Within the Apple Chapter 14B

Just a short bit before I start the day at the con. Not the right graphic, but I don't have time to tweak the AI. :)

Protectorate Headquarters, Brockton Bay

Armsmaster cocked his head as he listened to the radio in his helmet before looking up to the sky and spotted the incoming contact.

“Console, Armsmaster,” He said in response. “Incoming contact appears to be the Parahuman known as Magus. I will intercept and direct him to the meeting location.”

“Console copies.”

He waved over a PRT agent and directed him to take over for the intake of volunteers, moving to meet the newcomer as he landed.

“Magus,” He said firmly. “Are you here to volunteer?”

Magus nodded, “City destroyers are not to be tolerated.”

There was an understatement if Armsmaster had ever heard one, but he just nodded. “Welcome, then. We’re arranging for transport as we speak… I believe that we’ll…”

He paused, and Magus turned to follow his gaze to where several new Parahumans had arrived, making a big show of things.

Magus stiffened, recognizing them… or at least some of their symbology.

Armsmaster put a hand on his shoulder, though, to keep him from doing anything.

“We have a truce in place during the Endbringer attacks,” He said when Magus glanced questioningly.

“Even for Nazis?”

“For everyone,” Armsmaster said through clenched teeth. “Violating the truce brings everyone down on your head. We need every hand we have for these fights.”

Magus tensed marginally, but nodded, “Understood. I don’t like it, but I understand. No Nazi hunting while we’re on the main quest, got it.”

“Thank you,” Armsmaster said firmly.

“I’m surprised they showed up, actually,” Magus admitted.

“Kaiser is nothing if not aware of optics,” Armsmaster said. “Showing up to Endbringer fights buys them a lot of leeway with the public and even the courts. Lung has been coasting on his last fight for years, people continue to hope he will be able to kill one of them eventually even though he hasn’t gone to another since.”

Magus nodded grimly.

“Strider’s here!”

They turned to see a new parahuman arrive, looking around at the group.

“Everyone who’s going, get closer,” He ordered.

“Teleporter?” Xander asked.

“Indeed. One of the most powerful,” Armsmaster said as he helped get everyone gathered. “He’ll take us directly to Canberra.”

“Canberra? Hmm, of Australia. Haven’t been there yet, so I guess I hitch a right,” Magus said casually.

Armsmaster glanced sharply at him, “You can teleport that far?”

“Technically, no, but I can make a portkey. I’ll show you later.”

“That would be appreciated,” Armsmaster said, as everyone got into a circle that had been hastily drawn on the floor. “Do you believe you can do anything against the Simurgh?”

“No idea, to be honest,” Magus admitted. “I don’t expect to do anything much beyond scanning this time around. Without intel, I really can’t say, so for this fight I’ll likely take scans and run search and rescue.”

Armsmaster nodded, “That is a more reasonable approach than most first time participants.”

“Everyone who’s going, get in close,” Strider called. “Next stop, Canberra!”

*****

The first thing Xander felt as they transited through the Parahuman’s power was that it had a different effect from either portkeys or apparition. He made a note to study it if he got a chance, but then the heat of the air in Canberra washed over him and he felt a deep thrum of power surging through him.

Xander instantly had his wand out and cast a wide area shield, his eyes widening as he felt the power resonate against the shield and threaten to shatter it.

“What did you just do?” Armsmaster asked, staring.

“Blocked a telekinetic attack,” Xander said. “Subtle, but it was there.”

Armsmaster immediately hit his com, “Dragon, Armsmaster. Parahuman known as Magus can block the Simurgh’s song.”

“You guys have weird definitions of music.”

By this point, Xander had noted that a lot of people were staring at him, but he didn’t have time to comment on it before a pair of flyers came over at high speed.

“Which one of you is Magus?” The woman in black and greys demanded.

“That would be me,” He shrugged.

The man landed not far from him, expression and demeanor far more pleasant than the stern woman who remained in the air.

“We were told that you can block the Simurgh’s telepathic attack.”

Xander shook his head, “I can block telepathic attacks, yes, but there was no telepathic component to what I stopped. It was pure TK, subtle and precise from the feel of it.”

“Of course it was telepathic. She can warp minds with it,” The woman snapped.

Xander rolled his eyes, “You can warp minds with the right application of drugs and electricity. A Telekinetic can push on your hormonal glands, even move atoms around if they’re precise enough. You don’t need telepathy to mind fuck someone, lady.”

He lifted up from the ground, turning slowly to get his bearings.

“The effect is powerful, but still just testing my barrier,” He said after a moment. “Don’t know if I can hold it once she decides to stop pussyfooting around and breaks out the battering ram.”

“Right,” The man said, also lifting up. “Everyone, get ready! We don’t have much time to plan, the Simurgh landed a couple minutes ago. If we can’t shake her loose fast, the whole city will have to be walled in!”

*****