Moonstone Becomes A Double Agent

Officially, they went out for coffee. Unofficially, it was a debriefing. An explanation of how things would go.

"During the last session, I was wearing a S.H.I.E.L.D. anti-surveillance device. Broad-spectrum, multi-dimensional jammer. If your blackmailer has the room bugged—" Sue Storm began.

"They do," Moonstone confirmed.

"—then they heard and saw nothing of what happened in their during your confession. We'll need to come up with a good story for what we said," Sue went on.

"Then what?" Karla said as she accepted an espresso with a splash of brandy.

Sue Storm took an americano, sipped it.

"Then, you continue to treat me," Sue said. "Except this time, you're not just reporting to your mysterious blackmailer. You'll report to me. S.H.I.E.L.D. will monitor. No matter who they are, they can't be perfect. We'll be able to close in and backtrace eventually."

Karla froze.

"You want me to be a double agent. That—could get me killed," she said.

"It's risky," Sue agreed. "But I'll protect you. If things get too hot, we'll pull you out, put you in protective custody."

"They're—they're monitoring everything we do in our sessions. Even the parts where we talk about your sexuality. They'll want to see progress—" Karla said.

"They will," Sue confirmed, with a little smile. "Only this time, we have an understanding. Discuss what we're going to do ahead of time. Then, when we go in for my weekly session, we'll play out exactly what they expect to see. Not immediate capitulation, but I can share fantasies, spin stories—we can even stage some events outside, drum up some drama to make it look like you're succeeding."

Karla swallowed hard. Sue Storm sounded confident. Moonstone doubted she would be, if she knew that Doctor Doom was her "blackmailer." Of course, if Doom learned about this, he would insist that Karla go through with it. What better opportunity to manipulate Sue Storm than when she thought she was the one doing the manipulation?

"Okay," Karla said with a sigh. "I'll do it."

"Thank you," Sue said, and she reached across the table and gave the villain's hand a little squeeze. "I know going straight is difficult, but we can get through this. You have your whole life ahead of you."

She thinks she's saving me, Karla thought, as that brief touch sent a little thrill up her arm.