In front of me, a figure trembled. “I’m gonna…” Claws and teeth grew, and the figure turned into that of a giant, “Murder that bitch!”

I shook my head, “Pretty sure you’d have to break into a maximum security prison for that. Besides, we’re alright.”

“I can’t believe she’d do that though! Or rather, I can totally believe it,” Great Girl sighed, “But I’m gonna be annoyed when she gets a light punishment.”

Midnight added some important information. “We’re currently coordinating with lady Kendrux and the reporter to achieve maximum results. Her reputation will not get away unscathed… and the Brigade will certainly aim for the maximum legal sentence possible.”

“Mmmnrrr…” Great Girl grumbled and growled, but slowly returned to her ‘normal’ size and shape. “Yeah, they’ll try but Shooting Star is very popular.”

“And has several lawsuits pending against her from the Brigade already,” I shrugged. “But this wasn’t a personal matter. This was a direct intrusion into a mission location after being informed.”

“Plus,” Midnight added, “She attacked you. A figure she clearly knows and not just some orc. There’s no excuse for her to say it was too dark with that literally being her whole power, and honestly your outfit stands out way more than the rest of you.”

“... She was way too bright,” I complained, squeezing my eyes shut at just the memory. “That has to be a crime, right?”

“Pretty sure the assault and interference in registered super merc operations are more serious…” Great Girl pointed out.

“I’m glad the captain predicted her arrival,” I shook my head. “If we weren’t all warded…” I frowned. “It wouldn’t have gone well. On the other hand, that fight was worth a lot of experience.”

“Experience isn’t everything,” Great Girl retorted.

My eyes flashed. “That’s-” I stopped myself. “Reasonable, I guess. But I did get a level.”

Turlough (No surname)

Level: 27

Experience: 1940/2030

Storage +4 (3|1)

Firebolt +3

Shocking Grasp +3

Grease +3 (2|1)

Force Armor +7 (6|1)

Mage's Reach +3 (2|1)

Translation +1

Alter Time Flow +5 (4|1)

Disguise

Familiar Bond +4 (3|1)

Enlarge +2

Energy Ward +3 (2|1)

Sonic Lance +2

Scrying +1 (0|1)

Shield +1

Stoneskin +1

Mana Crystal Deposition +2 (0|2)

Water Breathing

Variable Freedom +2

Basic Light Magic +2 (1|1)

Locate Object

Alter Portal +1 (0|1)

Gate

Arcane Sight

Sending +1 (0|1)

Remaining Points: 28

The biggest change was Haste and Slow combining into Alter Time Flow. I could have predicted that combination if I had been thinking about it. It also explained why that Slow was so effective, as it suddenly got a significant boost. Though if I recalled the information correctly, it went from slowing people to two-thirds of their normal speed to somewhere around 58%, maybe 56% if it applied the full 5 mana being spent during the time they combined. That was still another relevant portion of speed cut off, but it went from ‘pretty slow’ to ‘somewhat slower’.

“Hmm… I don’t know what to spend these points on,” I admitted. “I’ve been noticing my lack of area damage options, but I haven’t been able to use them because of collateral damage concerns.”

“Yeah, I get you,” Great Girl nodded. “Fireball and Lightning Bolt are great until you use them inside and set the whole building on fire. Or knock down a wall. Or support pillar…” she shifted her eyes around. “But that usually doesn’t happen.”

“Kendrux did not seem to mind the damage to her warehouse,” I said, “But I still would prefer to not be the one causing it.”

“Yeah, I get ya. Even missing a big swing can result in problems…” she frowned. “But for you… well, I suppose Ice Guy’s got cold covered. Maybe a Chain Lightning? Or Black Tentacles. Are those options?”

“Hmm… Chain Lightning is at the limit of my points and mana cost,” I said. “Level 13… and I don’t think it completely avoids collateral damage. Though it would be quite valuable to have. I could charge up Shockfire…” I shook my head. “But if there’s a large group of people I’m not sure I could restrain it enough to not… fry them all. And I don’t plan to fight SSI frequently.” I’d certainly have to keep that in mind in the future, however. “As for Black Tentacles, that one isn’t that popular.”

“Why?” Great Girl asked. “It’s crowd control and damage!”

“It does seem useful,” I admitted. “I have heard it does not easily discern friend from foe, though I suppose explosions don’t either.” It was only a few levels lower- but that was a difference of four points of mana and being able to upgrade it to increase its efficiency. Though I wouldn’t necessarily want to upgrade it immediately. “I will strongly consider that choice, thank you.”

Great Girl puffed up, standing proud. “I’ve studied all kinds of spells. Uh, since I found out you were a mage. Obviously.” I already knew her secret, but perhaps she was still embarrassed about others knowing she liked ‘nerd stuff’. Or it was just habit. “So what were you guarding anyway? It must have been pretty important if everyone was trying to get it.”

“Maybe,” I shrugged. “But I don’t know. Nobody told me. All I know is its size, mass, and that it wasn’t magic. Or anything, really.”

“Could there have been some lead or something?”

“I felt the whole thing,” I said. “Arcane Sight pierced right through. It was just… normal.”

“Hmm… suspicious. But the higher ups know?”

“They do,” I nodded. “I don’t think they want to tell me though.”

“How boring,” she said. “There must be some way to find out, though.”

-----

Zack Brannigan- and especially the people doing the actual editing- greatly appreciated the many angles available for the security footage. A good number of cameras had been destroyed in all the fighting, but Kendrux wisely had the data stored off-site. So while they lost individual feeds over the course of the night’s battles, they didn’t lose information.

Before Shooting Star showed up, it was just another round of super shenanigans. The Power Brigade would probably care about all that stuff with SSI, but they had their own copy of stuff to work with. The big news was Shooting Star, the hero. Shooting Star using some very non-family friendly words was one thing, but Zack could applaud nothing more than the squad captain’s very clear statements.

“Shooting Star. This is a lawless intrusion upon private property.”

“Nice… try, punks. I saw… an orc…”

Shooting Star wasn’t quite as easy to hear on the mics, but he found the best track and used that one. Some of the footage was washed out- her power was extremely bright- but with the cameras having their own adaptation and some editing Channel 72 would cobble together a reasonable amount of what happened.

Zack was lucky that he arrived when he did, recording from outside- otherwise he wouldn’t have this security footage. He was effectively bribed with it on the condition that they not immediately release the news to give the Power Brigade time to set up their own release and statements. He much preferred keeping a good relation with them, so he was happy to comply. Plus, it was a way better bargain than some others might offer- like not breaking his kneecaps.

Sure, he liked his kneecaps, but it should be assumed that they would remain unbroken. He wasn’t going to release anything on the part with SSI so they’d be safe there. As for Shooting Star… what good were kneecaps if you gave up a big story like this? It would be worth it, despite her rabid and sometimes portal powered fans.

Zack made sure he had every account ready for posting to everywhere on social media- the ones on the official Shooting Star fan pages would of course immediately be banned for sharing the truthful and extremely easy to edit videos, but that was why he made sure he had spares that met the minimum requirements for posting links.

-----

Calculator pressed a button on his phone, dropping his arm to his side. “Looks like our time is up. Technomancy is in place to prevent them from simply erasing everything, though no doubt they’ll try.”

“Who is they?” I asked. “Also why am I here?”

“The Heroes Association. And we absolutely can’t have you at home right now.”

“Pretty sure I can watch videos from home. And I already saw it all.”

He rolled his eyes. “We are invested in not having you killed by fanatics at your apartment.”

“... I guess it would be trouble for Oswin if we fought there,” I conceded. “But they can’t beat me.”

“Confidence is good,” Captain Punch said, “But don't get cocky. You and Familiar there can’t handle everything alone, even if you were in top shape.”

I looked down at my hands. I couldn’t actually see them, but I felt tender and crispy skin mixed together underneath. That was with a bit of accelerated recovery involved, even. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Anyway,” Calculator said. “This involves you and your squad, and on a larger level the Brigade as a whole. You specifically are here so we can keep an eye on you.”

“I’ve never run off after you told me to stay somewhere,” I said, offended.

“Once we convinced you to do something, yes,” Calculator said. While he spoke, his fingers were typing communications on his phone.

“So what was even in that box anyway?” I asked.

“Martian organ replicator,” Captain Punch said.

“You can’t just-” Calculator held his head in his hands.

“What does it do? What is Kendrux going to use it for?”

“It replicates organs. They’ll probably be sold on the black market for transplants.”

“Oh.” I frowned. “Is that… bad? Will they not work?”

“Should be healthy,” the muscular man shrugged. “Assuming the machine is genuine. People will catch on pretty quick if it doesn’t work.”

“So… the problem is they won’t be selling to everyone?”

“Organs are not allowed to be sold anywhere,” Calculator interjected. “But some people want to be moved up the line, thus the options on the black market.”

“But the replicator isn’t illegal, right?” I didn’t actually care if it was, I was just confused.

“It is not,” Calculator said. “But neither is it entirely legal, as unapproved martian technology.”

I frowned. “That’s why it didn’t register as magic or super-tech, I guess? It’s just… functional technology?”

“That’s right,” Calculator replied, clearly more willing to talk now that the cat was out of the bag.

In related news, Midnight was sitting on my shoulder and had his own things to say. “Wait you don’t just have organ replicators here? I assumed they were available.”

“Not many,” Calculator said.

“So this machine doesn’t hurt anyone, right?” Midnight continued. “Since market dynamics will mean more available organs lowers the price, disincentivizing people from getting them… other ways. And more people will be healthy.”

“Pretty much,” Calculator said. “And it could be used internally in Kendrix’s organization. Injuries are… quite common there.”

Ah, that was the official excuse then. Not technically illegal, doesn’t have to be used for illegal purposes. I nodded. “So the Mod Squad and Super Soldiers Inc. probably just wanted it for themselves, right? What about Stargirl? Did she really just stumble across us?” Another question was how the first two knew it would be there, but perhaps Kendrux knew of moles in her organization.

“Unclear,” Calculator said. “Shooting Star won’t say, and it’s not worth putting the pressure to get some proper interrogators in there just to satisfy our curiosity. We’ve got a pretty easy case as long as we don’t mess around. She needs to be an example so people don’t just think heroes can unilaterally attack us.”

“... Great Girl probably made this all harder,” Midnight commented.

“Totally,” Captain Punch said. “Though there’s some leeway for personal grudges and smashing someone’s face in the pavement every once in a while. This one will keep Shooting Star locked up for… what, a year?”

Calculator sighed, “We could have gotten ten to life if she was someone else.” He paused for a moment, “And total views just passed a million.”

“On what?” I tilted my head.

“Combined Power Brigade statements and Zack’s news report. Though truth be told it’s mostly that guy. Thousands of views from dozens of locations adds up quickly.”

“Isn’t that like half the city?” I asked.

Calculator raised an eyebrow, “How many people do you think live in New Bay?”

“Well I mean, I guess it’s actually ten million.”

“Tens of millions,” Calculator corrected. “So it’s not like the whole city instantly saw this. But Shooting Star isn’t just news here, but around the globe.”

“Why?”

“People like attractive superheroines,” he said simply.

“Oh,” I frowned. I guess she technically fit that description.

Then I got a text from Vilhelmiina. It simply said, “Next time try to hit center of mass or maintain contact. For Science!” I had to ponder what that meant for a few moments, then realized she must have meant my staff.

“I’ll try,” I replied. “Also, can you make my goggles flash resistant? My eyes hurt.”

She replied quickly, asking for me to come in immediately- but I couldn’t because I was still on lockdown until they decided to let me out.

So I took a look at the video, finding it did a good job of keeping camera angles and with surprisingly clear audio. I grimaced at Stargirl’s last comment- which was also the opening clip. I didn’t particularly care about being clean- though I usually was- but I couldn’t help being an orc. Maybe I should have kicked her in the face while I had the opportunity.