Quest A Sword Through the Multiverse: Stabbing Space Whales[A FSN/Worm quest]

kelgar04

Well-known member
That said I could easily see her as the eventual head of the PRT/Protectorate equivalent (well I could actually see her as the head of most departments, especially military ones).
Hoped more effective than that guy fawkes on bonfire night of an organisation. Seriously PRT was a really poor organisation.
 
Hoped more effective than that guy fawkes on bonfire night of an organisation. Seriously PRT was a really poor organisation.
True but that's largely because Caldron wanted it to be so parahuman violence would exoculate and their plan for parahuman feudalism would take off. They believed that it would be the only way to create parahumans strong and experienced enough to fight Scion the parallel universe traveling space whale that wants to eat all humans across all earths.
 

kildar

Member
True but that's largely because Caldron wanted it to be so parahuman violence would exoculate and their plan for parahuman feudalism would take off. They believed that it would be the only way to create parahumans strong and experienced enough to fight Scion the parallel universe traveling space whale that wants to eat all humans across all earths.
One thing to remember is that basically all of Caldron was from other worlds.... or villains.
So the entire world was a weapon to them and thus disposable.
 

ConfusedCanadian

Well-known member
One thing to remember is that basically all of Caldron was from other worlds.... or villains.
So the entire world was a weapon to them and thus disposable.
Yeah something I also found wrong personally and something I feel we should fight in quest in all honesty Caldron did a lot of evil for the greater good and not much to show it. I'm all for exposing them and destroying them as a organization they can't be trusted at all.
 

Arlos

Sad Monarchist
Yeah something I also found wrong personally and something I feel we should fight in quest in all honesty Caldron did a lot of evil for the greater good and not much to show it. I'm all for exposing them and destroying them as a organization they can't be trusted at all.
Well, Cauldron did succeed in the end, but it’s important to remember even Cauldron didn’t know HOW they would succeed or the price they would have to pay or the form their success would take, they just knew the steps to get there and blindly followed.
In the end, they were unknowingly sacrifices to create the Parahumans that would defeat Scion.(except Contessa)

Anyways, Cauldron will probably give us the Gesselshaft treatment and avoid us like the plague once they figure out they can’t path us.


Btw, for Saber, I say let her make her own decision, I would say I hope she refuse, like we did, but I don’t even know what they are going to propose her.
 
Last edited:

ConfusedCanadian

Well-known member
Well, Cauldron did succeed in the end, but it’s important to remember even Cauldron didn’t know HOW they would succeed or the price they would have to pay or the form their success would take, they just knew the steps to get there and blindly followed.
In the end, they were unknowingly sacrifices to create the Parahumans that would defeat Scion.(except Contessa)

Anyways, Cauldron will probably give us the Gesselshaft treatment and avoid like the plague once they figure out they can’t path us.
While true they did ultimately succeed the end doesn't always justify the means. But that's just my opinion I say we don't actively interfere with them as long as they stay out of European affairs I'm willing to turn a blind eye on them after all we can't fix everything here. Also thanks for mentioning it unlike Caldron that's a continent away what should we do when/if Gesselshaft appear unlike Caldron there more or less next door to us and I don't like the idea of Neo-fascists reappearing in Germany and spreading across Europe.
 

SilentMech

Member
While true they did ultimately succeed the end doesn't always justify the means. But that's just my opinion I say we don't actively interfere with them as long as they stay out of European affairs I'm willing to turn a blind eye on them after all we can't fix everything here. Also thanks for mentioning it unlike Caldron that's a continent away what should we do when/if Gesselshaft appear unlike Caldron there more or less next door to us and I don't like the idea of Neo-fascists reappearing in Germany and spreading across Europe.
Well, stomping on Nazi's is actually a medically approved stress relief method in the UK. So, doctor's orders when they try.
 

ironforge

Active member
Do you guys really think Cauldron and some of the big factions will even be a thing again this time around or if they are will be the same?

As I don't, not with Archer and Saber here, as they will cause way to many ripples with their actions and are heroes powerful enough that I would give good odds of them killing Endbringers if pushed enough.

As Shirou has personally killed a being at least on a similar scale as the whales and would have been involved in actions against foes that make them non issues with the scouts. Because let us all not forget, Sailor Moon is on a entirely different scale of threat then what Worm can even hope to be.

An the less said about a full powered Saber with her sword, the better. Since that thing was designed to deal with threats to the entire planet after all, so yeah, things are going to be massively different.
 

Shador

Member
Do you guys really think Cauldron and some of the big factions will even be a thing again this time around or if they are will be the same?
Cauldron already kinda exists. Not as established perhaps and missing most of it's future core members, but as long as Doctor Mother lives and with Fortuna "Path to Bullshit", it's only a matter of time.
 

ironforge

Active member
Cauldron already kinda exists. Not as established perhaps and missing most of it's future core members, but as long as Doctor Mother lives and with Fortuna "Path to Bullshit", it's only a matter of time.
Ok, but can you still see them ending up as canon with Archer and Saber in play?

As they will be a major shaping force that will kind of make the default plan kind of impossible.
 

Quantumboost

New member
They likely won't be precisely the same as in canon, no.

Still, the major ingredients are there. The presence of Guardian and Saber won't have any impact on Contessa's power and her and Doctor Mother's origin stories, because those already happened and in another plane besides. They still have the same motive, and they still don't know how to actually kill Scion (sure, there's probably something in UBW that can pull that off but they don't know that), so they'll have every reason to use the canon plan: trigger as many Parahumans as they can until they come across something that looks like an "I win" button against him. They have a Thinker power, overwhelming desperation, and not a terribly large amount of genuine strategic capability after all, and that's a recipe for super-powered tunnel vision.

Unless Guardian and Saber directly get involved, which given desperation leading to paranoid secrecy strikes me as unlikely. If they did get involved, the copious amounts of Saber's Charisma and Guardian's arsenal could very well change the 'desperation' aspect and obviously Saber and to a slightly lesser degree Guardian are comprehensively strategically brilliant. Again, though, doesn't strike me as likely to occur.

So at the very least, something very like canon Cauldron is likely to pop up at some point. Less influential, but still mostly the same people doing mostly the same kind of things for entirely the same reasons.
 

Lancelot

Well-known member
Unless Guardian and Saber directly get involved, which given desperation leading to paranoid secrecy strikes me as unlikely. If they did get involved, the copious amounts of Saber's Charisma and Guardian's arsenal could very well change the 'desperation' aspect and obviously Saber and to a slightly lesser degree Guardian are comprehensively strategically brilliant. Again, though, doesn't strike me as likely to occur.

They didn't go over the moral event horizon until AFTER the Endbringers showed up. Until Hero go murdered and they did nothing. They'll catch Doc, and Contessa attention, keep in mind I think this is before they started to hand out vials of power. So make a large enough splash might cause Doc, and Contessa to ask them to join before they've done anything wrong.
 

Arlos

Sad Monarchist
They didn't go over the moral event horizon until AFTER the Endbringers showed up. Until Hero go murdered and they did nothing. They'll catch Doc, and Contessa attention, keep in mind I think this is before they started to hand out vials of power. So make a large enough splash might cause Doc, and Contessa to ask them to join before they've done anything wrong.
Now I am imagining Cauldron telling Shirou that Scion is trying to harvest Humanity and Earth across all realities, and him just sort of snorting in derision at the very thought.
 

Lancelot

Well-known member
Think a middleground between this and her canon F/SN armor. No fur, though.
With helmet???
latest
 
A Brave New World 16

Speaker4thesilent

Crazed Deplorable
A Brave New World 16​

You and Saber didn’t watch or assist with the interrogations. It was rapidly judged that you’d be best utilized guarding against any attempt at a rescue, so you spent the early part of the second day of your trip to Northern Ireland on watch.

Fortunately, no attempt at arranging an escape was made, because while your Eye of the Mind was impressive, it wasn’t up to the standards of Arturia’s Instinct when it came to avoiding unexpected blows.

Or explosions, which is why she won the right to enter first on the raid to the terrorist’s Workshop. Assuming it might be as well-defended as the average Magus’ Workshop just made sense. Even if, or perhaps especially if the owner was away.

When it was clear just how much the government had the upper hand, one of the terrorists cracked, and cracked hard. Rather than risk spending the rest of his life in prison, he gratefully turned state’s evidence after barely twenty minutes of questioning. The man had been willing to spill everything he knew in an attempt to buy immunity. That just so happened to include where the stealth specialist had made his Workshop, if not the man’s identity.

Which, of course, led to a raid, with you and Saber as the tip of the spear.

For the good of your peace of mind, there wasn’t an explosion or even a trap as the door disintegrated under her kick. Unfortunately, this was because there wasn’t much left in the workshop either. A few hand tools and an arc welder that had been abandoned. Likewise the remains of air conditioners, music players, and other bits and bobs of electronics. Nothing that looked like an intact example of his research, however.

It was disappointing, but not a surprise in the end. Still, you’d done good for two days’ work. A dangerous terrorist cell corralled, funding for the super-builder cut off, and intelligence gathered. That wasn’t even taking into account the very visible and rapid response to the terrorist attack. You and Saber got back on the military aircraft for the flight back to London, content that you’d accomplished what you could.

ASTtM​

That evening, after the plane touched down, you were informed that Prime Minister Thatcher would like a word. You’d thought perhaps she wanted your opinions on something or maybe a first hand report. You hadn’t expected her first words to be, well …

“I would like to make you an offer of employment,” she began, and things only got more surreal from there. “I will admit that when the police first reported the situation with David Martin, I thought for sure they must have been suffering from a mass hallucination. I certainly gave no credence to the stories of Vikare out of America.

“Even when they brought me the video of that man, Tírghráthóir, trying to sneak his way into Number Ten, I still couldn’t quite believe it,” she continued.

“Then you, young man, conjured up a wall of shields out of thin air and fought off an assassin I hadn’t entirely believed existed,” again she paused for a moment.

“I thank you for that. Not simply for my own life, but for the chaos you’ve saved all of Britain from in the process. With the Troubles heating up again and someone to blame, I can see things spiraling out of control all too easily. More than that, I am well aware that the current public perception of the situation being under control is owed almost entirely to the two of you.

“As such, I feel that it is critically important that we formalize the current situation.”

You shot Arturia a look. In a display of synchronicity, she likewise turned to meet your eyes. Even with years apart, you could tell the both of you were following the same train of thought. What Baroness Thatcher hadn’t said was as important as what she had spoken aloud.

The world was changing. Had changed, really, and everyone was scrambling to catch up. Out of every nation on the globe, right now Great Britain was leading the way, as evidenced by the arrest of one high-profile criminal, the defeat of another, and the implementation of the Thatcher Initiative.

Except that wasn’t really the case. Those criminals hadn’t been thwarted by the British government. In fact, the only reason Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was even still alive to suggest her Initiative was due to the actions of an independent.

Not part of the government, not bound by the chain of command, and not subject to oaths, Guardian and Saber might vanish tomorrow and no one would know until they couldn’t contact you the next time a disaster cropped up.

There was no stability to the current situation.

You could definitely understand where the PM was coming from. That said, you really didn’t want to just drop your job at the Ritz. On the other hand, certainly Arturia deserved to be able to …

You could see in your wife’s eyes that you’d miscalculated. Then you remembered what she’d had to say about Avalon after her long wait. Her eyes seemed to ask you to understand.

You simply smiled behind your helmet. You should’ve known that Arturia would not have been content simply working in a motorcycle dealership’s financing department. Racing them, maybe. Perhaps even selling them, but not working as a glorified calculator.

You nodded your head. Even without seeing her expression, you could tell that Arturia was smiling back at you.

“The current situation is rather complex. What exactly would the duties of this position entail?” she inquired.

“Two parts: one advisory, and the second practical,” the PM said, only the tension leaving her shoulders giving a hint of her relief at the answer.

“The first, is under the working title of Minister of State for Parahuman Affairs.” You and Arturia must have emoted confusion, because she clarified, “Parahuman is what the Public Relations men have come up with for men and women with powers. It at least avoids any hint of Nietzschen Übermensch.”

“Also draws a parallel people can easily understand even if it isn’t technically correct. Humans with paranormal abilities. Parahuman,” you interjected.

“A concern indeed given the state that education is in,” Thatcher admitted before returning to the main thrust of the discussion. “I had considered making the position subordinate to an existing Ministry, but I want you to have a clear path directly to me. Already, you have each identified and solved a Parahuman-related problem while my other advisors were still dithering over what the root cause of the issue was. A direct consequence of this, however, is that you will be unavoidably placed in the public eye. The Government does not often add new Ministries.

“The second part of the job, as I said, would be more practical. Parahumans have proven to be incredible force multipliers. That raid you convinced the Army to launch ought to have resulted in a dozen or more casualties.

“Instead, you drew so much of the IRA’s firepower that the worst any of the soldiers suffered was bruises. Likewise, one madman strolled through security and killed or maimed dozens in the worst terrorist attack on the British military in centuries.” The PM stopped to pick up a sheaf of papers from her desk.

“And that doesn’t include a half-dozen cases that might well be parahumans using their abilities to commit petty crimes,” she said as she set the pile down again, “when the only Parahuman directly associated with the government is a traumatized young woman only half-recovered from being raped. The British government needs to catch up with events and it needs to do so quickly. We need both to have Parahumans involved with policing, in order to help protect the average citizen from Parahuman criminals and also with the military to counteract hostile organizations such as the IRA or, God forbid, parahumans associated with the KGB or the East Germans.”

For a moment you imagined what a stealth specialist that actually chose to remain stealthy could have accomplished simply by sneaking into Number Ten and stealing state secrets. The thought drew a grimace. Again you met Saber’s eyes, and again an understanding passed between you.

In tandem, you both reached up and removed your helmets.

“Very well, then,” Arturia said, “if we shall be working together, then introductions would seem necessary. My name is Arturia Emiya.”

“And I’m her husband, Shirou Emiya,” you added.

“A pleasure to meet you both,” she replied. “It’s good to put faces to the people whose actions have already impacted so many lives.”

The Prime Minister took another deep breath, then negotiations over the particulars began.

ASTtM​

Sea-green eyes met bright blue as the ancient King of the Britons held the Iron Lady’s gaze, waiting for a reply. After several long moments, Maggie, as she had invited them to address her in private, closed her eyes and reached up to massage the bridge of her nose.

“This business of secret identities seems … juvenile. Why do you feel so strongly about it?” She asked after another few seconds.

Arturia did not immediately reply, likewise taking a moment to gather her thoughts.

“My husband and I are both formidable combatants,” she began, taking a different approach than her last attempt at making the point, “we are difficult to surprise and even harder to defeat in open battle. Our children, when we have them, will be less so.”

The truly British understatement there managed to hit home where previous attempts had failed, and Maggie visibly, if subtly, winced.

“Moreover, the traditional means of ensuring the protection of important personnel have already proven insufficient,” your wife continued. “This may be addressable in time, but then it may not be as well. In either case, could the government afford to provide such protection for every Parahuman on their payroll?”

For a moment she let the question hand in the air, but everyone present knew the answer. Not unless Parahumans ended up being far rarer than initial trends suggested they were going to be.

“If direct protection is impractical, then indirect protection becomes even more desirable. Maintaining absolute anonymity with both genders and multiple body types is, again, impractical. However, maintaining a separate ‘heroic’ identity both gives the public something to identify with and allows a parahuman to go off the clock. To have a private life without the massive expense of full-time security, or requiring them to live on military bases or otherwise open the doors for accusations of either favoritism or segregation.”

“Oh, the Opposition would delight in that, wouldn’t they?” Maggie said with a grimace, “No matter the intent, it would only take them days to start accusing us of creating concentration camps. Very well, I cede the point. Heroic pseudonyms only for use in public. Real names to be protected under the Official Secrets Act, which is likely to open an entirely new can of worms. The head of a Ministry whose identity is protected? The press will lose their minds.”

Maggie checked her own list, then looked across the desk at Arturia who likewise appeared to have finished her own perusal.

“Anything else?”

“I cannot think of anything at the moment,” Saber responded. Both then turned to you. Being the only other person in the room, you’d been pressed into service as unofficial secretary for the meeting.

“If you would summarize, Shirou?” Maggie asked.

“Certainly. First item: division of government-associated Parahumans into two groups. One for policing and first responders, the other for special actions or military response. Second: Saber’s list of duties and responsibilities,” you flipped through two pages of notes. Eventually Maggie had realized she needed to be negotiating that list down rather than up, but Arturia had gotten something of a lead on her before that point.

“The list is extensive. Administrative assistants will be required unless you’ve managed to develop some form of paperwork-related Sorcery while I wasn’t looking?” The question made Arturia blush and Maggie hide a chuckle. “Seriously, though, overwork is the enemy. If I have to drop by Number Ten with dinner every night, you’ll be sleeping on the couch,” you teased, reversing the traditional gender roles. Arturia’s blush deepened and Maggie laughed openly.

“Third is notional pay scales for parahuman employees. Chains of command as well as possible force structures for both civilian and military sides of this organization. Finally, the just-concluded discussion on secret identities and their protection under the Official Secrets Act.”

“Thank you,” Maggie said with a nod before turning back to face Saber. “Well, does it still sound like something you want to attach yourself to?”

Without hesitation, Saber nodded.

“Very well, then. Welcome to the-”

[ ] - Write In. What’s the name of the British organization for Parahumans going to be? (Canonically was the Kingsmen. I think the thread can do better.)

Secondly, what is Shirou’s role going to be? Warning, this vote will be weighted.

[ ] No formal role. Shirou keeps working at the Ritz but remains available to help with emergencies. (1.5)

[ ] Associate Member. Locks in one action a month. May choose between multiple actions. (1.25)

[ ] Full Member. Quit job at the Ritz to join up. (1.0)

[ ] Joint Commander. As above, but sharing command of the organization with Saber. (1.0)

Bunch of rolls for interrogations. Government has the strong hand here, and they know it. Quickly flip one of the terrorists who actually knows the location of the Tinker’s workshop. Tinker hasn’t stuck around, though.

Some rolls for figuring out the politics of the situation. Passed with distinction.

Many thanks to Seraviel for beta reading this mess and helping fix some issues. Also LordsFire to make sure I hadn’t done a dumb and Kelgar for Britishisms.
 

kelgar04

Well-known member
I think the kingsmen was an indie group as for names......

[X] The Baker Street Irregulars
[X] Associate Member. Locks in one action a month. May choose between multiple actions. (1.25)

don’t want to give up our day job but still want to help out.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top