Denial
1.6
The room I'd been led to felt uncomfortably like one used for interrogations. It was small, not decorated in the slightest and had a small table in the centre with a chair on either side, one of which I occupied. There was a single door in or out of the room and not a single other thing. Not even a notepad, pencil or a potted plant. I wondered if that was just in case some Parahuman had a power that interacted with one or the other. Powers could be pretty weird as far as I knew. PHO loved to harp on about the strangest Capes and abilities on the forums.
I'd not had much of an explanation for why I was here, but since I'd been rescued from Hookwolf and Rune, both of whom had been taken prisoner once they'd been foamed and Hookwolf was brought out of the wall, I imagined it was more for my protection than because I'd done something wrong. If this were Winslow, I might be thrown under the bus with them, but surely the Protectorate wasn't going to be like that.
The door behind me opened suddenly. I had a moment to regret sitting with my back to it before footsteps echoed and an armoured figure walked past me. The blue and silver armour would have been distinctive enough for me to guess who it was, even if I hadn't met him before. Armsmaster walked by me, pulled out the chair and sat down. I was surprised to find it didn't creak under the mass of his armour. Then again, they'd probably thought of things like that when furnishing the place.
To my relief, Armsmaster was smiling. I think it was that which finally let me breathe easily.
"We really need to stop meeting like this, Miss Hebert."
I could have died of embarrassment right there. "I swear I didn't go out looking for this. I--"
"I know. Don't worry. Shadow Stalker was on site and explained the situation to us, including what was clearly a kidnapping attempt by the Empire 88." That he came out and said it let me relax into my seat. "For the record, are you okay if I record this conversation?"
"Oh. Of course. That's fine."
"Thank you." Armsmaster touched his helmet, which I assumed the device was within. He didn't say or give some speech and I assumed he'd only asked to be polite. I appreciated it. "Because of your age I'm also obligated to ask whether you would like us to call your parents or an authority figure to stand in on this meeting. Legal representation can also be provided if you wish for it."
Dad? Here!? "No, no. I'm okay like this. On the lawyer... I'm not under arrest. Am I?"
I hated that the last bit came out uncertain.
"For being instrumental in bringing down two wanted villains and saving a Ward's life? In self-defence, no less?" His smile became a little more amused. "No, you're not. You're here so that I can get an understanding of what happened, why the Empire targeted you and so that we can discuss how things should continue after this. Let's start. Can you tell me to the best of your memory what happened?"
With a nod, I did so. Some of it was spotty, the exact words used by Hookwolf and Rune especially, but I told Armsmaster everything I could, from how I'd caught the bus to how they'd revealed themselves, right up to how I'd accidentally brought down Rune through no skill of my own. When I finished, Armsmaster's smile was nowhere to be seen. I assumed it was out of anger for the Empire Capes.
"You `flailed around` and defeated both Rune and Hookwolf?" he asked.
"Yeah." I wasn't sure what to make of the odd tone of his voice. "I mean, the Hookwolf thing was just an accident. And Rune took down herself. Shadow Stalker did most of the work."
"I… see…" Armsmaster appeared lost for words for a moment, but he recovered quickly. "I'd just like you to know, Miss Hebert, that anything said in confidence here will not be used against you. I understand the importance of safety, but we – the Protectorate – are on your side."
"I know. Shadow Stalker saved my life."
"The evidence would suggest you saved hers," Armsmaster countered.
"W-Well, maybe after." I felt heat creep up my neck. "And it's not like she couldn't have slipped out in her smoke form. She only stayed because running away would mean I'd be left in danger. Right? It's not like she wanted to fight Hookwolf."
Armsmaster took a second to answer. "Yes. I would certainly hope not."
"Either way, I owe you all for rescuing me. I know you're on my side. You're the heroes." And unlike Winslow, the Protectorate and the PRT had done something to help me when I was in a bad spot. With all the shit I'd been through lately, it felt like they were the only ones doing anything in the city. Winslow certainly wasn't, and the Police hadn't bothered to look further into the locker incident, basically believing whatever Blackwell told them.
"I'm glad to hear we have your trust, and I'm relieved Shadow Stalker was able to reach you on time today. We're not yet sure what tipped the Empire off about your presence. We're not sure if it might have been someone on their end having witness the fight with Lung, or, as you suggested, that the Empire was responsible for the attempted kidnapping of Miss Alcott. Either way, it's apparent that you are on their radar now. They have already made one attempt to bring you into the fold. Having lost both Hookwolf and Rune, they will certainly try again. Such an insult to them and their cause will not go unanswered."
Fear raced through me. "Do you think they'd go after my father?"
"The unwritten rules would prevent that. However…" Armsmaster paused. "There are always those who don't care for them, and the Empire did strike at New Wave before, even if Kaiser later claimed the attacker acted against orders." The way he phrased it made it clear, if unofficially, that Armsmaster wouldn't be willing to best his life on the honesty of Kaiser's statement. Nor the life of my father.
So, it wasn't impossible that they'd hit out at Dad and me. Oh God, this was the worst thing that could have happened. They already knew my name and face, so there was no way to pull a Lung and have Armsmaster take the credit for this one.
"I don't know why they want me so badly," I said.
"This is what happens to people like us. This is why there are so few independents in Brockton Bay, and why even those who do exist are either killed quickly, forced out or subsumed into one of the gangs. Against their wishes in some cases. The Wards exist to give younger Capes a place to learn and grow in safety, while even older independents and rogues are encouraged to join the Protectorate for their own protection."
"I get that. That's why I helped Dinah reach you. But I don't understand why you're telling me that."
Armsmaster let out a heavy sigh. One armoured hand came up to his mask, as if he were looking to pinch the bridge of his nose. Had I said something wrong? Had I insulted him?
"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to-"
"Miss Hebert, there's no need to pretend. I know you're here as a civilian and I know you need to look after yourself and your family, but you know that I know the truth. As does anyone who will review this, including the Empire 88. You don't need to hide anything. Your identity is well and truly shot."
"What? But I'm not hiding anything? What are you talking about?"
"Miss Hebert," he said again, almost indignant. "We know you're a Cape."
------
Ha.
This had to be a joke. Or a dream. Maybe both. I laughed, but it tapered off when I realised Armsmaster was doing anything but. His face, or what I could see of his lower jaw, was deadly serious. It was kind of amazing just how serious a mouth and chin could be. Enough so as to steal the moisture from mine, leaving me swallowing audibly. No way. Did he actually-? But he couldn't. That was ridiculous.
"I'm not a Cape."
"Miss Hebert-"
"No, seriously. I'm not a Cape."
"I understand that you might want to keep your independence," he went on, holding up a hand to silence me when I tried to interrupt. "You wouldn't be the first your age to prefer working alone. But you must see by now that this is a bad idea. The Empire targeted you-"
"But they wanted Dinah-"
"Did they say that?" Armsmaster asked. "Did they mention her in the slightest, for I don't recall you saying so in your recounting of the situation."
To my horror, I couldn't think that they had.
Oh hell…
"But they can't have meant me," I protested. "I'm not a Cape. I mean it! Really, I'm not lying!"
"Well..." Armsmaster leaned back. It didn't sound like he'd accepted my words, but he'd decided not to argue. I wanted to slam my hands on the table to make my point clear, but I knew that wouldn't be taken well. "If not a Cape, then what are you?" he asked. "What do you count yourself as?"
"I'm a normal girl. A normal teenager."
"A normal teenager who has beat Lung into unconsciousness," Armsmaster said. "A normal teenage girl who took on Rune, and then directly caused Hookwolf – one of the most dangerous parahumans in the city – to be captured. By, if I'm remembering Shadow Stalker's report correctly, launching Rune's own disc directly into Hookwolf's body, severing much of it in two and pinning him to the wall of a warehouse."
"Yes." I nodded. "Exactly what you just said."
Armsmaster touched the palm of his hand to his masked face once more. "Miss Hebert, this really isn't the time for jesting. The Empire are after you. They have tried once and suffered for the attempt, and thus will now stop at nothing to capture you. They will try to force you into their ranks as a parahuman, or they will kill you as an example."
"But I'm not a parahuman! I'm not!"
"Say that and they will just kill you outright," he said. My teeth clicked as my mouth snapped shut. "Miss- Taylor." He used my first name, appealing to me in an almost fatherly voice. "You're a very special person, Taylor. What you have achieved this far is spectacular, extraordinary even, but the nail that stands out is often the one to be hammered down. I've seen exceptional young people with bright futures ahead of them be snuffed out, and I do not want the same to happen to you. It's been less than a week and already two gangs know of your existence. There is no telling how many more will learn in the coming days."
My face drained of blood. The Docks were close to Empire territory, practically flirting with it. Hookwolf had already been a not uncommon sight there, and I was sure a few kids on our block were Empire sympathisers, if not recruits already. They could point out our house if needs be. The thought terrified me.
But I wasn't a parahuman!
Why would no one accept that!?
"I mentioned it once before, but I now feel I must press with more urgency," Armsmaster said. "The Wards exist as a safe environment for people such as you. The Protectorate and the PRT can protect you, while your teammates in the Wards would band together around you. There is strength in numbers, and in experience. We can offer you both, along with protection for both you and your father."
My eyes snapped up. "You want me to join the Wards…?"
"Yes, Miss Hebert. Yes, I do."
"Even though I'm not a parahuman."
Now I knew Armsmaster was rolling his eyes. I couldn't see them, but I knew. "Yes," he said. "Even though you're not a parahuman." Had I not known it would be so far beneath him as to be insulting, I might have imagined Armsmaster making little air-quotes as he said that.
The Wards, though…? It was a dream come true. Literally. Okay, maybe not dealing with other teenagers, but the idea of being a respected Protectorate Hero was something I'd always imagined in my head, and considering how young I'd been at the time, I'd known the Wards was the only way of achieving that. If I had powers right now, I was sure I'd jump at Armsmaster's offer. Not just for the promise of safety, but for my own desires.
But I wasn't a parahuman. I didn't have powers. For some stupid reason, they refused to believe I'd taken down Lung, Rune and Hookwolf by accident. And that wasn't even the biggest problem, I realised with dawning horror.
Because the Empire believed it, too.
Could I…? Could I accept this for the protection, and then prove to them that I didn't have powers afterwards? They'd be able to tell, right? There were scans for this. Or something. Hell, when they wanted to see what my powers were and nothing showed up, they'd have to realise I'd been telling the truth all along. They couldn't even blame me for it since I hadn't lied.
But I'd get in trouble for it, I was sure. Misleading the Protectorate, lying about being a Cape. Even if I hadn't done so here, they might say I did to save face. No way were people like Armsmaster going to accept that they'd made a mistake, let alone admit it to the world at large. And they'd have to, because if they didn't, the Empire would kill me. It was either they admit it, or I did.
Would they throw me in prison instead? Call me crazy and a cape impersonator? If it was just me against the Protectorate and PRT, then no one would believe me. Crazy fifteen-year-old girl who had pretended to be a Cape and risked the lives of the Wards in the process.
I couldn't do it. I couldn't take that risk.
"I-I can't--"
The door opened suddenly. Armsmaster paused and frowned, looking over my shoulder to address the person who had interrupted us.
"We are in a meeting right now."
"Let me speak with her," a quiet, familiar voice said. I recognised Dinah instantly. "There's an 87% chance I can convince her to join if I talk to her privately."
"Wards aren't normally allowed to interact with potential recruits."
"The Director okayed it," another voice, female and older, said. I thought it might be Miss Militia, if only because the voice sounded like it came through cloth. "I came to pass the message along. The Director decided it would be worth a chance."
Armsmaster nodded. "I see. Very well." His chair scraped back, and he held it out for Dinah, who walked past me – now in some odd outfit that seemed a mix of white and grey robes with a strange mask that looked influenced by Greek stories and legends. "We can give you five minutes," Armsmaster said. "Will that be enough?"
Dinah nodded. "Yes sir."
"I'll leave you with Oracle, then," Armsmaster said, stressing the name, likely so I'd know not to call her Dinah. He marched out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him. I waited for it to click before I spoke, half surging up.
"Di- Oracle," I gasped. "You have to listen to me. They've gone crazy. They think I'm--"
"Chance you and your father are kidnapped within one hour if you don't join the Wards," Dinah interrupted. "100%."
Denial
Interlude
Armsmaster
"I take it Oracle's prediction panned out."
"It did," Colin said. "Taylor Hebert has agreed to join the Wards."
"You seem pleased about that," Hannah said.
"I am. From what I've seen of her before, she's a cautious and intelligent young woman. Though individually skilled, our Wards could stand to learn a little restraint. And common sense. I hope she will be able to pass some of that onto them. That said, I'm surprised you authorised the use of a question from Oracle, Director."
"It was a measured risk," Director Piggot said. "The full extent of Oracle's powers is still being discovered, but her thinker headaches appear more severe than many we've seen before. I would not normally have pushed her, not so soon into her tenure here and after what happened, but the girl came to Miss Militia with the request. Frankly, we need Denial on board. I decided it was worth the loss of a question for today."
"She had already asked herself the question to herself before," Hannah revealed. "Considering how much importance she seems to put on Taylor being here, I thought it couldn't hurt to bring the offer to the Director's attention."
Colin nodded. "Well, it worked. Will Oracle be punished for using a question without instruction?"
"No." At the rather surprised looks from both Colin and Hannah, Piggot said, "Oracle is still young, has been a Ward for less than twenty-four hours and lost her family the day before. Discipline is important, but allowances must be made at times. I will have a word with her later, but considering how this all turned out, I won't be chastising her."
"Thank you, Director. I take it you heard Oracle's prediction. Have precautions been taken?"
"Thomas Calvert was sent out with a team to collect Miss Hebert's father. He reported back to me moments ago saying Mr Hebert was safely recovered and is on his way. The situation has been at least nominally explained to him. Assault and Battery were sent to accompany Calvert in the event of an Empire attack. No sign of them so far."
"They must still be reeling from the loss of Hookwolf," Hannah said. "Or perhaps they've yet to realise their attempt to recruit Denial has failed."
"Good." The last thing they needed was for Taylor's father to be kidnapped now. She was, in every way that mattered, a Ward now. If anything happened to Daniel Hebert, the full strength of the Brockton Bay Protectorate would mobilise. "Did you listen in on my interview with her?" Colin asked.
"We did," Piggot said, sighing. "The girl certainly lives up to her name."
"Denial is as Denial does," Hannah agreed, eyes crinkling above her bandanna. "But I was surprised she stuck to it, even now. After taking down both Hookwolf and Rune, even the most stubborn parahuman would know the game is up. She even accepted joining the Wards and yet still claims she has no powers."
"I'm beginning to think there might be a reason for that…"
Director Piggot's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
"I believed she was simply lying at first," Colin said. "Not out of any enmity towards us, but to protect her identity. As you know, my helmet has a lie detector built into it, however, and that detected her as telling the truth whenever she mentioned not being a parahuman."
"So, you're saying she isn't a parahuman!?"
"No. Of course not. She defeated Lung, Hookwolf and Rune, any of which would be impossible for a normal non-powered human. Rune I might accept, but certainly not Lung. I believe her power might contain both an element that allows her to bypass my lie detector, but perhaps also one that prevents her from telling the truth. Some kind of memetic compulsion."
"But she has told the truth in other ways," Hannah pointed out. "Her name being Taylor Hebert for one. I don't think she's a compulsive liar."
"Neither do I, but the one aspect in which she always denies the truth is with regards to her powers. And I'm beginning to see a theme." Colin looked up. "Director, do you remember the transcripts of my interrogation of Lung?"
"Hard to forget them, Armsmaster. He refused to say anything."
"Anything important, yes. He confirmed simple things we already knew, but became stubborn and uncooperative, even amused, when we asked on movements of the ABB. However, when I brought up the girl who defeated him, did you see his reaction?"
"He went still. Very still. And then remained silent. No answer either way, not even a lie that your helmet could pick up on. He simply refused to acknowledge you any further." Her eyes narrowed. "You believe the girl has a Stranger power. You think Lung refused to answer because he could not answer."
"I think it's a possibility, Director." Colin looked to Hannah. "You debriefed Shadow Stalker while I met with Miss Hebert. What did she have to say about the encounter with Hookwolf and Rune?"
"Shadow Stalker was… less than helpful," Hannah said carefully. Colin didn't fail to notice how Director Piggot's lips tugged down. Shadow Stalker's problems with authority were legendary, but he had a feeling this was something more. "She was abrasive towards Miss Hebert, but also surprised – maybe even frustrated – to realise she, Miss Hebert that is, took down both Rune and Hookwolf. I wouldn't want to repeat her language here, but she kept ranting about how Miss Hebert was a weakling. A coward. Someone who couldn't fight."
"After witnessing her take down Hookwolf and Rune?"
"Even then. When I asked her how exactly Miss Hebert managed it, Shadow Stalker couldn't give a definitive answer. She just reiterated that Miss Hebert was a pathetic weakling."
"Hm. That certainly plays into the concept of a Stranger power," Piggot remarked. "No one who took down those two could be called weak. I'm loathe to guess powers based on a name we gave her, but it is possible by denying she is a parahuman herself, Miss Hebert can cause other parahumans to doubt her."
"Denial of evidence," Hannah said. "Or denial of the truth."
"Again, she is living up to her namesake." Director Piggot held a hand up to forestall anything they might say and reached over to her intercom. She pushed a button and spoke into it. "Renick. I want you to take a team and put Shadow Stalker into immediate M/S confinement. If necessary, and because we both know she will protest, contact Aegis and bring him on board before you confront her."
"Duration, ma'am?"
"Forty-eight hours for now." Piggot glanced up at Colin and Hannah to see if they had anything to add, and when they remained silent, nodded. "She is to have no contact until myself, Miss Militia or Armsmaster come to conduct a preliminary interview."
"Understood."
"Shadow Stalker isn't going to like that," Hannah remarked.
"I don't expect her to like it, but master/stranger protocols exist for a reason. As the first one to actually witness Denial in combat, Shadow Stalker will provide an accurate litmus test for how long Denial's effect can last for. And whether they might be permanent."
"I agree," Colin said. It was important to learn these things quickly, and if Denial – and the name looked like it was going to stick – couldn't tell them the truth due to her power, then Shadow Stalker might be the only way to find out. "If Denial's power really does require an element of denial from herself, then power testing might be an awkward affair. I'm not sure we will find much of anything – or that we might remember or be able to measure it even if we did."
"Put her through it anyway, Armsmaster. It doesn't hurt to be careful."
"Of course, Director. Considering the risk of Stranger powers interfering, would you allow me to request Dragon as a witness?"
"Hm." Piggot linked her hands before her. Colin knew she was loathe to allow someone not affiliated with the PRT to witness a new Ward, but they both knew Dragon would be absolutely free from any influence from Denial, living all the way in Canada. "Very well. But Dragon is to sign an NDA, even if remotely."
"I'm sure she will be willing."
"We might want to better explain this to the Wards as well," Hannah pointed out. "Teamwork might be impacted if they believe she is lying to them, but if we explain her situation beforehand and that they should not be offended, nor push her on the truth, we can avoid that."
Colin nodded again, a little frustrated to realise he hadn't considered such. As the leader of the Brockton Bay Wards ENE, such should have been his responsibility. Colin felt no anger towards Hannah for pointing it out and was in fact pleased she had. His frustration was targeted towards himself. "I shall handle that," he said. "But it would be for the best if we had an accurate rating to give her, even if it would only be temporary at this time. Her teammates ought to know what she is capable of."
"A Stranger rating seems obvious," Piggot said. "Without further testing we can't give an accurate number, but Lung's silence, and Shadow Stalker's frankly ridiculous claims that she is a `pathetic weakling`," the Director put obvious emphasis on the term, "-suggest that her powers don't so much cause people to forget about her, but about her capabilities."
"Like an August Prince power yet relating more to people perceiving her combat abilities as being harmless, rather than herself. That might put her at Stranger 3."
"That would be a relief," Piggot said. "Any higher and we'd have to have special protocols just for her. That said, I don't think we can rule out the possibility that her rating is higher. I'll be initiating passwords and protocols specifically for the three of us, and any commanding officers she interacts with. It may very well be that we are underestimating her abilities here because of her Stranger power."
"Armsmaster is the only one who has interacted with her."
"You entered the same room, Miss Militia," Piggot pointed out. "We cannot rule out the possibility her powers aren't subconscious or might not have an area of effect."
"There is also the possibility that she is a Trump," Colin offered.
"That's not a word to be thrown around, Armsmaster. Explain your reasoning."
"Hannah mentioned denial of truth earlier, but it might be possible that her powers are more a denial of just that, powers. When I came upon Lung, he was in his human form, and we've not yet seen any evidence that Denial has a Brute rating, though that might change obviously. It's possible that by denying her own powers, she was able to deny Lung's as well, forcing him to return to a more vulnerable form." Colin shrugged. "It might also explain how she was so easily able to deal with Rune."
Director Piggot tapped one finger on her desk, lost in thought for a moment. Colin and Hannah remained silent, knowing this was an important moment. Trumps often were and having one in the Wards – even if her rating was low – was both a boon and a risk. Capes did not take well to their powers being meddled with, especially not villains.
"I won't give her a Trump rating just yet," Piggot finally decided. "But I want this tested as soon as humanly possible. For now, both of you are to forget you even mentioned this idea to me. The Wards are not to know."
"Yes, ma'am," Colin and Hannah said. Hannah's eyes crinkled a moment later, "I doubt she's just a Stranger, though. She still took down two heavy hitters and Rune. She must have other powers, perhaps as a Blaster, Brute or Shaker."
"We can't give her any until we see them used in training or the field," Piggot said. "Sadly, all those who witnessed her fighting, i.e. Shadow Stalker and Lung, are refusing to say how she fought. Even Rune is remaining quiet, literally refusing to say a word. Hookwolf can be forgiven, perhaps not having seen the attack coming until it was too late, but we're sure Rune would have seen how Denial fought."
"And she can't remember?"
"That's what she's claiming."
Well, that settled it. If both Lung and Rune refused to explain how they'd been defeated, then Denial had to have a Stranger rating. It was the only explanation. What her other powers might be, Colin had no idea. Hopefully, they would be picked up in power testing. Either way, she was clearly a very powerful young woman. Colin was relieved she was in the Wards where they could share their experience and advice with her.
"So, the name of Denial is going to stay?"
"It looks like it. There's no way to handle the fact she repeatedly tells people she isn't a parahuman otherwise. The hit to PR would be a problem, but if we call her Denial we claim that quirk as our own. We make it a feature of hers rather than a problem." Emily Piggot pinched the bridge of her nose. "I can't believe I have to deal with the second coming of Myrddin. What did I do to deserve this? Well, that's a problem for the PR department."
Colin privately agreed. He wondered how they were going to agree on a costume for someone whose most noticeable aspect was constantly claiming she wasn't a parahuman. Director Piggot was correct; it was better that make than an unusual quirk of hers before others could make up their own minds. Myrddin, despite his insistence on being a wizard, was still a respected and commercially valuable figure.
Perhaps Denial would have a range of toys where she denied things; "Don't do drugs, kids. Deny them!" Colin shook his head at the thought. The merchandising team were an odd bunch, showing that it wasn't just parahumans who were prone to bouts of mental instability. He still needed to find who decided to put his emblem on the underwear of young girls.
"Get Denial signed into the Wards as soon as possible," Director Piggot instructed. "Until we can figure out who or what is after her, I want both her and her father protected to the best of our ability. As for her, see her settled and introduced to the others. I want her power-tested and measured for a costume. In fact, I want her costumed and ready to announce herself first. The news of Hookwolf and Rune's arrest needs to be pushed out there and I'd rather Denial be a recognised Ward when that happens."
"Do you want to meet with her, Director?" Colin asked.
"No. Until we know more about her Stranger powers I believe it would be best if one us remained free from any potential interaction with the girl. Once Shadow Stalker is out of containment, we shall have a better idea. Dismissed."
------
Shadow Stalker
Sophia ground her teeth together as she sat on the plain cot in a white-walled room lacking even a single piece of furniture. Forty-seven hours, fifty minutes to go. Her nails dug into her knees as she rocked back and forth.
This was Taylor fucking Hebert's fault somehow.
She was sure of it.
Denial
2.1
Dad was equal parts angry, concerned and horrified when he was brought into the Protectorate. I barely had the time to be hugged, told off and threatened with a grounding to last me a lifetime – completely unfair, all things considered – before he was swept away by Armsmaster and a man called Thomas Calvert to go and talk to a Director Piggot. I figured I was going to get it later, and I had the annoying feeling that by the time everyone was done talking to him, Dad would join the ever-growing legion of people who refused to believe I didn't have powers.
Meanwhile, Armsmaster had asked Dinah to take me to Miss Militia, who would introduce me to the other Wards. Something I wasn't looking forward to.
It was a relief to just have it be me and Dinah for a few minutes. It gave me a chance to slow down and relax, even if I was still equal parts confused and upset. Taking a deep breath, I analysed the situation. So, the Empire were after me and thought I was a cape. They'd broken the Unwritten Rules, which Armsmaster had explained to me while we'd been waiting for my Dad, and judging from Dinah's prediction for the future, they intended to do it again if necessary. The only safe option I had was to join the Wards.
Not ideal. Not ideal at all. Apart from the whole not having powers thing, the thought of being suddenly expected to fit in with a big group of people my age was an intimidating one. I hardly had the best record for making friends, and these people were superheroes on top of everything else. If I made an enemy of one of these, they could do a whole lot worse to me than Sophia ever had.
"What are the Wards like?" I asked Dinah.
There was an audible pause before she replied.
"They're okay."
"Have you had much time to get to know them?"
I had to wait for a good few seconds again.
"I met them yesterday. They seem nice, though. Shadow Stalker is quiet and doesn't talk much. Clockblocker talks too much."
"Is something wrong, Di- Oracle? You're being really… strange with your answers." For the third time, Dinah waited a good few seconds before she answered, but to my relief did so with a little laugh.
"Sorry. I'm not ignoring you. It's the mask."
Dinah tapped at what she was wearing, a full-face mask that seemed to be themed around a Greek theme. It even had a beard, which was weird on a girl, especially one Dinah's age. I thought it might have been a famous Greek philosopher, but I wasn't sure. Even as young as she was, Dinah's figure made it obvious she wasn't a man, so I wasn't sure what the male mask was about.
"My mask records and plays back what you say through a small computer," she explained. "It means I don't hear what you say until four seconds have passed, at which point the computer analyses the tone and figures out if any questions have been asked. If so, it plays a noise so I can't hear them and re-words the question into text on my visor. It stops my power going off. Armsmaster made it for me."
"Oh. Is that a big deal?" My question prompted another short wait, but since I knew what was causing it, it no longer felt awkward.
"I can't control my power and it hurts if I have to use it too much. The pain can be really, really bad. It also turns on if I hear any question where I have to consider future options. Before, anyone who asked me anything would set it off, but like this I can talk with people normally."
"Except that there's a delay."
Dinah nodded. "Armsmaster says once it's had a few days to collect data and work everything out, he can bring the delay down. In time, it might be less than a second. It's just this bad for now."
"I guess that's okay. So, your power doesn't go off if you see questions in text?"
"It does. My mind still asks myself as I read it. But the words are jumbled to make them not a question as I read it," she explained. "Your last question read as: Query as to nature of powers as read compared to when heard." Dinah shrugged. "I have to figure out what you mean and sometimes I get it wrong and say something that makes me sound stupid. Sometimes it goes bad and still triggers a question, too. When it does, I have to tell Armsmaster so he can fix it and make it so that doesn't happen again."
"That sounds ridiculously complicated…"
"It is," a new voice said, startling me. Dinah jumped too, but more because I had than because she'd heard anything. She didn't get the words until later, after all. Turning, I came face to face with the US flag, wrapped around the bottom half of a woman's face.
"M-Miss Militia?"
"Hello there." The woman smiled. Or I thought she did. There was a crinkling around her eyes which suggested it even without me being able to see her mouth. "Sorry to intrude but I thought it would be rude to leave the two of you walking around HQ on your own. We don't normally do things like this, but the Empire's kidnapping attempt has everyone on guard. I hope you'll forgive us."
"Oh, it's fine. Makes sense, I guess."
"It's not fine, but I'm glad you understand." Another eye-smile. "In answer to your question, it's rare, though not unheard of, for parahumans to have a power that can cause themselves injury or distress. It manifests most commonly in Tinkers, Thinkers, Masters and Strangers, though some Case-53's can have similar problems with their adaptive biology. In those cases, we focus all our efforts on first ensuring their safety – or the safety of others – before we move onto duties, introductions or the like. In Oracle's case, we couldn't very well leave her to be hurt by any question she overheard. Earplugs worked for the first hour or two while Armsmaster worked on a system that would help her interact with people. It's not perfect right now, but once he has more data to work with, he'll help tweak Oracle's mask until it's almost unnoticeable."
"Right." That was good of them, I guess. I'd never really heard much about powers hurting people, but then again, I was like most cape groupies, and focused more on capes who did big, dramatic stuff like Alexandria, Legend and Eidolon.
No one on PHO really discussed the worse side of having powers, or if they did I'd never paid attention to it. Had I, I might have been more likely to run away when Dinah first came up and asked for my help. I felt a little stab of guilt at the thought of that. There was no telling what those people would have done had they gotten hold of her.
"The other Wards have been made aware of the situation with Oracle as well. They know to be wary of questions, and to give her time to answer," Miss Militia went on. "Even if the delay is only a few seconds, it can sometimes take Oracle longer to decipher the clues Armsmaster has programmed in. Again, once he has more data to work with he'll be able to make it easier for her. Words and phrases she can better understand but which don't trigger her powers. He might even be able to have a voice synthesise them so she doesn't have to read it."
"It's better," Dinah said, interrupting. "Better than the pain and constant numbers."
"What about if the delay could harm her?" I asked. "What if the Empire attacked and she didn't hear someone telling her to dodge?"
It was Dinah who answered, tapping the side of her mask. "Emergency channels. The delay is for normal conversation. It can be turned off. Or overridden by the PRT."
"Oh." I suddenly felt rather stupid, trying to poke holes in something a famous Tinker had made. What made me think I'd see something a professional had missed? I wasn't sure why I was so quick to try and find problems in the first place. Maybe I was subconsciously trying to delay having to meet the other Wards. Maybe I was still upset that no one wanted to believe me, or maybe it was just my usual mistrust acting up.
I also realised I'd just missed my chance to ask Dinah whether she believed me. I couldn't with Miss Militia here. Damn it. I'd have to corner Dinah later and ask. Surely with her numbers, she could prove definitively that I wasn't a parahuman.
We were led down several corridors I couldn't remember. Miss Militia told me not to worry and that there would be chances to learn the layout later. In the meantime, I could ask any Ward to accompany me. I tried to smile at that, but it came across a little fragile. I wasn't sure any of them would want to be stuck babysitting me and said so.
Miss Militia laughed. "I wouldn't count on it, Denial. Vista practically begged to be assigned as your guide. I think she's relieved to have another girl join the Wards. She was happy with Oracle, of course, but Oracle has been spending a lot of time with Armsmaster working on her mask. Even after that, she'll likely never go on field missions. Not dangerous ones, anyway."
"My powers aren't good for fighting," Dinah agreed exactly four seconds later.
I barely heard it. Too focused on something else. "What did you just call me?"
"Hm?" Miss Militia looked confused for all of two seconds. "Oh, your cape name. I'm sorry if you don't like it. We didn't know what to call you, and Director Piggot, well, she decided it should be Denial." Through the mask, Miss Militia managed to somehow give the impression of being apologetic. "I know it's not a very flattering name, but…"
"It's... It's fine."
"Are you sure? I can try and convince her to change it if you don't like it."
"No, no. I'm okay with it."
I wasn't, obviously. Who would be? It was a terrible name and not at all heroic like Alexandria or even Glory Girl. But that was fine. I wasn't a Cape, and a heroic name might just get me killed before I could prove it. Plus, if I was called Denial then when people realised the truth they could say "Oh, but she kept trying to tell us." The name, as god-awful as it was, would be a constant reminder that I'd never actually claimed to be a parahuman and had, in fact, denied the ever-loving crap out of it. There was no way the PRT could say I'd misled them with a name like that.
Such was my theory, anyway. Gods, I hoped the name wouldn't last. It was awful.
Miss Militia took us to an elevator and down a few floors. An alarm sounded that she explained was to let the Wards know someone was coming and to mask up. A mask was offered to me, another domino one, but I decided to go without it this time.
"I'm not a cape," I said, "I don't need a mask."
To my everlasting suspicion, Miss Militia didn't argue it. Instead, her eyes smiled at me. There was something going on, I instantly knew. My eyes narrowed. Paranoia kicked in. I hunched my shoulders and tried to look imposing. I wished I had my suit and dress shirt on. So much for buying that with the express intent of making a good impression. Instead, I had a Hookwolf-torn hoodie covered in dust from Rune and splinters from the wooden boxes we'd fought in.
The elevator door opened, and when I saw the people sitting in the circular room, I felt even worse. They were perfect. Immaculate in their uniforms, which seemed to shine and glimmer. It only made me feel dirtier by comparison. It also didn't help my nerves that, despite being arranged casually on numerous seats, they'd obviously all been waiting and were now staring at me. I felt like the new kid being introduce to a class already halfway in session, and where everyone didn't want their routines upheaved.
Fortunately, Miss Militia took control of the situation. "Brockton Bay Wards, this is Denial, who I know you've all heard about. I trust Armsmaster has already spoken to you about her?" At the various nods, Miss Militia eye-smiled again. "Good. Denial hasn't had the best of days thanks to the Empire, and so hasn't come in costume. It is, of course, still your choice on whether or not you want to unmask to her in turn."
There were six of them, I noticed. Five of them I recognised, but there was another – a very bulky man in blue spandex, far unlike the other Wards, who all seemed to wear armour in some way or another, even Vista, far smaller than the others. Aegis and Kid Win were dressed in red, Kid Win more vibrant and Aegis a rusty colour. Gallant I'd met before and he still wore his silvery armour, while Clockblocker stood behind with a blank white mask and a clock emblem on his chest. Shadow Stalker was nowhere to be seen. I hoped she was okay.
As for Vista. Well, she'd crossed the distance between us in a second – possibly by use of her power – and came to a stop in front of me with a huge smile on the exposed parts of her face. Of all of them, her face was the most revealed, only really covered by a simple, green visor.
"Oh my God, you're Denial!" she gasped, as if it were I who were the famous Ward and she a groupie. "You're the one who took out Lung!"
I opened my mouth to deny it.
"And Hookwolf and Rune now," Miss Militia said.
Vista's mouth opened even wider.
"Whoa, whoa," Clockblocker said, striding forward. "Two more? We're going to look bad at this rate." To my surprise, he reached up to his helmet and tugged it off, revealing a pale-skinned face with blue eyes, topped with red hair. He had a friendly, if cheeky, smile. "The name's Dennis. Nice to meet you." He held a hand out.
"Taylor," I replied, reaching for it.
Gallant's hand closed around my wrist before I could. He pushed my hand back, though his helmet was focused on Clockbl - Dennis' face – rather than mine. "No using your powers on the girl who single-handedly took on three supervillains. Not with me close enough to be caught in the crossfire, anyway."
"But it's tradition," Dennis complained.
"A tradition you didn't put Oracle through."
"Hey, I'm not going to do that to a little girl."
"I'll believe that when I see it." Gallant laughed and loosened his grip, offering his hand more casually. "The name's Gallant and we met before. I'm glad to see you joined us after all. Maybe next time we'll have more luck against the Undersiders with you on board." He removed his own helmet, touching some buttons on the side and back that caused it to open and slot back of its own accord. He was quite handsome and had a confident smile. "My friends call me Dean. I hope to count you among them."
It sparked a wave of introductions. Masks and helmets were removed, all except for Dinah's, and I struggled to take in the names and faces, shaking hands with each apart from Dennis, who Vista – sorry, Missy – told off with a stern expression. I had the strangest feeling she'd appointed herself my bodyguard, and an even stranger feeling she was looking up to me. I wasn't sure what to make of that but initial prospects were bad. Very bad.
Still, as kooky as they acted, they were, as Dinah had said, nice. At least on first appearances. That was the thing, though. Emma had looked nice, too, and Madison had the kind of face you trusted. I knew `nice people` all too well, so I kept my guard up around the Wards. I'd give them a chance, but only because the Protectorate had been good to me so far. With all their names given, they seemed to be waiting for something. Realising what it was, I took a deep breath and smiled – well, grimaced in a friendly manner – at them all.
"Hi. My name's Taylor, also known as Denial, and I'm not a parahuman or a cape. This is all just a mistake on the PRT's part. Pleased to meet you and sorry for wasting your time."
"Glad to have you on the team, Taylor," Aegis said with a laugh.
Not what I'd expected to hear. My eyes narrowed.
"Don't worry, Denial," Vista chirped. "Armsmaster filled us in."
"Filled you in…?"
"Yeah, we know how you work. You're not a cape, wink-wink, nudge-nudge." Clockblocker fully spoke the words and made the gestures at the same time. "You're a totally normal, unpowered girl. We get you."
The Wards smiled and nodded along.
I felt the overpowering urge to strangle each and every one of them.
Spoiler: Note Award Quote ReplyReport1786Nara'la20/9/2018Reader modeNewAdd bookmark Threadmarks erbkaiserHereditary Monarch20/9/2018Add bookmark#610What an excellent solution to this version of Dinah with her compulsion to answer!
Although if she has to rely on Armsie to fix her social interaction... there's a joke in that somewhere.
Nara'la said:I felt the overpowering urge to strangle each and every one of them.Good. I can feel your anger. Use your aggressive feelings, boy girl. Let the hate flow through you! Award Quote ReplyReport325JormungandrBanned20/9/2018Add bookmark#611User is banned, and can not reply to this threadYou know, I'm wondering if there'll be more misunderstandings/bad timing issues, like Taylor accidentally setting something alight in the kitchen because she forgot the gas was on and they assumed she used her ''powers'', or something.
erbkaiser said:What an excellent solution to this version of Dinah with her compulsion to answer!
Although if she has to rely on Armsie to fix her social interaction... there's a joke in that somewhere.
Good. I can feel your anger. Use your aggressive feelings, boy girl. Let the hate flow through you!Click to expand...Gallant will probably pick up on that, and it'd reinforce their views to maintain the 'charade'. Quote ReplyReport106The Many