Gambling Time Interlude: Director

"Hello, Emily."

"James."

In the small window in the corner of her screen, her counterpart from the south smiled warmly.

Despite, or more likely because, she didn't offer one in return.

The rest of the monitor displayed the live stream that was of interest to both directors. A spartan conference room, one normally utilized for the types of meetings taking place. Three sat along one side. The man in an expensive looking business suit was doing most of the talking.

Of course she'd hired Calle. The smart ones who could afford it always did.

"If she is half as smart as you claim, she has to know this meeting is merely a formality," Emily said. "So why arrange it at all? Why come here, personally? What do you think her game actually is?"

"I honestly have no idea. She never came into my office with her lawyer before."

"Never?"

"Not once," James answered. "Avoided the building almost as much as she avoided my heroes. How good is her lawyer?"

"Quinn Calle is probably the foremost authority on Parahuman Law in New Hampshire," Emily grudgingly admitted. "Charismatic, intelligent, and very knowledgeable. He's made a name for himself in that if there is a loophole his client can exploit, he knows about it or will find it."

"Sounds like the kind of lawyer she used here."

"Calle is also an amoral prick," Emily continued. "He will represent anyone who pays his fees and has in the past. Unfortunately for us, he's damn good at his job."

"Exactly like her old lawyer then," he chuckled. Both watched as the man smiled before launching into another long string of legal precedents. "I'm just as curious as you are, Emily, that she's here with him. When her lawyer came into our offices it was usually to question why we were looking for her or to assess if there were charges pending."

In front of Calle, was his PRT counterpart. Not quite at Calle's level, Emily grudgingly admitted, but a good man, and better than Henderson who'd originally been scheduled for this meet when it was arranged. Thankfully, Burkes didn't mind the quick summons when Calle walked in.

Next to him was Miss Militia. The dark haired and olive skinned woman sat easily, stars and stripes scarf and sash across her lower face and hips. The rest of her costume was a set of stylized and form fitting military fatigues, something that always irked the stern woman watching the meeting, reminding her slightly of those ridiculous old time pin ups that her father loved so much. The obvious sexualization at odds with what the uniform was meant to represent. But, that was costume design in a cape world for you, not that anyone asked her opinion on such matters, or listened when she gave it regardless.

Calle and Burkes verbally sparred over what they all knew were minor points while Miss Militia tried to engage Calle's client directly without much success. She hadn't actually said much at all, and nothing that wasn't probably pre-coached by her lawyer. Which begged the question, why was she here at all? A message that she wasn't afraid of the PRT? Rubbing the fact that what they had wouldn't win in a PR war if they pressed? What was the capes end game here? What was she hoping to achieve?

Seemingly sharing none of her concern at the situation, James asked, "It has been awhile since we last talked, hasn't it?"

"We talked last month when you called me, as you well know," Emily curtly answered. "And only a few months before that we met for the reunion, if you could call it that."

"True. Shame Tom couldn't join us. There's only three of us left now."

Emily chose not to voice her thoughts on the subject. As far as she was concerned, Calvert didn't deserve the right to remember the fallen with them after what he had done to save his own skin. Looking at the image of her New Orleans counterpart, she pushed down her own thoughts on the only other survivor of their old unit.

James might not have been there due to prior injuries but that didn't change the fact that other than her, he was the only other member of their old unit. They'd trained, fought, and bleed for each other numerous times before Ellisburg. Just sheer chance he had been on medical when the mission launched. In the years since, he had never failed to respect the memory of the men and women who had been lost. Most of the time, it seemed like they were the only one's who still did, or even cared.

"How've you been?" she asked, if only to change the topic.

"Knee acts up if I sit too long," he answered easily, leaning back to light a cigar. "Nothing new there. Never was the same after '04."

For the first time since the teleconference began, Emily's mouth twitched in amusement. "War's hell."

Puffing on his freshly lit cigar, James just smiled. On the screen, a thin man dressed in urban camouflage trousers and black sweater, his face hidden an equally black balaclava and a set of large aviator sunglasses, leaned toward Calle, whispering.

"Interesting," James muttered.

"How so?"

"During Gambit's last appearance in New Orleans it was noted she was in the company a new unknown. Informants called him, 'New Guy', which is all we have on him other than a general description. Tall, thin, presumably white, and doesn't talk much. When he did, people listened. When pushed, one informant said that New Guy seemed like the kind of man that just didn't know where the bodies were buried, but probably dug each hole himself. Was her shadow during that time. Theory was he was someone 'important' from Brockton Bay. A fixer of problems, you could say. What name did he give?"

"Minion."

"Are you serious?"

Turning to look directly into his eyes, Emily said, "Do I look like I am joking?"

"Well," James said, obviously trying not to grin. "Is it possible Minion might be from one of gangs in your city, or maybe a remnant of an old one?"

"Quite possible. Especially if he isn't parahuman. We don't have anything on him yet but I'll have someone reach out to BBPD and see if they have anything," Emily agreed. "How sure is the intel that New Guy is, in fact, a man?"

"What we have all agrees on that point. Why do you ask?"

"Because he's dressed like one of Lustrum's old lieutenants," she answered. "I might not have been Director back then, but Lustrums's gang was one of the first major victories for our branch after it was founded. Her people's look was was pretty well known. There is also the fact Lustrum hated men and her membership was entirely female. For a man to dress so, I'm sure you understand the implications."

"Now that is interesting. Sex change? No, far to drastic not to mention traceable. One moment, let me check something," James muttered. Emily turned to watch him go through a file on his desk. After several moments, he nodded. "I thought so. Has Adhoc showed up on your radar?"

"I'm not familiar with the name."

"Adhoc was a villain with a musketeer theme, but instead of swords used a long handled warhammer. We had reports Adhoc was friendly with Gambit around the time she first started calling herself that. Despite, I should add, that Adhoc ran with one of our heavies, Bayou Amos. It lasted for a few months before they had a falling out."

"What kind of falling out?"

"If there is any truth in the rumor, Adhoc got him drunk and left him passed out on Bourbon Street. In a bright pink dress, I might add, with more than a few crude drawings on his face."

Emily sighed. "And how does this apply to New Guy?"

Chuckling, James continued. "After that, Adhoc disappeared. Completely dropped off the radar. What makes it interesting is that we never could figure out if Adhoc was male or female. We assumed she due to the relationship with Amos, but Adhoc's costume changed after each encounter enough that we couldn't ever definitely declare one or the other. Could have gone either way. Actually had a betting pool on it until they disappeared."

Emily nodded. "We have a cape active here we have a similar issue with. Circus, I believe. First sighting was about a month before Gambit showed up the first time. Clown theme however. Very vulgar and disruptive if I remember the reports correctly. "

"Other than the costume, that matches. Vulgar and disruptive sums up Adhoc perfectly. "

"Were you able to get an age range?"

"We think between twenty and twenty-five," he answered not looking up from the file. "But that was two years ago and they were very good about making themselves look older, or younger. Pretty randomly according to these chronicled reports. One day, mid twenties adult. Next day, a teenager."

After checking the file on Circus, Emily nodded at the comparison. "Changer?"

"Nothing to suggest that. We think they're just really good at disguising themselves. You know as well as I that not everything has to do with superpowers."

"Well, that muddies the waters. Minion might be New Guy who also might be Adhoc and or Circus with ties dating back to Lustrum with past and current ties to Gambit. That isn't troubling at all."

"Possible, or they could be simply trolling you."

Turning away from the data on her second screen, Emily raised an eyebrow at James amused image. "Excuse me?"

"Just saying. It wouldn't be out of character for Adhoc. Or Gambit, actually now that I think about it. Both tend to find humor in just about any and everything. Gambit is especially known for not taking much seriously. I will say that when she does, that is the time to worry. As I'm sure you aware from recent events."

Looking back to the conference room, Emily silently agreed. As was typical of the young cape whenever she expected to be seen, Gambit was dressed in her light body armor and a new brown trench coat of similar make to the one recovered last week. Her expression was very different than the last time Emily had seen her.

"Ma'am."

Turning to her shadow, Emily frowned. This was her lunch hour and while she had to deal with them following her, she preferred to be alone at this time.

"What is it, Benson?"

Discreetly pointing to the figure on her bench, he said, "I believe that is the new cape Miss Militia and Battery reported the other day. I think it would be better if we moved to another pier. Just in case."

Taking a second look, Emily nodded in confirmation. The figure definitely matched the description listed in the report as well as the more detailed one she received from James.

Except the Gambit sitting on her bench seemed deep in thought. Maybe even troubled. From here Emily couldn't see her distinctive eyes, but there was no hiding the fact that at this moment, Gambit looked as if her entire world had suddenly tilted off axis. At the moment she didn't look so much like a carefree gambler as much as a very troubled teenage girl who had just been given world-shaking news.

"No," Emily said. "I don't think that will be necessary."

Whatever the outcome had been for her troubles, she had obviously recovered. Gambit was currently balancing a pencil on her nose. Not lengthwise, as a normal person would if they had a mind for such behavior. No, on the lead so that it stood straight up. Before that, the room was treated to a game of solitaire. She only ever spoke when her lawyer addressed her, like at the moment. Even then, the pencil didn't so much as shift.

The less said about the currently-empty box of Girl Scout cookies Gambit had snacked on earlier, the better. Grudgingly, Emily made a note to herself to have someone look into the connection. This wasn't the first time it had come up and while highly unlikely, it was possible the organization could be used for villainous activities. Money laundering wasn't outside of probability, and the young girls wouldn't ever even know they were doing it.

"I can't help but admire Armsmaster's patience," James noted. "You know she's doing that to irritate him, don't you?"

"Obviously," she muttered. Almost as if she knew they were discussing her, Gambit's eyes moved from the pencil to directly at the camera recording the interview. Not the obvious main one, but the hidden camera that was focused directly on her. "Most likely because he's done nothing but stare at her the entire time."

Halberd in hand across his chest in a stance that was as almost as iconic to the man as the midnight blue power armor trimmed in silver which he wore. The only unarmored parts of his body stood in direct contrast to his partner. Instead of covering the lower half of his face, his helmet hid his eyes and the sides of his head, leaving only his nose and mouth exposed, though the latter was covered in a short cropped beard that dated back to his Ward days.

As the head of her Protectorate assets, it was his right to be there. The equipment he had somehow tinkered into that helmet of his was even more justification for his presence despite the fact Armsmaster was not the best suited for these types of interviews. Privately Emily thought Armsmaster was trying to rattle the younger cape with his quiet presence. A tactic that normally worked, but seemed to have little effect if the slight smile on Gambit's face was anything to go by.

"You are far too entertained by this, Director Simmons," Emily stated at the man's chuckle as he too watched the scene play out.

"And you worry too much, Lady," Simmons lazily returned, ignoring her point entirely. "But you always were one to see the worst in situations."

"Don't call me that."

"Taking a bullet for you should at least grant me the right to call you by your old field handle," James drawled. "Especially after all we went through together, back in the day."

Snorting, Emily said, "Tripping over your own feet and falling on me before getting shot is not the same as jumping in front of a bullet."

"So you say," he chuckled. "Though I remember it happening very different than the way you tell it."

"Which, I am sure, is a very self sacrificing story that doesn't end with you getting shot in the ass."

"My body was between you and that bullet. I see no reason to keep bringing up which part of me was actually hit."

Emily rolled her eyes at his mulish tone. Instead of commenting, she focused on the meeting. So far it had proceeded in a somewhat predictable manner. Mostly centered around the events of last week. Calle had obviously done his homework and was well prepared with both Minion and Gambit not giving their own lawyer much to work with.

In other words, Emily internally groused, the PRT didn't have a leg to stand on. For the myriad of crimes they could have charged Gambit for, every last one of them had been in the defense of an eleven year old girl who had been in the process of being kidnapped. True, the law was technically on their side, but there wasn't a jury in the state that was going to convict Gambit for her actions or the consequences of such. Especially with Calle's firm at the defence and the current direction the conversation was going. Too many factors, and some of those needed to stay off the books, were in the young capes favor without even considering the hero exemptions Calle had spent most of the meeting quoting.

Which was the true purpose of the meeting, Emily surmised. They couldn't press charges and seriously expect to win with what they had. Calle knew it, and obviously, so did Gambit. Instead of gloating over that fact, she just sat there and let it all get aired, putting them all on the same page. Almost as if they were dealing with a registered hero who made a mistake, instead of a closeted villain.

"What is your game?" Emily muttered as Gambit stopped balancing the pencil to look over the paperwork Calle handed her. Minion whispered advice as he too looked over the papers.

"Frustrating, isn't it?" James chuckled. "Honestly, half the time I think she really is as carefree as she presents herself to be. Of course, then she does something to make me wonder if it was all planned. Still curious how you managed to get her to come into the office."

"I didn't do anything," Emily stated firmly. "However, the scuttlebutt is she might be in a relationship with one of my Wards."

"Be serious." His comment was met with dead silence. "And you allowed that to happen?"

"I wasn't involved," Emily denied. "Clockblocker disobeyed a direct order from my Deputy Director not to associate with Gambit and earned two weeks worth of console duty for his idiocy. A punishment I supported. That's all this department needs, a teenage Assault and Battery running around unchecked. Especially when both of them think more like Assault."

Holding one hand to the camera to cut off James, Emily watched Armsmaster step toward the table. Seeing him, Gambit paused in her efforts.

"It should be noted that with registry, all associations will be scrutinized and any participation in illegal activities will be investigated thoroughly."

"Are you accusing my client of something, Armsmaster?" Calle smoothly inquired.

"It should be made clear that the Protectorate will not tolerate, nor condone, villainous actions. No matter the justification. Gambit has a history of such actions."

"Wha' you tryin' ta say, cheri? Cuz, it sound to me dat you sayin' Gambit can't be trusted."

"Trust is earned, but not the point I am making," Armsmaster answered. "You were witnessed attempting to steal a vehicle when Vista approached you. "

"I know somthin' bout wiring," Gambit smirked. "But, so don' you, eh? Is dat a crime now?"

"The ease with which you did so suggests it wasn't your first time."

"If'n you 'ave proof, den you do what ya need ta do, mon'ami. I didn't have to come 'ere, I chose to."

"Do you have proof to back that allegation, Armsmaster?" Calle asked.

"I am not accusing anything, Mr. Calle. Merely making a point," the hero answered smoothly before turning to teenage cape. "Grand theft auto is not, under any circumstance, a legal heroic act, and Gambit has done so twice that we can prove, in one day."

"I never claimed ta be a 'ero. Just not ah villain."

Armsmaster grunted and even through the camera, Emily could see his lips twitch. "When you are finished, we will begin power assessment to complete registry."

"Sure, cher."

Once he walked out of the room, Emily opened the line to his helmet. "Well?"

"Assault was right, she is unnervingly good at concealing her micro expressions. I think I might be able to recalibrate my lie detector to read her but I don't have enough data to go by yet."

"Impressions?"

"Confident, alert, and very perceptive," Armsmaster dutifully reported. "Judging by her eye movement she spotted all but one camera in the room. I expected reactions similar to other capes who have tried to play both sides, and found hers to be abnormal. On the surface, Gambit appears to be genuine."

"But you don't trust her?" Emily asked.

"I do not, though I am willing to admit that my judgment is not based on available data and more on the fact that we can't conclusively prove either guilt or innocence to past activities. My equipment doesn't work on her very well, and Gallant has reported his power doesn't work at all. I would surmise it is likely a result of her power. I recommend Stranger 1, or possibly Trump 1 rating for the effect."

"Very well," she nodded, adding to her notes. "Anything else?"

"One thing. Was the New Orleans branch aware Gambit doesn't leave fingerprints?"

Listening, James blinked before shaking his head.

"I do not believe so. Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I ran the scan twice to be sure it wasn't a malfunction. I will check my equipment this afternoon to verify that it is in working order."

"Very well. I look forward to your report on Gambit's power testing."

"Was there anything else, Director?"

"Just don't push too hard during testing, Armsmaster."

"Director?"

"Gambit volunteered to do it," Emily reminded him. "Until we know differently, let us assume the situation is as it looks. I'd rather not give Mr. Calle more ammunition to use against us than he already has. If he suspects we're using the tests to gather evidence against his client for suspected past crimes instead of assessment scores, the next meeting won't be as cordial."

"Sensible, Director. Armsmaster out."

Leaning back in his chair, James stared at her. It went long enough that it started grinding on Emily's nerves. "What?"

"You like her."

"That's quite enough, James."

"Holy shit," James cursed. Leaning back, head slowly shaking. "Not a month up there and she's already made a friend of Lady."

Chuckling in the face of Emily's glare, James continued. "Maybe friend is a stretch, but you do like her."

"Gambit has been nothing but trouble since she showed in my city," Emily denied curtly. "In the short time she's been here we've had several unexplained incidents leading up to last week's fiasco. Connect the dots for me, Director, and don't forget, I am in this mess specifically because you brought Gambit to my attention in the first place."

"I did. Tell me, Emily, in all the time you've held that office, hasn't something happened that you wished you could fix?" James asked, appearing older as he turned to watch the conference room.

"It comes with the job, as you well know."

"Maybe, but Gambit is one of my regrets," James sighed. "With one bad meeting, we lost her to the streets. True, she's not the only one we've failed, but imagine what she could have been had the situation played out differently. Had we been there when she needed us."

"You always were too soft for this line of work," Emily noted once she pulled herself from her reverie. "We are fighting in an arena where our opponents are bigger, smarter and stronger than we are. They take what they want, uncaring of the collateral or the suffering left in their wake. Our job isn't to save them, James, but to safeguard everyone else from them. You would do well to remember that."

"Does that apply to our own people in the Protectorate?"

"Yes it does."

"That's a rather hard line, Em."

"It's called doing my job," she said shortly. "Might want to try it sometimes, James, instead of worrying about the past."

"You know as well as I do that half of our job is politics while the rest is coordination for A and S class threats. It also doesn't explain why you are taking such an intense interest in this cape. That's not like you, Emily, and I know you're not doing it just because I asked."

"Less of them means more of us," she answered. Turning to Calle, Gambit listened to whatever it was being whispered. Rising from the seat, she followed Miss Militia out the door with Minion following close behind. "If handled properly, I might be able to prevent her from joining the Empire, or god forbid, the Merchants."

"I don't think that was ever in the cards, Emily," James muttered. "The Empire's entire philosophy stands against most of what Gambit believes in. As for the Merchants, while we suspected Gambit of many things, drug running and distribution never made the list."

"Maybe not, but the amount of transgressions that have made the list, is of concern."

"Just," James started to say before sighing. "Just remember, Emily, Gambit isn't evil."

"Nor is she a hero."

"Not in any conventional sense, no, and she'd be the first to say so. She's as likely to cross boundaries as she is to do anything. Sees the world very differently than most of us do, and definitely differently than most parahumans. But, she could be a great one, if properly guided."

"Your branche's psychological profile of her paints a very different, and troubling, picture. So, your point, James?"

"My point is that it's so… outside the norm for a parahuman of Gambit's abilities to be as non-confrontational as she is. Don't let what happened keep blinding you to the fact that despite their abilities, these are people we're dealing with, and I think if you get to know her, you'll find Gambit can be good people. She has a… code about her. One I think even you would respect."

"I am well aware of my own prejudices," Emily said, though not as harshly. "Something I take into account when dealing with them but that doesn't change the fact that parahumans are ticking time bombs just waiting to go off. Despite what you think, Gambit is no exception. You've heard of Marquis?"

"Vaguely," James answered. "Tough cape, if I remember right. Controlled quite a bit of the underworld in your city for a while. Birdcaged quite a some time ago, right?"

"Even today there are those who speak of him reverently. Charismatic, civil, and earnest in his convictions and beliefs. Truly had an ear for the common man in the city. Marquis liked to help people, and did so regularly. There are those who still remember what he did for them. He had a code about him too, James. Back then, Marquis held his own against Empire Eighty Eight, Merchants, the Teeth, Lustrum, and more than a few wishful rising stars practically single-handedly.

"Yet I have reports in my archives that show the other side. Scores of murders, dozens of arsons, and tracking data for more sales of illegal drugs and weapons than you would believe. That doesn't include the multitude of softer charges ranging from bribery to witness and evidence tampering. With the capes already here right now, I'm sitting on a powder keg. I doubt this city will survive the rise of another Marquis."

"I don't think you have to worry about that being an issue, Emily."

"And why do you think that?"

"Two reasons," he answered. "I'm sure you're aware of the string of recent wins local PD here has had lately."

She nodded, narrowing her eyes as James continued. "Something held back from the report was that the anonymous donation of information I received wasn't from an anonymous source. Gambit burned her own organization down."

"That doesn't make sense. Did she tell you why?"

"In her own way. While she was in Brockton Bay, her people did a job without her and two security guards were killed during the heist," James explained. "Whatever she learned when she got back had her contacting me. While it is all speculation about their relationship to Gambit, I can tell you she was… offended by what happened. I doubt Marquis would have done something like that."

"I doubt that as well," Emily nodded, adding the tidbit to her own observations about the cape before asking, "Why didn't you report it?"

"It would have tarnished the validity of the information," James answered. "I also didn't want her involvement getting leaked and having the fallout follow her up north. Seemed a poor way to repay her."

"I see," Emily said. "The other reason?"

"I doubt that Gambit could be serious for long enough to actually pull off a Marquis like empire. To be quite blunt Emily, unless something truly life changing happened, I just don't think Gambit has enough fucks to give to take the job even if it was offered."