Noir

Apology chapter.

Forgot to upload yesterday.

Niklaus stood in front of the mirror, steam from his recent bath still lingering in the air as he began getting dressed.

He methodically buttoned his crisp white shirt, his movements calm and deliberate.

The suit laid out for him was custom-tailored, a sleek, dark masterpiece that conveyed power and control.

It was the perfect attire for the upcoming event—an evening that would mark the inauguration of Vought Studios and his position as the heir to Vought International.

As he finished buttoning his shirt, Ashley entered the room.

She walked in with a clipboard, her demeanor efficient and businesslike.

Her voice was a steady hum of information as she approached, rattling off the details he needed to know.

"You'll be meeting with some key figures tonight," she began, glancing over her notes. "First, there's Senator McAllister. He's on the fence about our push to dominate the medical supplies sector, especially with the Army's increasing dependence on Vought. His stance could sway some votes, so it's important to get him on our side."

Niklaus raised an eyebrow as he adjusted the cufflinks on his sleeves. "And who else?"

Ashley flipped through a few more pages. "There's a group of lobbyists—old-timers mostly. They've been pushing back against our expansion into the weapons industry. They're protesting, but so far, they haven't garnered much attention. Just enough to be a nuisance."

Niklaus's lips curved into a subtle smirk. "Predictable."

"And finally," Ashley continued, her tone more serious, "there are a few politicians who've flat-out refused to speak in favor of Vought's interests. They're adamant about keeping us out of certain government contracts, mostly because they think our influence is growing too fast."

Niklaus listened carefully as he fastened his watch, his gaze remaining steady on his reflection in the mirror. "Names?" he asked, his voice low.

Ashley rattled off the names, her voice unwavering. "Senators Avery and Kane. They've been particularly vocal. There's also Representative Whitaker—he's stirring up opposition behind the scenes."

Niklaus straightened his tie and took a deep breath. "And what are they pushing for?"

"They're advocating for a stronger military-industrial complex, separate from Vought's control. They want to ensure the military isn't too reliant on our medical supplies or technology," Ashley explained.

Niklaus paused, thinking it over as he adjusted the fit of his jacket. He glanced at her, his eyes sharp. "What do you propose?"

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Should we let Noir take care of them? Maybe make it look like an accident or a Scandal ? It wouldn't take much to ruin their careers, especially if they're high profile. Or... we could remove them entirely."

Niklaus stood still for a moment, contemplating.

The idea of eliminating opposition was nothing new, but it had to be handled with precision.

If they went too far, it could bring unwanted attention.

But if they didn't act decisively, these politicians could become a thorn in Vought's side.

"Take out the low-profile ones," Niklaus said finally, his voice measured. "The most adamant among them. A scandal should suffice for the rest. Human minds are fickle—they'll forget and move on if we play it right."

Ashley nodded, quickly scribbling down notes. "Understood."

Niklaus turned back to the mirror, inspecting his reflection one last time.

He exuded power and confidence, his cold, calculating mind always working behind those calm, steady eyes.

With everything in place, he gave a final nod to Ashley. "Let's get this done."

Ashley quickly stepped aside, allowing him to walk past her, and followed him as they exited the room, her voice continuing to guide him through the final details of the night ahead.

---

After leaving Ashley behind Niklaus was walking to his car.

Niklaus paused as he came face to face with Noir near the elevator.

The man—or rather, the being—stood there silently, a dark figure clad entirely in black tactical gear, his head covered completely, devoid of any visible emotion.

[IMAGE]

The silence between them was thick, but it was a silence Niklaus had grown accustomed to.

As he looked at Noir, a familiar sense of unease crept in.

This creation of his wasn't something he felt pride in, not truly.

Noir was a necessity, born from choices Niklaus had made, choices that had led him down a path he sometimes wished he could have avoided.

But there was no turning back now.

Noir wasn't human, not even close, and calling him a "man" would be an insult to the very idea of humanity.

Niklaus had created him, forged from the bodies of the Hand's fallen leaders, twisted and reshaped by Compound V and his own experiments.

Alongside Chi techniques that drove power from animals and other humans.

Noir stood as a testament to what he was willing to do when pushed into a corner.

The perfect assassin, but at what cost?

"Meet Ashley in thirty minutes. She'll give you your mission details," Niklaus said, his voice steady but lacking the warmth or familiarity he might have used with others.

Noir gave no verbal response, only the barest nod of acknowledgment, the faintest tilt of his head.

It was enough.

They didn't need much words to communicate—Niklaus had designed Noir that way, after all.

Emotionless, obedient, and utterly lethal.

As the elevator doors slid open, Niklaus stepped inside, sparing one last glance at Noir before the doors closed.

A part of him regretted what had led to this creation, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it.

Noir was a tool, nothing more. And in this world, some tools were necessary for survival even if not for him but at least for a company like Vought.

As the elevator descended, Niklaus allowed himself a moment of quiet.

He laid his uead back to the wall of the elevator zoning out to the elevator music.

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Stones and Reviews please