Buy some time with a fake

You leaned back in the chair, goggles still active, mind racing through possibilities.

“We can’t just hide forever,” you said. “Kane is expecting results. Vex was working on something he called the ‘Apex Vessel’ — a perfect, multi-powered superslave tailored specifically for him. If we don’t give Kane some sign of progress soon, he’ll send people to check on this lab.”

Vixen’s expression tightened. “So what’s your plan?”

You stood and began pacing slowly. “We fake it. We prove to Kane that Vex was very close to completing the Apex Vessel without actually delivering one. That buys us time.”

You gestured toward the two glass cages.

“The first one I brought in was Verdant — real name Lena Harlow. She was a support hero with Bio-Energy Generation. Could heal allies, boost stamina, throw up shields, that kind of thing. Vex thought it would be ‘hilarious’ to turn a dignified healer into a hyper-sexualized cowgirl. That’s why she has the four massive breasts, the ears, the tail… He stole most of her bio-energy generation to fuel his serums.” You cringed a little, remembering the tears streaming down her face when you bought her from the **** auction. Best not to tell Vixen that part quite yet...

You turned to the second cage. “The other one is Helix — Mara Voss. Frontline fighter with insane regeneration and **** flexibility. She could stretch, contort, heal from almost anything. Vex kept the core of her powers but wrapped her in glossy latex skin and gave her those sensitive tentacles as an ‘upgrade.’ Then he drained most of her regenerative biomass for his own alchemy.”

Vixen stared at the two sleeping women, her face a mix of anger and pity.

You continued, “We pick one woman and give her limited portions of all three original powers — Verdant’s bio-energy, Helix’s regeneration and flexibility, and your speed. Just enough to impress Kane and make him believe we’re on the verge of success. Then we stall for more time.”

You turned to face Vixen directly.

“Three options. One: You volunteer as the specimen. We present you as a ‘mind-controlled’ prototype. Two: We use one or both of the women in the cages. Three: We go out and find a different subject entirely.”

Vixen was quiet for a long moment. Then she let out a slow, determined breath.

“…I’ll do it,” she said firmly. “I’ll be your specimen. But only when my power is back at 100%. I’m not facing Kane as a half-broken shadow of myself.”

You nodded, impressed by her resolve. A hero to her core. Couldn't be you, risking it all just to preserve the dignity of some strangers. “Alright, that gives us your two-day recovery window. So 3 days to form a response to Kane.”

“Good,” she said. “Until then, we keep experimenting on me — safely — so your mutagen capacity keeps growing. And one more thing.” Her eyes flicked toward the glass cages, her voice hardening with conviction. “We wake Verdant and Helix. We start trying to fix them during these two days. I won’t leave them like this any longer than necessary.”

You met her gaze. There was steel in her eyes, but also the same **** trust that had been building between you.

“Deal,” you said.

Vixen gave you a small, tired smile. “You’re not what I expected when you threw me over your shoulder in that alley, Traps.”

You returned the smile, a flicker of warmth cutting through the tension. “You’re not what I expected either, Vixen.”

She looked away first, cheeks faintly pink, then stood up straighter.

“Alright,” she said. “Let’s get to work.”