Yo, TTT

Hey guys,

We've been PRETTY LAX about this forum.  I wonder if the wonky formatting and whatnot have been keeping us from being really involved.  Maybe we want to look into editable Google docs or something?

Anyway, I really don't want TTT to die.

The Metawars, Chapter 13: Negotiations

Chapter 13: Negotiations

“Are we ready?” Nucleon glanced at his watch again, confirming what he already knew. They were right on schedule.

“Yes,” Professor Portal said. “Still ready.” He bobbed up and down on the balls of his feet, twiddling his fingers. Nucleon ignored him. Behind them, Brainwave lounged against the concrete walls of the small room and stifled a yawn behind his long hands. They were in a cell in the depths of Professor Portal's base. The room had no windows, just bare grey walls and a blank door. The only thing in the room was a metal chair.

“Well, then let's get on with it. We only have a small window.”

“Patience,” Nucleon said. “We must be precise.” This, of course, assumed that the schedule Charles had leaked to them was accurate. If not, they would have to improvise, and fast. “Now.”

The Metawars, Chapter 12

You'll find that a lot of the dialogue and interactions from the end of this chapter are recycled from the previous Chapter 13.  I wasn't able to squeeze in Ghost's conversations with Captain Chicago or Brick.  Your opinions on their exclusion would be nice.

This chapter needs some severe editing, fyi.

Chapter 12:

“Is this really happening?” Ghost asked, brandishing the ivory-colored envelope. It was addressed to The New York Guardians, 90 Park Avenue, New York NY. The return address was somewhere in Washington, DC. “A party?”

“It's not a party,” said Evermind as she leafed through the contents of the letter. “They're strategy meetings and a Metahuman solidarity and unity summit. That's what they're calling it, anyway.”

The Metawars, Chapter 11 (new)

New content!  This one comes after the chapter where Evermind reprimands Ghost.  I borrowed a lot of stuff from Chapter 15 with some new stuff at the end.
In the edited Chapter 8, Nucleon and Charles briefly talk about planning an attack on Houston...so the mentions of that at the beginning of this aren't totally out of left field.

Not sure if this is a good direction to take the story...I'll tell you what my tentative plans are after you read the chapter.

Chapter 11:

“The exact origin of the Metahuman is unknown. From the time and place of the first recorded Metahumans – beginning in Japan in 1946 – it can be surmised that high levels of radiation initially led to the creation of superpowers in normal human beings. If this is indeed the cause, it is still unknown how this phenomena became a worldwide one and how abilities are passed on.”

-Summary of analysis of metahuman history and abilities, by Gold and Morris, et al, 1983.

The Metawars, edited Chapter 7

The beginning of this chapter is pretty much identical to the earlier version.  It's the second half that's different.  New characters include Senator Spencer Alan and Secretary Grant Chapman.

Not 100% happy with the chapter title, but not sure about what to change it to.

Chapter 7: The Plot Thickens

“Though not a well-known part of the Vietnam War, the Metahuman conflict was a crucial component. They represented China and the entire Soviet bloc's ambitions of a superhero program to match America's. The efforts of American superhero Nucleon is the primary reason the Vietnamese and Chinese superhero programs faltered and is often considered a significant factor in the ultimate fall of the Soviet Union.”

-Exert from “History of the Vietnam War,” by D.R. Murphy, PhD, 1998.

The Metawars, Chapter 13

With the addition of Charles Ramanujan to the plot, the Omegamen are going to come in much later and thus this chapter probably won't happen.  Ignore for the most part the events and focus more on the characters, since the relationships are going to remain regardless of what the new Chapter 13 will be.

Chapter 13:

“Do you, John Morgan, codename Deluge, take Cora Conrad, codename Miss Amazing, to be your wife, through sickness and health, war and peace, to uphold justice and the tenets of the MPA, so long as you both may live?”

- Vows at the public wedding between Deluge and Miss Amazing, 2002.

Edited Chapter 10, The Metawars

As promised, the edited Chapter 10.  The biggest changes are Evermind's discussion with Captain Chicago and the inclusion of some of Evermind's backstory.  Feedback would be appreciated.

Chapter 10: Dysfunctional

“It will fall to the leader of each Metahuman team to provide orders in battles and organize the team as they see fit. A hierarchy of command is recommended. Leaders of each team will be chosen and set by the DMR. A team leader may put requests in to the DMR, which will be processed in 2-6 business days, depending (further details in Section 5.10).”

-Article 3, Section 5 of the Metahuman Police Act.

The Metawars, Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Alpha and Omega

“What can we do? We are, as a people, as a species, reduced. What can we do against beings with such power? We have reached an end.”

- Professor Gregory Gould, chairman of biology, Duke University, 1953

The elevator hummed as it descended to the basement of Lynch Labs. Majesticus stood straight-backed next to Shade and Patriot, hands clasped behind his back. He watched the numbers on the elevator tick down.

“I don't see why we have to do this,” Patriot said. He pounded his fist into his open palm. The sound of his armored hands slamming together rang through the small space. Majesticus winced. The sound almost eclipsed the harsh static of Patriot's frustration. “We should be out there, following Nucleon and the rest of those traitors. Instead we're going to be stuck doing a stupid publicity stunt.”

“It's important, isn't it?” Shade said. “And they worked.”

 

Patriot nodded. “Right. So let's follow up on their performance. Let's get out there and chase 'em down. They're on the run. We're wasting time doing this.” He looked down at his open palm and curled it into a fist. “I want this over. Now.”

 

Majesticus touched Patriot's shoulder, the highest part of his teammate's body he could reach. “Patience,” he said. “We have our orders.” Inside, Majesticus shook. Patriot's anger made him uneasy. Patriot had been like this since the funeral in Chicago. Eager for a chance to get back at Nucleon after he'd literally slipped through their fingers.

 

The rest of the ride passed in silence until the doors slid open onto the main basement of Lynch Labs. The basement was at least forty feet tall floor to ceiling, all of it vast and echoing space lit by flat florescent lighting. Glass tubes lined the room from floor to ceiling, each of them large enough to hold a man and filled with some thick blue liquid. President Lynch was already there, talking in low tones to Dr. Stewart. Sweaty cameramen and glossy reporters stood about, talking and finalizing preparations. The sounds they made bounced around the cavernous room, lost amongst the constant hum and bubbling sounds emitting from the endless ranks of glass tubes.

 

President Lynch looked up at the approaching heroes. He clasped his hands together and smiled. “Good. We can begin.” He nodded to the scientist. “Ready, Dr. Stewart?”

“Ready,” said Dr. Stewart.

 

Lynch beckoned to the heroes. “You remember your lines?”

“Of course,” said Majesticus, speaking for all of them. He could always feed them their lines telepathically if needed. Patriot grunted. Shade smiled automatically.

“Cameras ready?” Dr. Stewart asked as he adjusted his tie.

“Ready,” came the response.

 

Majesticus positioned himself by the president, next to Patriot and Shade. He tugged at the bottom of his cowl, smoothed out his cape, and assumed a sombre stance, something appropriate for the occasion. Patriot stood with his fists on his hips, the dramatic pose the public was used to seeing him in.

The red lights on the cameras blinked. “Aaand, three two, one...”

“Good afternoon, America,” Lynch said to the cameras. “As many of you have surely heard, Lynch Labs, under the watch of Director of Research Dr. Lyman Stewart, has developed a new weapon to fight the evil Metahumans in this war: the Omegamen. Just yesterday we proved that these new weapons have what it takes to win. The Omegamen found Nucleon and his supporters and handed us a clear victory.”

 

It was interesting, Majesticus thought, the range of emotions flying through the room at that moment. Pride and a nervous energy from Dr. Stewart. Resentment from Patriot. Tightly coiled excitement from the president.

“Our very own National Heroes will soon be fighting alongside the Omegamen,” Lynch continued. “And with the power and leadership they provide with the might of the Omegamen, victory in this war is a certainty.” The president swept his hands behind him into the depths of the basement. Majesticus now saw that in each of the glass tubes floated a man, wires hooked into arms and chest, breathing apparatuses in their mouths. Their minds were blank, less than the babbling thoughts of infants.

 

Lynch strolled down the path between the towers of glass tubes. “Tell us about the Omegamen, Dr. Stewart,” he said, speaking half to the doctor and half to the cameras.

“Of course.” Dr. Stewart pushed his glasses up his nose, opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “We created them using the latest technology. Years of research. They're artificially created. Like clones. Test-tube bred. We used genetic material from various soldiers in our service, as well as Metahuman DNA. It grants them an astonishing level of powers.” Dr. Stewart gestured to the ranks upon ranks of men in the tubes. Further down, some of the Omegamen looked different, less human. Younger ones, Majesticus reasoned. Less developed. They had a doughy look to their flesh. The muscles weren't fully developed, undersized or bulging under skin not yet grown to fit. Wires and electronics fit in under the skin on their bald heads. Some looked younger still, but not like children. Like small adults made of clay. “Super strength. Bulletproof skin. Not that we don't provide them with armor, but having Kevlar-tough skin never hurts. Enhanced senses, the most useful of which are microscopic and telescopic vision. We gave them flight too, of course. No need for troop transport. And it's a very intimidating sight to see them fly in rank. Strike fear into the enemies.” He held his hands out above him, indicating the grandness of his vision. The shirt fabric under his arms was wet. “And, this is the best thing: a hive mind.”

“Could you explain what that means, doctor?” the president asked, his tone light and inquisitive.

“Yes. Quite simply, they share one mind. Single thoughts in all of their heads. The fastest method of communication we could think of, far faster than speaking or even telepathy. Each Omegaman perceives the world independently, sees and hears it by themselves, but they all know what each other sees at the same time. They can create complex strategies and plans and they'll all instantly know them. We call it the Omnimind.”

 

They had reached the end of the walkway, where a group of new Omegamen stood, suited in their crisp new uniforms. The bright red Omega symbol and the white stars on their chest pockets were the only things that stood out in the beige camouflage-patterned fabric and similar faces. Large black assault rifles lay cradled in their arms. As one, they saluted President Lynch and the National Heroes as they approached. Patriot nodded to them, stiff-necked and irritable. Dr. Stewart rapped on the chest of one of them. It made a dull ringing sound.

“They've also been given the finest military training available,” the doctor continued. “Downloaded directly into their minds. Mind,” he corrected.

“Fascinating,” muttered Lynch, his face turned away from the camera. “Amazing. So shiny and new. Perfect, like gods.”

 

Like gods, indeed, thought Majesticus. What did that make the Metahumans, then? The titans? Creators of the universe, perhaps, but diminished and forgotten when the gods arrived. And in many ways, perhaps the heroes were like the old gods of myths. They had flight, super speed, incredible strength, lightning at the tips of their fingers...some heroes even had the egos and hubris to match. They'd had stories told about them so many times that there was debate over what the real story was. Not that it mattered. The characters themselves were what mattered. The tales of their deeds were mutable. So too, the superheroes lived on in stories.

 

The only difference, really, was that the new American gods wore capes.

 

Majesticus walked up close to one of the Omegamen. The artificial man stared back at him with flat eyes. “May I look into your mind?” he asked. The Omegaman didn't respond.

“The won't take orders from you yet,” Dr. Stewart explained. “Not yet. They're programed to take orders from only select people. Makes them easier for us to control, you see. No risk of enemy takeover.” Majesticus nodded. “Omegamen,” Dr. Stewart said in a clear voice, “this Metahuman is going to read your mind. Admit him.” Majesticus closed his eyes and opened his psychic awareness.

 

Ah. Yes. It was true. Despite the many Omegamen around him, hundreds and hundreds of bodies, there was only one mind, a singularity that marched through their heads in perfect syncopation. Multiple bodies perceiving, one mind analzing. It boggled the imagination. It had to be a sensory overload for them, with one mind processing so much input and information. But they were artificial. The more Majesticus looked the more their mind resembled not a human brain, but a computer, obeying preset rules and programs.

 

President Lynch turned to Patriot. “Are you ready to serve alongside the Omegamen, Patriot, and secure the future of this country?” The question was clearly asked for the benefit of the cameras. To Patriot's credit, though, he contorted his chiseled features into a close approximation of his usual toothy grin.

“I am.” He put an arm around the shoulder of the nearest Omegaman. The artificial soldier didn't respond to the gesture. “Anything to win this war.”

 

Lynch smiled. “That's what I want to hear. We're in good hands.”

 

The show and tell session continued for some time, with Dr. Stewart and President Lynch bragging about the many traits of the Omegamen and how they were perfectly equipped to deal with Nucleon and the rogue Metahumans. Majesticus played his part, the silent and respectful observer, nodding along with the comments made and answering questions asked of him. Secretly, he was concerned. He waited until the cameras were off before voicing them.

“Mr. President?”

 

Lynch broke away from a conversation with Dr. Stewart. “Majesticus?”

“I understand,” he began, “that these Omegamen have proven useful. But they do not sit well with me. Is this wise? How long shall we need them?”

“As long as is necessary, Majesticus.” The president's face hardened. “Nucleon has been free for almost a month. A month that he's held our nation in the grip of terror and anarchy. Clearly, the efforts of our heroes are not enough.”

“But keeping them a secret from the public until now...”

“We needed the element of surprise against Nucleon,” Lynch said. “We could not risk tipping our hand.”

“And what will become of the Omegamen once the war has ended?” Majesticus pressed.

“What do you think? They'll stay, of course.”

“Stay. So you plan on incorporating them into the military and MPA.”

“With the approval of the varying other parties, of course. They need to be officially approved by Congress and the generals of the army, and the Departments of Defense and Metahuman Regulation will have to look into it, but it's all formalities. After the success of the raid on Nucleon's base, Congress will vote in favor of the program, and the army won't be able to say no. We can only benefit from them.”

 

The two men walked through the corridors of the basement together, president and superhero. Both influential in their own ways. Without the political clout of the White House the Metahumans would have amounted to nothing, and the might of the state superhero gave the government power. Majesticus remembered each president since Eisenhower had signed the Metahuman Police Act into law. Each had used the superheroes for something different. War, back in the sixties and seventies. Hope and unity in the eighties. Peacekeeping in the nineties. And now?

“I wonder,” Majesticus said, “how did you know where to find Nucleon? We've been searching since the breakout and made no progress. And to find him in Professor Portal's old headquarters of all places...” It was the first time the villain's base of operations had been found, despite the many years he'd been in operation and the years he'd spent in Eisenhower Memorial Prison. Majesticus had always assumed that the base had been hidden in a pocket dimension, a product of the professor's space-bending powers. With all the temporary pathways Professor Portal made by folding space onto itself, a permanent wormhole would have had to emerge, or some other disastrous side effect. Instead the blasted thing had been hidden in the desert, protected with turrets and clever cloaking devices.

“Good old fashioned detective work, Majesticus,” Lynch explained. “That, and we were able to figure out where the portal that took Nucleon out of Chicago led to. Stupid move on Professor Portal's part, leading Nucleon right back to his secret base.”

 

Majesticus frowned. “I thought we tried that when we were tracking Professor Portal during his big crime spree in 1988. And a number of other methods too.”

“Well, it worked this time,” Lynch said. He stopped and turned to face Majesticus, hands in his trouser pockets. “Majesticus. May I ask you something?”

“By all means.”

“Do you trust me?”

 

Majesticus blinked, taken aback. “I'm sorry?”

“Do you trust me?” the president repeated. “It's a simple question.”

“Why?”

“You're on edge,” Lynch said. “Suspicious, I'm afraid. And the Omegamen aren't helping. It's a big change, I know. I wasn't sold on the idea myself until Dr. Stewart showed me the figures and results on the project. He was very adamant, and the rest of my cabinet was with him. After the results at Professor Portal's base, well, I couldn't say no.”

 

Majesticus nodded.

“I ask again, Majesticus: do you trust me?” Lynch put a hand on the Majesticus's shoulder, comforting and fatherly. “We need to all trust each other, or else we crumble. If we become paranoid and start seeing knives in the shadows, then Nucleon wins. We can't have that, can we?”

“No,” Majesticus said, but in his mind he remembered Nucleon from thirty years ago, young and fresh-faced as the crowds applauded for him while Majesticus looked on. “Never.” Part of Majesticus realized the absurdity of the situation, of two grown men having a frank and serious conversation while one was dressed a suit, the other in tights and a cape.

“Then...”

“I trust you,” said Majesticus. “Don't worry. And Shade and Patriot do too. Believe me Mr. President, regardless of the outcome in this war, we will stay together.”

 

As the President walked away Majesticus realized that he couldn't read Lynch's mind.

“I don't like 'em,” Patriot declared the moment the team left Lynch Labs and had gotten past the swarms of reporters and paparazzi (Patriot had stopped to sign autographs and shake hands, and several teenage boys had begged to have their pictures taken with Shade). “Not at all.”

“They're useful,” Shade said. “Just get over them.”

“Hmmph.”

 

Majesticus was lost in thought. Did President Lynch simply have an extremely guarded mind, difficult to read and perceive? Perhaps he'd had training. It was not uncommon in this day and age for politicians to be trained to block their thoughts against invasive telepathy. It had happened enough in the Cold War, presidents and senators afraid of having their secrets ripped from their minds by Soviet Metahumans. He could have used a Psiblock, standard among DMR officials working with telepaths. But Psiblocks were either large and bulky, meant for large radii, or personal earpieces. Majesticus had seen no earpiece.

“We must do something!” Patriot said, interrupting Majesticus's musings.

“We already have a plan,” Shade said. “Look: the DMR's tracking Nucleon, and we'll lead a raid on them with the Omegamen.”

 

Patriot slapped his hands together. “I won't have them win this war on their own.” He frowned. “I'm speaking to the president. We'll organize a strike force, find Nucleon, and end this. Now.”

The Metawars, Chapter 11

A fight chapter.  It probably needs more work.

I'll re-post the last chapter (10) once it's fully edited.  It contains a good bit of Evermind's backstory, so feedback on that would be good.

Chapter 11: Besieged

“The exact origin of the Metahuman is unknown. From the time and place of the first recorded Metahumans – beginning in Japan in 1946 – it can be surmised that high levels of radiation initially led to the creation of superpowers in normal human beings. If this is indeed the cause, it is still unknown how this phenomena became a worldwide one and how abilities are passed on.”

-Summary of analysis of metahuman history and abilities, by Gold and Morris, et al, 1983.

The Metawars, Chapter 10

First time I've posted something with Olivia, the team liaison.  She appears twice in the book before this.  Initial impressions of her would be good.

(still working on Evermind's backstory/motivations, which may change this chapter slightly.)

Chapter 10: Dysfunctional

“It will fall to the leader of each Metahuman team to provide orders in battles and organize the team as they see fit. A hierarchy of command is recommended. Leaders of each team will be chosen and set by the DMR. A team leader may put requests in to the DMR, which will be processed in 2-6 business days, depending (further details in Section 5.10).”

-Article 3, Section 5 of the Metahuman Police Act.

The Metawars, Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Abnormal

“New York has always prided itself on the strength of its Metahuman superhero team. Since 1959 the Guardians have protected us from attacks from such villains as Brainwave and General Fissure. No better example of American patriots or true New York citizens could be found anywhere.”

-Front page of the New York Guardians official website (nyguardians.dmr.gov)

The Metawars, chapter 8

Chapter 8: Old Friends

“The best part about being a superhero? Well, I'd have to say that it gives people hope. It bolsters our spirits as a country. And it's allowed me to work with some of the finest people I've ever met.”

-Majesticus in a 1984 interview with Time magazine.

The Metawars, Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Plot Thickens

“Though not a well-known part of the Vietnam War, the Metahuman conflict was a crucial component. They represented China and the entire Soviet bloc's ambitions of a superhero program to match America's. The efforts of American superhero Nucleon is the primary reason the Vietnamese and Chinese superhero programs faltered and is often considered a significant factor in the ultimate fall of the Soviet Union.”

-Exert from “History of the Vietnam War,” by D.R. Renalds, PhD, 1998.

The Metawars, Chapter 6

Another big fight scene...this is a lot of new stuff so feedback is appreciated.

Micah...I want to discuss aspects of the world presented with you in person this weekend.  I feel like I'm unsure about the tone I want to present/how oppressed Metahumans are.

Chapter 6:[no title yet]

“Metahuman superheroes protect America, and milk can protect your body! I drink a tall glass of 2% milk every day for strong bones. Keeps me strong so I can save Chicago.”

-Milk advertisement featuring Captain Chicago of the Chicago Defenders.

The Metawars, Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Interrogation

“The thoughts (including surface thoughts and impulses, desires, emotions and memories) of a person, human or Metahuman, shall not be read without permission. Likewise, manipulation of brain functions (including memory manipulation or changing/otherwise altering the basic mechanics of the brain and body) is prohibited unless express permission is given. In some cases, written permission must be given by the recipient of such an act and by the Psychic Oversight Committee of the Department of Metahuman Regulation.”

-Article 2, section 1 of the Telepath's Code of Conduct.

The Metawars, Chapter 4

The new Chapter 4, which used to be the old Chapter 3, since the old Chapter 1 is now the new Chapters 1 and 2.

anyway.

Staring now it should mostly be either new material or stuff that's been heavily edited and could use a fresh set of eyes.  Edit away, guys!

Chapter 4: The Master Plan

“Any American Metahuman not signed on with the Metahuman Police Act shall be considered an enemy. Any member of the MPA initiative is obliged to do anything in their power to contain and apprehend these rogue Metahumans. Any property damage that results will be payed for in full by the government. Civilian casualties should be avoided.”

-Article 5, section 2.1 of the Metahuman Police Act

The Metawars, edited Chapter 1

Here's the old Chapter 1, which is now the new Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.  Most of it's the same.  Feel free to read and comment if you want (but you don't have to).  Consider this a bonus/followup to my post this week.

Chapter 1:[no title yet]

Meta: (Met-uh) a Greek prefix, with the meanings: 1. "after," 2. "changed, altered," 3. "higher, beyond," : metagenesis; metalinguistics; Metahuman.

Metahuman: (Met-uh-hyoo-muh n) 1. A human born with extraordinary or superhuman abilities.

-Webster's Dictionary, 1990 Edition

The Metawars, Chapter 2

I feel pretty okay about this chapter, but I'll post it anyway so you guys get the complete picture.  The next two chapters are the new ones I'm shaky on.  Hopefully I'll have an edited Chapter 1 (and the new Chapter 2) up some point as a bonus.

Chapter 2: So It Begins

“The Metahuman is a gift. A dangerous one, yes, but a gift still. We must use them, or we will be destroyed by them.”

-President Dwight Eisenhower, 1959.

Fanfiction: Battleverse

Archibald stepped through himself. He felt things, things like flux, inversion, and nausea. It was like taking the world's grandest stage before the crowned heads of Europe, like leaping from a clifftop into the wind. One moment he stood in his gloomy bedchamber with Coppersworth, Wellsley, and Lady Elizabeth, and the next his slippers scuffed against wet paving stones. He stood with the others in an expansive courtyard overshadowed by a castle, its towers and battlements reaching toward the slate-grey sky like crude stone fingers. Its slit windows were dark, its parapets manned only by worn gargoyles. Rain fell gloomily.

The Metawars, Chapter 1

This is going to be my primary project this summer.  I'm sure you two have read at least some version of this chapter before, but I figured it can't hurt to see it again, especially since I'm still not certain about how it is.

My primary concern is that too much happens all at once and it's a rushed and sloppy introduction to the main characters.  Edit away!

 

Chapter 1: This Time it's Personal

Meta: (Met-uh) a Greek prefix, with the meanings: 1. "after," 2. "changed, altered," 3. "higher, beyond," : metagenesis; metalinguistics; Metahuman.

Metahuman: (Met-uh-hyoo-muh n) 1. A human born with extraordinary or superhuman abilities.

-Webster's Dictionary, 1990 Edition