The Web of the Weaver: Interlude one

note, because I'm just starting this story, parts are moving fast and I didn't see any reason to keep people waiting. On average each week will have 1-2 chapters, and each chapter will be generally released 4 days later. 

****

Emilie Piggot looked at the teen. Brian Laborn had been offered a wheelchair, but had chosen to walk to her office, with Armsmaster standing by.

“Grue, I’m Director Piggot,” she said. “Multiple minor crimes. Civilian name, Brian Laborn…” Emily tilted her head. “Your social worker was quite surprised to find out your actual career.”

“You outed—“ Brian started to surge up, but Armsmaster tensed, and he sat back, his body trembling.

“Please don’t undo Panacea’s work. It was expensive.”

“You pay her?” Brian raised his eyebrows.

“There are limits on how much time a minor can donate, and her mother feels that those who can pay should pay.” And by now, Panacea’s trust fund is probably bigger than my retirement, even accounting for the insurance she has to pay.

“So what do you want?”

“Mr. Laborn, you have committed crimes, but none that are unforgivable. Technically, the Ruby Dreams Casino would merit several felony charges, but as no law enforcement agent was on the scene and the owners appear reluctant to settle the matter legally, I doubt that will be a concern.”

“Lung wants to kill us himself you mean. Ah…” he glanced over at Armsmaster. “Thanks.”

“It was my duty,” Armsmaster replied.

“As to what I want, none of your crimes make you inadmissible to be a ward.”

“I don’t do well with restrictions.”

“You’ll have them. Here or in the court system, but I can give you something else.”

“What?”

Emily leaned back. “Trigger events often come with great trauma. Statistically, crimes, disasters, and major accidents are some of the most likely sources of trigger events, which means that the PRT has had to make policies to handle Wards who are themselves caring for younger siblings. Policies far more friendly than what the court system has.”

“Aisha.”

“Yes.” Emily let a small smile touch her face. “You should be pleased. After she got over her shock, your social worker advised us that you would be a superior guardian to her birth parents, unless… what was it she said? Oh, right, “Unless you were moonlighting with the Slaughterhouse Nine.””

“And the charges?”

“I could offer an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal,” Emily said. “Again, you’ve committed no truly violent crimes, mostly cases of assault, mostly against other criminals. What it would mean, legally, is that the court would adjourn, take your case off the calender, and six months later, they would be dismissed, unless you gave us cause to revisit the matter. At that time, you’d have turned eighteen and well, would be part of the protectorate.”

“Why?” Brian asked. “That seems like a lot.”

“I can use parahumans, and Armsmaster spoke in your favor.”

Brian looked surprised.

Armsmaster nodded. “Your decision to delay Lung, even if it nearly led to your death, was well considered. You clearly were not foolish enough to think you could beat him, and planned an escape route.”

“Yeah, that didn’t work well.”

“No, but it was clever. I believe you could be a credit to the Protectorate.”

“Well?”

****

Brian didn’t say anything for a few moments. It was clear—go with the Protectorate or lose any chance of getting Aisha away from Mom and Dad. But…

“What about my team?”

“You would be expected to arrest them if you saw them in the commission of a crime,” Director Piggot said. “But if you think I’m going to turn you specifically on them, no. Youth Guard would throw a fit, and to be honest, with the exception of Hellhound—“

“Bitch,” Brian said.

“Pardon me?”

Shit. “That’s the name she took. If you want to piss her off, use the other.” She doesn’t need a rap for killing some mouthy PRT agent, Brian thought. And then there’s Shadowstalker.

She’d tried to murder Brian, but he bet nobody would believe him. And right now, he didn’t have an alternative. There was no way, even if he could somehow vanish from the office, that he could get Aisha’s custody now. But he could with…

“I have some demands,” he said.

“You’re not in a good position for demands, Mr. Laborn.”

“Not for me, for Aisha. Half of her teachers think she’s stupid. She’s not. Mom just was high most of the time when she was pregnant. If you’re gonna bribe me with custody, I want help for her. Teaching help.”

“We can do that.” Director Piggot paused. “Arcadia has a superior special needs program. Perhaps we could enroll her there.”

Put her in Arcadia, in a uniform? Brian wondered if he should warn them. Nope. Let’em find out themselves.

“Okay, I’ll do it. When do we start?”

“After you’ve gone over the contract with the Youth Guard representative.” The woman paused. “You’re still a minor, and given your relationship with your parents, Youth Guard feels you may need legal assistance in asserting your rights. Also, they have put in a request that neither one of your parents be allowed access to any of your funds. Is that acceptable?”

“Hell. Yes.” Brian stared at the woman, and she didn’t flinch. Fuck. I thought I was gonna die or end up in prison. And here I am with a job offer.

“Don’t make me regret this, Mr. Laborn.”

“No, Ma’am.” Help out with Aisha, and I’ll be the best-damned ward you ever saw. Brian was good at making the best of a bad situation. The Bay was full of them. This was just another.