Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Strange Alliances Part 3
Once Arias left Harley's room, he went up to his suite and shortly after entering, his phone rang, revealing a number he wasn't expecting to call him anytime soon.
[ Amanda Waller ]
He neither frowned nor smiled and just picked up the call while pacing around the living area. "I wasn't expecting you to contact me again so soon."
His blunt words received an immediate reply from Waller whose tone was as stiff and commanding as always.
[ Neither was I but things have changed. Before I say anything else, let me make it clear that if the contents of this conversation are leaked, the past you tried so hard to bury will go public, along with some other speculations my people put together, ruining this facade of yours. ]
Although her words could be perceived as a threat, they brought a smirk to the face of Arias. She had no idea that he had always expected his past to be uncovered sooner or later, his digital footprint was just too hard to hide.
Infact, he had expected Luthor to find this out first and use it against him but then with Amanda saying this, something clicked.
Given her position, it wasn't hard to make someone's digital footprint vanish, keeping a nice distance physical copy for herself should it be needed.
But if this was what she was banking on to have control over Arias, she was surely mistaken. Instead, she created a point for him to feign weakness, moving forward with false illusion of an advantage.
"I'm listening." He said in faked tone of irritation, he wanted Waller to think he was upset and moved by her threat, and it worked.
Feeling like she now held the superior position, Waller spoke with greater confidence. [ Good, I promise this will benefit both of us greatly.]
[ To summarize, my earlier plan to have you help us "recruit" young superhuman talent to train for the military government has failed. Although not public, the President has revealed to cabinet that Superman has agreed to operate under the office of the President Of The United States. ]
[ The particulars are beyond even me, but I don't trust aliens, especially those who've openly questioned the government before.]
[ I trusted Luthor with whom I shared some ideals with but lately, he's shown himself very poorly, making it unlikely that his presidential campaign will succeed. Even if it does, it will be too late by then.]
The particulars didn't really interest Arias much, so he urged her, "Where do I come in all this?"
[ You take Luthor's place. With my support I guarantee you'll succeed. Once President, you simply follow the directives I give while also supplying our operations fresh talent to train through your upcoming institutions. In exchange, you gain wealth, a clean slate and power.]
To most, such a proposition wasn't bad. The common man wouldn't refuse the opportunity to rise up, even if it meant still answering to someone.
Waller operated on this point, thinking it'll enough to attract Arias and make him look at it more positively, especially since refusing would lead to him losing his wealth and getting a life sentence in the worst case scenario.
'She must really think she has me on the ropes by now.' He thought to himself while still smiling quite visibly.
While she was proposing a plan, Arias had already began thinking of how best to use this situation against her.
He reached a conclusion soon enough and just waited for her to finish speaking before he presented his point.
"You'll have to forgive me for not trusting your words. But, if you help me with a situation concerning Lex Luthor, I'll happily help you make America the safest and strongest power in the world."
[ I'm glad we could see eye to eye. So what is it you have in mind?]
The smirk on Arias's face grew broader and another scheme began to brew. It was just a matter of time before he shook the hearts of the people once more.
…
The following day, Arias awoke earlier than usual, eager to push things forward. But for his plan to work, there was one piece he was yet to fully prepare.
So, immediately he got his morning routine out of the way, he went to the Markovic Tower which was near empty in those early hours.
It wasn't until an hour later that people began to arrive, among them was Mercy.
She was a bit surprised that Arias came even earlier than her and so she knocked on his office door to see him and ask if something was up today.
Upon opening the door, she found Arias present with Slade standing not too far, she could only speculate as to what they discussing before she arrived.
"Well, that'll be all." Arias said to Slade who was wearing a small smile.
Slade turned around and began to leave, paying Mercy a short glance in the corner of his eye before walking out the door.
She became curious but didn't inquire and just focused on her reason for coming. But Arias spoke before she could even attempt to do so.
"Good news, since you've complained so much about working for me, I've decided to call Luthor and tell him I'll be sending you back."
"To be honest, I only ever asked for you to irritate him. Who knew I'd enjoy your presence, a shame. But I can't exactly work with someone who doesn't want to be here or worse, who might betray my business for her former employer."
Arias spoke whilst leaned into his chair, a serious expression plastered on his face showing that he wasn't joking.
It was a gamble but he currently didn't have time to cultivate Mercy's emotions, so he pulled the trigger early.
The plan would overall succeed but with or without her cooperation, but with it, he stood the chance of bringing things to a big close.
Mercy wasn't taken by surprise and went silent for a bit, she had actually hesitated, showing that this wasn't an easy choice.
Soon she sported a frown and replied. "Do what you want. Not like my input mattered the first time." She angrily expressed.
Her tendency to give resign control over her life seemed to come naturally. Despite her complaints and insults, she truly was a very submissive woman.
This made Arias feel slightly more confident in the success of his plan.
Following her reply, Arias stood up and walked over towards her. She showed caution but didn't step back and stood her ground.
He paused a few inches from her and showed a snarky grin. "Is that so? Since you don't care then I guess I might as well keep you around. Perhaps just for your entertainment factor alone."
His words were clearly meant to mock her and she was irritated by them but as she prepared to speak, Arias noticed something interesting and pulled her close by her waist.
What followed was a repetition of what occurred at Wayne Manor, an unexpected kiss. This time it was even shorter and upon pulling away, Arias teased her further. "I didn't expect you to start keeping your mouth minty so soon. Were you looking forward to this that much?"
Arias spoke with arrogance so as to purposefully annoy her. At this point it seemed to appeal to Mercy for whatever reason.
As expected she cursed profanities before leaving but her words seemed empty. Whether or not this was enough to make his plan work perfectly, Arias could only wait and see.
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