Interlude: Max Anders
"Yes, thank you. I'm glad we could reach an agreement. I'll be more than happy to hammer out the finer details by the end of the week. Good evening Director Waldstein." The smile Max Anders sported to better mimic a pleased tone fell away as he finished his phone call and hung up.
He took a breath before he stood up, marching towards the window and looking out to his city. Such a great sight of such a city… A city that could have been great… once. Might still be again if it wasn't so… impure.
As it stood now it was a room that was slowly burning while filled with explosives.
If one would have predicted this scenario little over a month ago he would have found it… unlikely. Not of course in the apparent level of escalation, the Bay always stood on a precarious precipice. A fine balance of power that could be thrown completely askew by a big enough weight.
For that weight to be a teenaged girl though. That he would have found hard to believe.
He hadn't concerned himself with her at all. Her only accomplishment had been to hold off the chink Oni-Lee till he had to run away with the assistance of another Ward until the heroes arrived. All in all a feat that would earn the attention it took him to read the newspaper article it was posted on. But nothing further. Another Ward was largely inconsequential. And in the last week when she attacked the dregs and worthless rejects of society that had the gall to call themselves 'Merchants' as if they were civilized, he hadn't cared. Still didn't really. It was the Merchants. There was nothing lower. Not even niggers or spicks.
It appeared, however, that his opinion was in need of a gross revision, and fast.
It seemed that for all intents and purposes she was far more powerful than his first impression had warranted.
He turned back to his computer, bringing up the company logs and inspecting the workers still on the clock at MedHall.
Just the janitor and some civilians working overtime. And his own people after hours. Max stood up and walked out of his pristine office towards the elevator and got out his phone to his group text for his people.
Meeting.
Send. Everyone knew what that meant. He got into the elevator and clicked on the button leading to the basement. The keypad on top had a password and he inputted it in and felt the elevator go down from the top most floor, down and down to the very bottom. He arrived and walked out. He walked through the white halls and made it to a special office where only he had access.
He had the entire basement designed and retrofitted for his… other business. He'd hired simple contractors at first, but then sent word to his friends in Europe for the parahuman rogue architectural contractor Foundation. She was very good at her job and knew better than to ask questions from anyone. Heroes or villains, she didn't want to know. What she wanted was her money. Money well spent too.
By the time Fenja and Menja, arrived he was already in his full regalia. The armor of blades cocooning him in their layered steel shell. He would be the only one in costume here. There was no place to change and no way for the others to arrive in costume without risking being seen.
The next to come inside was Justin Knight, Crusader. He nodded sharply. "Sir."
Shortly after, Krieg.
"Lets begin."
"Seems empty." Krieg commented, though by the tone of his voice he knew what he was talking about.
"Indeed. And that is the reason why I am holding this meeting in the first place." Kaiser spoke, leaning back, lacing his hands in front of his mouth. "Hookwolf and Stormtiger have both been captured by the PRT." Kaiser spoke. "And the subject for this meeting: in the span of twenty minutes we lost two of our heavy hitters. An entire warehouse's contents due to a massive fire first, and Protectorate impoundment second. Nearly one million dollars worth of both weapons and ammunition. All of this because of a single rogue Ward."
"Last I heard Ashburn went after small time. What changed her MO?" Crusader asked.
"You're evidently not keeping up well with the news. The word is she's being Mastered by someone." Krieg spoke up. "Apparently, Ashburn has targeted and more or less eliminated the Merchants overnight. Got Squealer bagged and messed up that nigger Skidmark and got a good number of their nigger apes and junkie whores behind bars."
"I don't frankly care what she's been doing. I care about what she just did. I want reprisal." He hissed. "We've lost over a million dollars. But more importantly, our reputation has taken a blow. This… child hit us and we've been left holding the bag. Two of our own arrested while she escapes? This is unacceptable." He leaned forward. "I want her taken care of."
"You want to know what I think?" Krieg scratched at his chin. "I think this is all a front. Consider it. This little girl is supposedly Mastered by a villain, but she is targeting villains exclusively. She escaped from Legend. Not once but twice. This, convenient Master is a sham. None of us have ever even heard of a new Master appearing in the Bay. This is all just an operation to take us out."
"Seems awfully elaborate." Crusader ventured. "Why not just hit us normally?"
"Cut through all the red tape, the girl is obviously more powerful than anyone thought before. The PRT can't exactly treat their Wards like attack dogs. This way they get to use her and none of these prudish soccer moms kick up a fuss and get the Mayor's panties in a notch." Krieg explained.
Crusader tilted his head this way and that way, considering. "I guess but… I don't know… every word I've heard points to this falling out being the real deal."
"If they had a falling out, why is this girl doing activities that would do nothing but benefit the PRT in the long run?" Kaiser answered. Krieg's theory made a startling amount of sense. Hookwolf wasn't even assigned to the warehouse, his appearance was a surprise. He shows up and Legend just so happens to be ready to swoop in? It was looking more and more like the PRT had decided to take off the gloves and was going around the laws to do it.
He hummed in thought, then leaned back in his throne. "Regardless, this changes little. Whether working for the PRT or under some rogue Master's influence this… attack dog is going to be dealt with."
"The problem is finding her." Said Krieg. "So far the girl slips in and out absurdly fast."
"Well, any suggestions?" He asked.
"Well…" Crusader pondered. "Honestly… I think the best thing to do is wait. Think about it, she hit the Undersiders, she hit the Merchants, now us. That means she'll either hit us again or she'll hit the chinks…" He paused, thinking.
"What do you think is more likely? Us or the yellow monkeys?" Asked Krieg.
"I can't say. Either she wants to systematically wipe out the gangs one by one, or she's acting like she's at a friggin wine taster. And just going gang to gang. I mean the Undersiders are only kids, and they're reduced to half their fighting strength if not less so. The Merchants are worth even less than what they were before with just Skid still out of jail. And now we lose two of ours." Crusade scratched at his chin. "She's clearly escalating her quick attacks but I can't tell you whether she'll come for us again or switch to the ABB."
"Would she really be stupid enough to go after Lung next? Would the PRT be that stupid?" Kaiser asked.
He shrugged. "Bag the wolf and tiger, slay the dragon next."
Kaiser chuckled."The PRT suffered a nasty blow to their morale and public perception with that prison break Coil pulled and the subsequent raid on their headquarters. This is a rebuilding tactic. And what would be better than to remove either the Empire or the Dragon for their precious public perception. It all makes sense." Krieg leaned back in the sofa, feeling content.
"So what now? How do we take out Ashburn?"
"Simple. We'll station spies in ABB territory where Lung has his roving grounds and we'll all stay on constant alert and standby. If she's seen in the ABB territory, we run interference; keep the PRT busy if possible. That should give Lung enough time to take her out. The monkey can prove useful for once. If she comes here, we all respond. All of us. Kill her before the PRT can respond. She fled from Hookwolf, and called in Legend to save her. That means she is quite fallible." Kaiser calmly spoke.
"We could recruit her though." Crusade spoke up, earning everyone to turn his way. "If the falling out thing is real of course."
"I'll give it some consideration. For now, relay this to the others. Send people to scout out the ABB on where Lung goes. I want his locale… and if possible, feed it onto PHO." Kaiser mused, cupping his chin.
"Assuming she's with the PRT." Krieg gave Crusader a look. "I'm just going with what word on the street is. Heck, you wanna know what I'm hearing from some of the guys they transferred up north? People who were there at the prison? They're saying that whole thing with that Surtr guy isn't some new Parahuman. They're saying that Surtr was Ashburn."
That… brought him up short.
"Are you trying to say, that this… little girl, this child, is that thing being designated as a Class-A threat and soloed an entire Protectorate unit without suffering so much as a scratch?"
Crusader opened his mouth, fishing for words before he threw up his hands. "Look. I don't know anyone that was there personally but I've got people swearing up and down about what their friends say that they saw this shit at the prison. Surtr is a brute that uses fire, he's also using those ash statue things. Ya know, the creepy ones? Ashburn is the only other cape that uses those. Then suddenly Ashburn goes missing and that Surtr guy is never heard from again. I mean… I don't know. But if its true I doubt the PRT would have staged that so I can't say one hundred percent that she's working with the PRT. And… hell if it is true then that means that if you're gonna take this girl out we gotta go in guns blazing."
Kaiser said nothing. Crusader's theory and Krieg were clearly irreconcilable. Only one could be right and he didn't have enough information to make a decision right now.
"There is something else to discuss." Krieg, thankfully changed the subject. "We've lost Stormtiger and Hookwolf."
Ahh.
"We need Purity back. Now more than ever. When she left Night and Fog by and large left with her and returned back to Europe, though god only knows what's gone through their heads. That's three of our most powerful soldiers. This has to get fixed Kaiser. Now."
"Be careful of what tone you use with me Krieg." He warned, narrowing his eyes. His relationship with Purity was no secret and Krieg's value and seniority didn't exempt him from showing the proper respect. "You may be a dear friend, but what I choose to do with Kayden is none of your concern." Nevertheless he had a point. Max sighed. "However, I suppose I've entertained her little rebellious streak long enough." He mused, catching Crusader shifting in his seat. "I'll bring her back to the fold soon." It wouldn't do to seem too desperate in contacting her so quickly after this setback.
"With all due respec-"
Crusader's phone rang, interrupting Krieg mid speech. Crusader blushed and everyone else looked at him. Kaiser sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Personal phone or work phone?"
"It's my work one." Kaiser made a gesture, allowing Crusader to pick it up. He answered it. "Talk to me."
The man blinked then turned to Kaiser.
"Its…" He blinked again. "A 'Call.' Coil's called a meeting. He's asking for a parlay."
That, made him raise an eyebrow. "He's got plenty of nerve considering Legend's arrival is largely his fault. Who has he called?"
Crusader spoke into his phone a minute. Then he answered. "Us, the Chinks, those Traveler guys. Only people he didn't apparently call was Faultline and that's probably because she and her group booked it out of the Bay. And the Merchants because… fuck its the Merchants and they're an afterthought now thanks to that girl. Outside of them he wants the big boys at Sommer's Rock."
"Not the Undersiders? Its already known he's worked with them before."
Crusader shrugged.
"For when?"
"Tomorrow."
Kaiser nodded. "In any case then we will reconvene tomorrow and tend to Coil's parlay. In the meantime keep your ears to the ground and your eyes open. I want no more surprises…"
(X)
The next morning proceeded as usual. He got up, had his coffee, and proceeded to act and be the CEO of MedHall. For all intents and purposes a normal man.
He attended his meetings, called back Director Waldstein, had lunch, and drove to his "home" at four in the afternoon.
He arrived at the dockhouse, removed his suit, created his other suit, just in time for his driver to pull up to the curb, Fenja and Menja were already seated inside in their full regalia. He got in and immediately picked up his phone.
It rang twice. "Krieg here."
"I am on my way. I trust you've rounded up the others?"
"Victor, Othala, Rune, Crusader, Cricket, and myself. We're all ready to go. From here we can make it to the Bar in ten minutes."
"Leave now then. I'm about that distance myself."
"Understood."
He hung up the phone.
When they pulled up to Sommer's Rock there were already several cars outside of it. He could recognize Coil's black van instantly. The man always came in those kind of cars.
He could only assume the others belonged to the chinks, or the Travelers.
He suddenly missed Marquis. The man had been a nuisance and a hindrance to many of his operations but he certainly had more class than to show up at these meetings on a Japanese motorcycle…
It made him shake his head in disgust really.
By the time he came to a stop he could already see the three cars Krieg had pulling up. He was down the block. Seconds away.
His driver parked, rushed to the door, and opened it. Fenja and Menja got out first, flanking the door as they waited for him, he got out next, marching ahead of them, as expected they fell in behind him.
When he stepped into the bar, as expected, Coil was already there, dressed in the simplistic body-suit and serpent decorated mask. Four of his usual bodyguards sitting in a booth at the far end corner. Sitting to his right on the circular table was Lung, bare faced and chest, behind him sat the ever faithful dog, Oni-Lee, alone in his particular booth. No Bakuda it seemed.
Lung's feet were up on the table as he rocked the chair back and forth on its hind legs. The fucking monkey couldn't even pretend to be civilized.
He looked to his left as he marched into the door, finding an unfamiliar, but not unknown face.
"Trickster, I presume."
The man in the top-hat nodded.
Hn. At least he had enough sense to not try and sit at the table.
He marched towards the table and sat down, Fenja, Menja, Krieg, Cricket, and all the rest coming in behind him and taking up their chosen booths.
He laced his hands in front of where his mouth would be and was about to speak when Lung beat him to it.
"If the so called 'Emperor' is done overcompensating-" He grinned. "Then perhaps we can begin and go on with our day."
He bristled in his seat, he heard Rune hissing some insult of her own, saw Fenja and Menja tighten their grips on their weapons and glare.
He held up his hand, quietly ordering them to stand down.
"We respect the Truce. Leave the insults to the lesser races. That's all they're good for anyway."
Lung scoffed out a laugh.
It was Coil that thankfully spoke up next. "Please. Neither of you have to get along but we're all here to deal with a mutual, growing issue that can be resolved rather quickly with an application of force."
"I'll assume you're talking about that kid that's been going around attacking villains?" Trickster asked, sparing Kaiser the risk of looking weak by putting it forth himself.
Coil nodded. "That's correct. Ashburn is becoming an issue. She is more powerful than even my sources previously claimed and she is bringing far too much attention to all of our operations. She's targeting the gangs and I have every reason to believe she will continue to do so. With Legend's presence in the Bay, and the overhaul of PRT security measures even my operations are seeing less monetary return. This will only get worse."
"The girl has not been stupid enough to attack what is mine." Lung said. "And if she is I will deal with her personally."
"You talk like you're fearless but that girl has already whipped your dog before Lung." Kaiser answered. "Or have you forgotten the raid on your Casino earnings already?"
The chink shrugged. "With Protectorate aid. Now she has none."
"Either way, Legend remains in the Bay strictly for her. Once she is dealt with or is no longer an issue the chances are that he will leave the Bay and our lives will be made far easier." Coil leaned back in his seat. "My network of contacts has her location right now. We can find her and finally put an end to this before she becomes even more of a hindrance."
Kaiser stiffened. "I trust you're not referring to the place that she chooses to make her home Coil."
"No." He answered. "She is staying there alone and only enters and leaves when she is returning from an attack or going towards one. Its what she's been using as a base."
He nodded, that was acceptable. Everyone in the Empire knew better than to strike at someone in their own home. He'd made that lesson abundantly clear years ago.
He opened his mouth to speak when Lung interrupted him.
"Attacking with an army of clay soldiers and ambush." Lung half sighed, half growled. "There is no contest here." He rumbled as he stood.
"The sheer weight of numbers is not to just eliminate her, its to also fight off the Protectorate response. Given the versatility of her abilities, its very likely we would find ourselves engaged in a drawn out fight, certainly long enough for the Protectorate to arrive in force. Your strength is the only one of those gathered here that could drive them back."
Lung chuckled, looking at Coil out the edge of his eye. "You bore me." He gave as an answer, turning to leave.
Before the two could fully leave however, there was a sudden, loud scuffle at the door, drawing his attention.
He had come to several meetings in Sommer's Rock over the years. Had seen a great many people come and go through that door.
It was the first time he saw someone stumble into the door, bleeding from a cut to the temple and cradling another bleeding arm.
Rune, unhelpfully piped up.
"Damn! You got fucked up girl!"
Tattletale looked up from where she was slumped on the doorframe, glaring up through her domino mask straight at Coil.
"Don't-" she hissed. "-believe a word of this shit!" She stumbled into the room, the eyes of every parahuman on her.
"This fucker is playing everyone here." She shrieked, pointing at him. "Ashburn isn't working for the PRT. She's not gone crazy! She's working for him!"
There was silence in the room, and Kaiser almost released a long suffering sigh.
Bloody absurd.
Working with the PRT according to Krieg. Gone completely insane having turned into a sixteen foot monster according to Crusader. Now Tattletale was pointing the finger at Coil. All that was left was for Lung to be the one offering her a job for the full roster to make it full circle.
He looked to Coil. The man tilted his head, he had few tells but the fingers he had laced in front of his mouth were visibly tense beneath the skin tight gloves.
"If what you're saying is true. Why would I call a meeting to eliminate my own operative, Tattletale?" He asked.
"You're not." She answered. "You're pulling this meeting to get rid of us. Anyone that shows up there is getting a one-way ticket to shits-ville. Your name-" She snarled. "Is Thomas Calvert! You're a fucking PRT agent. You've got Director Piggy on speed dial. That's how Legend gets there so fast for the arrests whenever she's outnumbered!"
"I do believe you've just signed your death-warrant if that is indeed my name…" Coil's tone hardened. Kaiser turned towards the black-costumed villain. He had never heard of his tone going like this…
"You kidnapped a Pre-cog using her civilian ID against her, you had me attacked not an hour ago in my own house to try and shut me up! You've got the civilian ID's of every single Ward in a computer file complete with their families. You had Ashburn's father attacked in his house for leverage! You don't get to both rape the rules and then hide behind them Thomas!" She pointed, staggering, seemingly ready to collapse before getting her feet back under her, panting.
"Think about it!" She hissed. "She fucking hit Lung on day one. Knew just where to go to get the money." She pointed at Lung, finger jabbing his way. "Your rep took a hit for that even if you didn't. He probably pulled some shit to launder the money out of wherever the PRT had it stored in evidence. That was the same money you used to pay off Faultline and me. The money you're using to still pay the Travelers."
She panted, trying to gulp down enough air to continue her tirade as she bled all over the bar's hardwood floor. "You staged the goddamn prison break. You made her turn on the PRT for us to escape, knowing such a huge hit without a single arrest would make some big name show up to help. Crack down on the bigger gangs like E-88 and ABB while your shit went unmolested. Then you have her pick everyone off one by one. Had to stop me from figuring this shit out, so you sent her after us first, then had her get rid of the Merchants to clear out the trash from cheap real-estate that was gonna get expensive once everyone else was dealt with."
She paused, and visibly pushed herself to get to her feet, glaring at him again for all she was worth.
"You had her hit the E-88 shipment right when Kaiser had his weapons delivered, called in the PRT with an 'anonymous tip' knowing they'd send in Legend who just so happened to bag both Hookwolf and Stormtiger when both are more than capable of escaping like anyone else! You've set this whole thing up because your goal has always been to set yourself up as the ruler of the Bay. You want the competition gone."
A dead silence fell over the room with both the Asians and the Nazi's wondering who exactly they should believe here.
"It seems that you know more about this situation than anyone here." Coil hissed. Kaiser turned his head. He never heard of such venom leaking from his voice. "How do we know you didn't orchestrate this entirely yourself?"
"Two of my teammates are arrested asshole! Both are gonna be brought up on murder charges. I've got your agent dead in my apartment!" She looked around the room. "Seriously, go and fucking check. SH Towers, apartment 2b. Under the name Margaret Simmons." She tossed her keys on the table in front of Kaiser.
The sheer loathing behind her mask was like a branding iron. "So no, I didn't orchestrate this you piece of shit. Fact is, everyone in this room has taken a hit from this bitch except you and your employee here!" She screamed, her hand moving back to point towards Trickster, who visibly flinched.
"He's already warned Ashburn you guys were coming, was gonna call in the PRT real quick and have the fucking Travelers either turn tail or stick a knife in your back in the middle of the fight! In less than ten minutes you guys would be completely crippled or have the whole PRT coming down on your heads, hard. I'd actually be clapping at it if he hadn't tried to fucking off me!"
In the silence that fell one could hear a pin drop. When it was broken, it was broken by Lung who turned towards, of all people, Victor.
The monkey had a brain after all.
"Is it true?"
Victor looked to Kaiser. The Empire's leader nodded, giving his permission. He looked from Coil to the teenaged girl, needing to visibly turn his head. Kaiser realized then that, through most of the conversation, Victor's eyes would have been more on Coil than Lisa, never being able to keep them both in sight.
Victor tilted his head then turned his gaze towards Coil.
Silence reigned.
To the outside eye, Coil had barely moved a muscle. To Victor's though…
"He's furious. Teeth are practically grinding."
"Wouldn't you be?" Coil answered, standing up and placing his hands on the table. "I don't know who put you up to this, or under what delusion your power has drawn you towards that's making you jump at shadows but know that-"
"She ain't been wrong before."
Coil paused, turning his gaze sharply towards Rune who had spoken up. "Be silent!"
"Hey fuck you buddy!" The telekinetic answered. "You ever been in a room with this bitch? It aint even funny how much crap she just pulls out of her ass that's completely on the fucking point!"
"And she has no real reason to lie to us and she wants you gone." Kaiser mused to himself before he stood as well, matching the man's height with his own, glaring into the snake motif mask. "Victor. Keep your eyes on her." He commanded. Victor obeyed.
"Now. Tell me Tattletale. What is Coil's civilian profession?" He demanded.
"PRT agent. Pretty damn high up the totem pole too."
"She's telling the truth Kaiser."
The Empire leader's eyes narrowed. "Ashburn never did attack your operations Coil." He mused. "Everyone else can show some damage to their businesses… you only offered something vague in response. What was that again?"
"I believe it was the overhaul of PRT security measures." Krieg drawled, arms crossed where he leaned back in his seat. "I guess that would screw over a dirty agent that's trying to play up both sides."
Looks like, ironically, both Krieg and Crusader had been right. She was working for the PRT in a way. But also was not. It almost brought a chuckle out of him. This explained so very much. Why there were so many conflicting reports and confusion surrounding her.
Coil had the resources and guile to pull all this off.
He almost heard Tattletale's body giving out as she fell, crying out as she bled against the wall besides the still seated Trickster.
What a pitiful sight, a white girl like her on the ground. Kaiser looked at Crusader and twitched his head. Crusader and Othala stood up and went to her side, helping her up.
"Crusader." Kaiser ordered. "Take Tattletale to our clinic. She has seen better days, and I am not a man to leave a debt unpaid." Coil froze.
"Understood." Crusader helped Tattletale to her feet and they walked out the door, though Tattletale's stopped at the door frame.
"One thing." She called back. "I'm not sure exactly how his power works. But I do know that the more time you give him, the more likely it is that he wins. Fucking off him now and get it over with."
With that, she was gone, leaving only himself, Lung, Coil, and their respective escorts.
"Despite her glowing recommendation I respect the rules we have set forth Coil." Kaiser sat down, now. "Especially in this place. This is hallowed ground. We shall not commit any grievances towards one another whether within or outside during the course of a parlay, you do realize that don't you Coil?"
"That girl has painted a very pretty picture but I assure you she-"
"You were setting us all up. To be in battle with Legend." Lung smirked. "I don't take kindly to would-be manipulators trying to take me for a fool."
Coil took another deep breath through his nostrils. "Have your man there ask me if anything that she alleged there is true."
Kaiser looked to Victor.
"Very well. I'll ask you this then. Is Trickster working with you?"
Silence.
"He is." Victor answered.
"And yet he sits away from your escort. As though you are separate entities. Lets try another. Have you used Ashburn for you own gain?"
"No!" Coil snapped out immediately.
"Lying." Victor answered, then, tilted his head. "Partially at least."
"I used her to-"
"Silence." Kaiser hissed, voice so low and venomous the man instantly quieted. "That's two for two Coil. Last question. Have you been trying to take over the Bay and get rid of us all?"
Silence.
"That's strike three." Krieg put in, Max could imagine the predatory smile behind his mask. "And you're out."
"This isn't-"
Kaiser slammed his hand down on the table, a blade sprouting out of the wood to point at Coil's throat. The snake froze, head recoiling back to get as far away from the blade as possible.
"I've had enough of your lies. Speak again out of turn and I'll consider the truce null and void, snake, a valid sentiment I think, given that the one that gathered us here did so in bad faith."
Lung laughed, a tongue of flame winding its way over his fingertips. "Kill him anyway. I won't tell if you don't, Emperor." The title was mocking on his lips as it always was.
"The Truce is still in effect." Kaiser sat back down in his seat. "Two-minutes." He smirked beneath his helm.
"For what?" Lung asked curiously. Coil was looking towards the armored parahuman.
"His headstart. Once its done the truce is over and he dies. He's currently down to one minute forty-five seconds and counting." Kaiser's eyes were on the clock.
"I'd start slithering by now snakey-wakey~," Cricket sang with a vicious smirk.
Everyone was fingering their weapons. Coil stood up and walked briskly past the villains, Trickster got up and followed right on his tail. As the door closed, Lung turned and sat back down on the table, waiting for the clock as they heard the peal of tires outside.
"A drink." He demanded and the deaf waitress answered immediately.
(X)
Sitting at the back of one of the E-88's cars, driven by Crusader, Tattletale leaned against the window, breathing shallowly. She heard his phone ring, listening to his voice and watching him as he took in the information and answered in turn, not paying attention to her in the slightest.
Lisa took a deep breath, reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a phone, slowly clicking on the pad to write a text. A smile forming on her face, unseen by the driver.
'Hey, Tay. Short notice and all but you ready to take down Coil?'
Send.