Here's another chapter, hope it's up to par.
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"...-f you need to really, Really, REALLY hurt them and don't have to worry about collateral damage or you're fighting someone like...I dunno, Lung? Use this ability…"
Okay, it's been three days since our near-death at the hands of DeRez. The late villain was a new villain here in the Bay that came from...Louisiana two months ago, according to my PHO and PRT database dives. He had the power to deconstruct matter to the molecular level within a certain range of himself and the area affected was two feet in diameter, though he was unable to affect any organic matter, regardless whether it was living or dead. I felt that he should have been a high class villain but further investigation revealed that he was mentally disabled...ouch. I didn't bother finding out his disability, per the Unwritten Rules at Taylor's insistence.
These Unwritten Rules seemed fairly stupid but if one took the Endbringer Truce into account, they were what kept everything sane… "...-at else can I do, Ghost?"
I mentally wandered back into the lesson on my Guardian's abilities. I had managed to reassess her powers and limitations; seriously, she'd be a versatile powerhouse when she learned everything. Not Triumvirate-level, but a major contender all the same.
"Guardian, as I've said before; you have the ability to 'double-jump' midair, generate a limited overshield that blocks all forms of damage to a certain extent, generate and throw grenades of Light that have varying effects, a strike of varying effects and...okay, this is really long list. Is there anything specific? It'd make this a lot easier, Taylor." I stopped bothering with listing everything out because she had too many possible abilities at her fingertips.
"Yeah, um...how about something that lets me travel faster than just running and jumping around? I might have been able to escape DeRez if I had a way to move faster…" Hmm, it seemed she was still shaken from her accidental slaying of the villain, though she really should understand that while it was her ability, I was the one that did the deed.
*sigh* 'I really need to finish installing that Psychology and Therapy suite…'
"Let's see…" I checked my databases for something that increases her movement speed or general mobility. I found some minor things that boosted her by small percentages but nothi-...oooh, what's this? I opened up the files and beheld the blueprints to some nice hardware…
"Guardian, I may have found something…" Taylor perked up as I explained what I found.
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"Okay, so we need...a lot of stuff. So much stuff that I literally can't begin to explain where to find it all." She nodded glumly, staring at the list we had written of supplies and materials I would need to transmat her potential force multiplier, the Eliksni Pike; a low-cost, armed analogue of the Sparrow Reconnaissance Hoverbike I found first. Both vehicles were only capable of carrying a single person, hovered through bullshit technology and enabled the rider to travel around fifty to sixty miles an hour; faster on straight runs.
Strangely, the Sparrow was more difficult to create due to the necessity of something called an Arc-Resonator to power the vehicle. The Pike only needed regular electricity.
"So...what are our options, Ghost?" I sighed audibly and looked directly at her, being as serious as I could.
"...we have three options. I can even use a single word for each one! There's Crime, Wards or Hidden. First, we could become criminals for a bit, stealing the items you need until I can outfit you in the best gear possible. Then you can redeem yourself by becoming a hero, like that guy from Minnesota, Juxtapos." Her stubborn look told all I needed to know about that option.
"Yeah, I thought you'd veto that one. Second choice is turning ourselves into the PRT, you go on probationary status as a junior hero and I...try not to get dismantled. I could probably swing being an independent projection of half your powers or something. For all we know, that could be true." The stubborn look weakened considerably and I added more to wear her down. "You'd have a team to watch your back, a stable income to pay for all your stuff, the safety of the Protectorate in case we get in over our heads and make up with your father."
She hunched over and asked for the last option. I sighed.
"Lastly, we do what we've been doing. Stay low for anywhere between months to years, getting you experience and such. You'll never have the equipment you'll need, no permanent home, possibly get mistaken for a villain and...never be able to see your father without us being hounded by the other heroes. It's your choice, Guardian. I may prefer the second option but I'll follow you wherever you decide." Taylor...she went over to the bed I transmat'd for her and fell silent. I felt bad but she needed to hear these things. I hovered over and escalated. I wanted her to be a hero, safe in the Wards; I'll obey her, but this situation isn't sustainable without utilizing less than legal means of supporting our operations.
"Guardian...you do realize that what we have now? It was never meant to last forever. You trying to be a hero like this...it won't work. I've run the numbers and I've done the simulations; it's only a matter of time until you either get captured by the PRT and suffer under their terms or forcibly recruited by one of the gangs… I can bring you back from death itself but...there are limits to how much of you I restore each time...even less when it's in rapid succession. You need to understand that approaching the Protectorate on your terms is our best chance for success. There are laws that can still protect you so long as we do this soon. Otherwise…"
"...no more, Ghost. Just...just go to sleep." Her muffled order was filled with silent sobs. I reluctantly obeyed, activating the rudimentary security systems. Hopefully, at least one of the three systems would hold up until tomorrow. They were simple and...low tech solutions, after all.
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"...-en Dean freaks over this enormous spider on his bed. He screams in this high pitche-..."
I shifted uncomfortably within Taylor 'new' satchel. She was on a....*shudders* date with the kid from the store, Dennis...Danger...Dynamite. I laughed at his ridiculous name and my Guardian...I can't wait for her to find out for herself! So, Dennis here gets a call from Taylor, asking if he could hang out in a rather surreal turn of events, her asking a boy on a date.
Though she insists it's not a date; they're just hanging out like normal people with normal lives! Her words, not mine. One of my conditions was for me to not be in her head due to the feedback I experienced when dematerialized. Less awkward all around.
"So you go to Arcadia, right? Is it anything like the cra-..."
"The school isn't that amazing. Because of the Dallons and supposedly having the Wards gives us better funding and…"
She's fishing for information without even realizing she's...no, she's genuinely curious about the school...and the kid. Man this is awkward. I can't even do anything because she's worried the light from my oculus will attract attention.
I settled on counting PI for a few cycles, seeing as their inane chat had no bearing on ou- "What are the Wards like? Have you met them?"
Wow, Guardian. That was...subtle. There was some rustling and murmurings before Dennis~ answered.
"I've only met two of them, Gallant and Clockblocker. Gallant acts as his name implies; chivalrous, empathetic to others and Clockblocker is a joker. He told me this joke abou-..." I felt a strange suspicion that this kid…
…
…
...was a cape geek. Specifically a fan of Clockblocker, seeing how he has many more anecdotes and facts about the resident time-stopping teen than Gallant. Hmm, a lot of these stories seem...too personal. Maybe they're friends? Could be it…
"...told me about how he and the team were looking for this man's runaway daughter." Taylor flinched visibly, though there was no mention of it in the conversation. "Clockblocker swore up and down that the girl had to be part ninja to hide from their team."
There was movement and they both were walking...west-north-west.
"Do you think the girl's dad is mad abo-..."
"Of course not! If I ran away from home, my dad would be out of his mind with worry. Being mad would probably co-..."
"No, I'm an only child. You?"
"I...I have an older brother. He's nosy, bossy and always tries to get me to…"
Huh? Older brother? Who could she be talking about?"
"...always hovering. It's sweet but...I sometimes need my space. Like today…"
Ah, me. Older brother; good metaphor, Guardian. Also separates you further from the runaway mentioned and-
"I think he wants what's best for you. He's only trying to protect you, from what I can tell. Carlos...uh, one of my other friends is like that with everybody. Dean pretends to be all cool and confident, but he's the same way. They care about our group and try and steer us right. Maybe your bro-..."
Huh, I guess...Dennis isn't so bad after all. This could help push Taylor to join the Wards if I can time my next suggestion right.
It was an hour or so later as Taylor sat in the back of the bus, heading towards the Docks. She was quiet...contemplative. I was about to try and ask her how it was on her date when she spoke up.
"...I'll do it. I'll...we'll head to the Protectorate tomorrow, okay?" I peeked out of her satchel in her lap and nodded once. I was glad she chose this willingly. Now for my part: setting up the proper appointment and purchasing the ferry ticket online. Maybe throw in a few gift shop reservations to help throw off any hackers…
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Early the next morning, Taylor finished freshening up in the tub I made for her using spare materials. Today was the day she was gonna become a registered hero and I wanted nothing to go wrong.
"Alright, Guardian. I've purchased your ticket under your current alias, Samantha Traynor. You'll find a false I.D. in your satchel with the confirmation number as well. Your scheduled appointment with the Protectorate representative is at eleven am sharp, so we have three hours to get to the ferry and onto the Rig. Using the routes I've set, we should get there with half an hour to spare." She had finished dressing in a plain white blouse, torn jeans and a thin denim jacket. I looked at her, meeting her gaze.
She was ready.
"I'm ready. Let's head out, Ghost"
The bus rides to the Downtown Ferry Terminal was quiet and such; no hold ups or anything. It was when we got to the terminal that things got...interesting.
"Hey, you got a moment?"
Taylor turned from her place in line to see a blonde girl around her age with freckles and a rather vulpine smirk on her face. I immediately hated this girl.
"I think you and I should have a chat."
I spoke to my Guardian silently. "This girl is dangerous. Just say no and get your ticket. The ferry leaves in half an hour… Please, Guardian."
She continued to smirk, so sure of my Guardian's possible response. It was a great pleasure to see her dumbfounded look when Taylor merely said, "Go away." in a deadpan and began ignoring the girl. Yet she seemed determined to talk. As the line moved up, she soldiered on.
"Listen, you're gonna make a huge mistake. Things aren't as they seem and whoever you've been talking to is gonna lead you down a path you'll seriously regret. Give me...five minutes to convince you to...join up with me a few friends. All of us are like you; bad situations and parental problems. If you just give us a chance then-..."
Taylor simply ignored the babble and received the flashy red and white ticket from the teller. "I don't know you. I don't trust you. Just go away and bother someone else with whatever you're selling. I'm not gonna buy into...whatever this is."
And with that, Taylor left the fuming girl behind the security gate as we boarded the ferry.
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I'm not sure on this chapter, but at least it's an update!