Where in the multiverse is Prof. Haywire?
(Allegedly his Tinker-tech allows exactly that...)
((Dead? Tricky to prove that if he's dimensionally distributed...))

Probably dead.

What is being described likely is possible, with tinkertech, but tinkertech generally requires maintenance, and this sort of tracking device is something you would need to be very reliable. Due to the number of units that would be needed and the expected use environment, anything so finicky is unlikely to be practicable
 
What is being described likely is possible, with tinkertech, but tinkertech generally requires maintenance, and this sort of tracking device is something you would need to be very reliable. Due to the number of units that would be needed and the expected use environment, anything so finicky is unlikely to be practicable
One trick might be to put the equivalent of a cross-dimensional RFID tag in devices, which is passive, pretty stable, and has loadsa (stream-encrypted) conventional tech storage associated with it. The active bit is the remote dimensional-scanner, which contacts, powers the tag, and receives any associated stored data.

If you're mean, unless this scan is done regularly, and received by the device, said device stops working. Meaner? Some sort of regular, needed, processing is done at the scanner end of the system. No, capturing a reusable token isn't enough to evade the scheme - new tokens are needed every so often. Encryption and WORM storage will be mixed into this mess.

Complaints? "It's Tinker-tech, you were warned it'd need maintenance."

Yes, a good enough Tinker can likely crack a single instance of this system (they've got physical access to it - that's a general deal-breaker). Dragon can likely make it difficult to use the same cracking scheme on all protected devices. Dirty tricks like random-number biased timer-before-shutdown, half-a-dozen different security designs, circuitry embedded in solid materials, false (but remote-powered) circuitry, etc., etc.

TL;DR: Evil Tinker-tech is Evil :)
 
Last edited:
Plus Ça Change...
"FBI and CIA will be rolling out a new set of warnings next week on the CUI," Tagg said, flipping a page.

Kamil sighed. "What now?"

"Since the most recent attack, CUI has gone on a 'recruiting' spree, with a focus on dimensional studies. Samples of Haywire tech have gone missing from secure storage in Italy and Australia, and researchers in relevant fields have disappeared in India, Poland, Singapore and Istanbul. No doubt more as well, people are understandably hesitant to talk about it."

"Can we verify any of this?" Emily asked, skeptically. She didn't have a high opinion of the intelligence agencies at the best of times.

"Some indications," Tagg said slowly. "A field theory researcher has gone missing up in Seattle. No signs of parahuman involvement, we only flagged it because a local tinker worked with them regularly. A second might have gone missing at UCLA--we're still looking into that one. There may be others as well, we've put it to a few of the more reliable people at Thinktank."

Emily swore. "And Armsmaster is still bitching about equipment going missing during the clean-up phase, stuff that he and Dragon had put in place specifically to look at dimensional traces. Sure, it could be a simple administrative cock-up..."

"... but as many people as there were underfoot we have to assume the worst," Tagg concluded.

Kamil leaned forward. "You can add Toybox to that, they had a near-miss security incident that has Dodge in particular very, very nervous. Valkyrie personally extended an offer of protection, contingent on fealty, and Dodge at least may well take it. Perhaps others as well."

Tagg couldn't quite conceal his surprise. "How did... Weaver?"

Kamil nodded. "After a fashion. One of the projects she and Valkyrie are personally involved in."

"Elite?" Emily asked, not even trying to hide her distaste.

"They know," Tagg said. "That's how we found out about the one at UCLA."

"Fuck," Emily said, with feeling. "I hate that we work with them but better the devil we know."

Note: Why, yes. The CUI absolutely lost their shit after seeing the capabilities Valkyrie and Eidolon displayed at the most recent Endbringer attack. Much as the US would have had it been the CUI that pulled out that stunt...

Had CUI had better relations with the US, they might have expressed those concerns through normal diplomatic channels. Relations being what they are, however, CUI is taking a more "pragmatic" approach...
 
Last edited:
"Since the most recent attack, CUI gone on a 'recruiting' spree, with a focus on dimensional studies.
CUI has gone on a recruiting spree..?

researchers in relevant fields have disappeared in India, Poland, Singapore and Istanbul. No doubt more, people are understandably hesitant to talk about it."
No doubt there's more, or no doubt there are more, or something similar?

Emily asked, skeptically. She didn't have a high opinion of the intelligence agencies at the best of times.
"Look Lady, Ellisburg is gonna be a simple op. Some low level Master messing with the town or something. It'll be a milk run. You're even getting parahuman support, so get your rear in gear and hoppa in da choppa."

...

I have no idea why Piggot would find military intelligence an oxymoron. (Alphabet soup agencies are close enough to military branches, and I'm sure they were practically synonyms back when the PRT was just starting out.)

Emily swore. "And Armsmaster is still bitching equipment going missing during the clean-up phase, stuff that he and Dragon had put in place specifically to look at dimensional traces. Sure, it could be a simple administrative cock-up..."
Still bitching about equipment going missing..? And I didn't even know that Dragon and Halbeard were coordinating with Bitch about this. She probably put 'em in touch with the Disreputable Dog or something if they're going a-wandering.

"You can add Toybox to that, they had a near-miss security incident that has Dodge in particular very, very nervous.
At least it was just a near miss. I guess you could say they dodged that bullet... eh?

"They know," Tagg said. "That's how were found out about the one at UCLA."
That's how we found out... right?

Had CUI had better relations with the US, they might have expressed those concerns through normal diplomatic channels. Relations being what they are, however, CUI is taking a more "pragmatic" approach...
When every problem can be solved by kidnapping the relevant parties or parahumans, why fix what ain't broken? It's like if your parahuman power was hammers. Everything would look like a nail. Then you'd be just like Thor, God of Thunder Hammers. If your nation's defensive power relies on super brainwashing and the equal distribution of superpowers, then your first instinct would be to reach for your +2 Burlap Sack of Kidnapping.
 


Typos fixed in the text! Thank you very much!

"Look Lady, Ellisburg is gonna be a simple op. Some low level Master messing with the town or something. It'll be a milk run. You're even getting parahuman support, so get your rear in gear and hoppa in da choppa."

...

I have no idea why Piggot would find military intelligence an oxymoron. (Alphabet soup agencies are close enough to military branches, and I'm sure they were practically synonyms back when the PRT was just starting out.)

And just think, the alphabet soup intelligence agencies will be even worse than IRL after a couple decades of money and prestige shifting toward the PRT and other cape things.

At least it was just a near miss. I guess you could say they dodged that bullet... eh?

Dodge: Not funny! Wasn't funny the first time Cranial said it, let alone the fifteenth!


When every problem can be solved by kidnapping the relevant parties or parahumans, why fix what ain't broken? It's like if your parahuman power was hammers. Everything would look like a nail. Then you'd be just like Thor, God of Thunder Hammers. If your nation's defensive power relies on super brainwashing and the equal distribution of superpowers, then your first instinct would be to reach for your +2 Burlap Sack of Kidnapping.

Looks like the CUI need raiding, to get all those people back. That'll be messy...

CUI is a fun antagonist. They and Cauldron are both members of the 'crimes against humanity' club, and China's intense paranoia and distrust of the PRT are very understandable, even if inconvenient…
 
They and Cauldron are both members of the 'crimes against humanity' club, and China's intense paranoia and distrust of the PRT are very understandable, even if inconvenient…
You'd figure that first part would make them friends, even if the second part of that winds up preventing it. Still, at least they can find common ground on the important issues plaguing today's conspiracies.
(image description: CUI and Cauldron doing the 'Predator handshake' over kidnapping and brainwashing)
 
Last edited:
CUI is a fun antagonist. They and Cauldron are both members of the 'crimes against humanity' club, and China's intense paranoia and distrust of the PRT are very understandable, even if inconvenient…
The temptation to point Broadcast at the CUI parahuman infrastructure, and say 'Kill' does seem pretty strong... QA may have... ideas, consider the situation... a potential [DATA] mine...

Unwise to forget parahuman transport methods and nukes could be a bad combo. Unless parahuman nuke-detection is carefully deployed. Concern about 'Buckets of sunshine'? Messy.
 
Last edited:
Cross-Cultural Studies
"...and done!" Lisa said, letting the machine reset.

"Nice!" Aisha said. "You be getting some gains girl!"

Lisa looked at Aisha with a deadpan stare. "Never say that again."

Aisha laughed. "Anyway, Eric and I are going to go jogging Saturday on the boardwalk, wanna come?"

Lisa selected a question from the many on offer. "Eric?"

"You know," Aisha rolled her eyes. "Eric. Blue hair, can't keep up with us, Amy's cousin?"

Lisa blinked. "The littlest Teen Wave? Shielder? Who runs a worse mile than even me, and that's with powers?"

"Yup! Least he be trying."

"Why? Just… why? The gym is right there, with AC and no drunks, pervs or Enforcers?"

"That's the point! See, we are going to take turns explaining what we see. He'll be the strait-laced cop type, and me playing the poor girl who be po'! It'll be education and shit."

"Why would I," Lisa began in a haughty tone, "want any part of your weird track-crossing ethno-tourism date?"

"It'll be fun? Besides, I figure pretty blonde shoplifting would be a whole different thing than poor brown shoplifting."

"I was homeless!" Lisa hissed. "Besides, you're the one who does it for practice!"
 
Last edited:
"You know," Aisha rolled her eyes. "Eric. Blue hair, can't keep up with us, Amy's cousin?"
L
isa blinked. "The littlest Teen Wave? Shielder? Who runs a worse mile than even me, and that's with powers?"
Do you want a comma there? And the spot between the end quote and Lisa blinking ought to have another line break between them, right?
 
Plus Ça Change..., Part 2
"She enjoys this," Thomas observed, looking at the identical intelligence memos on his desk. Both were festooned with elaborate classification markings and a prominent DRAFT disclaimer, and conveyed extremely alarming news about the CUI and its recent activities.

The handwritten annotations were, of course, worse, as was the fact that it had been delivered independently by Marquis and by one of Lung's people.

"Well," Marquis said, flipping through his contact book, "wouldn't you?"

Thomas didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, he said, "Do we have a clean copy? I'm tempted to give a copy to the new Director up in Boston, just to keep him on his toes."

Marquis snorted. "I'm not sure that is what she had in mind."

"We'll blame the Elite," Thomas replied absently. He turned a page, and swore. "I liked the CUI better before they got a trump who can interfere with precogs."

"Don't forget the note from you know who about some of Armsmaster's dimensional detection equipment going missing."

"Downside of him and Dragon making a non-tinkertech version," Thomas observed.

"Although," Marquis continued, "reading between the lines that one might have been intentional."

Thomas looked up sharply. "Why?!" Just, why?

Marquis shrugged. "Well, not to the CUI, but more generally, as a foreign relations thing. Valkyrie's people have been trying to build relations with more countries, mostly on alternates. I gather that concerns were expressed about her ability to deliver nukes, bio-weapons or worse via undetectable portal."

"I'm not sure that being able to detectably deliver them is an improvement."

Note: Actually, has someone written a Coil espionage fic? Maybe a cross with James Bond, or Archer?
 
Last edited:
No idea, but Alistair MacLean's When Eight Bells Toll does happen (entirely by co-incidence, as it's from 1966) to have a protagonist named Phillip Calvert....
 
Both were festooned with elaborate classification markings and draft and a prominent DRAFT disclaimer
'and draft' has unclear meaning - reword?

---

Note: Actually, has someone written a Coil espionage fic? Maybe a cross with James Bond, or Archer?
Hmm. I wrote a short omake for Taylor Varga where the Family stumble across a world with a Calvert base which has resident the poet-musician Bob Calvert (of 'Hawkwind' fame (also 'Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters')) replacing Tom Calvert... He escapes them, vertically, using his ejection chair.

 
Note: Actually, has someone written a Coil espionage fic? Maybe a cross with James Bond, or Archer?
Ridtom got 3 chapters into a Ward/James Bond cross, '007: A Tangled Tress,' though beyond that, I'm unaware of other James Bond crosses. Random Mudkip did a crack-y Coil SI, 'Being SI is Suffering,' where he goes less Bond, and more... Cobra Commander. 'Agent of Cauldron,' by Zeitchen gets a bit secret agent-y, with a more macro focus than the typical street-level fare than the majority of Worm fics.

All that aside, I would read the hell out of a GoodGuy!Coil (or more realistically, MorallyDubious!Coil) running around doing spy shenanigans.

"Alright Calvert, you've been sitting at the cafe for the last 5 hours, any chance you'll get off your ass and infiltrate the embassy?"

"Don't distract me, I'm nearly through the inner checkpoint, a- ...shit."

"What is it? Your latte not hot enough?"

"No, the ambassador apparently likes to keep a Mastiff of a dog in his office. An angry one. I'm getting a damn croissant. No, two croissants."

A crossover with Archer at all would be amazing in Worm. XD
There's an 3ndless written cross, 'For Myself,' where Taylor is Woodhouse's great-great-great-grandniece, or something along those lines, I believe. The cast is rather gaga over her utility in their profession, and their general manner is captured pretty well by the author.
 
Urban Planning
"What are you working on?" Taylor's father asked.

"Hmm?" Taylor looked up from the assortment of maps and bus schedules spread out on the kitchen table. "Oh, I started planning visits to where the Endbringer shelters were, along with the sites that were considered and rejected.

Then," she continued shuffling some photocopied sheets out from the pile, "I found these old civil defense maps in the library showing shelters from WW2. You know, when they were worried the Germans were going to come try to bomb New York but get lost or something and come here instead. Then I started thinking about Cold War bomb shelters, but the library didn't have a map. Then I realized that not all of them would be listed, so I started planning a grid search of the city."

Taylor's father blinked, sighed heavily, and then sat down. "Let's take a big step back, and start at the beginning."

Note: On the short side; got distracted trying to sketch out CUI WTF how does that even work…
 
There's an 3ndless written cross, 'For Myself,' where Taylor is Woodhouse's great-great-great-grandniece, or something along those lines, I believe. The cast is rather gaga over her utility in their profession, and their general manner is captured pretty well by the author.

I love that fic! It is part of what got me thinking along these lines, that and the Rorschach Blot fic Watch (multicross including HP and Bond).

Also, I recently realized that Coil's handler is Marquis, I.e., "M", and I'm still giggling about it.
 
Bonesmobile
Also, I recently realized that Coil's handler is Marquis, I.e., "M", and I'm still giggling about it.
"You could at least supply me with some cool gadgets..."

"Thomas, that's Q, you've really got to stop fast forwarding the initial parts of the films to get to the volcano lairs. Otherwise you'll jumble everything up."

"I mostly watch for the base design tips, if I'm being honest with you."

"Anyway, since I'm no longer in the Birdcage, I've actually got room to stretch, and practice..."

"Which is why we're out here freezing our ears off, I presume?"

"Yes... and... behold!"

"That's, that's... Marquis, that's a car."

"It's no Aston Martin, I know, but I think that I can get a lot of mileage out of the old Bonesmobile, here."

"We're not calling it that."

"Oh, we absolutely are, now do you want shotgun or not?"

That's basically what the show Bones was about, right? Someone's going to have to stop that no good Marquis before the streets are flooded with bone soldiers, or worse, fleets of bone cars!
 
Back
Top