Possibility of Tomorrow - 34

 

Cont...

Darling flipped the injection capsule over her knuckles as they waited in the darkness for Ross. Peter had condensed the injection into a coin-sized capsule that needed to be placed on the skin for a quick, painless injection. She would need to inject him while he wasn't paying attention, preferably before they met. 

The dark alley she was in was an entrance to a bar where Ross and Randle had met before. She would need to bump him in the darkness before he got into the club. It was genetically engineered to not activate on her, but whoever she attached it to it would instantly inject.

 A faint buzzing made her look up at the sound. As promised, the drones were invisible and near-silent to those who didn't have super senses. Harley knew what he was doing, though, as the sound drifted away. A car door slammed, and Darling's head snapped around.

 "Keep the change." A gruff voice said before the van pulled away. Darling sank into the shadows as a man came into the alley. It was definitely Ross. Ducking her head, Darling stumbled forward, falling into Ross. 

"Get off!" The General growled. Darling stuck her hand under his jacket and pressed the capsule against his shirt. It latched on immediately. Ross shoved Darling off with a huff, "Drunks." 

Darling stayed there till she heard the door open and close. Getting up, she dusted herself off and pulled off her Reaper poncho, double-checking her makeup and outfit. Folding up her disguise, she put it in a trash bag and shoved it behind the dumpster. Pulling open the heavy metal door, Darling let the drones in with her and descend the dark stairway towards the music below. 

The bar wasn't one of those hip newer places with thumping music and blinding lights. It was from an older time with dark lighting and an air of unease. You never knew who was next to you, on the right or wrong side of the law. 

Darling kept her head down and weaved through the crowd. She spotted the capsule on the floor. Once it injected its contents, it would detach and fall to the ground leaving nothing for the victim to find. Crushing it under her boot, she looked around finally for her mark. 

The old man was sitting by himself at a table in the dark, looking so much smaller than he was. Darling ordered a bottle of scotch and two glasses before approaching. He saw her coming and narrowed his eyes. His eyes were the eyes of a predator, swift and calculating, and sent a shot of adrenaline through Darling's system. This was not a man to be trifled with or underestimated. Instead of cowering, she grinned obliviously at him and dropped into the seat across from him, "You look, lonely old man." 

"I'm waiting for someone," Ross growled. 

"Oh yes, about that," Darling popped open the bottle and poured two glasses, "He's not coming." 

Ross's eyes narrowed, "How do you know that?" 

"He had some complications come up. He was forced to stay behind and deal with unforeseen problems." Darling said, vaguely pushing a glass at Ross and sipped her own. 

"Who are you?" Ross growled. 

"I am here because the Undertaker is not. He wanted to ensure you did not think he was ignoring you." Darling said calmly.

 Ross snorted, "That would be a first. My brother's never cared about anything other than the number of zeros in his bank account." He rose out of the booth and grabbed Darling's hand, and yanked her up, "I don't trust that problems kept him." 

Darling forced herself not to panic, "The circumstances are different." 

"We'll see." Ross proceeded to pat her down for wires and weapons. 

Darling smirked; of course, he would. He came up empty. "Happy now?" Darling asked, not having to fake annoyance. 

"For now," Ross sat slowly back down. "Now, what kind of problems kept him?" Ross asked, making no move to pick up the glass. 

Darling smiled, leaning forward over the table on her elbows, "Wakandan ones."

To his credit, Ross didn't react much, but the raise of his eyebrows said enough, as did the fury on his face, "Nuisances. They've been poking their noses in everything." 

"What do you suggest he do about it?" Darling asked. 

Ross shook his head, "Follow through, abandon the base and start over. I don't know why he has to ask." 

"He is awaiting further instructions with the package you had him get," Darling said, hoping this worked. 

Ross practically lit up, "He still has the package?"

 "Yes, but the Wakandans are making things complicated," Darling said, sipping her drink. 

"Of course they are. I always thought that's where he disappeared to, but I could never prove it." 

"Indeed. But the question still remains, what do you want done with him? It's getting risky." Darling asked. 

"And the girl?" Ross asked, not acknowledging her question. 

"Still nothing. The trap didn't work. Apparently, she's less caring than we thought." Darling shrugged. 

"Then he's a loose end. Dump him where authorities can get him. I have more questions I want answered." Ross directed with dark glee. 

Darling knew that look. She'd seen it in countless dictators and leaders that thought they had the ultimate power in their possession. One didn't need much sense to deduct that Ross was talking about Bucky. Darling decided to try a different tactic, "You mean dirt you want buried?" 

Ross smirked, "He's informed you well." 

Darling smiled proudly, "Only the best are entrusted with such knowledge." 

"Interesting, I was informed that the Black Heart program was being terminated finally." Ross was observing her reaction.

 The others. The ones they'd murdered. Darling could still smell the room. But now was not the time. So Darling nodded, "It was. Only a few that proved themselves worthy enough are still around." 

Ross nodded slowly, "I see." He finally seemed to accept her explanation, "The Soldier has eons of information locked in his head, things he doesn't even know is there. He has a perfect memory of every hit ever ordered to him, including the person ordering him to do it." 

Darling didn't react but nodded slowly, "I see. I take it that information is a liability to you?" 

"One might call it criminalizing. But I have bigger plans. Soon, there will be no more heroes." Ross said confidently. 

"Then what are our orders?" Darling asked, finishing off her drink. 

"I need to clean any messes we might have made along the way to here. The Wakandans, the Soldier, Zemo, The Abomination, Bruce Banner, if you can find him. It all must go. I will also need you to clean up an older mistake." Ross listed.

 "Where? When?" Darling asked. 

"It's kept in cryo freeze in Alaska. If ever found, he would ruin my reputation." 

"Understood. Consider it done." Darling nodded, rising, "Anything else?" 

"Yes, tell my deadbeat brother that if he sends someone else next time, he can forfeit everything we've been working on," Ross growled. 

Darling kept her face blank, "Understood." 

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