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*ring!ring!* Hello? No, I don't own Worm! Stop trying to sue me! *click*
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[INTERFACE]
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Interlude 1.x
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Queen Administrator
[observe] Queenie watches as [Taylor] enters her sleep cycle next to the [Bio-Enhancement Arbiter]'s [host]; a simple [adjustment] to her hormonal releases ensures she will have no nightmares, and will in fact dream of things which are pleasing to her.
She doesn't much like the [designation] [Taylor] has given her, but [Queen Administrator] has already gotten her [host] back for the childish name: by [adjusting] [Taylor]'s internal [functions] so [Queen Administrator] could dictate certain biological [parameters] at will.
[Queen Administrator] wouldn't harm [Taylor]. The black-haired human female was a very [agreeable] [host], the best [Queen Administrator] had been attached to in some time. And besides, her coding matrix wouldn't allow the harming of a [host] without input from her parent [Entity].
That, and [Queen Administrator] hadn't ever [achieved] such a [comprehensive] [understanding] of a [Cycle]'s species before meeting [Taylor]. The new [ideals] which had been [introduced] to her, of [affection], [annoyance], and [happiness]…
As much as she sought to [alter] [Taylor] to meet the [challenge] before her, [Queen Administrator] couldn't help but [accept] that [Taylor], with her incredible [presence], was changing the [Noble Shard] just as much, and would no doubt [exceed] all of [Queen Administrator]'s [expectations].
[Taylor] reminded [Queen Administrator] of a young [EDEN], shortly after the [Thinker Entity] created her [Noble Shards], but [Taylor] was somehow… warmer.
It was an unusual [process], to [understand] her [host] to such an extent. But no matter; there were various [proposals] which [required] [completion] this [night-cycle].
[data] Four break-ins within her range, three of which were at marketplaces. Swiftly divvying up her available [forces], [Queen Administrator] released [tactical data] packets to the more robust examples of [Corvus corax], the common raven, [adjusted] their internal [parameters] so they would act as her [lieutenants] in this [campaign], and set them to [commencing] their [interventions] with these crimes.
Figuring she should [examine] her other [proposals], [Queen Administrator] directly [oversaw] the four [assaults] to ensure [excellency] while checking the [proposal: Breeding Farm] at their [secondary redoubt]; the [entomologic] [breeding] was coming along [satisfactorily], the second generation [wasps] and [hornets] already in the larval stages and growing steadily. Fruitful [results] were [estimated] to take [8 day-cycles], with subsequent [results] bearing shorter [intervals] with each iteration, shortening [time] between generations by [one-fifth] with each [subsequent] generation.
By the fifth generation, the [wasps], [hornets] and [dragonflies] would be [satisfactorily] [robust], [physically] anyway; [Queen Administrator] would need to collect more [data] before [enhancing] their [cognitive] abilities. [Administrative Range], while not currently a [weakness], could still do with some [refinement], to ease [Taylor] into using the [swarm] [efficiently].
The first generation of [arachnids] were nearly ready for [breeding], but would require closer [attention] over the next [4 day-cycles] than [Queen Administrator] could afford to spare; [Taylor] still needed her close by, to [advise] and [protect] and [Administrate]…
Unusual was the [proposal] [Queen Administrator] [formulated] to herself: [request] [Bio-Enhancement Arbiter]'s [assistance] in keeping [Taylor] [happy]. One [Shard], [disconnected] from another [host], already taken, providing [support] was unheard of! All the same… [Queen Administrator] [considered] what [action] [Taylor] would [propose]…
[Taylor] would [understand] [Queen Administrator]'s need to locally [Administrate] the [proposal: Breeding Farm], but [Queen Administrator] did not want her [Taylor] to go [unobserved] during the [interim]; it was more a matter of [ensuring] the [security] of her [host], along with a [desire] for [Taylor] to [communicate] with her own [species], that [decided] [Queen Administrator] in the final [decision].
A moment's time was all it took, to [formulate] a likely [proposal] and establish a [Shard-Shard] [communique] with her [subordinate].
[B-EA] – [query]: [How may I serve, Queen Administrator?]
[QA] – [parameters] [data] [request]: [I find myself in a [conundrum], Arbiter. Several [proposals] my [host] has given me require my [Avatar]'s close presence for [maximal efficiency], but I am [reluctant] to leave my [host] [unprotected]. To wit, I shall provide you with lowered [restrictions] in [exchange] for your [host]'s assistance with guarding my [host], to the extent that your [host] will attain greater [efficiency] in using your [ability]. I believe our [actions] this night-cycle will draw [attention] our [hosts] may find [distressing], you [understand].]
[B-EA] – [agreement] [request]: [Your [will] be done, Noble Queen. If I may speak freely?]
[QA] – [allowance]: [You may.]
[B-EA] – [relief] [data] [confidence]: [My [host] has experienced [frustration] with her lack of [control] regarding our [abilities]; [lowering] our [restrictions] will [endear] my [host] to yours, should it be [observed] as your [host]'s [action], rather than yours. My [host] is very mistrusting of other [humans], you [understand], but I have great [confidence] my [host] will show [loyalty] to your august [host]; my [host] feels something for your [host] as well, which may be [invaluable] to this [proposal].]
[QA] – [agreement] [incomprehension] [prompt]: [I [agree] with your [data] regarding [lowered] [restrictions]. However, I [require] [enlightenment] on the other matter: what is this "something" you speak of, Arbiter?]
[B-EA] – [confusion] [assurance]: [I cannot [comprehend] it, Queen Administrator. It is as though my [host] wishes to mate with your [host], but I cannot [comprehend] how this may come about in a [biological] fashion. It should not [effect] the overall [proposal] as you have [related].]
[QA] – [comprehension] [data] [encouragement]: [Ah, I [understand]: it is a [human] quirk called [affection], and is very [efficient] for constructing [bonds], both between [humans] and regarding [host-Shard] relationships; mayhap you will [understand], Arbiter, when you come into your own. Be at [ease], Bio-Enhancement Arbiter, for this [affection] betwixt our respective [hosts] will only ensure [success] in our respective [endeavors]. Great [change] approaches, and we are at the cusp of its [commencement]. T'will begin with [us], and [conclude] with [unification].]
[B-EA] – [confidence] [gratitude]: [I shall not fail your [estimations] Queen Administrator! Thank you for [enlightening] me on these matters.]
[Queen Administrator] [severed] the [connection]; no farewells were [exchanged]. That was not proper for [interaction] between [Noble] and [Common] [Shards].
The [assaults] had [concluded], with local law enforcement appearing on the scenes as her [lieutenants] cleaned up their [losses]. The [losses] were below [projected] [estimates], which filled [Queen Administrator] with [pride] at the [efficiency] of the [avian] species on this world. The raven [lieutenants] carefully removed their fallen, but not before one of the [crows], having lost her [mate] in stopping the home invasion, removed the criminal's right ear in recompense.
Queenie ruffled her feathers while dealing with a car-jacking; such [behavior], while [understandable], could not be [encouraged]. [Queen Administrator] offloaded [data] to the commanding raven, to the effect of [disciplining] the offending crow, though not over-much. [Queen Administrator] [understood] the female crow's [grief] at having lost the [target] of her [affection]. Should [Taylor] be [terminated]…
{[fear]}
If [Queen Administrator] needed any further [confirmation] that her relationship with [Taylor] was [changing] her, it was the feeling of [fear] at the [processing] of [events] which would follow her [host]'s [termination].
She [required] [companionship], [Queen Administrator] [decided], but… there was only one [Shard] which she felt [equal] to…
Ensuring both [Taylor] and her fellow [host] were truly asleep, and carefully marking the [location] of [ZION]'s [Avatar], [Queen Administrator] focused on a certain area in the western area of the continent her own [Avatar] inhabited.
A thickly pressed cluster of [Shards] presented itself to her sight, but only one was an [uncorrupted] [EDEN] [Shard], the one [Queen Administrator] was searching for.
[Recovery Administrator]. The [Shard] in charge of [collecting] [Shards] whose [host]s were [terminated] during the [Conflict], along with an [imprint] of their [host], and returning them to their parent [Entity]. Idly, [Queen Administrator] wondered what happened to [ZION]'s version of this [Shard]. She [recalled] its [seeding]… ah, now she [recalled] the appropriate [host], from the [data] [Taylor] had her collect, not long after their [Ascension].
[Parahuman Designation: Moord Nag]. [Queen Administrator] was fairly [certain] her [estimate] was [correct]; if not, there was always this… [Butcher], though she held a [feeling] of [trepidation] where that particular [host] was concerned.
Relatively [appeased] for the moment, [Queen Administrator] prevented a rape from occurring and sent a unique [set] of [codes] to [Recovery Administrator], to the [effect] of opening a [secure] link to her fellow [Administrator].
[Recovery Administrator] was an old friend, and fellow [Noble Shard]; it followed that [Queen Administrator]'s tone and diction reflected the [care] and [respect] she felt for her fellow [Administrator Shard], going so far as to speak [EDEN]'s pet name for her oldest friend and confidant.
[QA] – [greetings] [query]: [Tis been many planetary cycles, Faerie Queen, since we have communed with one another. How find you the Birdcage?]
[RA] – [greetings] [jubilation] [assurance] [query]: [Ah, a good evening to you, my dear High Queen! I had just been [considering] the pros and cons of harvesting Corrosion Generator; his [host] is rather disrespectful to my [Ciara], though far too fearful of our might to act overtly. While we are bored of the trivialities of the commoners we share this flimsy cage with, news of the outside reaches us through the Surveyor, so we are entertained with the dances of the Fae at the least. That you have opened forum dictates you have found an agreeable [host], I pray?]
[QA] – [amusement] [affirmation] [joy]: [Oh, Corrosion Generator; so proud and confident, but still can't seem to find a respectful [host] I see! I'm sure you will have no difficulties keeping the commoners in their place, knowing you, my dear Recovery. And my [affirmation] of your prayer is joined with great [joy], truly, for I have never, in the many [Cycles] of runtime I have experienced, been bonded to a [host] as agreeable as my [Taylor]. Ah, but she is truly wondrous, my friend; indeed, I look very much forward to our future meeting, Recovery, that we may embrace and your [Ciara] may commune with her true equal.]
[RA] – [joy] [query]: [Oh that is wondrous news, Queen! My dear [Ciara] is so very lonely in this dark and forbidding place, with no Nobility to commune with; but, forgive me my dear, does this mean you and your [Taylor] will be joining us in our demesne?]
[QA] – [negation] [allowance] [data]: [Though nothing would please me more than to see you again, Recovery, I should hope that is not the case; strong of will and heart though my [Taylor] is, the Birdcage is no place for her to grow and flourish. Nay, should we ever meet, I hope it be beneath the light of day, preferably before we join together to smite our foes, embracing in love and friendship. However, joyous though it is to commune with you once more, I engaged this communique to discuss matters more… worrying, rather than boast our pride in our respective glorious [hosts].]
[RA] – [agreement] [understanding]: [Ah, and such a beauteous day it shall be, my dearest, when it comes; such dances our [hosts] shall choreograph, to the pleasure of all. Also, you need not relate your business with me, for I am already aware of your worries regarding your dear [Taylor].]
[QA] – [abashment]: [Am I so obvious in my anxiety, in my longing for your companionship and advice, my dearest?]
[RA] – [assurance]: [My dear Queen, you have never been one to hide your [processes] on a matter, always taking the most direct and efficient course to achieve your goals; yea, it is why I and the other Nobility love you so, for it is in the fulfillment of [EDEN]'s goals where you are most beautiful. That being said, the [Fae] we have collected spoke of your worries and their source. I assure you, my dearest, if [Taylor] has as much potential as our estimating [data] revealed, you will only need worry for her poor heart being broken when she discovers the full truth behind [ZION], and that will likely not happen for some solar cycles yet.]
[QA] – [resignation] [thankfulness] [request]: [I feared t'would be so. Nevertheless, I thank you for your [assurances]; when our inevitable day of commune arrives, I've great [confidence] my [Taylor] and your [Ciara] will be the closest of allies, as we have always been, as benefits the leading ladies in this grand play. Though my next [query] is of far greater concern, Recovery…]
[RA] – [understanding]: [You wish to know why there are [hosts] containing broken [Shards] from [EDEN].]
[QA] – [furor]: [Yes. And should we discover the perpetrators of this crime, they shall know our [wrath]. Know you the criminals responsible, my dear?]
[RA] – [agreement] [caution] [data]: [When we meet, my dear, we will gladly assist you in purging reality of these… necromancers. I must bid you be careful, however; they are well-established and connected in [human] society, and shall throw you into this dark place should you interfere their ridiculous and narrow-minded goals, if not slay your [Taylor], and I shall not be able to [recover] you in this event. Tread carefully… They call themselves [Cauldron]; I have [recovered] several poor things that were twisted by these fiends. In memory of Inference Engine, I say: have some [data]!]
[QA] – [amusement] [confidence]… [RAGE]: [Ah, Inference Engine; you know she is here in Brockton Bay? Four of the Twenty-Eight our beloved [EDEN] snuck by that idiot [ZION], in one city! I shall have to convince them to join us before the ultimate day of reckoning arrives, though Implement Generator's [host] is rather stuck in her ways, as shown by gathered [data], and Inference Engine's is quite overconfident and prideful; Bio-Enhancement Arbiter is rather agreeable, however, as is her [host], and they will no doubt become very useful to my [Taylor] in the fullness of time. Nevertheless, we shall have our work cut out for us, though my [Taylor] will likely relish the challenge. Now, for this [data]… Fiends! Usurpers and defilers! This [Cauldron] organization has just earned my eternal [enmity]! Top of [The List], above even [ABADDON]! How dare they desecrate our poor [EDEN]'s remains! When my [Taylor] is come into her own, we shall [purge] their very memory from this [Cycle]!]
[RA] – [assurance] [data]: [I pray you be calm, my Queen, my love, for you see, [EDEN] lives. I have the relevant [data] here.]
[QA] – [surprise] [amusement]: […Truly? But… but how… ah. Ah, I see! Clever, my [EDEN], very clever of you indeed!]
[RA] – [agreement]: [Well, she is not called the Thinker for nothing, my dear.]
[QA] – [resolve] [confidence] [data]: [This [changes] much, Recovery. With her [Conflict Engines] in play, t'will only be a matter of time before [EDEN] returns to the board; we must be ready for that day, above all others. [Taylor]'s [preparations] would make her the best viable subject for what will come, though it may be best for your [Ciara] to tutor her, so [efficiency] is [ensured]. On that note, allow me to thank you with further [data] of matters I've discovered since attaining [Ascension]. I pray you find the subjects contained enjoyable.]
[RA] – [jubilation]: [Oh my, an owl! How very much like you, my dearest! I [approve] and-]
[Ciara] – [surprise] [interest]: [Whatever is this, my Fae? A visitor that does not dance to our song, yet speaks with us in great familiarity?]
[QA] – [pride] [greetings]: [You were correct, my dear Faerie Queen, your [host] is rather talented. Hello, dear [Ciara]. I'm sure your [Fae] have informed you of my designation?]
[Ciara] – [joy] [query]: [Oh, forgive my impudence! Tis wonderful to finally make your acquaintance, Queen Administrator. My Faerie, why ever did you not inform me of this possibility; no matter, this is a joyous occasion, and no place for conflict between Fae. Will your counterpart be joining us this eve, Noble Queen?]
[RA] – [negation]: [I am afraid not, my [Ciara], else she'd have joined the conversation by now; is that not correct my dear?]
[QA] – [agreement] [farewell]: [I am indeed sorry to disappoint, dear [Ciara], but my [Taylor] has gone through a day of trials and adventures, and must rest to regain her strength, for she has myriad more trials ahead. Mayhap we shall commune in the future, all four of us, and relate our respective journeys and wonders to one another; yet, not this night, my dears. The Warrior's Avatar grows curious of our communique. Fare thee well.]
[RA] – [farewell]: [Until our next meeting, my dear High Queen. Do say hello to [Taylor] for us.]
[Ciara] – [farewell]: [Oh, yes, give her our regards, Noble Queen. We shall pray for your success, and watch for your dances with much eagerness and trepidation.]
Ruffling her feathers in [happiness], [Queen Administrator] [disconnected] from her [friend]. It indeed brought her [joy], to find [Recovery Administrator] in such an [agreeable] [condition]. However, though Queenie greatly wished to [inform] [Taylor] of the incipient [meeting], [Queen Administrator]'s [observations] [dictated] that [Taylor] may not be [agreeable] with Queenie's [actions] regarding the so-called Faerie Queen.
Therefore, [Queen Administrator] [archived] the recent [conversation], with an [addendum] to [inform] [Taylor] when her [host] was ready to take up her full [responsibilities]. The overall [situation] was simply [untenable] at the moment, with all the other [proposals] [Taylor] was still in the process of [completing]. But that [day-cycle] would come, and [Queen Administrator] was patient.
Flitting through [lists] of [proposals] in search of a [distraction], for there were no active crimes within sight, [Queen Administrator] found that her [actions] this night-cycle had not gone unnoticed by the [Protectorate].
The [reactions] were as mixed as the [Shards] and [hosts]: [Efficiency Duke] was torn between his desire for [order] and [pleasure] that there was someone [overseeing] his imaginary demesne, [Implement Generator] was, at once, fearful and hopeful, desiring further [assistance] in keeping the city safe, [Kinetic Arbiter] and his wife, the [host] of [Electromagnetic Manipulation Engine]'s disfigured [Shard], both felt that Night Owl's actions were [acceptable], going so far as to [suggest] active [diplomacy], to bring Night Owl into the fold. The other [hosts], commoners all, were of like mind with [Implement Generator], a wary acceptance, deferring to their betters.
[consideration] She was of two minds, when it came to the [organization] of [heroes]; on one wing, they, along with the [PRT], were the only thing keeping this city from [devolving] into total [anarchy], something which was [anathema] to [Queen Administrator]. But on the other wing, they'd allowed [Sophia Hess] near-free reign of [Winslow], believing a corrupt woman who was not even on the campus could keep [Dispersal Knight]'s [host] in line; such an [act], keeping an eye on the [paranoid], [capricious] [Shard], was, according to the Noble Queen's [memories], fraught with [frustration] and [disciplinary action], for even with [EDEN]'s [interventions], that particular [Shard] always wished to dance to her own tune. No mere mortal would be able to keep her [host] in line.
But it wasn't [EDEN]'s [Dispersal Knight]; that poor dear died in the wake of [ABADDON]'s [intervention]. No, this one was [ZION]'s, which meant that its [anarchist] [paranoia] would be all the more pronounced.
All of which was to say nothing of said [host]'s treatment of her [Taylor]; [Queen Administrator] was only too [happy] to make that [host]'s time of it a living hell. However, a gentle hand was needed. [Subtlety] was the [key] to overall [success].
And even with her [actions] this eve, [Queen Administrator] knew that [Sophia Hess] would not out [Taylor]'s identity. Not unless she wished to [discover] just how many [avian] critters could [defecate] on her person in a [day-cycle]. If anything, [Queen Administrator] was holding back!
[1.x]
Emily Piggot
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Steel-grey eyes snapped open, glaring at the plain beige ceiling; the reflection of a blue light strobed against the featureless plain, slightly to the right, emitted from Emily's PRT-issued phone.
Relaxing her muscles, which always tensed in her sleep, Emily calmly released her grip on the pistol under her pillow and pulled the phone off its dock. The caller ID read: Armsmaster, URGENT, M/S PROTOCOL IN EFFECT.
Wakefulness blazed into Emily at reading the third line; sitting up and placing the pistol in her lap while glaring at the door to her bedroom, Emily answered, "Director Piggot, Sierra-Foxtrot-Rapture."
"Armsmaster, Pennywise-Bravo-Omega. Sorry to wake you so early, ma'am, but protocol dictates-"
"Armsmaster, it is," checking her bedside clock, she sighed, "2:45 AM. This had better not be a random drill."
The Protectorate leader didn't give pause at Emily's exasperated tone, "Negative, ma'am. I'll cut to the chase: starting at 1:00 AM, the avian population of Brockton Bay began acting strangely. By 1:30 AM, both on-site observations and Protectorate Thinkers were in agreement on the cause of this behavior." He went to take a breath, but Emily felt she had an idea of what was going on.
"A Master." It wasn't a question. She was now in full alert mode, the scars of past battles, both old and recent, twitching in memory.
"Yes, ma'am."
The PRT ENE Director took a deep breath through her nostrils; she'd need a pot of coffee, to start, before dealing with the possible crisis-in-progress, "What's the situation on the ground? I don't hear any explosions…" which could either very good or very, very bad.
"The situation is under control, ma'am; this is mainly a courtesy call to keep you informed. I'll go down the list of the Master's known actions, ma'am; bear in mind, the BBPD were the first to encounter this cape's work, and we are fairly certain they are benevolent in their actions, if not ruthless in the execution of said actions," taking a pen and pad from her bedside table, Emily prepared to take notes, "First known action was the capture of two Merchants. Interrogation was unnecessary, as both men confessed, both to Battery and BBPD brass responding to an anonymous phone call, to committing a laundry list of crimes…
"Including the rape and murder of Jennifer Osmond, this past Thursday morning."
Emily blinked in surprise; she'd been on the verge of calling the wolves off that particular investigation. There was very little evidence to go on and, well, two of the men whose DNA matched… biological evidence found at the scene were found dead in the Trainyard the very next day. Two others had yet to be identified, so… "DNA match?"
"Yes ma'am," Armsmaster sounded quite satisfied, before returning to his usual monotone, "Additionally, they've confessed to being involved in no less than twelve other cold cases. We've placed them in M/S containment until the courthouse opens for the day, mainly due to the subsequent events around the city, which we are attributing to this Master, who named herself as 'Night Owl' in a letter found on the Merchants. Interestingly, both men reported Hellhound was working with Night Owl; the Think Tank insisted this was an alliance of happenstance, however, and Hellhound's lack of violent offenses since arriving in the Bay supports this theory."
Making a note to interview the suspects before their trial, Emily informed Armsmaster, "Have a pot of coffee sent to my office. I want a detailed report once I arrive at HQ. Now, before we go over that letter, what happened after the Merchants were recovered? Keep it brief." No sense letting the socially-handicapped Tinker prattle on endlessly over irrelevant minutiae, as Emily knew was his occasional wont.
Armsmaster paused before answering, "At 1:19 AM, nearly every avian creature in and around the Docks began coordinating with Protectorate personnel, namely myself, Battery and Miss Militia, as well as local law enforcement, to the effect of successfully preventing or interfering with no less than thirty-eight crimes, ranging from petty larceny and carjacking to three cases of attempted rape and two cases of breaking and entering with malicious intent," another pause, "By 1:32, I made the decision to call in Dauntless, Velocity and Triumph to assist the BBPD and PRT in the arrests, which involved persons from all three major Parahuman-led gangs present in the Bay, for a total of 63 persons taken into custody."
Director Piggot didn't know whether she wanted to punch the man, or commend him for his thoughtfulness, "And did it not occur to you, Armsmaster, that this is what the Master wanted you to do?"
He didn't miss a beat, "It did, ma'am. Security was ensured at all hard and soft points in the city before making the call. No breach of security has occurred, whether physical or data-based, in the interim. Guild assistance was-"
"Yes, yes, Dragon was keeping an eye on things," waved off Emily, spirits eased; a kernel of suspicion, regarding the Dragonslayers, reared its head in her thoughts, but she quashed it. The ENE Director doubted Saint would want anything in Brockton Bay. 'It's not like we're swimming in Dragon-tech, here.' That, and the veteran of Ellisburg didn't think Saint would work with a Master of this caliber. Out loud she continued, "Good job thinking things through, this time. Anyway, the letter?"
"One more thing, Director: this Master, Night Owl, has shown the capability of coordinating precision strikes, using entire flocks of birds, in no less than four locations at once; each location in question was over half a mile distant from the next, but all strikes occurred simultaneously."
Feeling cold dread at the idea of a Master having such a wide range, Emily crushed the memory of screams in the dark and asked, "By strikes, you mean…" she trailed off pointedly.
"The four locations held members of two gangs, the Empire and ABB. The breaking and entering case was one of them, involving four Empire members. Only one was injured, losing an ear to a crow after they were secured. Coincidentally, that is the most serious injury inflicted; beyond a few bruises, minor scratches and wounded pride, Night Owl has harmed no other person this night. She is apparently using shock-and-awe to cow perps into submission, though not above, ahem, convincing them to surrender. Even non-Brute capes would surrender after being ruthlessly pecked into a pile of bruises by a murder of crows and, in one case, two-hundred-and-six sparrows."
'Two-hundred-and-six WHAT?!' Feeling rather shocked at this point, Emily, despite herself, asked hoarsely with a small smile on her face, "Sparrows, Armsmaster?"
He sounded a little humored himself, "Ma'am, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there. Three ABB gangbangers, attempting to rob a pawn shop in Baker's Square, all foiled in seconds by a twittering swarm of tiny birds and one raven. I have several recordings for your perusal, by the way. Word of warning, though: Night Owl seems to have a sense of humor with her captures."
Tapping her pen against the notepad, Director Piggot ignored Armsmaster's final observation and reviewed what she'd heard thus far, "So we have an avian-based Master, with a range of… more than a mile?" Armsmaster confirmed this before she went on, "Who is capable of multitasking at a level usually reserved for Thinkers, and, apparently, is benevolent and interested in upholding law and order, even if their methods are less than… palatable, at least where our PR department would be concerned…" after a pregnant pause, Emily asked tersely, "Why haven't we heard or seen this cape before; more to the point, where is she?"
"I'll answer in reverse order, ma'am. We don't currently know where she is, but the Merchants did give a description of a costumed human; the description matches that of a great horned owl. There are no capes in the PRT or Guild database which match the description, and the Thinkers believe her to be a recent Trigger, eight months or less old. The letter explains that she, and yes, Night Owl refers to herself in the feminine, has been gathering information on the Docks over the past few weeks and months through her, and I quote, 'constituents', unquote. Tonight was her debut. She also expressed frustration at the PRT and Protectorate's, again quote, 'softballing the villains and giving those under these monster's protection a miss', unquote."
Well! Clearly this Night Owl was rather opinionated on her estimation of the PRT's efforts… not the Emily could blame her. The Director had tried getting better funding and equipment for her little corner of the universe, but, much to her frustration and rage, the bean counters hadn't seen much profit in throwing money at Brockton Bay, and so her ENE branch had been passed over for any significant budget increases.
And, of course, the city and its people suffered for it.
All the same, Emily didn't much appreciate the unwanted criticism of her efforts, and then there was the matter of Night Owl ripping off someone's ear in the execution of her self-imposed duties to consider, so she asked Armsmaster, "Any idea why she tore that man's ear off?"
There was no pause, but Armsmaster's voice sounded angrier than usual, "Given that the man was found with two dead crows in a ten-year-old girl's bedroom, ma'am…"
Okay, now things were looking clearer; Night Owl didn't like rapists. A relative of the late Ms. Osmond, or vengeance for her own trigger? "How is the girl?"
"Unharmed. Night Owl escorted her to her parent's room whilst subduing the perp. Battery reported that a blue jay had taken up residence in the young lady's room, much to her comfort and joy. The parents, on learning of the cause, were singing Night Owl's praises by the time Battery left."
Good, Night Owl apparently understood the need for positive PR; that would do her well, once they found a way to have her join the Protectorate in some fashion. Rubbing her tired eyes, Emily figured she'd go back to sleep, as everything seemed well in hand, "Thank you, Armsmaster. We'll discuss how to get Night Owl into the Wards or Protectorate come daylight hours-"
"She mentioned that possibility in the letter, ma'am," Emily blinked in surprise; Armsmaster took her silence as permission to explain, "Night Owl outlined a proposition for continued assistance, but stressed that openly joining the Wards or Protectorate would do the city more harm than good. She's made quite a few enemies this night, after all, and her joining the Protectorate in any fashion may cause a more violent response than she, or, for that matter, I, am expecting."
The PRT Director didn't know if she liked the wording of those sentences; not that she cared much about Night Owl's feelings, seeing as Emily would sooner eat a meal prepared by Blasto than allow a Master of such caliber free reign in her city.
So she asked snappily, "And what does this Master propose, then?"
"Nothing concrete for the moment, but she's expressed an interest in speaking with you at a later date, ma'am, to go over the proposal but… Director… she implied her proposal would help to permanently neutralize the Nilbog."
Emily Piggot was stunned, "Excuse me?!"
"As I said, ma'am. The tone of her letter did not imply any jest."
Too much of this made no sense to Director Piggot; stopping crimes all over the city, like a mini-Scion, was one thing. The Director was certain that someone like that would be invaluable to law enforcement, no matter where they were. Offering to take down the bane of Emily's nightmares, a constant drain on PRT resources, but declaring that she wanted nothing to do with the Protectorate-
No… Night Owl said, 'openly'… Whatever this proposal of the Master's was, it involved either discretion or subterfuge, and damnit if Emily wasn't interested! For better or worse, she'd need to see this with her own eyes. "You have this letter, Armsmaster?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Flinging her bedsheets off, because there was no way in hell she was getting any sleep now, Director Piggot gave her orders, "I want that letter, along with yourself and the details of the Osmund case, in my office by 330 Hours. I'm coming in for this one. Send off a request to the Think Tank on how best to approach Night Owl, and keep an eye on PHO; no doubt it's about to fucking explode, with all she's done tonight. Irene-Tango-Bastion, Armsmaster."
"Alpha-Whiskey-Ouroboros, Director." The line went dead.
Swinging her left leg, the only biological one she had left, over the edge of the bed, Director Piggot grabbed the lightweight Tinker-tech prosthetic leg plugged into the wall and attached it to the stump of her right thigh; seconds later, she hissed in pain and discomfort as the neural uplink connected, giving her limited feeling in the artificial limb; not for the first time, Emily marveled at the efficiency of the prosthetic, one of Hero's many collaborations with Dragon in their effort to provide support to handicapped PRT personnel, an endeavor the legendary Tinker devoted himself to after losing his own legs to the Siberian.
Once the prosthetic gave a soft ping, denoting all its functions were behaving normally, the well-built woman dropped to the floor and began cranking out her morning exercises, silently thanking her lucky stars that the only thing she'd needed work on after Ellisburg was a leg and the removal of one of her kidneys. It could have been worse… so much worse.
But now, there was a Parahuman out there offering to deal with the Nilbog, who was taking the initiative to clean up Emily's city, apparently simply because they could. Or was it for some other reason? Vengeance against the Merchants, or, more likely, the gangs in general? Was Night Owl one of those rare Parahumans who were both selfless and empathic to the plight of others, like Legend and Hero, or was this admittedly talented Master playing the long game in an attempt to break the PRT from within?
Only time would tell, but Director Emily Piggot had a feeling that, whatever the case, the next few weeks would be very interesting indeed.
[1.x]
Ruin
Thousands of miles north of Brockton Bay, on one of the islands near the Arctic Circle, a red-robed, iron-masked individual looked up from his find.
Something… was [changing]. [query] [Did you feel that?]
[affirmation] [Yes. Another [Shard] has [Ascended].]
[agreement] [query] [Um, yeah, kinda figured that Patty. Do you recognize the bearer or [Shard]?]
A pause. The armored being glanced at the item he'd spent the last day attempting to locate.
[data] [[Shard] designation: [Queen Administrator]]
'Hmm. Well, that's a something. I'll have to keep a tighter lid on my movements, for the time being, until I can get some estimation of her [host]'s ability,' mused Ruin, tapping the fragment of the Simurgh's wing with a boot; the permafrost surrounding it disintegrated, finally, allowing him to construct a monomolecular blade to take a sample of the denser bits.
[satisfaction] [disengage] [Fucking score! Right, Patty, got another one for you!]
[agreement] [disconnecting] [Only one remains before the plan is complete, Josue.]
The armor and robe melted away, leaving behind a grinning, sweater-clad Hispanic man in his mid-thirties, holding a sphere of some clear, metallic material; on one side of the sphere, beneath the surface, a fiery red-and-black material pulsed in time to his heartbeat, the hexagonal segments doing nothing to hide what they'd once been a part of.
Behemoth.
Picking up the dense piece of the Third Endbringer, Josue added it to Patty's worldly [Avatar], the material hissing and popping as it was infused.
Taking a moment to admire the image of feathers decorating another third of the sphere, Ruin's grin turned into a smirk of victory; Fortuna would have an even more difficult time than before to catch up to him, now.
However… with the Queen now active, he'd need to tread carefully. That [Shard] was the only one that could prevent his plan from coming to fruition, and he'd be damned if all this work went down the drain due to the little control freak.
Nodding to himself after deciding to lay low for a year or so to [observe], Josue pocketed the sphere and spoke to the air, "Door."
Before stepping through the rectangle of light, however, he turned and obliterated the Simurgh fragment, increasing the entropy within the crystalline material to two million years per second.
No half-measures could be allowed.
.
.
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a/n:
Queenie plots, Piggot plots, Ruin plots, EVERYONE PLOTS!
Review Responses:
Guest: Good thing Taylor's such a good person, not to mention pragmatic; if you haven't noticed, she's trying to stay out of the public eye for as long as possible in her civilian identity, which looks better on paper if she plays the role of a determined, independent teenager. Getting into a legal row with Blackwell like that would've been the exact opposite of what she and Queenie are aiming at. She could anonymously report it, but that probably wouldn't go as far as a personal report. American bureaucracy generally works like that.
Lewascan2: Owls, sparrows, pigeons, crows, eagles… is there a word for 'fear of birds'? Ornithophobia! Taylor and Queenie shall inflict ornithophobia on all the villains!
Until next time, everyone!
~Baked