PERKS Assessment: Lily Chen (Blink)
Classified Level: Confidential
Date: April 2023
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I. Power Classification
Adjust: Acceleration Manipulation
Code: A4/S/P/T
Rationale: Blink possesses the ability to double the acceleration vector of any object she is in contact with on a single axis per activation, occurring once per second per target. This ability is classified under Adjust, as it modifies an existing variable (acceleration) rather than creating or removing motion. Her power is self-targeting (S), physical in nature (P), and functions at touch range (T), requiring direct physical contact with an object for activation.
II. Power Ranking:
Power Ranking: 4/10
Blink's ability significantly enhances movement, projectile usage, and can be used creatively for support purposes. However, the requirement for direct contact and the external forces limiting velocity buildup prevent this power from scaling indefinitely. While potent in tactical scenarios, the power's reliance on continuous touch limits its applicability in large-scale engagements.
III. Control Rating
Control: 6/10
Blink exhibits strong control over the intentional activation of her ability, requiring a deliberate muscular action and conscious intent to engage it. She can direct the acceleration to any single vector upon touch, but the precision of her use is limited by her cognitive ability to process rapid motion, as well as her ability to perceive an object as a single unit.
IV. Hostility Rating:
Hostility: 0/10
Blink is an overtly altruistic individual with no documented hostile intent toward state actors or the public. She has expressed a strong personal moral code against lethal force, preferring to use her abilities for mobility, escape tactics, and non-lethal takedowns. While her power could theoretically be weaponized in dangerous ways, her personality and tactical use reflect restraint and situational awareness.
V. Collateral Damage Potential:
Collateral Damage: 4/10
Blink's power is not inherently destructive but has theoretical potential for high-speed impacts and environmental hazards. Because her ability modifies acceleration, it can escalate dangerous conditions (e.g., doubling the collapse rate of a failing structure). However, her cautious nature and personal limitations on use mitigate large-scale risks.
VI. Overall Threat Level
Threat Level: 3/10
Blink is a low-threat, high-mobility asset with significant tactical applications in combat, pursuit evasion, and emergency response. Her ability to rapidly reposition herself and allies makes her a valuable superhuman, though her power's reliance on touch and diminishing returns prevent it from being a large-scale hazard.
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PERKS Assessment Comments for Lily Chen (Blink)
2021:
Officer's Comments: Lily's initial interview was a whirlwind. She is excessively energetic, enthusiastic, and deeply empathetic--a teenager who genuinely wants to help but doesn't fully grasp the scope of her powers yet. I'm approving her JLUMA on a provisional basis with required monthly check-ins. I have also encouraged her to get in touch with the Young Defenders, to help train and make the best use of her powers.
--Officer M. Reynolds
2022:
Officer's Comments: Blink continues to display strong moral reasoning but poor impulse control. She skates faster than most cars and doesn't always think through high-speed maneuvering. However, joining the Young Defenders has provided a valuable outlet for her abilities and a place where she can train them unimpeded, among peers.
--Officer M. Reynolds
2023:
Officer's Comments: At 17, Blink has gained significant experience but remains reckless. She still doesn't fully grasp acceleration physics, but she has learned to use her power conservatively in populated areas. Notably, she has become a key mobility asset for her team. She expressed interest in "getting better at the numbers" behind her power, though I suspect that means asking her teammates to do it for her. Given her track record and commitment, I'm approving her LUMA transition upon turning 18. Additionally, based on information from the NSRA, we are changing her powers from H3/G2 to a single power of A4.
--Officer M. Reynolds
Interviewing Officer: Michael Reynolds
Date: April 12th, 2023
Civilian Clerk: Jennifer Lang
Date: April 12th, 2023
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Confidential Report: Power Assessment of Lily Chen (Blink)
Assessment Agent: Dr. Leonard Harris
Date: June 30, 2023
I. Introduction:
This report provides a detailed analysis of the superhuman abilities of Lily Chen, known as Blink, a member of the Young Defenders. The focus is on the mechanics of her acceleration manipulation, its functional limitations, and its practical applications. Initial assessments categorized her power under Hopper or Gigant classifications due to her enhanced mobility, but further analysis determined that her ability is best classified under Adjust, as it modifies an existing variable rather than creating or nullifying motion.
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II. Power Overview:
Blink possesses the ability to double the acceleration vector of any object she is in physical contact with along a single axis per activation. This effect lasts for one second and does not inherently revert, meaning acceleration continues naturally unless countered by external forces such as friction, drag, or counterthrust. She can apply this effect once per second to a given object, allowing for successive stacking of acceleration.
III. Mechanics and Functionalities:
Vector-Based Acceleration: Blink’s power does not add velocity directly but instead modifies the rate of change of velocity. This means that stationary objects do not suddenly gain motion unless they already possess an initial force acting upon them.
Environmental Resistance and Diminishing Returns: Air resistance and surface friction place practical limits on the acceleration stacking effect. Objects experiencing high velocities will encounter increasing drag, reducing the effectiveness of successive activations.
Perceptual Object Unity: Blink's power functions based on her cognitive perception of an object as a single entity. This allows her to apply acceleration to objects like her inline skates or a meteor hammer as cohesive units, even though they are composed of multiple parts.
Duration of Acceleration Effect: Once an acceleration boost is applied, it remains until external forces act upon it. If an object is given a downward acceleration boost, it will fall faster than normal, but gravity will return to its default acceleration rate once the effect dissipates after one second.
IV. Limitations:
Touch Requirement: Blink must maintain physical contact with an object to apply her ability. This makes it ineffective for long-range applications and requires her to remain close to targets she wishes to influence.
Cognitive Load and Timing: Although her power is simple in principle, practical use requires precise timing, particularly when applying boosts to moving objects.
Reaction Time Constraints: Blink’s own ability to perceive and respond to her increased acceleration imposes limits on her safe maximum velocity.
G-Force Tolerance and Biological Resilience: Unlike natural speedsters, Blink does not receive automatic protection from the physical strain of high-speed movement. Testing suggests that her body possesses an anomalous reinforcement that mitigates the effects of sudden acceleration shifts, allowing her to function under conditions that would incapacitate a normal human. However, this effect has limits, and extreme acceleration stacking may exceed her biological tolerance threshold.
V. Tactical Applications:
High-Speed Mobility: Blink's primary use of her power is personal acceleration, allowing her to achieve significant speeds while skating.
Enhanced Striking Power: By applying acceleration boosts to objects mid-flight, Blink can significantly increase their impact force. She frequently employs this ability with thrown objects, slingshots, and other projectile weapons to disable opponents without lethal force.
Kinetic Disruption: By selectively boosting the acceleration of certain objects, Blink can manipulate the balance of adversaries, knocking them off course or disrupting movement.
Emergency Evasion: The ability to instantly alter her acceleration allows Blink to escape dangerous situations rapidly, particularly when combined with urban traversal techniques such as skitching onto vehicles or propelling herself off solid surfaces.
VI. Recommendations:
Kinematic Calculation Training: Improved understanding of acceleration physics would allow Blink to maximize her power’s effectiveness and reduce unintended miscalculations. Further training in applied physics and projectile motion is recommended.
Situational Awareness Drills: Increased emphasis on spatial perception and reaction-based training would enhance her ability to process high-speed movement safely.
G-Force Tolerance Monitoring: Further analysis of her biological resilience to acceleration forces is necessary to determine long-term health impacts. If necessary, development of protective equipment to counteract high-G effects should be explored.
VII. Conclusion:
Lily Chen’s acceleration-based ability offers significant tactical advantages, particularly in mobility and precision impact applications. While the power has inherent limits due to environmental physics and reaction time constraints, her ability to manipulate acceleration grants her a high degree of versatility in both combat and traversal scenarios. With continued refinement and strategic training, Blink is projected to be an invaluable member of the Young Defenders.
Dr. Leonard Harris
Specialist in Metahuman Power Assessment for the National Superhuman Response Agency