bakerstreet | POWERED & SOURCE

POWERED & SOURCE

::Powered/SOURCE

a sci-fi au meme

50 years ago, or 75 years ago,or 20 - it's hard to recall such precise numbers in the haze and hardship - the world almost ended. While the timing itself is remembered by few, the event serves as a sharp divide of before the Fall and after. The Fall, in all its terrible and explosive splendor, sent societies spinning on their heads, no matter if its intimate nature are unclear. Once again, humanity has had to claw its way out of the primordial pit, all its achievements sent to ruin in the face of a nuclear flare. What little governmental structure remain amongst the survivors is tyrannical, but astute. When those in charge noticed that offspring of those who hadn't been killed by the Fall were beginning to be born with unique abilities, they chose not to persecute this "new generation." Instead, they jumped at the chance to have a homegrown army to protect the fragile rebirth of man, learning little from the old mistakes.

These gifted individuals fall into two categories: those with psionic powers and abilities used for offense and those who have healing and rejuvenating properties. Apart, these are interesting parlor tricks, with psionics, called Powereds, being about to move items with their minds for a few inches or pick up heavier ones they shouldn't be able to or healers, called Sources, fixing up superficial wounds. The true potential lies in when a Powered and Source are brought together, however. Each Powered has a Source that is their match and vice versa, the lock to their key, right down to the very genetics. When the right pairing made, a Powered can move mountains or create energy weapons beyond compare, a Source can provide near infinite energy to their Powered or even bring living beings back from the brink of death. To belong to either of these groups is a high honor. So high, in fact, that as soon as a child shows promise, they are whisked away by higher authorities to be matched with their lifetime Powered or Sourced and begin their training, where, despite the risks, they will find better living conditions and more resources than they could have ever dreamed of out in the desolate, dying world.

This pair grows up together, becoming dependent on each other. Even if their personalities clash, the pull in their very nature evens things out; it is, after all, a psychic bond that connects Powered and Sourced. Without the presence of their Source, a Powered might find themselves enraged or worried or unsettled. On the other hand, a lonely Source may become listless or despaired. As two is where they find complete harmony, and their unity shows in the combat or espionage skills.

On record, romance between matched pairs is strictly forbidden. Off the books, though, it happens more times than not, with two people growing up together virtually since childhood who are programmed to be co-dependent, and it is highly encouraged by those higher up due to abilities being strengthened through both emotional connection and physical contact. There's no risk in it, in their eyes, only gain as they can terminate a pair quite easily. A Powered is useless without a Source, so the ultimate weapon has a kill-switch...and a useful weakness for blackmail purposes There are always whispers in barracks of someone who's doing a task because their Powered's or Source's life is at stake.

Once battle training is complete, each pair is assigned to an eight-man cell, comprised of four matched pairs like themselves. What these teams do depends upon their skill sets and training levels, with anything from peacekeeping to public relations to assassination being on the dossier. Yet the imperative is for those on front line is clear: protect your Powered or Sourced at all costs, even on the backs of the others on your team.

Without them, you are useless. Without them, there is no place for you in this world.

tl;dr sparknotes this because we want to get to the meme: Sentinels and guides had a baby with YA dystopian lit. After a near extinction level cataclysm, people began to develop abilities that fall into two categories: Powered (sentinel/warrior) and Source (guide/healer). Their true powers are only revealed when they find their one genetically compatible match. A shadow government kidnaps these individuals, puts them into lifebonds, trains them for combat, then sends them out in teams to do all the dirty work. Codependency, mind-bonding, unhealthy love, and bloody murder probably ensue.

In the subject line, place your character name, canon, preferences, and whether your character will be a Powered, Source, or either. Reply to others! What will your character be doing? Being a late bloomer and only now meeting their partner? Training? On a mission? Enjoying some rare down time? Comforting their partner? Aftercare after the battle? Getting blackmailed? Climbing to the top of the ladder and infiltrating the government? Realizing their partner's getting a little too bloodthirsty? Falling in love with someone else's Powered or Source - absolute anathema. Facing certain death? It's up to you. Thread.

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Captain America was okay until she touched his Source. He snarled, a concussive blast of energy radiated out from him, shoving her and Bucky away from Tony. It was powerful enough people not even near them staggered with the weight of it. The building they were in and the nearby ones went dark, like an EMP ripped through them.

Steve didn't even notice the room was dark. His vision barely changed. It wasn't everything either. There was more he could do with it. Steve was just aware and in control just enough to register that Bucky and Peggy weren't a threat to him. They were lucky he trusted them more than anyone. It was just instinct to protect his Source.

Peggy held up her hands and went to Bucky as Steve leapt into the stands without ever touching the stairs to check on Tony.

The little boy groaned as Steve scooped him up and though his arms and head had been laying limp, the space between his eyebrows bunched up and he curled up against the Captain's chest. "Y'kay?" he whimpered, small fingers gripping Steve's uniform collar as he tried to come to again.

He didn't really know what he had done. He had just seen that other man hit Steve and he remembered wanted him dead--

Well he didn't care! No one should ever touch Steve! He felt like that was a given. "Can we get ice cream now..?"

"I'm okay," he promised, though he was going to have a nice bruise on his face. Once he was sure the boy was uninjured, he looked down to the floor where Bucky and Peggy were kneeling.

He ignored the question about the ice cream. There more important things right now.

"Is he okay?" he called and abruptly realized all the lights were out, now that he was calming down. "Are you okay?"

Tony would be able to fix that bruise when it finished presenting itself. Instead, and more awake now, he turned wide eyes away from Steve and focused instead on the man finally sitting up on that floor. Peggy was kneeling beside him, sweating profusely from her effort to revive him.

"Don't hit my Captain anymore!" Tony called, childishly protective even now of his Powered, but he sounded worried. What if he rely hurt that guy? He and his Powered were really good friends!

Bucky smirked, wiping the blood from his nose. "You got it, kid."

Clearly, they needed to make sure that Tony understood what sparring was before they did anymore of it. It was one thing for him to train with Bucky who understood his Source was new but what if something happened with a team? They would want to test him against multiple assailants.

He carried Tony down the stairs to the arena. Steve glanced from Peggy to his friend. "Are you okay, Buck?"

"Never felt that before. Wow," Bucky said, sounding hoarse.

Peggy didn't look too worried, just tired. "It was poison. I've never seen a Source turn healing ability into poison before. That's impressive."

Well Tony liked being called impressive so he decided it was probably all right to apologize. Just this once. "Sorry. For... That. I kinda felt it. But it wasn't me--"

"It's what happens when you work really well with your partner, Tony. You can feel them. And feel what they feel. It probably scared you, huh?"

Tony nodded just a little, hugging Steve more tightly.

Tony was going to be incredibly strong when he was older. With his Powered already strong, they were going to be a sight to behold. It was almost unbelievable the boy in his arms could kill a man so easily already and he didn't even understand what he was doing.

Steve kept a firm grasp on the boy in his arms even as he hugged him tighter. "We're going to need to lay some groundwork before we try this again. For his sake and everyone else's."

He tilted his head, listening to chatter outside the gym and his forehead creased. "I knocked the power out in the surrounding buildings too. They're going to want paperwork on that. But I think we're done for today. We should all eat and get some rest."

"I think we can find some ice cream," Prggy said as she helped Bucky the rest of the way up. She wasn't worried about her partner. He was strong and capable and was good natured about the near death fiasco. That was what happened when you had a child on the team though.

And it really wasn't Tony's fault.

The little boy couldn't help but cheer, wriggling until Steve put him down. He would accept hand holding but he didn't want to look like a baby in front of the other soldiers!

"I think we can too," Steve agreed with a nod. It seemed like Bucky was alright so he wasn't going to worry about it too much. His Source was around to keep an eye on him and if she gave him a clean bill of health, then it was all good.

He put Tony down and he would only hold his hand if he wanted him to, but he understood wanting to be independent. So long as he stayed close, Steve didn't mind. He led the boy out of the gym and there were plenty of curious glances sent their way. Everyone would know that one of them was responsible for this. Steve wasn't terribly concerned about it. This wouldn't be the first time a Powered got a little out of control.

"Are you hungry for anything besides ice cream?" Steve asked.

"No," Tony said somewhat coyly as if that would cement him getting some ice cream. He knew he was cute and he knew he could manipulate people with that cuteness. Would it work on Steve? Probably. He'd saved Steve and shown him that he could blast everything around with his mind.

That deserved ice cream at the very least!

He held Steve's hand a little more tightly as they crossed the camp to the mess hall. People were scrambling around to fix whatever Steve had managed to break with that reflexive area attack.

"Maybe grilled cheese?"

It did deserve some ice cream, considering how patient the boy was being today, but Steve was kind of responsible for him now. He couldn't just eat ice cream all the time when he was a growing child. He held on to Tony's hand. It made him feel better that the boy was sticking close to him.

"I'll see what I can do," he told him, opening the door for them both.

There weren't many people here at this time which was good. It raised his chances of getting a special order. The cook leaning against the corner eyed Steve and then Tony. "What'll it be?"

Tony turned on his charm immediately, hands gripping the counter he could just barely see over. There were all sorts of good things for dinner: Salsbury Steaks, potatoes, greenbeans, but the cook had asked and Tony decided that there weren't too many kids that passed through so he might get what he wanted. "Grilled cheese--". And to make Steve happy: "and milk?"

Peggy found the display adorable. But then she found watching Steve and his Source, sitting across from one another at the table once they had gotten their meals, to be even more adorable. Tony was chattering away, one half of the sandwich in his hand, little legs kicking. And Steve was actually listening to him, nodding.

They were an odd pair but they were still a pair. And the officer's Mess was filled with pairs engaging in the same sort of "for their ears only" types of conversation. Peggy turned to Bucky and gave him her cobbler. "He seems happier now. I know his Soirce is so young but they'll be good for each other."

The cook, thankfully, only raised an eyebrow at Steve who shrugged and the man went to make a grilled cheese sandwich. He handed him a glass of milk while they waited and Steve didn't have any problems with eating the standard meal.

He silently mouthed 'do you have ice cream?' to the man when Tony turned his back who nodded before Steve followed the boy.

He carried their food to a table he let Tony pick and ate while the boy chattered endlessly about everything. It was... surprisingly good. He didn't expect his Source to be so young but what can you do?

At least he had found him.

"All done?" he asked when Tony finally managed to finish his sandwich. "I have it on good authority they have ice cream."

All of that was worth it to see the boy's eyes light up. He was so very happy, bouncing around in his seat with a spoon far too big for his little mouth and still managing to eat and talk at the same time when a hush fell over the mess hall. Most of the other soldiers filed out as one of the government agents overlooking the program cast a shadow over the boy.

"Captain. We need to discuss what just happened. Please report for a full debriefing with your Source at 19:00 hours."

Tony was bound to be exhausted and half asleep by then but maybe that was for the better.

He was incredibly happy and it made him grin, though he was aware of the change in the mood of the room. His gaze shifted as people slunk out of the room and he recognized the agent that came up to their table. It wasn't really a surprise. They made a lot of noise with the stunt they pulled earlier.

"Yes, Sir," Steve agreed with a nod, glancing at the clock. "We'll be there."

Tony turned and glanced up at the officially looking man with the stern face. He decided that he really didn't like him, not one bit, but he gave him just a little salute anyway, half a smirk on his young face.

It wasn't acknowledgement. It was dismissal. And the agent seemed to realize that. He looked annoyed at best but left them alone.

Tony licked his spoon and frowned at Steve. "He doesn't like us."

Steve said nothing about the sassy little move. Kids will be kids, right? The man walked off and he frowned after him. It wasn't necessarily their fault. They wanted to know what they could do and they barely scratched the surface so far.

"No, he doesn't," Steve agreed with a nod. "But they don't really like anyone."

Tony set his cheek in his palm to think about that and shrugged. "But they're going to tell us how we can protect people and save the world right? I guess we don't have to like them if they help us to be heroes."

He noticed that Steve didn't have any ice cream and he offered Steve his spoon.

"This will make you smile again, Captain." He was a Source, part of a Pair, and while their bond was still new, Tony knew he had to take care of Steve. It was just an automatic response.

"They're going to try," he agreed, because explaining politics to a seven year old probably wasn't going to work very well, even with as smart as he was so it was better to just leave it at that.

Steve did smile at the boy's offer and he took a bite off the spoon. "Thank you, when you're finished would you like to see your room? Then we can go meet with them."

"I'm not staying with you?"

That didn't seem even remotely right to Tony. If he didn't stay with Steve and he needed to throw that crazy gold light discus ball thing, he wouldn't be able to. Tony wasn't going to make a fuss here but he would insist on staying with the Powered if Steve tried to tell him anything else.

The meeting no longer mattered so much.

"My apartment has two bedrooms," he explained with a smile because he understood and the military understood, just what Powereds and Sources required. They also couldn't let a seven year old do whatever he wanted. Tony needed some kind of supervision. "And a living room and bathroom, so we can have some privacy."

If Steve really thought he'd get a bed to himself again until Tony was a teenager and decided he hated everything, he had another thing coming! But the boy nodded and hide a yawn in his elbow and didn't complain should Steve decide to carry him to the unit's housing.

There weren't so many of them, the Howling Commandos Unit was the strongest unit of Pairs the army had and now that their Captain had a source too, they wouldn't be beaten by anyone.

A few of the men saluted at Steve as he carried his Source through. There were very few women in the unit at all.

It wasn't so much he thought that he would have a bed to himself as he wanted to give Tony a space to himself. He would still have to have schooling too. Steve really didn't want to think about all the ins and outs of this, but he was going to have to once this mission was completed.

He carried his Source without any trouble and smiled, nodding at his friends and teammates as he walked through the Unit to his quarters. Finally, he swung the door open. It was modest and tidy; he wasn't winning any awards on space or anything but it was quiet.

Tony's bags were sitting on the floor in his empty room when Steve carried him in there. "Here we are. I know it's not much, but it's an army base."

"I use to share a dorm with five other boys," Tony said as he was put down to touch everything and move a few items. He couldn't help himself, it was what children did in an attempt to claim a space. They had little control over the objects so they exerted control on placement. "Does this mean I'm never going back?"

He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Steve and Tony could be separated without any effort. They could train together and Tony could go on missions but it shouldn't be too distressing to keep them apart for a length of time. In theory. It was rare for pairs to be apart though.

He paused at a few of Steve's drawings on the wall and grinned at the monkey. He really liked that one.

"I don't know," he told him honestly. Steve needed to talk to a few people to figure out what was going on. They might even find out at the meeting. "It will probably depend on what missions they need completed. You do need to go to school but that doesn't necessarily mean the boarding school. Your parents will have to be consulted."

Steve shrugged a little helplessly, "It's complicated. We're focusing on the mission this week because it's an emergency. We might not figure out the other details until after we're done."

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