Interlude 1.L (Lisa)

Coil awaited inside an abandoned building. The kid, Dinah, was near his chair, seated on a pillow. More like a dog than a person, at least that was how Coil treated her.Everybody in the Undersiders was made uncomfortable by that, except Alec. Taylor in particular was trying to avoid thinking about the situation.Lisa was a bit in the middle. Not as caring as Taylor, but certainly not as detached as Alec.Handing the USB to one of Coil's men, they were in quite a shock when faced with the reveal that not only were the Slaughterhouse Nine in town, but that it was very likely for the Undersiders to engage them. And that Jack Slash led to the end of the world.Lisa knew, deep down, that she should be shocked by the information. Appalled. Terrified.She could not muster the strength.Calm; Does not think to be human. Knows something about parahumans. About their powers.Coil stopped Lisa before she left, asking her to stay. He and Taylor had a brief conversation. About Dinah.Then it was Lisa's turn."I've heard that you were helped by an unknown accomplice.""We were." Lying to him was pointless. He'd just torture her in another timeline. Maybe he was already doing it."And?""And she's trouble. Real name is Andrea Blackwell apparently, but it's not like she's hiding it. I don't think Andrea is still in there."One of the men was jotting things down on the laptop. Likely already searching for info on her."She's a Tinker. And a Thinker. And something else. Something scary. I do not want to deal with her, she destroyed a Dragon Suit in less than a minute.""The blue explosion?"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road."Yes that one. Kid Win's toy gone haywire, because of her…"Coil placed a hand on his chin, thoughtful.Shit."I want you to make contact with her again. Try to gather more info about her power, and maybe where her base is. Low priority, but keep it in mind. If she looks receptive to more work, then I wish to be in contact with her."Lisa simply nodded, words held back. Better watch her words."You are dismissed."The night sky was a fresh contrast to the heat of the previous fight.Lisa could not go against Coil's orders, not yet. There was too much at stake, and Taylor was still not fully resolved to do what was needed.But her…Blackwall.A part of her was tempted to try and manipulate the dangerous Tinker. To try and play her like Lisa had played Dragon, Armsmaster, Miss Militia and many many others.Yet her eyes.Her eyes stopped Lisa. Those fully black pupils with just a tinge of red. Very different to the eyes Andrea had just a few weeks ago, before Leviathan, last she was seen.Affection; Loves humanity. How can someone who loves humanity be so cruel? So distant? What even was she? And most importantly…Rage, fury, hatred; Hates Scion.Why did Blackwall hate the strongest parahuman alive? The first hero?Puzzle pieces were coming together. Her presence here, her love for humanity, the threat that Jack Slash posed to the whole world…A picture was forming.A picture that meant everything was going to go wrong, at some point. Lisa only hoped she could survive whatever shit storm was coming her way.