[right][h3]Creep[/h3]Sheila Hopkins

[i]Villain’s Meeting
Visible[/i][/right][hr]

Healer returned. Three of the Jacks were now surrounding Xolotl. The sensible one wanted him to reveal spies, Sheila doubted that would work, but still. 

The man who had attacked the Rockers previously made a claim for the second vial, but of course he did. And he also claimed to not be part of any team, bullshit. You called a vial for Reflections. An anger and a fright went through Sheila. Him, absolutely not him, should be allowed to grant others powers. Him alone, except perhaps the mafia, Sheila knew for certain that amongst those present should not be allowed to get a vial. It occurred to Sheila she might be the only one who could prevent the vial from falling into his hands. He looked at her, Sheila saw him through her power. That was intentional. He still felt animosity towards them for what had happened. Meaning if he gained enough power, there was no way he wouldn’t take the Rockers apart at the seams. Sheila felt personally threatened. The Broker said the one to give the best deal would win it. Damn, that wasn’t good. Double what the Rockers could offer? How much money could this guy possibly have? He didn’t even have a team a little while ago!

The conversation went on in other directions. Someone mentioned that Xolotl was the Community’s strongest enforcer.

[color=7a5e6a]‘I remind that Patriarch has Sonika under his thumb. We’d do well to prepare for battle with her,’[/color] Creep said, naturally out of personal worry. That’s how she spoke best, when she worried about something.

They were each speaking of things that each faction could do. Sheila felt she had to stick something into it, to say what the Rockers could do… but that wasn’t a worry. She was worried she couldn’t say anything, and that wasn’t something she could say. Hence she ended up quiet, thinking of ways to say that they had some brute force. She ended up quiet too long, and Broker picked up the conversation again. Okay, it seemed like he had something new to say… at least he did until his phone gave an alert. He looked at it, and then looked at… her?

Then he went and said that.

Ceramix and Shatterpoint has been apprehended by the Protectorate, in an attack she wasn’t aware of.

Sheila’s eyes widened in stunned silence, sitting absolutely still while having turned her head to look at the Broker. Fortunately, her blindfold and mask prevented anyone from seeing her stunned expression, which was the intention behind the mask.

She always knew they’d likely not last long, but… This was… unexpectedly devastating to her. She [i]needed[/i] them for her in on the villain community. Without them, she’d simply go back to being a common thief again that occasionally chased bad guys. Without them… she was nothing?

The Broker’s pun was not appreciated, and caused Creep to breathe out a bit in annoyance. At least it seemed she’d be getting the vial for free, which was a slight comfort, she supposed.

But… what was she even going to do now?

She was helpless, without any guidance, with no power backing her, most of the Rockers didn’t even know she existed. How could she possibly-

[color=yellow]"My deepest condolences. To think that your capable leadership fell to a gathering of Denver's greatest heroes is truly mind boggling,"[/color]

[i]HE[/i] spoke to her. Oh, god, why did [i]HE[/i] speak to her right now? Don’t think she didn’t detect the sarcasm, despite his tone she was sure he was positively quivering in joy within. She was busy trying to get back from utter panic, she didn’t need him talking as if trying to help-

[color=yellow]"I would be willing to help you get your organization reformed and back in operation. We need all the teamwork we can get after all."[/color]

Creep’s head threw around at a speed unseen this evening until now to stare at Swarm, fortunately her expression masked because she would have been completely unable to hide her current emotions.

[i]DON’T YOU [b]DARE[/b] TRY IT![/i]

[i]I KNOW WHO YOU ARE![/i]

[i]I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING![/i]

[i]POWER-STARVING SWINE![/i]

[i]YOU’RE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE![/i]

[i]TO FOLD US INTO YOUR NEW TEAM![/i]

[i]IT’S ALL A PLOY FOR YOUR TAKEOVER![/i]

[i]WRETCH! CROOK! LIKE HELL I AM LETTING YOU-!?[/i]

[color=7a5e6a]‘Bold words, Mr. Swarm, coming from the one who invaded our base and threatened to kill us if we didn’t submit to your dominance,’[/color] Creep said, tranquil fury in her voice.

[color=7a5e6a]‘Still, I suppose I could use your help getting our base back in order…’[/color] she said, her tone whimsical, leaning back a little.

[color=7a5e6a]‘… Seeing how you did such an excellent job [i][b]decorating our floor[/b][/i].’[/color]

She turned her head towards the Broker, and stood up to match his height.

[color=7a5e6a]‘The gesture is appreciated. Now I offer you, as the currently highest ranking free parahuman of the Rockers, to-’[/color] Creep hesitated for just a moment. [color=7a5e6a]‘- cooperate with your organization, share information and partake in jobs suggested for at least a month ahead, longer if we find it to be a profitable venture. You can borrow our manpower and parahumans, expecting little in return. You can pay us what you want, as long as my men are happy. I think that’ll make itself profitable in the end. After all, unlike what Mr. Swarm seems to think…’[/color] Creep did not look at Swarm. [color=7a5e6a]‘… Money is not really something you really have use of in such meager amounts, is it?’[/color] So she declared, looking directly to the Broker. That… was her appeal. 

To use an organization she didn’t care much for anymore, to get closer to a greater threat.

The greater threat being, of course, the man who has the power to create more villains.

Her premise kind of leaned on that the Broker was interested in her services if she got two more parahumans. That said, if she got the vials, there was no chance in hell the people receiving the vials would be members of the Rockers.