Disclaimer: I do not own Worm, that belongs to Wildbow. I do not own Heroes of the Storm, that belongs to Activision-Blizzard and Blizzard Entertainment.
Call of the Nexus
Chapter 4
January 20, 2011
The Hebert House
When Taylor awoke the morning after Sarah had broken into Winslow High and hacked Emma's computer and phone, then sent all that information to the media, to law enforcement, and to Blackwell's boss.
When she got downstairs she saw that her dad was eating breakfast and he said, "Morning dad, you're up early."
As Danny finished drinking his coffee he said, "Morning Taylor. I have to head in to work early and speak with the boys. I'm going to get my plan to help you started. There's a plate of eggs and bacon in the oven set to keep the food warm so you can eat that when you're ready."
Danny stood up and took his dishes to the sink and rinsed them then turned and gave his daughter a ruffle of her hair and a kiss on her forehead as he said, "See you when I get home, I should be home by five thirty."
Taylor watched her dad walk out and she called out, "Alright, have a nice day!"
Danny gave his daughter one last wave and walked out the door saying, "Thanks kiddo, you too."
Taylor looked at the oven and wanted to eat but Widowmaker said, "Non, no food until after your workout."
Taylor sighed and went downstairs into the basement to start stretching. As she got ready for her morning exercises with the weight machine she said, "Do you think they'll do anything today?"
Sarah replied, "I highly doubt that anything will happen today. Law enforcement will need to examine what we've sent, and the media is going to do their own investigating and verifying before they show up at Winslow and start arresting people and asking questions. Earliest I could see them acting would be tomorrow."
Taylor hummed in thought then asked, "So what are we going to do today?", as she continued warming up and getting ready for working out on the weight machine.
Sarah replied, "I'm so glad you asked. We're going to do recon. We'd like you to take us on a tour through your city and show us more of it. We want to know see Empire territory, ABB territory, and the Merchants. If you don't feel safe, allow us to come out and we'll do the scouting ourselves."
Widowmaker was quick to say, "I would like a chance to explore, I am fully capable of defending myself and getting in and out of places I'm not supposed to be in."
Taylor said, "Well, everyone has had a chance to come out for a little. You need a turn too. Okay, we'll do that.", Taylor started working out on the weight machine now that her stretches were done and both Sarah and Widowmaker started telling which exercises to do.
Taylor worked out for an hour then she did cool down stretches then took out her food that her dad had made and had breakfast. The teen finished her breakfast then went and took a shower and got dressed for her day of exploration. Taking her pepper spray, the teen locked the door and headed out to the bus stop to head to the more dangerous part of town first, Merchant territory.
The Docks
Brockton Bay Dockworkers Association HQ
It was before the start of the shift when Danny Hebert walked into the meeting hall of the Association to see a large group of dockworkers that were waiting for him. A few minutes of meeting and greeting then Danny moved to the front of the room.
Danny cleared his throat and said, "Thank you all for coming in, I appreciate it. All of you know about what happened to Taylor at the beginning of the year on her first day back from school. You know she was in the hospital for a long time and she's only just gotten out of the hospital a few days ago."
Danny was looking a little grim but he was also looking determined. "Well, since she got out, she finally told me who was responsible and we told the police what we knew, including who Taylor knows who did it. Which as it turns out, the mastermind was Taylor's former best friend Emma."
Everyone murmured and there were comments among the dockworkers. A dockworker said, "Emma? The one that used to run around here with Taylor when they were kids?"
Danny grimaced and said with a sigh, "Yeah...that Emma. It was shocking to me too. I still find it hard to believe myself. But Taylor insists that it was Emma, and two other girls that Emma's made friends with. Yesterday, I got a call from the police telling me that they were putting the case on the back burner so they could focus on more cases that they could possibly solve. That pissed me off."
The group muttering rose a little in agreement with Danny's feelings. Danny continued, "So...as my little girl was in the hospital, the principal reached out and tried to get me to settle by offering to pay the hospital bills and pay us five grand."
There were scoffing noises and someone asked, "You didn't take that did you?"
Danny scoffed, "Hell no I didn't. I went to the school the other day to make an offer of my own which she rejected and her counter offer was to increase her cash offer to ten grand." There were more jeers from the group. I called up Superintendent Wilkenson to file a complaint against the school and the piece of crap calling herself a principal. So, anyway I got a call from one of the assistant superintendents and she tells me that they found nothing wrong and that they're dropping my complaint. Then this...this woman tries offer me the covering of the hospital bill and twenty five thousand grand to go away."
With fire in his eyes Danny said, "I told her I'd see them in court."
There were shouts of "Hell ya!", and "Right on!", among others.
Danny said, "What I'm here to ask you all is, I need your help. For starters, I know some of you have kids that go to Winslow, and other schools in the city. I was hoping if you would take your kids out of school, not just Winslow but pull your kids out of whatever school your kids attend as a form of protest. Pull them out to show that we won't accept their "business as usual".
"It's been a while since we've had to do this but I'm also going to reach out to the other Unions in Brockton Bay and ask them to help me bring pressure against the school district to take another look into Taylor's case. I figure I'll start with the janitors and custodians union as well and ask them to do the same thing. I thank you all again for your support and coming in early to listen to me and it looks like our work day is about to start soon so I'll let you all get going."
Lacey stood up first and said, "We have your back Danny!", the other workers cheered and echoed Lacey's comment.
The workers all got up and began to head for the time clock so they could clock in and as they did so they would pat Danny on the back and told him that they would be taking their kids out of school starting tomorrow. Danny left the meeting hall and went to his own office to start on reaching out to the leadership of the two unions that serviced the Brockton Bay school district.
The Trainyards
Merchant Territory
Taylor had been walking through the area of city that was predominantly Merchant territory which comprised part of the Trainyards and some of the surrounding neighborhoods. It was broad daylight, early in the day and it still made Taylor ill at ease. Much of the buildings, while occupied had this look of disrepair, dilapidated, and unsafe. She almost though that it looked like a war zone.
Sarah and Widowmaker echoed Taylor's thoughts. "Oui, young Taylor, this part of your city reminds me of places I have been to, places I have fought.
Sarah simply said, "Yep."
Tyrande sighed with sadness, "The land is sick here, I can feel it."
Li-Ming gave a sad sigh, "Some of these buildings remind me of dungeons I have fought through, and it's daylight! Wait, is it me or does it seem...darker here than when we first arrived?"
Taylor looked up and around, quietly she said, "I think you're imagining it Li-Ming."
Sarah was about to say something when three men, obvious Merchants turned the corner in front of Taylor and saw her.
The one in the middle, a large man with more fat than muscle compared to the other two who were smaller and skinnier, the one on Taylor's right was more skin and bones than Taylor. All three wore clothes that were almost rags than actual clothing and with the breeze of air that just blew her way smelled absolutely awful.
Taylor stopped, and the voices all made a noise of disgust. Widowmaker snarled, "Taylor, do not hesitate, run."
The big man in the middle spoke, "Well, what do we-. Hey! Get back here bitch! After her!"
Taylor had turned and run right in the middle of the Merchant's words and she was off in a full sprint. The Voices were each calling for Taylor to let them out so they could handle the problem.
Widowmaker was pushing hard for her release. "S'il te plaît, Taylor let me handle this!"
Li-Ming excitedly said, "I'll take care of it, Taylor!"
Jaina and Tyrande both offered to take care of the Merchants. Tyrande said, "I'll take care of them!". Tyrande said, "I shall deal with these ruffians."
Taylor was running like the wind, her long legs giving her a faster pace than the out of shape, and she'd listened to Sarah who just said, "Keep running, don't look back!"
Taylor had run two blocks and was ordered to turn left into an alley by Widowmaker. As she caught her breath from all that running Widowmaker said, "Taylor, you must allow us to defend you, make your choice but s'il te plait, allow me!"
Mike, Steve, and Bill were chasing after the teenage girl that they'd just seen and while Mike was huffing and puffing trying to keep up with the other two men, it was looking like the young teenager was going to get away until Bill, the fastest of the three of the screamed she went into the alley ahead and he slowed down to wait for his friends as they all knew the alley was a dead end.
Mike and Steve caught up to Bill at the mouth of the alley which was dark at the end due it being between two multi-storied buildings. Mike growled, "Let's get this bitch, she owes us all a good time for making us run."
The three walked into the alley, all of them chuckling as they each thought of what they were going to do to the teenage girl. As they moved deeper into the alley, they entered into the shadowed area of the tiny area but did not see the teenager. The fat Merchant, Mike pointed at a dumpster. "Check in there, she's got to be in there.", he growled.
The stocky Merchant, Steve moved over to the dumpster and looked around it and saw nothing then opened it and looked inside and closed it then turned to look at the other two Merchants.
"She ain't fucking here!", Steve cried out.
Mike stepped over to look at Steve, "The fuck you say?"
Bill was looking uncomfortable as he looked around, "Fuck it, let's get out of here."
Mike turned and hissed, "Shut the fuck up, that bitch is here. Get in there Steve and dig her out." Mike gestured at the dumpster as he ordered Steve to get in the dumpster.
Steve rejected that idea, "Fuck that, I'm not getting in there."
Mike was about to speak when a new voice cut in. A sultry low woman's voice with a French accent. "Well, well, well. Welcome to my web, said the spider to the fly."
The three men looked around but didn't see anything then Bill saw a red dot on Mike's head, right between the eyes. Looking up at the end of the alley, he saw a what looked like a woman's shape hanging upside down by some kind of cable.
He couldn't see the woman's face since there was a big powerful rifle that she was looking through the scope. But everyone heard the woman's voice say, "I have you in my sights."
Mike and Steve looked up and saw what Bill saw now and Mike pulled out a knife that was just a tiny pocket knife.
The woman scoffed and said with a chuckle, "Oh the big man brought a knife to a gun fight. Wait, that's not a knife." The woman pulled the sniper rifle away from her face and moving incredibly fast the woman parkoured her way down between the buildings, bouncing between the left and right sides, executing a rolling flip to land in front of the three men.
"This is a knife.", the woman said as she had drawn a weapon out that was a knife…technically. Bill thought it looked more like a sword.
"Fuck this!", Bill said, and he took off running and was out of the alley extremely fast.
Mike turned to look at the fleeing Bill, "Get your ass back here you-YEEEARRGHHH!" Mike screamed in pain as the mysterious woman attacked him, using her knife to slice him to pieces as she slashed Mike across his stomach, his chest, and his face.
Steve tried to attack but the woman executed a slicing kick that struck Steve in the jaw, causing Steve to spin and crumple like a bag of potatoes, his head hitting the front of the dumpster as he fell down.
Mike collapsed to the ground as started bleeding out on the alley floor. The woman cleaned her knife on his shirt then went through his pockets and took out his phone. She started to dial then she looked at Mike who was still screaming in pain. She kicked him in the side and said coldly, "Stop that. Emergency, what number is it?"
Mike wailed, "9...1….1!"
The woman replied, "Merci.", as she pressed the three buttons on the phone.
The woman waited then said, "Bonjour, there are two Merchants in an alley, both unconscious, one bleeding after an attempted assault." She paused and said, "No, I will not be staying, trace the phone signal."
The woman wiped the phone then dropped it on the bleeding Merchant then said, "Bonne nuit."
Mike couldn't see straight, the last thing he saw was a blurry shape that might have been the heel of her boot right before he was knocked out.
Widowmaker's disgust on her face stayed there as she used the rags on the Merchant called Steve to hog tie him so he couldn't run away.
Taylor was shocked at the violence Widowmaker had unleashed. "Is he going to die? I told you no killing!"
Widowmaker raised her arm up and launched a grapple to the top of one of the buildings and she was pulled up to the roof. She thought, "It looks worse than it really is, he'll live and more importantly, he won't be wandering the streets for a while."
Now on the roof, the blue skinned, high tech skin tight wearing woman ran atop the rooftops of the three and two storied buildings, using her grappling hook to fly across wide open spaces to land on the roof tops of the buildings. Widowmaker was smiling, she may not have killed anyone but being free at last to run, to move, to unleash violence upon such worthless scum made her feel something she hadn't felt for so long since her rescue from Talon's clutches.
Widowmaker's stamina was astounding, she was still in a full sprint as she'd run across multiple buildings, in some cases easily leaping across to reach the next rooftop, performing parkour as she would jump from place to place, or using the grappling hook to swing across. Sarah and the others had noticed how Widowmaker seemed to just move effortlessly and with grace, with Sarah and Tyrande catching on to Widowmaker's steady heart rate.
Now she was out of the Trainyards and back into the Docks as she ran across the rooftop of an abandoned warehouse building that probably had been a busy part of the port of Brockton Bay. Finally she came to a stop at the edge of the warehouse roof and could look out into part of the bay.
Taylor thought, "We're near where my dad works. The Dockworkers Association is up the block and on the left."
Widowmaker was looking out into the bay, she could see the half sunken container ship out in the distance. The feelings she had felt were fading away and she was soon back to feeling nothing as she looked around the dilapidated state of the port of Brockton Bay.
Jaina sighed, "This...this cannot stand! That...thing must be removed from the waters and the port of your city restored to its former glory! I will not rest until I have found a way to clear this ship for you, Taylor. I will need information, like how big this ship was.
Taylor sighed, "Um, yeah I don't know how big it was, but we can find it on the internet. If you can find a way Jaina to get that ship out of the bay that would be a major help to the city."
Tyrande asked, "Widowmaker...your heart beats so slowly, your temperature is so much colder, how?"
Widowmaker said, "I told you, I am a weapon. Forged and created by Talon to do their bidding. They changed me and it was not and still is not something I like remembering."
Sarah quietly said, "I think you and I have a lot in common."
Widowmaker hissed, "Were you brainwashed to the point where you happily killed your husband as he slept? Je crois que non."
Sarah quietly said, "I don't want to compare horror stories with you Widowmaker, what the Confederacy did to me growing up is something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Confederacy Ghost training is not a pleasant experience."
Li-Ming quietly said, "Believe me, training at the Yshari Sanctum was not a fun happy time for me either."
Taylor said, "Let's get back to the house, I'd say it's time for lunch."
Widowmaker just nodded her head silently. Taylor focused and called upon Jaina again and soon Widowmaker was gone and Jaina was now standing on the roof of the warehouse. Raising her staff again, she called upon her teleport spell and once more she disappeared in a flash of light to reappear in Taylor's bedroom.
Taylor focused her thoughts again and once more she was standing in her bedroom and as soon as she had changed, she left her bedroom to go to the kitchen to fix lunch.
Sarah said, "After lunch we'll go to Empire territory. Jaina has an idea on how you can get some cash."
As Taylor was fixing her food, she asked, "What sort of idea?"
Jaina replied, "I possess a lot of gold coins. I'm quite sure gold is valuable here, so I will go to a place where I can sell a gold coin or two for your currency. There has to be a place within this Empire territory. You can look it up on your internet."
Taylor scoffed, "Not with my computer, we'll need Sarah's."
Sarah chuckled, "You got that right, sister."
Li-Ming chirped, "If we get money, then Taylor can use it to buy a new com-puter."
Sarah chuckled and corrected,"It's computer Li-Ming. As for buying anew computer, sure Taylor could do that, but mine's a hell of a lot better than any computer she could buy."
Widowmaker said, "True, but her father might see your computer and realize it is not something that really belongs here."
Sarah hummed in thought. "Point."
The food was prepared, she'd made a sandwich and a salad and began to eat.
Tyrande was quiet but she finally decided to ask, "Taylor, your city has temples of healing?"
Taylor arched an eyebrow in question, then she realized what Tyrande meant and said, "Ah, I get it. Yes, Tyrande we have hospitals. It's where the sick and injured are taken."
Tyrande said, "Then, I must go there and render what assistance I can. Can you let me go there?"
Taylor was chewing her food and she thought about what Tyrande said. "You can heal?"
Tyrande replied, "As I said the other night, the power to heal is easily within my ability. There are not many diseases or injuries that cannot be healed with my skill."
Jaina added, "Everyone, Lady Tyrande is the Leader of the Night Elves and she's the High Priestess to Elune, the Goddess she prays to. Her abilities eclipse mine as a spellcaster."
Tyrande responded, "Your mastery of the arcane Lady Proudmore is extraordinary. You have come a long way since our first meeting on Kalimdor."
"Thank you Lady Tyrande.", Jaina quietly said.
Taylor was finishing her lunch as she said, "Okay, we can do that after our trip into Empire territory.", Taylor put her dishes in the sink and rinsed them. Then she left the house again to head out to the bus stop to go downtown.
Downtown Brockton Bay
It was after lunch time and Jaina Proudmore walked into a shop that according to the sign bought and sold gold. Jaina was wearing her hair long and flowing, the white streak in her hair over her left eye to the side. Her white skirt with purple panels atop the white skirt. She also was wearing a white shirt with long sleeves with a purple vest that exposed her midriff. Atop her shoulders were slightly bigger shoulder pauldrons and a small half cloak on her back. In her hand was her familiar staff, a long wooden shaft with four tines clutching a large blue gem that glowed.
Jaina looked around the room and saw jewelry cases holding rows and rows of coins, some jewelry, and other currency. There were a few people shopping in the store that took a look at Jaina and they took out their phones and started taking pictures or video.
Taylor thought, "I'm still not sure this is a good idea."
Jaina kept a smile on her face as she walked towards one of the employees. "Trust me Taylor. If this shop buys gold, I have gold that he should want to buy. This will help your financial problems and we can use this money as Lady Sarah says to equip ourselves and also it could help you and your dad with financial matters."
Sarah snarked, "Given that we're in Empire territory, I'm willing to bet that this shop might be one of their fronts, or a shop forced to pay protection money to the Empire to keep operating here."
Jaina kept her smile as the employee looked at her. "Some new cape? What can I do for you?"
Jaina said, "According to your sign, you buy gold, yes?"
"Yes, ma'am. We do. Would you like to sell or perhaps trade?"
Jaina replied, "Sell." She reached into a pouch on her waist and pulled out a gold coin and placed it on the counter. "I'd like to sell this for currency please."
The employee, a middle aged blonde man with a mustache picked up the coin and took a look at it. He flipped the coin over to examine the back and then flipped it over again. He placed the coin back on the counter and pushed it back. "That's real funny. Take your fake LARP gold coin and get out."
Jaina looked confused. "LARP? I don't know what that is."
Simultaneously, Taylor and Sarah answered in Jaina's head, "Live Action Role Playing." Sarah added, "He thinks the gold is fake and that you're in a group that pretends to go out and fight pretend dragons and stuff."
Jaina's eyes widened then she pushed the coin back towards the employee. "I assure you it is real gold. It was minted by the Mint of Stormwind." At the same time she thought, "Pretend dragons? Hardly! I've fought real dragons. I've fought Onyxia and Deathwing!"
Sarah groaned, "Jaina, Stormwind doesn't exist here! Tell him to test the coin's purity."
As the employee was about to tell Jaina to get out, Jaina insisted, "I'm telling the truth, the coin is real gold. Test it's purity and you'll see."
The employee looks at Jaina, he picked up the gold coin and said, "You make me waste my time to test the gold's purity and it turns out to be fake, I'm calling the cops."
Jaina looked determined, "It's real gold."
The man went into the back, taking the coin with him. Jaina turned around to look at other people in the story. She gave a cheery wave and the people looked at her warily. Jaina moved through the store, looking at the display cases, taking a look at the different coins. Internally Jaina was grumbling, "The nerve of that man! As if my coins are fake. Those coins were minted in Stormwind!"
Sarah calmed the mage, "Jaina, Stormwind doesn't exist here, to the people here it's like a story, just like my world would be a story, so please calm down."
Jaina let out a sigh. As Jaina walked around the store, looking at things Taylor asked, "How much gold do you have Jaina?"
Jaina replied, "I have plenty, Taylor. Don't worry."
The few customers in the store left while Jaina was waiting and now Jaina was alone with two other employees. The blonde man that had taken her coin to the back returned from the back, holding the coin and he walked to to the counter and gestured for Jaina to approach. "Okay, you're right. The gold is real. What do you want for it?"
Jaina replied, "As I said, currency."
The employee said, "Alright, I'll need to see your ID."
That was when Sarah, Widowmaker, and Taylor groaned in Jaina's head while Tyrande and Li-Ming asked, "ID, what's ID?"
Taylor replied, "A card that declares who you are legally."
Tyrande was still confused, "I still don't get it, you mean you need to have something that tells other people who you are?"
Sarah replied, "Yeah."
Tyrande and Li-Ming said, "This is confusing."
Widowmaker chuckled, "Looks like you forgot something about your perfect plan Sarah. Idiote!"
Taylor sighed, "Dammit, I forgot all about that!"
Jaina sighed, "It would seem that I forgot to bring that with me.", she reached across the counter and tried to pick up the coin but the man blocked her.
"Not so fast...do you have more of these?", the man asked.
Jaina's eyes narrowed. "I don't think that's any of your business. Now, since you require my...identification,", Sarah had whispered the word to Jaina. "and I don't have it, I'll take my coin and leave. Sorry for the trouble."
There was a loud "clack clack" sound and Jaina spun to look at the front door and saw that one of the employees had locked the door.
Jaina looked to the blonde man again and asked with a harsh tone, "What is the meaning of this?"
"It's quite simple," the blonde man said. "You may be a LARP player, but I'm pretty sure you have more gold coins in that coin bag on your waist. You're going to give me all you have and then I'm going to let you leave."
Jaina's eyes narrowed, "You have no idea who you are dealing with. Give me my coin and I'll leave without turning you all into sheep and taking all the money out of your register for inconveniencing me."
Widowmaker chortled, "Oh this should be good, I get to see if Jaina can fight. Can archmages fight Jaina?"
The blonde man chuckled harshly and said, "Big talk for a pretend mage. Listen, if you cause trouble, we'll take it out of your hide, this shop's Empire."
Jaina snapped, "Last time I checked, my skin's paler than yours. How about I call Kaiser and tell him you're messing with his new Cape? Think he'll send Hookwolf down here to explain it to you?"
Taylor was panicking, "Ohmygod!Ohmygod!Ohmygod!Ohmygod!Ohmygod!"
Simultaneously Jaina thought, "Relax Taylor, I got this. I do admit that I'm pulling this off on the fly. I got this idea from that TV show we saw."
Widowmaker was cackling. "Oh c'est hilarant!"
The three men stopped at that. The blonde man backed up as he realized that just maybe he'd fucked up. "You're his new Cape?"
Jaina leaned forward looking very harsh, "Would you really like to find out the hard way?"
The room started to get cold, very cold, very fast. Frost started to appear on the glass that Jaina was touching, spreading across the jewelry cases to her left and right. She raised one hand and a globe of water appeared floating inches above her open palm.
"Give me three thousand dollars for the coin." Jaina ordered.
"What the fuck?!", the blonde man cried out.
"You fucked up. Thinking I'm someone pretending to be a...person playing some kind of game. Call this...taxation for pissing me off. I saw that gold is selling for thirteen fifty an ounce. That coin is two ounces of pure gold. So market price for the coin, that's twenty seven hundred and I want three hundred for having to deal with your bullshit."
Widowmaker chortled some more. "I wish I had popcorn for this!"
Li-Ming was excited, "We going to be seeing any action or what?"
Tyrande sighed, "Sometimes, her temper does come out."
Jaina was staring at the blonde man. "My patience is growing thin. Decide now or….", the ball of water changed into a solid chunk of ice and the temperature in the room grew even colder."
One of the employees said, "For fuck's sake man just give her the fucking money. Ma'am, I apologize. Please don't tell Kaiser what happened here. We heard that the Empire had some new cape a girl called Rune but we thought she was younger."
The blonde man went to a safe and pulled out money and as he set the cash on the counter Jaina brought the room's temperature back to normal and waved the frozen orb to disappear.
Sarah and Widowmaker both said, "Count it, make sure it's three thousand."
The blonde man passed a bundle of cash across the counter and Jaina picked up the bills. She counted the money and Taylor counted with Jaina to make sure it was correct.
Sarah asked, "Does it look fake?"
Taylor replied, "Uh, I don't think so. Oh look they have a money counter right there, tell him to run the bills through that. It can detect counterfeit bills."
Jaina said, "Please run this money through that machine there."
The man took the money and sighed as he placed it through the machine and it counted the money and displayed, "$3,000." The man took the money out and gave it back to Jaina.
"There, sorry for the misunderstanding.", the man said.
Jaina took the money then she looked down at the gold coin. With her other hand she reached out and took the gold coin and examined it and she saw where the man had taken his sample out of the coin to test the purity.
Widowmaker hissed, "Take the coin back. They've already claimed that they are Nazis, if they'd been honest letting them keep the coin would be fine. But they tried to rob you. Teach them a lesson Mademoiselle Jaina."
Jaina was holding the coin and while glaring at the blonde man she slid the coin back into her coin pouch. The bills, she placed it in the pouch she had pulled the coin from. Giving a barely noticeable nod, Jaina walked to the door. "Don't do this again. You never know who you're dealing business with."
Widowmaker cleared her throat and said, "Destroy their security system, the fools left it in plain view in the back right corner. This way they cannot use the footage against you."
Jaina turned to look at the men and said, "For pissing me off.", she raised her hand and a three bolts of arcane energy flew out of Jaina's hand and struck the camera recording system causing it to explode and spark violently. Then she turned and walked out of the store and moved quickly through the block until she entered an alleyway where she quickly teleported back to Taylor's house and reappeared in Taylor's bedroom.
Widowmaker and Li-Ming were both cackling with laughter with Li-Ming saying, "Wow! You were great!"
Widowmaker added, "Plus impressionnant. Bon travail Mademoiselle Jaina. If you'd been a little more direct, they would have pissed their pants."
Taylor let out an explosive breath. "Oh. My,. God! Jaina! What was that!?"
Jaina was looking at the mirror and said, "Well...I didn't like him so I decided to take him down a peg."
"But they're going to find out that you're not Empire and the Empire is going to start looking for you!", Taylor exclaimed.
Jaina replied, "We'll see. Relax Taylor, I've faced dragons...real dragons that are more terrifying than someone calling himself a dragon."
Taylor seemed to calm down as she let out a sigh. Jaina reached into her coin purse and pulled out the bills for the gold coin and placed them on Taylor's desk. "There you go Taylor, three thousand dollars. I hope that's a lot of money."
Sarah said, "It's a good start. I was thinking that we can get more money by taking it from the gangs when we launch our attacks."
Taylor huffed, "But we didn't learn anything today!"
Sarah had some cheer as she said, "But I think we had some fun. Jaina and Widowmaker certainly got to do a little something."
Li-Ming chirped, "My turn next!"
Taylor said, "Alright, alright, I need to calm down.", Taylor pulled on her power and Jaina changed back into Taylor. Once changed she walked out and went to the kitchen to get a drink of water as Widowmaker insisted then went to the living room and pulled out another movie.
Tyrande commented, "Ah, this Star Wars you mentioned. You never explained why stars would fight wars with another star."
Taylor, Sarah, and Widowmaker started laughing again and with a confused expression on her face as Taylor mouthed and repeated what Tyrande just said Taylor finally said, "Just watch and enjoy. We're going to start this off with episode four, the proper way to see Star Wars according to dad."
Within a minute the movie started to play and the opening line of "A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away…" appeared on the screen.
When the movie was over Taylor was dealing with excited squealing Voices in her head from Li-Ming being the loudest, Jaina talking about the Force and wanting to study it, and Tyrande was shocked about the vastness of the story. To be able to travel from one planet to another was something she'd never ever considered and it was shocking. Now she took Sarah's stories of doing exactly that more believable and wishing she could do the same.
Taylor was putting the disc away and heading to the kitchen to start on preparing dinner for her dad and herself saying, "So, I'm guessing all of you enjoyed it."
Everyone spoke at once.
Li-Ming cheered, "Yep!"
Jaina exclaimed, "Yes!",
Widowmaker calmly replied, "Oui."
Tyrande said, "Indeed."
Sarah gave a flat, "Oh sure."
Li-Ming asked, "Sarah, Widowmaker, how can you be so...so..calm about this?! Wasn't it exciting?! Laser swords, ships that fly in space!"
Widowmaker replied first, "Mademoiselle Sarah and I have seen Star Wars. To us, it is a very old movie, almost a hundred years old for me. It's also been completely remade."
Sarah sighed, "I will admit I haven't seen this version of Star Wars. But, I have seen it before."
Taylor had started on boiling water for spaghetti and was starting to make the meatballs for the dish as Li-Ming, Tyrande, and Jaina were talking about Star Wars, wondering who Darth Vader really was.
Taylor warned, "Don't you dare spoil it for them Widowmaker or no Dancing with the Stars for the next four weeks."
Widowmaker played innocent. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I wouldn't spoil it for them."
"Sure, you wouldn't.", Taylor said with a little sarcasm.
The sound of her dad's truck pulling into the driveway was heard and Taylor smiled, "Dad's home."
A few seconds later and Danny walked in through the front door and into the kitchen.
With a hearty "Hey kiddo.", Danny ruffled his daughter's hair as Taylor was rolling the ground meat into meatballs. Taylor squawked and cried out, "Dad, not the hair!"
Danny chuckled as he watched his daughter work at fixing dinner. "Need help?", he asked.
"Yeah can you put the pasta in the boiling water?"
"Sure can.", Danny said.
Danny washed up and then helped Taylor with preparing dinner and soon enough father and daughter were eating spaghetti and meatballs along with some garlic bread that while frozen it was still delicious after putting it in the oven to cook.
Danny asked how Taylor's day went and she said, she'd gone out for a bit then came back to watch Star Wars."
"Oh? Did you start with episode four?", he asked.
With a smirk Taylor replied, "Of course."
With a chortle Danny admitted, "I am feeling the urge to see The Empire Strikes Back."
Li-Ming and Jaina excitedly said, "Yes!"
Simultaneously, Tyrande calmly stated, "That would be wonderful."
Sarah and Widowmaker seemed ambivalent. Widowmaker gave a "That's fine I suppose." While Sarah just gave a "mm hmm" sound.
Taylor smiled and said, "Sounds like a plan. Did you want more spaghetti?"
Danny shook his head, "Noooo", he patted his stomach. "I've had too much already and if I eat anymore I'll pass out into a food coma and I don't want to miss any part of the movie."
Dishes were put in the sink and rinsed and food was put into storage containers and put in the refrigerator.
Soon Danny and Taylor were back in the living room and after loading the disc into the DVD player, the movie was playing and the Voices were mostly happy to see the next chapter of Star Wars.
Jaina and Li-Ming were questioning, "Is it true?! Taylor, is Darth Vader Luke Skywalker's father?"
Tyrande stated with determination, "An evil man such as that has to be lying. Luke's father is not Darth Vader."
Taylor was walking up the stairs to go to her room while her dad went back to the kitchen to wash the dishes before going to bed himself.
Sarah cut into the Star Wars chatter between the three Voices saying, "We should go to your school tomorrow. They might take action tomorrow."
Taylor nodded her head as she was in the bathroom, brushing her teeth and making her preparations for going to sleep. She thought, "I was going to ask if you thought it would be a good idea to go tomorrow."
Sarah said, "Yeah, like I said the earliest I can see them doing anything would be tomorrow. If nothing happens tomorrow, we'll come back next week."
Taylor responded, "Alright, sounds like a plan."
Taylor finished getting ready for bed and she went to sleep thinking, hoping, and praying that something would happen tomorrow at school.
Winslow High School
January 21, 2011
Taylor had awoken for her run and saw her dad already up and about. He told her that he had to go to work early again as he was expecting some phone calls from other Unions that would hopefully bring some old school Union pressure on the school district on behalf of Taylor.
Taylor went on her run since Sarah and Widowmaker would not let her skip a day so after giving her dad a hug to send him off she started her stretches and went on her run.
Afterwards, she took a shower, got dressed, ate a bowl of cereal, drank some orange juice then left for Winslow. Taylor and the Voices wanted to see the fireworks of what Sarah had ignited first hand.
Taylor walked onto Winslow High School grounds about fifteen minutes before classes were about to start. There was a sense of anticipation in her as she was honestly looking forward to seeing the fruits of Sarah's labors.
Taylor made it to one of the side entrances of the school where there was no one around, especially there was no sign of Emma's minions. With no one around, Taylor used her power and she changed into Sarah Kerrigan once more. Activating her stealth field, the Ghost moved through the school avoiding people and took up a spot and took position. Watching the hallway, she saw Emma walking in from the front doors of the school looking at her cell phone looking upset, she watched Emma scowl and make faces at her phone.
Sarah's voice spoke in Taylor's mind. "Hmm, she can't reach Sophia for some reason. Gee, I wonder why that is?"
Taylor asked, "Are you reading her mind?"
Sarah replied, "Just her surface thoughts, I'm not doing a deep scan. My God, that girl's got a fucked up head."
Taylor asked, "What do you mean?"
From the spot Sarah was sitting at she could see outside to the front doors as well as a direct view of the office entrance. She kept an eye out to see if anything would happen before classes started.
From this position, Sarah was using her psychic power to keep people away from this particular spot so that no one would bump into her. She observed everyone walking by or they stopped nearby to greet each other and talk for a few then proceed onward. Sarah kept an eye on Emma who scowled at her phone again. Then she said something to Madison who'd walked over to greet the redhead but now Madison had a confused expression on her face, shaking her head as she replied to Emma.
Sarah's voice spoke in Taylor's mind again. "Emma asked if she'd heard from Sophia. Now she's asking if anyone has seen you."
Taylor chuckled quietly. "Hey Emma, I'm over here."
Emma looked as if she'd heard something. She turned her head and looked down the hallways, pausing to look at the spot where Taylor/Sarah was hiding in plain sight but saw nothing.
Sarah hissed, "If you want to reveal yourself and blow everything, go ahead and do that again."
Taylor was surprised. "I didn't expect her to hear me!"
Sarah huffed. "You're using my abilities, Taylor. Of course she would have heard you. Now, keep quiet. I think the show is about to start everyone."
Widowmaker scoffed. "Finalmente. You should let me put at least one bullet in someone's head. Let me have this bitch Blackwell, Taylor. S'il te plaît."
Li-Ming chirped, "This better be good."
Tyrande and Jaina were silent but both were sending feelings of excitement of looking forward to seeing justice be done.
Looking out to the wide open front doors, there seemed to be something happening outside. Sarah looked over and she saw a group of adults walking up to the front doors, many of them wearing blue jackets with law enforcement logos. Several teenagers wearing different gang colors, mainly Archer's Bridge Merchants colors started moving away from the incoming group very quickly. The two ABB teens that had just walked in paused to see what was going on then proceeded inward once the group passed them by. The Empire kids didn't react, just watched as the men and women moved into the school. Cell phones were pulled out and calls were made. It was very clear and evident now that this group of adults were law enforcement and something big was going down at Winslow High School.
Sarah reached into her equipment kit and pulled out a device. It was very high tech and Taylor thought it was Tinker Tech but Sarah replied in the negative. "It's a very advanced thermographic sensor and listening device. It can hear a mouse fart from three thousand feet."
There were chuckles and giggles from everyone. Sarah pointed the device towards the office but didn't activate it yet. Reaching into her kit again she pulled out an earbud and placed it in her ear. Then she turned it on and quickly calibrated the device with well practiced motions so that she could see and hear what was going on in the high school office.
Incredibly on the small LCD screen were human shaped figures appearing on the screen as it showed the heat radiating off of the people. Office chatter was overheard from inside the office.
Taylor was amazed, "It's like right out of James Bond movie!"
Sarah scoffed, "My gear is so much better than his."
Tyrande, Jaina, and Li-Ming all asked, "James Bond movie?"
Taylor sighed and said, "Alright, I'll play some James Bond movies this weekend."
Sarah watched Emma as the group walked towards her. Emma had a confused expression on her face as she saw these adults, all wearing black bullet proof vests emblazoned with FBI or POLICE in the front center of the bullet proof vest. The group walked by Emma and went directly into the office. Sarah recognized the woman detective that came to Taylor's house as she followed the FBI agents into the office while a police officer stood by the door.
Li-Ming cheered. "I enjoy movies!"
Tyrande admitted, "They are fun."
Jaina agreed.
Widowmaker sighed and said, "Well, I must admit I do like the classics."
Taylor squawked, "Classics?!"
Emma's confusion on her face remained. Then she got a notification on her cell phone and she looked at it. Emma's face went white and she turned quickly and started moving away from the office, towards the front doors but stopped and turned around when she saw more police officers and FBI agents walking in.
Sarah thought, "Everyone, it's starting! Pay attention!"
Right as Emma had received that notification, the officers and agents that had already entered the office and through the listening device Sarah heard, "Attention everyone, I need you all to stop what you are doing. I am Special Agent Sam Sheppard of the FBI, we are conducting an investigation of conspiracy, corruption, embezzlement, bioterrorism, and fraud. All of you stand up from your desks, do not touch anything, and do not move."
Another voice spoke, this one was the woman detective that had come to Taylor's house earlier in the week. "I'm Detective Kim Voight, I think some of you remember me from my last visit. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a joint investigation with the FBI now and we will be requiring your full cooperation."
There was a sound of a door opening further in. A figure appearing on the display screen as if they'd come from another room, speaking with a screeching voice that Taylor recognized as Principal Carrie Blackwell's shrieking, "What is the meaning of this?"
On the screen, the Special Agent moved towards Carrie Blackwell. Then that agent's voice spoke again, "Carrie Blackwell, I'm Special Agent Sam Sheppard of the FBI, I am placing you under arrest. Place your hands behind your back."
As another FBI agent was reading out her rights, Carrie Blackwell was protesting very loudly about being arrested, On the screen it was possible to see what had to be the principal getting handcuffed.
At the same time, Sarah watched Emma start walking away from the front doors and heading the opposite way. One of the police officers walking in from the front doors saw the redheaded girl turn around and start walking away called out to Emma. "Hey, you. Are you Emma Barnes?"
Within the office it looked and sounded like organized chaos as people were moved away from the desks and told to stand against one of the walls. Detective Voight's voice was heard saying, "I have a search warrant here for the school records for Emma Barnes, Madison Clements, and Sophia Hess. This officer will be coming with you so you can get them and hand them over. Also I want to know what class these girls have for first period and where those classrooms are."'
Special Agent Sheppard spoke next, "I want to know where Taylor Hebert's locker is."
A school office employee stammered, "J-ju-jus-just just a a m-m-mo-oment." There was the sound of typing keys on a computer keyboard then the same person said, "Taylor Hebert's locker is 1313. It's on the second floor. Leave the office turn right to the end of the hall, turn left take the stairs up then turn right and it's there on your left."
Special Agent Sheppard spoke commands, probably into a cell phone. "It's me, send a CSI team up to the second floor to see if there's any evidence to collect from locker 1313." The special agent gave directions on how to get there and it sounded like he disconnected the call when finished.
The same person that told Special Agent Sheppard where Taylor's locker was was now telling them where Emma's and Madison's, and Sophia's first period classes were.
Meanwhile, continuing to walk away quickly from the incoming police officers and FBI agents, Emma shook her head in response to the question asked. Sarah looked at a girl near Emma and gave the girl a mental command to greet the red head. The cheerleader that Sarah looked at waved at Emma as she walked by and said in a very cheery voice, "Hi Emma!"
The police officer by the office doors had seen Emma walk by, watching the redhead walk by there was a flash of recognition on his face. Then he heard the girl call out to the redhead as she was walking by. Pointing at Emma the officer said, "Emma Barnes, stop right there!"
Emma stopped for a moment. The officers walking from the front doors had quickened their pace to a jog as soon as they heard the officer by the office door call out to Emma.
Emma turned her head to look back and saw the three police officers jogging towards her.
There was a cackle in Taylor's head. It was Li-Ming. "Finally, some entertainment!"
Jaina sighed and said, "Oh no."
Sarah said in a gleeful tone, "Oh yes. Here. We. Go."
Emma took off running.
One of the three officers that was jogging towards Emma, a woman muttered, "Shit." Breaking into a sprint just before her two male officers that were with her did. The woman police officer cried out, "She's running! Wilkins, call it in!" She was in the lead and cried out, "Emma Barnes, BBPD stop!"
The FBI agents that had been with the three police officers broke into a sprint themselves to assist the local law enforcement agency. The two women and one man moving fast as the lead FBI woman cried out, "Out of the way, FBI coming through!" so that the teenagers wouldn't get run over by a pursuing FBI agent. The three FBI agents moving fast to catch up to the three police officers chasing after Emma Barnes. Cries of "Emma Barnes, stop!" "BBPD, move!" "BBPD, stop running Emma!", "FBI! Stop!" could be heard from a distance.
Simultaneously, the officer by the front door grabbed his radio that was clipped to his shirt and started communicating the chase. The office door flew open and two more officers came running out. Both of them ran to the front doors and turned to their right.
Li-Ming sighed, "Dammit, we can't see the chase now!"
As this excitement was happening Taylor thought, "What the hell?"
Sarah replied, "Emma got a text from Sophia telling her to run. That's all it said. Looks like Sophia escaped from custody and managed to warn her friend."
There was a scowl on Sarah's face. Taylor thought, "Shit. Of course that bitch got away."
She couldn't see the pursuit but she could hear voices on the radio describing the chase as Emma actually had made it a good distance away before being finally being tackled and captured in the middle of the football field behind the school.
They heard the officer's radio crackle, "All units, suspect Emma Barnes is in custody, code four."
"Roger, code four on suspect Emma Barnes", came the reply from dispatch. Confirmation replies came in from various police officers as well.
Walking in from the front doors were a group of what looked like crime scene investigative personnel dressed in white protective gear along with a police officer and they walked past Sarah and the other people watching the whole show of that was going on. Sarah saw the group turn to move and continue to head upstairs to Taylor's locker.
Sarah overheard the group talking about going to locker 1313 to collect any evidence of what happened on January third.
Radios crackled again and Sarah could hear the police dispatch announce, "Attention all units, attention all units, suspect bravo has escaped from custody. I repeat, suspect bravo has escaped from custody. Secure ID protocols are now in effect for suspect bravo. PRT and Protectorate forces are responding."
The dispatcher called out where suspect bravo was last seen and that a secure perimeter were being set up.
Sarah thought, "Well, there's the confirmation."
Sarah sighed. Then Widowmaker thought, "Let's leave and bring in this chien enragé ourselves. I promise only to shoot her in her knees."
Jaina piped up, "Taylor, I can cast a spell that will turn her into a sheep. You are a fan of irony, yes?" Memories of Jaina casting "Polymorph" against foes in combat appeared in the mind and everyone laughed at seeing a creature identified by Jaina as a gnoll instantly changing into a sheep. Sarah's head echoed with the laughter of the different women.
As all this was going on the Special Agent Sheppard inside was giving orders to the office staff. Then the door to the office opened and Carrie Blackwell was being brought out the office and led out towards the front doors.
As Principal Blackwell was being led out the front doors, a middle aged man in a suit was walking in with a furious expression on his face. The old woman was calling out to the man. "Superintendent Wilkenson, I'm innocent! I did nothing wrong! This will all be explained sir!"
Stopping for a moment the man who Taylor did recognize as the Brockton Bay School District Superintendent and pointed it out to Sarah looked at the middle aged woman, pointed his index finger at her and snarled, "You lied to me Carrie, you lied! You're suspended pending investigation! I swear, I'll see you fired for this and prosecuted to the maximum! Get her out of my sight!" Then he moved onward into the school, heading for the office where he was initially stopped by the police officer at the office door but allowed to enter after a moment.
The agents in charge of Principal Blackwell resumed bringing her out of the building to put her into one of the FBI's black SUV's that was parked in front of the school. Right as they were exiting the building, a group of people in suits were walking very fast entering the school. They reached the office and pleaded with the police officer standing by the office door to let them in as they were staff from the School District Office and had come with the Superintendent. They were told that they were going to have to wait for a few minutes.
Sarah focused once more on the device so they could see and hear what was being said in the office. They were able to make out who the Superintendent was as he walked into the office and appeared on the screen. The Superintendent's words were easily heard into the earbud that was in Sarah/Taylor's ear, "I would have appreciated it if you had waited to make this arrest until I had arrived."
Special Agent Sheppard replied, "Superintendent Wilkenson, I run my investigations my way, we had to act fast."
There was an interruption as a radio crackled out with, "Attention all units at Winslow High School, be advisednews media is onsite. Channel 4 and Channel 7 news vans have parked on the street. Expect additional media soon."
There were growls and multiple people made disparaging remarks about the presence of the news media arriving.
The heat signature that was Special Agent Sheppard pointed out towards the street and said, "And that's why! The media's already here! If I had waited, she might already have started running." There was a pause. "Alright, we are going to be speaking to each and every one of you one at a time. I urge you all to cooperate and everything will go smoothly." As the agent continued to give instructions Sarah continued to listen in and watch the hallway.
Sarah saw an overweight woman was walking as fast as she could down the entry hallway, she presented what looked like a school district ID and after a moment was allowed inside.
A voice, most likely from the woman that just entered said, "Superintendent Wilkenson, I apologize for being late…"
The Superintendent turned to face the new arrival and his voice was loud. Pointing at the new arrival, he roared, "YOU! You told me that you investigated, that you came down here to the school and found nothing wrong! Did you forget to mention in your report that there's no security cameras?! How about the front doors hanging on by a single hinge or that they use chains to lock the doors!? Let's not forget that the metal detectors don't work! Where's the damn money, Monica?!"
The woman tried to respond, stammering, "M-Mi-Mister Wilkenson, I, I, I can explain!"
Superintendent Wilkenson asked, "Assistant Principal Atkins, was Monica Shelby here yesterday conducting an investigation on my orders?"
The voice of the Assistant Principal answered, "No, sir. No one from the district visited the school yesterday."
The woman named Monica was protesting loudly that she had been here at the school and that no one remembered.
Superintendent Wilkenson snarled, "Well then that answers that. Monica Shelby, you're suspended pending investigation. Give me your badge and keys." There was a brief pause then he ordered, "Call HR and inform them of her suspension and that she's to be investigated. Start checking her office computer and her office itself. Be advised, should we find evidence of a crime Misses Shelby, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. With your suspension you are not allowed on school district property while suspended, please leave."
Detective Voight raised a hand and her voice spoke loudly. "Actually, I'm sure Special Agent Sheppard and I would like to talk to her before sending her on her way, so Misses Shelby just move over to that side of the room with everyone else please, thank you."
The Superintendent's voice said, "We'll need to examine the account books for the school."
Special Agent Sheppard's voice was heard, "Superintendent Wilkenson, we'll make sure that the school district receives copies once we've looked at the account books for ourselves."
Turning her head to look down the hall, Sarah watched as from the far end of the hallway there was a chorus of whistles, jeers, and cat calls as the three police officers and three FBI agents that had chased after Emma Barnes were walking up the hallway with the red headed teenager in handcuffs. Having captured the young teenager they were walking her through the hall to head towards the front door. A police officer was placing what looked like Emma's cell phone into an evidence bag and sealing it.
Another cop asked if the phone was unlocked and was told that the phone was indeed unlocked and awaiting a search warrant so that they could access the phone.
One of Emma's minions, a girl named Julia remarked, "Hey Emma, love your new bracelets. Don't worry, I'll be the new Queen of the class by the end of the week."
Madison had come running when someone texted her about Emma running from the cops so she had to see it herself and she did a fake cough and said, "I don't think so. I'll be Queen before you ever will."
Julia snarked, "You sure about that Madison? Maybe one of those officers over there wants to talk to you."
Madison's eyes widened and she took off running back the way she had come from. Julia looked at a police officer that was escorting Emma and the other officers and pointed at the running girl. "Officer, officer! That's Madison Clements!"
One of the police officers that was escorting Emma took off running after Madison as another police officer was on their radio calling the chase in. "Suspect Madison Clements spotted, Officer Williams is in foot pursuit!"
Sarah could feel the confusion from Taylor as Julia took advantage of the situation and pointed Madison out to a nearby police officer.
Emma turned her head as she was walking by and screeched, "You fucking bitch Julia! You're fucking done! Fuck you! I'm the Queen! Me! I'll make sure you are just as alone as Taylor! I'm the Queen of this school!", Emma's tirade was cut off as the police officers pushed her along and told her to shut up.
Looking out to the front of the school now, Sarah saw the overweight detective that had come with Detective Kim Voight to Taylor's house and he had a furious expression on his face, pausing as he saw police officers moving Emma Barnes to the outside in handcuffs. Snarling, the overweight detective moved fast as he could to walk over to the office and after showing his badge was allowed in.
Detective Wellington bellowed, "Detective Voight! What the fuck is going on here!?"
"What does it look like, I'm doing my job.", the woman was giving some orders to other police officers as they continued to work inside.
Detective Wellington snarled, "The Captain is going to-"
There was a sound of paper being passed over. Detective Voight said with a matter of fact tone that changed to an almost sarcastic tone at the end. "Read it and weep, Captain's onboard. I got my I's dotted and T's crossed. We had to act fast. Sorry, you didn't hear about it in time."
"Why you little-", the man said.
Kim Voight said, "Hey, you're the one that wanted to bury this case, now my name's on what is going to be the biggest case in this city in more than a decade, so thanks John for not giving a shit and not doing your fucking job. You want to make yourself useful? Go search the lockers of Emma Barnes, Madison Clements, and Sophia Hess, bag and tag everything; we've got the search warrants."
The voices in Sarah's head were cheering including Taylor as they listened to what was going on in the office. Sarah watched as Emma's friends quickly turn on the red headed teenager as they were not very friendly with their remarks as they marched Emma down the hallway.
Taylor was ecstatic at seeing Emma being perpwalked through the school's hallways.
Upon reaching the office, the three FBI agents said their goodbyes to the police officers and entered the office while one of the officers took a position to stand by the office door, joining the other officer in guard duty. The one female and one male officer continued onward to take Emma out the front doors.
As Emma reached the front doors she screeched, "I want a lawyer! Call my dad!"
Detective Wellington flung the office door open as he emerged from the office and he was clearly angry as he took a look around. He didn't have a radio but he overheard the radio from one of the officers standing guard by the door report, "Suspect Madison Barnes now in custody. Code 4."
Kim's voice was on the radio now, "Take her to the precinct for booking along with the Barnes girl and put them in separate cells."
The older overweight detective stood around waiting for a couple of minutes cursing, and mumbling under his breath when an evidence gatherer with boxes to hold evidence came up to him. The two left and started moving further into the halls to go conduct a search on the lockers of Emma, Madison, and Sophia.
Sarah thought, "He's going to go search the girl's lockers now."
The PA system for the school screeched with feedback noise then crackled with static. Seconds later the voice of the Vice Principal addressed the school, "Attention students, the Winslow office will be closed for the day. Unless it is an absolute emergency, do not come to the office unless you are called for as staff are busy dealing with an emergency. We would ask all students and faculty to not speak with any news media and ask them to speak with the School District Spokesperson. An official statement will be handed out to your teachers later today for you to take to your parents or guardians. This means that classes WILL proceed as normal, so get to your classes people!"
The five minute warning bell sounded and some of the students that were in the hall started moving as the cops in the main hallway started telling the kids to get to their classes.
Sarah checked her stealth field device and saw that the charge was still good. Sarah was smiling and she thought, "Well, how's that for entertainment?"
Widowmaker snarked, "Meh, I give it a 5."
Sarah chuckled, "Why Widow, I thought you were French, not the Russian judge."
Widowmaker made a choking noise.
Taylor was giggling. Sarah could feel the happiness radiating out of Taylor.
Li-Ming said, "Wish we'd been able to see the full chase of Emma running. I'm actually surprised she made it as far as she did, she didn't strike me as very athletic."
Taylor snarked, "Emma didn't like physical exercise, she used to say that exercise was for idiots. That was the only thing I know that she and Sophia would argue about."
Widowmaker chuckled as she said, "Well, I bet she wishes she could have run faster than the police now."
Taylor said, "No doubt."
Sarah continued to listen to what was going on in the office, Special Agent Sheppard was giving commands and ordering other agents in the office to start gathering evidence and issuing orders to make sure the media stays off the school grounds.
Looking up the hallway that Taylor would normally take to walk to her locker which was on the second floor of the school, a person dressed in white protective gear was walking fast from that direction towards the office. The police officers guarding the office door did a quick stop and check then allowed the person inside.
Sarah thought, "Something is up, I can sense that they found something wrong near your locker. Want me to read her mind?"
Taylor replied, "No, just listen in and let's see what is they found out."
The first bell for class rang out across the school and there were no more students in the hallway. The CSI person that entered the office was trying to get the attention of Special Agent Sheppard and after a couple minutes the FBI agent turned his attention to the CSI person.
Special Agent Sheppard said, "Sorry about that CSI Boa Vista, what is it?"
The CSI person, a woman answered, "Sir, we have a problem. Whoever the school hired to clean up the crime scene didn't do a good job. We found dried blood that's seeped under the floor and into the walls behind the locker that we can link to the incident on January third, But we have a bigger problem."
Special Agent Sheppard asked, "What? What sort of problem?"
The CSI person replied, "As I said, whoever cleaned up the locker didn't do a good job as we found some evidence still in the locker, and we noticed that there was dried blood outside the locker. But here's the problem. According to the police report, this blood came from the bins that the girls use to dispose of their feminine hygiene products. The victim was exposed to that blood and according to the hospital report, Panacea had to be called in to heal the victim from all the infections."
Special Agent Sheppard snapped, "Get to the point already, Natalia."
CSI Boa Vista said, "Right, the point is it's been more than two weeks with that blood out there in the halls, having been improperly cleaned. We're looking at airborne blood borne pathogens have been circulating in that hallway. We could have hundreds of students and staff infected already."
There were gasps from multiple people inside the office. Special Agent Sheppard made a groaning sound. "Are you telling me what I think you're telling me, Natalia Boa Vista?
The CSI woman replied, "Yes sir, I'm afraid so. We need to contact the local CDC and institute a quarantine of the school. We should also call New Wave and ask to have Panacea sent here so she could help deal with any infected students and staff."
Superintendent Wilkenson gave a panicked, "What?! Quarantine the school!? No, no, no, we can't do that! Think of the -"
There were more groans and growls along with muttering and murmurs. Special Agent Sheppard cut off Superintendent Wilkenson to ask, "Mister Atkins, did Miss Blackwell not hire a professional cleaning crew to clean the victim's locker?"
The Vice Principal made a scoffing sound, "Blackwell spend money? That's like asking the devil for ice water. No, she had our janitor clean up the mess."
CSI Boa Vista snapped, "Well he didn't do a very good job! What did he use just a mop and a bucket?"
Vice Principal Atkins sighed and replied, "Probably. Look, Mister Connors is old and he's tired and like many of the staff here burned out. And, he's our only janitor."
CSI Boa Vista asked with shock, "For a school this size you only have one janitor?!"
Vice Principal Atkins sighed again and said, "Budget cuts."
Superintendent Wilkenson cut in, "Budget cuts?! I didn't cut Winslow's budget!"
As the Vice Principal was replying, "I'm just telling you what Blackwell told me. She's cut out some after school programs saying that the district had cut the budget."
Special Agent Sheppard talked over the replying Vice Principal, "Alright, alright, nevermind that right now! We have a situation. Detective Voight, contact your Captain and get more units down here yesterday, we need to initiate a lockdown on the school and make sure no one leaves until they're checked by the CDC and/or Panacea."
Detective Voight took a radio and contacted the dispatch, "Central, this is Detective Voight I need more units to Winslow High School to assist with a quarantine of Winslow High School. I repeat, I need additional units to Winslow High School immediately."
Special Agent Sheppard continued, "Have the officers you have already, take up positions to prevent people from leaving the school as best as you can. I'll have my people help out. Thank you CSI Boa Vista, go ahead and secure the contaminated area once you've collected the evidence."
The CSI replied, "Yes sir."
The door opened and CSI Natalia Boa Vista rushed out of the office and headed back towards the crime scene.
Sarah was shocked, "Well, that's a big surprise."
Superintendent Wilkenson was protesting, "You can't quarantine the school! Think!"
Special Agent Sheppard walked back to face the Superintendent and snarled, "Look, unlike the people here at this school, I do my job. Given what I've been told, I have no choice. If I were to do nothing and an outbreak erupts from the students and staff here...you do the math."
Jaina, having experienced a horrible plague and seeing the worst possible solution to said plague asked in a scared tone, "They're not going to be killing the infected are they?"
Taylor was quick to say, "No, no Jaina, they're not going to kill anyone. They're going to contact um...the CDC, that's the Center for Disease Control and these people will come in and check everyone to see if they're sick and uh if they can get Panacea to come over, she'll heal them."
Jaina sighed in relief, "Thank goodness. For a moment I had a horrible vision of Stratholme in my mind."
Everyone thought, "Stratholme?"
Jaina replied, "Not right now, I'll tell you about it later."
Special Agent Sheppard was already on the phone talking to someone. "Thank you, we'll see you soon.", he finished. "Alright CDC is on the way, I'm going to contact New Wave and see if they'll dispatch Panacea."
While all this was happening, Sarah could hear a couple of agents questioning the office staff. Some of those interview stopped so they could assist the BBPD with securing the school to prevent anyone from leaving. More BBPD patrol units arrived and Detective Voight went outside to greet them and directed them to take positions to prevent anyone from leaving the school She stressed the seriousness of the situation and the officers hurried to their task.
Special Agent Sheppard directed, "Mister Atkins, go ahead and announce that the school is now in lockdown and that no one is to leave the classroom until directed otherwise. We will arrange to have food brought in to the classes, Martinez, I'm putting you on that. Start making arrangements for a whole lot of pizzas."
A voice cried out, "M-me-me?!"
Special Agent Sheppard said, "Yes, you! Cheese and Pepperoni Pizzas, a whole damn lot of them!"
The PA of the school system came on and there was a brief squeal of feedback noise before the Vice Principal's voice came over the speakers. "Attention teachers and students, Vice Principal Atkins here. A situation of a medical nature has come about here at the school and a quarantine is now being imposed here at the school. Lockdown procedures are now in effect, no one is to leave their classroom unless cleared by medical personnel or law enforcement. Food will be brought to each classroom. Bathroom use is restricted to on student per classroom at a time and will be escorted to and from the bathroom by CDC or approved staff. Teachers are to take roll in their class and call the office with students that are absent within the next twenty minutes."
The Vice Principal paused for a few seconds and continued, "The CDC is on the way along with additional medical personnel from local hospitals and Panacea of New Wave will also be here. We hope to have this situation addressed as soon as possible, so please be patient and stay in your classrooms until medical personnel can clear you."
Sarah stood up and thought, "Alright, that's our cue. Time for us to go."
Sarah started moving casually through the hallway and walked right out the front door right past the police officer that was just feet from her. Widowmaker couldn't help but be impressed. "Magnifique mademoiselle Sarah. To just walk right out the front door under their very noses. Tout simplement marvellieux."
Taylor asked, "Hey, if something's in the air, are we sick?"
Sarah replied, "My suit is fully protected against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. Besides, this right here," Sarah looked at her forearm and through the special goggles that Sarah was wearing the arm was visible. Sarah tapped the liquid crystal display there and continued, "this tells me if I'm in a danger zone of that specific type. We were on the first floor nowhere near your locker and I made sure to have nobody near us so we could watch the fun unobstructed. We're fine Taylor."
Sarah walked past the media vans that were out in front of the school, channel 4 and 7 news was now joined by channel 2 and a sizable amount of cable news, news radio, and independent news agencies. Sarah looked up and saw several helicopters flying overhead. There was a law enforcement helicopter along with a couple news station helicopters each flying a circular pattern around the school area.
Sarah paused for a brief moment because Taylor wanted to see and listen to what the reporters were saying. So Sarah moved to a spot safely away. Using her device she and the Voices were listening to the chatter from the reporters. So far the reporters were practically saying the same thing.
"...still no word from BBPD or the FBI at this time with regards to the blockbuster revelations and allegations that this reporter received very early this morning. We arrived on scene and before our cameras were set up, this reporter did see Principal Carrie Blackwell being placed in an SUV and driven off by most likely FBI agents, probably to the Federal building downtown. However, we did film several minutes ago that two students had apparently been arrested. Due to their age, we're not revealing their names yet as they are minors and we also need confirmation but it is possible that they might be the named persons in the shocking incident that took place here at Winslow High School back on January third. Wait...something's happening, I'm hearing more sirens."
The reporters started turning to where the noise was coming from and cameras were turning to look as well. Within a minute multiple vehicles pulled into the Winslow parking lot, some moved and stayed there while others continued and drove onto football field. Some of the vehicles were ambulances, and two of them were semi trucks pulling very big trailers emblazoned with CDC on the sides. A Brockton Bay Police Department Incident Command vehicle as well pulled into the Winslow High parking lot and parked in the center of it.
Reporters began speaking about what they were seeing into their microphones and Sarah said, "Okay, we can see all this on the television at home. Time to go."
Sarah started moving away from the ruckus and Taylor was giggling in Sarah's head. Sarah moved a couple of blocks away and into an alley. Sarah disengaged the stealth field and removed her goggles and hood then said, "Jaina, time to bring us home."
Taylor focused her thoughts on Jaina and in seconds, Sarah's body shifted, and changed. Sarah's body grew taller, her clothes changing from the skin tight high tech suit into a flowing skirt. A staff started to form and appear in one of the changing woman's hands. Sarah's red hair changed once more into blonde color with a white streak. The change was over in seconds and once more Jaina Proudmore stood in the alley.
Jaina spun in a circle as she looked up into the sky. "This is such a lovely day. Such excitement at your school, it looks like Sarah's plan is off and running!"
Sarah quipped, "Was there any doubt?"
Taylor chirped, "Well, it seems to be off to a great start, but maybe we should head back home to see if the police or FBI come looking for me?"
Jaina said,"Very well.", she raised her staff and called upon her magic, arcane symbols appearing on the ground in a circle around her feet and once more she vanished in a flash of light, to reappear in Taylor's bedroom once more.
Li-Ming gave a sigh, "Hurry up Jaina and get to that television thingy downstairs!"
Jaina chuckled, "I'm moving, I'm moving."
The archmage walked out of Taylor's room and went downstairs to the living room and with Taylor's guidance she found the remote control and with a little hesitation she pointed it at the TV and turned on the device.
Jaina couldn't help but jump a little as the channel it was left on was playing an action show and there was a gun fight with Cape powers happening on the screen.
Taylor directed, "Jaina, point the remote at the TV and press the number 7 then the button marked "ENT"."
Jaina looked at the remote control and did as she was instructed and she watched the show change to what looked like a news studio.
Taylor said, "Would you like tea or coffee? Go to the kitchen and I'll help you."
Jaina smiled as she said, "I could use a cup of tea. It's been so long.", Jaina walked over to the kitchen and saw the tea kettle and she filled it with water then placed it on the stove burner as she'd seen Danny and Taylor do so and waited.
Taylor chuckled, "Jaina, you need turn on the stove or the water won't heat."
Jaina exclaimed, "Oh!"
Taylor directed, "The dial on the front, turn it…."
Jaina did as she was directed and went to one of the cupboards to get a cup for the tea. Taylor also told Jaina where the tea was kept and Jaina remarked, "No need, I have tea." Soon the kettle was signaling that the water was hot enough and Jaina poured the water into the cup. With a thought and a gesture a small bag appeared in mid air. Jaina grabbed it, opened it, and removed something from the bag. With another gesture the bag vanished.
Jaina then took what was in her hand which turned out to be a tea bag and some spices. Jaina put both into the coffee cup for her tea and waited for the tea to steep and soon the aroma was filling the air and it smelled of cinnamon and apple.
Widowmaker asked, "Mademoiselle Jaina, what is that wonderful tea you are making?"
Taylor echoed, "Yeah, that smells great! What tea is that?"
Tyrande was quick to reply, "It is Surumar Spiced Tea, it is a drink of my people for millennia. Thank you Jaina."
Jaina took a sip and everyone appreciated the beverage. "You're welcome. I was able to purchase more on my last visit to Dalaran.", Jaina took another sip and everyone gave an "Ah" of appreciation as the tea was just amazing. Jaina took the cup with her back into the living room so that they could watch the news and learn what they could of what was going on now that the CDC was involved.
Author Note: Okay, for starters I messed up my own timeline and had to make some changes. I realized that it would take at least a day before any fireworks would happen so I had to write up something happening the day before the raid, so we got to see Widowmaker make her appearance and Jaina got to mess around with an Empire supporting business. But the big thing, the main event is that the explosion has happened! We're at the beginning of the carnage so put your tables into the upright position, buckle up and get ready for a ride!
Translations:
Once more, Google translate was used for the French that Widowmaker spoke.
Finalemente - finally
Chien ernage – rabid dog
mademoiselle - Miss
magnifique – magnificent
tout simplemente marvellieux – simply wonderful
Idiote – idiot
s'il te plait - please
oh c'est hilarant – oh this is hilarious
Merci – thank you
Bonjour – hello
bonne nuit – good night
Je crois que non – I think not