The results were as good as expected.

Ryan is naked and handcuffed to the bed, with a mad Vulcan in black pajamas on one side and a stuffed animal on the other.

"It's all a trap," the messenger accuses the mad genius of breaking free from his shackles. "You only care about stuffed animals!"

"Good, Ryan." Jasmin said, playing with her knife. Inactive stuffed animals sit in chairs and watch. "Now, tell me everything you know."

"I want to, too, but I look down on short people."

"If you don't speak," Jasmin put the knife on his chin and his other hand on his chest, "I'll make you scream." ”

"Don't look," Ryan said to the immobile stuffed animal, trying to divert its gaze. "Please don't look!"

The phone rang in the other room, interrupting the role-play.

Jasmine sighed heavily. "Give me a moment," she said, stepping over an empty condom box and looking for her phone among her clothes on the floor. Ryan whistled and walked out of her bedroom to answer the phone.

It turned out that Vulcan did not live in a luxurious villa, but in her own foundry. She transformed the upper floors of the area into a spacious, soundproof apartment with an elegant steampunk feel. Brass pipes and tin gears make up the main decoration, although Vulcan also embeds a plasma television in the bedroom wall facing the bed. It's quite comfortable, and she even makes a EUG-HE

Y prepared a piece of garbage, although Vulcan apparently didn't clean the place very often.

Jessamine finally returned, rolling her eyes. "Is it Mr. Monsanto again?" Ryan asked.

"Neptune. He was angry about what happened last night and wanted to have a meeting because he was a coward. She dropped her pajamas on the floor, lifted the sheets, and slid them down. Her bare skin rubbed against the Messenger's, though she didn't unshackle him. Ryan.

"Really?"

"Stop calling me short."

"Come on, Jasmin, be a big guy."

Her knife landed on the wall behind the bed, just inches away from the courier's face. Ryan didn't even blink; By now, he had learned that her knife mouth was more ruthless than her teeth. Although she bit him......

"You're lucky to be doing well in bed, so you can live one more day," Vulcan said, resting his head on his shoulder. "How many women have you had?"

"I can't count," he replied. Skill comes from practice.

"I guessed it. I didn't know your tongue could do that. Jasmine glanced at the rabbit who was watching them. Actually, what's that stuffed animal?" Some parts just don't make sense, and I don't know how to make sense of the energy readings. ”

"I try to use it as a probe to explore higher dimensions," Ryan admitted.

"And then?" Jessamine asked, not even questioning whether it was rational to do so. "Success?"

"Not really. All it does is give things on the other side a hitchhike to our dimension. Now it's not going to leave. ”

"Wait, you mean your rabbit is haunted?" Ryan nodded, and to his horror, it made Jasmine even more curious. "Can you describe that dimension?"

"It's a realm that transcends space and time, but I haven't been able to see much yet." He frowned. "Why?"

"Did you know that the red genome can manipulate energy? From lightning to wavelength?" Ryan nodded. "Well, the red genome, the real red genome, actually emits an energy field around them. Like radiation. This ambient energy, this "red flux" can be captured, stored, and then refined into batteries. Dy

This is how AMIS creates laser weapons. ”

"You think this energy is coming from another dimension?" Ryan asked, suddenly curious.

"That's what I thought, and so did Dimenis," she replied with a nod. "The Fire Counterfeit will change the genes so that the genome can be fired, but it will not establish a connection to the red dimension. So the body only uses the available energy, which is the energy of the human body. ”

"This is how your firefighter armor enhances their ability to burn." Ryan guessed. "You take the battery of a laser weapon and transfer this red flux energy into the genome of the body."

"As long as the battery power continues to flow, they will become as powerful as the original thermodynamic genome on which the counterfeit is based," Jasmine proudly says. “Dy

AMIS has been wasting money trying to build a bridge to that imaginary red dimension, though they haven't succeeded yet. ”

"Flux, do you think other colors of the genome will mutate?"

"I think so, but I haven't been able to observe them yet. Red is energy, so it's easy to measure, because almost all red genomes have aggressive applications, and my power is easy on them. But how do you measure life like a green genome?" She gave him a knowing smile. "Still, if you tell me the truth about your abilities, we can work together."

Ryan gasped in surprise. "Do you know my true strength?"

"Look, all that you said to Pluto?" About how your power works?" She looked him in the eye. "You're just kidding us."

"I thought we did it this morning." She giggled. "Why don't you expose my bluff?"

"Because I'm curious," Jasmine replied, stroking his cheek. "You're smart, funny, and a perfect gentleman, but I can see you have your own agenda."

"I just want to help a friend who needs help and find happiness."

"I don't think that's all," Mr. Justin said. "You joined this organization as a stepping stone to other achievements. It doesn't matter, I'm not particularly loyal to Augustus either. But I'm pretty sure your power can change the world. Otherwise, I don't understand why you're afraid to reveal its true extent to Pluto. ”

Ryan shrugged. "I think it's too early to talk about that."

Vulcan sat on his chest with one leg on either side. "And what will we become, Ryan?"

"I don't know, summer indulgence?" After his final encounter with Ryan and the Superpowers, Ryan needs to vent his emotions in a variety of ways. "I don't want to get too attached to you, and you'll probably forget about me soon."

"You won't forget me, Ryan. I can assure you. Vulcan stroked the messenger's cheek. If only she knew. "I can accept a summer romance, but as I've told you before, it's an exclusive contract. Betray me and I'll fucking kill you"

"If you can do something before you kill, I'd be grateful," she responded by gently slapping him. "Hey!"

"There's something wrong with your attitude, but I'll tame you, Ryan. I will tame you. She put her hands on his ears and kissed him fiercely on the lips, like a lioness demarcating her territory. Do you know how to cook?"

"Yes."

"It's good, because I don't know. Before the meeting, we had enough time to walk around again and have breakfast. ”

"Jamie is going to be unhappy," Ryan noted. "I'm supposed to clean the house for them in the morning."

"Well, I'm of a higher rank, so it's an order. Entertain me, minion. ”

Rya

Stopped time in response.

When it started again, Jasmine was the one handcuffed to the bed, and the two swapped places. "," she said. "You can stop time."

"You're going to tell me everything about Ischia, Miss Sharif," said Ryan, who was much taller than her. "We have a way to slip past your defenses......"

"Nasinia is fourteen years old." Jasmine said with a smirk at him. "She's too old for you."

"In this case, I will have to ask you for information."

Vulcan tried to keep a straight face, but ended up laughing.

She's kind of cute like that.

After getting dressed and eating a delicious breakfast, Vulcan used her mech to take the two of them all the way to Mount Augustus. Apparently, Ryan has put on a cashmere suit and is delighted with its charm and softness.

Augustus' estate is huge from a distance, but even more impressive from above; Ryan is estimated to have an area of about 50 hectares. The complex is located on a heavily guarded hill and includes a large number of monuments, most impressively a replica of the Parthenon to the east. About a third of the area is occupied by a huge multi-storey Roman-themed villa, a marble palace worthy of a Roman emperor.

However, much of the land has been transformed into a huge park, including Roman-themed sculptures, gardens, Versailles-style fountains, and even a strange zoo. "They have giraffes," Ryan said in ecstasy.

Even weary time travelers are in awe of the luxury of this place.

The Vulcan ended up landing near a swimming pool near the villa, although a private ocean might be more suitable. The huge body of water is divided into several smaller basins, some with fish and some without.

A group of people were waiting for them on the marble platform, resting in the sun. Livia is among them, sunbathing next to Narsinia in a one-piece swimsuit. When Ryan and Vulcan emerge from the Mecha, Augustus' daughter immediately raised her eyes and greeted them with a warm smile.

Pluto sits on a folding chair on the beach next to her niece reading a novel, with a mummified head on a small table next to her. For a massacre murderer, she looks surprisingly calm, although the eyes of her head are moving on their own, making the scene seem rather terrifying.

Finally, a group of elderly people sat around a table near the villa to discuss, drinks in hand. One was a priest in his fifties, with a receding gray hairline and a haggard face. He was so lanky that Ryan could see the bones beneath his skin, but his dark eyes ooze a terrifying, almost insane intensity. His every move is carefully planned, and he drinks water instead of cocktails.

The priest, Ryan suspected it was Bacchus, was talking to a man wrapped in thick armor. His outfit was heavily inspired by the Roman centurion's costume, although it covered every part of the body and also included a crimson cloak. The helmet includes a metal visor that allows the time traveler to see the eyes underneath.

The only woman in the group was a blonde woman in her forties, literally out of Playboy magazine; She wore her hair in a bun and wore an ancient Roman-style dress decorated with precious stones. Although he could only see the lower half of her face and sapphire-like eyes due to the gold-plated makeup mask, Ryan noticed that the woman's jawline had a familial resemblance to Fortuna's. She could be the mother of the lucky girl, holding the hand of the red-robed centurion.

The last person at the table was apparently the oldest, about sixty years old. He dyed his hair and thick long beard blue to match his eyes. He wore no mask, only a golden tiara, and an elegant navy blue suit with a pattern of seashells.

As soon as the old man saw Ryan and Vulcan, he glared at them and left the table with a gloomy face; Just like Pluto and Minerva, the similarity of the families is indisputable.

"That's Neptune," Jessamine pointed to the obvious.

"I can tell," Ryan replied, and the waves in the pool began to form out of nowhere. It was clear that he was jealous that the courier's suit was better. "Can he suck the water out of us with a single thought?"

"Thank goodness." His girlfriend giggled. "He's an orange, so organic matter interferes with his power. In addition, he is a macrofluid dynamicist. The greater the amount of water, the more control he has. The priest is Bacchus, the couple is Mars and Venus, and the head of the mummy is Mercury. ”

"I imagine he's taller."

"Mercury is a paranoid madman who never leaves the house," Vulcan snickered. "He can resurrect corpses and command them, so he'll send them on missions."

"Ryan, Vulcan!" As soon as Nasinia noticed them, she waved at them.

"Welcome to Mount Augustus," Livia said, though she didn't get up from the bench. A true queen. "We are discussing what happened yesterday. I'll admit you're right, I didn't expect this to happen. ”

"Did we win the lottery?" Ryan asked. "Personally, I'd be content to have a statue built for me."

"Marble or gold?" Livia replied with a wink, looking at his clothes. "I love it. It's beautiful. ”

"Oh, I can add a few flowers if you want!" Nasinia told Ryan.

"No, I used all the herbicides on blackthorn," Ryan said, Jasmine smirking.

The joke is interrupted by an enraged Neptune. "You irresponsible little urchins!" He growled, pointing at Jasmine and Ryan. "I should drown both of you right now!"

"Can you do it in Coca-Cola?" Ryan asked innocently. To his surprise, Vulcan didn't kick him in the foot, but made fun of him.

"It's like drowning in acid," Jessamine told him. "Diabetic acid."

"Yes, that way I'll die faster."

"Do you know what you did?" Neptune thunders. "Vulcan, you and your soldiers could start an all-out war!"

"Uncle, they did what I ordered." Livia said calmly. "I will take full responsibility for this."

"It's still stupid," Neptune growled. "Blackthorne characterizes your hoax as a terrorist attack and promises revenge"

"Enrique must have held me down when I took off my clothes and put on my suit," Ryan said.

Pluto had been listening to their conversation, apparently struggling to control her laughter, much to Ryan's shock. Neptune glared at her. "Am I the only one here who has an opinion about this fiasco?"

"We were young then, too, Silvio," Pluto replied, thinking it was funny. "What's wrong with letting them indulge?"

"I strongly suspect that Hector Manada hired the Psychic Gang to harass us." Livia said that everything was business. "It was a well-planned attempt to get them back in their place."

"By stealing a suit of clothes?" Her uncle asked with heavy sarcasm, apparently not believing his niece.

"Did you call us here to complain?" Jasmine asked with a shrug. "Because we have important work to do."

"There's also the issue of a replacement for Mercury," Livia explained.

"As we discussed at the last meeting, I stand by my decision to retire," the shriveled head said in an old, tired voice, to Ryan's surprise. "I'm too old to do this anymore."

"Marco, the last time I saw you, you were still very lively to people over ninety." Ryan turned to Mars, who spoke. This Roman cose

Rising from the table to greet everyone, his wife holding his arm. Bacchus put his hands behind his back. 'You're still one of our best players.'

"I personally know someone older than you, but with a young attitude," Pluto said with a knowing smile.

"I have lived through three generations of the Camorra family, including your children." "I'm tired, I'm earning more money than I can spend, I don't have a family. I felt it was time to buy a private island and spend the rest of my life drinking margaritas on the beach. ”

"We'll have to wait until they're punished." Neptune said, still glaring at Vulcan and Help.

"Thanks for what, for Dinas what he deserves?" Venus spoke, nodding to Ryan and Jasmine. "Vulcan, did you see Felix when you attacked?"

Vulcan shook his head. "No, it's just Blackthorn Lee. They didn't react fast enough to send heroes after us. ”

"It's a shame." The centurion greets Ryan before shaking his hand. "Hello, I'm Mars, but you can call me Luca. I appreciate you looking for my daughter at the party. ”

"We've beaten goats," Nacinia said innocently.

"Oh, by the way, how's Shu-Nicholas?" Ryan asked with concern. "Is she okay?"

"A man and his girlfriend took her home," Nasinia said. "They said they would make good use of her, but when I asked which one it was, they just put their hands on my head and smiled."

Mars laughed, and Venus glared at her husband. "I'm fed up with cats," Jessamine whispered in Ryan's ear. "I'm not going to bring a goat."

"Well, I'll admit I'm struggling," Ryan replied in a trembling whisper. "I don't know where she's been......"

"Back to the important topic," Neptune interrupted their small talk. "With Dy

Tensions with AMIS are at an all-time high, and they cannot tolerate a direct attack on their headquarters. They will fight back, if only to save face. ”

"The war now will be a tragedy," Bacchus said, his voice as soft and soothing as honey. He was silent for a moment, listening to everyone. "Thanks to Ceres, we are about to reach heaven. With Dy

The conflict with AMIS interferes with this. ”

"You and your 'heaven,'" Venus rolled her eyes.

Mercury said, "He was right, war is not good for business."

"It's not always a question of money, old man," Pluto replied coldly. "Sometimes, it's about respect."

"Do you want Alphonse Manada back?" Neptune laughed at his sister. "Because if we push them too hard, they'll remember that madman, and then there's a river of blood in the streets."

While they argued, Ryan said nothing, trying to assess how each member of Augustus' High Command had adapted. They are clearly divided between the moderate, business-minded faction and the more brutal warmongers. Nasinia didn't say anything because she was too young to assert her claims, but her presence at the gathering showed that she played a key role in the organization. Livia supervised the group discussions, just as a lioness observed her own herd.

In the end, though, Ryan's main mission is to destroy the lab and settle his deal with the Shroud. "So, how does a pastor go about making drugs?" He asked Bacchus. "I don't think it's very Catholic."

"God's way of doing things is mysterious," the pastor replied calmly. "All sins can be forgiven, as long as it is for the sake of going to heaven"

"I don't think that's how religion works, Father."

"Ryan!" Nasinia nagged at him, then turned to the priest. "He doesn't know what he's talking about, Daddy Tucker!"

"Good," replied the priest, his eyes unsettling to Ryan's. The courier suddenly realized that the man hadn't blinked an eye once during the entire conversation. You may not believe in God, but I assure you that God exists. I saw it in divine glory with my own eyes. ”

"This?" Ryan asked with a frown, and Jasmine rolled her eyes.

"Don't let him speak," Venus interrupted them. "As for the Canadians, we should have exterminated them a few years ago. That clan is nothing more than a thorn in our collective side. ”

"Dear ......," Mars tried to reassure his wife.

"They took our son!" She complained. "In the past, we slaughtered them for less money!"

"Felix is in a rebellious period." Ironically, as the god of war, Mars seems to be rather lazy. "He is a naïve boy who is transitioning to a mature man. He'll be back eventually. ”

Hearing this, Livia's eyes turned cold steel. She grabbed a towel over her shoulders and stood up from the bench. "He won't, and he won't be punished last night."

"Livia—" Neptune began.

"That's up to my father," she interrupted her uncle, "and you know he's going to see things from my point of view." ”

Neptune retreats. "You called him?"

Livia nodded slowly, and the air became more and more oppressive. A type of electrical tension spreads through the atmosphere, just like when a thunderstorm comes. Everyone was nervous except Livia herself.

The doors of the villa slowly opened, and everyone stared at them silently. Even Ryan, who is usually calm, didn't move.

A tall, shining figure stepped over the threshold. A faint crimson corona surrounded his body, making it difficult to look directly at him. As he focused, Ryan began to make out the shape of an old man in a robe.

But when the courier looked into the man's icy gaze, he realized that age did not diminish his cruelty in the slightest.

"My daughter," said Augustus, his voice echoing with rumbling thunder. "Why did you call me?"