We had to take the elevator in two trips, due to the size of our group, and that meant splitting us up. The heroes were too wary to leave any number of us unsupervised, whether it was on the ground floor or upstairs.

I entered the elevator in the company of Parian, Regent, Bitch, Bastard and Bentley, Miss Militia, Weld, Clockblocker, and Triumph. It seemed to be an advanced design, the elevator offering so smooth a ride that I might not have been able to tell it was in motion if it werent for the bugs elsewhere in the building.

We exited at the third floor. I could use the bugs that had gathered near the waste bins or in the walls to try to get a sense of who and what was around me. I recognized the area as the site where Id entered via Tricksters teleportation: desks, cubicles, computers and paperwork. I could sense some people heading into back rooms to rouse people who were sleeping in the office, on benches and in chairs. All of the officers and out-of-uniform PRT operatives were gathering to look.

One of them stepped forward from the rest of the crowd.

Deputy director, Miss Militia said, standing straighter.

Im too cynical to think this is an arrest, or to hope that its anything more than another ruse, the Deputy Director said. And I cant help but note these villains arent in restraints.

Its not an arrest, and I hope its a trick, Miss Militia replied.

You hope its a trick? the Deputy Director asked.

Because I like the truth even less. A new class S-threat.

Every officer in the room reacted, a general murmur punctuated with swearing and exclamations.

Who?

An unknown. Possibly a fourth Endbringer, not yet fully grown. Id like to get in contact with PRT thinkers to verify.

Waites, the Deputy Director called out, over the noise from the gathered police, Doyon. Get on the phone. Patch them through to me as soon as you get hold of someone.

We should wake people up, Miss Militia said. She glanced at the nearest clock, Its four twenty-four in the morning. If this is real, well want the heaviest hitters ready to deploy at a moments notice. Theres a chance this may be our one chance to kill her.

Youre killing her? I asked, quiet.

No, Miss Militia said. Nothings set in stone. But theres a chance it may be our only opportunity and our only option. If were going to do it, I want to do it successfully.

No word from Director Calvert? the Deputy Director asked.

One of the guys in plainclothes spoke up, Hes gone silent, sir.

I didnt miss the fact that nearly a third of the local officers glanced my way. We were apparently the prime suspects. Which wasnt wrong, per se.

The Deputy Director ordered, Militia, join me in the Directors office. Triumph, see to it that the villains are detained and separated. Interview rooms one and two for Regent and Skitter. Conference room for Hellhound.

I could sense Rachel shifting position.

If I may make a suggestion, sir, Miss Militia cut in, I think we should put Skitter in the conference room? She and Tattletale are our main sources of information.

Not complaining, I said, But Bitch, or Hellhound if you want to call her that, may be more comfortable in my company. Her dogs are their normal size. If she uses her power, youll be able to see. Miss Militia already saw to it I was disarmed.

This sounds like youre positioning people for a maneuver, the Deputy Director said.

No. Just trying to keep things as copacetic as possible, I said.

Id okay it, Miss Militia said.

Fine. Hellhound and Skitter in the conference room- the Deputy Director paused as the elevator opened with nearly all of Brockton Bays remaining parahumans. Tattletale to the conference room. Parian in the legal room. Grue and Imp in interview room two. Put police tape and a sign on the door with a notice of Imps stranger classification to remind people why its shut and staying shut.

Hey!

Relax, Imp, Grue said. You want to confirm this is alright, Skitter?

So long as my teammates go free when trouble starts, I said. But yeah. I understand the paranoia.

And I think we could break out if we had to, I thought. I didnt say that part.

This sucks, Imp commented.

Suck it up, Grue responded. Come on.

We split up, with Rachel, Tattletale and I settling in the conference room, at the end furthest from the door. Triumph stood watch, and the blinds were left open, leaving us visible to the countless officers who were now on their computers and phones. There wasnt one of them who wasnt casting us suspicious glances every minute or so, or peering through the windows of the interview rooms at Regent, Grue and Imp.

I also noted the fact that there were nearly a dozen PRT officers fully suited up in their combat gear, complete with the full-face helmets, the chainmail-mesh covered body armor and containment foam sprayers. They kept out of the way. If I was using my eyes and I didnt have my swarm sense, I wouldnt have known they were there.

Sorry, by the way, I told Triumph.

The fuck you apologizing for? Rachel grumbled. Shed settled into a chair, feet on the table, Bastard curled up in her lap. One hand dangled, resting on Bentleys head.

I attacked his home, remember? Didnt know it was him, but Trickster threatened his family. A fight broke out and I nearly killed Triumph.

They know? Triumph asked. You shared the details already?

More or less, I said. Bitch doesnt care and isnt the type to use it against you, and Tattletale would have figured it out anyways.

Tattletale nodded.

Fuck, Triumph swore. Weld was right.

Anyways, I said, It there were better ways to do it. So I am sorry.

Didnt need doing in the first place, Triumph said, sighing. I was prepared to risk my life the day I graduated from the Wards. Knew what Id be getting into. Week I had clearance, I watched all the video we have of the class S threats. Leviathan, Simurgh, Behemoth, Slaughterhouse Nine, Nilbog, Sleeper. I knew what I was getting into. So Im not shocked or horrified at the attempt on my life. What gets me is what you did to my dad. Set his career back years, if its even recoverable, by forcing him to take that stance. The whole thing, start to finish, was unnecessary.

Hell recover, Tattletale said, Id argue his career was already pretty fucked after the way things went down, here. Not saying he was to blame, or that he wasnt, but its hard to graduate from mayor to governor when your legacy is a flooded ruin of a city.

Its not that bad, I said.

Tattletale shrugged, Not if youre here, but the photographers and reporters who are getting pictures and video footage of Brockton Bay arent going to take pictures of the barely affected areas. Theyre going to get the beaches, the south end and the crater. Because thats what sells. The people outside the city only see the worst bits. When were talking public perception, its not what is, its the picture thats painted.

And the picture is of a handful of scary and powerful supervillains running a fucked up city, Triumph said. Which is about to get more fucked up if you arent pulling our legs. So yeah, not a good legacy for my dad.

We have no reason to pull your leg, I said.

Getting access to something else thats confidential? Covering your kidnapping of Vista so youre clear to use Regents power on her later?

Why would we want her? Rachel asked.

Shes strong.

Bitchs question is a good one, Tattletale said. Yes, Vistas strong, but why would we want her? Itd be putting ourselves at risk, for no particular gain. If we wanted raw power, wed have kept your cousin. Theres nothing left in the city that we want or need, so its not like we really need her assistance to get a job done. We have money, we have resources, and anything thats worth anything is destroyed or taken by now.

Then what do you want? Triumph asked.

Security. We have all of the basics. Shelter, food, warmth, companionship, money. Anything we do from here on outs going to involve better securing ourselves where were at. We want to stop visiting villains from getting a footing anywhere in the city unless theyre joining us. Keep the peace so we keep you guys off our backs. I wouldnt mind a system like the Yakuza of Japans yesteryear, where we support and involve ourselves in local business, legally, to the point that nobody will be able to shake us.

Thats terrifying, Triumph said.

Why? Because were bad? Ooh, spooky, Tattletale waggled her fingers at him. If we do it right, we wont have to extort anything from the locals. We can do more to stop the drug trade than any of your guys. Then we disappear into the background, make enough money off the side benefits of our powers and investments to live a life of comfort. Mobilize only if and when theres a new threat. Build trust with you guys, ensure that any new parahumans go to either your group, go to ours, or they get dealt with some other way. Ensure that anyone like Hellhound who needs more elbow room or freedom is somewhere theyre comfortable, where they wont do any real harm.

And shes okay with that? Triumph asked, Being benched?

Give me my dogs, dont bother me, dont get in my face, Im okay with whatever, Rachel said. Her arm was moving. It took me a second to realize she was scratching Bastard.

Calmer than you were a week and a half ago, if thats the case, Triumph said.

Dunno, Rachel replied. That was then. This is now.

Triumph sighed.

Weld and Clockblocker joined us. Clockblocker handed Triumph a can of coke or something like it.

They behaving? Clockblocker asked.

Pretty much. Tattletale mentioned Dinah, but it wasnt to fuck with me. We were talking about their master plan, if you can call it that. Not much else.

Clockblocker looked at me. Skitter and I had a discussion on the way over.

And you wont have another, Miss Militia cut in. Shed stepped out of the Directors office next door and into the doorway. Were not here to socialize. We got in touch with some thinkers. Eleventh Hour says he gets an eight. Appraisers read says were purple. Rule for any pre-situ call is we get three points of reference, going by thinkers alone, that means a third thinker. The first they were able to get in touch with was Hunch. Your old teammate, Weld.

Didnt think he rated, yet, Weld said.

Chief Director Costa-Brown gave the a-ok, and Hunch says its bad. All together, were calling this a threat level A.

No shit. The Undersiders are for real? Triumph asked.

Tattletale didnt wait for him to get an answer, Thats threat level S. S-class.

The Chief Director of the PRT determined it was an A-class threat.

Bullshit, Tattletale said. S-class. I know Appraiser offered a purple-velvet diagnosis for his previous ratings on Endbringer attacks, so thats not the reason its so low. Elevens score of eight has to be above the seventy-five percent mark, and an answer as vague as Hunchs is going to be a seventy-five percent exact, as per section nine-seven-six, article seventy-one. Thats three values that have to be above the threshold for declaring a threat level S situation.

How the hell do you know all that? Weld asked.

Tattletale waved him off.

The Chief Director made the call. Were standing by it, Miss Militia said.

Were talking class-S, even if you ignore pre-situation verification. Section nine-seven-five, article fifty-seven. Classifying high level duplicators and villains who operate to any exponential degree. Nilbog and Simurgh both count, and Noelle does too. If the powers generate more instances of power generation or recurring effect in an epidemic pattern

Shes not a self duplicator, Miss Militia said, And yes, shes creating powers, but theyre copies of other peoples powers. Theyre not exponential or self-recursive in effect.

Youre splitting hairs.

And, Miss Militia said, She doesnt create more powers on her own. She has an intrinsic requirement of needing contact and time to absorb. She doesnt meet the criteria as they stand.

Still splitting those hairs, Tattletale said. Her threat level zooms up to S as soon as she gets her hands on anyone who can enable something like that. Like, say, any tinker.

I dont know why were even discussing this, when you seem to have our operations manual memorized and youre capable of realizing it for yourself, Miss Militia said, but it doesnt bear dwelling on. The difference in our response to a class A crisis and a class S one is minor at best. Some tertiary protocols change, we wont necessarily have Alexandria, Legend or Eidolon assisting, and theres no penalties for anyone who subscribed to the critical situation roster if they sit this one out.

Which they will, Tattletale said. Youre ignoring the fact that people are inherently selfish. It takes something to shake them from that reality, and thats not common.

I think youre underestimating the inherent goodness of people who dedicate their lives to heroism. I know for a fact we have ample volunteers already informed on the situation. Theyre en route.

If the heroes arent showing in full force, others wont either. Tattletale said, And theres no epidemic protocols with a class-A.

We have one tinker, Miss Militia said. Kid Win. Armsmaster is no longer on the premises. We have no duplicators. The risk is one we can control, either through the organization of our forces or turning any combatants with problematic interactions away. Epidemic protocols are unnecessary.

Armsmaster escaped, you mean, Tattletale said. And it wont be that easy.

Maybe not, but thats the word from above. Im not interested in debating this further, Tattletale. Miss Militia said. She turned her head slightly toward me, clearly expecting me to comment along the lines of what Id said in the containment van, about authority tying ones hands. When I didnt rise to the challenge, she said, Were having a strategy meeting in a matter of minutes. The first phase of the response will be teleporting in momentarily, but our best mass-teleporter died in the Leviathan attack, and the process is slow. Ill be releasing the rest of the Undersiders to join you soon.

As soon as you have enough extra bodies to watch us, Tattletale commented.

Yes, Miss Militia said, terse. She looked at the three young heroes who had gathered at the wall by the door. Be good. Excuses or no excuses, it looked bad when we had the last incident with a break in the truce. Dont let Tattletale provoke you, dont provoke them.

You cant blame them if they get emotional, Tattletale sighed. Its only natural, three young men, three young women, a possibility of Capulet-Montague forbidden love between hero and villain

My warning goes for you too, Tattletale. I already instructed Triumph to shout at the first sign of trouble.

Ill be angelic, Tattletale said.

Good. You should also know that Parian is leaving. She asked me to tell you, and to let you know shell be at her territory.

Parian was gone? Shit.

I wouldnt have let her go, I said. For a lot of reasons.

Its unfortunate, I agree, Miss Militia said, But were not in a position to stop her, short of fighting her. She was adamant about not wanting to participate in this fight. Flechette is escorting her back.

And however Noelle found Vista, she might find Parian and Flechette and target them the same way, Tattletale said.

Maybe. They both have devices to alert us. In the worst-case scenario, they can inform us if somethings happened. Now, if youll excuse me, I need to prepare.

Miss Militia didnt wait for a response. She was already striding down the hall, gesturing to get someones attention. Someone too small and too young to be a cop.

The three boys at the other end of the long table started talking among themselves.

This is falling apart before it begins, Tattletale commented.

I get the impression Miss Militias spooked, I said. Shes tense.

Anyone would be, Tattletale replied. Doesnt help that the last Endbringer fight ended her predecessors career.

I nodded.

Our muscles going to suffer in this fight, Tattletale said. Your bugs, Bitchs dogs, they cant hurt her, if she absorbs things on contact. Not unless we want clones of Bitchs dogs running rampant.

The heroes have long ranged fire, I replied. Kid Win, Miss Militia, Triumph. So Bitch and I adopt a support role. The dogs get our key players around the battlefield, if Bitch is willing.

Rachel grunted something that could have been agreement.

And I might be able to tie Noelle up without the bugs touching her. Grue can slow her down, Regent could do the same. I finished.

Regent couldnt use his power against Leviathan. Can you imagine him getting Leviathan under control?

Id rather not, I admitted. Theres a sweet spot as far as rep goes. Having a pet Endbringer puts us in the too scary to be allowed to live category.

Wed have to do what the Slaughterhouse Nine do, win frequently enough against high odds that people cant afford the losses.

Would mean we have to go mobile, I said. So we have time to recuperate while the enemy tries to track us down. Anyways, enough what if. Lets get back on topic.

Tattletale nodded. Imp?

For this coming fight? Rescue, I said. The enemy wont target her, they might not target anyone she can get in contact with. Fallen allies, captives, Imp gets them to safety.

Tattletale nodded. The tone of her voice shifted fractionally as she said, You guys can chime in at any point here.

The young heroes had stopped talking and were listening in.

I dont know what you want us to add, Clockblocker said.

Interactions, I said. Maybe we put you on Bentleys back. We wont have to kill Noelle if you can tag her. Well be able to keep her frozen long enough for us to erect some form of containment.

Me? On the dog?

You scared? Rachel asked.

I think anyone would be a little scared. You cant tell me they arent a little intimidating.

Your power nullifies any threat they could pose, I said.

If it closes its teeth around my arm, the fraction of a second it takes my power to kick in is going to buy it time to dig in just a little. Jaws clamped on my arm, I freeze it, sure, but then every time it unfreezes, it closes a little more before I can freeze it again. No thank you.

Hes scared, Rachel said. She scratched the top of Bastards head, and I realized she was talking to the wolf cub that was sleeping in her lap. Youre the stuff of nightmares.

Clockblocker snorted, then got caught up in a murmured conversation with Weld and Triumph. They were facing our way as they talked.

I tried to ignore them, focused on taking deep breaths, controlling the intake so I wouldnt start coughing and humiliate myself in front of the local heroes.

You okay? Tattletale asked.

Coughing less. I feel like Ive maybe got the worst of it out of my lungs and throat.

I meant you. Youve been quiet. You werent saying as much as you normally might when I was talking to Miss Militia.

Thinking.

Important you keep doing that, she said. But not if its getting you like this. Unless youre putting together a master plan.

I shook my head. No plan. Just fatigue and-

I stopped. Each and every officer in the next room was turning their heads. I used my bugs to feel out the subject. A hood, with the warmth of a faint natural glow from beneath, with the same effect around his hands, with his loose sleeves. I noted that a glass helm like the one Clockblocker wore fit over his face beneath the hood. People went out of their way to clear out of his path, to such an extent that I might have thought they were in front of an elephant and not a man.

Eidolon entered the conference room and grabbed the seat just to the right of the one at the far end of the table. He swept his cape to one side before he sat down.

Didnt think you were coming, Tattletale said. With it being just a Class-A threat.

The infamous Undersiders, Eidolon spoke. His voice reverberated slightly, an effect similar to Grues.

And the famous Eidolon, Tattletale retorted, while were doing the reverse-introductions. I thought I told Miss Militia that we shouldnt bring in anyone we cant beat in a fight.

Dont concern yourself over it, Eidolon said. I can render myself immune.

We wont know until it happens, she replied.

There was a pause.

Tattletale. Are you looking for a chink in the armor?

You cant blame me, can you? If we wind up having to fight you, then it might be all over. So Im gathering intel.

Eidolon didnt reply.

Okay, sure. Fine, Tattletale raised her hands in surrender. Its cool.

Eidolon turned away to follow the murmured conversation between Weld, Triumph and Clockblocker. Tattletale rested her elbows on the table, rubbed at her eyes.

Tired? I asked.

Exhausted. Been using my power all night, my heads throbbing, and this whole business with Noelle hasnt even started.

Take a nap, I suggested.

No time. And I do want to make sure I have some ideas in advance, for anyone we might have to face. Noelle is going to target Eidolon. If we fight him, well have to use his weaknesses against him.

Tattletale, Eidolon cut Clockblocker off mid-sentence, his voice carrying across the room. Could you elaborate?

Dont worry, she said, No weaknesses you dont already know about.

Is that so?

Youre losing your powers, she said. Not fast enough that it matters today, but enough that the difference is appreciable.

It was hard to read Eidolons body language with the few bugs Id permitted myself. He was leaning forward slightly, and his upper arms pressed against the fabric of his costume as he flexed or clenched a fist.

And how would you know this, if it were true?

Because any other day, with you heroes being as short on teleporters as you are, youd be helping bring people in. Youre conserving your strength. It might even be a long term fear, like youve only got so much power to use over your lifetime before its all spent. Candle that burns twice as hot, or something.

Simple deduction? Did you consider that I am not teleporting people because theres a shortage of volunteers?

That would contradict what Miss Militia said, and she wasnt lying. And it doesnt fit the overall picture. Alexandria-

Eidolon slapped his hand down against the table. A forcefield expanded from the impact site, forcing Rachel and I out of our chairs and against the wall. I slumped down to the ground, grabbing my rib, and coughed painfully.

The forcefield had kept Rachel and I out, but Tattletale was inside with Eidolon. The sounds from within were muffled.

But I had bugs on both Eidolon and Tattletale, and I could almost make out their words.

Tattletale was speaking. reason you this situation a class-A threat isnt because it doesnt fit. did it is because Alexandria wanted an excuse not You came because you needed to prove something to yourself. Test measure of your power in a nse situation work best when danger. This is best challenge youll have

treading dangerous waters, Eidolon spoke. There was no growl in his voice, no anger, irritation or emotion at all. Only calm. It made him easier to understand.

can live with danger, its interesting. Awfully interesting why Alexandrias not coming me? secret.

Eidolon said something, but his tone had changed and I wasnt able to switch mental gears fast enough.

you? Tattletale asked. Years-

The fuck!? Rachel snarled. Bentley growled as if to accompany her words. He was already growing.

Relax, I said, before I started coughing again. They arent fighting.

He knocked me over!

I could see Miss Militia and Assault at the other end of the room, but the forcefield bubble was blocking us.

What happened!? Miss Militia shouted.

I tried to respond, coughed instead. My voice was weak with the fresh rawness of my throat as I did manage to utter a reply, Eidolon flipped

Eidolon attacked! Rachel yelled.

Did she provoke him? Miss Militia asked. Her gun was raised.

No, I managed only a whisper.

The forcefield winked out. Eidolon was still sitting, he hadnt moved except to slap the table with his hand, but Tattletale was standing.

Just wanted to have a private conversation, Eidolon said. Im sorry. Ill be getting some fresh air.

With that, he stood and strode out of the room. He made his way to the stairwell and I could track him moving to the roof.

I picked up my chair and sat, still coughing intermittently. Rachel was still standing, and her dogs were still growing. I gestured for her to sit.

She just glared across the room.

I gestured again, but the force of the motion made my chest hurt and I started coughing. Before I recovered, Rachel sat with an audible thud. She kicked her boot against the edge of the table, hard, and left it there.

What did you do? Miss Militia asked. She was facing Tattletale. I could see the other Undersiders behind her.

Was just commenting that it seemed odd he wasnt helping you guys out with teleporting people in, Tattletale said.

You said more than that, Weld noted.

Im tired, hes tired, we talked it out. All copacetic, Tattletale said. She leaned back and stretched.

Im not so sure, Miss Militia said. Skitter, are you alright?

Recent injury, I managed. Will be fine in a minute.

Miss Militia nodded. Not much sympathy, but I couldnt blame her. Then lets get things underway. Everyone, please get seated, or find space to stand.

Grue, Regent and Imp joined us, and Grue set his hands on my shoulders as he stood behind me. He rubbed my exposed back where the armor panel was missing as I coughed hoarsely once or twice.

I counted the people in costume with my swarm. It wasnt nearly as many reinforcements as wed had against Leviathan. I saw Chevalier and Myrddin, but didnt recognize anyone else. There were the Wards and Protectorate members from Brockton Bay, with perhaps twenty more.

Tentative ratings, based on what we know, we have her down as a brute eight, a changer two and a combination of striker and master with a rating of ten.

Too low, I heard Tattletale murmur.

I suppressed a cough, managed only a choke. It drew more attention to me, and I couldnt shake the feeling that everyone was already paying way too much attention. I was wearing my older costume, and somehow felt more juvenile, more exposed. I didnt have the covering of bugs over the exterior of my costume like I was used to, either.

Her ability allows her to create clones of anyone she touches. The PRT office believes shes a class-A threat, but Tattletales expectation is that this individual has the potential to become an Endbringer. Were moving forward with extreme caution.

Our primary issue at the moment is that we cant yet locate her. She has one hostage, a young member of the Wards. The girl was attacked en route to her home. Locating our target quickly is paramount, but we should also be careful to avoid giving her a chance to use her power on us. For the time being, we will be operating with the same protocols and plans that we employ against Hadhayosh. Hit and run, maintain a safe distance as priority number one, and employ continuous attacks. Well be dividing you into teams-

Miss Militia stopped short as an officer pushed his way through the people near the door, Chevalier included. He handed Miss Militia a phone.

She turned around and pressed a button on the wall. The faux-wooden panels separated to reveal a widescreen television.

It flickered on.

Her? Kid Win asked. Thats the class-S threat?

Shes bigger than she looks, Tattletale commented.

I was disappointed I couldnt see. I tried looking at the screen with my bugs, but they saw only a rectangular glow.

Quiet, Miss Militia said, Its a webcam feed. Im setting it so well be transmitting audio only Hello, Noelle.

Who is this? Noelle asked.

She talks, I heard someone whisper.

Miss Militia, Miss Militia said, louder.

The gun woman. Who else is there?

Other local heroes, Miss Militia replied.

Oh. There arent more? The Undersiders didnt get in touch with you? Noelle sounded funny. Her voice was hollow, almost disappointed.

Its just us right now.

Because I smell more, Noelle said. Which makes it hard to believe you. But you can lie if you have to.

You can smell us.

Not you. But it doesnt matter, Noelles voice broke. She stopped.

Are you there? Miss Militia asked.

Im here. I was telling you it doesnt matter. I only called because I killed her. The space-warper. Im so bad with the names. So many names for you capes. I only ever paid attention to the powers.

You killed Vista, Miss Militia said. Why?

Because I could. Because I was hungry, and Id already used her up. See?

There was a brief pause, then a number of gasps and breathless words all at once. One of my bugs caught a noise from Clockblocker, deep in his throat.

Grue leaned close, whispered in my ear, Five Vistas. All but one of them have faces more like masks than skin and muscle. Hard, rigid. Wearing borrowed clothes, not costumes. The fifth one might be taller than I am, and her bones look curved.

I nodded.

There was a thump from the microphone on Noelles end, presumably as she turned the camera back to herself.

Just wanted to let you know that. Im sorry. This isnt like me. Its the stuff thats growing on me. I have my memories, and when I think, its always my thoughts, but it feels like its taking over my subconscious, and when it wants something the hormones and adrenaline flood into my body and my brain, so I feel what it feels. Twists the way I think.

Why Vista?

She was alone. And could smell how strong she was. Read about her online, too. Internet was all I had for a long time. Now Ive got them. Theyre pretty obedient, and its nice to have company. I havent had any physical contact with anyone for a while, and they like giving me hugs. Except the sixth.

Sixth, Miss Militia said.

Not as obedient. She ran off. Gibbering something about killing her family.

Miss Militia thrust her index finger toward the door, and the Wards were gone in a flash, running for the stairwell.

Can we negotiate? Miss Militia asked, her voice oddly calm given the ferocity of the gesture and the threat against one of her colleagues family.

Not really a negotiation but I can offer you a deal.

Whats the deal?

Kill the Undersiders. Or hand them to me so I can torment them before I kill them. You can do it any time you want to. Just knock them out, or hurt them, or find a way to tell me where they are. If its a choice between hurting one of you or hurting one of them, Ill hurt them. I promise. If Ive taken someone hostage, you probably have a little while before the hostage is dead. Just know that Ill trade you any of my hostages for any Undersider, any time, any situation. When the Undersiders are all dealt with, Ill sniff out and kill all of the clones Ive made, then Ill let you try to kill me. Or imprison me. Do whatever. I dont care anymore, because I dont think Ill be me much longer. I dont think Im even me right now. Not the me I was Im rambling.

They took away my only chance. My only chance to get well. Until theyve paid for that, Im going to make this hard on you, heroes. I dont think I can die, and I dont think Im that easy to stop in other ways. Ill hunt you down, Ill copy you until youre all used up, let your copies ruin your reputations and your lives, and then Ill eat you. Ill do it to each of you, one by one, until you realize its easier to go after the Undersiders than to come after me. Give me my revenge, and this ends.