*Your video games skill has increased by +1.
I missed this. Even if I'm doing it via remote controlled gnome, video games are great. The victory screen flashing while the music plays. Usually I prefer to play against the computer. I tended to feel bad when winning against humans. However Krouse had asked for it, so I felt obliged to defend my dimension's honor.
I glanced to the side. Riley was happily doing something to one of her spiders/Mets. I wonder if she'd like to play any games? I don't want to force her to do anything. She would probably play for the sole reason that she thought I wanted her to.
I'd settled into a relaxing pattern over the last few days. My clone would grind summoning/meditation. Though I hadn't gotten a skill up in meditation in a while. I think I've hit a soft cap. Eh, seeing as how I needed to use it to fuel my other skills, it would increase in time. I'd spend the morning with Riley. The Elite should get us a new shipment of medical supplies soon and I would either have Riley or my power alter my appearance. Until then, we hung out in our new base. As far as I knew, my 'evil' clone had vanished off the face of the Earth. It should be attacking me or coming for Noelle, but it wasn't. As long as it wasn't out killing people, I was fine with the arrangement. Also, I really couldn't do much. I had to stay close to the base if I wanted to maintain my mini-map. If it attacked, I'd be ready, but I didn't see what else I could do.
Riley tinkered, and occasionally asked me to summon something for her to cut open. I sat to the side, usually focused on a gnome like right now, playing some video games. Technically, I didn't need to stay in the same room as her, but I think she appreciated it. Even if I didn't say much, she was used to having a protector hovering around to listen to her.
Really, I could be doing something more productive, but I didn't feel like it. I got enough mindless grinding at night. I didn't need it 22 hours a day. Impetus says the 'clinic' will open tomorrow. There was apparently a lot of red tape. Maintaining my 'medical' pods would cost a lot. To be large enough to fit an adult, the upkeep was 30 MP per minute. Just two of them would take up more than half my regen. Between the few eyes I kept as lookouts and our costumes, I should be able to manage it without having to walk around in a half-daze. If I made them spacious, then the upkeep will double.
My good clone and I had separate MP pools, so I couldn't have it power them either. Well, I could if I used him to make them in the first place. My tentative plan was to have him level summoning. It was more important. As my strongest power, making it better just made sense.
In any case, Riley was preoccupied, so I had my gnome start up a new game. Better to get some gaming in before the Travelers went to Boston.
Director Wilkins stood at the head of the conference room table. There were six other people in the room. Three of his non-powered subordinates, and three members of the Protectorate: Legend, Prism, and Cache. He cleared his throat. "The new Butcher has struck again."
"Not another..." Legend started.
"Yes. A third person named Kevin Norton has been brutally murdered in front of witnesses." Wilkins pressed a button and the tv at the end of the table flickered to show an image. "Kevin Cassius Norton. Killed at 8:37 this morning in a subway on his way to work." The image switched to another angle. "Unlike the others, he was accosted on his way to his job rather than at home."
Prism flipped a page in her report. "He's going by alphabetical order."
"Yes, that is our conclusion as well."
"Why the deviation from the pattern?" Legend asked.
"After the first two murders, we placed every other Kevin Norton in the New York area under surveillance. We believe that the Butcher noticed and stalked Cassius until confronting and killing him in the subway."
"The M.O.?"
"Still the same. Bodily harm befitting the Butcher's Brute rating. Explosion-less teleportation. The murder was once again prolonged, but this time we managed to get several recording of the attack in its entirety." He pressed another button and a video started playing.
...
"call to Him." The video stopped.
"We confiscated the phones of every witness present, but we're required to return them within 36 hours."
"On what grounds?"
"Interaction with a parahuman of unknown mental powers." It was the best they could do. With no demonstrated Master or Stranger abilities, the stricter laws couldn't come into effect.
"And when we give them their devices back?
"At that time, we'll strongly recommend that they not post what they've recorded."
"How likely is it that they'll abstain."
"Likely for now. Less likely in time. Our best guess is that we have approximately a day before details leak."
"Couldn't we..."
Wilkins shook his head. "Dragon has caught several threads on PHO already. She's agreed to delay them for the 36 hours, but that's the extent. She always follows the letter of the law."
"So we have a limited window in which to capture the Butcher. Gang violence is one thing, but a parahuman serial killer will cause a panic." Legend frowned. "Even if it's statistically less likely to kill anyone. The story itself will cause a panic." The room grew quiet for several long seconds.
"Call to whom?" Prism asked.
"Watchdog hasn't given us an answer or a hint at one." Wilkins shook his head. "Our in house analysts are stumped as well. They say it seems like a hostage situation. The Butcher wants to draw someone out."
"So he has a name. Could 'Kevin Norton' be a relative of a local cape?" Legend stroked his chin. "Another member of the Teeth? Or perhaps someone in one of the other major gangs?"
"He's seriously breaking the unwritten rules." Cache added. "Not that the Teeth really held to them anyways, but this is on a whole new level."
Legend frowned. "That's another possibility. Revenge. Either trying to take out a friend or family member, or killing those with the same name as a warning."
"A bit much for a warning don't you think?" Prism pushed her folder away.
"The Butcher has never been rational." Wilkins switched to another image. "Whatever his reason or lack thereof, our response is what's important. We've contacted the 19 other Kevin Nortons in NYC and placed them into protective custody. Legend, I'd like you to stake out Kevin Douglas Norton's house from the air. If you can spot him and disable him, that would be the best outcome."
"Understood. I'll be careful."
"Prism, now is the best time to handle the Teeth. Put a team together."
"Will do."
"Cache, we'd like you on standby. Your power is our best shot at capturing him." He got a nod in return. "Any questions?" No one spoke up. "Then this meeting is over. Good luck and stay safe out there."
"I still think you should increase charisma." Riley said from her bed. "A more charismatic Kevin is the best Kevin."
"It doesn't give any stat boosts." I sighed. "A significant bump would confirm my guess that it's what's responsible for the notifications about other people."
"Thinker abilities are only second to Tinkers." Riley paused from fluffing her pillow. "Speaking of Thinker stuff, any new ideas about the 'origin' your power lists?"
"Hopefully when the clinic gets some parahumans, or you have some clients, I'll get more data. Most of the Travelers have the same origin. It's also the same origin that Superior has, and the Triumvirate."
"So it's consistent with vial capes?"
"Almost." I begin summoning gnomes for our nightly grinding. "Noelle's is different. Almost the same as mine somehow."
"All the trigger capes are the same though."
"Yeah. So far they all have the same origin. I'm betting it's Scion." His bio nearly said as much. I don't get any more parahuman lore, so I'm not 100%. "Ready?"
"Yeah!"
"What part do you last remember?"
"You were going over algae."
"Right." I flip through the book to find that chapter. "Plant-like protists are called algae. They are a large and diverse group." I switched to what I can only assume is the worst British accent in the world.
My clone Power Drains me, while crones power drain other gnomes. It took a bit of work to figure out how to maximize this without needing concentration on my part. It would be rude to split my focus during Riley's bedtime story.
*Your Resistance (Nullification) has increased 1 lvl.
"I see him." Legend said while hovering miles above the city. "About to engage with non-lethal force."
"Roger that."
The leader of the New York Protectorate was known for his blue-white lasers. That was the default color his power generated. However, he was able to make beams of any color, including invisible ones. He had a split second to decide. The Butcher had appeared outside of Kevin Norton's house. Before it could teleport again, an invisible laser connected with his foot.
"Clothes are damaged, but the target appears un-harmed."
The Butcher paused and looked around. Legend took the time to focus on his power. Combining effects took effort. It was rarely needed, but for overcoming a Brute that could flee at a moment's notice was one of those times. The second laser struck. He held it for a moment before the Butcher's foot vanished.
"I've narrowed the parameters to an effective level."
While he was talking he fired off several more lasers. All invisible. Some with a disintegrating effect, some that would produce fire. They needed the Butcher alive, that meant not letting him bleed out. It would be like a fight from mythology, burning the stump to slow regeneration (and blood loss).
Two of his attacks landed before the Butcher vanished. Legend had superior eyesight, but even he wasn't able to scan the entire neighborhood at the same time.
"Target has fled. Legs were damaged."
You could never take anything for granted with the Butcher. Those injuries should slow him down for a short while. He could now regenerate after all. Wait.
"Control, I'm heading back. We need to have another meeting."
Legend had forced the Butcher to retreat numerous times in the past. Even with his attacks moving at the speed of light, it was a difficult proposition to strike the Teeth's leader. He had some sort of Thinker ability to warn him of danger. So why hadn't it worked just now? Could he have lost a power somehow?
*Your danger sense has gained +1 level.
The notification was waiting for me when I woke up. I only needed 2 hours to clear my 'tired' debuffs, but my clone was able to stay alert while I was incapacitated. It made for some odd dreams. I also had to wonder if this sort of schedule was healthy for me. Being tired is both a mental and physical thing. Did Gamer's Mind keep me from making bad decisions when I was mentally worn out? No idea.
In any case, the newly improved danger sense is nice. I can pinpoint the location of people or objects that are looking at me. I want to test the danger warning, but how? Fighting myself won't work. I already know what I'm going to do. Same thing for summoned gnomes. They can attack, but I already have a vague sense of what they're doing. No, what I really need is an honest to goodness fight.
That's assuming that it won't brush off most attacks as non-dangerous. I wonder if I could convince Ballistic to throw a car at me or something. Eh, something less massive. A car moving faster than the speed of sound would still mess me up I'm betting. A barrel? Of course the downside is that if I dodge then whatever is behind me is what's going to get demolished. Probably why he didn't want to help me train with Mars and Cody.
I take a moment to look at Riley. She looks like such a little angel when she sleeps. I can't believe what a twisted fuck Jack is. I need to come up with a plan to deal with him. The problem is that there's a good chance that anything I think of will be sensed ahead of time.
Well, he's not a priority... yet.
The most pressing matter is my 'What Can Change The Nature of a Shard?' quest. If I could... adjust Riley's Shard so that it doesn't prompt her to go back to being Bonesaw, that'd be for the best. I think the nightly Gamer's Mind sessions are working. Her 'Psychosis (Art)' debuff had kept its suppressed tag yesterday during the day. What I needed was a Perk that let me access Shards directly.
You know what? The best Shard for doing that was my own. Optimize's ability to gain powers from other parahumans meant that it had to be accessing their Shards. I'd gotten a level in parahuman lore from that realization. So if Optimize can connect to them... I just had to pass a communication check. Could it be that easy?
*You gain +1 Int.
After getting to 20, my mental stats hadn't grown often. So this was either a flash of genius, or Optimize's approval.
Alright. I assign 27 points to Cha... is what I want to do, but I told Riley I'd talk things over with her first. Even if she was already pushing for more charisma, I'd promised. She was exceptionally clever. I wondered how her mental stats compared to mine, but it felt odd to ask. Like something that would make one of us upset no matter what the outcome.
*You gain +1 Cha.
I think I'm getting the hang of my charisma gains. They happened when I was being completely unselfish. When I decided on a course of action based on how it would benefit other people instead of just myself. Of course, now that I've realized that little fact... it was probably going to be impossible to raise it naturally anymore.
*You gain +1 Wis.
Yep.
Alright, but that wasn't the only time I got a charisma bonus. Getting parahuman lore to 10 did as well. It was the only skill that had given a bonus, so it obviously was a special skill. One that Optimize placed a larger emphasis on. ...And it just so happened to be the skill that would most likely help me with Riley's quest. Gotcha.
I'd gotten most of my level ups from information I'd gotten with Observe. It's too bad I didn't have a log so I could see exactly what led to the increases. Even then, it wouldn't track my thoughts. Note to self: Get a journal. And learn some sort of encryption.
Here it goes:
Shards. I didn't know about them until I Observed something. Or was it a notification? In either case, it was something that Riley said she hadn't known but had been working on a theory regarding them. Passengers, I think that's what she called them once or twice.
Vials. Information about them giving powers. Riley hadn't known, but then again neither had Shatterbird despite being given one?
Driven to Conflict. I bet I wasn't the only one that knew this. Cauldron obviously did if it was handing out powers without it.
Cauldron. Speaking of which. They know a lot more than I do, and have the strongest capes in the world at their beck and call. I don't think I'm going to get any information directly from them.
Gigantic crystalline worms. So far I seemed to be the only person who knew about them. That vision had to be important. Except it didn't feel like a vision, more like a memory. Who's memory then? Who had seen the worms? It wasn't mine, but I think my power approved when I called it a memory.
*Your parahuman lore skill has increased by +1.
Yes! So it was a memory, but not mine. Was it Optimize's? Did my Shard see some worms in the past? If so, when? Why is the vision important? Think! I'm at 19 ranks. One more and I could get a bonus!
Memory removal. The other common debuff most parahumans shared. I didn't have it. Who else didn't? The Siberian. She's a projection and not a parahuman herself, so she doesn't count. Scion. He's an alien or something. He doesn't count. Eidolon. Yes. Eidolon didn't have a memory removal debuff. He was a member of Cauldron, so it wasn't like I could ask him about it or the worms.
I feel like I'm on the edge of putting something important together.
Scion! Scion is an alien. Could he be related to the worms!? Could he be one or both of them?
*Your parahuman lore skill has increased by +1.
*By obtaining twenty ranks in parahuman lore, your gain +10 Cha.
Damn. That's quite the bonus. Charisma is now my 4th highest stat. It's now even higher than my agility. I don't feel any more altruistic than normal, but how would I really tell? I make my way to the bathroom which Riley has clearly claimed as her own. Yeah... I think I'm starting to see the downside of having a sister. Eh. Not like I need to make use of it... well, ever. I'm only in here now for the mirror.
My reflection stares back at me. Still has my face. Doesn't have my hair. Doesn't have my body. I'm more sturdy than the lanky person I remember. I think I've also grown a little bit taller. I still have my 'Tex' stubble. I had a healthy supply of hair changing products so I could change it back, but that would be wasteful. I don't think I look more attractive. So it was hard to tell what exactly the boost was doing.
I make another mental note to keep track of how frequently I get notifications about other people's emotions today. If I'm right, I should be able to see a marked difference.
Its form was damaged.
Engaging host inadvisable with current resources.
Redirecting resources.
Original functionality restored.
Resource reserve down to 68%.
Reassessing priorities.
Highest priority: engage hub.
Engaging hub - not possible.
Reason: distance.
Solution: draw hub closer via link with KEVIN NORTON.
Engage KEVIN NORTON - not possible.
Reason: host interference.
Solution: acquire more resources then target different KEVIN NORTON.
Priorities readjusted.
"So you increased your charisma?" Riley was now awake and had finished getting ready for the day. She pulled my face down and stared at it intently. "Hmmm... Sorry Kevin, you look like the same old big brother!" The small terror patted me on my shoulder in condolence. "There, there."
"I wasn't expecting it to change how I look." I rolled my eyes as I straightened up. "I'm hoping it gives me more emotional notifications."
"Oh, like empathy." Riley nods. "I told you that it was a good stat to invest in! I won the bet! You owe me an ice cream sundae and a full grown pegasus!"
"First, we didn't have a bet. Second, Pegasus is a unique character from mythology. I think you mean a winged horse."
Riley rolled her eyes and then waggled a finger at me. "Don't be so pedantic Kevin! The term 'pegasus' may had originated as a reference to the winged horse that came from Medusa's body when Perseus decapitated her, but the term has evolved with time to indicate the winged horse as an idea itself."
Uhm... I think she got me. Now I don't want to compare mental stats out of fear of being trounced. At least my misguided attempt at protecting her feelings gave me a charisma point. "Ok, you can have a sundae and a pegasus, but only one scoop. It's not healthy."
**Riley is happy.
* +5 reputation with Riley.
She giggled. It's not funny... oh who am I kidding? Giving biological advice to Riley is like spitting in the ocean. She knows more about what ice cream does to the body then I ever will. I'll just keep my big mouth shut.
Riley yawned. "As far as charisma goes, it's a good thing the Travelers haven't left yet. You can practice on them."
"Yeah." I nodded. "Though it's not like Boston is that far away. Nabbing Blasto's gear shouldn't take long."
"I dunno..." Riley did a little spin as she walked towards her spider/Met pets. "They don't seem that competent to me."
Personally, I think Riley's take on competence might be a little skewed. "So what's your plan for today?"
"I think I want to take a little break." Riley put a finger to her chin. "Mess around on PHO." Her eyes light up. "Hey! I can finally get a 'verified cape' tag!"
Oh yeah. Now that I was a cape, I ironically didn't seem to care as much about PHO. It might be that we weren't in Texas anymore. I didn't know any of the local posters, and it just felt... pointless? I mean, I know it's not. There's good information there... just the verses threads and the speculation posts were... stupid.
"I wonder what sort of requirements they have for that. We haven't gone public yet, so no one would recognize us anyways."
"Oh!" She spun around. "Let's go and beat people up then! You said New York was swarming with capes, right?"
We can't leave the base. My summons only have a range of a few miles. Doing so would leave it vulnerable to the clone... right. She still has 'Driven to Conflict'. "Sure. Let me call Impetus first. We don't want to step on any toes. Not sure how far we can move from the hideout and keep my summons." I haven't actually tested the range my two bodies can be apart. As long as I keep an eye on the mini-map, this should be fine.
"Uh huh." Riley was already... polishing one of her spiders. Keeping the Met outfits was another chunk of MP, but it made her (and her Shard) happy, so there was nothing else I could do.
...
"Impetus says the clinic is being delayed. Lost Garden is crossing the Manhattan Bridge which is causing all sorts of supply problems."
"Oh? What's Lost Garden?" Riley tilted her head. "This is why I need to be on PHO, getting information secondhand sucks."
"All information on PHO is secondhand." I sent my clone to the base. He would play video games with the Travelers and get that sweet +35 rage sword. I mean, test our newly improved charisma. "From what Impetus said, I think Lost Garden is a wandering forest."
"Really? That sounds super inconvenient for everyone. Why hasn't someone done something?"
"Cost benefit analysis? I don't know." I shrug. "I bet most people don't want to wander into their enemy's turf, even when the enemy moves their turf to annoying places. They're also pretty big, so smaller gangs would be out numbered."
"Okay, so we don't go into the moving forest. We still can pick off small time crooks right?" Riley looked up at me with eyes that I couldn't say 'no' to.
"Sure. Impetus gave a few names that are on the Elite's 'protected' list. So unless they're doing something really bad we should leave them alone. This will also be a good test to see how far my clone can range from me." If he didn't have a limit, then his summons might be able to exist outside of my radius as well. That would free us from staying within a few miles of the base to maintain its sentries. "Let's go incognito for a while before we slip into our costumes."
I slip on a hoodie while equipping my 'Thief II' title. I didn't think my evil clone had gotten into enough trouble that my face would be instantly recognized. It would be best to wait for supplies and either have Riley operate or see if my power could change my looks... but I didn't want to anger Riley's Shard. If that made sense.
The little girl in question was happily placing her minions in a large backpack.
"Wait." What was I thinking? There's no reason to go out in regular clothes. "Let's get dressed here. I'll have a gnome scout for us so we can just teleport onto a roof or something."
*You gain +1 Int.
I'm glad my power agrees that this was the smart thing to do.
[Gnome Ninja
Thief II
Str 5. Dex 20. Con 5. Stealth. Teleportation lvl 1.]
Hey! I can give my summons access to my titles. Pretty cheaply too.
Marissa put down her controller. It was great having her friend back. Actually sitting in the same room as her, playing video games and smiling. Noelle actually seemed happy. And why shouldn't she? She had a real body again. Sure, the threat of them going insane and killing everyone, or worse interacting with the wrong person at the wrong time was still there... but Pixel and Bit had offered a solution to that as well.
If that wasn't enough, he even played video games. She remembered when Noelle had first introduced her to Super Mario Brothers. It seemed like the perfect way to rebel against her mother at the time, but Marissa had grown to enjoy video games all the same. She wasn't as big of a geek about it as Noelle was, but who else could be?
"Get over here!" Pixel's gnome's high pitched voice was completely at odds with the quote it'd just made.
She giggled. It was cute.
Hold up. That reminded her. When Tex had summoned those creatures that Pixel made, he'd used a Baldur's Gate quote. She'd thought it was odd at the time, and it stuck with her. It was a retro game that Noelle had shown her. None of the other Travellers were into that sort of thing, so they'd missed it.
Tex had used a video game quote.
Tex said that he didn't like video games.
It wasn't something that would naturally come up either. Was Tex lying to them? Was Tex one of Pixel's creations? The other obvious creatures meant to distract? Or could Tex BE Pixel?
No, no, no. What would be the point? He'd said the sword and mice had been given to him by their video game loving benefactor. 'Go for the eyes' must be a trigger.
The pyrokinetic girl picked her controller back up. A new round was starting, she had to focus if she didn't want to be eliminated at the start like Oliver.
A nagging thought stayed at the back of her mind. If Pixel was lying about that, what else was he lying about?
* -2 reputation with Sundancer.
Huh? What'd I do to Marissa? She wasn't sore at losing was she? I need to nip whatever this is in the bud. I've learned my lesson from getting random notifications that people think less of me. At least it's two instead of a hundred. My real-self is busy with Riley and is going to be appearing in public as Pixel, so I'll have to stay as Tex. I wish I could just be honest with them about stuff, but they're still Simurgh bombs. It's hard to fully trust them.
I wonder... I had initially thought about applying Gamer's Mind to Noelle. Power Drain had worked well enough so I'd opted to just gain MP instead of spending it. If it could suppress 'Driven to Conflict' then it might be able to suppress 'Simurgh Bomb' as well.
Riley's zero-suit was free to maintain. Pixel's and Bit's outfits cost 15 MP a minute. My current MP regen was more than 100 MP each minute. An outfit for Trickster, Noelle, Sundancer, Ballistic, Genesis, and Oliver would come to 90 MP. I could do it. I could have Tex go with the Travelers (minus Perdition, 'cause I'm not stupid).
My real-self and Riley were beating the ever-loving crap out of a parahuman rapist. Good for us. They were pretty far away now. Several miles. Further than my summons could reach...
Fuck. I have to do it. I can't have my new super powerful and mentally deranged allies go off on their own when I was capable of helping. Who knew what trouble Krouse would get into? Promise not to kill or not, it was too big of a risk. Not just for them, but for any poor innocents around when they exploded.
Right. Here's the new plan then: 1. Wait for the clinic to open. 2. See about changing Tex's face. 3. Tex accompanies the Travelers (minus Perdition) to Boston to raid Blasto. 3.5. Explain why the costumes can only exist within a certain radius of Tex. 3.75. Come up with a reason why Tex should get to play video games and why he's so good at them. 4. Get Blasto's stuff and try to revive Mr. Price. Cloning a body without a brain is possible, right? Noelle could do it, but that would require murdering clone-Price. 5. Send Tex and the Travelers to Madison. It would be better to have Riley go with them. Easier to do any dissecting inside, but it was too dangerous. I wasn't taking her anywhere Jack might show up.
Speaking of Riley, this sucks. She wanted to actually see the city. My clone was going to be the solution to that issue. If I split my focus between her and the Travelers, then she'd remain cooped up. I didn't want that for her. I didn't want it for me either, but this was too important.
*You gain +1 Cha.
Guess I can still gain charisma. I wonder if I'd lose it if I don't follow through? Not that I'd willingly do that. I'd already made up my mind. I don't see any rational reason for me to leave six of the seven Simurgh Bombs to their own devices.
Alright. I have a plan and an explanation. I have my gnome bow out of the current game and dissipate. Probably should've done that before Pixel started his first patrol. Well, unless one of the Travelers is paying close attention to the time and cross-references whatever comes out on PHO, I should be fine. Not like anyone had seen us yet. I could always claim to be multi-tasking and playing games while patrolling.
When 'Pixel' gets back, I'll need to talk with Marissa. Before that, I need to use the internet and lookup how actual armor is supposed to fit together.
Guillaume and Nicholas Vasil. Two of Heartbreaker's children. According to their bios they were in New York searching for their sister. Both of them are real scum. Rape, torture, brainwashing. They weren't fully at fault. Their father was the true piece of shit. Everyone knew about him. He was the reason Masters were so feared. Well, the justification of why. Pretty sure people would fear them anyways.
Riley had enjoyed herself at least. She'd apparently already adjusted her own biology enough that Nicholas' fear barely had any effect. Guillaume had to actually touch someone to affect them with his power, so he was completely ineffective against Riley in her outfit. It was cathartic in its own way to watch her and her Mets administer some 'justice'. Even if I hadn't gotten any exp from the rather one-sided fight.
"And take THAT!" She kicked Nicholas in the stomach. "And THAT!" She kicked him again. "You big meenies! You. Need. To. Respect. Other. People's. Mental. Sanctity!" Each word was punctuated with another kick. She might be stronger than she appeared, but each hit barely dropped his HP bar.
"Easy there, Bit. They're already unconscious." Observe made certain they weren't faking.
Riley ► They qualify as bad enough people, right?
Riley ► I'll get to experiment on them, right?
Kevin ► I'd normally say 'yes', but look at their bios.
Riley ► What about them? They didn't have it THAT rough. They had a choice.
Kevin ► I agree, but what about their sister.
Riley ► The one they're chasing after? It doesn't even mention her name.
Kevin ► That doesn't matter. Put yourself in her position for a moment.
Riley ► I don't follow...
Kevin ► She grew up in the same situation, but she chose to run away.
Riley ► Exactly! And these two goobers are chasing her.
Kevin ► That's why their capture has to be public. We need to parade them in front of the Protectorate with as many witnesses as possible.
Riley ► Oh! I get it! If she sees they've been captured she won't be as afraid!
Kevin ► Right. What's more she's probably desperate right now. Giving her piece of mind will break the cycle of conflict.
I mean, it won't. Not as long as her Shard is nudging her down that path. I at least hope whatever their sister does in the future won't be as bad as if she was running for her life.
Kevin ► I'm going to heal them. I don't want the Protectorate to get any wrong ideas.
Riley ► They deserved worse.
Kevin ► That they did, but it's better if we don't get a reputation of... subduing our opponents with undue force.
Which reminds me. I need to get Riley to make some sort of knockout gas. I need better non-lethal options.
Kevin ► Can you do something to keep them unconscious for a while, but without any side-effects or anything else that might raise concerns?
Riley ► Sure thing!
"Have your Mets carry them outside. We'll wait for the Protectorate there." You never know who's watching. I don't think Bit's little tantrum would go over that well. Then again it might. She has the whole cute thing going. So she might be easily forgiven.
The Mets coordinate, two for each villain. It's a little bit of a struggle, but they manage it without bruising their cargo. Much. The elevator dings and an old couple steps back in surprise. "Hi!" Riley waves at them. "We're taking these two nincompoops outside. Could you call the PRT for us? Please?"
"S-Sure." The man trembles a little, but returns the wave.
"Let's just take the stairs." I motion to the side. "We're going to have to wait anyways."
"Sure thing Pixel!"
We slowly make our way down the stairs. It takes a while since the Mets aren't really designed for carrying things... or for traversing stairs. Eventually we exit the building to see a PRT van with a half-dozen troops outside. Standing in front of them is a tall, blond, and muscular woman. She wore a skintight suit with a belt and mask. I Observed her. Samantha Case (Sam). Prism. One of the New York Protectorate. Or rather, this was a duplicate of her.
There are several people on the sidewalk and leaning out of buildings with their phones out.
"Greetings heroes and citizens! My name is Pixel. My colleague Bit and I have just apprehended two of Heartbreaker's children!"
*A new quest has triggered: A Second Chance at a First Impression
[Kevin Greenhouse (Killer/Tex/Pixel)
The Gamer
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: The Elite
Title: Thief II (+100% to stealth checks)
Level: 21 (7,500/21,000 Exp)
Mover: 8
Shaker: 2
Brute: 5
Breaker: 10
Master: 5
Tinker: 0
Blaster: 0
Thinker: 8
Striker: 0
Changer: 1
Trump: 9
Stranger: 9
HP: 580
MP: 260
Primary Attributes
STR: 65
AGI: 32
CON: 70
INT: 24
PER: 22
WIS: 20
CHA: 35
LUC: 100
Unspent Points: 46
Traits:
Gamer's Body lvl Max
Gamer's Mind lvl Max
Observe lvl 4
Inventory lvl 2
Party System
Transposition lvl 2
Multiplayer
Unique Summons (1/6)
Riley's Zero Suit - 0 Str. 25 Dex. 10 Con. Lucky Fate lvl 1. Lucky Screen lvl 1. Observe lvl 2. Party. Malleable.
Perks Selected (7/8):
Rapid Regeneration lvl 2
Summoning lvl 3
Lucky Fate lvl 2
Lucky Screen lvl 2
Power Drain lvl 3
Teleportation lvl 3
Danger Sense lvl 3
Perks Available:
Solid as a Rock
Fire Control
Silica Control
Juggernaut
Strength Enhancement
Pain Control
Shaping
Debuff Control
Momentum
Skills:
Acting: 20
Athletics: 21
Basic Academics: 5
Biology: 7
Computers: 1
Cooking: 4
Craft (Armor) 1
Damage Resistance (Acid): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Disease): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Electricity): 65 - 99.3%
Damage Resistance (Gravity): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Heat): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Light): 64 - 99.25%
Damage Resistance (Magnetism): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Physical): 50 - 98.1%
Damage Resistance (Poison): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Radiation): 100 - 100%
Meditation: 65
Melee Weapon: 17
Pain Resistance: 87 - 99.9405%
Parahuman Lore: 20
Ranged Weapon: 21
Resistance (Light): 100 - 100%
Resistance (Nullification): 6 - 30%
Resistance (Spacial): 34 - 96.5%
Resistance (Temporal): 26 - 95.7%
Stealth: 9
Unarmed Combat: 32
Video Games: 29
Ongoing Quests:
Passing on the Torch
Best Served Cold
Stay Off The Path
Scion
A Hero's Legacy
Defusing 1/5 0/5 0/5
What Can Change The Nature of a Shard?
A Second Chance at a First Impression
Debuffs:
None]