Aberrant Earth

FSA Detention Center 015


The Dragonslayers had been given the chance to clean up. They had been given the clothes they used for business meetings, which was not what they had been wearing when they were incarcerated. They were then escorted into the Warden's private dining room.

"Ahh Mister Pellick, and associates. Please sit. You met me when you were processed into our facility. This is General DeGloria. The General has taken an interest in your well-being." The Warden explained

The General gave them a curt smile. "You call yourselves the Dragonslayers. That is an interesting and meaningful name."

"If there is anything delving into tainted ruins teaches us is the price that must be paid when monsters are not opposed. The name is a good reminder when we are not in the field." Saint replied.

Dob and Mags gave a slight nod of agreement. They had decided that it was best that only one of them talk, and the other two would observe. They might catch something that involvement in the conversation would distract from.

"Lobster rolls, side salad, and steamed vegetables. A rather simple meal but you're welcome to join us. You have been cleared of all security concerns and were never criminal suspects." The Warden said as he gestured to the dishes.

"Gladly the fare here is rather bland when you're under investigation. Nutritionally sound I'm sure. Dob was impressed with how much the Salisbury steak tasted like real meat."

"Ahh yes, that's one we produce in-house. I eat it myself at times all it requires is a bit more spice."

"Meatless meals are a good way to help our nation stretch supplies. Could I obtain this recipe?" Dob inquired.

"Certainly. I will have the kitchen send it to you."

"We do have some business to discuss of course." General DeGloria added.

"Of course," Saint answered.

"The OpNet crash damaged so much of our records and infrastructure. Salvage operations like what you conduct are critical for multiple reasons. The disposal of dangerous Novatech is critical for our safety. The recovery of technology deemed untainted is essential for our recovery.

"We have received both bounties on the proscribed and shares from the auction of the sanctioned."

"Yes, you have found Hightower Industries and knock-off H.I. technologies. More so than the other bits you have found. Many of those technologies were being traded on the black market."

"The black market is a competitor in seeking to find these objects. They can be very bad for our business."

"Yes, I'm sure." The General said with a tight smile.

"The General here is involved in a remarkable project. Tell them about RISE." The Warden prodded.

"Yes, the Reintegration, Infrastructure, Security, and Excellence Project. It might well be the path to the future of the FSA, perhaps even humanity as a whole." the General started.

"It certainly sounds impressive." Saint acknowledged.

"Indeed, we are rebuilding a damaged city into a planned community. This city of the future will be a special economic zone. Our partners at FulgurTech are planning on a city with ubiquitous data network integration. In combination with drone robotics and the proven synergy of well-connected minds, we will show the world the FSA path is the pathway to follow." The General explained.

"It sounds like it would require a great deal of bandwidth. Are there Eufiber reserves adequate to creating such an environment?"

"With so many of the crop centers corrupted by Flux radiation that is a concern. However, the city we are rebuilding was subjected to very little Flux. The local Nova who devastated it caused hard but short lives Radiation of a more normal variety."

"Vancouver?" Mags guessed.

"It is expected for top-tier salvagers to know the state of such places." The Warden said with a smile.

The General gave a nod before continuing. "Fulgurtech is developing a new neural interface. An interface without the security issues caused by the tainted technologies of old. The project is running into material snags. They require clean Eufiber and DMC processors. You sold some salvaged DMC catalysts. Ones that did not have Hightower Industries serial numbers. We know several of those were sold on the black market as bribes during the war. While the Catalysts require Nova interaction to create once created they are clean and could well last for centuries."

"Of course as well-heeled salvagers, we know your group would never collaborate with the black market. If you had some clues as to where another such cash of equipment could be obtained-" The Warden let the thought linger while taking a sip of his beverage.

Saint pondered this while chewing a bite of food.

The DMC production lines had run in three sizes. Their power is directly scaled to volume. The first produced a cube the size of a grain of salt with the processing power of a major mainframe back home. The next size made a cube twice as long per side having eight times the volume and processing power. The third produced one three times the face for twenty-seven times the power. It was slightly unstable normal use would break it down in a decade of normal use. Attempts to make a larger one were abandoned as they broke down much faster.

"Your assistance in this matter would be very valuable to both Fulgur and the FSA. We need this project to get off the ground. Showing the world we are just as much a world power as the old USA is paramount. The residuals from procurement would easily provide the three of you with First Class citizenship." The General said leaning forward.

The base they had purloined had a few catalysts. They had turned one of each size over to Cauldron. They had traded a size one for well-crafted counterfeit papers. Those without paperwork were classified as Non-citizens. They had virtually no rights or protections. The papers granted them Second Class citizenship in the FSA. The second class had some very basic rights. The First Class was harder to get into. They had an in with someone in the halls of power. It spoke of wealth and privilege. The secret police would make sure they had something solid before troubling them. Being First Class. would remove a significant source of peril to their mission.

"We might be able to track down other hidden supplies. We were trying to get a travel visa to Korea." He finally said

The General gave a relieved smile. "That can be easily arranged find a size one DMC catalyst and you will prove yourselves worthy of an upgrade. With the entry into the first class, you will find yourselves on the shortlist to receive reimbursement from Fulgur that money alone can not buy. Service to the State guarantees great rewards."

The Warden gave a satisfied smile if the General was happy he was happy. If these Mercs followed through the FSA would get what it needed. If they failed or worse were caught nothing would be left of them to point back at who sent them.


Coil's Base


Bocephus was watching the Undersiders work. They were far more important to his plans than anyone else from this Earth.

The mercenaries were almost all on his side. He had made no official statements or asked, but he knew they would side with him when the time came. He was more professional. Even men who killed for coin had standards. Coil's pet monsters like Creep ensured they would not stand with him.

There were things even criminals balked at. If. Your go-to employee is someone who won't make it in the general population should he be sent to prison? Then it's a good bet keeping him is damaging your reputation.

The bulk of the Travelers only wanted to go home. Deep down they knew they were being strung along. They knew Justin was the one who was most likely to make good on Coil's promises.

Victor and Othala knew Coil was black. Racist habits would keep them following. Only Leet, Uber, and Circus might stand together, and with Coil. With Justin helping Leet gain a modicum of respect from his fellow Tinkers that wasn't likely.

These kids now had the start of true unity and teamwork. They needed discipline. The easiest way to instill it was to make them want to impress him. He nudged, he praised performance, he rewarded. Most importantly he treated them as worthy of his time and attention. He knew he would never be the best parental figure. Attention, positive feedback, and gifts could make a passable stand-in for the love children craved.

He missed Elisabeth. She could have claimed these children's hearts so much faster. So many decades and still he was relying on her lessons.

Overall they were making quick progress. Each member was learning to turn their talents to an advantage in their struggles.

Sarah had taken to using her power for martial arts like a duck to water. Reading opponents to focus her defense and offense. She struggled to raise her fundamentals so she could keep up with the speed of her insight.

Regent was learning to use his power to get a sense of his foe's body movement, giving him a sixth sense as well. Bonding with the boy had been as easy. He shared lessons learned both in being emotionally different from the norm and in how to fit in with them. Bo had to admit to a pleasant surprise when the boy asked for more. He had started to share some of Elizabeth's lessons with him. Teaching him how to focus and actively gain something slightly approaching empathy.

Trying to read her opponents and learn to watch for combat cues made Rachel study. The positive feedback loop of seeing results drove her. She had learned more about reading intentions and body language from this effort. The instant feedback of combat proved better than theoretical talk. It was better than anyone who'd tried to force her to learn.

Aisha? That child just wanted a father figure who wasn't an ass or a creep. Bo had never been a creep. He could hold his assholishness in check quite well enough to pass muster.

Then there was the problem child. Brian Laborn. He was sparring against one of the mercs. He had made some mistakes and it had flustered him. He was in a bad headspace and was falling back into bad habits learned from sports boxing. He was telegraphing his moves. That led to him taking more hits and growing more angry. It was a death spiral.

Bo waited till the merc sent him to the mat and landed a stomp next to his neck. That displayed he could have snapped the teenager's neck, Bo let out a whistle ending the fight.

"Hit the shower, Montoya. Laborn, you're with me."

He walked back to the observation post Laborn trying to hide a limp following. He stopped before the windows and screens.

"What do you see down there Laborn?"

"Every working out."

Bo just gave him a long glance.

"I mean they're all doing well. Making good improvements. Better than me. It looks like I'm the only one that hit the mat."

"You're better than that. What's eating you Laborn? I'm here if you need to talk, son."

"I'm not your son!"

"Ahh, some sort of loyalty? Is that why you're fighting like your old man taught you?"

Brian stood with conflict on his face. Emotions were straining under the surface getting in each other's way.

"I just thought son sounded better than, kid. With our respective races, I wouldn't use boy if you paid me."

"We're not children."

"Being over a hundred everyone in this building is young me me. If you want me to address you with less affection-laden terms I will. Once that familiarity is rescinded it might never be offered again."

Brian calmed down but his face was still troubled.

"It's Hebert leaving, isn't it? She didn't tickle your fancy but being the object of someone's lust is pretty good for the ego."

"No!.-I mean yeah, I guess it was- flattering? I kinda feel like maybe with us being so different she was only attracted to me because of- well, shit. Umm-"

"It wasn't your skin color son. It was the meat on you. That girl has an eye for the hard bodies."

"Ahh- yeah, that makes sense. I mean I worked for that at least. It was also kinda hard to put up with her taking over. She was good. I worry about how we're going to do without her. She was just sorta forceful. A soft forceful but forceful just the same."

The older man nodded. He then handed Brian a water bottle.

"She's off with Justin at a remote site. They are doing work for her upcoming augmentation. That is only one layer of things. Truth is I wanted to test Danny without her nearby. Their power synergy is strong but he shouldn't let it be a crutch."

"That dude is scary. Did you guys know his power was going to be so strong?"

"No. Justin and John did tests. They knew he'd be powerful but everything synergized beyond even their expectations. So the bright side of Taylor going independent with her Dad. You don't have to worry about romance causing a problem between you and a Father who can whip your ass."

"Yeah true that," Grue said, drinking some of the water.

"This isn't about Hebert however, it's about Aisha."

Brian froze in mid-swallow. He slowly finished his gulp while mulling over the thought. He then nodded.

"Why does she obey me and act like a brat to you?"

"Shit- I know it's because I'm her brother. I know that but it still hurts man. I tried for her. I sacrificed for her."

"I know why you failed. Do you want the truth or a comforting lie?"

"Truth gonna hurt huh?"

Bo nodded

Bryan shrugged "Give it to me"

"You tried but you didn't do a good job honestly. You had a pair of fairly shitty examples of what Parents are supposed to be and you rolled with it. Not that I blame you I could have fallen down that route myself if it wasn't for my wife she was something. Taught me to avoid falling into what I knew."

"Any clues on how to recover?"

"Step back for a bit, a week or two. Observe without judgment. Note where her actions bit her in the ass. Offer support to rebuild trust. Then start dropping a bit of advice here and there. Never hit her with I told you so. Ask her if she learned anything from the mistake to help next time. Lastly, don't be a hypocrite try to apply the same thinking in your own life. If she quotes your advice back at you thank her for the reminder. Getting mad will just damage the lesson."

"That sounds legit. I'll try it, Bo. Sorry, I wasn't up to doing my best today."

"One final thought before you head to the showers. Do you remember the first day I ran you all through combat exercises?"

"Yeah, you got us covered in mud and literal blood that I hope you sourced from a slaughterhouse. You then kept us working till our bodies were screaming for a bathroom break. You ordering us to piss and crap ourselves to get used to field conditions. You said we wouldn't get a chance to clean up or take a rest break during life or death fighting. It was gross but it made sense. You can't fight distracted and you can't hold it forever."

"Learn to do the same with your emotions. Get the job done even in practice. Clean up later when you have made it out alive."

Grue nodded and headed away. Bo started walking to where Hebert was winding down his workout with the Travelers. He fished something out of his pocket as he did so.

Entering the reinforced room he tossed Oliver a roll of bills.

"What's that?" Danny asked.

"I offered them a five grand bonus for each that managed to score a hit on you."

"Hey, I got a hit!" Sundancer argued.

"Only by taking a death blow on purpose. That only works in practice. Falling on your own sword is never an advantageous tactic."

"You should give it to her anyway, Bo. The girl taught me a lesson about watching for that sort of technique. I'm not always going to be fighting the sane and stable." Danny argued.

"Alright, but this is a one-time thing," Bocephus said, tossing the former dancer an identical roll.

"Yes!" She exclaimed, pocketing the money.

"Ballistic and Genesis, your combo attack didn't work but was inventive. On your way out tonight there'll be a large gift card waiting for you. Get something good for dinner you earned it." Bo explained.

Both perked up at that. As the team filed out Bo caught Trickster's eye and discreetly showed the cape a card he held. The card in his hand suddenly changed into a local upholstery cleaning service business card. Both put the cards away with a motion no one else caught.

"How's the work going on the plan for Taylor and me?" Danny asked.

"Great, we have it most worked out. How much do you know about the situation in Boston?"

"Let's see I read something about that in all the stuff you guys have sent. Accord is hemmed in The Teeth are back, emptying everything they have elsewhere to try to retake the city. What's left of the E88 is out there. Sounds a mess honestly."

"Good, you got most of the basics. It is believed the Nine have gone to ground in the general area as well. The Protectorate is sending forces from here in Brockton that way under Miss Militia in a week. If you get ahead of that we can place you in Director Armstrong's jurisdiction. When you first do some Heroics it will be up to him to make a deal. Now given your plans that removes Calvert from doing more than weighing in on it. The decision on your offer to clean Taylor's records will be in Armstrong's hands."

"Right. So we impress this Armstrong, get Taylor settled, and keep working on the Boston situation. Meanwhile, things settle down here. We will move back and continue my other plans."

"Keep your plans under your hat 'till you have it in writing and signed. Otherwise, they'll know some of the leverage you're offering is bullshit."

"Hey, I'm a union man Bo. This isn't my first time working on a contract negotiation."

Bo nodded. "Just keep your wits sharp Dan. I have to run so if we don't get to talk again before you leave for Boston good luck."

"Same back Bo," Danny replied starting toward the showers.

Bo turned to go a different route. He glanced at the card he'd exchanged with Trickster. He then put it away. He came to a stop before Noelle's door. Trickster was just walking up to the same door.

"I hope you don't mind doing this early this week John has a date tomorrow."

"She seems to be doing well today. She's been having more good days than bad recently."

"Then hopefully our treatment plan is working."

"Well it isn't a cure but- I suppose so."

"Hebert's power taught us more than we expected. She is a keystone in the network architecture. Those are rare. Keystones have command codes that give them limited authority over the other symbiotes. They also seem to have more personality and more preference. Her symbiote is a wild animal. Wild animals behave better when they are allowed enrichment. An opportunity to exercise their instincts."

"But are you making headway on how to help her?"

"Oh yes. We could repair her body right now. It wouldn't last, however. As soon as our attention turned her symbiote would return to its old ways. We need a few more pieces to make it stick. I know it's frustrating to wait so long and be told there is still more to go."

"Yeah, it is. We've faced so many false leads and so many liars. I never feel like you're lying to us. That keeps me from giving up."

"Lying is a lazy strategy. It only works over a short duration. No matter how good your lies the truth is always made of sterner stuff. Then where will you be when your lies crumble? No son if this wasn't working we would tell you. Then we would try to find an alternate path forward. Ahh, there is John."

The boy approached wearing nothing but flip-flops and a beach towel.

"John" Trickster acknowledged.

"Hey, F-bomb. Are you coming in today or watching from the booth?"

Tricksters shook his head at the odd nickname John had given him. John learned Trickster or Krouse as his teammates called him had another name. His disused first name Francis wasn't masculine or badass. John argued you could make anything badass if you tried. Krouse asked him not to use his F-name. Thus he was now F-bomb to the teen. It had only caught on with Aisha however.

"Yeah, I'm going up there I just got a shower I don't need another."

"Cool see you in a minute"

Krouse hurried to the observation booth. Things had been better. He wasn't just trying to tell himself that. Noelle was still physically a monster but her head had been clearer. They had been able to sit and talk either over the video phone or through the windows. They had even been able to play some games with the group. It was like old times. It helped the group start thinking of Noelle as a person again. It was unfortunate, they had limited opponents. Uber and Leet would get extremely butthurt when they lost and PAL had an unfair advantage. It was still nice being able to play.

Krouse opened the shutters in the observation room. He reasoned that what they had gained was worth the disturbing means used. Anything was worth making Noelle better.

As he looked in John sans flip-flops and towel had tossed himself into the jaws of one of Noelle's monstrous animal heads. He slid down the creature's gullet and into one of Noelle's holding sacks.

Clones of John were disgorged from the other mouths. Old Bo, armed with a pair of tonfa, stuck like a viper. The metal weapons smashed into limbs, torsos, and backs. The vicious sounds of snapping femurs, humerus, and ribs mixed with the cries of boys flopping about with shattered vertebrae.

The boy's great affection for the old man was obvious. Noelle's clones were always morally inverted from their host. These boys attacked with furious hatred that bordered on sick rage. What was scarier was their coordination they moved as if one mind and purpose.

They had powers too minor powers it seemed to Krouse. Some moved with inhuman physical speed or swoll with more muscle than any teen should have. Others control fire ice or pull electricity from the power grid to shoot arcs. The ones he watched the closest were the ones who attacked with telekinetic force or who reacted to events before they happened. Those gave him unpleasant flashbacks to Madison.

The battles always ended in one of two outcomes. Noelle would start to lose control of her monstrous lower body. When that happened she would give a twitch of movement trying to join the fight. Dangers safeguards with shut-on and her body would go limp. The clones would lose unity and the old man would strike any who remained down. If she kept control long enough Bo would tire and give a signal. Noelle would stop making clones and disgorge John. That scenario had been rare but was growing more frequent. Klouse almost dared hope she was gaining some level of control over her power.

It was what happened this time. Robotic drones came in and dragged away the broken and shattered clones. Smaller drones scrubbed the floor and walls.

"Bo John thanks for the spar. I was wondering. Could I keep one? A clone I mean. It would be different to have some company that I didn't have to worry about hurting."

Noelle asked as John wrapped himself in the large beach towel.

"Any who had powers wouldn't be safe," Bo said with a frown.

John pondered longer his face so unlike his brother. That Klouse wondered how anyone could confuse the two. Structurally they were the same, sure. They seldom had the same expression or reactions, however.

Justin was a font of manic energy. He was bursting with infectious optimism. A radiant surety that no task would not be surmounted, no obstacle would not in time fall before his efforts.

John was the mirror of this filled with the utmost pessimism. He was doggedly determined to see every task through to the end regardless. It was pretty obvious which Bo preferred. Where ever he was John was seldom far away. He rarely interacted with Justin who was normally off doing his own thing.

"No promises Noelle. We would have to find someone who doesn't mind having a clone. One filled with hate around like a sword of Damocles over their head. They'd have to lack any skills or powers that could endanger security. It sounds like a long shot, but we will look." John finally spoke.

"Oh well, it was a slim chance. Klouse you up for a game of Ransack?"

"Anytime," he answered as the boy and old man headed out to the showers.


Protectorate HQ


Armsmaster called a major briefing. He ordered all the Protectorate heroes and Wards to attend. The C-shaped briefing room focused on a podium and display screen. The Wards were all assembled on the right side of the room.

"First I'd like to welcome our new members Dovetail and Sere. With the tragic death of Velocity and Dauntless leaving to lead the new Salt Lake City branch the reinforcements are most welcome.

I would also like to recognize Weld. While those who have fallen can never be replaced, having someone step up to help in such a time relieves a great weight from our shoulders."

"Thank you, Sir, I am glad to finally get to work with you," Weld answered

"Sadly it will be a brief interlude. The very issue I have called you here for will call four of us away." Armsmaster continued.

"Boston" Battery guessed.

"Correct. The situation in Boston has deteriorated over the last month and a half. While we were working on the Endbringer Research Facility Boston was suffering. Our success in Brockton directly contributed to the state of the city. As such we will be sending a force to help. Miss Militia please explain the map." Armsmaster said stepping to the side. This allowed his second in-command to point at the screen with a pointer formed by her power.

"Of course. This is the map as of three months ago. You will see Accord controlling the region east of Harvard to the waterfront. North and south are bordered by the Mystic and Charles rivers. Blastgerm controlling the area west of Harvard. Then we come to areas controlled by villains associated with the legacy organizations. Here are the Italian Russian and Irish mobs. The Teeth held different territories depending on whether the Butcher and core of the group were in residence or not. The last holding they had was Everett Mills.

This changed when The Teeth were cleared out of the city. An alliance of Accord and Blastgerm went to war with them. The alliance made use of a negotiated truce Accord formed with the other gangs. That allowed them to strike through mob territory into the heart of the Teeth territory. Blasto had created some large plant men that could spray a containment foam-like sap on the Butcher. This foam had an interesting property of teleporting with the Butcher. It caused her teleportation to shunt her into an area large enough to hold the entire growing ball. It was an effective countermeasure."

"Any chance we can get some of that stuff?" Triumph inquired

Armsmaster fielded the question. "Possibly I have put out inquiries. The projects the government has Blasto working on are of high priority. So we will have to wait and see what they can squeeze in."

Miss Militia resumed. "The City was stable for almost a month all of the large gangs found it more beneficial to work out deals. They used Accord as arbiter in any matter that didn't directly involve his Ambassadors. Our defeat of the Empire Eighty-Eight led to the current issue. Fenja, Menja, Crusader, Storm Tiger, Cricket, and someone claiming to be Kaisar joined Night and Fog's small-time racist operation."

"That's a sizable force a full team." Battery worried

"They don't have the years of groundwork laid out. It takes work desensitizing people to open racism and hate. Plenty of people are a little bigoted sure. Boston doesn't have the best reputation either. But getting a population to accept their level of hate takes time. Time to wear away the societal messages that say this isn't the norm. That was what made them so dangerous here Thirty-plus years of acceptance. It takes effort and work to turn public opinion." Armsmaster countered.

"It depends on how much stress a population is under. Similar to how drugs are easier to get off of if you have a happier life. If the situation is dire you can define someone as different and blame them for the problems. Hate becomes a bad coping mechanism. One people cling to. It helps them avoid thinking about the hopelessness they feel." Nova suddenly said.

Everyone looked at her noticing the odd intensity with which she said it. The faraway look in her eyes gave away her wrestling with half-remembered demons.

"Perhaps. Boston does not have the economic and societal issues we have here in Brockton. We don't want to give them that needed time to desensitize people. We can not let them cause the very conditions that will make their recruitment easier." Armsmaster added.

Miss Milita nodded. "It also is of note neither Italian, Russian, or Irish Americans have a great history with American hate groups. They have been targets of the same in the past. That isn't to say their power isn't swelling. This isn't a seed we want to leave to grow roots.

Of more immediate concern the Teeth have stripped every holding and cell they have. They have pushed back into Boston. The Teeth have taken the area around Quincy and are pushing into the heart of the city. We have recently learned this comes from a directive from the new Butcher"

The room went quiet there had been rumors. No one wanted them to be true. The screen changed to reveal Jack Slash. He wore the same white shirt as normal. The only concession to his new tidal being a necklace made of leather cord with a silver caped wolf fang. The still became a video.

"I have appeared to some of you to confirm the rumors. I Jack Slash have received the inheritance and power of the Butcher. In none of my incarnations have I rewarded failure. Being the leader of a much more successful team you will have to do much to gain my favor. The defeat at Boston is a stain on you all. Before I will consider allowing any of you to survive this stain must be avenged. Those who survive I will consider for membership in my elite.

Those who flee from this challenge will have declared themselves prey. They are unworthy of my attention. The rest of the Nine will hunt you down and slaughter you like the lambs you are." The camera backed away showing the new roster of the Nine. Miss Militia froze the video

"Jack Slash Leader and founding Member. He took a small gang of serial killers under King and made them the collective S-class threat they are today. He has the power to project the cutting power of any blade out past its physical location. This can magnify the size and effect. It does scale to the base. So the larger and faster an edge is moving the more cutting power there is to be magnified. His inheritance of the Butcher's powers makes this even more frightening. He now has superhuman strength, the ability to see cardiovascular systems through walls, perfect accuracy, and the ability to reshape matter so he can form blades when needed, and the wounds he leaves will fester. In addition, he would have the other butcher powers to feel no pain, enhanced durability, teleport with an accompanying explosion, a sixth sense for danger, and he can enter a berserker rage."

"Oh is that all?" Assault blurted out.

"Stow it. This is very, very bad news but we can't lose our heads." Armsmaster ordered.

"Mannequin once Sphere a renowned tinker who focused on contained life support systems. He now has turned that power inwards preserving his own existence. Multi-layered defense and a constantly evolving array of weapons. He grows specialized in the destruction of his current targets. His technology should not be listed as his most dangerous ability. His creativity in how he applies his technology and his ruthless skill at planning out his attacks are extremely potent.

Shatterbird has the longest range, and broadest telekinetic ability we have on record. Her opening assault can devastate entire cities. Her power only works on silicates. Our tinkers will have to make sure they use only resistant materials. Otherwise, she will disable their devices. Be prepared for attacks by sharp forceful pieces of glass by the ton. She has also been known to scour people to the bone with grains of sand as well.

Crawler is a constantly evolving killer. He is a sadist and a masochist. He seeks out anything that can hurt him and plays with it till he adapts to it. Once that is done he torments and kills his prey.

Siberian is a true monster she is the killer of Hero a Protectorate founder. She appears to be invulnerable to all harm and can transfer that immunity to anything she can touch. She has proven able to cut through any object she gets her claws on.

Bonesaw Is a bio-mechanical tinker. She has the persona of a child who loves cutting the wings off flies or burning ants with a magnifying glass. She gained her powers early and has been raised by a revolving door of psychopaths. She may be the most disturbed of them all.

Burnscar is a pyrokinetic. She was an inmate in an asylum. She was confined due to her powers worsening her unstable mental health. She is manic depressive adjacent. Her powers interaction means she does not perfectly line up with the classic definition of that illness. Beware, she can go from grief and constriction over her crimes to reveling in burning people alive in a split second. This all depends on if there are large fires present. fires drive her into a euphoric state.

Ravager, she's quick strong, and agile. Her primary power is to make any weapon she handles inflict a sort of corrosive aura on the wounds it inflicts. They keep eating away at the damaged spot. They will not heal without intervention. If they aren't healed she can feel the location and situation of anyone she's injured."

Damsel of Distress, this one took part in the Boston games the last time there was a power vacuum in the city. She has an uncontrolled matter-destroying blast cone. The recoil moves her around. She has been practicing using it to avoid attacks so a mover rating was added to her. Damsel has poor control of her power overall so collateral damage is to be expected.

"So they are back up to a full roster after losing chuckles and Hacket Face." Battery inquired.

"Yes. Now the Nine have not been seen in Boston but the Teeth aren't taking any chances. They take the threat of being hunted by the Nine seriously. They have tossed everything they have at the city. A truce between villain and hero has been called. The local PRT has called for reinforcement and we are answering." Miss Militia finished.

Armsmaster returned to the podium "I will be leading the reinforcement team. Aside from myself, the team will be Sere Triumph and Dovetail. As it is summer I will be taking two Wards with me. Clockblocker and Shadow Stalker. The remaining Wards will be tasked with increased patrols. Alongside the three remaining Protectorate Heroes, you will keep the peace. In short, you proved yourself mature enough to weather an Endbringer battle. You have been strong enough to keep going in the face of the loss that it entails. I trust you to behave like adults in this time of crisis. Counting on you to fill the gaps our going abroad will leave in Brockton's security."

Weld nodded. "You can count on us, sir."

"Good everyone, study the packets I am emailing you. Those going will receive more detailed information about the City of Boston and surrounding areas. Those who are staying will get patrol shift charts and duty assignments. Everyone is dismissed except Nova. I need a private word."

The others filed out. Nova stood and walked to Armsmaster. He removed his helmet and sat it on the podium. He waved at one of the chairs and then pulled another around to face it.

"The situation in Boston is bad but there's a worse one brewing. We're due for an Endbringer attack."

"You don't want to overtax my powers so close to an attack," she replied

"Correct. Technically they have only cleared your use of healing. I'm not sure even that is wise. However, I will not countermand it. I will ask you to take it easy. I don't fully agree with Legend that your power should have been held in reserve as a trump card. I only find fault with your lack of communication, not what you actually did."

"Sir?" Nova inquired with a worried frown.

Armsmaster gave a slight smile. "I have been known to push the limits of what the Protectorate will allow when I feel the need. There are times when results are worth going outside the rules. That is a large part of why they put Miss 'by the book' Militia here as my second."

Her frown morphed into a slight smile.

"A part of doing that is accepting the punishment for it with grace. You still need to work on that. Most of the time the rules are right. We have to keep everyone respectful of them. If the public sees rules broken and no consequences it wears away at the stability of society."

"Yes sir."

"Good. Help Weld rather than be a millstone around his neck. You have given him more trouble since he came here than Clockblocker."

"To be far sir Dennis isn't feeling himself."

"Even graded on that curve it's surprising. Keep the peace in this City while we're away. I'm counting on you. Dismissed."

"I won't let you down," Nova promised as she left.

Colin nodded. With that resolved he could set his mind at ease about the home front. Boston promised to be like Brockton in the worst of times. This time he wouldn't have a full team or the home field advantage. It would be quite a challenge.

*As seen in "The Punks Part 4 The Leader of the Band"