I tapped my foot impatiently, staring across the floor of the common area at the small cluster of heroes opposite. Miss Militia stood beside me, arguing with Assault on the other side. Gallant, Clockblocker, and Vista, all stood beside him. It was just Kid Win and Weld with us, Flechette was off to one side watching.

  “That would be vigilantism!” Miss Militia said tersely as the elevator doors slid open, admitting the reason for the conversation; he looked pretty good for someone who nearly died to bees.

  “There has to be an authority to ignore for us to be vigilantes,” Assault countered, making me roll my eyes and glance at Triumph.

  That was about the quality of the arguments at this point. Talk of escalation and retaliation had gone out the window about a minute into it. Assault was pissed off enough to want to ignore the entire legal backing heroes had to go beat the shit out of Skitter. Not that I disagreed, I wanted her to be stopped as much as anyone here.

  Still, she had maybe another month in the bay now. I knew, one way or another, she wouldn't be around to cause trouble for long. Frankly none of the Undersiders, besides Regent with his pet serial killer, were a big enough issue for this kind of shit. Just because they wanted to try and make things worse didn't mean we should stoop to that. Then again, I knew just how low the PRT could go...

  “I'm talking a quick, hard hitting strike against one of their Master-classifications,” Assault continued as the argument wound on. “I'd suggest Regent, but Shatterbird is too big a complication. Better to take out either Hellhound or Skitter.” I perked up as an idea occurred.

  “No, don't go after either,” I said, raising my voice to be heard. “Not the Masters anyway, too much risk of retaliation. Take out their tools, though...Shatterbird has a kill order anyway right? And god knows the Undersiders don't need the firepower. If we did a lightning strike, killed her, and booked it, this might actually be viable.” Both Assault and Miss Militia stared at me. “What? I don't want this city to turn into more of a warzone than it is, which will happen if we attack the Undersiders. But if we just take out their big gun, they wouldn't have a good enough reason to strike back. At least, not one that wouldn't crush them under the PR of 'fighting the heroes as revenge for Shatterbird'.”

  “That's not a bad idea,” Assault admitted. “But you're thinking too small. We take out the Masters and the threat of Shatterbird goes away.”

  “Goes away?” I asked incredulously. “Gets unleashed, unless you think she isn't in there biding her time.”

  “They would retaliate regardless,” Miss Militia interjected. “And we'd almost certainly lose. We outnumber them slightly, but are still outmatched in raw firepower and tactical knowledge, thanks to Tattletale.”

  “I think Miss Militia is right,” Triumph agreed. “We shouldn't take this laying down, but I don't think it's a good idea to attack either.”

  “Thank you,” Miss Militia said as Assault looked at the younger hero in shock. “I understand some of you are upset. We're all upset. We're all concerned about our loved ones, about the current state of the city, and about possibly being captured and controlled by Regent. But we're only going to succeed with the support of the Protectorate as a whole, and we'll only have that if we stick to the rules.” I didn't miss the sidelong glance she gave me.

  “Well said.” I looked up and saw Piggot stepping out from the door to the stairs. “I hope you'll hear me out before committing to a plan of action, Assault?”

  “Of course,” Assault said, leaning back, seemingly uncaring that he was just talking about open rebellion against the PRT.

  “Then let me introduce our visitors.”

  From behind her, stepped a pair of Tinkers. Obviously they were Tinkers, judging by the suits of power armour, deep green in colour, and the gigantic polearms each carried. The woman, wow they really did make a 'his and hers' power armour set, had a jet pack on her back that looked like it weighed as much as me. She pulled off her helmet and the Director introduced her as Dragon. My eyes widened and I stared at the man behind her, his arms crossed, spear in hand.

  “Armsmaster?” All conversation stopped, and in a heartbeat every eye in the room was fixed on me. Oh shit that wasn't supposed to be him. “Sorry, sorry, I just...you reminded me of someone.”

  “...I have been told I resemble certain heroes,” he rumbled. “My name is Defiant, I'll be working with Dragon to hunt down the remnants of the Slaughterhouse Nine.” I swallowed hard, lowing my gaze to the ground and resisting the urge to cover my ears.

  The heroes continued talking, discussing Dragon and Arm-- Defiant's plan to go after the Nine. Everyone seemed to be ignoring me trying to stuff both feet in my mouth, thankfully. Fuck, dumbass, you should have remembered that was supposed to be secret! I silently shifted away from the group, angling towards the rooms to one side. Defiant's head snapped towards me and I froze. Okay...guess I was staying.

  “Hey,” Flechette spoke up quietly, sidling over to me. I glanced up and saw her still watching the discussion. “You really think that's...”

  “No,” I said quickly. “Just mistaken; this guy has two arms, after all.” She shot me a look.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Okay.” She tapped her foot on the floor. “You...can I talk to you?” I looked up, confused.

  “Why?” She crossed her arms and I shook my head. “Not saying no, just...I'm me, you know? Not exactly someone you can get anything reliable out of.” A pensive silence dragged on for a moment.

  “Because no one else will get it,” Flechette hissed at last. “It's...yeah.” I frowned, tensing as I saw Defiant, and Piggot angling towards us.

  “Later,” I said, rolling my shoulders and standing up straight. She glanced up, then nodded briefly and backed off as they approached. “Hey, sorry I was--”

  “Mistakes happen,” Defiant said flatly. “Best not to rehash it.” I swallowed and nodded.

  “I'm more interested in what you know generally,” Piggot spoke quietly, but her tone was hard as surviving. “If you remember anything Amaranth--”

  “I fucking wish,” I snapped, then lowered my voice to barely above a whisper. “I have a feeling the powers in the city are going to be shaken up, but...I don't know.” I shook my head, taking a shuddering breath. “Just impressions, nothing concrete. Sorry.” I didn't know how bugged this place was, or how closely Coil was listening.

  “You can tell the truth,” Defiant rumbled under his breath. “I assure you, us three are the only ones listening.” I stared at him for a moment, then sighed.

  “I...no, sorry, I really don't know.” I looked up, staring into Defiant's visor. “I can't know.” Piggot frowned and opened her mouth, but Defiant spoke first.

  “Very well,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “I'm...sorry you can't.”

  “Thanks for understanding,” I said with a sigh. “I'm sorry, I really am.”

  “Sorry, unfortunately, doesn't improve the situation,” Piggot said gravely. “Amaranth, I'm stumped; what the hell would make you feel comfortable enough to tell us what you know?”

  “Wait.” I shrugged. “Just...yeah, no cure but time.” That got a glare.

  “And how long will that be?” I didn't miss the acerbic tone.

  “Dunno, and yes that is the truth, thank you Defiant.” He grunted but otherwise stayed quiet. “I get that I'm shitty to deal with, director, and I'm genuinely sorry I make your job harder. Trying to be easier but...” I sighed and shook my head. “Please, just humour me a little longer, okay?” She glanced at Defiant.

  “You're on damned thin ice,” she replied after a moment. “I can't ignore that you have helped, but there is a limit to how much rope the PRT will give you.”

  “Only enough to hang myself, right?” That made the director snort. “Sorry director.”

  “Don't be sorry,” Piggot replied, turning on her heel. “Just stop making things difficult.”

  Defiant followed her as she returned to the group of heroes. I felt tense but...but they'd actually listened. Maybe it helped that I meant what I said, I'd warn them about Echidna as soon as Coil was dead and buried. A week a most, not long at all really. Not long enough... Well, at least they could get warning of Echidna's attack before it happened. I wasn't sure when exactly, but I was certain Coil's death would be obvious. I hoped...

  The planning session seemed to be over, or at least the group was slowly dispersing. I sighed and looked around, then headed over to Lily. She shook her head and led me further into the room, then into the tunnel that connected the headquarters to the neighbouring building. She stopped when we were halfway through, then pulled off her mask. I frowned and pulled down my own, cocking my head.

  “What do--”

  “You can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you,” Lily demanded, cutting me off. “Swear it.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “I know how to keep a god damn secret, Lily,” I snapped, then sighed and pulled down my hood. “What?”

  “You...” She paused, biting at her nail. “You've heard about Dolltown, right?”

  “Parian's territory.” I nodded. I knew Lily had gone on plenty of 'patrols' near there. “She okay?”

  “She survived the Nine,” she hedged. “Her...her family got hurt, by Bonesaw. Dolltown got attacked by Ballistic, Skitter tried to use that to pressure Parian into joining her, working with the Undersiders. Offered to pay to fix them.”

  “Okay,” I replied. “And?” Lily scowled.

  “'And' what?” she snapped. “She can't become a villain, Lia!”

  “So tell her not to take the deal,” I retorted. “Or take the money and then go to the heroes. Nice that Skitter offered to pay, but where'd that cash come from? We all know the answer.”

  “I...” She sighed. “I need to talk to her still I...it wasn't a good time.”

  “I know the feeling,” I said. “But why me? I don't exactly make great choices, not a good example.”

  “Because you know what it's like to leave everything for someone.” My hands balled into fists and my teeth creaked.

  “Lily,” I said, voice brittle. “Pick your next words very carefully.” I felt cold. That night had been bitterly cold.

  “You went after Amy, even though it meant losing so much,” she continued, sounding nervous. “I...and then you came back. I don't...” She trailed off and I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

  “Sorry,” I managed at last. “I thought you meant something else, forget it.” Like I wanted to. “So...what are you asking? Why I did it?” She nodded. “Had to. Saw a disaster actively unfolding, knew it would get worse. No one else could so...” I shrugged. That was as honest as I could be without compromising everything. Fucking secrets. “Wouldn't say any amount is worth it to join those maniacs, having worked with them.”

  “Could you help?”

  “With what?” I asked. “Talking to Parian? I don't know her, she doesn't know me. Anything I tell her is about as good as anything Skitter says, except not backed up by cash.”

  “But you could get Amy to heal her people,” Lily continued, eyes wide. “Then she doesn't even need the money, she can just--”

  “I can ask,” I cut her off. “I can't make Amy do anything. And right now...it's not exactly the best time for her to be working on people a ton.”

  “Did something happen?”

  “We spent several days running for our lives against the Nine, working with some of the shittiest people in the city to survive.” She flinched at the edge in my tone. “I will ask, but you need to understand it may be a 'no', and you can't give Amy shit for it. Got it?” She pursed her lips.

  “Okay.” Lily stared down at her mask for a moment. “And if she says no?”

  “You'll have to help Parian,” I replied. “And Lily?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Sometimes, a girl isn't worth everything.”

  I left her in the tunnel and went straight back to my room. It was hard to tell myself it wasn't Lily's fault, that she just didn't know, because fuck her for wording it like that. I peeled my sweaty costume off, tossing it into my closet before clambering under my covers, pulling them over my head. It was fine, Flechette meant nothing by it, couldn't let myself be pissed at her when she was something resembling a friend. No, she wasn't to blame.

  I closed my eyes and tried to forget the girl who was.