Inheritance - Consequence 4.9

Thursday May 12th, 2011

“I never thought I would ever end up in a dress,” Ironsides grumbled. 

Fester snorted, shaking her head.  “At least Taylor has Annette’s legs.  She certainly rocks the split side look.” 

Ignoring that tangled mess of emotions that the comparison to my mom stirred up, because I really didn’t need the associated memories Fester kept prodding; I don’t need to know how many bite marks you left on her thighs!

Fester cackled as I shoved her into the dark.

I smoothed out the fabric, all I could do was smile at what the evening promised.  The trip to Boston was a bit of a slog, even with the limo, but it was also the most subtle we could be about making our exit from Brockton Bay.  Madison relayed to Assault that we were all crashed from some new weed strain Amelia cooked up and that the Teeth weren’t going to be getting up to shit for hours.

Of course, that was the deception.  In truth the Teeth were ready to move out at a moment’s notice.  Damien and Robbie were on standby with everyone not making their way to the Protectorate’s little party for ending the Boston Games.  We expected something to kick off, especially given how calm things had been following the whole mess with the Elite and what we had done.  Legend could only do so much to keep the peace and we had crossed ALL the lines in our little rampage.

The only upside was how nervous it made the higher ups.  Assault hadn’t been pleased when he figured out that Madison helped, and they were looking at disciplinary action over it.  Needless to say, I suspected we were about to get another permanent addition to our roster.  That hadn’t stopped them from getting ‘punishment’ duty and assigned to the Gala.

I half expected them to demand that Madison arrive with whoever ended up assigned as their handler, but someone dropped the ball on that front which meant they were in the limo with us.  It also meant that we had leave to make sure that those who were going to attend would be doing so in custom Parian designed suits and dresses. 

Chrissie and Lisa both elected for suits, and they looked sharp as hell in them.  Amelia altered her symbiote based on one of Parian’s designs, but refused to not have her greatest weapon on hand.  I couldn’t even blame her for that one either, not after the kidnapping.  Next up were Madison and Sophia, each wearing a suit more suited—stop laughing, it wasn’t that funny—to a security detail than an upscale party.  Madison’s suit would even stretch if they decided to go full Browbeat. 

None of us had weapons on hand, though I did take a moment to fill the hammerspace with some liquid containment foam before we left.  Swapping it for blood was easy, but Amelia could replicate the formula without allowing it to activate on exposure to air, which was all I needed to add it to the hammer space.

“That girl is such bullshit,” Alkaline said wistfully.  “Seriously, where was she when I was the Butcher?  Her power would have been so damn useful.” 

I think she was in grade school and still living with Marquis.

“I do wonder what she would have been like if raised by her father,” Sanguine said.  “Yes, he was our enemy, but he couldn’t have been a worse parent than Brandish.” 

Well damn, he’s almost put as much venom into her name as Amelia managed when she was deep into one of her rants about Carol.  Not quite, but close.  Boston was already in my range, mostly because I had a few members go on ahead and drop off clusters of relay bugs in key locations around the gala.  It was being held in some upscale art studio similar to Fosburg only with far more money behind it.  Somehow it survived the carnage, which was a surprise given how widespread Bakuda’s bombings were. 

“Maybe Bakuda had a taste for the arts?” Pyro asked. 

Stratego scoffed.  “No, this has Accord’s fingers all over it.” 

I hummed along with the voices in my head as they discussed the outcome of the second Boston Games.  Technically the city was up for grabs and some of the collective wanted to claim it, but I knew better than to rush in dick first.  The city was an absolute disaster and we still had our hands full trying to clean up Brockton enough that someone couldn’t rightfully call it a shantytown. 

The scale of economic downturn over the last decade alone was enough to boggle the mind.  Marquis’ capture was the tipping point, funny enough, and having his territory fall into disrepair was all part of a concentrated effort by Kaiser to bolster his own ass-backwards message.  Hell, he had half the city convinced the ABB were stealing dogs and cats to serve in their restaurants!

Even now the remnants of the Empire’s networks tried to keep sharing shit they pulled out of their asses to stir up controversy.  It was getting especially bad in the wake of the Elite’s slaughter and how calm things were the moment the antagonistic forces were out of our way.  Like, the majority of the Teeth weren’t cannibals in the strictest sense, but Animos was known to eat people in his rampages, and everyone knew to avoid Alice’s chili after a raid on the Nazis. 

“What about the time Marauder did bath salts?” Ironsides said. 

And now I wanted to throw up. 

There was a reason I tended to avoid grilled pork following my inheritance, and it wasn’t something I was happy about.

“Probably best to not use that in an argument,” Reflex said.  “The Teeth are cannibals, there is no denying that.”

“Rude,” Marauder grumbled. 

But fair, I relented.  Just, if you asked the media they would say we’re grabbing dozens off the streets every night for a cookout!

“Technically,” Sabertooth started, but I slammed him into the dark. 

Yes, technically our outreach programs were providing free food across the city to help those struggling as they picked up the pieces of their lives, but we were following every law on charitable acts possible in doing so.  All the food handouts had the proper permits, everything was above board!

“Someone’s itching for violence,” Fester said with a chuckle. 

Okay, so what if I was?  The Protectorate had fucked themselves with the games they were playing and it was more than obvious that someone on the inside was rooting for the Elite and even helped stack the deck in their favor.  I wasn’t going to let that shit stand, which meant sending a message by crashing their little party. 

Lisa had spent all day digging into the information she had gotten from Bastard Son and apparently located his blackmail stash.  It was now being liberally applied in causing as much damage as possible, like a reporter getting proof that a Senator was on the take, or that Mustrat Automotive’s American branch was an Elite backed Gessellshaft operation. 

I wasn’t keeping up with everything she was doing, but Lisa liked to talk as we drifted off to sleep and honestly?  I liked the sound of her voice. 

“That’s adorable,” Pyro cooed sweetly. 

“You know this is going to turn into a disaster,” Amelia said, fiddling with a bottle of soda.  “We aren’t even hiding that we’re with the Teeth.” 

“Hey,” I protested.  “I have a silk shawl to cover the tattoo, thank you very much.” 

“That will fool nobody,” Lisa said for the…  Help me out?”

“Twenty-three now,” Stratego said with a dry lilt.  “How did I get stuck with counting duty again?” 

“Because none of us wanted to do it and you’re in the negative on food votes,” Marauder informed him.

“He won’t be after dealing with XV’s bullshit for the night,” Butcher said, then laughed.  “For once I’m not catching shit duty from the Queen!” 

Reflex of all the voices cleared his throat and the original fell silent.  There was something that I was missing, and I was almost tempted to interrogate them over it, but Chrissie draped herself over my lap and made grabbing motions at a mess of grapes. 

“Feed me, Tay!” 

“So needy,” I teased, but did exactly that. 

If it weren’t for an Amelia tune up after last night, I’d be more worried about lingering soreness from the birthday celebrations.  Chrissie’s suit was sharp as hell with crimson trim in just the right places to match her costume if one squinted just right.  

Amelia was wearing a flowing dress themed more after her Panacea image than the Pandemic persona, mostly because this was a party full of heroes and she wanted to flaunt it a bit.  Lisa on the other hand threw me a wink as I looked over her deep purple suit, and especially how it clung to her muscles.  

“Like what you see?” Lisa asked. 

“Always,” I answered, and very carefully didn’t think of anything lewd while making eye contact.  I knew that she could pick up on that stuff and didn’t appreciate it, so I was making a conscious effort to not do it when speaking with her.  It seemed to be helping, and compliments about her appearance that weren’t ‘nice tits’ seemed to go over well enough.  

“Any bets on how long it takes them to try and arrest me?” Sophia asked. 

“No bet,” Madison immediately countered.  “Causing any kind of scene at an event like this would be a disaster for their PR, no matter who started it.  The only way they could win would be if they took Taylor completely out of the picture.” 

“Which is a rather tricky thing to do,” Lisa concluded with her trademark smirk.  “No, they’ll panic that we’re there and do anything to keep us behaved and entertained while pretending everything is fine.” 

“So tits up the first time someone mouths off to Weaver, got it,” Sophia said with a firm nod. 

“Nah, my girl will simply beat them to death with wit and sarcasm!” Chrissie countered.

Madison paused for a moment then turned a shark-like grin on Lisa.  “I’ll prank Alec for you in a way that makes him scream like a Nazi in the arena if you can render Armsmaster speechless.” 

“Oh, you’re so on!” Lisa agreed enthusiastically, shaking their hand as she did. 

I smiled at their antics, happy that everyone was getting along so well despite our history.  My hand gently rubbed at Chrissie’s scalp as I looked out the window with my own eyes and took in the achingly familiar city for the first time.

The signs of battle were present all across the city, especially Bakuda’s exotic effects.  From towers of crystal to empty voids, and even a time stopped field that reminded me of the one currently holding my father.  Despite my best efforts to compartmentalize that he was currently out of reach, the thoughts continued to creep into my mind at the worst times.  My swarm descended upon the rats deep in the sewers across the city, shredding them in much the same way I’d torn through the Elite just days earlier.

Lisa moved almost immediately, pulling the whole polycule into a group hug with me in the middle.  Sometimes her Thinker abilities were an annoyance, like when she tried to finish sentences before we said them, but times like this?  It was nice having someone that could head off the worst of my spirals before they set in. 

Before I took them out on someone that didn’t quite deserve it. 

“Look at us, the mighty Butcher tamed by the affections of cute girls,” my namesake grumbled.

“Shut up, this shit is great,” Pyro countered.

Sophia started to mutter something but Madison was quick to elbow her and shut it down before I felt the need to pain blast a bitch.  At least I had my awesome girlfriends to keep me grounded when the world became too much to bear. 

Unfortunately, the site of the PRT’s little gala was now falling within my range, the delivered relay swarm expanding my senses exponentially in a mere instant.  The fun part about all of this was how Amelia had made sure I had enough extras to cover all of Brockton as well as a line of the buggers all the way to Boston.  A trailer that followed us into the city had been releasing the latest batch periodically so that I didn’t lose tabs on my city.

None of them were breedable, as per Amelia’s wish to keep that option under wraps for the time being.  I didn’t even blame her with how twitchy the PRT could be about Bird Cage sentences.  Canary was just one example, as was I.  

People were divesting themselves of their rides out front, being greeted by a media frenzy that I couldn’t wait to scare the shit out of.  An automated invite had been sent to Medhall, and Lisa jumped on RSVPing the message immediately.  Better yet, I could pick up the heroes in attendance and was happy to see that Lily was already conversing with Ethan. 

I’d asked her to pass along word to a select few that I would be attending and that I would be on my best behavior if they were.  If Ethan’s resigned sigh was anything to go off of, it was working.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get my entire crew into the venue, which left me thoroughly outnumbered, not that it would stop me. 

“Do we not count?” Butcher asked, unable to keep his chuckles at bay.  “I mean, you’re bringing fourteen additionals.” 

Alkaline shook her head fondly.  “Until Amelia can figure out how to make us bodies that Taylor can pilot, we’re relegated to bystanders.” 

That Amelia had toyed with the idea after seeing my trick with Reflex was mildly concerning, but if it helped her avoid creating deadly plagues on a whim, she could experiment to her heart’s content.

Armsmaster was standing on a stage, surveying the crowd.  Sarah Pelham was present, and thankfully, the only member of New Wave making an appearance.  Victoria wasn’t returning our messages, including Amelia, which had me all sorts of concerned for her.  I mean, I did behead her mother and all, but she had to understand why I did it given her muted reaction. 

“Almost resigned,” Chisel said, nodding along.  “Girl knew she would have done the same if your dad had done something to her family.” 

I also picked up a few heroes out of costume in standard PRT trooper gear, which wasn’t a surprise.  Battery was one, staying relatively close to her husband.  Another was Clockblocker, who made a good choice for subduing any villains that showed up.  He was almost cute in his little tux. 

Just to be cheeky, I landed a wasp on his watch just as the limo pulled into the line of vehicles waiting to drop off the rich bastards that would be throwing money at the PRT and Protectorate for all the work they did. 

“Well, sucks to be them,” Sanguine said. 

Pyro snorted.  “It could be worse, we could rob them.” 

Stratego disagreed.  “They’ll already be afraid of being eaten, we don’t need to do anything else but make an appearance.” 

I couldn’t help it, I laughed.  In fact, I was still laughing when the vehicle stopped and our attendant opened the rear door.  Lisa gave my shoulder a quick squeeze and hopped out, helping Amelia to her feet as she did.  The biokinetic was already a blushing mess, but we weren’t done yet.  Chrissie got out next, only her hair serving as a hint to her identity to those not intimately familiar with us.  She then offered me a hand and I let her pull me to my feet. 

A few gasps rang through the crowd, and I knew full well it was the dress.  Parian had done a fantastic job creating it to my exact specifications.  It was crafted out of dyed spider silk, set in Teeth crimson with gray spider webs woven through the ensemble.  The dress was backless, though that was currently covered by a gray shawl that kept my exposed back well concealed.  It wouldn’t do to spoil that surprise early. 

The dress extended down to my ankles, with a split side that was loosely connected by further gray silk that formed another web over my leg when I showed it off.  My hair was straightened, then braided in a complicated weave borrowed from Damascian’s memories, and I knew I cut an imposing figure.  My muscles were prominent thanks to the inheritance and I knew my figure was far more eye-catching than it had been just four months ago. 

Lisa had shown me pictures of models, then a picture from when I tried on the dress at Parian’s apartment.  The collective made damn sure I understood that I would fit right in with the best of them.  I might as well channel that confidence.  I hooked an arm around Amelia and Chrissie, smiling wide as the cameras flashed wildly. 

Lisa snaked an arm around Amelia’s free one and waved to the paparazzi.  I could pick up a few whispers from those in attendance that were doing the mental math to figure out who we were, and so, I made sure we made our way inside so they could be distracted by the arrival of a pop singer right behind us.  No doubt Lisa planned it that way, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

“Well, this is something,” Chrissie said as we walked into the venue. 

Amelia snorted.  “Trust me, the attention gets old.” 

“Can confirm,” Lisa added.  “I only ever attended a few of these things when I was younger, but I always hated them.” 

I frowned at that.  “Let me know if you want to leave early.  As fun as our plans are, your comfort takes priority.” 

“That’s sweet of you, Tay,” Lisa said, pecking a kiss on my cheek much to the reporters delight, “but there’s no way in hell I’m missing the chaos we’re about to unleash.” 

“The tabloids are going to eat this up,” Amelia muttered. 

Lisa laughed.  “Let them.  So what if the Chairwoman of Medhall is in a relationship with three other girls.  I promise you that won’t be the part they talk about come the end of the evening.” 

“No, they’ll be talking about how we’re in bed with the Butcher,” Amelia muttered, though I didn’t miss the smirk on her face. 

“Oh, she is totally looking forward to that headline,” Alkaline said, cackling. 

Fester shook her head.  “Do you blame the girl?” 

I really couldn’t, because I was going to ensure it was all anyone talked about after this little party.  Nothing like having one of the most infamous parahumans in America politely schmoozing with the upper crust.  Pity the man himself wasn’t attending, but the Elite upper brass were all in an uproar after Lisa leaked half their dirty laundry to the web following her own attacks on their systems.

That wasn’t even getting into the first salvo of Bastard Son’s personal blackmail stash.  

Hell, she’d gotten a call from the Number Man himself offering her a quarter billion for Medhall if she stopped while she was ahead.  The negotiations following that had been swift, and the Teeth were effectively a half billion richer in the end while the remaining Elite and Gesellschaft backers were all purged from the business.  Quite the win. 

Lisa was an absolute terror in the business world and would only get worse as she secured more capital for her operations.  Hell, the Teeth could go completely legit soon enough and nobody could really say a word.  There would always be a place for a mercenary cape team willing to go in and get bloody in the face of threats that could result in quarantines.  Ellisburg would make for a good trial run and Aisha thought she was being clever with her plans to drag Alec on a road trip to Canada to make sure he got any inheritance from daddy earlier than planned. 

Eliminating two major threats would effectively put them on the map, not that they weren’t already there, and it would have the side benefit of satisfying the most bloodthirsty among the Teeth. 

Like Sophia. 

I still wasn’t sure how to feel about her joining, but I was willing to give her a chance to find her place in the gang.  Madison had clearly proven themselves and was at least repentant for their actions.  Unlike Sophia, who seemed to relish her part in turning me into the fiercest predator on the coast.

Unhealthy obsessions aside, our little group entered the main hall of the art gallery.  I couldn’t help but let out a low whistle as the collective began doing the math on how many millions were just sitting there for the taking. 

Not that I would be doing that. 

Well, there was one contingency where my swarm stole everything of value before we set fire to the foundations, but that was hardly plans one through three, it was more like the Pyro approach, which was always near the bottom of the list, much as she hated it.  Girl had been scorched earth personified during her tenure as the Butcher.

“To be fair, most of us were,” Knockout said.

Rolling my eyes, I took the opportunity to take stock of the scene with my own senses rather than the swarm’s.  There were servers flitting about, many of which with flutes of Champagne or little finger foods.  Lisa was already flagging one of them down and grabbing four from the tray. 

She grinned as she handed them out to each of us.  “They’re using the high dollar stuff right now, but will swap to the cheap crap before long, so drink up.” 

Not one to argue with a Thinker over drinks, I downed the flute and savored the sensation as it trailed down my throat.  Yeah, that was the good stuff all right, even the biggest snob of the collective (Ironsides) couldn’t complain.

The guest list was expansive, and the collective were happy to point out any assholes they remembered from their time in Boston.  The mayor was an obvious one, as was Director Armstrong from the local PRT.  Then there were the rich assholes that only poked their heads out when they were certain that the villains weren’t going to start shit.

It was cute that they thought this event was safe. 

My swarm was everywhere, and that meant I caught the exact moment that Sarah Pelham caught sight of Amelia. 

“Heads up, asshole aunt incoming,” I said, moving to put myself between her and Amelia only for Lisa to bring a hand up and stop me.  “Lise?” 

“Let Amelia have this,” the Thinker said with a glint in her eye.  “Remember, we don’t want to be the one starting the scene, just ending it.” 

Chrissie snorted.  “Pretty sure you missed the ‘escalate the fuck out of things’ step somewhere in there.” 

“Semantics,” Lisa said, waving Chrissie off.  “These things have to remain fluid, much like Amelia is going to do to Photon Mom’s spine.” 

“That comment was bad and she should feel bad,” Chisel said with a scrunched nose. 

“Okay, so that wasn’t my best,” Lisa said, glancing at my forehead and I raised an eyebrow.  She often joked that she felt like she could follow along, but I was starting to get the impression there was more to it than she was letting on, which was more than a little concerning.  “Now, let’s all sit back and watch our girlfriend eviscerate a bitch.” 

Amelia took a step forward, putting just a bit of distance between us and her quarry.  Sarah stopped a healthy distance away, her eyes shimmering with unease as she looked her once niece over. 

“You look good, Amy,” Sarah said. 

“Amelia,” our girlfriend snapped.  “If you’re going to address me, at least have the decency to use my real name.” 

Sarah recoiled, but schooled her features remarkably well for not being the lawyer of the family.  “Very well, Miss Lavere.” 

Rather than let herself be affected by the cheap shot, Amelia nodded.  “Better.  Now, why are you bothering me?” 

“I was just surprised to see you here,” Sarah said, and Lisa snorted.  Sarah’s eyes darted to Lisa, then widened.  “Oh, you’re here.” 

Amelia scoffed.  “Wow, put more venom into that, why don’t you?”

“No, that’s Tay’s job,” Lisa said with a grin.  “Isn’t that right, boss?” 

It was always funny watching people slowly connect the dots when they saw me and figured it out.  Once upon a time it would have been my greatest fear, but now I relished the dawning comprehension, the mounting horror, the visceral gut punch.  All that and more came in quick succession as Sarah looked me in the eyes. 

“There’s the dilation.”  “And the widening.”  “Face paling.”  “Jaw dropping.”  “That delicious quickening of the heart.”  “The flicker of her power being actively suppressed even as she wants to blast our faces off.” 

The running commentary continued even as I kept my face calm and placid in the face of someone who probably could kill me with one blast if she didn’t hold back.  Of course, then the Butcher would have flight once and for all and Amelia or Chrissie would probably cut her down where she stood, jumping straight from sixteen to seventeen in mere moments. 

Well, they would have the courtesy of waiting to test one of Lisa’s more terrifying theories, one that I wasn’t eager to experiment with no matter how tempting it might have been.  Putting existential dread out of my mind, I smiled sweetly and waved a single finger at Sarah. 

“Butcher,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

I sighed.  “Just Taylor, seeing as I’m not currently vivisecting orphans or eating kittens.” 

“Yeah, it’s totally not like Taylor to eat pussy,” Fester said with the most exaggerated eye roll in the history of eye rolls. 

Chrissie snorted, but it was Amelia who fell into a barking fit of laughter and once again I wondered just how perceptive my girlfriends were.  Lisa however simply smirked as the hero was completely thrown off her expectations.  It was something I was rather good at thanks to my rapport with the collective being as good as it was. 

Even Quarrel tolerated me!

Mostly.

“Somewhat,” the villain countered.

Eh, I’d take it.

At least the byplay seemed to have done its job and disarmed the hero enough that she fell back upon pointed questions rather than blinding lasers.  “Why are you here?”

I shrugged.  “We saw there was a party celebrating the situation that allowed Brockton to go to shit while the heroes keeping the peace were gone.  I was hoping to ask a few questions of those behind the mess, maybe figure out who provided Bakuda ordinance to the Elite.  I do take attacks on my people seriously, unlike some.” 

Okay, I’d gotten a bit more heated than intended, but I was having to shunt most of my rage into the swarm to keep from going on another killing spree given my father was still stuck in a timestop and I had no idea how to help him.

“Breathe, Taylor,” Damascian whispered.  “We’ll find those answers.” 

“And then we’ll make the bastards pay in blood,” Marauder promised.

Sarah continued to glare at me, but I remained firm.  Just because I beheaded her sister didn’t mean I would be soft on her for it.  She was still complicit in how Amelia was treated and that wasn’t something I would forgive lightly.  What was she going to do, kill me?  It was laughable to consider, especially with so many people around.

She could also out me, but that would cause other issues and completely derail the entire fundraiser, defeating the purpose and setting the stage for me to hijack the entire show.  Sure, that was one of my backup plans, but it would be so much more fun if everyone figured out I was there but was unable to do anything about it without risking my more theatrical side from coming out to play. 

“I mean, I’m hoping the situation goes tits up,” Marauder said.  “Parties are more fun when the Butcher comes out to play.” 

“Damn straight,” Butcher agreed. 

I rolled my eyes.  “I have no intentions of starting anything, but won’t hesitate to respond to any and all aggression, so just keep that in mind.” 

“Contrary to popular opinion, we do actually support the cause being presented here,” Lisa added.  “And I fully intend to ensure that the funds are used appropriately.” 

I let a touch of Sabertooth’s power enhance my smile.  “See to it that word of that gets around if you would.”  Not waiting for a response, I turned to face the new arrival decked out in shining blue power armor.  “Armsmaster, a pleasure.” 

“Miss Hebert, we weren’t expecting you,” he said, tersely.  “I apologize for recent events, I only learned of them yesterday morning due to emergency orders and was not allowed to intervene.” 

“Smart of him to avoid mentioning Brandish,” Chisel said.  “Something tells me he has been made aware of her involvement in setting everything into motion.” 

Stratego hummed.  “The question is, did someone in the PRT or Protectorate help put the idea into her head or was that all Bastard Son?” 

“Don’t worry, I know you had no hand in my father’s current fate,” I said, amused at how Sarah took the opportunity to slink away.  If there was one thing I could count on, it was that Armsmaster wouldn’t dare approve of something like what happened to my father or Amelia.  No, there was someone else pulling the strings, and if he wasn’t already looking into it, I’d ensure he was pointed in their direction.  “I’m more curious how one of Bakuda’s bombs made it onto a shipping container that just happened to arrive in the docks in time for the Elite’s operation to begin.” 

Armsmaster nodded.  “Dragon and I are investigating—”

“You’ve found something,” Lisa interjected.  “Something damning, but you need more proof before you can bring it forward.” 

“Thinkers,” the man muttered.  “You would be correct Miss Wilbourne.  There is far more to this than a simple operation and until I can conclusively prove each and every individual’s involvement, I cannot proceed with any arrests.” 

“That high up, huh,” I said.  “Be honest, are you doing it like that to avoid an extrajudicial execution at the hands of a certain cape?” 

“Yes,” he said, not even bothering to hide it.  “I fully understand that you are stable, but that also makes you more dangerous.  I recognize that allowing you to control the Teeth is a better option than returning to how things were.” 

“But you’ve seen what happens to organizations when they do something stupid,” I finished.  “You’re terrified I’ll turn that focus onto the PRT.” 

“Quite.” 

I snorted.  “I appreciate the honesty.  I’ll tell you what.  If you capture him and ensure whoever was behind all this doesn’t get off on technicalities?  I’ll accept that as the job well done, but if they do something stupid before then, I’m ending the fucker with prejudice.” 

Armsmaster paused as he considered it, then his jaw tightened.  “Those terms are…  Agreeable.” 

I clapped once.  “Wonderful!  Now, if you don’t mind, this is quite the party and I would love to actually enjoy it rather than focus on business.” 

“Very well,” Armsmaster said, then paused.  “I would also like to add that I will be investigating the effect holding your father, though I cannot promise anything.” 

My heart lurched, a wave of emotion rushing through me as I shut my eyes.  Chrissie was quick to take one hand while Amelia took the other.  It wasn’t much, more of an empty gesture, but I knew the man was being as genuine as he could be.  Here I was, a violent monster by any measure, and yet he was still being a damn hero for a teenage girl who just lost her father. 

For once I kept all the emotions to myself, experiencing all of them as they came rather than shoving them into my swarm.  Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I smiled.  “Thank you, that means more than you know.” 

One of the few heroes I respected gave me a polite nod and moved off, heading straight for one of the PRT suits I vaguely recognized.  Knowing Armsmaster, that might have been a clue so I marked him with one of Amelia’s special bugs to ensure I didn’t lose track of him. 

“That went much better,” Chrissie said.  “I wonder who else we could have awkward conversations with before things get rolling?” 

Lisa laughed.  “Well, Jouster is here, so there’s a good starting point!” 

It was a near thing that I didn’t cackle.  “Oh, that sounds delightful!  Lead the way, Lise!”

We were still laughing when Jouster looked in our direction, and the bugs I had on him could practically taste the spike of fear wafting off the teen.  Even better, he was meeting with Myrddin and Battery, which made everything all the sweeter. 

“This party is going to be the gift that keeps giving,” Quarrel giggled.  “If you see Armstrong, I owe him a near miss as a reminder from when I was still his problem.” 

“Well, if it isn’t the man who tried to buy me,” Amelia declared, drawing more than a few eyes from the attendees around them.  This time I did snort, because Amelia was not playing today.  “Who put it in your head that a Wards offer so insulting would win me over?” 

Myrddin stayed silent for a moment, likely weighing his responses and realizing which landmines he would need to avoid if he didn’t want Amelia to turn him inside out.  Jouster had taken a step back and Battery had fallen completely still.  I wasn’t surprised that her formal costume didn’t include the glowing lights.  Such a telltale warning wouldn’t be practical in a setting where discretion could mean the difference between life and death.

“Carol Dallon negotiated the contracts with a third party that was never disclosed to me.  All I knew was that they were part of the PRT.” 

“More cloak and dagger shit,” Chisel snarled.  “With how hard it is for them to give straight answers you would think they would have been more proactive in removing those disapproving of people that weren’t.” 

The collective laughed as Amelia glowered at Myrddin’s non-answer.  Really, it would have been so much easier if I was just allowed to rip his head off, but that would only cause further issues with the Protectorate than I already had.  Sure, Armsmaster was at least pragmatic, but even he would have limits for what was allowed in the end and I had little doubts that he was risking his career with some of his decisions.

“Of course she did,” Amelia said after a moment.  “Well, there’s a reason she’s a head on my shelf and this just cements it.  Honestly, everything would have been so much better if my father had killed her all those years ago.” 

“Damn, that hits home,” Alkaline said softly even as I had to move some of my swarm outside into shelter to get out of the building rain.

“How can you say that?” Carly demanded.  “Carol raised you!  Are you truly so far gone that you think so little of her?” 

Amelia snarled, shoving a finger against Carly’s PRT uniform.  “You know nothing of what it was like to grow up with that cunt as a guardian.  It wasn’t just me either, maybe ask Victoria about Carol once she has time to process what happened, you won’t like the answer.” 

Right, because Victoria’s trigger was largely caused by neglect.  Much as I tried not to listen in on certain conversations, there were some I couldn’t help it.  Learning about Victoria’s trigger was something that made beheading Carol even easier, but I also understood that I was alienating a woman who might have been my friend by doing that to her mother. 

We would need to talk once the dust settled, find a new equilibrium, but that would take time.  I didn’t regret my actions in the slightest, but I knew what the ramifications would be well before I ripped the woman’s head from her shoulders.

“Technically you lashed out with a machete after she all but admitted to working with the Elite,” Butcher corrected. 

I rolled my eyes and shoved him gently.  Let me have my dramatics, that’s half the fun of being the Butcher.

“In that case it would not be out of character to rip Myrddin’s face off,” Reflex joked.  “Honestly, they are far more unnerved by how composed you are than any act of insanity could ever elicit from them.” 

That was actually a fair point, and one I probably should lean into more.  Hell, that was half the reason I wanted to come to this little fundraiser in the first place.  Already it had proven fruitful, and I was still having to keep a lid on the emotions Armsmaster had stirred within me following our conversation.

“Come on Ames, let’s get something stronger than champagne,” Lisa said, pulling our girlfriend aside before she got too creative.  The heroes took that opportunity to move off as well, leaving my girlfriend and I all alone.  Chrissie bit her lip, looking off after Lisa and Amelia as they started raiding some of the waiters of the good Champagne.  

I chuckled.  “Go on, get you something to drink.  I’ll mingle a bit and see if I can get someone to piss themselves.” 

My girlfriend beamed, then kissed me square on the lips.  “Thanks Tay, you’re the best.” 

I laughed and gave her a gentle shove.  “Go catch up before Amelia drinks all the good stuff.” 

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” Chrissie said, then winked. 

I watched as she hurried to catch up to the rightfully pissed Biokinetic and their Thinker girlfriend.  That was something I was still coming to terms with, that I now had multiple partners and that they all cared for me in their own ways.  It was nice, and I would do anything to keep them happy and safe. 

“Including violent decapitation,” Alkaline said. 

Fester chuckled.  “Especially violent decapitation.”

I swiped another flute of champagne from one of the passing trays and downed it even as I watched the rain beat against the tall glass of the venue.  The alcohol was weak enough it may as well have been water with my regeneration.  There was a reason the Butchers kept Tinkertech alcohol on hand at all times, few things could actually get us drunk reliably.

“Well, I didn’t expect to encounter you at this event.” 

I turned, surprised that someone would approach me while apparently recognizing who I was.  She was a tall woman with toned muscles and brown hair done up in a tight bun.  She had a few laugh lines on her face, but other than that didn’t stand out overmuch. 

“Why is this bitch so familiar?” Sabertooth demanded. 

Damascian hummed.  “Her countenance does strike my recollection.” 

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage then,” I said diplomatically. 

The woman tittered, covering her mouth with a fucking folding fan of all things.  “Oh, where are my manners Miss Hebert, I am Agnes Black, though you may know me best for the Court I hold.” 

“Oh fuck, she’s the Elite bitch!” Ironsides said. 

“Blood!” Butcher shouted at the same time Sanguine echoed with, “skull!”

“Tread lightly,” I said, my voice devoid of inflection as my eyes turned reptilian.  “You are one wrong word away from becoming bug food.” 

Rather than be intimidated, the woman laughed openly.  “Oh how I admire that fire behind the facade of sanity you portend.  You’re every bit as violent as your predecessors, but you temper it with reason.  A truly frightful combination as Bastard Son learned the hard way.  I must thank you for that, I’d been trying to have him removed for years.” 

“The hell is she playing at?” Alkaline asked. 

“Obviously she took the opportunity to seize more power,” Lisa interjected, having hurried back over from where Chrissie and Amelia were still drinking, though their attention was locked on us.  “Though she is rather pissed that she lost out on Medhall.” 

“We can’t win them all,” Agnes Court said with a dismissive wave.  “I am still content with realizing more than eighty percent of my objectives this past moon.” 

“Quite the achievement,” Lisa agreed.  “Pity your attack dog wasn’t as fierce as you thought.  You certainly hoped he would do more damage than he managed.” 

“He served his purpose just fine,” Agnes Court said.  “I was able to remove most of those who kept the man on their leash, which should make for a safer organization as a whole.” 

I raised an eyebrow, turning my full focus back onto the enigmatic cape as I sharpened my teeth in a mockery of a grin.  “Truly a shame you had to do that, and I’m sure you will take those lessons to heart.  Brockton Bay is under MY protection, keep your people out if you know what’s good for them.” 

“And a fine job you’ve done of protecting her,” Agnes Court said cordially.  “I’m sure that won’t be a problem for me and mine, especially if the whispers coming from Washington are any indication.  Losing Brockton Bay was a minor setback at worst.” 

I didn’t miss how Lisa’s entire body locked up as her power no doubt filled in the blanks.  Unfortunately the Elite cunt had timed the entire conversation to line up with the crowd clapping for the people stepping out onto the stage.  I wasn’t surprised to see Armsmaster up there, nor Director Armstrong.  The lineup would have been far more amusing if they brought another arm themed person out on stage with them.

Agnes Court vanished from my senses at the same moment and I cursed inwardly.  Armsmaster immediately looked in the direction she had been, then began speaking soft enough my bugs couldn’t hear.  He hadn’t known; that much was clear.  He wasn’t happy with the breach of security.

A distraction, that was all Agnes Court wanted from the exchange, as well as to gloat about how I managed to help her consolidate power within the Elite.  I would kill her the next time we met, if only for my own satisfaction. 

“She was the reason Canary was delayed,” Lisa whispered.  “She left Bastard Son to die.” 

“Good riddance,” I said.  “Come up with a personal thank you or something, maybe a major scandal to remember us by.” 

Lisa nodded even as the Director stepped up to the podium. 

“Thank you all for coming!” Director Armstrong declared, the crowd falling into a hush as even the music fell away.  “Today we are here to honor the brave actions of this nation’s steadfast heroes and all the work they did to ensure another city wasn’t lost to the clutches of villainy.”  

“That wording,” Lisa said, narrowing her eyes.  “He’s aware of something the others aren’t.  Even Armsmaster is confused by what he meant.” 

“As I’m sure you’re all aware, this is not the first time Boston has found itself under assault.  The events of the Boston Games will forever live on in infamy.” 

“Hah!  He’s still salty that we managed to carve a place in the city during that whole mess,” Pyro exclaimed.

“Before, we settled for an uneasy peace by allowing the villains to remain.  This time, we will do no such thing!  Boston will be an example to the entire nation that we can and will be able to reclaim our cities from those who seek to rule through fear!” 

“All in favor of making a milk run through his back yard?” Knockout asked.

Alkaline smirked.  “We’ve been gone for only a year and already he seems to have forgotten the unholy terror we could bring down on his head.” 

“Shut up,” Stratego hissed.  “He knows something we don’t.  The Teeth aren’t a concern in his mind, which means the Protectorate has something else intended for us.” 

“This could not have been achieved without the cooperation of many individuals in both the PRT and Protectorate.  It was only through the combined efforts of these brave men and women that we are here today to celebrate.  One such individual stood out, having come in at our darkest hour and the turning of the tide!” 

“Really?  Tolkien?” Fester snarled. 

“It was only through his leadership that we managed the impossible.  To that end, I’d like to make a formal announcement,” Director Armstrong continued.  I almost jumped when Lisa took my hand and squeezed.  “The new Director of the ENE in Brockton Bay, James Tagg!”

He gestured to the side and the man I had marked earlier stepped onto the stage, waving to the assembled guests.  Then his eyes met mine and he had the gall to fucking smirk.  Already I was envisioning ways to make his life a living hell, to see him expelled from my city before he had the chance to set foot within her boundaries. 

“I’ll be sure to keep this brief so we can get to the dinner portion of the evening,” Tagg said, grinning.  “Despite my involvement in your fair city, I’m sure all of you are wondering why an announcement for Brockton Bay is being made in such a setting?” 

A few murmurs broke out through the crowd, but I kept my focus squarely upon the man. 

“The answer is simple!  While Boston will be held as a bastion of what can be done when all the villains are expelled from a city, Brockton Bay is being treated as a warning.  As such, I am here to say that I will also be the final Director of the Protectorate East-North-East.” 

“They’re abandoning the city,” Lisa whispered.  “They’re leaving everything to the Teeth.” 

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Chrissie asked. 

I shook my head.  “It means we’re losing all Federal funding.  We’re essentially being declared an exclusion zone like Ellisburg or Eagleton.” 

“This comes down to one problem that the national office has been unable and unwilling to contain.” 

He looked directly at me as he made his declaration and I met his harsh gaze with one of my own.  If he wanted to play these games, I was more than willing to rise to the challenge.

“These monsters would have you believe all they seek is peace.  Given how they left over two hundred dead in the wake of their most recent rampage, including several heroes who only sought to benefit the public?  I think we can safely say that farce fails to hold any water.” 

Butcher scowled.  “Okay, I know we beheaded Brandish, but where the hell is he getting the several part from?”

“Brockton Bay is to be quarantined due to the existential threat that its latest monster represents.  A former hero twisted by power, brought to villainy through the actions of others.  As such, a Kill Order has been prepared for Amelia Claire Lavere, better known as Pandemic.” 

My blood froze in my veins as Lisa sucked in a sudden breath.  She hadn’t even caught wind of such a plan, which implied that Tagg had access to anti-Thinker assets.  Such assets that might be able to prevent an Elite plan from being discovered too soon. 

“It was him,” Lisa snarled.  “He was the bastard pulling their strings all along!” 

The collective rose up in fury, forcing me to push them down even as I wanted to embrace their rage and add it to my own.  No, blind fury wouldn’t aid me here, not yet.  What I needed was cold and calculating wrath, ready to be administered on demand.

I put a hand on Lisa’s shoulder before she could take more than a step, her strength surprising me enough that I had to deploy some of Knockout’s force fields to keep her from advancing on the stage.  Instead I reached up and pulled off the shawl covering my back and passed it to Chrissie. 

“Hold onto this, I won’t be more than a few minutes.” 

“Taylor?” Amelia whispered. 

I turned to her and smiled.  “Don’t worry.  I won’t let them lay a finger on you.” 

My steps were with purpose as I strode through the crowd, uncaring of who I bumped into.  I was an implacable force of nature in comparison to the squishy people in between me and my prey.  Several heroes began to move, but Armsmaster gave orders not to engage.  Tagg watched with a smile, as if I was playing right into his hand.  Perhaps I was, but I didn’t care at this point. 

“Ah, the Butcher shows herself,” Tagg said, holding his arms wide.  “How kind of you to step forward freely.” 

I turned, letting the panicking crowd see my tattoo in full, the eight gray legs of the spider forming an X, while its abdomen formed the V.  Crimson was splattered like blood between the limbs and the abdomen lined with matching scarlet.  It was a stylized version of the tags that Aisha had been spreading across Brockton, and I had adopted it fully as my own symbol.

“This is an ill advised course of action,” Armsmaster said, almost sounding resigned.  “Please desist in antagonizing the most dangerous cape in the continental US.” 

“You should listen to him,” I said, drawing in my swarm, letting it coat the walls.  Some people were finally growing wise to what was happening, many pointing at my back as I shoved past them.  “Then again, I am hoping you don’t because it seems I need to make another example.” 

“Like you did with Brandish of New Wave?” 

I snarled.  “Yes.  Anyone involved with the death of my father will share his fate.  That is not a curse, but rather, a promise.” 

“Amelia Lavere is a threat,” he stated. 

“You aren’t wrong,” Amelia said, her dress rippling as it reformed around her into the same rough outfit she had adopted outside the Arena as well as at the penitentiary.  I couldn’t deny the thrill that ran through me at the sight of it. 

“See!” Tagg shouted even as people backed away from my people.  “She can do that on command.  She has to be stopped!”

“If anyone so much as attempts to harm a hair on her head, I’ll let her kill me herself!” I yelled.  “Then you’ll have Butcher XVI to contend with, and the entire collective will be cheering her on as she burns everything the PRT holds dear to ash and dust!  How’s that for a fucking threat?” 

“Then you had best get started,” Tagg said smugly, holding up his hand. 

I didn’t hesitate, throwing myself through my swarm to the bug on the back of his suit collar.  I reappeared, the burst of flame moving off of me in slow motion even as my arm shot out.  His flesh and bone parted as if it wasn’t there, Fester’s rot corrupting everything I came in contact with, all save for the man’s heart as I grasped it in my hand.  

At that same time, my bugs had swarmed the individual that had been eyeing Amelia far too closely from across the room.  He fired off some projectile which impacted her already shifting dress, knocking Amelia back.  Lisa screamed as she caught our girlfriend, but none of the bugs I had on them could smell or taste blood. 

In retaliation, my swarm forced themselves down his throat and made a home for themselves deep in his lungs.  The man beside him did something and the shooter was replaced with a PRT agent.  I sent my swarm after the obvious teleporter as well, content in the knowledge that despite having somehow shifted the shooter half a mile through line of sight, my swarm was still in range thanks to the relays I’d kept hidden from the raging storm.  The shift hadn’t been perfect, however, and the bastard fell neck first to the ground.

The explosive force finally caught up with my actions, wrenching his body off my arm and sending it into the crowd.  A crash of thunder followed the explosion, shaking the building as I stood there, bloody fist grasping the raw organ as it sputtered one last bit of blood before I let it drop to the ground with a wet splatter.

Armsmaster looked down at the organ, then back up at me with a grim expression.  “It would be inefficient to repeat myself.” 

I couldn’t help it, the sheer incredulity of the phrase accompanied by the absolutely masterful deadpan was too much.  I laughed, loud and a bit unhinged even as two men drowned on dry land.  Those in the crowd that weren’t already attempting to flee took a few steps back from the obvious madwoman, but not my girlfriends.  Lisa helped a cussing Amelia back to her feet as she checked her side where the projectile—a fucking ball bearing—had failed to punch through her armor.  

Amelia waved off Chrissie’s concern as she got to her feet, muttering about a bruised or cracked rib and how the PRT had shot her twice.  They didn’t hesitate to approach the stage, even if they weren’t sharing in my mirth at having killed another bastard responsible for the recent mess.  

Amelia had donned her full costume, muttering about how the hit she’d taken was going to be a bitch to heal with her new tricks even as Lisa feathered a kiss on her covered cheek.  Chrissie was grinning wide, and I could taste the adrenaline in the air.  She was clearly itching for someone to try something, to kick off a fight so she had the excuse to cut loose. 

“Is this going to be a problem?” I asked.  “You did give me tacit approval earlier.” 

Armsmaster grimaced.  “Unfortunately.  As far as this will be considered in my report, Director Tagg willfully committed suicide by cape after repeated warnings.” 

“Works for me,” I said with a shrug.

The relative mood died almost immediately as a wailing siren began to rise up over the storm outside.  Armsmaster had fallen still and someone was relaying information through his headpiece that was being repeated to every trooper and cape present that sent icy dread down the spines of everyone present, myself included.  As if the raging storm wasn’t enough of a portent, the voice of Dragon soon came over their comms and confirmed what I already knew.

Leviathan was coming for Boston and we were right in the middle of it.