* Thursday, February 5 2009 *
Kaiser looked up from his desk. "Something new?"
"Yeah, that new Ward? Tin Soldier? She's got some kind of mind defense. Couldn't get anything off her," said Victor. "I might as well have been trying to get a read on the skills of a Buick."
Kaiser nodded. "Something definitely off about her. Low rated all-arounder, little bit of Brute and Mover, probably Thinker. Has some decent equipment but not a Tinker. Nothing else from our contacts?"
"Not about her powers, just that she's been through some kind of serious trauma and has some serious PTSD as a result." Victor shrugged. Damn few parahumans didn't have something awful in their past after all. Someone having shell-shock wasn't unheard of.
"Add a potential anti-Thinker ability to her assessment," decided Kaiser. "She's a Ward, so she's hands-off for the most part."
Victor nodded and left to make the appropriate notations.
* Monday, February 9 2009 *
Armsmaster listened carefully to the verbal report and the video footage before turning his attention to Cameron.
Dragon, having been tele-present prior to Cameron reporting, considered how to sum it up without giving away her own nature.
"The behavior is called 'bullying' and the reactions of those present are... atypical?" sort-of asked Armsmaster. "The faculty should be stepping in but your footage shows the teachers ignoring it."
"How did you acquire that video, by the way?" asked Dragon.
"Unless ordered otherwise, whenever I am in an unfamiliar or potential combat situation - I activate my built-in recording devices," stated Cameron as matter-of-factly as if queried about the local temperature forecast. "Unfamiliar situation allows for further development of social programming and understanding of variables that could affect performance."
"Ah," said Armsmaster.
"Such recordings are illegal without notifying those being recorded, if it were to be used in any official capacity," noted Dragon. "As they are being used to patch holes in your understanding of humanity - that might be less tricky in the legal sense. Arguments could also be made for a public school having limited or no expectation of privacy."
"Director Piggot has already cautioned on private recordings remaining private except where explanations of behavior patterns are indicated," said Cameron. "What should my response be to behavior: bullying?"
"Are you recording this as well?" asked Armsmaster.
"Affirmative," answered Cameron. "Director Piggot ordered me to ask you about appropriate responses and to record your reactions."
"Of course she did," said Armsmaster before sighing. "Very well. Let me consider how to define it and acceptable responses."
Cameron waited patiently. She had looked up the technical definition as soon as she'd heard the term, but that still didn't give her the protocols for such situations.
"Bullying is a form of social combat," tried Armsmaster. "It is used to intimidate and force conditions upon someone of lower social skills or weaker combat potential."
"Observed behavior included false arrest by restricting movement, theft of property, physical assault, and a form of verbal conflict," said Cameron. "I am unsure why the victim did not respond in kind to such."
"That's... going to be complicated," said Armsmaster. "You would most likely have to ask her directly."
Cameron noted that and assigned it to her queue for later follow-up.
"As there are no parahumans involved, as far as can be ascertained by your video, we have no authority to intervene," pointed Armsmaster. "If you determine that there IS a parahuman involvement, say a Master effect which is difficult to prove so it would have to be pretty convincing, then we could potentially intervene."
Watching for evidence of parahuman abilities was added to the queue as well as researching methods to determine what sort of "tells" could be involved from Master effects.
"How is school otherwise?" asked Armsmaster.
"Rote memorization of unverified facts that have little to no relevance on current mission," said Cameron. "An attempt to intimidate me to join group Empire for protection was rejected. My rejection was accepted immediately, indicating no real desire for my participation. No attempt to pressure me regarding other two gang presences in area. Observed two suspected narcotic sales, one individual showing signs of chemical imbalance, and two others with notable psychological dysfunctions without evidence of drug use."
"Has Principal Blackwell been informed of this?" asked Armsmaster.
"Each incident and my observations have been forwarded to the Principal per protocol," stated Cameron cooly. "I was informed to just leave such things with the secretary after my first such report. I have not provided video evidence as that would leave evidence as to my nature as a cyborg."
"Principal Blackwell was informed of your status as Tin Soldier." Armsmaster considered the Ward for a few moments. "I am currently assessing a costume that Leonidas sent you for when you are on official duty. It should be done by next Tuesday. I requested Dragon to be read in on your case as she is much better at programming than I am."
"We all have our strengths," responded Dragon's virtual avatar.
"I am a hyperalloy combat chassis built to assist humanity in its survival," said Cameron, cocking her head to the side slightly. "I believe my strengths are evident."
"I am unsure as to why you resemble a teenage version of the actress Summer Glau," noted Dragon.
"Leonidas was fond of using various sources as inspiration, then adjusting so that there would be a likeness instead of a direct copy," stated Cameron. At the look from Armsmaster, she further explained. "Freja 04 asked when observing the modeling software in use. Leonidas informed her that a direct copy 'would be weird' and he respected several of the individuals involved."
"Unexpected from a teenage boy with the ability to duplicate celebrities in appearance," noted Dragon.
"You spend too much time on the internet," grumbled Armsmaster.
Cameron shrugged. "We develop individual personalities, tastes, things that interest us, even hobbies. We are not as single-minded and emotionless as in those movies from Aleph. I do not have an Austrian accent, though I can emulate one or a number of other dialects and accents."
"You have hobbies?" asked Armsmaster. "Favorite food?"
"Yes. Cucumbers." Cameron nodded. "They're crunchy, cool, and I find the taste pleasant. Though I have noticed that eating one in the lunchroom at Winslow causes a great deal of staring and a disruption of activity. I may have to stop bringing one as a supplement to my lunch."
Armsmaster went still for a moment, then closed his eyes and muttered something that even Cameron's sensors couldn't pick up.
"Might one guess that it is primarily the male classmates that are staring?" asked Dragon.
"Indeed," said Cameron. Trust the other AI in the room (virtually) to have a theory on this behavior. "You can explain?"
"I think I know, but it is a conversation to have in private and unrecorded," said Dragon after a healthy pause.
"Acknowledged," said Cameron.
"So, you have hobbies?" asked Armsmaster, interested in this new development. It wasn't efficient, unless you viewed it as part of her attempts to present a human-relatable image.
"I am fond of wu shu martial arts, it is efficient and provides a number of non-lethal measures for my role as a Ward," said Cameron. "I have also found a preference for the musical genre 'metal' and specifically 'power metal' which also appeals to a sense of irony I find myself developing."
"Ah," said Armsmaster, seeing why a hyperalloy combat chassis might find a certain degree of irony in liking that particular subgenre.
"Will my 'cape costume' actually involve a cape or provide further combat options?" asked Cameron.
"This one retains the taser-punch of the previous provided suit, but lacks the needle-launcher and fold-out sniper rifle. Both of which failed testing in Image. This one does have an inboard laser and shockwave emitter which is for when you're surrounded by enemies. Fully environmental when sealed, and has the option for mission-specific accessories that can tie into its internal power plant." Armsmaster sounded somewhat satisfied as he spoke of the other Tinker's work.
Cameron nodded, estimating the chances this one would pass as significantly higher as the modular accessory approach would likely have certain pieces vetoed while the main suit could be made acceptable.
* Phoenix Branch PRT HQ Parking Lot D *
There were times Director Singh thought that Leonidas was an idiot teenager with some pretty severe issues.
Finding the bodies of a Yangban strike force that had tried to infiltrate Kachina Falls being delivered was certainly something he found concerning.
Arnie, one of the T-800s assigned to his Branch for evaluation indicated a large drum. "That one was killed by plasma. Liquifies bodies. Dangerous for humans to handle due to radiation. Low level though."
Naming a T-800 Arnie and giving him a thick Austrian accent was one of those indications of idiot teenager.
Director Singh nodded. The Terminator looked human and was getting progressively less robot-like as time went on.
"I vill have the worker units move it to secure storage," said Arnie.
"Not yourself?" asked Director Singh.
"Pursuit of primary goals would be impeded by cancer in organic parts," rasped Arnie.
"State primary goals," demanded Director Singh, because as far as he was concerned they bore repeating.
"Protect the interest of the following parties in order of precedence: collective humanity, this country, Leonidas, the PRT, Director Samuel Singh, his car, my-"
"What? Wait. My car?" interrupted Director Singh.
"1967 Ford Thunderbird Hard Top. Candy apple red." Arnie paused and nodded his head to the Director. "It is, I believe the term is, a sweet ride. Though the lack of an air conditioner in Phoenix summer seems less than optimal."
"So you've decided that you are going to protect my car," said the Phoenix Director.
"Why not?" asked Arnie.
And there it was, one of the major differences between the two T-70s he had guarding the garage complex and the two T-800s he had doing various duties in the branch. The T-800s could question things. They were not content to simply do as they were tasked if they knew the what or why involved as the basis of the job was revealed. Why or why not something was done.
Well, that and that both Arnie and Dolph had developing personalities.
Arnie was leaning into the persona, mostly, of the Terminator films from way back. Primarily the second film in the series.
Which sometimes was amusing and sometimes very trying on his sanity.
* Leonidas *
They thought his specialization was robotic minions. They thought they were simple robots and he had a fascination with the Terminator franchise.
People relaxed a bit when they thought they had something figured out and the limits on it. Known qualities were much more acceptable.
The thing was, he was a bit more than he appeared. And less. Tinker of cyborg systems involved a lot of subspecialties that had to interface together.
His research into powers, done before the PRT had heavily intercepted all internet access from his area, had shown that he had gotten things from the nearby members of the Slaughterhouse Nine. From Mannequin he'd gotten some idea of cybernetics and sealed systems. From Jack he'd gotten a 'nothing of interest' broadcasting ability that had protected him from the S9 when he'd been buried in rubble. Anyone nearby tended to discount his presence or his effectiveness. He leaned heavily into that early on, and it was only recently that he'd ended up on the radar of the non-local level dangers.
From Shatterbird he'd gotten some minor silicate control/understanding.
From Chuckles, Crimson, Winter, and the Siberian he'd gained nothing that he could point to and say this was from them. His current theory was that those four had been outside the range of that triggering effect.
From one attack he'd learned he had received one thing from Hatchetface. Power-nullification but it was skin-range and limited to Thinker and Master effects. Hypnotica had been so sure of herself and her power that the Los Tigres gang member had commanded him to drop his weapon and crawl to her on his hands and knees. Kinky, but not something he particularly shared. So he'd acted like he was dropping his gun and then shot her.
He was a villain who worked with authorities but didn't follow the same laws or regulations or sensibilities. He recycled. Hypnotica and her group of the Los Tigres criminal gang had provided some bio-material for cloning and development.
He was an expert, probably one of the top ten worldwide, in biological, anatomical, and physiological sciences. He understood power systems, programming, bio-mechanics, and electronics to an enhanced degree. He was very very good at robotics, cloning, plastic surgery, and weapons creation.
Still, if an outsider checked, they would only find Terminator-esque creations. They were simple, easy to understand, and had the franchise's reputation to provide something that people could figure out and relate to.
Well, he had his walls and turrets and was well on his way to creating his 300. In terms of things like the regular villains and threats to the world - he was a small fish. Which he was keeping as his status for as long as possible.
It was less hassle that way.
* Friday, February 13, 2009 *
She had to know about Tin Soldier and the broom closet on the restricted access section of roof. If an emergency was ongoing her cover story was that Cameron Phillips would be summoned for disruptive behavior and sent home from school, an explanation for Cameron's abscence that was not connected to Tin Soldier.
Karen Blackwell was aware of Cameron being in class. So the little telltale light indicating someone had accessed that broom closet was alarming.
The intercom was quickly switched on and used. "Cameron Phillips, please report to the Principal's office. You have a call from your family."
By the time Cameron arrived at the office, she'd already sent a text message to the PRT.
* Shadow Stalker *
Her first thought had been "Jackpot" and an appreciation for the mayhem on display.
Then she'd taken in the costume and realized whose cache of weaponry it was.
Tin Soldier, that Ward who was so weak she needed some shrink to try and fit the pieces back together. Weak. Pathetic. But with a lot of very cool toys.
Some, like the pump shotgun and the machine pistol, were obvious and recognizable.
Some were less readily identifiable but looked all sorts of deadly or hurtful.
What someone who was a REAL hero (like herself) could do with thing like this? Wasted on some PR-hunting broken bitch. Probably was some whiny little mess.
Shadow Stalker's breath hitched a little as she considered that queef Hebert. Could she be Tin Soldier? The thought was dismissed after a moment. No, even Tin Soldier had to be stronger than that waste of space.
Or could she?
Maybe it was all an act and the weak little worm just acted like it because of that secret identity stuff?
No. Emma knew all of that woobie's little secrets and trotted them out like some kind of CrackerJohn prize.
Shadow Stalker pulled out one of the weapons to properly admire it. A flick of a switch and a blue glow slowly filled the three circles along the barrel.
Damn, this thing looked like it could put holes in one of those armored cars.
A noise caused her to look up and see three power armors apparently heading right for her.
* Armsmaster *
He'd already been a little alarmed when his conversation with Dragon about the use of some of Leonidas' Power Core generators in an uprated ArmsCycle had abruptly cut off with a "Signal Lost" message.
Which was when other pop-up messages started showing on the monitor dedicated to various alerts.
[Rooftop Cache for Tin Soldier accessed.]
[Weapons Systems Disturbed. Gauss Shotgun removed from charging cradle.]
[Tin Soldier: Responding. Requesting Identity of Trespasser? Authorized?]
Armsmaster quickly sent a negative, and sent out a general alert. It COULD just be a janitor. Or it could be someone like the E88 having a spy somewhere despite precautions.
Armsmaster sent an interrogative to the lockup and received back a set of statuses.
[Armsmaster: Security shows door to lockup was triggered from inside, no access prior. Parahuman involvement likely.]
That upped the alarm level a bit, and he sent messages to Velocity and Miss Militia that a situation might need immediate response at Winslow. The truly dangerous weapons weren't there, but there was her repurposed PRT-issue body armor and a set of advanced weaponry that the gangs really shouldn't be allowed to have.
He was en route himself within a minute's time, just clearing the garage on his ArmsCycle when a new update from Cameron crossed his visor's display.
[Power Armor attack on school. Substantial damage to supply cache area. Image taken of intruder at site using parahuman ability to escape. Possible forward observer/accomplice of attackers. Acquiring weapons. Activating fire alarms to evacuate building and reduce civilian casualties. Engaging enemy.]
* Cameron *
Emergency energy supplies were activated as the power armor utilized a minigun to sweep the roof. Footing was uncertain due to the initial missile spread that eliminated much of the supply cache. Leonidas will be disappointed that I will be unable to field-test some of his provided weaponry.
Having to dodge incoming fire with the uncertain footing provided by damage to the roof is reducing efficiency of response.
The grenade launcher had been modified to use confoam grenades. It had survived.
Leaping off the wall, twisting in mid-air, and firing three shots in rapid succession. Two failed to hit where it would be effective, but there was swearing in Russian as one of suits had their air-intakes fouled.
[Armsmaster: Assistance en route. ETA: Eight minutes.]
Cameron flipped back out of another explosion as the message scrolled along her HUD. [School is evacuating. Unknown agent exposed supply cache, likely to draw this one out so that extermination squad has clear target.]
[Minor damage from concrete shrapnel. Unable to avoid injury to organic parts due to need to protect school.]
[Tentative identification based on video casefile reviewed. Attackers are 90% likely criminal mercenary organization titled 'Dragonslayers' and suits. Sigil on lead power armor matches.]
There was a flash and a crackling sphere that expanded outwards from a grenade-like device.
[Alert. EMP weapons in use. High probability of leak at PRT end.]
At which point a mechanical pencil left behind by the weapon-thief was used against a targeted turbine providing lift to the suit that kept shooting explosive rounds into a school building.
There was another explosion, this time on the suit involved, and she could watch as the single remaining suit helped the other two retreat even as Velocity made it to the school.
There was going to be SO much paperwork involved.
* PHO *
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Topic: A New Thread In: Boards ► Brockton Bay ► New Cape (Tin Soldier) ►Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)
Posted January 16, 2009:
New cape in the Brockton Bay Wards program announced by the PRT (Link) as Tin Soldier.
Tin Soldier, according to the announcement, is a weapons cape so it makes sense that she's a Ward in Brockton Bay under Miss Militia's tutelage. Her powers are apparently related to personal physical reinforcement in order to use a variety of weapons and become expert in them in a very short period of time. This gives her minor Brute and Thinker abilities for those of you keeping track of things like that.
Her current costume is body armor re-painted from the usual PRT trooper issue plus a modified helmet. Word from my sources is that a more distinctive costume is in the works but several of the designs submitted so far have not passed review.
Remember no speculation about identity and keep it clean as she is a minor.
EDIT: Apparently one of the designs was similar to something called a Doomslayer and included an extendable riot blade. Yeah, I can see why something like that was nixed for the image problems.
►TheFonz (He Knows A Guy)
Posted on January 16, 2009:
Heeey. Girl looks pretty as a picture but judging from the video released by the PRT is a combat machine when she needs to be.
I'm thinking her action figure is going to have all sorts of weapon accessories when they get her costume down.
►Luminatira
Posted on January 16, 2009:
First!
Also - physical adaptation to an external stimulus (chosen weapon) doesn't sound impressive but could become so.
Edit: Dangit, Ninjaed!
►Reave (Verified PRT Agent)
Replied on January 16, 2009:
Tin Soldier is a Ward who has some psychological issues she is under treatment for, so her public appearances will involve being separate from crowds and limited exposure. I'm permitted to say that her origin story involves being a survivor of the Slaughterhouse Nine to quell some of the rumors already out there.
Her costume has hit several snags as she has a parent involved as well as her own preferences and the Image department has their own ideas of what the final product will look like.
►Kahalah
Posted on January 16, 2009:
Damn, that's rough but also par. I've only interacted for any length of time with four capes in my life (Terragaunt, Goth Girl, the Scarlet Mask, and Volcanic) and all of them seemed to be twitchy in some way or another.
Volcanic especially. Guy has issues on his issues. No offense intended, Volcanic, you yourself mentioned needing some help.
►Cheese_Pieman (Verified Capefic Author)
Posted on January 16, 2009:
Tin Soldier is using what acts like I'd expect a sonic disruptor rifle as far as her targets in one of the images. That is a very unusual weapon and makes me wonder if she is or just has access to a Tinker.
►Oratrice_Mecanique_d'Analyse_Cardinale (Verified Cape) (Kyushu Survivor)
Posted on January 16, 2009:
I will reserve judgement.
►BloodKnight (Verified Cape) (Surfvengers)
Posted on January 16, 2009:
So a cape whose power makes her a weapon user is training under Miss Militia who can manifest weapons as her power. Makes sense.
Hope she gets better armor soon, something less bulky than the usual power armor as those tend to be big enough to interfere with quick reactions and trying to avoid incoming fire.
►EdBaccarat
Posted on January 16, 2009:
I recognize some of those weapons in the montage video.
The M45 MEU(SOC) Pistol is a modified 1911 .45 ACP pistol used by some Special Forces. A solid weapon, can take some pretty harsh abuse and remain a useful tool for putting targets in the past tense.
The MP5 Sub Machine Gun is a 9mm which is another fairly good choice. Not my favorite in the field, but reliable.
In the montage at 0:45 is the M2010 ESR, the newest looking of the weapons if you discount the laser and sonic. As a sniper rifle it has a range of almost 4000 feet for when you want to send your regards at a distance. From what we see in the video she's really fast with a bolt action rifle and very accurate from that grouping. She's good and fast for that kind of rifle unless there was some video editing involved.
Finally there's the Carl Gustav. Considering that her new hometown has a Nazi who can put a layer of bladed armor over himself and has a record of killing cops - it makes sense that she's got a M3 MAAWS Carl Gustav though I'd imagine that's one she'll need special permission for and reams of paperwork to file whenever she uses it. It can fire illumination and smoke rounds too so there are non-lethal uses.
The laser, the sonic disruptor, and what looks like a gyrojet pistol I am much less familiar with.
The kukri is a good knife, and generally a nice choice for in-close work.
►GunsAreBad
Posted on January 16, 2009:
How can they give a minor heavy wepons like that?
She needs to be given non-lethal ordinance or the gangs will just escalate.
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►AllSeeingEye
Posted on February 14, 2009:
Look, I'm seeing the footage, did some analysis work, blew up the pic. It was a pencil. One of those Armsmaster mechanical pencils that are damn near indestructible.
I admit I prefer myself the Legend Pen which has all those colors you can click on, but I have to admit those pencils can take massive amounts of damage. She put it into the spinning blades of a jet turbine at 200 feet distance. That's pretty damn impressive accuracy.
►dogbertcarroll (Verified Capefic Author)
Posted on February 14, 2009:
She killed a villain's power armor. With a pencil. With an effing pencil!
►Reave (Verified PRT Agent)
Posted on February 15, 2009:
Death toll so far is 6. Injured students: 37. Both would have been higher had Tin Soldier not repeatedly attempted to lead the Dragonslayers off-campus.
Investigations are still ongoing as far as what reason the Dragonslayers, an anti-tech group terrorist group that uses tech but apparently has a problem with other people using it, attacked the school.
Current thinking is that it may have been an attempt to confiscate some of Tin Soldier's weapons, as it was confirmed that there was a rooftop storage access for emergency use, but she had no special armors and all weapons stored at that location.
Investigations are also ongoing as to where the leak on this obviously highly classified information was gained. Even Tin Soldier herself wouldn't have been able to access these tools without an authorization code from higher-ups within the PRT. Obviously, the equipment locker was only a few lower-grade weapons and her costume. Nothing else would have been stored there because it was a school.
►Tin_Soldier (Verified Cape) (Brockton Bay Wards)
Posted on February 15, 2009:
The supply cache included a number of supplies, some provided to the PRT by Dragon. Speculating that the Dragonslayers learned of this through an agent working with them who breached the supply cache shortly before the attack.
Possibility of coincidence deemed low.
As Dragonslayers had a kill count prior to the Winslow Incident and work with other villain groups, the possibility exists that this was the action of a villainous parahuman. Analysis of incident continues but current theory is someone with a Stranger or Breaker ability to bypass security precautions.
►Jesse_Wilde (Verified Cape) (El Paso Wards)
Posted on February 15, 2009:
You okay there, Tin? You looked pretty battered in the online video.
I've got some regeneration but that'd still hurt.
►Reave (Verified PRT Agent)
Posted on February 15, 2009:
Tin Soldier did suffer a number of injuries in the battle, and she was not authorized to go online, but will recover.
Meanwhile, there is a memorial planned for Saturday the 22nd for those whose lives were lost in this attack.
Decisions including updating the threat rating for the Dragonslayers after their attack on a high school is ongoing, so save any speculation on that.