Tuesday April 12th

8.

Straight after homeroom I had computers. The first thing I noticed was Taylor sporting a bruise on her chin that had been roughly covered with a concealer. She was also favoring her right arm and sitting somewhat stiffly suggesting further injury or injuries.

Had the girls gone physical for their revenge? Was this a consequence of my actions yesterday? The two girls in the class that was part of the pose from yesterday didn't look happy. Ms. Knott was also keeping a very close eye on them. If it was the girls, I didn't think the two in class were involved or aware otherwise there would have been hint of it.

I stared blankly at the computer monitor in front of me as the teacher talked about some basic concepts to do with data storage. Most of the class was assigned an exercise to do with sorting data in a spreadsheet. I was in the group that was tasked with creating a macro. It took three minutes to create and test it making sure to save it at various stages once again.

I spent a few minutes working with the computer to give Aria access to the school network then did some more checking of options for what I could do with schooling. Testing into college was something I could do at just about any age however since my existing marks were borderline at best, I would need to do very well in entrance tests and that would stand out a lot maybe as much as starting college at fifteen. Nope, until I could protect my family from any investigation that also was not an option.

With the class work completed I had a lot of time spare and no real goals in mind so I decided that was the first issue I should address. I had Aria create me a virtual space where I could write up notes and open up a web interface so that I could work on it via the computer. It felt more real to use my hands than just subvocalise instructions.

I marked down 'Goal one - Set some goals.' I resisted the urge to immediately mark that partially completed and after a moment deleted it.

I set 'Goal one – ensure family's financial security.' After a moment I amended that to read financial security and well being. I marked that is in progress and set a reminder to review progress at the beginning of next week.

After a moment's thought I added another, 'Goal two – understand my powers.' Now that I thought about it there was one thing I could do right now that might help with this and was something I really should have thought of earlier. It seems being extremely intelligent didn't translate to being wise.

'Aria, can you please start collecting information on parahuman's and their powers. Main purpose is so I can learn more about my own powers but also anything take note of anything that could help me make sure I don't fall foul of parahumans again.'

I created a second document and started listing the powers I had gained. Boosted Intelligence. Understanding of technology. Ability to abuse material characteristics in ways that beggared belief when building / repairing items. My powers were somehow guarded against power stealers. I had knowledge of how to enchant items with certain powers but had no powers that were suitable. I had gained Aria and the flexible metal strip which Aria had advised me was a 'Soft Stick' and would act as external storage for code. I was unsure if I had a power that summoned an AI or if Aria was the power so I added a note to that with a question mark beside it. A knowledge of Chemistry and more specifically the knowledge how to work with and create drugs, steroids, medicines, and deadly toxins. Lastly, I added in boost in building things that were more durable, efficient, and precise.

I linked that document to goal two, closed the documents and lent back into my chair and let my mind wander as my fingers tapped a beat on the table.

Taylor was focused on her computer but didn't seem to be writing code. More like reading a forum or browsing a webpage. The terminals used by the Advanced steam were all in the back row and unless you were standing up behind us or learning over there was no way to see our screens so I wasn't concerned about anyone seeing what I was doing, it also meant I couldn't see what others were doing not that I was that interested in knowing. If I had been I would have had Aria hack the computers.

After a few minutes of tapping rhythms, I opened up a browser and started reading the latest music news. This kept me busy for the rest of the class apart from a small interruption where the teacher checked my work.

Taylor caught my attention before leaving the classroom. 'Hey Sparky. Can we talk?'

I shrugged, "Sure. What ya need?"

"Can we find somewhere where we won't be overheard."

"Yeah. Music room will be open." I led the way. Taylor seemed very focused as we walked.

I opened the door and entered with Taylor following me. Took a seat at the drums and indicating one of the nearby chairs.

"Are we allowed in here?" Taylor asked as she looked around.

"Sure, I have permission to come use the room during breaks and free periods as long as I keep my grade average up. Part of a deal the student counsellor made with me and dad. My attention suffers if I don't have a regular musical outlet and my grades suffer the whole catch twenty two." I smiled at the memory of dad really going out of his way to get that sorted out for me.

Taylor raised her eyebrows like she didn't quite believe me but didn't say anything about it. She instead surprised me with a strange question, "Do you know what a trigger event is?"

I shook my head though I noted a little pop up in my vision that indicated Aria had some information for me. I choose not to access it at right away. I wasn't sure I could do that without looking strange and, if it told me what a trigger event was, I would be hard put to explain my sudden knowledge after just denying I knew anything.

"From what I was told and have since been able to confirm the working theory is that those with the potential for powers generally need to meet certain conditions for them to activate. Usually this is something like pushing a person to the limit of their fight or flight response." She sat back with her hands resting on her legs. I realised she was trying to appear unthreatening. It took but a moment to join the dots.

I nodded, "Like almost dying in a bad car accident." I almost said like being trapped in a locker but that might have sounded like an accusation.

"Or being trapped in a locker." She said with a tightening of her entire body. I could see that that had been hard to say and she looked like she had practiced it in her mind before saying it aloud.

I glanced around the room wondering how private a place this really was, 'Aria, are you able to check for any electronics or listening devices in the area?'

'There is nothing obvious however I am limited to the maximum resolution of your senses so it is possible a device could be concealed totally out of sight.'

"Don't worry, there is no one near that could hear anything." Taylor said as she guessed what my glance around indicated. "And I won't tell anyone anything about what may or may have happened. I just thought I'd share some information I learnt."

She paused just as she started saying something else so I waited to see if she wanted to continue which she soon did.

"Also, I'd like to ask you some advice."

I raised my eyebrows at that. I wasn't someone that people asked for advice from.

"Okay." I answered slowly.

"I was talking about capes with someone last night and well… the conversation got onto the unwritten rules which are… damn… I really didn't think this through fully." she winced quite visibly, "Right, So I'm a parahuman and I gained my powers in January. I think you also may be a parahuman and I learnt some things last night that I feel I should share with you. I haven't told anyone what I think and won't no matter what." She said that last with total certainty.

Ouch, that was very honest and open and put me in a rather difficult place. I hadn't been planning on revealing my powers to anyone just yet. I had thought I was doing a half decent job of concealing them and yet mere days after gaining them someone had already guessed the truth. She had left me an out and I could deny it, though I really had the feeling that she probably wouldn't believe a denial and it would almost definitely destroy any chance of us discussing anything about powers since she had already outed herself to me. Even if I could get the information from Aria or other sources, I also knew I would feel a right bastard if I wasn't honest here.

"I guess I wasn't doing a very good job of hiding the changes but yes. I also am a parahuman, eh… give or take. I don't really understand my powers yet. I also won't tell anyone anything you tell me without your permission."

Taylor visibly relaxed.

"Okay, first and most important I think is that there are these unwritten or unspoken rules. Naming is stupid. Anyhow I've got not was to confirm what I was told but they kind of make sense and explain a few things. The person I spoke to started with capes protect and respect each other's secret identities, that includes heroes, rogues, and villains. Those that reveal such or go after their families tend to find that the whole cape community comes down on them hard. The other part is that the authorities want to keep capes around to deal with the big threats so they don't come down too hard on the criminals as long as they keep to certain boundaries."

"Okay." I said uncommittedly unsure where this was leading.

"So, this cape, she is part of a group and I was considering joining them for various reasons before I got into a fight with one of their members. I was pretty keen on saying no right then but told them I would think about it. They patched me up a bit and gave me this info, probably more to protect themselves than me but we saw each other's faces and well, I'm not sure what to do now."

I blinked at that, "That's all pretty messed up." I picked up some drumsticks and started tapping a light beat as I considered what she had told me so far.

I thought about what I knew of the parahuman groups in Brockton Bay. She certainly didn't fit the profile for any of the three big criminal gangs unless she was a closet racist. For known groups that pretty much left the Wards, New Wave, Faultline's Crew or Uber and Leet. Her injuries didn't suggest New Wave or the Wards and I was hesitant to believe she was going mercenary. I also couldn't picture her putting up with Uber and Leets broadcasted bullying. So that left either an unknown or newly formed group. After I checked the information Aria collected, I'd have a better idea.

"Right. I can kind of see why the cops and capes might use that as a sort of code of conduct. Your identity should be fairly safe if you end up saying no to this group unless they are so hardcore that they would ignore the very rules they are telling you about."

She shook her head after a moment, "They are only a year or two older than me and pretty low key from what I have been able to find. Petty crimes, corporate theft a few robberies. The one that I fought with, she's… well... violent but isn't the type to go revealing my identity or family." She paused before adding "I think."

So definitely not the Uber and Leet or the mercenaries. I resisted the urge to ask Aria for her opinion.

"So how can I help?"

"Well, I'm guessing you have gained some sort of thinker power because… well… I mean you are in the advanced stream in computers and maths but…"

I laughed, "It's fine, I'm not going to take offense and yeah, part of it is that I feel a whole lot more intelligent."

She nodded and looked a little relieved, "Well, the truth is that I want to be a hero and this group. Well, they are villains that no one knows a lot about and I was thinking maybe I could join them and then turn them in."

"Okay. Wow. Really, really, bad idea."

Taylor frowned and went to speak but I put up a hand.

"I've got this, this is like my 'what if' exercises. What if they work out what your plans are? You are then surrounded by the bad guys. Do you have any backup? What if everything you find out is unusable? They have the whole 'inadmissible in court' defense. What if you need to prove yourself to them by committing a crime? I don't think all those immunity promises are as easy in real life as are on TV. Sure, won't look good on your record if you want to be a hero. What if you get caught red-handed and then they think you are just trying to use this as a whole excuse?"

Taylor froze, "But… the heroes need more information and I have an in. Isn't that more important?"

"If that is true that I'd approach the hero's and give them your proposal. Give them what you have or are willing to give them and let them make the call. If they then ask you to go in undercover then make sure they provide you with everything you need to get out safely. My guess is that they'll consults with their own thinkers and you'll also make sure the gang itself doesn't have access to thinkers."

"Well one of them can read body language to work out things and has used that to break into the PHQ's systems. If I talk to the PRT now they'll find out."

I frowned, "Then they'll be able to sabotage your attempts to come clean and if they have a power that can read body language then they might already know your plans and is either convinced that they can turn you or is planning to use you to give false information to the PRT."

Taylor's face paled just as the bell rang and another room flickered into view around me.

As I carefully put away the drumsticks and stood making sure to focus on the physical objects around me rather than the kilns, furnaces, anvils, and other elements of the ancient forge that now overlayed the music room. I could sense a presence near me, some sort of ghostly spirit and, even after the forge faded away to leave me still in the music room, I could feel his faint presence somewhere else. He felt distant but still close enough that I knew I could call out to him if I wanted.

"This room is open during the lunch break. Eat first and then talk more?"

Taylor mutely nodded and we split to our respective classes.

Celestial Forge Perk - Soul of the Forge - World of Warcraft - 200cp