YESTERDAY
"Come in," Armsmaster said.
So Loki entered. The big boss's office looked like an office, that was it. It didn't need to be anything special.
Anyway, the only thing on Taylor's mind was the reason. Because, of course, she had received the call, but nobody had told her why the hell she had earned a one-on-one with Colin.
She had admired him once. Right now, he wasn't exactly her favorite person to spend time with, to say the least.
"Take a seat," Armsmaster continued, looking at the monitors more than at her and acting important, although it was clear that he was. "This isn't some kind of interrogation. You can relax."
Wow, Taylor thought as she obeyed. It's like you read my mind. The problem is, I'm not sure I can trust you.
"So, why did you call me here?" she asked, getting straight to the point. Whatever the answer was, it wasn't worth acting any other way.
"I wanted to ask for your advice," he said, leaning forward, his hands clasped in a way that covered his mouth.
"Seriously?" Loki raised an eyebrow. He sounded like he was telling the truth and everything, but still, she couldn't believe him. Still, or perhaps precisely because of that, in any case. "I'm flattered. I used to have underpants with your emblem, you know? Not panties, they never made panties like that, of course."
"Yes, I know," Armsmaster said very slowly, making it clear, first, that he wasn't crazy enough for that little piece of marketing genius to have been his idea, and second, that if he had a genie and a lamp, the first thing he would do would be to wipe that article of clothing off the face of the earth, then give himself a promotion for the good of his ego and to be the one who vetoed decisions like that. "Anyway, this is about Sophia."
It wasn't the most subtle way to change the subject, but he had captured her attention.
"You're the only member of the Wards who went to class with her, after all."
"Okay. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, boss…"
"Armsmaster or Colin is fine."
"But I don't think I have anything to say about it. We didn't spend time together."
"But you did see each other, didn't you? Many of the same classes, it's in your records. It's not hard to find out that kind of thing."
"I saw her, yes. I saw a lot of people. At Winslow, most of them unpleasant."
A little honesty didn't hurt now and then, right?
"Anyway, I suppose I've been putting up with her longer than the Protectorate has, but I don't think I can tell you anything you don't already know."
"Tell me anyway."
That sounded like an order. Well, Colin probably thought everything that came out of his mouth was or should be an order.
"Well, she's my teammate and we should get along, for the good of the team. But she's a bitch, excuse my language. She does everything possible to annoy anyone, as if she has nothing better to do. Although I suppose many teenagers are the same."
"Did you have bad experiences with her, then?"
"Sure. Who didn't?"
She didn't want the fun to end too soon, but denying it wouldn't do her any good. She was sure the others had complained about Sophia often enough. That they complained at least a couple of times a week. But since they had nothing that broke the terms of her probation, well, they were forced to indulge the bitch, letting her get away with so many things.
Ever since she was very young, as someone born in Brockton Bay, she had wondered why her hometown was such a fucking disaster. But ever since she found out Sophia was a member of the Wards, she had her answer. How could it not be a fucking disaster, if they thought so much before delivering justice? Justice had to be swift and harsh. It was one of the simplest things. Sophia should have left the team long ago.
"That's true," Armsmaster admitted. "Do you think she's a lost cause? That she does more harm than good?"
What a strange question. He suspected her, didn't he?
"Does she cause more harm than good? I don't know about that. I think the key question, what you really want to know, is whether I want her here in the Wards or not. And no, I don't want her. I'd rather not have to put up with her. I don't think I've ever been subtle about it. Not as direct as Sophia, but not subtle either, sir. But if I have to put up with her, I will. I'm not like her. And I should have bigger concerns as a superheroine than a feud with a brat."
Armsmaster nodded slowly. He seemed unsure how to interpret that exactly.
"So, do you think Sophia is beyond help?"
Another question, and another, and another. He was never going to shut up.
"I suppose people can change, if they want to. But I'm not sure Sophia is willing to do her part."
Armsmaster nodded again, as if it weren't the most obvious thing in the world.
"Alright. You can go."
Loki raised an eyebrow, the other one this time for a change.
"Is that all?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Can I ask you a question? Just one. I won't take up much of your time."
"Okay. It's my job, after all. Shoot. Though I can't promise an answer. That depends on the question."
"Any idea why Empire 88 hasn't gotten involved in the war for the Docks yet?"
It wasn't Loki's priority at all. In fact, it couldn't be further from her real goal. But she was curious.
Curiosity killed the cat, she thought, but satisfaction brought it back.
"I wasn't expecting a change of topic. Okay," Armsmaster said. "That's very simple, Taylor. I can't read the minds of the Empire folks, naturally. But Kaiser is anything but a stupid man, unfortunately. Here's what I think is happening: they're simply waiting."
"For what?"
"For a victor to emerge, of course. One weakened by the fight that they can crush in a single blow. And thus seize control, without barely having to lift a finger."
"Oh," Loki said. "Oh. I should have thought of that."
"However smart you are, there are things that only occur to you with the benefit of experience. And being able to look back."
It was actually something very simple. Colin was exaggerating. It wasn't like it was a brilliant idea. She should have thought of it sooner, with or without experience. But it was also devilishly interesting.
The pieces were coming together at great speed. Every good idea was a fascinating puzzle.
—
Dean didn't know what to think.
He had told Armsmaster almost everything.
It wasn't fair, but he had focused on his suspicions about Taylor.
Someone had to do something about it, and because of his power, Dean had the feeling he was the only one who could, but he didn't have answers. He read emotions, not thoughts. The rest was deduction, and that wasn't enough.
Therefore, he left everything in Armsmaster's hands. He would know what to do, right? What would be right. If he couldn't trust Colin, who else could he trust?
He certainly didn't trust himself. He had hinted at things about Amy. Played with a very serious and very real problem, turning it into bait. He had sincerely thought Taylor would cross the line, revealing herself, leaving some trace. But he supposed she had resisted the temptation, or she wasn't the kind of person he feared she was, which would make him very happy.
In any case, the point is that this was too much for him. He didn't want to suspect anyone and didn't think he was capable of making decisions that would affect the future of Sophia, Taylor, and many other people. The same went for the problem with Amy, he simply didn't feel capable. He just wanted things to turn out well, that's why he had become a hero.
But it seemed like too much to ask.
Still, this problem with Sophia and Taylor… Even if he was right, it was nothing compared to what could happen with Amy one of these days, considering how close she was to a mental breakdown. He had no idea what to do, so he had left that to Armsmaster. But Amy, he couldn't leave her to anyone. He had to do something, the sooner the better.
He wished things were simpler. He didn't want to be someone admired and respected, but he also didn't want people to be ashamed of him, for people to have good reasons to be. Not to mention himself, he had a very thin line to walk.
—
TODAY
People always tried to escape the consequences of their actions, but some were better at it than others. For example, Sophia was not good at it at all.
She simply showed up at the Protectorate building the next day, a few hours after the disaster. Some people would protest: What are you saying? That's the opposite of running away. But those people would be very short-sighted.
Loki had no doubt. Sophia was here because she believed it was the best thing she could do. If she thought running away would do her any good, that they wouldn't find her immediately, they wouldn't have seen a hair of her.
They were surrounded by the Wards, without exception. Not even Gallant. Now that he was back, he was here to stay, at least until something happened with Amy again.
The truth is, Taylor wasn't very interested in what happened with that girl anymore. It wasn't her business.
In any case, Taylor didn't act surprised. She had to hide like a snake in the grass. No one was supposed to know the truth. Nobody. Armsmaster and the others hadn't bothered to inform them.
"Is something wrong, Sophia?" Carlos approached, putting a hand on her shoulder and pulling her forward with him.
He indicated for her to take a seat, and Sophia obeyed without protest.
"Can I get you something? A soda? Water? Coffee? You don't look well."
Sophia shook her head. As always, lately, she avoided looking at her. Nothing had changed. It couldn't, because she didn't even suspect that what happened last night had anything to do with her.
"It's true," said Dennis. "Sophia, I know we've always had our differences. But if something's wrong, if we can help…"
"We're a team after all," said Vista.
"Yeah, that."
Gallant was staring intently at Sophia. He saw her bite her lip. And Loki wondered what it must be like to feel others' emotions. All day, every day, the good and the bad. A sea of feelings that you naturally couldn't stop with your hands.
Sophia's life was completely falling apart. Loki wished she had Gallant's power, to feel that pain too. Her rage, her humiliation, her despair. Every delicious flavor of pain.
Taylor bit the inside of her cheek to keep her lips from curling into a smile. She couldn't screw up. She couldn't afford to screw up with Gallant in the room, even if he was distracted now. Therefore, it was best not to attract attention. But if she didn't speak, if she didn't participate, that would also look weird.
"Vista is right," Taylor said. "We're a team."
Sophia snapped her head up, like a whip. Her widened eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as she looked at her.
"Look, I know you've always made my life harder, but… if something has happened, you can count on me too."
"Ah. Really, Taylor?"
"Yes, unlike you, I've always been willing to put our differences aside. I'm not the kind of person who, for example, would rub salt in the wound when it comes to really serious things. I don't know, for example, the death of a mother."
She was going a bit too far, wasn't she? She was going a bit too far. But it was just so delicious, she couldn't resist.
"You…" But Sophia didn't manage to say anything. She fell silent, shaking her head.
Taylor noticed Missy's sideways glance. No wonder she was shocked and had caught on. She knew more than the others. She and Gallant.
"Trust us," said Kid Win, extending a hand to touch the girl's shoulder, squeezing. That comforting gesture was visibly an effort for him. He looked very uncomfortable, but he did it anyway.
She doesn't deserve any fucking support, Loki thought. Not a single fucking shred of compassion. But she had to control the anger, or Gallant would notice. She could excuse some anger, if he questioned her. But beyond a certain point, even she couldn't come up with a good enough excuse.
That pathetic spectacle didn't go any further. One of the doors slid open. Loki looked up, expecting to see Colin. But no, it was Miss Militia. Hanna.
"Shadow Stalker, I'm surprised you came here so casually. But it's better than the alternative."
Miss Militia ignored him, crossing her arms, her gaze fixed on Sophia. Who remained pathetically hunched over. Not looking at the newcomer, not looking at anyone in particular. As if believing she could simply disappear, if she wished hard enough.
"First thing this morning we received a report. Parahuman crime. A woman injured by a very familiar crossbow bolt. Do you have anything to say in your defense, Shadow Stalker? Anything to justify attacking your own mother."
Many pairs of eyes widened. Loki's included, of course. Although she wasn't surprised at all that Sophia was capable of it. Okay, she had provoked her into acting, but Sophia had fired believing it was her mother. She hadn't suspected for a moment that it was her under the disguise.
"Her mother?"
"Seriously?"
"It takes some nerve to do that to a mother."
Several voices rose, mingling. The pathetic spectacle of compassion was shattered in an instant. It was very shocking information after all.
"Shadow Stalker. I asked you a question."
Sophia slowly raised her head, looking at Miss Militia. She opened her mouth to say whatever it was. Probably some cheap excuse, but in the end, she couldn't. She swallowed hard, and her words too. She couldn't handle the pressure.
She had always laughed at her, surely. Considering her nothing more than weak prey to be trampled on. But when it was her turn to be in her place, she couldn't live up to her words. It had been proven just how much of a predator Sophia Hess was. She was nothing more than prey. Her prey.
But she should probably stop thinking about that. It was getting harder and harder to suppress the smile.
Sophia's response, cheap excuse or not, was postponed for a few moments, as Colin also made an appearance and reacted similarly. That is, he made a strange face (judging by the only half of his face visible, anyway) and said:
"I'm surprised you came here so casually. But at least you had the sense not to run, not to complicate things. You can consider your probation terminated, naturally."
Sophia looked away, weak, meek.
"The trial will take place soon. You will spend the next three years in a facility for parahumans. The years you should have spent in the Wards, if you had known how to control yourself. You have disappointed me, Shadow Stalker."
Armsmaster made a move to approach her.
And then, Taylor stepped in between. To everyone's surprise.
Everyone except her, just the way Loki liked it.
"Wait, wait."
