Chapter 14: Revelations of a Destructive Nature

Zaun Military Lab Compound. Special Cell 006.

A single guard walked into a cell of the lockup. It was a special cell with a huge restraint in it. Inside a near-solid mass of steal, was a prisoner of horrible destructibility. The guard pulled back the face shield to expose the prisoner to the open air. It was a grate that covered the prisoner's face. As it opened he heard the cackling repetition of, "VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD! VI'S DEAD!" After a few seconds he closed it back up and locked the cell again.

He approached a monitor and spoke to the two men awaiting a response. "She just keeps saying the same thing every time I open the grate. No change at all, sir."

On the other end General Travers, who was sitting next to Dr. Parson in the general's conference room, replied, "Okay, Lieutenant. That will be all. Return to your post." He cut transmission before the lieutenant could respond. Travers turned to Dr. Parson and said, "So what does this mean? If she can't stop, how do we continue with our tests?"

Dr. Parson replied, "Let's give her some time. If she can't come around then I fear that we will have to terminate her. But in the meantime, we can start making more of these super-soldiers."

Travers pondered Dr. Parson's words carefully. "If we started now, how long would it take to make them operational?"

Dr. Parson smiled and said, "In teams made up of two, we can bring them from birth to combat ready in five years, maybe less."

Piltover territory: Edgeover. Victoria Starke's last known residence.

"So are you just going to stare at me all day? Or are you going to tell me what the fuck you want?!" VI said to Caitlyn, when she regained 'composure.'

The two had spent about four minutes, by Alexander's count, silently staring into each other's eyes. Neither could move. It's like they were trying to look into a mirror for awhile and figure out what they were missing. But because it was a sight-slot the mirror was only for their eyes.

In her head Caitlyn thought, 'Is that what everyone sees when they look into my eyes. It's so horrible.' Then she spoke plainly to VI. "Victoria Starke?"

"I don't use that name anymore?" VI responded.

"But you are her, aren't you?" Caitlyn continued to press.

VI put her gauntlets back on just in case she had to smash her door into this woman's face. "I used to be, if that helps. What do you want bitch? I'm not in the fucking mood for games."

Caitlyn started with her normal routine speech, "I am Sheriff Caitlyn of Piltover and I am here to place you under arrest."

VI laughed, like she used to, and said, "Good fucking luck with that Miss Sheriff."

"I have thirty men and women of the Sheriff's Department and the Police Department outside your house, ready to arrest you. We will use force, if it is necessary." Caitlyn said in a serious tone.

"Is this about the Hexed Ursine shit? I thought that was out of your jurisdiction?" VI asked.

Caitlyn sighed, "Yes, while it's true that those things you did were horrible. We cannot prosecute them because Edgeover was not an actual territory of Piltover at the time. However it is now. And you are still a registered citizen of Piltover. But this isn't about that. This is about evidence that connects you directly to the 'C' thief. We are arresting you on the grounds of abetting a dangerous criminal."

VI was more pissed than she was confused. In her head she thought, 'Fuck, now I have to kill this bitch and all those cops. If I can't get her to stop and leave, then I'll have to make her. Fucking dammit you bitch, don't make me kill you!' Then she replied, "What? I never did anything for that prick."

Caitlyn signaled Alexander over to her, who understood what she wanted, and took from him documents about the case against Victoria Starke, before having Alexander go back to cover. "Our evidence shows very clearly that you helped him manufacture a new metal material, now classified as C-metal."

Depression's mighty hands gripped around VI's mind as she remembered everything. Candice. Margaret. The Hexed Ursine. The client. It was the 'C' thief the whole time. Over and over she felt bombarded by horrible feelings of how much more than she had previously thought was going wrong in her life, was completely her fault. Her thoughts spoke through pained expression, 'How many people have suffered because of me? How many deaths are all my fault? I hate myself. Fuck me.'

With great surprise to everyone, including herself, VI opened her door. Caitlyn was too hesitant to believe this was a good sign and started to grip her rifle as she heard clicks coming from the weapons of those far off behind her. But then Caitlyn stopped and gave wonder to what she saw. In the doorway before her an unready combatant was holding a defenseless stance. The girl looked so hurt; it was all over her face. Even her 'VI' tattoo looked like it was placed on her face in a time of great pain. For the first time ever Caitlyn felt like holding a criminal, like she used to hold Ruby. The young criminal was the most solemn sight she had ever witnessed.

VI spoke in a somber tone, "I… I d-didn't know. I'm sorry. I… never meant to… please I would never have done it if I… if I knew."

Caitlyn had to force her face not to show sorrow. 'This could be a trap, but it doesn't feel like one.' She thought to herself. "Does this mean you will comply?"

"Yes," VI held out her gauntleted hands and realized, as Caitlyn pulled out a set of handcuffs, that they wouldn't fit, "wait a sec." She undid the gauntlet's holdings to put them on a mount attached to her engine backpack. She had made it during her travel to keep the gauntlets always at the ready. Once they were secure she held her hands back out.

Following no proper procedure, Caitlyn placed the cuffs on VI's wrists in the front, instead of behind her back. VI was led by Cailtyn to the Sheriff's police car and unstrapped of her weapon to let another deputy stow it in the trunk. VI was put gently into the back seat and Caitlyn got into the passenger side as Alexander took the driver seat.

Between the front and the back of the police car was a caged glass window. Caitlyn knew VI couldn't her them talk, but VI knew her advanced hearing could. Alexander started the car and said, "That went… well."

Caitlyn sighed, "Yeah. But…"

"But what?" Alexander pressed.

Caitlyn looked into Alexander's eyes and said, "I spent a year waiting to beat this girl half to death and use her to get at 'C' but now all I want to do is help her."

"I didn't know you were so determined. Now we can do the second part. But you're wrong to have this feeling. She isn't normal. She's dangerous Caitlyn. Don't trust her." Alexander responded.

Caitlyn argued, "But that's just it, Alex. She isn't normal. Normal people will fight for themselves and do anything they can to escape all the trouble she is in, but she didn't. When she realized her faults, she accepted them. I think she's better than normal. So I got to be blunt with you." Caitlyn paused to make sure Alexander was paying attention. "I don't want to prosecute her, I want to help her."

Alexander slightly jerked back his head and cocked it to one side. "W-what… you want to what? Caitlyn! Are you out of your dammed mind?"

Caitlyn pleaded, "Please Alex, I want to help her. I want to keep her out of the prosecutor's hands. I think if we asked, she'd help us. Look at her." Alexander glanced over at VI. VI was hearing all of this, but she had chosen not to show it by continuing to hang her head in shame. "She wants to fix this Alex. Let's let her do just that. Please? I need you on my side here."

Alexander could feel his blood boil. This was their link to 'C' if she got away somehow, it'd be all for not. "Caitlyn… if you believe this is what we must do. Then let's do it." Inside, Alexander knew, he just knew, he'd regret this.

When they finally started the convoy out to Piltover, Caitlyn started to think of important questions to ask Victoria in her primary interrogation. She tried to make sure to get the right information, without helping a case to prosecute Victoria.

Upon entering the Sheriff's Department they were met by Chief of Police, Robert Farthen's aide, Johan Pachelbel. Johan was an older man, slim and bald. It was obvious he wasn't a field officer. He was there with a telegram for Caitlyn detailing a demand by Robert that he be a part of the interrogation. Caitlyn knew that refusing this would be an act of intentional conflict on her part. So she made a pleasing face and graciously allowed him to attend the interrogation of Victoria Starke.

Once VI was safely secured to the desk, Caitlyn and Johan, alone, entered the interrogation room.

Johan spoke first, with such clarity that he seemed to enunciate the words as if he had designed them. The entire interrogation was filmed and audio recorded separately. "Case file 234-563A Starke, Victoria. Citizen serial number 345-456-3678. You have been indicted of abetting the criminal known as the 'C' thief. We are not here to ask for your pleads of guilty or not guilty. We are here to ascertain your relationship to the 'C' thief. Do you understand?"

VI replied, "Yes." But she seemed like she had returned to her normal angry and distant self. The 'self' she had become over the last year.

Johan continued, "I wish to start out with some basic questions. Please answer all of my questions in the most direct fashion possible and refrain from expanding beyond the area of my questions. They will sound unnecessary, but they are part of procedure. Is that okay?"

"Yes." VI replied.

"First off, are you indeed Victoria Starke?"

"I choose to no longer use that name."

"What name would you prefer, or is Victoria Starke just an alias?"

"It wasn't an alias; I never had a name before it. But I choose to take back a name I used to use. Capital V then capital I, V-I or VI if you please?"

"I suppose that your tattoo should make that perfectly obvious. Very well, VI, That is your desired legal name, or you just wish to be called that?"

"Both"

Johan was not confused, he understood. "Okay, Victoria, we will refer to you for now on as VI."

"Thank you." VI said.

Johan asked his next question, "So, VI, were you the main manufacturer of the C-metal?"

VI chose her words carefully. "I created the plant to manufacture it automatically and oversaw its continued progress. No one assisted me inside."

"Who brought you supplies?"

"The Hexed Ursine members."

"Can you identify their names for us?"

"Trent was the only name I knew; the other two were mindless brutes." VI smirked a little.

Johan said with straightforward conviction, "Let's remain serious, okay?"

VI was shocked. "Yes, sorry."

At this time Caitlyn was not concerned with where the questions were leading so she stayed quiet, but she knew soon she'd have to intervene to protect VI from hurting her own case.

Again Johan kept going with his questions. "How long did this go on for?"

VI responded in a serious tone, "About three years, I believe."

"And how much was created, and then shipped out?"

VI thought awhile on the question and said, "It took awhile to get things running smoothly, but I'd say about seventeen hundred tonnes were made and shipped."

Both Caitlyn and Johan looked shocked. Johan spoke first, "W-what?" The first time he made a speech error. "Our report says seven hundred and fifty, not seventeen hundred. Are you sure?"

"Yes. I made it. I should know." VI was completely serious. But the two people in the room with her were so confused.

Caitlyn finally spoke with exasperated words, "That's over twice what we thought."

Johan looked at Caitlyn, confused as to why the Sheriff was stating the obvious. Then he returned his attention to VI. "Were the shipments always for the same design?"

VI was confused at his question. "No. No, I was making a lot of different designed pieces."

Johan was now starting to control his fear. "We know that the chunks were pumped out at seven hundred and fifty tonnes. Are you saying that there were more than just orders for the chunks?"

"Yeah," VI started to reply, "I made helmets and armor plates, and sometimes custom chunks that fitted together. But I was never given specifications on what they were made for."

"Do you have any idea what the custom chunks could be used for?"

VI thought in her head. Inside her mind she made a blueprint of what a lot of the pieces could make. "Uh, probably a vehicle, like a tank, maybe."

Behind the one-way mirror stood Alexander, Zachary, and for whatever reason he choose not to be inside the room personally, Robert. Robert turned to his son saying, "Can you imagine what damage a tank made from that stuff could do? Order them to press her harder." Alexander understood what he meant. In the room, behind VI, on the far wall, were lights that flashed for commands from outside the room to be noticed by the interrogators. The red one flashed three times fast.

Johan saw this and kept going. "Is there anything you can tell us about the metal? Strengths, weaknesses. Especially weaknesses."

Caitlyn noticed it before Johan, VI had started crying. Caitlyn asked like a concerned mother, "VI, what's wrong?" She wasn't playing her part too well.

VI confessed through tears, "There were weaknesses." She looked up into Caitlyn's eyes.

Johan was now fearful and angry of what VI had said. "What do you mean there were?"

VI had to force out her words, "When I first started forging it I noticed a few weaknesses. The file that held all the details said it was classified as the strongest metal known on all of Runeterra. I wanted to prove I could make it stronger, so I did. The C-metal that was shipped is twice as dense and three times as resilient as the old C-metal. Now," she paused to take a breath and sob, "the new C-metal is as strong, at half the thickness, as the old C-metal." She looked at Caitlyn again with shame in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I never thought. Please, I'm so sorry."

Johan realized that the dreaded C-metal was more likely all the new 'V-metal' and it scared him so much he left the room.

Caitlyn stayed, she was in shock. What she thought was bad, was now so much worse. She decided, after a few minutes, to continue the line of questions. "You said you made plate armor pieces. Can you tell me how they'd fit together?"

VI said it through light sobs, "Like a full body suit. Boots to helmet. With a crest-slot on the chest-plate."

Caitlyn noticed the puzzling words the most out of VI's response. "What do you mean by a crest-slot?"

VI looked at Caitlyn as if she needed to really explain that. "You know a spot on the front to put a crest or some small device. I was told to make it a perfect circle on each piece."

Caitlyn moved her seat to sit near VI, mostly to comfort the teary eyed girl. "I need you to think real hard about all those pieces. I am sure you made full suits when all was said and done. Of course in separate orders to keep suspicion down to a minimum. How many suits do you think could be made from everything that was shipped?"

VI was too sad to think about more exact numbers, but she focused on a realistic number. "Somewhere around ten thousand, give or take a few hundred."

As Caitlyn sat back and looked at the ceiling to note what she just heard, Robert came into the interrogation room in the most uncharacteristic manner he had ever presented himself. "You fucking bitch! Are you telling us there are ten thousand suits made of that stuff out there?" He pointed, not generally in a direction he could be sure of.

VI had stopped crying completely and answered in a serious tone, "Yes."

Robert was furious. "That's it! This interrogation is over! Put that bitch in a cell!"

Now Caitlyn got serious. "You don't make commands in my department."

"I don't care what authority you pretend to have, you little-." He had enough sense to catch himself. "Just put her in a cell, because you and I have a lot to discuss." He stormed out on his last word, calling out for Johan to come to him immediately.

Caitlyn turned to look at VI and said in a whisper, "Don't worry. I believe you are a good person. I won't let them lock you away, I promise."

VI was a little taken aback by Caitlyn's words, but nodded she understood. Caitlyn got her cuffs out of the table lock and stood her up to bring her to a private cell. Once it was closed Caitlyn gave VI one last smile before she started to walk away.

VI stopped her to say, "Wait." Caitlyn stopped to lock eyes with VI. "Do you remember about twelve years ago? You probably have to think hard-."

"No I have a good memory. What's up?" Caitlyn said cutting VI off.

VI continued, "I was in a gang known as The Bedlam Gang, I had just joined a while before this." VI paused to look up at Caitlyn. She had started crying. "Wait, what did I say?"

Caitlyn pursed her lips and said, "You were part of The Bedlam Gang? The gang that tried to rob the Taric Find Mine?"

VI realized her story about when she first met Caitlyn was now mute, and Caitlyn was completely fixated on the disastrous failed robbery of the Taric Find Mine. Most importantly, VI's involvement. "Wait, Caitlyn, look; I know what your thinking, but-."

"But what? You killed so many of my men that day. Do you know that?" Caitlyn started to scream and it attracted Alexander and Zachary's attention down the hall. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID?! HOW MANY MEN DIED SO YOU COULD GET THOSE FUCKING GEMS?! WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS NOW?! SO YOU CAN GET FORGIVENESS FROM ME?! IS THAT WHAT YOU-." Alexander grabbed Caitlyn and yanked her from holding the cell bars. He gave her to Zachary to haul her away as she was screaming in illiterate shrieks.

"What did you do?!" Alexander demanded.

Now VI was feeling sad. "I… I didn't mean to… I… I was trying to explain…"

Alexander took on a solid tone. "Look, not an hour ago that woman made me promise to help you. And I can tell you right now that after what I just saw, I regret making that promise. Just shut up, sit down, and stop causing problems." He stormed away in the same manner as his father had done earlier. The apple rarely ever falls too far from the tree.

VI sunk back into the cot of her jail cell to lie down and cry herself to sleep. She had been released from the cuffs, but she felt like she had just taken on all new ones.

Present. Yordle Land. Just outside of Bandle City limits.

"Where are we going again?" Flappy asked.

Nipp replied, "The note said some building out here that was red." He squinted his eyes and then said, "That one, I think." He pointed at the red building he saw.

Across a huge gap of open land, two yordles walked out to find a red building in search of a man who had promised them a fortune for their company's labor.

"Hey! I see someone outside of it." Flappy exclaimed.

Nipp responded, "That must be our guy. Remember play it cool. We want to get paid the most. So let me do the talking. Okay?"

Flappy acknowledged Nipp's request. "Yeah, I get it. You're the boss. Just don't screw it up."

As they approached the man they noticed he was in a large cloak and had nothing with him. Nipp spoke first, "So, are you the owner of this mysterious letter?" Nipp held up a letter addressed to his father's company.

The man nodded, although it was hard to see it with such a large hood. "I need your company to do some work for me."

"What kind of work?" Nipp asked.

The man replied, "Manufacturing."

"What kind of manufacturing do you need?" Nipp pressed

The man replied calmly. "Specialized manufacturing."

Nipp sighed, "Sir, I think you need to be a bit more specific."

Now the man was becoming agitated, but he didn't let it show. "I need to have some products assembled."

"Okay. Now were getting somewhere." Nipp said relieved.

"I would like it done at this facility." The man pointed at the red building behind him.

Nipp was confused, but continued. "Sir, we have much better facilities back in Bandle City."

"No. I need it done here." The man reaffirmed his position. "I am willing to cover all costs of the labor being done here, as well as the cost of any and all discretionary needs."

Nipp understood perfectly. His father built an empire on great businesses, even shady businesses had played their part. "Very well. Are the materials inside?"

The man shook his head. Again, hard to tell under the cloak. Even though the yordles were small, they couldn't see anything but the dark shadow from the hood covering his face completely. "I don't need it done now. I just need to know I can in the future."

Nipp was a little confused, but understood what he wanted. This would be a venture set for a future business deal. "I am sure we can accommodate all your needs, if and when the time comes that they are needed."

Flappy was lost during the entire discussion. Internally he was grateful Nipp could handle this alone. He couldn't understand what was really happening.

The man held out a sack for Nipp to take. "This is a deposit for future work needed. I don't expect to have it returned if I choose another venue."

"We graciously accept." Nipp said as he took it. Then he pulled out a brochure and held it up so the man could grab it. "Feel free to browse all of our products. Hopefully they will encourage you to do business with us."

The man grabbed it from Nipp and then said, "I will keep you in mind. Until we meet again. So long." Then he took off with great haste.

Flappy came up to stand next to Nipp, "You think he will choose us?"

Nipp replied, smiling, "Yes, yes I do."

Half an hour later. Piltover. Sheriff's Department. Caitlyn's office.

Caitlyn had finally relaxed enough to call on Robert for their discussion. When he entered he was still furious, but controlled. He spoke first, "I am sorry I tried to undermine your authority. It was improper of me."

"I understand, and I accept your apology." Caitlyn replied. "Now as for the matter of what to do about the 'C' thief's C-metal suits, and possibly tank pieces. I believe our investigations should focus on the machine plants that could make suck vehicles. Also on the specialty shops that have the technical prowess to combine the suit parts together."

Robert nodded and said, "I agree. I hope the continued cooperation between your staff and mine can solve these problems. Now I wish to discuss how we bring up charges against Victoria Starke."

Caitlyn knew this was coming. "If I may Chief, I'd like to dismiss charges against her."

Robert's eyes showed more anger then he already had. "You can't be serious? She's put us all in danger. She has to be punished."

"I understand that, Chief, but I believe she has proven her worth to us, is far greater than our need to punish her." Caitlyn replied.

Robert now looked angry, but more so confused. "Worth? What wroth?"

Caitlyn had a huge stack of files sitting on her desk; she moved them over so Robert could see them. "These are a collection of our reports and copies of police reports about 'The Piltover Enforcer of Justice.' I believe you need not read through them to see she is a very intelligent and clever young woman. She has been able to elude us for years. We didn't know for sure that Victoria Starke was this 'Enforcer' until she revealed herself to us. She came peacefully with us as we arrested her, after she had learned of what damage she has caused to Piltover. I believe she wants to make amends. I say let her. We could use someone of her skill. Not just for her smarts, but also for her brawn. Our lab guy has informed us that the gauntlets she carries with her are too powerful for a normal person to control. You're free to try, but he warned us that it would kill a regular human being to use them full force. I think it would be better to have her work for us."

Robert worked his way through the files, contemplating everything Caitlyn was saying. When he was finished he looked up to say, "I see your point. But how do we know we can trust her? Look, I trust you, even though I think many others could easily do a better job as Sheriff. Of course if I had it my way, we'd do away with this department, but the people want you and I am a man of the law. The law says the people of Piltover decide who the Sheriff is and whether or not to keep the department, so I am at peace with that. But still, how can we trust her?"

"We won't give her complete amnesty. If that's what you mean?" Caitlyn paused to speak her next words carefully. "I think it would be best if we have her work for us. More importantly directly for you and me, and have someone we can both trust to watch her."

"Who?" Robert asked.

Caitlyn knew this would be her only way, she just hoped the person she had in mind would be always on her side. "My Undersheriff, Alexander Farthen."

For once Robert looked pleased. "Yes, I would find that very acceptable."

The haste, in which Robert agreed to have Alexander watch VI, scared Caitlyn. In her mind she thought, 'Does this mean he thinks Alex will work for him more than for me. I hope I can always trust Alex.'

After the two of them filled out a sort of contract allowing for Victoria Starke to become an Auxiliary Officer, and the case files that could make a case against VI were locked away in Caitlyn's safe, Caitlyn ordered Zachary to put VI back into the same interrogation room as before and await her arrival.

Present. Piltover. Piltover Grand Senate Hall.

"Senator Marshall, what a pleasure it is to see you." Senator Davis exclaimed.

Senator Marshall replied, "Yes, thank you, and it is a pleasure to see you as well."

Senator Davis shook Senator Marshall's hand and said, "Tell me, how is your daughter?"

The two senators were in Senator Marshall's office. Senator Davis was an old fellow, much older than Senator Marshall. He had been in his seat for quite a long while. To some it was believed to be too long. The man was mostly bald with gray hair and a large beard. A portly man, very well fed, and of course, very well dressed. He had become wealthy in his years as a politician.

"Oh, I believe she's fine." Senator Marshall responded.

"Still keeping the streets safe, is she? You know there is a rumor that she made a break in the 'C' case." Senator Davis said with a curious tone.

Senator Marshall looked surprised. "Well, that would be news to me. We hardly mix business and family matters at the dinner table."

Senator Davis looked unsatisfied. "Yes, yes, quite. Well, I hope everything is going well at home too."

"Of course, thank you so much for asking." Senator Marshall took on a serious tone. "Now, about these new pieces of legislation. Are they moving ahead well enough with your party? I know mine is very committed."

Senator Davis switched to a serious expression as well. "Well, we are having issues with section 12."

"Please? Enlighten me." Senator Marshal exclaimed.

Senator Davis pulled a few papers from his briefcase and laid them out for Senator Marshall. "If you see here, on line 14, I believe, yes, line 14; it is somewhat a bother to our party. We can't approve of too much for the bill. But we definitely do not want that."

The line was a reference to where the materials for the military would come from. It stated:

"Any and all means for purchasing military needs must be examined fully, and if they prove viable then they must be pursued."

"So am I to understand that you would not want to get the protection we need from anyone of good quality, if we can?" Senator Marshall asked.

Senator Davis decided to be blunt. "Look, I understand the growing need for protection. Our party wants what's best for Piltover, but not at the cost of who or what we might get into bed with, so to speak."

Senator Marshal conceded. "We have to explore all options in order to maintain good competition with Zaun. My party will see that this line stays, but if you have an alternative that meets the need of allowing us to seek any and all means of protection. Then we would graciously accept a rewrite."

Senator Davis now looked satisfied. "We would be most appreciative of that. I will work out a phrase with my party that I hope yours will agree with. Thank you Senator Marshall. For Piltover."

As they shook hands to let Senator Davis leave, Senator Marshall replied, "For Piltover. Have a good day."

The senators said 'For Piltover' very often. It wasn't in the rules, but it was the custom of being in Piltover's government. You said it to remind yourself and others, what all the 'hard' work is for.

Senator Marshal sat back into his chair and looked at the two picture frames on his desk. One was of his wife, holding a welding torch. It made him smile every time to see her doing what she loved. The other was of his daughter, at age fourteen. It was the picture taken at her acceptance ceremony into the Sheriff's Department. The picture reminded him often of how he was just a father, and never a dad.

"I'm sorry sweetie." He said as he kissed his right hand and placed it on the picture of his daughter. "I'm sorry."

An hour later. Piltover. Sheriff's Department. Interrogation room 3.

VI sat for almost an hour in the chair she had sat in about half an hour before coming back again. She had been sleeping, so when she was awakened her tears were still fresh on her face. She was too miserable to have wiped them off, so they dried over the hour she waited.

Caitlyn came into the room carrying a few case files and a notebook with a pen attached. She looked calm, but serious, as she sat down across from VI. Alexander had been in his office, so only Zachary was behind the one-way mirror.

VI wanted to start, but Caitlyn beat her to it. "So VI, we are here now to discuss your past. I'd like to start with the incident at the Taric Find Mine." Caitlyn could tell VI wanted to explode with an explanation. "I don't want to ask questions, and I will state that I will not pass judgment over your explanation. I only wish to hear your entire story." She tilted her head down to stare at VI seriously and said, "Make sure to leave nothing out."

VI wanted to run. She couldn't take this. An hour and a half ago this woman was her guardian angel. Now it looked like she would be the Angel of Death for VI. She didn't want to hurt someone so caring, and more importantly, see the tears VI knew that Caitlyn would make as she talked.

Regardless of her concerns, VI did in fact start her story. "The plan was done with mostly my design."

Caitlyn wanted to cry already.

"This all happened when I was eleven. I had setup the guards outside the main entrance to eat food I laced with tranquilizers. I had told everyone in the gang, no guns, they only make things go bad fast. We started the heist with my plans to pose as administrative staff inspectors. Everything went fine, until the Mine Manager got a phone call to stall us."

In Caitlyn's head she realized how she had ordered the call to be made. Behind the one-way mirror, Zachary held his head down low into his hands. He had made this call personally.

VI continued, "I pointed it out to our gang leader, Barkley, and he drew his concealed weapon, as did the other gang members. They rounded up the workers inside the main office and locked them in, barring the office door. As they did this, Marcus, another gang member, and myself moved the gem stash on a truck to a rear entrance on the northeastern side of the mine. When I tried to renter the mine, I was met with my other gang members. They informed me they had covered their escape by attaching mining explosives to the bottom of the entrance mineshaft's elevator. The explosives were wired to the down function on the lift's control panel."

Caitlyn fought hard to keep her eyes locked on VI's and her body perfectly still, but she couldn't stop the fluid that gushed out of her tear ducts. Careful of her every movement, like she was holding a small child, Caitlyn pulled out pictures of Wallace Artson, and the other deputies of Omega Squad, to place them in front of VI. "These are the…" Caitlyn found it hard to talk calmly. "…men who died in that explosion. They were all inside the elevator when it happened."

VI couldn't let herself pause to look over their faces. She knew she'd break down if she did. "When they told me this," VI continued, "I realized that we had done so much wrong. So I decided to go back in to stop it from happening. I knew I had to stop them first; they wouldn't have let me go back inside. I took them all out. I didn't stop to check if they were dead."

Caitlyn stopped VI to ask, "Wait you stopped them? How? Didn't they have guns?"

"Barkley had given me a zapping pistol, to protect myself. I used it to take them down, and I hit them with my fists a lot as well." VI responded

Caitlyn wasn't completely surprised, but still very surprised that this girl had taken on four men and beat them all by herself. "Continue."

VI kept going, "I ran back into the mine to disarm the explosives, but when I got there the elevator had already gone up. I knew it was only a matter of time. I got the miners out of the office just as the explosion happened. We all were running for our lives as the mine collapsed on all sides. I realized later that the elevator must have had all the explosives in the mine on it, because the whole mountain shook. We were trapped and the best way out was through an almost completed entrance. The remaining rock was a hundred meters of solid granite. We hadn't the power to work the machines, so I used the energy core in the zapping pistol to make a small engine. I then attached the gauntlets of a lifting machine, which I customized so I could wear them, to the engine and broke the rock away to free the miners and myself. They repaid me by not disclosing how they escaped, and let me run to freedom."

Caitlyn noted what she was talking about. "You mean those gauntlets you wear were made during the incident?"

"Yes." VI replied.

"Okay, I believe you." Caitlyn said through almost a full sob.

VI tried to keep explaining, "Caitlyn, I'm sorry, I tried to-." But she knew the damage was already done. So she forced herself to look over the pictures of the fallen deputies. Doing this brought her to tears and she started to sob. She placed her hands down on the pictures trying to hold herself up from collapsing onto them.

Caitlyn knew it was only a moment before she would start to cry as well. She looked into the one-way mirror and said, "Zachary, turn off the video and audio feeds. Then leave the room and make sure no one enters."

Zachary wanted to object, but he knew Caitlyn was about to beat the shit out of this girl, and he should just stay out of it. He flashed the green light to confirm he understood and did so.

Caitlyn waited long enough for Zachary to have left the room. Then she got up and unlocked VI's cuffs completely saying, "Stand up and face me."

VI kept crying as she did so. As they were facing each other, Caitlyn raised her right fist up to strike VI. She did. As hard as she could she punched VI in her left cheek. VI barely felt it, and it didn't knock her head back. But she knew she deserved this and wanted Caitlyn to let it all out. To beat her to a pulp.

VI knew more was coming and closed her eyes to wait for it. She couldn't look Caitlyn in the eyes. For reasons that she could never understand for the rest of her life, VI got what she felt she never deserved next. Caitlyn wrapped her arms around VI, and cried into her shoulder. In VI's mind she asked, 'What the fuck is this? She's hugging me. Why? Why are you hugging me? Hit me. Beat me. Kill me even. Just stop hugging me.' Then she repeated her words out loud because it was all she could think of to say. "What the fuck is this? You're hugging me. Why? Why are you hugging me? Hit me. Beat me. Kill me even. Just stop hugging me." Caitlyn squeezed harder and kept crying. "NO, don't do this. I'm a horrible person. Hate me. Hurt me. Don't hug me." VI was now crying even more than before. Her eyes had gained red rings around them that were growing with each passing second.

Caitlyn replied through a rough sob, "No you're not. You're not a horrible person. You're good. You went back in to help those miners. At such great risk to yourself, you went back into the mine to stop the explosion. You're a good person. I know you are. I forgive you, VI."

VI couldn't think of what to do or say. She just stood there with her arms down, stuck in place by Caitlyn's grip. Her mind raced with anger and she let out half-thought-out shrieks, "NO! HATE ME! HATE ME!"

Caitlyn replied softly, "I don't. I won't"

VI couldn't take it. "HATE ME! HATE ME! STOP HUGGING ME AND HATE ME!"

Now Caitlyn matched VI's volume, "I WON'T! I WON'T! I WON'T!"

"NOOO!" VI screamed as she started to wrap her arms around Caitlyn and let her head fall on top of hers. Her words became quieter and her voice began to tremble and bounce. "Hate me, please! Hate me!"

Caitlyn reached her right hand up to stroke VI's hair. "I won't, VI. I won't. Thank you for trying to save them. You're a good person. I don't hate you, and I won't."

Never in her entire life had VI felt so incredibly conflicted and so amazingly safe, than in the moment she was experiencing right now. She knew she could never repay the depth to which Caitlyn gave her comfort. Not even if VI spent her whole life trying to pay her back.

After some time had passed, and the great heartfelt moment they shared had ended, they took their seats again because Caitlyn had more to discuss with VI. Caitlyn started, "So, let's get right to it. We have a case built-up against you to try you for abetting a known criminal. If you are willing, we have decided to overlook these charges, if you will assist us in the apprehension of the criminal you abetted. Will you help-."

VI cut Caitlyn off to yelp, "Yes, of course."

"Good." Caitlyn continued with a smile, "So, Victoria Starke, or VI, taking your history as the vigilante 'The Piltover Enforcer of Justice' into effect, having discovered this when you were arrested, both the Chief of Police and myself as The Sheriff of Piltover have decided that you be deputized as of today. You are now an Auxiliary Sergeant for the Sheriff's department. Welcome aboard." Caitlyn held out her hand to let VI shake it.

VI did shake it eagerly and said, "Whatever I can do to help."

"Okay then. Follow me now to get your gear." Caitlyn stood and motioned VI to follow.

When they entered the equipment room, Alexander was waiting there. He had been informed by his father about the situation, but Caitlyn knew it was her job to tell him anyways. "Undersheriff Alexander, glad you are here. This is Auxiliary Sergeant VI. She is your new partner. Please get her all the necessary gear."

VI and Alexander begrudgingly exchanged greetings and VI waited for Alexander to go get her new gear. He set it all out on the table. Then he explained it all. "So, we don't have your real uniform yet. This polo shirt with our shield and the print 'Sheriff's Department' will have to suffice. Here is your badge. Keep it somewhere you can easily get to it. I recommend keeping it on your shirt, but whatever works. Here is a zapping pistol, your cuffs, your baton, and this," He held up the revolver, "is your firearm."

"No," VI interjected, confusing Caitlyn and Alexander, "I won't carry a gun. I don't like using them."

Alexander was perplexed, "If you won't use a pistol, then how will you defend yourself or others?"

Caitlyn knew where this was going and broke VI off, "She will use her gauntlets. She knows them well. I am sure they will be a good replacement to a pistol."

Alexander argued against this with almost an angry tone, "If we are going to be watching each other's backs, then how will she cover mine without a pistol?"

VI decided to respond this time. "Trust me. My gauntlets will give you better cover. The suit I wear with them allows me to shield my entire body. Just put me between you and any threat, and you'll be covered." VI smirked.

Alexander conceded. He did it mostly to see what she was talking about first hand. "Okay. If what you say is true, then put them on and let me test 'em."

VI replied, "You got it."

But Caitlyn was worried. "No. You mean shoot her? I won't let you. I don't care if it works. I won't let-."

"Caitlyn, it's okay," VI stopped her to say, "I will be fine. Trust me."

Caitlyn didn't want to, but she did. "Okay, but not point blank. 100 meters. No less."

"Alright, meet me on the range." Alexander exclaimed.

Caitlyn watched with worry as VI got fully suited up for the test. She kept trying to tell VI not to, but VI knew better. It would be fine. They went out to meet Alexander on the range. The whole place had been cleared, but a crowd had formed inside the viewing area. They were all taking bets on what would happen. Caitlyn was pissed. She knew Alexander had told Zachary, and that both of them had hyped everyone up to come see this. Now she was really worried.

Caitlyn pleaded with VI one more time, before VI went through the gate that was meant to reset the range. "Please, VI. Don't do this. You don't have to."

"Caitlyn. It will be fine. I won't feel a thing." VI replied. Then she went out onto the range, not to the previously agreed 100 meters, but to 25 meters."

"No, VI. Further out." Caitlyn said.

VI waved her huge gauntleted right arm, as if to say, "Its fine."

Alexander got ready, after feeling pleased that VI wasn't as reserved about this as Caitlyn was.

Caitlyn bent down and pulled back the earmuff on Alexander's right ear to say, "If she dies. I will never forgive you."

So Alexander decided he would just wing her. Het got ready to fire.

Over the last year VI had made a lot of adjustments to her suit and gauntlets. She had increased the maximum power by three fold and restructured the suit so she didn't need the helmet, which used to dampen her senses. A special collar around her neck allowed shielding energy to flow up past her head. The energy broke a few inches above her forehead. So she was protected. The shield itself now wrapped her in a complete blanket of energy. She knew that she'd be fine. She set the power level to a low output and waited.

Alexander fired his first shot at her right leg. The bullet dug in then bounced off.

VI was displeased. "Aim for the kill." She said as she got to with 15 meters.

Again Alexander shot at her right leg. And again the bullet dug in and bounced off.

VI was now pissed. "Don't hold back, shoot me in the head!" She came with 5 meters.

Caitlyn was now about to loose it, but Zachary stopped her before she could scream. "No, Caitlyn. Let her do this." Caitlyn was so scared, but let it be done.

Alexander aimed at VI's head and fired. The bullet dug in. Only VI had the sense to see what actually happened. The bullet came into the shield to almost touch her left eye, before it bounced back and off to the ground.

The crowd cheered. They were electric. VI had won, and by extension many of the crowd did as well.

Alexander let out, "Sweet, fuck!"

VI was smiling as she looked over to Caitlyn, who looked as if she had just seen a ghost, before VI returned her gaze to Alexander and said, "You trust me to watch your back now?"

"Yeah." Alexander said with a confused look on his face. He really thought he was about to kill her, like it would all end right here and now, but he pulled the trigger because somewhere inside him he believed her. "Was your shield at maximum power?"

"Nope," VI exclaimed, smiling even wider, "five percent."