76

Date

2011 March 20th - Saturday - Earth Bet Time

Day 6128 - Saturday - Administrator Network Time

He went over everything, from the smallest modules that kept track of the weather on Earth Bet to the giant energy and matter generators. He was about to take an enormous step towards his goals and he wanted nothing messing it up.

First of all, using all the knowledge and data gained from the countless Shards he had taken over, he streamlined and upgraded every facet of his crystalline body. Then, using his own findings, he further enhanced those.

Using the space between the dimensions, he moved several of his critical modules there, while he also changed every communication module that wasn't connected to Zion's network to use the same space between the dimensions. It would be ultra-secure, simply due to the fact that as of now he had met no Shard that even had a mention of that part of existence on their hard drive.

Experimenting with the between-space, as he called it, was rather hard and energy-consuming (which would be a factor if he hadn't built a few thousand energy generators all over creation) but in the end yielded some surprising results.

Sting, on principle, ignored the between-space, but with a simple calibration at the price of increased energy consumption could be made to include it in its area effect. So, knowing that his new hidey-hole wasn't exactly safe, he spent a considerable time and effort to Sting proof it.

One step he took was applying all the previous Sting defenses to the modules in the between-space, which after some testing proved just as effective as it was in the normal dimension.

Another step was randomizing the bridge connecting the between-space and the real-space. This meant the bridge could connect randomly to the dimensions known to him (and he knew about a lot) because in the between-space there was no such thing as distance, everything was at the same time next to it yet not.

It was beyond confusing…

He hoped this randomization would help protect him from his enemies trying to infiltrate or destroy him.

The between-space that he staked a claim on was already almost bigger than a regular-sized planet, but instead of a planet, it was filled with a gigantic crystalline construct. Thanks to his experiments with space, the entire thing was compressed beyond belief.

His old haunts, the dimensions where he started out, were already empty after he removed his constructions because they became obsolete. The only dimension that still had something in it was the original dimension where the original Administrator landed.

He demolished everything he built, revitalized the planet to the same level it was when he begun, then rebuilt the crystalline body he inherited so many years ago.

Of course, it was just a dummy, but if anybody ever broke through his anti-scanning defenses, all they would see was the original Administrator and nothing more.

Thanks to the properties of the between-space his energy generators were much more efficient, able to harness the quantum fluctuations in the surroundings in his dimensions, which were technically all the dimensions he had access to at the same time.

Sadly, he was not at the level where he could create matter purely from energy, but if he had a seed material, he could replicate that indefinitely. So, he simply chose a few empty dimensions and connected to the stars, and began siphoning off the matter in them while at the same time absorbing all outgoing energy, radiation, and light from them.

Waste not, want not, and all that jazz.

Theoretically, based on his calculation, the current inflow of energy and matter could sustain him, and even if no new improvement was made to his systems, then using the stars matter and his own matter generation he could probably outlast a yellow star in age.

It was a rather scary prospect.

Plus, it wasn't like he would stop innovating just because he reached this level.

Using this new method of communication, he also upgraded his connection to Taylor, and with Shaper's help, he also upgraded the new Corona he used on the young girl. Even Shaper was somewhat impressed with his execution of the idea, but she still found several ways to improve and enhance it.

Then she simply demanded that he allow her to add this upgrade to Amy. The usually dour Shard used a rather devastating weapon for this. She simply told Fragile One about it and had the younger Shard look at him with her big dewy eyes and pout until he caved in.

On one hand, it was unfair, but on the other hand, it showed how much the Shard began understanding the humans.

Aside from that, he also migrated his own Network to the between-space, but he left the other Shards in their previous location, not wanting to and being ready to migrate the entire thing to the between-space.

During his work, he also monitored, supervised, and approved several new triggers all around the world. Their powers, much more flexible, with no conflict drive.

The people in charge around the planet haven't caught on yet, but he suspected (and his predictive algorithms confirmed) that it was just a matter of time.

Otherwise, all of his plans were going swimmingly.

The CUI was at the beginning of a hidden rebellion, Gesellschaft bases were being wiped out by the Three Blasphemies, the Nine was in hiding, while they listened to the paranoid ramblings of Jack and Cauldron was running around like a chicken that lost its head.

But all this preparation, building up and everything else was just a backdrop for the main action.

Eden's corpse.

When he infiltrated the Cauldron compound, he also acquired the dimensional address of the corpse. But before this, he hadn't felt ready to attempt to take it over.

Who knew what kind of traps or weapons were left behind?

Or even if Eden was truly dead?

Maybe she was just simply incapacitated…

He needed to bring his A+ game if he wanted this to go smoothly.

But now that he did everything possible to upgrade and enhance his body and abilities, he felt ready.

Somewhat.

There was still that nagging feeling at the back of his mind, that he forgot something, that he could have done more.

Knowing that it was just his (nonexistent) nerves speaking, he ignored them and prepared for the coming action.

He set up extra monitoring for everybody important, checked the routines monitoring Earth Bet, then set a few triggers that would get his attention, before fully concentrating with every crystalline fiber of his planet-sized body on the address.

The next moment he was in and under fire.

Because of course there were automated defenses…

Date

2011 March 26th - Friday - Earth Bet Time

It took Valefor more than a week to find Blasto.

He could have done it in a shorter amount of time, but for now, he wanted to remain somewhat under the radar. He knew, after his escape from the motel, the PRT would be looking for him, even if they didn't announce anything to the public.

Hopefully, soon he could stop hiding and enjoy his revenge.

He started with the homeless, taking control of them until he gained enough information to pinpoint the area where Blasto usually operated. Apparently, the biotinker sometimes paid the homeless to be his lookout or to get him some stuff.

So, using that information, he staked out the area, until he snagged a few people that worked directly for Blasto.

They were mostly henchmen or delivery people and individually knew very little, but put together, he gained enough information about the biotinker's operation that he could finally plan an ambush.

Not wanting to overcomplicate things, he simply hid with a few of his thralls on a delivery truck that he knew was heading directly to Blasto.

He knew from the interrogations that for deliveries this big Blasto showed up personally to inspect the merchandise and to make sure everything was there.

As he stood over the knocked-out tinker, and took in the disheveled hair, the still pristine lab coat, and compared it with his dirty hair caked with grease, and the once white and resplendent costume covered with an old jacket, he couldn't help but sigh.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen…

He instructed his thralls to pick up and tie up the man, while he made sure nobody saw what he did.

Getting Blasto to lead them back to his base, deactivate all his defenses, and then give them a place to rest was rather easy. Instead of using his usual delicate approach, Valefor simply steamrolled the man's mind, replacing it with a willing servant.

So, he took a quick shower, washing off the grime and dirt that cumulated, feeling that this auspicious occasion required some cleansing.

Valefor then, wearing some borrowed clothing from Blasto, sought out the biotinker, who was aimlessly wandering around, due to his order to do nothing.

He cleared his throat, gaining the thralls' attention, and then spoke, his face once again beset with bloodthirst while the depth of the insanity behind his eyes grew once again.

"Hello, Blasto, my new friend. Would you mind helping me find the Butcher?"

"At once, Master."

Date

2011 March 28th - Sunday - Earth Bet Time

Stormtiger couldn't help but sneer at the rabble in front of him.

Not long ago, a call came in that there was a clash between some of their man and the ABB. So, he simply grabbed Alabaster, who was at the same safe house as he, and took off to put those subhumans into their places. It was just a cherry on the top that Fenja was also present, delivering orders from Kaiser, so she, claiming boredom, decided to tag along.

With three of them, there was nothing in the Bay that could have stopped them, bar the two dragons, and maybe if the rumors of Lux Arcana truly living there were true, then she would be somebody he wouldn't want to fight. But these were just lesser people, and without parahuman support.

The plan was simple. Go there, smash the ABB apart, then take their people back to the base. Sadly, Alabaster in his infinite wisdom decided that taking potshots at the gangbangers and using some kind of bastardized Chinese to rile them up was a good idea.

So, instead of retreating, the ABB decided to call in reinforcement, which was surprisingly and alarmingly close, and then they hunkered down, shooting at them, but mostly at Alabaster.

The crazy idiot just laughed, took the shots, and then shot back when he could.

He was a little worried that the commotion would attract the PRT's attention, so yelled out to Fenja and Alabaster.

"We need to finish this fast!"

Fenja nodded, and began to grow, while Alabaster didn't change his behavior his shots became much more accurate.

They were about to charge at the enemy when a very well-known whine of motorcycle reached his ears thanks to the enhancement he always had up when he was in a battle.

It didn't take but a second, and Armsmaster in all his glory showed up with a meticulous beard and a motorcycle that seemed different from the ones he saw in pictures.

In the end, he just shrugged. The man was a Tinker, of course, he would update his ride. And ultimately it wasn't like they would be fighting against the cycle, right?

As the hero's motorcycle stopped and the man jumped off it, right between the two groups, there was a lull in the battle, both sides deciding that firing on the hero may not be the best idea.

"Stormtiger, Alabaster, Fenja, assorted gang members of the Empire 88 and Azn Bad Boys. You are all wanted for arrest. Place your weapons on the ground, then kneel down and place your hands behind your neck."

Alabaster simply laughed out loud, and he couldn't help but be flabbergasted by the man. How could he think that would work?

Armsmaster ignored their derision while looking around, taking in the scene. After a few seconds, he spoke up again.

"If you do not comply, I will have to use force to detain all of you."

By the time he finished the sentence, Fenja was at her full size, and half the gangers from both sides ran away.

"Yeah? Try it tin can! There are three of us, and only a tiny you!" yelled out Alabaster, supporting his statement with a few shots in the air.

Armsmaster simply nodded and touched his wrist with his other hand.

"Indeed, it seems you are at a numerical advantage. But I wouldn't count on the size difference."

Then the motorcycle behind the man simply exploded without anything getting damaged, the parts flying everywhere until they began to hover around the hero.

Stormtiger saw the man smirk before the parts of the motorcycle began transforming and fusing to his already impressive armor. Some parts joined with his arms and legs elongating it, others attached themselves to the chest and back, increasing the strength of the armor, while a few parts fully hid his head. In a second flat, instead of a man and motorcycle standing in front of them now, there was only a man in a mechanized suit almost five meters tall, wielding a weapon that would have looked to be at home in the twins' hand.

The sound that came out of the suit was much more mechanical, but he still could hear the smugness from the man.

"I won't say it again. Please, surrender."

He heard Alabaster yell out, more than likely something crude, only to be silenced suddenly. Turning towards the man, what he saw chilled him to the bone.

It was one of Dragon's suits, standing over Alabaster, who was currently enveloped by ConFoam.

"Mind if I join the fun?" came the cheery, but a deceptively scary voice from the suit.

He gulped, then prepared for the fight, while the remaining gang members on either side gave up every pretense of bravery and beat a hasty retreat. Unfortunately, he knew that if they simply ran away, Kaiser would punish them for tarnishing their image.

So now he and Jessica had to go against two people he really didn't want to, while making it look good, then somehow escape them.

Yeah… it would be a cakewalk…

Date

2011 March 28th - Sunday - Earth Bet Time

Taylor was sitting at her desk, simply browsing PHO (there was a Lux Arcana figurine posing contest) when a call came in from Tess. She prodded the phone to pick it up, not even looking away from the screen.

"Hey, Tess. What's up?"

"Hello, Taylor. Armsmaster and I are currently are en route to engage some Empire capes. Want to watch?"

She looked at PHO for a few seconds more, then sighed.

"Sure. Why not? I'm due for a pleasant laugh."

Taylor immediately got a notification on her screen, clicked on it, and was rewarded by a new window that showed Armsmaster arriving on the screen from the viewpoint of a drone.

She watched it curiously, always happy to see her personal hero do hero work when she saw the transformation. Trying to hold in her laughter, she asked Tess a question.

"So, Tess. When were you planning to tell me that your boyfriend is half human, half motorcycle?"

"Taylor…"

"Did you ever take him on a ride?" Taylor didn't even wait for a response. She just doubled over with laughter, not even paying attention as her friend (using a little more force than necessary) and Armsmaster took out the three Empire capes.