Reaper: Chapter 2d
I admit that being offered a job was not what I had thought was going to happen to me today, but I suppose it was better than the alternative.
"Really," act casual, "And what do I have that you'd like to make that offer?"
"If my sources are correct Ms. Hebert, and they almost always are, what you did to Lung and the Merchants is exactly what I'd like to have."
Shit. He knew, somehow he knew. How the hell could he have picked me out of the millions of people that lived in Brockton Bay?! No one had even seen me in action except for Lung and... the Undersiders. Which one though? Grue was the leader, but he sounded genuinely grateful. Bitch and Regent didn't really talk but I got the feeling that they didn't care one way or the other.
Then... the blonde, the one who Grue turned to.
Tattletale.
Outwardly I answered, "What makes you think that I'm for sale? And looking at the mercenaries surrounding me, I have to say that I don't feel very comfortable in career choices at the moment."
"Ms. Hebert, let me tell you that I greatly dislike playing games when I could be doing business. You and I both know that you have some sort of ability to disable my guards one way or the other. I am not a stupid man Ms. Hebert." he sounded annoyed now.
I didn't care however, he had just unwittingly gave me a multitude of information.
He knows that I can disable the guards but unaware of the means, I thought as I played with the thin metal cable that coiled underneath the mercs feet, Not cameras, otherwise he would have specified. Some sort of surveillance... possible parahuman? Either Thinker or Pre-cognitive, a slim chance of Tinker as well. Already confirmed male, obviously has an impressive pool of resources to have this many mercs this well embedded. Let's throw a curve ball and see how he swings.
"I agree 100%," I say after a moment, "So, let's stop playing Cat and Mouse, Mr. Coil."
Silence for a long time. I noticed that the surrounding men and women began to look even more tense than before, and it was obvious that they were uncomfortable with the lack of any noticeable conversation. They were probably expecting a kill order now that I revealed who my mysterious "customer" was.
"...How... never mind. My sources did say to be wary of you."
"You should have listened to them Coil. I have all the funds I need, and have no interest in being apart of your criminal gang... either of them."
Another pause, before he answered, "What if it was in your father's interests?"
My eyes widened in shock before narrowing in anger and realization. Of course he'd know about my father, he knew this much about me didn't he? I shouldn't have been surprised that a criminal would threaten my Dad, but to have it actually happen was like a cold slap to the face. One that I would reciprocate with twenty dead mercs if need be.
"Coil, let me tell you right now, that threatening my family will not end well for you. At all." a hardness that I found surprising entered my voice.
"No, no, you misunderstand. I'm not threatening you or your father, Ms Hebert. I'm actually offering to pay you a substantial amount of money, as well as the best kind of medical care a rich man such as myself can afford for your father.
I know you've been hitting these gangs in order to pay for the nurses and the medication and the hospital visits. Not to mention every day appliances and needs that a family would have to have. Even with the amount that your exploits have gained I can tell you right now, that you and your father would still be in debt even after recuperating. And unless Panacea comes back a month early, there is no way for it to let up. You're father was not the only one harmed from the Crusaders bombings, but at least he can be healed. It'd be foolish to decline such an offer."
Maybe. He made a lot of sense, but I couldn't let him know that it struck home in more ways than one, "And it would be foolish to let myself accept without meeting and signing my contract for myself."
He murmured something out of range of the phone before coming back. He sounded exasperated, "You are a rather hard bargain Ms. Hebert, but I am willing to meet with you face to face, if it would earn your trust. I'll even go over a few things that I feel would be best said off the phone.
Come here at 11:30 p.m., I'll have a man here to take you to our meeting spot. I'm sure you understand to come alone?"
I answered in the positive, and was rewarded with a 'beep' signaling the end of the call.
The man who gave me the phone held out his hand for the return of his device, only to be surprised when I discharged enough electricity to shatter the phone.
"No take backs." I made my way through the parting crowd, wary of any attack. I let out a sigh of relief as I made my way back onto the busy sidewalk.
I was just going to go home and crash for a few hours.
11:20 p.m.
It had been easy to trick my Dad into thinking that I was going to bed early, and it was a relief when Sierra had to leave sooner due to her brother or something like that.
I had gotten here twenty minutes ago, and spent the time observing the man Coil had sent here from the rooftops. The man was tall and muscular, easily 6 feet if an inch, and judging by the way he twirled and handled his pistol, clearly an expert with firearms. He had no noticeable features about him other than his height and blonde crew-cut hair, his face was plain and unmarked. No tattoos, no jewelry, no disfigurements.
Coil picked a smart choice.
At a 11:29 I had triple-checked my repaired cloak, cane, baton, and pepper spray. I also got a new reel of metal wire that I attached to my cane and baton, just in case I lost my grip on them for a quick retrieval.
As soon as my watch hit 11:30, I was already leaping off the roof's edge, wire firmly attached to both myself and the roof generator that served as my anchor. Once I was a proper distance down, I cut myself loose of the wire and landed gracefully on both feet.
I have to admit, the start grunt from the Gunman was very satisfying.
Once he regained his mental footing, he gave me a sour look and made his way down the alley, obviously expecting me to follow.
With great caution and reluctance I did the same.
After another twenty minutes of walking through darkened streets and alleys, we arrived at a rather generic apartment building.
It looked abandoned from what I could tell, but when the Gunman knocked in some pattern the ground beneath us began to slowly sink. The Gunman seemed utterly nonchalant by this development, so I moved my hands away from the nob that would unsheathe my blade and focused on the task at hand.
Eventually, our strange elevator came to a stop behind two metal double doors that soon opened automatically. A sparkling metal hallway met my eyes as we both took a step out of the elevator and walked towards the door at the end of the hall.
I pretended to inspect the hallway as the Gunman began to fiddle with an electronic box beside the metal door. After a few muttered curse words he was rewarded with a ping and the sound of a lock moving out of place.
The Gunman made an "after you" gesture, then stepped out of the way. His job was clearly over, and it was my time to make headway.
I took hold of the metallic handle, turning it with cautious slowness before entering the white room.
"Ah, Ms. Hebert. Right on schedule, just as I predicted."
Before me sat the man himself. Coil was dressed in a black full body suit with a white snake coiling down his front, baring it's fangs in my direction. The costume made his slim physique look downright unhealthy, as though a gentle breeze could topple him over.
Behind him stood two bodyguards, armed with Tinker made assault rifles and from the way they were held, knew how to use them too. Two cameras were focused on me, both in opposite corners of the room.
I had no doubt that he had other traps in wait, so I refrained from taking another step forward.
"I'd prefer if you would refrain from using my name so freely Coil, you don't have to violate my privacy anymore than you already have." it was the most I've talked when in gear and it felt uncomfortable. I enjoyed being as silent as possible.
Coil nodded in understanding, "I have no problem with that. In fact I've made several code-names that would best suit your looks and needs when you join." he waved towards a slim file to his left.
"You know what I want first Coil."
Once again he nodded, "Specifics, correct?"
A mere nod was all the answer he needed.
"What I would have you do if you were to join my cause, are two tasks," he raised one finger, "One: You will be my enforcer, bodyguard, and assassin, used to take care of those who are a threat to my cause. If it relieves your conscious, I will tell you that many of your targets are unrepentant killers and monsters."
I said nothing. My conscious was hardly a concern for me anyways.
"Two," he continued, "I want you to join the Undersiders as my personal spy."
I tilted my head in confusion. Why would he want to spy on a group that gave him my information in the first place? Something else was going on, something that obviously was worrying him greatly if he was willing to ask for outside help.
"As you have probably already guessed, I believe that my Undersiders are not nearly as loyal as they claim. I have no concrete proof of any treachery, but Tattletale and Grue have always struck me as a problematic pair. Grue for his morals and Tattletale for our rather... clashing personalities.
In exchange for your services I shall offer you and your father my utmost protection, triple the amount you'd make raiding the other gangs, and the best medical aid my money can buy. As soon as you agree to this offer, my aid shall begin immediately as well as your services, with this building serving as your base of operations. Do you accept my terms?"
Did I? I had no real feelings towards the Undersiders in anyway, and he was offering my Dad free medical aid. I didn't even really need the money itself, but it was a nice bonus. I'd be making myself well-known to both heroes and villains, and Lung would no doubt recognize me once I went public. From previous readings on the Undersiders, they operated in quick get aways, rarely if ever actually sticking around to fight head on. I could work with that, especially if they stuck to small crimes like usual.
I made my decision.
"I accept."
"Good," he pointed to the folder, "Inside is all the relevant information on the Undersiders and their powers, as well as pass-codes for entering and exiting the building as well as the protective equipment. Do not request for any new gear until you've joined the team, that way it passes by Tattletale. Please choose a code-name quickly, as I want you to integrate as soon as possible."
I nodded in acceptance. Coil nodded back and with a subtle gesture both guards followed him out of the building.
I took the folder from the desk and released a sigh. I might as well get over the easiest part. I opened the folder and leafed over to the page filled with code-names with written commentary from Coil.
Electric Eel. No, too telling. Shadow, too generic and it was similar to one of the Wards. Mime, had no impact.
Almost all the names had negative commentary and I was about to groan in exasperation until something caught my eye.
Reaper.
There was some commentary on the side, but I paid it no mind. I circled the name and began my next stage of planning.
How to explain this to Dad...
