Chapter 234: Just Business Part 3

Slade raised an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. "That's a tall order," he remarked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "You do realize that gathering detailed information on such high-profile individuals won't be easy, right?" 

Arias nodded, his expression serious. "I am well aware of the challenges, Slade. But I have complete faith in your abilities. I need you to dig deep, uncover their secrets, their weaknesses, anything that we can use to manipulate them to our advantage." 

Mercy's curiosity was piqued once again. "What's the endgame here, Arias? Why do we need this information?" Arias leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "We are on the brink of a global conflict, Mercy. The tension between nations is at its peak, and it won't take much for everything to spiral out of control. My goal is to prevent that from happening." 

He paused for a moment, his expression shifting to a smile as he added, "after all, what use is a world that ceases to function? This entire thing is nothing more than a deadly game where each side seeks to gain the most benefits."

Mercy seemed more relaxed hearing this and felt it made some sense. "So we're basically just trying to come out on top of this by pretending we're in a tough position?"

Arias gave an agreeing nod, "exactly, it's not so complicated once you understand."

At that moment, Slade cut back into the conversation after Arias spoke, showing a confident grin. "It's the process that's gonna be tricky. Almost everyone is on edge so security around prominent figures is at its peak, not that it will matter when I'm the one they're dealing with."

Seeing that the duo both understood the first stages of his plan, Arias concluded. "Then I'll leave you to it."

As Arias said this, he stood up and began to walk away. Mercy called out to him as he did so and asked. "And what will you be doing?"

Arias glanced back with a confident expression and replied, "staying several steps ahead of everyone else."

…

Once the meeting ending, Arias quickly returned back to his yacht and set his destination back to metropolis. 

Just a few hours after setting off, an already cranky Poison Ivy stood up from the corner she was seated in next to a plotted plant and turned her attention toward the door. 

Although the group traveled together, almost everyone stayed in their respective quarters and didn't interact much with each other. Ivy knew that only two people would ever seek her out while on the boat, Arias and Cheshire, who usually followed him along.

Her hunch was right when she opened to see a smug Arias standing before her with Cheshire smirking mischievously behind. 

"What do you want?" Ivy quickly questioned, not even bothering to mask her despise for the two.

Cheshire being Cheshire just loved toying with people, and so she purposefully replied, "Aw, can't a girl get her daily dose of oxgen?"

"Plant jokes? Seriously?" Ivy narrowed her eyes

Arias chuckled, stepping forward. "Now, now, Ivy. No need to be so defensive. We're all on the same side here." He motioned for Cheshire to step aside, allowing him to approach Ivy more closely. 

"Listen, we're about to embark on a mission that requires everyone's cooperation," Arias began, his tone serious. "And that includes you, Ivy. Your unique abilities will prove invaluable in gathering the information we need." 

Ivy crossed her arms, a skeptical look on her face. "Oh really? And what's in it for me?" she challenged. Arias smirked, pulling out a small vial from his pocket. 

Inside was a shimmering green liquid that caught Ivy's attention immediately. "I'm sure you can already feel what this is," he baited. 

"According to Lex's data, it has the power to enhance your abilities and make your plants even stronger. From what I understand, you toiled a good few years just to get everything in order to make this. But if I'm being honest, it's more amazing you struck a deal for Lex to even make this, a shame he didn't follow through… or did he?" 

Ivy's eyes widened with intrigue as she reached out to try and take the vial, "where did you get that!?" 

Arias smirked, keeping the vial just out of Ivy's reach. "Let's just say I have my ways, Ivy. But the real question is, are you willing to cooperate and use this to your advantage?" 

Ivy considered the offer for a moment, her mind racing with possibilities. She had spent years perfecting her plants, searching for a way to make them even more powerful. This vial held the potential to unlock a whole new level of strength and control. 

Finally, she nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Alright, Arias. You've got yourself a deal." Arias handed her the vial with a satisfied smile. "Excellent," he said. "I knew you were smart enough to see the benefits. I just hope you're smart enough not to disappoint me." 

Just as Ivy was about to ask about the mission at hand, Cheshire cut in, unable to contain her excitement any longer. "So, what's the plan Boss? A girl needs her exercise."

Arias shook his head at Cheshire while keeping his gaze on Ivy. "I'm afraid this is a job only Ivy can do."

Hearing Arias say this, Ivy felt uncomfortable but wasn't willing to give up the vial under any circumstances, so she just asked. "What job is that?"

Seeing her willing, Arias's smile grew wider as she replied, "Terrorism."