Amanda Waller strood into the board meeting like England into the new world. Her every pore exuded confidence. This meeting was hers to own, and she knew it. No one would object. They couldn't object. She was the most powerful person in the room.
Not waiting for formalities, she cleared her throat. This was the moment. Tone was everything. She had to be casual, but not cocky. People fight back against the cocky. People hate being controlled by the cocky. "I need clearance for a new special ops team. Of criminal metahumans." She tossed the words out perfectly, as if they were a request for coffee.
Just as soon as the words left her mouth, her gaze flew over each face, assessing their reactions. Much to her (concealed) satisfaction, she saw absolute shock. If they were shocked, they weren't thinking about why she wanted this team. Their minds would be focused on something much less important, like morals or money. If no one said anything for six more seconds, she could say another line that would force them to give her the team. If they would just stay shocked for another…
An official rose unsteadily. "Amanda-" she glared at him, "s-sorry, Agent Waller. You must know that this is qu-quite unusual and unprecedented, and so an entirely n-n-new set of regulations would have to be drawn up, and we can't b-begin to anticipate-"
Inwardly, she smiled. The stuttering fool was rambling. No one would listen to his argument. "It's for Project Artemis," she cut in. "Top level classified. I had to go through twenty layers of red tape just to let you hear that name. In fact, I believe you are the only one in here who hasn't heard of Project Artemis. Strange, that they would put you on this board." Flawless improvisation on her part. It reminded him of her rank, communicated the importance of her demand, and undermined his authority with just a hint of warning.
The official didn't persist. He sank back into his chair in defeat. Slowly, she made eye contact with every person in the room. One by one they dropped their gazes.
Triumph filled her. "I have the papers right here for you to sign."