Chapter 2: Patient Zero
Albert Jackson, low level grunt of Empire 88 and self acknowledged scum bag and a few of his buddies were prowling towards the docks on the orders of Hookwolf, he grinned and nudged his friends who snickered. Then Albert Jackson approached a pale teenage girl in a dark leather jacket with a pair of red wings on the back, her face obscured by her sweatshirt, and placed one hand on her shoulder.
12 hours ago
Emily Piggot stared in disgust at Miss Milita.
"So you're telling me, that because of one the Wars conduct, she not only triggered a girl, after more then a year of systematic abuse, she is also the prime suspect in the murder of this Hebert girl's father?"
Miss Milita nodded, shamefaced, both her and Armsmaster's lack of foresight. It might not have been mostly the fault of Shadowstalker's case agent, but the fact remained that both heroes had failed in their duties, even if Shadowstalker turned out to be innocent, their investigation into the incident had revealed a number of infractions, from nonviolent and relatively innocuous but still serious violations like bribery, to birdcage worthy actions such as assault, terrorism, attempted murder, and actual murder.
But the one thing she had not done, was the murder of Taylor Hebert's father. Shadow Stalker had been on console duty, half a city away from the Hebert's home where the murder had occurred, and now was imprisoned in the PRT holding cells. More worryingly, someone, or something was trying to set Shadowstalker in Taylor Hebert's path. Hebert had already shown evidence of being a powerful Changer from what Hospital security cameras showed of her clothing change.
There were only two questions left,
Where exactly Taylor Hebert was, and where exactly she was…
8 hours ago
Taylor prowled her home through her home late at night, she had waited until many of the guards had been drawn away to other duties, she had quickly and quietly sneaked past the PRT officers that dotted the road and the front of the house. She had sneaked around, her senses strangely enhanced, the different smells coming together to form sensations of color and taste. She had started on the top floor of her house and then worked her way downwards, taking the distance scents and discarding the ones that could be explained such as her fathers, and her own, and some of the older scents such as Emma's and her mothers. But downstairs, where the dried blood pool lay, dominating the floor, there were a four distinct scents.
The first Taylor recognized as Miss Militia and discounted it. If Miss Militia wanted to kill her or her father, the house would have been riddled with bullets. The second was a metallic scent, but she could only detect it around the blood pool and in a path towards the door. But the last two were the interesting ones. Taylor had never the first one before, it smelled of mist and steel, perhaps some sort of tinkertech or Parahuman. But the last scent was something very familiar.
Taylor's eyes narrowed, a couple wisps of scarlet smoke seemed to escape from eyes alight with hell fire.
A scent that Taylor knew was Sophia's, a murder by crossbow, an open secret that Shadowstalker went to Winslow rather then Arcadia like the rest of the Wards. A black Parahuman vigilante, and a black track star that she had been the target of for the last few years.
A pair of wormlike, pink lips pulled off of teeth like shining tombstones, and from between them emerged a hiss like a snake.
"Sophia…"
Scene Break
4 hours ago
Taylor hunted, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, she stopped the occasional criminal, but she had a specific target, however, it was one that was proving frustratingly elusive. Taylor sighed as she broke another mans arm.
This was going to be a long night, she didn't want to kill anyone, but she was getting rather irritated with both her lack of information, and her the pangs of hunger that were increasing in frequency and intensity, her father was gone, and never coming back.
She had no reason to deny her hunger. No reason to deny what she been wondering about when the fragment of Mercer's memories had given her the knowledge of what she could.
No reason to deny the opportunity to deny seeing what would happen when a super-powered fist impacted a normal persons head.
Taylor licked her lips as she came across a drug deal in progress. A pair of Merchants, a pair of nobodies.
Her skin writhed briefly as she jumped down. Ignoring the screams, the cries, the pleas for mercy, she went to work.
Now
Taylor finished with yet another in a long series of opponents. Just as she had sent the last to the ground, and was leaning down to consume her 5th thug of the night, she heard steps behind her, and turned, just in time to see a blond girl in a white one piece and tiara she recognized as Glory Girl throwing a punch that would shatter concrete at her head.
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Topic: Glory Girl beaten by new cape
In: Boards Places America Brockton Bay
Brockton Bay New Wave Team (Confirmed Superhero Team)
Posted XXX
Glory Girl was recently attacked by a new cape on the scene, currently codenamed 'skin walker'. The New Wave are warning the public that this cape should be considered incredibly dangerous and should not be approached under any reason. She is currently considered a Brute 4, mover 4, breaker 4. Security camera footage of the fight has been posted below.
[Link]
Linkler (Confirmed PRT spokesperson)
Posted XXX
The PRT has released a statement based on the video evidence. The Cape currently known as 'skin walker' was defending herself. Glory Girl did not attempt to discern the other capes identity or motivation. The PRT is encouraging skin walker to turn herself in to the nearest PRT representative for questioning.
We stress that she is not being charged with a crime. Below is a link to the complete surveillance video.
[Link]
XXXVoid CowboyXXX
Posted XXX
Okay. For once, I mean this in all seriousness, did New Wave just try to trick us with an edited video? A group that has been crowing about accountability? To be fair, there were plenty of rumors of Glory Girl starting fights before this…
BrocktonBayAvenger (cape fan)
Replied XXX
Holy crap… Did Void Cowboy just say something useful for once? But seriously, he's right, what the hell were New Wave thinking posting an incomplete video? The video posted by the PRT shows skin walker dealing with some Empire 88 thugs, and then getting attacked by Glory Girl out of no where.
Specific female Protagonist
Replied XXX
Really? That bitch looks like a villain, skin walker should have just taken her lumps.
Banned for 1 week
Tin Mother (Mod)
Replied XXX
Keep it classy people. Remember, skin walker is a new cape on the scene, and she seems to be at least a rogue so lets be nice and welcome her to the scene with some grace. And as always, especially for newly revealed capes and triggers, no guessing identities, no trashing.
The ban hammer is at the ready, and I'll be watching this thread very closely.
Bagrat (guy in the know)
Replied XXX
Whoo, from what I've heard about this new cape, she also has a significant Changer and Stranger ratings. The whole package adds up to one hell of a grab bag cape.
Ive heard from a PRT insider that Shadowstalker has been in their holding cells for the last few days. Has our resident edgy teenage vigilante finally gone too far? Thats what my mind jumps too when I consider this. Its the only thing that really that makes sense to me considering the PRT was willing to forgive attempted murder.
Blacklight (unconfirmed cape)
Replied XXX
I would like to say that I was reliving stress from some, shall we say, stressful events, stopping muggings, robberies, and the occasional hold up. Then, as I was preparing to secure the last few of my take downs, out of no where I get slugged in the damn face by Glory Girl. We fought, I kicked her ass, and then they try to cover it up by setting up a link to an incomplete video.
So, heres my message.
New Wave members, stay out of my way, if any of you get in my way again, I will not be so kind this time. You attempted to lie and discredit me. No more. I say again, no more.
PRT and members of the Protectorate, I thank you for your effective investigative skills and your honesty. Even if the reason for that honesty is not actually that honest. I will be stopping by the end of the week to make my report and to discuss possible avenues for my 'big reveal'.
There will also be a discussion over a Wards particular conduct.
One last thing, can anyone tell me how to get confirmed Cape status?
Bagrat (the guy in the know)
Replied XXX
Huh, so thats a thing. So, going under the assumption you are who you say you are, there a few points I wish to express.
I hope you don't hold it against Glory Girl or New Wave. They are a superb team of heroes, with both experience and power. I don't know how many heroes wouldn't be alive if not for Panacea.2. Where did you get the name Blacklight from? It sounds interesting, but frankly just as villainous as skin walker.
3. Can I ask what Ward you wish to discuss with the PRT?
4. You can verify your Cape status by sending a picture of yourself in costume to a mod with a newspaper or some other form of official date.
5. What will your big reveal entail?
Blacklight (Confirmed Cape)
Replied XXX
Thank you for explaining how to verify my status Bagrat. Much appreciated, now to address your questions.
1. I hold it against Glory Girl and whoever was in charge of their press release. The rest of them are guiltless unless they take further action against me.
2. Blacklight was one of the names of my the man who was my teacher. If it happens to be villainous then I will have to make do. I intend to honer my teacher by taking his name, and with every action I take.
3. The ward I will discuss will be revealed, at the reveal.
4. Thank you again for telling how to verify my account.
5. My big reveal will be comprised of my identity, my trigger event, the cause of my trigger event, and future plans. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
Just the thought of these event, and the events to come, leaves me positively giddy with hunger. Or should I say anticipation?
Allseeingeye (Girl in the know)
Replied XXX
That doesn't sound ominous at all. Not at all.