Tag Archives: Daniel

Arc 14.5.0: Bigger Things

Bigger Things: Part 3

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Everyone tensed, a reasonable response, given that I’d told them that the end of the world was on its way and that my social skills might be the only thing standing in the way of planetary destruction.

Jaclyn responded to me first, thinking back, “Coming to meet you or coming to kill you?”

I shrugged, “That remains to be seen, but Kee thought he’d be interested in meeting because to the degree that I’m an Artificer, I’m descended from Nataw, his brother. He was also a friend of Lee, but he probably feels a bit betrayed by him. So, mentioning that is to be avoided.”

Haley looked up at me and thought, “And he could randomly show up at any time? Anything we do could be interrupted and then—BOOM—end of the world?” Continue reading Bigger Things: Part 3 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 21

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“You won’t live long enough for that,” Scream Eagle said, and the circle of metal balls and metal dust descended toward me.

I didn’t doubt that my suit could withstand ball bearings, but I didn’t know how long it would withstand repeated damage.

It looked like I’d get to find out, though, because the rotating circle of metal hit my chest. I’d been trying to dodge, but it moved faster, chipping away at my armor. Continue reading Regression: Part 21 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 20

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Camille saw him, but she was still trying to slow Scream Eagle down and didn’t have time to drop that to increase the gravity around Art.

Plus, again, in this small space, he moved as quickly as Jaclyn would have. She didn’t have time to do anything before he stabbed her with the palm claw in his right hand.

Art’s next move was to dive and roll past Julie, sinking the palm claw of his left hand into her thigh through her armor. As she fell, he turned toward the back of the room where Zola faced Haley, Sydney, Dayton, Daniel, and Jody’s unconscious body.

Well, sort of. Zola had been busy too. Continue reading Regression: Part 20 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 19

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As I flew toward the open windows, my implant summarized the feed from the tower to the degree it could—a series of pictures.

Scream Eagle rose toward the windows, gaining speed despite Camille’s control over gravity. A flash from Haley’s cam showed sweat on Camille’s brow, fists clenched, and mouth in a thin line.

Sean and Vaughn, meanwhile, were doing what they could. Sean whirled a circle of metal balls with enough speed that they turned into a ring reflecting the light of the sun and the room’s fluorescent lights. I’d seen what he could do with them. They made a highly mobile circular saw that could cut through more than you’d think. When used with his power, even if they shattered, he could continue to cut with the dust. Continue reading Regression: Part 19 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 10

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I checked with Hal via my implant, “Do you know anything specific about how soon they’re going to get here?”

[No. Many of the command center’s staff became engaged in online arguments this morning. They’re distracted and engaging with the discussions at unpredictable intervals.]

I decided not to inquire further about that, choosing instead to watch the horizon for attackers. Continue reading Regression: Part 10 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 9

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Aloud, I said, “The Nine are sending someone for Jody. I’m getting more details. Be ready to fight.”

Everyone turned toward the windows. To give credit to their base’s designers, the conference room had a great view—windows on all four sides and even the ceiling.

You’d definitely see it coming if you were about to be attacked. On the not-so-bright side, you’d better hope the windows weren’t made of glass.

Via implant, I thought back to Hal, “What details do you have? Everybody will want them.” Continue reading Regression: Part 9 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 8

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Vaughn pointed at the lawn outside with its new hole, burned spots, and the damaged store window. “Sounds like a plan to me, but if you wipe his memory of the last few minutes, you’ll have to explain that—not to mention your clothes.”

Like Jody’s, Jaclyn’s and Izzy’s costumes had been spattered with dirt, grass, and gray mushroom bits that must have been leftover in the soil.

Daniel looked over the room, “Right. I’ll also have to explain why there are more of us in the room than before the fight. I’m thinking we did an impromptu training session after the meeting?” Continue reading Regression: Part 8 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 7

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And do you know what? In some ways, that was the most interesting part of the training montage because Jody learned surprisingly little. I mean, sure, Jody did learn how to phase through matter, but he wasn’t great at it.

As we learned in our fight with him, he barely controlled it. Any additional distractions and he wasn’t able to concentrate enough to use it. Continue reading Regression: Part 7 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 6

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I thought about it. “A better idea? I don’t have one. I don’t think it’s going to be a popular idea, though. At the same time, if we don’t have the option of removing the command, and obviously we can’t sedate him until Magnus is defeated, then it’s better than leaving him like this.”

Julie frowned, “I don’t like it, but I don’t know what else you could do. Besides, if you do it, I might be able to chip away at the command. Kals might not be here, but the implant has a library of Dominator techniques. Between knowing the words she used and the implant’s knowledge base, I’ve got a chance. Wiping his memory of being captured gives me time.” Continue reading Regression: Part 6 →

Arc 14.4.5: Regression

Regression: Part 5

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I asked, “Can you remove the suggestion?”

The scene froze, and Daniel frowned, “Well, it’s not easy. Sometimes. Dominator commands have a shelf life. If they’re close to expiring, telepaths have found that you can modify the victim’s memory of the event, and the command disappears. If the victim’s been in regular contact with a Dominator, the Dominator typically reinforces the command. Then, well, you know how the brain stores memories in multiple places? The best thing you can do to memorize something is to associate it with other things—other memories, colors, sounds…

“In that situation, we might remove the main version of the memory, but bits of it will remain connected to other things. Sometimes the connections will even reform. Then the victim will start following the command again or a mangled version, which can be worse.” Continue reading Regression: Part 5 →