It was not hard to go after the regular gang members. Facing another cape was an altogether different action. In the few months that she took to take down the Merchants she realized that she could not do this alone, but with being an alien in more ways than one and that what she did see as completely ineffective police force and the PRT only got involved if there was a cape involved. Both worked against each other. In fact, because of the laws surrounding capes, you wanted to have capes in your gang or criminal organization.
This being that the BBPD would ignore your gang so long as you stayed hidden in some way. It was why they stayed away from the better sections of the city and its suburbs. The docks and train yards where shipping had stalled and then failed was a good location for gangs to operate out of. The Boardwalk being one of the few places of open gang involvement from the enforcers surrounding those tourist stores. She felt them just as much as the Force allowed her to. On the PRT side they were exactly what they were named to be. Parahuman Response Team. They responded to the violent crime of a parahuman. However, any crimes found after the fact were investigated poorly due to all their processes leading to classified information.
All in all, they worked together to keep the Brockton Bay working and just barely. Removing the Merchants had an effect as both the ABB and the E88 wanted to move into the area, but another group was causing problems in the southern docks. Skye had found little about Faultline's Crew other than most of their local business was legitimate which was another strange thing that was allowed. Their club was open to the public and the parahumans that worked for her were deformed or altered.
The international shipping docks were blocked by the dozens of sunk ships in that section of the bay. The entrance that protected the bay was on the northeast side and the PRT ENE HQ Rig was at the most southern point. You could drive to just below the rig with their ground speeders call cars, but only a few trucks did so to drop off supplies otherwise small landing craft that used to be used by the military went back and forth from the Rig to land at the southern docks which had only recreational marinas and the north end of the Boardwalk. These docks are as old as the bay and other then several lobster boats and ocean fisheries farther in nearer to Archer's Bridge.
The several miles of the wider part of the bay and the historical nature of the south side prevented any other bridges from being built. This left the heavy industrial rail yard and international docks that could handle the big cargo ships and the longshoremen suburbs and inner-city housing cut off from the commercial district, downtown and the more middle upper class and upper-class suburbs and the touristic old town. Faultline's Crew was on the edge of the warehouse district and in the better parts that still had some use which covered the open market.
The Merchants used the more run-down parts of the warehouse district and the docks that bordered the slums of the Brockton Bay area and the rail yard. The rail yard was the sole domain of Trainwreck, a homeless parahuman that was obsessed of keeping others away from the yard. He protected the other homeless and was not a stranger to my lighthouse lunch counter since I took over. ABB or Azn Bad Boys covered both sides of the river. They controlled Archer's Bridge after they consolidated into one Asian run gang. This pushed the Merchants into the residential dock area. It was the reason that ABB could move in on the area that I had cleared of the gangs.
The simple solution was to destroy the bridge causing the city to be split in half. This was not a positive action as it would cause anyone who needed to travel from the north to the south and back again have to drive off into the more congested city streets to head farther inland to the next river crossing some three miles upriver and another reason was it was part of Highway 95. With the better protected main docks blocked by the big ships only the smaller pleasure craft and fishing craft could get around them.
E88 was in control of most of the commercial district and dealt their drugs in the middle and upper class neighborhoods. They could be even seen at times downtown though rarely as the PRT HQ sat in the former central police station after it had been gutted and rebuilt after the Longshoreman riots. Mixed in with the PRT and E88 was the New Wave hero group and Coil who I found out had some control over the enforcers on the Boardwalk. His group was very hard to track down any information. His page on PHO was nearly empty only his costume was noted as being a white snake on a full black body suit. His voice was measured and lacked any accent to identify his racial background.
In the middle of all this was the Dock Workers Union as they protected the only working dock. No parahumans in the group, but most of them were not small as they did any construction jobs in the area as well. Then there was Uber and L33t. Such strange to have a name including numbers, but other posters on PHO type Leet. Which made him made for some reason. Everything they did was about games, and I watched all of their videos. They were villains, but the worst they did was hit prostitutes and theft. Skye was sure they had their hideout somewhere in her territory, but she had not found them yet. She was unsure of whether she would do anything about them. There was this new group that was in the area, but other than claiming to hit an ABB location she didn't find anything else.
It was another thing that made me wonder. Sure, I had face species discrimination in my studies and from a mission here and there, but these humans took it to another level to separate their race into several sub races based solely on color of their skin. They even went so far as to and in Northerner and Southerner discrimination. Even to point out people who were white trash typically poor or whites that acted like city blacks so confusing, but it was not as bad as it was against people who did not follow the common mating rituals. That was an issue Skye did not see a single problem with. Though that is after meeting her birth family there was an off comment that she had a bit of Zeltron genetics, and they were known for being overly pansexual. Very high disease resistance too.
My attention was grabbed as Ayfour beeped and whistled out that I should listen. To the radio. It was the news and found it informative on most days, but it had rarely anything good to say. Weather mild and milder with wind and waves as the snow was slowly melting away raising the river level some to counter the movement of the tides. Perhaps it would be a good time to fish? The fresh water possibly cleaning out the bay sediment. Though she had seen fishers on the shores she never saw any of them keep the fish they caught.
RESOLUTION
"In further news the courts have released a statement about the bullying case against a former Ward. Several PRT supervisors had been fired over their mismanagement of the probation of a local cape called Shadow Stalker. The Winslow school district fired both the principal and the vice principal, and the Superintendent barely kept their position. Though that could be changed as the school board has seen a major turn over due to their mismanagement. Several teachers have been forced to switch with the other schools in the area as their union is blocking any termination demands." Skye got up and moved closer to the radio.
"However, the main part of the statement came after the court sentenced both Emma Barnes and Madison Clements to the Forestry Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Center in upper New Hampshire for their part in the bullying campaign against fellow student Taylor Hebert that ended up with her in the hospital for nearly a month and a current lawsuit on top of any criminal cases. Shadow Stalker who was outed by the PRT to be Sophia Hess is still in court and if charge could face sentencing that would put her in the Baumann Parahuman Containment Center or be transferred out to Rikers Correctional Center in NY. With the convictions of the other two girls here, the court case is almost guaranteed to follow suit. More after this brief message."
Skye sat down and meditated. Letting the Force surround her and calm her. She had not had any other visions, but such news did bring up the memories of the incident and the previous visions. Perhaps she should visit Taylor to see how she is doing? As she meditated hours passed and it was morning before she popped her eyes open. Ayfour had several messages and listened as she worked out all over the warehouse. Looking up out of the hole in the ceiling it looked like it would be a nice day. One they called Saturday. With a change of clothing, she waved her hand at the heavy door that opened out to the street to open the locks. She shut the door and the same locks moved back into position.
Her hair was placed in two ponytails that stuck out of her head band covering her ears. The body suit she wore kept her dry and pulled her sweat to the outside to evaporate through the soft sweat suit she wore. Most of the time she ran all over the docks, but she headed straight for Archer's Bridge and into the residential area that contained Taylor's house. She probably should not have searched out her house, but from time to time she was concerned with the girl. Not enough to reveal herself to the girl, but enough to see she was doing a bit better.
Several times she walked the halls of Winslow to see if anything had changed. The cameras were being worked on at one point and a security team was very diligent in the main entrances taking weapons like knives no matter how big from the students. Something that should have been done in the past. Her Force stealth still got her passed these points to see the walls had been repainted to cover the graffiti. The more artistic students had converted those areas into school spirit themed murals. Getting closer to Taylor's home she reached out with the Force and felt Taylor moving away from the block she lived on. Picking up the pace she found the girl was out running herself.
In a matter of minutes, she was running alongside of the girl, and she was startled but matched the slightly faster pace that Skye was maintaining. With the Force she looked over the girl and found she was in much better shape. As they reached the Boardwalk Skye slowly began to notice there were an excessive number of insects in the area. She expanded her presence in the Force and after running half the length she felt that Taylor was linked to these bugs. Skye had not seen any parahumans who could control insects, so it had to be that she had not done anything yet. The Force, however, was not silent now that she could feel the influence she had over the insects.
She then noticed that the girl had several dozen hiding inside of her clothing. Interesting to see how the Force swirled around her. It was the first time she had seen such an effect on any one person. Sure, she had seen it in different places from some act in the past or possible future, but around a person was very interesting. They continued to run and at the end of the Boardwalk instead of turning around she stopped. This made Skye stop as well to stretch as the girl stretched. Her breathing slowed and evened out as she visited a water fountain. Skye waited until she finished and drank a few swallows.
"Thanks for running..." Skye looked at her as she stopped almost frozen. Recognition flowed through to her from the Force as Taylor's face switched through several different emotions. Skye waited calmly and increase the width of her mouth to signal a partial confused smile. She wanted to grin fully, but there could be several other reasons for the looks Taylor was giving her. Then she swallowed hard just before taking a deep breath before speaking.
"You're her."
"I am who?" She then frowned before letting out a sigh.
"I guess you are not. Um, thanks for pushing my pace a bit faster. Kinda nice running with someone." She moved part of her damp hair behind one of her ears. Skye's grin grew just before she gave the other girl a small bow.
"I am Skye Zassi Riflus and you were not wrong."
"Taylor Hebert..." Her face betrayed several more emotions and suddenly was a model of calm that Jedi strive for. The Force reveled she had pushed her emotions out into the insects that were on her and around the area for some distance.
"You saved me? You are the rogue called Skye, but that is not done. You can't let them use your real name." She paused as she paced away and then came back. "Wait that is not your real name. I mean Zassi Riflus? What kind of name is that?"
"I came to the Temple with the name Skye. Zassi was one of the Jedi that inspired me as a youngling when I passed my initiate trials. I added Riflus another Jedi master to inspire me after completing my padawan trials and was accepted by my master for further training. My birth father was named Arbett Zonn and my mother Tari Jehn." Taylor was looking at her with the same stunned posture as she felt in the Force. Then she calmed again quicker then she should have been able to as her insects gained her emotions.
"Right PHO did say that you are claiming to be a Jedi. You can't believe that. Do you?" Skye felt her hope that somehow, she was not a Jedi at the same time she felt that she believed it. Such a strange feeling to both, believe, and doubt at the same time. She had come across the movie description as she had searched for the word Jedi in their written language. Though she had not seen the movies. Though parts did appear correct as she had even been to Tatooine.
"I am a Jedi. Not officially a Knight, but that would have happened once we returned to the Jedi Temple, but I lost my master as we crashed on this planet." She was sure why she told this girl this, but the Force felt pleased that she had. More disbelief covered her face showing that it did not have the intended effect.
Um, okay that is a bit weird, but telling people that will make you sound crazy. Not sure if I believe that myself, but okay."
"I understand, but the Force feels right that I told you. Are you doing okay since being freed?"
"Ya, I mean yes, um better, but how?"
"That is a long story. Perhaps I could visit some time." The girl seemed to fold in on herself mentally. Skye thought about it and maybe that was not the thing to offer. It was not like she could invite her to the warehouse or even the lighthouse that she turned into a homeless lunch counter.
"Okay um, I run most mornings before school. Longer on weekends like this."
"I could run with you. I know sort of where you live."
"You do?" She was now even more uncomfortable than before. The Force was urging her to be careful.
"Yes, but I do not want to make you feel uncomfortable be me knowing. To be honest I have not seen your house." She felt relieved, but still a bit wary. IT was the truth mostly from a certain point of view.
"Okay well I should head back."
"Okay, then tomorrow."
"Ya sure." Skye felt good as she watched the girl run back the way they had come. She looked out at the bay and frowned as she was looking at the Rig. As far as the Protectorate was concerned, she did not like them. They only ever reacted. The Wards did okay, but as kids really could not do much. The status quo was a very apt description. The Force was telling her this girl was going to upset this balance.
I smiled as the last man took one of the prepared lunches. I had looked him over and her had several injuries that had been bothering him. One I was worried about as it was on his skull, but the Force gave me a solution which he did not like, but after a minute a grin appeared on his face as the headache, he must have been having vanished. I felt his stress levels drop as I push more of the Force through his wrist and right after that his stomach. From the scaring I felt they had to have been old scars. Something he had for a long time.
The bell tried to tinkle as he pushed the door open. She should fix that. Three Asian men, boys really but older than I was walked in. The Force warned me they were trouble even if I could not see that from experience. One went over to the few bag lunches remaining which reminded me I should start packing up a few more. Whatever they wanted would come first. Being Asian put the inside of ABB. However, they were not displaying colors and any skin to show their tattoos was covered.
"Pretty nice place for a pretty young thing to be running all by herself."
"It serves a purpose. Are you hungry? If so then the lunches are free, but if you have the means a donation would be a kindness." The ones who had not spoken laughed. The one who did speak look inside one of the bags.
"I wouldn't eat one of these if my life depended on it."
"That is an unfortunate opinion to have."
"I didn't ask you bitch. This is what is going to happen. The ABB is moving into this area since the Merchants skipped town. My boss told me to make sure the businesses around here understand the new landlords are here. You, being a business, and we the new landlords."
"A business is to make money. I give food to those who cannot pay. The donations I get buy more food. As far as this building is concerned, I own it."
"I don't care. You want to stay open you pay. Nice place like this. Five hundred no make it six for you trying to act smart blondie." The Force urged caution and was also giving her a warning. She had shifted slightly ready for what they might do.
"You need to leave. Tell your boss. I will see him soon." The three of them laughed.
"You know Lung. I doubt that. He hates blondes and dumb bitches like you."
"My hair is white, and I am not a dog."
"Whatever, bitch." He turns to walk away then turns back. "You know I think you are going to be the lesson this street needs."
"So, the hard way or do want it soft?"
"You are going to beat me softly. Girlie you could not hurt a fly, but I'll bite. I want it soft." Skye smiled as she added the Force to her next words.
"You will go home and rethink your life." His smile vanished.
"I am going home to rethink my life." He turned around and walked right out of the lighthouse.
"Saza, come on man. Are you for real?" The other two thugs chased after their leader. She watched them go back to the car. He got in and started the car. When he put it in gear the other two scrambled to get in. It was the fourth attempt since Skidmark vanished as she cleaned up the remain cash house and two drug dens. She flipped the cardboard on the counter and looked over her plan for the night. She had an idea where one of the ABB cash houses were on this side of the docks, but she needed a few more. As it did no good to hit just one spot.
The best case was to find all the locations on this side of Archer's Bridge. That way she could round them all up one after the other. The BBPD will be very busy once she does close them down. That reminded her that she needed more zip ties. The wide ones were fairly scarce. Adding that to her mental list she looked up as someone was nearing the door. The warning from the Force was clear as she moved her hand inside the center pocket of her hoodie. The same three ABB members came into the room with their guns already drawn.