Sirius Zero: Building A Corporate Kingdom After Being Expelled
Chapter 39: Handling The Enemy

Chapter 39: Handling The Enemy

"I should have gotten rid of Mario weeks ago," grumbled Aaron to himself, as he fixed the sloppy welds on the reactor core using the welding drones.

He clicked the intercom, and called James:

"James, I need you to contact the steel mill and have them send over three new prefabricated reactor components. I’ll build out the entire fleet. We’ve wasted enough time as it is,"

"Sure thing boss. I’ll get right on it," replied James.

Aaron refocused on the drones, guiding them as they welded the primary coolant loop to the reactor core, ensuring that every joint was secure and leak-proof.

The intercom buzzed, and Natasha’s voice came through:

"Master Zakhrov, we had a visit from the FBI. They were looking for a Hakim Hussein, who is on their terror watch list.

I showed them the security footage of Mario’s attempted smuggling operation, and they took the truck wreckage and the remains of the bombers for evidence,"

"I’m assuming that means that we are in the clear?" asked Aaron.

"Yes sir. Special Agent Olga was very understanding, however, one of Senator Goldberg’s plants in the FBI was her partner, and that might need a little handling," replied Natasha.

"Since you said handling, I assume you are taking care of it?" asked Aaron.

"Yes sir. I’m taking care of it. I’m just keeping you informed," said Natasha.

"Good girl. I’ll leave you to it," said Aaron, before hanging up.

----

"I’m already walking a damn legal tightrope here with my ass on the line, and you are not making it any easier by trying to send your lapdogs in to blow my cover!" snarled Natasha, barging into Monica’s office.

"Well, I wouldn’t have to if you keep hiding developments while giving me next to useless info!" shot back Monica, taken aback by Natasha who was still in her uniform - albeit unarmed and without her gloves.

"And what makes you think you can spin a successfully contained nuclear proliferation and terrorism attempt into some disaster?

They had a problem, they caught it just in time, and then hired me, an ex Army Ranger and CIA operative to oversee security so that it doesn’t happen again.

How would you spin that Senator?" spat Natasha.

"Well you didn’t mention that in your report yesterday! Have you turned turncoat Natasha? Because from the way you just defended your ’boss’ it sounds like you did?" sneered Monica, as two of her security guards emerged and grabbed Natasha.

Natasha regarded Monica, unfazed by the guards holding her. "Let’s compare notes shall we? Osirak-Jihad terrorists try to smuggle a canister of heavy water that Sirius Nuclear is legally licensed to produce.

They are caught and suicide bomb themselves, the heavy water is recovered, and all the FBI can do when they arrive is mop up the evidence.

Go ahead, bring this up in a full senate investigation. You might as well give Aaron Zakhrov a medal of valor and carte-blanche to do whatever he wants at that point," she said.

"Alright. But consider this your last warning, hag. If I get so much as a whiff that you’ve forgotten who you really work for, you won’t live to see the light of another day!" said Monica through gritted teeth, motioning to her guards to release Natasha.

"Now, for the dirt that you wanted. Sirius Software is funding a new fashion start-up to make its dress code compliance easier by manufacturing skirt-suits and high heels," said Natasha, brushing imaginary dust off her blazer.

"Dress codes? High heels? You call that dirt?" asked Monica, her voice dripping with contempt.

"This is the revised Sirius Software official dress code for female employees. Make of that what you will," said Natasha, pulling out a copy of the dress code and handing it to Monica.

Monica took the document, and her eyes widened as she read through it.

"BMI windows? Automatic fines? Mandatory makeup? This violates so many labor laws! You’re telling me that this is real and not fake?" she asked excitedly.

"It’s real, Senator, but you’ve got a small window to act on it," said Natasha, casually sitting down and propping her booted feet on Monica’s desk.

"What do you mean?" asked Monica, her eyes narrowing.

"Take a good look at my boots, Senator," said Natasha, angling her foot so that the gleaming heels caught the light.

"Looks kind of impractical for a security guard uniform, as is the rest of your wannabe dominatrix outfit! Have to say, Zakhrov loves his leather," scoffed Monica.

Natasha smirked, raised her foot, and stabbed it into the desk, the titanium alloy heels ripping through the cheap medium density fiber like tissue paper.

The guards recoiled in horror, and Monica was shocked speechless.

"These are titanium reinforced combat boots, and Sirius Software is going to be rolling them out as standard issue for their female security personnel.

They don’t pinch, they don’t make you wobble, and they can be worn all day without your feet hurting.

I estimate that you have a week to farm feminist outrage before Aaron Zakhrov engineers it into irrelevance," said Natasha, getting up and walking out.

----

Natasha drove slowly through a pounding rain, her car’s new wipers sweeping the sheets of rain away.

She noticed a figure standing by the side of the road, trying in vain to use a plastic box as an improvised umbrella as she approached the Sirius Software compound.

"Agent Olga? What are you doing out here?" she asked, pulling over and recognizing the figure under the plastic box.

"Just Olga now. I’ve had a little falling out with the FBI," chuckled the tall blond agent, trying in vain to hide that she was shivering.

"Come on, get in," said Natasha, unlocking the passenger door.

----

"Pretty nice place you’ve got here," said Olga, looking around Natasha’s apartment nursing a cup of hot coffee.

Her hair was freshly blow-dried, and she had changed into a toweling bathrobe that Natasha had given her.

"Thanks. I just moved in a few days ago," replied Natasha, sitting down on the couch next to Olga.

"I suppose you want me to tell you everything.

Well, after I submitted my report, I got called into a meeting with the Director.

He was not happy that I had restrained my partner, and offered me a choice - either I could resign, or I could fight the sexual harassment charge Rochelle wanted to file against me.

I chose resignation," said Olga, her voice breaking slightly.

"There, there. I know how you feel. I’ve had my share of being chewed up and spat out by the system." said Natasha, putting a comforting arm around Olga’s shoulders.

"Thank you, Natasha. I appreciate it," said Olga, leaning into Natasha’s embrace.

"You’ve told me about how and why you left the FBI, but you haven’t told me why you were standing outside the Sirius Software compound in the rain," said Natasha.

"Don’t miss much do you?" chuckled Olga. "Well, I was hoping to run into you, actually.

Before I left the Beureau, I’d seen that you had put out a few feelers for female ex-military and ex-law enforcement personnel. And since I’m now out of a job, I thought I could apply," she said.

"I see. You’ve got a place to stay?" asked Natasha.

Olga shifted uncomfortably. "Rochelle was my roommate as well as my partner. I don’t have anywhere to go now," she mumbled, her face red.

"It’s a good thing that I like you Olga, because I don’t usually do this sort of thing," grumbled Natasha, tossing Olga a spare blanket.

"Make yourself comfortable on the couch. I don’t suppose you have a skirt do you?" she asked, eyeing Olga’s pantsuit that was spinning in the dryer.

Olga shook her head miserably.

"I didn’t know just how well connected that pipsqueak Rochelle is. All I’ve got is some nightclothes and some underwear in that box.

I suppose it could have been worse, and I could have been thrown in Federal prison on false charges," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Natasha sighed as she considered the possibility that Olga was attempting to infiltrate Sirius Software with this sob story.

"Let’s dangle some bait and see if she bites," she thought to herself.

"Sirius Software has an extremely strict dress code for female employees and applicants. A skirt-suit with a fitted or traditional cut, high heels of no less than 8 centimeters, and pantyhose or stockings.

If you are still serious about applying, you can get the required clothing tomorrow with this," she said, handing Olga her Sirius Software employee credit card.

Olga took the card, her expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Natasha. I won’t let you down,"

"Don’t thank me yet. You have 24 hours to get the clothing and a new bank account set up.

Then you have to pass the interview and tactical assessment. If you fail, you’re out. I’m not about to turn the job posting into a charity show," said Natasha seriously.

Olga nodded, her expression serious. "I understand. I won’t let you down."

"Good. Now, get some rest. You look like you need it." said Natasha, getting up and heading to her bedroom.