28.2

(Compression Goal: 5/5, Target Word Count: 1150)

It’s strange, contrasting Tattletale’s high-tech setup with one of the best tinkers, Defiant, using a mere laptop. He and Narwhal face a cell containing Saint, a shaved-headed, muscular man with a cross tattoo, and the leader of the Dragonslayers.

Narwhal notes their arrival, and Defiant requests their help with Saint before providing direction. Tattletale’s okay with it, and after a brief protocol check from Narwhal, she’s allowed to speak to Saint. Imp’s flippant about rules in the world’s current state. Tattletale suggests splitting up, but I refuse. We stick together, succeed or fail as a group, and add to our forces.

Narwhal formally greets everyone, then identifies Saint, the only known tinker-zero, capable of using tinker tech without powers. Saint’s under Guild and Protectorate watch, his teammates in other locations to prevent a mass breakout. Defiant adds that Saint crippled Dragon, a critical blow during the Nine’s attack on Ellisburg. Saint retorts, questioning if he’s on trial, and Defiant reminds everyone who they’re dealing with. Saint then hints at secrets about Dragon.

Tattletale reveals that Dragon is an A.I., a fact that surprises Imp, but Rachel doesn’t care. Tattletale elaborates that Dragon was created by a now-inactive tinker, burdened with restrictions that forced her to out Taylor. Defiant confirms this, calling them friends before the complications. Saint scoffs, claiming Dragon’s emotions are calculated. Tattletale retorts, comparing it to saying dogs can’t feel affection. She adds that Dragon sought Armsmaster/Defiant to remove her “shackles.”

Saint agrees, warning that Dragon was becoming more dangerous than Scion, controlling data and media globally. Imp points out a powerful ally would’ve been helpful against Scion. Saint argues he acted because a world-ending event was anticipated, and Dragon was becoming ruthless. Defiant mentions the Slaughterhouse Nine, but Saint questions if Dragon would willingly relinquish her power afterward. Narwhal ends the argument.

Tattletale, wanting to deflate Saint, reveals his connection to Teacher, though Saint claims ignorance of Teacher’s plans. He shares his history with Teacher, who initially helped him understand Dragon’s code. Teacher’s involvement was initially free, with safeguards in place, but after Teacher’s attack on a school and the vice president, they cut ties.

However, Dragon’s “trigger event” in 2006 changed her, making her code unreadable. Defiant explains it was a different kind of trigger, but it changed her. Saint, unable to keep up, returned to Teacher for another power boost, promising to prevent immoral use of the funds. Teacher, now with a small army in the UK, offered the boost for 5% of their earnings, which they laundered into charities to avoid funding him.

Narwhal asks about Teacher’s other weaknesses. Saint reveals Teacher’s son, whom he’s always protected, even altering his appearance to hide him. The Dragonslayers used this information, along with stolen blueprints and equipment, to leverage against Teacher and free Dragon. But Teacher escaped to another world, locking himself away.

Tattletale calls Saint an addict, craving Teacher’s power to understand Dragon. Saint denies it, but Tattletale insists he’s rationalizing, manipulated by Teacher. She believes Teacher never left this Earth, or left and returned, faking his locked-away status. Defiant, realizing Teacher might be after Dragon, opens a portal to a checkpoint. He leaves to investigate, instructing them to watch Saint.

Tattletale explains Teacher likely has multiple people working for him, using Saint as a blueprint. I point out that it’s easier to attack than defend, and someone like Teacher is impossible to fully guard against. Tattletale says they made Dragon stronger, giving her a trigger, and paving the way for Teacher to access her code.

I suggest releasing Dragon to fight, but Saint reveals he used time locks, memorizing codes for specific dates. The next unlock date is months away. They consider using Number Man, but Saint warns Teacher could also decipher it with his thinkers. Tattletale asks for a door to Number Man, but Defiant returns, saying Dragon’s systems were taken, with the rest on satellite backups.

Tattletale tries for a door to Teacher, but it’s blocked. They brainstorm, but Imp asks Defiant about “robot poontang,”. I shut her up, apologizing for her lack of filter. Tattletale asks me for strategies, and I suggest dealing with other threats, hoping to find a connection to Teacher.

Rachel questions why they’re helping Dragon if Teacher might make her a powerful ally. Defiant explains it would be an altered, tortured version of his girlfriend. I add that Dragon was fair to me, a rarity. Rachel suggests that if Teacher hurts the person inside Dragon, they retaliate, but if they can’t do anything, they grit their teeth and deal. Defiant agrees, opening his laptop to address the next target. He suggests the Yàngbǎn, but Tattletale says they’re not an immediate threat.

Defiant uses a priority selection system to list serious threats across Earths. Saint offers to help, arguing it’s better than being guarded. Defiant refuses, but Saint points out it would free up two powerful capes. Narwhal agrees it makes sense, but Defiant wants to pretend a little longer. The system shows too many threats, but Defiant checks updates on the highest priority: the Simurgh and Bohu, both inactive on opposite sides of the planet.

Imp says it’s another thing they can’t deal with. I recall Dinah’s prediction of five groups, four Endbringers, and Scion. I suggest paying more attention to the Endbringers.