P.4

Here’s a 5x compressed summary of chapter P.4 in 565 words:

of5 searches Parahumans Online for information on multi-triggers, also known as cluster triggers, mosaic, or grab-bag capes. They find an article from 1998 discussing how cluster powers, serial powers, matched powers, and Nth-generation powers can be used to identify ‘Hinge Points’ in power expression. The article link is broken, but another user, Doubletime_Collies, offers to transcribe it.

of5 also finds class notes from a 2009 lecture by Professor Spinky on multi-triggers. The notes explain that in a cluster trigger, 2-6 people trigger simultaneously, each receiving a primary power and fragments of the others’ powers. These fragments are termed “secondary expressions.” The notes discuss the concept of a “dominant” or “hinge” factor that stays consistent across related powers in a cluster. Two case studies are presented: the Sunder Brothers, with powers related to destruction and weapon augmentation, and a group called Fowl & Fair, with various physical and emotion-affecting abilities. The notes also touch on the “Kill/Kiss” dynamic, personality bleed, and higher rates of trauma and death in cluster triggers.

In a group chat, of5 asks Heart_Shaped_Pupil and Questionable_Mammal for help finding information on specific people. Questionable_Mammal offers to create a custom search string. of5 also mentions a “friend” who is helping with the technical side of the search.

of5 finds another article discussing the “Kill/Kiss” dynamic, mentioning a case called the Stáj or the Stable, where a cape known as the Good Ox was murdered. The article link is broken, but a user named Dana & Evan offers to find more information.

of5 receives a strange, coded message from a user with a long string of numbers and letters as their name. Questionable_Mammal suggests it might be a bot. Later, the user messages of5 again, claiming to have information about multi-triggers. They deduce that of5 is part of a recent cluster from a mall incident and offer their help, warning that of5’s cluster-mates are planning against them. The user claims that one of of5’s cluster-mates, a woman, is hiring mercenaries and an information broker named Tattletale to find of5. They also mention a “runt” in the cluster, likely of5, who is the easiest target. of5 is skeptical but agrees to accept help if the user can prove their legitimacy.

Questionable_Mammal provides of5 with a complex search string that yields one relevant result: a report from the hero team Gunslingers about a recent incident. The report mentions a female grab-bag cape with a mover power, an emotion-affecting roar, and tinker-made metal claws. of5 confirms that this is the woman they are concerned about.

In the group chat, of5 thanks Cap and the others for their help, calling them “good kids.” Heart_Shaped_Pupil suggests of5 get their friend a “thank you treat.” of5 decides to get ice cream with their friend and leaves the conversation.