Chapter 233: Just Business Part 2

After leaving Tara to reflect on her situation, Arias left with Mercy, to begin planning yet another grand scheme. 

This time though, it was much larger and would require the collective efforts from his current "assets" to properly succeed. Starting with Mercy.

As the duo walked side by side, roaming the silent halls of the castle, an impatient Mercy spoke out, "Are you gonna tell me what's on your mind or what?" She inquired with a frown.

Arias came to a stop and turned to face her with a small smile, unsure if she was just impatient or eager. Regardless, he explained in brief detail. 

"There are many things on my mind, you'd need to be more specific," he teased lightly as his eyes wandered over her body, appreciating how well her attire showcased her curves.

Mercy's frown grew deeper and she crossed her arms while glaring at him, "For fucks sake I mean what's the plan here? You're the one who caused this mess, don't tell me you expect me to do a clean up of this."

Hearing her words, Arias's gaze no longer lingered on her body and he let out a chuckle, "you overestimate your capabilities. This isn't a mess, it's an opportunity, sadly the bait wasn't taken so I'll need to do things more… directly."

Arias's cryptic response only made Mercy more impatient and slightly offended. "Overestimate!? I've been working my ass off to run your operations while you go around collecting women for god knows what!"

Mercy vented like a mistreated wife but Arias maintained a smile and just came closer to her, putting a hand on her waist and giving a subtle nod. 

"I know you have, that's why I left you in-charge. Your capabilities may not be on my level but they're definitely a cut above a rest, so I expected you would understand what I'm trying to achieve. I'm a bit disappointment in your judgment of me." Arias explained charmingly, shaking his head at the end while showing a look of disappointment. 

Mercy couldn't help but frown at Arias's words, but deep down, it felt nice hearing that he considered her very highly. She of course didn't admit this openly and quickly pulled herself away from Arias before casting him a glare and walking away. "Whatever, I get it. Now if you'd excuse me, some of us have actual work to do."

…

In the early morning the following day, tensions surrounding the Markovian incident were at an all time high.

It was beginning to look like a world war was about to begin over the prospect of weaponizing meta-humans.

Only a single trigger was left to launch it. 

The worlds most powerful military power, the US.

Given what history has shown us, it's pretty comical how often those that preach about peace have caused the most terror, be it directly or indirectly.

So with the atmosphere as tense as it was, the analytical world predicted a new historical event was about to occur, one that would plunge the world in at least an era of disparity.

But, as world changing of an event as that would be, it wasn't Arias's goal. His goal was something more grandiose and the potential for a world war was simply an objective.

The morning of the following day, Arias gathered early in the lower emergency levels of the Castle they were in.

It was a cold, bright square shaped room with minimal white furniture. 

Inside, at the room's center was a small arrangement. Composed of two double seated sofas, facing each other. And a single full chair at the center, overlooking both sofas.

Soon, the room's single door slid open with a mechanical hum and three figures walked in. Mercy, Slade and Arias.

Mercy spotted her usual formal work attire whereas both Slade and Arias wore a slack and collared shirt combo, a strangely popular look among working class men on off days in Markovia.

Mercy sat on either side of the two sofas whereas Arias took the central chair.

"We probably don't have a lot of time to meet like this boss, there's a stupidly absurd amount of monitoring happening. What's on your mind?" Slade leaned back into the chair and asked with crossed arms and a casual tone.

Like so many other important figures, Slade was in Markovia under the guise of showing support to the young Princess Tara and trying to help her overcome the current hurdle before her.

But given just how many countries were keeping a close eye on things, he had to be careful how he moved. Thus, he took one the fastest Jets money could buy and landed in the early hours of the morning, meeting with Arias just an hour later.

Arias gave a nod and acknowledged Slade's concerns but he had already factored in numerous potentials incidents.

"Can you blame them, they've finally realized that meta-humans represent a new age of weaponry. Don't worry about it, for now, all the countries are still scrambling just to get a layout of this castle. Let alone monitor or bug it." 

Hearing this, Slade gave a light shrug and no longer concerned himself with it. Mercy on the other hand got curious and a raised a brow. "How'd you manage that? All those egg heads you cooped up in Ark?"

Arias showed a small smile and shook his head. "You'd be amazed by the cache of technology, theories, blueprints and information that Lex Luthor left behind. The world is lucky he was overly arrogant."

Arias purposefully spoke of Lex as if he somewhat admired him because of Mercy's presence in the room.

He knew more than anyone else that despite everything he did to ruin Lex's image in Mercy's mind, she still couldn't forget him fully, at-least not without time.

This showed as Mercy looked a bit more low when Arias mentioned Lex's name. But he didn't let his words linger and risk causing an awkward silence.

"Anyway, we're still short on time so let's proceed. I called you both here because you're going to spearhead this long operation we're about to start. Starting with you Mercy, I need you to arrange a body double for me to attend Tara's coronation ceremony. One so good that other nations won't be sure whether or not he is the real me." 

Without letting Mercy comment on this task, Arias continued after a brief pause, in which he turned his head to face Slade. 

"During the coronation, a lot of eyes will be on me, or rather my double. So it's almost a given they'll be some listening devices present on the sight. We'll use this to have Slade and you form a fake conversation pertaining to the true state of my condition."

Hearing this, a smile formed on Slade's face. "Seems simple enough."

"That part yes, but that isn't your main task Slade. Your real first objective will be to compile an extensive profile on every member of the US senate, judicial committee, joint chiefs of staff and the office of the president."