The World Serpent had no trouble capturing Pietro without revealing their identities. They found him at a rowdy bar, ranting and causing a scene. Bronsky landed a swift punch, knocking Pietro unconscious, while his squad of men in black suits swiftly removed him from the bar. The animalistic soldiers, battle-hardened and fearsome, exuded an intimidating presence. Anyone close by could feel their murderous aura, enough to weaken knees and silence objections.
Pietro's friends exhaled in relief once the black-suited soldiers were gone, whispering among themselves nervously.
"Should we really be seen with that guy? I don't want any trouble."
"Who's Pietro? Never heard of him," another muttered, returning to his drink.
When Pietro finally came to, he was drenched in ice water in an isolated warehouse, shivering as the frigid liquid soaked him to the bone. The men in black stood around, staring coldly. Bronsky stayed back, issuing orders as Pietro took a punch to the face before he could even ask where he was. A beast soldier then beat him without mercy, leaving him too weak to stand.
"I'll crack your bones again tomorrow," the soldier sneered, leaving him in the pitch-black, freezing warehouse.
"Think he'll freeze to death?" one of the soldiers asked, watching the camera feed.
"Nah, if he's in real trouble, he'll heat up somehow," Bronsky chuckled, grasping Zod's intent to "educate" Pietro. Perhaps Zod had sent them because their progress in overtaking Hydra was sluggish, and the boss suspected they could use a side task.
With the recent addition of Emma Frost, Zod had incorporated her into the World Serpent's Hydra operations. Emma's telepathy made her invaluable, bypassing Hydra's weak mental defenses with ease. She'd already infiltrated multiple Hydra bases, turning agents into World Serpent loyalists with a simple brainwash and memory wipe, while Zod's own mind control techniques implanted unwavering loyalty.
Hydra had no telepathic defenses. Super-soldiers like Captain America and Captain Marvel were known but had never shown such abilities, making Emma's telepathy a wild card.
"Boss, I've done well, don't you think?" Emma approached Zod, seeking acknowledgment.
"Oh? And what kind of reward do you have in mind?" Zod asked with amusement.
Emma smiled. "How about you become my boyfriend?"
Zod looked at her flatly. "I don't date little girls."
Emma's expression shifted, indignant. She glanced down at her own figure, confident that she wasn't "little" by any means.
"Esdes," Zod called out, summoning his trusted aide, who appeared in a flash. Esdes wrapped an arm around his shoulder, smiling as she brushed her cheek against his. "The boss isn't interested in green fruit," she teased, then planted a light kiss on Zod's cheek while glancing at Emma, amused.
Unable to hold back, Emma let her telepathy flare, attempting to push into Esdes' mind. But Esdes reacted instantly, counterattacking with equal force. Emma staggered back, clutching her head.
"You've got telepathy, too?" Emma said in surprise, not expecting someone else to wield her signature power.
"Of course. She's Esdes, the White Queen of World Serpent, my right hand," Zod introduced, his tone firm. Esdes' abilities were unique; she possessed a fusion of Kryptonian genes and mutant abilities, including telepathy. Zod had adjusted her mutant genes, enhancing her telepathy to a level on par with Professor X.
With her Kryptonian strength, Iceman genes, and advanced telepathy, Esdes had grown powerful enough to stand against the Hulk.
Emma eyed her rival, feeling a mixture of awe and intimidation. Even her figure and strength paled next to Esdes. Moreover, she now understood that the title "White Queen" of World Serpent was already taken, her ambition intercepted.
Determined, she clenched her fists, but Zod interrupted her thoughts. "Beyond that request, do you want anything else?" he asked calmly.
Emma's eyes narrowed in fierce determination. "That title's mine, eventually. I'll surpass her," she said, casting a final challenging glance at Esdes before striding away.
Watching her go, Zod raised an eyebrow, mildly puzzled. "Did I ever say she could be White Queen?"
Esdes smirked. "No, Boss. But she seems to see me as her ultimate challenge. What should I do?"
"Just don't teach her," Zod replied with a small smile, signaling the end of the conversation.