"That's- The part of it I like the least. Everything I make belongs to the Protectorate? And what happens if I decide I really don't like the program, eh? I'll be locked in."

"—well, I mean, kinda, but, the way I see it—I'd be on the run, forever. Scraping for parts, having to always watch my back—either I'd join a team of rogues, but then what would they want?—or a team of villains, or maybe I'd sign some shady contract—there's just, just a rock and a hard place so at least I'll pick the comfiest rock, right?"

"Rock and a hard place indeed. Is there - debt - involved? Owing money, owing favors?"

"No, no, after you graduate you're your own person no strings attached."

Sigh. "Once again, if it was just me- In a heartbeat. But because of complicating factors..."

"I don't suppose I can ask...?"

"You can ask. I really really don't think the PRT would be willing to stretch far enough solve my concern neat and tidy, and it involves other people as unpredictable factors too, and it's kind of a mess that I'm afraid to touch at all even as it festers?"

"...okay, consider yourself asked, I'm curious."

"You recording this?"

"What? No, of course not."

"Well I don't know how you operate, right?"

Moment of truth. She takes a deep breath, screws herself up for it, and- "Gaaah, I can't just up and tell you. Or maybe I can. It just - sucks. Rock and a hard place. Heh... So. Family is important, even when it might not be an ideal one, you get that?"

He nods slowly. "I mean, you don't have to. I'm just—you know, a tinker. Curious. But it's none of my business."

"No, no. It- Yeah, I read some psychology stuff on the internet and it says it's... Better. If you tell someone what's eating you. Mom wouldn't get it. Dad is... Too close to the problem. So," deep breath again. "Family's important. Eeeeven if they have a past with the gangs. Aaand owe them a lot of money."

"Ssshhhhiiiiiiiiit. Uh, the Protectorate has, like, protection programs if you want them, uh..."

"But they damn well won't also get my mom, my dad - who won't want to come along - my aunt, my cousins..."

"...yeah, I don't—I mean, they might but—shit, shiiiit, what gang is it?"

"Uh, they call themselves Second Wind? They're still around, for all that Empire 88 took two thirds of their stuff."

"Small time, then, no parahumans, that's... easier..." He does not sound very confident, though.

"Say it like it is, it sucks for me, doesn't it? God, you're the first person I've told, you know?"

"I'm... flattered? I don't know that it sucks—I mean, it probably sucks—but I'm sure the Protectorate must have some way to deal with cases like this, right—" he says, sounding like he mostly wants to reassure himself.

"I'm told I hide being about to freak out well, but, I kind of am? About to freak out? Because I could help pay those debts, you see?"

"...uh, don't get me wrong, but I don't think they'd just—let go if you paid them all. But dunno, maybe they would—uh, shit, maybe the Protectorate could pay, I dunno, I'd ask someone higher up about that, Chevalier maybe..."

"I don't want to pay my dad's stupid gambling debts! I don't want to get them paid off as a singing bonus because that's taking the whole mess onto myself forever! But he's my dad! And the rest of my family would suffer! And when I want to just cut ties with 'em all an hour later I feel like shit for thinking that."

"But it's fair to think that, it's normal. I'd think that too. But I don't know how to help." He shrugs a bit. "I can try to get something, ask around, figure out what they'd do but I dunno."

"...Okay. I don't have one of my radios to give you, so. That PHO site? And, uh, if Dad tries to - get me to sell stuff for him, I honestly don't know what I'd do but- Showing up at the PRT place is a distinct possibility."