UPDATE!!
--------------------------------------------
The lobby of Brockton Bay's Protectorate Headquarters was…
...a little underwhelming.
Sure there's the futuristic aesthetics, such as airlock-style doors from Mass Effect, floating lights not connected to anything and various holographic displays showing the Heroes and Wards stationed here.
But adding in people in plain clothing, a receptionist, mall cop-looking troopers and a gift shop? It really makes it look like someone is trying a bit too hard to make a blend of heroism and marketing together. Granted they seem to be succeeding according to the looks of awe from the visitors, but still…
"What's the plan, Ghost?" I'm drawn from my thoughts by Taylor's internal message. Right, plans.
"First, we should go with the crowd. Let's blend in a bit; you should check out the gift shop while I contact the number we were given." There's a feeling of agreement and Taylor begins following the flow of visitors. She browses the various displays, stopping specifically at the Clockblocker display. I tune out her mental readings as I get to my part of the plan.
*ring...ring...ring...kuchunk - #This is Janey-Jane's Protectorate Tours! Jane here, how can I help you?" I paused at the very...uh...the person on the other end sounded like…
...okay, she sounds like an airhead, but this has got to be the right number, right?
"Uh, yes. This is Presley King. I'm calling about a tour my younger sister, Leorah, and I have at 8:40am?" The sentence was one agreed upon and her reply should be…
#Let's see here...King...King...Ki-Here we go! Presley and Leorah King at 8:40! I see you picked out our full tour package? Can I get your confirmation code?# Okay, so maybe this lady is on the level. It was stated perfectly…
My turn.
"Yes, my sister has it. Um, the code is 'A New Dawn'." There's a beep and another person takes over.
#This is Miss Militia. We've confirmed your appointment and...you're here in the building? IF so, please identify yourselves by raising your right hand to scratch your right earlobe.# I tag Taylor's inner monologue and she does so. #I've spotted your 'sister', but where are you, sir?#
"I'm...sort of with her, sorta not. If it makes you feel any better, I'm mostly harmless and will appear the moment you all have us out of sight?" There's a brief pause and some murmuring that muffled by static and...something else.
#Very well. Be warned that I will personally deal with any hostile actions on you or your...sister's parts.# I agree and Taylor begins following Miss Militia's instructions.
------------------------
Taylor steps into a rather large elevator with not just Miss Militia, but Assault, Battery and Velocity. The moment the doors close, the elevator stops and they are bathed in blue light. Miss Militia turns to Taylor as the other three seem to...tense up.
"Miss...King, are you in any way under duress? We have you protected at this moment and we have no sign of the individual known as 'Presley' being in this space." I interrupt her calming words and appear right in front of both Assault and Battery in a flash of light. They all react in their own ways.
Miss Militia grabs Taylor and shoves my Guardian behind her, a...very big knife in hand. Assault stops and smacks his feet and hands, obviously powering up his kinetic powers. Battery starts glowing with barely restrained electricity...no, actual Arc Light and Velocity...goes from upright and relaxed to a ready position before my sensors even detect him taking a breath. I make a mental note to investigate Battery later once I have time. She has Arc Light!
"...uh, hi?" I sheepishly pulse my oculus as Taylor shoves her way next to me. I decide to let my Guardian take the lead...at her mental insistence, to be honest.
"Uh, this is Ghost. He's...part of my powers. A...Projection, I guess. And I'm-" She's interrupted by Miss Militia.
"...Taylor Hebert, recent runaway and daughter of Daniel Hebert, correct?" Taylor nods and...there's still the tense atmosphere. Yikes… "We were contacted by your father immediately after you...left your home. He insisted that this...Ghost was some sort of Tinkertech drone…" I had been about to object to that, being no mere drone but Taylor grabbed me and shoved me into her satchel.
"He's not some sort of drone, he's really part of my powerset. I…, I guess we'll explain once we get to the interview, alright?" None of the four heroes seemed to like that but acquiesced to Taylor's request.
I, on the other hand, fumed on the dismissal. She only ever shoved me into her satchel when she wanted some form of mental privacy…
Five minutes later, both Taylor and I...and her father...sat in a small room similar to an interrogation room…
...alone.
Though how Danny got here so fast left me baffled!
A tense silence later and Danny was the first to speak.
"I...I was so worried. After you...ran out, I called the PRT and then…" He sighed and placed his face into his hands. "...I've just been out of my mind, wondering if you were okay...or hurt or even if you we-..." He sobbed just as Taylor rushed to him, quickly sobbing as well. There were some babbled apologies while I hummed tunelessly in her satchel on the table.
I guess she gets her emotional side from her father; go figure…
There's a sudden moving of the satchel and Taylor drags me out. I'm left hovering right in front of a red-eyed Danny and wondering what's up. Luckily, my Guardian is already talking.
"...-een keeping me safe as best he could while helping me be a hero...sort of. I'm sorry I overreacted and you are too so...can you apologize to Ghost too?" I glance back at her determined face and look at him to see...resignation.
"...Thank you...Ghost, for keeping my daughter out of trouble. I...apologize for trying to-for overreacting." I vocally shrug it off just as Director Piggot and Ar-...MOUSE PROTECTOR?!
"The dashing hero arrives!" is declared exuberantly by the heroine. The Director merely walks stiffly. The Heberts goggle at Mouse Protector, though they seem..glad for her presence? Both women take a seat at the table, though the mouse-eared one practically seems to vibrate in her seat. Piggot is the first to speak.
"Now that the...reunion is complete, we can begin. I am Director Emily Piggot of the Parahuman Response Team East-North-East. As you may already know, this is Mouse Protector, the...leader of the Protectorate team here in Brockton Bay." Huh...the website says this is true, but why did I think Armsmaster was the leader? "...-rt off by explaining to me about yourself and your powerset."
I glance up and realize she's not talking to Taylor; she's talking to me.
"Uh, right. Let's see...okay. I'm Ghost. I...have no memories before helping my Gu-uh, Taylor after...an incident. Research indicates I may be a Case 53 parahuman and according to your PRT rating system of parahuman abilities and powers, I'm a Tinker-Changer. I also happen to be a Mover, Breaker and minor Brute…" There's a slight widening of her eyes, but otherwise Piggot doesn't react obviously. MP actually does a fist pump...discretely.
"And your affiliations?"
"Ah, none to anyone other than my Guardian here!" I cheerfully answer her but she still doesn't seem to relax… She takes a deep breath but Armsmaster barges into the room, already talking.
"You're a Tinker. What specialty? Do you have any weapons or other objects of possible threat currently on your person or does Miss Hebert have them? Do-..." He's interrupted by Mouse Protector, who leaps at him from her seat, latches onto his arm and warps away in a nauseating sidestep that leaves me calculating the terminal velocity of a assorted nut-ladened chipmunk…
She then reappears, completely unruffled, at her seat. There's a wide smirk on her face. "Armsy had some...stuff he needed to take care of. Let's get back to interviewing our two newest heroes, right Emmy?" The smirk becomes a wide smile of pearly whites that makes Piggot seethe.
Impressive.
Director Piggot grits her teeth and takes a rather useless calming breath before continuing on. "Yes...thank you, Mouse Protector. As I was about to say, do you have any other abilities that we should be made aware of?" I decline and am asked to show if I have the identifying mark found on most Case 53s. I hover close to Mouse Protector and display a tiny tilted omega symbol within on of the indents on my sphere. She confirms its presence and Taylor starts her introductions and her powerset…
Nearly twenty minutes later…
"...and that's it so far."
I watch as Director Piggot seems to twitch in place and…
...Mouse Protector is dancing in the background.
"Go, Mouse! Go, Protector! Who's the best? It's Mouse! Who has TWO more new awesome heroes? It's Mouse! Suck on that, Chevy! WOOOOH!"
We all ignore her...or rather, Taylor and I do. Danny is watching her rather guiltily as 'MP' gyrates behind the seething Director.
"...a very impressive array of skills and powers, Miss Hebert. I assume that you've come here to register with the Wards?" Taylor nods quickly, studiously ignoring Mouse Protector's Funky Chicken Moveset. She manages to artistically combine both ballet and zumba; it's really quite impressive.
If anyone argues against it, I'll have Danny here on my side...
I record it and prepare to post it on PHO...for research purposes. I also make a copy for Danny as a peace offering. He seems to be unable to avoid looking at her for more than a few moments at a time.
There's a brief pause as a trooper enters with a stack of papers, eight inches thick. The Heberts, mainly Danny, pale at the sight of so much paperwork. After he places it upon the table, the Director begins the lengthy task of explaining and pointing out the various important parts.
--------------------------
"...and if you'll just sign here, we'll move on to introductions with the Protectorate and Ward members on base." Danny is still rifling through the sheets while Taylor seems rather catatonic. She looks at me and I get the internal message. I begin scanning the sheets and mere moments later, deliver the essentials, and pitfalls, to her.
"I have an issue with page 4, paragraph seven, clause three of the Tinker Regulation sheets. It says I have to submit all non-PRT or Protectorate-issued equipment for testing. What if my gear isn't able to be analyzed by the examiners?" The question seems to catch Piggot off guard for a millisecond...I think.
She speaks firmly. "Then the item in question will be restricted and removed from your possession."
"And if the item...disappears back into my possession? The gear that Ghost makes is always in his databanks and if he has the supplies on hand, he can just make one on the spot." Another clenching of her fists…
"...then Ghost will receive a firm reprimand for providing a Ward with an unsanctioned Tinkertech device. There will be a hefty fine and possibly a demerit on his record for the first infraction. The next few will likely result in further disciplinary actions and possible imprisonment." At here I interject.
"There seems to be a misunderstanding here. You're under the impression that I'm joining the Protectorate." Mouse Protector, still dancing, suddenly whirls and snatches me out of the air. I'm sudden enveloped in darkness as she's wailing with despair.
"NOOOO! You gotta join, Shiny! Think of all the trou-uh, action we could get? You'd have ge…wait." She stops and holds me up for inspection. "...uh, what things are you after? I mean, the Protectorate would give you money and a safe location for a workshop...give you raw materials… I mean, what does a hovering ornament need anyways?" I regain my bearings and take up position at Taylor's shoulder.
"I only need raw materials. Anything else will be simply broken down into more materials for my use. I'm here simply to ensure my Guardian's safety and wellbeing. Keeping her supplied and armed to the best of my ability are also essential duties. Perhaps I could apply for affiliate status? I really only need to stay with Taylor here…" I trailed off before remembering that we never explained the other aspects of our powers. "Oh, I forgot to mention...you see, Taylor and I have...how do I explain this?"
I hovered over to her and tried to figure out a way to explain the connecting element; more specifically, my revival of her and our subsequent connection.
"...ok, so here's the problem that I forgot to mention. Prior to my meeting Taylor here, she didn't have any powers and was seconds from dying." This part had the adults tensing, though Danny was even more despaired than the previous times. "I...I somehow appeared near her and investigated. From my scans, I knew she was moments from dying and...I knew I had to help her. Only problem was that I couldn't at that time. Looking back, I probably could have called some form of medical assistance but even then the paramedics would have been too late."
I was surprised they all stayed silent, though Danny had his arms wrapped around Taylor while she was pale. A flash of terror and depression later and I knew she was remembering that moment.
"I then entered this trance where...a part of me took control and began speaking to her." Piggot's grip on the arms of her chair tightened and Mouse Protector seemed to still. "It spoke to the fading girl before me, asking her if she was ready to be strong; if she was willing to fight against the Darkness. I remember screaming in my mind that I needed to save this girl, not interrogate her…" My oculus' light dimmed as I continued recounting the event.
"She...Taylor answered me just as the last of her faded and I regained control. I used my powers to...sort of enter a metaphysical part of her being and suffused her body with Light. I poured my very soul into reviving this girl and even though it took me what seemed like hours, I did it. I brought her back and not only restored her to what she once was, but made her greater than she ever was before." My form began glowing with aspect-less Light.
"I made her into a Guardian, the last remnant of the Light."
The room fell quiet with only Danny's quiet murmurs to Taylor being heard.
"...and what is a Guardian?" I was surprised it wasn't Piggot or Danny who asked that. It was Mouse Protector.
"A Guardian…" I began. "A Guardian isn't soldier, a hero or even a person...not anymore. A Guardian is created from the lost or ancient dead, brought back and reborn into a bulwark against the Darkness. With the Light at their fingertips and a Ghost at their side, the Guardians are the final shield, reforged to not only stop the advance. They push back the Darkness and spread the Light wherever they may go."
Taylor...she is my Guardian. She'll do all that and more; I know it.
I had a funny thought and made it known.
"In brightest day,
In blackest night.
No shadow will escape my sight.
Let those who bask in Darkness' might,
Beware our power,
The Eternal Light…"
I think I giggled just a bit, Taylor joining me. It fit...sort of.
"That was...informative, but you haven't explained the statement you gave to Miss Militia. Miss Hebert stated quite clearly that you were an aspect of her powers; a projection of sorts. You, however, just stated that you are an independent entity." Piggot looked...not quite curious. More wary than anything else. "Which is the truth, then?"
Taylor just shrugged.
"I...I was and am an independent entity. But I'm also...a symbiote, if that's the right word. She and I are connected both physically and mentally. I give her more power and equipment, supporting her in every way and she...she becomes my Guardian. I know that seems lopsided, but that's just how it works." I'm quite clueless on how I really benefit from our relationship, but I'm...happy. I look at Taylor who has this strange look on her face.
"The immortality is just icing on the cake, I guess?" Her statement/rhetorical question stuns everyone in the room...except for me that is. Piggot beats out MP by moments.
"Care to explain that, Miss Hebert?" Mouse Protector pouts but clearly decides to let Taylor speak. My Guardian sort of...shrugs again, completely nonchalant about it.
Odd.
"If I get hurt enough or get killed outright, Ghost can bring me back." I'm not liking the look on Piggot's face… The Director looks at me with piercing eyes and a clear order within.
Explain. Now.
I sigh and get to it. "The exact science is...unexplainable in simple terms...or scientific ones. The best answer I got? Well, since I brought her back the first time, I've long since memorized her very essence; that which makes Taylor Hebert who she is on every level of being. So if she dies...I just use the Light to...fix the body and bring her back, good as new."
Piggot holds up a hand to silence Mouse Protector and begins interrogating me on the process.
"What are the limitations? Restrictions and the requirements of your...ability?" Easy enough…
"Uh, just need to have a sufficient store of Light. Doesn't matter if I have or don't have enough Light at the moment of her...incapacitation. I just gather it and bring her back. Only limitations are that Taylor is the only one I can revive...uuh, ever and there is an infinitesimally small loss of memory upon revival. We can prevent the second from being permanent by making sure I don't have to revive her in rapid succession. That tiny loss is gone if I have to revive her before she can recover mentally."
There was a pause as I met Taylor eye to eye...eyes.
"So don't go rushing about like a lemming...or Oni Lee. Not much difference between the two, really…"
-----------------------------------------
