BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hello there. Is that a Witch King of Angmar I see?
Ring-Maker [Worm/Lord of the Rings Alt-Power] [Complete]
- Thread starter Lithos Maitreya
- Start date
- Crossover Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Dark Mage
Sanity is really overrated...
- Location
- Out of My Mind
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BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It could be, we are moving into the Slaughterhouse 9 ark and that was when Grue originally second triggered and in that case his team was about to be Bonesawed.Actually
Hopefully, this is not foreshadowing a second trigger.
The difference here though is that he is not as connected to Taylor as he was then.
SaltyWaffles
I am dissapoint, son
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well, time to kill a couple of terrorists.
Also, why isn't Taylor pursuing them? She's immune to Valefor's power, and her armor should protect her against Eligos. Her ring can also tell her where they are.
Also, why isn't Taylor pursuing them? She's immune to Valefor's power, and her armor should protect her against Eligos. Her ring can also tell her where they are.
SaltyWaffles
I am dissapoint, son
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Man, one of the things the movies nailed was making the Balrog terrifying and clearly overwhelmingly powerful. In many ways, the Balrog was more threatening than Sauron in corporeal form--the only things in the setting that really felt like they could threaten one--aside from the Wizards--were a bunch of Oliphants charging one down (or the Army of the Dead, I suppose).Actually
Hopefully, this is not foreshadowing a second trigger.
Even in a setting like Warhammer Fantasy, the Balrog wouldn't feel out of place--it'd be like a Greater Daemon of Khorne.
PAGDTenno
Verified Warmind. Probably on fire.
- Location
- South Carolina
SUFFER ME NOW!
?
Whenever Talion/the Wraith/Celebrimbor Dominates or Interrogates an Uruk he uses that phrase.
- Location
- New Zealand
So Nenya allows Amy to generate crystalline flesh? I'll be honest, I'm really not seeing how even a greater ring like one of the three could provide that kind of boost to her powers. I must be missing something.
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I'm not entirely sure.
*Goes back to reread*
The reasons I can think of:
Taylor is less likely to rush after them post Bakuda. She is not arrogant enough to think she won't need help(she may not actually need help truthfully speaking) so she is waiting till she can go hunting with whoever she thinks she needs to.
She is concerned about Piggot. She's developed something of a rapport with the older lady so she may be waiting for her. Also in relation to the first idea she may be waiting to see what Piggot wants to do since she is the Director.
Going after a pair of parahumans who's powers she is not completely informed on is generally a bad idea.
It may be that this is just where the narrative breaks. Perhaps next update will open with her hunting them.
- Location
- USA
I'm kinda worried she might be channeling Shard flesh. Because the only other explanation I can think of is that her ring is letting her manipulate inorganic matter.
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
And one of these is far far far faaaar more terrifying than the other.
- Location
- USA
But which one?And one of these is far far far faaaar more terrifying than the other.
Hecatonchires
Just an H-class cyborg with an octopus brain stem
- Location
- The Gong, NSW, Australia
Doesn't she have perfect recall?
PAGDTenno
Verified Warmind. Probably on fire.
- Location
- South Carolina
Doesn't mean she's ever had cause to research the cape in question.
Lithos Maitreya
Character Witness
- Location
- United States
LET ME TELL YOU A TALE FROM THE BETA TRAIL.
I forgot this when writing the chapter. Then @themanwhowas pointed it out--but what did they say? Apparently, MM's perfect recall is mostly fanon! She has perfect-recall dreams when she sleeps, but while waking her recall is apparently normal. This was also corroborated by @MugaSofer. But I didn't know that when I originally wrote the chapter; I just forgot. Sometimes, our bungles are just happy accidents!
JuliusClonkus
Scatterbrained Speculator
- Location
- Federal Reichspublic of Karlsland
"Hey so I heard you stood up to the closest thing to the concept of a God that I recognize so I, as a minimally less powerless mortal being hereby challenge you to a fight because I'm convinced I can do it better."
Taylor should just go full Bright Lord on Brockton already. It's clear everyone's just gonna keep asking for facepunchies otherwise.
Taylor should just go full Bright Lord on Brockton already. It's clear everyone's just gonna keep asking for facepunchies otherwise.
Taylor has not met her face punching quota yet.
- Location
- Earth Bet
Isn't MM a noctis cape?
- Location
- Earth Prime
She is, but she can choose to sleep. When she does, she more goes into a trance-like state where she doesn't so much dream as remember various incidents of her past with perfect clarity.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Which is why she's one of the few capes who remember their trigger vision of the Entities.
Also, Annataylor can't forge the One Ring just yet. She needs the Nine first, to ensure that the One is at full power.
- Location
- not here
Finally caught up with the story. That took a while.
You know, when I first approached this thread I was like 'meh, another Tylor with fancy crossover power, meh', and found myself putting it away in favour of other stuff. Was I mistaken on that assumption. Easily one of the best worm fics I've ever read.
I especially love what was done with Sophia and Emma. And rare too, I only remember ever reading of Sophia's redemption once, and in a fic unremarkable enough, that I can't even recall how it went. And Emma has me both banging my head on the wall, and sitting up in anticipation.
I find myself both dreading and excited over the moment S9 shows up. And I get a feeling it's gonna be any moment now. And I don't have any idea how, but with this fic, one things it for sure, it will be epic.
You know, when I first approached this thread I was like 'meh, another Tylor with fancy crossover power, meh', and found myself putting it away in favour of other stuff. Was I mistaken on that assumption. Easily one of the best worm fics I've ever read.
I especially love what was done with Sophia and Emma. And rare too, I only remember ever reading of Sophia's redemption once, and in a fic unremarkable enough, that I can't even recall how it went. And Emma has me both banging my head on the wall, and sitting up in anticipation.
I find myself both dreading and excited over the moment S9 shows up. And I get a feeling it's gonna be any moment now. And I don't have any idea how, but with this fic, one things it for sure, it will be epic.
...dear lord, do you know what this means? It means I can finally put it on The Chart and have it NOT be under the "Totally And Utterly Crack!" category! WHOOOOO! Happy dance, happy dance, doin' my happy dance!
Yes.
Hmm. A handsome fellow named Dean who's about to cry, has a family that's all kinds of screwed up, has a ring, and is associating with Powers Beyond the Ken of Men? Whulp, now I have a new mental image for Dean!
This... really shouldn't have surprised anyone.
Except Aisha, sitting on the couch behind him and commenting, at length, on his butt.
See, Taylor? You don't need a Ring of Domination! As Dean here demonstrates, you can domin-*burbles into scotch*
"Bragging rights?"
She said, right before/after going out to punch some people with that shared experience in their faces.
...just pointing that out, is all.
*cough*IncestuousDallonLusts*cough*
*opens mouth*
*pauses*
*eyes mod banner*
*closes mouth*
No. No, I think I'll just... skip all these jokes. Just to be safe.
You know, when read right, this is a little... ominous.
*grabs the scotch*
*avoids all the jokes about teenaged boys*
"Yeah, you remember that hilarious 'Bakuda nearly killed us all' bit we went through? Oh, the laughs we had! Ho! Ho! Ho!"
"I am!" Aisha called around a mouthful of popcorn from the couch, still being ignored.
*glances at Sophia...'s notebook*
*eyes all the S+Ts in hearts*
Nooooot... exactly like she did to you, no.
*glances at Sophia AGAIN*
Boring?
Yeah, boring.
*glances at the thread*
*glances at the thread a LOT*
*coughs*
Aaaawkward....
*wince* OUCH, Carlos. Why not just kick him in the nuts while you're at it?
...quick! Taylor, you can fix this! Put a ring on BRIAN'S finger, too! Get yourself a little shadow harem going! FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM.
That's not even a foreshadow, that's a straight up FIVEshadow.
Yeah! The time when he was a friend is lo-
...DEFINITELY HERE TO STAY. That's what I was gonna say. No one can prove otherwise!
Also... getting a wee bit possessive there, Taylor? I mean, just a bit?
Teen drama: Unable to be dealt with by the Rings of Power. Canon.
Whistling cheerfully, Contessa flipped the switch that armed the release mechanism for the Rod of God....
You know that whole "Pretend they're naked" thing people suggest? Taylor's got a simpler way to deal with stage fright. She just has to ask "Are these guys scarier than LEVIATHAN?" and proceed from there.
Aisha, of course, had the other half.
Good for you, Amy!
No, seriously. That's a good step for her, I think.
Spandex, you say.
...whulp, SOMEONE bribed the PR division. Not that I'm look at anyone in particular. *cough*Taylor*cough*
Ha! I get it!
...no. No, I know what that is:
So's that! And I'm gonna go ahead and take it... right to The Chart!
THE CHART IT IS!
I mean, he did that in about the most ass way possible, but... still, give him props for trying?
"Anyways, let me tell you about my plan to murder Alexandria!"
Incidentally... despite the constant jokes about how Taylor is running the Wards now and Carlos is just ornamental.... I really liked this bit for showing that Taylor DOES respect his opinion and that he IS working to keep the group running smoothly, too. It doesn't downplay his importance in the Wards, despite the overwhelming personality Taylor's brought into the dynamic. And it's done in just a few short sentences between two people.
Well done, Lithos. VERY well done.
"Like... I barely gave the members of New Wave ANY cancer at all! I'm gonna fix THAT shit with the Wards, oh yes. Oh, yes indeed."
And... Tin_Mother just goes ahead and preemptively tempbans Void Cowboy.
"Shadow Stalker's already helped me learn what it feels like to have a crossbow bolt in my guts! It was very educational."
Yessss... give the girl with the propensity for edged weapons and summary executions an order to "take point." I think that will work out GREAT!
Yup! Gonna go FANTASTIC.
They got out of the way of the girl who faced down Leviathan, as she ran at them with a drawn sword? WOW. WHAT A SHOCK.
He's a chicken, I tell you! A GIANT CHICKEN!
Oh, god! It's Shelob! Shelob found her way here! *shrieks like a delighted schoolgirl* She's so dreamy.... *sigh*
Oh. It's just Amy. ...making a tentacle. ...with her powers. Um. *double checks the forum real quick* Yeah, no. Still not on QQ. TO THE SCOTCH IT IS.
I like to imagine that Taylor raised her left hand... and a single finger upon it in Valefor's general direction. You can guess which finger, I'm sure. (The pinky, obvs. Because she's classy!)
OH GOD. BACK TO THE SCOTCH.
*just keeps drinking the scotch*
*just drinking scotch forever*
*endlessly*
And now I'm suddenly remembering Clint Malarchuk.
...do NOT google that name and click on videos if you're squeamish.
What? No! That's Piggot. God DAMN, Taylor, you get absent minded under stress. Sheesh.
And it's time to summon my Reality Marble once again! Come forth, Endless Scotch Works!
Calling it: A large portion of the future dead are the Fallen. Because their heads just... keep falling off! Weird, right? Just... falling off. Snicker-snack.
Flicker 8.1
Lithos Maitreya
Character Witness
- Location
- United States
Many thanks to @Assembler, @themanwhowas, @fabledFreeboota, @Skyrunner, @BeaconHill, and ShadowStepper1300 for betareading.
Many thanks to @MugaSofer for fact checking.
"Renick, I want a report on my desk ten minutes ago," Piggot ordered the moment we stepped out of the PRT van. "Miss Milita, I want all Protectorate capes to report to the Rig immediately. Armsmaster was scheduled to return sometime today?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Miss Militia replied with all the rapid dignity of a trained soldier.
"Contact—no, you're busy. Annatar!"
"Yes, Ma'am?" I was having to almost jog to keep up with her as she strode through the hallways, implacable and swift as a river.
"Contact Armsmaster. Use the PRT radios. Tell him to change his route on his approach, and not to use main roads. Give him the basics of the situation."
"He may not be pleased to hear from me, Ma'am." After the last time we'd spoken, I wouldn't be surprised. I wasn't looking forward to what Armsmaster might have to say to me.
She glanced at me. "Armsmaster is a professional," she said shortly. "He'll deal with it. Aegis, round up the Wards, get them suited up and ready to move the moment we have a plan. Fume, you go with him."
"What do I do?" Panacea asked.
"Get in contact with Lady Photon."
"Director," I protested. "Panacea isn't—"
"It's fine," Panacea interrupted me. I glanced at her. Her eyes were hard and flinty. "This is bigger than me."
Piggot gave her a sharp grin. "Good. Move, all of you. Keep in contact. Level 0 M/S procedures are in effect."
I split off from the group at the next fork in the hallway and jogged down it. I quickly came upon a PRT trooper in unarmored uniform.
"Where can I find the PRT radio frequencies?" I asked him.
"Uh, up one floor in communications," he replied, blinking. Then his eyes narrowed. "Wait. M/S procedures. I can't let you—"
I palmed my phone and speed-dialed Piggot. She answered immediately. "Annatar?"
"Director," I replied putting it on speaker. "Have I got your authorization to enter and use the base's communications?"
"Yes." Piggot understood immediately. "Let her pass, soldier. Beryl seven-four-eight indigo."
I hung up and, without giving the soldier another glance, ran past him towards the stairs. As I ascended, taking the steps two at a time, my Wards phone buzzed again. I glanced down at the message.
It was from Piggot. It read simply 'Beryl seven-four-nine-four violet; textual compliment: stentorian. Annatar has authority to use PRT radio equipment.'
In a few moments, I was upstairs, showing the guy at the room that message, and then sitting down at a console not unlike the one in Wards HQ. I put on the headset, and consulted with the small booklet containing the encoding frequencies for every PRT/Protectorate radio channel.
I found the one for Protectorate/PRT communications, and the subchannel for Armsmaster in particular. I tapped into it on the console and waited for the static to fade before starting to speak.
"Armsmaster, this is Annatar," I said. "Do you copy, Armsmaster?"
"Copy and read," he replied. He sounded older than he had when last I'd heard him. His voice was a little rougher, even ignoring the terse dislike I heard in it.
"Valefor of the Fallen just attacked the PRT press conference here a few minutes ago," I said. "The situation is uncertain, but we know there's a villain master on the loose. Director Piggot requests that you change your approach, and avoid major streets."
There was silence for a moment. "Understood," he said, and the dislike was gone in favor of businesslike determination. "Beryl seven-six-twelve magenta?"
"Topaz four-four-thirteen turquoise."
"Good," I heard him sigh in audible relief as I returned the correct passphrase. "I'm currently about an hour out from the bay. Dragon has been contacted and will send suits to assist. Keep me apprised of the situation."
"Yes, sir." I hesitated. "It'll be good to have you back. I'm—"
"We'll talk later," he interrupted. "Keep it professional."
"Yes, sir. Annatar out." I disconnected from the channel and took off the headset.
My phone was ringing. I answered it.
"Annatar." It was Aegis. "You've contacted Armsmaster?"
"Yes," I replied, striding out of the radio room. "You need me downstairs?"
"As soon as you can," he said. "We're starting to get information, but we need you here."
"I'm on my way. You want Vilya?"
"For now." I could hear the grimace in his voice. "I'm pretty sure Narya is going to see some use in the next few days, though."
"Annatar," Clockblocker turned to me the moment I stepped out of the elevator. "Our Rings. Do they make us immune to master effects?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "Well, to an extent. You can fight them off."
"But we can fail?" asked Kid Win.
"In theory," I replied. "But it's a battle of wills, and you're Ring-Bearers. As long as you remain steadfast, you won't fail. It's that simple."
"You're using Vilya, right?" Sophia asked suddenly from a corner.
I blinked at her. "Yes. Why?"
"Can we practice?" she asked. "You can use your master power on us, and we can try to throw it off."
I recoiled. "What? No!"
She shrank back ever so slightly. "Okay, okay, sorry," she apologized. "It was just an idea. I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Vista asked me. "It makes sense. It—"
"I'm not fucking mastering you!" I said forcefully. "It's not happening!"
"But—" Vista began, her voice raised in protest.
"No." Amy's voice cut through the conversation like a blade. She glanced at me. "That's a line, isn't it?"
"A big one."
"Okay. No mastering." Amy's voice was firm. "It's not happening."
I smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you."
"Okay. Fine. We'll just wait until we hear from the PRT and Protectorate," said Aegis. "In the meantime, I want everyone ready for a fight at any moment. Any equipment you might need, make sure you have it. We'll wait here for word from Piggot or Miss Militia."
I sighed. "All right," said Clockblocker. "I'm turning on the news, then. We'll see what the public knows about the situation."
"Good idea," I agreed as he strode over to the television. The rest of us followed and joined him on the couches.
After fiddling with the remote for a moment, he got the screen to light up. A few changed channels later, and a harried-looking woman was onscreen, a microphone in one hand. Behind her was the auditorium where Valefor had attacked. The hole in its side was blackened and burned where the explosion had scorched the concrete.
"—the attack was perpetrated by a member of the villain group known as the Fallen," she was saying. "PRT sources are reluctant to discuss ongoing operations at this time, but—"
Sophia, beside me, leaned in close and whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry, Taylor. I didn't know you had such a problem with your master powers."
I glanced at her sidelong. I couldn't see her face under her mask, but she was practically radiating shame. I gave her a small smile.
"I forgive you," I said.
She ducked her head and didn't reply.
We sat in near silence for almost a quarter of an hour, watching the ongoing news coverage. Through that whole time, the anchor said nothing we didn't already know. At long last, Aegis' phone rang. He answered as Clockblocker turned off the TV.
"Aegis here," he said. A pause. "Yes Ma'am. I'll—yes. I'll tell her. Of course. Yes, Ma'am."
He hung up and turned to me. "She wants you on Vilya," he said. "We think Valefor's going to claim territory and set up a base of operations. She wants you to figure out where that'll be."
"I'll give it a shot."
"Good," he nodded. "Dragon's also started surveillance. She'll be in touch with you if she finds anything. You can work from the console. The rest of us will stay here, and let you know if anything comes up."
"Sounds good," I agreed, standing up. "Keep me posted?"
"Of course," he said. "Good luck."
"You want someone to keep you company?" Sophia asked. "Or will you work better alone?"
"I'll be fine. I'd like to talk to Dragon, anyway," I confessed. "Thanks, though."
She nodded. "Good luck."
I entered the small console room and shut the door behind me. For the second time in the past hour, I sat in a chair, slipped on a headset, and began to work.
"Hello, Annatar," came Dragon's voice in my ear.
"Dragon," I said. "Glad to hear from you again. It's been a while since I spent time in M/S confinement."
She let out a soft laugh. "So it has. And there wasn't exactly time to catch up during the fight with Leviathan."
"How's Armsmaster?" I asked, even as the better part of my consciousness reached out with Vilya.
"He's healthy, if that's what you're asking," she said. "I wanted to talk to you about him, actually."
"Go ahead."
"During the fight, he asked you for a Ring, and you refused. He's bitter—but more than that, I think he doesn't trust you anymore."
"I'm not surprised."
"What exactly did you tell him?"
"I told him that a Ring of Power would be incredibly dangerous to someone who hadn't received it freely," I said. "And it's true. They would bind themselves so tightly that their host would be throttled."
"You're speaking figuratively."
"There aren't words in English. I could tell you about i Fëa qualmë. I could even translate it—the death of the soul. But there are some things language isn't quite able to convey."
She was silent for a moment. Then she spoke again. "You don't mind that I'm using your console's cameras to see your face, do you?"
"Not at all," I replied. "I wish I could see your face as well, though."
A screen lit up, and a woman's face appeared on it. The CGI rendering was of a kind-looking woman with dark hair, somewhere in her twenties. "Best I can do, I'm afraid," she said with a smile.
I smiled back. "It'll do for me." The expressions on the false face were absolutely real, I was certain. Even her eyes sparkled with life.
"So. Armsmaster." Dragon's face fell slightly. "You were really trying to protect him?"
"Him," I said. "You. Myself. Everyone. A Ring of Power isn't a small thing; in the wrong hands, it could be devastating."
"And what makes Armsmaster the wrong hands?"
I shook my head. "His aren't the wrong hands, necessarily. He truly is well-suited to Narya, and had things been just a little different, I might have given him the Ring then," I said. "But he wanted it for the wrong reasons. That little bit of him just isn't ready. Or, well, it wasn't. Maybe he's changed."
There was silence for a moment, and I took advantage of it. Vilya shimmered and grew cold upon my finger, and I saw the lapping of waves upon the shore in my mind's eye.
"They're in the east part of the city," I said. "Still trying to narrow it down."
"I'll keep looking there," she replied immediately. "I… think I understand, Annatar. You want someone more altruistic than Armsmaster is, for Narya."
"That's a big part of it." I shrugged. "Narya is a beacon. It's a bonfire. It can't go to someone who isn't ready for that kind of responsibility. It'll burn them away."
She didn't reply for a moment. "I'm glad you didn't give it to him."
I considered her. "You care for him."
I'd half expected evasion, but she just met my eyes steadily. "Deeply. He's a good man."
"Yes," I agreed. "But he has room to grow."
"Don't we all?" A faint, sad smile flickered across her features. Then she glanced to the side. "I think I've found something. A couple of ongoing crimes near what's left of the Boardwalk. I'm trying to get video."
"What are Valefor's powers, exactly?" I asked. "I haven't had time to look him up."
"He can hypnotize people by meeting their eyes," she replied, still looking into the distance. "Then he implants suggestions. He can turn ordinary people into sleeper agents without their knowing. We only finished putting it together after his encounter with you at the auditorium."
"Dangerous."
"Ye—Got it. Yeah, these are definitely his."
Another screen lit up. An image appeared—a man facing the counter of a shop, a shotgun in his hands. His eyes were dull, his face blank. The gun was pointed at the cashier.
"That store sells weapons," said Dragon grimly. "He's arming his thralls."
I closed my eyes. Which direction from there?
North.
"What's north of that?"
She frowned. "North? Not much, the road goes down to the waterline. Let me see. A grocery store, a couple of restaurants, a church—"
"That," I said, standing up. Vilya had flared, and I found myself growing angry. "The bastard set up in a church. He named himself after an archduke of hell and he's set up in a church, the smug prick."
She grimaced. "It's… fitting, in an ironic way. You're sure? I'm sending further surveillance down to verify, but we can get the PRT moving in advance."
"I'm certain."
"Then I'll contact Piggot and Miss Militia," she said with a nod. "You get your team ready." She gave me a quick smile. "It was good to catch up."
I smiled back. "I look forward to working with you."
There were seven of us. Clockblocker, Browbeat, Panacea, Gallant, Vista, Sophia, and I all piled into our own PRT van while troopers packed into theirs. We'd been ordered to leave three of our number behind, and Aegis thought it best that he stay with the defense, since I would be present to lead the attack. He was on console.
As soon as we were all in the van, it started moving and the radio crackled to life. "Wards," came Piggot's voice. "I'm sure Annatar's given you the basics of the situation."
"Only the basics," said Clockblocker. "We know Valefor's set up in a church in the northeast part of town. That's about it."
"That's all the rest of us know, too," said Piggot dryly. "The mission is simple: shut down the Fallen's operation in this city. If we're very, very lucky, that'll only involve assaulting this one location."
"We're not that lucky," I answered dryly.
"Agreed." Piggot's voice was grim. "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is too easy—Valefor shows up at the press conference only minutes after first arriving in Brockton, and we get a bead on his base of operations within an hour? Something's wrong with that picture."
"You think he's been in the Bay for longer?" Sophia asked.
"Yes," said Piggot. "And I don't know who he might have compromised. Be on your guard, and trust no one you don't have to."
"What if he's compromised you, Ma'am?" I asked.
There was a pause.
"Then you'd better hope our M/S procedures work," said Piggot steadily.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Until things change, though, we're going to assume that we can trust each other," Piggot continued. "The alternative isn't an option. The Wards are going to—"
There was a sound, like the crack of thunder. I looked forward out the windshield. A single firework had gone off. Red sparks were faintly visible against the afternoon sky.
"What was—" Piggot began, but her voice was cut off when our driver shut off the radio.
My eyes darted to his face. His eyes were glazed, his mouth slack.
And I was still wearing Vilya. I'd been planning to swap once we arrived.
"No!" I screamed impotently as he turned the car and drove straight into a brick wall.
Please consider donating to my Patreon. Many thanks to those who have already donated.
Many thanks to @MugaSofer for fact checking.
-x-x-x-
"Renick, I want a report on my desk ten minutes ago," Piggot ordered the moment we stepped out of the PRT van. "Miss Milita, I want all Protectorate capes to report to the Rig immediately. Armsmaster was scheduled to return sometime today?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Miss Militia replied with all the rapid dignity of a trained soldier.
"Contact—no, you're busy. Annatar!"
"Yes, Ma'am?" I was having to almost jog to keep up with her as she strode through the hallways, implacable and swift as a river.
"Contact Armsmaster. Use the PRT radios. Tell him to change his route on his approach, and not to use main roads. Give him the basics of the situation."
"He may not be pleased to hear from me, Ma'am." After the last time we'd spoken, I wouldn't be surprised. I wasn't looking forward to what Armsmaster might have to say to me.
She glanced at me. "Armsmaster is a professional," she said shortly. "He'll deal with it. Aegis, round up the Wards, get them suited up and ready to move the moment we have a plan. Fume, you go with him."
"What do I do?" Panacea asked.
"Get in contact with Lady Photon."
"Director," I protested. "Panacea isn't—"
"It's fine," Panacea interrupted me. I glanced at her. Her eyes were hard and flinty. "This is bigger than me."
Piggot gave her a sharp grin. "Good. Move, all of you. Keep in contact. Level 0 M/S procedures are in effect."
I split off from the group at the next fork in the hallway and jogged down it. I quickly came upon a PRT trooper in unarmored uniform.
"Where can I find the PRT radio frequencies?" I asked him.
"Uh, up one floor in communications," he replied, blinking. Then his eyes narrowed. "Wait. M/S procedures. I can't let you—"
I palmed my phone and speed-dialed Piggot. She answered immediately. "Annatar?"
"Director," I replied putting it on speaker. "Have I got your authorization to enter and use the base's communications?"
"Yes." Piggot understood immediately. "Let her pass, soldier. Beryl seven-four-eight indigo."
I hung up and, without giving the soldier another glance, ran past him towards the stairs. As I ascended, taking the steps two at a time, my Wards phone buzzed again. I glanced down at the message.
It was from Piggot. It read simply 'Beryl seven-four-nine-four violet; textual compliment: stentorian. Annatar has authority to use PRT radio equipment.'
In a few moments, I was upstairs, showing the guy at the room that message, and then sitting down at a console not unlike the one in Wards HQ. I put on the headset, and consulted with the small booklet containing the encoding frequencies for every PRT/Protectorate radio channel.
I found the one for Protectorate/PRT communications, and the subchannel for Armsmaster in particular. I tapped into it on the console and waited for the static to fade before starting to speak.
"Armsmaster, this is Annatar," I said. "Do you copy, Armsmaster?"
"Copy and read," he replied. He sounded older than he had when last I'd heard him. His voice was a little rougher, even ignoring the terse dislike I heard in it.
"Valefor of the Fallen just attacked the PRT press conference here a few minutes ago," I said. "The situation is uncertain, but we know there's a villain master on the loose. Director Piggot requests that you change your approach, and avoid major streets."
There was silence for a moment. "Understood," he said, and the dislike was gone in favor of businesslike determination. "Beryl seven-six-twelve magenta?"
"Topaz four-four-thirteen turquoise."
"Good," I heard him sigh in audible relief as I returned the correct passphrase. "I'm currently about an hour out from the bay. Dragon has been contacted and will send suits to assist. Keep me apprised of the situation."
"Yes, sir." I hesitated. "It'll be good to have you back. I'm—"
"We'll talk later," he interrupted. "Keep it professional."
"Yes, sir. Annatar out." I disconnected from the channel and took off the headset.
My phone was ringing. I answered it.
"Annatar." It was Aegis. "You've contacted Armsmaster?"
"Yes," I replied, striding out of the radio room. "You need me downstairs?"
"As soon as you can," he said. "We're starting to get information, but we need you here."
"I'm on my way. You want Vilya?"
"For now." I could hear the grimace in his voice. "I'm pretty sure Narya is going to see some use in the next few days, though."
-x-x-x-
"Annatar," Clockblocker turned to me the moment I stepped out of the elevator. "Our Rings. Do they make us immune to master effects?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "Well, to an extent. You can fight them off."
"But we can fail?" asked Kid Win.
"In theory," I replied. "But it's a battle of wills, and you're Ring-Bearers. As long as you remain steadfast, you won't fail. It's that simple."
"You're using Vilya, right?" Sophia asked suddenly from a corner.
I blinked at her. "Yes. Why?"
"Can we practice?" she asked. "You can use your master power on us, and we can try to throw it off."
I recoiled. "What? No!"
She shrank back ever so slightly. "Okay, okay, sorry," she apologized. "It was just an idea. I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Vista asked me. "It makes sense. It—"
"I'm not fucking mastering you!" I said forcefully. "It's not happening!"
"But—" Vista began, her voice raised in protest.
"No." Amy's voice cut through the conversation like a blade. She glanced at me. "That's a line, isn't it?"
"A big one."
"Okay. No mastering." Amy's voice was firm. "It's not happening."
I smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you."
"Okay. Fine. We'll just wait until we hear from the PRT and Protectorate," said Aegis. "In the meantime, I want everyone ready for a fight at any moment. Any equipment you might need, make sure you have it. We'll wait here for word from Piggot or Miss Militia."
I sighed. "All right," said Clockblocker. "I'm turning on the news, then. We'll see what the public knows about the situation."
"Good idea," I agreed as he strode over to the television. The rest of us followed and joined him on the couches.
After fiddling with the remote for a moment, he got the screen to light up. A few changed channels later, and a harried-looking woman was onscreen, a microphone in one hand. Behind her was the auditorium where Valefor had attacked. The hole in its side was blackened and burned where the explosion had scorched the concrete.
"—the attack was perpetrated by a member of the villain group known as the Fallen," she was saying. "PRT sources are reluctant to discuss ongoing operations at this time, but—"
Sophia, beside me, leaned in close and whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry, Taylor. I didn't know you had such a problem with your master powers."
I glanced at her sidelong. I couldn't see her face under her mask, but she was practically radiating shame. I gave her a small smile.
"I forgive you," I said.
She ducked her head and didn't reply.
We sat in near silence for almost a quarter of an hour, watching the ongoing news coverage. Through that whole time, the anchor said nothing we didn't already know. At long last, Aegis' phone rang. He answered as Clockblocker turned off the TV.
"Aegis here," he said. A pause. "Yes Ma'am. I'll—yes. I'll tell her. Of course. Yes, Ma'am."
He hung up and turned to me. "She wants you on Vilya," he said. "We think Valefor's going to claim territory and set up a base of operations. She wants you to figure out where that'll be."
"I'll give it a shot."
"Good," he nodded. "Dragon's also started surveillance. She'll be in touch with you if she finds anything. You can work from the console. The rest of us will stay here, and let you know if anything comes up."
"Sounds good," I agreed, standing up. "Keep me posted?"
"Of course," he said. "Good luck."
"You want someone to keep you company?" Sophia asked. "Or will you work better alone?"
"I'll be fine. I'd like to talk to Dragon, anyway," I confessed. "Thanks, though."
She nodded. "Good luck."
I entered the small console room and shut the door behind me. For the second time in the past hour, I sat in a chair, slipped on a headset, and began to work.
"Hello, Annatar," came Dragon's voice in my ear.
"Dragon," I said. "Glad to hear from you again. It's been a while since I spent time in M/S confinement."
She let out a soft laugh. "So it has. And there wasn't exactly time to catch up during the fight with Leviathan."
"How's Armsmaster?" I asked, even as the better part of my consciousness reached out with Vilya.
"He's healthy, if that's what you're asking," she said. "I wanted to talk to you about him, actually."
"Go ahead."
"During the fight, he asked you for a Ring, and you refused. He's bitter—but more than that, I think he doesn't trust you anymore."
"I'm not surprised."
"What exactly did you tell him?"
"I told him that a Ring of Power would be incredibly dangerous to someone who hadn't received it freely," I said. "And it's true. They would bind themselves so tightly that their host would be throttled."
"You're speaking figuratively."
"There aren't words in English. I could tell you about i Fëa qualmë. I could even translate it—the death of the soul. But there are some things language isn't quite able to convey."
She was silent for a moment. Then she spoke again. "You don't mind that I'm using your console's cameras to see your face, do you?"
"Not at all," I replied. "I wish I could see your face as well, though."
A screen lit up, and a woman's face appeared on it. The CGI rendering was of a kind-looking woman with dark hair, somewhere in her twenties. "Best I can do, I'm afraid," she said with a smile.
I smiled back. "It'll do for me." The expressions on the false face were absolutely real, I was certain. Even her eyes sparkled with life.
"So. Armsmaster." Dragon's face fell slightly. "You were really trying to protect him?"
"Him," I said. "You. Myself. Everyone. A Ring of Power isn't a small thing; in the wrong hands, it could be devastating."
"And what makes Armsmaster the wrong hands?"
I shook my head. "His aren't the wrong hands, necessarily. He truly is well-suited to Narya, and had things been just a little different, I might have given him the Ring then," I said. "But he wanted it for the wrong reasons. That little bit of him just isn't ready. Or, well, it wasn't. Maybe he's changed."
There was silence for a moment, and I took advantage of it. Vilya shimmered and grew cold upon my finger, and I saw the lapping of waves upon the shore in my mind's eye.
"They're in the east part of the city," I said. "Still trying to narrow it down."
"I'll keep looking there," she replied immediately. "I… think I understand, Annatar. You want someone more altruistic than Armsmaster is, for Narya."
"That's a big part of it." I shrugged. "Narya is a beacon. It's a bonfire. It can't go to someone who isn't ready for that kind of responsibility. It'll burn them away."
She didn't reply for a moment. "I'm glad you didn't give it to him."
I considered her. "You care for him."
I'd half expected evasion, but she just met my eyes steadily. "Deeply. He's a good man."
"Yes," I agreed. "But he has room to grow."
"Don't we all?" A faint, sad smile flickered across her features. Then she glanced to the side. "I think I've found something. A couple of ongoing crimes near what's left of the Boardwalk. I'm trying to get video."
"What are Valefor's powers, exactly?" I asked. "I haven't had time to look him up."
"He can hypnotize people by meeting their eyes," she replied, still looking into the distance. "Then he implants suggestions. He can turn ordinary people into sleeper agents without their knowing. We only finished putting it together after his encounter with you at the auditorium."
"Dangerous."
"Ye—Got it. Yeah, these are definitely his."
Another screen lit up. An image appeared—a man facing the counter of a shop, a shotgun in his hands. His eyes were dull, his face blank. The gun was pointed at the cashier.
"That store sells weapons," said Dragon grimly. "He's arming his thralls."
I closed my eyes. Which direction from there?
North.
"What's north of that?"
She frowned. "North? Not much, the road goes down to the waterline. Let me see. A grocery store, a couple of restaurants, a church—"
"That," I said, standing up. Vilya had flared, and I found myself growing angry. "The bastard set up in a church. He named himself after an archduke of hell and he's set up in a church, the smug prick."
She grimaced. "It's… fitting, in an ironic way. You're sure? I'm sending further surveillance down to verify, but we can get the PRT moving in advance."
"I'm certain."
"Then I'll contact Piggot and Miss Militia," she said with a nod. "You get your team ready." She gave me a quick smile. "It was good to catch up."
I smiled back. "I look forward to working with you."
-x-x-x-
There were seven of us. Clockblocker, Browbeat, Panacea, Gallant, Vista, Sophia, and I all piled into our own PRT van while troopers packed into theirs. We'd been ordered to leave three of our number behind, and Aegis thought it best that he stay with the defense, since I would be present to lead the attack. He was on console.
As soon as we were all in the van, it started moving and the radio crackled to life. "Wards," came Piggot's voice. "I'm sure Annatar's given you the basics of the situation."
"Only the basics," said Clockblocker. "We know Valefor's set up in a church in the northeast part of town. That's about it."
"That's all the rest of us know, too," said Piggot dryly. "The mission is simple: shut down the Fallen's operation in this city. If we're very, very lucky, that'll only involve assaulting this one location."
"We're not that lucky," I answered dryly.
"Agreed." Piggot's voice was grim. "I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is too easy—Valefor shows up at the press conference only minutes after first arriving in Brockton, and we get a bead on his base of operations within an hour? Something's wrong with that picture."
"You think he's been in the Bay for longer?" Sophia asked.
"Yes," said Piggot. "And I don't know who he might have compromised. Be on your guard, and trust no one you don't have to."
"What if he's compromised you, Ma'am?" I asked.
There was a pause.
"Then you'd better hope our M/S procedures work," said Piggot steadily.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Until things change, though, we're going to assume that we can trust each other," Piggot continued. "The alternative isn't an option. The Wards are going to—"
There was a sound, like the crack of thunder. I looked forward out the windshield. A single firework had gone off. Red sparks were faintly visible against the afternoon sky.
"What was—" Piggot began, but her voice was cut off when our driver shut off the radio.
My eyes darted to his face. His eyes were glazed, his mouth slack.
And I was still wearing Vilya. I'd been planning to swap once we arrived.
"No!" I screamed impotently as he turned the car and drove straight into a brick wall.
-x-x-x-
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Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
Well, one of the main themes of Worm is "Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons". Maybe Annataylor should try "doing the right thing for the wrong reasons"?
Timerider
That guy who really should get out more.
- Location
- The End of the World.
This guy needs to go down hard.
Really liked Taylor's reaction to the Mastering test idea. It really showcases how terrified she is of what she could become.
It looks like all of Taylor's enemies are unintentionally trying to push her past her moral limitations. Which, as we all know, is a very bad thing. Luckily, she has a firm support network to keep her grounded. Problem is, she's charismatic enough to potentially subvert that without knowing.
To quote Rory Williams to the Doctor: "You make them want to impress you. You have no idea how dangerous you make people to themselves."
Really liked Taylor's reaction to the Mastering test idea. It really showcases how terrified she is of what she could become.
It looks like all of Taylor's enemies are unintentionally trying to push her past her moral limitations. Which, as we all know, is a very bad thing. Luckily, she has a firm support network to keep her grounded. Problem is, she's charismatic enough to potentially subvert that without knowing.
To quote Rory Williams to the Doctor: "You make them want to impress you. You have no idea how dangerous you make people to themselves."