Chapter Text
Kaiser dodged another strike, the white narrowly cracking against his armor, chipping the decorative metal on his shoulder. The one attacking one a man with a whip that he channeled energy cracks through, so it was annoying to deal with. Off to the side Hookwolf jumped and missed again, the rather agile member of this team.
“The SSSSSerpant SSSSociety will claim thissssss asssss our territory!” the leader, Supreme Cobra hissed.
“The Empire will not back down you snake sluts.” Kaiser shouted, having a few blades form and try and skewer the leader upstart villains.
Kaiser was annoyed, these upstarts were closer to an organization with years of organization, but there was nothing! Even having to be placed in debt to the Gesellschaft produced nothing from their network!
The previous losses were annoying. He would need to strike at that team, the one with the violin, or maybe the Roman dressed man. Getting him shipped off to the Gesellschaft and brainwashed would be perfect, Alabaster and him would be unstoppable with their durability.
“SSSSSSSSerpents! Bring up the Rattlesssssssnake!” The leader of the snake capes shouted.
The battle paused, as a technical rolled up, with 4 mounted machineguns on the back, in a harness. Kaiser raised pillars of metal between himself and the technical, as the guns trained on him.
The guns opened fire, the bark of the machine guns that Kaiser expected, was however replaced by a long high pitched whine.
“AH HA HA HA HA HA! YES! Run away you poor imitationsssssss of Villainy! The SsssssSerpaent Sssssssociety shall take over thissssss city!” Supreme Cobra shouted, it was sounding more like a repeating loop of statements.
The vehicle was slammed into by a dumpster. Alabaster came charging in, with cricket sliding across the hood of the truck to kick a serpent solider who was stumbling out.
Kaiser sneered, “Grab that technical! We will be back to reclaim our territory!” Kaiser shouted at his gang’s regular members.
A pair rushed over to the technical, before one climbed in, and the other got on the gun. They drove off as fast as they could, retreating into the Empire’s territory. With Cricket and Alabaster attacking the martial artist, Anna-conda, Kaiser could focus on Supreme Cobra.
Hookwolf had a whip wrapped around a paw, before he howled in pain, as the metal arm broke off, crushed and restricted to the point it just fell off.
“This is just our first step in taking over.” Baron Viper announced as he pulled back his whip.
Kaiser had a spear of metal form next to him. He broke it off and approached the woman.
“You dare sssstand againssssst me?” She hissed.
“I’m cutting your head off and killing this serpent.” Kaiser stated, before he thrust the spear forward.
Supreme Cobra used her staff and deflected the thrust with ease before she brought the bottom up and caught Kaiser’s chin with the strike. As Kaiser stepped back from the hit, he was suddenly kicked, and thrown back by a hit much stronger than he expected from a woman her size.
‘She’s a brute. Perfect, it she wasn’t annoying already.’ Kaiser thought as he made spikes of metal shoot up from the ground. Supreme Cobra lept back, gaining distance, before she drew a pistol and shot at Kaiser, it was, like so many of their weapons, a laser pistol, an ungodly hybrid of a luger and a mouser pistol.
They missed the first shot but the second shot impacted, not doing any damage but having force behind it.
‘I really am starting to hate these laser shooting bastards.’ Kaiser thought to himself, becoming annoyed with how much these people were using laser weaponry.
Hookwolf smeared, the metal arm reforming as he looked at the costumed crazies of the Serpent Society. Their sudden arrival was bothersome and ruined the plans they had for the future of the city. There was a plan for the merchants, a plan for the ABB, a plan for coil, even a plan for the PRT, but the new arrival of these unknowns have thrown off so many of his plans.
“Hookwolf. Maime, but do not kill them all, I need to know where they get their weapons.” Kaiser ordered.
“Happily.” Hookwolf growled as he leapt forward.
Before the mess of blades hook and sharp objects could make contact, Supreme Cobra vanished, along with the other members of the attack.
Kaiser glanced around. Once more, they vanished, just like they had when they first attacked.
“Cowards.” Kaiser spat as he turned and got on the platform Rune set down on.
“Get us to a safehouse.” Kaiser ordered.
Rune provided transport back. That technical would be valuable, 4 laser weapons that they could analyze, it must be toybox in origin, or perhaps a new tinker that they have.
— — — — —
Max Anders returned to his office in Medhall. He sat down at his work computer and opened up his Email.
Most her the ordinary work and “work” which was written in a code that was only clear when you examined the first letter of every sentence. The PRT was transporting Victor, Othala and Stormtiger in a few days, route would be delivered soon.
Max’s eyes then rested upon a very strange Email he had no idea how to really react to. UnionofEvil.Evil.
Opening it, he scanned it quickly.
To: Max Anders and the Board of Medhall
From: Union of Evil Business Outreach Team
Subject: Proposal for Insurance Coverage Partnership
Dear Mr. Anders and Esteemed Members of the Medhall Board,
We hope this correspondence finds you well. The Union of Evil is reaching out to formally propose the inclusion of Medhall among the medical health providers that accept our organization’s insurance policy. It is our firm belief that every member of our organization, often referred to as "goons," is entitled to comprehensive healthcare coverage that ensures their well-being, safety, and that of their families.
While our organization may operate outside conventional structures, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the rights and fair treatment of our members. Providing them with reliable healthcare is a fundamental aspect of this commitment, and we believe that partnering with Medhall would be mutually beneficial. Your institution’s reputation for excellence in medical services aligns with our goal of securing quality care for our workforce.
If our current policy does not align with Medhall’s standards or operational framework, we welcome an open dialogue to negotiate terms that are equitable for both parties. We value efficiency in these discussions and kindly request a prompt response to facilitate a constructive and timely resolution.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to the possibility of working together for the betterment of all involved.
Sincerely,
Union of Evil Business Outreach Team
“You have to be joking.” He whispered as he read the email.
— — — — —
“Seriously, you wrote a character with my name?” Andromeda joked.
“I mean…yeah. Your name is Andromeda Dayton. I just picked the name cause is sounded made up enough, but, like, you even look like her in the broad strokes.” Taylor explained.
“Oh that is creepy.” Mark joked.
“I mean, what are the chances of that even happening?” Andromeda asked.
“No clue. Oh, looks like my dad is calling. I have to stop by and pick up some groceries before I go home.” Andromeda explained.
“Oh, ok. Well, I guess I’ll see you later?” Taylor said.
“I mean,I guess. Maybe we could hang out, if I don’t have to go out and help my dad out, he has a tough time trying to find places when we move.” Andromeda explained.
“Yeah, Brockton Bay is tough to find good places that aren’t in gang territory.” Taylor pointed out.
“Oh…I didn’t even think of that. I guess I need to learn that too. Honestly, we came here cause of my Dad’s work, they aren’t the most accommodating but what he does is what he’s good at.” Andromeda shrugged as she explained why they moved into town.
“Did you hear, there was some fight over by the boat graveyard. Some of the ABB guys said that Purity was hanging over and attacking someone. The Empire was also seen nearby around the same time.” The group overheard.
“Who’s Purity?” Mark asked.
Taylor had to think, she knew a bit about the local capes, mostly in research of for her new story.
“Purity is/was apart of the Empire, flying artillery kind of cape, strong, can fly, dangerous. Some people say she’s independent, other say she’s still with the empire. I really don’t know. But she does radiate light when she’s around.” Taylor answered.
Andromeda paused, looking at Taylor surprised.
“What? Oh, I did take a bit of inspiration from her in the aesthetics of that character you share a name with. Mostly the glowing silhouette thing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I think the way I use it makes more sense. She wants to be a beacon, fine, but I’ve made mine a star.” Taylor smiled.
Andromeda nodded.
“That’s pretty cool.” Andromeda stated.
Mark nodded, before he pointed down the road.
“See you later Taylor.” Andromeda smiled and waved at her.
“Yeah, later.” Taylor smiled, feeling like she had someone who understood and wanted to know her, to be an actual friend.
Taylor nodded her head, maybe she would see what was new on PHO, something happened at the boat graveyard, someone must have heard more details and shared that online.