Published at 2nd of September 2026 5:31 am

Chapter 47 Board Meeting VI + Subject Ten Art

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What? Vivienne exclaimed.

Ive met with the founder and leader of the Villains Syndicate, and theyre willing to help me take all their groups powers, I repeated.

Thats it? 2.5 million is nothing. Poor and tacky, pick a struggle. Why am I not surprised that a group so desperate for attention has such a shit ROI? Rorschach asked.

Im glad I get to finish the job, Isaiah said, smiling like a shark. What kind of help are they offering us?

Not specified as of yet. For the paltry price tag, I assume that all hes offering is to lure them into an isolated location. They have three new members: Street Shark, Animal King, and Hijack, I responded.

Traveler, Ruler/Manipulator, and Tinkerer, respectively, Rorscach added on.

How do you know them? Tuesday asked.

Because its my fuckin job? You know, keeping up to date with every Cowl group, Heroes Union, and then the independents is important. As an example, I know that the Cape Sequence is probably pulling his hair out as the Lavender Club continues to outmaneuver him. Those ladies are running circles around him, Rorschach grinned.

Do you know them personally? Vivienne asked. My gang needs to meet with them.

You mean whats left of them, Tuesday joked. Less of a gang, more of an afterschool club at this point.

Oh shit. Vs pissed. Shes shaking, her fist on the table vibrating against it.

Shut your fucking mouth, or I will shut it for you, V warned.

Ruh roh, Tuesdays face strained in faux anxiety. Looks like I struck a nerve. Maybe you should take better care of your toys if you dont want someone breaking them.

Tuesday! Miles chided. Not okay now, not okay ever. Vivienne, I am sorry for any of the comrades you lost. I may be the only one who understands the feeling of responsibility for those that you couldnt save. You are not alone in your grief; I am here for you if youd like to talk.

Vivienne relaxes her fist, pulling her hand under the table. Miles sudden interjection might have just prevented a fight from breaking out. Tuesdays being especially prickly. Its partially my fault for not giving her something to keep her occupied.

Tuesday, how have your sabotaging efforts with Heritage Construction gone? I asked suddenly.

Uhhh, about that boss. I, uhhh, forgot, she admitted with a grimace.

WHAT. Maybe I should let Vivienne hurt her. Tuesdays a psychopath and shell only understand the urgency if I make it clear what failure will cost you.

Get it done tonight. No excuses, no mistakes, no problems, no fuckups. If you cant, you can join the Subjects down below. Then at least well extract some value from you, I said calmly.

I could set up an automatic organ farm, Kai said animatedly, looking awake for the first time this meeting.

Now dont go and be a tease, doctor. If you get to cut me open, its only fair if I get to do the same, Tuesday said.

Enough. Rorschach, Miles, are we ready to open the apartments yet? I asked.

Yes, sir, Miles affirmed, standing up.

Kai snickers and Isaiah laughs, but Miles continues on. We decided to set rent at a flat $1000 for the one bedroom, $1500 for a two bedroom, and $2000 for a three bedroom. All of those prices include utilities, and Kai has assured us that he can use the solid radiation orb to provide free power to the entire building.

Based on my calculations, we actually dont need the full orb. We can use a quarter of the total energy for the building and then keep the rest for any other projects we might need. Id hate to waste a resource on charity, Kai replied.

Ive filed the proper paperwork with the city, and weve passed inspections on the premises. The only thing stopping us from opening is manpower. We need people to interview potential residents. We need contacts in outreach care to make sure the right people are able to take advantage of it; we need security, on-site staff, and janitorial services. Momentus Inc needs employees. We need an HR person, someone who can deal with the civilians were going to hire. The seven of us arent enough anymore, Rorschach said.

Shes right. Momentus needs more people.

Youre right. Lets call a vote then. All in favor of bringing another person into the fold? I asked.

Rorschach and Miles raise their hands first, then Viviennes follows. Three in favor. Isaiah hasnt moved; hell vote whichever way I vote. That leaves Kai and Tuesday.

If it means I can do less of this shit, Kai said, motioning to the room. And more time working on what I actually care about. Then Im in favor too.

Thats four in favor. It passes. Do any of you have anyone you think would be good for that? We need someone hardworking, motivated, and hungry for success and power, I asked.

I can check with a few old contacts I have. Some of them are retired from the life, but am I correct in assuming youd be willing to give them an ability? Im not saying Id offer it up front, but its good to know what kind of perks they will receive, Rorschach said.

Yes, I would empower any that join our ranks. But if you all know of someone who isnt a fit for the inner circle but could be useful to our plans, suggest them now. Kai, how are Thirteen and Ten doing?

You cant have them, Kai replied immediately. He backpedals after seeing Isaiah shooting daggers at him. Hah; I mean if you require them to do something, they will do it, but I think theyre better utilized directly under my command.

Smart of him to say command and not control. Never forget that I am in control, Kai, of everything.

I might know someone who fits the description within my gang, Vivienne replied.

V, Darling, I dont know if we need another thug. Im pretty sure Isaiah fulfills the quota of violent meathead, Rorschach joked.

Head not made of meat, made of bone. Painted lady mean, Isaiah growled in caveman speak, much to Rorschachs chagrin and Tuesdays glee.

Its truly a shame that competency and intelligence are not intertwined more, Kai sighed. Before you go and hire another idiot savant, perhaps we can test their intellect.

Howdy pardnuh, who you callin an idjit? Ill have you know Im quite the learned man. Even got my degree, Tuesday said like the male protagonist of a spaghetti western.

Yes. I have no doubt you have a paint-by-numbers diploma from an online clown college out of Arizona worth about as much as half of an expired coupon from a store that no longer exists, Kai said.

Shes not a thug, Vivienne said exasperatedly. Shes one of the Skulls that interact with clientele. Shes been butting heads with Goblin and Casper recently because of her inability to be content. I think she could be a real asset. Shes much more down to earth than the rest of you.

Before another pointless argument can spawn, I steer the conversation forward.

Isaiah, have you reached out to those two women you spoke to me about? I believe Oxxii and Amethyst were their names, I said.

Sorry. I havent. Ill get that done today or tomorrow, Isaiah apologized.

Have I been too forgiving to all of you? I asked, standing up. Because it seems like more and more Im being forced to micromanage grown adults as if they are children. What the fuck have you all been doing every day? I shouldnt need to remind you to DO WHAT I AM PAYING YOU TO DO! We need to capitalize on the opportunities we are presented with. The Villains Syndicate will be gone soon and The Triad soon after. We must be in a position to take over the vacuum of power that Quinstin will soon have. Isaiah, Tuesday, get your shit done tonight. Kai, Ill meet you at the lab in a bit. Miles, Rorschach, well done. Both of you have been nothing short of excellent. Vivienne, stay behind. This meeting is over.

Isaiah leaves with his head facing the ground. Hes likely ashamed of failing me. Good, maybe that will teach him not to become complacent. Tuesday walks out normally without a peep out of her. I will tighten the leash until it chokes her if thats what it takes to bring her to heel. Its a masters job to train their hound. Its as much her fault as it is mine. Once everyones left, I touch the ring on my hand to my helmet to transform it and catch it before it falls.

Tell me exactly what happened. Do not leave anything out, I ordered her.

This is a giant fucking headache. My right-hand woman, who has been with me since the beginning, might have just imploded the empire Im building. What an incredibly stupid emotional response. Violet, when she wakes up, is going to mention that Vesuvius called her Vye. A nickname that only a select group of people call her. Aubreys video is all but gone from the internet, scrubbed by either the Union or someone under her familys employ. Vivienne allowed her feelings to get in the way of the mission. On one hand, she was my friend, and having her fight for me and my honor would make me happy if I still felt affection for her. Instead, her actions are nothing but a problem and a depressing reminder of what Ive lost.

There are only a few options I have to resolve the unfortunate situation she has landed us in. Trying to fake Vesuvius death could work, but it is only going to work for as long as Im willing to keep her on the sidelines doing nothing. No. We might be able to utilize Aubreys full video, but Ezekiel is the only person I know with the skills necessary to keep the video up. Damn, through no machinations of his own, hes become a necessity to the continued existence of Momentus.

Think, Eryk. If I start thinking of Ezekiel and Francesca as pieces as opposed to roadblocks, certain avenues become available. He already promised his support in the annihilation of the Villains Syndicate. But there might be more that I can accomplish with their destruction. The story of an entire Cowl group getting destroyed is newsworthy, but a Cape Heiress murdering and mutilating an entire Cowl group would make national news. I need to frame her in a way that absolutely no one can silence or disprove. The framing doesnt need to last forever, but long enough that the public thinks it is a conspiracy when the truth comes out.

Vivienne, I started to say.

Im sorry, Nobody. I fucked up. I know, she interrupted.

An apology is nice, but not enough to make up for the complete shitshow you have set in motion, V. If anyone else did something so incredibly stupid and reckless, a punishment would be a foregone conclusion. I can't be seen playing favorites. Goblin and Casper need to be brought in. I cant allow rogue abilities out in the open, I said.

She looks ready to argue, but stops. I understand. Let me know when youd like to meet them, and Ill arrange it. Theyre loyal, Nobody, and hardworking. We dont need to kill them.

Ill be the one to decide that. Theyve met Kai; they know more than they were supposed to, and they are now connected to you publicly. I will do whatever is necessary to keep this ship afloat. Before I forget, you mentioned a potential candidate amongst the gang. Id prefer it if we could meet with her at the same time as we deal with the others. Now, if youll excuse me, I have a doctors appointment I dont want to miss.

Before you go. I know I fucked up and Im in no position to ask for any favors or gifts, but Ive had this thought in the back of my mind for weeks now. I want another power. I need one if I am going to continue to be your hammer, she said anxiously.

You say you need more power after defeating Virtue single-handedly? I asked.

Yes. Im powerful, but theres a limit to what I can do without obliterating my surroundings. I need to be able to do more, have a wider variety of moves, and have more control on the battlefield. Like I said, I know I shouldnt ask, but I believe its necessary, she said, more confidently than before.

Alright. Your request and your screw-up are two unrelated subjects. Im not petty enough to self-sabotage because Im unhappy with you personally. Ill take stock of what powers we have and then let you know what I decide, I said, getting up and leaving her alone in the room.

What power would fit her best?

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