𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄'𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐄 // 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐎𝐘

CHAPTER 12, pulp fiction

1983

Vi's boots clicked as she walked through the halls of the Vought Tower. She was late to what Ben called "training", but did she care? Let the others have fun, she thought. Technically speaking, she couldn't really fight without causing serious injury. Yes, she would've loved to phase into Crimson Countess' face, but what good would it do for the team? Lots of good, but some serious drawbacks from Vought.

Her powers weren't exactly made for fighting. She was perfect when it came to break-ins, and she could go against basically anyone in close combat, but it wasn't the most practical in trainings such as the one going on somewhere below her, on a lower level. Why Ben even came up with the idea of hosting a training was a mystery.

Her stride was broken by a Vought worker approaching her.

"Miss, somebody's on the phone looking for you," she states, trying to match Vi's speed.

"Lead the way, uh..." Vi was trying to look for any indication on what the woman's name might have been.

"Madelyn," she answers.

"Lead the way then, Madelyn," Vi speaks, following the young woman now in front of her. She likely wasn't even 20, but whatever she sees best, Vi thought.

Madelyn led her into a room filled with even more people working for Vought, cables, cords and computers in front of all of them. Vi knew that she wouldn't survive a week in a job like that. She comes to a halt behind another woman sitting behind a computer, Madelyn clearing her throat to make her presence known. The other woman turns around, and immediately notices the Ghost by her side.

"It's a man looking for you," the unknown Vought agent speaks, holding the phone forward to Vi. She twists her fingers around it, her other hand twisting the phone's cable around her index finger.

For the first few moments, there was just incoherent noise on the other side, and Vi was starting to get worried that this might have been a call for help. Then, a man spoke.

"Miss Barone! Sorry for the disturbance, but we're getting ready to celebrate soon! I just wanted you to invite you, that's all! My little Joe just got his dream job! He's CIA now!" THe man speaks.

"Kessler? Shit man, it's been so long since we talked, must've been a year, no?" Vi chuckles.

Dean Kessler. The same one-legged man from the 1943 surprise attack. He still kept contact with Vi. She was there at his wedding, and got to meet his son later on. That son was already in his twenties, and seemingly got his dream job at the CIA. She was so much older than him, but almost looked younger than Joe. It scared her in a way. She would sometimes babysit Joe when he was younger. She'd tell stories of the war, her life as a supe, the work she sometimes did with CIA agents, and Joe was always fascinated by it somehow. He was sure of his career even back then: he wanted to be a CIA agent too. And here he was, over fifteen years later, actually an agent.

"When is it? I'll see if I can drop by. I'll do it even if Vought disapproves, don't worry," Vi says with a smile.

"Tomorrow, 2 PM. We're going to have grill, alcohol, all the good stuff," Dean Kessler replied.

"Noted! I have to go now, but it was nice hearing from you! Tell Joe that I'm fucking proud of him!" Vi chuckles before hanging up, catching a glimpse of Joe's laugh in the background right before she did so.

She was now half an hour late to the meeting Ben called, but did she care? She still didn't. It was still not fit for her, and she still didn't want to be there at all. It's been two years since she got put into Payback, but she still didn't adjust to it too well. The members were just idiots with superpowers, who never planned on helping anyone. They were here just for the fun of it. Vi genuinely wanted to help. That's what she did even before getting the V. She was a nurse, later on a field nurse. There, she was able to help people. Now, Vought held her back whenever they could. Still, she left the building whenever she pleased.

As she got closer to the room where the meeting - or training as Ben called it - was held, the noises from inside got louder and more concerning. Vi's brows furrowed, her steps quickening. It didn't sound like the others were cheering for the ones in the ring.

She burst through, or more like phased through it, and was met with a brutal sight. Inside the ring stood Ben and Black Noir, the latter getting beaten to almost pulp, laying on the ground. Ben was towering over him, one of his knees on the ground as he landed his punches. She didn't know nor care what the reason for it was, she rushed up there. With a swift move, she swung her feet, her boots smashing into Ben's nose and face.

Ben jerks his head back, shocked by the unexpected blunt force that just hit him. He receives another kick, this time in his stomach, and even if hurt less, it was enough to make him roll off of Black Noir. Ben straightened up, placing his palm on one of his knees and pushing himself up. He felt the same person behind him, and this time, he was not letting it slide. He swings his fist, and turns, leaning into the punch with his whole body. To his surprise, it wasn't anybody he expected, but it was too late, he couldn't stop the punch.

She stood still, arms crossed over her chest. Ben's punch went right through her. She could see as Ben's eyes widened at the realization. Tiny splatters of blood covered his face, and she felt like she was having a stare-off with the devil.

Ben's face somewhat softened as he realized. He wouldn't have tried to hit if he knew it was her.

"I... sorry," he manages to breathe out. He didn't care if the other Payback members heard it or not.

"Don't apologize to me, say it to him," she sternly says, motioning over to Black Noir. He was still laying on the ground, his blood soaking through his mask as he shuddered there. Vi was disappointed that the others didn't do anything about it, but not surprised.

There wasn't much left after the fight between Ben and Noir. Everybody just left. Vi was the first to do so. She just stormed out without a word right after stopping Ben and asking him to apologize. It was beyond Ben to ever do something like this over something so minor to one of his teammates. There had to be something behind his behavior, and Vi was determined to find out what it was.