Leet grumbled as he steered the van into Winslow High's parking lot, narrowly avoiding a motorcycle that sped past.

  "Crazy women drivers!" he shouted, shaking his fist at the retreating figure. "Did you see that? She nearly took us out!"

  Uber, sitting in the passenger seat, raised his hands placatingly. "Easy there, man. We've got bigger things to worry about right now. You sure about this plan?"

  Leet's annoyance faded, replaced by excitement as he parked the van. "Trust me, it's gonna be epic! Using Squealer's tech she copied from Stepford for a real-life dating sim? The viewers will go nuts!"

  Uber frowned, looking uncertain. "I don't know... a high school? That could land us in some serious hot water. Maybe we should've stuck with the college idea."

  "No way," Leet argued as they exited the van. "High school is a staple of the genre! Besides, we're not actually going to do anything to the students. It's all for show."

  They made their way towards a side entrance, Leet lugging a duffel bag of equipment. Uber still looked hesitant.

  "Look," Leet continued, "if it makes you feel better, I'll find a hot teacher for the 'surprise' winner at the end. No students involved."

  Uber sighed. "Fine. But if things go south, I'm blaming you."

  They slipped into the school unnoticed, Leet consulting a crude map he'd drawn. "AV room should be this way. That's where the PA system is."

  As they approached the room, Uber examined the lock. "Pretty high-end for a school. Want me to handle it?"

  Leet grinned. "Show me your skills, lockpick master."

  With deft movements, Uber had the door open in seconds. They entered, Leet making a beeline for the PA equipment.

  "Jackpot!" he exclaimed, examining the system. "Stepford's tech is integrated, just like I thought. This'll make things way easier."

  He pulled out some tools and began tinkering. Uber kept watch at the door.

  "Alright," Leet said after a few minutes. "This'll be more brute force than Stepford's usual subtlety, but it should work fine for our purposes." He handed Uber a pair of earplugs. "These'll keep us immune. Ready?"

  Before Uber could respond, two girls appeared in the doorway - one with long red hair, the other darker-skinned with an athletic build.

  "Hey!" the redhead exclaimed. "What are you doing in here?"

  Leet's eyes widened, then he grinned. "You're about to be famous, ladies." He flipped a switch on his device.

  A low hum emanated from the PA speakers throughout the school. Uber watched in fascination as the two girls' eyes glazed over, their postures becoming unnaturally still.

  Leet whistled, openly ogling the redhead. "Check out the assets on this one! She's perfect for the stream."

  Uber frowned. "Dude, we said no students."

  "Come on," Leet argued, "she's gotta be older - probably a teacher's assistant or something. And sporty girl here isn't bad looking either."

  The hum from the PA system was almost hypnotic, a soft vibration that seemed to resonate in the very walls of Winslow High. The students and faculty remaining in the building moved like sleepwalkers, their actions not their own. Leet watched with a twisted sense of glee as each person they encountered fell under the sway of his modified Stepford tech.

  "Everyone, proceed to the cafeteria," he announced over the intercom, his voice layered with subliminal commands. "Enjoy the special event we have planned for you."

  The trance-like procession began, a sea of faces devoid of expression, all heading towards the promised gathering. Leet turned to Uber, a smug grin plastered across his face.

  "You see? Piece of cake. Now, let's set the stage for our little production."

  Uber shook his head, still uneasy with the situation. "We need to be quick. If the PRT or Protectorate gets wind of this—"

  "Relax," Leet interrupted, waving away Uber's concerns. "They're all busy with the Empire and Merchants brawl. That's why we picked tonight. We've got plenty of time."

  They made their way to the cafeteria, where the entranced crowd had already gathered. Leet's eyes gleamed as he surveyed the scene, a director choosing his cast.

  "Alright," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Let's pick our leading ladies."

  Emma's fiery hair made her an obvious choice. "She'll be the bitchy teacher's assistant," Leet decided. "Feisty, confident, and ultimately, the 'winner' of our little dating sim."

  Sophia, with her athletic physique, was next. "The quiet sporty girl," Leet mused. "Shy, but with a hidden, feminine side just waiting to be unlocked."

  Madison, with her cute look, was cast as the anime-loving nerd. "She's got that hentai fetish vibe," Leet chuckled. "The fans will eat it up."

  Charlotte, with her regal bearing, was perfect for the role of the bitchy head cheerleader. "She'll be the one everyone loves to hate," Leet said with a grin.

  Leet scanned the room for potential male leads, his gaze landing on Greg. "Him. He's got that 'jock' energy. We'll make him the 'bully' character."

  Uber watched as Leet handed out scripts to their chosen cast. The students accepted the papers mechanically, their eyes flickering with the faintest glimmer of awareness as they read their assigned lines.

  The recording began, with Leet directing each scene with the fervor of a seasoned filmmaker. The 'cast' performed their roles, their delivery stilted and robotic, but passable for the purposes of the stream.

  Leet adjusted his collar and cleared his throat dramatically. "Action!"

  "Oh sensei," Emma droned mechanically, "I've always admired how you handle the difficult students."

  Leet twirled an imaginary mustache. "Why yes, my dear teaching assistant! Your dedication to education is... most impressive." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  Moving on to Sophia, Leet affected a concerned expression. "My dear student, why do you spend so much time in the gym instead of pursuing more... feminine interests?"

  "I am afraid to show my true self," Sophia recited flatly, her vacant eyes staring straight ahead.

  Charlotte's scene had Leet playing the stern authority figure. "Your cheerleading squad's behavior is unacceptable!"

  "Whatever," Charlotte monotoned, "You're just jealous of our popularity."

  When Madison's turn came, Leet was in full anime protagonist mode. "Fear not, sweet maiden! I shall protect you from that brute!"

  Greg stomped forward woodenly. "Hey nerd, stop talking to my girl!"

  "Uber!" Leet hissed. "Tell him to do the fake punch like we practiced!"

  "Hit him," Uber called out distractedly, not looking up from his phone.

  Greg's fist connected solidly with Leet's jaw, sending him sprawling.

  "Motherfu—" Leet clutched his face, glaring at his friend. "I said FAKE punch!"

  Through his watering eyes, he could have sworn he saw the corners of Madison's and Greg's mouths twitch upward, despite their blank expressions.

  "This isn't funny!" he whined, rubbing his jaw. "That's gonna leave a mark!"

  Despite a few setbacks, Leet's excitement grew with each passing minute. "This is going to be epic!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the nearly empty cafeteria. "The viewers won't know what hit 'em!"

  Uber, despite his reservations, found himself getting caught up in the momentum of the production. He had to admit, Leet had a knack for this kind of thing.

  As they moved through the scenes, Uber kept a watchful eye on the time. "We've got to wrap this up soon," he warned. "We can't risk staying here any longer than necessary."

  Leet nodded, his attention focused on capturing the perfect shot. "Just a few more scenes," he promised. "We'll edit it down later. Trust me, it'll be worth it."

  They hurried through the remaining footage, Leet capturing each scene with a practiced eye. The students performed their roles without question, their actions guided by the subtle commands woven into their scripts.

  Finally, with the last scene captured, Leet called a wrap. "That's a wrap, people!" he shouted triumphantly. "You were all amazing!"

  In the frenzy of wrapping up the impromptu filming session, Leet clapped his hands loudly to grab everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, we need to help load the equipment back into the van! Quick and efficient, people!"

  Uber, feeling the urgency of their situation, began to herd the mind-controlled students towards the duffel bags and various pieces of tech they had brought in. As the students began to move in unison, their faces still blank, Uber noticed a small, blinking light on the snitch—a floating camera that captured the entire debacle from above.

  Curious, Uber waved a hand in front of the camera, watching as the light flickered with each pass. "Hey, Leet, take a look at this," Uber called out, his voice tinged with concern.

  Leet jogged over, his face flushed with excitement from the evening's events. He took one look at the snitch and the color drained from his face. "No, no, no," he muttered, snatching the camera out of the air and tapping furiously at its side. "This can't be right."

  Uber's heart sank as he watched Leet's panic grow. "What's the matter?"

  Leet turned the snitch around to show Uber the digital readout on its side. Instead of the delay they had programmed—over an hour, giving them ample time to escape before anyone could trace the broadcast—the delay was only an hour, meaning they had been live for over ten minutes.

  "We've been streaming this whole time!" Leet hissed, his eyes wide with fear. "The PRT, the Protectorate, they could be on their way here right now!"

  The gravity of their situation hit Uber like a ton of bricks. "We need to get out of here, now!"

  Leet's hands shook as he fumbled with the van's keys, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Come on, come on," he muttered, finally managing to start the engine.

  Uber glanced nervously out the window, scanning for any sign of approaching heroes. "We need to move, now!"

  The van lurched forward as Leet stomped on the gas pedal, tires screeching against the pavement. They peeled out of Winslow's parking lot just as a red blur appeared in the rearview mirror.

  "Holy shit, is that Velocity?" Uber exclaimed, his voice tight with panic.

  Leet didn't bother to look back, focusing instead on putting as much distance between them and the school as possible. "Doesn't matter who it is, we just need to get the hell out of here!"

  As they sped through Brockton Bay's streets, weaving through traffic with reckless abandon, both villains held their breath, expecting sirens or costumed heroes to appear at any moment. But after several tense minutes, it became clear that they weren't being pursued.

  Uber let out a shaky laugh. "I think we actually made it, man."

  Leet's grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly as he allowed himself to relax. "That was way too close. But damn, did you see how well that tech worked? It was like having an entire cast of NPCs at our disposal!"

  "Yeah, yeah, it was impressive," Uber admitted grudgingly. "But let's not do anything that risky again for a while, okay? I think I aged ten years back there."

  As the initial panic faded, the two began to joke about their narrow escape, the tension bleeding out of the van's cab.

  "Did you see the look on that redhead's face when we first walked in?" Leet chuckled. "I thought she was gonna try to take us both on herself!"

  Uber snorted. "Please, like either of those girls could've done anything to stop us. Though I gotta admit, that athletic one looked like she could throw a mean punch."

  Uber and Leet screeched into their hideout's garage, hearts still pounding from their narrow escape. As the van came to a stop, Leet let out a whoop of triumph.

  "We did it! We actually pulled it off!" he exclaimed, high-fiving Uber.

  Uber grinned, shaking his head. "I can't believe we got away with that. Though I'm pretty sure we're going to be in deep trouble once the footage gets out."

  "Ah, who cares?" Leet waved dismissively. "It'll be worth it for the views. Now come on, help me unload this stuff."

  The two villains hopped out of the van, still buzzing with adrenaline. Uber made his way to the back doors, yanking them open.

  His eyes widened in shock. "Uh, Leet?"

  "Yeah?" Leet called, rummaging through the front seat.

  Uber slammed the doors shut. "Why do we have two girls in the back of the van?"

  Leet froze. "What are you talking about? We don't have any girls in the van."

  "Well, there's definitely two of them back there," Uber insisted.

  Leet marched over, muttering under his breath. "That's impossible. We didn't bring anyone with us."

  He flung open the doors, only to be confronted with the sight of Emma and Sophia sitting calmly in the back. His jaw dropped.

  "What the hell?" he yelped, slamming the doors shut again. He whirled on Uber, panic evident in his voice. "Why do we have girls in the back of the van?"

  Uber threw up his hands in exasperation. "That's literally what I just asked you!"

  "Well, we shouldn't!" Leet ran his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth. "Oh man, oh man, this is bad. This is really bad."

  Uber took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Okay, let's think about this rationally. How did they even get in there?"

  Leet's eyes widened in realization. "The equipment loading! I told everyone to help load up. They must have climbed in with the gear!"

  "Great," Uber groaned. "So now we've got two mind-controlled high school girls in our secret lair. Fan-fucking-tastic."

  Leet cautiously opened the doors again, wincing as he looked inside. "Fuck me,—"

  He cut off abruptly as Emma began to unbutton her blouse. Sophia followed suit, her movements robotic.

  Leet yelped, hastily backpedaling. "No, no, no! Stop that right now! Keep your clothes on!"

  The girls paused, hands frozen mid-motion.

  Uber pinched the bridge of his nose. "We are in so much trouble."

  Leet slammed the doors shut once more, leaning against them as if to hold them closed. "Okay, okay, we can fix this. All we need to do is tell them to go home, right? I'll just use the device, give them a command to walk away. Easy peasy!"

  "And then what?" Uber demanded. "They'll know where our hideout is. We can't risk that."

  "Well, what else are we supposed to do?" Leet threw up his hands. "I can't move my lab! Do you have any idea how much equipment I've got in there?"

  Uber paced back and forth, mind racing. "Maybe we could... I don't know, blindfold them and drop them off somewhere?"

  "Oh yeah, that'll look great," Leet scoffed. "'Local villains seen abandoning blindfolded teenagers.' We'd be better off turning ourselves in."

  The two fell into frustrated silence, the weight of their predicament settling over them.

  "You know," Uber said slowly, "this is kind of your fault."

  Leet's head snapped up. "What? How is this my fault?"

  "You're the one who insisted on using a high school," Uber pointed out. "And you're the one who gave the order to load up the van."

  "Well, you're the one who went along with it!" Leet shot back. "Some 'voice of reason' you turned out to be."

  Uber and Leet exchanged nervous glances as they led Emma and Sophia into their hideout. The girls moved mechanically, their expressions blank as they followed the villains' commands.

  "This way," Uber directed, gesturing towards a small room off the main area. "We'll keep them in here for now."

  Leet nodded, still looking shaken. "Yeah, good idea. Out of sight, out of mind, right?"

  As they settled the girls onto a worn couch, Leet couldn't help but comment, "You know, at least they're hot. Could be worse, right?"

  Uber shot him a withering glare. "Shut up, man. This is serious."

  "I know, I know," Leet held up his hands defensively. "I'm just trying to find a silver lining here."

  Uber paced the room, running his hands through his hair. "We need to figure out how to fix this, and fast. The longer they're here, the more trouble we're in."

  Leet's eyes lit up. "Oh! I think I can whip up something to suppress their memories. Give me an hour or two in the lab, and I'll have them forgetting this whole night ever happened."

  "That's great," Uber replied sarcastically. "Then everyone will think we raped the girls and mind-wiped them to forget about it. Brilliant plan."

  Leet deflated. "Well, what do you want me to do then? I'm trying to help here!"

  Uber opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, a deafening crash echoed through the hideout. Both villains whirled around to see their reinforced door lying in shattered pieces on the floor.

  Through the newly created opening strode a young man in an impeccable suit and domino mask. His presence commanded attention, and even Uber and Leet found themselves momentarily stunned into silence.

  "Gentlemen," the newcomer spoke, his voice calm but laced with authority. "I believe my dear has some words for you."

  He extended his hand towards the doorway, and a woman stepped delicately over the wreckage. She was the picture of 1950s elegance, from her perfectly coiffed blonde hair to her immaculate house dress and pearls.

  Miss Stepford smiled sweetly at Uber and Leet, though her eyes held a dangerous glint. "My, my," she cooed, her voice dripping with exaggerated politeness. "What uncouth behavior you boys have been displaying this evening. Didn't your mothers teach you any manners?"

  Leet gulped audibly. "Uh, we can explain—"

  "Hush now, dear," Miss Stepford interrupted, holding up a gloved hand. "It's impolite to speak out of turn. Now, let's discuss your rather distasteful little production, shall we?"

  Uber and Leet exchanged panicked looks as Miss Stepford advanced into the room, her smile never wavering. The Chairman followed close behind, his presence a silent threat.

  "You see," Miss Stepford continued, her tone conversational but with an undercurrent of steel, "in polite society, we don't go around hijacking other people's hard work for our own amusement. It's simply not done."

  She tsked, shaking her head in disappointment. "And to think, you even brought these poor dears back to your... what shall we call this place? A bachelor pad?" She wrinkled her nose delicately. "How unseemly."

  Uber found his voice, though it came out as more of a squeak. "We didn't mean to bring them here. It was an accident!"

  "An accident?" Miss Stepford's eyebrows rose in mock surprise. "My, how clumsy of you. Perhaps you need some lessons in proper etiquette and responsibility."

  The Chairman stepped forward, his expression grave. "I believe what my dear is trying to say, gentlemen, is that you've made a grievous error in judgment. One that we cannot allow to go uncorrected."

  Leet's eyes darted between Miss Stepford and the Chairman, his face pale. "What... what are you planing to do to us?"

  Miss Stepford's smile widened, taking on a predatory edge. "Why, we're going to teach you how to be proper gentlemen, of course. After all, every young man needs guidance to find his place in society."

  Uber groaned. "Leet, Remember when I 'Even we know better than to mess with schools.' This is why."

  A few minutes earlier, Medhall's security office buzzed with activity. The attack on the Merchants had been a resounding success, but this new development with Uber and Leet threatened to overshadow their victory. Kaiser stood at the head of his desk, his face a mask of controlled anger as he addressed his lieutenants.

  "Victor, what do we have on these two?" Kaiser demanded, his voice sharp.

  Victor's fingers flew across his laptop keyboard, pulling up files and hacking into traffic camera feeds. "Uber and Leet, sir. Small-time villains, mostly known for their video game-themed crimes and online streaming presence. They've managed to stay under the radar due to the relatively harmless nature of their activities, but this... this is a significant escalation."

  Kaiser's eyes narrowed as he processed the information. "And their current location?"

  "Based on the traffic camera footage and their known patterns, I believe I've pinpointed their hideout," Victor replied, turning the laptop to show a map with a blinking red dot. "An abandoned warehouse in the Docks, not far from where they were last seen fleeing Winslow."

  Taylor stood off to the side, her entire body tense with barely contained fury. Her usually immaculate appearance was slightly disheveled, a testament to her agitated state. "Those... hooligans," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "How dare they interfere with my work at Winslow? And to abduct students? It's unconscionable!"

  Max nodded, his expression grim. "Indeed, Miss Stepford. This cannot go unanswered." He turned to Hookwolf, who had been leaning against the wall, a predatory grin on his face. "Brad, I want you to deal with these upstarts. Show them why the Empire is not to be trifled with."

  Hookwolf cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. "With pleasure, boss. I'll turn those jokers into mincemeat."

  "No," Theo's voice cut through the room, firm and authoritative.

  All eyes turned to the young man, surprise evident on their faces. Kaiser raised an eyebrow, studying his son carefully. "No?" he repeated, his tone neutral but carrying an undercurrent of challenge.

  Theo met his father's gaze unflinchingly. "This isn't just about punishing Uber and Leet, father. It's about sending a message."

  Kaiser's expression remained impassive, but there was a glimmer of interest in his eyes. "Go on," he prompted.

  Theo straightened, his posture confident as he addressed the room. "Everyone knows that Winslow is Miss Stepford's territory. This attack wasn't just against the school or its students; it was a direct challenge to her authority and, by extension, the Empire's."

  He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "If we send Hookwolf, it'll be seen as just another cape fight. Brutal, yes, but expected. What we need is to make an example of why you don't touch what belongs to Miss Stepford, especially when it's not related to any criminal enterprises."

  Kaiser nodded slowly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "And what do you propose, son?"

  Theo's eyes flickered to Taylor, who had been watching him intently throughout his speech. "Miss Stepford and I will deal with this personally."

  Hookwolf scoffed, pushing off the wall. "Kid, I know you've been training hard, but these are still parahumans we're talking about. Jokes or not, they're dangerous."

  "Brad's right," Victor chimed in, concern evident in his voice. "It's risky to send you two alone, especially given your... civilian status, Theo."

  Theo's lips quirked into a small, confident smile. "Miss Stepford's… collaboration with Panacea has been fruitful as you have seen with the attack on the merchants. I, likewise, am not helpless."

  Kaiser studied his son for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Very well. You and Miss Stepford will handle this situation. But," he added, his voice hardening, "Hookwolf and some of his men will be going as backup. If thing are too much then you will call them in. Is that understood?"

  "Crystal clear, sir," Theo replied with a sharp nod.

  Taylor stepped forward, her earlier fury now tempered into cold determination. "Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Anders. We won't let you down."

  As Theo and Taylor turned to leave, Kaiser called out, "Theo." When his son looked back, he continued, "I'm proud of you, son. Show them what it means to cross the Empire."

  A flicker of emotion passed across Theo's face before he schooled his features back into a mask of determination. With a final nod to his father, he and Taylor exited the office.

  In the hallway, Taylor allowed herself a small smile. "That was well-handled, dear. Your father seemed quite impressed."

  Theo's shoulders relaxed slightly as they walked briskly towards the elevator. "Let's hope our performance with Uber and Leet is equally impressive. We can't afford to fail."

  "Oh, we won't," Taylor assured him, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Those boys are about to learn some very important lessons in manners and respect."

  The warehouse echoed with the sound of rapid footsteps as Uber and Leet scrambled towards their hastily assembled defenses. Leet's fingers flew over a control panel, activating a series of energy barriers that crackled to life between them and their pursuers.

  "Dude, I thought you said this would be easy!" Uber hissed, his eyes darting nervously between the approaching figures and the various gadgets strewn about their hideout.

  Leet's face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead. "It should have been! I mean, come on, it's just some Tinker chick and her boyfriend. How was I supposed to know they'd track us down so fast?"

  In stark contrast to the villains' frantic movements, Miss Stepford and the Chairman advanced at a leisurely pace. Their calm demeanor only served to heighten the tension in the air.

  "My, my," Miss Stepford tutted, her voice dripping with condescension. "What a mess you boys have made. Didn't your mothers ever teach you to clean up after yourselves?"

  The Chairman's lips quirked in amusement. "I don't think housekeeping is high on their list of priorities, dear."

  Leet's eyes widened as he spotted the device he'd cobbled together from Squealer's ripped off tech – a crude but powerful mind control amplifier. He lunged for it, nearly tripping over a tangle of wires in his haste.

  "Ha!" he crowed, cranking the dial to its maximum setting. "Let's see how you like a taste of your own medicine, Miss Prissy Pants!"

  A high-pitched whine filled the air as the device powered up. Leet's triumphant grin faltered as Miss Stepford merely raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

  "Oh, you poor, misguided boy," she laughed, the sound light and mocking. "Did you really think I wouldn't have countermeasures for my own work? I'm insulted that you'd think me so careless."

  Leet's face fell, his grip on the device slackening. "But... but it worked on the others..."

  The two girls, Emma and Sophia, already affected by Leet's previous manipulation, started to grimace and shudder. While the amplified apparatus failed to impact its chosen victims, it nevertheless produced results - though the consequences played out unseen, separated by multiple chambers from the brewing confrontation.

  Uber, seeing his partner's plan fail, decided to take matters into his own hands. He snatched up a pair of oversized boxing gloves, their design clearly inspired by the classic Punch-Out video game series.

  "Alright, pretty boy," Uber growled, raising his fists as he faced off against the Chairman. "Let's see how you handle someone with real skills."

  The Chairman's posture shifted subtly, his body language exuding quiet confidence. "By all means, show me what you've got." He change his stance into a simple but well practiced basic boxer's.

  Uber's fists blurred as he unleashed a flurry of punches, each one executed with the precision and power of a champion boxer. The tech in his gloves hummed, enhancing the force behind each blow.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  To Uber's shock, the Chairman barely seemed fazed. He weathered the onslaught, taking the powered blows on his guard with barely a grunt, his feet hardly moving as he absorbed punch after punch.

  "Is that all?" the Chairman asked, his tone mild. "I was expecting more from someone of your... reputation."

  Frustration and a hint of fear flashed across Uber's face. He redoubled his efforts, throwing his entire body into a devastating haymaker.

  The Chairman chose that moment to act. With speed that belied his solid frame, he stepped inside Uber's guard and wrapped him in a bear hug. Uber's eyes bulged as the air was squeezed from his lungs, the pressure on his ribs intensifying with each passing second.

  Desperate to break free, Uber tapped into his power, instantly gaining the knowledge and muscle memory of an expert grappler. He attempted to shift his weight, planning to use leverage to break the hold and possibly throw his opponent.

  That's when Uber realized something was very, very wrong.

  Despite the Chairman being noticeably smaller and more compact than himself, Uber found he couldn't budge the other man an inch. It was like trying to lift a statue made of solid steel.

  "Having some trouble?" the Chairman asked, his voice barely strained despite the exertion.

  From her position observing the fight, Miss Stepford let out an appreciative "Ooh!" Her eyes raked over the Chairman's form, taking in the way his muscles bulged beneath his costume. "My, don't you look magnificent, darling. All that hard work is certainly paying off."

  The Chairman's cheeks colored slightly at the praise. "Thank you, dear. I couldn't have done it without your... enhancements."

  Uber's eyes widened at this exchange, his mind racing. Enhancements? What kind of Tinker tech was he dealing with here?

  Before he could ponder further, Leet sprang into action. He'd retrieved another of his inventions – a wicked-looking knife that crackled with electricity, a copy of Solid Snake's taser knife.

  "Hang on, man!" Leet shouted, lunging forward and driving the electrified blade into the Chairman's side.

  The Chairman grunted in pain, his grip on Uber loosening just enough for the villain to squirm free. However, any sense of victory Leet might have felt was short-lived.

  With an inhuman reaction speed, the Chairman's arm shot out. His open hand connected with Leet's chest in a vicious backhand that sent the scrawny Tinker flying across the room. Leet slammed into the wall with a sickening thud, sliding to the floor in a dazed heap.

  "Leet!" Uber cried out, staggering back and clutching his ribs. He was pretty sure at least a couple were cracked, if not outright broken.

  Miss Stepford clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Now look what you've made us do. And here I was hoping we could resolve this without too much unpleasantness."

  The Chairman rolled his shoulder, the spot where Leet had stabbed him already showing signs of rapid healing. "I don't think these two understand the concept of an easy surrender, my dear."

  Uber's mind raced, trying to formulate a plan. His eyes darted around the warehouse, cataloging potential weapons and escape routes. But with Leet down and his own injuries hampering him, their options were severely limited.

  "Listen," Uber said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "This was all just a big misunderstanding. We didn't mean any harm, honest. How about we call it a draw and go our separate ways?"

  Miss Stepford's laughter was like tinkling glass, beautiful yet somehow unsettling. "Oh, you poor, deluded boy. Did you really think you could waltz into my territory, mess with my work, and just... walk away?"

  The Chairman cracked his knuckles, the sound unnaturally loud in the tense silence. "I'm afraid it's far too late for that. You've made your bed, gentlemen. Now it's time to lie in it."

  Leet struggled to his feet, wincing as pain shot through his body. Despite the beating he'd taken, a fire burned in his eyes as he faced Miss Stepford.

  "You think you're so high and mighty, don't you?" he spat, his voice hoarse but defiant. "Acting like you're some paragon of virtue while you mess with people's minds!"

  Miss Stepford's serene expression didn't waver. "I fail to see how your actions today give you any moral high ground, Mr. Leet."

  Leet let out a bitter laugh. "At least we didn't hurt anyone! Yeah, we pulled a stupid prank, but it was harmless fun. You? You've been screwing with those kids' heads for who knows how long!"

  The Chairman tensed, ready to intervene, but Miss Stepford placed a gentle hand on his arm. She fixed Leet with a steady gaze, her voice calm and measured.

  "And what, pray tell, gives you the right to judge my actions?" she asked. "You, who preys on the vulnerable for your little 'shows'? Who endangers lives for the sake of entertainment?"

  Leet's face flushed with anger. "Don't try to deflect! We're talking about you here. What gives you the right to decide what goes in people's heads? To change who they are?"

  For a brief moment, something flickered in Miss Stepford's eyes. A hint of uncertainty, perhaps? But it was gone so quickly, Leet wasn't sure he'd seen it at all.

  "I would never subject someone to something I wasn't willing to undergo myself," Miss Stepford stated firmly.

  Leet's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Are you saying... you've used your tech on yourself?"

  Miss Stepford's smile was serene, almost beatific. "Of course. How could I ask others to trust in my work if I didn't have faith in it myself?"

  A chill ran down Leet's spine as the implications of her words sank in. He exchanged a horrified glance with Uber, who looked equally unsettled.

  "You... you brainwashed yourself?" Uber asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  "Such an ugly word," Miss Stepford tsked. "I prefer to think of it as... optimization. Removing unnecessary doubts and distractions."

  Leet felt his stomach churn. "That's insane! You can't just... erase parts of yourself like that!"

  "Can't I?" Miss Stepford challenged. "Tell me, Mr. Leet, have you never wished you could silence that nagging voice of self-doubt? To be free from the fears and insecurities that hold you back?"

  Leet opened his mouth to argue, then closed it again. He couldn't deny that the idea held a certain appeal, as terrifying as it was.

  "But... but that's not right," he stammered. "Our doubts, our fears... they're part of what makes us human!"

  Miss Stepford's laugh was light and musical. "Oh, you poor, misguided soul. Do you really think humanity's greatest achievements came from wallowing in self-doubt? No, they came from those who had the courage to push past their limitations."

  The Chairman nodded in agreement. "We're working towards something greater than ourselves," he added. "A better future for everyone."

  Leet shook his head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to be settling over his thoughts. "But... but what about free will? You can't just decide what's best for everyone!"

  "Can't I?" Miss Stepford asked, her voice taking on a harder edge. "Look around you, Mr. Leet. Look at the state of this city – of the world! Do you really think the current system is working?"

  Uber, who had been silent for a while, spoke up. "Even if you have good intentions, you can't just force people to change. It's... it's not right."

  Miss Stepford's eyes softened slightly as she regarded the two villains. "I understand your concerns. Truly, I do. But sometimes, for the greater good, difficult choices must be made."

  Leet felt a surge of anger cut through his fear. "That's bullshit! You're just using fancy words to justify mind control!"

  "Language, dear," Miss Stepford chided gently. "And I'm not justifying anything. I'm simply stating facts. The world is broken, and conventional methods have failed to fix it. Sometimes, a more... direct approach is necessary."

  The Chairman stepped forward, his presence looming over the two defeated villains. "You've seen firsthand the improvements at Winslow. The reduced violence, the increased academic performance. Can you honestly say that hasn't been a positive change?"

  Leet wanted to argue, but he found himself hesitating. He'd heard rumors about Winslow's transformation, and he couldn't deny that the changes seemed beneficial on the surface.

  Miss Stepford's voice took on a gentler tone as she addressed Uber and Leet, her posture relaxing slightly. "I understand your concerns, truly I do. But I think you're misunderstanding the nature of my work."

  She smoothed her apron, a gesture that seemed almost motherly. "Unlike your... rather crude attempt today, I don't force people to do things against their will. My approach is far more subtle and, dare I say, beneficial."

  Leet scoffed, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Oh yeah? How do you figure that?"

  Miss Stepford smiled patiently. "Think of it as... enhancing the better angels of our nature. I simply prioritize certain societal expectations, helping things work together more seamlessly. It's not about control, but optimization."

  Uber frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. "But you're still messing with people's heads. How is that not forcing them?"

  "Because I don't override their core personalities or desires," Miss Stepford explained. "I merely provide an extra... nudge, if you will. Like having an additional angel on one's shoulder, gently encouraging them towards more positive behaviors."

  The Chairman nodded in agreement. "It's about helping people become the best versions of themselves. Removing the obstacles that hold them back from reaching their full potential."

  Leet shook his head, though his resolve seemed to be wavering. "But what about individuality? Doesn't this just make everyone the same?"

  Miss Stepford's laugh was light and musical. "Oh, not at all! In fact, it often helps people explore aspects of themselves they might have been too afraid to embrace before."

  She took a step closer to the two villains, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "For instance, if you were to partake in my services, I can assure you that your love of video games would remain intact. It might even be enhanced."

  Uber's eyes widened slightly at this. "Enhanced? How?"

  "Well," Miss Stepford mused, "imagine being able to focus more intently on your gaming, free from distractions or self-doubt. Or having the confidence to pursue game development yourselves, turning your passion into something truly remarkable."

  Leet couldn't help but look intrigued, despite his best efforts to remain skeptical. "That... does sound kind of cool," he admitted reluctantly.

  Miss Stepford beamed at him. "Exactly! And it's not just about personal hobbies. My work has helped people in all aspects of their lives."

  She paused for a moment, as if considering whether to share something personal. "Let me tell you about a friend of mine. She used to be so concerned with maintaining a certain image that she denied herself the chance to explore her true interests."

  Uber and Leet exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

  "What happened to her?" Uber asked.

  Miss Stepford's smile grew fond. "After some gentle encouragement, she found the courage to embrace her nerdy side. Now, she's happily engaged, pursuing her interests without shame, and surrounded by a supportive group of friends who appreciate her for who she truly is."

  Uber scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I gotta admit, that does sound pretty nice. But... I don't know. It still feels like cheating somehow."

  "Is it cheating to wear glasses if you have poor eyesight?" Miss Stepford countered gently. "Or to take medication for a chemical imbalance in your brain? My work simply helps people overcome the mental and emotional hurdles that hold them back."

  Leet shifted uncomfortably, his resolve wavering. "I mean... when you put it that way, it does sound pretty reasonable."

  "Yeah," Uber agreed, running a hand through his hair. "And our show could use some improvement. The views have been dropping lately..."

  Miss Stepford's smile widened. "I could help with that. Imagine having the confidence to truly embrace your performances, to connect with your audience in ways you never thought possible."

  Miss Stepford's smile took on a sharper edge. "Let's be honest with ourselves, shall we? Your reputation in the Bay isn't exactly stellar. Most people see you as jokes, barely worth mentioning except as cautionary tales."

  Uber and Leet winced simultaneously, the truth of her words hitting home.

  "And really, can you blame them?" she continued, her voice taking on a disappointed maternal tone. "That deplorable Grand Theft Auto episode with those poor women? Attempting to recreate a scene promoting violence against sex workers?"

  Leet's face flushed red with shame while Uber looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

  "That was... we weren't thinking clearly," Uber mumbled.

  "Clearly not," Miss Stepford agreed. "But you know what's interesting? The gaming world isn't the boys' club it used to be. Why, nearly half of all gamers these days are women."

  Both villains perked up slightly at this information.

  "In fact," she continued, adjusting her pearl necklace with a knowing smile, "I could easily introduce you to some lovely young ladies who share your passion for gaming. Girls who understand the appeal of roleplay and performance."

  Leet's eyes widened. "Really?"

  "Oh yes. And you know what I've found?" Miss Stepford leaned in conspiratorially. "Having a stable family life tends to focus one's passions, channel them into more... constructive outlets. Just imagine - wives who not only understand your interests but actively participate in them."

  The two villains exchanged glances, clearly intrigued by the possibility.

  Leet took a half-step forward, then stopped. His eyes narrowed as something occurred to him. "Wait a minute. If your tech is so great, why did you use it on yourself? Shouldn't you have been confident enough in your own judgment?"

  "Yeah," Uber chimed in, his earlier suspicion returning. "And if it's all about 'gentle encouragement,' why do we keep hearing about people at Winslow suddenly becoming totally different?"

  Miss Stepford's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes. "Change is a natural part of growth-"

  "No," Leet cut her off, backing away. "This is messed up. You're trying to justify brainwashing by making it sound nice, but it's still brainwashing."

  Uber nodded firmly. "We might not be heroes, but at least we're honest about what we do. This whole 'optimization' thing? It's just pretty words covering up something seriously wrong."

  The Chairman's posture shifted, tension returning to his frame. "I was afraid you might see it that way."

  "Yeah, well," Leet said, reaching slowly for another device on his belt, "maybe you should have used more of that mind control on yourself. Might have made you more convincing."

  Leet looked around the room, searching for their last hope of escape. His gaze locked onto the makeshift teleporter he'd cobbled together for just such an emergency. It wasn't pretty, and he was only about 70% sure it wouldn't turn them inside out, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

  "Uber!" he shouted, stumbling towards the device. "The bug-out teleporter! It's in the next room!"

  Uber, still nursing his bruised ribs, nodded grimly. He started to follow his partner, only to be blindsided by a blur of red hair and righteous fury.

  Emma Barnes, newly freed from Leet's mind control and absolutely livid, tackled Uber with the force of a runaway freight train. Her momentum carried them both to the ground, Uber's breath leaving him in a painful whoosh.

  "You creepy, perverted losers!" Emma shrieked, her fists raining down on Uber's face and chest. "How dare you try to use us for your sick little games!"

  Uber, his power kicking in to grant him expert grappling skills, attempted to use Emma's momentum against her. He shifted his weight, preparing to execute a textbook judo throw that should have sent the slender girl flying.

  Instead, Uber found himself straining against what felt like a solid wall of muscle. Emma barely budged, her enhanced frame far denser than her appearance suggested.

  "What the hell, her too!?" Uber grunted, eyes wide with shock.

  Emma's lips curled into a feral grin. "Surprise, asshole. I'm not some damsel in distress for you to push around."

  Leet, seeing his partner pinned down by the enraged redhead, hesitated at the teleporter's controls. "Uber! Come on, man! We gotta go!"

  Uber thrashed beneath Emma's grip, desperation clear in his voice. "I can't! Just go! Get out of here!"

  With one last anguished look at his friend, Leet slammed his hand down on the teleporter's activation switch. There was a crackling sound, a brief flash of light, and then Leet vanished.

  Miss Stepford tutted softly, shaking her head at the display. "My, my. Such a ruckus. Emma, dear, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, this really isn't very ladylike behavior."

  Emma, not pausing in her assault on the hapless Uber, shot back, "Screw being ladylike! These jerks tried to turn us into their personal harem or something!"

  The Chairman chuckled, his arm draped casually around Miss Stepford's waist. "I think we can make an exception this once, don't you agree, darling? After all, Emma has been so eager to show off the results of your enhancements."

  Miss Stepford sighed dramatically, but there was a glimmer of pride in her eyes as she watched Emma thoroughly thrash the villain. "I suppose you're right. Still, I do hope she remembers her manners once this is all over."

  Her gaze drifted to Emma's outfit, and she clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Though speaking of ladylike behavior, I really must have a word with her about that dress. Far too revealing for a young lady of her standing."

  The Chairman raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing at his lips. "I don't recall you complaining about revealing outfits when we're alone, my dear."

  Miss Stepford's cheeks colored slightly, and she swatted his arm playfully. "Hush, you. That's entirely different, and you know it."

  Their banter was interrupted by a particularly pained yelp from Uber. Emma had just driven her knee into his solar plexus, leaving the villain gasping for air.

  "My word," the Chairman commented, wincing slightly in sympathy. "She certainly isn't pulling her punches, is she?"

  Emma, oblivious to their commentary, continued her assault. Her fists, now moving with the precision and power of a trained boxer, pummeled Uber's face and body. The villain's attempts to defend himself grew increasingly feeble as the beating wore on.

  "This is for trying to brainwash us!" Emma snarled, landing a vicious right hook that snapped Uber's head to the side. "And this is for ogling me like some piece of meat!"

  A left jab to the ribs elicited a pained groan from Uber. Emma followed it up with a devastating uppercut that lifted the villain partially off the ground.

  "And this," she growled, grabbing Uber by the collar and pulling him close, "is for thinking you could get away with it!"

  With that, Emma headbutted Uber squarely in the nose. There was a sickening crunch, and Uber's eyes rolled back in his head as he finally lost consciousness.

  Emma stood, breathing heavily, her knuckles bloody and her hair wild. She turned to face Miss Stepford and the Chairman, a fierce pride shining in her eyes.

  "How's that for showing off my enhancements?" she asked, a touch of defiance in her voice.

  Miss Stepford clapped politely, though her expression remained somewhat disapproving. "Very impressive, dear. Though I do wish you'd found a less... violent way to demonstrate your newfound abilities."

  The Chairman, on the other hand, was grinning broadly. "Excellent work, Emma. You've certainly proven the effectiveness of Miss Stepford's enhancements."

  Miss Stepford shot him a look. "Don't encourage her too much, darling. We don't want her getting ideas about vigilantism or some such nonsense."

  Emma rolled her eyes, but there was no real annoyance behind it. "Relax, Taylor. I'm not about to go out looking for fights. But you have to admit, it felt good to put these jerks in their place."

  "Speaking of jerks," the Chairman interjected, his expression growing more serious. "We still have the matter of Leet's escape to deal with."

  Miss Stepford nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. "Yes, that is rather concerning. Who knows what kind of mischief he might get up to, especially now that he's had a taste of my technology."

  The Chairman began to pace, his hands clasped behind his back. "We'll need to track him down quickly. Even if his understanding of your work is limited, we can't risk him reverse-engineering any of it."

  Miss Stepford's eyes widened as the realization struck her. "Oh dear," she murmured, her gaze darting around the room. "If Emma's no longer under control, then Sophia..."

  The Chairman caught on immediately, his posture tensing. "Sophia? Sophia!" he called out, his voice echoing through the warehouse.

  Emma, still catching her breath from her bout with Uber, looked confused for a moment before understanding dawned on her face. "Oh shit, where is she?"

  The three of them spread out, searching the warehouse with increasing urgency. Miss Stepford checked behind stacks of crates, her heels clicking on the concrete floor. The Chairman methodically swept through the rooms, his enhanced senses straining for any sign of the missing girl. Emma, knowing Sophia's tendency to find high vantage points, climbed up to check the rafters and upper levels.

  After several tense minutes of fruitless searching, they regrouped near the unconscious form of Uber.

  "She's gone," Emma said, worry creeping into her voice. "I can't find her anywhere."

  Miss Stepford pressed her lips into a thin line, her mind racing through possibilities. "This is most unfortunate. Who knows what state of mind she's in, or where she might have run off to?"

  The Chairman placed a comforting hand on Miss Stepford's shoulder. "We'll find her, Miss Stepford. She couldn't have gotten far."

  Miss Stepford nodded, though the concern didn't leave her eyes. "You're right, of course. But we need to act quickly. The longer she's out there, the more likely she is to cause... complications."

  Emma fidgeted nervously, glancing between Miss Stepford and the Chairman. "What do you want me to do? Should I go look for her?"

  Miss Stepford considered for a moment before shaking her head. "No, that would be too risky. We don't know how much she remembers or how she might react to seeing you. Besides, we need to deal with this mess first." She gestured to the unconscious Uber and the scattered Tinkertech devices.

  The Chairman nodded in agreement. "Miss Stepford's right. We can't leave all this for Leet to potentially recover. And we need to get Uber secured before he wakes up."

  Emma's shoulders slumped slightly, but she nodded. "Okay, so what's the plan?"

  Miss Stepford straightened her apron, her demeanor shifting back to its usual prim and proper state. "We need to get going, I'm afraid. There's too much to do, and we can't risk being caught here when the authorities arrive."

  "But what about Sophia?" Emma asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

  "We'll have to deal with her later," Miss Stepford said, though it was clear from her tone that she wasn't happy about it. "For now, we need to focus on damage control."

  The Chairman hefted the unconscious Uber over his shoulder with ease. "What do you want to do with him, dear?"

  Miss Stepford's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "Oh, I think it's high time Mr. Uber here had a proper attitude adjustment. We'll take him back to the lab."

  Emma's eyes widened slightly at that, but she didn't comment. Instead, she asked, "What should I do?"

  Miss Stepford turned to her, her expression softening slightly. "You've done well today, Emma. I need you to stay here and call the PRT. Report what happened – well, a version of it, at least."

  Dauntless arrived at Uber and Leet's hideout, his energy spear crackling softly in the evening air. He sighed, running a hand over his helmet. Director Piggot had been crystal clear - he was to interrogate Emma Barnes and extract any additional information about Miss Stepford. The whole situation left a sour taste in his mouth. Harshly questioning a teenage girl after such an ordain, even one with potential villain connections, felt wrong.

  As he approached the entrance, Dauntless was surprised to see the familiar blue armor of Armsmaster already on site. The older hero was crouched near a pile of discarded tinkertech, scanning it with some handheld device.

  "Armsmaster?" Dauntless called out, confusion evident in his voice. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

  Armsmaster stood, turning to face his colleague. "Dauntless. Good of you to join us."

  Dauntless hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I don't mean to overstep, but... should you be here? Given the current situation with leadership and all?"

  Armsmaster's beard twitched in what might have been amusement. "I'm well within my rights to be here. As the only Tinker in the Protectorate ENE, it's my duty to examine any seized villain tech. Standard procedure, you understand."

  "Right, of course," Dauntless nodded, still feeling off-balance. He was about to press the issue further when Armsmaster spoke again, his tone surprisingly warm.

  "I've been meaning to tell you, Dauntless. I've been quite impressed with how you've been handling leadership of the ENE. Your capture of Oni Lee, in particular, was very well executed."

  Dauntless blinked, grateful that his mask hid his shocked expression. Armsmaster had never been one for praise, especially not directed at him. Their relationship had always been... strained, to put it mildly.

  "I... thank you," Dauntless managed. "That means a lot, coming from you. I have to say, you seem... different lately. In a good way, I mean."

  Armsmaster chuckled, the sound almost alien coming from the normally stoic hero. "I suppose I have changed a bit. Love has a funny way of doing that to a person."

  Now Dauntless felt like he'd stepped into the Twilight Zone. "Love? You're seeing someone?"

  "It's... complicated," Armsmaster hedged.

  Dauntless's mind raced. "Is it Dragon? You two have always worked well together. Or... wait, one of your new assistants? Tess or Theresa?"

  Armsmaster's silence spoke volumes. Dauntless's eyes widened behind his mask as a wild thought struck him.

  "Both?!" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

  Armsmaster coughed, clearly uncomfortable. "As I said, it's complicated. But yes, in a manner of speaking."

  Dauntless swayed slightly, feeling like the world had tilted on its axis. Armsmaster - dour, work-obsessed Armsmaster - in a relationship? With two women? It was almost too much to process.

  "You should sit down," Armsmaster said, gesturing to a nearby crate. "You look a bit unsteady."

  Dauntless nodded numbly, lowering himself onto the makeshift seat. "What else is going to upend my worldview today?" he muttered.

  Armsmaster ducked into the warehouse, emerging a moment later with a small device in his hand. "Actually, there is one more thing. I heard from Assault that you and your wife have been having some... difficulties lately."

  Dauntless tensed. His marital problems weren't exactly a secret, but he hadn't expected Armsmaster of all people to bring them up.

  "I've been working on some counseling software," Armsmaster continued, holding up the device. "It's based on some of Miss Stepford's work, though heavily modified. It's still in the testing phase, so it's not officially sanctioned. But if you'd like to try it, off the books... well, I'd be interested in the results."

  Dauntless stared at the offered device, then at Armsmaster, then back at the device. The surreality of the situation was almost overwhelming.

  "I... I think I need a drink," Dauntless said weakly.

  Armsmaster nodded, as if this was a perfectly reasonable response. "Understandable. But perhaps hold off on that until after we've finished here. Now, about the Barnes girl-"

  "Wait," Dauntless interrupted, his mind finally catching up. "You said you've taken care of the interview with Emma Barnes?"

  "Correct," Armsmaster confirmed. "I arrived early and conducted a preliminary interview. I have the transcript here if you'd like to review it."

  Dauntless frowned. Something about this didn't sit right with him. "Piggot specifically assigned me to handle that. Why did you step in?"

  Armsmaster's posture stiffened slightly. "As I said, I arrived early. It seemed inefficient to wait when I could gather the necessary information. Is there a problem?"

  "No, I suppose not," Dauntless said slowly. "It's just... unexpected."

  "These are unexpected times," Armsmaster replied. "Now, shall we discuss the findings? Or would you prefer to conduct your own follow-up interview?"

  Dauntless considered for a moment. On one hand, he should probably insist on speaking to Emma Barnes himself. On the other, Armsmaster was far more experienced in interrogation techniques. And if he was being honest with himself, Dauntless wasn't entirely comfortable with grilling a teenage girl.

  "Let's go over your findings," Dauntless decided. "But I want to review the full transcript later, understood?"

  Armsmaster nodded. "Of course. I'll have it sent to your secure terminal within the hour."

  As Armsmaster began to summarize the interview, Dauntless found his mind wandering. The entire situation felt off somehow, but he couldn't put his finger on why. Armsmaster's changed demeanor, his sudden openness about his personal life, his eagerness to help with Dauntless's marital issues... it was all so unlike the man he'd known for years.

  "Dauntless? Are you listening?" Armsmaster's voice cut through his musings.

  "Sorry, yes," Dauntless said, shaking his head to clear it. "Please continue."

  As Armsmaster resumed his report, Dauntless made a mental note to keep a closer eye on his colleague. Something was definitely different about Colin Wallis, and Dauntless wasn't sure if it was a change for the better or not.

  The debriefing continued for another half hour, with Armsmaster providing a detailed account of Emma Barnes' statement. According to the transcript, the girl had been vague about her connections to Miss Stepford, claiming only to have received some "study materials" that had helped improve her grades. She denied any knowledge of the villain's true identity or base of operations.

  "It's frustrating," Armsmaster admitted as he wrapped up. "The girl clearly knows more than she's letting on, but without concrete evidence, we can't push too hard. She's a minor, after all."

  Dauntless nodded, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. Relief that they hadn't resorted to heavy-handed tactics with a teenager, but disappointment that they were no closer to unraveling the mystery of Miss Stepford.

  "What about the tinkertech recovered from the scene?" Dauntless asked, gesturing to the pile of gadgets Armsmaster had been examining earlier.

  "Mostly Leet's work, with some modifications," Armsmaster replied. "There are traces of Miss Stepford's influence, but it's hard to say how much is her tech and how much is just Leet's attempts at replication. I'll need more time in the lab to make a definitive analysis."

  Dauntless stood, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright, I think we've done all we can here for now. I'll head back to HQ and update Piggot on the situation. You'll send me that full transcript?"

  "Already done," Armsmaster said, tapping his helmet. "It should be waiting in your inbox."

  As they prepared to leave, Dauntless hesitated. There was still one thing nagging at him. "Colin," he said, using Armsmaster's real name to emphasize the personal nature of the question. "Are you... okay? I mean, all of this - the relationship stuff, the sudden interest in my personal life - it's not like you."

  Armsmaster was quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable behind his visor. "I'm fine, Shawn. Better than fine, actually. I've just... gained some perspective lately. Sometimes it takes a shock to the system to make you re-evaluate your priorities."

  Dauntless nodded slowly, not entirely convinced but willing to let it go for now. "If you say so. Just... know that if you ever need to talk, I'm here. We may have had our differences in the past, but we're still teammates."

  "I appreciate that," Armsmaster said, his voice warm. "The same goes for you. And the offer of that counseling software still stands, if you're interested."

  Dauntless chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll think about it. For now, let's just focus on wrapping things up here and getting back to base. I have a feeling Piggot's going to want a full report ASAP."

  As they left the warehouse, Dauntless couldn't shake the feeling that something fundamental had shifted in the dynamics of the Protectorate ENE. Whether it was for better or worse remained to be seen, but one thing was certain - things were never going to be quite the same again.

  Taylor sighed heavily as Theo maneuvered the unconscious form of Uber into one of her pods. The villain's body was limp and unwieldy, making the task more difficult than it should have been.

  "Careful," Taylor muttered. "We don't want to damage the pod."

  Theo grunted in acknowledgment, though he moved the body with ease, barely straining. With a final heave, he managed to get Uber situated properly inside the device.

  As Taylor began the initialization sequence, Theo stepped back and straightened his tie. "Well, that's one more problem dealt with," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

  Taylor nodded absently, her fingers flying over the control panel. "Yes, things are progressing well on that front. The Empire's transition is smoother than I'd anticipated, and the Merchants are all but finished."

  Theo moved to stand beside her, watching the pod's status indicators flicker to life. "You've done incredible work, Taylor. The city is already safer, cleaner. People are starting to have hope again."

  A small smile tugged at Taylor's lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know. It's just..." She trailed off, her brow furrowing.

  "What is it?" Theo asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  Taylor bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "We still haven't found Sophia. I'm worried about what might have happened to her."

  Theo's expression softened. "We'll find her, Taylor. It hasn't been even a day since the attack on Winslow. She might have just gotten scared and run off."

  "Maybe," Taylor said, not sounding convinced. "But what if something worse happened? What if Uber and Leet did something to her before we got there?"

  "We'll deal with that if it turns out to be the case," Theo assured her. "For now, let's focus on what we can control."

  Taylor nodded, but the worry didn't leave her eyes. She turned back to the pod, checking Uber's vital signs on the monitor. As she worked, a flicker of guilt passed across her face.

  Theo's expression remained neutral, but his eyes were filled with understanding. "Taylor," he said softly, "can I ask you something. There's something else bothering you, isn't there?" Theo asked, his voice gentle but probing.

  She nodded, bracing herself.

  "When you were working on Sophia, changing her... did you do those things because you genuinely wanted to correct her behavior? Or was it more about wanting to punish her for what she'd done?"

  Taylor's hands stilled on the controls. She took a deep breath before turning to face Theo. "I... I've been thinking about what I did to Sophia. How I treated her."

  Theo remained silent, giving her space to continue.

  "I told myself it was all for her own good, that I was correcting her behavior," Taylor said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But the truth is... I think part of me wanted to hurt her. Because she hurt me. Because she tried to hurt Mrs. Barnes."

  Taylor's eyes welled up with tears, and she looked down, unable to meet Theo's gaze. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken truths.

  Gently, Theo reached out and cupped Taylor's chin, tilting her face up to look at him. His touch was warm and reassuring, grounding her in the moment.

  "Taylor," he said, his voice firm but kind, "what we're doing here... it's important. We're trying to make the world better, to fix things that are broken. But that means we have to hold ourselves to the highest standard. We can't let our personal feelings, our desire for revenge or retribution, cloud our judgment."

  A tear slipped down Taylor's cheek, and she nodded shakily. "I know," she whispered. "I just... I got so caught up in it all. I wanted her to hurt like I hurt."

  Theo pulled her into a hug, and Taylor buried her face in his shirt, letting the tears flow freely. He stroked her back soothingly, murmuring words of comfort.

  "It's okay," he said softly. "We all make mistakes. What matters is that we recognize them and do better going forward."

  Taylor clung to him, her body shaking with quiet sobs. Theo just held her, steady and strong, a pillar of support in the storm of her emotions.

  After a few minutes, Taylor's tears began to subside. She pulled back slightly, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice hoarse. "I didn't mean to fall apart like that."

  Theo shook his head, giving her a gentle smile. "You don't need to apologize, Taylor. This is hard work we're doing. It's okay to be overwhelmed sometimes."

  Taylor took a deep breath, steadying herself. "You're right. I just... I want to do better. I need to do better."

  "And you will," Theo said confidently. "We both will. We're in this together, Taylor. No matter how it turns out, I'll be with you every step of the way."

  Taylor managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Theo. I don't know what I'd do without you."

  Theo squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You'd probably still be amazing, but maybe a little more stressed," he teased lightly.

  Taylor let out a watery chuckle, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She turned back to the pod, checking Uber's status once more. "We should probably finish up here," she said, her voice steadier now. "I really do want to help people, Theo. Even if... even if I've made mistakes along the way."

  "I know," Theo said, squeezing her shoulder gently. "And that's what matters. We learn, we grow, we do better."

  They stood in companionable silence for a few moments, watching the pods work its subtle magic on its occupants The quiet hum of machinery filled the air, a constant reminder of the power they wielded and the responsibility that came with it.

  Finally, Theo glanced at his watch and stifled a yawn. "It's getting late," he said. "We should probably call it a night. It's been a long day."

  Taylor nodded, suddenly aware of the bone-deep weariness settling over her. "You're right. There's still so much to do, but it can wait until morning."

  "Exactly," Theo said, gently guiding her towards the door. "We've made good progress today. Let's get some rest and tackle the rest with fresh eyes tomorrow."

  Theo paused at the doorway, his gaze sweeping across the lab. The soft blue glow from multiple pods cast eerie shadows on the walls. Uber's pod hummed quietly in the corner, but he wasn't alone - several other pods lined the walls, each containing a captured Merchant member.

  Burnout lay unconscious in one, her face peaceful despite the earlier violence. Whirligig occupied another, her usual sneer replaced by blank serenity. The rest held various lower-ranking members, each carefully selected for their potential usefulness.

  "It's strange," Theo murmured, his voice barely audible over the gentle hum of machinery. "Seeing them all like this. Peaceful. Almost like they're sleeping."

  Taylor stepped beside him, her eyes tracking over each pod. "They'll be better when they wake up. More focused. More... productive." She hesitated slightly on the last word, perhaps remembering their earlier conversation about intentions and consequences.

  "The Merchants were destroying themselves and everyone around them," Theo said firmly. "This is mercy, even if they don't see it that way."

  He watched as one of the Merchant members shifted slightly in their pod, the movement causing ripples in the monitoring equipment's readouts. The labs' automated systems adjusted smoothly, maintaining optimal conditions for the conditioning process.

  "Security teams are in place?" Taylor asked, though she already knew the answer.

  "Three shifts, rotating every eight hours," Theo confirmed. "Brad's best people. They won't let anything happen to the subjects or the equipment."

  Brian groaned as the pounding on his apartment door jolted him from sleep. He squinted at the clock - 2:37 AM. Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled out of bed, nearly tripping over a discarded shirt on the floor.

  "Aisha, sis," he called out groggily, shuffling towards the incessant noise. "I know you don't want to stay with Mom. But CPS says you have to stay there at least 3 nights a week or they might void my attempts at custody. I'm sorry but you need to go home."

  The pounding continued, growing more frantic. Brian's irritation spiked.

  "I'm telling you, you need to-" he yanked the door open, the words dying on his lips as he registered the figure before him. "You're not Aisha."

  Sophia Hess stood in his doorway, her chest heaving as if she'd run a marathon. Her eyes were wide, darting nervously over her shoulder. Without waiting for an invitation, she ducked under Brian's arm and into his apartment.

  "Brian, I need your help," she said, her voice tight with urgency. "I know who Miss Stepford is."

  Brian blinked, his sleep-addled brain struggling to catch up. "Sophia? What the hell are you doing here?"

  Sophia paced the small living room, her fingers twisting nervously. "I told you I need your help. Brian, you have to listen to me. Everything's fucked up. The whole city - it's all wrong."

  Brian closed the door, locking it out of habit. He studied Sophia, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands. "Okay, slow down. What are you talking about? What's this about Miss Stepford?"

  Sophia took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself. "It's Taylor. Taylor Hebert. She's Miss Stepford."

  "Okay," he said slowly. "Let's say I believe you. What exactly do you want me to do?"

  Sophia's eyes met his, desperate and determined. "Help me stop her. Before it's too late. Before she turns the whole city into her personal dollhouse."