“What?” I asked Lisa.

  “The Chief-Director just told Dragon to give us whatever we wanted for the information we’re offering,” she said, grinning that foxy grin. “It seems we’ve underestimated the value of knowing the next Endbringer target.”

  Not that surprising, I suppose. Short of Dinah, no one else has been able to predict the attacks reliably. Dragon and Armsmaster’s algorithm might come close, but an hour of forewarning is nothing compared to the days I have to offer.

  Just then, a red blur sped into sight, and the roar of motorcycles reached my ears. The form of Dauntless also flew around one of the taller buildings to the East, heading in our direction quickly.

  It didn’t take long for everyone to gather, with the heroes on one side and our group on the other.

  “Seraph.” Armsmaster didn’t even bother to acknowledge my companion. Quite rude of him. “You claim to know Leviathan’s next target, as well as when the attack will occur?”

  Not wanting to drag out the negotiations, I answered as bluntly as I could. “I can feel him moving through the water. He should be about two thousand kilometers away, due East. Though I’m guessing you have your own way of tracking him?”

  “Dragon?” Armsmaster prompted.

  “Neither my deep-water acoustic array nor satellite imaging system can confirm his assertions,” the digital Tinker replied.

  “You know I have a form that’s tied to water manipulation,” I spoke up before Armsmaster could open his mouth. My tolerance for the asshole’s whining might snap if I let him talk. “He’s causing pretty big ripples under the surface. If you aren’t interested in what I have to say, then we might as well part ways.”

  Based on my observations of the organization, thus far, this PRT isn’t as bad as it’s depicted in numerous fanfics. That doesn’t mean I’ll give up the initiative, though.

  “So?”

  “What are your demands?” Armsmaster asked through gritted teeth.

  I grinned. “Tattletale?”

  “Surely, you don’t expect us to take you at your word?” the bearded douche growled after we were done telling our respective stories.

  There were certainly a lot of dramatic gasps, curses, and sounds of sympathy throughout the sharing. Taylor’s case, in particular, seemed to touch a nerve with Miss Militia. Though her glare sent my way did soften when I supported her narrative every step of the way. I’m not really sure why they would expect anything different, since I am standing right in front of her.

  What idiot would turn their back on someone if they intended to throw them under the bus?

  On the other hand, I can understand their reticence to agree from just hearing our tale. It would’ve been stupid to expect anything of the sort.

  “Of course, not!” Lisa exclaimed with a beaming smile. “We have plenty of evidence to support our testimonies. All we want is for you to give us a fair shake. No railroading us like you’re doing with Canary.”

  Holy crap, I totally forgot about that girl! Glancing back, I saw Taylor stiffen, which caused my gut to clench. Dammit, Lisa! Why’d you have to bring that up?

  “Canary’s case is out of our hands,” Armmaster defended, only making the matter worse.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  I really, really wanted everyone to just shut up about this. Our lives didn’t need another complication.

  “Oh?” the Thinker mocked. “And how likely would we have ended up in the same place if we didn’t have this big lug to ensure your best behavior?” she asked, pointing to me.

  “Bound in Brute-rated restraints, denied proper representation, and absolutely lambasted by the media. And for what? Because she told her abusive ex-boyfriend to go ‘fuck himself’? I know for a fact that she didn’t mean for what that asshole ended up doing to himself, and yet no one’s listening to her side of the story. No, she’s being an example of to keep all Parahumans with similar powers in line.” Then, just to put the cherry on top, she added, “To keep all Masters in line.”

  The heroes didn’t take Lisa’s poking well at all. Dauntless, who was still hovering in the air, gripped his lance tighter, and Miss Militia ever so slightly shifted her stance. I was pretty sure I knew what the blonde was doing, and I needed to put an end to it. This isn’t what this meeting was about.

  Just as I was about to try to cool things down, the thing I was most afraid of since the singer’s name was brought up finally happened.

  “Is it true?” Taylor asked. “Are you railroading Canary just because she’s a Master?”

  All I could really do after that was close my eyes and brace myself for the oncoming shitstorm.

  “It’s not that simple, Swarm –” Miss Militia tried to say, but Taylor was quite vehement in her interruption.

  “Don’t call me that!” she shouted, and for the first time in several days, the air was filled with the chittering of wings. “Just answer the question! Are you railroading Canary to make an example of her?”

  “The cape known as Canary is being charged with assault with Parahuman powers,” Armsmaster recited dully, making the situation infinitely worse with his hamfisted attempt at acting like a Boy Scout. “She is currently undergoing a trial where her eventual sentence will be decided and carried out.”

  “They’re sending her to the Birdcage,” Lisa said, sounding extremely smug. “All of the people involved in her case intend to send her to a fate worse than death, even her so-called lawyer. As a warning to all Masters. Isn’t that right, Dragon?”

  It was surreal to witness this trainwreck happening right in front of my eyes. Taylor’s faith in the heroes and the PRT, already damaged after I told her about Sophia, was being eroded by scripted justifications coming out of Armsmaster’s mouth. With a little nudge from Lisa, of course.

  As someone fully aware of why the Canadian Tinker couldn’t disobey orders from those with authority, I wasn’t surprised that she kept silent. Unfortunately for her, Taylor took this as confirmation that the blonde was right.

  Yeah, time to put an end to this.

  “Release Canary!” I demanded, loudly and from deep within my chest. This basically just means that I spoke with an artificially deeper voice.

  “Excuse me?” Dragon squawked.

  “Along with the requests from my companions,” I dramatically gestured to the teens behind me with a sweeping motion, “I demand that Canary be released, at once! Or would you place more importance on her incarceration than an Endbringer attack?”

  With my enhanced senses, I heard Lisa huff in annoyance, but I ignored her. We were gonna have an intense conversation after this.

  “That won’t be –” Armsmaster started to say, but something stopped him. His next words revealed what it was, or rather, who. “Ma’am, are you sure? This will set a precedent in which – Yes, I understand. However, I – no, ma’am. But, with all due respect, we cannot confirm the truth of his claims. He could be – I understand the risk.”

  While he argued with who I’m guessing was Rebecca over the comms, I half-turned to observe the five people behind me. Lisa had her arms crossed with one finger tapping on her arm, while Taylor’s motionless form indicated internal turmoil that was currently under control. Brian was radiating anxiousness, while Rachel looked ready to either bolt or attack. Alec just seemed bored.

  After confirming that no one was about to do anything stupid on my side, I turned back to observe the heroes. They were as professional as ever.

  “Seraph,” Armsmaster called for my attention.

  “Done talking to your boss?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he forced out. “We tentatively agree to your demands, provided your information is as valuable as you claim.”

  “And that’s officially ratified?” I prodded. “You’re not just saying that now while thinking of breaking your word later?”

  “...No.” Sheesh! If the man kept grinding his teeth like that, he would probably end up toothless.

  “Tattletale?”

  “He’s telling the truth,” she confirmed. “Paperwork’s already being drafted. Interesting…”

  Interesting? I wanted to ask what she meant by that, but that could wait. For now, it’s my turn to show the goods.

  “Good to hear,” I said. “As for where Leviathan intends to attack, it’s gonna be here. Brockton Bay.”

  I would have placed bets that at least Velocity crapped his pants from my revelation, if the other heroes’ reactions were anything to go by. Only Dragon seemed unaffected. Then again, I was just looking at a mechanical suit. She’s probably freaking out in digital space.

  “When?” the one who’ll be known as Theresa in the future managed to ask in an admirably steady voice.

  “Five to seven days from now,” I told her. “The oversized reptile’s moving like he’s hunting for something… or someone. And I bet I know who he’s looking for.”

  “You think he’s trying to find you?” Miss Militia asked faintly.

  “Correctomundo!” I flicked finger guns at the gun lady. “Which is a good thing, by the way.”

  “How could this possibly be good?!” Dauntless spoke up for the first time since the meeting began.

  “You intend to lay a trap.” I honestly shouldn’t be surprised, but I would’ve preferred it if anyone else but Armsmaster were the first to figure it out. I haven’t even told my team!

  “Are you insane?!” Taylor and Lisa shouted at the same time.

  “Sanity is overrated!” I proclaimed. “I’m gonna grill that lizard for dinner if it’s the last thing I do!”

  In hindsight, I should have expected the looks of supreme doubt sent my way.