One Final Aria - Encore - Marvel: Earth-USB Saga (Part 24)
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:03 pm
One Final Aria
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Encore
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******* Sarah Summers / ̶N̶u̶d̶g̶e̶ *******
Wasp is a woman of her word.
I asked to be put in a cell, she had me put in a cell.
No lab. No experiments. No big talk of ‘using my powers for justice’ and the ‘greater good’.
I suspect she asked the AVENGERS a little favor to make sure no government agency could take me under their custody. And they were all too eager to put me out of reach if it meant no secret organization could get their hands on me.
My cell is isolated in the extreme security wing of the prison complex. I heard it was designed by Tony Stark himself to block my powers. Thick walls and empty corridors separate me from the other inmates. Except when meals are delivered to me, I’m alone. The guards think it’s the best way to contain my threat.
They probably don’t realize the gift they’ve given me.
Finally… Finally, things are quiet…
Often, I think of Taylor and Charlotte. I hope they’re doing fine. I hope they’re safe and free. I hope Taylor will one day forgive me. She’s always wanted to help me – but ultimately she’s never been able to give me what I needed the most.
Peace.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my cell’s door being opened.
The man is bald, and on a wheelchair. He looks harmless – sympathetic even – but there’s something about him that feels odd to me.
“Hello, Sarah.”
I’m unnerved. I don’t sense his emotions. Nothing.
“How do you do that?” The question escapes my lips before I can stop myself.
The man smiles. “It appears my theory was correct. Our powers are the two sides of a same coin. Outwardly opposite in every way… but still part of the same coin.”
He seems well-meaning, but I have no way to confirm if his emotions match his demeanor. I realize how much I was relying on my empathy to read people until now. It feels odd to not be able to tell if someone is sincere.
Odd, but not necessarily bad.
The wheel-chaired man moves next to me.
“My name is Charles Xavier, and I wish to help you. But only if you want it.”
******* Jeannine Sauvage / Guillotine *******
I’m glad to be back in Europe, where things are usually less flamboyant.
Key word being ‘usually’.
Because indeed, two tourists robbed, and left half-naked and trussed up on the bed of their hotel room aren’t exactly ‘un-flamboyant’.
But in this specific occurrence, I know American (or more accurately Canadian) citizens are behind the situation.
Finesse and I check the pulse of the two women restrained onto the bed of their hotel room. Slow and steady. They have the soft breathing of people who have been drugged into a deep sleep.
The two tourists are in their thirties. One has light brown hair hair, a light skin, light green eyes, and a shoulder-long medium ponytail. The other has dark brown hair, a tanned skin, hazel eyes, and a shoulder-long square-shaped haircut.
When we take off the sheet, we see the green-eyed brunette is clad in a black balcony bra with a red bow in-between the cups and a floral pattern, and a matching lacy thong. The brown-eyed one is wearing a hot pink demi-bra adorned with white lace, and hot pink lacy tanga panties. Both are tied to the bed with strips of sheet and cleave-gagged with thick scarves. Long strips of sheet are wrapped around their waists and the bedspring to make sure they’re snugly restrained.
Meseret finishes searching the discarded handbags lying in a corner of the room. “I found these women’s IDs. Turns out they’re a married couple, spending a few days of vacation in the theme park.” Meseret has been sent to Europe with Jeanne and I to track down Taylor and Charlotte.
I refrain from glancing too much at the raunchy undergarments. “More than a mere vacation, I wager.”
People say I can be too grim and serious, but do they really think this zaniness is better?
“Drugged women left trussed up in their undies. This is their calling card.” Finesse adds. “They’re in the park.”
“Maybe they’ve even already changed clothes.” I add. “Let’s go after them.”
It’s time to show these two fugitives Europe is my turf. And I won’t let them spread chaos forever!
******* Jeanne Foucault / Finesse *******
I don’t mind returning to Europe, but I confess I prefer the United States. I’ve gotten used to this place, where things are usually more flamboyant.
Key word being ‘usually’.
Because Taylor and Charlotte have indeed left a lot of ‘flamboyance’ during their European trek.
And by ‘flamboyance’, I mean trussed up half-naked girls.
It started as soon as the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Two visiting tourists from Japan – a mother and her daughter – found trussed up in a cleaning closet of the restrooms.
Then the pair of gendarmettes they locked in the trunk of their stolen car – after stealing the officers’ uniforms and leaving with their car.
They drove to Luxembourg and Belgium – stealing the outfits of customs officers, traveling saleswomen, and nuns on the way. Then they bifurcated to France again – stealing the outfits and identities of two stewardesses to snatch an airplane ride to Strasbourg. Two mugged students later, they were hitchhiking to Germany. And then stealing a car and new sets of clothes.
Now we’ve found an other clue of their presence – two other tourists robbed of their clothes and money – in a hotel next to Europa Park. No doubt they intend to evade us in the crowd, and steal an other ride to God knows where.
Their capture is international top priority – it has even been deemed important enough to have SHIELD team up with the Champions of Europe.
Jeanne is furious. She can’t stand the idea these American – technically Canadian – criminals are spreading chaos and zaniness all across Old Europe.
But if I have to be completely honest, I’ll admit Taylor and Charlotte are pretty tame – for international criminals and terrorists, that is. They’ve never left dead bodies behind them. Only girls bound and gagged in their undies.
Still, it would be better for everyone if they were put behind bars – including for them.
Gwen, Angelica, Yuri, and Kate are counting on me. Better not disappoint them!
******* Charlotte Beaulieu / Blender(?) *******
I love theme parks. The constant noise, the crowd, the background music… I love them.
Europa Park is my favorite. I remember my parents would regularly take me there – Dad was from France, near the German border, so every year we’d take a plane for a vacation here.
“Look alive, Charlotte. We’re not here to sightsee.” Taylor comments.
“We’re dressed as tourists.”
To emphasize my point, I gesture at my long sundress with a flower pattern, large white hat, and the camera tied around my neck.
Of course Taylor doesn’t appreciate my perfectly valid objection at its fair value. She doesn’t answer. She just glares.
“Don’t be meeaaaaann…”
“They’re still after us. They may even have found the girls we mugged at the hotel. We’re here to lose them. And for that, we need to disguise ourselves.”
I nod. Makes sense. “So… Who are we going to mug?”
“I don’t know yet. Keep your eyes open.”
In the Scandinavian section of the park, I notice a group of cute performers dressed as pirate ladies for a spectacle.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Their costumes stand out too much.”
In the French section of the park, I notice a bunch of cute cancan dancers.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Backup dancers aren’t supposed to roam the park.”
In the Italian section of the park, we come across a spectacle featuring a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and a woman in a gorgeous black dress – though I don’t know which celebrity she’s supposed to impersonate.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Any moron will see I’m not the original performer. Plus, they stand out even more than dancers.”
In the Austrian section of the park, Taylor notices two female employees slowly driving a small truck meant to collect the garbage bags in-between the visitors.
They’re heading to an employee only section of the park – probably to throw all the trash bags they’re transporting.
“These ones.” she decides. “We mug these ones.”
“But employee uniforms are dull and boring…”
A dope-slap follows my perfectly valid criticism.
“Ow! So unfair!”
“We go after them.”
******* Taylor Woodward / Sparks *******
I hate theme parks. The constant noise, the crowd, the background music… I hate them.
At least those are slightly more tolerable in employee-only areas.
Following these two has been easy – nobody expects trouble in a theme park. I just had to climb one wooden barrier.
Neutralizing the employees has been easy too. They were busy grabbing some tools after getting rid of their trash bags. Two nerve-pinches, and they were asleep like babies. After that, taking their uniforms was a mere formality...
I cross-tie the woman’s wrists behind her back with the strings I found on a shelf in the tool shed. I make sure there isn’t any slack in the knots. No gentleness, but no needless cruelty either. Just like how I was trained.
Ironic the training my government gave me is making me so efficient at eluding those same governments...
I have nothing against the woman. She’s just a mean to an end. I needed her uniform, and now I need her out of the way for a couple of hours.
The employee is in her mid-thirties. A tall plain-looking blonde with blue eyes, a white skin, and a pudgy waist. Her hair are tied into a functional ponytail. She’s clad in comfortable white control briefs and a matching t-shirt bra. Both the haircut and the undergarments are logical choices, since she’s supposed to perform manual labor all day.
I gag the blonde with thick duct tape, then I stash her in the small shed that’s used to store maintenance equipment near the garbage dumpsters.
Inside the shed, there’s already the other unconscious employee – this one with medium brown ponytailed hair, a light skin, and grey eyes. She’s clad in plain black boxer undershorts and a grey seamless bra, and also bound with strings and gagged with tape.
The two employees are left lying against each other. In-between the various tools and shelves, the fit is tight – they’re snugly pressed against each other, with the blonde’s head resting against the brunette’s shoulder. I close the door and lock the handle.
Just in case.
Then I adjust the uniform I’m currently wearing. Thick brown safety shoes, black work trousers, a grey t-shirt, grey gloves, and an orange reflective vest.
“I wanted to ride the attractions…” Charlotte – also fully disguised – complains next to me. “They even have a new roller coaster...”
“We’re not here to have fun, Charlotte. We’re here to lose our pursuers.”
How many times have I already reminded her that since we got here? Three? Four? With Charlotte, it’s never enough. Theme parks reduce her already short attention span – she makes me think of a moth attracted by a bright light.
“So unfair…”
Charlotte is definitely a lot harder to handle than Sarah. She’s always been… But I refuse to leave her behind. Even now, I still don’t know why. Is it what mothers and older sisters feel?
It’s weird to not have Sarah with us anymore. Something’s missing. Some quiet presence. But I will respect her choice. She wanted a new life. She didn’t want to run anymore.
She wanted something I could never give her, no matter how hard I tried…
I hope she’ll get what she wants.
I hope she’ll be alright.
******* Silvija Sablinova / Silver Sable *******
Robert Kelly lost the election.
Ultimately, the numerous attempts against his life worked against him. They gave him the image of a problem magnet. Many people feared putting him in charge of the country would invite chaos.
However, the last straw were the reveals of several scandals involving William Jefferson and Orchis – made by some anonymous freelance reporter. They were ranging from financial wrong doing to assault of civilians to framing of innocent parties to illegal experimentation of back-then minor Sarah Summers. Since they were a big support of Kelly, his image suffered from these affairs during the last lap of the campaign.
Mentally, I shrug.
At least, civil war was narrowly avoided. After Taylor Woodward fled the country, Mystique was left in a coma, Sarah Summers was arrested, and the rest of their team was disbanded, Magneto lost his best agents to spread chaos. Plus, with Jefferson discredited, Kelly became once again the sole head of the anti-mutant side, and his appeals for calm robbed Magneto of what he was hoping for – escalation.
This doesn’t concern me. I don’t work for Kelly anymore. I’ve been fired.
It’s unfair – Orchis is the lone responsible of the whole mess – but Robert Kelly decided he had had enough with mercenary companies. He preferred to take his chance on his own. With the AVENGERS breathing down Magneto’s neck and Taylor’s team on the run, he’s probably right.
Sadly, the complete fiasco that was Robert Kelly’s protection reflects poorly on my company’s reputation.
Damn infiltrators… They made us look like clowns! I’ll make them pay one day!
The memory of when I was found naked after I was mugged is still vivid in my mind, like an open wound to my pride. I suppress it. They’ll pay for that too…
I pass in front of our headquarters's maintenance closet. Suddenly, I hear something.
Grunts. Groans. Soft muffled moans.
I swear, if someone is attempting to infiltrate us again, I will murder them…
I grab the knob, but at the last second I hear someone talking through the door.
“Next time... I keep the suit… You’d be surprised what I can do... with the tail…” a panting woman says.
I recognize the voice. Elaine Coll. Scorpia. What’s she doing here? Technically, she’s still on probation, but she doesn’t work for me.
“Shut your trap... and work your fingers! I’m not done yet!”
And that’s Claire.
“Bitch, I’m gonna make you reach octaves you’ve never hit before!”
Even the door’s frame doesn’t manage to silence the sounds of their dirty talk, and aggressive smooching.
No need to be a genius to know what they’re doing.
I bang loudly on the door.
“Shit!” Scorpia exclaims. “Give me my panties!”
“Hand me my bra first!” Clair retorts.
Okay. Too much information.
“Claire, I give you one minute to get dressed or you’re fired.”
“G- Got it boss!”
******* Angelica Jones / Firestar *******
When I hear someone opening the door of the female changing room of the weapons facility, I hurriedly close the locker in front of which I’m standing.
It would be awkward to explain why there’s a trussed up woman in her skivvies stashed inside…
The ponytailed olive-skinned brown-eyed brunette is sitting curled up in the cramp space, with her chin resting on her knees. Her mouth is gagged with tape. Her wrists are zip-tied behind her back. Her ankles are zip-tied together. Her only articles of clothes left are a cream white bullet bra, blue hip-huggers, and striped blue-and-white socks.
Two women dressed in the classic Orchis uniform and combat gear enter the changing room.
“Boss is in a foul mood…”
“Who wouldn’t be? An other scandal broke out today. Daily Bugle itself published the files. And for this one he can't throw Jill, Erin, and Lynn under the bus, and have them arrested.”
Great. Of course it had to be the two stoogettes who could recognize me…
(However, it always warms my heart when I hear that the "Orchis Bully Squad" has been put behind bars, and is awaiting trial for the many civilians they mugged.)
I make sure my own Orchis helmet and visor properly conceal my face, head, and hair.
Marilyn sits on a bench, takes off her helmet, and massages her face. “God, I hate Mondays…”
Ruth doesn’t answer. She goes straight to her locker, and begins to take off her uniform.
Her partner notices something’s off. “You got a problem?”
Ruth carefully chooses her words. “You’ve seen the list of what boss is accused.”
“Boss claims it’s fake news, spread by the anti-mutant agenda…”
“You believe that?”
There’s a short pause. I listen discreetly.
“No.”
Ruth puts her uniform inside her locker, and grabs her civilian clothes. Then she finally speaks again: “I won’t come back tomorrow. Or any other day. I’m quitting.”
An other pause.
Then Marilyn also begins to change clothes. “Yeah. Me too.”
Uh. Guess Gwen was right. Not all hope is lost.
I discreetly pat the locker’s door. “Chose a bad time to enlist, rookie.” I whisper to the woman stashed inside.
Then I exit the changing room. It’s time to deal the final blow to Orchis.
I head to the engineering lab.
Mary-Jane and Felicia did a lot of the work already. Their leaks in the press have pretty much destroyed Jefferson’s – and Orchis’ – credibility as a peace force.
Time for me to finish what they started…
Like with many private corporations, there’s only one way to properly destroy Orchis. You have to go after its profits. The company has three main sources of income: private protection service, arms sales, and research. After the whole scandal surrounding Kelly’s political campaign and Mary-Jane’s reveals, a huge dent has been put into the first one. The virus I intend to use against their whole database and assembly line will cripple the other two…
I know Professor Xavier wouldn’t agree with my method – that’s why I didn’t tell him about it. Nor did I tell anyone of the Institute for that matter. Only one person is in the knowing. Black Cat.
I’ll leave the legal battle for my friends, but the sad truth is that William Jefferson doesn’t play by the rules – so to bring him down for good, neither will I.
******* Janet Van Dyne / Wasp *******
A good idea is always stolen.
That’s the quip any self-respected sarcastic hero would make seeing me about to ambush a baddie and snatch her outfit and identity. (So yeah, Peter Parker.)
Then again, the idea IS good. Kinda surprised it took so much time to catch on.
I remember the time it was still an unusual novelty – sure, you had Kate Bischop making a habit of robbing Madame Masque of her outfit and, well, mask. And there was the whole ‘Joystick Going Commando’ debacle. (Come to think of it, maybe that’s why nobody used the tactic for a couple of years – nobody wanted to risk coming across a naked baddie!) Then Black Cat and Gwen’s red-haired friend (what’s her name again? Marie-Jeanne?) entered the picture. Gwen followed suit, Angelica did too, those Canadian criminals came around, and now everybody begins doing it again.
So I guess it’s my turn tonight. In hindsight, it’s logical. My Wasp suit is made for scouting and infiltration – Black Cat didn’t steal it for nothing. Odd I never tried the ‘uniform stealing tactic’ before…
For my first time, the scenery is actually quite original. No warehouse or mansion here. Instead, a gigantic casino cruise ship. A gambling ship, shall I say – transiting to international waters to evade local anti-gambling laws and play loose with financial transactions.
And, if SHIELD’s information are correct, even shadier deals are taking place tonight.
We have one particular. Miranda Kalte. Shipping magnate. Occasional smuggler. Was actually a backer of Taylor’s team back when they were passing themselves for art and artifact thieves. The link with Magneto’s former enforcers is tenuous, but it’s still a lead. Besides, if she’s conducting illegal business under the cover of a casino cruise, best foil her anyway.
Problem is, one does not simply. Well, technically I can if I use my suit to shrink to wasp size but then it would make worming information out patrons quite awkward... And I suspect they have some sensors in the ‘private’ (e.g. shady) parts of the ship.
Currently, I’m discreetly hovering in the back of the sentry I’m stalking. Thanks to my suit, I’m the size of a small bird, so in the night sky I’m basically invisible.
Diamondback – real identity: Rachel Leighton – is a tall sculptural woman with a slim fit-looking body, a white skin, and green eyes. Her hair are dyed pink, cut short, and fashioned into a slightly shaggy square cut.
A good-looking woman, but also a criminal mercenary-for-hire, member of a team called B.A.D. Girls, Inc.
As their name not-so-subtly implies, they’re bad news.
One would think Miranda and all the other rick folks gathered on this floating casino are taking a big risk with the law, hiring Diamondback and her friends as part of their protection.
But technically, we’re in international waters. Ship is sailing under the flag of a state that doesn’t recognize them as criminals, and refuses extradition requests. The guests are rich enough to win any case in court. Most of them aren’t even criminals – save for the fact they’ve purposefully gone to international waters to bypass all tax and gambling restrictions. They simply believe it’s very exciting to have hot mercenary girls as part of their protection.
Well, murky laws can work both ways… Nobody will (or can) make a fuss at a court when it turns out a bunch of B.A.D. girls have been mugged and impersonated – and will later be left trussed up in front of a police station.
Diamondback is wearing a dark pink full bodysuit that covers her from the collar to the feet. The villainess costume’s collarbone area and pelvis area are black. She wears black gloves. She also has a matching pink eyemask. Of course, befitting her name, her bodysuit and gloves are adorned with (fake) diamonds. One on each shoulder, one of the back of each glove, one on each ankle of the suit, and several around the waist. Careful, I remind myself. Those aren’t for show. They’re actual weapons – their point can pierce through bones.
She’s tough – anyone has to be in her line of work. But she also has the strength and stamina of a normal – if well-trained – human.
Which means it’s time to use my “Wasp’s Sting”. Lately, with Taylor’s team and Black Cat on the loose, heroines have been on the wrong side of identity stealing too much for my taste… Time to balance things out.
I aim my gauntlet at Rachel’s neck, and grow back to my original size.
Z-KOW!
A quick blast from the gauntlet sends a jolt of electricity right at my target. Diamondback reels for a moment, then with a groan, falls backwards. She didn’t even have the time to fully process what just happened.
I fly behind her, and catch her limp unconscious body. Then, using the wings of my suit to move faster, I hover backwards and drag her in a blind spot around a corner of the bridge.
Good. Given how fast I was, there’s no way somebody saw me.
I lay the limp mercenary on her back, and pull off her gloves and mask. Then I work to open her bodysuit, and peel it off her slim body.
Underneath, Diamondback is wearing plain dark pink socks, a violet full-cup bra with dark purple edges and straps, and comfortable matching violet classic briefs with a dark purple waistband strap. Small diamonds are encrusted on the waistband strap of the panties and the shoulder straps of the bra. (There’s also a bigger one in-between the cups.) Those look like real deals, contrary to the ones on the costume. Luckily for Diamondback, I’m not Black Cat, so I don’t touch them.
Rachel Leighton is fitter than your average minion – probably hardier too – so to not take any chance I use some Oscorp ultra-sturdy ropes to bind her wrists and ankles tightly. Probably overkill, since she has the strength of a non-enhanced human, but better safe than sorry. I gag her mouth with some strips of tape.
Now, on to the disguise.
It’s more Black Widow’s shtick, but she lent me a nice toy.
I carefully open a small case strapped on my belt, and pull out a flabby thin translucent face-shaped device.
It’s a high-tech mask that can imitate the facial structure of anyone. Then, thanks to some complex nanotechnology or something like that (don’t know the details), it uses a holographic projections to change the head of its wearer to perfectly match the one of whom they’re impersonating. A shame it can only replicate the head.
But when the woman you impersonate wears a full bodysuit and gloves, it’s not much of a problem…
I realize my blunder when I notice the mask must be applied on Diamondback’s face first to imprint her facial appearance – and therefore I gagged her too soon. (The whole mug-and-disguise shtick is indeed a lot more Black Widow’s cup of tea than mine.) Nothing a good de-gagging and re-gagging can’t fix, but I’m glad nobody is here to comment on my mistake. Best not provide grist for the critics who think I don’t deserve a spot in the Avengers!
Once the mask imprinted Diamondback’s facial appearance, and the villainess is gagged once again, I slip into the dark pink and black bodysuit and black gloves. I smoothen the mask on my face. It’s weird how it espouses my features. It’s slightly cool too. I feel some ripples – like water on my face – and then when I look at my reflection, I see Rachel Leighton staring back at me. To perfect the disguise, I put on the mask, and is satisfied to see it doesn’t disrupt the holographic illusion.
Perfect.
I stash Diamondback in a small closet used to store lifebuoys, to make sure nobody disturbs her nap – and she doesn’t disturb the whole operation by being found too soon.
Plus, SHIELD’s stealth boat is discreetly following the cruise ship. They’ll collect Diamondback once our operation is over – the unlucky villainess will wake up in a police cell.
“I’m in position, ready to pay a visit to the restricted areas.” I whisper in a hidden microphone. “Diamondback is down. I’m disguised as her.”
******* Peter Parker / Spiderman *******
Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Nefertiti – villainess name ‘Asp’ – is a statuesque woman with brown eyes and armpit-long black hair. Her skin is lightly tanned. She’s a stunner, with shapely legs – and her sleeveless thigh-high slit white dress with a green snakes motif (slit on both sides by the way) is clearly designed to emphasize them. There are also green ring-shaped metal jewels wrapped around her bare arms and calves, bandages wrapped around the forearms, and green shoes.
But she’s not my type. I’m not exactly into hardened baddies. That, and she can shoot paralyzing bio-energy blasts.
Of course, when you’re unaware two intruders are hanging on the ceiling of one of the ship’s inner corridors, and about to jump you from above, shooting blasts with your hands isn’t exactly useful…
In my earpiece, I hear Janet mention Diamondback has been taken care of.
White Tiger, my partner, makes her move. She too has received the message, apparently. Ladies first, the saying goes.
Ava jumps from the ceiling, and pounces on the unsuspecting villainess. Asp lets out a brief shriek, and lands on her stomach with a dull thud, cutting her breath and preventing her from shouting for alarm.
White Tiger wraps her arms around Cleo’s throat, blocks the villainess’ arms and waist with her legs. Asp’s arms are pinned against her torso. She can’t use her blasts to defend herself. The sleeper-hold prevents her from calling for help.
The snake-themed mercenary struggles, kicking the floor with her feet, but in vain.
Once Asp lets out her last muffled moan of distress, and passes out unconscious, Ava releases the woman’s limp body, and jumps back on her feet.
I land next to her.
“Spider sense?” she asks.
“No threat nearby. I’ll warn you if it changes.”
She nods, and takes a knee next to Asp, studying her costume.
I clear my throat a bit awkwardly. “So, we successfully ambushed this very specific villainess like you wanted. What’s the next step?”
Ava grabs Cleo’s left leg, pulls off the shoe, and begins removing the green rings wrapped around the calf. “Her hair and mine look similar. I take her clothes, and impersonate her.” She then does the same to the other leg.
Figures. It seems Gwen, Felicia, and MJ are being emulated.
“You know what they say. A good idea is always stolen.”
“Don’t play wise guy, Parker. I haven’t forgotten what you girlfriend did to me.” White Tiger retorts while unwrapping the bandages around Asp’s forearms.
“Ex-girlfriend.” I reflexively correct her. “By the way, you do realize your skin is darker than hers?”
“Not by much. And really, with the kind of dress she’s wearing, how many patrons are still able to think with their head?” At the same time, Ava rolls Cleo’s unconscious body to her back, and studies the dress to find the best way to take it off.
“Fair point.”
“Now if you’re done gawking, can you turn your head? And no peaking.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Team-ups with a female partner who insists on stealing an other girl’s outfit often end up awkward. I already had the same problem with Gwen once or twice.
Even with my back turned, I can still hear the rustle of the clothes being removed. It’s embarrassing, to say the least.
Hopefully I’ll never have to go through this ordeal during a team-up with Mary-Jane… Especially now that I have found the nerve to ask if she was interested to grab a drink with me.
Well okay, I didn’t ask. I asked Gwen to ask.
Gwen told me she said yes, but only if I’m paying. I don’t know if the last part is true – Felicia is rubbing off on Gwen a bit.
Still, I don’t mind either way.
Ava’s voice interrupts my thoughts of having some kind of date with Mary-Jane. “I’m done. You can web her.”
“Please tell me she’s not going commando under her costume.”
I swear I can hear Ava rolling her eyes when she answers: “It’s okay, Parker. The naughty bits are covered.”
“Sorry. I’ve heard about Joystick’s story… It’s made me paranoid.”
The naughty bits are indeed covered. Though not by much – just an emerald green bandeau bra, and high-cut panties of a matching green.
White Tiger is now wearing the Asp dress and jewels. With her hair loose and her tiger amulet hidden, she indeed bares a passing resemblance with Cleo – enough to fool unobservant blundering henchmen and perverted half-drunk patrons.
I cover Asp’s mouth with web, then restrain Cleopatra’s wrists behind her back. I encase her hands completely to try and contain her power. I mummify her legs and her shoulders, thinking of how ironic her name is being right now.
To be honest, I don’t think we’ll find any former member of Woodward’s gang among B.A.D. Girls, Inc. I mean, it’s not because they’re the only group with a more ridiculous name than ‘Team Awesome’ that Screwball, Trapstr or Carpenter will want to join them…
Still, B.A.D. Girls, Inc is helping with a shady scheme right now. Putting a few more baddies to jail can’t hurt… We’re not the only ones after the remnants of Magneto’s team of infiltrators anyway.
******* Yuriko Watanabe / Wraith *******
“Asp and Diamondback are taking their nap. What’s your status? Did you find your generous clothes donor?” Parker says in my earpiece.
“I’m on it.”
I don’t waste time with pointless details and cut the transmission. Working with Peter is different than working with Gwen – Ghost Spider is the polite ‘first of the class student’-type, he’s the wise guy who sits next to the window. A police captain like me has trouble with his type. Still, he’s as efficient and reliable as he claims to be, so I’ll ignore his idiosyncrasies.
Putting on my Wraith persona feels like putting on a second face. There are things a police captain can’t do – and it frustrates me to no end. Like, for instance knowing something illegal is taking place on a ship, but being unable to do anything about it because, technically, the letter of the law (or plain corruption) prevents me from getting a warrant.
When the letter of the law fails… that’s where my second persona steps in. Yuriko Watanabe fights crime in broad daylight, and Wraith does it from the shadows.
Sometimes though, it’s hard to keep my fear-inducing compsure.
For instance, when I search for my mark, and end up spying on her innocent(?) daughter instead. And she’s not doing anything illegal. And she’s actually doing something intimate. And said intimate thing turns out to be mild kinky roleplay with her secret girlfriend.
Fiona Kalte is, as far as I know, mostly kept in the dark about her mother’s shady dealings. She’s running the legitimate side of the family business. She probably has suspicions, but Miranda made sure that her daughter and heiress doesn’t know enough to be held accountable in front of a court – and wants it to stay that way.
Though right now, it’s hard to see Fiona is something of a prodigy – she’s already an accomplished businesswoman at such a young age. Right now, she acts like a lovestruck college girl.
She’s lying on the couch of her cabin, eyes blindfolded, with young socialite Alice Waybright lying on her. The brunette is playing a little game with fruits, putting them in between the blonde’s lips, and pulling them away when Fiona tries to take a bite.
At least they’re wearing their clothes…
“I’m so glad our mothers got along in Kelly’s party… Wouldn’t have received an invitation to this cruise otherwise…” Alice purrs. “My mom is having fun regaling the other guests with tales of her misadventures, we have the whole night in front of us...”
“Please don’t tell my mom.”
“What? That we’re together? I thought she didn’t care you’re bi.”
Fiona shakes her head. “Don’t tell her I’m a bottom. She just… wouldn’t get it.”
Alice smiles a bit, willingly leaving Fiona squirming a few seconds. One thing is certain, she’s quite good playing the ‘dominatrix’ part… “I’ll think about it.” she then says with a playful voice. Then she apparently decides she’s tired of fruits, and wants to taste her girlfriend’s lips with some kisses.
Okay. Maybe I’ve spent too much time listening to them through the open porthole. I thought I may hear something interesting about Miranda, but it’s clear these two have other things in mind.
Thankfully, there is an other reason I’m sticking around this cabin.
I hear the faint sound of footsteps getting closer, and immediately move to hide further in the shadows.
I suspect Miranda would leave someone to guard her precious daughter – given the number of times Fiona ended up roped in the shenanigans of vigilantes and anti-heroines. And I also suspect she won’t just leave a bumbling no-name mook either.
And as it turns out, my suspicion is correct.
There she is, turning around the corner.
Black Mamba (or Tanya Sealy). Criminal. Mercenary-for-hire. Former member of the Serpent Society. Current member of B.A.D. Girls, Inc.
Shoulder-long deep black hair, a flawless white skin, a slim curvy body, and deep green eyes. Beautiful and dangerous. A deadly combination. She’s wearing a grey leotard with a front zip that exposes her upper thighs and shoulders, green fingerless long gloves, and matching midthigh-long soft boots. Her gloves and boots have some ‘snake scales’ appearance. A snake-themed green circlet is tied around her forehead and skull.
She patrols the bridge near her daughter’s cabin.
Using the cover of the shadows, I stalk my target.
I’m careful.
Black Mamba has some super-powers. Hypnosis. And something they call ‘Dark Force Manipulation’. However, I’m not afraid.
I know she needs line of sight and concentration to use her powers. What use are they if she can’t even see from where the attack is coming?
Black Mamba pauses near the porthole. She chuckles to herself. “That’s your idea for steamy roleplay? How old are you? Twelve?” She rolls her eyes indulgently. “Two pampered little princesses… Wish boss stationed me in some place more interesting…”
She turns around a corner, and passes near a row of lifeboats.
At that very moment, she ends up in a blind spot.
I pounce on her.
I clamp one hand on her mouth, press a stun gun on her neck with the other.
“Whooot?!” she moans.
I release the power jolt before she can react.
“Gak!” she cries, but my palm muffled her grunt.
Her body has a few spasms. Her eyes roll back into her skull, and she goes as limp as a rag doll. I ease the falling unconscious body, and lay it on the floor. A quick check of the surroundings confirms nobody noticed my assault – in their cabin Fiona and Alice are way too busy.
Grabbing Black Mamba by the legs, I drag her near the lifeboats. I’m careful to walk crouched down, to make sure I stay invisible in the night.
Letting go of my burden, I don’t hide a small frown of disgust at the stripperiffic costume. Sex-appeal is also a weapon, I’ll give her that, but it’s not one I’ll ever want to use.
Still, I don’t have much choice. I just hope she didn’t follow Joystick’s lead…
At least, Black Mamba’s costume is easy to remove. That’s the only compliment it’ll get from me. I just need to take off the snake-themed head circlet, pull off the glovesand soft boots, and unzip the leotard and peel it off.
Thankfully for me (and for her), Black Mamba has heard of the ‘Joystick Debacle’. She’s wearing a green stick-on bra, and green tanga panties with a gold waistband strap. It’s not much, but it spares me the sight of her naked.
I use one of Black Widow’s spare high-tech masks to replicate Tanya’s head, then I grab the handcuffs strapped on my belt. Those are made of a sturdy metal – not adamantium, but close. The cuff Black Mamba’s wrists behind her back, and restrain her ankles together with a second handcuff. To gag the mercenary, I rip a few straps of my Wraith costume, and tie them into a makeshift cleave gag.
To make sure the unconscious Tanya is not discovered too soon, I lift her trussed up body and stash her inside a life boat. I use the tarp to conceal her.
Getting dressed in her Black Mamba costume is even easier than peeling it off, but I don’t enjoy it at all.
I don’t know if we’ll get our hands on interesting information about the remnants of Taylor’s team from Miranda Kalte, but it’s worth a shot.
If anything, we’ll have delivered B.A.D. Girls, Inc. to the authorities, I think to myself when I send an encrypted message to the stealth SHIELD ship following us, telling them to wait my signal to dispatch a team to collect Diamondback, Asp, and Black Mamba.
Besides, we’re not the only ones after the remnants of Taylor’s team...
******* Michelle Meyer / Trapstr *******
So the whole ‘Team Awesome’ business ended up in a complete mess. In hindsight, I should have known better. Never get involved in politics…
Banditry, yes. Gang warfare, why not. Politics, huge red flag.
I mentally shrug, then reflexively adjust my sunglasses.
Oh well. Live and learn. What’s important is that I managed to escape the crackdown. Sure, I’ll miss these girls a bit – Taylor was a decent boss, all things considered. And teasing Charlotte, Jenna, and Screwball was tons of fun.
But I much prefer freelance work.
Now, I simply need to vanish during a few weeks, the time for an other supervillain to take the forefront and make everyone forget about Magneto’s ploy…
However, first, I’m going to grab the money I’ve hidden after our first heists.
What? You’re surprised I kept part of the money for myself? Why? I’m pretty sure Taylor knew, but didn’t care. She probably considered it my ‘fee’. I mean. I was the most useful member of her crew!
So here I am, in this abandoned building. The very one in which we ambushed Kate Bishop actually. I move a ventilation grill, and grab the duffle bag concealed in the air duct.
Good. The bills are still all inside.
I allow myself a satisfied smile.
Next thing I know, something flies right next to my ear.
It’s an arrow.
Oh shit!
Reflexively I turn, and pale when I see the shooter, standing at the other side of the hall.
Kate Bishop aka All-New Hawkeye. Looking radiant in her heroine costume – most likely a spare one, since Charlotte had ripped off the one she had stolen.
Kate’s smile makes me shudder. She knows I took part in the operation to capture her, steal her identity, and use her as bait.
The bow-wielding heroine nocks a blunt arrow. “I’m giving you a five seconds head start.” She’s clearly relishing the situation.
I begin to run away. But deep down inside, I know it’s useless...
And indeed, five seconds later the blunt arrow hits a very specific spot at the back of my head.
Before the impact knocks me out, I have the time to realize it’s back to jail for me.
Damn it!
I shouldn’t have… gotten involved… in politics...
Then everything becomes dark.
******* Kate Bischop / All-New Hawkeye *******
It feels incredibly satisfying to shoot a blunt arrow at Trapstr. I almost regret she made it so easy. A part of me wishes things devolved into a fistfight…
Hey! A heroine is allowed to hold a grudge from time to time.
I confess I’m tempted to strip the wannabe ‘hip villainess’ down to her skivvies, and steal her outfit. Just to show her. But I decide against it, and instead I simply cuff her wrists.
Don’t want to pull out a Felicia, and be kink-shamed by everyone!
Still, I steal her sunglasses as trophy.
Then I sling her onto my shoulder.
“Okay. Back to prison for you. Hopefully, you’ll have company soon.”
******* ̶M̶a̶r̶y̶ ̶S̶m̶i̶t̶h̶ / Screwball *******
“Hello Screw-Crew! Your favorite superstar is back online and back on track!”
Ah, my legions of adoring fans! How I’ve missed you!
“And she has a new concept for you all!”
Dramatic pause. Very important, the dramatic pause.
“Live infiltration!”
I adjust the camera on my helmet to show the unconscious security guard lying on the floor, with a sleeping dart embedded in her neck. (Thanks a lot for the blowpipe lessons by the way, Taylor!)
“More accurately, live uniform stealing!”
I must say, I chose the perfect guard for my stunt. She’s slim and athletic-looking – which will make me look like a badass spy. And she’s also attractive-looking: round breasts, curvy bottom, flat stomach, some dark freckles, tanned healthy-looking skin, and shiny brown hair tied into a ponytail. Because a little fanservice won’t hurt my views at all.
I begin to undress the brunette, making sure everything is in the camera’s line of sight. I take her black baseball cap and pull off her shoes, revealing white socks. Then I shimmy the guard’s black trousers down the legs, revealing hot pink seamless briefs. Finally, I take off the black security uniform jacket and white t-shirt. Underneath, the woman is wearing a dark grey tank top, which gives a brief glimpse at a striped white-and-blue bra.
“Now, if you hit the donation goal, I’ll remove the tank top just for you. Not the bra though. This is supposed to be a quality stream, not porn. Also, should I use tape or zip-ties? Don’t forget to vote in the poll! ‘Cause-”
“Hello, Screw-Up.”
I wince at the hated nickname. However, what angers me the most is the comment section turning wild on my phone. They loved the joke!
I turn to face the jerk who dares steal my thunder during my great return.
I recognize her white-and-pink costume – in no small part because I wore it at one point.
Gwenpool.
My blood boils. “It’s Screwball!”
“Screw-Up’s much better. More accurate too. But maybe you prefer Mary Smith?”
I feel my face becoming bright red. How does she know? Who snitched on me?!
“Don’t you dare call me that!”
“Whatever. I’m here to propose an alternate concept for your stream. How about: ‘Getting arrested live.’?” Gwenpool points an aggressive finger at me. “There’s only room for one quip-spewing blonde in this story!”
“Don’t you mean ‘in this town’?”
“Yeah! That too!”
I snarl. “So it’s a fight that you want?”
Then I realize she’s more muscular than me. Probably a better fighter too. And Taylor isn’t here anymore to tip the scales in my favor.
I’m glad the camera doesn’t film my face, because I can clearly feel I’m turning ghostly pale right now.
Gwenpool lunges at me.
“No no no no no wait!”
Next thing I know, I’ve been judo-chopped onto the floor and I’m lying on my stomach. Gwenpool sits on my back to immobilize me. (Ouch.) She’s holding thin sturdy (bright pink!) ropes.
Then, suddenly, she removes my camera-helmet, and places it onto the floor in front of us.
“Hello everyone! On today’s stream, I’m going to show you how to properly hog-tie a bad girl to make sure she stays put until police comes to collect her. First, you gotta pin her down onto the floor. Bad girls are usually slim and athletic. It’s best to use your entire body weight to immobilize them. Like that.”
She moves her thighs a bit to tighten her hold.
I can’t help but shriek briefly. “Ow!”
Gwenpool chuckles. “Ignore all their complaints and pleas. They’re bad girls, so it’s most likely a ploy to make you drop your guard. Then, take the wrists and cross them behind the back… like that. Wrap the ropes, make a few loops, and tighten the knot. Be careful to not leave any slack. Then you do the same with the ankles. Experts use one long coil of rope, but if you’re a beginner, I advise to use three. One for the wrists, one for the legs, and one to connect the first two.”
As she’s talking, she forcefully moves my wrists to bind them, and then my ankles to thoroughly truss them up. Finally, she connects the wrists and ankles with a third rope, and tightens the knot.
“Ouch! Not so tight, jerk!”
“Most of the time, the bad girl will try to call for help. Or just annoy you with her talking. I suggest you bring something to silence them. Tape or scarves are fine, but I have a fondness for those.”
She pulls out a big ball-gag, with a bright pink rubber ball.
“You can find them in any shop. Now, dear assistant, please open wide!”
I shake my head. There’s no way I’ll play along! This was supposed to be my moment of fame! Not hers!
“Of course, the bad girl will most likely refuse to cooperate. So it’s best to do that.”
She pinches my left buttcheek.
“OUCH!”
Of course, she immediately shoves the ball-gag into my mouth and straps it behind my neck.
“Thkh ht hut! Plhhsh thkh ht hht!”
“There you go! All ready to be packaged! Now, since you’ve all been such a nice audience, I’ll leave the camera here so you can watch her squirm and struggle till police comes. I have to save a bystander’s modesty.”
She goes to help the security guard.
Struggling a bit, I find out she indeed didn’t leave any slack.
I can’t believe it… Such humiliation…
I attempt to glance at my discarded phone.
… So… Are the views going up?
******* Jenna Duffi / Carpenter *******
As the saying goes: ‘Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.’
I adjust the collar of my costume. God is this thing impractical! The collar chafes against my neck. The fabric is itchy. And I’m sweating like a wart hog.
I’m wearing black boots, black trousers, and a black long tunic-like coat that’s tight on the collar and tent-like baggy around the knees. On the mantle, white threats form a pattern mimicking bricks. A black belt with a gun is tied around my waist. On my head I’m wearing some black hat designed to look like a rook’s top.
Chess piece motif. The jerk’s using a chess piece motif.
Alas, beggars can’t be choosers. After the failure of Taylor’s plan, I needed a patron to escape the heat. I guess no matter how much I try, I can’t completely leave behind the gregarious mentality of a mook. In spite of Taylor’s training, the first thing I did was to join a crew of minions.
The boss is a mysterious figure calling himself the ‘Chessmaster’. And he has surrounded himself with henchwomen dressed as chess pieces. When I joined, I recognized many of them as former colleagues – a good chunk of them were recruited from White Rabbit’s gang. Apparently, Lorina has encountered tough times shortly after I left – she’s currently in prison after a fated encounter with Frog-Man. Serves her right!
Some rumors pretend the boss is Gary Fischer, a former chess champion disgraced after he was caught cheating. Other rumors pretend he’s Obadiah Stane – Ironman’s nemesis – himself. Only the two Queens of the gang know his real identity.
Whoever he is, I’d have words about his choice of uniforms!
“At least White Rabbit is crazy. What’s his excuse? Some sort of fetish?”
My partner, dressed as a White Bishop, shrugs. “Come on, Rook! At least chess motifs are a novelty. Everybody uses the card motifs, but nobody ever thought of using chess…”
“Yeah! Boss saw those ‘Chess is a harem series’ memes, and themed a gang around them.”
White Bishop glances sideways at me, and briefly breaks character. “You’ve spent too much time with your team of infiltrators, Jenna. You’re forgetting your place.”
“I know. Sorry.”
She means well. I’m thankful for the warning. Gang bosses don’t exactly like it when mooks question their whims. I have to get back in the habit.
But she’s right. After months of working with Taylor, I’ve gotten used to be more than a lowly henchwoman. Taylor was stern, and the scope of her heists was way too intense for my taste, but she didn’t treat the women of her team like expendable mooks. She cared to teach us, and to associate us with the plans.
Irina passes in front of us, carrying some furniture.
Poor girl is dressed as a Pawn. Can you make it more obvious?
If there’s one good thing about being a henchwoman, it’s that you will always find somebody unluckier than you...
**************
Encore
**************
******* Sarah Summers / ̶N̶u̶d̶g̶e̶ *******
Wasp is a woman of her word.
I asked to be put in a cell, she had me put in a cell.
No lab. No experiments. No big talk of ‘using my powers for justice’ and the ‘greater good’.
I suspect she asked the AVENGERS a little favor to make sure no government agency could take me under their custody. And they were all too eager to put me out of reach if it meant no secret organization could get their hands on me.
My cell is isolated in the extreme security wing of the prison complex. I heard it was designed by Tony Stark himself to block my powers. Thick walls and empty corridors separate me from the other inmates. Except when meals are delivered to me, I’m alone. The guards think it’s the best way to contain my threat.
They probably don’t realize the gift they’ve given me.
Finally… Finally, things are quiet…
Often, I think of Taylor and Charlotte. I hope they’re doing fine. I hope they’re safe and free. I hope Taylor will one day forgive me. She’s always wanted to help me – but ultimately she’s never been able to give me what I needed the most.
Peace.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of my cell’s door being opened.
The man is bald, and on a wheelchair. He looks harmless – sympathetic even – but there’s something about him that feels odd to me.
“Hello, Sarah.”
I’m unnerved. I don’t sense his emotions. Nothing.
“How do you do that?” The question escapes my lips before I can stop myself.
The man smiles. “It appears my theory was correct. Our powers are the two sides of a same coin. Outwardly opposite in every way… but still part of the same coin.”
He seems well-meaning, but I have no way to confirm if his emotions match his demeanor. I realize how much I was relying on my empathy to read people until now. It feels odd to not be able to tell if someone is sincere.
Odd, but not necessarily bad.
The wheel-chaired man moves next to me.
“My name is Charles Xavier, and I wish to help you. But only if you want it.”
******* Jeannine Sauvage / Guillotine *******
I’m glad to be back in Europe, where things are usually less flamboyant.
Key word being ‘usually’.
Because indeed, two tourists robbed, and left half-naked and trussed up on the bed of their hotel room aren’t exactly ‘un-flamboyant’.
But in this specific occurrence, I know American (or more accurately Canadian) citizens are behind the situation.
Finesse and I check the pulse of the two women restrained onto the bed of their hotel room. Slow and steady. They have the soft breathing of people who have been drugged into a deep sleep.
The two tourists are in their thirties. One has light brown hair hair, a light skin, light green eyes, and a shoulder-long medium ponytail. The other has dark brown hair, a tanned skin, hazel eyes, and a shoulder-long square-shaped haircut.
When we take off the sheet, we see the green-eyed brunette is clad in a black balcony bra with a red bow in-between the cups and a floral pattern, and a matching lacy thong. The brown-eyed one is wearing a hot pink demi-bra adorned with white lace, and hot pink lacy tanga panties. Both are tied to the bed with strips of sheet and cleave-gagged with thick scarves. Long strips of sheet are wrapped around their waists and the bedspring to make sure they’re snugly restrained.
Meseret finishes searching the discarded handbags lying in a corner of the room. “I found these women’s IDs. Turns out they’re a married couple, spending a few days of vacation in the theme park.” Meseret has been sent to Europe with Jeanne and I to track down Taylor and Charlotte.
I refrain from glancing too much at the raunchy undergarments. “More than a mere vacation, I wager.”
People say I can be too grim and serious, but do they really think this zaniness is better?
“Drugged women left trussed up in their undies. This is their calling card.” Finesse adds. “They’re in the park.”
“Maybe they’ve even already changed clothes.” I add. “Let’s go after them.”
It’s time to show these two fugitives Europe is my turf. And I won’t let them spread chaos forever!
******* Jeanne Foucault / Finesse *******
I don’t mind returning to Europe, but I confess I prefer the United States. I’ve gotten used to this place, where things are usually more flamboyant.
Key word being ‘usually’.
Because Taylor and Charlotte have indeed left a lot of ‘flamboyance’ during their European trek.
And by ‘flamboyance’, I mean trussed up half-naked girls.
It started as soon as the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Two visiting tourists from Japan – a mother and her daughter – found trussed up in a cleaning closet of the restrooms.
Then the pair of gendarmettes they locked in the trunk of their stolen car – after stealing the officers’ uniforms and leaving with their car.
They drove to Luxembourg and Belgium – stealing the outfits of customs officers, traveling saleswomen, and nuns on the way. Then they bifurcated to France again – stealing the outfits and identities of two stewardesses to snatch an airplane ride to Strasbourg. Two mugged students later, they were hitchhiking to Germany. And then stealing a car and new sets of clothes.
Now we’ve found an other clue of their presence – two other tourists robbed of their clothes and money – in a hotel next to Europa Park. No doubt they intend to evade us in the crowd, and steal an other ride to God knows where.
Their capture is international top priority – it has even been deemed important enough to have SHIELD team up with the Champions of Europe.
Jeanne is furious. She can’t stand the idea these American – technically Canadian – criminals are spreading chaos and zaniness all across Old Europe.
But if I have to be completely honest, I’ll admit Taylor and Charlotte are pretty tame – for international criminals and terrorists, that is. They’ve never left dead bodies behind them. Only girls bound and gagged in their undies.
Still, it would be better for everyone if they were put behind bars – including for them.
Gwen, Angelica, Yuri, and Kate are counting on me. Better not disappoint them!
******* Charlotte Beaulieu / Blender(?) *******
I love theme parks. The constant noise, the crowd, the background music… I love them.
Europa Park is my favorite. I remember my parents would regularly take me there – Dad was from France, near the German border, so every year we’d take a plane for a vacation here.
“Look alive, Charlotte. We’re not here to sightsee.” Taylor comments.
“We’re dressed as tourists.”
To emphasize my point, I gesture at my long sundress with a flower pattern, large white hat, and the camera tied around my neck.
Of course Taylor doesn’t appreciate my perfectly valid objection at its fair value. She doesn’t answer. She just glares.
“Don’t be meeaaaaann…”
“They’re still after us. They may even have found the girls we mugged at the hotel. We’re here to lose them. And for that, we need to disguise ourselves.”
I nod. Makes sense. “So… Who are we going to mug?”
“I don’t know yet. Keep your eyes open.”
In the Scandinavian section of the park, I notice a group of cute performers dressed as pirate ladies for a spectacle.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Their costumes stand out too much.”
In the French section of the park, I notice a bunch of cute cancan dancers.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Backup dancers aren’t supposed to roam the park.”
In the Italian section of the park, we come across a spectacle featuring a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and a woman in a gorgeous black dress – though I don’t know which celebrity she’s supposed to impersonate.
“Do we mug these ones?”
“No. Any moron will see I’m not the original performer. Plus, they stand out even more than dancers.”
In the Austrian section of the park, Taylor notices two female employees slowly driving a small truck meant to collect the garbage bags in-between the visitors.
They’re heading to an employee only section of the park – probably to throw all the trash bags they’re transporting.
“These ones.” she decides. “We mug these ones.”
“But employee uniforms are dull and boring…”
A dope-slap follows my perfectly valid criticism.
“Ow! So unfair!”
“We go after them.”
******* Taylor Woodward / Sparks *******
I hate theme parks. The constant noise, the crowd, the background music… I hate them.
At least those are slightly more tolerable in employee-only areas.
Following these two has been easy – nobody expects trouble in a theme park. I just had to climb one wooden barrier.
Neutralizing the employees has been easy too. They were busy grabbing some tools after getting rid of their trash bags. Two nerve-pinches, and they were asleep like babies. After that, taking their uniforms was a mere formality...
I cross-tie the woman’s wrists behind her back with the strings I found on a shelf in the tool shed. I make sure there isn’t any slack in the knots. No gentleness, but no needless cruelty either. Just like how I was trained.
Ironic the training my government gave me is making me so efficient at eluding those same governments...
I have nothing against the woman. She’s just a mean to an end. I needed her uniform, and now I need her out of the way for a couple of hours.
The employee is in her mid-thirties. A tall plain-looking blonde with blue eyes, a white skin, and a pudgy waist. Her hair are tied into a functional ponytail. She’s clad in comfortable white control briefs and a matching t-shirt bra. Both the haircut and the undergarments are logical choices, since she’s supposed to perform manual labor all day.
I gag the blonde with thick duct tape, then I stash her in the small shed that’s used to store maintenance equipment near the garbage dumpsters.
Inside the shed, there’s already the other unconscious employee – this one with medium brown ponytailed hair, a light skin, and grey eyes. She’s clad in plain black boxer undershorts and a grey seamless bra, and also bound with strings and gagged with tape.
The two employees are left lying against each other. In-between the various tools and shelves, the fit is tight – they’re snugly pressed against each other, with the blonde’s head resting against the brunette’s shoulder. I close the door and lock the handle.
Just in case.
Then I adjust the uniform I’m currently wearing. Thick brown safety shoes, black work trousers, a grey t-shirt, grey gloves, and an orange reflective vest.
“I wanted to ride the attractions…” Charlotte – also fully disguised – complains next to me. “They even have a new roller coaster...”
“We’re not here to have fun, Charlotte. We’re here to lose our pursuers.”
How many times have I already reminded her that since we got here? Three? Four? With Charlotte, it’s never enough. Theme parks reduce her already short attention span – she makes me think of a moth attracted by a bright light.
“So unfair…”
Charlotte is definitely a lot harder to handle than Sarah. She’s always been… But I refuse to leave her behind. Even now, I still don’t know why. Is it what mothers and older sisters feel?
It’s weird to not have Sarah with us anymore. Something’s missing. Some quiet presence. But I will respect her choice. She wanted a new life. She didn’t want to run anymore.
She wanted something I could never give her, no matter how hard I tried…
I hope she’ll get what she wants.
I hope she’ll be alright.
******* Silvija Sablinova / Silver Sable *******
Robert Kelly lost the election.
Ultimately, the numerous attempts against his life worked against him. They gave him the image of a problem magnet. Many people feared putting him in charge of the country would invite chaos.
However, the last straw were the reveals of several scandals involving William Jefferson and Orchis – made by some anonymous freelance reporter. They were ranging from financial wrong doing to assault of civilians to framing of innocent parties to illegal experimentation of back-then minor Sarah Summers. Since they were a big support of Kelly, his image suffered from these affairs during the last lap of the campaign.
Mentally, I shrug.
At least, civil war was narrowly avoided. After Taylor Woodward fled the country, Mystique was left in a coma, Sarah Summers was arrested, and the rest of their team was disbanded, Magneto lost his best agents to spread chaos. Plus, with Jefferson discredited, Kelly became once again the sole head of the anti-mutant side, and his appeals for calm robbed Magneto of what he was hoping for – escalation.
This doesn’t concern me. I don’t work for Kelly anymore. I’ve been fired.
It’s unfair – Orchis is the lone responsible of the whole mess – but Robert Kelly decided he had had enough with mercenary companies. He preferred to take his chance on his own. With the AVENGERS breathing down Magneto’s neck and Taylor’s team on the run, he’s probably right.
Sadly, the complete fiasco that was Robert Kelly’s protection reflects poorly on my company’s reputation.
Damn infiltrators… They made us look like clowns! I’ll make them pay one day!
The memory of when I was found naked after I was mugged is still vivid in my mind, like an open wound to my pride. I suppress it. They’ll pay for that too…
I pass in front of our headquarters's maintenance closet. Suddenly, I hear something.
Grunts. Groans. Soft muffled moans.
I swear, if someone is attempting to infiltrate us again, I will murder them…
I grab the knob, but at the last second I hear someone talking through the door.
“Next time... I keep the suit… You’d be surprised what I can do... with the tail…” a panting woman says.
I recognize the voice. Elaine Coll. Scorpia. What’s she doing here? Technically, she’s still on probation, but she doesn’t work for me.
“Shut your trap... and work your fingers! I’m not done yet!”
And that’s Claire.
“Bitch, I’m gonna make you reach octaves you’ve never hit before!”
Even the door’s frame doesn’t manage to silence the sounds of their dirty talk, and aggressive smooching.
No need to be a genius to know what they’re doing.
I bang loudly on the door.
“Shit!” Scorpia exclaims. “Give me my panties!”
“Hand me my bra first!” Clair retorts.
Okay. Too much information.
“Claire, I give you one minute to get dressed or you’re fired.”
“G- Got it boss!”
******* Angelica Jones / Firestar *******
When I hear someone opening the door of the female changing room of the weapons facility, I hurriedly close the locker in front of which I’m standing.
It would be awkward to explain why there’s a trussed up woman in her skivvies stashed inside…
The ponytailed olive-skinned brown-eyed brunette is sitting curled up in the cramp space, with her chin resting on her knees. Her mouth is gagged with tape. Her wrists are zip-tied behind her back. Her ankles are zip-tied together. Her only articles of clothes left are a cream white bullet bra, blue hip-huggers, and striped blue-and-white socks.
Two women dressed in the classic Orchis uniform and combat gear enter the changing room.
“Boss is in a foul mood…”
“Who wouldn’t be? An other scandal broke out today. Daily Bugle itself published the files. And for this one he can't throw Jill, Erin, and Lynn under the bus, and have them arrested.”
Great. Of course it had to be the two stoogettes who could recognize me…
(However, it always warms my heart when I hear that the "Orchis Bully Squad" has been put behind bars, and is awaiting trial for the many civilians they mugged.)
I make sure my own Orchis helmet and visor properly conceal my face, head, and hair.
Marilyn sits on a bench, takes off her helmet, and massages her face. “God, I hate Mondays…”
Ruth doesn’t answer. She goes straight to her locker, and begins to take off her uniform.
Her partner notices something’s off. “You got a problem?”
Ruth carefully chooses her words. “You’ve seen the list of what boss is accused.”
“Boss claims it’s fake news, spread by the anti-mutant agenda…”
“You believe that?”
There’s a short pause. I listen discreetly.
“No.”
Ruth puts her uniform inside her locker, and grabs her civilian clothes. Then she finally speaks again: “I won’t come back tomorrow. Or any other day. I’m quitting.”
An other pause.
Then Marilyn also begins to change clothes. “Yeah. Me too.”
Uh. Guess Gwen was right. Not all hope is lost.
I discreetly pat the locker’s door. “Chose a bad time to enlist, rookie.” I whisper to the woman stashed inside.
Then I exit the changing room. It’s time to deal the final blow to Orchis.
I head to the engineering lab.
Mary-Jane and Felicia did a lot of the work already. Their leaks in the press have pretty much destroyed Jefferson’s – and Orchis’ – credibility as a peace force.
Time for me to finish what they started…
Like with many private corporations, there’s only one way to properly destroy Orchis. You have to go after its profits. The company has three main sources of income: private protection service, arms sales, and research. After the whole scandal surrounding Kelly’s political campaign and Mary-Jane’s reveals, a huge dent has been put into the first one. The virus I intend to use against their whole database and assembly line will cripple the other two…
I know Professor Xavier wouldn’t agree with my method – that’s why I didn’t tell him about it. Nor did I tell anyone of the Institute for that matter. Only one person is in the knowing. Black Cat.
I’ll leave the legal battle for my friends, but the sad truth is that William Jefferson doesn’t play by the rules – so to bring him down for good, neither will I.
******* Janet Van Dyne / Wasp *******
A good idea is always stolen.
That’s the quip any self-respected sarcastic hero would make seeing me about to ambush a baddie and snatch her outfit and identity. (So yeah, Peter Parker.)
Then again, the idea IS good. Kinda surprised it took so much time to catch on.
I remember the time it was still an unusual novelty – sure, you had Kate Bischop making a habit of robbing Madame Masque of her outfit and, well, mask. And there was the whole ‘Joystick Going Commando’ debacle. (Come to think of it, maybe that’s why nobody used the tactic for a couple of years – nobody wanted to risk coming across a naked baddie!) Then Black Cat and Gwen’s red-haired friend (what’s her name again? Marie-Jeanne?) entered the picture. Gwen followed suit, Angelica did too, those Canadian criminals came around, and now everybody begins doing it again.
So I guess it’s my turn tonight. In hindsight, it’s logical. My Wasp suit is made for scouting and infiltration – Black Cat didn’t steal it for nothing. Odd I never tried the ‘uniform stealing tactic’ before…
For my first time, the scenery is actually quite original. No warehouse or mansion here. Instead, a gigantic casino cruise ship. A gambling ship, shall I say – transiting to international waters to evade local anti-gambling laws and play loose with financial transactions.
And, if SHIELD’s information are correct, even shadier deals are taking place tonight.
We have one particular. Miranda Kalte. Shipping magnate. Occasional smuggler. Was actually a backer of Taylor’s team back when they were passing themselves for art and artifact thieves. The link with Magneto’s former enforcers is tenuous, but it’s still a lead. Besides, if she’s conducting illegal business under the cover of a casino cruise, best foil her anyway.
Problem is, one does not simply. Well, technically I can if I use my suit to shrink to wasp size but then it would make worming information out patrons quite awkward... And I suspect they have some sensors in the ‘private’ (e.g. shady) parts of the ship.
Currently, I’m discreetly hovering in the back of the sentry I’m stalking. Thanks to my suit, I’m the size of a small bird, so in the night sky I’m basically invisible.
Diamondback – real identity: Rachel Leighton – is a tall sculptural woman with a slim fit-looking body, a white skin, and green eyes. Her hair are dyed pink, cut short, and fashioned into a slightly shaggy square cut.
A good-looking woman, but also a criminal mercenary-for-hire, member of a team called B.A.D. Girls, Inc.
As their name not-so-subtly implies, they’re bad news.
One would think Miranda and all the other rick folks gathered on this floating casino are taking a big risk with the law, hiring Diamondback and her friends as part of their protection.
But technically, we’re in international waters. Ship is sailing under the flag of a state that doesn’t recognize them as criminals, and refuses extradition requests. The guests are rich enough to win any case in court. Most of them aren’t even criminals – save for the fact they’ve purposefully gone to international waters to bypass all tax and gambling restrictions. They simply believe it’s very exciting to have hot mercenary girls as part of their protection.
Well, murky laws can work both ways… Nobody will (or can) make a fuss at a court when it turns out a bunch of B.A.D. girls have been mugged and impersonated – and will later be left trussed up in front of a police station.
Diamondback is wearing a dark pink full bodysuit that covers her from the collar to the feet. The villainess costume’s collarbone area and pelvis area are black. She wears black gloves. She also has a matching pink eyemask. Of course, befitting her name, her bodysuit and gloves are adorned with (fake) diamonds. One on each shoulder, one of the back of each glove, one on each ankle of the suit, and several around the waist. Careful, I remind myself. Those aren’t for show. They’re actual weapons – their point can pierce through bones.
She’s tough – anyone has to be in her line of work. But she also has the strength and stamina of a normal – if well-trained – human.
Which means it’s time to use my “Wasp’s Sting”. Lately, with Taylor’s team and Black Cat on the loose, heroines have been on the wrong side of identity stealing too much for my taste… Time to balance things out.
I aim my gauntlet at Rachel’s neck, and grow back to my original size.
Z-KOW!
A quick blast from the gauntlet sends a jolt of electricity right at my target. Diamondback reels for a moment, then with a groan, falls backwards. She didn’t even have the time to fully process what just happened.
I fly behind her, and catch her limp unconscious body. Then, using the wings of my suit to move faster, I hover backwards and drag her in a blind spot around a corner of the bridge.
Good. Given how fast I was, there’s no way somebody saw me.
I lay the limp mercenary on her back, and pull off her gloves and mask. Then I work to open her bodysuit, and peel it off her slim body.
Underneath, Diamondback is wearing plain dark pink socks, a violet full-cup bra with dark purple edges and straps, and comfortable matching violet classic briefs with a dark purple waistband strap. Small diamonds are encrusted on the waistband strap of the panties and the shoulder straps of the bra. (There’s also a bigger one in-between the cups.) Those look like real deals, contrary to the ones on the costume. Luckily for Diamondback, I’m not Black Cat, so I don’t touch them.
Rachel Leighton is fitter than your average minion – probably hardier too – so to not take any chance I use some Oscorp ultra-sturdy ropes to bind her wrists and ankles tightly. Probably overkill, since she has the strength of a non-enhanced human, but better safe than sorry. I gag her mouth with some strips of tape.
Now, on to the disguise.
It’s more Black Widow’s shtick, but she lent me a nice toy.
I carefully open a small case strapped on my belt, and pull out a flabby thin translucent face-shaped device.
It’s a high-tech mask that can imitate the facial structure of anyone. Then, thanks to some complex nanotechnology or something like that (don’t know the details), it uses a holographic projections to change the head of its wearer to perfectly match the one of whom they’re impersonating. A shame it can only replicate the head.
But when the woman you impersonate wears a full bodysuit and gloves, it’s not much of a problem…
I realize my blunder when I notice the mask must be applied on Diamondback’s face first to imprint her facial appearance – and therefore I gagged her too soon. (The whole mug-and-disguise shtick is indeed a lot more Black Widow’s cup of tea than mine.) Nothing a good de-gagging and re-gagging can’t fix, but I’m glad nobody is here to comment on my mistake. Best not provide grist for the critics who think I don’t deserve a spot in the Avengers!
Once the mask imprinted Diamondback’s facial appearance, and the villainess is gagged once again, I slip into the dark pink and black bodysuit and black gloves. I smoothen the mask on my face. It’s weird how it espouses my features. It’s slightly cool too. I feel some ripples – like water on my face – and then when I look at my reflection, I see Rachel Leighton staring back at me. To perfect the disguise, I put on the mask, and is satisfied to see it doesn’t disrupt the holographic illusion.
Perfect.
I stash Diamondback in a small closet used to store lifebuoys, to make sure nobody disturbs her nap – and she doesn’t disturb the whole operation by being found too soon.
Plus, SHIELD’s stealth boat is discreetly following the cruise ship. They’ll collect Diamondback once our operation is over – the unlucky villainess will wake up in a police cell.
“I’m in position, ready to pay a visit to the restricted areas.” I whisper in a hidden microphone. “Diamondback is down. I’m disguised as her.”
******* Peter Parker / Spiderman *******
Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Nefertiti – villainess name ‘Asp’ – is a statuesque woman with brown eyes and armpit-long black hair. Her skin is lightly tanned. She’s a stunner, with shapely legs – and her sleeveless thigh-high slit white dress with a green snakes motif (slit on both sides by the way) is clearly designed to emphasize them. There are also green ring-shaped metal jewels wrapped around her bare arms and calves, bandages wrapped around the forearms, and green shoes.
But she’s not my type. I’m not exactly into hardened baddies. That, and she can shoot paralyzing bio-energy blasts.
Of course, when you’re unaware two intruders are hanging on the ceiling of one of the ship’s inner corridors, and about to jump you from above, shooting blasts with your hands isn’t exactly useful…
In my earpiece, I hear Janet mention Diamondback has been taken care of.
White Tiger, my partner, makes her move. She too has received the message, apparently. Ladies first, the saying goes.
Ava jumps from the ceiling, and pounces on the unsuspecting villainess. Asp lets out a brief shriek, and lands on her stomach with a dull thud, cutting her breath and preventing her from shouting for alarm.
White Tiger wraps her arms around Cleo’s throat, blocks the villainess’ arms and waist with her legs. Asp’s arms are pinned against her torso. She can’t use her blasts to defend herself. The sleeper-hold prevents her from calling for help.
The snake-themed mercenary struggles, kicking the floor with her feet, but in vain.
Once Asp lets out her last muffled moan of distress, and passes out unconscious, Ava releases the woman’s limp body, and jumps back on her feet.
I land next to her.
“Spider sense?” she asks.
“No threat nearby. I’ll warn you if it changes.”
She nods, and takes a knee next to Asp, studying her costume.
I clear my throat a bit awkwardly. “So, we successfully ambushed this very specific villainess like you wanted. What’s the next step?”
Ava grabs Cleo’s left leg, pulls off the shoe, and begins removing the green rings wrapped around the calf. “Her hair and mine look similar. I take her clothes, and impersonate her.” She then does the same to the other leg.
Figures. It seems Gwen, Felicia, and MJ are being emulated.
“You know what they say. A good idea is always stolen.”
“Don’t play wise guy, Parker. I haven’t forgotten what you girlfriend did to me.” White Tiger retorts while unwrapping the bandages around Asp’s forearms.
“Ex-girlfriend.” I reflexively correct her. “By the way, you do realize your skin is darker than hers?”
“Not by much. And really, with the kind of dress she’s wearing, how many patrons are still able to think with their head?” At the same time, Ava rolls Cleo’s unconscious body to her back, and studies the dress to find the best way to take it off.
“Fair point.”
“Now if you’re done gawking, can you turn your head? And no peaking.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Team-ups with a female partner who insists on stealing an other girl’s outfit often end up awkward. I already had the same problem with Gwen once or twice.
Even with my back turned, I can still hear the rustle of the clothes being removed. It’s embarrassing, to say the least.
Hopefully I’ll never have to go through this ordeal during a team-up with Mary-Jane… Especially now that I have found the nerve to ask if she was interested to grab a drink with me.
Well okay, I didn’t ask. I asked Gwen to ask.
Gwen told me she said yes, but only if I’m paying. I don’t know if the last part is true – Felicia is rubbing off on Gwen a bit.
Still, I don’t mind either way.
Ava’s voice interrupts my thoughts of having some kind of date with Mary-Jane. “I’m done. You can web her.”
“Please tell me she’s not going commando under her costume.”
I swear I can hear Ava rolling her eyes when she answers: “It’s okay, Parker. The naughty bits are covered.”
“Sorry. I’ve heard about Joystick’s story… It’s made me paranoid.”
The naughty bits are indeed covered. Though not by much – just an emerald green bandeau bra, and high-cut panties of a matching green.
White Tiger is now wearing the Asp dress and jewels. With her hair loose and her tiger amulet hidden, she indeed bares a passing resemblance with Cleo – enough to fool unobservant blundering henchmen and perverted half-drunk patrons.
I cover Asp’s mouth with web, then restrain Cleopatra’s wrists behind her back. I encase her hands completely to try and contain her power. I mummify her legs and her shoulders, thinking of how ironic her name is being right now.
To be honest, I don’t think we’ll find any former member of Woodward’s gang among B.A.D. Girls, Inc. I mean, it’s not because they’re the only group with a more ridiculous name than ‘Team Awesome’ that Screwball, Trapstr or Carpenter will want to join them…
Still, B.A.D. Girls, Inc is helping with a shady scheme right now. Putting a few more baddies to jail can’t hurt… We’re not the only ones after the remnants of Magneto’s team of infiltrators anyway.
******* Yuriko Watanabe / Wraith *******
“Asp and Diamondback are taking their nap. What’s your status? Did you find your generous clothes donor?” Parker says in my earpiece.
“I’m on it.”
I don’t waste time with pointless details and cut the transmission. Working with Peter is different than working with Gwen – Ghost Spider is the polite ‘first of the class student’-type, he’s the wise guy who sits next to the window. A police captain like me has trouble with his type. Still, he’s as efficient and reliable as he claims to be, so I’ll ignore his idiosyncrasies.
Putting on my Wraith persona feels like putting on a second face. There are things a police captain can’t do – and it frustrates me to no end. Like, for instance knowing something illegal is taking place on a ship, but being unable to do anything about it because, technically, the letter of the law (or plain corruption) prevents me from getting a warrant.
When the letter of the law fails… that’s where my second persona steps in. Yuriko Watanabe fights crime in broad daylight, and Wraith does it from the shadows.
Sometimes though, it’s hard to keep my fear-inducing compsure.
For instance, when I search for my mark, and end up spying on her innocent(?) daughter instead. And she’s not doing anything illegal. And she’s actually doing something intimate. And said intimate thing turns out to be mild kinky roleplay with her secret girlfriend.
Fiona Kalte is, as far as I know, mostly kept in the dark about her mother’s shady dealings. She’s running the legitimate side of the family business. She probably has suspicions, but Miranda made sure that her daughter and heiress doesn’t know enough to be held accountable in front of a court – and wants it to stay that way.
Though right now, it’s hard to see Fiona is something of a prodigy – she’s already an accomplished businesswoman at such a young age. Right now, she acts like a lovestruck college girl.
She’s lying on the couch of her cabin, eyes blindfolded, with young socialite Alice Waybright lying on her. The brunette is playing a little game with fruits, putting them in between the blonde’s lips, and pulling them away when Fiona tries to take a bite.
At least they’re wearing their clothes…
“I’m so glad our mothers got along in Kelly’s party… Wouldn’t have received an invitation to this cruise otherwise…” Alice purrs. “My mom is having fun regaling the other guests with tales of her misadventures, we have the whole night in front of us...”
“Please don’t tell my mom.”
“What? That we’re together? I thought she didn’t care you’re bi.”
Fiona shakes her head. “Don’t tell her I’m a bottom. She just… wouldn’t get it.”
Alice smiles a bit, willingly leaving Fiona squirming a few seconds. One thing is certain, she’s quite good playing the ‘dominatrix’ part… “I’ll think about it.” she then says with a playful voice. Then she apparently decides she’s tired of fruits, and wants to taste her girlfriend’s lips with some kisses.
Okay. Maybe I’ve spent too much time listening to them through the open porthole. I thought I may hear something interesting about Miranda, but it’s clear these two have other things in mind.
Thankfully, there is an other reason I’m sticking around this cabin.
I hear the faint sound of footsteps getting closer, and immediately move to hide further in the shadows.
I suspect Miranda would leave someone to guard her precious daughter – given the number of times Fiona ended up roped in the shenanigans of vigilantes and anti-heroines. And I also suspect she won’t just leave a bumbling no-name mook either.
And as it turns out, my suspicion is correct.
There she is, turning around the corner.
Black Mamba (or Tanya Sealy). Criminal. Mercenary-for-hire. Former member of the Serpent Society. Current member of B.A.D. Girls, Inc.
Shoulder-long deep black hair, a flawless white skin, a slim curvy body, and deep green eyes. Beautiful and dangerous. A deadly combination. She’s wearing a grey leotard with a front zip that exposes her upper thighs and shoulders, green fingerless long gloves, and matching midthigh-long soft boots. Her gloves and boots have some ‘snake scales’ appearance. A snake-themed green circlet is tied around her forehead and skull.
She patrols the bridge near her daughter’s cabin.
Using the cover of the shadows, I stalk my target.
I’m careful.
Black Mamba has some super-powers. Hypnosis. And something they call ‘Dark Force Manipulation’. However, I’m not afraid.
I know she needs line of sight and concentration to use her powers. What use are they if she can’t even see from where the attack is coming?
Black Mamba pauses near the porthole. She chuckles to herself. “That’s your idea for steamy roleplay? How old are you? Twelve?” She rolls her eyes indulgently. “Two pampered little princesses… Wish boss stationed me in some place more interesting…”
She turns around a corner, and passes near a row of lifeboats.
At that very moment, she ends up in a blind spot.
I pounce on her.
I clamp one hand on her mouth, press a stun gun on her neck with the other.
“Whooot?!” she moans.
I release the power jolt before she can react.
“Gak!” she cries, but my palm muffled her grunt.
Her body has a few spasms. Her eyes roll back into her skull, and she goes as limp as a rag doll. I ease the falling unconscious body, and lay it on the floor. A quick check of the surroundings confirms nobody noticed my assault – in their cabin Fiona and Alice are way too busy.
Grabbing Black Mamba by the legs, I drag her near the lifeboats. I’m careful to walk crouched down, to make sure I stay invisible in the night.
Letting go of my burden, I don’t hide a small frown of disgust at the stripperiffic costume. Sex-appeal is also a weapon, I’ll give her that, but it’s not one I’ll ever want to use.
Still, I don’t have much choice. I just hope she didn’t follow Joystick’s lead…
At least, Black Mamba’s costume is easy to remove. That’s the only compliment it’ll get from me. I just need to take off the snake-themed head circlet, pull off the glovesand soft boots, and unzip the leotard and peel it off.
Thankfully for me (and for her), Black Mamba has heard of the ‘Joystick Debacle’. She’s wearing a green stick-on bra, and green tanga panties with a gold waistband strap. It’s not much, but it spares me the sight of her naked.
I use one of Black Widow’s spare high-tech masks to replicate Tanya’s head, then I grab the handcuffs strapped on my belt. Those are made of a sturdy metal – not adamantium, but close. The cuff Black Mamba’s wrists behind her back, and restrain her ankles together with a second handcuff. To gag the mercenary, I rip a few straps of my Wraith costume, and tie them into a makeshift cleave gag.
To make sure the unconscious Tanya is not discovered too soon, I lift her trussed up body and stash her inside a life boat. I use the tarp to conceal her.
Getting dressed in her Black Mamba costume is even easier than peeling it off, but I don’t enjoy it at all.
I don’t know if we’ll get our hands on interesting information about the remnants of Taylor’s team from Miranda Kalte, but it’s worth a shot.
If anything, we’ll have delivered B.A.D. Girls, Inc. to the authorities, I think to myself when I send an encrypted message to the stealth SHIELD ship following us, telling them to wait my signal to dispatch a team to collect Diamondback, Asp, and Black Mamba.
Besides, we’re not the only ones after the remnants of Taylor’s team...
******* Michelle Meyer / Trapstr *******
So the whole ‘Team Awesome’ business ended up in a complete mess. In hindsight, I should have known better. Never get involved in politics…
Banditry, yes. Gang warfare, why not. Politics, huge red flag.
I mentally shrug, then reflexively adjust my sunglasses.
Oh well. Live and learn. What’s important is that I managed to escape the crackdown. Sure, I’ll miss these girls a bit – Taylor was a decent boss, all things considered. And teasing Charlotte, Jenna, and Screwball was tons of fun.
But I much prefer freelance work.
Now, I simply need to vanish during a few weeks, the time for an other supervillain to take the forefront and make everyone forget about Magneto’s ploy…
However, first, I’m going to grab the money I’ve hidden after our first heists.
What? You’re surprised I kept part of the money for myself? Why? I’m pretty sure Taylor knew, but didn’t care. She probably considered it my ‘fee’. I mean. I was the most useful member of her crew!
So here I am, in this abandoned building. The very one in which we ambushed Kate Bishop actually. I move a ventilation grill, and grab the duffle bag concealed in the air duct.
Good. The bills are still all inside.
I allow myself a satisfied smile.
Next thing I know, something flies right next to my ear.
It’s an arrow.
Oh shit!
Reflexively I turn, and pale when I see the shooter, standing at the other side of the hall.
Kate Bishop aka All-New Hawkeye. Looking radiant in her heroine costume – most likely a spare one, since Charlotte had ripped off the one she had stolen.
Kate’s smile makes me shudder. She knows I took part in the operation to capture her, steal her identity, and use her as bait.
The bow-wielding heroine nocks a blunt arrow. “I’m giving you a five seconds head start.” She’s clearly relishing the situation.
I begin to run away. But deep down inside, I know it’s useless...
And indeed, five seconds later the blunt arrow hits a very specific spot at the back of my head.
Before the impact knocks me out, I have the time to realize it’s back to jail for me.
Damn it!
I shouldn’t have… gotten involved… in politics...
Then everything becomes dark.
******* Kate Bischop / All-New Hawkeye *******
It feels incredibly satisfying to shoot a blunt arrow at Trapstr. I almost regret she made it so easy. A part of me wishes things devolved into a fistfight…
Hey! A heroine is allowed to hold a grudge from time to time.
I confess I’m tempted to strip the wannabe ‘hip villainess’ down to her skivvies, and steal her outfit. Just to show her. But I decide against it, and instead I simply cuff her wrists.
Don’t want to pull out a Felicia, and be kink-shamed by everyone!
Still, I steal her sunglasses as trophy.
Then I sling her onto my shoulder.
“Okay. Back to prison for you. Hopefully, you’ll have company soon.”
******* ̶M̶a̶r̶y̶ ̶S̶m̶i̶t̶h̶ / Screwball *******
“Hello Screw-Crew! Your favorite superstar is back online and back on track!”
Ah, my legions of adoring fans! How I’ve missed you!
“And she has a new concept for you all!”
Dramatic pause. Very important, the dramatic pause.
“Live infiltration!”
I adjust the camera on my helmet to show the unconscious security guard lying on the floor, with a sleeping dart embedded in her neck. (Thanks a lot for the blowpipe lessons by the way, Taylor!)
“More accurately, live uniform stealing!”
I must say, I chose the perfect guard for my stunt. She’s slim and athletic-looking – which will make me look like a badass spy. And she’s also attractive-looking: round breasts, curvy bottom, flat stomach, some dark freckles, tanned healthy-looking skin, and shiny brown hair tied into a ponytail. Because a little fanservice won’t hurt my views at all.
I begin to undress the brunette, making sure everything is in the camera’s line of sight. I take her black baseball cap and pull off her shoes, revealing white socks. Then I shimmy the guard’s black trousers down the legs, revealing hot pink seamless briefs. Finally, I take off the black security uniform jacket and white t-shirt. Underneath, the woman is wearing a dark grey tank top, which gives a brief glimpse at a striped white-and-blue bra.
“Now, if you hit the donation goal, I’ll remove the tank top just for you. Not the bra though. This is supposed to be a quality stream, not porn. Also, should I use tape or zip-ties? Don’t forget to vote in the poll! ‘Cause-”
“Hello, Screw-Up.”
I wince at the hated nickname. However, what angers me the most is the comment section turning wild on my phone. They loved the joke!
I turn to face the jerk who dares steal my thunder during my great return.
I recognize her white-and-pink costume – in no small part because I wore it at one point.
Gwenpool.
My blood boils. “It’s Screwball!”
“Screw-Up’s much better. More accurate too. But maybe you prefer Mary Smith?”
I feel my face becoming bright red. How does she know? Who snitched on me?!
“Don’t you dare call me that!”
“Whatever. I’m here to propose an alternate concept for your stream. How about: ‘Getting arrested live.’?” Gwenpool points an aggressive finger at me. “There’s only room for one quip-spewing blonde in this story!”
“Don’t you mean ‘in this town’?”
“Yeah! That too!”
I snarl. “So it’s a fight that you want?”
Then I realize she’s more muscular than me. Probably a better fighter too. And Taylor isn’t here anymore to tip the scales in my favor.
I’m glad the camera doesn’t film my face, because I can clearly feel I’m turning ghostly pale right now.
Gwenpool lunges at me.
“No no no no no wait!”
Next thing I know, I’ve been judo-chopped onto the floor and I’m lying on my stomach. Gwenpool sits on my back to immobilize me. (Ouch.) She’s holding thin sturdy (bright pink!) ropes.
Then, suddenly, she removes my camera-helmet, and places it onto the floor in front of us.
“Hello everyone! On today’s stream, I’m going to show you how to properly hog-tie a bad girl to make sure she stays put until police comes to collect her. First, you gotta pin her down onto the floor. Bad girls are usually slim and athletic. It’s best to use your entire body weight to immobilize them. Like that.”
She moves her thighs a bit to tighten her hold.
I can’t help but shriek briefly. “Ow!”
Gwenpool chuckles. “Ignore all their complaints and pleas. They’re bad girls, so it’s most likely a ploy to make you drop your guard. Then, take the wrists and cross them behind the back… like that. Wrap the ropes, make a few loops, and tighten the knot. Be careful to not leave any slack. Then you do the same with the ankles. Experts use one long coil of rope, but if you’re a beginner, I advise to use three. One for the wrists, one for the legs, and one to connect the first two.”
As she’s talking, she forcefully moves my wrists to bind them, and then my ankles to thoroughly truss them up. Finally, she connects the wrists and ankles with a third rope, and tightens the knot.
“Ouch! Not so tight, jerk!”
“Most of the time, the bad girl will try to call for help. Or just annoy you with her talking. I suggest you bring something to silence them. Tape or scarves are fine, but I have a fondness for those.”
She pulls out a big ball-gag, with a bright pink rubber ball.
“You can find them in any shop. Now, dear assistant, please open wide!”
I shake my head. There’s no way I’ll play along! This was supposed to be my moment of fame! Not hers!
“Of course, the bad girl will most likely refuse to cooperate. So it’s best to do that.”
She pinches my left buttcheek.
“OUCH!”
Of course, she immediately shoves the ball-gag into my mouth and straps it behind my neck.
“Thkh ht hut! Plhhsh thkh ht hht!”
“There you go! All ready to be packaged! Now, since you’ve all been such a nice audience, I’ll leave the camera here so you can watch her squirm and struggle till police comes. I have to save a bystander’s modesty.”
She goes to help the security guard.
Struggling a bit, I find out she indeed didn’t leave any slack.
I can’t believe it… Such humiliation…
I attempt to glance at my discarded phone.
… So… Are the views going up?
******* Jenna Duffi / Carpenter *******
As the saying goes: ‘Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.’
I adjust the collar of my costume. God is this thing impractical! The collar chafes against my neck. The fabric is itchy. And I’m sweating like a wart hog.
I’m wearing black boots, black trousers, and a black long tunic-like coat that’s tight on the collar and tent-like baggy around the knees. On the mantle, white threats form a pattern mimicking bricks. A black belt with a gun is tied around my waist. On my head I’m wearing some black hat designed to look like a rook’s top.
Chess piece motif. The jerk’s using a chess piece motif.
Alas, beggars can’t be choosers. After the failure of Taylor’s plan, I needed a patron to escape the heat. I guess no matter how much I try, I can’t completely leave behind the gregarious mentality of a mook. In spite of Taylor’s training, the first thing I did was to join a crew of minions.
The boss is a mysterious figure calling himself the ‘Chessmaster’. And he has surrounded himself with henchwomen dressed as chess pieces. When I joined, I recognized many of them as former colleagues – a good chunk of them were recruited from White Rabbit’s gang. Apparently, Lorina has encountered tough times shortly after I left – she’s currently in prison after a fated encounter with Frog-Man. Serves her right!
Some rumors pretend the boss is Gary Fischer, a former chess champion disgraced after he was caught cheating. Other rumors pretend he’s Obadiah Stane – Ironman’s nemesis – himself. Only the two Queens of the gang know his real identity.
Whoever he is, I’d have words about his choice of uniforms!
“At least White Rabbit is crazy. What’s his excuse? Some sort of fetish?”
My partner, dressed as a White Bishop, shrugs. “Come on, Rook! At least chess motifs are a novelty. Everybody uses the card motifs, but nobody ever thought of using chess…”
“Yeah! Boss saw those ‘Chess is a harem series’ memes, and themed a gang around them.”
White Bishop glances sideways at me, and briefly breaks character. “You’ve spent too much time with your team of infiltrators, Jenna. You’re forgetting your place.”
“I know. Sorry.”
She means well. I’m thankful for the warning. Gang bosses don’t exactly like it when mooks question their whims. I have to get back in the habit.
But she’s right. After months of working with Taylor, I’ve gotten used to be more than a lowly henchwoman. Taylor was stern, and the scope of her heists was way too intense for my taste, but she didn’t treat the women of her team like expendable mooks. She cared to teach us, and to associate us with the plans.
Irina passes in front of us, carrying some furniture.
Poor girl is dressed as a Pawn. Can you make it more obvious?
If there’s one good thing about being a henchwoman, it’s that you will always find somebody unluckier than you...
) / Asp
And the subversion of the previously-used "mugging mistaken for women getting personal" trope was quite funny.
Because Gwen's, Peter's, and Miles' webs are even easier to imagine used in "roleplay" than Wonder Woman's lasso.