- - -Upcoming-Win- - -

As I wait for the elevator to reach its destination, I yawn, stretching my arms out. It's been a long day, but I've finally finished the homework assignments due tomorrow - and that means I've got some time to Tinker.

I'm thinking I'll try to make another module for that rifle that Armsmaster helped me start. I've had so many ideas that I can barely keep track of them all. Maybe an x-ray scope?

The elevator comes to a stop, letting me out in front of the lab. I swipe my pass, going through the doors.

"Kid Win. You're here - good." Armsmaster's voice calls out from behind the main workbench, piled high with some sort of wreck. He steps out, putting down some tools. "I'd wanted to speak with you before I left tomorrow evening, but I didn't know if I would get the chance."

Something about the wreck is distractingly familiar, but I can't quite place it. It's a… motorcycle? This isn't Armsmaster's bike, is it? "Uhh… Sure - what did you want to talk about?" I tear my eyes away from the wreck - it's definitely his bike. I'd heard that he'd fought Circus last night - this must be the aftermath.

"Well, once I leave, you're going to be the only heroic Tinker in Brockton Bay. You'll have to assume some of the responsibilities I currently handle. I wanted to give you some advice for the work you'll be doing in my stead."

That's right - Director Piggot did mention that I would be doing more Tinkering work for the Protectorate in place of things like console duty. "Alright. Director Piggot didn't really tell me any of the details - what will I be doing?" I lean back on an empty bench, looking across at him.

"It isn't anything too intense. The main thing is that you'll be in charge of is maintaining all of the Tinkertech employed by the Protectorate and PRT here in The Bay. That means Gallant's armour, Battery's suit and a handful of bits and pieces that the PRT likes to have on hand - nothing too big, thankfully. You might need to adapt some things to be more compatible with your technology - don't be afraid to make some changes to things while you're getting used to it all."

I nod. "Alright, that doesn't sound too bad." I'd helped to design Gallant's armour, after all. I didn't know that there was Tinkertech in Battery's suit, though. "What else?"

"You'll be the one who has to analyse and contain samples of captured Tinkertech - whether it's from a new independant, or from a long-time presence in the bay. The PRT likes to stay in the loop on the capabilities of Tinkers - it helps inform things like response strategies and threat assessments. Now, you aren't expected to do this by yourself - if it doesn't make sense to you, call in help from someone else. Dragon and I will be available, or, if it's a more exotic form of technology, you can have it sent off to a Tinker who's speciality agrees with it."

He turns, walking over to a cabinet. He produces a crudely bound stack of papers, putting it down on the bench in front of me. It's about a finger's width high, and is titled 'Anthology of Technical Notations on Tinkering in The Bay'. The byline has his Hero name in a small font.

I shoot him a look. "What's this?" He couldn't have called it something simple, could he?

"I didn't have much time to put something together, but hopefully this will help. It's technical documentation on all of the devices I'll be leaving in your care, along with my personal notes on all the Tinkertech samples that crossed my desk in the last few years. I've also included my general practices when dealing with potentially dangerous unknown Tinkertech and some general notes I've taken during my time in The Bay that you may find useful. For security reasons, I'd recommend keeping it out of networked systems and not removing it from this laboratory."

I flip open the book, paging through the index. The list of devices catches my eye. I feel my jaw go slack and my brows jump up. "What? You're leaving your motorcycle to me? And one of your spare halberds?" I scan down the list - that's just the start of it, there's a half dozen other things, too!

He nods. "That's right. Hopefully you'll get some use out of all of it - even if you just scrap them for parts." He pats the wreck on the main workbench. "This won't be doing me much good in Canada, so I figured I'd entrust it to your care. I know how tight Tinkering budgets can get."

Scrap them!? I'd never! He's really just handing me his Tinkertech and leaving me to use it however I want? "I… I don't know what to say. This is…" I trail off, unable to find the words.

"Don't worry about it. In an ideal world, I would be around for a while longer to help the transition be a bit more smooth, but that isn't an option. Now, don't hesitate to call Dragon or I if you ever want to pick our brains on a problem - the best Tinkering is collaborative, after all."

I can tell he's genuinely apologetic about this. Armsmaster isn't a terribly emotive person, but he's serious about this. "Wow… Thank you so much - you didn't have to do any of this."

"Nonsense - this is the least I could do-" He cuts himself off, straightening. "-I've got to get going. We might not get the chance to speak again before I leave, so be sure to call me if there are any issues. My new position in The Guild is very flexible, so I won't have issues finding the time to help out."

He leaves, walking out the door at a brisk pace. I'm left standing, processing what just happened. Armsmaster's departure from the Protectorate seems very rushed to me - I guess it must rankle him to leave things unfinished.

It seems to me that he's been ran ragged ever since he got back from that mission to take down the Dragonslayers - whatever he's doing with The Guild must be really important. Then, there was that thing last night that's been kept hushed, too - what was that about?

I don't know many of the details. One of the troopers said that a Dragon suit is on it's way to pick up a VIP - could it be related? Maybe. I guess I'll hear more about it from the press conference tomorrow, if it's something that's getting made public.

My eyes drift to the wreck of the bike on the workbench. Despite the cosmetic damage, it looks like none of the guts of the machine were too badly harmed. The back wheel and surrounding housing is a lost cause, though - the work of a bullet, by the looks of things.

It'll take some time, but I think I could work with this. Maybe make some modifications while I'm at it? Yeah - these parts look very tightly integrated to me. Maybe future repairs will be easier if I socket the parts - that way I could also swap them out for variable functionality just like my rifle!

I grab the tools Armsmaster left on the bench. Before I start modifying, I need to know what's damaged and what needs replacing.

- - -Outgoing-Tattletale- - -

The suit shifts in the air. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but this is it. I've forsaken Villainy, and signed a deal binding me to Heroism. I'm… ambivalent about the idea. It was the best option I had - by far and away - but…

I don't know. I can't put my finger on it. Armsmaster is hiding something - something other than his crush on Dragon, that is - and it's niggling at me. I'm glad to be out from under Coil's thumb - hell, I guess you could even say I'm even happy to not have to rob people any more - but, I'm just… unsettled.

I don't think Armsmaster was deceiving me - I was actually surprised at just how amiable he'd been. Whatever this project is, he thinks it's important enough to reach out to me across party lines like this. I got the impression that he knew I've not been honest in regards to my power - or, at least that I'm more versatile than I let on. How does he know?

Another Thinker? Leaked footage of me not holding back? Neither sounds right to me - how, then?

I suppose I'll find out soon. He said that he'd be a day or two behind me, and that I'll have that time to get settled into my accomodations before starting work. The deal gave me an advance on my first paycheck, so I do have the funds to find an apartment of my own if I want.

I'm not sure that I do, though - the security that The Guild would provide for their on-site living is something I'd be going without. I did just about everything I could to spite Coil - spilling all of his secrets to the PRT, souring his name with The Undersiders, and ratting out the identity of one of his moles. If I'm too easy of a target, I wouldn't put it past him have me eliminated out of petty revenge.

The Undersiders had been bitter at first - Coil had obviously gotten to them - but after I explained my side of the story, they seemed more accepting. Brian had been at least somewhat thankful that I had put in a good word for him with the PRT, but I wouldn't put money on him defecting unless Coil keeps holding out on him.

Which, now that Brian has a credible alternative, may not happen. It'll depend on how closely Coil keeps track of things.

They'd been less happy that I'd told the PRT some minor details about their powers, but once they knew just how insignificant the information was, they were only slightly annoyed. Rachel had been less than forgiving, but I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything else from her.

The Undersiders as a team are in a bit of a tough spot. At a guess, I think the team might fall apart within a month or so - if that. Coil, too, isn't in a great position, either - he'll have to be a lot more careful going forward, especially with The PRT aware that he has more agents in their organization.

I'm just disappointed that I couldn't topple his little outfit entirely.

Whatever - hopefully I'll never see him again. I can't imagine that a Canadian Hero working for a Guild project would have much reason to go to The Bay.

...Tattletale the Hero. The label doesn't ring true to me. The contract hadn't specified whether I had to assume a new identity, but I think it would be helpful if I did. Even if it's only a surface-level change - that extra little bit of separation in my mind would be good.

No - I think I'll go for a more dramatic change than something surface-level. If only to further separate my history from the present - no use in giving anybody ammunition if I can avoid it. I'll need a new costume - a new name, too. I'll have to give it some thought.

Dragon's voice comes over the speakers of the suit. "We're approaching our destination now - landing in one minute."

I bob my head, acknowledging the information.

Dragon, like Armsaster, has been genuine with me - as best as I can tell. I've only had a single short conversation with her - just after we left Brockton Bay. I'll be working with her as well, apparently - this project must be the brainchild of them both.

She seems nice, I suppose. There'd be worse people to work with. I couldn't tell much about her from our short interaction, though. If she's anything like her reputation - and I suspect she is - then she'll be nothing but pleasant.

I sag in my seat. I'm really rubbing shoulders with some big names here. I'm going to be personally working with the two biggest Tinkers in North America, and I've got a meeting with Narwhal scheduled for after I arrive in Toronto. Whether I want it or not, my name will be mentioned in association with them - that'll do a lot for my reputation as a Hero.

A Villain lives and dies by their reputation. Can the same be said for Heroes?

I'm not certain.

It's certainly too late to turn back, though. This is the path I've chosen - I need to stick with it, and make the most of my situation. Regardless of my feelings on the matter, I'm to be a Hero now.

The suit touches down. I guess this is it, then - the first step into my new life as a Hero.

Dragon's voice comes over the speakers again as the ramp lowers. "Thank you for flying Dragon Airlines, we have arrived at our destination: Toronto Guild HQ. Please unfasten your seatbelt and disembark the vehicle." The humor in her voice is clear to hear.

An earnest attempt to make me more comfortable, according to my power.

I push the thought aside, unbuckling my seatbelt and walking down the ramp.