Paragon City, North America: Firefall -79 minutes.
Stephanie Anders hopped off the tram at the Galaxy City exit, glancing at the time on her phone - she had 20 minutes, plenty of time to grab a coffee to go. Leaving Starbucks, she headed across Freedom Court, noticing that Back Alley Brawler was paying more attention to the skies than the usual small crowd of apprentice heroes surrounding him. I wonder why? she mused, The meteors wont be naked-eye visible, and hes not noted for having any particularly special perceptions... Shrugging, she let the retina scanner of the lab complex ID her, and she entered the Galaxy City offices of Carter Technologies, Ltd.
Good Afternoon, Ms. Anders, the pleasant contralto voice of Minerva, the companys AI greeted her. Good afternoon, Minerva. Project status, please? Stephanie queried, heading to the elevators. The conference with Dr. Carter is scheduled in 5 minutes. GuardTower up-link is live, directed to your lab on the seventh floor. The simulation of your proposed changes to the project Centurion neural interface finished last night, the data is on your terminal. My evaluation is that they do not resolve the issues with the spinal link. Current data indicates irreversible neurological damage will transpire within 18 seconds of link initialization.
Damn, I thought echoing the original impulses downstream would help. Stephanie muttered as she entered the elevator. As the car rose silently up the shaft, the computer continued. Evidently not. Unfortunately, Dr. Carters disability effectively masked the problems with the original design. Not until she began to investigate other uses for the interface did the problem surface. the AI was prone to stating the obvious. I know the history Minerva. If youre already crippled below the waist, the damage to the neuromotor system is moot. But most people dont want to become a paraplegic in order to control their computers...
The elevator chimed for her floor. Level Seven, Neural Interface Labs. Understood, Ms. Anders. She shook her head. While the vocal quality was much better than even a couple years ago, nobody would be mistaking an AI for a human being anytime soon. She headed into the lab, and for her long-distance conference with her mentor. For the dozenth time she reflected on how lucky she was. Not every grad student got to intern with an innovator like Dr. Carter - and even in Paragon City, even fewer got to intern with a superhero.
GuardTower station, geosynchronous orbit over North America: Firefall, -59 minutes.
Dr. Carolyn Carter, better known in Paragon City as the heroine Synchrotron, looked down at the blue-white earth below. A bit out of the way, but you cant beat the view... Minerva? Whats the status on the Aegis recon platform deployment? she spoke to the air. Flipping in the zero-gravity environment, she arced over to a control bank. Recon platform deployment complete, Dr. Carter. Diagnostics have been run, and the entire constellation is online. Three satellites had primary sensor failures, the other 125 are nominal. Backups are on-line for the three failures, and servicing has been scheduled. Dr. Carter was busily scanning the screens as the details rolled by. Very good. Track the incoming meteors, and do a course-projection. Well see if SpaceTrack has it right or not.
Yes, Dr. Carter. Your conference with Ms. Anders is scheduled in 5 minutes. Do you wish to take the call there? The displays reconfigured to an orbital schematic of the earth-moon system, with the incoming meteors and their projected course track. It began as a fuzzy cone, but was rapidly narrowing as data accumulated. Here will be fine, Minerva. The shuttle doesnt have the same view. she replied. Eyes narrowing as the course converged on SpaceTracks predictions. Inside the orbit of the moon, but well clear of the planet. Just as predicted, eh? Well, nice to know NORADs on the ball. Feel free to connect Stephanie when shes set, Minerva. Ill just admire the scenery until then. she commented, arranging herself to view the planet below as well as the screens. Very well, Dr. Carter the computer replied.
North America: Firefall -29 minutes.
...disappointing, I know Steph, but youve eliminated the interference on the interface layer - which is progress. I know Longbow wants the Centurion project ready - and the tachyon distortion fields have some interesting potential, but it will be ready when its ready, and not before. The young grad student on the screen nodded in agreement. Yes, but I was so certain it would work. Maybe if... A low hooting interrupted the discussion. The lighting in the orbital control room went crimson, and the screens now showed the course of the meteors changing. No longer curving around the planet at a safe distance, the course now impacted the surface.
The point of impact drifted from the Pacific, and across North America. Minerva! Whats the status of the defense platform deployment? Dr. Carter snapped. Relegated to a smaller display, Stephanie could be seen rapidly typing. I show it projected to hit... Oh no. the voice from the screen had gone very quiet, just as the AI calmly noted Projected impact point Paragon City, Rhode Island, North America. Estimate epicenter of impact at Galaxy City. Defense platform deployment seven-point-eight-one-two-five percent complete. Seventy percent of deployed platforms can target incoming tracks before atmospheric interface. Aegis is requesting autonomous weapons free, Dr. Carter. Priority one threat to life and property.
Both women were rapidly at work, Im showing no malfunctions up here - Stephanie? Any chance youre seeing anything different down there? the clipped test-pilot tone of voice was very different from the casual conversation of moments ago. No... no, Dr. Carter. Im seeing the same thing down here. the young woman replied tension evident in her voice. Dr. Carter turned off the audible alarm. Minerva give Aegis weapons free. Notify SpaceTrack, Nasa, the Phalanx, and anybody else on the priority one alert list. More rapid typing. Aegis sent the alert automatically, as designed Dr. Carter. Defense platforms now armed and targeting. Estimate six to nine percent of incoming targets will be dispersed before they reach the atmosphere, depending on target composition. A low curse from the screen. Dr. Carter glanced at the damage estimates Stephanie had brought up on her screens. The computer continued. We are getting queries from groundside - SpaceTrack wants to know if this is a drill? They what?!? came from the screen earth-side. Dr. Carter shook her head. Minerva, confirm that this is a genuine alert. Not that theres time for them to do anything about it from Colorado Springs. Whats the status of the Phalanx? Anyone else available?
Sister Psyche is on-site in Galaxy, and has linked up with Back Alley Brawler. Statesman is en route - he may arrive in time. Positron, Manticore and Numina are on their way, but they wont arrive until after the first meteors hit. Several heroes are responding, but with the situation in Praetoria, many of the most capable are otherwise occupied at the moment. Dr. Carter looked at the young woman on the screen. Get to the sub-basement Stephanie. Its not an armored bunker, but youve only got sixteen minutes or so before they begin to hit, theres no place else you can get to in time. Being in the open would be suicide. The intern looked at her from across the kilometers - No, no place I can get to. But there is some thing I can get to, Dr. Carter. This building is likely to be a pile of rubble in the next quarter-hour. I might be able to survive until help reaches me. At least youll know where I am and can send help. But I dont really like my chances. And the casualties outside are going to be... horrific. I remember the first Rikti Invasion, Dr. Carter. I was only a kid, but I remember. Even if its just falling rocks - and both of us know falling rocks dont change course like that - even if it is just rocks, lots of people are going to die. She was rapidly entering commands into her terminals.
What are you thinking - no. No, Stephanie. I forbid it! On the satellite, Dr. Carter had frozen, her face pale. Youre a bit far away to do anything about it at the moment, Doctor. Came the wry reply. And considering I control your down-link to the complex here, even if you wanted to - theres no way you can stop me in time. The young woman pushed back from the desk. Wish me luck. Im going to need it. she said over her shoulder as she sprinted for the elevator.
Damnit, Stephanie. the elder woman cursed. Minerva, use the intercoms - I want to keep talking to her. Yes, Dr. Carter. came the unemotional reply. Defense platforms are performing above specifications, two percent of incoming targets dispersed. Seventeen percent losses to defense platforms however, as they are under fire from the targets. Countermeasures are now in effect, but platform efficiency is dropping rapidly as a consequence. Under fire? Yes, Dr. Carter. The meteor swarm - or entities contained upon or within them - are firing at the defense platforms. Tracking emissions detected targeting the recon platforms as well. Three percent loss in sensor efficiency. the computer continued.
Never mind. Do the best you can. she muttered. Stephanie, the Centurion armor isnt ready. And it will cripple you if you wear it. I know that - its my research project, remember? came the voice from below. My best chance for surviving the next half hour is in that armor. And if I do, I can do a lot of good out there in the aftermath. Thats what you built it for, remember? Urban warfare support in case of a Praetorian invasion. The chime of the elevator could be heard over the link, with the AIs cheerful voice sublevel two - Centurion lab.
Dr. Carter was arrowing down the corridor to the shuttleport. Minerva, prep the shuttle for immediate launch. I need to be down there now. Launch prep underway, Dr. Carter. ETA seven minutes. Long-range terrestrial transporters will not be on-line for several months. Minimum arrival time to Paragon City is one hour, thirty-seven minutes from... Mark. Dr. Carter shook her head. Can I get there faster using the armor, Minerva? No, Dr. Carter. The current generation Synchrotron armor was not designed for high-speed re-entry. The shuttle will... Fine, she snapped.
Look, Stephanie. I know cant stop you. But I strongly suggest you reconsider. Paragon City does not lack for heroes. Theres no need to sacrifice... She was cut off by the voice from earth. A young, but surprisingly determined voice Maybe - but maybe not. If you were here, what would you be doing, Dr. Carter? Where would Synchrotron be? Came the query. Thats not the point, Stephanie. Im... again, she was interrupted. Youre a hero. Yes, quite. But you didnt start out to be one. Circumstances forced your hand. And even then - you could have pursued a private vengeance against Crey. You didnt have to help others to do that. In fact, doing so has, essentially, prevented you from dealing with Crey Research as they deserve, not so? In about.... nine minutes, there are going to be a lot of frightened, wounded people outside this building. If I can save even one, the way one of your colleagues saved me and my family during the invasion, isnt that worth it?
Dr. Carter was strapping into the shuttle - working on shortcuts for the preflight sequences. But your legs. Youll never walk unaided again. I know what that means, Stephanie. And while using the prosthetics I can walk, run, and even fly - its not the same. Trust me on this - much as Minerva will never be human, the prosthetics will never replace what youll lose. There was a pause on the other end - I know. came quietly. But if the building falls on me Ill lose more than my legs. And if I wait until it actually happens, itll be too late. This is my best chance to survive, and maybe help some others too. Goodbye, Dr. Carter. Thanks for everything youve taught me. With luck, Ill have learned more than just neuro-mechanical interface technology. Ill see you in a couple hours. Minerva, terminate uplink.
Up-link terminated at terrestrial end, Dr. Carter. Shall I endeavor to re-establish the link? Came the computers voice. For several moments, there was no reply from the now motionless woman in the cockpit. Dr. Carter? prompted the machine. No, Minerva. No, there isnt time - and the last thing shes going to need in the next few minutes is someone far away pestering her about decisions already made. Lets get this boat down to earth. and the flurry of preflight commands began anew. Good luck Stephanie, Good luck. Youre going to need it. With a metallic clang, the shuttle undocked from the station, and dropped - soon adding to the myriad lines of fire streaking down from the skies.
Galaxy City, North America: Firefall, -3 minutes.
Stephanie looked at the gleaming red/white armored suit, poised on its display platform in preparation for next weeks review by Longbow officials. Well, here goes nothing. she muttered. Minerva, stage one powerup. Expedited boot sequence, skip self-tests and interlink consistency checks. Well just have to trust that it hasnt broken since last week. as she spoke she was removing the armor from the stand - making slight thwoking noises as the pieces left their suspension fields.
Removing her outerwear, she hastily donned the armor. Stage one complete, Ms. Anders. I strongly caution that without proper diagnostics, there is a substantial risk of failure on fusion plant ignition. she imagined a note of concern in the voice. Understood, Minerva. Override Protocol Delta. Stage two powerup, and engage the neural interface. We dont have much time. she said, donning the helmet. As it came down over her head and connected to the armored collar with a hiss-click, the visor came online
The targeting AI in the on-board systems highlighted various objects in the lab, and interfaced with the devices nearby. Once she was plugged into it, shed be able to... Override Protocol Delta engaged. Fusactor ignition pressure building - ignition in ten seconds. this time, the voice was in her ears, instead of the room. How long to impact, Minerva? Stephanie asked, as she noted the displays of her heartbeat and respiration rate climbing. First meteor impact in 83 seconds from.... Mark. Unusual energy readings detected from incoming meteors. Similarities to readings from Bloody Bay event of 1989. Bloody Bay? Stephanie asked - momentarily distracted from the incipient panic. Isnt that where. And then the pain hit. Dimly, as if from very far off, she heard Fusactor pressure 110%. Stable ignition achieved. Output nominal at 17.3 Terawatt-hours. Neural interface engaged. And for a time, she knew nothing.
Galaxy City, North America: Firefall, +2 minutes.
Warning. Warning. Operator lifesigns suboptimal. Warning. This facility ground zero for meteor impact in 34 seconds. Warning. Warning. Centurion systems online. Particle accelerator online, tachyon capacitor online - tachyon field density building, jetboard interface online. Warning Warning. Op... Stephanie awoke to pain. Fire burned in the small of her back, and the nape of her neck. Her spine felt like it was being bathed in acid. She was lying on the floor, crumpled. As she decided to get up, suddenly, she was - but it felt.... wrong. It was as if she was in a really good virtual reality sim - the suit was obeying her, but it didnt feel like her. She took a few tentative steps. Impact imminent. ETA twelve seconds. the voice of the suit AI wasnt as natural as Minervas - but the meaning was clear. As she sought for a way out, possible exits limed her view of the world - up the elevator shaft, emergency stairwell, through the wall to the main ventilation trunk. Each was annotated with estimated times - all of them more than twelve - no, nine now - seconds.
Damn. she cursed. As she decided, the route through the wall and up the main ventilation shaft highlighted. The Vanguard Jetboard powered up, and her suit lept onto it, locking to the boards surface. A few blasts from the gauntlet particle cannons and head-mounted lasers demolished the wall, and up the shaft she flew. Minerva? Are you still there? she asked. Affirmative, Dr. Anders. I expect to go offline in three seconds. Goodbye. Good Luck. And the world became a chaos of flame and debris. Goodbye? Good Luck? She had a moment to spare wondering about the AI, and then the maelstrom was upon her. As she focused on avoiding the whirling debris, the suit AI commented Tachyon capacitor charged. Timefield engaged. subjective rate nine percent. And the world slowed down. As the lambent field emitted by armor swirled around her, the nearby debris were no longer an avalanche.
Easily dodging the now nearly stationary remains of the tower, she burst into the late afternoon sunlight to a scene out of a bad alien invasion movie. The peaceful world of an hour ago was no more. The sky was filled with streaks of fire - the horizon with pillars of smoke, and the ground with dust and debris. And bodies. As the suits sensors tried to sort out the mess, she saw Back Alley Brawler and Sister Psyche in the distance fighting some sort of alien rock-beasts - and an Arachnos Flyer looming low near one of the fallen war walls. Arachnos? she exclaimed. Is Recluse behind all this? it was a rhetorical question, but the suits AI did its best Analysis of radio intercepts indicates that the Arachnos invasion is likely an opportunistic event - the chaos of the meteor strike has distracted Paragon Citys defenders, and Lord Recluse is taking advantage of the situation as he can. The alien invaders appear to be engaging all terrestrial forces indiscriminately. Vanguard forces are en-route, but Sister Psyche is requesting support - we are the closest metahuman unit available. The display highlighted a course towards the embattled Phalanx member.
Well Stephanie thought. This is what I wanted - and since Ive survived, best be about it. With a flare of jets, Centurion flew in to the chaos that had been Galaxy City, to gain whatever victory could be wrested from this day.
Synchrotron, level 50 Radiation/Radiation Defender
Fighting crime on Champion since 2004
Paragon City, North America: Firefall -79 minutes.
Stephanie Anders hopped off the tram at the Galaxy City exit, glancing at the time on her phone - she had 20 minutes, plenty of time to grab a coffee to go. Leaving Starbucks, she headed across Freedom Court, noticing that Back Alley Brawler was paying more attention to the skies than the usual small crowd of apprentice heroes surrounding him. I wonder why? she mused, The meteors wont be naked-eye visible, and hes not noted for having any particularly special perceptions... Shrugging, she let the retina scanner of the lab complex ID her, and she entered the Galaxy City offices of Carter Technologies, Ltd.
Good Afternoon, Ms. Anders, the pleasant contralto voice of Minerva, the companys AI greeted her. Good afternoon, Minerva. Project status, please? Stephanie queried, heading to the elevators. The conference with Dr. Carter is scheduled in 5 minutes. GuardTower up-link is live, directed to your lab on the seventh floor. The simulation of your proposed changes to the project Centurion neural interface finished last night, the data is on your terminal. My evaluation is that they do not resolve the issues with the spinal link. Current data indicates irreversible neurological damage will transpire within 18 seconds of link initialization.
Damn, I thought echoing the original impulses downstream would help. Stephanie muttered as she entered the elevator. As the car rose silently up the shaft, the computer continued. Evidently not. Unfortunately, Dr. Carters disability effectively masked the problems with the original design. Not until she began to investigate other uses for the interface did the problem surface. the AI was prone to stating the obvious. I know the history Minerva. If youre already crippled below the waist, the damage to the neuromotor system is moot. But most people dont want to become a paraplegic in order to control their computers...
The elevator chimed for her floor. Level Seven, Neural Interface Labs. Understood, Ms. Anders. She shook her head. While the vocal quality was much better than even a couple years ago, nobody would be mistaking an AI for a human being anytime soon. She headed into the lab, and for her long-distance conference with her mentor. For the dozenth time she reflected on how lucky she was. Not every grad student got to intern with an innovator like Dr. Carter - and even in Paragon City, even fewer got to intern with a superhero.
GuardTower station, geosynchronous orbit over North America: Firefall, -59 minutes.
Dr. Carolyn Carter, better known in Paragon City as the heroine Synchrotron, looked down at the blue-white earth below. A bit out of the way, but you cant beat the view... Minerva? Whats the status on the Aegis recon platform deployment? she spoke to the air. Flipping in the zero-gravity environment, she arced over to a control bank. Recon platform deployment complete, Dr. Carter. Diagnostics have been run, and the entire constellation is online. Three satellites had primary sensor failures, the other 125 are nominal. Backups are on-line for the three failures, and servicing has been scheduled. Dr. Carter was busily scanning the screens as the details rolled by. Very good. Track the incoming meteors, and do a course-projection. Well see if SpaceTrack has it right or not.
Yes, Dr. Carter. Your conference with Ms. Anders is scheduled in 5 minutes. Do you wish to take the call there? The displays reconfigured to an orbital schematic of the earth-moon system, with the incoming meteors and their projected course track. It began as a fuzzy cone, but was rapidly narrowing as data accumulated. Here will be fine, Minerva. The shuttle doesnt have the same view. she replied. Eyes narrowing as the course converged on SpaceTracks predictions. Inside the orbit of the moon, but well clear of the planet. Just as predicted, eh? Well, nice to know NORADs on the ball. Feel free to connect Stephanie when shes set, Minerva. Ill just admire the scenery until then. she commented, arranging herself to view the planet below as well as the screens. Very well, Dr. Carter the computer replied.
North America: Firefall -29 minutes.
...disappointing, I know Steph, but youve eliminated the interference on the interface layer - which is progress. I know Longbow wants the Centurion project ready - and the tachyon distortion fields have some interesting potential, but it will be ready when its ready, and not before. The young grad student on the screen nodded in agreement. Yes, but I was so certain it would work. Maybe if... A low hooting interrupted the discussion. The lighting in the orbital control room went crimson, and the screens now showed the course of the meteors changing. No longer curving around the planet at a safe distance, the course now impacted the surface.
The point of impact drifted from the Pacific, and across North America. Minerva! Whats the status of the defense platform deployment? Dr. Carter snapped. Relegated to a smaller display, Stephanie could be seen rapidly typing. I show it projected to hit... Oh no. the voice from the screen had gone very quiet, just as the AI calmly noted Projected impact point Paragon City, Rhode Island, North America. Estimate epicenter of impact at Galaxy City. Defense platform deployment seven-point-eight-one-two-five percent complete. Seventy percent of deployed platforms can target incoming tracks before atmospheric interface. Aegis is requesting autonomous weapons free, Dr. Carter. Priority one threat to life and property.
Both women were rapidly at work, Im showing no malfunctions up here - Stephanie? Any chance youre seeing anything different down there? the clipped test-pilot tone of voice was very different from the casual conversation of moments ago. No... no, Dr. Carter. Im seeing the same thing down here. the young woman replied tension evident in her voice. Dr. Carter turned off the audible alarm. Minerva give Aegis weapons free. Notify SpaceTrack, Nasa, the Phalanx, and anybody else on the priority one alert list. More rapid typing. Aegis sent the alert automatically, as designed Dr. Carter. Defense platforms now armed and targeting. Estimate six to nine percent of incoming targets will be dispersed before they reach the atmosphere, depending on target composition. A low curse from the screen. Dr. Carter glanced at the damage estimates Stephanie had brought up on her screens. The computer continued. We are getting queries from groundside - SpaceTrack wants to know if this is a drill? They what?!? came from the screen earth-side. Dr. Carter shook her head. Minerva, confirm that this is a genuine alert. Not that theres time for them to do anything about it from Colorado Springs. Whats the status of the Phalanx? Anyone else available?
Sister Psyche is on-site in Galaxy, and has linked up with Back Alley Brawler. Statesman is en route - he may arrive in time. Positron, Manticore and Numina are on their way, but they wont arrive until after the first meteors hit. Several heroes are responding, but with the situation in Praetoria, many of the most capable are otherwise occupied at the moment. Dr. Carter looked at the young woman on the screen. Get to the sub-basement Stephanie. Its not an armored bunker, but youve only got sixteen minutes or so before they begin to hit, theres no place else you can get to in time. Being in the open would be suicide. The intern looked at her from across the kilometers - No, no place I can get to. But there is some thing I can get to, Dr. Carter. This building is likely to be a pile of rubble in the next quarter-hour. I might be able to survive until help reaches me. At least youll know where I am and can send help. But I dont really like my chances. And the casualties outside are going to be... horrific. I remember the first Rikti Invasion, Dr. Carter. I was only a kid, but I remember. Even if its just falling rocks - and both of us know falling rocks dont change course like that - even if it is just rocks, lots of people are going to die. She was rapidly entering commands into her terminals.
What are you thinking - no. No, Stephanie. I forbid it! On the satellite, Dr. Carter had frozen, her face pale. Youre a bit far away to do anything about it at the moment, Doctor. Came the wry reply. And considering I control your down-link to the complex here, even if you wanted to - theres no way you can stop me in time. The young woman pushed back from the desk. Wish me luck. Im going to need it. she said over her shoulder as she sprinted for the elevator.
Damnit, Stephanie. the elder woman cursed. Minerva, use the intercoms - I want to keep talking to her. Yes, Dr. Carter. came the unemotional reply. Defense platforms are performing above specifications, two percent of incoming targets dispersed. Seventeen percent losses to defense platforms however, as they are under fire from the targets. Countermeasures are now in effect, but platform efficiency is dropping rapidly as a consequence. Under fire? Yes, Dr. Carter. The meteor swarm - or entities contained upon or within them - are firing at the defense platforms. Tracking emissions detected targeting the recon platforms as well. Three percent loss in sensor efficiency. the computer continued.
Never mind. Do the best you can. she muttered. Stephanie, the Centurion armor isnt ready. And it will cripple you if you wear it. I know that - its my research project, remember? came the voice from below. My best chance for surviving the next half hour is in that armor. And if I do, I can do a lot of good out there in the aftermath. Thats what you built it for, remember? Urban warfare support in case of a Praetorian invasion. The chime of the elevator could be heard over the link, with the AIs cheerful voice sublevel two - Centurion lab.
Dr. Carter was arrowing down the corridor to the shuttleport. Minerva, prep the shuttle for immediate launch. I need to be down there now. Launch prep underway, Dr. Carter. ETA seven minutes. Long-range terrestrial transporters will not be on-line for several months. Minimum arrival time to Paragon City is one hour, thirty-seven minutes from... Mark. Dr. Carter shook her head. Can I get there faster using the armor, Minerva? No, Dr. Carter. The current generation Synchrotron armor was not designed for high-speed re-entry. The shuttle will... Fine, she snapped.
Look, Stephanie. I know cant stop you. But I strongly suggest you reconsider. Paragon City does not lack for heroes. Theres no need to sacrifice... She was cut off by the voice from earth. A young, but surprisingly determined voice Maybe - but maybe not. If you were here, what would you be doing, Dr. Carter? Where would Synchrotron be? Came the query. Thats not the point, Stephanie. Im... again, she was interrupted. Youre a hero. Yes, quite. But you didnt start out to be one. Circumstances forced your hand. And even then - you could have pursued a private vengeance against Crey. You didnt have to help others to do that. In fact, doing so has, essentially, prevented you from dealing with Crey Research as they deserve, not so? In about.... nine minutes, there are going to be a lot of frightened, wounded people outside this building. If I can save even one, the way one of your colleagues saved me and my family during the invasion, isnt that worth it?
Dr. Carter was strapping into the shuttle - working on shortcuts for the preflight sequences. But your legs. Youll never walk unaided again. I know what that means, Stephanie. And while using the prosthetics I can walk, run, and even fly - its not the same. Trust me on this - much as Minerva will never be human, the prosthetics will never replace what youll lose. There was a pause on the other end - I know. came quietly. But if the building falls on me Ill lose more than my legs. And if I wait until it actually happens, itll be too late. This is my best chance to survive, and maybe help some others too. Goodbye, Dr. Carter. Thanks for everything youve taught me. With luck, Ill have learned more than just neuro-mechanical interface technology. Ill see you in a couple hours. Minerva, terminate uplink.
Up-link terminated at terrestrial end, Dr. Carter. Shall I endeavor to re-establish the link? Came the computers voice. For several moments, there was no reply from the now motionless woman in the cockpit. Dr. Carter? prompted the machine. No, Minerva. No, there isnt time - and the last thing shes going to need in the next few minutes is someone far away pestering her about decisions already made. Lets get this boat down to earth. and the flurry of preflight commands began anew. Good luck Stephanie, Good luck. Youre going to need it. With a metallic clang, the shuttle undocked from the station, and dropped - soon adding to the myriad lines of fire streaking down from the skies.
Galaxy City, North America: Firefall, -3 minutes.
Stephanie looked at the gleaming red/white armored suit, poised on its display platform in preparation for next weeks review by Longbow officials. Well, here goes nothing. she muttered. Minerva, stage one powerup. Expedited boot sequence, skip self-tests and interlink consistency checks. Well just have to trust that it hasnt broken since last week. as she spoke she was removing the armor from the stand - making slight thwoking noises as the pieces left their suspension fields.
Removing her outerwear, she hastily donned the armor. Stage one complete, Ms. Anders. I strongly caution that without proper diagnostics, there is a substantial risk of failure on fusion plant ignition. she imagined a note of concern in the voice. Understood, Minerva. Override Protocol Delta. Stage two powerup, and engage the neural interface. We dont have much time. she said, donning the helmet. As it came down over her head and connected to the armored collar with a hiss-click, the visor came online
The targeting AI in the on-board systems highlighted various objects in the lab, and interfaced with the devices nearby. Once she was plugged into it, shed be able to... Override Protocol Delta engaged. Fusactor ignition pressure building - ignition in ten seconds. this time, the voice was in her ears, instead of the room. How long to impact, Minerva? Stephanie asked, as she noted the displays of her heartbeat and respiration rate climbing. First meteor impact in 83 seconds from.... Mark. Unusual energy readings detected from incoming meteors. Similarities to readings from Bloody Bay event of 1989. Bloody Bay? Stephanie asked - momentarily distracted from the incipient panic. Isnt that where. And then the pain hit. Dimly, as if from very far off, she heard Fusactor pressure 110%. Stable ignition achieved. Output nominal at 17.3 Terawatt-hours. Neural interface engaged. And for a time, she knew nothing.
Galaxy City, North America: Firefall, +2 minutes.
Warning. Warning. Operator lifesigns suboptimal. Warning. This facility ground zero for meteor impact in 34 seconds. Warning. Warning. Centurion systems online. Particle accelerator online, tachyon capacitor online - tachyon field density building, jetboard interface online. Warning Warning. Op... Stephanie awoke to pain. Fire burned in the small of her back, and the nape of her neck. Her spine felt like it was being bathed in acid. She was lying on the floor, crumpled. As she decided to get up, suddenly, she was - but it felt.... wrong. It was as if she was in a really good virtual reality sim - the suit was obeying her, but it didnt feel like her. She took a few tentative steps. Impact imminent. ETA twelve seconds. the voice of the suit AI wasnt as natural as Minervas - but the meaning was clear. As she sought for a way out, possible exits limed her view of the world - up the elevator shaft, emergency stairwell, through the wall to the main ventilation trunk. Each was annotated with estimated times - all of them more than twelve - no, nine now - seconds.
Damn. she cursed. As she decided, the route through the wall and up the main ventilation shaft highlighted. The Vanguard Jetboard powered up, and her suit lept onto it, locking to the boards surface. A few blasts from the gauntlet particle cannons and head-mounted lasers demolished the wall, and up the shaft she flew. Minerva? Are you still there? she asked. Affirmative, Dr. Anders. I expect to go offline in three seconds. Goodbye. Good Luck. And the world became a chaos of flame and debris. Goodbye? Good Luck? She had a moment to spare wondering about the AI, and then the maelstrom was upon her. As she focused on avoiding the whirling debris, the suit AI commented Tachyon capacitor charged. Timefield engaged. subjective rate nine percent. And the world slowed down. As the lambent field emitted by armor swirled around her, the nearby debris were no longer an avalanche.
Easily dodging the now nearly stationary remains of the tower, she burst into the late afternoon sunlight to a scene out of a bad alien invasion movie. The peaceful world of an hour ago was no more. The sky was filled with streaks of fire - the horizon with pillars of smoke, and the ground with dust and debris. And bodies. As the suits sensors tried to sort out the mess, she saw Back Alley Brawler and Sister Psyche in the distance fighting some sort of alien rock-beasts - and an Arachnos Flyer looming low near one of the fallen war walls. Arachnos? she exclaimed. Is Recluse behind all this? it was a rhetorical question, but the suits AI did its best Analysis of radio intercepts indicates that the Arachnos invasion is likely an opportunistic event - the chaos of the meteor strike has distracted Paragon Citys defenders, and Lord Recluse is taking advantage of the situation as he can. The alien invaders appear to be engaging all terrestrial forces indiscriminately. Vanguard forces are en-route, but Sister Psyche is requesting support - we are the closest metahuman unit available. The display highlighted a course towards the embattled Phalanx member.
Well Stephanie thought. This is what I wanted - and since Ive survived, best be about it. With a flare of jets, Centurion flew in to the chaos that had been Galaxy City, to gain whatever victory could be wrested from this day.
Synchrotron, level 50 Radiation/Radiation Defender
Fighting crime on Champion since 2004