FirstSelector
something else entirely
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Taylor's cape persona is owned by the Protectorate.
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Just a Phase [Worm]
- Thread starter FirstSelector
- Start date
Blade4
Experienced.
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- Jun 14, 2016
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But it also tapped to her at the moment. Legally and ethically she has at least some say and the government cant just fuck with her free speech. At least not if they dont want even more problems with her.
KingCrimson1081
Well worn.
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- Feb 27, 2022
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So PR making an 'official' account for Phase and running it themselves is entirely possible, good to know.
Ljapaubeaves
Making the rounds.
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- Feb 4, 2020
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AAahhh! What a fine re-read of this gem it was.
Glad you made mirror on QQ because it's a hassle for me to actually realize something was updated over on AO3...
Glad you made mirror on QQ because it's a hassle for me to actually realize something was updated over on AO3...
KingCrimson1081
Well worn.
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[
I think Taylor become a member of a band she sings out that hatried its not as if they could stop her. After all she needs hobby's per youth guard regulations.
Nah Taylor needs to join a club that includes lots of out of town field trips over multiple days, maybe a nature club with various camping trips out of the city.
Omake: Please Explain
KingCrimson1081
Well worn.
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Omake: Please Explain
"Would you please explain exactly what the fuck happened," Director Armstrong growled out to Nebula.
While many would believe such a tone would be out of character for the famously friendly man, but they would also have to recall that Armstrong is the director who has to deal with the combination of Accord, Blasto, and The Butcher in the same city, and has held his position for years despite that. Normally he would reserve such a tone for the actual villains he has to deal with but today after what Nebula pulled he felt it appropriate.
Nebula gulped before moving to try and explain himself, "I was only doing my duty inregards to a potential Master/Stranger threat against one of our Wards."
"Yes I read your report, but please explain why that duty includes attacking said Ward without provocation when she stepped in the base."
"Sir, I was informed earlier today that the Ward known as Phase was acting out of character in her civilian identity. Knowing what little we do about her power I believed containing her before she had time to react was the best option, unfortunately she reacted faster than expected and fled before anyone else could stop her."
"And what exactly was this strange behavior that warranted you to call a Master/Stranger emergency against her," Armstrong asked glaring intensely at the hero.
"While on patrol Wards team leader Weld spotted Phase pause suddenly on her way back from school and begin smiling without reason. I believed this was significantly out of character to warrant a low level Master/Stranger evaluation as a precaution," Nebula explained while doing his best to meet the director's gaze and failing.
"She smiled? You called a Master/Stranger emergency because she smiled?" Armstrong asked in bewilderment.
"Based on her previous behavior and interactions with the other Wards I believed that I was within reason to be suspicious."
"So your telling me that you thought it was a good idea to attack a Ward because she was simply having a good day, a Ward mind you is only a parahuman because she was attacked by two other Wards, a Ward that is now missing because she was attacked by yet another member of our organization," Armstrong's tone was cold but Nebula was able to see his body tremble with rage.
"Sir I was only doing what I thought was best I didn't mean to..," Nebula didn't get to finish his sentence before Armstrong raised a hand to silence him.
"No, let me explain to you what you did, you were informed of potentially strange behavior that could just as easily have been explained as a girl having a good day, but instead of simply waiting for more information or asking her yourself you immediately jump to calling a Master/Stranger threat and attempted to capture a Ward with the flimsiest of justifications. And because of that we know have to deal with a runaway Ward, who not only believes that our organization is out to get her but also has the justification of being attacked by a senior Protectorate member after I specifically promised that girl that such an act wouldn't happen. Worse yet due to her anti-thinker power we currently have no means of tracking her since she ditched her Wards phone after leaving the building, as well as no means to actually return her to the building if we manage to find her due to her power."
"If I may interject sir, the fact that she fled could prove that she is under the influence of another parahuman," Nebula tried to reason.
"No she isn't, and I know his because the moment I heard what happened I sent a message over to Watchdog just in case, and while they can't target Ms. Hebert directly they can still confirm that there is no human master operating in Boston or the surrounding area."
Nebula paled at the director's words and there implication. Calling a Master/Stranger test on a Ward was always a big deal, but calling a false one and attacking said Ward because of it was significantly worse, because for all the complaints about Master/Stranger protocols they were still a serious deal and the organization as a whole didn't take kindly to false alarms.
"Sir, I didn't mean for it to get this out of hand if you give me a chance I can..."
"Do nothing, you are official suspended until we can resolve the issue you have created, and for both our sakes hope it is resolved sooner rather than later."
With nothing left to say Nebula left the room without protest. Now alone Director Armstrong thought about what to do, already he sent out agents and other Protectorate members to try and track down Taylor but without thinker support the search was slow. Sighing to himself Armstrong dreaded the reaction of the Youth Guard, already James was making noises and calling his superiors about the situation, not to mention the other directors once they heard of this while he hated to think it many of the more hardline directors would see this as an opportunity to get the uncooperative girl under their thumb, immediately the Vegas director and Piggot sprung to mind due to their personal issues with the girl. But above all Armstrong worried about Taylor herself, this exact scenario was what he feared coming to pass after inducting Taylor into the Boston department if they couldn't bring her back soon either Accord and his Ambassadors would get her, or worse The Teeth might find her first.
Already he could feel a headache forming, because even if they did manage to find her they had no means of bringing her back if she refused, and at the moment she has no reason to trust any of them. The only option they had at potential containment was to use tasers and even then that was a long shot based on vague assumptions about her breaker state by some of the scientists down in power testing. Slumping in his seat Armstrong sent a message to his secretary to bring up some coffee he felt like this was going to be a long night.
A.N: A little omake based on if the Protectorate jumped the gun when Taylor was caught smiling after getting the idea to become a vigilante. Anyways let me know what you all think.
"Would you please explain exactly what the fuck happened," Director Armstrong growled out to Nebula.
While many would believe such a tone would be out of character for the famously friendly man, but they would also have to recall that Armstrong is the director who has to deal with the combination of Accord, Blasto, and The Butcher in the same city, and has held his position for years despite that. Normally he would reserve such a tone for the actual villains he has to deal with but today after what Nebula pulled he felt it appropriate.
Nebula gulped before moving to try and explain himself, "I was only doing my duty inregards to a potential Master/Stranger threat against one of our Wards."
"Yes I read your report, but please explain why that duty includes attacking said Ward without provocation when she stepped in the base."
"Sir, I was informed earlier today that the Ward known as Phase was acting out of character in her civilian identity. Knowing what little we do about her power I believed containing her before she had time to react was the best option, unfortunately she reacted faster than expected and fled before anyone else could stop her."
"And what exactly was this strange behavior that warranted you to call a Master/Stranger emergency against her," Armstrong asked glaring intensely at the hero.
"While on patrol Wards team leader Weld spotted Phase pause suddenly on her way back from school and begin smiling without reason. I believed this was significantly out of character to warrant a low level Master/Stranger evaluation as a precaution," Nebula explained while doing his best to meet the director's gaze and failing.
"She smiled? You called a Master/Stranger emergency because she smiled?" Armstrong asked in bewilderment.
"Based on her previous behavior and interactions with the other Wards I believed that I was within reason to be suspicious."
"So your telling me that you thought it was a good idea to attack a Ward because she was simply having a good day, a Ward mind you is only a parahuman because she was attacked by two other Wards, a Ward that is now missing because she was attacked by yet another member of our organization," Armstrong's tone was cold but Nebula was able to see his body tremble with rage.
"Sir I was only doing what I thought was best I didn't mean to..," Nebula didn't get to finish his sentence before Armstrong raised a hand to silence him.
"No, let me explain to you what you did, you were informed of potentially strange behavior that could just as easily have been explained as a girl having a good day, but instead of simply waiting for more information or asking her yourself you immediately jump to calling a Master/Stranger threat and attempted to capture a Ward with the flimsiest of justifications. And because of that we know have to deal with a runaway Ward, who not only believes that our organization is out to get her but also has the justification of being attacked by a senior Protectorate member after I specifically promised that girl that such an act wouldn't happen. Worse yet due to her anti-thinker power we currently have no means of tracking her since she ditched her Wards phone after leaving the building, as well as no means to actually return her to the building if we manage to find her due to her power."
"If I may interject sir, the fact that she fled could prove that she is under the influence of another parahuman," Nebula tried to reason.
"No she isn't, and I know his because the moment I heard what happened I sent a message over to Watchdog just in case, and while they can't target Ms. Hebert directly they can still confirm that there is no human master operating in Boston or the surrounding area."
Nebula paled at the director's words and there implication. Calling a Master/Stranger test on a Ward was always a big deal, but calling a false one and attacking said Ward because of it was significantly worse, because for all the complaints about Master/Stranger protocols they were still a serious deal and the organization as a whole didn't take kindly to false alarms.
"Sir, I didn't mean for it to get this out of hand if you give me a chance I can..."
"Do nothing, you are official suspended until we can resolve the issue you have created, and for both our sakes hope it is resolved sooner rather than later."
With nothing left to say Nebula left the room without protest. Now alone Director Armstrong thought about what to do, already he sent out agents and other Protectorate members to try and track down Taylor but without thinker support the search was slow. Sighing to himself Armstrong dreaded the reaction of the Youth Guard, already James was making noises and calling his superiors about the situation, not to mention the other directors once they heard of this while he hated to think it many of the more hardline directors would see this as an opportunity to get the uncooperative girl under their thumb, immediately the Vegas director and Piggot sprung to mind due to their personal issues with the girl. But above all Armstrong worried about Taylor herself, this exact scenario was what he feared coming to pass after inducting Taylor into the Boston department if they couldn't bring her back soon either Accord and his Ambassadors would get her, or worse The Teeth might find her first.
Already he could feel a headache forming, because even if they did manage to find her they had no means of bringing her back if she refused, and at the moment she has no reason to trust any of them. The only option they had at potential containment was to use tasers and even then that was a long shot based on vague assumptions about her breaker state by some of the scientists down in power testing. Slumping in his seat Armstrong sent a message to his secretary to bring up some coffee he felt like this was going to be a long night.
A.N: A little omake based on if the Protectorate jumped the gun when Taylor was caught smiling after getting the idea to become a vigilante. Anyways let me know what you all think.
DrWhoFan13
Lurker who made an account for a few fics
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Damn, this sounds more appealing than Just a Phase for some reason. A fugitive arc where the 'fugitive' is on the run due to having her (unfortunately justified) paranoia verified? Sounds like my cup of tea.
Blade4
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Maybe but to survive Taylor will have to go somewhere and probably villain and once she goes villain the prt can and will just PR her as a evil or mentally disturbed bitch who refused help and a lying liar.
KingCrimson1081
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A possible way for Taylor to avoid that is to steal specifically from the gangs, maybe becoming a Robin Hood type vigilante stealung from gangs and criminals and giving to the homeless or those in poverty.
Blade4
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That would just make enemies of everyone. The villains will want her dead or press ganged and the prt can still use her antics as evidence she needs to be controlled. Functionally her best win is not playing the game in the first place.
Thebackhander
Getting out there.
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There are homeless shelters and soup kitchens where she could probably get food without resorting to crime at least for a while before she flees the city it's not like it'd be hard for her to escape them if they try to catch her there anyway
Nikas_Zekeval
Know what you're doing yet?
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A homeless minor on her own would have people running it paying extra attention to her, especially as a new face. Not to mention the PRT might be checking there as well or at least have some form of BOLO on her there.
Thebackhander
Getting out there.
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That's why I said for a while. They probably expect her to hit the gangs to get cash so she could get a few meals and all she'd have to say if the people running the shelter/soup kitchen ask questions is that she ran away when one of the people who were supposed to take care of her tried to hit her after they had taken her away from her father
BF110C4
Not too sore, are you?
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Then there is the fact that she might decide to screw the PRT by going with a few reporters and exchange an exclusive interview for food, money and a discreet visit to an stylist for a dye job and a new hairstyle. Nothing better to distract the PRT and Protectorate than having their dirty laundry exposed in the most damaging way while Taylor hitchhike out of town (her Thinker power is perfect to minimize the risk of such strategy).
FirstSelector
something else entirely
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Threadmarked! Fun premise and I liked Armstrong's focus on how the other Directors would use this as political ammo.
I actually had some notes and a few scenes drafted for a fic where Taylor had the same power but was living as a fugitive in the far west of Brockton. It was fun but I didn't have an ending in mind,
tarrangar
Versed in the lewd.
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She could also just steal without being caught, she has anti-thinker powers, and the ability to step though solid walls, publicly being a hero while secretly stealing until she become popular enough to live on donations is fully doable for her.
KingCrimson1081
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Yeah because the main thing in the story is that Taylor is able to do more damage to the PRT by staying as a Ward and following their own rule book than if she just went villain, because if she went villain then Piggot could just flip the whole matter around and get off scot free along with Emma and Sophia.
I think I remember reading a post you made about that a while ago, didn't recall it while writing the omake though.
Dakkah
Know what you're doing yet?
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Huh that is a surprisingly rage inducing omake. (Combination of the unprovoked attack followed with the Directors likely deciding/pushing that she needs to be brought into line just irks me something fierce.)
KingCrimson1081
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To be fair to Armstrong he isn't one of the Directors pushing for Taylor to be brought in line, not that he won't try and get her back if the opportunity presents itself but he is smart enough to realize that ship has sailed.
Thebackhander
Getting out there.
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I wonder how long the line to smack nebula is
Wait can phase spread her anti thinker effect to others? Cause if she can it would be quite a game changer and she could be a perfect help to exterminate mama Mathers and maybe even help against the simurgh
Wait can phase spread her anti thinker effect to others? Cause if she can it would be quite a game changer and she could be a perfect help to exterminate mama Mathers and maybe even help against the simurgh
Tanaxanth
Not too sore, are you?
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Halfway to New York and growing by the minute
Blade4
Experienced.
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She just might be phasing them with her. To bad they have ensured she has zero interest in actually helping them or letting them figure out her powers.
FirstSelector
something else entirely
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The number of things Taylor could help the PRT with using her powers is quite large.
Nice job, Emma.
KingCrimson1081
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Considering her directed Thinker immunity and the fact that Shards don't use the PRT threat ratings to do things it is probably safe to assume she is immune to all directed Shard powers, which include Thinker powers, Master powers, non-physical Blaster powers such as the Butcher's pain blast, along with any and all physical attacks. So yeah Taylor's defense is essentially anti-everything at best and at worst anti-everything except certain exotic powers and certain Shaker effects, plus if the theory about Taylor being able to share her power with those she is touching is correct then her perfect defense could be used like the Siberian's and cover her team protecting them from harmful effects both physical and non-physical. In short the PRT/Protectorate now have a hard counter to enemy Thinkers and human Masters, such as Heartbreaker and Mama Mathers, but they can't use her because she hates the entire organization and won't cooperate.
To sum it up, god dammit Emma.
Nikas_Zekeval
Know what you're doing yet?
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Oh Emma had loads of help. Principle Blackwell, most of the staff of Winslow, Director Piggot, the recruiter that stampeded her father into transferring Taylor out to Boston, Danny Hebert, Armstrong and Gauss for not putting the brakes on the induction once Taylor herself objected...
It was a team effort and included so many fuckups Taylor has yet to be able to replenish any of her much depleted supplies of fucks to give.
BF110C4
Not too sore, are you?
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Don't forget Sophia, who put the weirdest ideas in Emma's mind to begin with.
Incursio
Not too sore, are you?
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The problem with that is she's not technically apart of the protectorate except in that she's their ward because Danny gave them guardianship of her and she can't quit that because I doubt the PRT or the youth guard would allow her to go into foster care
Blade4
Experienced.
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The problem become that the drafters of the laws and regulations never envisioned that the home situation the young parahuman needed to escape included the prt itself and its the big hold up on their side that they cant seem to grasp that they are part of her trigger and keep hitting it. They basically would need to put her in some foster care with the prt only distantly watching. Her as a ward is just not happening and the more they push the more the is liable to run. Honestly once this situation finally blows up it is going to be a long studied mess that will bring all sorts of change to the system. Both to prevent it happening again and protocols for more Phases to try and channel and limit the damage.