The three women stood shoulder to shoulder just inside the door to the palatial office suite. On their own, each possessed extraordinary beauty and an Olympian stature. Together, they inspired nothing less than outright awe.
Severna Strickland, a not unimpressive woman in her own right, voiced that exact observation to the three women.
“I am, quite literally, in awe,” she said. “It’s not everyday that a modest businesswoman such as myself hosts three powerful superheroines in her office. To what do I owe this honor?”
“You owe it to this search warrant,” Minerva said. Accurately dubbed the Ultimate Warrior, she wore a gleaming suit of chainmail, complemented by an armored helm, gauntlets, and boots. On her back was slung a large, oval shield, and an ornate mace hung from her belt.
“Which you’re going to let us carry out, if you know what’s good for you,” Firebird said. Known as a master pyrokinetic, she had a disposition to match her explosive power. She wore a leather body suit that covered her from neck to hands and feet, with gloves and boots covering her where the suit did not.
“It’s all legal, and we’ve been duly deputized by the court,” Pacifica said. Rumored to be an actual demi-goddess, she possessed the power of aquakinesis and unmatched athleticism. As she was unbothered by heat, cold, or high pressure, she wore only a scaled leotard and nothing on her feet.
“I see, I see,” Severna said, taking the warrant from Minerva and perusing it. “Yes, everything looks to be in order. So, I’ll have to step aside and let you do your job of searching through every item in this room, no matter how private, personal, or delicate.”
She handed the document back.
“The only thing is,” she said, “I wonder if you brought enough people to do what’s necessary.”
“Three of the most powerful people on the planet are more than enough to do what’s necessary,” Firebird said with a scowl. “And while we expect no trouble from you, we are more than ready for it. In fact, I’m hoping you start something.”
“I wouldn’t dare start anything,” Severna said. “Unless, of course, I felt threatened. And, I must admit, having the three of you in here, tearing my office apart on trumped up charges against me, does make me feel that way.”
“That’s your problem, not ours,” Firebird said.
“Look, Severna,” Minerva said. “All bluster aside, Firebird is correct. We are more than capable of handling anything you might throw at us. You’re in a no-win situation. This can go easy and well, or it can go poorly. But one way or another, we’re executing this warrant, as we’ve been deputized to do. Are you going to cooperate with us, or not?”
“Well, three against one aren’t great odds, as far as resisting you goes,” Severna said.
“To say the least,” Firebird said.
“But two on two sounds pretty good,” Severna said.
“What are you talking about?” Pacifica asked.
“I’m talking about the one of you who’s working for me,” Severna said.
“None of us is working for you,” Minerva said. “None of us would ever work for you.”
”Not willingly, no,” Severna said.
“Okay, enough stalling,” Firebird said, moving forward into the office. “I’m here to do some searching, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Severna made no move to stop the heroine. She simply stood where she was, gazing wolfishly at Minerva and Pacifica.
“Wait a minute, Firebird,” Minerva said. “I want to hear her out.”
“Seriously?” Firebird asked, but she stopped nonetheless.
“All right, Severna, which of us is working for you, unwillingly or otherwise?” Minerva asked.
“Surely, whichever of you that it is knows and can tell the others,” Severna said. “No? No one admits it? Or, maybe, whoever it is doesn’t know themselves.”
“This is ridiculous,” Firebird said. “Why are we letting her waste our time?”
“It’s definitely a delaying tactic,” Pacifica said. “She probably has allies who’ve been alerted and who are on their way here.”
“Probably,” Minerva said. “But something tells me we need to listen to her.”
Firebird and Pacifica exchanged wary glances as a bad feeling suddenly struck them both. They wondered if Minerva’s statement wasn’t playing directly into Severna’s ploy. For an instant, they even flirted with the idea that their friend was the unknowing traitor.
“Listening to me is a very good idea,” Severna said. “Because if your strength is reduced from three to two, and if mine is increased by one, then the odds of you successfully carrying out your mission are greatly diminished. So are the chances of you making it out of here in one piece.”
“Stop playing games,” Minerva said. “Neither of my partners here is going to stand down for long. If you have something definitive to say, then say it. Otherwise, shut up. Or we will shut you up.”
“All I have to say is what we all already know,” Severna said. “Superheroines sometimes fall under the sway of villains. They succumb to brainwashing and carry out the instructions of their masters. They usually do so unknowingly and often betray their compatriots in the process. It’s a far less rare occurrence than any in your profession care to admit. But still, it happens. Now then, you are superheroines. And I am a villain. More so, I’m a villain who is known for bending others to my will. It isn’t unreasonable at all to assume that one of you encountered me before. And that I came out ahead in that instance. And now, that woman is in my thrall, though she doesn’t realize it.”
Each of the three heroines stared at each other nervously. Gone was their righteous arrogance and indignation. In its place resided a gnawing fear.
“Most of the time when a brainwashed heroine is found out,” Severna said, “she’s been acting or dressing differently. It’s usually what tips off her friends that something is wrong. For example, she might parade around barefoot, instead of wearing her trademark ass-kicking boots.”
Both Minerva and Firebird immediately turned their gaze to Pacifica.
“Hey!” Pacifica said in protest to suddenly being the unwanted object of their attention. “I’ve always gone barefoot! Ocean goddess here. Deep sea swimmer. Wave rider. Where does footwear fit into my profile?”
Her companions’ eyes remained locked on her for a moment, until the truth of her words sank in.
“She’s not going to shut up,” Firebird said of Severna. “Let’s shut her up.”
Each of the heroines nodded their approval at once. Severna knew what was about to happen, and so she said one short phrase:
“Defend me, slave.”
Then the heroines lunged.
Minerva leapt forward to engage Severna. In mid-leap, she found herself thrown to the side. Firebird ignited trails of fire above her hands, with the intent of encircling Severna with them. But before she could act, a cascade of water doused both the flames and her body.
Pacifica leapt at the same time as Minerva, but her attack targeted the heroine beside her, not Severna. Concurrently, she unleashed a torrent of water upon Firebird, extinguishing the pyrokinetic’s fire.
“Pacifica, no!” Minerva said. “She’s controlling you! Fight it! Fight--”
Pacifica opened her palm and channeled several gallons of water onto Minerva’s face. Instead of draining away, the water hung there, completely blocking the heroine’s eyes, nose, and mouth. Minerva swiped and clawed at it to no avail. Then Pacifica turned to Firebird, who was covered in billowing steam as her raging internal temperatures boiled away the water that had knocked out her fire.
“Try that again,” Firebird said. “And I’ll cook you like a lobster.”
Her eyes glassy and her face placid, Pacifica sprang to her feet and cartwheeled over to Firebird. Landing upright and deftly avoiding a flame blast leveled at her head, she twirled and executed a roundhouse kick that took Firebird in the chin. Firebird fell to the ground, and Pacifica kicked her in the temple. The downed heroine’s head lolled limply to the side.
“Good job, slave,” Severna said. “Although I’m glad I put in the extra drains in this room. A water-powered defender makes quite a mess.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” Pacifica said. “And my apologies for the mess.”
“Oh, that’s all right. You did what you had to do. When Minerva stops struggling, remove the water from her head. I want her incapacitated, not killed.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Then, prep both women for processing. I’ll be at my desk taking care of some paperwork. Let me know when they’re ready. I want to watch.”
“Yes, Mistress. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.”
“You’re welcome, slave.”
Severna walked over to her desk, sat down, and began working as if nothing at all had happened.
Pacifica did as she had been instructed. When Minerva’s struggles ceased, she dissipated the water before the heroine could drown. Then, after ensuring that Minerva was unconscious, she began removing the warrior’s armor and weapons. When Minerva was stripped down to a spandex body suit and bare feet, Pacifica hefted her up and carried her to the far end of the office.
An access panel was set into the far wall, and Pacifica tapped a code into it. Seconds later, a large section of the wall opened to reveal a large alcove that housed an interesting looking chair. The chair resembled a cross between something a barber and a dentist would use. It had head, arm, and foot rests and the capability to recline. It also contained hidden restraints that would completely immobilize an occupant.
Pacifica placed Minerva in the chair. At once, the restraints activated, encircling the warrior’s forehead, wrists, and ankles with reinforced titanium bands. Then the bottom part of the chair raised up, lifting her legs until the soles of her feet sat perpendicular to the floor. Minerva began to stir as consciousness returned to her.
“The first subject is waking up now, Mistress,” Pacifica said. “She is restrained, and the process can begin whenever you are ready.”
“Excellent,” Severna said, rising from her desk and walking over to the alcove.
Pacifica bowed slightly to her, then went back to retrieve Firebird.
“Activate,” Severna said to the chair.
“Huhhh...what?” Minerva said groggily.
A robotic arm, from which hung a transparent dome-like helmet, slowly rose up from behind the chair. As the arm reached its peak, the helmet began descending down until it rested over Minerva’s head, covering her down to her mouth.
“Hey!” Minerva said, now more awake and aware. “What’s going on? Firebird! Pacifica!”
“Process,” Severna said to the chair, a smile of an immense joy spreading over her face.
A low hum sounded and a soft light glowed from within the helmet. Minerva gasped as a strange, tickling itch raced over her scalp. She tensed every muscle, trying to escape the sensation. But the restraints held her fast. Then, an intense drowsiness washed over her. She fought against it, but felt it pulling her inexorably down into sleep.
“Firebird!” Minerva said. “Severna’s trying to brainwash me! Like she did to Pacifica! I need your help! I need...I need...I...uhhhh...nnnnn….”
She lost consciousness. The helmet’s glow faded then, but the hum increased. Unknowingly, she smiled in her sleep, as the process triggered the pleasure center of her brain to reinforce her conditioning.
With Firebird now stripped of her gloves, boots, and socks, Pacifica carried her over to Severna.
“What shall I do with this one?” she asked her Mistress.
“Hold onto her until the current process is complete. It won’t be long now.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
A moment later, the humming within the helmet ceased. The helmet retracted, and the chair repositioned itself so that Minerva sat fully upright. Then, the restraints snapped open and receded back into their holdings. Minerva slumped forward in sleep.
“Wake up, slave,” Severna.
Minerva opened her eyes, which were now glassy and distant like Pacifica’s.
“I am awake, Mistress,” she said. “How may I serve you?”
“Stand up, take Firebird, and place her in the chair.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Minerva did as she was instructed. When Firebird was seated, the restraints activated, and the chair repositioned itself to raise up its occupants legs.
“Hm,” Severna said. “As much as I enjoy watching the chair’s process, I think, just for fun, a different approach is needed with Firebird.”
She turned to Pacifica.
“Slave, go to the control room and turn on the remote access cameras. Make sure they are centered on Firebird.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Pacifica left to do as she was bidden.
“Slave,” Severna said to Minerva,”this is what I need you to do…”
Severna gave Minerva detailed directions and had her repeat them back. When she was satisfied that the enthralled heroine understood everything, she handed over a small object to her and then left the room. After her mistress was gone, Minerva stood there passively, waiting for Firebird to wake up.
“Ohhh…” Firebird said, as she slowly regained consciousness.
Minerva moved to stand beside her.
“Easy, Firebird, easy,” she said. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”
“Pacifica...she attacked us...Severna must have brainwashed her.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what happened.”
“We have to stop her!”
“She’s gone now. But don’t worry, we’ll go after her soon.”
“Hey,” Firebird said, as she tried to get up but couldn’t. “Why am I restrained? Get me out of this thing!”
“Relax, Firebird. I will get you out. But not just yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because when I woke up a few minutes ago, I saw Pacifica standing over you in this chair. She had just put you through the same brainwashing process Severna had put her through. When she saw me, she fled. I could either have gone after her or rescued you.”
“You mean...I’ve been brainwashed? But I don’t feel any different.”
“I bet Pacifica would have said the same thing an hour ago,” Minerva said.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. So, what do we do?”
“I can break you free of the conditioning.”
“How?”
“Hypnosis.”
“Hypnosis?” Firebird asked skeptically. “Since when do you know how to hypnotize people?”
“Since I worked on a case with Night Owl, and she instructed me in the technique as an interrogation method.”
“Oh.”
Minerva held up a shiny silver chain, at the end of which dangled a large pocket watch.
“Now I just need you to relax and focus your attention on this watch,” she said.
“Relax, huh? That’s not so easy while I’m stuck in this chair.”
“For your own safety--and mine--I can’t release you until I’ve deprogrammed you. Now, forget where you are. Think of being in a lounge chair on your favorite beach. Hear in your mind the gentle rush of the surf, as it rolls in and out, in and out, in and out. As you hear that, look at the watch as I swing it back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, in time with the surf, in and out, back and forth, in and out, back and forth.”
Under the guidance of her friend, Firebird imagined the sound in her mind and followed the watch with her eyes. In under a minute, she began to feel relaxed. And soon after that, she began to feel sleepy.
Minerva continued to guide her through the induction. Within a few minutes, Firebird was hypnotized. Spending several more minutes deepening the trance and its resulting suggestibility, Minerva finally decided that Firebird was ready to program.
“Firebird, when you wake up, you won’t remember any of the events that occurred since we entered Severna’s office,” Minerva said. “You won’t remember them because they didn’t happen.”
“Won’t remember events since we entered Severna’s office...they didn’t happen.”
“What did happen was that Severna complied fully with the search warrant. We searched exhaustively and found nothing.”
“Severna complied with the warrant...we searched but found nothing.”
“Whenever you hear Severna or me say the phrase, ‘hypnotized heroine,’ you will unknowingly slip into a trance, exactly like you are in now. While in that trance, you will unerringly follow any instructions that Severna or I give you.”
“Hypnotized heroine...will put me in a trance...and I will follow your and Severna’s instructions.”
“Even without us saying that phrase to you, you will never be able to act against Severna in any way, and you will do your best to keep others from acting against, too.”
“Never act against Severna...keep others from acting against her.”
“In a moment, I am going to wake you up. When I do, you won’t consciously remember anything I’ve told you while you were hypnotized, but you will act on everything.”
“Won’t remember what you’ve told me...but I will act on everything.”
“Release,” Minerva said.
In response, the chair lowered back into its normal position. Then the restraints pulled back into their housings.
“Wake up, Firebird.”
“Hm? What?” Firebird said, looking around in confusion.
“This is no time for a nap, Firebird,” Minerva said. “Pacifica and I finished our search. We didn’t find anything. You?”
“Oh, um, no I didn’t find anything. Severna’s clean. The DA was barking up the wrong tree. Uh...why aren’t we wearing our gear? And why are we barefoot?”
“Because Severna politely asked us to not wear shoes on her new carpet.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.”
“Come on, we’re done here. Let’s go tell our mistress that she can have her office back.”
“What did you say?” Firebird asked.
“I said let’s go tell Severna that she can have her office back.”
“Right, right. That’s what I thought you said.”
Firebird stood up. She walked with Minerva to where their gear and clothing lay. Gathering it up, they left the office.
From her desk in the control room, Severna watched the heroines on the monitors. When they exited the office, she called over her shoulder to Pacifica, who stood obediently behind her.
“Turn off the cameras, slave.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Severna nodded to herself, thinking that, yes, the classic hypnosis had worked quite well on Firebird. She would have to remember to use it from time to time, when she grew bored of the technological brainwashing methods she normally employed.
Then she thought of what she would do with her new thralls. She knew that the three heroines could perform many duties for her--both useful and entertaining. It would be a lot of fun exploring all the possibilities….