Amy

May 5th 2011

I sat by the phone.

"So how are things going?"

Woody sounded concerned.

"It's odd, the ABB is, well just kind of gone now. I mean their weapons, their drug running operations, everything's just been dismantled and no one died, it's just over. We're trying to keep the Butcher sealed in to her part of the city."

"And you haven't caught her?"

"We've been trying to send her to Pluto for years now, so how are the kids doing?"

The phone was silent.

"Justin's doing ok at school, Juno's not grounded anymore."

"Are the Fallen?"

"I have repeatively stated that I am not a god, that none of us are gods. We shouldn't ever be objects of worship. I have said this on record."

It was one of his sore points.

"They're still sending hate mail?"

"Ugh yes, hopefully that nonsense will vanish when all of their so called gods are dead. Why couldn't they worship something resonable like a nice monothestic religion, budddism, or hindu faith or something, you know human. You humans have many fine faiths, stick to that."

"I don't know, Woody."

I looked at the time.

"I have to go to this fundraiser, it's for, um can't remember it but the entire family's going to be there in full armor."

"Is that necessary?"

"It's for PTSD, we don't get a lot of people who are actually physically crippled, um..."

"No need to mention it, I wish you success in your venture."

"Goodbye."

With that I put down the phone and looked at my armor. With it I was stronger, faster, better, it was my mark 12 armor, based on a host of various bugs. It was immune to small arms fire, fire resistant and some of my best work. The Gala was a boring one, we had plenty of people who wanted to do smalltalk and overall I let Vicky handle that because she loved to do that. Overall it was-

"Goddamn it."

The Undersiders again? Really? The mayor was already reeling about having his niece be kidnapped, the man really didn't need this bull, and I'm down, we're all down. I try to struggle against my own armor.

"Stay down."

But... fucking hell she controls bugs? Even... even the suits, I felt a cold rage. Tattletale smiled and then kicked me in the face.

"Tats... no."

"But-"

"I know you, you shot her and got her an E-ticket you aren't going to twist the knife here, we're going to get the money and get the hell out of here before the Protectorate comes."

I felt a boiling rage as she smiled as she robbed the fundraiser and then they were gone, I went home dejected, defeated.

"Assholes."

"Language Vicky. But you are right, how did they take down our suits?"

I sighed.

"Bugs, our armor is based on bugs."

Mom turned back to look at me.

"And... the master controls bugs. Can you fix that?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, I can create some new ones, based on tree and mammal bits, it's not going to be as tough or strong but it won't have that weakness."

"Good, look today we lost, but the Undersiders are going to gets whats coming to them, ok? This is a setback, not the end."

I stared out the window of the car, my loathing for Skitter growing, this was becoming personal. Vicky nugged me and we shaired a knowing glance. Mom wouldn't be happy, but this was going to be handled.