I hadn't done much research on the Tigers, I had only seen them in a couple news stories and read about them in a few case studies I had gone over. The leader was named Big Hurt, which I'm pretty sure was a reference to the real life player. I remembered the others were also baseball player references; they were named Rube, Yogi, Satchel, Lefty, and Mr. October. Since they were a cluster trigger, many of the Tigers shared a similar brute package of enhanced reflexes, above average strength, faster healing, and better overall durability. In addition five of the six were strikers, with the last one being a tinker.
One of the things that had come out in the wake of the accident that had caused their cluster trigger was that a fistfight had broken out on the bus. Apparently one player's wife was cheating on them with another player. The fight had been what distracted the driver and caused them to crash, hence the preponderance of striker and brute powers. I think the tinker used to be the bus driver, so he must have been really torn up about the bus being totaled I guess.
They had initially tried to establish their own gang in Texas before Eidolon stopped them. After that they must have switched their Modus Operandi because from then on they've focused on simple robbery's, staying in a city until they attracted the full attention of the local PRT branch. They were close knit so they could usually fend off most capes after them. If I wanted to make this deception work I'd need to place their names with the faces I saw fast.
"Rube! What the fuck are you doing out of the van?" The tallest one shouted at me. So I guess the driver was Rube, and if I had to guess the one with the 35 on his uniform who spoke was Big Hurt. I tried to commit the jersey numbers to memory since the numbers would help a lot keeping these guys straight.
Rube's powers were the closest to a standard brute package, with anyone getting hit by his punches entering a state of confusion for several minutes. Big Hurt's main power was that he could share any injury he had with another person he touched. That left four left to identify. I decided to use a little truth in my lie.
"I thought I saw something else in the alley. I wanted to check it out quickly in case it was someone snooping."
Big Hurt still looked upset but the edge had come off a bit, "Well did you find anything?"
"No, it must have been an ally cat or something."
He seemed to come down from being upset to merely being frustrated. He glanced at the van. "Why'd you shut off the van?"
"It's Brockton Bay, do you know what the crime rate is here? Bad time to get carjacked."
"Maybe you can forget about the crime rate next time we jack over 100 grand in jewels and take a hostage? Hmmm? Whatever, get the van going. The heat is on its way." He seemed to drop the issue in favor of making a getaway. However I had to take a chance to confirm something.
"So where are we dropping off the girl? It'll be a tight squeeze with everyone in there."
"Stop asking dumb questions and start the van. We're still dropping her off with that ABB guy as 'rent' for the hideout here like we agreed so we don't get any trouble from Lung. Sweet Jesus, did you punch yourself this morning?" Big Hurt was getting agitated again. I could visibly see the restrained girl suddenly lose the color in her face. I think the only reason she hadn't made much noise was the tape over her mouth. It was pretty clear if I didn't stop this she was in for an unspeakable fate.
"Sorry boss, I wasn't paying attention. I'll start the car." I decided to play along and save the reveal that the keys were lost until the last second.
Everyone piled into the van as I made my way back to the driver's seat. I sat down and glanced in the back to see them settle into their seats. I made a motion to grab the keys from my pocket, only to seem confused when I didn't find any keys. I checked my other pocket and then started patting myself down. The others saw my panic and one of them, with the number 8 on his jersey, seemed to swallow the bait I had laid and asked a question.
"Rube, please tell me you didn't lose the fucking keys."
"...Maybe?" Every one of them except the girl erupted in frustrated groans and loud obscenities. I could see in the rear-view mirror that the girl had calmed down a bit, but her gaze was now in my direction. I glanced at Big Hurt in the passenger seat and it looked like he was contemplating murdering me on the spot. However he seemed to settle for a different course of action and turned toward the back seats.
"Satchel! Yogi! Hot-wire the van to get it moving. I'll drive instead. And Rube?" He motioned for me to look at him directly. "You had one fucking job. If you don't find those keys in one minute your share of the haul isn't just cut, you won't get anything. I do not want to leave any evidence behind. UNDERSTAND!?"
I eagerly nodded in agreement with the appropriate terrified expression of someone who had screwed up big time. I got out of the driver's seat to let Satchel (who wore the catcher's gear) and Yogi (who wore an 8) start their work. That left jersey numbers 44 and 2 to identify.
It probably wouldn't matter much in a fight since both Mr. October and Lefty were similar in that they both relied on sabotaging their opponents in minor ways. Lefty could hit you and suddenly your dominant hand could change. It was small but it could disorient opponents. Mr. October slowly drained energy from you during the fight as he punched you, but it was small enough that it was only noticeable when you were really tired. So the advice of "don't let them touch you" applied to both.
Satchel was the one in the catcher's gear and he was the tinker of the group. His specialty was defensive gear. Yogi was a combat thinker that had a knack for analyzing opponents, which got even better if he could punch them. I had no doubt they could hot-wire the van quickly, so I would have to continue my improv just a little longer before my big reveal.
Yogi just gave me a disappointed look as he passed me. As I passed Satchel he whispered in my ear with a half joking tone "Guess you're sleeping on the couch tonight. Don't worry I'm sure you'll start getting some again eventually."
He continued to the driver's seat as I processed that statement. Then I shoved it far, far away into my mind because I needed to focus and not think about what these guys do in their free time. It went right by that memory of me walking in on my mom and dad during their "private time", one of the only memories of mom I could do without.
I began doing a mock search for the keys as the others focused on Satchel and Yogi's efforts to hot-wire the van. My time was short. I needed another way to keep the van from starting. I looked at the van from the rear and noticed the tailpipe. I didn't know much about cars but I did know a blocked tailpipe would cause problems. So what I needed was something that could block it and fast.
I then had a lucky break because I found something perfect for the job, an old discarded rag sitting by the dumpster. Grabbing it I made sure I was crouching down so I wasn't showing up in the rear mirrors and stuffed the rag into the tailpipe. It was a near thing too because just as I finished Satchel announced he and Yogi were almost finished.
"Alright Rube, get back in. We're gonna have to ditch this van after the job because of you now. So I hope you're happy." Big Hurt told me.
I was a bit pleased I had kept this up so far but that was tempered by the sight of the girl sitting in the backseat as I walked to my new seat. I chose to sit by her and take Satchel's spot because this could fall apart at any second. Better to be close just in case. He could take the front passenger's seat anyway. It was then they finally succeeded in getting the engine running. Big Hurt took his new position in the driver's seat as everyone settled in.
"Alright I'm gonna have to gun it if we're gonna avoid the hero's. If we can't it's gonna be like Miami all over aga-" The engine started to stall suddenly. Everyone was silent for a brief second as they listened to the engine finish dying. Big Hurt broke the silence almost immediately.
"MOTHERFUCKER, this cannot be happening! GRRAAAGGHH! Okay, okay, okay *DEEP BREATH* We can still make this work. Satchel, could you please give the van a once over to see if it's a total loss? Everyone out of the van. I need a second to think."
As Big Hurt tried to collect himself, I checked the time before we all got out. It had been at least 10 minutes since my call so Velocity would be here soon, but he would probably go to the jewelry store first where he could meet up with Miss Militia and Battery as they arrived. They also wouldn't know about the van because I figured I could report it back after I threw away their keys. Damn it, this was supposed to just be a simple sabotage mission.
Now me, the other three capes, and the hostage girl were outside standing next to the van while Big Hurt stayed seated rubbing his head and Satchel looked over the van. Then Satchel walked to the back of the van and made a discovery.
"Boss! I found the problem!" He ran to the drivers side window with the dirty rag. "Someone stuffed this in the tailpipe. We're getting sabotaged!"
Big Hurt thought for a second and then looked at me "Rube, you said you thought you saw something earlier right?"
"Well, I wasn't that sure but someone had to have put that rag the-" I was suddenly interrupted by Yogi.
"GUYS! It isn't Rube!" It seemed realizing there was someone sabotaging them that gave Yogi the last piece he needed to figure out my deception. I should have realized if he spent to much time focused on me the thinker of the group would notice Rube was acting off.
Big Hurt sprung into action. "Lefty! Octy! Grab him!"
The guys with jersey numbers 44 and 2 went to grab me and since they were so close I didn't have much chance to avoid them. I decided the ruse was over so I didn't put up too big of a struggle as they subdued me. Then Big Hurt got out of the van and approached us quickly. My only play left now was negotiation so I would have to use the body I was possessing as leverage.
"Okay whoever you are, you're going to explain yourself and tell us exactly what you did to Rube. Now!"
"Alright, alright I was trying to slow you down for the heroes but it looks like they're running late. Let me reintroduce myself. Manes of the Brockton Bay Wards, at your service." I said with a little mock politeness.
"Goddammit it's that master cape." Big Hurt realized. The girl being held by Yogi suddenly seemed to have a little hope in her eyes, only to lose it again when she realized that her situation had actually gotten worse now that I was caught. Big Hurt continued "How long have you been mastering our buddy?"
"Since before you got back from your little heist. I figured I'd just slow you down until the Protectorate got here. But that's before I found out you dabbled in human trafficking. For shame."
"I don't have to justify myself to some little body snatching bitch who's controlling my teammate. So how much do we have to beat you up before you get out of Rube's body?"
"Probably longer than you got time for, I got a decent pain tolerance. How about a counteroffer? Let the girl go and I'll get out of this body."
"How about no deal. We read up about you and all the other capes here. We know you have a range and a cool down time. If we need to we can just drive off with you and the girl until you can't hold on to Rubes body anymore." He threatened.
It sounded like they had done their homework on how to deal with me, probably along with all the other local heroes as well. Even worse was that it wasn't a bad plan. My power testing revealed that when the body I possess leaves my range like that, my ghost gets left behind. I guess I'd need to up the stakes.
"Then I'll bite this guy's tongue off. I didn't see any first aid equipment in the van so I think that would be very messy for your group. Plus you don't have time to waste now. The hero's will be here any minute." I really hope it didn't come to that but I was running out of options.
"Interesting idea, however I have a better one. Lefty, Octy, knock'em out!" I was suddenly punched in the head very hard. I had failed, and there was no more use holding this body. Otherwise I risked getting stuck in here until he woke up or left my range. My ghost exited Rubes body before it went unconscious from the following punches.
As my projection rose in the air I watched Rubes body slump. They didn't seem concerned about my ghost given I now needed to wait at over ten minutes to possess another person now. By which time they would be long gone.
The thing that hurt me the most was seeing the other girls look of horror that her last hope of salvation was likely gone. I had failed before but seeing this was grueling, I didn't know what to do. But then I noticed a large shadow on the ground. I looked up.
Above the alley was a massive swarm of bugs that had collected themselves. On top of that there were birds on every building rooftop edge, looking down on the villains. Was there another parahuman here? I looked around quickly and didn't see anyone.
I checked the Tigers and they must have noticed the shadow as well since they were now staring up. Around them were so many rats emerging, more than I had ever seen. I was still trying to learn lip reading to deal with my ghosts deafness, but I could still make an educated guess that Big Hurt was currently saying something along the lines of "You have got to be shitting me right now"
Whoever was controlling the animals must have decided now was the time to strike because the swarm and birds descended, with the rats attacking from the ground. I couldn't hear them scream but it was pretty obvious they weren't taking this well. I lost sight of all of them as the animals crowded into the alley. When I realized the hostage was still in here, I rushed through the swarms of bugs and birds to try and stay close to the girl. It was difficult to navigate since my vision was filled with feathers and bugs, but the alleyway space was small enough that I was eventually able to find her.
Miraculously the bugs were avoiding the girl, laying on the ground not two or three feet away from where one of the Tigers was writhing under a blanket of bugs, rats, and birds. She was still surrounded by birds that kept flying into her, with rats scurrying around her body. Despite their focus on the Tigers she still looked scared out of her wits being surrounded by tens of thousands of bugs, birds, and rats. I think I could even see her start to cry.
She saw me and I made a "follow me" gesture with my hands. I was hoping whoever was directing these animals was benevolent because that was the only way the hostage was getting out of this alleyway. Thankfully she seemed willing to trust me and eager to get the hell out of here. She managed to get up in spite of her hands being zip tied behind her and I escorted her through the chaos.
The bugs continued to avoid landing on her, almost creating a path for her to follow. The birds and rats were concentrated on the flailing bodies of the Tigers so they stood out enough to be avoided. Before long we had emerged into the empty street, and I could see PRT vehicles approaching. They had probably seen the swarm and had come over here to investigate. I wasn't sure if they had connected it to the jewelry store robbery that had just happened but it probably didn't matter.
The first to arrive was Velocity, followed closely by Miss Militia riding on her motorcycle. The PRT vans pulled up and a dozen troopers carrying confoam sprayers emerged alongside Battery. The swarm started to lift, and the birds and rats began to disperse as well. They revealed the Tigers strewn on the ground crouched or lying unconscious. Miss Militia approached me and the former hostage while the rest of the backup went into the alley to spray down the Tigers with confoam and arrest them.
The girl I had saved had finally started to calm down as Miss Militia arrived next to us. She put a hand on the victim's shoulder and said, what I assume to be, words of comfort and encouragement as she removed the tape over her mouth. After Miss Militia had given the girl some attention she turned to me. I raised one finger to indicate I needed a minute and then stuck my thumb and pinky out by my ear to indicate I would call her to give my report. She nodded in understanding and gave me a thumbs up to indicate the message was received.
Taking this as permission to leave I navigated back to the thrift store where my body and Taylor still were. I entered through the roof and was able to make my way to the changing room quickly. Taylor was guarding the door and thankfully my body remained where I had left it. I returned to it as Taylor registered that I had returned.
"Hey how did it go? You were gone for a while."
"It's a long story. I have to report to Miss Militia first." I took out my phone and hit the speed dial for Miss Militia. For security's sake I had coded the heroes names, so she was listed as GUN ENTHUSIAST (right between BIG NERD for Armsmaster and SPEED DEMON for Velocity). She answered immediately.
"Hello, this is Miss Militia speaking, Manes is this you?"
"Yeah it's me. I'm currently hiding out in the changing room of a thrift store so if you want the full report I'll have to come down to HQ to give it. I don't know how long I have until someone tries to come in here. I can answer any questions that are urgent though."
"That's fine. The girl you helped save, Julia, she's giving her statement so we're getting her side of the story for now. I understand you were the one who reported this to the console right? Shadow Stalker did mention you were out shopping when this happened."
"Yeah my sister can vouch for me on that. I made sure to check with the console before I went to intervene for what it's worth."
"Yes, we'll keep that in mind. We'll have to do a review to make sure you didn't do anything that would open you up to a lawsuit since you were out of costume, but I think you should be alright. The only other major question that needs answered now is how much do you know about the new cape that revealed themselves today? Did you see them?"
"I can't say I saw any other costumed capes besides the Tigers, no. There weren't that many hiding places in the alleyway either, and I didn't see anyone in the dumpster when I threw the van keys in there. You may want to grab those keys for evidence by the way"
"I'll let one of the officers know. But let's get back on topic about the new cape. Whoever they are, it's clear they are a very powerful master. It's absolutely essential we make contact soon. There was one possibility that Battery brought up and I wanted to get your opinion on it as an on scene witness. Do you think it's possible Julia is the master cape?"
That brought me up short. She was present, and the animals had acted to save her. So the basic facts support the theory. But she also looked genuinely terrified. I know for a fact she didn't trigger in the alley because at no point did anyone faint, which is what happens to parahumans when someone triggers nearby. Given how terrified she the whole time was it was unlikely she had some powerful master power in her back pocket.
But I couldn't rule it out completely on that basis either, some people are natural actors. Plus she was gagged so I didn't hear her say anything. It's hard to tell if someone's being genuine if they aren't saying anything. Maybe what terrified her was that it was taking too long to gather so many animals? So I couldn't say for sure.
"I can only confirm that Julia didn't trigger in the alley, so if she is a parahuman she triggered beforehand. From my perspective she looked scared but that could have been acting. I can go into it more when I come into HQ for the debriefing."
"Thank you, can you come in later this afternoon?"
"Yeah I can do that. I'll let my dad know when he picks me up."
"Thank you Manes. From what I heard from Julia you did a good job in a difficult situation. I look forward to hearing your full report. Goodbye."
With that the call ended and I turned to Taylor, who seemed to have an uneasy expression. I suddenly realized some of that call should probably be confidential, especially that part where we speculated about a capes identity. Maybe she's worried about the master?
"Hey Taylor, so it should go without saying that you probably shouldn't tell anyone you heard that call right?"
"Yeah I won't tell anyone. But you mentioned that the hostage might have been a parahuman. Do you really believe that?"
"Well it's a long story but the parahuman who helped out was a master. They're a remote master since they were able to direct a bunch of bugs, birds, and rats all at once from a distance. So it is possible for the hostage to have been controlling them. It would also be a massive coincidence for any other capes to happen upon us at that exact time frame. So I think it's plausible."
"But you mentioned she looked scared."
"Well it's easy to look scared, but she had her mouth taped shut so I couldn't gauge any statements she could have made. Speaking of scared, you look a bit worried yourself. Do you happen to know any Julia's at Winslow? Is that what's got you nervous?"
Taylor looked a bit surprised at my response but she answered carefully. "I do know one Julia in my grade, yeah."
"Does she have long brown hair, some freckles on the bridge of her nose?"
"...Yes. You don't think they're going to punish her at all, right?"
"No, they don't throw you in jail for self defense. So she should be fine. If it was a vigilante doing that they might strong arm them into the wards for using that much force. It was probably a bit much for the situation in my opinion. But if it's Julia that probably wouldn't be the case."
"Oh, well at least she's okay right? I can check on her when I get back to Winslow if that helps."
"Taylor, I don't think that should be necessary. You don't have to make yourself uncomfortable for the PRT. Especially when they aren't cutting you a paycheck."
"I'll be okay. It'll be more for my peace of mind to be honest."
"Alright then. If you see her pulling anything when you go back to Winslow please tell me okay? It's best to be cautious when dealing with masters. Especially this one, I can tell that they could be very dangerous if they wanted to be. This looks like an especially strong cape."
"I'll… I'll keep that in mind." Taylor said nervously. Apparently the possibility that one of her classmates is a powerful master has her shaken up. As if the Empire attack wasn't bad enough.
"Let's see if dad's here to pick us up. I'm afraid we'll have to finish our shopping another day."
"That's alright. I don't think I could think much about fashion after that."
We finally left the privacy of the changing room. Walking to the front of the store I could see dad frantically stepping through the front door of the store.
"Sam, Taylor! I saw some PRT vans down the street. Are you alright?"
"Yeah dad, we're fine. I actually called them in myself. We saw some visiting villains and we hid out in the changing room." I tried to reassure him.
"Oh that great, I'm glad you didn't get too wrapped up in it at least and left it to the Protectorate. Right?"
"Uhhh, well you see that's not entirely true…"
A/N
-While they didn't get much time to shine, I'm curious if anyone was interested in the Tigers. I hope to have them return (once they've healed of course) when an opportunity for it in the story occurs. I left the exact power sets a little vague since it's not like they did power testing. So Sam wouldn't know much besides the basic details.
-I actually based the cape names on real life baseball nicknames. Bonus points if you can connect the names to the real people without googling (I'll give you a hint, one liked to wrestle alligators in the off season and was easily distracted by fire trucks). The only one that wasn't specific was Lefty, which is connected to several players.
-Taylor gets her cape debut in this chapter, I hope it was sufficiently over the top for your liking. While Sam's delaying tactics weren't quite sufficient to let the Protectorate save the day, it did give Taylor lots of time to gather her animal minions. Of course such a display has gotten the full attention of the Protectorate. Now Taylor has to walk the tightrope of not getting Julia in trouble without outing herself. She really should have come clean earlier huh?
-Please leave feedback. I'm always looking to improve.