frp

• Early version: quantum.pdf
• Current version:quantum_79.pdf
• Current helper sheet: quantum_xls.pdf

Name: Secret Identity
Born: Unknown Best guess: 1960's or 1970's
First Action: 2014
Power Source: Unknown Appears to be entirely self-contained, requiring no obvious external power.

2014. Portland, OR
First sighted in early January; Seemed to patrol mostly on the west side, with emphasis on Hillsboro
and Beaverton.
Joined Rose City Five at inception

• Force Field
• Flight
• Energy Projection
• Computer and Radio Integration

• Secret Identity
• Vulnerability: Double-effect from Magic
• Watched by both “The Government” and “Aliens” – Neither organization publicly known.
• Psychological Complication: Opposed to Killing. (Common; Strong)
• Psychological Complication: Overconfident. (Very Common; Moderate)

What makes a hero?

Is it helping those in need? Leading by example? Not taking credit?

All of these applied, of course. But now, as he stood in the basement of a building he couldn’t have found on a map the day before, the doubts were back for the first time in weeks. At his side, his new team stood – their body language hiding any similar uncertainties. Or maybe not. It was hard to tell. Paladin and 99 always seemed confident. They’d each seen too much in their decades to be fazed by a simple extra-dimensional gateway. Hex, as always, hid behind his suit – his expression shielded. And Shimmer fidgeted – an ever-present blur – his youth and naiveté drowning out all signs of fear.

He’d only known these people for a couple of months. They seemed like heroes – but he couldn’t really know, could he? He’d only had his powers for a few months, after all, so maybe the doubts were to be expected.

Inside his mind, he imagined the nano-computers analyzing the neurons, watching the blood flow, measuring the amino acids. His heart rate was steady – so he was forced to imagine his own anxiety. Was it real if he couldn’t actually feel it?

And then, like a flood bursting a dam, a wave hit him. Lynn. If he died on another planet, she’d never know.

As quickly as the feeling hit him, it disappeared. The specialized nanobots in his brain manufactured the right enzymes in the right dosage. A calm melted away the anxiety and his confidence returned. He was a hero, after all. And this job needed to be done.

But could he claim confidence when it wasn’t his own decision? Was his mind even his own? Again, the doubt that had nagged him since he got his powers tried to crawl back into his mind. And again, the machine shut it off. Of course, his mind was his own. Didn’t Descartes say that the mind was the very definition of existence? Perhaps the old man he used to be wasn’t a hero, but Quantum was. And Quantum was all that mattered anymore.

He had a thought. In his mind, the thought was detected and a series of circuits activated. A sub-dermal antenna along the back of his neck began transmitting. Normally he would avoid using the civilian networks this close to his teammates. He was sure that Hex (at least) could intercept. Maybe Paladin, too. Still, if this glowing gate in front of him really was what they said it was, he had to get a message out. A microscopic speaker just outside of his tympanic membrane began to vibrate. A sound so quiet that nobody else could hear – he hoped.

After two rings came her voice, “Hello?”

“Hi, hon. It’s me.”

“Hey. What’s up? You done for the day? You want some dinner?”

“No…” He paused. Not too long. She’ll know something’s up. “It looks like we’re going to have to go out of town – the whole team.”

“Oh.” Her pause was just as brief. He could no longer tell when she was actually worried. He was pretty sure she had her own nanites – although he still wasn’t sure how she got them. “That’s OK. I’ve got some books to read. And the cats. You know how long you’ll be gone?”

“No, sorry. I hope it’s just going to be a couple days – but don’t worry if it’s longer. Oh… And my cell won’t work where I’m going.”

Silence. For too long. “What do you mean? Won’t work?”

“I can’t really talk now. I’m still with the team and we need to go. I love you.”

A beat. Nothing longer. Perhaps her nanites were helping. Or perhaps she really wasn’t concerned. Was it possible to tell the difference? “Love you, too.”

Another thought. Another chain of electronic signals through his body. The line dropped. He looked over at Hex. Could he have heard? Was there anything incriminating in the conversation? Was his secret identity still intact? A problem for another day.

What makes a hero? He stepped toward the glowing gate with no idea what lay beyond. The others joined him. No discussion. No hesitation.

Who cares if his mind was no longer his own? He was a hero now – and that was all that mattered.