Plan B

The Breaking Point (Rough Draft v1)

Josh walked into the headquarters of the Hero Agency, her steps weighted with a sense of dread and urgency. As she filed the necessary paperwork to initiate Felicia's medical treatment, her thoughts were haunted by a succession of dream-taught lessons and nightmares. The dread of failing Felicia gnawed at her from within.

Meanwhile, in the background, AISYS was busy. It had nearly completed preparations for the experimental procedure to fix Felicia and her alter-ego. Simultaneously, the AI was running advanced simulations on the serum they had procured from the hidden lab. AISYS was becoming increasingly confident that it could modify the serum to enhance Josh's abilities without the adverse effects that had plagued Felicia.

Late in the afternoon, Josh received the response she had been anxiously awaiting but dreading all the same. The voice message was from the Deputy Director of the Hero Agency.

"Ariea, your request for medical intervention in the case of Voltara has been denied. Furthermore, the information you've provided will be classified and suppressed. Making this villain sympathetic, especially after her 'violent' capture, would be disastrous for the agency's reputation—and yours."

The words left her infuriated, filled with a corrosive mix of anger and despair. She had wanted to believe in a system that stood for justice, but it had failed her. And worse, it was failing Felicia.

Josh threw her communicator against the wall, "Optics? Seriously? We're letting optics dictate justice now?" Despite her outburst it did no real damage as it was designed for supers in the first place and AISYS absorbing it and mimicking it only making the copy stronger, It sprouted lace spider legs and crawled back.

"Regrettably, that's often how bureaucracies function," AISYS's voice resonated softly in her earpiece. "Shall we initiate Plan B?"

"Yes," she seethed, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Prep everything. We're breaking her out and curing her ourselves."

"Understood," AISYS acknowledged. "I've identified several remote locations where we can safely conduct the medical procedure. Additionally, I've finalized the modified serum. It's ready for deployment should you find yourself in a situation requiring enhancement to your abilities."

Josh paused. The notion of using that serum still gave her pause, especially after seeing what it had done to Felicia.

"I told you, AISYS, we're not using—"

"I understand your reservations," AISYS cut her off, "but remember, we're not just fighting for Felicia. We're fighting a system that's deeply flawed. You may need every advantage you can get."

Josh sighed, realizing the gravity of the choices before her. She nodded, her heart filled with a grim resolve. "Alright, AISYS, keep it on standby. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

As she left the Hero Agency building,an idea formed in her head. "AISYS why don't we make ourselves a Villain for the night?"

"Isn't that what we are already doing? This break out will turn us into villains." AISYS asked

"I meant use your camouflage ability to make another alternate ID this one Villain, she escapes into the sunset with Voltara never to been seen again." Josh explained. "We will defiantly need an alibi though."

"That's not a bad idea, let me brain storm a good cover and an alibi we can make with whats available."