Taylor sat in the back of the PRT van, her father beside her. They both were riding with the PRT officers who were tasked to bring them to the rig. The mask she'd chosen felt strange against her skin. It felt quite odd though.
The ride was mostly quiet though, the hum of the engine and the occasional murmur from the driver and the PRT officer in the passenger seat the only sounds. Her mind was racing though. She was trying to prepare herself for what was about to happen. This was the first real step she was taking into the world of capes, and she wasn't entirely sure she was ready for it. But she had to be. There was no turning back now. It was going to be the start of her dual identity.
The van came to a smooth stop in front of the PRT rig. Taylor looked up at the imposing structure. Her breath caught in her throat a little. She had seen it before, of course, but seeing it now, knowing she was about to walk inside, was something else entirely. Seeing it from distance and seeing it from close were two different things.
The doors of the van opened, and the PRT officer, who had been their contact, a woman named Hannah. She slowly gestured them to follow her.
"Are you ready?" Danny asked from besides her. He was wearing a mask too.
Taylor nodded, though she wasn't sure if she was trying to convince herself or him. "Yeah. Let's do this."
They stepped out of the van, the cool air hitting them as they made their way toward the entrance. Taylor pulled her coat a little tighter around her, not so much because of the cold but because of the nerves that were slowly building up inside her. It was odd. She was Batman at night. She could use her fists to punch people. But here she was. Budding with nerves. The woman Hannah led them inside.
Inside, the rig was as stark and imposing as she had imagined. The walls were a dull grey, the lighting bright but somehow clinical, and everything seemed to have a purpose, every person moving with intent. It was intimidating, to say the least. She had never seen so much professional behaviour in any place. Winslow didn't even come close. Taylor couldn't help but notice the eyes on her as they walked past, some curious, some indifferent, and a few that seemed to be sizing her up.
Hannah walked briskly, leading them through the winding corridors with a practiced ease. Taylor found herself glancing around as they went, trying to take in everything at once. She noticed the security cameras in every corner, the occasional armed guard, and the various rooms with thick, reinforced doors. It all felt very... official. It made her feel small, and that was a feeling she didn't like. She couldn't break into this place. Not without causing some damage. Cameras were everywhere. Scurrying the lobby from every angle.
After what felt like some moments, they arrived at a door that looked no different from the others they had passed. Hannah opened it and gestured for them to enter. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a few chairs and a table. It was clearly meant for meetings and nothing more.
"You'll be meeting with a couple of Protectorate members," Hannah explained as they settled into the chairs. "They'll go over everything with you and answer any questions you might have. Just relax, and it'll be over before you know it."
Taylor nodded again, feeling her anxiety rising. She hated this, the waiting. It gave her too much time to think. She glanced at her father, who was looking around the room with an expression that was hard to read. He'd been supportive, more than she could have hoped for, but she could tell this was hard for him too. Well, having a cape as a daughter did caused worry. She couldn't think of the fit he would throw when she would tell him about Batman.
The door opened again, and two men entered. One was in full costume, red and sleek with streamlined appearance. Taylor recognized him immediately—Velocity, the speedster. The other man was clad in a much bulkier outfit, the armor covering him from head to toe. His helmet had a visor that was a deep shade of silver, and she knew who he was before he even introduced himself.
"Armsmaster," Taylor said, standing up instinctively. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until she spoke.
Armsmaster nodded. "Glad to see you know who I am. And you must be... the new Tinker we've been hearing about."
Taylor nodded. "Yes, sir."
"We're glad to have you here," Armsmaster continued with a professional tone. "Brockton Bay is always in need of capable individuals, and another Tinker is a welcome addition."
Velocity, who had been silent up until now, slowly stepped forward. "Yeah, we could definitely use some more good tech around here. Welcome aboard."
Taylor forced herself to stay calm. No, she was here for a purpose. No need for hero worship. "Thank you. I'm... I'm just here to see how I can help."
Armsmaster gestured for them all to sit back down, which they all did. "We're going to get straight to the point. We've reviewed the information you've provided, and we'd like to offer you a position in the Wards program."
Taylor blinked. She'd expected this, of course, but hearing it said out loud made it feel more real. Moreover, she hadn't thought that he was going to be this direct. "I... I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure the Wards are the right fit for me."
Armsmaster exchanged a look with Velocity. "You're still young," he said carefully, inclining his head a little. "The Wards are designed to help people like you—young capes—get the support and training they need."
Taylor shook her head. "I understand that, but... I think I'd prefer to be a Protectorate-affiliated cape, not a Ward."
There was a moment of silence as Armsmaster considered her words. Velocity looked like he was about to say something but held back.
"Why do you feel that way?" Armsmaster asked finally as he looked at her. His body belied that he was a little curious.
Taylor took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I don't think I'd fit in with the Wards. I'm not... I don't think I'm like them. I want to focus on what I can do, on what I can build. I think I'd be more useful that way."
Armsmaster leaned back in his chair, nodding slowly. "I see. It's not an unreasonable request. But you should know that being a solo cape, even with Protectorate affiliation, comes with its own set of challenges. You won't have the same level of support that you would in the Wards."
"I understand," Taylor replied with a nod. "But I'm willing to take that risk."
Danny, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up. "She's made up her mind. And I think it's important that she has the opportunity to make her own choices in this."
Armsmaster and Velocity exchanged another look, this time longer, as if they were silently debating something. Finally, Armsmaster nodded again.
She could feel the tension in the room as Armsmaster studied her. The armored hero was silent for a long moment, his gaze steady behind his visor. Finally, he broke the silence again.
"Why do you want to be a cape?" Armsmaster asked, his voice calm but with an edge of curiosity now. "This isn't a decision to be taken lightly. What drives you?"
Taylor took a deep breath. She had anticipated this question, but it still felt daunting to answer. She had rehearsed her reasons in her mind over and over, but now, faced with the question, she found it hard to put them into words. But she knew she had to try. Better to paint her picture now.
"I want to make a difference," she began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. But more than that, I want to build something lasting. I want to use my abilities to create something that can help people, to make things better for my dad and me, and maybe even for others."
Armsmaster listened intently, nodding slightly with some approval. "And how do you see yourself doing that? The Protectorate can provide you with the materials, resources, and protection you need. We could help you develop your technology, refine it, and make sure it's used in the best way possible."
Taylor hesitated, glancing at her father before responding. "I appreciate that, but... I want to open a business. I want to use my technology to create products that can be sold, things that people can use in their everyday lives. I want to make a name for myself, build something sustainable that can keep growing. Also, I want to change Brockton Bay. But, I can't do it as a Ward."
Armsmaster leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued now. "A business? That's a unique approach for a Tinker. Most Tinkers focus on their inventions, using them directly in combat or in support of their team. But you want to commercialize your designs? You know NEPEA-5 prohibits that."
"Yes," Taylor replied firmly. "My designs are different from most Tinkers'. They're more... reproducible. They don't have that unique, one-of-a-kind quality that makes them difficult to copy. My work can be mass-produced, and that's where I think I can make the biggest impact."
Armsmaster seemed to shift in his armor, a rare sign of discomfort or perhaps excitement. "Are you saying your designs are easier to replicate? That they could be produced on a larger scale without losing their effectiveness?"
Taylor nodded, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small notebook. She opened it to a page filled with intricate diagrams and blueprints. "Here," she said, sliding the notebook across the table toward him. "These are some of my designs. They're intended to be simple enough to replicate but effective enough to be valuable. This one, for example..."
She began explaining one of her designs in detail, pointing out specific features and how they were engineered to be both efficient and easy to manufacture. Armsmaster leaned in, his attention fully on the notebook as Taylor spoke. She could see Velocity trying to pay attention but she could clearly see that he was getting confused in some parts. The more she explained, the more animated she became, her confidence growing as she described the intricacies of her work.
"This component here," she continued, pointing to a particular part of the blueprint, "is designed to be modular. It can be swapped out or upgraded without needing to redesign the entire system. That way, the base model can stay the same, but it can evolve over time as new technologies or materials become available."
Armsmaster's visor remained fixed on the page, his gloved fingers tracing over the lines of the design. He was silent for a long moment, absorbing the information. When he finally spoke, there was a noticeable shift in his tone, an undercurrent of excitement that hadn't been there before.
"This is... impressive," he said, his voice a little more animated than usual. "Very impressive, actually. Your approach is... unorthodox, but it has a lot of potential. The idea of creating modular, upgradable designs could be revolutionary, especially if it's as reproducible as you say."
Taylor felt a swell of pride at his words, but she kept her expression neutral. She had to suppress the guilt. No, it was the knowledge of Batman 1 Million. Fuck it! He was dead. The knowledge was hers now. Hers to use. Hers to implement. Besides, this way, she was saving more of the world than he could ever do. "It is," she assured him. "I've tested and retested these designs. They're reliable and scalable."
Armsmaster sat back in his chair, clearly processing everything he'd just learned. He seemed more energized now, shifting slightly in his seat as if he couldn't contain his excitement. He was definitely itching to get out of the room now. "I'll definitely be forwarding your request to the higher-ups," he said finally. "We'll get the paperwork started for you to become an independent cape. And... if you ever reconsider joining the PRT, we'd be more than happy to have you."
Taylor smiled, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thank you, Armsmaster. I appreciate that."
Armsmaster nodded, looking genuinely pleased with himself. "I'm excited to see where this goes. Your approach is different, but that's exactly what we need. Brockton Bay could benefit a lot from someone like you."
Armsmaster stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "We'll be in touch with the next steps. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need anything, don't hesitate to reach out. And Miss Hebert, good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing what you accomplish."
Taylor stood as well, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement as he passed. "Thank you, Armsmaster. I won't let you down."
Armsmaster and Velocity walked to the room and Hannah arrived again. She led them out of the room and walked them back silently to the Reception.
Taylor couldn't help but be amused. The meeting had gone fairly well. Her asking Armsmaster for a meeting via sending him an E-mail at his personal account definitely helped her.
Dragon's digital avatar on the screen glowed softly as she reviewed the data streaming from Armsmaster's suit. She was focused on the designs Taylor had shared during their meeting, her mind racing as she analyzed them.
"These designs… they're remarkable, Armsmaster," Dragon said, her synthetic voice filled with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. She couldn't help but be wondered on the designs. The designs were so practical and impeccable. "The level of detail, the practicality… they're almost too good to be true. And they're understandable, even for non-Tinkers. I can see how these could be mass-produced without too much difficulty."
Armsmaster, who was standing in his workshop, nodded as he adjusted a tool on his workbench. "That was my reaction as well. When she started explaining the modularity of her designs, I realized this wasn't just the typical Tinker flair. She's thinking long-term, strategically. She's not just building for the sake of it—she's planning. Her designs even gave me new ideas. And most of all, I even found Kid Win's speciality in middle of it."
"I don't know how I missed it. His speciality is not in particular field, but like mine. Working in a particular way. His speciality lies on modular designs. Like how my lies in Efficiency. The sketches and modular items she described. It was too similar to his work." Armsmaster continued as he sketched another diagram which he had got in a sudden inspiration.
Dragon hummed in agreement, her avatar on Armsmaster's screen mirroring her thoughtful expression. "But what do you make of her, personally? How did she strike you during the interview?"
Armsmaster paused, considering his response carefully as he stopped the sketching. "She's intelligent, methodical, but… there's a wariness there. A distrust of authority figures, I think. She's cautious, guarded. When I asked her why she wanted to be a cape, she was clear about her goals—she wants to build a business, to make something lasting. She's not interested in being a Ward. She wants to stay independent, and she's positioning herself to do just that. And she's brilliant. She somehow got my personal e-mail and send me her mail there."
Dragon's eyes narrowed slightly on the screen. She was clearly intrigued. "Interesting. And she's already making waves with that recycling machine she built. You mentioned something about that earlier?" Dragon knew what the machine did. Though she had to act as human as she could.
Armsmaster nodded, turning to a different screen where he had pulled up a file on Taylor Hebert. "Yes. The machine she built is impressive—turns organic waste into fuel. From what I've gathered, the dockworkers are practically rallying around her. They're filing paperwork to turn it into a legitimate business, and Miss Hebert's already secured a patent on the technology in her name."
Dragon's eyebrows raised slightly. "A patent? That's… highly unusual for someone so young, and especially for a Tinker. Most Tinkers don't bother with that sort of bureaucracy. They're more focused on the creation than the legalities."
"That's what makes this all the more impressive," Armsmaster continued. "She's thinking ahead. The patent means she has control over the technology, and with her father's connections at the docks, they're setting themselves up as a major player. The dockworkers are practically dependent on this new business now—it's revived the docks and given them purpose again. She's not just building machines, she's rebuilding lives. And she's not hiding herself. She's being a public figure in herself. She doesn't care about secret identity and all."
Dragon leaned back slightly, processing the information. That was quite risky. Without a secret identity, there could be many things which could go wrong. "And you think she's using this to gain the PRT's goodwill?"
Armsmaster crossed his arms, his expression serious as he put his pencil down. "It's a smart move. By establishing herself as a valuable asset to the city's economy, she's positioning herself in a way that makes it difficult for the PRT to ignore her. The affiliation she's seeking isn't just about support—it's about leverage. She wants to be in a position where the PRT sees her as an ally, not just another Tinker they can recruit into the Wards."
Dragon's avatar nodded slowly. "I see. She's setting up her own terms. If she's this strategic at her age, she's going to be a formidable force as she grows into her abilities."
"That's what concerns me," Armsmaster admitted. "She's brilliant, but I don't think she trusts us—at least, not fully. She's hedging her bets, making sure she's not beholden to anyone. It's a double-edged sword. On one hand, we have a potential ally who could revolutionize the technology sector here in Brockton Bay. On the other hand, she could become a powerful independent cape, one we might have trouble controlling if she ever decides to go her own way."
Dragon's gaze softened slightly. "She's young, Colin. Maybe she just needs time. If we play this right, we could foster a strong relationship with her. Show her that the PRT and the Protectorate can be trusted, that we're here to support her goals."
Armsmaster nodded, though there was a hint of skepticism in his expression. "Perhaps. But we need to be careful. She's smart enough to see through any attempts to manipulate her. If she even suspects we're trying to control her, she could withdraw completely."
Dragon smiled slightly, her avatar reflecting her warmth. "Then we'll have to show her that we're genuine in our intentions. We don't need to control her—just offer our support and let her see the benefits of working with us."
Armsmaster sighed. His body relaxed slightly. Dragon was one of the few people who could see him this vulnerable and tired. "You're right. It's just… I've never met a Tinker like her before. She's not driven by the same impulses most Tinkers are. There's something different about her, something we need to understand if we're going to work with her effectively. And her designs. They are mass producible. How many Tinkers apart from you could do that? They could be counted in one hand."
"You praise me too much, Colin. We'll figure it out," Dragon said with a soft laugh. "For now, let's keep an eye on how her business develops. If she's as successful as she seems to be, the PRT might have a powerful new ally on our hands. We shall work fast or the Elite may attract her."
Armsmaster suddenly stilled. His visor pinged with a new notification. He glanced at the screen, noting the email icon blinking in the corner.
He frowned slightly when he saw the sender. "Miss Hebert had send me a mail," he said with a surprised tone.
Dragon's avatar looked curious. "Already? What does she want?"
Armsmaster opened the email, scanning the contents. "'Hello Armsmaster Sir,'" he read aloud, a slight smile tugging at his lips at the formal tone. "She's very polite, at least."
As he continued to read, however, his smile faded. His eyes narrowed as he read on, his frown deepening. "'I wanted to reach out because I think it's important. I've been working on a design for a device that might be of use in the next Endbringer fight.'" Armsmaster paused, glancing at Dragon with a puzzled expression. "She's asking to get in contact with you."
Dragon's synthetic eyes widened slightly. "Me? Why?"
Armsmaster didn't answer immediately, his attention drawn back to the email. As he read further, his expression grew more serious. "'The next Endbringer fight is coming. I've designed a device that I believe could counter the Simurgh's scream. With the right tuning, it might be able to disrupt the psionic waves she emits, rendering them ineffective.'"
He stopped reading, his breath catching slightly. The implications of such a device were so wide. "She's sent the designs. Dragon, this could be..."
Dragon's voice was calm but there was an undercurrent of urgency in her tone. "Finish reading the email, Colin."
Armsmaster swallowed, his hand trembling slightly as he scrolled down. "'Given below is a detailed design for the device. I hope you put it to good use.'"
He immediately uploaded it to the screen so that Dragon could see it too.
Email from: Taylor Hebert
To: Armsmaster (personal email)
Subject: Important - Possible Endbringer Countermeasure
Hello Armsmaster Sir
I wanted to reach out because I think it's important. I've been working on a design for a device that might be of use in the next Endbringer fight.
Given below is a detailed design for the device. I hope you put it to good use.
Best regards,
Taylor Hebert
--
For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of what Taylor had sent sinking in. Armsmaster's thoughts raced. Here was a teenage Tinker, who had met him only hours ago, offering a potentially game-changing device for the most dreaded of all Endbringers. And she wasn't asking for recognition, for fame, for anything. She simply wanted to help.
"She's willing to give this away," Armsmaster said, his voice thick with disbelief and surprise now. "No demand for credit, no expectation of glory. She just… wants to help." He couldn't fathom what the girl even wanted. This work could transform the life of a cape. Bring them renowned fame and glory. And she was giving all of it for free. He couldn't imagine such thing even on the wildest of his days.
Dragon's avatar nodded slowly, her gaze focused and serious now. "Let me see the design."
Armsmaster quickly transferred the file, and Dragon's systems began analyzing it immediately. Within moments, her voice came back, tinged with awe. "This is… incredible. The device isn't just a simple wave disruptor. It's designed to naturally destabilize any wavelength in the area, creating a field that could potentially neutralize the Simurgh's scream."
Armsmaster's heart pounded as he realized the implications. "We've never been able to capture the Simurgh's screams on our devices, which is why we've never developed a countermeasure. But Miss Hebert's device doesn't rely on analyzing the waves—it just disrupts them all."
"It's brutish in a manner. But elegant," Dragon agreed. "And terrifyingly effective. If this works… it could change everything."
Armsmaster clenched his fists. He gritted his teeth. So much ability and potential and the girl didn't want to work with PRT as a Ward. She could revolutionize the PRT if she had continued as a Ward. "But it could also interfere with other capes' powers. It's a blunt instrument—powerful, but indiscriminate."
Dragon's avatar was thoughtful. "True. But if it means saving lives, the trade-off might be worth it. Especially if it's the Simurgh we're facing next."
She paused, her expression softening. "I'm going to reach out to Miss Hebert myself. She deserves to know that her work is being taken seriously. And… I want to understand her better. There's something special about her, Colin."
Dragon's voice was warm and reassuring now. "We'll proceed with the design. I'll begin preparations on my end to see how we can integrate it into our defenses. And Colin… don't worry. We'll make sure she knows how much we appreciate this."
Armsmaster sighed, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over him. "Thank you, Dragon. This… this could be the start of something big."
He glanced at the email once more, reading the lines over again. Miss Hebert's words seemed so simple, so direct, and yet they carried the weight of someone who understood the stakes. He had gone to Endbringers Battles. Seen the death and bloodshed. It was one of the few reasons he never formed attachments. He didn't want to let someone go with that feeling.
One thing was clear—Taylor Hebert was someone they couldn't afford to overlook.
The silence in the room was enough to know that Dragon was already making headway with contacting Miss Hebert. He took a look at the design and his mind suddenly started supplying him more designs. He was going to do what he did best.
Taylor leaned back in her chair casually. The glow of her laptop screen casting a soft light on her face. The email from Dragon was open in front of her, and as she read through it, a smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. The greatest Tinker on Earth was proposing minor upgrades to her wavelength disruptor. Exactly as Taylor had anticipated.
She had intentionally left some gaps in the design, subtle areas where improvements could be made. It wasn't because she hadn't known how to perfect it, but because it suited her purposes better if others thought she was brilliant but still learning. It invited mentorship, collaboration, and, most importantly, underestimation. Taylor Hebert, the promising young Tinker, and Batman, the shadowy antihero. They both needed to be seen as two distinct personas, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Taylor read Dragon's email again, noting the professionalism and genuine interest in the tone. The invitation to meet with Armsmaster for a more private discussion about the design was tempting, and the idea of accessing more resources through Dragon's connections was too valuable to pass up.
--
Email from: Dragon
--
Subject: Re: Possible Endbringer Countermeasure
Hello Taylor
First, I want to thank you for sharing your design for the wavelength disruptor. It's an impressive piece of work, and I'm excited about the potential it holds.
After reviewing the design, I've noticed a few areas where we could introduce some minor upgrades. These changes would increase the disruptor's efficiency and allow for better control over the disruption field, particularly in situations where friendly capes might be affected.
I've attached a document outlining these suggestions. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I'm also very interested in continuing this conversation. If you're comfortable, I'd like to arrange a meeting where we can discuss the design in more detail. Armsmaster has offered to facilitate this in his lab, where we can work together in a more secure environment.
If you'd prefer a different method of communication, I'm flexible. I've included a direct contact number in this email, and I'm happy to set up a more private channel if that would make you more comfortable.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Dragon
--
Taylor's smirk widened as she typed out her response. There was a certain thrill in knowing that she had Dragon's attention, and even more so in guiding that attention precisely where she wanted it. The funds and resources that could come from a close association with Dragon were invaluable. And while the recycling business her father was heading was profitable, more money meant more power, more influence. Hebert Industries could become something truly formidable.
--
Email from: Taylor Hebert
To: Dragon
Subject: Re: Possible Endbringer Countermeasure
Hello Dragon
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to look over my design. I'm thrilled that you see potential in it, and I'm eager to discuss the upgrades you've suggested. I've gone through the attached document, and your suggestions are excellent. They're exactly what I was hoping to explore further.
I would love to meet and discuss the design in more detail. Working together with you and Armsmaster sounds like an incredible opportunity. I've been working mostly on my own, so it would be great to get some guidance and collaborate with someone of your expertise.
I'll reach out to Armsmaster to set up a time that works for everyone. I'm looking forward to it.
Best regards,
Taylor Hebert
--
Taylor hit send and leaned back. She was satisfied. She was never going to the Simurgh fights if she could do so. She didn't trust herself. The last thing this world wanted was a true villainous telepath reigning chaos. No, she won't face Simurgh. The Hellbat armour would help her if she ever did. But she wasn't going to take the risk. Not when, the Simurgh was a menace to everyone on the field. Her postcognition and precognition were dangerous. She could chose best options every time. She needed to play the long and distant game for Simurgh.
The duality of her life thrilled her. Two faces, two roles, both meticulously crafted to serve a greater purpose. Taylor Hebert and Batman. The hero and the antihero.
The next steps were crucial. Meeting with Dragon and Armsmaster would solidify her position and give her access to the resources she needed to continue her work. More importantly, it would allow her to expand Hebert Industries. That in itself would create a foundation that could support her in both of her roles.
She glanced at the small notebook on her desk, the one filled with designs, ideas, and plans for the future. The wavelength disruptor was just the beginning. There was so much more she intended to build, to achieve. And now, with Dragon's interest piqued, the path ahead was clearer than ever.
Yes, she would use her abilities in the best way to save the world. Afterall, she was here to make those crucial changes.