Director Piggot strode into the PRT meeting room, her deputy director Rennick close behind. The assembled Protectorate heroes turned to face her- Miss Militia, Assault, Battery, Dauntless, Triumph, and Armsmaster. Aegis, the Wards leader, sat quietly to observe.

  "Let's get started," Piggot said brusquely, taking her seat. "What happened at Winslow?"

  Armsmaster stood, activating a holographic display. "At approximately 4:45 PM, we received an alert about Oni Lee's presence at Winslow High School. I arrived on scene within 12 minutes to find several ABB members incapacitated."

  He held up a small spherical device. "This appears to be the cause. It is a non-lethal incapacitation device with an effective radius of about 15 feet. Quite an impressive piece of technology."

  Armsmaster's voice held a hint of admiration. "I have already begun incorporating aspects of its design into my halberd. It should prove highly effective against close-range combatants."

  Piggot's eyes narrowed. "So we're dealing with a new Tinker in the Bay."

  "That appears to be the case, yes," Armsmaster confirmed.

  "Do we have any leads on their identity?" Piggot pressed.

  Armsmaster nodded, bringing up three images on the display. "We've identified three primary persons of interest: Emma Barnes, Taylor Hebert, and Gerald Gladly, a teacher at Winslow."

  Miss Militia leaned forward, studying the images. "Why these three specifically?"

  "Interrogation of the captured ABB members revealed their mission was to abduct Barnes and Hebert," Armsmaster explained. "Gladly intervened, wearing some form of costume. He engaged Oni Lee directly."

  Assault whistled. "Gutsy move."

  "Indeed," Armsmaster continued. "The ABB members report watching this confrontation when they were suddenly struck with intense vertigo, causing them all to collapse. Some mentioned the possibility of a fourth individual arriving, but accounts are inconsistent."

  Battery frowned. "So the Tinker could be one of these three, or potentially this unknown fourth person?"

  "Correct," Armsmaster nodded. "We found blood samples from three different individuals at the scene, but we have not been able to confirm identities yet."

  Piggot drummed her fingers on the table. "What do we know about these three?"

  Triumph spoke up. "I've been looking into their backgrounds. Emma Barnes is a sophomore at Winslow, daughter of Alan Barnes- a moderately successful lawyer. No prior incidents or suspicious activity."

  "Taylor Hebert," Miss Militia continued, "also a sophomore. Her mother died in a murder-suicide about a year and a half ago. Father works for the Dockworkers Union. Recently elected president of the union. Again, nothing particularly noteworthy in her file."

  "And Gladly?" Piggot prompted.

  Dauntless pulled up a personnel file. "Gerald Gladly, 24, World history teacher at Winslow, New hire this year. Well-liked by his students, no disciplinary issues. Nothing in his background suggests cape activity or Tinker abilities."

  Piggot frowned. "So we have three seemingly ordinary individuals, one of whom may be a powerful new Tinker."

  Director Piggot's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the room. "Armsmaster, give me your best guess. Who do you think is our Tinker?"

  Armsmaster paused, his helmet's visor glinting in the fluorescent light. "Based on the available data, I would estimate with 70% probability that Taylor Hebert is our Tinker, 20% for Gerald Gladly, and 10% for Emma Barnes."

  "Explain your reasoning," Piggot demanded.

  "Gladly moved to Brockton Bay fairly recently," Armsmaster began. "A Tinker typically requires more time for setup and establishing a workshop. Barnes' modeling career consumes a significant portion of her time, making extensive Tinkering difficult. Hebert, on the other hand, has the most available time."

  He gestured to the holographic display. "Additionally, the fact that the incapacitation device appears to have been with the girls initially strongly indicates one of them as the source. Hebert simply fits the profile better."

  Battery leaned forward. "But all three fled the scene before we arrived. Doesn't that implicate them equally?"

  Armsmaster nodded. "True, but consider this - one of them calls to the PRT hotline came from Gladly's cell phone. Why call for help, then flee?"

  "Maybe he panicked," Assault suggested. "Or maybe our Tinker has some way to influence people. That could explain a lot."

  The room fell silent as they considered the implications. Aegis, who had been quiet until now, cleared his throat. "There's something else we should consider. Winslow's academic performance has improved dramatically this year. Could that be related?"

  Piggot frowned, a vague memory surfacing. "I recall a report about that. Rennick, pull it up."

  The deputy director tapped at his tablet, then looked confused. "It's here, but... it's locked at low priority status."

  "Override it," Piggot ordered.

  Armsmaster interfaced with the system. "Done. It's now flagged as high priority."

  The room was silent as everyone studiously avoided mentioning Piggot's oversight. The tension grew palpable until Miss Militia finally spoke.

  "This changes things significantly," she said, studying the newly unlocked report. "If this Tinker has been influencing an entire school..."

  Piggot's jaw clenched. "It means we're dealing with a Master/Tinker combination. Potentially far more dangerous than we initially thought."

  "The improvement seems largely positive," Triumph noted cautiously. "Better grades, reduced disciplinary issues, improved athletic performance."

  "That doesn't matter," Piggot snapped. "Any widespread mental influence is a severe threat, regardless of apparent benefits."

  Aegis shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face noticeably paler than usual. The young Ward cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room.

  "There's... something else you should know," he said hesitantly. "Kid Win got one of those study guides."

  Assault's eyebrows shot up. "How'd he manage that?"

  Aegis sighed. "Winslow is still Winslow. Some students will sell their copies. Word's gotten around about how effective they are."

  Director Piggot's eyes narrowed dangerously. She turned to Armsmaster. "I want you to examine that study guide. Find out everything you can about it."

  The Tinker nodded sharply. "I will begin the analysis immediately."

  Piggot shifted her gaze to her deputy. "Rennick, light a fire under the lab. I want those blood samples analyzed as quickly as possible."

  "Yes, ma'am," Rennick replied, already tapping away at his tablet.

  Aegis spoke up again, his voice steadier now. "If Winslow follows the same schedule as Arcadia, tomorrow should be a teacher workday."

  Piggot nodded, a hint of approval in her expression. "Good catch, Aegis. That gives us an opportunity."

  She turned to Assault and Battery. "You two will go to Winslow tomorrow. Talk to the teachers while Hebert and Barnes aren't around. See what you can find out."

  The pair nodded in unison. Piggot continued, "Triumph, you'll shadow them. You're newly promoted to the Protectorate and need more training on these matters."

  Triumph straightened in his chair. "Understood, Director."

  Piggot's gaze swept the room once more. "Miss Militia, I want you to squeeze more information out of those captured ABB members. Judges really don't like weapons on school campuses, even at Winslow. Some of those gang members likely attend the school and might have more information. Lean on them hard."

  Miss Militia nodded grimly. "I'll see what I can uncover."

  "Dauntless," Piggot continued, "bring Velocity up to speed and take patrols tomorrow. We can't neglect our regular duties while investigating this."

  Dauntless saluted crisply. "Yes, ma'am."

  Piggot leaned back in her chair, her expression stern. "We'll reconvene tomorrow to discuss what we've learned. This situation has the potential to escalate quickly. I want everyone on their toes."

  The assembled heroes nodded, the gravity of the situation settling over the room.

  "One more thing," Piggot added, her voice sharp. "This information doesn't leave this room. The last thing we need is public panic over a potential Master situation at a high school."

  She looked each person in the eye, receiving nods of acknowledgment. "Dismissed."

  As the heroes filed out of the room, Armsmaster lingered behind. He approached Piggot, his voice low. "Director, there is something else we should consider."

  Piggot raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

  Armsmaster's voice lowered as he addressed Director Piggot. " The ABB were already aware of this Tinker's existence, and their intelligence operations typically lag behind other gangs in the city."

  Piggot's brow furrowed. "You're right. If they knew, it's likely the other major players are already aware as well."

  "Exactly," Armsmaster nodded. "But there's more. While the incapacitation device was effective against the ABB gang members, Oni Lee was not found at the scene."

  "You think he escaped?" Piggot asked.

  "It is possible, but unlikely," Armsmaster replied. "Given Oni Lee's abilities and reputation, it is more probable that he was driven off by someone else. The mysterious fourth individual mentioned in some accounts."

  Piggot's eyes narrowed. "And you believe this person to be significant?"

  "Very," Armsmaster confirmed. "There are few capes in Brockton Bay capable of taking on Oni Lee solo. Most of those outside of ourselves, who could are affiliated with the Empire Eighty-Eight."

  The implications hung heavy in the air. Piggot leaned back in her chair, her expression grim. "You're suggesting our new Tinker might already be aligned with the Empire."

  Armsmaster nodded. "It is a strong possibility we need to consider. If true, it significantly changes the dynamics of the situation."

  Piggot rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. "This complicates things. If the Empire is involved, we'll need to tread carefully. The last thing we need is to provoke a gang war over this Tinker. Let's get to the bottom of this quickly."

  "Yes, Ma'am."

  Mush surveyed his newly renovated office space with a sense of pride. Gone were the filthy, graffiti-covered walls and trash-strewn floors. In their place stood clean, off-white walls adorned with motivational posters and a polished linoleum floor. He'd even managed to scrounge up some decent office furniture from abandoned buildings around the Docks.

  Whirlygig, his newly appointed lieutenant, sat across from him, her legs crossed as she flipped through a stack of reports. "Distribution is up 15% this month," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "How'd you manage that?"

  Mush leaned back in his chair, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Organization, my dear. It's amazing what a little structure can do for productivity."

  He'd been slowly but surely reshaping the Merchants from within. Gone were the days of chaotic drug-fueled rampages. Under his covert leadership, the gang was becoming a well-oiled machine, expanding their territory and influence without drawing undue attention.

  "What about Skidmark?" Whirlygig asked, her brow furrowing. "He hasn't been seen in weeks."

  Mush waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, he's still in charge. Officially, anyway. I've just been... facilitating his visionary leadership."

  In truth, Mush had been keeping Skidmark and Squealer well-supplied with their drug of choice, along with a steady stream of the Winslow "special" study guides. The combination had sent the pair into a perpetual state of drug-addled paranoia and manic creativity.

  "Speaking of our illustrious leaders," Mush said, rising from his chair, "let's go check on their latest project, shall we?"

  He led Whirlygig through the winding corridors of their base, passing by clean-cut gang members who nodded respectfully as they passed. When they reached the massive garage that served as Squealer's workshop, Mush paused, bracing himself for whatever madness lay beyond.

  As the doors slid open, a cacophony of clanging metal and maniacal laughter assaulted their ears. In the center of the cavernous space stood a monstrosity that defied description.

  It appeared to be a cross between a monster truck, a mobile library, and something out of a post-apocalyptic fever dream. The vehicle's massive wheels were adorned with spikes and what looked like sharpened book spines. A grotesque bookshelf-like structure dominated the rear, filled with a haphazard array of study guides and various mechanical components.

  Skidmark stood atop the contraption, waving his arms wildly as he shouted directions to Squealer, who was welding something to the front bumper. "No, no, no! The plasma cannon goes next to the card catalog, you illiterate fuck!"

  Squealer's muffled voice came from beneath her welding mask. "But the Dewey Decimal System says it should go under 'P' for 'Pew Pew,' baby!"

  Mush and Whirlygig exchanged bemused glances. "What exactly are we looking at here?" Whirlygig asked, her voice a mix of awe and confusion.

  Skidmark whirled around, his eyes wide and unfocused. "It's the future of warfare and education.

  Mush nodded sagely, as if Skidmark's ravings made perfect sense. "Of course, of course. The future of warfare and education. How... Innovative."

  Skidmark's eyes lit up, clearly thrilled to have an audience. He scrambled down from his perch, nearly tumbling headfirst onto the concrete floor before catching himself at the last second. "Mush, my man! You get it, don't you? This baby's gonna revolutionize everything!"

  He gestured wildly at the vehicular monstrosity behind him. "We call her the 'Bookmobile of Doom.' Part tank, part library, all badass! We're gonna roll up on those Empire fucks and blow their minds... literally and figuratively!"

  Squealer popped up from behind a pile of scrap metal, her face smeared with grease and her hair sticking up in all directions. "Yeah! And check this out!" She pressed a button on a nearby console, and a series of panels on the vehicle's side flipped open, revealing rows upon rows of books. "Instant knowledge dispersal system! We'll be raining wisdom down on the masses while we crush our enemies!"

  Whirlygig leaned in close to Mush, whispering, "Are they serious?"

  Mush plastered on his best poker face and whispered back, "Just smile and nod. It's easier that way."

  Skidmark was now pacing back and forth, his words tumbling out in a frenzied rush. "See, we've been thinking too small. Why just sell drugs when we can peddle the most addictive substance of all... knowledge!" He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes wide and manic. "But not just any knowledge. We're talking turbocharged, tinker-enhanced, mind-blowing knowledge!"

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  He grabbed a handful of study guides from a nearby table and waved them in the air. "These babies are the key! We've been using them ourselves, and let me tell you, the results are fucking amazing! I can recite the entire periodic table backwards while solving differential equations and writing Shakespearean sonnets!"

  Squealer chimed in, "And I've designed a new engine that runs on pure abstract thought! We're gonna leave those other gangs in the dust, both intellectually and literally!"

  Mush nodded along, trying to keep the bemused expression off his face. "That's... certainly ambitious. And how exactly do you plan to, uh, implement this grand vision?"

  Skidmark's grin widened to almost manic proportions. "I'm so glad you asked! Picture this: we roll up to a school, right? But instead of dealing drugs, we're dealing knowledge bombs! We'll have a drive-thru window for quick study sessions, a rooftop lecture hall for impromptu TED talks, and a built-in printing press to mass-produce these miracle guides!"

  Squealer jumped in, her eyes shining with excitement. "And that's not even the best part! Tell 'em about the secret weapon, baby!"

  "Oh yeah!" Skidmark rubbed his hands together gleefully. "We've developed a new super-drug. We call it 'Brain Boost.' One hit of this, and you'll be speaking in iambic pentameter and solving Fermat's Last Theorem before you can say 'cognitive enhancement'!"

  Whirlygig couldn't help herself. "Isn't that... kind of against the whole 'education' thing you're going for?"

  Skidmark waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, nah, you don't get it. This isn't some street drug. This is pharmaceutical-grade genius juice! We're not creating addicts; we're creating the next generation of super-geniuses!"

  Mush nodded along, his expression a masterpiece of feigned interest and approval. "Well, it certainly sounds... revolutionary. You've clearly put a lot of thought into this."

  "Thought?" Skidmark laughed. "We've transcended thought, man! We're operating on a whole new plane of existence now. Reality is our playground, and knowledge is our jungle gym!"

  Squealer had returned to her welding, calling out over her shoulder, "We're gonna need more books though. Can you guys hit up some libraries or something? We're running low on fuel for the quantum bibliography engine."

  Mush seized the opportunity. "Absolutely! We'll get right on that. In fact, why don't we leave you two to your... important work? We wouldn't want to distract you from your brilliance."

  Skidmark nodded vigorously. "Good thinking, my man! The wheels of progress wait for no one! We've got a whole city to educate and blow up... or maybe blow up and then educate. We're still working out the order of operations."

  As Mush and Whirlygig backed slowly towards the exit, Squealer called out one last time, "Oh, and if you see any math teachers, bring 'em back alive! We need to pick their brains... figuratively speaking, of course. Maybe."

  The door slid shut behind them, muffling the sound of maniacal laughter and power tools. Mush and Whirlygig stood in silence for a moment, processing what they'd just witnessed.

  Mush led Whirlygig back to his office, shaking his head in bemused disbelief. As they entered the meticulously organized space, he gestured for her to take a seat while he settled behind his desk.

  "So," Whirlygig said, her voice a mix of awe and confusion, "that was... something."

  Mush chuckled, reaching for a leather-bound notebook on his desk. "Welcome to the wonderful world of upper management in the Merchants, kid. Now you see why I've been making some... executive decisions."

  He patted the notebook affectionately. It was one of the Winslow study guides, but not just any ordinary copy. This was a special administrator version, filled with advanced organizational techniques and leadership strategies taken from one of Winslow's Vice Principals that needed to pay for a particular habit. Mush had been using it religiously, and the results spoke for themselves.

  "This right here," he said, tapping the cover, "is our secret weapon. Well, one of them, anyway."

  Whirlygig leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

  Mush opened the notebook, revealing pages filled with intricate diagrams and neatly written notes. "See, while Skidmark and Squealer are off in la-la land with their... Whatever that was, I've been using these guides to reshape the Merchants from the ground up."

  He flipped through the pages, pointing out various sections. "Improved distribution networks, streamlined recruitment processes, even a rudimentary R&D department. We're not just some ragtag group of junkies anymore. We're becoming a well-oiled machine."

  Whirlygig's eyes widened as she took in the information. "That's... impressive. But what about the drugs? Aren't we still primarily a drug-running operation?"

  Mush nodded, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Oh, we're still in the pharmaceutical business, alright. But we're taking a more... scientific approach these days."

  He pulled out another notebook, this one filled with charts and chemical formulas. "I've been running experiments, seeing how different drugs interact with the study guides. The results have been fascinating, to say the least."

  Whirlygig frowned. "You've been experimenting on our own people?"

  Mush waved a hand dismissively. "Not on anyone worth anything, I assure you. Just carefully controlled tests on willing volunteers. Some of our more... enthusiastic followers have been quite eager to participate."

  He leaned back in his chair, a look of pride on his face. "We've discovered some truly remarkable combinations. Certain stimulants, when paired with specific study guides, can enhance cognitive function and information retention to an astonishing degree. It's like unlocking hidden potential in the human brain."

  Whirlygig looked skeptical. "And you're sure this is safe?"

  Mush shrugged. "As safe as any drug can be, I suppose. We're not forcing anyone to participate, and we're monitoring the effects closely. But the potential benefits are enormous."

  He stood up and walked to a large map of Brockton Bay pinned to the wall. "Just imagine the possibilities. We could create a new class of super-intelligent drug users. People who are not only loyal to the Merchants but who could actually contribute to our operations in meaningful ways. And we will be the only ones who know how to supply them."

  Whirlygig followed his gaze, her mind racing with the implications. "That's... ambitious. But what about the other gangs? The heroes? Won't they notice if we start suddenly producing geniuses?"

  Mush nodded approvingly. "Good question. That's why we're taking things slow and steady. No sudden moves, no flashy displays. We build our strength quietly, from the shadows."

  He turned back to face Whirlygig, his expression serious. "Which brings me to an important point. We can't go after the Tinker responsible for these guides. At least, not yet."

  Whirlygig's eyebrows shot up. "Really? I would have thought nabbing that Tinker would be a top priority."

  Mush shook his head. "It would bring too much heat, too quickly. The Empire, the ABB, the Protectorate – they'd all come down on us like a ton of bricks. No, for now, we play it cool. We use what we have, expand our influence gradually, and bide our time."

  He walked back to his desk and picked up the administrator's guide. "Besides, we don't need the Tinker when we have these. They're the real goldmine, and we're just scratching the surface of their potential."

  Whirlygig nodded slowly, beginning to understand the scope of Mush's vision. "So what's our next move?"

  Mush grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "We expand. Carefully, methodically, but relentlessly. We identify key areas for growth, recruit strategically, and start implementing some of our more... innovative ideas."

  He gestured to a stack of folders on his desk. "I've got plans for everything from improved drug synthesis techniques to legitimate business fronts. We're going to diversify our operations, strengthen our infrastructure, and position ourselves for long-term success."

  Whirlygig couldn't help but be impressed by Mush's ambition and foresight. It was a far cry from the chaotic, day-to-day existence the Merchants had been known for. "And Skidmark and Squealer?" she asked. "What about their... projects?"

  Mush chuckled. "We'll let them have their fun for now. Who knows? Maybe some of their crazy ideas will actually pan out. In the meantime, we'll be the ones really running the show."

  The next afternoon, the Protectorate heroes gathered once again in the conference room at PRT headquarters. Director Piggot sat at the head of the table, her expression grim as she surveyed the assembled capes. Velocity had joined them this time, taking Dauntless' place while he was out on patrol.

  "Alright," Piggot began, "let's hear what you've all found out. Armsmaster, you start."

  Armsmaster stood, his armor gleaming under the fluorescent lights. "I have completed my analysis of the study guides," he said, his voice clipped and efficient. "The books use a special UV ink that is invisible to the naked eye but can be subconsciously read by the human brain. This ink appears to trigger new mental states in the reader."

  Piggot leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "Can you elaborate on that? What exactly do you mean by 'new mental states'?"

  Armsmaster nodded. "The books alter the user's mindset in a manner similar to how music is used in retail stores to influence moods and encourage buying behavior. However, the effect of these books is an order of magnitude stronger than such mundane methods."

  "Are we talking about mind control here?" Miss Militia asked, concern evident in her voice.

  "Not exactly," Armsmaster replied. "While the books are capable of modifying behavior, they do not appear to be strong enough to exert direct control over an individual. It's more of a subtle influence, nudging thoughts and attitudes in certain directions."

  Piggot's frown deepened. "And what about Kid Win? You mentioned he had one of these guides?"

  "Kid Win is currently undergoing Master/Stranger screening as a precaution," Armsmaster said. "Preliminary results show no signs of overt manipulation, but we are being thorough."

  The Director nodded, then turned to her deputy. "Rennick, what about those blood samples?"

  Rennick cleared his throat. "We've managed to identify two of the three blood samples found at the scene. One belonged to Oni Lee, and the second to Cricket of the Empire Eighty-Eight."

  A murmur went through the room at this revelation. Piggot held up a hand for silence. "And the third?"

  "We don't have an exact match," Rennick continued, "but given its position at the scene and the blood type, we're fairly confident it belongs to Mr. Gladly."

  Piggot turned to Assault and Battery. "What did you find out at the school?"

  Battery spoke first. "The teachers were generally cooperative and seemed happy to show us around the school. They were eager to talk about the improvements they've seen over the past year."

  Assault nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they couldn't stop gushing about rising test scores, decreased disciplinary issues, that sort of thing. But..." he trailed off, glancing at Battery.

  "But what?" Piggot prompted.

  Battery sighed. "But they were definitely avoiding any direct questions about Taylor Hebert or Emma Barnes. It was like they hit a wall whenever we tried to steer the conversation in that direction."

  Triumph, who had been quietly observing until now, spoke up. "When we talked to Principal Blackwell, she reminded me of some of the politicians I know from my father's work as mayor. She was very careful with her wording, stonewalling us where she could without actually refusing to cooperate."

  Piggot's expression darkened. "So whatever is going on at that school, the faculty knows about it and is turning a blind eye."

  Miss Militia leaned forward. "The question is, why? What could motivate an entire school administration to cover up potentially illegal parahuman activity?"

  "Money," Velocity suggested. "If these study guides are improving the school's performance as much as they claim, it could mean increased funding, better rankings..."

  Armsmaster shook his head. "Itis more than that. The level of improvement they're reporting would be unprecedented. This goes beyond simple academic enhancement."

  Piggot drummed her fingers on the table, her mind racing. "So we have a Tinker, likely one of these girls, producing technology capable of influencing minds on a large scale. We have the Empire somehow involved, given Cricket's blood at the scene. And we have an entire school administration complicit in whatever is going on."

  Triumph leaned forward, his mask gleaming under the fluorescent lights. "There's another angle we need to consider," he said, his voice thoughtful. "If things go sideways, it'll be easy for the school staff to claim they were under the effect of a Master. There's plenty of precedent for that type of defense."

  Piggot's eyes narrowed. "Go on."

  "Right now, it's all reward and little risk for them," Triumph continued. "If the improvements keep coming, they look great. If it all falls apart, they can claim they were victims too. It's a win-win situation from their perspective."

  Assault nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Smart. Morally questionable, but smart."

  Miss Militia cleared her throat. "I have some additional information that might shed light on the situation," she said. All eyes turned to her as she continued, "I was able to get some information out of an ABB member named Ken. He's in the same grade as Taylor and Emma."

  "What did he have to say?" Piggot asked, leaning forward.

  "According to Ken, Taylor and another friend of Emma's named Sophia were at each other's throats for most of last year," Miss Militia explained. "But over the summer, something changed. They suddenly became best friends, and Sophia became much calmer."

  Armsmaster's visor glowed as he processed this information. "That aligns with the timeline of when these study guides first appeared. It could indicate when Taylor first developed her powers."

  Miss Militia nodded. "Ken said things changed pretty quickly at the school from the start of this year. He mentioned it wasn't hard to put two and two together."

  "Did he elaborate on what kind of changes?" Battery asked.

  "He said the whole vibe of the school was changing," Miss Militia replied. "Fewer fights, better grades, even changes in student interests and behaviors. He specifically mentioned more girls taking Home Economics classes and an increase in school spirit."

  Velocity frowned. "That sounds... concerning. If these changes are as widespread as he's suggesting, we could be looking at large-scale mental manipulation."

  "It is not just academic improvement," Armsmaster agreed. "This Tinker's technology seems capable of altering social dynamics and personal interests. The implications are... significant."

  Piggot's face was grim as she surveyed the room. "This situation is escalating faster than we anticipated. We need to move quickly before this gets any further out of hand."

  "What about the Empire's involvement?" Triumph asked. "If Cricket was at the scene, they must know about this Tinker too."

  Assault nodded. "And given their resources, they might have already made contact. Hell, for all we know, they could be protecting her already."

  "That complicates things," Piggot muttered. She turned to Armsmaster. "What's your assessment of the threat level here?"

  Armsmaster's lips thinned into a hard line. "High and rising. If this Tinker can produce technology capable of influencing minds on this scale, the potential for abuse is enormous. In the wrong hands, it could destabilize the entire city."

  "Or beyond," Miss Militia added quietly.

  A heavy silence fell over the room as the implications sank in. Piggot finally broke it, her voice hard with determination. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. Armsmaster, I want you to work on developing some kind of countermeasure to this Tinker's technology. Even if it's just a detection method for now."

  Armsmaster nodded. "I will get started immediately."

  Piggot nodded grimly, her eyes narrowing as she considered the complexities of the situation. "You're right, Triumph. With the teachers clamming up, it's going to be a challenge to build a solid case against Taylor based solely on the testimony of some ABB gang members. We need more concrete evidence."

  She leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled in front of her. "Going after her at school is obviously off the table for multiple reasons. Not only would it potentially expose civilians to danger, but it could also alert her to our suspicions and give her time to cover her tracks."

  Armsmaster interjected, his voice gruff. "And we can not forget that a Tinker's workshop is their most dangerous territory. If her house is where she has set up shop, it is likely to be well-defended. We'd be walking into a potential minefield of traps and countermeasures."

  Triumph nodded, his expression serious beneath his lion-themed mask. "We need to tread carefully here. If we don't handle this cleanly, there could be substantial blowback." He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "While the Dockworkers' Union isn't the powerhouse it once was, under Danny Hebert's leadership, they've been regaining political clout. We can't afford to ignore that factor."

  Miss Militia added, "And let's not forget about Alan Barnes. He might only be a middling divorce lawyer, but he's still well-respected at the same firm as Carol Dallon. That connection could complicate things."

  Assault groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Oh great, just what we need. New Wave sticking their noses into this. They love to harp on about accountability. If we mishandle this, they'll turn it into a PR nightmare faster than you can say 'collateral damage.'"

  Battery elbowed him gently, but nodded in agreement. "He's right. New Wave could make this into a real spectacle if they feel we've overstepped."

  Piggot's frown deepened as she considered their options. "So we're caught between a rock and a hard place. We need to act before this situation spirals further out of control, but we can't move without solid evidence, and gathering that evidence puts us at risk of political and public relations backlash."

  Director Piggot's steely gaze swept across the room, her voice firm and unwavering. "What we need is clear, irrefutable evidence. Once we have that, we can bring the hammer down on Hebert and put an end to this situation."

  She turned to Armsmaster, her expression resolute. "I want you to go to Winslow during the weekend. See if you can find anything that will give us probable cause. We need something concrete to justify our actions."

  Armsmaster nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Understood, Director. I will do a thorough sweep of the premises."

  Piggot continued, her fingers drumming on the table. "We know Hebert often visits Barnes during her modeling sessions. That location presents an opportunity. She'd be at her most defenseless there, and it's near the Boardwalk where the gangs have the least sway. If she does have any backers, their influence would be minimal in that area."

  Assault leaned forward, his brow furrowed beneath his mask. "I hate to be the one to say it, but doesn't this seem a little... extreme? We're talking about a teenager here. A stupid kid with powers who, from what we can tell, is actually trying to help people. Sure, she's going about it the wrong way, but-"

  Piggot cut him off with a sharp look. "A 'stupid kid' with the ability to manipulate minds on a massive scale. Don't underestimate the threat she poses, Assault."

  Dauntless cleared his throat, his voice hesitant. "Director, if I may... Hebert's tech seems like it could have some real benefits. Imagine how it could improve the performance of our PRT troopers, or even the Protectorate and Wards. If we approached this differently, maybe we could-"

  "No." Piggot's voice was cold and calm, but there was an underlying steel that brooked no argument. "I will not hand this city over on a platter to such a foolish child. The risks far outweigh any potential benefits."

  She leaned back in her chair, her eyes hard. "If Hebert is truly benign, she can accept reassignment and probationary status with another branch. But I will not keep a master in the same location as all of her victims. The potential for disaster is too great."

  The room fell silent as the weight of Piggot's words sank in. Miss Militia spoke up, her voice quiet but firm. "Director, while I understand your concerns, we need to be careful about how we approach this. If we move too aggressively, we risk alienating a potentially powerful ally."

  Piggot's expression didn't waver. "I'm well aware of the risks, Miss Militia. But the alternative is allowing an unchecked master to continue influencing an entire school - and potentially beyond. We can't afford to take that chance."

  Armsmaster nodded in agreement. "The Director is right. The scale of Hebert's influence is already concerning. If left unchecked, it could spread far beyond Winslow. We need to contain this situation before it gets out of hand."

  Battery frowned, her voice hesitant. "But what about due process? If we move against her without solid evidence, we could be opening ourselves up to legal repercussions."

  Piggot's lips thinned. "That's why we need to be smart about this. We gather evidence, build our case, and then move decisively. No half measures, no room for error."

  Triumph spoke up, his voice thoughtful. "What about her father? Danny Hebert is well-respected in the Dockworkers' Union. If we mishandle this, it could cause significant political blowback."

  Piggot nodded, acknowledging the point. "All the more reason to make sure our case is airtight before we move. We can't afford any mistakes."

  She turned back to Armsmaster. "I want you to focus on developing some kind of detection or countermeasure for Hebert's technology. Even if it's just a way to identify who's been affected, it could give us the edge we need."

  Armsmaster nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. " I will get started on it immediately, Director."

  Piggot surveyed the room, her expression grim but determined. "We're walking a fine line here, people. But make no mistake - the safety of this city is our primary concern. We cannot allow a parahuman, no matter how well-intentioned, to manipulate the minds of civilians on this scale. We will gather our evidence, build our case, and then we will act. Is that understood?"

  A chorus of affirmatives echoed around the table, though some voices were more hesitant than others. Piggot nodded, satisfied for now. "Good. Dismissed."