Variable transported them on some kind of weird flying object.
The place was massive, solid, metallic, shaped like a slab of stone in the sky. It's called the Super Prison. Inside were all of this world's supervillains, the ones the local heroes had captured and locked away.
"We release them all and Calamity. Ultimateman will be forced to kill him," Variable explained. "Then we will kill Ultimateman."
(This was the price of his allegiance. I had told him about the girl, the Worldheart, but he insisted we keep this world intact. All of his 'tech' was here, and he suggested we turn this world into a base of operations.)
(I had never considered using a world as a base. But now… I can already tell he's becoming a valuable asset.)
They entered the strange prison.
"You there!" a guard shouted. Aucteros cast a mind warp spell. The guard obeyed and granted the access without any more resistance.
More guards followed. More fell to Aucteros' weak spellcraft.
(I'm already near my limit. This is why Charles's loss still frustrates me.)
"How much longer? My spells grow weaker the more I use them."
"Not far. We're heading to the main computer. Once I have access, the virus I planted will open every cell."
(I see he had been planning this for a while.)
"Then why act now? Why not do this before?"
"Because before, I could not just walk in. These guards have powers, and this place is locked tighter than any vault. The computer is manual-only, no remote access."
(Their technology truly is fascinating. Skyscrapers, mechanical chariots, water appearing from sinks…)
He looked at his new arm.
(If this world is filled with treasures and enhancements, perhaps we can collect items as easily as we recruit people.)
"We're here. Stay behind me."
Variable walked in alone.
(A new arm. Flying machines. Metal golems. This man is already worth the chaos Corvessa brings. Far more suitable as my ally than Charles ever was.)
/Red alert: All cells are being opened. I repeat, all cells are being opened. Evacuate immediately! /
The voice rang out everywhere. Panicked.
Variable returned.
"It's done, now we- "
He fell silent. His metal eyes flickered.
"Seems I underestimated your team…"
"Explain."
"The news said Corvessa killed Ultimateman on live TV."
(Dammit Corvessa… She's useful, to say the least. But now I face a new dilemma. Not her obsession with Rhenvar, that I can manage. No, it's how Variable will view her. She embodies everything he fears: an unstable, uncontrollable powerhouse.)
(I must assure him, before he decides to demand for her death. I still need her. For Rhenvar.)
"Yes, as I expected. She isn't physically powerful, but she uses soulfire and curses to unravel her enemies. You saw what she did to Blue Zipper."
"And you're sure she can be controlled? She did kill me." Variables glowing metal eyes locked on him.
"It doesn't matter. If she steps out of line, we kill her. She's not invincible. Even she has limits."
"…"
"I know her weakness." Aucteros tapped his book.
"And what is it?"
"Something only, I will know."
(Good. He's clever. Smarter than me, that much is sure. Which is why I need leverage. This is perfect.)
"We'll get along well, Aucteros."
(Indeed we will. But now I wonder, seeing all these villains unleashed, what is your endgame, Variable?)
The prison fell into complete chaos. Villains flooding the halls, guards died in droves, blood and screams echoing off metal walls. And Variable… standing at the heart of it all, a metal God born of precision and purpose.
(So… he is a supervillain.)
"I'll make the call," he said, standing motionless. Then:
/ "Villains, it is I, Variable. Ultimateman is dead. Blue Zipper is dead, Starwoman is dead. The city lies in chaos. Many heroes still live, heroes who would imprison you again. Kill them. And kill the new heroes too- "/
(New heroes? But there's only-)
/ "The black-armored knight with a crimson sword. The bone-scythe witch who controls crows. This is our only chance to secure world domination."/
(He… means Rhenvar and Corvessa.)
"Variable… Corvessa is our companion."
"And she's dangerous. If she survives this, I'll have no choice but to rely on you. But I refuse to grant you any power over me."
Variable looked him dead in the eye. "And we're not done here."
"What else do you need to do?" Suddenly he felt his control gone.
(This doesn't sound good.)
"I'm still going to release Calamity. He is in the lower cell. Built only for him."
An unease hit Aucteros's spine.
"And releasing this villain and killing him… why not just leave him?"
"Think of it as a test for your team, and enemies."
"A test?"
"A test to see if you can truly give me the world on a silver platter. To see if you are not all talk about your desires, your mission, your contribution."
(Very well.)
(If sacrificing Corvessa paves the path to preservation, then so be it.)
(It's not the first time one of my companions died for the greater good.)
"Let's release him."