Jess Bachmeier’s current cyborg form was far from the one usually associated with her hero identity of GearGrind, short and small, built with normal proportions, and no visible weaponry. It also had a human head. When compared to the 7 foot tall, large-armed battle form with shoulder-mounted launchers, and a supposed head that looked like a helmet but was just glorified camera casing, Jess looked positively adorable… Or she would if it wasn’t for the angry, yet purposeful stride she made through the council’s chamber to the podium.

Though referring to the 6 as the council was inaccurate, as the whole of the council contained 37 members, though only a handful were ever together at a time. They were relatively important people for non-metahumam business, apart from a few that were superheroes themselves. When it came to the Supers Rehabilitation Act, the heroes were the easiest sell.

Even with the one chosen for this meeting, The Ageless, being, in her opinion, a pompous idiot, he still had the same flaw she did. A chronic need to think people change for the better.

The rest of the council members contained a few military personnel, and the local fire chief, so Jess figured she could outmaneuver her way to a majority vote from them.

After a nod to Sanguine, who waited, leaning against a wall, she began. “Gentlemen, I bring you the case of one, Alison Macleod, known in meta-human circles as Nachtkrapp. I would like to present my reasoning as to why she is a perfect candidate for the program.”

There was a general murmur, before the Ageless gestured to her to continue, clearly not interested in his fellow council members' whisperings. “Thank you, sir. We shall start with the obvious, I wouldn’t even be bothering had she violated any of the hard limits of the Act. No murder, no sexual crimes, no form of human trafficking, anywhere on her record.” She sighed a bit. “And no, she has never been shown to seek ‘World Domination’, can’t believe I have to say that one out loud.”

One of the military representatives speaks. “And what of the crimes she has committed? I read in your forwarded notes, she's been a criminal for a fair few years.”

“True. Her criminal career is comprised mostly of jobs for super-criminals of much higher threat levels, she would mostly serve as surprise muscle, and it’s unlikely all these jobs were even for pay, more likely she did many of them to avoid whatever threat was leveled at her.” Then after a pause. “The money she’s lived off of was likely from more successful bank robberies she was supposedly sighted at, but this is all conjecture as she hadn’t been caught for those.”

“But she was caught at one point,” Another of the military councilmen said. God, Jess hated dealing with the military, they were why she refused to sell her technology. “Spent some time in Juvenile Detention before an escape, correct?”

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“Yes, she sold some drugs at 15, got caught. As for her escape, it was no masterminded plan. 20 young women, both meta-human and average, escaped that day. Another inmate broke out of her suppression collar and destroyed several walls. Most of the girls just wandered off.”

“Sanguine.” The Ageless spoke, voice soft yet controlling. “You were present at Nachtkrapp’s capture, what say you?”

“Kid rushed in for people she barely knew,” the man replied. “I say she’s good for the program, though I’d be a bit of a hypocrite if I said otherwise.”

“I will need more convincing.” One of them said, Jess not bothering to look up, just rolling her eyes.

“Fine, how about this? We’re seeing a rise in super-criminal groups, and Alison is perfect for a lot of them to recruit.You want her ending up aiding those ‘Dread Kings’ freaks? Or winding up in that meta-supremacy cult that’s moving around the States right now?”

There was a pause, and Jess was asked to leave while they deliberated, she would be informed minutes later that she had received her approval.

Next was the hard part… Convincing Alison…

Alison let out a howl of laughter, when Jess proposed the idea. “No offense, lady, but I want to be a good guy about as much as I want someone to shove a shotgun up my cunt and pull the trigger.”

“Colourful statements aside, it’s your best option.” Jess rubbed the bridge of her nose, it didn’t actually help at all, but she was mostly just a brain in a robot suit, so any idea she had to stop the growing headache, she was going to try.

“I mean, how bad could it be? Really?”

“Only counting this event, if you don’t take my offer, you will be facing charges of.. Bank robbery, terrorizing non-metas, assault annnnd… Looks like, endangering a minor.”

“Wait, hold up on that last one.”

Jess raised an eyebrow, “Were you not aware that your crew's teleporter, Anya, was 17?”

“She definitely told us she was older…”

The cyborg already knew that from talking to the other girl, but she wanted to verify. “Hm. Well I suppose you and many a frat boy now have something in common.”

Another laugh from Alison. “Wooow, you’ve got kind of a fucked sense of humour, I approve.”

With a smirk now, Jess continued “Appreciated, but it’s really not what’s important, look it’s basically a probation and you’ll make enemies, but if you really don’t think you’ve changed by the time that monitor comes off, well I’ll kick your ass and put ya’ in a cell myself once you try something, but you’re welcome to try something then.”

Alison shifted, then shrugged. “So is it just like you and me? I don’t really think we match enough for me to be a sidekick.”

“Actually, I have a few interests in starting my own team, you’d be in on the ground floor as it were.”

“Is the shocky-chick that put me in a two day coma going to be on it?”

“She goes by Lightbug, and I assure you that she didn’t intend for that. But yes, she’s on the list for consideration.”

Alison grumbled a bit, but she did suppose the possible information she could gather would be good leverage once it was all over. “And if I did, where would we be stationed?”

Jess handed her a sheet of paper, listing the location of a warehouse she recently purchased. Alison looked it over. “Docks district of… Corvidale… Oh. Funny.”

“Was kind of hoping to piss you off with that.” Jess chuckled .

“You know what? Fuck it, I’m in.” Alison extended her hand to shake Jess’s, with neither aware of the storm that was brewing.