failings of my men will be appreciated. In fact… I think with all the help you’re giving, I can let you in on those plans.” Sobek motioned as if to object to the idea of letting someone else in on a hidden agenda, only to be stopped by the raising of Dullahan’s right hand.
”But first, I must ask a question: Do you believe in the supernatural?”Midas looked at the yellowed newspaper that Dullahan had offered him. As he looked at the headline while Dullahan gave him a brief description of the young woman, Midas began to get a clear picture of just who this Kayla Mason was. A former Olympic hopeful in archery, the victim of a near fatal attack which in theory could lead one down a darker path. Pieces were beginning to fall into place, and Midas was beginning to suspect that the two women that Dullahan was searching for were perhaps one in the same. However, before he suggested that to the criminal mastermind, he would need to independently verify that theory. However, Midas believed that there were no such things as coincidence, and the fact that Dullahan was chasing this former Olympic level archer with an understandable grudge, and the vigilante who’s preferred tool of choice is a bow and arrow would be a coincidence of the most monumental order, Midas knew that this was something to look into immediately.
Midas smiled as Dullahan asked his last question: “Does he believe in the supernatural?”
“My friend, I live in Lost Haven. I survived a portal to a Hell dimension opening up in the middle of the city and legions of demons pouring out all over Sherman Square. I suppose I believe in the supernatural the same way that I believe that we need oxygen to breathe.” Midas said in a jovial tone as he met the leader of the Eye’s gaze.
Dullahan remained motionless as Midas confirmed his interest in the supernatural. His hands returned to a steepled position, his glowing eyes focused on the mogul.
”Good,” the Eye leader replied.
”Throughout the ages, there have been times when the population of the world began to grow in size. During those times, tragedies occur when millions of people die in a span of months to years. The Black Plague. Spanish Flu. The colonization of The Americas. All these events, where people have died from a disease. At least, that is what history books have taught us.” Slowly, he leaned back into the chair.
”What if I told you that the diseases that caused all of that pain and suffering originate not from the bacteria that is often attributed to it, but trapped souls of ancient civilizations? This urn that I had been talking about has many names but I simply know it as the Urn of Souls. An ancient container created by beings on another plane of existence that has been used to trap souls indefinitely. And when the lid of the urn is opened? Well, they escape and cause untold damage to every living thing they touch until it is sealed again.””These so-called ‘heroes’ are a disease on the world. Everything they touch whenever disasters happen, the death toll on the civilians rise. And they go about doing this unchecked with no consequences for their inaction from stopping the wanton action, least of all from the Hounds of Humanity. This urn becomes part of my plan to put an end to their foolishness. The Hounds will face their judgement in due time as well. And the only thing that’s stopping this reckoning is Ms Mason hiding the urn that was stolen from me.” He paused for a moment to let the anger subside.
Motioning his left hand to Anhur, the skull-faced man turned behind him and picked up a case himself. The man walked to the desk and placed the case down near Midas, the case remaining closed. Dullahan leaned forward once more, his hands now placed on the desk.
”While the Urn is still to be located, there are other ways both of us can prepare while hunting down Ms Mason and the charlatan. Inside this case is an item that will prevent the effects of the Urn from affecting the owner. While we still need these for the end plan, I think the properties within could be useful to protect your interests for when it happens. Collateral damage with this plan, unfortunately, is high. However in order for change to happen, it is a necessary evil. Would that satisfy your needs to make money against the supernatural?”Midas looked at the case with an air of skepticism before taking what the leader of the Eye said at face value. After all, with all that he had seen in recent years: flying strongmen, “meta domes,”space lasers, and portals to Hell, among other events that had he not lived it himself, would seem to be the work of a science fiction writer, why couldn’t this be true as well? Midas decided to err on the side of caution, and accepted the gift.
“Yes, thank you. I do believe that these will certainly come in handy.” Midas said as he took possession of the case. “Here’s to the next era.”
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Hound55
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