"Hello, you must be Mr. Watson. I am Silvija Sablinova, but you can call me Sable," she introduces herself, extending her hand with a hint of a Russian accent.
Her accent, her figure, her confidence, her charm—everything about her screamed HOT!
Why wouldn't it? as she was Silver Sable.
A formidable ally and sometimes enemy of Spider-Man in my previous world's comics. She is the head of a mercenary group and even goes on to become a leader of a small country.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. You can just call me Luke," I express with a smile as I shake her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for placing your trust in the Wild Pack. We will not let you down," she affirms seriously, her gaze fixed on me.
"I have no doubt about that. Let us continue our discussion en route to our destination," I suggest, leading her inside Ghostwing.
"Can I drive it this time?" Sage asks with a pleading look, turning towards Bobbi as they both head to the front.
"Just for a short while," Bobbi relents with a helpless sigh.
Sage smirks happily as she dashes ahead to the cockpit.
Sable and I both sit in the common area inside the Ghostwing.
"I have to ask, why did you choose us, the Wild Pack? We are mainly known for tracking down war criminals; mercenary work is uncharted territory for us," she asks earnestly. "And with the recent loss of our former leader, Ernst, my father, and my relatively young age of 18 stepping into the leadership role, are you not concerned that we may not be up to the task?" she queries with a discerning gaze, her russian accent a bit more pronounced now.
"My condolences for your father," I express sincerely.
"It is fine. I am not a little girl; death is common in our profession," she speaks stoically. "Please answer my question," she implores.
"Maybe I hired Wild Pack because of you," I chuckle with a smirk.
"Excuse me?" she questions, puzzled.
"I have heard stories about the ferocious Silver Sable of the Wild Pack, who is as deadly as she is beautiful," I express while looking at her with a heated gaze.
"Uhm, that is just a silly nickname people have started calling me," she mentions, feeling awkward under my gaze.
"Well, I like it," I convey with a smile. "And are you asking me this because your Wild Pack is not confident in being able to do the job?" I inquire with a raised brow.
"No, not at all. Wild Pack is fully capable of completing the mission," she assures seriously.
"Good, then," I respond with a smile.
"You are nothing like how I heard you would be," Sable notes with a sigh.
"Oh? What have you heard about me?" I ask with interest.
"Just that the genius Lucas Watson, the youngest billionaire, is a very to-the-point person who will only talk about work and technology all day," she explains with a smirk.
"How can a man talk about anything else when he is in your presence?" I muse with a small smile.
Sable smooths her hair, looking away from me. I can even see a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Uhm, we should discuss the battle plan," Sable tries to steer the conversation back to work.
"Sure," I nod.
Sable takes out her tablet and places it on the table.
"The pictures and the videos you sent us were very detailed, so we know that they have very heavy firepower with them. The numbers I cannot be sure of, but it will be a hard battle if we don't suppress them with a surprise attack," she observes as she goes through the pictures and terrain maps.
"Has your group reached the place?" I ask.
"Yes, they have already reached the destination and are in position around the valley," she confirms, pointing to the valley.
This valley was what they were using to hide from the satellites. It had taken more than 22 days for the micro satellite swarm and the Bio-probes to find this place in the vast Spin Ghar range.
Yesterday, Bobbi took the Bio-probes to this valley, which was a blank region in my scans, and found the terrorists' nest. Then overnight, with the help of Bio-probes, I had scanned as much as I could stealthily.
"I must say, these pics, this video, this jet—I did not think that the Watson Group had such advanced technology. As much as I know, Watson Group has its fingers in many companies but not much of their own products," Sable comments as she goes through the latest pics of the place I gave her.
I just smile without commenting.
Sable lets it go and pauses at one picture. "This is the cave to their inner base. You sure you want us to just attack the outer base and not touch the inner base? There might be a lot more people hidden inside there," she muses pensively.
I look at the cave with narrowed eyes.
"Yes, we will handle it ourselves. You will just have to attack and take care of the people outside, including those who come out from inside the cave," I state in a grave tone as that cave is most likely where Toni is present.
"Yourself? Is there another group you have hired, or are you talking about Bobbi? This is the group that kidnapped Toni Stark, isn't it? You are planning to rescue her!" Sable states curiously.
"While we have time right now, why don't you tell me about yourself, Sablinova? I am very intrigued to learn more about you," I suggest with a smile, shifting the focus to her.
Sable just raises her eyebrow at my attempt to shift the topic.
Although the start is a bit rocky, I manage to make her talk about her life. She tells me about her childhood, about Wild Pack, about her late father, about her country, and some of her interesting missions.
It feels like she never gets the chance to just talk about these things with someone else, as she tells me almost everything that comes to her mind, even how she has never been in a relationship because boys were scared of her.
She is a charming woman, and the more I listen to her, the more I am fascinated by her.
"So, you are telling me that you will help me turn my Wild Pack into a mercenary company?" she asks with a small laugh.
"Yes. How does Silver Sable International sound?" I propose with a winning smile. "After this first mercenary job of yours, you guys will be famous worldwide. Trust me," I assert confidently.
"I did have such an idea, as the number of international war criminals is limited and so it is getting harder to run my group," she mumbles. "But why would you do all that for me, Mr. Watson? What is your goal?" she questions with a raised eyebrow.
"My goal and my intentions were clear from the start, my dear Sable," I state with a smirk as I get closer to her.
"I am a dangerous woman, Luke. Don't think that I am like all those other college-going 18-year-old girls who will fall for your money and charm," Sable asserts as she backs away from me.
"Yeah, I know, and that is why you are so fascinating," I comment while looking straight into her eyes as she avoids my gaze.
In my mind, I think about my college 'classmate' Felicia. Maybe I will have to make these two meet in the future; they will definitely hit it off.
"If you come to my country, Symkaria, for a visit, then I can think about giving you a chance," she suggests with a small smile.
I arch an eyebrow, confirming my suspicions. It was indeed as I suspected. When Bobbi mentioned that the leader of Wild Pack wished to meet and discuss something, it struck me as peculiar.
However, I had selected them with a motive—my desire to encounter Sable. Their competence for the mission was undeniable, prompting me to instruct Bobbi to bring her to Watson Tower. The return trip would provide the perfect opportunity for a conversation
"Tell you what, I will open a branch of Watson Group in Symkaria. Will that grant me a date?" I propose with a smile.
"Luke, I didn't mean it like tha—" Sable starts with a small panicked look.
"Don't worry. I had plans for visiting Latveria and opening a branch there soon, so while I am there, I will visit your country Symkaria too," I reassure her with a wave of my hand, placating her concerns.
Latveria was Doom's hometown, so I had to go there and check that place out while planting some surveillance there. Symkaria was a neighbouring country to it. These two European countries were very poor, which is why Sable wanted me to visit and invest there.
"You have too much money to throw around," Sable observes with a sigh.
"So, is that a yes on that date?" I question, taking her fair, rough hand in mine.
"Umm, yes," Sable replies with a small blush, "but the date will be in Symkaria," she insists, looking straight at me.
"Done," I declare, leaning down and placing a kiss on the back of her hand.
"Umm, we are about to arrive," Sage speaks, entering the room and looking intriguingly at my hand holding Sable's.
"Alright," Sable hurriedly takes her hand back and then walks towards her backpack.
I shrug and get ready too. In a way, the flirting was my method of coping with my nerves. Soon, I will be able to see Toni again. It has been almost 29 days, and I can neither imagine nor bear to think how much Toni must have suffered.
"They must pay!" I murmur in anger, my fists clenching tightly. Today, there will be no mercy shown to anyone!