"I would like to speak to my daughters first, if you don't mind," Brandish spoke with a neutral tone, then stared at me with an expression that could have curdled milk. "In private."
'It's alright.' Amy spoke through our connection.
'This conversation can't be avoided.' Victoria added.
Together, the Dallon sisters moved closer to the nearby warehouse, prompting Brandish to follow them. I blocked my connection to them. After all, they wanted privacy.
"So, Dragon," I started. "You wanted to talk?"
"About the Simurgh." Dragon's suit moved slightly closer to the water. "You shoved her into one of your portals, which then exploded." I nodded, which prompted her to continue. "Where did that portal lead?" Ah, so this was what she wanted. I was surprised that she had picked up on that so quickly.
"The event horizon of a black hole. Even if it escaped the gravity well through some miraculous fashion, it's still six thousand light years away, give or take a few. Effectively, it's dead to us." I told her. This was the story I'd prepared after sending it to the Administrator shard. The Mind had located a black hole, apparently designated Cygnus X-1 by the scientists on Earth and told me to use that as a scapegoat for the Simurgh.
"I see," Dragon said absently. I got the impression that she was speaking to someone else through another one of her suits, likely the Protectorate. She was silent for almost an entire minute before she continued. "Given that there is no way to verify that the Simurgh is actually dead, the Protectorate can't disburse a bounty for her and will presume that she's missing in action." The fact that I could practically picture the piece of paper Dragon was reading that from amused me greatly. "However, as word has mostly been spread about what happened in Canberra, along with pictures of the Simurgh's severed wings, publicly the PRT and Protectorate will act as if you did in fact kill the Simurgh."
"That's all well and good, but it's nothing that couldn't be cleared up with an email or phone call." I countered. "What do you really want to talk about?"
Dragon's suit seemingly shifted nervously. Why did she insist on keeping the façade that there was a human inside there? "About how much of what your father said is true. Between mentions of a 'hive mind' and you possibly being a biotinker, the Director has made some… objectionable comparisons to Nilbog."
I couldn't help the amused chuckle that escaped me. "Oh, so it's fear that drives the Director, not a sense of duty." I took a step towards her suit. "I could say any number of things: that her fears are unfounded, that she would be better off focusing her efforts on the Empire, or even that I plan to leave the city and that she would never see me again. But I know that, regardless of what I say, she would still think of me as a threat."
"From what I know of Director Piggot, she's very pragmatic. She wouldn't dismiss you outright, even if you are a biotinker."
I didn't believe her. Or, more accurately, I didn't want to believe her. But, everyone had to start somewhere. "Let's say that I believe you. What would happen next?"
"I was told that Legend and Eidolon offered you a position as a full member. Accepting that offer would be a very important step on the path to cooperation." Yeah something told me that wasn't happening.
"And if I refuse?"
"Well," Dragon paused, and I got the strangest feeling that something bad was about to happen. "The PRT would have no choice but to label you as a villain."
"So I either toe the line or get turned into a pariah. On literally the same day that I killed the Simurgh." I spoke with as deadpan a tone I could muster. "What if I declared myself an independent hero?"
"Publicly, the PRT would have no choice but to support your status, but you would still be labeled a villain internally." I could tell that she wasn't happy about saying that.
The Mind already told me that under no circumstance was I to ally with the Protectorate directly. Which meant no becoming a Ward or a bonafide hero. Not that I really cared all that much, considering they were either ignorant or dismissive of one of their Wards almost murdering a civilian. At least until said Ward got herself up a creek without a paddle. I was sure that Assault and Battery had told them all about what I'd said.
"Well, alright then." I said finally.
"Alright then?" Dragon echoed with confusion. "You mean you're not going to accept?"
I shook my head. "Nope, tell the PRT that they can do what they want. I don't have time for their games." As I started to walk off towards where Amy and Victoria were, Dragon imposed herself in front of me.
"Please reconsider. They may not be the most effective group, but they're doing the best they can with what they have."
I frowned at the interruption. "I'm sure they are, but it still doesn't change my mind."
"That's… unfortunate." Dragon said despondently.
She didn't try to stop me from passing her this time. Though, once I'd gotten to where the beach ended and the pavement began, I called back "If you ever want to stop by and discuss Tinker stuff, send me a message on PHO." About thirty seconds later, I heard the telltale noise of jet engines spinning up as Dragon left.
Now then, time to check on Amy and Victoria. I lowered the mental barrier between us and-
-was nearly overwhelmed by the mix of emotions coming from them. Victoria had enough anger that I honestly thought that she was about to murder something. Amy, on the other hand, held only despair. I brushed my mental presence up against theirs reassuringly. I teleported to where I sensed they were at. Brandish had one of her light weapons raised in a defensive posture several feet from me. Apparently with my teleport I'd superimposed myself between her and her daughters.
Amy was kneeling on the ground, face buried in her hands. Victoria was standing over her protectively glaring daggers at Brandish. I turned towards the adult hero, taking a step forward intimidatingly.
"I think you should leave."
"Not without my daughter." Brandish growled, an identical weapon to her first appearing in her off hand. Daughter? As in one? I looked back at Victoria and Amy to see the former with her arms wrapped around her sister, whispering something into her ear.
"You can either leave by choice or by force." I opened a slipstream portal and withdrew my weapon from it. The blade flashed to life with an ominous hum. She glanced behind me, and a pensive look appeared on her face.
A moment later her weapons disappeared and she whispered, "Fine." Without any further trouble, she turned and walked away. I deactivated my sword, clipped it to my belt, then turned to kneel next to Amy.
"You gonna be alright?" I asked tentatively.
"Can we -sniffle- can we not talk about it? Could we go to like a movie or a restaurant or something?" She spoke softly.
"Yeah, that sounds great." I held out a hand to help her to her feet, while glancing at Vicky and nodding my head to the side.
It wasn't that long ago that my own little family had blown up, what kind of friend would I be if I denied her some comfort now? We had our plans, but the two of them needed this. And...it was almost as important really.