Falling from the sky the Widows' rickety Helicopter dropped like a rock; rotors barely spinning as it crashed down onto the pad below. Landing gear failing the metal support frame shattered beneath the crumpled carcass; breaking its fall as it finally came to rest.
Shoving aside the buckled door Yelena stumbled out of the aircraft to look at her new surroundings. Stood atop a skyscraper, beneath them metropolis spread out towards the sea where the sun was now setting. In awe of these colourful streets, the Blonde Widow stared out toward the horizon:
"Welcome to Madripoor."
Stepping alongside her, Natasha was more sceptical at the glowing hive of criminal activity.
"So... vaut's the plan?"
"Find my contact and negotiate for information."
Yelena raised an eyebrow:
"Even though we have no money or leverage and you don't know who dis person is??"
"Basically."
"That's a shit plan."
Natasha shrugged, zipping up her sister's favourite green vest before stepping down from the pad:
"Hence the switcheroo. As for finding them... this is the tallest tower in High Town; where else would the 'Powerbroker' live??"
"Nice landing."
As if on cue a stranger sharply greeted the Widows, approaching from a nearby doorway. Glancing at the destroyed helicopter strewn across the helipad, the girl gave them an unimpressed look:
"I've been asked to take you to the Powerbroker."
Eying the stranger suspiciously, Yelena appraised this new opponent:
The young woman before them was not at all what you would expect of an 'evil' henchman. The short, mixed-race tomboy was practically cute; buoyant red curls framing a round face speckled with freckles. Smiling widely Yelena was even tempted to smile back. And yet there was something dark behind those big brown eyes; something sinister:
"And you are?"
"Karli Morgenthau." Natasha replied when the child did not respond. Intel suggested this teenager was some sort of freedom fighter, not the Powerbroker's lackey. But that told the Widow two things: 1. Clearly Ms. Morgenthau was not as innocent as she appeared... And 2. The Powerbroker was adept at bending the will of others...
"You know it's rude not to introduce yourself?"
The girl just smirked: "Whatever you say; Fanny Longbottom..."
Mocking the redhead, Karli didn't bother to confirm or deny her own identity as she gestured toward the doorway:
"This way."
"Fanny Longbottom?" Yelena murmured: "What are you 12??" "
It's a cover..."
"Subtle."
Natasha shook her head wearily: "I didn't choose it..."
Leading them down into the skyscraper Natasha and Yelena followed, both Widows prepared for an ambush from their mysterious host; all too aware this was a risky gambit. Entering the penthouse through elaborate sliding doors, Natasha was stunned by the expensive decor, her usual cool mystique evaporating into childlike wonder; staring at the works of art adorning every wall.
"These look so real..."
Stopping to examine a large oil painting the other two women turned back.
"They are real," Karli chuckled darkly, stepping sideways through a neon portal. Looking to her sister, Yelena nodded:
"Half the art in the Louvre is fake; dealers like this steal and replace them with copies they sell on to wealthy collectors."
"No wayyy!"
Staring at the painting once more, Natasha scrutinised the heavy strokes; bending over to examine Monet's signature in the corner of the frame.
"Nothing in this world is real..." Yelena muttered gravely, her gaze falling onto the redhead's behind; full curves over-stretching the sheer white fabric:
"Come on; don't blow our cover!"
Rising once more Natasha shrugged. Following her sister's lead, the redhead tugged at the tight black straps around her crotch; adjusting the suit as she got back into character as the Black Widow.
Stepping into a huge sitting room with views over the dark city below Yelena whistled; impressed by all this undisguised opulence. Ignoring the ill-gotten wealth and power on display Natasha finally spotted their host; the beautiful woman calmly preparing drinks as they approached:
"Boz Moi..."
"Nice to see you Romanoff." Sharon Carter replied dryly.
Stepping around the bar the former-SHIELD Agent strode forward to greet them. Dressed in beautiful black designer garb, the blonde woman had a renewed confidence; her heels clacking as she crossed the open space that belonged to her. Smiling coldly, she offered Natasha a drink. Refusing to take it from her Sharon shrugged, instead handing the glass to her stunned sister:
"And you must be the famous Yelena Belova; the Red Room's 'best' Assassin." Sharon chuckled: "I'm betting your ledger must be dripping red?"
"Wow..." Yelena replied sarcastically to Natasha: "She's kind of the worst huh??"
"So, you abandoned the West??" Natasha asked; amazed by the blonde woman's transformation. Somehow the former SHIELD agent had very quickly climbed the criminal ladder.
Walking over to a sitting area with views over Madripoor, the three women each had a seat. Taking her own position Karli stood behind the couch, guarding the Powerbroker.
Sharon shrugged: "America abandoned me... the Avengers abandoned me..." Shooting Natasha an accusatory glance, Sharon took a sip from her drink:
"My own family don't know where I am..."
Yelena raised an eyebrow:
"Really? You'd think the niece of the famous 'Margaret Carter' would get bailed out??"
Glowering back at the insolent blonde Sharon shook her head; ever since her previous incestuous encounter with 'Aunt Peggy' she didn't exactly like being reminded of her relation. She had after all, moved to Madripoor for a fresh start:
"Like you two can judge! I'm guessing what you have isnt exactly kosher. A family affair??"
Glancing over at each other the two Widows blushed; Sharon studying their reaction closely.
Put on the backfoot by her old opponent, Natasha quickly changed the subject:
"Carter I need your help-"
"-I don't owe you Romanoff; if anything you owe me!"
"We just want information," Natasha continued on valiantly: "My sister has... impulse control issues."
Watching Yelena shoot Natasha an annoyed glance, Sharon chuckled darkly:
"Oh, I know all about the Red Room. The Chemical enhancements, the subjugation... I hear Hill gave the whole Widow program a very sexy overhaul."
Hearing that dreaded name Natasha's eyes widened:
"Maria?! You're saying Maria Hill runs the Red Room?!"
"You didn't know?" Sharon exclaimed delightedly: "Your old Mistress is back in business!"
Glancing between the two former lovers turned enemies Yelena blinked: one a vision of herself, the other keen to subjugate her. Mystified, the blonde downed her drink as the redhead continued:
"But we broke her..."
Sharon shook her head:
"You really think that little Sokovian Bitch could take down the ultimate Mistress??" The blonde snorted derisively: "Hell Maria was the one who set me up in Madripoor!"
"So, you're just another one of her pawns?" Natasha shook her head: "No wonder you 'Broker' power; instead of wielding it..."
"She's playing the long game Romanoff. And from the sounds of it she's still pulling your strings..."
Unwilling to deal with the larger implications of this conversation Yelena rudely interrupted:
"Who cares? We just want to know who's creating the serum for the Red Room??"
Leaning back into her cushy seat, Sharon smiled languidly:
"Again; why should I tell you anything?" Gesticulating to the luxury all around them she boasted proudly:
"I have everything I could want..."
Glaring at Sharon, the young blonde Widow jumped up from her seat; standing over this so called Powerbroker:
"Because if you don't I'll beat the information out of you."
Sipping her champagne Sharon nodded solemnly:
"You're right; I'm no match for a 'Widow'..."
Grasping Yelena from behind Karli twisted the blonde's arm up her back; effectively pinning her. Attempting to flip the bodyguard Yelena frowned; struggling in Karli's surprisingly powerful grip.
Standing up Sharon smirked at the pair:
"My friend here is more than a match however. You see, she's chemically enhanced too..."