Chapter 228 : Salt and water

Zalcien, while far from the biggest or richest city in the ACS, had plenty of Heroes. It was a misconception that only big cities had a large Super population - yes, statistically you were likelier to run into a Cored person in an urban area than in the countryside, but that was merely a side effect of having more people there in general. In truth, the real difference in the Super population between major cities of different importance wasn't in the quantity, but the quality. Much like there'd be petty thieves everywhere, so would you find the small-time Villains to match when given greater powers - and, in turn, so would you need equivalent Heroes.

That was to say, not every Hero was a major name or famous. Some were so overlooked that people sometimes mistook them for civilians in costumes. Thankfully, in a world where every wannabe Villain with rat powers could go out in the street with a cheap costume on to try and wreak terror, the population had adapted to take every self-proclaimed Super in spandex or equally ridiculous outfits seriously, no matter how goofy or dubious their might was. This did mean they could take some threats too seriously when frankly they could be beaten by a non-Cored with a broom, but better to be safe than sorry.

Why this great tangent? To explain that, in the eyes of many, Firefighter was one such minor Hero. Oh, he was important and known enough for people to never doubt his status, but in the eyes of those looking up to the great like Miss Malice and Serpent, the hydrokinesist who usually only fought fires wasn't as great. Still, the Heroes of Zalcien themselves knew better. He wasn't the oldest of them, but he was one of those who'd been on duty the longest - nowhere near as long as other veterans like Arachnanny, but still enough to be remarkable. And his associates knew better than to underestimate him, too. Just because he didn't have that fighting drive, that natural instinct to go out there and punch bad guys many of them did have, didn't mean he wasn't a menace in a scrap. Taking out a fire was harder than it looked, and it required a precise combination of power and control.

As such, Firefighter was seen by the more experienced Heroes as being on par with Mecha Man and the lot, simply lacking the spotlight they shared. And it was no secret he was happier that way. And, as someone deemed a major figure in the Zalcien Union, he had access to things that not all Heroes had. And at the moment, he was making use of one such privilege to occupy a small private room with one of the computers connected to the Union's more complete system and database.

Focused as he was on the screen and the many, many tabs and windows he had open simultaneously, he was still a veteran Hero and was more than aware of another figure slipping into the room. She wasn't really trying to sneak in, he knew that, this innate discretion was merely the result of a life training for dangerous situations and stealth on the field.

Firefighter only turned his helmeted head to look back at her out of respect. He was very familiar with his particular tall, tan, sixty-year-old woman covered in scars. Her legendary pale blue corsair outfit and the crystals embedded in the right side of her face were very hard to miss or forget, after all. Not to mention, she was technically his boss.

"Saline."

"Firefighter. I heard you were using your free time here. I got curious."

The man scoffed, almost offended by her excuse, even if he knew this was just out of habit. Secrecy was one of the biggest parts of her job, even if her identity wasn't one such secret.

"I'm not one of the kids, Saline. Don't need to lie to me."

"Very well. I monitored your activity lately. You've been looking into Silhouette a lot. Perhaps too much. Serpent told me about you finally reading that nemesis pamphlet."

Arms crossed behind her back, she leaned down to watch his screen over his shoulder, studying his latest research.

"I won't mince my words, Firefighter. That man has nothing on him to justify that sort of procedure, public or not. I checked myself when I saw your interest in him."

"Saline. You know I wouldn't be like this if there wasn't something."

"Something. That is the core of the issue. Not even you know what you're looking for. I thought you were opposed to gut feelings?"

"One guy, it's a gut feeling. Multiple people thinking there's something off about someone? It's a trend at that point. Mecha noticed something wrong with Silhouette, too, when we met him when he dropped the Nightsnatcher."

"Mecha Man isn't exactly the greatest judge of character, Firefighter. And do you really think I wouldn't have an investigation into the mysterious newcomer who slayed a difficult problem we couldn't handle after creating something that could have been a minor disaster?"

"The pillar of darkness incident. Is he getting fined for that?"

"No. Fines and the legal system are the domain of the police, though the mayor has kindly reminded them that punishing what in the people's eyes is a folk hero so soon would be seen as petty revenge and would be unpopular. And, to add water to the fire, there is also the fact that this occurred in the slums, a lawless zone, and it was a matter of life or death. In summary, something worth a stern talking to at worst."

"Hmph. Yet more reasons I didn't vote for the guy."

"Don't try to get out of this conversation with a grumpy complaint. I told you, I investigated Silhouette too. I won't say there's nothing, but his activities in the slums and the Sunken City are in a legally grey area. In other words, nothing he can be charged with. And going by what we learned from the local, he's doing more good more harm down there. Better have someone like him, who follows the city's laws and we can have some influence over, be in charge of these troublesome areas instead of gangs and Villains, wouldn't you agree?"

"So, you support his Vigilante work, then. Didn't take you for the sort."

"I said no such thing. He's still under surveillance, and if he tries anything in Zalcien, I will send our best as a message. But between the two of us, the slums and the Sunken City are free-for-alls we cannot affect in meaningful ways. As I said, having a citizen be the one putting some order back in there gives us a lot more leeway, and all without costing us a thing."

"So, robber baron over drug dealers and monsters."

"Yes. Precisely. Besides, the man does have a knack for charity work and fair wages. In my personal opinion, I would rather deal with his Shades Of Penumbra than Xenocorp any day. I wish I could wring Marley's neck myself, I have no such feeling about your beloathed shadow man. Have you considered that he may simply have an innate aura? We both know the Fair Folk can have this sort of natural glamour that is off-putting and distressing for those who can resist its charm."

He didn't bother to answer. The two stayed silent for a long moment, even as Firefighter continued to look into articles, reports, and police files. Looking for anything to justify his innate hostility to Zalcien's latest businessman. When Saline failed to leave, he paused to sigh.

"Saline. You know my history. You know the person who raised me. I'm not some newbie who doesn't know how to handle weirder or stronger Cored. Silhouette? He gives off the same kind of feeling as she does. This isn't just a fear aura or a prey reacting to a predator. This is the kind of feeling you get when storms are approaching. Your senses can't figure out what it is, but their combined data tells your brain that something bad is coming."

She paused for a moment, tilting her head as she considered his words. Her fingers drummed on the desk, and the light from the computer hit the crystals stuck in her head in just the right way for them to light up somewhat. 

"That is a great accusation, Doug. She isn't merely another Villain at large. She's a myth. Something beyond what most of Zalcien is ready for. If you truly think Silhouette is in the same league as a woman like her, then what we need isn't you becoming his nemesis, it's to officially ask for reinforcements."

"Yeah. I know. And maybe you and my niece are right, and this is just me being a scared old man. But if my instincts are accurate? This could be a big deal. You really think they'd send someone?"

"As I told you, I did my research. I have a little dossier going, freely shared with the headquarters. I specified that I recognized a pattern in Silhouette's actions. That while he has never shown any interest in becoming a Vigilante or Villain or engaging in related acts, at least outside of literal, legally gray areas, he reminded me of one of the city's past headaches."

Firefighter sighed, his shoulders slumping.

"You too, uh?"

"This isn't exactly hard to spot, Doug. A powerful, charismatic man, rallying the weak and discarded under his name. At least he is more interested in business than social revolution, like that man used to be. Still, the zealotry in their followers is similar enough that it'd be foolish to disregard the pattern. But I think it's still far too early and presumptuous to compare our local businessman with a flair for theatrics with two major Villains that would have the city on lockdown if they appeared."

He scoffed in response.

"She isn't likely to come here. We don't have a big enough orphan population for that. It wouldn't be interesting. And the other one has been missing for so long, he's either dead or stuck elsewhere. Maybe both, if we're lucky."

"We rarely are."

"We sure are. So, going to ask for that new Hero?"

"Maybe a few. I think Mecha Man has been growing too big for his britches, and Miss Malice isn't far behind. It would do them some good to have a few more names in the big star roster. Remind them they're just big fish in a small pond, in the end. Besides, I'm sure Serpent would appreciate having new people he can spare with on equal footing. He's grown tired of her spells and Mecha's machines. At this point, the Legions are just a formality to make sure he stays sharp."

"Hm. Any idea of what you're going to ask for, then?"

"If they do send someone, it'll be whoever is available and non-vital. I can only mention positions that would be beneficial to fill, like a digger. I can't even suggest anyone specific."

"Still. Surely you have preferences. Plans. Like that digger. Thinking of cleaning the Sunken City?"

"Doctor Bones does a decent job keeping the peace, but it won't last forever. She has presumably done advances in her research, and when she's done, she'll likely leave, taking her mercenary army back with her. In other words, the place will lose its moderators, and it will explode into chaos, chaos that will then make its way back up here. I know the major groups all have territories they'll keep under control, and Silhouette is supposedly expanding to cover the still wild areas, but that's still too high a risk."

"So, we're acting when she leaves?"

"We'll coordinate with her. Or, more accurately, her troops. They're still mercenaries, at the end of the day. When their contracts with her end, they'll be looking for another job. We'll pay them for the duration of the clean-up. We'll focus fire on the medium groups, large enough to cause problems but too small to have powerhouses to keep them safe."

"Silhouette?"

"Like I said, he's a civilian. From what I heard, he even collaborated with Doctor Bones. The Union would be better off allying with him, contracting him and his people as an additional security team. So, you can't start your one-sided feud, at least not until we're done with that. To go back to your original question, I've been considering getting a light Hero. Someone to help repair the damage to their reputation that Shining Shogun did. That, and they'd serve as a good mentor for one of the trainees in our latest batch."

Firefighter couldn't hold back an amused snort.

"Bribing me by helping my niece? How despicable of you. And I'm sure the fact that light tends to be effective against shadow powers is merely a coincidence."

"I told you, Doug. I don't plan to go after an innocent civilian. But it'd be stupid to ignore his potential downfall to villainy. It's the same reason there are contingency plans for each of us."

"Even you?"

"The Legions have it registered. It's out of my control, and no one could hack it out of them before they'd self-destruct. No one is above taking a wrong turn in life. Not even us."

"One last remark on my suspicions, I take it?"

"I'd rather see it as a friendly piece of advice between friends."

She turned to leave, taking a few steps before stopping.

"By the way. Your niece changed her alias. She goes by Dawnbringer now. Arachnanny sent me the pictures of her suit. It looks quite dashing. You're right to be proud of her."

Though he was thankful to have a helmet, Firefighter wasn't dupe. He knew she could guess the smile he couldn't keep off his face.