"Still, I think you shouldn't have returned to the city," I tell my father, who just shakes his head in response. Our house is unusually crowded - the neighborhood survived, the flood waters didn't reach here. Of course, things have been better - the storm drains were overflowing, the sidewalks and roads are full of silt and mud, the beautiful lawns by the houses turned into dirty patches covered with cracks from dried silt, but at least the houses remained. As a result, both our house and the neighboring ones that Coil's people bought are now packed with people who were less fortunate. By the way, the operators resisted, pointing out that protecting Danny would become very difficult, and they already have few people - everyone's busy in the city. Unfortunately, you can't out-stubborn my father's Irish blood. So by executive decision, I completely removed all security, redirected people to tent cities and patrols. I secretly touched Danny's hand and enhanced him - gave him increased regeneration and most importantly, powerful skull protection. Now only a cannon could smash his head... and I can always fix everything else. Actually... good idea for all of ours. Brain preservation is priority. Could even build something like a catapult into the body - in a dire situation - boom and the brain flies out in a capsule! And... insects catch the capsule and immediately I install them in a new body from storage! Not losing a second - back into battle! Hmm... maybe I should think about this a bit more.
"Taylor, understand, these are my people," Danny objects, flipping pancakes in the pan. "Want some pancakes with maple syrup? That employee of yours who's making eyes at you brought it."
"Who else is making eyes at me?" I'm puzzled, then catching myself, I put my hands on my hips. "Don't change the subject, Dad! They can manage here without you, and you..."
"And I am Daniel Hebert. Head of the Dockworkers Union," he says firmly. "How would I feel if I was lounging around in Boston or wherever you want to send me during hard times? Sorry, daughter, but I'm not a toy or a doll you can control. I have my own life and this is my responsibility. Remember - heart over mind..."
"Oh," I sigh and shake my head. "Fine. I can't do anything about this anyway... but I'm begging you - be careful."
"How could I not be," he grins and transfers the pancakes to a plate. "I'm always careful."
"Smells delicious!" Kurt, Dad's colleague, peeks into the kitchen. His family now lives with us and his children run up and down the stairs - brother and sister, somehow subtly resembling their father. His wife, smiling Marcy, cleaned the house so thoroughly that everything simply gleams - I even feel a bit uncomfortable. Along with them, a fluffy gray-and-white cat moved in with us. The cat constantly hisses at me, arches its back and shows its displeasure and indignation at my presence in every way. Marcy even apologized for him a couple times, saying this usually doesn't happen with him. Understandable... I probably differ from all people by smell... or some kind of radiation... he can't be sensing the smell of carrion, can he? I'm alive - that is, this body is alive and functioning. Nothing in me is decomposing... strange.
"Kurt, call the kids, pancakes are ready," Father says.
"He wouldn't let me help at all," Marcy complains. "Did everything himself. Says it's a special Hebert family recipe."
"Uh-huh," I nod and point at the flour box. "There's that recipe written on the box. I've heard such tales before."
"Children grow up so fast," Danny sighs, hiding a smile. "They don't believe in Santa and family recipes anymore. By the way, the family recipe actually calls for bat blood."
"I happen to believe in Santa," I grumble, getting up from the table and pulling off my apron. "I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?" Father frowns after me, but I'm already heading to the hallway.
"I'll be back soon! I have... guests coming." The insects spotted them long ago, but I wasn't sure until the last turn. I step onto the porch, checking my combat capabilities. Fourteen thousand highly mobile, fast and armored drones (they urgently need a name!), three hundred bombs from Bakuda's arsenal - Zero Timing, disintegration, molecular bond destructors, vibration bombs that turn people into mincemeat, nanowires that cut through everything in their path... additional bodies that are now rising on the lower floors of the base, in my laboratory. I decided not to raise my people on alert - everyone has enough to do, and I can handle this threat myself.
I stand on the porch with my arms crossed, watching a black car stop on the roadway. Once it was very beautiful and impressive with its polished sides, but now it's covered in mud, a fender torn off, windshield cracked. I look up. A woman in dazzling white robes descends from above, her face stern and serious.
"Purity," I say, nodding in greeting. I have no unfinished business with her, I even like her. Yes, she's a member of "Empire Eighty-Eight," moreover, she's the leader of the group consisting of Fog, Night and Alabaster... and I recently encased the latter in metal and threw him in the bay. By the way, I should check on him... drag him to the base, I have a couple ideas... and Bakuda wouldn't mind studying the restoration process, right?
"Administrator," Purity says, landing on the ground before me. Behind her a door slams and a tall girl steps onto the path, dressed like a valkyrie, with steel wings behind her back and a closed Viking-style helmet on her head. She holds a spear in her hand. Menja.
"I suppose I should start by saying I don't like your visit," I say, and behind me clouds of insects rise into the air, buzzing ominously.
"Wait!" Purity raises her hands. "We didn't come here to fight!"
"Oh really? You came to my house. Not to a base, not to a cape's hidden lair, but to a house. Where I live under my civilian identity. You're calling me by my cape name. That's already breaking unwritten rules, isn't it?" I say, and insects soar overhead, gathering in dark clouds. The bass hum from millions of working wings penetrates to the bone, resonating with vibration.
"Yes. But I had no choice. It's not like you leave business cards everywhere with your base address. Nobody really knows where your lair is," Purity steps back, showing open palms. "And I needed to talk to you. Please."
"Talk?" I look around. Dad's worried face looks out the window, next to him - Kurt and Marcy's faces. Damn.
"Okay," I say, calling back my insects. "Let's talk. Tea? Coffee? Dad made pancakes, though we weren't expecting guests, but..."
"That's not necessary, thank you," Purity shakes her head. "Administrator, you killed Hookwolf. And Alabaster."
"Alas," I fold my arms across my chest. "I warned the son of a bitch. What, did you come to collect a blood debt? No problem, name the place and time... or I can start everything right here and now. And finish it."
"No. I... I'm sorry about both of them, they were my comrades, even though each of them had a terrible character," she winces and shrugs, as if she'd gotten dirty with something. "But they were my comrades. And... I think you'll agree that your attack on Hookwolf and Alabaster wasn't provoked by anything. You just walked up to his club, called him out and killed him right in the wasteland. Both of them."
"..." I remain silent, arms folded across my chest. I can't tell her "Hookwolf tried to kidnap my dad!" First, the kidnapping attempt failed thanks to Coil, there's no proof. And... it sounds childish. Let her finish speaking, then I'll kill her. Her and Menja. And everyone in general. I've had enough...
"I... we all also participated in the battle with Leviathan," Purity says and I remember her that day. Indeed, Purity's full-power attack even managed to stop the monster for a second. I shift my gaze to Menja. She stands with a grim expression, gripping her spear. Yes, her twin sister Fenja died in that battle. Like many others. For example, Kaiser. Crusader. Stormtiger. Krieg. Hmm. I think I'm starting to understand which way the wind is blowing.
"I understand there are... contradictions between us," Purity continues. "But still... you attacked first. The Empire never attacked your people or property. The first strike, the deadly strike was delivered by you. Therefore I believe you owe us a debt, Administrator."
"I didn't borrow from anyone, I don't owe anyone," I reply and Purity's brows furrow. "But continue. What do you want?"
"I... heard that you can..." she licks her lips. For the first time during our entire conversation, notes of uncertainty are heard in her voice.
"I can?"
"Can resurrect the fallen. That it's within your power. I used to always think you were a psychopath who enjoyed killing, but if you really can resurrect... does that mean you just relate to it differently? If you can always bring anyone back, then death isn't final for you!" Purity blurts out. "Please! Bring back Kaiser! You and he have no mutual grievances! He'll never cross your path! He'll quit being a cape! Become a civilian! I have money... he has money, please! Life for death, Administrator! You killed two of ours, please, even the score!"
"Two?" I raise an eyebrow and Menja steps forward, raises her face and meets my gaze.
"And my sister," she says. "Please."
"How did..." I look at their faces and wave my hand. Of course. Such news spreads like wildfire. Megawatt and Barrier were dead, lying in the morgue, already prepared for burial! Non-disclosure documents for everyone present, but... it's useless. Everyone who saw the dead heroes - there are too many of them. How is Amy supposed to go home? For now she's staying in tent camps, supposedly helping there, but Carol has already called every phone demanding Amy and Vicky return home - tonight Carol and Amy will have a TALK. And honestly, I wouldn't want to be present. Unfortunately, that won't work. A conversation with Amy is a conversation with me.
So the Eighty-Eights got information from their people in the PRT, and if not from there, someone else would have said it - in a week everyone will know. But... I'm surprised by Purity's request. First she came at me, claiming I owed a blood debt for Hookwolf and Alabaster, then asked me to return Kaiser and Fenja. Not a word about Hookwolf himself, Crusader, Krieg or Stormtiger. It seems she really doesn't care as much about the Empire's strength as personal relationships. Her and Menja's. They came to ask for family, not to restore the organization's combat power. Well, I can understand that.
"Fine," I say. "I'll do what I can. Only... there are a couple nuances."
"I'm listening," Purity nods. I like her more and more. A calm, confident woman, no panic or hysteria. Knows how to control herself. Came to her enemy's den, initially from a losing position, but keeps her back straight. I'm sure if I refused her, she wouldn't cry, fall to her knees or curse and shower threats. She would turn and leave - with the same straight back. I wonder what Kaiser is to her? There were rumors they were a couple, but what about the two blondes who were always behind the Eighty-Eights leader's shoulders? Fenja and Menja behaved as if they owned Kaiser, driving away all sorts of... staying behind him they gave everyone haughty, contemptuous looks. That's how either big bosses' mistresses behave, or... or spoiled daughters!
"Is he your husband?" I ask Purity and she chokes, coughs. Gives me an indignant look.
"He's my uncle," Menja says, stepping forward. "Mine and Fenja's uncle. Aunt raised us like her own children. But we found common ground with... his new wife too. We're one family. You killed ours, but I'm ready to forgive you everything. Please bring back my uncle and my sister. We'll leave the city, we won't stand in your way, we'll forget the road to Brockton Bay. We'll leave together with Purity."
"Is that so. Alright, alright. I'll do what I can. Where are the bodies?" Purity nods toward the black car, and only now do I realize it's a hearse.
"Seriously? How?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Last night I paid a visit to the morgue," Menja grumbles. "Took them from there."
"Well I'll be. The city morgue is becoming a thoroughfare - who hasn't been wandering around there," I say. "They definitely should strengthen security."
"I saw that many bodies were missing there," Menja says. "I think others will still come to you for help. If they haven't already."
"You're the first," I respond. "Alright, here's an address, go there, everything needs to be prepared. My people will meet you there, I'll tell them to let you through. And also - keep in mind that those I raise will never be able to go against me. Raise a hand against me. Think of betraying me or stabbing me in the back."
"That's understandable," Purity nods. "That's clear."
"And also... those I raise will owe me. They live on credit. And someday I might demand the debt be repaid," I meet Purity's gaze and she steps back and swallows hard.
"A debt? That sounds... ominous," Menja speaks up. I turn to her.
"What did you think. We're not playing games here. Bringing someone back from the other side isn't fun and games. Hades and the Pit don't give up their clients just like that. Consider it a deal with the devil - I can bring them back to you, but there are conditions. Which are non-negotiable. You can accept them or not. It's that simple - those I raise cannot go against me in open battle or participate in a treacherous scheme to strike from behind. Arguing with me, disagreeing, trying to convince me - as much as you want. I don't take away free will. I take away the possibility of physical confrontation with me. And second - someday I might come to your home and demand the debt be repaid. I don't know... right of surprise. Something you don't yet know about in your house... you recently had a daughter, didn't you?" I turn to Purity and she shoots into the air, instantly switching to combat form, her radiance blinding me.
"WHAT?!" she snarls and I wave my hand placatingly.
"Hey... that was a joke. Nobody's going to take children, what are you thinking. Cool it."
"Seems the forum users on 'Parahumans Online' are right, communicating with Tattletale has a very bad influence on you," Menja says, lowering her spear. "Always knew she was a bitch."
"Uh..." I tried to find words, thought a bit and shrugged. "You're right. Just don't tell her I said that. She'll never let me live it down."
"Are those all your conditions?" Purity asks, landing on the ground.
"Yes," I nod. "I can only promise no right of surprise, no eating children and no guessing the name Rumpelzeltskin."
"Stiltskin," Menja corrects me. "Rumpelstiltskin. Please don't try to pronounce it again, it hurts my ears."
"In any case," I send Menja a withering look. She pretends not to notice. Interesting girl, even if she is a Nazi. On the other hand, if you don't give people a second chance, then how else? Let's not put labels on people.
Menja and Purity exchange glances. Then Purity turns her head to me.
"We agree," she says. "As soon as you bring them back - we'll pack up and leave the city."
"That's not necessary," I reply. "The city is in a difficult situation right now and I could use help. However, we'll discuss that with Kaiser himself. Alright, go to that address, they'll meet you there and prepare everything, start the thawing, put them in organic baths. I'll be there in about an hour, I have business." Actually I have uneaten pancakes and maple syrup, but I'm not going to mention that. My day is already full of stress, and tonight I still have a conversation with Carol on one side and Kaiser on the other.
"Eh," I sigh. "No rest for the wicked."