28

Chapter 27

By the time I reached home, the streetlights were already on. As soon as I was within reach, I immediately initiated the process of further producing poisonous creatures, sifting golden sand, and experimenting with increasing the size of insects. If we look at it rationally, I don't really need ants the size of a dog, or wasps the size of a pigeon or crow. Such insects would certainly instill horror in insectophobes, but they would be easy to notice, easy to distinguish, and easy to defeat. Moreover, they simply wouldn't fit into places where their smaller brethren can go. Thus, giant insects as a combat unit would lose all their advantages as small, ubiquitous, and practically invulnerable to firearms or drone attacks, and in return, they would only gain the ability to instill horror. It's an unfavorable trade-off. That's why I don't increase the size of the entire insect. In the case of the "Medici" queens or the "Sting" wasps, I enhance and increase their ability to pierce through protective gear or dense clothing with their stingers. I also strengthen their mandibles to tear through fabric. My hereditary trauma as a cape still makes itself felt; before I acquired the wonderful team of Butchers, I was quite helpless against a squad of strong men in chemical protective suits.

At the moment, there doesn't seem to be a pressing need to directly enhance insects, but the most important thing is that the critical threshold is approaching, beyond which I won't be able to move my Swarm unnoticed. The number of active "Medici" exceeds ten thousand individuals, and together with the "Stings," they represent a rather noticeable mass. While the "Medici" don't make much noise when moving (but they also don't fly as fast), the "Stings" buzz like a swarm of jet fighters taking off. Not noticing the Swarm accompanying me from a distance will be difficult. Before, when there weren't so many modified insects, I could pass it off as natural migration, but now... either I'll have to carry a van with the Swarm with me, or give away from a distance that I'm approaching. Both options are bad. A van with the Swarm is a vulnerable target, a hit from a grenade with some kind of vacuum ammunition, or as the military call it - a volumetric explosion ammunition - and that's it. The advantage of the Swarm lies precisely in its spatial dispersion, and gathering it into a compact target will make it easier for my enemies.

And carrying a buzzing cloud of insects everywhere with me... well, I have no illusions about the Unwritten Rules, and I'm sure that the state, the Protectorate, and the PRT know the identities of all capes. However, these Unwritten Rules are necessary. Supposedly, to protect the "civilian" identity and lives of capes, but in reality... I have a couple of thoughts on that.

In any case, carrying a buzzing cloud of insects with me will cause unhealthy excitement. Someday there may be a need to accompany every step with such a show, but not now. They might even bomb me.

And unlike the previous Butchers, I don't want to die. So far, I can't manage to hold myself back from neuroses and remain a sane person.

"I don't think so," Swara's voice came in, "I've only been in your head recently and noticed that you're proud of your rationality. Such a cold and calculating creature. Using your ability to think logically and impartially, you put yourself above everyone else. You look down not only on us, but on the system as a whole. Heroes, villains - you consider them idiots, and yourself - smart."

"The bespectacled bitch thinks she's a brilliant slut. How many of those have I seen..." - the Butcher smirked, "they all think they're smarter... but in the end, they all finish the same."

- I'm just wondering – how many other synonyms do you have for the word "whore"? I ask myself, "is this serious?" It's kind of childish.

- Hey. A contract is a contract. I'm not calling you a "bespectacled whore" anymore, and you're giving me access to a tablet. Or will you break your word? - the Butcher said, and an image of his crooked, yellow teeth flashed through my mind as he grins, baring them in a grin. And the stink from his mouth... he must have bad breath.

- Okay. Enjoy. – I gave him access to one of the three tablets that my insects mercilessly exploit. I distributed the remaining two between Edward and Tinker. It will be necessary to buy new equipment and bring additional outlets to the basement. Thank God we have a Tinker with us now, even if he specializes in clockwork, but since he is a Technician, he will definitely cope with the outlet. Moreover, with the help of termites, I can conduct wiring inside the walls, completely unnoticed from the outside.

- And this... hey, bespectacled ... - said the Butcher, before opening a tab in the browser with "big-boobed schoolgirls": - it was normal. Not that I'm praising you, but we've instilled the terror of God into these poor bastards. Do it always, and you and I will be good friends.

- That's it, - the Quarrel singed mockingly in my head: - do you understand, Taylor? No? But you think you're the smartest. You even look down on your girlfriend, the blonde snob, and she's a Thinker. You know, they say a dumb bitch who realized she was a dumb bitch is not dumb anymore. Still a bitch, yes, but not dumb anymore. Well… You haven't figured it out yet, have you?

- Listen, Quarrel, you have a name. I refuse to call you by your nicknames. I can't follow the Unwritten Rules inside myself. Isn't your name Alice?

- Call me whatever you want. – she shrugged metaphorically: - I don't care. Alice has been dead for a long time, you killed Quarrel. Who are we now? Shadows and voices in the head of the next Butcher? We have no way to influence what is happening, all we can do is talk. And think. And that's what I thought, Taylor. You would never have gotten into a fight with Glory Girl in the world if you had remained the same as you were – calm, rational, cold and logical. Why don't you think about it?

- It also seemed illogical to me, - the Tactician's voice is heard in my head. The tactician's name is Richard and he has a thick, warm baritone, at the sound of his voice he wants to wrap himself in a warm blanket and sit in a rocking chair by the fireplace - his voice is too much like the voice of an actor who reads fairy tales for audiobooks. It's like the grandfather I never had.

- You have a large number of forces designed to be used from a distance. – he said: - and you're like a space marine in a Paul Verhoeven movie – running towards the enemy, closing the distance. All your advantage at the distance of defeat is nullified in close combat. Do you know what the target range of an armor-piercing shell from an eighty-eight-millimeter gun, which was called "aht-aht" during the Second World War? One and a half kilometers. It was from such a distance that the Tigers could penetrate the Soviets' T-34 during the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in the history of mankind. One and a half kilometers. Do you know from what distance the T-34 could hit the Tiger head-on? From three hundred meters away. And what is Hitler doing? He commanded to attack. The Soviets disguised their tanks and equipped anti-tank defensive points, and the Tigers it selves drove up to the range of defeat, and even between it. Substituting the sides. There are still many reasons for the defeat of the Germans by the Soviets, but the idiocy of such behavior should be clear. Especially you. When we hit you in the head, at first, I was glad to see how you act. Finally, I thought, finally someone with a rational mind in this rabid baboon collective. But no, you tear off your shirt and rush to fight with Glory on your fists! On my fists!!! With a cape that is sharpened for hand-to-hand combat! With a cape that doesn't know how to do anything else! With Cape, who has been training for this all her life! You're an idiot! I wanted to ask you for access to the tablet and propose an alliance, but you... you..." - he stopped, as if he can't find the words.

- You don't understand. – another voice. Muramasa, the Master of the Blade. His ability is to make blades out of anything and strengthen the edge so that it cuts through everything in the world. He sincerely considers himself a samurai, although in fact he is not even Asian.

- Everyone should be able to stand up and lift a sword. One on one. Accept and propose a duel. Even if the Buddha himself gets in your way, dissect him. – he said: - I liked it. I haven't felt this way in a long time. Thank you, Taylor. The only comment is, why didn't you use the blades? Otherwise, everything is just fine. I'm hungry for new battles. Have you seen how this blonde moves? She had a good trainer, her movements were set, she seemed to be dancing in the heat of battle. Such a girl should not be missed.

- Wow! – a new voice whistled in my head. I do not know this girl; she is either the Ninth or the Tenth. A superpower that can cause flashes of blinding rage from others, it seems her name was the Numian Lioness. She didn't say anything before, but I know her real name is Rachel.

- Just think, our stern swordsman fell in love with a schoolgirl! Holy shit. - she said mockingly: - for so many years he has been pretending to be a monk, but he turned out to be a sucker for youngsters! Hey, Quarrel, you've got an ally!

- An ally? - I wrinkled my forehead, approaching my house: - in the sense of an ally? What kind of alliances and alliances are you making here?

- We all hate you. – the Numian willingly shared: - after all, you are our overseer and tyrant. If I had the power like you, I would give everyone the opportunity to do whatever they want. This is an opportunity to finally give us freedom! And you, you use it to oppress us! It's infuriating. It's just unbearable. We didn't have such an opportunity before, we didn't have a chance, we were doomed to spend eternity together, but now that you know that it exists, and you don't give us a chance... of course we hate you. Not all. This rag is Edward, a traitor and a coward – he went to cooperate with the administration and he has his own tablet and his own insects. Muramasa and Tinker... well, that's understandable. But we all hate you, even those who cooperate. You're our overseer, tyrant, and bitch in charge. I wish I could bite your throat out.

- I'm not a twenty-dollar bill for everyone to like. I'll get over it. - I answered, opening the door and cautiously entering the house. My father is sleeping on the couch with a bottle of beer in his hands, the TV is showing a replay of the game "Lakes", I closed the door behind me, making sure that the lock did not click.

- As for freedom of action... as soon as I buy myself more tablets and equip places in the basement, I will give access to everyone. Except for those who will actively cause idiosyncrasy and cognitive dissonance in me. I don't understand, do you really have a chance and a person who can give it to you, and the first thing you do is try to quarrel with him?

- It's just that you're really a tyrant. Supervisor. It gives you pleasure, doesn't it? - Numia growled and I rolled my eyes.

- Oh, yes. She likes it. - Alice- Quarrel interjected: - she likes to be the smartest in the room, revels in power and likes to hurt, dominate. But she needs an excuse... and she makes it up. Numian... you're at risk. She may well banish you into insects and start roasting them over low heat, she'll be fine.

- Don't listen to these guys. – another voice appeared, which I don't know yet: - give me a couple hundred cockroaches and let's go outside. Where we passed is an underground brothel with... a lot of girls. The young ones. You don't seem to be a heroine or a villain, and a raid on a brothel is just your modus operandi. I'll help you, and in return…

- Shut up, preoccupied. She's still a schoolgirl, and you're offering her cockroaches in her underpants. – Quarrel-Alice shout at him: - that's not what I'm talking about. Taylor, you've already figured it out, right? You're not acting like you normally do anymore. Your behavior, your thoughts, what you're doing – you think you're acting rationally, but... look at it from the outside. You're getting into a fight, throwing caution and logic aside. Risking my life. What are these but suicidal patterns of Butcher behavior? You've earned the praise of the Very First Butcher... think about it, you're already acting like a Butcher. No... you are the Butcher.

- Fuck off. - I muttered.: - get out into the fog, here's a cockroach for you, study the sewers. Analyze it there. What's your name? Numian? And you have a cockroach to pair with your girlfriend. Who else hasn't got a cockroach?

- Here, you see. – Quarrel chuckled: - earlier I would have said "you are getting closer and closer to madness", but what if it is not so? What if you're already crazy? You just don't notice it.

- Oh, that's it. – I switched the channels of perception, leaving Quarrel and Numia in the cockroaches. Let them have fun.

Meanwhile, I took off my shoes and put them on the floor. I walked carefully up the stairs, trying not to make any noise. The floorboard creaked treacherously under my foot and I froze.

- Taylor? – Danny raised his head: - Is that you? Where have you been?

Damn it, I think I got caught. Where have I been? Saying "Dad, my girlfriend called me here for a showdown, I recruited Bakuda, and I also fought with Glory" is not an option. But it's not worth lying completely desperately, one day he will find out everything, and it will be awkward for me. To speak close to the truth? A friend called for help, I helped her and that's it. Or should I tell Danny that I'm a cape? It would be a logically justified action, he would find out sooner or later anyway, and it's better now and from me than by accident somewhere. I'll be able to control the narrative, I'll be able to minimize the damage from this news, just say, "Dad, I'm a cape" and that's it. But... there will be many more questions later, and I'm not ready for that. And Danny is not ready to find out that his daughter is Cape, who killed Lung and thirty people from the ABB, and even more so that she is the Butcher XV. I wouldn't be ready for such a turn.

Damn, I think I definitely need to tell him this story myself, about how it was self-defense, that I wanted to protect people, that it happened by accident... I can't tell him that I just wanted to test a neurotoxin, and then Lung got caught?

- Quarrel is wrong, - the voice of Ulcer, a girl who could cause festering wounds with the effort of thought, is heard in my head: - you've always been crazy. I wonder how you're going to explain this to your daddy?

- Taylor? - Danny sat down on the couch, got up to the light switch and turned on the light. He's looking at me. I'm wearing a practically torn pink T–shirt, jeans were also damaged, but as you wanted, the Glory Girl did not hold back the blows, it's amazing that at least something survived, otherwise I would have been good... well, I would have covered myself with insects on the street, but at home?

- What's going on? Have you been attacked?! Who?! Are you being blackmailed?

- Calm down, Dad, I'll explain everything now. - I raised my hand, not feeling at all calm. It would seem like a chance to finally explain everything and explain it, but for some reason I'm scared. Intellectually, I understand what is necessary, that you can't lie to a loved one all the time, the truth will open anyway, but ... an irrational fear that my usual life next to him will end now and a completely different one will begin – captured me and I swallowed saliva. Come on, pull yourself together, Taylor, it's just your father, it's not a Butcher, it's not Lung, it's not Bakuda… It's much scarier. Much.

- Uh... my friend asked me to help, so I got out through the window. She had problems with the locals, we had a little fight, but I'm fine! I chattered hastily, making up everything as I was going and praying that he believes me.

- A friend? - Danny gave me a suspicious look and shook his head.: - Taylor, Taylor. Owl, don't you remember that I can see perfectly well when you start lying to me?

- What?!

- You can lie to anyone, but not to me. And... it's not easy for me to talk about it. What were you thinking when you hid this from me? Did you really think that I would judge you? That I won't side with my daughter? Yes, let the whole world turn against you and then I will be on your side, Owl. Come here. He pulled me to him, and I buried my face in his chest and felt tears welling up in my eyes. That's what family is, I think, when you're accepted for who you are. I am a cold–blooded and cynical killer, for outsiders in general a maniac and a sadist, a monster, but for Danny I will always be his little Owl and that suits me completely. I am surprised to realize that I am sobbing.

- Well, well... - he patted me on the back: - don't worry. I understand that it was difficult for you, but it's your own fault, by God. You could have told me right away, and not hidden the truth until the last moment. I love you anyway and I will love you. Your sexual orientation means nothing to me.…

- What?! – I pulled away from him, feeling that the tears in my eyes immediately dried up: - What?!

- Daughter, tell me... you like girls, don't you? I'm not judging you, and you can talk to me about what happened. I'm not a fool, daughter. - Danny looked away and rubbed his chin, clearly uncomfortable talking about it.: - You got out of the window yourself in the evening, returned in a torn T-shirt, but you are not bruised or injured. Your girlfriend... you know, the first sexual experience can be traumatic, but you have to understand that it doesn't always happen that way. And...

Chapter 28

Interlude 1

- Did I miss something? – Assault hurriedly squeezed into his seat, stumbled, cursed, and finally – sat down in the chair next to Battery, who in response to his appearance crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes.

- I would greatly appreciate it if all participants in the briefing would behave professionally and not turn the workplace into a circus. – grumbled Emily Piggot, waiting for the commotion caused by Assault's arrival to subside. She cleared her throat. Cast a glance at the papers lying in front of her. Sighed.

- Now that everyone is here... - she began and again shot an irritated glance at Assault: - finally. We can proceed. Deputy Director Renick, please outline the situation.

- As all present here know, two days ago the city was attacked. The Teeth group, together with their leader Butcher XIV, attacked Miss Militia while patrolling the area near the Docks, near Winslow Middle School. Miss Militia immediately called for reinforcements, acting in strict accordance with the Protectorate Charter, as well as norms and rules provided for combat with hostile villain capes. – a man in a dark suit stood up and turned on the projector. On the white screen, footage of the clash with the Teeth appeared.

- In the course of the conflict, pursuing her own, as yet unknown, goals – Poison Ivy intervened... As we all already know, Poison Ivy is a girl... but I won't get ahead of myself. – Renick made a short pause, casting a glance first at Director Piggot, then at Assault. He cleared his throat.

- As already known from the modus operandi of the new cape, she's not inclined to half-measures. Conflicts involving Poison Ivy usually end in fatalities. And this time was no exception. The Teeth capes died almost in full. Animos, Kutyezh, Vex, Jambalaya, Cortez – all of them were poisoned by neurotoxin and died on the spot. By the time Miss Militia attempted to provide medical assistance, they were all already dead. Although it's worth noting Miss Militia's attempt to apply the universal antidote developed by the Armmaster. – Renick paused and took a sip of water from the tall glass in front of him.

- Unfortunately, the Armmaster's universal antidote has a very short window for application. Five seconds after the fact of poisoning is detected, or better yet – two seconds. No one can find a syringe with the antidote in their first aid kit in such a short time. – grumbled Emily Piggot, filling the short pause in Renick's report: - but still better than nothing.

- Most importantly – in this clash, our Poison Lady managed to kill Butcher and of course became the next Butcher. – Renick continued, while on the screen were flickered photos from the scene of the clash: - the fact of the death of the previous Butcher, a girl named Quarrel, is established. Her body was found, identified, and the cause of death was established. Again, neurotoxin.

- As if we didn't have enough grief. – Assault muttered under his breath: - as if she was ever known for her kindness and sweet character.

- The next day, the new self-proclaimed leader of the ABB, Bakuda, began a terrorist attack on the city. She attempted to blackmail the Protectorate and PRT with booby-trapped buildings of hospitals, schools, as well as shopping centers and institutions. As it was subsequently found out – she also implanted her bombs in people's heads, performing surgeries on them. Here. – the picture was changing, showing a photo of Bakuda, then a photo from the scene of the explosion.

- The ABB has a long-standing animosity towards the Undersiders. Previously, Poison Ivy's connection with the Undersiders was not traced, however, at the moment of the conflict between Bakuda and the Undersiders, she appeared and intervened in the conflict on the side of the Undersiders, defending them from Bakuda. Witnesses have reported this. Partially, the information was obtained from the Uber and Elite resources. The image on the screen is changing, and footage from the scene of the incident appeared. Camera angles changed, allowing for a detailed view of what happened.

- As you can see, Poison Ivy is quite inventive when it comes to psychological pressure. – Dryly commented Director Piggot: - by controlling insects, she creates several humanoid clones, diverting the enemy's attention and creating an illusion of numerical superiority.

- If she wanted to inspire terror, she succeeded. – Assault remarked under his breath: - personally, she gives me the chills.

- There was no clash between Bakuda and the new cape. – Renick is continuing: - the newcomer simply persuaded Bakuda to submit to her will and deactivate, neutralize all her explosive devices. Release the hostages.

- A rather mild definition of what actually happened. - Miss Militia folded her arms over her chest: - she was interrogating and killing people on the spot! Field interrogation, aimed at suppression and intimidation. At least two dead!

- Unfortunately, Miss Militia is right. However, the procedure still states that until there is irrefutable evidence – we refrain from such assessments. – Renick responded: - we cannot accept the record posted on the Uber and Elite website as such evidence. And bodies were not found at the scene of the incident. Although numerous witnesses confirm this fact.

- And yet, you used to defend her, - Emily Piggot remarked, intertwining her fingers in front of herself: - have you changed your mind?

- High-intensity field interrogation. – Miss Militia spitted out the words: - I've seen this before. To do something like this, you need to be either a complete psycho or a professional burnt out from within. I wouldn't sit at the same table with either.

- Bakuda and Tattletale left the scene together. From the fragments of phrases heard by witnesses, it can be concluded that now Bakuda will obey the new cape, who is no longer Poison Ivy, but Butcher XV. It can be assumed that the new Butcher is starting to form her own unit after killing almost the entire previous team. – Renick finished. He looked questioningly at Director Piggot.

- So. – Emily raised heavily from her seat: - I requested instructions directly from the PRT headquarters. At the moment, the headquarters recommends that we do not approach Butcher and his team, under no circumstances provoke conflicts with them, and try to prevent such conflicts between them and local capes. Negotiation rules and conflict escalation protocols have also been developed if such a conflict does occur. I gathered you all here primarily to instruct on how to act in those cases where contact with Butcher himself cannot be avoided. In front of you are printed instructions, please study it and sign the acknowledgment form. Also…

- And are we not going to talk about the elephant in the room? – Assault said, reclining in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. Battery gave him an angry glance, but he pretended not to notice: - about our Glory Girl carrying Butcher through the city, like a bride? And how they were smiling at each other and planning their honeymoon? Oh, dear, it hurts!

- Stop spouting nonsense! – Battery rubbed her temple with the edge of her hand: - and read fewer conspiracy theories on the PHO.

- Glory is still a minor, but her parents have been informed. – Piggot replied, shaking her head wearily: - what exactly Glory was thinking when she got into a direct conflict with Butcher and used all her strength… I don't know.

- It was reckless. – Armsmaster rumbled from under his helmet: - she could have killed him. And become Butcher XVI. The danger was extremely high.

- In any case, the worst did not happen. The New Wave has been notified, the team leader was informed that the PRT in the Northeast expresses extreme disappointment and dissatisfaction with the level of parental control and upbringing of young parahumans. – Piggot finished: - unfortunately, Glory is outside the official jurisdiction of the PRT, and that's all we can do.

- No, I mean, I got it - they fought. – Assault said: - that's understandable. Glory's a hot-headed girl, and the new Butcher is really scary. So, they clashed. There are no questions about that. But why was she carrying her through the city? Maybe her aura affected him, and Butcher finally stopped being a bloodthirsty monster and now plans joint dates? Oh! Dear!

- Glory's aura doesn't work like that. – Armsmaster replied: - her aura inspires admiration and awe only in allies, it should install terror in enemies.

- Who knows, who knows… - Assault rubbed his temple and leaned slightly away from Battery sitting next to him: - maybe Butcher doesn't see her as an enemy? And as for terror, the new Butcher instills terror in everyone, allies and enemies alike. Maybe in such circumstances…

- Colin, he's just joking. – Battery interrupted him: - don't pay attention.

- Joking? – Armsmaster froze in place: - an emergency briefing is not the place for jokes. Please don't do this during the performance of your duties. Humor serves an important function and is responsible for the team's psychological state, but we have a specially designated time after the briefing for each to present their joke to the team.

- And how can you not joke about him after that? – Assault muttered to himself: - of course. I'll joke on command. But seriously – isn't Glory already communicating with Butcher? And then – can you call PHO conspiracy theorists whatever you want, but it was precisely these mommy's experts who gave me the idea. Look at the duel between Glory and Butcher at the very beginning – see? No insects, and she always attacked from nowhere, we knew nothing about her gender, age, or height. And here… and she didn't use all of Butcher's arsenal, it looked like a duel between two schoolgirls in the schoolyard who didn't share a date with a boy or a place on the cheerleading team. Of course, assuming both schoolgirls have black belts in karate and jiu-jitsu.

- The oddities in Butcher's behaviour cannot be the subject of subsequent analysis. Butcher is not rational and cannot negotiate. Today she has one thing on her mind, and tomorrow another. – Piggot said: - over the years, many Thinkers have tried to predict her behaviour or at least minimise the damage. In the end, it was decided to leave Butcher alone.

- Isn't that… powerlessness? After all, Eidolon could have thrown her into the Birdcage. Or toss her into space?

- It's unknown how Butcher's power would work in that case. – Armsmaster responded: - and then we would get Butcher-Eidolon. Besides, throwing her into the Birdcage would give her the opportunity to devour all the capes there. What would happen as a result and whether the Birdcage could contain such…

- Right now, he's treated as a natural disaster. – Miss Militia interjected, crossing her arms: - a unique case, but not unique treatment. Ash Beast, for example - nobody tries to stop him. I would say it's simply cowardice, but… - she shook her head: - indeed, every time someone tried to destroy or at least neutralise Butcher, it ended with casualties or the strengthening and emergence of a new Butcher. No one wants Butcher-Eidolon or Butcher-Legend. It wouldn't just be damage; it would be a catastrophe. And since he gained teleportation ability, the option to lock him somewhere disappeared. Now there's only the option to "keep him in a coma," but that's risky… miscalculate the dosage and it's all over.

- Miss Militia is right. However. – Director Piggot raised a finger: - such a policy towards Butcher has borne fruit. If you don't touch her, don't attack or disturb her, then Butcher - minds her own business. I suppose that's why she created her Teeth team. During the time the order "do not approach" was in effect, zero people died at Butcher's hands. Not a single civilian.

- But how…?

- There were human casualties, yes. But - either at the hands of her minions, whom the PRT treats like any villains, or they were members of her own gang, whom she executed demonstratively, keeping the others in line. It's still unknown whether this is a simple coincidence or if Butcher is intuitively trying to follow some rules… as I've said, she's not someone you can reason with. But these are the orders, this is the order, and this order bears fruit. And even in the case of the attack on Miss Militia, Vex attacked her. Butcher joined the battle already in progress, and look at the number of casualties among civilians. There are wounded, someone broke a leg, someone was cut by shrapnel, but no more. I believe Butcher and her Teeth simply took advantage of the vacuum left by Lung's death and decided to stake their claim on the PRT territory. Brockton Bay attracts these… - Emily restrained herself from using the word "bastards" and continued: - parahumans like a magnet. So, we'll just stick to the rules and instructions sent to us from headquarters. After all, it's our job. I am repeating - do not engage in direct conflict with Butcher. If necessary - evacuate civilians. The use of force is permitted only in self-defense or to save your comrades and civilians. If there's a chance to avoid a confrontation, it's better not to engage in direct conflict, I repeat for the exceptionally talented ones. Or those with an especially developed sense of humour and a penchant for practical jokes. – she looked directly at Assault. He sighed and nodded his head.

- Of course. – he said: - I'll follow the instructions.

- Good. If Assault follows the instructions, something will definitely change in this world. Consider all our problems solved. – Armsmaster remarked. Assault jumped up.

- Was that a joke?!

- I don't joke during briefings.

- Enough. Now to the closed part of the meeting. Has everyone signed the new nondisclosure forms? Good. – Emily Piggot raised her hand and massaged her nose: - the identity of the bearer of Butcher XV has been established through examination of genetic material left at the scene, video analysis, cell phone signal tracking, and eyewitness testimony. Thinkers from headquarters found matches in the databases and narrowed down the search. Genetic material helped identify the individual with ninety-seven percent accuracy. Butcher XV, formerly known as Poison Ivy - a certain Taylor Hebert. A student at Winslow High School.

I thought about it. God, is she studies at school?! - Assault muttered.

"Hebert... Hebert... is she by any chance the daughter of Daniel Hebert, the head of the dockers' union?" - Miss Militia asked a question and Emily nodded.

- And what should we do with this information? – Assault clarified: - Unwritten Rules and all that…

- Please don't pay attention. He's joking again…

Interlude 2

- Vicky! What were you thinking about?! - Amy Dallon hissed, trying to lower her voice.

"Uh... I didn't really think about it, you know..." - Victoria Dallon reached out to scratch her head and Amy rolled her eyes.

- You had four broken ribs! The bridge of your nose! Concussion! I'm not talking about the hands at all. I almost went crazy when I saw you!

- You should have seen another girl! - Victoria put her hands on her hips: - I beat her up like that…

- I saw her. Not a scratch. The whole Internet has seen it. Her regeneration is just crazy, and you're waving your fists! What if she'd hit you with a beam of pain? Or their poisonous insects? Or... what else does the Butcher have in his arsenal?!

- I didn't know it was a Butcher! I didn't know!

- Do you have eyes?! Can you read?! Mom and Aunt Sarah ate our brains the day before yesterday! The press release from the PRT has been brought! They gave me to get acquainted with the painting. Aunt Sarah made you repeat it. Twice! Wiki! Twice!

- Amy…

- Amy! I've been a hell of a lot of Amy! Vicky, if you don't appreciate yourself, remember that you have people who are not indifferent to you and who can't let you lie somewhere in a Graveyard of Ships and slowly die of internal haemorrhage. Why are you looking at me like that?! I also found two duelists, she beat off your internal organs, there were a couple of vessels burst in the liver, another hour or two and you would have died.

- So, it's good that she called for help... - Victoria muttered to herself: - that's how…

- What's good about it?! - Amy immediately snapped, - "What's good?! She crippled you first and left you lying there! You couldn't even walk!

- Amy... that's enough. My mother has already punished me... now I will only go to school. A whole month! And I had a date with Dan planned... and also these rumours are stupid.

- Vicky... did you really carry a Butcher in your arms?" - Amy asked, moving closer, "really?" About what…

- What was I thinking about, yes, yes, yes... I wasn't thinking about anything! She's a villain! I am a heroine! I couldn't just stand there and let her do evil! And to fight in the middle of a densely populated neighbourhood is to smash everything around! There would have been victims, and they would have broken everything around. Well, I tell her – let's go, let's step aside to be honest. And her car was stolen. Well, when they stole it, they left with this little chatterbox. And she's like, come on. And she said she wouldn't attack me in the air. And anyway, I have an advantage on the fly, I could have thrown her down and ... uh ... - Vicky looked at her sister and her voice faded: - it's now that I realised that she could teleport at any moment…

- She was playing with you, Vicky! That thing was playing with my sister and hurt her! I swear I'll find her and …

- Yes, yes. You will find her and cure her of her cold. Or hemorrhoids. - Victoria rolled her eyes: - relax already. Your job is to heal, and you're good at it. And thank you for healing me. Next time…

- There won't be a next time! - Amy hissed at her, - "Vicky!

- Come on! I was winning! You saw how she flew from my blows! - Victoria raised her voice: - I won! I could have changed something! And I …

- Girls! Are you awake? Amy! Go to your room! Victoria Dallon – you're being punished, remember that? – a voice came from behind the door: - tomorrow you have school.

- Yes, Mom! – Victoria shouted back and muttered to herself: - you'll forget here…

- Do I hear a note of irritation in your voice? – the door opened and Carol stood on the threshold, who folded her arms and looked critically at the girls sitting next to her on the bed: - if it wasn't for Aunt Sarah, you would have got a belt right in my ass. My tongue is tired of repeating the truisms to you. And we're not done yet, Victoria Dallon. You're too tired after everything today, and Amy said you need rest, but tomorrow we'll talk about everything in detail, you can be sure. Amy!

- Yes, ma'am!

- Go to your room, there's nothing to distract her.

- Yes, ma'am. Sure. Amy got out of bed and walked to the door. She stopped at the threshold, sighed and nodded to Victoria.

- Good night, Mom. - Victoria said, "Good night, Amy."

- Everyone goes to sleep. - Carol closed the door to Victoria's room and turned to Amy: "Do you need a special invitation?"

- Good night. Amy nodded and went to the bathroom. He closed the door behind her and leaned back against it. He took her hand out of her pocket. There is a very small worm in her palm, it cannot be seen without a magnifying glass, but she knows that it lies there. She feels it. Feels the life inside this organism. She knows what he was created for. This creature didn't just cripple her sister, it violated the most intimate, it introduced a living parasite into Vicky's body. A living parasite! And she will answer for it. Amy tilted her head stubbornly. She went to the mirror and looked at her reflection.

- I'll find you. – she said to her reflection: - I'll find you. I will definitely find you wherever you are hiding. You have no idea what I'm capable of. She raised her hand with the worm on it and peered at the creature writhing in her palm.

- If I know why you did it, I know how you think... you don't know anything about me. And I already know everything about you. – she said, and the worm in her palm began to grow, to increase in size. Amy looked at it, then transplanted it into a small glass bulb. Amy Dallon, she is thinking, looking at herself in the mirror, you're not the prettiest, you're not the smartest, you have a pretty bad temper and you don't know how to communicate with people, you don't know how to make friends. Vicky has all this, she is bright, beautiful, smart, charming, she knows how to be the soul of the company, she knows how to make friends wherever she appears and always has been. Even before she became a cape and gained abilities. Even when she was just Vicky, not Glory, she was already better at everything than Amy. People who grew up in the shadow of the great ones have only one quality that helps them not to go crazy and expect that one day they will be noticed. This is perseverance. One day Vicky will notice her. One day they will be able to... but to do that, they need to make sure that Vicky is safe and sound. This creature thinks that she has made one enemy today, but in fact she has made two at once. Vicky takes it all lightly, she's ready to fight. The fight is important to her.

Amy looked at her reflection in the mirror. Amy Dallon, The Panacea… She doesn't know how to fight. She has never fought, never fought with anyone. But her ability... her ability tells her that she knows how to kill. Which means she won't fight. With no one. Including the new Butcher girl. She'll just kill her.