The Merge: Agents & Powers (OOC for chapter 2)

[kirinke]

Lol. I don't have a problem with it.

[Tony Jones]

Lilly doesn't care, and has already developed some opinions on Viv, as she has of the others...

[Tony Jones]

Hmmm. In hindsight Lilly should have just silenced the professor when she heard him talking to Markus' mother. His words can't do any harm if she can't hear them. Oh well 20/20 hindsight and all that...

[kirinke]

Well, calling his mother is to be expected.

[Neo-Paladin]

Given that Markus is still a minor, Schütte most likely has to contact his parents when something is up.
And while I understand Lilly's intention, it would still fall under using disproportionate force with an enhanced ability. After all, Schütte is not doing anything wrong and none of you asked him to not contact anyone until you've talked to Markus.
Not to mention that losing your voice or sense of hearing all of a sudden can be pretty traumatic.

[Tony Jones]

I was thinking just stop him talking until we could ask him not to. Would that really count as assault given that it affects sound, not him? And has this sort of thing been explained to her (and maybe other group members?)?

[Neo-Paladin]

I was thinking just stop him talking until we could ask him not to. Would that really count as assault given that it affects sound, not him? And has this sort of thing been explained to her (and maybe other group members?)?

Probably not to her, but some of the others would know about it. Post-Merge Germany is rather strict when it comes to usage of superhuman powers. Basically, you are not supposed to use your powers unless there is absolutely 100% no other way or if there is imminent danger. With you working for the Ministry, you do have a lot more leeway, but using a power offensively against someone who is not doing anything illegal or harming anyone is definitely frowned upon.

[Tony Jones]

What about using the power to silence the phone rather than him? How legal would that be? Sounds like there could be opportunities for all kinds of legal hair splitting there...

Also for a subtle power like hers quite hard to prove I would imagine, given that it's not visible and leaves no traces...

I can imagine you could have cases where people are accused of using powers on others and it coming down to one person's word against anothers...

[Neo-Paladin]

Yeah, that is a problem. You do not want to be a judge in the Merged Universe, believe me.
It's doubtful she would get into trouble, to be honest, given that it's hard to prove....even though there are certain specialists who can sense that powers had been used.
Still, it would be legally problematic in principle.

[Tony Jones]

Sounds like you could run an investigation and law-based game here, trying to prove or disprove power use in and accusations!

[jmucchiello]

Hold On. This conversation makes no sense at all. A random teacher has zero obligation to call a boy's parents if the government is looking for him. The school administration might have such an obligation. But a random teacher? No way. In fact, the administration might reprimand him for not contacting them first. If anyone was obligated to call his mother, it was the woman at the registration office.

[Neo-Paladin]

Hold On. This conversation makes no sense at all. A random teacher has zero obligation to call a boy's parents if the government is looking for him. The school administration might have such an obligation. But a random teacher? No way. In fact, the administration might reprimand him for not contacting them first. If anyone was obligated to call his mother, it was the woman at the registration office.

Maybe....in the end, you'd have to ask Schütte.

[Tony Jones]

I'm guessing he's going what he considers to be a bit above and beyond because of this:

It's obvious for Viv that Schütte cares about Markus and does not want to see his protege in conflict with the law.

[jmucchiello]

My point is this is suspicious behavior. Most teachers don't have phone numbers of their students. They usually maintain a distance to avoid accusations of impropriety or favoritism.

[pathfinderq1]

It is worth noting that he is not "just a teacher", he is Markus' academic advisor and doctoral mentor- especially with an underage student, he would definitely have the relevant contact numbers, and would use them (and in fact, possibly be mandated to use them, far more so than some office flunky).