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Training Day Worm edition (Jumpchain) by BatRou-Dawg
Misc » Book X-overs Rated: M, English, Drama & Humor, Words: 64k+, Favs: 42, Follows: 50, Published: Dec 8, 2022 Updated: Oct 21, 2023
4chapter 4
Looking over the children in front of her, Miss Militia wondered if she had failed them. The Wards was supposed to be a place where young heroes could develop their abilities safely, gaining the experience and skills needed to make the world a better place. But in Brockton Bay, they were beaten down by the Gangs until they transferred, or became soldiers in their own right. As second in command, she should have spoken up more, tried to call in her own favors above and beyond the Director or Armsmaster's own efforts. Just seeing the veteran control on Missy's face versus the shock on newcomer Lily's was a disturbing contrast. It was not helped by the commentary of their additional guests.
"Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight. You invoked S-class unmasking protocols for Skitter? Then you found out that Shadow Stalker was one of the people who TRIGGERED her? Should we even be hearing this?" Victoria Dallon had grabbed her boyfriend's remaining arm from the second she had entered the room and showed no signs of letting go. Thankfully, with the unexpected death of Leviathan, they had been able to retrieve Dean before he had bled out from his missing limb. Carlos had not been as fortunate.
"The situation with Skitter is...complicated, and you will have to sign an additional NDA before leaving. Technically, she was unmasked in our efforts to research an S Class unknown, in this case Vortex. We do not plan on releasing her identity or circumstances to the general public without permission. However, the Director, Alexandria and Legend feel a significant number of our issues with her have been caused by miscommunication. Given your prior involvement in the case and the logistics of removing Shadow Stalker, keeping the Wards and you in the loop was deemed only common sense." Personally, Miss Militia was in complete agreement with this decision. Taylor was practically conditioned as part of her Trigger to distrust authority. She should have been able to join her peers without fearing for her safety.
Lily looked over her fellow Wards and shook her head. "How the hell can you be so calm? A Ward Triggered someone who became a Villain who attacks Endbringers with bugs! That is just insane!" Wincing at the tone, Miss Militia resolved to double check PHO as soon as she could. Videos of Skitter's grand charge against Leviathan kept appearing from survivors of the attack. Particularly the point where she retrieved a fallen Armsmaster's halberd to fight alongside a visibly annoyed Vortex.
Running a hand through his hair, Dennis sighed. "You didn't have to deal with Sophia as much as we did. I mean, nothing was ever good enough for that girl and she made it pretty clear that she didn't want to be here. Triumph and, and Aegis tried, but she thought she was a one woman show."
Snorting, Missy plopped down on a spare seat, grabbing a drink from the fridge fifteen feet away. "You're being too nice Clock. She was a bitch, who had to live down to every negative stereotype about vigilantes. But, because of her "persona" as an edgy badass and because of her "results," people kept letting her get away with shit. Now, as far as the public is concerned, Shadow Stalker gets a cushy gig in L.A. under Alexandria while we are holding the bag with her victim. Joy and fucking rapture."
Wincing at the language, Miss Militia decided to let it slide for now. "The transfer was actually Skitters request. Apparently, she didn't trust Sophia to keep the peace while in the same building. Rather than risk an additional incident, it was agreed that as a sign of good will, Shadow Stalker would be removed to L.A. so that Alexandria could keep an eye on her."
Fixing her with a look, Chris deliberately rolled his eyes. "No, I cannot begin to understand why an organization that failed to keep one of their Wards from Triggering a civilian might be considered a questionable place to keep your tormentor. God, if Sophia learned about this before she left she probably would have just claimed that Skitter should be thankful they became strong. Why the hell isn't Winslow currently buried with black widow spiders instead of rubble from an Endbringer?"
The building argument was interupted by a snort. Panacea was curled up, alone on a chair and separated from the rest of the teens by several feet. "So that's it then. She suddenly becomes useful and everything is all puppies and rainbows? We say "oops" and move on, getting her into the Wards or the Protectorate or whatever your bosses want to do? How lovely for the bug bitch."
Wincing, Dean straightened out from his slouch, waving Vicky off as he did so. "Amy, I know you are upset, but Skitter isn't just going to get away with what she did. However, these are mitigating factors that have to be taken into account. She trounced us with the Undersiders, but we dropped the ball and helped facilitate her Trigger in the first place. These events didn't happen in a vacuum."
Nodding his agreement, Weld chimed in. "I've seen people judged on their appearance and powers quite a bit over the years. I don't know who made her original costume, but I don't think she was trying to be a monster. I think she was trying to be Alexandria. She just didn't get the chance."
Miss Militia nodded her agreement before shooting the healer a look. "I know you were there when her infiltration plan was revealed. Her unwillingness to unmask to Shadow Stalker makes sense with the appropriate background, but things would have escalated even more if Vortex hadn't interceded. She didn't make the best decisions, but she also didn't make them just by herself. You and your sister were assaulted by a Thinker Seven speaking a few sentences. Imagine that same mind offering you help when you were at your lowest. When no one else would support you."
Lily sighed, "Honestly, that sounds pretty attractive to me. Someone who knows what to say to make you feel better about yourself and how to target your issues. Between that and Armsmaster fucking her over I'm not surprised Skitter flipped. But she also had a line, and when they crossed it under Coil, Skitter left the Undersiders and went to fight an Endbringer. I honestly don't know if she was badass or suicidal."
Taking a slow sip of her drink, Missy frowned. "Still, getting the Triumvirate to interview her is pretty unusual. I mean, I would have thought that Alexandria or Legend could have gotten everything they needed out of a single sitting. Just what is she offering that warrants multiple meetings?"
Wincing at the reminder of the last interrogation, Miss Militia sighed. "Now THAT is still restricted information. The most I can tell you is that she has been gone for a significantly longer period of time than it appears. The current estimate is over seven years. Getting solid facts has been... difficult so far."
Curling into her boyfriend's side once again, Vicky snorted. "Well, my question is why the heck did the Vortex guy send her back in a bikini? I mean sure, she has legs for days but it was still kind of weird."
Barking out his own laugh, Clockblocker replied. "Maybe she lost a bet about how to return to Earth Bet?" The surrounding groans filled the room like a physical presence.
Turning to the Protectorate Hero, Amy sighed. "I can't do more for Dean's arm until he has more biomass. Can I get that NDA so I can get out of here?"
Returning her sigh, Miss Militia shook her head. "I'll get you the NDA but I would ask that you sit tight for now. Your mother has asked that we keep an eye on both you and your sister while she deals with another issue with the Director."
Director Emily Piggot was not a nice person. She had not been nice when fighting on the front lines. She had not been nice while climbing up the ranks instead of leaving the PRT on a disability charge. She was not nice to Capes that needed to be kept under control and properly directed. Being nice was just a tool of PR and one she did not need or agree with.
That did not mean she wanted the entire Multiverse to view her as a one note caricature. Capes were allowed to obscure their trauma, being given passes during psyche evaluations out of some cultural bias. But if she associated a Biostriker with the monster who ate her military brothers and sisters, then she was apparently an idiot. So everyone judged the normal and powers got you a pass. The whole mess of Skitter and Shadow Stalker was practically a case study on the subject.
Still, for all her fuck ups, even Emily had to admit that Taylor Hebert did have some surprisingly positive aspects. She had not slaughtered the unfeeling masses at her school who had ignored her situation or the staff that had enabled it. She had been tactical, and focused her efforts on battlefield management without malicious intent. While over the top, the girl did get the job done, apparently helping to take down Lung twice with BUGS. She did not torture for kicks, had at least one line she did not cross, and had brought Coil a.k.a. Thomas Calvert down before going on her little training trip. She was also off limits because of the fantasy that Vortex's old grocery list might provide a clue for dealing with the Endbringers.
That was fine, let the bug master be someone else's problem for a bit. Emily Piggot had enough on her plate. Although, it was not all bad.
Emily Piggot was not a nice person, and she finally had a proper target for the last several days of stress.
Sitting with her Deputy, the Director of the PRT ENE looked at said target. He was a large man, with that look that successful professionals tended to get in their later years. Muscle turning to flab, face flushed from too many arguments and hair thinning despite his best efforts. Alan Barnes was the picture of a man with money and power, and a major contributor to quite a lot of her recent problems.
His companion was not much better. "Mrs. Dallon, I wasn't expecting you here. Isn't this a little outside your speciality?"
Frowning, Carol Dallon, a.k.a. Brandish of New Wave leaned forward. "While I might not advertise a specialty in Parahuman law or the loose net of restrictions that make up the Protectorate or PRT guidelines, I have a somewhat practical familiarity in dealing with them. Given the ambiguity of your summons, Mr. Barnes asked for my help. With my family stable for the moment, I saw no reason to refuse."
In other words, after running New Wave's management for years she was an expert on what the PRT and Protectorate could realistically demand. Using that information, she had blocked mandatory power testing for their members, adjusted the language of Glory Girls official threat assessment to be more PR friendly, and shouted down attempts to investigate claims of excessive force due to a lack of evidence. Carol Dallon was skilled in debate and getting her way, but today's topic was not covered by the threat of negative New Wave optics. Today was about making sure that a potential issue was dealt with.
Gesturing to Renick, she waited as two folders of paperwork were passed along. "Very well then, I suppose if you can stay professional about the subject matter it shouldn't be a problem. Before we proceed, I am going to need you to read and sign these documents." With the long familiarity that late nights in the office could generate, both lawyers reviewed the paperwork with exceptional speed.
Frowning, Alan put the documents down. "This appears to be a rather broad Non Disclosure Agreement, Director." Carol nodded, her eyes narrowing. Piggot knew had seen similar agreements in the past, and was probably questioning how they applied to her co-worker. Time to educate them.
Leaning forward, Emily worked to keep her face clear of emotion. Showing off her rage wouldn't help anything right now. "Part of our discussion will involve the secret identity of a Ward. However, due to a number of other factors, it might also reveal the identity of at least one other cape. While technically a Villain, our research has shown a number of mitigating factors we are still taking into account. To preserve potential good will in our negotiations, our office is taking steps to make sure they are protected from security leaks."
Closing her eyes, Brandish frowned before turning to her client. "It's a rather unusual step. I've only heard of these sorts of NDA's when dealing with family members of Parahumans who committed a federal crime. Maybe once during a Cluster Trigger. However, it is limited to the secret identities of any Parahumans that are discussed during this meeting, while covering the fact that they wish to record the conversation for use by both parties. I have to advise you to sign so that we can get started."
Nodding his agreement, both attorneys proceeded to sign.
Taking both NDAs and signing as witness, Director Piggot leaned forward. "I try to be a direct person Mr. Barnes, so I will be blunt. If you haven't heard already, Shadow Stalker has been successfully moved to L.A. and should be debuting as a part of their team within the next two hours. Publicly, this is because Alexandria saw some potential in the girl and wants her to go far. Privately? It's because she has been getting away with a significant amount of criminal activity and one of her victims did not trust my department to keep her under control locally. I'm sure you can imagine my feelings on that."
Blinking, the lawyer frowned. "Why wasn't I contacted before she was relocated? I am still her Lawyer on record and if someone made accusations against Shadow Stalker, I should have been made aware of it."
Clearing his throat, Renick interjected. "As a Probationary Ward who was under investigation, a number of our normal procedures were streamlined. She had no automatic right to privacy, so we were able to access her phones and other digital media without additional legal actions. Also, Shadow Stalker's review occurred as part of a direct S class emergency research protocol. That made it fall under the umbrella of emergency powers which gave the Triumvirate ultimate say over her fate. Quite frankly, there was nothing you could have done that wasn't already covered under the later subsections of the Vikare Act."
Holding up a hand, Carol clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You are being needlessly obtuse. There is only one situation in the Bay that could qualify for that sort of research or the use of those sorts of loopholes. What did Shadow Stalker have to do with Skitter, and why would that make you bend over backwards for a known Villain?"
Allowing herself a moment of selfish pleasure, Emily Piggot leaned forward to meet her accusing gaze head on. "Based on we discovered, she caused the girls Trigger Event in her civilian identity." The look of horror on the opinionated blondes face was almost worth the upcoming drama.
Carol Dallon thought herself tough but fair. She tried to maintain a level of respectability that would uphold the ideals of New Wave. She was hard on Vicky and Amy because they had powers and could be a danger to those around them if not properly aware. She supported her husband and his issues, no matter how stressful. She worked hard every day to be a Hero without the politics and manipulations she knew happened in the Protectorate and the PRT. But despite her beliefs and drive, the words "Trigger Event" would still induce flashbacks to a scared teenager alone on the dark.
Unlike her, Alan was feeling proactive. While he only knew some academic aspects of what a Trigger Event entailed, the man always believed that the best defense was a good offense. "That's impossible! Shadow Stalker is a hero! What sort of proof could you possibly have that would tie her to something like this?"
Reaching for another folder, Deputy Director Renick opened it before reading. "Approximately a year and a half of texts and pictures on her personal phone. These have been corroborated with documented emails in her school system. Approximately four thousand pictures demonstrating an established pattern of behavior before her time as a Ward that we were NOT made aware of despite the fact that it should have come up during her background check."
Frowning at the description of their evidence, Carol forced herself to focus. Speaking about another Capes Trigger Event behind their back was a significant faux pas, but she would have to deal. "While unpleasant, are you telling me that Skitter Triggered from some unpleasant emails? Besides, what does this have to do with my client?"
Director Piggot's returning smile had no warmth. "Oh no, the emails just determine the pattern of behavior. Shadow Stalker was apparently the muscle of a minor school gang. They ran a gaslighting campaign against Skitter's civilian identity, provided alibis for each other, and played down their actions to the school administration to the point that any complaints just looked like a cry for attention. Before Shadow Stalker's Ward status was used as an excuse not to get involved, a Ms. Emma Barnes made a number of threats about her father suing anyone in their way into oblivion." The look of horror on Alan's face was heartbreaking.
However, Piggot was nowhere near done. "As we speak, warrants are being served on Ms. Barnes and a Madison Clements. Depending on what we find on their personal devices, additional warrants might be in play. In particular, the people who were aware of the events of Skitter's actual Trigger Event." Taking a red folder, she passed to to Brandish for review. Only her experience in dealing with the aftermath of Marquises bone fragmentation traps allowed her to keep her stomach under control. She could easily see how bug control might develop from this.
Alan chose that moment to suddenly go pale. "Wait, that means that Skitter is...!"
"Someone you threatened to bankrupt if they dared say anything against your daughter? When they made one last ditch attempt to trust the system only to get shat on? Why yes, that is who you managed to screw over. But since my Ward was being covered for by her caseworker, the Principal didn't want the drama, and your daughter had a psychotic need to torture a childhood friend, I have had a Parahuman running around making my life miserable for weeks." The look on Piggot's face could have curdled milk.
Brandish could understand her sentiment. Skitter was adaptive, ruthless and extremely driven. Finding out that a Protectorate Ward had anything to do with adding that into Brockton Bay would ruin anyone's day. "This is regrettable, but other than Shadow Stalker's involvement shouldn't the Barnes Family being handled by civilian law enforcement? They are not Parahumans and did not use Parahuman abilities to commit crimes."
Leaning back, Piggot nodded. "Technically, there is a bit of a jurisdiction issue. Luckily for me, there is a loophole. I don't use it often because of the number of requirements needed to make it stick. Unfortunately for you, I have more than enough evidence already to make that happen. Tell me Mr. Barnes, what do you know about Lustrum?"
Lustrum? What did this have to...oh that Bitch!
Gritting her teeth, Carol seethed at Piggot. "So, they are being made an example of just to cover up your own mistakes? What a noble sentiment." It was only due to her many years of training that an axe did not materialize in the Directors face.
Wiping his forehead, Alan turned to his colleague, "Carol, what is this about Lustrum? Isn't she that feminist cape who was sent to the Birdcage? Why would she matter in a case like this?" Sighing, Carol knew this was going to get worse before it got better.
Seeing the confusion in Alan Barnes eyes and the rage in Brandish's, Emily allowed herself a moment of enjoyment. In a city that featured Rage Dragons, Nazis and drugged out idiots driving invisible tanks, she rarely felt like she was actually in charge. After Leviathan's death, the circumstances felt even worse. Moments where she could actually seek justice were to be savored. "Yes Ms. Dallon, please explain how Lustrum applies to this setting."
Closing her eyes, the blonde lawyer began to recite the facts in a clipped, artificially even tone. "Lustrum was officially sent to the Birdcage when her followers began to murder and castrate political rivals, primarily amongst Right Wing Politicians, noted misogynistic speakers and known bigoted business men. However, while she was charged with the crimes of her followers, Lustrum did not technically commit them herself. As such, it created a loophole in the law when it came to dealing with Capes. Specifically, the issue of personal responsibility."
Facing Mr. Barnes once again, Piggot smirked. "Dealing with the egos involved in Divorces is hard enough I'm sure, what with the long term relationships and division of assets. But imagine a prosecutor trying to put a murderer away, only for the plaintiff to state under oath they were acting under the direction of a cape. There was a stint a few years back where thugs would claim that they couldn't be tried in one court or another because a cape made them do it. The process made getting convictions a mess."
Leaning back, she viewed the man's confusion with anticipation. "The Supreme Court nearly got involved before the Protectorate lobbied for a new set of guidelines. They properly codified the term Minion and what it meant to be called one under law. To qualify, you have to be working for the best interests of a Parahuman, enable them to break the law and work against the authorities of your own free will. If these standards can be met, the PRT has full jurisdiction to prosecute the subject as an accessory to a Parahuman crime and recommend sentences based upon the facts given."
Carol Dallon continued to glare. "This is an abuse of power, plain and simple. Those guidelines were intended to protect Mastered individuals from unjust persecution and to keep regular criminals from avoiding their sentences by crying about the threat of Parahuman gang bangers. You can't simply sweep her crimes under the carpet by handling this in house!"
Nodding, the Director smirked. "True, and if I used them in such a fashion I'm sure someone would fight to overturn it within a week. However, the Minion guidelines DO allow me to make deals with parties who qualify. If you chose not to take our deal, I'll turn the case over to the State Attorneys Office as well as the Bar Association. It would be a closed hearing to ensure the safety of any involved minors, but it could get rather unpleasant for you."
As white as a sheet, Alan Barnes looked at Carol before turning back. "But, how can I be held accountable as a Minion? I was representing my client to the best of my abilities. My job was to get them the best deal that I could. That is not a crime!"
Coughing, the Deputy Director interjected. "Actually, you did give your personal testimony and acted as a character witness. Since you represented her Pro Bono, an argument could be made that you positioned your Parahuman client into a better position. It's a stretch but not much of one, since it was incorporated as evidence in a federal background check."
Taking another folder to pass it over, The Director took a bit too much glee in the ashen face that Brandish was now sporting. "Your daughter, on the other hand, appears to have gone out on multiple occasions prior to Shadow Stalker's recruitment into the Wards. Being a little "predator" by attacking gang bangers with a bat to support her friend while being party to at least one case of manslaughter. Adapting her behavior to better suit her Parahuman friend. Using your name and reputation to cement their position in a gang filled school. There is a REASON that the PRT has Master Stranger protocols Mr. Barnes. Given her lack of therapy after a severely traumatic event, there is even a case to get CPS involved."
Collapsing in his seat, Alan Barnes looked like his world had come crashing down. "Why are you doing this? What have I done except try to protect my family and the person who saved my daughter? With the Gangs, with the Endbringers, why are you trying to come down on me?"
Leaning back, Director Piggot saw the man's despair, saw Brandish's frustration, and all she could feel was satisfaction. "Alan Barnes, in an effort to pay back a vigilante who turned their violence against acceptable targets, you played fast and loose with the law. Because of your efforts and arguments, I had to accept a low key psychopath into my Wards program."
Closing her eyes, Emily knew that this was the moment she had to move forward. She was not nice, but she refused to be as willfully ignorant as this asshole. "I don't generally like Parahumans, Mr. Barnes. In my experience, far too many use their trauma as a shield and normal people keep paying the price. However, I try to remain professional and despite the world's best efforts I like to think I succeed more often than not. You put a problem child in with my current Wards roster, making many of them miserable and less effective at their jobs. You enabled someone who abused her position to help cover up a Trigger Event. You gave malicious legal advice to someone to prevent a victim from receiving justice. So yes, I am being hard on you. Because you made the wrong call over and over and we all paid for it."
Coughing, Renick interjected. "However, we do not hold you solely responsible. Shadow Stalker's caseworker? It turned out that she was a fan after members of the E88 were taken down while attacking her adoptive mother. Given what we have found so far, she will most likely be transferred to a Containment Zone at a quarter pay for a minimum of five years. Either that or termination before ten years in federal prison. Principal Blackwell? Well, a significant amount of funds we transfered to maintain Winslow found their way into her account, so termination is the most likely result. Her mishandling of the practical aspects of the Trigger Event will mean jail time."
Smirking, Piggot pushed a thin folder across the table. "In some ways, you are getting preferential treatment by being offered this deal under the Minion guidelines. If the State Prosecutor tried to make this stick? It would be a lot more painful. This deal is good for the next three hours. Please feel free to use this space to discuss your options with your legal council. Once you make a decision, please let the officers at the door know. Good day." With that, she left the lawyers to stew in their own bad choices, her Deputy trailing behind.
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Training Day Worm edition (Jumpchain) by BatRou-Dawg
Misc » Book X-overs Rated: M, English, Drama & Humor, Words: 64k+, Favs: 42, Follows: 50, Published: Dec 8, 2022 Updated: Oct 21, 2023
4Chapter 5
Alan Barnes thought he was a good man. He loved his family and was a good provider despite being regularly exposed to some of the worst sorts of people. Parahuman crime had nothing on a motivated wife who caught her spouse in bed with the maid. Or the belligerent husband who had a dozen domestic compliants sworn against him but did not want to pay child support. On the scale of evil, he barely ticked the scale!
Sure, he had made some missteps. He had taken clients over the years that later came back after escalating with a new partner. He spoiled his daughter a bit, and left too much of the family management to his wife. He had cut loose one of his oldest friends, but Danny had been a mess and his daughter was setting up Emma for no reason he could see at the time. Then of course, there had been a certain ride home that had gone so horribly wrong.
Yet, despite this belief, despite his best efforts, Alan Barnes had a sword above his head in form of a slip of paper. "How can they do this, Carol? WHY are they doing this? These accusations cannot be true! They just want to use Emma as a scapegoat, but why are they bothering?"
Giving him a long look, Carol Dallon sighed before rubbing her temples. "Before we go over that, I need to know something. Director Piggot mentioned malicious legal advice? I saw your reaction and I know what it means. I don't need to know names, but how would that pertain to Skitter?" She pointedly looked at the red file the Director had left behind.
Skitter. Taylor Hebert was Skitter. The PRT thought that the locker incident was Taylor's Trigger Event, that Emma, Sophia and Madison had been behind it. This was something he was not ready to deal with.
However, there was only one thing that might qualify. "Well when...Skitter was found in the locker, the school made her father an offer. They would provide a settlement for medical bills if he agreed to give up his right to sue. I asked Emma, but she claimed that no one was talking about who was behind the prank. I knew that they had drifted apart, so I didn't blame her for not knowing what...Skitter had gotten up to. I knew it would be a big case of "he said, she said" and the family was not well off. So, I told him to take the money while he could. I might have said something different if the police had made any progress, but they closed the case in a couple of days. So I figured that they had better get while the getting was good."
Staring at him, Carol Dallon grabbed the folder and began to read again. Her face flushed the more she went over the details. Finally, she threw the paperwork work down. "Did you not think that it was somewhat odd that the police gave up so quickly? Why didn't you reach out to anyone? Why didn't you ask ME for an opinion? This should have been a major red flag that something was wrong at Winslow."
Sighing, Alan settled in. "It wasn't that simple. T... Skitter's mother died a few years ago. Her father went nearly catatonic and developed something of a drinking problem. He never hit her, but he did neglect her more than I like to admit. She spent nearly two weeks with us once because there wasn't any food in the house. Zoe almost pushed for us to try and claim custody, but an intervention managed to get his head on straight. But he was stubborn and had his principles. He would never have gone for favor trading to get special treatment. He believes in the right of law too much, that the system is all that keeps us from being no worse than the gangs."
Looking at him like he was an idiot, the blonde sighed. "That is all well and good, but I have to ask. Did you ACTUALLY avoid looking into it because you were worried that your daughter or Shadow Stalker might have been implicated?"
Gaping, Alan shook his head. "No! Ta...Skitter didn't even name Emma as a suspect until weeks later! She and her father tried to bring a complaint against her but it seemed like it was out of the blue! I did what I had to do to keep my daughter safe!"
It was only when Carol Fallon's eyes narrowed that Alan Barnes realized he might have used the wrong phrasing. "Alright then Alan. Why don't we go over exactly what you had to do in order to keep your daughter safe?"
Carol Dallon had trust issues. Every day she had to remind herself why it was okay to take a chance. Why it was safe to have Amy at the table with her daughter. Why it was fine to turn off the lights. That being said, Alan's description of events challenged every bit of effort required to get out of the house and face the day without a plasma weapon in hand.
Listening to her colleague finish describing the school meeting and the events that led up to it, the blonde attorney seriously contemplated forming a hammer, just to share her headache appropriately. "So, to be clear, Skitter's civilian identity was arrested by Shadow Stalker in costume, only for Battery to let her off with a warning. However, this same incident was used by the Winslow administration to disregard her honest attempt to provide evidence and get some sort of official action be taken against the people she blamed for her Trigger. You then threatened this old, dear friend with bankruptcy if they ever moved against your daughter again. Does that sound about accurate?"
The red head nodded. "What was I supposed to do? T...Skitter attacked my little girl for no reason! She had been through a massive trauma and did not have the resources to get help! Emma broke off their friendship, so I supported my daughter and made sure Ta...Skitter didn't so anything to hurt her later! Wouldn't you do the same for..."
Holding up her finger for silence, Carol counted to five. There were lines you did not cross. "Do not finish that sentence. I need to think about this." Because something about this just felt wrong. What could possibly spark this kind of action from the PRT? Unless...oh, that would do it.
Groaning, the Attorney wished she had invested in a flask. It would have been so useful right about now. "I think I know what they are up to. Congratulations Alan, you are officially a loose end." Seeing him pale once again was almost amusing, but not productive.
Tapping the folder, that she would not be opening again any time soon, Carol growled. "Officially, I bet the reason that they are doing this is to minimize blowback from the Shadow Stalker fiasco. Protectorate members get transferred and rebranded all the time, but doing it to a Ward is strange. If they are using Alexandria's office to pull it off, it must be considered important. Unofficially? I can think of at least a dozen methods they could have handled it more discreetly, but Piggot must be pissed and you are an acceptable target."
Eyes lighting up, Alan leaned forward. "Then it is a setup! We can fight this then!" Shooting him a look, the blonde attorney shook her head. Given the circumstances, it was hard to feel sorry for his collapsing expression.
"Okay, I'm going to try to make this as simple as possible. Bear with me because the politics are a mess. To be clear, the PRT does not do something like this without an ulterior motive. Half the time, they don't even research Trigger Events at all, or just enough to smooth things over for a Wards placement. There are all sort of stories of Trigger Events being mishandled, and Parahumans becoming Villains because of it. But the organization is overworked and understaffed, so anything illegal tends to get turned over to local authorities."
Stabbing at the red folder, Carol glowered at the red head. "This, however, has the potential to be a major incident. The local PRT is painted as incompetent because the case worker played cover up. The school used strong arm tactics to screw over a girl who they had let down for months. You acted to get Shadow Stalker a deal and protected her from the consequences of her crimes. As the head of the local branch, the buck stops with Director Piggot. If Skitter hadn't Triggered and this came up later, they would be throwing NDA's and emergency settlements around like confetti while also trying to convince the family to get out of town."
Leaning forward, Carol frowned. "However, she did Trigger, and that adds a new dimension to it. If word got around that a Protectorate Hero, especially one of the Wards, caused a Trigger Event? There would be blowback inside the organization and without. My guess is that Alexandria is going to stick a trusted subordinate on Shadow Stalker's ass and, at the first hint of additional fuck ups, Shadow Stalker gets retired due to a family emergency while her civilian identity ends up in either Prison or an Asylum."
At least Alan had the decency to look properly shaken. "But that still doesn't explain why the PRT is acting like this?"
Sighing, Carol continued. "I'm getting there. My guess is that you don't quite get how big a deal Skitter has become. My family fought her, and I've heard of her exploits. In the time she has been active, Skitter has faced down multiple Capes that have been controlling the bay and she walked away. A bug master fought Lung, Glory Girl, Panacea, the E88, the Protectorate and the Wards and walked away FREE. She fought Leviathan in the battle that caused his death! She was apparently taken as a student of that person and left for personal training! Do you understand what kind of impression that makes on the Cape community?"
Swallowing, Alan Barnes collapsed in his chair. "She's that powerful? T...Skitter is that dangerous?"
Pinching her nose, Carol Dallon sighed again. "She is fairly strong for a relatively new cape, but that is not the point. She has become a power because of how she is PERCEIVED. The PRT are probably negotiating with her, and they are not coming in from a position of strength. According to official sources, Skitter KNOWS who Shadow Stalker is. She has had time to put together some sort of conspiracy theory about how her life was sacrificed so that Winslow could keep a Ward, and she is not as far off as I'd like to believe!"
Frowning, he asked. "Wait, are you saying that she wants us to suffer? That she made this targeted effort to ruin my family just because she can now?"
Thinking, Carol shook her head. "I think she might have asked for Shadow Stalker's transfer. It would be a slap in the face to the local leadership, underlining how they can't be trusted to keep their people under control to the other branches. That is probably one of the reasons that Piggot is so mad. Shadow Stalker made her look bad and she can't even punish her for it. Targeting you? Well, it would just make her look petty. If Skitter was THAT, your house would have fallen apart due to termites by now."
"I'm going to throw out a scenario to help put this in perspective. Let's say you have a client. They have a slam dunk case, with a prenuptial agreement, affidavits of poor behavior for the spouse and a rich uncle in the mood to make his favorite niece's dreams come true. You build a list of demands, assuming that the first three or four, while covered under the agreement, will be turned down as a matter of course. However, at the meeting with the opposing council and his client, every item is agreed to without complaint. They even have several personal items ready to turn over, having anticipated your requests. What would that do to your bargaining strategy?"
Taking a moment to think, Alan gasped. "My momentum would be shot. I would be less inclined to be aggressive because they could use that as evidence to undermine my position. I might start to doubt my client's side of the story, and question if bringing the hammer down won't cause more problems than it was worth."
Nodding, Carol smiled sardonically. "They want to remove leverage during the negotiation. Say Skitter mentions how the caseworker covered things up? They will mention that, after review, she was sent to Madison to watch a containment zone at reduced pay. The more proactive they get about this, the fewer points of leverage Skitter can use. Even if the name Barnes never touches her lips again, the local PRT can still use their treatment of you as proof that, when properly informed, they dealt with a problem. It is win win for them to make sure that you are no longer in a position to do anything against the interests of the PRT or Protectorate. Potentially placating Skitter is just icing on the cake."
Swallowing, Alan took a look at the settlement again. "This is still rather aggressive though. I can never, knowingly represent a Parahuman again. I can never represent any party in any dealing with the PRT or Protectorate of any branch past, present or future. I have to give up my right to practice law in any State in the ENE jurisdiction in perpetuity. Then they want me to pull Emma from school and remand her to psychiatric care at a facility of their choosing until she is no longer deemed a threat to society. Any one of these requirements could ruin me and my family! Not to mention the blanket restraining order against Skitter, her family, and associates I'd have to explain to Zoe and Anne without revealing her secret identity. Taking on the Bar Association and the State Attorneys Office might be less painful!"
Giving him a look, Carol took the form and looked at it in detail. Feeling exhausted, she put it down with a sound of finality. "Did you know why the Minion protocols are not used more often? After the PRT managed to get them approved, they went after anyone who qualified without mercy. It changed how villain's unpowered help got organized, to provide that little loophole or two that would keep standard court rooms and normal criminal plea bargains available. But when they get them to stick, they have unprecedented power to make things happen. If you go against this deal, they will keep future hearings closed alright. But the appropriate people will hear the full details and you won't just lose your bar card. You will see at least a suspended sentence and probably lose your position with the firm due to ethics violations. Emma? She'll end up in juvenile hall for sure, but they could also try to make her face charges as an adult. I might disapprove of mandatory therapy, but it's better than being shanked in a shower for stepping on the wrong toes."
Looking at the clock, Carol sighed. "You have options, but they are not very good. Honestly, the PRT deal is the best choice because your other ones have been made as unpalatable as possible. I do not think that is a coincidence, but I also believe that if you attempt to fight them, the gloves will come off. Believe me, that is not something you want to deal with when facing Emily Piggot. But it is still your decision for the next hour and a half."
Standing, the Heroine Brandish looked at one of the few co-workers she tried to call friend, no matter how shallow. Her own feelings aside, there had to be a line that was not crossed. "However, to be clear, I will not be able to represent you if you turn down the deal. It would just smack of a conflict of interest." What specific conflict would be contemplated over a bottle of wine tonight, if she had anything to say about it.
Taking his head in his hands, Alan Barnes just stared down, quiet and broken.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Each breath is to you, and of you.
Each breath is support, each breath a release.
Let your mind drift and your body relax.
When kept for days in a holding cell, meditation was an excellent way to pass the time. My space was fairly limited, with a bed, toilet area and four white walls all I had to enjoy. Admittedly, I had gotten a bit of a break earlier. Alexandria had come through, and I got to see Shadow Stalker twitching on National television as a canned speech welcomed her onto the Triumvirate's personal team. It was almost enough to make me smile.
To be honest, along with a healthy dose of schadenfreude, I had felt a bit of envy. Flying in the sky like Alexandria had been a dream of mine since childhood. Seeing someone like Sophia Hess on the same stage with the Heroine reached deep inside my mind where the Taylor Hebert who was tortured and Triggered still lived and kicked them in the pants. Why did she get to live out my fantasy? Had she not taken enough from me?
The Taylor who had learned, grown and matured looked for the signs. The tense shoulders, the rigid stance, the monosyllabic responses all pointed to someone who was trying not to punch someone. Being Alexandria's teammate might have been my dream as a little girl, but to the Sophia of now it would be a nightmare. That would have to be enough.
Besides, maybe she could actually make a decent Hero under someone who could keep her under control. Stranger things had happened.
My meditation and reflections were interupted by an electronic chime. Out of a side speaker, a light, accented voice I had yet to hear was projected. "Hello, Ms. Hebert? May I have your attention, please?"
Odd, Alexandria should probably still be in California. Who else would want to speak with me?
Looking in the direction of the speaker, I opened my eyes. "Yes, who is it? What did you need?"
The room was quiet for a moment, before the voice spoke again. "Thank you, I was beginning to wonder. You have been in that same position for nearly three hours. My name is Dragon. I am currently in the building mainframe and thought I would check in on you."
Dragon. The Dragon.
That was a complicated story right there, was it not?
Still, best not to keep her waiting. "Well then, hello there Dragon. I was not aware that it was time for another round of interrogation. Should I prepare to leave the cell?"
The Canadian Tinker sighed. "This is not an official interrogation Ms. Hebert. I asked if I could speak with you and both the Director and Alexandria approved it."
Interesting, and I'm sure that any conversation we have will be private as opposed to dissected and debated for additional information.
Still, no reason to be rude.
"What can I do for the world's most powerful Tinker tonight?" Give them information they already have, and they will waste time reading for deeper meaning where there is none.
The pause is longer this time, natural without being calculated. "I wanted to know if you were alright. Other than some medical scans, no one seems to be asking about or worried about your well being."
Huh, no wonder this interaction was approved.
Dragon is actually nice, and a possible candidate for my "advocate" in the process. Which means that I would open up, be more engaged, and provide more information for less effort. Yet Dragon would not even think of that would they? How... interesting.
Leaning back to the wall, I sigh. "I'm a little tired of how the process is dragging on, but if you are asking about my health then everything is normal. I am curious as to why you would care in particular. Didn't I end up hurting some friends of yours?"
The pause is longer this time. It would almost feel calculated if there wasn't a little hiccup in the timing. Dragon tries to keep her secrets, but they are easy to find if you pay attention. "Yes, but they have had worse. However, as you are aware, the Protectorate ran full research protocols on you under S class provisions. So, I know there is more to the story."
Ah, that explains it.
Looking up, I sighed. "You were the one to unmask me. So, I'm guessing you know enough about my background to believe that you know me."
The pause is shorter now. She has had time to come to terms with breaking the Cape Taboo. Good for her. "I might not know what you went through after Leviathan, but I saw how you got there. It was not right. It was not just. It should have been stopped."
Oh, someone is a little touchy. I wonder if it was my Mother's death announcement or the Locker settlement that most caught her attention.
Ah well, when someone is actually looking, the pattern of my life is pretty clear.
Smiling to take the sting off, I reply. "Yet it did happen, it was deemed justice and we all have to live with it." If the speaker had a face, I'm sure it would have gone cross-eyed in confusion at this point.
"Dragon, while I am not thrilled that my face and story is known to so many, I cannot allow myself to focus on that. Maybe one day, we will be able to talk freely without paranoia or political considerations. But, if you are that curious, I would recommend reading my book list. That way, we would at least have a neutral topic to discuss."
She sighs again, unspoken regrets heavy in the synthetic tone. "If you don't mind, I would like that. Maybe one day we can speak as equals, Taylor."
Smiling at my audience, I nodded.
If nothing else, it would break up the monotony.
Even if she was not just alone with her own thoughts per se.
Isn't that right...[QUEEN ADMINISTRATOR]?
Frowning at the image before him, Geoffrey Pellick wondered.
Why had Skitter seemed so knowing with that last look?
Shaking his head, Saint continued to observe Dragon and its manipulations.
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Training Day Worm edition (Jumpchain) by BatRou-Dawg
Misc » Book X-overs Rated: M, English, Drama & Humor, Words: 64k+, Favs: 42, Follows: 50, Published: Dec 8, 2022 Updated: Oct 21, 2023
4Chapter 6
Reaching for the handle, Alexandria felt herself tense. The last couple of days had been spent going over her memory, obsessively reviewing the changes and keeping track of her overall mental state. Thankfully, the variance was small enough to not interfere with her day to day needs, but it was still an adjustment. One that could theoretically be compounded by whatever she learned here today.
Taking a breath, the Heroine opened the door. "Good morning Taylor, I hope you are doing well." As before, the younger Parahuman was seated in the interrogation room, idly leaning against the table. Her demeanor was open as always, although leaning more towards boredom then their last discussion. She could relate. While these conversations were valuable, it had been a long time since someone had dragged things out this far with any Triumvirate member, let alone her.
Looking up, Taylor nodded Iin acknowledgement. "Good morning, Alexandria. You looked lovely on television the other night. I take it there were no teething problems?" The odd thing was that the statements were truthful to the point of being ridiculous. The sun came up, water was wet, Alexandria looked good on television. It was almost enough to make the woman doubt her cold reading skills.
Ignoring the comment for now, the Heroine sat down. "Now then, I believe that we have an attorney who will be able to take your case. Mr. Quinn Calle is known locally as a particularly skilled lawyer, specializing in Parahuman law. He has kept several key individuals on the streets over the years, and has the necessary background to represent your interests. The deals we offer you will, of course, depend on the age range you decide to use."
Leaning back, Taylor Hebert sighed. "So, a neutral attorney who has a background in Parahuman law. However, I'm guessing he is best known for his work with villains. If I choose to accept my proper age, giving you insight on how long I was actually gone, you would have me as a Protectorate member in an isolated location to let the heat die down around my story. If I accept my calendar age, it would be the Wards, probably under Legend to keep an eye on me, with mandatory placement in the Protectorate upon my graduation. Either way, you get a redemption story that plays well with me under your control. Cute."
It was almost like she was reading the bullet points of Glen Chambers' last presentation.
"It also prevents you from dealing with jail time for a number of crimes, while getting you out of the Bay. You do not have to commit right now, but I'd like to think we've been clear about our intentions. So there is no point in assuming that joining our organization isn't a part of the plan." At least, until she could be transferred somewhere that Cauldron could properly control. They needed more data to clean up their apparent mess.
Leaning back, Taylor smiled. "You know, I think I am going to hold off on anything until I have a chance to speak with this attorney. So, if you could schedule that consult in about three days? I think we are both somewhat tired of how this is going. Things need to change up a bit. I'll just head back to my cell until Mr. Calle is here to join the discussion."
Sighing, Alexandria gave her a look. Of course the girl was going to feel playful now of all times. "I had to carry Shadow Stalker across the country yesterday. Please don't joke around, Ms. Hebert. We both know that you know how to play better than that." After all, she had been playing with the PRT and Protectorate since her return. That was as clear as day.
Removing her mask, the brunette smiled. "Still, despite what you may think of me, making legally binding agreements without my lawyer present seems like a bad idea. Although, the longer you hold me without seeing him, the better my chances of a more reasonable deal. That being said, I can give you perhaps one more bit of information before talking with said attorney. I just need a small favor."
On one hand, they could get Calle in here tomorrow, hammer down some additional points in the deal for an expanded debrief. Maybe they could promise some funds for local development, or note that they could call her father in if being a minor was what she was working towards. There was no reason to be baited at this point, while things were going relatively smoothly. All of these points made the idea of just waiting for the attorney and a more official arrangement a very, very attractive option right now.
But that one, off-the-books favor had resulted in a treasure trove of useful information. While some of it was extremely situational, enough was not that carrying the swearing Ward to L.A. had been worth it. The chances of getting something that useful in an official debrief, which would be examined by dozens of parties beyond even her control, was slim. So, she would have to take a chance.
Leaning forward, the Heroine nodded. "I suppose that you have been behaving fairly well. What specifically is this favor and what are you offering?" Being coy was a waste of time really.
Closing her eyes, Taylor went from smiling to pensive. "I would like to have a chat with Panacea if I could. I believe that we should clear the air before there are any more misunderstandings. As to what I am offering...how about the basic syllabus of what it means to be trained by Vortex?"
With those words, Alexandria froze. Taylor Hebert had been very tight lipped about the details of her trip and her teacher. It was all broad commentary without substance. But if they could get an in-depth understanding of his methods and goals, it would only help future efforts to draw him back to Earth Bet, or at the very least emulate his success.
On the other hand, the interactions between Skitter and Panacea had been extremely negative. The healer had a black and white mentality enforced by New Wave in general and Brandish in particular. In addition, between what the Triumvirate had noticed, Watchdog's most recent evaluation, and the overall potential impact on Endbringer fights, Amy Dallon was sandbagging quite a bit. No matter what else, Panacea was not a piece to randomly sacrifice on the board.
Forcing herself to remain visiblly calm, Alexandria decided to see what could be done to prevent a worst case scenario. "While I am interested in what you could tell us about Vortex, Panacea is not technically under my command. I cannot guarantee that she would be willing to talk with you."
Blinking, Taylor frowned, fixing her with a look. "Why would you...oh for Heaven's sake. Alexandria, are you reacting THAT badly to the definition of a Named? Is that why you look like you want to run out the door? Really?" The Heroine could almost feel a sweat drop forming, despite the fact that she had entered active lava chambers before without flinching.
Gaping at the scene in front of her, Director Piggot turned and glared at Legend. "Are you telling me that Alexandria, who is known to be nearly immune to Master Effects up to and including an Endbringer, has been compromised by this definition of a Named thing? Why are we not in containment this second and why was I not informed of the danger?"
Sighing, Legend met her look head on. "We had Alexandria properly evaluated in L.A. and have had the appropriate documentation cleared by Dragon. To be safe, she is remotely viewing this exchange. Apparently the effect added some variance to Alexandria's memory, which hasn't been a factor since her Trigger. She is... adapting to the difference."
Not very well from the tense stance she has adapted after Hebert's declaration. "Were you aware that exposure to the definition of the Named you provided me would result in a loss of mental ability? Answer very quickly because I am not appreciating the surprise."
Rolling her eyes, Taylor scoffed. "Loss of mental ability? Please, don't be so dramatic. The information is made to be flexible because human thought is flexible. Therefore, any definition of a human has to include such a variable to be accurate. A normal person would never even notice the difference."
Not moving a muscle from her position, the Heroine seemed to pin the a look. "As you are well aware, my Thinker ability makes my recollection one hundred percent accurate. Was this a plot to undermine my ability to control our discussions? Or was it an unintentional effect that you did not take into account."
Snorting, Taylor shook her head. Suddenly, the image of a cheerful teenager was gone and was replaced by a battle hardened woman. "Alexandria, the definition of a Named is by design intended to be safe. Do you really think that creatures who deal with multidimensional travel are not as paranoid as fuck? The technique is not harmful, because it literally cannot work otherwise. Other individuals with "perfect recall" have been exposed. Just partition the memory to the side and ignore it day to day and you will probably adapt within a week or so. Am I sorry that you have to remember how to be human? Not particularly. Flexibility of thought is part of the human condition. If you have forgotten that, then a reminder can only do you good!"
Looking between the two, Miss Militia frowned. "How is she doing that? One minute she's a playful teenager, another she is a serious twenty something, now she's a war veteran. Is this a Stranger effect?"
Dragon chose this moment to interrupt. "As far as I can tell, she is subconsciously adjusting her microexpressions to emphasize certain points. It's not so much a Parahuman power but an oratory trick. However, it is rare to have this much of an effect. The fact that she is exaggerating them like this means an unprecedented level of fine control. If this is a learned skill, it's really quite remarkable."
The two Parahumans continued to state each other down before leaning forward as one. Taylor sighed, first. "Named definitions cannot be harmful unless they are mispronounced. I cannot mispronounce them because then I am exposed to the effect. Any Name I pronounce is safe for humans or Parahumans because I cannot pronounce it otherwise. Besides, the Named definition I provided you is a relatively minor one. Anything powerful enough to cause permanent, significant damage is not one I wish to or can know. Are you satisfied?"
Alexandria stayed silent for a beat before replying. "I will make the offer to Panacea but will not insist on her coming, alone or otherwise. Any conversation you have will be made in separate rooms, you in your cell and her in the viewing area. You will, at a minimum, be chaperoned by Dragon. You may not provide her the definition of a Named until it is confirmed that all exposed suffer no long term effects. And you will hold up your side of the bargain before I pick up a phone. Is that acceptable?"
Leaning back, the younger brunette blew a lock of hair from her face. "It's one step forward, two steps back with you people. Fine, if one of us has to act like an adult, it might as well be me. Let's begin an overview of Training 101."
Looking at my childhood hero regain her composure, I mentally suppressed a curse. I knew that Alexandria was dependent on her powers, but having a panic attack over a variable memory? If she served as a proper example, the Triumvirate needed all the therapy.
Taking a deep breath, I cast my mind back to one of the first lessons I had under the old asshole. "The Vortex has had many students over the years, from numerous backgrounds and skill sets. Instructing them in a uniform "style" was seen as counterproductive. Instead, he exposed said students to a variety of opportunities in order to grow as individuals."
Closing my eyes, I remembered the cadence and the rhythm even as I was so alone and confused at the time. "Strict obsession with biology isn't his thing. Instead, he focused on what he believes are the three key items that make up who a person is. Their Mind, Body and Soul."
Tapping my forehead with a familiar gesture, I smile. "The Mind, the Core of Identity. To Master the Mind is to understand the Mind. To understand the Mind is to understand the Self. The first lessons are always about understanding everything about your own mind. With that knowledge, you can then understand others. To understand others, you can understand their reactions to yourself to better define who you are."
Tapping my chest, I take a breath to continue. "The Body, the Pillar of Being. Your body does not define you, but you must define your body. To know it's limits and move past them is to set new limits. You may break, but never be broken. In some ways, it is the easiest element to train yet the most difficult to train safely."
Tapping my lips, I frown, embracing the seriousness of the final aspect of the training. "The Soul, the Breath of Will. That which can push the other two past their limits and, by it's nature is unlimited. Shaped and sculpted in a thousand little ways upon your first breath, yet sculpting you in a million little ways until your last."
Alexandria had leaned back during the dictation. Her stance had relaxed somewhat, and showed none of the false tells I had noticed in the previous discussion. "That is a broad sylabus. You say he kept the actual lessons freeform?"
Nodding, I let myself relax as well. No reason to antagonize the woman who could put me through a wall any more than I already had. "We travelled to a number of worlds, meeting with several key figures. Vortex was not considered the most powerful, but when it came to networking? There were very few who could claim to be his superior. I often had to spend months to years in some places, just so that I could properly adapt to a new lesson." Honestly, it had been one part excitement five parts terror.
The Heroine before me paused. Ah, it seemed like she had finally noticed that little point. Somebody is slipping. "You seem to emphasize adapting to the lessons more than learning them. Is there a reason for that?"
Smiling, I could practically hear certain plans getting flushed down the drain. "Most unique skill sets only work in their dimensional cluster of origin. Try to use them elsewhere, and bad things tend to happen." Oh, the look on her face! No interdimensional super weapons of mass distruction for you!
To be fair, Alexandria did not flinch. "So, any technique you learned as opposed to adapted would only work in the world you would learn it in? What about your Parahuman abilities?" Cool as a cucumber as far as their audience was concerned. Just not as far as I was.
Smirking, I winked. Time to change the board. "The source or sources of powers require specific resources to work. My powers were severely curtailed during my trip, and you have kept the place surprisingly clean since my incarceration. Therefore, I am still adjusting to having my old potential back. So, while I couldn't coordinate a dozen bug constructs to take out a mob, I learned enough about myself and my potential to compensate. That being said, anything I may have learned that has not since been adapted to my needs? It would also be weakened to the point of uselessness." Which, in broad strokes, was the truth. Too bad they did not know just how far people had come outside of their particular bubble.
I could see the gears turning. In some ways, admitting this sort of thing might weaken my position. Not being able to summon an interdimensional nuke to blast an enemy could be a bit of a let down. Particularly when they are trying to destroy enemies such as the Endbringers. But on the other hand, just how would I have adapted? What could I have learned and how would it synergize with my current abilities? I was still a potential asset, but there was no way that power testing was off the table as part of any sort of deal.
Standing, the Heroine nodded. "Thank you for your patience and cooperation Taylor. I'll call Panacea and see about getting Mr. Calle in to speak with you shortly. If I don't get a chance to later, I hope we can speak again. It's almost a shame that I won't have you in L.A." The surprising thing was, no matter what her other plans or manipulations, Alexandria meant that.
She had too many masters, and her past actions were horrific, but that did not mean Alexandria was without depth. She just focused on the big picture so much that she ignored who she had stepped on in the process.
Maybe having to think like a human again will soften those edges. Hope springs eternal and all that.
I retrieve my mask and smile. "Indeed, but sometimes circumstances act beyond our control. All we can do is make the best of it." I meet my escort, mentally sighing.
It might be nice to clear my record, play the Hero, give the people hope where there was none before. Too bad it was unlikely.
While the locals had been recovering, the national news report I had seen, on top of the Shadow Stalker in L.A. story, indicated a shocked sense of hope. With the death of an Endbringer, people had begun to believe that they could be beaten, a mentality that had been absent for years. The only reason there was not dancing in the streets? The mysterious Hero who accomplished the task was unknown and had disappeared.
However that meant that, if PHO was anything like I remembered, everyone knew that I had left with the person responsible. I could have the secrets needed to defeat the Endbringers. I could become a new source of hope depending on how the next fight went. It was one of the things motivating the PRT response to the incident. It was why two of the Triumvirate had been on site for such an extended period of time.
It had painted a target on my back, and on the whole of Brockton Bay.
So I doubted that I would even have a chance to speak with Mr. Calle. The narrative would never allow things to go that smoothly.
Good. I was getting bored anyways.
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