Halley grew a lot in her growth story arc, and so now she is not afraid to act as a competent manager and leader. It seems natural for rogues to grow into leadership roles.
I didn't remember that strip, and now I'm hoping that we will get a resolution to the evil-empire-ruled-by-secret-father storyline before the comic ends. What would be a better way to defeat Tarquin without him looking badass, that to do it entirely off-panel, and with a plan delegated to secondary characters?