Natasha "Tasha" Zhukov was smart. Perhaps the smartest person that Phantom knew.

Certainly, nobody else that she worked with had the raw processing power that Natasha did. None of the DAMSELs or demons or derring do-gooders that interfered with her plans ever had the same amount of information-synthesizing acumen that Natasha possessed. Her secretaries - always hand-picked for their ability and skill - were effective, but none of them could reprogram a device or plot out a map like Natasha.

One more than one clandestine operation, the busty, buxom researcher had seen just the barest of outlines of a building and was able to calculate the interior in a minute. She could sketch with two hands, creating a perfect facsimile of a blueprint she'd never seen. Nano-hives in her chest gave her supernatural abilities to heal and sustain damage. Breathing was practically optional for the super-scientist... although being denied air was uncomfortable. (And often arousing.)

All those abilities, of course, also made her a sure target. Phantom insisted on bringing her along when villainy needed doing in-person. Sure, she had plenty of scientists to create devices, and certainly, she had other staff who could fight better. But Natasha was the 'straight woman.' Her plans were logical and often free of panache and flourish. She was an excellent counterpoint to Phantom.

Of course, there were downsides. Natasha dreaded every jaunt into enemy territory. It could be a high-level meeting or a low-life infiltration, but either way, Phantom would often decide on her wardrobe... and it was frequently rather 'ornamental.' Cruelly high heels. Multiple layers of tight sweaters. Thick makeup and a wig. All of these were supposed to make her "blend in," but they more often than not just meant that she was helpless if shooting or fighting started.

And... she loved it. She hated it, too. She was a prisoner half the time, and three layers of spandex were not exactly the most comfortable or functional of outfits when stealth was required! Especially when said spandex also included a triple-layered hood. When she did get captured, she didn't need all that much binding. Just one more layer and a series of straps or ropes, and she'd be helpless.

Being heavily bound was a weakness that she couldn't escape. She might know all the tricks and traps, but in the end, when she was helpless, she was helpless! If she was captured on a mission, her mind would often be too distracted with whatever humiliations Phantom was visiting on her (or her captors had introduced) to concentrate on a firm plan of escape. It was made much worse by 'countermeasures' that MirageCorp might install... other scientists giving her a massive metal chastity belt and pads to vibrate and shock Natasha were she captured. It was considered a 'humane' way to keep her from getting into trouble or spilling any important company secrets. The bimbofied Zhukov would rarely be in any mood to talk to her interrogators if she was busy experiencing an endless series of forced orgasms.

Whether active or tightly bound, Phantom was always sure to grab her scientist and rescue her.

Eventually.

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Drawn by the supremely talented https://www.deviantart.com/natashamilasevic

I really do think that the two make a great pair. On the one hand, Natasha is serious, intelligent, but is trapped in a supremely unintimidating body that gets her in more trouble than could possibly be expected. On the other, Phantom is vain, self-indulgent, conniving, and probably coasts quite a bit on her outward appearance. Natasha is the 'straight man,' Phantom is the wild card. And together, they get in a lot of trouble!

Original upload: https://www.deviantart.com/natashamilasevic/art/Shoulder-Candy-580754171