Chapter 6: Sliming by the dock of the Bay.

* Docks *

* January 5 2011, 1535 hours *

There was a plan. Slow, methodical, checking area by area in a careful controlled manner. Flushing the monster or parahuman or whatever that was out so they could determine what it was.

The plan lasted about a half-hour before two words indicated that someone had gotten into some pharmaceuticals that they'd all been warned to keep away from him.

"Leeeroy Jenkins!" declared the one minion as he ran towards the distant fence.

Followed by the same comments that had followed the last time anything like this had happened.

"DAMNIT LEROY!"

"Leroy, you idiot!"

"The plan, damnit Leroy! Stick to the plan!"

Some comments were new.

"Check your six! Sniper!"

"It's just a spotter. They're tracking us but too cowardly to attack!"

"I'm not going to complain about people not shooting at us!"

Hookwolf snarled. "We been walking around for a half-hour now. BRING US THE CAPE!"

"There's the fence! We got 'em now!" said Leroy, charging for the gap in the fence.

(SLICE!)

The others following behind tried to stop, but the press of bodies behind pushed them forward.

(SLICE!)

"Okay, this turned dark pretty quick," commented one of the thugs.

"Shuddup and follow me," said Hookwolf, blades and hooks erupting from his skin as he stalked past the bleeding minions.

(SLICE!)

Looking at all the pieces of metal that had been cut off even as more pushed out, Hookwolf paused and took a closer look at the threads that were really only visible because of the droplets of blood clinging to them. "What the hell is this made of?"

"Molecule-thin nanowire," said a young girl's voice. "I call it Steel Thread. Mainly because molecular nanowire is a mouthful."

A shape slowly oozed up on the other side of the barrier, becoming a blue pillar before reshaping to a girl still all the same shade of blue but with a glossy look to her.

"What the hell are you?" asked Hookwolf.

"Plasti-Girl. Still thinking about the name though," said the blue girl. "Why are you guys-"

One of his minions shot three times in rapid succession. There were splooshing noises as the bullets hit, and then the bullets were clearly visible floating in the interior of the blue girl.

"That was very rude," said Plasti-Girl, apparently not hurt at all. "Your boss was talking, you shouldn't interrupt his conversations. Very disrespectful."

Hookwolf considered the point and had to admit that there was one. He partly turned in order to look directly at Carl. "Carl. That's two."

"So why are you guys out here shooting up the place?" asked Plasti-Girl.

"Needed to see if you were the right sort to join the Empire," said Hookwolf aloud as he tested one of the strands and watched the blade get notched. "Huh. This stuff's pretty tough."

"Well, so are you," said Plasti-Girl. "Your guys are chopped up a bit. If you agree to clear out afterwards, I can patch 'em up."

"You can do healing stuff too? Huh," said Hookwolf. "You one of those 'Case 53' types?"

"I don't think so, but I'm not really up on all that stuff," admitted Plasti-Girl.

"Well, I don't think you're suitable for the Empire, so sorry - this is gonna hurt," said Hookwolf, blades and hooks extending once more. He circled back, transformed fully into a wolf made of blades and hooks.

"Being a bit of an edgelord there, aren't you?" asked Plasti-Girl.

The blades of wolf charged, leaped up over the fence in an arc, and then stopped in midair.

"Those are my Sticky Threads," confessed Plasti-Girl. "Oh, and WATER BLADE!"

There were screams at that.

"PREDATOR!"

There were even more screams.

* Danny *

He couldn't really get upset at her for getting into a fight.

Partly because you couldn't really call that a fight. Rout, massacre, curbstomp, maybe a few other things.

The bullets did NOTHING to Taylor as far as he could tell. She even spat them back at people before she ate them.

Then spat them out, healed of their wounds, unconscious but alive.

That the Dockworkers Union was confiscating all of their weapons and a good quarter of them was not in the pile that would be turned over to the police? Well, that was something he'd have to track down later. He'd turn more of a blind eye towards the body armor.

It was, after all, some decent kit.

"He's going to come after you as soon as he heals up," predicted Danny.

"Without his powers?" asked Taylor.

"What?" asked Danny Hebert.

"Once he was unconscious he turned back. While he was being healed, Great Sage removed those brain structures," said Taylor with a little shrug.

"So, does that mean you can turn into metal now?" asked Danny.

"It's being researched," admitted Taylor. She shrugged. "I'll give them back. This time."

"You know, if you go with the name 'Plasti-Girl' then they're going to nickname you 'Barbie' in the press," said Danny.

Taylor stopped. "Okay. Definitely need a better name. Goo Getter? Betty Bloop? Shape Shifter? Flexine? Slime Princess? Queen Slime?"

Danny remained quiet, not wanting to suggest any of those was suitable.

"Maybe something related to blue?" asked Taylor. "Sapphire? Azure? Prussian?"

"I don't think there's any cape with the name Azure," offered Danny, sounding moderately amused.

"What's funny about that?" asked Taylor.

"That of all the challenges my daughter has faced, choosing a name seems to be more of a problem than facing Hookwolf." Danny shrugged and spread his hands in a "what can you do?" gesture.

[Full data on Hookwolf extradimensional antennae growths copied. Suggest reinstallation with alterations to observe real-world data.]

Taylor swallowed up Hookwolf and spat him out again.

"Why not remove his powers entirely?" asked Danny.

"I discussed this with Great Sage," said Taylor. "One of those shower thoughts. One instance is strange and inexplicable. More is more likely to panic capes and I don't want to have to deal with that if I'm going hero-ing. Better I just be the cute little hero Blue Maiden."

"I'm pretty sure that one is taken," said Danny.

"Blue Lass? Royal Blue? Blue Bloop?" tried Taylor.

Zephron had walked up and was listening when he decided to rumble out a possibility. "Bounceback?"

"Ooooh," said Taylor. "That doesn't sound that bad."

"So, how is Hookwolf's power changed?" asked Danny, deciding to table one discussion.

"We don't know yet," said Taylor. "Other than the whole 'stimulate aggression centers' part of the tumor was snipped. It's really concerning though as we don't know where the signals for the growth are coming from. Not something we can look up after all."

"Why not?" asked Danny.

"Because if there is an evil Illumanti manipulating parahumans behind the scenes, we don't want their attention," said Taylor.

"Good point," admitted Danny.

* Elsewhere *

Contessa stopped as the Path to defeating Scion had just changed. How? Why?

And why did it involve bringing flowers?

* Taylor *

[Initial effect analysis complete. Continuing analysis of extradimensional connections.]

[Added Extra Skill: Dimensional Phase.]

[Enhancing Body Armor ability.]

"More options in a fight is always good," said Taylor.

"That sounds right, what brought that on?" asked Danny.

"Added Hookwolf's armoring up to my own armor ability with the addition of the ceramic-metal of L33t's power armor outer covering," said Taylor, who held up a hand which was immediately surrounded by what looked like plate armor.

"Oh, that's good," admitted Danny.

"I can also do this," said Taylor, fading to transparent and going through a wall. She reappeared in the same way a moment later.

"That's odd," said Danny.

"Yeah, I noticed. Gravity only seems to affect my ghost-form in the ways I want it to," said Taylor. "Otherwise I'd sink into the ground or something. Oh well, further research makes Great Sage happy."

[Indeed.]

"Oh, here comes the police," said Zephron. "Just turn 'em over, Chief?"

"Yes, and don't call me 'Chief'," said Danny.

"Whatever you say, Chief," acknowledged Zephron.

* PHO *

Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.

You are currently logged in, Bounceback

You are viewing:

• Threads you have replied to.

• AND Threads that have new replies.

• OR private message conversations with new replies.

• Thread OP is displayed.

• Ten posts per page.

• Last ten messages in private message history.

• Threads and private messages are ordered chronologically.

You have no infractions and no warnings.

Topic: New Cape in BB

In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay

►Bounceback (Original Poster) (Unverified Cape)

Posted On Jan 5th 2011:

Okay, I submitted a picture of me using my powers. First question: how do I prove the cape part?

Second question: Is there anything else a new cape on the scene needs to do?

Third: Are there any questions for me?

►Kid Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)

Replied On Jan 5th 2011:

Okay, in order: The moderators have to look over the pic and determine it isn't photochopped. Regulations require I recommend coming in for power testing at the PRT in Brockton Bay. It is easy to make an appointment. Regulations also require I ask if you are a Case 53 based on the photo you took.

My question would be: is that a Breaker ability where you look like you're made of blue jello?

►Reave (Verified PRT Agent)

Replied On Jan 5th 2011:

Kid Win didn't make it clear, but we are very interested in having you come in and register. Preference is for if you join the Wards. Are you able to give a basic summary of your abilities so that we can have the proper test equipment made available?

►Bounceback (Verified Cape)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

Second picture is my default/rest form. I prefer the near-human or completely human form because I was born human. Just changed by my powers.

As far as I know I am not a Case 53, as the Powers Wiki page says they all have amnesia. Nor do I have an omega symbol on my body.

My powers are related to the whole shapeshifting thing. I can stretch and transform within my mass limits.

I don't want to join the Wards at this time as I'm already associated with a group - even though they aren't capes. The Dockworkers Union have been really friendly and accomodating to me.

Oh, and the reason that I went public like this is because I captured Hookwolf and a bunch of Empire guys and turned them into the police last night. Guys came by and were apparently going to kill little old me for being different. How rude is that?

I'd rather live and let live, but some guys just come on too strong and don't take the hint.

►Kid Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

That was you? Well done and impressive for your first outing!

►MZenny

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

Beating up Nazis is definitely a good way to introduce yourself.

►AllSeeingEye (Unverified Cape)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

There's a video on another board from LongshoreMan (link).

There's also the police report on their site. (link)

Looking it over, I'd say Bounceback has a Breaker or Changer power of at least a 1. She's getting shot repeatedly and the bullets are only minor inconveniences to her, so a Brute rating but without the usual strength part. Maybe a 2? Mover rating as she fires off a grapnel sort of thing that she then reels in at high speeds to cross distances. Mover 1 or 2 as she has to grab something to pull herself to it.

Something weird though. If you look at the video, there's a gap where Hookwolf is moved and no explanation.

►Bounceback (Verified Cape)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

I had to heal him and several of the goons because they were shooting lots of ammo around and not too careful about where they were shooting.

►Kid Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

You have healing abilities? That's kind of a big deal and considering how stressed out Panacea seems always to be - extremely welcome.

►Glory Girl (Verified Cape) (New Wave)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

If you can take some of the load off my sister, then I can overlook that you're made of blue jello.

►XxVoid_CowboyxX

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

TM: Take your three day ban and think about what you said. This board is PG, PG-13 at worst, and there are indications that Bounceback is underage in addition to that.

►Glory Girl (Verified Cape) (New Wave)

Replied On Jan 6th 2011:

Void, I have been told it is against the rules to speak of visiting violence upon someone in these forums. So I won't. Don't involve my sister in your sick little fantasies. I'm pretty sure that Bounceback wouldn't appreciate them either.

* Dragon *

Bounceback was not human. Not a Case 53. This intrigued her for a number of reasons. One of which was that she'd gotten an order from a legal authority.

The order was because Bounceback's observed abilities would make capture and containment difficult. Not impossible, an airtight container with a Brute rating would do it. Difficult, and the Birdcage would work as a final option if it became necessary. Capturing her would be more difficult unless it were a surprise. Containment foam took seconds to expand and Bounceback's shapeshifting was nearly instantaneous.

As she was, as far as she could tell, similar to a single cell organism. An outer membrane similar in texture to polyurethane. An inner gel that simulated all the functions of a more normal physiology. Then there were indications that she could simulate a human form including internal musculo-skeletal system.

Because she had been ordered to accumulate information pending determination of what to do if capture-containment was necessary. A threat assessment would be written by people in the PRT based on that information.

Dragon didn't like any of that. Violations of the unwritten rules, privacy laws, due process, and just plain common sense sticking its head up and declaring this a bad idea.

So she knew that the Dockworker's Union in basic forms from observation and from information online. She knew Bounceback (which she thought a silly name despite Bounceback being likely to be able to be run over by a tank and get back up immediately) was associated with someone in the Admin building, and having exited that building in at least two different forms. Which looked extremely different but infrared revealed the clothing and person having a peculiar profile.

Bounceback was either a curvy blonde teenager or a petite Japanese woman in her 20s. Judging from comments made, she was guessing the former was more likely her original form.

Or that was her thought until she did an internet search and found a darn close to exact match in Christina Applegate. Which was followed by finding out that the petite Japanese woman was a young voice actress named Aya Hisakawa.

So Bounceback was either savvy or paranoid enough to use different forms to throw off casual attempts at learning her identity.

That she could change at least some of her outfits by shifting her outer layer to simulate clothing was also noted.

Things got a bit more complicated when the drone she was using lost track of her, followed by Dragon suddenly losing that particular drone despite its stealth systems.

Apparently Bounceback had some sort of enhanced sense.

* Elsewhere *

* January 8, 2011 *

01/08/2011 - 15:14:59

PRT Internal Threat Assessment Report - Security Level 4 access required

Protectorate ENE - Brockton Bay, New Hampshire

Reporting Officer - Lt Cmdr. Hannah Washington / Miss Militia

Subject: Bounceback (Temporary Name) Initial Assessment

Affiliation: Independent Hero, allied with Brockton Bay Dockworker's Union #A113

Appearance - Variable. Very variable. Rest form is a rounded blue blob of jelly-like substance that looks as if it should weigh about 75# but actually weighs 35.3#. All other details variable. Preferred hero form is a statue of same blue substance styled to look like a teenage female of European ancestry.

BRUTE - 2. Subject is immune to small arms fire in that they hit but do no damage, she simply absorbs the kinetic impact within her mass and can expel the metal or digest it depending on need. Minor enhanced strength but not outside normal human limitations.

SHAKER - 2. Subject has two area-denial abilities. Steel Thread is a monomolecular carbon steel that is fragile but will easily cut through a number of substances until it breaks. Sticky Thread is more flexible and possessing strong adhesive qualities. Samples obtained are currently undergoing analysis regarding possibility of replicating both.

MOVER - 2. Subject has the ability to stretch her body to an observed maximum distance of 50feet. Subject can then move their body mass along that tendril until releasing the remaining mass from the origin point. Maximum speed noted so far has been about 15mph.

THINKER - 3. Unknown sensory capabilities. Was able to ambush a DragonTech drone that employed stealth technology.

STRANGER - 6. Bounceback is able to assume humanoid forms and switch between them at high speed. Infrared and Ultraviolet light can reveal that her costume and body are the same material as her normal body, simply with texture and color alterations. More detailed forms have also been observed, the full extent of which is currently unknown.

PROFILE/ASSESSMENT: So far Bounceback has been cooperative and seems enthusiastic about the idea of combined Wards patrols and with working alongside the Protectorate.

Addendum #1: Utilizing her extradimensional space to enclose a patient, she can analyze and heal a patient before expelling them again. Ability seems to combine Thinker and Striker aspects and utilizes a time-compression ability within her pocket. Full extent of ability is awaiting further testing and observation of treated individuals for long-term effects.

This is an initial assessment and is subject to revision as more information is gathered.

Addendum #2 (Security Level 5+: Eyes Only): The possibility has been floated that Bounceback is the result of an unknown biotinker who has downloaded a false identity into the creation. If this is the case, then it is likely the same biotinker who created the Shadow Stalker clone.