Well, here it is as promised. Yeah, there probably will be some critique on the scenery and the choice I made in the overall story, but at least I hope I'm still providing you with an entertaining story at least.
Adjustments 2.01
Well, that didn't take long, I could only observe with a bit of wry amusement as I took in my surroundings: stainless steel table, nondescript walls, and one way mirror.
Then again, I knew I was going to end up here sooner or later, I just found myself rather surprised at the speed they went from half-assedly tending to my 'injuries' to carting me into an interrogation room.
After all, they would have questions as to how a supposedly unpowered civilian was able to kill Shadow Stalker. Even if the bitch had gone off the reservation and was guilty as hell, she was still technically one of them.
Still, I found myself annoyed at the disjointed as hell reaction from the PRT. Even now I could still barely see out of my left eye, 'compliments" of Sophia in the "struggle" that has taken place in my room when she tried to kill me and my ribs were sore from a bruise.
All staged of course.
Honestly, I hadn't expected Sophia to do something as monumentally stupid as what she did. The worst I expected of me revealing her was for her to go to ground, either biding her time or hooking up with some villainous group. Something I could certainly use as a political cudgel against the PRT if I so chose.
I certainly didn't expect her to actually try and fucking kill me in my own bedroom.
Despite everything, I had been truthful to her from a certain point of view. If I had remained unaware that she had been a Ward, I would have left her in the past. But fate had other ideas and whatever her rationalization had been, I knew it could only end in one result this evening the moment she tripped my sentries on her way to my home.
There was no way I was going to allow Sophia a second chance. I wasn't an idealist like Naruto, believing that people could change for the better, I understood Sophia enough that if I spared her, especially after she came for me in my home with the intent to kill, then I would have only myself to blame when she inevitably came back for another round.
No, it was only fair to the both of us if I put her down with extreme prejudice.
Decision made, the problem then transitioned into what was the best manner in which to permanently retire Shadow Stalker. Conventional thinking would suggest that it would be Tenshi that would deal the killing blow, and at first, I had entertained the idea. However, after thinking about it, I realized that the matter of perception would taint the entire situation, when factoring in how to engage Sophia, where to engage her, and maximizing the probability of success.
The fact of the matter was, there were only two places that I, as Tenshi, could engage Sophia that would allow for me to utilize lethal force, and the option with the highest probability of success required that it take place within my bedroom. The problem was that if that so happened, there would be questions as to why 'Tenshi' did not simply evacuate my father the moment she became aware that Sophia was loose, and I did have a personal message in my inbox on PHO from Miss Militia notifying me that Sophia was loose. The timetable simply did not work for me without making it appear that Tenshi had entrapped Shadow Stalker in order to eliminate her.
That wouldn't be the prevailing theory, of course, but to anyone with a Thinker ability, or privy to the full timeline, they would be able to piece together this conclusion. And that was the last thing I wanted or needed.
Furthermore, the other option, which was outside of my house, I was unsure that I could eliminate, let alone detain, Shadow Stalker if I chose a frontal assault outside of the house. While it was public knowledge that she had a breaker state that allowed her to change into a shadowy mist that could phase through things, the technical details that outlined the particulars of it were not available to me. I could make some guesstimates as to possible limitations and weaknesses, but going into battle with guesses could be just as fatal as going in without any information at all. If I did, it's possible that Sophia would be able to escape to take another chance at me, or worse, force the PRT to put me into protective custody 'for my protection'.
So utilizing Tenshi was off the table. There was no way I could make it work without it looking bad for me or have a decent chance for failure. Excluding the matter of entrapment, there was no guarantee that the PRT wouldn't just decide to damn the torpedoes and fuck the public relations fiasco to use Sophia's death, justified it may be, to put pressure on Tenshi. While I cultivated a working professional alliance with them, that was a far cry from them being willing to accept me killing one of their own, a liability that she may have been.
Nor could I disappear her either. It honestly is the option with the lowest initial risk, but the problem was there were too many unknowns that would have to be juggled successfully for it to work in the long term. Too many questions would have to be answered for it to be a workable solution, nor was it a surefire thing that there wouldn't be something that I overlooked that wouldn't come back to bite me in the ass. In a world with Thinkers, it just honestly wouldn't work, even if I was successful in the beginning, because people by their very nature, hated the unknown, and not knowing what had happened to Shadow Stalker would be one of those things that could likely haunt me when I least needed it.
Not to mention that it could also result in me being put into protective custody as well, so it was a non-starter option regardless of if I could work out the complex logistics and mechanics necessary for it to be successful and Sophia simply would disappear off the face of the earth.
Therefore, I was left with only one option, an option with high risk, but the opportunity to be handsomely rewarded if successful.
Killing Shadow Stalker as Taylor Hebert.
When cut to its core, the entire strategy that I pursued was designed to stack the deck solely in my favor. Utilizing the situation, from the developing scandal of Sophia's actions, her then escape from PRT custody and attempting to kill me, to my being able as an 'unpowered' civilian being able to dispatch Shadow Stalker from this life serving to culminate in a series of circumstances and distractions that would prevent the PRT or others from delving too deeply into the situation to notice the minute inconsistencies that existed, or if they do find it, they would ignore it because the resulting furor would make such a pursuit pyrrhic in nature.
After all, it would look poorly upon the PRT if one of their Wards went off the reservation not only to kill the girl that informed on her criminal actions, but also went after an unmasked hero in their home. Oh boy, the public outcry that would result would likely be the stuff of legends locally. One that the PRT could ill-afford with all of these hammer blows landing lately.
Not that I wanted to destroy the PRT, despite the front I may put up, the PRT was a necessary evil that I had to utilize for now, because if they ceased to exist at this juncture then my job would become exponentially more difficult.
It would be inconveniencing to myself as well, requiring me to adjust my plans, but the problem was Sophia's actions had forced me into a corner in which I had few palatable options available. And even fewer that could work in the long run.
But this honestly provided the best opportunity to be successful in the long run. Between keeping the PRT on their back foot while providing me maneuvering room to ratchet up support if they decided to push the issue. I sincerely doubted even a DA worth their salt would be able to pull off a successful conviction.
That was even if they made an attempt to contain me, and I had contingencies in place that would scorch the very earth of public perception if they did. But if they did choose to take an illogical route, then I also had a way out of that as well. It would make it somewhat more difficult initially for me to continue my plans, but in the end I'd likely win out.
The killing Sophia aspect was rather simple, using lightning seals similar to what I had used against Hookwolf to initially shock her, making it look like she had been tasered (and she was at the same time she triggered the seals), then stage the scene where it appeared a scuffle had broke out as I fought Sophia off before 'accidently' killing her in my desperation.
All in all, it was something that Konan would have approved of, having crafted a few scenes herself during her life.
It was that scene that Velocity came into with my father only twelve minutes after 'Tenshi' had supplied my name to Miss Militia. Sophia laying dead on the floor and me sitting by her body staring at it, her blood on me.
Of course, with any good staged scene, there had to be the right application of acting. So when my father burst past Velocity despite the cape putting his arm in front of him in an attempt to maintain the integrity of the crime scene, he only met my feigned catatonia.
Internally though, I had mixed feelings. On one hand I was cursing the fact that I had overlooked my father and the complications he may or may not inject into the situation. On the other hand, there was a small part of me that felt a hint of warmth at the fact that he did seemingly give a shit, despite the frustrations he had added recently to my life.
It was a complication that I could roll with though, if he did what I expected him to do what any desperate father would do when faced with his daughter absconded from her home with the blood of someone else on her person. It was the type of leverage that would be useful if it did get hairy.
But that could wait, it would take time for that piece to come into play, if it did at all. I was suitably confident that I would not need it.
What did irk me, however, was the fact that I was in an interrogation room about two hours after Velocity had stepped into my house. While I could understand the need for a fact-finding interview, this seemed a helluva lot more ham-handed than even what I expected from the PRT at this juncture.
Then again, the old saying about the left hand not knowing what the right is doing was likely applicable here, unfortunately. Though I had to question the competency of whoever it was that had the idea of placing the victim in an interrogation room.
At least they had the decency of getting me into some different clothes, even if they were from the gift shop. Then again, they were evidence, so it wasn't so much any sort of altruism as it was common sense. Still, I was left irritated with how disjointed it all was, reinforcing my opinion of the PRT, at least in Brockton Bay, that there needed to be serious work done in order to improve them. I wasn't going to say that I knew what was best, but with all of the knowledge of running a government and military, it was safe to say I knew a few things.
But for right now, it was pointless to dwell upon it, instead I decided to simply meditate. Sooner or later, they would decide to confront her, likely expecting a teenager to be willing to talk if they left her like this long enough, and there was no point in letting them control the tempo when I could get other work done while I waited.
The door opening caused me to break out of the meditation I had just entered, it seemed that they weren't going to allow the opportunity, I thought with some hint of amusement.
"Hello Taylor," opening my eyes as they took a seat across from me, I found myself meeting the level gaze of Miss Militia.
Now the question was, how would I act to all of this. I could act like the still in shock teenager to all of this, but I had a feeling that it wouldn't fly successfully. The amount of time between then and now would give them an excuse to accuse me of possibly putting up an act. A bit paranoid yes, but healthy paranoia kept one alive.
No, it was better to play it like it should be played, with one scarred, jaded, and distrustful teenager who just escaped with her life by killing her attacker.
"Miss Militia," I greeted, keeping my tone neutral. Obviously they were going to go with the soft approach, try and elicit information by presenting a friendly, female, and heroic face. It was clever, and it likely would have worked if I were anyone else.
"How are you holding up?"
Not exactly what I would have asked initially, honestly, I would have apologized for putting the person in an interrogation room to start with. That way it served as a way to disarm the situation, lowering my guard, and making me give up information I would otherwise have not because I would think they were on my side.
By going straight to asking how I was doing, well, wasn't exactly the best way to open an interaction after a greeting. Because it placed me in one of two positions, either I would break because of the tension they put me through, or I would get defensive.
If they had done their research, they would have been aware how likely I would have reacted.
Sloppy.
With an exaggerated look around the interrogation room to serve as emphasis that turned into irritation as I brought myself back to her.
"I don't know, Miss Militia, I woke up in the middle of the night to Shadow Stalker standing over my bed with a knife, how am I supposed to be feeling?"
The wince was small, but it was a point in my favor. I needed to keep Miss Militia on her back foot, control the interrogation by changing the power dynamics of it. Present yourself as unassailable and it made the interrogator's job nearly impossible unless they had access to information you were not aware of.
But if that were the case, they wouldn't have come in soft with Miss Militia in the first place.
Of course, I could have hammered them on the fact that they were interrogating me, a minor, without informing me that I could have a parent or lawyer present. But I was going to keep that in the back pocket for now, never know when that would be useful.
"I'm really sorry about that, Taylor, can you tell us what happened?"
Again, the wrong question to ask, I had to wonder what the thought process was for putting Miss Militia in here, outside of the blatantly obvious. While she was a good hero, she obviously wasn't suited for directing an interrogation in a way that would be beneficial for the interrogator, let alone asking the right questions in the right order.
So the question was how should I respond. I could continue down this line of irritation, but that would likely not end well, or at least it would be something for Miss Militia and whoever else was observing the interrogation to key in on and take advantage of.
No, it was likely best to revert to playing it straight and neutral. Show the anger and irritation where necessary, but keep them off any solid footing. They weren't expecting me and I was going to play to that advantage.
"I woke up to someone standing over my bed, holding a knife. When I realized what was going on, I grabbed my taser from my nightstand and used it. When my attacker went down, I called out for my father, but I didn't receive an answer, so I began to go and find him. That's when my attacker, who I then recognized as Shadow Stalker, got back up and tackled me to the ground. We fought on the ground I don't know how long, she somehow lost her mask, and when she got her knife again and was going to stab me, I grabbed one of her crossbow bolts and stabbed her in the eye."
It was sparse on details, but enough for what they would expect for someone not used to giving any sort of reports. And it'd all be true, based upon the crime scene that I had put together, from the taser, all the way to the injuries I sustained, and the lack of injuries to her considering my known lack of any sort of martial training.
I had debated just electrocuting Sophia right out of the gate, but I needed the scene to be believable, which was why the amount of electrical voltage from the seals was decreased to where they would match the amount of the taser.
"Why do you own a taser?"
I couldn't help myself but blink at the question, somewhat taken aback by it. While it was certainly a valid question, it ignored the fact of where we lived. It also highlighted the fact that they hadn't interrogated or questioned my father yet either.
"I have a job that requires me to be out at night. My father purchased one for me so I would be able to protect myself. We live in Brockton Bay, it would be rather stupid of me to not have the means to protect myself."
And that was as close to chastisement as I was willing to get here. I could understand the information pursued by the question, it just didn't mean that it was an entirely intelligent question to ask based upon the ordering.
I was beginning to wonder if the question order was deliberate, or if this was just a lack of preparedness. I could see it being the latter considering how quickly they had placed me here, but I wanted to think that they would at least have a bit more of a strategy going into this.
Unless they did and there was something I was missing.
But what was it? It was common knowledge that Miss Militia was a combat-focused hero with her ability to generate weapons, it wasn't like she was a Thinker of any stretch of the imagination. And from what I had read, the dirty work of interrogation wasn't something she would necessarily be suited for.
No, she was the foxhound sent to dig up information for whoever that was watching. The Brockton Bay PRT was getting hit on several fronts and now they had a dead Ward who was accused of crimes, caught in the act of attempting murder. Outside of Tenshi, Taylor Hebert was their only lead, and since Tenshi was not keen on placing herself in their grasp...
So they were on a timetable then, I mused, realizing just what was going on. Why I was getting vibes of Miss Militia being uncomfortable and why her questions felt so stilted. They needed as much information as they could get quickly before their window of opportunity closed. Obviously they had a feeling my father was going to find a lawyer and were trying to get their information before I clammed up.
The question was, should I allow them to dictate the tempo, or should I run roughshod over it.
Internally smirking, I already knew the choice I was going to make.
"Let's cut to the chase, Miss Militia," I spoke, careful to channel Konan's calmness and controlled nature. In the event that they had any tech or Tinkers that would be on the lookout for my lies, since they weren't in here, they were likely based upon observational data, I decided to add another trick of Konan's that helped prevent any sort of tells to give away my truthfulness if lack thereof, "the reason I am in here instead of at a hospital getting myself checked out is because you are trying to figure out how to get me for killing Shadow Stalker, or as I know her, Sophia Hess, and because you want to be able to get your story out first."
And the tempo is stolen, I mused, watching Miss Militia's expression. She wasn't expecting me to come out swinging, well, tough on her, I was going to control the narrative and place the PRT in a delicate position. And frankly, I was tired of playing with amateurs already.
"You're going to try and get me into admitting something that you could use against me in order to make it look like Shadow Stalker's death was unnecessary, framing this entire situation in the light that I went too far in killing her, that there were other options I could have done. While you won't frame it blatantly in the idea that I killed her in cold blood, I certainly didn't go out of my way to not kill her."
The last statement was probative, I was dealing with incomplete information here, but I needed to figure out if they had discovered my notes and the thumb drive containing all of the bullying I suffered at the hands of the trio. If they did have it, then the entire anatomy of this exchange would change, because I would then have to counter whatever plan they were going to put into action.
"I don't think any of us are suggesting that, Taylor. It's just imperative that we get the story of what happened. Why do you think we are going to turn this on you?"
And that was all the confirmation I needed, judging by the slight lilt of irritation coupled with a tinge of growing anger coloring Miss Militia's voice. They didn't have anything from my room, because if they did, they would have confirmed it by pouncing on me with the idea that I killed Sophia out of spite.
So I did the one thing that I knew would further unnerve my interrogator, and it honestly felt cathartic doing it.
I laughed. It was a bitter, empty laughter, but it pretty much encapsulated everything that I had gone through in that year and a half of hell. From the betrayal of my closest friend all the way up to the locker, it was all out there in that single action and I felt lighter because of it.
I didn't know I had it in me, to be honest.
"Because I am used to it by now," I said, even as I let my laughter slowly fade and ending it with a shake of the head, "Every time I accused Emma, Sophia, or Madison of doing anything to me, I found it either dismissed, or turned around against me in spite of the evidence. The last year and a half of my life has been a comedy of those that I'm supposed to look up to and rely upon turning around and telling me to my face that I'm lying, or that I'm actually the one who is guilty."
"It doesn't take a blind person to see why they did that now," I continued, letting some emotion bleed back into my tone, becoming more of a growl, "It's a poorly hidden fact that schools get financial incentives if they host a Ward and are willing to allow concessions for said Ward or Wards. For Winslow, as broke as it is, that cash would be like manna from heaven, and they would be damned before they allow their precious cash cow get taken away. Tell me, what's the amount of financial incentive you gave to Winslow, because that's the price for one fifteen year old girl to be bullied to the brink by your precious Ward."
I watched Miss Militia look to say something to rebut me, but I was on a roll and I wasn't going to let her get a word in edgewise.
"But wait, it gets even better, the moment I thought I was finally free of all that bullshit and that I actually had people who gave a damn about my mental and physical health, I wake up to find out that not only is one of my torturers a 'Hero', but she actually comes into my house to try and cut my fucking head off! So you tell me, Miss Militia, what should I be thinking, since we're sharing an interrogation room right now? You haven't exactly been doing yourself any favors since you dropped your sincerity from before and started treating me like a criminal!"
It was then that the door behind Miss Militia opened, and Armsmaster stepped into the room. For a moment, he simply stood there, staring me down, though I couldn't see it through his visor, I could certainly feel it. Letting the door close behind him, he moved to Militia's right, and away from the glass.
With Armsmaster's arrival, the tension ratcheted up, I knew with my retorts towards Miss Militia I was not making a friend out of her from what her body language was telling. Then again, I had not only killed a Ward, but I was now casting aspersions against the PRT, and by extension, her. She was furious.
But Armsmaster, looking at the grim line set by his mouth and his stance, I had a feeling that Armsmaster didn't like me at all, and that was unlikely to change.
"You claim you were being harassed for a year and a half, do you have any proof to corroborate this claim?"
"Bullied," I corrected, "and if I did, why would I provide it to you? Neither of you have yet to inspire any confidence within me that if I provide you with this so-called evidence, which I will neither confirm nor deny exists, that you won't simply have it destroyed because of its implications."
That seemed to ruffle Miss Militia's feathers as she shot to her feet, "We would never do that!"
I couldn't resist, as I raised an eyebrow, my unbruised one, and snarked, "Really now? Well, I guess whoever was supposed to keep an eye on Sophia didn't get that memo then."
Before Miss Militia couldn't respond, Armsmaster sought to intervene, "Any unauthorized dissemination of a Ward's identity is a violation of the Wards Protection Act, penalty—"
So that is how he's going to play it. Well, two can play that game.
"The 2005 Gordon v. PRT Department 37 of Oklahoma City ruling found that any Ward found in the commission of a felony is not privy to any protections provided by the Wards Protection Act. Considering Sophia attempted to murder me within my own home, I'd say that exceeds the minimum requirement to remove the any protections she may have had under the act."
Whatever else he was going to stay died a silent death, as he stood there. While I wasn't exactly sure the details on Armsmaster's armor, there was enough information out there to make a solid guess that whatever it was he was looking at through his visor wasn't just me. I wouldn't be shocked if he was checking over the case I just referenced. It was a case that hadn't really gotten a lot of media attention when the ruling was passed, partially because there were too many parties that would be interested in suppressing it. The only reason I became aware of the case had been during my research I found an old cached forum that had discussed the case. How it had not been sanitized from the internet escaped me, and at the time, I had been dismissive of it outside of the knowledge it provided. I honestly didn't see it having any usage because it had specific requirements in order to qualify under it. Which just so happened to be fulfilled the second Sophia attempted to murder me.
You just never knew when obscure information may come in handy.
It seemed that Armsmaster had come to the same conclusion, by the deepening of his frown.
"Regardless, you can still be charged with obstruction of justice by withholding any evidence in regards to Shadow Stalker's civilian identity."
I was about to retort in what court would he convict me when there was a knock at the door, and then it opened and in walked another man. This one wasn't a hero, nor was he wearing any of the uniforms or attire I'd attach to the PRT. Instead, he wore a blue button up business shirt with a dark green bordering on black sweater and casual khaki slacks. He was balding, about my height, and he was wearing a pair of glasses that shone in the bright interrogation lighting. If anything, the man could have easily passed a school counselor.
"Who are you," Armsmaster demanded, though I had a feeling who it was.
"Karl Elias, Mister Hebert hired me to represent his daughter," the man responded, walking past both heroes and over to my side. If he noted the lack of a second seat and was annoyed by it, he didn't show it, instead placing down his briefcase on the table, "I heard you were accusing my client of obstruction."
"She is withholding evidence for an ongoing case," Miss Militia deciding now was the time to jump back into the fray.
He then turned to face me, "Is this true, Miss Hebert?"
Now, my first thought had been to toss this lawyer out the second he claimed to be here from my father. After all, I doubt my father had the wherewithal (or the money) to actually hire a lawyer for this sort of thing, considering what the charges that could be leveled on me would be. I was actually expecting a feckless, useless lawyer the likes of what Canary was currently getting in Boston. And for a brief second, my mouth opened to actually tell him off when he gave me that disappointed look, but then I stopped when I caught a look in his eyes. Despite the tone and expression, the man was amused. As if he was in on some joke that no one else was privy to.
I now had to wonder exactly where my father had dug this man up, because he certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Maybe I could utilize him, it was certainly much easier than pulling my weight on my own, considering I was pressing the envelope on what was believable for a fifteen year old, even with the excuses I did have.
So, with a quick mental command to one of my clones, one that was now logging into my account as Tenshi, I decided to answer.
"I have three notebooks serving as a journal and a thumb drive full of emails detailing the year and a half of harassment and abuse I suffered at the hands of the civilian identity of Shadow Stalker, alongside my former friend, Emma Barnes, and Madison Clements. The only obstruction I am guilty of is being worried that if I do provide this evidence to them, they will misplace it."
The lawyer hummed, turning to look at both Armsmaster and Miss Militia, "Yes, I could see why you would be worried, but, for the record's sake, since they have been recording this entire conversation, do you have any reason why you believe this?"
Oh, he was pretty good. Now I was certainly interested in where Dad found this guy. I could already see the pieces he was moving with those questions and statements. If they were recording this, they couldn't lose the evidence that I had stated that I had now that there was a second person, a legal representative, who could reaffirm my statement, which undercut any attempt they may have made.
"A year and a half of bullying, Mr. Elias," came my response, "the fact that none of this ever reached the PRT tells me that whoever they had checking up on Shadow Stalker was either completely, terrifyingly incompetent, or in on it. What's to stop them from doing the same? I mean, they already didn't inform me that as a minor that I had a right to an advocate or parent before they began interrogating me."
It must have been like Christmas for Mr. Elias, as his expression became almost sharklike as he smiled, "Really now," he asked rhetorically, turning to look at both heroes, "you are aware that the Massachusetts State Law requires that a juvenile over the age of fourteen must have an opportunity to consult with an interested adult, unless a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver by my client of her Miranda protections. Taylor, were you allowed such an opportunity to even fulfill that requirement?"
"No, I was not."
"Then we're done here."
"Mr. Elias," Armsmaster snapped, "your client is a person of interest in the death of a Ward. She will answer our questions."
"A Ward that showed up in her bedroom and tried to kill her, Armsmaster," came the cool reply from her lawyer, "it'll be a cold day in hell before a DA charges her with anything, especially considering that if my client is telling the truth, and I have no reason to doubt she is, that the reason that Ward was trying to kill her was to kill the key witness to her guilt. So you will allow my client and I to leave, right now, and I only file a complaint on your unlawful interrogation and reckless endangerment for failure to provide adequate medical treatment to my client, or you continue to persist and I add unlawful detention along with every other single thing I can think up in the time between me leaving here and filing said complaints."
For a moment, I thought Armsmaster was not going to budge, willing to continue with all of this. But either he came to the decision himself, or maybe someone else was telling him in that helmet, it was evident judging by his expression that whatever his orders were, they were not happy ones because he was grinding his teeth.
"We'll be in contact," he finally said, "our only request is that you hold off going to the press at this time. For Shadow Stalker's family at least."
It was a decent request, because if I did go to the press with it, then Sophia's family would likely be targeted immediately by the Empire 88. It was one of those low-hanging fruits that they wouldn't be able to resist. Even if it allowed the PRT to get its proverbial ducks in a row.
But before I could get a word in, Mr. Elias simply returned the request with a, "My client will take that under advisement," before offering me a hand up, "Let's go, Miss Hebert, and get you looked at, since the PRT doesn't seem interested in doing it."
I took the hand, and was helped up. I had carefully schooled my expression back into calmness, despite my feelings on the way everything had gone. Honestly, I was still coming to grasp with the lawyer interruption, and not only a lawyer, but a competent one.
I wonder how much it would cost me to sic him on the Canary case. I wasn't exactly flush with cash, but I wasn't liking the precedent that was slowly getting made over there. I could see what they were doing in Boston being used against me if they ever had an opportunity to..
Food for thought for later. But for now, I'd focus on the fact that I was currently walking out of the PRT Headquarters. While I had not fulfilled all I had planned in there once I had made the decision to kill Sophia and pin it upon me, I had done enough to at least create a credible smokescreen to distract them away from the reality of who I was.
So it was to my shock, enough that I almost stumbled when the clone that I had logged in under my Tenshi account had linked up to me. I was looking through its eyes staring at the computer screen, the clone's surprise easily adding to my own shock at what was on it.
EPiggotENE: We need to talk. Soon as possible. Face to Face.
Emily Piggot
Director
Protectorate ENE
Well—Damn.