"Morning love," Sabah said as she stared into Verity's eyes as they laid in bed.

"I'd say it's a good morning since I'm waking up next to you, beautiful." Verity said with a sleepy smile.

"Well someone is putting on the charm," Sabah replied.

"I've been…" Verity yawned. "I've been looking into talking more smooth-like, try and be a bit more romantic."

"Cute," Sabah said back. "But as much as I would like to just cuddle the entire day away after last night, we both have stuff to do."

Verity sighed. "I know." She said, gazing longingly at Sabah. "Just five more minutes?"

"Five more minutes."

And so they did.

They laid there for exactly five more minutes before they sat up.

"I am definitely going to need some coffee, do you want some?" Sabah asked.

"You know, every time you ask, I consider it more and more, but I'm gonna have to pass, like normal." Verity said. "I'll get started on breakfast awhile, if you like? I need some pancakes right now."

"I would love that," Sabah answered as she finished putting on her clothes, Verity checking her phone in the meantime; even a month or so into their relationship, she was still keen on giving Sabah her privacy; really, the most they'd done was distinctly first-base and non sexual sleeping together, which she was fine with.

"Awesome, I know we have some chocolate chips in the cabinet, you want chocolate chip pancakes?" Verity asked as only now she got out of bed and began to stretch.

"Yeah, I would," Sabah replied as she exited the bedroom.

Verity considered getting dressed, before remembering she had work in a few hours, and decided that it was a Saturday so there was no harm in staying in her pajamas a bit longer than normal. At least not till after breakfast.

As such, she quickly followed out of the bedroom and immediately went to work in the kitchen, body going mostly on autopilot.

"So, schedule for today." Verity said a few minutes into making the pancakes. "I have work, obviously, till 5, but was there anything else on the table today? Or anything you wanna do today?"

"Not really," She answered. "Do you have anything?"

"Well, I was hoping to have a bit of company for dinner, their schedules permitting." Verity said. "And then maybe go out and get my brownie tin back from these kids I gave some brownies a bit ago, nothing too much."

"That sounds like a fine plan," Sabah replied as she poured her coffee.

"Awesome."

And with that, the conversation lapsed as Verity hummed tunelessly and finished up making breakfast, until it was nice and ready and served onto plates placed down on the table, Sabah having gotten it set up awhile.

They ate the divinely fluffy pancakes and conspicuously talked about anything but the previous night, until they finished, Sabah grabbing her laptop and beginning to look through her email and new orders while Verity cleaned up (at her own insistence).

And with that, they spent the next few hours in contented domesticity, Verity taking the time to ask about Sabah's latest projects and maybe getting a nice 'ugly' sweater for the future that looked like bowling alley carpet.

But still, as the time ticked onward, she still had to go, a little early even so she could get that talk with Armsmaster, and as such finally got ready for her work day.

"Have a good day at work…" Sabah said as she trailed off as she suddenly gave her laptop a scrutinizing stare.

"I'll try, you have a good day here at home, alright babe?" Verity asked, completely desensitized to that reaction to people on computers.

"Yeah I will, just have to check out this email, unknown sender but it doesn't look like malware…" Sabah said.

"Well don't just open it google the sender first." Verity said.

"Oh… oh…" Sabah said in shocked horror.

"Sabs did you just fall for the oldest trick on the internet?" Verity asked, deadpan. This was also not a reaction she wasn't used to.

"No, babe you should have a look at this," Sabah said.

"This better not be porn or gorn, or so help me…" Verity said as she went and looked over her shoulder at the screen.

And she saw pictures she had seen before, the names the profiles of all the E88 Capes, but next to them were images of normal looking folks in civilian clothes.

"The Identities of the E88 Capes, for all you lovely Brocktonites."

It said right at the top.

And below the pictures were their names and occupation.

Kaiser aka Max Anders, CEO of Medhall.

Purity aka Kayden Anders.

And the list went on.

"Holy shit."

"This… doesn't actually mean anything on its own, you know that right?" Verity asked, almost serenely calm.

"Wait what?" Sabah asked.

"All these Nazi Capes are masked, Sabs, this could just as easily be a ploy by the 88 to paint a target on these people's backs despite being completely unrelated because they look like they could fit the costumes." Verity said. "I'm not gonna trust this unless it causes a reaction from the E88 or I get word from on high."

And as soon as said that her armband rang.

Verity clicked her tongue. "Speak of the devil… This is Medusa." She answered.

"Medusa somebody just leaked the civilian identities of the E88 online, sending it to as many emails as possible," Armsmaster stated.

"And do we have confirmation on the veracity of those leaks?" Verity asked, before quickly planting a kiss on Sabah's forehead and heading out the door. "This could just as easily be painting a target on unrelated people."

"We do, Dragon has confirmed them as genuine. No response yet from E88 of course but it is only a matter of time, an hour at most, so report to The Rig."

"Already on my way, Boss." Verity said as she double-timed it.

"Good. Armsmaster out."

"Glad to see you got here quickly," Armsmaster said as they met up in one of the Rig's hallways on their way to the conference room they would be using.

"I was already leaving early so we could talk, but just my luck." Verity said, before grimacing and bringing her voice down. "Or rather… Boss, this is exactly what we were supposed to be talking about. It's another distraction, just like last night, except this one's probably going to blow up something fierce."

"Presumably, it will definitely have lasting consequences on the city as Medhall is the largest company in the city and on the East Coast when talking Pharmaceuticals," The Tinker responded.

"And its being run by a Neo-Nazi chud who, until about 20 minutes ago, I thought was one of the few good CEO's." Verity almost spat, angry at the chud in question and herself for falling for his facade.

"A very cultivated image."

"One that is, assuredly, burning to the ground as we speak." Verity said. "We should be ready for an all out war, methinks."

"That is the most likely scenario," Armsmaster said back with gritted teeth.

"Great… well, good news is that I'm a hard-counter to Kaiser himself, so whenever he shows up we can immediately chop the heads off this hydra and cut the chains of command." Verity said.

"That would be the most likely scenario if he does so," Armsmaster said as they entered the conference room where everyone else was already sitting.

Director Piggot's face present on the screen at the end of the table.

"Thank you all for arriving so swiftly," Director Piggot began. "At 10:00 AM the civilian identities of the E88's Parahuman roster was leaked to the public by an unknown third party individual, but wording of the title and some of the text leads us to believe that the one who did so was Tattletale of the Undersiders."

"Dammit TT…" Verity cursed internally. If it weren't for how she had a gun to her head, Verity might have been disappointed at the timing- or if it weren't for the timing, she would have likely been thanking the 'villainous' teen.

"The PRT is already working with the FBI and CIA to seize their assets as fast as possible, warrants for their arrests have already been made. Max Anders has not been found at his home or Medhall, so we assume he is at an E88 safe house. So they are likely planning a response, and we will need to prepare for that, but first- Medusa." Piggot said, directly addressing her.

"Yes, Director?" Medusa asked, fully at attention.

"You will be going to Kayden Anders' apartment with PRT Agents to remove Aster Anders from her care, the CPS has declared her to be an unfit caretaker," Piggot said. "Purity is currently not present so move quickly before she is."

"She left the kid unprotected?" Verity asked, brow furrowing. That didn't track with someone unwilling to use a nanny.

"The agent currently watching is saying Theo Anders is currently the only other person present. And he too is to be taken into protective custody."

"Understood, I'll handle the kids." Medusa said.

The fact this would paint a massive target on her back for both Purity and Kaiser did not go unnoticed, even if it went unsaid.

"You have permission to engage with any E88 capes that would hamper you," Piggot said.

Verity nodded, and within a few minutes she was heading downtown, inside a PRT van for a measure of subtlety.

"So, anything I need to know?" Verity asked the PRT Captain in the back with her.

"Just that if an enemy Parahuman shows up, stone them immediately, we do not want the kids put in danger," Captain responded.

"Mhm, understood." Medusa said, before a thought occurred to her. "Say, you wouldn't happen to have a containment foam grenade you could spare, would you? Just in case."

"Here," One of the other officers said.

"Thanks." Medusa said as she put it gently into her bag, just in case, which was likely something she should do in general, she realized.

And then a moment later, they came to a stop.

"Okay let's move it people, Medusa you are on point," The Captain said as the doors of the van opened up.

Immediately, she headed towards the apartment building and headed in, the door not even being locked, before she went up the nearby stairwell to the floor and apartment indicated on the way there.

Within two minutes of arriving, she was standing in front of the apartment door, the PRT Agents spreading out throughout the rest of the building and, at her insistence, not being within ten feet of the door.

And then she knocked.

"Who is it?" Came a young man's voice.

"Hey, Theo, right? It's Medusa, I'm here to do a quick follow-up check-in since you and your dad were at the party last night." Medusa said. "Can I come in?"

"You're here to arrest me aren't you?" He asked.

"No, actually, that's only if you try to hurt anyone in the building other than me." Medusa said softly. "We're genuinely here to protect you and your sister from what's happening, you will not be persecuted or imprisoned unless you do something unwise right now."

She waited a moment for his reaction.

"You promise Aster will be safe?" Theo asked.

Medusa was aware of all the flowery ways she could have responded, but remembered she was dealing with a scared teenager, and as such simply said the most direct answer. "Yes. I promise. Both of you."

"...Okay… I trust you." Theo responded as Medusa heard the sounds of locks being undone and the door opened to reveal Theo in more casual clothes, and was holding in his arms a little baby girl, who looked no older than a year.

"Gaga?" The baby asked with wide eyes as she stared at Medusa.

"See? Not arresting you." Medusa joked with a comforting smile. "Now, we're going to be going out to an armored car to go back to the Rig, and I have some friends out here, but don't worry they're there to protect you from everything else, okay?"

"Okay," Theo responded. "Like I said, I trust you."

"Okay." Medusa said with a smile as she carefully, slowly, put a hand on his shoulder and led him out of his apartment, using her hair to form a barrier around the kids while hopefully not feeling like she was restricting them.

Thankfully, they made it back to the car without incident.

"Okay VIPs have been secured, we will be escorting them to the safe-house now," The Captain said into his radio as they entered into the van, Theo looking nervous while Aster just looked at everything with infantile wonder.

"Alright, so I'm going to stay with you guys until we get there." Medusa said. "Now, this is a very personal question Theo, but… are you a Para?"

"No, and there doesn't go a day without Father complaining about that," Theo answered.

"Fucked up." Verity thought. "That's probably a good thing… wait, he didn't try to make yo-"

"No, that is hard to do, unless you're Gesellschaft," Theo responded. "And if he did, the rest would get angry for hurting such a good Aryan specimen." His words were so filled with toxin that it could probably do more damage than her own venom.

Medusa had to bite her tongue to stop herself from saying something about that idea that definitely shouldn't be said around children. "Well, that's not something you'll have to worry about in the future anymore. Why? Because I am here."

That got Theo to chuckle. "I can believe that, as silly as that might sound."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with silly. I mean, I'm running around wearing a bright orange swimsuit-dress, that's pretty dang silly." Verity said with a smile.

"Yeah we probably need a little silly, things have just gotten so serious and drab," Theo said.

"Well, that's why I'm running around in bright orange, I'm here to help, and that means brightening things up." Medusa explained.

"Yeah and he hates you for that," Theo said with a smile.

"Awesome, does he know I'm gay?" Verity asked with a grin. "That would make it so much better/worse."

"Probably after last night, you and Parian were not subtle at all," Theo responded.

"Ahehe, yeah, I'm just happy to hear I'm basically everything he hates, that's one of the highest badges of honor to wear." Verity said. "I'm even part German Jew."

"Really?" He asked.

"And Polish. And Susquahannanock. And Welsh." Verity began to list. "I can keep going."

"It seems we've got another Heinz 57," The Captain joked.

"Exactly." Verity agreed.

"Never heard that one before," Theo said with a laugh. "So what is going to happen to us after we come to that Safe-House?"

"You will be in protective custody until the situation blows over, and then you will probably be assessed for a foster home along with giving testimony if requested to do so," The Captain answered.

"That makes sense," Theo responded as he looked down at the giggling Aster. "I knew that this might happen one day, but it's…" He trailed off.

"Hey, don't worry about it right now." Medusa said comfortingly. "If you ever need anything, you can call me. And if you're worried about being separated from your sister, don't. I'll make sure that doesn't happen."

"I'll keep you to that," Theo responded.

"It's a promise."

"Medusa, have the VIPs been secured?" Armsmaster asked for confirmation as she entered the city again.

"This is Medusa, can confirm." Medusa answered. "What's the sitch?"

"Kaiser has learned of the situation and quite simply has declared war with all the rules of the table off from the 'transgression'. All normal members are out in force, we are getting reports of various crimes. He himself, though, has not made an appearance in the city."

"Copy. Where would be the best spot?" Medusa asked as she kept an ear out for anything going on around her.

"Pardon?"

"You said he knows what happened, right?" Medusa asked. "So where's the best spot for me to start drawing attention?"

"I do not...? Elaborate."

"Boss, I took his kids, and I'm already everything they stand against." Medusa explained flatly. "It's not a matter of if they want my head so much as when. So where would be best to go and start loudly declaring my presence to draw him out?"

"First off, I do not like putting my people in deliberate danger, second off, the best place would be… no, change of plans Medusa." Armsmaster said in a now slightly worried tone of voice.

"Lemme guess, he just showed up somewhere?"

"No, we sent a message to all the Wards to stay at home, however all of them except Shadow Stalker have responded back." He said grimly.

"Shit!" Medusa cursed, immediately changing directions and beelining directly for Sophia's apartment.

"So I need you to go to her home and check up, you're currently the one closest to-"

"Do we have any information about anything near her? CCTV, the trackers on her, anything?" Medusa cut him off, focusing her body entirely on getting to the apartment, ignoring anything in her way.

"The tracker still shows her to be home, but she has not responded to any call on either of her phones or her home phone, and neither has her mother."

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, Sorry!." Medusa cursed as she almost ran into a person, just barely skidding around the startled pedestrian. "I need to focus, is there any other pertinent information?"

"None at the moment."

"Then if you don't hear from me in the next thirty minutes and/or see the Snake Signal, assume the worst, send in some agents anyway, Medusa out." She said before hanging up, and focusing her entire being on getting there, and not hitting anybody on the way.

She had to get there.

She had to.

And she went as fast as possible, her mind tracking the seconds that went by, each feeling like an eternity, and five minutes later she came to the apartment building and quickly went inside.

She slithered up the stairs arriving at the first floor to see the door to the apartment being wide open.

The scent of blood filled her nostrils immediately.

"Sophia?" Medusa called in as she went in somewhat cautiously and assessed the area. "If you can hear me, please say something."

She continued inward, obvious signs of a struggle all around, and in what had to be the kitchen saw an older black woman lying on the ground in a pile of blood, Verity immediately checking if she was- dead.

Verity inhaled sharply. "Sophia?" She called again, following the signs of struggle further into the apartment.

And she saw three more bodies on the floor, the first was an older black teen, his skull looking like it had been bashed in.

And in front of him were two of the most stereotypical skinheads she had seen, crossbow bolts sticking out of their heads.

And at the end of the hallway leaning against a door laid Sophia, her crossbow in one hand while another clutched her stomach.

But she could hear her breath.

Saw her chest rise and fall.

Verity, of course, had practically shot over to Sophia's side immediately and was gingerly looking the girl over- bruises and cuts all over, what seemed like a bullet wound under her hand, and her eyes half-lidded and staring at her in hope.

"H-h-hey," Sophia said.

"Oh thank god you're alive." Verity said in relief. "You know your body better than I do, how bad is it?"

"Lots of bruising, a few broken ribs I think, and one gut shot," Sophia answered. "Bastards got me with a taser. Beat me up, got my brother while I was getting my bow, managed to shoot me after I got the first guy."

"Good job kid, but also shit." Verity cursed as she quickly checked her mental map and her gps. "Nearest hospital's 15 minutes out. Do you think you can last that long?"

"I don't know," She answered. "Just… just promise to take care of my sister… she is hiding in my closet."

"...Listen, Sophia, I have something that might make sure you're here for that, and it may not work, so I need to know: do you trust me?"

"More than anyone, gargh," She coughed as blood flew from her mouth.

"Good. Then…. Grit your teeth." Verity said, waiting just one moment before biting down.

"Hrmm."

Verity pulled back and wiped the bit of blood from her mouth. "Okay, so if this works, you might feel a slight discomfort in the affected area."

"What did you… argh," Sophia began but stopped as she clutched her stomach and Verity saw a few new teeth grow in replacing lost or broken ones as the bruises on her skin began to fade.

Verity rubbed Sophia's back as the venom worked its course. "It'll be okay, you'll be okay. Just bear with it for a moment, and then when the pain fades you'll be okay." She said as reassuringly as possible.

"Hrngh," Sophia responded as she removed her hand from her stomach and Verity saw perfectly healed flesh. "Wow?"

"There you go." Verity said in relief, feeling her body slump slightly. "Mendax special medicine. One time use only." She joked. "How ya feelin?"

"I feel… great. What about mom and Terry?" She asked. Though Verity could tell that Sophia already knew the answer.

"I don't… I don't think I can bring back the dead, but I can try if you want me to." Verity offered.

"Please… we weren't the best but…" Sophia asked as tears fell from her eyes.

"I'll try, but I can't make any promises this time." Verity said, before going over to the boy, Terry, ignoring his bashed in face, as she proceeded to try. Hopefully, it would work, but she wasn't even remotely confident.

It was more for Sophia's sake than expecting it to work.

Verity waited a moment, but there was no change. "...I'm sorry. It's… been too long. No one's home."

Sophia choked but nodded in acceptance as she stood up.

With that, Verity also stood and straightened her back. "Get your sister. We're going to get you two to the Rig. You didn't hear this happening to anyone else in the building, did you?" Medusa asked.

"No, we're the only ones currently renting," Sophia answered. "Shit faces got evicted a few weeks ago."

"Alright, get your sister, I'm taking you two directly to the Rig, I'm going to call in awhile, alright?" Medusa asked.

Sophia nodded her head. As she opened the door to her bedroom. "Cynthia, it's okay now," Sophia said.

Verity quickly grabbed some nearby blankets and the curtains and covered the bodies so at least they wouldn't be recognizable, no need to traumatize the kid even more, and then called in. "Armsmaster, this is Medusa, do you read me?"

"I read you Medusa, what is Shadow Stalker's situation?"

"Alive, unlike the elder two members of the household." Medusa said quietly into her armband. "I'm taking her and her sister to the Rig, then I'm going to find Kaiser or whatever the current biggest threat is, and I'm going to make it wish it didn't exist. Any issues?"

"None, take them to the Rig immediately, do they need medical attention?"

A quick glance into the bedroom told her Cynthia was mercifully untouched. "No, but we need to have that talk as soon as things calm down enough for it, Armsmaster."

"If you wish, Armsmaster out."

Medusa took a deep breath, biting her tongue hard enough to draw blood to get the taste of the corpse out of her mouth. "Sophia, are you two ready?" She asked after a moment.

"I am," Sophia said as she held her sister pressing her face into her shoulder for the moment.

"Let's go."

"Thank you for saving me," Sophia said as they crossed over the bridge of light, speaking for the first time since they had left the apartment. Still holding her sister who was now looking around curiously. "Saving us."

"Of course." Medusa said. "...I'm sorry for not showing up sooner."

"Please don't, don't say that," Sophia said, choking on her words a bit.

Medusa nodded, and said nothing more on the matter as she got the two inside the Rig proper, deciding she was in no way qualified to handle that right now, and as such got them to the first officer who showed concern, gave Sophia a solemn nod, and then headed for anywhere but there as she called up Armsmaster once more.

"Armsmaster, Stalker is secure, where now?" Medusa asked tersely, already heading back towards the bridge.

"Deal with Purity, she is currently chasing the Undersiders, specifically Tattletale and causing collateral damage wherever she fires her beams, she has ranked up an estimated 200 casualties so far. Dauntless is trying to stop her but is having no success."

Medusa ceased walking and switched back to high speed slithering at that. "Understood, coordinates?"

Her armband beeped and the map appeared showing where Purity was.

And as she slithered towards her target, all her rage focused on the Neo-Nazi scum attacking her city, causing untold death and destruction for no reason than blind hatred.

And in the back of her mind, she knew.

She knew this was all part of some bigger plan.

That to that absolute fucker, this was just a step in whatever grand plan was at play.

The 88 were bad, sure. Horrible murderous Neo-Nazi fuckfaces.

Coil?

Coil clearly thought he was some grand manipulator, some grand tactician manipulating the battlefield, like Xanatos playing the board.

This was a game to him.

And even she was being manipulated. She could tell.

…She'd bitten two corpses today.

Medusa was not playing his game.

She was going to destroy his plans, all of them, from every angle.

Starting by quelling the onslaught of E88 members, of course.

And as soon as she was done, she would not be letting herself be distracted again.

The Gorgon would find Coil and ensure he could never manipulate anyone ever again.

The Gorgon would ensure Coil would never do anything ever again.

The Gorgon, first, would ensure the Empire 88 would fall.

There.

The gnat.

She reached out, and squashed it.

And hissed in pain as instead of being squashed, it burned through her hand and shot through the hole.

"YOU! YOU TOOK MY BABY FROM ME!" Screamed the gnat at her as a beam of light was fired at Gorgon.

One matched by a beam of her own, the two energy's clashing at the midway point between them.

And then her snakes began to fire as well, disrupting the gnat's concentration and causing it to be struck by all the lasers simultaneously.

And a stone statue fell out of the sky, one which was quickly caught by Dauntless who came flying in.

"Holy shit Medusa, I didn't know you could do… that," The hero said as he floated in front of her face.

"Do… what?" She asked slowly, voice rather growly at the moment.

"Get big."

Those words were enough for her to actually take stock of her current situation.

Going off the size of the nearby buildings, she had to be at least 4 stories tall with where she was currently resting on her tail.

She could also see in her reflection on a nearby office building that there were two large, pale sky blue feathered wings coming from her back.

"...Oh." She said in dull surprise.

"Did you not even notice?" He asked.

"...In lieu of answering that," Medusa said a bit sheepishly. "Could you call in Armsmaster and ask where I'm most needed? My armband doesn't fit any more."

"I… uh sure," He said as he put a finger to his helmet.

"Thanks for the save Medusa," Came the voice of Tattletale from her right, Medusa turning to see her riding one of Bitch's dogs.

"You." She said as she reached out for her.

"Hey, hey, hey we didn't do anything, I didn't do anything despite what the Nazi cunt may have shouted!" Tattletale raised her hands up in surrender.

Medusa picked up Tattletale and the dog gently before placing the dog on the ground on its feet. "Standing on top of buildings is dangerous." She warned.

"...You are a Thinker's worst nightmare, you know that," Tattletale said.

"Good." Medusa said. "Now, either contribute or stay out of the way please."

"I am going to, but I've got stuff to tell you," Tattletale said.

"Now?"

"Now."

Medusa laid her hand flat next to the dog. "Get on."

"Fucking- ah, Brutus go back to Bitch okay?" Tattletale told the Monster Dog who barked in response, the bark sounding like it would have been perfect for a horror movie monster's roar.

With that, Medusa placed Tattletale on her shoulder, a strand of hair wrapping around her waist as a safety. "Okay, tattle."

"It's Kaiser, he knows that you took his children, so how do you think he is going to get back at you for that?" Tattletale asked.

"Medusa, Armsmaster is saying that you can go and help Miss Militia with Victor, Othala and Krieg," Dauntless said as he got off the comms.

"Dauntless." Gorgon growled as it clicked into place. "Kaiser's likely going after my. House."

"Shit… You go do that, I can get to them, Battery and Assault can handle Alabaster and Stormtiger, aaand you're already moving." He said, as Gorgon had started heading towards her home as soon as he said 'you go'.

"TT." Gorgon said after a moment. "Keep tattling."

"Shit I don't know and that frustrates me, the culprit is most definitely Coil but I can't come to the conclusion of why?"

"Steadily removing competition, for one, while potentially weakening the city." Gorgon analyzed as she carefully maneuvered through the city as fast as she dared. "Doing it now keeps us angry and tired with all the other attacks recently. In theory, wearing us down. In practice, I happen."

"You definitely happened, and I guess a bit as to why he would want to be the only one, but he doesn't have enough people to take hold of the entire city, if the Empire gets removed, while Lung is still active, this is just going to invite the Teeth and the Butcher back into the city."

"Something bigger, then." Gorgon said, her now much larger brain combined with the clear focused rage helping her think for once. "Politics. Making the current administration look weak and unable to handle everything. Election is coming up. Mayor's niece gets kidnapped. Administration made to look weak. Vying for political power assuredly in his civilian identity, though why being a mayor would help I don't know. Manipulating from both sides, maybe."

"I don't think he himself is going to be the Mayor, maybe get a puppet one or make the current one it definitely, Coil is a person with an ego who goes full in on the Bond Villain imagery."

"...Mother fucker the call's coming from inside the house." Gorgon cursed.

"Huh?" Tattletale asked.

"Current administration is made to look weak. The Protectorate pushed to its limit. Politics. He knows more than he should. He doesn't have an inside man, he is the inside man." Gorgon growled as all the pieces clicked into place.

"Holy shit… that is how he knew the Protectorate was going to be out of town during the robbery, and why he hates you so much, he doesn't have access to any of your stuff. He knows little to nothing about you besides whatever knowledge his power gives him. He is a Thinker, Thinker what kind of Thinker, not like Accords, coins, choices… ahh my head come on power you almost got it."

"Coins?" Gorgon asked. Her size was currently impeding her ability to move through the city, but she wasn't sure if she'd be able to grow back if she shrank- or even if she could shrink.

"When we first met, when he put that gun to my head he showed me a little parlor trick of his. He flipped a coin, and it landed on its head. And he did that twenty more times in a row."

"Quantum manipulation…? No, if it was, he wouldn't have as much trouble with me…"

"No, Thinker, I have trouble with you, we work on Data, we need Data to come to our conclusions, if we get wrong Data we come to the wrong conclusion, make the wrong predictions, and you give off a lot of wrong information… He… come on, come on I've almost got it figured out…" Tattletale growled in frustration.

"Coins… Coil… probability… coil… wind… clock… time." Gorgon said. "The email went out at exactly 10:00. Everything's been so very punctual, yes?"

"No that is just him, time, Pre-cog, he is a fucking Pre-cog that can choose, he can simulate two different timelines and choose the one he wants to happen," Tattletale said in realization.

"Reasonable assumption." Gorgon said. "Further proof: me. I don't do simulations."

"Yes, giving bad info makes a bad simulation, his power can't account for you that well," Tattletale said.

"Right, and PARIAN!" Gorgon screamed as she finally was in line of sight of her house.

Or rather, the smoke rising out of the metal shell now covering her house.

And in front of it she could see Taylor clawing it in her full arachne glory. Behind her laid several bodies-

One of them being Kaiser.

"MOVE ASIDE!" Gorgon shouted as she reached down and grabbed the metal sphere, ignoring the burning sensation in her hand, as she ripped the 'lid' off the dome and crushed it in her hand, revealing the burning house underneath.

Gorgon took the deepest breath she could, before trying to blow the fire out like a candle, which worked a bit but her house was still on fire, so she instead shoved as much of her hair as she could fit into the dome and ignored the burning sensation shooting through her scalp as she instead tried to smother the fire.

As she did, her face was left staring down at the house, the fire going down. "PARIAN! CAN YOU HEAR ME!" She shouted downward.

"Verity…" came a small voice from inside the ruined home.

Verity ripped the roof of her house, and immediately found her lying on the ground, her burnt doll-form body there, staring up at her with hope.

"You huge…"

"You tiny." Verity said back as she quickly scooped up Sabah with her hair since her hands were occupied at the moment and then leaned back from her house. "...Wow, you're actually doll size now."

"Hehehe," Parian laughed while Verity could see the burnt porcelain skin start to regain its white color. "And you're naked."

"I could not possibly care less about that right now." Verity said truthfully, before an instinct triggered in her subconscious, and she turned her gaze on Kaiser, expecting a counterattack.

…He was still not moving.

And as she stared for a moment, she watched a spider crawl out of the eyehole of his helmet, and suddenly she knew she didn't have to worry.

"Mom is Sabah okay?" Asked Taylor her voice filled with worry and slight panic.

"All thanks to you Skitterbug." Verity said as she carefully patted the top of her head with a finger- and noted that as the reassurance replaced the anger, she was shrinking rapidly. "Oh this is weird." She said as her perspective rapidly shifted until she was back at her normal height, Tattletale and Sabah still being carefully held by her hair, before she set them down (but did not let go of the former). "Okay, uh…" She shook her head and smacked her cheeks once.

"Alright, Weaver, damage report." Medusa said.

"I got the call from Armsmaster to stay home, but then I looked outside. I saw that car arrive and Kaiser stepped out along with his goons, and before I knew it the house was trapped in metal and that one," Taylor pointed to one of the very much dead goons. "Threw a very strong molotov I think, at it before he closed the hole and I just panicked and sicked the swarm on them." All her legs shuffled nervously while her four arms were wrapped around her torso.

"Is metalhead still alive?" Medusa asked.

"No," She answered, averting her gaze.

"Oh, Skitterbug." Verity said as she gently pulled her into a hug. "You did good, sweetie. You did good."

"But I… heroes aren't..." She began.

"They were Nazi's trying to kill you sweetie, they don't count." Verity said reassuringly.

"Yeah, if there are any acceptable targets for murder its them," Tattletale commented.

"Not now TT." Verity warned.

"Yeah be quiet," Taylor added.

"Man I am just getting ganged up on here, so can I get back to my team now?" She asked.

"No, you're a hostage now." Medusa said.

"Damn…"

"Speaking of." Medusa said, turning her attention to Taylor. "Weaver, do you have your commlink on you?"

"It's in the house I'll go get it," Taylor said as she transformed back into her human form.

"Good to see that you came back in time, Verity," Her other neighbor said as he stuck his head out the window. "We tried to call but it was overloaded."

"Appreciated!" Verity said with a thumbs up and the best smile she could manage.

"And tell your girl that we are all thankful for her removing the trash," He said as he looked at Kaiser's body.

"Don't worry, she'll be rewarded for the community service." Verity said. As the thankful man stuck his head back inside.

"Well there goes home number two," Sabah said sarcastically.

"Third one'll be the charm." Verity said, before pulling her now significantly less burned looking girlfriend into a hug. "Thank god you're alright…"

"Me too, I thought I was going to…"

"It's fine. We made it through thanks to the kids…" Verity said, before turning a look back at Tattletale. "...You wanna get adopted?"

"...You know sure, you're way better than my actual parents, and you give Coil the constant middle finger," Tattletale responded.

"Well you are now officially the Mama Snek dear, now we just need the thing with Vista to go through," Sabah said.

"Oh yeah about that I've got dirt." Tattletale added.

"So do we, but I will gladly take more." Verity said, before Taylor came out of her house, armband in hand. "Oh, good. Uh, please call Armsmaster, he needs to know the situation, and then we are all heading to the Rig."

"I do that," Taylor said.

"Colin." Medusa said as she slammed the door shut behind her, letting go of his collar.

"Verity," He responded.

"Can you verify with absolute certainty that no one is listening?"

"Yes."

"Not even Dragon."

"Why?"

"Protectorate business only."

"Understood," He said back as he quickly pressed a button on his massive computer console. "No one can access my systems now."

"Coil is a PRT-something with the ability to simulate multiple timelines and choose which one comes true, according to Tattletale's info." Medusa started.

"And you trust that information?" He asked.

"Yes, he's holding a gun to her head and the rest of the Undersiders to keep control, they hate him."

"That is how most Parahuman gang leaders work," Colin replied. "They threaten and press independents into working for them and when they don't they get killed."

"Point two: this is all part of something bigger, likely trying to discredit the PRT and Protectorate by keeping us busy, either to dismantle us from the inside or to take over." Medusa said. "Who's in line for control after the Director?"

"That is Deputy-Director Renick of course but that man is not a Parahuman," Colin said.

"Quantifiably?"

"Yes, no mutated Pollentia of any kind in his brain," He answered.

"Who would be in consideration after him, then?" Medusa asked, crossing her arms. "Because either he's someone who would be considered, or if he's just trying to tear us down could be anything, but it's better to eliminate possibilities."

"The Director is chosen by the Chief-Director if you wanted to become one you could appeal directly to her for the position," Colin stated. "But not anyone can do so, you need a certain level of standing already, great accomplishments as an Officer to be considered or contributed in a way to the PRT."

"That sounds like a list to be compiled, assumedly?"

"Yes, I'll start with anybody in Brockton Bay who could fit that description," Colin said as he sat down in his chair.

"There's another thing I wanted to talk to you about after last night." Medusa said as he did. "Snowflame."

"What about him?"

"I know him." Medusa said. "From my world."

"Elaborate?"

"He was a DC comics character. Fought Catwoman eventually."

"Yes, he is one here, many Parahuman model themselves after them, god knows how many Batmans and Spider-mans we've had over the years."

Medusa let out a breath. "So that's not a sign we may be in a DC universe, good."

"Well depending on how you wanna look at fiction vs reality." Colin began.

"Ragyo's family was the central cast of an anime in my world where she was the villain trying to take over the world with alien mind control parasite clothing." Medusa said flatly. "I'm aware."

"Huh? Though they are nothing like that here are they?" Colin asked.

"She has the same energy, but decidedly different person, thankfully." Medusa said. "But more importantly- point the third." She said, her scattered mind now laser focused on anything related to the issue at hand, lingering cold rage in the back of her mind keeping her concentrated. "That fucking vial with the omega on it. Why did the drugheads have that? What was that? Why did they have it? And is it linked to the snake- am I linked to that bastard?"

Well, mostly cold.

"Mayhaps, there are several conspiracy theories on the net, people talking about groups that control the world, about a woman in a hat that shows up like the boogeyman, but mostly about people buying powers in a bottle." Colin said. "I have never ever given any of these thoughts consideration, especially the last one, as I of course knew that such a thing was not possible. The only way you could gain power was to Trigger, to have your life hit such a low point that you…" Colin paused for a second. "But now… I think there might be something to that last one, that this might be how Case53 gets made. For why would their-? Your body change permanently like that?"

"...Are you saying that it's…" Verity's eyes widened. "Powers in a bottle… oh god, I might have done this on purpose."

"Or been forced to take it, you're from another universe, the rest might be too as well which would explain why we can't find out who they are even if their face is mostly human. Just get them from another reality, test it out, see which… product works or not. And if it doesn't… just get a Cape to wipe memories."

"...The kind of infrastructure necessary for that level of operation would be…" Medusa said, rough numbers running through her head. "...They would have to either be funded by some wealthy people, or consisting of very wealthy people."

"How much would you like to give to have powers if you don't want to Trigger?"

"Oh, assuredly, as a business model it makes sense, in a twisted way, it's like health care." Medusa said. "I'm talking about the fact that if they're still in the testing phase, they either have a lot of resources or some powerful capes to make up for the difference, since they'd be running at a massive deficit if they aren't making money yet."

"A mix of both probably, certain Capes can make you get away with many things, like they probably have the Number Man doing their books," Colin said.

"Wait a minute." Medusa said as she realized something. "Which members of the Six were 53's?"

"Two, Trainwreck was already a known individual, but the one named Crystal Meth had her skin become blue and hair replaced by what looks like tentacles."

"Where was her omega?"

"There was none, and she has all her memories," Colin said.

"They're already selling." Medusa breathed in realization.

"And have been for a long time I believe, as Bad Canary had a permanent physical mutation from her powers that gave her a few feathers in her hair, which made people compare her to the Simurgh when her trial happened." Colin said as he put her mugshot up.

"How…" Medusa said as the scope of the plot she was apparently involved in began to unfold in her mind. "We- we-we-we- can't be the f-first people to figure this out, r-right?"

"Of course not, how can you sell a product if people don't know about it, people just don't talk and if they do…" Colin did not need to finish his sentence.

"How is C-Coil involved in this then?" Medusa asked. "Is he a dealer or a buyer?"

"Both perhaps. Maybe they asked him to test out a new model and the Merchants were the perfect ones, as for Crystal Meth, Hobo Lord and Snowflame this was their first offense and the Director plans to give them an offer to join the Protectorate on probation. They are strong Capes."

"...Oh god." Verity said as she caught on to the fact that, no matter what, Coil would still have his hands on the three… "Oh god, wait a minute, wait-wait-wait-wait a minute, you don't think?"

"What?" Colin asked.

"Heads I win, tails you lose, but he always chooses how the coin lands." Verity said as the sheer immensity of the machinations in play. "He's- he's- all of this, all of this is just part of something even bigger, it has to be. He's, he's far enough up his own ass to think of himself like a Bond Villain, meaning he's smart enough to spam his power all the time. Oh god, he's probably been manipulating things for years and this is just everything coming to a head, but to what end? What end? What end? What end? What's the point? Control? Control… he wants control. TT said he thinks of himself like a Bond Villain… the world. He's planning on taking over the world from behind the scenes."

"I don't think anything so grand, controlling the world is hard and complicated, too large," Colin said.

"Coil, snake, scale, scale, smaller, smaller, the Bay, at minimum. The Protectorate. The Criminal underbelly. Everything."

"Definitely, his own personal Fiefdom, controlling every facet of it, a city-state of his own making," Colin said. "When in control of all the issues, all the problems, starting fixing it, presenting himself as the city's savior."

"And, and and and, when there isn't enough going on, he can just make more Capes on either side as eas-eas-eas-easily as drinking a vile vial." Verity said, breathing shallow as her fingers twitched spasmodically.

And for but a second the room changed to one of gray and she felt glass pressed against her lips.

Just as quickly as it arrived, it was gone.

"I-I-I-I-I, I remember, just barely." Verity said, trying to take every single aspect of that room down in her mind, but she could tell her already porous memory would not be able to hold on for long, gripping her head as if to hold the memory in place. "Gray, gray room. Parody of an operating room. Gloved hand. Held down. Gloved hand. Can't move. Can't breathe. Vial. Can't move. Lips. Can't breathe. Drank. Nothing. Why? Why? Why? More, come on, more, more…"

"Verity you need to calm down," Colin said, having turned around and placed a hand on her arm.

"It's close, it's close, it's close, it's close, I can- I can feel, it's right. There." Verity said, the memory just barely out of reach, almost tantalizingly close. "Why… won't… I… remember… Come on…"

"Verity, listen to me, nothing good is going to come out of forcing it, you're hurting yourself," Colin said.

"That- that- that- that doesn't- doesn't matter." Verity growled. "It's close, it's right there, so why? Why? Why? WHY?!"

"It matters to me, you are my subordinate and your current health is paramount not what is in your past, it does not matter, only the now where I need the best goddamn hero in this city," Colin said as he stood up and pulled her hands down and away from her face.

…There was blood on her hands.

Verity's mind flashed through the blood she'd seen that day.

The taste was still in her mouth.

She wanted to break down.

She could tell that's what had been about to happen.

But something within her…

Would.

Not.

BREAK.

Medusa turned a focused gaze upon Colin. "Sorry about that. I'm good now. Please continue to find the source." She said in clipped measured tones.

"I would recommend getting some rest, it has been a long day for you," Colin said.

"Rest?" Medusa laughed mirthlessly. "Rest? If I don't do something right now I'm going to explode, so either find something to throw me at, or the civilian Verity Mendax is going to start a private investigation."

"Do that."

That stopped her in her tracks. "...What?"

"You're dismissed for the day, go and spend the time with your family or whatever Verity Mendax gets up to when she is not working, though I will be arranging a meeting with the Protectorate appointed Therapist for you." Colin said.

"...Oh god, I forgot about the kids." Verity said in shock. "Uh, so, first off, I kind of brought Tattletale here and handed her to Hannah earlier, don't think I told you that."

"No you did not."

"Yeah, so that was actually point four, but my brain is- my brain is- my brain is- I'm a bit overloaded right now."

"Many would be, few are as efficient as me," Colin said, trying to be humorous. But failing.

"I'm really trying, Colin." Verity said, since she really was.

"My apologies I thought a joke would relieve tension," The socially inept man replied.

"To change the subject a bit," Verity said. "Since my house kinda got destroyed today, I'm not actually leaving the Rig because I don't have anywhere else to go, do I have Cape Insurance?"

"Don't worry about it, the PRT will handle it."

"Oh, and starting now, Tattletale is now officially my ward and nothing anyone can say will change my mind on the matter."

"I don't think that is how that works, but I am not willing to argue about that at the moment."

"While I'm at it, what is Dragon's power?" Verity asked. "I've been confused about that, since she's always listening when I'm in here, apparently."

"She is a Tinker, that is just a coincidence as we collaborate and talk often."

"...Oh my god, she's the fabled Canadian Girlfriend, isn't she?" Verity asked as the pieces clicked.

"Of-of course not," The Tinker stuttered as his face actually went red with embarrassment.

"Was that a stutter?" Verity asked gleefully, immediately striking at the sign of weakness. "And a blush?"

"I am not in any such relationship with Dragon, we simply share many common interests and our specialties allow us to work better together than most Tinkers."

"Ah-huh." Verity said, a coy grin on her face. "I totally believe you." She said convincingly.

"Thank you for doing so," Colin replied.

"Oh my god he actually bought that?" Verity thought in surprise, while aloud she said. "Okay, I think that's everything I needed to talk about, did you make any progress on that list while we were talking?"

"Little to none, I will have more tomorrow."

"Alright, sorry, didn't know if you had super hackerman powers or no."

"I do not," Colin answered, sounding like he wished he did.

"Okay, so I think that's everything, I'm gonna go wash up, check on the kids, and then I'm going for a walk."

"Have an enthusiastic one," Colin replied.

"Hey Militia, thanks for watching the kid for me." Verity said as she approached Miss Militia and Tattletale, who were where she left them, inside of a small side room, likely a small meeting room, though Verity didn't care enough to check.

"You're welcome Medusa, so I guess something big is happening since you just didn't have me arrest her?" Miss Militia asked.

"Well, starting from today, she's now my ward."

"I don't think that is how that works?"

"Do I look like I care?"

"No, but this is going to have some consequences, she is a wanted criminal," Miss Militia said, which caused Tattletale to just roll her eyes.

"I'm aware." Medusa said. "But. She's also the best 'in' we have to a conspiracy brewing, and I need you to make sure no one tries to break her out or kill her."

"You're not worried about her breaking out?" Miss Militia asked.

Medusa looked at Tattletale, who met her gaze.

"Yeah I am not trying shit against this Mama Snake," Tattletale replied, her usual smug tone gone.

"Damn right." Medusa said with a nod. "So, yeah, you're the only one I can trust for this, Militia, since I'm going to be running some errands… like maybe fishing out my stuff from my extra crispy house…" It was only now hitting her that all her stuff was probably gone, which sucked, but all the people-

The taste of cold flesh and blood.

-all her people were alive, and that was enough.

"So your basically the only person I can trust to do this, H-Militia." Medusa said, just barely not using her actual name. "At least as long as you can."

"Don't worry I am not going anywhere at the moment, Verity," Hannah replied.

"Thank you." Verity said. "Before I go, TT, you got anything to tell? Aaaanything at all that may be pertinent or useful?"

"Got nothing, now, my powers basically need to reset, got a major Thinker Headache," She answered.

"Get some rest then TT." Verity said, lingering in the doorway for a moment. "You… did good today."

"Ha… that's a first."