"...and that is how, when the Teeth arrive, we can defeat the Butcher and revitalise Brockton Bay at the same time." Piggot smiled in approval as the most valuable asset the PRT had in Brockton Bay finished speaking.

"Brilliant as always, Crash. We'll implement the plan immediately!" There was a round of heart-felt applause and the young man sat, smiling modestly.

"Just doing my job, ma'am."

"And doing it well. Battery, relay the details to PRT Central H.Q. If you can tear yourself away from Armsmaster long enough." There were giggles at the table and the blue-clad heroine smirked, with one last lascivious run of her hand over the man's blue armour, and sauntered out of the room swinging her hips. The tinker's gaze followed as he smiled fondly.

Battery had really blossomed after her divorce from Assault, Piggot reflected, turning into a beautiful, confident, second-tier hanger-on, to Armsmaster. She turned her attention back to the meeting, moving to the next item on the agenda. "Now, about the Endbringers…"

"I have a plan for them." Crash said humbly, and Piggot waved him to take the floor. She'd never trusted capes, but after two weeks of friction, Crash had got her to admit that was just the after-effects of Nilbog. Now she saw them for the valuable untrustworthy individuals that they were. "If we-" The door opened with a crash and Vista ran into the room, pigtails bobbing cutely as the girl skidded to a stop.

"Director, the merchants are attacking the Docks!" Crash leapt to his feet at the words, grabbing his gun from the holster.

"Armsmaster with me," he ordered as the second-in-command of the PRT stood immediately, his halbard extending for combat.

"Stay safe, Mr. Crash. " Vista lisped, as Crash flew from the room, leaving her gazing adoringly after him as the Supra-Alexandria Brute was followed by his halberd-wielding mentor. She slumped and Piggot sympathised with the cape. Vista knew that the front line was no place for a child soldier, and she was only a girl. What could she do to fight?

"We'll have this handled by lunch." Crash's shout echoed back, and Emily Piggot sat down, smiling approval. The situation couldn't be in better hands than the Brockton Bay Protectorate, and she knew they'd resolve it efficiently as they always did. She trusted them completely.

The master stranger button was an inch from her fingers. Her hand would not move to press it.