RWD: 4.x (Prelude)(Armsmaster)

4.x (Prelude)(Armsmaster)

The conference room felt smaller than usual with everyone present. Fifteen bodies scattered around a space designed for more. Yet, the air felt thick and stale, recycled through vents that hummed that low, monotonous tune of bureaucratic inertia Colin had come to associate with failure. He paused in the doorway, cataloguing the tableau of Heroes and Wards before him, noting the tension in their postures, the way conversations died as his presence registered. The attack on the convoy had shaken them all, though some hid it better than others. The long mahogany table stretched between them like a gulf, its polished surface reflecting the room's single active screen—Dragon's projection displayed against the far wall, her expression as composed as always. Miss Militia sat rigid in her chair, her power manifesting as a combat knife that she turned over in her hands—a nervous tell he'd catalogued months ago. The Wards clustered together on one side, Clockblocker making some quip that earned him a sharp look from Aegis.

"The situation has escalated beyond anything we've previously encountered in Brockton Bay," Colin began without preamble, finally walking in to take a seat. He activated one of the wall displays, showing still frames from the convoy attack. "What you're about to see represents a fundamental shift in the nature of threats we're facing."

The first image showed a tall, lean figure in black tactical gear standing over Thomas Calvert. The second frame captured the moment of Calvert's execution, the muzzle flash bright against the darkened asphalt. Vista shifted uncomfortably.

"Jesus," Assault muttered.

"The individuals responsible weren't random criminals or opportunistic villains," Colin continued. "This was a coordinated paramilitary operation executed with precision that rivals anything we've seen from even the most established criminal organisations in the country." He clicked to the next slide—equipment analysis, tactical formations, communication protocols. "Their leader has temporarily been designated the alias 'Hollowpoint'. Intelligence suggests he's been operating in the city for at least two weeks."

Dragon's projection leaned forward. "Two weeks during which we've seen a major bomb scare, the systematic dismantling of Thomas Calvert's organisation, the Herren Clan massacre, strategic intelligence leaks that triggered the E88 exodus, and now this."

"You're suggesting they're connected?" Battery asked.

"I'm stating it as fact." Colin brought up a timeline, connections drawn in red lines between incidents. "Pattern analysis confirms a single coordinating intelligence behind these events. Each action was calculated to destabilise existing power structures while positioning this new organisation as the dominant force. Our first confirmed encounter with Hollowpoint was his abduction of the Tinker, Bakuda. That incident led directly to the capture of Purity. At the time, he was flagged as a potential rogue with an unknown agenda. We now believe, with a seventy-eight per cent probability, that he was also the architect of the Herren Clan massacre, again utilising stolen or replicated PRT equipment and credentials. The methodology is consistent: tactical precision, extreme prejudice, and a sophisticated understanding of our procedures."

Colin paused, letting his gaze sweep over the room. "Furthermore, the timeline of these events aligns perfectly with the data leak that exposed Coil and the leadership of Empire Eighty-Eight. The strategic synergy is undeniable. One actor, or one organisation, has been systematically removing every other major power player from the board in Brockton Bay. What began as disparate events has now resolved into a clear pattern."

Kid Win raised his hand tentatively. "The guy who shot Coil. How do we know he isn't actually someone—"

"Because I've analysed every frame of footage from more than a dozen different angles," Colin cut him off. "The equipment, while standard issue, is ill-fitting, suggesting a rushed acquisition. Shot placements are extremely similar to all previous victims, starting all the way from the dead ABB thugs at the site of Bakuda's kidnapping to the deceased members of the Herren Clan. Voice stress analysis indicates extensive military training, but not through any program we have on file." He paused, letting that sink in. "This individual has capabilities that suggest either extensive paramilitary experience or parahuman enhancement of tactical thinking."

Clockblocker snorted. "Great. A Thinker with a hard-on for Call of Duty."

"Dennis." Miss Militia's voice carried a warning.

Colin ignored the interruption, clicking to the next slide. Audio waveforms filled the screen. "This is the conversation between Hollowpoint and the villainess Ligeia, recorded from the convoy's security systems."

The recorded voices filled the room with crystal clarity:

Ligeia: "Do you have any idea who you're making an enemy of? Accord will not forget this."

Hollowpoint: "I couldn't care less. He should have thought better of intervening in matters within my city. You have ten seconds to decide. Leave, or I decide for you."

The silence that followed was heavy. Colin watched their faces, saw the moment when each of them understood the implications.

"My city," Battery said quietly. "Not 'our territory' or 'this area.' My city."

"A declaration of sovereignty," Colin confirmed. "Combined with the casual dismissal of Accord—a villain whose reputation extends well beyond his territory in Boston—this suggests we're not dealing with typical criminal ambition. This is someone who believes they can supplant all existing authority structures."

Dauntless cleared his throat. "How do we know it's not just posturing? A lot of villains talk big."

Colin clicked again. The display illuminated a sprawling web of connections—financial transactions flagged by algorithms, intercepted communications, tracked movement patterns of known agents. "Because the evidence suggests they already have. Coil's network didn't just collapse; it was systematically absorbed. Assets were quietly redirected, and known personnel reassigned to new tasks. What looked like organisational death was actually a hostile and sophisticated form of corporate acquisition."

"Worse." Dragon added grimly, "Coil had access to PRT files. Though the extent to which cannot yet be ascertained, we suspect these include Hero and Ward profiles, operational protocols, logistics. Everything he stole is now in their hands."

Vista's face had gone pale. "They know who we are."

Colin nodded. "Working assumption is yes. Which brings us to Acting Director Tagg's response." The display shifted to official memoranda, federal authorisations. "As of this morning, Rules of Engagement have been updated. This organisation is classified as a terrorist cell with national security implications."

"What does that mean for us?" Triumph asked.

"It means the kid gloves come off," Assault said, reading the documents over Colin's shoulder. "Jesus, Colin, they're authorising lethal force."

"Under specific circumstances and with proper justification," Colin corrected, though the distinction felt thin even to him. "The threat assessment is clear. We're dealing with an organisation that has demonstrated the willingness and capability to infiltrate and eliminate high-value targets while maintaining operational security that borders on the supernatural."

Dragon's expression had shifted to something approaching concern. "Colin, I must reiterate that we're talking about escalating to military engagement protocols in a civilian area. The potential for collateral damage—"

"Is outweighed by the threat posed by allowing this organisation to consolidate power," Colin interrupted. He knew Dragon's concerns were valid, but the analysis was clear. "They've already demonstrated a willingness to impersonate federal officers, execute prisoners, and casually threaten established powers. Every day they remain operational is another day they solidify control."

"Or another day we push the city toward open warfare," Dragon countered. "Tagg's desperation is showing. This kind of heavy-handed response could turn public opinion entirely against us."

"Public opinion has already turned against us," Colin retorted. "As of 0800, we've lost the narrative. The leading story—amplified by over twelve million unique views—is that SWAT operatives executed federal prisoner Thomas Calvert during transport, abducted a second detainee, and allowed the original attackers to escape."

Aegis shifted in his seat. "But that's not what happened. They were impersonating officers."

"The truth is currently an irrelevant data point," Colin countered, switching the screen to a single, high-resolution image captured from a random civilian phone. It showed a figure in black SWAT tactical gear standing over Coil's dead body. "To the public, this image is the truth. The civil liberties groups that were protesting Calvert's rushed trial now have their martyr. The conspiracy theorists have their proof. We are being portrayed as either brutally incompetent or monstrously tyrannical. The distinction is academic. Trust in this institution is at an all-time low."

"This is still a mistake," Dragon insisted. "It's a scorched-earth policy born of desperation. Tagg needs a win before Washington crucifies him as well, and he's willing to burn down the city to get it. Giving capes a blank check for lethal force in this environment will lead to chaos."

Colin felt his jaw tighten. Dragon was right about Tagg's desperation—the man was fighting for his career after the convoy disaster yesterday. But that didn't invalidate the threat assessment. "What's your alternative then?"

The room erupted in overlapping conversations. Miss Militia trying to mediate between Dragon's concerns and the Wards' questions. Velocity arguing tactical doctrine with Dauntless. Battery and Assault discussing exit strategies.

Colin activated his suit's audio dampeners, creating a pocket of relative quiet around his position. Through his visor display, he reviewed the intelligence files again. Two weeks. In two weeks, this Hollowpoint had orchestrated the fall of two major criminal organisations, manipulated the PRT into exposing their own operational vulnerabilities, and positioned himself as a dominant power in the city. The pattern was clear to anyone with the analytical capability to see it. This wasn't random criminal activity or opportunistic power-grabbing. This was a methodical campaign designed to establish control through the systematic elimination of competition and the co-option of existing infrastructure.

It was what Colin himself might do, if he were inclined toward villainy and had the resources of a major criminal organisation at his disposal.

The thought was deeply unsettling.

"Colin." Dragon's voice cut through his analysis. The room had quieted again, all eyes on him. "What's your assessment?"

He considered his words carefully. Dragon was asking for his professional opinion, but he could sense the undercurrent. She was asking him to denounce Tagg's escalation.

"Tactically, Hollowpoint's organisation represents the most sophisticated threat we've ever encountered in Brockton Bay," he said finally. "Their operational security is superior to the E88, their intelligence network rivals Coil's at his peak, and their tactical coordination suggests an organiser with extensive military training. Combined with apparent parahuman assets and demonstrated willingness to use lethal force, they represent a clear and present danger."

He paused, meeting Dragon's gaze. "That said, the response must be proportional and measured. Heavy-handed tactics that alienate civilian support will only strengthen their position. We need a surgical approach, not overwhelming force."

Dragon nodded slowly. "Agreed. What do you propose?"

Colin activated a new display, showing surveillance patterns and known associates. "We focus on identification and intelligence gathering. Hollowpoint's organisation recruited from Coil's network, which means identifiable subordinates who might cooperate in exchange for immunity. We map their structure, identify key personnel, and develop targeted operations to disrupt their capabilities without causing collateral damage."

"And if that doesn't work?" Clockblocker asked.

Colin's expression hardened. "Then we escalate as necessary."

The meeting continued for another hour, tactical assignments distributed, surveillance protocols established. But Colin found his attention drifting to the recorded conversation with Ligeia. That casual confidence, the assumption of authority over the entire city.

He'd dealt with ambitious villains before. Kaiser had believed himself the rightful ruler of Brockton Bay. Lung had commanded through fear and reputation. Even Coil had operated under the delusion that his power made him untouchable.

But something about Hollowpoint felt different. More dangerous. Not because of his apparent capabilities—though those were impressive—but because of his apparent clarity and certainty. When he'd claimed the city as his own, there had been no boasting, no posturing. Just a statement of fact, delivered with the same tone one might use to mention the weather.

Colin had built his career on the analysis of threats, the systematic cataloguing of capabilities and weaknesses. But Hollowpoint remained an unknown quantity, a variable that defied easy categorisation.

As the meeting broke up and the heroes filed out, Colin remained behind, staring at the frozen image of Coil's execution. Clean, professional, without hesitation or remorse.

Two weeks.

That's how long it took for this city's criminal underbelly to acquire a new, more problematic master.

With a sigh, Colin began pulling up files on military contractors, cross-referencing with parahuman databases. Somewhere in the data was an answer, a thread that would unravel Hollowpoint's identity and provide the leverage needed to bring him down.

He had to believe that. Because the alternative was a possibility he wasn't ready to consider.

Not yet.