"I kept my word!" Butcher snarls in my head. "Let me out!"
"And I'm grateful my facial skin or fiddle around in my hair. They say tickling is the body's reaction to unexpected touches, which is why you can't tickle yourself. I perceive the insects as an extension of my body, so I don't feel ticklish.
So here I sit on Bakuda's jeep hood, swinging my legs and drinking beer from a can. Bakuda had a whole case under the back seat. Turns out she likes Guinness, "dark with a velvety taste."
"Fine, let them stay," I allow, dispersing the clone into the air. "Nobody's planning to kill you. Or put you in the Birdcage either. Now you're my subordinate, and I take care of my subordinates. A little trust wouldn't hurt, right?" I tilt my head to the side.
Butcher practically broke Bakuda—push a little more and she'd commit suicide right here and now. Tattletale confirmed she has a killswitch, and that's her only protection. She can't give it to me. Never will. She'd rather die. And I don't need extra deaths right now—there are already four corpses on site. Plus my insects detected Snitch, Uber and Leet's flying drone. I sent insects to block sight lines, but how successful was that?
Well, we'll think about reputation damage later. Right now my main task is neutralizing Bakuda. She's already afraid of me. She was afraid of Lung. Fear is exactly what brought her to this state. She wanted to get rid of it and finally take control of her own life. On the other hand, under Lung she didn't pull stunts like this. Does that mean she'd be more comfortable in a subordinate position and instinctively craves being subordinate? Many questions. I'll have to ask Tattletale.
"Yes," Tattletale says. "That's right. But it's more complicated. Lung... he... you know how the ABB treats women. And yes, that's unacceptable toward gang members, toward family... but there are ways."
"What?" I look at Bakuda with different eyes. She's not fat, not ugly, nothing like that. The mask hides her face, but her body is that of a young woman, twenty to twenty-five at most.
The ABB has adopted many customs from triads and yakuza—they emulate them. There's a clear divide there: you can and should abuse newcomers and juniors, beat them and poke at them with or without reason. Like hazing within the "family." However, no sexual violence whatsoever. Even hints of it are forbidden. Those who've suffered sexual violence, who sell their bodies for money, fall under a completely different category, and it doesn't matter if that person has abilities or not. You're either a family member, a "brother," an "aniki," one of your own guys/girls, or you're merchandise. You don't talk to merchandise. You use and sell merchandise.
Many young women made this mistake, trying to become "one of the guys" in the gang, trying to be liked, only to end up in the ABB's underground brothels.
But they couldn't do that with Bakuda—she's a family member, she's a parahuman, her ability is quite impressive. And at the same time, she's an attractive young Asian woman... Lung found a way around this rule. After all, if there are "relations" between him and Bakuda, if she becomes the boss's official mistress—then everything's hunky-dory. Except... I'm sure it wasn't a voluntary, mutual decision. Lung did it all himself. Yes, no one would dare rape a newcomer in the ABB family. Especially not a newcomer with abilities. No one except Lung.
"You know, I'm the one who killed Lung," I tell Bakuda, who stands before me barefoot on the dirty asphalt. She's handed over all her grenades, explosive devices, knives, grenade launchers, and pistols to Tattletale and now looks like a prisoner of war—in a loose shirt over pants, without belt or boots.
"I know," she says, tilting her head. "I know. You're Poison Ivy."
"What an idiotic name," I sigh. "Should do some rebranding. Lord of the Flies?"
"Absolutely not," Tattletale responds. "You're already a monster—they'll make you out to be Satan. Please, let's stay in legitimate space. Even if you get a reputation as a Vigilante-Rogue, that's better than a Kill Order."
"You're right," I nod. I don't feel immortal. The previous Butcher died, as did the Butcher before him and another before him. They all died. They probably also thought themselves immortal and invulnerable. But no. Butcher is as immortal as Elusive Joe is elusive. It's just that nobody wants to kill Butcher or catch Elusive Joe... too much trouble. Actually killing Butcher is simple enough—first thing that comes to mind is poison, of course. Guided air bomb. Kamikaze drone with explosives. Assassin with power nullifier. And thousands of other ways.
So no, Taylor, you're not immortal and you don't need to get dizzy with success. Keep your nose to the wind and don't try fighting windmills.
"What happens to me now?" Bakuda asks. I look at her. She won't give up her last weapon, her killswitch. That was probably the first thing she implanted in herself as soon as Lung broke her. So it would never happen again. And if choosing between torment, humiliation, and death here and now—she'd rather activate that device right here. Lung broke her, Butcher reminded her of that break just when she thought she'd become free. So I can't go too far with her—she'll activate the bomb. Not just her own, but all the others still scattered around the city. Also can't give her freedom—she'll break away again. So...
"Now you'll be in my gang. Rather, in our friendly collective. Big family and all that," I say. "Welcome to the Hive."
"Also not right," Tattletale says. "The Hive. Maybe the Swarm?"
"Maybe," I agree. "Though Lord of the Flies has a ring to it. Or better yet—MY NAME IS LEGION! Eh?"
"With jokes like that, not only will you have a Kill Order, but so will I," Tattletale sighs. "Lady Bug, my head is splitting into pieces. Plus I want to eat something other than energy drinks and protein bars. And sleep for twenty hours straight. Your new subordinate beat half my body to pulp—I'm one big bruise. Plus the Protectorate will arrive soon—you let the civilians go, and as soon as they get to phones, they'll show civic consciousness."
"Got it," I nod. "Bakuda, you're coming with me. Tattletale—you surely have a safe house in the city, right?"
Strictly speaking, Bakuda was already completely mine—she wouldn't dare open rebellion, but... I wasn't planning to test that theory. Getting back to her lab, among her tools and equipment, able to assemble a new bomb with some exotic properties—she might try. No, she needed some time alone to realize her new position. And I needed to be nearby to control any bad thoughts and impulses.
"Don't have one. No. I only have my apartment and... no! Fine!" Tattletale rolls her eyes. "I understand it's necessary! But I feel sorry for my little apartment—it's nicely renovated and I've grown attached to it... and you'll kill and eat her in the bathroom, then I'll have to move out."
"I'm not going to eat her," I say, seeing Bakuda's eyes widen. "I need her. Why would I kill her? She's already under my control. If she goes against me, insects will devour her from the inside. And... as a mutual gesture, I can say that with her power, sooner or later she'll find a way to implant a bomb somewhere near me. Or in me. Now that's a real relationship—mutual destruction. That I understand. I think I'll let you implant your bomb in me," I turn to Bakuda. "That would be fair."
"But..." she blinks in confusion.
"Look—it's not in your interest to kill me, you'd die yourself. I wasn't planning to kill you anyway—and now there's such a guarantee! If you die, I die too. Beginning of a beautiful friendship! Talk about being able to say—best friends till death! Or no, like this—till death do us part! Right?! Awesome! Always dreamed of something like that. Plus it's a social experiment..."
"You're insane," Tattletale shakes her head. "You're completely fucked in the head. Bakuda, blow up your bomb right now. She won't stop until she makes everyone around her the same way. This is indoctrination."
"Are you serious?" Bakuda ignores Tattletale. "Like, really serious?"
"Of course," I shrug. "It's a wonderful idea. Instead of spending tons of time trying to establish relationships and earn trust—we're instantly friends for life. Though it might turn out to be short."
"You..." Bakuda finally comes to her senses. "I don't know. I've seen crazy people, but you're on a completely different level. Wait! You're Butcher! You don't care about explosions! You won't die, you'll be reborn, and I'll die! That's a dirty trick."
"Listen, I can't do anything about that now," I spread my hands. "I didn't ask for this. Butcher crashed into me himself. But don't worry, I control him. Sort of... let him out for walks sometimes. And you'd better not meet him. I..."
"Clever move," Tattletale squints. "Don't throw me in that briar patch, huh? Bakuda, now you'll never plan to blow up the Swarm because you'll doubt yourself. Plus now you'll trust her more."
"Aren't you giving away all my secrets, Tattletale?" Bakuda squints back, mirroring Tattletale's gesture. "Whose side are you playing for?"
"Oh. Knowing about this, you'll doubt even more," Tattletale smirks, getting on her favorite hobby horse—sowing discord and irritation among enemies and allies alike. She basically didn't care who she annoyed and needled. Don't feed her bread, just let her demonstrate her intellectual superiority and poke others with a stick. Look, see how you're all idiots, only I'm smart.
"Take a cookie from the jar," I interrupt Tattletale before she can take another shot at Bakuda. "You're the smartest in the class, we get it. Bakuda, get in the car. Tattletale—back seat. Otherwise..."
"Too late," Tattletale says cheerfully, raising her head and looking up. "Should've been earlier."
"Sometimes she just pisses me off..." the recovered Bakuda mutters under her breath.
"Only sometimes? She pisses me off all the time," I reply, following Tattletale's gaze as Glory Girl descends before us in all her... glory.
For a split second I feel admiration for her sharp, perfect facial features, slightly upturned nose, eyes wide as if in surprise, the way she looks at us with pursed lips expressing displeasure. Thoughts flash through my head about how I want to be humiliated and trampled by Glory Girl, lie at her feet and beg for just a glance...
Before I can be surprised by my thoughts, fear suddenly grips me. Glory Girl no longer seems like the embodiment of beauty and desirability—she's like Leviathan, towering over us, sinister red light flashing in her eyes, her fingers clenching into fists, and all I can do is run! Or surrender! Fall to my knees and beg...
"Are you stupid?! That's her fucking aura, you dumb bitch!" Butcher screams inside me. "Want to fuck her—then fuck her! But don't you dare bow your head to her, that's shameful! Butcher is always on top, you stupid creature!"
"Tch!" I seem to throw off a heavy burden from my back. I straighten up and look Glory Girl directly in the eyes. The impact of her aura is underestimated—Glory Girl is practically a Master. Plus she's invulnerable and strong. One punch from her fist would be enough to turn Taylor into bloody pulp. Correction—would have been enough. Now I'm not just Taylor. And not just Swarm. I'm also Butcher Fifteen. So in hand-to-hand combat... we'll see.
From somewhere inside comes the desire to give Glory Girl a good punch in her pretty face. That's probably Taylor—she doesn't like pretty blondes. Beautiful, self-confident cheerleader types. Easy, Tay-Tay, I tell myself, just because you were bullied at school and don't have such golden hair and a great figure doesn't mean we'll hate all pretty blondes. Take Tattletale, for example—I have a normal relationship with her, even though she's such a thorn in my skinny ass.
"Stop! You're all under arrest!" Glory Girl shouts and radiates... glory. Rather, her aura. But it no longer affects me. Tattletale looks at her with extreme skepticism, not worried in the slightest, and Bakuda... now that's a surprise. Bakuda is hiding behind my back from Glory Girl!
Well, I think, here are the fruits of my labors. She already perceives me as "one of her own," and moreover, as "the elder who will protect." Half the job done. And in general, I did good today—saved everyone with only four corpses. Which the insects already ate. And there was nothing, see. What's that saying—what evidence do you have? The hands are right here...
I summon all my insects and dozens of clones rise around us. There's no one on the street except me, Tattletale, and Bakuda, but even if this performance is for just one spectator, can't relax. My task is to distract her attention and evacuate Tattletale and Bakuda away from trouble.
Something flashes in my head, something seems to prompt me to move my head aside, step back and to the side, put out my hands—like this and... carry the inertia of the strike to completion, driving Glory Girl's head into the asphalt!
"You little—!" Glory Girl jumps to her feet, her hairstyle not even mussed despite there now being a decent hole in the asphalt. Damn municipal services can't even do road surfaces properly.
"Tattletale, take Bakuda and go to... where we agreed," I say. "I think I'll stick around. Have a chat with Glory Girl."
"Swarm, I'm begging you—don't kill her. That'll be bad for PR. Besides, she's cute," Tattletale calls out, dragging Bakuda by the hand toward the car. Glory Girl starts to move in that direction, but I block her path.
"Since when do you care about that?" I say casually, just to keep the conversation going, to show Glory Girl I have everything under control. She's a stubborn girl, but maybe I can talk to her. After all, I convinced Bakuda! Ah... yes. Not me. Butcher.
"I don't care," Tattletale responds cheerfully, getting behind the wheel. "But you like that type."