Criminals and Saints
10 reviews = bonus chapter
500 gems = bonus chapter
Advanced chapters at:
patreon.com/FanFictionPremium
***
Since what had happened showed that I had a powerful new enemy, I decided to finally get even with the uni and free up my time for more important things. This was done by using experience conservators on the lecturers. With all their knowledge, the boys and I were able to finish our studies early. It took us a week to do everything. It would have taken longer, but money matters. Maybe I should have done it earlier, but I had originally planned to study at least a year. And now that plan didn't make sense anymore.
Now we can concentrate on the most important thing. I officially employed the guys, so that there would be no questions. In the meantime, I was looking for new subordinates. And I must say I managed to find a few promising ones. Speaking of which. What's on the news?
- ...there was an explosion of an experimental reactor, which was supposed to provide the Earth with a clean source of energy, - a pretty presenter with a serious face was broadcasting. - Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Only one of the trainees in the laboratory was trapped under the rubble from the explosion. Her life is not in danger now. And now in other news.
- Peak!
Hmm, perhaps we should contact John. Having highlighted the thread that connected us, I set up a conversation.
- Hello. Are you free at the moment? - I mentally asked the person I was talking to.
- What? Head? Oh, yes. Did you want something?
- Just curiosity. What do you think of freedom?
- You're asking me! It's really something! - replied the subordinate enthusiastically.
- And the new abilities?
- It's great! How wonderful it is to fly after so many years of sitting in four walls! And everything else is great too! They can't lock me up now.
- That's good to hear. By the way, you did a good job on the news recently. I think everyone got it.
- Thank you.
- Soon there will be another subordinate of mine who will work in the same direction as you," I directed my thoughts to my interlocutor, looking at a small cube of imaginary energy. I liked this thing so much that I shielded it with a Singularity J lock and used it as a keychain.
- Yeah? Who is it? - John asked with interest.
- You'll know when you see it. You'll look exactly alike. Okay, I'll leave you to it. Good luck, John.
- And to you Head!
Disconnecting, I stretched with satisfaction. It's okay, I still have my trump cards. If this Enemy thinks he can defeat me so easily, he's sorely mistaken. And no amount of foresight or any other bullshit will save him (or her).
Now we have to deal with Yamada. In half an hour I'm meeting with her and the group I've been putting together to weaken the Yakuza for a long time. Why am I so angry with them? It's simple.
The Yakuza have a lot of power in Japan. They've infiltrated many spheres of life in the country, becoming a monopoly in some areas. In their hands are drug trafficking, weapons, gambling and construction business, trade unions, pornography, smuggling, real estate, practically all port movers, security companies. And that's not all. As if that wasn't enough, the yakuza got into politics, funding the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan. And that's the party from which probably most of the prime ministers of this country came. The gangsters themselves work for Ruku.
And the government itself supports them. Why? With the help of the Yakuza, you can solve some cases by dirty methods without getting your hands dirty. It's very convenient. The government has often used these heirs of the samurai to solve its own problems. For example, with Korean and Chinese gangs during and after WWII. It's also thanks to these gangsters that Japan didn't become communist. The Yakuza, under orders from the authorities, both domestic and overseas, had no qualms about massacring party leaders, and as a result, the Communists lost their position and lost the battle for the minds of the people.
I am not at all satisfied with an arrangement where my enemy has the support of the government. Therefore, the yakuza in its usual sense should be destroyed. To paraphrase the Joker, this country deserves better criminals. I'll replace the top gangsters with people under my control, thereby weakening the Hand. And the lgarashi will help me do it. Even if I have to use a tambourine for secrecy from the mole in the Aki clan.Well, it's time to meet my own Yakuza. In a moment, I teleported in the guise of the Head to a specially designated base. There were mostly Japanese and Koreans waiting for me. I had to try and look for so many suitable people of these nationalities. But there were also whites, blacks and Latinos, though in small quantities.
All were dressed in stylish suits, with cold weapons, mostly katanas, and all had Iredzumi. They would be the ones to shine this technology as an exclusive thing. The tattoo was visible in the immodest cleavage of the women and from under the open shirts of the men. You could say that, unlike ordinary yakuza, my subordinates were proudly displaying a marker of class.
- Hello, Head! - almost unanimously exclaimed and bowed. Look, they're already getting into character.
- Hello guys. Everyone is here, so we can do without ceremony. There's another woman who should be here now, who may well lead you if she performs well.
- Is someone new? - one of my subordinates asked me.
- That's right. She signed a contract a week ago. She wants to kill one of the yakuza oyabuns, which is good for us. Plus she's got good fighting skills.
- With the experience preservation technology, it's not a problem at all," a woman from a flock of crows with the nickname Gilsa said in a hoarse voice.
If she didn't know better, she could be mistaken for a Goth. After the modifications, Gilsa's skin had turned pale and her irises darkened. The deeper changes were more profound. Speed, strength, stamina, accuracy, reflexes, body control, attentiveness, and everything else needed for elite assassins had been improved.
- That's true. But on top of that, she's literally burning with desire to fight the Yakuza," I continued. - Come on, you'll see for yourself.
I could sense through the connection that Yamada was close. Not three minutes later, she was brought into the room. No passwords or anything, thanks to the Contracts. The guys knew right away that the new girl worked for me.
- So, this is Ren Yamada. Love and respect," I introduced the woman to the assembled subordinates. - Ren, these are your future comrades. Together with them you'll carry out several missions here in New York, cleaning up yakuza contacts and I'll decide whether you'll lead this unit or not.
- Understood," the Japanese woman said, scrutinising those present.
She didn't question my appearance, because I had already met with her a couple of days ago and told her all the necessary information that wasn't contained in the downloaded package. At the same time, I made an appointment for today.
- Good. (chuckles) In the meantime, you have time to get to know the guys. You'll have a few days to get acquainted, then I'll send you out on a mission.
Having solved all the issues for today, I said goodbye to the contractors and teleported to the newly completed skyscraper of the company. I had official business to attend to. After the prosthetics had started selling like hotcakes, it had become more time-consuming. But there were upsides and downsides to everything. The first was the fame and the money. The second came from the first. There were a lot of envious people who wanted to get into this market and repeat my success. These smart guys didn't have the same technology, so they had to ruin my reputation with all sorts of crap. I had to punch them in the nose. But I digress. Sooner I start, sooner I finish.
Digression.
Carmen was walking down a deserted street. She had to be careful or she might be found. And yet, even in spite of the danger, she had to get to one place.
Over the past week, Carmen had experienced many moments when death was at arm's length. It wasn't the most enviable fate, but it was better than surrendering the entire planet to Black Star. Her dogs tried their best to find the former Hydra scientist, sometimes metaphorically and sometimes actually breathing down her neck. Luckily they failed. The girl had been able to lay low, come to her senses, and sort out her powers a bit. Now the next step had to be taken, and that was to find allies.
Because of the precautions, Carmen took more than half an hour for a path that a normal person would walk in ten minutes. But safety was more important. A beautiful Gothic-style church opened up in front of her.
Without hesitation, the girl went inside. Due to the working hours, there were very few people inside, and those who were present quickly dispersed at Carmen's request. After waiting until no one was left inside except for one of the priests, the girl went to him. He was a man of about 35, with short black hair, regular facial features and blue, piercing eyes, dressed in a soutane.
At this moment he was praying frantically, holding a rosary with a cross in it. The girl watched him for a while, and then came almost close to him, hearing a low whisper.
- ...Why! Why did something like this happen?!
- Hello father.
- Wh-what? - he interrupted, looking at Carmen with eyes reddened with grief. - W-who are you?
- My name is Carmen Reed, Father," the girl replied in a soft voice. - And I've come for confession.
- Then please ask the other priests, I can't help you today," the man said, looking around. - 'I think Mother Anita will help you... Where is everyone? Strange...
- I asked them to leave, it's your turn to confess," Carmen said in a soft, enchanting voice, looking at the priest with a kind smile.
- What are you talking about? - asked the dumbfounded man, stepping back a little.
- You are broken. One look is enough to see the despair that has almost consumed you. Speak up, Father. Believe me, you need it.
Perhaps at some other time in his life, Alexander Anderson wouldn't have told the first person he met what was on his mind, but today was different. Besides, the girl across from him had such a beautiful, angelic voice that seemed to speak to his very soul. It gave peace to his mind, devastated by what had happened. This strange girl did not want to resist at all.
So Alexander told her. Told everything, from the moment he was born. How he grew up, studied, served in the army. The service had had a profound effect on the man, showing him the injustice of the world. It was a war not for democracy, as they said, but for resources. He came back a completely different person, wanting to help people and atone for his sins. After a while Anderson became a priest, married four times and had children.
And now he had a beautiful loving family and the opportunity to help parishioners, changing their lives for the better. The only thing that saddened the man was the troubles that were happening to people all over the world. It was very bitter for Alexander to realise this.
But just yesterday, he lost everything. Hurricane, which passed through Miami, where the family went on holiday, flooded a large part of the city. And this time the elements raged more violently than usual, because of which Alexander's wives and children drowned before they could save themselves. As a result, it was not even possible to find all the bodies to bury. The priest himself had planned to leave a couple of days later because of church business, which is why he survived.
The man was distraught, and he prayed to the Goddess, trying to get an answer as to why this had happened. But he didn't get any answers, which only added to his despair.
Carmen listened patiently, with a concerned look on her face and tears in her eyes, and then took the seated man into a warm embrace and spoke:
- It's terrible, Father. No human being deserves this. And neither do you. But the Goddess works in mysterious ways. Earth needs you and the people who inhabit it. And what happened was a turning point that will divide your life before and after.
- But why did they die?! - Alexander exclaimed in despair in her arms. - For what!
- For this world," Carmen answered quietly, stroking the man's head. - They are already in Heaven as saints, for the role they have been given. It is their deaths that will be the impetus for your elevation.
- What do you mean? - The man asked in bewilderment.
- Only in such a state as you are now is it possible to get a piece of the Goddess's power. That is why I am here. To give you the power to save the world. It is your turn to become the chosen one, to give everything you have," Carmen said in a lulling voice, letting Alexander go.
- Я?.. But...
- Show whatever it was that was tormenting you. Anger... Despair. Sadness. Use the Light to turn your feelings into a blade that will protect the weak, and only then cut off the ends," the girl said fervently, awakening in the priest an unprecedented sensation. In her hands she held a clot of something glowing. Even at a distance, this something carried an incredible grace and felt like something unearthly. It was like a piece of Heaven that had descended to the sinful earth.
When Carmen finished speaking, she took a few steps back, and at that moment sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, colouring her figure into something truly bizarre and unearthly.
- Will you accept a gift from me that will help you fulfil your dreams? - The girl's voice came again, and she held out her hands to the man.
These words echoed in Alexander's soul. At the same time, the priest felt that he should not have agreed. But at the same time, he just wanted to dull the terrible wound that resulted from the death of his family. What but the power of the Goddess could help with that?
And so the man decided. He came close to Carmen and plunged into the abyss of his feelings, at the same time grasping the clot of Light with his hands, wishing to purify himself from all worldly things and the pain that tormented him.
And at that moment, it was as if he simultaneously had an epiphany, threw off his shackles and was able to lift himself off the ground, overcoming gravity. At that moment, his body began to be reborn.
Carmen, on the other hand, tightly gripped the man's twitching body with her hands as he gradually Warped. Everything should have been controlled. Alexander shouldn't have been allowed to transform outwardly. Not now. So I had to use my power and perform a controlled rebirth.
But some changes did take place. Alexander became a little taller and more muscular, with white fringes. In addition, his eyes began to glow, but quickly went out.
The girl looked at her first subordinate with interest, waiting for him to come to his senses. At last she would not be alone. Still, man is a social creature and the Distortion didn't affect it very much.
- Ha-ha-ha. I'm... I'm reborn?! - Alexander asked in disbelief, examining his hands.
- 'Yes,' Carmen replied, looking at the man with a soft smile. - 'So what did you feel?
- I felt how the Goddess herself touched me and helped me to be reborn in the sacred Light, cleansing all vices and weaknesses! - Fanatically answered the man, and his eyes shone again. - Now I realised my destiny!
It was not something surprising. On the verge of madness and despair, Alexander had gained a power beyond understanding that lifted him above the mundane. Even a non-religious man would have believed anything after such a thing.
- And what is this destiny?
- To serve you, Holy Virgin, as the new messiah! - Alexander exclaimed, kneeling down and bowing his head before Carmen. - Please, dispose of me as you wish!
- Well, well, don't react to me like that, - the girl gently reprimanded him, stroking his cheek with her palm. - I am a human being like you Alexander. Remember: do not make an idol for yourself.
- If it is you, then such a thing will not be a sin!
- And yet I insist, - Carmen said adamantly, but at the same time affectionately.
- As you say, Holy Virgin," Andersen exhaled, rising obediently from his knees. - What will be my task?
- Our task Alexander, - corrected the girl. - It is to prevent one creature from subjugating the Earth and people to its will, and then turn the planet into a nightmare. The Black Star takes the power of the Goddess and uses it for its own selfish purposes to achieve its terrible goal, disguised as good intentions.
- Sacrilege!
- Exactly. And only we can stop it. But first, we must gather the men who will help us defeat our enemy. And we'll co-operate with those he's crossed. And there are many.
- Sow the wind and reap the storm.
- That's right. And the storm the Black Star will reap will be enough to bring about its downfall.
- As you say, Holy Virgin. But I have a favour to ask.
- I don't mind it," Carmen interrupted him with a smile, clasping her hands together.
- But I haven't said anything yet," Alexander said perplexed.
- Your request will be related to the funeral of the family, right?
- Yes.
- How can I be against it? Besides, it will help you finish this milestone in your life and throw all your energies into our mission.
- Thank you! Then let me just grab a few things and we'll be on our way.
- Alright.
The man went to the back room, from which he emerged, wearing a red coloured tippet with two embroidered crosses on the ends and a shabby bible in his hands.
- Is this in honour of the family? - Carmen asked, pointing to the tippet.
- Yes," Alexander answered, covering his eyes as if he were revisiting his memories. - The red colour of blood, sacrifice and flames. It all fits with what has already happened and what will happen.
- Then if you're done we should leave. The Star Dog wants to find me. And we're not ready for direct confrontation yet.
- I'm done.
Carmen nodded and headed for the exit. At that moment, people and other clergy began to return to the church, not understanding why they were going outside. A dark-skinned woman in a soutane approached Andersen and spoke to him:
- Alexander, where are you going? Why have you put on your tippet and what's wrong with your hair?
- Anita, I have seen the truth," said the man with grim solemnity. - In the moment of my despair I managed to appear before the face of the Goddess and to be reborn thanks to this Virgin.
- What do you mean? I realise that what happened is terrible, but....
- I'm sorry, but we have to go. I hope we can meet again and talk. For now, goodbye. May the Goddess bless you," the man said and crossed Anita, using some of his new power.
The woman fell into a stupor from the overwhelming sense of grace, and the Distortions quickly left the church and headed for a place only they knew.
End of retreat.
Phew, finally finished the company business for the day. But aside from that, I should have fended off the area where my gang would set up. There, I'd go as Pluto to lure mortals to the Dark Side. And not just with biscuits. Heh-heh-heh.
So now I was accompanied by seven girls and one guy going into a neighbourhood occupied by a small Latino gang that is an offshoot of MS-13 or Mara Salvatrucha. They deal in human trafficking, drugs, pimping, rape of both men and women, and many other "nice" things. These travelling ants* are famous for their incredible brutality, shootouts with the police, and that beautiful motto: Kill, Rape, Subjugate.
Anyway, taking them down is as good a thing as you'll ever see. And I'm not gonna mess with them like a hero. I remember Batman saying that killing a murderer doesn't make the criminals go away. What if you kill a dozen? Or a hundred? And you shouldn't listen to this character. He is a reference psycho, because of whom hundreds and thousands of people die, every time he once again fights with some Joker. And so it is with pretty much every character. The He-Men have killed people in packs and nothing. Or Emma Frost, who once fired a rocket from Tony Stark's suit into a building and killed an unknown number of people. Not on purpose, but she got nothing for it. And so if you read through the comics, there's about five times that each of the heroes has been shot five times.
When I got into this whole thing with Ruka, Hydra and all the other bad guys, I wondered what to do with them. The first kill left an unpleasant aftertaste, but some tempering with Pluto's memories helped me recover quickly. Then I decided I shouldn't feel sorry for those who spill blood like water. I wouldn't touch the innocent, but I wouldn't feel sorry for the bastards.
And here we are in Jackson Heights, Queens. This was the home of a gang with the original name of the 87 Gang. 87 is the number of the street where these smart guys are located. I guess the simplicity of the names should be embraced. Why go to the trouble of coming up with something when you don't have to?
- Boss, we're in their territory," my subordinate Abigail interrupted me, pointing at the graffiti.
She had black hair cut into a bob, brown eyes, an oval face with a snub nose and a very appetising figure, which was accentuated by trousers and a white shirt with braces. Abie wore a fedora hat on her head and a jacket on her shoulders. She looked like a Mafia woman. I planned to make her my right-hand woman in the gang, for her intelligence, her calmness even in critical situations, and her reliability.
- Looks like it," I agreed, looking at the painted signs. Once again, it was simple and straightforward. Б-87. - Okay, guys, it's time to visit these originals.
So I headed out ahead of the rest of the gang to the lair of the bandits. Benji had figured out where they were for me, so I didn't have to look up the language. Passers-by looked at us with interest, which was not surprising. I and my subordinates were dressed uniformly and stylishly enough, in black three-piece suits with red patterns. At the same time my contractors had embroidered signs in the form of a crossed cane and a cylinder. That would be Pluto's sign, which is mine. And today it will be the first time he will shine.
I was walking with a wide smile, tapping my cane, through the liquid crowd into a small nightclub belonging to a local gang. At the entrance were two sturdy Latina women, who, seeing us, immediately made way for us.
- Hey, what are you doing here with such a crowd of gringos? - one of them asked rudely.
- We came to see Veronica Diaz, - answered her, smiling kindly.
- Does she want to see you?
- She doesn't know we've arrived yet.
- Then what makes you think she'll accept you?
- It's none of your business, pendejo. And if you don't step back, I'll break your faces," Natalie said, putting her hand on the talkative woman's shoulder.
The woman had undergone rhinoceros-like enhancements and now surpassed even me in both height and breadth. She had short blonde hair in an artistic mess, big green eyes, and a cheerful smile on a pretty face that hadn't become mannish after the surgery. Combined with the massive bust and impressive musculature, it looked very unusual.
- Mierda, are you out of your mind? This territory!
- We know whose territory this is," I interrupted her in the same kindly manner, tweaking my aura of terror. - That's why we're here. Now, if you'd be so kind as to take us to your boss.
- All right," the Latina said through gritted teeth and, signalling to her partner to stay put, went inside.
We followed her and found ourselves in a medium-sized nightclub. Since the workday wasn't over yet, it was practically empty inside. On the way, our escort made some signs to the people present. I smiled wider as I watched them follow us. It'd be easier for us to clear them out at once.
- Hey, boss, some gringos are here to see you! - turned to a tattooed woman with dark hair and rather revealing clothes.
Next to her sat a muscular man also covered in tattoos. A few more gang members were seated a little further away.
- Well, well, well, well. Who are you guys? - Veronica asked, lighting a cigar and casting a fleeting glance at the barrel lying at arm's length.
- My name is Pluto. I've come to put you and your subordinates on notice: from today this neighbourhood belongs to me.
The bandits were taken aback by this, but did not say anything, but turned their gazes to Diaz.
- Oh, yeah? Who do you work for, Pluto? - She asked, exhaling a smoke and not getting sassy like her subordinates. You could tell she wasn't the boss for nothing. Except that she didn't pick her employees very well. That's a disadvantage.
- On yourself.- Which begs the question of what you're trying to accomplish. We're working with MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel. If they do, they're gonna spread you thin all over New York City so they don't have to. If you don't understand that, then you're an idiot.
- Believe me, I have the power to make them eat their own guts if I have to," I said, sitting down across from her. - Unless, of course, they have an omega-level mutant. Though even he won't help, I'm afraid. So here's my final word. Get out of here and I won't hurt you. Or-- Or just die.
Except I've basically given you a choice without a choice. Veronica's not gonna go for that. It's a serious blow to her credibility. She'd be buried by her own people for this. But I didn't care.
- Do you realise that you'll be cut to ribbons for this outrage, despite your strength? - Veronica hissed through her teeth, crumpling her cigar.
- They won't," I said, adjusting my gloves. - Their bellybuttons will come undone. But make up your mind quickly. I've got a lot to do.
And Diaz chose. After a quick glance with her subordinates, she grabbed the Glock on the table and tried to fire. The rest of the thugs followed her, except for one young girl. But their weapons simply disintegrated in their hands. I used the destruction to disable the bandit slugs.
- You know, I'm even glad you chose that option," I said with a kind smile to the pale Veronica, folding my fingers in the shape of a gun and pointing it at the woman. - Now it's my turn. Poof!
- Kha!...
- Keep the young one alive," he ordered his men.
A round hole appeared in Diaz's chest and blood gushed out. My men did not hesitate to kill the rest of the bandits who had no time to do anything after destroying their guns.
- And now about you, niña," I said to the last remaining Latina. As far as I knew, she hadn't had time to get dirty with the crimes, so I decided to let her live. - You're going to go tell Diaz's bosses what happened. And give them my warning. If they don't have the brains to come here to fight, my response will be frightening. All right?
The shaking girl nodded intensely.
- Good for you," I told her approvingly. - Go niña and pass on my words. And for the future, don't become a bandit. It's not your thing. Be a law-abiding citizen of this country.
She nodded again and walked briskly out of the building. I created a Diaz look-alike.
- Sign the club over to me.
- Got it.
The clone went into the office to gather paperwork, and I destroyed the bodies, weapons clothing and blood. That's it. No body, no case.
- Well, darlings, let's begin our ascent in the shadows! Ugh, why did I bring that up?
Attention, the title Shadow Rising is now rank III!
- Boss! - Natalie shouted at the top of her lungs, trying not to laugh.
- Don't do that again," I asked her, wrinkling my nose. - I'll go deaf. There's too much bad power in rhinoceroses.
- And why is it bad sir? - This space trooper asked with feigned offence, while the others laughed.
- Because you don't control it. All right, forget it. Copy Diaz will do the job, and then we'll start our expansion. And we'll start with whoever comes first.
- You think they'll come?
- Definitely.
- Whatever you say, boss," Abigail said.
- Abby, you'll be my right-hand man.
- Yes, I am.
- What about me? - Natalie whined, stepping closer.
- Oh. You'll be my left hand. Happy?
- Yes! You are the best Mr Pluto! - she exclaimed and grabbed me in her arms and squeezed me as hard as she could. I'd say she'd achieved three quarters of Aki.
The rest of my contractors only chuckled, turning away. Even Abi.
- All right, all right! Just let go. Well done, Natalie. Anyway, we're settling in, lads. Soon we'll have everything we need beamed down here.
I've personally supervised this stage, left my copy and travelled to a base in another dimension. I'm about to have bird suppression there. I should supervise that. I'll create a new Anomaly at the same time. I went to the extraction room and started looking for suitable Vav level material. I don't need any more Alephs for now.
After a while, I found the right nightmare in the collective unconscious.
- All she wanted was to finally get married.
Didn't realise anything, but very interesting.
Meanwhile, the Anomaly was slowly incarnating. It was a girl, wearing a white wedding dress with black accents and a bouquet of white and black flowers. Her face was covered by a veil, though I had a feeling it was beautiful. Closed eyes, thickly painted with mascara, stood out clearly through the fabric. Black streaks ran down from them, as if she had been crying. Anomaly also had black (too much of that colour) hair, styled in the back. There were many small flowers in the same colour scheme in her hair and on the dress itself.
- Whimper, whimper! All I wanted was happiness! Didn't I deserve it? - the crying Anomaly asked me.
- I think you do," I answered her honestly. - But, alas, the world is unfair, Bride, that did not become a Wife.
- But why me?!I did not continue the pointless conversation, teleporting Anomaly to the holding cell. At this time, my deputies were organising preparations for the suppression. They knew that I would only intervene as a last resort today. You could say it was their test.
- Attention! Attention! - said the automation throughout the complex. - Overheating of the Klip system in the Anomaly Containment Chambers of Big Bird, Justice Bird and Punishing Bird in five minutes! Influence on the reality of Vav and Tet class (4th and 2nd class)! The scale of influence is gradually increasing! All employees below He level (3rd grade), should take shelter in safe places! He, Vav and Aleph level personnel should immediately prepare to suppress the Anomalies and under no circumstances allow them to merge into the Bird of Apocalypse!
Now let's see how they'll do.
***
Don't forget to donate gems.
And subscribe at:
patreon.com/FanFictionPremium