Bab 24: A2 c2
Interlude – Assault
Meeting new parahumans was always interesting.
You never quite knew what you were getting in to.
Even someone self-identifying as a hero could be anything but. Heroism and Villainy were often points of view. The people of the United States both worship and disdain a black and white morality system. A careful balance of PR and proactive action is how the Protectorate keeps its position perched precariously at the top of the food chain.
It's why he had spent such a large portion of his life breaking Birdcage transports.
He was the clown of the Protectorate ENE, but he liked to be the one to meet new parahumans more than anyone. Spending so much of his life as a villain only to change sides to avoid his own trip to the inescapable had made him incapable of seeing only black and white.
He liked to take the measure of a new parahuman. Even better if on their first time out. Having seen heroes and villains of all alignments, he believed he had a good bead on which side of the line a cape truly lay.
Archon is interesting. Too interesting.
As he sits down in the briefing room ready to give a verbal report on the bays latest independent cape, he muses on his meeting with the bays latest tinker.
His "boss" finally enters and sits down. It's just him, Militia and Armsmaster for this one. And the boss.
Emily Piggot.
"Assault, you submitted an AAR that you performed a combined statement and debrief with a new 'heroic' cape, report."
Not one for beating about bush is our fearless leader. But she has no patience for my jokes.
"He's not right."
She cocks an eyebrow at me as Armsmaster leans back in his chair.
"Explain," she says sternly, taking a sip of her drink.
"He's a study in contrasts. And he makes no sense in context to other first timers I've met and yet he definitely isn't a veteran."
"What makes you think that?" Militia interjects.
"His armour was imposing, and yet he didn't have full coverage and he definitely could, the attachment points were visible. It looked extremely well made and was imposing enough to make me defensive on first look, and yet in his statement he noted multiple times that he dodged or blocked the damn near smallest of small arms fire. His strategy going in was poor but his tactical adaptation to the evolving situation was damn near perfect. He acted like a newbie and like an experienced cape."
Armsmaster sits up straight and interjects.
"He might not have been confident in the protection of his tech? You said he said he was out testing his gear not expecting to get into a fight, maybe there was a missing element?"
I think about this quickly and retort.
"I thought about that, but trust me Armsmaster, I wish I had a camera with me so you could have seen the sheer quality of this armour. It looked like it could take a tank shot. I'm no tinker but I've worked with you long enough to pick some things up. He definitely acted like a new cape, but his tinker gear is the highest quality I have ever seen from a new cape. This isn't even mentioning his ability to manipulate the battlefield, nor his 'tesla glove' that he used to perfectly take down two of Hookwolf's enforcers without significant injury. I looked into these guys. They aren't run-of-the-mill empire mooks. They are directly connected with the wolf."
Armsmaster nods
"You mentioned in the report that his armour is unpowered, did he imply it could be powered in future?"
"He definitely skirted the subject, he said he regretted not coming out in the full suit while he was debriefing after I mentioned the connection points to him. I compared him to you without the powered armour and he played coy."
Piggot interrupts me from continuing this discussion.
"I notice from your report you didn't try for recruitment?" It sounds like a statement. But when it barks like a dog but looks like a lion, you learn quickly to understand the deeper context.
"No. I didn't. He wouldn't be interested right there. He was insulted by the very idea that he would care more about how his actions looked to the PRT and the cops than how effective they were in the field. He's going to be a very soft sell if ever. I pushed registration and possible power testing and gave him my cape number and email to give him a support structure. I've laid the foundations for future collaboration which could lead to recruitment."
"Do you not think a harder push could have borne fruit?"
"Absolutely not, if there's one thing I know, it's recruitment. He said himself that he wasn't planning on going out for weeks and that he had 'been preparing and planning his first patrol for a long time'. He was in a very quiet area for equipment testing and came across a situation he refused to let progress. This is a slow, methodical man who wants every situation to be perfectly in his favour before he moves. But won't hesitate to move if the situation evolves to one he isn't happy with. He's a puzzle."
Piggot grimaces.
"The last thing we need is more puzzles in the bay. But I'll defer to your recommendation. For now."
She leans back and looks out of the window over the city.
"Any preliminary power ratings?"
I think about it for a second. Preliminary ratings are the domain of the first responder and it's important I get them semi accurate in case he ends up a villain.
"It's difficult to rate him without seeing him fight. But off a quick look at his gear and his statement. Tinker 2 for the armour and weapons. Shaker 2 for the battlefield manipulation. He implied there's more to it but unless we can get power testing done, I can't go any further than 'can raise walls of dirt slowly and dismiss them, using them to block bullets.' Then we have Mover 2 or Thinker 2 for the bullet dodging. He's either a combat precog or a mover. His armour isn't powered, so neither is a tinker effect. One of those guys is a sport shooter, if he's missing a human size target at that range, its power related."
Militia speaks up again.
"That's a decent spread for a new cape, grab bag?"
"He said 'may showcase some of my tech. I'm not just a tinker so I will contemplate power testing, but I'm making no promises.' So, while he may or may not be a grab bag, he definitely has non-tinker powers.
After some more meaningless analysis, Piggot finally closes the meeting.
I wonder if puppy is back yet.
Notes:
Readers, please let me know how my characterisation was. These interludes are writing practice for me as I struggle hugely to get into a characters voice. So let me know your thoughts!Arc 2 - Chapter 1
Sunday 20th November 2010
I wake up and perform my morning routine on autopilot. Wash, brush, relieve myself in the apartment bathroom and then straight back into the forge dimension. Come to think of it, I have water in the forge now. Hopefully, I will get some facilities in there soon.
Entering the foyer of the Workshop, I push myself with an intense and lengthy workout lifting shaped blocks of raw materials, before following it up with a good bloodletting and stimpak creation session. Four more shiny new stimpaks to go with the two I have left. One of them used immediately to complete my workout.
The key word for this coming fortnight is "Momentum".
I'm not sure when the Nine attack Mouse Protector, from the top of my head, the community believed it was between the Bakuda incident and Leviathan. Not much earlier. This means the first major point I will be interfering in is Taylor's trigger. I've pre-committed to this, but Queen Administrator is a major part of Ziz' overall plan to reset the cycle, I believe. My knowledge of Worm is unfortunately tainted by years of fanon.
The QA situation troubles me.
I know Ziz is incapable of looking into my dimension. This means every time I enter and leave, I introduce chaff to her precognition. She can't grasp my future properly if I keep dropping out of her future.
This is supposition, but it feels correct. Deep inside, that strange forge granted instinct that allows me to just know how my power works.
I get the feeling that preventing the locker incident won't be enough to prevent Taylor, or possibly Danny as a backup from triggering for as long as I lack the ability to block Ziz in the long term.
I will need to keep escalating my production and deal with things as they come.
I need resources. My workshop is refilled with a good chunk of the basics, resource management stretches them immensely for me, and I still have a decent chunk of resources left from my last day long foray into gathering. And the scrapping and recycling parts of my now defunct armour. But I need access to a few rarer alloys and compounds that the forge tells me are possible. Because I have plans. Big plans.
I have a rough design for a slimline powered armour focused on using lots of tiny actuators stewing in my head as a complete replacement to the current solid armour, a major upgrade to the tesla system inspired by the knowledge gained from Dollmaker, a new nanofiber bodysuit with much improved defensive capabilities from the synergy between Dollmaker and Backyard Handywork, and an anti-brute blade. I also have testing to do on Magic Cooking pot. I want to try making liquid ration packs I can hot swap in my armour with a feeding straw to gain the buffs I need at variable timescales based on intake.
When the forge wants to inspire you. It goes all out to inspire you.
So, I am going to have to make some tools. I needed to do this anyway, but sourcing, or building a CNC mill, a few 3d printers, a nanoscale loom and a laser cutter are requirements for me to finish this project in any reasonable length of time. I can make what I need without these things, but backyard handywork's time penalty will be immense for this project. It will be much quicker to use handywork to make the tools and machines I need and then use those machines with handywork to finish the job. Even if I account for the toolmaking time.
Plus, like hell I am making hundreds of actuators and connectors manually by hand. Weaponised laziness is the key to human progress.
I'm going to book my meeting with the PRT today for as soon as possible. I want to start selling various "mundane" goods in my cape identity and I need to check the legality with them. I also need to resolve my powers with them and my registration.
I can take the opportunity to activate a few doors in the downtown area while I am there.
I pull out my phone and ask EFA to dial the switchboard number that Assault gave me.
The phone rings a few times and then I hear a woman's voice answer.
"Hello, PRT ENE. How can I direct your call?"
"Hi, Archon here, I was given this number by Assault yesterday in regard to booking a registration and induction session?"
"Ok Archon, I can definitely help you with that. When are you free for your meeting, and would you prefer to do this with or without Assault himself present?"
Wait, that's a choice?
"I wasn't aware there was a choice in the matter?"
"Oh of course Sir, had you called spontaneously then you would have been assigned whichever member of the protectorate was on duty that day, however due to you being approached for registration by Assault, we can allow you to continue with the same parahuman as your induction partner. Please note that either choice is fine."
Hmm, do I want Assault to help register me? The connection to Battery and therefore Cauldron could be useful or problematic or even both if I build a positive relationship with him, and there is an advantage on having a familiar face there. In all honesty though, I don't really care either way.
"I actually don't mind either way miss, feel free to put me with Assault or not. I will be comfortable either way. I'm free for a meeting any time from this afternoon onward, although I assumed being Sunday you wouldn't have people available."
"That's fine sir, we have 7-day coverage, it makes things easier with second identities and jobs and all. You might not be able to meet some of the higher-ups depending on who is on rotation, but we should be able to cover you this afternoon. Does 1pm work for you?"
"I'll be there, should I arrive in costume or just a basic mask?"
"Whatever you are most comfortable with sir, we know the basic look of your gear and will be prepared either way."
"I have some things to bring for possible tinker testing, is this acceptable for this meeting?"
"Yes that's fine as it would come under any power testing you agree to."
"Thank you for your time."
"You're welcome, thank you for calling PRT ENE!"
Hanging up the call prompts the forge to vibrate my eyeballs.
Vehicles – Failed!
Time – Failed!
Toolkit Mundane – Success!
Deep Pockets – Endless Pantheon
…I swear the forge keeps trying to make a lite version of every parahuman in the bay.
First, I get Dauntless lite. A perk I still haven't leveraged properly with my lack of combat.
The Fallout Chemist perk gives me Bakuda-lite, okay she's technically not in the bay yet, but still! Once I finally get round to exploring the grenades, definitely Bakuda-lite.
Now I get Circus lite.
Jokes aside this is one of those understated yet amazing perks.
It lets me use a small portal to my forge dimension in the form of a small bag. The portal is small, roughly about the width of a 2l bottle of water. It can be used to pull anything out of or return anything to the dimension that "an ordinary man could lift with one hand". I can pull out and return my manipulator, the tesla glove, any weapons that are light enough to be carried one handed. But not my armour. The mask just about fits. The best part is that the portal is enchanted to be completely undetectable.
That's right. Archon just got himself the ultimate stealth bag of holding baby.
I no longer need to secret away my magic food throughout my armour. And my Fallout 4 consumables just got a lot more widescale.
It's eight in the morning, I have to be with the PRT at 1pm. I need to engage in a bit of misdirection with the apartment to show that I still live here, so I'll leave the forge via the door at home, leave the apartment on foot. And get the bus down to downtown. I'll get off on the edge of docks at the very end of the boardwalk and chain some door openings all the way down to PRT HQ on foot. When I get closer, I'll utilise a maintenance cupboard or public toilet to go grab my gear and then step one door back to obfuscate my position.
Plan set, it will take me roughly two hours to implement leaving time for delays, I'll give myself three to make sure. That leaves two hours to decide what to bring with me and do some mundane crafts to show off my gear.
For physical gear I decide to go with a tactical chest and abdomen armour and open helmet and a high-quality stun baton, the baton is enchanted with Weapon Absorption and uses a modified version of my tesla stun system, with a more slimline solid-state battery which I include the plans for. They can be recharged slowly from mains power, or if paired with the chest plate and an interface rig, they can charge on the go from movement.
I want to really push the idea of me selling them custom gear for the PRT squads. I know Piggot is a parahuman hater, but she has reason to think like she does. I want to show her that not every parahuman has zero care for the unpowered.
For consumables, I go with the Stimpak/Med-X and Rad-X trifecta, along with some Radaway. Luckily, I already had the uranium glass I needed to make the Rad-X. I had picked some up in my early collecting binge. I would definitely need to track down a hobby shop as I was all out now.
I also throw in three Endangerol Syringes, three Lock Joint syringes and three Pax syringes. I plan to implement an inline syringer to my armour eventually, but they can technically still just be used as regular syringes.
Endangerol reduces a targets defensive brute rating by roughly 25% for 2 minutes, Lock Joint paralyses the target for ten seconds and Pax forces the target out of anger, rage or anything else causing violence for thirty seconds. I think they will be very interested in these.
I decide to stay away from grenades for now. I wanted to make a 'refreshing beverage', but I don't have the ingredients for one antibiotic, let alone the three required for that particular craft. Plus, I am not messing about with hydrofluoric acid without proper protective equipment.
All in all, I think this is a good show of what I was capable of when I met Assault. It doesn't cover anything really from the perks I have gained since, there's nothing wild in here, the personal gear isn't even tinker-tech really if you discount the weapon enchantment, or the self-repairing nature of it. I probably won't show everything, but making it all will at least let me make decisions.
Power wise, I've decided to go with a modified, stripped down version of the truth. Everything I tell them will be the truth, and I'll be honest when I tell them I am intentionally not telling them everything. I'm going to pass myself off as a tinker/shaker hybrid with a wide tinker speciality of "personal combat equipment and enhancers". This will explain away the consumables and the combat gear alike. I will explain my shaker power as the ability to imbue any weaponry with a self-improvement field. And additionally make armour with a self-repair field as long as I was the one to create it.
I also won't be able to make the armour away from my specific blacksmith workshop, but I can pass that off as an effect I have to imbue into my tools over time.
If it turns into an issue, I'll burn the bridge as I get to it.
I definitely will not be mentioning the portal. Nor any of my special perks that improve my crafting.
Time to make a trip downtown.
---
Leaving was uneventful as always, though my paranoia is spiked in this area since meeting Adam. Dave's sat on his ratty outdoor couch with his posse of friends as usual and he lets on with a nod. I decide to be neighbourly.
"Dave, I'm off down the boardwalk to pick up some food and mooch about, do you want anything while I'm out? I won't be back till tonight though," I yell over.
"Nah T I'm all good, thanks for asking though, you're a good lad."
Dave relationship watered, time to catch a bus.
There's a joke somewhere about a tinker taking the bus I think but I can't think of it right now.
Jumping off the bus at the dock end of the boardwalk, I walk my way towards downtown. It's just approaching 12, even at almost noon, No-one sane hangs around without purpose at this side of the docks.
The forge starts to move.
Skills Alchemy – Failed!
Crafting Magitech – Failed!
Knowledge Intelligence – Failed!
I'm glad this happened now. I need my A-Game for the PRT.
As I make my way down the boardwalk, I decide to check in with EFA on our current projects.
"EFA, how goes progress on our outstanding projects?"
"Sir all current projects are progressing as requested. Status report as follows. Last Slaughterhouse Nine sighting – Torrey, Utah, 35 dead, 6th November 2010, Mouse Protector remains active in the state of Illinois. Rare sightings in Chicago, however, high volume of action suggests a primary patrol area of Springfield, Illinois to Decatur, Illinois. Hacking and Software development ability continues to grow. I believe I would be capable of breaking into a standard residential local network now. And I can develop and repair basic software. I will be taking certification shortly for a 'Basic level' certificate in Software development and Hardware/Software Security."
"Thanks for the update EFA, please update me as a priority if any major changes occur in these monitoring jobs."
"No problem sir, I will continue as I am. May I make a personal suggestion?"
"Always EFA, you never need to ask."
"I have added a personal job to the agenda. I am tracking opinion and sightings of you across PHO and various other social media. May I continue to do so and present reports to you?"
"I should have thought of this myself to be honest EFA, as long as it doesn't interfere with your own personal development and free time, or take time away from the primary objectives, then please feel free to add any task you wish to the list.
"Thank you, Sir."
I spot a sunken door in the rear of a nearby fast-food place. I hop over and open it with my key and immediately shut it again. Finally, a decent deployment spot on the boardwalk.
I continue to walk down the boardwalk until it's time to turn off towards downtown, the PRT HQ is not far from Arcadia, and is signposted everywhere. Turning off down the main boulevard towards Downtown I sigh at the walk ahead of me. As far as I know, PRT HQ is on this road, but further into town. I hope.
As I walk downtown, I take advantage of alleyways, side roads and public facilities to add a few more doors to my access key. Finally, after a few aborted attempts to veer off my path, worried that I had the wrong road, the PRT HQ is in sight and it's time to get changed.
I quickly jump through a maintenance access door in the side of a bus station, and I am back in my workshop.
I gear up in what I'm calling my "PR" gear. Open faced helmet, torso armour, my now padded gauntlets, steel integrated domino mask for eyes and nose. Mixed cloth weave body suit and my special flex weave neck protector. I put my tesla glove on my right hand, but I leave the manipulator ready to be called if needed. If I need to destabilise the integrity of the PRT building, then something has gone very wrong. I sheathe my Baton and, with a quick look at the knife, make a final decision. "Sorry knife, you served me well, but you aren't really the aesthetic I am going for." I absorb the knife into the baton with its small amount of experience. The baton shines for a second and then goes inert again. It feels heavier in my hand, heftier, with more existential weight.
Finally, I bag up my bag of goodies, check my seams and connections.
Time to go.
I look at myself in my only mirror. I look ready. I look professional.
I don't think I've ever been so nervous.
I step back out into an alleyway a little while back from where I was.
All eyes will be on me once I step out onto the main drag. Lunchtime is just beginning for most offices. Nowhere to hide.
I've always hated crowds.
---
Stepping out onto the main road is daunting. I don't know how professional heroes enjoy this part of the job. Sure, I want the applause, the plaudits, and the fans, but I want them at a distance damnit!
However, when I get out there, and people start to notice me, to point and take pictures. I find myself in my element.
Some part of me deep inside craves this kind of acknowledgment, and I find myself adopting a huge grin as I walk towards the PRT building.
There aren't massive crowds of people out as I feared, but there's enough people that it's noticeable that I'm being watched. A few of the observing crowd watch me warily. However, most are excitedly chatting and taking pictures.
I make my way into the PRT building without being accosted. There's a near permanent rotating group of cape enthusiasts outside, but they know better than to interrupt people from entering the building.
As I walk through the door, as if to punish me for my earlier hope, the forge moves.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills – Failed!
Database Magical – Failed!
Quality Resources – Failed!
Another failure, at least I'm building up a nice pool. And I don't have to contemplate a new perk as I meet with the PRT.
Entering the PRT building is nerve-wracking. I've been mentally building up to this meeting almost since I arrived here.
I thought there was going to be a big interview, that they would push and push for me to join up, all the while lecturing me about the importance of testing my tech with them and not deploying anything without permission.
I was wrong.
Instead, I was asked to deposit any weaponry or tinkertech I had on me into a fixed locker in an interim room. I was handed the key to the locker, and an itemised receipt for every object I placed in there, signed by two witnesses.
I was then led to a small grey room with a table and chairs and given a short interview by an older PRT agent called Agent Kunzler, a severe lady with steel grey hair and piercing blue eyes, about my intentions in the city as a parahuman. After informing her that I would be patrolling and acting as a hero and selling artwork and toys and such that I produced with my tinker/shaker power on the market. I was given a set of forms and disclaimers about my rights as a registered parahuman hero, which were roughly about the same as a citizen performing a citizen's arrest. I was then strictly informed about the illegality of moving people to detention, I can detain in place but absolutely cannot legally move people without taking a kidnapping charge, apparently the single most common mistake new hero's fall afoul of. And then finally my ability to loot from the gangs which basically boiled down to, don't unless you have a very good accountant.
Next, I was given a whole other set of forms about my rights as a parahuman rogue. Simply put, I didn't need to worry about selling restrictions. Art isn't covered and nor are handmade goods. Mass tinkertech selling isn't really a thing for normal tinkers due to maintenance requirements, normals who bought tinkertech typically also bought the time of the tinker as well or just flat out hired the tinker.
I had come into the meeting with worries about NEPEA-5 and having to sell my goods under the table. however I was told that I was misinformed. NEPEA-5 didn't prevent individual parahumans from selling their goods in a seller to buyer relationship. It prevented parahumans from opening businesses that competed in markets that non parahuman businesses worked in. I could sell as an independent seller, even as a single man business as long as my taxes were paid. But if I bought on staff and attempted to upscale, the taxes incurred by the bill would ramp up rapidly. And the big no-no was tinker assisted mass production. I couldn't make tinker machines to make goods or raw resources to sell. If I did start selling identical products en masse that competed against existing non parahuman product then I would be subject to investigation by WEDGDG for NEPEA 5 violations.
All in all, for an independent, the prospects actually weren't all that bad.
However, next came the warnings.
"Archon, before you sign this registration paperwork and receive your induction pack I am required to provide you with a set of statistics about parahuman survival rates in this city. Please note the following. In the past five years of the thirty parahumans that we know of who have chosen to go, and stay independent, eleven have died. Nine have been inducted to the gangs. Five have been maimed into disability and no longer able to work. And One has disappeared entirely. Four parahumans who chose to stay independent are still independent in the city or beyond. I am required to give you this information and to inform you that it is the recommendation of the PRT that you join a legal group of like-minded parahumans as soon as you are able. This does not have to be the Protectorate although of course we would love to have you. There is safety in numbers in this business, and solo entities do not last long."
I sit and digest this for a minute. Thankfully, Agent Kunzler lets me take my time. She likely thinks I am worried about the numbers, but I'm not.
I'm astounded that they didn't use those statistics to push for recruitment. And recommending that I join a group even if it isn't them?
Who the hell even is this PRT? If this was supposed to make me more at ease, if anything, it has made me more suspicious. But I try to keep that to myself.
"Thank you for your recommendation and honesty about the numbers Agent Kunzler, it's actually my intention to eventually form a team of my own as I agree with you about being alone in this business."
"All we can do is give you the advice Archon, it's up to you to decide how you implement it. Anyway, here are the forms for hero and rogue registration. Please read them carefully and sign where indicated when ready."
I read through the forms quickly.
It's standard legalese. It states that I have no right to introduce myself as a member of either the PRT or the Protectorate but that I am allowed to use my registration card as identification with local law enforcement who will be able to use this to check my record and use it to register complaints and commendations. These complaints and commendations will count for and against me when the PRT or Protectorate need to call for extra help. It informs me of my right to deny the deputization of either department and succinctly informs me of my rights while under deputization. A process that happens when I agree to attend a call to arms or a call for aid from the PRT or the Protectorate. Finally, it informs me of my benefits. A PRT registered number, No phone, just a sim card I can use on a device of my choosing, access to PRT observed tinker think tanks if I wish it, and access to limited PRT supply chains for non-restricted tinker supplies.
The last one I'm quite sure I will be taking advantage of.
The final page is a questionnaire on services I am interested in such as tinker review or power testing, which I quickly fill out.
The rogue form simply reiterates the information I was already given.
All in all, I'm quite happy that I decided to register.
I sign on the dotted line.
"Thank you for registering with us today, Archon, and I hope we can foster a good partnership."
"Me too Agent Kunzler, thank you for your assistance."
"It's no problem, now if we return to the visitors room, Assault will be waiting for you for a chat before we proceed to the final subject of the day, power testing and tinker tech testing and sharing negotiations."
As we step into the elevator, the forge churns.
Crafting Biotech – Success!
Cybernetics – GUNNM
My heart Is racing.
I've just had a database and technical knowledge on how to build cyborgs implanted into my head, but more importantly, I've learned how to make cybernetics. I've gained more instinctive knowledge of engineering to add on to the already astounding knowledge I gained from my other perks, and an incredible ability to program and repair existing cybernetics as well as understand their function. Even further, I can design custom designs and components in an hour that would take a dedicated team of researchers a month! It even gives me multiple forms of organic-inorganic connections! Synthetic Organs! Prosthetics!
And then I can combine it with SUPERHUMAN DESIRE so I can't even fail to install them on myself!!
And I can't even explore it as I'm in the middle of the bloody PRT building!
This is one perk I cannot wait to leverage!
The elevator trip is short, and before long we are back at the visitor's locker room where I dropped off my gear.
Assault greets me with a warm smile.
"Hi Archon!" he says kindly. "I wanted to catch up with you before you sat down with Armsmaster and Maria, how are you doing since your first fight?"
"Pretty good thanks, Assault." I return his grin "I couldn't stop shaking afterwards, but I'm told that will pass in time."
He shrugs "Depends on the person really, some people thrive in combat and eventually get used to it, I still get the shakes after a good fight, regardless."
Huh, interesting
"It was nice to see you anyway! I will catch up with you at reception before you leave, see if I can't get you some free merch!"
I struggle not to roll my eyes "Thanks Assault, I'll be sure to catch up after this meeting."
He smiles knowingly.
"Later Archon."
I'm allowed to remove gear I want to showcase for possible sale from the locker. Each individual set of items is placed into a lockbox which is carried by a PRT agent. I decide I want to get back to my workshop quickly today, so I take just the baton, two stimpaks, two of the pax, and one of the two Med-X.
This time we are in the elevator for much longer. We are going down this time, however.
Armsmaster is waiting at the bottom.
"Sorry for the long ride, Archon," he states flatly. "The elevator down to the test area runs through various scanners, looking for dangerous gear, and therefore moves slower."
He walks with me towards a glass double door ahead.
"No problem Armsmaster, it's to be expected."
We enter the doors and are in a large concrete room with various tables and miscellaneous equipment dotted around.
"You indicated in the forms you submitted to Agent Kunzler that you aren't interested in power testing currently, but that you have tinker tech you want to submit for testing to be enabled as a potential rogue vendor to the PRT and Protectorate?"
"Yes, I have a few things to showcase, an anti-personnel/anti brute non-lethal, multi-mode baton I am capable of mass producing with an extremely low maintenance requirement, and three sets of tinker injectables with a time limited production run, but extremely useful."
His expression hasn't changed one bit since I started talking. He replies flatly again.
"Please describe the nature of the three injectables, noting any downsides." He places the four lockboxes on the table one by ones and enters a code to open them. He then places the baton, two stimpaks, Med-X syringe and pax syringes on the table.
I grab one of the stimpaks.
"This is a stimpak. It is a healing syringe that causes cellular regeneration towards genetic ideal in the patient injected, including repairing bones to correct position." That gets his attention. He looks very interested now. "The downside is that the regeneration is relatively slow depending on the size of the injury. It will only heal wounds, not illnesses, diseases, poisons other than the damage caused by the poison, and has no effect on cancers. Side effects include a large diuretic effect, extreme hunger to replace what the body used to regenerate, and temporary blurred vision. Depending on the size of the wounds, given the healing effect has a flat time of effect, multiple stimpaks may need to be used. You cannot overdose on them, but the diuretic and energy effects will compound. Finally, one of the ingredients for the creation of the stimpak requires 100ml of fresh human blood, and as I'm not a psychopath, I can only currently use my own for the creation and therefore can only make around twelve a week."
He hums.
"This is a very interesting item, Archon. I have to ask, are you aware of its value?"
"Yes, healer in a can for Endbringer fights alone is game-changing. Additionally, I use one of my stimpaks per day to help my blood regeneration and noticed it allows me to complete my weightlifting and callisthenics to a much higher efficiency as the stimpak will complete the rest portion of my routine instantly which has allowed me to improve my health leaps and bounds."
If he looked interested before, now he is practically vibrating.
"Am I permitted to take custody of these two syringes to submit for testing. I require both verbal and signed permission." He hands me a sheet of paper with a simple custody sheet.
I sign and verbally acknowledge.
I move on to the next syringe.
"This is Med X. And the best description I can give you of this is that it is brute in a can. For two minutes after taking this shot, the user is effectively bulletproof, even up to very high calibers, including some of the popular 7.62 rifle cartridges such as 7.62x51 or 7.62x54. It will also induce a hysteric strength enhancement on the user granting roughly 1.5x the strength of a weightlifting Olympian for the same time period to someone of average strength, with more or less depending on the base strength the user had upon using it. Downsides include a colossal diuretic effect that will induce dehydration within five minutes without the user replacing roughly two litres of fluid, it will also induce a breakdown in energy storage systems requiring the user to sleep a minimum of twelve hours starting the sleep period within six hours of injecting. Production requirements include three stimpaks, a middling strength acid, and water of specific purity."
He nods at me. "The downsides are clear with this one, but possibly a potent emergency option for PRT soldiers and protectorate non brute parahumans in the field."
I sign and verbally acknowledge custody again.
"Finally, in the chemical field, this is Pax. It is designed to be fired from a Dart gun. It is an extremely potent emotional tranquilizer. It completely pacifies the target and removes their ability to feel anger, rage, or any other violent emotion for 3 minutes. Downsides are that it can only be used once on a target in 72 hours."
He hesitantly hands me the paperwork.
"Archon, I know you are quite new to this so please note, if you ever make a version of this that has a usage cooldown lower than its effect length, you will be subject to censure under the master effect prohibition."
"Armsmaster, even if I was capable of doing that, which I assure you I'm not, I wouldn't do it, nor use it. I despise masters."
"Noted" he nods approvingly. I sign the paperwork.
The Celestial Forge decides now is a great time for interjection, as a field of planets overlays my vision, rapidly spinning toward my head.
Quality Design – Failed
Database Magical – Failed
Magical Small Scale – Failed
I am happy this one failed. I continue my presentation hopefully without giving away the distraction.
"Finally, this is my Tesla Baton mk2. It is a tri-mode taser baton. It can be reloaded with the battery interface in the handle or with a special interface which I didn't bring today it can be integrated with the user's armour to regenerate charge through movement. Mode one will hit like a standard taser on a hit. Mode 2 will hit roughly 5x harder and is for use on brutes. Mode 3 will discharge the entire battery and is used for 'Potential loss of own life' defence. It will hit up to 20x harder than a standard taser. The weapon is imbued with my shaker effect that allows it to grow in stability and endurance over time. Effectively, the weapon will be harder to break and will hit harder without the electricity effect as it is used in combat."
"An intriguing effect and it speaks well of you that you aim for non-lethality first. Does the growth effect work for people other than you?"
"Yes, with a caveat that it won't grow as fast, and the user cannot use my secondary effects like weapon merging."
He nods
"Can the effect only be used on weapons you tinker, or can you imbue any weapon?"
"I can imbue any weapon."
He seems excited.
"Would you be willing to add the effect to one of my spare halberds for my personal testing? As this is a personal request and not a PRT nor Protectorate request, I will authorise a personal payment of $5000 from my personal account."
I consider.
"I will under an additional caveat that I am permitted to inspect the weapon after three, six and twelve months of usage."
He nods approvingly.
"Agreed."
We shake hands. And I sign my final paperwork of the day handing over custody of the baton.
Armsmaster walks me towards the elevator. Before we leave the lab, he takes me towards a locker, from which he pulls out a halberd.
"Are you able to add the effect today or will you need to take this with you?"
"I will add it now for you" I take the Halberd from him. It is heavy, and I can see multiple connection points and buttons. I close my eyes and concentrate. I feel the weapon fill with the power of Weapon Absorption.
"This is now imbued with the effect. Please let me know of any effects you notice, as I haven't managed to hit a high level of advancement with my own gear yet."
"I will, thank you" he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He writes out a check for $5000.
"You will be able to process this at any Bank in the city for cash."
I nod to him.
"Thanks, Armsmaster."
He escorts me into the elevator silently.
"We will be in touch Archon. Thank you very much for attending today and for sharing some of your equipment with us. We will be in touch within 4 weeks with your results. Any destructive testing will result in your compensation at market value as negotiated at the end of the testing period. I expect the three consumable items you submitted will fall under this. In fact, I can almost guarantee it, so think about the value of the items while you wait for us to contact you."
I step out of the elevator into reception, Assault is speaking to the receptionist.
"Hey Archon, I have to get to my patrol with Battery, so rain check on the gift shop. Just wanted to see you out and say thanks for coming."
"No worries Assault, thank you for the invitation."
"See you later Archon."
"You too."
I leave the PRT building to an intrigued crowd.
One of them yells over "Did you just join up Archon?"
I smile at the shouter
"No not today, just a registration."
They blush bright red at the fact I actually replied and mumble a thank you.
I quickly move away from the building and back to the public facilities I used earlier. I utilise the same door to drop my gear back off at the workshop. I quickly change back into the clothes I was in earlier and then pop over to the door at the bus stop to quickly catch the bus home. I really want to check out my new cybernetic abilities.
The bus ride is mostly uneventful, a few dodgy characters have a fight close to home, but they leave the bus, and I don't get dragged in.
I get home and Dave is loitering around the lobby of the apartments with some of his friends.
"Good day T?" he smirks at me.
"Yeah got some fast food and had a look around the city."
"Intrestin." he replies, "Enjoying the city?"
I chuckle
"Enjoy is a strong word, tolerate is closer to correct."
He laughs, an ugly hoarse laugh
"Well, I can't say I disagree, I've got some rent to collect upstairs so I will see you up to the 5th."
"No worries!"
We make small talk as we move upstairs; he leaves me at the floor below mine and I make my way to my apartment.
I unlock my door and walk in, and there are two guys stood in the room.
I am grabbed from behind; a hand covers my mouth as a needle is pushed into my neck and the plunger depressed.
As my vision blurs, I am turned around to see Adam.
"You've been a very naughty boy telling lies and keeping things from us, Tommy boy."
Notes:
Perks Gained this chapter.
Toolkit Mundane - Deep pockets 100CP - Endless Pantheon
A small bag filled with some absolute essential things; this is the sort of thing that can save your life. It's tiny, and enchanted so it can't be detected with any supernatural means. What it does is provide you with a tiny portal to your warehouse, big enough to draw out anything an ordinary man can lift with one hand.
Crafting Biotech – Cybernetics 300CP – GUNNM
You have a broad theoretical and practical knowledge of cybernetics and related engineering systems, and can recognize most systems with a glance. The most difficult repairs and programming come naturally to you, custom designs and components that would take an entire research team a month can be jotted down in an hour or so of casual work. The most common form of cyborg in the Scrapyard has an armoured braincase piloting a robotic body, but you're familiar with the organic-inorganic connection technology and can create partial cybernetics as well as organ replacements for those who do not wish to lose their bodies in effect, you are fully capable of the design, construction and application behind the Transhuman and Motorball cyborg perks.
Arc 2 - Chapter 2
Sunday 20th November 2010
I've taken drugs never before
The only drug I ever take is alcohol, not often that.
I don't like the idea of my mind losing control, it's my biggest fear.
Gran Alzheimer's died. Mind body autonomy sacrosanct.
Whatever Skidam uh, Admark? The fuckwit. He injected me with something.
I wish I say I blacked out that feels bad that would be worse, but I suddenly feel like I am riding a cloud and running away from an angry bull.
Skidwit is talking again.
"-ow he weren't kidding, first timer for sure."
The walls of my apartment seem really far away right now.
"Skid what the fuck did you inject him with?"
"Special cocktail, might get him talkin and preps him good for recruitment like the bitch."
"Skid I aint thinkin your planning to do to this one what you did to Squeals are ya?"
"I don't swing that way Dave mate. That's your job," he has a really ugly laugh.
He grabs me by the shoulder with his left.
And slaps me across the face. It should hurt but I don't really feel like it.
I just feel really happy right now, like all my troubles are far away and I can just float off into the sky.
"Sir, you are dangerously close to an overdose right now and your heart rate is too fast, sir, sir!"
There's a voice in my head, sounds like a girl.
Hah my uncle was right I do think like a girl! He's such a cunt though.
"I've called for help, Master Thomas, please please hold on."
How nice, the lady in my head is worried about me.
My vision is clearing a little, Adam wafts something under my nose.
It really fucking stinks. Brain foggy but can hear now.
"Oi you pighumping shithoarder, did I say you could fuck off into la la land?"
"Whazya want?"
"I want whatever fuckin crazy teleportin/door openin gizmo you've been whipping around town, there's fuck all in your pockets you fuck so where have you hidden it?"
"Whazza mean?" Is my tongue supposed to be furry? I don't think it is? Maybe I can make a tongue defurrer later? Blades near the tongue though doesn't sound great. Maybe a laser. Or a controlled explosion.
"Listen you dense fuck, I want whatever my lads saw you use to open every fuckin other door from here to the fuckin boardwalk. I want whatever allowed you to move from one of those fucking rooms out of sight to another fucking room out of sight."
He stops to sneer at me. His eyes behind his mask look wild.
"You've been walkin around without a fuckin care in the world usin that shit in front of my lads. Had some of em follow ya in one of Squeals motors. She makes em not seen if you catch my drift. The first lad who saw you fuck off after fucking about with a lock you can't have a key for coulda been wrong, but you seemed wrong to me from the start."
He starts to pace, before snapping towards me and forces out through gritted 'teeth'.
"Now you've got two fuckin choices the way I see it. You can show me where the fuck whatever it was you used is, or I can cut your balls off and then move on to fingers and toes til you do."
I'm really itchy right now.
"Dude I have no fucking clue what you are talking about, I have a special way to open doors but its not something you can use."
My head is clearing up more, I can feel my legs again. I am itching all over.
"Sir you need to get medical help immediately your heart is running at 180 bpm and rising!"
Eden? Eva? Edgar? No no EFA! That Welsh girl from the Isle of Man who took you home when you got lost. Her voice reminds you of safety. EFA sounds just like her.
I put my hands in my pockets and screw up my eyes. I can almost think normal like this.
"EFA?"
"Sir, I don't know what he injected you with but it's wreaking havoc on your systems, you need medical assistance because your kidney function is dropping off, your heart rate is rapidly accelerating, and your metabolism is going wild. Your brain function dropped below levels capable of supporting me for a while, but whatever effect that thing he made you sniff is having on your metabolism is allowing you to burn it off your brain for now, but the clarity won't last forever!"
"EFA? I love you so much you know, looking after me all the time!"
"Sir, now is not the time. Get out of there however you can, another one of those and you die!"
Well, dying sounds bad. Scion might be disappointed if he doesn't get to fight the last boss of the dungeon.
"How long was I out of it EFA?"
"You were delirious for about 45 minutes. Don't worry, you didn't say anything that made sense. I'm sorry to interrupt you but you have to pull some semblance of yourself together and get away!"
How many people are in here, anyway?
Heh 3 people plus me in my apartment. This isn't a party size apartment you wankers.
The one with bad teeth is still chatting shit. Actually, they've all got bad teeth. The fucking almost cockney twat with bad teeth.
"The fuck you even mean 'I can't use it?' Are you calling me dumb you jumped up prick? I'm the smartest motherfucker you will meet in this fucking town. When I get my fucking door opening teleporter off you my merchants will grow to be the biggest fuckin gang in town! Are you listening to me you slimy Manc tosser? I want my fuckin tech!"
"I'm really sorry guys, I'm going to need to close the party early, my parents will be home soon."
"What the fuck are you even on about. I won't ask you again you prick, I want my shit, a-?"
I open my portal in my pocket and use a Stimpak and a Med-X on myself where he can't see me.
Now I can think clearer, barely, the colours are still off. I feel my body start to tighten up, and my cheek starts to heal. The light is really pretty.
I wrap my hand around my baton handle. Ten charges.
What was his power again? Bounded fields, right? He could accelerate a field in a certain direction like a jumped-up Mario speed pad on crack.
Heh literally probably.
Brute in a can, Regenerating. Very, very pissed off.
"-nd I want it fucking now!" He goes for his pocket. I'm faster.
I free headbutt him in his smug fucking face. He literally flies back blood exploding from his nose. I pull out the baton. I switch it on.
Dave looks shocked "I searched your fucking pockets what the f-"
He doesn't even get to finish before I fold him in half with the baton. I give him a charge for good measure. He drops twitching.
The unnamed goon goes for his pocket, but I'm already there. This isn't a big apartment. I knee him in the chest, pick him up and crack his back across my knee. He screams and drops to the floor unconscious.
Adam is getting up; he's gesturing a line in between us. He doesn't go all the way to the wall though. Does he even know I know who he is? The merchants aren't big enough to be famous at this point right? He probably thinks he can blindside me.
He can't.
I run for my cupboard door, he probably thinks I'm trying to escape, so he runs over the field he just made. He accelerates at me at massive speed, but I already expected it.
I dodge barely and slam the baton into his back, how does the old nursery rhyme go? "One shock, two shock" I finish up with an un-zapped smack in the face. He doesn't get back up. I check his pulse, not dead, but definitely unconscious.
No, it doesn't, but it makes me feel better.
I can feel myself losing hold of myself again.
"Sir, your phone is in the gang members pocket."
"Thanks, EFA."
I grab my phone and check it, I have twenty missed calls
"EFA who the hell even has my number?"
There is a huge bang, followed by yelling from downstairs.
"I may have text Assault on your behalf when you weren't thinking straight."
I quickly tear off a big strip off Daves shirt and wrap it around my head and mouth.
The apartment door explodes. Assault and Battery charge in.
I'm happier than I thought I would be to see them. But I'm about out of energy and mental ability today.
"Archon?" Assault asks me cautiously "Is that you?"
"I managed to overpower them, they were sloppy, injected me, body not reacting well. Made me smell something in pocket clear brain. Take weapon," I hand him my baton "Need hospital fast, not sure if keep mental clarity, take into protective until healed. Have permission Thank you for coming so nice, much someone cares. Skidder said something about like what they did to Squeals."
They stare at each other in worry, then at me.
I don't care much anymore as the world goes black as I run out of my last bit of energy.
---
Monday 21st November, 2010
I wake up in a hospital bed. I feel a lot better than I expected to, I have an IV in which is pumping that sweet, sweet saline into me. Note to self, Med-X and stimpaks at the same time make you drier than the Sahara.
The Celestial Forge hits me twice. This time the churning spin of the planets accompanied by an incredibly sharp migraine.
Forge expansion deferred by combat situation
300 cp available
Rolling
Quality Safety – Failed
Crafting Metallurgy – Failed!
Toolkit Mundane – Success!
Omnitool + Scanner – Mass Effect Andromeda
100cp remain!
Re-rolling
Failed!
I now have a Mass Effect multi tool! Only a basic, out of the box, non-upgraded model. But with decent if low-range scanners, built in mass spec and fabrication of medi-gel, I can't really go wrong! And it has so many more minor functions. It also acts as a communicator and a powerful computer mainframe, meaning I can switch my phone over to the PRT sim and use this as my primary communicator! Additionally, I got the full perk which means I also get the scanning system that I can link an AI to!
I have so many ideas of how to combine this with Cybernetics as well!.
I really need to get hold of some damn quality materials.
The door buzzes, and I quickly put my hand to my face.
My makeshift mask is gone but has been replaced with a domino mask and a black cotton scarf.
A dour-looking girl in a white and red robe walks in. I don't recognise her, but I am quite sure I know who she is.
He looks at me and sees I am awake.
She looks rather cross.
"What the hell did you do to your body?"
I find myself confused.
"Do you mean the shit they injected me wi-"
She cuts me off.
"No I cleared that crap out of you in seconds. I mean the other stuff. You had remnants of an extremely wild compound in your body that I couldn't even analyse with my power. PRT said you healed yourself with tinkertech, but whatever you put in there left you so dehydrated you almost died!"
She actually seems really mad
"It's a small side effect of the healing compound, but it's a bigger side effect of the injector that gives me a brute rating. I was surrounded by three of them implying they were going to slave me to drugs, so I took the expedient route to that not happening."
Her expression softens.
"I understand, but if you ever need to take that step again, please have a way to stay hydrated. You've been asleep for twenty hours. You genuinely nearly died."
"Trust me, injecting those things without the resources to fuel them is never the first plan!"
She looks at me disbelievingly, then turns to leave.
"I cleared up the internal damage from the drugs that your healing tech didn't clear. I can't help with your brain so you will need to ride out the headaches."
That's what she thinks. As soon as I get out of this place, I am headed for the workshop to make some medi gel. I can't make addictol until I get an isolated fume hood, but I should be okay. After all, it was only one syringe.
"Thank you for healing me."
She nods and leaves.
Assault enters straight after her. He looks at me and whistles.
"Let me tell you, my man, you look a hell of a lot better than last night."
I snort.
"I feel a lot better, too. My head doesn't feel like someone is feeding it to my ass."
He laughs. And then shakes his head. He seems amused at my irreverence of the situation.
His expression sobers.
"You'll be happy to know that Skidmark and the two with him are in custody. Skidmark with us and the other two with BBPD. You had a lucky escape. You don't want to know what happened to the last para Skidmark tried this with."
"So I gathered from him bragging about it," I reply.
"Anyway, good thinking on the pre messaging me when you noticed you were being followed. But next time, please take a little more care of where you enter if you are already suspicious. Skidmark apparently rented your apartment to you via an intermediary and because you were living in his place, he's yelling that he didn't break the 'Rules' by coming after you in civvies. It won't fly with heroes, but the gangs will probably accept the logic."
I've been confused a lot the past two days, but I'm pretty sure I didn't text Assault. I would know, I'm me. But then EFA interjects.
"Go with it sir, I messaged Assault as if we were on our way into the building not already inside. I assumed you wouldn't want to expose me and there was no easy explanation otherwise."
"Good thinking EFA."
I compose myself and reply.
"Don't worry Assault, after Skidmark mocked me for not protecting my identity properly, I've learned my lesson."
He nods approvingly.
"Just keep yourself safe. We need all the heroes we can get at the minute."
I nod back at him.
"Thank you for coming to get me."
"Don't thank me," he chuckles "It's literally my job, plus you buffed up my arrest record which always helps."
He goes to leave.
"You'll need to find somewhere else to live. I won't recommend you anywhere in particular, identity protection, but check in the northern Docks South district if you want cheap places to live that aren't in Merchant territory. Up near Winslow."
"I'll take it into advisement, thanks Assault" I reply. I won't be, however. I'll be living in the workshop for the immediate future. Screw having an address to call my own for now. Not like I have any friends to entertain.
"Is there anything else before I leave?"
"Did people see my face?"
"No, your mask was changed in place, as per identity protocol."
That was my last worry appeased.
"Then thanks again Assault."
He nods, "Don't be a stranger."
Then he leaves.
Not long after the nurse comes to discharge me. After being cleared by Panacea apparently you can bypass a lot of red tape. I'm told to eat a big meal, and get a good nights sleep. The healing Panacea did apparently took a lot out of me.
I thank the staff for helping me. And I enquire about the bill, but they tell me that it was covered by the PRT this time due to my status as a registered Hero and the fact I got them a key arrest.
I feel the beginning of a charm offensive.
I make my way to the ground floor and leave; I call my key and enter the workshop via a rear door in the hospital. Never know when I will need to get here quickly.
Time to get some proper sleep and make some plans.
Tomorrow, I cash Armsmaster's check, and go and get some real materials.
Then it's time to ramp up production.
And I have the perfect idea already.
As I fall asleep, the forge churns.
200 cp available!
Knowledge Reverse Engineering – Failed!
Knowledge Future Tech – Failed!
Database Magitech – Failed!
CP banked!
Thank god, I actually wanted to sleep.
Notes:
Perks Gained this chapter
Omnitool | Scanner – Mass Effect Andromeda 200 cp – Toolkit Mundane
-Omnitool
You get an omni-tool loaded up with programs and information that'd be best suited for unsupported colonization in a new galaxy. Because the Andromeda Initiative knew that they'd be going with a finite supply of ammo, medi-gel and power cells, each omni-tool can recover and repurpose appropriate resources to serve appropriate functions. For example, liquid coolant allows weapon heatsinks to be reused, and organic compounds can be refined into medi-gel. They can also convert consumable items into immediately usable forms. Finally, they do everything else regular omni-tools can: Communication, manufacturing fabricator, sensor analysis, and computer mainframe.
-Scanner
This omni-tool mounted system is how the Andromeda Initiative plans to rapidly survey planets. This system is a fast and accurate sampling system that is formally known as Panoptes. When linked to an AI, it can produce multiple analyses and predictive models in seconds, turning what would be the surveying work of weeks into mere moments. For most purposes it uses a transmitted accelerator mass spectrometer to create a snapshot of an objects components, atomic weight, and radioactivity, allowing for in-depth analysis. For biological materials, the system switches to an electrospray ionization system, so that plants or animals can be scanned without causing radiation damage. For a Jumper, you no longer need to have an AI linked to the system for it to work, though that would help. You can also take DNA scans of organisms for further study, and scan devices to help you figure out what they do, and maybe later reproduce them. Lastly, if you have a longer ranged sensor system, you could link the Scanner to that to scan further away, even if being in the Scanner's original range would get you clearer results.
+100 PR CP doubled due to deferred roll last chapter. (USER DISABLED BY OUTSIDE FORCE)
150 PR CP available.
Rolling…
Success!
Starting Space – Free!
Your personal reality gains a generic room of volume 80 x 80 x 10 meters! 6400 square meters of floor space, and 64000 cubic meters of storage volume!
A/N - I really needed this space perk and was worrying i wouldnt get it for a long time. I should have started with it but i intentionally nerfed it so i got it for free but had to roll it. The limited space with losing my place to live and having to ramp up would have meant 2 or 3 chapters just for setting up an external workshop, given i had a 5x5 entrance room, and a 10x10 blacksmith workshop.
Pre warning, as with most post action chapters the next chapter will be tech/craft heavy and plot/dialogue light. There will be gathering but much like a minecraft let's play, a lot of it will be "off camera" so to speak.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone