7.01

Taylor grapples with the aftermath of a heated argument with her dad, seeking solace in training with Brian. They spar, and she finds herself pinned beneath him, her mind momentarily blanking at the intimacy of the position. Lisa’s teasing breaks the tension, but the awkwardness lingers. Taylor explains her current living situation to Brian, admitting the pain of the rift with her father. Brian attempts to offer advice for the fight, but he also gets distracted. He steps closer, feints a high kick, and tries to sweep her legs out from under her. She manages to avoid it by hopping, but he recovers and knocks her onto her backside with a shoulder check. She follows his earlier advice, scrambling back to create distance, but he pursues, stopping a knee just short of her face.

Alec interrupts, bearing coffee and breakfast, sparking a brief exchange with Brian about their living arrangements. The team gathers, and Brian initiates a crucial discussion about Coil’s proposition, emphasizing the need for unanimous agreement before proceeding. He also raises concerns about Alec’s past, specifically his connection to his father, the infamous Heartbreaker.

Alec reluctantly reveals his history as Heartbreaker’s son, describing a childhood devoid of genuine affection, filled instead with manipulation and brutal testing. He recounts his time working for his father, using the alias Hijack, until a forced kill order pushed him to flee. The revelation leaves Taylor disturbed, questioning the morality of a twelve-year-old forced into such a situation. He’d been made to do it, he’d been in messed up circumstances with no real moral compass to go by, still a kid. The way he described it, though, it didn’t sit well with her. Cold blooded murder.

The conversation shifts back to Coil’s deal. Alec expresses his support, envisioning a future of effortless control and wealth. Taylor voices concerns about the potential risks, the possibility of failure, and the difficulty of escaping Coil’s grasp should things go south. Brian echoes her apprehension, recalling their near-death experience against Bakuda, highlighting the dangers of being on the defensive. Lisa, ever the strategist, suggests countermeasures, including pre-emptive strikes and recruitment of other parahumans.

Brian admits his reservations but believes it’s better to be involved than sidelined. Taylor agrees, acknowledging that the potential rewards outweigh the risks. A vote is taken, and all but Bitch raise their hands in favor. Bitch, distrustful of Coil due to his verbosity, refuses to agree, citing her gut feeling and satisfaction with the current status quo. She says “He talks too much. Only reason people talk like he does is if they’re covering something up.”

Lisa proposes they wait, giving Bitch time to process. Taylor, determined to connect with Bitch, impulsively offers to accompany her on her “work,” which involves caring for rescued dogs. Bitch, perceiving it as a manipulative attempt to change her mind, lashes out. Taylor, understanding Bitch’s unique communication style, refrains from typical social gestures and instead proposes a deal: she’ll help with the dogs and avoid discussing Coil unless Bitch initiates it. In return, if Taylor fails, Bitch gets a “free shot” at her.

Bitch, after initial rejection, agrees to the bizarre arrangement, lured by the prospect of a free punch if Taylor proves irritating. Alec calls Taylor crazy. Maybe. Probably. But she can’t think of a better way to reach out to Bitch. As Taylor prepares to leave with Bitch, a sense of unease settles in. She hopes she won’t regret this.