Worm
The Grimm
Chapter XII
"Small town." Grimm remarked when pulling along dirt roads as dense forests freshly becoming greener and had mountains looming on both sides of a large valley. The eldest para-human routinely kept an eye on two younger capes who'd been behaved for the most part. Rascal had wedged himself s far as possible in a back seat staring quietly ever too gloomily. And Rune had earphones inside ears going along with musical tunes yet seemed to be a bit interested. Overall it'd been a tense couple of days excluding a near six hour drive getting up into one state while being slightly paranoid of state police hounding highways.
But the drive itself had been decent since it got them out of Brockton Bay. The city had been tense with police, or PRT carriers starting to set up supposed areas of safety for citizenry. It seemed the Protectorate had wanted to tempt him, if only avoiding their excuse to start interrogating people looking for him, Rascal or anyone suspicious. Or at least that's what public news media had sold off to an entire city almost on potential lock-down. Thankfully it wasn't too stressful, if only being asked questions before entering a freeway with pictures being showcased asking for whereabouts regarding himself.
"You'll appreciate that it's quiet, I come up here during summer." Scorch explained when they passed a small farm like portion leading up to some distant terrain. Occasionally horses, or cattle were lazily grazing providing ample rural lifestyles. The blond's cast along her ankle had been settled on rotating on pillows on a dashboard, or deliberately stuffed so weight never got applied. It'd been a constant process of readjusting it, if she needed it done and Grimm had been annoyed when pulling over to do it hours ago.
Regardless it'd been far too pleasant to really get an eyeful of seeing historic small towns outside a chaotic city. I'll never be able to afford this on a living wage, place is so far up north it'd take me hours finding any decent job. Lamenting internally did he turn right going towards a winding road that led past where some town had been visible. Occasionally birds flew overhead with foliage shading most of a paved road and there was a stillness with sun burning downwards. It'd gotten warmer since spring would be having an equivalent of a heatwave, solid seventies into breaking eighty degrees for at least three days.
"Reminds me of Maine, but closer." He reflected on previous trips years ago when driving and keeping as much distance as possible. It certainly wasn't alien yet being essentially stuck on exodus, or vacation meant when they ever go back? That city is going to respond to me being away, I wouldn't doubt it. But hopefully by then, Kaiser sends word Coil's got myself and Rascal some new names, then either I move after he's done with what I need. It's tempting to haul ass out, but seven years is enough for me to finally...reconsider life choices.
Speaking to a Thinker who looked up when seeing his expression in a side mirror, "Change of scenery making you better, kid?" Rascal hardly seemed relieved but admitted, "It's different." Grimm snorted underneath his breath despite Scorch glaring lazily in avoiding his opinion, "Do yourself a favor when that time comes to figure out where you'll go. Places like these are overlooked, but if you manage in getting any place...make it last. Avoid cities, too many people and you'll get an idea when traveling out in the boonies to appreciate it's charms."
The Thinker would find his own decisions one day, but as far as Grimm was concerned? Giving advice to give the kid a chance, or rather seeing the pay off wasn't half bad. Not that he'll fit in, stands out for most people out here. But long as he drinks, laughs and helps out? People will tolerate him, if only translating for tourists who make a mess in the woods. Man, I should have taken a few of those Fish and Game jobs years ago...yet being a wanted man, it limits what I do.
Scorch made it clear when leveling a warning, "Not here, mulatto. This is my home, John." The para-human driving shrugged less than concerned. But the Thinker would have been halfway across a country, yet alone next door to her of all people. Still the man did help him out a bit, "Rascal isn't going to be around you, woman. You Empire members made that clear, hell I'm stuck with it but at least he just needs to work for me and then he's gone. But you're a pain in my ass, I can't get rid of that until hell freezes over."
Off to his left Rune chimed rather daringly, "You have more in common with Empire than you'd like to admit, John." Rascal blinked when looking over expecting a truck to slam it's brakes yet Grimm didn't answer at all. He only raised a finger accordingly which made Scorch chuckle quietly, "The girl isn't wrong. You just can't admit it, but survival is a mutual cause to share with others and I've noticed you're still underneath Kaiser whose done enough for you and I. And it is he who hasn't killed your Thinker, despite your denial."
Regardless as a turn came up with them all slightly swaying due to weight, Grimm's tone brokered little agreement. In fact he seemed agitated, "Christ, I'm going to be hearing that sale's pitch all week! I know what those fourteen words mean, I understand it but it doesn't mean I follow those precedents your group loves to abide by." He looked up in a mirror to stare down Rune who kept grinning trying to provoke more out of him, "I'm a white nationalist, kid. Empire and I have very, and I mean very different ideals yet alone goals."
Rascal idly began looking up definitions since he owed a man to at least defend him from being pestered around, "Pretty sure Grimm isn't into Nazism." The Thinker's quiet tone drew glares from both capes as said man actually nodded, "Muchas gracias, mi amigo! But technically the term 'Nazi' is just allied propaganda from World War Two, ya know demonize and dehumanize your enemy. It's effective and everyone remembers."
He almost shrugged mainly from remembering old debates years past in cigar lounges when he'd been with people who weren't shy to dive into those topics, "Plus they were National-Socialists...again in theory, I do like the idea since it worked for them. But I'd say not here in America, honestly it never survived past that era for it be studied more often. Still my Thinker is on point, I ain't one of you nor will I ever consider it. After all, Kaiser will off me, or him given the chance, if you don't like where things go woman."
The man may have been driving yet his eyes trailed over almost daring either of Empire's known members to prove him wrong. Ever since she's gotten up, it's been almost routine to hear them bicker and go back, or forth about. Why are they pushing him, he clearly isn't humoring them and from what I can see, it's all just him getting annoyed. Rascal observed trying to at least make some sense about this persistence since he heard glimpses of conversation. They were indeed focusing on having him stick around willingly, but it remained doubtful considering the sole reason why he hadn't left them was because of himself.
"Things can change, John." Scorch retorted quite smugly when a low groan met her eyes, "Yeah when pigs fly, I'll wear the white hood. Christ, just get off my back and the answer is hell no!" Those last two words were obviously stressed, if not outright quite adamant about two would be pains in his ass for not letting up. Leaning over towards one pack of cigars partially opened, he plucked one before managing to light it while keeping eyes on the road. Occasionally tractors with some sort of trailer being pulled showcased hay, or harvests to be sold off.
Smoke swiftly flew out a window into oncoming warm air, "You can kiss my ass, but I ain't dealing with Kaiser, you or the little peanut gallery seating behind us as everyday occurrences." His voice sounded quite irritable to a point where metal underneath them all strained audibly. The truck itself almost stopped briefly, if only a para-human's patience remaining in place. A Thinker clutched at an overhanging handle once it was over. I'm going to die one day, either because they piss Grimm off or I have a heart attack. God have mercy, please.
They managed in turning onto a dirt road where bumps of rock and branches made the once smooth ride turn rough. Though it wasn't paved, a clear sign of it being maintained with stone walls were built along both edges. It led upwards towards a distant structure, if only bordering one small lake that stretched into glimmering surfaces. Secluded, this place is practically in the woods and town is a good five miles away! And to think couple of hours ago, it was a highway leading through cities to literally what Grimm said...boonies.
The house itself soon came into view leaving little doubt an entire section of lakefront was kept distant from others purposefully. It wasn't anything extravagant, if only being two stories and small enough to house possibly a family sized grouping. But an extended porch overlooking a small peer where two canoes were covered by grayish tarps. Wooden beams were exposed akin to a log cabin yet had modern blending of metal sheets slanted for a roof. And overall being surrounded by trees left little imagination for privacy.
"I expected a mansion, or some expensive place." Grimm admitted looking out a window into pulling up along one side door, Scorch's smile bordered on being amused. As the truck parked with an engine being switched off, "Let's just say my basement is where I bring guests." That drew a sardonic grin from an elder para-human who didn't comment about another similarity they shared. It seemed they both preferred basements for gatherings, or so he'd hoped without risking an urge to say this property wasn't too bad.
All four opened their respective doors getting out idly stretching, or in the eldest man's case fishing out bags from underneath his truck's covered back-bed. Lightly shoulder four backpacks while gesturing towards Rascal, "Get the rest, kid. I got all the heavier ones, so take your time." A pair of crutches followed when the blond unlocked an entry way to head in within preamble. But the Thinker heard Grimm exclaim as he stepped through quite surprised, he couldn't believe how impressed a man could get.
"A fireplace!" Loudly whistling in near amazement did Rascal hear him lament, "Ah fuck me! You know I'm going to like this place way too much." Laughter followed out of sight when he lugged out several bags following behind Rune who was staring out towards a lake. She seemed almost out of place despite head nodding to music inside ear buds. Yet the Thinker managed in slipping behind not willing to be left alone so early.
Whoa! Blinking almost undeniably surprised as he walked right into a living room which was completely furnished. As he'd heard an elder para-human moments ago, a fire place layered with brick and had iron like gates stood out immediately. Two couches meant for two, or so people were parallel with one lone lounge chair draped in mirroring coloration of darkened brown. A fur like rug covered most of an area, "Madre de dios."
Candle holders were arranged along walls, as if they were meant to light an interior leading towards a kitchen and dining room. One lone staircase wedged itself narrowed upwards as another doorway lead downward. It'd been designed, or build relatively with the center being a means of supporting any occupant living inside. No offense Grimm, but I think this nazi may have you beat since I have to admit it looks nice. What a world, I'm actually complimenting someone like her...but was right, it's going to be a long few weeks.
Up above thuds of bags being dropped were followed as a cigar smoking man appeared less than happy, "Place has three bedrooms, woman. Kids get their own, you get your own and I'm all too happy in taking the couch..." He started up only for Scorch's face to peak underneath a small bar-like counter cutting him off, "No!" Rascal winced due to how cold it sounded, as if that very suggestion was an affront to whatever she'd wanted apparently.
Grimm hardly seemed uncomfortable given he leaned up against a counter's edge leaning down to face an annoyed blond. The Thinker got an impression his would be friendlier benefactor grinned, "If you think I'm jumping into that big ass bed up there? With you?" He gestured pointedly with a cigar's burning end almost daringly, "Last time that happened, let's recap shall we? I do believe you and I got drunk, you got me quite tempted since I still remember your hands straying and I almost broke them."
Scorch's smug voice tinged on almost a lingering fondness, "I don't remember you saying no, or pushing me out despite that night we met." A man laughed out barking nearly exasperated, "Who the hell would say no to that? What is this?" He gestured towards Rascal who nervously tried to slide out of sight from a pair of annoyed blue eyes, "An anime bullshit joke? Woman, why do you watch that crap anyway?"
She gave him an almost withering sense of disgust, "I don't, John. You did!" Grimm waved that old piece of news off, "Years and many years ago. Sue me, everyone did it." He finally gestured to the Thinker mainly to keep some sense of privacy in place, "Pick a room and stick with it, kid. You and Rune better behave, or else I'm drowning you both until I'm happy. Now let's hop to it since I got a fire outside with my name on it, some quality good old fishing and I got my whiskey to keep my good side."
Rascal smiled partially aware it'd been a joke yet stiffly left the two para-humans who continued their conversation, "Your ankle that bad?" He asked mainly as she smiled partially, "It's stiff as is my hand, John. But I do need someone who can help me up and down the stairs, plus we've slept together despite your foggy memory. It was a good night, I'd think."
Hazel eyes rolled almost exasperated yet again, "Yeah, right!" He cleared up that notion by pointing out a bit irritated, "We slept on a bed. But we didn't fuck, or god help me I'd have been oblivious since you really pushed on following us home that night. I should have told ya off, I swear!" Sitting on a stool while stretching his own back to pop bones left little imagination, it'd been a tense few weeks in finally having time to settle down.
"It'll be nice to get away from most distractions, Kaiser expects us to be back within two weeks at most." She revealed casually using crutches to circle out into sitting on a couch, Grimm didn't visibly react except grunting loudly. In other words, if he needs me to stir up shit again. I'll have to go back, along with you and that eye spy girl whose watching my ass. Great, it's a vacation in name only woman and you're enjoying it.
Blowing out smoke smoothly while closing both eyes contently, "Why?" He asked that singular word sternly to a point where he stared right at a blond's skull, "What changed with you, or eye spy girl trying to get to stick around. You're pushing for me to stick around Empire, so tell me honestly? Why should I even humor that fucking insanity?"
Scorch looked over a shoulder coyly implying, "Because Kaiser isn't one to throw away potential, if I had to guess." Somehow even he doubted that implication regarding guessing, either the two talked frequently or their relation managed in providing some sort of leeway. It ain't happening, woman. Wouldn't work out, nor am I willing to go through additional hysteria that'll bring even more trouble and exaggerated claims onto my people. Everything we do is called out for some supremacy when fighting for our right to live, but identity politics goes hand in hand with cultural genocide that academia wages against.
Grimm honestly loathed supposed higher institutions that were breeding grounds for cultural Marxism, it'd been around for decades and was only further pushed whenever para-human laws began popping up in earnest. End goal is the same, we're all the same with equal value and therefore worthless when the opposite is natural law. Christ, we still use his terminology calling us all 'capitalists' when it'd been free entrepreneurship technically. But that ship sailed a long time ago, we're just trying to fight for our way of life.
And after decades the Protectorate had been clamping down crushing all notable dissidents. They wouldn't allow an upheaval after funding said movements. It only helped them solidify whenever capes, or if Uncle Same needed someone's teeth kicked in. Bullets, propaganda and having capes able to destroy entire cities really kept most populations into check. Until he'd up ended that belief years ago when stepping back into obscurity to really leave his mark. Some people wouldn't go quietly into extinction without a god fearing damned fight.
"It's still a hell no, woman." He stated when walking past towards an open doorway where fishing rods and tackle awaited to be used. I got some bass with my name on it, I was never good in sticking my fingers into a damn fish's mouth. But at least, it gives me a good feeling with my old man when he'd been walking around years ago too. If he had to put with sale's pitches for the next few weeks, at least he'd be able to chew it over in some quiet place far away from most people. The area was practically untouched and he'd enjoy natural beauty considering everything.
As sunlight hit him fully, his eyes wandered over towards a fire-pit and the wooden peer extending outward for anyone to swim off. It wasn't lost on him, if temptation in having a place such as this called home would've been everything he'd desired. Flaunting it all, aren't you woman? But if there was one thing he'd been masterfully capable in doing. It'd been avoiding temptation knowing the price alone would've been too damning to uphold. And he would have to stay in it for the next two weeks until reality came crashing down once more.
"It seems whoever shot you missed intentionally." Sophia resisted to lash out when viewing Armsmaster entering a room which had been tailored for para-human patients, if only on the Protectorate keeping up to standards regarding heroes. Recovering from gunshots hadn't been too enjoyable considering she'd gotten a lucky break, it seemed they had a small time healer who'd been discovered months ago making their rounds. Flesh and bone had been mended without too much effort, if only being observed by professional surgeons who'd been used as competent safeguards just in any case a mistake had been made.
But glaring spitefully at an armored hero whose arms folded imposingly, "I know who shot me, I'll take him down." The elder hero snorted loudly, "You almost cost this city, myself and every Protectorate cape their position with you prematurely engaging. Based on testimony, I have half a mind to finish what that man started. But unfortunately I'm loathed to say that your done for now, as of until further notice if I or anyone see you patrolling without authorization...we'll do ourselves a favor to keep you on a leash."
The recovering cape scowled just to bite out, "I was about to get one! I was too close!" If the man seemed to care he never revealed to mention it in his next words, "Not close enough, if they're both still walking around somewhere. And your orders were to secure a hostage, not engage as aggressors which has been noted by Director Piggot. She personally arranged a near city wide disaster to be averted, so she's not too pleased despite being grateful I'd requested she'd be told considering what your target was implying."
A girl visibly bared teeth spitting out, "The one who did that to my friend, I almost had and these back door deals are a fucking joke!" Armsmaster snorted loudly, "Killing isn't accepted unless there's an order for one, I'm surprised you're not denying it. Maybe there's a slight chance something useful is inside that thick skull, so color me impressed. But despite those injuries to the hostage, it's been verified it wasn't your target specifically...which I find strange, it's almost as if he's slipping away regardless of your situation."
Sophia bristled realizing an almost shrewd compliment to her prey she'd bring down, "They're mine to take down, Armsmaster. It's personal, it's not over and I say go fuck yourself." An armored man chortled underneath a visor, "I'm no longer your superior, so good riddance child. Word of advice, don't go mouthing off to someone who I'm not even willing to disrespect and it isn't Piggot, it seems your mistakes are actually useful for some who are willing to clean up a mess I'd rather not touch anywhere near yourself."
From a doorway someone knocked requesting entry as Armsmaster opened it lightly, "Gallant." He stated another Ward's name almost civil, if only partially approving as a similar hero with one visor retracted smiled uneasily. The younger youth gave a tense nod to his elder counterpart, "Sorry, but I was told to check up on my team mate. Vicky isn't happy, either and we got word we're supposed to be gathering at a meeting in a bit. Piggot told me when I came in before I had a chance to see my patrol scheduling, all four of us."
Sophia scowled when a less than pleased look fell onto her, "You're god damned lucky Piggot didn't string your ass up and have you detained. I expected you to at least listen, watch and follow our orders even if I admit it all sucked, but they were in place for a reason. And I almost fucking wanted to curve stomp your teeth in, Shadow Stalker." Gallant shuddered visibly trying to not get increasingly angered despite going through stress once again. It'd been a long few days, if only managing to keep Glory Girl from ripping apart the city to find Grimm, or anyone who'd heard about newer capes making names for themselves.
"She's arrived?" The eldest among them questioned simply in making his younger counterpart nod tensely, "And not happy. Brockton Bay is her first stop, or so what I gathered it'll be a tour of East Coast cities involving other Wards, or Heroes." Sophia idly wondered if smoking would appease rage building up from being left out of a loop. Something had gone down when she was underneath in getting bullets pulled out.
Armsmaster noticed her expression to mildly be impressed, "Congratulations for bringing down the higher ups in the Protectorate to babysit you, kids." He laughed harshly finding it all enjoyable for a change, "And it leaves me to do what I'd like do. Follow orders, respect command and you're going to learn discipline from someone who won't tolerate your...history lacking a sense of vigilance." That last word was almost utterly disgusted, if only to look down upon capes who'd gone outside the law itself and remained outside of rightful intentions.
"Do you want me to brief her?" Gallant offered already hearing impatience in an elder hero who waved him off, "Do so, if you'd wish. I have work to get done, I'm no longer babysitting her and as such, good luck to you." The man left two Wards together who watched him finally close a door, Sophia gritted both sets of teeth until it shut. What wouldn't I give for one of those cigars that John...oh, oh my god now he sounded so familiar.
Suddenly laughing aloud when recalling everything which slowly trickled into detail, as if it'd been overlooked entirely. I don't believe it, that bastard was right in front of me. Grimm was smoking a fucking cigar, John was smoking a cigar in that parking lot when that weak fuck actually came back because...Grimm was around, he fucking told me to my face! Sophia Hess started to snicker mainly in actually enjoying a new habit, an almost genuine act considering it'd been offered and she'd been warned it'd do better than a meager cigarette.
"I'd thought he'd never leave." Gallant muttered almost tiredly when asking her personally, "What's got you so cheerful? All three of us are under review, even if everything managed to be settled and you're not going to believe whose showing up." Sophia couldn't have cared except to humor the boy who looked quite unsettled, "Alexandria is actually here in Brockton...the fucking Alexandria who took on Endbringers solo and managed to survive!"
That managed to quell an internal glee as more details started trickling back on the day her school became a war zone. Glasses, now I remember! They were tinted and so was Grimm's as well. She recalled seeing them glinting near fire when sitting casually, as bolts from a crossbow hadn't come close to killing him and his voice had been strangely familiar. And he was carrying that damned pistol too, same one which shot me when he had it in that parking lot. Oh my fucking god, I tried flirting with that bastard and he got a laugh out of it.
Surreal alone didn't describe an almost following sense of gleeful anticipation when she had everything in place to hunt without being denied. Face, name and I have bait...Rascal. Fists clenched tightly when it was indeed true, if Rascal or Jose appeared in public? Then either John, or Grimm followed in shadowing a Thinker who'd been wanted. And said Thinker was bait because of someone who'd do herself a solid favor.
"How's Madison?" She questioned sternly trying to calm down as Gallant shrugged, "Got cleared up a few days ago. She's a bit shaken, but for a civilian I'd say she'll pull through. You can visit her at home, or school considering her mother signed her out." Leaning back onto a pillow while needing an almost unquenchable fix for nicotine, "Good. But what the hell is Alexandria of all fucking capes here, it can't be just for us, or is it?"
Her fellow Ward scoffed partially in disbelief, "I'm not stupid, neither is Vicky or you." He leaned against a wall clearly uneasy with being supervised by one of the founding members of the Protectorate decades ago, "But if it's just for that? Then so be it, yet I think it's because of Grimm based on what I know from our orders. And everything which Armsmaster, or Piggot have mentioned in trying to get this guy to...work for us?"
Those last few words were just genuinely of blind consideration given he didn't know, nor was it a secret based on their information. Grimm is my prey, he knows what cape did that to my friend. And I'll return the favor to that fucking Thinker, as well as that fire bitch. She had plans in making two capes suffer, but for that bastard? Sophia grinned lightly, "You know as well as I do, I don't see that guy saving a kitten out of a tree. Do you really want a cape like that working alongside you, or I? Something is going on way above our pay-grade, even you have to admit it's not usual for amnesty being offered, so aren't you a bit curious as to what?"
Gallant didn't visibly look towards her despite muttering, "A little." She couldn't resist smirking to drive a small jibe at him personally, "You look up to that cold bastard, so why isn't he telling you anything other than what you, or I already know? What makes Grimm's case that much different, he's killed hundreds and more will be dead, if he walks around freely." The armored hero scowled lightly due to him seeing a shift in her tone, almost as if his pride had been spurred for simply being denied information.
"We have no kill order on him yet." He reminded her tensely even though his fists were clenched, "And you are the last person I'd ever listen too. You've killed quite a few as well, at least our target knows how to restrain himself. But you?" Sophia lightly twitched her jawline trying to not fling anything remotely throw-able at an encroaching youth, "Torture? Stringing up heads? You're not so different from him apparently, but I can at least stomach what he wants to say...unlike you, so get off my ass and knock your shit off."
Sophia hardly found that offensive considering she pointed out, "He puts bodies on stakes and you say I don't show restraint? Whosoever with him, tortured and maimed my friend, a god damned civilian Gallant. At least I'm not afraid of doing what I damn well will get what's coming." She didn't bother hiding in going against whoever, or whatever ordered her to stand down. It was personal, too personal and Grimm was her only ticket to find where that flaming cape of a bitch she'd take down. And if Rascal wanted to stay alive?
I'll use him again and again, until it's no longer useful. But once she got cleared to walk around outside this hospital? She'd take a trip to Madison, ask her and do whatever it took to set up a meeting with Rascal. Overlooking it all, she'd wait and really see how much Grimm would go whenever that worthless sack of flesh for a Thinker showed up. She had names, faces and all that was needed was simply timing to make a hunt worthwhile.
"Do you hear yourself?" Gallant questioned unbelievably to mention yet again, "Alexandria of all heroes is here! In our city, Shadow Stalker." She scoffed lightly not remotely worried save for being wary of said famed cape, "She's staying awhile, if you didn't bother checking your ears! Good luck, I don't know what in the hell is going to happen to us as a team. I don't anything except to drag your ass and everyone into that conference room."
Getting out of bed while idly stretching arms, "She's reviewing us?" She finally relented to quell an anxious armored cape who shrugged, "Maybe? Armsmaster didn't tell me much, he's happier we're out of his hair and he only advised me to follow orders. Stick to what's told, learn and just hope we don't find a situation into screwing ourselves out of a job...again."
Sophia chucked lightly asking him quite surprised, "That asshole told you all that?" Gallant didn't appreciate her speaking about Armsmaster despite his obvious flaws when he'd been his ideal role model for being a hero entirely, "Yes. It's amazing when you talk to people, or is that too much for you to bend yourself for once? I give the man respect, if getting anything out of him is worthwhile then I don't hold it against him."
The girl laughed again, "Bend your girlfriend over more often, I'd believe it." Gallant's gaze narrowed a bit irritated when seeing his fellow cape walk past outside, "She keeps you around because you're a good talker. Whore's got baggage a mile high and you're the only one who puts up with it, why because you're a brown nosing rich boy. Money even buys you a place among capes, so don't think you're that rich in simply being Armsmaster's little bitch of a tool, you're a knock off or is that respect in your opinion?"
Referring to his own upbringing and motives made him bristle partially when he followed Sophia out into a hallway. Various doctors and nursing staff moved between rooms of other would be Wards, or patients who'd been effected by cape activity. It'd been a busy few weeks, if anything considering most were being treated for smoke inhalation, or suffered heart attacks from buildings being rocked akin to miniature earthquakes. And not including various gang related shootings which had been on a rise lately it seemed.
"You'll never change." Gallant finally muttered shaking his head as Sophia sneered to look over a shoulder at him fully, "And you'll never be the hero you'd like. Sniffing up the whore's skit, kissing ass and being a weakling just makes you pathetic. I'll bring down any god damned villain, or enemy who thinks they're strong...to do what they want." She vowed quietly near the end despite knowing what few friends had been sucked into their world. Capes and civilians never mixed well, or ended up bringing those into premature graves.
Even though they walked past several medical staff who woefully ignored their voices, "You almost bit the bullet, literally. And the only reason why you're still talking shit, Sophia?" The youth mentioned almost sardonically smug, "Is because a so called mass murderer put the city above himself, if I had to guess because it'd make us all look better. He could have killed you, hell I'm surprised Vicky found you breathing and guess what?"
Sophia's teeth were gritting tightly, "She did you a favor, by knocking your ass out." An armored youth roughly shoved past a fellow Ward who bristled visibly, "You almost got thousands of people killed because we lucked out. That man, or monster or whatever flying fuck he calls himself?" Gallant rationalized cynically to put her on the spot, "He told us straight to our faces, he wasn't going to duke it out with us...he wanted to save your friend and exchange her for nothing until you pulled a trigger in nearly screwing everyone else over."
He gestured towards multiple rooms where elder patients with breathing masks got supported despite sporting pale flesh, "Everyone in this wing got put here because of you, Sophia." Coming within inches of her face did she resist punching him squarely, "It shouldn't be heroes putting civilians into hospitals, but fact is they're here. Those fires burnt more than just wood, they burnt lead and whatever industrial wastes for everyone to breathe in when they were sleeping. Grimm might have known, now that I look back where he chose the location I'd bet money it wasn't isolated but I'll make it clearer. He planned on it thinking we'd be saving people but regardless... it all became a mess because you fucked everyone over."
He stormed away gnashing teeth in seeing families huddled over their loved ones, if they were unlucky enough some would pass away in their sleep. Grimm will be taken down, Shadow Stalker. His eyes hardened when a visor encased his face, "I swear to god you're not taking him in. He'll answer for murder one way or another, but not on your hands. He made us heroes look like a bunch of absolute ass clowns and I can't accept the fact he'd laughed right in our faces...because we acted like we were above everyone else."
Grimm nimbly cast a line out towards shallower waters while sitting contently on a peer's edge. It'd been relatively a few hours of peace, if only considering Rascal had scampered out of a house and promptly stayed within visible distances. Kid's spooked, but can't really do much. Woman's house, her rules and if he wants to survive longer? Stay out of sight, out of mind and it makes my job a bit easier to fish without distractions.
Wooden chairs with worn out padding made up for it when he'd gestured to a Thinker to sit next to him. He had a laptop out, it'd been charged and would keep him quiet for a few hours at least. Other than that it'd been a beautiful day for fishing, "Any bites, Grimm?" Rascal tried asking him to which he inhaled on a cigar lightly. He genuinely didn't mind questions when fishing considering he'd been outright garbage in trying to learn it naturally. My old man made it look easy, salty old bastard could hook a bass, or pickerel and know instantly what it'd be in seconds.
But lightly jerking a rod made him reply exasperated, "Yeah, I think so." Water calmly brushed up underneath a peer which caused hazel eyes to narrow, "But I think all the bass are right underneath me somewhere." The water looked a murky brackish coloration of brown and green swirls within various overgrowth providing coverage for fish. Or he'd at least assumed they were lingering around seeking out smaller prey to get fatter on hopefully.
"Can I ask you something?" Rascal quietly spoke up looking back towards a house, "If you want too." Grimm retorted humorously despite adding cheekily, "But doesn't mean I'll know an answer. Woman and her cousins spy are just a bag of trouble. For the record, hell I don't know if they'll really pull something with you when I'm around though."
The Thinker shook his head a bit uneasily, "No, it's something...strange." Grimm tilted over while blowing out smoke smoothly. He waited for the younger para-human to explain, "I got another text message. Thought you should know, because I don't know what to think." A phone's screen revealed literally one message being sent over and over. It didn't take a genius considering who'd been sending it in fits of near guilt ridden desperation.
Are you fucking kidding me? He exhaled loudly in sheer irritation, "Madison?" Saying that lone name almost doubtfully amazed, "The fuck does she know your number still? Didn't you change it?" He demanded almost groaning to lean back when a headache started forming, an honest to god urge to fling the Thinker into a deeper part of a lake came awfully tempted. It'd been an entire mess to get themselves out of it...or, so he'd thought it'd have been over.
"She keeps saying, 'I'm sorry' or 'Please talk to me!'" The Thinker read over past texts which had been pouring in for hours, or so it'd seemed. And he kind of defensively bit back, "I did change my number, Grimm. I think she remembered my older one, because I'm using this one mainly as a back up for those dummy accounts on the PHO forums. But I can't trust her..." He trailed off in doing himself a favor by shutting it off swiftly.
Grimm snapped one set of fingers quite happily, "Holy shit! You're learning." Both the Thinker and himself sat quietly without being disturbed when that phone got put away, "I put my ass on the line to get her out of this mess, kid. Do yourself an even better favor, ignore her and simply worry about your own ass for once. Capes and people don't mix, I can tell ya it ain't for them since they always think we're all normal...or, sort of normal to think we can just switch these off." Behind a piece of metal hovered between them since it'd been rusted underneath water, if only suggesting it'd been scrap from some boat years ago.
"How did you cut all ties with everyone?" Rascal asked mainly seeking a bit of advice as an elder man shrugged, "Years of practice. And once I committed to doing what I'd said I'd do, I couldn't afford having Feds or Protectorate soldiers kicking down my family's front door. It's not too difficult, if ya think too much into it and keep who you know as friends small...you can get by, if only seeing everyone else lose their minds trying to find out who you are."
Jose honestly couldn't hope to learn that fast considering his own mother had tried in recent weeks contacting him, "My mom's in protective custody, or so she claimed." He revealed tiredly as Grimm groaned lowly, "Typical. She's bait unwillingly, or worse off in actively helping them trying to get you to turn yourself in. Protectorate and Feds use family, it's effective and they'll do whatever it takes to catch their supposed target."
The Thinker didn't doubt his word regarding being a wanted criminal, "Will they hurt her?" He asked inevitably in making an elder para-human laugh, "If they're desperate? Sure, I wouldn't put it past them to threaten her financially, prison or taking away your sibling when their born. Part of their policy in getting potential, 'para-human' away from would be influences...friend of mine from work told me at a dinner one morning."
A fishing rod jerked as Grimm pulled up whooping somewhat impressed, "Nailed him!" The man struggled immediately reeling in as a fishing line zipped sporadically. Rascal watched almost slightly mystified when the very pool started bending, if only just enough to where Grimm yanked upwards panting when he motioned to him, "Get a net, kid. Behind my chair, do yourself a favor and just put this bastard in it."
It didn't take long despite shakily holding a small net when some sort of greenish fish came up thrashing and Grimm scowled. A fucking pickerel, fuck me sideways! These bastards got teeth, but thank god it's small where I have gloves. One narrow headed animal swiftly ceased struggling after air managed to make it somewhat able to handle, it'd be a pain in his ass but Grimm lightly used one boot to make sure the damned fish wouldn't snap at his fingers. He really loathed fish with teeth, they took all the joy out having some sport in it entirely.
"She's going to lose all that money, I got for her." Rascal stated somberly when an elder para-human cautiously yanked out a hook despite wearing gloves, "Probably. Feds don't like it when someone takes their hard earned printed money. Like I said weeks ago, they tagged you and now we're both stuck with them trying to get a gun to force us into their 'service', or prison. Either way, you did something with that brain of yours and you're stuck with it."
Jose found himself sicking into a chair right next to an elder man who released the fish by kicking it over a peer's edge. It seemed to be lifeless before speeding away in one furious movement as greenish hue disappeared underneath brackish waters, "They ever find out who you were? And target your own family, it seems like you know how they operate." Rascal mentioned a taboo word around the man who immediately smiled since it'd been intentional, if only just to provide some advice into alleviating stress on his shoulders.
"You get one free pass for that word, kid." He humorously told him with a smile in place, "But they never found out who I was, so it never happened. Luckily, for me and you, I'd say I might have been sold out if the Feds came knocking to my door. Family's...a word, if I had to say." Admitting cynically from previous accounts and personal experience, it'd been a topic he'd never willingly get into because he quite frankly gave up on that idea. The notion of family in this country had been dead and gone ever since it'd been systematically destroyed for ones and zeros in consumerism for all fashions in our lives, or rather it'd been intentionally attacked because of liberal 'freedom'.
The man cast out a line again after leaning back into his own chair, "As long as you never contact her, or anyone? It'll be a waste of time for them to use that against you, so keep at it. And one day you'll be walking around as if everyone's forgotten about you! Hell, it's too easy." Grimm's tone tinged on bemused expectation considering after what he'd been through for these past few weeks. The kid had a chance, if only in name after Kaiser or Scorch would do all in their attempts to bind him to Empire's employment apparently.
"Says the mass murderer." Jose muttered under breath to make a man chortle, "It's only as easy if you ignore bullshit, Rascal. I kept my word, so I don't regret it." He barked out chuckling to jerk a fishing pole several times since a line landed near lily pads, "Only thing you need to worry about? If I had to guess in all honesty? It's too simple, in hindsight."
Grimm glanced over in seeing a young teenager stare back hopefully, "Stay off the woman's bad-side and let me deal with her. She just loves to rub it in, plus I have her angel of a cousin up my ass and there's fuck all I can do to tell him off." Jose snorted loudly in making a man grin wryly, "How the hell do you manage it? She's a god damned nazi, stuck up racist bitch and always tries to get us screwed for god's sake!"
Hazel orbs coyly checked behind them expecting a blond to be there yet it'd been clear, "Because she's got a nice ass, why else?" Rascal looked disgusted to a point where he laughed out loudly as Grimm couldn't resist slapping a younger Thinker's shoulder. Inhaling deeply on a cigar while trying to not cough proved difficult, "I'm kidding! Oh lord, I love fucking with you because you don't when or where to take it easy."
An almost unconvinced youth didn't seem to buy his joke, "You actually like her?" Grimm shrugged yet again not even humoring too much, "I put up with it." He corrected him mainly to make it even clearer, "Woman's got connections. Least I'd thought, but once you and I are in the clear? Probably we're going our separate ways, I don't like Empire too much and hearing their sale's pitches gets old after babysitting kids."
Rascal wasn't ignorant to see he'd avoided a factual belief, "Grimm! She's a fucking nazi!" Hazel eyes rolled to the heavens in genuine exasperation, "Oh really? What else is new?" A youth covered his face trying to not scream out in sheer frustration. Holy shit, either you're a fucking moron or you actually don't mind her! What the hell is wrong with you, Grimm?
The hispanic youth finally regained a bit of sanity to point out, "She's racist." If the man seemed disturbed, or remotely annoyed he never showed it by commenting idly, "Different races of human, kid. Not like she isn't wrong about why, or considering I fight for my people. May not get along with Empire, or their past ideals but we tolerate each other. We just have our differences despite it being a pain in my ass."
Rascal blinked several times before shaking himself over from groaning, "Madre de dios, Grimm. Can I ask just why you do?" An elder para-human's smile faded into a placid expression when jerking the rod several times. He didn't reply for several minutes, if only in favor of listening to water crashing against a peer's wooden edge. Wind softly caressed them both due to a valley looming around them fueling gusts of air.
"Women are emotional, kid." Grimm's voice tinged on sardonic amusement, "Men are logical. I'm a nationalist, I love my people and I'd do anything to fight for them. But it's laughable, I'm a joke and I can only humor when people hate themselves too much." A Thinker didn't see why that made sense considering what came next, "I fought for this country like every other soldier, I served with other races and the joke about civic nationalism? In my opinion it can't exist without someone getting fucked over, my people are the ones judged, criticized and those who finally had enough? We became jokes when they couldn't argue logic, so they demonized and pushed us all."
Exhaling out smoke which obscured his glassed momentarily, "Imagine creating everything that everyone including your own people...use against you. The very idea of nation, beliefs and destiny to make you hate yourself in an ending inescapable pit of guilt. It's designed to make people like me to think we're crazy to people like you, Jose." Saying the Thinker's name for once made a youth flinch since he'd never heard the man say it smoothly.
"Why isn't the question, it should be how." Grimm wished lowly to only shrug again, "The woman and I are...complicated." That last word came a little too cynical for his own good, "I got mixed up with her, and I'm not one to back down from someone trying to get with me. But I'm weighing my own goals politically, personally and it's all against when I'm 'Grimm' who does what he does best! Which is me, in taking on Uncle Sam and the Protectorate while watching the world lose it's mind when I do nothing afterward."
Rascal said a fake name much to his internal amusement, "Your name isn't 'John', right?" Grimm shook his head, "Nope. John Smith is a generic alias, kid and one that's so damned numerous it'll drive even a Thinker crazy to thin out which John Smith is actually...Grimm." That actually made quite a lot of sense, if only hiding in plain view. And the genius trick in using such generic cliches, Rascal knew inwardly without a doubt it'd give him breathing room to avoid going through millions who had that name entirely worldwide.
"Paranoid?" The Thinker ventured a bit bemused since it drew an amused grin, "Always! It's kept me off Uncle Sam and Protectorate radars for seven damned years. I simply kept my word, watched and observed...until I decided, enough is enough. Sound familiar?" He hedged to a younger para-human who blinked owlishly realizing it'd been a chilling word for word promise. Grimm inevitably would have returned one way, or another yet Brockton Bay just forced him to come back into the spotlight because it'd been convenient.
He wanted to come back, or else someone out there found out. And I was used to force him out, Grimm doesn't seem like a guy who'd go on a rampage. Unless he would, if someone managed to force him into it one way, or another. Rascal tried piecing together a man who seemed simple at first glance, but in reality would cause quite extensive damage considering what had happened days ago. Having that much metal in one lump could have flattened skyscrapers, it could have buried thousands upon thousands of would be city dwellers without them even having a fighting chance to get to safety for god's sake.
"Any update on those PHO, or Dark Web accounts?" Grimm switched their conversation into more business related considering they'd been having a gloomier sense of humor, "Lot of people are trying to dig up things about you. Nothing solid yet, but I did use that one account name you suggested and it's gotten like several thousand messages surprisingly." Rascal admitted a bit cautiously after monitoring mostly hate mail, or some fanatical encouragement. Nothing led him to believe anyone knew about what he'd been searching for so far.
Grimm couldn't resist sounding smug, "Told ya it'd draw attention. Offer couple grand and I bet someone out there will dig up rumors. Use public resources, useful idiots and eventually someone's going to get lucky." The Thinker wisely avoided pointing out that would draw attention from officials considering bounties were technically illegal for capes, or would be villains in garnering support from public eyes. It'd draw Protectorate resources most likely, it'd draw attention and Rascal realized it was an effective throwaway goose chase.
"You want them to know." An overt crooked grin emerged after a youth had shivers running down his spinal cord, "You're learning, kid. Let the Protectorate, or Uncle Sam do my work for me...as a few grand will make them spend more, if only to put a lock down on information. Censorship draws people like me out, we'll call it out and everyone will either look into it because it's censored which in this country is believed impossible."
Rascal considered once again this man as absolutely insane, or he a shrewd bastard who used others for their own ignorance. It's a gamble, low risk but high reward. He wouldn't be caught off guard in being lured out, so why a Thinker slowly put together an almost long-term plan which would whittle out would be dangers. If the Protectorate used other Thinkers, he'd be able to weed them out over legitimate users and others would be in league to take them out. Or rather, warn 'Grimm' as they would be bait with them being occupied in trying to keep themselves anonymous. Using your own enemy's resources against them in a...war of attrition.
The man took an impressive drag on a cigar blowing out smoothly, "I know what I can, or not do very well. I use people who want to dig up things naturally, they're better people out there who can do it as if I can smoke cigars naturally." Looking right at Jose did Grimm give no less an order of smug confidence in his own skills which made things uneasily optimistic, "Watch them all, kid. I need you at all times to figure out whose is willing, or not and then start sorting out which ones will want to meet me in person. And we'll find out whose got a date with sharks, wouldn't it be funny that everyone knew that I'm a man of my word once words leaked out eventually?"
There wasn't anything remotely playful considering that crooked grin exposed teeth happily. Rascal shivered realizing Grimm's sense of dark humor wasn't just at face value. If the man would feed someone to sharks? He's going to do it, and I'm going to have to watch it. Better off, I suppose since I'd rather not see what the nazi bitch was mentioning. Don't want to know which part was her lying, or god knows what else.
Both para-humans settled into a quiet routine whenever one hooked a fish, or kept to themselves in favor of simply enjoying the day itself. Occasionally tree's swayed with branches idly being snapped off, or seeing waves picking up a tad bit. But overall if the Thinker were to admit it? Grimm was fairly simple in enjoying things, if only out of sheer practice. And the quietness of being so far from any city certainly had appeal in his mind for getting away one day. Brockton Bay never had a quiet night as far as he'd lived inside of it.
Behind them they heard a vehicle pull up which caused both Thinker and terrorist to see people actually getting out. They appeared to be locals considering a blond greeted them openly with hugs, "I almost didn't believe it! But when you said you were up here early!" An elder woman tenderly embraced Scorch who seemed a bit off put despite gesturing to a cast. Grimm idly noted two kids following behind a man who seemed almost exasperated for simply tagging along. The younger two kids were probably siblings in his opinion.
"Empire?" Rascal ventured once again to lowly ask him nervously, "I doubt it." An elder para-human replied turning back to his own hobby when casting a line out again. It seemed to go further than previous attempts, "You need to remember that even the woman and her angel of a cousin keep cape lives out of sight. Not everyone is with them, but they certainly don't realize how close it gets to home when someone leaks out information about private lives."
A small gathering brought them to attention when Grimm got waved over, "Introduce yourself!" Scorch irritably called out ordering as a casual wave made it lackluster, "Nope!" That lone word even made a Thinker wince when simmering eyes promised an inferno of trouble. A crooked grin turned lightly into almost invoking trouble, it'd been an intentional asshole move on Grimm's part. And a youth knew he'd get a laugh out of it.
"So that's John." Scorch's voice tinged on openly annoyed tones which brought soft chuckling from an elder woman who commented, "Quite a character, isn't he?" Despite using crutches a blond relative of Kaiser managed in swiftly using one to kick Grimm's back. Rascal wisely avoided making eye contact in favor of simply watching a fishing line twitch. But the man didn't jolt too much except lazily raising a finger, "Would you knock it off!"
"I'm on vacation, not another social gathering woman." At first the blond's supposed family friend didn't react except raising an eyebrow at such direct demands. Her husband laughed almost undeniably impressed when asking Grimm conversationally, "Any good bites?" That garnered a placid lament involving fish with teeth, "Pickerl. Bastard almost nicked my finger off, I swear there's no bass anywhere in this lake."
Scorch relatively managed in keeping her cool outward exterior to a point where the smiling remaining was forced, "John these are good friends of mine. I invited them for dinner, Kaitlyn and Derek will be staying for a night, or two with their kids." If either para-human doubted Empire ties beforehand, it'd been all but confirmed mostly in one word alone. Grimm in particular didn't say much except for waving it all off naturally.
Sales pitch, huh? Rascal thought about that seriously in ordering if the mass murdering terrorist was a Thinker in his own right. Then again, he's been wrong about a lot of things. Or maybe, we're overthinking things too much. This bitch is trying something, because I'm not getting glared at or being told off. How the hell do you do it, Grimm?
An entire handle glass full of whiskey was idly skidded over due to a boot, "They work related, or just casual good ones?" He questioned quietly when using legs to clamp down on a fishing rod's handle to pour himself one decent shot, "Thought this was a time to get away. I plan to drink, fish and have a fire underneath some stars for a change. Woman, don't lie to me or else I'm going to dive head first into this lake and drown myself."
Scorch noticed family friends having bemused looks as if they didn't except that openly, "I've known them since I grew up here." Grimm and Rascal glanced towards a blond who looked uncomfortable when using crutches to hide herself subtly, "Home town getaway, huh?" The eldest para-human among them all stood up lightly offering whiskey to a husband who took it quite happily. Even if drew glares of irritation from both women due to children giggling at their mother's and from their presumed 'aunt' expressions alone.
"John Smith." Grimm used his alias to lightly tap glasses to an elder man who chuckled good naturally, "Derek White." The two downed their shots naturally smooth as Grimm gestured towards other chairs behind them, "Grab a chair, pal. Stay awhile and let the kids get lost, I need someone coaching me where to find these bastard bass."
The language garnered Scorch to violently kick Grimm's shin as he yelped in nearly dropping a glass, "The hell is your problem, woman! Kick me again and I throw your ass in that lake!" He threatened cradling an almost shattered limb, if Rascal resisted in keeping a straight face. It was too damned infectious in seeing a blond bitch trying to make good impressions, a young Thinker finally lost it when laughing straining as blue eyes glared hatefully at him. She didn't want to humor his existence until Grimm poured him a glass as well.
"Derek, meet Jose. Jose...this is Derek." Grimm's crooked grin didn't help a simmering blond as Rascal lightly raised a glass full of cinnamon flavored whiskey, "Hola senor." Derek tilted his head mutually unbothered by replying fluently, "Buenas tardes, chico! Como estas hoy?" That proved almost reliving when a Thinker found himself floored, if only to reply equally pleasant and a bit nervous in actually hearing his native tongue being spoken again.
As the two started conversing mainly in a friendly spew of spanish. It managed in Grimm getting up while absently rolling shoulders in moving towards Scorch who glared quite openly at his crooked grin. He offered her his own glass, "You know what?" Saying those three words almost tauntingly impressed, "I just think spending time out here with you? It just may be damned well worth it, so who'd have thought I'd be proven wrong?"
Emily Piggot inhaled slightly despite sitting just to the right as an individual wearing a business suit walked in skimming through folders of paperwork. It seemed to have worked a little too well, I haven't seen Alexandria this focused in quite some time. Perhaps Los Angeles has been boring lately, you've outdone yourself old friend. The Protectorates founding member of an original trio seemingly memorized every little detail embedded on papers. Images, known details and all gathered information pertaining to the Ward's actions pertaining to a Rogue who'd been giving them quite one complicated mess entirely.
Hispanic features stood out prominently despite make up giving an older appearance, Emily Piggot wasn't fooled in seeing a literal prime specimen unable to age naturally. Or rather wouldn't age according to human limits, if seeing eyes which harbored decades of experience and through plain glasses meant as an appearance to fool many stared. Alexandria even still commanded an unshakeable sense of being judged, she didn't dare mainly due to an unseen aura which made Glory-Girl seemed tamed in comparison. There was simply no amount to what stood among them in Brockton Bay and as one of the living Triumvirate it'd been understated whenever one appeared in public. They were simply far beyond human, or para-human even still to this day much to her internal speculation that they'd last longer naturally.
Long hair trailing down past onto a spine was smooth and impeccably imposing when her voice finally graced Emily's senses, "Seven years ago, I was outside the country. And I remember hearing about what this cape calling himself, 'Grimm' had done." The tone was unnaturally strong yet cold in making a Protectorate Director school herself accordingly. This was her technical superior despite loathing inwardly that a para-human, cape or something not human held sway over all but two other founding members themselves.
"It threw what I'd planned momentarily into chaos, hunting for leads and using what best Thinkers to predict an emergence of civil unrest and expecting a revolution." She reflected in those days only to be quite coldly angered in being proven wrong when even Thinkers underneath her had failed, "But it was swept aside leaving us to pick up pieces. Thankfully what we have now was an effect, but I do not forget what causes me problems...Director Piggot."
Overhead a projector activated when video footage of what had happened in Brockton Bay was for her eyes to take in vividly. Footage of seeing PRT, police and watching an entire city's portion nearly burn to the ground with a target of the Wards raising his middle finger at spot lights. And seeing huge titanic swaths of metal being formed, manipulated and inevitably used in a show to stem one dying city's cancerous death into unknown territory. Alexandria didn't once blink until focusing on a lone human who kept herself expertly indifferent.
"This rogue cape calling himself, 'Grimm' is what I would consider an enigma because there's no information indicating otherwise." The lone legendary cape who'd tackled Endbringers, who'd done more and beyond smiled charmingly sardonic, "But it's intentional. Your Wards know an enemy who knows how we operate, knows how we determine threats and that is quite shrewd considering you've only classified him just short of being a city destroyer. So it leads me to think, why are you asking me to handle it?"
Emily hardly appeared surprised considering what probably had been said was made out for herself to appear incompetent. It was expected of course, but more it got an intended purpose fulfilled. It had gotten the Alexandria to stand right inside Brockton, an assurance yet alone an absolute victory once she'd publicly start flying around. And the only thing she had to offer? Smiling internally when seeing an image of Grimm frozen staring back at a camera's lenses was all what was required for cleaning up a dying city.
"Because the Wards in Brockton have made quite a mess, if you read a bit further." She said quite levelly in making an elder cape seemed less than convinced, "This rogue insisted he talked to whoever ran this city's Wards. They prematurely almost caused thousands to die, if he hadn't acted and cleaned up a mess which I suspect was entirely planned out. The location, effects and foresight of events is something very few among capes who aren't sponsored don't exhibit, if we're including a soldier's mindset in this country's...service."
Alexandria read over transcripts of Piggot and Grimm's talk over a line which had been recorded by Protectorate Thinkers. She didn't visibly react to instead hum lightly, "A soldier?" Information leading to an accurate conclusion were backed by recorded testimony as Emily smiled placidly, "Veteran with possible PTSD afflictions, we don't know for certain since we don't have any names or retinal scans accurate to cross reference American citizenship on record. Unlike most capes who are rogue, or have turned to villainy...you know more than anyone that if this one isn't taken off the streets, or contained it'd look bad on the Protectorate's image since of a truce I had to authorize in order to make these children look salvageable."
The triumvirate member sharply questioned harshly, "What?" Emily took a drag on her cigarette to mention casually, "It's an old policy, but one still in effect. Truces with para-humans who offer their services to us, if at a price and it made official sanctioned Wards look quite...inept." That last word was quite an understatement when Alexandria's gaze took in numerical estimates of civilian collateral as hundreds would be dead soon. Mainly from breathing complications, or advanced ages with lead particles seeping in through out of date buildings meant for public housing as it'd sparked a city wide crisis.
"We're losing these streets as most cities, but exceptions can be made if their useful and can be contained within bounds." She suggested mainly in a casual offering since it'd spark an old drive within the cape due to this particular rogue's past history, "If you can turn things around here as a start, it'd make any potential para-human activity vacate effective giving Brockton Bay's own heroes some breathing room to hone themselves. This city is notoriously attracting attention from capes and I'm quite annoyed at them moving in...slipping by."
There wasn't a lie within those words despite Emily priding herself into keeping even the famed Alexandria at bay, "Sixty PRT agents have lost their lives, so far. And someone is keeping their killer on a leash...someone inside this city." Eyes which had seen too much considering one of them was false yet none could tell which was natural narrowed openly. Above all else Alexandria wasn't an individual to vindicate the Protectorate's founding principles, to make heroes and produce them so they served for the greater good of humanity.
"How many groups have centralized?" Alexandria curtly ordered into gleaming an oversight as Emily's sly smirk exposed teeth, "Too many." She said vaguely while explaining fairly knowing it'd provoke an aggressive series of operations, "But with Grimm? One of them holds him into keeping us from striking at them directly. No Ward, or Brockton Bay affiliated resources will be mobilized whenever this rogue appears and he in turn will not strike, if this tentative truce remains. It's a thin line which will be broken inevitably...but not too soon."
The chief enforcer wasn't pleased to make it clear, "If I take him down? Will you clean up this cesspool without me wasting time since other cities need review?" Emily shrugged to her superior not willing to give direct suggestions unless she approved genuinely, "It's your operation, I'm only filling you in what kind of mess these kids got themselves into. They're going to destroy what little progress we've made and ironically, Grimm just gave us an excuse to be more involved with Brockton Bay locally...which I suspect again is his way of laughing at jokes for sponsored heroes in our policy since they're not quality nowadays."
Alexandria's sardonic smirk lifted itself when she pieced it together, "He fights for his people." Her tone tinged on sheer bemusement when glancing over known political aspirations and attacks seven years ago, "It seems he thinks himself as an ubermensch. Based on what I know about those topics, is he known to read Nietzsche? Or any philosophical novels?"
Emily couldn't answer positively to reveal, "Unknown. You'd have to find out, if I had to guess since he appears civil and that destruction occurred due to premature decisions. Glory-Girl and Gallant testified during the blaze he sat exactly where he'd do so, as a means to uphold his word and that alone maybe your ticket to bring him in." She advised mainly in throwing ideas, or consideration to an elder cape who laughed quietly finding it all disgusting.
"No one knows who 'Grimm' is because there's no information he's parted with willingly. And other would be sources weren't done by his hand, so it'd explain why Thinkers would be trying to unravel a deliberately made...paradox." Alexandria pieced together skimming through information had been deemed worthless, or simply done by other parties no affiliated with known nationalist ties since most had been dug up on open forums. It seems this rogue wants to hide, but no this time. Seven years is plenty of time, however I'm not in a good mood for having old memories return when there's a chance to eliminate or use what you're trying to do.
Glasses were lightly taken off and folded neatly into a pocket when she gave the Director of Brockton Bay an order, "Bring these Wards to me. It seems leading by example is what's required for children to grow up, Piggot." Said person didn't seem offended, or angered by that remark considering she'd shared similar views of these heroes. And for once they were going to be humiliated when capes themselves couldn't believe themselves otherwise.
The Director got up from her seat as Alexandria took her place sitting center peering over files and folders of the Wards implemented. Emily couldn't help but smile contently when leaving the lone Triumvirate survivor alone to her thoughts. Let's see if your word is as good as you think playing politician saves your neck, Grimm. You just gave us an edge, one which I, or Alexandria won't relinquish until you either disappear or are locked up. Whoever holds your leash will determine how useful you'll be from now on.
As she walked away did a walking legend comment idly, "I want everything pertaining to this rogue's case, Piggot. Your Wards and I are going to clean up a mess that's been seven years overdue, am I understood?" Emily didn't need to do anything except smile facing away from a cape who'd fallen right into her own hubris. But if one city had to be roughed up in order for capes to be brought down, she'd simply allow it all to happen. She merely nodded openly before bypassing a group of young adults who all appeared distinctly uneasy.
End Chapter XII
Author's Note: The stage is being set, Alexandria is in Brockton fairly early and she's not happy. Couple things to mention, why is she making some pretty bold assumptions involving Nietzsche? According to canon, she has inhumane perfected memory and can process thoughts far beyond natural humane limits. I wouldn't doubt she's studied, or dove into a huge swath of topics in order to achieve any would be targeted cape to bring them down, or use their own beliefs to fuel the Protectorate's agenda. Ironically, she herself falls into what she's mentioned and I love a sense of humor, if you know who Nietzsche is...funnily enough she could fit the role for the term I mentioned.
Sophia (Shadow Stalker) coming to the realization that Grimm is John, it took an extremely unique habit to have her connect the dots. The tinted glasses, the cigars, truck and how familiar his voice sounded. It wasn't instantaneous when they met in the parking lot, it takes a bit of time and some sudden epiphany for anyone in her shoes to really nail down clues. And now she knows, but at what cost is this going to bring? I'll refer to someone whose trying to cope with themselves, Madison...like I mentioned, keep an eye on it and we're about to find out some interesting divergences from canon.
Watch what Piggot said, about Brockton Bay's 'groups' that have centralized and it's a reflective mirror of other cities. Capes are gathering, they're becoming far more larger in number and are causing a huge track of problems. Occasionally you get pacified areas, for obvious reasons and Alexandria is going to go on a war path in the sense of bringing back order to cities. And this is her first stop, if you've noted: She's well aware of what Grimm has done seven years ago. There wouldn't be any way possible she wouldn't remember, it was a proto-cataylst for the Protectorate and Government to meld together into what is the present policy, image or what we've seen in canon somewhat.
We're seeing events moving, they're gradually coming into place and there's going to be a show down eventually. Whether Grimm, Kaiser, Alexandria or whoever shows up is going to get caught up in some city wide shaking events. And speaking of Empire? What do you all think is going to happen, once word reaches every major gang in Brockton? I'll give a hint: it's going to stir up a lot of problems. Problems which someone dumb enough, or smart enough is going to use and unfortunately this leads to some potential dangers emerging quickly.
Nonetheless tension is rising, it's boiling and eventually it'll pop off. Rascal and Scorch, they'll be soon trying in their own ways to keep someone either from going far enough or trying to convince him to slip away. Believe me, even an average joe like Grimm in terms of cape understanding is going to have quite a reaction when hearing about who's in his neighborhood. And guess what? You might be in for a rude awakening when buildings start quaking within their foundations, Alexandria is no joke as far as I'm concerned despite her canon demise.
Leave a review, have a good day and stay safe wherever you're at. Apparently this pandemic is going to hit a second wave soon, be prepared and don't be surprised when things get hectic. In my opinion, we've only seen the surface of what is going to happen and I hope to God I am wrong everyday. Nonetheless, I'll see you on the next update.