Fortification 1.04

The conversation at the Mayor's office went well. After I handed over copies of my evidence, I...hinted to potential developments I might be pursuing, and he hinted back to me that he'd support me as far as he could. Then he mentioned that it was his understanding that most Tinkers had to have their technology checked out by Dragon, and he offered to contact her on my behalf. I'd accepted the offer, and here I was, a few days later, waiting for her. I'd already sent in my designs. She would contact me through a video-chat program soon, though I'd had to go through the trouble of getting a camera and microphone for my work computer.

I was working on a helmet-officially, it was a to protect the boys while they were on the job. Off the record, this is a custom model for my personal use as a cape. I'd just finished the voice modulator-something to make me sound more "heroic," when I received an audio signal-a little tone to announce that I was getting a video call. I slipped the helmet out of view of the camera and opened the window.

Dragon was an average looking woman, somewhat younger looking than I'd expect. Her face was obscured by a domino mask-to protect her identity I'm sure, and it was hard to place her ethnicity from what of her I could see. She was smiling.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hebert."

"Good afternoon, Dragon."

"I've looked through some of these designs you've sent in, and I must say they're very impressive."

"Thank you."

Something like that means a lot coming from Dragon

"I do have a couple of questions, however."

"Shoot."

She cleared her throat.

"Well, I don't really see a set theme or specialty."

Now I was confused.

"I'm not sure I follow."

"Well, most Tinkers have a specialty or a theme, usually but not always tied into their methodology. My own specialty, for example, is analysis and mass production. To use a well known villainous tinker as an example, Bonesaw of the Slaughterhouse Nine is believed to specialize in biology, anatomy, and medical procedures. Armsmaster of your local protectorate specializes in utility. Even Tinkers who lack a theme have a limit of some type. I've heard of a villain by the name of Leet in the Brockton Bay area who can, allegedly, build anything but only once."

I could see her adjust herself on her end.

"You, however, don't seem to have a readily apparent theme. You have vehicles, mech suits, buildings, power armor designs, weapons, tools, and garments specialized for security, construction, manual labor, or combat. The only common thread, beyond aesthetics, are that they were clearly designed with non-tinker use in mind."

"Maybe that's my specialty?"

It's not. I've been talking with Raynor in my dreams. Or at least a copy of him. From what we've been able to put together, I actually triggered when my Annette died, but everything I came up with was so low key that no one noticed. If I had to put a label on it, my actual specialty would have to be making machines more efficient-I mean, look at what I've managed to do with my car since then, but almost all of the tech I've created since Taylor… Since what happened has been re-creating or tweaking Terran Technology. Dragon doesn't need to know that, at least not yet.

"That's a possibility that I've not discarded. Now, I'm a bit concerned about the number of weapons you've constructed."

"I can understand that."

"It's my understanding that you intend to remain a civilian The number of weapons you've designed is incongruous with that."

I chuckled a bit.

"I've cut a deal with the Mayor here in the Bay. I'm going to be providing some equipment for the police, especially the SWAT teams. The rest of it is intended for security. My boys here on the docks are going to be working with Tinker-Tech, I don't want any of the local Super Villains hassling them in an attempt to get a hold of their equipment."

"Okay, that's perfectly understandable. I do have one more question."

"What?"

"I understand that there's a situation with your daughter?"

Of course, that had to get brought up. I could feel my blood pressure rising. My anger must have been apparent because Dragon's image on the monitor backed up a bit.

"I'm sorry if I upset you-"

"It's fine."

Deep breath's Danny. Deep breaths.

"Yes, there's a situation. She triggered, and she's on the run. The PRT is treating her like she's a monster, but the official story doesn't add up. I have proof that would mitigate or eliminate her initial crimes, but the PRT is overlooking it. The mayor's office is conducting an investigation, and I know my daughter, she wouldn't do something like this unless she didn't have a choice. That's all there is to say on the subject."

There was an awkward silence.

"Again, I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not… Your local PRT director, Piggot, and the members of your locale Protectorate, they're stubborn, and set in their ways, and sometimes abrasive, but they're also good people deep down and respectful of legitimate authority. Your mayor was quite respectful of you when he contacted me. If he believes you, and he's investigating, then if you're right about your daughter's situation, they will listen to the results of the investigation."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I hope you're right."

"I feel for you, Mr. Hebert. I wish there was something I could do for you and your daughter."

She sounded genuinely concerned. I sighed.

"Just by saying that you've already done more than the entire local PRT put together."

"Um, yes. Well, with my questions answered, I'm happy to tell you that the technology you've submitted is cleared. You'll be getting an official statement sometime in the next few days."

"Thank you, Dragon."

"You're very welcome."

The conversation ended after that. Once I thought she'd disconnected, I logged off, turned off and disconnected the mic and camera, and then shutdown the computer. I'd heard rumors about Dragon being able to hack into CCTV cameras and other closed networks. If she can do that she could easily keep watching through my camera even with the video chat closed. While I don't distrust her, I don't want to take any risks just yet. Once that was done, I called Kurt into my office.

"The plan's still on, Kurt."

He nodded to me, then went back to work as if nothing happened.

*Break*

It'd been a few days since the meeting with Dragon. Things had been going so well. We'd made a great deal of progress in dismantling the ship graveyard, and I'd made headway into making proper "Tinker-tech" equipment for the boys to use. Work was coming in again and with it money. Things were looking up for the dockworkers association, and on that day I'd been in a genuinely good mood for the first time since Taylor had run away.

And then the merchants attacked.

From what I'd been able to put together after the fact, that didn't particularly like the idea of people working to improve the city, or maybe they were trying to steal some of my technology. The motives don't matter right now, all that matters is that the attack happened. There was a lot of damage to buildings, including my office, and one of the SCV's was damaged badly, but not beyond repair. Several of my boys were hurt, but thankfully nobody had been killed. I'm reasonably certain that this was a warning attack. No parahumans were present, and some of the crackheads in the attack force turned tail and ran when one of my boys, thinking quickly, hopped in the SCV and charged at them. I myself had turned a gauss rifle onto one of the attackers. I'd missed, but he'd called for a retreat when he saw what it did to the wall next to him.

All and all, I went better than expected. I could easily rebuild if there was enough time between now and the next attack, but unfortunately, the Merchants weren't the only headache I had to deal with today. You see, shortly after the ambulances arrived, the distinctive sound of a speeding Motorcycle was heard coming our way, and we were soon joined by Armsmaster, PRT officers following shortly behind him.

"We've gotten word that the Merchants were spotted here."

Way to go. No "Is everyone alright." Go straight to explaining the obvious.

"Yeah, they were here. We could have used you here ten minutes ago."

"I apologize. We're a bit shorthanded, even with the reinforcements we've called in."

He was trying to guilt me. For whatever reason, the PRT was putting a lot of effort into capturing Taylor, and he was trying to blame me indirectly for it. I don't know how I know, but I can guess.

"Do you have any idea what the were after?"

"They might have just been trying to cause trouble, but it's possible that they were after my Tinker-tech."

That seemed to take him aback.

"You're a Tinker?"

I responded by pointing to the SCV.

"I see. You're aware that Tinkers have to have their-"

"It's already been submitted to and been approved by Dragon."

He stopped for a moment.

"You're telling the truth."

"I am."

That was an odd choice of words, and he didn't ask for proof…Fuck! He has a lie detector on him.

"So, you need our statements?"

"Yes, I will."

I gave my statement, and some of the boys gave theirs. Then Armsmaster came up to me.

"There is one more matter to attend to, Mr. Hebert."

"And that is?"

He was trying to lead me to something, but I wasn't sure what.

"Something better discussed in private."

Yeah, I'm not having any of that.

"Anything you're going to tell me can be said in front of my boys."

"If you insist. You're a Tinker. Solo Tinkers rarely last long."

...Was he seriously going to try and recruit me here and now?

"I think I'll be fine."

"Are you sure? The PRT can protect you and provide you with resources."

"The PRT has also branded my daughter a monster and is hunting her like an animal."

"Well, she is a criminal Mr. Hebert."

And he apparently thought I'd still join him after saying that.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be signing up with you anytime soon."

"Are you sure? If your daughter were to know that you were working with us, she might turn herself in. Criminals that turn themselves in tend to be given more lenient sentences."

He was trying to bribe me with my daughter's safety. I was starting to see red and was beginning to fear that I was about to do something I'd regret.

"...Get out."

"Mr. Hebert, be-"

"The boss said get out!"

One of the boys said that. Everyone in the yard was looking at us, and all my boys were just as angry at the so called hero as I was. Armsmaster seemed taken aback by this.

"Very well."

And then he left. I began heading back to my office. There was a lot of work to do and we had to rebuild before the Merchants decide to try again.

*break*

It seems that I'd underestimated just how fast a dedicated enough group of workers could rebuild their workplace, especially when armed with Tinker-Tech tools. It'd only taken a few days to replace what we'd lost with better walls and buildings. It was a bit of a surprise when the city gave us the clear to completely renovate the dockyards, but I figured that maybe Mayor Christner was being a bit more supportive that I thought he would be. I found my suspicions growing stronger a few days into the construction-agents from the PRT had come by every so often to harass us. After two days the normal police just coincidentally happened to come by whenever the PRT came by.

The boys had turned inwards under the harassment. Surprisingly, this had the effect of redoubling their work ethic. We'd almost completely finished rebuilding, and now we were in the process of constructing a bunker-both to hide in in the event of an attack, as well as serve as a storage area for the security equipment...among other things.

With reconstruction underway, and with a surprisingly large amount of money left in our budget, I felt like now would be an excellent time to hire some... independent contractors. I'd already discreetly contacted a couple of parahumans who were in our price range and begun negotiations. I was on my way to meet with them now to finalize the deal.

I met them in an out of the way location-some kind of bar or tavern. I spotted them-a tall, sculpted gentleman and his leaner companion, sitting in a back corner and went over to them. It was the taller man who did most of the talking.

"...Well, you're not what we expected."

"And what were you expecting?"

"I don't know, maybe somebody a little less 'kindly father figure' and more 'Mob-kingpin?'"

I chuckled.

"I get that a lot. But well, I'm probably not like most employers you've had."

"How so?"

"Well, for one, I'm not hiring you for a one-time job-I meant it when I said I was looking for independent contractors."

The other gentleman spoke up.

"Wait, you're talking legit work?"

"I am. I figured that the two of you would like having some money coming in that you weren't risking your necks to get."

The two of them looked at each other, nodded, and turned back to me.

"What exactly are you looking for, and why us?"

"For one, the two of you are in my price range. For two, I did my research. You, your skill set makes you invaluable in workforce training."

"Workforce training?"

"Yes, in particular, I have some security officers who need some quick teaching, and it doesn't really stop there. From what I understand about your skill set, you could do just about any job. As for your partner…"

Said partner spoke up again.

"We're a package deal, man."

"Oh yes, I understand that. You're not as immediately useful as your partner, but from what I understand you can do some amazing things when you manage to do well, so I figure having you around would pay off eventually."

The leaner gentleman didn't respond.

"Also, a couple of the boys and I are planning a... side business, that you might be interested in if things take off."

The tall one spoke up.

"So, that figure you sent us-"

"That would be monthly pay for the both of you."

"It's a pretty generous offer for what you're talking about."

"I wouldn't know."

"And how do you feel about… extra-curricular activities?"

I thought about it for a moment.

"If you mean games or sports, well, whatever you do in your free time is your business. If you mean the other thing, well, as long as it's not too heinous and it doesn't get connected back to me…"

I trailed off, rolling my wrist for emphasis.

They looked at each other.

"Could you give us a minute?"

I got up and went over to the restroom. Once I got back, they seemed to be done talking, so I sat back down.

"Give us weekends off, and we have a deal."

"Deal."

We shook on it.

"Uber and Leet at your service, when do we start?"

*break*

I had to thank Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney...I'm pretty sure those weren't their real names. Regardless, once I'd shown Uber how to use my tech, he was able to become an expert at it and teach the boys, making worker productivity skyrocket yet again, not to mention the training he was able to give the new security... Leet, meanwhile, was able to point out a few less than optimal components in some devices-he had said something about having to pick out flaws like that a lot. I didn't question it.

The most important thing to take away from this is that when the Merchants tried again, we were more than ready for them. They were seriously trying-even brought Mush and Squealer with them. The didn't get passed the gate.

Once more, the PRT showed up after the fact to clean up the mess-Armsmaster seemed shocked that my boys had managed to handle it on their own, it was wrapped up by the time I'd gotten down. He had no reason to come in, no reason to harass us. He seemed satisfied taking in Mush and a bunch of gang members, though...I might have made a call to a certain someone to make sure that he didn't take credit for capturing them.

As for Squealer well… Once the coast was clear, I walked into the bunker. In the back Corner, Squealer was tied to a chair, and Mr. "Dabney," or Uber, was interrogating her.

"I'll talk, I'll talk… Just please, I need a fix."

"...okay, fine whatever, but first, we need to know where every merchant handout in the city is."

I'm almost done building my personal equipment. It's almost time for my debut as a Superhero, and I plan to debut in a big way...