[b] The Estate [/b] 

Music didn't say anything but he kept staring at Wire, while Marconi chuckled, "A man who knows his own worth. Good. You did good work, I thought I was going to have to send somebody more... direct after Howard," there was a flash of teeth but no mirth in the expression. Marconi continued, "I like your moxie. But remember who you're working for now. Remember who pays you. As for a challenge well..." 

Music stared at Marconi who grinned, "We could arrange a little something to prove yourself. We had another new guy just like you. Out-of-towner but he did quite a number on Legion when he went out. You'll go with him on his next mission and we'll see how you do. We've got rooms for all the hires and I'd like you to stay with us for the duration of our little war. If you survive it you'll get a nice lump sum and lifelong association with us. Follow these gentleman please." He gestured to two guards who would lead Wire to the same guesthouse were Sixgun stayed. Howard was ushered away by another pair of mobsters. 

[b] The Den [/b] 

Binary sighed, "All the League is still tied up at the Prison. The only ones left in play are a bunch of rookies, me, and.... Pariah and a few of his guys." The wince could almost be heard over the line. Everybody knew about the standoff between Pariah and his former apprentice. Binary said, "I can't leave the chair, Zenith still needs me on overwatch. But I'll task the rookies still walking and ask Pariah to lead the team. He'll probably bring along Vigilance." 

Vigilance, otherwise known as Michael Jones, was one of Pariah's star pupils. The younger man was basically a less experienced and more aggressive Pariah, they even looked alike, and he was one of the most effective normal operatives the League had. He'd been with Pariah since Morningstar was his apprentice as well. And the two did not get along, Vigilance had always tried to prove himself the better of the two. It was to be seen if that rivalry would reignite. 

Binary said, "I can have them scrambled within five minutes. Hold tight and get ready for things to blow out." 

[b] The Hall [/b] 

Prudence covered a laugh with her mouth and put the lock of hair in the pendant along with a small photo that Joe didn't see. She locked the pendant and gave it to him. Almost instantly he changed. A green flash appeared over his body and a different man stood there. A big, flabby, balding, sweaty man who looked nothing like Thomas Syed. The apprentice conjured and held up a mirror before she belted out in laughter, "Loo-look-looking good Thomas..... nice hair...." She laughed again, so long and hard tears started to form. 

Every other spellcaster looked over at them and stared before getting back to work. Prudence eventually recovered, "My sides." She coughed and smiled, "Thomas Greene. My weird landlord. I feel kinda bad for taking a little bit of what was left. But this.... this is worth it." She grinned, "I'm not completely stupid Joe. But there's that form for consideration. I got one from a bum, don't ask. And that's about it right now unless you find something out there. Wanna just make a new look for yourself?" She removed the locket and Joe returned to his normal undead self.

The intercom in the Hall sounded, Binary speaking, "Priority alert. League member in need of assistance. All available, fully combat-ready members report to the airfield for departure. Pariah is tasked as Field Team Leader. Confirmed Legion outpost, prepare for combat and assemble in the airfield. Non-injured personnel only." Prudence winked at Joe, "Ah duty calls. Have fun Joe, be good. I'll get working on something for ya." She turned back to the work-table and hummed while she tinkered. 

When the available League members assembled, Pariah stood in front of two VTOLs with Vigilance at his side. Pariah spoke, "No time for a full brief. Outpost is a three-story complex in the red light district. Morningstar is already on site and has identified multiple normal and superhumans in need of extraction. Unknown amount of Legionnaires. The main priority is to rescue the hostages, especially this girl," He holographically displayed a photo of Chelsea Wayne, the Conduit, "No matter what, this girl comes with us. Deadly force is authorized to protect the hostages and yourselves. Let's get this done." 

He and the team boarded one VTOL while the other remained empty to receive the hostages. Both of them lifted and flew towards the Den. After a few minutes the VTOLs were over the Den, the hoodlums out front gaping at the aircraft. The door opened and Pariah jumped onto the roof with Vigilance right behind them before the VTOLs even set down. The two of them loitered on the roof while Pariah and Vigilance took point. Pariah saw Morningstar and gestured to the team, "Get the hostages up and out of those beds. We got a couple dozen to go and no time. Move! Morningstar, take the girl!" Pariah pointed his pistols at the stairs where the commotion was getting louder by the second, "Hurry!" Any minute now the Legion would be on them. 

[b] The Prison [/b] 

Sarco reeled back and snarled and began choking on the sand. Then the Growth reeled up and his slime form flew at Sarco's head. His dissolving blob form would have to take a day or more to absorb Sarco in his current state. But he could have handled Azar's sand form in moments. Azar had moments to act as the absorbing blob-like metahuman tried to enclose him in his slimy and deadly embrace. 

Polaris's corona intensified and the fire simply boiled over the shield of light he had formed around his already luminous form. The fire would have burned Copycat, Xaxx, Reaper, and Diluvian to a crisp if the latter hadn't formed a large barrier of water that turned into a cloud of steam. The four then took their leave and went through the portal, leaving Polaris with the three monster men. The portal remained open. 

As fast as Polaris was, he didn't see Flashbolt enter. He was taken off guard as the hero tried to strike him with his fingers. Each hit made Polaris grunt in pain but they only hit his barrier of light and no more. Polaris's fist turned into a glowing sun as he punched at speeds that matched Flashbolt. If it connected it would send the hero flying back but even if it didn't, Polaris's eyes turned into golden stars before they fired twin beams of pinpoint heat and light at the hero. Afterwards he would just engage Flashbolt in high-speed fisticuffs. Chrome's hand-to-hand training made his every move brutal, quick, and efficient while carrying extra punch due to his shield, blinding light, and searing heat. Every few hits he'd launch an offhand beam of light at Hot Rod, focusing on taking down the lightning hero. 

Zenith and company rushed through the prison and they'd be on them within a minute. Zenith just hoped it wasn't too late.