* Armsmaster *
To: Emily Piggot, Director, Parahuman Response Team, East North-East Division
From: Armsmaster, Protectorate Deputy Leader, PRT ENE.
Date: August 7, 2005
Re: Investigation #27Jul2005-047
After acquiring information from various sources, the conclusion was that Taylor Hebert is a genius polymath but not a parahuman.
She had an MRI done at Brockton Bay General Hospital specifically looking for such at the behest of her parents. While a section looked to be an inactive or withered Corona Pollentia, later analysis proved it was simply an artifact of the scan process.
Previous investigation of the child when I first learned of her has proven correct. Brilliant. Certainly pushing the edge of what we know of human intelligence development, very much far edge of what is possible of normal human intelligence. Not, however, a parahuman and therefore something that comes within our federal responsibilities.
If you wanted me to assign her a threat rating despite that, I would suggest a Thinker-3 rating with a specialization in mechanical design.
* - *
To: Emily Piggot, Director, Parahuman Response Team, East North-East Division
From: Armsmaster, Protectorate Deputy Leader, PRT ENE.
Date: November 9, 2005
Re: Activity at Docks area
While I understand your concern about the situation in the area known as the Docks, it does not appear to fit the parameters required for PRT intervention.
I had a conversation with a Doctor David Bruce Banner, parahuman studies at Brockton Bay University, whose name came up as a contact for the new studies group. I signed NDAs that involve upcoming patents and proprietary technology. As you know, Tinkertech cannot be patented due to the black-boxing of key parts and the need for regular maintenance by the originating Tinker.
The devices developed are certainly revolutionary. I have taken the liberty of requesting access to the patents in order to improve my own devices.
* - *
To: Emily Piggot, Director, Parahuman Response Team, East North-East Division
cc: Rebecca Costa-Brown, Parahuman Response Team, Headquarters, Washington DC
From: Armsmaster, Protectorate Deputy Leader, PRT ENE.
Date: January 14, 2006
Re: Who is the Tinker?
As reported previously, the closest thing to a Tinker found is Taylor Hebert. Who is not a parahuman per previous investigations. She is a genius polymath whom I would dearly love to converse with despite her age, but is simply a far-edge case of purely human intelligence.
She's done the math. I've seen the math. I've seen the conclusions and engineering diagrams. I was able to acquire some of the patent pending batteries and their chemical analysis and am incorporating such in my motorcycle.
The reason for the presence of DARPA and the Marines is the existence of ForgeTech, which takes the technology being developed and turns it into practical applications. Further research work is "farmed out" to Brockton Bay University which has a new program specifically for ForgeTech technologies - particularly gravitics.
The gravity-manipulation technology alone has the possibility of revolutionizing several different industries and advancing several fields of science by at least a century.
The Marines and their advanced weapons facility is likewise not Tinkertech. They utilize another new battery design, which allows for rapid release of stored energy, in their laser and sonic weapons. I have applied through my contact at BBU to acquire one of these rapid-release batteries for study and field testing.
During my visit to the university, I observed screens that showed another non-Tinkertech device utilizing a gravitational lens effect to fire a projectile at extremely high speeds. As soon as it was noticed that I had noticed, the screen was turned off. It looked very experimental, but if successful in manufacture this gravity-lens sniper rifle would have interesting anti-Brute applications.
* - *
To: Emily Piggot, Director, Parahuman Response Team, East North-East Division
cc: Rebecca Costa-Brown, Parahuman Response Team, Headquarters, Washington DC
From: Armsmaster, Protectorate Deputy Leader, PRT ENE.
Date: January 15, 2006
Re: Prosthetics and Medical
Among the technologies being developed by ForgeTech are cyborg limbs. Unlike those in fiction, these do not give superstrength or speed as they are built to work with the existing limitations of the human body.
No, I do not believe it would be wise to attempt to recruit the builder of such devices. Firstly because it is well-established at this point that ForgeTech does not hire parahumans specifically to avoid further legal issues, though they are looking at one such potential hire with some otherwise useful skills. I have been told that if their vetting process is complete, they will notify the PRT that the hire is a parahuman consultant and not part of ForgeTech as a whole.
There are some devices in use, replicable with non-Tinker technology, that would be useful to acquire for PRT use. Power loaders, based on a design from a movie though altered for safety concerns, for example. The military exoskeletons currently being field-tested by the Army for another.
Please do not aggravate the inter-departmental ties between the BBPD, the DoD, DARPA, and the other government agencies. Some of whom are unaware of what is going on, other than their own departments are being read in on 'new technological developments' and would be most upset at us if such things were pulled away at the last moment.
* PHO *
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Topic: A New Thread
In: Boards ► Brockton Bay ► What's_New
Laotsunn (Original Poster) (Kyushu Survivor)
Posted On Feb 12th 2006:
What is going on in the Docks?
I was going out for pizza, had a late-night craving (Gino's is open late), and I saw repaired roads and military vehicles where I would expect neither.
I'm pretty sure those were soldiers in fatigues fixing those potholes on 27th. You know the ones you practically need 4WD to get through?
So, anyone know what's up with that?
(Showing page 1 of 1)
►Kinsfire (Cape Groupie)
Replied On Feb 12th 2006:
I run a shop just on the edge of BB and I've seen a lot of obviously plainclothes types lately. You know the sort that wear the black suits and sunglasses at night? The obviously inobvious sort. Not sure if that's related or not. Might just be some FBI operation.
►Mac's Dual Rocket Propelled Grenades (Wiki Warrior)
Replied On Feb 12th 2006:
It's ForgeTech. New place in the Docks. Some sort of high tech brainfarm that has ties to the military. Spotted the military from a distance because they fixed the street signs and run off some of the local druggies that were beginning to move in. Got curious.
Honestly, if it means new jobs around here, and less chance of a home invasion? I'm in favor.
* February 28, 2006 *
* Cauldron *
"-and they are insisting that it's not under our jurisdiction!" stated a more-wound-up-than-usual Alexandria.
"Which is good," said Legend.
"Excuse me?" asked Alexandria.
"This girl isn't a cape. A genius, yes. Figuring out how Tinkertech really works, yes. Able to unravel the secrets of Tinkertech to build things that otherwise requires a Tinker to maintain, yes. Incredibly useful, friendly by all accounts, and interested in helping other people, also yes. Not a parahuman and we can get ahold of some of her tech as she develops it for our own use. Very much yes. Less work for us where we can still benefit." Legend shrugged one shoulder at the end, his expression indicating he thought this all fairly evident.
Alexandria took a seat and considered. "How sure are we she isn't a Thinker?"
Doctor Mother took up the narrative, explaining to Alexandria as if she were the child. "We're sure because we have access to her medical records easily enough. As to Legend's point? We have our own manufacturing facilities and equipment. With Door and Clairvoyant, we can access the blueprints of most of their projects without anyone being the wiser. My only concerns are groups like the Slaughterhouse and individual threats like the Simurgh."
Contessa put down her teacup, settling it into the saucer with a barely audible clink. "She and ForgeTech are hard to path directly, but not insurmountable. She is, however, affecting the Path."
That got quite a reaction from those attending the meeting.
"So she should be recruited or eliminated?" asked Alexandria, ready to put a stop to a little girl when it was for the Greater Good.
"Our chances of success have gone up 3% that I was able to directly attribute to ForgeTech," said Contessa before taking another sip of tea. It was, after all, a very nice blend. Letting it get cold while everyone argued about things was not a desired path.
Another strong, even stunned, reaction from those present.
"That's quite... good?" said Doctor Mother.
"Considering what our odds are, an additional 3% is freaking incredible," muttered Alexandria.
"What's she doing now?" asked the Number Man, curious.
Clairvoyant sent an image.
"Demonstrating artificial replacement limb technology to the Veteran's Association," said the Number Man. "Well, she's going to be popular, isn't she?"
"Oh, so that's how they get around the number of nerves to be reattached. They use a device which automates the process so that a physician just needs to monitor the process and occasionally guide it," observed Doctor Mother. "Operating at such a small scale and repetitious actions make a certain degree of sense to have a dedicated secure computer doing it. Fascinating."
"And this ISN'T Tinkertech?" asked Alexandria. "We're sure it isn't?"
"Door to the brochure, thank you," stated Contessa as a small portal opened and she reached in and grabbed one from the stack. "No. It's not off-the-shelf, but according to this any technician sufficiently trained can maintain the device."
Alexandria stared at the vision still playing out. She wanted to interfere. She wanted to control this potential asset. She wanted to claim the resource for the PRT so it could all be entirely under her own zone of command. Still - 3%.
The image fuzzed, flickered, and distorted.
"What was that? What just happened?" asked Alexandria.
"Interference of some kind," said Contessa. "It keeps happening in proximity to the girl. When I Path her directly, it starts giving me steps that make no sense or just stop working altogether."
"Steps that make no sense?" asked Alexandria.
"Start a carrot farm," recalled Contessa. "A big one."
Everyone present tried to figure that one out and how it would apply to any of their self-appointed missions.
Contessa merely sipped her tea and idly wondered how that carrot farm was doing.
* Jeremiah Lonehawk *
He had spent ten years in the Marines. He was accomplished and had jumped at the idea of becoming further distinguished by associating with a team of accomplished specialists for a long-term assignment stateside.
He turned away from the glass panels of the Observation Room as a ten-year-old girl instructed a number of much older doctors in how to replace a limb lost before she'd even been born.
It wasn't magic or some parahuman BS. Doctor Hebert couldn't do some hand-wavery crap and make the new limb appear or grow out of the stump. She'd shown the doctors how to measure things out to make the new limb, and the new limb wasn't some Six Million Dollar Man kind of thing giving them some superhuman ability. He'd even heard the explanation that if you did give the limb some superstrength boost that it would tear apart the flesh it was connected to without a lot of other work on all the connective tissues extending way beyond the replacement parts.
Full cyborg conversion? That was a possibility but you still had human flesh limitations in there. Concussions from the brain bobbing around inside the protective casing and the like.
Jeremiah nodded to Captain Cavill and the rest of his group as they attended, with only two of their members left behind in Brockton Bay. The Captain was watching with a particular focus, probably imagining what this could have done for people he had known back in the fighting in the early 90s.
He was of Choctaw heritage. He was Marine SOCS. His particular specialty was as a Direct Action primarily with a specialty in gunsmithing and field modifications of weapons. He was both warrior and builder.
Well, that was something to be said about his entire squad. None of them qualified as "dumb grunts" after all. Part of the selection process had involved finding the really stand-out bright ones. The Captain was going to be an architect when he finally got out of the service, not to mention his knack for reading people. The Gunnery Sergeant was an old guy but apparently really up on EOD and how to get the most boom for the buck.
All of them were, to use an old phrase, in hog-heaven. Half the stuff Miss Hebert came up with was enough to fascinate at least one of their six-man squad as it fell into someone's wheelhouse.
As for him - he appreciated the large weapon his power armor could hold, and the smaller multi-weapon that he was carrying now. A variable power laser rifle that had a beam setting for cutting through objects, a pulse setting for shooting bursts of laser fire, and a "bayonet" plasma-cutter setting for in-close work or setting fires.
His one regret had been that the Gunny on their team had requested a lightsaber and was going to get one sometime in the next week or two. That had come up when they'd met the Asset and Gunny had mentioned it. The girl had gotten big-eyed behind her glasses, started mumbling, and then had snapped her fingers and declared it a great idea.
Now, of course, everyone wanted one. Because being able to pull out a freaking lightsaber and cut a Nazi in half? Why wouldn't you want one? Gunny would get the first though. Probably months ahead of everyone else because the little girl was so busy all the time.
Jeremiah glanced down as the little girl in question was gesturing excitedly to the doctors as she explained something in response to a question. It was all too easy to remember any of the times they ran across her in one of those workshops set up in the Docks, sprawled out on the table because she'd just run out of energy and had an impromptu nap. Yeah, she was some kind of super-genius non-parahuman Asset but she was also a little kid and she'd endeared herself to the various Marines that were keeping tabs on her and her family.
She was, by consensus within their group, an absolutely adorable little kid. Not that they'd say that where others could hear. Reputation, you know. She was also scary in some ways, but to a Marine that just upped the adorable part.
Anyone messing with her was going to have a very bad day. Oorah.