::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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bakerstreet2016-09-10 11:43 am
MICK RORY ( HEATWAVE ) | DCTV | OTA
Kyle Rayner | DCU | OTA
Marie Kreutz l The Bourne Series l OTA
Brady Truebridge | Filthy Rich | ota
no subject
They're the first words he's spoken since they left the safe house half an hour ago, en route to yet another tedious function. A necessary part of the job; wouldn't do to slight the high-and-mighty, after all, not with that current bill for funding being passed through legislation. So here they were, to make nice, rub elbows, and remind the rich and powerful exactly what their money was buying.
Gabriel hates it more than anything, but then, Brady would know. After all, they've been partnered for the better part of four decades. At least he always plays his part in front of the crowds, and he stays true to form as the car pulls to a stop in front of the brightly-lit venue, looking her over with a critical eye and tucking one tiny stray hair back into place.
"Well?" If they must, they must, and he must at least look presentable to the crowd. Her judgement is sharper than anyone's, and almost as sharp as his.
no subject
For her part, Brady likes them well enough. The program pays for everything, so of course she gets the best of the best in clothes and makeup and hair products and the whole nine yards. Their partnership is less to do with brute strength and combat capabilities like the rest of their unit, and more about subterfuge and manipulation.
(And assassination, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.)
She sits still, allowing him his inspection, and returns the favor. "Your tie's a bit crooked." With no prompting, she adjusts it to near perfection. Last thing either of them needs is to blow this because of a minor wardrobe malfunction. (He might lose focus like that if she let him. She's here because they belong together, because she can't imagine a world where they're apart, but she's also here because they can't afford a disaster that comes of one of his less endearing qualities.)
"All right. No go on and open the door for me like a proper gentleman."
no subject
And in return, these little unpleasantries. Still, he'll smile and listen and let them talk to him about his paintings, about how nice they look together, about the latest news from the Capital, and she'll be there at his side to keep him from biting someone's head off for being too ignorant to breathe and to do the job herself in a way that keeps theirs.
He's thinking this as she adjusts his tie, offering a deadpan look from blue eyes down his nose at her. "Is that what I am now?" He's never been a proper gentleman. But he'll also never say no to her, and so he opens the door and steps out, offering her a hand to help her from the interior.
no subject
Maybe it's spoiled, maybe it's entitled, maybe they ought to have been killed in their teens. Whatever it may be, it's too late now, and they're too valuable anyway.
She shoots him a grin that's equal parts sinister and coy as she takes his hand and stands. "You are today." As if to reinforce the fact, she tucks her hand in the crook of his elbow. She's not the important one here, as far as the other guests are concerned. All she is is the woman on his arm, graceful and mysterious and foreign (not true; she absorbed the accent from her trainers, and now it's as much a part of her as being at Gabriel's side).
And that's fine with her.
no subject
Gabriel isn't a man who tolerates casual touch. Even a friendly pat on the shoulder has earned more than one person a bloody nose, and he doesn't discriminate on that regard. Brady is the one person who is immune, as she is to so much else; the one person that can break his habits and routines and not suffer the consequences. Maybe because she understands just how important they all are. So while he sighs with a long-suffering attitude, he also places a hand over hers as she takes his arm, settling her in at his side, where she belongs. Even if it weren't part of the cover, he prefers her closer than not. "I suppose I can stand it for an hour or two. I make no promises past that. Who is it we're supposed to be impressing tonight?" He did read the dossier, but it's easier to listen to it coming from her.
no subject
"Hour and a half, then. I'll keep track of time." She falls into place, into her role, immediately, her smile softening to something almost welcoming at his touch. "The new councilman from the third district. He thinks we're dangerous, so for goodness's sake, don't fall in hate at first sight."
She likes this, dealing in information, giving him a refresher. If he'd not bothered to read the dossier at all, she wouldn't, but that's not how he operates. That's not how either of them operates. She also likes teasing him a bit, if only because it makes an otherwise boring task a little entertaining.
genji | overwatch
cersei lannister | game of thrones