Goddamn Teenagers (Worm, AU/time travel)

[dc2008]

"… you understand," the recording concluded.

Quentin Calle looked at the masked man carefully. "And he is willing to testify?"

"Yes," the masked man said with a straight face. "He has, as a lobbyist, at times walked a very fine line. However, even a lobbyist has standards, and he can't help but think that he too has a family."

Calle nodded.

"He will, of course," continued the masked man, "need some measure of protection."

Calle gave a lopsided grin. "What with the news on the company, I'm sure he would want the usual package for someone testifying against villains. Not that Mr. Anders is a villain, of course, that would be ridiculous. Still, one can't be too careful, and the company has certainly been compromised by villains, that much is public knowledge. No doubt Mr. Anders was compromised by the same master as got his colleague, Mr. Fleischer."

"Given the subject matter of the conversation," Calle continued, "particularly the reference to family members, I expect the Special Agent in Charge to be extremely understanding."

The masked man nodded.

"And of course," Calle said seriously, "No doubt there are any number of people who might have bugged Mr. Anders' home."

---

Note: Yes, Max, I'm sure you are very proud of all the things you did not quite say. I'm sure the Special Agent in Charge will care about such fine distinctions. They love it when they think you think they are stupid.

 

[dc2008]

So, Max. We're guessing you're familiar with the phase, 'He's burnt all his boats'?
(AKA point of no return...)

Click to shrink...

Recall that BBPD is still shot through with racists and crypto-fascists. However, the BBPD now also views the Empire as a bunch of unstable irrational idiots who kill cops. I.e., the Empire and its associates have, from BBPD's perspective, gone from "one of us" to "one of them".

Of course, we know that this has a lot to do with Coil and Marquis shenanigans, which included assassinating key people, framing the Empire for the deaths of two (racist and corrupt) officers, and the "jar of exploding" incident that pissed off the head of BBPD's EOD group.

Others helped as well, including the K9 group instigating a shoot-out with the Empire at a dog house, the veterans stirring up problems for the Empire (who were themselves facilitated by Coil and Marquis), and Victor's split second decision to snap the gas line at Krieg's house (this was an own goal).

No doubt there was more off screen. It is very cathartic to watch, and also a terrifying demonstration of the kind of shit Coil can get up to when he isn't getting distracted playing Bond villain Barbie house playset in his underground bunker.

Even then, it was substantially accelerated through use of Marquis' stash of carefully researched and hoarded intelligence files. Undoubtedly much of what was in there was stale or even useless, but it gave Coil what he needed to make this sort of strategic operation feasible.

 

[dc2008]

"Wait if this is about our tinker project why is Missy here?" Trevor whined.

"She is to be commended," replied Armsmaster in a level tone, "for her quick thinking in preventing you from proceeding further."

Missy barely refrained from rolling her eyes, as Trevor wilted in his seat. Of course she had been included, she had inspired… whatever they were doing, and wasn't going to be left out!

"It was therefore recommended," continued Armsmaster, "that she be included in this briefing and I have no reason to disagree."

Translation, he has a checklist for this too. Probably reading it on that visor of his.

"While you are to be commended for your creativity, from your reports it is clear that even you do not fully appreciate the implications of your work." Without visible outward movement from Armsmaster, a projector turned on, displaying a slide full of schematics entitled "Alcubierre Drive".

---

Notes: Significantly, the difference between an Alcubierre Drive and a WMD is academic at best. That said, if Missy's power can do what it does in an energy efficient fashion, then a Missy-inspired Alcubierre is not inconceivable, and seems like a reasonable (if terrifying) place to end up when Trevor's transportation shard is looking to Vista's shard for ideas.

Reference for the Alcubierre Drive:
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yCCsmxGjEV0

 

[dc2008]

"Should you wish to proceed with this project, I have identified a number of reference materials you will need to first study as a matter of basic safety. You may also wish to further your studies of advanced math. I have included as well, of course, refresher materials on the proper policies and procedures for when initiating a new tinker project of this magnitude."

Dennis and Trevor shared a look, as Missy leaned forward in interest. As if something inspired by my power wouldn't be high level awesome!

"In particular," continued Armsmaster, "if you are able to make progress on creating or sidestepping the need for negative mass, myself and a number of others will be highly interested, as—"

Armsmaster stopped mid sentence, did that thing he did when getting a message, and then turned to Missy. "The Director requests you immediately return to the Wards room for a consultation with Insight and Lilac, after which you will be meeting with her."

At the boys' inquisitive looks, Missy scoffed as she gathered her things. "I just got commended, you heard." Maybe, after hearing about this drive thing she had inspired they'd finally realized how awesome she was. Or maybe there was even a new Ward, a girl even!

---

Note: Projects like this is why there are tinker review boards.