Episode 110: Maladaptive
Takes place 21-25 July 2012.
Short version
Paul investigates the awakening of a new God of Technology, but instead finds technology demon Richard Simpson.
Longer version
Paul and Lantern Rrab encounter a car that was driving itself despite lacking any automation to do that, and bring it to Vulcan for him to investigate. He determines that it feels like divine influence rather than standard magic, but isn't sure exactly where from.
Paul then finds that there are many similar incidents occurring, with devices of all kinds trying to fulfill their regular functions even when not being used. He brings the Duke of Oil, a formerly hostile AI, to investigate one incident, learning that there is a drive to get work done but no clear direction on what to do.
John Quinn, the holder of the Helmet of Fate, has more information, confirming that the events signify the rise of a God of Technology. However, the god in question was not supposed to awaken yet, and John suspects that someone else is attempting to make use of the god's power.
Paul then visits John Constantine's niece Gemma, and finds that her clock radio is attempting to communicate with her. The radio claims to know where John is, and tells her to "come find me"; Paul escorts her as she follows its directions, and finds Richard Simpson, a demon who inhabits and controls computers. Simpson offers Gemma whatever she wants in exchange for distracting John for a week or two so he doesn't interfere with Simpson's plans, but Paul then ambushes and captures him, learning that he deliberately brought the rising God of Technology closer to wakefulness so that he could possess it and free himself from Hell. Paul refuses to cooperate with the plan, but offers to help Simpson obtain a robotic body instead.
The title may refer to the way that the awakened machines try to do their regular jobs, but typically fail or do them badly by being over-eager.
- Alternate Universe: We get to see Common Sense!OL again. He suggests having Belle Reve off planet to prevent future jailbreak attempts. He also helps Hal Jordan identify the Star Conqueror remains, leading to the sample being incinerated.
- Backstory: Common Sense!OL reveals the Joker's to the Team.
- Blood Oath: Simpson wants Gemma to seal their agreement with a drop of blood, but she demands that he do the same. He claims not to have actual blood, and that his magic will bind him anyway, but rather than argue with a kid, he acquiesces and manifests a form with "my demonic-magic-pretending-to-be-human-blood". Unfortunately for him, she was stalling, and manifesting like that makes him particularly vulnerable to Paul subverting his summoning circle.
- The Bus Came Back: Earl Dukeston, the Duke of Oil, returns after he's last seen being taken down by Paul, Black Canary, and Green Arrow.
- Deal with the Devil: Simpson, as a ruler of a circle of Hell, offers Gemma whatever she wants within his power, in exchange for keeping John out of the way for a bit (so that he can gain the power of a god). She's skeptical, but he argues that demons are actually quite strict about keeping to the letter of their bargains. It's moot in the end, since she knows (and Simpson doesn't) that there isn't going to be any deal; Paul is watching them and waiting for the right moment to intervene.
- Didn't See That Coming: Richard Simpson set up a plan to distract John Constantine. Unfortunately for him, it didn't take into account Paul finding out about it and interfering.
- Do Androids Dream?: Discussed between Earl Dukeston and Paul.
- Leet Lingo: Lacking a fully capable display, Gemma's clock radio resorts to approximating letters using other symbols.Radio: C0∩∩E F1∩0 ∩∩Enote
- Magitek: The technomancy variant features here, with devices operating even though they're not switched on or even plugged in, and responding to their environment more intelligently than they should be able to.
- Mysterious Past: Averted. Common Sense!OL straight up tells the Team the Joker's origin."The Joker started out as a failed comedian a pre-existing gang hired to be the fall guy. They stuck a red helmet on his head and called him 'boss' when the police were listening. He'd never fired a gun before that evening, and he wasn't even the first person they'd hired to act in that capacity."
- Oh, Crap!: Richard Simpson realizes that everything's going sideways for him when Paul flies through the walls to confront him.
