FIEB Chapter 55 (Patreon)

Dylan POV

A strange calm settled over me. Everything could still go wrong—and probably would, in some way—but I knew this was the right course. Delaying would only make things worse.

We were still near the edge of downtown when I turned the truck off the main stretch, heading toward a quieter, more rundown part of the city. I let the Force settle around me as I drove, following its faint pull toward a place that felt empty of cameras and watching eyes. The streets grew narrower as people became fewer and fewer.

I glanced back at the girl in the backseat.

Dinah was doing much better already. Her color had improved, and she didn't look like a hamster ready to bolt at a moment's notice. Taylor's eyes found mine.

"What's the plan, Dylan?" she asked.

I thought for a moment.

"We're going to find somewhere quiet to suit up. Then you'll use your constructs to fly us to the Rig."

Taylor nodded resolutely.

"We'll need something to cover Dinah's face."

"Yeah. Good catch." It really had slipped my mind. I gave the girl a small smile through the mirror. "You're going to be fine, alright, Dinah?"

"...I know," she replied.

I could tell she was alarmed but trying her best to remain calm. It was commendable.

I kept following the Force until the truck rolled into a desolate stretch of cracked pavement and abandoned lots. Places like this were common in Brockton Bay, forgotten by most. Properties like these were dirt cheap but remained unsold and unused for various reasons.

I parked, killed the engine, and stepped out with the bag that held my armor. I moved a short distance away from the truck, giving Taylor space to change inside.

Behind a crumbling concrete wall, I unzipped the duffel and reached out with the Force. The armor rose in pieces and locked into place around me with precision. I connected with the armor intuitively as the suit's systems threaded into me. I exhaled, rolling my shoulders, stretching, feeling the armor on me. Still, there was something missing.

The sword I had lost in Canberra had seen me through a lot...

Sigh.

Honestly, part of me just wanted to sit down somewhere quiet and learn. Now that I had a way to study the Force—and most importantly, guidance if I needed it—there was so much I wanted to improve: Tutaminis, Force healing, Mechu-deru, Foresight, my telekinesis. If I could reach the same level I had touched when I held that bridge, I would be one of the strongest Shakers on the East Coast. Maybe more.

And I really, really wanted a lightsaber.

It was childish. I knew that. But it was still a lightsaber.

But reality and responsibilities came first. Let's get to the Rig first. My eyes found the comm option on the HUD, and my thoughts drifted to Victoria. She still wasn't picking up. I had a suspicion as to why that might be the case, and I hoped I was wrong.

I had grown to find comfort in her; I did not want to lose my girlfriend. Still, I felt guilty. In a way, I had hidden the Master-like side of my power from her. Even if it wasn't true ability to control people, even if it didn't work the way people assumed... if I put myself in her place, I would have been horrified too. Finding out your partner could reach into someone's mind was not a small thing.

Then again, she had that aura of hers.

I shook the thought away. Ruminating would not solve anything.

I made my way back to the truck. Both girls were standing outside. Taylor was in full costume now. Dinah's head was covered by one of Taylor's t-shirts, the fabric draped over her like a makeshift mummy, so that only her eyes were visible. It looked oddly cute. I smiled under the helmet, even if neither of them could see it.

I should at least try to hide the truck.

A flick of the Force pulled ruined tarps, torn cardboard, and scattered debris from the lot into a rough pile all around the vehicle. It would not fool anyone looking closely, and I doubted the truck would still be here when I came back, but that was fine. Getting to the Rig mattered more than a cheap, replaceable ride.

I wasn't really attached to it.

"If you're both ready," I said, "we should go."

I motioned for Vespera to take us up.

She raised her hands in a rare theatrical flourish that had me raising an eyebrow. Small constructs formed from the ground and knitted themselves into a decent-sized platform of buzzing insects that hovered just above the pavement.

Huh... Taylor had an adorable side when she wanted to. She was showing off for Dinah.

Vespera helped the younger girl up, who hesitated before getting onto the construct. After ensuring she was secure, I followed them up.

Taylor lifted us steadily into the air and turned toward the ocean. Dinah sucked in a sharp breath as we rose into the air; it must have been quite an experience for her.

Vespera immediately reached out and held onto her, giving the girl the sense of safety she desperately needed.

"What happens if they attack on sight?" Vespera asked.

It was a strange feeling, hearing her question something that important while still flying straight toward the Rig anyway. Her trust in me was a little humbling. I intended to live up to it.

I looked down at the dark ocean beneath us and let myself sink into the Force.

"They won't," I said. "We might face obstruction. But we'll be fine."

We flew for nearly fifteen minutes before the force-fielded Rig came into view. We were still a short distance out when the Force forewarned me of something above us. I looked up and used my armor's sensor suite to scan the area and got a blip. It tore through the air from above us.

"Vespera, steady yourself," I said aloud, using the speaker in my armor so Vespera could still hear me over the wind.

A low mechanical whine rolled across the sky as a large combat drone dropped into view. It was one of Dragon's war suits. If I had not been constantly calming myself with the Force, I would have felt small looking at one of Dragon's dealer suits. It was dark plated with green camo color.

This was a suit that could fight the Endbringers and not be torn apart. Its weapons armament glowed along its hull as it slowed and hovered directly in front of us.

Vespera held the platform still in the air, waiting for something to happen. The silence held for a moment before Dragon's voice rolled out across the open sky.

"VIGIL, I HAVE ORDERS TO STOP AND NEGOTIATE WITH YOU TO LEAVE AND CONTACT WITH YOU ON A SEPARATE DATE TO MEET AT OUR CONVENIENCE AND IF YOU ARE NOT COOPERATIVE I HAVE ORDERS TO BRING YOU IN."

I stared at the suit as a weird thought passed through my head: what would happen if I used Mechu-deru on Dragon? After all, wasn't she an AI? But I pushed it aside.

"Dragon, I'm here for a conversation with the people above," I said, keeping my wording deliberately vague. "I do not want whatever this misunderstanding is to grow and push us into something unpleasant."

I said to the Parahuman AI as the drone's weapons system shifted.

"You have been designated a high-risk Master with significant Shaker capability," Dragon replied. "Watchdog believes Vespera may be under your influence." There was a brief pause as the suit clearly locked onto the small figure beside Taylor. "I need you to hand the girls over to me."

"I'm not sure what information you were given," I said. "I have not mastered Vespera. I have not mastered anyone. I cannot do that. I can hypnotize people. That is all. I have had this power for years. I would ask you to go through my actions and come to your own conclusions."

I took a breath and continued.

"Right now, I am here because our new friend needs help. I believe she is a powerful Thinker, and she is in danger—even from certain elements inside the PRT. I came to clear this misunderstanding. I do not want the PRT as an enemy. I already have enough of those. So do they. And we still have Bakuda to deal with."

Dragon remained silent for an uncomfortably long time. I could feel both Dinah's and Vespera's unease through the Force before the AI finally spoke again, her tone weirdly dull, very different from her emotive, expressive voice.

"I have run the numbers. I can hypothesize that you do not intend harm on a large scale. Your pattern of behavior is closer to lawful-neutral than malicious. But I still have orders to turn you away... or bring you in."

"That is not going to work for me," I said. "Connect me with Piggot. And our little friend's safety is the current priority here."

"Director Piggot is currently indisposed. I can take your charge into protective custody."

Dinah tightened her grip on Vespera but said nothing. The way Dragon phrased it only confirmed what I already suspected. This was the PRT stalling.

"Then connect me to Rebecca Costa-Brown," I said. "I will not be leaving without a conclusion to this. I apologize, but I have to impose."

"I cannot simply call the Chief Director of the entire PRT."

"She will answer the call," I said with certainty.

Dragon paused again for a while before coming to her own conclusions.

".... very well."

I fell deeper into the Force as I waited for Dragon to connect us all. Dragon must have internally informed Costa-Brown, as she immediately spoke to me.

"Vigil. This is a very delicate situation. You are an affiliated independent hero who concealed a crucial aspect of your power—one that can have unforeseen consequences—"

I cut her off.

"Madam Director. You know who I am. I know who you are." I emphasized, letting her know that I knew. "Truthfully, I don't care what category your organization wants to put me in. Given time, I will outgrow it. I am here because we need to protect a Thinker of inestimable importance. One who rivals Contessa."

There was still quiet from her end before she calmly instructed Dragon.

"Dragon. Escort the Arbiters to PRT ENE. I will connect with you shortly."

"...Understood."

There we go.

When in doubt, trust in the Force... and escalate.