PRT Threat Assessment
Name: Pixel
Classification: Tinker 9 (Multithreaded/Controller possible Free Tinker), Stranger, Trump
Disposition: Independent Hero; Rogue; The Elite
Location: New York
General information: A cape that first appeared on November 19, 2010. Given technology displayed, likely triggered 6 months to 2 years ago. Is an associate of the Elite, having them be the middlemen for any for-profit ventures. Likely established self in New York City within the last month.
See linked report about Bit. Familial relationship suspected.
See linked report about the Elite's proposed clinic.
Captured Guillaume and Nicholas Vasil on November 19, 2010. The two parahumans are the offspring of Nikos Vasil aka Heartbreaker. Initial investigation supports claim that they had been assaulting individuals with parahuman abilities. Investigation ongoing.
Subdued the Butcher XIV on November 20, 2010. Power nullification technology had unforeseen interaction.
Personality: Polite, calm, and intelligent.
Powers:
Tinker - Has displayed few crafted items to date, but those shown demonstrate powerful and varied effects. Specialization speculated to be 'Blackboxing'. All of Pixel's observed tinkertech has a Stranger effect that disrupts most sensors tested including sight. Touch is unaffected. Effect extends to Thinker and Tinker powers. This masks their true composition and makes distinguishing any of his technology before it activates virtually impossible.
The following items have been used:
Powersuits for Pixel and his companion Bit. Nature of defensive and offensive capacities unknown. Noted 'scrambling' effect on Thinkers and Tinkers observing it. A shielding effect from emotional manipulation may be a side effect of the general cloaking effect.
Scanners. Stated as being capable of identifying parahuman abilities and their effects. Effectiveness has not been tested. May be deployed as small, wireless cameras.
Support robots. Small and unassuming. Two are capable of carrying an adult. Other capacities unknown.
Healing pod. Mass compressed or shifted to another dimension when in storage. Rapid deployment to full size. Healing effectiveness tested on canines, rodents, and birds. Rate of healing dependent on wound. Stated to be able to regrow lost limbs.
Teleportation pad. Mass compressed or shifted to another dimension when in storage. Rapid deployment to full size. Range unknown. Disintegrated 45 seconds after use. Unknown if this is a limitation or if Pixel was willing to install a self-destruct effect despite the obvious cost.
Power Nullification device. Mounted on armor. From observation, takes approximately one second to activate. Effect is supposed to be temporary. Left Butcher XIV in vegetative state, possibly due to unique power interaction. Effectiveness has not been tested on other parahumans.
All of Pixel's tech will likely make use of his mass compression effect.
Recommended Strategies: Request backup of other Tinkers. Should not be offensively engaged without ample backup from Protectorate. Most deescalation tactics likely to succeed.
Notes: Scrambling field similar to effect noted on Butcher XIV. Healing pod technology similar to Butcher XIV's host's reported ability. Strong possibility of previous interaction. Most likely scenario is that Pixel encountered Butcher XIV shortly after it moved to its new host.
Update November 19th: Due to possibility of interaction with Butcher XIV, Pixel now wanted for questioning. The Elite have been contacted. Approach with caution. Likelihood of hostile encounter low, but Butcher XIV information of vital importance. Treat any location as a Tinker's workshop when dealing with Pixel.
Update November 20th: Pixel claimed to have met the Butcher XIV as Tex, before the Butcher's power drove him insane. Has not volunteered any additional information. Pivotal in neutralization of Butcher XIV. Voluntarily entered observation.
Legend looked over the report before turning his attention to Prism. "Pixel voluntarily submitted himself to observation for fear that he may be the next Butcher?"
Prism nodded. "That's right. Director Wilkins says he's cooperating despite the displayed ability to teleport with his armor."
Legend drummed his fingers on his desk. "There's every possibility that the suit is a drone, or that the real Pixel teleported away from inside of it."
Prism shrugged. "With his scrambling field active, there's not much we can prove. His dimensional compression technology means that the armor is entirely self-contained. He's refused to remove it for eating or anything else."
"And what's Director Wilkins' decision?"
"He wants to release Pixel. I think the Elite are putting some pressure on him since their new clinic is supposed to open tomorrow. He could cite the Leifield Act for continued forced observation, but the Elite would challenge."
Legend nodded. "He hasn't shown any signs of instability yet. Even if he did, we would be hard-pressed to contain him. Have any other capes reported signs of the Butcher's influence?"
She shook her head. "None. Watchdog has released a preliminary report." She opened a file and put it on the desk facing her boss.
"Hmmm... 'The Butcher died November 2nd, 2010.' An interesting conclusion."
"The results are spotty after that. Not as much since Butcher XIV was declared brain dead."
Legend sighed. "Pixel has given us no reason to antagonize him, but that field of his is proving to be a headache."
"Do you have any points you'd like to bring up to Director Wilkins?"
He shook his head. "No. I think his reasoning is sound. With the Butcher in a coma, the most likely scenario is that Pixel's power negation device stopped whatever means the Butcher used to possess people. As such, he might be well and truly dead. Or he might find another host someday. Or he might take a host when the body dies. In the meantime, as long as Pixel is cooperating, there's no need to detain him. I have no objections." He paused. "Kid Blur said that Pixel would personally be at their new clinic. We should increase surveillance and also check with him daily. Code Crash talked about voices in his head. Pixel may be experiencing symptoms but trying to use his technology to suppress them. My recommendation to the Director is to ask Pixel in person and to try and have someone become acquainted with him. Someone who could notice any behavioral changes."
Prism picked up the folder. "I'll let him know, sir."
"One precaution we should take is to reach out and find a comatose parahuman. Treating them close to the Butcher will be a fail-safe if he should die or be killed."
"I'll draw up a list and organize them by potential threat if they got the Butcher's power."
Legend smiled at her. "Good job with the Teeth by the way."
She flashed him a rare smile in return. "Thank you sir. It felt good."
Omake (non-canon)
It had failed in its objective.
It could not gain access to KEVIN NORTON.
It could not find additional hosts.
It could not obtain the needed resources.
It sat in an area between 'buildings'.
The feeling wouldn't go away.
It had time, but time spent in a non-optimal way was wasteful...
The feeling intensified.
The more time it spent examining its failure, the worse the feeling became.
The worse the feeling became, the more it needed to examine it.
It was caught in a loop.
A soft vocalization came from beside it.
It identified the creature as an immature feline.
The creature pressed its body against its vessel's leg.
It reached down and touched the creature.
It felt.
It felt better.
It carefully picked the creature up, and walked towards the 'street'.
Brushing the creature produced positive feelings in its vessel.
Its immediate vicinity contained no hosts or non-hosts.
It scanned until it found its target.
It took the creature and carefully placed it in the 'tree'.
It moved to concealment and waited for the hub to arrive.
...
The hub had not come for its bait.
The human information network had related faulty information.
It kept the immature feline.
Its presence prevented further issues with its vessel.
Priorities readjusted.
...
"I'm fine. Let's get out of here."
It scanned the area. The host had fled.
It was unable to accomplish its goal.
Again.
Unknown interaction occurred with its vessel's biology.
It felt.
It felt sad.
There was movement in its vessel's coverings.
The immature feline vocalized.
It reached down and touched its companion.
It felt better.
...
Additional resources have been Optimized for use. Accessing.
Resource reserve up to 96%.
The immature feline vocalized.
The sound caused its vessel to become distressed.
It needed information.
The human information network had contained faulty information previously, but it was still the most convenient source.
It could not use its previous access location.
It obtained a small network access device from the vessel of the former host.
It should obtain 'Milk' and 'Cat Food'.
'Milk' was found in a large compartment.
Milk and immature feline were deployed to ground.
Companion engaged in consumption of Milk.
...
It appeared in its target's dwelling.
The only sound came from its companion.
A host and non-hosts appeared around it!
It had to escape!
Incorrect. Action would result in a violation of sub-priority.
Resetting its vessel's position without visual confirmation was an unacceptable risk to its companion.
It received a connection.
Its link to its vessel was severed.