Fredo
Climbing Mt Doom
What is "it" that was in the trunk?
Goddamn Teenagers (Worm, AU/time travel)
Fixed in text—thanks!
FaerieKnight79
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Someone decided that to deal with Krieg, they had to prove that All his base are belong to us. Somebody set up him the bomb. He has no chance to survive make his time.
Snowball, Part 4
"Piggot," Emily said as she accepted the call.
"This is Weaver," the woman said by way of greeting. "Confidential intelligence strongly indicates conventional explosives, not tinkertech. Strong potential for Empire escalation."
"Can you tell me who did it?"
"No." There was a pause. "Feel free to consult with Lilac and Insight."
Emily hung up, and immediately dialed a different number.
"Dispatch."
"This is Piggot. Ensure all Wards and Protectorate personnel are at a secure location. Suggest New Wave take precautions. Have Lilac and Insight brought in. Any movement from the Empire?"
"Significant Empire activity but no clear indication of intentions. ABB and Coil appear to be in 'wait and see' mode."
Elsewhere
"Come on come on!" Lisa said as they waited at a red light.
Her phone buzzed angrily.
"Uh," Brian said, juggling her phone and his. "Looks like you're getting recalled. I'm still on 'secure shelter' though."
"Fuck! Need to get lights and sirens for this thing!"
Note: Look at Lisa, being all responsible and running to the sound of the guns!
"This is Weaver," the woman said by way of greeting. "Confidential intelligence strongly indicates conventional explosives, not tinkertech. Strong potential for Empire escalation."
"Can you tell me who did it?"
"No." There was a pause. "Feel free to consult with Lilac and Insight."
Emily hung up, and immediately dialed a different number.
"Dispatch."
"This is Piggot. Ensure all Wards and Protectorate personnel are at a secure location. Suggest New Wave take precautions. Have Lilac and Insight brought in. Any movement from the Empire?"
"Significant Empire activity but no clear indication of intentions. ABB and Coil appear to be in 'wait and see' mode."
Elsewhere
"Come on come on!" Lisa said as they waited at a red light.
Her phone buzzed angrily.
"Uh," Brian said, juggling her phone and his. "Looks like you're getting recalled. I'm still on 'secure shelter' though."
"Fuck! Need to get lights and sirens for this thing!"
Note: Look at Lisa, being all responsible and running to the sound of the guns!
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FaerieKnight79
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Rebranded as Hard Light, I believe. Might be thinking of a different fic though.
Snowball, Part 5
"Krieg, listen closely," Max said. "Officially, this happened to James Fliescher, not Krieg. Someone is deliberately targeting you, and we will destroy them and everything they love. But unless we are willing to out you, we need to maintain the facade."
"Ja."
"Right now, they will be finding a judge, getting a warrant to search James Fliescher's house. Is there anything, anything at all, that needs cleaned up before they get there."
Krieg winced. "Yes."
Brad swore.
"Car, van, truck, or fire?"
"Truck, then fire," Krieg said in a defeated tone. "Only way to be sure." He sighed heavily. "The kids will be devastated."
Max turned to Brad and Victor. "Go with him. Have some of the boys meet you there, grab mementos if you can. Make it look like someone broke in, tossed the place, the usual. Get a trusted BBPD ride-along to run interference, I'll have a lawyer meet you there. Don't let this turn from a setback into a catastrophe."
Note: This isn't the first or worst mess Max has had to tidy up.
"Ja."
"Right now, they will be finding a judge, getting a warrant to search James Fliescher's house. Is there anything, anything at all, that needs cleaned up before they get there."
Krieg winced. "Yes."
Brad swore.
"Car, van, truck, or fire?"
"Truck, then fire," Krieg said in a defeated tone. "Only way to be sure." He sighed heavily. "The kids will be devastated."
Max turned to Brad and Victor. "Go with him. Have some of the boys meet you there, grab mementos if you can. Make it look like someone broke in, tossed the place, the usual. Get a trusted BBPD ride-along to run interference, I'll have a lawyer meet you there. Don't let this turn from a setback into a catastrophe."
Note: This isn't the first or worst mess Max has had to tidy up.
Dr. Weaver arranged her extraction via car crash. Last we heard. Kayden way recovering in a hospital, and Theo and Aster are in a nice offworld resort that he is convinced is a blacksite.
RichardWhereat
Feanor did nothing wrong.
- Location
- Australia
Now I'm kinda curious as to what he's hiding.
FaerieKnight79
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Probably things like spare costumes, trophies, and other things which would get him arrested on the spot.
EDIT:
And I don't mean sports trophies.
Snowball, Part 6
"What do we have," Emily said quietly to the watch officer. They were in the hall, a few feet from the crowded room where harried troopers tried to monitor and manage ongoing police, PRT and rescue efforts.
"Armsmaster has identified the epicenter of the blast, an SUV belonging to one James Fliescher. Interpol has a file on the guy a mile long, definite Gesellshaft connection but nothing anyone has been able to make stick. BBPD is getting a search warrant."
Piggot nodded. "Good. Continue to monitor. Support and advise for now, absent clear signs of cape involvement we'll take a backseat."
"Ma'am?"
"City's a tinderbox, we don't want this to escalate."
Elsewhere
"Shouldn't be surprised," Alec said, gesturing for Aisha to come in.
"Better safe than sorry. The kids might come by later, I stopped by so their parents know I can watch them again if there is a full call-up."
Note: Yep, Aisha and Alec, responsible babysitters!
"Armsmaster has identified the epicenter of the blast, an SUV belonging to one James Fliescher. Interpol has a file on the guy a mile long, definite Gesellshaft connection but nothing anyone has been able to make stick. BBPD is getting a search warrant."
Piggot nodded. "Good. Continue to monitor. Support and advise for now, absent clear signs of cape involvement we'll take a backseat."
"Ma'am?"
"City's a tinderbox, we don't want this to escalate."
Elsewhere
"Shouldn't be surprised," Alec said, gesturing for Aisha to come in.
"Better safe than sorry. The kids might come by later, I stopped by so their parents know I can watch them again if there is a full call-up."
Note: Yep, Aisha and Alec, responsible babysitters!
Snowball, Part 7
"You be careful, now," Dinah's mom said.
"The numbers are good," Dinah replied. "I want to help if I can, so many people have done so much for me I want to give back."
"We'll take care of her," Triumph said in a reassuring tone, as he guided his cousin into the SUV.
Elsewhere
Lisa swore at the sound of the ringtone Immigrant Song. "It's Piggot. Put it on speaker," she said.
"Where are you," The Director's voice said.
"With Grue, we were almost to the farm and are on our way back."
"Understood. In the interests of time, we will send to your phone materials so you can begin getting up to speed."
Lisa blinked. "I'm driving?"
"She already hung up," Brian said.
"OK," Lisa said in a strained voice. "OK. At the next light I'll unlock my phone and you can read it to me."
"Or," Brian said slowly. "You could pull over and let me drive."
Lisa sighed. "Fuck me, yeah, we'll do that."
Note: Lisa's ringtone was very nearly Holding Out For A Hero, but even she is smart enough to realize Piggot might very not appreciate that one.
"The numbers are good," Dinah replied. "I want to help if I can, so many people have done so much for me I want to give back."
"We'll take care of her," Triumph said in a reassuring tone, as he guided his cousin into the SUV.
Elsewhere
Lisa swore at the sound of the ringtone Immigrant Song. "It's Piggot. Put it on speaker," she said.
"Where are you," The Director's voice said.
"With Grue, we were almost to the farm and are on our way back."
"Understood. In the interests of time, we will send to your phone materials so you can begin getting up to speed."
Lisa blinked. "I'm driving?"
"She already hung up," Brian said.
"OK," Lisa said in a strained voice. "OK. At the next light I'll unlock my phone and you can read it to me."
"Or," Brian said slowly. "You could pull over and let me drive."
Lisa sighed. "Fuck me, yeah, we'll do that."
Note: Lisa's ringtone was very nearly Holding Out For A Hero, but even she is smart enough to realize Piggot might very not appreciate that one.
Snowball, Part 8
"We've begun," Victor said over the speakerphone, "but the amount of material to remove is considerable."
"How long," asked Max.
"We got his little black book and are getting the other documents and ready gear, but we still need to dig up some cache he had buried under the basement. Maybe an hour."
"What the fuck was he thinking!?" Brad asked rhetorically.
Max sighed. "They got a judge. You have twenty minutes."
"Fuck." They heard a rustling, then Victor's muffled voice continued. "Plan B, we're out of time. Ass-in-seat twelve minutes, fire starts in fifteen."
Elsewhere
"Stabilized," Amy said, stepping back from the gurney.
"Take five," the nurse said. "That's the last of this batch."
Amy nodded, already heading to wash her hands. She couldn't believe they'd bombed a restaurant, whoever they were. Sure, there were some skinheads, but she'd also checked out a couple kids, a waiter who'd been having a smoke, some passersby, and the usual mix of injuries where someone had been startled and suddenly swerved or tripped or otherwise jumped left instead of right in response to the fuck off big explosion.
Note: Remember kiddos, even when a bomb goes off at a Nazi bar, there will be non-Nazis who get hurt.
"How long," asked Max.
"We got his little black book and are getting the other documents and ready gear, but we still need to dig up some cache he had buried under the basement. Maybe an hour."
"What the fuck was he thinking!?" Brad asked rhetorically.
Max sighed. "They got a judge. You have twenty minutes."
"Fuck." They heard a rustling, then Victor's muffled voice continued. "Plan B, we're out of time. Ass-in-seat twelve minutes, fire starts in fifteen."
Elsewhere
"Stabilized," Amy said, stepping back from the gurney.
"Take five," the nurse said. "That's the last of this batch."
Amy nodded, already heading to wash her hands. She couldn't believe they'd bombed a restaurant, whoever they were. Sure, there were some skinheads, but she'd also checked out a couple kids, a waiter who'd been having a smoke, some passersby, and the usual mix of injuries where someone had been startled and suddenly swerved or tripped or otherwise jumped left instead of right in response to the fuck off big explosion.
Note: Remember kiddos, even when a bomb goes off at a Nazi bar, there will be non-Nazis who get hurt.
MaimakteriAnn
(Verified Sleepy)
- Location
- Enormous And Round Terran Homeworld
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- She/Her/Dr
If it's known to be a Nazi bar, I disagree. In fact, I would say that if you support a Nazi business when there is any other option, you're a nazi.
Unless you bomb it from the street and get passers by, but the portrayed professionalism leads me to assume this bomb was set inside.
FaerieKnight79
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The bomb was in Krieg's car, not the bar it's self. AKA, the car got turned into shrapnel, and was indiscriminate... as bombs are.
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Also, even for people outside the blast radius, sudden loud unexpected explosions are distracting. Sometimes, that doesn't matter. But if someone is driving, or operating heavy machinery, or the like, a moment of distraction can have consequences.
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FaerieKnight79
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Based on Amy's musings, I'd guess that the list of victims of the bomb who were a E88 member was a lot smaller then the list of victims who were not members of the E88, and got caught by the blast in one way or another.
- Pronouns
- She/They
Which is why it got passersby and a waiter on his smoke break - and also kids. Who may have been at a Nazi restaurant, or may have been nearby but outside. The thing about car bombs is that the blast radius is centered on, you know... the car. Which was outside.
You could argue the culpability of the waiter, perhaps, but given the status of the Bay's economy, blaming workers for choosing their ability to pay rent over their ethics is... not the point of the Nazi bar analogy. Like the kids, who were presumably brought to the restaurant by their families, there's an element of compulsion to living under capitalism that is certainly not bombing-worthy.
FaerieKnight79
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Hell, it might be a "nazi bar", but is it obviously one? You can't just assume all the clientele are nazi, let alone all the employees, and anyone even remotely near the parking lot when a bomb goes off...
Snowball, Part 9
"Repeat that," Armsmaster stated, as he continued to set up the piece of equipment. The support van had arrived, with the better detector, but he still didn't trust anyone else to set it up properly.
"That skinhead lawyer called," Assault said, "musing about how if we offered Truce protections he's got a hunch Othala might be willing to come help out at the hospital."
Colin thought furiously. It would contribute to the Empire's legitimacy, but Panacea could only be in one place at a time, and if Othala was at a hospital she wasn't providing support boosts somewhere else.
"Protectorate ENE approves, usual terms. Kick it over to Piggot for PRT sign-off."
Elsewhere
"Got a heads up from a friend at the Bureau," Phil said quietly.
As Emily's gesture, they moved to the side.
"BBPD has accepted offers of assistance from ATF and the Bureau," Phil continued, "based on the tie to explosives seized in Boston."
"How long until they get here?" Emily asked. The last thing she needed was out-of-town idiots kicking over anthills.
"ATF by morning. FBI, I'm sure they have people coming tomorrow, but they already had some people in town who are even now interfacing with BBPD."
Emily looked at Phil sharply. "I thought they just took the files and went back to Boston."
Note: There are always deniable communications channels. Lawyers, community leaders, etc. And like I said before, this isn't Max's first rodeo.
"That skinhead lawyer called," Assault said, "musing about how if we offered Truce protections he's got a hunch Othala might be willing to come help out at the hospital."
Colin thought furiously. It would contribute to the Empire's legitimacy, but Panacea could only be in one place at a time, and if Othala was at a hospital she wasn't providing support boosts somewhere else.
"Protectorate ENE approves, usual terms. Kick it over to Piggot for PRT sign-off."
Elsewhere
"Got a heads up from a friend at the Bureau," Phil said quietly.
As Emily's gesture, they moved to the side.
"BBPD has accepted offers of assistance from ATF and the Bureau," Phil continued, "based on the tie to explosives seized in Boston."
"How long until they get here?" Emily asked. The last thing she needed was out-of-town idiots kicking over anthills.
"ATF by morning. FBI, I'm sure they have people coming tomorrow, but they already had some people in town who are even now interfacing with BBPD."
Emily looked at Phil sharply. "I thought they just took the files and went back to Boston."
Note: There are always deniable communications channels. Lawyers, community leaders, etc. And like I said before, this isn't Max's first rodeo.
Snowball, Part 10
"Lilac," Lisa said, juggling the phones. She had been using both her's and Brian's to give her more screen space.
"This is Piggot. What do you have?"
"Fleischer is dirty, that much is obvious. High-level minion at least. Doubt he's dumb enough to take work home, but we might get lucky."
Piggot swore. "Listen carefully, Lilac. I do not want to out anyone. I am not asking whether he is a cape. We can't unring that bell. If we do, it will draw a reaction, and people will die. So I am not asking that. If you think he is a cape, if you 'know' he is a cape, do not tell me. Do you understand?"
Lisa nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. "Yes."
"Again, pay close attention to what I ask and what I don't ask. Is there a risk of parahuman escalation if he is cornered?"
"Yes."
"If he is cornered, is there a reasonable probability of lethal force being directed at unpowered law enforcement personnel?"
"Yes."
"If he is cornered, is there a reasonable probability that lethal force will be deployed by criminal elements without regard for potential civilian casualties?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Lisa carefully made sure the call had ended, and then groaned and put her head on the dash.
"Holy shit," Brian said.
Note: You're a big girl now, Lisa! Isn't this what you wanted?
"This is Piggot. What do you have?"
"Fleischer is dirty, that much is obvious. High-level minion at least. Doubt he's dumb enough to take work home, but we might get lucky."
Piggot swore. "Listen carefully, Lilac. I do not want to out anyone. I am not asking whether he is a cape. We can't unring that bell. If we do, it will draw a reaction, and people will die. So I am not asking that. If you think he is a cape, if you 'know' he is a cape, do not tell me. Do you understand?"
Lisa nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. "Yes."
"Again, pay close attention to what I ask and what I don't ask. Is there a risk of parahuman escalation if he is cornered?"
"Yes."
"If he is cornered, is there a reasonable probability of lethal force being directed at unpowered law enforcement personnel?"
"Yes."
"If he is cornered, is there a reasonable probability that lethal force will be deployed by criminal elements without regard for potential civilian casualties?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Lisa carefully made sure the call had ended, and then groaned and put her head on the dash.
"Holy shit," Brian said.
Note: You're a big girl now, Lisa! Isn't this what you wanted?
tenmachi
We don't talk about the other nine
Careful what you wish...
careful what you say-
Careful what you wish, you may regret it-
Careful what you wish, you just might get it!
Snowball, Part 11
"PRT announcement has gone out," Fenja said. "They're offering Truce protections for healers."
"Good," Max said, nodding. "We can salvage this."
Elsewhere
"Five minutes," Victor said. Krieg seemed near tears as he frantically dashed around stuffing toys, pictures and other mementos into a backpack.
He quickly did a circuit of the first floor. Nothing jumped out to him, but he just knew they had missed things.
But, well, that's what incendiaries were for.
Stepping back outside, he watched approvingly as the men finished unloading the incendiaries. Then, he paused. Something seemed off to him, something in the air. Ambient noise, perhaps? Something about the traffic noises?
He abruptly turned, and strode back through the house, into the backyard, pulling Krieg in his wake. On his way through the kitchen, he snapped the gas line, best he could do. He trusted his instincts, after all, a great many 'good' men had spent a very long time cultivating them, before he put them to better use. As he and Krieg vaulted the back fence, the bright lights appeared, accompanied by shouts, slamming doors, and the unmistakeable whoops of a helicopter overhead.
He wasn't worried. He had 'studied' several people with excellent escape and evasion skills.
Note: It's the thought that counts.
"Good," Max said, nodding. "We can salvage this."
Elsewhere
"Five minutes," Victor said. Krieg seemed near tears as he frantically dashed around stuffing toys, pictures and other mementos into a backpack.
He quickly did a circuit of the first floor. Nothing jumped out to him, but he just knew they had missed things.
But, well, that's what incendiaries were for.
Stepping back outside, he watched approvingly as the men finished unloading the incendiaries. Then, he paused. Something seemed off to him, something in the air. Ambient noise, perhaps? Something about the traffic noises?
He abruptly turned, and strode back through the house, into the backyard, pulling Krieg in his wake. On his way through the kitchen, he snapped the gas line, best he could do. He trusted his instincts, after all, a great many 'good' men had spent a very long time cultivating them, before he put them to better use. As he and Krieg vaulted the back fence, the bright lights appeared, accompanied by shouts, slamming doors, and the unmistakeable whoops of a helicopter overhead.
He wasn't worried. He had 'studied' several people with excellent escape and evasion skills.
Note: It's the thought that counts.
Snowball, Part 12
"Speak," Max said, picking up the phone.
"They've arrived at the office, with a warrant," said the lawyer.
"As expected," Max replied. Whatever idiocy James got up to at home, his people made damn sure the offices at work were kept clean.
"No," the lawyer said. "It's not just his workspace. Financial record as well, going back years, over a decade for some of it. Every role he's ever held and more. It's either a fishing expedition, in which case we'll quash it, or…"
"Or, what?"
"… or they'd already been building a case."
Max swore.
Elsewhere
"Go fish!" Vicky said with forced cheer. She didn't like the game, it felt almost blasphemous to be playing what with everything going on. But if playing a silly game distracted these kids while the doctors worked on their parents, then that's what she'd do. And it was better than just standing there while Amy got shuffled from one dying person to the next.
"They've arrived at the office, with a warrant," said the lawyer.
"As expected," Max replied. Whatever idiocy James got up to at home, his people made damn sure the offices at work were kept clean.
"No," the lawyer said. "It's not just his workspace. Financial record as well, going back years, over a decade for some of it. Every role he's ever held and more. It's either a fishing expedition, in which case we'll quash it, or…"
"Or, what?"
"… or they'd already been building a case."
Max swore.
Elsewhere
"Go fish!" Vicky said with forced cheer. She didn't like the game, it felt almost blasphemous to be playing what with everything going on. But if playing a silly game distracted these kids while the doctors worked on their parents, then that's what she'd do. And it was better than just standing there while Amy got shuffled from one dying person to the next.
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FaerieKnight79
Verified Pixie
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What Max is only now starting to realize is that he built his house of cards on very thin ice, and the ice is sitting on a thermal vent.