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► Nilles University is suspended until new constructions…

Sender: NillesAdmin@mail (2 days ago)

We thank you for your interest, but given current circumstances, relocation, staffing, accreditation, and… [Click to expand]



► Re: Physio Recommendations

Sender: Anelace_Foresight@mail (2 days ago)

I asked my friend and he suggested taking more rest days. Am sure you know drill for treating injuries so I won’t… [Click to expand]



► Re: Physio Recommendations

You replied… (2 days ago)

Ugh. Pretty much what I expected. Annoying! Thanks for checking. I owe you one. Are you still inter… [Click to expand]

► Re: Physio Recommendations

Sender: Anelace_Foresight@mail (2 days ago)

No need. Took me 15 sec to ask. If you wanted to repay the favor, have been working on a stir fry, would appreciate a second opinion. What do you think? My place, stir fry, beef dumplings, fried rice, movie of your choice. No expectations, just company and catching up.

► Re: Physio Recommendations

Sender: Anelace_Foresight@mail (2 days ago)

BTW I cook with a apron on… only the apron!!

arrive early 😉

stay late 😉 😉 😉

► Re: Physio Recommendations

You replied… (1 day ago)

I’m guessing that was Ratcatcher haha.

Did she decide on a new, Foresight-appropriate name yet? I liked Mousetrap.

Tell her I said hi. Looks like she’s keeping things interesting.

& yes. Stir fry & Fitcher’s Bird.

► Re: Physio Recommendations

Sender: [email protected] (1 day ago)

@#$!

Can’t leave anything unattended for 2 minutes.

Not the movie I would have expected. Haven’t seen it.

Tomorrow night? 6pm?

► Re: Physio Recommendations

You replied… (1 day ago)

Seemed cozy and low-intensity. I haven’t seen it either.

6pm is good but might have to be 6:30pm judging by travel times. Will fly over.

► Re: Physio Recommendations

Sender: [email protected] (1 day ago)

6:30 it is. Looking forward to it.

► Collab: Titans Eve & Kronos

Sender: [email protected] (1 day ago)

Excuse any typos. I’m blind. I’m reaching out to follow-up on the in-person conversation and put the key points to paper record. See attachment_1 for my recap. The Wardens are discussing the plan of action you proposed. It sounds like they want to, with intent of also bringing Valkyrie and Cinereal back. I’ve been tasked with rounding up the tinkers and thinkers we would need to ask and organize to see if it’s possible. The problem is that many are distant. Masamune is in Gimel’s Japan, others are scattered around Gimel, and we don’t have secured communication or contact details for all of them.

Would you want to split the load? Am not asking you to fly to Japan, but you sounded invested & you’re retired. It would speed things up.

► Re: Collab: Titans Eve & Kronos

You replied… (1 day ago)

Send me a list & notes on what the Wardens are saying about the project. I don’t mind flying. Thanks for following up.



► Therapy App’t

Sender: [email protected] (1 day ago)

Reminder: therapy appointment tomorrow at 3:30pm.

In our last 12 sessions we discussed the tempora…[Click to expand]

► Thought you’d like this

Sender: [email protected] (1 day ago)

[Outgoing Link] Did you see this?

⊙

5th Corner Recorder

The hero team known as the Majors just made a minor splash, with the defeat and arrest of the villain known as Lord of Loss, who earned some notoriety in his attack on the Norfair community center late in the summer of last year.



It was a sunny spring day in the fifth corner when the villain made his appearance as a gargantuan armored centaur. Lord of Loss claimed three towns as his territory and wanted to do the same here. If he had his way, he would have demanded protection money while living like a king.

Luckily, the Fifth Corner had four young heroes visiting. The Majors got a unanimous thumbs up when it came to being accredited and becoming official. Nobody has a bad word to say about them, except that they come across like underdogs.

“I worried, seeing them jump into a fight against that thing,” says bystander Jodie Tran. “I shouldn’t have worried.”

The fight is described as high impact and fast. Bystander John Roe tells the 5th Corner Recorder that, “I didn’t think a fight between capes would go as fast as it did. It’s not like the movies where the hero thinks for five minutes before making their move.”

Later, an exuberant and breathless Finale tells us her team once fought an Endbringer and were on the front line against the Titans. She wears a sleek dark blue costume, her jacket and slacks decorated with gold trim and braids. From her costume, she could be imagined to be a military leader in a sleek sci-fi world. In person, she’s a girl in her late teens with contagious excitement.

“This one was personal, so it feels good,” the team leader says. Withdrawal wears a body-fitting color changing costume, his eyes barely visible behind the large goggles he wears. As I talk to him, he looms over me, because of the gold tinker suit he wears that extends his limbs, but he isn’t threatening. “One of our mentors got shot at the community center attack. He played a part in that. Back when we were the Major Malfunctions, we tried to protect the tent cities. Lord of Loss preys on places like the tent cities and refugee towns. I’m glad he was our first big takedown.”

Caryatid, a teenage girl with beautiful black hair and olive skin, wears a black scale-mail dress with multi-layered sleeves and hem that glitter in gold hues. She is more reserved, telling us, “I’m glad nobody was hurt. I’m sorry for the tent that was trampled.”

The tent was the sole casualty of the dynamic skirmish, something the local residents say they dont’ blame the Majors for. They had other words for Lord of Loss, but it was the Majors’ newest teammate who perhaps put it best.

“He’s a loser,” Limerick says, his expression flat. The youngest member’s expression is flat, but his eyes glitter with excitement. He sports dyed hair, a mask, and a black and gold outfit with paint-splashes of color on it, despite his seemingly serious, taciturn personality.

Lord of Loss is on his way to jail, authorities say. And as for the Majors?

“Going to go and do what we came here to do,” Finale says, “And get our new teammate an instrument.”

“Keep an eye out for us,” Withdrawal says.

We intend to!

Comments (163)

Jaylee Writes:

OMG. Limerick is totally my type.

Robert Taundem Writes:

That boy looks like he’s thirteen.

Jaylee Writes:

I’m fourteen and I want him to look at me like he doesn’t give a shit about me. ♥

Ted Willick Writes:

Jesus. To think I was glad the internet was back.

Mlekk Writes:

/oozes in

/gives a thumbs up

/oozes out

Caden_Grouse_2004 Writes:

Mlekk! I’m your biggest fan! You’re the coolest!

Caden_Grouse_2004 Writes:

/mlekk thanks you

Robert Taundem Writes:

You forgot to change your account, Caden.

Sveta_K Writes:

Rooting for you guys! Big win!

Big_Fat_Yam Writes:

Can’t take the bait. Every time I read an article like this and make picks for my Fantasy Cape Team it backfires. I’m in agony. What does Limerick even do? Tell me more, article! Explain these things!

⊙

► Re: Thought you’d like this

You replied… (20 minutes ago)

I saw another article about that. Sent them a message. Very cool. I want to bring them something as a celebration but I don’t know what. Cinnamon buns? Would they think that’s childish?

I was thinking of inviting them to Vista’s BBQ party. What do you think?

► Re: Thought you’d like this

Sender: [email protected] (16 minutes ago)

Nobody objects to cinnamon buns. Five might roll his eyes but he’ll be secretly happy.

And yes. Only Withdrawal can drink tho.

► There’s this supervillain…

Sender: [email protected] (16 minutes ago)

Can you toss Bonespur into a hill for me, please? Will owe you one.

► Difficult Subject

Sender: Dragon (10 minutes ago)

Note: This is official Warden correspondence. Be aware that incoming and outgoing messages may be monitored or screened for security purposes.

Victoria. This is not an easy subject to broach when I know you’ve temporarily retired. I must also admit I’m wary of sending these emails after my role in what happened with the misinformation campaign.

I recently had a discussion with Riley Davis, who brought up your one-time teammate Lookout. There were allusions made to secrets, and Riley said her instincts were that there was something to look for. That was three days ago.

Since the fights against the Titans I’ve been aware of Lookout’s infiltration of Warden systems. When the fight ended, she abandoned that infiltration, I secured the server against further attack, and thought nothing of it.

After the warning, I decided to do some digging. To be sure nothing nefarious was in play, I unraveled what she left on the servers and investigated. As part of that process, I found logs of her work (some of which is included in the transcript below) and a long series of conversations that seem to be ongoing. I’ve attached more pertinent ones as transcripts 01 through 21, and sound files with the same names. I can provide more if you wish to see.

It’s my understanding that…

⊙

Transcript_01:

Excuse the formatting. Names of third parties identified for clarity.

Transcript includes logs of code.

Indented are details found in the computer.



Are you there? Hellooo?

:Transmit

Are you there?

“Oh… [unintelligible]

“[unintelligible] god.”

I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can fix this.

Code:

COMPART FIX_3012 Res_RESOLVE:

:ReSet HereCousinTo Crystal_Befriender_Box

> Crystal_Befriender_Box Replyis “Reset Succeeded! Your The Best!”

:PullSet All(MaxRes)

:PullSet All(MaxBand)

:ListSetPlease Crystal_Befriender_Box

> 10^231 sets identified in range coordinates of:

> “(x=106.86, y=106.86, z=105.54, &=30)”

> Crystal_Befriender_Box Replyis “Too many! Help me!”

:MAP_MULTIPLY(-0)

:Set HereCousinTo All

> Rain_Workshop_Box ReplyIs “Here to give you a hand”

> Projector_Box_RB ReplyIs “Set a cute connect message for me♥”

> Portal_Hyperbox_DragonCollab Replyis “Here Rawr”

> Hairclips_[A…C…F] Reply is “Connected”

> ::Key_interrupt_notifications

> INSIST Warden_Base_Befriender_Worm ReplyIs

> “You might alert Dragon by doing this”

> “You might bother the Wardens by doing this”

> “Are you sure you want me to borrow resources?

Imp: Look-

No. One more minute… please.

Imp: One more minute

::N

> Set HereCousinTo Warden_Base_Befriender_Worm canceled.

:Distribute

:Resolve

> Resolved

:Transmit

Heya. Can you hear me? This should be clearer.



“What are you doing, Kenz?”

:Transmit

Saying hi. Using tech I thought we might have to use for Fortuna.

“No. What- what have you done?”

:Transmit

It’s really quite funny because I originally made this for you and then redid it for Fortuna and I had to rework it to make it work for you again. Text to speech. Faster because I can type with my eyes which is good because I gotta find you.

“Stop, Kenz. Shit. Stop, okay? I didn’t want this.”

:Transmit

You wanted to die? That’s stupid.



“No. But I wanted to give my brother a chance. I couldn’t make another stupid decision in the heat of the moment and cost him everything. Not when I could have become a Titan.

“But this? This is a disaster.”

:Transmit

But I might be able to fx this

“You might not be able to. Then what? Shit. Fuck.”

:Transmit

we can try. we all pull togehter and we get resources. we stop Fortuna we stop the Simurg and we get you out. If we can’t we can’t but we can try. I need to scan and find yur data in the crystal

“If you all try and fail then By has to live with knowing I’m half-buried in here. Half in dreams, but I can look through his eyes and hear through his ears if I try. I know him. I know he’s too considerate of me, it’ll change how he lives his life. He won’t be free.

“But I can’t ask you to keep it from him either. That would be fucking inhuman of me to put that burden on a kid.”

Grue: It’s not your responsibility

“I wish you hadn’t looked. I don’t blame you at all and I’m grateful you cared enough to try but this is a no-win situation.”

[Kenzie Martin to Grue] If it’s not mine then whose?

I just lost my best friend a week ago. The coolest person I knew. She’s out of reach forever now, except-

:Transmit

Don’t worry about it, Tristan. I’m fine. I’m tougher than I look.

“I worry that’s the opposite of true.”

Imp: It’s been a minute. Do you think maybe you could keep your end of the deal? Take fifteen minutes, lie down in the bed in the back. Just-

[clatter]

I’ve got stuff to do.

Sorry.

Imp: I don’t think there’s anything you can do.

What do you know what I can do?

Imp: Your team needs you alert and you’re all over the place like this. I don’t want to play the puppy card, but the puppy? Less than twelve hours ago?

You don’t want to make another mistake like that because you’re not thinking straight, and you’re not thinking straight as long as you’re tired.

My team needs me. I’m indispensable. T- Tristan needs me. I’ve got to find the right data, find a way to bring him back…

Imp: What if you can’t?

What if I can?

Brian: Speaking as someone who died…

“I’m guessing you disconnected.”

:Transmit

Sorry Tristan. Distractions. Be right with you.

“Okay.”

[To Grue] You died. I read that, yeah.

Grue: I wouldn’t want someone to hurt themselves for my sake. Even if it meant bringing me back.

What am I supposed to do with that?

Grue: Would Tristan want you to do this? To hurt like this?

I’m not sure if I care what he wants

Decadent: Kenzie. You’ve said before that there were times you felt like you needed to do something, but it wasn’t until later that you realized you were doing the wrong thing.

How can letting someone die and not doing something about it be the right thing?

Imp: Sometimes there is no right thing.

Candy: Listen. Look at this picture. Close your eyes, look through your cameras. Start with that. Can you do that for me? Thank you, look at us. Look at this scene from a distance. How many people think you need to take a break?

“There’s no rush, Kenz. Fuck, you’ve got to be freaking out. It’s hard not to think out loud in here. If the others need your help look after them first.”

A lot.

Candy: Can you count them?

“I can’t hear what’s going on out there. I don’t know if you’re listening, lost in tinkering-

No. I can’t keep my thoughts straight.

“-or if you’re telling the others. Do what you have to do.”

There’s a lot of noise, tinker inspiration.

Candy: A lot of people think you need to take a break. You’re the only one who thinks you need to stay. Is there a possibility we’re right?

You’re not- no.

Candy: No?

No- I…

:Transmit

I don’t want you to worry ok Tristan? Byron is safe and sound and so is Rain and Sveta and everyone. Were going to beat this thing.

“I wish I could see your face or hear the tone of your voice, instead of this robotic recitation.”

:Transmit

I’m cool as a cucumber. I’m tough. I’m not burdened I’m giddy to have a problem to solve. I’ve got to handle some tinker stuff. In the meantime you sit tight.

“Look after yourself first. Then the team. Me last.

“I’m a foregone conclusion. I’ll be here praying for a good outcome.”

Imp: Darlene and Chicken and I will sit with you.

I left tech with my team. They’ll mess it up if they try to pack it up.

Imp: We’ll handle it.

It’s not that simple, it’s like the screwholes. You guys don’t have any common sense when it comes to tech.

Imp: You can write it down. We’ll bring paper and a pen.

I can type, if-

Parian: No tech. You should disconnect for a bit.

Imp: Good idea. I’ll explain to your team.

It’s not that simple.

Imp: Nothing is, Peep.

:Transmit

I’ll be in touch. We’ll chat. I’ll keep you updated.

“That’d be nice. The only thing that bothers me about this place is that it’s a bit lon-

“Nevermind.”

:Transmit

Lonely? It’s lonely in there?

“Really hard not to think aloud and I’m thinking random things. I’m fine. Really.”

:Transmit

I’ve got to go. Will absolutely 100% no ifs ands or buts talk to you later.

⊙

The phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Wayne?”

“It’s Wayne Darnall. Is that Victoria?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what to do.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m outside my place. I’m on the roof. I couldn’t stay in my room with the sound playing. I’m stuck, Wayne. I don’t know what to do.”

“Imp was saying Lookout was acting out, I couldn’t pin it down. I was going to ask Tattletale, but she’s been busy.”

“What happened? Did something happen with Lookout?”

“Yeah. Right under my nose. I told myself I’d get a handle on it, that I’d get a handle on this sort of thing while I was retired and I had more time, but it’s like the barbecue- the upcoming one I told you about. I thought I’d talk to Tattletale then, but it’s always been like that, hasn’t it?”

“Slow down. Victoria, you’ve been less hands-on with Lookout recently. She’s doing her thing with her team. We talked about expectations as Breakthrough broke apart and we addressed her.”

“This was a while ago. I’m finding out about it now. Dragon messaged me.”

“Talk me through it. Do you want to fly while you talk? Are you close to my office?”

“No.”

“Do you want to fly over anyway? I can move some stuff around. It’s administrative, it’s not another patient.”

“Okay. Please. Sorry about any wind. I’ll try to extend my forcefield, but it can get wobbly.”

“Talk me through it.”

“Tristan’s alive. Or- not alive. Half alive. He’s still in there, and Lookout has known this entire time. I should have connected the dots. She was acting erratic. The tantrum, the relapse in her behavior.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“I should have known. I should have had a handle on this. Then and now.”

“You’re not a therapist, Victoria. To put it simply… no. There was no expectation that you should have known or done something about this.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Nothing, Victoria. You do nothing.”

“I have to-”

“You have to look after yourself. You said this was your number one goal. We’ve talked about this. The process.”

“Trusting others.”

“Do you know others you can call who are near Lookout right now?”

“Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck fuck. This is fucked.”

“Do you know others, Victoria?”

“Um. She connected to Grue. I think he’s near her. He gets her, somehow.”

“Good. That’s a good call to make.”

“I don’t know his number but I know Imp’s.”

“And I have a trainee who I strongly suspect would connect to Lookout in a therapy context.”

“You want to give Lookout to a trainee? Fuck me backwards, Wayne. What’s wrong with you? Are master-stranger protocols needed, here? Because sudden violent or sadistic turns in behavior are a big fucking warning sign.”

“She has has some past therapy experience and experience with children. She’s part of the work we’re doing to expand our therapy corps. I would trust her with my daughter if I had one.”

“Fuck.”

“Jessica’s doing some of the teaching work. It’s good, Victoria. Identifying the problem is the first step to fixing it.”

“I’m so worried about Tristan, if he’s in there, partially aware. That’s nightmarish and its a nightmare I know because I was trapped for two years too. Byron- Byron’s been so fucked up over Tristan dying and this might destroy him. Their parents. Vista. Everyone.”

“We’ll handle that too. For now, keep in mind that as shocking as this is, it puts us in a better place than we were in yesterday. Do you know why?”

“You just said, identifying the problem. It doesn’t fucking feel better, Wayne. Fuck.”

“I know. But there’s a process. There are people to fall back on. You’ve done the essential thing you needed to do, now you’re going to come here, we establish a game plan, prep, take the actions you need to take, like the call to Grue. Figure out our new normal and maintain it.”

“Is this going to be Lookout’s future? One incident after another?”

“It’s one incident, Victoria. Has there been anything else this year?”

“No. Not that I know of.”

“One incident in November. It’s late April now. I’ve looked at her record, and I do believe she is getting better. The process is slow and when the events or relapses do happen, they’re so big and dramatic that it can be hard to look past them or keep everything in perspective. But she’s on her way. She has a support structure.”

“Yes.”

“I suspect her heart was in the right place?”

“It was. But… fuck.”

“We’ve been working at training people, making sure there’s more to fall back on, being preventative… there are a lot of people with a lot to prove. Lookout will be in good hands. It’s not your job to be anything else but a friend and support to her.”

“I can hear the implicit ‘it should never have been your job’.”

“Not like that, Victoria. This is a step toward something better. I promise.”

“I don’t know, Wayne. Are you even allowed to promise something like that?”

“Yeah. Have I let you down yet?”

“Not really. Fuck. Okay. I’m… a third of the way to you. I think I’m going to focus on the flying.”

“Alright. You can call back if you need. I’m in my office.”

“Thanks. Hanging up now.”

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