The Vespidian

Arc 1 Contamination

Chapter 10

It felt blissfully warm as I awoke to find a girl curled up on my belly. I groggily rubbed my head and realized it was Molotov. She was still dressed like a princess; it felt wrong to wake her, but when I thought that, I realized she had one eye open. She sat up and stretched, yawning while she rubbed her eyes like a cat. I hugged her out of reflex and felt her fingers stab into my stomach. That certainly woke me up. Luckily, she had been holding back, or I would have just gotten punched in half.

"Da. Sorry, reflex," she said, pulling her hand out of the hole she had made in me.

"Same." I groaned.

"You has strange reflexes. We should hone that into something useful rather than being silly."

I nodded as she kept poking me, "Am I strong?"

"Da. About as strong as muscle builder, why do you ask?"

"Then how strong are you? It feels like I can't even come close to competing against you. Can I get stronger?"

Molotov got up, rummaging through her wardrobe. There really was a lot in there. If any little girl saw what was in there, she would scream and kick the ground out of jealousy. However, what she brandished was not something for a child. She pulled out a pitch-black suit that almost looked like latex, but something told me it was far more durable… that is totally some S&M stuff. Something tells me she is the Dom. Then, ah crap, that makes me the Sub by default.

She idly spoke, "There is scale for keeping track of Super Powers, over all it is generalized. At moment, you are rank 3, but that is because you are jack of all trades so to speak, in other words, multiple super powers. I am high 8 rank in super strength. Ranks go up by magnitudes like earthquake. Each rank is ten times as powerful as previous rank. Understand? I am roughly hundred thousand times stronger than you. Although, once you get into the decimal sort of thing the numbers get weird. I like to just estimate it, close enough."

I gawked at her, "How are you so strong? What is the heaviest thing that you lifted?"

"Da. I once lifted oil tanker and threw it to take airplane out of sky. I told you, I am super soldier."

"Wait, you threw a truck at an airplane?"

"Nyet, I threw cargo ship. It was extremely heavy."

I opened my mouth and closed it; I was a little lost for words, "So that is pretty impressive."

"Why thank you."

"There are more just as strong as you? How many rank 8s are there? How strong was Nicky Mouse?"

"Nyet. I was perfection in the Soviet Bioengineering program. Other super soldiers were only rank 5. Anyone higher than Rank 6 is put on list and considered global threat. Nicky Mouse was rank 7. There are roughly hundred Rank 7 and up alive at the moment. There are only two 10s. The Sanguine Puppeteer, evil Mastermind behind Kraken, its ability is Mind Diving. Never fight it and never cross it. Other is Captain Liberty he is immune to super powers and has ability to nullify other super powers."

"Wait, I heard about him. He is the head of the Hero League. I did not realize he was that strong. If he can nullify super powers would he be able to fix me?"

She shook her head. "Nyet. You have been mutated to core of DNA. Nullification simply suppresses ability, not regress. Your abilities are biological, which means they can grow in strength if you train diligently. Most powers can go up one to two ranks from their initial manifestation, but biological are limited only to what body can handle. Given time you could easily become 7 maybe 8 if you worked hard enough. Of course, this is merely conjecture since we are still unsure of exactly what your body is capable of handling. Your potential is, well, a lot like that cat in box that could be alive, but also be very dead. We won't know until you are pushed to limit. You will have to find out yourself. Unfortunately, it would be meaningless before him. You would be unable to control body due to his power. Same with Puppeteer she would control you should you try and fight."

"Why the fuck would I ever pick a fight with either of those people? I don't think that I ever even want to meet either of them."

"That is very prudent."

"So I can get stronger? How?"

"Da. Training, speaking of which, it is about time I had you do weight lifting to gain muscle mass."

She pushed me out of the bed and poked her head out from behind the screen. "No peeking."

I covered my eyes and just stood there. I could still see everything... Her porcelain white skin. Seriously though, she looks like a doll. She is so adorable; I just want to hug her! She glared at me and yelled. "You has four hands, cover all four eyes!"

I clicked my tongue and turned around, walking to the table. I sat, waiting for her to change. She emerged covered in black and had a little red beret with a turnip pin on her head. Molotov stood beside the weight set and pointed to the smallest one. It was what looked like a twenty-pound dumbbell. I had learned many times over that things were not as they appeared, so I eased into trying to lift it. Surprisingly, it was just a twenty-pound weight. I smiled, pumping my arm up and down. She was not amused and hit a switch on the side of it. Its weight suddenly increased to the point that it almost ripped my arm off. I stared at the side and saw that it now said two hundred. She grinned, watching me struggle to heave the thing up.

"I thought you said I was as strong as a bodybuilder? This thing only weighs two hundred pounds right?"

"Nyet, two hundred Kilograms. What is wrong with you Americans? Still using Imperial System over Metric. Don't you know it is easier to rule with iron first through science? Once you has man controlled down to the very centimeter of living space and gram of sustenance, you own his soul."

I eyed her, pointing for a moment before retreating when I recalled that it is rude to point, "See, that is what I am talking about."

"Hmm?" she gave me a questioning look.

"That shit is fucking evil."

"And?"

"Well, it isn't right. That sort of thing is diabolical."

She blushed a little, "Oh stop, stop flattering me, will you? You act as though I conceived this sort of thing? Most laws these days are just power grabs."

"No."

"Da," she smirked, "It all lies. It is not us changing the environment, it is the Spore. We are still studying the causes, but things have changed ever since it arrived. To be frank, we don't know what is going on exactly. We simply can't measure the atmosphere all around the globe at the varied altitudes required for the data to be accurate. At least at the moment, give it about ten years or so and we will be there at rate of technological advancement."

"The Spore? Ah you been around a long time do you remember what it was like before it showed up?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Da, the arrival of the Spore could be considered the turning point in history. Before it there were no Supers. The debris and particles that it sent up into the atmosphere have infected life on this world. Made us malleable to change."

"If it is like that, then how come not everyone has Superpowers?"

"That is what some of the greatest minds have spent decades trying to figure out. As near as we can tell some people are just more compatible than others. Like you. You are one of the most compatible that we have ever seen."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Good, you would be dead if you were not so vulnerable."

"So the Spore is changing things?"

Molotov nodded, "Indeed. That being said, my Antarctic Lair's sensors show we are actually in a cooling trend at the moment. Snow cap has increased by three feet in last year. As for rest of world, that would depend on other circumstances."

I stared at her for a moment, "Wait, wait you have an arctic lair?"

"Of course I has Arctic Lair, why wouldn't I? You think that is cool, you should see my volcano lair."

"That is so fucking awesome!" I shook my head; dammit, she was distracting me, "Wait, but what is with the lies?"

"Oh Vesper, fear is the greatest of weapons. Through mass hysteria, you can force change and people will eagerly comply if they think it is to protect themselves. They will willing cast aside their freedoms and rights if they perceive that they will be protected from some all-consuming threat. Humans are inherently greedy creatures."

I scratched my head, "You lost me. How is it hysterical fear if there is actually something doing what people are scared of?"

"The Spore is not what you seem to think it is. It…” Molotov trailed off, thinking it over. "It is hard to explain, but it is not here willingly and is not trying to harm us, granted humanity is being poisoned by its presence. Well at the least that is what Dr. Arbor thinks. If anyone would know it would be her."

"Dr. Arbor? Ah, Dr. Tesla mentioned her."

"You will meet her soon enough."

"I see. What about the climate crap then?"

She sighed as though I were stupid or something, "Oh, that. The Spore is dormant at the moment and we don't know what would happen should it awaken. In other words, we can't do anything about it. Those who spout off about trying to fix the problem by limiting our cars and the like have an agenda. Control. It is always about power and control. If you ever hear anybody say something stupid like 'It is for the Children!' Then really it is to line their own pockets and further their agenda. I know, I do it all the time back in the Mother Land. People stupid and go with anything if it for the children. Why you think I can sneak into many places unnoticed? It is cause I look like child."

I held my head, pulling on my antennae, "See, you know it is bad to exert that much control."

"Silly little girl. You seem to be forgetting who I am and apparently mistaking that I care about human life, other than how to exploit it. It my job to be evil and I am pretty good at it. We are called Super Villains for reason after all."

"We?"

"Da. What? You think you are going to be a Hero or something?" she chuckled at me, holding her hand up to her cute little face.

"I don't want to be a Villain," I blubbered.

"Daw, cry some more, water my turnips. Now, now. You has been neglecting your training."

I tried to lift it, finding it to be too heavy for one arm. It took all four to heave it up. "How heavy is this damned thing?"

"200kg. Or as you know it, 440 pounds."

"What the hell? Why is it so heavy? I thought you said I was as strong as a bodybuilder?"

"Da. Girl body builder. Besides, only fool lifts massive weight with only one hand. You trying to pull or tear muscle? Although you regenerate, so that not real problem."

"Well, excuse me. It is not like I was a muscle freak or anything. I mean sure I did training in highschool but nothing like this."

"True, but I was sexiest man in world for three years straight," said Molotov, striking a very manly pose that looked very silly for a little girl to be doing. I wanted to pull her cheeks for being so cute, but the threat of a fist to the spine killed that inclination. She continued, "You want sexy ladies fawning all over you or what? Now listen and do what I tell you. I will make man out of you yet."

"Wait, what? But, I am a girl. I like men."

"Shut up and watch," said Molotov, taking the weight from me as though it were a napkin.

She shifted her legs apart and half squatted, leaning her left hand and body on her left knee while holding the weight with her right. She began to do reps down and up. I watched for about ten before she shoved it back into my hands, and it took me off center. I uneasily took the same position; I cheated a little, using my abdomen as a counterweight. When she noticed, she slapped it and made me have it directly down. The weight was really difficult to deal with now. Slowly, I got the hang of it, and when one arm felt like it would fall off, she forced me to do another ten reps before switching to the next. Once I was finally finished with that, she made me do push-ups. This time she let the abdomen point straight back. I was only allowed to use one arm at a time. I started to think that this was a new torture she had come up with. After what felt like forever, I flopped to the mat, exhausted. It was not the end yet. She slapped my back, and I had to do squats with a weight behind my shoulders. An hour after the regiment began, I lay panting on the floor; my arms and legs were burning, vents pluming.

"Da. Good warm up. Now we start real exercise." She smiled, standing over me.

"I will die!" I cringed; my muscles stung all over.

"I was joking, you did good for first day. Tomorrow, we do same and day after double."

"That is insane!"

"You forget that you have regeneration power. Not only is this strength training it is also helping to hone that power as well. Tiny little scars are what makes muscles. Your muscles will grow at astounding rate. If anything I should be having you do this three times a day. The more you get hurt the faster you will regenerate. What you think I break fingers for no reason? Ok, I admit it was fun, but it had purpose."

"Wait, but how are you so strong with such tiny arms?"

"Da. Power of mind is what fuels my strength. I can control extent of brawn at will."

"What the fuck? That is cheating!"

"Nyet. very taxing if used for long duration. Best in small bursts. However, I have a certain amount passively on at all times, can't turn it off."

"Oh god, then my arms will be like oak tree trunks just to be able to lift something half of what you do."

"Nyet. Look at arm now, how tiny it is. Smaller than my arms, little girl arms. Yet you can lift two hundred kilograms. Your muscles work differently than a human's, they compact and compartmentalize to maximize space used. Your legs, however, are where your true power lies. You will be learning kick based fighting on top of Russian death techniques. With wings, you will be able to strike from sky like hawk! By time I done with you, you will be killing machine."

I stared at my spindly little arms... Come to think of it, they are smaller than hers. This body is so weird. I grumbled, sipping at the juice pack she gave me. I had forgotten how good apple juice was. My eyes wandered, and I saw something that I regretted. Molotov was fiddling with her belt, and a lifeless hand was sticking out of one of the compartments. She stuffed it back and smiled at me; chills scurried down my spine. Then she pulled out a whip. This was no playtime toy; it was a torture implement! It had four lashes of what looked like a metal cord. The tips were serrated, with electricity arcing off of them.

"Molotov...." I said with a twitching smile when she lashed the floor with it and looked in my direction. "What is that for?"

She cracked it again, and I heard the sparking of the current. "I call this Mr. Incentive."

I was scared by the look in her eye; it was predatory. I started to edge away. "That is nice... Is there a reason you have that out?"

"Da. I use it to punish bad little wasp girls who see things they not meant to see."

"I saw nothing!"

She smiled, looking between me and the door. She was assessing how quickly I could make it there. "Da. We will play little game. Think of it as training."

"You win! I don't want to play," I stared in horror at her.

"You sure you want to lose? Bad things happen should you lose." Yep, I didn't like the sounds of that at all.

"What is this game?" I backed towards the door, and she grinned.

"Da. We go to floor five, obstacle course. You run as fast as possible. I catch you and Mr. Incentive becomes your new best friend. He likes cheeky little girls, likes to hear them scream, just like Nicky Mouse. If you can make it to other side of floor and get in elevator without being caught, I will give you reward."

"Do I at the least get a head start?"

"Da. I give you thirty-second head start. Don't get cocky, I can get through course in ten seconds and from what I have seen it will take you two minutes."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nyet."

I stared with trepidation at the crackling whip. There was no way out of this, so I hung my head in defeat. She pats me on the back and put the monstrous thing away. We entered the elevator, and soon the fifth floor lay before us. I don't know what sick bastard designed this hell hole, but fuck them! Just from what I could see, there was a greased tightrope over a pit filled with saltwater crocodiles. After that, anyone attempting this had to squeeze between rolling pins with spikes all over them, and then there was a wall. It did not look so bad, but then the damned thing lit on fire! There was more to this nightmare than that, I knew there was, but I could not see it passed the wall that had a flaming hoop. What is this, a circus? I assumed that I had to jump through that ring of fire. My legs quaked just thinking about having to go in there.

"Maybe we can do this some other time?" I pleaded with puppy dog eyes; well, at the least, I think I did. Hard to tell when you have a face as evil as mine.

Molotov cracked the whip on my leg, and a searing pain shot through me. I screamed and fell to the floor, writhing. "That was appetizer should I catch you, expect full course meal."

"Please don't make me go in there."

"First run through I will not chase. I want base time. Now go or I will chase."

"First time? I have to do it more than once?"

"Da."

"Is there no reasoning with you?"

"Da."

"Wait, does that mean I can or can't?"

"Da."

"Not this again! Talk to me, please. What happened to being nice?"

"Da. Go now or I will chase every step of way," she glared at me, wringing the metal tethers.