"I'm still having somets," Danny says, scratching the back of his head. "You're... uh... What did you call yourself? Administrator? And you're going to attend school? No, no, I'm all for it, I'd like to feel like the father of a normal girl for a bit longer instead of a warlord who controls half the city, but still... is it safe?"
"Dad! You're not worried about my safety right now, are you?" I say, poking at my and eggs with a fork. "I can take care of myself anywhere. You're worried about Winslow, aren't you?"
"You're right, of course, why worry about them," he replies, pushing his empty plate away. In the Hebert house, if something was put on your plate – you'd better finish it. Don't finish – you don't leave the table. He gets up, puts the plate in the sink, wipes his hands with a towel, walks to the window and looks outside, pulling back the curtain.
"I just can't get used to them," he complains. "Is this really necessary?"
"Necessary," I nod. "Just don't pay attention to them. Pretend you're on a reality show and they're like camera operators nearby. Ignore them and you'll get used to it."
"You young people are used to everything. I never appeared on reality shows. Besides... how am I supposed to work? Will they follow me around and look over my shoulder?"
"Dad. We talked about this," I roll my eyes. "You need security. Coil tells me there were two attempts just yesterday, in other timelines. To quickly change situations, you need at least two teams of professionals in fast, powerful, armored vehicles nearby. Fire support group, defense group, evacuation group. And that's the minimum, the guys insisted on six full groups, but I cut them down. And by the way – you can go to work in that armored sedan, it would make me feel better." I didn't mention that Coil's mercenaries, or now – my mercenaries had already firmly established themselves in the house across the street, renting it, as well as in the house on the other side of our fence, where we had to buy both the house and the land. By today a full panic room would be equipped in the basement, an armored room with communication systems, completely autonomous from the outside world, even with oxygen supply, and of course – food, water and other things. The attempts on my father were most likely from the Empire, at least that's what Coil said, I just needed confirmation from Lisa and then go restore order in the neat ranks of the Eighty-Eights. As the First says – instill the fear of God in the souls and hearts of the poor bastards. Of course, this was in another reality, but these people dared to attack my father! At the mere thought of this, something starts boiling in my chest. I was thinking of clearing the districts of dealers, but...
"What will the guys at work say when I arrive at work like this, like the Queen of England..." he grumbles. "They'll tease me to death."
"Dad! You're almost fifty years old, and you're worried about being teased at work?!" I shake my head, simultaneously tracking all movements within a two-block radius. I feel absolutely wonderful, I got enough sleep, I had breakfast, my insects are well-fed and full of energy, last night the "SuperStingers" finally hatched, the result of selective breeding and hybrid reproduction, these aren't just Japanese hornets anymore, no. These are hellish creatures, almost unkillable by hand and with increased neurotoxin concentration in each sting. Also, my ants found natural caverns in the soil deep under the house, thank God not filled with water, or my ant base would be threatened by flooding. But no, these are something like karst caves, about fifty meters down, where ants usually don't build or dig their tunnels, I ordered them to dig purely out of curiosity. Now scouts are spreading through the caves, and I'm planning to organize a passage sufficient to get access there not just with insects. I have many plans, but today first thing I'll go to school. Because... because I can. And Tattletale said that my school attendance would characterize me positively before the PRT, like what a smart girl, she even goes to school. How many gray hairs Piggot got at the thought of me going to school – I don't know and don't want to know. Honestly, I didn't think they'd have the guts to open the school and not tell me anything. I mean – they should have come to me and said "Miss Hebert, due to... uh... circumstances and... the specifics of your status... maybe you won't attend school? We can give you a diploma right away if you want." But no – nobody came and said anything. Tattletale thinks they're calling my bluff... well if they're calling my bluff, let them know that I won't be the first to back down. Taylor Hebert – diligent student. And anyway, Heberts never ran from anyone. And we won't now.
"You know what, Dad," I say. "If any of the guys tease you – tell me. I'll talk to them. Or their parents. Their children. I don't know who I need to talk to there. Oh! Or tell them – 'teasing isn't cool. Being friends is cool.' And offer to be friends with you."
"I think that Lisa is a bad influence on you," Danny smiles. "You weren't such a smartass before."
"Ha. Look who's talking. I had to blush for you in front of her! He always liked blondes! You're my dad!"
"Well... I really did like blondes," he shrugs. "Listen, can't we really just get by with a couple of your guys in a regular car?"
"No. Security issues should never be ignored. Better safe than sorry," I raise my fork. "Uncle Coil says so. And he's a seasoned sparrow, managed to survive."
"Survive? He's one of yours, in the 'Administration,'" father frowns, he's still worried about me. "What happened to him?"
"Me," I answer, putting my fork on the table and wiping my mouth with a napkin. "I happened to him. Almost happened. The slippery son of a bitch turned out to be more useful alive than dead. And Lisa so wanted to shit in his skull..."
"Feisty girl," he nods and immediately catches himself. "Taylor! What kind of language!"
"Sorry, Dad. But really – you're under protection and that's not up for discussion. And anyway, you could not work at all, we have enough money now. Yes, I know you won't abandon your guys, but we discussed the plan. I'd like you to head the process. I even have a place for you, as company director."
"I can't abandon my own," he says. "And your project has people to implement it. I'll just use my connections in this new 'Administration' and lobby for all work to go through the dockworkers' union. I have contacts there... even several."
"You're shamelessly using family connections," I chuckle. "But the 'Administration' will do as you want. You know you can just say... I have a feeling these guys won't be able to refuse you anything."
"Well now. That's our Italian blood speaking. We stick together and help our own. Two Italians – already a mafia. But Irish on the contrary – repel each other. Two Irishmen – already a fight," he smirks.
"Racial stereotypes, Dad. Okay, I'm off to school, Lisa came to pick me up," I say, getting up from the table. "And please think about moving, okay? No armored dungeons, I promise. A house outside the city, an estate that's convenient to guard, let's look this weekend..."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm sleeping," he sighs. "Now my daughter is offering me to move to an estate. You grew up completely unnoticed, Taylor, seems like just yesterday you were so small..."
"Alright, alright, I'm going," I kiss father on the cheek. "And if Kurt and the guys tease you, tell them I'll get angry."
"Well... I'd rather not say that, someone's heart might not take it. Who in this city, being of sound mind, would want to anger you," he grins. "Go on already... Administrator of Brockton Bay."
"Bye!" I stick my feet into new sneakers, throw my backpack over my shoulder and fly out the door. I close it behind me and skip toward the black armored beast of a Rolls-Royce, where a driver is already standing, opening the door for me. All that's missing is a red carpet. And I would have grumbled that the neighbors gawked at this whole spectacle... except we didn't have neighbors anymore. All neighboring houses were either empty or rented by the "Administration" for the needs of the "people's militia." So even if Danny doesn't want to move, in the very near future there won't be a difference whether he lives in an estate or stays here – my guys will have a security perimeter... and then we can put up a checkpoint at the entrance.
"Hi!" Lisa sits in the cabin, she's in a white office suit from some Italian designer, custom-made. She looks stunning, and she knows it. I kiss her cheek and hug her.
"Taylor!" she says, pulling away from me. "You look... hmm... acceptable. Black hoodie again? Ripped jeans? Oh, Taylor, Taylor... I need to teach you and teach you. People judge by appearance. Though... okay. Let it be a contrast. Between your sinister essence and grim appearance... hmm. Though there's no contrast here. None at all."
"You're mean, Lisa," I say. "By the way, I'm a warlord. A warlord can afford to look however they want, they'll be loved anyway. Or feared. We warlords don't really understand all these emotions, if they fear – they love. If they don't fear – scare them and then love. That's how I did with you. First scared, then loved. See – it works."
"Simple philosophy you have, Tay-Tay," she nods. "Simple and uncomplicated. Like yourself. But seriously, let me dress you, okay? And do makeup. And... style your hair, you have such wealth on your head, and you wear it in a mop or pull it into a ponytail. Sacrilege."
"Come on," I wave my hand. "Let them accept me as I am. After all, I'm a personality and individuality. Let them love me as I am. Or not love me, I don't care. I'm not a twenty-dollar bill to please everyone. And besides, it's enough if they just stay away and don't meddle in my affairs. I wonder, did they learn their lesson?"
"Well, you'll have an excellent opportunity to check that personally," she smiles. "The school administration definitely knows who you are. So today you'll experience the rare and incomparable pleasure of those who used to snort at you and growl – competing to see who can stick their tongue deeper up your ass."
"You have a foul tongue, Lisa. Someday I'll wash it for you. With soap," I say.
"As I recall, you weren't complaining about my tongue last night..." Lisa puts her finger to her chin. "What did you tell me then? Completely slipped my mind... it was so late and dark..."
"Lisa!"
"Oh! How I remember..." she makes a languid expression and rolls her eyes, changing her voice to a moan. "Oh, yes! Don't stop, Lisa! Yes, more! More! And... cough-cough! Where did these flies come from?!"
"You have a foul tongue," I say, watching with satisfaction as she spits out the fly that flew into her mouth and wipes her lips with a white handkerchief.
"Ptah. cough... disgusting. Stop doing that. I'm not a frog to eat flies!" she declares, putting away the handkerchief with the spat-out fly. "What kind of jokes with your power..."
"The less you tease me – the fewer flies you'll eat. Better tell me what's with the attempts on my dad. That worries me. And we can't leave such things unanswered."
"Coil's right. It's the Empire. But most likely not on Kaiser's orders, but freelancing. Most likely it's Hookwolf and Rune. I'm betting on Hookwolf. Keep in mind, your insects are useless against him, when he transforms there's no body left. So your poisons are useless, even botulinum toxin. Acids and grenades too. Possibly Bakuda's bombs – they have completely exotic effects. With Bakuda you drew a trump card... we'll need to work with her more and you'll have a weapon of Apocalypse in your hands. I recommend her product twenty-three, nasty stuff," Lisa says and actually shudders.
"What about before transformation? He's still human? He has a normal body?"
"Yes," she nods, taking out a small bottle of breath freshener. "He's an ordinary human, just stronger and faster. But his transformation unlike Lung's is instantaneous. He won't ramp up. And most likely, when he's in altered form – his normal body's metabolism completely stops. He doesn't breathe, has no heart or lungs... and that means..."
"That even if I sting him with neurotoxin – he'll manage to turn into a mass of blades and hooks and cause havoc. How long can he stay in that state?"
"As long as he wants. And... the year before last two ABB thugs attacked him from ambush, shot at his head, missed, shot through his right ear... and when he tore them apart and turned back into human – the ear was fine."
"Returns to original form then. And probably no neurotoxin left in the blood. Hmm. Clear." I drum on the armrest and look out the window at the passing cityscape.
"Tell me, how am I supposed to kiss later if a fly was in my mouth?" Lisa wonders, spraying freshener and opening a pack of menthol chewing gum. "That's a scandal. I must be flawless."
"Who are you planning to kiss?"
"Ah... we've arrived. There." I look out the window and see we really have arrived. The massive Rolls-Royce Phantom knows how to stop so that neither passenger nor driver can say exactly when this complete stop occurred. They say Rolls-Royce drivers are specially trained in this art. As well as the ability to teleport to the passenger door and open it almost as soon as you're ready to exit.
"We're not finished, Lisa." I exit the door, taking the driver's hand, who looks like he's from a picture – tall, stately and in some strict uniform with a cap on his head. The arrival of such a luxurious car at the school gates has already attracted everyone's attention, all eyes stopped on me. Probably the old Taylor would have felt awkward. But not me at all. Let them look. Status will save me a lot of nerves, and them – their own lives. I turn back to the car, wanting to say goodbye to Lisa and tell her we need to meet at the base after school, but she's already fluttered out of the car after me.
"I think you asked who I was planning to kiss here?" she purrs and throws her arms over my shoulders. "I'm worried about you, dear. So your breath at school won't smell like flies... but like mint and strawberries."
"What..." I don't manage to say and her warm lips are suddenly very close, and her breath really does smell like strawberries and mint. Soft lips, the slick and smooth surface of her tongue, which intertwines and penetrates right into my mouth, as if conquering it... my heart stops, skipping a beat and I involuntarily embrace her slender waist, losing myself in the magic of the moment...
"There, all done," she finally says, pulling away from me. "Enough. Go on, diligent student. What a bad example you're setting for your classmates."
"You did that on purpose!" I say, applying willpower to remove my hands from her waist. "On purpose!"
"Of course on purpose. I had to mark you so everyone in this snake pit knows you're mine," Tattletale purrs. "I'll pick you up after school. Be a good girl and hide the bodies so they won't be found later." She pushes me in the chest. "I'm going. I still need to piss off Coil today and intimidate Bakuda, I have plenty to do..."