“Is it a problem? The heroes being here?”

He had to think about it.

“Yes,” he said.

“Okay,” I responded.

“But it’s a necessary one,” he added.

It meant a lot to me, to hear that. I held myself to the idea that if I couldn’t trust the law, I could trust what was right. If I couldn’t trust either, I could reach out.

I couldn’t trust the law. It was in flux. Natalie was trying to predict it, but it was more question mark than full stop. As for what was right, I wasn’t sure I could trust myself, and I couldn’t trust the team. Jessica could give me some direction, tell me that I was all clear if I kept an eye out, to nudge. The other teams could validate and suggest they liked this direction. Collaboration, at least, felt right.

Reaching out, I could get some affirmation from this nameless guy in a reflective green vest.

“Thank you,” I said.

“You said war,” he said. “Not a battle?”

“I think it matters more,” I said. “There are other places. They’ll follow suit. The entire city might change course, depending on what happens.”

“Huh. I’m Jerry, by the way,” he introduced himself. He pulled off a glove to extend his hand my way.

“Victoria.”

“No hero name?”

“No hero costume,” I said. “Yet.”

“Can I give you a nod or a wave if I see you, while you’re hanging around, then?”

“Better not. When the villains are awake, they’ll be keeping an eye on things. With powers.”

“No shit?”

“On everything,” I said.

“I might talk to my boss, then,” he said. “Sounding more like I should stay clear.”

“Good,” I said.

“And you’ll be here, then? Staking a claim? Preparing for war?”

“Making sure that if nothing else, instead of it being fifty villains and no heroes, it’s fifty villains and one hero. It’s me being ridiculous, but I feel like that’s important.”

“Lonely,” he said.

“Nah,” I said. “I think I’ll have allies when it counts.”

⊙

The entire group arrived pretty much all together. Tristan, Ashley, Sveta, Chris, and Kenzie. The westbound train arrived at twelve-thirty, and the eastbound train was just shy of ten minutes later. Delays and other passing trains changed things up, but it seemed if the group wanted to meet at the station and walk together, they could.

“Here already,” Ashley observed.

“Yep,” I said. I held up a hand as Kenzie walked past, and she gave me a high five.

“Cool jeans,” she said, without turning.

“Thank you,” I said. She went straight to her desk, kicking the cube that sat on the ground by her chair to boot it up before falling back into her chair and hitting the lever to boost herself up.

“Did you see the emails from the other teams?” Tristan asked.

“Yes,” I said.

“No,” Ashley said.