The phone call with Officer Scholtz was brief, punctuated with small moments of surprise as he processed the fact that I had twenty-eight Merchants ready for transport, along with their entire complement of capes. He said he would contact the PRT, who would send a hero and a van for the capes, while the police would arrive in about fifteen minutes. The headquarters was quite a distance from the precinct. I reassured him that I would stay put to ensure the capes didn't escape and that no one else showed up. After a quick "see you soon," I was left alone, waiting. I glanced at the single charge I had accrued and decided I might as well roll it now.
80 - Mythical
[Grant]
|Elite Ability|
You are able to grant people your abilities. If the ability is recalled, it has a 24-hour cooldown until you can use it again.
I smiled softly. This would undoubtedly come in use later. If I ever had abilities that I would never use myself, but that other heroes could benefit from, it only made sense to give them the boost. I would have to be careful with who I gifted powers to, ensuring they weren't misused, but the knowledge that I could recall them at a moment's notice provided some reassurance against abuse. This roll almost made me reconsider joining the Protectorate, but ultimately, my reasons hadn't changed. I would help heroes I was confident were on the up and up; the rest could keep doing what they were doing without my interference.
I ended up just standing over my prisoners, mentally running through the loot I had collected from the raid. I'd made a pile of weapons in the drug room, leaving all the scraps from Squealer's workshop untouched. I wasn't foolish enough to mess around in a Tinker's workshop. The only things I had taken were the liquid cash, and hoo-boy, there was a lot. More money in one place than I could have imagined. Not quite a full pallet, but maybe half, in various denominations. I had a feeling I'd be set for money for a long, long time.
A red flash at the end of the street snapped me out of my musings in the blink of an eye. Velocity. Brockton Bay's premier speedster. A man who could reduce time's impact on himself, effectively speeding through the world while interacting with it less, the faster he moved.
He was dressed in a form-fitting red one-piece, racing stripes running down the sides and across his shoulders to form a large "V" on his chest. Not the most impressive costume in my eyes, but if he liked it, who was I to judge? I was deliberately imposing by choice, after all, and if he wanted the friendly speedster vibe, he was nailing it.
"Hey there, Archon, right?" Velocity said. Before I could blink, he zipped a lap around me and was back in front again. I nodded, a bit taken aback by his disarming smile and how casually he used his powers.
"Cool, cool. Love the costume, by the way. Very mysterious, very imposing. I like that. So I hear you've got some Merchants for us today. Dispatch said you had all three of the capes together. That true?" He spoke fast, just a fraction too fast for normal conversation. I stayed composed, nodding, letting him talk. Before I could respond, he zipped off again, scanning the Merchants sprawled on the floor. He paused briefly over the three capes I had separated from the rest, examining them carefully. Then he was back in front of me.
"No injuries on the lot of them, though I see some blood. Care to explain? I am not saying you are in trouble. They actually look to be in good condition. But what happened here? I want the story." His words came fast, relentless, but not hostile. There was a genuine curiosity behind them, and a spark of respect that I could feel even before he stopped to let me speak.
I nodded and shifted to my 'cape' voice, composed, measured, professional. "Pleasure to meet you, Velocity. As for what happened, I assaulted this complex from the inside. I started with Squealer, then moved on to some goons and Skidmark. It took time, but I captured everyone except for three who escaped. They called for reinforcements, so after securing the captured Merchants in a safe area, I faced off against Mush and a few remaining unpowered gangsters. The unpowered ones got away due to my fight with Mush, though I recovered their weapons. You should be able to pull fingerprints if needed. I also recorded everything. I can provide a copy to you. The blood you see is from minor injuries, all of which I have healed."
At the word 'healed,' Velocity's eyes lit up, a grin spreading across his face. He leaned in slightly, voice firing even faster than before.
"You're a healer? That is extremely rare. Any side effects? Can you explain how it works? Does it take energy from you? Can it be used repeatedly? That is incredible; you must understand how valuable that is for the field. And the recording, yes, that would be fantastic. We can absolutely work with the BBPD and forward it to them. If you have an address, we can forward a copy to you personally for your records as well."
I gave a small shake of my head. "Not necessary. The recorder in my helmet has both a hard drive and an SD card. I can keep my own copy. Send yours to the BBPD, and that is sufficient."
Velocity's grin widened. "That is perfect. I mean, you must understand, a healer in the field changes everything. You allow capes to take risks they otherwise could not. Injured allies, the moment they are hurt, can be back in action. That is a true force multiplier, even more valuable than a Tinker." He paused, catching his breath. "I have to ask. Have you considered joining the Protectorate? There are real benefits, and the safety net is enormous compared to going at this alone. You would be highly sought after. Criminals and gangs will target you specifically, just because of what you can do. A healer makes a dangerous team even more dangerous in the right hands."
I remained composed, letting the compliment flow over me. "I have thought about it. I do not believe I could be as effective from within the system as outside. My actions will be heroic rather than vigilantism. Let me ask this. If I had raised this operation with your boss, would she have allowed it?"
Velocity paused, frowning slightly as he considered the question. "I cannot say with certainty. If it was well planned and reasoned, maybe. The gangs receive some leeway to prevent a larger collapse. Taking all three Merchant capes out at once is pushing it. You need to be aware that removing them from play will create repercussions."
"I understand, and I do not plan to vanish. While I will not be joining the Protectorate, I want to register as an independent hero in the coming days. If you have a contact number, that would be appreciated."
Velocity pulled out a business card and pen, scribbling a number in a blur of motion. "This will get you past the secretary to the person handling independent heroes. They will arrange a time for you to come in."
I pocketed the card in my shadow. At that moment, several police vans arrived, officers spilling out. I recognised Officer Scholtz and walked over after giving Velocity a brief nod.
I ended up standing between the two vehicles as Officer Scholtz approached, giving me a brief nod. Velocity, still practically vibrating with energy, zipped circles around the area before finally coming to a stop in front of me. Scholtz gave a curt glance at the sprawled Merchants and then turned back to me.
"Good work getting these under control," Scholtz said. "We've got the vans and a team ready to transport the rank-and-file. The capes will need to be handled by the PRT." Scholtz looked at Velocity while saying that.
Velocity nodded, then bounced on his heels as he looked at me. "The PRT already has a van on the way."
I gave a small nod. "Good, you two can collaborate with the recording, but I have more houses to hit tonight."
Scholtz's eyes flicked to me, the professional mask slipping into a slight smirk. "Archon, I know you've got your own methods, but… There are a lot of Merchant stashes around the city. Just how many are you planning to hit?"
I inclined my head slightly, maintaining a calm, composed posture. "All of them. I have marked the locations. If left untouched, they will continue operations and endanger civilians when they hear their cape support is gone. I intend to intervene before that happens."
Velocity's eyes widened, and he let out a sharp whistle. "Whoa. You're serious about this, aren't you? Multiple hits in one night? That's… aggressive, even for a solo hero. You need to be careful. You can make waves faster than you realise. The Protectorate might not be thrilled if the Merchants' operations start collapsing overnight like dominoes."
I remained composed, letting my voice stay firm but calm. "I am aware of the impact. I am making waves by removing the Merchants from the field. Each intervention reduces civilian risk and limits the ability of the gangsters to escalate. My methods are calculated, not reckless."
Velocity crossed his arms and gave a slight frown, pacing back and forth in place. "I get it. I do. But you have to understand, the second you take out all of the Merchants, you'll become a major blip on every radar from the Empire to the Protectorate headquarters. The gangs will notice. You need to pace yourself. You can't treat the city like a sandbox."
"I understand," I replied evenly, hands folded behind my back. "However, I am not acting without consideration. By dismantling the Merchants' operations completely, I am stopping their capacity to retaliate or endanger civilians. I have already accounted for the immediate variables."
Scholtz cleared his throat, leaning closer. "Just… don't make this bigger than it has to be. The last thing we need is a public incident while we're still consolidating these arrests. The PRT will want the footage. They'll follow up. I want you safe and the scene secure."
I gave a small nod, letting the weight of the words sink in. "Understood."
Scholtz exhaled and straightened. "Good. That's all I need to hear." With that said, he started walking off to start getting the goons handled and into the various vans, leaving me alone with Velocity.
"Look, I officially can't condone what you have planned for tonight, and if the brass hears that I didn't at least try to talk you out of it, then I would get into some major trouble. Unofficially, however, I see that you have this planned out, but still. All it takes is one mistake, and suddenly things are spiralling. That's the problem with Brockton Bay. Things spiral in directions we can't predict. I need to know if there is anything I can say to get you to reconsider." Velocity's speech had slowed while speaking, almost reaching a normal person's talking speed. It indicated just how serious he was.
"No, I understand that things can and will spiral, but things already are. The gangs are running loose already, far too confident in themselves. They need a small shock to the system, and if they hear that I didn't just take down the capes, but every one of their operations, they will spend more time consolidating than expanding. You can't talk me out of this, but if anyone asks, I will say you tried very hard." You could hear the smirk in my voice at the last part, and Velocity snorted in response.
"Fine, but still. This will paint a massive target on your back, one that won't wash off easily. After tonight, you are going to be targeted. Be very careful." Velocity said seriously.
I nodded and continued. "I am glad that you were my first point of contact, Velocity. I will get in contact with the PRT soon, but for now, I have targets to hit." With my last piece spoken, I handed over the SD card and then slipped downwards into the shadowlands below me.
Beneath me, in that separate layer of reality, I checked my minimap and focused on the nearest gang point I had tracked. It was only three blocks away, so I moved in that direction. From below, it was clear this place was nothing like the main operation, though I doubted any Merchant house would match the scale of the headquarters.
I took my time and ran through ways to improve on what had gone wrong at the main base. I needed to get more comfortable using my powers under pressure. At least my mistakes so far had been in situations where they could not seriously hurt anyone, especially me.
Peering through the shadows from beneath, I counted heads. This looked like a drug distribution node, a place where the supply from the headquarters would be broken down and sent out to smaller places, where it would be broken down yet again for the various dealers to collect. I did not expect much cash on hand, more drugs and a few nervous workers with a handful of guards. The people inside were on edge. They had heard the gunfire at the main complex and the sirens, and they were gathered in the main room. Three were armed, and two others, dressed only in their underwear, sat with obvious fear written across their faces. They all faced the front door.
This would be simple. I could materialise behind them, telekinetically strip their weapons and then use my tentacles to choke them out. That was becoming my default move, admittedly, but it worked. With one more sweep, I confirmed no one else was in the house.
I materialised into the corner shadow cast by a standing minion. My teleportation was completely silent, and I savoured the small advantage. I reached a hand forward and mentally gripped every weapon in the room, hurling them away from the gangsters. With another thought, my tentacles closed around five throats and lifted. After a few seconds of scrabbling, they went limp. I carried them to the front garden and laid them out as neatly as I could manage.
Back inside, I searched the rooms. Nothing but the drugs and a couple of hundred dollars in a wallet on the table. The mess in the place grated against my tidy sensibilities, but I pushed it aside. I made the call to dispatch, dropped my name, the details of the operation I had stopped, the number of gang members taken down and the address. Then I slipped back into the shadows and continued the night.
Next was a storage centre, you know, the place where people can rent out rooms for furniture or whatever else they need secured. The entire place was a large operation and clearly not what it was advertised to be. There were a number of guards patrolling the perimeter, all of them looking like loiterers outside, seemingly relaxed but clearly on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour. Inside was another story.
I had materialised on the roof of an apartment building, stepping out of the shadow of an air-con unit as casually as anything. I took my time, looking at the place from above. It seemed derelict, but the tall walls topped with barbed wire could easily hide whatever went on inside. From the look of the walls and the large rusted metal gate, the place looked like it hadn't been used in years; it was the members who made it look alive.
I already knew which storage unit I was after. It was one just off the very centre of the yard, and one that all the interior patrolling guards made sure to pass. This would be a different kind of operation. I wasn't sure exactly what they had within. Some of the drugs I had encountered had passed through here, but I didn't think it was primarily a drug storage or distribution point. It was also far too heavily guarded to be a simple safe house. That narrowed it down to most likely being a money storage spot. I smirked. I was getting a perverse kind of joy from watching my stack of ill-gotten cash grow within my shadow storage. It was an incredible sight for someone used to scraping the bottom of the barrel for most of my life.
Watching the patrollers carefully, I started my plan. There were three guards outside who occasionally moved around; they tried to look like they belonged there, just stopping for a smoke before moving on, but they stuck to the perimeter and never left it. I waited for one of them to finish his cigarette before starting to walk around the corner. Now that it was night, and with the street lamps in Brockton Bay as neglected as ever, I had practically free rein with my teleportation.
As the goon stomped out his finished smoke, he started to make his way around the corner, out of sight of the other two. As soon as he was out of sight, I reappeared in his shadow, reached around him and had him in a choke hold. He struggled, of course, but managed no more than a silent gurgle. Soon enough, he was unconscious. Now I just needed the next member to separate from the others, and I could go for another stealth takedown.
I was aiming for stealth, both as practice and because I didn't know if there were other reinforcement groups I hadn't gotten to yet. It was better to take them down before they could get the call out. I waited, propped the unconscious man against the wall so he looked like he was sitting and taking a nap, it wouldn't fool anyone, but it made sure no one would trip over him, and listened. Then a voice came from the gate.
"Matt? What's taking so long?" one of the members called, trying to sound nonchalant.
I waited around the corner, pleased to hear grumbling and approaching footsteps. When he turned that corner, my hand was immediately around his throat. His bulging eyes locked on my visor, and I tightened my grip. The terror in his face did something weird inside me. It wasn't exactly pleasant, but it gave a sense of power I wasn't sure I liked. My pondering lasted exactly as long as it took for him to collapse; I laid him down beside 'Matt'.
I doubted the third exterior guard would come to investigate after both his mates went silent, so I materialised behind him and took him out as well before he could get suspicious. It was that simple. All three loitering guards were unconscious and zip-tied around the corner. Time to move inwards.
I went back to the roof and used it as my staging point. I was annoyed I couldn't take people with me through shadow travel, but it wasn't the worst limitation. It would have made things a lot simpler to snatch them and take them from their posts, but I could live with the extra steps.
Looking down at the storage lot from the top of the abandoned block, I counted seven guards inside. They were spaced poorly, not in view of one another, which made my job easier. I planned to take them down one at a time; as long as I didn't give them time to react or scream, it would go smoothly.
It took about ten minutes, and there were no complications. I waited until each guard walked away from the others, slipped into a shadow, materialised behind them and choked them out. Then I laid them out of the way and teleported back to the roof to choose my next target. One guard almost stumbled across an unconscious Merchant, but I reached him before he could turn that corner.
Eventually, the yard was motionless. I gathered the bodies and moved them to the gate. Once I had a neat line of unconscious men, I went to the storage unit I was certain was my target. It was unlocked, which probably meant people were inside. I laid my ear against the door, then shook my head and activated my Byakugan to see inside instead.
Looking inside, there were two people sitting at a table, doing something. I phased into my shadow and peered up from below. The room had a single lamp, throwing one of them into a long, exaggerated shadow. There were no blind spots. I took a breath and teleported into the room.
They were finer-dressed Merchants, high and counting money. Not the sharpest combo, but the Merchants were never known for brains. The one facing me had his eyes shoot open at the sight of a dark-and-gold figure with writhing tentacles materialising in the room. I reached forward, grabbed both around the neck, and watched them go limp.
With the place clear, I took my time to look around. I was pleased. There was about a quarter pallet of cash being counted and wrapped in elastic bands. I almost giggled in joy before coughing in embarrassment. I turned off the lamp and, in the darkness, made all of the money disappear. After that, I grabbed the two money counters and took them to where the other Merchants were stashed.
I alerted dispatch to the location and number of the storage lot being used. Tonight had started rough, but it should go smoother from here. I had a bit of a bloodthirsty grin as I dropped down into the shadowlands to continue my hunt.
The Merchants would end today.
God, what a night. In the end, I had hit nearly all of the Merchant strongholds. Three had been abandoned and looted. I guessed they'd called out to the other houses and, hearing nothing back, concluded they had been hit. They had disappeared, and I had no leads on them. Still, I was ecstatic. I had achieved about a 95% clean sweep of all their members who weren't walking the streets. I was now on my couch with the blinds drawn, keeping the morning light out. I would be going to sleep soon, but for now I was savouring the victory.
The Merchants were officially done. There were simply not enough members left to keep the operation running, and without cape support to fend off the other gangs, they were effectively powerless. The sheer amount of drugs I had taken off the street was enormous. At least a couple of tonnes, hard and soft. There would be very few people in town who could get a fix. I hoped nobody died from withdrawal. There would still be some product on the street, especially the high-end Empire stuff, but there would be no more laced, mismixed batches causing deaths.
Ahhh, victory, so sweet. Speaking of sweet, I was starving. I groaned as my tired body moved. Even with my enhanced stamina, it had been a long, busy night. Halfway through, I doubted I would finish everything in one go, but I had managed. With aching limbs, I shuffled to the kitchen to start a simple dinner that doubled as breakfast and kept musing as I went.
Now that the Merchants were a thing of the past, Brockton Bay would be different. Sure, there was still a rage dragon and the Empire capes, but those would be dealt with when I was confident I could handle them. I worried about a Boston games scenario, but if I became powerful enough and cultivated a dangerous reputation, then maybe, just maybe, I could keep the streets cleaner. It was a long way off, and the ABB and the E88 were still strong enough to deter the other gangs, but they would not be here forever. I would have to take on the responsibility of being the deterrent.
My hands moved on autopilot as I put leftovers into the microwave and thought about my next goal. That goal was Coil. I had been unsure how I would find him, but that stopped being a problem. The Endbringer shelters were underground, which made them easy to spot in the shadow realm. I only had to check the ones downtown to find the only one in use. Then there was dealing with Coil's power and his mercenaries. I was wary of their laser rifles, but I knew I could materialise into Coil's office if needed. The only complication was making sure I knew where his home was so I could hit him there, if that was where he happened to be when I decided to strike. I had no idea what my false-data perk was feeding him, but hopefully it kept the full extent of my abilities under wraps. Although, as a PRT consultant, he would probably be aware of the things I had shown by the end of the day.
Nothing I could not work around. Now, breakfast. Then rolling my new power.
64 - Platinum
[Super]
|Elite Ability|
Probably the most median powerset in existence. You have super speed, super strength, super durability, and flight. If you are in a superhero world, you probably have already seen at least 60 of these guys going around. You don't excel in any of those qualities, but you are better than average in all aspects.
A/N:
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The conference room was quiet except for the faint hum of the ventilation system. Inside sat a group of people well known to the public, and one who, while lesser known, was the one in charge of keeping the superhuman elements of the Bay in check.
Director Piggot took a deep breath before looking over the gathered heroes. Around the table sat Armsmaster in his tinkertech chair, designed to support the weight of his armour, Miss Militia, Assault, Battery, Dauntless, and Aegis. Triumph was out on patrol, and Aegis was here as the leader and representative of the Wards.
The director hesitated a moment longer before deciding there was no more reason to delay.
"Alright, everyone," she began, "as of this morning, the Merchants are no longer a gang. They have been completely and utterly dismantled."
She steepled her hands in front of her. The deep lines in her face spoke of the toll her delayed dialysis was taking, though her tone stayed as sharp as ever.
The reactions were predictable: raised eyebrows, exchanged glances, confusion. Piggot took a small, private satisfaction in the silence that followed.
"At approximately twenty-three hundred hours last night, an independent hero calling himself Archon contacted the BBPD," she continued. "He requested a containment van to collect three Merchant capes while he detained roughly twenty-five unpowered members. This occurred at what we've confirmed as their main headquarters."
Piggot's gaze swept the room. Armsmaster was motionless, restrained by the weight of his armour, but focused. A faint frown creased his exposed mouth. Miss Militia sat upright and composed, eyes steady. Assault leaned back in his chair, rocking idly, while Battery looked confused but eager to hear more. Aegis raised a hand, earning a nod from the director.
"Ma'am," Aegis said, voice steady, "what do we know about this Archon?"
"I'll defer that to Velocity," Piggot said. "He made contact at the scene and spoke with him directly."
Velocity nodded and stood slightly straighter. "Right," he began, his words deliberate and respectful. "I arrived just before the police and managed to speak with him one-on-one. He came across as highly professional and definitely heroically inclined. The entire group of Merchants had been taken down with as little force as possible. They were all conscious, unarmed, and lined up waiting for collection."
He paused, glancing briefly around the room. "From how he spoke, he's new, but he doesn't act it. Confident, calm. I got the sense he was trying to come across as more serious than he usually is, but still, he had a clear plan and followed it through."
Armsmaster's voice broke the momentary silence. "Do we have any assessment of his power?"
Velocity frowned slightly, thinking. "That's the strange part. Either we're dealing with a Trump or a very strong grab-bag. I saw him teleporting, and he told me he healed the Merchants afterwards. Every one of them was in perfect health when we arrived. The building itself was mostly intact, barely a scratch."
At the mention of healing, several heads turned. Miss Militia's brows lifted slightly. Dauntless leaned forward.
"A healer who can fight." Battery murmured.
Velocity nodded. "Other than that, I think there was some strength enhancement, maybe a form of protection, but before I start guessing, he handed me this." He reached into his jacket and pulled out an SD card. "It's a full recording of the encounter. Should answer more questions than I can."
Piggot took the card and slid it into the projector. The lights dimmed as the recording came to life on the far wall.
The room fell silent. On screen, Archon moved through darkness like a ghost. Each strike was efficient, deliberate, almost surgical. The shadows swallowed him, and when he reappeared, another opponent dropped. The fight ended with every target alive, subdued, and laid out neatly.
When the recording ended, Dauntless leaned back. "Those blackouts in the footage, he didn't turn off the camera?"
Armsmaster shook his head slightly. "No. I believe that was the teleportation effect. The variance in blackout length suggests it isn't instantaneous. Note that he only seems to teleport through shadows. Watch that moment there, he stops, looks for a dark patch, and moves into it before disappearing."
Miss Militia glanced down at her notepad. "From what we've seen, we can confirm shadow-based teleportation, enhanced strength and durability, though he reacted when hit by rifle fire, so not invulnerable. There were also those six appendages emerging from his back, bursts of what looked like sand or dust, and some form of telekinesis. He also seemed to sense opponents through walls, possibly a spatial or X-ray sense. And finally, his healing ability."
Assault whistled softly. "That's not a grab-bag, that's someone walking off with the entire buffet."
Piggot's look could have frozen steel, but Armsmaster answered first. "I agree with the Trump assessment. Those powers each exhibit main-power potency. A normal grab-bag tends to have weaker, supporting abilities.
"Velocity," Piggot said, turning back to him. "How did he react to you? Did he seem like someone who'd join? A healer would be a godsend, and it would stop me from having to keep owing New Wave favours for Panacea's help."
Velocity gave a short, humourless laugh. "I doubt he's one for teams. He said he plans to register as an independent hero, but made it clear he believes he can help more from outside the system. He did mention he'd avoid breaking any laws, so that's something."
Piggot exhaled slowly, the sound more of a growl than a sigh. Another wildcard in her city. "Velocity, I want you and Miss Militia to handle his registration when he shows up. Emphasise every benefit we can offer. I want him in the Protectorate if possible. If not, push for power testing at the very least. If he insists on independence, we will keep an eye on him. The last thing this city needs is another do-gooder upsetting the balance. If he oversteps, we'll revisit his independence then."
The room was quiet again, broken only by the faint hum of the projector cooling down.
Assault leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Well, sounds like this guy's shaking up the Bay already."
Battery gave him a side glance. "Just hope he shakes it in the right direction."
Flying around my living room was a novel yet amazing experience. There has always been a fascination with flying in the human brain. That and going faster. And when the two were combined? That was just like brain candy. I, of course, tested my newfound power, although I was lucky enough to remember to close the blinds. What would the neighbours say if they saw me floating and flying around my living room? Couldn't have that, no sir.
The novelty wore off soon enough, most likely due to my not being able to really go through the paces, but I still needed my sleep, so that's what I did. I may have floated into bed, but that was just practice, yeah, practice. Anyway, my sleep was without dreams and very thorough.
The following morning, I was at a bit of a loss. I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to do now. Sure, I had Coil to gun for, but that would take some more thought. Then again, it's not like I had anything else to focus on. Bah, I deserved a rest. I had single-handedly taken down an entire entrenched gang in the span of a single night. That was impressive, no matter what anyone else thought of my actions.
So, I grabbed an instant coffee; note to self, get a coffee machine now that I'm flush with cash; and decided to browse PHO. I wondered if there would be any reactions to my actions yet. It had only been a couple of hours, and I doubted people would have noticed yet.
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♦Topic: Merchants Dismantled?!
In: Boards ► America ► Brockton Bay
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Posted on March 15, 2011:
Okay all, so things were rather crazy last night. I have heard through my contacts that the Merchants are no more. Apparently, there is a new independent hero in town, and this one isn't afraid to shake things up.
So, what actually went down?
Well, apparently, this new guy, Archon, decided that the Bay needed a bit of a clean-up and decided that the Merchants would be the ones to feel his wrath. So what does he do? Does he start hitting muggers and sending them to the hospital? No. apparently this guy makes a concerted effort to track down all of the Merchant houses and then decides, you know what? I'm gonna hit them all in one night...
And he did. According to the BBPD, there were Zero Casualties, and not only that, he gift-wrapped the entire Cape team for the protectorate.
So... yeah. The Merchants are gone, their drugs and guns are gone, and all of the members that weren't on the street peddling are gone.
Edit:
I also heard that the entire thing was recorded so there is a good chance those arrests will stick. Makes me wonder why other capes don't record their fights. Anyway, Thoughts?
(Showing Page 1 of 2)
► Ekul
Replied on March 15, 2011:
First!
But to not get an infraction - Yeah, that is pretty amazing. anyone heard of this guy before?
► Laser Aagment
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Woah, talk about a debut! Is he going to be moving onto the rest of the gangs?
► MiracleMic
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Dang, well... Not quite sure what to make of this, sure getting rid of a gang is a great and good thing objectively, but what about the other gangs. Brockton bay is well... Not the most stable place. Is taking out the Merchants not just going to make things worse?
► Mr.Fabuu
Replied on March 15, 2011:
@Ekul
Yeah, So I have a buddy in the BBPD and the guy was apparently taking down drug dealers like a proper beginner before he took down all of the Merchants. Don't know if this was him warming up or if he was interrogating them, but yeah. He was around for like a week working with the cops before he did the main hit. Also my buddy says that he is pretty well liked by the cops for some reason. Any BBPD here to shine some light?
► Valkyr (Wiki Warrior)
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Phew, so yeah, he got rid of the gangs. now the important thing. What are his powers?!
► Mr.Fabuu
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Okay, Update:
So I spoke with my guy in the BBPD and they all love him because he does minimal damage, both to property and perps, but also does things by the book and makes it easy to stick the perps with his recordings. they say that he got more Merchants than the BBPD thought there were Merchants!
@Valkyr
So, powers wise, apparently the guy is like a grabbag. He gave a recording of all of his actions over the entire night to the BBPD and wow, the guy won the power lottery. there is teleportation, so a mover rating, then there is enhanced strength and durability and then get this. Massive blood red tentacles that come out of his back. there is also talk of telekinesis. so yeah, more than that? dont know. but the guy is no pushover.
► XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Guys, this guy isn't a parahuman!! I bet hes like Myrdin and has magic, like all of those things were just spells that he casts. Also, does anyone know what he actually looks like? I bet he has loads of red to hide all of the blood he spills with his dark powers!
► DonutsRGood (BBPD)
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Oh god, it's Void. anyway, I can actually answer that question.
So the guy is mostly in really dark navy, like more a gray black with all of these gold highlights. he has a full helmet and a cape as well... So no void, no blood red and no dark magic. all of his takedowns were in great health. I probably shouldn't say, but he can also heal and well, all of the Merchants were actually in better health than he found them.
@MiracleMic
Yeah, Brockton Bay is a rather.... strange and delicate place, but with the way he did it, I expect there to be minimal gang fighting. maybe between the E88 and the ABB, but the Merchants? they dont have anyone to fight. so there may be some expansion problems from the other gangs, but as far as a full war? I doubt it. but still, stay safe everyone and know that the cops are only a phone call away.
► Lolitup
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Hah, nice one. 'the cops are only a phone call away' Yeah, and half of Brockton, through a minefield and over a mountain maybe! You guys can barely do anything to the gangs, leaving it only to the PRT. then when people do call you, its like you take half an hour to show up! I figure Its faster to just call the PRT and say there was a parahuman. they might actually show up in some reasonable timeframe!
► Miss Mercury (Protectorate Employee)
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Hey now, that's unwarranted; both the PRT and the Police are doing everything we can to keep the peace. I know that some of the areas are a bit out of the way for the BBPD, but that doesn't mean they aren't trying to do the right thing.
Also, @Lolitup
Calling in the PRT for a fake cape crime just to get a faster response time is a felony.
► Jeppery
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Wow, so this thread is pretty quiet at the moment. most likely people are still waking up. Wonder how quick it will be before the rest of BB shows up wondering where a third of the gangs have gone.
Also, good job Archon! the Merchants are always peddling in my neighbourhood. It will be nice to be able to walk without fear of being mugged. at least until the E88 pull in.
► Laser Augment
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Huh, Just opened the thread. Seconding the good job Archon, any chance you might show up on the thread? Plenty of questions here and would like to know why you thought this was a good idea... Not doubting or throwing shade, just saying... you cant just take a random piece out of a house of cards without it collapsing... But still, amazing that it only took one cape to take out the entire Merchants. makes me wonder what the PRT have been doing if all it takes is some newcomer to do their jobs for them. It's been far too long since they've actually done anything that sticks...
► Miss Mercury (Protectorate Employee)
Replied on March 15, 2011:
Official statement from the PRT is that while we cannot condone reckless actions against the gangs, it is still the PRT's mission to bring down crime and deal with parahuman gangs. So while Archon is working in line with our mission, we do ask that Archon gives serious consideration to joining the Protectorate to work hand in hand with law enforcement to help the Bay.
On a personal note, I think it is going to be quite satisfying seeing the drug overdose statistics drop in the future.
End of Page. 1, 2
Yeah… I think that's enough of that. Reading people talk about me on PHO was both strange and oddly satisfying. Seeing the whole thing described by outsiders made it feel real in a way that fighting it hadn't. There were plenty of theories, of course. People were guessing what I could do, who I was, what side I was on. That was inevitable in a city obsessed with capes. Every newcomer became a mystery to unravel, a puzzle for the forums to pick apart. I had to admit, though, it was entertaining. I even found myself wondering what the wiki page for me looked like. I pitied the poor sod who had to keep that up to date.
I smirked at that, then noticed Void was once again trying to derail the thread with his usual nonsense. Either he'd get himself banned or the whole discussion would be locked soon enough. Either way, not my problem. I had no plans to jump in and post, not yet. Maybe one day I'd do an AMA.
Closing PHO, I leaned back and stared at the ceiling. The Merchants were done. Coil was still the next big target, but that would take more preparation. His mercenaries were trained, armed and disciplined. I had the tools to fight them, but not the stamina to keep everything going at once. Blocking their laser rifles with a sand whirlwind worked, but bullets would still get through. That meant keeping my telekinetic barrier up at the same time. Doing both was possible, but exhausting. I'd never hold it long enough to clear an entire base.
And then there was Coil himself. Even if I could find him, getting to him before he slipped away was another matter entirely. His self-destruct contingency was the real nightmare. If he triggered that under a populated area, the casualties would be catastrophic. No matter how I ran it through in my head, that was a lose condition.
Still, I couldn't just do nothing. Maybe my new "Super" perk gave me more room to push through direct fights. How strong was I now, really? The description said "above average" in strength, speed and durability, but what did that actually mean? I could already punch through steel before. Was I edging into even higher brute levels now? Maybe I could take medium arms fire without dying. I'd need to test that somehow. Carefully. Then my strength as well. The last thing I wanted was to accidentally kill someone because I didn't know my own strength.
I sighed and stood, trying to think about what to do with the rest of the day. For the first time, I found myself thinking about my civilian life. Or rather, the lack of one. I'd reincarnated and then immediately dived headfirst into chaos. I hadn't even been here twenty-four hours before I was poking around the Boat Graveyard, and within a week, I'd dismantled a gang. A win, sure, but what a pace. That sort of escalation was straight out of Taylor's playbook.
Still, I couldn't just stay in the cape grind forever. Even I knew that "all work and no play" made Troy a dull boy. I needed something to occupy myself when I wasn't behind the mask. But what? I didn't need a job, not with the frankly excessive amount of cash I'd liberated from the Merchants. Technically, I'd stolen the money, but it was better in my hands than rotting in theirs. Besides, I intended to put it to good use. Once I had a few million gathered, I could start reinvesting it into Brockton Bay itself. The gangs had taken so much from this city; it was only fair they paid for its restoration. That thought made me grin.
Eventually, I decided to get out for a bit. A walk sounded good, maybe a meal after. Socialising wouldn't kill me, and who knows, maybe I'd even meet someone normal. The city around me was as grimy as ever, the decay gnawing at my inner neat freak. It wasn't an obsession like Accord's, thankfully, but it still bugged me. Every bit of litter, every broken window just screamed of neglect.
The walk helped me think. The charge rate of my power had slowed, though I could still feel that star-filled void inside me. There would be more powers eventually, I was sure, but I didn't know how or when they'd appear.
I was pulled from my thoughts when a few people rushed past me, trying to catch a bus. One bumped my shoulder without even glancing back. I let it go, though it grated. Continuing on, I moved from the Docks into Docks South. The area had once been the home of dockworkers and their families, but the sinking of the tanker had killed that dream. Some houses were still cared for, but most were abandoned or half-collapsed. A few of the older folks had stayed, stubborn or too poor to move, but most had long gone.
Walking there was… sobering. The fanfics never quite captured how broken this city really was. For every occupied home, there were two standing empty. I recognised some of the streets from my fight with the Merchants. I'd cleared out one of their stash houses nearby, a sorry place with little more than some expired drugs and a mattress on the floor. It seemed to be their pattern: find an empty house, hole up, and hope no one noticed. And if someone did, well… they made sure they didn't talk about it.
By the time I reached a bus stop, I was ready to head home. A greasy burger and a cold beer sounded like the perfect end to the day. My victory meal, of sorts. I smirked to myself as I climbed aboard.
"Fugly Bob's," I muttered under my breath. "Let's see if they serve beer."
Fugly Bob's was a must-stop for any self-respecting person waking up in Brockton Bay. It had a bit of a cult following in the fandom, and I was eager to see what the fuss was about. I wasn't disappointed. It looked like someone had merged every fast-food joint known to man, then decided to throw in some old-school American diner booths for good measure. You could grab a takeaway or sit down and enjoy the chaos.
The place was busy. Not crammed shoulder to shoulder, but bustling with a steady rhythm. The line at the counter moved at a crawl, and most of the booths were occupied by people chatting or chewing in silence. I glanced up at the TV screens that served as menus. No alcohol, sadly, but the milkshakes looked worth the sin of excessive sugar. Coffee shake it was.
As I queued, I indulged in a bit of people-watching. Blue-collar workers in stained uniforms, office types still half in work mode, a couple of teens sharing fries like it was a date. Fugly Bob's clearly didn't discriminate. The crowd alone said good things about the food.
When my turn finally came, I ordered a triple patty with cheese and gherkins and a coffee milkshake. Order placed, receipt in hand, I stepped aside to wait, watching the ebb and flow of the dinner rush. A few more people filtered in for takeaways, probably heading home after work. It stirred something in me, a memory of old Troy, the one who'd grab a meal here with his dock buddies after a long shift. Those times were long gone, though. Most of those faces had either moved on or drifted away when the docks started dying.
My order was called, and I grabbed the tray before settling into a booth with a clear view of the door. Not out of paranoia, but habit. Old instincts die hard.
The burger was everything I hoped for. Juicy, greasy, perfectly seared, with just enough crunch from the gherkins. The shake washed it down like a dessert made of caffeine and happiness. Definitely a treat meal, though I doubted my heart could survive a regular diet of it.
I was halfway through my burger when I noticed a familiar face walk past. It was surprising to see him here, as he'd previously, under great amounts of booze, admitted that Fugly Bob's wasn't one of his favourite things. He got quite a bit of flak and teasing for that admission, though. So there I sat, watching one Daniel Herbert walk past to place an order.
The appearance of Danny was actually quite fortuitous. I'd been wondering how to get things started with the Brockton Bay Renewal idea, but now that I thought about it, Danny might be the perfect solution. I started musing while he waited in line. Danny was a very morally upright person, known for his honesty and upstanding behaviour. He could be exactly the kind of person I needed to run or help manage the projects I'd been thinking of starting up. He wouldn't touch the money, he'd make sure it went where it was supposed to, and he'd employ the most reliable, hard-working, down-on-their-luck union members for the job.
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. I needed to arrange a meeting with everyone's favourite head of hiring-slash-de facto union leader.
By now, Danny had gotten his order and was walking towards the door. He'd pass my table, so it was easy to wave him down.
"Danny, good to see you. Do you have a second?" I called out, making him stop and look my way. His eyes lit up in recognition.
"Troy? Good to see you too. I can spare a second, but I really should get this food to Taylor while it's still hot," he said, giving me a small, rueful smile.
I nodded. "Not a problem. I just wanted to know if you had time for a meeting sometime soon?"
"Troy, look, I know things are hard, but I really don't have any work at the moment. I've got your number, and as soon as something comes up, I'll let you know," he said, sounding genuinely sorry.
I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Danny, I know. But that's not what this is about. I'd love to say more, but it's a bit of a private topic. Don't worry, you'll like it. I just want a moment of your time where we can sit down and talk about it."
Danny looked at me strangely before coming to a conclusion he clearly didn't like. "Troy, you aren't… minioning, are you?"
I shook my head quickly. "Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, actually. But still, I've got some things I'd like to talk about if you can make the time."
Danny seemed relieved to hear that I wasn't a minion. There'd been a not insignificant number of dockworkers who, over the years, had been forced to work with villains just for the cash. Danny had always frowned on that sort of work but never condemned anyone for doing what needed to be done to feed their family. He opened his mouth and spoke slowly, now clearly intrigued.
"Alright, Troy. Come in tomorrow around eleven-ish. I can make some time for you then."
I nodded in thanks, and Danny gave a quick wave before walking off. It might not have been a grand cape fight with epic repercussions, but it was definitely a proper step forward.
A/N:
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That night was quiet. It seemed the gangs were either waiting for things to settle or letting someone else make the first move. So I spent a couple of hours in Merchant territory, flying around, checking things over, making sure people were safe. And well… there were a few times when people seemed a bit skittish, but there was no overt crime for me to stop. It seemed the Bay was still reeling from my Merchant deconstruction.
There were a few instances of people spotting me and waving, but after the first two times I stopped to see what they wanted, I pretended not to notice.
Those first two times? Well… they were a bit awkward.
The first was a young woman. She met me with a wide smile when I landed and immediately launched into a verbal barrage.
"Archon, right? Oh my God, I am so thankful for what you did! I saw it on the news! You took down the Merchants? All by yourself? I can't thank you enough. This whole area's been abused and rotting because of them, and now I actually feel like I can walk around again. I mean, you hear about the Merchant capes being caught every now and then, but nothing changes and eventually they just escape! But you actually took down the real problem. The members! Getting rid of their capes is pretty good, but that doesn't really change anything for people on the ground. So, like, I just wanted to thank you. Wait, I said that already! So, like,"
I raised my hand to interrupt the impressive monologue and nodded when she took a deep breath.
"It was my pleasure," I said. "Getting the capes off the field helps, but that just invites other gangs into the area. I wanted to make a difference for people like you walking around. I'll be sticking around to make sure things stay smooth until it all settles down."
"Okay, wow. Really impressive. And thanks again, but before you go… could I, like, get a selfie with you? Please?"
I nodded and stood beside her for the selfie. My first superhero selfie. It felt strange. I crossed my arms, trying to look confident, though my nerves were still buzzing underneath it all, and waited for the camera.
She took more than one. Eventually, I had to put an end to the impromptu photoshoot. With that done, I said my goodbyes and flew off.
God, I love flying. And my cape looks amazing, billowing in the wind.
The second person to grab my attention was an old lady sitting and knitting on her porch, which made me very confused. An old lady, outside in the middle of the night, knitting by lamplight? Weird. But she waved at me, so I stopped.
"Ahh, you're that Archon, aren't you? Yes, my eyes may be going, but I recognise those colours from the news. I just wanted to thank you for what you did for this area. It's been a long time since I've felt safe enough to sit out here and knit on my porch. And by God, it's been a lovely night. It hasn't been this quiet and peaceful in years!"
I smiled slightly behind my mask. She was definitely an interesting character, though I suspected she might be underplaying the danger still lurking around here.
"I'm glad you're enjoying the evening, ma'am. Can I ask why you're knitting in the middle of the night?"
"Ahh, this is a hobby I picked up after my husband passed," she said softly. "Some nights I wake up looking for him, and when I remember he's gone, I can't get back to sleep. So here I am. I figured that with the Merchants gone, I could enjoy the night air and knit to take my mind off things."
I smiled sadly. "I see. Well, don't let me stop you. But I should warn you, I expect the other gangs might try to move in over the next few days. It might not be wise to spend the night out alone."
"Bah! The other gangs wouldn't bother with an old lady sitting on her porch. It's only the Merchants who'd try their hand at any target. The rest may be just as bad, objectively, but they at least leave an old woman alone."
I wasn't sure about that, but I figured she knew what she was talking about. We made some small talk for a few minutes before I excused myself and took off.
After that, I decided to limit my interactions for the evening.
So that was how I spent half my night. I was back in bed around two in the morning and asleep soon after. I had a meeting in the morning, after all. Plus, I figured I might as well get the paperwork for being an independent hero out of the way.
The docks were still completely unchanged. That wasn't surprising. They'd been the same for years. Sure, little things were different. The warehouse where we used to store tools was rustier and more run-down, but it was still standing and apparently still in use.
Walking around the docks felt strange. Troy's old memories came to the surface, and I found myself waving or greeting the occasional person passing by. I didn't let them stop me for long, though. It was already close to eleven, and I always tried to be punctual. Eventually, I made my way to the administration building to meet with Danny.
The building, like the rest of the docks, looked tired. Not completely run down, but a fresh coat of paint wouldn't hurt.
Walking inside hit me with a wave of déjà vu. I'd walked in here dozens, maybe hundreds of times, yet this was also my first time. Those half-integrated memories buzzed faintly in the back of my head, but I shook them off and headed for the hiring office. Out front was the old reception desk from back when Danny had a secretary. Those days had long passed, the job cut when it was deemed unnecessary. I sighed at the state of things but kept going. Maybe I could change this. Change not just the city's direction, but the world's.
I knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before I was invited in.
Danny sat behind his desk, résumés and paperwork spread across the surface. He looked up and smiled in greeting, then stood and gestured to a seating area where we could talk without the desk between us. There were two bottles of water already on the coffee table. Danny opened one and poured us both a glass.
I nodded my thanks, and he took a sip before speaking.
"So, Troy, I've got to admit, you intrigued me yesterday with those cryptic statements. You said you had a proposal?"
I nodded, studying him for a moment. I'd been fairly loose with my civilian ID so far. I'd kept it hidden while on patrol or missions, but I'd trusted Parian and her secretary with it, partly as a gesture of goodwill and partly because I figured they'd know not to mess with a cape's identity. So far, no leaks.
But here I was again, thinking of revealing myself.
The thing was, I trusted Danny. He'd always done right by the union and its people. Always been solid, dependable.
So, I just said it.
"I'm a cape, Danny."
He was in the middle of taking another sip and, though he didn't quite spit-take, he did cough into his glass.
"Oh... right. Well, that's... something. Haven't had to deal with capes seriously since Marquis and Allfather. That's nice, I suppose. What's it got to do with me?"
I smiled slightly. He recovered quickly, sitting up straighter.
"I'm Archon, Danny. The one who took down the Merchants the other night. And before you say anything, I'm not bragging. I'm telling you because you need to believe me when I say I'm planning to take the gangs for everything they've got. Then I'm going to put that money back into the Bay. I've already got about a million and a half from the Merchants, and I need someone to help manage it. Someone who can reinvest it into the Bay and local businesses."
Danny leaned forward, staring at me. "That's a lot of money, Troy. And you want to put it into the Bay?" He started muttering. "That's a lot of jobs' worth of money, but what kind of jobs?"
I smirked. "I don't know yet. Maybe start with the DWU, get it up and running properly, fix this place up. I plan on dealing with the boats' graveyard eventually."
That got him to look at me properly. "And what do you get out of all this? Capes aren't exactly known for their generosity."
I sighed. "Danny, I'm a dock worker. I still have my licence and ID. I've got a real love for this place and the people in it." I hesitated, unsure how to explain the strange bleed-through of Troy's memories and emotions. "It's weird, I know, but this place matters. These people matter. Hoarding that money helps no one. I want to lift the Bay up. But I can't do it alone. I need honest people who won't skim off the top. I need people smarter than me to make a plan and get this city running again."
"And you came to me." Danny gave a tired little laugh. "Troy, I'm honoured, I really am. But I don't know if I can do this. You can't just throw money at problems and hope they fix themselves. It doesn't work like that."
"I know. But it's better than nothing. I could open a bunch of charities, sure, but that's short-term. It helps the desperate, not the future. I want to create proper, long-term jobs. Real work for people with families. How many could I hire with this money?"
Danny rubbed his forehead. "A lot. Most of the dock workers, honestly. Are you serious about the boats' graveyard? Getting those wrecks to shore is near impossible. But if you could manage it... the scrap value alone could keep hundreds employed. It'd take more than a million and a half, though. You'd need tens of millions long-term."
I nodded. "I know. But I'm getting stronger, Danny. I plan on taking bounties on the worst parahumans around. There's close to four hundred million in rewards across North America alone. All that money needs somewhere to go, and this is where I want it to go. I just need to know if you can handle it, or find someone trustworthy who can. I've got the power, but not the brains for this. I trust you, Danny. I know you'll do the right thing."
Danny closed his eyes. "It's good to hear you think so highly of me." He sighed. "Alright. You say you can deal with the boats' graveyard, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. You say you've got this money and want to use it for jobs, I'll believe that too. You want me to handle it? Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes, Danny, I'm sure. I know you've been in a slump for a while, but I also know you'll work yourself to the bone for even one more job. You'll be responsible with this. So yes, I want you to take it and start improving the DWU area. More money will come later, and when I'm ready to handle the boats, we can sort the paperwork and ownership. For now, a cash infusion to get things ready. What do you say?"
Danny was quiet for over a minute, lost in thought. Then he looked me in the eye, his expression steady and sharp.
"If you're telling the truth, and I think you are, then yes. I'll take it and make sure it goes where it's needed most. It won't stretch as far as you think, but it'll go to the right people."
I smiled and reached out to shake his hand. Danny gave me a firm one back.
"Thing is," I said after a pause, "all the money's in cash form. I can give it to you here, but I'm not sure how you want to handle it."
Danny gave a half-laugh, half-choke, then barked out a proper laugh. "Tell you what. Let's go to the bank and set up an account. This seems a bit more important than sending out redundancy letters. Besides, sounds like that part of my job's about to change."
We both smiled. Mine was more of a satisfied smirk. Together, we got up, and Danny and I headed out to the car park to drive to the bank.
Brockton Bay Central Bank was a high-class establishment, covered in glimmering marble. Rich red velvet line dividers separated queues, and the tellers were professionally dressed, all wearing impeccable makeup.
Danny and I spoke softly on our way to a counter, just general musings on the city and the state of the gangs. Danny said that he would forward any information about the gangs and any hideouts his men knew about to me to hit. We also estimated the amount of cash the various gangs had access to and what it would mean to hit them. Then we spoke about the E88 versus the ABB and which would be the easier takedown. Danny was settled on the E88, and I was coming to terms with his opinion. They had a number of capes, but individually, they could be dealt with. If I could take them out in ones or twos, it would be a doable operation. But if they came in force, my best bet would be to retreat and fight another day.
It was during this that I thought about the charges I had accrued since the other night that had subtly entered my soul-scape. There were two, and I was considering whether I should roll them both or just roll once and upgrade the tier. Eventually, I figured it would be better to roll twice, but that could wait until I was finished with this work.
When we finally reached the till, our conversation was finished, and we asked to see someone about opening a special account. The teller was helpful and guided us to some comfortable seating before saying she would get a manager ready to see us. It took a few minutes, but it must have been a quiet day, as we were let through soon enough.
The manager was a not-quite rotund man, but definitely on the way there. He had a bit of a beer belly, though he was professionally dressed in a black semi-casual work suit. His facial hair was neatly trimmed, and he had a friendly, disarming persona. After a round of handshakes, we were led to his desk and took a seat.
He looked us over before speaking. "So, I hear you want to open an account? What kind of account are we talking about?"
I looked to Danny, who nodded and started to explain what we needed. It was something he was familiar with, and he knew what he wanted. The bank manager made notes as we spoke and nodded along with what Danny said.
Eventually, he asked the main question. "So, the final question is how much you'd like to add to the account?"
Danny turned to me and gestured for me to take the floor. I spoke up.
"I have roughly one and a half million in cash that I'd like to deposit."
That caused the man to stop and stare at me. "It's not easy for someone to come across that amount of money in cash. I'm afraid I'll need to ensure the money wasn't stolen before I can allow this account to be opened."
Danny looked at me, and I thought for a bit. Here I was about to reveal my face to yet another person, but I didn't think I'd be able to reassure him that the funds were legal by any other means.
I sighed and decided to just get it over with. I had no idea how other capes managed to get in contact with the Number Man, so I was stuck with this for now.
"I'm Archon. I hope you'll be able to keep that tidbit to yourself. All of this money was recovered from the Merchants and will be going into the upliftment of the Bay."
The man froze when he heard I was Archon. It seemed my name was starting to spread, but then again, I'd heard from last night that I'd been on the news, so it shouldn't have been too surprising.
Eventually, the bank manager nodded to himself. "In that case, I can expedite the process. The money will need to be checked, but being a cape allows for both some leeway and some extra restrictions."
Danny smirked. "Ah, that won't be necessary. Since the money's coming from a cape, the leeway comes into effect, but because the account won't be in the name of the cape, either the civilian or the cape name, the restrictions don't apply."
There was the negotiator, most of Brockton Bay who knew him, feared. I smirked. The bank manager, however, started to rub his chin and think harder. Eventually, he pulled a large book out of his desk, checked the index, and flipped through pages, reading certain excerpts.
"Huh… that can't be right. Oh… yeah, if I do that, then…" He trailed off and continued reading for another few minutes before closing the book and looking between us.
"Alright. Since the money will be going into a civilian work account, there are no restrictions on it being used, but still, since it came from a cape, it'll need to be checked. That's mostly a formality. As for any other restrictions, you've managed to land yourself in a neat little loophole, although it's a bit too neat, almost like it was designed that way. Anyway, I can get this account set up for you. Now we just need to arrange the drop-off of the cash, and things can get started."
I smiled and held my hand downwards, summoning from my shadow a stack of hundred-dollar bills. "I keep the money in a personal pocket dimension. If you've somewhere to set the money down, I can give it to you now."
The bank manager paused at my little display but nodded. "Well, in that case, you can follow me to a secure room where we can record the handover."
We all stood, and soon enough, the handover was complete. We were handed provisional cards and a receipt for the money. It would take a couple of days to check the validity of the cash, but once everything cleared, the cards would activate, and the money would be available.
When we were finished, Danny and I stood on the steps of the bank. Danny seemed to be in a bit of a daze and had been since he'd seen the giant pallet of cash I'd called forth. I smiled and snapped my fingers in front of him to bring him back down to earth.
"So, Danny, one last thing. I expect you to pay yourself for your hours as well."
Danny opened his mouth to protest, but I beat him to it. "No, don't start. You'll be working your arse off, and I'm sure you need the money as well. So take what you earn and give yourself a reasonable, reliable paycheck. I'll be following up on this, so do us both a favour and tone down your stubborn pride. Earn what you're owed from this work."
Danny seemed to be mulling that over, trying to come up with an argument, but I pressed on. "Danny, you work, you earn. That's the end of it. I won't hear of you not making some money to keep both you and Taylor afloat."
That seemed to take the wind out of him before he chortled. "Fine, Troy, I'll take a payslip for doing this, but you know it's not necessary."
I smirked, but now that all the business was done, I figured it was a good time to head off. I shook Danny's hand once more, and with a polite farewell, we went to our separate cars. I still planned on registering with the PRT today.
The phone call I made to the number I got from Velocity went down smoothly, and I was told I could make my way there when I was ready. I informed them that I would be arriving by flight and was told to meet at the downtown PRT headquarters for two o'clock. I agreed, as that was only half an hour away and would give me time to drive home before heading over.
The drive was pleasant. It was a sunny day, and a refreshing breeze rolled in from the ocean.
When I arrived home, I entered the house, closed the blinds, changed in an instant thanks to my shadow storage, and then sank down into the ground, slipping into the shadowlands.
I made my way across the city and emerged in an alley. Making sure no one was around, and seeing that I was indeed unspotted, I rose into the air and took off in the direction of the PRT headquarters.
When I arrived, it was five minutes to two, so I was quite pleased with my timing. Entering the front door, however, was a rather nerve-racking thing. Sure, they could cover me in foam and I could teleport out, but I really didn't want to be at odds with the PRT. If we could work together, that would be the best possible outcome. So I raised my head high and walked towards the receptionist.
There was some muttering and talk as I crossed the lobby. The troopers tightened their grips on their foam sprayers, while the civilians looked more excited than nervous at the sight of what must have seemed like a new superhero.
I smiled to myself, even if no one could see it, and stopped a polite distance from the counter. I waited for the receptionist to gather herself before speaking.
"Good day. My name is Archon, and I have an appointment to register as an independent hero."
The receptionist nodded, looking over her computer as she clicked a few times. Eventually, she nodded again and said, "I see you on the system. If you'll follow those two troopers to my left, they'll take you through security."
I thanked her and moved over to the troopers. They seemed more at ease now that I'd been cleared by the front desk and gave me polite nods before asking me to follow.
We walked down a hallway to an area that looked like a metal detector and x-ray machine. The first trooper turned to me and spoke clearly. "If you have any weapons, we'll need you to relinquish them for the duration of your visit. The scanner will detect any other dangerous substances or hazardous materials."
I nodded. "I've nothing dangerous to declare. Any weapons I've come across have been handed over to the BBPD for evidence."
The trooper nodded and gestured for me to step through the scanner. It didn't beep or make a sound. Only after I passed through did I notice a techie behind some glass, going over the results. He gave the troopers a thumbs-up, and we continued on towards an elevator.