Interlude: Kingfisher (End of Part 1)

I sit on my throne, in front of my subjects, as they heap subservient praise upon me in my right ear. In my left, I listen through another's. To anyone I have seen. Usually, to the person I'm speaking with. Today, I've listened exclusively through Dr. Vivian Amsel's ears, trying to find what I can do to convince her.

She's held my attention for a quite some time, since I have been alerted to her work at a hospital and notable dispower by one of my subordinates. Dispowers, generally, are as negative as the power itself is strong. With a dispower as dramatic as her's, no doubt she's barely scratched the surface of what she can actually do.

Imagine my surprise when absently cycling through the eight or nine people I was currently keeping tabs on to hear her talking about raiding my temporary compound, with complete descriptions as to who she's with. It was a matter of simple positioning, using their own plan against them with my people lying in wait. Vivian fell directly into my lap.

I had assumed her to be doing vigilante work for sport, with her ridiculous character and commitment to it, and that she would fold instantly under pressure. But then, she surprised me as I held her life in my hands. Far more level-headed than her persona would imply. Capable. Willing to indebt herself to me for the sake of near-strangers. Bold, but not stupid. Carrying backups to her backups. Practical.

I had made a mistake sending her to the factory. There were three outcomes I predicted. Most likely, she would simply decline to do the job. Second most likely, she would try and curry my favor, seeing an opportunity for her own place within Kudzu. Least likely, she would accept the job without any strings.

My mistake was in thinking her ability was already being used to its full extent. I expected her to keep two, maybe three of my people alive. But miraculously, she actually saved someone far beyond saving by controlling the mind of one of her other patients and forcing him into her service. I had seen that trick before, but believed it to be a simple hallucinogen. But no, this was undeniable. It was true control, remaining unbroken despite the puppet being stung over and over by a wasp. And she did it without fanfare, just another trick up her sleeve.

And then to cap it off, she saved the life of our most valuable asset. Our only front-line cape, and someone who had previously done nothing but harass her and even sent her to the ground with a punch.

It was leagues beyond expectation.

This city can be better. This city will be better. I will extract and consolidate every single molecule of value I can, in order to reach that simple destination. I was born in the city of Dudek. I will die in Dudek. But I will not die in the same Dudek that spawned me.

I return to listening to her and her alone, hungry for anything I can use.

Vivian was fired from her job. A genuine coincidence, and an unfortunate one for me. That's going to lead to the obvious suspicion that I arranged it. Eventually, though, she'll know I'm not so heavy-handed in my approach.

She's crying now, and talking with her friend. Emily. A weak point I never intend to use, but may need. Emily says she is half of Beaker. Perhaps the technical side?

Then they moved on to... talking about kissing? And then...

No, I refocus my power elsewhere. That is not something I need to hear, and I'm not a degenerate who would listen in on such things. Good for them, though not so much for me. I'll have to make sure Emily stays on board too, now.

One more variable. I pray it won't affect the formula.