Destro appears in a recording that looks like it was made on a high-end cell phone, appearing more like a viral TikTok than an official Cobra report. Destro is wearing purple shades over a gold version of his clan mask. His animal-print collar can be seen in the shot, as well as the actual leopard skin draped over his shoulder. His voice is deep and smooth, and his work at smoothing out his Midland Valley accent is paying off.
“Commander,” Destro begins, sounding a little like his father. “I have delivered several more Invaders and Stilettos to Red Wolf, as ordered. If you wish, I will have my pilots take them up to the Solar Serpent for faster deployment, unless you wish me to leave them here for Dark Matter to use to train future pilots. I feel it best to rely on MARS for arms, Commander – not the petri dish scrapings Cesspool calls ‘weapons.’
“My MASS device worked perfectly in retrieving the Relay Star, and, with the Relay Star integrated, stealing Fort Knox as well. Pure dead brilliant there, I must admit. However, transferring that much mass has made the machine unstable – I must have Vandermeer back here at once. Interrogator, bring the good doctor back as soon as possible, or I will send my own men to retrieve him.
“As for your lip, Mindbender – before you mouth off again, remember where your BAT factories would be without MARS’s specialized components. It would be such a nàire if you were somehow lost on the trip back and MARS would have to simply absorb your R&D department. A nàire indeed. Don’t push me, Mindbender. I’m not my father. There are limits to my patience.
“As for the world situation – with all MARS’s assets converted to snakecoin, we are poised to ride out any insecurities created by our kidnapping of Fort Knox. I will continue to deliver you your military assets as required, but we are already running low on the rare elements needed to power the MASS. We may need to prepare new missions for retrieving more soon. I will leave such details to Baroness and Major Bludd.”
Destro raises his chin cockily. “Laird Alexander McCullen Destro XXV of Scotland, at your service.” The MARS logo slides into place as the transmission ends.