[PRT ENE HQ - 'Panic Room']
"But at this point, there isn't much else we could possibly do to make him angier at us." Director Costa-Brown sighed in relief. "We just need to course correct now."
"What do you need me to do, ma'am?" Piggot spoke up. She wasn't aware that the PRT plans hinged so much on Magos, but now she did. All thanks to being inducted into that exclusive list of people who Need-To-Know.
"Our number one priority is to convince Magos of the wisdom of working with us. Exclusively with us if we can manage that. And it has to be done today." Director Costa-brown revealed.
Piggot personally thought that was a tall order, especially when they had attempted to take both him and Dragon into custody. Which, if Piggot was being honest, was not something that can be easily forgiven- especially within the span of a single day. But who knows?
They had successfully pulled off some fantastic recruitment and reformation before like with the case of Shadowstalker- turning her from a sociopathic vigilante to a functioning member of society albeit with some slight anger issues. So, who can really say what's possible and what's not?
"What's our first step, ma'am?"
"That would be Eidolon's ranso- Hold on, speak of the devil…" Director Costa-brown said- tapping her keyboard and immediately a screenshot of a PHO thread was shown on Piggot's screen.
FOUND DOG!
Green Male Parahuman Trump 12
Answers to 'Eidolon'
Slightly overweight (But not as much as Alexandria)
Suspected to not be house-trained
Was found in the vicinity of #162 Boardwalk, Brockton Bay City
To claim, contact Magos
Will require proof of ownership.
Claimants must bring cameras for mutual video evidence
No solicitors
"This was posted by Magos in PHO barely a minute ago." Costa-brown explained, "We had been expecting the worst when he abducted Eidolon, so this was a very welcome sight. Alexandria and Legend will personally negotiate on our behalf. Magos hasn't made any monetary demands, but Watchdog suggests that it will be less than a million dollars as he's more interested in the publicity than anything else. Still, we're going to be packing a blank check to be sure. Now, if we can get a photo of Eidolon alive and well to reassure everyone that we have it all under con-"
Piggot watched as an accompanying photo of an alive and well Eidolon was posted as well: the green-garbed Triumvirate cape who was apparently unconscious on a spread out pile of newspapers, fluffy black dog ears sewn onto the top of his cowl and a floppy plastic dog tongue taped to his mask. Beside him, a green doggy bowl with 'Eidolon' printed in big white font sat innocently with another doggy bowl with 'Alexandria' printed.
The message that Magos was conveying to the entire internet was clear: He has made the Triumvirate his bitch.
"Goddammit, Magos…" Piggot heard the director Costa-brown grumble with deep displeasure, "Not the reassuring sight I had in mind, but we'll take what we can get, I suppose. Magos clearly wants to parade his victory and humiliate us on live television again though in a less violent fashion.
Worse still, we aren't in a position to deny him, so assemble the Protectorate and just order them to grit their teeth and bear with us on this one. If Magos slaps them with an insult, they'd better turn the other cheek."
"I'll impress on them the importance of this mission… Armsmaster in particular." Piggot nodded, "But chief-director… I must request that you do the same for Alexandria. Magos really got under her skin last time."
The deep glower on Costa-Brown's face told Piggot that it wasn't a pleasant job for her either.
"Yes…" the chief-director replied while still wearing that glower, "You can be sure that I'll… tell Alexandria to ignore the inevitable jabs at her weight. You… don't think she's actually fat, do you?"
Slightly nonplussed by the sudden and sharp question, Piggot replied still.
"No, I don't think so, chief-director." She said, and that seemed to mollify the chief director for some unknown reason- nodding in acknowledgement.
"Good." Costa-brown hummed, "The exchange serves another equally important purpose. With the cameras rolling, it will be our message to the world that the PRT aren't enemies with Magos alongside that joint operation between the PRT Troopers and the Chloe-Skitarii saving Brockton Bay."
At the mention of her city being saved, Piggot felt that there was a big 'but' about to follow.
"But as a result… " She began, looking at Piggot with pity, "The PRT will also be forced to acknowledge the Chloe-Skitarii's part in Brockton Bay's defence. That means an award ceremony for the Chloes as well as the PRT Troopers. You will be presenting since this is your city."
"what?"
And that particular move stung at Piggot worse than anything else. It was already bad enough that the disciplined and professionally-trained PRT Troopers (of which she used to be one) who fought the adult children that were parahumans on a daily basis were now going to be held to the same level of respect as Magos' sex-bots.
This was as fiercely embarrassing as adding a new branch of the US military alongside the Navy, Army, Airforce and Marines… only, this new branch was solely populated by inflatable sex dolls and somehow outperformed the other four in all aspects.
And now, she was going to have to go on global television to acknowledge it- smiling proudly for the camera as she pinned medals on their sex-bots chests and shook hands with them. She was going to be a laughing stock after this- she could already see the memes.
Mechanicus Sex Dolls. Battlefield tested, PRT approved!
The PRT's secret weapon: Onaholes that pound back!
Villains Beware! PRT Troopers are now back by sex dolls!
Magos' Sex-Bots. As personally endorsed by PRT Director Emily Piggot!
"Fucking Magos." She muttered under her breath.
"You get used to it." Director Costa-brown empathised with a weary nod, "After the ransom, Alexandria will attempt the opportunity to get in more talks with Magos. As usual, I'll brief her thoroughly so you can assume that she speaks with my authority."
The Chief-director leaned back with a sigh.
"If there's nothing else, we should both get ready for the exchange."
"What about Dragon?" Piggot once again returned to the previous subject. "If she were to get involved…"