Emotional Support…Xenos? - Chapter 5

"And you said this was a targeting system?" Armsmaster asked, leaning closer to the triangular object laid out on the table. His visor zoomed in, beginning to provide several notations about the materials present in the design.

"It does target, yes," Yautja said. She reached over him and picked it up, snapping the tinker-tech onto the harness over her shoulder. "It's primarily a laser. I think. That was what my tests showed at least."

Armsmaster straightened. "Well, if you wish, we can certainly test it out. We have the facilities in the basement."

"I would really prefer not."

Behind his visor, he closed his eyes and practiced his breathing exercises. God save him from teenagers and time-wasters. "You have been nothing but reluctant to provide any clarifying information about any of the technology you have brought in today, Yautja. You don't seem to have any inclination to collaborate and you have profoundly rebuffed the Wards offer. I truly fail to see why you even entered the building today. You could have informed us of your existence over the phone at the rate this association is going."

She grimaced. "I didn't want to come. My dad made me. He thought I didn't…he didn't listen. But I understand how restrictive the Wards are. My friend she - she didn't like it here. She couldn't ever get anything done."

Armsmaster frowned as he stared at the girl with renewed interest. She knew one of the Wards already, hmm? A female Ward at that. So either Shadow Stalker or Vista. Both had been extremely dissatisfied with their limitations so Yautja's concerns about chaffing didn't bring any true details to light. The past tense implied Shadow Stalker. That Shadow Stalker had run after the accusations of attempted murder were brought against her were concerning, though…And Yautja fit Stalker's age far better than Vista's.

He might need to keep a close eye on this new Tinker if she had been friends with Shadow Stalker. While accusations were just that, the circumstantial evidence was high.

"I see."

"I also don't like your official stance against the Monster Queen. She's a murderer and you're letting her walk free."

Oh for fucks sake, another one! "Colony's status as a Hero is well documented and her positive impact on the city is statistically notable," he stated, his voice inflectionless and dead. How many times had he given this speech now? "Her minions are disconcerting when not directly interacted with; they are perfectly docile and pleasant to work with in person. Colony herself is a highly agreeable and assistive individual, deeply committed to improving Brockton Bay and the world as a whole. Her minions are also expected to participate during the next Endbringer battle. Should you have a personal problem with them or Colony, there are complaint channels to utilize."

"Screw you," Yautja snapped. "Taylor killed my friend! I know she killed my friend and you assholes are shaking her hand like she's the new Alexandria!"

"That is a very serious accusation," Armsmaster replied, his tone suddenly arctic. "I certainly hope you have evidence to back up that claim."

"Taylor hated Sophia," Yautja said. She glared at him through the slits in her faceplate. "She hated her. After the bitch triggered Sophia knew Taylor was going to come for her. She went to try and take care of it first. She never came back! I know Taylor killed her. Just like she's killed all of those other people ever since!"

Yet more confirmation that Shadow Stalker indeed had gone after Colony and her father. Just as Taylor had reported. That Yautja couldn't see past her friend's failings or understand that she had fled justice instead of facing the consequences of her actions - sometimes he truly hated working with teenagers.

"Yautja. I have personally confirmed that Colony has not involved anyone in the reproduction of her minions. If you are referring to an attack on Colony and her family by a vigilante from prior to her unveiling, I must first warn you that you are treading on thin ice. Secondly, you should be made aware that the culprit of those attacks is still actively sought by the PRT and federal authorities; for attempted murder. You don't want to align yourself with her, Yautja."

"She's the only one who had the right idea."

"Oh for -" He stepped back and huffed. His breathing exercises were not helping at all. No amount of collaboration was worth this. "If you don't want to listen, fine. I've done what you asked and looked at your equipment. It's not going to blow up as far as I can tell. You've accomplished your father's goal and spoken about the Wards. Neither of us are accomplishing anything further."

"Good. I'll be leaving then."

"Good." As she turned to walk away, he called out, "Yautja. One final item: from what you described, your equipment is extremely lethal. I am required to advise you that should you engage in vigilante activity against known heroic individuals - especially Protectorate affiliated members, such as New Wave - you would no longer be classified as Independent and would immediately be identified as a Villain. We would then immediately seek to detain you with all due prejudice."

"Translation, let the fucking psychopath who murdered my friend get away with it?" Yautja scoffed.

"The way I was told the story," Armsmaster said, his eyes narrowed to slits as he leaned over her, his full armored height being brought to bare, "Shadow Stalker infiltrated her home in the middle of the night with poisoned arrows, tried to kill her and then ran after shooting her father, both of them disappearing into the alleys. You're demonizing the wrong girl, Yautja. Colony has done more to help this city in a month than Stalker did in a year.

"Now get out."

Taylor reclined on her throne - armchair - in the Hive, awaiting Gloomy's return. Slick nuzzled up against her hand, a soft hiss issuing forth from the Crusher. Taylor ran her over the crest of the creature, letting her quiet down. The Crusher was still new to the Hive. She wasn't fully comfortable being away from Taylor for long yet. She hadn't really understood why Taylor left the Hive for long periods of time. At least Gloomy and Grumpy didn't give her issues anymore.

She'd have to stop making the Stage VI critters. They were excellent generals, but they were too overprotective. Plus, now that she knew the Stage V ones could understand and follow through on directions well enough, the Warriors and Sentries would be fine to stick with when moving forward. The Hive had more than enough Drones after all, they just needed some more middle-management.

Taylor glanced up, narrowing her eyes and clasping her hands, ignoring Slick's whimper for more pets.

A second later, Gloomy dropped down from the ceiling. How the hell something so big could be so stealthy she would never understand. Sophia's contribution shouldn't have had that big of an effect.

"So, how did it go?"

Gloomy knelt, her secondary mouth extending partway with a quiet hiss as it snapped the air a few times. She reached out with the inner jaws and bumped Taylor's leg.

"Damn. Well now I'd feel downright awful if I let Colin see the full process."

More clicking and hissing.

"Oh shut up. You know he would freak out. They're just murderers and rapists, but it's still not nice. And Colin was saying such nice things defending me like that!" Taylor glared at Gloomy. "Unless you're embellishing."

Gloomy dropped her head more, her secondary mouth touching Taylor's leg in a soft caress. Taylor sighed. "I know, I know. You're not her. I'm sorry. You still remind me of her, but that's not your fault, and I'm sorry that I get angry with you so easily."

Gloomy hissed.

"Sure. But no dogs! Okay?" She waited for a reply. "Good. Now, Emma. Did she actually show what her gadget could do?"

Gloomy's snap was loud and quick as she lunged forward. Taylor scowled. "Fuck. I would prefer not to kill her. I mean, she has a point…It's a bad point, but it is a point. And we really were friends once."

Slick lifted her head and hissed.

"Now, you can't just run her over. God, you're supposed to be smart! That's all you ever suggest!"

From behind her throne - armchair - came a rumbling hiss.

Taylor glanced around the edge, slowly nodding. "You know, Grumpy, that's not a bad idea. We have enough drones that we can sacrifice one or two. If we're careful, the blood can short out her tech, and Colin can see her taking the offensive for no reason and…well she gets press-ganged or shipped to a different city, problem solved!"

Grumpy snapped at the air.

"Yes, I'm adjusting your plan. You can't step on her after getting her with the Drone. The goal is to not kill her. Ugh, I swear all of you are so violent!"

A chorus of sorrowful hisses and clicks sounded.

"Yes, yes, girls. I love you all anyway," Taylor said, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, at least try to rein in the murderous impulses? Okay? Kidnapping gangbangers is one thing. Kidnapping heroes - or well, people sorta trying to be heroes - is something else."

There was distinctly more upbeat clicking and hissing at that.

"What would you all do without me?" Taylor laughed and lounged back into her throne - armchair! - a grin spreading wide. Maybe she could figure out how to make a cuddly version of the xenos after taking care of the Emma problem.

It would make for a nice present for Amy, for putting up with her and all.

Yeah, that was a great idea. She was sure that Amy would love it.

Now…how to do that…