AN: I'd just like to recommend the videos Forks Over Knives, and What the Health. They outline how the standard American diet is killing us. It's not pretty, or pleasant. It's honestly horrifying how much effort goes into hiding it from us all. You have a right to know.
That's a recommendation, and it's all I'll say on the matter. You're here for my story. So let's get on with the story. Don't own shit, read and review folks.
The sound of an approaching chopper caught my attention along with the rest of the camp. There had been a few news choppers swinging by from nearby cities to get aerial footage of the devastation but those had stopped coming by after the third day. Military birds had only been seen a handful of times, so it was a curious camp that watched the sky. Oddest of all the sound seemed to be coming from the direction of the bay, not from outside of the city.
"I swear if the Merchants cobbled together a helicopter, I'm going to shoot it down then go hunting for Squealer." I griped.
"It would make them less of a threat."
"Say's the guy who wanted to stay around guarding the camps."
"That was before I realized how quickly she could manufacture armored cars." He protested.
"Honestly, I think she's working overtime, and doing the bare minimum to make them bulletproof." I offered, "She's never been this big of a threat before. Though it probably helps that she can just snag whatever's been left in the abandoned portions of the city."
Finally, the chopper came into view and I relaxed at the very clear PRT logo on the side. Reactions were a bit split though. Some people grumbled; others cheered. They were help, and we could use all the help we could get. At the same time people knew they had left us here on our own until something had posed a real and credible threat to the camps. Soldiers talked, and people listened. They knew I'd made the difference the night before, and they didn't know what the Merchants might have done if they had gotten through.
I wanted to be pissed, but I was just too grateful for any backup we could get. Though if the only thing on those transports was a handful of troopers with foam sprayers, I'd have to see about wrapping a request for aid around an arrow and shooting it at the PRT's HQ.
The chopper settled down and the first person out the door had me breaking into a sprint.
"Hood!"
I hadn't been a big hugger for close to two years now, but right then I was tempted to make an exception. It had only been a week, but it was so good to see a familiar mask after everything. Still, I wasn't nearly that forward, and for all that things were weighing on me I wasn't that desperate for a hug. Dad should look out though. When I finally tracked him down, he was in for a hug that would crack his back, and maybe a rib or two.
"Arsenal!" Hood shouted as he jogged out from under the chopper blades, "Or should I call you, Legacy?"
I hesitated. It was a simple question, but it was also loaded with enough meaning to stop me short.
"Legacy," I finally answered speaking just loud enough to be heard over the slowing rotors, "at least for now."
"For now?" I shrugged helplessly in response.
"I just… There's a lot going on. I still don't know what happened to Dad, and the camps need me." I shook my head, "I can't give anyone an extra excuse to pull me out of here and leave them even more vulnerable."
Despite the top half of his face being covered, the grim look in his eyes and the downward turn of his lips said it all.
"How bad is it. We heard about Mush and the cars he came with."
I didn't look away. I wouldn't be ashamed of what I had done. I wouldn't run from it. And if anyone was going to understand it would be Jason.
"They didn't want to tell me how many they pulled out of the wrecks, but people talk. There were at least ten deaths." Jason closed his eyes and just took a moment to breath.
"I'm sorry." The words were simple and honest and that meant more to me than I wanted to admit.
"It had to be done."
"Even still. We were half a city away, and you had to deal with it on your own. Not our best showing as a team." My lips quirked up in an exasperated smile.
"You came here and punched Leviathan in the face without me." And damn it all that hurt, "Let's just agree not to keep score."
"Heh," The chuckle was weak, but not forced, "If that's how you want it to be?" I simply nodded back.
"You must be, Legacy?" The boisterous voice belonged to the familiar red clad figure of Assault. Next to him, looking slightly exasperated, was Battery. "You know we had a hell of a time convincing Phantom and Flechette to stay behind? Director Piggot wasn't about to send Wards this way without Protectorate back up, and I was a bit worried we were going to have a shouting match when Hood pulled rank to get the one open spot."
"The rest of the team is here too?" I turned to Hood. Not that I actually had a problem with these heroes, I just trusted Hood.
"Gigawatt's stuff was trashed. Legend held him back in New York, but Flechette and Phantom are here with me."
"Did they hear about…"
"Yeah," he nodded slowly, "there was no keeping that quiet, a lot of people are talking about it. They're worried about you, and I don't think they really get it, but they don't think any less of you." A tension I hadn't even realized was building since the start of the conversation finally relaxed in me. Then I glanced at the other two heroes and had a whole new concern to think about.
"Do I need to be worried?" It was a very pertinent question given the circumstances. Especially with the Protectorate finally turning up only after I'd had to resort to lethal force. Mercifully Hood shook his head in the negative.
"No one with sense is making a fuss about it. Director's pissed that someone who can do what you can is running around outside of her control though. Especially when we told her we didn't know what most of your toys can actually do." There was a bit of a sly grin at the corners of his mouth as he mentioned that. I got the distinct impression I wouldn't like the woman. "No, when everything's finally settled, you're going to have problems. But nothing that makes me want to tell you to run."
There was a definite note of cheer in his voice now and I took a moment to lament the likely fallout when everything finally got sorted. Finally, I turned to face the two Protectorate heroes.
"Assault, Battery, a pleasure to meet you in person." I offered them both a handshake. "Dare I hope you three are being stationed in this part of the city for the duration, or is this temporary?"
"Temporary." Battery's answer was brisk, but not harsh. "The gangs are pressuring the downtown camps too much for us to stay away for long. The Director hopes showing the flag will remind the Merchants we aren't that far away, and help keep morale up."
I frowned at once again being shafted out here with half measures, but given I had no idea what their situation was actually like downtown I had a very hard time arguing against it. Never mind the fact that getting mad at these three was completely pointless since the decision wasn't their call.
"Sorry we aren't sticking around." Assault sounded much less energetic, "but hey, I heard New Wave were helping out now?"
I glanced around to make sure we wouldn't be overheard before responding. Luckily the crowds were keeping their distance.
"New Wave are based in the camp farthest from the Gangs." I spoke lowly, "They're flying patrols now but… After their losses their hearts aren't in it. It's mostly down to me and the National Guard."
Hood hissed out an angry breath between his teeth and the older duo shared a concerned glance.
"Why don't we find the Captain in charge here and you can fill us in." Assault said all joking gone from his voice. With a nod I waved for them to follow me to the command tent.
{}{}{}{}
"Can't believe Legend let you three came after me." I admitted as Hood and I walked the perimeter of the camp. I could easily imagine my teammates… my friends, wanting to come after me. But Legend letting them? Hood snorted.
"Please, after having one Ward go AWOL on him? Legend wasn't going to risk the rest of us vanishing too. He made us take another day off to decompress then he greenlighted the transfer and sent us to try and soft sell you back into line." He shrugged, "Not that it's at the top of anyone's priority list at the moment. Even Piggot's happier with you here where she can pretend you're just an overpowered independent instead of a massive PR bombshell she needs to deal with."
My grin might have been a touch anemic, but I appreciated the sentiment. Or at the very least the knowledge that my situation wasn't about to become even more complicated.
"I don't suppose any of you have seen my Dad, or heard word?" I wasn't ashamed to admit I was desperate for good news on that front.
"No," Hood shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we haven't heard anything one way or another."
I couldn't even get mad about it at this point so I settled for just walking in silence for a time.
"How are you holding up? No bullshit. No evasions. Just talk to me."
At first, I didn't really want to say anything. But I also really did. Shirou gave an insistent nudge. He had been trying to get me to talk on and off for a day now, and for all that I'd pushed it away between the two of them now…
"It had to be done. I was the only one who could do it." I answered honestly. "I don't regret it. I'm not having trouble sleeping, or eating, or even just getting on with my day… And that's… That makes me feel guilty." Hood didn't say a word, and Shirou remained a comforting, but silent, presence in my mind. "It was so easy. I knew the weapons I could make were deadly, and my oversized cow catcher trick was enough to stop a tank… But the spear was the worst." I admitted.
"It was the first of the really powerful weapons that I ever manifested. I told you about it, the day we met. I stabbed him in the heart, because I committed to the attack... He never stood a chance. I decided he was going to die and he died, period. It was pathetic, and overkill, and it was still the best option I had." I spit the last few words like curses.
"But I don't regret it. I don't feel guilty. They needed to be stopped, and I stopped them. I shouldn't be so calm about it, but I am. And I know I wouldn't have been a few months ago." I turned to look Jason in the eye, "I'm mixing with a guy who lost count of the people he killed for the sake of countless others. And he wouldn't have backed away from what I did, and now I know I won't either." Out of words I settled for walking in silence.
Jason let out a long, ragged sigh before pulling me into a one armed side hug. I stiffened instantly.
"I'm sorry this whole situation is so fucked up, Legacy." I relaxed a bit into the awkward embrace. "You deserve better than to be stuck with responsibility for all these people. But the whole world is going to shit and we're stuck trying to keep it going because we're some of the very few willing to stand up and do something about it. Maybe the Protectorate and the PRT don't appreciate that like they should. But I'll tell you right now that they do." He waved his free arm in the direction of the camp before letting go and stepping away.
"I wish things were better. I wish you didn't have to be ok with this shit. But the world needs people like us to hold it together." He gave me a very significant look, "And we need people like your Dad, and Phantom, Flechette, Gigawatt, and even that mother hen Legend to keep us grounded. So whatever it takes... you keep yourself in one piece. And when all this is over we'll be there for you, alright?"
My eyes burned and my throat felt tight but I ignored that and gave him a firm nod.
"Sure thing, boss."
