Many thanks to dwood15, Fenrisulfr, Technetium43, frustratedFreeboota, and Assembler for betareading.

Many thanks to MugaSofer for fact checking.

Interlude 4a: Lisa

Tattletale took her seat between Circus and Labyrinth in a booth in Somer's Rock, Faultline leaning against the wall beside their table.

Coil was already there, Bitch in a seat behind and to his right. That wasn't exactly Coil's style; he usually came to such meetings alone, as a show of the professional detachment between him and his subordinates. Brought her here to get to me. And to cement her loyalty.

From the moment Tattletale entered, the girl's eyes had been locked on her. What little was visible of her face was twisted into a snarl.

Thinks I've betrayed her. Knows Coil was our boss. Has been promised something for assisting him. Support? Something related to her dogs?

She glanced then at the man himself. Coil's features were totally obscured under his black bodysuit—but that was little defense.

First, his posture. Strict, practiced. Disciplined, tight. Too tight. Slightly nervous. Not like Coil. Is not Coil. Body double—fairly accurate one.

Next, his physique. His ribs were showing under his costume, as always, as was his musculature. Not much more muscular than the real Coil, but more practiced. Has military training. Paid help. Mercenary.

Another glance back at Bitch. She was, if not relaxed, then at least not on edge. Familiar. Believes this to be the authentic Coil.

Well. Wasn't that interesting? Could exploit her trust issues to turn her against Coil.

Abruptly Lisa felt—not ashamed, but perhaps a little sad. She and Rachel had never been friends, but they had been teammates, not even a week ago. And now she was trying to figure out how to exploit Rachel's social weaknesses?

…All the same. Something to bring up with Faultline later.

Tattletale looked over at the other team already present. Kaiser sat at the head of the long table, his posture impeccable, his hands folded neatly on the table in front of him. Nonetheless, she could see the miniscule twitching of his fingers, and of his head as his eyes darted about under his helmet.

Is on edge. Meeting is high-stakes. More is on the table than Bakuda. Intends to bring secondary issue to the table. Considers ideal outcome very good; worst-case very bad.

Behind him sat several of the Empire—Purity, Krieg, Night, Fog, Fenja, Menja, and Hookwolf.

Purity, next. Her posture was stiff. Her hands very carefully kept unclenched. Her neck was stiff, keeping her face carefully turned just slightly away from her boss. Hates being here. Hates Kaiser. Is attracted to Kaiser. Is ashamed of being here.

Night and Fog were almost identical. Both held themselves very deliberately, in perfect control of their bodies, and those bodies were positioned around Purity, almost as bodyguards. Sociopath. Is loyal to Purity. Is pleased to be here. Is pleased by what that means, in a larger sense.

Krieg was next, seated on behind Kaiser and to his left. Is loyal to Kaiser. Is present at Kaiser's request. Tattletale didn't bother probing further—Krieg was a simple man. Fenja and Menja were little different.

Hookwolf was a surprise. His jaw was clenched, and his mask was turned in one direction unwaveringly. Is angry to see Bitch. Is angry at Coil. Wants to interfere with the meeting. Has Kaiser's approval to do so.

That might be interesting.

"Anything?" Faultline asked out of the corner of her mouth.

"Bitch hates me," Tattletale whispered back. "That's not the real Coil. Hookwolf is pissed at Bitch for something. He's going to interfere; Kaiser will let him. Kaiser has something besides Bakuda he wants to talk about."

Faultline didn't seem to move, but Tattletale glanced at her. Understands. "You want to make any kind of move on Bitch?"

"Not now," said Tattletale.

"All right."

At that moment, the Merchants entered. Tattletale's gaze settled on Skidmark. The man's gait was very slightly unsteady, but his hands were still—and held into loose fists.

Suffering neurological decay due to methamphetamine addiction. Knows he is not welcome here. Here to gather intelligence on Empire and ABB movements more than to assist with Bakuda.

Then Squealer. She was even more wobbly than her boss, but made a clear effort to hide it. Her jaw, visible under her visor, worked slightly as if in annoyance.

Is intoxicated. Suffering decay in multiple organs due to multiple addictions. Does not understand why Merchants are here. Would rather be tinkering.

Mush was last. He was the most stable on his feet, but even he swayed ever so slightly as he walked. His posture was firm and upright, in contrast with both of his teammates.

Is intoxicated. Suffering neurological and endocrine decay due to various addictions. Does not understand why Merchants are here. Trusts Skidmark implicitly.

So, Skidmark keeps his lieutenants dosed up, but makes sure to be clear-headed himself? Wonder what the logic is there. Or maybe they're just less strong-willed than he is.

"Skidmark's the only sober one," Tattletale whispered. "He doesn't want to help with Bakuda; he's here to spy."

Faultline nodded imperceptibly.

Kaiser kicked over a chair as Skidmark tried to sit at the table. Tattletale watched the brewing power play with some interest.

"The fuck?" Expected something like this. Anger isn't feigned, but is deliberately allowed to show.

Huh. Skidmark is less of an idiot than I thought. Something to bear in mind.

"You can sit in a booth." Calculated power play. Isn't actually invested in the Merchants one way or the other.

"This is because I'm black, huh?" Knows it isn't. Knows Kaiser isn't genuinely especially racist. "That's what you're all about, yeah?"

"You can sit in a booth because you and your team are pathetic, deranged scum who aren't worth talking to." Is getting genuinely annoyed with the waste of time now. "The people at this table? I don't like them, but I'll listen to them." Meaning he wants to size up the competition and find weaknesses. "That isn't the case with you."

At that moment the door opened. Tattletale glanced over. The man wore a black costume, with a red mask and top hat. His teammates followed him in, all of them clad in the same red and black. There was a girl with a sun emblem on her chest, a guy clad in heavy-looking armor, and a… creature of some kind, like a four-armed, hairless gorilla, with six-inch claws tipping each of its fingers and toes. Even it wore the red and black of its team, on a vest, mask, and leggings.

The leader looked more at ease than anyone else in the room. His body was loose and his posture unruffled. Here by request. Doesn't care about Bakuda. Doesn't care about any of the people in this room. His team excepted? Doesn't care about Brockton Bay.

The girl and the guy both looked more tense in the torso and legs than their leader. Their arms were slightly looser. Don't trust their leader. Don't much like being here. Think it's necessary?

The creature was harder. Although its body language approximated that of a human, its body was inhuman and thus the 'translation' was a bit garbled. Case 53? The tension in its fingers, ankles, and neck gave some information. Doesn't trust leader. Doesn't like leader. Doesn't think being here is wise. Doing it for other members of team?

Lisa tore her gaze away from the newcomers as their leader spoke. "I'll be taking a chair, I think."

"The Travelers, yes?" the Coil double said smoothly. Tattletale looked at him. "You're not local." Was aware they were coming. Travelers are here at Coil's request. Here in Coil's employ. His replacement for the Undersiders?

Tattletale couldn't hold in the slight wince as her head twinged in the very early stages of a thinker headache. That was no surprise—her power saw the most use before the beginning of such a meeting. There was a lot to gain by making sure she knew something about everyone else at the table before they started talking.

"You could call us nomadic. What was happening here was too interesting to pass up, so I decided we'd stop by for a visit." Almost all lies. Nomadic is misdirection. Lost? "I go by Trickster."

Faultline glanced at Tattletale.

"Coil," she mouthed.

Faultline nodded and then pushed off the wall, taking a seat among the other villains.

"Seems we've been replaced," said Circus lowly into Tattletale's ear. Slightly bitter, slightly vindictive.

Tattletale scanned the 'nomadic' villains briefly. "Not quite," she whispered. "They don't have a thinker."

Circus looked at her pityingly. "I think Coil has thinkering covered," she said dryly.

Tattletale looked away.

"There are two things I'd like to discuss tonight," said Kaiser. "First, of course, the ABB."

"This isn't sustainable for them. Bakuda is unhinged. Forty-three dead and over a hundred hospitalized in the past week, and no sign of slowing." Not-Coil shook his head. "I know your northern territory is under threat, Kaiser." Deliberately pointing out weakness.

"We have lost some ground," Kaiser admitted easily. Knows Coil is trying to set him off balance. "We will take it back once the situation is controlled—but I think we can all agree that the situation must be controlled?"

Faultline shrugged. "I'm a mercenary," she said. "I don't hold territory. It's really no skin off my back what Bakuda does, so long as she's not stupid enough to fuck with me and mine."

"Surely this sort of chaos can't be good for your business?" Kaiser asked. "After all, if no one can pay you, what business do you have?"

"I didn't start in Brockton Bay," said Faultline. "I've got no pressing reason to finish here."

"You would be willing to assist with the situation if you were paid, of course?" not-Coil asked smoothly. He really was a very good impostor.

"Of course," Faultline said, sounding offended. As she continued, Tattletale blinked at the sound of footsteps on the wooden stairs outside. Two individuals. One lighter, smaller feet. Woman. The other larger and heavier—a man. Young? "I don't like seeing the city getting blown up, but getting involved in other people's problems for free is bad for business."

"In that case," a voice said as the door opened, "we would like to hire your services."

Everyone turned.

Miss Militia stepped inside, her eyes darting from mask to mask. Hates being here. Feels it is necessary. Willing to compromise, willing to negotiate. Considers everyone in this room contemptible.

Behind her, the Ward Aegis slipped in and closed the door. Tattletale glanced at him. Saw the clenched jaw under the mask and the hard light in his eyes. Annoyed. Doesn't think he should be here. Despises this place, despises the people here. Willing to go along with it. Unafraid, confident. Isn't worried about being surrounded. Recently gained new… power? Powers?

Tattletale glanced at Faultline, who was staring her down. "Careful of Aegis," she mouthed, moving her lips clearly.

Faultline gave another of her imperceptible nods and then turned back to the heroes.

"This is… unexpected." Kaiser's voice was hard, but its pitch was marginally higher than usual. Covering uncertainty. Did not expect heroes. Directly counters plans of his.

"But not unwelcome. Come, Miss Militia, take a seat," said not-Coil, beckoning. "We were just getting started." Expected this. Knows this counters Kaiser's plans. Leveraging it to set Kaiser on edge.

"I'll stand," retorted Miss Militia, her voice hard, even as she approached the table. Refusing to associate herself more than necessary. "I notice the ABB isn't here?"

Coil's impostor nodded. "That's hardly a surprise. It amounts to little more than an endorsement by Lung of Bakuda's… behavior."

"It's a statement of intent," Kaiser said. "Lung does not intend to negotiate. He has fully committed to this mad scheme." Is genuinely disgusted, but is emphasizing it for presentation.

"And the Protectorate intends to answer in kind. That is why, even though Aegis and I would love to arrest every last one of you, we would like to propose a truce." Miss MIlitia spat the word out like bile. "We cannot bring our full force to bear against the ABB if we are simultaneously forced to patrol every other section of the city."

"And we cannot bring our full force to bear against them if we are worried about you heroes attacking our assets in transit," said Kaiser coolly. Genuinely happy about the offer. Affecting condescension for the benefit of his followers. "I would consider a truce."

"As would I. Have you any specific terms?" Coil's voice was smooth and quick. Deliberately giving ground to Miss Militia because she unsettles Kaiser.

"Yes," said the hero. "Your people will commit no large-scale crime until the situation with Bakuda is under control."

"Agreed," said Coil instantly. "None of us can spare the resources at this time."

"No," Kaiser agreed after a moment. "No, we can't. Agreed. Any other conditions?" Feels that he's weakening his position by entertaining Miss Militia's offer. A glance at Coil, and the faint stretching of his mask that belied an underlying smile. Is deliberately forcing Kaiser to compromise to put him on edge. Damn, this was a great impostor. Lisa was impressed.

"No," said Miss Militia darkly. "But understand: if we see your people committing crimes on the street, we will still stop them. We just won't be actively hunting you down. That's all that changes." Feels unsettled by the concession. Is not in support of this plan. Ordered by superiors. Armsmaster?

"Well, I certainly have better things to do than small-time robberies at the moment," said Coil dryly. "Bakuda must be stopped. Surely you agree, Kaiser."

Kaiser didn't answer for a moment. "Of course," he said at length. Feels weakened by conceding to Coil. "In the same vein, however—if you send your heroes into my territory, or pursue the Empire's activities while Bakuda is being handled, expect us to respond… in kind."

Miss Militia chuckled dryly. "So, a 'truce' in the sense that no one wants to start an altercation?" she asked dryly. "We can do that." Is pleased. Feels freed by the specific terms of the 'truce'?

"Good," said Coil. "Now, you are all aware of Bakuda's… unusual method of recruitment?"

"Implanted bombs," said Miss Militia. "Yes. We recently retrieved further intelligence on the topic. Bakuda has been implanting even established ABB members with bombs. They are manually activated, but we do not know the range at which she can arm them."

"Do you have any information on their blast radius or other effects?" Kaiser asked. "Are they traditional explosives, or is she implanting some of her more exotic creations?"

"We have no information on that."

"I do," said Faultline coolly, with a wink at Tattletale. "A thinker in my employ believes Bakuda uses specialized explosives for implantation, but is unlikely to use any with a larger blast radius than a standard high explosive grenade. She believes such bombs would be more useful to Bakuda in other ways."

"Ah," said Coil, chuckling. "I see you are getting some mileage out of Tattletale."

"What can I say?" Tattletale called from the booth. "Faultline gives great dental."

Bitch growled from her spot beside Coil, but otherwise did not move. Her eyes had not moved from Tattletale for more than a few moments throughout the entire meeting.

"Speaking of the former Undersiders," said one of the Empire capes—Hookwolf. "Your lapdog's been causing me trouble, Coil. She's been fucking with my business."

"Yes," said Coil dryly. "A dogfighting ring. Quite stupid of you to have a dogfighting ring in territory patrolled by a dog master, wouldn't you agree?" Knew this was coming. Prepared for it. Leveraging Hookwolf's issue into a weakening of Kaiser's position.

"Doesn't matter what it was!" said Hookwolf furiously. "She fucked with my stuff, got away free, and now you have the gall to ask us for a truce—"

"Do you really think your petty, ill-conceived business has any bearing on our alliance?" Coil asked. "Do you really think your dogfights are more important than the rest of Kaiser's collective assets in the face of Bakuda?" Coil shook his head in fake amusement. "Kaiser, you really should control your men. Or at least teach them a sense of perspective."

"You—"

"Hookwolf," said Kaiser sharply. "Enough. Your dogfights can be dealt with another time." Furious. Multiple targets. Coil—weakening his position, trivializing Hookwolf's issue. Hookwolf—pushing when the issue was deflected. Himself—allowing Hookwolf to bring the issue up.

Hookwolf gritted his teeth but didn't answer.

"If we've stooped to talking about which crimes are worth more to the criminals, then I think my presence is no longer required. We will be launching an offensive into ABB territory tonight," Miss Militia told the villains. "If you wish to assist, we'd appreciate advance notice. I'm sure you understand."

"Naturally," said Coil. "I will see if I can rally any of my men to assist you. Thank you for your time, Miss Militia."

Miss Militia nodded sharply. "Faultline," she said. "We will be contacting you shortly regarding payment. Expect a call sometime today."

"Looking forward to it," Faultline replied. "Always nice to wear a white hat for a change." Sincere, but affecting disdain. Tattletale almost laughed.

Miss Militia snorted and turned on her heel. "Let's go, Aegis," she said.

The Ward followed the Protectorate cape out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

"Well, unless anyone has further issues to bring up, I think I shall follow them out." Kaiser stood easily, carefully walking the line between too fast and too slow. "The major issues appear to have been dealt with." Is lying. Wanted to bring up another issue. Can't now. Something to do with the heroes?

"If you're sure there's nothing else you'd like to discuss," Coil replied with a nod. Knows what Kaiser wanted to talk about. Feels accomplished that he can't. The whole conversation, putting Kaiser off-balance—all to keep him from reaching this topic now.

Tattletale narrowed her eyes.

"What's up?" Circus asked.

"Kaiser wanted to talk about something else," she said. "And Coil didn't want to let him. Something to do with the heroes."

"Any idea what it was?"

Tattletale closed her eyes. "Not yet," she said.

Aegis—new powers. Kaiser—concerned about something to do with heroes. Coil—doesn't want it brought up. Wants to avoid putting anyone on alert. Can leverage it.

Source of Aegis' new powers. Annatar.

Lisa sighed.

"Got something?" asked Alex.

"Coil being interested in a parahuman is a good sign that they're worth paying attention to, right?"

"I'd say, yeah."

"Fuck."

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