Friday, Jan. 28th
Colin Wallis aka the superhero Armsmaster strode through the PRT headquarters as he headed for one of the many meeting rooms. While he normally found traveling to the PRT HQ during his free Tinkering time annoying, the fact that he was here for an interview with a freshly triggered Tinker was enough to get his attention. He considered it fortunate that the young Parahuman happened to be a client of Brandish in her civilian identity, so the Tinker was open to speaking with the PRT and Protectorate before one of the gangs found them.
Colin had even been able to convince Director Piggot to let Dragon participate in the interview, as Colin believed the Canadian Tinker was far more sociable and personable than he was, and would have a higher chance of making a good impression than he would. The Director was pleasantly surprised by his suggestion, not believing he had the social insight to make such a call, but even Colin was not so dense as to be so blind to his own failings. Dragon was both a better Tinker and a better people-person than he was, and he could accept that in the same way that he could accept that Alexandria was stronger than him. It was just the way things were.
As these thoughts went through Armsmaster's head, the aforementioned Dragon spoke into his helmet's internal speakers. "Colin." Dragon greeted warmly. "You seem rather chipper today. Are you that excited to meet the newest Tinker?"
Colin's brows knit slightly. He then realized that he was moving at a slightly faster rate than normal, and he had the slightest of the upturning of his lips. "I suppose I am." he plainly stated. He had never seen a reason to lie to Dragon before, and had no reason to start now.
"That's good. It'll be nice for her to have a Tinker she could relate to. Especially since Director Piggot will apparently be conducting the interview." Colin could hear the slight faltering in Dragon's voice as she said that.
Frowning, Colin couldn't help but agree with Dragon there. While he wouldn't call Director Piggot a bad person per say, she was rather… abrasive when it came to Parahumans. And if an emotionally and socially dense man like Colin could make that observation, he knew it had to be true. But with the firebrand known as Carol Dallon representing the girl, the Director wanted to ensure that nothing would be slipped by them.
"So what do you know about the latest would-be recruit?" Colin asked.
Dragon responded immediately. "Taylor Hebert, age fifteen, no cape name yet. According to records, her most probable Trigger Event was when she was locked in her locker and left to rot by her bullies, resulting in widespread necrosis and infection. She nearly died, and thanks to Mrs. Dallon's efforts, they have just won their lawsuit against her bullies and the school district, which included Sophia Hess." Dragon hissed out Shadow Stalker's civilian identity like it was a swear.
Colin grimaced as well. He had hoped that her time in the Wards would've blunted Shadow Stalker's violent nature, but instead it only made her better at hiding it, as made apparent by her months long campaign of torture against Taylor. And when her actions in her civilian identity had come to light, Director Piggot and himself had no issue stripping her of whatever legal protections the PRT and Protectorate had for her. They had already given her a second chance by letting her into the Wards under parole when they first captured her. Only a fool would give her a third after she willingly mutilated another student, her ability as a hard counter to several villainous Brutes be damned.
That was probably another reason why the Director was personally overseeing the interview, Colin idly thought. She would want to ensure that the story on Shadow Stalker would be consistent. Whether or not that meant telling Taylor the truth or sweeping it under the rug, Colin didn't know.
As these thoughts rolled around his head, Colin entered the interview room. It was a simple, off-white office space, with a single wooden conference table in the center and 6 rolling office chairs. Had Taylor been a complete unknown, they would've conducted the interview in one of the PRT's police interrogation rooms, but her relationship with Brandish allowed for some accommodations. Director Piggot was already inside, sitting upon one of the office chairs with a small pile of papers in front of her.
"Director." Colin curtly greeted, standing by her side as he wasn't sure any one of the chairs could support his weight in power armor.
"Armsmaster." She returned just as abruptly.
"Director Piggot, good to see you." Dragon vocalized through a telephone on the conference table, making herself known.
"Dragon." The Director nodded to the Canadian Tinker's voice, giving a barely warmer reception than she did with Armsmater. "Thank you for being here. Now then, before Miss Hebert gets here, I assume both of you have been briefed on the Hess situation?"
Colin frowned and nodded his head, while Dragon replied with a simple, "Yes Ma'am."
"Good." the Director grunted. "Now, as far Miss Hebert is concerned, Sophia Hess was never associated with the Wards and PRT, and Shadow Stalker is retiring to live a quiet life as a civilian. And neither topic will be brought up unless they bring it up first, which shouldn't happen as neither the Heberts nor Mrs. Dallon should know who Stalker was."
"Is that really the best choice, Director?" Dragon asked. Colin could hear the frown in her voice.
"Best to let sleeping dogs lie, Dragon. Hess is going to juvie, and I would rather not scare away a prospective Ward by letting her know we were partially responsible for her Trigger and current situation due to our negligence. Should she join, once she is in a better headspace, we can reveal the truth to her. If she does not, then we lose nothing by not telling her." The Director explained bluntly, not particularly caring about any objections.
Colin pressed his lips into a thin line, not raising any complaints but also not really liking the situation, while Dragon didn't say anything in response. Luckily there was a knock at the door which broke the awkward tension.
"Director, your appointment is here." A young PRT agent stated as he peered in through the door. Strangely enough to Colin, his social-interaction suite stated that the young man's emotional state seemed to be slightly perturbed.
"Hm. Send them in then." Piggot grunted.
With that command, the PRT agent stepped aside and their guests began to filter in. First was the familiar form of Carol Dallon, a prim and professional woman he often worked with, then followed by a tall, lanky man he recognized as Daniel Hebert, and lastly came in Taylor Hebert, the Parahuman of the hour. And what Colin saw made his jaw drop.
"Oh my God." He heard Dragon whisper in his helmet's communicator.
Dressed in blood colored robes, Taylor Hebert strode in, her robotic prosthetics leaving heavy footfalls in her wake. Immediately his eyes focused on her cybernetics, which were crudely sutured into her own limbs. Colin could tell that this was the work of a freshly triggered Tinker as many parts of her prosthetics were of low grade or commercial origin. Metals used in the construction were mostly stainless steel or iron, while motor oil was used for lubrication. Several wires powering the prosthetic were still exposed, and Colin's own power screamed multiple sections which could be more efficiently redesigned.
But all of these fell off in importance as he realized he was looking at a young teenage girl who looked more like a deranged Tinker's pet project rather than a Tinker herself. Colin watched as Taylor took a casual seat at the table, carefully eyeing both himself and the Director. He watched as the girl's organic eye ran up and down his silver and blue colored power armor, as well as his plasma halberd, no doubt mentally analyzing his own equipment as he was doing to her.
Meanwhile, the Director seemed to have gone cold, her demeanor more stoic and hostile than she would normally have with meeting a new Cape. Colin wouldn't say she was afraid of Taylor, in fact Colin was convinced that the Director wouldn't even flinch in the face of Jack Slash and the Slaughterhouse Nine, but Taylor was not earning herself any goodwill by ramping up the Director's paranoia and suspicion.
Luckily, Carol Dallon was able to break the tension as she greeted. "Director, Armsmaster. Good evening, apologies for the suddenness of this meeting." She said, nodding to each one of them. "This is Taylor." Carol placed a hand on Taylor's shoulder.
Taylor paused for a moment, letting the dead silence hang, before she simply nodded and said, "It is a pleasure." It took a good amount of self restraint on Colin's part to not wince at the girl's artificially created voice. It was unnaturally distorted and mechanical in its delivery, as if she only made a half-hearted attempt to make her synthetic voice sound human.
"I'm sure it is." The Director grunted out as she leaned forward on the table. "Well then, Miss Hebert, I would like to thank you for coming in to speak with us. My name is Director Emily Piggot, head of the PRT ENE division, and this is Armsmaster, head of the ENE Protectorate. Dragon of the Guild is also participating in this interview as well. And before we begin, I would like to mention that while we shall record your identity and powers for internal records, we shall not release any data on who you are to the public you should choose not to join us. Even if you were to go villain, unless you perform any especially heinous crimes worthy of a Kill Order, we will not use the data of your identity against you."
Taylor nodded her head as her respirator wheezed in. "Ah yes, the Unwritten Rules, as you so call them. Mrs. Dallon has informed me of them."
"Good." Director Piggot responded with a nod of her own. "Now then Miss Hebert. While some vetting of your background will be necessary, I do believe the Wards will be a good fit for you and your powers."
"Wait a moment." Mrs. Dallon interrupted, causing the Director to send her a withering glare. If she was affected, Mrs. Dallon didn't show it. "While the option to join the Wards is not off the table, I would prefer it if you took the time to explain Taylor's other options before browbeating her with recruitment pitches."
The Director's glare against Mrs. Dallon turned scalding, but Brandish did not seem to be intimidated at all. Mr. Hebert even seemed rather composed despite the tension between the two women, which Colin supposed made sense given his position as the spokesperson for the Dockworker's Union.
Surprisingly, the Director was the one who broke first. Going to the pile of papers in front of her, she divided them into 3 groups. "There are three primary ways with which you can work with the PRT, Miss Hebert, as a Ward, a PRT-affiliated Independent Hero, and as a PRT-affiliated Rogue. Independent heroes like your lawyer Brandish here." The Director sent the hero another glare as she pointed to the stack on her left. "Are Heroes who do not work within the command structure of the PRT, but are allied in the fight against the villains. We can help provide security to their homes, and work with them in the field, but they are tasked with handling their own resources, funding, and PR."
The Director then pointed to the middle stack. "Rogues, on the other hand, are Parahumans who look to use their powers for a business and personal gain, usually by selling their powers or products made by their powers. Rogues affiliated with the PRT can receive a stipend of supplies, and some degree of protection, usually depending on how much they are willing to work with us."
The Director then pointed to the last stack. "Now, my suggestion would be to take part in our Wards program. The Wards program is designed to help Parahumans such as yourself. Young men and women who Triggered and need a place to learn how to responsibly use their powers, while keeping a safe environment for both yourself, and those around you. With your status as a Tinker, this is doubly so." The Director then glanced at Colin, indicating it was his time to speak.
Colin stepped forward, taking the spotlight on himself. "The Director is right, Miss Hebert. Most independents only make it a few months before either joining the Protectorate or one of the gangs. As I'm sure you've heard, Tinkers like yourself are exceptionally valuable to a gang and are particularly vulnerable so early in your career. Are you capable of creating Tinkertech weapons in addition to your prosthetics?"
Colin watched as Miss Hebert's eyes became unfocused slightly, no doubt experiencing a flash of Tinkertech ideas. "Yes, I can." she confirmed.
Nodding his head, Colin said, "The gangs would no doubt seek to force you into creating these weapons for them. Besides giving you a place to test and train your powers, you will gain a variety of other benefits for joining the Wards as well. A backdrop of allies within the Wards, Protectorate, and PRT who are committed to protecting you, a Tinkertech-budget in addition to your regular salary, access to our existing labs and workshops, as well as the chance to collaborate with other heroically-aligned Tinkers. Besides myself, within Brockton Bay there is Kid Win, a young driven Tinker within the Wards, and Dragon herself likes to collaborate remotely from Canada." Colin stopped talking to allow Dragon to speak as well.
"Hello Taylor." Dragon's greeting was far warmer than Colin's or the Director's. "But before we continue with the interview, I would like to ask how are you? I can only imagine the process to attach your prosthetics would have been difficult, to say the least."
Miss Hebert glanced at the phone with an expression Colin could only describe as impassive. "My physical state is acceptable, Dragon. Amy Dallon cleared all issues from the surgery." Colin nodded at that, only made sense with Brandish as her lawyer she would have access to Panacea's healing.
"I see..." Dragon spoke, though Colin could tell she wasn't happy with the response. "Well I'm glad to see you are doing alright. I have to say, I am impressed by the design of your prosthetics. They are surprisingly advanced for something created with what you had on hand. I am looking forward to seeing what you could create once you get your hands on higher quality tools and resources. I would even be open to some collaboration, as I am always looking for ways to improve the design of my Dragonsuits."
"And as I mentioned before, I would also be willing to collaborate and help you improve in your Tinkering where I can." Colin interrupted. He already had multiple ideas of how to implement multiple weapon systems into Miss Hebert's prosthetic arms, ranging from grappling hooks and nets to laser blasters and tasers. "By your appearance, I assume your specialization is in cybernetics?"
"Indeed." Miss Hebert nodded. "While I have… ideas for other things, weapons, armor, drones, the majority of what I believe I can create are cybernetic enhancements."
Colin's lips quirked up. A powerful speciality. "Very good. Once you join the Wards, we can get some designs approved by the engineering and science teams and see what improvements we can brainstorm together."
Almost immediately, Miss Hebert's neutral face morphed into scowl, judging by the furrowing of her brows. "Approval?"
Quickly, the slight smile on Colin's own face flipped into a slight frown. Approvals and committees, the bane of all heroically-affiliated Tinkers and quite honestly the primary reason most choose not to join the PRT. Before Colin could justify the practice, the Director spoke once more.
"Yes Miss Hebert, approvals. Tell me, have you ever heard of something called the Machine Army? Or Nilbog?" The Director growled out with no sympathy for the girl's complaints.
Taylor looked at the Director, and after a brief pause, nodded. "I have heard of Nilbog and what occurred at Ellisburg. The Machine Army, I am not familiar with."
"The Machine Army is a swarm of self-replicating, self-enhancing AI that has subsumed the town of Eagleton, Tennessee where they were created. It is extraordinarily hostile to humans, and is considered an S-class threat, putting it in the same category as the Endbringers and the Slaughterhouse Nine." the Director bluntly stated.
"An abominable intelligence." Miss Hebert growled out.
The Director nodded. "Indeed. Meanwhile Nilbog created an army of self-replicating bio-tinkered monstrosities that in my opinion should be nuked from existence. What these two have in common beyond being an existential threat to all human life, is that they were both created by individuals who operated outside of the PRT with no oversight in what they were making. While I understand that most Tinkers resent the necessity of having their technology peer reviewed and approved, you need to understand that these regulations and limitations are put in place so no one creates a planet-ending nuke or a life eating virus without us knowing."
Miss Hebert maintained a blank stare at the Director, making Colin think his superior had taken things a step too far, when Dragon chose to intervene. "Taylor, all Tinkers have to go through this. Including myself and Armsmaster. I have to go through the Guild's approval process while Armsmaster has to work with the PRT's science team."
"And what limitations would be placed upon me?" Miss Hebert finally asked. "Not only do I already have plans to improve my current augmetics, I have designs for further enhancements as well."
"At the very least, you would need to temporarily stop any and all new enhancements on your body." Director Piggot bluntly laid out. "Your existing prosthetics would need to be analyzed, and any further designs will need to be submitted to both Armsmaster and the PRT's science teams. This is a non-negotiable."
Dragon's friendlier voice cut in again once the Director was finished. "Besides Taylor, while I can understand the necessity of creating your prosthetics to compensate for the damage done to your body, don't you have any reservations about additional alterations? Do you not feel as if you're losing something? Some part of your humanity, or that what is left of your organic body is worth preserving?" Dragon's voice was surprisingly pleading. "If you further… mutilate yourself, throwing away more and more of who you are, don't you think that is something someone like Bonesaw or Mannequin would do?"
Everyone sans Taylor winced at Dragon's comment. Generic references to Nilbog were one thing. Being directly compared to members of the Slaughterhouse Nine was another.
"Now hold on Dragon." Brandish called out. "Don't you think you're taking this too far? Taylor has done nothing yet to deserve any comparison like that."
"Everything my daughter has done was to fix her own body. I resent the fact that you said she is anything like that monster Bonesaw." Mr. Hebert indignantly cut in as well.
"Of course." Dragon immediately placated. "I apologize for the analogy, but it was a point I felt that was necessary to make. Such plans for enhancements must be taken with caution and consideration so you do not lose sight of what makes you human."
In all honesty, Colin didn't understand where Dragon was coming from. Perhaps it was just a base ideological difference, but Colin could only see benefits in getting cybernetic enhancements. And Taylor seemed to share his ideals.
Taylor audibly snorted, a strange sound given her respirator, and crossed her arms as she sat back, the action drawing the attention of everyone there. "If you truly believe that, then you are a fool." The teen growled out.
Everyone gaped at that. This may have been the first time they heard anyone ever call Dragon a fool.
Taylor however, was not finished. "You say I am losing something by sacrificing my body, but you are wrong. The base, human form is not something to aspire to, but to detest." Taylor hissed as she leaned forward. "In the locker, as the insects feasted on my body, I understood the weakness of my flesh, and it disgusted me. I craved the strength and certainty of steel, the purity of the machine."
Taylor's head then snapped to Armsmaster, her one organic eye laser focused. "You all cling to your flesh like it won't decay or fail you." Her head then shifted to the Director, sneering at her. "For some of you, it already has. Your temples of crude biomass will wither, and when it does, you will beg those like me to save you. For I am already saved. For the Machine is immortal."
She then leaned back and gave the room a look of pure contempt. "The locker taught me a lesson I shall never forget, one that was carved into me. That there is no truth in flesh, only betrayal. There is no strength in flesh, only weakness. There is no constancy in flesh, only decay. There is no certainty in flesh but death."
…
Silence reigned over the conference room as everyone gawked at Taylor, no one knowing what to say. There was only one pervading thought running through the minds of everyone in the room, and as well through the mind of one villainous mercenary hiding outside of the Toronto area, watching this scene unfold through Dragon's systems. What the fuck?
Colin stared at the teenager, and saw not the face of a girl gone mad due to the circumstances of her Trigger, but instead a young woman who seemed to wholly and zealously believe in the philosophy she spouted. Taking a sneaking glance at the Director, he saw that Piggot was far from amused, her stern frown no doubt indicating that she had already written off Taylor as a mad, unstable Parahuman.
Both Mrs. Dallon and Mr. Hebert were taken aback by Taylor as well. Mr. Hebert gawked at his daughter like she was a complete stranger, while Mrs. Dallon seemed to be completely taken off guard and was still trying to process what Taylor said. Meanwhile, Dragon was completely silent. Colin could only guess how his friend was taking Taylor's declaration. The silence passed painfully until the Director recovered her wits enough to speak.
"Well then Miss Hebert, I do believe we have been getting off track." The Director began, taking a deep breath. "So tell me, what is it you want to do? How do you wish to register with us?"
"I believe joining the Wards is out of the question." Taylor bluntly answered.
Colin sighed at that answer, but Piggot curtly nodded as she said, "I think that was rather obvious. So what is your plan? Are you going to sign up with New Wave?" she asked, turning her head to Mrs. Dallon with raised brow.
Brandish seemed genuinely taken off guard at the Director's sudden proposal, gazing moving back and forth between the Director and Taylor as they both looked at her.
"While I could bring it up with the team, I don't believe that Taylor exactly... fits the image... we are trying to push." Mrs. Dallon fumbled out, even having a slight cringe at her feeble excuse as Mr. Hebert looked at her betrayed.
"It matters little." Taylor grunted. "I shall register as a PRT-affiliated Rogue."
The Director gave another short nod as she slid the appropriate paperwork over to Taylor. "Just so you know, while we do not have the oversight to review all of your Tinkertech as a Rogue, should you wish to sell your tech to the PRT, Protectorate, or any other affiliated organizations, it will have to go through review and approval anyway."
Taylor shrugged as she took the paperwork and began filling out answers, her cybernetic fingers showing a surprising amount of dexterity.
"Taylor, honey, are you sure this is what you want to do?' Mr. Hebert pleaded with his daughter.
Giving her father only a sparing glance, Taylor responded. "Yes, I believe this is the best path forward for myself and my research."
"And what about the gangs?" he countered.
Without missing a beat Taylor said, "I have plans for defenses."
Colin nodded his head at that. If Taylor could develop enough defenses for her home, turning it into her own Tinkertech Lab, even the heaviest hitting gang would hesitate to attack her directly. However, the issue with that was the fact that Taylor would be vulnerable until she had time to gather the necessary tools and supplies to construct her lab. Immediately, Colin pulled up a messaging application within his suit and sent out a message to the Rig's engineering team, requesting them to gather two crates of supplies and tools from his personal stock that a nascent Tinker would require.
"Excuse me, Miss Hebert." Colin interjected, drawing all eyes to him. "While I can respect your decision to not join the Wards, I cannot in good conscience allow a Tinker such as yourself to return home without any means to defend yourself. I am having something of a Tinker start up kit being assembled right now to aid you in your work. You may pick it up from the front desk before you leave."
Taylor's eye rose up in surprise at that, while Piggot's face became thunderous. Colin chose to ignore the Director. This was a gamble he knew, but if it worked out it would be a gamble that pays dividends.
"I see." Taylor spoke, her monotone voice hard to pick out any emotion from. "What is in this 'start up kit,' as you call it?"
"Raw materials, metals like high-carbon steel, aluminum, and titanium, a few industrial chemicals, as well as boxes of various circuitry and electrical parts. I have also included a variety of power tools, nothing Tinkertech but higher end civilian-grade equipment. Diamond reinforced power saws and drills, a plasma torch and an arc welder, along with the necessary safety equipment, as well as a few pneumatic grinders. I even included a higher end 3D printer and a laptop with the necessary design software on it." Colin casually listed off.
Everyone now gawked at Colin rather than Taylor, he could even somehow feel Dragon incredulously looking at him, and the hero could at least partially understand why. The total cost of everything Colin was just giving to Taylor was probably somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000. While not a large amount in the grand scheme of Tinkers, it was not an amount of money one just casually gave away unless they had millions saved up, which Colin did not.
"Hold on Armsmaster." Director Piggot spoke up, holding up her own hand. "You do not have the Authority to just give away Protectorate equipment, even to an affiliated Rogue."
Colin shook his head. "Then it is good that these are not Protectorate equipment. They are tools and supplies I purchased with my own money. There should be no issues about me giving away my own private property."
The Director opened her mouth to give some kind of response, but Taylor beat her to it. "I accept." the cyborg teen said. "Thank you for your gift, Armsmaster. I will see to it that they are used well."
The Director shook her head, sighing as she allowed the transaction to take place. With that there was a short lull in the conversation that allowed Taylor to finish her paper work. Sliding the stack of papers to the Director, Piggot thumbed through the documents.
"You missed one important piece of information, Miss Hebert." Piggot said as she glared at the teen. "You still have yet to pick a cape name."
Taylor scowled. "I care little for these games, and it will be impossible for me to have a secret identity regardless. Must I choose one?"
"At the very least, we'll need one for our records and for any communications to the media. Even outed capes like Mrs. Dallon here have a cape name."
Taylor sighed, and then closed her eye as she thought for a moment. When she opened her organic eye, she had a look that Colin could only describe as one of inspiration. "Then you may call me Tech-Priest." Taylor then stood from the table. "Now, I believe that is all the business we had?"
The Director and Colin shared a glance, and Colin nodded.
The Director then spoke with as much professionalism in her voice as she could muster, which at this point in the conversation wasn't much. "Yes, the rest of the paperwork seems to be in order. While I am, disappointed, you are not looking to join the Wards, Tech-Priest, I am glad to have another Tinker affiliated with the heroes. When you leave, a PRT escort will take you back to your vehicle." Every word the Director spoke was practically said through clenched teeth, her displeasure in Taylor simply walking free completely obvious even to someone like Colin.
Taylor however, either didn't notice or didn't care, as she nodded her head. "Excellent. And should you wish it, Director, I'm sure I could do something about the damage done to your body. Kidneys are easily replaceable after all."
Colin swore he could hear the Director's teeth grinding as Taylor gave a small bow and exited the conference room.
As soon as Taylor, Brandish, and Mr. Hebert left the room, Piggot's head instantly snapped to Colin as she snarled out, "Colin, what the Hell was that!?"
AN, 7/4/21: Happy America Day. And because I think it's good to credit large quotes or such, the speech that Taylor gave was paraphrased from the intro to the game Warhammmer 40,000: Mechanicus.