NotNote: This document contains a number of errors. i don't know why the cursor keeps jumping around, erasing entire paragraphs and shifting blocks. if someone puts an error in the comments so i can track it down, i'll fix it on my next day off.
"It won't work," said the dragon.
"It just requires a little tweaking," explained the cat.
"Look, even if she agrees - an ancient silver dragon isn't powerful enough," complained the ancient silver dragon. "Naruto got a Nine-Tailed Fox chakra monster and the Power of Friendship. Even if you make comparisons between Scion and Kaguya, sealing me inside Taylor isn't a valid option."
"That sounds kind of creepy anyway," said Taylor. "Not to mention that means you can't do much."
"Oh, that last part is fine," said the dragon. "Working for the Celestial agency meant giving advice and helping behind the scenes. Not much difference there. Being sealed in you would mean I'm only conscious when you're actively reaching me or you've been disabled enough for me to come out. Like Kurama in the Naruto series is basically what he's suggesting."
"I'm not familiar with that, is it a TV series?" asked Taylor.
"How to sum it up," mused the dragon. "Okay, with some differences, there are universes which are very like stories depicted in other universes entirely. So there would be a book or something depicting the adventures of Taylor Hebert in one universe, right?"
"Okay, though I'd want a few words with the author of MY story," indicated Taylor Hebert.
"Wouldn't we all?" asked the dragon. "So 'Naruto' is the story of a young ninja growing up in a village and becoming the Destined Hero to take on a Big Bad Archenemy and Saving The World. All the while making friends and enemies and rivals along the way."
"Okay," said Taylor. "Sounds kind of familiar."
"Kurama is a Godzilla-sized giant monster fox demon sealed inside him, using time/space compression techniques, to eventually grant him the power needed to survive in that world and eventually take on Kaguya," explained the dragon. "Though that's the heavily compressed version of the main story."
"So what's the problem?" asked Taylor.
"If you're going to save your world, you'll have to be able to beat Scion," said the dragon. "And before that - the Endbringers."
"She managed to do it in the main timeline with insects," said the cat.
"How many died to give her that chance?" countered the dragon.
"How many?" asked Taylor.
"Only a few billion, though admittedly that did include most of her friends and-" began the cat.
"Stop!" interrupted Taylor. "There's a better alternative?"
"Lots. I just don't think sticking me in a Eight Trigrams Seal and then putting me into Taylor will do enough," said the dragon, his tail lashing a bit in agitation. "That'd get her some regeneration, maybe a Brute 3 or 4 rating physically, and I might be able to do a mindscape thing to advise her and teach her some skills, but consider the enemies she's going to face. She might not even survive Shadow Stalker long enough to get ninja or cleric training."
"Hang on," said the cat. A mailbox appeared next to it, and a letter was dropped into the slot.
"What was that?" asked the dragon.
"Permission to upgrade," said the cat.
"Upgrade Taylor?" asked the dragon. "That might work. If you keep Queen Administrator abilities, maybe she could hack the shards?"
The flag on the mailbox went up. The cat removed a letter from the box, read it, then produced a little stamp to click on something in it. "Done. You've just been upgraded from Auxilary Troops - Celestial Division to Class II Messenger - Celestial. Congratulations."
"What?!" yelped the dragon before a column of light erupted.
* September 15, 2008 *
Danny Hebert had tolerated his daughter having an imaginary friend for some time. He'd heard her telling Annette several times to turn her cellphone off while driving because it was dangerous. They'd gotten used to it, a common theme. They mostly ignored the warnings.
Now this, his wife was dying before their eyes and thirteen-year-old Taylor was saying something odd. She really should have outgrown the 'imaginary friend' thing by now. "Taylor, this isn't time for that."
"He can heal her, but it has to be fast." Taylor fixed him with that way-too-serious look. "Do you give permission?"
"Fine, yes," said Danny, thinking he would have to address this...
Where was all that light coming from? Wings? Why were there wings of light folding out from Taylor's back?
"What?" asked one of the doctors who'd rushed into the room, stopping alongside him.
"I... don't know?" half-asked Daniel Francisci Hebert.
There were doctors and nurses scurrying around now, checking various instruments, checking the wounds and lifesigns. Calling out various findings which didn't mean much to Danny. He knew union work, contracts, the shipping and receiving business. There were phrases that DID register with him - parahuman healing ability made sense while Trigger Event applied to his daughter sounded ominous.
* September 16, 2008 *
"My daughter is a parahuman?" asked Annette.
The PRT representitive nodded.
"And my husband SIGNED her over to the PRT?" asked Annette.
"I was signing forms most of the night," complained Danny Hebert.
"When I asked the simple question of 'Where is my daughter?' - I did not expect to be presented with legal documentation stating that you put a thirteen-year-old girl into Master/Stranger protocols because she has a voice in her head," stated Annette Hebert. "I think we need a lawyer."
"So she's isolated in some cell because you're afraid she's been Mastered," said Daniel Hebert. "And you got me to sign those forms by burying in that mass of paperwork stating that I had consulted to parahuman healing and wasn't holding the hospital responsible for any repercussions."
"You DID sign legal documentation stating that your daughter is now in the Wards program," pointed out the PRT rep.
"We'll see how legal that is," promised Danny Hebert.
* PRT ENE HQ *
"So, what do we have here?" asked Emily Piggot, checking a video screen.
"Taylor Hebert, age thirteen, mother was in Brockton Bay General Hospital in Critical Condition due to a vehicular accident," stated Researcher Yui Ikari. "Possible trigger event leading to parahuman healing abilities."
"There better be more to it if you're throwing a potential healer in isolation," stated Director Piggot.
"From the father's comments, later confirmed by the child, she's had an imaginary friend talking to her since she was five. Which was when he woke up and began complaining about being trapped in a cage." Researcher Ikari shrugged one shoulder. "Naturally we thought 'Birdcage' but apparently the imaginary friend describes it as a jail cell in a storm drain."
"An imaginary friend?" asked Director Piggot. "Fragmented personality of some kind?"
"Taylor denies this. Also says the parahuman healing abilities come from this other person she named 'Binkie' - Binkie apparently dislikes that name but she uses it anyway because it amuses her."
Director Piggot frowned. "If she's doing something to actively annoy this other - it doesn't sound like a Mastering situation."
"No and we're at an impasse as Binkie says he doesn't want to talk to anyone due to something about our security," said Researcher Ikari.
"Did you get anything specific?" asked Director Piggot.
"No, and it took a fair amount of questioning to get that much," said Researcher Ikari.
"Hmmm," hmmmed Director Piggot as she looked at the little girl in the cell.
"We're following up references now," said Researcher Ikari. "Maybe one of her friends or classmates has some detail about their interaction."
"Fine," said Director Piggot. "But get her some books or a game she can play. There's an old saying I've heard from some of my troops. 'Don't piss off the healer.' If we want someone with parahuman healing abilities to help us out, and we bloody well want that option for our soldiers, then we try to keep things as friendly as we can."
"Difficult when she's in Master/Stranger confinement," pointed out Researcher Ikari.
"There's ideal, and then there's what we've got," said Director Piggot. "Do the best you can."
* PRT ENE HQ. Master/Stranger Confinement block, Interrogation Room. September 19, 2008 *
The doctor retreated to one corner of the room where the instrument displays gave their data on the patient.
"Subject is sedated. No abnormal readings," came the doctor's voice over the intercom.
"Understood," said Researcher Ikari.
"Is all this necessary?" asked Annette Hebert.
"If we get the information we need, and it checks out, she can leave. Have a normal life, well - normal for a parahuman anyway," answered Researcher Ikari.
"I'm unclear what all this is supposed to accomplish," said Danny Hebert.
"Your daughter has, under questioning, revealed information she shouldn't have access to. How to make a catalytic converter without precious metals, for example. Interviews with her childhood friend, Emma Barnes, revealed that she could find things that were hidden to normal senses. That on one occasion, Emma attempted to awaken Taylor with a glass of water and her 'imaginary friend' opened one eye and told Emma not to do that."
"So?" asked Danny Hebert.
"Her imaginary friend is not so imaginary when it can display abilities that fall into the parahuman capability range and act independently." Researcher Ikari checked on her own displays. "Isn't that right, Nkrizos?"
"What is a 'Nikreezous'?" asked Danny.
"An attempt to name me using Greek, and that's modern Greek not the ancient form of the language," said Taylor in an unusually deep voice. Eyes opened, revealing a faint blue glow. "What do you need so badly that you would torment a child?"
"Answers," said Researcher Ikari, throwing off the feeling of Presence that was now in the chamber and noting that the one-way mirror was apparently useless as she was being tracked by Taylor's eyes.
"Five minutes. Any longer and you threaten Taylor's health," said whatever-it-was. "Ask. I will answer if it is allowed."
"So what is your name?" asked Researcher Ikari.
"Rime, as in frost not as in sound-alike phrases," answered not-Taylor. "Annette, you're looking better. Danny, a pleasure. Troopers Rodriguez, Manyfeathers, Carlson."
"How do you know those names?" asked Researcher Ikari.
"I know many things, Researcher Yui Ikari. I am not human. You have tried to ask Thinkers about me and they've immediately gotten headaches because of it. I am not a four-dimensional being and working with higher dimensions is difficult for those Shards for the same reason they cannot answer questions about themselves."
"What are your intentions?" asked Yui Ikari, a bit off-put by the fact that this thing knew her name.
"I am trapped here until Taylor Hebert manages to save your world," stated not-Taylor. "Tick-tock, Researcher. And since Director Piggot is going to be watching this later - I suggest caution regarding releasing and documenting this conversation. Not only are your servers and personnel heavily compromised - there are those who are untrustworthy in the higher command structure of your PRT."
"That's very vague," said Researcher Ikari.
"Have Armsmaster or Dragon check the hard connection in Server Room 303-A. Particularly the second auxilary cable on server 4."
Researcher Ikari bit back the immediate reply and motioned to the Trooper in the room.
"Manyfeathers is a loyal employee, you don't have to worry about her."
Researcher Ikari glanced at the figure in the room.
"This is about as long as I can safely come out to speak with you. I'm going to sleep now."
* PRT ENE HQ, Armsmaster Tinker Workshop, September 22, 2008 *
"This room is safe?" asked Emily Piggot as she took a chair.
"Confirmed," said Dragon.
"We were compromised as our 'guest' indicated?" asked Director Piggot.
"Confirmed," said Dragon. "All indications are that the guest's information has so far been completely correct."
"How does it know these things if it has no physical presence?" asked Director Piggot.
Dragon's power armor shifted a bit. "According to it - it is because it has no physical presence. It may be that it is a five-dimensional being, in which case it would see what has been and what will be at least on the short term."
"And the predictions about the end of the world?" asked Director Piggot.
"If the nature of powers and Endbringers is correct, then the prediction falls within what we can model," said Armsmaster.
"Damn," said Director Piggot. "What are the abilities of this Rime?"
"Very limited as there is no physical presence, but a high level Thinker and Anti-Thinker - at least an 8." Armsmaster seemed to think about adding to that statement, but restrained himself
Director Piggot flicked a control and the screen showed Taylor Hebert in her cell, going through the motions of a martial arts kata.
"The style is unfamiliar to the experts but is apparently similar to Shotokan Karate," said Dragon. "For a thirteen year old she has excellent flexibility and fitness. Apparently she has been undergoing periodic training since she was seven. Neither of her parents had any objection considering the current situation here in Brockton Bay."
"Do we have a name for who has compromised our security?" asked Director Piggot.
"We have several," said Dragon. "Apparently the E88, the Bad Boys, and the Merchants all have resources here. The big one though is Coil."
"Supervillain?" asked Director Piggot.
"Also highly placed within the PRT. Rime has told us that we can't learn his name just yet as it would get back to him in hours at most."
"Powers?" asked Director Piggot, thinking that would also remain unknown.
Armsmaster surprised her. "That information was available. Coil apparently has a high level Thinker power. He can split off two timelines and then choose the most advantageous one. This allows him to appear to alter probability in his favor or make plans with a binary choice where he has apparent foreknowledge. According to the Being, Coil also uses it to kill and torture people for information, then close that timeline while retaining the information acquired by such means. It was stated that it was specifically because of these uses for that power that the Being was forthcoming with this much information."
"So if someone displays information they shouldn't have, or has excessive luck, that would be a clue as to who it is," mused Director Piggot aloud.
"The list is further narrowed by some of the points where physical hacks and taps were put in place," said Armsmaster. "None have been altered so far, as that would also indicate that their cover is under suspicion."
"You think you know who it is," said Director Piggot.
"I think I do," said Dragon. "If so, the guest is correct. I do not believe you could meet them face-to-face without giving a sign that you did know."
"And somehow this person is important to keep where they are and not thrown in a detention cell?" asked Director Piggot.
"That was our conclusion as well," said Dragon.
"Can we get Miss Hebert to join the Wards?" asked Director Piggot.
"She has no parahuman abilities on her own," protested Armsmaster.
"I'm not convinced this 'guest' of hers isn't a split-personality or something more sane than a five-dimensional being imprisoned in a thirteen year old girl," countered Director Piggot.
* Hebert Home, January 12, 2009 *
"Whoaaaaa," said a very impressed Emma Barnes, staring at her longtime friend.
Danny Hebert, in the next room, rolled his eyes. "Taylor. Are you walking on the ceiling again?"
"'on the ceiling'?" asked Alan Barnes, raising an eyebrow.
"Taylor's imaginary friend 'Rime' was teaching her basic hand-to-hand skills. Now she's learning ninjutsu," explained Danny.
"At least she's wearing pants. The first time she tried to demonstrate that wall-walking technique for us, she was wearing a skirt," said Annette, shaking her head at the memory.
"She's been showing off martial arts moves to Emma, but I really don't think Emma is ever going to be interested in that end of things," protested Alan.
"I don't understand, is Taylor a parahuman?" asked Zoe Barnes, eyeing the rain outside and guessing it wasn't going to let up soon. So much for the planned barbeque.
"No, she can teach others her skills," said Danny. "She's been teaching two of the Dockworkers and Troop Commander Tomoe Ishikawa on weekends. Commander Ishikawa just managed the Reinforce Weapon technique last week. She's quite pleased."
"PRT?" asked Alan Barnes, also looking quite sadly out the window at the rain.
"Yeah, one of the things they wanted to do was see if skills could be taught, and some can," said Danny. "The healing stuff and repair magic isn't as easily passed on though."
"Pity," said Zoe. "Those sound useful."
"Reparo!" said Taylor in the next room.
"She gets more practice with that than I would really prefer," complained Annette.
* PRT ENE HQ, Conference Room D. March 12, 2009 *
People stared.
"That's not a parahuman ability?" asked Armsmaster, fiddling with his scanner.
"No sir," said PRT Commander Tomoe Ishikawa. "It's tiring, but I can keep this up for a few minutes at least."
"That's worth a Mover 2 rating at least," said Armsmaster.
"Not everyone can learn this sort of thing," said Ishikawa. "All of these taught abilities have limitations, not the least of which is the fatigue rate. As my family was from Iga, I volunteered on the idea that I might be predisposed towards ninja training. It appears I was correct."
"The 'imbue' ceremony when you began this program? Is it something repeatable by others?" asked Dragon as her suit walked around the PRT Commander who was standing on the ceiling without an apparent care.
"Not by anyone other than Taylor at present. Per orders I asked at the first chance to work it into a normal conversation, and mastery of the energy-manipulation ability is necessary for that and is a mark of someone who has attained mastery to take on a pupil. References were made to it being a mix of things learned in three different other universes." Ishikawa frowned as her hair started escaping where she'd bound it and hanging below her like a messy banner. "Being able to reinforce an object is first. Reinforcing one's own body is a bit trickier but immensely useful."
Emily Piggot nodded, this being what the frequent reports had detailed. "What's next?"
"Those of us who have sufficient control to continue on will learn how to stand or walk upon water, which may be very useful against Leviathan or other hydrokinetics," answered Ishikawa.
"Anything else to add? Any insights on the 'guest'?" asked Director Piggot.
"Apparently there are some techniques from those other worlds which Taylor can't manage or just don't work in this world," said Commander Ishikawa. "The 'disguise' and 'substitution' techniques didn't work. Which is a pity as I could see some definite uses for both in our line of work."
"I have very little idea, other than the names, of either of those," stated Armsmaster.
"Traditional stories of ninja have them able to disguise themselves or replace themselves with an object such as a log," stated Ishikawa. "Being able to use an illusion to disguise yourself, say as a member of the E88, would be useful for information gathering and infiltration. Being able to displace yourself when confronted with someone like Hookwolf would be a literal lifesaver."
"If Taylor gets either of those working in our universe, inform us immediately as the Stranger and Mover ratings will have to be uprated," said Armsmaster, making notes on his tablet.
"Sir," said Ishikawa, releasing the technique and landing on the ground.
"If abilities like this can be further dispersed, more PRT personnel could be saved," said Director Piggot. She didn't mention that if her troops had been able to use that body-swap or climb-over-everything or other techniques in Ellisburg? Complete game changer right there. Even now being able to train troops in additional techniques would reduce her reliance on capes. Not eliminate it entirely, the higher-powered capes would still go through these troops easily.
"This room is completely eavesdrop-sealed?" asked Commander Ishikawa.
"Yes, it's been swept just before this meeting," answered Director Piggot.
"There's an Anti-Master/Anti-Stranger technique that the 'guest' is working on localizing that can be used by the individual or on another," said Commander Ishikawa. "A disruption technique against active mental control."
Everyone in the room stopped making notes to look at the Commander for a moment as the implications of that went through the room.
"What about mental contamination?" asked Director Piggot slowly.
"Apparently this won't work on that, but one of the healing 'spells' will," stated Commander Ishikawa.
Director Piggot nodded. "Has there been any luck on getting either the healing talents or repair taught?"
"So far there have been twelve attempts, none successful," reported Miss Militia. "Apparently there is something to Commander Ishikawa's 'genetic predisposition' towards certain talents."
"If non-parahumans can gain something akin to powers, we need to know the details," said Director Piggot. "This mental control-breaking technique. When you learn it, we'll have to see what the limitations are. Good work so far."
* Cauldron HQ *
"The effect of this 'Rime' on the path is so far miniscule," said Contessa. "The fact is that it has no physical presence in our world or any other version of Earth makes estimating its impact difficult. Also, it is an unknown quantity to both us and the Entities - so it is difficult for most Thinkers to even focus on."
"Are you satisfied that this is not merely a triggered parahuman with some sort of split-personality?" asked Alexandria.
"Yes, mostly," said Doctor Mother. "Every sample and test so far has borne out that this Taylor Hebert has not triggered."
"She has school, some hospital work using her abilities, teaching her odd skills, and working on increasing her own skills," said Alexandria. "So enough about this anomaly for now. What of this new cape in San Francisco? I believe her name was Chiffon?"
"Chiffon is a second-generation cape, and her power is that she can make fabric stiffen to the consistency of cardboard," said Doctor Mother. "It's useful in apprehending some criminals but is definitely not a major ability against most opponents."
* Brockton Bay, June 17 2009 *
"Dad, you shouldn't try shortcuts," said Emma Barnes.
"Traffic was completely stalled, all we have to do is... oh."
"Back up," suggested Emma, eyeing the trashcans lined up to block the sidestreet.
"I can move those and get past," said Alan Barnes, getting out of the car after shifting it to Park.
"This is..." Emma's eyes went wide as the shadows moved. "It's a trap!"
"This is ABB Territory," said one of the youths, flicking a butterfly knife open and closed rapidly. "You want to get out of the car or do you want your old man here to start losing pieces?"
"Okay okay, you can have my money and cellphone, no problem," said Emma as she slowly got out of the car. "See?"
"Oh, I don't think we're going to stop there," said the gang member. "I... why is your cellphone blinking? Is that some app running?"
"Who, me? No, I'm just a normal schoolgirl, why would I have a panic button on my phone living in a peaceful place like Brockton Bay?" asked Emma.
"Well, by the time they get here..."
At which point the gang member who'd just grabbed her fell over for absolutely no reason that anyone else could see.
"What the hell?" asked the leader of this particular group. No costume, but maybe a cape? "What did you do to Chien?"
"What ever do you mean?" asked Emma as innocently as possible.
The leader drew his gun and pointed it at the father who was now being held by two of the other gang members. "Try that again!"
"Try what again?" asked Picture of Innocence Emma Barnes, batting her eyelashes.
"Whatever you did to Chien. Chien, you okay?" asked the leader.
"Glik," said Chien.
"I never did get that 'kai' technique working right," mused Emma.
(THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!)
The leader screamed as three throwing knives went into the arm and shoulder he'd extended to point the gun at the girl's father.
"Boss?" asked one of the gang members.
* Shadow Stalker *
She'd been ready to intervene at the first sign that the two below were predators and not prey. Now she had revised things a bit, the girl had some Striker ability and put the one down. The father was definitely prey.
Then someone had rushed past her, throwing those little throwing knives that had a bit of red ribbon at the end. The figure dropped down into the alley and then...
It was beautiful. She hadn't seen such a display of elegant kickassery short of a movie and that crap was choreographed. The thin girl was obviously a minor Brute with some Mover abilities. Just the way sounds of noses being crushed and joints thoroughly disabled became a chorus of pain and suffering that was music to Sophia's ears.
Sophia moved away after a few moments. She was a predator, not a scavenger. This hunting spot was taken.
She'd keep an eye out for the redhead though. Maybe they could hunt together someday.
* Emma Barnes *
"Why the heck are you in an alley in ABB territory?" asked Taylor, feeling this was a perfectly reasonable question.
"Stalled traffic?" supplied Alan Barnes.
"Seriously?" asked Taylor.
"Already called it into BBPD," said Emma. "Looks like those lessons are doing more than keeping me in shape."
"What did you do to that guy?" asked Taylor, pointing at the sprawled out gang member.
"Urkle," said Chien, trying to point out that he was seeing colors that didn't exist and that there was something in the tall girl that wasn't human. And It was looking at him. He really really didn't like It looking at him.
"You know how I've been messing up trying to do that 'kai' thing?" asked Emma. "Well, this time I deliberately messed it up."
"So you turned it into a nerve-scrambling technique?" asked Taylor. "Well, it's unique."
"Right," said Emma, proud to have created an entirely new technique.
"We'll go over what all you did wrong here later, I was just on my way home," said Taylor.
"Hospital work?" asked Emma.
"Couple of cases, had to rebuild an eye," confirmed Taylor with a small shudder. THAT had been a mess.
"Should be some decent money out of that," said Emma.
"Might be. Those NEPEA laws were designed so that parahumans can't be reimbursed for things that someone without powers could do, so something they can't do should be paid. Lawyers down at the hospital are looking into it." Taylor shrugged. If the insurance paid for it - great. It wasn't like she couldn't use the money for supplies.
"Ah," said Alan Barnes. He was a divorce lawyer but he knew some of his colleagues did get a bit into that field.
"Here comes the police," said Taylor, pulling her mask back down. There would be paperwork, of course. There was always paperwork.
* June 20, 2009 *
Sarah Livsey took a deep breath, then coughed a couple of times as the air quality wasn't great today.
She glanced around the boardwalk, wondering where she could go. A few petty thefts would net her enough to get by, she was low enough on cash at the moment to make that a priority. So she used her power to mark several potential unwilling contributors to the "keep Sarah fed" fund.
[Donut shop employee. Distracted by security guard's physique. Has a little over $20 in small bills.]
Self-taught pickpocket skills came into play and she was five dollars richer. She put everything else back because then the guy would be wondering if they'd just miscounted it.
[Security, off-duty. High degree of physical fitness. High degree of martial arts training. Just got paid. Training in ERROR-UNSPECIFIED.]
Sarah blinked and looked over the security guard again. Blonde, wearing a jeans-shirt-vest-boots combination, had some definite definition on those arms. Not someone she'd want to "accidently bump into" and try to pick pockets on. For one thing, if she slipped up and was caught that would probably involve an amount of pain she was personally not going to enjoy.
That her power had just basically looked at something and went 'nope' was of a bit more concern.
Lady Security seemed to be mostly paying attention to a snow cone, so Sarah tried again.
[Snow cone. Strawberry. A cool treat on a hot and humid day.]
Sarah blinked at her power deciding to ignore the woman and instead focus on her treat. She tried again.
[Not parahuman. High degree of training. Training includes ability to ERROR-UNSPECIFIED similar to Thinker rating. Subject has determined something amiss and is attempting to feign disinterest while observing for threats. Unknown non-parahuman ability in use. Subject has determined ERROR-UNSPECIFIED.]
Sarah watched as the woman apparently checked her vest and belt before pulling out a few coins and putting them in a tip jar.
[Subject touched a button on a device on her belt. Probable low-level alert. Subject is now looking at you. Subject is mouthing the words 'your move.' Uncertain as to whether Subject is addressing host or power.]
Sarah Livsey just smiled, backed up a pace, and looked nonthreatening.
[Subject is now three feet closer despite not taking a step. Unknown non-parahuman abilities in evidence.]
Sarah nodded at the nice lady, took a breath, slowly turned, and then RAN.
[ERROR-ERROR-ERROR.]
Why was she panicking?! Sarah thought she could probably talk her way out of it. Yet here she was, running away in a full panic as something was telling her to just book it. Why?
A girl a little younger than her flickered into place in front of her.
[ERROR-ERROR-ERROR. Subject not found. Subject not quantified. Subject unknown. Not parahuman. Not in shard network. UNKNOWN EFFECT. Rebooting.]
* Sarah *
"-so as soon as that danger sense went off, I started checking out my surroundings. That girl was doing something. At first I thought she was just checking me out. Then I thought about that PRT assessment about some guy trying to infiltrate the classes. So I signalled an alert in case it was one of Heartbreaker's thralls or something. She panicked and ran, so that kind of made her look guilty."
"Guilty of what is the question. Two IDs. One for a Sarah Livsey and another for a 'Lisa Wilbourn' - think she might work for some villain-type?"
Sarah kept feigning unconscious, but she'd meant to get rid of the Sarah Livsey stuff. She was going to be Lisa and never going back to her parents.
"I used a Greater Restoration, so if she was under someone's command that should do it."
"I don't get it. Why run?"
"Looked like a panic attack. Then she just collapsed. Hit her head on the pavement hard enough to be messy. Had to heal her or that head injury would have caused problems. Have to ask her when she's awake what that was all about."
Waiting until the door closed and everything was silent, Sarah slowly opened an eye. Nobody else was present in the room, which was an office of some kind.
[Dockworker's Gym Office, Docks Area, Brockton Bay. Building rebuilt - previously a small shipping warehouse - probably import/export. Approximate time unconscious - thirty-seven minutes.]
Slowly getting up, and feeling the beginnings of what was probably going to be a nasty Thinker headache, Sarah/Lisa realized she needed to stop thinking of herself as Sarah and that there was a window looking out into the warehouse where...
[Non-parahumans being trained in ERROR-ERROR-WARNING-WILL-ROBINSON-DANGER-DANGER.]
"Ninja techniques?!" exclaimed Lisa as she watched people doing backflips and twists and flicking from one end of the warehouse to another. "I've been kidnapped by ninja?!"
At which point all of the people training stopped what they were doing and looked her way.
"Oh shit," said Lisa. "I got a bit loud. Sorry."
* PRT ENE HQ *
"Huh, a Thinker who wants to be independent, and who jumped on the chance to learn 'ninja techniques'," said Emily Piggot, leaning back in her chair. "We could use more Thinkers. What do you think?"
"Commander Ishikawa has been a pretty good judge of character and feels that Sarah would not be an ideal recruit for either the Wards or the PRT," said Miss Militia. "She apparently has serious control issues. With time, we can probably manage her through the PRN program as a part-timer hired in for specific duties or events."
"She understands the trouble with remaining independent with three gangs on the lookout for Tinkers and Thinkers?" asked Director Piggot.
"She's been told, how much she actually understands is another thing. The idea of a steady income does apparently have some appeal to her though," said Miss Militia.
"Fine. PRN then, we can get her used to the command structure and organization and eventually have a chance of full recruitment," reasoned Director Piggot. "And because of that we can keep track of that resource. What exactly is her specialty?"
"Intuitive, can put together multiple cues and come to highly accurate conclusions," said Miss Militia. "Though apparently she has some trouble with Taylor and what she can do."
"Doesn't everyone?" grumbled Director Piggot, who then got thoughtful. "Security screening at events, observation of individuals for Master effects, maybe some lab work where she can look at results of testing and see if she gains any insights."
Miss Militia nodded, made a notation on a clipboard, then went to the next matter in line. "Material shortage reported by medical. Metronidazole is on low supply and the latest shipment was delayed due to the port being damaged in a battle between Loco Lobo and Cockroach Man."
* Taylor. June 21, 2009 *
"I realize you were just expecting a few people to learn a few skills," said Taylor to a wall. "Also - Brockton Bay is a city, not a village, and it has never been hidden."
[Not talking to herself. Talking to ANOMALY.]
Lisa glanced to the side. "She do this often."
"Normally no," said the short-haired blonde security officer, whose name she'd learned was Éadaoin. "When she does it usually means that he's worked out something new."
"He?" asked Lisa.
"He's only manifested in this universe once. Merchants were attacking. Pray that he never manifests when you're around." The tough security officer shuddered and held herself as if she had suddenly chilled.
"How bad could it be?" wondered Lisa aloud. There was an immediate mumble of noise from the majority of those present - the overwhelming sentiment expressed was bad.
Which, of course, made Lisa more curious than ever.
"Okay," said Taylor. "The shunshin is the manuever Bruce Lee developed at one point back in the sixties. Also called flash-step. Lisa has seen that. How about... Zephron, Mark? Can you demonstrate a bit of what else Lisa can learn here?"
Lisa's mouth dropped as she watched the two large men run UP a wall, parkour around a number of set obstacles, and finally land next to each other and begin exchanging blows in a blur.
"The Reinforce technique allows minor Brute and Mover ratings for a human who has the technique running. Just don't rely on it until you've mastered it to the point you can run it while concentrating on other things," explained Taylor. "You start out using it on a weapon or something like a shield. Reinforcing your body is the more advanced version because if you get it wrong it could mess you up pretty bad."
"Damn useful if you get to that point though," opined the PRT Commander.
[Anomalous ability is anomalous.]
Lisa grimaced as that was not particularly helpful.
[Speculation: (high probability) Anomalous ability is drawing on unknown internal energy stores. Martial arts and endurance training is to increase internal energy supply to levels necessary for usage on techniques.]
Okay, Lisa allowed, that was a bit more useful. If she had to spend time doing sweaty exercises there was a point to it all.
[Speculation: (unknown probability) Ability to cling to walls like the fictional Spider-Man utilizes interaction with weak nuclear force.]
The idea of her pulling a prank on everyone by wearing a spider-themed costume and pretending to have spider-powers did have a certain appeal.
"So we start with basic martial arts training to bring up your stamina and such, moving to parkour when you have a certain level of fitness..." explained one of the other instructors.
"Yeah, let's get started. The sooner I learn that stuff, the sooner I can get a job here, right?" asked Lisa.
* Brockton Bay General Hospital, August 16, 2009 *
"New trigger with healing powers. Hoping you can assess." That was all the Doctor had said.
Taylor looked at the girl, then invoked parahuman security, before regarding her patient. Finally Taylor made a finger-in-front-of-lips gesture before making odd gestures and stamping one foot on the ground. Which responded by throwing up a dome of transparent gold for a second before fading.
"What was that?!" asked Amy Dallon.
"Privacy warding. We can't be overheard and any monitoring devices are going to give static," said Taylor, scooting a stool closer. "They wanted me to evaluate you as a potential healer to work here since I've been doing healing and other services for a little while. Any questions?"
"Well, I've heard a few things about you..." Amy was very hesitant.
"I've spoken with John McCrae over at WBBR and he's entitled to his opinion. I agree with him on some things, disagree on others. He has agreed to disagree and we've developed a certain degree of mutual respect. Also his dog is a cutie," said Taylor, shrugging one shoulder. "Your shard is the Life Shaper. You can restrict yourself to healing but that is going to cause you more stress over time and can end up disastrously."
"'Shard'?" asked Amy.
"Parahumans have two brain structures, right? Corona Pollentia and the gamma?" asked Taylor, getting a nod back. "Okay. The powers are sort of like a computer hooked in through an n-dimensional conduit to that particular unit through those areas. If you think of it as a computer program that wants to be used and to expand, that gives you some idea behind how parahuman powers work. Each has a particular focus and yours is the Life Shaper one. You can heal. You can also modify organisms. If you just stick with healing people, you'll be very very good at it - but your power will get frustrated with the lack of exercise and eventually something will go wrong. I'm training a Thinker in specialized learned abilities and have been able to study her shard quite a bit as a result."
"I haven't heard any of this before," protested Amy.
"Most people get parahuman abilities and don't question anything about them. Which always struck me as a bit weird," said Taylor. "Okay, what we'll do first is have you use your ability to diagnose someone with injuries. Doctor Schmidt has a couple of cases that have already given permission to be healed using parahuman abilities. The first one you'll diagnose and watch when I use a healing spell. Then you'll have a chance to heal someone while I monitor. Sound good?"
Amy nodded, still thinking the other girl was a bit nuts from what she'd heard previously.
"Great," said Taylor, making a gesture that left finger-trails of light in the air before a dim light rippled through the curtained-off area. "Nice to work with you."
Amy took the offered hand, got a stricken look on her face, and abruptly collapsed.
"Well," said Taylor, catching the girl and moving her to the empty bed. "THAT certainly didn't go as planned."
* Amy Dallon *
Enough people at school thought this new parahuman on the scene, who apparently didn't have an official cape name but had been dubbed 'Baywitch' was crazy but had a pretty useful set of 'grab bag' powers. Healing, some form of clairvoyance, and a dozen other things that were speculated on but unverified.
Then she shook her hand, got a momentary feeling of human and then...
She was in a storm drain of some kind, with pipes lining the ceiling and walls. Warm water lapped up to her ankles. Mainly though, her attention was on the huge cage in front of her. Also what was in the shadows of the cage that she couldn't clearly see but which obviously could see her.
"Amy Dallon. Life Shaper. Potentially the most powerful healer in the world. Who could be an S-Class threat to the world but chooses not to be. I'd offer you tea, but I'm a little restricted here." The voice was so ridiculously deep that Amy thought she could feel bones vibrate in sympathy.
Amy licked her lips and made a show of looking around. "Where?"
"A mindscape. A pocket universe. Choose however you please. Guard yourself and your mind, Amy Dallon. To lose either is to court disaster."
"You and Taylor keep talking about disaster. What disaster?" asked Amy.
Glowing blue eyes in the dark opened.
Amy saw a potential future and knew it to be such. She screamed.
* Taylor *
"Back with us?" asked Taylor as Amy sat bolt upright on the hospital bed.
"WHA? No! I refuse to let that happen!" said Amy.
"What do you mean?" asked Taylor.
Amy visibly calmed herself, letting out a deep breath in the process. "Nothing."
"Okay," said Taylor. "Do you want to put off the test until later?"
"Just give me a few moments..." mumbled Amy. "And I need a trip to the restroom."
Taylor pointed towards the nearest one.
* Christmas Eve Party, Mayoral Plaza, Brockton Bay. December 24, 2010 *
"So, uhm, this is 'Baywitch'," said Panacea.
"I'm really not fond of that name," commented Taylor.
"If you had chosen a name, that one wouldn't have stuck," responded Panacea.
"You're the healer at the hospital and the one rumored to be training some members of the PRT and BBPD in special techniques?" asked Brandish, shaking Taylor's hand. "You're awfully young for so much responsibility."
"Age is relative, mileage also matters," cryptically said Baywitch. "I hear you work with Alan Barnes."
"Yes, though we don't interact that much," said Brandish. She paused. "I hear you can cure depression?"
"If it is caused through the chemical interaction or another organic cause - yes," responded Baywitch. "If it is due to personal mindset or events they're dealing with - not so much. If it's due to a Master effect or something similar - also yes."
Lady Photon nodded to the two. "So, I heard, you work at the hospital with Amy?"
"Most days we work on days the other isn't," said Baywitch. "They want to keep one of us available for emergencies when the other isn't available. Unless it's an emergency like last week. THAT was a mess and we were both called in."
At an inquiring look, Amy elaborated. "A head-on collision. SUV with five people, no child safety seats."
"That was a lot of onions," said Baywitch, trying to tease a smile out of Panacea and not getting it.
"'Onions'?" asked Brandish.
"Onions have a high cell density," said Baywitch. "When Amy is trying to rebuild limbs and tissue, having an outside source of biomass can help. My abilities are entirely different in how they operate."
"I hadn't thought of that before that night," admitted Amy. "There hadn't been enough of that baby left otherwise..."
"That was the night you came home and were sick in the toilet?" asked Vicky abruptly.
"Yeah," said Amy.
"Sounded bad," admitted Vicky.
"Yeah," repeated Amy.
"So, ah, I hear you're a Trump of some kind?" asked Manpower.
"That's what some people say," said Baywitch.
"I saw you repair that building that Atomic Lass destroyed," said Lady Photon. "That was impressive."
"Oh, that was a Reparo spell," said Baywitch. "I... oh dear. Trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" asked Lady Photon.
"Don't look," said Baywitch. "Apparently someone decided on a recruitment drive. Valefor."
"Shit," summed up Lady Photon. "How do you know?"
"My 'guest' keeps an eye out," said Baywitch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please," said someone going up to the podium. "Thank you. Just stand there for now, remain quiet. Now all of you will kill yourselves unless this person Baywitch will-"
(CHOMP!)
Lady Photon stared at where Baywitch had flickered and Something Else had taken her place for less than a second. Something her mind was still just trying to come to terms with because it had been so Wrong.
Taylor instead strode up to the podium, stepping over the bodyless legs now laying on that stage. "Hi everyone. The orders that Valefor gave you? Forget them, they no longer have any hold over you. Excuse me for a couple of minutes while I deal with some nearby problems."
Lady Photon hurried to Baywitch's side. "What just happened?"
"Valefor's power has no hold over me," said a voice that was not Baywitch's despite coming from her mouth. "And now I have plucked it from his corpse. In the meantime, I am going to deal with the assembled group known as the Fallen. If you wouldn't mind collecting evidence?"
"Where are they?" asked Lady Photon.
"Do you see that bus?" asked not-Taylor. The bus abruptly froze, spikes of ice forming over the surface.
"You can collect evidence, I can't manifest very long without risking harm to 'Baywitch'," grumbled not-Taylor. "If nothing else this might discourage others from seeking to control the resources Baywitch is bringing forth."
"What about the Fallen?" asked Lady Photon. They'd come for a Christmas Party after all, not a supervillain battle.
"Their threat index has dropped a bit," rumbled the voice before Baywitch swayed on her feet and gave a yelp.
* December 31, 2009 *
"It wasn't me," complained Taylor. "I'm not fond of killing anyone."
"You froze the bus to the point where bodies are still mostly solid ice," said Director Piggot.
"It wasn't me," repeated Taylor.
"It was your body that the guest used," countered Director Piggot.
"Possession is nine tenths of the law," said Assault before a whole lot of glares were turned in his direction.
"You've been waiting to use that, haven't you?" asked the Director.
"Well, yeah," admitted Assault.
Director Piggot sighed and leaned back in her seat.
"Excuse me," said Miss Militia. "I don't think I've ever heard the answer to a very simple question. What exactly IS your guest?"
"Celestial messenger," said Taylor.
"An angel, in other words," said Director Piggot. "One of those winged halo-wearers in the pictures."
Taylor's mouth opened but it was clearly not Taylor's voice. "Artists take liberties. To be fair, making a two-dimensional oil painting of a nine-dimensional being would be rather difficult even if they knew what they were trying to depict."
"And you make an appearance," said Director Piggot.
"I'm listening," agreed not-Taylor. "Taylor thought this was getting tiresome and wanted me to field questions. Can't really blame her."
"Why did you break the Unwritten Rules and kill so many people?" asked Director Piggot.
"Mama Mathers had an ability that would have proven troublesome if allowed to infect so many," said not-Taylor.
"Can you show yourself instead of talking through Taylor?" asked Miss Militia.
"That's not a good idea," said not-Taylor.
"Why not?" pressed Piggot, sensing a possible weakness.
"There may be Revelations you're not ready for," said not-Taylor.
"How bad could it be?" said Miss Militia.
Taylor and her guest seemed to argue something for a moment. There was a flicker of annoyance before not-Taylor spoke again. "Anyone not ready, close your eyes for a moment. Best if you cover them as well."
Director Piggot leaned forward, thinking they were getting somewhere. Now she'd see...
The screams began immediately.
"I told them, didn't I, Taylor?"
"Yes, yes you did."
* January 1, 2010 *
"Here you go. Red Gatorade. It'll help."
"Ugh," said Miss Militia, taking the drink.
Assault shook his head. "You know, when the messenger made a reference to the angels in Revelations - that was when I realized what was coming. Surprised nobody picked up on it."
Miss Militia grunted. She wasn't closing her eyes though. If she did she might see THAT again.
"Heard that Armsmaster's visor protected him but half his hardware fried. His recording equipment actually melted." Assault shook his head.
Velocity shrugged. "I remembered that scene at the end of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and turned away. Hollywood got something right for a change - who'd expect that?"
"Clearly we did," allowed Assault.
"Too loud," complained Miss Militia.
"Didn't think you drank," commented Velocity.
"Didn't. Needed to try after -" Miss Militia made an odd gesture.
"Well, at least we got a reason that Miss Hebert's guest doesn't try to physically manifest," said Assault.
* Protectorate HQ *
"What do you mean 'all the Thinkers we had watching at that moment started screaming'?" asked Alexandria.
"Did you see the reports?" asked Legend. "How the last two paragraphs on this were 'Make It Stop' and this one reads like something out of Lovecraft except instead of tentacles we get something about wings that aren't wings and beautiful light? Except the light apparently is coming from wrong angles and shining with colors that aren't real. Three of the six have put in for vacation time saying that they 'have to re-evaluate their life choices'?"
"Class Three Cognito-Hazard, as well as a Memetic Hazard apparently," said Doctor Mother. "If you could get blood or tissue samples it would help me determine what exactly is responsible for this."
"What if the samples retain their hazardous nature?" asked Alexandria.
"Science is full of risk," stated Doctor Mother. "If I was not willing to take risks, I would not be here."
* December 1, 2010 *
Parahuman Response Team Commander Tomoe Ishikawa felt she was honoring her ancestors, her duty as an employee of the PRT, and to greater humanity. Also being generally awesome, which made all the effort she'd put to master these skills worth it.
Skidmark felt she was an annoyance that really needed to be dealt with as a non-parahuman really shouldn't be doing things like dodging everything he threw at her and tossing little knives with little paper strips that exploded in fireballs that managed to knock him off his feet.
That she kept doing it was something Skidmark found even more annoying.
Every time he thought he had her cornered, she'd go running up the wall as if concerns like gravity were for lesser beings.
"HOLD STILL YOU CUNT!" yelled Skidmark as his target vanished by running up a wall and flipping over an AC unit.
(STAB!) went a single-edged sword into his back.
"Can't. Ninja, it's kind of a thing," said the woman's voice from behind him.
Of course, when he turned around she was already vanishing by dropping a smoke bomb and retreating into the resulting cloud. Which didn't have anything in it when he swept it with bullets.
Skidmark filled the air with some of his choicest insults while he and his men looked for the "ninja" and he dully noted that the PRT team they'd had contained had escaped while they were distracted. He repeated quite a few words.
"I don't have any donkeys in my ancestry, thank you very much," said the woman's voice from somewhere to the right.
Massed gunfire put holes in a great many objects.
"Your men don't have very good aim," said the woman's voice from the left. "Must be all the drugs."
Massed gunfire put holes in more objects.
"You know, Skiddie. You don't mind if I call you Skiddie, do you?" came a voice from right behind him.
Massed gunfire was partly misdirected but a couple of shots made it through his fields. Skidmark started referring to his own troops in less than complimentary manners.
Skidmark, now with a sword-wound, multiple lacerations from where exploded pieces of roadway cut him, and two gunshot wounds, pulled off the little radio speaker that had been stuck to his back and glared at it.
"You know, Skiddie, you're not looking so good. You might want to seek medical professionals."
As the blood loss began making him feel like taking a nap, Skidmark realized that might actually be a good point.
* December 21, 2010 *
"Commander Tomoe Ishikawa, Brockton Bay, normal human. With Brute, Striker, Mover ratings," said Contessa. "Leader of Squad Seven, which ALL have similar ratings due to the training and development from Baywitch. The report from Director Piggot indicates that she rescued Squad Five from an ambush involving six members of the ABB and Skidmark himself. The only other development has been we finally have another healer."
"What of this healer?" asked Alexandria.
"One who underwent the 'magical awakening' ritual has responded to it," said Contessa, clicking the remote to bring up a picture of a young woman in a camouflage uniform. "Captain Janet Frasier, physician USAF, working with Project Metron. Prior to this she had been raised with some Prebyterian background but was not active in any church. Since gaining an ability to spellcast, she is somewhat more interested in such things. Apparently it will still take years for her to develop any major ability with those talents. Scans have shown no active Corona Pollentia or other signs of parahuman ability despite having access to clerical magic."
"Refresh my memory. Project Metron is the USAF program to utilize teleport technology?" asked Alexandria.
"The United States government determined that there was a very good chance of the Endbringers not being stoppable," said Contessa. "Independently of us. They seek to find a way of getting a group off the planet, either in space or by using other versions of Earth. We have been monitoring in case they come up with anything we can use ourselves."
"I thought that was the 'Izumo' Project," said Doctor Mother.
"When the Japanese were running it, yes. With Japan having to give up such programs after Leviathan, and with the research given over to the USAF, it became Metron," explained Contessa.
"Anyone else from Metron show any promise?" asked Alexandria.
"Several actually, they're an odd bunch," admitted Contessa. "I'll forward details."
* January 4th 2011 *
Taylor Hebert sighed a deep sigh as Greg Veder tried to suggest a date without actually coming out and saying anything like a date. Not that she had any available time for dating. Not that she'd go out with him in any case until he learned a bit more about personal hygiene and applied such knowledge.
No, even if she had the time, there was nobody in the current student body she'd go out with.
A voice in the back of her head suggested giving any potential suitor twelve trials they'd have to accomplish in order to date her. She just glared at the owner of said voice in her mindscape, which was trickier than it sounded without physically glaring at anything.
She then deliberately thought a few things about various troopers whose physically quite fit forms she'd found intriguing in a manner completely normal for a teenage girl, which had the intended effect of having that other voice chuckle and retreat into his cage more fully.
Emma nodded and joined her as they walked to the lockers to prepare for the first class, Taylor idly noting the way that track star girl eyed Emma. Interesting, as Taylor was reasonably sure that Emma did lean that way.
"You think you're so tough," said one of the tattooed Nazi-wannabe types, moving to block a doorway. "I think you're just a-"
Taylor found herself extending two fingers, reinforcing them to the overall strength of steel, and driving them into the tough's solar plexus at such speeds that it would be a blur to anyone who didn't blink. If they HAD blinked, they wouldn't have seen that much.
"Uk. Blek," managed the folding Nazi.
"I swear they need better pest control around here, there was some annoying buzzing," said Taylor as she walked past.
"Gurkle," said the Nazi who was now on the ground.
One of the other Nazi wannabe types nodded at Taylor as they passed, finally holding up a card that said "8.5" in marker.
"What's up with that?" asked Emma as they passed the sign-holder.
"Some of them are smarter than others," said Taylor. "I think that one just appreciates efficiency."
"The not-bright ones try to start something, the brighter ones just critique in a safe manner?" asked Emma. Actually, that kind of made sense.
"Something like that," said Taylor. "How'd you do on that homework for Gladly?"
"If they made it any easier it would write itself," mock-complained Emma Barnes.
Behind them, the track star who had been eyeing Emma was now staring at Taylor as well.
* January 12, 2011 *
Kaiser looked over the reports, frowning, then settled back into his chair. "Interesting."
"Everything indicates that Squad Seven were entirely normal humans until they got involved in this program. Then they started doing things like this." Victor sat back in his own chair, completely relaxed as far as a casual observer could tell.
"Probably a Trump or Trump/Thinker combination, able to grant limited parahuman abilities to other people," said Kaiser as he tried to fit what he had just read into his existing worldview. He felt this was the most likely interpretation of the report. "Just Squad Seven then?"
"That's the only reliable one we have observations on, and that our informer was able to give us data on." Victor flipped open a folder. "Commander Ishikawa is the lead, who responds 'ninja' when asked about her abilities as far as our mole can tell. It is believed that's a general summation of her extra skills, that being that she's a stealth and infiltration specialist. Troopers Saberhagen and Correia are close quarter and firearm specialists. Trooper Asimov is their hacker and computer specialist. They just got a medic... Specialist Bradbury. Explosives expert is Trooper Scalzi and driver is Corporal Heinlein."
* PRT ENE HQ *
"Squad Seven OP. Please nerf." Director Piggot looked up. "What the hell is this?"
"A complaint on one of the online forums. Apparently they feel that PRT Trooper Squad Seven is too difficult for them to deal with and should be downgraded," said Armsmaster, sounding completely serious.
"Who is 'they'?" asked Director Piggot.
"Void Cowboy. Also several accounts we believe to be registered to various members of the Merchants," responded Armsmaster.
"Do you have any idea how little I care about those concerns?" asked Director Piggot. "You would need a Tinker-built microscope to see it. You could fit it inside an electron's orbit. (cough cough) Oh dear, I think I accidently misplaced it and it went flying out of the room."
"Is that sarcasm?" asked Armsmaster, sounding a little confused. "I don't believe an electron actually orbits in the conventional sense..."
"It was sarcasm," stated Assault. "I'm an expert in it."
"Ah," said Armsmaster, adding another datapoint to his Understanding Other People software 2.0 version.
Director Piggot looked up from the facepalm she'd done as soon as Armsmaster had started speaking. "Since we're on the subject of Squad Seven. New recruit?"
"Rei Bradbury, second person found so far to gain healing talents as a result of the ceremony that the Other performed," said Miss Militia, many of those present shuddering slightly at memory of the Thing With All The Eyes that had revealed itself. "Interesting that the celestial ability has caught on with a lapsed Protestant and a former Shinto miko so far. According to It, Captain Frasier is Twilight Domain while Specialist Bradbury is Light Domain. The differences are unclear but apparently Bradbury is especially inclined towards fire-based spells while Captain Frasier is more inclined towards spells dealing with night and peace. Both are capable of various healing and protection spells."
"I still have trouble with referring to granted powers as 'spells'," grumbled Armsmaster, clearly annoyed.
"It walks like a duck and talks like a duck, and is what Taylor Hebert's guest refers to these manifestations as," said Miss Militia.
"I don't care what we refer to them as, if we can give our troops a better chance of surviving an encounter with hostile parahumans - it's worth a little top off the discretionary fund," said Director Piggot. "We'll figure out more about these 'domains' when we have more healers to work with. At this point, it doesn't matter."
* Feb 13 2011 *
Taylor Hebert sat on the top of the Medhall building, in a space near the dish antennae. The only one from Medhall to come up here was the occasional maintenance personnel, who generally didn't care as long as nobody made a mess. From what she'd seen, Glory Girl came here every so often and watched the sunset while eating cheese poofs but that was only in good weather.
She had an off-day and having some off-the-path time to reflect was a good thing.
The classes had expanded and were doing well. They now had three spell-casting clerics (USAF Doctor Janet Frasier, Twilight) (Rei Bradbury, Light) (Trooper C. Stasheff, Nature) and thirty "ninja" operatives. There were also two "celestial warlocks" which had surprised both her and her guest as that was something completely unexpected when it had happened the first time.
So there were now enough METAhumans for that term to be thrown around.
* NOTES *
Story concept abandoned because it seems to follow too closely to other ideas.