Kate was no fool.
Even though things between them had seemed smooth lately, Valentina hadn't truly let her guard down. She still didn't fully trust anyone. And as for Vandal Savage—even though he hadn't shown up in person—Kate was certain he had eyes and ears everywhere, watching every move inside the villa.
That was precisely why she had to prove her worth to Jack Kadere. She had to show him that staying by his side was not an act of betrayal but her chosen path. If she went behind his back and told Valentina that Firestorm required two individuals to fuse, wouldn't that be the same as handing over Jack's secrets? Wouldn't that be treachery in its purest form?
"I'll hand her over to you in three days," Valentina finally said after a long pause, her tone edged with calculation.
"Don't let the master know," Kate reminded softly.
...
Three days later, in the afternoon.
While Jack was absorbed in his studies, Valentina led Kate to a warehouse far from the main villa. Beneath its floor lay a concealed basement, its walls reinforced and soundproofed.
There, chained to an iron crucifix bolted against the wall, hung Laura. She was dressed in her familiar yellow-and-black uniform, but the proud fighter now looked utterly broken. Her arms and legs were shackled in heavy steel rings, her head sagging as though she had already lost consciousness.
"There was some… trouble catching her," Valentina admitted coolly. "She wasn't alone. She had a team with her—strange ones, dressed just as she was. ARGUS caught wind of them too. So whatever you're planning, Kate, I suggest you finish quickly before more attention falls on us."
Kate nodded, steeling herself.
Valentina turned and left, boots echoing against the concrete floor. But before she had even walked halfway down the hall, Laura stirred and croaked weakly, forcing Kate to confront her decision.
....
That night, Kate returned to her chambers, exhausted and shaken. Laura had proven far harder to break than she'd imagined.
"You've changed," a familiar voice cut in.
Jack Kadere closed the book in his hands and studied her with a sly smile.
"Eh?" Kate froze, suddenly nervous.
"You've become cruel," Jack said lightly, almost amused. "Why must women make things so hard for each other? I could hear Laura's screams all the way from here. She really is having a streak of bad luck."
Thud!
Kate immediately dropped to her knees. "Master, I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept it from you!"
Jack waved dismissively, laughing. "Stand up, stand up. Why the dramatics? I'm not blaming you. In fact, I rather admire your ambition. But your methods…" His grin turned sharp. "They're clumsy. Brutal, yes, but not efficient."
"I-I don't know what else to do," Kate admitted, voice trembling.
"Then learn," Jack replied smoothly. "Shadow Valentina. Or better yet, pay attention at the Gulag Camp—watch how they handle their prisoners. You might even grow from just being my pillow into something more… an assistant, perhaps?"
Her heart leapt at his words. "I will try my best not to disappoint you, master!"
But then her joy faltered as a thought struck her. "Master… I may have caused trouble. Valentina was spotted when she captured Laura. Her team was there… and so was ARGUS. If they start investigating—"
Jack cut her off with a laugh. "If you let her go now, do you think they wouldn't chase us anyway? The damage is done. Once something becomes irreversible, all that's left is to commit fully. Besides—" His smile turned wicked. "You're mine. Nothing will happen to you until I lose interest. And…" He leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Congratulations. You've just extended your life. I'm curious to see what surprises you'll bring me next."
Relief flooded Kate's chest. For once, she felt that maybe—just maybe—she had made the right choice. Jack Kadere wasn't the kind of man who tolerated stagnation. If she remained ordinary, she would be discarded. But if she kept evolving, she might just survive by his side. She carved that truth deep into her heart.
...
The next day.
Kate had Valentina escort her to the Gulag Camp to observe the way prisoners were broken. Meanwhile, Jack descended alone into the warehouse basement.
"Well, well. Long time no see." He smirked, dragging a chair across the floor and sitting casually in front of Laura.
She lifted her head weakly, eyes flashing with both defiance and despair. Kate had done her damage well.
Jack clicked his tongue. "Tsk tsk. How miserable. Kate really has changed, hasn't she? Her environment, her past, her time with Valentina… it's shaping her into quite the villainess."
Laura's voice cracked but held firm. "What do you want from me?"
Jack leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "If I told you I'd nearly forgotten you existed—and that my little pillow brought you here all on her own—would you believe me?"
"Do you think I'd fall for that?" Laura sneered, her voice low but sharp.
Jack spread his hands with a careless shrug. "Believe it or not, it doesn't matter. But listen… I thought about something last night. If Dr. Manhattan foresaw the future and actually left Earth because of me, then that means he must have already seen everything I've been doing to track him down. And yet… he still ran."
Laura frowned, uncertain where he was going with this.
Jack leaned back slightly, his voice calm but edged with certainty. "That tells me something important. No matter what I do right now, Manhattan isn't going to appear. The only way to confront him is to become stronger, to master more abilities, until I can force the encounter myself. He knows this too, but he can't change it. If he ever shows up, if he tries to stop me, that's when I win. So the only option left to him is to run—stalling for time, delaying the inevitable."
His words carried a cold confidence, and Laura found herself staring at him, unsettled.
"You see?" Jack continued. "Even someone like Dr. Manhattan, with all his godlike power, can't change the outcome. He can only run from me. So what are you still struggling for?"
Jack stood up slowly and, to Laura's surprise, unbound her restraints. Her eyes widened as the ropes fell loose. She stumbled forward, weak but free.
"You really… didn't intend to capture me?" she asked, confused.
Jack didn't answer. He only gave her a look that measured her from head to toe, noting the tattered uniform she still wore. For all its damage, it still accentuated her sharp presence.
Laura stayed silent for a while before asking, "Where is this? Can I leave now?"
"This is Soviet territory," Jack replied, folding his arms. "You're free to leave if you want, but dressed like that, you won't get far. And let's be honest—you're not the type to just go back to the States and pretend none of this happened. Even if you make it back, you'll come after me again, won't you?"
His grin was disarming, almost playful, but Laura knew better than to take it lightly.
Jack turned, sweeping aside some tools and papers on a nearby table before dragging it closer.
Laura tensed. "What are you doing?"
"You want to leave?" Jack said, tilting his head toward her. "Fine. But first, you're going to do something for me."
In an instant, he grabbed Laura, pinning her to the table with practiced strength. Her hands were pressed behind her back, and before she could react, a spark of electricity surged from his grip. Her body trembled violently, her strength failing as she collapsed against the surface.
Her eyes widened in shock. "What—what are you—"
Jack leaned close, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Your mother once wore a costume just like this… she thought she was untouchable. But history has a way of repeating itself."
Laura let out a sharp gasp, her body rigid under the current.
Jack's smile lingered, unreadable, as the crackle of energy filled the basement air.