Londyn was sitting in her room when her phone buzzed.
It was from Bob.
If you want to talk, meet me at the pier.
She frowned as her heart began to beat.
Did she want to talk?
She stood up and walked over to a nearby window.
On the one hand, she had definitely overreacted. She had speculated Bob was spying on her before this, and yet life had gone on. Whatever he was planning, whatever he had done, the ILS continued to grow. They saved the world time and time again. She could not as of this point identify any truly malicious plan.
And he had saved her personally, more than once. He had several opportunities to get rid of her, and he did not. This time too, he had worked hard to gather the heroes, to free her from the external influences on her mind, and to make sure she was surrounded by friends when it happened.
She could not definitively state he was a villain, or her enemy.
Yet, it was still true he had spied on her, worked behind her back with the person she had trusted most. Likely manipulated her, using her to maneuver the League. Whatever he was doing, he hadn’t trusted her to know. There was some amount of broken trust here, like it or not.
Well, she could think of a number of possible reasons. If he was really working with the villains, even to help her, then he couldn’t tell her any details. She would specifically need not to avoid knowing so if he were ever revealed she could claim plausible deniability. Yet he would still need a way to avoid getting caught by the ILS himself, so it only made sense he had a woman on the inside with sufficiently high clearance.
But it still hurt her personally, knowing how little she knew about him. How little he had chosen to share with her.,,
She froze.
Oh.
That was it, wasn’t it?
The simple fact…she was trying to complicate.
She liked Bob. She trusted him. She relied on him.
She had wanted him in her life…and to be a part of his.
But…as long as she was the Director of the League…and as long as he was a faceless minion…they needed to maintain a certain distance.
And now, with recent events…
She had to choose.
She could not stumble along as she had, trying to maintain two contradictory dreams.
And…
Her chest tightened…
She had to acknowledge that she was not the only person in his life, nor he in hers.
So…
In the end, what was most important to Londyn Green?
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Bob stood on a pier at night. He leaned on the railing, gazing out at the city skyline illuminating the night. The waves crashed in a soft and steady rhythm. He had sent Londyn a text after a bit of time, asking if she had wanted one final chat, a chance to learn the truth about him. He wasn’t sure if she would show…or if she’d try to have him arrested. But he thought he should at least give her the chance. As he did, a woman in a suit and sunglasses walked up to him. He turned to her and nodded his head.
“Londyn.”
“Bob.”
He looked back out onto the city. The pair stood in silence for several minutes.
“Londyn, once again, I’m sorry. I should have offered to do this from the start.”
Bob turned to face her.
“If you want to know what I’m doing, what I’ve done, I’ll tell you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a USB drive.
“Intel you can verify to confirm.”
Londyn stood in silence, staring at the drive.
This was it.
Her heart pounded.
Her stomach boiled.
Her head felt light.
She gulped.
Her hand started to move forward involuntarily.
She closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath.
And she shook her head, forcing her hand back to her side.
“What’s in there…is not good for the Director of the ILS to know, is it?”
Bob nodded.
“The information will require you to act immediately or else be compromised.”
“Then I refuse. I…appreciate the offer, Bob. But the ILS is my family now, and it’s my first priority to protect it. Including from myself, and my own desires...”
Bob nodded and pocketed the drive. Londyn heaved a sigh and shook her head as she spoke once more.
“...you’ve saved the world more than once, but you work with the villains, to what degree I can’t say. You’ve fought a war on behalf of myself and the League, yet you’ve been spying on and manipulating us the entire time. I think…I understand that you aren’t my enemy, that you care about Londyn Green in some way. But as the Director, I honestly don’t know what to think of you. An enemy? An ally? If I should thank you…or detain you. So just tell me this, Bob…was it worth it? Whatever you’ve done? Whatever you’re doing?”
Bob looked back out to the city.
He thought back upon his actions…and their consequences.
And of the people he had met along the way. The effect he had on them.
And the effect they had on him.
“...yes, I believe it was.”
Londyn heaved a sigh.
“This is it, then. After what I’ve done…I can’t particularly fault you for anything you’ve done. But I know where I stand now, and have a pretty good idea of where you do too. Because of that…this is where we part ways, Bob. You have your world…and I have mine. I think for both our sakes we need to keep them separate.”
Bob nodded.
“I’m sorry it turned out this way, but that may be for the best.”
He took a deep breath.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“I know I have no right to ask this but…”
Londyn waved her hand.
“Linda, right?”
“Yes.”
Londyn crossed her arms and heaved another sigh.
“...the ILS’s response to a known spy cannot be lenient, Bob. Which is why I’ll be moving her from the Main HQ to one of our super containment facilities. Next Thursday, at 9pm. Most of the heroes are on break so I’m still working out the security detail, we’ll see what I come up with.”
Bob smiled at that. Londyn just heaved yet another sigh.
“...She did a lot for me…and a lot to me. But if I’m going to let you go one last time…well, let’s say I think it’s best if she and I don’t see each other from now on. Now, if that’s all?”
Bob nodded. Londyn turned and started to walk away.
“Londyn.”
She stopped.
“...whatever happens, I’m wishing you the best. That much has always been true.”
Londyn paused. She opened her mouth…then closed it. She took a deep breath…
And then walked off into the night.
Leaving Bob…
“Observation: Commander Bob’s talk seems to have concluded safely. Disappointed Request: That is a shame. Requesting permission to engage in non-lethal violence on source of Nemesis distress.”
…not exactly alone.
“Denied.”
“...Unsatisfied Statement: This unit is disappointed. Proceeding to inflict distress on Director Green’s allies. Determining which simulation Chronolock will likely participate in tonight.”
Bob chuckled at the voice from his earpiece, and then walked off into the night.
----------------------------------------
Londyn heaved a sigh and stepped into a conference room. A number of individuals sat around the table. She walked over and took her seat.
She had managed to keep things under wraps while setting up, so no one besides Dr. Fraser, his staff, and the heroes who assaulted the base were currently aware she was responsible for recent events. Well, Nemesis as well, another card in Bob’s hands she supposed.
But in the end, the world was honestly just exhausted. Monsters fell out of the sky. Giant monsters rose from the deep. A global magical surge somehow fixed those problems. And then a yellow surge cause villains to surrender en masse...which undid itself shortly thereafter.
At this point, people were just starting to ignore anything not immediately causing them problems. They just couldn’t keep up with these rapid and dramatic swings. So if the situation was resolved…no one bothered to ask any further questions.
For the villains…it seemed like most of them didn’t really remember the periods where they were under control, and the ones that did had stronger wills to begin with. The event was traumatic…but not unbearably so. Dr. Ueda’s workload would increase dramatically…but the victims could and probably would recover. At least, those that didn’t just break out of prison the moment the control dropped. She was not looking forward to dealing with that…
Dr. Fraser had already permanently dismantled the Mental Unifier and personally destroyed all traces of the blueprints. A villain had already been building one of these, and it was already assumed the ILS had ‘defeated’ whoever was responsible. In a way, that was even true.
So…if Londyn wanted to just sweep this under the rug…she hypothetically could.
But that would be wrong to let things go on as they had.
She had done a terrible thing, every bit as evil and cruel as the villains she was trying to stop. She may have been manipulated, but that still meant she was vulnerable.
Not only should she resign as director, she thought she should confess and pay for her crimes.
But the heroes had convinced her otherwise.
These are dangerous and chaotic times. The entire world looks to her for hope and assurance. The heroes follow her lead.
Like it or not, it would be a heavy blow to the world to lose her.
So she remained, and kept her dark secret between her and her friends.
But that didn’t mean she could continue on as before.
It turns out she was a major point of vulnerability for the ILS, in more ways than one. That could not continue if the ILS was to endure.
And so here she was, organizing a Council for the ILS.
Four representatives from the United Nations, three chosen by the general assembly and one chosen by the Security Council. And then four experts hand-picked by the Director herself:
Captain Hot Devil, as a veteran hero from the ILS.
Dr. Fraser, as a scientific expert.
Dr. Ueda, as the world’s foremost psychologist.
And the controversial choice…
One of the UN representatives frowned.
“Director Green, the United Nations thanks you for gathering this Council. It is highly encouraging that you are submitting to the authority of the International community. Still, I feel it must be said. We strongly object to the inclusion of the Destroyer of Ulsan on this Council.”
…Miss Dayal herself.
Londyn nodded.
“I know it is an unpopular choice. But that is the point, Councilman.”
“The point, Director?”
Londyn took a deep breath.
“The point of this Council is that the ILS is too big, too powerful, and too important to remain in the hands of a single person. The entire world relies on the ILS, so the entire world should have a say in it. And since we cannot grant the entire world their say, we will instead choose a group of diverse opinions, to represent that world as best we can. Vaidehi Dayal, the former Destroyer of Ulsan, who has since acknowledged the error of her ways and worked ceaselessly to atone, represents a unique perspective none of the rest of us can provide. Supervillains do not fall from the sky, Councilman. They are people, a part of this world just like the rest of us. It would not do to ignore them, or the circumstances that motivated them to their deeds. Councilwoman Dayal is here to ensure we do not.”
“Still…”
Dr. Ueda cut in.
“I understand your concerns, representative, but I can and will vouch whole-heartedly for Councilwoman Dayal’s mental and emotional health. She is not the person you are concerned she might be.”
Captain Hot Devil nodded as well.
“I’m in favor of her presence here. We need to show the world that they are not bound by their prior deeds...or mistakes. That they can change if they want to. Having Councilwoman Dayal here makes that abundantly clear.”
The UN Councilman locked eyes with Londyn for a moment and then sighed.
“Very well, we will concede that point. Let’s get started then.”
Londyn nodded and heaved a sigh.
This was the right thing to do.
But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be annoying.
From now on, Londyn would give regular reports to the Council, who would advise her during strategic decision-making as well as during high profile cases. While the Council had no official decision-making authority, they could remove the Director from office on unanimous decision, either temporarily or permanently. In such a case, the Acting Director or replacement Director would be chosen according to ILS procedures, including a vote by all high-priority heroes. The Council could suggest candidates but could not otherwise interfere with that process.
In the case of a permanent dismissal, the Council itself would also disband, to be reappointed upon the selection of a new permanent Director. Former members could not be reappointed with the one exception of Councilwoman Dayal’s chair, as suitable candidates could not necessarily be guaranteed for her role at any given time. She would be replaced as well if one could be found, however.
The Council could also appoint a representative to the Director’s personal staff, to keep them informed of day to day events. This was a logistical necessity, as the Director could not be expected to stop and report to the Council if there was an ongoing crisis demanding her full attention.
And while the Council had no actual decision-making authority, they did have some punitive measures available should the Director fail to report adequately. Building a superweapon in secret would have consequences from now on.
All in all, the Council was a compromise between the need for accountability and oversight and the need to keep the ILS unaffiliated and free to act. Londyn could still choose to ignore them and act as she pleased…but at least now there was someone to report to, someone watching over her. Someone who could remove her in the worst case scenario.
And well…
Perhaps the biggest impact was the deterrence effect…of imagining how annoying explaining her actions to some of these representatives would be.
----------------------------------------
Acting Director Wilson sighed and took a break from signing documents, glancing over at the classified report he had pulled for his own personal investigation.
Hey, if he was going to do the work of the director, he was going to enjoy the perks too!
…so that’s what happened in the Ulsan case. …it killed him that Steve had actually guessed right, Vaidehi Dayal did get pulled for a suicide squad kind of deal. Though that was fairly obvious given she was publicly working with the ILS these days.
Still…he felt as though he was missing a piece of the puzzle. But…well, that was a puzzle he didn’t have the time to ponder.
Just then the door opened. Londyn Green stepped into the Director’s office.
“Oh thank goodness!”
Acting Director Wilson collapsed out of his chair, his hand twitching with a pen still clutched in it. Londyn smiled wryly and shook her head.
“Thank you for your work, Acting Director Wilson.”
“You’re welcome. I prioritized the candidate list, they’re right over there.”
Londyn walked over and picked up the sheets in question as Wilson groaned on the floor. He was obviously putting on an act…but he did have a point.
Londyn realized now she had been truly foolish. Her need to maintain control…had prevented her from delegating effectively. That didn’t matter when the ILS was a dozen heroes. But now? There was no way one person could do the work she was trying to do. There was no way even two people could. In fact, that may have been why she over-relied on Linda in the first place.
That too, was a lesson. Had she delegated more efficiently, a single spy couldn’t have compromised the entire League. Maybe Bob could still have done what he did, but he’d have needed more people to do it. Which meant more chances to catch someone in the act, more moving parts that could go wrong, and less control over the organization as a whole for the mastermind. And she might also have kept her cool when discovering the betrayal.
So no more. She would not have just one assistant, but an entire staff to assist her with her duties. She would not be living in the office for months on end any longer.
It also helped her motivation that the more decisions she delegated, the less decisions she would have to personally report to the Council.
Londyn nodded.
“Good work, Acting Director Wilson. Go home and take some time off...”
“With pleasure!”
Once again Agent Wilson ran for the door…
Only for a hand to grip into his shoulder. Hard.
“Not so fast. You got a promotion, remember? I look forward to seeing you back next week, Director’s Assistant Wilson.”
The blood drained from the now Director’s Assistant Wilson’s face.
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The last step Londyn took was to protect her own well-being. Or rather, it was her friends who took these steps for her.
Dr. Ueda now scheduled regular sessions with her, both to give Londyn a chance to talk and head off issues, as well as to produce psych-evals for the Council.
And on a less formal note…
Eleanor Roberson rushed around the table, moving utensils slightly, pulling the tablecloth a bit to the right, making sure the picture on the wall was perfectly level.
Jim chuckled as his wife panicked.
“Elly, you don’t have to worry so much. Londyn’s a friend, you know?”
Eleanor spun towards Jim and glared.
“Jim Roberson, do you understand what’s going on? What you’ve done?!”
“A dinner party with friends.”
“Wrong! You remember when your mom used to tell you to practice your manners, in case you ever had dinner with the President?”
“Yeah?”
“Well Director Green’s coming to this house! My house! The President practices his manners for dinner with her! Not to mention this family only exists because of her! So stop fooling around and help me get ready!”
Jim held his hands up in surrender and took a look around.
Hm, that photo was a bit off-center, wasn’t it?
A tense hour later and the doorbell rang.
“Captain.”
“Director, welcome to our home. This is my wife, Eleanor.”
“D-D-Director Green! I-It’s an honor to meet you.”
Londyn smiled at the trembling woman.
“Please, call me Londyn.”
“Wow, it’s the heroes!”
Little Timmy rushed down the hall, stars in his eyes…
And ran right past Londyn.
“Wow! Are you really Icy Falcon?”
Mr. Espina rubbed the back of his head as he stepped into the house from behind Londyn.
“Ah, yeah, that’s me.”
“Wow, so cool!”
Eleanor’s eyes widened.
Her son.
Just ignored the Director.
She looked up. Londyn and Jim exchanged glances.
And then burst out laughing.
That night, Londyn enjoyed the best dinner she had had in a long time.