As always, I hope you enjoy.

The sound of someone barging through a door woke Taylor four hours and one minute after she fell asleep. Her first response was to squeeze her eyes shut and pinch the bridge of her nose, sighing.

"You will insist on tempting fate like that."

'The universe doesn't need to be so vindictive.'

Taylor pushed herself to her feet: she had left her armour on, since it was reasonably comfortable, only taking off her coat and boots. She was a little stiff from sleeping in armour, but had decided that it was better than risking having to completely redress in the even something happened.

Looked like she'd made the right choice.

"Sorry, Circ," Dauntless said, sounding like he was actually telling the truth, "But we might have a problem. Kaiser just turned up outside, and basically everyone has already gone home. We're down to four Capes. Armsmaster-"

"Wanted someone to look intimidating?"

Dauntless caught his breath, nodding.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's pretty much it. Shouldn't be any fighting, but a reminder that you're with us couldn't hurt."

Taylor glanced over at her Dad, still asleep.

"Alright. Come on then, let's get it done as quick as we can. I've got better things to do than stare down some idiot Nazi."

Dauntless nodded quickly to her.

"They're outside the front door," he said. Taylor waved a hand at him.

"I'll meet you there."

She stepped into the Warp and emerged into a cool, misty night, rain fogging the floodlights that shone from the PRT HQ. Kaiser stood in the middle of the road, his armour glistening with the water, a hooded figure two steps behind him. Rune. Taylor gave them both a glance, turning to Armsmaster.

"You need me here?" she asked. Armsmaster shrugged.

"As a trusted ally of the Protectorate, I thought you should be included."

Taylor stifled a chuckle at the slightly stilted way he said it, almost rehearsed. She turned to Kaiser, tasting his apprehension on the wind.

'I wonder if he'll try another recruitment attempt. He's lost a lot of heavy hitters.'

"He should know better by now. All it does is irritate you."

'It doesn't annoy you?'

"I have more patience for fools than you do."

Taylor doubted it, but didn't comment, instead speaking aloud.

"Consider yourself lucky, Kaiser. I actually got my nap in. Otherwise, you might be seeing the stratosphere by now."

Rune bristled, stepping forwards.

"How dare you speak to Kaiser like that! He has come here in good faith, and-"

Taylor motioned, her helmet turning to face Rune. Rune choked, fingers grasping at her throat as an invisible noose of force tightened around it.

"Shh," Taylor said, her tone soft with venom, "The grown-ups are talking."

Taylor released Rune, letting her fall to her knees and suck in desperate breaths, her eyes back on Kaiser. Armsmaster cleared his throat.

"As Circaetus said, we don't have unlimited time. Say your piece, Kaiser."

Kaiser spared Rune a single glance before he began to speak.

"I think we are all aware that the Endbringer Leviathan has left both of our forces somewhat battered. Given that, I would like to offer the services of the Empire to restore order until the city has returned to a more stable state."

"Well, I give him points for directness."

"Your services," Armsmaster said, flat and hard. Kaiser nodded, spreading his hands in an attempt to appear magnanimous.

"Indeed. After all, there will be plenty of animals scrabbling at the scraps of the city. You will be hard pressed to protect supply shipments and ensure that the populace remains under control, but I still have a number of warriors willing to maintain order. All you have to do is give the word, and-"

"Circaetus," Armsmaster said, interrupting Kaiser without a flicker of concern, "If I told you to knock Kaiser unconscious and throw him in a cell, would you do it?"

Taylor dipped her chin, eyeing Kaiser. A faint smile curled her lips.

"Well, in the spirit of our agreement, I suppose I would have to."

Armsmaster nodded.

"Good. Good. I want you to bear in mind, Kaiser, that Circaetus has defeated both Lung and the Butcher. I'm sure she would be pleased to take your defeat as an extra feather in her cap. So reconsider before you suggest that the Protectorate endorse the rule of a Nazi group in our city."

Kaiser took a step back, his confident exterior shaken. Taylor folded her arms across her chest, wings still curled at her back, and followed him with her helmet. She knew it was disconcerting him more. Armsmaster continued to speak, his harsh tone unwavering.

"Now, Kaiser, I'll give you our terms. The Endbringer Truce has technically ended, but as leader of the Protectorate here I am willing to extend it. Your people will not interfere with our operations to restore power and water. They will not interfere with shipments of supplies. They will not act against agitators or looters unless they are threatened. And in return, Protectorate assets will not act against you until, as you say, stability is restored."

Kaiser flexed his fingers, raising his hands in an open shrug.

"Is that your counter-offer, Armsmaster?"

"It isn't an offer. It's a statement. You will do this, or you and your Empire will be next on the list, after the Butcher."

'That was a very direct threat. You think he's tired?'

"Tired of Kaiser's posturing, maybe."

'Isn't everyone?'

Kaiser stiffened, helmet turning to Taylor.

"And you, Circaetus. You agree with these threats, Miss Hebert?"

Taylor chuckled low in her throat, leaning forwards.

"It's like you don't even know me, Kaiser. Right now, as far as I'm concerned, you might as well not exist. All that I care about it making sure that this city survives. You stay out of the way of that, and we'll have no problems."

Kaiser stepped back, away from her, shaking his head.

"More naïve than I had ever hoped, Miss Hebert."

Taylor let her smile fall off her face.

'I don't like the way he says my name.'

"Then do something about it. A shame we can't reveal that we know who he is."

Kaiser turned back to Armsmaster, a sneer in his tone.

"The Empire will protect its own, Armsmaster. Your threats will not sway us from our sacred duty. This city is under our protection, and-"

"You can stop the posturing, Kaiser," Taylor said, cutting him off mid-flow, "There's no crowd to preach to. So shut your mouth and leave."

She stepped forwards, wings flaring, nearly as tall as Kaiser. Lightning crackled over her wings, tip to tip, as she leaned in.

"And if you say my name again, I'm going to tear your tongue out. You understand me?"

Kaiser stepped forwards himself, into her personal space. Taylor narrowed her eyes, the air becoming thick with static. She felt Kaiser's anger turning to apprehension, prickles running along his arms from his metal armour. She leaned in, just a bit further.

"Lung couldn't take me. Butcher couldn't take me. Leviathan couldn't kill me. You want to do this, Kaiser? I'm ready. Are you?"

Kaiser wasn't ready. No coward, but he didn't have the courage to take up her challenge. He sneered, but Taylor could taste his fear.

"Keep boasting, Circaetus. We'll see who wins in the end."

"Well," Taylor murmured, watching him walk away, "I will, at any rate."

"Good work," Armsmaster said, tone completely devoid of sarcasm, "I don't think I could have stayed much longer without losing my temper."

Taylor tilted her head at him and he shrugged.

"Kaiser irritates me."

"You don't say. Have you slept since yesterday?"

Armsmaster shook his head, starting to walk back into the HQ with Taylor following.

"Too much to do. Have you made much progress with your desalinators?"

Taylor waved a hand in the air.

"I've got a scale prototype built. I want to test it, then I can upscale and add the power cells. I'll do that as soon as I can."

"Good. We scared Kaiser away, but he might try to call our bluff. The smaller the shipments that we have to protect, the better. I'll call Dragon- she said she'd come back today to help, and she wanted a look at your technology."

Taylor nodded.

"Sure, sure. Whatever. Any news on the Butcher?"

"Unfortunately, no. It seems that the Butcher and the Teeth have gone underground. Not surprising, they had to know that they had crossed a line."

"It'll make hunting them down difficult, though. Unless, maybe, they come out to raid the supplies. Is that likely? The Butcher didn't seem to be in her right mind."

Armsmaster shrugged.

"The general activities of the Teeth suggest that it's possible, but I have some ideas regardless. My predictive algorithms may be able to locate them by their past tendencies."

"If we do find them, are we going to call for backup? I know there aren't many Teeth, but I'd like to go in with a lot of force anyway."

Armsmaster nodded as they turned onto a flight of stairs, climbing towards the lab he had loaned Taylor. Taylor sped up until she was walking alongside him, their bootsteps clacking in synchronised steps.

"Agreed. Myrddin has agreed to remain until the city is stable, and is bringing several of his Protectorate. If we locate the Teeth we'll have them, but there are others prepared to assist us. Director Piggot gained confirmation from Legend and Chief Director Costa-Brown three hours ago- the Teeth cell currently in Brockton is to be destroyed. If that means Kill Orders are to be issued, then they will be issued."

"Kill Orders, huh. Who's going to issue them?"

"Three point control. If Myrddin, Director Piggot and I all agree, they will become active. I'd prefer to avoid it."

"Do you mind if I ask why?"

Armsmaster reached the top of the flight and turned right. Taylor saw his lips press into a thin line, a frown probably wrinkling his brow.

"I don't like being used as a kill squad," he said, eventually. "I'll kill if I have to, but I'd prefer to take them alive."

"A flash of humanity from the man of steel and science."

'Everybody has them sometimes. He's right, though. Killing is easy. Taking them all alive gives us the moral high ground, as well as demonstrating that we can uphold the Truce by force.'

"It would be simpler to kill them, but I see your point."

Taylor and Armsmaster reached the laboratory, Armsmaster entering first. Her Dad was sitting on his bed and he rose as Taylor followed Armsmaster.

"Mr Hebert," Armsmaster said, surprisingly politely, "If you like there's food in the cafeteria, two levels below. You can stay if you want."

Her Dad raised an eyebrow at her. Taylor shrugged.

"Just be doing science, Dad. Go and get something to eat."

He nodded to her and walked past, a hand settling comfortingly on her shoulder for a moment before he vanished through the door. Taylor sighed and walked across to the table where her prototype sat, picking it up.

"Not powered at the moment. You have some water? I picked up a spare power cell from my workshop, it's not got much power but it'll have enough for a test run. I suppose that even an energy drink would do, but it might not demonstrate as well."

Armsmaster stroked his chin, nodding.

"Dragon is on her way. I'll go and get some salt water for a proper test. It should only take a few minutes."

Taylor nodded to him.

"I'll make sure that the power cell is working and be ready when you get back."

Armsmaster left at a quick trot and Taylor picked up the power cell, resting it in her hand. In theory, the way this worked, she could quick-charge it by heating it up. It would need a delicate hand to prevent it from overloading and exploding, but that was something she could manage. She focused on fire, letting the Warp energy slowly fill her fingers, the idea of fire. Her fingers glowed with heat, flames that weren't quite real licking over her gauntlet, wrapping around the cell. She fancied that she could feel the cell warming in her grasp, energy leaching into it. She didn't hold it for as long as she thought she could, deciding to err on the side of caution rather than risk an overload. She put the cell down, but let the flames stay for the moment, purple-blue coiling around her fist before she shook her head, breaking out of her daze and shaking her hand. Droplets of fire spattered from her hand, vanishing before they hit any surface, and Taylor leaned against the workbench.

'Do you think they'll believe us when we tell them that anyone can build these, so long as they have the blueprints?'

"Probably not. Tinkers seem to be limited in that aspect. Although, you have demonstrated a disregard for the usual rules of Parahumans so far…"

'Mm. Could be too much trouble though. A couple of the upscaled versions should be enough to supply most of the city, I think. Power will be more difficult. The cells…'

"Solar panels will be better. The cells are more complicated and easier to weaponise. Better to avoid the temptation."

'Agreed.'

The door opened again and Armsmaster re-entered, a bottle of silt-clouded water in his hand. The same robot suit that Dragon had deployed the day before followed.

"Circaetus, good morning," she said, her voice still robotic but a little less so. Taylor tilted her head, deciding not to point out that it was only just morning. Dawn was still an hour or two away, by her estimation. Armsmaster handed her the bottle.

"Fresh from the sea, huh? That should do," Taylor said. She put the bottle on the desk and fitted the power cell into the desalinator, watching the small power light on the sight flicker green. Powered. Good. She poured the water into it, securely closing the lid and pressing the activation button.

"If you're looking for an explanation, it's basically an extremely energy-efficient vaporiser. The steam is funnelled out, pure water, and whatever's left collects at the bottom of the desalinator. It'll need to be cleaned, but it's not particularly delicate."

Armsmaster nodded, helmet fixed on the device. Taylor spread her hands.

"I've drawn up blueprints and they should allow anyone to make these, but I can't make any guarantees. The most complicated part will be the solar panels that'll fuel them, I'll draw up a blueprint for you to look over but I might have to build those myself."

The desalinator prototype ceased it's working and Taylor leaned across, pulling out the small tray now filled with clear water. She cupped a hand, a blob of water rising from the rest in her telekinetic grip, and sipped from it. A little warm and utterly tasteless. About right, for this. Armsmaster produced a beaker from somewhere, although he waited for Dragon to lean over it before he tasted it.

"It works," he said, nodding. Taylor shrugged and let the blob of water fall back.

"My technology is reliable."

"I've wondered about that," Dragon said, her voice soft and gentle. Taylor wasn't a huge fan of it- there was something about it that sounded artificial. Fake. Still, Dragon had never done Taylor any harm. Taylor tilted her head at Dragon, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Usually, Tinkers have some sort of specialisation," Dragon started, her robot standing uncannily still, "Armsmaster miniaturises, Sphere had sealed environments, Murasame is a weaponsmith. What do you think yours is?"

Taylor met the space on the suit where eyes should be and shrugged.

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you."

'Or at least, I don't think you'd believe me.'

"Tinker Specialisation: Galactic Conquest and Empire Building. Certainly puts their specialisations in the shade."

'You have got to keep that ego in check.'

Given the discussions since Leviathan attacked, Taylor wasn't surprised to be asked to run escort for the first shipment of supplies. She did wish that she wasn't doing it alone, because despite preferring to work alone a lot of the time she was aware that she couldn't be everywhere if the small convoy was attacked, but sometimes you didn't get a choice. She'd flown out to meet the convoy as it came off the highway, and she drifted above the lead truck, crimson wings spread as she easily kept pace. She could tell that most of the people watching had no intentions of trying to get the truck: they were hungry, but they trusted the government enough. There were always some, though. Taylor drew up, gaining height, and turned her head to a cluster of ABB goons who were waiting at an intersection. They didn't stay to contest her, shrinking back into the shadows, but it was something she'd need to keep an eye on. A thought and a tendril of power activated the earpiece she wore under her helmet.

"Armsmaster. ABB members sighted, could have just been hanging around but I think they were scoping out the convoy route."

"Are they still there?"

"Nah, they skedaddled once they realised I'd seen them. Probably off to tell Lung that there are convoys but I'm watching them."

"Most likely. Lung understands the use of propaganda, if he can take the convoys he can claim it to be for the people he offers his protection to."

"Probably half the villains in the city are thinking along the same lines. Kaiser definitely was. If the Teeth make a move, what's my priority- escort or taking out the Teeth?"

Taylor swung back to the convoy, keeping pace with it again, and heard a rumble of voices in the background of her earpiece- Armsmaster talking to someone. Maybe Myrddin. Armsmaster came back to her, his voice as level as ever.

"In the event that the Teeth engage, consider the convoy your first priority. As a show of strength driving the Teeth away and capturing them are close enough, and the food is needed more."

"Got it," Taylor murmured, dropping gently onto the roof of the first truck and sinking into a crouch. Escort duty wasn't her favourite thing in the world, but if the villains were smart it wouldn't be hard. Taylor wasn't in much of a mood to draw out any fights she got into.

Keeping herself anchored with an easy application of power, Taylor leaned down and knocked on the drivers side window. The driver rolled it down a few inches.

"Have you seen anything?" she asked. The man shook his head, PRT issue helmet remaining blank.

"No sign, Miss. Do you expect any trouble?"

"Some ABB goons spotted me, so Lung might show. I doubt it though, he didn't win last time, if he's smart he'll wait and hope that I can't keep an eye on the convoy forever. If he does show, though, put your foot down. I'll keep him off and we'll run for the HQ."

"I'll pass the message on to the other drivers, Miss," the driver said. Taylor tapped her finger against her helmet in recognition and straightened back up, standing to her full height with wings spread behind her. She idly wondered what she looked like, swaying slightly on the top of a moving vehicle. She thought about it, letting the wind catch in her wings and drag her backwards, landing gently on the last truck in the convoy. What was the accepted route for ambushes like that? Hit the first truck and the last, then take all the ones in the middle. This convoy was tiny, only three trucks, so it might be easier to roll out a barricade, but there weren't many places to pull something like that.

Besides, Taylor was more than capable of shattering pretty much any barricade. This escort was looking like it would just be a quiet trip along. Honestly, Taylor didn't mind too much. She liked a good scrap, it was true, but Leviathan had taken some of her taste for battle away. For the moment, at least. If she saw the Butcher, she was pretty sure that she'd find it all over again. Taylor stretched her arms, looking around her. She thought a moment, before realising the futility of trying to keep a good watch like this. Instead she settled into a cross-legged position on the roof, closing her eyes and stretching out her senses.

"Do you expect there to be anyone lying in wait?"

'Unlikely, but better to be sure. If the crowd are getting worked up, we can soothe them, too. Two birds with one stone.'

Taylor stretched out her senses, brushing delicately over the minds of the people around them. Some of them were resentful, angry that their homes and businesses had been destroyed. Many of them were thinking, from what she could tell without more invasive telepathy, of leaving Brockton Bay entirely, tired of the villains. Leviathan's attack had only been the last straw.

Many of them were frightened. Frightened of the gangs, of damaged buildings, of poor water and electricity supplies and, more than anything else, frightened of a fight breaking out. Taylor narrowed her eyes behind her helmet as she realised that, in some ways, a lot of the people watching the small convoy move onwards were frightened of her.

'It makes sense, really. Anyone who's paying attention must have realised that the ABB was here, unless they've been living under a rock they'll have to know that a fight between Lung and us is gonna end in a whole lot of collateral damage. And we're not in the good part of town, this place was dilapidated before I was even alive. If Lung and I start throwing each other through buildings half the place is going to come down.'

"If he arrives, we will have to strike faster and harder. A single blow, similar to the one we used against Leviathan. Either that or we drag him through the Warp to a better place to fight and hope that his minions don't trouble the convoy."

'Not a big fan of either of those. Hopefully he'll have the brains to know that trying to take the convoy by force won't be a good look for him, even if he wins the fight.'

'It would affect your image though. That might be enough for him, especially if he is already losing men. We've demonstrated an extremely high level of power, it would be reasonable to suspect that the gangs will be losing morale."

Taylor opened her eyes again, keeping the faintest of psychic touches in place just to warn her if someone made a move. She didn't think that anything was about to happen, but…better safe than sorry, in a time like this. She remained there, a watchful, winged sentinel, as the trucks made their way through the streets. The city was slowly starting to come back to life, stirring and rising again from the damage Leviathan had inflicted, but it would need a lot more time. Taylor rose to her feet, taking a leisurely lap around the convoy every few minutes and landing again, but nothing troubled them. She was seated again when the convoy reached the PRT HQ, her eyes catching sight of Dauntless standing in front of the HQ, his armour gleaming in the light of dawn.

"No trouble with the convoy, then?" Dauntless asked as the van came to a halt. Taylor unfolded her legs and stood with a beat of her wings, shaking her head and making the jump to the ground.

"Saw some ABB members, but they headed off pretty sharpish. Was a bit worried that Lung might decide to have a go."

Dauntless grunted, leaning his shield against his leg and rubbing at his wrist.

"According to the simulations Armsmaster and Dragon have run, it's unlikely. He won't want to risk a fight that could make him more trouble than he's worth- Alexandria isn't far away."

"Simulations," Taylor repeated, flatly. Dauntless shrugged.

"Yeah, that was what I thought, but Armsmaster's been fairly convincing. Either way, there's not much we can do other than wait. You'll be pleased to know that you won't have to do all of the heavy lifting for much longer, though. Myrddin agreed to stay for a few more weeks and a couple of Wards have been transferred."

"Wards?" Taylor said, letting her doubt flow into her voice. Dauntless shrugged again.

"Better than nothing, right? And most of these aren't that far away from graduating to the Protectorate fully. Come on, I'll take you to see them- the Troopers can take care of unloading the transports."

Taylor paused to say a brief farewell to the transport drivers and then followed, deciding that she might as well see the people that she would be working with soon. Dauntless made his way through the bustle- the PRT HQ was busier than ever as they worked to counter the damage done by Leviathan.

"Might get even worse than this," Dauntless called over his shoulder, "The Rig got caught in a tidal wave and grounded a short way down the coast. Unless someone can bring it back…how much can you lift?"

"Probably not enough to carry an entire fortified oil rig," Taylor replied frankly. Dauntless nodded.

"Not ever? Or not yet?"

"What a good question," Taylor said, smiling, "Would you believe me if I said that I didn't know the answer?"

Dauntless laughed aloud.

"I would, actually," he said, slowing enough that he was walking alongside her and sobering, "You know, my powers weren't always this strong."

Taylor cocked her head at him, waiting patiently. Dauntless nodded again.

"Yeah. See, the way my powers work…I get a sort of store of energy every day, and I can infuse it into objects. Not much. When I started out, I could barely get more that a spark out of my lance. Now it's like throwing a lightning bolt. Or…huh. Well, maybe not a full lightning bolt. Feel like you'd know what that sort of thing's like. But anyway…I went from barely any power, to being predicted to be on the level of the Triumvirate. It's pretty intimidating, to be honest. I guess what I'm asking is, how are you holding up, with the whole Leviathan thing?"

Taylor walked alongside him in silence for a moment, chewing her lip. To give herself time to think she reached up and pulled her helmet off, tucking it under her arm.

"No-one's really said anything, to be honest. I haven't exactly been in a position to be questioned by the press or anything, and I'm too busy to field questions from everyone else. But I think that…people are frightened. I could tell, when I was escorting the convoy. Think they were worried that Lung might show up. It's one thing for Lung to chase some Heroes or whatever away, but it's another for him to go at someone who might push him to Endbringer levels."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Dauntless muttered, "Your first fight with Lung demolished a warehouse, but you've gotten a lot stronger than then and we don't know how far Lung could go if he had the chance. You think you could drop him before it got too bad, if you had to?"

Taylor raised her free hand, palm up, in a parody of a shrug.

"Not sure. Might try just lifting him and throwing him into the Bay, let him cool himself down. Couldn't hurt to try, at least. If we're lucky he won't cause any trouble at all. I could do with a holiday."

Dauntless grunted out another laugh, although this one was a lot less mirthful than before.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Lung then Echidna then Leviathan, with the Butcher still around and probably gunning for you. Once we've dealt with the Butcher thing you deserve one."

"You can try and convince Armsmaster and Piggot of that," Taylor replied dourly, folding her wings even tighter to fit through a doorway. Dauntless snorted.

"I'll leave that to you, Circaetus. Here we are."

Taylor followed Dauntless into a lounge that looked like it had been repurposed into a briefing room, couches pushed to the walls and tables set up in the middle, a few computers and laptops there. There were four people inside, sat down and presumably making small talk. They looked over as Taylor and Dauntless entered, and Dauntless waved at them.

"Hey guys. Circaetus, you know Raymancer and Tecton, right?"

"Two of Myrddin's Wards," she said, "Helped us with Echidna. Good to see you again."

The two of them, sharing a sofa, waved back. Dauntless nodded.

"Right. The guy over there is Weld, and the girl is Flechette."

Taylor vaguely recognised Weld- she'd seen him before the Leviathan fight, she thought. He was tall and burly, his skin formed of metal. It wasn't all smooth: there were places where recognisable pieces of metal stuck out, like the chains that were only half sunken into his shoulder.

'I wonder if he can rebuild himself by taking in metal. And if he's like that all the time, or if it's an active power.'

"Perhaps he is one of the, ah, the case fifty-two's? Those whose powers permanently change their appearances?"

'I think it's Case Fifty-Threes, but yeah. I wonder if we'd count as that, now, with the wings. And the augments too, I guess.'

"Probably not, given that we can remove our changes if we want to."

Weld stood and walked over, offering his hand. Taylor took it- he had a firm grip, strong. He was slightly taller than she was, bulking larger. His smile looked slightly odd on his metal face, but it was warm and welcoming nonetheless.

"Circaetus. It's an honour."

"Ah, you'll make me blush," Taylor said, smiling, "You don't have to be all formal."

Weld barked a laugh as he reclaimed his hand, still smiling.

"That's a relief. Still, it really is an honour. I saw that hit you landed on Leviathan, made my whole day."

Taylor preened slightly, her grin getting even wider, and glanced at Dauntless.

"See, some people appreciate me."

"We all appreciate you, Circ," he replied, "It's your humour that sometimes isn't welcome."

Taylor snorted a laugh, grinning at him.

"Alright, I walked right into that one. You're Flechette, right? Armsmaster talked about you during the whole Leviathan event."

Flechette was a slender girl, not as tall as Taylor but above average height, with a purple, skin-tight costume with white armour plates for protection. The armour plates, Taylor was amused to note, were vaguely arrow shaped.

"This world has an odd fondness for skin-tight costumes."

'The Eldar liked them, too.'

"Wraithbone armour hardly clings to every curve. And it is a lot more protective."

'In all fairness, even being a cape here is less dangerous than just living in your home universe. Unless all the gribbly things are here, too, and we just haven't seen them yet.'

"If Tyranids invade the planet tomorrow, I will most assuredly say 'I told you so'."

Flechette smiled, unaware of Taylor's mental conversation.

"That's me," she said, "I can make my arrows punch through almost anything. I think Armsmaster was hoping that I could kill Leviathan? I did some damage, but it didn't seem to care that much."

Taylor shrugged.

"You know what they say, try, try, try again."

'And then give up, because there's no point being stupid about it.'

"Where are the two of you from, anyway?" she added. Flechette glanced at Weld before speaking first.

"Uh, New York. I thought it would be nice to get a change of scenery, you know?"

Taylor could taste something embarrassed in Flechette's emotions at that, but elected not to pry. It would come out in time. Or it wouldn't- did it really matter? Not to Taylor. Weld just smiled.

"Boston," he said, and now that Taylor was fully paying attention she could hear the accent, "Director Armstrong suggested that it might be good to experience leading a Wards team. I'm sort of being pushed towards being the face of the Case Fifty-Three Protectorate members, I think."

"Oh boy, politics," Taylor muttered, "My favourite."

Weld snorted with laughter as Taylor glanced past him.

"What about you two? You just like it here?"

Raymancer glanced at Tecton and shrugged.

"The atmosphere is a nice change," he answered laconically. Taylor shook her head in amazement. Dauntless leaned towards her.

"And I thought you were crazy," he muttered, just loudly enough that the others could hear him. Taylor rolled her eyes.

"So you're taking over the Wards, Weld?"

"Until Aegis returns, yeah. Dunno how long that'll be. Once it happens, I guess I'll go back to Boston? Maybe there'll be some sort of shared custody, right?"

"I don't think Aegis will mind. Circaetus, Armsmaster and Director Piggot actually want you to take a patrol with Weld and Flechette later. A sort of welcoming tour of the city," Dauntless said. Taylor flexed her wings, thinking.

"Welcoming isn't the word I would use. You want us to do a bit of showing off, right? Wander through the middle of potential hot-spots so everyone knows that the Protectorate still has teeth?"

"Pretty much, yeah. I'll be on comms just in case, but it's better to show that the Wards can handle themselves. There's been some trouble over in Merchant territory from what I hear, so if you take a walk down there tonight, in the middle of the ABB and Empire lines, it might defuse some issues."

"Or make 'em flare up. But sure, I'll give it a try."

Taylor's phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out and glanced down at it. The number was one she recognised: Tattletale. Interesting.

"Nice to meet you all, but I've gotta go," she said, waving her phone to indicate what she meant, "I'll see you later, right?"

"Sure thing," Weld said. Dauntless followed her, waving a quick goodbye to the Wards. They went back into the corridors of the base and Taylor glanced around for people before lifting the phone up.

"Circaetus here."

"Hey, Circ. How's it going over there in the PRT HQ?"

Tattletale sounded tired but cheery. Taylor snorted.

"As great as ever. You calling me to catch up, or because you've got something for me to do?"

"What, I can't ring you because I want to thank you for punching out Leviathan and because I like hearing your dulcet tones?"

"Sweetheart, I'm not sure you understand the phrase 'without ulterior motive'. What've you got for me?"

Tattletale laughed.

"Never change, Circ. So I've got some good news for you. I've confirmed- independently- that Marque is actually working for Accord. For the moment we've made another agreement that we'll continue the agreement he had with Coil, and the territory will gradually be folded into mine. Plus, Coil's mercs have accepted me as Coil the Second and they'll stay in line, so the PRT can rest easy when it comes to trouble from that quarter."

"Gee, I was so worried," Taylor deadpanned. Tattletale snickered.

"Yeah, yeah. Less happy news. That list of names that Coil had, for the Empire capes?"

"Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

"I don't think I can stop them from being released."

"Ah, fuck."

"Yeah, that's what I said. I've cut off three separate means of leaking the information, but there's no guarantee that I can get all of them. I'm probably going to contact Kaiser and let him know, assuming he stops being such a dick about things, but I thought you'd want to know. Fair warning, if it leaks, I've got a good idea that the Butcher will go after the Empire families. I had hoped to call you up and deliver you a location for the Butcher, but she keeps moving, I can't lock her down. Might be a chance to lay a trap."

"Using a bunch of kids and civilians?"

"Well, when you put it that way it sounds pretty bad. Your choice anyway, I guess."

Taylor chewed her lip, thinking. Dauntless stepped in front of her and tilted his head in question. Taylor offered a shrug and mouthed the word 'later' and he nodded. Tattletale had a point, even if it wasn't Taylor's favourite.

"Alright," she eventually said, "I get it. But you don't do anything for free. What are you after?"

Tattletale hummed. Taylor dipped her chin towards her chest and sighed, waiting. After a few moments of considering silence, Tattletale spoke again. Taylor wasn't convinced that the other girl actually needed the time to think, it was just a show.

"The ABB and Empire are pushing into the Docks pretty hard," Tattletale said. Taylor let go of her helmet, snaring it in a loop of power so that it didn't hit the ground while she rubbed at the bridge of her nose.

"Your territory?"

"Mine, Merchant, whatever. Point is, I'd like to avoid the place turning into a whole battlefield, so if you could swing by and take a look around I'd be grateful."

Taylor muttered under her breath before sighing.

"Yeah. Yeah, sure. Is it bad, the ABB and Empire? I haven't heard much news on it, just that there has been some."

"Mm. PRT has it's informants too, but I guess they won't be as good as mine. Kaiser and Lung are posturing at the moment. Everyone knows that you'll all be focused on the Teeth, so they're looking to take over where the Merchants fail. Probably hoping that I'll be too weak to keep hold of what Coil claimed, as well. We might be looking at a gang war, especially if their identities get leaked. Still hoping to avoid that, but I'm pretty sure the Empire will go absolutely feral in that case."

"So it's getting bad at the Docks?" Taylor asked, raising an eyebrow at Dauntless, who now looked interested. Tattletale chuckled.

"Yeah. Grue took a look around, he says that Raijin's been spotted skulking around, along with Night and Fog. It could get really nasty, so rein in your natural impulse to throw hands with everyone you see and defuse the situation, huh?"

"Never managed it before, but I'll do my best," Taylor said, before hanging up. Dauntless looked at her as she pulled her helmet out of the air.

"Interesting conversation?" he asked, jerking his head down the corridor and setting off. Taylor matched his pace.

"Pretty interesting, yeah."

She was going to have to have an awkward conversation now, wasn't she? Great.

"You know," Dauntless started, conversationally, "I've always wondered about that saying, better the devil you know. Seems like it's something the PRT here lives by. We always thought Coil was the least evil around here, but seems like he was as bad as the rest. Don't think anyone was really mourning when we heard that he'd had his head put on a pike."

They walked further down the corridor, Dauntless tapping his fingers against his shield in thought.

"But you know, the story didn't really match up that well. Tattletale takes over as Coil the Second, we know that, but killing him? Nah. Seems unlikely. But Dinah Alcott, when she's conscious, tells us that the angel came to save her."

Dauntless turned his head to her. Taylor knew that he was looking at her wings.

"Not that I really care. Kidnapping and drugging a twelve year old…far as I care, he probably deserved what he got. But, better the devil you know. So Tattletale owes you, right? She have anything good to say?"

"Plenty," Taylor muttered, "more than I like. Firstly, I guess, the new leader of the Merchants. Marque? She says she's confirmed that he's not acting on his own. Coil made an agreement with Accord to send one of his guys over, and that's Marque. My guess is that Tattletale wants to stick to the agreement, but who knows what'll happen."

"Accord, huh," Dauntless mused, "He's based in Boston. I wonder if Weld knows any more, he worked in Boston too. We should ask, probably. Alright, what else? That can't be all she told you."

Taylor huffed out a sigh.

"Apparently the ABB and Empire are starting to feel each other out down on the Docks. Merchant and Coil territory, but they must think they have a chance. Raijin, Night and Fog have all been sighted."

"You got something planned for that, Circ?"

Taylor shrugged, a wing brushing the wall as her shoulder moved.

"I was thinking of leading the patrol through there. Weld and Flechette know what they're doing, and with any luck just the reminder that we're there and watching will make the gangs back off. Even if it doesn't, we can scope out the situation ourselves, in case we need to do something about it."

"Yeah," Dauntless muttered, "Last thing we want is a full blown gang war while we're dealing with the Teeth. Plus, with the Leviathan attack…there's a chance that we'll get Fallen here as well. They just love turning up to disaster zones."

"Great," Taylor muttered, "But that's not all."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"You shouldn't. When I rescued Dinah, I found out that Coil had a back-up plan. If he died, he had a dead-mans switch set up that'll release the identities of every member of the Empire cape scene to the public. I left Tattletale to deal with it, since she's better with tech than I am, but it sounds like…"

"Like she's not going to get it to work," Dauntless grimly completed. Taylor nodded.

"Yeah."

Speaking of that, she needed to contact Theo. If the Empire's identities were released, Theo would probably be in the most danger, given that he was Kaiser's son. If she knew where he lived, she could be sure to be nearby to protect him. As she'd said already, Kaiser had a point. Jumping the Butcher when it went to find Theo could be the best way to break the Teeth.

"Shit," Dauntless muttered, "Leaking all their identities will definitely provoke a gang war. It'll be a free for all on everyone. And I doubt they'll show the same restraint as you did."

Taylor let that comment slide.

"At least a lot of their heavy hitters aren't in play anymore. Hookwolf's dead, and so's either Menja or Fenja-"

"It's Fenja."

"Fenja, right. Krieg got messed up too, right? And so did Stormtiger and Cricket."

"Right. But that still leaves Kaiser, Menja and Purity. They could probably level half the city if they went all out. You think you could take Purity?"

Taylor grimaced.

"Dunno if I could. Myrddin might be a better choice, he's got those portals, but I can definitely try. Depends on how resistant to damage she is, probably. Menja could be a bigger problem, once she's ramped up she's hard to damage. The collateral could be bad."

Dauntless grunted.

"Well, we'll have to deal with that as it comes. Maybe we can talk them down, so long as we can protect their families or something. The Empire has enough resources that if they want to disappear and take new names they can do it."

"And you wouldn't be unhappy to see them go," Taylor added. Dauntless let out a harsh laugh.

"Yeah, that too."

They walked on, going quiet for a few seconds. Taylor took the time to text Theo, just asking if he was alright. He should be, but she couldn't help but worry a little.

"So," Dauntless said eventually, "The Marque thing will have to wait. It's not that important anyway, though interesting. Director Piggot might think differently, but I don't think we'll do anything with it. Tattletale's request to defuse the situation shouldn't be too hard: you can swing through with Weld and Flechette tonight, remind everyone to cool it, hopefully that'll work. The Empire is the biggest problem, but at least we've got a warning."

"Are we getting much backup, in terms of adult heroes?" Taylor asked, "Wards are all well and good but New Wave is pretty much out of commission at the moment and we're down a lot of people."

Dauntless shook his head.

"Just Myrddin, I think. We're all hoping that Panacea will get back into decent condition soon, and start healing again. Speaking of healing, you think you could help her? She's just concussed, really. I don't want to ask you to heal everyone, since you said it puts a lot of strain on you, but Panacea could help a lot."

Taylor chewed her lip, thinking. It wouldn't hurt, really, and Dauntless made a good point.

"Yeah, I'll take a look at her when I get the chance. Before I go on patrol, probably."

"Thanks."

"This is why you don't put medical staff on the front line."

'We're on the front line all the time.'

"But we can actually take care of ourselves. Speaking of taking care of ourselves, if you intend to fight the Butcher you need to have some way of keeping it down. We might be able to stun it with a properly directed psychic attack, but the multiple personalities will make it harder. See if there are any power-suppressing handcuffs that we can use."

'Yeah, I know. If her teleportation depends on being able to see, we might be able to block her eyesight. A sort of spike of power, through the side of her head, to interrupt the optical nerve. It won't cause lasting damage, but it'll take one of her major senses out of commission.'

"Or we could just blind her from a distance, darken her sight through a mental attack. An illusion."

'Hmm. Not as permanent, but good point. It'll take a moment of concentration though, that's the issue with both. If we're slamming her head into the ground we'll get that moment, but if she's jumping around taking shots at us it'll be harder. And Flechette won't be any good. One poorly aimed shot and we could get a Butcher with heat-seeking instant kill arrows.'

"Quite. Although, does it strike you as odd that there are so many Capes whose powers manifest around crossbows?"

'Shadow Stalker, Flechette and, what was her name, Quarrel? Three isn't that many, although you're right. It's weird that it's happened three times.'

"It is unfortunate that the Parasite is so powerful. Dissecting and studying it could provide fresh avenues for improving humanity. But something of such strength is difficult to defeat, let alone safely contain. Even when I imprisoned the Void Dragon it was greatly weakened, and its influence still reached out to the Mechanicus. It was fortunate that it's madness was madness, and not malice."

'Yeah, I don't think I'm going to be locking the Parasite in a cage and prodding it with a stick. That reminds me, actually, we need to find out what Cauldron is. Some sort of conspiracy, probably, but I don't want our plans to be interrupted halfway by someone else.'

"And your clone, Luna, is still loose. Once we have stabilised the situation here, I suggest finding her location and hunting her down, before she builds a powerbase to use against us."

'Agreed.'

"I'll go and talk to Director Piggot," Dauntless told her when they reached the stairwell that gave access to most of the building, "I think Armsmaster probably wants to talk to you, about the gear you've designed for us."

Taylor sighed.

"Well, I've got a few hours before I go on patrol," she agreed. Dauntless clapped her on the shoulder in commiserating comradery and they split apart, Taylor making her way through the building to the lab she had been given. She found Armsmaster there, talking intently with her Dad. They both turned to her as she knocked and entered.

"Circaetus," Armsmaster greeted, "The convoy was delivered safely?"

"Yeah, no real problems. Some ABB goons were about, but nobody else turned up. Apparently they're busy scrapping around the Docks, though."

Armsmaster frowned- or at least that was what Taylor assumed he did, only seeing his lips pinch together.

"Worrying."

"Is it?" Taylor asked, "I would have thought that the gangs staying away from the main convoy route would have been a good thing."

Armsmaster shook his head.

"It would have been. However, your father and I have been discussing some work, pending approval from Director Piggot, that would make the Docks a key unloading point."

Taylor set her helmet on a table and massaged her brow, sighing gently. Armsmaster continued, undaunted.

"Your father has indicated that there are portions of the Docks that could be unblocked, given sufficient funds. The city could not provide, but with the PRT emergency fund it could be done. The contract has mostly been drawn up, and it will allow us to bring supplies in through sea, rather than land. In that case, we need the Docks to be friendly or neutral territory."

Taylor slowly tipped her head back.

"I was going to run a patrol down there anyway. I got a call from Tattletale- or maybe she's calling herself Coil Two now- telling me that there's some trouble brewing with the Empire and that in return she wants me to try and defuse the fighting in the Docks."

Armsmaster grunted, rubbing at his chin. The faint rasp of gauntlets on stubble reached Taylor, the cessation of the scraping noise indicating that he was about to speak.

"There is precedent for working alongside less offensive villains during the aftermath of an Endbringer attack. This would be no different. What information did she provide?"

Taylor rocked forwards in her seat, filling Armsmaster in on the Empire situation. When she was done he stood completely still for almost a minute. Taylor could feel the thoughts rushing through his mind, a torrent of ideas that she didn't even try to track.

"I'll talk to Director Piggot, Myrddin and Dauntless," he said, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Taylor watched him stride out of the room, shaking her head.

"He hasn't slept at all. How does he have so much energy?" she asked. A speaker crackled.

"An unhealthy amount of stimulants. Hello, Circaetus."

There was nobody else in the room, but the vaguely mechanised, female voice was familiar.

"Hey, Dragon. Watching over me?" Taylor said, walking over to her Dad. Dragon laughed softly.

"A second opinion on your water filtration devices. They seem practical to me, although the blueprints are…odd."

Taylor shrugged at her Dad when he raised an eyebrow.

"Odd?"

"Mm. You see, most Tinker technology can only be built by the Tinker in question. There are often…secondary powers, shall we say, involved. They cannot be reproduced in a factory, or by someone else. My own Tinker specialisation revolves around my ability to reproduce the work of other Tinkers. But it seems that your technology is, well, it can be built by anyone with the correct blueprints. It would appear that what you told Armsmaster and I, earlier, was indeed correct."

Well, Taylor knew exactly why that was. Her blueprints and technology didn't require any magic powers or anything like that. Well, mostly. There was a lot of Dark Age of Technology stuff that required a Psyker of some sort to operate it. But for the technology she would be providing, it was just purely scientific. She would be lying if she said she wasn't satisfied in some way by that. No need for some xenos to provide reality bending powers, just good old fashioned human ingenuity.

"Is it a problem?" she asked instead, wondering if it was. She heard Dragon exhale, although there was something about it that didn't sound quite right. Maybe she was just paranoid.

"No, not at all. If anything, I suspect that it's simply something about the way your powers work. After all, you aren't a Tinker normally. It makes me curious…you've been in contact with Panacea, and you can copy powers. And I can't help but notice that you aren't baseline human, physically. Have you enhanced your brain, as well?"

Hmm. What a good question. Taylor smiled.

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. I take it that the filtration units are going into production?"

Dragon didn't press her.

"Yes, immediately. They'll be very useful, not just for here. I've looked at the blueprints for the solar panels you provided, as well. Those seem more than feasible- they're only a little less effective than Tinker built solar panels, and they're a lot easier to build and maintain. I daresay the Guild will be knocking on your door before long, we always like to find new blood."

"The Guild?"

'I think that it's a Tinker organisation, maybe? Not entirely sure. Dragon is a big part of it, though, and I've heard rumours that there are other Tinker organisations.'

"Ah. Most likely they will want to make the same sort of deal with you as Director Piggot has, access to technology in exchange for goods, support and so on. It probably couldn't hurt- terraforming isn't a one-person job."

'Yeah, that's true. And if I was looking to build myself a company, visions of the Sahara all green and lush wouldn't hurt. I wonder if many people will protest at altering the environment like that?'

She could feel the cynicism the Emperor exuded at that, but chose not to address it. Instead she answered Dragon.

"Maybe when I get a few days off, Dragon. Now. Dad, what's this about clearing part of the Docks? Something to do with the Boat Graveyard?"

"Not the whole Graveyard," her Dad said. He sounded tired, but there was an animation and a life in him that she hadn't seen in years. He waved her over to another table, showing her a map. Taylor leaned over it, fingers sketching the marks and translating them to actual places.

"Most of the Graveyard is full of ships too large to be moved. Unless you can do something about that?"

Taylor shook her head.

"Given a few months to work on it, maybe. I can't lift a whole cargo ship, so I'd have to break it up."

Her Dad nodded.

"Alright. A shot in the dark anyway. But there's a section here, you see it? This portion of the Docks is still open enough for small ships to pass through, and the ships blocking the rest are mostly small- tugboats, that sort of thing. We, the Dockworkers Union I mean, have had a plan to clear it out for a few years, but we haven't had the funding. If we can get it, we can get rid of this, salvage the metals, and open up several other jetties for deliveries. It won't bring Brockton back to life or anything, but it'll help."

"Supply loads from ships will be a lot larger than the ones we bring cross-country in vans," Dragon chipped in, "And we can bring larger items as well. Building materials, that sort of thing, so we can rebuild shelters and the like more quickly. But we'll need the Docks to be safe for that."

Taylor rubbed at her chin.

"The Docks, that part at least, is no-mans land at the minute. It used to be Merchant turf, with Coil running guns and probably drugs through it. I haven't done that much research, but I'm fairly sure that Coil was one of the biggest suppliers to the Merchants. Tattletale might keep it up, don't know."

"Either way, you said that the ABB and Empire are moving in there?" her Dad asked. Taylor nodded again.

"Couple of capes of theirs have been seen, and there are always goons. My guess is that, with Coil dead, they're both looking to move into the arms trade. Won't be as good as Coil, his guys had Tinkertech gear, but guns are a nice, steady cashflow."

"Everyone needs guns," Dragon agreed, sounding gloomy. Taylor tapped a finger on the map.

"In this case, I guess it's in our best interest for Tattletale to win the Docks. Same principle as Coil, if she's the least likely to rock the boat then she'll have to be our pick. I'd suggest trying to drive out the gangs altogether, but I'm not sure if the resources needed to maintain a hold would be worth it."

"Probably not," Dragon agreed, "Although we won't be able to tell without trying. You're leading a patrol down there soon, aren't you?"

Taylor nodded.

"Tonight. I'm going to head to the hospital to see if I can do anything for Panacea first, but I'll take Weld and Flechette to scope the area out. That said, can I get a copy of this map? I'll take a decent look if I can get a guide, we might be able to set up something there."

"Of course, that'll be no problem," Dragon said. Taylor nodded and turned to her Dad.

"Dad. I…sorry that I can't stay around. I…once all this is over…"

"I've been saying that for years, Taylor," her Dad said, smiling sadly at her, "And it's never seemed to be over. I…I know I've said this a lot over the past few days, but I'm proud of you, Taylor. You've grown up. I wish I could stay, too, but I have to go and talk to the other Dockworkers. I'll see you later, just…be safe."

Taylor hugged him.

"I'll do my best, Dad," she promised, plucking her helmet from the table and walking out of the room.

Panacea looked like a real mess, Taylor thought. She'd been forced to nudge the nurse attending into letting her see Panacea, but it hadn't been that hard- the woman was overworked and Taylor's reputation was good enough that she hadn't been too worried.

"Luna really worked you over, huh?" Taylor said. She hadn't checked on Panacea that much- partly because, frankly, Taylor didn't really like her, but also because Panacea probably deserved a rest from being used as a handy-dandy cure-all, even if said rest involved sedatives. Taylor checked the medical file at the foot of the bed, nodding thoughtfully. A few fractured ribs, broken arm and leg, and a severe concussion. She could help with all of that. Taylor gently laid a hand on Panacea's forehead. The girl moved slightly, groaning softly, and Taylor soothed her back to sleep with a thought.

"Nicotine addiction, hmm?" Taylor murmured, questing tendrils of power spreading through Panacea. There was damage to her lungs from smoking, albeit only slight. She really couldn't heal herself.

'You would think that she'd know better. She must have seen the aftermath of smoking addiction in plenty of people.'

"Perhaps she doesn't expect to live long enough for it to matter. More likely, she thinks that she will be one of the lucky people who are affected only slightly. Medical technology marches on besides, easy replacement organs are probably not that far away."

'Hmm. Wonder if we should get in on that market at the start? Diversity is the lifeblood of building a silent monopoly.'

"Ah, you're learning."

Taylor smoothed away the lung damage and sealed the cracks in Panacea's ribs with barely an effort. The arm and leg would be harder, the breaks more severe, so she devoted a little more strength to it. The power soaked into the bones, saturating cells and flesh and knitting it together, another touch of strength cutting out the pain receptors to avoid waking her patient. Easier to leave her asleep. The door behind her creaked open and Taylor heard a soft intake of breath.

"Hey, Glory," she said quietly. Glory walked across and around the bed, a caution in her step. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and she hadn't bothered with any makeup. She wasn't in costume either, wearing a leather jacket and a pair of jeans. Stylish even in mourning, Taylor morbidly noted.

"Circ? What are you doing here?" she asked. Taylor took her hand from Panacea's head and turned to Glory.

"Healing her," she said, offering her hand to Glory. There was a hesitation, but Glory took it and Taylor took the chance to soothe away the painful redness in her eyes, restoring the skin and taking away the inflammation. Glory sniffed, her expression coiling with surprise.

"A recent development," Taylor explained, "I've dealt with most of her injuries. Just the concussion to go."

"You can- you can heal brains? Amy says that she can't."

'Amy says. That's interesting. You think Glory suspects that her sister's lying?'

"I wouldn't presume to guess."

'Sure you wouldn't. Now then, the concussion.'

Working on the brain was a little more delicate, but it wasn't like she was using her fingers. It took a minute or two, but Taylor was more than capable of reducing the swelling and healing the damage, taking away the lingering effects of the concussion. She smoothed a hand over Panacea's brow, settling the girl into a deeper sleep.

"Give her a few hours," Taylor told Glory, "And she'll be as good as new."

Glory nodded, stepping closer. Taylor moved away to give Glory room as she bent over her sister, murmuring something that Taylor didn't catch before straightening again.

"Glad I caught you, Circ," Glory said quietly, "Do you mind if we have a word? In private?"

Taylor raised her eyebrows, safely hidden behind her helmet, and shrugged.

"No problem. The roof should be clear."

Without another word Glory eased the window open and slipped through, taking flight as soon as she was out. Taylor rolled her eyes, closing the window and stepping into the Warp for a single stride, emerging into the air again. It was getting closer to night, the sky slowly reddening, and a cool wind was blowing as the flew up to the roof. Glory settled on the edge of the roof, feet dangling into open space, and Taylor joined her without comment. Glory reached into a pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, sighing.

"I didn't know you smoked," Taylor said. Glory smiled wanly and shook her head.

"I don't, really. Teenage rebellion. Seemed…seemed appropriate."

Taylor watched as Glory closed her eyes, grief thickening the air around them. Victoria bowed her head for a moment, pulling out a cigarette and patting blindly at her pockets for a lighter. Taylor sighed and leaned over.

"Here," she said, a flickering witch-light sparking into existence between her crooked index finger and thumb. Victoria looked up and nodded, touching the cigarette to the ethereal flame and letting it take light.

"You want one?"

Taylor shook her head.

"I'm alright, thanks."

'Would we even get anything from it? We've made changes to our lung and throat structure that would filter out most of it, would we get a hit from the nicotine?'

"A very brief one. Some of our other alterations make us burn through drugs faster, nicotine is no exception."

'Makes sense, I guess.'

Glory drew a deep breath, blowing out a plume of smoke with only the faintest cough at the end. Taylor smiled slightly, pulling off her helmet to let the breeze card through her hair. Glory smoked in silence for a few breaths before sighing.

"I…God. I don't know if I can do this, Circ. Taylor. Whatever."

Taylor turned to her, waiting quietly. Glory shook her head, the cigarette trailing smoke from where it was clasped loosely between her fingers.

"I…I don't know if New Wave is going to last much longer. It's been on the way out for a few years, but I hoped…I don't know what to do."

"Start from the beginning," Taylor advised. She shifted, stretching a wing behind Glory to shield her from some of the breeze. Glory took another drag on her cigarette, smiling wanly.

"I just. I don't know. Eric, Crystal, Amy and I…we were supposed to be the future, you know? Mom wanted us to be the future of heroism, all of that. But then…but then Eric and Crystal were busy preparing for college, getting ready to move away, and Amy was burning out on the hospital, and even if the others tried their best half of the time I was the only one on patrol. And, now, Aunt Sarah got hurt, and Mom's…Mom's…"

Glory hunched over, flicking away her cigarette. Taylor saw the spark flutter and die in the wind as she shifted closer to Glory, wrapping an arm around her. Taylor wasn't exactly a comfortable perch, all hard edges from her armour, but it was better than nothing. Glory kept her face buried in her hands for almost a minute before dragging herself upright again.

"I…Dad has depression. Clinically diagnosed. Sometimes he has good days. Sometimes, he forgets to take his meds. And now, with Mom…gone…I, I don't know if I can do anything. I don't know if I can keep New Wave going, if I even want to."

Taylor sighed, a heavy rumble that came from the deepest part of her chest.

"You know, if you don't want to, that's your choice."

She felt Glory move to look at her and shook her head.

"If you decide that you want to leave New Wave…that's your choice. I…you know, my Mom died. A few years ago. I don't think my Dad's ever gotten over it. Your Dad…if he's suffering, and you want to take care of him instead of forcing yourself to be a hero, that's not you being selfish. If you want to take a trip out to California or something, spend a few weeks in the sun, to mourn in peace, that's not being selfish. At some point…at some point, everyone bears some responsibility for looking after themselves."

Glory made a noise that was half sniffle and half laugh.

"And what if I go, and I don't come back?" she asked. Taylor chuckled softly.

"Then I'll expect a postcard every month or so. You should talk this out, with your family. But if you want to go…then you should go."

"I don't…I don't want to leave. I'd feel like- I don't want to leave everything on your shoulders, Circ. If I was gone, and something happened to you…"

"Then it'd be on me," Taylor said, resolutely. Nothing was going to happen to her, but she knew that just saying it wasn't going to be convincing. She pulled a face and tapped on her thigh-plate, gauntlets clacking against ceramite plate.

"Look. Glory. The Leviathan fight…that was a bad time. You suffered there, plenty of people did. If you need time, then take it. Don't force yourself to stay here because of me, or anyone else. Get Gallant to take you on a holiday or something. Believe me, once I've kicked the Butcher's teeth in and convinced the other gangs to stop being such fucking idiots then I'm going to take a holiday. Maybe I'll go skiing, up in Canada. But being a Hero…it means doing the right thing, I guess. It doesn't mean sacrificing yourself for people who won't even remember your name."

Taylor slowly let go of Glory, standing. Glory looked up at her, wiping her sleeve across her face.

"I…yeah. I guess you're right. Thanks, Circ."

Taylor shrugged.

"I'm not saying that you should definitely take a load of time off. Don't feel forced. But for now…for now, Vicky, go back inside, sit with your sister, and talk it over with her. See how you feel once that's done. And let me know, yeah? I've got a patrol to go on soon, but I'll be around."

Glory nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll do that. Circ…be careful. You told me not to sacrifice myself for people who won't care. The same goes for you."

Taylor grinned, holding out a hand and pulling her helmet into her hand with a curling tendril of power.

"Oh, Glory. If I'm going out, it'll be the same way as I came in: kicking, screaming, and covered in the blood of other people."

And with what she felt was a suitably pithy parting remark, Taylor opened her wings to the ethereal breeze of the Warp and let it carry her off the roof.

It's probably fair to say that both Taylor and Armsmaster are just done with the gangs, especially Kaiser. Man's like the worst kind of politician, only he also advocates for genocide. Just a terrible person all around.

Taylor isn't joking about taking a holiday, by the way. She really doesn't want to constantly be propping up everyone, but we'll see where that goes.

As always, reviews are appreciated and I'll see you all in the next chapter.