Chapter Text
It was another busy day at Voxtek, Vox had spent all morning filming in his studio, getting ahead of some programs before an afternoon of meetings, the first one being at a place across town that wanted some security fitting for their new venue. It'd normally be something Vox would send one of his employees to, but apparently the guy running it was a mysterious bigshot that no one had actually seen before.
Velvette had emphasized how well he was doing on socials, definitely an important well connected guy they needed on their side. According to the word from Valentino's whores the new venue was going to be a huge club, wherethey already reserved a VIP section for Valentino's personal use only.
The Guy, Mr Lacerta, had also requested Vox himself be the one to come over for the meeting, stating he was a big fan of his and would only agree to an in person meeting with him, he'd even pay extra for it. Pay extra he would, Vox scoffed to himself, downing the remainder of his coffee. He'll charge the prick 60% extra on top of what the security would usually cost; and if the guy was such a big fan it wouldn't take Vox long to smooth talk his way into a partnership and eventually a takeover. Vox's grin widened slightly at the thought.
Like a shark who smelled blood in the water, one of Vox's favorite things was to take over the competition and make them feel like it was their idea. That Voxtek was the best thing that ever happened to them… until it wasn't, until they suddenly found themselves with nothing left and Vox had everything. This guy couldn't be that much of a fan if he thought the Vees would allow anyone to open up a venue bigger than their own close to their district… They would however let the guy waste his own time and money on building and advertising his new venture, leaving it perfect for Vox to take it over once it was established.
“S-sir, the car is ready to go ” Vox's assistant stuttered.
“Hmm, i'll be down in five, be sure to keep everything moving here whilst I'm gone,” Vox waved his assistant away before heading towards the elevator doors. Short ride down, flash a smile to the paparazzi outside and quick message to Valentino and Velvette before climbing into the back of the limo.
Vox: heading to meeting with the guy across town, will have a debrief with you both when i get back try to behave whilst i’m gone.
Velvette: Fuck you tell that to your sugar baby. try not to fuck this up the guy seems very active online even if no one knows what he looks like. Try to get a few snaps for me could always resort to blackmail if he wants to stay anonymous.
Valentino: your both bitches make sure that the VIP section he's building me is at least worth my time. See you after my shoot tonight Voxxy ;p
Vox rolled his eyes staring out the limo window as buildings passed by, moving further and further away from the busy city center until they arrived at an old quiet end at the outskirts of town. Frowning at the site, Vox hoped this wasn't where the guy was planning on building his club. The place looked a mess and mostly run down even Valentino wouldn't want a club this far out. Maybe he could repurpose the space once it was his, send his more annoying workers this way.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Vox questioned the driver before getting out and staring at what looked like a small abandoned apartment complex.
“This was the address given, Mr Vox,” the driver replied quickly, he knew better than to drive the Vee's to the wrong destination so he'd checked the address three times to make sure. The last guy who fucked up ended splattered underneath Mr Valentino's limo with a few extra bullet holes for good measure. Vox scowled; if he'd been dragged all the way out here to this dump for no reason he'll shoot the guy himself. Just then a message buzzed through to his phone.
Number withheld: Welcome Vox it's an honor to see you in the flesh, please ignore the appearance of the place i find remaining anonymous is much easier if you reside in less obvious places. Please make your way through the main doors. I'll be with you shortly.
Stepping towards the building Vox could feel the humming of all the different electronics inside: cameras, routers, TV's and dozens of mobiles. If the guy was already so clued up and up to date on technology, why did he need this meeting with Vox in the first place? Nevermind, Vox shrugged, more fool of him for getting involved with the Vox voluntarily. It was not his fault if this so-called bigshot was making himself easy prey. Stepping into the entrance way Vox blinked slightly into the dark space, his screen now being one of the main light sources in the room.
“If it turns out you have called me here just to waste my time, you'll find yourself at the wrong end of my business partner's favorite weapon,” Vox spoke, his voice calm but firm. The longer he stayed in the dark space the more a bit of dread pooled in his stomach… something was off…
Bzzz Bzzz
Number withheld: Now Vox there's no need for threats. I can assure you I have the means to put my money where my mouth is. To your right is a small bag with just a fraction of money I have for this project. I just like a little privacy, that's all. You can understand being in front of the camera all the time is exhausting. There's power in being anonymous, but don't fret, I am on my way. I just had to know you would come personally. I will see you soon. For now there is a lounge just to your right with an open bar with your favorite liquor, help yourself.
Scowling some more, Vox shifted his gaze around the room until he came in contact with the small bag making his way over, cyan claws unzipping it to find large bundles of cash. Vox scoffed slightly before zipping the bag back up. Was this supposed to impress him? So the guy did have money to flaunt, at least he wasn't lying about that, but this money was merely pocket change compared to his own wealth. Vox wasn't one to turn down anything extra though if the guy had cash lying around he really was easy pickings, maybe there was still something to gain from this encounter. Taking the bag with him Vox moved over to the other room. It was only a small space with a large sofa, soft lighting and decent sized 50s style liquor cabinet not unlike the one Vox had in his living life. Nostalgic joy spread a small smile on his screen as he brushed his claws over the polished mahogany before opening the doors to reveal his favorite brands of whiskey. Slightly strange but the guy probably just had good taste that's all, besides having common likes and interests with a potential sucker made deals much easier. It created a false sense of trust, you tend to trust people who are like you, after all. Pouring a glass Vox made his way over to the sofa, he'd give the guy 10 more minutes before he just left with the money, at least he’d have some cash and a decent drink out of this. Pulling out his phone Vox began to check some emails and notifications while he was waiting. Just as he was about to finish his drink and leave Vox heard the door clink open and shut.
“Oh Mr Lacerta have you decided to joi… eugh” Vox’s voice cut short as his whole body seized, muscles pulled tight contorting unnaturally on their own, as sparks flew out his antennae. Something washed over his internal system clouding his mind like thick fog. His movements became uncoordinated and clumsy as he tried to gain control back over his own limbs. What the fuck was this! What was happening!
Downloading…2%
Downloading…5%
Downloading…10%
Shit! What was downloading? Why couldn't he move properly?! Standing on wobbling feet, his arms suddenly dropped, hanging unnaturally by his sides and unwilling to move the way Vox wanted them to. Fuck just move dammit, he thought, as he turned to face who had entered the room with a scowl.
Downloading…15%
“W..WhATs… GgGooOOGoinG oN” Vox slurred voice laced with static as his speakers popped and crackled, his head was foggy, his heart hammered in his chest, thumping against his ribcage. Unfocused eyes tried to stare at the other man in the room. He was taller than Vox but didn't tower over him like Valentino did, his eyes were odd, one a deep red and the other hiding underneath a long lizard like frill that ran from the top of his head and down one side like a bad haircut. The hidden eye was black with white numbers and letters scrolling across in code. Vox, unable to focus, couldn't quite catch what the code was saying. Shit, so this guy was at least in some part a tech demon like Vox.
Downloading… 25%
“Don't fight it, Vox, let the virus take hold and then everything will be okay. I made it especially for you, so it shouldn't take long.”
Virus! What Virus! He couldn't get a virus! How was it downloading? Where was it? Vox could feel something slotted into the side of his screen but he couldn't coordinate his arms enough to pull it out. Fuck! Trying to pull up any messages ended in a large red error sign. Shit, he couldn't even contact Valentino or Velvette.
“I'll KiLL YoU!” Vox growled, trying to step forward. His limo was outside, the driver was outside, he just needed to get back outside.
Downloading…45%
The room felt like it was spinning and his head was getting fuzzier. Vox fell forward expecting a painful crash into the ground, instead long arms caught him pulling him close into an embrace.
“Vox, be careful now, I don't want my new plaything damaged so soon, not when I finally have you. I'm so excited you're here Vox, now everything will be as it should be. You don't know how long this has taken me to set up, Vox, but it'll be worth it, you'll see, you're going to love it, going to love me!” Lacerta exclaimed excitedly moving over to the couch pulling Vox down on his lap.
Downloading…55%
“GeTTtt OfF Mee” Vox squirmed in the tight grip, his hypnotic eye spun, pulsing wider and wider, faster and faster, but it was having no effect. Panic and fear washed over Vox like waves in a storm. He hasn't been this scared and vulnerable since… NO, NO! Vox could feel his body relaxing into the hold against his will, despite screaming in his head to move! Get up! Flee! The heavy fog clouded more of his mind, growing thicker and thicker, blocking his inner thoughts to escape, pushing them further and further back until all he could hear was an unfamiliar voice commanding him to relax, listen, obey!
Downloading 77%
“You'll see Vox, when this Virus takes hold you'll understand, I needed to do this, we needed to be together. This is the perfect way.” Lacerta soothed. Arms wrapped around Vox's back as his muscles melted against the other man, his frantic heart rate slowly coming down like a bunny finally giving up the fight in a fox’s claws.
Downloading…89%
“I knew you'd be tooo shy to accept your place with me, so I made this little code to help you relax, help you be who you are supposed to be, it's not perfect yet but now that you're here I'll be able to tweak it slightly, I'll be able to dig around this fascinating head of yours,” Lacerta explained. His voice carried a tone Vox had heard before… a possessive dangerous tone… the kinda tone Valentino used when gushing about a new contract. Vox tried to speak to protest but all that came out was an embarrassingly weak whimper. RELAX! LISTEN! OBEY!
Downloading…95%
“A lovely little love virus just to help you allow yourself to accept me, got the idea from your associates’ Love potion, it's not too different from it, but I didn't need to put mine in a drink, no, thanks to your wonderful anatomy my beautiful virtual potion could slip right into your pretty little head, I'll make mine permanent too, make you loyal to just me, only me, with just a few updates. Oh, I can't wait Vox, we're going to have such a good time together. I can't wait to see how this body of your ticks, what happens when I pull your wires and put them back together,” Lacerta giddly exclaimed, one hand moving to twirl one of Vox's antennae around his finger pulling another whine from the trapped overlord. RELAX! LISTEN! OBEY!
Downloading…98%
Downloading… 99%
Vox whimpered again, thoughts were getting hard, reluctance was drifting away into the fog that clouded his mind. Why was he here again? RELAX! Yeah that, that sounded nice… LISTEN! Vox was listening, the guy was rambling nonsense. What associates did this guy mean? Who was this guy? OBEY! Obey.. yeah he could do that, that was easy, he just needed a little nap first…
Downloading…100%
Download complete
Rebooting Vox.exe
Loading VOX.ExE_INSTALLING_ LOVE_VIRUS