He found comfort in the teamwork, but there was no joy in it. Not that joy was exactly right, when innocents were hurting and dying, but… there should have been some satisfaction.

His explosions should have grabbed at Crystal’s focus, distracted, but they were background noise now.

“The situation’s handled!” Carol called out. “This is a distraction, and she’ll be making a move elsewhere! I want Banded with me, Flashbang, Crystal, Lady Photon, Spindle! We’re going after Bitter Pill!”

⊙

Crystal and her mom descended. They landed by Uncle Mark.

“No luck?” Uncle Mark asked, quiet.

Crystal shook her head. “I don’t think she left. Nobody on the road.”

He leaned in to whisper something to Aunt Carol, who nodded.

The assembly of Erring Right was standing outside the lab. Police ventured inside.

They’d got the briefing when the five people yesterday had got sick and mutated. Today it had been seven. The screens in Bitter Pill’s lab revealed that she’d had enough security cameras around the areas to see them coming, searching for her.

Margaret Madewell was the leader of this particular settlement. She’d named the area Byers.

“Bitter Pill has targeted twelve individuals,” Aunt Carol said. “Five yesterday, seven today. You read our briefing?”

“I had other priorities,” Margaret Madewell said, her arms folded.

“Nanomachines pulled fats and proteins apart and reconstituted them into something far stronger and more extensive. If we aren’t invited to see this through and pursue Bitter Pill—”

Margaret Madewell frowned.

“—you’ll want to pass on what we sent you to whoever does. Lancet is giving the police a tour right now, explaining the lab, what to watch out for, what to sequester. You’ll want to pour concrete if you can.”

“We need the concrete we have.”

“Then hire capes to wipe the site,” Uncle Mark said, more brusque than necessary.

“We’ll figure it out,” Margaret Madewell said.

“Would you object to us preparing and mobilizing to go after Bitter Pill? She should still be around.”

The woman didn’t flinch. “My officers think she left the area. You would be throwing your weight around for no benefit.”

“Our fliers did a sweep, there’s no sight of her.”

“Our police did a sweep here. If you’re saying they’re wrong about this, you’re calling them and the would-be witnesses liars.”

Aunt Carol paused, then composed herself. “We’ll leave you contact information, then. If you have any questions or want help, we’ll provide it. I’ll send it to you and your staff.”

“There’s no need. She’s gone, she has no reason to return.”

“She’s a tinker, she’ll want to reclaim what she left behind. She has a need for resources and that’s easiest to do in places she knows.”

“Noted,” Margaret Madewell said. “But I trust my officers who say she left.”