Interlude 2.b – Crushes & Purchases

Crestview Middle School, Arcadia Lane

Suffocating.

So, sooooo, suffocating.

She couldn't fucking believe she just sat through another day of this bullshit. Monday's already fucking sucked but this reaaaallyy took the cake.

'I wish I could just fly away, but noooo~. I had to walk around like the rest of the fucking sheeple. Even AFTER school ended!'

It would be so easy.

Her hand itched.

Just a few seconds to mark an object as her own and she could take off into the distance. But…her identity needed to be protected, so she would walk and stay grounded until she'd put on her mask.

Until then she could only stay satisfied with the symbols made on the inside of her clothing and her school bag.

Looking out of the crowd of kids exiting the school, she tried to look out for a familiar grey sedan even as she scowled and pushed past her fellow students, with those who saw her expression naturally giving way.

It had already been a month since she'd been giving the school thing a serious try and it hadn't been getting any better. Well…it had gotten only-very-little-slightly better since last week…but the reason for that didn't come to school for the day…which might have left her in a bad mood….

Okay…maybe the bad mood came from the fact that that Alcott bitch had been prancing around with him all fancy-smanshy-like, playing around with that pet rat of his.

She'd been tempted to tell the teacher. Crapper Cooper or whatever her name was…But she wasn't a fuckin' snitch! Not like those bitches…those…those…from that place!

Just remembering her time in prison had her gnashing her teeth with a complex blend of negative emotions she couldn't, or rather, didn't want to parse or acknowledge. Instead, she just tried to distract herself.

Thinking back, she'd seen some news reporter talking about how the Alcott skank's house had been blown up by some cape. Trying to get leverage on the mayor by kidnapping his niece or some shit like that.

'Boohoo~. Big fucking deal. The Clan got their shit blown up all the time by the 'Heroes' and nobody gave a shit about her when I got kidnapped by the fucking cops! Besides it was her that got kidnapped, why'd Daniel have to skip class just cause they were making sucky faces at each other all week?!'

Eventually, as Tammi seethed silently at one corner of the school gate, she spotted her ride pulling in to a stop at the other side of the road.

Making her way across the street she still had the sense to watch for cars as she crossed. She couldn't exactly forget when the school drilled it into her head in one of the road safety seminars or whatever that was. Well, it was more of a Brockton Bay Safety seminar where kids were taught what to do if they didn't wanna get jumped in this hellhole of a city.

Of course, despite following all that advice she still had to jump back when a white van sped past and almost scraped her.

"Watch where you're fucking driving asshole!" Ignoring the looks the other students still around gave her she screamed at the vehicle that went by and power-walked to the grey sedan waiting for her, entered into the front passenger seat and rammed the door shut with just a little bit too much force.

Inwardly, she winced both at how she'd blown up in the middle of the street and how she'd treated someone else's ride.

'School's over so they can't do shit about my 'inappropriate language'…and I was angry so shouldn't matter much! I didn't even slam it that hard!'

Even with these thoughts, she sheepishly side-eyed a peek at the person in the driver's seat.

Tammi didn't know what she expected.

Well, she'd expected the frown on the blond man's face…what she hadn't expected was him frowning at the van that just drove by, while simultaneously writing its license plate on a notebook with flawless handwriting, without ever looking down.

Bewildered, Tammi stared at him.

'Was he…did he really car–'

"…Such blatant disrespect. It was a n*gger driving the van. Then again it makes sense that one of his kind couldn't be bothered to care about the good school he was disturbing with his presence…Or that he'd angered someone he shouldn't have in his recklessness." Victor spoke, turning to smile at her towards the end as he finished writing the plate number on his little notebook.

'…Fucking figured…'

Huffing a breath, Tammi sank back into her seat.

"…Sorry, about your car door. Didn't mean to slam it that hard." Even when apologizing, she was aggressive. After all, why wait for your opponent to move first?

"I accept your apology."

Smile turning more natural, 'Victor' replied. Then again, the man's natural smile just so happened to be one that was simultaneously haughty, knowing and smug. One that made you feel like he knew exactly what you were thinking like he could read your mind. When she'd realised that it was his default state, Tammi had lost pretty much lost all her anxiousness when interacting with him. Evidently, he couldn't actually read her mind now, could he?

Unaware of her thoughts, he continued. "Though, I would appreciate it if you handled this car with care. This one happens to be Amari's favourite. Then again perhaps this is you handling it with care? After all, it couldn't compare to launching my Jeep at Assault and Battery."

Face turning red, Tammi spoke. "I-! already said I was sorry OK, Adrian! How was I supposed to know that the one car I picked out of the parking lot would be yours?!"

Amused, Adrian 'Victor' Weber started the car and began driving to their destination. "Fret not fraulein, I find that reminding people of their mistakes makes them repeating it more unlikely. And as for how you were supposed to know…you picked it out of the Medhall employee's parking lot. If it wasn't mine, then it would've been Max's."

"Argh! Can we not talk about that anymore? What's up with this meeting anyway? We had the weekly one just on Friday. What's so urgent that he's getting you to pick me up straight after school?"

Humming thoughtfully Adrian took a right turn, with Tammi sitting back and just enjoying the impossibly smooth ride with his amazing driving skills. His power wasn't very flashy, but it sure was useful. "Of that…I am unsure. Whatever it is, Max is playing it close to his chest. Taking no chances by leaving any digital trails. I have some guesses, but they're just theories in the end. We'll find out soon enough once we arrive. Just know that it's going to be important."

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Hmm." 'Hopefully, it's something more interesting than the usual shit. I'm not gonna hold my breath tho…'

The two were silent for the rest of the ride, with Tammi fiddling with her phone and Adrian barely ever taking his eyes of the road: A habit he'd picked up from his stolen Driving Skills.

Eventually, they'd reached the outskirts of the city, a mostly unpopulated area with only warehouses in site.

Right before approaching one of the warehouses with an underground parking, Adrian turned to her and spoke.

"Ah yes! I'd almost forgotten, since Max is being extra careful with this one, he'd told me to make sure no one carries their electronic devices inside. Your phone if you please."

"Ugh! What am I supposed to do if I'm bored then?!" Despite her words, she still obediently handed it over to him.

"Simply learn to enjoy the meetings, then you won't be bored. Hmm, I was wondering what had you smiling so much these days, I see that I guessed correctly." Right after taking her phone, instead of putting it away Adrian looked over at her wallpaper and smirked at her.

"Wah–What're you doing! Give it back!" Screeching in embarrassment Tammi flailed her arms at him as he kept her at a distance by holding her head.

"Ah, a handsome fellow! A little dark, but it seems to be a result of exercise. Quite well built for someone your age. He's the right sort. I know Max has been trying to get you to connect with Theo, but I can see why you aren't interested in him if this is what you're aiming for.

You've already saved his photo on your phone, but by the looks of it, he wasn't aware of you taking it? Could it be that you haven't spoken to the boy yet?"

His words just made her more mortified. She was almost ready to start using her power to shut him up, but while he couldn't read her mind the man was indeed quite perceptive. "Alright, alright! I'll put it away. You mustn't be ashamed of this. Your attraction is a natural thing. You shouldn't shy away from speaking to him if you want to make any progress."

"He's not– I'm not– AAHH! Look I haven't actually spoken to him even once, ok?! You were right! He's totally into another girl! I don't have a chance…just let me delete that photo…"

"Now, now. There's no need to be so morose. I'm sure if you–"

"It's the mayor's niece! Max is the one who told me to get closer to her! How am I supposed to get closer to Daniel without pissing her off?! The two of them keep hanging out together all the time! Now that Alcott got kidnapped or whatever even Daniel didn't come to school! It was my chance to talk to him, but if he cares about her so much then I don't have a chance!

Also, getting closer to the mayor's family is the whole reason Max even paid for that fancy fucking school in the first place, isn't it?! I haven't managed to talk to Alcott for more than 10 minutes straight since I started going there! And now–now, this happens…and…"

"Ah well, that complicates things…Dinah Alcott has been missing since the attack on her house. Our informants in the PRT have told us that she wasn't truly kidnapped but might simply have escaped on her own and that she might be a parahuman. Max did float the idea of trying to find and return her to her family. It would be good publicity for us…but we don't have a Thinker capable of finding her and asking Gesellschaft for favours isn't something we can afford at the moment…But never mind that!"

Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, Adrian continued speaking warmly. "Don't let something like this discourage you. When the boy gets back, start by talking to him. If Dinah Alcott returns safely then you can use your familiarity with the boy to get close to the girl as well. Takes things slow and steady, I'll give you all the advice you need to succeed. Also…don't you ever think that we only sent you to Crestview to get closer to the girl. Max gave you that mission because he believes it will be a good thing for you. It's an opportunity for growth, nothing else. If you succeed then that'll be amazing, but your admission isn't contingent on any mission you'll be given, is that understood? We care about you, Tammi. Amari will be sad if you think we only want you because you are useful to us."

Wiping at her eyes, Tammi kept looking out the window, refusing to face Adrian, but she nodded all the same. She couldn't deny that his words had comforted her.

"Al–Alright! Enough with the sappy shit! I'll come to you, so you better give me some really good fucking advice, ok?!"

"Haha, of course, fraulein. Even if you don't trust me, you can trust in my Power to give you the best advice you'll get! And I wil– Ah, it seems, we've arrived just in time, clean up and get changed. Your costume is in the back. We can continue our discussion later."

Saying so, Adrian reached into the glove compartment and pulled out his Mask. Putting it on Victor stepped out of the car, leaving Tammi alone inside as she wiped her face clean with a tissue and grabbed a black and red robe and mask from a package in the backseat, put it over her school clothes and exited the vehicle as Rune.

The Underground parking area was dead quiet and sparsely populated by a few cars that numbered in the tens, which when compared to just how spacious it was, didn't seem like much.

Walking over to the door that allowed entry into the building, the pin-drop silence of the lot was instantly broken by the unintelligible sounds of voices right as the door was opened, letting Rune see the armed guards that were watching over the entrance.

'How they managed to make it so fucking soundproofed when we don't have a Tinker is always going to be a mystery…Or maybe we do have Tinkers and Kaiser didn't bother telling anyone about them.'

Walking by the guards, Victor whispered something to one of the guards before moving on, with Rune following close behind.

Eventually, after walking a surprisingly deep into the underground stronghold the two arrived at a spacious room.

Inside, Rune could spot the rest of the members of the Empire in various seats around the room. At a cursory glance, she saw Kreig, Hookwolf, Crusader, Stormtiger, Alabaster, Cricket, Night, Fog, Fenja, Menja and Othala.

However, even as Othala ran up to them, it was the unfamiliar individual that took up her attention.

Standing by both Night and Fog, while speaking to Kaiser, was a short slip of a blonde woman wearing a bone-white mask. At first Rune believed the woman to be Purity, wondering whether Kaiser's girlfriend had finally returned, but closer inspection showed that, while similar, this was someone else entirely.

Once, she and Victor had taken their seats, the chatter around the room died down and Kaiser spoke, and unlike his usual long-winded speeches, he seemed to be a lot curter.

"While I would usually like to take my time during our meetings, not only is this one unscheduled, the topic for today happens to be time quite sensitive."

Gesturing towards the woman in the white mask, Kaiser continued. "Allow me to introduce Emmisär, a representative from Gesellschaft."

At his introduction, she could feel many people in the room shift. She didn't know what exactly they felt about the woman or the organization she was speaking on behalf of though, costumes tended to conceal more than just identities…and Rune could admit that she wasn't the best at reading people. Well at the very least she understood that the woman coming here was a matter of importance, she'd just follow Victor's lead if they needed her.

'Not that I've been given any job apart from throwing heavy shit at our enemies yet…' She thought bitterly.

"I am glad to have met so many of the faithful that are furthering our cause in the West. As your Kaiser has said, I am Emmisär, here on behalf of Gesellschaft. My current mission is time-critical, so I shall leave pleasantries aside and wait as you are informed of the situation." As the woman spoke, Rune couldn't help but be surprised by the woman's convincing American accent. Unless she wasn't German in the first place?

Kaiser who had walked over to the middle of the room attracted everyone's attention with a soft clap. "Under normal circumstances, we do not seek Gesellschaft's assistance and are more than capable of accomplishing our mission independently. It's a sign of our competence.

Gesellschaft naturally encourages us to maintain this success, which is why any assistance we ask for is paid in favours, lest we become complacent.

Now the time has come for us to ask for assistance. However, do not be mistaken. We aren't asking for help, because we're in trouble…No, what we have at our hands is a massive opportunity."

By this point, Kaiser had already begun making use of hand gestures, and everyone around the room couldn't help but focus on his words, such was the charisma of the leader of the Empire.

"I'm sure all of you are aware of the attack on Mayor Christner's family and his missing niece. The matter has received unexpectedly high media coverage, most probably because the Alcott residence happened to be in the wealthiest neighbourhood in Brockton Bay with those living there making a big ruckus about it. The Stansfields in particular happen to be the most vocal. Considering that one of their own properties was next to the explosion, I can understand their position.

What this means is that there are a lot of eyes on this matter. This is something we can use.

They call us villains and think of us as the bad guys in their ignorance. They don't understand the importance of our mission. They don't understand the importance of the Empire.

This is an opportunity to show them our true selves! We'll find the girl and return her to her family and at the same time we'll deal with the ones that attacked her."

With a grand sweeping gesture, Kaiser continued. "Look around you! The Empire is stronger than ever! It's time we show the true people of Brockton Bay that we are there for them! That we are the true heroes!"

Toning it slightly down, Kaiser next spoke with a grave voice. "Now, I'm sure all of you are wondering what exactly we're giving Gesellschaft for their assistance in this matter.

Just recently, due to the efforts of Cricket and Alabaster, we've been able to apprehend a menace that has been terrorizing the good people of Brockton Bay for a long time.

A Parahuman who enjoys the suffering of others and hides her true self from the public eye. Please take a look at the files in front of you to get a better picture of the crimes of Sophia Hess, to see the true extent of the depravity their kind is capable of."

Even before, Kaiser had asked them to, everyone had started reading the files that Kreig had distributed as Kaiser spoke. They were PRT files, dated for a meeting that had apparently taken place very recently.

Rune and even several other members of the E88, made noises of disappointment and disgust as they read what they'd been given. But what caught, Tammi's and the rests' eyes the most was the fact that this Sophia Hess who had apparently been openly tormenting and torturing other children in her school…was none other than Shadow Stalker, a member of the Wards of Brockton Bay Protectorate.

Tammi couldn't help but be alarmed, after all wasn't this a blatant violation of the unwritten rules? However, looking around nobody else seemed to have any issue with it, so she stayed silent.

As for the girl who Shadow Stalker used as a chew toy…well Tammi herself had gone through something similar in prison, but even she hadn't had to silently endure it for years with no one to help her. Triggering had allowed her to fight back, the fact that this one didn't meant that she simply couldn't Trigger. Some people were just unlucky.

Tammi heard Amari or Othala whisper beside her. "Poor girl…"

"For too long, the PRT have let this monster run free, for too long they've enabled and encouraged her!

Cricket, using her advanced hearing caught onto this injustice and proceeded to capture Shadow Stalker with Alabaster's help. We now have her in a holding cell in this very facility. Since the PRT won't let the law judge her, that duty falls to us. And what better way to make her pay than being used to help us find the missing Dinah Alcott?

We'll be handing Shadow Stalker over to Gesellschaft in return for access to their Thinkers. And for once, Shadow Stalker will contribute to doing some good!"

Instantly Hookwolf, Alabaster, Stormtiger and Crusader cheered.

Tammi felt a chill go down her spine. She didn't quite know exactly what would happen to Stalker…but she'd heard rumours. Rumours that made her glance at Night and Fog, two of the capes Gesellschaft had lent to the Empire who weren't quite right.

She didn't think she really felt bad for Stalker, not after the many many times she'd had to dodge or block those crossbow bolts of hers, or after what she'd read about what Stalker got up to in her free time, or even with the fact that she was a n*gger, but she nevertheless felt apprehensive about sending anyone to a fate quite like that. It was one of the things she'd feared back when she was part of the Clan and didn't know where they would send her.

Shaking her head, Tammi put her thoughts of Shadow Stalker out of her mind. She was part of the Empire now. And it wasn't like she could or wanted to do anything about it. Kaiser wasn't asking everyone about their opinion on the matter, he was stating what was going to happen.

She didn't know whether Stalker deserved what she would be getting. Instead, she just thought back to something Adrian had once told her.

'…Yeah, just think of it as another piece of trash being swept off of the streets…and everything will be fine…'