The SVE Club

15. Mission

    Midas stood once again before the grand doors of Finn Pierce's study. It had been dark out by the time he reached the villain's lair, but Midas was again summoned by Insomnium, who seemed to never sleep.

    Today, however, Midas felt different. He couldn't feel Pierce in his head, rifling through thoughts. Which meant Pierce was distracted by something else.

    Feeling a bit braver than before, Midas entered the study as casually as he could muster.

    "-make sure your men know what's required of them. Those elementals are valuable; if you lose them, you'll pay for it with your position and your will to live," Pierce was threatening over the phone, clearly managing some sort of 'job'. It was normal for Midas to overhear such conversations and then find a new painting or statue in the hall a few weeks later.

    The man, still wearing his sunglasses, paid no attention to Midas.

    "Of course I understand the task's difficulty. I also understand that you assured me of your ability to complete it. Are you going back on your word?" Pierce asked.

    After a moment of silence, Pierce chuckled softly before saying, "See to it that you do."

    He hung up and glanced over to Midas.

    Y o u ' l l   f o r g e t   t h a t                   c o n v e r s a t i o n   a t   o n c e .

    Immediately, Midas felt a sharp pang inside his head. All memory of Pierce's words left his brain, so that he could not remember what had been said over the phone, only that something had been said.

"I hate when you do that," Midas muttered, rubbing his skull with his fingers.

"I hate when you keep secrets from me," Pierce said evenly. He remained quiet for a moment, apparently expecting Midas to answer.

Midas glared at him. "What? Did you want to 'hear about my day' or something?" he sneered.

"No need," Pierce said with a wave of his hand. "My agent already told me everything. That's quite an idea- a super team made entirely of non-supers. It's absolutely nonsensical, and yet... resourceful. Reminds me of something I would have done when I was your age."

"Oh really?" Midas asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't be sarcastic, Midas. Telepathy ruins the effect. Come sit down, and I'll tell you what I've called you here for," Pierce said.

And I'm in utter suspense as usual, Midas thought, making his way towards a chair.

A g a i n w i t h t h e s a r c a s m ?

Midas cringed, resenting the fact that even his thoughts couldn't be private.

"Midas," Pierce said, folding his hands together, "We both know you're bitter toward's ISH. Wouldn't it be nice to get a little revenge? After all you've been put through?"

"What are you getting at?" Midas asked, hoping to get to the point quicker.

"ISH has some items that I require. I want you and your little band of misfits to get in unnoticed and take them for me. And... oh, why not? Cause a little chaos while you're there if you like," Pierce chortled.

Midas scoffed. "What makes you think I'd break into ISH for you?"

Pierce sighed and leaned back. "Come on, Midy, you're smarter than this. I could force you to do it, but seeing as how much it hurts both of us, I beg you; don't make me."

Midas looked down at his hands. "What do you want me to steal?"

"Steal is such a harsh word. I merely wish to borrow two things without returning them. First, there's a computer program that tracks all of the powered ISH students at all times. I need that. Second, their tech department is working on some sort of super serum."

"Super serum? Seriously?" Midas said.

"Heh. The heroes and their odd names for things, right? It's actually a chemical mixture that can strengthen a man on a cellular level. I'll need it if my next big move is to run successfully."

    "Your next move, huh?" Midas mused. "What exactly are you up to?"

    Pierced waggled a finger. "It's a surprise."

    So are heart attacks, Midas thought, with every intention of Insomnium hearing it.

    "Anyway," Midas continued, "How am I supposed to steal a computer file?"

    "USB," Pierce suggested, shrugging. "You're smart, you figure it out."

     Midas frowned. Something wasn't adding up. "Why didn't you have me do this when I actually went to ISH?" he complained. "It's going to be way harder to get in now. Impossible even."

    Pierce glared at Midas. "I didn't need those things before. I had you. But when you were expelled, my plan needed some tweaking. The students at your school are all powerless- and useless. But I suppose they'll have to do."

    Pierce stood up and turned around to face the dark window.

    "As for your team..." he muttered. "Who did you have in mind?"

    "There's fi-"

    "No, no need," Pierce interrupted. "I can see for myself."

    Midas braced himself while Pierce sifted through his memories, looking for the correct ones.

    "I see," Pierce said, nodding his head. "You just might be able to pull it off. The climber and the quiet one are your best assets. But the other girl, the excited one... she's a weak link. She can't be in the team."

    Midas hesitated. At first he was going to allow Sam to join SVE, but this mission changed things. Would Sam be able to keep up on a heist?

    "You have affection for her, don't you?" Pierce asked, almost tauntingly.

    Midas opened his mouth to protest.

    "Don't bother defending yourself, I already know you don't like her like that," Pierce said smoothly. "But there is something there. Here's my advice, Midas."

    Pierce leaned on the desk.

    "Destroy that affection," he spat. "Don't let any emotion cloud your better judgement."

    Midas forced his racing thoughts to quiet down.

    "Yes, sir," he replied.

    "Excellent. Now then, I want the program and the serum in my hands by the end of February. If you fail... well, I'm sure the pain in your hand is enough of a reminder of what will happen to you," Pierce intoned sinisterly. "You may leave."

    After Midas had left, Pierce picked up the phone again a dialed a number.

    "It's me," he said when the line stopped ringing. "I need extra eyes on a student. A girl named Sam Wilson."