"Remember, act natural." I whispered to Sophie as we stood in an alleyway, my ski mask off and stashed away. We quickly left from the collapsing building, and now it's time to go back to the base. "Confidence is the key."

"Understood, Master." Sophie replied, staring intently at my face.

I stared back, and she continued to just look into my eyes. We held the staring contest for a good few seconds before I finally spoke up.

"You good?" I asked.

"So this is what your face looks like, Master." Sophie stated. "I am recording it into my database."

"Right." I replied. "Also, don't call me master in public. I don't want people thinking I'm that kinky."

"Understood." Sophie said once more. "How do I address you?"

"Just call me Jason." I sighed. "Except for when I'm using a fake name. For example, where we're going. Call me Edward there."

Sophie tilted her head. "You wish for me to use your real name?"

"When I'm not using a fake name, yes." I replied.

Sophie nodded in affirmation.

"Alright, now follow me." I ordered.

We walked out of the alleyway onto a more Main Street of Champion City without a single suspect. I mean it really isn't that strange. It's only when you act suspicious.

But what do I have to fear? I didn't do anything at all~!

The walk from Stromford North Facilities to Mother Wasp's base is quite short. Only about five minutes of a walk when you don't need to throw someone off your trail.

A sudden bright light flew past in the sky, causing many people to gasp and point.

Huh, it's Luminosity. I thought she retired.

Anyways, let's get out of here!

We walked in silence until we finally arrived, where we took an alleyway in order to take the true entrance to the base in the back of the abandoned warehouse.

I stood in front of the door, placing my ski mask back on before then knocking on the door. A voice quickly came through.

"Password." The voice gruffly spoke.

"Bees don't care what humans think." I recited.

I could hear the clicking sound of the door unlocking, before it opened and allowed the two of us to enter.

The guy who let us in, a large and beefy bald guy with a sick scar across his eye, gave us a nod and a gruff. He then shut the door and sat back down on his little chair. Good ol' Todd.

Here we are.

Now, I guess I just wait around. Not really sure, honestly. I would just rather be available for Mother Wasp then making her wait, cause usually villains have a short temper when it comes to these things.

"Want to watch some tv?" I turned to Sophie.

Sophie was silent for a moment, staring at me, but not really at me, both at once. Her mismatched eyes then finally focused on me as she nodded.

"Odd place for a date, Edward." Commented Todd.

"This is a date?" Sophie looked at me once more.

"If I ever bring a girl here on a date, please slap me..." I chuckled. "...because then I must have truly gone insane."

Todd simply let out a small grunt in response.

"Anyways, let's go." I nodded to Sophie.

She followed me as I walked further into the base and into the large, main room. This was where the lounge was and also led to many of the other important rooms in the base.

Three guys sat on the couch, watching the television. I walked over, looking at the news only to see it was about the incident that had just occurred.

"All three suspects for the Stromford North Facilities bombing have been caught, and thanks to the hero Stellar there were no casualties." The reporter stated. "Moving to Ms. Richards over at South Stromford Facilities."

The camera switched to a new reporter. "Thank you, Mr. Vinard. The blackout over here has been found to be orchestrated by two individuals. One has been apprehended thanks to Foxfire, but the other is still on the run."

"The motives of these two incidents are still unknown, but it is without a doubt that the two are connected." Ms. Richards continued.

"Damn, overkill much?" One of them stated.

"A blackout is pretty smart." Another one chimed in.

"I'm talking about the bombing, dumbass." The first one facepalmed.

I'm with you there.

"Ah, if it isn't my first volunteer~." A sultry voice suddenly spoke from behind.

I lightly jumped, turning around to see Mother Wasp standing behind me. The other three men who were in the couch quickly jumped up to attention.

"Boss." I greeted with a short bow.

"You did well." She smirked. "A goon who knows how to do his job and escape a superhero is a valuable one."

"Thank you." I nodded.

"Congratulations, dearie." She spoke, suddenly flicking something at me.

I caught the small item, opening my palm to see a metal pin of a wasp. I looked up to Mother Wasp, who strode forwards to stand right in front of me.

She put her fingers under my chin, lightly pushing my head up to look her straight in the eyes as she smirked.

Ah.

"You're the first to graduate from being a simple worker bee, my little worker wasp." She stated. "Keep proving your worth to me, and you'll get even more rewards. Speaking of..."

She stepped back, snapping her fingers.

A low buzz entered my ears. I looked up, where from the ceiling started to descend a small cloud of bees. They floated down, a briefcase laying on top of them.

Mother Wasp grabbed the briefcase, before tossing it to me. I quickly opened it up to see a lot of cash inside.

Holy shit, this is going to pay off everything for a good two or three months!

I quickly closed the briefcase back up, holding it under my arm. Looks like I'll have to be very confident on the way back. And I'll have to keep an eye out for those annoying run-by snatchers.

Another person ran up to us, panting as he arrived. Mother Wasp smiled at him, flicking him a pin which he caught.

"And you're the second." She stated. "Like I said, you'll be paid handsomely."

She snapped her fingers. Another cloud of bees floated down, holding another briefcase which she tossed to the man. However, his briefcase was smaller than the one I received.

"Thanks to your distractions, my plan is going along smoothly." She stated. "Now please be ready for future jobs. And be careful you aren't caught by superheroes if this place is ratted out."

She then turned around and walked away, leaving us alone. Right, well, time to leave before another Deathhand situation happens.

I turned around, walking away until I suddenly felt a strong shove on my back, sending me stumbling forwards. I looked back at the other guy, seeing that he was fuming.

Sophie turned towards him, her hands clenched into fists and ready to fight.

"Jelly?" I asked as I stood up straight.

"You. It's your fault!" He growled.

The three guys standing at the couch glanced at each other, before continuing to watch whatever this was.

"Look, it'd be a lot easier to be sentimental if you actually spoke coherent sentences." I replied.

"You bitch!" He grabbed me by the collar, pulling me up to look him in the face.

"Oh, you wanna kiss?" I smirked.

"Shut! Up!" He yelled. "It's because of you that my brother was caught! Let alone the other three!"

Sorry, what? I don't follow.

"If you hadn't immediately volunteered and then put the pressure on us..." He explained with a blazing fury in his eyes. "...I bet you even sabotaged the other three to get all the money."

Okay buddy, that's your own problem. And they brought that arrest on themselves. I didn't sabotage, I just didn't help. I may be a criminal, but I have standards!

"Oh, I'm sorry." I replied. "Sorry that your brother has such a coward for a sibling."

"You-!" He screamed, bringing his fist back for a punch. As he threw it forwards his fist was suddenly caught by a third party.

Sophie held his first with an expressionless face and without a hint of struggle. He looked at her in confusion before she started to tighten her grip.

He let go of me, stumbling back as Sophie let go of his hand in response. He held his hand, looking at the both of us with fury.

"This isn't over." He hissed.

I really don't care.

He picked his suitcase back up, walking away with it while mumbling something something angry.

I turned towards Sophie, giving her a small smile. "Thanks for the assist."

"Thanks?" She tilted her head.

"Yeah. Thank you." I replied, a little confused with her reaction.

I cannot get a read on this one. Probably cause she's a robot. You know, a little worrying, but she does seem committed to my safety.

Well, I'll be careful in any case.

Sophie didn't respond, instead simply nodding.

Well, it's now time to head back to the apartment now that I've got my cash. But I have to say, not the situation I expected for the first time bringing a girl home.