“Get it?” Vex asked, still giggling. “Because I’m a dyke!”
Lisa groaned across the shared connection while Alec and Aisha had their phones out in an instant, looking for where they could get her one of the ice cream bars, just to see if she would do it. Taylor already regretted calling dibs on her and wondered if it was too late to pass her off to Motoko. She rose, stepping over to Vex who looked on with amusement. Vex then yelped as Taylor grabbed her by the ear and dragged her from the booth.
“Hey, bitch, the fuck!?” she complained as Taylor shoved her into the Undersiders booth.
She took her seat once more and glared at Kaiser, challenging him to make something of it as she elbowed Vex to keep quiet. Much as the girl was quickly grating on her, she needed Kaiser alive for a bit longer and she wasn’t going to deny Melissa her fun.
“Listen,” Taylor said. “I’m normally one to fuck with the Nazis, but this isn’t the place.”
“Spoil all my fun,” Vex huffed, sitting back with her arms crossed.
“Anyway,” Motoko said, attempting to get the show back on track. “How do we want to handle this? The Nine may be focused on us, but they will inevitably drag others into this shit show.”
“What’s stopping us from just leaving?” Carol demanded. “Call Eidolon in, teleport Amy to his office and sit on her until this shit show is done?”
Lisa snorted, the sound coming across Taylor’s feed easily. “She is terrified of the possibility of Amy going bad. Like ‘stays up at night’ levels of paranoia.”
“Because I’m not a coward,” Amy spat, having listened in on the conversation through her earpiece. “The Nine thrive on fear, and would probably retaliate if I did flee the city besides. I refuse to have that on my conscience.”
“You’re a non-combatant,” Carol seethed.
“Are we still pretending I can’t fight?” Amy demanded, her hand slamming down on the table. “You’ve demanded I downplay what I could do, insisting that I treat the victims rather than cure the diseases for good. All because you’re terrified of what I can do. I can heal with a touch, but I can also kill just as easily. I have total control of all biology I lay my hands on. I can shut down a brain just as easily as I can twist it into making that person my thrall. I can see the DNA ties of each person I touch and know when someone is lying about parentage. You’ve hidden all of that, just waiting for me to break. Well, you did a shit job if Bonesaw was able to figure it out.”
“I should have brought popcorn,” Regent said, sipping a Jack and Coke. “You can’t pay for this kind of show.”
“I know,” Vex said with a grin. “Think we can talk Panpan up there into arm wrestling Kaiser before this is over?”
“I’d put my money on her,” Regent answered with a cheeky grin.
She really wanted to slap the both of them, then herself for dragging Vex to their table in an attempt to head off a fight. She might be useful in the future, but Vex was just a headache right now and she had no leverage to use to rein her in at the moment.
“The PRT and Protectorate would be willing to provide security for Panacea and New Wave,” Director Calvert said. “Provided a few minor conditions are met.”
“What would those conditions be?” Lady Photon asked.
“You are currently affiliates,” Armsmaster said. “It would be trivial for you to elevate that to full membership, which would grant you total protections under our policies.”
Taylor couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. Even with the Nine on their doorstep they couldn’t help but try and coerce others into joining. Amy snarled but didn’t voice her thoughts just yet, as such actions were anticipated as a possibility and were covered in the rehearsal.
“You’re kidding,” Lady Photon said, not quite believing what she was hearing.
“Are you really surprised?” Taylor asked. “They did the same shit with me after all. The heroes act like villains, is it any wonder that people join the villains instead? Somehow I don’t think I’m the only person in this room who triggered because the heroes were less heroic than they pretend to be.”
“Can confirm,” Vex said with false cheer even as Taylor poked her side.
“That is hardly a sample size,” Carol seethed.
Regent snorted. “Has anyone bothered to ask Glory Hole over there how a foul was enough for her to trigger? Seems suspicious to me, and I say that as a fellow second gen.”
Carol’s face twisted. “How dare—”
“He’s right,” Vicky said softly. “The foul was just the last straw in a long line of disappointments.”
“We were planning to move out once Vic turned eighteen,” Amy continued for her sister. “Though, it turns out I turn eighteen in three months, so I’m actually older than her. Good luck forcing us into the Wards, I’d have a lawyer on retainer within the hour.”
“With what money?” Director Calvert asked. “Last I checked, all of your assets are being kept in a trust.”
Amy snorted. “How about the six hundred million I got paid last week for healing a billionaire? Turns out the Panacea name is worth a lot of money on the black market that Toybox runs.”
“Holy shit Ames,” Vicky exclaimed. “You didn’t tell me it was that much.”
She shrugged. “I told you it was enough.”
“You really have lost your way,” Carol said, tears pricking at her eyes. “You’re a villain.”
“Sure, why not?” Amy said, accepting the label readily. “Better than being counted a hero in the present company.”
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That hadn’t been part of the plan for the evening, but things tended to escalate out of control in Taylor’s experience, even when she wasn’t directly involved in whatever this was. Taylor wasn’t aware of everything going on with her acerbic friend, but they prepared for several possible outcomes all the same.
“It would seem negotiations are breaking down,” Lung said as he leaned back in his chair. “I think it is safe to assume the Truce will be upheld to the minimum of standards and no further.”
“I’m less inclined to trust a truce given the past actions against our civilian identities,” Kaiser said pointedly. “Especially with the test being placed upon me and the offered rewards.”
“Like you’re one to talk after you had Victor and Othala contact me in civvies,” Taylor interjected. “Pretty sure everyone in this room of any import knows who you are, Max.”
“I shouldn’t expect better from scum like you,” Kaiser said, rising to his feet with blades practically bristling.
Taylor rose with him, eyes unflinching as she stared him down. “Calling me scum is rich coming from someone who sold a thirteen-year-old girl to a subordinate in their twenties. Pity the Major missed when she took her shot.”
“Yet she killed that child,” Kaiser said. “Hypocrisy knows no bounds it would seem.”
“Rune?” Motoko asked, her smile growing. “She’s doing quite well, last I heard. Legend was getting her proper therapy for what you Nazi fucks did to her. The results of killing Crusader might be the happiest accident of my career.”
“You lie,” Kaiser said.
“Nah, treated the girl myself,” Amy added. “I sent my report on that to Legend to help with all the therapy she would need. Just an aside, you best hope I never need to treat you, because I would be tempted to leave you pregnant with a fucking Xenomorph.”
“Proof you would fit in perfectly with the Nine,” Kaiser said, walking towards the door, the twins on his heels.
“Oh, and Max,” Motoko said sweetly. “I would watch my back if I were you. Much as I hate to play along with the Nine, the Butcher’s offer is rather tempting for something already on my to-do list.”
Kaiser stared at her for a moment. “It is clear these talks were pointless, given how many seem perfectly alright with allowing the Nine to win.”
“Not all of us,” Armsmaster said pointedly.
“There is that,” Kaiser agreed with a nod and exited the room.
“It is rather amusing that the Nine isn’t the worst group in this city at present,” Taylor said. “Hell, I’d rank them as a distant third at this point behind the Empire and Protectorate.”
“Going a bit far there, kid,” Assault grumbled, though it wasn’t a total disagreement.
“Assault, I’ll expect you in my office within the hour,” Director Calvert said.
Assault snorted. “Consider this my resignation. Battery is packing my things at present and will be leaving with me.”
“Desertion during a Class S crisis is a federal offense,” Director Calvert said, his eyes narrowing.
“So sue me,” Assault said with a shrug. “I’m sure a different department will take me on once everything comes to light. I’m just avoiding being the focus of the investigations.”
“Lucky you,” Shadow Stalker said. “I’m going to be right in the thick of things given how Armsy wanted to sell me out in exchange for recruiting another Tinker.”
“You deserve the punishment,” Taylor said idly. No matter what Motoko thought of Sophia, that didn’t change the animosity between them. That would take time, likely years if it ever came to pass. “Still, I feel you for being just another pawn in Armsbastard’s games. At least the Major will watch your back unlike the heroes.”
“The Nine are going to kill us all,” Dauntless muttered.
“Nah,” Taylor said. “The Undersiders will keep Amy safe.”
“Like you kept Tattletale safe?” Director Calvert asked, unable to fully suppress his smirk.
“It’s cute that you assume she’s dead,” Taylor said. “Coil failed with me, he failed with the Major. Why are you so sure he succeeded with her?”
She allowed her voice to quiver as she said it, threading a bit of the emotions she felt watching through her girlfriend’s eyes as she had half her chest cavity violently vacated. It worked because Calvert’s smile grew ever so slightly.
“Then why isn’t she here with you?”
Taylor grit her teeth and stood abruptly.
“We’re done here,” she said. “Vex, you’re free to come with us and discuss some things. It’s safer to have a team in this city and I think you’ll make a good fit.”
“Sure,” she said with a shrug. “You guys seem more fun than the stuck up heroes at least.”
Taylor nodded. “Amy, catch up back at the lab?”
“Sure,” she said, standing up herself and stretching. “Vicky, can I get a lift home to get some things?”
Vicky looked between Brandish and Lady Photon for a second before sighing. “You know what? Sure. Sounds less stressful than the talk Mom clearly wants to have.”
“Victoria!” Brandish snarled. “You can’t be considering going with villains!”
“I’m going with my sister,” she answered.
Brandish shook her head. “Amy’s mastered you, that’s the only explanation. Director Calvert, we need Amy and Victoria taken into custody for Master Stranger verification.”
“We’re done here,” Amy said sharply. “Carol, if I was going to Master anyone, you would have been my first choice. Do you think I like living under your thumb? Do you think I enjoyed being forced into being the good little healer for your PR drives? I hated it, and by extension, you. Keep the money, I don’t need it and it’s all you ever seemed to care about.”
Brandish jumped to her feet, blade igniting in her hand as the room sprung into motion. Glory Girl grabbed Brandish’s arm and Motoko had a handgun leveled on her skull in a blink. Amy hadn’t moved, but some form of vine had grown from under her sleeves. Lady Photon looked between everyone, unsure of what to do before she sagged back into her seat.
“How did I let things get this bad…” Lady Photon said softly. “Victoria, keep your sister safe. The Nine want her for a reason and will do anything they can to get at her, including using you or us. Don’t let them.”
Glory Girl glanced at her aunt and team leader then nodded. “I will.”
Amy walked to the door, Glory Girl floating behind her as they exited. Taylor shook her head and followed out, Grue, Regent and Vex following behind her. Once outside, the group looked around for signs of anyone dangerous before Taylor whistled. Thundering footsteps sounded from down the street as three massive beasts came thundering down the street with a single figure seated on the lead animal.
“Holy shit,” Vex whispered as the beasts came to a stop.
“Badass, right?” Taylor asked as she climbed atop Angelica then held out her hand. “Need a ride?”
“Fuck the hell yes!” Vex exclaimed and was soon seated behind her.
Looking back at Assault, he took one look at the dogs and shook his head. “I’ll find my own way if it’s all the same. I’m going to have to explain a lot to my wife either way.”
Taylor shrugged as he bounded away. She signaled Rachel and the dogs burst into motion when Bitch whistled.
Vex let out a whoop of surprise, laughing the whole way. “This is fucking amazing!”
“Right?” she said.
Now she just needed to figure out what to do with someone who wasn’t currently read in on the Nine like the rest of the players on the board. Glory Girl at least was up to Amy’s discretion on if she got read in, so that wasn’t her headache. Motoko was still at the table and Taylor would continue to keep an eye on her visual feed. Lung looked suitably amused and Taylor knew the drama wasn’t quite finished just yet.
And worse?
Vex was copping a feel.