Brockton Bay

Hebert House

Danny sat in his customary chair. It was turned towards the sofa rather than the television. He had waited for Taylor to get home from school and then asked her to sit. He had told her he wanted to hear her story from her own lips from the start. He had tried to limit the interruptions to only questions he needed to ask for clarification or context.

Taylor finished her story and Danny took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Alright so if I understand this correctly. If you join the Wards you will still be under the thumb of the city's mastermind. You think it would be best given those circumstances to stay with the Undersiders. Is that correct?"

"Yeah pretty much."

"They're your friends, they were there for you when you were low. That means a lot but it's not a good relationship."

"Why not? They accept me, they've gone to bat for me, we fought against the Endbringer together."

"Okay look, examine them one at a time with fresh eyes kiddo. Grue all the things he wants he could have obtained within the law if he'd tried. He didn't want to work with his dad or those he saw as like him. He chose to go outside the system."

"So did I."

"No, you thought you would work as an independent hero alongside the system. He chose to go villain from the beginning. He might have focused on lesser crimes but that makes him less bad not good."

Taylor gave a rather forced nod.

"Tattletale was a petty criminal who was forced to go big as part of a conspiracy. She doesn't have remorse for her actions, only fear of being trapped in service to the mastermind. She likes you and worries about you but she also was willing to drag you into working for the same guy she fears. Putting you in danger is not a friendly act. She wants a friend more than she is willing to be a friend."

Taylor seemed to be intensely thinking on that one.

"The others Bitch, Regent, and that new girl, Imp they're damaged people. That's not a strike against them but there's not much you can do for them. We all only have so much time and energy to expend. With the problems you have, you need to focus on bringing yourself into a stable place and then helping others. Sort of like rescuing a swimmer. You aren't doing anyone else any good if you drown too."

"I don't want them to think I'm abandoning them. I don't want to be that sort of person." Taylor countered.

"You don't have to. Tell them as much if they know you, if they are your friends they will want you to do what is right for you."

"I don't know what is right for me."

"At this moment neither do I. I'd like the idea of you joining the Wards better than running around without support. If you follow the plan they presented it looks good on paper. You would go to the PRT with a big stack of stolen information. That would let the Mastermind close down some of his own older operations. It would also present more evidence against his criminal enemies. It fills me with bad vibes though."

"Oh?" Taylor said moving from her slumped doesn't want to be here slouching to sitting forward.

"Armsmaster would have to play ball, admit you were a plant in their organization. He never officially signed up for that, you did all this on your own seeking his approval as an afterthought. He might not appreciate being backed into a corner. Having the head of the local Protectorate holding a grudge against you wouldn't be good. He could make your life hell in a lot of small ways."

"I'm not in the best shape to put up with that. I'd already be pushing uphill it's hard to make controlling creepy crawlies seem safe and cute."

"Exactly if the Mastermind was looking to get rid of you this could be a great setup. He could nudge things a bit till he drives you to do something he could use against you. At the least, he could make you look like a poor performer and keep you from doing anything significant."

"So stay?"

"When two options look equally bad, look for a third. What about Faultline, her crew isn't really part of the Masterminds group yeah?"

"No. No, the Undersiders don't get along with them. That seems to be more of a Tattletale Faultline thing than the general rule. The others might be more understanding."

"Then that might be an option. You'd technically still be a villain. But, they seem to have some kind of deal with someone who has enough pull to keep anyone from going after them," Danny said, stopping to rub the bridge of his nose.

"So mainly you want to be sure no one is after me? More so than not a villain."

"I want you to be safe and no one who Uncle Sam wants to take down is ever truly safe. Having to watch your back all the time is no way to live."

"Yeah, that sounds true."

"There is another variable we have to think about. Did you know they offered me powers?"

"Yes, but I don't think you want to do that. It's not Doctor Danger's formula they plan to offer you. There are these people called Cauldron they can give powers. Somehow Danger thinks he can get one of their vials. The powers are random and sometimes people turn into monsters. I've seen one. I don't want you to be a guinea pig."

"The Protectorate might let you go independent if I join. You would be in the Wards but might be able to work with them like the Nuwave kids."

Taylor went deathly still.

"It might be a solution to all our problems. One cape with no record joins and one criminal record is expunged. You get to be an independent hero. I get to watch over you. The risk sounds manageable. Comparable to the enhancement program you were going to take part in."

"I- I don't know what to say."

"Sweetie you don't have to say anything, we have time and maybe we can get an extension if we can't come to a resolution. Just tell me how you feel."

"I mean, I want you to stay safe and not to risk so much for me. So I guess I feel like you do. That makes me suspicious that they set this up and that they're offering you powers just to force me into a perspective."

"They're a cape family. I think maybe the only way they know how to deal with cape family members is by being a cape."

Taylor pondered that and gave and finally gave a slow nod. "Yeah, that feels right. That's not as bad then. They are trying to help."

"Good intentions pave the path to hell. Still, it's better than nothing."

Both sat quietly with their thoughts for a while. Taylor stood up.

"I have a bit of homework to do and have school tomorrow. If I think of anything I'll write it down and we can talk about it tomorrow ok?"

"Yeah, I might do the same. We can make it through this Taylor. One way or another. One last question. How would you feel about the fresh start?"

"I don't know, I'm kind of attached to Brockton. Mom's here, the memory's of her, not just- you know."

Danny gave a nod.

"Still I suppose we shouldn't rule it out. My power is pretty distinctive but we might have an easier time of it elsewhere. The downside is I would kind of feel like it was giving up. Letting the Mastermind win."

"Yeah, I can see that. Might be more of a strategic retreat. Something else to keep in mind I guess."

Taylor mumbled an agreement as she headed upstairs. Danny sat pondering his situation. He had an urge to call Melinda just for someone to talk to. He couldn't justify actually doing that. He had too much to work out himself first. Calling somebody else would taint his thoughts. He needed to understand his own mind first.

A bolt of inspiration hit him and quietly he started to explain the situation to Annette. Even if she wasn't here, the memory of her was. Explaining it all aloud would help him frame his thoughts. Thinking about how Annette would have responded gave him a different angle to examine things.

Late that night Danny Hebert fell asleep, his mind mostly at peace with the past and ready for the task ahead.

Mods and Fixes

Auto Shop and Garage Rental

Lisa walked across the street to the parked lunch van. As she neared the back door opened. She paused a bit perturbed. She pushed the door wider and stepped up into the van.

"How did you know I was coming?"

"Our mutual acquaintance has new information. He would tell his best investigator to look into it. You wouldn't like what you learned. Now you are trapped at a fork in the road. You have no idea how to proceed."

"I sped read some Larry Niven books. Your power what you say is humanity's power it's like Teela Brown, or Safe at any Speed. It can only be overroad by a greater need or extreme power."

"I already explained that to your master. If you're going to be his hound you need to do more than bay without meaning."

Lisa swallowed her anger at that statement. The old man was trying to get at her. He would also push her power to go down meaningless paths if she didn't watch it. Keeping a tight hold he spoke again.

"I noticed something else, a different parable. You are your family's protector taking action in their favor regardless of what they desire. Like the Pak in the novels. The long-lived defenders of their direct genetic legacy. The sort of beings that will not suffer even a long-term obstacle to survive. Beings who destroy potential problems with the same ruthless edge. They do anything required to eliminate even the slightest risk to their own. Beings that would genocide any aliens to free up resources for their descendants."

"So you did more than a skim. Very good dog. Are you hoping for a new leash?"

"I was hoping to get free. I can't trust a psychopath who would slit my throat if I was the least inconvenience to his family."

"So you came for reassurance? I have no reassurance for poor Lisa Wilbourn. She made her bed. She tried out playing better-prepared masterminds and lost. Them's the breaks kid."

"He'll turn my power against you. If I fail he'll kill me if I come close to success, you will."

"That's the size of it, Lisa."

She glared in frustration.

"Goodbye Lisa, you're finished. I have nothing left to say to you."

Lisa stared at him letting her power work. Something wasn't right. Her power had issues with getting a read on the old man. What he had been doing or was going to do was hard to pin down until he was fully committed to action.

The way he was sitting, how he was watching her, he was waiting for her to do something. Perhaps he expected her to come to some realization.

Pieces started falling into place her power filling in details, he had been very exact in his phraseology. The old man had left a door open for her; if killing her was the choice he had made she'd not be allowed to know it or report it to Coil.

Then she saw it. A path to everything she wanted. Safety from Coil, authority, respect, even friendship. Things she didn't want to admit to herself she'd been seeking, forgiveness, self-worth, and -

Her hands went to her face in shock. She went pale with shock. She drew in a deep breath and tried to fight what she'd seen. She balanced on the edge of serenity and a panic attack.

The crisis resolved itself when a pair of thin but surprisingly strong arms wrapped around her.

"You made your choice, you're safe now. Let it all out. There is nothing weak about emotions. They are the source of so much of our strength. Process them and begin a new day."

"You said you had nothing to -"

"I said I had nothing to say to Lisa Wilbourn. I have much to say to you, Sarah Livsey. You changed the wrong name child. You cannot escape yourself but you can define who that person is. It is not always blood that makes a family. For some, family is a choice. Now you know the path to survival. Sarah Darling. Now you know the shadow that protects you. You remind me so much of my long-dead wife and our first daughter. I will teach you how to honor that legacy. In time others will join the family."

"Coil?" She whispered.

"Will never touch you again. No one hurts my family."

"You're serious about this. Protection, support, and, mentorship you are sincere about this."

"Perfectly sincere. Your parents only saw you and I presume your brother as things. Objects whose performance reflected on their own. My wife brilliant woman that she was helped me avoid that trap. You are a living legacy. Something that can live beyond even my inflated lifetime. By helping you to better yourself I carve out a legacy that shapes the world. I don't need you to reflect me. I need to help you shine with your own inner light. Piso to your Caeser, Merlin to your Aurther, if you will."

Tattletale's power stunned her by returning utter conviction without the slightest evasion. There had to be a downside. Reading her face the old man expounded further.

"This will not be easy for you I will push you to become the best you can be. To start with you're going to have to study. Start with Machiavelli."

"You want me to study a guide on being ruthless?"

"Hardly Machiavelli is a very misunderstood man. His discourses are a lesson in moderation. They exist to teach the selfish or as he would have it evil to moderate themselves in the name of achieving success. They are the very lessons Coil needs but refuses to learn.

Take you for example. If he had used a softer approach he might have recruited you to his side as a willing subordinate. He would have secured himself against future betrayal in a way forever closed to him by his heavy-handed approach. You already work against him. You use your power in small ways careful never to be caught. You watch and wait for the opportunity to secure your future. You will continue to wait. In time Coil will make a mistake. He will do something that outweighs his usefulness. When he does it will be the end of him."

"If he didn't?"

"If he did not. He would achieve power and wealth beyond his wildest dreams but that is not what he seeks. This man has wealth he has power even paranormal power, yet it is not enough for him. Tell me Darling child what does he seek?"

Tattletale pondered this letting her power free. Using it she carefully considered all she knew of Thomas Calvert his personality his actions and his history.

"Control. He had control of his life ripped away by a being of superior power. He sought powers, he built his organization all to regain a feeling of control over his destiny."

"That which is outside of his power is anathema to him he desires slaves and puppets. Slaves are very poor allies and puppets even less. There is no synergistic power in such relationships a puppet only does as it is told it does not add anything of its own. Slaves are worse for when you make another follow against their will you breed resentment and your own downfall. Successful criminal enterprises are built on respect and professionalism. The men under him recognize those qualities are lacking in this man.

Only those who are allowed to indulge in behaviors other bosses would rightly shun have any semblance of loyalty. Their devotion is a pale and fragile thing easily shattered. Those with so much to hide make peace with the idea of having to flee and hide to indulge their sick needs. When push comes to shove they will abandon him like rats."

"So just don't do anything stupid."

"A harder task than it sounds like. Now here dry your eyes. I need to get back to working on this hunk of junk if I'm going to reopen it as a food truck."

"Why even bother how is that helping anything?"

"Leason two get a hobby girl. If you let work take over your life you'll be miserable. Find time to play often in doing so you will spark the creativity of the mind and reinvigorate your soul."

"Maybe I'll take up reading."

"Your power might derail that try music and see if it catches your fancy. Not dance though you're going to be sore once the physical training I have planned for you all will interfere with that."

Tattletale pondered if she should ask something. She stopped herself she already knew the answer would be no he wouldn't relent on the physical training. He was going to be a disciplinarian as well as a benefactor. The only punishment he would need is to withhold his support. Her power wasn't the only thing that told her that he would only do that if she truly gave up. He was willing to work with her so long as she truly gave her best effort.

For the first time she could recall Sarah felt a genuine desire to please someone. She felt sure that impressing Bocephus Darling wouldn't be an exercise in laboring for reluctant gratitude and backhanded compliments. She felt now paths opening up before her it was her chance to truly start over.

Brockton Regional Airport

Wield was pleased to have a window seat on the flight to Brockton. He had been on the correct side to see Dragons mech working alongside Toy Soldiers' power armor and Big Rigs drones.

The installation to contain and study the time bubble imprisoning Leviathan was a week from completion. A celebration was planned for the following week.

After landing he made his way carefully through the crowd. His chrome skin stood out but most of those near him were from his flight. They had been acclaimed to having a metal man amongst them. Scanning the way forward Wield spotted a PRT agent and made his way to him.

"Wield if you will come with us we have a car." the agent said before he could even introduce himself.

He followed them down into a secure garage. He opened the door to the Sedan. Inside was Dauntless.

"Hey man, welcome to the Bay. Have a seat." the pseudo hoplite said

"Thank you, sir."

"I let James up there fetch you. No need to build a larger crowd and slow everyone's trip, you know?" Dauntless explained nodding toward the passenger seat where the Agent was getting in next to the driver.

"That makes sense. Are those for me?" Wield asked, nodding to some Manila folders.

"Standard welcome package crap. You've likely already read it all. The big news isn't there. I'm not taking you to see Piggot."

"I take it has left early then? What happened?"

"Nothing concerning us while he was moving through the Algerian Sahara, the Ash Beast stopped moving and his power shut down. Odds are he's dead. Piggot was requested to head up the investigation as her first act as roving director over High-class threats."

"He's dead?"

"More than likely. The big question is how he died. He was hard to hurt and either unwilling or unable to end his own life. What changed?"

"Or did something kill him"

"That too. There are ways around even the strongest powers. There are also new triggers and even upper Africa isn't a very stable place these days."

Wield nodded and opened the folder leafing through it.

"Our Villian situation here is weird, kid. I wouldn't focus on that I can run you down what you need to know on that front in a few minutes. What you really need to study is the other folder. We Protectorate lost a hero and teammate. Velocity will be missed but The Death of Aegis and Browbeat affect your team strongly. They are your number one priority. Not the villains, not the PRT or Protectorate. These are now your Wards Wield they stand or fall by how well you support them" The older hero said sitting forward to pick up and offer the other folder.

"Yes? I mean Yes sir." Wield said responding to the sudden change in the laid-back hero.

"I'm only going to be here for a few more days. They are giving me my own team I'm going to be over the new office in Salt Lake City. It's made me do a lot of thinking about what kind of leader I want to be. A look at the positive and negative traits of those I've served under. The thing that hit me the most is the best leaders are the ones who are there for their subordinates. You want to build your people up help them when they are down and know where not to support them so they can grow rather than rely on help. Don't micromanage that shit is stifling. Walking a line between those extremes isn't going to be an easy path. For you or me, but maybe leadership shouldn't be easy." Dauntless said turning to watch the city roll by in the window

"Thank you sir I will."

Dauntless nodded "Just study that backward and forward and listen to them. People like to talk. Give them a chance to tell Aegis and Browbeats stories. Talking about the good times, and thinking about them, can help with grief.

"You sound like that comes from experience."

"Yes, I've seen my share of loss" Dauntless explained as he turned back and nodded to the young hero.

The conversation paused, each pondering their inner thoughts. A few minutes passed, then Dauntless broke the quiet.

"Like I said before the villain situation is weird here. It's going to be up to Calvert and Armsmaster as to how things shape up fully but I don't think it will be bad. Similar situations have risen organically in other places but nothing this formal."

Wield looked at the older man encouraging him to continue.

"Well, you see the largest two gangs in the city were taken down within weeks of each other and the lesser players other than the Merchants struck a deal. Mostly due to the efforts of Doctor Danger and Coil."

"The mass arrival at the Endbringer fight?"

"That started it but they have formed a lasting power-sharing agreement.

"Lung, Bakuda, and Oni Lee were all shipped to the birdcage that dismantled the ABB the pan-Asian gang was only stable due to Lung forcing it. Already it's splitting back into its ethnicity-based subgroups.

The E88 has shifted its resources to Boston since Max Anders was arrested. Max has been released on bail with the addition of an ankle monitor. So I don't think we will hear from them till after his trial. Krieg was sent to a high-security para-human prison to await trial along with Fenja Menja and Alabaster. Rune is in Juvie and being monitored to keep her from using her powers. Hookwolf is dead. Cricket and Stormtiger fled to Boston in the aftermath of the Leviathan attack Victor and Othala have rebranded and work for Coil now. Purity flipped and we have to work with her" Dauntless said, stopping.

"I imagine it's not easy letting go of who she was," Wield replied picking up on the tone.

"It's a goddamn nightmare everyone in the city keeps waiting for her to screw up and show her true colors. If she's sincere it isn't fair. Putting her under a microscope is only going to make her more nervous and likely to screw it all up. I still can't feel sorry for her. I don't care how much volunteer work she does. I still have to wonder how much is a real change of heart and how much is just her wanting her daughter not to be tarred with her bad rep."

"What happened to Crusader?" Wield asked.

"Humm? Oh, him he's somewhere among the high-ranking non-powered E88 caught up in the dragnet. Calvert or the DEA's office knows which one is likely him. But, he kept the presence of mind not to rise to the bait and attempt escape like the others. He is off for a normal trial for what charges they can get to stick to his mundane identity."

"Bait?"

"I shouldn't have said that." Dauntless made a face before taking his helmet off and setting it down in the seat next to him leaning forward he looked wield in the eye. "I'm going to trust you to keep this confidential. There is not even anything to prove it but still, the rumor could turn this into a PR nightmare."

Wield gave a nod.

"Armsmaster and Piggot both noticed there were holes left in the guard coverage when they took the likely powered members of the Empire. There were gaps where it would look like a sudden rush would allow an escape. A temptation for them to make a break for it."

"Entrapment? Tempting them to out themselves?"

"Legally it would have to be proven to be premeditated and designed to that purpose. Nearly impossible to prove. If so only Kaiser and Crusader avoided the trap. I think Kaiser saw the trap for what it was either Crusader missed it or had a far more realistic view of his chances than I'd have given him credit for."

"That sounds risky. If anything had gone wrong it could have endangered the whole operation."

"It paid off this time but remember the Director is the sort to take risks if he's sure he can mitigate the potential loss. Beyond that, it's not likely the Empire is going to recover. There is every excuse to watch Medhal and Anders like a hawk even if he wriggles off some of the charges.

The Wards Caught the Merchants Whirligig was released. All they had on her was a conspiracy to commit a crime. So far she's keeping her nose clean. She checks regularly with both rehab and physical therapy so we have plenty of intel on her. Skidmark and Mush are doing time on drug charges at a supermax. Squealer is on special house arrest. She's allowed to live at the Rig and work there or in the PRT garage. She has an escort and ankle monitor in case she tries to slip away. If she screws any of that up she's off to Parahuman containment so she's been on her best behavior."

"So that leaves Danger, Coil, The Travelers, The Undersiders, Trainwreck, Circus, Leet, and Uber."

"This is where it gets weird Doctor Danger and you'd best call him that till he gives you permission to drop the title, has officially had his charges dropped. Half the tech being used out there is his work. He gifted it a power generator that would supply enough surplus energy to power the state. Not Brockton the entire freaking state. He threw in the plans to build more. It's not even tinker-tech, not really. It does require some resources we have to buy from the Toybox or Dragon."

"So he bought his way out of criminal prosecution?"

"The goods he's offering are too useful not just locally but to the world. They are worth more even than the help on the Enbringer fights. He's offering cheap clean power and an end to the world's energy problems. He stole a few million and gave up something worth hundreds of billions in licensing. It was never about money. He was being an ass because he hates the laws and doesn't trust the government."

"So he really is a Libertarian nut?"

"He did agree that private ownership of weapons of mass destruction was problematic and likely shouldn't be something just everyone could buy. But, yeah kind of he expects conspiracy and betrayal at every turn, and working with him is like pulling teeth. He will accept and trust individuals but his contracts read like something Accord would draw up. The main bottleneck point is getting his paperwork through legal.

We agreed to allow him to be a go-between with similar legal immunity to a lawyer. He can't take part in any criminal enterprise but for purposes of negotiation and communication, he can keep a foot in the villain camp. That is part of how we know how they are organized now."

"So he's playing information broker and making gear for both sides?"

"Yes and no they haven't fielded any of the tech they didn't get from Toybox or from before the Endbringer fight much like us he's not offering that sort of thing for daily use. He's hinted that it's best we do the same but he hasn't come out and said it."

"That makes a bit more sense if he's only focusing on powerful threats to everyone I guess."

"Above our level to decide on anyhow kid. Look this is how it was explained the powered members of the city are all lowering their profile. The Splinter ABB gangs and lesser groups of normal thugs are allowed to do petty crimes, illegal gambling, sex work, theft, and sell drugs from an approved list. They have to avoid any place playing protection money. They go over their quota for mayhem, sell the harder stuff, abuse their staff, or target kids for drugs and the villains of the city come down on them."

"While they each get a skim off the non-powered crimes collections it's like the old school mob rackets they set themselves up as the over bosses." Wield realized.

"It also means their protection of these criminals is similarly limited. They have been avoiding the cops encouraging stealth over confrontation. The BBPD has also found guys gifted to them after a fight saw a cop get hurt the message is clear the bosses don't want the small fish scraping with the police. If you are caught lawyer up if you are convicted do your time."

"This is dangerous if this catches on others will replicate it. It might make bloodshed rarer but it will make crime accepted as a way of life. The Mob glamorized the criminal life back in the day, and that's without superhuman powers mixed in. Add some Cape fandom in the mix and this becomes a recipe for disaster." Wield opined

"Sorry, not our call, the brass at the national level only sees that the last month has improved the city. Violent crime statistics have plunged across the board. Take out the disruption of the Endbringer attack, we're down on deaths and property damage. They want those metrics and Calvert is AOK with how they're being gotten. That being said, if they break the deal he'll break them."

"So he's a reports and numbers guy? If the paper looks good that's all he worries about?"

"No, not really. He's a pragmatist. Calvert would like to see this City loaning out aid to other departments and exporting stability. He is prideful enough I think he'd take anything costing him the reputation he's building very personally. Don't get on his bad side. Also unlike Piggott, he plans to restore your team to answering to Armsmaster."

"Oh, that's unexpected."

"Don't worry about it, Armsmaster, for now, is so busy helping with the fortress you're going to be dealing with Miss Militia. She's alright, if rigidly by the book. Just don't expect her to have sympathy for rule-breaking."

"I'm good with that. I'm fairly by the book myself."

"Well we can't all be perfect I guess."

Wield gave Dauntless a curious look that made the Hero laugh.

"Don't worry kid either you're going to reign the misfits in or they'll corrupt you. Either way, you'll find a way to work together."

Wield nodded in partial understanding. It looked like he was going to have an interesting time in Brockton.