The lights of my stun gun's battery lit up a bright green. Satisfied, I slipped it into its pouch and grabbed my pepper spray canister. I wasn't sure how much use it would actually be, but I didn't want to leave anything off the table. With a sigh, I pulled up my mask and flipped my hood over my head. Showtime, or near enough anyway.

The Protectorate had taken my warning to heart, from what I'd been told after I finally calmed down. New Wave had been contacted and informed, and now a team was heading over to make sure we were ready for anything Bonesaw could throw at us. I was more than a little pissed I couldn't remember the other combo cape she had, and I didn't actually know what Murderrat could do...

It was embarrassing. I had plenty of vagueries to throw around, but god forbid someone ask me for the slightest bit of precision. At least I'd been included, and I hadn't even had to ask. Gallant specifically requested I come along, I guess having someone that couldn't be hurt was a hell of an asset.

I headed out and down to the motor pool, where we'd all assemble. I was more than a little nervous, after all I knew what Bonesaw was capable of if she got her hands on someone. If she got her hands on me...well, let's just fucking hope I'd die under the knife. I really didn't want to think about that though.

It felt like I was missing...something, some piece of the puzzle that was vital but just absent. Forgetting things was sadly commonplace, but this felt dangerous to have forgotten. There was little that could be done about it though, so I just had to deal. At least I wasn't panicking so hard I was on the verge of a breakdown anymore. Small blessings...

I checked my watch as I entered the elevator and nodded, plenty of time still. It had taken an hour to finally settle down, way too long, but at least I wasn't late. The elevator stopped, and Gallant stepped in, power armour glistening. He nodded to me, his face fully covered, and I returned it simply.

“How are you feeling?” He asked. I rolled my eyes.

“Why do you ask?” I countered. “You can literally see it.” I heard a synthesized sigh.

“Most people don't like me intruding on their private feelings,” he answered. True that. “And I do try and respect peoples' privacy. If you don't want to share, you don't have to.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled, staring at the floor. Just because I didn't like him didn't mean I should be shitty. “I'm...afraid,” I said after a moment. “Like...if I'm wrong...”

“You haven't been yet.”

“But if I am.” I took a deep breath. “Then what?”

“We adjust,” Gallant replied simply as the doors opened. “Precogs aren't infallible, Amaranth. None of us are, we're just human.”

“I'm not a precog.”

“You can just remember things that haven't happened yet.”

“Shut up,” I snapped, then bit my tongue. “Sorry, I'm just a bitch today.” I flinched slightly as his hand rested on my shoulder.

“It's alright to be scared,” Gallant said kindly. “But can I ask that you trust me, trust us, to be able to handle this?” I glanced up at him, then looked away, shoulders slumping.

“Okay,” I replied as Miss Militia and Triumph joined us, along with a squad of PRT guys for backup.

“Gallant, Amaranth,” she greeted us. “Are you ready?” We both nodded. “Then let's go.”

Everyone piled into the back of the van, besides Miss Militia and the driver who sat at the front. I strapped in next to Gallant, heartrate already starting to pick up. Jesus christ couldn't I get a fucking break for once? Whatever, it wasn't like there was much time left at all. The attack happened after six, my only hint being that I'd just come off a twelve hour console shift last time.

My foot bounced repeatedly against the floor of the van as we took off. God it had gone bad last time, worse than I'd ever intended. I'd been an asshole when trying to convince Glory Girl to help, and then I'd gone and...yeah. I could probably avoid being shitty to her, at least if I kept that in mind tonight.

The van rattled over some debris, bonking my head against the paneling. I tried to think about anything but the buzzing fear at the back of my head, threatening to swamp me again. That was a hell of a lot easier said than done, as we got closer to our destination.

I had to think it would be fine, because it would be...hopefully. I had nearly outed what I was, but I'd given the Protectorate enough time to formulate a real response. Hopefully it would be enough, because if it wasn't...

“Come on,” Gallant said, bumping my shoulder. “We're here.”

I looked up and found we were alone in the back of the truck. I shook my head, had to snap out of it, it was game time. I ignored Gallant's offered hand and headed out the door, hopping down and looking around. Well, the Dallon residence was significantly more intact that last time, so that was something at least. Gallant got out and walked past me, heading to the front door where the Protectorate heroes were waiting. I took a deep breath, then strode over to join them too.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Miss Militia,” Brandish greeted her as she opened the door. Her gaze flicked over the rest of us, then she stepped aside. “Please come in.” She nodded and stepped over the threshold, and the rest of us quickly followed.

We were led into the living room, where most of the seats had already been occupied. I noticed Mark wasn't on the couch though, probably moved upstairs when they heard about all this and started getting ready. Amy wasn't here either, which surprised me a little but not that much; she wasn't a fighter after all.

Lady Photon sat in a worn out armchair, costume on and mask off. She looked tired, as did her daughter sitting on the couch beside Vicky; just back patrol, maybe? Victoria turned her head, first seeing Dean and smiling, then looked at me. Her smile shrank, and she gestured for me to come over. My stomach churned as I remembered last time, but I forced myself to take a deep breath and join her.

“Hey,” Victoria said as I leaned on the back of the couch.

“What's up?” I asked, glancing at Crystal. She didn't seem to be paying attention.

“Well.” She pulled a face and I grimaced.

“Sorry,” I replied. “Um, yeah, sorry.” She shook her head.

“It's alright,” Vicky said as Gallant joined us. “Do you know where this tip came from?” Sweat immediately gathered on my brow, but fortunately my fellow Ward swooped in to save me.

“A precog,” he said simply. “New one, but they're trusted. Sorry I can't say more, you know how it is.” Vicky frowned but nodded, apparently satisfied.

“I believe it,” I said, swallowing. “And um, I think we can handle this.” I hoped.

“We certainly can,” Miss Militia said as she passed by, stepping into the center of the living room. “I wish we could be meeting under better circumstances, but as you all know this was extremely urgent. The Protectorate received a tip from a reliable source that Bonesaw would be attacking this location with at least two of her creations.”

“Who tipped you off?” Brandish asked, echoing her daughter.

“I'm not at liberty to disclose,” she replied evenly. “But they have proven reliable in the past. Bonesaw is an extremely dangerous Tinker, able to work with just about anything organic. We're not entirely sure what creations she's bringing, besides that one is called 'Murderrat'; it may be related to her recent killing of the hero Mouse Protector, though. Besides those, she also has a number of mechano-organic assistants that appear like spiders. These are capable of injecting a number of substances, all of them dangerous.” Miss Militia paused briefly to let the weight of the situation sink it. I bit my lip to keep it from trembling.

“Bonesaw is the priority,” she continued after a moment. “Whatever she's made, she is far more dangerous. Let me be very clear, even though Bonesaw looks like a child, she is a dangerous serial killer. With this tip, we have the chance to make sure she has no more victims. We're not going to try and capture her.” There were grim nods all around. None of us had any thoughts to the contrary.

“The Protectorate and Ward teams will be waiting outside the house. When Bonesaw attacks, we'll manouever to box her in. Work together, and we have a real chance to take down one of the worst monsters on this planet.”

“Well what are we waiting for?” Victoria asked, rising to her feet and smacking her fist into her other hand.

“Six,” Miss Militia replied simply. “The attack will take place after then. You have some time to drink, use the bathroom, and otherwise get ready.” Well, that was break I guess.

“Hey uh.” I swallowed as Vicky looked back at me. “Um, where's Amy. And your dad.” I winced as I added the afterthought. She gave me a weird look.

“Upstairs,” she replied, her voice flat. It reminded me of someone... “Why?”

“I just wanted to say hi, I guess.” I shrugged. “Um, sorry, is that okay?” She was silent for a moment, but at last nodded.

“Go ahead, second on the left.”

Victoria turned her attention to Gallant, and well that was the end of that. I guess she was as nervous as me, looking for comfort in her boyfriend. Well, I'd leave them be then. I quietly slipped out of the living room and headed up the stairs. It was fairly dim, only lit by the setting sun streaming through the windows, and a skylight above. Nice place, all things considered. Hopefully we could avoid fucking it up too badly.

I stopped outside the door Vicky pointed me too. I reached out, but froze, a drop of sweat trickling down my back. Why was I nervous? I was just checking on someone who was having a decidedly bad time. I took a deep breath and knocked firmly on the door. I waited a moment, but there was no answer. Weird, maybe she was asleep? I moved my projection away from my knuckles and knocked a little harder, a little louder. No answer.

“Um, hey Amy, it's Amaranth.” I felt like an idiot, talking loudly through a door, but what else was I gonna do? “I um, I just want to check if you're okay.” No answer.

I frowned. She might be asleep, but I doubted it with everything that was going on, she sure as hell hadn't been last time. I rapped my knuckles against the door hard enough that they stung. There was a sick feeling growing in my gut. Surely not, that wouldn't make any sense. I gripped the knob, freezing again. This was...kinda weird, really weird, but I wasn't trying to breach her privacy! She was the one Bonesaw was after, I had to make sure she was okay. I took a deep breath, twisted the handle, and quietly pushed my way into the room.

Fuck.

I turned around and ran down the stairs, nearly slipping on the last one. I regained my balance and trotted into the living room, heading straight over to Victoria and Gallant. They were speaking quietly, closely. It was probably private, but this was important. The both quieted as I approached, Victoria shooting me a look which I pointedly ignored.

“Are you sure Amy was in her room?” I asked, hoping against hope that she had just given me the wrong directions. “Seconds on the left, right?”

“On the left, yeah.” Victoria's brow furrowed and her frown grew. “Why?”

“She wasn't in there,” I said. Her eyes widened as I bowled on quietly. “I knocked three times and tried to talk to her and didn't get anything and I was worried since this whole this is about her so I checked but her room was empty so.” I shrugged helplessly.

“Mom!” She shouted, literally flying off the couch. “Amy!”

Brandish began running a split-second after Vicky began flying towards the stairs. The other heroes were startled, unsure, but I ran after them with Gallant hot on my heels. I heard muffled cursing from upstairs and crested them just in time to see Vicky enter a room at the end of the hallway. I followed Brandish in and saw her embracing Mark, and Mark hugging her back. Oh no.

“She's gone,” he croaked. “I'm sorry, I couldn't stop her.” A hand touched my shoulder, and I turned to find Miss Militia.

“Amaranth,” she said, quiet enough that only I could here. “Anything.” I looked back at the scene in front of me, then back to her.

“Nothing,” I admitted, like confessing a murder. “I've got nothing.”