Lisa groaned, massaging her forehead with her free hand. "You honestly thought that was a good idea."
Imp blew a raspberry. "So I underestimated her. That's not the point. Point is the Donglord is out for her blood, but I need her so I can recruit the kids without getting my cover blown. She wipes memories. If I fuck up, she's my reset button."
"Clever," Tattletale acknowledged. "I mean, you could've just killed him first, then asked them."
"Where's the fun in that? You know I gotta fuck with him."
She sighed. "Yeah, I know. So Aviator got into custody, Nicholas is dead, who have you really got left that's a priority? The other capes?"
"Livewire. She can't use her powers but she's also due in like two weeks."
"I read the messages from the nurse kid. Best I can figure, she'll go into labour on the eighth, and you can't wait that long."
Heartbreaker had sent out messages calling some of his scattered subjects to his location. From what Imp had overheard, this included people with military training, and some small-time capes. She had a deadline now. "Fine, I'll get her out tomorrow."
"Also, she's got a good chance of losing the baby. I ballpark thirty, forty percent.
"I know." Imp's voice was contemplative. Distracted. Something I said. Miscarriages, pregnancy, complications, unfit mothers. Her mother was pregnant.
Damn it.
She took pity. "Extract her ASAP and taxi her to a hospital. I recommend...Ottowa General. Tell the papers, then the Guild. They'll see that she has the best care, for PR's sake. After that, though, I'd really consider getting your hands on the kid. Ditto Aviator's. Without Heartbreaker, Livewire won't have any interest in it. Kid deserves a family who can handle its inevitable terrifying powers."
A brief pause. She's wondering if I figured it out.
"Thanks."
Imp hung up.
[AN: just a little something to tide us over so I can finish writing the final arc and make sure everything fits together. Bear with me!]