(07-19-2018, 11:08 PM)jpub Wrote: Someone's going to have to explain the appeal of 12 Steps to me, because it's unreadable as far as I'm concerned.  The protagonist is a sociopath without any single feature that makes me care about his success.  Hell, by the time I quit about halfway through I was hoping he'd get squashed.

Quote:“Why does he react like that? I get that he was trying to save people, I do. I understand that when you’re faced with people like that, it’s either them or you. But that… what Michael did… there’s just so much… rage…”

Sterns seemed to fumble for an answer, before his shoulders slumped somewhat as he looked at her with a tired, bleak little smile.

“Tell me Jessica. Do you know what Michael is afraid of the most?”

For a moment, the very idea that the giant of a man, the same man who had thrown around cars like they were made of cardboard, was afraid of anything at all was so absurd that she nearly let out a laugh, despite the gloomy mood that hang over the cramped room.

But she could tell that the scientist was completely serious, so she reigned in her incredulous response and tried to think of the answer. When nothing came to her, she just shrugged as she looked at Sterns with a raised eyebrow.

“I dunno. What’s he afraid of?”

“Death.”

“…”

“…”

“Death?”

“Yes.”

“You’re shitting me.”

“No, I’m completely serious.”

“Really? Death?”

Giving a nod at her incredulous look, Sterns elaborated.

“He hasn’t told me so, and he won’t ever admit it, but Michael’s absolutely terrified at the thought of dying. I’ve been around him for a year Jessica, and his every waking moment is spent trying to find ways to become more powerful.”

“Doesn’t that just make him greedy though?”

“I thought so too at first. But then I thought at how he was acquiring that power. He wasn’t going around gathering people under his banner, or trying to make allies. He only started up Titan Solutions after he gained his current powers. No, every move he made, was to enhance himself. To make himself safer.”

“I don’t get it.”

“I always joke about the time he asked me to lace his bones with Vibranium, but really think about it Jessica. Think about why someone would be so desperate, that he’s willing to undergo massive amounts of experimental and invasive surgery, in order to have an indestructible skeleton, despite the fact that he already has superstrength and an incredible healing factor. And that’s not even considering the fact that he made a beeline from the heart of Africa to Burstein’s home in order to be made bulletproof on top of that. Every single move that I have seen Michael make, was in order to make himself stronger, more powerful, more durable.”

“All right. I can see it. Weird, but I get what you’re getting at. But how does that answer my question?”’

“Because on both occasions, the things that he needs in order to become more powerful were threatened. Without me, he would have torn his own body apart long ago, with all the different means he keeps enhancing himself with. Without Titan Solutions backing him, he’s just one man, and considering who some of his enemies are, being on your own is tantamount to being ‘disappeared’ in the middle of the night.”

As she went over Sterns’ words, she could finally identify one of the emotions she was currently feeling. Yep, there’s that familiar sour taste of disappointment, something that she knew all too well unfortunately.

“So the only reason he went flying off the handle like that was because we’re useful enough to him to be protected? Figures.”

It was only once the words had left her mouth that she realized just how bitter they sounded, but Sterns just looked at her with a gentle smile and a small shake of his head.

“Not what I meant, Jessica. Or at least, not entirely. He has several serums inside of him which in any other person before him have shown to lead to mental instabilities. It was only after our trip to Wakanda that his psyche settled somewhat, and I used what I learned from his body to make Extremis safe enough to the point that such a thing is no longer a danger, and we don’t plan on enhancing people with gamma-radiation period. But despite the fact that he’s now a lot calmer than he used to be, he still has those old triggers and altered impulses. And when they are brought up as strongly as they were during that attack… well, I think it’s debatable just how much of that was Michael and how much of that was… something darker.”

“So what you’re actually saying is… what?”

“We’re working for a dick.”

The blunt reply took her off guard, and before she could stop herself she let out a surprised laugh, quickly joined by Sterns’ chuckling, before the scientist looked at her with a small smile.

“But, he’s also someone that cares about us. In his own, dickish way, of course.”

“Of course.” Jessica replied wryly, getting a wink from Sterns in response.

(07-19-2018, 11:17 PM)batzulger Wrote: There are fans of everything, including stuff like Bare Squadron and Everyone Loves Large Chests. I stopped worrying about them and just don't read it.