Paris glared at his phone screen. Another Legion recruitment ad. And this time they had an entire website! Why did Achilles get all the cool stuff?
Speaking of Achilles and his Legion, it was about time the Phalanx got up to some more mischief. If they didn't act regularly, they'd be written off as a laughingstock rather than a legitimate enemy. Unfortunately, Jase had told them all to keep their heads down after Mist botched her break-in to the military database.
Apparently they were waiting for the rest of the fallout from releasing Phantasma's autopsy results. Paris could deal with that. Once they had the truth, they could exact revenge. Deliver justice. She hadn't deserved death. No, Phantasma should have had a long life, one where she joined hands with the Phalanx and together they fought the Legion.
Alas.
He'd have to settle for dismantling the military if it turned out they had anything to do with her death. And he was certain that they did.
His phone beeped with a message from Jase. Apparently they were having a team meeting. Paris should be the one calling those, but he'd let Jase play at being leader for now.
Before long, the whole Phalanx had gathered in the common room for a discussion on their next move. The team now consisted of Paris himself, Manifest, Mist, Itera and Scattershot after Magnetic had been reassigned. To what, Paris couldn't think. Putting those with Miracles anywhere except the Phalanx was foolishness, but Jase had been firm on the decision.
"What's up, Jase?" Mist asked, stretching sleepily.
"I've got some intel. The Phalanx will move again on July 21 at 6:00. That gives us a little over a week to get organized, pick a target and execute."
"Finally," Manifest chuckled. "I've been going a bit stir-crazy in here, Jase. And I bet Paris even more so."
"Where are we attacking?" Scattershot asked.
"We're going to decide that," Jase replied. "Where do you guys want to strike?"
Paris fell into thought at that. Choosing a target...that would be a big decision.
"A restaurant I can eat yummy food at," Mist said.
"Do you ever think about anything but eating and sleeping?" Manifest asked, sighing in disbelief.
"Are we aiming to steal stuff?" Itera asked. "If so, we should aim for a jewelry store or a bank."
"We could head for somewhere there'll be a lot of people and take hostages, then demand whatever we want," Scattershot said. "They'd probably have to give it to us. Then we'd split and vanish."
"Too much work," Mist replied.
"You don't want to do any work, June," Scattershot replied with a glare.
"Nope. No work for Juney. Unless it's for Jase."
"Why do we even keep her around?"
"Now, Meadow. Juney's my most capable employee."
"Maybe, but she's definitely the least motivated."
"You want me to crack some skulls or something?" Mist asked, her expression not changing in the slightest.
"I'm the skull cracker here!" Scattershot snapped, standing and looking like she might just crack Mist's.
"Then go crack skulls. Don't make me do your job."
"Enough of that," Paris said, figuring it was about time he bring things under control. "As much as I would love to target the military, I think we should start with a public area to get our point across."
"What point is that?" Itera asked.
"That we are dangerous. That we are here. And that we are not afraid of the military or the Legion or anyone else. I like Scattershot's idea of using hostages. We'll round 'em up and demand a cash transaction. Depending on how many we catch, we can demand more. So capture as many as you can. Preferably children. Don't hurt them or they'll lose their value as hostages."
"This isn't my first hostage rodeo," Scattershot replied coldly. "We know the drill. Unlike you, we've been doing this for years."
Paris cleared his throat, forcing his anger at her impudence down.
"Just making sure we're all on the same page. I don't know what kind of logic you use over here."
"Maybe you should let us tell you what we know works," Itera said.
"Or we can stop being hostile towards Paris," Manifest interrupted. "We've got different ideas on what could work, so we should talk together about what would be best for everyone involved. I don't think his ideas are inherently bad because he's a bit new to this line of work. We might be able to learn something from him."
"Thank you, Manifest," Paris replied. "At six o'clock, where would be crowded in the city? And where would the military be?"
"We'll do some research," Manifest said. "I'll look at traffic patterns, Aubrey can look at military patterns and Meadow can pick a couple areas that would be easy to hold prisoners in and defend. You, Paris, can consolidate that information to make an informed decision. When do you want it all by?"
Paris thought for a second before responding. "Get it to me by the eighteenth. And what do you suggest Mist does?"
"Nap. She's gonna need it," Manifest laughed.
"At least she'll be out of the way," Scattershot chuckled.
"It doesn't sit right with me to keep her on the sidelines," Paris said.
"Then I'll help Meadow. I can get in places she can't." Mist floated over to Scattershot and held out a fist for a fist bump. "Teammates?"
"For now," Scattershot said, rolling her eyes as she put her fist through Mist's ethereal face.
"Woot. Let me know when you're heading out." With that, Mist floated out of the room. Through the wall. Why couldn't she use a door like a normal person?
"Anything else, Boss?" Manifest asked, looking at Paris.
"For now, no. We'll discuss more on the nineteenth. In the meantime, get as much good info as you can."
"Sure, whatever," Itera said.
"Meeting adjourned," Paris said, ignoring Itera's snark. She, Scattershot and Mist were loyal first and foremost to Jase, but he'd change that in time.
They were his team. Even if only Manifest understood that now, he'd get everyone else on his side. Eventually he would no longer need Jase to help wrangle them.
Speaking of Jase, why did he think he could call the shots and then let everyone squabble? Paris would need to work on getting the man an attitude adjustment. He was Miracleless. What business did he have to stick his nose in the Phalanx?
Maybe Paris would have to make a few changes around here...
