Nobby's Story

Doctor Norbert Jenkins was already one of the foremost medical research scientists of his generation when his eruption as a Nova boosted his abilities tenfold. His intelligence, already formidable, was now boosted to mega-genius levels, and his powers of perception were similarly increased. In addition, he could sense the presence of other Novas at fantastic distances, and - having located them - teleport halfway across a country to reach them. His body was also much improved. He was tougher and healthier than he could have dreamed of. His skin was as tough as steel plate, and he no longer needed to eat, sleep or breathe. After training by Project Utopia, he became The Teacher, dedicating his life to finding newly erupted Novas, and bring them to Utopia for training. But there was one further aspect to his powers, known only to a handful of Utopian personnel, and seemingly only a curiosity only. For Norbert's chest housed a small auxiliary brain. It contained only a smidgen of intelligence. But when Norbert lost his head - literally - in an unpleasant encounter with an outstretched length of razerwire it was enough - combined with some desperate first aid - to keep him alive. But was it worth it? Nobby Nohead Norbert now has only one point of standard intelligence (it would probably be less than that but one is as low as it can go). He is basically a moron, with an IQ between 50 and 60. (He is too stupid to be taught some sort of signing on the palm of his hand for instance). He cannot talk. He cannot see. He cannot hear. He cannot smell. He cannot taste. But he can sense the quantum of other Novas, and is drawn to them. Appearance Well, he has one hell of a distinguishing feature (headless). Other than that, he is white, with a powerful build and stands about five feet seven in height. (He used to be quite tall, but that was when he still had a head). His stump has now healed over. It's just a slightly rounded bump covered in smooth skin. He will generally be dressed in whatever his last "keeper" dressed him in, typically some kind of dungarees. Since he neither eats nor drinks, he thankfully does not require nappies (diapers). What He Does Nobby seeks (instinctively, rather than consciously) Novas. He teleports towards them, and then tries to stay with them. Utopia did try to hold him within a secure clinic, but he teleported out (he won't stay in his cell, he wants to be with the Novas). Once Nobby finds you (assuming that you are a Nova) he will stick with you. If you get up and walk away, he will walk after you. He'll be bouncing off walls, falling down stairs and so on - but he'll just get back up and carry on walking after you. And if you get too far ahead, he'll just teleport to you. Novas inflicted with Nobby generally try to get rid of him by passing him onto other Novas, perhaps ones more powerful than themselves (the greater the power, the more he is attracted). A common technique is to take him to Ibiza and get him into a car, stop outside the Amp Room and push him out, then drive away, really, really quickly. NOTE:- This has been done often enough for the doormen at that establishment to be on the lookout for it (nothing kills the atmosphere at a party quicker than a shambling headless "thing" who used to be a person following the women round and scaring them). If the bouncers see what is happening, they will try to stuff Nobby back into the car. Have fun.

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