Harbinger glared down at the girl.
A tangled mane of black hair hung down around her face, nearly covering her luminescent blush.
"Screamer," Jack said, grinning broadly.
"What have I told you about using your power on me?" Harbinger added.
The scrawny little teen quivered, her eyes tearful.
"P-please, it was just a joke. Don't— please don't kill me!"
"I don't know," Jack said.
He dropped to a crouch and tugged Screamer's grubby t-shirt up, exposing her panties. They were crooked over one bony hip, with Screamer's thatch of pubic hair sticking out the top. The dark patch on the crotch was readily apparent.
"Looks like you were getting off to the thought of me and Harbinger together," Jack continued. "Thought you'd play matchmaker, huh?"
"N-no!" Screamer stammered. "I just thought— you and him are perfect for each other, b-but Harbinger is a huge stick in the mud."
Harbinger began calculating the proper angle to punch Screamer's obnoxious little throat in. Something of it seemed to show on his face, because the scrawny teen cried out.
"Don't!"
"Now now," Jack interjected, putting out a hand to stop him. "She meant well, Harbinger. Even if she was getting her jollies in the process."
"Thank you!" Screamer blubbered, fat tears beginning to roll down her flushed face. "Oh thank you, thank you-"
Jack touched a finger to her lips, and she fell silent at once.
"However," he said. "Intentions aside, you did try to manipulate us. That's rather... rude, isn't it, Screamer? And having us fuck like bunnies in every room of the RV? Downright discourteous to the other members of the Nine."
Harbinger cleared his throat. Jack needed to speed things up.
"As punishment," Jack drawled, "I think Screamer needs a hands-on lesson on what she was trying to start."
He stared at Jack.
"What?"
Jack beamed at him. "A three-way, Harbinger, a three-way! Unless you're telling me that you're not curious? Not even a little?"
Harbinger frowned and pushed his glasses up his nose. Jack was being ridiculous. Just because Screamer had messed with them was no reason to— it was stupid. There was nothing there anyway.
Screamer was a perverted little girl who could conjure romance from nothing.
He and Jack were partners. And not in that way. There was no veiled tension, no pining romance. He wasn't really distracted by the way Jack's shirt was fluttering in the breeze, his sculpted muscles like—
"Screamer!" Harbinger yelled.
"Wasn't me!" she shrieked. "Honest to god!"
"Curious, Harbinger?" Jack teased.
Harbinger snorted. Jack's grin was so smug it ought to be illegal. Even if it did play up his jawline, and the way his dark hair framed his face. It was—
Fuck.
He was going to kill Screamer for this.
"Fine," Harbinger sighed.
Jack's grin got even wider, and Screamer made a noise like a dog whistle.
"Really!?" she squealed. "You and him and-" Her voice dropped an octave, suddenly husky. "And me."
Jack nodded to him, and they bent down to catch Screamer under her arms. They rose and walked back to the RV, the short girl pressed in between them. Somewhere along the way, she let her legs go limp and shucked her pants off entirely. Jack shed his shirt while somehow managing to keep hold off Screamer.
Harbinger merely smiled ruefully and took off his glasses.
When they came to the stairs into the RV, Jack hoisted Screamer into a bridal carry. The skinny girl looked like Christmas had come early as Jack carried her in. At the top of the stairs, Jack turned to look back at Harbinger, still standing at the bottom.
"Coming?" Jack asked.
Harbinger allowed himself a small smile.
"Yes."
He kicked the door shut behind him.
Library Pass
(Автор: Master of Squirrel-fu)
She was the original Cape some would say. Maybe not the first, but when people think Capes the first name that comes to mind isn't Legend who leads the Protectorate. It isn't Eidolon who is the strongest man alive. Nor even the Golden Man who despite his constant acts of selflessness has always been held estranged from the concept. On a another level entirely I suppose. But no, the first person one thinks when it comes to Capes is Alexandria.
She's the super man. Hell she is Superman. Sure old school franchises declined in the wake of real life heroes but they aren't gone if you know where to look. The Paragon parahuman Alexandria. The lying Illuminati bitch Rebecca Costa Brown. Yeah, any old hero worship I had died when I'd met her. What respect I had left was killed when I saw her face and learn just who she was. I hated her, I hated what she'd done, I hated that she was still doing it. What I hated most... that she was right. She was a necessity. I hadn't learned exactly what her end goal was but, what I could put together with Lisa had not painted a pretty picture. She was probably far worse than I knew, but she thought it was needed for something big. Even in the present she couldn't be dismissed, she held together too much, she was too important to the world. As a symbol and as a power.
And she had just walked through the door of my interrogation room to stand next to the man who had made no small attempt to ruin me. I had more control than to glare at her but I could feel myself tense in surprise and honest to god fear. This was not something I had planned for. I steadied myself even as I felt my swarms begin to become more active. Was that my own subconscious, or was it you passenger? I received nothing back nor sign to pick at.
Alexandria stood beside the much more vindictive looking Tagg. The contrast was almost comical, Tagg while not short was of average height, actually coming in about the same height as myself. In contrast Alexandria was about a head and a half shorter. His immaculate suit clashed horribly against her dark all covering skin night suit, cape, and helm. Even their air seemed different as Tagg held himself like a man about on the verge of inevitable victory while Alexandria appeared serious but guarded. I'm hoping that could only be a good thing.
Alexandria stepped forward and placed a hand on the table, not even needing to lean over to do so.
"Well I believe we should get started," She reached behind her head to fiddle with something on her helmet, "I believe I'm up to speed on current events. Excepting if Director Tagg has made any agreements or concessions I was not informed of."
"Sadly, he hasn't," My lawyer said.
"Good, then let's begin," She retracted the hand behind her head to place it on the front of her helmet. And with a simple tug and a click it released, having no doubt been unlocked moments prior. She pulled the offending piece of costume off to reveal a shockingly youthful face. I'd almost not recognized her, but with a more focused look I was able to pick out the traits of the former Chief Director now a teen not much older than myself. While probably not appropriate given the situation some small part of me felt a petty bit of satisfaction that she had freckles. She smiled, "Good evening Mr. Hebert, Ms. Hebert, Mr. Calle. I am the PRT's Deputy Chief Director Rebecca Costa Brown, though I'm sure you'd likely know me better as Alexandria."
She raised a hand. My dad looked dumbfounded, I think he might have been shell shocked. The many revelations in the last few hours, his estranged daughter being a villainous ganglord, an upcoming apocalypse, was not something he was equipped to handle. The unmasking of The Parahuman Heroine to reveal a girl who didn't look she was conceived when her alter ego first appeared seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back. I could almost see what little grasp he had left of the situation and reality seem to fall apart from his morphing expression.
"I don't get it." I nodded probably looking similarly lost.
I couldn't fathom a reason for her to intentionally unmask herself, a cape, a conspirator with so much to hide and lose, she should more than most capes should have realized how counter intuitive the thought was. Yes, I'd seen her face and yes she was powerful, terrifyingly powerful, but I couldn't think of what she'd gain from such a gesture.
"Consider it a sign of good faith, for your peace of mind. My identity might already be known to your daughter as well as many others thanks to the recent Incident but I hope that as a gesture it's acceptable," Tagg nodded to her explanation as the heroine lowered her hand having been left hanging, "I will be taking over this case from Director Tagg given the wide reaching nature of this situation. I simply wanted to get off on the right foot. I am willing to listen Taylor's demands, I will not necessarily concede but I will extend this olive branch in the name of progress."
"You can't be seriously considering this!" Tagg slammed his hands down on the table while everyone, including myself gaped at the seemingly guileless peace offering that had been simply given to me. Tagg wasn't quite glaring at his superior, but was getting as close as I think he was willing risk before being insubordinate. The man looked quite like he'd swallowed something foul but didn't want to spit it up while being watched. He continued, "She's a Domestic Terrorist, a para-human villain who is responsible for dozens of high profile and felonious crimes possibly at the root of the incident ten days ago. With all due respect Director, Taylor Hebert is a threat to our Stability that needs to be taken care o-"
"I am well aware of Ms Hebert's actions, Director," Her voice wasn't cold, it wasn't even that mechanical. It was a simple statement but it stopped the man cold. Alexandria met his eyes seeming to tower over the man by sheer presence alone. She wasn't as her appearance made her to be, a girl in a costume. This was not some mere cape. Not some mere human. This was a woman who'd battled unstoppable juggernauts, forces of nature and madness, and horrors I probably couldn't imagine for twice as long as I'd been alive. I swallowed and held my ground even as her gaze flitted to me, my swarm working into a buzz so frenzied I worried they might be discovered. She nodded and returned to staring down her subordinate, "Do not think you are in any position to be giving orders here Director, You're concerns have been heard and noted, now take your seat. Good, I have read the reports and looked into Ms. Hebert's existing files, I am also privy to far more extensive files and information. It is not any arrogance that I can say my grasp of the situation, my ability to account for the consequences, and my knowledge of Ms Hebert her actions and her intentions far outstrip yours."
The director silently seethed in his chair.
This was probably a really good turn around for me. Even if it some kind of trap I'd at least be heard without descent it seemed. I still felt a chill run down my spine at her words, particularly the last bit about me. Just how well did she know me? I could be a bluff but I doubted it was, at least not fully. Just how extensive was her knowledge, how well did her mental image of Taylor Hebert match reality?
"And how you obtained this information of course being..." I lead. I already knew the answer and she knew I knew, I doubt she'd phrase it like that unless she wanted me to notice. Perhaps noticing my tone dad turned to me.
"Not something to discuss while those without access or knowledge of those resources are present," Was her swift rebuttal.
I frowned at the words. She held my gaze for a moment before returning to my father and lawyer.
"Mr. Hebert, Mr. Calle, while I did agree to listen to your daughter and client I do have one stipulation," Here it comes, "I will need to speak with Taylor privately during that time."
Calle's face was unreadable, no doubt from years of experience. But I doubt it mattered much against Alexandria's iron will.
"I'm afraid that isn't agreeable," He placed his hand on my shoulder, "I serve my client's best interests and you can't expect me to preform my job when removed entirely."
"My apologies Mr. Calle but this over is non-negotiable. I will need to discuss topics that need to be kept... discreet. This is highly classified information, not something that can be shared so freely."
Again I couldn't judge my own lawyers, thoughts on the matter. He squeezed my shoulder, though whether in warning or comfort or even something else entirely I can't be sure. I wonder how much he believed her, that she and I could share some world shattering secret between us. Even to me that seemed rather like an almost tauntingly thin cover story.
"We'll sign what ever papers you need to stay," It was dad. It felt like a knife through my back to hear the thinly veiled desperation as the situation speed further from his limited ability to control. Or even have the illusion of some kind of control, "I'm staying with my-"
I cut him off, grabbing his hand that he'd placed near me on the table. I gave him a as reassuring a smile as I could manage when he turned back to me before I returned to my staring contest with the worlds toughest woman. This woman is a schemer, an unrepentant liar. She is a someone that could even be labeled a monster. If my death could further what agenda she has she would not hesitate to arrange it. This woman's words might well be poison. Trust not the viper, wasn't that the moral of the fable?
"It's okay. I agree with your condition Rebecca," If she was going to be using my first name I would be doing likewise. If it bothered her she gave no indication. Calle however squeezed my shoulder again and leaned in to whisper to me.
"Ms. Hebert are you entirely sure about this, as I said I can't offer any assistance from behind a soundproof door," He wasn't talking about legal advise I was sure, the man had picked up on the tension, that something quite shady was occurring. Experience or skill I don't know which, either way he was really proving himself to be worth the sum I was paying him and then some. I gave him a reassuring nod. He gave one last squeeze and handed me his notepad and pen.
"Be sure to keep notes, even if you think you'll remember it it still helps to have the information in plain sight and organized. You can reach me if you need any help."
"Don't worry Mr. Calle, I won't be taking any deals without consulting your first. I hope this won't be a problem, Rebecca?"
"Not at all, I trust you're intelligent enough to be discreet when you need to Taylor."
"Of course."
My father and lawyer got up to leave, and Alexandria turned to her two companions. It was a long awkward moment before they seemed to realize that they weren't invited either. Miss Militia just nodded and walked out even nodding at my dad for holding the door for her. Tagg seemed like he wanted to murder someone. Likely me. Still he left as well. With that the door clicked shut and I was alone with Alexandria.
