Celestial Forge 78 Consolidation
I flickered out of reality in a burst of will and demonic energy. Dark Slayer's teleportation took me directly to Garment's workshop where I found her fawning over a nearly skintight catsuit cut precisely in my size and cast in a color that could not exist in the natural world.
Behind me a rectangle opened in the air, splitting like a sliding door and showing a view of my previous location in washed out color. Survey stepped through, allowing the portal to close behind her. It was something the workshop systems could have handled, but the convenience of her new watch was evident. She paused as she looked over to the suit that Garment was holding up, observing the slight glow from the light-element infusion of Garment's gloves mixing with the impossible shades of the catsuit.
The works of the Prismatic Laboratory still posed a challenge for Survey. Since getting her own body she had actually been able to observe the colors directly, rather through the way they appeared in recordings, but that didn't help her actually understand them. To be fair, I barely understood them. Expressing the effect through words like 'color' and 'light' was more a concession to the superficial aspects of the effects in question than an accurate description. In reality, the products of the Prismatic Laboratory were so far outside any frame of analysis that it was a challenge just to describe what was happening.
For instance, Garment was holding a rather immodest catsuit in an impossible shade, but the effect of that impossible shade could be felt through the room. Apocyan was not a subtle color. It pressed onto the room with a nearly physical presence. It was the color of impossible dreams, indelible memory, and potential that couldn't be put into words.
And Garment was fawning over it like one of her newly completed gowns.
"Garment…" I began. Immediately she rushed over, holding the suit up to me. The air seemed to distort around it as if physics didn't work quite right in its presence. "Uh, no. Not right now at least." I said. "Not without knowing more about it."
I was certain that the source of the power that provided the catsuit didn't have anything to do with the Prismatic Laboratory, but I had seen this kind of crossover before. Usually with my lantern shield, but the effect was established. In this case the suit could have been any color, and the color it ended up being just happened to be an affront to the fabric of reality.
Garment backed down, still handling the suit carefully, but not forcing it towards me. She agreed that further examination was needed, but gestured towards a section of her workshop that had been rearranged for the purpose. She continued to explain the complexities of working with the dyes and samples from the Prismatic Laboratory, something I could attest to. Having a complete item of clothing to examine would be a big help to her efforts.
I wasn't completely on board with the idea of using the colors in clothing, but if anyone was going to investigate the possibility it should be Garment. With her new light-element she was probably the best person to deal with this kind of effect, and probably the only one who had a chance of really understanding it. If it were up to me I would have the suit stored away in the Laboratory already, but Garment was willing to put up with a lot more than me for the sake of fashion.
"Alright, you can keep it here, but be careful." I said. She expressed her excitement and quickly hurried over to the dedicated space prepared for working on the suit.
As she moved I noticed it wasn't the only change that had been made. Garment's workshop incorporated the enhanced facilities of my Clothing Workshop as well as the various aspects of the cyberpunk workshop that had been devoted to textiles and fibers. She had predominantly focused on clothing production, but I noticed that equipment for more aggressive applications had been cleared for use.
"Is this for the Slaughterhouse Nine?" I asked, gesturing to the monofilament extruder that had been started up. Garment quickly secured the catsuit, then hurried over, excitedly expressing her confirmation of my assumption.
I was led through a tour of exactly how dangerous the textile lab could be when put to use. I already knew about the more combat-focused applications, but seeing Garment demonstrate the production of nanoribbons and flexible monomolecular blades with the passion she expressed when dealing with new fashions was a novel experience. Her designs ranged from discrete weapons to entire battle outfits assembled with the same passion and care she extended to all her work.
"That's really nice." I said, watching as Garment beamed at the compliment. "But I think we're covered for offensive options."
For anyone else, demonstrating twenty feet of near prehensile nano-ribbon capable of slicing through a tank like it wasn't even there would be a significant achievement. That was to say nothing of the novel uses of Dust or the use of advanced fiber optics woven into cloth as a medium to channel her light abilities. It was all superb work, but honestly, it was unlikely to make a difference in the coming confrontation.
My arsenal was already insane by any metric. I didn't have a concern about being able to take down the Slaughterhouse Nine. It was more controlling of the conditions of the encounter, prevention of collateral damage, and management of the aftermath. The only slight point of difficulty was the Siberian, but from my passenger I knew there was some trick there and was confident that Survey would be able to figure it out prior to the conflict.
My words didn't dampen Garment's enthusiasm, and I was grateful for that. It wasn't about the impact of her contribution; it was her support of the cause that mattered. That was something I was grateful to have, regardless of whether we ended up using any of her designs in the final confrontation.
"Thanks, I do appreciate your support." I said, taking a breath. In the heat of the moment, balancing my passenger's dire warnings against the collection of resilient mindsets that my power had granted me, it was easy to power through. Faced with that kind of threat it just became a matter of facing things down, doing what was necessary. Outside of that harsh balancing of cost and benefit things became considerably muddier.
I didn't disagree with any of my assessments about the Nine, but it was easier to accept costs when they were just abstract details. In reality, anyone lost because of this plan would be gone forever, while anyone who was saved would remain a nebulous blob of potential. I wasn't going to back down from this, but I wasn't going to ignore exactly what I had committed to either.
Garment moved from her prepared implements of death to a topic of a much less volatile nature. As she guided me through her preparations she made an inquiring gesture with respect to the event in the face of recent information.
"No, we should definitely still go through with it." I said. "I've seen some of the early buzz online, as well as how it's affecting people working on the recovery. The New York auction is going to be a big help, but having something local to focus on, it is really helping morale."
"There are ample resources to address the remaining aspects of the event without impacting our preparations for the Nine's arrival." Survey explained. "And, while I am continuing to monitor available sources for information on the Nine's location and progress, it is extremely unlikely for them to be able to reach the city prior to the event's scheduled time. Completely abandoning stealth, subtlety, and preparations could allow them to do so, but such a course of action would actually be highly advantageous to our efforts to counter them."
I had to smile at that. We were probably the only cape team on the planet who would consider the Slaughterhouse Nine dropping everything and charging towards us as a best-case scenario. Which it was, if only because it would minimize the damage they did during their arrival and give a justification for engaging them before they actually got to the city.
Thinking over Garment's event, it was less that we had time to deal with it and more that something on this scale was kind of trivial for us. It wasn't even a full charity fashion show. Previously I had no idea how you actually raised money by having people show off clothes. Now, thanks to Talented: Tailoring I had a complete understanding of every revenue stream that could be extracted from those kinds of events.
That wasn't what we were doing here. Given the state of the city, that tone would have been highly misplaced. Instead of raising funds directly through the event, it was being used to draw attention to other groups in need. A dedicated site was already live with subsections on the various shelters and relief agencies that needed support. The event would be streamed along with the auction, with the equipment necessary to set that up conveniently and anonymously donated to the Regency Center. I'd probably be running the IT side of things, but there were enough volunteers that I could get lost in the crowd.
With the focus on drawing a wider audience for more donations the guest list was important. Survey had been working through her civilian identity to set up everything she could, but it wasn't clear who would actually be able to attend. Brockton Bay's cape scene had plenty of experience with publicity events, but unfortunately that cape scene wasn't exactly pristine at the moment. New Wave seemed to have completely collapsed, Armsmaster was barely back in the field, and the Wards were still dealing with reorganizations from the aftermath of the bank.
Outside of cape society, things were about equally nebulous. Understandable, since it was the shortest of short notices, but that just meant we needed to get things nailed down. By all appearances both local and some of the national media was interested in covering the event, but filling out the list of attendees was a challenge. All the logistics in the world couldn't control someone else's schedule. Odds were they were watching to feel out the public reaction to the event and would make their call once they were sure it would help their image.
Considering things as the Knowledge constellation missed a connection, I decided I was fine with that kind of approach from the potential guests. Frankly, with Garment behind things it probably would have picked up steam even without the subtle support of the rest of the Forge. It was easy enough to nudge things slightly in terms of coverage and commentary to build buzz around the event. There was only so much that could be built in the two-day window we had to work with, but that was still enough to make sure things would be a success.
One thing that had come through was a list of volunteers from local modeling agencies. Waiving cost of labor, meaning we just needed to handle clothing, refreshments, preparation areas, and other miscellaneous details. Fun thing about charity events, everyone could be working for free and they could still be extremely expensive. Even with 'anonymously donated' goods being provided to the limit I could get away with, Survey still had to handle some preliminary finances.
The models would have been essential for an actual fashion show, but were less vital at the moment. As much as Garment loved her work, she was restraining herself on this point. Debuting a new range of outfits could distract from the focus of the event, and tone was everything right now. She showed me some of her ideas for a thematic line in a more subdued style, basically making the models part of the ambiance that she was going for. It was probably the best option, but it would depend on what Parian had planned. Survey would need to reach out to her as well as anyone else who might want to present something at the event. After all, it wasn't like Garment could be the keynote speaker.
Outside of the models we had no shortage of volunteers. Not so many that we'd be turning people away, at least not unless there was a major uptick over the coming day, but we weren't going to be shorthanded. Offers had come in from the various groups that Survey and Garment had approached after talking with Parian, with all data and contact information meticulously cataloged to be directed with the benefit of Hera's blessing. It ranged from people with specific experience to those who just wanted to help, but every offer was appreciated. There were even some messages from the crews clearing the streets offering to ensure routes to the Regency Center were passable in time.
Garment was working on a gift for the volunteers. Not on the level of what she had sent to the models who helped with the auction, but still, something to show she appreciated them. It was probably going to skew predictions on the speed she could work, but people had seen that firsthand in coverage of her debut at the gym and numerous posted videos, just never on this scale. Thankfully, items handed out were free of any of the fiat effects connected with my Workshop or powers, though my duplicates had apparently helped with the designs while I was asleep.
"Alright." I said as I finished reviewing the details of the event. "It looks like things are in hand." She gestured enthusiastically, particularly towards her growing collection of battle clothing. "Let me know if you need any more help, and remember the training later this morning."
She indicated that she was looking forward to it as she saw Survey and myself off from the Clothing Workshop.
"Garment's work displays considerable innovation and tactical potential, but it's use against the Slaughterhouse Nine will be dependent on the conditions of our engagement with them." Survey said as we walked through the levels of advanced machinery making up the rest of the workshop.
"I know." I replied, turning to her. "Have you given any thought to the kind of sensor upgrades you want for this mission?" I asked.
Her face shifted to a contemplative expression. Behind the scenes I could feel the weight of processing that was running through her code. Taking away the limits like that hadn't been something I'd done lightly and it was good to see that she wasn't taking it lightly.
"I wanted to thank you." She said, "For the opportunity. However, while there are numerous applications I would wish to deploy immediately, with the full weight of analysis it is clear that the majority of the reasons for avoiding certain observation methods are still valid."
I nodded. "Things like personal privacy, cape identities, and the unwritten rules are important, but even if you disregard them there are other things we need to consider."
"The possibility of active scanners being detected cannot be discounted, particularly with the high degree of scrutiny being directed towards both our group and Brockton Bay in general." She said somewhat sadly. "The potential of the scanning systems facilitated by ability 338-B-47-Iso-Echo 'Skills: Engineering' is immense, but the high energy pulse waves necessary to conduct the scanning signals through the subspace medium could be detected by a wide range of factors. Given the variability of tinker technology and parahuman abilities, wide area scans would likely be quickly identified."
I nodded. A properly positioned subspace scanner from Star Trek could search an entire planet in short order, detecting everything from life signs to energy signatures to spatial anomalies. It was almost too good to be true, because it was. To put things into recent context, a starship on the level of the Enterprise generated enough power to count as a type I civilization on its own. What could be accomplished by the main sensors of a ship like that was impressive, but it was important to remember the scale of what was in play. There was a lot of power being thrown out every time that ship scanned something.
While the consequences of being detected, particularly with a novel type of sensor system, could be serious, on its own it wasn't sufficient to rule out the use of those kinds of sensors, not if they were our only long-range option. Fortunately, they weren't, and I had a feeling Survey had already made alternate plans.
"What would you select in their place?" I asked.
As we walked she raised a hand, causing a display screen to float in the air, showing various tests conducted by my duplicates. The same data was communicated through the workshop network to my now-upgraded neural implant. I reviewed it as Survey made her case.
"Recent advancements in magic use have opened considerable possibilities through the use of remote detection spells and even some levels of divination." She explained, the earlier disappointment leaving her voice as the duplicate's work played out on the screen. "In particular, expanded proficiency with shadow themed magic and greatly improved proficiency with integration of magic into a technical medium should allow the effective deployment of magic-based sensor systems."
I nodded. "That will take some time." I said. "Even with recent improvements in my skills, producing anything capable of repeated use will require practice. I can make a mystic code that uses scrying magecraft, but tying it into broader sensor nets will be tricky."
"That is understandable." She replied. "Once the photonic environment is fully calibrated it should be possible to shift development of such items into a cognitively accelerated space. While additional methods of observation in the form of mystic codes would be appreciated, I anticipate full deployment of magitech sensors can be achieved with a generous margin to even the earliest anticipated arrival point of the Nine."
"Are you concerned about detection of magical effects?" I asked. Magic functioned on the same basis as parahuman abilities. Anything that could detect or obscure a remote viewing power would do the same to a scrying spell. It wasn't common, but that kind of thing definitely existed.
"It is unlikely that any specific application of scrying effects generated by members of the Celestial Forge will provoke adverse responses considering the variety of effects already present." The screen shifted to a set of waveform charts with the complimentary data transmitted to me through the network. "This is a sample of the remote parahuman abilities detected as being directed at Brockton Bay or people therein during the trial deployment of the stealth drones." She explained. "While this is the result of the atypical amount of attention being directed at the city, it does create a baseline for the range of parahuman abilities that one can be exposed to through interaction with the outside world."
I nodded, seeing her point. The level of background power was basically a magic static that covered the world. Parahuman powers often needed supporting information to function, meaning scans of their immediate area were common. Generally, the expression of power used in that way was so minor it couldn't be detected, but most people didn't have divine quality enhanced magical sensors. Along with the spikes of clearly directed abilities there was a constant background hum of energy, most likely directed by the passengers as they managed specific powers.
"Without a high level of detection ability, it will be difficult to pick the signature of scrying magic out of the background of the rest of the detect effects." I said. "Directly targeted magic might be noticeable by a specialized thinker, but if the threshold is kept beneath the background level it should be indistinguishable."
"Correct. Observation through spellcasting or a mystic code do present that risk. However, the reduced power use of constructed devices should allow their signatures to remain below the critical threshold, remaining indistinguishable from background noise." She continued.
That wasn't possible until I developed Mega Bomb to the point where I could create sustainable devices, but the potential was significant, and wasn't limited to tracking the Slaughterhouse Nine. Any scrying or remote detection effect could be freely directed, and with the speed at which they could be built Survey would have all the information she could even need.
No wonder she was excited about the idea.
"It will be possible to achieve the same effect with my current level of proficiency." I said. "But the devices will need to be charged with the spell between each use. It's not ideal, but it's a starting point. In fact, every step in the development of full magic/technology integration can be deployed towards this purpose."
"That would be most helpful." She said with a slight smile. "While no scanners have been able to match the detail and subtlety of those produced with the assistance of ability 125-B-22-Tri 'Analysis Tools', their range limitation renders them inappropriate for more complex operations."
That was the tradeoff. Subtlety, range, accuracy, and ease of use. For most people they were lucky to be able to pick one. For me, I was lamenting over the fact that I couldn't yet achieve all four at the same time. Star Trek scanners had range, accuracy, and ease of use, but were only slightly less subtle than a ship's weapon systems. Analysis sensors were undetectable and impossible to fool, but seriously lacking in range. Magitech compromised slightly on the subtlety, but could provide range and accuracy with the only problem being ease of use, with them requiring constant recharging and management to provide information.
On that note, there was another option, particularly if I was willing to throw out the 'ease of use' aspect. Most of my abilities corresponded to some form of detectable energy, but some of them just worked. That fiat effect was most evident through my Analysis sensors, but it wasn't limited to them. There were effects I could create that weren't bound to any type of energy or system of magic.
Daedalus' Student took creation to a pure, almost abstract level. Intent existed independent of the work itself, and thus able to extend beyond the conventional limits of that work. Since the effect was so pervasive I had mostly been focused on regulating it rather than exploiting it, but it presented a unique opportunity in this case.
I could create things with properties or qualities that they shouldn't have. This was an extension of function, building something with an intended purpose, then taking that purpose further. Following the pattern of creation beyond what the materials and design of the item should have been capable of. Objects meant for monitoring and observation could be built beyond the factors that would normally limit what they could monitor or observe. Taken beyond the restrictions of the physical world, into the realm of myths.
It wouldn't be easy. Daedalus' Student worked best with items of a dedicated purpose. It was easier to extend the function of a telescope than a spy drone. The more functions an object had the more difficult it would be to extend the application of a specific one. Additionally, while the additional features were extraordinary, they were also limited. At least, they would have been.
Master Craftsman brought my workmanship beyond what human hands could achieve. Every aspect of the item was massively enhanced, including aspects the items shouldn't be able to have. Aspects like what could be achieved with Daedalus' Student. What's more, the mysterious aspects granted by Daedalus' Student could be focused and channeled by the Arcane Craft. That further limited the types of objects that could be enhanced, but allowed even greater power.
"You are considering another application of your abilities?" Survey asked. I could feel her sensor and monitoring systems directed at me as I thought.
"I am." I admitted. "It won't be as easy to use, not something that could be tied into workshop systems or sent on drones, but the effects of Daedalus' Student, when applied to the right item and enhanced by supporting powers, could allow remote observation with no chance of detection or interception."
Done right this would basically be a divine artifact. Some goddess's magic mirror or scrying pool. The kind of thing that could peer into the secrets of any corner of the Earth freely.
"That would be most advantageous." Survey replied. "The exact parameters of ability 274-H-43-Hex-Alpha are not precisely defined, so I excluded them from my proposals."
"It's a difficult power to explain. There's a symbolic aspect to it, as well as effects tied to intent." I smiled. "I imagine the lack of any discernible mechanics for the final results can be somewhat frustrating."
"That is a factor in my considerations." Survey admitted, then raised a shapely arm, watching as she directed it through a graceful, flowing motion. "However, it would be dishonest to say I do not appreciate the benefits that can be derived from that ability."
My smile grew a touch wider. It was fortunate timing to get that power right before I made the bodies for Fleet, Survey, and the Matrix. The impact of Daedalus' Student wasn't particularly pronounced in any specific area, but there was no question that all three of them performed beyond what should have been possible for even my skill level.
"They would need to be appropriate to the function, items associated with observation or scrying effects. They'd need deliberate action to direct, and I'll have to practice with Arcane Craft to be able to enhance the specific effects in question. Early versions will be a lot rougher than what I'll eventually be able to produce." I explained.
"I am confident in the quality and effectiveness of your work." She said with complete sincerity. "While I still believe fully networked magitech sensors to be the most effective solution for this task, the potential of enhanced divine items raises possibilities that may require reevaluation of my previous stances."
I had to smile at that, but that smile faltered as I felt a connection being made to the Personal Reality constellation, followed by a significant tremor that shook the entire workshop. Shortly after it passed, I stood with Survey, looking over the results.
Additional Space was a repeating power. I'd been aware of that fact, but not quite prepared for it. My storage room was already ridiculously oversized after a single application. Now, it was well beyond ridiculous. It was at the point where referring to it as a 'room' was a massive disservice.
"All dimensions have increased by a factor of ten, with the central square now eight kilometers on a side." She turned to the two remaining walls of the 'room' which now stretched just short of five miles between the freshwater and saltwater shores. "Effective height limit increased to one kilometer, with accessible airspace extending further, proportional to previous examples."
I nodded. I was aware of all of this, having learned it from my power, but seeing it in person was another matter. "This is a considerable amount of space." I said.
"Sixty-four square kilometers." Survey replied. "In terms of area, it is comparable to small European nations or island territories, on the order of San Marino or Bermuda. If considered in comparison to urban centers, Manhattan Island would be an apt point of comparison, though possessing slightly less usable land area than is available here."
The Manhattan comparison was fairly apt. Despite the massive increase in size, the ground was still raw concrete, matching the composition of the walls. There was a featureless expanse of gray stone that extended for miles, then abruptly stopped as the space transitioned to the vibrant waterfronts on each side. Eight kilometers of lakefront and eight kilometers of seashore. Each section of water had the same area as the central square, allowing eight kilometers of sailing space on each side.
The scale of the place hit in a way that even geological features like my volcano hadn't. Even with the capacity of things like the extension charm to stretch internal spaces to impossible dimensions, it didn't strike me the way the vast open space of my storage room did.
I had a space inside my workshop that could fit a city. Thousands of people could live comfortably. Hundreds of thousands if I built with higher density. And that's what it came down to. Building. This wasn't a storage space limited to materials and vehicles. This kind of thing was intended for ridiculously enormous projects. Okay, not as enormous as the Final Frontier, but still really, really big.
"Fleet has reported on the updates to the Garage." Survey stated, bringing me back to the moment. "Just as the previous iteration of this ability increased the number of bays from forty to two hundred, the Garage is now equipped to accommodate one thousand vehicles. Furthermore, the maximum size of vehicle that can be held has increased, now sitting at three hundred meters in length, one hundred and fifty meters in width, and one hundred meters in height."
I smiled as I imagined the logistics of launching something of that size, to say nothing of the kind of reaction it would get. If you wanted bigger than that with conventional vehicles you needed to get into supertankers, major container ships, aircraft carriers, or the largest of cruise ships.
"Noted." I said. "It's an interesting diversion, but not particularly relevant to our current objectives."
She nodded at my words. "I am continuing to monitor any activity indicative of the presence of the Slaughterhouse Nine." She paused, then looked up at me. "Regrettably, the most useful points of data relate to injuries, deaths, and disappearances that can be attributed to their actions."
I took a breath and nodded. "It is something we can't avoid." I said. Conviction stood against concern. I knew the justification for accepting initial losses to prevent future deaths, particularly the scale of death that was associated with Jack Slash, but I didn't like it. "But it is something I want to minimize as much as possible."
Survey blinked and gave a slight nod. "I have data on injuries sustained from encounters with the Nine outside of their specific campaigns. They can be highly variable, with the majority occurring due to unfortunate encounters with the group. Occasionally individuals such as the Siberian or Crawler will take independent action, but these are rare instances and seem to be connected with periods of excessive inactivity."
I had to wonder how much could have been learned by examining the available data if said analysis was conducted by someone without Survey's abilities. She worked quickly and comprehensively, but this kind of assessment of the Nine's behavior wasn't something I had ever heard before.
Probably because nobody talked about the Nine. As much as I hated the way my mother went on about it, there was a good reason for wanting Sphere's moon base set out of the house. The Slaughterhouse Nine were about as popular a topic as the Endbringers. Even the most sensationalist of media would back off on coverage of their activities. The fact that Shatterbird made direct recordings borderline impossible also helped, but nobody was looking to get the scoop on the Nine. Nobody wanted to risk drawing their attention and nobody liked being reminded that they existed. For all intents and purposes, they were more like a natural disaster than a villain team.
That was the part I resented the most. The sense of helplessness that everyone seemed to feel at their presence. That was what I wanted to break away from, no matter what it took. I swallowed as I considered the situation.
"We can't do anything about a member of the Nine getting bored and deciding they want to go hunt people." I admitted. I scanned through the compiled missing persons reports as well. "Whatever is being prepared for us, there's going to be more cost. Bonesaw's work always does. Learning what she's been working on is a priority, but unfortunately, interfering directly will tip our hand."
"You are confident that you will be able to counter her work?" Survey asked.
I nodded. I knew how advanced tinker tech was, but I also knew the level I was working at. Chimera knowledge, biological alchemy, transmutation, Starfleet Medical training, and more, all boosted by my own tinker power and subject to magical enhancement. "I am." I said. If I was waiting until she had everything in place then that might have been a different story, but without the element of surprise there wasn't little I couldn't completely subvert, much less counter.
"The bulk of the remaining casualties will be from those who encountered the Nine unintentionally. Based on historic data this can range from a chance meeting while the Nine were traveling to taking residence in a location that the Nine wished to use as temporary lodging." Survey provided data in support of her statements, and I was grateful for the resilience of my mental powers in the face of information of that nature. There was a good reason people didn't talk about that group.
"It will be difficult, and we'll need to be subtle about it, but once we're confident of their route we can try to influence things to minimize the number of people they encounter. Traffic diversions to reduce the number of people on their route could work, and it might be possible to engineer situations that will keep people off the street." I needed to check if any of the forms of weather control I had access to were subtle enough to deploy. Heavy rain would decrease the number of pedestrians that could run afoul of the group. I also pulled up a list of the Nine's preferred form of hideout. "If we can ensure that they have secure places to stay at each point along their journey we can avoid cases where they go after somewhere inhabited. Either with people living there, or taking shelter in an abandoned building. We'll have to be careful, ensure that we don't arouse suspicion, but a slight change in conditions shouldn't raise any concerns from the group."
I noted a missed connection to the Magitech constellation, then something drew my attention. A spike of awareness through my expanded senses. I glanced up to see a conflicted expression on Survey's face. It matched the processes I was detecting in her code. "Survey?"
There was a pause before she replied. "I feel I should point out that eliminating adverse encounters and facilitating the arrival of the Slaughterhouse Nine will both speed their progress and allow additional preparation measures to be put in place prior to their arrival. Conversely, we will have less time to both observe and prepare for the coming confrontation."
I took a breath. The tone she was using matched the concerned voice I heard after my recovery from March's ambush. Usually when I was deferring upgrades or the application of new powers that would help keep me safe.
"I understand your concern." I said. "This is serious on a level we haven't faced before. If I wasn't confident of our ability to both detect and defeat the Nine I would never take these risks. I would never let them approach the city." I pulled up a set of analysis she had been frantically preparing. "You don't need to tell me how bad it would be for them to be able to launch an opening attack on the city. I'm not going to let that happen. But I don't want to trade more lives than are absolutely necessary. I trust that we can handle the Nine, and I trust that you can keep track of them."
Survey nodded again, her hair shining in the morning light that streamed down from the artificial sky above us. "I will make every preparation, but in the event my analysis shows a pressing threat or risk of detection…"
"Then we move." I said. "It will tip off precognitives to the way we've been obscuring their predictions, including the Simurgh. There will be problems in the city, and they will be difficult to deal with, but Jack is more important than that. If it looks like they're going to run, or that they've built something we can't contain, we take them out." I smiled. "After all, they're only a portal away."
Survey smiled and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I believe a more robust transportation system may be necessary to account for that range. The benefits of your quality enhancements have greatly expanded the range available on this wrist mounted model, but it is not sufficient to reach the most distant projections of Nine's current location in a single trip."
I shrugged. "Sorry, it was kind of a rush job." The portal projection abilities of an X-watch or Ultra U-Watch were fairly short range and would typically be limited to a single city. Survey's model gave her access to most of the North East, but it still had limits. "Tech was right out of the box. It's due for a run of optimizations and upgrades."
"The Matrix has been experimenting with portal generation. The technology can be emulated by assemblies of their nanobots." There was a pause as Survey checked a line of communication. "Such emulation would also be possible through life fibers, though Tetra has not attempted such a feat at this time, merely acknowledging the theoretical potential. Additionally, it would require specific formations, while the suggested augmentations of my physical body could provide both innate portal use and significantly expanded range."
I barely needed my expanded senses to tell how excited Survey was about the potential upgrade to her abilities. I also recognized the fact that a nanoswarm with the ability to freely teleport itself long distances was an entirely new class of threat that would probably give the PRT heart attacks, assuming the rest of the Matrix's capabilities wouldn't be enough to accomplish that.
"I should probably check in on them." I said.
"I will continue with my assessment of the Nine." She replied. "Further refinement of prediction of their location and route will require additional information from sensor upgrades, but I am continuing my analysis of historical data, including profiles of all current and past members of the group and records of all previous attacks." There was another pause as a burst of analysis ran through her code. "With respect to those who will encounter the Nine before we are able to act against them?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"While the Nine maintain a high fatality rate, there are a significant number of individuals who survive encounters, though typically with severely debilitating injuries, mental trauma, or specific modification attributed to Bonesaw or Mannequin. Such conditions are typically referred to as 'fates worse than death'. It is possible for this to occur in some of the cases that will transpire before the Nine reach Brockton Bay." I nodded. "This is beyond the scope of typical injuries and carries a profound social and emotional significance." She looked up at me. "I wish to know how such cases should be approached, both in the course of my information gathering and in the aftermath of our actions."
I looked down at Survey and felt a slight smile form on my face. "We'll deal with it." I said.
Survey tilted her head slightly. "We are to address any these situations that result from the Nine's journey to Brockton Bay?"
My smile grew slightly. "We are going to address all the situations that resulted from the Nine, period. I said I wanted to destroy the Nine as a concept. You can't do that if you leave living monuments to their barbarity spread across the country."
"It would require significant deployment if we are to address all of Bonesaw's victims. Additionally, this would deviate from the expected behavior currently being modeled for the Celestial Forge." Survey warned. "And would be contrary to your personal reputation for mercenary behavior and prioritization of contracts."
"Those models are going to deviate as soon as the Nine attack. What we can do is control how they deviate. People might not believe a mercenary cape would act out of altruism, but they would believe he would act out of spite." I explained.
"Ah." Survey said. "Restorative actions framed as a slight against the memory of the Slaughterhouse Nine, rather than an act of charity."
I nodded. "It's expected that a cape will spit on the legacy of their opponent. We just have the fortune of being able to do some good at the same time." I let out a sigh. "The local situation, the way it's stopped us from being able to offer help freely, a lot of people have been hurt because of it. Some people who we could have helped have died because we couldn't act. Now, we can. When we fight the Nine it's going to be a major disruptive act. We need to ride that for as much as we can get."
"I see." Survey said, then a concerned tone entered her voice. "It should be noted that some of those who have suffered from the Nine are afflicted with forms of mental or emotional trauma that are not readily corrected with the technologies you conventionally deploy."
"I… am aware of that." I replied. "We'll do what we can, and evaluate things from there. But the more information you can get on this, the easier it will be."
"Investigations of past encounters were already to be included in my analysis objectives, but I will expand my focus to include a database of surviving victims." Survey said.
"Thank you." It was something of a melancholy thing to look forward to. We were probably the only group who could even consider a task of that magnitude, but it was still a daunting prospect to even consider it. We had the technology, powers, resources, mobility, and manpower to pull it off, but it would mean a personal tour of the worst of what the Nine had done during their reign. Actually, addressing that would make an incredible difference, but it would be a difference in something people were pointedly ignoring and, as Survey noted, there were still forms of healing that I couldn't accelerate.
I left Survey to her work as I went to see Tetra. She was in the magic lab reviewing spell notes from my duplicates' practice sessions. It was a reminder that I needed to get her a wand and set up some magecraft training. Actually, we were closely related enough that a magic crest wasn't out of the question. Still, that would need to wait until after her procedure.
When I entered the room the spiderweb of red fibers flared with crimson light, then reeled itself into the form of a red anthropomorphic mink. My Avid Glove, which had been scurrying through the web, found itself tangled in the spooling fibers and eventually deposited on Tetra's hand as she came bounding towards me.
"We're fighting the Nine?" She asked as she leapt up to cling to my outstretched arm. "Will I get a chance to show what I look like as a Kamui? Can we fight them together?"
"We are, as soon as they arrive. Survey is monitoring them, and we'll be ready for them. It won't be for a couple of days at the earliest, so you'll have plenty of time to get used to things." I explained as she scampered up to my shoulder, hanging down my back with her tail around my torso. "Are you ready for tonight?"
"I am!" She said with gleaming eyes. "I've gone over everything you and Garment have planned. I don't understand some of the Teigu stuff, but Survey says that it can't be understood conventionally so I shouldn't try." She made a face as she spoke.
"The mechanisms of how things are done are complicated. I only understand them because of my power and can't really explain it." I admitted.
"I've seen the Shingu that the duplicates made overnight." Tetra said. "They used pieces of Lung and Weld for them. A whole bunch of them."
"I know." It turned out mastering the principles of Teigu creation hadn't been the major obstacle we had anticipated. Probably a consequence of both infinite resources and the ability to duplicate and effectively destroy the 'creature' parts you were working with. Lung's arm and Weld's tissue sample had been copied along with the creation of my duplicates, letting them freely experiment without worrying about running out of the original material.
The items were showpieces or proof of concepts and vanished along with the duplicate in question, but they had shown some real possibilities. A sword that grew hotter the longer you fought. Armor that changed shape. A gun that increased in power with every shot until you changed targets. A shield that absorbed targeted supernatural effects.
None of them were perfect, but that was the nature of Shingu. Even beyond the cost in spiritual energy needed to operate them, there were drawbacks. The sword did nothing to protect its wielder from the heat it generated, making it very much a double-edged sword, ha. The armor could reformat dynamically for both defense and offense, but only so many times before shutting down and needing to recharge, reverting to cumbersome plate while it did. The gun needed to hit with every shot to keep building power and proportionally increased its spiritual energy draw as it did. Finally, the shield could absorb effects, but only to a point, and needed to be drained before that function would work again.
Despite the drawbacks, the experiments were enough to create a roadmap for Teigu creation, meaning all the arts of Incredibly Craftsmanship could be included in Tetra's procedure. It also meant I woke up to a broad series of revisions to the plans we had established the previous day.
I looked over at Tetra's smiling face, her glowing fangs on clear display. Tetra wanted this, there was no question. Life Fibers were not supposed to exist as a discrete lifeform. They needed connection. Tetra had some of that with me, but it was a shadow of what she actually needed. For me the change still seemed radical, but I was determined to support her on this. All I could do was make sure it went as smoothly as possible, with every advantage I could bring to bear.
I smiled at her. "Sorry for the delay." She gave me a confused look. "For the training? The time in the virtual environment."
"That doesn't count." She said, swishing her tail as she dismissed my concerns.
"You're sure?" I prodded. "It's a long time, comparatively speaking."
"I know, but the time of the procedure hasn't changed." She said confidently. "And the compression technology will help, right? And everyone gets to learn it?"
I smiled. "They do." It might require a substantial block of time in the morning and substantially longer inside the computer core, but it would allow everyone to get the benefit of full mastery of that skill book. Physically impossible compression technology, the product of years of effort and practice, able to be accomplished in a single morning. I was more than a little proud of that.
And then I felt a connection to the Toolkits constellation, and another tremor went through the Workshop.
"Another workshop." I said, looking over the addition. Beside me Fleet nodded as he took in the machinery that had been added.
This was in fact the fifth version of this specific ability that I had received. The first was the metal shop that I'd been blessed with from the point of my trigger. After that came a woodworking shop, filling out the vocational training that had been cut from my high school education. After that was the clothing workshop that Garment had instantly claimed, and then an electronics shop.
This time it was a robotics workshop. While that sounds impressive, and kind of was, that was only because of the compounding effect of multiple iterations of the power. The metal shop had been basic in the extreme, needing the supplies and equipment of the Undersiders' boss to get established.
Huh. Coil had funded my rise as a cape. Probably for the best that we were mutually ignorant of each other at that point.
Anyway, the metal shop had upgraded when my woodshop arrived, expanding in size, equipment, and the quality of materials provided. The woodshop arrived with the same upgrades, being closer to a professional carpentry studio than the hobbyist feel of the original metal shop. When the clothing workshop arrived everything upgraded again, reaching a level that could actually be considered cutting edge, rather than just professional. The electronics shop had expanded things even more, taking all the workshops to the point where they could handle some of the simpler aspects of my technology bases.
The Robotics workshop had brought another set of upgrades, meaning it was no longer limited to the 'simpler' aspects of my technology. I could see equipment drawn from my knowledge of a number of tech bases, up to and including Star Trek. If I hadn't sidestepped most of my need for workspace this would have been a godsend. As it stood, it still filled that purpose for the members of the forge not blessed with a crafting focused Noble Phantasm.
"I'm guessing you would have preferred an auto shop?" I asked Fleet.
"It would have been nice." He admitted. He was in his flight suit without the helmet or armor as he reviewed the addition. "Especially at this level of technology," A slight extension of his divine authority put one of the micro assemblers through a diagnostic cycle before shutting itself down. "But the garages suffice."
You could always count on Fleet to take things in stride. "Especially with the new expansions?" I asked.
He nodded. "They do allow extensive storage of large-scale vehicles, well beyond our current needs." His tone seemed to suggest that it would be advantageous to start filling those slots with various large-scale vehicles. I had to wonder if his experience with the Final Frontier had given him a taste for naval combat. Unfortunately, not something overly common in cape circles, even against Leviathan.
"At least we won't need to worry about where to put the Titans." I said.
"Yes. And you should speak with Ion and Tone." He said flatly.
I took a breath. "I was meaning to…"
"Excellent." He said, and vanished in a blur.
I blinked at the empty space and complete lack of reaction from the surrounding air. Well, another thing you could say for Fleet is he was refreshingly direct. No sense in putting things off. I focused on the art of Dark Slayer and vanished from the Robotics Workshop, appearing in the Titan Hangar in front of Ion and the freshly constructed Tone.
"Commander." Ion declared, straightening to attention, with Tone following her example. Fleet looked on without comment, but with a vague sense of satisfaction.
"At ease." I said, causing the six-meter war machines to fall into a relaxed stance. I had military experience from the memories that came with some of my powers, but it wasn't exactly command level. If anything, there was an ingrained distrust for officers that made being addressed like that a surreal experience.
"Presenting Titan Tone, constructed at oh six hundred hours this morning. Equipment includes a 40mm Tracker Canon, Tracking Rockets, a defensive Particle Wall, Sonar Lock, and an integrated Salvo Core. Titan Tone, present." In response to Ion, the Tone Titan presented her massive canon for inspection.
Ion's delivery had been a bit stilted, coming off more as an impersonation of a squad leader than a fully realized role. My guess was she was drawing examples from her databases to fill the role I had assigned to her. A quick investigation showed that I was right.
I wasn't overly serious about a military hierarchy, but if it was something that helped the Titans I was willing to indulge them. I made a note to ask Tybalt to help Ion adjust to her new role as an NCO.
"Thank you, Titan Tone." I said.
"Sir." She replied crisply. There was a slight pressure, probably undetectable to normal people, signaling the use of her ultrasonic sensors. From what I could discern, it was a standard feature of that class of Titan. They were very sensor focused, with an emphasis on tracking and target selection that made me wonder if she would get along with Survey.
Question for later. For now, I had a job to do.
"Are you prepared for this morning's training exercise?" I asked. I watched as packet data was exchanged between the Titans, the equivalent of whispering in class, before Ion replied.
"Commander, we are prepared to participate in the exercise, however there are some concerns about the value of our inclusion." She explained.
"How so?" I asked. I could probably guess, but helping the A.I.s develop meant encouraging them to articulate their own motivations.
"Primarily, beyond field production of munitions, neither of our models are specialized in 'crafting'. While the compression technologies being developed are intriguing, it is unlikely we will be able to utilize them to meaningful effect." She explained.
"I understand, but even minor benefits of this kind of ability should not be overlooked. The potential for expanded storage of missiles or laser mines, for instance." I replied.
"That would require alterations of our internal systems, at which point a qualified technician would be able to conduct the compression-based modifications." Ion said. "But regardless, I wish to raise a more pressing concern related to the proposed level of acceleration." She shifted slightly, giving the floor to Tone. The other Titan took a small step forward.
"By my assessment the proposed speed of cognition exceeds our ability to overclock our processors by a significant margin. It is impressive that this level of accelerated perception is available, but it exceeds the hardware limitation inherent to our designs and could potentially damage our A.I. cores." Tone explained in a respectful voice.
"I appreciate your analysis, but the photonic processors operate on a different principle. This will not be a direct connection, your cores will be emulated within the system, with an update provided following the completion of the training." I said, observing their reactions both physically and through my technology sense.
Tone had a more humanoid shape than Ion, with a distinct head rather than a glowing reticle built into her torso. "So, our programs will be copied to a virtual machine, accelerated, and then we will be overwritten?" She surmised.
"No." I said quickly. The programming of a Titan A.I. was intrinsically tied to their core. There wasn't much difference between an overwrite and death for them, and they wouldn't process in the same way on different hardware. It was one of the features that made them 'safe' A.I.s in that they were incapable of duplicating their programs without changing who they were. "The spiritron system will scan your cores and emulate them within the virtual environment. You will be put in stasis, and developments within that space will be enforced on your core afterwards. There is both continuity of program and hardware at play."
It was actually an important part of the exercise. This wasn't just about covering three years of work in a couple of hours. It was about refining and calibrating a system the likes of which had never existed before. Eventually the spiritron computer would be able to analyze and recreate any effect in the universe, but for now the focus was on conventional physics. Magic, psionics, and reality alterations could come later. We needed to be sure it could recreate the physical universe properly. That meant emulating the most complicated devices possible, which didn't use any supernatural elements. For that purpose, the A.I. cores of the Titans were a prime choice.
"Understood." Said Ion. "If you are confident in the integrity of the test, we rescind our concerns." They hadn't rescinded their concerns. In fact, they were still very concerned, but these were military vehicles. They would willingly charge into a meat grinder for the sake of orders. A procedure that could factory reset or override their code was not going to draw any objection, even if they remained on high alert.
"Here." I said, transferring a collection of files to each of the Titans. "This is an overview of the development and capacities of spiritron computing up to this point. Please review it, both for your own reference and as a potential source of upgrades." I turned to Tone. "Has the Matrix spoken with you about potential improvements to your systems?"
There was a pause while Tone's underdeveloped language systems worked to phrase her statements in a manner appropriate for the circumstances. "I was contacted by the Matrix intelligence shortly after deployment. They were extraordinarily comprehensive in their proposed improvements and modifications. I explained that without a posting or dedicated combat role I could not make decisions as to modification of my chassis, armament, power core, or the potential need for an integrated FTL drive. Or several integrated FTL drives."
"Ah." I said. "Well, please keep the suggestions in mind. I will speak with the Matrix about presenting a more concise set of suggestions when the next titan is constructed."
"Titan Monarch is scheduled for deployment at oh six hundred hours tomorrow morning." Ion stated. "I have prepared an updated orientation following refinements from Titan Tone and feedback provided by the Fleet intelligence."
"Excellent, and thank you Fleet." I said, earning a nod from where he stood, observing the conversation.
"Fleet has also prepared squad-based tactic exercises to be carried out following the deployment of Titan Monarch. While I am not privy to details of your upcoming operation, all Titans will endeavor to be ready for the field of combat and standby for deployment should our presence be required." There was a real note of pride in her voice as she spoke and I couldn't help but nod at her words.
"I don't believe it will come to that, but thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in the training simulation." I turned to Fleet. "I'll leave them in your care." I said, mostly for show. Still, the Titans appreciated it, and that was what mattered. I could feel their satisfaction with the situation as I left to speak with the Matrix while the Size constellation missed a connection.
I could have contacted the Matrix through the network, but for conversations like this it helped to have some level of face-to-face. The problem was the Matrix didn't really have a face, just an emulated structure brought out for the sake of convenience. The second problem was that the Matrix was currently distributed through the workshop, actively monitoring the flows of Mantic energy and the formation of the connected Caelondian Cores. Getting enough of them in one place to have a conversation would disrupt that work.
At least it would if that was the only source of the Matrix. Prior to the ability to mass produce Tier One nanobots using my Noble Phantasm we had been reliant on my ability to store nanites with my Nanite Removal and Control power and the fact that everything stored was copied when my duplicates were created. Given the fact that the Matrix's cognitive abilities were dependent on the number and quality of nanobots they were composed of, their mental processes basically yoyoed with each duplicate cycle.
That kind of shortcut wasn't necessary anymore, but there was no reason to give up the advantage of freely multiplying a portion of the Matrix's nanobots. I wasn't filling my nanite storage to the limit, but carrying around a functional portion of nanoswarm did wonders for your peace of mind. It was like the ultimate Swiss Army Knife, if that knife could dismantle and subsume a significant portion of a city in short order.
I focused, causing the familiar pattern of blue circuits to spread across my body. Golden metallic liquid began to form on my palm, then rose in a perfect cylinder before leaping off in a less than dignified movement that resembled a slinky. The mass was only a couple of liters of nanobots, but that was more than enough to form a solid body. The shape the liquid metal warped into was mostly a hollow shell and considerably thinner than their preferred form, but it served its purpose.
"How can I be of assistance?" They asked even as they tied themselves into the network of other Tier One nanobots within the Workshop. I could feel the burning presence of the Omega Nanite, the core of the Matrix's being as it flickered in a superposition with all the other Tier One nanobots that composed their being.
"First, I wanted to commend you, both on your work with the Mantic Cores and with the construction of the Final Frontier." I said.
They nodded, their head turning to track the patterns of energy flowing from the Dyson Sphere to the installed cores. "I am pleased with the progress of the mantic cores as well. As for the Final Frontier, despite the compromises necessary in its construction, I believe it is an adequate vessel for its purpose." They turned back to me. "Fleet shared a quotation about adversity being an opportunity for innovation. While I do not believe it is beneficial compared to being able to work with proper materials and nanobots, I admit some of the compromises made in its construction have potential applications to other projects."
I nodded. "You took the crafting abilities of my demigod powers further than I had ever considered."
"Such a step was unnecessary for you. I recognize that definition on my part, though I must clarify that I do so without resentment." They said with complete sincerity.
"Thank you." I said. It was fortunate that the Matrix had developed with an appreciation for crafting that didn't extend into either a threat of gray goo or a destructive level of envy. Constant contact, engagement, and regular support really did wonders.
"On a further note, I know a series of upgrades is overdue for the Titans, but be careful not to overwhelm them, especially immediately after their creation." I advised.
"I will endeavor to do so. Fleet had already informed me of my misstep, and I have revised my approach for future interactions." And that was that. The Matrix was never the most social A.I., which was clear from their refusal to adopt a human avatar. Really, that was fine. Their existence was so distinct from what a human would experience that it would never be more than a strained and forced emulation of behavior. Even this kind of face-to-face conversation was about their limit, and that was mostly for the benefit of conversing with ME, rather than me conversing with THEM.
I had to smile at that. The Matrix worked to ensure that I was comfortable in our interactions, at least those that happened outside a purely digital medium. They might not naturally emulate human behavior, but it was reassuring to see that they could be sympathetic to it.
"The upcoming confrontation with the Slaughterhouse Nine will be serious." I said, broaching the subject.
"I am prepared for the engagement. Survey has outlined various threat possibilities. I believe that my ability to address wide area incursion efforts and counter biological agents will be of paramount importance." They replied.
I nodded. "We may need to try out your Meld technology in advance, make sure you're ready for whatever Bonesaw might bring."
"My experience with biological applications is limited, but I will ensure to prepare for every eventuality." They said. Then, with a hopeful edge in their voice, they added "Additionally, given the timeframe, it is likely a response to the Slaughterhouse Nine will be launched with the benefit of Generation Five nanobots."
I smiled and nodded. A message from Survey alerted me that Aisha had arrived, having been dropped off at Garment's studio by her father. Garment had gone out to meet them, but neither of them were the best conversationalists and he had left shortly after wishing her luck with the charity show, along with what amounted to tacit approval for Aisha's assistance in the event.
"I'm sure we will." I said, committing to wrapping up the conversation. "There's been a lot of development on that front, but with the new tech bases we're about ready to finalize the design."
"It is unfortunate that the portal technology cannot be miniaturized to a level that would facilitate integrating it into individual nanobots. Even with the advantages of the compression technology from the upcoming training, the project remains two orders of magnitude beyond the necessary level of compression." They explained.
I nodded. "For now, at least." I smiled. "Always room for refinement."
"Progress is a virtue." They replied. I blinked. I couldn't find that phrase in any statements or media that had been provided to them. The Matrix was normally single minded on a level that made Fleet look flighty. Evidence of some developing philosophy was an intriguing prospect. Though I had to wonder if Survey's movie choice might have played a role.
"Here." I raised a hand to reabsorb the Matrix's nanobots. They grasped my hand and blue lines spread from my body to theirs. "I should go meet Aisha and get ready for the training."
As the nanobots were drawn into my body I received another message from Survey.
"That would be a prudent decision. Aisha has found the apocyan suit in Garment's workshop. I believe an explanation would be helpful in addressing her reaction." She transmitted. "Additionally, she wishes to relay that when she says she does not wish to know about something, she really means it, and asks for you to keep that in mind from this point forward."
Jumpchain abilities this chapter:
Additional Space (Personal Reality) 200:
This Starting Space Upgrade expands your Personal Reality by a factor of 10 in each dimension… or rather the standard three dimensions, you rabid cheeselord. This can be purchased multiple times. Additional Space also upgrades various expansion options. The first purchase of this brings you to 64 Million Cubic Meters, then 64 Billion Cubic Meters, then 64 Trillion Cubic Meters. Earth's volume, for reference, is 1 Hexillion Cubic Meters and it's surface area is 510 Quadrillion Square Meters. Cover the Earth in storage facilities 100 meters high and you get 51 Quintillion Cubic Meters of Storage space.
Workshop: Robotics (Warehouse) 100:
Each purchase of this adds to your Personal Reality Workshop needed to perform specific type of craft, which is to be specified when purchase is made. It comes with a basic set of tools and supplies. Good for fixing or creating all sorts of things, although any complex parts or nonstandard supplies will have to be brought in from outside. Additional purchases can add different types of Workshops to your Personal Reality or expand existing ones. Anything built in one of those workshops is fiat backed to be restored to its original condition within 48 hours if damaged or destroyed.
