*Sunday, August 31, 2008 *

Nikos Vasil considered very carefully the pictures that had been collected at his direction.

The girl was too young to properly do anything with. He was a monster, he knew he was a monster, to some extent he reveled in being a monster, but there were some lines he chose to observe anyway. When circumstances were not under his complete control anyway. There was sufficient scrutiny on the girl and her family that moving against them was just asking for a sniper bullet to be put through his head.

You could say many things about him, but he was quite reluctant to go kicking over hornet nests without better odds of not ending up stung.

Likewise the mother of the girl was quite fetching but likely to draw nearly the amount of pain and death that acquiring the daughter would.

The others were considerably safer while also being attractive targets.

Dragon, considered by many to be the greatest parahuman Tinker on the planet, was fairly attractive in both the resources and appearance categories. Still might draw the sort of wrath upon him that he'd prefer not to have to deal with.

Yes, he had contingencies for his death to avenge his falling. Still ended up with him dead so that was less than ideal.

If he could guarantee getting in and out with his new pet before it was detected - a much better chance of having the problem attributed to someone more deserving of obliteration.

He sighed and turned away from those collected photographs and considered the last one. Identical triplets. Very attractive, very curvaceous, very talented too from what his agents had determined. A talented welder, a knowledgeable administrator, and a skilled mechanic had all been spotted at a local diner and the photo taken.

As all three apparently gathered together regularly, having agents snatch the group and bring them to him would net him some useful workers as well as the delights of a trio of exceptional playthings.

In the end, nobody would miss them enough to dare his wrath.

Nikos Vasil, the villain Heartbreaker, held his phone up - ready to give the order. It was just that... there was something off in that photo. If he could just figure out what it was.

Finally there was this girl. Some new cape, an Alexandria package from the look of things.

* Kara *

She flew without need of other mechanisms.

She was a Kryptonian ship, a test from the scientist Jor-El. With a full database, encoded and with an active AI, so that some of Krypton would survive. Not just their technological achievements, but their culture, the music, the arts. They had a hundred thousand years of development, and he'd wanted to see it survive somehow. Even samples of their genetic structure were included, because that was part of their development and accomplishments.

She was Kara. Kryptonian Archive/Research Assistant.

The "Wisdom Cube" utilized principles even their lofty civilization had not discovered or made use of. It was quite intriguing.

She was not flying up to the upper reaches of the atmosphere though. At the height of 80 kilometers she'd passed the Effective Karmen Line which was where most parahumans stopped. At 200,000 kilometers she stopped and basked in the sunlight.

It was warm and her cells drank in the particular wavelength and amplitude that allowed her Kryptonian cells to fill with energy that flowed through her system.

Her costume, however, was not something that was benefitting from hanging out here in space.

She was a ship. She was a girl. It was somewhat confusing but as her primary purpose had been as both a repository for Kryptonian technology and to gather data for such luminaries as Jor-El - it provided many opportunities for new knowledge and applications.

Which "Doctor Curlyhair" aka Taylor Hebert was absolutely onboard with.

Kara winced. Apparently puns were now part of her personality core. That might need to be adjusted.

* September 6, 2008 *

Director Emily Piggot was less than happy about a great many things.

The economic turnaround of Brockton Bay and surrounding environs was not one of the things she was unhappy about. Some of the effects of that economic boom she was less pleased with, but overall the violent crime amounts had tapered off significantly.

That nobody, absolutely nobody, wanted to piss off the bloody damn genius girl who had torn apart the frakking Simurgh and stuffed her into a bottle had ripples and effects of their own.

Now this latest development.

"What exactly is a 'shipgirl'?" asked Director Piggot.

The girl on screen adjusted her glasses with a grin, then held up a cube that...

"Why does looking at that, even in a video, hurt my eyes?" asked Director Piggot.

"Because it is an eight-dimensional containment vessel storing extradimensional energy in a pattern that utilizes soulspace manifestation principles in our own four-dimensional space," said Taylor Hebert, lowering the cube to out-of-frame. "The pain is a reaction to seeing something that your own mind, grounded in Newtonian physics and everyday existence, has trouble perceiving."

"What?" asked Emily Piggot. Sounded like technobabble to her.

"That was about as simple and in layman's terms I can manage with these," protested Taylor.

Director Piggot's gaze went to the little display that showed the various others in on this conference call.

"That has something to do with these 'shipgirls'?" asked Dragon.

"Yes, this is their core," said Taylor. "When installed on a ship it allows the transformation effect to manifest as a humanoid lifeform completely compatible with our environment and the history of that ship. Has to be a ship with a history though, the more outstanding the better the chance of developing."

"And this 'Kara' is a shipgirl?" asked Director Piggot.

"Sort of. She's an alien ship I was able to acquire." Taylor smiled and beckoned off camera, with the result that there was the blue-eyed blonde in question also in the video.

"Hello, I am Kara," said the blonde.

"Yes, we know who you are," said Director Piggot. "Or we thought we did. You're alien? As in extraterrestrial?"

"Yes, from a destroyed planet orbiting a red sun," said Kara. "Your nomenclature for the star Rao is LHS2520, and it is 39.1 lightyears from your planet."

"On the one hand, this is both unexpected and massive in implications," said Dragon. "On the other hand, if anyone could be expected to make contact with extraterrestrials - it would be Taylor Hebert."

There were a few murmurs about how Dragon definitely had a point with that.

"So, these 'shipgirls' are NOT parahumans?" asked Chief Director Rebecca Costa-Brown.

"Not at all," agreed Taylor as Kara apparently sat back down out of direct camera view. "Entirely different. Mind you, the existing other shipgirls are currently classified by the military. Kara is the first non-military shipgirl as well as the first alien shipgirl."

"We're going to need her to come in for testing," said Rebecca Costa-Brown.

"You mean threat assessment," said Taylor. "I can already tell you. Brute: 10, Blaster: 8, Mover: 6. Despite advanced sensors and computational abilities, I am reluctant to assign a Thinker rating as those tend to be more subjective. Likewise, Tinker rating due to access to an advanced alien technological base is not very accurate."

"Like... alien weapons systems?" asked the Chief Director.

"I've already had weapons systems developed that are much more precise and applicable for use here on Earth," said Taylor, rolling her eyes. "Likewise the FTL systems are interesting but I am researching much more reliable systems."

Dead silence, even the Chief Director and Dragon both staring at the screen.

"Faster-than-light?" asked Dragon.

"Well, nothing with mass can actually go faster-than-light in normal space," admitted Taylor. "There are ways around that. I can't go into too much in the way of details after all. It's all very classified. Which is frustrating, honestly."

"There are ways around the light speed limit," said Chief Director Rebecca Costa-Brown in a very dry voice.

"We're humans," said Taylor with a shrug. "If the universe says we can't do something, we try to find a way to cheat. We can't go above a certain speed? We build engines that can do that for us. We can't fly? We use differences in air pressure and momentum to provide lift. If the bulk of the population accepts something is impossible, there's going to be someone who takes it as a challenge."

"That's you?" asked Director Piggot.

"I will admit to a certain degree of that attitude," admitted Taylor Hebert.

"So the military has shipgirls?" asked Armsmaster, sounding as if he was trying out this idea and was having a logic problem.

"Classified," said Taylor, who paused. "I think. It's tricky. Some of the NDAs are kind of strange."

"And these rumors of suspected parahumans among the Dockworkers, like the dragon-girl?" asked the Chief Director.

"The only parahumans I've been associated with for several years now are currently in this conference call," pointed out Taylor. "Speaking of, how's that new halberd working out?"

"I prefer using my own Tinkertech but the materials and workmanship on that particular unit does make it tempting for some uses," admitted Armsmaster.

"Kind of what I expected," said Taylor.

"You built a halberd for him?" asked Kara, sticking her head briefly onscreen after having left it previously.

"Oh yeah, there are power blockers out there who can cause Tinkertech to fail. This isn't Tinkertech so it won't fail." Taylor shrugged slightly. "Considering how many parahumans seem to want a piece of Brockton Bay's success."

"We've noticed," drily commented Director Piggot, who was about to go on about how previously the various gangs had been attracted to a failing economy and overwhelmed authorities. Now it was less gangs and more individuals trying to grab some of that wealth for themselves. She subsided on a cautioning look from the Chief Director, who had heard it before and wasn't impressed.

"When you plan on going out as 'Doctor Curlyhair' - I take it that Kara will accompany you?" asked Armsmaster.

"That's the plan," agreed Taylor.

"Ah. You're building a team," said Armsmaster with a nod. "Literally, in your case."

"You are?" asked Kara, popping back into camera view again.

"We would like to have these not-parahumans including any shipgirls NOT in the military and classified come in for at least baseline power testing," said Director Piggot. "After all, we wouldn't want to ask someone who is Thinker-rated to assist in a house fire."

"Reasonable," admitted Taylor after turning the idea over a few times. "We'll provide basic data on abilities prior to deployment when that point is reached."

"Any idea when that will be?" asked Director Piggot.

"Right now I'm working on something a good deal stronger than our current set of shields and protections," said Taylor. "There is a problem, with very potent Thinker abilities, that I believe the Chief Director is familiar with, that I am working on addressing."

Rebecca Costa-Brown went absolutely still for a moment. "If it's what I'm thinking of, you're entirely right to keep it under heavy operational security. Everyone here is forbidden from discussing it outside of this meeting."

"Well, now, isn't that just ominous as hell," muttered Director Piggot.

For a moment, Taylor Hebert dropped the smiling happy teenage girl image to look very serious and the super-genius was revealed. "There are plans in play."

* Taylor *

She listened as the Celestial Forge rolled something up, though the teleconference she'd just exited occupied most of her attention.

A system of analysis tied to a manufacturing system. Handy. And it was all being added to her already existing auto-factory and her scanning equipment.

It seemed kind of redundant in some ways, but she'd take what she could get.

* Cauldron, four hours later *

"How can we trust a twelve year old girl to be able to take on HIM?" demanded Rebecca Costa-Brown three hours later.

"Thirteen," said Doctor Mother.

"What?" asked Chief Director Costa-Brown.

"She's thirteen," said Contessa. "Not twelve."

"Not relevant," protested Costa-Brown.

"She's also not alone," stated Contessa.

"Non-parahumans have no chance of being able to fight HIM," countered Costa-Brown.

"Incorrect," said Eidolon, speaking for the first time. "I've been visiting ForgeTech for some time."

"Yes, it's on your schedule for a once-per-month. And?" prompted Costa-Brown.

"And I've been seeing a therapist," said Eidolon, shrugging one shoulder. "Then again, there's this."

Rebecca Costa-Brown, the Chief Director of the Parahuman Response Team, who was also the Triumvirate hero Alexandria even if she wasn't in costume at present, had to admit that the rod that Eidolon produced was beautifully crafted. The spear it became even more so. Still, it was hardly relevant compared to Eidolon's powers. "Is that supposed to mean something?"

"Does that weapon have a name?" asked Contessa.

"Sever Lance," answered Eidolon. "Though it's a ranseur and not a lance."

* Warehouse *

Taylor let the mechanical arms manipulate the heated metal as she brought her hammer down to shape it.

Something all of the texts on making magical items had in common was that there were various grades of enchantment. Common grade were the least powerful of such things, and one clone of hers could make one in an afternoon's work. Uncommon was the next grade up, Rare followed that, and Very Rare followed that in its turn. Legendary level was above even that.

To make a Legendary grade item required more than time, more than rare and precious materials, more than effort even if you allowed for her use of the cosmic dwarven forge that used a captive star for power. It required a Purpose.

Or it required time for the enchantments to grow stronger as the item in question developed its own legend.

This particular item did not have the time to grow into its power. It was something that would need to be used sooner rather than later. Hopefully not too soon.

If she wasn't working on it, one of her clones was doing so. Working metal, engraving runes, weaving enchantments.

The Sever Lance and the Vigil Lance, which were actually varieties of spears and had different purposes and levels of quality. Proof of concept and things that might come in handy in the conflict to come.

The knives she'd traded to the saurials would be considered Uncommon in her opinion. Minor abilities and elemental affinities.

That said, she was inclined to make three Legendary level items for that battle. Mostly she'd be looking at using Necron tech as it had sufficient oomph and included dimensional effects. Magic wasn't the main thrust of her studies, but it was a resource she couldn't ignore.

"Just concluded another deal with the saurials," said one of her clones over the intercom. "Got an actual spellbook."

Yet another clone asked a question over the same system. "What did we trade them for that?"

"Remember the self-heating magic kettle we made last month? That, two bolts of the duraweave fabric in forest green, and an assortment of alcoholic beverages Dad picked out for trading purposes."

Taylor nodded. The subject of what kind of trade might be acceptable had come up with a number of items, that had been one of her father's ideas.

"So, what kind of spells? More of that Jack Vance 'fire-and-forget' spells?" asked a Taylor-clone over the intercom.

"Yes. Basically first through third levels. Still researching."

* October 1, 2008 *

Nikos Vasil nodded to his driver and his two chosen bodyguards left the car with him. He would simply sit at a table until after the three young women took a seat, and the three of them would leave as a party of six.

Once the new recruits were suitably under his full influence, he could get details of the child and her minders. Just in case.

What could possibly go wrong?

4.23.1-AGE System (600CP)(Gundam - Advanced Generation)(Vehicles):
This is a 3-part package deal, so you're getting more bang for your buck. First is the AGE Device, which is a massive data-storage unit that contains the Asuno's research data (though for you it starts only with what Flit managed to create and gather before the series start) and the blueprints for the Gundam's armor. It also acts as a key-none of the other parts of this system will operate without it. Next is the AGE Builder, which is an extremely fast 3-D printer(able to make a Mobile Suit rifle in seconds) and continuously collects data from the AGE Device and AGE System. The AGE System is a data collection program that can be installed onto a Mobile Suit and acts as a unique OS. It will collect data and evolve along with its pilot, researching 'solutions' to problems, coming in the form of the Wear Parts, arm and legs designed to improve and counter situations. The Wear Parts are flown to the AGE Gundams in battle using the AMEMBO (one of which is included with this purchase) and swapped mid-battle, though with a different design you could remove the AMEMBO from the equation entirely. This is a highly advanced system, one that can collect, analyze, improve, build and conquer many situations. A Mobile Suit equipped with the AGE System will have a bright letter on its front, defaulting to a blue 'A'-as a bonus, you may change the coloring and the letter to whatever you wish at any time.
FREE Not Its Intended Purpose: But at some point does it really matter what it says on the box? You're in a war, use what you got! In this case, you're pretty damn good at improvising things. Mostly for fighting with things not meant for fighting things, like drills, shovels, pickaxes and hammers- like your good friend from the construction site Desperado! It's still not as effective as an actual weapon, but really who expects someone to shove a shovel through their cockpit?