The New York Protectorate building sits on Governor's island, something gilded and symbolic, with views out across the water towards the statue of Liberty. Touched up with Legend's White and blue colourscheme, and just far enough from the city to avoid getting scuffed or graffitied upon. Far enough out to remain a symbol.... with the regular flashes of light as Legend himself (along with other flyers) zip in and out, acting as reassurance, a reminded that there are people keeping watch, that there are people who could arrive in the knick of time.
Someone is in control.
I stare out across the water at it as our boat putts closer.
And beneath the city, the PRT and Protectorate buildings are plugged into all of the subway tunnels, using them for their speedsters, Teams of brutes and Tinkers on bikes, zipping back and forth from A to B.
Me and Dad had talked about it. We'd quizzed a couple of the Candlelight guests- Jouster from the local Wards team, and Pangelic from a local Corporate.
That's what I'm up against.
Dozens. Probably hundreds of capes. Hundreds of capes centered in their home city, complete with their home infrastructure, PRT officers, civil society, rules.
The entire fucking system.
I have to beat them if I want to get my Dad back.
I slouch against the guard rail of the Ferry boat. Sayed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, forty third in line for the throne of Qatar, stands beside my; back straight, one hand against the rail, his robe wafting around him.
"So," I can hear the amusement on his voice. "You do not trust them?"
"I'm not in the business of trusting people,"
The Protectorate building looms over us, looms closer. On a sunnier day, light might shine off of the building, reflecting again in turn off the water, sparkling.
A symbol of hope.
I shake my head. There's clouds up above, the Protectorate building looks dull, and Sayed is watching me.
"I'm especially not in the business of trusting organizations."
"Yes," Sayed acknowledges "But you do not trust them."
"No."
"And you plan to use me as a blade against them?"
"A shield."
"You believe I can protect you?" The man feigns surprise.
Except you are not a stupid man, and I can not help but think you enjoy to play the game.
That was one of the reasons Starmers went chasing after you. We wouldn't have to offer you so much if we piqued your curiosity.
"I certainly hope you do not expect me to fight against the likes of Legend on your behalf."
Pontificating. Man likes to listen to the sound of his own voice. Enjoys the drama of it.
Similar to Ihina in a way.
"You have been invited as an international observer, your eminence. As a referee to keep them honest."
"And you certainly do not intend me as show of force, young Miss. No attempt is being made to browbeat the protectorate with your international connections."
"No. Just as a referee... an external pair of eyes, with enough connections of your own that they dare not threaten you. Someone to make sure I walk out of that building and come home."
He watches me for a few seconds after that. Tidy mustache and silvered hair.
Eventually he snorts.
"Little idealist aren't you?" He shakes his head, goes back to watching the incoming island "You actually believe all that don't you?"
"Yes."
"You surprise me, young Miss."
We might browbeat them later.
Pull on those connections later. It's an option.
For now there is no spite. Just a shield.
Just a means of keeping me safe.
The building is closer now.
The entire island.
Waves from our ferry slosh-crash against the shore and pier, and I can see nautical staff preparing ropes and gangways for our arrival.
"I'll use my power on you briefly upon my return, as a means of demonstrating that it is actually me, that I have not been replaced by Doppleganger or Stranger."
Satirical. Satirical.
How many nasty games have the Protectorate played with that man and his skillset?
Messerene. Heartbreaker. Mirage.
Doubtless the Protectorate had access to a large number of Strangers... demographically they should, but of course, unlike other heroes, secrecy was the name of the game.
All the other heroes get publicized, get used as symbols, given recognizable costumes and sent out on branding exercises, or school camps.
Not the Masters.
Not the Strangers.
Me and Dad estimated that Protectorate had access to about twelve hundred strangers which they just never told anyone about.
That was a threat.
"And if you don't return, Miss Lavere?"
Ahead of us, PRT staff prepare to lower the gangplank from the pier side. Behind us, the main bulk huddles forward near the exit gate, eager to move forward, get on with their days.
I turn and watch them.
This bobbling bumbling bulk of humanity. Anonymous office workers, cleaners and tourists. Geezers and kids.
"If I don't come back," the gangplank lowers, people begin filing out. "I'd appreciate it if you'd go to the papers, raise a fuss in the general assembly."
"Of course."
"Also, if I don't return, you'll die in eight to twelve days."
There's a pause, this gentile prince freezing for a moment. Long seconds pass, as the crowd squeeze and glomp themselves out of the boat. Then Sayed bursts into laughter, the sound overload and sharp, people glance over, Taurari and the man's grandson included.
Welp... that was weird.
The man continues to chuckle as we make our way towards the gang way.
"A fine bluff, young Miss Lavere... a fine bluff indeed."
There are rose gardens, rose gardens with a shallow rectangular pool in the middle, and then glass doors leading into a wide open foyer area- stone floor, velvety black ceiling, glass walls, lighting streaming in from every side, the entire space overwide, making the ceiling feel low.
A construction of air and stone, in contrast to the water we just crossed.
By now the "Crowd" of people which seemed so packed and tight upon the boat has dispersed, becoming sparse, individuals and little clusters each going their separate ways. My own unit is probably the largest coherent group remaining. Voices and footsteps echo throughout the space. There's desks, and a reception area, but we have an appointment, and so I hang back, waiting.
But not for long.
I'm standing, gazing out the window as the beam of light arrives. Falling swiftly, then catching, touching down gently against the ground, and taking a second or so to coalesce.
There's a thrum through out the room, across the island, just the slightest change in how people stand, how people move. Tourists and reception staff stand up straighter, people turn slightly, conversations still, as the light outside hardens into the shape of a man.
Even Vance. Even Justice Vance is effected. Pulling herself just a little straighter, her usual serious demeanor softening with just a touch of warmth.
Threat. Conflicted loyalties. Danger there.
I turn to Sayed, realize I haven't been breathing. The man cracks me a smile, seems relaxed, apparently the only one uneffected.
Yeah.
Right.
A Prince.
Like... not just "Princess", but actual genuine fucking royalty.
Okay, that's what we brought you for.
By the time I turn back, Legend is already approaching, strolling towards the great glass doors, giving passers by a smile, a nod. He catches my eye as the doors part in front of him, flips a lazy two finger salute:
"Miss Lavere!"
Oh god. He's pretty. That means Taur' is going to spend the whole ride home talking about him.
"and entourage!" He's got wavey brown hair, a delicate domino ask over his eyes, and rich booming voice. His eyes dart past mine for a moment, glancing over the assembly of people behind me, before returning his focus on me.
He offers a hand, shakes mine, his grip firm, his costume all encompassing-
-no contact-
and with that greeting completed, he moves on to my guests.
"Justice Vance- so good to see you again, how is your husband? .... and... Sheikh Sayed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani? I don't believe we've formally met, please forgive my poor pronounciation!"
"It was perfect"
"Wonderful!"
Legend continues to shake hands enthusiastically, including everyone in a way that many celebrities don't, ushering us forward, guiding us towards doors. "Now Miss Lavere, I must apologies for the circumstances, and thank you for your efforts in Brockton bay, you were a real life saver down there, it means a lot to me, personally and-"
We keycard our way through a pair of doors, make our way down a staircase, swipe through another pair of doors, another staircase, and-
"- really that's what we're all here for right? Try to make the world a better place, save some lives, fight the good fight-"
Andrea predicts civilization will collapse in the next five to thirty years.
Legend continus talking and I try to wrestle my attention around, set myself in the here and now.
Five to thirty years.
My lifetime.
We enter a second lobby area: like the glass space upstairs, except this one is like a bunker: bomb shelter vibes, with concrete walls and neon light fittings. There's people in the room, some just passing through, some of them waiting for us: A severe grey looking man. Middle aged, and sharp eyed, with his entire face sort of... bent inwards towards his nose.
He has a young IT assistant following him around with scruffy hair, a bulky looking suitcase/laptop.
A few steps to the sides there's a young heroine. Semi-familiar. No mask, brown hair, a dark costume with lines of neon blue.
Who is she? I'm meant to know this one.
Even as I try to figure it out, Legend runs through introductions:
"Miss Lavere, John Winston,"
"Pleased to meet you," Techincal assistant. One of my fathers jailors. Voice waspish.
"Behind him you have Reese Clayk," - the young intern.
He knows the interns names...
"And..." somehow an extra layer of warmth is plastered over the superheroes already sunny demeanor. "This is Battery. One of my favorite proteges…"
There's a pause, as the man regards her, smiling. Battery squirms under the gaze, obviously uncomfortable being the center of attention, but even so it is a long moment before the man turns back to me, "Like I said," he speaks gentle "You were in Brockton Bay. That means a lot. It means a lot to me personally."
What is this? Why are you-
"Enough for you to give me my Dad back?"
Even before the words are out of my mouth, I know its a mistake.
A show of weakness.
Legends brow furrows in concern. Behind him, I see Battery wince.
Indelicate. Indelicate- I could have used that opening as a weapon, more finesse, more...
Twisted tangled emotions spill over the boyish hero's face, eventually coallescing into a sad smile. "As your esteemed lawyer, Justice Vance, will tell you... it doesn't really work that way."
There's light around him- his power firing up just enough to give him a glow, just enough to make him look cool and-
"Why not? Why doesn't it work that way? If you said- If you said it people would listen right? They'd have to."
"I-"
Mistake. Mistake mistake mistake.
"You could just tell them to let my Dad go, and people would do it, so why can't you?"
Stupid stupid stupid stupid.
People are starring now.
People in the group. Passers by in the hallway behind us.
Vance.
Taur'
Sayed and his grandson.
Fuck. I'm such a fucking idiot.
My hands are balled up.
Shoulders tense.
Everyone seems pissed, everyone except Legend, who flounders, stares at me sympathetically.
How many times per day does this man deal with people asking him to save them?
Make exceptions, use his influence, make the world not be this way?
We're in a stupid fucking PRT building, and I watch as Legend, the Legend, kneels down in front of me.
Calm.
Gentle.
I want to fucking punch him.
That's a bad plan, Nunce, dude shoots lazer beams, and tanks hits from Levi.
"You're right," he says simply "I could..."
For a moment his eye contact breaks, jumping to someone behind me. Vance?
"But I don't think that leads to the kind of world any of us want to live in," he continues.
His eyes are blue, deep blue, and focused, and calm.
"I am a man who flies and shoots lazer beams from his hands. I don't think... I don't think me making decisions about justice, or what... ought to happen, leads to good places."
Stupid. I scrunch and unscrunch my toes... trying to dissipate tension, trying not to let the hate and anger crawl into my eyes as I stare at this man.
"I don't think I should be deciding who lives and dies, who is imprisoned or set free."
"You are," the words escape my throat. They sound weak. Pathetic. "You do. Every time you hold up the system, every time you say your power will support their power, that's you deciding."
I shouldn't have said that.
Behind Legend, wasp nose glowers. Squinty eyes. Enjoying watching me squirm. Enjoying watching a young villain fuck it all up. Battery cringes empathy, you've heard these arguments before. This is what Ethan would say.
The young intern gawks, surprised, hungry for juicy gossip or something. Not important.
Legend mainly just frowns, rolls his jaw back and forward thoughtfully.
"Every time you don't go to a hospital to save people, is that murder?" The man shakes his head, clearly perturbed. "I don't think it is. Or... if you go to a hospital, then you're not helping the people not at the hospital, and that's sort of supporting a system? I... no one is responsible for all the choices they could have made, only the choices they do."
Pretending to be a simple man with simple tastes.
"I won't come to the Endbringer events," I speak the words, and I know I mean them, and I can feel the ice in it, and it feels good.
Fuck you Legend.
"If you take my Dad off me, if you take him, I won't help you any more. I'll walk away, I'll-"
You take my Dad from me. I'll take something you want from you.
I'll let people die.
The man sighs, frowns, shakes his head.
I was meant to be smart with this.
If I had said this in private, it might actually be a threat.
In public? Out here...
"I hope you change your mind on that," Legend stands, pulls back from me. Gaze still soft, still gentle. The shape of Battery just half a step behind him. "I think you'll grow up to be a great hero one day. A greater hero than you already have been. And I hope to see that. We could really use your help."
Out here in public he's forced to refuse the threat.
He can't not.
"Fuck you," I tell him.
The man chuckles. Glances past me, gives Justice Vance a wink.
"I'll leave you in the capable hands of Mr Winston then. Miss Battery will be here to show you out once you've had a chance to speak with your dad. I hope it is a productive conversation for you.... for both of you."
Fuuuaarck.
Fucking idiot.
