Aria directed me to a for-lease office downtown with some top tier security and automation with minor brute rating shutters that smoothly opened as I approached. Perfectly located half a block away from Coil's base. Once inside the expensively outfitted but bland office I opened access to my base and then spent my time leaning against a wall whilst others were completing their tasks. I did attempt to sit on an office chair in the unused office but was frustrated by my new shell backpack which pushed me the very edge of the seat. I was rather dissatisfied with the design of the office chairs. The backpack worked perfectly well with the chairs in my base.

Taylor was standing facing the direction of Coil's base. She looked a little strange just standing staring at a wall, but I could tell she was busy on a different channel as the shared HUD map was constantly updating and becoming more detailed as she scouted the area with her insects. Hopkins and Mills had also followed Taylor out of my base and were sitting on the floor facing the door with their weapons across their laps.

I was midway through designing a slimmer version of the backpack with expandable sections that would be integrated with my armor when Taylor spoke.

"That's it. I'm not going to be able to get anything more inside without triggering an alert. We have an updated layout but nothing more is possible without gathering all the insects."

Taylor then gave us all a quick rundown of the various items of note and the map icons.

Aria continued after Taylor finished, "None of the security or communication systems have any accessible remote access points and the system Coil normally connects out with is either currently powered off or has been physically isolated from the network. That looks to be normal practice for when he is not on base. We are too far away to pick up if there are any open connections on mobile devices."

Too far from the C Cube that is. Hopefully I would get in range of something useful as we entered the base, but I also had a variety of portable access points with a range of network adapters that we would try and connect to Coils isolated network.

The C Cube had been integrated into my suit by the simplest manner, creating a hard pocket to store it in. I had examined the unit to work out if I could make some modifications and possible do the splitting into two trick I had done with my armor. But it seemed effectively indestructible to my current tools. Something to revisit when I had more time and better tools.

Mr. Hebert's voice came over the comms, "Does that mean we won't be able to subvert the camera system?"

I noted Taylor shift more than she had since she had begun her scouting ten minutes earlier.

Aria answered, "We will need to use a DigiLeech. The camera system in use is a model that will be vulnerable to that method of subversion. Lycaeni and I have mapped out an unmonitored path for her insects to take one of the devices to a camera feed."

"We've got this Apollo." Taylor said using the alias we had worked out for Mr. Hebert.

I considered the aliases a tad unnecessary as our comms were near unhackable and anything that could hack it likely wouldn't have any issue with finding out real identities but everyone else seemed very keen on operational security, so I hadn't said anything. The practice would also help getting used to them if we needed to talk aloud at some point as well.

"Alright, just, be careful please."

Taylor held out a hand with one of my DigiLeeches on it. Hers was covered in small threads which acted as small handles for her flying insects. For all the hate that my name got I was still proud of the devices. It looked nothing more than a quality clip on ferrite choke, a device used to suppress noise in circuits. What is really was, was a wireless access point designed to give Aria access to an isolated network. Everyone was carrying a few of these. They weren't long range, but they also acted as repeaters so as long as we could connect a second to a public network nearby, we didn't even have to remain in range for it to work.

We all watched on our HUDs as a small dot on the map moved out of our office and down into the underground parking lot next door. Soon it was travelling through vents, flying along the edges of rooms, and navigating its way to the marker that indicated the targeted external security camera. That camera sat at a distance facing the massive and disguised door to Coil's base. Most of the cables to the camera were well and truly untouchable, buried deep in the concrete walls, but the external camera and the connection into the wall was only hidden and hence was vulnerable.

Moments later our screens started to fill with images from that camera and all the internal cameras of his base. Aria quickly started updating the map and adding additional data such as live locations of the mercenaries. We were in Coil's system and there was a round of cheers across the comms.

"I have full control of the security camera system. However, the security system for the exterior doors and the interior doors are two separate isolated systems and both of Coils computer systems are powered down. The buffers for the security cameras look to be cleared most days between eight and ten pm. I can confirm the location of Dinah, eleven mercenaries, three unarmed staff and one individual I believe to be the parahuman Circus." Images showing the relevant people were displayed onscreen though Circus's sleeping face was obfuscated. We hadn't reached a consensus on cape identities beyond deciding that Coil, one Thomas Calvert - PRT consultant, certainly didn't deserve that level of privacy.

"Why are there two hidden cameras in this alley?" Taylor asked as she marked two of the feeds.

The two feeds were showing views of an alley that turned a corner then ended at a large pile of old construction material that blocked the rest of the alley. One view was at the corner and showed both the blockage, the corner, and the end of the alley where it joined a road. The other view looked to be from a camera located above the blockage and faced the corner where the first camera was located. Both views covered the other but neither camera was visible in the other's feed.

I watched as the views split into four. Two were marked as 'Live' two were marked as 'Looped Feed'. In the two live views a swarm of insects poured out of openings and dispersed along the walls and into the construction materials.

Whilst Taylor investigated the well monitored alley, I turned my attention back to the base.

"Do we need to change our plans so we can rescue Circus as well?" I asked.

"I do not believe she is a prisoner. She has weapons in her room and the interior access panel on her door lock is indicating unlocked." Aria answered.

"Can we lock her in her room?" Marcus asked. I wouldn't have picked the voice, but the HUB highlighted 'Badger' as he spoke.

"I have identified the security system that Coil has installed for the doors and I will be able to subvert it once a DigiLeech is attached to that network. Easiest access will be opening one of the panels from inside a room or gaining access to the servers."

I frowned as I reviewed the security system for the main door. Not only was it independent from the rest of the security system there was no way of connecting to it from the outside. Any attempt to drill or dig to it would set off alarms. There wasn't even an airgap along the wiring to the cameras to send a bug down. A lot of work had been put into making this place as secure as possible. I hoped Aria or Taylor came up with a solution soon.

"I found a door." Taylor answered my wishes almost as soon as I thought it.

What looked the boarded-up window to a sub-basement was highlighted. It was the middle of five, though two of the others were broken open.

"This is actually a reinforced door that opens to a ladder heading down, it's walled in from the rest of the room. There is a tunnel leading straight towards Coil's base."

The HUD map updated to show a tunnel leading directly at the side wall of the small room labeled 'Coil's office'.

After we determined that the door wasn't alarmed in any way, we opened it and sent a drone in. The tunnel ended in a security door identical to those in the base but with no control panel on the outside. Further tests told us that it was alarmed and whilst we could possibly drill through it and subvert it, we decided that we would go with a new plan that combined the elements from some of the prepared ones. It relied on distraction rather than stealth but there were plenty of advantages to it.

Jones, or Raptor accordingly to my HUD, placed a large amount of my explosive cord around the main doors. The largest amount purposefully on the top right corner. I was no export in demolitions, but I knew enough about Architecture to be able to assist Jones work out the best positioning. Jones didn't explain why he was so good with explosives. I thought it was good to have a Jason Bourne type on our side.

Once that was set up Taylor, myself, Hopkins – Hound and Alex – Moses, went to the alleyway and climbed down though Coil's emergency escape hatch. The tunnel was only wide enough for one person to walk comfortably along, and I was glad no one seemed claustrophobic. Taylor's insects seemed a little more agitated though that could have just been general pre-show jitters.

For this door I placed the explosives in a different pattern. I was aiming to cut through this door rather than smash open a corner and wreck it. I drew a nice rectangle that was far enough in that we were avoiding the most reinforced of the sections but was still big enough that we would be able to slide through.

Then came the scariest part. I got to stand in front of the others when we set it off. My armor was the strongest but even still I squeezed my eyes shut when Aria's count down reached two and I would have jumped if I hadn't already set the suit to brace for the explosion. The suit muffled the sound and explosion, but I could still feel a small shockwave travel through my body.

As soon as my suit unlocked I cleared the way in the only direction possible by diving through the jagged hole and then rolling out of the way to allow Hopkins and Alex to come through after me. My heart was beating fast but I was more excited than anything else. This was just like being part of an action movie. Thankfully Taylor and the others were the main characters and I was just along for the ride.

Hopkins covered the doors with his MP7 whilst Alex tore open the control panel on one of the doors and started connecting DigiLeeches to the cables. It only took him two before Aria confirmed connection and he stepped back and swung his weapon into a ready position.

I was still finding my feet as the door to the server room slid open and Taylor strode into it. She'd already attached DigiLeeches to Coils desktop and powered it up.

I took a moment to look around the room. It was wood paneled with luxurious carpet and held just a single massive office desk with a computer interface and a comfortable chair. There were two obvious doors. One leading to the server room through which I could see Taylor working on a power switchboard. The other leading out to the rest of the base. There was of course also a large hole and broken wood paneling where we had come through. There was no decoration, no paintings, or fake windows, not even a fish tank. It was a tad disappointing for a super villain hideout.

Then I remembered my task and started towards the door leading out. I confirmed by SEP bracelet was on max and then walked out as the Aria opened the door for me. The door and door frame was wood paneled on the inside but stark unpainted metal on the outside surrounded by raw concrete.

The rest of the hallway was also stark concrete. Floor, walls and ceiling solid except for small vents and lights at regular intervals to break the monotony. All wiring and pipes were hidden in small maintenance tunnels that were purposefully difficult and time consuming to get into. Thankfully we didn't need access to any of that.

I was halfway to Dinah's room when Aria spoke "The guards are receiving communications and I am seeing activity at Coil's house. I am not picking up any signals and I do not recognize the type of radios they are using. Most likely they are tinkertech. All guards that are mobile are converging on the main door. The head nurse has just received instructions via the communicator and is trying to access Dinah's room via the interconnecting doors. I have locked both it and the hallway door to his rooms."

I could hear echoing gunfire and explosions from the direction of the main doors and was glad I wasn't part of that. It might have only been distraction, but I didn't want to be anywhere close to it. I'd watch it later from the comfort of a couch.

Dinah's door didn't look any different from the others with only a three-letter code providing any way of distinguishing it. I was glad my HUB map was showing me exactly where to go. The door opened as I approached, and I saw Dinah for the first time. The scared looking girl sitting wrapped up in a blanket in the corner of her bed bore only a passing resemblance to the cheerful little girl wearing bright clothes in the pictures we had. I excluded her from the SEP bracelet's effect, and she jumped and pushed herself back into the wall harder than before.

"Hi Dinah. I'm here to rescue you." My part didn't call for me to speak but it would have felt wrong to just stride across her room ignoring her.

"Is he really here to rescue me?" she asked and I glanced around even though I was quite sure it was only the two of us. I didn't hear an answer to her question, and I spared her a quick glance as I reached one of the cabinets. She looked almost relieved, and I wondered what I was missing before refocusing on my task. A quick turn of a key and I pulled open the cabinet to reveal Lacey dressed up in her Athena costume. It was a lightweight version of the Guard armor done in pale grays and gold with the lower face of her mask set to transparent.

"Hello Dinah. We are going to get you out of here and I promise we aren't going to hurt you." She walked over to Dinah and I heard Dinah asking another question but I was busy breaking into the other cabinets looking for any notes, documentation and the various medicines and tools I could grab. The notes and documentation were in case Dinah has any health issues or we needed evidence. Unfortunately, the other cabinets just had linen and military rations.

Aria's voice spoke urgently, "Circus is near to breaking out of her room. She is not that far from you Quartermaster and we have no idea if your SEP field will work on her. Please get out of there."

I turned and noticed that the Dinah and Lacey were already gone and that cabinet was closed. I pulled my key from it and quickly ran out with Aria just opening the door in time for me not to hit it. As I sprinted back towards Coil's office a swarm of insects flew past me in the other direction.

"On my way." I gasped out unnecessarily.

Alex moved out of the way to let me back into Coils office and as soon as I was through the door closed with a series of heavy thuds. Much heavier that the other door locks and I turned to look and guessing my thoughts Aria transmitted over my personal channel, "This door has reinforced deadlocks that I enabled. Do you want a report on everything that's happened?"

I took a moment to catch my breath before answering, "Just the important bits."

As I followed Alex and Taylor through Coil's escape passage Aria spoke, "Dinah is safe and happy. Lycaeni was able to bring all of Coil's systems online and I was able to get a copy of everything on his local server as well as the system he uses to connect externally. There is indication that he has some sort of offsite Toybox email and data storage system which I couldn't gain access to. Likely connected to the comm devices that he and his mercenaries use. His onsite systems are damaged enough to be out of action two to three days. The few DigiLeeches that have been left on site have been well hidden and evidence of a more obvious method that could have been used to hack the doors left in place. Jazz suffered some bruising and his suit scratched when he got too close to a pair of grenades going off. Badger's suit took some damage when he got hit by several high caliber rounds. He is shaken but unhurt. There was no other damage or injuries taken. The distraction at the front door was very successful with the mercenaries making their stand at the damaged door but not leaving the base. They are currently barricading themselves in. Circus used some sort of teleporting power on a sledgehammer to smash the door open, but Taylor's bug clone led her away. She is stalking around the base talking on her comm device now."

Aria paused as I climbed up the ladder and I considered everything she told me. Whilst I hadn't expected Coil would have been able to hide anything from us once we made it into his office with the C Cube it seemed he was paranoid enough to take his protection that step further. Hiding your data in a different dimension sounds crazily paranoid though in this case it was the only thing that stopped us getting everything.

"Where is Coil now?" I asked.

"He's still in his house. I made sure that calls that a parahuman event was occurring got through to the PRT though he did attempt to have them diverted to the police. Miss Militia and Dauntless are currently on route alongside three PRT strike teams to the base."

Once we returned to the borrowed office, I opened up access to the base and we all went inside. Everyone was in the main area and there was some fussing as my dad and Mr. Herbert rushed over to check on us. Pointless really as Aria had been tracking vitals and had been providing that information to them the whole time.

I let my dad fuss as I went and sat down facing where the stage was going to go. Soon enough there was a discussion about the data that was found and what to do with it. There was some contention on releasing information about some cape identities to the public. I paid enough attention to confirm that it wasn't about the Undersiders. As per our prior discussion we had corrupted that information on Coil's servers before shutting them back down. Taylor thought that they deserved yet another opportunity to turn away from the dark side.

I paid scant attention as Aria took over control of my suit and engaged the muscles to hold me in place and that was the last conscious thought I had before I drifted into sleep.