The Silhouette and The Forge
Chapter 6​

I was mesmerized by what I was watching. Light taking the organic materials along with anything else it needed and started making the lifeworker before my very eyes. It was something to behold.

Taking its tentacles and piecing together the frame and body of the new addition to our little group that will further aid me and my endeavors. Watching as it pieced it all together at such a fast rate with such tiny parts at a time with such control and speed was incredible. Like watching ants in fast forward build their nests except far more complex.

If it wasn’t for my newly acquired knowledge and perfect memory, I would have been surprised by the appearance of the newly made lifeworker Engineer. They were smaller in size compared to normal Engineers such as Lighter Than Air, along with losing the bioluminescence that Light has, and their coloring was green instead of blue.

I am so happy that Light knew how to make a lifeworker, that alone is going to help me immensely in surviving the lesser threats that exist in this place which takes a good amount of weight off my shoulders.

With the construction of the now named Heavier Than Helium finished, Light worked with Heli on making the brains and apparatuses they would need to house the new Engineers in as they will be a crucial part of future plans to further aid me since I only had so much materials to make a full Engineer in comparison to just their brains. While they worked on the equipment needed, I added my own Goron enchantment to pieces to ensure they don’t ever have to worry about overheating which blew their little minds.

It would seem Engineers deal with and only comprehend absolutes such as one plus one equals two, they don’t seem to be able to understand abstract things like magic such as the enchantment the Gorons have to help make things fireproof and heat resistant by just willing the materials to be heat resistant.

It was especially funny to watch Lights eyes widen as it tries to comprehend what is before it and attempt to take it apart to try to understand it only to get frustrated at not getting the results it was hoping to get as it got faster at taking the pieces apart.

Eventually Heli got Light to stop as he started to shake the hunk of metal as if he is interrogating it and demanding it release the secrets of the universe to him while she looked at it with curious eyes as well when it was all said and done.

With both of them working in tandem to get everything set up for our newer members they did it in no time at all. Once Light and Heli were done in an astounding fifteen minutes, I had three jars filled with green liquid and sitting inside each one was the brain of an Engineer.

Once the newly named Sigma one through three were ready for action I had them hooked up to the Batcomputer courtesy of Light modifying it to allow them to directly connect to it since they will be our information gatherers among other things that I have planned. While they do the tasks I gave them, Light got to work on making their method of transportation when they were not connected to the Batcomputer and needed to get around.

The transports that Light made once he was done looked similar to what the B’omarr monks used from Star Wars. Except instead of spider legs, they had mechanical limbs similar to the Sentinel drones from the Matrix albeit skinnier and smaller. Light made it so they can call the transports to the jars with some modifications to the jars themselves. Would help a lot since we wouldn’t have to pick them up and carry them to it.

Once that was all dealt with the three Alphas were putting their nonexistent noses to the grindstone on all the different projects I wanted to get off the ground on the Batcomputer that I had the foresight to put notes and specific instructions on what I needed them to do while Light was making Heli.

Speaking of my favorite Engineer, Light was working on creating the equipment for me and Jade that I had asked for. Considering what I intend to do I rather be safe than sorry for both of us. And that includes getting myself a much-needed upgrade from Heli. Which is something I have been looking forward to a lot, ever since I learned Light can make a lifeworker Engineer. Heli had confirmed for me that she can return my genes back to what the ancient humans were before the Forerunners reduced them to the pale husk that they became.

That alone will aid me immensely in making sure I stay alive in this hell hole. Ancient humanity in Halo were able to fight off both the Flood and the Forerunners for a thousand years, and for a time even be on even terms with the Forerunners. Even if I didn’t have access to ancient humanity’s tech, their genes and what they could do physically will put me leagues above most street level fighters if not all of them along with some of the superpowered beings who call this world home.

“Alright Heli, I am ready for the procedure to begin.” I say with excitement as I look forward to becoming a superhuman. “Also, remember not to change my physical appearance Heli. I don’t want any attention over that.”

I am laying down on a table we have setup in the workshop as Heli gives me a nod of understanding as she trills around making sure everything is setup. While she does this Light along with Alpha two are busy grabbing materials to use to make small door blocks for the door into the entry hall in case someone tries to get in.

Heli in response softly rubs my head as she looks down at me, and the last thing I remember was Heli’s green head looking down at me with an affectionate look in her eyes.


Slowly my mind comes back from the depths of unconsciousness, as I open my eyes. As soon as I do I have to close them for just how much light is blinding me. Rapidly blinking my eyes in a vain hope to be able to see as I then begin realizing that it’s not my vision. My other senses could make things out that they never could before and it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Every movement I make I can hear so crisp and clearly. And I can smell all the chemicals and different metals around me.

Wanting to get away from it all I try to get up off the table as I am stopped by restraints which chafe against me making me want to get off this table that much more, as I hear the restraints groaning in protest as they are straining to hold me down. As it felt like they were about to give way to me I slump back down on the table unable to move.

Oh no. Did someone manage to break in? My thoughts became panicked as I think up several scenarios of what is possibly going to happen and what I can or should do. All of these thoughts go through my mind in a matter of seconds, all coming to a halt at the big glaring issue that makes them all worthless.

I currently can’t move, and the attacker obviously isn’t going to just let me get up. I wouldn’t. Next thing I know my senses are seemingly toned down several levels making them bearable.

I finally open my eyes once I didn’t feel like I was getting overwhelmed by everything and see who is here as I raise my head, to be met with the worried six eyed gaze of Heli. I lean my head back onto the table at having Heli’s face so close to mine. Realizing it was Heli helping me and I was never in any danger I let out a breath I was holding in, and it was a big one. What is my lung capacity now? Never mind that, I need to focus.

“Heli, I need you to help me get used to my improved senses until I can handle them at their highest. Alright?” I ask her as I look around taking notice of the metal cords wrapped around me crisscrossing across the table. Some of the metal fibers that make them up are either fraying or have partially snapped. I must admit I am rather impressed that I did that.

At my request for help, Heli gets a serious look in her eyes as she nods her head at me and gets started helping me to get accustomed to my enhanced senses by starting off with the senses dulled down and working up to the higher senses until they no longer bother me. After about I think an hour and a half, I was good enough to not only handle my new and improved senses but also make sure I am used to my new strength enough so I don’t accidentally break something. Mainly myself.

That was a mission in and of itself, nothing like taking one step and the next you are almost face first into a wall only being saved by your insane reflexes and strength as my arms shot up immediately to stop my face meeting the wall. That was what took the most time. Gently putting my feet down onto the floor as I walk using my perfect memory of the exact movements and amount control I need to make sure I don’t go flying off. Even with the perfect memory it still took longer than I would have liked.

Besides that, I am still amazed by just how much I can see in such detail without needing my glasses to see. Even with the glasses I hated so much I couldn’t see that far away and as I am now, I can make out the finer details of everything in the workshop from one side all the way to the other.

I feel the new strength in my body coiled up like a spring ready to go at any minute as I stand in the workshop admiring my recent upgrade, and as tempted as I am to test just how fast and strong I have become I know it’s ultimately not a good idea especially when I still need to get fine-tuned control over other parts of my body, no need to mention I still don’t have complete control of all of my strength. As I am fighting off that temptation, I am grasping for another star only to fall short once more.

Back to the present I turn around as Heli is done scanning me with her small keyboard device as she rapidly types away on it far faster than any human could hope to match with her small tentacles. Light had designed them for them to use for better efficiency since they are capable of multitasking easily and with how fast it is for them to type it out with just one tentacle the decision for me to give Light the go ahead for these to be used for the complete Engineers was an easy one.

She gives a happy trill as she seems to be pleased by the results she sees, as she takes a tentacle and fires off several signs at a spitfire rate. I in turn with a smile on my face sign back to her and take notice of her excited body language at me being able to communicate back to her somewhat with my own newly learned yet experienced sign language, as if I have been doing it for a few years.

Heli has given me the all clear, though I will need to wait a week or two to just let the Promethean-Human upgrade fully set in. What I know from Heli is that even though I am absurdly strong right now, I am not at my full power until it has fully settled in and that just blows me away. The strength I have now is absurd and yet it’s not even the final product currently. I do have to increase my food consumption however due to the upgrade. Which is a very small price to pay for so much power.

I stand there with a big grin on my face as I have fulfilled one of my biggest desires since I was a kid and got introduced to the concept of heroes and villains with Batman’s animated series. I have ascended to a whole new level, one that most people couldn’t even dream of. And this isn’t even the end of it, I know that I can go beyond even this. Sure, I could go for some cybernetic upgrades, but I was never a fan of butchering my body for things like that unless it’s organic.

I will take cybernetics if it means me living, but unless I absolutely have to, I would prefer to stay organic. I knew people that would talk to me about the idea of having their bodies cybernetically augmented akin to the Major from Ghost In The Shell and how amazing it would be, but it was never my interest or preference. But all that aside, the thrum of excitement in me can’t be put out at what I have become and moved beyond what I was. It makes one of my favorite video game quotes of all time come to the top of my head.

Sure I’m not human anymore. But just look at the power I have gained.

---Six days later---

Trying my best to keep my excitement under control and school my features to not show as I was taught, I make my way across East End to Daniels apartment as people around me don’t even attempt to get in my way, a few I recognized for having learned their lesson the hard way.

I finally got the message from him that he was done with my equipment. I can finally start to get away from Gotham, especially if Daniel works for who I think he does then all the better. I can get away from Lawrence and he won’t be able to do anything about it since Daniels boss would have the final say on that.

At the thought of him, it intensifies the feeling of me having to get away from him, I don’t like leaving Artemis with him. But if things work out, I can come back for her. I have to take care of myself first before I can help her, which with Lawrence making it so I don’t have any contacts in Gotham since he put the word out not to help me in any way. He even went so far as to have all the street gangs refuse me along with any other low life that is not high up in the underworld of Gotham to even look twice at me.

Of the few people that would have anything to do with me only because he doesn’t care what Lawrence or any other notable individuals in Gotham’s opinions are and could care less about any ‘orders’ they try to give him. The only ones Jed adheres to is the old Carmine crime family. And as things stand with them, they have kept a firm grip on what is theirs in this city and haven’t had a need for outside muscle to help them. Which was unfortunate for me. This gang war could change that, but I doubt it. That family has survived anything this city could throw at them.

So, I couldn’t get any work let alone anyone that has the resources to help me get in touch with the Shadows when I stopped trying to get others help since no one would and focused more on survival until I can find a way to get their attention. Only for all of my time to be focused on trying to survive and not get thrown out by Jed since I can’t seem to bring anything to the table. Until I met Daniel who could afford to pay for a room and brought him to Jed which managed to postpone Jed throwing me out since I brought him someone who isn’t going to try anything and a customer at that.

As I think about my change in luck, I hear some cat callers hassling me as I look over my shoulder at some of them with one eye. The same three idiots who know who I am and will only do this at a good safe distance since they know what I have done to people who have gotten the idea that I am fine with people putting their hands on me. It doesn’t help that their bravery comes from the gang they are associated with is slightly bigger compared to most small-time gangs.

Of course, since they are here making their disgusting gestures to me and not actually fighting against the other gangs actively trying to take over their territory which happens to be several blocks from here makes it rather obvious how each of them is still alive.

“Why don’t you spend the night with a real man, hell I will even pay extra.” The most vocal of the three mouths off, and it gets me to stop in my tracks. Thinking he has gotten my interest as his posture straitens up, “Yeah little lady, I can pay a lot of money for you to help me and my friends for a long and good night.” He gives the offer like so many others, though I will give him and his friends credit on being patient thinking I would cave out of desperation the longer I can’t find any work. Which would explain why they are closer than they have been any other time.

His friends then crack up laughing while eyeing me up like a piece of meat. Fully turned around now I look at him with a glare while a smirk comes across my face as he now thinks he even has a chance with me. Well, now he is going to get it. Not wanting to disappoint, faster than any of them could react, I hook a piece of loose concrete on my foot and using the momentum as I curve it in an arc I launch it right at him. I turn back around with a pleased look on my face as I don’t even bother to see the results as what I hear is confirmation of it hitting it’s target.

The sound of him falling over crying out in agonizing pain as his friends finally process that I hit him in his oh so big package that most idiots like them think makes them so desirable to women. “You bitch!” He yells out to me in a pain filled scream, only for him to get a broken nose courtesy of a rusted hunk of metal hitting his face. As I turn my head with just one eye looking at them, I give them my parting gift with my hand up with the bird as I strut away with a rare sincere smile on my face. The people around the area all getting a good laugh at the free show.

I don’t even worry about his friends considering they know full well what will happen to them if they try to fight me. In fact, his ‘friends’ all ran away after I broke his nose. Satisfied at my accomplishment considering those guys have been annoying for some time and every time I was about to do something about it, they would run before I ever got the chance.

Things are finally looking up for me, that was just one of many things that are finally turning around in my favor. Ever since I met him. ‘Daniel’ as he calls himself, someone who can casually hide blood and holes all along his clothes by making it look natural and make himself into quite the looker is not something that even most if not all of the hardened criminals of Gotham can just casually do.

No need to mention while he seems to be capable of handling himself in a fight and knows enough to not show his back to people he knows are potential attackers, he still doesn’t hold himself like a natural Gothamite would though. It’s obvious and would give him away in a crowd if someone is smart enough to take notice.

The look in his eyes when he saw me after him threatening Carlos and his friends, it almost looked like he recognized me. And if he did, I can interpret that as them reaching out to me. Maybe to test me? I don’t know how they operate or what to expect of their people considering Lawrence and Mom never said anything specific about them and usually kept me and Artemis out of the loop when it came to anything having to do with the Shadows.

I just hope that I am good enough to be allowed into the Shadows. The fact they have taken so long sending anyone out near me makes me question many things. Most of them about myself and if I am worth their time, but those thoughts I silence without hesitation. He may have been many things, all of them bad. However, one thing I did learn from him was that any doubt or hesitation is not allowed.

And how right he was on that. Yes, I may have abandoned Artemis to him but if this all works out, I can come back for her and take her with me. After all, if I am good enough to join the Shadows with me being worth their time, and they were willing to send an agent to test me regardless of the member not being what I would expect a League of Shadows member to look like then Artemis is as well.

I will come back for her. And if he is somehow not a member of the Shadows then I can work with him until I can get their attention and take Artemis with me. Making my way through the safe neighborhoods or at least safe by Gotham’s standards I see the ever-present graffiti, trash and smog constantly in the air along with all kinds of horrid things that make this city home. And there is nothing quite like home.

I see Daniels apartment as I turn the corner on a street and try to keep the anticipation and excitement from showing as I have been looking forward to this for some time. The instant he sent me the text that everything was ready, and he already had a job lined up for both of us. That last part got my heart racing, if not to join the Shadows then at least to get some much needed clothes and especially a proper meal. I am sick of struggling to find anything to eat. That meal at the diner with Daniel was a feast to me, considering I haven’t had a meal like that in some time.

I make my way into the entrance of the apartment complex and see Jed nod to me as I pass by him. That’s another thing I have to do is to pay what I owe to him since the deal with Daniel has only bought me some time with him. Sure, I could try and stiff him, however I rather not burn a bridge with someone when I don’t have anyone else currently as a contact. Nodding back, I go up the maze of stairs and hallways to the apartment I helped him get as I navigate my way to it as I remember all the turns to get to it. Eventually I get to Daniels apartment door and knock on it.

“Who is it?” A muffled voice I hear from the other side after a moment went by from me knocking.

“It’s me.” I respond back a little annoyed at having to do this but drop it understanding that this is Gotham after all. One can never be too safe.

“Me who?” Daniel says, which I suppress the scowl that is about to come on to my face knowing he is screwing with me now since he knows it’s me.

Sighing I decide to play his game, “Me as in Jade your friend who helped you get this apartment, and the one you made a dea-” before I can finish my sentence I hear a series of locks, and a lot of locks at that from the sounds of them being undone on the door at a rapid rate making me raise an eyebrow in response.

“Calm down Jade, don’t need to give out information to other people now do we?” He says to me with a smile as he opens the door and I see his face. Not an arrogant or smug smile, more of a placating kind that sets me on edge simply because when people do that in Gotham, you always should wait for the inevitable knife into your back. Seeing my tension at him he drops the smile and adopts a more neutral expression on his face.

“Well, I wouldn’t have to do that if someone doesn’t play dumb games. After all, play stupid games you get stupid prizes.” I say in response to his smart comment with a smile of my own.

Grimacing at my comment, “Sorry, just wanted to joke around with you a little before we got down to business. Plus, I needed something to help cheer me up.” He says as he opens the door for me to walk in and as he is shutting the door and I stand in the hallway just staring open mouthed at how much this apartment has changed since I was last here.

The hard wood floor wouldn’t look out of place at some of the more lavish buildings in Gotham owned by wealthy individuals. The walls don’t have stains of all kinds and any damage from wear and tear or just the passing of time is simply gone. I hear a soft laugh behind me as I look back at Daniel as he is looking at me after relocking the door as I school my expression as I try not to eye the rest of the apartment while trying to figure out how he did this.

Deciding to drop that thought since the equipment and the jobs he said he has been working on were more important to me than this. “Oh, come on. You don’t have to act so cool and aloof to me. We are partners after all, and I am not going to lie, it’s fun watching you get all confused at something and see you try and figure it out.”

Fully turning to face him as he has gained my full attention, “I will admit, I am curious how you managed to clean this place up, but I think I would like to discuss business more than figuring it out and you enjoying the show.” I say cutting to the point of this meetup with a tone that was all business now. While I can admit to being curious at how he managed to do it in such a short amount of time I have more important things than figuring out how Daniel managed to clean up the mess that he did.

As I look at Daniel, I notice that his body language is completely different to what he was when I first met him compared to now, though he seems to lack that odd freezing he seemed to have occasionally but I haven’t exactly been around him long enough to tell. Daniel seems a great deal more confident than he did before as well, in both how he talks and how he holds himself in comparison to when I first laid eyes on him. Was his initial reaction to me and everything happening at that time all an act? If it was, it was a good one considering even I was fooled.

“Fair enough.” He says as he walks over to the couch and takes a seat as I follow him and see a cloth covering things on a coffee table as I see the outlines of what I can only assume is my equipment. As I make my way to the cloth Daniel is already ahead of me as he pulls the cloth off the table and my breath catches in my throat along with anything I could think to say.

“I figured you would be speechless, I myself am quite proud of this.” Daniel says as he gestures to the gear in a grandiose wave of his hand before continuing. “But before we do any of the jobs I have planned we have some stuff that we need to work out.” At this, I can’t help the big smile that is forming across my face. Everything will work out for once. For me and Artemis.

Perks gained:

-Alchemist (Dishonored 2) (300CP)

Did you study under Hypatia, the famed alchemist of Addermire? Or perhaps you were from Gristol, and were tutored for some time by Sokolov and Joplin, who famously created the cure for the rat plague more than a decade ago? It matters not. Medicine, botany and chemistry is where your talent lies, and while the 'wet sciences' are not as flashy as those of clockworks or galvanics, there is no end to the utility they can be put to.
You are a masterful producer of tinctures and remedies, but also poisons and other chemicals that find use in combat, like gunpowder and the ingredients used in explosive projectiles and the Howlers' bombs. You'll be sure to get a lot of customers, whether for your beneficial concoctions, or your baneful ones. You might even surprise yourself with what your mixtures are capable of.


Magic: Enchanting (Samurai Jack) (200CP)

You can grant magical properties to weapons by marking them with ancient runes. Right now you only know how to give weapons elemental properties, but you can learn more enchantments by studying other enchanted and magical weapons.