The Undersiders joined us in Las Noches immediately following the meeting at Somer's Rock. I shifted the room to the table and realized we should probably add a few extra chairs for people who didn't automatically get one. For now, Grue, Bitch, and Purity stood by the Numero they worked with.
"You know Bakuda hired Faultline, right?" Lisa started.
"I figured." I nodded. "It was my first time meeting her, but she seemed kinda cagey. Not the kind of behavior you'd expect from a professional of her level."
"That means we're going to have to fight her. Faultline is a lot stronger than people give her credit for. They think she's only good for breaching because her power lets her make holes in things." Lisa shook her head. "People don't think through the implications of what someone can really do because it's common knowledge Capes just have to make the best of whatever power they get. In Faultline's case they don't realize that she could easily drop buildings if she felt like it. Her power might only be limited to things she touches, but she can spread the cracks really far. She could destroy a buildings foundation with enough time. She could easily make an area impossible to fight in."
"Well, that won't be a problem for those of us who don't need to be on the ground. What about the others?" I asked.
"Spitfire is a new recruit on her team." She started with an edge to her voice.
"She's mad cause Faultline poached her from us." Alec said.
"Shut up." Lisa pouted. "Anyway, her name is literal. Newter is pretty strong, really quick, and his body fluids are hallucinogenic. It's strong enough to knock people out and some people even pay for it."
"That's weird." Theo said.
"People would do a lot of weird things for a high." Alec shrugged
"Gregor is more durable than average and can shoot out chemical concoctions, including a slime similar to Containment Foam." Lisa continued. "If it hits you, you'll be stuck for a while. And Labyrinth… Well, if the PRT counted villains, Vista wouldn't have the title of "Strongest Shaker on the East Coast". She can completely change the environment around her."
"Alright. We'll figure out a plan for them." I nodded. "Purity, I want your input. What do you think is up with Kaiser? I expected more push back from him."
The older woman shook her head.
"Kaiser is smarter than to cause a scene in a place like that. He cares about image and throwing a fit over losing me to you would make him look bad to the others. He's unlikely to bring it up, but expect him to try something. Either he'll tell the PRT you're actually villains or he'll attack you almost immediately after the truce. He might even try something during the truce if he thinks he can get away with it."
"First of all, stop saying "You" like you aren't a member. Second, I appreciate that. It gives me more to work with. While Hookwolf was complaining, I was thinking. We've been moving too slowly. The day this truce is over and the ABB is dealt with, we put up our signs. You get on designing something simple Madison. Easy to tag on a wall but memorable and representative of the group. It'll piss off the heroes, but whatever. Tats, you ever come up with a name?"
"I figured, considering what I know of my powers, that I'd go with Wraith." She said. "And we came up with Rhapsody for Regent."
"Those are good. I need to you get started on two things, the first is figuring out Coil. I want that snake gone as soon as we can manage it. The second, and slightly less pressing thing, is getting us set up with some financial infrastructure. We need income if we want to really keep hold on the city and a way to pay any normals we recruit. Each of us can decide if we want to handle anything illegal, but we need to have enough money to get that far. Is there a way?"
"Number Man. He runs a… Well, it's not technically a villain bank, but heroes don't use him because they actually report their income to the IRS. I'll give you his number so you can set up a few accounts." She said.
"Got it. Speaking of Coil, do you know if that was the real one?"
She shook her head. "It was a proxy. I could tell because all he was focused on was how was getting into Coil's good graces for being his Proxy. He had strong desires for Coil to like him."
"He shouldn't be doing that." Brian said.
"It's a breach of the truce, however temporary, to send a proxy to a neutral meeting." Purity nodded.
"That's how Coil operates." Lisa said. "I've only met him in person a handful of times and I don't know for sure if that was actually him except for the one time he gave me a demonstration of his power. I think he was lying, saying he could manipulate destiny, but he's still a slippery fucker. There's paranoid, then there's Coil."
"I won't ask you to push the issue, but be on the lookout for ways we can get to him. Do you at least know where his hideout is?" I asked.
"No. I've met him in places that could be hideouts, but they weren't permanent."
"Too bad, but not a big issue. He'll slip sooner or later and we'll be there to make sure he lands right on a knife. Theo, you're our in on the Empire. I don't want you getting caught out for asking too many questions, but any info you manage to get will be helpful."
"Kaiser will be glad to see me taking an interest in the Empire. I'm not sure he'll offer up too much info if I ask him, but I can try. I'll see what I can find that will help us get rid of them as quick as possible."
"Can either you or Purity write up a detailed list of what all their powers do?" I asked.
"I… Can help him with that." Purity said slowly.
"Alright. Do we have to worry about Night and Fog? I haven't heard anything about them in a while and I was wondering if they left like you."
"They did." She nodded. "Night and Fog were loyal to me, not Kaiser. They left with me. They live down in Boston now. I can call them to join us if—."
"No! No, that won't be necessary. Let them retire peacefully. We are good on that front. I don't think we need to turn those two loose on anyone."
"They're nice enough out of costume." She huffed.
"For Nazi's." Brian added.
Purity glared at him. "I don't appreciate that."
He shrugged. "I don't really appreciate that you'd blast a hole in my chest for my skin color."
"I… I'm trying." She said lowly. "And those two had it worse than I did. They were raised by Gesellshaft from birth. They're functioning Sociopaths at best."
"The point," I cut in, "Is that we don't need Night and Fog to come up. It's better that we let them retire or whatever. Hopefully Gesellshaft doesn't have them go back to the Empire. They'd be a pain in the ass to deal with without killing and I don't want to have to deal with keeping control of then. We'll already be in a weird spot once people realize you're working with us now."
"Fine."
"Good. Now that was the extent of what I have. We're speeding up plans on taking territory, we'll work on a plan for Faultline's crew, Tattletale will work on our finances and dealing with Coil, Theo will work on getting info on the Empire. Anyone have anything?"
"Oh! I want Squealer." Madison raised her hand, getting a weird look from the rest of us.
"What?" I asked.
"What does that even mean?" Alec asked.
"She wants her as a subordinate." Lisa clarified, rubbing her forehead with a sigh.
"Yeah! Theo gets one, I want one." She nodded.
"And you picked Squealer?" I asked incredulously. "The drugged up Tinker? Why?"
"I think she'd be useful and under all the drugs she's like, super lost."
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"She's actually right." Lisa cut in. "Squealer was forcefully recruited into the Merchants. Skidmark heard about a new Tinker and drugged her up until she was far enough gone to be what she is now. That was… about four or five years ago now."
"Jesus. I knew Tinkers had to be careful, but fuck."
"Yeah. If the PRT was willing to use that as an example pretty much every unaffiliated Tinker would pick a side as soon as they realized what they could do. If Squealer had ended up with literally any other group she'd be one of the biggest threats in the city."
"I remember how angry Kaiser was when he found out about her. He used it to push his agenda for weeks. Pretty blonde white girl drugged up by Skidmark? He couldn't have made up better propaganda if he tried." Purity shook her head.
"Okay, so you want to get your hands on Squealer. Then what? She's basically too far gone to do anything with unless we can get her clean." I explained to Madison.
"You can get her clean, right?" She asked.
"I…" I paused at that. "Can I?" I asked, thinking it over to myself. I probably could. I'd never tried to negate something as abstract as drug addiction before though. "I might be able to do that. We'd have to kidnap her though. If I do it we'd have to talk her out of going back to the Merchants. She'd also need stuff to tinker with."
"I'm setting up in the Trainyard, she'll have plenty of stuff to tinker with."
"And now you're talking about her like she's a pet." Lisa sighed.
"Okay, we'll figure out the logistics of getting Squealer on our side later. Anyone else have anything they want to bring up? Concerns?" Everyone shook their heads and I nodded. "Alright, that means we're done here. Everyone without a number can go."
"Hey, why are you keeping us?" Alec complained, probably thinking about a game he wanted to get back to.
"We've got some training to do. Things are heating up and we've been neglecting some of the finer details. I want to make sure you all know as much as I do about what we're capable of."
"I hate training." He sighed.
"Too bad." Lisa and Theo opened a Descorrer each to let Purity, Bitch, and Grue go home while the rest of us stood for training.
—
We trained until evening on Saturday; until Madison had to be home or she'd be in trouble. I'd taught them about their weapons, how to better manipulate a Cero, and even the other forms of a Cero. Lisa was apprehensive about having to cut her finger for the Gran Rey Cero, and ended up favoring the Oscuras. Alec and Madison had far too much fun with their weapons, but I was willing to let them have that.
Saturday night was quiet as usual, Dad coming home and drinking until he fell asleep. He didn't work Sunday and needed to head to the mall, so I went with him. Had to make sure he didn't get caught up in anything.
"Attention shoppers. Please be informed that stores will be closing at five-thirty this evening, in cooperation with the city-wide curfew. Make sure to cooperate with authorities at the entrances and exits of the Weymouth shopping center, and return to your homes by six o'clock. Thank you."
The conversations of the other shoppers hushed as the woman spoke over the speakers. The mall was surprisingly packed considering the mass bombing that was going on. The stores had offered amazing sales to keep business open and I couldn't decide if it was a decision born of stupidity or greed.
"You ready to leave?" I asked dully, eyes roaming the crowds. It was unlikely anyone would remember us if a bomb went off and I ducked us into Vacio Mundo. I could probably convince dad it was a dream or something if he got drunk enough tonight.
"Yeah." He said. "Don't want to be around when everyone starts leaving."
We walked to the exit only to be blocked by a sea of bodies. It seemed our attempt to beat the rush was in vain since everyone else had the same idea. At least I thought so at first. I noticed up towards the front near all the military were two heroes; Battery and Shadow Stalker. It didn't surprise me that people would stop to gawk at the two heroines who had a lot of controversy surrounding them. The first the media suspected to be in an incestuous relationship with Assault and the second being a former vigilante that many suspected didn't join the Wards willingly.
Not to mention they were women in rather tight outfits. That would draw a crowd even if they weren't two controversial figures out on patrol together.
"Alan." My dad said, drawing my attention. "It's good to see you."
"Danny." Alan Barnes said with a smile. "It's been a while. Too long. How's it been?"
Dad glanced down at me for a second. "It's been good. We've got enough work at the Docks, especially with all the clean up going on. We're not swimming in money or anything, but we're staying afloat."
"That's good to hear. And your projects?"
"I've resigned myself to waiting until after elections to bring the Ferry up again. Honestly I was considering clearing the Boat Graveyard. If we could get it clear it could bring a lot more business to the bay shipping along the coast."
I actually liked the idea of that. It would help the city and could potentially net a lot of money. I'd have to ask Lisa about the logistics of it, but it seemed like it could be doable.
"Good, that's good you still have ideas to help the city. You should come over for a barbecue when it gets warmer."
"I'd like that. What brought you out today?"
"My daughter. She heard about the sales and just would not let them slip by. I'm holding our place in line while she— ah, here she is."
I turned and saw Emma walking towards us.
"Oh, hi Uncle Danny, Taylor."
"Hello, Emma." I said in my usual drawl. Our fathers continued talking while Emma stared at me with a smug smile on her face. If I actually cared anymore I probably would have hit her. Even Lisa wasn't that smug.
"So how did you enjoy your week off, Taylor?" She asked slyly.
"It was great, actually. Really relaxing."
"Oh?" She asked, fishing for more info.
"Yeah." I said dully, not bothering to give her anything more concrete.
"Taylor, didn't you say you knew someone who got caught up in all this?" Dad asked.
"Yeah." I nodded. "A couple friends got caught in the explosions earlier this week."
"You're the third person I've met who's been affected by all this." Alan shook his head.
"Friends?" Emma asked incredulously, her face twisting into a frown.
"Yup." I nodded.
She got closer, lowering her voice. "You don't have to lie, you know? It's totally okay to be a friendless loser." Her smirk came back full force.
"I do have a life outside of school. Not that you'd particularly understand that. My world doesn't revolve around you."
She scoffed, seemingly offended by the idea that I didn't spend my days lamenting losing her friendship.
"Oh please. I know you well enough to know when you lie, Taylor. You don't have anyone but yourself and I'd feel bad for you if you weren't so pathetic."
"I don't think about you at all." I drawled.
She choked and I almost smirked. She started to speak again when dad snapped.
"It's fine, Alan!" His hand was balled tightly and his arms were tense.
"Danny, if you're hitting the bottle again Zoe and I would be more than happy to help—."
"I don't need help, Alan. I'm fine. I've just been a bit stressed out lately. It's nothing to worry about."
"Just… Call me if you need anything, Danny. I'm here to help."
"Thanks, Alan." Dad said tightly.
He grabbed my arm, snatching me away towards another exit.