Sympathy for the Devil

Lights high in the rafters of the television studio snapped on and lit the smaller than expected stage. Angles and lenses would make the backlit animated backdrop appear as if the interview set was an actual room. Instead the tiny set was merely one of several in the massive darkened warehouse in the television station. The silhouette of the host shook the hand of his guest's silhouette and murmured pleasantries as they took their seats across from one another.

As technicians adjusted the lighting and brought the set to life a large recessed monitor was revealed as a panel that sat between host and guest slid open. The monitor flickered to life and the camera providing the video feed showed a row of eight wooden empty folding chairs. Quickly the panel sealed shut and a countdown was spoken over speakers that bellowed through the studio.

Four... Three... Two...

A soft red light above the teleprompter's monitor lit at the unspoken 'One' and the digital script notes started scrolling in the host's view.

"Hello, this is Jimmy Marigold, host of Brockton Bay's number one Live Talk Show, 'Brocktonite Tonite'."

The host grinned a pearl white smile and ran a tan hand through sunkissed brown hair.

"On this very 'Tonite', I bring you the newest Director of the local PRT, Thomas Calvert, himself a veteran of those early wild west days of The PRT responding to the tense terrors of The Slaughterhouse Nine and Nilbog to say the least."

Jimmy gestured, like a game show hostess turning a letter on the board, towards the skeletal thin former PRT consultant. Calvert wore a PRT logo cap, a brand new black tactical vest with requisite name tag, his lower body in navy blue slacks and black dress shoes. The vest was an attempt to make the slight man appear bulkier but instead gave him a turtle in a shell look.

"Thank you, Jimmy, for this opportunity to appear on the program tonight."

"Oh the pleasure is all mine, Director. Say, now, I have it on good authority that you are bringing us a new hero or two."

"Jimmy, my dear Jimmy, I am proud to say we have more than one or two incredible new heroes to debut tonight."

"After everything the Bay has gone through in the past several weeks, I and many other Brocktonites would find it hard to imagine an entire set of heroes wanting to step up in defense of a city that just recently bordered on being shuttered and written off by the federal government."

"Rumors and speculation, Jimmy Any decent director would advise federal officials that Brockton Bay is worth saving, considering it is called home by the most Parahumans in the entire nation. So of course an incredible set of homegrown heroes would step up to preserve this seaside marvel."

The hidden monitor revealed itself and the video feed revealed eight capes sitting in wooden folding chairs, behind them stood a trio of towering cloth figures bearing striking resemblance to that of Legend, Eidolon and Alexandria.

"I am pleased to introduce our latest Protectorate member, Parian".

The feed switched to a new camera framing Sabah's masked alter ego. Gold ringlets of hair framed a carefully painted ballistic mask version of her white doll mask. A deep red dress with white lace serving as the cape which draped from the shiny folded collar down just past her elbows. Shiny black opera gloves covered her hands as she played with a stray bit of black ribbon as they sat in her lap.

"Hello, Parian! I'm surprised such a popular and fashion forward entrepreneur such as yourself up and joined The Protectorate", Jimmy remarked off screen.

"Ah, yes - I spent this troubling time protecting my family's entire neighborhood which was devastated by Leviathan and again by the Nine, and - and The Wards were very kind and helpful during their patrols. Supplies and friendly company were very welcome. Recently they reached out and offered me an opportunity where I can uphold that - that example and share that support and kindness with the rest of The City."

The camera switched back to Calvert and Jimmy, "Wow. Just... Wow, Director."

"As I said, she's an Incredible heroine. Already she has refined the uniforms of several Protectorate members and patrol officers. Even before this turn she was out there fighting Leviathan, and rather effectively."

"Wow."

The camera centered on a heroine clad in a cornflower blue bodysuit with light gray armor paneling. The mask had yellow lenses built-in just below two insectoid antennas and tied on her waist was a cobweb like sash. Butterflies flit around her head and ladybugs crawled across the sash.

Calvert's voice spoke off camera, "Here is Weaver, originally she protected the boardwalk from raiders and The Slaughterhouse Nine's Mannequin and Burnscar. She fed and clothed survivors, sheltered orphans, and allowed people to feel proud and strong as they rebuilt and repurposed buildings to bring hope for a better tomorrow."

"Incredible."

"Now I'll introduce next Gone Girl..."

~~x

The camera view panned down the row of capes, "Every single one of these heroes have already done so much for this City before joining the Protectorate and Wards".

"Now now, Director. I think my excitement was contagious because you went rather fast down the lineup here. I'd like to spare some time to ask Brockton Bay's new Wards team a few questions."

"By all means, Jimmy."

"Now, Shadow Miser is a familiar name. Are you related to another hero?"

Brian wore a skin tight matte black bodysuit that showed off his physique. A belt hung loosely from his hips and he sported a black leather jacket that was left zipped open from the chest to just above his navel, "No, Jimmy. The original Miser retired and it was insisted I take the name to honor the man and his accomplishments."

"Mhm, mhm, aaaand Delphi the Oracle. Is it true you can read a person's fortune from a look at their palms?"

A vulpine grin crossed Delphi's countenance which was largely unseen thanks to a gold laurel crown that held a semi-sheer white veil that covered her face, a tan bodysuit was the bulk of her costume with a toga-esque shawl wrapped around her upper body cinched to her waist with a braided gold belt.

"Palms can tell much about a person, if they're a smoker, a history of physical labor, but if you are coming up against this group here the only fortune I see for you is misfortune."

"A heh heh, oof. That's, and she looks so mysterious and classy, but that's rather aggressive, Director."

The scene changed back to the interview stage and Calvert had a small smile quirked on his face at her response.

"That's their purpose, Jimmy. Endbringers, The Nine, gangs and Crime Lord's. It's not a nice world out on the streets, those Heroes up there are young, strong and ready to make this city whole again."

"Mhmm, and Kennel has been awfully quiet, but your four legged friend there is a very handsome pupper. I'm sure the audience would like to know his name."

Rachel paused her scritching of Bastard's scruff for a moment, "I have been told that his name isn't okay to say on tv but he's a wolf not a pupper... and he is handsome."

"Alrighty, I - I - I feel as if I was going to ask a question but I don't remember to who."

Gone Girl cackled to herself but no one reacted except the audience watching at home. Her half Drama-half Tragedy purple and white mask shook as she tittered in her seat.

"Lastly, Shade Maiden and Lucky Devil, you two were said to be a duo, partners in heroing before this second Wards team formed. Now I know I'm curious so does that partnership go beyond ahh, work?"

Over the studio speakers a canned Audience Ooh-ing played.

Devil bumped his shoulder against Shade's, "Oh, this is why they call me Lucky - Shade here asked me to go steady with her just today, so we'll see if she fits in my letterman jacket. And maybe I'll get to carry her books home for her."

The duo wore toned down versions of their old costumes. Ray sat there in Red and Black bodysuit and armor panels, his mask Red with silver mirrored lenses. Sophia's overall costume colors changed to charcoal and silver, with a silver ornate version of her Stalker mask.

"Aww, taking it slow. That's good, you two", Jimmy said as the view switched back to the interview with Calvert.

"We encourage our Wards to be friendly with one another, to rely on one another, the world had its time for heroes flying solo doing good of their own accord. But now the threats are larger as are the stakes and team work - teamwork is key to making Brockton Bay the seaside marvel worthy of the powered and unpowered people that choose to live here."

~~x

"Hey, something is wrong with my suit, it's kinda stretched out in the chest here", Dennis announced to the dorm as he kept tugging on the loose material of his clock patterned costume.

"Vista, you think-"

Vista waved a dismissive hand at Clockblocker as she stared at one of the monitor screens, "Quiet! The Director just soft launched a second Wards team!"

"What! Who?"

"Shadow Stalker, the new guy with the horns...".

"Great, those two are just never going away."

"The Undersiders".

"Wait wait, I thought they were joining us - ya know, The Real Wards of Brockton Bay."

Missy shook her head, "Nope, whole new team, new direction apparently. Also, Sophia and the new guy announced they are a thing."

He tried smoothing out the wrinkles, "Seriously, she's hot but she's scary, so good luck to him with that."

~~x

Jimmy Marigold began prattling on, closing out the show and Thomas nodded and smiled, glad-handing the host and its audience. Everything was going as planned now. His very own Wards team that in a few scant years would give him majority control of The ENE Protectorate team. And so much like dominos first he'd take Brockton Bay, then Boston, New York for the coup de gracé, and the rest of the East Coast would fall into line.

Yes, Coil is dead, Long live Calvert.

~~x