Interlude 1.5a – Aftermath & Consequences
Armsmaster strode through the hall, going over his upcoming presentation on his HUD while he made his way to the conference room, the assorted PRT officers and personnel standing out of his way as he moved quickly. He frowned slightly as he reviewed the report. Armsmaster hated this, but it was necessary. His entire life was devoted to being a hero, and in order to do that effectively, he had to devote a significant number of man-hours to training, improving his equipment, and patrols. He could think of at least 27 distinct things that he could be working on instead of giving this report. Honestly, couldn't Director Piggot read an email? His tertiary halberd needed an overhaul and he projected that he could gain a 8% increase in power efficiency on his motorcycle if he rerouted the inducer manifold... Armsmaster lost himself in his tinkering plans until his mapping software flashed an alert that he was about to reach the door of the conference room. He checked his clock. 8:59 AM, right on time. The hero opened the door and stepped inside.
Inside the spacious conference room was a pair of screens that took up two entire walls, as well as a table with comfortable chairs spaced around it. Sitting at the head of the table was Director Piggot, a short, overweight woman who looked slightly sickly, glared at Armsmaster in vague irritation. The remaining chair was occupied by Miss Militia, who looked up from a tablet she was reviewing and smiled. "Armsmaster." The director said in greeting. Armsmaster nodded, and stepped over to the interface for one of the screens.
At precisely 9:00, the other screen popped up a window, showing the digital face of Dragon. Armsmaster smiled at her. He was... fond of Dragon. She wasn't as unpleasant to talk to as most people, and she was able to discuss and assist his work without needing tremendous amounts of explanation, unlike even most tinkers. She smiled back. "Hello, everyone. Are we ready to begin?"
Armsmaster nodded. "As you know, fifteen days ago, Lung and several normal AZN Bad Boys were captured by a previously unknown cape in an improvised costume, tentatively named Slumber. Said cape has been temporarily classified as a stranger 3, based on her stated ability to put people to sleep at a distance." Armsmaster glanced at Dragon, who nodded. "I disagree with that assessment. My review of the video and statistics from my armor interface indicated that my reaction time was slowed by about fifty to sixty microseconds, which is otherwise negligible, but when it suddenly started when I came within four hundred feet of Slumber, and ended after I left that area, one is lead to be suspicious."
Director Piggot frowned. "You didn't mention that in your initial report."
"I was not aware of the issue until I ran the diagnostics four days ago." Armsmaster growled. "I had a gut feeling that Slumber was more than she appeared, but no evidence." With an eye-flick, he scrolled through his notes. "She was in the company of Tattletale, a member of the Undersiders and a known villain. They both claimed that they had no actual criminal records, and intended to retire from cape related activities. Slumber, in particular, expressed an interest in rogue activities. Since that time, neither Slumber nor Tattletale has been seen."
Dragon spoke up. "When Armsmaster informed me of what happened, I started monitoring for signs of thinker activity sourced in Brockton bay, and eventually discovered, through a great deal of effort I might add, several unusual patterns of investments that can be traced." Several complex financial charts came into view on Dragon's screen. "The first is probably the simplest. A group of several investments from apparently unrelated sources that, over the past several months, consistently sold enough stock to make a profit one day before the stocks took a sudden plunge." Dragon highlighted these trends. "I suspect that they are tied to the villain Coil, but that's more of a educated guess than anything else." Dragon highlighted a separate series of transactions. "These stock trades happened in the past five days, and are unusual in that they are rarely owned for more than a day, and in that they are newer 'young' stocks that have a higher relative growth rate. They are tied to Brockton Bay through IP traces, but the patterns don't tie to any known villain. The sheer amount of transactions, however, is surprising, with an estimated profit margin that may be as high as one million dollars."
Director Piggot frowned. "Is there any way to tie either of these pattens more firmly to Thinker activity?"
Dragon shook her head. "Not really. It's fairly difficult to actually prove Thinker involvement in the stock market, barring blatant examples."
Piggot sighed. "Fine." She glanced at Armsmaster. "Any relevance to the issues with Slumber or Tattletale?"
"None that are apparent at this time." Armsmaster admitted. He continued with his report. "Given the Ignoble nature of Lung's defeat, we have word that Bakuda has defected and left the city. Oni Lee has taken command of the ABB, and we anticipate him trying to rescue Lung at his prisoner transfer. There are rumors of another cape joining the ABB, but they are completely unsubstantiated, but we will be cautious." Armsmaster pulled up a map of Brockton Bay. "The ABB has lost ground to both the Empire 88 and the Merchants, but not a significant amount. Oni Lee is focusing on holding his ground, and the Empire has always been fairly cautious."
"Your recommendations, Armsmaster?" Director Piggot asked.
"Increased patrols and presence in the gang borders, to act as a deterrent to violence, and, barring that, to pick up as many gang members as possible." The hero stated quickly. "Additionally, note Slumber's file that she may or may not have a Master capability."
Piggot nodded. "Consider it done. Any word on the status of that kidnapped Alcott girl?"
"None at all. Some of her friends said she started talking about percentages shortly before she was kidnapped, so she may be a cape, and it is likely that the Travelers were hired to rob the bank as a distraction, but we have no leads." Dragon stated sadly. "It's a shame, no matter who she's related to." She shook her head. "And Panacea's recovery is going well, we are bringing in Medicae and Transfusion to repair some of the damage she suffered from Ballistic's attack."
"And the case against Glory Girl for his death?" Piggot asked.
"Brandish is arguing it as self-defense. They'll most likely win, but Glory Girl is willingly behind bars until the case is completed. There are, of course, the standard Endbringer protocols."
"Fine" Piggot grunted, obviously displeased. "I don't like it when any cape kills someone and gets away with it, hero or villain, but Brandish is a damn good lawyer. Anything else?"
"One minor thing," Armsmaster stated. "There was an abandoned warehouse near the bay that was purchased several days ago under a little-known law that allows a parahuman organization to legally purchase property. It was purchased by an organization known as The Union, but the last known cape organization by that name perished in 1997 against the Behemoth." Armsmaster sighed. "I only mentioned it because both Slumber and Tattletale mentioned they were considering being rogues."
Miss Militia, who had been silent the entire time, spoke up. "What was your impression of their intentions and sincerity?"
Armsmaster paused for a moment, composing his thoughts. It had to be that question. "They did tell the truth, but there were some outlier indications that it wasn't the whole truth. They were particularly specific about Slumber's cape name and her powers. I suspected at the time that they had heard rumors that I had a lie detector, but I didn't call them on it. They did seem sincere, however."
Miss Militia tapped her chin with a finger in thought, the knife on her hip dissolving in a burst of green light and reforming as a wickedly spiked gauntlet. "Is it possible that Slumber has a much higher power rating, but she is concerned about reactions to it?"
Armsmaster blinked in surprise. "It... is possible." he grudgingly admitted. "That would fit with some of my equipment readings. I'll make a note that she is a potentially high rated master/stranger, with forced sleep as one potential ability."
"In that case," Miss Militia continued, "Would it not be reasonable to reach out to her and reassure her that she would not be ostracized for having a power that is beyond her control, or for having a power that would scare most people, but choosing not to use it?"
Armsmaster nodded sharply. "I'll keep that in mind if we encounter her, and I'll add it to the briefing."
Director Piggot sat back in her chair and watched the two heroes continue to discuss the potential power ratings of the new cape in town. She was contemplating that as well... If a parahuman didn't want to reveal their power, and they were willing to demonstrate their ability to force humans to sleep, even someone as powerful as Lung, then what else could they force people to do? There were documented capes with the ability to implant post-hypnotic suggestions, become invisible, force others to ignore them, and dozens of other mind-altering powers. Was it even possible to directly control people? Director Piggot repressed a shudder. Was that the line that she couldn't stand to cross? To recruit a cape who could manipulate a person like a puppet on a string? With a start, she noticed Armsmaster and Miss Militia looking at her. She waved a hand. "Continue, I was lost in thought."
Armsmaster nodded. "We have agreed that it is unlikely that the cape currently designated Slumber will continue to use that name, and are going to recommend increasing the routine master/stranger screenings for Wards, Protectorate, and PRT personnel. We are also going to recommend a 'friendly but cautious' approach to any new capes that seem to demonstrate mental effects in the next few months."
With a frown, Director Piggot nodded. "That seems reasonable. I'll implement it." She glanced between the two heroes. Armsmaster glanced between the two heroes. Armsmaster was as stoic as ever, if a little frustrated at having the meeting, which was admittedly a primary motivator in not just reading an emailed report. Miss Militia, on the other hand, seemed to be deep in thought. Piggot raised an eyebrow, and she shook her head.
"It was nothing. Just a thought." With a frown, Piggot nodded. Miss Militia was sometimes a little too perceptive.
"Then, if there is nothing else?" the director asked. Both heroes shook their heads, so Piggot levered herself to her feet and left the room.
Dragon spoke up. "You didn't mention that the Undersiders have effectively dissolved."
Armsmaster shrugged. "They were just a minor gang, never violent, no territory bids, just hassling the other gangs, and even then, not enough to matter. There's not really much point to bringing them up." he glanced at the screen with his friend's picture. "How's the Endbringer prediction software?"
Dragon smiled. "Nearly complete. All it needs is a final debug and I'll run it to see what it suggests."
Armsmaster nodded. "Let me know." He promptly left the room.
Miss Militia glanced at Dragon's simulated face. "He'll figure it out someday, be patient." Dragon seemed to sigh.
"I know." The screen went blank. Miss Militia shook her head and chuckled under her breath as she left.
Five minutes later, an email from Grunt notifying the PRT of his move into Brockton Bay and his new location was inadvertently filed as spam and deleted. Over the next three days, fifteen semi-trailers full of manufacturing equipment and materials were moved into The Union's new headquarters.
AN: Sorry about the delay on the release of this chapter.
