Thursday, February 24th…
The sound of a blaring alarm woke Taylor. It wasn't the high pitched ringing of a normal alarm, as she had been able to program her mind to awaken herself whenever needed, thus rendering her old alarm clock useless. No, this flashing klaxon that could only be compared to an air raid warning was coming from her laptop, which she had placed on her nightstand. Taylor groaned, her weak, fleshy bits creaking in dissatisfaction at the interruption of her first real sleep in several days.
Glancing at the laptop, she unlocked it to see what was causing the alarm. She swore if someone was breaking into her lab again she was going to tear off their heads and use their brains as processors for a super cogitator. But when the screen unlocked, the words on it made her eyes go wide.
WARNING, ENDBRINGER ATTACK IMMINENT!
Not too long ago, Taylor had created a small bug to infiltrate the PRTs systems to keep her appraised not only on their intelligence on local capes, but on Endbringer attacks and other S-Class threats as well. This wasn't a Tinkertech program, just a regular worm that she was able to make after downloading the necessary computer science knowledge. With a quick tap on her keyboard, Taylor began rooting within the PRT servers to look for more information. The PRT wasn't keeping quiet about the event, sending messages to every cape within the Protectorate roster with only the barest encryption.
The Simurgh was attacking Canberra, Australia.
Taylor grimaced. The Simurgh was the worst of the Endbringers for her to theoretically fight. Not to say that Behemoth or Leviathan would be easy to contend with, but the Simurgh was a direct counter to any Tinker, copying their powers in order to create her own Tinkertech. And with Taylor's current forces, she was less than useless against a being of such magnitude.
Not to mention Taylor had no way of getting to Australia. There was that teleporter Cape, Strider, her perfect memory recalled, who would often get employed before Endbringer battles to teleport capes to and fro. It wasn't hard for her to determine where and when the Capes from Brockton Bay were going to meet for the teleportation.
Taylor considered her options. Part of her wanted to go and try and help, to think that she could use her enhancements to help in some way, perhaps as a medic or search and rescue. But Taylor realized this was her emotions talking. Activating her cranial circuitry, Taylor did the same thing she did when she spoke with Armsmaster after the Merchants attacked her Manufactorum. She began to limit her emotional responses.
In the days after her operation with Amy, Taylor realized her cranial circuitry did more than just enhance her intelligence, it gave her direct access to several of her neurological systems. With a few modifications, similar to what she then used on the skitarii's MIUs, she was able to then learn how to control these systems. This allowed her to do things like limit her own emotions to a degree, so she could contemplate a topic through pure logic, unfiltered by emotional or moral complications.
And all logical parts of her mind came to the same conclusion. It was not worth it to go. The cold, immutable logic, returned the same words over and over. There was no point. She did not have the resources, and wasting her skitarii or Guardsmen on this would be foolish. That didn't even get into the risk to herself, or how she could even be a detriment as a Tinker near the Simurgh. She needed to focus on building up her forces and nothing else. And so, Taylor closed her laptop and crawled back into bed.
As she laid there, trying to sleep once more, a thought struck her mind. Sitting back up, Taylor moved to her laptop and pulled out the cellphone that she had Merrick purchase for her. She no longer cared about her father's ban against them, and trying to organize her troops and manufactorum without rapid, long range communication was pure idiocy. So she would use this phone, at least until she developed some kind of internal communication technology that could be used by her employees.
Searching through the contacts, she found the one she was looking for, Amy Dallon.
This is Taylor. Are you going? She sent.
After a short pause, there was a response.
Yea. Going with fam to PRT HQ. I'm healing and Vicky is on S&R. R u coming?
Taylor stared at her phone for a moment.
No. I fear I will be of no use there.
After sending the message, Taylor felt a strange sensation in her stomach. Then she typed in a follow up.
I'm sorry.
Taylor continued to stare at the phone until Amy responded.
Don't be. Most of the Wards aren't coming. Neither is Armsmaster. Tinkers are bad for Simurgh fights. No offense. Taylor took note that Amy was now typing with proper grammar and spelling as she sent her next text. If anything, I'm glad you're going to be staying safe back here.
Taylor nodded her head, glad that Amy could keep a level in the circumstances. Although she couldn't exactly discern why she was so concerned with Taylor's safety. Perhaps that was simply Amy's good nature as a hero. It also somewhat threw Taylor for a loop since she wasn't exactly sure how to respond to someone showing what appeared to be genuine sincerity to her.
So rather than come up with a thoughtful response, she just typed, Good luck. Stay alive.
After all, Amy was a talented fleshcrafter and a boon to Taylor's research and procedures. Losing her wouldn't be catastrophic, but it would slow down her process of self-augmentation.
With that, Taylor put down her phone without waiting for Amy's response, and went back into her bed, and swiftly returned to sleep.
Saturday, February 26th…
Taylor stood at the front of her Manufactorum, pacing back and forth in front of the sealed steel doors. Where normally the factory floor would be filled with the bustling of half a dozen dock workers fabricating components for her Tinkertech, currently it was silent. And instead of the normal DWA members doing their work, the factory floor was filled with a group of 18 men and women.
The people assembled in front of her were of a range of ages, from late 20s to mid 40s, and from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. But what they had in common was the hard, determined look on their faces, and tough, well built bodies that spoke of a great deal of either physical training or manual labor. They all wore the fatigues of the Guardsmen, but at Sgt. Merrick's request, they were changed from drab gray to a more military khaki-tan. At the same time, his and the other existing Guardsmen's flak armor were changed from the gun metal gray to an olive-green. Taylor questioned the wisdom of wearing green and tan armor in the middle of a city, but acquiesced to the request when Merrick said it was good for the morale of the troops to not wear something too plain.
And morale would be important for all of the recruits in front of her. As per her own request, Merrick began an extensive recruiting drive to bring in new recruits into the Guardsmen. Focusing on the fellow DWA members he could easily background check, Merrick collected 18 more members who were eager to join Taylor's new force.
These men and women did not choose to join her because they required cybernetic replacements like the original Guardsmen. No, they joined her for two reasons, money and vengeance. Taylor could provide them (for now) with a steady job and income, something which was not uncommon for members of the DWA to join one of the various gangs for. And with Merrick's and her father's approval, her organization was far more palatable than say the E88.
But besides that, Merrick made the very smart choice of recruiting members who had all lost something to the gangs. Some lost siblings or children to drugs pushed by the Merchants. Others had family members attacked by the E88, or friends kidnapped by the ABB. All of them were hurt and angry, clamoring for vengeance against the gangs and their villains. And who was Taylor to deny them their vengeance?
"Ladies and gentlemen." Taylor began as she addressed the crowd. "Thank you for coming. I am not one for grandstanding or speeches, so I will keep this brief."
Taylor began pacing in front of the crowd who stood firmly at attention. "You have chosen to join my organization, my Guardsmen, and for that, you have my thanks. I will not lie to you, this will be a difficult occupation, grueling even. Your life will soon become filled with danger. We have been attacked once by a gang already, and there is no doubt in my mind we will be attacked again."
Spinning about face, Taylor stopped and faced her new recruits directly. "But once you finish your training, and join the ranks of the Guardsmen fully, I can give you a chance to achieve something greater than you have ever done before. You will become a part of a great machine, a network dedicated to the revival of Brockton Bay." At her words, Taylor held out her hands animatedly, as if to reach out to the city around her.
She then dropped her arms and returned to a neutral, erect stance. "The Sergeant Major will be putting you through the proverbial wringer until you are competent enough that I am convinced you won't kill yourselves or your allies with a lasgun. Good luck with your training, and may the Omnissiah watch over you." Taylor then turned to her officers and said, "Sergeant Major Merrick, Lieutenant Mira, with me."
"Dismissed!" Merrick barked at the newest recruits, who were then herded away by the other senior Guardsmen. Merrick then made his way over to Taylor alongside their newest officer, 1st Lieutenant Mira Kell.
Lieutenant Mira was younger than Merrick, a woman in her early 30s, athletic with a shorter, stocky build, and a pretty face. She wore her auburn-brown hair in a ponytail and was dressed in the same khaki fatigues and green flak armor as Merrick.
Like Merrick, Mira was a veteran of the United States military, having retired as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army several years ago. She moved to Brockton Bay several years alongside her husband, who was a member of the DWA while she worked for a civil engineering firm. They lived a rather well off life, until last year where her husband was killed by a stray bullet from a fight between the Merchants and ABB. Apparently, Mira had never gotten over his death, and Taylor was more than happy to exploit that anger for her own use.
"Tech-Priest." Mira saluted as she walked up to Taylor. "For someone who says they're not an orator, you gave a half decent speech."
Taylor shrugged. "Despite this artificial visage and metallic limbs, I like to think I maintain something of a heart." At least, when she's not actively dampening her emotions. "Regardless. With the recruits beginning their training with Daryl and the others, we have more to discuss. Come, we must go to my workshop." Taylor then spun about face and made for the basement staircase.
Merrick and Mira glanced at once another, knowing what was beneath their very feet, before swallowing their emotions and following behind Taylor. When they entered Taylor's personal workshop, they were all greeted with the strange sight of two, red-cloaked figures in what looked like the middle of a boxing match.
The two skitarii fighting were trading blows faster than any normal human could perform, with precision only a machine could implement. Eventually, one of the skitarii was able to intercept a punch, grabbing his opponent by the wrist before flipping him and throwing him to the cold, steel ground.
"That is two victories to none, Ryza-02." The victor said, his voice containing a smug condescension despite the synthesized filter over it.
Ryza-02 growled on the ground. "Your performance here does not equate to performance in the field, Metalica-01."
Metalica-01 only tilted his head up at Ryza-02. "Excuses to justify your failures. Perhaps your failings come from your inferior parts, both organic and augmetic."
Metalica-01, like all the Skitarii of Metalica squad, were made of former members of the E88. While they were all mindwiped and psycho-indoctrinated, it was made apparent by his attitude that Metalica-01 still maintained some of his previous life's biases. That was an interesting problem to Taylor. Were his prejudices from residual left overs from his memories, or perhaps more of a problem of his genetic make up that caused lack of empathy? Something to research later, if Taylor had time.
"Are you saying that I craft subpar augmetics, Metalica-01?" Taylor snapped as she entered the workshop fully.
At her words and appearance, the two Skitarii stood erect and saluted in the way Taylor designed, interlocking the first joints of their fingers together with their thumbs raised up; the sign of the cog.
"Of course not, Prophet," Metalica-01 immediately said. "I would never criticize your work, or the work you do for the Machine God."
"Not to my face, apparently." Taylor hissed out, annoyed. With a mental flick, Taylor then took full control of Metalica-01, puppeting his body. She walked him out to the back room of the workshop where she would use him to maintain the Skitarii's equipment.
That was an additional unexpected boon Taylor found she could do with her enhanced mental facilities. With her enhanced intelligence came an inhuman level of multi-tasking capability. Combined with her ability of possessing and controlling her skitarii, she could possess her cyborg soldiers and have them perform maintenance, or even create new tech, while her primary body did other things. 16 hours of labor should be enough for the errant skitarii to learn respect. If not, she would just program it into him.
"As for you, Ryza-02." She said, turning her head to the second Skitarii. "Bring Enginseer to me. I have much to discuss with her."
Ryza-02 bowed and moved to the back room of the workshop as well. It had used to be the restroom and storage facility of fallout shelter, Taylor had since renovated and expanded it to be a second workshop where the skitarii would barracks and store their weapons. Enginseer often spent her time there too, as she oversaw the maintenance of the Skitarii and their equipment in addition to her own tinkering.
A few moments later, Ryza-02 appeared once more alongside Enginseer.
Taylor nodded at the duo, before turning to Ryza-02 and saying, "Leave us."
Flashing the sign of the cog once more, Ryza-02 turned and left.
Once he was gone, Enginseer turned to Taylor and bowed her head. "Tech-Priest." She then turned to the others and bowed. "Guardsmen. What do you require of me?"
"We must discuss strategy," Taylor answered. She then turned so she was squared up to all present. "Our numbers have greatly increased as of late, and we must talk of scheduling and defenses. Tell us Enginseer, what is the status of the skitarii?"
Enginseer stood up a little bit taller as she was called out. "Both Ryza and Metalica squads stand at full six-man kill teams. They are armed, armored, and ready for combat at your word, Tech-Priest."
Taylor nodded her head before she then turned to Lieutenant Mira.
Mira stood at attention as well. "Ma'am. Including all of the recruits we brought in today, the total number of Guardsmen sits at a full platoon of thirty troopers. Of those, only twelve would be considered combat ready at the moment. Those are all military veterans. But if worse comes to worse, you can stick a gun in anyone's hands and tell them where to aim."
"Hmm." Taylor grunted. "Recommendations on deployments?"
"We can break down the twelve veteran Guardsmen into two squads as well." Merrick suggested. "An Alfa squad dedicated to protecting the manufactorum, and a Bravo squad dedicated to training the recruits. We can also rotate them so they don't get too used to one job and get lazy"
"Meanwhile, if you do not put the skitarii on hunting missions, they can be set to guarding places where we could be vulnerable." Enginseer added on. "For example, your home, Tech-Priest. Or your father's place of work."
"I thought gangs and villains don't go for family members of capes." Mira asked, frowning.
Taylor shrugged. "They shouldn't. But I do not see why we should leave them the option open to them should they decide to." She then turned to Merrick. "How long will it take to get the current recruits to a minimal level of competency?"
"Minimal level of competency?" Merrick snorted, stifling a laugh. "Ma'am, you can teach anyone to shoot a gun in a day if that's your minimum level. But if you want those boys and girls up there to be a unit? To act on reflex and trust each other in a pinch? That takes time."
"How much time?" Taylor pressed.
Merrick sighed. "Look ma'am. Marine Corps boot camp alone is 13 weeks. Army's a little less. Then you got weeks of individual training afterwards. And even then, once you finish all of that, you're still a greenhorn grunt that no one would trust to take a shit in a toilet correctly." Taylor's eye only narrowed on him as he continued to avoid the question. "But… if you want me to get them moving and shooting together, give me a month, at least. That way they can learn some basics and know how to not kill themselves or each other."
"You have a month then," Taylor said with a nod. She then turned to Enginseer. "And how are the missions reclaiming former Merchant hideouts going?"
"The skitarii of Ryza squad have hit another hideout that I was able to piece together from their memories and my own," Enginseer responded emotionlessly. "Unfortunately, it appears that whatever Merchants that were still around following the capture of Skidmark took the money and drugs and went to ground."
Frowning behind her mask, Taylor nodded. "That is unfortunate. I had hoped the raids would give us some more capital to buy us time before we could gain a contract." She shook her head. "No matter, we cannot change the past, just continue on searching for new solutions. Speaking of, how goes your newest design?"
Enginseer perked up at the mention of her work. Almost immediately she began to pull out paper blueprints out of her robes. "Very well! I have finished the first pass design on an APC for use by the Guardsmen." She rolled out the blueprint which showed the image of a large, blocky APC with thick tank treads on both sides, a turret mounted Tinkertech cannon on its top, and what looked like several smaller guns mounted on the front and sides of the hull.
"I call this design the Chimera," Enginseer said proudly. "Fast moving, well armored, and modular in its design, with its turret mounted Multi-Laser, the only thing which could actually threaten it in combat would be a main battle tank, or a Purity-level blaster."
"Or an Endbringer," Taylor said without inflection.
Mira and Merrick both winced at the mention of the name, and Enginseer only frowned at her. "I would like to see you attempt to design something which can combat those monsters," she snapped back.
"With the attack on Canberra, we have a few months to try and figure something out." Taylor shrugged. "But besides that, good work so far. Once we get the funding we can start constructing a prototype. Perhaps the PRT would be actually interested in buying one of these."
Merrick snorted. "With the way they've been ghosting you? Doubt it."
Taylor glared at the Sgt. Major, but didn't snap at him. "And that leads me to my next topic. Coil." Merrick's face became stern at her words, while Mira frowned with disapproval. Enginseer meanwhile, seemed impassive. Taylor continued. "As you all know, Coil has approached us with an offer of business and cooperation. I want your opinions on whether or not we continue negotiations."
"You know my opinion Ma'am." Lt. Mira said almost immediately. "The gangs are a plague on this city, and Coil is no different. You've said you want to save Brockton Bay, but working with Coil will only propagate the corruption in this city. We give him Tinkertech, and we set him up to take control of the city."
Taylor nodded. "Understandable, given your history." She then looked at the others. "Anyone else?"
"I disagree with the lieutenant." Enginseer spoke up, drawing eyes to her. "Yes, Coil is a threat and a problem, but he is also an opportunity. As we have said, the PRT is not interested in our technology. Nor have your private business ventures netted us any significant revenue."
Taylor glared at Enginseer for bringing up the fact that Taylor's prosthetic business only netted them a handful of customers. Enginseer took the look in stride as she continued. "We know for a fact that Coil already purchases Tinkertech from other sources. We know for a fact he's already offered Tech-Priest a significant sum of money. If we want to expand our current facilities beyond what they already are, then we need Coil's business."
"A fair point as well." Taylor said as she looked at Merrick. "And you, Sergeant Major?"
Merrick paused to think for a moment. "I'm more concerned about security. We just don't know enough about Coil's organization to know if we can take him on in a straight fight. We know he controls half of downtown, has top of the line mercs, Tinkertech, and can go toe to toe with the Empire. Outside of that, we got nothing. We don't even know if he has any other Parahumans working for him."
"Something I have thought of as well," Taylor said. She then turned her head to Mira. "I agree that we cannot trust Coil, as he is one of the many problems poisoning this city." She then looked to Enginseer. "But he is also the only viable source of revenue currently presented to us. As such, I am willing to continue negotiations with him. But, as the Sergeant Major says, we need more fire power if we attempt to make a deal with this particular devil. What we need… is more Parahumans under our banner. Suggestions on that?"
"Maybe an alliance with some of the other parties in the city?" Merrick suggested. "You're friendly with the Dallon girls. Maybe make some kind of defense pact with New Wave. Hell, we could even give them some tech in return."
"New Wave wouldn't be too happy if they found out we were working with Coil though." Mira countered. "It would have to be either a neutral party, or maybe some small-time villains. I know Faultline has a mercenary crew for hire. We give them money and tech, they'd probably work for us."
Taylor hummed at that. It was nice that Mira was still participating despite not agreeing with Taylor's chosen direction. A mark of a good officer. "Not a bad idea. They could be pricey, but worth the money."
"We need more Tinkers." Enginseer abruptly added on. "Preferably one with a speciality which could synergize with our own. We must continue to spread the light of the Machine God to those blessed like us."
Another Tinker would be very useful. One that would be particularly useful would be one who could specialize in weaponry, who could refine and expand the arsenal of the Manufactorum.
"Hmm, Kid Win and Armsmaster would both be good to bring into the fold. Unfortunately, I think their loyalty to the Protectorate and heroic moral fiber would preclude them from working with us." Yet.
But, Taylor then recalled the name and face of one, somewhat infamous, Tinker in Brockton Bay. One who was apparently so blessed by the Machine God, that he had no constraints on what he could build.
"But that gives me an idea," Taylor then said as she grinned behind her mask. "Tell me, who amongst you plays video games?"
A/N, 5/9/22: And back! A bit of a shorter chapter, but I wanted to get one out since I missed last month's update. I'll try and get a second one out this month as well. And for anyone who hadn't noticed, Sgt. Major Merrick is based on the same Imperial Guard Sergeant from Dawn of War II, while Lt. Mira is based on the Imperial Guard Lieutenant from Space Marine.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you in the next one! And if you haven't yet, please check out my newest Worm+Warhammer crossover, Taylor the Everchosen, with !ChaosTaylor!