Kintsugi Plays Fallen Hero: Retribution (ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ …(^_^)…)

"It's too late for regrets" - the fallen hero byline

 

If we stopped to regret all our mistakes, we'd be here all day.​

> "Perhaps," I admit, "but it's too late for regrets."

"Perhaps," you admit. "But it's too late for regrets. I need you to find out whether she's alive, and if so, at which hospital. Be careful, it's Hollow Ground's territory, and there might be Ranger involvement. Do not engage."

"Which Ranger?"

"Charge. Let me know when you have news."

"Fuck. We'll be careful." And the connection goes out.

> Time To Get Going

The streets are empty as you step off the quiet night bus. Los Diablos never falls asleep completely, but it does slow down. Little traffic, nothing is open but the twenty-four-hour corner store, which means few prying eyes to keep track of. Wrapping your habitual "don't look at me" aura around yourself, you hurry for the relative safety of the building.

Instead of heading to the puppet's apartment, you head down toward the cellar storage, hunching down at the bottom of the stairs. Just another rough sleeper slipping in for a nap out of the cold.

Closing your eyes, you let your mind expand, brushing over your familiar surroundings. By now, many of the tenants are asleep, which makes things easier.

First, you need to plant some memories to make yourself look innocent. You moved here first, so when the puppet did, it must have been to keep an eye on you. That's an easy memory to plant, of Barbara asking about you, being too curious about the elusive downstairs neighbor. Trying to find out information. She was so disappointed when you moved out, trying to find out if anybody knew where you had gone. They did not.

Second, you need to incriminate the puppet. Stretching your mind to the corner shop, you ease a memory into the half-asleep thoughts of the cashier. Barbara talking to Jake, being threatened. No words, just glimpsed through the doors, with a half-worried notion to maybe call the cops. But it ended in nothing but bruises. Hopefully vague enough to give allusions rather than fact.

You don't know exactly what people will piece together or if anybody will come looking at all. But this should paint you as the victim, not the mastermind.

Hopefully, it will be enough.

Finally, and it truly pains you to do this, you go back and plant some information about yourself. Not much, you are forgettable enough to make people remember you as a quiet tenant with a regular routine, going to work, going home, no guests. A boring, quiet person with a normal life, and no wish to engage in conversation if anybody tried. Nobody is there to notice when you sneak out of the building to head back home.

Mission accomplished. Let's hope that does the job.​

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66% (+3)
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 58% / Caution: 42%
███████████▒████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

> Later

You've just returned when Pelayo calls, and you try not to be too eager to pick up to hear the news.

"Any news?" you ask in place of a greeting.

"Barbara is alive, thank God. I feared the worst when we saw the wreck. The bad news is that the Rangers got her."

"What do you mean 'got her'?"

"She's hurt pretty badly according to witnesses, they had to cut her out of the car. Completely totaled. An ambulance picked her up and drove her to the Memorial Hospital. Not sure if Charge ended up there as well. She didn't look as badly hurt. That's pretty high-level security. You can't just walk in and grab her. No contacts to find out how bad it is either, not exactly the places we frequent."

"It's fine. No use risking anything. That place is Rangers affiliated." The Memorial Hospital. That was where they took Ortega after the fight. The security is high, but it's not the Rangers' HQ. "But that won't be a problem for me."

"You want us to keep an eye on it until you get here?"

"We're not making our move just yet. If Barbara is as badly hurt as you're saying, it would be stupid yanking her out of an operating theater. These are heroes we're dealing with. They're going to make sure to patch her up better than we ever could. Might as well let them expend their resources, and we'll mount a rescue once she's stable." You sigh. "Get some rest. I need to think."

"You got it. It sucks, but it's the smart thing to do, I'll tell the others. ZaZa was about ready to storm the place on his own."

"Please make sure he doesn't. We don't need to mount a jailbreak too."

"No worries. We'll keep him cooled down."

"Good. I'm going to check some contacts, then get in touch for our next move."

At least this gives you time to figure out how to play this.

> You Need To Think

You haven't slept, and you can feel exhaustion setting in. Outside, the sun must have risen, but you ignore it. Everything is changing, and you are unsure how best to deal with it.

The phone nearly makes you jump off your chair when it rings, and you pick it up with an annoyed curse.

"It's too early, whoever you are."

"Are you sure you don't mean late?" Steel's voice. Of course. Trust Marshal Wei Chen to scare you half to death with nothing but a phone call.

"How do you even have this number?" You didn't give it to him. That would have been like acknowledging that you'd want to get in touch. And it's not like Ortega, who just wouldn't stop asking. Hmm, that's probably the culprit here. You always suspected you couldn't—

"You called me, remember?" There's a hint of amusement to his voice. "Phones remember these things."

…oh. Right.​

"Ngh," you growl, rubbing your face. You feel punchy, as if you were recovering from a concussion. "I forgot phones did that." And above all, you forgot that you didn't have any scramblers hiding your number for your "normal" phone. Just the antitracking software. You didn't want to be suspicious. And now Chen has your number.

"You forgot." Dry words. You can imagine the look.

"Shut up," you groan. "Don't rub it in." At least there's a chance that he won't. He's not Ortega. "What's the emergency?"

"It's Ortega."

　‣ "Of course it is." I stifle an unsurprised groan.
　‣ "Has anything happened? Is she alright?" I ask nervously.
　‣ "Where do I need to be," I ask, all business.

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 58% / Caution: 42%
███████████▒████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Of COURSE it's Ortega

 

I love that, in all ways, we created this call for ourselves. Reconnected with Steel, participated in the crash......

 

In other news, water is wet.​

> "Of course it is." I stifle an unsurprised groan.

"Of course it is." You stifle an unsurprised groan. Even if you hadn't already known that Ortega had been in an accident, this would have been your base assumption. In the end, it's always about Ortega, isn't it?

"She was in an accident." Chen sounds as tired as you do. "We're currently doing our best to keep her at the Memorial Hospital, but you know how hard that can be."

"I do." You let out a sigh. "How bad is it?"

"She went through a windshield. It could be a lot worse than it is. Mostly bruises and scrapes. Possible concussion, so we're keeping her under observation."

"Huh. Just a car crash." That doesn't track with Chen calling. Ortega gets knocked about every other week. No reason to contact you about it. "Why don't you tell me what's really wrong?"

"I only wanted to keep you in the loop." There's a faint pause because you both know that is a lie. Not over the phone is what he's implying. "I need to get going. Spoon needs a walk."

"Thanks for letting me know about the idiot." You keep your voice light. Is Chen just cautious, or is the line not secure? Is there something else going on?

"I need to go now. Take care." An uncommon caution, then Chen hangs up.

Huh. That was odd.

Is he up to something? Is the dog park a trap or neutral ground? You don't know, and that infuriates you.

　‣ Looks like a trip to the dog park is in order.
　‣ I have an excuse to visit Ortega now. I need information.
　‣ I will visit Ortega, then meet up with Chen.
　‣ Something weird is going on. I'll stay at my base for safety.

Well—is that our cue to follow up with Chen? Check on Ortega now that we officially "know" she's hurt? Both? Neither?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 58% / Caution: 42%
███████████▒████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Paranoia brain says >avoid. the part of me that still hasn't avoided being In the crash wants to >go bother GOODEST BOY SPOON chen and see what mister military doesn't want on an open line.

 

I do want to see Spoon again...

 

If there's one thing I can count on you guys to vote for, it's Spoon.​

> Looks like a trip to the dog park is in order.

Too many unknowns. Looks like a trip to the dog park is in order to straighten some of them out.

If something is going on behind the scenes, you want to know what it is. And it's not like you can afford to close your eyes and pretend it will go away.

With a yawn, you shuffle off to the shower. Might as well look somewhat presentable. That will forestall a lot of worried glances.

That much hasn't changed; you still hate being fussed over.

It's a brisk walk and a quick bus ride to get to the Boneyard. The bus is hell, crowded with people hurrying to work. Too many thoughts. Intrusive, pressed against your shields. If the ride hadn't been short, you would never have made it.

You're more rattled than you thought, picking up on every stray annoyance as if it had been a threat.

Many of them your own.

　‣ I trust Chen not to betray me. That's a problem.
　‣ I care enough about Chen to trust him. I'm an idiot.
　‣ This makes me feel uneasy enough to take precautions.

(For those wondering: option 1 is grayed out because we haven't given him particular leverage over us, not because we're uniquely distrustful.)​

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 58% / Caution: 42%
███████████▒████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 74% (+2)
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>precautions. paranoia AND spoon, best of both worlds.

 

If there's two things I can count on you guys to vote for, it's Spoon and paranoia.​

> This makes me feel uneasy enough to take precautions.

There's something about this whole setup that makes you feel uneasy. Call it paranoia, call it experience, but there was something to Chen's tone that didn't sit right with you.

And you've learned to trust your instincts.

You can't exactly come to the park armed, and you can't risk your team getting spotted, but that doesn't mean you don't have allies.

Five little ones, in fact.

And if there's a third, it's the Rat King. ;D​

The Rat King's housing is not that large when detached, and while they have preferred to stay connected to your armor lately, they don't mind going for a walk. You're not sure what they are doing, they say they are familiarizing themselves with the armor's systems, but there's something else there. Nothing bad, just the quiet sense that they might have a surprise for you soon.

You give them the dignity not to pry, there's genuine affection there, and while you don't trust Chen, you have come to trust them.

Enough to bring them to the meeting hidden in a small, nondescript cardboard box, just some shopping you did on the way. Nothing suspicious. It fits easily into your bag, and you can feel them curling up at the back of your mind, keeping an eye out. Ten eyes.

> Here We Go

Chen is on the bench. You see him as soon as you enter the dog park, it's windy enough to bring down the heat, and that means there's a lot of people here. Nobody pays any attention to him. His visible prosthetics and faded army clothes give the impression of someone you don't want to talk to. The Rat King chitters nervously, remembering Carter's house, but you calm them with a thought.

There's nobody else here that you pick up as suspicious. The only ones that pay attention to Chen are those who recognize him as a regular. Not a danger. Not a threat. Just a fellow dog dad who's not very talkative. You tell the Rat King to keep an eye on the surroundings all the same. Make sure nobody looks too closely.

"Hey," you say, as you nonchalantly sink down next to him, a safe distance between you.

"I wasn't sure you'd come." Chen doesn't turn to look at you, but you don't need to be a telepath to feel the tension drop from his shoulders.

"I wasn't sure I would," you admit with a shrug.

"Come on, let's walk and talk." He whistles for Spoon, who comes running, happily circling you both. Chen can't stop the fond smile. There's no chance of getting the leash on before Spoon gets the zoomies out of his system.

"Should I keep an eye out?" you ask, trying to keep your own smile down. It's hard. Spoon is infectious and energetic.

"Please do." Chen finally manages to click on the lead, and you fall into step as you head down your usual route.

　‣ "I guess this is more business than pleasure then."
　‣ "I guess this is about Ortega's crash."
　‣ "You're expecting an attack?" Then why bring Spoon?

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 53% / Caution: 47% (+5)
██████████▒█████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Rereading, very very curious what train of thought Chen interrupted there. Couldn't bring oneself to offer numbers to others? Couldn't really say no to Ortega, who suspiciously keeps showing up...?


For the here and now, let's acknowledge the ways he's acting off, and ask if he's expecting an attack - don't bring Spoon into it, man!

 

My guess was "You always suspected you couldn't trust Ortega to keep a secret/not blab your number to others".

 

Hey, put us in danger all you want, but leave best boy out of it!​

> "You're expecting an attack?" Then why bring Spoon?

"You're expecting an attack?" That's as close a reading as you get, but it doesn't make sense with Spoon being here. If there really was imminent danger, surely Chen would leave him at home.

"No." It is said with the undertone of someone who can't rule it out. "Just want to avoid prying eyes."

"Any idea who?" You need more pieces of the puzzle.

"We'll get to that." He falls silent again, and you make sure to stay alert. The Rat King will handle picking up more distant threats.

How many times have you seen Chen nervous? Or maybe at this point, you should ask yourself how many times you bothered to look. It was always easier to see him as impervious.

"Are you okay?" It's weird how natural this question is starting to feel. Not like in the old days. There's a worried wrinkle between his eyes that you're not sure is caused by you. For once.

"Do I look that tired?" He sounds amused in the way he sounds when Spoon does something funny. No intent hiding behind it. No need for lies.

"Yeah," you say, looking blankly ahead. There's too much of a knot inside the mind of the man next to you. Complicated feelings. "Ortega will be okay, you know."

"I know. That's not the issue." He lets out a sigh deep enough it might as well have been a laugh. "I should have been used to her dates turning out to be criminals by now."

"She does make a habit of it," you say, echoing his sigh. Classic Ortega. You've both seen it before. It's surprisingly easy to pretend it's not your fault. "What was that all about? Someone new on the fridge?"

"In time," he sighs again.

"Got something else on your mind?"

"Yes." A brief pause. "Maybe I just needed a friend." He doesn't look at you. He doesn't need to.

"Me?" you ask with a nervous laugh.

"Is that so strange?" There's a small smile playing on his lips, but you're not indulging him.

"You calling me a friend?" Mockery is always safer than honest emotions. "Yeah, it is, considering our past."

"I made mistakes." A pained grimace. "Do you want me to say I'm sorry?"

"That would only make it weird," you mutter, fighting down the urge to look at him. "I don't like looking back."

"I don't think either of us does." He sighs, watching Spoon sniff a lamppost. "Things are complicated."

You walk in silence for around ten minutes, Spoon stopping now and then to sniff at any unfamiliar surroundings. This isn't a path he normally uses, so there are many. Chen has relaxed enough to let him go at his own pace, the worst of the awkward nervousness dispelled. The Rat King doesn't pick anything up, and you relax somewhat. They'll alert you if something feels off.

"I need to ask you something." Words like chewing barbed wire. Chen doesn't like whatever it is one bit.

"Not like you to not just do it." You tense up, all the same. There's a long line of things he could ask, none of them good.

"Did you lie to Ortega about losing your telepathy?" A cautious look in your direction.

Fuck. That was one question you did not expect. What are you supposed to answer? At least Anathema is not known to be a telepath.

　‣ "Yes, I just wanted her to leave me alone," I admit.
　‣ "Losing is relative. They're not the same," I say vaguely.
　‣ "No," I lie. "They've been messed up since Heartbreak."

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 53% / Caution: 47%
██████████▒█████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Hmm. I kinda like "it hasn't been the same" as a reply - admits we lied a little, maybe eases his worries that all the Rangers will suddenly depower someday, but also makes sure to give a "no, really, retired" thing.

 

Look, it's not a strict powers/no-powers binary, but…

(Heartbreak-typical suicide references.)​

> "Losing is relative. They're not the same," I say vaguely.

"Losing is a relative term," you say vaguely. "They're not the same since Heartbreak." You let your shoulders slump, not looking at him.

"I'm not about to talk you into coming back on active duty," Chen says. Huh, so that's the reason he thought it might be a lie. Not far from the truth. "But I need to know. They're not gone?"

"No, but…after Heartbreak." You swallow hard. The nausea comes without prompting. "I know you felt it too. Ortega told me what almost happened, but I was there, inside her mind. It was—" a cracked laugh, enough to make Spoon come over and hover close. "I broke. Went a little mad. Tried to kill myself." A twitch of your mouth that might have pretended to be a smile once upon a time. "Things have been twitchy since then." This is too close to the truth. What happened to the easy lies?

"I'm sorry." He gives you a look of sympathy.

"I don't like people knowing I have them. I don't like the fact that they might feel like they can rely on me." Like Ortega. Like him.

"I won't tell Ortega." Relief. Too much for just a confirmed fact. This matters. "But this is important."

"You're weirding me out here," you admit. "What's going on?" Too many conflicting emotions for you to make sense of. It's easier to focus on Spoon to keep yourself calm.

"I can't believe I'm about to ask you to do this," he mumbles, looking down at Spoon as well. "I need you to go into my head."

"What?" You speak loudly enough to make Spoon bark because he thinks it's aimed at him.

"You heard me."

"I did. But I don't believe you." Except that he's telling the truth and hating every second of it. There can only be one reason why he would do this, and that is that he suspects someone has already done so.

"Will you do it?" He ignores your doubt, leaning down to pet Spoon. No eye contact.

"You're going to have to tell me why before I can promise anything." You have to admit your curiosity is piqued.

"Fine. Let's go home. I need the privacy."

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 23% / Anonymity: 77%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 36% / Empathy: 64%
███████▒████████████
Daring: 53% / Caution: 47%
██████████▒█████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is badly hurt, and with severe injuries.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 78%
███████████████▒████

Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Eternally flirting. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 52%
██████████▒█████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████

Lady Argent respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly. He knows Josie still has their telepathic powers.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Friends.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

> It's Not Far

You don't know what you expected Chen's apartment to be like, but you're not surprised. Spacious, you wonder if he got a new one after turning Marshal. Spartan. Not sparse, but there's something about it that rubs you the wrong way. Makes you nervous, and you lean further into Spoon's mind as you step out of your shoes.

"Welcome," Chen says, sounding a little distracted. "I don't think you've ever seen this place." The happy little home home broadcasted from the dog mellows out the wallpaper that reads like an interior designer's choice for subtle and conservative. Suitable for a marshal.

"We didn't really use to hang out, no." It was always Ortega's place, or Anathema's though they didn't live as centrally. Playing chess was as close as you got, and you never did that in Chen's home.

"Things change." He offers you a hanger, and despite your misgivings, you hand him your coat as you look around. Comfortable furniture, heavy, solid, and modern. No carpets.

That's it. You bite back a grimace, finally having found the edge of the unease that you've been worrying like a scab over a healing wound. There are no carpets. Wide doorways. No doorsteps. That hospital feel of accessibility.

>

You're not surprised to see the wheelchair parked next to the kitchen.

"It helps." Chen's voice, he must have picked up on your look. "When I don't feel like making an effort."

"An effort to do what?"

"Pretend to be whole." The comment doesn't fill in many details, but you know enough about the strain that mods can put on the body to make an educated guess. Full limb prosthetics can be hard on the surrounding tissue, no matter the price range.

No wonder he prefers the lightweight runners outside work.

"I know what you mean." It's an effort. Being presentable. Focusing on talking. On reading people's bodies instead of minds. Giving them back what they expect. Some days interaction hardly seems worth it.

And yet you're here. Making an effort.

"Tea?" A neutral question, bridging the awkward silence once Spoon's leash has been removed and he saunters inside to drape himself over the couch. Sleepy. Trusting. You shake your head loose and focus on Chen.

　‣ "Tea would be nice," I say with a smile.
　‣ "If you're making some." A cup to keep my hands busy.
　‣ "You have anything stronger?" Sounds like I need it.

Is this a tea kind of occasion?​

 

Stares at what sure looks like Chen worrying he's been getting messed with. Stares again at the way Argent just happened to follow us despite our precautions.

Keep our hands busy with a cup, gain the *Take a sip action whenever we want to stall speaking