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[If Sebastian is truly surprised by this development, he disguises it well.]

I'll be certain to pass it on to payroll.

[After all, it wouldn't do to have his most capable mercenary be paid late on account of something as ridiculous as possibly obliteration.]

Thank you, sir.

[Doesn't Blonsky look like the cat who ate the canary. He's enjoyed serving Sebastian, and he's looking forward to resuming said duties.] It's good to be back.

It seems my trusting nature got the better of me.

[He's sore all over, feeling the pain, truly feeling it -- an experience he hasn't had in centuries. He'd gotten overconfident, assumed his great power would easily be enough to deal with a simple fell beast like the Abomination.

And paid the price.]

You've disabled my powers. One of Shaw's toys, I presume?

[Blonsky still keeps his distance. Weakened or not, the man is a soldier and he knows that they're dangerous even after the last breath.]

You can trust me to keep fighting. You're working for peace, Exodus. That's not me.

[He shrugs, not really knowing where it came from, but he has his own suspicions.]

I'm going where I have a purpose.

[Exodus picks himself up unsteadily, gripping a torso-high chunk of rubble to support himself. Where are they? Wherever it was, it's a war zone now. ]

Were you his agent all along?

[It doesn't particularly matter now, but he is curious.]

He will betray you too, in time. It's in his nature.

[Blonsky is destruction. Subtle is not really in his nature.]

No, I wasn't. You had me on board at the start, but it wasn't working for me.

[He sighs. He doesn't like turning his back on someone, especially someone like Exodus. It wasn't anything personal, he had just lost interest. Whether he was stuck in the middle of warring mutants or humans he didn't care, he just wanted to be using his skills.]

Seems like that's a popular thing these days.

[He does not sound at all enthused or amused about that.]

[He's proven to be an excellent investment. Sebastian pays him well for his services and it still feels like a bargain.]

Excellent. If you're capable of duty, I happen to have a job suitable for your skills. I wish to teach some ... reluctant associates of mine a little lesson.

Of course, sir. What did you have in mind?

[Capable? He's chomping at the bit to do something worthwhile again. Not only does he get challenging work, he gets paid the best he's ever been for it too.]

SHIELD is ... hesistant to renew their contract for a new security system with me. What you would need to do is simple. You, and a small team of handpicked men, need to flagrantly demonstrate why they should pay whatever price I demand for upgrades.

A little mischief. I want material destruction- casualties should be minimal. I've some AIM uniforms and technology for your men to use. You'll be stealing some passcodes, of course, to make it look authentic, but the real purpose is to give them a fright.

[This is why Sebastian is the best employer Blonsky has ever had. He's incredibly thorough, well-resourced and to the point. If that grin already plastered on Blonsky's face could get any bigger, aside from turning into the monster, it would.]

They'll get a fright. It's been a while since I paid them a visit. [Of course he'll stay under wraps, but that only means the damage he does will make up for his human-sized attack.]

If I didn't mention it already sir, it's a pleasure to work for you.

I imagine you've some pent-up anger towards them. [Sebastian smiles thinly. He knows Blonsky is professional enough not to let it cloud his judgement- but not so cold-blooded that it wouldn't be a certain inspiration. Sebastian could identify with the sentiment, more than many figured he would.]

Good. There'll be plenty of work for you. [Sebastian gestures over to a maid in the Hellfire Club's infamously skimpy livery, and she fetches a bottle of well-edged scotch, whereupon, Sebastian pours two generous drinks, passing one to Emil.]

To our continued professional relationship.

A bit of spite, perhaps.

[He's had a few cracks at them since, but there's always room for more retribution. It's helped him cool his head further, and as Sebastian knows, it's provided a bit more inspiration as a result.

Blonsky gives the maid a brief look, but the outfit leaves little to the imagination. He pays more attention to that incredible scotch which Sebastian is known for. It's damned good, and a payment in itself. He toasts his glass to Sebastian, taking a modest drink and clearly savoring it before offering his own salute in return.]

And the successes that follow.