9.03

Clockblocker, along with the rest of the Wards, attends a video lecture on Parahuman Studies. The professor discusses trigger events, the moments where individuals gain powers, often through trauma. He notes correlations between the nature of the trigger and the resulting power, as well as the tendency for powers to run in families. Clockblocker, restless and anxious, receives a text from his mother: his father’s condition has worsened.

Distracted and unable to focus on the lecture, Clockblocker pulls Glory Girl out of the class. He reveals that his father, weakened by leukemia treatments and injured during Leviathan’s attack, is dying from an infection. He asks Glory Girl if her sister, Panacea, could heal him. Glory Girl agrees to ask, surprising Clockblocker with her willingness.

Weld and Vista interrupt, asking if everything is alright. Clockblocker, not wanting to burden his team further, says he’s fine. Weld reminds him of their upcoming patrol, highlighting the tight schedule they’re under. Clockblocker, annoyed by Weld’s relentless work ethic, mutters “Tool” after Weld leaves. Vista defends Weld, leading to an argument where Clockblocker inadvertently insults Gallant, Vista’s deceased crush. Realizing his mistake, he chases after Vista to apologize.

He finds Vista in the stairwell, and they talk about Gallant. Vista admits she had a crush on him, and Clockblocker reassures her that Gallant liked her in return. He apologizes for his behavior, acknowledging his anger and frustration over his father’s condition and the state of the city. Vista advises him not to let his anger consume him.

They return to find the class dismissed and PRT officers rushing out. Weld informs them of trouble. They arrive at a gruesome scene: three bodies displayed on the walls of a ruined building - one flayed, one burned, and one dismembered and reconnected with chains. The Travelers - Trickster, Sundancer, Ballistic, and Genesis - are present, claiming they found the scene this way and are not responsible.

Weld, skeptical but recognizing their usual MO doesn’t match the scene, still insists on taking them into custody. Trickster refuses, fearing they’ll be blamed regardless. A fight breaks out. Trickster’s teleportation makes him a difficult target, swapping the Wards’ positions and preventing them from landing attacks. Kid Win is grazed by his own shot, and Sundancer creates a fiery orb that Vista shrinks. Weld disperses the orb, injuring his hand in the process.

Clockblocker, using the fight as a refuge from his personal turmoil, manages to tag Weld just in time as Trickster tries to swap places with him, showing his awareness of the situation. He realizes that he feels calm amidst the chaos because he’s finally where he’s needed. The Wards are now sandwiched between the Travelers. Genesis exhales a noxious vapor, but Weld shields them with a piece of plywood that Clockblocker freezes in time with his power. The fight continues, the Wards facing off against some of Brockton Bay’s most powerful villains under the grim spectacle of the three corpses. Clockblocker, holding two sheaves of paper like knives, feels a sense of purpose. He’s here to fight, and for now, that’s enough.