McAllister

As Niklaus weaved through the crowd, his eyes locked onto Senator McAllister, a man who had been in politics longer than most of the people in the room had been alive.

The senator stood near a quiet corner of the hall, nursing a glass of whiskey, deep in thought.

His graying hair and weathered face reflected his years of experience, but there was still a sharpness in his eyes—one that made him a formidable player in the political arena.

Senator McAllister was the kind of man everyone wanted on their side, especially with the looming presidential race.

He was a candidate with the kind of popularity that made waves, and Niklaus knew securing his support would be invaluable for Vought's future.

With his usual air of confidence, Niklaus approached the aging senator, his smile polite yet full of intent. "Senator McAllister," he greeted warmly, "I'm glad we could finally meet face to face. I've heard nothing but good things about you."

The senator glanced up from his drink, sizing Niklaus up for a moment before offering a cordial smile.

"Niklaus Vought," he replied in his gravelly voice. "You've made quite the impression tonight. That speech... it had a lot of people talking."

"Glad to hear it," Niklaus said, his tone modest. "But speeches are just words, aren't they? The real work happens when we're able to sit down and discuss what really matters."

McAllister chuckled, taking a sip of his whiskey. "Spoken like a man who knows how this game is played. And you're right—there's been a lot of buzz about Vought's expansion. Some people think it's a bit... fast, maybe too fast."

Niklaus tilted his head, feigning concern. "I understand those worries, Senator. Vought's growth has been rapid, I won't deny that. But we're doing it for a reason—to make the country stronger, more secure. We're filling gaps that no one else can."

McAllister raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "And yet, some folks on the Hill think you're getting too big. That maybe Vought is stepping into areas best left to government control."

Niklaus took a step closer, lowering his voice to a more intimate tone. "Senator, with all due respect, the government moves at a snail's pace. You know that better than anyone. The world is changing faster than legislation can keep up. Vought is simply stepping in where it's needed. We have the resources, the expertise... and the vision. Wouldn't you rather see us leading that charge than some foreign entity?"

McAllister didn't respond immediately, his sharp eyes studying Niklaus.

He had heard this pitch before—ambitious corporations promising the world, claiming they were the solution.

But Niklaus wasn't just any corporate figurehead.

He had the backing of a legacy, a name that carried weight, and McAllister knew he had to tread carefully.

"You're right that the government's slow to react," the senator admitted, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "But that doesn't mean we hand over control to a private company, no matter how powerful or well-intentioned it may seem. People are wary of how much influence Vought already has."

Niklaus smiled faintly, nodding as if he understood completely. "I get it, Senator. Trust me, I do. But here's the thing—Vought isn't looking to replace the government. We're looking to be a partner. Think of it like... a safety net. We're not in competition. We're working toward the same goal—making this country the best it can be."

McAllister eyed him carefully, sensing the practiced tone behind the words but also recognizing the truth in them. "And what's your play here, Niklaus? You want me on your side, I get that. But what's the real angle?"

Niklaus chuckled softly, leaning in just enough to make his next words carry weight. "Senator, you're about to be the next frontrunner for president. You and I both know it. You're a man of the people, someone they trust. Vought can help you secure that position, and in return... all we ask is for a little understanding. We're not looking to take over—we just want to make sure the country stays strong. And together, we can make that happen."

McAllister held his gaze for a long moment, the wheels turning in his mind. He didn't trust corporations easily, but he wasn't naive enough to think that politics didn't require alliances, especially with someone as influential as Niklaus Vought.

"I'll think about it," the senator finally said, his tone measured but not dismissive.

Niklaus smiled, taking a step back. "That's all I ask, Senator. Let's have a conversation when the time is right. I think you'll find Vought can be a very valuable ally."

With that, Niklaus raised his glass in a subtle toast before turning to leave, the interaction leaving just the right impression.

As he walked away, his thoughts were already on the next step. McAllister wasn't fully on board yet, but that didn't matter.

He would be soon enough.

---

Niklaus moved through the crowd with ease, his sharp eyes scanning for anyone worth his time.

That's when he noticed a man approaching—someone who seemed out of place in the glitz and glamour of the event.

William Stryker.Niklaus had heard of him—Stryker was a well-known figure among those who followed extreme, fringe movements.

A man with fanatic beliefs about mutants, claiming they were the children of the devil, born to destroy the world.

Stryker's group was well-funded by dark money and religious zealots, but he was always looking for more.

As Stryker drew closer, Niklaus could already tell what this was about.

The man wore a modest suit, the kind that spoke more of dogmatic righteousness than wealth.

His eyes were intense, filled with the kind of fervor that came from years of blind belief. Niklaus recognized it immediately—a zealot.

Niklaus listened carefully as William Stryker spoke, though his mind was already several steps ahead.

Stryker's fanaticism was not just dangerous—it was also an opportunity.

The man was desperate, looking for powerful allies to back his crusade against mutants, but Niklaus had no intention of helping him.

In fact, he was already planning to eradicate Stryker's little group.

However, before doing so, there was something else on Niklaus's mind, something that had been eluding him for a while now: the facility.

He had no doubt it existed. The attack he had on himself as Himelander, months earlier by one of their so-called X-Predators had been all the confirmation he needed.

That creature had been engineered for one purpose: to hunt and kill mutants with terrifying efficiency.

Niklaus had easily vaporized it , but the encounter had fueled his determination to find the people responsible.

Partially becuase they could be a pain in the ass and partially becuase he wanted their data on genetic research.

If Stryker was connected to the facility in any way, this was his chance to gain easy access.

As Stryker droned on about the supposed divine mission to rid the world of mutantkind, Niklaus maintained a polite expression.

His eyes were sharp, but his smile was warm, calculated.

He knew Stryker was trying to appeal to him as a man of influence, but Niklaus had far bigger plans.

"I can see that your cause is something you're very passionate about," Niklaus finally said, breaking his silence. "And while I can't publicly support something so... radical, I am interested in learning more about your group's efforts."

Stryker's eyes lit up, thinking he had swayed the young Vought heir. "That's all I'm asking for, Niklaus. Just a chance to show you what we're doing. You'll see—it's about more than just ideology. We have the means to protect humanity."

Niklaus nodded, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Why don't we meet at your headquarters later? I'd like to see everything up close. Maybe then I can make a more informed decision."

Stryker seemed thrilled by the offer, mistaking Niklaus's words for genuine interest. "That would be perfect. I'll make sure everything's ready. You won't regret this, Niklaus."

"I'm sure I won't," Niklaus replied smoothly, already thinking about how this meeting would serve his purpose.

Gaining access to Stryker's network could lead him to other mutant-hating fanatics, and more importantly, it might provide the final piece of the puzzle he needed to locate the facility.

If Stryker or any of his allies had ties to the shadowy group that created the X-Predators, Niklaus would root them out, one way or another.

As Stryker moved to leave, clearly eager to prepare for the upcoming meeting, Niklaus finished his glass of wine, his mind racing with possibilities.

'This wine is cheap as fuck' he mused idly.

Stryker was nothing more than a pawn, and once his usefulness ran out, Niklaus would crush his group without hesitation.

=========================

Stones and Reviews please