Gathering Clouds 2.2

Taylor looked at the gear Marion had assembled for her with a critical eye while sipping her morning tea, though she didn't really know what to look for considering it was all tinker-tech. "Walk me through it Marion."

"Yea yea - bossy white girl - ahem, the armor is made of a tungsten alloy with some anti-gravity nodes so you can move in the damn stuff. Like you asked for, not a full plate suit, just a breastplate and wrist guards, oh and a forcefield."

"What's powering it exactly?"

"Mini vacuum point energy generator."

Taylor gave him a flat look. "That isn't real."

"Hell yeah it is. It can only turn on for a few minutes at a time and then it needs a cool down, but the excess energy will be stored in some ultradense capacitors on your belt. And keep in mind I'm simplifying it so your normie mind can understand. It's a lot more complicated than all that." Marion said imperiously.

"Sure." Taylor decided to humor him. "Weapons?"

"Ehhhhh…"

"Oh come on, no weapons?"

"Defense is my specialty, I can do turrets and stuff, but I don't do just plain guns. It just… doesn't compute. I did manage to basically make an electric baseball bat though, the baseline tech I can make is good enough to do that at least." Marion explained with a note of frustration coloring his voice.

"And the other thing?"

"Heh, now that was a success. Part of a good fortress is a good center of operations." Marion led her over to a series of monitors and consoles that had been built into the wall of the basement. "This system taps into any networked device in the city, it'll let you be our command and control." He ruffled Taylor's hair, ignoring her indignant squawk of protest. "Administration is just as important for a hero team as the righteous face punching."

"I don't want to just be the girl in the chair, I'm still planning on joining you guys in the field. This will be just for the bigger operations or for planning before patrols. Or maybe you can be the guy in the chair." Taylor pointed out.

"Pshh, and give CC more reason to be on my ass? No thanks, I fight alongside everyone else. Oh and one last thing…" He reached out and tapped the side of Taylor's glasses. Suddenly little screens and lines of data began to scroll through her field of vision. "I linked a data feed into your glasses so you can still see what we're up to discreetly if you're in plain threads or at school. Can't have you bein' all tactically blind on us."

"Thanks." She tapped the side of the glasses in the same spot Marion did and the data went away. "Why do you call Xander 'CC' anyway?"

"I give all my teammates nicknames, like you're T, Peyton is Payday, Deadeye is Deadass, and Xander gets to be CC. It's short for Captain Cold." Marion explained. "Boy was a repressed idiot when we first formed our lil team. Literally got up in front of the group and said 'I'm not here to make friends.' Then proceeded to friend the shit outa us all because he was a lonely sucker. Boy had issues, that's for sure." He shook his head in a fond manner.

"And why is Peyton 'Payday'?"

"Well for one thing she's rich." Marion explained reasonably. Then right as Taylor went for another sip, he went for the kill. "Also she dummy thicc." Taylor choked on her drink and started sputtering. "I mean, I love white girl booty as much as the next guy, but Payday?" He held up his hand in an 'OK' gesture. "She's on a whole 'nother level, know what I'm sayin'? Man, she'd probably go all black widow on me afterwards, but it would be a hell of a night."

"I did not need to know that." Taylor coughed while pounding her chest. "I really didn't. In fact, I'm deleting this conversation from my brain."

"Hey, you asked T. Anyway, back to business." He looked over the wall of monitors. "So who do you want to go after first? Can it be the nazis? Please tell me we can punch some nazis."

Taylor looked over a map of Brockton Bay, which Marion had so helpfully divided up and color coordinated based on the gangs' areas of control. It was depressing to see how much of her home was almost directly controlled by criminals. The only real clear areas were immediately surrounding the PRT headquarters and the area closest to the Rig. How long had Brockton been like this? Had it always been this bad and she just hadn't seen it? She was starting to understand the Protectorate's plight more and more at this point, they were outnumbered by the sheer amount of villains, let alone all of the gang members that provided a huge amount of firepower on their own. The gangs had them outmanned and outgunned. Why didn't the Protectorate as a whole send more heroes to the Bay? It was almost a bad joke. Legend was minutes away in New York, couldn't he just stop by and give some assistance? She'd love to see Lung or Kaiser try and fight one of the Triumvirate.

"For now the Empire is too embedded." Taylor decided. "They outnumber the Protectorate and independents. I'd hate to see what my brain would look like if I tried to summon enough of you guys to try and counter all of them."

"T, you can summon Legacy or Roulette. Either one of them could wipe out the entire Empire by themselves." Marion snorted derisively.

"Maybe if they were gathered in one spot." Taylor agreed. "But they're too spread out, they cover too much territory. Plus they're too hard to maintain for me once they start going all out with their powers."

And hadn't that been a fun discovery? She'd gotten very familiar with headaches and nosebleeds over the past several weeks, plus based on the timeframes she'd been writing down, there was a direct correlation between how long she could keep a super around and how actively they were using their powers. The fact that she could only summon Vulcan for a moment before collapsing kind of scared her when she figured that out.

"You ever thought about talking to Glory Girl?" Marion questioned. "More firepower never hurts and the New Wave crowd seem pretty competent. We could do a team up or something."

Taylor turned suspicious eyes upon him. "You're just saying that because she's a hot blonde, aren't you?"

"Nah, she's not of age, I'm a man of class and taste, not a deviant." Marion protested.

"Ok…" Maybe she was being a little too harsh on him-

"Now her cousin Laserdream? I would tap that without a second thought."

Nevermind. I'm not letting him get anywhere close to New Wave.

"We'll talk about a team up with New Wave if we need to. Otherwise, we'll operate on our own." Taylor decided before eying the map critically. "Logically the Empire is the biggest target, but they aren't the most dangerous." She tapped the ABB's territory. "Lung can fight the entire Protectorate ENE if he's ramped up far enough. He holds his territory with only one other cape fighting for him."

"Yeah, wannabe ninja dude." Marion said thoughtfully. "Teleport/Cloner. 50 bucks says his teleportation trick is like OG Star Trek and he's killing himself everytime he uses his power."

Taylor turned a horrified stare onto him. "You think so?"

"Nah, just spitballin. Doesn't really matter, he's still a dangerous mofo either way you look at it." Marion tapped a few buttons on the keyboard to pull up Lung's bio. "Legacy could probably kick both their ass' into next week though."

"Without collateral damage?" Taylor asked dryly.

"Fair point." Marion conceded. "But we will have to fight them eventually. Every villain in this city, unless they leave first."

Taylor sighed and took off her glasses for a moment to rub her eyes. "Yeah I know. I just want to be prepared as best we can."

"Prep will only get us so far." Marion pointed out. "If I spent all my time in my workshop building stuff, then I wouldn't get to test out my designs to see if they actually work. If you want this plan to be a success, you gotta try it out and if it doesn't work, we can go back to the drawing board."

"That doesn't mean we should rush though," Taylor countered. "We need to get this right before we start."

"You're the boss." Marion shrugged. "Just giving my opinion."

Taylor sighed again and set down her mug. "I'm sorry, I know you guys are all more experienced, I just… this is my home, my mission. I need to get this right, I can't half-ass it."

"Nah, I hear ya. I'd feel the same if it was the Projects back in Neo York. Plus we gotta let you get some experience before the real work begins, give you time to grow and get all ready for the big leagues." Marion tried to encourage.

Tried being the operative word. Taylor grimaced as she thought about the weight of her true mission. The fact that cleaning up her hometown was relegated to a glorified training exercise, just preparing her to fight the real threats that plagued Earth Bet… The size of the task ahead made her sometimes made her just want to curl up into a ball and cry. She felt a reassuring presence make itself known in the back of her mind, less any one super and more a group of them trying to help her feel better.

Thanks guys. I'll be fine, I just need a minute.

The feeling retreated, though it didn't fade entirely. She couldn't help but smile, simply reveling in the feeling of other people being there for her. At least there were some benefits from being tasked to save the entire world. Like friends and enough power to level a city if used improperly. Yeah. Benefits.

"I have to get to school. Do you need to stick around any longer?" Taylor asked.

"I think I've got pretty much everything worked out. Don't do anything I wouldn't." Marion gave her one last wink before fizzling out of existence.

Taylor left with a grumble about ungrateful supers living rent free in her mind, but otherwise decided to get on with her day. Arcadia was… fine. It was actually heaven compared to Winslow, no one gave her a second glance, no one shoved her books out of her hands or ruined her homework or even made snide remarks, it was just… boring. It felt like a waste of time now that she had powers.

One benefit though was that she'd found friends in the form of Victoria and Amy Dallon. Vicky was an extrovert that seemed to glow like the sun itself and had eagerly dragged Taylor over to sit down with her group when she'd shown up at Arcadia. Amy was much more subdued than her sister, but had a snarky sense of dark humor that Taylor found herself liking. While Taylor preferred to sit more at the edge of the table with Amy, just being included felt surprisingly nice and Vicky did do her best to engage them in the group conversation. There was always that tickle at her mental defenses though, often enough that Taylor had finally asked Amy about it one day.

"Ah wondered when you'd notice. Vicky has this aura that causes either awe or fear, depending on her mood. Gives her a minor Shaker rating, but it's mostly harmless. It's pretty much passively on all the time." Amy had explained.

To Taylor it had sounded like an emotional Master power, but if the PRT had classified it as Shaker and there weren't really long term effects… Well Taylor had hung out around them enough to see her and Dean's 'on/off fights', she figured if Vicky was really a Master, then that kind of thing wouldn't really happen. Legacy had voiced some concerns, but even he had to admit that powers worked differently in this world than his own.

Thanks to the lack of the Trio and their influence, Taylor's grades were climbing more and more. Some courses had already shifted her into AP. She started spending more time not just preparing for her upcoming hero debut, but also out and about with her supers as company. Vicky had managed to get her to go shopping once and while it had been fun and added to her wardrobe, it had also been a bit of a traumatic experience. Taylor had felt utterly mortified with some of the outfits that Vicky had forced onto her, no one with the exception of perhaps her mother when she was a kid had seen that much of her skin. Amy had displayed her true sadism by refusing to help Taylor or reign in Vicky, just chortling to herself at Taylor's discomfort.

With all of life going so well though, Taylor suspected the other shoe to drop… and it seemed today was the day. She was in the middle of AP English working on a report, when a student came to the door and told the teacher she was needed at the office. So Taylor walked to the office, only to be met by a grim looking administrator.

"Phone call waiting for you. From your father."

Confused, Taylor picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Ms. Hebert." A man with a Californian accent replied. "You do not know me, but I know you. Your presence is required in downtown Brockton now."

Taylor felt her gut tighten a bit. "What happened at work dad?" She bit out.

"Something we did not account for. A parahuman, though closer to a creature of some sort now. It was locked away in one of Coil's vaults, but Trickster broke out of PRT custody and freed it. Already it has begun rampaging and when the Protectorate responds, they are going to lose people." The voice replied with 0 hint of emotion. "My associate will be walking into Arcadia's office in a moment. You need to go with him in order to preserve your civilian identity."

"That sounds like a very bad idea." Taylor replied, feeling a bit angry that A. someone was trying to con her and B. They thought she'd actually fall for it so easily.

"Tell Aaron that the plan is still in motion and that you are required. Or speak to Isaac and tell him that the mechanical man needs your aid."

Taylor felt a chill run down her spine. How did he…? "I'll pass along the message." Taylor forced out.

"Do so. We will meet soon." The line disconnected.

Taylor gave a look of worry to the administrator and tried to affect a panicked tone (which wasn't that hard at the moment) "My dad is sending a coworker to come pick me up, there was an emergency at home and he needs me there really quick."

Just as he said that a tall blond man with curly hair and a beard came bounding into the office, green eyes sparkling with mirth. "Taylor! There you are my girl, we need to get you home ASAP before Danny has my ass in a stretcher." He said cheerfully. "Do I need to sign her out or anything?" He asked the administrator.

A clip board was passed forward, the man signed 'Dick Janus' and then ushered Taylor out the door. "Sorry about all the subterfuge. Would I had my old resources and we could have done this much quicker and quieter." The man seemed genuinely apologetic. "I'm Janus, pleasure to meet you."

Taylor gave him a side eye. "You aren't Empire are you? And isn't this a major violation of-"

"First off, no, not Empire, I hate nazis. Second, yes, I'm violating the rules, but ask me if I give a crap. Go on, I dare you." He challenged with a mad gleam in his eye that soon faded to a sparkle once more. "I'm part of a collective whose goals are very simple: Save the world. We've been watching you for a while Ms. Hebert."

Legacy, do you…?

I know who both these men are, Taylor. Legacy had something in his voice that Taylor never thought to hear. It… it was almost like fear. Although I suppose given the circumstances, you are as safe as can be from them.

So they're supers? Who are they?

Once upon a time, Janus was a scientist and researcher who worked for the UHF. His rival was a man called Mr. Suit, who seemed to commit great atrocities and crimes. It wasn't until much later that we learned their roles were actually the opposite, Janus was a monster who unleashed untold horror and Suit was responsible for cleaning up the messes and preventing them from getting worse. Legacy explained, his voice sounding strained. There were certain circumstances that caused… a great deal of confusion and chaos, but we eventually ascertained the truth of it all. I honestly don't know how they are here or even why. I do hope that Janus is on our side though, his goals were only ever chaos and to keep the world interesting, not actual genocide.

She felt a flick on her forehead. "Oi, stop talking to Aaron, I'm about to jump us to your house and I don't need you throwing up because you weren't prepped." Janus scolded.

"How did you know-"

"I asked you in another timeline, now c'mon."

He placed a hand on her shoulder and the world twisted around them, as if they were tumbling through a vast sea of lights and sounds before- Taylor blinked as she stood in the basement, the chaotic sight already fading from her mind like a dream.

"Grab whatever gear you need and prep your team." Janus practically ordered.

Taylor scowled at the super. "Alright, first I need some explanations though. Who are you, who called me, and better yet, why should I believe you?"

Janus smirked. "I am Janus, my associate was Mr. Suit. I assume Aaron already told you about us. You should believe us because if we don't get to the scene of ongoing chaos and destruction as soon as possible, then a good deal of people in your city are going to die. This will probably include, but not be limited to your friend Assault with the Protectorate and that blonde chick, Glory Girl. So listen to the Thinker 12+ and put on your armor, put on a mask, grab your bat, AND SUMMON SOME DAMN SUPERHEROES!" Janus suddenly shouted while flailing his arms. "Because I couldn't care less, but Suit will be so freaking annoying if this doesn't go well that I will be tempted to kill him more than I usually do! Maybe even make it stick this time!" He ranted. Then the mood switched again and he let out a chuckle. "But really, do what you want girly, I'll just be here twiddling my thumbs and building something."

… I'd really listen to him. He makes some good points. Legacy threw in.

Taylor sighed and then grabbed her gear (Janus vanishing for the duration it took her to change, only to reappear after she was done) and began to focus. One by one, her friends, her heroes began to assemble themselves. Kite, Erection, Conductor, Deadeye, Dryad, Launch, they all appeared, all costumed up. Taylor let out a sigh as the headache began buzzing in the back of her head, but it was ignorable for now.

Janus nodded in satisfaction at seeing the assembled team and teleported them as one. Their landing point was the roof of a downtown building, overlooking a scene of carnage. A mass of pulsating, mutated flesh topped by the torso of a young woman was rampaging around, smashing cars and screaming, though Taylor couldn't make out the words.

Sitting on the rooftop, twirling a fedora on one finger, was an asian man dressed in business casual. He shot a look and a brief nod to the assembled team. "Glad you could make it Ms. Hebert," The bastard from the telephone greeted them. "Call me Suit. As you can see, we have a situation."

"Dude, where are your glasses?" Janus asked curiously.

Suit rolled his eyes. "Taken as a battle trophy."

"And what's with the fedora?"

"... It's my battle trophy."

"We're going to have to talk about it later. You got a plan?"

"Yes. Alright heroes, here's the situation." Suit tilted his head toward the rampaging monster. "That right there is a potential S-Class threat. It has extreme regeneration and super strength. Any living organism that touches it will be cloned and that clone will be a twisted replica that will act in line with its Master's currently extremely violent choices. Odds are, if it comes into contact with a parahuman, it will possess their powers." Suit began to rattle off dryly. "We need to contain it and if need be, kill it."

Taylor felt a twist in her gut. "You want us to kill a person?" She snapped at him. "You can't expect us to do that, we're heroes!"

Suit regarded her with pity in his eyes. "I admire your idealism my dear, but it is misplaced. Heroes are often required to take lives in order to save those they are sworn to protect. That right there is no longer an innocent person, in need of protection. It is a threat that needs to be put down before it can cause even more significant harm."

"And there really isn't another way?"

Suit frowned and his eyes seemed to cloud over briefly before returning to normal. "It is not impossible to resolve this without her death… but very, very difficult. Especially without your powers being at their apex." He pointed down at the rampaging parahuman. "Now can you at least neutralize it before more damage is caused and the Protectorate- Damn. Too late."

The sound of a motorcycle was coming down the road. Armsmaster's motorcycle. Taylor turned to her heroes. "Alright guys, let's do this."

She strode over and leapt off the roof.