- - -Still-Defiant- - -

"Here." I set the paper coffee cup down on the conference table, sitting down opposite Tattletale with my own cup and a sheath of papers.

"Thanks." She takes the cup, sipping from it.

The crash site has been marked for cleanup, and I've secured the sensitive pieces of the wreck. A PRT crew had stopped by Tattletale's unit, only to find that Coil's agents had already combed through the place for anything sensitive to his operation. They recovered her costume, cellphone and an overnight bag for her as a matter of courtesy.

This entire situation is just a headache to deal with - for myself and the PRT both. While in terms of property damage, the high-speed chase through the residential district ranks fairly low, the optics of the situation aren't exactly favourable. Still, the PR department is gearing up to present it as a victory.

Director Piggot, while not exactly happy, is at least satisfied with the results. Our analysts were very interested to know that Circus is on Coil's payroll - and seemingly in contact with him throughout the mission. They were even more interested in Tattletale's implication that Coil has people in the PRT. Not to mention, convincing a Villain to defect to the Heroes is no small feat either.

Once the reinforcements arrived at the scene of the crash, we took a direct route back to HQ. Assault kept Tattletale company while I was occupied with cleanup and debriefs. It's been a long night - it's nearly midnight and I'm only just getting the chance to sit down with her now.

I imagine that Assault was chosen to give her the chance to speak with a Hero who was once a Villain. I haven't spoken with him about it, but hopefully they did at least speak on the matter.

I examine the girl opposite me. I'd noticed back at her apartment, but she's definitely at least a little bit nervous about this whole situation. I don't know what sort of relationship she had with her former boss, but considering what happened tonight, it couldn't have been an amicable one.

She's made use of the PRT facilities to clean herself up from the crash, but had chosen to forgo her costume yet again. Posturing? Or a simple gesture indicating she wants to separate herself from her Villainy? Her identity has been contained - Assault, the Director, myself and a handful of trusted Troopers are the only people who know her cape identity - I don't even know her civilian name yet. We don't foresee it leaking to the public from our end - though Coil is a different story.

"What would you like to know about The Guild's offer? You can be assured that protection from any retribution Coil may seek will be provided regardless of your choice."

Her mouth twists. "I don't get it. What sort of project is it that you want me to work on? My impression of you was that you weren't one to think highly of turning Villains."

I deliberately do not address her aspersion at my character. "I can't give you the specifics unless you accept. The project is ambitious. The problems we plan to tackle are large in scope and have a great deal of significance in regards to the security of humanity's future."

"Problems? Not singular?" Her brow furrows. "Something has you spooked. You wouldn't reach out to me otherwise."

I bite back a remark. I can't say that I appreciate her psychoanalysis, but I didn't truly expect any different. It's true - were it not for the threat we face, I would be far more orthodox in my methods. Albeit, not nearly as much as the person I used to be. "Indeed."

"And the pardon? What's that contingent on?"

"Barring serious crimes coming to light, thirty-six months of employment with The Guild and your continued abstinence from further criminal activity. The PRT would also like to know more about Coil and the Undersiders - the former more so than the latter."

It's a generous offer - about as good as it gets. No tracking bracelet, no house arrest, no parole officer. And, it even comes with a job and salary few people would say no to. Tattletale's rap sheet at this point in time is relatively small - she doesn't have any blood on her hands, and the half-dozen burglaries and heists she has committed have all been clean with minimal collateral damage.

"What information are you looking for? I don't have any qualms giving you anything you ask for on Coil, but I don't want to make enemies of the Undersiders."

She doesn't think the Undersiders would consider her an enemy after this? Interesting - maybe my impression of them is wrong. "In regards to the Undersiders, the PRT analysts aren't looking for secret identities or hideout locations. They want to clear up some uncertainties about powers, and want to know whether any of them would be similarly inclined to defect."

She hums. "That would be fine, I suppose." A contemplative look crosses her face. "You don't even think of yourself as Protectorate anymore, do you?" she trails off, furrowing her brow.

Once more, I restrain myself from issuing a reproach - her habit of ferreting out secrets is quite annoying. I suppose it's a testimony to her skills, at least. She keeps talking before I can move the conversation along. "...You haven't for a while. What happened? Is it related to whatever project you're putting me on?"

I let out a sigh - I hadn't exactly expected to keep my situation a secret from her forever, but she's already cottoned on to some key pieces of information. "I imagine that accepting the job would give you more than enough clues to figure it out."

She starts, before catching herself and pressing her mouth into a line. "Fine - give me the paperwork and I'll read through it. You'll have your answer tomorrow."

I nod, handing her the sheaf of papers. I have a suspicion that she has made her decision, and is only reviewing the paperwork as a matter of course. After she so thoroughly burnt her bridges with Coil, I'm not certain she has many other options. I'm satisfied with the results - this is a very good first step for the project. "Certainly. Before we finish, do we have to worry about any of Coil's agents trying to pull something overnight? You spoke as if he has sources within the PRT earlier today."

Frowning, she considers my question. "I don't know for certain. I wouldn't be surprised, though. He's vindictive and resourceful - and he definitely would prefer me dead to spilling his secrets."

"We'd best play it safe, then. This wing has secure accommodations - I will be staying here overnight, too." I open the messaging application in my helmet and compose an informal report on the situation addressed to the appropriate personnel.

Report sent, we stand, leaving the conference room. I show her to the secure guest room - monitored, no windows, single door, armoured walls. Sitting down on a chair outside the room, I settle in for the night. "Dragon, please monitor my position for unusual activity - wake me if anything happens." She has access to my suit's sensors - there is not much Coil can do to sneak an agent this far past our security.

"Certainly, Colin…" She trails off. "...Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Dragon."

I'm no stranger to late nights accompanied by early starts, so come morning I'm up and about well before Tattletale. Assault arrives not long after to relieve me. My halberd, while still mostly functional, needs to have it's plasma emitter recalibrated after the crash. Sometime today I need to meet with the PR department and receive my brief on what stance the PRT will be taking on the events of last night. No doubt, the Director will want to have a more formal debrief on the events than the quick discussion we had last night as well.

And, of course, I need to meet with Tattletale after she comes to her decision.

After having breakfast in the cafeteria and a quick shower in the trooper gym, I set about my responsibilities for the day. The labs in the PRT building, while not as well-equipped as the ones in the rig, are more than sufficient for my purposes.

As I run through the calibrations, I consider how the fight with Circus went. Being seperated from my halberd was a key factor - without it, I was severely limited in how I could approach the fight. No doubt it would have gone much differently if I had retained possession of my weapon.

It's a problem that the me of this time period had actually been moving to address, if I recall correctly. The solution I had settled on was a teleportation device developed by Kid Win that I had integrated into the halberd. But, that project hasn't even started at this point in time. Considering it had taken the better part of a month for the two of us to work out all of the kinks in the system there is a significant chance that I may never get the opportunity to do so.

If we don't end up recruiting Kid Win, I'll have to investigate other avenues with Dragon at a later date. Perhaps when I get the opportunity to remake my gear.

In regards to Circus' employment with Coil, I suspect the arrangement is more tenuous than is apparent at first glance. According to Tattletale, Coil is likely to want her dead. Circus had plenty of opportunity to kill Tattletale - just for starters, she could have simply shot her rather than the wheel of my bike. And, rather than pushing forwards she simply cut her losses and fled. Perhaps Coil, despite wanting Tattletale dead, couldn't convince Circus to go through with it?

It makes sense - Circus is a small-time criminal. Until last night, petty thievery, burglaries and heists were the only crimes to her name. It seems likely to me that she doesn't want the sort of heat on her that comes with a murder charge.

I suppose it isn't particularly relevant to me - I'll be out of the Bay soon enough, hopefully with Tattletale in tow. I should at least pass my observations on to the analysts, though.

By mid-morning, I get a page from Assault notifying me that Tattletale is ready to meet with me. I pack my gear up, heading for the meeting room.

Outside, Assault is waiting for me. He greets me with a smile. "I don't know how you did it, but I think you actually convinced her. Well done, man - I didn't think you had it in you."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll speak with her now."

He moves aside, leaving me to enter the room. I sit down opposite Tattletale, who still isn't wearing her costume. "You've come to a decision?"

She bobs her head. "I have." She pauses, swallowing. "I've decided to accept your offer as it stands." She produces the sheaf of papers I had handed her last night, putting it down on the table, her signature clear to see. In neat, proper penmanship - 'Lisa Wilbourn'.

I smile - this is good. With this, we have a solid foundation for the project moving forwards. I stand, pulling off my helmet and placing it on the table. "Welcome to The Guild, Lisa." I extend a hand. "My name's Colin. I'm looking forward to working with you." No reason not to try to be amiable - last time's Dragon did at least manage to instruct me in how to best seal a recruitment deal.

She stands, taking the handshake, a smile quirking at the corner of her lips. "I'm sure that it'll be interesting at least."

I nod - that would be one word for it, no doubt. "Now, with your situation in the Bay as it is, we want to get you out of here as soon as possible. Is there anything you need arranged? We can have your possessions moved up to Canada for you in due course."

She shakes her head. "That won't be necessary - I've got everything worth keeping with me now. There is one thing, though - I'd like to call the rest of the Undersiders and explain things to them. They didn't know that they were working under Coil."

"I'll give you some privacy, then. If there isn't anything else, we can have you flying to Toronto in one of Dragon's suits by this afternoon."

I put my helmet back on as she pulls out her cellphone. "No, that's all."

Leaving the room, I pull up the messenger application in my helmet to report the news to the PRT. Dragon's voice comes through my helmet. "I've just informed Narwhal, a suit is on it's way." She pauses. "That was surprisingly well done, Colin. I see that the future managed to teach you some manner of diplomacy."

"Oh? I suppose it did. You were the one to do it, after all."

She hums, clearly uncertain about something. "When you have some spare time, I'd like it if we could have a private discussion. Something has been on my mind."

I recognise that wording - this discussion won't be some light conversation. "Certainly. I won't have anything else to do on the flight back over to Toronto - we can speak then."