2.5
If there was one source of solace Armsmaster took in this world it was that everything could be broken down into smaller parts and studied. Everything had patterns. They could be relied on to follow the same method of behavior every time. Even people could be expected to follow roughly the same mentality once they had been studied enough. The frustrating part in his experience was that people were too diverse to allow for assumptions. Unlike machines which reacted to the same action regardless of who built it or where, each person needed to be treated as if all prior experiences were wrong. This went double for Parahumans. Still patterns were everywhere.
Parahuman murders tended to follow a particular methodology. The ones that weren't just hired guns typically were spree killers. They'd lash out killing as many people as they could get to with their powers. Those cases were always pains to clear. By the time the heroes had arrived there was little to be done for the victims, and every case made every parahuman look bad by association. Refreshingly the Samedi girl followed a different mentality. Serial killing.
She fit the profile so well that had Armsmaster been more paranoid he'd suspect her actions were to cover up a different crime. As horrible as her crimes were they thankfully didn't require much study to find the pattern. With the exception of two, all of her victims were non-affiliated. All had criminal records and many had been in and out of the system. Most had been taken in their homes and out of costume. And all of them had limited signs of a struggle.
All this suggested three things. One, that she targeted people who had limited chance of back up or revenge attacks. Two, that she was mission focused limiting her targets to the criminal element. Her rambling in the interrogation pointed to this being an aspect of her delusion of heroism. Third, that she attacked by surprise.
In order to catch her the Protectorate needed a trap. With that they needed bait. Someone that fit her profile and would be willing to put themselves in harms way to aid law enforcement.
That led Armsmaster to only one viable option. He sighed. Director Piggot was not going to like this.
XxXXxX
He always hated waiting. Shifting slightly Armsmaster tried to get comfortable against the wall. While he had fewer complaints about the director than his fellows her tendency to make him wait until she called him in was very tedious.
After an intolerable amount of time Director Piggot's secretary gave him a small wave signaling that he was now permitted to enter. After a small roll of his eyes hidden beneath his helmet he entered the woman's office.
A large room with high windows the director's office was lit well by the mid day sun. Despite the open décor the air hung heavy and carried an odor of sickness. The director herself was seated behind her desk. It was a monstrous construction, the hero couldn't help to think of how unnecessary the size of the whole thing was. He moved to stand in front of it facing his superior. It was never comfortable to sit in full armor.
"Ah, Armsmaster, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Director Piggot asked rhetorically.
"You were briefed on the plan to catch Samedi." The hero more stated as fact than asked.
The woman across from him gave him a wide smile. Despite the gesture there was a sense of malice behind it.
"Oh yes, great stuff. And I take it you have found a... possible volunteer?"
"Yes," He placed the file on her desk. Pulling it toward herself the director flipped open the the cover. She barely scanned the first page before snapping it shut with a glare.
"You must be joking." The woman's voice was sharp. "The courts are about to crucify the girl, and you want to offer her a deal?"
The Tinker held back a sigh. He knew this would be a hard sell.
"She's certainly desperate enough to take what we offer. And we both know that she is getting a raw deal. I have the basic outline of the offer on the third page. It's a risk, but taking risks is what we do. It's why we sign on with the Protectorate."
Director Piggot turned to the page and read.
"The public won't be happy." She said without looking up. "Even if she says yes we'll still need to deal with the backlash."
"I'll leave that in the hands of Miss Hendrickson. I'll need to speak to her anyhow to arrange for the information to reach the right ears." That was a chore he was not looking forward to.
His superior let out a small laugh.
"You hate Samantha."
"While she may have many appalling personal failings. I will admit she is... competent at her position." Armsmaster said grimacing.
"High praise coming from you." The director said sarcastically, and placed the file down. "I'll make some calls, when the meeting is set I'll let you know. It'll be a few hours."
Armsmaster nodded his head in agreement and left. He had arrangements of his own to make.
XxXXxX
Several hours latter the hero and the director found were seated in a small interrogation room in the local jail. Beside them were two PRT officers in special helmets designed to block out sound. After a moment the other party enter flanked on either side by guards. Shuffling best as she could given the heavy chains on her hands and feet Paige Mcabee took her seat awkwardly.
"Remove her gag." Director Piggot ordered.
"Ma'am we have-"
"Remove her gag." The director repeated in a tone that would take no argument. Sharing a look the officers seemed torn. One of them reached over and removed the gag from Macabee's mouth. "Good, now leave us."
"Ma'am-"
That time Director Piggot merely glared. Despite her obvious physical limits the director could be a very imposing woman. The men made themselves scarce quickly.
"Now isn't that better?" Holding up a hand the director stalled any answer. "Before you say anything I want you to know the two gentlemen behind me are wearing headgear that will block all sound. Any sign from you that me or Armsmaster are in danger they will react with extreme methods. Do you understand me?"
"Yes," The girl's voice was raspy from lack of use.
"Good, now I'm going to brief and I'm going to blunt and I hope you will forgive both. Now, you don't strike me as terribly stupid so you must understand that you're screwed."
"Wha-what?" Mcabee's eyes widened in fear.
"I know people who can go on for hours about public perception and past tragedies but let's save time. Your case was doomed the second it went to court. It's rare Masters who can affect people get caught. That plus your...unique features means that the court's looking to set an example. An optimistic person would say your looking at decades behind bars." Director Piggot propped her arms on the table and steepled her fingers. "I gave up optimism a long time ago. I'd put my money that you get set up as the newest resident of the Birdcage."
"What?!" The singer was near hysterics now. "I can't go there! It was an accident. I never meant to hurt anyone! Please you can't send me there!"
"Well lucky for you that is the exact reason we're here today. You see we have need of you. If you play nice and do what we say, we'll place you in protective custody. You'll be set up with a new life." The director knew how to get a deal done Amrsmaster had to give her that much.
"A new life?"
Piggot sighed slightly. The Tinker knew she hated having to explain things she thought were obvious.
"That will be easy enough. A fake id and such. We've gotten good at creating paper trails." Armsmaster interjected. The girl's eyes snapped to him seeming to notice him for the first time. "As for your appearance there is a doctor connected with our organization out in San Francisco. He specializes in plastic surgery. He has made great strides in cases such as yours."
"And what will I have to do?" There was a note of hope in her voice now.
"Truthfully, nothing. We are hoping your presence will attract our true target. It's not without it's risks. There is a chance you may be hurt. Even killed. I can only ask for you to trust me. My team and I will be in place, but...well I leave the choice in your hands." The hero told her.
Macabee looked down at her shackeled hands.
"I'm sort of in a bad way already." She looked back at him "And you think there is a real chance I could be sent to the Birdcage?"
"I do."
"Well, m-my luck's got to change sometime right?" Her eyes glistened with tears.
"There is one more thing." Piggot said ignoring the other woman's happiness. "We in the PRT like to cover all our bases to ensure dangerous powers are of limited threat to the public."
"Oh, you don't have to worry ma'am. I'll never sing again." The chance of freedom had boyed her spirits it seemed.
"I know, because you will not be able to." Director Piggot informed her.
"W-what?" Macabee's voice shrank again.
"Well, during the operation to alter your features the doctor will also sever your vocal cords. Given that your power is based in your voice this will give us some assurance that an incident like the one that landed you here will never happen again." The director coldly explained.
"But, but how will I talk? How will I do anything?" The girl sounded aghast.
"People have overcome far worse. I think you'll manage. If your voice is that important to you, well you can always take your day in court."
Tears welled in the girl's eyes at that. Taking a shuddering breath she managed to keep them from falling.
"You're right. I'll mange. Somehow." Steeling her features she faced Armsmaster "I'll do it."
XxXXxX
After finalizing the deal with Macabee Armsmaster found himself again in Director Piggot's office. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows in the room.
"That went well," the director said flatly.
"Somehow you hardly seem happy with that." Armsmaster pointed out.
"You know me Colin, always waiting for the next bit of nonsense to ruin my day. I find it best not to get my hopes up."
Armsmaster was saved from responding by the pager on thee desk buzzing. Piggot shot a look over her shoulder at him and walked over to the speaker.
"Yes? What is it?" The woman barked.
"Umm Director Piggot ma'am Battery is here to see you. She says it's about Shadow Stalker. It, umm, doesn't sound good."
With a sigh she looked at Armsmaster.
"And there it is." Turning back to speaker she spoke. "Send her in, might as well get this over with."
Armsmaster took that as his moment to leave. He disliked dealing with the Wards' issues. Especially a trouble maker like Shadow Stalker.
XxXXxX
There was one last stop Armsmaster had to make before he could return to his workshop. He'd been dreading it all day. A visit with the PRT East-Northeast PR division head, Miss Samantha Hendrickson. Still he needed her help and there was no reason that he had to be as unprofessional as she was.
Entering her office, he found her hunched over her design board sketching. Her long blond hair falling about her head. He coughed lightly to alert her to his presence.
"Hmm?" Miss Hendrickson mumbled turning to face him. "Holy shit Colin? What are you doing here? You never come by."
She gave him a broad smile. Armsmaster could admit, in his head at least, that she was a beautiful woman. Long blond hair, full lips and deep blue eyes she was a woman who knew she looked good and did all she could to make others think that too.
"I need your assistance on matters involving the capture of the criminal known as Samedi." He tried to maintain his professional tone. For all her strengths that let her rise to her position by her early forties her total lack of anything resembling tact meant she'd never leave it. Her lack of ambition was appalling.
"Shit, and you're asking for help. Did I fall into a different universe or something?"
"Yes I am. And I would appreciate it if we could keep this brief. I have things to attend to." Armsmaster stated briskly.
"Alright, man you gotta relax. So what's the big project that you need me to help you with?"
"Information dissemination." She snorted which he ignored. "I'm planing to lay a trap and I need Samedi to take the bait."
"So you want me to put bells on it?" She shrugged, "should be easy enough. So long as your girl catches the 5 o'clock news."
"She will. She'll be looking for the new target." Armsmaster informed her.
"Well alright, if you say so. Who the fuck did you sucker into playing bait anyhow?"
"It's all here in the file." He said handing her a copy of the file he'd given to Director Piggot. If she'd just read it he could get out of here and get some real work done.
"Well tell it to me anyways. I like the sound of your voice." The blond's tone toed the line of flirty.
Armsmaster heaved a sigh. He really didn't need this right now.
"Paige Macabee."
"No fucking way!" Miss Hendrickson gasped, "Shit man, you couldn't give me an easy job?"
The hero declined to answer.
"No, it's fine don't worry. I'm just fucking with you. I'll whip something up in the next few days. Hey, you pull it off, and I'll get you guys a round."
Armsmaster turned and left. He had enough of Samantha Hendrickson for one day. Several if he was lucky.
"Hell, I tell you what." She called after him, "If you guys lose I'll buy you a round anyway. May need it more then."
"I don't drink" He said without turning around.
"You poor fucker!" She yelled down the hall. Several of her staff turning to look at the disturbance.