A Mew Hope For Brockton Bay: Chapter 7 (Patreon)

Chapter 7

The ride to the PRT Headquarters was a quiet affair. Despite how friendly Miss Militia was, Taylor couldn't bring herself to strike a conversation with the heroine. She simply has many things on her mind right now. Gazing out of the window, she watched as they slowly wheeled into the large imposing building.

As they quietly slipped inside one of the side entrances, she would jolt in surprise as Mew spoke up, "Hey Taylor, you alright?" Avoiding the questioning look of Miss Militia, she glanced at Mew who was busy eating his weight in chocolate, "Don't speak. I'm talking directly to your mind."

"Alright… I'm alright," She thought back, still unused to speaking this way. Squeezing her partner for comfort, she asked, "Just afraid." She hated how it got her hands shaking and how uneasy she felt. It felt like her stomach was flip flopping inside her.

"Being afraid is natural," Mew replied as the transport slowly rolled to a stop,"But remember that you have backup, ok?" Smiling at her, he reminded her, "You have me, your dad and even Miss Militia with you." Winking, he added, "I know, I checked."

"Mew!" She hissed in mild panic as she glanced over Miss Militia. While she was glad to know that Miss Miltia was on her side, she didn't want to find out because Mew was trigger happy when it comes to reading people's minds. It just sounded rude!

"Her thoughts are loud," Her partner cheekly replied as all of them started to unload off the transport. Inside the loading bay, she was greeted by a full contingent of PRT Troopers. It felt like almost all of them were there just for her. As she swallowed thickly, she'd find her father's and Mew's reassuring hold.

"Also, just say the word and I'll light them up," He told her as they were escorted inside the building. She wasn't alone, not like in the locker, not this time.

Feeling the ghost of a smile on her face, she replied, "Thanks Mew." She had nothing to fear this time as well. She had people who cared for her with her. Facing her fears head on, she followed Miss Militia inside.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when a sudden flash of green appeared on the edge of her vision. "Oh my god she's so cute!" The tiny figure shouted as Mew jolted in surprise. She was a bit ashamed to admit that she cowered sligthly behind the Heroine as she came face to face with one of the wards.

She was tiny and utterly adorable in her green skirt and cute visor. Patting the hopping tween on the head, Miss Miltia scolded her lightly, "Vista, be nice. We don't want to bother her any more than we already have."

"But she looks so soft and fluffy!" Vista squeed as she reached out to Mew. Thankfully, Mew slipped out of her grasp and Miss Millitia would quickly step in between them, stopping any futher attempts from touching her partner. Turning to Taylor, the smaller girl pleaded with those big doe eyes of hers, "Can I touch her? Pretty please?"

Taken aback, Taylor stammered as she tried finding her words. She had seen the girl in the commercials, but she wasn't prepared with how excitable she was. Thankfully, Mew was there to speak for her. "Ok, first of all, I'm a he, not a she," Mew snapped back, taking the girl by surprise.

"You can talk?" Vista whispered, before grinning from ear to ear, "You're awesome and adorable!" Taylor snorted at how easily Mew's opinion changed from the simple compliment as he beamed with pride.

Glancing to Miss Militia, Mew added, "And second of all, you may if Miss Militia here thinks it's ok."

As their attention turned to the veteran heroine, she sighed, "As much as I want to squish him myself, we can't." This put a damper on Vista, and to Mew as well, as the girl's shoulder sagged. Patting her on her shoulder, Miss Militia explained, "We simply can't risk, not until we have him cleared for any possible hazards and allergic reactions."

Taylor nodded in understanding. While Mew isn't poisonous or hazardous, unless Mew attacks which is highly unlikely given his temperament, they didn't know that. Miss Militia was simply protecting her charge and Mew knew that, but that didn't mean he was happy about it.

"I'll have you no I'm hypoallergenic!" He replied with an annoyed and offended huff.

Miss Militia chuckled at her partner's mild tantrum as she replied, "Getting cleared won't be a problem for you then."

Pouting, Vista sighed, "I guess I'll just have to wait then…"

Not wanting to disappoint the girl, Taylor suggested "If you want to pet him, you can come visit me?" Wringing her hands, she explained, "I'm… going to be joining soon and I don't think they'd mind if you spend some time with Mew while I work on the lab." If the Wards were anything like Vista, perhaps it wouldn't be all bad.

Perking up, Vista turned to Miss Militia with wide eyed excitement as she asked, "We're going to have a new team mate and she's a girl?"

"It was going to be a surprise, but yes," Miss Militia replied. "If all things go well, she'll join the ranks with you and the rest of the ward," She explained before pausing as she glanced at one of the corridors leading deeper inside the building, "We just have to discuss something as there's some complications…"

Vista nodded before pointing at Taylor, "You better make sure that you join ok? It's boring with so many boys." Sporting an easy going smile on her face, she joked, "Shadow Stalker doesn't count cause she's mean."

Taylor chuckled, "I'll try." This Shadow Stalker sounded like a really mean person if Vista doesn't like her. She probably should avoid them to which Mew nodded. Taylor poked her partner in the side for reading her mind again.

Glancing at the exit, Vista excused herself, "Well, better get going." Walking backwards, she added, "Got things to do, villains to capture, and homework to slay. Just your typical Ward stuff." With the lobby warping, Vista was already halfway out the door and waving at them, "Bye!"

As soon as she arrived, the Ward was gone leaving Miss Militia shaking her head. "She's a nice kid," His father commented.

"Don't let her catch you calling her that," Glory Girl chuckled, "She's been here far longer than most wards." Taylor blinked as she turned to the young heroine.

"It's true," Miss Militia confirmed, "She's technically Taylor's senior." It was certainly surprising, but she wouldn't mind having Vista show her the ropes. She was a very nice girl.

"Hey Taylor, we should definitely give her a partner," Mew suggested, "She'd definitely love an Eevee." Taylor wasn't exactly against it, but she wasn't sure about it. She wasn't even sure if she could make more after she joined in. An Eevee would be quite the considerable investment for her.

"Maybe we should keep the discussion on more creations on the back burner for now," Miss Militia reminded them, "We still have to meet the Director after all." Smiling wryly, the woman added, "She gets to decide on which project gets greenlit."

"Armsmaster often butts heads with her concerning budget allocation," The older heroine noted, making Taylor wince, "Tinker projects can get very pricey" She was not looking forward to trying to justify her project. She just hoped that she would get something more than just some shoestrings.

As they continued on their way, Miss Militia would be stopped by an office worker. Giving her a wary look, the lady whispered something to the heroine which had her raising her brow. "Oh?" Frowning, she turned directions and gestured for them to follow, "Hmm, that's odd."

"Is there a problem, Miss Militia?" Taylor asked, worried at the concerned look that Miss Militia sported.

"No, just we're not going to meet the Director in her office," The woman replied as they marched down a long corridor, "We'll be meeting her in the Conference Room." As Taylor gave her questioning looks, the heroine explained"That's where she usually meets with the other Directors on sensitive matters…"

This raised alarm bells ringing inside Taylor's head, but it was far too late for her to back out. She was already here and with Miss Militia and Glory Girl around, she didn't want to disappoint them. Swallowing her fears, she trailed behind her till they stood just outside a pair of doors.

"Well, this is my stop," Glory Girl said as she stopped just a short distance away. Giving her an apologetic smile, she explained, "I'm not really part of the Protectorate so I can't follow you there." Taylor had to remind herself that Glory Girl was part of the New Wave, an independent team.

Still, without her, Taylor probably wouldn't have worked the courage to stay and go meet with the PRT. Smiling back, she thanked her, "Thank you Glory Girl." She was glad she met her.

"Don't thank me just yet, you still have a meeting with the Director," Glory Girl replied as she flew away and waved goodbye, "Good luck!"

Waving back at her, Taylor sighed before turning to the door where Miss Militia stood. "Ready when you are," Her partner whispered as he floated beside her, jar in hand. Holding her hands was her father. She was ready.

"Let's do this," She answered as she stepped forward and opened the door, ready to meet whatever the PRT and the Protectorate throws at her.

A/N:

I have leftover words... I could start Chapter 8, but other works needs attention as well.