If she's telling the truth, I'll need to adjust her reward. Letting her kill a stranger isn't enough.

"What did you notice?"

"The succubus woman, Trixie, stayed for the meeting, and she stood behind Mr. Kim during our talks. They kept talking like we weren't there, so I responded aggressively to unsettle them, and Isaiah picked up on it. Granted, I was mostly posturing, while the big guy seemed genuinely mad. Right after we spoke, Trixie tapped the old guy, and he spouted off a new threat rating for him. What I'm thinking is that since we know she senses intentions, she could tell I was faking. But I think she saw something in Isaiah that she thought was important enough to report. So, I think it's safe to assume that his power requires activation," Tuesday said.

Is she always this observant? I've underestimated her because she's so crazy.

"I think he has some way of confirming things. I don't know the parameters, but the way the other two respected his words means his power is foolproof or close to it. I think he might be a clairvoyant or something similar," Tuesday continued.

What was different?

"What were you thinking of when he first said your threat rating?" I asked Isaiah.

Isaiah closes his eyes for a moment.

"When the three reps entered, I singled out Mr. Kim as the only real threat. I was also purposely acting like my smoke power was my only one. When I fought the doorman, I let his bullets go through me. I was thinking about how it would be hard to fight all of them if I kept restraining myself," Isaiah answered.

We're on the right track. I'm so close to figuring it out; I can taste it. None of the others have chimed in while the three of us have been talking.

"And for the second rating?"

"Tuesday's right. I was getting irritated at their attitude toward us and, by extension, you. I figured that if they weren't going to work with us, then you'd find a way to take whatever you want from them. Then I went through a rough plan of attack on how we'd handle the five of them with just me and Tuesday. I was going to flood the room with smoke to obscure their vision and then rush them before they could react," Isaiah responded.

The mental jigsaw puzzle I've been focusing on is starting to take shape. Pieces are missing, but you can still try to figure out what the overall picture is without them. The changes in intent, combined with throwing away the facade, narrow the possible scope of his powers. He's not a telepath; there is no such thing as a true telepath, and if he were, he wouldn't have misread Isaiah's threat rating. Does his power give him insight into people, and the more time he spends with them, the more he learns about them? No, that doesn't explain why Isaiah's thoughts would change the rating. Tuesday's right; it does seem like it involves seeing the future. However, foresight is an incredibly rare ability. Technologica did say that powers have been getting stronger over the years, so there's a chance that it isn't as rare as it used to be. It has to involve gathering information that can change. Is it seeing possibilities that narrow the more frequently it's used? How would that even work? It has to be something more active than just seeing the future or possible futures, because of how seriously his statements are taken. Think, what am I missing? How can he guarantee that a person's threat rating has changed without fighting them?

Thinking about Technologica and her data on abilities being stronger or more diverse than they've ever been makes me think of the rest of the Supreme Six. All of them could do things that no one else has ever been able to do, at least not in the exact same way. Apex's body, frozen in time, was made eternal via Captain Chrono's power. It clicks at that moment, the key finally sliding in correctly. His power has to be related to time. If that's the case, then instead of seeing the future, maybe he's rewinding it after he does something. That also explains why he doesn't have it active all the time. It can't be a save state or anything like that, or he wouldn't have had to revise his assessment. What are the limits? What is the duration of the rewind, and does it have a cooldown? Everyone is staring at me expectantly. I got lost in my brain again.

"I believe that his power allows him to rewind time. It's the most likely answer, but I'm not one hundred percent sure. It's likely that when he chooses to activate it, for a certain amount of time, he can do basically anything before his power brings him back to the moment he activated it," I said.

"That makes sense. So you're saying that he likely attacked both of us when they first entered the room to test out our strength, and then the moment Trixie sensed my intent, he did it again. Fucking hell that power is insane," Isaiah remarked.

"You could gather so much knowledge with it. Try one thing, then restart and repeat until you figure out the ideal solution. We could have had zero casualties with our experiments, Nobody," Kai said animatedly.

The first time he's ever been excited at a board meeting.

"How do we counter it? Or do we just go in with a disadvantage?" Vivienne asked.

"We might be able to exploit his power. It's a bit risky, and if I'm wrong, we run the risk of making enemies of The Merchants. But we'll discuss that after Isaiah finishes the story," I said.

"Alright, where was I? Oh yeah. They were irritated when I revealed that we were only representing the ability to distribute powers. But before Alchemist could complain, the Prophet agreed, and that shut up the other two instantly. I think he has another esoteric ability like Mr. Kim and Trixie. A group like The Merchants wouldn't send muscle to negotiate. If you are correct, which I'm sure you are, then the Prophet must have something that would force the other two to defer to him. Then he said they'd contact us with a time and a location at a later time," Isaiah said.

"See, and that's the problem. No one dictates terms to me, especially not in a way that allows them to plan an ambush against me. The Merchants claim to be a neutral party only interested in profit, and I am not going to make the mistake of finding out otherwise. I will not deliver myself to them. That's why I'm having Rorschach search for where the representatives are staying. We will not wait for their summons like we're peasants called before a king. All of us are going to break into their base and negotiate there, on our terms," I said.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"You want to attack a base of The Merchants? That's the fastest way to get us all killed. There are quicker ways to commit suicide," Kai said.

"I'm in!" Tuesday shouted.

"No, not attack. There will be no casualties. We don't need another threat hanging over our heads when we have Technologica hovering above us, poised to attack. I'm proposing using a couple of bluffs and theatrics to give us more leverage in any business agreements. But we're a company now, so I'll put it to the board for a vote. Regardless of the vote's results, I will respect it. It is completely up to all of you. What do you guys want to do?" I asked.

I could just tell them all what we're doing, but having a vote makes me look like less of a tyrant. Kai isn't wrong; this is extremely dangerous. They'll vote correctly.

"I trust you, Nobody. I vote we do it," Vivienne said.

"I already said I'm in. This sounds way too fun to miss out on. Ambushing The Merchants is the type of shit I wanted from joining up," Tuesday said.

"Obviously, I'm up for it," Isaiah said.

Those three were the most obvious to vote in favor of my idea. What will the rest of you do?

"I witnessed firsthand the effect you have when dealing with a group from a position of weakness, and I remember the result. I'm not betting against you again. I also vote yes," Rorschach said.

And now the rest will fall. Kai is more comfortable with me now, but he remembers the terror I caused him. He won't want to be left as the last vote. Miles is a follower and was always going to vote whichever way the majority did.

"I vote yes," Kai and Miles said nearly simultaneously.

I knew it. They're all so predictable.

"I appreciate the faith you've placed in me, and The Merchants will learn why soon. Rorschach, how goes the search?" I asked.

"I have probably about sixty, sixty-three percent of the city done. A lot of places can be written off immediately, such as the BNA headquarters, the Heroes' Union base, Quinstin University, Briggerton College, and any areas that are known gang territories. I understand that we're on an accelerated timetable, and I'm confident I'll have the location by tomorrow night at the latest," Rorschach answered.

"Excellent," I said.

"Um, excuse me, Nobody, but when you say all of us, do you mean, like, all of us?" Miles asked.

"Yes, everyone is going, including you. Tell me, Miles, how is the progress with your powers?" I asked.

"I'm still working on shaping and controlling. I have discovered a new power," Miles said.

"What is it? Make sure to be specific," Kai said excitedly, pulling a tablet out from under the table.

Has every one of them hidden something under the table?

"Daaaaaad, can I go now?" Tuesday whined, changing her voice to sound like a preteen.

"No. Miles is giving his report," I said.

"Uggh. This is why I wanna live with Mom. You don't let me do anything. I HATE IT HERE!" Tuesday shouted.

"This is really weird," Vivienne said.

"And incestuous with how flirty she is with Nobody. Also, if he's dad, then who's the mom?" Isaiah asked.

"Shut it, you idiots. Please continue, Miles," Kai said.

"Okay. My electrical power allows me to absorb electricity and store it inside my body. I've noticed I'm able to store other energies as well, and it also causes some noticeable physical changes," Mile said.

"Incredible," Kai said, rapidly typing on his tablet. "And what kind of physical changes?"

"Absorbing light gives my skin a glow; it's subtle until I absorb a lot of it, and then my skin becomes several shades lighter. The lightning makes my eyes look charged and illuminated, and after absorbing enough, it will make my hair start to stand on end. Fire gives my hair a richer color, but eventually, I end up with streaks of red, orange, and yellow. I haven't found any other energies to absorb, or what my power considers energy," Miles answered.

What a wonderful synergy those powers have. I knew I'd be right.

"Alright. Miles, you'll need to wear a disguise of some sort for when we do this, and keep the extent of your powers hidden. Use fire and act like your power is to send out fireballs. It should sufficiently prevent any third parties from eventually connecting the dots once you debut. Partner with the doctor to get some hard numbers and readings on what you're capable of. Kai, I'll want an update on everything you find. Moving on, I have a need for a skilled computer coder. Not a Tinkerer, and this will be a paid opportunity. If any of you know someone who would be up for the job, please let me know," I said.

The vigilante needs to be able to recruit and spread his message. There are plenty of unstable people hiding behind the internet's anonymity, and I can radicalize them.

"Does anyone have anything to report?" I asked everyone. "Kai? How goes the progress of the base? You built the other in three days. What exactly is holding you up?"

Kai looks distracted and scratches the back of his head awkwardly.

"I've been working on it; it's just taking a little longer than I thought," he answered.

Does he think I'm fucking joking? That pulse in my temple is back, and I've had a lot harder time fighting it. Am I becoming more susceptible to influence by the pieces the longer I have them? Damn it.

"That's what we call a nonanswer," Isaiah joked.

"Kai, I do not know what has kept your attention so divided, and I do not care. No more delays, excuses, or jokes. You have two weeks to have this place up and running. All of you have been shown the carrot; you better pray I don't have to show the stick," I said.

Everyone reacts except for Vivienne and Isaiah. Tuesday lets her tongue hang out of her mouth and wipes it along her teeth. Miles and Rorschach share a similar reaction; both look worried. Kai pales at my implied threat.

"What I'm, what we are trying to accomplish here is a dangerous undertaking that will eventually make enemies of everyone in this city. Look around you; these six faces you see are the only ones you can trust. I won't say something clichéd like 'we're a family. ' We aren't. We're seven ambitious people with the means and the motivation to succeed on this mission I've set us on. Everyone needs to pull their weight and then some. We are not big enough to allow any one of us to slack," I paused. "This meeting is adjourned. Vivienne and Tuesday stay behind. Isaiah, I'll let you know when it's time for our talk."

Everyone leaves except for the two I named. This next conversation is likely to irritate Vivienne, but she needs to be by my side if she's going to be able to lead as Momentus Inc. grows. I've done plenty as Nobody that I didn't want to. The question is whether she can put aside her distrust and suspicion to be professional.

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