Furor 3.03

Paperwork was surely the bane of all who dealt with it, even for people like me who'd spent most of their lives doing it.. That was the downside of being a cape. Whenever you leave to do cape stuff, the crap from your day job builds up. Half the union, myself included, took off for two days because Mayor Christner called a favor, so... Learning that Mayor Christner would still be helping with Taylor helped raise my spirits and get me through it all, but even then making sure that forms were filled out correctly and signing them for hours on end… well, it was boring.

I was interrupted from my musings on the banality of paperwork by a tone from my computer, telling me that I was getting a video call. Probably from Dragon, she was the only one who contacted me this way, and a quick check proved that to be the case. I took a moment to make sure that my camera and mic were connected and answered.

"Hello, Mr. Hebert," said the image of Dragon on my screen. "How are you doing this afternoon?"

"Better than I was doing this morning," I answered, "but still not so good."

"Still worried about your daughter?," Dragon asked sympathetically.

"Among other things, yes." I answered.

"I've seen the news report on her… altercation with the Wards the other day," Dragon said in a hesitant manner, "it seems that the local media is on her side."

I gave a small smile. "And that helps, but until the people of this city and the PRT are on her side..."

"I feel for you, Mr. Hebert," Dragon continued, "and I know your local protectorate and PRT. Armsmaster and Director Piggot are stubborn, but they ultimately both want justice to prevail." The image on the screen smiled at me in turn. "If your daughter really is innocent, then as soon as the evidence of her innocence turns up, they'll do the right thing."

"If you say so." changing the subject, I asked "so to what occasion do I owe this call?"

The woman sitting in my browser window looked down, as though ashamed of herself for getting off topic. "I've called about your Tinker-Tech, Mr. Hebert, and what you're doing with it."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Yes… Can I let you in on a little secret, Mr. Hebert?" I nodded and she continued, "I'm not a Tinker by the strict definition of the term. I claim to be a specialist in replicating and combing Tinker-Tech, but by the strict mechanism of how my powers work, I'm more accurately a Thinker." The image on my screen cleared her throat, "my actual power let's me see what's missing out of Tinker-Tech."

I blinked. "You've lost me."

"Then let me explain," the woman on the other end of the videochat replied, "what we define as Tinker-Tech is advanced technology, far beyond that of normal human science, created by parahumans with a power that grants them advanced understanding of the sciences. However, there's always something missing. I've often studied laser weapons and found technology for new lenses, or new light bulbs or the like, but no viable power source, or a firing mechanism that was missing key pieces." To be honest, that was fascinating. I suddenly remembered how I'd overtime managed to halve the carbon emissions on my truck without changing the gas mileage. "The going theory is that, in addition to providing such advanced scientific knowledge, a Tinker's power somehow affects reality or probability to compensate for such gaps, and that this is part of the reason why most non-Tinkers can't replicate Tinker Technology. My Power let's me understand what's missing and compensate for it."

"That's very interesting Dragon," I began, "but what exactly does it have to do with my own technology?"

"I've examined the blueprints and samples you've sent in for approval quite intensively," Dragon began, "and while some of your technology, like your communicator, follows these norms… Most of it does not. The Gauss rifle you sent in, the armored construction suits, the… tank? I didn't notice it at first, but most of what you make isn't Tinker-Tech. It's just tech."

I'd sort of figured all of that, from the descriptions of Terran-Technology from dream discussions with Jim… Or his copy. I decided to play dumb. "And?"

"D-do you not realize just how significant that is, Mr. Hebert!?"

"Apparently not," I deadpanned, "would you care to explain?"

"Quite simply," began the woman projected on my monitor, "it means that your technology can be replicated by non-Tinkers." I was aware of this, and I nodded to show that. "It also means that by studying your technology, it might be possible for non-Tinkers to learn how to replicate other tinker-tech. With your help, Mr. Hebert, it becomes possible to revolutionize the world."

"And that's why you called." I said it as a statement, not a question, in an even tone. I could see the significance, but at the same time I was expecting some kind of catch.

"It is," Dragon replied. "After consulting other members of the Guild, and various PRT and Protectorate Tinkers, I've compiled a list of scientists and engineers who I'd like you, if you're willing, to teach about your technology."

"I'm not so sure I'm willing to do that," I answered. To be honest, I wasn't. Terran-Tech was mostly war machines, and to be honest I'm not even sure if what Dragon was saying was right.

"Well, of course you would get the final say on who does or does not get to learn about your technology," Dragon hastily added, and admittedly I found myself feeling more agreeable to the idea after that, "and that brings me to the other reason I called you."

"I'm listening."

"I understand that you've been selling your technology to your city's emergency response teams and public transportation sectors. I also understand that other cities and the main branch of the PRT have requested to make similar deals."

"This is correct." I idly wondered if Dragon somehow had access to the computers of other city government's or the PRT.

"I've been requested to approach you about a licensing deal," Dragon adjusted herself in her seat on her end, "I don't think it's a coincidence that I was asked just as you were starting to get requests of your own."

"I don't think it's very likely either. What do you mean by a licensing deal?" I had a vague idea what she meant. I'm no fool, she wants to buy the right to manufacture and sell my technology, but I want specifics. Which of my creations? And for what purpose?

"I would license rights to your technology, replicate and produce it, and sell it to cities and organizations," Dragon answered to the point, "not all of it, just what you yourself have sold or are planning to sell to city governments."

"How much… control, would I have," I asked, "over which cities and organizations received my tech?"

"You would have the final say. I can easily understand not wanting your technology to fall into wrong hands," Dragon continued. "Furthermore, the contracts would be open to renegotiation, so if a city or organization abused your technology, we could stop supplying them."

"What about… Selling here?"

"Nothing I produce will touch the Bay. I'll leave your hometown's distribution in your hands to be done as your current agreement dictates."

"And if I manage to begin mass production on my own?"

"As I've said," Dragon answered, "you would have final say on any city or organization I'd sell your technology to. If a market opened up that you'd prefer to handle personally, it would be as simple as telling me so."

"And the local PRT gets nothing?" It was petty of me, perhaps, but they'd already tried to bribe me with my daughter's safety. Turnabout was fair play, and knowing that they wouldn't get any of my tech might make the locals take my claims of Taylor's innocence more seriously.

"...That would have to be specifically negotiated with Chief-Director Costa-Brown," Dragon answered hesitantly. I'm not sure what answer I was expecting, but…

"And how would the profits from the sales be split?"

"I personally don't care about the money," Dragon replied, "but the Guild could always use more funding… I'm thinking 65-35 in your favor?"

I blinked. "Most people would try for more." Even if she personally didn't care about the money, she'd just said the guild could use the money, and to be honest I was curious about why she was offering me a deal so clearly biased in my favor.

"I'm not most people," Dragon said with a smile, "Police, hospitals, and fire departments having Tinker-Tech vehicles? Tinker Made armor for the police and maybe the PRT? These are the kinds of things that could save lives. That's what's important. I already said I didn't care about the money."

"Alright then… I'd need to see an actual contract first," I said, wanting to be sure there wouldn't be any unpleasant hidden details, "but I'm open to the idea."

"Very good Mr. Hebert. I'll draw up a preliminary contract and send it to you to look over, and then you can get back to me on your thoughts-Oh, and I'll send over the list of scientists too."

"Alright," I answered. "Now, if that's all, I've got paperwork fill out."

"Oh, of course. Goodbye Mr. Hebert."

"Goodbye Dragon."

The famous "Tinker" signed out of the chat after that, so I closed the window. I was just seconds away from getting back to work when I got a call on my communicator.

"Boss," Uber's voice sounded from the device, "I've made contact with your kid."