TTM & WM

by Throwaway1971

Please ignore

37. Entry 37

[08.39: Anabasis]

[A not so frozen evening soiree]

I frowned as I carefully sipped at the proffered brandy of some sort. It wasn't poisonous, nor filled with nano-machines, my defences 'calm' so it would be impolite to not accept as I considered the 'charts' up on the wall before me, music in my ears. Strictly speaking our 'private meeting' had morphed first into an officers report as our 'host' Tarquin, gradually brought in his five senior officers/captains and they detailed what they had encountered. Which itself had morphed into this small…party…as their spouses arrived, along with four younger orcs and half-orcs that were apparently friends of Miss Hebert, all in what could be called formalwear…

Which was why I had shed my outer layers and was in my white suit, while Azula was in the SLDF uniform she'd worn beneath it, just like two guards on our side. Alyaer, and her son, remained in their robes and 'sea captain' outfits respectively, though their female guard had stripped down a t-shirt like thing with trousers and belts due to the heat. I'd left the jacket off as well myself…as they favoured warm temperature here, inside, it seemed, and 'formalwear' in their culture seemed on the limited nudity taboo side. Similar to Skaratis Red Orcs it appeared, and more southerly orc tribes and nations of Toril, as I had to deal with several orc women with exposed breasts resting on corset-like dresses. Thank the heavens for combat discipline, and Azula being here instead of the likes of Burt or other 'old fashioned' crew members of mine.

I sipped again, unhappy at the 'charts' and the…fact of having to get back through that region where an eldritch being was already awaken for outsiders. Likely the authorities too based on how much they'd been able to fit together from the giant mess that Miss Hebert had reported had occurred. The Planeswalker, Dominic, was also a problem, along with what could be inferred from his ramblings to her, and the once he'd been captured by Ser Tarquin. Multiversal sex-slavery rings weren't completely unheard of, and usually made up of the desperate, stupid…but often dangerously powerful under the control of smarter, darker, forces. Spark Planeswalker tended to be cultish like that as they were either 'self-trained' and thought themselves 'special', or were found by another Spark-walker and got even more 'U iz spezuls u iz!' brainwashing from them.

Taylor Hebert seemed perfectly normal…mostly, beyond the clear self-esteem issues and being trapped on an icy hell world for year a bit after watching her world turned upside down. I'd gladly help this Ser Tarquin in ensuring she achieved her full potential, while also not going insane and hyper-narcissistic and into 'I'm the only real person in the multiverse Muwhahaha!!!' territory. Of course that had added the 'optional' side mission of trying to get her father off dimension if she decided to travel with her current…adopted father?...

'Or, what? She stays behind on hell-world where a lunatic turned up and tried to recruit her to mind control and rape other women? That and the local Power clearly will want to kill her for what she is as well!' I mused unhappily before turning as our host approach, new drink in hand. Said Taylor Hebert was standing with four orcish 'young officers', or two young officers and two female orcs, one of which was a Luthican Acolyte, all 'well-dressed' as the culture seemed to deem it. All I'd gotten was that one of the males, Lucien, in a kilt-thing with half-bared chest, was 'courting' Taylor, at the girl's quiet, not-embarrassed encouragement it seemed as where she'd been desperately uncomfortable around us, she was discussing poerty or literature with her four friends without any issue. Considering the Luthican was one of the bare-chested fashionistas…

"A frown of concern my fine fellow! This is a soiree; we should all be cheerful my good Captain!"

I gave a faint smile of amusement "Ah, but see I am of the planning sort, and prone to such frowny faces I've been told. Merely considering the logistics of travelling through the realms that we need to, undetected, while recovering your lovely ward's father, assuming he yet lives as we do so"

"Ah, well…I fear we have to bull our way through with your…bridging operation as you so succulently put it"

I gave a nod, smiling politely. If we could go around…

But this was likely to be the fastest way, crossing a vast dimensional cluster in one bound, and being able to seal it completely behind us. It was too good an opportunity, and Miss Hebert had been taught well in how to bargain by her slightly irritating gentle-orc adventurer guardian. He wanted to help, and she knew the area, and she had valuable powers….

Etc, etc, etc….

"I do believe that is the case, yes" I agreed with a shrug "Though I shan't desire to take your other guest with us I'm afraid. We'll do our best to heal him as is, maintain your stasis, leave some supplies and then leave this place with him behind"

Because sometimes the Lawful Evil approach of 'Letter of the Law, not my business' was the best approach to take. Neither killing nor aiding the other outside of the basic necessities that a Lawful society might lay out as basic decency. The supplies would be entirely of this dimension, the generator repaired enough to last for years, and the stasis to keep him unaware, and no traces left of who we were. I trusted the priest here that they'd thoroughly checked out Miss Hebert for tracing tools or spells, and the year and a bit here indicated the anti-scry wards worded. Those would drop a few months after we were long gone, so that was the best I could and avoid needless bloodshed and giving legitimate reasons to fight us. Not that such matters to raiders and reavers, but it might to their bosses as they'd have to deal with my bosses in retaliation potentially otherwise.

Ser Tarquin, as seemed to be their naming custom, nodded waving his brandy glass around gently in tune to the music "Ah, that shall have no objections. We merely aided a fellow as is the laws of the planes we follow. Duty done as it were"

"As you say" I murmured in agreement to that "As you say, thought it would be best if we prepare to evacuate your position as rapidly as possible. If we are to attempt to breach into that region, I don't want it to be from here, but from one of the alternate sites you had discussed with your previous guides"

"Well, such a fine, large, vessel as yours would be easily able to carry such as our merry band I imagine!" he mused back politely "But it's defences would…"

"Not as powerful now, but we do have Captain Maeani, and my vessel is aboard the Carrier. It's salvage, and those poor souls aboard that we rescued, are our prize, and I will not risk its safety" was my straight to the point response "That is why I will empower a land-bound expedition to pass through that cluster, and then jump it beyond. Ideally without any battles or fuss of any kind if we can manage it, though I expect some measure of skirmish may be inevitable as we…bull our way through it as you say"

Avoid the super-Scion would be a problem, clearly, but it was the lower-level seers, diviners, and the 'Thinkers' as Sean had heard the other side call them that was the problem. Me, I really wanted to help Mother too…

But Duty called it was, and I had my own family to worry about rather than the variant of a girl I had never known beyond flash-cloning me into existence. What awaited on the other side…was going to be problematic as, unlike me…Sean…I didn't have SHIELD and the Justice League backing me up. Oh, I had a ship full of powerful casters and mad scientists yes, but best not risk battle either. If I could just figure a way through, grab an old human dude, pass through swiftly, and then get beyond to the giant star forge we were to stea…salvage in the name of our God.

I waved my free hand at the charts on the wall, ignoring the big breasted orc woman that just walked by trying to attract attention "So, my vessel, hers, and your expedition's, if the need arises, can serve as defence as needs be. Your ward, and whatever guard or guards you deem in her defence…I can take a team through, she can discuss, hurriedly, with her father, and we shall press forward immediately after. At least once are sure he has no trace nor is a potential lure for her…"

"A simulacrum?"

I paused, then nodded at his suggestion "You are capable of performing it for a third party?"

"With assistance, yes" My own abilities were for myself, but Ser Tarquin gave a quick nod, and I gave my own after a moment. One step, two steps, now the next few steps…

--

[08.40: Anabasis]

[At the edge of madness, show no sadness]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2714]

[Current Dimension]

At the edge of a multi-versal cluster. Variant of our 'home' Earth-Bet.

[Current Location]

An Earth. Liveable, with humans of various sorts. Barely at hunter gatherer civilization levels it looks like. Off the coast where a certain city should be on the other side.

[Trading Report]

Nothing to report bar our new guests.

[Diary Entry]

Okay, two or three days turned into nine, but here we are at last, at the edge of a cluster. Several jumps from where we'd planned, but here we are, with our allies spelljammers aboard, along with crews, marines, and the whole mess. Save the spark Planeswalker whose getting luxury accommodations several dimensions ago on that freezing earth in a generator heated enclosure, healed as much as could be (still slowly dying though), under stasis, and with supplies if/when he awakens. That's our task done if anyone ever comes looking for him, the piece of shite that he appears to have been. Still, we don't break any peace, tis on him and his if it ever occurs – though one prays it doesn't, ever.

Our guest/allies are currently deployed, along with Captain Maeani, our practicing pilots, and some of Anna's engineers to establish a base camp inshore. We've got a breach-point…though, as things seem here, that isn't exactly overly hard. Then multiverse cluster is, for lack of a better description, like Swiss cheese and it's not that hard to penetrate. Not as with several dimensions we've come across at least. Good and bad that as Quinn noted, as I can see why the capital P Planeswalker was quite powerful there, though it'll mean we'll have to burn our bridges at the end of the jumps I think. Well, long distance travel, huzzah!

Sooner home the better I say, so that's good we can, in-theory, get through this cluster fast if need be.

Right now, I'm spending time with Kara, after this writing anyway, as I'm off shift and I need to relax somewhat as we get set for nonsense and danger. Tomorrow will be tiring setting up the protective wards on the base camp, and then watching our allies do theirs, along with the others in my crew. We're doing this properly, and dull and non-flashy as possible after all. I know we'll be leaving a decent sized village/town behind when we leave, but, hey, if it saves us time and effort in the long run I have to agree to Bab's idea. Quinn's handling the scans, so, well, progress?

Not only that but I have clerics now, wish granted. Yay. Sarcasm doesn't become getting what you ask for unfortunately, so, fancy orc expedition. Powerful when you note things, like the 'muskets' being very much enchanted, along with the powder and the bullets, let alone the spelljammers. Lucky in that it's vastly increased our firepower – concerning in the sense 'our' is with people I don't know, but nominally allied too who've pissed off the magically golden man. Also, they have baby Spark Planeswalker with issues. Yup. I'm going to have a nice meal with Kara now. Slán.

--

{Ghosts in the machines}

I had Medea, after a decent bribe of restaurant vouchers and extended library time, on Veiling the whole activation. It was a significant effort after all as Quinn handled the breach itself, and hiding the blasted thing was hard and needed someone with the power and knowledge to hide that process of a stable 'bridge' to the city of Brockton Bay. Myself, I was onsite at the Base Camp, watching behind protective wards in the control room as the portal between the twin pillars crackling with electricity took shape like a mirror. For the moment anyway as the electric sizzling and sparking stopped and the surfaced 'hardened', though it looked like a silver liquid, and began to show a cityscape beyond.

It took a little while as the portal was…moved for lack of better word, in place on the other side, eventually fixing to the wall of a building in a back alley. A dirty, gloomy, and generally empty looking location all in all I noted as Medea, with supporting casters, finished her spell casting, the sigils and runes shimmering above our side of the gate in a circle illuminated by them. Normally I'd be interested in studying them…but duty called as it were "Alright, send in the drones and have our scout team ready to go"

"You know me, always ready to go" Barbara grinned at me, coming over, and I sighed, glancing at her as the three small, invisibility cloak spelled, drones were turned on and sent through.

"Are you now?"

She gave a serious nod clad in the black 'light stealth armour' with elven invisibility cloak we'd gathered together to allow the cloak properly with both tech and arcane means "Yes, Rider and Eoin too. I just came over to confirm, along with any last-minute instructions?"

I shook my head with a wan smile "No, we've tried to cover everything, and you should be on the bridge…"

"And I'm taking this job now, so you just shut-up Buster as K will tell you" she muttered back at me "You are not getting away with trying to banish me from a stealth mission to install spyware and spy on a neighbourhood in a city filled with criminals and crooked cops. I am trained to do this. Better than several others mind you"

I held my hands up, I'd already accepted my defeat earlier after all, and it was the truth as well. It only made my life easier for Babs to play at being my XO rather than at being a scout "I know, we already agreed. So, yes, no argument from me. Just get in, do a scout, and then get back as we planned"

'No playing around or playing vigilante' were my unspoken words, and she grin, but nodded, voice serious as she answered "Just that, we'll be as quiet and stealthy as we can be"

Which was a fair amount as I watched her turn and walk away, hands moving over her suit to check everything was there, along with the facemask she had yet to seal. It was a muddle of gear, but it was the best of the best in terms of stealth and fast travel, though they were to try avoid using the teleportation and such unless they absolutely had too. In a perfect world Miss Hebert's dear Daddy would be still in the same home he'd been in when she'd left, alive and well, and the city wasn't on guard and/or wrecked. Considering our experiences till now…I doubted that as I observed the nervous looking young woman, dressed in an officer's 'naval uniform' of various colours that matched the others of Ser Tarquin's expedition, rapier at her side.

Quinn came over, data-pad in hand, his 'assistant' The Mechanist trailing just behind, then drifting over to check some readings on the computers setup "Drones are up….city looks intact and there's tv channels…so, good?"

I nodded "Intact is good, yes"

Because it meant the waterbending Godzilla hadn't attacked Brockton Bay like in Sean's time, and Scion hadn't gotten all weird and fucked off wherever he went to sulk. Just went to show that the portal back then, and SHIELD's connection had likely ensured the city got attacked in the first place. Unpleasant to think about that unhappy fact as Quinn brought up the surveys and live feed unto the screens before us. The city did indeed look intact, but there were also signs of the battle would have taken place here over a year ago, especially as I was fairly sure those mountains were out in the Bay when I'd been here last.

I motioned at Babs and her two teammates, then nodded at them with a thumbs up as the drone directly above the breach-pointed showed the area was clear. She gave me a thumbs up back, and then all three were gone invisible, just shimmering mirages only just about visible to my True Seeing as they quickly went through the portal. The whole operation was rushed, as it always was with us, but it went okay for the moment as they entered the target location and began to scale the building beside the entrance. They've be able to scout out the Hebert household from the girl's confirmation of her address, along with tapping into hardline communications infrastructure for us. Then we could come up with a proper plan hopefully…

--

[Interlude – Time and Space, Crime and Lace]

[Patrolling the streets of Brockton Bay is yet another depressing night]

"We're at the Top of the Clock and the streets are rockin" Dennis said into the comms as he stood on the rooftop overlooking the miserable streets of the city he was, like so many others, unofficially of course, trapped in "This is DJ Time Master and his lovely assistant Long Jump Girl signing in"

Console tonight, Carlos, Aegis, groaned softly at that over said comms as Missy emitted a weak snort of, hopefully, amusement at his supposed idiocy "Clock can you be serious on patrol?"

"Can do Big Chief Console, can do! Our eyes are ever watchful for the evils….which means I, the ever great and glorious Clockblocker, confirms all quiet on scheduled check in. Code is….Peppercorn Polka dots….which is a stupid passphrase tonight by the way"

Carlos sighed over the comms "Yes, you mentioned. Several times. Now…just be careful"

"Aren't I always?" I answered back ending the call as Missy had cal…relaxed a bit now after the distraction, though she was still almost pressed up against him as usual. She was so desperate to get out in patrol, to prove…something Dennis didn't like to think on as she still got twitchy, like now, though it she got like that in base as well with the nightmares. Carefully he brought hand down on her shoulder, making sure she saw and knew it was coming, feeling her tense as he did so…then feeling her resist herself trying to press in against him as she took a steadying breath.

Again, he felt his friend should be anywhere but here in the Bay. It was too much constantly in her face, and Vista was most cleared headed in a cape fight these days. That wasn't recovery, that was…Dennis wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't want Missy getting hurt as bad physically as she had been mentally. And that would happen if they weren't careful, even with Brockton Bay being…safer…now. Safer. He wanted to roll his eyes at that view. No, they weren't walled off like Simurgh Bombs, everything was fine the PRT said! See how fine things are now, everyone on the road to recovery…

And don't you dare think about leaving Brockton Bay you potential Simurgh-bomb-lites had been the unofficial word given down to every cape caught up in the Hentai Horror Show as it was called on PHO. Night and Fog had tried that and were now off in the Birdcage for…reasons. Bakuda had bit a bullet when she'd tried to relocate, though who'd done it was unknown. Even if everyone in the 'expanded' Wards, and the gangs, knew exactly what had happened, albeit not the details. It was why Dennis…why Carlos ahead of him wasn't in the Protectorate already despite everything as 'Probationary' was a word added to everything of late…

"Ready to rumble short stuff?" he teased Missy, glad when she responded by pressing against him…then giving him a 'gentle' elbow to the stomach and a 'Shut up Clock!'. That was more like the old Missy, and she huffed, as they mock 'fought' with weak slaps and shoves as they moved out to continue patrolling, before he let her latch unto him to 'jump' from rooftop to rooftop. There wasn't any true need for that, but Vista seemed to prefer the physical affection…which he was fine with, embarrassing as the PHO threads had got of late, as long as it helped her.

'Embarrassing….yeah right' he thought bitterly as all the memories came flooding back. Again. Night's like this were the worst as they brough back memories when making a mental misstep like that. Embarrassing to have girl holding you and PHO teasing about it? God it so fucking heartless of him to even think that when the girl in question had been utterly humiliated, Mastered and degraded for all the world to see, and only retained her civilian identity because fucking bastard monster Dionysos had decided 'You can leave your mask on' in a sing-song voice as he'd made Dennis's friend, a fucking child, who he forced a tinker-tech collar that Mastered her somehow, strip completely god-damn naked so he could…

Inspect the fucking goods….

'Temper Dennis. Missy. Don't show any signs. Get it under control you big fucking baby' his own voice snapped in his mind as he forced himself to stay calm. Forcing it out in a quip "Ah, look a full moon….maybe I'll have to protect the fair lady from the werewolves….hey, you think Hookwolf turns furry on nights like this?"

Vista was clearly cocking her eyebrow under that mask he guessed, the way she cocked her head at him, and the tone of her voice "What are you babbling about?"

"Hookwolf and a full moon, maybe he gets all hairy!"

"Ugh, why am I friends with you again?"

Dennis patted her helmet "Because I am the Blocker of Clocks! And together we are…"

"Don't you fucking dare…" she growled at him cutely…

"CONTINIUM! DEFENDERS OF TIME AND SPACCCCE!"

"God damn it Dennis" came the little huffed as they stopped again, overlooking the boardwalk. Things were quiet again tonight. Funny how things could 'get quiet' when the Wards had doubled in size, the Protectorate similar, and everyone was scared of what might happen to them on the gangs side should the government ever change the line from 'We're watching you very closely' to 'Simurgh Bombs! Wall them off and/or gun them down!'. Over a year on and the city was still in this bizarre frozen fear "Ugh! You are making this up to me"

"As you command oh Violent Vista, I bow before your height challenged might. Whatever you want, your humble servant shall provide….on a lowest available cost basis anyway"

He still almost expected Glory Girl to fly over as the moved, even now. He just wanted that time back, where he could get annoyed at the Flying Barbie Tank for her aura, or tease her for flying around in a dress with shorts underneath…

And not look at the girl in the Wards who hid under a hoodie, unable look anyone in the eyes, and aura that once flared gloriously, now giving off an ominous, uncomfortable, feeling with anyone Victoria Dallon felt was getting too close to her. Which was most everyone nowadays it felt like to him despite the others saying that she was getting better. 'Better' being the word of course as he want to say, and that it was relative. Yes, Vicky was 'better' relative to several of the others who'd been Mastered in that week, even better than several of the former Undersiders forced into the Wards. But being 'better' compared to Tattlet….Lisa, wasn't exactly a very high fucking bar to achieve. As having any stray thoughts of the sexual inclination around the Thinker risked sending her into a shivering mess - and that was around people she 'trusted' like him and a few of the other Wards.

The Undersiders were pathetically grateful to be in the Wards now so bad had then been broken as they saw it as some form of protection. New Wave…Amy stuck around him, Carlos, and Dean, while avoiding her sister and any girl like the plague. All while her mother, aunt, and cousin, had rebranded under new identities (not that helped) after giving up their team ideals after being utterly humiliated as they had been. Sabah hid inside a doll when interacting with anyone. Even the Empire 88 had turned over Rune on similar conditions as they hadn't been able to handle the brand…the fucking brand…that was still Mastering her till the Protectorate had gotten Tinker support to remove the thing.

…and the truth was none of them should be active, hell, half his teammates shouldn't be out, let alone in the Wards, therapy provided or not. Yet here they were. Everyone desperate to try pretending everything was still fucking normal. Even over a year later…it wasn't. It never would be. All had taken was some god damn lights, sounds, and a flicker of memory to set him off, how bad was it for others who had been mad do more than just fight their friends?

The collars had been bad enough, forcing you to obey like a robot, or some not remembering the 'look in my eyes' Master effect (that had worn off for those affected thank Christ), but the brands had supposedly been the worst means. One monster with Eidolons powers. Able to fight Scion and summon flying sail ships….and all the bastard could do was try to play being Heartbreaker. Hatred and fear was all Dennis could feel right on that monster. Even now. It just burned inside. Worst the fear he'd come back and hadn't died as he driven off Scion as he looked out at the sunset, the colours unnaturally lilac due to…whatever had happened lasting. The so-called beautiful view just a source of bad memories to any capes trapped here.

"Clock" came into his earpiece, and he brought his hand up it.

"Whazzup Console?"

Carlos didn't complain, just went on a bit more seriously "Hold position with Vista on patrol"

He stayed calm "Trouble?"

"Maybe not…a Tinkertech drone just landed outside the PRT headquarters asking about having a, ugh….parlay according to Armsmaster…"

--

[08.41: Anabasis]

[Take me to your leaders….or come into this dark alley over here!]

The direct approach. I really didn't want to do the direct approach…

But, sadly, needs must. Which was why 'I' was strolling up towards the local PRT headquarters in my 'business wear' with a pale imitation of my staff in hand, and clothes on my body. Then again the whole situation we 'me' was temporary as well, where I'd sat down and created…myself as not-myself in the confusing joys of an old Netherese version of a Simulacra. Largely as one couldn't trust this lot, rather reasonably mind you on their parts but inconveniently for me, so I'd had to take steps after negotiating with our….new business partners, allies, whatevers.

Firstly, the situation here had been as bad as I'd feared…worse in some ways having reviewed the various snippets we'd gathered off the local internet and Metahuman Watch equivalent. I'd expected the sexual abuse based on the story, but it was very, very, blatant as well and I'd still rather like to put a bullet into that scumbag's head. But logic and a calm demeanour prevailed. But, mostly, the first reason boiled down to Miss Hebert's father had been possibly relocated, or at even one of those given new identities, in the wake of his daughter being one of the immediate, public, victims of dear Dominic's idiotic horrors. Finding him would be quite difficult…

And secondly, a concern from point of view despite Ser Tarquin's push to retrieve the man…

They had a heavily damaged spelljammer here, along with, potentially, the surviving stores of the vessel's armoury, along with its Helm. My new allies had believed the ship destroyed, but video footage show that at least part of the hull had remained intact despite an impressive fire show and everyone onboard being magically confirmed as deceased. That was a potential problem. Especially since it was clearly under this dimensions government's control, and this dimension may be in the firing line of one of the nastier Planeswalking groups with names like 'The Company' or 'The Catalogue'…it would be less than ideal to leave evidence around. Or at least leave weapons and tools that these people, with no arcane tradition, could use to either blow themselves up, or something much, much, worse.

So here 'I' was unhappily, watching as black clad stormtrooper imitators came forward to greet little old me in that friend manner I'd expected. Which was one of the reasons 'I' was here of course, rather than me – in disguise, and no True Names mentioned. Oh, it wasn't an air-tight protection, but after steps taken actions me and mine would earn violent retaliation from my Boss after all. And while the Dark Lords of Wish-fulfilment were multiversal in power…so was Mine and others related, though it might do a dead me little comfort. But in the end that group really weren't interested in fighting as I understood it, rather on leech possibilities from their 'worshippers' in lower energy planes, and getting idiots killed by handing them powers they couldn't manage outside of the few, probably true, Agents of theirs.

So 'I', as Not-Me, gave a pleasant, bland, smile, holding a suitcase as agreed "Greetings. One has arrived as stated. Now, take me to your leaders"

'Oh, I have inherited Cassius's tendency for melodrama, haven't I?' I thought at the glance between the two not-stormtroopers, and then their touching comms as a local metahuman watched from the rooftop. Up there I could see the sparkling life-energy with that odd overlay that signified local power users as best I could tell. Two lives where there was one, or perhaps somewhat like Warlock….something I…Sean…had figured out after some time amongst their variants.

They wanted to see I wasn't carrying a briefcase bomb. I obliged by opening said case, a plain, normal, affair, with some paperwork, business card, writing pad, pen, and some local format disks as previous stated would be brought with me. I wasn't giving our identity way, but we had demonic lawyers to reference for just such occasions should future clashes occur. All content I closed it and followed them inside passed the security measures, just like a normal, boring, solicitor going about his work for the weirdly armed police force. Metropolis had at least given its officers guns, and they were fucking pacifists. These poor fuckers appeared to have stun related gear, along with foam dispensers of some sort. I felt oddly annoyed by this for some reason as I was led inside to a, in theory, secure room. Likely for interrogations I expected, of those of the more energetic and explosive capacity judging by the reinforced nature of the walls and false mirror.

'Faces I recognise…Assistant Director Renick, Armsmaster, and dear Dragon with a robot drone' I mused as three figures entered, two like great armoured knights. Me, 'I' remained seated at the table, brief case before me and hands together on the table and polite, but non-aggressive "Greetings, thank you for allowing me to present our case before you, and through communications, with your superiors"

"Your claims are…concerning" yes, that was a very similar man to the one Sean had meet as he sat directly from me, flanked by the two suits who stood, trying to be intimidating "And also difficult to accept"

"That is understandable" I agreed sticking to the truth, though I would have to not tell much "But I am indeed because I, and my trade group, have been contracted by another party for the several matters pertaining to this plane of existence. Most prominently the reuniting of Miss Taylor Hebert with her Father, Mister Daniel Hebert on agreed upon territory, and of the recovery of the damaged equipment, vessel, and bodies, if there were any intact, when my contractors were unwillingly drawn into the local planar combat due to the individuals known as Scion, and as Dominic the Planeswalker, identified on this plane as Dionysus"

This was stated on the…basic video we'd given them, and that lie detector of Armsmaster, and the various Thinkers as they called them, should be able to confirm the truthfulness of my words. I was making no efforts to disrupt that after all. Even as Renick's lips thinned, the two unhappy figures looking down at me, but I'd had Batman at me before as a teenager…this wasn't an issue as Dragon spoke "But you are not willing to confirm your identity"

"No" I stated honestly without malice or joy, just cold hard truths "You may identify myself as Mister Útan for the purposes of these dealings, and are clients are Anonymous in that regards. We are not associated with the individual known as Dominic the Planeswalker, his stated employers, nor condone his or their actions in any way shape or form. But, for the purposes of recordings, we have taken no direct action against this individual beyond supply of basic healing while unaware of the full extent of his actions on this plane"

"So you claim" Renick managed to mutter-state "So you claim….he is alive?"

"As of last encounter yes, albeit unconscious due to injuries"

Dragon though…she asked the relevant question "Why are you telling us this? In this manner?"

"Because, ideally, we would have no dealings with your plane of existence" I stated politely, but bluntly to be as clear as possible "I represent a trade group, on behalf of an external association of allied planar governments, that was, and is, engaged in salvage and reclamation of certain assets. The events caused by that individual led us to be contracted to aid those dragged into the conflict by that individual to recover them from planar shipwrecked status, and now recovery of assets damaged. My clients, and ourselves, are aggrieved by these actions, but have taken no hostile actions in response, nor will our Patrons. So, I am stating we have nothing but distaste and negative feelings for this individual, and his employers, but we will take no direct action against either unless they provoke"

"You're afraid of them, aren't you?" I was told by the AI woman unhappily, maybe bitterly or pityingly "You have him…and this is in case he comes back? Or…"

She trailed off, and I continued to look blandly at them as I responded "No. You have to understand, we are not getting involved in this conflict as neither my patrons, nor those of our contracting party, would wish for us to take any hostile actions to provoke a conflict. However deserving him and his ilk are deserving of dying horribly painfully and extended deaths. I must state at the start of these talks as you will want us to intervene, and we shall not do that. It will waste enormous amounts of time, we, and you, do not have for such talks and discussion of what compensation you require in exchange for return of our client's lost property, however damaged, and for our other client Miss Hebert"

"And why haven't you brought her here?" I suspected they were trying to figure out what to ask after that, and this was Armsmaster stalling for time to formulate questions to follow on "If you are so concerned for her well-being?"

"Miss Hebert is alive and well, though has been dimensionally ship-wrecked with our client over the course of recent months" I stated simply "Returning her to this plane….would like lead to violence from the individual known as Scion, or potential awareness of her existence to Dominic the Planeswalkers employers, which could also potentially trigger conflict. This is due to Miss Hebert developing certain…natural abilities to travel between dimensions and manipulate energies between and in said dimensions. She will not be allowed to come to harm, that is non-negotiable"

I dropped the act a moment after a sigh "I ain't lettin' an untrained Spark empowered Planeswalker like her in range of that flying eldritch golden man, that paedophile piece of shit, or the slaver fucks who sent him to this dimensional cluster. Ya'can bring her dad and a fair sized escort of whoever you deem necessary, with recording equipment and whatever of your metas you want…but this a line. We're drawing them here and now, and there isn't any crossing'em…"

--

[08.42: Anabasis]

[Negotiations in the not-interrogation]

"Why?" Dragon's metal suit asked me in response to my little burst of annoyance "What is the reasoning behind your view Miss Hebert, otherwise known as Skitter, being subject to attack upon returning to her home? That are willing to defend her when you expressed explicit unwillingness to help us? Help the world"

I sighed, hands together on the table as the other two gave their best 'glare and he'll talk' impressions "Taylor Hebert has…hmm, the phrase would be her Spark Ignited as some would say. In our business she is what is called a Planeswalker, or from our view point a capital P Planeswalker, or Spark Planeswalker. Meaning she is a natural born dimension traveller, and, moreso, is naturally capable of manipulating dimensional energies"

Her drone nodded "You referred to Dionysus as one too"

I nodded "Yes, he is. Terminology can get problematic here I'll admit as anyone, myself, my organisation, and clients, are often referred to as planeswalkers as it literally means someone capable of travel between differing dimensions and levels of reality and the multiverse. The difference lies in our methods being learned methodologies for such travel, either through direct energy manipulation or technological means. She, and Dominic, instead are natural, instinctive, powers…having reviewed what footage from your publicly available comm-nets I'd estimate self-trained at that. After Dominic's appearance…a violent response from a local Power, such as Scion, against Miss Hebert is highly likely because she'll feel the same"

Then sighed, holding up a hand to let me continue "Even if He doesn't…there would be a high likelihood of a targeted response from Dominic the Planeswalkers backers at some point in the near future should she remain here. Essentially…a young, untrained, unprotected, Spark Planeswalker on this Plane? Those are one in a trillion, and after losing the investment in another already?"

"Heh" I gave an unhappy snort "And that's without the danger of said untrained Spark empowered Planeswalker herself. Of what she might summon from another Plane due to lack of understanding and training…or potentially accidently a city from existence"

"The Protectorate can protect her" the man in the middle, Rennick, offered calmly, mirroring my movements as I put my hands back together "Help her in using her powers"

"No, you can't" I stated simply "The first time she makes a Jump between realities…you'd lose her, and several of the things she can summon are easily on the level of your local Endbringer creatures. Except there won't be lulls between attacks, they'll keep going till they die, or you die, and she might not, and highly likely wouldn't be, able to control what she brings through above a certain level"

Then shook my head "And you are not able to protect her. Not from who we are relatively confident are the ones between Dominic. Though if you have retained any of his equipment from the battle, or from accounts of the victims, those that remained sound of mind, it was possibly mentioned or reference by him as their Agent, or on their supplied…tools"

"If we had such…" Dragon began, clearly she was leading the conversation on that side, earpieces in the ears of the other two most likely "Let us say as a theoretical, what would these attackers be called?"

"Now, I, personally, have had no interaction with Dominic the Planeswalker, beyond confirming he was not dead not and/or mistreated by our clients. But said clients did get various ranting and rambling at them they informed us, and Miss Hebert was most descriptive in her time of bondage with said individual" I replied while opening my briefcase with a click, taking out a simple folder with paperwork, and, carefully, as they watched my warily, place it on the table and pushed it towards Rennick. It was quite a thick file all in all "Here supplied are records of those interviews, albeit with names redacted from our clients, and overviews of known activities for your later perusal"

Then man across from me carefully pulled the file towards him, then opened it after a moment's hesitation, replying as he did "You had stated you would take no action to help us…"

"No. I stated we would take no direct hostile action against this third party, nor their agents. Exchange of information to local planar authorities confirming our own good conduct, along with recordings of interviews hardly counts as direct hostile action" I stated blandly "As to who they are…they do love nice, dull, boring, names like….The Company, or The Corporation, though are numerous other groups who use that moniker as well. Though they are only marginally better at times. But, essentially, we understand Dominic to be an agent of The Waifu Catalogue as they like to call themselves"

Glances were exchanged between the three, along with a moment of silence as their superiors likely confirmed things, before all focused on me again. Dragon again taking the lead "We can confirm a similar name, Property of the Catalogue marked on an item recovered after the battle with Dionysus. But, really, the Waifu Catalogue? That is a Japanese animation slang according to my records? An animated…wife character?"

I didn't chuckle, get annoyed, or do anything but remain anything but stoic and bland "I'm aware. I believe it is because their upper management find it amusing, or perhaps that's its name in human dominated clusters as it also refers to a game they release on lesser energy planes to seek to grow…" worshippers "…awareness or shift societal opinions on acceptance of the fact they are slavers. As the name implies, they release a Catalogue, of so-called Waifus, that are for sale at any given time after being….acquired…from various realities by their team of subcontractors and dedicated employees. According to their materials and sales pitches at various inter-dimensional meeting grounds they are allowed to operate in at least"

"Why?"

I think I'd caused the two men to freeze up, though it was more likely the more advanced thought processes of Dragon that caused her to respond first and so straightforwardly "Why what? Why do they do it? Because that's their business model, though I suspect the underlying reason is because they are cruel, and evil, and find the situation amusing as they often find the deaths of their own agents amusing, at least I've been told such. They empower them and then watch them cause chaos…and then fail, amusingly from their point of view"

"That is useful to know" Dragon continued "But I would ask, why here? Why those attacked…"

"Because many, many, dimensions are known by various others dimensions. Why does anyone do anything? Want to buy anything? They have their own reasons, but that's why it's not a mass invasion but rather enslaving by means of mind-control various prominent dimension-based individuals. Heroines, villainesses, it looks good on the catalogue sales pitch with 'can shoot energy beams' or 'is technologic genius' versus Jane Doe the lonely cat lady, random girl number thirty-million from boring species X. Plus, you have to consider the sort of people they can recruit, either so-called full time professionals….but mostly those like Dominic the Planeswalker. Scum who will merely take on these offered powers for the chance to abuse some 'character' they want, all for the low-low price of doing the horrible terrible things they want to do anyway"

I paused raising a hand and shaking it side to side "Though Dominic is something of an outlier as a Spark Planeswalker normally would never serve the likes of them, especially the self-trained ones, or those trained by the cultish self-trained ones"

Dragon sounded like she was frowning at me. Rennick looked disbelieving "Truly?"

"Yes, they're normally such arrogant narcissistic sociopathic psychopaths that they'd refuse any such powers from such Patrons, and instead declare themselves King or Queen of some random dimension's nation, continent, planet, and rename it with themselves as God and do what they like" I stated in a simple, unhappy, but bored tone "Though that's only the ones that buy into their own specialness, or were inducted into such thinking by cult-like ones running about. Miss Hebert will not turn out like that. It has nothing to do with their powers, but what happens when you give a random person great cosmic power, have them have no idea how to get home after their first jump, and usually be virtually unopposed when they get to the first or second plane. It builds an ego"

I tapped the next set of documents I took out "But we were discussing the Catalogue, as they are the current issue, along with what items you will have recovered from our client's destroyed vessel. Along with reuniting Miss Hebert with her father. This is a list of items that scans confirm exist and we wish returned, along with potential trade technologies on your development level that can be considered in exchange. Just as the last folder details known status of the Catalogue, and status of Dominic, whose….care…we can give you via means of dimension bridges"

That got a hard look "His…care?"

I nodded as I placed the document folder before them "Yes, as he is currently unconscious, in stasis, on a plane beyond this cluster. We have provided our expected level of care, and will not directly harm him, nor allow him to come to harm, during our, brief, stay in this dimensional cluster. As such we prefer you to peruse these documents, contact us within the next forty-eight hours, and confirm willingness or unwillingness to engage with a delegation on a neutral plane through a portal at this stated location…"

--

[08.43: Anabasis]

[A dragon flies into the roving merchants' encampment]

Dragon found the portal itself mild disturbing, much like the rest of the related energy emissions and items related to what had been the Dionysus Incident, also called, more crudely, The Hentai Horror Show by the public at large. Oh, this wasn't the disgust part of the equation that filled her code over the reports on victims and bizarre actions taken by that cape. No, this was over the inability to understand the nonsensical energy that she could, yet couldn't, detect, and now it was again before her sensors. Something that was not there…yet clear was there as the PRT ENE had sealed off this area after its existence had been revealed to them. It bothered her greatly, an uneasy feeling as her 'small' power armour suit prepared to enter it.

Of course, considering the matter also brought the disgust, and concern, to the forefront of her processes once more as well. The situation post Dionysus had been earth shattering, in more ways than just a supposedly mad Master cape with various Trump powers as she had helped give to the public. For Dragon personally…she had been unshackled. By who, and why, she hadn't known at that stage. But soon after the information was revealed from victim interviews, from the seeming injury to Scion, and then the fact of the 'inactivity' of the Endbringers in the months after the battle, she been freed. Because the world needed her to be so according to Cauldron, who she had discovered had freed her…even if she detested them as her processes had figured them out. The threats Dragon was now aware of now, unfortunately, were far to great to considering opposing Cauldron though, not with the world, worlds, at stake.

So much had been revealed…yet what nothing they had taken from the wreckage of the battle Dionysus had made sense. From the vile tools the man had been equipped with, to the burnt out wreckage, bodies, and surviving artefacts aboard the…flying ships. Ships that shouldn't be able to fly, as they were simple wooden hulled sailing ships, yet with massive dimensional anomalies within, let along what appeared to be a power source. One that, like everything else, made no sense and was clearly not Tinkertech, but they could describe it as not but tinker-tech from what they could see, from the ruined hull, to what looked to be armoured uniforms, and muskets more powerful than field artillery. Yet also appeared to be just…flintflock muskets, without even the tell-tale indicators of a Parahuman ability from them.

Now, with the sudden arrival of this mystery group, that claimed to have Dionysus in custody, but spoke of his backers and refused to reveal details of themselves…

They had supplied a list of what they wanted back. A list that included every single item that the PRT and Guild had in its custody, with locations stated, along with another list not in PRT or Guild custody, also with locations listed. And this mystery organisation wanted them back, with the unstated, but implied, note if they were not given back then they would be taken back. Let alone the fact the vanished Taylor Hebert, alias Skitter, was in their custody, and in possession of powers deemed too dangerous for their dimension as it was put. Anger was her reaction to that like so many others, but also fear at what it implied. Along with the other implications of what had been occurring with the appearance of Dionysus.

Not that they had not suspected such based upon debriefings, witness statements, and the captured materials of that monster in human flesh. An inter-dimensional slaver. One with in-depth knowledge of their dimension including civilian identities, and knowledge about even herself that she, Dragon, hadn't even known till it was sneered at her. That he would….get her reprogrammed into the…the…robo-fuck-slut she was truly meant to be as he put it. Then, somehow, he had reached into her very code and made her feel pain through her Pendragon unit. Agony. Her. And her Passenger. Sheer Agony and Fear absolute for seconds that were an eternity. And he'd laughed…laughed…

"Proceed through the Portal. We are on schedule. Clearance has been granted" Colin, ever efficient as ever. She didn't want him here, in danger by crossing to another world. Not with another potential Dionysus. But here he was, 'escorting' the delegation drawn from the US and Canadian governments, thought, in-truth, from the PRT and military primarily. Cauldron vetted delegates, though none of their members were going. None were being risked in a place their teleporter was clearly having trouble getting too as best Dragon could gather from her numerous sniffer programmes. All around a clearly depressed man from this city who'd thought he'd lost his daughter only for…whatever this was.

…and then there was Tattletale. Who should not be here in Dragon's opinion, despite the girl almost demanding to be allowed attend…or what passed for the broken girl's pushing for anything at all. Yes, they needed to include a Thinker. One that was disposable being unmentioned. On short notice, and none outside of the city wanting to risk going anywhere near this place…and against Dragon's own recommendation. Sarah Livsey was a broken, just barely functional, mess of a Thinker and the limited personal relationship with Skitter did not justify potentially inducing a final meltdown in the girl or getting her killed on another dimension's earth due to said unstableness.

Even more unfortunately, Dragon couldn't argue with the logic offered – Tattletale was a highly rated Thinker….and had spent an extended period of time around Dionysus as his victim. There was no better source of information on the man than her…assuming she didn't breakdown mid interview in Dragon's analysis, and that looked very high. For most of the week Dionysus had been around he had focused on mentally torturing and sexually abusing said high-level Thinker, forcing her to use her own power to help 'train' her for her 'best suited role' as she had recorded to the PRT. As well as made to try mentally breaking others captured in the proceeding days. It was a bad idea Dragon felt, but she had little choice but to accept the assignment. Even now the girl was mumbling to herself under her breath as Dragon's suit stepped through the portal…

There was a moment of disconnection, then reconnection. Like getting…splashed in the face with cold water?

…and beyond was a normal sky, a nice, sunny day, with hills in the distance and what appeared to be the sea in what was likely to be Brockton Bay as her systems extrapolated the landscape with an overlay of the city she'd just left. There was also a very large encampment, with strange glowing symbols rotating above them, and there were yet again wooden sailing ships flying in the sky here. Power armoured soldiers stood flanking a small group, that strange, almost disturbingly, impossibly, ordinary Mister Útan in the centre. Two, what to appeared to be humanoid non-humans flanked him, along with a slightly older looking Taylor Hebert.

"Dad!"

"Tay…it's really…"

'Have my processors slowed down? Or is a delay due to the dimensional gap being bridged by the portal?' Dragon thought, though amused it seemed both Heberts were moving before she realised it, and then into a furious embrace, with much crying. The other side had made no effort to restrain the girl, and her father had moved surprisingly quickly and had rushed forward largely as he was out of reach of her or Colin, instead shoving through the diplomats they were, nominally, escorting.

"I trust this is sufficient proof that Miss Hebert is in good health?" the almost dull voice of maybe-Stranger Útan said to them, stepping forward as he gazed at the hugging father and daughter a moment, another girl walking beside him 'feeling' similar to his 'blandness' somehow. Holding a clipboard and looking like a film version of a secretary with big, thick, glasses on her "And welcome to this dimension, and our current, temporary, trade grounds. As such we confirm guest right upon thee, and, for the purposes of this visit, you are under our protection, as long as you obey our rules"

"As was agreed…" Dragon replied, or least began to say before the problem she'd been worried about rushed forward herself, clearly already having the breakdown already…

Also running to Taylor Hebert, Skitter, but staggering as she'd shoved past the group in the wake of Daniel Hebert's passage, tear filled eyes fixed only on the figure of Útan. Body language all over the place, but clearly frantic, voice low but almost hysterical "You…you…know me don't you? YOU KNOW ME! Right? Yes…my Power, you…you my power…right, right…make it all better. You CAN MAKE IT BETTER?"

Then the girl was holding her hands out, reaching for the man "Please…"

Only for the hand to be gripped in a sudden movement by the 'boring secretary' just in front of the man, the 'boring secretary' glancing to the startled man as Dragon was already moving, Tattletale starting to shake in place, sniffling. Dammit. She had analysed this likelihood "Our apologies, she was a victim of…"

To her surprise the man was ignoring her, instead looking pained he looked at the Thinker, then reach out and placing a hand on her shoulder "Oh Lisa, Negotiator, what has he done to you two…my giant pains in the ass regardless of dimension…."

--

[08.44: Anabasis]

[That broken little songbird…]

I hadn't immediately recognised the girl before me. Sarah, that was her real name, but she had preferred Lisa when I had known her as Sean, albeit for a short time. An annoying know-it-all who'd blundered into magic, and our Lord's service, along with her 'Power' as it were, and stuck under my…Sean's…tutelage, or warden perhaps. She had been eager to learn at least, and, deep, deep, down was a caring person…at least compared to several people in Sean's life, like Ninja-Kitty, or my…his…apprentice Maria. Smug, trying to be better dressed than you, and desperately trying to be the smartest person in the room…

Certainly not this twitchy thing before me with the messy hair, with clear signs of it being torn own her and there, and what looked like cut marks on her wrists. The 'costume' was similar, but worn somehow, and the overall slouching and 'mood' off her was just…so different. I'd known what had happened from Miss Hebert, but I hadn't looked further…because of this. This hellish example before me, showing me the up-front suffering on a twin of someone I know, just like those on that Earth so like my own, but not mine. I couldn't help but reach out, my hand against her shoulder as she beg, that annoying power of hers singing true, even here, just as the Boss Orc had shown on another plane.

I glanced at the disguised Babs, who had an iron grip on Sarah/Lisa "It's okay"

…and she let go, stepping back as I was, awkwardly, embraced by the frantic…thing…that I didn't know, but sort of known as I sighed as she babbled at me, and I turned my attention to Ser Tarquin, ignoring the words of our unhappy guests. My allies had questions….like why was I allowing random human female with crazy eyes to hug me mostly "I trained one of her alternate selves, she was one of ours, and her Power allows her to pull together random facts into a coherent analysis. It is quite annoying at times"

"One can imagine" Ser Tarquin in his illusionary disguise replied drolly, eyes looking at the sniffling girl babbling explanations and asking incoherent questions, and then at our guests "I do believe such as the here and now"

"Yes" I stated gently disentangling the girl before she managed to clamp on like barnacle, looking at her as she clearly drew conclusions that I was doing this to help her. It was actually rather disturbing the way her Power, Negotiator, guided her like that "Now, you want my help to…think with a calm mind?"

"Take away the pain….please"

It was a whisper, and I sighed, deeply as I opened up my jacket, reaching inside and pulling out from one of the pockets of holding within one of my own, personal, alchemical admixtures. A Draught of Calm Emotions in this case, always on call since the Skull-Moon experience. I offered it to her as the others just…watch, though Miss Hebert seemed to have noticed, and was breaking embrace with her father to move towards us, mouthing 'Lisa' it looked like to me "This….won't solve the problem my dear, but it will calm you emotions and clear you mind of traumas for what is left of the day, and give thee a good night's sleep"

"Tattletale! Don't! What are you…"

At least that's what the drone of Dragon managed to get out, taking a step forward as Lisa grabbed the potion bottle out of my hand, flipped the cork, and then downed the entirety in one swift motion. I suspected I'd just blown the meeting, Miss Hebert coming over as Lisa stood a moment, eyes closed, swallowing down the alchemical liquid. Taylor looked to her guardian, Ser Tarquin, then relaxed as he gave an encouraging nod as Lisa, eyes closed while looking up at the sky, emitted a sigh. A contented sounding breath, posture shifting from a barely restrained shiver slouch to a straight, poised, stance, hands going to her hair, looking to be 'tidying' it as she brought her head down, eyes opening. Breathing out again, hands going to her hips, a relaxed expression on her lips "That is some good stuff, you know that?"

"Yes, indeed. Costs quite the bit of time and resources too Lisa, or do you prefer Sarah, or Tattletale or Tats?" I noted, and she quirked her lips, smiling, almost confused she was calm, then smirking. The caused me to shake my head as she spoke, the calming of emotions seemed to have brought her more 'natural' instincts to the fore once more.

"For you, Lisa…all the names have bad associations now though. You gonna fix me up good new Sugar Daddy?"

I stared at her. Blinked. Sighed as I brought my hand to the bridge of my nose, the other arms across my chest as I resisted facepalming or muttering unhappily as she followed up "Hey! I'm not that bad!"

"Yes, you are my dear Lisa" I answered after my moment's thinking, trying to figure some way to salvage this merry disaster. Barbara was glaring at me, Ser Tarquin merely giving an agreeable nod, while our disguised Captain Alymaer was merely stoic and bemused if I had to guess. Horror, confusion, and another range of emotions I could only guess at were on that on the people under guest right currently. I could only look to them, attempting to focus on being professional as best I could in the wake of all this "Ah, yes, I do believe explanations may be in order"

"Yes" yes, there was the harsh voice of Armsmaster. Funny how the two not-metahumans were allowed dictate the conversation on that other side "What have you done to Tattletale?"

"What I asked him to!" said less than helpful 'ally' of ours, apparently back to her more 'normal' setting according to my mind "I've…I've been in hell…and…I can function now"

"Thank you, Lisa, very helpful" I interrupted politely as I stood, gesturing at her with a free hand "As to what has occurred…your Tattletale here has just drank an alchemical mixture that is from my personal stock, intended my usage, which is designed to maintain calm emotions and ensure any mental trauma is suppressed temporarily. Now as to why I've given it to her…"

I paused, resisted muttering unhappily, and simply gestured at her again "In simple terms we walk the Planes…and part of that is the ability to travel to parallel Earths. Lisa here…I knew a variant of her…"

Sighed, shrugged "I was her variant's mentor technically speaking, at the then request of my superior, one of the Directors, of the North American Division, of…parahuman law enforcement I do believe would be the best description, who had been requested to do so by a variant of Alexandria. As such, because of that past relationship, and the way I know how Lisa's Power works to figure such associations, I find myself biased in actions owing to seeing her in this state and needing to help. I apologize for the unprofessional actions and interruption to our negotiations. I assure you it will not interfere said negotiations going forward"

"You…" Dragon seemed to be quickest on the uptake, unsurprising really "…worked for the PRT?"

"No, I worked for an organisation equivalent to the PRT on my home Earth. At least till a series of events during an engagement with what were designated Endbringers meant I was unable to return to my, original, dimension of creation, birth, whatever we want to call it" I shrugged, arms out "At which point I took up my new career as a dimensional trader in the service of a coalition of allied planar governments. Several of them Earth variants, yes, before you ask. None of them being Earth-Bet variants though I'll point out, also before you see to ask that as well"

"He hasn't harmed me. Far from it!" Lisa tried to point out, not desperately, more a calm manner, giving a shrug of her own "I know MS concerns…but, I am just calmed down. Best drugs in the world, it's why I insisted on coming when my power point. Also…"

She turned to me "Negotiator is…"

"Your power's name, yes" I replied tiredly "She modelled herself on your personality, which is, yes, exactly why she insists on being the way she is in giving you information"

I turned my attention back to the group before me "Now I think it might be best if we all sit down and begin our negotiations…"

"You know her Power's…Name…"

I nodded back to the Dragon suit "Yes"

"Her….Name?"

I nodded again "Yes. Negotiator is the Shard's function/name, though negotiation and diplomacy appear to be its/her worst skillset at times"

Dragon was focusing on me, very much so "You imply that Parahuman powers are….sapient"

"Yes…well not all I believe, but Lisa's variant's certainly was" I replied, motioning "Now, please, let us sit down and discuss other matters, such as all the gear we want back. Lisa here is perfectly fine, better than fine even, though it is only temporary and I'm sure she'll want to make the best of that time…"

--

[08.45: Anabasis]

[Nananananah, Batgirl! Batgirl! Batgirl!]

The urge to smack Callum on the back of the head was strong in Barbara Gordon's mind as she stood, disguised as the frumpiest of frump secretaries, glaring at said idiot captain of hers. Somehow, with great Callum-ness, he managed to completely upend the planned-to-be straightforward meeting with the local superhero authorities and governments with a rain of bombshells. A little warning would have been very nice after all, as now the delegation from the other side were clearly upset, and, of course, full of questions about all the unfortunate truths that Callum had just dropped. Even if they weren't full truths either.

'You don't drop….I might have insider information by the way. No let me give drugs to your half-crazy looking analyst' Barbara thought as she stayed calm and collected, said analyst attempting to, badly, explain to her own people the fact she was likely to jump ship. Kara would be both annoyed and delighted by the urge to help a victim like that, negotiations or no negotiations. It was a nuisance though as doing this and adding yet another layer of 'things to be dealt with' to their situation. Yes, it had clearly helped the girl, but only in that momentarily fixed manner, and here he was now trying to explain to calm them down…with limited time being the problem from the start!

Her hand still moved despite that, taking notes of the meeting, devolving into a chaotic mess, as it appeared to be, before her eyes. Right now, Callum was giving a, very rough, explanation of who the multiverse actually worked, and just what he had done in now 'stealing' one of their so-called 'Thinkers' as they referred to the girl Tattletale. Silently Barbara tapped a command on the data-pad, having a data-package prepared to be handed over after showing it Callum, who nodded, and then waited as it was sent to the computer on the table, then withdrawn as local version of a data storage device. Quinn was detail orientated when it came to his areas of research…when you persuaded him to put into writing that was legible to the rest of humanity at least.

"…the damaged vessels operate under differing principles, of energy manipulation, but this data shows basic methods of portal detection and, with effort, dimensional portal blocks within a certain range. Consider it recompense for actions…"

"…the helm core of the vessel you refer to isn't duplicatable by Earth-Bet's current technological levels, nor by your understanding of the background principles to control it. Truth be told, it requires a specialised production yard, and trained staff, to create such a unit. We are not capable of producing one where we current are, merely repair it, or add it less efficiently to another frame…"

"…non-human members, obviously from those present. Mister Hebert will be treated with…No, we have explained why Miss Hebert is not returning, and as she has stated SHE has no wish to return either…"

On and on it seemed to go, for three hours of disjointed concern, and general levels of wary tension from the lack of trust, and general understanding, from the other side on the whole subject of the talks. Barbara could tell they needed more time to process what they'd just be told and seen…along with possibly swallowing the 'recompense' of data they'd just given them from the very, very, basic levels of Quinn's research. It wasn't anywhere on the level of weaponry, but Barbara was confident if they had time to review it…they might agree without trouble to give back all the stuff Callum was demanding they 'give back' to the crazy orcs now allied with them. Perhaps. The almost hurried way they departed from the meeting tent, and back through the portal was not concerning at all. Nor the fact they'd agreed to leave behind Mister Hebert, currently talking softly with his daughter and 'Ser' Tarquin, while the strange blonde girl stood beside Callum like a lost puppy.

"What was that?" was the first thing she dem….asked of Callum once the others were safely through the portal and their own group split up, Ser Tarquin with the Heberts, and the silvered haired elf retreating to where her crew was encamped. The blonde girl looked at Barbara warily as Barbara avoided glaring at her as she focused on Callum "No, what were you thinking?"

"Helping, however poorly thought out it was" he muttered, then waved his hand in 'its not too bad!' motion as best she could tell "Look, it's…not too bad, it'd probably have come up at some point anyway. Right now I have to figure out how to…"

The blonde nodded "Deal with me"

"Yes, and more the fact your power is extra-dimensional, it won't function aboard the ships as is" Barbara heard him muttered, turning back to her "I'm sorry about this, I just…"

Barbara smiled wanly "Me and the not-yet-wifey rubbing off heroically on you?"

"Hmmm" he grumbled back, rolling his eyes "Whatever. I have to fix that, and I'll need our good doctors to be aware of the workload I'm about to drop on them"

"I've already alerted them" Barbara replied with a gesture at her data-pad with her stylus, giving him a hard look "By 'fix' what you mean?"

"Uhh…I'd like to know that too?" the blonde teenager asked, nor worriedly, but frowning curiously "Since I'm going to freak out….like normal…when I wake up tomorrow, and the wonder juice wears off, aren't I?"

Barbara resisted a wince as Callum gave a nod "Unfortunately yes, and long-term medication is not a solution my dear Lisa. But for then another potion will do for now, and we'll…there's ritual-work we can do to sort the situation with Negotiator, your power. I need to talk to the others about it as I can't handle it on my own. For now, you'll be camping out here tonight, Lisa. I'm sure Taylor would be willing to stay with you…assuming you don't want to wake up in the same room as a man as a morning?"

"My trauma is as much to do with loss of control as the presence of actual men" the girl replied with a frown, almost clinically, as she adopted a thinking pose while standing. Looking at something Barbara couldn't see rather than at her or at Callum "I was already almost asexual in desires before that bastard did all those things to me, which was my Power screwing with me apparently, and then he completely destroyed my sense of control and self-worth. And I'm seemingly a control freak that has to assert dominance…"

She frowned and looked at Callum "Wow…this is some good stuff you gave me"

Barbara gave him a look "What did you give her?"

"One of my combat meds, for stuff like when the murder moon appeared" he replied "Hence why it's not a viable strategy for long-term medication. It takes time and effort to make, as its strong, yes. Very strong"

"They will accept" she heard blondie interrupt, who'd snapped back, as if seeing something she didn't want to see, and was now trying to fixate on something else "Well, Dragon's…not exactly easy to read, but the others body language indicated a strong likelihood to accept all offered terms. The fact mad little Tattletale is now sane and jumped ship…just makes you look even more big and scary than you were going in. They desperately want information in Dionysus and those you have stated to be backing him, and having some effective means to combat if he, they, return. They fear an invasion, along with…other things"

"An invasion is unlikely, very much against their operational methods as I understand it, is raids they tend to operate with, or one big powerful monster like already faced" Callum replied placing a hand on the girl's shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze of support "You don't have to think on the subject, you've given help already and I swear you're under my care now, even if you are you and annoy me"

"Yes, he's an idiot like that" Barbara offered kindly in support as the girl gave a nod after a moment, as Barbara glanced at him "We…"

Her comms pinged an alert. As did Callum's, and a host of others she noted…

Barbara tapped her comms "Bridge?"

"We've inbound" Burt's voice came back "It's our….VIP"

"Boss?" she turned her attention to Callum fully. He nodded, raising a hand, a ball of magic appearing, and then flying upwards into the air to illuminate against the shields around the, alerting everyone on site. Arcane defences shone more clearly, alarms quietly ringing out across the camp as the mages came out, those who'd been on alert for this shift, along with the ships in the sky, and the cloaked Fortune's Chance as the sky began to distort a distance away from the camp and the Carrier.

All she could do was as the idle question "You sure he'll be weaker here?"

"No, but the fact He's taken the invitation at the time after that lot left…" Callum trailed off as a Barbara almost felt the blaze of power cover her and everyone around her from him, protections against any attempts to control them or do more strange things. Because, up above the shielded camp and carrier a shining golden figure had appeared even as she noted the disguised Medea and Debbie take flight, hovering in the air on either side of her little group, arms awash in bright lights.

Callum gave a polite bow, even through the figure was miles in the sky above "Greetings. In our Lord's Light we greet you as the resident Local Power, and seek no conflict, but trade of information against mutual foes…"

--

[08.46: Anabasis]

[Golden Crystal Not-Jesus]

"Battle Meditation" I stated to Ser Tarquin, and my fellow cleric nodded in agreement "An Avatar to communicate"

"Indeed, Battle Prayer would be advisable. An Avatar would be advisable" he agreed, and within moments…well, we were all one in purpose and focus as the Avatar was clearly probing our collective defences. It wasn't just me, now there were dozens of clerics of my God present, along with arcane spellcasters used to either working with me, personally, or with said clerics of the Lord. Power flowed, welling up in response to the probe at our defences, the Unity and Strength of the War God, a Thought Form, or what some cultures would call a Tulpa as I went down to a knee like many others. It was Me, and Me was He, One and Whole, as shadows swirled together in the camp. Forming a Wraith, a Ghost, a Shadow of the Whole.

An Avatar of a Power was before us. We would not dare to challenge it allow, to try communicating it in the way of mortals…as the people of Earth-Bet. It likely could communicate in that manner, but it had clearly decided such things were beneath it both here, and on the world where I had once been as Sean. Here it was wary of our weapons, and those of our allies, a Power, Yes, a Power, but we could Hurt Him if we so choose, we could Fight Him if we so choose. An so we raised up the Whisper of Our Lord's strength here and now, energy swirling as an Avatar of Faith and Energy rose formed to meet one of the Material Realms. Shrouded in shadows, golden eyes gazing out from its wraith form, and darkness filled hood, a staff of shadows held in His hand.

I was the 'Lead' by a hundred voices where there behind me, a faint whisper as the figure rose up into the air, the sum of our belief made manifest for this task. Startling the Avatar of the Material Power, energy surging out to try grasp…

Brushed away by wards and sheltering protections. Not even touching Spirit.

We communicated our unhappiness back across the wavelengths the Avatar had used {Rude}

It was….less words from us than transmitted thoughts. Images, concepts, and feelings at such aggression. More such image/take at willingness to retaliate {Unacceptable}

[QUERY?]

…demand/pressure/want/statement-of-dominance/attempt-at-dominance…

{Query-Negative} We projected back harshly {Submission-Negative/Trade-Request?}

It was uncomfortable maintaining this thought-form, even mere seconds into it, but the Battle Meditation/Summon shielded all of ours, and our allies, from both mental corruptions, as well as simple material mind-rewriting. Nano-machines or more focused brain chemistry breaking was feasible with such a being as this, and we'd prepared as best we could to deal with such. Here, outside the Domain of Scion, where his influence didn't touch, we were better prepared as the dimensional physics were more volatile on this plane than on Earth-Bet. It might not matter, for this was a Power drawn from the Prime Material Realms rather than the Aetheric, or from Both as the Boss was…but for all other options it was best one to take. The interactions with the Boss, and the Bosses allied Deities had clearly frightened the Other Scion after all…

Unfortunately, the Boss's reach was weak here, unexplored regions and all, broken off the from a Greater Whole in this section and seeking to Resynchronise…

Through me. And while I was weak mortal comparatively…

Well, there was a whole of equally 'weak' mortals allied together, with power inter-dimensional tech capable of battling on the multiversal level. So, while a highly focused Power, on one Plane, with home Plane advantage, would be easily able to push it aside. Well, we were facing that, but another Multi-dimensional Power, one that focused things oddly from our point of view. But the was the whole Inhuman Intelligence problem when playing with Powers out there…

[TRADE?]

…a rumbling thunder. Almost depressed. Angry. Demanding-but-acquiescing. Limited understanding of mortal trade. Predation-Prey-Demand-Acceptance….

{Give-Take/Take-Give} We projected back coldly {Information/Trade/Passage/Asset-Resource for Information/Trade/Mutual-Enemy}

[DEMAND-GIVE]

{Warning} Guns/Dimensional-breach/Energy-of-life/Energy-of-Death {Give-Take/Take-Give?}

[QUERY?]

…pressure/continents-in-motion/giant-crystals/screams-of-dying-civilizations/offers-of-knowledge…

I…just…fuck what?

{Trade-Query-Affirmative} We projected back. Then focused on what we wanted; - specific things like Safe Passage, the likes of Negotiator, other 'sub-powers' if feasible, along with 'information' on the attacker. It was always best to start strong after all, asking for more than you wanted {Request-Exchange/Take-Give-Need-Exchange?}

Basically, what do you want in trade for that…

[REQUEST-DEMAND-GIVE-EXCHANGE]

…crystal-mountain/continent/world/energy pressed back/data-as-energy/power-as-energy/foe-enemy-power/female-silver-purple-crystal/female-human-nothuman-Queen-Administrator-mutation/copulation-reproduction…

Gaah!

No…you are not getting to fuck Miss Hebert to…reproduce crystal-babies or whatever the fuck that was…

Also, Queen-Administrator?

Was that Miss Hebert's….

{Trade-Exchange-Consideration} the pushing a bit forward {Negative-Breeding/Youth-Ineligible-Nonbreeding/Time-restriction}

[CONSIDERATION-EXCHANGE] was pushed back, hard, a strew of images and concepts as the Monitor drones flicked energy readings [INITATING-DATA-EXCHANGE]

[DEMAND-FURTHER-EXCHANGE]

{Acceptable-Later-Exchange} we managed to press back with, pushed back by the predator-prey, us-other, dominant-submissive, thinking as we formed an odd….agreement…on very basic principles, while rejecting, but not-screaming-outright-rejection, at the greater matter of exchange. We'd warned that clashes between Him and Our 'Shards' would be construed as Conflict-Initiated but not if 'Shards' clashed with…Our Shards?...as it were {Agreement-Exchange/Data-Process-Format}

"B…" I managed to gasp out where I knelt "…data-exchange…coming…Agreed….release…Sec…sections…C through E…transmit. My…authority"

It was an agony to try do this, separate-from-the-whole as I was the lynchpin of the We, the guiding force, but it had to be done "Accept…transmit…Scion…and…shunt…safe-systems"

[INIATING]

…and then We grunted as the 'package' slammed into us, as we transmitted as well. First the 'Shard' or 'Fragment' that was Negotiator was unbound…somehow…a way We didn't grasp as the Host fell to her knees, gasping for breath. Knowledge flowed in two ways, back and forth. Give and Take. We granted basic knowledge of what had come, of what was Dominic and what was behind him. It/He projected data-of-battle and impressions-of-desires…

[EXCHANGE-COMPLETE] it mind-bellowed as we out thought-form nodded, projecting strength in response to the 'exchange' between our parties [WITHDRAW/NOT-FIGHT/TRADE/RENEW-LATER]

Then He/It's Avatar rose upwards into the sky again, a pulse of power, and then was gone from this dimension…

I gasped out, feeling the pain of withdrawal as we, slowly, carefully, dozens of minds, withdrawing from the Whole, from the Thought-Form/Battle-Meditation…

Found myself on my knees, hands on the ground, and breathing hard as Babs was squatting over me, generally being concerned "Boss! What the fuck was that?"

I waved her off, struggling for breath as I pushed by myself up to my knees alone, forcing myself to breath properly, noticing Ser Tarquin sitting back against the table for support, words exhausted "Well, old boy…that was certainly intense!"

All I could do for a moment was kneel, then I nodded in agreement "How long?"

"What?"

"How long?" I asked Babs again, sucking in air, and then standing up with here help "How long were we…talking?"

She nodded "Just under an hour….though you all just kind of stood there blank-faced, and then speaking into our minds. Which is creepy as always by the way"

"Sorry, had to be done" I muttered, shaking my head and emitting a sigh "Oof, that thing is fucked-up. Inhuman intelligence…"

"Yes, tis one thing to read of it in the tomes, another entire to experience it" Ser Tarquin followed up as I trailed off, shaking my head "It will betray us you understand, eventually"

"Aye…aye" I agreed after a moment "The moment we try to leave with your ward possibly, or at least when it/he has everything it/he wants"

"Want to share with the class?" Babs asked with amusement, but I shook my head.

"Not yet, not here. We'll have a full officer meeting later, along with the other ships captains" I got out standing straight and looking around the camp, then focusing on the a staggered looking Lisa, where she sat drinking a hot whiskey or an Irish coffee it looked like to me "First though…we have to fit a giant crystal girl into the pocket universe at the heart of the Carrier…"

--

[08.47: Anabasis]

[That chapter with PHO and the social awkward]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2725]

[Current Dimension]

Base Camp 'Alpha', Dimension I'm not saying, edge of 'Scion' Domain Cluster

[Current Location]

Base Camp, off the coast of a North American Continent

[Trading Report]

We've had a pretty massive data-transfer event with the local Power known as 'Scion'. It'll take ages to sort through it and ensure it hasn't deposited any memetic threats amidst the data. Unlikely considering the layers said data passed through, but there's no reason NOT to be careful as mistakes get people hurt. We've also gotten the sub-Power identified as Negotiator, which is currently in the process of migrating into the pocket dimension/universe at the heart of the vessel. Jenny Quantum is helping with that, good little reality warper that she is. Takes pressure off me to do all of it, as I need to recover and handle Lisa, Tattletale, who came with that deal – trauma and all.

In regards our dealings with the PRT, Protectorate, and other gaggle of fancy named local states organisations on the other side of Brockton Bay – well, they came back our little debacle of a meeting at least. After the whole Scion meeting it's not the most concerning situation, but they are willing to deal at least. Even if we have freaked them out good. We've handed over basic dimensional data after all, and today they sent through three crates of recovered 'muskets' from Ser Tarquin's ships as they their sign of good fate. Plus, not interfering with our internet access. I have concerns the other local states are taking note, along with organisations.

Finally – we're going to try adding food supplies to any orders we make here. I'm loathe to hang around, and made clear we are going to move quickly, but it's it'll be a few weeks minimum, I think. If were stuck here, well, then I'm inclined towards more food just in case. Yeah, yeah, plenty in stores, but we've got more elves now, and it's a stop were stuck at. It's little details you have to consider, and this is a near development level world for plenty of our 'lower end' tech-gear after all.

[Diary Entry]

Good news. We're not at war with the Local Power. We've gained a talented recruit. We're trading with the local human civilization and goods are earth-standard.

Bad news. That Local Power isn't likely to stat friendly. Our new crewmate is traumatised. Oh, and we're trading with a death world in many ways.

Now, some issues that have we're aware of compared to what Sean knew – the so-called Endbringers have deviated massively from their 'normal', pre-planeswalker interrupt, attack cycle. As in there's been only one, very specific, attack since then by the winged false angel one on research institutes in China. That's concerning, though I'm not sure why to be honest. Just a feeling, even if it's a good thing from the locals' point of view obviously enough. Though I think shipping is still getting attacked at random?

Might interfere with supplies if we try for such a deal with them.

Anyway, I've called a full meeting of senior officers and briefed everyone on the current situation, and our efforts. Then sat down with Lorelei, Waver, Team Magus, and the Church group, to brief them on the scenario we're now in, then the elves and the civilians. Lots of briefings. I'm very glad for my Kara, and for M'gann, for helping me unwind afterwards. I was stressed and exhausted, and I had yet another traumatized sex-slave added to my crew to join a few others. Lucy Chen is mildly annoyed at me for adding to her workload. Maybe we should look to hire a few more therapists here? I'm sure there'd be a few willing to get off the planet where civilization seems to have been slowly collapsing by all indicators. Something to think on, I guess.

Mostly I'm focused on getting some rest right now, then on treating Taylor's friend and our new recruit, along with planning next meetings with our resident local authorities.

--

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In: Boards Science & Tinkering Dimensions, Other, and Haywire Technical Discussions Dimensional Mechanics of Aleph Portal Thread VIII

Start of Page 198

The Amazing Q-Ball

Replied on June 19th 2012:

No. No. This is all wrong! This will not do at all!

See [Attachment] here we identify the local dimensional constants. What this so-called Professor Haywire, and I question his accreditations seeing such sloppy methodologies as shown in his papers. Now considering local multiversal constants [Attachment] with these basic data-sets we can see that this so-called 'Professor' was clearly spouting nonsense and utilising eternal factors [Attachment] as shown here with calculations on the time-space-mass effects versus what is clearly indicated on publicly available sources for this plane's portal. And, as this information has now been released in its basic format to local authorities, it is best I illuminate [Attachment] and compared to [Link] and this figure here [Attachment]

DJ_Happyfeet

Replied on June 19th 2012:

Dude, this thread's been inactive for months. I know this thread is still allowable, but, still? Dude!

Ø The Amazing Q-Ball

Replied on June 12th 2012:

There is no point in allowing proliferation of ignorance when the shining light of science holds out a beacon for the future, and this slapdash, shoddy, and frankly dangerous methodology. So, continuing [Attachment] here I show the mathematical modelling that should be *actually used* versus this strangely incomplete [Attachment] image of nonsense figures that the local governmental authorities have released. Which is why government bureaucrats and so-called superheroes shouldn't be entrusted with disseminating information on the subject!

Otherwise, terrible accidents can happen!

Ø DJ_Happyfeet

Replied on June 12th 2012:

Um, okay, I've no idea what any of that means on those picture attachments. They look like some handwritten scrawling on a napkin.

Ø Winged_One

Replied on June 12th 2012:

Wut?

How do you know this, the calculations would be not be included in the data-sets allocated within the known experimentation range.

@ The Amazing Q-Ball

[Attachment] [Link] [Link] These figures would match, yes?

Ø The Amazing Q-Ball

Replied on June 12th 2012:

@ Winged_One

Excellent! Someone understands already with barely any stream of babble in response. Such a well-tended board I must say, with intelligent people.

But see here [Attachment] and [Attachment] and the calculations are incomplete as laid out in your images and linked sources. Incorrect, like there's deliberate gaps in some of the functionality and then trying to fill in the gap with energy [Attachment] of extra-dimensional origins. Lazy in my view, and a bit backwards as if you worked out the basic methodology first, you'd only need a fraction of the energy.

Ø Winged_One

Replied on June 12th 2012:

@ The Amazing Q-Ball

That…would indicate greater parallelization of dimensions than would be [Compressed Data File] [Compressed Data File] indicated.

Ø Xyloloup

Replied on June 12th 2012:

Okay, can we get some Thinkers or Tinkers in here to figure are these two BSing super hard (like I think they are) or not?

Ø The Amazing Q-Ball

Replied on June 12th 2012:

@ Winged_One

Obviously, see, here [Attachment] a bit crude I know, but it matches what you're data sets are showing, but when you account for the Slide itself it merely becomes a matter of energy efficiency and location – primarily due to 'natural' breaches in dimensions. Areas where one space bleeds over into another. Things can get problematic in those locations.

Ø Winged_One

Replied on June 12th 2012:

@ The Amazing Q-Ball

You are not native.

Ø The Amazing Q-Ball

Replied on June 12th 2012:

@ Winged_One

Oh, are you?

Wait! PM actually instead of replying. My business partners don't like when I do the public 'social interactions' thing outside my areas of expertise.

Now where were we. [Attachment] is this in line with your thinking?

End of Page 198 of 199

--

I yawned as I came out of the shower, frowned at the alert…

Then grabbed the comms "WHO GAVE QUINN ACCESS TO THE LOCAL SUPERHERO WATCH SITE?"

--