To make it clear: All rights to characters, setting, story and central concepts in this story remain the property of Wildbow, Worm's author, and the good people who created GURPS. This is just me playing in the sandbox. Worm can be found at parahumans dot wordpress dot com, and GURPS Fourth Edition can be bought from warehouse23 dot com.


Fallout

Rachel's phone rang. As she turned over and grabbed for it, I decided that it was probably time to get up. Grabbing my pants and pulling them on took a few seconds and then I was heading for the kitchen.

I was just about to open the fridge as Rachel stormed into the room cursing fiercely under her breath. She turned to look at me.

"Forget the breakfast. You need to leave, now. My idiot of a cousin called the PRT about you."

I didn't really need to ask which one. "How much time do I have?"

"No idea, but they're probably already on their way. Sorry about this."

"Not your fault. I hope you don't get in trouble."

Rachel looked surprised. "Why would I?"

"Harboring an interdimensional traveler?"

Rachel snorted. "Right. No way they're going to get that to stick. Now, leave the phone here. I'll call you at the public phone near Fugly Bob's tonight at eight, OK?"

I nodded. "Right. Fire escape?"

"Bedroom window. Here," she said and emptied her wallet, handing me her cash. "Don't get caught before we get this sorted out, you hear me?"

"I won't," I assured her. "I shudder to think you'd have to suffer your own cooking for more than a few days."

"Git," she said, waving me off.

I grinned at her and opened the bedroom window, glancing down to make sure the cops weren't here yet. Seeing no one I jumped off the platform, breaking both my knees when I fumbled my landing. It smarted a little, but I was on my feet almost immediately.

I knew from my parents' stories that the best way to avoid notice would be to act casual and just join the people on their morning whatever. Ogle the cops coming the same way as everyone around, and then move on when the others did. Easy-peasy.

It didn't work, of course. Very few people were actually out this early — or late, depending on why they would be out — and since it wasn't the cops after me, they had more toys. I heard the drones before I saw them but I held no hope that a random amateur would be controlling them. I'd have to do something pretty active to avoid those. Since I saw them, they had seen me, so I bolted in the opposite direction, taking turns between the buildings whenever I could to capitalize on my supposedly better mobility.

Except that I wasn't more mobile. I couldn't take turns more tightly or sprint faster after turns than the drones could. Both their controllers and the drones were annoyingly good. I shrugged mentally. Nothing to it, the next trick sucked but would have to be done.

I located an open cafeteria and ran inside, leaping over the counter and trusting that there would be a back door. Ignoring the shouts from the proprietor I crashed through and out the door that was there as I had hoped. I was sure that the drones would pick me up soon enough, so I stepped behind a trash can, sat down, and pulled some cardboard on me. I wasn't trying to hide, exactly, but I was hoping that a random homeless man wouldn't interest them too much.

Realizing my mistake as soon as I got the cardboard I just deflated. Armsmaster probably had video of me, so of course they'd recognize me despite my attempted ruse. Mere seconds later Velocity appeared in front of me. I was rather impressed with his speed — even on my world it would have been rare.

Velocity looked around and noticed me. "Hey, you. Did you notice someone running through here?"

I was shocked speechless, for a few seconds. Velocity was clearly frustrated, waiting for my answer. "N-no, sir. Didn't notice nobody, not me. Been nappin' here. I can go if you want."

"No need, no need. Now where could he have gone? Perhaps a Stranger power..." Velocity muttered as he started to walk away.

I had no clue what just happened. I got a clue, though, when I lifted my hand to brush my hair in what, for me, amounted to an expression of relief. My hand was old. Probably rest of me was as well, since Velocity didn't recognize me.

I got up, with surprising ease, and walked towards the different exit from the alley than Velocity. For an old man I was spry, but I still felt the years. There would be no running or much of anything strenuous while being this old.

I walked past a storefront and got a good look at myself at the reflection. If I'd had to put an age to myself, I'd have said I was something like eighty. My skin had that parchment quality, my hair had turned almost entirely white, and everything seemed, well, old. I looked at my hands, and saw the age in them, in how thin the skin felt and how prominent the joints were. It seemed that I'd be pretty fit even in my old age. I managed a weak smile for the shopkeeper inside and kept going.

It was probably a good idea to get inside somewhere. I had money, and very little else, so I headed for the mall.


It was Tuesday daytime, which meant there wasn't many kids around, or teens for that matter. I was pretty sure the Dallon sisters were at school during the week anyways, and the same probably applied to the Pelham siblings. That left only the adult supers to look for me. I was pretty sure I could trust all of them except Carol, though, so I wasn't too stressed about New Wave. The Protectorate, however, was an issue.

It would have been nice to find out what had happened after we left, but that was probably none of my business anyways. I just hoped Vicky and Amy were OK. Especially Vicky, considering her reaction yesterday.

I went clothes shopping first, and found a decent enough casual suit in beige that would fit me even after reverting to something closer my real age, a pair of good walking shoes, and a Havana hat. I asked the clerk if it was OK to change in the booth after buying the clothes and got a strange look with a nod.

After changing I headed to the library. It was likely there'd be a computer with an Internet connection there for me to use. On my way out of the mall I saw Battery and Assault heading in, probably looking for me. I didn't bother averting my gaze. They were heroes, and used to some ogling.

The library was easy to find. The clerk there required me to get the card before allowing me to use one of the computers. I, of course, logged in to PHO as soon as I sat down.

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Topic: Lung has been captured
In: Boards ►
Brocktonite03 (Original Poster) (Veteran Member)
Posted On Apr 11th 2011:

Some time last night Lung took on two previously unknown capes and was at least delayed before the Undersiders arrived and Bitch's dog monsters took him to task. That's right, the small and unassuming group of thieves took down Lung.

We have a really grainy video that didn't even need any censoring to keep identities safe (apparently one of the original capes didn't have a costume), and a couple of pictures with better quality (still no identifying features for the cape-without-costume).

As we can see on the video, the costumeless cape has some really crazy regenerative powers. His head got flattened, and he just got up like it was nothing. From the video we don't know what the other cape did, if anything, although the video and pictures are limited to the rooftop action.

I don't know what happened after all of that, but Lung seems to be in lockup. The Undersiders got away again, and we don't see what happened to the two original capes.

Does anyone have anything more?

(Showing page 8 of 8)

XxVoid_CowboyxX
Replied On Apr 12th 2011:
I wonder what other powers the guy has. I mean, the capes always seem to have some kind of offensive powers. Brute, maybe? Look how he's throwing Lung around.
The other one looks like a villain. Perhaps the guy is too, and this was villain-vs-villain fight?

Deadman
Replied On Apr 12th 2011:
XxVoid_CowboyxX:
Wow, zero conspiracy theories. Must be a new thing for you.
Despite the edgy costume, nothing says villain. They fought Lung, for chrissakes. Heroes can have edgy costumes, and black ones. Take Alexandria, for example.

Bagrat (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Replied On Apr 11th 2011:
Check out the new thread by the PRT. Apparently the new cape is from an alternate. They're looking for him, although it seems they don't know anything more about him, either.

End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 6, 7, 8

Topic: PRT looking for a cape
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay
Brilliger (Original Poster) (Moderator: Protectorate Main)
Posted On Jan 1st 2011:
It was revealed to us early this morning that the cape partially responsible for Lung's capture (thread here) is from an alternate Earth. As some of you might remember, ever since the Simurgh used some of Doctor Haywire's old work to open a tear between Earths in Madison, all dimensional travel is illegal.

While this doesn't mean that dimensional travelers are automatically criminals, it does mean that they have to be vetted and undergo quarantine. If he's capable of traveling himself, we need to impress to him that using such abilities is illegal. If he was targeted by someone else with such a power against his will, he will be released in due time.

As such the PRT ENE is looking for the said cape. We are sure that he is still in Brockton Bay, but he managed to slip our containment area. Armsmaster's interview with him after the capture of Lung revealed that he's a powerful regenerator, but that is all we know. At present, we aren't aware of any other powers, but we urge caution if you spot him. Report sightings to the PRT immediately and keep away from him.

As the cape in question didn't use a costume, and didn't seem to want one, PRT has decided to release these images of him.

(Showing page 1 of 1)

Brilliger (Original Poster) (Moderator: Protectorate Main)
Replied On Jan 1st 2011:
Posts removed and thread locked. Despite his public status he still qualifies for all the protections provided by law. Do not encourage others to break the law, and keep threats to his health and safety out of these forums.

Several warnings and two bans were handed out for the offenses.

End of Page. 1

Private message from Iridescent (unconfirmed cape):

Iridescent: I just wanted to thank you for saving me. You seemed to know a lot about being a cape, would it be possible to meet?

Iridescent: Please ignore the last message. I will not reveal your account or anything about you to the PRT, but I don't want to associate with you before you sort things out with them.

The images of me were very high-definition, probably taken with Armsmaster's helmet camera. It was cropped to show only my face which I thought was very considerate. At the time I was a bit disheveled.

I was little saddened about Iridescent's reaction, but I understood the reason. I checked few more threads and then decided to go to the Boardwalk, or perhaps to look at the Boat Graveyard again.

Getting out of the library was easy despite the ugly look I got from the librarian, but there was a commotion outside that blocked my way. People were standing on the library steps, looking at the small square in front of it. There were two men fighting, seemingly evenly matched.

It was clear that both were supers. I didn't recognize the... cape... wearing a black breastplate, red shirt, black pants, and black-and-red mask, but the other was Neil. He was obviously out and about as Manpower since he was wearing his costume. I stomped on my urge to try and help him. Neil seemed to be faring well.

"What's going on?" I asked one of the onlookers.

"Victor's fighting Manpower. I don't know where they were going, but about five minutes ago they walked here and began to fight," he said. He was wearing a rather neat business suit and had an actual briefcase hanging from his left hand.

"Does this happen often?"

"Not really. Capes are rarely out alone. It's pretty safe for these two, they almost never have any collateral damage. That's why I stayed to watch."

I imitated the others and kept watching. Having some actual training in martial arts I immediately saw that Victor was a master. While Manpower's technique wasn't nearly as good, his powers compensated for it.

"So what's Victor's power?"

"According to his PHO wiki page he's a skill stealer. It's probably why this is dragging on," the man replied.

"I see."

And I did. Victor was basically an extremely skilled baseline human, while most of Manpower's fighting ability depended on his powers. It also explained why the fight was so long. Victor was stealing Manpower's fighting skills, making his opponent sloppier. At the same time he was getting tired, while Manpower's abilities enhanced his durability and stamina.

I didn't really see an end for the fight unless something interrupted.

The fight continued for a couple of minutes until a girl appeared floating on a flatbed truck with several cement blocks circling her. She got closer and sent one of the blocks towards Manpower but it was stopped by Lady Photon's forcefield. She had arrived mere seconds after the girl.

"Who's the girl?"

"That's Rune. She and Victor both are from the Empire."

"The Nazis?"

"Yeah. You're not from Brockton, are you?"

"No. I came to see the capes, although officially I'm here on business," I lied.

The man nodded, apparently used to tourists. It was strange to think that cape tourism was an actual thing here, despite them seeming to be far more dangerous than supers back home.

"How about we stop here and go our separate ways?" Victor said loud enough for us to hear.

"Why should we do that?" Lady Photon asked. "I'm pretty sure I'm more than a match for Rune."

"Because both of you are far more destructive than the two of us," Victor said, obviously referring to himself and Manpower. "We have an audience and it would not look good for either of us if they got hurt."

Lady Photon looked at Victor for a second, then glanced at Rune who was visibly nervous, and nodded. "Next time we'll drag you to the Protectorate cells. Unless you intend to hide behind hostages again."

Victor looked angry for a second, and then gestured for Rune to come down. He mounted the truck and the two of them floated away. Lady Photon landed next to Manpower, starting a whispered conversation. Soon they were walking towards the Boardwalk. I followed.