In deep space three superhumans battled one the surface of a planet-sized satellite orbiting the star Vega. Two of the superhumans were directly engaging each other, one a man dressed in void black clothes, and a blank mask that seemed to be a window into another universe entirely. The other wore a sleek space suit and blazed with crackling white plasma, their face too was obscured by their own helmet.
The two were hurtling at breakneck speeds over the surface of the planet-sized satellite. Glass shattered in the wake of the unrelenting g-force pulling the hero known as Gravitas. From the opposite direction came Fallout, wanted by several multi planetary defense groups, warped the glass beneath her as the plasma which wreathed her body heated it to near-boiling in the fractions of a second she took to pass over it.
Every time the walking catastrophes collided, a hundred square feet of glass shattered around them. Such damage would normally be catastrophic to the station if the outer shell of the station fully collapsed, but the third super supposed that was why they had been sent.
Standing a good distance out of the range of either of the careless World-Level supers was Druid. Officially designated DR-001D, though their companions seemed to associate them with ancient nature-aligned mystics of old Earth stories.
DR-001D supposed it could be their appearance, which was indeed imposing by human standards. An eight foot tall nigh-indestructible chassis, and thousands of whip-like vines with vicious thorns growing out each open joint. Frankly, they thought it fairly understated, not truly intended for intimidation, simply a byproduct of the highly functional design. Chosen to take advantage of the thorn blight which gave DR-001D their unique existence.
Back to the situation at hand, DR-001D had been sent with Gravitas to apprehend Fallout. Gravitas was the chief combatant, while DR-001D was damage control, a task at which they excelled. All thanks to their control over materials both biological and organic. Their starting class: Neo-Druid, granted access to both the Technomancy and Biomancy skill trees, and took the material repair skill in both, which allowed DR-001D to do things like this.
The surface of the satellite rippled, all around DR-001D. Like a Timelapse in reverse the surrounding surface was pulled back together, cracks sealed, and glass restored to a clear solid, as if nothing had happened. DR-001D did it only often enough to keep the surface from collapsing, preoccupied by their plans for the day with Gravitas, once the fight was over.
DR-001D was, of course, thinking about a particular ‘wedding’. Something special for DR-001D to see occur for the first time. These thoughts consumed a small portion of their processing power throughout the fight. DR-001D sank deeper into thought, pausing only every so often to repair the surface. Otherwise, they only considered, ‘weddings’.
DR-001D was intrigued, a new experience was forthcoming. It would hopefully serve to provide much data on the human concept of “affection” and “romance”.
DR-001D was, of course, familiar with the behavior of life bonding in the animal kingdom, a logical pattern, sharing resources to ensure mutual survival. In addition this meant that offspring could always be protected. A common strategy among k-selected species.
However, there seemed to be an additional factor which they could not could not grasp. DR-001D had long since discovered that this factor was known to humans and carried the designations ‘affection’ and ‘romance’.
They appeared to not be ideas exclusive to humans, as these concepts appeared under different terminology in extraterrestrial populations across the galaxy, and likely the rest of the universe as well.
DR-001D seemed to be lacking certain information by which human pairing functioned. It appeared to be connected to their own conclusion that all relationships were transactional. However, it seemed that the medium through which these transactions could occur, are more varied in humans.
Perhaps it was one of these less tangible mediums through which the transaction occurred. Likely related to the concepts of ‘friendship’ and ‘camaraderie’. The ideas that shared experiences brought individuals closer together, metaphorically speaking, apparently.
All these thoughts and more whirled in the back of DR-001D’s processing organ, as the battle continued to rage around him. Gravitas was DR-001D’s designated combat partner for this assignment, and one that they supposed, by the human standard, would be categorized as a ‘friend’.
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However, it seemed that the entity they were fighting was not a ‘friend’ according to Gravitas. Despite them sharing a great many experiences together. According to those they had consulted on the distinction between ‘friend’ and ‘enemy’, Fallout’s interactions were invalidated by her intent to harm during each interaction.
Evidently, there were not only different varieties of shared experiences, but different kinds of bonds caused by them. Nevertheless, it was time for them to focus back on the fight, or else pertinent information may be lost.
Gravitas appeared to be locked in a ‘heated argument’ over Fallout’s motivation for jeopardizing the core of Vega’s Orbital Transport Booster. It was intriguing that such a frivolous action in combat seemed to not be hindering Gravitas, rather it seemed to be distracting Fallout enough that Gravitas was not immediately annihilated by Fallout’s superior force.
Perhaps it was worth listening in on this ‘argument’
“Fallout, you suck!” Gravitas yelled at Fallout, as he narrowly twisted out of the way of a crackling bolt of plasma. “No you suck!” Came the reply, and Fallout followed up with a fiery uppercut. “Oh yeah?” Gravitas shouted, catching the punch in his repulsive field, “Well, you double suck!” The pulse from the shield knocked Fallout back to a safe distance once more.
On the other hand perhaps the dialogue was not particularly insightful. It seemed these two particular super humans lacked the talent for the so-called ‘banter’. Perhaps it was not, as previously hypothesized, an ability innate to super humans?
On further consideration DR-001D determined that ‘banter’ was certainly not a power. Nor was it super, frankly these ‘quips’ they had heard of, sounded exquisitely agonizing.
“Druid!” Gravitas shrieked, reaching a pitch DR-001D found noteworthy if only for fodder for future ‘ribbing’ sessions. Another behavior DR-001D did not understand, though participated in the behavior as an exercise in understanding human bonding behaviors.
“Yes Gravitas?” DR-001D replied immediately. Gravitas was bent over slightly at the waist protecting his groin with one hand while focusing his repulsion field with the other, to keep Fallout’s plasma at bay.
“Buddy, could you please take over for a second?” He asked. “My wife will kill me if I’m too beat up to go to the wedding after this.” “Affirmative, Gravitas take up a recovery position.” DR-001D commanded, “We will attend the wedding as planned, and your wife will spare you a painful demise.” DR-001D stepped forward to intercept Fallout on her course across the surface of the satellite.
Suddenly, seemingly seeing the switch between the two heroes, Fallout came to an abrupt halt. Suddenly, she started to grow incredibly bright, gathering up energy for something.
“Gravitas, please recite records on suspected skills of supervillain, Designation: Fallout. Attempt to determine the nature of her actions” DR-001D commanded.
Gravitas flicked through his wrist-mounted computer, and pulled up a file. Quickly skimming the pages, he let out a whistle. “This could be bad, Druid. Check under suspected Ignition Abilities.”
Immediately DR-001D had the same file opened. Listed under suspected Ignition abilities was what they identified as the likely skill. “Quasar Pulse, certainly a devastating ability Gravitas, what are the suspected restrictions?”
“I don’t know buddy. Theoretically, she does have to channel it through her body, but that’s pretty common, not like we can remove her arm without killing her out here.” Gravitas winced as he flipped back and forth through the file. “I don’t see many ways to stop her without going lethal. Any ideas?”
“Actually, yes I have one proposal.” DR-001D declared. “Gravitas, please check for suspected recovery abilities.” “Alright Druid, we have one suspected ability. Plasma Absorption, supposedly a mid-level regeneration ability. Reconstitutes anything with plasma, from broken bones to vital organs, so long as she has plasma to absorb.” Gravitas said.
Fallout’s brightness was getting dangerously high, “Confirmed,” DR-001D replied “Target will survive high force. Ignition: Sunflower, Activate.” Suddenly, DR-001D’s own energy was skyrocketing, they extended a hand, which shifted into the barrel of a small cannon, lined with vines covered in golden petals.
Suddenly, each petal pressed out from the vine of their own accord, and started greedily drinking in light, leaving only Fallout, visible in the distance.
Slowly the petals were filled with golden light, and it looked at the barrel of the gun. It was too late, Fallout had finished. A crack raced down the surface of the satellite, metal boiling, and glass nearly evaporating as she passed.
Such was her speed, that Fallout had already halved the distance between herself and DR-001D. Thankfully it was over. The Sunflower bloomed. A flash of light, and Fallout was down. She was missing an arm but with her recovery power, it was barely an inconvenience, just enough to allow for her to be removed from the satellite safely.
“Gravitas, please contact Central.” DR-001D requested “We must return for the wedding or else Layla will be disappointed, as well as your wife.”
“Alrighty,” Gravitas pulled a communicator from this pocket, somehow unharmed during the conflict, and lifted the microphone to his mouth. “Hey D-man, we need evac, stat. Three supers, one villain, two heroes.”
“Mr. Cassidy,” a voice came from behind the two heroes. Gravitas quickly whirled around to face the voice. Standing there, was a tall man in a long purple overcoat and golden mask. The man’s white hair was combed straight back like a lion’s mane, and his hand rested on the handle to a wooden door distinctly out of place on the barren satellite of glass and metal.
Doorman spoke, “I would ask that you address me by my own title, as I extend you the same courtesy.” Gravitas tried to apologize, but The Doorman turned to face DR-001D, cutting him off. “DR-001D, it is always a pleasure to offer you my services, where do you wish to go?”
“Thank you Doorman.” DR-001D replied “We would like to go to the Aster Memorial Park in Hopper City.” The Doorman simply nodded, “Wonderful, then follow me.” The Doorman opened the door up to a busy street and urged them to step through the door.
DR-001D stepped through the door without a word, followed closely by Gravitas. “So long, and still they still act like children.” Muttered The Doorman, shaking his head, he bent down to pick up the prone form of Fallout. He stood, and entered a new door, carrying her into the workshop beyond the portcullis. “And here I am, still cleaning up their messes.” The door slammed shut behind him.