Hi folks, it's certainly been a while. I've finished my Master's and got a job in the legal field. Despite how much of a ballache it's been, I did come back every once in a while to read the comments on this story. Thank you truly, particularly those of you on Fanfiction dot net, for continuing to leave reviews and feedback. Believe me, I really do appreciate it.
Also, I have seen the feedback about the grammar in the early chapters. I do hope to fix that eventually, for chapter 1.1 in particular, since that one was noticeable even to me. Ha, if only there was a way to update chapters on every platform at the same time! Currently, I need to do so manually on both SB and FF, oh, and AO3 if I can ever be bothered to put it up there.
This chapter will be more of a palette cleanser of sorts. We've had a load of action these past few chapters, but that's not why I went with this power set for Taylor. I want to see her interact more with characters amicably, giving those characters room for development. I suppose one could call it an Interlude, but really, I think that's mainly for shorter chapters that feature someone other than her as the main character for the most part.
Long foreword over, on with the maids, swords and cleaning!
Chapter 2.4 – In Service of Several
Well… the video of her 'kicking ass' was now had several million viewers, Taylor still had no idea how to feel about that. The only thing she was happy about was that her Dad had somehow missed the footage, though even that probably wouldn't last long, given that he was most likely keeping an eye on all the news about Servant, the parahuman cleaner Rogue now turned badass ninja-maid.
Sighing, she scrolled down and began to read through the comments, which were surprisingly positive, or perhaps unsurprisingly positive as her power informed her, given that she took down a hundred-odd supervillain's henchmen and rescued a little girl. Coil wasn't like the Empire, who had at least some popular support, loath as she was to admit it, or the ABB, who still had a very large gang of thugs plus the most dangerous cape in the Bay; He was a name most would never have heard of and if what she'd seen was to go by, all he really had to go off was money, and the metric ton of blackmail the man (or woman) had built up on seemingly anyone of note.
She certainly hoped that she'd managed to snag all of it when she removed the hard drives. But when it came to data this important, there would be backups, and if Coil had a base on the scale of an Endbringer shelter right under the PRT's noses, what was to say he didn't have more, smaller ones around the city?
Coming to the logical end of that train of thought, she looked into her closet, where she knew the bard drives were stored in a tinfoil bag, just in case there was some kind of remote kill signal or tracking beacon or whatever tinkertech a man like Coil could afford. She would have a look at it later, once the software disk she'd ordered for a 'virtual machine' program as well as the adaptor so she could actually access the drives, she did not have a desktop PC after all, though perhaps she could splurge a little bit…
"Taylor? Could I talk to you for a moment?" she heard from downstairs.
Entering their living room, she saw her Dad in the kitchen, using the laptop she'd bought for him so he could do more than watch the news and read. "Hey," he gestured for her to take a seat, "I know we've talked about this already when you came back, but" hesitating he looked back to the screen. To her resignation, that very video was playing, "I know you don't try to start fights, mostly, and I'm still proud of you. But I wanted to talk about your plans for the next few months. Both the cape stuff and just your progress with the GED, you do still have the first exams of the term coming up."
"Sure, Dad. I've told you that with the cape stuff, I don't want to be fighting, I'm sticking by that. If I don't have to I won't, but if it's something as serious as with Dinah I may have to, though I'll make sure to call the PRT, not just the Mayor and the Chief of Police."
He nodded and gestured for her to go on, "So what will you be doing? More of the same work?"
"Yes and no. I'm going to keep up my work, but now that I've got enough for us, I can take up some that are for a good cause even if they can't afford to pay me. You know what state the Brockton Bay Library is in, and since it's a public one there's a lot of hurdles to go through to get the tender to clean it up; why the process would take months on top of having to get the current holder of that contract to give it up."
She brightened, making her Father smile, "But if I go there and offer my services as a volunteer, they can bypass all of that red tape or at least a good portion of it. And that goes for a lot of places, like that public leisure centre, their pool hasn't been used for years now because of some technical issues they can't afford to fix."
"You'd be making a real difference there Taylor," he nodded, "believe me, I know a lot of the people that work in those kinds of public institutions. They never have enough funds to properly fix everything, just barely enough to keep running for another year as things just keep getting worn out and never replaced. If you can work the sort of magic I hear you managed at the DWA warehouses, those places are going to get a new lease on life."
"That's not all though. Remember what I told you about the plan to clean up the Bay? Well, I've done the survey and I think it's doable. It's really a matter of getting the EPA and the Mayor to give it the go-ahead, and given I've just saved his niece, I think he may be willing to do me a favour and speed it along."
Laughing softly, Danny shook his head, "Well if you can manage to keep up that kind of pace, I'm sure by the time I'm old and wrinkled, this city will be like what my grandfather told me, prosperous, clean and with streets safe enough that I don't have to worry about you when you go outside at night." He sighed, allowing them both to imagine that possibility "But you'd better be taking care of yourself while you save the City alright? How are you on funds by the way? You had made a lot last you told me."
"Yeah, suffice to say we'd be good for a few years even without the insurance money. I'm sure that will only go up if business continues to be good, I don't work every day and there's still taxes, as ever." That got a chuckle out of her Dad, "But even then I'd be in the solid triple-digits annually. Actually, I know this is a bit sudden but for April, if you're still not up by then, could I put you down as a dependant? No, wait, that only works for a Qualified Child, but perhaps we could get you in as a Qualifying Relative? No, your income is too high due to the health insurance payout but wait, those are not taxable…"
"Taylor, I'll be going back to work next month." Her reasoning was interrupted when Danny put up a hand, "No need to worry about that. Besides, as fun as it's been with this new laptop and you around, I think I'm rested up enough for the next few years, I'm just not the sort of man who can sit around and do nothing. But thank you, I appreciate it, 'take the taxman for all he's worth because he'll certainly be trying the same', that's the advice I got from your accountant uncle in Washington DC and it's good to see you agree."
"Wait, I have an accountant uncle in Washington DC?"
As it turned out, having an accountant uncle in Washington DC wasn't particularly exciting, he was a friend of Annette's and Danny had kept in touch after her death occasionally to tell him about how Taylor was doing, but otherwise, he was happily retired.
Furthermore, given the lack of financial education provided at the best of days at Windslow, let alone on how taxes work, her power gave her a somewhat limited base of knowledge in that regard, so on Danny's insistence, she agreed to go to an Accountant to have everything put in order.
But that aside, things were going well and work was steady, her recent celebrity having put her services in high demand, with quite a few clients now using the opportunity to speak with her, as opposed to leaving her alone as had been the case so far. Why, in a half amusing half tense moment, she had been accosted by someone who said Hookwolf sent him and offered her fifty thousand to fight him! She declined, of course, not only was duelling still illegal but she also had no intention of getting into more fights, particularly ones she had very little prospect of actually winning.
Though not the most interesting, her present attendance at one of the Maids of Brockton Bay's meetings was ultimately enjoyable, despite her otherwise introverted personality. They were all ultimately here to have fun, to enjoy speaking with other fans of hers and some might be in to genuinely make the city a better place with her.
"The motion to make maid uniforms the official dress of the Society was received last week and after careful review we have decided to rule against it." She spoke into the crowd, looking down occasionally at the clipboard she was holding, "While I have selected my costume for its aesthetics and practicality for the sort of work I do, that is not to say you must all have the same preference, and I imagine that some of the gentlemen among you may not be too comfortable with it. You will notice that during my recent rescue of Dinah Alcott, I altered my costume to better suit the task at hand, likewise, while diving to survey the wrecks to be cleared in the Bay, surely you do not imagine that I will be dressed like this?" That got a laugh and some applause from the crowd, "No, I will be donning a wetsuit, flippers and the rest of the required gear. I ask that you also dress for whatever work you are doing for the Society, as opposed to remaining with a fixed dress code."
Seeing that her message had been received, she turned to the next matter on the agenda. "The motion to hold a 'Servant-con' has also been reviewed and has been…" she sighed inwardly, "Accepted, with it being up to the 'Servant-con Working Group' to draft the initial proposal and calculate anticipated revenues as well as the extent of any likely expenses. Ronald," she turned to the man by her side who beamed at her address, "As you were the one to submit this proposal with the necessary supporting signatures, I trust it will not be an issue for you to head the Working Group? While I do appreciate the enthusiasm, I do believe that a convention all to myself may be a little overboard, I would suggest instead that more fan meetings are organised among you but will respect the findings of the Working Group. I am willing to contribute ten thousand dollars but expect my money back, please see to it that if this is not possible 'Servant-con' does not go ahead, though I suppose if you wish to raise a supplement to the budget amongst yourselves, I will not stop you."
"Next on the agenda, there has been a motion for Jane to produce more of the Fumo plush dolls. While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I have already given permission for her to set up a larger production line to meet demand." She raised an eyebrow into the crowd, "As for the question of whether I will be getting any new costume variations, I make no comment on that, though I suppose 'Scuba Servant' might be a possibility given my current plans…"
"Mistress… Bitch, of course, if you wish for me to call you that then I would be delighted to do so."
Servant curtsied in the alleyway she'd been directed to. Before her stood 'Bitch', the plastic dog mask quite fitting all things considered. She had done her research, but seeing how many dogs the young woman cared for was impressive. There had to be at least 20 in the makeshift shelter, and clearly, some effort had been made to feed and care for them.
"Cut the crap Servant. You told me you could help with the dogs. You gonna do it or just stand there looking fancy?"
"Of course, Mistress, let me take a look." She passed her employer, sitting down by one of the dogs as it looked up at her unsure. "It's alright little one, I just want to help," Servant explained as she felt the eyes bore into her back.
The dog itself looked quite thin, she could tell that much even without a proper scale, it also seemed to be pale, at least where the skin showed through the fur as a result of scarring. "I got him from one of Hookwolf's fighting rings. Poor guy looks like shit, but besides feeding him and letting him rest I don't know what to do." Bitch admitted, pre-empting Servant's question.
"Well, if it helps, you are right." She replied as Bitch lowered herself to sit beside her, "This dog is suffering from several nutrient deficiencies, most obviously Iron, but also Vitamin D I would say. As long as you keep feeding him meat, or even just kibble fortified with Iron, he should be back on his feet soon enough. Same for the Vitamin D, but you could also take him on walks or even just rest by a window so he has some sunlight exposure."
"Wait, so that's it? He's going to be fine?" Bitch asked.
"Yes. If you'd like I could go to the pharmacy and buy you some multivitamins to…"
"No, if he'll be fine with good food and sun, I can do that. No need for any pharmacy stuff."
Servant sighed, Bitch was even worse with people than she was, but she couldn't help but admire what she was doing here. All these dogs were marked with injuries, clearly denoting them as former fighting dogs, but now they just lounged about or socialised with one another without a seeming care in the world.
"Pardon me Mistress Bitch," the masked woman looked back up at her, "As to the matter of payment, please do not worry about it. I think you are doing a lot of good for the dogs here and I truly respect that. If you ever need my help with them, please feel free to call me."
The reply sent her way was a grunt, but its tone was different; less aggressive and more acknowledging. As if to say Bitch was pleased to hear that she would help. She doubted the villain would be one for actually thanking her, but that wasn't why she agreed to help.
"So, 'Servant-con' huh? I thought you didn't like the publicity?" Parian asked with a teasing smile. They were both in costume, with Servant having come by to keep her company during one of the quieter hours she had at the store. Not that many people came by, there were only so many capes in the city that frequented her and only a relative few ordinary people who sought out bespoke tailoring services.
"I don't," Servant admitted, looking down into her teacup, "If someone had come up to me and said they wanted to hold a con in my name, I would have simply run out of the room in embarrassment. I'm sure they would have had good intentions, but I've never been the most social person, even before what Emma did to me."
Setting her own down, Parian sat down beside her and held her hand in a comforting warmth, giving her the fortitude to continue, "But I see these people: Ronald, Jane, John and so many more. They are all so eager, I can see they are all having fun geeking out over me. Hell, I sympathise because I was like that once, Armsmaster used to be my favourite, before I met him, I suppose."
"Hard to meet your heroes, isn't it?" her friend noted, "I used to be a big fan of Fleur as a kid, you can probably imagine what it was like to hear that she'd been killed by the Empire. I even attended the funeral you know, the line went around the block, and when it was my turn I couldn't help but notice how human she looked."
"I guess. It's hard to remember sometimes that despite all of the fancy costumes we're all people in the end. One bullet somewhere bad and Armsmaster would die, same for Lung when he isn't powered up. Hell, even Alexandria probably has a weakness somewhere."
"Hey, no one lives forever. I say try to enjoy the time you have, and leave the world a better place than you found it. You're doing good in that regard you know."
"Alright, guess we ventured off-topic a bit. So, The MBB…" she thought for a moment, "I guess I just enjoy having people looking up to me. Having them listen to me and then act on my words, I really like it. Does that make me vain?"
"Well, I don't think so. It's probably a nice change of pace from what you're used to."
"It is. When I'm Servant it feels like I'm finally someone. People respect me, they listen to me and some of the bad guys I've beaten up probably fear me. Back when I was just Taylor, I tried to get my side of the story out for so long, only to get shot down and mocked."
Sabbah did not reply, instead giving her a hug which Taylor returned readily, allowing the faint scent of oil on her friend's clothing to distract herself from the emotions that had come to the surface before eventually pulling back, wiping a few clear streaks that were faint on her cheeks.
"So, I hope you don't mind me attending Servant-con, I want to support my friend after all." Parian gently teased, "Perhaps I could even buy one of those plush dolls they're selling of you."
"Fuck you." Servant replied, the jarring request causing her to laugh, "You could always make one for yourself. I could speak to the woman that makes them, she probably has a pattern she uses."
"Oh I know, but it's not the same is it? I'm certainly good enough to make one, but my powers do make the whole process a bit trivial, whereas, in one hand made by a fan of yours, I can feel their effort and adoration for you. I want to support that…" Her explanation was halted when the shop's bell rang and the door swung open.
A tall black man entered, dressed in a sharp suit with the glint of a nice watch under one cuff. "Parian, it's a pleasure to meet you, I was hoping to make an order…" he glanced at the two of them sitting closely with one another, "But if you prefer I can come back another time."
"Not at all," Parian stood up, leaving Servant to collect their teacups and bring them into the back room, where she began to prepare fresh tea including one for the potential customer. "How may I assist you, Mr…"
"Calvert, Thomas Calvert. I currently work for the PRT, and… well, considering the somewhat volatile situation in the Bay, I was wondering if you could assist me with adjusting my suit jacket to fit some Kevlar panels, just in case I need them."
"I'm afraid I don't work with Kevlar, but adjusting your suit should be no problem. Do you have a rough idea of how big the panels will be?"
"I will be buying some relatively light commercial panels," the man unfolded a printout and passed it to the tailor, "Would it be a problem to have them fitted? I have quite a few suits and would appreciate it if all of them could receive the modification."
"That should be no problem. Do you have the suit jackets with you now? I can begin to work right away." Parian asked, taking a notepad out and immediately starting to write.
"I am happy to wait while you work on this one, as for the rest… I have a sort of system for rotating them, so I could only bring them to you one at a time. I hope that is no trouble?"
"Not at all, Mr Calvert. I understand your work must be quite difficult, just bring them in when you can and I will make the alterations. Also, I believe this will come out to around $250 per jacket less sales tax, is that alright? I understand this is quite a bit but unless the jacket is properly modified it will be very obvious that you are wearing armour, and I think that would defeat the purpose of the concealed plates."
"I am pleased to see that you are knowledgeable in this area, for that skill $250 is fine." Thomas smiled.
Servant returned with the teacups, circling the room to place one before their customer first before serving Parian and then herself, taking a seat back on the sofa while her friend went into her workshop with Thomas' suit jacket, leaving the man alone with her. She did not know why but she felt somewhat uncomfortable, despite having never met him to her knowledge.
"Saffron tea?" the man commented, "That is quite the unusual selection."
"It is good for the heart, as well as relieving stress and anxiety Sir." She replied, cradling her own cup, "I cannot imagine working for the PRT makes for many calm days."
Thomas chuckled as he blew on the tea before taking an investigating sip, "You are correct, some people call this city the 'Capital of Cape Crime', a catchy name but not untrue."
"If I may ask Sir, do you have any idea why this is? I understand other cities in the US have their villains, but none are quite as… blatant as the ones found in the Bay."
"I also think it strange; The Empire and the ABB control more of the city than the lawful authorities, there are even some areas where the police will not risk responding. Truly, I am surprised that the federal authorities have not dispatched their forces to support the BBPD and PRT in the city."
He took another testing sip before smiling at her, "But I suppose we have you to thank for finally taking down one of the main threats we had to contend with. I am speaking of your assault against Coil's compound; truly impressive I must say as someone who has seen the footage."
"Thank you, but I did that because I felt he had gone too far with the kidnapping of the mayor's niece, a girl barely twelve just to get his fingers into the Mayor's Office. Please don't expect me to do so on a regular schedule." She replied, looking away uncomfortably at the praise from the man.
"Well, if it would not be too much trouble," he leaned closer and put down the teacup, "Could I get your thoughts on him? I head the team investigating him after all."
"Well… I think you are probably underestimating him if you think losing the base will cause him to just give up. I don't know what motivates such a man, but what I saw down there suggests that he was either very wealthy or had a backer. You don't just have a whole platoon of tinkertech-equipped mercenaries without significant resources and connections to some very dangerous people."
Calvert nodded approvingly, "I agree with your assessment. Though, I would be happy to tell you about his motivations as far as we understand them if you wish."
Despite the unusual eagerness in his voice, Taylor was curious, perhaps this could explain why he went after Dinah. It could be one more piece of the puzzle to the enigma that Coil was.
Taking her silence as affirmation, Thomas leaned back and began to explain; "We strongly suspect that Coil was attempting to slowly gather enough power and influence to compete with the gangs of the Bay, eventually take down the Empire and ABB by targeting their operations rather than their capes. Then, once they were driven out, he would move in with his own men, though to what end we are not sure."
"Two gangs replaced by one of his own making. Then he would have a stranglehold over the city and could rule it as he pleased." Servant concluded for him, "I can't say I approve, what we need is the gangs to be gone from the city, not to replace them."
"I would agree Servant, but surely you understand that the vacuum of power would have to be filled by someone? Perhaps the PRT and BBPD if they had the resources, or perhaps even your own Maids of Brockton Bay…"
Servant had almost asked him what he was implying before she composed herself by focusing on the still liquid in her teacup, taking a calming sip before she answered. "I am not comfortable with what you are implying Mr Calvert. The MBB are just a fan club, with a secondary goal of making the City a better place."
"Ah, pardon me." He apologised, "but surely you can see the similarities we see? A mysterious cape with an organisation at her beck and call, looking to clean up the Bay. On the face of it, you do not seem too dissimilar to Coil."
Now firmly annoyed, if not showing it thanks to the extensive experience in self-control provided by her power, Servant put down the cup and looked Thomas directly in the eye "I intend to make the City a better place by cleaning it up, by reinvigorating the infrastructure and facilities that have been allowed to decay by years of gang warfare, not by going out in spandex and punching villainous capes." She leaned forward, getting closer to the PRT man, "and if anyone should try to stop me, please rest assured that I will not take it lying down. Coil may be the first, but should proper cause be given to me, he shall not be the last."
That promise finally got him to quieten down. She finished her own tea as the sound of a door opening revealed Parian with the modified suit jacket in hand. "Here we are, Mr Calvert. Would you like to try it?"
"Thank you. Unfortunately, the Kevlar has yet to arrive, so I shall have to delay adding them, but I'm sure with your skill there will not be any need for further adjustments."
"If there is any discomfort, please feel free to come by, I will make any adjustments you need at no extra charge."
Writing out a cheque to Parian, Calvert gave Servant one final look, an expression on his face she could not quite read, before he left and the door chimed once more, leaving the two of them alone once again.
"Thank you for keeping him company Taylor, I heard what he was saying from the workshop. How rude of him to imply all that!" Sabah frowned as she took her place by Taylor, "I should refuse his order for doing that to you."
"Hey, it's alright. I think I got my point across. Besides, I'm sure the store needs all the business it can get"
Tutting, Sabah spread herself over the sofa, frustration evident in her voice, "I do, but it's not as if I'm in the red this month. I'm happy to refuse that asshole's business for you, that's what friends do."
"Don't worry about it." Taylor insisted, "You heard him say all that stuff about how the MBB is the next ABB or Empire. It's just ridiculous don't you think?" She gave an uncharacteristic laugh causing her friend to look up at her in surprise, "I mean imagine it, maid-uniformed enforcers guarding the bars in the Bay, making the patrons be nice to the waitresses and demanding a 'cleaning fee' each month, only to actually clean the place."
"Oh, and imagine what they'd do to people who litter in the streets!" Sabah added, her mood also improving, "They'll be hung by their wrists and tickled with feather dusters while you tell them off!" She began to laugh, "And I'll be there too, your Mafioso and chief maker of maid outfits!"
"Yeah, Kaiser and Lung will be shivering when they see you walking down the Boardwalk because they know if they mess with you or any of mine, they'll return to their hideouts immaculately cleaned and all their illicit money and drugs donated to the city, well perhaps not the drugs but you get me."
The two had a good time laughing at the idea, coming up with all the wacky ways the 'Tyranny of Servant' would be felt across Brockton Bay, from clean streets to working utilities, and even a funny idea about a maid hit-squad that would do drive-by cleanings of rival establishments, then sending them the bill and summons to court to get them to pay for the work.
Meanwhile, Thomas Calvert was also smiling, sitting in his car with a freshly modified suit jacket and the beginnings of a new plan put into place.
I am very curious to hear how this particular chapter will be received. The start of it is essentially a preview of sorts for what Taylor has planned, at least for all the stuff she'll be doing 'off-screen', and I also like showing her getting along with Danny.
The segment with 'Bitch' was honestly to pad this chapter out a bit more, but turned out to be kind of endearing. Do you think it's a bit jarring? I am a little tempted to remove it.
Another meeting of the MBB, writing them and the shenanigans they get up to is fun, and as we see in this chapter, they are growing steadily into a fairly large fan club around a thousand-strong. Writing that stuff about them at the end may very well turn out to be more prophetic than expected…
And Coil, oh Coil. Fuck Coil, but he's a scheming piece of work and is now interested in Servant. Seeing her and Parian together might lead him to certain conclusions, which might not be so good for the pair.
Finally, I'm not 100% set on 'In Service of Several' as a title, I am open to other ideas if you folks have them, but it was hard to come up with one given that this chapter is essentially snippets of Taylor interacting with several characters and nothing massive happening (despite clearly being in the works).
