*Sonya pokes her head in.*
"Soooo..." She twiddles her fiogether a little awkwardly, "That guy got a little distracted and totally fot to do another AMA. Absolutely his fault and nothing to do with me being busy in the madhouse that is Book 3. Not at all." She coughs. "Ahem! That said! Sup Heroes and Vilins! Sonya here! This week we're gonna do another AMA. The whole cast is oable so ask them anything you want and we'll do our best to answer as long as that jaggoff lets us."
She shrugs before brightening, "Oh! I'm getting a co-host this time. Lillian!" She grins wickedly, "Defihrow some fu her, I love seeing her reas! Heheheh! Anyway! Later!"
With the trip to Japan just a few days away, Sonya still had things she o do ierim. She had a pany to at least pretend to operate and schemes tress. She had put a lot of tireless work into what she was building during the year between Vegas and the training camps. She had intended for the camps to be something of a vacation where she could watch the fruits of her bor e into their own. It hadly worked out that way initially but the results spoke for themselves.
Ten weeks away from any pany was a long time for aive. There was a lot to catch up on and most people would be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of data that o be worked through in order to get a handle oate of the pany. Not that roblem for her, Sonya could basically ect to the pany mainframe and download every bit of information straight into her head, it took a little while to process even with her enhanced mind but she caught up quickly.
ASTA had grown even in her absend the various pa had acquired to maintain its various projects were now fully verted into subsidiaries and produot just for those in the field of ‘heroing’ were being pushed out for purchase by the general public.
In short, Sonya was not worried about money.
She hadn’t been worried much about it from the outlet, but using her ability to give youth or provide healing for people in exge for funds was not something she o herself with anymore. Money didn’t solve all problems, though, and for her it was just a means to an end. Some of the new Board of Directors for the pany might disagree with her on that front but she didn’t care much for that opinion. Fortunately, that was a minor issue in the grand scheme of things and the pany itself was managed well thanks in no small part to Amos.
While Amos was ostensibly the head of the research division for the pany and it was his primary focus, he was also the Vice-Chair and Chief Operations Officer. When Sonya wasn’t present, he was in charge. A teopath like Sonya with a sharp mind and scathing wit, he took to ma like a mae. That wasn’t surprising to Sonya given the man he had bee in the previous timeline which was the reason she’d put him in the positioe Amos’ initial protests. Alongside Amos the ASTA hierarchy was made up of numerous people she was close to and some she had taken in because of her knowledge of them from the previous timeline.
was the Chief Legal Officer of the pany, though he ‘worked from home’ acc to pany records and was rarely in-house. The Chief Financial Officer was a man named Jack Tythe who’s amusingly unfortunate surname was not lost on Sonya. In the previous timeline he had been a powerful unawakeock-broker and financial adviser who had hoarded his wealth all around the world up until the cataclysm that was the fsh. When the world went crazy he had surprisingly turo funding the various disparate groups that would bee the guilds. He was ruined by what Sonya now uood was the Night Society. A man of few words, he was something of a hero in his ht and a real ‘white-knight’ character. Not only was he good at what he did, his reputatiht a lot of positive clout to the pany.
The Chief Information Officer of the pany was of course Beyol or rather injun, his new identity when he was in public. Using the Night Society’s work to assist the pany was more than a little corrupt, but when half of the core officers of the pany were supervilins, who cared? The final member of the officers was Kerry Watts, the Chief Media Manager who had overseen the creation of the ercial showing off the new US graduates from the camps.
The Board of Directors was made up of more familiar names, Bera Lucci, Prichard Earl, Marta Daphne, Jessica Wright, Brigid Winter, and the three people Sonya was talking to in her office at the temporary headquarters for the pany while the new building was finishing stru. She was sitting in a fortable high backed chair with the New York skyline behind her as she smiled over her desk at the small party that had e to meet with her.
“The tele side is doing well since acquiring Horizon. We’ve finished updating towers across North Amerid we’re iiations to move further out. Some panies aren’t happy that we’ve moved in so quickly and are pressing the European Union on holding us off for now,” Dennis Rand said. He was a thick set man with one of the most eous mustaches Sonya had ever seen. His thinning hair was bed over slightly and he kept dabbing his neck with a handkerchief as he spoke. “The final design for the ercial-grade phones will be ready on time for the holidays.”
“That’s good to hear,” Sonya said with a smile, log eyes with him. He gnced away unfortably before returniare and nodding. It was strao see someohrown off by her meical eyes after spending so much time around ht-touched, but it was also refreshing in a way, “Don’t worry too much about the EU, I’m sure that things will work out better than you expect. I have some friends over there that smooth things over.”
“As you say,” Dennis said with a grunt, leaning ba his seat befng towards the other man irio. Onslow Riccard was every bit Dennis’ physical opposite. Thin and wiry with a head of hair and beady eyes. He wore thick clothing to keep himself warm despite the trolled climate around them. His upper lip pressed forward thinly in a way that reminded Sonya of a turtle. It was funny.
“Stores are starting to sell your clothing brands, we’re currently dominating the purchasing market when it es to monster-based goods and materials. I was skeptical about pushing down prices at first, to be ho, but creating what amounts to a lifestyle brand has proven to be a bold and effective move,” Onslow said, his words clipped and precise as he tapped at the arm of his chair. “We’re certainly seeing profits now after the initial deficit.”
“And you were worried,” Sonya ughed, “I bet Bera is happy.”
“Oh she’s thrilled, ma’am,” Onslow agreed with a nod, “We’re still making luxury products as well of course.”
“Of course, that’s where the real money is,” Sonya said dismissively befng at the third member of the group, “How are things on your end?”
The third member of the group was a woman with chestnut brown hair and clear eyes that made Sonya’s chest ache just a little at the familiarity to her brother. A posed woman ie twenties, Annabelle Anders was a woman who had thrown herself into her work rather than succumb to the tragedy that seemed to follow her family. “We’ve expahe number of agents w for us as go-betweens for heroes. It’s reached the point where we’re going to have to start assigning a-per-hero in order to keep from overw them with the new geion fresh out of the camps.”
“Is that sustainable?” Sonya asked.
“Not really,” Annabelle said with a shake of her head, “We’re w orategies to streamliain processes to allow agents maintain a rger pool of heroes they work with.”
“Don’t go overboard, we take care of our people here,” Sonya said evenly, “Speaking of which, I haven’t heard much about the side project with the new headquarters. Where are we on that?”
“They were pleted long before headquarters as you asked. They’re furnished and ready to go,” Annabelle said, “It came as a bit of a shock to the Minneapolis city cil wheold them what you were pnning but they were on board after we expihe reasoning and bes.”
Sonya smiled, “That’s a relief. I’m gd things are looking up. Any troubles?”
“East Asia is tinuing to be a hotspot for us,” Onslow cut in.
“Yes, yes, especially a and Japan. We aren’t having as much push-ba Korea but as you imagihere are a feanese hero firms that do not want fn panies ing in and taking over,” Dennis agreed, “I heard yoing on a trip to Japan with some of the new heroes for the main Guild.”
“Keeping an eye on my schedule, Mister Rand?” Sonya asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Of course! I am always looking for opportunities. While you are there, might I suggest seeing what you do? I’ve done a little digging and there is an in-road you take advantage of,” he said with a grin, dabbing his mustache again.
Sonya smiled, it was good to have people w for her who knew what they were doing. “Do tell.”
“The grandson of the Prime Minister is something of a fan of light-touched heroes ahralled with the Uates herram. His grandfather is quite doting and listens to the boy a lot which is why their program is so simir to our own and they were more flexible about taking on the suggestions of the Pandora ittee,” Dennis expined, “I learhat he actually made a point to watch that ercial of yours.”
“He’s ied in the camp graduates?” Sonya asked, gng at Annabelle briefly before looking back at the man, “How about we set up a meeting, then?”
“My thoughts exactly, in particur if you vince Crusader to meet with him that would be best,” Dennis said, “One of our representatives went to meet with the Prime Minister and the man could not sting about his son’s drawing of her.”
Sonya burst into ughter, “He dreicture of Crusader?”
“Oh yes,” Dennis said, “He’s quite enamored.”
“How old is he?”
“Ten, ma’am.”
“All we do is try to set up a meeting and see if that score us some points,” Sonya said, “See what you do on your end ahead of my trip,” she added befng up at the others, “Thank you for ing to see me.”
The three of them nodded and started to get to their feet before Sonya cleared her throat, “Annabelle, would you mind staying behind a moment?”
The three g one another before shrugging. Annabelle nodded and smiled at the others as they left the room, leaving the two of them alone. Sonya sat in silence for a moment as she regarded the young woman, searg her face. There were no obvious signs, she took good care of herself for the most part, but Sonya could see the faint hints of exhaustion here and there on her face thanks to her far more powerful senses. “You’re tired.”
Annabelle blinked and reached up to touch her face, “Is it obvious?”
“No, you’re hiding it well,” Sonya said before tapping one of her eyes, “I just have good eyes.”
Annabelle snorted out a ugh, “Fair enough,” she sighed, “Work has kept my mind off of things. After dad did that to himself and Nick…” she trailed off into a sullen silence, leaning ba her seat. “...you were close with Nick, right? Probably knew him better than me. We didn’t get along, he was always so out there.”
“I was,” Sonya said with a nod and reached under her desk to pull out a bottle and two gsses. She poured amber liquid into the cups, just a little, before pushing oowards Annabelle. “I never got to talk to you after what happened with your father. I’m sorry. Did he leave a note?”
She nodded, “He was vihat he had something to do with Nick’s death, that he was responsible and it had something to do with his regained youth,” she said sadly and sipped at her drink, “I think he may have gotten ected to someone he shouldn’t have but in the end it was my brother’s choice to go out there. He died a hero and I’m proud of him for that.”
Sonya closed her eyes a out a sigh, leaning ba her seat. It was hard to hear but it was something she felt like she o hear. The deal she’d made with Johnathan Adders had included a cuse to keep him from discussing her identity or how he’d regained his youth. His money had been the impetus for her starting ASTA and building her identity as Ishtar. He wasn’t wrong in his beliefs, in a way, but Annabelle was right. Nick Adders was a Hero.
“I want to tell you about someone,” Sonya said after a moment of silence, “She said something very iing to me when we first met.”
“What was that?”
“She said she wao live up to your brother’s legaot to be him, but to be the person who run into danger and help people, no matter what,” Sonya said, “She obtained a fire-based ability and threw herself into training. Now she’s one of the top graduates.”
Annabelle went still, “Crusader?”
Sonya nodded.
“Crusader said that?”
“Yes. Your brother inspired a young woman who I predict will bee one of earth’s mightiest heroes. She apprenticed directly under Bck Lotus, Annabelle,” she ughed, “Heck, she incorporated her Firestorm letterman jacket into her hero outfit.”
Annabelle made a fad looked down at her cup, swirling the amber liquid in it, “I’d like to meet her,” she said quietly.
“I figured, would you like to now?” Sonya asked.
Annabelle looked up, surprised, “What?”
“She’s right outside my office,” Sonya said with a wry smile.
Annabelle gaped at Sonya for a moment before chug and throwing back the st of her drink in a single gulp. She got to her feet and brandished a rare smile in Sonya’s dire that looked so much like Nick’s it both hurt and soothed at the same time. Sonya rose as well and Annabelle extended her hand for Sonya to shake. Sonya took it and gave it a gentle squeeze. Uo resist, she used Analyze.
She released her grip on the woman’s hand, keeping a straight face as she walked around the desk to open the door for her. She let her friend’s sister ast. Being a hero is just in her family’s blood, I suppose. All of them were born freatness, even if they didn’t all awaken.
Perhaps it is in their blood, Ishtar pointed out.
Possible, but let’s not dwell on it for now, this is more important, Sonya replied as Annabelle came to a stop a few paces ahead. Lillian got up from the bench she was sitting on, adjusting her bd e jacket and brushing her hair over her ear. She brandished a smile in Annabelle’s dire.
“Hi, I’m-”
Annabelle swept the girl up in a hug.
I think you’re right. It wait.