Conversations of the foolish and the unequal
The core members of Cauldron were sat around a table, on one side sat sat Alexandria who scowled at Contessa, her features set into an expression of regal displeasure that would have sent a lesser person running for the nearest fortified bunker.
"So, you had a read on her, that she would be peaceful, and that she would be defended long enough for us to withdraw our own interests was it?"
The woman opposite shrugged.
"I believe I told you that I was unable to get a clear read on her. It was you decision to allow Coil a continued existence in Brockton, as well as leave her there without the full weight of a PRT branch. The LA heavy hitter team alone would have discouraged anyone from trying anything."
Alexandria's nostrils flared but before she could say anything, Legend, who was sitting to her left raise a hand, patting the air to forestall any further words.
"Now ladies, what happened happened, now the question is how do we proceed? How are the local Protectorate and PRT handling it?"
Alexandria, if it was possible, scowled harder.
"The two organizations are almost at war with each other, most of the wards and the Protectorate proper are refusing to even entertain the idea of aggressive action until she starts with an aggressive action. The most notable holdouts in this case are three amongst the protectorate, Miss Militia who is actively calling to root her out, and Triumph and Dauntless who are willing to follow orders, and amongst the wards, Kid Win is willing to follow orders, as is Vista, while Shadow Stalker has stated she's willing to kill her as soon as the opportunity arises."
She shuffled some papers briefly before shooting another glare at Contessa.
" On the other hand, every other Protectorate and Ward member refused to follow Piggots orders until she entertained all other peaceful ideas. As a result, Piggot overreacted and stationed PRT and any loyal Protectorate members around both the Rig, and entrance to Coils sub levels that were claimed by this… Alice, so that none of her apparently disloyal and traitorous Cape subordinates could defect, or otherwise compromise her operations."
And now she paused to shoot a glare at Legend, it had been his idea to give Piggot the directorship after Ellisburg, as a sort of reward after her experiences. She had wanted to put a Cauldron loyalist into the position.
Doctor Mother sighed and leaned forward, her older features set into a casual expression that was a mix somewhere between exasperation and concern.
"So what's the plan? If she turns out to be to dangerous then I agree we get rid of her, but I hate to commit to getting rid of such a valuable parahuman until we've exhausted every other possible option, up to an including tossing her onto a hospitable but unoccupied world, am I clear?"
The rest of the speakers chorused.
"Clear"
Eidolon leaned forward for the first time.
"I suppose if we're going to put effort into reaching a relatively peaceful conclusion we'll need to put some significant pressure onto Piggot. Triumvirate level pressure. That means the only question at the moments is who's going."
Scene Break
Coil woke up with a shriek, the last thing he remembered was the that rat, mouse, thing. Screaming in his face while his base felt apart around him, his mercenaries reporting different copies of the Hebert girl around his base, each one expressing a different power set, some tinkers, some movers, some brutes, some even combinations between multiple areas.
"Did you think I'd let you die that easily?"
Coil couldn't suppress the full body shudder of horror as pair of slim, striped fur with various purple shades slid around his shoulders from behind. Belatedly he realized he no longer had his mask, but that seemed to be a distant secondary concern to the face of the girl he kidnapped, except with animal like eyes, and the teeth, well, Coil would have difficulties not relating her teeth to the old shark week specials he use to watch.
"You were a naughty boy weren't you coil?" Hebert went on, her arms were like ice despite the warm fur covering them, her voice oddly playful, it reminded him in way that sent a solid lump of ice to his gut, of how he would act in some his throwaway timelines.
"You went and kidnapped not only me, or is it Alice, but not only that, you kidnapped another little girl!" She held up hand and giggled, and somehow, that sent more fear to his brain then anything else shed done thus far.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a pedophile Mister Calvert!"
And then her eyes, those piss yellow eyes slowly turned black, like glass orbs filling with ink.
"But I do know better. Instead you employ them, don't you Thomas?"
She leaned closer, until Thomas could feel her breath on his skin, it smelled like rotting meat and spoiled milk.
"I have a few people who would just love to have a word with you."
And with a wave, a crowd of figures appeared behind her. At the front was his pet, he also recognized the figure of the commander he'd shot in Ellisburg so he could escape. But, he swallowed dryly as he noticed, they all had a knife in one hand.
And as the first figure stepped close, and Taylor stepped away, she cheerfully waved goodbye.
"Now remember to have fun!"
End of Chapter
Thanks for the Beta Chrono - Smaug
