Because of the War Chapter Twelve

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Neolithic Knuckledragger: Acrimonius

Bronze Barbarians: Markus, Luke B.

Iron Intellectuals: WanderingDaemon, TheDukeOfBears, MouthyStorm, Cybercrisis

Machine Menace; Aydrik

Nuclear Noncombatant: Amanda E.

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Because of The War

Chapter Twelve

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The tension in the Avenger’s CIC was palpable as the members of XCOM watched their pale and wide-eyed Commander review the footage, documentation, renderings, and speculations that they had produced over the last twelve hours of real-time. Even now, the main display showed a picture of The Siberian, one Doctor William Manton, and Doctor Manton’s former wife. Lines and small circles were overlayed on their faces, marking points of comparison and combination between the three of them.

“There is no chance of error?” The Commander finally asked quietly, putting the papers down and meeting the eyes of the technicians that had initiated the whole thing. Both stood stiffer than ever, no mean feat given how rigidly they had been standing at attention already, and both nodded.

“It’s possible, Commander, but the likelihood is miniscule. This world’s technology probably couldn’t pick up on it without deliberate parameters by someone who suspects the result, but all signs do indeed seem to point to The Siberian being a projection under the control of Doctor Manton.” Central responded for them, waving his hand at the display. “If I may?”

At her permissive, if somewhat limp, wave of acknowledgement, he began manipulating the display further.

“As you know, we had a small team dedicated to the continuous monitoring of one Eugene Baker, for the purposes of security not just for yourself, but Ms. McAbee.” He said aloud, nodding to the blonde young woman that was soothingly rubbing the Commander’s back. When they had reported to Taylor that something had happened to Eugene necessitating an emergency meeting, Paige had demanded to be allowed to join. It had taken some quick and dirty instruction from the resident Ethereal, but soon enough the Songstress had been standing alongside her crush inside said crush’s mind. “The current monitoring team witnessed him have an aborted altercation with a group of people upon his disembarkation in South Beloit. Given his general mannerisms, this wasn’t considered particularly noteworthy. When he was struck by a car, it was more noteworthy, but that could have been written off as a tragic, everyday accident. However, the reactions of those that within the vehicle that struck him that aroused suspicion.”

The screen changed, showing the moment after Eugene had been hit, the white van’s doors opening to disgorge its passengers. The utter lack of concern over their victim was quite apparent, and a readout popped up transcripting the most probable results of a lip-reading evaluation. The words were chilling enough by themselves, but when combined with everything else.

“I think you will agree, Commander, that there are far too many coincidences in this situation. A group of people running someone over and not seeming to care? Possible. Said group consisting of a Middle-Eastern woman, a scientist that’s been AWOL for over a decade, a little girl, an oddly robotic man, and a lanky Caucasian running the show? Stranger, but still feasible. However, when you combine those facts with the little girl being referred to as ‘poppet’, the lanky man as ‘Mister Jack’, the similarities between the scientist and The Siberian, and a discussion of ‘fun’ starting in a few days with Eugene being used to start it?” Central shook his head while one hand flicked in a small throwing-away motion. “No, Commander, I’m afraid that it is all but confirmed that the Slaughterhouse Nine is in South Beloit, have Mr. Baker in their possession, and are planning to cause harm to the people inside the city. The question is: what do we do about it?”

“What do you mean, what do we do about it? We alert the Protectorate and the PRT, and we send every strike team we have to South Beloit!” Taylor responded loudly, shocked that the question had even been asked, and Paige nodded firmly beside her. Central exchanged looks with the other command staff, especially the leaders of the aforementioned strike teams, before taking a breath in preparation.

“Commander, with respect, sending our teams in may not be the best idea, and alerting the heroes poses the risk of alienation of things are presented the wrong way. The government, and plenty of the citizenry, are already deeply uncomfortable with some of our more direct actions. Between hijacking the television stations for our raids and keeping Squealer in our custody instead of turning her over, we’re straining people’s patience as it is. If it was proven that we are running illegal monitoring on American citizens and providing intel to law enforcement, it’s not going to go well.” He explained carefully, holding up a calming hand when she gave him an outraged look. “I don’t want to allow this attack to happen any more than you do, Commander. But people already think we’re some sort of off-the-books, extra-judicial group of government black-baggers. If that gains too much traction, the government will drop the mother of all hammers on us to prove otherwise and maintain the public trust. We can’t save anyone, or this planet, if our most natural allies in both missions are trying to hunt us down.”

“I thought XCOM was familiar with being hunted by everyone and everything. Did you tell me that you had to worry about being turned in by civilians even as you were trying to drive ADVENT off Earth?” Taylor retorted, and he nodded in acknowledgement of the point, somewhat petty though it might have been.

“We are, but we didn’t have other options. Here, we do. It shouldn’t be too hard to come up with another option. For example, we could create a would-be villainous Tinker specializing in surveillance inside South Beloit. Having intended to run a blackmailing scheme, they are deeply concerned to discover who they think are the Slaughterhouse Nine. Naturally, they reach out to any heroic group they can imagine, which just so happens to include the elite commandoes of XCOM and the Protectorate.” He explained evenly, ignoring her startled look, followed by a growing expression of embarrassment as she realized she had been both jumping to conclusions and acting childish.

“…I apologize, Bradford, that was not the treatment you deserve.” Taylor said after a moment of silence, face bright and teeth worrying her lower lip with her teeth as she looked down at the table. Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she looked around at them all. “See to it, if you please. Doctor, how long until we have some manner of upgrade from the capturing of Squealer’s technology?”

“Well, it will be sometime before I’m able to do anything with the more impressive bits of her technology, at least in the vehicular field, without her assistance. Assistance that she is not, as of yet, awake to provide. However, I believe that I can modify and miniaturize the coil-gun turret that she was working on when the raid occurred. This will allow the commando units to increase their firepower drastically, and when we are able to develop armored support, it will come in handy there as well. However, the risk of collateral damage will be greater given the increased muzzle velocity and penetration values.” The scientist responded, sounding distinctly positive about the situation, though there was an edge of warning as well. Unsurprisingly, given that XCOM was operating inside cities filled with civilians.

“As fast as you can, then. Focus on getting the Marksmanship Rifles ready first, the last thing we want is to get up close and personal with The Nine. The best long-range alpha-strike we can make, the better. Bradford, I want you at the team leaders to start strategizing. Pull any information you need on weaknesses, strengths, anything that will help us fight them without losing troops or civilians.” She instructed, moving on with deliberate speed as she smoothly covered the important subjects. “What is Squealer’s status at this time?”

“Her injuries have been more-or-less healed. Our facilities are, after all, intended for rapid recovery of equally grievous injuries. Even the effects of narcotics withdrawal can be somewhat tempered, though not entirely eliminated. However, my main concern is for her mental and emotional well-being. The last memory she has is of pain and betrayal by someone she loved and trusted.” The head of medical answered, frowning prettily. “Quite frankly Commander, if you’re hoping that she will be able to help Doctor Tygan, I’m afraid you will be rather out of luck. Even if she were capable, it would be cruel to wake her and immediately put her to work.”

Taylor gnawed on her lip again, looking indecisive as she visibly warred with herself mentally. On the one hand, she was by-and-large a kind and compassionate person, who rebelled at the idea of deliberately doing anything that would bring such hardship to someone. One the other, however, the need to protect her soldiers and the innocent people in South Beloit. She had never before encountered such a sadistic choice, never needed to weight such opposing but powerful needs, and she hadn’t the slightest idea how to handle it.

“Start waking her up, but keep things within your normal procedures. If the situation looks bad enough, I reserve the right to speak with her, but until then I won’t cause her any undue stress.” She decided finally, hedging her bets and assuaging her conscience in one swift stroke. Getting to her feet, she looked around at them all before mustering what could only barely qualify as a smile. “Well done, all of you. As concerning as all of this is, you’ve done an amazing job finding it out in the first place. If we can destroy the Nine, or even weaken them severely, we will have taken enormous steps towards making this country a safer place. Dismissed.”

The room saluted before doing as they were instructed, while Taylor gestured to Asaru and headed for the door, still holding Paige’s hand in her own. Bradford spared a thought, for a moment, to wonder what they were going to discuss, before mentally shrugging and focusing on his duties. If he needed to know, he would be told. For now, he had a job to do, and he would get it done.

For Taylor’s small group, the walk through her quarters went quickly, pausing only to greet random members of XCOM and exchange friendly pleasantries, be seen and heard amongst her subordinates and impress upon them that their efforts on her (and mankind’s) behalf had not gone unnoticed and unappreciated.

“Asaru, are there any psionic abilities that will allow me to teleport? Open a gate to another place, or something?” Taylor asked the moment the three of them were sequestered in her quarters. Paige gave her a surprised look that quickly shifted to suspicious and concerned, and the Earth-born Ethereal had a good idea why. He had the same suspicions, after all.

“There are, and I will teach them to if you ask it, but I would advise against trying to involve yourself personally in this situation. You are untested outside of training, and these Slaughterhouse Nine are capable of fighting and winningagainst the most elite heroes this world has to offer. Everything will be lost if you go against them and die.” He responded carefully, unwilling to lie but wishing to make his discontent with the idea quite clear. He didn’t think that Taylor, as she was, stood even the slightest chance against XCOMs current targets. Her determination to help and protect others was admirable, but it was important that she understand her value far eclipsed that of anyone else.

“I’m not much of a leader if all I do is send other people into danger, Asaru. Sending other people to fight and die while I sit at home watching TV isn’t right.” She huffed, sounding rather exasperated. More idealism. Admirable, if problematic in the situation. Leading from the front was a romantic ideal, but…

“Taylor, sweetie, your genuine desire to be a hero is one of the things I love most about you, but leading the charge is not the best idea for you.” Paige interjected delicately, sounding as concerned about the taller brunette putting herself in the line of fire against The Nine as Asaru was. “I agree with you about taking responsibility, but there is a big difference between you and another soldier. If a ranking soldier dies, they can be replaced by a subordinate. The fight can carry one. If you die, that’s it. XCOM is gone. The fight is over, and the good guys lose.”

Taylor grimaced deeply at that, clearly not having considered that particular issue in her zeal for heroics and nobility. Had he been the sort to express gratitude, he would have thanked Paige rather profusely for finding the perfect angle of verbal attack. Still, he wasn’t, and he wouldn’t, no matter how beneficial her intervention was.

“Fine. But I won’t be sitting in the back forever, Paige. Once I can get involved with a reasonable degree of safety, I will. If I’m expected to lead the fight to save all Earths, and God only knows how many other pan-dimensional worlds, from giant parasitic space whales, I’m going to actually lead it.” Taylor finally sighed, waving a hand in surrender. “Asaru, I want to get started first thing in the morning, before school. We can go over the theory then, and get to the practical after I get home. If nothing else, having the ability to escape from danger quickly would be beneficial to my own survivability, and if I can Move to an operational area, retrieve XCOM, and then Move away, it could come in handy for escapes and evacuations for them as well.”

That was, according to Asaru, one of her limitations. While her ‘projections’ could roam far and wide, if they wanted to return to the safety of the Avenger inside her mind-scape, they had to be within fairly close proximity. For the time being, that meant being within a couple of blocks. Depending on the situation, that could prove to be a crippling limitation to XCOM’s operations.

“We are in agreement, then. For now, I suggest that the two of you return to the physical plane and get some rest. Education is important, even…no, especially for someone dedicated to heroism.” He agreed without hesitation, finding her logic persuasive, and confident that she would keep to the agreement that had just been forged in regards to her safety. The two girls groaned in annoyance, only partially feigned, before vanishing together, leaving him alone. The Ethereal looked around the room, this innermost sanctum of his heir’s mind, uncaring of the potential violation of her privacy that such an intimate place held.

It was almost sectioned, despite the lack of any true, physical barriers.

One section consisted entirely of bookshelves, crammed with documents and scrolls and childish drawings. The story of her life represented in physical form. Even the parts of it that she could no longer consciously recall were recorded here, in the very core of her soul.

Another consisted of what amounted to a (not so) small shrine to her mother, filled with pictures, sketches, and gold-embossed journals that doubtless had all Taylor’s most precious memories of her mother recorded within them. If Asaru had to guess, her memories of her father were not separated given he was still a part of her life, whereas her mother was dead.

One wall was dominated by a pair of enormous venn-diagrams covered in pictures, people that Taylor knew on one level or another. Of the people on it, he recognized only Paige and a handful of the XCOM members off the top of his head, though he vaguely recognized a dark-skinned girl and a red-haired girl. Their names were irrelevant to him, they had no bearing on his goals or XCOM itself.

Although, hadn’t that red-haired girl had some sort of special ability that might come in handy? Taylor had contemplated it for all of a moment before dismissing the idea, too concerned for the other girl’s safety than anything else. Well, he would see how things developed. If it became important, he would dedicate some energy to recalling it.

His eyes lingered for a moment on a small, locked wooden cabinet that was almost barren, save for a few pink notebooks and paintings. It seemed that Taylor had locked whatever was inside away, even from herself, for one reason or another. Curious, quite curious. She was in denial about whatever it was…no, rather she hadn’t yet considered the matter and accepted it, rather than pretended it wasn’t real.

Fascinating, humans really were strange creatures.

Turning away, he departed to roam the halls of the Avenger, as he so often did when Taylor was not within her mind-scape. XCOM had no need of his advice at this time, nor would he offer it unsolicited. He was here to advise, to guide, not to lead.

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“Hey, Taylor.” Sophia nodded in greeting as Taylor stepped out of her dad’s car in front of Arcadia the next morning, giving her the restrained, subtle smile that seemed to be the only expression of joy she made when not discussing violence or crime-fighting. Taylor made a mental note to ask the people in her head for advice when it came to dealing with traumatized people that had turned to vigilantism to cope and gotten conscripted by the government for it.

They probably knew how to handle something like that, right?

“Taylor, heyyyyy!” Emma greeted her far more exuberantly, giving her a wide, bright smile and an intimate hug. Smiling softly and squeezing her dearest friend tightly, Taylor held the embrace for a moment before stepping back and regarding the pair.

“Good morning, girls. How are we today?” she asked, resettling her backpack from the somewhat uncomfortable position it had shifted to during Emma’s enthusiastic greeting. Sophia’s short response that she was ‘fine’ was quickly overrun by Emma explaining in exquisite detail the shopping trip she intended to force the two to accompany her on in order to ‘bring their wardrobes up to snuff’ and her mingle glee and frustration that her older sister was visiting for the next couple of weeks. Apparently, she had gotten offered an intern job at a locally construction company as a part of her business degree.

The very same company that had approached her father and herself not too long ago, looking to hire the DWA en-masse. Now offering a one-of-a-kind internship to her pseudo-older sister, based on an arbitrary evaluation and ranking system that they conveniently hadn’t ever gotten around to explaining to the Barnes family.

How incredibly, magnificently, paranoia-inspiringly fortuitous. Why, one might start feeling suspicious about any potential connections that could be found there, and any implicit threats that might arise in the future from such a freely-offered opportunity.

Not that Taylor would say any of them to Emma, of course, who was so desperately proud of Anne (if annoyed that her ‘big sis’ was back and being ‘annoying’) that causing the slightest doubt would have been a terrible cruelty. Besides, whether Calvert was Up To Something™ or not, Anne was still a very intelligent young woman who was on the fast track to success in her chosen field. Taylor certainly wasn’t going to be the one to imply she was anything less!

“You have your serious face on, Taylor.” Sophia’s voice broke her from her thoughts, and she started, blinking at the pair in mild confusion, taking in their concerned expressions.

“Ahahaha, sorry about that! Just busy thinking about stuff, not to worry. Have Vicky and Amy shown up yet, or the guys?” she asked, literally waving their concern away, though it didn’t work as well as she had hoped, given the continued scrutinization they responded with. Still, at least they didn’t press the issue. Emma might know about XCOM, but talking about it at school (and mentioning an imminent attack by The Nine) was probably not the wisest course.

“I haven’t seen them yet, but the guys are probably already inside, and I’ll bet you lunch that Vicky will show up thirty seconds before the bell with Amy, who’s going to tear a strip off of her for almost making them late.” Emma responded, allowing the subject change suspiciously.

“Then Vicky will apologize with that sheepish look on her face, scratching the back of her head, and Amy will fold like a house of cards. Probably with one of those really heavy sighs of her’s.” Sophia agreed, seemingly more willing to let things go then Emma was. “The more things change, right?”

They all giggled at that, shaking their heads as they started towards the front door. The scene they had just described to one another played out more often than it didn’t, and was a source of great amusement to much of the student body, even if it was greeted with the same weary, experienced exasperation that came with such antics being so common. Honestly, Taylor sometimes wondered if Vicky did it on purpose just to make Amy fuss, instead of being the exhausted, dour girl she so often was.

“Sooo, I heard that there will be a new girl joining our class today. She just moved into town from New York. I heard she’s pretty cute!” Emma said slowly, almost teasingly, as she gave Taylor a sly look. The taller girl simply blinked back at her in confusion, wondering what a new girl had to do with her. It was cool that a new girl was joining their class, sure, though people didn’t generally move to Brockton Bay if they could avoid it. She had no idea what the other girl’s cuteness had to do with anything, and she wasn’t sure if Emma was trying to imply something or what. The fact that Sophia was now trying to restrain an unusually large smirk and had nothing short of amused glee shining in her eyes was actually somewhat curious, because there were very few things that would amuse her Ward friend that much. Most of them were not things related to cute girls.

Which begged to question, what was it about this new girl that would prove so interesting, and amusing, to both of them?

Ten minutes later, Taylor found out.

“I’m glad to meet you all. My name is Lily Hikari, I’ve just moved here from New York, and I’m thrilled to meet you all!” a girl she recognized all to well greeted with a cheerful wave from the front of the classroom, eyes roving her new classmates faces before locking onto Taylor’s own surprised orbs. “I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Somehow, Taylor thought to herself with a faint blush, that last sentence seemed to be directed more towards her than the room as a whole. She hadn’t expected to see Lily again so soon, or ever again really, once she had found out the girl had been discharged. Now she would be sharing a classroom with a person whose life she had saved for the better part of eight hours a day, five days a week, and she had no idea how to handle it.

Emma was right though. She was cute.

Very cute.

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Merry Christmas, you filthy animals. Now be careful, or you might shoot your eyes out!

Next update will be Vincit Qui Se Vincit, followed by Seraphim, followed by Nothing Is True. As always, leave a comment, review, etc. Consider supporting me as well, if you have the shiny coin to spare!