"You're a damn exploiter!" Glory Girl says to me and even stamps her foot a little. Though, considering she's hovering about five centimeters above the ground, her efforts are in vain. And the indignation on her face isn't real either - I can see that. Actually, she enjoys being useful, enjoys doing me a favor, and she also enjoys it when I praise her. Interesting, right? And how did we end up in this situation? Taylor Hebert, who used to look at her wall posters with a racing heart, who couldn't even think about standing next to Glory Girl - now praising her, and Glory Girl genuinely rejoicing... even though she pretends not to care.
"Thank you, Vicky," I say. "Without you I never would have made it in time. And... Chris - thank you too."
"Well... I'm not such a powerhouse like my sister, but I still managed to help, right?" Laser Show says and looks around. "Where should I put this?"
"Drop it where you stand," I reply. "Don't worry, it's just Bakuda's bombs."
"What?! Taylor!" Glory Girl immediately rushes to her sister and takes the container from her. "You could have said something!"
"Don't underestimate Tomoko," I shake my head. "Her bombs never explode by themselves. Only when they need to. Besides, there are built-in safety mechanisms. So you really can drop it, nothing will happen."
"Seriously, Taylor, what's going on? And why should my sister and I drop everything and fly around with your equipment like some kind of air taxi?" Glory Girl carefully places the container on the ground. "There's nothing around here. Just one road and mountains in the distance... even the grass is withered, it's a wasteland."
"That's exactly why this is the perfect place," I reply. "It was planned that way. Now I just need to..." I flip open the lid of the nearest container and look inside. I look inside and feel pride and awe. This is probably how artists look at paintings they've created and like. I've heard that not all artists can look at their work, but I can. And I'm proud. With the kind of pride mothers probably look at their children with.
"What is that? God, what monsters!" Laser Show's voice sounds behind me. "Horrible! Is that... a dragonfly?"
"There's no such thing as a dragonfly that size, Chris! That's... that's some kind of monster!" Glory Girl responds. "Taylor, what is that?!"
"What is that?" I watch as my creation spreads its wings, stretches its legs and suddenly - in one motion - appears in the air above us! The bass hum of powerful wings is almost deafening!
"Actually, it really was a dragonfly," I say. "Well... once upon a time. At least I used a dragonfly as the base. Highest maneuverability and flight speed. Ability to hover in place, and also - it can hang in the air for hours..."
"That's a dragonfly?! That's like some kind of combat helicopter! And it's probably the size of a car!"
"Don't exaggerate. Only about a meter and a half long and almost two - if you count the wingspan. It's... quite large for an insect, although in Paleozoic times there were meganeurids... but even they weren't this big. Natural limitations of the respiratory and nervous systems, as well as disadvantages of the external exoskeleton." I say, watching as legs and wings unfold, as bodies straighten, transitioning from transport position to combat mode, and how my "Valkyries" fly out of the container one by one. Fast, enduring, very durable and quite strong. Each one's jaws can easily bite off a human arm... even if it's encased in armor. A stinger with neurotoxin or tranquilizer as a last resort weapon. Built-in poisoned dart launchers, plus each "Valkyrie" is essentially an aerial carrier for a hundred "Kunoichi." But I didn't make them this big because I have gigantism. Legions of "Stings," "Medics" and "Kunoichi" can handle other combat tasks... but some of Tomoko's bombs still can't be miniaturized sufficiently. Each "Valkyrie" is a drone carrying two missiles with enhanced-radius Null-T warheads. The example with Big A showed how dangerous Tomoko's bombs are, especially dangerous at the edge of their effect. If Alexandria had been completely caught in the Zero Time field, she would have "thawed" the same way. The disadvantage of these bombs is that if I want to increase the radius of effect, the bomb itself increases proportionally. Besides, I brought experimental samples of Tomoko's bombs with me... I'm not sure I'll be able to use them, but it's better to have them in reserve than not.
And finally, the most important function of the "Valkyries," the reason I can't make them smaller - is that each of these huge dragonflies is simultaneously a relay for my control. And now several of them rushed forward along the road at maximum speed. The rest follow them. Right now I'm at the edge of my control over the city, where the hive-relays reach, I can sense a couple quite nearby, but when the "Valkyries" fly forward, it's like the "fog of war" disperses before me.
The road is nearby, about fifteen meters away, I can see cars rushing along it. A busy highway. Refugees continue to leave Brockton Bay despite the fact that today they already restored electricity and water pressure, and opened stores. People can be understood - they're in shock from the Endbringer attack. And although analysts around the world hastened to declare this a Good Day, the damage to the city was actually significant. And hundreds of people died. Tattletale says that neither Armsmaster's halberd, nor my Bomb, nor that girl's crossbow arrows dealt sufficient damage to Leviathan. The Endbringer left on its own, undefeated. And even saying we drove it off would be an exaggeration. That's what Tattletale said, and I've long understood that when she's not being sarcastic, mocking or joking - she tells the truth.
The "Valkyries" rush into the distance over the road, gaining altitude and disappearing above, impossible to detect from the ground without special equipment... and if they do see them? A few dragonflies, that's all. At a distance, size won't be noticeable - you need something to compare with for scale. My "Valkyries" rush along, dropping relays along the road every two hundred yards. I'm looking for a big trailer. Crawler is a huge creature, it won't fit in a car or even an RV or van. So first I need to check all the big trucks and container haulers. They probably don't separate - in the rare moments when they were caught on the move, they all reacted at once, which means they travel together.
As the "Valkyries" rush into the distance, more and more of the road falls under my control, there are insects in practically every truck transmitting data. Regular cargo, construction materials, cardboard boxes with goods, government humanitarian rations... and this trailer was ordered by Lisa - besides humanitarian aid, there are ammunition and materials for Tomoko, rare earth minerals and gold wire, sapphires and diamond paste, ammonium nitrate in bags. I skip two refrigerated trailers. Could Crawler be in them? Possibly. They're sealed, and because of the cold there isn't a single living insect inside. One of the "Valkyries" banks and dives down. Its jaws are strong and durable enough to tear through the side of a refrigerated container, making a hole big enough for a "Kunoichi" to crawl through. The "Valkyrie" gently lands on the roof of the refrigerated container, with one strike of its durable stinger - punches a hole in it. One of the "Kunoichi" sitting on it crawls through the hole, examines the container's contents. Frozen meat, pork in blocks. The "Kunoichi" crawls back out, the "Valkyrie" soars upward. I feel a pang of conscience - after all, I damaged someone else's property. If I'd known, I would have built web glands into the "Valks" too - to patch such holes. Well... the hole is small, probably nothing. And if anything - I'll remember the number and compensate for the damage... God, what nonsense comes to mind. I'm also thinking that Crawler could travel in a gas tanker too... right? Damn... what to do? I make an executive decision - stop all unchecked tankers in advance and check their contents... that's what I need clones for.
"So," Glory Girl says, flying up to me. "Taylor, what's happening? What's the rush and why here specifically? Don't keep us in the dark. After all, we can help you, right Chris?"
"Oh, absolutely," Laser Show responds. "How could I not help your villain girlfriend. I never would have thought you were into girls... especially that you like the Mistress of Brockton Bay. Apparently the dark side really is... Vicky! That hurts, you brute!"
"Keep talking nonsense and I'll hit you again," Glory Girl says. "Stop acting like a child. Can't you see this is serious? If Taylor is this worried, something's wrong."
"Girls," I interrupt the sisters' conversation. "Thank you again. I'll handle the rest myself. I understand I can't force you to leave completely, but I sincerely ask you not to interfere and observe from a respectful distance."
"What's happening?!"
"The Slaughterhouse Nine are heading to Brockton Bay," I reply, and Glory Girl flinches and steps back, her eyes widening. Laser Show, on the contrary, flies a bit closer. I can see the freckles on her nose where the mask doesn't hide her face.
"That's exactly why I need you as far from the scene as possible," I say. "I don't need firepower. If I needed capes, the Undersiders in full force and the Travelers would be here now. But... right now I'm a one-girl-army myself, so the main thing is that you don't get caught in the crossfire."
"Taylor! Then all the more reason I can't stay on the sidelines!" Glory Girl declares. "Let us help you!"
"You can't..." At this moment, Tattletale's cheerful voice sounds in my head - she stayed at the base.
"They absolutely can!" she says. "You'll have to clear the road of civilians anyway, right? Put one a couple miles east of here, and send the other to cut off cars following the Nine as soon as you find them. Yes, I know you wanted to do everything with your insects, but this is even better. People are more inclined to trust heroes, especially one like Glory Girl - known throughout the country."
"But, Lisa..."
"And you'll get rid of their presence on the battlefield at the same time. Or you'll have to tie up and bind Vicky again... though maybe she's hoping for that. Her dark side yearns for you to dominate her... something about 'strong hand in the hair and press against the wall, pulling off her tight costume...' Gah! Taylor, have some conscience! Where did these flies come from?! Ugh!"
"When I get back to base, we're going to have a talk about your inappropriate behavior, young lady," I say. "After all, I'm on an important mission! Stop fooling around. If people find out what you and I were doing near Alexandria... that even sounds wrong!"
"Yes, yes... talk, talk..." somewhere far from here, at my base, Lisa waves her hand and takes out breath freshener and mint gum. "You enjoyed it the most. Strikes some chords in your soul, huh? And stop feeding me flies already, I'm not a frog after all."
"Um... what were you doing near Alexandria?" Laser Show asks, and I realize I was speaking my part out loud. I'm used to it already. Damn... on the other hand, I'm the ruthless warlord of Brockton Bay, in the top ten strongest capes in the country... so why are my cheeks burning with fire?!
"Uh... so! I really do need you! Horror, Sodom and Gomorrah in the form of the Slaughterhouse Nine are approaching the city!" I hurry to lower the visor of my "Ronin" tactical armor mask over my face so as not to draw extra attention to my reddened face.
"It seems to me that Horror, Sodom and Gomorrah have long since settled in Brockton Bay and live there permanently. In your person," Laser Show points out. "But continue. What were you doing with Alexandria? Is it really true that you decided to add everyone depicted on your bedroom wall posters to your collection?"
"What collection?!"
"What's it called now? Close the gestalt?" Laser Show removes her mask and becomes Crystal Pelham again. "Like, during long sleepless nights you looked at the wall with those posters and promised yourself that if you gained power, you'd rape them all. And... look - Glory Girl, Panacea, Alexandria... Vicky! Let go! Argh! You'll strangle me!"
"It's a pleasure to watch sisters get along," I say, feeling that I've finally stopped blushing like a schoolgirl. "Family bonds..."
"Taylor!" Glory Girl gasps with indignation as she shakes Laser Show, holding her firmly by the neck. "Don't listen to her!"
"I'm not listening," I shrug. "I have the same pest at home."
"See, Chris! They're already comparing you to Tattletale! Stop behaving like this!"
"Argh..." Laser Show wheezes half-strangled.
"I want to make an official statement that if you strangle her, the Administration has nothing to do with this death," I note, finally coming to my senses. Tattletale's jokes really throw me off balance in no time. Should I install a gag in her?
At this very moment, my "Valkyries" discover the target. A big truck, a middle-aged man at the wheel. In the container - a huge creature. Insects that land on its surface immediately die. It's also impossible to get close to the driver - all insects near him stop obeying me and fly away. Only to be caught by my power again at some distance. Aha... about... eight meters. Behind the wheel of the trailer is Hatchet Face. In the container is Crawler.
"Vicky, Chris!" I raise my voice and Glory Girl releases Laser Show, who makes a half-strangled wheeze. "I need your help! Chris - you fly east along the highway, stop all traffic in our direction. Vicky! You fly west. Gain more altitude and right behind the red trailer, above which my 'Valkyries' are hovering at height - land and stop all traffic behind it. Two white vans are driving ahead of the trailer, one with telecom advertising, one just white. Under no circumstances approach them. That's the Slaughterhouse Nine. We need to cut off as many cars as possible, ideally only they should reach here. I need operational space to use Tomoko's devices. And... here." I extend my hand forward and open my fingers. Two small worms lie on my palm.
"This is communication. You put it in your ear and..."
"What?!" Laser Show actually jumps. "I'm not putting anything inside myself!"
"It's completely harmless! And it won't grow into anything or crawl anywhere... think of it as an earpiece," I say, feeling growing irritation. The Slaughterhouse Nine are coming here, and she's...
"Never!" Laser Show declares decisively and takes her smartphone out of her back pocket. "If anything, I'd rather call you. I won't let you put anything inside me! At least - not on the first date!"
"I... think I'll abstain too," Glory Girl says, flying slightly to the side. "Taylor, I understand this is routine for you, but I'm not used to such things yet. And I'll try not to get used to it. And what do you mean - not on the first date?!" she turns to Laser Show.
"Uh... well, I mean that Taylor and I don't know each other well yet," Laser Show says. "And how does it work between girls anyway? Probably still need to get to know each other better. Tell me, Taylor, don't you have my poster on your bedroom wall? I have a couple of those... in revealing outfits. I was at that pool photoshoot too, keep in mind. Only the face is hidden under the mask, but you can see everything else in full detail."
"What?!"
"I mean, it's not fair. You know so much about me, but I know little about you. So - no worms in the ear. Disgusting! Well... I mean for now - no worms in the ear. We'll see later." Laser Show thinks. "Once I stuck my tongue in a guy's ear too, and he..."
"Chris!!!"
"I definitely like her," Tattletale's voice sounds in my head. "You can tell right away - she's our kind of person."