AN: Sorry about the delay folks I got pretty hung up trying to decide what was a reasonable national gaurd pressence which was a ballancing act of, 'they don't even seem to exist in canon worm', and 'there is no way they are not a thing or wouldn't be utilized for post kaju disaster relief'. That led to some rewrites which beet my muse unconcious for a time. Still, I worked it out, and it only took one detour to my snippets thread, so I'm calling it a win.
Enjoy folks, read and review!
Five days post Leviathan
I scrubbed the damp towel over my hair, trying to get rid of the worst of the oily feel. I hadn't seen a shower since leaving New York. From the rumor mill about the camps that wasn't likely to change any time soon. The whole city was dependent on bottled water right now, so getting by with infrequent sponge baths was the only option that didn't involve rain.
"They never mention this when they talk about being a hero." I growled under my breath.
"Be glad you aren't in a dessert. The dust mixing with sweat on your skin is worse." Shirou quipped dryly.
I grimaced at the mental image. Wisely I let the topic drop and set about scrubbing my face. "I've checked every camp in this part of the city twice now. I think it's time to move on." Hiding the growing white streak in my hair had been a royal pain without dye, but I'd managed to ask around without my mask. Scanning the crowds as Legacy hadn't produced any better results.
There had been a few awkward conversations with former dockworkers, but not many. The docks were about as close to Captains Hill as Downtown so I could only assume most of them had been funneled that way for some reason.
Finishing my unsatisfying scrub down I ran the damp cloth through my helmet a few times to try and keep that clean before packing up what little I had out.
"About that… I'm not sure you should leave the area."
"What?" That statement earned Shirou my full attention. "Shirou, Dad's not here. I've looked. Staying and looking a third time won't magically conjure him out of thin air. I need to move on if I'm going to find him."
"I know." His voice was steady, neutral. "But if you leave who will be here to head off any attacks?" And just like that my every plan ground to a halt. "Since you arrived, we have only caught the briefest glimpses of New Wave. Always in the air. Never in the camps. Sometimes farther back in the sections of the city which are still considered safe. Sometimes out in the contested regions. But they are not guarding. They are not attacking, or at least not against more than small groups of looters." Shirou kept going. "The National Guard presence is enough to deter small groups. But if certain Parahumans attacked, backed by their gangs… it might not be enough."
"What are you… No, you might have a point." I'd only seen Merchants mucking around but even they might be too much of a threat for normals with guns. For all that they were bottom barrel capes they were still capes. If Squealer came with a tank and Skidmark placed one of his fields in front of it they could chew through the Guard without even trying. "There are four camps." I protested. "I can't protect them by myself. In the time it takes to get from here to even the closest camp whoever attacked would be long gone!"
"I know. It's not perfect, but your presence is better than nothing." He countered. "And the gangs are growing bolder. You've seen it."
I had. The groups roaming the streets were growing larger, and more violent. I'd come across a handful of people who had taken beatings, and there were rumors about at least a few deaths. Worse trying to lock people up in the current situation was difficult at best. The LEO's had nowhere to put anyone they arrested. They tried to ship them out whenever they could, but it was one more vehicle that needed escorting. It couldn't be organized at the drop of a hat. At any given time the camps might have a handful of criminals in holding areas. It wasn't ideal, but it's what we had to work with.
"If you leave these people now you leave them vulnerable. Could you live with yourself if you walk away now and people suffer for it?"
As if just to mock me and emphasize his point, sounds started filtering into the room I was using to wash. The roar of engines, shriek of car horns and the spine chilling bangs of gunfire, a good way off, but getting closer quickly. My helmet was on and I was running through the camp dodging people trying to go the other direction without a second thought.
"Make a hole!" I shouted into the crowd. I was well enough known after the past few days that no one questioned me. They even opened up a path. From the camps location I could just see bits of the highway. It was on slightly higher ground than the camp, but not by a whole lot, and it had been cleared of cars so as not to block the aid vehicles. Maybe three mile out and closing fast was an eighteen wheeler, no doubt the aid truck were expecting. On either side was a military vehicle with roof mounted machine guns. Those guns were firing in bursts at something chasing them.
"Are those Tanks?!"
"Not any kind I've seen before. Just... armored cars." Shirou seemed torn between concerned and bemused.
"Merchants." I snarled under my breath. Glancing around I headed for a three story brick building near the edge of the camp. With a deep breath I pushed energy into my body reinforcing myself. At the base of the building I jumped. I had been playing with this a bit but I didn't quite know just what I was capable off. Between my growing skill, and the general lack of need, self reinforcement for anything beyond archery was a skill I hadn't practiced much. So, I was only a little startled when I cleared the second story window ledge by a foot, and nearly slipped when I came back down to rest my toes on that stupidly small two and a half inch lip.
"I need to practice this more often." I muttered before crouching and making another, more awkward jump that put me on the roof of the building. This time I cleared it by a foot and a half, but with more space to land it was a lot less nerve wracking.
Now I could really see what was going on. The aid truck wasn't doing so great. At least a few tires were blown, and there were bullet holes in the trailer. Chasing it? four vehicles that might once have been Jeeps and SUV's. They had enough steel welded onto the outside as armor to make me want to cringe on behalf of their poor suspension. They were ugly, clunky, and had what looked like assault rifles repurposed as mounted turrets. Considering they were welded on, they only shot straight in line with the vehicle. Stupid, but the person who made them was likely high as kite at the time. It was a small miracle the ad hoc ammo belts actually worked.
As easily as breathing I traced my bow. Normal arrows, well, normal sword arrows, might have worked, but I didn't want to leave anything to chance against tinker armor. I drew on a particular sword that had caught my eye some time ago. An arming sword wielded by a number of knights over the years which failed to make its way into myth and legend. It was enchanted to slice through armor as easily as flesh, but only armor. When clashing against another sword or shield it was simply an average blade. It had been used by a string of knights who each became cocky and inevitably died at the hand of opponents who actually kept up their training.
"Good choice." Shirou muttered.
It wasn't a noble phantasm. It didn't even have a name. Modifying the blade into an arrow took only a moment. They were a mile and a half out now. I could make that shot. It was as simple as draw, aim, release.
The first arrow buried itself halfway to the fletching, through the armor plating and into what I sincerely hoped was a normal engine block. I didn't want to imagine what might happen if that lunatic powered her monstrosities with something like nuclear reactors. By the time I'd given each vehicle a similar present the lead car had black smoke coming out from under the hood and was noticeably slowing. The aid truck and its escorts were pulling away and actually blew past the off ramp, wisely choosing not to slow down. I gave every enemy car one more arrow just to be sure. They got past the exit ramp, but that was only thanks to momentum.
The guns from both groups fell silent and I breathed out in relief. I wouldn't relax until the Merchants were dealt with and I knew the escort cars didn't have wounded. At least now we had a little bit of breathing room.
"Legacy!" The shout from street level pulled my attention off of the cars. I leaned over the ledge to see a half dozen people in three different uniforms and a small collection of civvies with makeshift weapons. "What's the situation?!" The PRT trooper called up.
"Aid truck was getting chased by Merchant armored cars." I called back. "I stopped the cars, but the truck kept going down the highway!" I glanced up again looking down the road. "Looks like they're idling about a mile and a half past us. Merchants aren't doing anything yet, but I doubt that'll last. I could shoot through the cars, but I'd probably kill them. Not sure I should escalate things like that when they're already stuck."
The civilians started cursing and exchanging looks. The LEO's and the guys from the national guard started muttering to each other and gesturing. Taking one last look I confirmed that there really wasn't anything more I could do from here. I momentarily considered just dropping down to the ground. With reinforcing I'd be fine… probably. I would be! But there was no reason to take the risk when I had time to be smart about it. So, one grappling hook later I repelled down the side of the building to join the discussion on the ground.
"Look we've got to get the damn things off the highway so we can get those supplies!"
"And I said I heard you the first damn time you said it, but that doesn't answer the question of how we deal with a bunch of strung out druggies armed with guns! The only cover up there is the cars, and even the Merchants are smart enough to use them for cover. They'd gun us down before we even got close."
"The escort cars are up there and they have machine guns!"
"I can see those things from here and they have enough armor to tank shots from an RPG. I'd rather not waste bullets shooting at tanks while the people in them shoot back at us."
"Well we have a cape! They can't deal with that!"
"Right, time to put my foot down." I thought as I turned an unimpressed glare on the idiot who voiced that last statement. "The cape," I interjected, voice dripping sarcasm. "would like to point out that she is here, listening, and not a weapon you point at the bad guys to solve every problem for you." I mean, I kind of was, but unless they wanted me to kill everyone in those cars, I wasn't the solution to the problem. Besides which, I wasn't going to let them walk all over me. That way lay nothing but trouble.
The idiot had the decency to look embarrassed. The chuckling that followed defused some of the tension.
One of the boys in blue fingered the strap on his holster. He never quite undid the clasp, but his fingers didn't move off of it either. "If we wait long enough, they'll have to move. They don't have the patience to sit still." He muttered. "The problem is figuring out what they'll do when they start moving. They can't catch the aid truck on foot, and if they try the escort will chew them to bits. They can't hope to take the camp… My guess is they'll run. But not until they're desperate enough to risk getting shot."
"Unless they try for hostages." I muttered darkly my own eyes tracking along the edge of the highway.
The officer shook his head. "Doubtful. You shut them down with arrows. They know a cape is involved. And they'd have to get from the highway to the camp. That's all open ground. They would need to be a particularly rare breed of stupid to try that."
"Or high." Someone muttered which was a thought that grated on all of us.
"I'll grab the bullhorn." The officer offered. "Should be able to get most of the way up the hill without being exposed. Legacy, if you wouldn't mind going back up and keeping them honest?" I nodded confirmation. "Then we'll see if we can't get them to surrender without a fight."
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In the end I'd needed to give the Merchants a little push to surrender. Honestly though, one more arrow through an engine block was a lot less than I thought it would take. They'd been hustled off to the camps makeshift holding pen rather quickly after that.
Clearing the wrecks off the road and unloading the supplies had taken long enough that the sun was starting to set. But I couldn't sleep. Not yet. I needed to have a discussion with several people about the security of the camps. That brought me to the command tent.
Command primarily fell to the national guard, who were being led by a Colonel Potter. They were taking the lead by virtue of being trained for this, and having the most personnel and resources to throw at the problem. The PRT interests in this section of the city were being represented by Lieutenant Baker, and finally the police, had dug up one nearly retired Lieutenant Jones. The leadership gathered here because this camp was the largest in the area, and the central hub where supplies were delivered before being redistributed.
"Legacy." Baker gave me a tired grin as I slipped into the tent. "Thanks again for all your help this afternoon. Stopping those armored cars made things a lot simpler."
I grinned back at the man. "Happy to help, though I don't think you'll be too happy to see me once I start talking."
That got frowns all around the room.
"What's the issue, kid." I didn't bother bristling at Jones' nickname. He didn't mean anything by it. He was just the kind of guy to call anyone under twenty five kid.
"I haven't had any luck finding my family, and I've checked every camp twice now." I shrugged. "I was planning to work my way south. Check the hospital in Empire territory, then swing east into downtown." All three men gave me concerned looks I waved off. "I've got a few ideas for getting through their territory, but that's all on hold right now." I looked each man in the eye. "You all are doing your best, but you don't have the people to really protect the camps if capes get involved. Besides, I can't be everywhere. If I'd been at a different camp this afternoon, we might have lost that aid truck. We got lucky." I shrugged.
"What are you thinking, Legacy." Potter asked gruffly.
I blew out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "I don't know." I admitted slowly. "I guess I'm trying to figure out what the bigger picture looks like. I can't just leave everyone here without hero support. I know the Protectorate hasn't really stopped by. I've barely seen New Wave, and never in the camps, have I just had bad timing, or?" I trailed off as I took in the officers' unhappy looks.
Baker shook his head. "New Wave hasn't done much since Leviathan. I know Glory Girl has made a few trips playing taxi for Panacea, but that's about it. They lost Brandish and Manpower in the Leviathan fight." He spoke somberly.
I closed my eyes and bowed my head. That would certainly explain a few things. For all that New Wave got talked up, they'd been slowing down for years. Laserdream and Shielder had all but dropped out of the cape scene to focus on either College or getting grades good enough to get into college. The adults were in their early forties, and while that wasn't that old, it was old enough to slow them down. The fact they had to balance jobs certainly didn't encourage running around at all hours of the night. Honestly before I left it had seemed like the only ones from that family to do any consistent hero work were Panacea and Glory Girl. If they were out of the habit and reeling from losses?
"Damn." I muttered. "Forget me leaving to check other parts of the city. If we can't get some help here, we're going to lose camps sooner or later." The Merchant attack from this afternoon was proof enough. Sooner or later the gangs would start pushing.
Baker rubbed his forehead. "Downtown has been dealing with probing attacks from all three gangs, and all the same issues we've been having. With only the Merchants on our borders the director has been less concerned about us. I can tell you right now she won't station anyone out here who won't be able to get back in a hurry."
"And we've got just about every heroic flyer in the city, here." Jones growled. "And they aren't doing anyone any good."
Potter drummed his fingers on the edge of the tents rickety map table. "Do we know where they live? If we can't get in touch by phone or radio someone could go speak to them in person. I don't like the idea of intruding on a grieving family, but we need all the help we can get."
The LEO's shared a look and shook their heads.
"No." Baker admitted. "But I can find out. I'm sure it's on file, even if I don't know it off the top of my head."
"Let me know when you do." I spoke up. "People are used to me coming and going. If I take off for a bit it won't spark any rumors. Besides, if it needs to be by foot, I can make the trip faster."
The three men nodded all looking a little relieved they wouldn't be the one to intrude on the grieving family of capes that could casually take them apart.
"Thank you, Legacy." Potter murmured. I threw a casual wave over my shoulder as I exited the tent in search of a place to sleep.
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"Do you have any kind of plan beyond knocking on their door and asking for help?" Shirou asked with very clear and unwelcome skepticism.
"Well, I plan to introduce myself first." Not my best comeback, but I felt the dry delivery was worth a few extra points.
"Taylor…"
"Look what do you want from me? I've never met them. I have no idea how they are feeling, or how they will react. We don't really have time to beat around the bush here either."
The house in question was actually the second I had visited. The Pelham family home had been quiet, dark, and empty. Here though, the Dalon's house, there was an audible hum from a generator and a few lights were on. The outsider of the house was a bit of a mess, but nothing like the buildings closer to shore.
"Here goes nothing." I whispered. With a deep breath I marched up to the door and gave it a few solid raps. Then I stepped back a good four steps, because heroes or not it was a house full of emotional capes and they didn't know me.
The door opened to reveal a very tired looking boy with blue hair. He looked me up and down and pointedly did not invite me in. "If you're here looking for a fight you might want to rethink that. Vicky would probably jump at any excuse."
I shook my head. "I'm a hero, Legacy. I'm here on behalf of the aid camps around Captains Hill."
That at least got him to raise an eyebrow. "What do they want with us. Do they need Amy to heal some people?"
Holy shit, did they just not know what was going on in the city?
"I doubt they would say no to her coming by. But more than that they need cape support. The National Guard are out in force but they aren't equipped to deal with Squealer's rides. And I can't be everywhere at once."
He looked at me funny and shook his head. "So, get the Protectorate to help out."
I shook my head. "The director's dealing with all three gangs putting pressure on Downtown. She won't commit any capes to this part of the city unless they can get back in a hurry."
He grimaced and seemed to mull that over. "Wait here." And without another word he disappeared into the house leaving me on the front porch.
"Well, that could have gone worse." Shirou admitted.
"I'm taking it as a small win." I agreed.
When the door opened again it was Sarah Pelham, looking twice as tired and far grimmer than her son. "Eric said you're from the camps and looking for help?" She asked cautiously.
I nodded. "The Merchants have been trying to grab the aid trucks harassing anyone leaving the camps. The National Guard are doing what they can but the Squealer has been modifying cars. And if Mush shows up there won't be much they can do."
She closed her eyes and rested her head against the edge of the door. "Damn it. My family is a mess and you want us to split up?"
"... I'm sorry. I know this sucks. But I'm the only cape the camps even have right now." I tried to wet my suddenly dry lips. "I can cover one camp, but if they hit somewhere, I'm not…" I shrugged. "I know losing family sucks. I'm not even sure if the last of mine survived the attack." And God, how I hated to admit that uncertainty out loud. It made it all the more real and unbearable. "But there's no one else to turn to."
"My children are wrecks." She spoke slowly. "I'm a wreck. Vicky is liable to kill someone if she gets into a fight right now and Amy has all but shut down. Topping that off we are keeping my brother in law on suicide watch." She opened her eyes and gave me a look. "We're in no state to help anyone."
What was I supposed to say to that? What could I say to that? It wasn't all going to suddenly be ok. It wasn't going to be alright. It was going to suck and hurt and only time would ever even numb the pain. Even then something might very well draw it right back up to the surface when they least expected it. And to watch all the camps her family would have to split up when they were already hurting. And that wasn't even touching on the apparent suicide watch. I shook my head and stepped back.
"I'm sorry. I know it's not fair to ask." I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. "But I'm asking anyway." I opened my eyes and gave her a small smile that I hoped didn't seem like a grimace. "I need to get back now. I hope I'll see you all." My piece said I turned and jogged off. I'd been away long enough already. I might not be able to cover every camp, but I would still do what I could.
"I hate this."
"You did what you could, and what you had to." Shirou reassured, but he didn't sound any happier than I did.
"I know. Doesn't change how I feel about it."
