“Huh, that’s an unfortunate name,” Sophia said with a slight frown. “I wonder how often they get mistaken for the Slaughterhouse?” Taylor rolled her eyes, but couldn’t hide the smirk as she turned to leave. “Hebert? Come on, tell me that was a coincidence… Hebert? Motoko, she’s joking, right?”
“Only one way to find out,” Motoko said, pulling Sophia along. “If this is the meeting I think it is, Amy will be there and can patch you up.”
“What, is Bonesaw gonna pull me apart too?” Sophia said, her complexion turning ashen as she was pulled along. “Come on, stop fucking around here.”
Taylor sighed, because as much fun as it was to tease Sophia, she didn’t enjoy hearing people talk about her little sister in a negative light. Still, she couldn’t just confirm it, Riley’s identity wasn’t hers to share.
“If Bonesaw is part of Toybox, you’ve probably met her already,” Motoko offered.
“Real fucking reassuring,” Sophia muttered.
“You like the enhancements you’ve gotten, right?” Taylor asked, Sophia frowned but nodded. “Would it really be a surprise to learn that one of the foremost Biotinkers in the world had a hand in those?”
Sophia whimpered. “I’m going to have so many nightmares, aren’t I?”
“No more than the rest of us,” Taylor said as she stepped up to a door and opened it without knocking. Inside, Jacob was conversing with Melissa while Riley and Amy talked in hushed whispers while looking over some mutated plant. “I see we’re a bit early.”
Jacob looked up. “Ah, Taylor, good to see you. And Motoko too, that’s perfect. I do apologize for not thinking to ask you directly. Melissa has chastised me quite thoroughly for that.”
“Apology accepted,” Motoko said. “I’m mature enough to not refuse you out of spite, but I would like some form of insurance so I can have a civilian life as well.”
“Understandable,” Jacob said before his eyes fell on Sophia. “Hmm, you told her?”
“Just some mild teasing,” Taylor said with a dismissive wave.
Sophia muttered something under her breath and Motoko elbowed her gently, chuckling as she did. Taylor watched the byplay with that same ache in her chest at seeing one of her tormentors acting so friendly with her other half. She wasn’t sure if she would ever get used to it, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to.
She didn’t understand what Motoko saw in her, but so long as Sophia didn’t try anything, Taylor could at least tolerate her for the duration of the Nine deployment. They all had mutual enemies to deal with, and she could deal with Motoko’s growing pains for the duration.
Behind them, still more people arrived and began to spread into the room. Taylor spotted Cranial among them, who seemed more amused than anything, likely already aware of the Nine’s secret. Lisa arrived with her, and Taylor wasted little time moving over to her girlfriend.
“Hey,” Lisa said with a soft smile. “How are you holding up?”
Taylor sighed, moving over to one of the seats. “Could be worse. I’m still getting used to this evolving arrangement that Motoko and I have now. The worst part is Sophia.”
“You’re trying,” Lisa said, squeezing Taylor’s hand. “That means a lot to her, trust me. A lot of people who end up in your situation try to squash the emerging person. You haven’t done that, which makes you better than most.”
“We both looked it up early on,” Taylor admitted, remembering those early web searches after the conversations with Melissa. “I didn’t want to make those sorts of mistakes.”
“You know, you don’t have to accept Sophia,” Lisa whispered. “She hurt you deeply, and for a considerable amount of time. You can push back.”
“Can I?” Taylor asked. “Motoko has so few things she can call her own, and it could have easily been me in her shoes, hell, it sort of is. I don’t want to force her to reject Sophia out of hand, even if it hurts.”
“You’re allowed to be selfish,” Lisa said, pulling Taylor into a hug. “You don’t always have to be the self sacrificing one.”
“And I’m glad I have you to remind me of that,” Taylor said, kissing Lisa’s cheek. “Plus, I know I can count on you to keep the bitch in line if she starts shit again.”
“Always,” Lisa then leaned down and kissed Taylor’s forehead. She blushed, but didn’t have time to dwell on it as Jacob clapped his hands.
“Alright, looks like everyone’s here,” he said. Taylor looked around and confirmed that everyone currently with Toybox, as well as the Undersiders, Miss Militia and Sophia were present. “Now, what I’m about to brief you on is classified as a National Security level secret. It is treason to attempt to make the public aware of it and I had to make several arguments to a congressional panel as well as the President to get all of you read in on it.”
“And we thank you for that sacrifice,” Harry said, earning chuckles from several people.
Jacob flipped him off, earning more laughter. “Let’s rip this band-aid off. I’m the leader of a Protectorate black ops outfit that operates under the code name Section Nine. Most of you would be more familiar with its other name, the Slaughterhouse Nine, where I operate under the name Jack Slash.”
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There was a beat of silence before the room erupted. Taylor and Lisa watched with some amusement as people took the news in their own ways. Hannah especially wasn’t taking it well, almost hyperventilating as she processed the revelation, her power flickering through forms in a now familiar nervous tic. Aisha was on the other end of the spectrum, laughing right along with Alec. Rachel was just sitting with her dogs without a care.
Motoko and Sophia were speaking in harsh whispers, but Sophia seemed to be taking it well enough thanks to the hints dropped just minutes prior. That was good to see, as Sophia was one of Taylor’s biggest concerns, even if it was a bit unfair due to their past history.
“Enough!” Legend bellowed, a rainbow assortment of lights filled the room in accompaniment with his shout. “If my presence didn’t make it perfectly clear, the Nine is under my command. They have been officially sanctioned for more than fifteen years. We are here to brief you, so nobody gets the bright idea to hunt our assets while they work.”
“Easy now,” Jacob said with a gentle smile. “Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering what that means for Toybox. Well, the answer is simple. Between Armsmaster and Director Thomas Calvert, better known as Coil, the Brockton Protectorate is in need of some spring-cleaning. The Nine will be deploying as a result and we’re taking the opportunity to clean up the Empire while we’re at it.”
“Bout fucking time,” Sophia said. More than a few people turned to face her. “What? I might be pissed with Calvert for being a slimy weasel, but the Empire is something that should have been removed decades ago.”
“I fully agree,” Legend said. “My apologies that we weren’t able to do so sooner. As part of this, the Nine will be deployed in several operations across the city. Cyber, your plan for Victor was approved, make sure the necessary equipment is fabricated.”
Taylor sat up a bit straighter. “I figured that one would be a step too far.”
Legend shook his head. “The entirety of the Empire effectively have kill orders, as do Armsmaster and Calvert. Carry them out in a way that limits civilian casualties and keeps up the reputation of the Nine.”
“Do the Empire’s thugs count towards that?” Aisha asked while inspecting a knife. Alec was snickering beside her. “Asking for a friend.”
Jacob shook his head as he paced across the room. “Being a Nazi in Brockton Bay now carries the risk that it always should have. We’re declaring open season with presidential pardons offered for anyone that gets busted.”
“Oh, I am gonna have so much fun with this,” Aisha said with a wide grin.
Riley frowned and turned to Jacob. “Why isn’t she joining the Nine with us? She seems like a perfect fit!”
“Like hell,” Brian exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “Aisha’s thirteen.”
“I’m twelve,” Riley said, hands on her hips. “Try again.”
Taylor smiled at her little sister’s antics. Brian didn’t seem to realize that Riley was the second most feared cape in North America. The only one more feared was standing just five feet to her left, watching the exchange with more than a little amusement. Jacob leaned over and whispered something to Kurt who just shook his head and pushed his husband away.
For such a heavy meeting with far-reaching consequences and promises of violence to come, the members of the Nine were surprisingly carefree about it all. Or maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising at all given what they did for a living.
“What’s our role in this whole thing,” Amy asked. “The Nine tend to attempt to recruit capes to replenish their ranks when they come to a city. Even if that is just a cover, I assume some of us will be part of this?”
“Excellent question,” Melissa said. “We will figure out a list of nominees, but I can tell you that I have dibs on declaring Kaiser. His ex-wife is Skadi, or rather, Butcher V, and she has a bit of a grudge to carry out.”
“Be sure to record it, I’ll bring the popcorn,” Lisa said with a grin. “On that note however, I want Calvert.”
“That can be arranged,” Jacob said. “I need to know who is willing to assist us both on the ground or even just logistically as we carry this out. I also need to stress this is voluntary, and you are risking your lives if you are seen helping the Nine in any way.”
“Doesn’t mean that we can’t assist in other ways,” the Major said. “We can easily put on a show of fighting the Nine, even as a distraction, that will have a myriad of uses.”
“I could even capture one of you!” Riley said cheerfully. “Hey Grue, are you up for playing along? I’ll make it look really good and everything!”
“Riley no,” Kurt said.
“You’re no fun!” she said, sticking her tongue out. “Anyway, I’m gonna nominate Amy.”
“Why me?” Amy asked.
“You’ve said enough about Carol that even I know she needs a reminder of how important family is, especially adopted family. Regardless of circumstances, she still adopted you, she chose you, and she’s doing a terrible job of showing just what that should mean.”
Jacob reached over and ruffled Riley’s hair, earning an indignant squawk from the girl. She pouted and frowned up at her fathers she began to point her finger at him and fell into a good-natured yet animated ‘argument’.
Taylor didn’t miss how Amy had seemingly fallen back and in on herself at the display of familial closeness that she didn’t get from her own adoptive mother. They needed to do something to fix that, and Taylor had some ideas for setting that one up, but she’d need to go over it with the others first. At least Melissa was there, a firm hand on Amy’s shoulder in solidarity.
Cementing plans, coming up with contingencies and so much more would no doubt consume her days to come, but they had time. Time she intended to put to good use, and Lisa’s shell would be her priority. If her girlfriend was going to throw herself into danger by insisting on going after Calvert herself, she wanted every protection available to her in place.
“You’ve got that look again,” Lisa whispered.
Taylor nearly jumped, looking over at a bemused Lisa as the briefing continued. “What do you mean?”
“You get this look sometimes, laser focused and full of determination,” Lisa explained. “I’ve seen it a few times since we met and it’s become one of my favorites to see.”
Taylor smiled, enjoying the moment with her girlfriend. She wasn’t sure what sort of relationship they would eventually have given Lisa’s issues with physical intimacy, or if she even wanted more than what they had, but she treasured it all the same. Still, she could see that familiar sparkle in Lisa’s eye, knowing that she had something just itching to be said.
“I can tell that you’re itching to say it,” Taylor said. “So let’s hear it.”
Lisa leaned in, kissing her gently before she spoke into Taylor’s lips whisper soft. “You see, you only get that look when you’re prepared to burn the rest of the world for those you love.”
Taylor shivered, and she couldn’t deny it.
She had agreed to join the Nine to keep her loved one’s safe. How much of a stretch was it to say that she would actually burn the world? Did she even care? Looking into her girlfriend’s eyes, there was but one truth that spoke to her.
Some people were worth burning the world for.