Chapter Text
“Well damn, you are actually far better than a car!” Tattletale exclaimed with a satisfied smile. “I certainly would’ve been caught up in the traffic at this hour.”
Vista looked around: today the docks certainly seemed a little busier than usual. Though she by no means was an expert. She knew that a lot of new capes went here to play around with their powers, and the PRT often turned a blind eye to that, but her own attempt to do that back in her first year was… more memorable than most of the others’. So after she was properly chewed out, Vista stayed away from the place. Besides, it wasn’t really a place of interest for gangs, so…
“I am.” Vista rolled her eyes, returning the rooftop they came down from back to normal. “But do remember that my name’s Vista. Not VisTaxi. And I will not be your ‘driver’ every morning.”
“Eh, I’ll try.” Tattletale nonchalantly shrugged. “You’re rather snappy today, haven’t slept?” Before Vista could tell her something else unpleasant because she knew that Tattletale knew, Tattletale took something from her bag and shoved it into Vista’s hands. “Here, be amazed by my achievements.”
“...What’s this?”
Smells tasty, at the very least.
“Won’t bother you with the words you don’t know, so it’s, like, a fish pie. There’s a new Russian cafe near our apartment.”
“And how exactly,” Vista, after a moment of contemplation, took a bite, “is this your achievement?”
Ha, when was the last time I ate while wearing my costume? Well, out here on the streets, anyway. And in the cafeteria I didn’t wear my helmet… Been a few times when no one really cared for that, but it was when something actually serious was going on, absolutely not worth it. But now… It is a certain… vibe, I guess. It’s nice.
“The same way it was for an Italian place and a French boutique on the Boardwalk, a new mall and a Japanese restaurant in the city center, a new car workshop at the place where you found a certain amount of Nazis – and fucked it up a bit… And,” Tattletale proudly raised a finger, “this isn’t all! Business is blooming! As it should: we didn’t spend so much time and effort making Brockton Bay a safer place for nothing. As you understand, obviously, before our city wasn’t really the best place for investment or… anything, really. But do not worry,” she sounded so full of herself, “I will make our city great again! Well, relatively good again, at least.” She nodded to her own thoughts. “After all, I can’t really control everything in it myself, so I can’t be sure. But I did promise to try my best,” Tattletale ended on a bit more serious note.
“...Okay,” Vista said slowly, a little surprised. “That’s great, I guess. Sounds… promising. So that ‘business’ thing you wanted to talk to me about since my first day is about this?”
“Had a lot of ideas on how to utilize your unbelievably versatile power,” Tattletale confirmed. “But yeah, most of them needed someone else’s cooperation before yours.”
“I hope it’s not contraband.”
“Of course not! We have better ways.”
Yeah, she’s not Taylor, I don’t think I’m good enough to see through her bullshit. And I do know that when she isn’t serious, her smile is the same! Ugh. Is she serious? Probably. But the Undersiders are not really that kind of a gang…
“One of the obvious ways to make things better,” Tattletale continued, gesturing to the ocean, “is to get the docks out of their state of perpetual agony – putting them out of their misery would be easier, but less profitable in the long run, if my math’s correct. And it is. So, how do I do that? By trying to revive some remnants of ocean freight. And for that I need a new company. And to help them get off the ground I need some more finances, which I’ll get through a small contract with one of the French firms, which may also work with them in the future.” She pointed somewhere on the horizon. “But how will m- this completely independent company complete this contract while they themselves are not ready, you’ll ask?” She looked at Vista expectantly.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Vista said uncertainly.
“Yep!”
“And how…”
“Pretty easy. Near tha-a-at one shiny metal building I left a mark which… should help you find the place there – your powers can handle making a way through the Atlantic, I’m sure,” Vista only rolled her eyes in exasperation, “then you’ll get there, go inside a blue building, make the containers inside small, get back here and place them in this building. In and out, fifteen minutes tops, once a week.” Tattletale waved her hand.
She could at least ask about my limits… I mean, I’m pretty sure I can do that, but damn. Fine, I guess, something important to do for a change – out of all those times people were bossing me around. If it’ll help Brockton Bay…
“I wonder what would happen if I’d refuse.” Vista said quietly.
Tattletale only arched an eyebrow, as if not believing that could ever happen, making Vista sigh.
“Even though I was sure, I have enough pretty papers with me,” Tattletale patted her bag, “to persuade you if the need arises.” She suddenly chuckled. “Would say I kinda miss the old days when we had to come up with plans on a whim, but most of the time I really don’t.”
“You… We’ll get some sort of profit from this, right?” Vista asked hesitantly. “I mean, I’m up for doing this just because it needs to be done, I guess, but it’s… big. Seems big to me.” She looked down. “I don’t know shit about transportation and companies and stuff, it has to be crazy expensive and you trust me with this big thing right off the bat…”
Big not-including-what-I-am-skilled-at thing.
“Even if you’d let me down, it wouldn’t be the end of the world, you know.” Tattletale snorted. “People fuck up, believe me, I know. Whatever.”
“...I don’t want to make a habit out of it,” Vista scoffed.
“You might say I’m biased – and I am – but that was PRT’s fault, my little ex-Ward. No sense in…”
Sure. But it’s not just about the organization itself.
“Don’t fucking call me that, Tattletale. Alright?”
“If you insist.” Tattletale smiled.
“And, you know, I don’t really understand how you can trust me with something like this and then talk to me like…” Vista exhaled sharply. “Even Armsmaster didn’t talk about what an asset I am to my face.”
“I don’t trust you.” Tattletale interrupted her. “Not yet, maybe. Just like Grue or Bitch. And the rest of us except Foil don’t even really know you. But Skitter trusts you to do the right thing… For me that’s enough. And this isn’t crucial to our operations.” She paused for a moment. “Also, don’t ever fucking compare me to Armsmaster. Alright?”
…She is kinda right, I guess. Even if I’m in the team, well… We’re not friends.
“And you are not an asset.” Tattletale pursed her lips. “I mean, on one hand, you obviously are, and a very valuable one, just like we all, but I do not think of you like that.” She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. Vista,” she muttered.
I guess it could be worse. She absolutely can be worse. And she was the one who found me a place to live. Still a bitch, though.
After several seconds of silence, Vista decided to take the olive branch. After all, she herself wasn’t the best at giving them. Or really talking in such situations.
“...So, profit?”
“Oh, you wouldn’t believe,” Tattletale’s voice immediately returned to her usual tone. “Quite a few beautiful zeroes. The majority of them isn’t meant for us, but still… Huh.” She stroked her chin. “Though you actually would believe, wouldn’t you? Unlike Skitter or Grue, heh. After all this time, and Parian is still the one who’s used to the amount of our money the most.”
“Why would I?” Vista said, puzzled. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what Wards make, I won’t believe you. Pretty sure the most money I ever actually held in my hands was, like, four hundred bucks.”
“What? But you…” Tattletale narrowed her eyes, looking at Vista. “No, you’re telling the truth… Hmm. Now that’s… Just to be sure, you remember Shatterbird, correct?”
“Of course?” Vista waved her hand with a huffed sigh.
“Shatterbird of the Slaughterhouse Nine.” Tattletale started talking slowly. “The Nine, who all have kill orders on them. And, therefore, bounties. Shatterbird, one of the most infamous of them. Whom you killed.”
Vista fell silent for a few seconds, trying to process that. She opened her mouth. Then closed it again.
“Considering the list of her crimes, the bounty should’ve been… probably more than a million.”
Vista slowly blinked several times, shifting her gaze to Tattletale’s face.
“Son of a bitch.”
“‘Son of a bitch’ indeed,” Tattletale wholeheartedly agreed.
***
While Skitter listened to the story without any commentary, with her face behind the mask turned to the streets, Parian visibly was worried and surprised, tapping her cheek in thought and murmuring something. Or maybe she was just a little nervous standing on a rooftop, like Missy was in the past. For Vista that was a little bit funny: unlike most capes, “Parian” was just Sabah who was wearing her costume. Some things have been changing, of course, but not nearly enough for examples Vista used to be seeing. And extremely far from people like Skitter or Vista herself, who sat on the other end of the spectrum.
“This story is… quite concerning, I should note,” Parian said with a sigh. “Though only a little less concerning than the fact that you managed to forget about a million dollars. It was that bad? Or you were busy? No, not busy -busy, but, well…”
It wasn’t the best phrasing, but Vista felt comfort over concern for her in Sabah’s voice.
“Despite our city’s experiences, it’s not like anybody taught us about that particular… law, I guess.” Vista shrugged her shoulders. “Kill orders, okay, that’s a thing – not a thing everybody and their dog knows about – but we wouldn’t be allowed to, huh, participate anyway. Besides, it happened when we all were fighting Echidna… Wasn’t the best day of my life,” Vista just barely managed to keep her voice even, instantly remembering the reason for the certain part of her nightmares. “One of the few times when I could say that hurrying me to a hospital was actually justified – not the mental one, thankfully.” Vista noticed a particular tilt of Parian’s head that most likely meant she was frowning. “Then after I had to catch up on my paperwork and shit, and overall we had our hands full back then. So… Yeah.”
Parian stood close enough to try and pat Vista’s shoulder. Vista let her.
“Still, you shouldn’t be the only one who has to remember,” Skitter muttered.
“It is what it is.”
“Unfortunately.” Parian shook her head. “But, if you are planning… to chat with the PRT about this, why call me?” She unwittingly hugged herself. “They won’t be intimidated much.”
Honestly, Parian could be pretty scary if she wanted, but in any case, she’s great for knowing things about herself.
“I called you exactly because we’re going to chat with them.” Skitter turned to her teammates. “Vista has an official reason to be there, we both are just her backup. You know, if someone’s gonna start talking about how she shouldn’t be there or something.”
I doubt that, but okay. Guess it never hurts to have backup. Backup who’s not gonna look over my shoulder all the time.
“Also,” Skitter continued, “yes, if we’d brought Bitch or even Tattletale, they might just think we’re there to do something else. I count as well, but… You know, I’m…” she unexpectedly trailed off.
“So I’m the least threatening one,” Parian said thoughtfully.
“Isn’t that the point of your own, I don’t know, image?” Vista asked sincerely.
“That may be, but still…” Parian sighed. “On one hand, yes, and I don’t really want to… fight, but on the other hand, I do go out with you on missions and stuff…”
“Less people will expect an attack from you,” Vista noted. “A possible advantage.”
“That sounds more like I’m an assassin.”
“Or a psychopath. Everybody’s got a knife these days, but you can cut people with a pair of scissors.” Skitter’s tone hinted at her smile.
Vista loudly snorted.
“Screw you both.” Parian crossed her arms over her chest.
“We’re also establishing your reputation as a diplomat, sort of. Our diplomat, anyway.”
Meaning that in the future Parian appearing would be a sign from us that we can settle for a talk instead of the usual way.
“That should be Tattletale, no?”
“If I had to guess,” Vista grunted, “she is a diplomat for cases when the Undersiders already won or when there’s a way to win through talking. Not actually negotiate in the truest sense of the word.”
Skitter only shrugged.
“There weren’t a lot of opportunities for those,” she said vaguely.
“Everything checks out, though,” Vista quietly laughed. “Every team in every book has to have a token good or bad teammate, and, considering our circumstances, you are certainly the former, Parian. The one who says ‘he’s not worth it’ or something.”
“If I understood you correctly, it means I have my work cut out for the coming years…” Parian murmured. “But isn’t it you, Vista?”
Years. Damn, I’m jealous of you, Sabah. Stay an optimist.
“Hardly.” Vista looked down. “I hardly ever have been, I think. For a few first months, maybe.”
“So was I, then,” Skitter suddenly said. “Though it was weeks and not months, I guess.”
Vista and Parian silently turned their heads towards each other, exchanging glances. For some reason Vista was sure they both were skeptical of Skitter ever being that person – after all, only after her appearance their Protectorate started dedicating meetings solely to discuss her team.
“Let’s get back to business.” Skitter shook her head. “So, shall we enter through the front door?”
“We can even walk to the headquarters from here.” Vista shrugged, nodding to the building that was a little down the street.
“Really?”
“Why the hell not?”
“Even I do not really walk the streets during the day,” Parian noted.
“People do need to see those who fight for them,” Vista replied with a hint of contempt. “It… works. Besides, it’s not like anybody will try to attack us. And not just because Skitter is scary, I think.”
Skitter grunted and looked down at all the ordinary people walking on the sidewalk, who didn’t have any idea about three villains standing on the rooftop.
“It makes sense, I guess,” Parian said. “If we plan to stick around, people have to… know that we are actually here. Not only when there’s something exploding. Better chances that people will actually remember how we look, if there’s no reason for them to run high on adrenaline,” she laughed quietly. “You both look like horror movie antagonists as it is, let them see you in the daylight, at least.”
“I resent that.” Vista visibly adjusted the edge of her cloak.
“We already talked about it, Parian,” Skitter said in an even voice.
“You have an artistic streak, you just apply it in a… weird way!” Parian waved her hands. “But yes, spider silk also is not the best material for such purposes…”
“And amazing for my purposes,” Skitter replied firmly. “Fine. We may as well take a walk.”
“Also,” Vista added, “I may know… well, almost everything about the building, but going through any other entrances except the main one is a bad idea. That will look like an attack for sure.”
“They don’t know that we know, though…” Skitter muttered thoughtfully.
“They have to assume that I told you everything I know.”
“Only assume. And the more we don’t use that supposed knowledge, the easier for them to believe that we don’t know…”
“I thought we were going to chat with them.” Vista chuckled.
“Of course.” Skitter straightened out, focusing on her. “Just thinking aloud.”
“I always have extremely mixed feelings about this phrase of yours, Skitter,” Parian murmured.
Vista quickly created a path down for them into the back alley, and then they went out to the main street – more precisely, stopped just after stepping on the sidewalk.
People around them froze almost synchronously: from the old woman, who dropped her blue purse on the ground, to the pair of students who quickly flinched and made a few steps back. The closest car on the road also suddenly stopped, almost causing a traffic incident – though the guy inside actually started recording them with his phone. In the relative silence a toddler in his mother’s arms laughed and tried to reach out to Parian. Though Vista noticed that nobody was… actually afraid. Of course, for her it meant that nobody tried to run away screaming, even if several people very abruptly changed direction and walked away at a brisk pace. That was a smart thing to do, in any case.
Vista reflexively wrapped herself in her cloak, making it longer, so that even her boots could be seen just barely. She wanted to pull up her hood as well, but decided that people would react better if they saw her pretty well-known helmet. Even if it meant she felt less comfortable.
My god, does it mean no more stupid questions from random people while I’m on patrol? Sure hope so.
Walking towards the PRT headquarters proved to be extremely easy: everybody stayed out of their way, even if they stared at them in a weird mix of amazement, anticipation and fear. Several people actually tried to wave at them, and at least two seemed to be calling 911. And one particularly bold woman tried to ask about a selfie, though Vista was sure that only she heard her. Skitter, as usual, marched forward like she owned the place – which wasn’t that far from the truth, probably. And Parian was the only person on this street who looked like she was meant to be here, walking calmly and looking around.
Vista felt pretty weird, opening the doors of the most important building in her life once again. For the last time in the foreseeable future. After all, there was no place for her here anymore. But the only thing she could do – wanted to do – is just to deal with it.
“Hi, Bruce,” she called out to the guard who at the moment was talking with the manager at the front desk.
And hi, Browbeat. Still the same, huh? Once again I think they could choose a better photo. You probably wouldn’t agree with my decision as well. But I try not to let any more black-and-white photos appear here. Well, at least here…
“Oh, hello, V-” The guard broke off when he turned around.
“Shit,” Skitter suddenly whispered, and it wasn’t because of the guard reaching out – very quickly – to his gun. Vista guessed she couldn’t care less.
But on the opposite side of the lobby there were teenagers standing and staring at them. A whole class worth of students, probably. And a young-looking teacher behind them, who was also staring, but went pale, unlike her students.
I mean, we both knew that the PRT invested in protecting the insides of the building from one particular Master. It was… months ago, I think. Though I never thought it would be my problem. Just my fucking luck.
We may have come to talk, but who the hell knows… And anyway, none of us want to discuss anything about Echidna or the Nine within earshot of middle or high schoolers.
“Guys, we need…” Vista whispered back.
“I’m thinking,” Skitter swiftly replied.
I mean, I guess we could just come back later…
“Hmm… Skitter, play along,” after a few seconds Parian murmured. “Vista will handle what she needs to. Hey!” She raised her voice and waved to the students. “You got pretty lucky, guys! Today and today only you can get a free autograph from one and only Skitter! If you’re interested, we’ll be standing just outside the building! It will take just a moment, but may be a pleasant memory for years ahead!” And then she, tugging Skitter along, went outside.
Okay, if anything, her voice sounds like it was trained. Or is it the reality of being a retailer?
It took about five and a half seconds for the first student to quickly look around and slowly start moving towards the doors.
***
This day was pretty sunny for a late autumn, so when Skitter and Parian went outside, Parian was content with keeping her gaze down. Besides, her new boots were quite a sight, if she could say so herself, so it was fine to check them out again.
She knew that Skitter was looking straight at her. And silent Skitter was always the scariest one – Parian saw enough things to become convinced in that.
“I mean, it’s not the worst idea we came up with,” Parian muttered, folding her hands.
“...No. It’s really not. Good thinking, Parian,” Skitter admitted. “I only wish that you came up with something else.” She let out a heavy sigh. “Or that it wouldn’t work as well as it apparently did.” She turned her head slightly, looking at the doors. “Seems like all of them are coming.”
“What can I say, I do know some things,” Parian replied, a little shy. “And it is important, getting exposure like this.”
“‘Some people are a bad influence on me’, that’s what you can – and should – say,” Skitter grumbled, though without any real disapproval. “You got a pen, right?”
“Should be in my backpack… One of the important work supplies, after all. Like scissors, I can also stab with it.” Parian smiled.
“Uh-huh. I know you sometimes carry chocolate bars in your backpack.”
“I mean, it is very important, you never watched Harry Potter? I’m sure there is at least one cape who can summon Dementors or something worse. And it is good emergency food.”
***
The teacher was still trying to dissuade her students from following the two villains, though, judging by the expression on her face, she knew she was fighting a battle she couldn’t win. Vista almost decided to say something – the guard she knew looked like he didn’t want to talk anyway – when the door opposite her opened, and Armsmaster, clad in his power armor, entered the room.
The manager pressed the button, obviously. Can’t blame her, fine. I mean, a hero would’ve been needed to be present anyway, probably?
Thankfully, his halberd is behind his back for now. Though for him to check the cameras and send the feed to his helmet is a piece of cake. No need to start a fight right away.
Vista clenched her fists as Armsmaster came closer, the thug of his footsteps being the only sound in the lobby she could hear. She was sure she understood why exactly villains should be at least wary of him better than most. His imposing figure practically commanded respect – though it was the first time when Vista felt like this only because of his armor. Only because he was actually able to defeat her here.
“Vista,” he said evenly. “What is the meaning of this? And why can’t I arrest you right here and now? I’m sure you’ll name a reason or two.”
“There is one, yes.” Vista tried to be as nonchalantly as possible, even if right now she wanted to be more angry than anything else.
“Mr. Palmer, miss Rossi.” Armsmaster turned his head to the guard and the manager, both still standing near the front desk. “You can take your breaks early.”
What, he expects to hear about something really bad? Or… Doesn’t want them to be caught in a crossfire?.. We are dangerous and stuff, after all.
They didn’t need to be told twice.
“Let’s hear it, then.” He crossed his arms expectantly.
“I’ve been talking to Tattletale,” Vista decided to be straight, “and she actually managed to remind me that there were bounties placed on the members of the Slaughterhouse Nine.”
“Yes.” Armsmaster nodded. “There were, there are, there always will be, on any members. And?”
“I killed Shatterbird. And haven’t yet seen a single penny.” Vista mirrored his pose.
“...Are you sure?” The hero asked unexpectedly.
“I think I’d notice getting richer on a million fucking dollars or so,” Vista replied caustically.
“Strange,” Armsmaster said thoughtfully. “I was one of the official witnesses and signed up to it. A formality it might’ve been, but still.”
“You weren’t the one who… don’t know, signed the order itself?”
“I am the leader of this Protectorate, Vista, as you know. And any financial operations are under the purview of the Parahuman Response Team,” he paused, making a point. “But this bears further investigation. I would be very unhappy to learn that all that money just disappeared into somebody’s pockets,” he muttered.
Yeah, me too. Unhappy. But not really surprised, I guess.
“Thankfully, the first few things I can check are easy to check,” he continued, walking to the computer on the desk.
Vista didn’t say anything, preferring to watch how her former commanding officer was drilling away at the keyboard. He took off one of his gauntlets for that, and that was also an interesting sight – and feel as well: tinkertech was a weird thing in every sense of the word, and sometimes Vista could feel with her power that it was… different.
She wondered if the Wards would be told about this. Vista didn’t feel guilty, of course – god knows, her encounter with Shatterbird wasn’t a walk in the park – but she also knew others thought she didn’t care about money, not really. And now… Well, she actually didn’t… Maybe it was a matter of principle. But certainly a way to help out the city if needed.
“It’s not all, but I believe I can extrapolate what happened.” Armsmaster said after a few minutes. “There was an order, and it passed. But there were unique circumstances – as far as I’m aware, that was the first time in the history of the Protectorate when a bounty of a significant size had to be paid to a Ward, and an actual teenager at that.”
Vista was sure she had a twitch in her left cheek for several seconds because she just knew where it was going.
“Seems like the deputy director decided not to set another precedent, since we already had a similar one, even if it was about… much smaller amounts of money. Thus, an agreement was made with your family – your legal guardians – that they will-”
“Spare me the details,” Vista hissed.
Yeah, fighting a dragon I can handle. Work with the police I can handle. But money? I’ll surely stop being a hero right this instant. As if I didn’t earn it through fighting against an A-class threat which was Shatterbird on her own. The IRS would throw a hissy fit or something. I am just a fucking child, after all.
“Very well. They wouldn’t be able to access this bank account without you anyway.” Armsmaster put on his gauntlet and then placed a piece of paper on the edge of the desk. “But since you are acting outside of legal jurisdiction now… Here’s everything you need to assess it.” He straightened out, seemingly thinking that was it.
He just adapted to it, huh. Like me defecting was something a long time coming, like it was obvious. Don’t know how I would have reacted otherwise… But surely better than to this “the new normal” routine.
I don’t want to hear anything. But I also want to hear… something!
Vista sucked air in through her teeth.
One can only wonder how I even lasted more than a week indeed, Tattletale. I guess there was just no right moment for one of my parents to present this as an opportunity for me or use it as a way to sway me. Un-fucking-lucky.
Maybe I even wouldn’t have needed the Empire stuff to quit – only to realize what was up with all this.
“Every time, every fucking time,” she said with recentment. “Please, do tell me nobody knew how I felt about my family! Nobody thought it might be a bad idea!”
“You are not a ward of the state – though even that would hardly matter. They couldn’t just do that. They acted in accordance with the law,” Armsmaster said evenly. “And we all are at the same position in this regard, Vista. Do not act as if it is everything and everyone against you.”
“Well, it’s fucking shitty that we are, then!” Vista threw up her arms. “Maybe that’s why I joined Skitter!”
She couldn’t see his expression properly, but she saw his lips curl in a pretty familiar way. With that expression she was well acquainted, and not only because of Armsmaster. It made her feel like a living taxidermy specimen – like she was an ordinary object that for some incomprehensible reason started behaving oddly and erratically.
“To be free to commit crimes under the disguise of your noble cause?” Armsmaster grunted, shaking his head. “Tattletale certainly meant something like that when she told you about the bounty, didn’t she? And Skitter certainly wasn’t happy to visit us like this, as if it’s not a blatant show of force by your side,” he paused, but continued before Vista could retort – and she really wanted to. “But you’re here alone at the moment. And despite everything, right now I will say that I am sorry for how things have turned out.”
“Isn’t it a little too late?” Vista replied with as much poison in her voice as possible.
Ah, right. I’m an enemy now. Easy to say whatever and move on.
“You have clearly made your choice. In every sense of the word. So no.”
“Of course. My choice. Something to blame me for. That and things!” Vista exclaimed. “Oh those pesky things! I want to say that I’m sorry too – don’t know for what exactly, but I am, I’m fucking am – but it was something bigger than just things! How about your choices to gain an upper hand in this war?!”
“A good question. After all, unlike me, of course, you don’t do whatever you think is necessary.” Armsmaster crossed his arms over his chest. “One thing you don’t seem to understand is that we have to win this war in such a way so that another wouldn’t start immediately. So that there would be no opportunities for that. And people like you personify the phrase “might makes right” at best.”
“This war… Hell, any war can’t be won through only the right things.” Vista snorted. “Fine. But while you all play this game like that, ordinary people suffer. Couldn’t care less now, but they suffer like Missy Biron did. Probably worse. What good are our laws for then?”
“They are good for our people – people of the United States – to stay at least the way they are.” he said in an unexpectedly tired voice. “We are all at risk: because of villains, because of tragedies, because of natural disasters. But I cannot risk our country and our people as a whole, while you all are content with playing vigilanties and not giving two thirds of a shit about anything else.”
“‘Our people’. Such big words. But hey, it perfectly fits this whole Protectorate leader shtick, right?” Vista bared her teeth in a smile. “Is it like that with all of you big-shots? All your decisions cost actual lives, Armsmaster!”
“I am more than aware of that.”
“And I could help, but you decided to ship me off without a second thought – or, rather, your second thoughts were about how to get some value out of that!”
“Most of it – for you! The best heroes would’ve agreed to teach you, you would get a chance to become even better, and that was one of the things you wanted.”
“To become better so that my city would get better, for it has suffered enough!” Vista hit the desk with her hand in anger. “To be taught by the best because I earned it, because I would finally have some choice! Not to be your bargaining chip after I became inconvenient!”
“You did.” Armsmaster’s voice became noticeably cooler. “You’ve lost the way, Vista. You murder people, you’re suddenly fine with torture and for all your desire for justice you’re fine with the Undersiders. You got caught up in this desire.” He pursed his lips. “We have to see the world in black and white, have to differentiate between good and evil as we do, because otherwise we won’t be heroes. And people like you cannot be allowed to be judges. Much less executioners. Because in the big picture…”
“The big picture is made of little pictures, Armsmaster,” Vista spat. “Behind every white stroke of yours there might be a good thing. Or might be a dead body. Because you refused to listen! Because you all are busy with seeing the big fucking picture! It’s so easy to hide behind statistics!”
“It’s easy to think that statistics will fix themselves because of the little things.”
“But we can… combine it all! We should!..”
“You already proved that you can’t.”
Vista grimaced, clenching her teeth so hard her jaw hurt.
“I mostly trusted your judgment out there, in fights,” Armsmaster continued in the same tone. “I would even now. But it seems that your judgement before and after them is the problem. So much that you would prefer to fight alongside a warlord. After everything we all have been through.”
“Right, I’m a villain now. I forgot. Not like you lot,” Vista muttered.
“From what I know, Skitter isn’t really pretending to be a hero anymore. Though she tried to claim that once. If you’re fine with joining her senseless crusade, you should stop too. I told you that you are not ready to solve these kinds of problems, and you ran away to be a vigilante. Is that really what you wanted, Vista?”
“All I wanted was not to let people who don’t deserve to walk the earth go unpunished,” she said quietly, but firmly, looking down. “Unpunished not only because we were weaker or less lucky. Well…” Vista let out a bitter laugh. “To think that I admired you, Armsmaster.”
She slowly took the piece of paper and turned around, walking to the doors without sparing anything else here a second glance. This time she pulled her hood over her helmet.
***
Vista closed the door behind herself and then almost tripped, meeting Lily’s eyes. Her friend, who was just sitting on a crate, breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. Vista, while being tired, after a moment tried to smile back.
“...Not that I don’t wanna see you, Lily, but why…”
“Why am I in our improvised storeroom for weapons we looted? Which I showed you? You mean, this evening, when one of my teammates just wandered off without a word a few hours ago?” Despite her wording, Lily’s tone was lighthearted. “Well, I’m older, so I get to ask this question first, Vista.”
That last part suddenly made Vista feel more at ease than she was the whole day. She absolutely didn’t have enough fight in her for another serious conversation.
“Eh, not for long.” Vista chuckled quietly, walking inside the room. She took off her helmet and put it down on the table to Lily’s right, where was Lily’s own.
“Huh?”
“When I become an adult, we’ll be officially equals in that regard.”
“Well… I’m surprised you believe that we’ll live another… what, five years?” Lily said thoughtfully.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be the one who believes.”
“And I do.” Lily tilted her head, showing a certain gleam in her eyes. “Since when do you?”
“I? Never. Just a joke, obviously.” Vista huffed. “Not my style, right?”
“Yeah, your style is… to be a goth, maybe.”
Vista choked on air, but managed to cough out a laugh.
“So what brings you here?” Lily continued, looking around. “Got no gifts for you today, sorry.”
“Ah, you know, we took a ride recently, and I thought I’d like to check if we have anything to help us deal with cars like our own, at least. Or with armored vehicles.”
“You could always shoot the tires…”
“Oh, really? Have you tried that recently – or ever?”
“Sure. Even successfully. Though they were front tires, since my bolt went right through that car’s body.” Lily shrugged.
“...My bullets can’t do that.”
Lily fought down her impulse to pinch Missy’s cheeks or do something similar since she was looking unusually cute with this pout crossing her face.
“Then I’m pretty sure you won’t find anything with bullets that can here. Though we can look around.”
Lily was sure Vista knew that was a permission for her to actually look around, and she knew that Vista knew she didn’t need permission, but…
“Hmm,” Vista muttered after several seconds of staring at everything around. “You know what I think?”
“Do tell.”
“There are a lot of memories here.” She caught Lily’s surprised gaze. “I mean, like… even for you, since you joined the team later, even for me! It’s not like PRT’s armory – well, obviously. And that one’s damn cool, but here…” Vista stepped closer to one of the crates to the side and moved the lid. “See, for example: P2000s… quite a lot of them. Designed by Heckler and Koch – pretty obvious whose humanitarian help they were, right?” Vista went on. “And here we have… containment foam sprayers. To be expected, I guess. Though I prefer grenades to these flamethrower-looking things. Oh-h-h, is this a SCAR? Shit, this is some top stuff, and a new product as well… That was some rich guy, I guess.” She glanced at Lily, but her friend only waved her hand. “Glock-17s, uh-huh, a classic never gets old… Could be pretty much anyone, to be honest, but these few in particular look like they’ve been taken from the Merchants, my god. It breaks my heart just looking at them.” Vista sighed. “Oh, these are… weird. Wait, what the hell’s these, on the wall?”
“Trophies from Coil’s mercenaries,” Lily replied after she took a closer look. “Modded rifles with tinkertech stu- no,” she hurried to prevent Vista from coming up with anything and even put a hand on her shoulder, “we are not going to test them out, and I just won’t let you touch tinkertech that was lying here for, like, months.”
“Such a party pooper.”
“Fifty percent chance they will explode if you try to use them. At least. Trust me, I’ve seen some shit with tinkertech back in New York.”
“You’re saying it like we usually have better chances.” Vista snorted and looked down.
Lily was a little reluctant, but she allowed herself to stand alongside Vista and gently hug her with one arm.
“Believe me, I’m perfectly content with listening to you babble about weapons for as long as you want. I always kinda liked it. But if – if – you want, I can also say ‘a penny for your thoughts?’. Actual ones.”
“And if not?” Vista asked quietly.
“I told you a story about how I got that Desert Eagle, but there are a few more stories related to the contents of this room that I know…” Lily said evenly.
“I mean, I feel… not that bad, really.” Vista tried to keep her voice just as even.
“...Good.” Vista felt Lily pressing closer as her friend replied. “Taylor apparently decided to give you space. But Sabah was worried. And so was I, to be honest. Oh, by the way, Taylor also said she clarified… whatever it was you mentioned to Tattletale, so you shouldn’t worry.”
“Shi-i-i-it.” Vista drawled, letting out a sigh and unwittingly putting her head on Lily’s shoulder. “I… I don’t need a million bucks, of course… I told Tattletale after we found out that I wanted to donate some of it to the city, but didn’t know how… with being a villain and all… Fuck,” she groaned. “I forgot! All that fucking talk… Now I failed her too.”
“You did not.”
“Didn’t I? They came to help me, and I…”
“God knows Taylor understands how… frustrating it can be. Shall I remind you that I chose not to engage in talking at all when I left?”
“No, Lily. That I remember quite well.”
“Damn it. I’m still not the best at this, am I?” Lily sighed, absentmindedly tapping Vista’s shoulder piece.
“Nope. But still good enough. Remember the first time?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure what you consider to be the first time.” Lily smiled. “When you almost got crushed under a building?”
“...No. Remember, when Shadow Stalker laughed at me. ‘Cause of my crush,” Vista murmured. “That evening you looked at me and shared your cookies with me. We didn’t really talk about it… But that was nice.”
“I’d do the same now, if I was Flechette.” Lily said thoughtfully. “But I’m not anymore. So I will say that everything’s fine. And I will say that you’re allowed to make mistakes, especially in your circumstances.”
Vista mumbled something incomprehensible. Lily shook her head and stood in front of her, carefully placing her hands on Vista’s shoulders. She had to wait a few seconds until Vista raised her head and met her gaze.
“You don’t need to be the best in order to be accepted.” Lily said firmly. “Not here. Not with us. Especially not with us. It won’t stop you from trying, but I will be here to tell you this every time. We’ll be here to order pizza, to listen and not to treat this as your fuck-up and write a reprimand in your file. I promise.”
“I…” Vista winced. “I wanted to say something that would insult you,” she admitted quietly. “Don’t want to. I appreciate it.”
“Yeah.” Lily smiled sadly. “I promised something similar once, I know. But now I have all the time in the world to make amends. Actually, I already figured out a way to cheer you up! You never got to shoot from my crossbow before, right?”
“...I asked you once.”
“And I was too afraid to risk being caught with anything even remotely looking like a violation of the rules, because they already took my sword away,” Lily muttered. “But fuck them.”
“A fear like that I get. Really.” Vista smiled back weakly. “That would be cool. Even if it’s not tinkertech.” She chuckled. “Though I think you won’t be too happy to lend me your weapon every time I want to… you know, wander off.”
“Nonsense. Besides, it would be great to have another person who can use it. Won’t be hard for you to become decent at it, I’m sure. And without any cheats like my power.”
“Looking forward to trying it out, then.”
Lily grinned and hugged Vista tightly.
“Sabah made you such a sap,” Vista murmured, putting her arms around Lily as well.
“And I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Lily answered contentedly.
“Makes me wonder just how much money you would spend on flowers and jewelry – maybe high-quality fabrics – if you got a million dollars.”
“As opposed to your plans to buy a tank?” Lily quipped.
“...Not a bad idea, actually.” Vista laughed quietly. “But for now I’ll just try to do something good with it. Don’t know if I’ll succeed, but…”
“You will,” Lily said confidently. “No matter how I feel about it, you always tried to do something good. And I think it’s safe to say you never really failed. Well, I think that. I mean, even now you want to spend money on the place that mostly brought you misery.”
“Guess I’ll have to believe you, Lily. Thanks.”