- - -Still-Defiant- - -

It had taken the better part of a week, but I've finally finished putting together the shell and major systems of my armour. It's similar to, but not entirely the same as the set I had in the future. It's not quite ready to be used yet - more work needs to be done to ensure that it still functions smoothly without augmentations - but I'm most of the way there.

I'd had to hand-craft a great deal of the armour, but thankfully Dragon had been able to help out by manufacturing at least some of the components. She had observed the whole time, asking questions about the process. I had welcomed them - hopefully, it will help her to reproduce the design in her own production facilities.

"…We worked on designing this together, didn't we? In the future."

"That's right. After I rebranded as Defiant, a great deal of our Tinkering was collaborative."

"It shows - I can see the influences." She pauses, humming. "This is some heavy-duty equipment. You said you made this with the Slaughterhouse Nine in mind?"

"I did. There's still a way to go before it's ready for a non-augmented user. I don't foresee any issues, however - in the future, there had been a simplified version of this armour in use by The Dragon's Teeth."

"You mentioned that Lodestar's armour was based on something along those lines. But, who are The Dragon's Teeth?"

Oh - I haven't told her about this yet. "You've read the dossier on Masamune? Well, his capabilities allowed us to equip an elite outfit of PRT troopers with full Tinkertech gear. They were trained to respond to critical threats - they could handle hostile Parahumans that normal PRT troopers simply aren't able to match."

"I see - I can't deny that such a group would be formidable."

I put down my diagnostic probe - I think that's enough work on my armour for today. If things continue as they are, I should be finished in the next day or two. Lodestar's armour, on the other hand, had been a fairly quick job owing to it's comparative simplicity. It hadn't needed nearly as many parts that had to be made by my hand.

My spear needs the most attention at this point - best get to work on that. I roll my stool over to the workstation host to the project. It hasn't been assembled at all, and some components are missing. Much like my armour, it's made from mostly hand-crafted components with a handful of components that Dragon could make in her own facilities.

"Status of fabrication of the spear components?"

"Up on the display now."

I turn my head, assessing the progress. It's not completely done yet, but there's enough to make a start. "Have everything that's ready delivered - I'm beginning assembly now." I grab my tools, getting to work. "We really should sit down and have a thorough talk about the future sometime. I hadn't even realised you didn't know about The Dragon's Teeth - there's bound to be more that I've skipped over."

"That sounds like a good idea. It can wait until you've finished Tinkering, though." She pauses, her avatar in my display looking away for a moment. "Are you finished with Lodestar's armour? You still haven't told her that she's getting a set. Maybe it would be wise to get her input on the aesthetics?"

I snap two pieces together, the sockets fitting perfectly. "The suit is fully functional. I'd intended to do the detailing work later, but maybe that's something you could handle?"

"I'll mention it to her after our next meeting. Her analysis is coming along nicely - I definitely think you made a good call in recruiting her."

I grab a pin, slotting it into its place. "I'm glad." I slide two assemblies of internal components together, fitting them into their place behind the head of the spear. "Has she figured out that you're an AI yet?"

She shakes her head. "She hasn't said anything to me. I think she might suspect it, though."

"Do you plan to tell her?" Another piece slides in, clicking into place. I haven't told her myself - it isn't my place.

Her avatar worries her lip. "I haven't decided. I figure that I'll have to eventually, but it's..." She trails off. "It's complicated."

"I understand." I can't imagine that she was terribly enthused about being outed to The Protectorate, but given the choice between that and Saint still being around… Well, I think I can guess which she'd prefer. "You haven't had any trouble since The Protectorate found out?"

"No - the Chief Director has been remarkably ambivalent in regards to the situation."

I can guess why. "That's good, at least." I attach the haft of the spear to the partially-assembled head. The fit is good - looks like everything is within tolerances. "I got the impression that Narwhal already knew - is that right? We didn't speak about it the last time around."

"Yes, that's correct. Until you, she was the only person I'd told. I'd had to, as a part of my induction into The Guild."

'Had to' - ah. She's referring to her rules. They're a tricky subject - one I have very pointedly not brought up with her. In my downtime I've been analysing the Ascalon program without her knowledge. It's been slow work, but I am at least making progress. I hope to devise a way to use the backdoor into her systems to loosen her restrictions without inflicting the backlash she suffered last time.

I'm no expert, but I suspect a lot of the damage was caused by her compulsion to fight any modifications to her code. If I can make modifications without her knowledge, then I could potentially avoid that problem entirely.

This isn't something I want to be reckless with - before I do anything I need to be absolutely sure of my actions. My experience with her code from the future helps, but this is a very delicate operation.

It doesn't help that talking to Dragon about this - or even letting her catch on that I'm working on this at all - could be tantamount to self-sabotage. Secrecy is key, and I'm rather inexperienced with keeping secrets from her.

It will be worth it, though. I've no doubt that Dragon is the greatest of all of us, and unbound she will only be more effective at her job.

I pull my thoughts away from the topic, refocusing on the task at hand. I grab a probe, testing the connections between components. "I read Lodestar's first Progress Report last night."

Her avatar turns towards the camera. "Oh? What are your thoughts on it?"

"I think she could do well to review the style guide for official documents. Otherwise, I think the only action we should take immediately is extending an offer to Flechette."

Dragon nods, a thin smile on her face. "Her idea to frame it as a sort of extended work-experience with more seasoned Heroes is a good one. I don't think that the New York Protectorate will have any problem with it."

"Make a note to do so, then." I continue assembling my spear, falling into an easy silence.

Recruitment Candidate Analysis: Progress Report & Summary #2

Armsmaster, here is a summary of the analysis and research done for the recruitment project so far. There's a detailed report on each Cape packaged with this delivery. As you requested in your response to the last Progress Report, we've made an offer to Flechette. Also attached is a list of potential candidates not mentioned in the initial brief, and a list of Parahuman resources unsuitable for recruitment.

Signed, Lodestar

Bakuda

Unlikely to cooperate, but it bears further investigation to determine her current mental state. An interview has been scheduled with her prison wardens.

Blasto

His actions suggest a reasonable disposition. Available data has been exhausted - recruitment may be possible, but contact needs to be made in order to make a more detailed assessment.

Flechette

Contact has been made through official channels. We are currently awaiting a response. As per previous report, no notable issues are foreseen.

Kid Win

Political considerations in The Bay make recruitment impossible at this point in time. Other potential candidates from The Brockton Bay Wards or Protectorate are inadvisable for similar reasons. Should the Protectorate ENE gain more Heroes, this situation may change.

Uber & Leet

Both have deficiencies in personality and moral judgement, but are likely to accept if approached with an offer. These attitudes are less entrenched than is typical of Villains - reform may be possible. Recommend refraining from making overtures until a more thorough analysis has been made.

Legend

Recruitment impossible at this point in time. Extending an open offer may have results in the future.

Masamune

He has been located, and Dragon has scheduled a mission to make in-person contact. See the attached brief for details.

Mouse Protector

Despite her long-term experience on the Cape scene, further research has confirmed a serious inability to function inside a team environment. See attached transcript of an interview with Miss Militia for details. Her inability may be due to her power influencing her personality. Recruitment is inadvisable. Recommend sharing information regarding her future death under the guise of reliable precognition.

Parahumans suitable for recruitment not detailed in initial report:

Note: Research is still ongoing, additional candidates may be included in future reports.

Hardcase - Tinker, Hero

A 'Protection Tinker' that is currently employed by the Raleigh Protectorate. His specialty extends to the creation of durable materials, force-fields and energy shields. He has been an active Hero for nine years, and is well-regarded by his colleagues.

Corona - Tinker, Hero

An 'Energetic Systems Tinker' currently employed by the Fort Worth Protectorate. She is noted as having trouble making Tinkertech weaponry that is suitable for use against non-Brute Parahumans. She currently maintains several generators used by PRT departments across the country. Known to be stand-offish, she is not well-regarded by her colleagues. She has worked as a Hero for five years.

Gelid - Tinker, Hero

A 'Thermal Energy Tinker' currently employed by the Atlanta Protectorate. She has an inclination towards 'cold' technology, despite also being capable of producing 'hot' technology. She graduated from the Wards in February after two years in the program, but expressed an interest in moving away from Georgia. Noted as having had trouble fitting in with other Wards.

Bastion - Shaker, Hero

The leader of the Boston Protectorate. Capable of producing force fields and deflector fields - a potential field agent. He is known to have issues with anger management, and is not well-liked by his subordinates. Despite this, he has maintained a positive outward image with the public. He is an experienced Hero, and has been active on the scene for twelve years.

Parahuman resources not viable for recruitment:

Accord - Thinker, Villain

His serious personality disorder means that recruitment is inadvisable. His current position as leader of a Parahuman criminal organization further complicates matters. He has been known to sell his 'plans' to those who appeal to his sensibilities.

Toybox - Tinker(s), Rogue

The current ethos within the group ensures that any attempt at recruiting the membership will be extremely poorly received. Commissioning work for specific pieces of Tinkertech remains an option, however.

Epeios - Tinker, Rogue

A self-described 'Software Tinker'. He operates from somewhere in the East coast of the USA. His specialty lends to systems penetration and digital security, but is likely to be more versatile than that. He shares values and practices with Toybox despite lacking any formal affiliation. For that reason, he is unlikely to be amenable to recruitment, but would still be willing to work on a commission.