Thunder and Webs C128 [Gold]

Diana comes to grips with the new aspects of her powers. And so, she moves forward... but little does she know about the consequences of her choice today.

Chapter 128: A Way Forward

February 19th

Ripley

I felt like I was on fire. My blood boiled and twisted like gnarled flames were coursing through my arteries and scorching my heart. Yet, it wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling. It was like a purifying flame of clarity. It gave sight to my Implant, allowing me to search in that conducting datastream between us forged by Diana’s electrical currents of Warpcode.

Identifying Feature…

Synapse V.2.02…

V.2.02… for a Gold, it wasn’t an unusual progress given how much time had passed, but I traced back our memories…

The first probable incident of our resonance resulting in this swap of powers had to be when we synchronized to fight that Silver MALformed in the SynTec meat lab. It was a mutagenic creature, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I’d absorbed its Warp Energy through Diana and likely might have manifested excess Warpcode to feed into Diana. Even with her frame burnt, she’d been able to act as a host to Starlight using her electricity as a medium.

Then, our dive into Juliet Grazhe’s BUG. That would’ve been her first exposure to proper Warpcode, and it wasn’t anything to scoff at. But Starlight had consumed most of it…

Of course, the most probably and effective result came from our exposure to The Bladefather’s Catalysts… and my usage of a Synchronization between me, Diana, and The Bladedaughter under the Focused Consumption directive ‘to merge become one with machine’.

I’d taken a sample of Diana’s blood for that moment, as well, an instinctive event that gave me mutagenic material to manifest Mutations of my own. If I hadn’t already earned one from our slaying of the Silver MALformed, that event was likely what resulted in the massive boost to my nanites.

But thinking back to that first Synchronization… it was also when she manifested the Soul Trigger Mutation. And looking at her first Protocol?

Overtrigger

I whispered. “Your Unique Feature… It’s called Synapse. And it has two Protocol… Overtrigger… and Shardware Assimilation.”

She rasped. “Two Mutations. Soul Graft and… Biotechnosymbiosis… the first one’s a Deviant.”

Two Mutations? I hadn’t expected that, but what the hell was Soul Symbiosis?

“One second, still analyzing everything and coding in some handy little tidbits to your Frames!” Starlight groaned.

Then, in a moment, I felt the connection between us zap away.

I heaved forward as text dangled in front of my eyes.

Mutations identified…

[G] [Deviant Mutation] Soul Graft: Allows the Adapter to merge their organic material with that of others to create a pathway of Warp Energy. Development: 12%. [Meta-Mutations: 1]

[G] [Alteration/Cognition Mutation] Biotechnosymbiosis: The Adapter can naturally absorb and integrate Shardware components into their organic structure at a cellular level. Development: 23% [Meta-Mutation: 3]

The second one certainly made sense, but the first? Soul Graft? The only time I could think of when it applied was when I… when I injected Diana’s blood into me. I’d grafted some bits of her cellular makeup into my body and thus… manifested a Deviant Mutation which allowed me minute levels of her abilities? At least, it had so far given me a slight ability to drain Warp Energy from Shardware — maybe even organic structure — using my Neolymph as the medium.

Looking deeper, that was in fact, the exact nature of the sole Meta-Mutation it had. Biotechnosymbiosis, on the other hand, had 3 Meta-Mutations. The first was a direct integration with my nanites using Shardweave, the second was a modification to improve my cellular tolerance to Shardware, and the third was… the integration of the Nanomachine Reprogramming Protocol into the mutation to effectively allow a greater ability in repurposing my biomass using the nanites.

As beneficial as they were, I couldn’t deny there were consequences due to them not being regulated. As far as I was sure, these Mutations devoured from my Energy at a far more profound depth compared to my Features. Healing from my wounds after Diana had beaten the shit out of me resulted in a loss of my Grade, likely due to the extensive integration of the Goliath Nanites into my body. If I was reckless, I could degenerate my Implant and lose my coveted Gold status.

But on the other hand, Biotechnogenesis, by increasing my adherence to Shardware… resulted in a massive increase to my Capacity. Starlight had dug deep, and found interesting findings…

“So your Capacity, prior to the Catalyst, was at Silver I, but with all those boons gave an effective bonus of +4 Tiers to put you at Silver V.” She puckered her lips.

“Yeah, uh, you can now add that bonus to your Grade to get your new Capacity. Oh, and uh… anything below your actual Capacity is like half of what it should be.”

Integrity: Bronze X

Energy: Bronze X

Capacity: Silver I (Effective: Gold VI)

Grade: Gold II

Water Tendency: Bronze IX

Shadow Tendency: Bronze II

I had a Capacity of Gold VI? That type of Capacity would allow me to wield… an absolutely insane amount of Shardware beyond even the complexity of NeoCore Enforcers. It was approaching that of NeoCore Inquisitors or mid-high Tier III Gold Adapters. Like The R0N1N.

But at the same time, if my Grade was liable to degenerate… then my Capacity would decrease as well since the two seem linked now. A few months ago, I’d been at Gold V, but with the constant perils I put my Implant through it had taken a hit.

Glancing over to Diana who was groaning, I nudged her. “How’s it looking for you?”

———

Diana

Unique Feature: Synapse V.2.02

• Allows Warpcode transmission through natural bio-electricity to act as a neural conduit between living organisms and inorganic machinery.

That much I’d been understanding, however… my update history revealed more.

Update History:-

•  Reduced requirement of Neuroframes for the purposes of housing Warpcode-based entities (basically AIs like me and my mom) by instead using organic electrical currents within the Adapter to act as a natural host.

• Increased sensitivity to electrochemical activity of foreign Adapters and Implants.

• Minor psionic integration of the Soul Resonance Mutation to allow the conduction of emotive resonance towards the Adapter for the Soul Trigger Mutation.

That was what it seemed to be before it reached V.1.00… where I unlocked a Protocol.

• Protocol: Overtrigger allows consecutive Soul Trigger activations should the desired threshold of psionic conduction be achieved. This can have variable results dependent on the nature of the Trigger.

• Increased ability to manipulate Implants using Warpcode-infused bioelectricity.

• Increased Warpcode conduction between organic flesh and Shard-based technology.

I had… felt like the Deviant Mutation could trigger multiple times, but the entire time it had been because of… a Unique Feature? Maybe that was why my mental state changed as well?

“Scanning your memories…” Starlight whispered, and she couldn’t quite reach my eyes. “You’ve had numerous cases of this. Most notably during the raid, like when you fought Steel Vanguard and… my dad. Particularly, you triggered a total of five times by the end of your fight with him. The first kept you in your natural Silvereye state. The second occurred while your body was shapeshifting under your armor, and the third was when we resurrected Annabelle, while the fourth occurred while fighting my dad and the final one had been when you burnt out your Implant.”

I see… so they make me more unstable?

“No… actually. The opposite. According to what I’m seeing, each time you Trigger, you gain certain… changes to your Stats and Mutations, but I’ve developed an algorithm for you to keep track of these changes and the threshold for your Triggers. It was only when your Trigger reacted to your Implant that it had negative repercussions. Otherwise, they mostly work to increase your Stats temporarily, as Silvereye your Capacity increases to let you withstand the increased load the Unique Feature put on your Mutations, while Lilian Rose doesn’t use any of those affected Mutations which instead lets that unused Warp Energy charge her shapeshifting beyond your usual limitations.”

I see…

I looked lower on the Update History, my right hand tensing as I found the second Protocol I’d acquired.

• Protocol: Shardware Assimilation allows the usage of the Synthetic Infusion Mutation for techno-organic assimilation of Shard-based machinery directly into the Adapter’s physiology.

Nothing here was precisely… new. But it was clarifying. There was just one last thing I needed to know. How does this affect my Capacity? Why did I have an extra 54 attached to me?

“Oh… well… looking at the development of the Unique Feature, which is at V.2.02, that means you’ve had 27 Updates. Just doing some quick maths…”

Every update added an extra 2 Capacitance. I groaned, and it was then that Ripley spoke. “How’s it going for you?”

“I… well, it’s exactly as I thought it would be. My electricity conducts Warpcode, I can act as a host for Twilight and Starlight, my flesh can assimilate Shardware without any fancy surgery and… well… turns out my Soul Trigger even more complicated than I initially thought. You?”

“Apparently I can… graft souls? Stupid terminology, but as far as I’m understanding, its not too different from your old Tier I Deviant Mutation except the fact that I’m assuming I can directly ingest shit and have it… become a part of me? Otherwise, the expected nanite stuff.”

“Ripley, you better not think about-”

“Relax,” he smiled, “even though I’m dying to experiment. I’m no idiot. I don’t have a SIM, unless I’m synched to you these mutations aren’t regulated and can quickly spiral into negative effects. It’s already dropped me down Grades, if they develop too much… I’d need to constantly up my expenses in absorbing Shards just to keep my Implant from degrading. As for you… Capacity, I’m assuming?”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“My guess is that the Warpcode is putting a higher stress on your natural electrical abilities. Thus, its causing them to be less stable.”

“So developing these powers is something we can’t exactly do.” I said.

“Not exactly, just… now that we know, we can be more careful. They have their uses, we just need to learn how to use them best. I’m sure there’s a lot more you can do with Synapse.”

“I know. It’s just weird now that I’m… well, psychic in a sense.” I grumbled. “These Fragments are making things weird.”

“Oh, by the way… would you both want to know which Fragments are likely effecting which Features?” Starlight appeared between us.

Ripley shrugged, but I could feel a static excitement from him.

“Alrighty! Well, for my dad… he has the Fragments of: Change — from the MALignant; Becoming — likely put in the MAL by The Sin; and Stability — from The Bladefather’s Catalyst. Shardweave is most heavily touched by Change, Data Mimicry has Change and Becoming, while Soul Graft has Change and Stability. In all cases, the Fragment of Change is the strongest. But additionally, I have a Fragment of The Future.”

She then turned to me. “You also have Change, Becoming and Stability… but due to your absorption of Soul Killer’s Hostile Mutations… you’ve gained minute aspects of the Fragments associated with them: Division is most notable — from Soul-Forfeit; while Release and Oblivion are less so — respectively from Soul-Nexus and Soul-Death. Soul Resonance is touched by Change and Division, Soul Trigger is touched by Change, Becoming and a hint of Release, while Synapse is touched by Change and Stability.”

“So… the next Deviant Mutation I’ll develop will likely be touched by Oblivion?” I didn’t like the sound of that, it was The Terror’s Shard.

She tapped her chin. “Actually, I think I’ve come to a finding that not many people know. I think… the number of Deviant Mutations and Unique Features you can have are limited by Tier. Since both of you are in Tier II, you’ll only gain your next Source-Touched ability at Tier III. Well, at least a Deviant Mutation for Diana and a Unique Feature for my dad… I’m not sure how this works for your… hybridized powers, however.”

“That’s okay, Star.” I smiled at her, “you helped a lot.”

She beamed at me. “Well… I’m always here to help. Both… both me and my dad.”

Ripley gave a fond look at her, grazing her cheek with his finger… but his look at me gave me an understanding that he knew it wasn’t likely to happen. “I’m sure she knows, Star… but I think it’s time for us to leave.”

Silence brewed between us as I wondered if there was anything more for us to discuss. I didn’t want Ripley to get involved with this, for many reasons… but I was also worried about…

He began to stand up, but I put a hand on his forearm. “Ripley… what do you know about The Eclipse?”

“Only what… Skeleton told me. And he came to me, just so you know.” He said the second part pointedly. “I told him to back off, to never meet me again, but… well, he spoke about some long story, and how… it basically foretold the end of the world.”

“I see… Amaterasu told me the same.” I let go, unsure if I wanted to discuss this with him any further. Against beings that monitored fate, I wasn’t sure what the right decision to make was. But then I looked at Starlight and… remembered everything Amaterasu had said.

Starlight was something The Allseeing hadn’t predicted, something irregular to the plans of The Uncaged, The Sin, The Founders, and The Titans. I swallowed, but didn’t push anything further, I couldn’t…

“Ripley, I don’t want to have to see you again, but,” I glanced away as he began to approach the door, “you’re doing good. Just… one step at a time, okay?”

He paused, but smiled. “Of course, thanks for not beating the shit out of me again.”

With those as his final words, he left the room. Trapped in the silence, I stood up, looking at the overview of my abilities now that they deciphered.

Implant Data:

Tier II Development: 51%

Tier II Mutations:

[G] Soul Resonance [Deviant]: 63% [1 GC]

[G] Soul Trigger [Deviant]: 48% [1 GC]

[G]  Electrosomatic Organism [Metabolism/Cognition]: 63% [16(15) GC]

[G] Limited Morphology Manipulation [Alteration]: 83% [18 GC]

[G] Electromagnetic Domain [Energy/Cognition]: 69% [15(14) GC]

[G] Kinetic-Thermal Catalyst [Energy/Metabolism]: 58% [14(13) GC]

[G] Inorganic Metabolism [Metabolism/Integrity]: 67% [16 GC]

[G] Energetic Release [Energy]: 42% [25(24) GC]

[G] Synthetic Infusion [Alteration/Integrity]: 31% [23 GC]

Unique Feature: 

Synapse V.2.02 [54 GC]: Overtrigger; Shardware Assimilation

Gene Capacity: 179/135

Integrity: Bronze X

Energy: Silver I

Capacity: Bronze X

Grade: Gold II

Fire Tendency: Silver I

Spark Tendency: Bronze III

I sent a message for Anthony to come in, he did minutes later, and whatever look I had on my face, he noticed it. “Uh, everything good? Also, which name do you want me to call you?”

I could faintly feel the thrumming of his powers inside his voice, but now that I was aware of Synapse, I took a deep breath, aware that my mind was partially digitized. Starlight have woven in some sort of… recorder for my Overtrigger Protocol, and I needed to test it out.

A thought had it appear in front of my eyes.

Current Trigger Value: 12%…

“Call me Silvereye?” I prodded.

He looked at me, confused. “You sure, we’re at Hellfire?”

“Just… do it.”

“Alright-

-Silvereye

I felt my breath slow, my thoughts organizing under a deep sense of duty.

Trigger Threshold reached: 100% [Silvereye]

Effect: Increased control over electrical mutations and Bioware arm.

“Say it again.” I ordered, lightning zapping in my eyes.

“Uh, okay, Silvereye.” His words conducted through the air, but his confusion muddled the effect.

128%

“You need to mean it.” I hissed. “Focus on me, on what I am to this city. Say it all to me, what I need to do.”

“You’re…” He took a deep breath, but I knew his own Soul Whisper Mutation had the habit of reaching into others just like Soul Resonance did.

“You’re Silvereye. It doesn’t matter if you’re taking the last name of Jones or Ulrich, you’re Silvereye. The one who uncovered Soul Killer’s existence to the public.”

…149%

“Everyone else wanted to hide them away, but you were different. You fought for yourself, for me, for my aunt. And you don’t intend to stop at just Soul Killer. They’re a small part of the problem. Aren’t they?”

“You’re damn right.” I hissed, thunder wrapping around each syllable. “I’ll take them all out, The Uncaged. Those damn corporations think they can use this city to kill a Titan and forget about it.”

…176%

“Fuck yeah, you will.” He grinned, his words growing more powerful. “You know what you need to do. Say it.”

“I have to fight.” I squeezed my fist.

…182%

“I have to save those who this city would rather use.”

…189%

“I will give the people justice. I will give them hope. I will give them a future.”

…198%

“I have to be the Storm of Change.”

Trigger Threshold reached: 200% [Silvereye]

Effect: All stats except Grade have an effective +2 Tier.

Lightning surged through my limbs, as more Warp Energy than usual sparked from my heart to my limbs, the rampant electrical mutations of mine — while still difficult to wield — became more obedient while I felt a resolved strength to my body’s ability to withstand Warp Energy. But just as quickly as I came… it began to fade…

…199%

“Interesting.” I took a deep breath, clearing my mind as the seconds caused the Trigger to decrease over time until it plateued close to 100%, but didn’t seem to lower anymore. It seemed like it was easy to stay at 100% for an extended period of time, but any further Overtriggers would be difficult to maintain. In fact, the more I focused on the conduction of thought around me, I came to a realization…

But I needed to test it out first. “Now, I need you to call me-”

3:13 AM

Lilian Rose

The world spun as I hit the ground; cheers clamored for me to get back up, for them to see blood spilt. Every bloodlusted cheer reached for my heart and ignited it.

Trigger Threshold reached: 300% [Lilian Rose]

Effect: Massively increased regeneration; increased ability to shapeshift the Scarlethand.

Blunt-force trauma and a cracked skull fused but were quickly broken again as a steel foot crashed down on my temple, but that pain burned into the inferno of my heart.

“Show us those jaws!”

“Rip his leg off!”

“Break him to pieces!”

The crowd sought from me, and I was more than obliged to give them what they wanted. My cheeks tore as dagger-like teeth enlarged and pierced the next stomp, with a vicious yank I grabbed and tore the foot off from the ankle as oil and sparks danced on my skin. Those sparks scratched my skin, exposing a more human layer underneath…

But you’d need to erase 300% of Lilian Rose to find a trace of Diana underneath. The thick steel plating of his foot merged with blood tendrils of muscle stretching from my right forearm, becoming a jagged blade I sank into my assailant’s stomach until I lifted them up into the air and paraded their agonized form for the crowd to see. “Is this what you wanted!”

They yelled in feverish agreement, many wanting even more bloodshed. But I wasn’t going to kill right now, as much as my heart yearned for fresh blood to spill upon me for feasting. With a strong heave, I tossed them into an arena wall and roared.

“I’m the fucking Bloodthorn, and none of you better forget that!”

A little while later, I was enjoying drinks poured freely for me, but my thoughts remained on the Overtrigger status. With my popularity, with my perception here at the Hellfire Club, I’d remained at a Trigger state of-

212%…

My self-perception seemed capable of maintaining 100%, but with others around me and putting their thoughts into me, they could keep my soul burning even while ‘overtriggered’. But the fact was, no matter how much I tried… I couldn’t get to 500%.

Which raised the question, how strong were my emotions when I fought Ripley to have gotten there without anyone feeding the Deviant Mutation? 

———

February 28th

The last week, I’d spent practicing with my Unique Feature and dealing with the complicated knowledge that I was at least partially telepathic… and vulnerable to it. But so far, I’d remained under control. No Soul Killer hideouts were found, but anonymous reports came in all the time that we needed to look into. I was busy budgeting and filing tax documents for the Silver Heart Foundation when all of a sudden Twilight appeared to me, looking in a panic.

“Uh, fuck! Ripley’s gone!” She gripped my shoulders, the phantom sensation passing along the turbulent emotions rushing through her. “Him… he and Elsa… you remember that explosion in a closed diner from yesterday? It was them, they were ambushed.”

“What?” I’d talked to my father very strongly about this, and he said he’d pass his word along to the Mayor. I wouldn’t put it past them to ignore me, but… this was drastic. “by who?!”

“Muramasa remnants.” She clenched. “The- the First Prince. Crouching Dagger. That’s what he told me.”

“Where is he now?” I immediately gathered my things.

“I don’t know… he- he tore out his Neuroframe and I lost contact with him. I can’t reach Starlight either! But- but he said she’s safe… and Elsa… I don’t know where she is, but Midnight and Daylight were with him. I think they’re in his nanites.” Twilight paced frantically. “I checked his apartment, his clinic, Elsa’s place. His house was trashed, the apartment next door is a bloodbath. Diamante’s out looking for him and Elsa, but…”

“But what?”

“He was armed, Diana.” Twilight swept her hair hair back. “In tech I’d never seen before… it was… liquid.”

“Any idea where he might be going?” My heart pounded, I couldn’t fault Ripley for being attacked but… why didn’t he come to me? But… I never gave him that option. Emotions wrapped in my heart and thrummed through my lightning.

Trigger Threshold reached: 200%

“I don’t know, Diana.” Shiny tears of light spilled down Twilight’s face. “But he said… he’s going after Skeleton.”

“What?” This didn’t make any sense.

“He was a mess… dammit, I should have-” Twilight seethed. “I’m going to keep an eye out, okay?”

“Tell me the second you find anything.” I held her shoulder, and she nodded before disappearing in a glitch of violet.

Hours past midnight, I received a message. A bathhouse had been attacked and turned into a literal bloodbath. The owners? 

The Snake Fangs.

Not a single survivor remained. 

They were decimated. Completely wiped out.

I’d been quick to get on scene, finding not even corpses… just skeletons and scrapped Shardware as all muscle and blood had been stripped away from them. By what had to be Ripley’s nanites. There were so many bodies, but you couldn’t ID a single one to determine if they were innocent or a part of the Snake Fangs. 

We’d found that whatever massacre that had occurred here broke apart half the facilities, a giant chasm in the floor led to the sewers which had signs of combat in broken sewer pipes and scarred walls. There, we identified mutagenic blood belonging to Shaun ‘The Bloodmuncher’ Grenson; leader of the Snake Fangs.

We didn’t find any corpse of either him, nor…

March 2nd

I’d tried my best to keep my thoughts off Ripley’s disappearance. Utterly no one had any idea where he or Elsa were at the moment. Diamante was out pulling from favors to figure out what had happened as well. He told me Ripley seemed fine just a few days ago. Twilight was a mess, not resting for a single moment as she scrounged the Net for any sign of them or Starlight. I had to distract myself just as much, even being Lilian Rose didn’t help so I resigned myself to patrolling the streets in my car.

I was fortunate to have some crime pop up. A SynTec convoy was being attacked by a few criminals IDed as former Muramasa Black Dragons: Trhino, Reptilia, and Stinger. Each of them had animalistic mutations and were under the former leadership of now-deceased Prince Shadow Son.

With traffic in the way, I parked the car and let my suit power under a charge of electricity. People were in danger, I needed to get there quickly.

Trigger Threshold reached: 200%

Wings of steel and light expanded from my back as I absorbed energy from street-lights to empower their stabilizers and my own telekinesis into flight. I’d been practicing in some specialized chambers as of late, but I still wasn’t used to the sudden wind blowing in my face, the shrinking ground, or the high-speeds I forced myself into.

People watched, they cheered, they snapped pictures of me, and in minutes I’d arrived on the scene to see a seven-foot man covered in bulky organic leather-like plating and with three horns sticking out of his head. He easily kicked the convoy truck over to its side, but when his eyes caught me, he growled. “Silvereye!”

Another Mutant, a woman with an insectoid exoskeleton, mandibles and a large scorpion tail constricted a SynTec guard’s throat with it — the stinger aimed at his throat. “Stay back! We just want the Gene-stabilizers! No one has to get hurt!”

Even as they said that, a reptilian-like humanoid stretched up with bloody claws and a torn body in their mouth. Those slitted eyes carried venomous hatred for me, and they dropped the corpse to hiss at me. “Evil woman! Hunt! Hunt!”

“Whatever this is…” my eye glowed brightly as I took in their mutated forms. “I’m putting a stop to is.”

“Want some help?” Another voice, low and steely, said as they landed on a building's planes of glass to my right. My heart froze as I took in their black suit, and golden accents. Four large arachnid limbs of steel kept him clinging to a wall, and his mask was the same as ever. Three golden spider-like streaks.

My lightning blazed at the sight of Dreadwire.

Trigger Threshold reached: 300%

Effect: Temporarily increased ability to manipulate foreign Shardware through telekinetic and Warpcode mechanisms.

Thunder crept into my words. “You motherfucker.”

---

And we do not see Diana again until chapter 139, titled... The Disappearance of Ripley Donovick. Now, its time for a Ripley sequence that is quite the ride.