The Watchwomen

Chapter 12 (Intermission): I Didn't Do It

We last read Chapter 11, in which we learned a little bit more about Allie Bannister's origins and began working our way up to who she is in the present day. Back before Bryan Birchwood took ownership of the Birchwood Estate, it was owned by his father, Blake, whom Allie also assisted fervently. However, upon Bryan's birth, Allie questioned Blake about why he would grant the property to him instead of her, when she had been with him longer, made more sacrifices, and dedicated more time and energy to him. She also questions why Blake made her start from the bottom and work her way up, while Bryan was simply ordained by Blake to gain everything instantly whenever he came of age. Though Blake tries to help Allie understand the situation, it's ultimately not enough; she can't comprehend why she would be snubbed for all of her efforts while Bryan gets everything practically handed to him. The flashback ends with Allie crying on the Birchwood Estate's back patio long couch before transitioning back to the present day and revealing that not only has Allie reanimated Bryan to be a gigantic cybernetic flesh monster serving the Diamond Legion.....but that she has also repurposed his young son B.B. to similar whims, practically transforming him into what amounts to an infantile version of the Terminator. After assimilating B.B. into Bryan's body mass, Allie then states about how they will all now be working together---albeit in a very unexpected way---to bring about a glorious future for not only the Legion.....but for women everywhere.

This time, we return to the present day and check in on Dr. Duncan Drevis, The Crawler, James Markovsky a.k.a. Powerhouse, and Herman as they're enjoying their last-minute vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii.....or at least, most of them are. Duncan attempts to contact someone about the recent allegation filed against him, and Monica consults with Herman about the heroines' latest lead on the Legion.....

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-Hilton Hawaiian Village & Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States-

Dr. Duncan Drevis laid agonizingly on the soft mattress of his hotel room's bed, letting out an exasperated sigh as he did so. He and the three other Paragons had been convinced by Hailey a.k.a. The Viper to take a break from their duties and embark on a getaway to the tropical state.....but the doctor was far from being able to have fun. Thanks to Allie Bannister---the secret leader of the Diamond Legion---anonymously filing a false sexual assault allegation against him, his life had begun to take a downward spiral practically overnight. It got to the point where Herman had to make the booking for the hotel and claim that only he, James, and The Crawler were going; the latter had to smuggle Duncan in by hiding him inside one of the group's big suitcases, and it was a rather uncomfortable experience indeed.

The four of them had initially arrived to Honolulu in Duncan's massive airship, but once they had all disembarked, Duncan remotely instructed the airship to fly itself back to Mercury Heights, New York, just in case the girls needed to use it during their investigation into the Diamond Legion. He was initially on the fence about whether he should send it to his apartment complex's roof or the roof of the Lifeline Industries high-rise, but ultimately, he chose the former since he had a feeling that the others would use his apartment as a makeshift base of operations for the time being.

Now, while The Crawler, James, and Herman were all out having fun, Duncan was stuck inside his hotel room, which he shared with The Crawler; the four of them had reserved two rooms, and while Duncan and The Crawler used one, James and Herman used the other.

He couldn't even step outside the room into the outer hallway, for fear that people might see him and instantly accost him. Enroute to the hotel, The Crawler had solemnly informed Duncan that word had indeed spread quickly; there had already been reports of former Lifeline Industries clients and current staff swarming the base of the high-rise and severely protesting, calling for either Duncan's suspension or removal from his position as its C.E.O.