Chapter 5
For a long second I just… looked at them.
Eight women kneeling in my living room like it was the most natural thing in the world. Heads bowed, right fists over their hearts, uniforms catching the light.
They all wore variations of the same outfit: black and gold armour shaped around their bodies, white aprons and frills layered over it, capes hanging behind them. A blend between maid and shock trooper. Ridiculous and terrifying at the same time.
The one in the centre drew my eye first. Human looking. Long brown hair falling in waves over her shoulders, eyes bright, posture perfect. Her armour had a bit more detailing than the others, cleaner lines, more presence. She looked like the default leader type. Warm smile on her face even while kneeling, but there was something sharp sitting behind it.
On her left, there was a woman with short black hair, sharp jawline, grey eyes that were already flicking around the room, cataloguing everything. Same uniform, but she wore the belts and pouches like she actually used every single one. Felt like batman a little bit.
Next over was dark skin, long braids, gold armour catching the light. She had that casual, relaxed tension to her shoulders that screamed "I can disappear into a crowd and stab you before you blink" but she was also the one who looked the most like she was trying not to grin.
Then there was the purple-skinned elf. Long white hair, elegant features, calm expression. Her eyes were soft but old in a way that did not fit the maid aesthetic at all. She looked like she should have been in some ancient moon temple cultivating the dao of serenity, not in my living room.
Past her, the mood shifted.
A tall, grey-skinned woman with a long tail coiled behind her, smooth head marked with dark stripes. Her hands were folded in front of her, posture absolutely straight. If "unimpressed manager" had a deity, it was her.
Next, blue skin covered in sharp angular tattoos, head shaved, shoulders broad. She had the kind of slow, predatory grin that did not belong on anyone calling themselves a maid.
Beside her, horns. Black and curved, framing a pale face with a single black gem sitting in the middle of her forehead. Her expression was unreadable, red eyes half-lidded like she was bored. I could sense the Magic radiating off her.
And finally, at the far right, there was a red-skinned woman with ember-like eyes and hair that fell like molten black. She stood just a little straighter than the rest, even while kneeling, like she was ready to correct the air itself if it dared disobey.
Eight of them. Eight battle maids with viltrumite abilities.
I let the moment stretch a bit, just taking it in.
"Stand," I said trying to use the most commanding tone I could.
They rose as one, movements perfectly synced, capes shifting behind them.
"Introduce yourselves," I added. "Name and what you specialise in."
The brown-haired one in the centre stepped forward smoothly, hand still over her chest.
"Elara Aethys," she said, voice warm but clear. "Head maid of this detachment. Primary responsibilities: overall coordination, discipline, estate administration and personal attendance upon our lord."
She continued. "For operational efficiency, we have all been provided with complete memories of each other, my lord. Skills, habits, preferences, temperaments. It allows us to function as a unified unit from the moment of arrival."
I blinked once.
I did not put that in the parameters.
The SYSTEM really loved giving bonus features I did not pay for. I filed that away in the mental folder labeled "stuff to poke at later".
"Good to know," I said. "Continue."
She stepped back half a pace.
The grey-skinned one with the tail moved next, posture like a spear.
"Zareth Kaa," she said. Her voice was low and smooth, with a faint hiss at the edges. "Logistics and household management. Supply chains, maintenance, schedules, protocol. Second in command of your battle maids detachment."
Yeah, that tracked perfectly with the way she was already glaring at non-existent dust.
Short-haired tech girl stepped up after her.
"Seris Valka," she said. "Technology, science and engineering. Design, analysis, development, reverse-engineering. If it can be built, improved or broken, I will handle it."
Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, and there was a tiny spark of amusement there before she stepped back.
Braids moved forward, hands behind her back, smile just this side of playful.
"Lyssandra Vey, my lord," she said. "Information, espionage and counter-espionage. Acquisition, protection and… editing of data. I will see to your eyes and ears, my lord."
The way she said "editing" did not bode well for anyone who tried to dig too deep where they shouldn't.
The purple elf bowed her head slightly as she stepped up.
"Naerisa Solenne. Medicine and healing. Physical, spiritual and divine. I will ensure you and your people remain whole."
Simple, clean, zero flex. Somehow that made it sound even more competent.
Blue tattoos next.
"Valkara Strix," she said, grin widening. "Strategy, battlefield control, large-scale engagement. I will handle your wars."
At least she was honest about what she wanted out of life.
Horned mage came after that, expression almost blank.
"Nyxara Veil." she said quietly. "Arcane and divine magic. Offensive, defensive, structural. You give intent. I provide results."
Then the red-skinned one stepped forward last, eyes burning hot and focused.
"Azara Kryn. Training and discipline. Combat preparation, regimen design, performance optimisation. Anyone placed under your banner will meet your standards."
She said it like it was a threat to the universe.
I let out a slow breath, then nodded.
"Alright," I said. "I am pretty sure I have no need to introduce myself, but for formality's sake: Aetherion Feyd Rautha Harkonnen, the second. You already know the rest of the titles I've designed myself."
Eight pairs of eyes watched me like I was the oasis in the desert.
"I am looking forward to our time together," I continued. "My expectations for you are absurdly high. But somehow, I am already sure you will meet them and then set new ones just to annoy me."
A few small smiles there. Lyssandra outright grinned.
"For now, familiarise yourselves with our new home," I said. "Pick your own rooms. Coordinate with each other. Put together a list of anything you need for the house or for your work. Equipment, materials, food, whatever. We will make it happen."
"As you command," Elara said, bowing her head.
They moved as a unit again, splitting off into pairs and trios, footsteps fading deeper into the mansion.
The living room felt strangely empty once they were gone.
I dropped onto the couch and let myself sink into it, exhaling slowly.
Private island. Anti-surveillance ward. Eight Viltrumite battle maids. Less than two weeks ago I was stressed about meeting an impossible dead line.
I was just about to start mapping out my next steps when the phone Fury gave me started ringing on the coffee table.
Of course.
I picked it up and put it to my ear. "Feyd."
"Good to know you answer your phone," Fury's voice came through immediately. "We have something for you."
"Already? You work fast."
"Global threats don't clock out," he said dryly. "Mission briefing tomorrow. I will send the details in the morning."
"Alright."
"Also," he added, in that tone people used when they thought they were being casual but absolutely were not, "some of my people will be coming by today to pick up the listening and recording devices."
He said it like it was the most normal sentence on Earth.
I looked around my very bug-free living room and smiled to myself.
"Of course," I said. "I will be here."
"Try not to break them," he said, and hung up.
A couple of minutes later, footsteps approached. Zareth stepped into the room, tail coiling neatly behind her, hands meeting by her privates.
"My lord," she said. "We have finished our initial inspection of the house and surrounding grounds. The others are currently compiling the requested requisition list."
"Efficient," I said. "Good."
"There is, one additional matter," she continued. "During our survey we discovered multiple primitive surveillance and recording devices hidden throughout the estate and on the shoreline. We have gathered them. How would you like us to proceed?"
Of course they had already found them.
"First of all," I said, "well done. That was fast."
She inclined her head slightly at the praise.
"Fury is sending agents to collect those devices," I went on. "Let them. Consider it them admitting they tried and failed."
Zareth's eyes narrowed, just a bit. "Understood. We will receive them and… chaperone their movements to ensure they do nothing unbecoming while in your master's domain my lord."
I almost felt bad for the agents. Almost.
"Try not to scare them too much," I added.
"No promises," she said with a small almost invisible smile, and left to relay orders.
────────
A few hours later, the distant thump of rotor blades rolled over the island.
I stepped out onto the back veranda just in time to see the transport helicopter circle once, then descend toward the landing area.
Waiting for them on the concrete, hands folded neatly in front of her, cloak fluttering in the wind, was Naerisa. Calm, purple, absolutely unbothered by the noise.
The helo door slid open and five agents climbed out, headsets on, standard tactical gear. They looked around with professional focus that lasted exactly three seconds before all of them did a very obvious double-take at the elf healer maid standing there.
"Welcome to the island," Naerisa said, voice soft but carrying easily. "Our master appreciates your promptness."
One of the agents glanced at the others, then back at her. "We… were under the impression he was alone out here."
Naerisa smiled politely. "Circumstances have evolved. Please, follow me."
She turned and walked toward the house, steps unhurried. The agents exchanged looks again, then fell in behind her, trying to keep an eye on their environment and failing.
By the time they reached the front gate, two more maids were waiting.
Lyssandra lounged casually against one of the pillars like this was all a bit of a joke only she understood. Seris stood beside her, posture straight, holding a sturdy black box in her hands.
"Afternoon," Lyssandra said brightly. "Welcome to the boss's new place."
Seris lifted the box slightly. "We took the liberty of collecting all your toys from around the house," she said, tone perfectly serious. "To make things easier."
The agents stared at the box, then at her.
"You're saying… you found all the devices," one of them managed.
"Yes," Seris said. "As far as we can tell. You are, of course, welcome to conduct your own sweep, in case we missed any of your equipment."
The way she said "in case" carried the unspoken "we didn't".
One of the agents volunteered to take the box back to the helicopter, muttering something about securing it. He disappeared toward the pad, already reaching for his radio.
The other four followed Naerisa and Seris into the house.
The poor guy with the box got patched through to Fury within minutes, giving a rushed report about "an alien-looking female" and "collected surveillance package". I didn't need to hear Fury's side to know he was telling them to observe everything and not start a fight.
Inside, the sweep turned into a quiet little parade.
Wherever the agents went, at least one maid was nearby. Zareth, arms folded, watching every move like she was grading them. Valkara leaning in doorways, grin lazy and sharp, looking them over like potential sparring partners. Azara noting their posture, their trigger discipline, probably mentally writing up improvement drills. Nyxara just… appearing at the end of hallways without a sound.
The agents tried to act normal. They failed.
They went through the entire mansion and a quick lap of the immediate grounds in under thirty minutes. Every bug they checked off was already in Seris's box. Any time one of them lingered a little too long in a corner, Zareth's eyes narrowed and they moved on very quickly.
Planting new devices was not on their menu today.
When they regrouped near the entrance, Elara was waiting for them this time, smile warm and almost disarming.
"Gentlemen," she said. "Our lord has requested a brief audience, if you would be so kind."
They followed her to the living room, where I was sitting on the couch, one arm over the backrest like I owned the place. Which, to be fair, I did.
"Agents," I said as they stopped a few meters away. "I take it you found what you came for."
"Yes, sir," the lead said carefully. "Your… staff were very helpful."
"Good," I said. "Pass along a message to Director Fury for me."
He tensed slightly. "Of course."
"I do not appreciate attempts to spy on me in my own home," I said, keeping my tone calm. "I will let this one slide in the spirit of our cooperation. First offence. We will call it curiosity. Next time, I will not be so kind."
The agent swallowed once, then nodded. "Understood."
"In return," I added, pulling a folded sheet of paper from the coffee table and holding it out with qi, "I would like this taken care of as soon as possible."
He stepped forward and took it. His eyes flicked down the list, and I watched them widen a little.
High-performance training equipment. Medical equipment and supplies fit for a small private clinic. A couple up to date engineering and research lab equipment. high-spec computers and servers. Agricultural tools and resources. Basic library with specific topics tagged. And near the top, in very clear letters:
• Full legal identities, documentation for Aetherion Feyd Rautha Harkonnen II and his eight personal attendants, valid on all official systems.
• Appropriate financial accounts and access methods linked to said identities.
Nothing technically impossible for S.H.I.E.L.D, but definitely not the usual welcome package.
"I am not asking for everything tomorrow," I said. "But the identities and basic infrastructure would be appreciated sooner rather than later. Consider it an investment in your new… contractor."
He closed the list carefully. "We will relay this to the Director."
"I am sure you will."
A few more polite words later, they were back on the helicopter, rotors spinning up.
From the veranda, I watched them lift off and bank away, shrinking into the distance.
Even from here, I could imagine their faces. Trying to wrap their heads around what just happened, definitely above their pay grade.
Could not blame them.
If I were them, I would not believe it either.