3eg606-ampyearfour.pdf

Credits Published by Third Eye Games in Tampa, FL ISBN: 978-1-944487-22-5 (Softcover) ISBN: 978-1-944487-23-2 (Hardcover) Written and Created by Elizabeth Chaipraditkul, Chuck Dee, J. Fryer, Eloy Lasanta, Felipe Real Editing by Carol Darnell Proofreading by Robert M. Everson Layout and Typesetting by Eloy Lasanta Cover Art by Gunship Revolution Interior Art by Jann Galino

Copyright © 2018 Third Eye Games All rights reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention. No part of this book may be reproduced in part or whole, in any form or by any means, without permission from the publisher, except for brief quotes for use in reviews or copies of the character sheet.

www.thirdeyegames.net

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Table of Contents Chapter One: Year Four Timeline of major events of AMP: Year Four

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans How the Affiliations are reacting during the Year of Invasion

Chapter Three: World Invasion The Orphans have invaded the globe, and each country responds differently

Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic Mechanics behind AMP: Year Four

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Chapter One: Year Four Chapter One: Year Four

2017 Summary 2017 was full of terrifying discoveries and destruction on a level the world hadn’t seen before. Fear gripped a nation and the backlash against people with superpowers was explosive. A fullfledged war erupted between two sides: On one side were the AMPs, struggling for their survival and trying to find their place in the world. On the other side was humanity, armed with new technology that evened the odds. Then there were the Twice Born, people who came back to life … not quite human and not really an AMP. They remained in the middle of a conflict they couldn’t quite understand, a place many people found themselves throughout the tumultuous year.

Changes in Leadership Year Three brought with it an upheaval of all the world knew since AMPs first revealed themselves. The hatred and fear of AMPs were both clear, leading to mass suicides and outright murder of AMPs by the Faceless in broad daylight to thunderous applause. The groups had to change in the face of this dark cloud over the nation; staying where they were would leave them behind or lead to their deaths.

President Klein The presidency changed hands once more in 2017, in a most unexpected way. President Lewis continued his administration as he promised he would: increased legislation that put AMPs on the bottom. Creation of concentration camps, and AMPs rounded up for no reason other than their genetics. Guns laws relaxed massively, and

crimes against AMPs were all but entirely swept under the rug of ‘justice’. Then came a strange meeting with his predecessor, President Aldridge, who of course had been assassinated over a year ago. He returned as a Twice Born, unable to die, and found new purpose. In a secret meeting between the two presidents, both were shot dead … but only one of them would awake once more. President Klein was sworn in shortly after. While her positions were ignored as vice president, she wasted no time reversing many of the worst executive orders written by Lewis. She closed down the Houndmaster program and sought out new allies to find a new path forward. Good thing for her she found Doctor Luminous and the Seekers of Enlightenment. He brought with him the power of his scientific acumen and his new soldier AMPs, members of the new Aegis Squad. The group, formed of many of the best-trained students from the Donohue School for the Gifted, are mostly teens — but all of them warriors in their own right.

The Hanger Another massive change in leadership was the fall of the Matriarch, the shadowy controller of the criminal group called Typhoon. Though she could control the minds of the weak-willed, it was inevitable that she should meet her match, and she was bested by the time-traveler Kairam, her lover. He sent her into a void of endless time, never to be seen again. In her absence, Typhoon needed a leader — and many fought to assert their dominance — but one came out on top. He called himself the Hanger, and he was a serial killer who orchestrated his escape from prison and ascension to new leader of Typhoon. His rule was different, however. The Hanger seemed far less interested in lording over a criminal underworld but was fond

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of using the resources to his own ends. What those ends are is still unclear to this day.

Hawaii’s Fall

Mutations Run Amok One of the biggest and most startling developments in Year Three was the appearance of mutations in several AMPs, turning some of them into hulking beasts called Rampagers. These creatures towered over regular people, had incredible strength and a ravenous hunger for destruction. While their numbers started small with just a dozen or so early in the year, by the end of 2017 Rampagers numbered in the hundreds across the US. Just one could leave a trail of ruin in its wake that cost millions in property damage and countless lives. A new group of AMPs called the Mystics rose from the need to combat these creatures, and they figured out how to commune with Rampagers and ultimately control them. Other affiliations fought back against the Rampagers in their own way as well. The Seekers of Enlightenment and their leader Doctor

An Invasion Begins Only a few within the Changelings knew of the first signs of the invasion — primarily Conduit, who had a close encounter with the first of their kind to return to Earth. This one used to be called Shell, a former member of the Seekers of Enlightenment, who chose to leave with the other Orphans. He returned ahead of the others to warn Earth of their arrival, and whispered to Conduit, “The Eye of Omega is their weakness.” The Changelings had no one to tell, as their alliances were thin and their members scattered, but they carried this information with them. The rest of the world, however, weren’t so lucky as to run into a friendly Orphan. Instead, their invasion forces rapidly attacked military encampments, political locations, and any place where they could weaken Earth’s defenses. The United Human Front and TRAC lost considerable numbers in the first wave, and the tail end of 2017 swarmed with attack after attack. The Orphans were relentless in their ferocity, out for blood with seemingly no purpose or meaning to their bombardments. It became clear, very quickly, that all of humanity — both Saps and AMPS — would have to find common ground to survive what was to come. The war between the two sides nearly

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Chapter One: Year Four

The rule of Nā ‘Aumākua over the island state of Hawaii was beset by intruders on all sides from their beginning. They sought independence from all and a chance to become a sovereign nation, but Typhoon and TRAC — and eventually a barrage of Rampagers — made that much harder. In an ultimate battle, the leader of Nā ‘Aumākua, Holoholona, made a desperate decision: if they couldn’t have Hawaii to themselves, then no one would have it. In one act, half of Hawaii became covered in volcanic ash and melted into the oceans from where it was once birthed. The US took possession of what remained. Part of the remnants of the Nā ‘Aumākua escaped to the mainland to serve in many of the Blocks set up to battle against injustice. Others found their way to Atlantis, a blossoming nation that floated in the Atlantic Ocean. They had what Holoholona wanted, and by making an alliance with the Founding Five, the leaders of Atlantis, they came up with new plans to one day return to the island.

Luminous began developing a special serum, called Reset, that could return a Rampager to their normal state. The Changelings captured and secured their mutated brethren until a cure could be found, while Retribution used the Rampagers as a tool to use against the Saps; a giant, lumbering monster is quite the distraction, no? TRACs response was as expected. They ramped up the Houndmaster program, enslaving even more AMPs to destroy as many Rampagers as possible. Likewise, the UHF helped them and joined their numbers, as they wanted nothing more than to put down the unstoppable beasts. With their help, the Resistor Suit program began and gave humanity one more weapon to combat the AMP threat. Rampagers brought so much death with them, until one day … the Rampagers were the least of everyone’s problems.

halted completely, except for a few rogue elements, like the Faceless, continuing their own nightly battles. The Twice Born became a bridge between the two sides, being both once human and now possessing abilities like AMPs, but Orphans may still be too much for them to handle. So begins year four.

2018 Timeline Chapter One: Year Four

January 2018 The Only Ones Who Know January 17

Conduit sat at the edge of his seat, gazing at the old TV the Changelings set up in their dank, sewer hideout. The newest President, there was so much turnover for such an important job lately, stood at a podium and told the American public about the latest deal

struck with the Seekers of Enlightenment. Their aid in looking for answers about the Orphans was paramount, but so was solving the Rampager epidemic plaguing the US. Conduit couldn’t help but grimace at the thought. He trusted very little of what the government had to offer, however; no one knew like he did the atrocities such a system can inflict upon the disenfranchised. He snapped himself out of his deep thought, however, and flicked the set off. He ruffled the hair of the girl on his lap. “Catnip, I need to get up.” Catnip stretched and yawned, and waved hello as Lockjaw entered the room, concerned for their leader. “Do you need help getting up?” Conduit waved off his trusted compatriot, “No, no, I’m fine. I’m going to have to get used to walking on my own, since I have a job for you.” When he got to his feet, he reached out his hand and it glowed with a strange purple energy. “I’ve finally mastered it.” Lockjaw’s eyes widened. “Let me be the first. If it doesn’t work, I don’t want to risk the lives of the others.”

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The Threat Ahead January 21

As Orphan attacks continued, the first thing Doctor Luminous needed to do was figure out how to track them. He assembled some of the best AMPs around him, especially those who knew how to enhance the abilities of others and utilized their abilities to increase his own powers — the ability to sense energy. He reached out everywhere, to every edge of the US capital, but could not sense the Orphans. Instead, he sensed a strange absence of energy that was unmistakable. Still, when he sent teams to scout out the locations where he felt this absence, they were merely where the Orphans had been, not where they were. This

could be used to track them, but even Doctor Luminous’ powers were finite. Instead he started drawing up plans for what could be the best invention of his young life. The other scientists within the Seekers wondered how a geneticist was developing working blueprints of such machinery, but none would dare approach Doctor Luminous with such a question — not with his anger issues. The return of Critter into his life curbed his aggression slightly, but even she was no match for his urges for perfection. For now, he had to put all of that out of his mind, however. Jacob picked up his cell and speed dialed the increasingly obscured Manny Ordoveza, aka Gigahertz, the voice of the Underground News Network who had been sharing news of the AMP variety for about 6 months now. After a quick “Who gave you my number?” and bouts of silence, Jacob spelled it out for Manny. “You can remain underground, but you are also now my eyes and ears. Any stories you find out about the Orphans, you call me. Any Rampagers attack an old lady, you call me. If you even think you should call me, you call me. I own you.” Gigahertz tried to play it cool. “And if I refuse?” “I have the power of the world’s most advanced technological centers and the US military at my disposal. I also can find other AMPs. All I have to do is think it, and you’ll be stripped of your network, your powers — your entire life! I expect to hear from you every other day.” He then hung up the phone. Why did nobody understand what had to be done for the world to survive? Why was he the only one to care? If everyone just listened to him, the world would be a better place. No. No, that was his other voice. He pushed it deep down and went back to his blueprints. They needed to be ready quickly if Doctor Luminous was going to save the world.

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Chapter One: Year Four

The leader of the Changelings smiled. “I already performed the rite on Catnip and she seems fine. The Orphan’s magic cannot touch her now, but she was a bit tired afterward. You, however, are definitely my number two.” And with that Conduit thrust his glowing hands into Lockjaw’s chest, like he was suddenly a ghost, and just as quickly pulled away. Lockjaw’s skin began to glow as well, and the warrior took a knee. “I can’t believe you did it. This means we’ll win for sure. We must spread this as far as we can. We have to- “ “We can’t just trust anyone with this power. Shell left it to us, as well as the info on the Eye of Omega. He lived a hero, and he died a hero, and no one will ever really know. Except for us. We’re the only ones who know what he did. This is Shell’s gift to us, and we can’t waste it on just anyone.” His second-in-command nodded. “Then how do we decide?” Conduit placed his hand on Lockjaw’s shoulder. “I trust your judgement. You have seen the true face of evil first-hand as a Hound, so who better than you to root out the good in people. You bring them here, and I will share our gift. Once we have protected enough of us, we will no longer need to hide. The Orphans will not take us, and the world will see us as heroes too. After all, we’ll all have a little piece of Shell inside of us.”

February 2018 New Home, New Toys

Chapter One: Year Four

February 3

Dear Mom, Is it weird I still write you letters? Whatever, you’re never too old to write your mom. I mean, I guess you find it even stranger that they just pop up in front of you at home, but I guess you’re used to it by now. We moved to our new facilities (no, I still won’t tell you where for your own protection) and they are pretty great. This is just the boost the Seekers needed. All the Orphan attacks seemed to shake Luminous awake, I mean it is probably something else — it always is with that guy — but now at least we have a plan. The guy has us making some kind of device that will allow him to sense Orphans all over the world. Luminous is calling it A.M.A.N.D.A. – Amplification Machine Something Something Something Something – honestly, I am happy he kept it at A.M.A.N.D.A. If it really works, we could have a real chance at getting ahead of these attacks and hopefully saving a lot more people. You should see the thing – it is huge and all underground. Like a giant amphitheater covered in a black oil slick. Every time I go in there with a flashlight the walls light up like thousands of rainbows, it’d be pretty if it didn’t kinda terrify me. I have no idea how the thing works, but Luminous has me laying the floor – conductive metallic material, right up my alley. That’s all I have time for today mom. I love you and stay safe. Love, You Know Who

Bleeding Hearts February 14

The Orphan moved through the diner booths like silk, his fluid movements emphasizing the flowing garments which grew off his body like Medusa’s serpents. Every step he took, crepe-paper hearts hanging on the windows lit by the flashing police lights outside caught fire and burnt to nothing. Couples who shared Valentine-themed milkshakes just minutes before now huddled together in fear, victims of an Orphan attack. Messages broadcast over a loudspeaker reached the diner, diluted through the foggy-glass windows. “TRAC is on the way. Exit the dinner peacefully and let your hostages go.” Sliding onto the diner counter, the Orphan pulled a terrified woman from the floor. “Do you want to leave the diner?” He asked. Terrified, she nodded her head. “Alright!” He grabbed her by the back of her cardigan and pulled her to the diner door, flinging it open and stepping outside. “Let go of the hostage!” The police chief demanded, her gun trained on the Orphan, her head beading with sweat in the Florida heat. She turned to her officers, “Don’t shoot, our first job is to keep the hostage safe.” “What about me?” A voice slithered through the chief’s mind. The voice poked and prodded her, tested her — the thing wanted to see her reaction. Within the jagged notes cutting through her mind was a malicious will to know simply how far she’d go. “Wha — “ The chief spun around terrified to see nothing behind her. Turning back, she saw the Orphan was laughing at her. “You or her?” The voice bore into her psyche and the Orphan dangled the hostage in front of him. “You or her? Pick! Pick! Pick!” The Orphan’s voice rang shrill in the captain’s head, reaching a burning pitch of pain. Desperate to make it stop, to do her job — to save the hostages — the captain screamed, “Me!” In the blink of an eye, all the hostages were transported outside into ill-fitting police uniforms. The police and the Orphan were nowhere to be seen. Then, gunshots rang through the night.

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Bright blasts of light burst the inside of the dinner, blood-curdling screams from the police officers trapped inside with the Orphan interspersed through the flashes of light. Then, nothing. TRAC arrived on the scene to find fleeing hostages and a diner bathed in police blood. Over the following weeks, attacks like these increased. Each attack testing the humans’ resolve. Each attack with a terrible choice. Each attack ending with a massacre.

Pure America February 17

We declare our independence in this United States of America from the United Human Front who are working with known AMP collaborators, ‘The US Government’. We denounce the UHF’s actions and will not stop until America is great again. Until America is pure. AMPs must be purged from our streets and our homes must be protected. They are a menace, everyone knows it. Ask any true-blooded human American and they will tell you. Liberal AMP-lovers who believe we can live alongside one another are just as bad. We all know it. The UHF knows it, but they are corrupt and desire power. We do not, we just want our country back, and the mutant invaders gone. We are here to break the system that failed you and reshape it into something great, amazing. You cannot stop us. You cannot quiet us. We are Legion. We are the Faceless.

February 25

The Rite of Murder Church would begin soon, officiated by Lilith — the Twice Born, the twice damned. The rest of the Murder didn’t need the rite like Lilith did. She was a bit too intense, too dark, even for a person who came back from the dead. They didn’t believe like she did — they were just angry, scared, and alone — and doing something dangerous together was better than doing nothing alone. Lilith gathered her flock in a circle and each lit a candle. She pulled her pocket knife from her jeans and placed it in front of her. “The blood cleanses,” she proclaimed, holding the knife in the center of the circle. The rest of the Murder repeated her words. “Tonight, we sacrifice blood, body, and soul to death. Embrace us with your dance, bring us to the place between life and death, let us waltz with the ones who live in shadows!” Lilith brandished the knife high into the air. Hallie’s loss was a gaping wound. The two girls died together in a car crash, then there was nothing … but somehow both rose again, Twice Born, getting a second chance at love. Then Hallie died, for real, and Lilith’s life spun out of control. Life was a pointless crazy dance to nothing. The rite would make it better. Bringing the blade to her wrist, Lilith drew it across scarred skin and blessed pain shot through her. It traveled up her spine and tugged at the base of her neck, pulling Lilith onto the ground where the fuzzy figures of her Murder gleefully danced around the candles. A shadow fell over her, a desperate darkness from which she felt she could not escape. The figures turned to shadows, each of them crying out in pain. Tears in her eyes, Lilith reached for one of the figures, she was done, however she got here, wherever she was, she didn’t want to go back. A shadow grabbed her hand and picked her up from the ground. Lilith found she was in Hallie’s warm embrace. Her face nuzzled against her girlfriend’s beautiful ebon locks. They two girls swayed to the rhythm of the shadows dancing around them. “How is this possible?” Lilith mumbled into

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Chapter One: Year Four

The following video message was uploaded to YouTube at 8 am today and went viral within an hour. It has now been picked up by all major news stations playing across every state and in over 40 different lands.

Dark Rites, Lost Souls

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Chapter One: Year Four

Hallie’s shoulder. “Magic,” Hallie replied with a soft grin, turning Lilith’s gaze to her. “From what I did?” Lilith showed her wrist to Hallie. “Oh baby, no. You have so much power in you. You are so special. Why would you do this to yourself?” Hallie brought Lilith’s open wrist to her lips, kissing the wound. “I’m in so much pain,” Lilith cried, “every day I feel so empty and I can’t deal. I miss you so much. Come back to me. Please, heal me.” “I can’t, but you can heal yourself — I know you can. You’ve been given a second life and this crazy Sarah-level power. Use it and be happy.” Looking up from Hallie’s shoulder, candle light flooded into Lilith’s vision and she was once more in the Murder, the rest standing around her terrified. Lilith’s body floated above them high in the air. “Lil?” Damien questioned, calling up to her, “What’s happening?” “Magic.” Lilith replied with a grin and a wink, landing gently upon the ground.

her roller-skates lazily clacked over the tiles. Surely this would have to put her to sleep, she hoped. Through half-awake eyes Lola Red spied something at the end of the corridor: the hazy figure of a man who at once sprinted down the east wing. “Hey wait!” Lola called out, chasing the figure down the hall. Corridor after corridor Lola sped after the ghostly figure until she reached the last cell in the east wing. Huddled in the corner Lola felt a small sorrowful, ball of rage. It wasn’t a ghost, AMP power, or weird tech — it was emotion — left in Aegis Squad’s new HQ from its past as a prison. Skating up to the sorrow Lola knelt next to it. “Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun …” Lola sang and sang until the sun crested the horizon and the sorrow left the cell. Aegis Squad had more to clean in the Chamber than they’d expected. The emotions poured into this place, so thick they painted the walls, would not be so easy to clean; but in time their new HQ would heal and help usher in a new day for the Squad.

March 2018

Rampage. Control. March 10

Ghosts of Sorrows Past March 5

Wind whistled down the Chamber corridors: metal maglocks torn open, tiles stained with blood and grime — this was a terrible place created for ‘terrible’ AMPs, but no longer. Within days of moving in, Aegis Squad turned the Chamber into their new headquarters and breathed new life into its mournful walls. AMPs lived in the Chamber once more — not as prisoners, but heroes. The problem with places with such a deep history is they have long memories, as the Squad was soon to find out. While most members settled happily into their new headquarters, the empathic members of the squad felt off. During the night, in the stillest moments, the walls cried a woeful tune and the air tasted of tears. Skating through the halls of the Chamber, Lola Red was unable to sleep. The wheels of

Spearfinger was not the woman she once was. Neither figuratively, nor literally. Staring down at her hands, they were not her own, not the ones she was born with at least — she stole them from a body when fighting the Orphans in December. By the end of the battle, she barely had one original part left. At what point is one’s soul so flayed from their body that they become someone, something, else? Spearfinger didn’t have time to answer that question, she was pinned down in a fight with the Orphans — again. However, this time it wasn’t just Retribution forces fighting them, but the Mystics as well. Spearfinger wasn’t sure what exactly the Mystics did; she knew they were telepaths, they could try to control the Rampagers, and they generally wanted the same thing, but if she was honest the rest of the schtick sounded more than hokey. The idea that someone could ‘tune’ into a ‘Channel’ that is invisibly spread over the world was just weird, even being considered

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Letters from the Future #1 March 12

Hey, me. It’s been a long time, eh? I’ve left you a series of letters that I’ve made sure you’ll find, at least I hope you do. Or did. Time travel is a tough thing to nail down, since your future is my past, or a version of it. It takes time to get used to, but I’m sure you’re doing just fine with that. I thought you’d like to know what

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led me, us, to kill the president — what put us on the path you’re on. Well, funny enough, it all has to do with a girl. Her name is Stacie, but we all called her Critter. You’d know her as the first AMP, since that’s how the media portrayed her, but she was really just the first to go public. I had my powers long before she did, and had even perfected some light time shifts, a few minutes here and there, when I met her. Critter had to have been the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, though. Of course, I met Jacob at the same time. They were already a couple and well on their way to marriage at that time. He always did right by me, even when he was an ass, but that didn’t excuse what we did to him. The night he walked in on me and Critter kissing was the worst day of my life, one I’ve relived repeatedly, but it didn’t matter. Every time, Critter and I couldn’t hold ourselves back, and every time Jacob found out. And every time, he killed her. And every time … I am powerless to stop it. A crime of passion they call it, but Jacob is a powder keg just waiting to blow, regardless of which timeline you follow. I’m going to kill the president to save the world, that much is true. That guy did some seriously horrifying things to AMPs in my time, and I hope to avert that future with a bullet. But I also just came from seeing Jacob and Critter in mad love with each other. It brought back so many memories. The first thing I did when I came back was move Critter to a safe house, the same safe house you’re in right now if you’re reading this letter. If she’s there with you, tell her I love her. That another you, from another time loves her. - Your Other Self.

Chapter One: Year Four

by a woman who could remove her own head. Beggars couldn’t be choosers though, and Retribution needed all the help they could get after hemorrhaging forces fighting the Orphans. Their first meeting was just weird, with the Mystic’s leader, Savior, hugging Spearfinger and announcing he was happy to be ‘surfing the waves of this great world’ with her. She still wasn’t sure how he got the drop on her to hug her, but she was damned sure it would never happen again. The world just kept getting more confusing: new creatures, new allies, old enemies, new body parts … when would it end? Screaming in rage, Spearfinger shook herself once more from her musing. Enough of this shit. She had work to do and a Rampager was hurtling towards her. It ripped a table from the ground and lifted it high above its head. Just as it was about to come crashing down on her, the Rampager threw it at a gold-skinned Orphan floating some meters away. Dancer, a paisley-clad Mystic helped her up. “You’re welcome.” He smiled, focusing his energy back on the Rampager as if to order it to attack again. A cold sheet of shock spread over Dancer’s face as the Rampager refused to attack and instead turned to face him. The Orphan floating in the sky stared down at them with an indifferent gaze. “You are a skilled telepath, that should be commended, though it matters very little in the scheme of the cosmos. We now understand how to control the beasts. This will help us bring you peace, thank you.” The Rampager let out a blood-curdling cry and bounded towards the joint Mystic-Retribution forces.

April 2018

Death is Blue

Chapter One: Year Four

March 20

Bluewing arrived at Holly House in a halo of blue light. She floated through the playground and flitted through the groups of playing children, smiling and throwing balls of blue light into the air for them to catch. Breezy watched on as Bluewing played with the children. She wasn’t sure why the AMP kept visiting Holly House, but Bluewing seemed harmless. She’d even helped a family find their way to the school. It was obvious she was some sort of ally, but what did she want? Perhaps she just enjoyed spending time with the kids and that was enough. Breezy knew that was why a lot of the teachers stayed on at Holly House. The world seemed to be slowly burning around the school and it wasn’t like the school didn’t have problems, but at least they were able to keep some semblance of happiness here, to teach the children how to use their powers safely, how to navigate the chaos outside. Rather than leaving as she normally did after visiting, Bluewing floated up to Breezy and lowered herself down, her bare feet touching the spring grass. The AMP stared for a moment, her mouth moving, but no words escaping her lips. It’s been so long since she’d had a real conversation with another person. Not a proclamation, or a hurried message, but a real discussion. Bluewing doubted if she even could any more. “I’m going to die.” She blurted out finally. “What?” Breezy replied, shocked. Bluewing had always seemed so aloof, distant, to her, but with four simple words she became tangible to Breezy, human. “I’ve seen it in a vision. I don’t have much time and …” Bluewing paused, “I don’t want to spend it alone. Can I stay here? I want to protect Holly House.” “Of course,” Breezy reached over to the woman, putting her arm around her. “You can stay here as long as you want, you know that right? The first time you came, you didn’t have to leave.” “I know, I’m sorry, there were things … things I had to do.” Bluewing said quietly, letting her head fall on Breezy’s shoulder. “It’s okay, you have a home with us.”

To the Streets April 2

“Damnit,” Doctor Luminous exclaimed, throwing down a pair of earphones as the last gasping breaths of dying TRAC agents gurgled through them. Teaming up with TRAC is something he never thought would happen, but it did, and strangely enough it was working great. They were professional, well-equipped and wanted the same things as the Seekers: to stop the Orphans. It was a recipe for success, if not for the fact that combating a single Orphan was nearly impossible to do. Talking to them, reasoning with the alien creatures, was even more difficult so they were left with one possibility — to fight for their lives and try to protect innocent people however they could. They had to fight. “Luminous,” A voice stuttered out through the earphones, breathing heavily, wheezing. “They’re all dead. What should I do, what are my — “ Doctor Luminous grabbed the microphone on his headphones, “Get out of there, now!” Silence. Quieting his mind, Jacob tried reaching out to his team. Damned technology, he should have been watching them the whole time in his mind’s eye. Silence was fear, being alone, death. Finally, through scrambled thoughts and scattered worries Jacob saw the trees burnt up like matchsticks and playground equipment melted into molten rivers of sizzling metal. Charred bodies of TRAC agents, weapons melted to their bodies, littered the floor. It was a massacre. Another massacre. And just out of the corner of the AMP’s eye Doctor Luminous spied the Orphan. She had one wound and nary a fleck of dirt on her pristine flowing clothes. A tiny river of red blood leaking from the quickly-closing wound on her chest — the Orphan looking down shocked at the idea she could actually be hurt. They could be hurt. He’d sit and enjoy that fact for the moment, but there wasn’t time. “Run!” Jacob yelled into the microphone, and the man made a break for it as Doctor Luminous’ vision of him faded away.

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Letters to the Editor

Thank you for your colorful reporting on what actually happened in mid-town last week as well as the accompanying photos taken at the scene. The Ledger strives for impartial, timely, well-sourced reporting, but sometimes we get it wrong. You letter along with numerous others enlightened us that reports we initially had were not correct, and in our haste to get the story out to you, our readers, we left out key details which altered the context of the article. For that, we apologize and will, as always, strive to do better in our reporting.

April 19

Response from our editor:

The Hanger’s Realm April 22

VV Lucy: You’re listening to WZZTP’s Lucy and Baldwin: AMPs in the Afternoon and we’re on with our first caller, Joan from Greenview. Hello Joan! VV Joan: Hi long-time listener, first-time caller. VV Baldwin: Hey, we’re happy to have you. If this was a year ago, we’d still be hiding in my grandpa’s basement doing the broadcast. What’s your question? VV Joan: Well, I was wondering how Lucy is doing? You guys mentioned something about her having Magic now, right? VV Lucy: Thanks for your question Joan! It’s going, erm, well? I can do a few small things, but nothing really impressive — yet! I promise to share it with you when I can pull off something big. VV Joan: I am sure you’ll get better, it probably just takes some practice. VV Lucy: You know the thing about Magic is …” VV Baldwin: Okay, now she’s showing off. You can’t see this Joan, but Lucy has literally just disappeared from reality. VV Joan: What? VV Baldwin: And welcome back, Lucy. I just want to say… VV [Woman screams in rage. Sounds of a struggle.] VV Baldwin: Luc. Please. Stop.

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Chapter One: Year Four

This letter was submitted in response to: “Rampager on the loose, TRAC faced with insurmountable odds.” I was appalled to read the shoddy reporting in last weekend’s Ledger in reference to the fight that broke out in midtown Chicago with TRAC, the Seekers, Retribution, those psychic AMPs — I think they’re called the Mystics — and a Rampager. I am sure you are getting plenty of letters in response to the article but let me add my own voice to be clear about what happened. TRAC and the Seekers arrived at the scene together wielding some kind of weird gadgets. By then Retribution and the Mystics had pinned down the Rampager. Rather than getting into a fight with one another, the two groups worked with one another to pacify the beast and it was hauled off in a TRAC van to who-knows-where. TRAC and the Seekers used their weird gadgets: probably some type of anti-AMP weapon if you ask me. Afterwards, the two groups stood around for a bit talking and, by the time everyone took out their cell phones and began filming, seemed to reach an agreement; then they … flew, hopped, and drove off to god-knows-where. I’m not the biggest fan of AMPs, but it is newspapers like yours that make the situation we live in every day worse. You should be ashamed of yourself. If you don’t spend the required amount of time getting your story straight and making sure you are reporting the news correctly — what’s the point? The last thing we need is a bout of mass-hysteria brought on by your paper inventing conflicts that never actually happened. Sincerely, A Concerned Reader

Chapter One: Year Four

VV [A long silence.] VV Joan: Hello? Lucy, Baldwin? Are you okay? Should I call the police? VV Baldwin: [Breathing heavily] Luc, what the hell? VV Lucy: Baldwin, I was in a dark place. I couldn’t move and all I saw was a man with a terrible grin and a noose in his hands. I’m … I’m sorry. I thought you were him ... VV Baldwin: Shit. We’re still on the air VV [Program switches to static]

Peace on the Waters April 30

“We want the mainlanders off our islands.” Holoholona slammed his fist down on the table as President Klein readjusted herself in her seat. Peace was important, and while she had a battalion of guards around her and the Founding Five’s guarantee that nothing would happen to her, she still felt unsafe. Sitting across the table from a man who erupted a volcano on one of his islands so ‘no one could have’ Hawaii was not conducive to feeling safe.

Clearing her throat, President Klein offered an answer, “We can’t just kick all mainlanders out of Hawaii. The point of this conference is to connect our lands again, not split them apart. You’re being unreasonable — you must see reason.” A deep rage burned in Holoholona’s eyes. His jaw tightened, and fists clenched. Closing his eyes, he thought of Pahoehoe and her sacrifice and a wave of calm swept over him. “Please,” he said, “I’ve just spent an hour listening to you speak about peace and your plans for Hawaii without once asking about what Nā ‘Aumākua’s plans were. Then, I heard from the Founding Five, our allies from Atlantis who are now docked on our borders, trying to make you see reason, and I have had enough. I want you to listen to me. I want you to erase what preconceptions you have of me from your mind and really hear what I have to say. See me as a person not an AMP, not as some other trope burned into your mind. I want to you try and understand me, as I have done for you.” President Klein nodded. Holoholona continued, “The mainlanders need to leave Hawaii, because Hawaii needs to heal. We’ve been through too much and yes, we

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The Hanger’s End Goal

No one ultimately knows what the Hanger truly wants. He’s a convicted serial killer who has now acquired Typhoon in his quest for more and more power, but a criminal organization is not his goal. The hierarchy and the soldiers he now commands are more a tool, a very expensive tool. With the Matriarch gone, the Hanger has begun dismantling everything she built, attempting to find… well, a way to expand his own powers. The introduction of magic has begun his new focus, even though he has found himself utterly unable to spark magical powers in himself. He is convinced, however, that magic is the key, and Typhoon can get him several opportunities to experiment.

May 2018 The Fire is Lit May 1st

The migraine throbbed behind Eidolon’s eyes, blurring his vision with pulsing waves. They’d become cruel companions ever since his AMP nature surfaced, arriving at the most inopportune times. Usually, he’d crawl into some dark hole and ride them out. But not tonight. Pain may have become part of his life, but he refused to let it rule his life. So, he focused on the drumming, drawing strength from its soothing rhythm. A gentle ocean breeze rose up from the Puget Sound, cooling his burning forehead. Between them, he felt vaguely human. Members of the Rowan Tree coven danced around bonfires and maypoles to honor their Goddess, who’d returned magic to the world. Most were drunk on ritual mead and wine, lost to the music and rising passions. They’d been at it all day now, and the day before that. Most were locals from Tacoma and Seattle, camping on Sally Crow’s farm for Beltane; many of them spending the entire week there. Say what you will, but witches knew how to party. They’d become his family, not long after his real one had abandoned him. They’d hidden him when TRAC started rounding up Seattle’s homeless AMPs. They’d introduced him to the Mystics and given him a home. So, he wasn’t about to let them down tonight. Pain or no. He felt warm fingers touch his neck, igniting pleasant tingles. He gazed up into Sally’s round face. You could lose yourself in those luminous eyes of hers; wine black and bottomless as the ocean. Her entire being haloed with spectral light; Essence fueled by the celebration. He could bend light and shadow to his will, and yet he felt inadequate in her presence. “You up for this, Vic?” she said, smiling. Only Sally called him by his real name. “I’d understand if you weren’t.” He nodded, “Always ready, you know that. Just give me a hand up, would you?” She helped him up, steadying him. “I’m right beside you, Vic.”

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Chapter One: Year Four

were part of America, but no union can be by force and it can’t be through false integration. Our people need to decide for ourselves when we truly come back into the fold. Both sides need to learn to trust each other again.” Chahaya, mediator for the Founding Five stepped in, “Madame President. Atlantis works because everyone wants to be there. Humans and AMPs have found a way to live together, we’ve made new families and forged new loyalties. No one is ever forced into being Atlantean.” President Klein listened to both of their words and mulled them over in her mind. She was a woman of peace, but she wasn’t perfect. Her predecessor had been a violent brute, capable of Holoholona’s decision to flood Hawaii with magma and much worse. Yet, a part of her never dared place the same stigma on his actions as she did with the man standing before her. Realizing her own prejudice burnt deeply within her, the only thing she could do was live through her embarrassment and try to make things better, “You’re right. First peace, then, if we ever all feel it is right, reintegration.”

Chapter One: Year Four

Hand in hand, they walked toward the main bonfire. Soon enough, people gathered around them, joining the ritual circle. They cheered and hollered until he gestured for them to quiet down. The drummers lowered their tempo, accompanying his voice. “On this sacred night, we celebrate life,” Eidolon began. “This night marks the end of spring and the beginning of summer. The night when the May Queen and the young Oak King became as one. Their blessed union renewed our world, bathing all of creation in the fire of their love. Now, more than ever, we must honor the lives graced upon us by the God and Goddess.” His migraine flared as he began weaving an illusion of the May Bride and the young Oak King above the bonfire. Immediately, the crowd erupted with cries of amazement. This encouraged him as he manipulated the phantom images and sounds, recreating the Oak King’s courtship of the May Queen. The accompanying drum circle and singers filled the night with music. By the time the Oak King won the Queen’s hand, Eidolon realized something was different. Not wrong. Different. As the ignes fatui danced and swirled, he sensed some deeper meaning in their movements and the rhythm of song and drum. Like pieces of a puzzle falling into place, he felt their importance and their connection with the universe. For the first time, he felt power in these words and gestures, and instinctively grasped onto them, letting them guide him to new truths. Above the crowd, the May Queen and Oak King erupted into verdant flames, spiraling upward into the starry night, illuminating the entire farm. Like a lightning rod, Eidolon felt the purity of Essence flowing through him, bring the will of his companions into being. A giant rowan tree erupted from the ground, entwining itself around the maypole. Impossibly fast, it ascended toward the heavens, stretching its branch to connect Earth and Sky as one. Well after the burning divinities had faded above them, the entire camp remained in awed silence. They dared not breathe, entranced by the majestic tree standing before them. Sally’s fingers slipped into Eidolon’s trembling hand, beaming with joy. “Vic. Was that what I think it was?”

He looked into her eyes, the pain forgotten. He nodded. “Magic. It was magic.”

Voice of the Abyss May 13

VV NEW YORK (AP): Transcript of interview with Eclipse, Watcher of the Orphans Movement, conducted by AP foreign correspondent Hila Sarbanri at the Associated Press global headquarters. VV AP: To begin, you are Elijah Miller of Denver, Colorado, born February 23rd, 1985. VV ECLIPSE: No. VV AP: No? Do you mean you prefer Eclipse, instead? VV ECLIPSE: No. Elijah Miller ceased to exist on December 12, 2016, as defined by your limited conception of Time. The moniker ‘Eclipse’ is equally meaningless, as it cannot encompass what I am. However, for ease of communication, you may utilize this designation when addressing me. VV AP: Uh, thank you, Eclipse. And thank you for contacting our offices. May I ask you why you wished to speak with us today? VV ECLIPSE: To elucidate. To help you understand our purpose and the transition to come. VV AP: I see. VV ECLIPSE: No, you do not. But you shall. VV AP: (changing subjects) I have some questions regarding the Orphans’ departure from the Gates of the Mountains on December 12, 2016. Roughly ninety of your group simply vanished into thin air. Where did you go? VV ECLIPSE: To the end of the universe. VV AP: You mean the edge of the known universe. VV ECLIPSE: No. I refer to the literal end. The dissolution of the cosmos. VV AP: You’ve seen the end of everything? VV ECLIPSE: For this universe, yes. VV AP: There are others besides this one?

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ophy. We recognize the precious rarity of this world’s diverse people, Sap and AMP alike. As such, we intend to preserve this world and save it from itself. We returned to offer humanity hope, despite the cosmic futility of such a gesture.

VV AP: And you’ve traveled to these as well? VV ECLIPSE: No. Even our power is finite. VV AP: (brief pause) Then my next question would be if you’ve traveled so far, why did you return? VV ECLIPSE: We witnessed the end of everything, torn asunder by phantom energy. We witnessed the utter indifference of the cosmos. We gazed into the void and recognized our insignificance in the multiverse. However, we were undaunted by this grim revelation. Indeed, within the vast emptiness, we were rejuvenated and infused with great purpose.

VV AP: You speak of offering hope. Yet since their return, the Orphans have murdered thousands, if not tens of thousands, across the United States and the world. VV ECLIPSE: We’ve murdered no one. VV AP: I’m sorry? Do you deny the attacks on global UHF facilities? Do you deny the Bleeding Hearts massacre? Do you deny releasing Rampagers on population centers?

VV AP: And this is?

VV ECLIPSE: No.

VV ECLIPSE: One might be disillusioned when faced with how alone we are in the darkness. This is further compounded by the nihilistic manner in which humanity conducts itself. The human author, Franz Kafka, once stated, ‘There is an infinite amount of hope in the universe–but not for us.’ We deny this philos-

VV ECLIPSE: Murder, by human definition, is the unlawful killing of a person or persons, typically out of malice. Although unfortunate, the deaths you refer to were merely side effects of our serving the Greater Good. There was no ‘wrongness’ or malice in these actions. Ergo,

VV AP: Then you’ve murdered …

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Chapter One: Year Four

VV ECLIPSE: Many.

because the vandals believed we were Muslim. Bigots never stop to do their research, though, huh? The fact that dad was a Sikh didn’t dawn on them, and it would have been funny if not for the act itself. It was an intense hatred of the other that drove them to do that, and they became terrorists themselves that day. Again, they probably didn’t stop to think that deep though. This thing with AMPs is the same way, and there’s no stopping the tide. It’s not a line drawn between colors of skin this time; it is literally humanity itself against the next step in evolution. Of course, that’s what Jacob always used to say. All of this is to say that you cannot let fear take you over anymore. I am finally facing my fears and taking my future and the future of the world into my own hands. I’m hoping you reach this point long before I did. If you do, then you won’t become the slave of the Matriarch like I did. She too had a lot of potential and could have been one of the world’s greatest heroes if she didn’t let her own fear control her too. The fear of losing control is one of the worst, because you don’t even see it. I wish I could have changed her, but I’ll never get that chance now. I left her in the future when I came back, and maybe she’ll be able to conquer her own fear as well. I’m rambling now, but one last thing. Don’t be afraid to accept help. I have turned away potential friends and allies, but I wish I could take it all back. So, accept help, even if from unconventional places. Take a chance on people and they might surprise you. - Your Other Self.

the Orphans have murdered no one. VV AP: The American people watching this may disagree with that. VV ECLIPSE: Irrelevant, yet understandable. You do not hear our Chorus, and so you cannot hope to truly understand our Purpose. But you will, in time.

Chapter One: Year Four

VV AP: And will your attacks continue? VV ECLIPSE: Of course. The Greater Good would be best served if humanity simply allowed us to guide and nurture it. Regrettably, most people grasp tightly to the delusions of free will and self-importance. In their madness, they deny the cosmos and purity of its interconnectivity. We shall provide them with clarity. They shall join the Whole and be enlightened. Or they shall fall, swept aside by the progress of inevitability. VV AP: And this is the ‘hope’ you bring us. VV ECLIPSE: Indeed. We come to you not as conquerors, but as saviors.

Letters from the Future #2 May 20

Hello again, Kairam. If you followed the clues I left in order, this is your second letter. I’m going to try to not get all mushy here, but I wanted to talk about us, well, me. For starters, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. Maybe this thing with the president, this final act I am taking will be enough to wipe all that away. Who knows, though. It could also just be yet another mistake I’m making, but at least now I’m brave enough to make it. If you’re like me, and I know you are, your life has been spent in fear. It started young with that kid, Miles, who used to beat us up on our way home from school, or that time we were chased down the street by that doberman. All that was just growing up, some would say, but the real moment I first felt fear was when I came home to see “TERRORIST” spray-painted across dad’s store window. Presumably

On Deaf Ears May 23rd

Subscribers of Human Voices, the UHF’s official publication, were shocked when the publisher, Arnold Heuvelmans, altered his hateful stance on unhumans. In an impassioned editorial, Heuvel-

20

The Fire Rises May 27

Events at the Rowan Tree coven took over two weeks to become known outside their closed circle. News of an AMP’s awakening to their inner magic sent shockwaves through the general public, rekindling anti-AMP sentiments. Known to be fearful of AMPs, people dreaded the thought of these already-dangerous beings gaining access to ever greater (and

potentially limitless) powers. The UHF and other hate groups cited AMP-related incidents, such as the young theology student at McGill University who inadvertently summoned an air elemental, killing herself, injuring dozens, and destroying much of the Rare Books library. Compounding the issue, the UHF were quick to spread conspiracy theories linking AMPs with the invading Orphans, calling them collaborators. The later appearance of Quislings only perpetuated this rumor mongering. In many communities, actual ‘witch-hunts’ broke out, destroying the lives of AMPs and Saps alike. Magic may have returned to the world, but humanity remained unwilling to embrace it.

June 2018 Divided We Stand June 3rd

Led by Poli’ahu, a Hawaiian AMP, Nā ‘Aumākua representatives renewed their negotiations with Congress and President Klein for federal funding of Hawaii’s renewal projects. They also requested access to the Reset vaccine, due to the growing number of Rampagers on the Big Island. However, even with the aid of their state senators, the affiliation met with continual legislative resistance. In particular, war hawks with deep ties to FutureTech and the UHF resisted the closure of the Hawaiian Evacuation Facility (HEF) on Hilo. This political impasse would have likely continued throughout the summer, if fate had not intervened. On the afternoon of June 3rd, Poli’ahu and her entourage were waiting in the West Wing, when the skies over Washington darkened with churning clouds. They immediately developed into a violent storm, which pounded the city with torrential rain and hurricane-force winds. Screams and gunshots erupted throughout the Mall, as U.S. Park Police and TRAC officers began reporting ‘demons’ emerging from thin air. The panicked sounds quickly died out, leaving an unearthly quiet at the storm’s center. Electronics and electrical systems failed for blocks in every direction, even the White House; clear

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Chapter One: Year Four

mans called for the readership to band together with the new government and its AMP allies against the new Orphan Menace. To his reasoning, mutants still possessed some semblance of humanity, but the Orphans were completely alien. As such, the Orphans were mankind’s true enemy and UHF cells had a moral obligation to turn their resources toward repelling these invaders. He ended the piece with a memorial to those UHF members lost in recent Orphan attacks. While some members recognized the wisdom of this, Heuvelmans’ words were generally met with contempt and vitriol, as most could not differentiate the two unhuman factions. Dr. Shavar Stephens — father of the UHF — formally disavowed Heuvelmans’ editorial, calling it ‘reckless.’ The Human Voices website was crashed by hackers; later identified as members of Freedom of Man, one of the UHF’s radical offshoots. Another radical offshoot, Humans 4 Humans, marked the entire editorial board as race traitors, formally boycotting the publication until they were removed. This intimidation campaign continued in public forums, raging for much of the summer. The divide between moderate and radical UHF members widened, revealing the growing cracks in the affiliation itself. Several new anti-AMP publications and websites sprang up over the coming months, adding to the discourse. This included In His Image, the unofficial newsletter of the Faceless, now deemed as the true heart of the UHF. The Human Voices’ subscribership plummeted dramatically, throwing the publication into financial turmoil and eventual dissolution later in the year. Heuvelmans quickly disappeared into virtual obscurity.

speed, Rabbit could not stop her momentum, impaling herself upon them. She shifted back to her other instance, but the wounds were mortal. Seeing their leader fall, Aegis Squad lost their initiative, retreating from the onslaught. Lacking their support, the Nā ‘Aumākua were also forced to withdraw. Sensing a possible victory, the Orphans pushed forward, shredding reality with their impossible magics. All seemed lost in that moment — until the Orphans’ leader turned their powers on Poli’ahu. As the transformative magics stuck her, she felt her body burn and twist, threatening to rearrange itself into something inhuman. Enraged, something shifted within Poli’ahu. She recalled her namesake, the snow goddess sitting upon her throne on Mauna Kea, who’d stood against Pele herself. She called upon the goddess, summoning her power, her strength, and letting it loose upon the world. The magic around her faded, losing its power over her. When she opened her eyes, she could see the strands of fate laid out before her like a tapestry and recognized how the Orphans manipulated them with their will. She reached out, disrupting their incantations and dispelling their conjurations, as if guided by the Ancestors; which, perhaps, she was. Slowly, but surely, she disrupted the storm around the White House, robbing the enemy of their greatest asset. Now it was the Orphans’ time to retreat. Seeing the storm dissipating under Poli’ahu’s counter-magic, they realized even they would soon be overwhelmed by TRAC and other Sap agencies. They winked out of existence, leaving the White House untouched. Aegis Squad and Nā ‘Aumākua had won the day, but at a terrible cost. Following what became known as the Stand, public sentiment turned in favor of the Nā ‘Aumākua, calling them national heroes. Trying to ride this ground swell of support, President Klein signed an Executive Order to provide Hawaii with the financial and logistical support it required, as well as putting an end to the Hawaiian Evacuation Facility (HEF). Poli’ahu remained in Washington long enough to attend the memorial service for the fallen heroes from the Stand, placing a flower lei on

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Chapter One: Year Four

indication of an Orphan attack. Poli’ahu assembled her fellow Nā ‘Aumākua and headed out into the storm’s eye. She found herself accompanied by members of Aegis Squad, led by the young Rabbit, who’d been at the White House for a publicity function. The odd alliance stepped out onto the South Lawn and gazed into oblivion. Two lines of Rampagers stalked toward them, tearing through the reinforced fence line without breaking their stride. A few brave Park Police and Secret Service tried to fend them off but were enveloped by amethyst light; their bodies sprouting leaves and bark, feet rooting into the wet grass. Where they once stood, now only gnarled trees remained, their ripped clothing and armor dangling from the branches. The Rampagers tore these from the ground, casually tossing them aside. Poli’ahu’s blood chilled as a Host of five Orphans emerged from the storm; utterly terrifying in their angelic beauty. Reality itself twisted around the androgynous creatures, hurting the mind to gaze upon them. Undeterred, she instructed her second to protect the North Lawn, and then waded into the fight. Through Rabbit’s Bilocation power, the motley group of AMPs coordinated their efforts, establishing a perimeter around the White House. Nā ‘Aumākua Ferals and Aegis Bulks brought down several Rampagers, matching them claw for claw and fist for fist. Aegis Blasters and Nā ‘Aumākua Elementals washed over the Orphans’ ranks with fire and lightning, metal and glass. Poli’ahu froze Rampagers in their tracks, encasing them in killing frost. Together, they held back the angelic horde through sheer determination and spilled blood. All the while, Rabbit danced between them — a wild blur of destruction. Poli’ahu should have sensed it coming. She’d seen the gleeful look on the young girl’s face, the unadulterated abandon with which she fought. It was as if Rabbit sought her own demise. And, in the end, she found it. One of the Orphans, impressive even for his kind, winked out of existence, only to reappear directly in front of one of Rabbit’s bilocated forms. A hedgerow of stony spears erupted from the ground before him. With her enhanced

Sara Hare’s grave; now forever known as ‘Rabbit’. Sad, yet hopeful, she returned home, carrying with her new weapons for their struggle. Much to her surprise, senior members of Aegis Squad eventually nominated Lost Boy to lead them. Sobered by the responsibility, the young AMP began the painful process of rebuilding and preparing the Squad for the coming battles. He knew Rabbit wouldn’t be the last of his friends to fall, but led the brave youths into the uncertain future undeterred.

Bridges to Nowhere

Chapter One: Year Four

June 13th

“He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.” ~Dr. Johnson In a world besieged with aliens, few noticed apparently random disappearances, suicides, and murders. They became little more than nameless victims, added to the ever-growing charnel pit, forgotten and ignored. Yet, Hunter wasn’t one of the few, and she didn’t believe in coincidences. A monster waited out there in the dark, and she intended to find it. Crimson, an ex-TRAC officer turned vigilante, had begun helping her connect the dots, feeding her a steady stream of FBI, TRAC, Interpol and local police reports. Together, they’d identified the pattern hidden amongst the chaos. More importantly, they had a name; Eric Kervina, also known as the Hanger. After his string of murders in Phoenix, Arizona, he’d served two years before escaping with the help of Dan Schuett, the LAX bomber. Somehow, he could control AMPs and Saps and force them to commit the more heinous acts of violence, against others and themselves. This month alone, he’d committed twenty murders in twenty different countries, all on the same day. If Hunter’s hunch was correct, the Hanger was testing his limits, building up for something big. Finding him, however, was like chasing smoke. In the end, all she ever got for her troubles were bodies. Lots of bodies. Then Crimson came up with an elegant solution. Go back to the begin-

ning. Find the people the Hanger had used, and eventually, they’d lead Hunter back to him. Which is why she’d been working over the man tied up before her; not to mention the pure satisfaction of it. An hour in, Schuett hadn’t give up anything. He stank of fanaticsim, taking every injury with pride. Hunter cracked him with the butt of her gun, “Where is he?!” Schuett smiled through broken teeth, “He’s in me. He’s in your friends. He’s everywhere. You’ll never find him. Even when he’s standing right beside you.” His body was found three days later, weighted down in the canal. Hunter checked her emails from Crimson, filtering through the list of Hanger ‘potentials’. She picked her next target; Lihua Wen; homemaker, PTA member, poisoned her entire family three days after showing signs of magical affinity. Last seen in Austin, Texas. She headed into the night, trying not to think of the string of bodies she’d left behind her. Dozens? A Hundred? How many bodies lay before her? Was she any better than the monster she chased? Would justice catch up with her someday? In the here and now, it didn’t really matter. She had a job to do. She’d cross that bridge when she got to it.

From the Shadows, Reborn June 25th

While the world burned, the Changelings waited and watched from the shadows, regaining their strength, biding their time. Pariahs, they helped the outcasts, homeless, and madmen. They gathered in the forgotten places, beneath the city streets, silent railways, and abandoned factories. They listened to the City Spirits, learning the magic of concrete, glass, and steel. They discovered pride in their freakish bodies and tattered souls. The Changelings waited and watched. For soon, Lockjaw — the Emissary — would come. For months, Lockjaw had visited these hidden collectives, teaching his brethren the Song. He was taught this skill by Conduit, who, in turn, had learned it from Shell, following his be-

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July 2018 Too Little, Too Late July 4th

Since arriving in the Screw, Lynx now heard something she’d long forgotten: quiet. No hateful PSAs blaring over the prison speakers, no rumbling TRAC APCs, and no cicada buzz of surveillance drones overhead. Only an uneasy silence, which now settled over St. Louis’ moldering ruins like a shroud. Her tapered ears flicked back and forth, catching only predawn birdsong and wind. She raised her binoculars, scanning the Zone’s fence line. Nothing. Even this early, there should have been TRAC patrol lights. It made her teeth itch. Something wasn’t right. She needed to get a closer look. This was Forsaken territory — her family’s territory — and she wasn’t about to let something go down on her watch. Lynx leapt from her perch, deftly bounding down twisted metal and concrete to the street below. On two legs and four, she made her way through the derelict alleys and avenues, head-

ing toward the Jefferson Avenue Gate. She startled a few scavengers along the way. In the dawn’s light, one of them looked uncannily like Greta. All skin, bones, and matted black hair. Barbs caught in her heart, the memory of her sister’s wet cough and pained tears fresh in her mind, even months later. The girl scampered off like a frightened rat, disappearing amongst the debris. Greta’s memory lingered on. Lynx continued through the cracked streets. Upon reaching the gate, she realized at once something was wrong. The I-44 guard towers were unmanned, their klieg lights darkened. The TRAC mobile command vehicle was gone, and nothing moved beyond the barricades blocking the on-off ramps. The entire station looked abandoned. As she crept closer, four figures appeared from beneath the overpass. They were not members of TRAC. One man stood above the others; an olive-skinned mountain in an overcoat. The woman beside him was dressed in biker leathers, fire danced between her long fingers. They stopped at the fence line, inspecting it. AMPs, Lynx thought. And on the wrong side. Without thinking, she called to them. “You shouldn’t be here! They’ll catch you.” Noticing her, they began laughing. Her fur bristled; she didn’t like being mocked. The man held up his meaty hand, smiling, “No insult meant. And don’t worry, little sister. TRAC has left the building, so to speak. We’re perfectly safe.” Lynx blinked in confusion, creeping closer. “Gone? What do you mean?” “I’m Doruk,” he said. “Charis over there has been listening in on TRAC for the last couple days. They’re pulling out. The entire Screw is being shut down, and you’ve all been left to rot. They’ve got bigger fish to fry, I guess.” His grin broadened. “So, we’re here to let you out. Welcome you back into the world.” Doruk gripped the metallic post and tore it from the concrete, throwing the fence aside as easily as opening a screen door. “It’s Independence Day,” he said, extending his hand to her. “Want to get a little payback?” Lynx remembered the bloody flecks on her sister’s cold lips. Dead and gone simply be-

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trayal of the Orphans. The Song instilled most Changelings with a natural resistance to magic, protecting them from the Orphans’ power, while in others it awakened their magical potential. These lucky few wove powerful sorceries, able to manipulate the various aspects of the City. These new urban shamans helped expand the affiliation’s influence across the United States, as well as in several foreign metropolises. On June 25th, the Changelings emerged from the shadows, and the lambs became lions. Conduit and Lockjaw personally led a massive assault on an Orphan Choir that had occupied Kansas City, Missouri. They overwhelmed the Orphans’ defenses in short order, completely routing them from the city. As quickly as they’d appeared, the Changelings disappeared, returning to their new sanctuary, Subtropolis: a massive, underground business complex, now mostly abandoned. Conduit guided the Changeling’s war-effort from here, as well as used it to provide shelter to any needing help.

cause she’d been the sister of a freak. She took Doruk’s hand without hesitation. “Yes.” His accepting grin made her heart swell with something else she’d forgotten–Hope. “Then, welcome to Retribution, sister.”

The Devil You Know

Chapter One: Year Four

July 18

Don’t make me regret this. The words echoed in Kairam’s skull, robbing him of sleep. He leaned on the balcony rail, staring into the leaf-choked hole serving as the motel’s swimming pool. He fought the urge to dive in, sink to the bottom, and fade into dark, cool oblivion. Anything to avoid dealing with her. Rhiannon. The Matriarch. The woman who’d shaped him into a killer. He loved her. He hated her. But most importantly, they needed her. He needed her. For months, he and Aldridge traveled the American highways and byways, fighting the good fight. They’d even bagged themselves a few Orphans along the way. Still, an undead ex-President and time-traveling killer could only do so much in the grand scheme. Soon enough, their luck would run out, especially with Typhoon on their tails. He’d seen the future enough times to know things didn’t end well for them. So, he did something incredibly stupid — he decided to get help from the most powerful AMP he’d ever met, the queen of chaos herself. She’d made him the man he was, after all. He’d gone back in time, grabbing the Matriarch an instant after dropping her into the void between Time and Space. She’d been sleeping it off for over a week now, tossing and turning as if in a fevered dream. Whatever she’d witnessed in that final moment clung to her like poison. Don’t make me regret this. Knowing Aldridge would be back with dinner soon, Kairam sighed and returned to the room. Much to his surprise, Rhiannon sat on the end of the bed. He was struck with a queasy sense of déjà vu from when he’d visited himself over a year ago in a room not unlike this one. “Hey baby,” she purred, weaving her presence around him. “Miss me?” “Don’t,” Kairam snapped. “Just don’t. Or I’ll …”

“Send me back to Hell? That’s where I was, you realize. And I was there for a very, very long time.” “It was only an instant,” he said, feeling a twinge of guilt. She snorted, “God, you’d think a time traveler would know a few things about relativity. Trust mean when I say, I know what eternity is. So, don’t expect me to be all warm and fuzzy anytime soon. Frankly, you’re lucky I’m not feeding you little pieces of yourself. Important pieces.” She rubbed the back of her neck, “Just tell me what you want, Kairam.” He shuffled his feet. “What do you mean?” “I don’t have to read minds to know you need my help,” Rhiannon chuckled. “You want to change the future, right? Save the world? Make up for all the blood you’ve spilled?” Kairam worried his lip, “Yeah, something like that.” He laid it all out for her, what he knew was coming, never glossing over the gory details. In the end, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll do it. One condition, though. When this is said and done, I get to kill Him. And you’re going to help me do it.” The Hanger, she means, Kairam realized. He thought of the futures he’d glimpsed, the ruin and agony. It wasn’t a hard choice to make. “Done.” “Fine, then,” she said, stretching like a sundrenched cat. “First things, first. I need a shower and a new wardrobe. If I’m saving the world, I’m going to look good while doing it.”

Backhanded Compliments July 10th

Despite congressional opposition, President Klein signed an Executive Order pardoning the many AMPs incarcerated in the TRAC Elite Program, also known as the Hounds. In addition, each Hound was guaranteed monetary reparations for their time spent in indentured servitude, as well as a public apology. Much like the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the EO did little to repair the lives effectively destroyed by their unjust incarceration. Worse, President Klein suffered political backlash from the decision, as many in

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They Walk Among Us July 19th

Now in his early twenties, Jerry Groce had matured considerable in only a few short years. Gone were Chicago crime-sprees as the Brick Bandit. He’d buried a sister and too many friends. He’d witnessed a government abandon entire generations. He’d sheltered AMPs fleeing persecution from across the country. Now, Bandit was one of the most influential community leaders in Detroit, inspiring other inner cities to follow his example, creating their own Blocks. He was floored when the Lion of Africa,

one of his greatest heroes, arrived in Crescent Block, wishing to view the progress the Brick had made. By the end of their meeting, the Lion arranged for Sister Cities International to declare Detroit as Lagos’ sister city, as well as the institution of Blocks in the megacity’s slums, modeled after the Bandit’s concepts. Despite these monumental events, Bandit couldn’t have been fully prepared for his encounter in July. While visiting one of Crescent Block’s urban gardens, the muggy night air suddenly rippled and solidified like the oily waters around Zug Island. He prepared to fight, as two tall, androgynous figures stepped out of the churning portal. Bandit saw enough of the news to recognize the purple-skinned figures as Orphans, harbingers of death and destruction. Much to his surprise, the Orphans explained they sought his aid. They’d learned of the Blocks and their partiality for harboring fugitive AMPs. The female, Pallas, explained they were Quislings, and had parted from the Whole after witnessing the indiscriminate destruction wrought by their brethren. In exchange for harboring them, the Quislings would lend their aid to the Blocks, teaching the community the ways of the cosmos. Even disconnected from the Eye of Omega, their magical powers were considerable. They acknowledged the immense risk the Brick would take allowing them into his community, so they gave him four days to decide their fate. Before they left, the male — Cathetel — demonstrated their power, magically tripling the garden’s yield with little more than an incantation. Following the exchange, Bandit could hardly sleep. He drew in on himself, feeling the weight of this decision. Yet, after the Quislings returned, he welcomed them into the Crescent Block. He publicly addressed the initial concerns among residents, explaining the Blocks were based on mutual trust and understanding, and the unwavering desire to serve one’s community. If the Quislings were willing to commit to this philosophy, they deserved respect, just like everyone else should. “If we focus on our pasts, we’ll never have a future. The Blocks are not about redemption; they are about equality for all. AMP. Sap. Black.

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Chapter One: Year Four

Congress believed the EO effectively opened the door to other claims from those affected by the Aldridge Act and Criminal AMP Detainment and Enforcement Act (CADE). Rep. Hillary Conway of Missouri gained popularity (and notoriety) after proposing internees at the St. Louis Internment Zone sign waivers absolving the United States of all wrongdoing. The proposal gained traction in the House, slowing down the Screw’s closure to an absolute standstill. Many suffered from post-traumatic stress disorders, including mental issues caused by the Houndmaster’s mental domination. This made them easy targets for recruitment by Typhoon and Retribution, who played on their desperation and anger. However, Radiant — former poster-child for the Hounds — busied herself gathering her peers from the program, creating a support group to help them reacclimate into society. At one of the meetings, she met the young Cascade; disillusioned after being rejected by her sister, who called her a ‘traitor’. Together, they decided to devote themselves to fighting for freedom across the globe, so no one else would suffer as they had. Calling themselves the Chain Gang, their first action was to attack a FutureTech blacksite in Colorado, acquiring evidence against the corporation and its UHF supporters, as well as information on other hidden AMP-internment sites. Soon enough, FutureTech research facilities suffered industrial sabotage and arsons; the attackers leaving only the spray-painted words “Never Again.”

Chapter One: Year Four

White. Muslim. Christian. We all have worth, we are all the same. We do not need to prove ourselves to the world. Nor should we demand others prove themselves to us. The fact we’re standing side by side and building a future together proves our value. We’ve set aside our differences and created something beautiful. Something important. Now, we have the chance to take another step forward. We will not stumble, simply because we’re too busy looking behind.” Much to his surprise, the community heeded his words, welcoming the Quislings into their fold. Crescent Block benefited greatly for their presence, and the Brick’s recognition as a powerful civil leader grew.

August 2018 The Abyss Gazes Back August 1

When the Orphans returned, their arrival created a massive storm within the psychic network known as the Channel. Even after this temporary disruption faded, many Mystics continually suffered from nightmares and disturbing psychic impressions following any connection to the Channel. Suspecting the Orphans were at the heart of this disturbance, Savior and several other Mystics started searching the Channel for the invaders’ mental ‘footprints’. Eventually, they uncovered the Chorus: The Orphans’ telepathic web, used to communicate — as well as control — the Rampagers. Fiercely protective of the Channel, a collective of Mystics gathered together and launched a psychic attack on the Orphans. Regrettably, their insular nature prevented them from involving other affiliations. Led by Savior and his closest peers, the group chose Lammas night, the Celtic harvest festival, to use the increased spiritual energies. Across the country, other Mystics tuned into the collective mind, such as Lookout, Phaser, and Rapture. Thus connected, they began their psychic assault on the Orphans’ Chorus.

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Letters from the Future #3 August 11

This one is big, so pay attention. I need to write this down. It’s strange, cause I thought I’d be okay just leaving everything to a lost future I changed, but before I do this thing, I need to tell someone what actually happens. Why did I kill the president? What specifically did he do that was so bad? Even if it’s just you, other me, someone needs to know, so it doesn’t happen again. When AMPs came out to the world, it was all rainbows and roses, but it didn’t last. Less than a year before President Aldridge enacted a ton of anti-AMP laws, all passed quickly by a new wave of McCarthyism. Along with that came the worst part… Jacob, or Doctor Shadow as he started calling himself, was hired by the

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president for a secret task force. This man who was my friend, despite everything, studied and dissected AMPs to figure out everything that made us tick. And when he was done, there was the Cure. He created a serum that killed any AMP who ingested it. They put that shit into the water supply and murdered thousands at a time. They spread it with crop-dusters for miles to kill anyone outside the city. The nation didn’t have need for the special task force they were trying to jam through congress for approval anymore. Instead, they just hired people to clear out the dead. I saw mothers and fathers and children carried out of their homes and thrown into mass graves that spanned miles. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, and I only lived because I hid in Uncle Abir’s bunker for a few months. Little did Doctor Shadow know that he was an AMP himself since his powers were passive. He thought he was sitting pretty until he took a sip of water and keeled over himself. I talk lightly about it now, but I’ll never forget the days when Critter, Jacob, and I were the best of friends. I’ve wracked my brain for years trying to figure out why he would go to such lengths. Why did he hate AMPs so much that he’d kill all of them in one fell swoop? And the answer I can come up with is… it was me. This is all my fault, and this is why I have to be the one to fix it. If the president dies, then he can’t hire Jacob. If I remove Critter before they fall too deeply in love, then Jacob won’t kill her. The easy answer would be to kill Jacob, but I could never pull the trigger myself. I just don’t have it in me. But the president is just a face, a man standing in the way of a better future. Him, I can kill and be proud of what I did. And maybe, just maybe, everyone will make it out of this okay. -Your Other Self.

Chapter One: Year Four

Initially, the Mystics were able to infiltrate the telepathic network unopposed. Together, they severed several Orphans from the hive-mind, replacing each one with their own psychic manifestations. Encouraged with their successes, Savior pushed the Mystics deeper into the Chorus, attacking larger nodes of the telepathic network. What happened next is unclear. Something vast and alien reached out from the center of the Orphans’ hive-mind. One by one, Mystics were stripped of their minds and souls. Many, including Phaser, died screaming — victims of cerebral hemorrhaging. Others, like Lookout, were left in vegetative states, devoid of consciousness. As this entity ensnared more victims, Rapture martyred herself to allow the few surviving Mystics to disconnect. Her last words echoed, “The Eye sees me … The Eye sees me …” Her body collapsed into gray ash, utterly consumed. Despite their significant loses, the Mystics had struck a major blow. Within days, combatants across the planet noticed significant reductions in the Orphans’ power and frequent disorganization in their movements. Savior and the traumatized survivors began rebuilding their fractured group, but the psychic scars lingered for some time.

Past the Precipice, Past the Fears

Chapter One: Year Four

August 17th

On August 17th, the Nā ‘Aumākua launched their final assault on the Orphans occupying Hawaii. They’d recently won several victories, taking advantage of the invaders’ total disarray following the Lammas Incident. Holoholona and Maichiru (leader of the Menehune) set aside their previous differences for the betterment of the Islands and the Nā ‘Aumākua, as a whole. Together with Poli’ahu and dozens of AMPs and Sap kahunas, they fearlessly ascended the slopes of Kīlauea, fighting against lightning storms, lava flows, and twisted monsters. Having assumed the guise of Hawaiian deities, the Orphans were relentless in their last defense, warping the very mountain with their still considerable powers. Time and again, Poli’ahu’s counter-magic protected the group, but she could not save everyone. Over twenty Nā ‘Aumākua died simultaneously when the sky itself rained shards of obsidian upon them, reducing their bodies to ribbons. Only through their sheer tenacity and courage, the native warriors finally reached the summit, where the last Orphan stood, defiant. Wreathed in flame, the False Pele incinerated anyone foolish enough to approach her, while burying others alive in volcanic ash and stone. She beckoned to Holoholona, mocking him. “Come to me, my son. Embrace death in your mother’s arms.” Enraged, Holoholona leapt forward, falling upon the woman like a tsunami of hate and muscle. Maichiru and Poli’ahu combined their powers, protecting Holoholona as best they could. Even so, he suffered terribly, slashed with volcanic glass, and burned with molten rock. The False Pele’s cruel smile crumbled into fear, as the Hawaiian warrior closed the last few steps, barely alive. His meaty hands wrapped around her thin neck and squeezed. The sharp crack of bone snapped across the entire crater. Both Holoholona and the Orphan collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Hawaii had been truly liberated. Maichiru, Poli’ahu, and other Nā ‘Aumākua leaders formed the Hawaiian Council, overseeing each of the six largest islands as konohiki (land agents). Their

first function was to bury Holoholona beside Pahoehoe in the Alika Crater, declaring them the new King and Queen of Hawaii. Their graves became a sacred place of worship (heiau) for the Nā ‘Aumākua; a solemn reminder of their sacrifices. Next, the Council used government funds to rebuild New Hollywood and transform the State into the Pacific’s new center of commerce and trade, while holding closely to their native traditions. They tore down the Hawaiian Evacuation Facility (HEF), using its cache of weapons and power armor to buttress the islands’ defenses. FutureTech did little to resist, unwilling to expose the truth of their unnatural experiments to the world. Suspecting reprisals from the Nā ‘Aumākua for manipulating Holoholona, Kyle Hickok wisely fled the Big Island, but not before stealing equipment and data from the HEF. He later tracked down the former Hound, Bryan Hickok (AKA Loco Diablo). Together, they began searching for the other ‘Hickok’ copies, following some unknown compulsion.

Too Rare to Die August 26th

The red convertible flew over the Texas blacktop like a shark strung out on War Path. The dead President was at the wheel, decked out in an Acapulco shirt and stylish shades. Beside him, the ex-junkie time-assassin fumbled with the map; pausing only to keep his baseball cap from flying off. Stretched out in the back seat, the once-megalomaniac, now-sometimes-savior painted her nails gunmetal black to match her razor-crisp suit. They’d been on the road for weeks now, cutting a swath of good (and not-so-good) deeds across the country. They were the American Nightmare on wheels, creating a better tomorrow, one lost soul at a time. After all his misdeeds, Kairam felt right with the world, perhaps for the first time ever. He noticed the side road and nudged Aldridge’s elbow, pointing. The ex-President turned the car off the highway. Five minutes later, they roared into the Podunk town; little more than a gas station and a wind-beaten tavern. On the bar’s front stoop, two men sat

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Chapter One: Year Four

sipping beer and enduring the heat. Aldridge slammed on the breaks as they pulled up, kicking up a cloud of dust. They didn’t give the men the chance to finish coughing, jumping from the car and riddling them with bullets and buckshot. With practiced grace, the trio burst through the saloon doors, shocking the hell out of the bartender and a dozen patrons. Except they weren’t patrons. Just like the guys outside hadn’t been a pair of harmless old-timers. Time slowed to a crawl for Kairam. He leapt over the bar, plucking the AR-15 from beneath the cash register, and then returning to his companion’s side before anyone even blinked. The Matriarch flooded the room with her corrupting presence, bending the weak minded to her will. Men tossed away their guns, tore at their faces, or ran off screaming. And Aldridge … well, he just unloaded his shiny new shotgun, blowing a few holes in the roof to make people hit the floor. Only one of them, an oily-haired AMP with bad skin, got a few shots off. Bullets slammed into Aldridge’s chest, knocking him back a few steps. Kairam emptied the AR-15 into Oily-Hair, sending him flying in a cloud of blood and bone chips. “Anyone else want to try that? Or are we done here?” Kairam yelled. “Get on your knees, hands behind your backs. Now!” The remaining men looked at the Trio. Whatever loyalties they had to Typhoon ended right there. Those who weren’t already fetal, dropped down. The bartender remained standing until a mental push from the Matriarch floored him right quick. Kairam looked over at Aldridge, “You okay, chief?” “Yeah, I suppose so. But the jerk ruined my good shirt,” Aldridge replied, examining the bullet holes in the flowery cloth. “I’ll buy you another one,” the Matriarch chimed. “After today, you can buy the whole store.” Kairam looked at the Typhoon thugs. Two were definitely AMPs, who could barely pass as human. It took him a second to realize the bartender was also an AMP, his sharpened teeth flashing. “Do you know who we are?” the bartender

snarled. “Do you even know what this place is?” The Matriarch smiled, “Of course, I do. I’m the one who made sure we had plenty of these money caches like this across the country. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, point me to the vault? I’d like to count my new millions.” “Screw you, lady,” the bartender spat. The Matriarch sighed and shot him in the face, turning the bar wall into a Jackson Pollock masterpiece. “Damnit, Rhiannon!” Kairam glowered at her. She shrugged, smiling innocently. “Sorry, darling. Still getting used to this Good Guy crap.” He breathed through his teeth, wanting to say more, but knowing it was pointless. Instead, he returned his attention to the remaining thugs. Their faces said it all, wide-eyed and terrified. Her methods might be questionable, but the Matriarch sure made a lasting impression. “So, here’s the deal,” Kairam began. “We’re giving you a way out. A second chance at life. A chance to redeem yourself for all the twisted, evil crap you’ve done. We’re calling it the Future League, ‘cause although everyone has a past, they don’t necessarily have a future. Together, we’re going to make things right before they go wrong. “This second chance is a one-time offer. And one time only, got it? What do you say? Want to finally be the hero and save the world?”

September 2018 Slumming It 3 September

The palatial New Mexican ranch was equipped with three swimming pools: one indoors, one outdoors, and one Jacuzzi. Beautiful gardens surrounded the ranch, filled with local flora, cactus gardens and white stone statues carved into the shape of Grecian nymphs pouring water onto the plants below. It was a shrine to decadence and greed, which was completely lost on its current inhabitants. Tomas shifted on his feet uncomfortably, there were five Quislings standing right across from him and the other Crossovers, but it was

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Lost & Found 13 September

A.M.A.N.D.A. was finished, and it couldn’t come fast enough. For weeks Luminous had fevered dreams of a young girl; she was scared and alone, she called out for him. The young girl felt just outside his reach, dancing at the edges of his perception, but begging to be found. Plugging into the monstrosity of a machine, Luminous felt his psyche stretch across the world in a blinding moment of searing pain. For a second, he was everywhere and nowhere.

Standing next to each AMP, both alive and dead. He felt himself drawn towards the darkness of death, melting into a great system he could not comprehend, but then a voice came through to him as clear as day — it was the girl. Her name was Catnip. Her voice focused Luminous’ thoughts and using A.M.A.N.D.A.’s amazing power, he focused his thoughts on Catnip. Catnip was hiding in an abandoned warehouse in Detroit, huddled in the dark of a cellar alone and scared. She was split from Conduit in a fight and when she couldn’t find him she fled. She ran from humans, from Orphan attacks, from other Rampagers. She ran until she found a quiet space. The feral girl was terrified out of her mind. A helicopter landed just outside, causing the windows of the warehouse to vibrate under its power. Catnip sat up on her haunches and growled, sniffing the air. Engines meant danger. Danger meant fighting. Prowling through the shadows, a group of heavily armed men poured into the warehouse. A few of them wore TRAC uniforms and carried guns. Quickly doing the math in her head, Catnip realized she could take down some, but not all. This wasn’t a fight she could win. Closing her eyes tight she called out to Conduit with her thoughts, a small child wishing the impossible could happen. Please, help. She was alone and scared.“I’m here,” a voice answered back. Catnip’s eyes flung open, backing against the wall as blurry figures approached her. Someone familiar was with her, he saw where she was, “Come here. Hurry!” she replied back in her mind. Danger was so close. “I’m here,” Luminous replied again. This time not in Catnip’s mind but only meters in front of her. Looking around her, Catnip saw she’d been teleported into a dark room with walls refracting thousands of bright flashes of color. Was this a trick? Wide-eyed and panicked she caught the scent of something familiar; it wasn’t Conduit, but something she never belonged to, a family. No sooner had Doctor Luminous called out to the shadows again, than a figure leapt from the darkness — bounding into his arms, shaking, hugging him tightly in fear. Doctor Luminous choked back tears as a wave of relief swept over him. Clutching the girl in his

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Chapter One: Year Four

this kind of greed which made him really uncomfortable. The Orphans were something godly and unknowable, greed was totally human and something that still made him sick to his stomach. He wondered if that is why the Orphans, or rather Quislings, chose to meet him here. “So, you’re telling me,” Tomas said, “you want to help us?” “That’s correct.” The Quisling lounging by the pool replied to Tomas impassively. “We don’t wish to … murder … any more. We wish to help you, to fight back.” Tomas flicked the cigarette from his mouth onto the ivory-stone tile of the poolside and crushed it with his boot. “Why is that?” He asked in genuine curiosity. Did these creatures even have the ability to lie? “Killing is … no longer conducive to what we want. The great order cries out to be rectified and we must listen to it. The only way to set the world right is for there to be peace. For there to be peace, you mortals must stop dying at the hands of our brothers and sisters. It is simple.” The Quisling replied. Letting out a deep-bellied laugh Tomas couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “Oh! So, you’re doing this to help us actually? Well I’ll be,” he took a deep bow, “us lesser beings thank you for your offer.” The Quisling looked down at Tomas’ bowing figure, “You’re welcome.” Sighing, Tomas stood back up. The Crossovers weren’t going to reject the rebel Quisling offer for help, but they had a long road ahead of them.

arms he realized what bothered him for so long. Her thought patterns, how she moved, she was Critter’s daughter … she was his daughter.

The Ants Go Marching

Chapter One: Year Four

22 September

“In an astonishingly strange turn of events families have been reporting their AMP family members disappearing overnight. No signs of break-ins nor letters left behind. Joint police task forces have yet to give an official word on how or why this is happening, but people are demanding answers. With so many things to worry about: Orphan attacks, Rampagers, the UHF — this reporter asks herself — who’s looking out for the little guys?” “Who indeed?” the Hanger questioned, zapping off the TV and turning back to his factory floor. Below him stood no less than thirty AMPs lined up in tidy rows. More were coming soon, and his project could begin. Waiting for the project was proving to be ever-so-hard. Grabbing onto the steel rails of the walkway the Hanger’s knuckles went white under the strain. How he loved to squeeze things. To feel them in his hands, under his thumb. The lack of give provided by the steel was so unsatisfying, it was nothing compared to flesh. How he yearned to go below, take a person’s neck in his hands, and slowly, lovingly, squeeze the life out of them. How long had it been since he’d enjoyed himself, really? Perhaps it was time for some self-reflection. Was he still the man he once knew, was he too focused on his mission? No, the Hanger could not falter, he was so close to achieving his goals. Descending the stairs, the Hanger went to check on his first victim. He stood frozen in place, hooked up with various tubes to an extraction machine at the end of the hall. A large, metal needle protruded from the man’s left temple which was bruised red from him shoving it into his own head. “Now,” the Hanger whispered in the man’s ear. His gloved finger ran over the man’s purpled-temple, tapping next to the needles, sending shivers through the man’s body. Un-

able to move, scream, or even wet himself the man’s body convulsed in pain with each tap of the Hanger’s finger. “Delicious, you play so well,” the Hanger exclaimed. “Once I drain your psychic abilities, I’ll kill you first. Don’t worry it will be fun. For me.”

The Kraken Option 28 September

Lucinda poured water over the back of the gigantic beast. They were small raindrops compared to its hulking size, but she felt it helped; at least it helped her. Atlantis had lost so much during the Orphan attacks, there was barely anything left, but they had to keep fighting. At least, it wanted to fight, and Atlantis would help it. They had no words for the great creature who carried them so far and so quickly — from one coast, around South America, to the east coast — but many called it the Spirit of Atlantis. Cared for by the Founding Five, fed by the Atlanteans; growing, mutating because of the strength of its people to become the beast they knew. The Spirit of Atlantis was once a peaceful creature, now it was just angry. The sound of steel rending apart outside tore through Lucinda’s thoughts. She placed her hand on the Spirit of Atlantis and it told her it was time. Running outside Lucinda let out a sonic-scream echoing across the waters to all the ships of Atlantis. Men, women, and even children all fighting the Orphans outside dropped their weapons. Joining hands, chains of people touched the ocean’s waters and small tentacles extended from the cold depths, clasping onto their hands. Suddenly, a gargantuan creature appeared from the water towering over the hundreds of ships below. Fueled by the power given willingly from every inhabitant of Atlantis, the Spirit of Atlantis let out a furious roar, blowing the Orphans attacking its ships into the water. The Orphans rose battered from the water and finally realized … Atlantis wasn’t going down without a fight.

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United in Purpose 1 October

Every moment Catnip held her parents’ hands, she felt their bond growing stronger, she felt she knew them better with every heartbeat she greedily stole some of them, for her, just her — forever and always. Critter smiled down at Catnip, picking the girl up in her arms. Critter wasn’t a Rampager anymore, but she was still strong, and the young girl was her daughter. She should feel guilty for the happiness she felt compared to the tragedy happening around her, but she couldn’t. Her family had suffered enough, she’d suffered enough, and she wouldn’t let misery destroy what she’d managed to find again. Turning to Luminous, she could see he was nervous. It was something the rest of the Seekers never saw. He was their fearless leader and never questioned what he’d done, the deals he’d had to make, but Critter knew better. She knew how Luminous doubted, questioned; he was a good man and that is what made every-

thing he did while she was gone bearable. No one’s hands in this conflict were clean. Catnip wiggled in Critter’s arms and brought her attention to the man approaching. “Conduit!” Catnip gasped seeing her long-lost friend approaching with a cadre of Changelings. She made to leave her mother’s arms but paused, was it safe to leave Critter and Luminous? They appeared like a dream to her, what if she let go and they were gone? Luminous sensed his daughter’s hesitance and assured her. “It’s okay, we’re here. Go say hello to your friend.” With her father’s words, Catnip leapt from her mother’s arms and ran towards Conduit, giving him a big hug. Smiling, Conduit embraced the girl and ruffled her hair, “Hey there Fraggle.” Bearing her teeth at Conduit, Catnip retorted playfully, “No Fraggle! You Fraggle!” Conduit walked over to Luminous and Critter, “Well it seems like you have the girl’s approval. Thanks for the invite.” “Thank you,” Critter replied, “I’m happy we could finally do this.” “We’re fighting the same war here and it is

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Chapter One: Year Four

October 2018

Chapter One: Year Four

Each creature will be given a new name and designation, along with training in one of our secure facilities. Once considered fit for society, Rampagers — along with a veteran team of TRAC members — will be released back into the general population with the aim of providing increased security to the American people.” Well, if you ask this reporter, this all sounds a bit off. First of all, Rampagers were once normal AMPs, right? Shouldn’t the government be focused on their rehabilitation, rather than weaponizing them? Also, why don’t the Seekers have a problem with this? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I am happy to have a hulking “creature” on my side if there is another Orphan attack … but doesn’t this just feel like our government missing the mark once again?

time to join sides,” Luminous said. Critter turned to him and rolled her eyes, business as usual. For someone with his abilities, sometimes he could be so short-sighted. “Yeah,” Conduit said turning to Luminous, “I think there’s a few things we need to smooth out first. I’ve had … issues before with other AMPs — fighting, betrayal — you know the usual. The Changelings want to help, but you are gonna have to explain a few things first.” “Of course,” Critter interjected, “that’s the first thing we should do. We’re all in this together and the only way we will get through it is with full disclosure.” She shot a look to Jacob. The doctor shook his head and finally relaxed; Critter’s withering gaze reminding him at the end of the day they were all here trying to do the right thing, “You’re right. I am sorry, where are my manners? It is nice to finally meet you. Thank you for taking care of my daughter for so long, I can’t express what that means.” He paused, “Please, let’s go somewhere and talk about an alliance.”

Return of the Pack 15 October

BREAKING NEWS: Return of the Pack In a startling turn of events today, TRAC publicly announced the reinstatement of the ‘Hound’ program. While no information as to the exact details of the former ‘Hound’ shadow-op were provided, a TRAC spokesperson issued the following statement: “In the coming days, TRAC will be rolling out the Hound Beta Program centered on retention and containment of the AMPs known as Rampagers. Using technologies developed by a combined taskforce of TRAC and Seekers, we are able to control the Rampagers and make sure they are no longer a danger to society. Instead, the Rampagers will become a tool. We will take back the Orphan’s most valuable assets, the Rampagers. We will give them a new life and allow them to help us take down the Orphans; to cripple their devastating attacks.

Oh yeah, Humans 26 October

The shotgun blast showered over Spearfinger as she yowled in pain. Throwing off her left arm, which took the brunt of the attack, Spearfinger ran at the Faceless fighter, grabbing the shotgun out of her hand and smacking her on the back of the head with the butt of the gun. Conduit’s back slammed against Spearfinger’s and summoning a huge arc of lightning he shocked the Faceless agents closing on her flank. Both AMPs turned to face one another, ready for an attack, when they realized they were fighting on the same side and stopped. Spearfinger requested to meet with Doctor Luminous and Conduit; they agreed, but it had to be on neutral ground: an abandoned Air Force base in upstate New York. Both sides were dismayed to find the area crawling with Faceless patrols when they arrived, and a fight broke out. It was just like old times, Conduit and Spearfinger fighting back to back, allies in arms. Both were ready to launch the next attack when a smile broke out across Conduit’s face. “God, my back hurts.”

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Ghosts of the Past

Shipped

Spearfinger laughed. “You do look older,” she retorted, and dropped her hand. “I am older,” Conduit said chuckling and dispersing the arc of lighting between his hands. Looking around at the chaos Conduit sighed as the other AMPs gathered around the two former friends, “What now?” Spearfinger motioned around her, “We do this.” “We kill people?” Conduit questioned, worried Spearfinger was still as bloodthirsty as ever. “No! Jeez, Conduit. I mean fight, I mean win.” Spearfinger sighed, “I’m no spring-chicken now either. I’m tired and this bloodshed needs to stop. My group, they’re good fighters and you need us. This fighting is stupid, we need to work together.” Conduit laughed once again, a deep belly laugh. Spearfinger felt blood rush to her cheeks. “Are you laughing at me?” She questioned angrily. “No,” Conduit swallowed the next bout of laughs, “No, not at all. You’re right of course — I am just wondering — is that what I sound like?” Spearfinger rolled her eyes, “I guess that’s a yes. Let’s work together then.”

31 October

Just years ago, the 31st of October was a time of joy. A holiday, which to most Americans meant parties, candy, and seeing adorable children in cute costumes. For the youth it was a time to let loose and for those more daring, and just a bit angrier, to pull a few pranks in a night of revelry. Now, it was a night of fear. Real, terrifying fear. What would happen on All Souls Day? No one could tell, but with the Orphan activity, it couldn’t be anything good. Whether the dead would rise, disappear, or if there would be another tragic attack no one knew. All anyone knew was there was nothing they could do to stop it. So, friends and family, human, AMP, Twice Born, and everyone in between stayed home with one another. They shared a drink and a memory or two. They reminisced about better times and braced themselves for what would happen the next day.

November 2018 The Exodus November 1

The world winced the night before All Soul’s Day. For years, the supernatural had crept its way through the cracks of reality a bit at a time. First it was ghosts, then it was the arrival of the Twice Born, and no one knew — or could completely prepare themselves for — what unknown events would occur after the Orphans introduced magic to the world in full-fledged fashion. The mere cracks in reality were gaping holes now, ready to let any manner of monster into this dimension. The worst thoughts ran through the people’s minds, but they woke up to very little. The average person, even those with powers, didn’t see a change in the world … unless they were or hung around one of the Twice Born. The Twice Born looked for a sense of self for the entire year, hoping that All Soul’s Day would bring them some answers. Why did they come back? Why could they not die? What was their purpose? Figuring these questions out while

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Chapter One: Year Four

Those with the ability to view the strands of fate have rumored that the reunion of Conduit and Spearfinger was inevitable and magically ordained. They are, after all, two sides to the same coin, the positive and the negative which always come together in the end. Conduit is imbued with magic himself, despite not having full control of it, and Spearfinger has many within Retribution who have learned magic, so the two had much to talk about and plan. Could this mean a merger to the Changelings and Retribution? Online time will tell, but anyone can see that their futures are intertwined.

Chapter One: Year Four

being hunted by the Heralds of the End was no easy task. As the clock struck midnight, however, every Twice Born blinked out of existence for just a moment, no more than a second or two, and then they returned. Their souls had been energized, super-charged even. Some of their kind were already awakening to magic, more so than any other group besides the Quislings — but this was something else, something more powerful, something from another plane of existence. Maybe it was a gift from the powers-that-be who created the Twice Born in the first place, or perhaps they had visited the underworld and collected additional souls within themselves to become stronger. Whatever the case, every Twice Born had a renewed purpose — they knew who their enemy was, and they began an exodus to what could be their last battle. One by one, the Twice Born packed their bags, got in their cars, and took off to the center of the nation - Lebanon, Kansas. No one knew what would await them there, but they were compelled to follow this new power and find out.

The Final Battle November 6

Somewhere in Kansas, the Orphans were sure they were going to win. They had taken over a small town in the northern part of the state, where seemingly nothing ever happened, and no one ever visited, and they began amassing their forces months ago. By November, they wielded hundreds of Rampagers as an army that could be sent to destroy entire towns if they so pleased. This was important, as the humans had gotten clever and taken out a few of their leading generals; at the White House, with a kraken, and so on. Their mental connection to each other was also severed, which made delivering orders more difficult, but was just a nuisance in the end. Humanity would have their salvation, though, and there was nothing anyone on Earth could do to stop it. Starfield sat upon a throne in an invisible palace floating in the clouds, gathering these thoughts and others. He was the one who delivered the Orphans to the end of time, the one who accepted the Eye of Omega to be his mantle. And through him, all the suffering, all the

death, would come to an end. He removed all the emotion from his Orphans, making them perfect to fulfill his plans, but in that act, he had become irrational and unpredictable. He personally murdered Orphans who had been bested by their obvious inferiors and was growing unbalanced in his approach to this war. It would all come down to one decisive battle that would be waged just as soon as he accumulated the forces necessary to… “What was that?” Starfield screamed as his castle rumbled with the distant sound of an explosion. Then his castle started falling out of the sky, and no one was answering fast enough. “Omega! The Earthlings! They are … attacking us?” “No, no, no, no, no! I cannot let this stand. I will take care of them myself.” ——— It wasn’t the perfect plan, but they had landed a blow at least. With the help of Doctor Luminous’ A.M.A.N.D.A. machine, the Seekers of Enlightenment were finally able to find the Orphan’s main headquarters. And thanks to Conduit’s inside information from the former Orphan, Shell, they knew they needed to take out something called the Eye of Omega — the thing that gave the Orphans their power. There was a chance that this floating castle was it, so the first plan was to take it down. The new leader of the Aegis Squad, Lost Boy, grabbed the hand of Demolition, a former Hound turned Chain Gang spokesperson, and got him inside the castle before blinking away. Then Demolition did what Demolition does best — he created his largest explosion ever, pushing his power to its limits and taking out whatever was keeping that thing afloat. As the Orphans came out by the dozens, what they saw was an organized force against them. The humans were no longer cowering, no longer scrambling for safety. They had come to win. The final Orphan to emerge was the familiar face of Starfield, and upon his head was a crown made of eyes, each one a different color looking in a different direction. It became obvious that the other Orphans needed to be overcome to get to their leader, but he was the only thing that truly mattered. TRAC agents gave cover fire for the UHF-piloted power suits to send several volleys of missiles

38

where he took control over every aspect. Doctor Luminous, Conduit, or even Tomas of the Crossovers would have thought this a sight to behold, if not for the bloodshed that followed. Starfield and the Orphans remained unaffected, and began cutting down their enemies — despite their type or affiliation — with reckless abandon. The Changelings were less affected, thanks to Shell, but even they were slowed enough to put them at risk. And in that few seconds that felt like an eternity, the combined forces of Earth were cut in half with ease. Would the power that existed in the Eye of Omega prove to be too strong for them to overcome? Was this the end? As Starfield lifted his blade to land it upon the car that Chahaya of Atlantis was pinned behind, the time bubble collapsed and he stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded. As the energy faded, an army of thousands of Twice Born could be seen on the other side, each of them glowing with newfound power. They knew they were sent here for a reason, and that reason was to beat the Orphans. They pummeled the Orphans with punches that struck like Mack trucks, and kicks that sent them flying for hundreds of feet. This made it possible for the other forces to retreat as best they could.

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Chapter One: Year Four

with the dual effect of damaging them, even if only slightly, and creating a smokescreen. Under this cover, several key AMPs launched their own attacks. The nomadic Ronin from Japan was a teleporter who possessed a special magical sword that cut Orphans to shreds. Spearfinger, graced with Shell’s Gift by way of Conduit, sharpened her own claws and took down a few Orphans herself, laughing gleefully as their golden blood spilled to the ground. The surviving Savior, of the Mystics, also entered the minds of several of the Orphans, forcing them to turn on their kin and strike them down with power that equaled their own. The rest of the Mystics were miles away, interrupting the Orphan’s psychic link with the Rampagers, and calming the beasts into unconsciousness. The Seekers of Enlightenment, while the battle waged on in the distance, worked with members of the Aegis Squad and TRAC to pull the Rampagers out of harm’s way, while also injecting many of them with Reset to hopefully cure them — though some of them were too far removed from humanity to ultimately be aided by the drug. When the smoke cleared and Starfield saw what the Earthlings brought against him, he surrounded the entire battlefield in a time bubble

Chapter One: Year Four

Then one woman stepped from the shadows, someone who had been gone for quite some time: Hunter. She was an AMP-murderer and everyone there knew it, but she was likely their best chance at survival. The Bandit grabbed a handful of bullets and made them a special shape that could penetrate the thick armor of an Orphan. Conduit touched her rifle and charged the weapon with Shell’s Gift. Sepulcher touched Hunter herself and charged the once self-hating AMP with as much of the Twice Born’s new power as he could spare. If there was another way, they’d take it, but Hunter was the only one who could land a shot on Starfield. Hunter prepped herself and lined up her shot. Breezy called upon a tornado at that moment, throwing Starfield off balance and removing any obstacles that could have blocked her bullet, and at that moment, Hunter fired. The bullet zoomed through the air, masterfully twisting and turning and navigating its way through the din until it met Starfield’s forehead. Starfield’s crown of eyes fell apart, each one closing and fading away. He looked down at his hands and saw the gold blood pouring out. “THIS WAS NOT MY FATE!” was all he screamed before he imploded upon himself in a flash of bright blue light. The tornado stopped, and it began to shower a light rain on the land. The survivors looked down and saw all the heroes who died that day, but they looked up and saw a rainbow. There was hope ahead. There had to be.

An Expected Death November 9

The ultimate battle against the Orphans ended only moments ago. The time bubble altered much more than just time inside — it made time outside move much faster. Bluewing was late, as she often was. She wanted to be there to help win, but she knew her real purpose. She only ever showed up after the death had already spread. This time was different though. So many souls lost, and through tainted magics and obscene mechanics. This was her moment, now. This was her time to die. News trucks and dozens of cell phones caught a dazzling display, as Bluewing floated into the air. Breezy called out to her, but the blue, fiery AMP couldn’t hear her this high in the air. She simply smiled back. It was warming to know that someone cared that she would not be coming back. And at that moment, Bluewing burst into blue sparkles that rained down on a battlefield drenched in blood. As each of the sparkles — containing both her healing abilities and mixed with the magic saturating the area — touched a body, it was instantly revived and renewed. Rampagers lucky enough to be touched were made whole again, returning to their former states and regaining their minds. From the collection of beasts, AMPs like Nether and Inukpak were able to be saved. Some Twice Born were given the ultimate gift — their final journey to the afterlife, where they would not be forced to live again and again whether they wanted to or not. They had done what they were presumably meant to do, so a final rest was welcomed by some. Others, of course, ran from the sparkles after seeing this. No one fears death more than one who cannot naturally die. A few AMPs were made human again, instantly losing their powers. Another realization followed that — the Law of Attraction, the urge that caused AMPs to hurt each other, was a thing of the past. Many Changelings urged Conduit to dance under the blue rain, in hopes he could be made whole as well, but he simply smiled and shook his head. “No, brothers and sisters. This is who I am. No one will look down on you for wanting to be normal, but I am very happy in my oddness.” In fact, some

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The Work Must be Completed November 22

Critter tip-toed into Jacob’s lab wearing a light set of pajamas and nothing underneath, just perfect since they hadn’t seen each other in days. After the battle with the Orphans, all the funerals given to everyone who died saving the world, he hadn’t taken even a moment away from work. She was determined to change that. “I just tucked Catnip in. I’d love it if you came to bed,” she said massaging his shoulders. He hadn’t even noticed her until she touched him, as he was deep into his project. “We really have to give her a real name at some point. I’m tired of that idiotic name that self-righteous dick gave her.” He couldn’t hold in his hatred of Conduit. Yes, he had treated their daughter kindly, but kindness wasn’t enough,

and Jacob was tired of his convincing people that being passive is the way of the world. Critter replied jokingly with, “Okay, Doctor Luminous.” The air quotes were strongly implied. Jacob stood up quickly, walked over to this desk, and rested his weight on it, not once looking at Critter. “Did you want something? I. Am. Busy.” A tear dripped from Critter’s eye. “I want the man I fell in love with back. I want you back, Jacob.” She grabbed his papers and blueprints and started throwing them around the room. “You stay in here every day, obsessed with your work. Work, work, work! What about me? What about Catnip? What ever happened to us getting married and settling down. The world is different now, or at least it’s changing. We can finally be together, but all you do … is … work.” She couldn’t help herself anymore. Her anger turned to a flurry of tears she couldn’t hold back. Jacob turned around and walked over to Critter, gripping her sternly. He looked her deep in the eyes before responding, “My work is who I am. Work is the only thing that matters. Nobody matters, not even you, compared to my work. And I can’t have you around if you aren’t going to be useful to me anymore.” And with that, he threw her down and hit a button under his desk. Security rushed in. “Sir! Is there trouble?” They stood dumbfounded as Doctor Luminous pointed to Critter. “Get her out of here. I never want to see her again. If she returns… shoot her.” As they dragged Critter off, Jacob sat down and screamed. This one he couldn’t blame on his other voice, this was him. Nothing could stand in his way, though. The work had to be completed, and love was just a distraction.

December 2018 This Isn’t Over December 4

Radio stations all over the US are taken over for just a minute or two and the following is played for everyone to hear. The United Human Front is no more. The coward, Shavar Stephens, signed pacts and blood

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Chapter One: Year Four

Changelings did dive in, but many more followed Conduit’s example and stayed back. Doctor Luminous made sure to steer clear of the sparkles, as he did not want to be less than he was. No flowery speech would deter his much-needed work from being completed. It was not just people, however. As her magic touched the ground, it sent waves of her healing ability mixed with the magic saturating the Earth in every direction. Damage to the surrounding area, the towns and cities, was rebuilt. Reports came in from Hawaii, who claimed the destruction they were attempting to rebuild themselves instantly vanished, revealing a renewed island beneath the rubble. Several terminal patients in hospitals all over the country were instantly cured, pointing many to believe that Bluewing may have been behind the miracles at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2015. Several of the Orphans became Quislings, devoid of any memory of what came before or after their lives as Orphans and sought only help from those they once tried to conquer. The worst were put down immediately or contained by the Seekers of Enlightenment, but most were accepted as fellow Earthlings once more. Of course, her power didn’t save everyone, but it gave many a fresh start after winning a decisive battle against an impossible enemy.

Chapter One: Year Four

contracts with our sworn enemies just days ago, giving up humanity’s power to the monsters who tried to take us over. Crafting new homes for the fallen Orphans? Building bridges between humans and the dead things that still walk? Putting up memorials to a blue AMP, a filthy creature who supposedly healed the nation, but really brought all this destruction with her? And newsflash on everyone’s beloved Bluewing. We’ve checked the hospital records of everyone she supposedly healed, and each one of these people has a blue sparkle implanted in their bodies. We are this close to becoming pod people if we keep falling for the AMPs’ tricks. We must fight back if we want a Pure America! You cannot stand by and let it be taken from us. If you think this is ludicrous, then you belong with the Faceless. We will be holding a rally at our nation’s capital just after the New Year. God help any AMP who shows up.

The Ranch December 10

The strange trio stopped the car at a ranch in the middle of nowhere in Maine. Aldridge wasn’t too sure about where they were going, but Kairam insisted that his future self wanted him to come here. The Matriarch slept the whole way and was still sleeping in the back, so she didn’t care, as long as they didn’t wake her. They knew better after the last time. Kairam got out of the car and strolled up to the cozy ranch house. “Look at that. The porchlight is even on.” Aldridge let a bit of his former president out. “These are real Americans, salt of the Earth people. Always welcoming, always … AH!!!” They both screamed as an older woman came running out of the front door with a shotgun pointed at them. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll cap you real quick,” the woman cried. “Girls, call the police.” “I can explain everything. Just put the gun down,” Kairam pleaded with her. He saw Aldridge reach for his own gun but gave him a look that said, ‘This is just an old lady. Do we really need to treat them like we do Typhoon?’ but without any words. The president decided he agreed.

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Unhuman No More December 16

Since the Orphan invasion forces were halted and several laws were passed that made AMPs 100% human, the world was beginning its road to healing as AMPs, Saps, Twice Born, and Quislings tried to share the world that was almost destroyed. There was one more terrible relic of their soiled past few years that needed to be eradicated, however: the term, ‘unhuman’ was something many could no longer abide. The beloved Jennifer Stewart became the face of the campaign against use of the dirty word. She filmed several movies that brought up the topic and financed school programs that taught kids never to use the U-word about another person. There was no way it would be immediately repelled from society, but at least fewer people were as emboldened to use such language in mixed company. Those people were forced to save their harsh words until they were with people who shared their views, which of course created many bubbles exploited by the Faceless. Even though the majority of her work took place in Canada, Jennifer Stewart returned once more to the United States and did several interviews and press junkets about why she felt America was on the rise again. The defeat of the Orphans was American-made, after all, and she couldn’t wait to start doing more movies to show her patriotic side. Soon after this, there was leaked footage of Jennifer fighting the Orphans alongside Canadian forces, but this move that was meant to make her seem less patriotic just made her seem like more of a hero in the public’s eyes. Gigahertz of the Underground News Network scored several exclusives with the glass-wielding actor and was instrumental in getting her message out to everyone. She even convinced him to come out of the shadows and, with her money, start a legitimate network that would be unbiased with the public. He agreed, and together they launched a new UNN, dubbed Ultimate National News, the place to get all your AMP-related news, interviews, and stories. It was an instant money-maker.

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Chapter One: Year Four

Before Kairam could say anything though, another woman came out of the house with a few bees flying around her. “Momma, put the gun down. People come by around here all the time, and you’re always waving that thing around. None of them mean any harm.” And as the woman stepped into the light, it was her … it was Critter. She was every bit as beautiful as the future Kairam said. “Hi, y’all, I’m Critter. It’s late, but I can sign a quick autograph for you and then you need to get.” Critter’s mom then spoke up, “Hey. I know you. You’ve been here before. You’re that boy who told us Critter here was dead! Why in the hell …” “Let me stop you right there, because that wasn’t really me. I mean, it was me, but … okay. I gave you something then too, right? Do you still have it?” Kairam was stumbling over his words, taken aback by the knowledge that his other self had already been here and the fact that he was meeting the Critter face-to-face. The woman ran into the house but came back just as quickly with a long rod with an ornate E etched on it. “This is it here. I just put it away, but you didn’t tell us what it actually was, so I didn’t pay it no mind.” “Can I see that, momma?” Critter reached for the rod and when she did, power surged through her. It was magic, real magic, and this was Critter’s wand. The energy swirled around her, but eventually faded, and Critter was left taken aback. “What the hell was that? That was wonderful!” Kairam reached out and grabbed her hand. “It’s a wand that I made for you in a future that never happened. We’ve already changed our fates, but we need your help to make our new future safe.” Critter smiled, and her tension eased as she held hands with the strange man with dyed hair and weird words. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I’m in. Come on inside. You can meet my daughter.” Kairam was shocked, since none of the letters said anything about a kid, but followed the Winters inside. On their way in, Critter’s mom jokingly said, “Your friend looks an awful lot like President Aldridge,” and they all had an awkward laugh.

Souls at Rest

Chapter One: Year Four

December 28

The aftermath of Bluewing’s sacrifice has created more than a poorly molded statue of her likeness. The Twice Born who survived the Orphan battle were stronger than ever, but their numbers remained stagnant. Before, they would help dozens of new Twice Born dig themselves from their graves on a daily basis all over the world, but no more had been created. Was this a gift? Was it that the Twice Born had fulfilled their purpose, so the universe no longer had need of them? Was this the doing of the Heralds of the End finally robbing their brothers and sisters of their renewed life? No one was certain, but the fact was … the Twice Born numbers were now static and would soon begin to dwindle if they didn’t do something. Magic was the key, but the correct rituals would need to be found. The search began for the answers the Twice Born sought.

military operation throwing AMPs into internment camps. TRAC was the hero of this story, and all the agents who died against the Orphans even got a monument put up in Kansas. TRAC was the face of all that was good about being a regular person in this world and wanting to make a difference, and that’s all Agent Danielson wanted to be when he was a kid. And that’s what he felt like he was now. Look at that, all the fear was gone. Danielson stood up, wiped his brow, and opened the door. The children all clapped and cheered. “TRAC! TRAC! TRAC! TRAC! TRAC!” They continued their chant until Danielson gestured for them to calm down.

“I’m Agent Danielson from TRAC, and I’m here to talk with you kids about the importance of our organization and all that we do for the United States. I was once a kid like all of you, but I grew up to make a difference. I don’t have any powers, I didn’t come from space, and I can die just like anyone else. Even the little guy can effect change in this world.”

January 2019 The Good Guys January 3

Agent Danielson paced in the hallway, only stopping every so often to stare at the door. That dreaded door, with the worst crowd he’d ever faced inside. He had to put that out of his mind right now; he had to clear his fears and prepare his speech about TRAC. TRAC had its difficulties in 2018, as they went from bastards who enslaved AMPs to the people who experimented on US citizens to further dark agendas, but then finally redeemed themselves by standing up for the little guy. They held their own in the battle of the Rampagers and did even more to help when the Orphans arrived. Public sentiment seemed to finally be on their side, and they had the Aegis Squad, who had taken the place of the tainted TRAC Elite, to thank for that. The crazy scientists were gone, and TRAC was a new police force. No longer were they a

“Even me?” a young girl questioned suddenly from the back. She had a cast on her arm and her front tooth was missing, but she had hope in her eyes. “Especially you,” Danielson said.

The Other Voices January 10

It was finally complete. The machine Doctor Luminous began with the help of the Seekers, he was finally able to complete himself. Alone was how he needed to be right now; alone but for his voices. Jacob stalked to the console of A.M.A.N.D.A. and flicked a switch. The machine Illuminated the room with an intense light that even Jacob couldn’t look directly into. In trying to avoid it, he tripped and tore his shirt, revealing an eye on his chest frantically looking around. Scrambling to his medical bag, Doctor Luminous reached for a syringe and prepared to

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Jacob’s Secret

inject himself, but an arm grew from his chest and pushed it away. Jacob’s jaws extended wider than any human’s could, and he wretched and gagged until a woman spilled from his gullet. It was Amanda Schenfield, the architect of the Houndmaster programs who disappeared over a year ago. She was too weak to move, but she could laugh, and laugh she did. “You’re so pathetic.” “Shut up,” Jacob said. “You built this machine for what? You think you’re going to help people with it? “Shut up.” “You stole my powers, my intellect, to build this thing, and all it did was leave you alone.” “I said shut up!” Jacob screamed, kicking the woman on the ground. “I need to be alone. Only I can save the world from itself. People need someone to watch over them, protect them, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not some scrawny scientist people can take for granted anymore. The world, my genetics, no one can tell me who I am, especially not you, Amanda.” Amanda curled up, scared. She knew what was in store and couldn’t fight against it. “I thought you’d think it cute that I named

the machine after you. Everyone thought it was some clever acronym I came up with, but I was honoring you with that name. None of this would be possible without you. So, thank you,” and he touched Amanda’s skin, which became his skin, and she was absorbed into his body once more. The process was painful for all involved, and Doctor Luminous screamed with the voices of not only his and Amanda’s, but the other dozen or so AMPs whom he had absorbed, borrowing their powers as well. For the greater good, of course. “The people need to be controlled,” he said, seeing the machine had fully powered up. He sat down, put on his helmet, and pressed a sequence of keys before his consciousness was sent everywhere in the world at once. “Now I see everything. Now I can be everywhere. I am the All-Knowing Eye.” Thus ended Year Four, the year of the Invasion.

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Chapter One: Year Four

The events of 2017 and the knowledge that Jacob’s blood was simultaneously responsible for causing the reoccurrence of Rampagers in the world and the only thing that could cure it stirred many emotions in the man. He was Doctor Luminous, the light to guide the way, but his path had been obscured with mistakes and rage. A new plan was constructed to solve the world’s problems, and Jacob became his own patient, as he experimented with mutations. This led to his own ability to touch other AMPs and absorb them fully into his body, also granting access to his prisoners’ powers. Combined with his own ability to sense energy, he also acquired extremely heightened intelligence from Amanda Schenfield, the ability to go without sleep, food, or other sustenance from one of his students and a smattering of lesser powers acquired from weak AMPs he used as guinea pigs. The ends justified the means in his mind; regardless of how cruel Doctor Luminous had become, it was all for the greater good. Anyone sacrificed to grant him power served his goal of saving the world from evil, from invaders… and from itself. The bad side of this arrangement, however, was that every Amp absorbed into his body became a part of his psyche, fighting for control and driving Jacob to the brink of madness. As 2018 ends and 2019 begins, he has isolated himself from everyone who loved him, so no one knows what he is bound to do. Truly, it cannot be anything good.

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans Government vs. The Orphans “A better president than I said, ‘There is no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war, except its ending.’ I paraphrase his words to call to all United States citizens to take Lincoln’s words to heart, and work to rebuild this great country with a spirit of love rather than fear.” ~President Eleanor Klein President Klein never thought to be in control of the Presidency. She was a leavening force for Lewis’ candidacy, to enable him to get elected. However, at every turn where she could exercise that more moderate approach, he had undercut her authority and the anti-AMP forces in the government were legion. Now, finding herself in power, she found herself in a comparable situation. She used her considerable knowledge to try to make inroads, but Lewis’ congress made it clear that she was a lame-duck president. Kairam’s appearance in her office gave her hope. But at every turn, she found her paths to wielding the power that she did have blocked. She’d been able to get her messages of moderation and unity out and had been able to get rid of outliers by savvy maneuvering. But her actions had negligible effect. The Seekers’ and the Aegis Squad’s support was a positive step, but one that was by necessity secret. Looking back to that agreement, she found her temporary way out of the quagmire of the current state of the country: executive orders. There were murmurings about exceeding her power with the sheer number of executive orders she

put in place, both to counter Lewis’ executive orders, and to make real progress. Klein figured that the first challenge would be in the courts, but the positive effects of her orders in the general atmosphere in the country gave her breathing room as there were fewer challenges than she had expected, and the higher courts upheld her orders in the circuit courts. Also in her favor was the fact that many of the laws she undercut were unconstitutional by nature, and many knew it, even if they’d been unwilling to cross the anti-AMP organizations at the time they passed. She began to dismantle the anti-AMP regulations as promised; she turned out to have a skill for crafting layered executive orders to make gradual changes, from defunding the Hounds to granting habeas corpus to those AMPs in detention to even an executive order that declared AMPs as human in every way and as citizens entitled to the protections granted by such facts, and reversing Lewis’ stance on war with the AMPs. The largest boost Klein received came from the arrival of the Orphans. She changed TRAC’s mandate and focus, giving them other powers to help them learn about and defend against Orphan incursions. She tasked a new division of TRAC with studying their powers and magic. After the intensive attacks on the UHF holdings and their change in stances, she had the opportunity to appoint a more moderate administration in TRAC. The changes in TRAC led to large scale desertions. This was a positive development, even as it left the organization understaffed. To combat this personnel deficiency, TRAC units in the field joined in arms with the Aegis Squad. It became hard to view the Aegis Squad — those AMPs who fought and bled alongside them —

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as anything but concerned citizens and comrades-in-arms. Seeing them die for the country that the TRAC officers pledged to preserve and protect (often from them) changed more than a few views on the AMPs. The public met these developments with trepidation, but after their successes in defending the populace, the polls about the Aegis Squad showed positive support, and Klein’s approval rating rose. The next sessions of the Senate and the House revealed the depth of Klein’s reversal of fortune. Lewis had stacked Congress in his favor: that was inarguable. After the decimation of the UHF, close to a third of the Representatives and 20% of Senators did not appear for session. At first, it seemed the missing legislators were

boycotting the session, though there was no real reason to do so. It soon became clear that something more sinister caused their truancy. Though their offices never confirmed that they died in attacks on the UHF, the lack of an official denial was damning. The reasoning didn’t matter when it came time to vote on legislation, and Klein proved herself an able leader, rallying Congress to get positive legislation passed, and negative legislation neutered. The Aldridge Act and CADE were two pieces of legislation Klein attacked relentlessly, pressing her advantage before the states in question held special elections to replace the missing members of Congress. She shut down funding for questionable programs related to UHF Cells

“President Klein, you know we want the same things; I am more directly affected by these policies than most. I have always looked after my brother, and by extension my niece.” “So, what’s the problem, then?” “It’s not just getting the legislation passed. It’s how you’re doing it.” Klein waved her hand dismissively. “You’ve made great strides. More than I or anyone else thought you’d be able,” Hale continued. “Stay above the fray, and get things done the right way. Don’t be like the evil we’re trying to fight.” “Really?!?” she said, a frown coming across her face. “You’re making that comparison?” “Someone has to bring you back to your senses.” “They are killing men, women, and children. There is no equating the two sides.” Hale seemed chagrined by the statement but pushed onward. “You know what happened to the missing legislators and they’re dead, not just absent.” “I don’t know for sure. No one does. And if they are dead, they made their choice.” “But to take advantage of the chaos and confusion,” he responded, “I know it’s wrong, and you know it’s wrong …” Klein bared her teeth leaning in towards Hale. “What I *know* is wrong is the United States citizens in detention for nothing more than their abilities. We’re allowing them to turn this country into something unrecognizable, and letting our sensibilities hamstring us from fighting back. I’ve had to make concession after concession, because I can’t get past the contingent in our own government that thinks this is the way this country should be, and racism and terrorism are acceptable. I’m tired of letting this happen. I’ll use any advantage I can to turn this country back into something I can unreservedly love.” She backed off, though none of the ferocity left her eyes. “They declared war on the United States when they decided a few words were enough to devalue our constitution and the rights of our citizens. Now I have real power, not just to compromise and try to redirect horrendous policies, but to change them. I thought when I brought you on you would have my back in this fight.” Slashing her hand through the air when Hale tried to talk, she continued. “They started this war. And now we have a fight on two fronts. I plan to win both, no matter what it takes.”

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threaten this or their AMP brethren. Though it was more dangerous than ever to be a part of TRAC, those pitched defenses against superior forces gave them something they hadn’t had for a long while: pride in a job well done. While TRAC officials believed those who failed the re-admission tests should not be agents, they also didn’t want to alienate those rogue agents who were still in the wild. There was a lot of equipment that they didn’t want in the field, as another faction could repurpose it for detrimental purposes. Thus, TRAC’s official policy on these failures was they would receive pardons if they would submit to an exit interview to glean the location of any rogue forces that may not have returned. Legislation defunded many of the more questionable TRAC initiatives and focused the others on the populace they had ignored in the fervor to persecute AMPs. Policy-focused scrutiny of deployment in any state by the National Guard and the commission rescinded many orders. Working with the Aegis Squad and the new policies of conduct within, TRAC turned around the environment in the organization and became a force for protection of all Americans. Klein’s policies turned the Espionage and Sedition Prevention Executive Program (ESPER) towards solving the problem of tracking the Orphans, revoking the mandate to spy on citizens within the country while increasing resources. ESPER refocused the technology used for so long to keep strict watch for AMP activity to track outbreaks and anything remotely related to the Orphans. While not exactly a dismantling of the illegal surveillance, the government was desperate to find a strategy to not only cut down on the response time of TRAC, but to create predictive models of the Orphan incursions. After the Orphans attack on the White House, many policies with only tacit support from the Government became law of the land. Those attacks, and the help of the AMPs in repelling it, made the special elections better than could have been predicted by the pundits. Images in the campaigns of the AMPs and Nā ‘Aumākua working side by side with TRAC forces positively influenced the elections. In November, the time came for Klein to ap-

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and the operation of AMP Retention Centers (ARCs). Hilo construction shut down, and proposals for definite timelines for the retirement of these facilities and the reintroduction of the detained AMPs into society were made. Privately-owned ARC centers lost their contracts outright, and TRAC took custody of the AMPs contained within. This made it a necessity to process the AMPs in custody quickly. Though the ARCs remained, the conditions became more humane, and the release of AMPs back into society had the effect of making the centers more akin to prisons with the rights implied conferred, and less like internment. Klein handled The Screw in a similar fashion after deciding there was no way to rehabilitate it into something positive. As she diverted funds from anti-AMP efforts, Klein redirected them towards the degraded social programs that limped along. With the fights that had become prevalent on the streets, there were more homeless, less jobs, and a general degradation of services in ‘Middle America’. The Middle Class became slimmer and slimmer, as they blurred with the Lower Class. Klein tried to allocate basic services to all. A large part of the populace long-ignored in favor of the culture of fear of AMPs heralded these changes, and Klein’s numbers rose yet again. As TRAC and the Aegis Squad worked together in a more official fashion, Captain Trommelen and the higher-ups left in TRAC changed admission requirements, changing them to a police force rather than a military organization, with different standards for admission and recruitment, many centered on the need to work with AMPs. Innovative equipment became available to them courtesy of the Seekers of Enlightenment. These advancements made the fights against Rampagers and Orphans survivable, if just barely. The desertions of their comrades-in-arms had been a hard pill to swallow. The changes in TRAC slowly caused most of them to realize that they had new ones, and the changes in policy and focus were welcome. The UHF’s declarations of alliance convinced many rogue TRAC agents to return to the fold, though many failed in their bid for re-enlistment. It was a bittersweet event, as TRAC had changed, and the agents realized that they wanted no one to

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

pear before the UN. Though she was unsure of the ultimate verdict the Security Council would reach, she made the trip in good faith, not as a part of the coalition that defeated the Orphans, but to answer for the crimes of the United States under her predecessor. However, she didn’t know of the deals the Secretary of State had made with the Russian emissary. In exchange for a veto of any guilty verdict, he had pledged the aid of the US against any incursion by the Chinese. Though the Orphans have been defeated, the United States had been well on its way to disaster long before they appeared on the scene. President Klein’s policy changes have definitely made the atmosphere in the United States less dystopian and geared towards working together. However, while the state of near Civil War has been averted, there is a lot of work to be done to repair the nation; but for the first time in years, the United States is a less terrible and more hopeful place to live.

AMPs vs. The Orphans Aegis Squad “We’re humanity’s last line of defense. If we give up now, there’s no one left to go to. So, I say: we either die like heroes — or live on knowing the world went to shit because we didn’t do our part.” ~Sentry, Aegis Squad cell leader More than any other affiliation, the members of Aegis Squad have always put their lives on the line to defend others. First, they had to defend Saps from violent AMPs and, since the arrival of the Orphans, the Squad has taken up the mantle to defend all living things on Earth from their apocalyptic menace. Because of this, these young people have suffered the brunt of the catastrophic losses provoked by the war. Their numbers have dwindled more than those of any other affiliation,

and with each passing day they grow closer to zero. Most people considered them the idealists who didn’t know how the world works. As the destruction of the Orphans has spread, though, the Squad has remained firm in their resolution to protect others — and none of them have yet to quit. All Aegis Squad members who have left the cause have done so because their lives were cruelly and violently ended. The survivors honor their fallen brothers and sisters by doubling down their efforts and sacrificing everything they have to preserve life on Earth. To the young eyes of the Squad members, their cause is the only cause. What would a victory be worth if there was no one left alive to celebrate it with? As a result, the Aegis Squad’s main thrust has been to extend their protection as far and wide as possible. Once Rabbit died — during the attack on the White House — Lost Boy became the Squad’s leader, but the young fighters were in desperate need of someone with more experience leading the fight against the Orphans. Doctor Luminous should have been that leader, but he was much too involved in his work with the US government. In that moment, the youngsters did what young people do best: they divided into independent cells spread far and wide across America. Using the combined power of technology and AMP powers, they coordinated their movements and efforts, only considering Lost Boy’s input when they believed it useful. Most of the cells chose their own leaders and, because of it, they were able to carry on with their duty regardless of any more high-impact losses. In time, however, the cells dropped significantly in both number and members. By the end of the year, in fact, most of them had been annihilated. The surviving Aegis Squad had to work under the most extreme conditions. Sometimes they gave up the necessary rest, food, and even water to preserve the lives of those under their watch. In a short span of time, the idealist youngsters became the beaten and scarred defenders of humanity. No one knows exactly where it originated, but that has become a core part of the Aegis Squad ethos. “We defend all people, and every-

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one is welcome” is a common expression encountered across America now. This expression marks refugee camps or road havens set up by the Squad. In those places everybody, even the most despicable Saps or AMPs, can find refuge. No questions asked and no violence between any of the survivors is allowed. The only enemy, at least as far as the Squad is concerned, are the Orphans out there who are intent on destroying the world. Everybody else’s lives are sacred and must be protected at all costs.

“There’s a reason for everything that has happened. Even if I can’t explain it, it’s perfectly clear now the Spirit of our island has awoken. Or do you need further proof that our love for one another — regardless of our origin as SAP or AMPs — is the only way to build a better world?” ~Lucinda, the Kraken Speaker

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Atlantis

In a way, Atlantis was the affiliation best prepared for the Orphans’ invasion. Not because they had more resources or precautions — which they didn’t — but because of the way of life they chose. While braving the seas as exiles, the Atlanteans learned how to harvest the Pacific Trash Vortex. In a brief period, they were able to use those materials to create many wonders, the first inventions that truly combined cutting-edge technology with AMP powers. So, when the invasion started, they were the only affiliation that included Saps and AMPs not only living together peacefully but cooperating. Other groups looked at them with suspicion, but time would prove the Atlanteans the wiser. In this sense, the greatest fruit borne out of this cooperation was the awakening of the island they inhabited. Baptized by some as “the Spirit of Atlantis” — and known by others as the Kraken — this living embodiment of the island could work many wonders. Led by Lucinda, the Kraken Speaker, the Spirit defended the Atlanteans when they joined their hands and hearts

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

as one. That was how they were able to survive the Orphans’ onslaught and how they were able to transport the whole of Atlantis, in an instant, from the West Coast to the East Coast. The question in everybody’s mind at the time was how did the Atlanteans achieve this marvel. The people of Atlantis, though, didn’t have an answer because even they didn’t know for sure how this all came to happen. The fact of the matter is the Kraken was born out of Lucinda’s dream and the needs of her people. Once the Founding Five found out about the, at the time small, fragile figment of Lucinda’s imagination, they poured all their energy and dedication to strengthen the creature. In time the creature grew bigger and more powerful, but it remained ever calm and peaceful. Until the Orphans attacked the island. After that it was the people’s communion as one that lent a gargantuan amount of strength to the beast, turning it from a massive creature into a titanic one. It was then the Kraken as such was born and, with it, the confirmation the Atlanteans way of life was the way to go forward, and the only road left for the rest of the world if they wanted to survive against the Orphans. Once they appeared near the mainland, the Atlanteans started teaching both Saps and AMPs how to work together. The groups of Atlanteans, composed of Saps and AMPs working in harmony, became the blueprint for the cooperation that lead to the final defeat of the Orphans, and the restoration of the world.

The Chain Gang “Brothers and sisters! We’ve suffered more than any other group in the last few years. We learned a lot as well. Nothing like this will ever happen again! Not as long as we are here to stop it. NEVER AGAIN!” ~Demolition, Chain Gang spokesman After President Klein closed the Houndmaster program and pardoned any AMP incarcerated by the TRAC Elite program, the survivors obtained something they previously thought

impossible: Freedom. It didn’t include compensation or restitution from the government, however, and left several AMPs who had suffered terrible trauma without a way to reenter society. One such AMP, Demolition, saw the pain and hurt caused and sought to solve the problem, at least in part. He created a support group for ex-Hounds, an initiative that helped bring some semblance of normality into many lives and prevented a few tragedies. During one of these meetings, an AMP named Cascade used her time not to speak about the horrors she had suffered but about her vision of justice. She spoke passionately of AMPs all around the world suffering under tyrannical government agencies who performed experiments on them or used them to fight their petty Sap wars. “I don’t know about you,” she said, “but I can’t live with that.” Demolition saw the light of hope rekindling in his fellow AMPs and used his platform to take a simple support group and make it a real movement. This was the foundation of the Chain Gang. The affiliation’s main goal is to free any AMP incarcerated by Sap institutions and protect their kind from being hunted. Different tactics have been employed, from cyber attacks to arson, but their “by any means necessary” attitudes help them sleep at night. That said, if they can keep Saps and Twice Born safe, and create a situation where no one is harmed in any way, then even better. Saps can’t join the Chain Gang officially, but they have many sponsors and allies who give aid when they can. Every time the Chain Gang brings down an institution, their numbers swell. Recently-freed AMPs often have vengeance on the brain, but that’s more the realm of Retribution’s power. The Chain Gang brings these once-prisoners into the fold and teaches them to be people again, not animals in a cage. With the world in deep turmoil from Orphan attacks, the Chain Gang have found this a perfect outlet for hostilities. To the public, they are heroes fighting the Orphans, even if their true purpose is working through their pain and trauma and taking it out on a mutual enemy.

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Changelings “One day all the people in this world will come to you — to all of you — for aid and comfort. And I know, my brothers and sisters, you’ll be up to task.” ~Conduit, leader of the Changelings (aka “the Vessel of Shell’s Gift”)

The Crossovers “Though we are not powerful, we are mighty in our efforts. Not bowing before evil nor giving in but protecting those who cannot protect themselves.” ~Luna Shroud, arriving in Canada to aid in efforts As Typhoon drove La Almas Perdidas, Cuba’s AMP forces, out of Colombia, the group found allies in an unexpected place. The Crossovers had a policy of staying in the shadows. Their guerrilla war depended on working the long game in the gambit to protect their brethren, get the civilians to safety, and fight against Typhoon. La Almas Perdidas expected to win, and it was their downfall; they made no preparations for a pitched fight, nor to lose. The Crossovers were used to fights against overwhelming odds and accepted these fervent but untested AMPs into their ranks. At first it was a difficult proposition. Though faced with their own mortality at the hands of Typhoon, it was hard to accept their colorful ways as superheroes were not the best way to go about the fight. Typhoon hunted them and kept them always on the run in the harsh jungles of Colombia. Basic resources became hard to scavenge, and tensions were high because of the added stress. The training was difficult for them as they were unused to the terrain and the hardships. This fledgling alliance was in danger from the beginning, as many of the Crossovers became tired of fighting the intensified scrutiny

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The Changelings have become humanity’s shepherds. The ability Shell passed on to Conduit before he died — and he, in turn, granted to his followers — has been fundamental in saving the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Saps and AMPs. This ability, combined with the Changelings’ already resourceful and nomadic behavior, has made the masses of refugees flock to those who were once considered the pariahs of the world. This reversal of state has affected all Changelings, even if some of them aren’t conscious of it. A majority are enjoying this change, embracing and helping those who once cast them out. They understand amid this tragedy the Changelings have a unique chance to show they’re not only worthy of this burden, but they were always deserving of respectful treatment. Life for the Changelings has not been easy, though. They had to overcome painful memories of a recent past when they were persecuted and ostracized. Moreover, their followers have done so reluctantly, doubting their intentions in whispers, and often second-guessing their decisions openly. It has required patience and restraint on the part of the Changelings to follow this new path and not abandon these often-ungrateful sheep. Despite this difficult arrangement, the Changelings’ relentless march across America has continued. No place is safe from the Orphans and, as such, the best strategy has been to be constantly on the move, avoiding the obvious havens, and being as silent as possible when traversing the countryside. When meeting an Orphan, Changelings — and their followers — have preferred stealth and avoiding them whenever they have been able to. This pilgrimage has not been only about sav-

ing other people, though. The Changelings on that road, following Conduit’s teachings, have traveled it for a variety of reasons. The first worry besides survival has been to find the answer about “the Eye of Omega” that, according to Shell, was the Orphans’ weakness. The answers to that riddle were a trail of clues all over America and, as such, the Changelings were forced to move out in the open if they wanted to collect them in time to save the entire world. And so, they did.

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

brought on them by the newcomers. Typhoon was more serious than ever about killing the resistance AMPs and fighting them was a losing proposition with the newcomers in the field. But hope came in the form of lessening opposition as rumors of infighting spread. No one knows the truth, but the breathing room they received gave them time to mesh as a group. This was not a solution, but the situation became at least tenable to the veterans. In North America, a different issue brewed. The Crossovers that helped ferry AMPs to Mexico met a group of Quislings in the Sierra Madres. The Crossovers knew they could not combat the group, so they chose diplomacy instead. Through their talks, they found out the group had been hiding there, biding their time for when they might be able to combat their more powerful teammates, but that opportunity had not arisen. The Quislings were not interested in alliance, but surrender. The Crossovers convinced the ‘friendly’ Orphans an alliance would better serve both sides, but tensions were still high for a time. From working with the Quislings, it became plain this was because of their nature. As time passed, it was seen there was no malice, and true friendships formed between the strange beings and the Crossovers. These bonds resulted in the makeshift group becoming a real force at the Mexican-United States border. As the North American corridor became less hostile to AMPs, The Crossovers made decisive moves to make more of an impact. They sent half of the Quisling force to the South to help with the Orphan incursions in South America. This had another bonus as the numbers shifted in the Crossovers’ favor. They also sent expeditionary forces north, to help bring innocent AMPs to safety in Canada, and help the resistance there. These moves stabilized the alliance, bringing the sense they were making a difference. Over time, it became obvious the AMPs from the Crossovers were a tangible tie to the Quislings’ lost memories and lost humanity. This reminded them of their former selves and helped them get a handle on their returning memories.

Though the Quislings were not as powerful as the Orphans, they made a definite impact in the South American region, allowing what could have been deadly encounters to be at least survivable. The seeming fear the Orphans sowed wherever they attacked was less effective than it had been because of the efforts of the ragtag bunch. Though their work was not a solution to the problems the aliens presented, they helped in a separate way, as hope emerged in the populace.

The Faceless “I — we — were betrayed by those we put our trust in. The government, the media, the UHF: all turned their backs on us and embraced the freaks that destroyed OUR country. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get rid of them all.” *gun cocking* ~Kelly Pickett, Faceless member Here’s how the Faceless see the world. America was under control and President Lewis saw to that. He locked the AMPs away and didn’t press charges when real citizens, human citizens, did what was necessary. Ridding the world of AMPs was a good thing. Sure, some horrible things happened too, but at least the AMP menace was being managed. Once these monsters gunned down President Lewis, bad turned to worse and aliens arrived. Newly-appointed AMP-lover President Klein went against the average person and gave freedom to freaks. The good people of America were forced to stay in their homes out of fear and just hope for the best. And then the UHF turned their back on them too. The Faceless stepped in to fill the void left behind by the UHF and proved their passion and true dedication to a cause. Ignoring the war between monsters, the Faceless continued with their nightly efforts defending the average person and putting down any abomination they met. They protected people in their greatest time of need — and continue to do so.

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Heralds of the End “We’re doing God’s work. If the Twice Born are truly innocent, they should have no problem with our priests examining them and our scientists studying them, should they? I’ll tell you why: ‘coz their very existence is nothing more than Satan’s work!” ~Rev. Michael Spencer, leader of a Heralds’ church After the dead literally came back to life in 2017, many saw this as a miracle, a sign God cared for His flock. Radicals inside many of the world’s major religions, however, saw the creation of the Twice Born as a sign of the impending apocalypse. It was yet another sign when they were shunned from their churches; They were God’s new chosen people, and they had to do His holy work. Thus, the Heralds of the End came to be.

Under President Lewis’s anti-AMP administration, the Heralds had no problem obtaining the necessary weapons in preparation for the worst. Their new leader, Jani Koskinen, preached about monsters more terrible than any AMP and how the Twice Born would soon lay waste to all but the most reviled sinners and the heretical. The Heralds had to strike first — the only true way to stop what was to come. Their members created strange and complicated rituals to bless their weapons in such a way as to ensure no Twice Born came back after an encounter with the Heralds of the End. The Orphans’ arrival created a useful distraction, as the church hunted down and killed as many Twice Born as they could through the chaos. It was a triumph every time they rid the Earth of one of these terrible creatures, and the Lord was obviously on their side. Some camps even kept Twice Born alive in cages in hopes of learning their true qualities, if only to kill them more efficiently. When the Twice Born exodus began, these imprisoned monsters escaped on a large scale. The Twice Born were now more powerful than ever and couldn’t be held back. Guns and other weapons put them down for a few moments, but the Heralds were unable to bring them under heel. Then a woman called only ‘the Messiah’ appeared. She brought the light of God to purge the Twice Born once and for all. “The Damned,” she said, “must be banished before their corpses serve as vessels to demons who seek to rise again.” The Messiah touched a Twice Born and it crumbled into dust, showing her power. No one dared to question these God-given powers and considered this yet another sign to continue the fight. Now the Twice Born may be more powerful than ever, but their numbers still are the same. With their holy weapon in the Messiah, however, the Heralds of the End may be able to bring true peace to the world in 2019.

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Now publicly and proudly no longer affiliated with the UHF, seen as betrayers, the Faceless have found new allies in their endless struggle against the AMP menace. The group has received an influx of resources from various shadow backers, at once used to fund their aggressive AMP hunting parties who use the cover of the invasion to sneak in, gut an AMP or two, and get out without anyone noticing. And the public’s response was overwhelming: the average person once again had their heroes. Afterward, the media quickly forgot the Faceless’ cause, and this suited their purposes just fine. Their members are still anonymous, so anyone could theoretically be a member; a neighbor, a coworker, or even a lover. For AMPs, however, they learn the truth much too late to survive. Near the end of the year, once the war was over, the Faceless retook the spotlight and spoke the harsh truth: the freaks were the cause of this bloody conflict that destroyed America in the first place. And to show their commitment, they dared any AMP to show at their rally after New Year’s at the nation’s capital.

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

Mystics “The voices in my head told me to do many things. They told me where to go, but I ignored them. They told me what to do, but I refused them. They told me why people suffered, but I didn’t listen. When they told me how to save the world, though, I had to pay attention.” ~Daydream, Channel surfer During the year of the Invasion, Mystics continued to refine their ability to connect with and explore the Channel. The applications of their discoveries have only increased, and Mystics have now taken upon themselves the mantle of facing the Orphans head on. The boldest or craziest of them, depending on who you ask, directed Rampagers under their control to attack Orphans whenever they found them. In time, these Mystics became expert hunters and tacticians when it came to fighting the Orphans, and other AMPs sought their advice and council on these matters.

The only problem is that, unbeknown to the Mystics, the Orphans discovered what they were doing and figured out a way to use that to their advantage. Thus, it was not long before the invaders were using their superior psychic abilities to usurp control of the Rampagers from the Mystics and using them against any who dared to oppose the Orphans. The result was the Mystics’ apparent solution to the war became the basis for the invaders building a nearly-unstoppable army of their own. Some Mystics, however, understood right from the beginning of the invasion strength of arms alone couldn’t defeat the Orphans. These Mystics dedicated their time and efforts to perfecting their ability in traveling the Channel to levels unparalleled even among their own kind. After months of study and grievous losses on their side — from members who spent too much time “plugged” to the Channel — they were able to decipher the truth behind the Orphans coordination and unity: they communicated with one another through the Channel, not unlike what the Mystics did when pacify-

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Na ‘Aumakua “When the dark times come, the sun of the invaders, we will rise. Side by side we will fight, far from home, until the blue rain falls from the skies and our land is reborn.” ~Manaia, Head-Bird Prophet of the Nā ‘Aumākua The dream of independent ruling by the AMPs of Hawaii had ended in 2017. Surrounded on all sides by enemies vying for power over the island, Holoholona — leader of the Nā ‘Aumākua — had to make the most difficult decision of his life: to destroy Hawaii before letting it fall into foreign, enemy hands. More than half of the island sank beneath the waves and the US took control of what remained. After that, the survivors separated into two main groups. One went to the mainland and decided to continue their struggle against their enemies in their home turf. Others went to Atlantis and made an alliance with the Founding Five. These survivors had the hope of one day returning to Hawaii and rebuilding it even more beautiful than it had been before. As most other people on the planet, the Nā ‘Aumākua quickly realized this was a world-ending menace. Those in Atlantis began cooperating with all the Atlanteans, regardless of wheth-

er they were AMPs, Saps, Twice Born or other people. Those on the mainland allied with the people fighting against the Orphans and discovered things were even worse than they expected. Holoholona gathered his forces and went towards the center of the war: The White House. The Nā ‘Aumākua’s first major action during the war was during the defense of that place. There they proved the Sacred Guardians, although debilitated and far from home, were still a force to be reckoned with. When they joined forces with the Aegis Squad, in fact, they were able to achieve the first major victory against the Orphans — but with heavy losses. After that, the members of Nā ‘Aumākua began helping the US government and other allied AMPs in their struggle. This treaty came from out of more than their good will, although they had more than enough of it now. In exchange for their help, the Sacred Guardians received the only missing piece in their arsenal: the cure for Rampagers. With it, they were able to recover most of their original members who had lost their minds, bolstering their numbers and strengthening their position even more. When the war ended, Bluewing’s sacrifice cured many things. One of them was Hawaii. Those who had gone there trying to restore the island witnessed a miracle. As blue tears fell from the skies like rain, a new island was revealed beneath the rubble of the destruction. It was in this new island that the surviving members of Nā ‘Aumākua interred their former leader and renowned hero, Holoholona, who had died during the war. He was honored like a king with songs and poems immediately composed to celebrate his life. This rebirth of Hawaii provided a welcomed opportunity for Nā ‘Aumākua to regroup and start anew, now under a new leadership; that of Maichiru and her Menehune.

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Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

ing/controlling Rampagers. In that moment the Mystics had to make an impossible decision: to attack the Orphans’ main communication medium — revealing their understanding and usage of the Channel — or leaving the war’s result in the hands of other people. After a long council in the Channel, the Mystics decided to do the former. In the process, most died or became empty husks, their minds destroyed by the Orphans while they were connected to the Channel. Most grievous of all these losses was the death of Rapture herself, their leader and guide. The Mystics who still stood kept on fighting the Orphans, on the material world or in the Channel, to the best of their abilities.

Retribution

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

“The world has gone to shit — on that much we can agree, can’t we? Now, this is a new world. If you ask me, I think it’s high time we made it our own — and made everybody who made us suffer feel our wrath. First, however, we have to survive — and that means fighting the aliens.” ~Doruk, Retribution recruiter Retribution was one of the affiliation’s most affected by the Orphans’ arrival; in fact, they received the first strikes in the war. Their leader, Spearfinger, fought in the first battles against the Orphans, losing — and replacing — most of her body parts in the process. Despite their tactics and their leader’s resilience, Retribution was losing members, and they were losing them fast. The conflict was too much for them, and the end seemed nigh. And then, they met the Mystics. These were lowly AMPs, even more of a misfit affiliation than Retribution. Despite that, they were fighting the Orphans head on — with their minds and the help of Rampagers. Although it made her skin crawl, Spearfinger recognized the usefulness of the Mystics. Their ability to control Rampagers was way too important to underestimate it. Reluctantly, Spearfinger decided to join forces with them, even if she kept an eye on the weirdos and expected the worst. Despite being clear opposites, the alliance between Retribution and the Mystics turned out to be most fruitful, allowing them to hit the Orphans where it hurt them the most. Because of this, nowadays most Retribution members travel from battleground to battleground accompanied by one or more Mystics. The Mystics function as hunting dogs, counsellors, and strategists, while the members of Retribution are always ready to fight their enemy once again. Once President Klein issued her pardon of AMPs incarcerated in the TRAC Elite Program — effectively dissolving that group — members of Retribution saw it as an excellent opportunity. They began recruiting these disenfranchised (and mostly traumatized) AMPs and having

them join their ranks. This bolstered Retribution’s numbers and allowed them to keep on fighting the good fight, now alongside the Mystics and having at least passable relationships to other affiliations. After that, their chances to overcome the Orphans seemed pretty good — and then, the invaders learned how to hack the Mystics’ control of the Rampagers. From then on, Retribution were now fighting the Orphans and the Rampagers, and the situation became as dire as at the beginning of the year. More than ever, the cooperation with other AMPs (and even Saps) became fundamental to survive the onslaught.

Seekers of Enlightenment “I may be dying, but I’ll not let my life go to waste. I’ll use whatever time I have left to help everybody I can. In this fight we’re together, aren’t we? We need to use all our resources — lives included — if we are to defeat the Orphans.” ~Faerie Fire, Seeker diplomat and motivator After an almost impossible year, the Seekers received a couple pieces of good news, one after the other. Their founders returned home; Doctor Luminous was able to bring Critter back from a mindless, bestial state, finding at the same time a cure for the Rampagers; and the founding of the Aegis Squad reinvigorated the Seekers’ efforts to achieve peace with the Saps. It was too good to be true, but then the Orphans came. Due to their invasion, the Doctor had the unthinkable chance of allying with President Klein to face this new menace. As the war developed, the leader of the Seekers was once again taken from them. This time it was not an unhealthy obsession that drove him away, but the pursuit of a way to find the untraceable Orphans and hopefully prevent at least a part of their destruction. Still, with Doctor Luminous away, the Seekers had to rely once again on other leadership. As the war’s effects became increasingly devastating, the affiliation’s priorities shifted.

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TRAC “The world is being invaded and TRAC must be a part of the solution. If you can’t change along with the rest of the world, then there’s the door. If you are here to serve, however... you’re in the right place.” ~Director Petersen, TRAC HR TRAC has been, since its beginnings, an organization mired in the politics of hate. Most of the members joined in good faith to help protect and serve. Many of them were former members of other law enforcement agencies and carried those same sensibilities into service for TRAC. Policies dictated their responses and the more militant officers got more attention and promotions over the more measured members of TRAC. Why negotiate if force will suffice? They dealt with unhumans, and unhumans were a danger to the public trust. A few officers’ deaths helped to reinforce these thoughts. These attitudes began to set up rot in the organization. Even the most well-meaning officer experienced problems making the public see the difference between TRAC and the AMPs on the streets. The public began to experience fear when they appeared instead of trusting the officers. The public relations arm made a good effort and spread propaganda about how the officers protected and served the average citizen through many projects. It grew difficult for the public to reconcile their image with what they saw on the streets. And for many officers, it became just as hard to believe they were fighting the good fight. The arrival of the Orphans brought a radical change in perception amongst the officers. The alien invaders were implacable and powerful, and policy changes made these dangers their focus. Almost overnight, there were aliens to deal with — what kind of threat were AMPs in the face of this powerful blue menace? The announcement in Human Voices helped to alter beliefs by the more moderate TRAC officers. It became hard to view the Aegis Squad — those AMPs who fought and bled alongside them — as

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Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

At first, they were trying to lead the war effort but, after a time, survival became priority number one. The Donohue School for the Gifted, under Breeze’s leadership and Bluewing’s protection, became the main haven for young AMPs wanting to use their powers to battle the Orphans. Furthermore, under Bluewing’s tutelage, many Seekers decided to focus their abilities and powers on healing the injured, and sometimes even bringing back to life the ever-increasing casualties of the conflict. The more scientifically-oriented Seekers, meanwhile, dedicated most of their time to help Doctor Luminous with his efforts to build an Orphan detector. Many advances on anti-Orphan technology were created in the Seekers’ new facilities during the war. They could, in theory retrofit or adapt these advances to various purposes, both nefarious and beneficial, so they keep them under lock and key. Only the highest-ranking members of the organization have access to this technology, but all must be monitored, for they’re still dangerous. Finally, another sub-group of the Seekers has used their trained leadership muscles to lead the talks and alliances between disparate affiliations and between AMPs and Saps. Led by Nick Czernek, these diplomatic efforts have been underappreciated, but they were fundamental in bringing together the necessary strength and abilities to oppose the Orphans effectively. Without these Seekers’ actions, both AMPs and Saps would have suffered a quite different fate. Overall, the Seekers were present in almost all the war fronts. In 2018, more than ever, they cemented their position as the hub of AMP existence and the nexus between AMPs and Saps. This presence, at other times resented by other people, was a welcomed sight. Some Seekers, in fact, have begun to entertain the idea of them leading all of Humanness. Chief among them is none other than the Seekers’ leader, Doctor Luminous himself. What this vision may bring in the future for both AMPs and Saps, no one knows for sure.

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

anything but concerned citizens and comradesin-arms. Seeing them die for the country the TRAC officers pledged to preserve and protect changed more than a few views on the AMPs. The desertion of their comrades was a hard pill to swallow. But they had new ones, and the changes in policy and focus were welcome. And when some of their brothers returned, it was a bittersweet event, as TRAC had changed. The officers realized they wanted no one to threaten this, or their AMP allies. Though it was more dangerous than ever to be a part of TRAC, those pitched defenses against superior forces gave them something they hadn’t had for a long while: pride in a job well done.

Typhoon “Things always fall apart; it is just a matter of who is on top when it all reaches the ground.” ~Taboo, Director of Marketing Typhoon has gone through several upheavals this year. The Matriarch had many plans in motion, most notably the expansion into the black market and drug manufacturing. Her death put these programs and many others in doubt. The Hanger filled the power vacuum, but it has been a rough time for the members of Typhoon. He has proven to be a very different and more mercurial leader - it’s a game to him, rather than a real organization, with many resulting deficiencies. The Divisions so integral to Typhoon’s corporate facade suffered as many of the personnel in the divisions lost faith in the organization. Many attempted to use the shake-ups to move up in the organization. The first views of the Hanger’s methods led others to try to leave the organization. The frequent purges didn’t help with perceptions, and stability became a thing of the past. Associates continue to keep Typhoon’s dayto-day activities running somewhat smoothly, and those members of Typhoon who operated in a business environment rather than in the field saw few changes in their normal routine. Those who have to operate outside the shell companies found the rules of professionalism

they operate under are in many cases suspended because of the new day. Quality was the hardest hit of the Divisions, as it could not run under anything but an orderly process in its operations. The drugs at the center of Typhoon’s flow of revenue lost their strict adherence to product guidelines. Along with these problems many other Divisions had scores to settle, this also served to undermine Quality’s perceived usefulness. If the clients were willing to buy an inferior product and sales didn’t suffer, the bottom line appeared not to need such a strict adherence to the rules. Handlers found many of their assets — even well-established ones — fell out of contact. Though the contracts were very lucrative, money alone was not the reason many of them were in Typhoon. With the changes in the government in the United States, and the general instability because of the Orphan attacks, the Handlers were hard pressed to keep these assets in line. Troubleshooters were sent where the Contractors were essential to Typhoon’s operations, but there were too many of these defectors to keep under control. Outside of the primary organization, the Hanger’s erratic leadership style disrupted many of the operations in Central and South America; at one moment, a person could be a rising star, and the next, dead. The Orphans have not turned their attention to Typhoon, which is a positive, but the Crossovers and La Almas Perdidas — the AMPs sent from Cuba — have been able to put pressure on their operations rather than just holding the borders. In addition, attacks by yet another mysterious group sowed chaos within Typhoon’s organization, using knowledge of the Hanger’s organization no one else could conceivably have. Rank and file members of Typhoon questioned how long it would be before the new leadership turned to the South, and what the ultimate plan for the organization was focused upon. Fear spread as to what that attention would mean, and the solidarity the warlords had kept through the solid borders within Colombia frayed with the pressure from within and without. Other countries in the area such as Brazil and Venezuela pressed Typhoon and tied the

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United Human Front “We are facing an alien force, whose ultimate goals are not known. In order to preserve our race, we must work in concert with all humans to drive these invaders from our planet.” ~Dr. Shavar Stephens Rapid changes in the atmosphere in the United States began to erode the power base of the organizations that surreptitiously supported the United Human Front. The policies of President Klein were progressive towards unhumans and the arrival of the Orphans gave the citizens a more present and dangerous worry. The UHF had also been decimated by the attack at the end of the year, depriving it of resources, support, and more importantly, leadership. It was a very confusing time to be in the UHF, as these changes were greeted in many varying ways by the higher-ups in the organization. The cell structure that served the UHF so well also made the situation more chaotic, as individual cells were only linked by their

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Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

organization up in the wars happening on the borders. The incursions of the Orphans in Brazil and Columbia directly affected Typhoon and the warlords and assets in the two countries. With no support, the warlords found it difficult to hold on to territory and keep business flowing as usual. These developments had the effect of making it very dangerous to associate with Typhoon, either from incursions from other warlords, brush fires along the borders of their controlled areas, Orphan attacks or stresses within the organization. As the Hanger took down the Matriarch with a campaign of a thousand cuts; now the same thing was happening to him. Many of it was self-inflicted by inattention rather than some concerted force, but much of it was the result of the Orphans’ return and their overwhelming force from the nations Typhoon bled their parasitic due. Chaos could be a tool, but it could also be a hindrance as the Hanger found out. However, he was loath to change his approach at the direction of the Orphans, and so Typhoon continued to bleed ...

Chapter Two: Vs. The Orphans

propaganda. Though the loss of support hindered the UHF, they were still bound together by their beliefs. And though the Orphans were a hindrance, to most, if they took out AMPs and the increasingly corrupt government, that was a positive development. There was a plan, many of them reasoned. For now, that plan was to let them destroy each other, and humanity, led by the UHF, would rise to inherit the earth. Many rogue members of TRAC and the remnants of the Hound program joined the UHF, and while their members didn’t exactly swell the ranks, it did give a needed boost in the arm. After Amanda Schenfield was outed as the primary scapegoat for her pet project, she disappeared, not to be heard from again. No one knows if she still lives, but her work does. Those assistants and proteges she let near her were true believers, and when she disappeared, they took up the flag of her work salvaging much of her research to carry to the UHF. There was still work to be done, and the UHF was the obvious safe harbor for them to carry forth her plans. How obvious they didn’t find out until later. Though Schenfield kept a lot of her work close to the vest, Drs. Ronald Kray and Alexis Fry were the two subordinates with whom she discussed many of her plans and theories. Without her brilliance, they could not continue her plans easily. But they found within the UHF the existence of the genetic tampering program. It was rudimentary compared to the works of Schenfield, but enough for them to build upon. It seemed they were on the cusp of salvaging their work, and building upon it, and the work that had already been done within the UHF to empower humans to rise up against any forces that threatened them, whether AMP or Orphan. Though there was support for their

initiatives within what remained of the leadership, they found their largest deficit was not in resources nor personnel. Making an honest assessment, they realized they were not leaders. There had been someone else to be the face of the organization, as Dr. Stephens had not stepped forward to do so, and they realized they were unequipped for the role. As the UHF tried to recover, the most damaging wound to their recovering organization was yet to come — the memo in Human Voices asking the UHF members to band together with the AMPs against the Orphans. The reasoning was they were fighting for all of humanity against a foe that was completely alien. Many theories arose around that memo; Someone had compromised their propaganda publication and it was a lie; Dr. Stephens was behind it but was controlled by AMPs; Dr. Stephens was dead and replaced by AMPs. All sorts of news spread through the cells — some with a hint of truth, and others borne by fear. Dr. Fry could not understand the reasoning behind the UHF’s announcement in Human Voices, but it was a convenient device for her purposes. Those fanatical enough to view the unhumans as the primary threat, even considering the Orphans, flocked to her banner. She used counter propaganda to spread rumors about the ‘true’ reason behind Stephens’ change. The program flooded the social media with outrageous stories that had not a measure of truth to them. Even with that edge and the influx of believers, Fry did not find what she needed. The organization was falling apart, and there was nothing Fry could do to change it. She’d been able to keep the dire nature of their position from Kray as he worked on getting the exact genetic formula for empowering humans to fight for themselves, but she feared she’d have to tell him soon.

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Chapter Three: World Invasion Brazil “Brazil is in a solid position, but faces significant obstacles, both internal and external. We have to learn we cannot stand alone and must aid our neighbors to have lasting peace and prosperity.” ~Former President Dilma Rousseff Brazil had an uncompromising view of AMPs. The government tolerated no unregistered AMPs within their borders, and those who did not comply could expect rapid responses to their actions. They also drafted AMPs into the National Force, training them to use their powers, ostensibly to reduce the number of AMP-related incidents from untrained powered individuals. As the actual deployment with the National Force in the field was voluntary, it seemed a reasonable policy regarding AMPs. The policy was not entirely benign, as one mid-day in July, Wildfire destroyed the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The Orphan incinerated the iconic statue, grew to 125 feet, spread his arms, and took the place of the destroyed edifice. Highlighted in fire, he set the path to the statue on fire, exercising remarkable control in his wake, Rampagers appeared on the ground, racing for the city, forcing a response. The army was deployed from Brasília, but the more immediate response came from a base found on a Fazenda south of Rio unknown before this crisis. This unit consisted of AMPs who had been forcibly drafted from the National Force

and trained in secret. As it was revealed, the Orphans destroyed the site in a seemingly coordinated attack. Though this would have political ramifications, at this point, Brazil fought just to survive. Shortly after the AMP army scattered, Brasília, São Salvador, and São Paulo came under attack. The Brazilian Army, even with the secret AMP forces was not equipped to repulse the Orphans. A slow war began, as Brazil struggled against the Orphan incursions. Macumba is a tradition of magic practiced in Brazil for centuries; their rituals and practices performed alongside traditional religions, in violation of the tenets of their official religious affiliations, but quietly accepted. This changed as magic came back into the world and they became as powerful as had historically been attributed to them, but they stayed in the shadows; that is, until the country they loved was under attack. Salvador was the first city to feel the relief of the magic of the Macumba. It was not so much powerful as it was unexpected. The Orphans did not seem to be occupying the cities as much as reveling in destruction, so the help was more in the way of combating the Rampagers left behind and rebuilding infrastructure of the shattered cities. The alliance of different forces — the Army, what remained of the AMP forces, and the Macumba — was welcome, if unexpected. Quisling forces on the border were the first who realized this was an opportunity: the Crossovers were skeptical but became less so as they began to make real progress against the Orphans, and Brazil began to press northward into Venezuela, as much to cultivate allies as to help the floundering country.

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Chapter Three: World Invasion

Central and South America

Colombia

Chapter Three: World Invasion

“The person who recognizes his major mistakes is on the road to wisdom.” ~Colombian Proverb Colombia was a stronghold for the southern interests of Typhoon and its production of War Path. After establishing order and carving the country into districts for the warlords, the production and sale of War Path soared to unprecedented profitability. The Matriarch took special notice of select warlords, and the rewards she gave them resulted in increased productivity. The warlords not in the Matriarch’s favor approached their problem with their usual strategies of spying, underhanded deals, and extreme violence. Even so, the Matriarch’s death did not have a significant effect on War Path distribution nor on the pet projects started under her leadership. Her underlings were autonomous, and this kept operations stable regardless of any shakeups at the home office. Colombians had heard about the threat of the Orphans; the Washington attacks were news everywhere, so it was a topic of conversation and speculation. But the Orphans were someone else’s problem, and it was easy to ignore what they were doing, especially with the more immediate conflict between the Crossovers and Typhoon constantly raging in their own backyards. The people lived in fear, as there was no way to tell when deadly battles would erupt in the streets. Two different events shook things up. First, the assimilation of Typhoon by the Hanger; though he exercised little authority in the region, there was an endemic fear of the new leadership. The rumors spread about his excesses in North America were far more damaging than anything the Hanger could have done. As the Hanger was an unknown quantity, the warlords became less concerned with pleasing him than gaining territory and increasing their power and money. Secondly, the conflicts between the warlords did not follow the rules of engagement they had enjoyed just months prior. There had been agreements in place that reduced the effects of the struggles for the Matriarch’s favor:

the production facilities for drugs were off limits, they could only raid storage facilities, not destroy them, workers (not all willing) were only attacked as part of another operation. Autodefensas Gaitanistas (AGC), a paramilitary gang, one of the largest, was the first to break the informal agreement, targeting Buenaventura with assaults on every aspect of business in the area: the docks, the red-light district, and any members of rival gangs in the area. Normally, a change like this is based on the economics of the situation, which keeps the collateral damage in check. The Urabeños quickly learned this was not business as usual, as the death toll rose above acceptable levels, and they struck back in kind. These internecine struggles had effects beyond the warlords as the regions had to pull back efforts that had been ongoing in degrading the effectiveness of the Crossovers. The nature of the conflicts began to take on a different tenor in the fall. New allies helped the Crossovers deal with Typhoon on equal footing. Rumors had it that they had Orphans on their side, and Typhoon could not counter this new factor in the conflict. The people in the area began to openly defy Typhoon, and it seemed that the balance of power in the area began to change. That was to change drastically in October. With their change in fortunes, the Crossovers planned a large push with their allies, Las Almas Perdidas and the Quislings. They’d already taken Quibdó, so knowing the situation in Buenaventura, they planned to take advantage of the focus on the port town to strike decisively toward Medellín and undermine Typhoon’s perceived power in the area. As the fighting began, and it seemed the Crossovers’ plans would meet with success, darkness fell over the city, punctuated by explosions along the Metro Cable, the cable car system connecting the city to the mountainous barrios. Panic reigned as Rampagers dropped into their midst totally disrupting the Crossovers’ plans; a sign the Orphans were no longer going to ignore Columbia. The conflict ravaged Medellín along with much of the combined forces of the Crossovers. The Quislings prevented the group’s annihilation, evacuating as many as they could from the area — but with the un-

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expected nature of the Orphans’ attack, they took severe casualties, inflicting none of their own.

Venezuela

The more significant event was the sudden interjection of the countries that had, up to this point, stayed out of the conflict. As the conflicts with Typhoon pressed closer to Venezuela, they closed their borders with Colombia. Though their armed forces did not have sufficient resources to combat Typhoon, the internal struggles weakened them enough as they tried to shut down the smuggling of drugs across the border. The two shared a vast and undeveloped border, and there were only a few areas that accommodated traffic between them. Venezuela shut down the last of these near the Colombian town of Cúcuta overnight, and the fighting escalated. Venezuelan President Francisco Lairet moved troops into the Paraguachón border crossing that formerly connected the Guajira department and Zulia. In addition to the drug trade, however, this move disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of bystanders who had no standing in the conflict. Venezuela also deported thousands of Colombians living in the country, increasing instability in the area, contrary to their purpose. The Guajira department was the province of Los Rastrojos, led by Aguila Negra, and any weakness shown to his contemporaries would cause a loss in territory and production at the very least. He conducted as bloody a campaign

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“This strength of Marti, of a dignified and steadfast Cuba that stands tall, I will take with me to the people of Venezuela in recognition of their heroism.” ~President Francisco Lairet

Chapter Three: World Invasion

as he was able while securing his other interests. With the relative weakness of the Venezuelan army, he could make his point to Lairet. This effectively ended the blockade, but an unexpected player entered the game in the form of Venezuela’s southern neighbors. Having faced their own problems with Orphan incursion, Brazil realized they could not combat them alone, so acting on information from the Crossovers, and forming a limited alliance, they struck savagely at the limited forces of Los Rastrojos who had been left behind. It seemed South America was on its way to a solid alliance of the major forces in the Northern part of the continent. The Orphans kept pressure on the cities in the area in unexpected and unpredictable fashion, bringing force to bear at random, keeping forces in the area off balance.

Europe The United Kingdom “This is no time for Ease and Comfort. It is time to Dare and Endure” ~Sarah Champlain quoting Winston Churchill The AMP Registration Act enabled the United Kingdom to develop their counter to not only the Orphans, but also the Extraordinary Crimes Research Unit. This new organization pressed AMPs into service, and though it was different from the Hound program in the United States, critics pointed out it still deprived the AMPs of their right to choose. With Sokeli and the ‘London Underground’ less of a possibility, AMPs had few options in their quest to keep their agency. The new group, dubbed the General Headquarters (GHQ) Auxiliary Unit was a call back to the Auxiliary Units in the World War II British resistance. Opposition voices pointed out the incongruity of the name and called it a besmirchment of those brave souls who volunteered to fight Nazi Fascism. Even the British Army was a volunteer unit. The conservatives missed the argument, putting the program

into operation over the concerns of the public. Prime Minister Henry Gordon-Home appointed Iain Blackwood to oversee the operations, and to silence detractors placed an AMP, Tasker, in charge of training the recruits. They formed the Auxiliary Units to make use of irregular warfare to try a different approach in battles with Orphans. They were to be a multi-layered group, organized into operational teams that would support regular forces and each other. Tasker had considerable experience as a veteran of battles with the Crossovers. He had returned home to the United Kingdom to escape the conflicts in Northern Mexico but returned to the same conflict in his home country. He used this experience to prepare his units the best he could and resurrected the term “scallywag” to refer to AMPs in his unit. The British Regular Army had no inkling of how they should deploy the units, and he found his arduous work wasted in the pitched battles he had never trained them to fight. The GHQ Auxiliary Units deployed in defensive positions at Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, as well as the Tower of London. The problem wasn’t in their deployment, but in that Tasker had designed them to be rapid response units. The choices of defensive positions turned out to be eerily accurate, or as some said, the Orphans somehow knew where the units were deployed. Though the units fought as bravely as the units they were named after, they proved to be inadequate at defending ground. The Orphans were just too powerful, striking at will and destroying anything in their path. The destruction of Big Ben by a flight of Orphans was a demoralizing event; the sight of the cultural symbol of the United Kingdom slowly collapsing in flames lighting the night sky. The London bomb shelters, long repurposed as hydroponic farms, returned to their original purpose as the citizens retreated, their confidence in the royal armies degraded with failure after failure against the Orphans. The decisions to withdraw from the EU and the joint defense initiatives were debated and discussed, as more blame than solutions were tossed about. The more the Orphans attacked, the more Parliament failed to reach consensus as to

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Germany “Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König (Among the blind, the one-eyed is king.)” ~German Proverb The concentration of AMPs made Germany the spearhead of the fight against the Orphans for the benefit of the entire EU. Their opposition to the Russian machinations had put them in a unique position to use those same AMP forces against the Orphans. Soon they realized the

fight against this new foe was a more difficult and deadly conflict. The Orphans reinforced this through two different incidents, as they staged their incursions for maximum shock and awe — attacking in rapid succession the La Sagrada Familia, the Salzburg Fortress, and the Grand Fortress, destroying the landmarks in a chain of attacks designed to demoralize quickly without a chance for recovery. German authorities became more concerned as the casualties mounted, and concerns from other member countries as the forces they put so much into seemed ineffective. The team had been built for a specific reason: to interdict Russian troops, and though the rapid response of the teams to different countries was admirable, their effectiveness at fighting a superior force was questionable. As these doubts began to spread, the Orphans staged another blitzkrieg, destroying the Eiffel Tower, St. John’s Cathedral, the Acropolis, and finishing with the Brandenburg Gate in Germany. Predictably, the United Kingdom’s response was to further isolate themselves, citing Germany’s failures. The other member states contributed funds, military divisions, and AMPs to the cause, doubling down on their support of Germany. This was not out of a sense of fairness, nor spreading the responsibility for the defense against the Orphans, but because the countries did not want the responsibility for the defense of the European Union. The legislature gave the Extraordinary Crimes Research Unit (ECRU) expanded powers and personnel. Saps were no longer the only members, and the organization built satellite facilities in other host countries to decrease response time to Orphan incursions. In addition to the tech division, the ECRU created the Mystic Division, headquartered in Poland and led by Hortensia Niemec, to learn about how they would use the returning magic against the Orphans. Jasa Brzezicki, a recruit in the Mystic Division, saw it was truly an organization against the Orphans, and introduced her superior to Touchstone, a member of the Mystics. Touchstone chose to expose himself despite the danger, as he believed any organization dedicated to stopping the Orphans could be of use, no matter the dangers in doing so. The Mystics’ successes proved this approach

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what should be done. Their AMPs were wasted in pitched battles with the Orphans at every turn. Sarah Champlain, known more for her stance on domestic and child abuse, took a stand — invoking memories of Churchill and the hardline stance for the UK in WWII. Calling for action, not blame, she argued that we should “Let our assets off the chain and stop letting politics dictate our response.” By a slim vote, Tasker was placed in full control of the GHQ Auxiliary Units. His first act was to secure Quislings from his former comrades in the Crossovers to help in regaining a semblance of normalcy. Though in the beginning he was only able to protect London with roaming units, the addition of the rogue Orphans enabled them to restore order throughout the entirety of the UK. The major turning point was the Battle for Oxford, as Tasker’s forces were correctly able to predict a target of the Orphans and staged a counter-attack on their enemy during their assault. In most cases, the Orphans were able to control the tide of battle, giving them an almost insurmountable advantage. While the GHQ Auxiliary Units had a superiority in forces, the tactical advantage, the addition of Quislings to their force resulted in a decisive, if bloody victory, that was a huge morale boost. Champlain campaigned through the UK to drive support for the efforts and made the GHQ Auxiliary Units and Tasker a household name. While their efforts were not totally successful, in the end their successes outweighed their failures, and the Orphan incursions, while not completely stymied, at least lessened on the mainland.

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was effective in rebuffing Orphan incursions. However, they were no closer to being able to track the Orphans. The Mystics worked with the newly set-up division to speed up their research into the nature of their foe. As they began to attack the Orphan’s collective after finding out their weakness to being disconnected, the Mystic Division was a welcome addition to their forces. Unfortunately, the ECRU became skeptical of this approach as the losses mounted.

Italy “I have given what I could to the country I love. But when the country I love destroys my efforts, I can give nothing more.” ~Via Nicolai (press conference statement) Though not a country involved in Project Black, Italy found itself in a better position than France. AMPs manifested in the country, though at a low rate. The Italian government intended to make full use of their AMPs and actively recruited them with promises of luxury for them and their families. The Esercito Italiano was the designated branch in control of the AMP effort, though the other branches tried to make sure they were a part of the program. Like the United Kingdom’s program, they quartered the AMPs with the special forces unit, and trained with the Comando operativo interforze delle forze speciali, as the Operations Headquarters was responsible for the operations carried out by the group. They placed Via Nicolai, a TIER 1 operator in the Italian Special Forces, in command of the group, and when trained and deployed with the army, it was minimally effective against Orphan incursions. As Germany made demands, and Italy accepted their demands, this reduced the effectiveness of the unit, sending half of their force to help with the defense against the Orphans. Jokes surfaced about Italy’s performance in World War II: they gave in to German power with little fight. Those jokes didn’t consider the mistakes in government and the diplomatic realities of Italy’s tenuous position.

Russia “Долг платежо́м кра́сен (Debt is beautiful [only] after [it is] repaid).” ~Russian Proverb The Great Russian Bear had been aggressive since the upheaval in the United States. As they accumulated success after success, aggression rose to levels unforeseen. The annexation of the Ukraine was just the first step in their political plans. Fear ruled their relationship with the European Union, a fact that made Russia seem more powerful than they were. The continual uncertainty about Russia’s next move kept the other nations off balance. The only country able to counterbalance Russia’s plans was China, and there were always eyes on the densely populated country. Russia kept their AMP numbers as a closely guarded secret and struck hard to make it seem they had more AMP forces than they truly possessed. This changed in the latter part of June, as the Orphans made themselves known. A darkness descended on Red Square, as St. Basil’s Cathedral flattened. It was not cratered; the historic structure was merely driven into the ground, the peaks once the pride of the Cathedral now barely appearing from the ground. By the time Russia’s response force arrived on the scene, many other historic structures had suffered similar fates. Rampagers dropped into the chaos, as the Orphans disappeared from Red Square. The government soon found out the attack on Red Square was merely a feint, as the Orphans destroyed the high-speed rail connecting Moscow to Novgorod. Where they’d spared the Kremlin after the disastrous attack on the White House earlier in the month, the Novgorod Kremlin was not so fortunate. Along with many structures, seemingly as an afterthought, the Kremlin was razed. The Orphan incursions were a threat to Russia’s plans. They diverted forces to respond to any Orphan attacks, and Russia had a lot of terrain to protect, making it impossible to keep the Cold War stance with the European Union. After their blitzkrieg, the Orphans’ aggressions died down to a more manageable level, but

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Japan “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” ~Japanese Proverb As conflicts raged on the mainland, Japan turned its political and economic focuses inward. In 2017, the snap general election caused dramatic shifts in the National Diet — Japan’s legislature — the results of which reverberated well into 2018. Progressive and pro-AMP candidates won several seats, due to the recent changes to voting age-restrictions and the youth culture’s increasing influence. All six seats in the Kyoto Prefecture were won by AMP-rights supporters, including Psycho Okami — a member of the Coil Children, the flamboyant, anti-establishment AMP-youth group. Unfortunately, Typhoon’s political influence also expanded, as they supported candidates with major ties to shipping and fishing zaibatsu. This allowed them to turn Japan’s maritime forces against their main adversaries in the Pacific, specifically Atlantis and the Siren. Japan’s first indications the invasion had reached their shores occurred in February 2018. On the northern island of Hokkaido, Sapporo plunged into darkness during its annual Snow Festival. The sky burned with scintillating auroras, casting the city in unsettling light. To peo-

ple’s horror, the festival’s famous snow sculptures sprang to life, attacking anyone within reach of their icy claws and teeth. Over the next few days, a trio of Orphans decimated much of the city’s meager defenses. They also destroyed the Seikan Tunnel, the island’s undersea train connection, effectively cutting Hokkaido off from the Japanese mainland. Finally, they erected an Edo-era fortress at the heart of Sapporo, surrounding it with kaiju-like Rampagers. They ruled the island like shoguns, dispensing swift and brutal justice against any uprising. Many of the indigenous Ainu people began worshipping the Orphans as gods (kamuy), believing they could return Hokkaido to its more traditional times. The Kami Movement — AMPs with animalistic mutations who’d become shrine guardians — combated several Orphan incursions into Japan. By mid-year, many kami manifested tremendous magical powers, perhaps due to their spiritual connection to the Shinto faith. These new skills allowed them to repeatedly repel incursions from the Hokkaido Orphans and their forces. This further softened Japan’s xenophobic leanings against AMPs, as an increasing number of citizens believed the kami were divinely blessed heroes. Utilizing his Teleportation powers, the street samurai known as Ronin traveled between Japan and the United States, lending his katana to the fight against the Orphans. This included defending Meiji Shrine (Shinjuku, Tokyo) from a seemingly insurmountable Rampager attack. Nor did he abandon his one-man crusade against the criminal underworld, often clashing with the Yakuza and Typhoon in Japan’s urban centers. To the south, the Kyoto Dreamscape continued expanding, well beyond its earlier incarnation. No longer confined to the augmented reality created by local kami, the Dreamscape’s phantasmal spirits and elements bled over into the city’s actuality. While many of these spirits were benign in nature, an increasing number turned hostile against the living. The nightmarish entities and terrifying ghosts haunting Kyoto’s streets consumed several Coils and Saps each night. Despite these dangers, the Dreamscape also became a vital tool for those talented in the mystical arts. Nanako Tatsumi, a fox-tailed shrine maiden, harnessed the Dreamscape to perform major conjuration magic,

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paranoia reigned in Russia’s policies. Though Russia never recognized Mongolia’s sovereignty, they pulled back from their invasion, standing down the aggressive stance with China. A truce existed, it seemed, because of the presence and threat of the Orphans, and though relations were chilly between the two superpowers, there was no danger of outright hostilities. In Russia’s struggles with China, they have a card they have not played: the deal two United Nations peacemakers made over Vodka — unrestricted aid from the United States. It is a powerful asset, but Minister Kovalev husbanded that advantage ruthlessly. He only had one opportunity to use it, and he decided that he would make sure he employed it as a scalpel instead of a hammer.

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including summoning spectral avatars from her favorite anime and JRPGs. Intriguingly, many magically-inclined individuals — all young women — surfaced across Japan, usually in larger metropolitan centers like Tokyo. These self-proclaimed Majokko (witch-girls), exhibited advanced magical skills and other talents. As with the Coil Children, most adopted outlandish personas, and even more colorful outfits. Some even engaged in arcane duals straight out of famous manga, much to the annoyance of normal citizens and the fascination of adoring otaku.

South Asia India “The Three great mysteries: air to a bird, water to a fish, mankind to himself.” ~India Proverb In India, the Nine Incarnations of Dharma grew in power and influence, winning millions of supporters in rural communities. Furthermore, their heroics created a groundswell of unchecked nationalism, slowly eroding the Indian Government’s control, as well as renewing calls for the reunification of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The anti-AMP sentiments faded as citizens saw AMPs more as blessed than cursed. Many AMPs took shelter in temples and holy sites, joining sadhu sects or creating their own. They spread the scriptures of communal harmony and returning to more traditional times. The pervasive caste system became increasingly strict throughout the country, as Indian society shrugged off its British leanings. In the largest cities, less scrupulous AMPs formed gangs and lorded over their neighborhoods, easily dominating organized crime through sheer power. This allowed branches of Typhoon to infiltrate cities like Mumbai, right under the King of Heaven’s nose. Even so, grandiose battles often took place between criminals and the Nine. These brash and loud fights became the things of legend, helping feed the ever-hungry Bollywood with inspiration. An entire subge-

nre of superhero movies took off, flooding the market with tales of justice and national pride. The Orphans’ arrival caught the Incarnations completely by surprise. Refusing to bow to foreigners, the Incarnations viewed the invasion as yet another act of imperialistic aggression. The King of Heaven at once moved against the invaders, eager to push them out of the country. Unfortunately, their many victories only fueled his arrogance, blinding him to the true threat posed by these entities. As such, the Nine were unprepared for what awaited them in the city of Jaipur. Upon their arrival in India, the Orphans gathered together all the asuras, the monstrous AMPs, cast out by Indian society. Under the guidance of the Orphan Ravana, these bandits and villains became a formidable army known as the Rakshasa. They lured the Nine into Jaipur’s urban center, only to launch a devastating counter-attack. The King of Heaven watched helplessly as the Giant fell to the blades of the multiarmed Ravana. Gravely wounded, the surviving Incarnations retreated, mortally shaken by their first real defeat. The Rakshasa reduced much of Jaipur to smoldering ruins, demonstrating the cost of defiance. They settled in the nearby ghost city of Bhangarh, using the cursed site as their center of power. The Rakshasa and Nine faced off repeatedly throughout the year, neither side gaining the upper hand, and leaving untold devastation in their wake. In late spring, the city of Varanasi became the focal point for a spiritual upheaval, which soon spread across Asia like wildfire. As hundreds of people watched, Pranav Ojha woke upon his funeral pyre, only moments before being cremated and given back to the Ganges River. This miraculous rebirth immediately caused both awe and panic, as believers struggled with proof of reincarnation. More troubling for them, Pranav was low caste; hardly worthy of this blessing. In truth, Pranav was Twice Born — although he did not realize this until much later. Finding himself both famous and notorious, worshipped and feared, he tried to help others like him, as well as discover where the Twice Born could fit into a society so intimately tied to the concepts of reincarnation. When India supported the Bhutanese government during the Doklam Pass Conflict, China blamed the destruction of their vital infrastruc-

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Pakistan “Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.” ~Pakistani Proverb Tensions between Pakistan and India reached crisis levels early 2018, prompting a military buildup along the border — particularly in the contested region of Kashmir. Hostilities escalated further by the Nine Incarnations of Dharma, who often attacked Pakistani troops and facilities. The Nine’s leader, King of Heaven, publicly denounced Pakistan’s existence and the 1947

Partition of India. Despite denials by the Indian Government, Pakistan blamed them for the Incarnations’ actions, threatening military retaliation. The situation devolved into open warfare after Pakistan Armed Forces tried to detain AMP refugees crossing the border with their families, trapping them in a narrow valley. The troops came under attack by the Sword, second-in-command of the Nine. Together with the Giant, the pair routed the Pakistani unit, mercilessly cutting through their ranks. Desperate, the border guards shelled the entire valley, killing AMPs and Saps alike, as well as hitting Indian positions. Enraged, the Sword and Giant butchered the entire army outpost, calling it the first step toward reunification. The following morning, the Pakistani government declared any further actions by the Incarnations would constitute an act of war. Again, India denied any wrongdoing, but immediately increased their armed forces along the Kashmir border. In the summer, Prime Minister Navid Chishti received an unexpected visitor — an Orphan with demonic features. It set the Giant’s severed head on Navid’s desk, smiling with too many teeth. “A

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ture on the Incarnations of Dharma. After India increased its military presence in Kashmir, China mobilized its forces along the Sino-Indian contested border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Utilizing AMPs, Chinese Special Forces conducted frequent incursions along the LAC, probing the Indian defenses. While both military forces avoided direct conflict, it was only a matter of time before events turned deadly.

gift from the Rakshasa,” Ravana said. “When the time comes, we shall stand with you. All we ask is your obedience.” One week later, Pakistan welcomed the conquering Rakshasa into their borders — not as invaders, but as protectors.

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Bangladesh “The deer has enemies because of its flesh” ~Bangladeshi Proverb By 2018, the epic movie Mamata, released worldwide, launching Bangladesh’s beloved star, Sanghrila Channa, into international fame. The AMP-advocate used her fame and powers to better AMP-Sap relations in her homeland, as well as many Asian countries. Through Jennifer Stewart, the US actor, Sanghrila established her own production studio in the capital city of Dhaka. Her work heavily promotes AMP rights, as well as women’s rights. She pushed for a mandatory percentage of seats on the House of the Nation (the Bangladeshi legislature) be allotted for AMPs, as had been done with women. She continued her activism until an anti-AMP devotee shot her during a press function, claiming she’d betrayed her fans and her country. Fortunately, Sanghrila recovered from the injury, but the incident exposed the deep animosity still fostered by Bangladeshi society. She continued her campaign for AMP rights, but political changes hindered her efforts and placed her in extreme danger. Hostilities between India and Pakistan created added turmoil in the already divided Bangladeshi government. Many members of the House of the Nation feared the Nine Incarnations of Dharma would eventually call for the reunification of Bangladesh. They claimed disenfranchised AMPs might heed this call and revolt against the government. Citing the Fifteenth Amendment — for the protection against usurpers — these members channeled more funding into the country’s infamous Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite, anti-terrorism police unit. As with TRAC in the United States, the RAB became the government’s

anti-AMP law enforcement agency. Already known for its human rights’ violations, such as murdering protesters and conducting ‘enforced disappearances,’ the RAB struck fear deep into the heart of the AMP community. Even Sanghrila came under RAB scrutiny, often interrogated over ties to the Nine and AMP-rights groups, as well as her affiliations with foreign AMPs like Jennifer Stewart. She quickly realized not even her fame would protect her from being forcibly ‘disappeared’ during the night. Despite this constant threat, she publicly continued her activism.

Bhutan “A fire should be extinguished when it is small; an enemy should be subdued while young.” ~Bhutanese Proverb Also known as Drukyul (the Land of Dragons), the Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, remote country, located in the Himalayan range between India and China. While the larger nations around it confronted many internal and external challenges, Bhutan remained in relative peace and obscurity throughout the years. However, China renewed its border dispute with the small nation in early 2018, illegally building a road into the Doklam Pass. This intrusion resulted in a standoff with the Bhutanese military, supported by Indian troops. Before the impasse escalated, a massive Rampager descended from the mountains and systematically destroyed the Chinese heavy equipment and construction sites — without harming any humans. Formerly a Buddhist monk, the creature normally existed in a quiet monastery, calmed through chants and prayer bells. Resembling Druk (Thunder Dragon), the Rampager became the living symbol of Bhutan’s sovereignty. An influx of AMPs from northern India escaping persecution helped advance the country’s modernization projects.

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China “While living in peace, think of danger.” ~Chinese Proverb

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By 2018, China’s government felt increasing political pressure from the AMP-led People’s Socialist Advancement Party (PSAP). Despite heavy governmental opposition, Cheng Wong, leader of the PSAP, ascended to Deputy Party Secretary of Guizhou province. Her Marxist re-

vival placed AMPs at the top of China’s social strata, demarcating them as both leaders and protectors of the people. Their extensive social works in the countryside and cities continued to expand and solidify their public support. This included winning over the Communist Youth League of China, which had been diminishing in political power for several years. Through the Youth League, the PSAP’s influence expanded throughout the country, reaching disaffected AMPs and Saps. Under Cheng’s guidance, they started a social renaissance, based upon a mythology of new folk heroes. The National People’s Congress — China’s national legislature — strived to halt this revolution before it could begin. Drawing inspiration from America, President Bao Qingtian launched an anti-AMP social crusade, as well as demoting key party members loyal to the PSAP. However, this did little to dissuade the millions of the underclasses and marginalized, who saw firsthand how AMPs could better their communities. As the government lost control of the rural areas, the situation escalated quickly, heading toward open conflict. However, the arrival of the Orphans and the new conflicts in Bhutan and Mongolia dampened the government’s desire to risk open revolt. Instead, they slowed the PSAP’s progress the best way they knew how; burying them in bureaucracy. Cheng soon watched her political victories transform into an administrative quagmire beneath her feet.

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In early 2018, much of Beijing’s Xicheng District became wreathed in impenetrable fog, stemming from the Tianning Temple complex. At first, the strange mist remained benign in nature, but soon enough people spoke of demons and ghosts patrolling the streets at night. Any local and military units investigating the area simply vanished or were left as mindless husks. Only a group of magically-empowered women, known as the Red Lanterns, returned from the district unscathed. They reported encountering extremely powerful Orphans, who were converting the temple complex for some alien purpose. The shame of having an invading force residing in the nation’s capital further embittered the government against AMPs and their supporters. Sensing the political shift, a group of nomadic Changelings descended from their mountain retreat. They were heartened to be welcomed into the rural communities, treated with a newfound respect. Their new leader, Chikou, contacted the PSAP and offered their support, if Deputy Cheng helped release their founder, Nu Jaipeng, who remained a political prisoner after their failed revolt in 2016. She readily agreed, giving them positions within the PSAP. In return, they provided her with considerable information on China’s covert operations and AMP research. Unfortunately, by year’s end, Nu remained locked away in a secret prison. Despite their internal issues, China continued expanding its interests across the globe. Taking advantage of America’s state of chaos, they placed added pressure on Taiwan. The Chinese navy often stopped Taiwanese trading ships, justifying their actions on the country’s recent ‘aggressive’ stance and AMP research program. Covertly, China Special Forces continued to plant evidence to support their claims. This illegal intervention backfired on the Chinese when they intercepted a trawler heading for Indonesia. As the Jiangkai II class frigate approached the vessel, the entire crew found themselves paralyzed with fear. From their final transmission, it appeared the frigate had become another victim of the Siren. Unlike earlier attacks, however, the pirate queen demanded no ransom, raising major concerns in the region.

Mongolia “Union is the source of success.” ~Mongolian Proverb Since late-2017, Mongolia had become the stage of the world’s first true AMP-powered war. Russian super-soldiers invaded Dornod Province, occupying its capital city, Choibalsan, the economic hub of eastern Mongolia. They encamped at Choibalsan Airport, which provided them with continual logistical support; more than enough to repel the local Mongolian Armed Forces. Responding to Mongolia’s plea for help, China deployed its super-soldiers into the province, enveloping the city. Despite frequent clashes, neither side suffered significant losses, while civilian casualties remained surprisingly light. BBC war correspondent Gordon Fletcher documented the 2017 Sino-Russian Conflict throughout the harsh winter. He often commented on the apparent lack of motivation or reasons for the continued war.

“There is always wrongness in war, but this conflict feels as frozen as the Mongolian tundra. No one knows why they are here or what they are doing, as if they are players in some great masquerade, but were never told.” In the summer, a vast section of the southern Gobi Desert became an electromagnetic dead zone, disrupting air travel. Planes fell out of the sky, while ground vehicles refused to work, as did any other type of electronics. Nomads began avoiding the region, reporting frequent attacks by the famous ‘death worm.’ The sole survivor of a National Geographic film team stumbled out of the desert, raving of an alien city rising from the sands — ‘its cyclopean towers shaped from horrid angles, crawling with beings of impossible design.’

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Thailand “In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed.” ~Thai Proverb

Africa “If our feet leave the earth we no longer live in peace.” ~Sudanese Proverb When the UN General Assembly met in early summer, the Orphan Threat dominated global discussions. As such, most countries paid little attention to the Lion of Africa’s plea for resolutions addressing AMP rights. Few could even discern between AMPs and Orphans, and anti-AMP sentiments still ran deep. No matter how much success the Lion had shown in Sudan — and its neighboring countries — representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo portrayed him as a terrorist, infringing on their sovereignty. This claim resonated with anti-AMP members, discrediting the Lion’s good reputation. In the end, the General Assembly deferred all discussions on the global AMP issue until a special session in September. Although disheartened by the Assembly’s overall results, the Lion found an unexpected ally on the Security Council: China. Recognizing his growing reputation among the African people, Chinese delegates requested he represent their interests in Nigeria, specifically the largest city on the continent, Lagos. Their government intended to invest a considerable amount of money into bettering infrastructure and promoting economic growth in the port city. This included construction of AMP-friendly arcologies, which provided safe and secure communities for AMPs. No fool, the Lion recognized the Chinese’s motivations focused more on expanding their access to Nigerian resources — including oil — than giving humanitarian relief to the region. However, he also recognized his shaky position with the UN. He agreed, but proved to be

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By 2018, the military junta had been overthrown and Thailand’s constitutional monarchy restored, thanks to many loyal and patriotic AMPs. Many of these freedom fighters were inspired by dreams to liberate their country. Already tied to several Thai communities, these AMPs helped rebuild Bangkok and set up peaceful relations with Saps. The influential Buddhists institutions across the small nation supported these efforts for social reform — its priesthood also guided by mystical dreams. Peace and prosperity spread, even as the world around Thailand tore itself apart. In truth, this unification was secretly governed by King Rama VII, the Thai former monarch, who’d ascended far beyond the ken of most Psychs, effectively abandoning his human body. He’d suffered repeated visions of the Orphans’ arrival and strived to prepare his beloved country to weather the approaching storm. His efforts were successful, allowing Thailand to avoid the brunt of the first invasion. Rama’s visions revealed another impending threat, something even beyond the Orphans. As such, he mentally reached out again, this time contacting a Seeker of Enlightenment called Cynthia Sheen (also known as Pattern). Rama provided her with enough information to begin following Thaksin Wattana’s pilgrim path, which would allow her to recover his Project Black research. Driven by dreams, Pattern traveled to Thailand’s countryside, following the dangerous journey to recovering Wattana’s work. She worked with the Seeker’s Thai organization on and off throughout the year. Unfortunately, Typhoon has firmly entrenched itself in Thailand, specifically Bangkok. Unlike their operations in the US, the Asian branches have not met the same level of pushback for outside agencies. As such, they’ve been able to invest heavily in solidifying and expanding their infrastructure. While the re-

moval of the junta upset their operations, they are still influential in the city government and underworld. Eager for chaos, they would tear down all King Rama’s delicate work, if given the opportunity. Worse, a radical UHF cell has learned of Wattana’s research and have invested time and effort in tracking it down.

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a shrewd negotiator, furthering his African agenda and improving Sino-African relations considerably. Magic appeared across the African continent, taking on many forms; from Heka (Egyptian magic) to tribal shamanism. Fear and awe followed quickly. To the Lion’s dismay, in the Sudan, where magic was already deeply maligned, suspected ‘sorcerers’ were dragged into the streets and murdered. This cruel practice repeated itself in other countries, soon involving AMPs and Twice Born as well. The violence intensified as word of ancient gods and goddesses walking the lands spread. As with the reemerging magics, these living divinities assumed many guises, drawn from Africa’s intertwined mythologies, leaving swathes of untold destruction in their wake. Only those few who supplicated themselves in worship were spared. The Orphans planned their assimilation well, striking at the very soul of Africa and twisting it to their alien purpose. However, their plans were effectively thwarted after the Lion fought and narrowly defeated their leader, Apedemak. Staggered by their

loss, the Orphans fell into obscurity, reduced to monsters stalking the night. Inspired by the Lion’s near-sacrifice, the UN finally began supplementing his unification efforts on the continent. Progress would be slow, but at least the people could expect more than hollow promises.

Fight Like a Lion The ruins of Naqa’a had endured the relentless sands and winds for millennia, witnessing the rise and fall of great empires. The grand temples and carved kiosks were little more than crumbled stone now, yet the city’s former majesty still echoed in its smoothed pillars and sandstone arches. In the blistering sun, the Lion’s Temple stood resolute, undiminished against time itself. It was the perfect location for a man to stand against a god. The Lion of Africa gazed across the parched ground at the thing waiting for him. It had been a man once, but no more. Its imposing body rippled with scaled muscles and ebony skin, while

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Australia “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.” ~Australian Proverb Australia has long struggled with its history of bigotry, particularly about its indigenous people. With the arrival of AMPs, many of these prejudiced views returned to the forefront. The high number of AMPs within the Asian population lent fuel to hate and anti-immigration groups, increasing their influence over the Commonwealth Government. Between 2015

and 2018, Australia became a divided nation internally, as well as externally, as it attempted to sequester itself from the world. As in the United States, the Commonwealth began rounding up suspected AMPs, many of whom were interred in the secluded Outback, to avoid public scrutiny. While these policies hurt Australian citizens, they did little to halt the influx of narcotics, illegal firearms, and human trafficking from Asia, controlled by Typhoon. On January 28, 2018, tourists watching the spectacular sunset at Uluru, more commonly known as Ayers Rock, were astonished to see a massive, prismatic snake emerge from the desert floor. The Rainbow Serpent — the creator god of the Australian Aboriginals — coiled around Uluru thrice, before rising into the blue sky and disappearing with the setting sun. In the following days and months, bizarre creatures and ancient animals were spotted across the continent, such as bunyips and giant lizards (ngintaka). Entire sections of farmland reverted to primordial times, while strange hybrids, including bowerbird-women and kangaroo-men, wandered through the Outback, attacking or helping anyone they encountered. Be it by fate or the Orphans’ doing, the Dreamtime had returned to Australia. Across the continent, many indigenous Australians found themselves infused with shamanic magic. After over a century of persecution and oppression, several awakened Saps used their powers to reclaim lost lands and sacred sites. Repeatedly, entire towns were consumed by the Australian Outback or erased by massive wildfires. The local government and law enforcement agencies soon responded but found themselves woefully inadequate to the task. There were exceptions, however. Jaxon Fisher, a Changeling, negotiated an uneasy truce with a group of magically-empowered aboriginals, who’d forcibly occupied the Waradah Aboriginal Centre, just outside of Sydney. His crocodile-like mutations endeared him to the tribal elders, as did his strong convictions for indigenous rights and environmentalism — stemming from his life as a park ranger. Jaxon became a go-between for the aboriginals and the New South Wales government, helping both sides move into the future of an awakened Australia.

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four clawed arms flexed in predatory anticipation. Atop its broad shoulders sat a lion’s head, its magnificent mane blazing like golden flames. The God of War, Apedemak. The Orphan chose its mask well, the Lion thought. He stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully. As he had so many times before, the Lion used his words of peace to bridge the gap between fractured worlds. He spoke of honor, of sacrifice, of the betterment of all. It was his Way; concord before blood. His words were only dust to Apedemak, who fell upon him like a mad beast, claws tearing flesh and reality with equal ferocity. The Lion of Africa fell beneath the onslaught, broken and battered, his body ablaze with agonizes he’d scarcely imagined. For what was a man against a god? Sensing victory, Apedemak prepared for the killing blow. Yet, in his arrogance, he’d forgotten it was not a man he fought, but a lion. With a roar, the Lion of Africa sprang forward, moving beneath Apedemak’s guard, driving his fist through flesh and bone, and ripping the Orphan’s beating heart from its alien ribcage. He crushed the amethyst mass within his palm and the world came apart around them. As shadows stretched, the two lions lay silent upon the crimson sands, bloodied and torn. When the sun finally relinquished the day, only one rose to claim the night. The true Lion of Africa.

Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic

Themes/Moods

End Times

AMP: Year Four stories are about hope in the face of insurmountable odds — after all, we are talking about the end of the world! The following themes are ever-present in the events occurring throughout the year in the US and all around the world. Players can take their characters right into the apocalyptic action of Year Four, or create an ongoing, overarching story working their way through AMP: Year One, AMP: Year Two, and AMP: Year Three.

Impossible Alliances After the Orphans came, most of the conflicts between Saps and AMPs — and between AMPs — came into perspective. As these alien beings started destroying the world and raining mayhem down on everybody, regardless of their loyalties or (supposed) righteousness, one thing became clear: divided, all of Humanness would become extinct. United, they stood an infinitesimal chance, but a chance nevertheless. More than at any other moment, Year Four offers the chance to mix and match AMPs from the most disparate Affiliations and origins. Moreover, the changes in some of the more extremist Affiliations — such as the Faceless or Retribution, for example — allow you to have them believably joining forces with moderates. Even Changelings, always a difficult kind of AMP to have running around, have become widely embraced during the Year of the Invasion, so it’s possible to have them “out in the open,” so to speak. This time is also the ideal scenario to run campaigns which include AMPs and Saps working side by side, fighting together in their struggle for survival.

At the end of 2017, the return of the Orphans caused a major commotion all around the world. Some thought — and even declared — the now purple-skinned AMPs had come back to bring peace and order to everybody. Most Saps and AMPs called them out as the harbingers of destruction they were immediately. A foolish minority looked at their arrival with cautious optimism. This is a great chance to portray a world on the brink of destruction. A single Orphan can take on several AMPs at the same time with ease. Everything becomes more epic and desperate when this could be your last battle. Such an extreme situation should bring out the best and worst in people. Lines should be drawn, as well. When Death comes knocking at your door, there is no way to avoid the big question. Will you run, or will you fight? Will you care for others or only for yourself?

A New World Even during the war effort — and especially after it — it became clear some of the damage done by the Orphans was irreversible. Change came along with that damage, though. Some of it was positive, such as the newly found understanding between a majority of Saps, Twice Born, Quislings, and AMPs, the coming into the light (and end) of many abusive individuals and organizations, and the inclusive perspective adopted by most. Others, not so much. As it usually does, the war brought out the best and worst in people. Many survivors consider the AMPs, Quislings, and Twice Born to be guilty of the Orphans’ destruction. Some cowardly and selfish AMPs used the conflict as a

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chance to improve their standing or position, benefiting from the suffering of others. A few zealots got their beliefs confirmed and are more intent than ever on ending the “AMP threat.” All these changes provide a clean slate for new campaigns, Saps, and AMPs. In this new world, pre- and post-war, many things once considered impossible are common. Some are wondrous; others, horrifying. You can use either to craft stories of ultimate heroism and utmost villainy.

Chain Gang The Chain Gang gathers all the AMPs who once served as the Hounds. They are joined by their tragic backstories. The oldest members of the Chain Gang suffered greatly during their time under the Houndmaster’s control, and remember the short, bloody missions and the long, torturing wait at the Chamber. These veterans are visibly scarred, both physically and mentally, but their determination to free other AMPs is adamant. They’d rather die freeing others than live another day with the guilt of the many crimes against their kind they committed. Younger members of the Gang, on the other hand, are usually those AMPs who after being saved by their elders chose to bring the same freedom to other oppressed AMPs. They may be inexperienced, but they have the same determination and disposition of other Chain Gang members. Stories for the Chain Gang should include some sort of prologue detailing how their members were freed and who freed them. More than ever, freedom is the main concept when it comes to the Gang. They fought tooth and nail to acquire their own freedom and now dedicate as much of their time and energy as they can to free others.

VV Looking for a Home: Considering they are trying to survive attacks from all sides — Saps, Twice Born, Quislings, AMPs, and the Orphans — the Chain Gang is in desperate need of a headquarters. The place should be as isolated and protected from these threats as possible. To find and take possession of such a place would be a huge step in ensuring the Gang’s survival. VV Making Friends: Many AMPs look at the Chain Gang with fair suspicion, remembering what many of its members did when they were still Hounds. If the Gang is to survive, though, it needs to make as many friends and surround itself with as many allies as possible. Younger members are ideal to carry out these diplomatic missions, since they probably weren’t involved in the Hounds. VV Old Habits Die Hard: Word has reached the Gang that a former Houndmaster is “recruiting” (i.e., capturing and enslaving) AMPs to continue their work outside of the law. The Chain Gang wants nothing more than to find this Houndmaster and destroy them, but they need to know how they got the necessary tech after the original Hound program ended. An undercover operation is at hand, but no one wants to be subjected to the horrors of being enthralled again.

Changelings (Updated) Once the hidden monstrosities of the AMPs, Changelings have come into the light during the world’s most dire hour, proving once more that “appearances can be deceiving.” Although Changelings may seem to be the most unhuman of AMPs, they turned out to be the kindest of them all. After receiving Shell’s gift via Conduit, Changelings are now humanity’s first line of defense, with the support of both the Aegis Squad and the Seekers. They lead and protect nomadic bands from the Orphans’ devastation across the nation. Not all of them do this for free, though. A minority has seen this crisis as the perfect opportunity to repay the suffering and abuse Saps inflicted on them before the war. These “Scavengers,” in the best of cases, charge large

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Developing Stories

Story Hooks

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sums of money or demand other, less savory payment in exchange for their protection. In the worst cases, they ignore the Saps and other AMPs pleas for help and are happy to protect themselves and leave the Orphans do their work unmolested. Reports of these “Scavengers” anger Conduit to no end, as he feels they’re abusing his gift. As such, Changelings who follow this path do so at their own risk, for Conduit’s retribution may come at any time. In any case, the stories involving Changelings during the Year of the Invasion deal with the radical change of one’s status in the face of a world-ending situation. Prologues can include the moment where a Changeling — or a group of them — discovered their newfound abilities and how they reacted when that happened. Was their first instinct to help those who once mistreated them? Did they have revenge fantasies? Did they try to fulfill them? Despite their new capabilities, many still see the Changelings as monsters … even themselves.

Story Hooks VV Patience is a Virtue: A Changeling receives word from the Seekers of a group of Saps refusing their help in evacuating their neighborhood. The place has turned into a war zone and they must leave it soon, or not at all. They must be evacuated because among them live the families of key anti-AMP senators. If their families die, the senators are sure to vote against any pro-AMP law from now to eternity. How do you save people who do not want to be saved? VV Sabotage: Various bands, led and protected by Changelings, have been ambushed just when their leader and protector was away. There is unrest among the people under the Changelings’ protection and talk of being “the sacrificial lamb” so the “monsters” can go on with their lives. The Changelings must discover the saboteurs before the whole operation comes down and they are left alone against the horrors of the Orphans. VV Tax Collector: There is talk of a Scavenger with the unique ability to take away other Changelings’ newly-gained ability to protect themselves from the Orphans. Changelings

are being more careful with their recruits, but no precaution is enough. How do they face a Changeling with the ability to take away their only weapon against the Orphans?

The Faceless Although the once-vigilantes now known as the Faceless were born under the protection of the United Human Front — and, in turn, the US government — they are now freelance agents. In the wake of the Orphans’ arrival and the compromise of the US government in the face of AMP-provoked Armageddon, the members of the Faceless have decided to continue their crusade on their own. They may have lost a lot in the funding department, but their zealotry and dedication to the cause has done nothing but increase. Their fanatical hatred of anything AMP-related has only been exacerbated by the Orphans’ war and they, unlike other traitors, cannot consider an alliance with any AMP against this new menace. Are the Faceless supposed to forget the Orphans are nothing but mutated AMPs? From their perspective, the problem begins — and, more importantly, ends — with AMPs. Once the unhumans are gone, things will go back to normal, won’t they? Stories involving Faceless characters will for sure include their fanatic perspective and willingness to commit any and all horrors in the name of the “cause.” At this point in time there are no moderates left in the Faceless; all the “heretics” have been purged from the organization. Even the slightest hint of a positive outlook on AMPs is punished with the immediate banishment from the organization, if not something worse.

Story Hooks VV Hunt for Bluewing: Out of all AMPs, there’s one who’s now at the top of the “Most Wanted” list that the Faceless monitor. Her name is Bluewing and she has the ability — as it turns out — to implant herself in anyone she heals. During this time of war, she could have implanted herself in hundred if not thousands of AMPs and Saps alike. Because of this, most of the efforts of the organization are now

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focused on finding all people, human and unhuman alike, connected with her. What do you do with them, though? Some think they should be exterminated to avoid a catastrophe in the future, while others advocate for an imprisonment and study treatment for them.

VV Traitor in Our Ranks: The Faceless’ endless investigations and questioning of their members’ allegiance are not a perfect method. In fact, they failed to detect the presence of an AMP who spent their time in the organization gathering information about Faceless methods, codes, and members. Now the zealots have to find any other spies before it’s too late. Where do you begin? Time is of the essence, so a summary inquiry won’t do. What do you do in this situation? Who can be trusted with such delicate information as a leak?

Heralds of the End The Heralds of the End were born after the appearance of the Twice Born. Although the families and friends of the Twice Born consider this a miracle, the Heralds don’t take so kindly to them. The most conservative among the Heralds, usually Saps, see the Twice Born as monstrosities, abominations sent as a punishment to the people of the world for their heresy in accepting the existence of AMPs. More moderate members concede the Twice Born may not be necessarily evil, but they’re definitely cursed and need to be “set free.” In their perspective, the Twice Born are restless spirits stuck in this plane and need to die a true death, so they can achieve the promised transcendence. This latter subgroup is mostly

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VV In Need of Funding: Now that they’re officially independent from the UHF, the Faceless need to find a benefactor (or many) to sustain their ever-increasing monetary needs. The cutting-edge technology they use to even the field against AMPs needs constant repairs and improvements, and those cost money. A lot of money. How do you approach a prospective benefactor? What do you — and, more importantly what do you not — reveal to convince them of the worthiness of supporting the Faceless’ cause. And, more importantly, what deals will they need to make to obtain said funding?

formed by AMPs with a mystical inclination. Stories about the Heralds of the End should include the identification, negotiation, and eventually hunting down of Twice Born and their associates. Although the organization defines itself as non-violent in nature, the truth is the Twice Born usually refuse to leave this world out of their own accord and must therefore be forced to continue their journey.

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Story Hooks VV Hunters Hunted: A group of Twice Born have taken a special interest in the Heralds — and are now hunting them down and killing them! The Heralds are outraged and are trying the best they can to defend themselves and expose these monsters for what they are. In the

times we’re living in, though, no one seems to be too interested in this talk of resurrected people hunting down a group of fanatics. VV A Faithful Seduced: A Herald has fallen from grace! Once a truthful leader of this community, they are now defending the Twice Born and asking other, true Heralds to stop their “madness” in persecuting the supposed “miracle” the Twice Born truly are. This leader is a very influencing figure and they must be stopped at all costs. The only problem is the usual method of isolation and quiet “disappearance” — i.e. killing — is no good here. Doing so would only make this leader a martyr and provoke a bigger problem overall. How do you solve the issue then? VV Vengeance is Mine: A Herald has lost their path and is now killing regular people they

New Affiliations

cessful channeling roll (instead of 1). Must be an AMP.

AMP: Year Four introduces several new player options, including the following Affiliations available during character creation.

The Faceless

The Chain Gang

These AMPs have survived their time as Hounds and have decided to turn their anger at the system into real change for the world. They’ve thrown away their collar, and instead carry a steel determination. They gain a +2 bonus to all Fighting checks against other AMPs, a carryover from their days in the chamber. The Chain Gang enjoys a +2 bonus to Intimidation, because few mess with them nowadays, but they also double their bonus from Comrades if it involves others within their Affiliation. Must be an AMP.

Changelings (Revised)

Having left the shadows, the Changelings no longer need to hide. Instead, they have now been granted Shell’s Gift. Even without the Magic power (pg. 95), a Changeling can attempt a Counter-spell using their (Community Loyalty + Discipline) against magical attacks. If they possess Magic, Community is treated as a bonus to their Counter-spell instead. Changelings who practice magic may also use Shell’s Gift to create 2 Essence for each suc-

As the United Human Front turned its back on their own kind, the Faceless took the mantle of protectors of humanity. They are more militant and much more single-minded than the UHF ever was, which makes them dangerous. They receive a +2 bonus to any Survival (Tracking) or Stealth check against AMPs, and deal +2 damage with a surprise attack. The cost of Gadgeteering is also reduced by -1 BP per level for the Faceless, as they use their creativity to make weapons perfect for hunting and killing AMPs. Must be a Sap or an AMP with the Clean Bill of Health Gift (AY2, pg. 85).

Heralds of the End

So many Twice Born met their final deaths at the hands of the Heralds, the people of Earth who see Twice Born as an abomination to this world. The actions of a Herald are blessed by a holy power, meaning they deal +1 damage to Twice Born — and if they happen to fell their target, the Twice Born does not enter the dance; they are now permanently dead. As they believe they are heroes of their story, the Heralds of the End also receive x1.5 the normal bonus from the Humanity Loyalty. Cannot be a Twice Born.

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say will become Twice Born. They are doing so to prevent their return because, according to their words, they have the power to send their souls to the true afterlife. The mass media doesn’t agree with them, though, and are reporting their killings as a serial killer on the loose. The Heralds must find and neutralize them before it’s too late. If the media finds out about their affiliation, that could bring a whole lot of unwanted attention to the group and its customs.

On December 11, 2016, AMPs from across the United States arrived at the Gates of the Mountains in Montana, following a singular purpose. Known as the Orphans Movement, these eighty-seven men and women sought to escape persecution by abandoning our Earth entirely. As the nation watched, the Orphans simply vanished in a golden flash of light, leaving their worldly possessions (and their entire world) behind. However, in the face of growing unrest, the mass disappearance faded from the global consciousness, no matter how troubling. What returned on December 11, 2017, was neither human nor AMP, but something completely alien and utterly terrifying. Now bound in a gestalt intelligence, the Orphans are the living embodiment of harmony and rule utilitarianism. Unfortunately, they are utterly bereft of morality — their minds shattered from truly witnessing the vast and indifferent cosmos. Guided and empowered by the Eye of Omega, they’ll remorselessly butcher millions to fulfill the greater good; in short, the end justifies the means. However, some Orphans could not completely abandon their humanity, retaining part of their former lives. Soon after their return, these apostates turned against their own brethren, unable to justify the wholesale destruction being inflicted upon the Earth. However, their ties to the invaders are hard to cut, and they’ve been deemed “Quislings” in the media — the English term for collaborators and traitors. Turncoats

Character Creation Quisling characters were AMPs in their former lives, though few remember anything from that time. With the GM’s help, players can develop a rudimentary background for their Quisling character. Vague recollections and feelings may return to them over the story’s progression. They’ve also been disconnected from the Orphan hive-mind, the Chorus, robbing them not only of their shared powers, but also all memories prior to the Return. Quislings are truly outcasts, lost in time.

Step 1: Concept and Loyalties (6)

Other than the following exceptions, concept creation proceeds normally (AY1, pg. 38). All Quislings possess the Orphans’ distinctive appearance; purple skin, increased proportions, androgynous bodies, and unnervingly symmetrical features. These physiological changes stem from cosmic energies further altering their enhanced DNA. Their experiences have also altered them mentally and players should take this into account during social interactions. Due to their disassociation from humanity, Quislings only begin with 6 points of Loyalties, reflecting relationships from their earlier lives. Indeed, these Loyalties may be the reason behind their betrayal, allowing them to reconnect them to their humanity.

Step 2: Choose Skills (30)

Quislings receive 30 points to spend on skills. However, Beast Handling, Empathy and Persuasion are skill capped at 5, due to their alien nature.

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Quislings Enter the Ring

to humanity and the Orphans, they are now shunned and actively hunted by both sides of the invasion. Embracing the moniker, Quislings recognize their road to redemption is a long one, fraught with perils both external and internal. However, their insights into the cosmos may be the key to turning the tide in this war.

Step 3: Choose Former Strain, Powers (6) and Augments

Despite their Ascension, the Quisling’s former Strain still influences their current existence; choose one of the 9 core Strains. Spend 6 points on Powers. Their Primary Power must be Magic, while Secondary and Tertiary Powers can only be chosen from either their former Strain or available Universal Powers (excluding Resistor Suits).

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Step 4: Spend Bonus Points (20 or 16)

Quislings are considered ‘Experienced’ characters (AY1, pg. 70), so have 20 BP to spend on the normal traits. Drawbacks may be taken to gain up to an additional 10 BP. Characters automatically receive the Gift Ritual Magic, and may purchase Spontaneous Magic for 2 BP. However, if they join an Affiliation, the Quisling only receives 16 BP.

Step 5: Record Integrity and Derived Stats

Calculate major measurements of the Quisling as normal. Quislings begin with only 2 Juice.

Step 6: Additional Benefits VV AMP Detection: Due to their altered genetics, Quislings are also Immune to the Law of Attraction. However, they may consciously reconnect with their natural senses to sense nearby AMPs. By spending 1 Juice, the Quisling may make a Moderate (20) Empathy + Perception Check to detect other AMPs within 100 yards. This provides a vague impression, rather than pinpoint accuracy. VV Immunities: As with all Orphans, Quislings have evolved to survive in the harshness of space. They no longer need to breathe, allowing them to exist in airless environments. Furthermore, their bodies can adapt to virtually all planetary conditions. As such, they no longer need to eat or sleep (acquiring their nourishment from the sun’s rays). VV Natural Essence: Quislings are natural fonts of Essence, and can draw on their inner reserves, much as AMPs utilize Juice to fuel their Powers. All Quislings have

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a starting Essence pool equal to (Discipline)/2, which may be added to any Channeling Check. This pool regenerates each day (or after a Scene of uninterrupted rest/ meditation). With the GM’s permission, the Quisling may regenerate their Essence pool under certain circumstances, such as finding a mystical site, suffering extreme stress, or exposed to powerful magics.

Intense Focus (1-5): The character’s intense training and concentration has increased their focus (pg. 97), allowing them to maintain +1 Incantation per BP. Inner Strength (2): By drawing upon their inner strength, the character can produce more powerful magical effects. For every Juice spent, the character gains +1 Essence from their Channeling Check. Due to their natural connection with magic, Twice Born characters receive +2 Essence for every Pathos spent. Magical Prodigy (2): The character innately understands the underlying principles of magic. As such, they no longer require the mandatory spell components for Channeling, as dictated by their School (pg. 96). Ritual Magic (2): Some Incantations are far beyond the ability of even the most seasoned magician. However, Ritual Magic allows magicians to combine their abilities to channel more Essence. The character with the Ritual Magic Gift (called the leader) makes the standard Channeling check (pg. 97). For each additional character (called participants), up to the leader’s (Magic)/2, the Channeling check receives an Essence bonus based on their Magic skill. In addition, each participant with the Ritual Magic Gift automatically provides an additional +1 bonus, even if they fail their roll.

No bonus

Level 1-3

+2 bonus

Level 4-6

+4 bonus

Level 7-9

+6 bonus

Level 10

+8 bonus

The leader also makes the final Casting roll, if/when required. If used during a Battle, anyone taking part in the Ritual Magic check must utilize their full Turn for the Round. If the Channeling check results in Distortion, all the participants suffer the negative effects. Note: Quislings begin with this Gift. Spontaneous Casting (4 or 2 for Quislings): Some magicians can instinctively access and shape Essence. This natural affinity allows them to forgo the standard time requirements of Channeling (pg. 97). When Spontaneously Casting, each Channeling check represents 1 Turn (rather than ten minutes). However, while Spontaneously Casting, the risk for Distortion increases to a Natural 1-3. All other rules for Channeling apply, and characters can freely choose between Spontaneous Casting and normal Channeling.

New Drawbacks Bound (2): The character’s Magic is directly connected with an otherworldly source, such as a spirit, totem, or elemental. To utilize their Magic Skill during a Scene, the character must pay some form of tribute to this higher power. This offering is in addition to the standard Channeling requirements of the character’s School. If this tribute is not provided, the character suffers a -3 penalty to their Magic check, as well as possibly incurring their higher power’s displeasure. For example, Gerta is Bound to a fylgja spirit and must offer it a cup of mead prior to using their Magic Skill.

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New Gifts

Level 0

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Code of Conduct (1-3): A specific code of conduct dictates the character’s life, either due to their personal beliefs or their Affiliations. The level of this Drawback is proportionate to how restrictive the Code is on the character’s personal life. A Moderate (20) Mental Trauma check allows the character to resist the Code, but there may be repercussions later (for example, a police officer may be investigated for breaking protocol). Certain Loyalties might inflict additional penalties on this roll. Haunted (2 or 4): Through the character’s own actions or pure misfortune, a vengeful spirit has connected itself to them. It continually interferes with the character’s livelihood, potentially threatening their life. For 2 BP, the spirit remains insubstantial and its abilities are limited as such. It can torment the character mentally and emotionally but cannot physically interact with the world. Following each attack, the character must make a Moderate (20) Mental Trauma check or suffer a -2 penalty to all Actions for the remainder of the Scene. For 4 BP, the spirit can physically materialize and even inflict bodily harm to character, be it directly or indirectly. Much like an Enemy (AY1, p. 59), the GM should provide the spirit with a distinct personality, determining when and how it attacks the character. Unnatural (1–4): The character’s outward appearance marks them as unnatural, such as animal features, bizarre body modifications, and unsettling auras. For each BP gained, they endure -1 penalty to social checks (except Intimidation) in normal society. Indeed, their strange appearance may automatically incite distrust and even violence in some. However, in certain groups, this may be completely natural, incurring no social penalty. For example, a character with alien features and glowing eyes may be perfectly ‘normal’ to a group of Changelings.

New AMP Powers When magic was released into the world, new powers began erupting from within certain AMPs. These weren’t the direct manipulation of magical energies, but instead an AMP’s inherent abilities mixing with the magic in their environment to create new crossover powers for them to utilize. These new powers are available to multiple Strains, though Twice Born may also select any of these powers without restriction.

Death (Shaper/Psych) Check: None Range: Self / (Death + Discipline) x10 ft. Duration: Permanent Resistance: None Core Ability: An AMP with this magical power becomes the master of their own destiny, with the ability to eventually ignore death altogether. This power can also be used altruistically, but it’s ability for destruction cannot be understated. The AMP’s Core Ability begins their journey with self-control, adding (Death) to any Death checks. Likewise, they reduce any Pain Penalties from having low Integrity by (Death)/2. In addition to this, whenever they are in the presence (see Range) of someone who dies, they may spend 1 Juice to recover 2 Integrity, absorbing the essence of death in the area at the time. Some AMPs with this power have befriended Twice Born who voluntarily commit to their Dance to save their friend.

Augments Enhancements

VV Looking Death in the Face (E0): Staring Death in the eye steels the AMP, adding (Death)/2 to any checks against Fear. VV Morbid Healing (E1): The AMP heals (Death)/2 Integrity when someone dies in their presence (instead of 2). VV In Death’s Presence (E2): Must have Looking Death in the Face. Anyone within Range

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in the throes of death suffers a (Death)/2 penalty to their Death checks. VV Spirit Lord (E2): The AMP gains AR2 against attacks that deal Spirit damage.

Tricks Recovery Drain (T1)

Death Curse (T2)

Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: Support (1) Effect: The AMP affects the target’s aura, making death much more likely for them. The next time they are harmed (when they take damage), the target takes (Death)/2 additional damage as well. If stabbed, the blade just so happens to hit a major artery. If they fall, they may break some bones. Death becomes much more likely.

Check: Death + Discipline Range: Core Ability Duration: Instant/Varies Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: The target gets filled with images of their possible death. These could be something the AMP creates, or they may leave it to fate, and the victim sees random visions of all the ways they could die in the near future. This deals 2 damage and leaves the victim with a (Death)/2 penalty that reduces by -1 per Round.

Death-Proof (T4)

Check: None Range: Self Duration: Instant Effect: The AMP becomes nearly impossible to kill. Any time the AMP would be reduced below 0 Integrity this Trick can be activated (even if they are unconscious) to instantly revive them to (Death) Integrity. If they were unconscious, they also wake up and become active once more. Cannot be reduced lower than T2.

Reaper (T5)

Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: Instant Resistance: (Death)x2 Effect: Must have In Death’s Presence and At Death’s Door. The AMP stares at the target and fills them with the energies of death to the point of instantly killing them. If the target fails their Resistance, they are instantly dropped to 0 Integrity, regardless of how much they possessed at the time. Cannot be reduced lower than T3.

Recovery Drain

Morbid Healing

Looking Death in the Face

Death-Proof

Death

In Death’s Presence

Death Curse

At Death’s Door

Reaper

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Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: Instant Effect: Requires Morbid Healing. If someone uses an ability that heals Integrity in the AMP’s presence, this Trick drains some of that healing for themselves. They can drain half of the healing power, up to (Death)/2. For example, if someone uses the Healing power and would heal a target for 4 Integrity, the AMP can steal 2 Integrity for themselves as long as they had at least Death 4.

At Death’s Door (T3)

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Life (Shaper/Mindbender) Check: None Range: (Life + Discipline)x20ft. / Self Duration: Permanent/Instant Resistance: None Core Ability: Life flows through the AMP, allowing them to sense its influence on the world to a much greater degree. The AMP dives into the power of life, fertility, and hope, gaining amazing abilities in the process. To start, they can sense the life force around them, and know exactly how many living things exist within Range and generally where they are. This helps to sense how many enemies may be nearby, or to sense someone hiding behind a wall. This can also be used to sense if a woman is pregnant, or if there are a ton of insects in your apartment. The AMP may also spend 1 Juice to heal 2 Integrity at any time, but this power only works on themselves.

Augments Enhancements

Tricks Bless the Unborn (T1)

Check: None Range: Touch Duration: Permanent Effect: If the AMP senses an unborn child within the target, they can bless it with a bit of their new power. Once this Trick is used, the child will be free of any defects or abnormalities and is not subject to Mutations.

Inspire (T2)

Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: 3 Days Effect: Must have Empath. The target is filled with a lust for life, giving them the urge to create or build something of value, or even a newfound respect for the life around them that will help them in battle. The target gains a +3 bonus to all rolls that will help them in their new endeavor. This bonus fades at a rate of 1 per day.

Fertile Land (T2)

VV Empath (E1): The AMP can sense the emotional state of the life signs within Range. For example: whether they are in a panic, are celebrating, or in a state of depression. VV Protected (E1): Must have Life’s True Blessing. All effects of Life’s True Blessing are doubled. VV Pinpoint (E2): The AMP not only senses how many life signs are around them but can now zero in on a life force and gains a (Life)/2 bonus to find them. Even works against Invisible targets. VV Synergy (E2): Must have Fertile Land. Whenever someone other than the AMP uses healing powers within Range, the AMP also heals (Life)/2 Integrity.

Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: Instant / Support (1) Effect: The AMP can fill their very environment with their life energy. Any allies touching the ground in this moment gain a +2 bonus to their next roll. Likewise, plants grow with incredible speed, toxins are removed from the area, and everything is returned to a state of health.

Life’s True Blessing (T3)

Check: None Range: Core Ability Duration: Scene Effect: The AMP chooses a target and their ability to stay alive raises for the Scene. The target gains AR1 against any damage they would take, recovers +1 Integrity if they use abilities to do so, and gains a (Life)/2 bonus against Death checks.

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Inspire

Empath

Pinpoint

Life’s True Blessing

Life

Bless the Unborn

Protected

Fertile Land

Synergy

Revive the Dead (T5, -1 Integrity)

Check: None Range: Touch Duration: Permanent Effect: Must have Protected. The AMP can revive the dead, bringing them back to life by calling their spirit back to this plane with their magical abilities. Target cannot have been dead for longer than (Life) days, and it is returned to full health without any Consequences (AY1, pg. 187). However, the AMP also gives up 1 Integrity permanently to complete the ritual. Cannot be reduced lower than T3.

Mother Nature (Elemental/Traveler)

VV Air: Can use the air to lift into flight up to (Mother Nature)x10ft. from the ground, and travel at Movement+10. VV Earth: They become much tougher, strengthened by the very Earth they walk upon. They gain (Mother Nature)/2 additional Integrity. VV Fire: They can surround their extremities in fire to deal +1 damage when in close combat. VV Water: They may breathe normally underwater and travel at (Movement)x1.5 in water (instead of (Movement)/2 like others).

Augments Enhancements

Check: None Range: Self Duration: Permanent Resistance: None Core Ability: Many AMPs have begun revering those who possess the Mother Nature power; it is the representation of all the Earth has to offer and grants control over all the elements, not just a single piece. To begin, the AMP begins with one of the four abilities listed below, which costs 1 Juice to activate. They can gain more through Augments. The AMP must be connected to the correct Element to select certain Augments, as well.

VV The Four Elements (E0): The AMP gains access to one more Core Ability Element. The player need only spend 1 juice to activate all Elements they know at one time. VV Ocean’s Gift (E1 - Water): The AMP may now grant the ability to breathe underwater to up to (Mother Nature)/2 other targets. VV Earth’s Protection (E1-5 - Earth): For 1 Juice, the AMP gains 2 Temporary Integrity. VV Speed of the Wind (E2 - Air): Travel speed while in flight is raised to (Movement x2)+10.

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Revive the Dead

Tricks Check: None Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: The AMP gains AR equal to (Mother Nature)/2 against a Core Ability Element they possess. They can activate their AR against simultaneous Elements for additional Juice.

fireball their target. If it successfully strikes, it deals Brutal damage equal to the target’s (Self - Humanity)x2. For instance, if the target possesses Self 3 and Humanity 1, the Trick deals 4B damage. However, if the target had Self 1 and Humanity 1+, it deals no damage. If the target does not take damage, they are instead energized and may add their Humanity Loyalty to their next roll, regardless of the combo used. Cannot be reduced below T2.

Mother’s Roads (T2 - Earth)

The Moon’s Phase (T4 - Water)

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Mantle of the Mother (T1, +1 per Element)

Check: None Range: (Mother Nature + Persuasion)x100 ft. Duration: Scene Effect: Must have Earth’s Protection. The land bends to the AMP’s will to allow them to travel freely wherever they please. An AMP with Mother Nature can travel in a straight line to their destination, and the world conforms to their whim — trees root themselves up and move, bodies of water part or the earth creates wooden bridges to ease the AMP’s way. Darkness is never an issue, as fire always lights the AMP’s journey. This ability stays in effect for the Scene, but can be shut off at any time, as it can disturb delicate habitats or urban areas just the same.

Light of Humility (T3 - Fire)

Check: Mother Nature + Marksmanship Range: (Mother Nature + Empathy)x10 ft. Duration: Instant Resistance: Dodge Effect: Must have Mantle of the Mother. The AMP with control over Fire launches a psychic

Check: None Range: (Mother Nature + Fighting)x10 ft. Duration: Scene Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: Must have Ocean’s Gift. The Moon’s phases have been known to quell a person’s heart or enrage them into fits of frenzy. The AMP can control the moon to create an effect, while they remain unaffected, but only one may be active at once time. They glow with the moon’s soft light, and choose one effect: VV Frenzy: The bright light of the full moon makes everyone within Range much more likely to attack. All checks against the Law of Attraction fail automatically, and all damage is increased by +1. VV Tranquility: The AMP pulses calming waves of energy that lull everyone within range into peace. Everyone within Range suffers a -3 penalty to Initiative or to any aggressive Action, such as trying to scare someone or attack someone. Cannot be reduced below T2.

The Moon’s Phase

Ocean’s Gift

Earth’s Protection

Mother Nature

Mother’s Roads

Speed of the Wind

Mantle of the Mother

Eye of the Storm

The Rising Sun

Light of Humility

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Check: None Range: (Mother Nature + Medicine)x10 ft. Duration: Instant Effect: Must have Light of Humility. The sun is the giver of life, and Mother Nature uses it so. The AMP glows with energy and releases it into the area, healing everyone within Range for (Mother Nature) Integrity. They cannot ignore any targets, as the light of the sun does not discriminate. If the target is at full Health, they receive (Mother Nature)/2 in Temporary Integrity instead. This power is draining, however; if used during combat, the AMP skips their next Turn from exhaustion. Cannot be reduced below T3.

Eye of the Storm (T5 - Air)

Check: None Range: Self Duration: Varies Effect: Must have Speed of the Wind. The AMP has learned from Mother Nature how to be calm in the face of a storm. As chaos swirls around them, they can remain confident in peace. If combat begins, the AMP cannot be the target of any attack for up to (Mother Nature)/2 Rounds, as long as they also do not engage the enemy (which is harder than one might think sometimes). Ranged attacks are thrown off course by gusts of wind, and close combat attackers lose their footing if they attack the AMP. Cannot be reduced below T3.

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The Rising Sun (T4 - Fire)

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Sin (Blaster/Feral) Check: Envy Only Range: Varies Duration: Varies Resistance: None Core Ability: The AMP with this power begins their journey to become an embodiment of sin itself. With each level they take on more overt expressions of this, from horns to hooved feet. To start, Sin provides the AMP with 1 (one) special power from the list below. Through Augments, they can access them all, each one making them deadlier. VV Envy: The AMP wants what others have. When in the presence of someone using a power, they can reflexively make a Moderate (20) Sin + Knowledge check. If successful, they can mimic the power they just witnessed once (if the Duration lasts the Scene, it may go out suddenly at some point). The AMP uses (Sin) in place of the original power’s level. Only one power can be mimicked at a time. Range: Line of Sight. VV Gluttony: When the AMP gets a taste, they want even more. Any time the AMP would gain Juice, they gain +1 Juice as well. Range: Self. VV Greed: The AMP doesn’t like to let go of their Juice, keeping a backup of extra resources. Their Juice limit is raised by (Sin)/2. For example, having Sin 6 means the AMP can hold up to 13 Juice (instead of only 10). Range: Self. VV Lust: When using the pleasures of the flesh or seduction on a target, the AMP receives (Sin)/2 as a bonus to their check. This is most commonly a bonus to Deception (Seduction) checks, but could be applied to Intimidation, Persuasion, or other social Skills when applicable. Range: Touch. VV Pride: The AMP hates to fail and it becomes harder for them to do so. They may now reflexively add (Sin)/2 to any roll if it means the difference between failing or success. For example, an AMP with Sin 6 may roll an 18 against a Moderate (20) check. Since adding (Sin)/2 (+3) to their roll would make it a success, they are now able to avoid failure.

VV Sloth: The AMP gains power through inaction. During Battle, they receive a +1 bonus to all checks for each other combatant who has already taken their action in the Round. For instance, if the AMP is battling three TRAC agents, they would receive a +3 bonus to all checks if the three agents go first. Range: Self. VV Wrath: The AMP becomes very good at causing destruction. They add (Sin)/2 to any unarmed close combat damage and a +3 bonus to all Strength checks as well. If they ever fall beneath half their Integrity, their Strength bonus raises to +6 (instead of +3).

Augments Enhancements

VV Den of Sin (E0): Gain access to another Sin Core Ability. Each ability is activated separately. VV Devil’s Skin (E1): The AMP is now immune to Fire damage, but Light Energy deals +2 damage. VV Increasingly Devilish (E1): Must have Den of Sin. The AMP can now activate multiple additional Sin Core Abilities at one time, at the cost of 1 Juice for each one after the first. VV Keeping Secrets (E2): Must have Absolution. The AMP gives the removed memory the physical form of a crystal, which can be used to restore the memory later or allow others to see through the target’s eyes.

Tricks Summon Snakes (T1)

Check: Sin + Beast Handling Range: (Sin)x10 ft. radius Duration: (Discipline) Rounds Resistance: Dodge/Fortitude + Beast Handling Effect: The area around the AMP erupts with snakes who burrow from underground and start snapping at anyone who isn’t their summoner. On the turn summoned and for the Duration, all victims must make a Dodge check against the original activation check. Failure inflicts 2 damage and forces a Simple (10) check against poison to avoid another 1B damage. Difficulty goes up by +5 each time they must roll it.

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Revealing the Truth Absolution

Summon Snakes

Devil’s Skin

Sin

Den of Sin

Fires of Hell

Penance

Increasingly Devilish

Fires of Hell (T2)

Check: Sin + Marksmanship Range: (Sin + Discipline)x10 ft. Duration: Instant Resistance: Dodge/Find Cover Effect: Must have Devil’s Skin. The AMP opens their mouth and releases a gout of fire capable of burning almost anything. The attack has only one target and deals 4 damage, but ignores any AR granted by worn armor or anything inanimate. Only natural armor or that created from powers can defend against the Fire of Hell.

Revealing the Truth (T2)

Check: Sin + Deception Range: Line of Sight Duration: Scene Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: Must have Absolution. Looking into the eyes of their target, the AMP latches onto their mind and forces only the truth to be spoken in their presence. If the target tries to tell a lie, they suffer 2B damage that cannot be reduced by any means.

Absolution (T3)

Check: Sin + Discipline Range: Line of Sight Duration: Permanent Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: By staring into the depths of the target’s mind, the AMP removes all memory and guilt associated to a sin the target has committed. They will not remember the action or their part in it. This may have several effects on the character and story. For example, if they were driven by said act, they may lose all reason for living or may pursue other roads in life. This effect is a magical memory erasure, and that memory is gone forever. Cannot be reduced to lower than T2.

Penance (T4)

Check: Sin + Discipline Range: Line of Sight Duration: (Sin)/2 Rounds Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: The AMP forces that target to relive their worst sin. This is obviously different for each target, but their mind is wracked with agony leaving them unable to act for the Duration. The victim does nothing except curl into a ball and weep. If they are harmed in any way, however, they may make another check with a +2 bonus to snap out of it. This bonus is cumulative each time they are damaged. Cannot be reduced lower than T2.

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Keeping Secrets

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War (Bulk/Shifter) Check: None Range: Self Duration: Instant Resistance: None Core Ability: An AMP who has been granted the War power becomes a devastating creature of destruction. Anything they touch becomes a weapon, and they become capable of taking down even the most powerful opponent through sheer force of will. To start, the AMP simply causes much more destruction when they choose to. For 1 Juice, they may add +2 damage to an attack. This can even be spent after rolling, making it particularly powerful, though they can only spend Juice up to (War)/2. For instance, an AMP with War 6 could spend up to 3 Juice for +6 damage.

Augments Enhancements

VV Command the Battlefield (E0): The AMP can now travel up to (Movement)x1.5 and attack using only a single Action. VV Push the Limits (E1): The AMP may spend Juice on the Core Ability up to (Speed)/3 additional times. Cannot be reduced lower than E1.

VV Extremely Bloody (E2): Must have Always Armed. The weapon created by the AMP deals +2B (instead of +1B) and causes Bleeding to the target on any successful hit (regardless of damage dealt). VV Sharpened Weapon (E2): Must have Weapon of War. The AMP gains a +2 bonus each Round (instead of +1).

Tricks Always Armed (T1)

Check: None Range: Self Duration: Battle Effect: From their own flesh, the AMP molds a weapon with which to take on their enemies. This cannot be a firearm or a bow but can be any other close combat or thrown weapon. They cannot be disarmed of this weapon, and they will always deal +1B with it. Otherwise, use the existing stats for the type of weapon they forged (AY1, pg. 184).

Battlefield Awareness (T2)

Check: None Range: (War + Speed)x100 ft. Duration: Battle Effect: The AMP becomes intimate with their surrounding area, negating any environmental penalties for themselves and reducing those penalties by -2 for their allies.

Command the Battlefield

Sympathetic Comrade

Battlefield Awareness

War

Extremely Bloody

Push the Limits

Weapon of War

Always Armed

Sharpened Weapon

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Sympathetic Comrade (T3)

Check: None Range: (War + Comrades)x10 ft. Duration: Battle Effect: Must have Command the Battlefield. Whenever an ally within Range takes damage, the AMP heals 2 Integrity. If the AMP takes damage, they may choose one of their allies to heal +2 Integrity. This only affects a number of targets Equal to their Comrades Loyalty. Cannot be reduced below T2.

Weapon of War (T4)

New Power (Universal) Magic Check: Magic + Intuition Range: Self Duration: Scene Resistance: None Core Ability: At its fundamental core, Magic is the ability to create, destroy, manipulate, and transform reality itself. Through inner power and knowledge, magicians shape the universe’s natural and supernatural laws to produce a desired effect or intentional change. Note: ‘Magician’ is used solely for ease of reading; each School has its own associated magic-user, such as shaman or bocor. All magicians possess the innate ability to see the underlying currents of the universe. They automatically detect the presence of magic and supernatural manifestations (no check). Their understanding of Magic also

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Check: None Range: Self Duration: Battle Effect: Must have Always Armed and Pushing the Limits. The AMP gives in to the tides of battle, and their power increases as they let it wash over them. Once activated, the AMP receives a +2 bonus to all combat checks (including Initiative). Then for (War)/2 Rounds, that bonus is raised by another +1. While their bonuses stop at a certain point, the total effect lasts the Battle. Cannot be reduced below T3.

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allows them to innately defend themselves against its use. They may avoid an Incantation’s effects by using Counter-spell (Magic + Discipline), instead of their normal Reaction. VV School: Upon obtaining the Magic Power, characters attune themselves to a specific School, which defines how they perceive and interact with magic. In addition to these philosophical details, Schools determine advantages (and disadvantages) their perceptions have when utilizing magic. The player selects one School (pg. 100), which cannot be changed (except through some extreme personal event). Orphans (and Quislings) are the exception to this, practicing a form of magic from the edge of the universe which only they can harness. VV Incantations: Magic is an extremely versatile Power, allowing the magician to create a myriad of effects—limited only by their imagination and ability. These magical effects are known as Incantations. By following the steps below, the magician determines what purpose their Incantations serve, on a case-by-case basis. The GM always has final word on what an Incantation can do and can intervene at any of the steps below.

Step 1: Describe the Incantation Effect The player describes what overall effect they wish to achieve through Magic, using the simplest terms and conditions possible. For example, ‘I want to create a magical shield when attacked,’ ‘I want to heal someone’s wounds’ or ‘I want to turn someone into a pig.’

Step 2: Determine the Aspect

The player outlines how reality would be altered to create the Incantation’s effect and then determines what Aspect (pg. 100) is required to affect this change. For example, if the character ‘wants to summon a wall of thorns,’ they would require the Conjuration Aspect. On the other hand, if they want to ‘destroy a metallic obstacle,’ they would require the Destruction Aspect.

Step 3: Determine its Basic Properties

The basic properties for all Incantations are Range: Touch and Duration: Instant. Purely defensive Incantations (like a magical shield) can have Duration: Reaction. However, these properties can be increased, as required. For example, an Incantation producing lightning bolts requires Range: Line of Sight, while a sustained, magical shield requires Duration: Concentration. The player also determines the Incantation’s Resistance, as per (AY1, pg. 74).

Step 4: Determine Essence Cost

The player determines how much the Incantation costs in Essence points, as per the Aspect utilized. If multiple Aspects are required, the cost is equal to the highest-level Aspect +1 point per additional Aspect. For example, an Incantation requiring Adept Conjuration and Apprentice Manipulation (6+1) = 7 Essence. Also, if they wish to increase the Incantation’s effect, such as Range or Duration, the cost is raised by 1 point per increase. For example, if the player created an Incantation with Range: Line of Sight and Duration: Battle, the Essence cost is increased by 2 points.

Step 5: Describe its Appearance

The player describes the Incantation’s general appearance, usually flavored by their character’s School. For example, a maleficium’s ‘fireball’ might look like sphere of black flames, while an onmyōdō’s ‘fireball’ might look like twin burning dragons, entwined, streaking through the air.

Step 6: Name/Record the Incantation

The player names the Incantation, as they wish. It can be as plain or as fancy as they wish. This is recorded on their character sheet for later reference. Several sample Incantations have been included later in this book, usable by any magician, as well as providing inspiration for developing their own Incantations.

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Channeling

Rote Incantations

Casting

Once an Incantation is empowered, it can be used freely as an Action/Reaction at any time in the future. The appropriate skill required for using the Incantation depends on the specific Action/Reaction. Each Incantation has 1 use. Once spent, the Incantation must be channeled again (see above).

At Level 1, the character receives one Incantation they’ve practiced to perfection, gaining an additional Rote at each even level (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). When preparing these specific Incantations, they receive a +1 bonus to the Channeling check roll. However, this does not affect the normal time and component requirements. Altering the Incantation in anyway also negates this bonus; for example, extending its Range.

Focus

Characters may only maintain up to (Magic + Discipline)/2 Incantations at any one time (rounded up). The character may increase this number through the Intense Focus Gift. They may replace any number of their current Incantations — on a one-to-one basis — by rechanneling a new one in its place (see above). At the GM’s discretion, if the character is knocked out or otherwise mentally incapacitated, they may lose all their stored Incantations.

Distortion

When out of control, Magic can damage reality itself — known as Distortion. If a player rolls a Natural 1 (Critical Failure) while making any Magic check, the Incantation automatically fails, as well as creates some unforeseen complication (such as): VV The character suffers any harm/detrimental effect the Incantation would have caused. VV The Incantation affects an ally, who must make a Reaction against it. VV The environment is violently changed; gravity reverses itself, the ground turns to mud, etc. Anyone present suffers a -3 penalty to their next Action check. VV The effect goes wild, altering the environment as per its Aspect (GM’s discretion). VV The character is mutated in some non-lethal, but annoying fashion (GM’s discretion). VV They lose Integrity equal to (Essence Cost), as the Incantation feeds off their body.

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Magic is fueled by the world’s spiritual energy, known as Essence. The magician empowers her unique Incantations by channeling these energies into a usable form. Channeling requires a Moderate (20) Extended check; each check representing ten minutes of intense concentration. In addition, the character must also utilize the various spell components, be they material, somatic or verbal, as determined by their School (pg. 100). The number of successes achieved (including Boost) represents 1 Essence point. The Incantation’s Cost is determined by its effect (see above). With the GM’s permission, characters may add half the level of similar powers to their Channeling roll, such as (Technopathy)/2 for tech magic or (Plants)/2 for nature magic. Once the character accumulates an Incantation’s required Essence, they may cast it immediately or maintain it for later use (see Focus). Sometimes the character must utilize their Essence in another Incantation before completing their current Channeling check. Rechanneling accumulated Essence requires a Moderate (20) Magic + Discipline check; any excess Essence is lost. For example, Velvet has accumulated 7 Essence for a high-level Incantation, but must suddenly cast a minor Incantation (6 Essence) to protect herself. She succeeds at the rechanneling and can cast the new Incantation immediately but loses the additional point of Essence.

Aspects Essence Cost = EC

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Conjuration

The magician summons something new into existence, created out of nothingness, be it natural or artificial. These creations are typically confined to naturally occurring items and phenomena, but at higher levels, the magician can conjure more intricate and substantial creations — including thoughts, concepts, and living entities. Indeed, Conjuration masters are limited only by their imagination. VV Apprentice (EC3): The magician can conjure naturally occurring phenomena, such as air, earth, fire, and water. Simple constructs can be created as well, including wood, stone, and base metals. Minor sensory phenomena like light and sound can be conjured. Simple living constructs can be created as well, such as trees and plants. Attack-based Incantations inflict Normal damage. VV Adept (EC6): The magician can conjure artificial constructs, such as weapons, clothing, furniture, etc. Minor weather phenomena can be summoned, including rain, fog, and heavy winds. Mirages can be created, as well as mental impressions and sensations, such as pain and rudimentary illusions. Small living creatures can be summoned, such as rodents and birds. Attack-based Incantations inflict Brutal damage. VV Master (EC9): The magician can conjure sophisticated items (such as advanced machinery), intricate constructs, and even imaginary and spectral entities. More advanced phenomena can be summoned, such as firestorms and tornados. Complex organisms are now possible. Conjuring more esoteric concepts, such as dreams, memories, and Loyalties, is now possible. Attack spells inflict Brutal Damage and may inflict additional effects.

Destruction

The polar opposite of Conjuration, Destruction magic utilizes entropic energies to weaken, damage, and even erase facets of reality. More subtle applications allow the magician to diminish something’s core properties, such as negating a poison or removing a flame’s ability

to burn. At higher levels, Destruction can disrupt entire concepts like emotions and Powers. VV Apprentice (EC3): The magician can weaken and/or dampen something’s intrinsic qualities. For example, wood can be made to rot, metal to rust, and bones to grow brittle. Living things can be afflicted with sickness and poison, and their thoughts disrupted. Natural phenomena can be diminished, such as evaporating water or smothering small fires. Attack-based Incantations inflict Normal damage. VV Adept (EC6): The magician’s entropic powers now tear reality apart, inflicting true damage to its fundamental properties. Plants wither and die, walls collapse, bones shatter, and eyes are blinded. Natural phenomena are disrupted completely, creating vacuums or extinguishing light and heat. Even memories and emotions can be damaged, dramatically altering someone’s thoughts. Attack-based Incantations inflict Brutal damage. VV Master (EC9): Natural and integral qualities can be completely destroyed, erasing their existence. Weapons and items disintegrate, bodies decay into dust, and entire buildings crumble. Concepts like gravity and chemical reactions cease to function, while natural phenomena (like storms and forest fires) dispel into nothingness. Memories are eliminated completely, and spirits are exorcised from our world. Attack spells inflict Brutal Damage and may inflict additional effects.

Manipulation

The magician manipulates and controls something, but without altering its fundamental properties. For example, a pond could be reshaped and moved as the magician desires but retains the natural qualities of water. Living creatures can be similarly affected, as well as natural phenomena like gravity and light. At the highest levels, even quantum forces can be manipulated, effectively unlocking the relative universe to the magician. VV Apprentice (EC3): The magician can affect minor control over something, moving and/ or manipulating it in a simplistic fashion. For example, they could turn a lock without a key, make someone stumble over their feet, cause flames to leap a short distance, trap someone in vines, or levitate and tie a rope to a tree limb.

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Transmutation

The magician can alter and/or improve something’s natural qualities, by transforming them into something else. However, unlike Destruction, Transmutation does not eliminate

the thing’s fundamental nature. For example, a rose transmuted into glass remains a rose, while someone transformed into a pig retains their personality and memories. Transmutation can also be utilized to restore something to its natural state, thus healing physical damage. Attack-based Incantations can never inflict more than Normal damage. VV Apprentice (EC3): The magician can affect minor transformations on something, without altering its overall nature. For example, they can give themselves fur and claws, change water into ice, make flowers change their color and grow, and turn cloth into leather. Slight alterations can be made to someone’s thoughts and feelings, such as calming or inciting rage. Finally, minor injuries and damage can be healed or repaired. VV Adept (EC6): The magician can affect major transformations on something, without altering its overall nature. For example, they can grow functional wings, change smoke into blistering fire, increase a rat into the size of a wolf, transform trees into razored metal, or alter someone’s memory of an event. Major injuries can be healed, includ-

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VV Adept (EC6): The magician can affect major control over something, moving and/or manipulating it in an intricate fashion. For example, the ground could be raised into a defensive barrier or lift the magician into the air. By bending light, they could effectively become invisible or create a zone of darkness. At the magician’s bidding, trees uproot themselves and attack their enemies, while animals are calmed and controlled. People can be put to sleep or have their limbs paralyzed. VV Master (EC9): The magician can affect extraordinary control over virtually everything, including weather phenomena. For example, they could unleash an earthquake or direct gale-force winds to flatten a building. Living beings become the magician’s puppets, acting and moving according to her will. Even gravity can be redirected and controlled, allowing the magician to reverse its direction.

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ing regenerating lost limbs. VV Master (EC9): The magician can affect extraordinary transformations on something, without altering its true nature. For example, they can transform someone into a donkey, turn a candle flame into a raging firestorm, mutate animals into bizarre chimera, shape rubble into a small castle, weave light into intricate illusions, and completely rewrite someone’s personality. Even the most grievous injuries can be healed and destroyed items restored. GM Note: Transmutation cannot kill someone outright–even a stone statue returns to life once the Incantation’s Duration ends.

Magic Schools Each magician follows a specific School of magic, reflecting their world-view and connection to the Universe. They may only have one School at a time and changing Schools should only be allowed after long and intense roleplaying. Each School provides a +1 bonus to two Aspects, as well as a -1 penalty to another; reflecting their specific connection to the Universe. Also, when casting Incantations, each School requires specific spell components, be they material, somatic, and/or verbal, appropriate for their belief system.

Bocor Usually known by non-practitioners as “Voodoo” magic, Bocor is the school preferred by magicians who deal with death specifically and the energies of decay in general. For example, a magician could inflict decay upon a living target, be it a plant, an animal, or a human being — including AMPs, Twice Born, and the Orphans. Due to their intimate connection with death, Bocors receive a +1 bonus to all Destruction and Conjuration checks, and a -1 penalty to all Transmutation checks. Typical spell components include singing, dancing, candles, gris-gris, voodoo dolls, and powders.

Bocor Rotes Touch of Decay (EC3)

Aspect: Destruction Range: Touch Duration: Instant Resistance: Fortitude Effect: The magician’s touch creates an entropic effect, causing things to rot, rust, and crumble. Small inanimate objects and simple life forms are effectively destroyed. If used on a living target, the decay causes (Magic)/2 damage.

The Walking Dead (EC6)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: Touch Duration: Concentration Effect: The bocor animates the dead, transforming them into a mindless puppet. The subject must follow simple commands given by the controller to the best of its abilities until released (concentration ends). Twice Born are susceptible to this Incantation but can make a Mental Trauma check to ignore commands.

Dolls of Voodoo (EC7)

Aspect: Destruction Range: LOS/(Magic + Crafts) X 30ft Duration: Instant Resistance: Fortitude/None Effect: The bocor transfers physical damage from a voodoo doll onto their target, inflicting (Magic) Brutal damage, which ignores armor. If the bocor has the target’s personal effects (hair, jewelry, etc.), there is no Resistance roll and it can be cast without LOS.

Creeping Death (EC9)

Aspect: Destruction Range: Touch Duration: Instant Resistance: Fortitude Effect: The bocor’s skin unleashes a virulent poison into their victim via a successful Grab attack or simple touch. The slow poison inflicts (Magic +1) Brutal damage every Scene until the victim dies. The accompanying pain and hallucinations inflict -2 to all checks. Due to the mystical nature of the poison, its effect can only be countered with

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Horn of Plenty (EC4)

a Moderate (20) Medicine + Magic check.

Return to Dirt (EC9)

Druidism Druidism is a school of magic usually related to the spiritual practices the Celts performed during their heyday. The magician must connect with the tree essences to use them to create various magical effects. Due to their intimate connection with the natural world, practitioners receive +1 to all Manipulation and Transmutation checks, and a -1 penalty to all Destruction checks. Typical spell components include trees, chanting, songs, athames, natural altars, chalices, food/drink offerings, and labyrinths.

Druidism Rotes Dispel Magic (EC4)

Aspect: Destruction Range: Touch Duration: Instant Resistance: Magic + Discipline from the original caster. Effect: The magician dispels the current magical effect on an item/person they touch. The GM determines the Resistance, equal to the original caster’s Magic + Discipline. By spending +1 Essence, the magician can dispel magic within Line of Sight.

Shapeshifting (EC6)

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: The magician transforms into a medium-sized (or smaller) animal they can clearly envision in their mind’s eye. The magician retains their own sense of self, but otherwise are limited by this new form (i.e. loss of speech, no opposable thumbs, etc.). Also, however, they receive a +3 bonus to any checks that fall under the animal’s nature. For a cheetah transformation, they may gain a bonus to Athletics and Speed to reflect jumping and running ability, while a magician in bear form may gain this bonus to Fighting or Might for their new larger form. For +2 Essence, the magician can turn into an animal up to 3 times their size. If the magician suffers from Mental Trauma while in this form, the GM may have an ‘animal’ mind take over.

Impose Geas (EC7)

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Touch Duration: Scene Resistance: Discipline + Knowledge Effect: The magician declares a simple prohibition for the target, such as “You cannot fight,” “You cannot lie,” etc. The target must abide by the prohibition for the Incantation’s duration. The magician may spend +1 Essence to either double the effect’s duration or add one detail to the prohibition.

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Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: The magician transforms themselves into a mound of dust. The magician can move with gusts of wind at full speed and perceive what’s going on around them. As long as there is a speck of dust remaining, the magician can reform themselves and adopt their original form at any time.

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Touch Duration: Permanent Effect: The magician magically duplicates a small, inanimate item, usually food or water. The duplicate is indistinguishable from the original and possesses the same properties; e.g. food produced by this rote is nutritious. Highly complex items may require additional Essence.

Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic

Create Portal (EC10)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: Touch Duration: Concentration Effect: The magician opens a portal through the Otherworld to another location in the material world. They must be able to clearly envision the location in their mind’s eye, so it cannot be to somewhere unknown to them. All those the magician consider as allies can travel through this portal. At the GM’s discretion, the journey through the Otherworld may entail its own unknown dangers.

Maleficium Maleficium is the magic school most commonly known as “Hexing” and it is similar to what was historically considered as witchcraft. For example, a magician could curse or bless a person or place, cure or inflict a disease, or prepare a poison or antidote. Due to their intimate connection with the fates, practitioners receive a +1 bonus to all Destruction and Manipulation

checks, and a -1 penalty to all Transmutation checks. Typical spell components include curses, vocalizations, wands, statuary, crystals, blood, oils, and potions.

Maleficium Rotes Cackling (EC4)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: Special Duration: Instant Effect: The magician infuses any current Maleficium magical effect with power, doubling its duration. The target must be able to hear the magician’s cackling for this spell to take effect.

Black Cauldron (EC7)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: Touch Duration: Permanent Effect: The magician creates a concoction capable of replicating any of the other Maleficium effects. When imbibed by a target, the tar-

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get immediately suffers the effects. The target can resist the effect only if the original effect allowed for a resistance check.

Good Fortune (EC7)

Unholy Healing (EC7)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: Touch Duration: Instant Effect: The magician draws upon the negative energies in the area and uses them to heal the target’s wounds. The target recovers (Magic) Integrity. This recovery cannot exceed the target’s maximum Integrity. However, the negative energies inflict a (Magic)/2 penalty to all their checks for one scene.

The Evil Eye (EC8)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: LoS Duration: Scene Effect: The magician curses the target with bad luck and misfortune. They suffer a (Magic) penalty to all their checks for the duration.

Onmyodo Also known as “the Way of Ying and Yang,” Onmyōdō is a school of magic traditionally associated with the Japanese esoteric tradition. Its main discipline seems to have originated in the Chinese Wu Xing, known as the “Five Elements.” The magician can have any one of these five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — do their bidding. Due to their intimate connection to the elements, onmyōji receive a +1 bonus to all Conjuration and Transformation checks, and -1 penalty to all Destruction checks. Typical spell components

Onmyodo Rotes Create Element (EC3)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: Self Duration: Instant Effect: The magician creates a minuscule amount — no larger than a handful — of their chosen element. The magician can spend +1 Essence to either double the amount created, manipulate the element’s shape, or prolong the element’s existence (e.g., continual fire). This can be done up to (Survival) times.

Elemental Support (EC3)

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Self Duration: Instant Effect: The magician uses a minuscule amount of their chosen element to empower themselves, gaining a +4 bonus to physical actions. This bonus lowers by -1 per physical check, from +3 to +2, until it is gone entirely. For +1 Essence, they can cast this on an ally within (Magic + Discipline) x 20ft.

Elemental Defense (EC4)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: Self Duration: Battle Effect: The magician conjures their chosen element to protect themselves from attacks, gaining AR 2/2. For +1 Essence, the magician can protect a target within Short range, instead.

Elemental Strike (EC4)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: Medium Duration: Instant Resistance: Dodge/Find Cover Effect: The magician conjures an elemental bolt and launches it at their target, who suffers (Magic) damage. They may spend +2 Essence to attack +1 target simultaneously (up to 4 targets total).

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Aspect: Manipulation Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: By altering the strands of fate in their favor, the magician receives a (Magic)/2 bonus to all their checks for the duration of this effect. For each additional Essence, they can extend the effect to include 1 additional person.

include chanting, prayer beads, the five elements, calligraphy, and paper charms.

Chapter Four: Sparks of Magic

Manipulate Element (EC4)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: Touch Duration: Scene Effect: The magician can manipulate a small amount — no larger than a 3-cubic ft. — of their chosen element. The GM should increase the Essence Cost for affecting larger amounts of material, as well as performing complex manipulations. By spending +1 Essence point, the magician can Transmutate the element from one state to another (solid/liquid/gas).

Shamanism Shamanism is the practice of summoning and communicating with unseen beings, those who are usually referred to as “spirits.” The magician, for example, can connect with an animal spirit, a once-human spirit, or a higher spirit. The latter can be a spirit in charge of a part of reality — the spirit of Life, Death, Dream, etc. — and their powers and abilities match what people usually refer to as demigods or great “angels” or “demons.” Due to their intimate connection with the spirit world, practitioners receive +1 to all Conjuration and Manipulation checks, and a -1 penalty to all Destruction checks. Typical spell components include medicine bags, drums, dancing, singing, totems, elements, and meditation.

Shamanism Rotes Entwining Souls (EC4)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: The magician calls upon a spirit to inhabit their body, entwining their souls and gaining the spirit’s abilities. Choose two Skills the spirit possesses, and the magician receives a +5 bonus for the Scene. They may apply this bonus to +1 Skill per additional Essence spent (up to 3).

Spirit Charm (EC4)

Aspect: Transmutation Range: Self Duration: Scene Effect: The magician enhances their personal aura and receives a (Magic)/2 bonus on all social checks. For +1 Essence, they can enhance an ally’s aura instead.

Commune with Spirits (EC5)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: (Magic + Empathy) X 10ft Duration: Concentration Resistance: None/Mental Trauma. Effect: The magician can communicate with a spirit in their vicinity and have them answer up to (Discipline)/2 questions. The spirit cannot leave until they have done so, or the magician frees them. If the answer would negatively affect them, the spirit may make a Resistance check.

Spirit Animal (EC5)

Aspect: Manipulation Range: (Magic + Beast Handling) X 20ft Duration: Concentration Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: The magician targets a small animal in their vicinity and connects their spirit to it. The magician can now perceive what the animal does. The animal also follows any reasonable requests the magician makes. Due to the spiritual connection, the magician suffers half the damage the animal may suffer. With the GM’s permission (and suitable roleplay), this connection may become permanent.

Summon Spirit (EC5)

Aspect: Conjuration Range: (Magic + Empathy) x10ft Duration: Concentration Resistance: Mental Trauma Effect: The magician summons a nearby spirit. The magician sees and can interact with them. For +1 Essence, the magician can have the spirit perform simple, non-threatening tasks. For +3 Essence, the request has no limitations.

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Bandit

Jerry was once a selfish kid who only cared about money and what he could take from others. His journey began in 2015, as he would transform bricks into priceless jewelry boxes or blocks of gold in order to separate fools from their money and make a buck. This earned him the name of the “Brick Bandit” and was a fun time for a while. Then he turned 17 and looked at his home of Detroit, Michigan. It was barren and desolate; a community in need of a leader who could show them the way. It took some time, but people of all kinds fell in line with the new wave of positivity this young man created. When the government pushed draconian laws through congress, Bandit (who removed the ‘Brick’ from his name) used his powers to rebuild his neighborhood. When TRAC unashamedly took over entire states throwing AMPs in the Screw, Bandit organized the Blocks, uniting Saps, AMPs, Twice Born, and eventually Quislings who wanted nothing more than to live peaceful lives free of their country’s apparent tyranny. Even though he’s far from the most powerful AMP or the loudest or even the most authoritative, he became the leader Detroit needed. Now, facing the new threat of the Orphans, it’s this type of leader, humble and a companion to the people, who may just win this war.

Sap Name: Jerry Groce Affiliation: Unaffliated Strain: Shaper Integrity: 10, Juice: 3 Loyalties: Community 5, Comrades 2, Humanity 2, Self 1 Skills: Athletics 3, Crafts 5, Discipline 2, Fighting 4, Intuition 2, Knowledge 2, Marksmanship 4, Persuasion 6, Speed 2, Stealth 2, Technology 3 Primary Power: Transmutation 6 Augments: Anything I See (E1), Permanence (E4), Wardrobe Change (T1) Secondary Power: Life 2 Augments: Pinpoint (E1), Empathy (E1), Inspire (T1) Gifts: Gang Past (2), Connections 3 (AMPs), Destiny (3) Drawbacks: Curious (2), Enemy (5) Other: Initiative +4, Movement 10, Strength +3, Carry/Lift: 50/100

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Behold!!

Morgan Heinly is a young man haunted by his past in many ways. When the first AMPs emerged, he listened to his friends and followed along with the rest of so-called Sap society. He attended rallies against the unhuman freaks, but never rose to the level of violence like so many others did. When the Twice Born arose, he listened to religious background imparted to him from his family and upbringing, calling them unnatural monsters. And when the Orphans descended from the sky, Morgan didn’t have time to think or rally, instead watching his hometown destroyed in the rearview mirror while he escaped. Others said it was luck or the will of the angels or a million other things, but he knew the truth... he saw an AMP, willing to sacrifice themselves, who warned the populace and held off the attack just long enough for some of the people to live. That AMP allowed him and so many others to see another day. Of course, a gift always comes with strings attached. Being so close to an Orphan encounter, Morgan picked up a hint of magic he has since worked to enhance. He wants to be the one to help others next time. Even though the spirits of the dead haunt him in his dreams, as well as his waking hours, it’s definitely worth it. Morgan’s newfound abilities will be used to defend all of humanity, Sap, AMP, and Twice Born... everyone. Sap Name: Morgan Heinly Affiliation: Unaffiliated Integrity: 10 Loyalties: Humanity 4, Justice 3, Perfection 3, Self 1, Truth 3 Skills: Athletics 2, Crafts 1, Discipline 5, Empathy 3, Fighting 1, Intuition 5, Knowledge 2, Medicine 2, Perception 4, Speed 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2, Technology 1, Travel 2 Primary Power: Magic 10 School: Maleficium Rote Incantations: Black Cauldron (EC7), Cackling (EC4), Good Fortune (EC7), The Evil Eye (EC8), Unholy Healing (EC7) Gifts: Spontaneous Casting (4) Drawbacks: Death Wish (4), Haunted (2), Life Saver (3), Nightmares (2) Other: Initiative +7, Movement 9, Strength +2, Carry/ Lift: 50/100

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Breezy

After a near-death accident while skiing, Rosalie discovered her powers over the wind allowed her to fly when any other helpless soul would have perished. It gave her a fresh look at life, and she developed a laid-back and bubbly personality to match her name: Breezy. She found the Seekers of Enlightenment, coming in long after the science stuff had begun, but also at a time when they strongly needed a caretaker. The Donohue School for the Gifted was training the next generation to become heroes the world could depend on… and then the president was killed. The hysteria around AMPs, their impact on the world, and the safety of the young people who also developed powers (as being an AMP wasn’t just for adults) caused a spike in enrollment. The school became flooded not solely with applicants; these children were refugees within their own country. These circumstances led Breezy to becoming not only a caretaker, but the school’s dean. She retains her positive outlook but has paired it with the leadership necessary to lead AMPs who aren’t known for their attention span. She was integral to the continuation of the School as a whole after Doctor Luminous left, and she helps to maintain the mental well-being of those who volunteer for the Aegis Squad. When her people are put in harm’s way, however, there is no one else more qualified to protect other AMPs than Breezy. Sap Name: Rosalie Martin Affiliation: Seekers of Enlightenment Strain: Elemental Integrity: 13, Juice: 4 Loyalties: Community 5, Comrades 2, Love 5, Self 1, Truth 2 Skills: Athletics 4, Discipline 6, Empathy 4, Intuition 6, Knowledge 3, Medicine 5, Might 2, Perception 4, Performance 3, Persuasion 7, Speed 4, Survival 4, Travel 6 Primary Power: Air 8 Augments: Glide (E1), On the Air (T1), Wind Defense (T1), Rush of Wind (T1), Tornado (T2) Secondary Power: Magic 5 School: Druidism Rote Incantation(s): Dispel Magic (EC4), Horn of Plenty (EC4) Gifts: Attractive (2), Inner Strength (2), Stable Psyche (3), Linguist (2 - French, Mandarin), Defensive (3) Drawbacks: Side Effect- Technology Bad (4), Shy (3) Other: Initiative +10, Movement 12 (22), Strength +6, Carry/Lift 50/100

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Conduit

It had been a rough few years for Conduit, the AMP who left his life behind as Jeff Zitomer and gathered the Changelings in a move to unify people whose powers made it impossible to live in normal society. Hiding from the world, however, was not to be his final fate. After the government established TRAC, the Changelings were enemy #1; they captured Conduit and put him through months of public court hearings, where he took the blame for the acts of all AMPs and became the face of humanity’s fear of people with powers. The system began to collapse on itself, and Conduit escaped from prison and tried to hide once more. This time, however, fate came looking for him. Shell, one of the Orphans, came with a warning of the impending invasion and Conduit was the only one there to hear it. His power to absorb energy, as well, siphoned Shell’s alien power giving him near-limitless immunity to the magic that was quickly introduced to the world when the Orphans finally arrived. His path became clear... hiding was no longer the answer; the Changelings needed to protect humanity. With that new mission, Conduit began spreading Shell’s gift to all Changelings, who became ambassadors of peace between all peoples and defenders of the weak in a time where monsters were all too real. He is a humble, soft-spoken man, the perfect leader for an oppressed people.

Sap Name: Jeff Zitomer Affiliation: Changelings Strain: Blaster Integrity: 16, Juice: 5 Loyalties: Community 4, Comrades 4, Perfection 2 Skills: Athletics 6, Beast Handling 4, Crafts 4, Discipline 7, Fighting 5, Fortitude 5, Intuition 5, Marksmanship 4, Perception 8, Persuasion 6, Speed 3, Stealth 4, Survival 3 Primary Power: Vampire 8 Augments: Energy Soak (T1), Energy Hunger (E0), Replenish (E0), Siphon Defense (E0) Secondary Power: Enhancer 4 Augments: Distance Enhancer (E1), Conductor (T2), Double Trouble (E1) Gifts: Inspirational (2), Rank (5 Changelings), Hideout (6 - Size 3, Defenses 2, Entries 1) Drawbacks: Continuous Power (2), Life-Saver (3) Other: Initiative +7, Movement 14, Strength +6, Carry/Lift 50/100 Note: Due to Shell’s Gift, Conduit is immune to all magic effects

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Ether

Ether remembers little before their time beyond Earth. There are glimpses in their mind of the starry-eyed little kid they used to be, but seeing pictures doesn’t jog any real memories, especially since an Orphan’s body alters throughout their change. Upon returning to Earth, though, Ether reveled in the agony they caused to humanity, slipping through portals to travel quickly and quietly. That was... until they ran into a little human child, boy or girl — the concepts of gender were irrelevant — but this kid looked Ether in their eyes and wasn’t scared. The kid was willing to die for family, and it touched Ether deep in their own soul. A soul. Ether remember they had a soul... that they were human... that they used to live on this planet. Yes, the end of the universe revealed limitless knowledge, but nothing made Ether feel anything in years. They renounced their Orphan status and looked within to recognize their humanity, becoming a Quisling. Causing agony and strife were no longer Ether’s mission; instead, saving humanity from the Orphans became mission #1 — especially for the next generation who will look at Quislings as heroes if Ether has anything to say about it. The once-murderer has now become a warrior for Earth, hoping to change perceptions and use their portal-bending powers for good, instead of evil; new concepts for them to contemplate. Sap Name: ?? Affiliation: Unaffiliated Strain: Traveler Integrity: 13, Juice: 2, Essence: 3 Loyalties: Humanity 2, Love 2, Perfection 3, Self 1 Skills: Athletics 2, Discipline 6, Fighting 4, Fortitude 3, Intimidation 3, Intuition 3, Knowledge 2, Perception 3, Speed 5, Stealth 5, Travel 4 Primary Power: Magic 4 School: Orphans Rote Incantation(s): Portal Attack (EC3), Enhanced Portals (EC5) Secondary Power: Portals 4 Augments: From Thin Air (E1), Vortex (T1) Gifts: Ritual Magic (0), Spontaneous Magic (2) Drawbacks: Unnatural (2), Animal Beacon (2) Other: Initiative +9, Movement 12, Strength +2, Carry/Lift: 50/100

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Faust Formerly known as Hypno, the man who arose from the flaming wreckage of what Typhoon had become was nothing like he had been before. He was still a man of principles, a man of cunning, and a man who desired to make everything his and his alone. Something scared him in those days, however, and the changes to his body, mind, and powers were just as apparent as the name he now bore: Faust. He was a man who could give you the world, all it would take was a deal, a signature, and a promise. Faust’s goals are complex, but he is always hospitable to those who would help him achieve his goals. He would deal with the devil himself if it meant getting his desires; this makes him a far more dangerous opponent now than ever before. This isn’t because he cares for violence, but because in so many ways he has tasted his dreams, and now wishes to make them eternal. King in Shadows, beholden to none, and ally to any who wish to invoke his name. He will never stop in his desire to rule over the criminal underworld, but he is still the nimble businessman he’d always been, even if now he must work through proxies and meticulous manipulations. Faust is a man who is prepared to accept anyone who needs him, with a sickly-sweet smile, and a burning gleam in his eyes.

Sap Name: Dorian Grey Affiliation: Unaffiliated Strain: Blaster Integrity: 13, Juice: 3 Loyalties: Comrades 4, Humanity 1, Perfection 4, Self 3 Skills: Deception 7, Discipline 7, Empathy 5, Fortitude 3, Intimidation 5, Intuition 5, Knowledge 5, Perception 6, Performance 4, Persuasion 6 Primary Power: Sin 8 Augments: Den of Sin (Pride -E0, Lust E0), Increasingly Devilish (E1), Revealing the Truth (T2), Penance (T4). Secondary Power: Mnemonics 6 Augments: Erase Memories (T2), Fabricate Memories (T1), Read Memories (E0) Tertiary Power: Battery (Fire) 2 Augments: Boost Juice (E1) Gifts: Attractive (4), Connections 3 (TRAC), Connections 4 (Underworld), Hideout (10 - Security 3, Size 5, Off the Grid), Stable Psyche (2), Wealthy (5) Drawbacks: Allergy (2 - Polyester), Bleeder (3), Not a Fighter (4), Code of Conduct [Gentleman] (1) Other: Initiative +4, Movement 5, Strength +0, Carry/Lift 50/100

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The Faceless He got home from work, from the dead-end job that barely paid the bills. He grabbed a bag of chips and shoved a ton in his mouth, while dropping his weight onto his love seat, because he couldn’t afford a full-sized couch. With one hand he flipped on the TV, and with the other he swiped left on any face that popped up on the app, hoping any one of them would be a match. No such luck, however. On the TV the news talked about the latest Orphan incident, another community saved by some hero AMP or TRAC, who was now working with the beings who were once their enemy. The world had a short memory, but not Franklin. He remembered that the Orphans were just AMPs at heart, AMPs who went too far, just like the Rampagers, yet another monster that came to life when AMPs finally showed themselves. Then the signal was lost and replaced with a familiar mask of the Faceless. They spoke of a call to arms, a final stand against the AMPs and the Faceless needed more recruits. Franklin looked at his life, the nothing he had done up to this point, and decided he would finally make his mark on the world. He would become the most fervent soldier in the Faceless army, and he would finally get a chance to prove himself. In the process, he’d save the world. Sap Name: Franklin Black Affiliation: Faceless Integrity: 18 Loyalties: Community 1, Comrades 2, Humanity 1, Justice 1, Perfection 5, Self 3, Truth 1 Skills: Athletics 3, Beast Handling 1, Crafts 4, Discipline 4, Empathy 2, Fighting 6, Fortitude 5, Intimidation 2, Might 4, Speed 4, Stealth 3 Primary Power: Gadgeteering 6 Gadgets: Improved Armor, Improved Weapon, Made For You, Wear This Mask Secondary Power: Martial Arts Mastery Techniques: Body Hardening, Drawing First Blood Gifts: Wealth (2) Drawbacks: Code of Conduct 2 (Failing isn’t an option), Big Mouth (2), Deep Sleeper (3) Other: Initiative +4, Movement 12, Strength +7, Carry/Lift: 150/300

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Poli’ahu

The loss of Hawaii was especially hard on Poli’ahu of the Nā ‘Aumākua. Her role was as a premiere warrior of her people who bid her to rid the islands of its enemies, and she did so with extreme force. Hawaii was her home, the thing she fought so hard to protect from outsiders, but she lost something else important to her as well. Pahoehoe, otherwise known as the Queen of Hawaii, and Poli’ahu had a grand and beautiful wedding only days before the final attack stole her love from her. Only the Nā ‘Aumākua knew the reason for her aggressive nature on the battlefield, why she couldn’t stop no matter what. She needed to get back to Hawaii to find her wife’s body and pay her last respects. The mainlanders knew not what they stole from her… it was much more than just her home. Poli’ahu made her to be a key personality when asserting their positions to the US president, and in any battles that would put them even a step closer to reclaiming their lands. She pushed Holoholona to compromise when necessary, but also knew not to give too much to those who would oppress the Nā ‘Aumākua. Her blade was never too far away, and her proficiency in magic — which the Orphans wielded as a weapon — meant she got a lot of time at the front line, both diplomatically and in battle. In the end, she won’t be happy until Hawaii is at peace, something she hopes not only to work for, but to see one day. Sap Name: Poli’ahu Kahale Affiliation: Nā ‘Aumākua Strain: Bulk Integrity: 16, Juice: 3 Loyalties: Comrades 1, Justice 2, Love 4, Perfection 3, Corruption 1 Skills: Athletics 3, Beast Handling 3, Discipline 2, Empathy 2, Fighting 7, Fortitude 6, Intimidation 7, Intuition 4, Might 3, Perception 2, Speed 3, Stealth 2, Survival 4, Travel 2 Primary Power: War 4 Augments: Command the Battlefield (E0), Sympathetic Comrade (T2) Secondary Power: Behemoth 4 Augments: Boost Lift (T1-5), Boost Jump (T1-5) Mutation Tier: 2 Malformations: Sharpened Teeth Deviations: Blood Sacrifice, Primal Nature Gifts: None Drawbacks: Bloodthirsty (3), Power Addict (4) Other: Initiative +7, Movement 11, Strength +14, Carry/Lift: 325/650 Note: May perform Counter-magic with a +10 bonus.

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Prof. Richards Bad enough to have ghosts visiting from beyond the grave, supposedly just coming by to say hello, but the undead starting to walk the streets is a bad sign even a blind person could see. Professor Richards always saw himself as an academic, able to separate his faith and intellect while he preached about philosophical landmarks, and who taught his students how to think constructively. When a former student who died in a car accident came back as a Twice Born cultivating a twisted obsession with Professor Richards, however, things changed for the worse. The student harassed his family, and forced them to go into hiding eventually, but he wouldn’t be pushed into the shadows. Professor Richards let his family go but sought out ways to fight against the unkillable. How does one scare someone who doesn’t even fear death? The Heralds of the End found him and showed him the rituals needed to take down the Twice Born, which he promptly used. The rush of power, of taking another life (borrowed or not) became too much to resist, however, and William joined the Heralds before long. He sent word to his family to keep hiding... until he rid the world of all the abominations that may cause them harm. One by one, he’s led wars against the undead, each time praising the angels for giving them the tools. AMPs are one thing, but Twice Born are unnatural things that need to be banished. Only Professor Richards can do so.

Sap Name: William Richards Affiliation: Heralds of the End Integrity: 9 Loyalties: Humanity 4, Justice 4, Love 2, Perfection 2, Self 2 Skills: Athletics 2, Deception 2, Discipline 2, Fortitude 0 (-2), Intuition 4, Knowledge 6 (+3), Marksmanship 4, Medicine 3, Might 0 (-2), Perception 3, Performance 2, Persuasion 1, Speed 1, Stealth 3, Survival 1 Primary Power: Magic 4 School: Shamanism Rote Incantation(s): Spirit Charm (EC4), Entwined Souls (EC4), Commune with Spirits (EC5) Gifts: Ritual Magic (2), Pain Resistance (4), Stable Psyche (2), Fearless (1) Drawbacks: Elderly (4), Bloodthirsty (3) Other: Initiative +5, Movement 8, Strength +2, Carry/Lift: 50/100

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Santa Muerte Yvonne was always special. Her parents always said so, and on Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) in 2018, she learned why. Waking up with a smile on her face, she saw her grandmother, Mama Tuti, at the foot of her bed. They spent all morning talking, and when her parents walked in to greet her, she discovered only she could see her. At first, they chalked it up to her imagination, Mama Tuti had died just a few months prior and maybe this was her way of coping, but eventually they had to call in an expert. It was the most traumatizing experience in her young life, being strapped to the bed and having holy water thrown on her while a man with a white color spouted bible verses to the sky. That man didn’t live much longer, however, as her grandmother and all her ghostly friends made sure he paid for hurting her. Since they couldn’t be there all the time to protect her, Mama Tuti taught her how to summon the dead to aid her in times of need. Yvonne summoned her favorite pet, Rex, from her backyard before running away. She knew being just a kid that she wouldn’t survive for long on her own, but she gets by helping people who wish to talk to the dead and occasionally terrorizing anyone who would cause her harm. It’s best to stay on her good side. There are even rumblings of a small cult starting in her honor, but she knows from experience not to go anywhere near religious fanatics.

Sap Name: Yvonne Valencia Affiliation: Unaffiliated Strain: Psych Integrity: 13, Juice: 2 Loyalties: Humanity 1, Justice 2, Love 1, Self 4, Truth 2 Skills: Athletics 2, Beast Handling: 2, Discipline 5, Deception 3, Crafts 4, Fortitude 5, Empathy 3, Intuition 5, Perception 3, Speed 3, Stealth 2 Primary Power: Mediumship 4 Augments: Put to Rest (T1), Zombie (T1) Secondary Power: Death 2 Augments: At Death’s Door (T1), Death Proof (T2) Gifts: Ghost Sensitive (4), Undead Dog (3) Drawbacks: Kid (5) Other: Initiative +8, Movement 12, Strength +2, Carry/Lift: 20/20

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Index A

Aegis Squad....50 Affiliation Rules (New)......82 Africa....75 All Soul’s Day...37 A.M.A.N.D.A....8, 33, 44 AMPs vs. The Orphans...50 Aspects (Magic)....98 Atlantis....16, 34, 51 Australia...77

B

Bangladesh...72 Bhutan...72 Blocks....27 Brazil...63

C

The Chain Gang....27, 52, 79 The Chamber....12 Changelings....6, 35, 41, 53, 79 China....73 Colombia...64 Crossovers....33, 53

D

Developing Stories...79 Donohue School for the Gifted....4, 59 Drawbacks (New)....85

F

Faceless....9, 54, 80 The Final Battle...38

G

H

The Hanger.....4 Hawaii....5, 16, 21, 30 Heralds of the End....44, 55, 81

I

Incantations....97 India....70 Italy...68

J

Japan....69

L

Letters from the Future....13, 20, 29 Lion of Africa....76

M

Magic....9, 15, 17, 42 Magic Schools....100 Bocor....100 Druidism....101 Maleficium...102 Onmyodo....103 Shamanism....104 The Matriarch....26, 32 Mongolia...74 Mystics.....5, 28, 56

N

Nā ‘Aumākua.....21, 30, 57

O

Orphans...5, 8, 12, 18, 29, 38, 46, 50

Germany...67 Gifts (New)....85 Government vs. the Orphans....46

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P

Pakistan....71 Powers...........86 Death....86 Life...88 Mother Nature...89 Sin....92 War...94 Magic....95 President Aldridge...30 President Klein....4, 16, 26

Q

Quislings....27, 32 Quisling Character Creation Rules....83

R

Rampagers....5, 12, 23, 28, 40 Retribution....36, 58 Russia....68

S

Sample Characters....105-114 Seekers of Enlightenment...7, 33, 35, 41, 44, 58

T

Themes/Moods....78 TRAC....15, 25, 36, 44, 59 Twice Born....37, 40, 44 Typhoon....17, 26, 32, 60

U

Underground News Network....43 Unhuman...43 United Human Front....20, 61 United Kingdom...66

V

Venezuela....65

W

The White House....21

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