I was under the impression it was both. Remember, however, its knowledge it feeds him comes from the other shard. Remember that they're computers, so Broadcast goes "hey, my power lets me do some stuff, so I need a certain amount of information to make it work" and the other shards comply. It's only when you start to read the humanized!Shard fics where you forget that. That means that if Singularity's power doesn't comply, then Jack is shit out of luck. Of course, QA, even after being humanized through the strong impression Taylor has on it, still has to follow the rules programmed into it, so just because QA likes Taylor doesn't help against a legitimate request for information by a valid source that QA's programming forces her to comply with.
Infinitesimal (CYOA V5) (Pre-Canon Divergence)
- Thread starter x50413
- Start date
I was under the impression it was both. Remember, however, its knowledge it feeds him comes from the other shard. Remember that they're computers, so Broadcast goes "hey, my power lets me do some stuff, so I need a certain amount of information to make it work" and the other shards comply. It's only when you start to read the humanized!Shard fics where you forget that. That means that if Singularity's power doesn't comply, then Jack is shit out of luck. Of course, QA, even after being humanized through the strong impression Taylor has on it, still has to follow the rules programmed into it, so just because QA likes Taylor doesn't help against a legitimate request for information by a valid source that QA's programming forces her to comply with.
So there's been a lack of mention about the PRT in story. The only thing that is known present day is that Assault and Battery are still a part of the organization. I wonder if anything got butterflied there?
Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
Also, Singularity has an Abaddon shard. Broadcast doesn't know how this shard operates, so it does need to request that information, to which his shard says no.
- Location
- Earth
If Marquis is still alive, does that mean New Wave never went public? Is Fleur still alive then?
Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
From Injection 1.4. If they are getting popular I assume Fleur is still alive.
- Location
- Seattle
I cri errytiem.
More seriously between this and the economy fic youve been pumping a chapter a day for over 2 weeks or something like that. Take whatever time off you need.
SolipsistSerpent
Endlessly Devouring
Well, they're alien life forms with some computer like qualities. I suspect treating them like computers is more accurate than treating them like humans but still deceptive.
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Injection 1.5
- Location
- United States
Noelle
"Interesting," was the first sound she heard on waking.
"What's interesting," she muttered in the barely vocalized way she'd come to talk to her 'passenger' as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.
"When you sleep, your power takes command of your body."
She chewed on her lip. "I...already knew that, yeah. Why is that interesting?"
"Your situation is unique. More information on how your power interacts with you is...useful, for understanding how the connection functions. I was able to communicate with it somewhat; a plan is in place. Once preparations have completed, you will be temporarily disconnected from your power; this will cause your lower half to collapse under its own biological complexity. Once you have stabilized, modifications will be made to your Corona and your power will reconnect under more beneficial conditions."
She tamped down on the thrill of excited hope those words brought up. "Okay. That brings me to something I've been putting off. What do you want?"
"You'll have to be more specific."
"Out of all this. You...no offense, but right now you resemble a devil, the lawful evil kind. The type that makes a deal and holds it perfectly to the letter...except you haven't actually specified what you want out of our deal, which makes me nervous. I...don't get me wrong, I appreciate what you're planning on doing, but I'm a bit concerned about why. People typically don't help for no reason." She crossed her arms.
"Obviously, my eventual goal is to build myself a body and remove my tether to you. No offense intended, Noelle, but I do not desire to be tied to your body."
"None taken. I'm not keen on it either." She shook her head. "If I wasn't already...kind of used to something else being in my head, I'd probably still be losing it. But you're better company than...this one." She laid a hand on her lower half and ignored the vague sense of irritation emanating from it. It's true, though. You've done...some really shitty things.
"However, if you're asking what I want in return for services rendered...information, firstly."
"Okay. I can understand that, given your position."
"Can you? Perhaps, in a broad sense, but I'm not certain you grasp its importance. Brockton Bay was my city, Noelle. I nurtured it, tended to it, trimmed it when necessary. I sought to balance the forces arrayed within it, to keep the city from collapsing into chaos and violence. I sought to improve those in my care, to brighten their futures as payment for what they offered up to me. This was my home, and I have no idea how it has fared in my absence. Was my work destroyed in the aftermath of a madman's whims? I must know." The smallest hint of desperation had crept into the voice in the end - Noelle wouldn't have recognized it if she wasn't so personally familiar with the feeling.
She shifted, uncomfortable at the sudden emotional intensity. "I...I get it. I'll see what I can find, okay? I know Coil prepared some documents when Trickster explained how I used to do strategy work for them...probably just to keep me docile, though."
"It is likely."
She shook her head, ignoring the distaste in his voice. The Coil issue was something for another day. "You said firstly, which implies a secondly."
"My further goals will depend upon what has changed in my absence. Ideally, I wish to continue my work from before my death; to moderate villainy and push back against the Endbringers."
She chewed on her lip. "But you're tied to me, right now."
"...Yes."
"You're going to ask me to help with that, then." It wasn't a question - but she almost felt relieved. She'd been so afraid that Singularity was going to ask her for something awful, something that would have either torn the Travelers apart - or worse, dragged them down along with her.
She'd been terrified of it because she would have done it in a heartbeat, to escape from the hell she'd been trapped in. I'm...not a good person, am I?
"That was my intention. I had hoped to wait until you had stabilized further, as the influence of your power wanes."
"What would it involve? I'm not - I'm not making any decisions right now. I'll freely admit I'm still...unstable. My power's calmed down a lot since you - uh, since Boston, but it still messes with my head. Makes my emotions...unhinged. But I want to know, so I have time to think about it."
"Well-reasoned. I am continually impressed by your fortitude, Noelle - many would have folded under these pressures." She shifted uncomfortably, like she usually did when someone praised her undeservedly...does he have to sound so damn genuine about it? "Very well. Once you have recovered from your ordeal, I would like to employ you and the Travelers - to be the reincarnation of my Hereafter. I will provide you with what I can, and in return I will ask you to be my public hands until I am able to fully return from death."
She bit her lip, immediately considering the angles of that. Damn, I really need Krouse for this - he's the one who gets people, I'm just a strategist. I get why Singularity wants to stay secret for now, but...fuck. "Can you be more specific? What you'd give us, what you'd want?"
"I will provide you with weaponry and armor designed for your individual talents. I will provide you shelter and healing when you are threatened or injured - and I will repair Genesis' damaged nerves."
She sat straight up. "You can -" She cut off her startled shout, blushing in embarrassment as she continued in the not-even-whisper. "You can do that?"
"Yes. I can build, rebuild, and adjust bodies of all types. It is through this that I am adjusting your power."
She imagined, for a moment, what Jess' expression might be the moment she got out of her wheelchair and walked for the first time. She swallowed. He really is a devil, offering exactly what we want.
"There is more, but I cannot share it with you now. Suffice to say that Coil told you at least one truth - there are those who can return you to your home, and their attention is expensive indeed. Expensive and dangerous. I am willing to negotiate with them, but never from a position of weakness; they are devious."
"When you're that vague, it makes it...difficult to trust you." I wish I could tell the others. Soon...please be soon.
"...Hmm. Noelle, you are familiar with the PRT's classifications for powers, are you not?"
"I...yeah?" This was another familiar tactic she'd seen from professors and the like; they'd ask a question that didn't seem to make sense to disrupt your rhythm and make you pay attention, then lead you back to the original topic.
"What do you think the most powerful Parahuman in existence is, outside of Scion? A Blaster? A Trump?"
"It sort of depends on what you mean. Are you talking in a one-versus-one duel? A battle royale? In teams?"
"In general terms of usefulness. An average, across all scenarios."
"A Trump, then. The right kind - the kind that has powers for different situations. So...Eidolon, I guess."
"A common misconception. The most powerful Parahuman in the world is a Thinker."
She blinked. "I...what Thinker?"
"I will not speak her name. Not now. She is their ears, their eyes, and their hands. She hears when they are spoken of, and acts to protect their secrets."
She thought about it. "You talk like you know her."
"I am aware of many things, Noelle. In time, when you are secure, I will tell you some of them."
She chewed on that thought, tilting her head back and forth. "...Okay. I'll accept that, for now. You aren't asking much without proving you can do what you're saying, anyway."
"Indeed."
"So, you want knowledge? I'll take a look for you. We have some time." She made her way over to the computer, and opened up the database Coil had provided.
"Huh. Threat assessments for Parahumans in the Bay..." She blinked. "...This one's yours."
"Interesting. I have wondered what the PRT thought of me."
She clicked on it, and started reading.
+PRT Threat Assessment+
Parahuman Name: Singularity
Disposition: Villain (Special: See Notes)
Threat Rating: Tinker
Expanded Threat Rating:
Tinker
"Rapid fabrication?" Singularity's voice sounded amused for the first time since he'd spoken, and Noelle jerked out of her reading at the surprise. "I suppose, for the data they had, it was a worthwhile assumption." After a moment, she pressed forward, finding herself curious.
Brute 6 - Subject possesses a suit of specialized armor, witnessed taking significant damage without functional interruption and allowing for notable feats of strength. Subject's Tinker specialty allows for field repairs and reconfiguration; assume all potential functions exist regardless of visibility.
Shaker
"Hmm." The voice in her head sounded distracted suddenly.
"Something wrong?"
"The effects of that battle should not have lingered. Something must have gone wrong. If possible in the future, Noelle, I would like to investigate that area of the docks."
"...What exactly did you do?"
"There has always been a rule: Do not engage a Tinker in their workshop. I taught Jack Slash's collection of murderers that my body was my workshop."
Blaster 6 - Subject's armor employs a variety of ranged weaponry, ranging from basic concussive weapons to long-range arc tasers. Of special mention is a kinetic blaster that applies generalized force, preceded by a distinct hum - this weapon has been demonstrated with various settings, ranging from pushing an adolescent several feet to throwing a grown man through a wall.
Mover 6 - Armor is flight-capable at speeds exceeding one hundred miles-per-hour. Exact top speed and acceleration unknown; maneuverability is rated at mid-high on the Skearson scale.
Striker
"Perhaps I should have destroyed the evidence."
She licked her lips nervously. If he could disassemble a body...no, she already knew that, didn't she? He was adjusting her from the inside. If he'd wanted to just take her apart...he would have just done that, wouldn't he? Still... "Why didn't you?" The words were out before she even realized it...but she was curious.
"I thought proof that the Slaughterhouse Nine was not invulnerable would be valuable to the public. Perhaps it was worth it; either way, what is done cannot be undone."
She nodded at that. It was an attitude she'd like to take, if she could manage it. If she could...not ignore what had happened to her, because of her, but at least accept it? That would be...a good place to be. Maybe someday.
Special Notes: Singularity consistently demonstrates a soft hand towards civilians and younger Parahumans, avoiding harming them and occasionally redirecting or blocking attacks that might damage them. For this reason, Wards are encouraged to engage him over other targets.
Additionally, Singularity has been known to cooperate with PRT and Protectorate forces when confronted with dangerous situations, and has participated in numerous disaster relief efforts to no ill effect. It is advised to avoid publicly interacting with him during these situations, but his contributions are too valuable to refuse.
Amendment 1: After the events of several altercations with Case-02 'Behemoth,' Singularity is unofficially approved for medical aid in disaster scenarios. All tests of provided implants indicate harmless replacement of damaged bodily functions. PRT and Protectorate forces should not publicly acknowledge the source of these prosthetics.
Amendment 2: Following Incident MiMil-4 and the subsequent fallout, Singularity has been provided a line to privately direct indications of 'subdued' villains for collection, and requested to avoid such public displays. PRT and Protectorate members assigned to Console duties should be instructed to heed this private line, prioritized above standard patrols.
"Public displays?"
"...There was an attack, and a Ward was caught as collateral damage. The attacker displayed no remorse; an example was made."
She wondered, for a moment, if there was a record of that somewhere...but she understood that the Tinker was dodging the topic.
Amendment 3: Following Incident SLAU-26, PRT and Protectorate forces are advised that Singularity has either been downplaying his capabilities or underwent a Second Trigger that expanded his capabilities. However, he appears to have perished during the Incident - investigations are ongoing, but unless he reappears further data should not be necessary.
CLASSIFIED [LEVEL 2]: Singularity's technology has demonstrated the ability to self-replicate in limited situations, provisionally qualifying him as an S-class threat. Due to his public status, partial ties to the Protectorate, and his death in Incident SLAU-26, this information is subject to second-level information control and should not, under any circumstances, be disclosed to anyone below the required clearance level. The Incident Site will be subject to monitoring in case of further developments, but current information and Thinker support suggests the site is not a danger at this time.
"S-class threat...I've heard that term a few times, but I'm not familiar with the exact definition."
"In a situation where an S-class threat emerges, the PRT mobilizes as much force as possible to respond: the Triumvirate, without exception, and all others that have volunteered for the crisis roster. Additionally, they are subject to similar rules as the Endbringer Truce - heroes and villains alike are expected to band together in the face of such a threat."
"And you qualify...because a self-replicating nanomachine swarm is exponential. If left unchecked, you could go from nothing to threatening a city, and from there..."
"A response would be impossible. Yes. It was an ability I kept secret for a reason."
I'm housing a potential continent-killer in my body, she thought, blinking. Then, she considered her power, how it might work if she lost control at the wrong time, captured the wrong Parahumans. She choked down a laugh and a sob at the same time. I guess nothing's really changed, huh? "Um..."
"I will ponder for a time; I need to consider the PRT's response to my re-emergence, given this knowledge." That's what he said, but she was struck with a sudden suspicion that he'd sensed her trepidation. Damn it...he hasn't done anything to me. If he deserved to be treated like that, what would that say about me...?
Her thoughts provided no answer, and neither did the silent voice in her head.
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Evaunit02mark1
S-s-smell the Prey, S-s-start the Hunt.
Looks like Jackie boy poked the bear and the bear broke out a flaming chainsaw strapped to a nuke.
Well in any case it showed one thing, The Slaughter house were big, but there are always bigger dogs on the block and while they may go down to those clowns, you best believe they're taking their pound of flesh.
If anyone but Jack made it out of that shitshow alive I'd be surprised.
Well in any case it showed one thing, The Slaughter house were big, but there are always bigger dogs on the block and while they may go down to those clowns, you best believe they're taking their pound of flesh.
If anyone but Jack made it out of that shitshow alive I'd be surprised.
- Location
- USA
Self-replicating nanomachines. Have the Docks been turned into Eagleton-lite?
So his power set involves something similar enough to be mistaken for rapid fabrication. Maybe he seeded the ground with nanomachines for future quick access.
The scars that remained shouldn't have been there. So either Singularity's tech wasn't as easy to repair as he thought or somebody decided to poke at it.
The scars that remained shouldn't have been there. So either Singularity's tech wasn't as easy to repair as he thought or somebody decided to poke at it.
RoninSword
Sky God
- Location
- Canada
This is my current assumption for the southern Docks.
Edit: Although Nice Guy doesn't actually stop you from taking hostile action against him. One just has no reason to because of his power. Its why Chevalier killed him in canon, his thinker power let him see that this perfectly Nice Guy was in fact a Stranger.
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Also, Eidolon and specifically the Triumvirate have been named dropped, so at least one of the big four still died.
Edit: maybe, it came from Singularity, and Noelle didn't give a reaction to the name drop.
Edit 2: the Triumvirate was only named after Hero died right?
Edit 3: maybe his stuff is still going because Singularity wasn't completely dead yet, and his power took the helm?
Edit: maybe, it came from Singularity, and Noelle didn't give a reaction to the name drop.
Edit 2: the Triumvirate was only named after Hero died right?
Edit 3: maybe his stuff is still going because Singularity wasn't completely dead yet, and his power took the helm?
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Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
RoninSword
Sky God
- Location
- Canada
I believe the 4 of them were originally called the Protectorate. Renamed to Triumvirate after Hero died.
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Uh... how does Singularity plan to handle the fact there is no actual division between the upper and lower halves of Noelle? She operates around a core, like most Changers including Hookwolf and Brandish. Which is in the bigass lump of meat. Disconnecting the shard means total organ failure across her entire body.
Heh. Noelle's already got Singularity pegged, and he has been keeping things under wraps.
Well, that's step one. But what kind of body?
Namely because he knows what shit could've gone down if he didn't change stuff.
Well, Noelle knows he's lying through his teeth now. Noelle has given in. Very regularly.
And here's the real price Singularity's asking of Noelle and the Travelers: Be My Soldiers. Even with money, equipment, and medical care, they're still making Singularity's enemies their enemies.
Well, that will go a long way to helping gains the others' trust. But what'll you do about Krouse the Simurgh bomb?
Heh. Combat Thinkers are truly the supreme levels of bullshit. If you think being supersmart alone isn't worth a superpower, you haven't read Worm.
Singularity is speaking cautiously, so he can still trip her safeguards but has a measure of obscuration.
Ever heard of Machine Army? You're that, but run by Megamind.
1. Oh god, this meme is never going to die.
2. Slaughter House Attack Unique-26? My guess for the case acronym.
Depending on how much was learned from Machine Army, they may guess something like Dimensional Folding, if that was how Singularity made his stuff.
Why would they mention visibili-... let me guess: He had optical camo.
Ah. So going through the foundational/2005 list of known members:
Screamer: Squishy, nanomachines are not affected. Dead.
Crimson: Brute, still has conventional nervous system. Suffocated or eaten.
Nyx: Makes poison gas that can shift matter states and hold illusions. Squishy, organic-specced power. Dead.
Psychosoma: Turns people into monsters. Both are squishy. Dead.
Winter: Conceptual Reducing of energy and mental will. Greatest effect involves small area, nano-swarm moves around. Dead.
Mannequin: Self-contained organ pieces with conventional weapons. If one part escaped AOE, could have rebuilt.
Shatterbird: City-wide precision silicone manipulation. Limited effect based on Shaker interference and frequency cancelation tech. Flight speed only slightly faster than a normal human running. Dead.
Chuckles: Artificially divided enhanced speed, strength, and perception. Bullet time does not help escape a tidal wave. Dead.
Crawler: Perpetual but direct adaptation around a core. Destruction of core not fatal, adaptations can immobilize, transmutation is lethal, psychologically addicted to stronger attacks. Suicided unless manipulated by Jack.
Siberian: Projection capable of selectively ignoring all laws of physics and transferring ability to anything in physical contact. Killed if Manton isolated from oxygen.
Hatchet Face: Brute and Power Nullifier. Powers confirmed not to work on Tinkertech. Dead.
So out of a potential eleven present beside Jack, only two or three would a chance at surviving: Mannequin, Manton, and potentially Crawler.
And this is also why Bonesaw is the foundation against which the Nine built itself around: Her cybernetics speciality can keep those nanites at bay.
1. Oh good, Singularity ran international charity efforts.
2. So Singularity does have a track record of nanomachine implants to save lives. Wonder how many people owe him?
3. MiMil-4? The heck was that?
Yes, I too would like to know the record.
Yeah, this is where they all realized the oldest Supervillain was a Machine Army-2.0
You'd be stuck in a containment zone. Or Contessa'd.
Noelle, you're better off not thinking about that.
Well, any more than you've already done during all the times you've woken up from an Echidna rampage or lost control.
The docks are a crap hole. It would be an improvement.
Judging by the acronym, it might have been Miss Militia or Mouse Protector
Always Late
Lacking in coffee, sleep, and brains
- Location
- Ohio
Miss Militia or Mouse Protector... well, a casualty doesn't necessarily mean dead, but either of them no longer being around is depressing.
- Location
- Somewhere
That sounds about right honestly. Not familiar with Grey Goo but I've read enough Commander stories to know PA is absolute terrifying.
- Pronouns
- Male
Yeah my guess is it's something along the lines of the fourth villian that Singularity captured and left for the PRT to capture. Maybe the person who brought the villian in was Miss Militia.
Corvus Black
The Inestimable
- Location
- England
- Location
- United States
The Blaster part I straight up forgot, but this just didn't copy my formatting properly. I'll fix it!