While it was somewhat of a surprise, upon second thought, it probably shouldn't have been. After all, Scion had disappeared. Scion, the world's most powerful parahuman and one of exactly two being capable of matching Endbringers. He kept the world's nukes in check and inspired countless people. He was even the focus of a religion centered around him as a savior figure somewhat similar to Christ. His disappearance sparked duster, contrary, and more than a few triggers given the Entity's sheer importance to the world. And I had told the world that I knew what had happened to him. Even if they didn't believe me, Scion was dead and he wasn't coming back. Which meant there wouldn't be anybody to contradict my words and the PRT had a way to look official and ring some order to the chaotic riots that had started on and off again in various cities.

All of which was irrelevant though to the woman on the screen. I knew her name, as most did. Rebecca Costa-Brown. Though I also knew the other name she kept so under wraps: Alexandria. The woman for which I was named as an oath that he would one day conquer her. A founding member of Cauldron and a true believer in The Greater Good. At least, up to a point. While she didn't have much of one, I was keenly aware of her refusal to allow Manton to live once she found out the truth. Though given the circumstances, that was likely emotional attachment for her fallen friend. Well, fallen lover if the rumors of their relationship in the fan base was to be believed. I was having trouble remembering if that was canon or fanon at the moment.

Still, as I looked into her intense brown eyes, I found myself agreeing with the description so many gave her. She looked 40, but indeed had the age of 20s, a masterwork of makeup. She was imposing, an aura of dismissal of anything irrelevant clear even across the screen. The way she held herself, I was all but certain I was facing the real deal instead of the copy they paraded around while she was busy in costume. Though considering the competence of the people she tended to surround herself with, I didn't discount the possibility that this was indeed a fool and the real one was listening in somewhere else, ready to swoop me up. A fear only increased by my sudden reminder that for all my power, I was still quite vulnerable to brute force. Though the significant range of my neural sight did give some reassurance on that front.

Piggot was an entirely different deal. It was actually a strange experience to hold her gaze so intensely. In a way, she was pretty accurately described. She was a plump, fat woman like most describe her and she had clear signs of disability. Some of which I could even see organized around her desk for easy access. Her skin, a pale just a tad on the side of unhealthy and slight shake of her fingers as another sign of her not being well. Though that was where the differences ended. There wasn't some aura of malice or hatred in her eyes leaking through. Completely to the contrary, she had a calm and intense demeanor and a cold focus in her eyes.

The steel reminded that despite how much hate she got in the fan base for some questionable actions, this was the woman who managed to hold together a sinking ship for decades. She went against a monster that matched Leviathan, even if it was holding back, an army of super powered nazi backed by an ultra characteristic leader, the S9 twice, and a visit from an Endbringer. It was honestly quite impressive that she managed such a thing, even if she ultimately failed. Though even that's as up for debate as while a group of criminals lead the city, those same criminals ultimately signed a deal that out them and the PRT on the same side in a sense. Left to rot in a city drowning in such a way that it rivaled Gotham, she managed to bring it down semblance of peace.

"I believe it best to start with the news you're all most wanting to hear. What exactly happened to Scion?" The remark didn't get any give in either woman, still looking at me with their respective poker faces. Well, if they were poker faces. I knew that many said Alexandria was much the same as the Chief Director before me. And this was my first meeting with Director Piggot so I didn't really have a good read on her character yet beyond "dedicated" and "dislike parahumans" for a baseline.

"And what, , is that?" So Alexandria would be leading this then.

"Well in the most basic terms, Scion isn't human. Rather it's a species called an Entity that travels from planet to planet handing out powers. Once it's waited long enough, it'll slaughter everything on this planet across several dimensions and then move into the next. It does this to try and solve entropy in a "For the Greater Good" type of deal. Another of its species called Apollyon came across Scion and then proceeded to eat him. Upon review of the current cycle, it stumbled upon the solution and then broadcasted this across the galaxy." The news of this wouldn't be very surprising to her. For one, she knew most of it. I was only here to fill in the blanks of what that disappearance meant. As for why I started in basic terms, I had the sadistic impression that neither would appreciate an in depth analysis of just what was going on without the line being secured to the highest possible level. Which, considering Piggot's presence here, suggested it wasn't.

"I see. Director Piggot, I'm activating code Sigma Aloha Omega Brave Charlie S." And there it was. At least, I hope it was there?

"Of course Chief Director." Well this is interesting. Piggot hasn't left the room, but the line should definitely have gotten more secure. Which probably meant that while I was going to be explaining further, I should still leave out the whole Cauldron part.

"Now then, what does that mean in more complicated terms?" It was only as Costa-Brown leaned forward, did I remember just how high a thinker she was. Honestly, I was probably being played in some way I wasn't aware of, but I could deal with that later. What mattered now was getting this deal set in place.

"In more complicated terms, powers are alive. More than that, they use people as guinea pigs. It's a process called 'The Cycle' and it entails seeding a planet with something that has many names. Some call them 'shards', The Fairy Queen calls them 'fairies', and Bonesaw chose the word 'passengers'. Either way, they give us powers on the worst days of our lives. They implant within us a conflict drive that makes parahumans more likely to fight. As for backstory, it's important to remember that there are actually two of Scion. The other was called Eden and is what would be termed the "thinker" or the one who sets up the experiment. She died on impact to this planet in a situation similar to a drunk driver though. In her state of delirium, she was then killed. Her death is actually what's been causing the Case 53s to appear by the way. Anyway, this is why Scion has always looked so sad. Scion, or his actual name, Zion, is the "warrior" of the two, the one who brings the thinker's plans into fruition when force is required. After The Cycle is over, they end all life across a vast array of dimensions and move onto the next. The reason they do this, and the reason behind his disappearance, are actually connected. They were trying to find a solution to entropy, the end of everything. They decided that a few million worlds wouldn't mean much in the face of eternity for the rest. Again, it was a classic "For the Greater Good" move. However, Scion was preyed upon by a separate being of its species. It came and ate Eden and Scion both, which caused Scion to disappear as it's now dead. This Entity, Apollyon, upon reviewing the current Cycle, stumbled upon the solution their species had been looking for: negentropy. Having found it, it proceeded to broadcast the solution, hooked up all the Scion and Eden shards with infinite energy, released them all across this and other dimensions, and then left. Where to or what it's doing not, I'm not certain, though if I had to hazard a guess, it'll either be to breed or watch how things play out." Their reactions were about as great as they'd been up till this point. Which is to say absolutely nothing. Honestly it was really impressive how stone cold they were about this. Well, more impressive for Piggot as this was all new to her.

"I see. Well then, Director Piggot, I'll be scheduling a meeting with Washington and the other director heads soon. After all, what this means, should be pretty apparent. There is a source of infinite energy that others don't have, that we do. Others will arrive to see the solution and likely harvest it. That means some kind of alien invasion or even more parahumans soon. As for you , you've been quite helpful in this endeavor and have indeed acted in good faith. You and your family will be pardoned for now, but only so long as you follow some ground rules set in place by Director Piggot. Chief Director Costa-Brown signing off."

As I stared at the now blank screen that housed the Chief Director of the PRT, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. I knew this probably wasn't going to be the end of things, both officially and unofficially. There was still the gaping question of how I knew this, but that was likely to come later as the PRT went on organizing what needed to be done for the coming invasions and spreading a PR safe explanation for Scion's disappearance. After all, they couldn't exactly come out and say that Scion was space Hitler and planning to kill us all. After all, he was the center of a religion that believed him a savior deity of some sort. Finding out that God was actually the Devil would make things so messy. I can't even imagine the sheer religious outrage that would take place. And that's not even including the other citizens that, while not worshiping the guy, still look up to him as a hero and inspiration. At best it would be laughed off as a distasteful joke and at worse it could lead to open war amongst the world. Which considering what was likely coming as Costa-Brown had said, would be really bad.

None of which even touched on the likely visit from Cauldron I was going to get to better explain this. After all, Cauldron wouldn't be satisfied with this. They'd want more. And they had the power to do it. I wasn't some power nexes so Contessa could path me and I wasn't arrogant enough to think the ROB that stranded me here gave me something like Special Snowflake. No, I was likely going to be somehow held at there mercy. It wouldn't even be that hard. I'm a bio-master. All they'd need is someone like Weld and they'd have me beat. And considering their connections, I didn't have any doubts they had someone like that on call. All in all, I was likely going to be made their something. I was hopeful it wouldn't be their Rachel, but if it was for my family…

'C'mon Alexandre! You're going to miss it' 'Wasn't this fun Andre?' 'That was pretty good Alex, have you been practicing?' 'Al me hungry!' 'I wish things could be like this all the time.' Hey Al-'

'If it is for them, then I will be that.' As I finally turned back towards Director Piggot, it only clicked that I'd been pronouncing her name wrong in my head all this time. It's "Pig-oh" with a silent "t". A bit strange considering how long I've been under that misconception, and definitely helpful as I can imagine what they'd think of me if I called her that. However, this also brought forth an uncomfortable question.

'If I didn't even know how to correctly pronounce her name, then what else don't I know?' I had prided myself on my encyclopedic knowledge of canon. And sure, I knew there were probably things I didn't get right, but I figured it was mostly really minor stuff. And I also knew that this was also a kind of minor thing to confuse. However, as I stared into the calm composed as that felt like steel, I couldn't help but worry. Still, I would push forward.

"Well , as Chief Director Costa-Brown has stated, you will be under my jurisdiction. You will follow the rules provided by me. Breaking from these rules will be taken as a criminal action and responded with immediate and judicial force. In exchange, your family will be allowed to live here as normal citizens. Is this clear?" The way she said it, was perhaps the first time her composure had cracked even slightly. It was a hard edge, giving away some clear dislike. Though that wasn't all that surprising given the circumstances. She hid it quite well, but I knew she hated parahumans. For a decent reason admittedly given the way Nilbog went down. And she probably disliked me most especially. I had little doubts I was still in the "monster" category for her. Again, mostly because of who my father was, but that was a stigma I doubted I'd escape any time soon, if ever. Hopefully the younger ones can though.

Still, as little as it was, it was something. Enough to know I probably wouldn't like whatever restriction she placed on me. Likely because they'd be excessive and demeaning. Well, hopefully not the latter. Say what you will, but Director Piggot has shown herself to be a complete professional so far. I could only hope that despite the growing pit in my stomach, she would prove herself to be better than I imagined her to be.

"Indeed it is Director Piggot. I am very grateful the PRT has decided to allow my family and I the chance to love a life beyond our father and start anew." And if she wasn't? Well this was for my family. And family came first. Always.