The Furry Forums
Creative Arts and Media => Roleplay => Serious RP => Topic started by: Isoke on August 26, 2013, 04:47:54 PM
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A few individuals wearing medical scrubs gathered around a stainless steel table where a gowned figure laid motionless. Several feet away stood a man who was examining the papers attached to a clipboard. Surgical masks and deep shadows prevented any defining facial features from being observed. The sterile white room was full of beeping and clicking from the various machines scattered around the Subject.
“The Subject’s vitals are returning to normal levels, Doctor. The anesthetics are wearing off; she’ll be regaining consciousness soon. Neuro readings are within safe tolerances.”
“How are her psionic readings?”
“Steadily increasing, well above what we recorded before the procedure.”
“Excellent! So far, the Persephonian trial has gone without incident… Just to be safe, check her restraints once more, Nurse.”
……….
“Restraints are all secured.”
“Doctor… You may want to take a look at this.”
“What is it, Nurse?”
The figure in a white coat walked towards a nurse who was observing a machine the clicked in a similar fashion to a Geiger counter. The frequency of the clicks was rapidly increasing.
“Her latent psionic readings are starting to spike; they're much higher than initial estimates predicted…”
“Doctor! She is waking up!”
The Subject’s eyelids snapped open, revealing obsidian irises that would have been more appropriately placed on a feral animal than a girl in her mid-teens. In that instant, the room was filled with a blood-curdling scream as she began to thrash against her bonds. At this point, the clicks were indistinguishable between one another.
“Neuro readings are buried in the red! Ten! Ten, can you hear me? You have to calm down!”
“GET HER SEDATED, NOW!”
One nurse struggled to hold the young girl to the table as the other retrieved a syringe. Ten howled as the fine needle neared the flesh of her arm. The nurse screamed as she was engulfed in a plume of psionic fire. Although the flames lasted less than a second before dissipating, the nurse’s flesh was charred black and covered in deep burns. She fell to the ground; her screams and movements were feeble, but still indicated the agonizing pain that covered her entire body. A hungry grin spread across Ten’s face upon the sight and another burst of fire silenced the injured nurse. Panic filled the room as staff scattered away from the Subject’s wrath; bursts of flame filled the room, either erupting in empty air or striking close enough to living flesh to entice an agonized shout.
“GUARD! SHOOT HER!”
Barks of gunfire echoed around the room followed by the sounds of bullets ricocheting. Instead of sinking into exposed flesh, the metal slugs struck an invisible barrier just inches from Ten deflecting them in a shower of sparks. Streams of smoke began to escape from the seams of the psionic counter as the circuitry began to overload. More bursts of fire, each bigger than the last. Ten’s rage escalated as she continued to fight against her bonds like a trapped predator.
“Then what happened?”
Subject Two’s eyes met his attendant’s for the first time for several minutes, though his gaze was still distant. “Then the entire facility was instantaneously engulfed in a massive fireball. All that remained once the heat and flames died off was smoldering rubble, charred bodies, and the girl, standing in the middle of the ruins, laughing manically…” Two shook his head, doing his best to erase the disturbing image that haunted his mind. With a sigh, he slumped deeper into the psychiatric couch. “I’ve never heard of a Persephonian. Is another Unit experimenting with a new procedure?”
The doctor scrawled on his clipboard. “There is no Persephonian procedure in the works. All of the Units are over their heads in paperwork and are too busy running tests and analyzing the Subjects that we already have. You know how vague your visions can be, most of them don’t happen exactly like you predict in any case. It is likely that this is just another one of your false visions.”
“There is nothing wrong with my visions!” Two exclaimed defensively, more intensely than he had intended. There was a moment of silence as the attendant just looked at him with a quirked brow causing him to flush with embarrassment. “I mean… The only reason why they don’t play out in the exact same way is because I intervene in one form or another to change the end result. The fact that his keeps reoccurring only reinforces the likelihood that it is a vision rather than a normal nightmare.”
“And by telling me about this vision, you are doing just that. Therefore, there is no need to become anxious over this; I’ll see to it that the staff in the other Units receive this report and take any necessary precautions for any possible Persephonian procedure, if there’s to ever be such a thing.”
“But what if by filing that report you initiate the course of events that—“
The doctor raised his hand to interject Two. “Let me stop you right there. You are delving into circular logic once again and we both know how such discussions get us nowhere. All experiments to test that theory have proven inconclusive on the sheer principle of it being a paradox. There is no need to beat a horse that has been dead for years now.”
The following moment of silence was broken by the facility’s intercom.
”Subjects 01 and 13, report to Field Enclosure C for Hunter-Hunted exercise. Subjects 02 and 06, report to Examination Room A for the Counter-Intelligence exercise. Subjects 03 and 04 report to Medical Room D for Bio-Mechanical Hadesian treatment. Subjects 05 and 07 report to Sparring Ring C for combative testing.”
“Well, it looks like that is it for today’s session. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Two.”
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Subject 13's ears perked as she heard the announcement. The cat nodded, a smile creeping on her lips as she changed from her usual attire to a black outfit suited for shadows. Her belts held several hilts which would hold all sorts of bladed weaponry, provided she had them. They just kind of looked empty and sad, as of then. She almost pranced down to her objective, save for when she passed by crowded rooms. She slowed, and her mind clouded. I wonder if One will be scared... She thought. I haven't dealt with that emotion in a while. I doubt it, though. She soon arrived at Field Inclosure C, awaiting her partner.
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"Hmmph."
Subject 04 stood up from where he sat, slumped against the wall, and stormed over to Medical Room D, hands in his pockets. He glared down at the ground in front of him. He was grateful that they were at least confident in him enough to use him for the test, but he couldn't help but feel in the back of his mind that if they hadn't seen fit to designate him a failure, things would've been different. He entered the room and looked around, half-anticipating and half-fearing what was ahead.
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Laying back in her room with her eyes closed completely in silence until the message blared though the intercom. "Finally I will get to stretch some." Standing up and getting dressed quickly. Her black combat boots and loose fitting black cargo pants fitting her small frame comfortably. Slipping her white regulation t shirt off and grabbing her black tank top she quickly slipped into it before grabbing the cloth mask and slipped it over her head until it covered her neck and mouth. Glancing at the plastic mask the administrators made her ear during the exercises. "Its not comfortable but regulations are regulations" Clipping it around her moth and nose the straps connecting behind her head.
She quickly and silently made her way to the field enclosure before spotting 13, offering a friendly gesture. Her voice echoed within 13's mind "You know the rules...Go prepare."
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"Good luck One." 13 nodded, dashing off into the woods and obtaining her supplies. She went about setting up a very simple rope trap near the flag, but not quite there. When activated, it snaps a noose around the ankle of the victim, hoisting them up by their ankle in a nearby tree. A pitfall trap off the path a bit and another rope trap just before the finish area. Grabbing a few leftover yards of rope, twigs and rocks, the cat launched herself into the trees and waited, her markings helping her blend with the shading of the area. And she waited.
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Blackness and void, empty space, that is what subject 3 saw. No sound, no light, nothing at all. Pure bliss for that one moment, as if at that point no worries or sorrow existed, a feeling that others would describe as euphoria or anything that would decently good to a person. The silence however was only disrupted as the subject's ears began to pick up a small noise, soft at first but it began to grow louder and louder. It was consistent and began to make the male feel irritated and annoyed as the ticking contineud. He grumbled slightly turning his body again to its side as he realised he had begun to wake up.
The realising that sleep, one of the few joys that subject 3 had, was soon taken away by that blasted dripping of water in the sink.
"Uurrgh..." The man grumbled as he rubbed a paw over his face, trying to open his eyes a bit, even if barely. Small rays of synthetic light filled his range of view and he used his paw to shelter them for a moment, allowing more of the light to get in. He shook his head and forced himself upwards. The sheets falling towards his waistline as he yawned, grumbling more as he stared at the sink where the cause of his discomfort had come from. "That they still havn't fixed it... Ugh, probably due to me being me." The cat spoke softly as he stood up and walked over to the closet that was within the room.
His living conditions weren't optimal, not like the rooms the 'successes' were given. The 'failures' as they were called at times, were seen as lesser experimental results. And whilst 3 knew that they had deemed himself as a succes, his personality had provided the opposit resulting in the less then pretty room. Not that he cared however, the male was used to these things after some years.
He sighed, to him the least that the administrators could do was at least fix the damm sink. But then again, who was he but a mere number and an experiment.
Ears quickly perked when the male heard an announcement. Even if the cat wasn't the most obedient of the bunch, he did knew and was no fool to disregard a broadcast. As the message kept playing he listened in for if something if importance for him came along. "...Subjects 03 and 04 report to Medical Room D for Bio-Mechanical Hadesian treatment.." Bingo! That was all he needed to hear. As the cat grabbed some clothing and put them on, preferring to be clothed during the testing. Especially a Hadesian treatment. However, the male did feel sorrow for a mere moment, he knew that such a treatment most of the time meant someone, or multiple anthros would get hurt. And he did not like the idea at all of hurting others, not if he was forced to.
Then again, his own body was the cause of that. As subject 3 himself was what was referred to a 'Hadesian', subjects capable of transferring damaged tissue and wounds onto others. And should said subject fail to do it regurarily, then the cost of that would be his own body shutting down... Permanently.
As the door to his chamber opened, the man was greeted by a human in uniform. It was a greyish type of blue, seemed to synthetic armor. At least from the looks of it and the gun pointed to him clearly showed that the administrators didn't want to take any risk with 3. "This again... Fine. But I tell you, last time was an accident! Honestly." As he felt the barrel pushed in his back, making it clear they awaited him at the medical room.
Several hallways, and some rough pushes in his spine, the cat saw the entrance to the testing area. He was most certain that he would not enjoy todays testing, but he had little choice. The door opened and the smell of sterile equipment, accompanied with the sound of te various machines was all to familiar. A memory and a reality that the other never enjoyed, but as ordered even against his own judgement and pleasing, did 3 take up a seat in one of the various operation chairs.
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Subject 04 turned to the sound of footsteps entering the room, seeing 03 being led in. He walked to a chair beside his partner and took a seat, turning to face the cat sitting next to him.
"Hey."
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As the Hadesian subject looked in his surroundings before he saw that another subject was already within the room. He blinked a few times, not remembering having seen this person before. As his pure black eyes stared towards the other. He studied this goat for a few moments, as he noted the dark long brown hair and the scraggly beard. The clothing itself was more cheerfull then he would have figured someone like a goat would take. But then again, 3 had a different taste when it came to clothing. Having only taken up the prescriptive clothing, which merely consisted out of a beige pants with belt signalling his number and code along with a similar type of vest.
The other spoke to him, or that is what he noticed at least. And tried to figure out who the person was. "Huh, so you are the unlucky chap they assigned to me?... My condolences." 3 said softly, before turning his head to face the ground. "I doubt I need to say what they intend on doing here do you?" As the cat grabbed his vest and pulled it up a bit, showing some of skin tissue had begun to degrade, if slightly. Most of the time skin or anything surface like would be the first to fall to deterioration. After that internal damage would start.
"I doubt however that you have such troubles, being half machine." As he noted to the arm that clearly showed the other had some form of mechanical aspects to him.
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Standing at the entrance and looking at the timer counting down. She stretched herself out a little her tail flicking from side to side. The clock flashed 00:00 as a loud buzzer sounded alerting both subjects that the real part of the test had begun. taking a rather casual stance she took a few steps forward before dropping down on all fours. She had better speed on two legs but could maneuver more quickly on all fours, this test wast just about straight line speed after all. Bursting forth with speed she left a small cloud of dust behind her. Dont stay on the path... its obvious. she though to her self before having to divert into the thick under brush and uneven ground, she had to be careful move to fast and it would mean quite alot of pain. Stepping and hearing a loud crack she jumped tot eh side quick enough to prevent herself from falling into the pitfall. Her arm shook slightly as the muscles had tensed and moved way too fast, slight sub dermal bruising forming. Running as fast as she could with the uneven ground she stayed low and tried to weave in between the trees.
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Subject 04 drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, a metallic clang echoing from their impact. "I'm just glad they're still willing to take me out here, honestly. I thought that I'd be sunk when they designated me a failure, but it looks like I might still be of use..."
He laid back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling and continuing. "And yeah, they patched me up like this. Wish they would've figured out if they'd be keeping me before they went through all the trouble for nothing...I mean, I get the perks, but it feels terribly inefficient to go that far and then throw everything away, y'know?"
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13 dashed, her ears turning to the sounds of 01. She kept to the trees, her rope hitting her hip as she ran. She managed to keep some pace, tossing a rock over One's head in an attempt to fool her and steer her toward herself. She tried to keep her pawsteps quiet, to keep up that illusion. She sensed pain, and maybe frustration? There was certainly an aversion to the main path. 13 cursed herself inwardly, but there was a possibility of her winning yet. If she just had a good, open chance...
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Kept a rather brisk pace it was nowhere near her maximum burst speed, but the terrain made it way to risky, it did frustrate her. This test was not balanced in her favor but it didnt matter she had to prove that she was worthy of being a success. Being one of the only non classified subjects at the present time. Lost in her own thoughts until the sound of a rock hitting the tree in front of her snapped her back, skidding to a stop. Her heart raced as she tried to find the source of sound but nothing. "Screw it." she whispered and ducked towards the main path once more. Standing up on both feet she burst forward her acceleration was frightening, reaching close to 120 km/h within a few seconds she kicked up a cloud of dust behind her. Focusing on the flag she did not notice the well laid trap. Deciding to play it safe she decided to try a loop and snatch. Turning tightly and slowly down she reached for the flag but just as she grabbed it the trap sprung. The rope wrapping around her ankle and flying her into the air. Several snapping sounds filled the air, but the speed she was going at also caused the rope to snap sending her back into a tree.
Laying against it for a few moments as she felt her collar bone and several ribs broken, as well as heavy bruising on her legs. Still clinging to the flag she got up and started to walk towards the exit. Still not able to run when she was injured. the fear of failure started to seep into her mind. "Thirteen... I am not loosing to you" her voice echoed telepathically.
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As he sat in the chair, he heard the other talking about himself. He tried to listen but grabbed to his side as an aching pain washed over him, as if needles were being pressed into his skin. The male grunted as a result of this new feeling and started to pant as well. His attention, whilst distracted partially, was grabbed by a human that had seemingly entered the room without notice.
The clothing this person sported, wether female or male was hard to figure out, lab garments of sorts. At least it could be noted this person was of the administration or a worker of one of their branches.
The medical person got closer towards both of the subjects and inspected them. "Aah, good day subject 3 and 4. Glad you both could come." As the human stared at 3 for a while, intensifying his voice making it clear that the other was needed to behave. 3 however had no intention of doing of the opposit, knowing well his body needed this more then anything. "Mhh, I see that your body is already in the first phase. Then we must contineu with the testing." As he tapped his tablet where various data on both subjects had been gathered.
3 wasn't liking this one bit, he felt sick and annoyed and to top it off he would be forced to hurt another. But his own instincts began to fight his brain, stating he needed to do this for survival.
The young male pointed to a device at the right side of the room, where two chairs opposit of one another were. They were smaller and had almost no backside. The cat walked over, holding his arms against one another as he took seat. He knew the device and placed his hands into the restraints as they clamped shut. The clinging sound, made his ears droop and he sobbed slightly. A small growl came on his face as he turned his eyes to stare at the human before turning them back. If his stare could kill, the medical person would have been fried to a crisp.
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"Game," she whispered, dashing through the trees to her limping opponent, rope at the ready. "Set," she murmured as she leapt through the air, reaching to tackle One and subdue her with what little rope she had. Provided she had a successful hogtie, she'd giggle "Match."
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04 nodded, following his partner over to the chairs. He took his place in the seat across from the cat, feeling the restraints clamp shut around his wrists. He tilted his head in confusion at his partner for a moment, but otherwise sat there, waiting for further instruction or action.
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Had no idea of the incoming attack. Her entire body screamed in pain as the trap had done more than Thirteen could have thought it would do. Glancing back as the last second to see Thirteen flying though the air to attack she side stepped with all her force but the angle and sudden motion caused more damage than before. Out of the way to the attack she collapsed a few feet away Bruised and gasping for breath she looked up at a few cameras. Reaching to pull of her mask and use her venom , she stopped herself and hung her head. Despite knowing that she was not getting out of another attack she kept dragging herself towards the exit.
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"I have to admit, One, you're feisty. Determined. I'll put in a good word with the administration for you. I'd love to have you among the Successes." And with that, Thirteen reached to place her foot on top of One's back, then moved to tie her hands behind her back. "You have potential. And it was a good match." She offered a friendly smile and offered to help her up, provided her attempts to subdue her were successful. "Let's get you patched up, okay?"
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The machine soon moved forward as both subjects their paws were brought closer to one another. The medical human had been noting their reactions the entire time. 3 had remained silent, knowing what was to come, but he saw the other wasn't as eager anymore on it. "Don't worry, it'll only hurt for a while." He said softly, staring as his paws were connected towards the goat's.
A surge of energy came through subject 3 as he gasped and threw his head back slightly at the jolt. His body began to mend the damaged skin and any other injury his body had attained that it could repair. His heart began to quicken the pace as sweat formed on his forehead, dampening the fur slightly as a result from the heat he was generating. This wasn't a healing process he wanted to do, like he had done once to one of the guards. This was a forced healing and even with his body accepting and welcomming the effects, the 'pleasure' if one could call it that, was far less enjoyable.
"Aah... nghhh." 3 gritted his teeth as he bared his fangs and almost yelled out to the doctor. But he tried to control his emotions. The machine kept them locked as the young cat watched over at the goat to see how he was handling the treatment. Untill suddenly the connection was broken.
"Treatment of the Hadesian is complete..." As the doctor spoke into a small microphone and tabbed on the tablet. Two guards came in and made sure that the subjects behaved, having noted that 3 was a more rebellious type. "Scanning for internal and external damage on both subjects will take place within 10 minutes after the transferr has been conducted. The results will be measured and brought to the central data hub." As the human then looked at both 3 and 4. "Rejoice, thanks to you both, even as... failed... experiments. We'll gather usefull information." As 4 was then looked upon more intensely. "Perhaps you shall prove your worth after all... If the testing is acceptable."
The human walked past both of them, as 3 was brought to a scanning machine. He hissed a few times at the guard pushing him. "Alright, alright... Jesus. Give that gun to me and let's see how much fun you'll have. Ya prick!" As the guard readied his weapon, a clicking sound went through the room showing the magazine was indeed loaded, making 3 back down a bit. "Tsk tsk, always the rebel eh 3?... Be glad that you are one of the stronger Hadesians. Or you would have been... how to say this nicely... disposed off long ago." As a small laughter came from the human, making 3 feel even less comfortable, his anger building up as he did not enjoy this treatment what so ever.
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Breathed heavily cringing a little but her body started to un tense as she calmed down. Feeling the foot on her back she lowered her head a little before listening to her words. Accepting the help as she hand were quite easily bound behind her back. "Thanks but this test was a failure I should have practiced my maneuvering instead of my speed, this was a field test, there is no facility that will have the flat surfaces i excel in. Thank you Thirteen. You are just as strong as I expected you to be." Limping with her as the bruises become more visible and her broken bones send jolts of pain though her body.
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04 gasped for air, his vision spinning. He heard the doctor say something about proving his worth, but he was too tired to say anything about it. The surge of energy had taken a lot out of him, it seemed. The goat hadn't even fully caught his breath by the time the guard dragged him limply out of his chair, carrying him over to a nearby scanner. 04 fell to his knees once safely inside, still panting. Slowly, he climbed to his hooves, but his legs were quivering under him. His knees buckled as he stretched to his full height, feeling his back crackle and pop. He held his organic hand up, waiting for his vision to adjust. It seemed thinner and mangier than he remembered, as if his body had suddenly deteriorated. Still, though, he felt his strength returning to him. He caught his breath, watching as a doctor administered the scan.
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The cat smiled at the compliment. "Dear me, I seemed to have underestimated the damage I can do..." She slouched a little. Was that...disappointment she felt? Maybe defeat? "I'll still make the attempt." Now that was determination.
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Smiled softly towards her as she kept limping. "That and when im at speed my muscles are extremely tensed, one wrong step or a rope trap and the force they hold gets sent into the rest of my body with rather painful results... Not that I am complaining its my own fault for not training to handle them better. I heard there are others like me that can counteract it but I havent learned that yet."
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Both scanners were activated as data was being collected from both subjects. The doctor checked his readings and arched a brow, somewhat interested and suprised by the readings he got from 3 and 4. He tapped various files on the tablet and kept browsing, monitoring and viewing the results of the scan.
"Both subjects are in healthy condition... Subject 3." As the man walked over to the scanner the cat was in, who hissed again at the approach. "Whilst still retaining his rather dominant and agressive stance, even after the treatment, seems to have completely healed. The biomechanic components in the body have been untouched by the process and protected vital organs from being assaulted by the side-effects of his type." As the cat was watched and the two soldiers made their way to each side of the young male, grabbing his arms making sure they did not came into contact with any skin.
Within a mere instance, the cat was being checked from top to bottom for his furr, skin and any abnormalities.
"Whoa hey stop that...!" 3 scolded as he wriggled, trying to get loose as his body was checked. "Furr growth has been established within record time and all signs of deteriaration has been deleted. Subject is deemed 100% healthy." As the doctor then went to check on the other subject and the results of the treatment.
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"You'll get there. You're practically a Success already! I had plenty trouble keeping up with ya. If I didn't set anything, you'd have that in the bag." Thirteen was always the supportive type, mostly to other Successes and undefined subjects. She did treat Failures civilly and even offered help on occasion. She didn't like to see anyone have their talents go to waste. She helped support One, feeding off of her growing confidence and optimism. "Let's find us someone who can help with those wounds." She didn't like seeing people in pain. There were times she wished she could help with that, but her talents were suited this way for a reason.
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The doctor walked to Subject 04's scanner, tapping his pen on his clipboard as he inspected the results. He walked around, gazing at various blinking lights and data readouts, and jotted down notes.
"Subject 04 appears to have suffered minor health consequences as a result of the procedure," he began, ordering the soldiers to hold onto the subject. The goat obeyed, holding out his arms for the guards to grab onto. He was still fairly tired, but he knew better than to fight back in any case, especially when this could change the administration's attitude towards him.
The doctor looked over 04, glancing at him from all angles and inspecting several spots on his body. At last, he looked back down at his clipboard, writing out his final verdict. "Subject appears to have suffered minor accelerated aging. Effects appear less severe than those observed in subjects with less extensive cybernetic enhancements. Subject appears to have recovered from the initial shock within two minutes. No damage to subject's cybernetics is visible."
04 smiled a bit. He was proud to know that the enhancements had some beneficial affect on him, at least. Still, he was a bit perturbed by the reports of accelerated aging, but at least he knew that it generally wore off within a week. He let out a long sigh.
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Smiled even though she knew behind her masks it would not be visible underneath the plastic and cloth. "Regulationssss." She grumbled softly before looking at Thirteen "You are kind, I wasnt expecting that. Could you... Could unlcip this mask, its a little stuffy" she asked softly before looking at the med bay. "I will do anything and everything to become a success. I wont disappoint them."
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Thirteen obliged, reached around and unclipped her mask, tucking it in her pocket as she helped her to the med bay. "It's much better to give good and receive it as well. Happiness in others makes me happy. I'm glad to help any way I can."
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Took a few deep breaths as she sighed. "They make me wear that when I am going to be in contact with other subjects or the staff, but I hate the way is heats up while I try and breath." Unsure if Thirteen know about her status as a toxic asset. Walking into the bed bay as several of the doctors moved towards her she did a small bow. Her voice once again coming from within Thirteen's own mind "Thank you. I am glad I went up against you. We should chat once theses humans have done their tests on me."
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Thirteen gave a knowing nod, leaning against the back wall and simply waiting, waving to a few of the humans as they went about their business. She felt something come from One. A sort of emotion that was difficult to pin down. Was she unsure of something? Thirteen had been warned she was to go against a Toxic, but she didn't pay it mind. Her eyes flitted around the room and she soon became incapable of really concentrating. The emotions and motives of all the different beings in the room began to mess with her head.
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The cat grinned when he saw the guards move away from him and hold onto the goat. Letting himself drop to the floor, panting a bit still as he regained his breath after a while. "That was intense..." As he kept panting and looked over at the other area where the goat was. He blinked a few times and was suprised to see that the other had not aged as much as other subjects did. It felt strange, normally people aged around 30 years or more even when 3 stayed in contact long enough.
But for some odd reason, be it his type, body, anything even, this male hadn't aged much. Even with the contact having been a few minutes.
"Hey, 4 was it yes?... Sorry!" 3 said apologising to the fact he 'taken' away some years of the other's life. But he assured the other. "Don't worry, what I did to you will revert back. You know that right?... Dammed humans and their experiments." As 3 shivered and grumbled. The doctor had moved to another area of the lab and was putting in the data that he had gathered. It seemed that the testing of it was proven effective enough to conduct a second series of testing, mostly on 4. As the human turned around and smiled, even through the clothing in front of his face. "Aah 4, let us contineu with your potion of the test shall we?... After all, we did not just randomly pick anyone to be 'fed' upon by 3." To which the subject baring said number growled, but was kept under supervision.
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04 nodded to his partner at the mention of knowing that the effects would wear off. He then turned to the doctor. "...wait, really?" He smiled to himself, pleased with the thought that he was meaningful to the administration in some way.
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Hopped onto the table as several guards walked into the room weapons ready before the doctors came in. It seemed that protocol when dealing with a toxic subject was a little different. "One... where is your mask?" A brash voice insisted "You are well aware that there is only one place you are allowed to take it off." She remained silent before a loud hit sound escaped from the room. One of the scientists with a grudge against her venom had hit her for breaking regulation. "It... Wont happen again." All the weapons in the room were still pointed at her as they strapped her down to one of the tables. "Preparing 45cc of compound for intramuscular injections."
Faint whimpering escaped from the room as the large bore needles got pushed into her mayor muscle groups. This was necessary pain, the ejections strengthened her ability and also rapidly repaired most damage she might have sustained. Laying there for about 15 minutes in almost agonizing pain the scientists came back. "All readings are looking good you are free to leave... and One report back here once more without your mask and I will make sure the administration hears about your failure to obey regulations."
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Thirteen approached the scientist who hit one, and presented her mask. They knew she was labeled as a Success, so they were more lenient toward her. "I took it off. There is no need to hit her. She has done nothing hostile. I understand regulations are what they are, yes, but we all deserve to relax. She is not labeled as a Failure yet, and her actions in the last test showed progress and promise. I will be putting in my word to some of the higher-ups. Oh, and have a good day, sir."
She approached One, handing her mask back. "I'm sorry that had to happen..."
-
((Sorry I'm late.))
The mantis was still inside of the locked room that he had been confined to for the past week. His mind itched with boredom. So much that he had learned of the exact time that the small hole in the thick, white metal door would open and give him the only excitement that he got all day. Feeding time.
He looked up at the glowing green clock above his white bed, sitting on a white counter, against a white, metal wall. Thirty seconds until the hatch would open and present him with his food. His life sustaining nutrients ina dull, paste form.
Twenty-two seconds. Why had he been locked in here anyways? All he did was rough up that guard a bit, he never meant to actually hurt him. Or maybe he did, and he just did it subconciesly, it was getting harder to tell by the day.
Ten seconds. He wasn't sure why he even awaited the food, if you could even call it that, at all. It was dull, tasteless paste, and all it did was take away the small amount of emptyness that hunger gave him.
Two seconds, His stomach growled with anticipation, soon it would be filled and he could go back to watching the clock tick by. That's all he ever did these days.
This isn't right. The hatch should be open by now. What's going on? Why haven't they given him his food?
Suddenly the door opened with a soft creaking noise of well oiled hinges, and a man clad in a white lab coat stepped into the doorway.
"Are you ready to re-enter the world of the living 7?"
This hits him as a surprise, surely they would leave him here for at least a month or two. He nod to answer his question.
The man smiles and steps aside, gesturing for him to go out the door.
The mantis slowly did as he was told, and did not object when the scientist put the restraints around his front forelegs.
The scientist led him first to the infirmary, where he preformed multiple tests on the mantis to ensure that he had not gone insane from the week of solitary confinement. After passing them all, the scientist led him to his room where some food was waiting, and removed the restraints.
"I assume that you have learned your lesson 7?"
The mantis nods.
"Good, now rest up, you have some tests to preform in the morning, and we expect you to give it your all."
The scientist closes the door, and the mantis sees his smile fade right before he is out of sight, he expect things are not as they seem.
-
Took her ask and placed it over her mouth before clipping it back there was still some bruising under her skin but her bones had mended. "It was my own fault, and he has reason to hate me for taking it off. When i just started getting the treatment I couldnt handle it and ended up biting the scientist giving me the injections." she looked away. "He experienced first hand just how painful contact can be."
Standing up and walking out slowly. "Thank you for that though, I am sure he could have gotten more aggressive if you had not stepped in."
-
"They always go easier on Successes, dear. You're bound to become one, and when you do it'll be great. I have the utmost faith in you, One. You're strong. You'll make it." She offered a smile. "And anything for a friend."
-
The doctor approached 4 as he presented a simple computer towards the other. The machine was locked from the outside and was not able to be started up without hacking. "The testing is simple 4, hack this computer and retrieve the datacore that is within this machine." The man said as he placed the device infront of the goat. "Take your time, there is no timelimit here."
3 however was interested in this. Seeing some of the other types using their own gifts was something he hadn't seen happen many times. At least not that he was able to see the others use it directly. Physic powers were invisible and those that had speed and agility rarely showed it in front of 3. But being able to see this goat use his hacking powers was something he did want to see. And he wasn't able to go anywhere due to the guards anyways as they kept 3 under lock.
The doctor was able to take note on what 4 during the process of the hacking.
-
Subject 04 sits down at the computer and attempts to connect to it, using his cybernetic hand to interface with the machine. It seems to take him longer than usual to connect, and his connection gives out several times. Once connected, he puzzles over the machine for a while, trying to find the data core, before finally sighing and disconnecting. "I can't do it. I'm sorry." He frowns, quite frustrated.
The doctor makes some notes on his clipboard, then reads them out. "The subject's connection strength seems to have been compromised, as have the subject's speed of thought, memory, and comprehension. The subject was unable to find the core after twenty minutes and gave up."
-
3 had been watching with enthousiasm as the other tried to fetch whatever it was that such a type did in computers. It was strange to see a type work with such machines in that way. They merely touched the computer and they could connect to it, at will it seemed. As if they went virtually inside of the computer, into the digital world. 3 himself cursed his own ability, he himself did not have the luxury or the possibility to command his power.
For his type it was always the same, touch something when you are wounded or when anything is damaged and your body will react towards it. Like a magnet to a fridge, it would always be the same cycle. Not only was this not handy in social areas, but 3 also had realised that anything close to a relationship would be nearly impossible regardless of which gender it would be with. But then again, who in their right mind in this type of situation could honestly find anything remotely close to that weird 'substance' feeling they called love?
When 3 saw that the other had given up, the doctor approached 3 after writing down the results of the failed experiment with 4. "Well, 3, you behaved for once... Amazing. Perhaps you aren't as useless as that the administration had seen you were." As 3 could feel the dissproval and the 'I am better then you' feeling wash over him like a tsunami. It sickened 3 to his core that they treated some of the anthro's like this. He was no fool and they were educated so they knew some things about life. Even if it was only about the things that happened within the facility itself. What was beyond those walls? Who knew... Death? Life? Magma? Nothing? None of the types could give a decent answer. Perhaps the psychic ones could, but then agfain... Who knew what they sensed was the truth?
-
Smiled happily as the effects of her injections slowly wore of. "So what type are you?" she casually asked Thirteen, not really being able to move freely around the facilities made it that she didnt know as much about the other subjects as she should have
-
"Artemisian. I assume you're a Hermian?" She's known about the different subject types for a while. She was surprised she remembered which was which, though.
-
Giggled "Yes I am, Im not the best subject of this type but during my solo experiences I have heard them say my top speed is the best they have ever record" She smiled quite proudly "Close to 200 kilometers per hour when I bursted, but I normally run slower since keeping that pace for long is tiring. Artemisian... You read thoughts? I heard they make some of the best intelligence agents.
"
-
"Almost. Emotions and motives. I can tell when someone's lying. A furry lie-detector." She giggled lightheartedly. "It's really cool, though. I can tell if someone really cares for someone else. I try to make friends so I don't have to deal with being lied to, even though it's basically impossible." Thirteen shrugged. "You're really good, too."
-
((also apologies for being late here o.o))
Lounging back, laying on his bed, 5 stared at the pages of the book that currently held his interests. Just something he used to pass the time by at times. He paused and stared up to his ceiling as the announcement come through, closing his book with a grin and sitting up..
"7, eh? Hmm, well that doesn't sound very challenging.."
He hops out of the bed, making his way out of his room, down a handful of corridors, and into the training prep room where his swords are already taken out of their safe and set out for him. He picks on up, pulling it from its sheath, tapping the blade end on the counter a couple times, then looking at it with dismay.
"As dull as ever I see.. I'm well aware I can't kill, but at least let me have SOME fun in these exercises."
The couple of the technicians working in the room ignore the comment, seeing as how both they and 5 knew well enough that this was a precaution that was necessary. They start to tell him about his training partner when he promptly interrupts, cutting them off and dismissing what they're saying with a raise and wave of an arm.
"Your partner today is going to be nu--"
"I know already.. Subject number 7, Herculean, bad temper, beat up a guard.. Thanks for the intel. I heard the story, I know who he is. Don't worry, I'll give him a good firm spanking for you guys."
"This is only a training exercise, 5.."
He turns with a grin "Well then I'll teach him a lesson.." and makes his way out the other side of the room, and into the combat training room where he takes a seat on the ground against the wall, waiting silently for 7's arrival.
-
I am half asleep when the intercom buzzes. After jumping in surprise, I look up at it.
"Number seven, please report to the training prep room."
This was unexpected, but not unwanted. Laying here in my room wasn't much better than laying in that cell. I stood up from the pallet on the floor and exited the room, making my way down the series of corridors to the prep room.
The technicians perform some final tests on me, including some physical tests this time, and tell me who I'm fighting. "You're fighting subject number 5 today." I nod, no need in voicing my opinion.
After they complete they physical, they tell me to go wait in the training room. I do so.
-
She had kept smiling the whole time Thirteen talked she didn't usual open up or talk much due to knowing her status, she was fully aware of the pain she could inflict and had lived in isolation because of it. "Well Thirteen it was a pleasure training with you, but I need to get back to isolation ward D-4 before I break anymore regulations...If you ever want to talk I am there or on the track, I am thinking That i need to spend alot more time on the latter."
-
Thirteen nodded, waving as she padded off into the facility corridors. "I'll see you later, One. I might check up on some other subjects, but I'm usually found in my room." And with that, she went to see if any other subjects were finished.
-
Making her way back to her room she ripped the mask off with quite a bit of force tearing the cloth slightly as the heavy composite mask got flung into a wall. "calm down one." she spoke to herself before grabbing a free towel and heading to the enclosed track area within the isolation wards. "Faster and more control...I can do better." Setting up the track to have several obstacle that she should have to weave duck and jump over. She smiled and walked the length of the full sized running track mentally preparing each step in her mind.
-
04 walks back over to his companion slowly, still shrugging off the effects of the test.
"You all right?"
-
As 3 looked up at the coated doctor, he merely snarled. He could have spit in the human's face but he knew that such an action had dire consequences that he did not wish to undergo. As he brought a paw up towards his own left cheek, feeling the scar that was still there. That scar was a remnant of before he got his 'healing' powers, the darned experiment that they performed on him, making him into something that the humans saw as a step in feline evolution, but 3 saw it more as a curse.
The scar was a result of him having disobeyed an order when he was much younger and for that he was punished. Even after he got his healing powers, the wound never healed properly anymore. Afflicted before the body could 'code' itself and figure out that the tissue was damaged.
The doctor soon left towards the doorway as he spoke to both 3 and 4, seeing that the latter had begun to move over to 3. "Testing is over for now boys, feel free to take the afternoon off." And within an instant the room was empty, only the two subjects remained. Both knew that touching anything would be a grave offense and camera's everywhere made such course of action impossible anyways. It was a golden prison for some and a hell to others, but to all it was still their home, how odd it felt to 3 to call this home.
"Huh what?..." As 3 was brought out of his daydreaming, hearing the goat talk to him. The feline began to sit up more proper, lifting himself upwards with his arm as he let his back rest against the wall of the room. "Yea, I'm fine... Just I don't know it anymore. You?" As he blinked with his eyes and stared at the other, not many liked it when they were aged like this and the goat might be of the same opinion. "But, I must say for being in your 30's, I think? You don't look too bad... Something to look forward to I guess!" As 3 began to chuckle and laugh softly. In a sense he could show people how they might look in the future.
-
04 chuckled at the comment, winking.
"Heh...you like what you see, eh?"
-
3 quickly cleared his throat at this, looking away with narrowed eyes as he waved his hand. "Oh grow up! And I mean intellectual wise, not physical." As he shook his head and pushed himself upwards. The clock on the wall read that it was nearly time for lunch and 3 had gotten awfully hungry due to his regeneration he had performed. He scratched his chin thinking on the options that he had before staring at 4 for a few seconds. "I don't know about you, 4... But I might go and get some lunch. Even if they don't serve us anything decent, better then starving to death I say."
And with that he walked to the door, wether 4 decided to follow him was of no real concern to the other, but having some company would be nice. Then again, everyone of his unit would go to lunch. Luck had it however that the medical bay where he was, wasn't that far away from the mess hall. The feline cracked his neck two times and walked off, letting his paw glide over the wall scratching it with his nails every once in a while, a habbit he had picked up whilst being a kitten, marking his territory. Failure or succes, 3 didn't care. If someone wanted to mess with him, he would defend himself and others.
"Survival matters, how or in what state... doesn't." He spoke softly to himself as he put his paws in his pockets walking to the mess hall, his stomach feeding the process even more.
-
04 shrugged, following the cat to the mess hall. "Sure, I'll come with you."
As he walked, he noticed his companion muttering under his breath. He spoke up, tilting his head in confusion. "...hmm?"
-
Standing at one of the computer terminals she started to tap in some data she had been given before, not caring who could see the feeds from the sensors and cameras she changed the course so that it would change dynamically the faster she went. "I wont be a failure..." she hissed to herself and walked to the start line looking up at the countdown she had given herself. 5...4...3...2...1 A loud horn blared though the section ash she bolted forward quickly accelerating. She ducked down low and slide over the ground to avoid the first obstacle. Sidestepping quickly to the left as a vertical bar shot up from the ground her tail clipping it slightly as she had to jerk to the opposite direction to dodge another pole. Now on all fours as she ran quickly she lept into the air to avoid a wall barrier she had set to pop up at the last second.
-
Thirteen heard her stomach growl and made her way to the mess hall, waving at several members of the administration. They knew she could tell if they were lying. She often blackmailed them for her silence. That, and being a Success, equaled plenty of perks. She looked around the mess hall, looking for anyone she recognized.
-
As 3 noticed that the other had figured out he had said something, the cat quickly adjusted himself. "No, it was nothing, just saying something to myself is all... Aah there the mess hall!" 3 said cheerfull, as another guard stood at the entrance. As the cat noticed this he sighed and grumbled again, almost thinking it wasn't worth it. However, the grumbling in his own stomach made the opposit suggestion. 3 needed food and nutrients still to survive. His body would wither and die if he didn't have any food or water for a long period of time as the process of his body regenerating did require a lot of energy.
"Let's just eat something and get this over with." As he walked towards the entrance. He shook his head, everything, everywhere the same style and colour. A sort of white for the walls and roof, with lights that were fitted into the roof, at times they were hanging down a bit to make some altering in the scenery like in the mess hall, but for the most of it everything was this clinical, hospital like look. 3 shuddered, he disliked it.
If there was one thing he envied the successes for, it was the fact that they were allowed to have a room they could design how they wanted it. With colours, as lively as the rainbows they had seen on movies or as dark and dull like a dungeon. That would have been the only reason 3 would actually consider behaving and being granted success status again.
But as he passed the guard and snarled quietly, he quickly forgot about that luxury, not truly caring for anything. "Come on 4, these guards make me nervous and irritated." As the cat shook his head and grumbled again.
-
04 eyed the cat confusedly, but shrugged and headed into the mess hall, motioning for him to follow. "Tell me where you are so we can meet up," he said with a nod, heading over to the salad bar.
-
Oh. A couple more subjects had entered, drawing Thirteen's attention. A cybernetic goat and...wait. Was that..? "Hey! Three!" Thirteen waved, walking over and beaming a smile. They had been close when they were little, but they didn't mingle much after her labeling as a Success. He became a Failure. From what she heard, the goat was too. "A new friend?" She said as she followed the goat with her eyes. She felt a hint of frustration and annoyance in Three. She wanted to fix that.
-
Was so focused on her training that she completely forgot about food or anything else for the moment...her own determination had been her downfall as several alarms sounded in the isolation ward. Warning:Unauthorized equipment access in training section 3 Still midway though one of the laps and getting her maneuvering skills honed several armed guards came running into the track area, not asking an questions one launched a net at her as she turned a corner. Capturing her and sending her tumbling into a wall. "One you have been warned time and time again you are not to do any activity for an hour after treatment. Not only that you accessed this training section without super vision and without proper clearance to do so. We will report this to the administration. Until then you are to report to your dorm and we will have guards placed on duty." One looked down and swore under her breath. "Is that clear One?" "Crystal Clear Sir, It...It wont happen again."
-
3 saw the other feline and looked up as he walked into the mess hall. 4 himself had already gone towards the salad bar, fitting that the goat wanted vegtables. But then it hit him as he looked up and yelled to 4 "Stop that!... You know that such food is only for the Successes!" As he snarled to the goat, but quickly calmed himself down sighing as a result, pacing his hands back in his pockets. He had gotten angry due to everything that had occured this day and the last week honestly.
But that he yelled to 4 was new. He quickly apologised, "Sorry 4, I just do not wish for the guards to punish you for taking vegtables... And hello 13, sorry for the outburst." He said softly to the other feline, being a Hadesian wasn't the easiest when one had just regenerated, especially 3 was very picky. He had met others from other groups but only 7 - 3 was this irritated after a regeneration, mostly due to his nature and persona.
3 indeed knew 13 for a long time from when they were kittens. She was one of the few that actually was nice to him, perhaps him being feline was the reason for this. But he himself never had the option of finding that out. As their testing always took place at different times and the few times they were needed to attend the same class, well circumstances prevent a lot of socialising. Later on during their lives it became harder as she was a Succes and he was eventually deemed a Failure.
"Hey 13, havn't seen you in a while... 4? You remember him don't you?" He asked as the feline crossed his arms, confused at this. Everyone in their group had met once or twice before, but seemingly the times they have been seperated resulted in some not fully remembering everyone clearly.
-
04 groans, setting the tongs down. "I'm a herbivore, dammit...I can't help myself."
He crosses his arms and goes to get some failure-approved nondescript vegetable paste, then sits down at the table, still grumbling a little. He waved at 13 as he sat down and tried to affect a welcoming smile, but it was fairly obvious that he was forcing it.
-
Thirteen nodded, smiling. "Once. I don't remember much about him. I hope you're doing well. The administration has been rather rough today..." She looked at 4, smiling at him. He was faking it, though. "I miss spending time with you. Have you gotten any trouble?" She kept her eye on him when she went to get her food; a fine fillet cooked to perfection. And a salad? She motioned for him to sit with her as she sat at Four's table, idly pushing her salad to him. If she missed out on food, it was her own fault.
She'd often sneak some Success-specific privileges to some Failures if they did well from what she saw. She didn't do it TOO often, because she'd be punished if she did it frequently. She'd suffered caning from the officers assigned to her more than once.
-
04 takes the salad from the cat beside him, grinning. "Hey, thanks!" He eagerly grabs a fork and starts eating, talking to her still with his mouth full.
"Trouble? No...just still a little angry over the whole failure thing..." He sighs, swallowing. "But it's fine...you?"
-
She sighed, resting her head on her paw and looking at Three. They never really made contact. Not even a handshake. "Frustration, anxiety, resentment. The usual."
-
"Eh...sorry to hear that...wow, this salad's really good..."
Goddammit, 04...
-
3 took a seat across from the other two and browsed an eyebrow at her. "Owh?... Well something new then. I thought that the Successes were always happy." As the feline looked at the other cat and gave a strange look to her, before looking over at 4. The goat was talking even with his mouth full, which was a bit not disgusting, but more irritating. But the male brushed it off quickly.
"So tell me then 13, what were you required to do then today that made you so tired?" 3 asked, he had always wanted to get closer to 13 more so then even he dared to admit, but still the man was hesitant.
For one, they weren't of the same class, he himself a failure, she a succes. Not to mention if the administration would even allow relations or anything to occur. The idea was interesting however, but still they were supposed to be these 'super soldiers' that would fight terrorism, evil and more. To 3 it was all bullcrap, they might eventually become these super beings, but if they were then why were they beneath the humans that leashed them so much?
-
Thirteen sighed, rubbing her head. "Things are very pleasant, yes, but the things we do aren't. I had to test a Hermian today. Fast buggers, they are. But it's not really that. The emotions are all the same. Resentment, anger, jealousy, longing. I get it from everyone who isn't classified or a Failure. I wish I could change that sometimes. I hate negative emotions just as much as anyone." She offered a smile, cutting off a piece of her steak and offering it to Three. She'd known about his longing for a while, and she had subtlely directed that word at him as she said it. "I gather you two had a test together?"
-
Stood in her cell as the guards opened the door "One you are to head to the mess hall. Get your mask on and we will escort you." Picking up the cracked mask she opened a drawer and pulled out a different one. Once more clipping it behind her head she walked out with the guards "This is unusual, i don't normally get to eat with the other subjects." One of the humans scoffed at her. "You wont be eating. Not unless you break protocol....again" Remaining quiet untill the got to the mess hall One walked in and looked at Not only Thirteen but also two other subjects there.
-
04 waved to the new arrival, motioning for her to join them. He continued to eat his salad.
-
Waved back quietly before sitting down with the rest of them. Nodding at Thirteen then looking at Three and Four, it would be clear that sitting with this many non staff members was a little awkward for her. Reaching back and fidgeting with her mask for a few seconds. "How is your food?" she asked for lack of anything else to say.
-
"Good, good. Gotta think this guy for it." He elbows 03 a little, smirking.
-
Number six walks idly in circles around her room. "Jack be nimble, jack be quick..." she resited the nursery rhyme as she walked. An announcement blared from the speaker but it wasn't words to her just a scratchy noise. She layed her large ears flat and covered them with her paws, "birds and buzzards make their call...stop it stop it."
The door to her room opens and guard steps in, " come subject 6, you have testing to go to," his voice was gruff. Six's ears shot up and her large tail wagged, "Ooo goody..I love tests." She clapped her hands happily like a child. She followed the guard to the testing room. "Stay put," the guard instructed. Six ploppes down on to the floor, "Are we going to play a game?" She asks. "Something like that." He responds before walking away. 'What a stupid girl, no wonder she's a failure.' The words echoed in six's head. Her eyes narrowed and her surroundings grew clear. 'More testing, this is a complete waste of my time. No subject could compare to the substantial amount of power I have flowing through my veins.' She thinks angrily, her pupils slit like the cat side of her.
'I'll show them I'm not a failure, I'll show them all.' She looks around room hoping to find some sort of weapon or object that could be used as a weapon. The door opened and the guard returned.
-
Thirteen tensed. WHO got him that food? It was obvious that he was digging at her. She was used to bring resented just because she was a Success.
-
If 3 had been eating something when 13 spoke up to him he would most definantly been choking at that point, he was gratefull that wasn't the case. Hearing the word longing being spoken by the other feline made him look away for just a tiny bit. And he felt the urge to ask her if she was feeling him out. As 3 had indeed been thinking of his own personal feelings again. It wasn't too uncommon for him to ponder on what could, or could have been.
As the steak was presented the male gladly accepted it, quickly moving it onto his plate as he mixed it underneath the les then good smelling sludge that the failures were given. "Thank you 13, I owe you one!" As the feline smiled to her and softly made a purr. He did enjoy a good piece of meat, more so seeing as he barely got any. Only once in a while did failures get something decent to eat. And this was done to make it so that they pushed themselves a bit more. "Well, there is one solution to change all those negative feelings you know... But sadly nobody here can do that. Only they can!" As he shrugged, only the admins could redeem the failures to succes and the humans all decided how well the subjects lived. They determined life and death. It had always been that way.
3 kept staring at 13 for a small while, not noticing he had been staring, untill a group of guards accompanied with another subject drew his attention, breaking his gaze. The subject got near their table and he nodded to her. "Hello 1, they let you join us for once?... Must mean something will occur no doubt." His gaze then went to 4 as he moved his elbow a bit when he got poked, somewhat blushing and irritated at the same time. "4, come on." As he chuckled afterwards slightly, something he barely did, but it was welcommed.
"So 13, tell me did they give the successes any plans for the afternoon?... The medical doctor that did the testing with me and 4 here gave us the afternoon off. I guess as 4 needs to heal from me stealing some years of him." As he shook his head, having disliked that. It was torment to him each time he needed to do that action with others.
-
Thirteen smiled at one, giggling. "I think she pushed herself a bit too hard." Her striped tail swished as she smiled at Three, biting into the rest of her meal. Delicious. Her ears layed back as she relaxed, savoring the flavors of the meat. She felt shyness from One, embarrassment from Three and a fool hearty confidence from Four. A much-decided improvement from the dull depression of earlier. She made a dismissive wave, showing nobody owes her anything. She thought a bit. "They didn't tell me anything more. As far as I know I'm free." Thirteen let herself smile. She rarely heard Three laugh, and it was a joy feeling a momentary happiness from anyone.
-
Managing a faint smile underneath the opaque black mask her gaze locked with Three for a second before she looked at the others. "They did, to what end I don't know since I am not allowed eating with others around, Probably trashing my ce... my room apart to see how I gained access to the training terminal down in Isolation. Seriously I have watched them type that code in a million time, like I wouldn't have learned it by now." She let out a soft gasp and rubbed her arm, the capture did strain her muscles a little as she was on full sprint. It was awkward for her she was sitting with Thirteen - a success and three who was a failure... being un classified as of yet did make her a little unsure as she remained rather shy.
Calling back to the guards outside the door. "Hey, Did the suits give you any further instructions..." One of em called back. "Nah your off, we just need to keep and eye...." he quickly hit hit by his coworker. "Idiot you know your not allowed talking to her unless authorized by the doctor."
-
3's ears perked as he heard the two guards ruffle against one another when 1 was done with talking about how she actually had gotten acces. It made the failure laugh a little louder even. "Well, I must say you sure know how to shake that golden cage of theirs don't you 1?" With the feline grinning wildly, anything that got the guards upset or angry at each other was a source of amusement to the male. Not only that, but he enjoyed seeing those people fight. Humans in his eyes were strange.
He turned to look at both 1 and 13 for a few seconds as his attention went to his food, he had forgotten completely that he had some actuall meat in there as well. He used the plastic knive to try and cut it as good as he could. Actuall forks or knives weren't allowed out of fear someone might use them. It made the whole process of trying to cut food tiresome. At least the sludge that they fed the failures didn't require it, so in a sense that dreadfull smurry they served had some sort of positive thing towards it.
After a while, the cat was able to cut a piece off and enjoyed eating it, savoring the flavor from it well even if it had gotten mixed with the rest of the food he did not care. Not at that time. How he at that point wished he could have just placed his hand on 13's shoulder and thank her decently, but physical contact wasn't able to be done. Not unless they experimented on him again to fix the problem. A 'Minor issue in the regeneration process.' They told him. It was a **censor** lie and he knew it.
The Hadesian project had almost never functioned properly. Their idea of making the best type of asassin/infiltrator, was far from being perfect and the Administrators knew that all to well. A Hadesian, as it was teached to everyone, was indeed a person able to age others by stealing their energy to regenerate their own damaged tissue. It was first developped as a non military function to create invincible medics. Able to heal themselves whilst working on patients if their own damage wasn't too much... But 3? He was supposed to be trained in becomming one of the best assassins. To put it simply, infiltrate the enemy nation, find the target and kill them making them elderly so they die of natural causes by a simple touch... Effective, direct and nobody would be any wiser. No mess or anything. And should the person be found out, well it wouldn't matter for the victim then anyways.
"Well, I have had enough of this food... If they indeed gave us an afternoon off, I want to do something more productive." The male said as he again looked at 13, no doubt she was picking up what he felt and the male did his best to hide it from her. 3 had been trying to find methods to keep the other Types off his back if he needed too. Some were easier then others however. "I don't mind some company." He said softly, looking away from the group.
-
04 tilted his head again, looking quizzically at the cat as he turned away from the table.
"Uh...03? What are you getting at?"
-
He rolled his eyes at the question 4 had giving him. He thought he had made himself clear no? "Well just as I say... If you guys want to have some fun, maybe some soccer or anything fun?... Beats the darn testing always." With the cat soon walking around the mess hall, stretching his legs somewhat. They felt like lead at the moment, "Damm, I have almost no condition at the moment. Uugh!" He grumbled a little and began to stretch, the clothing he was wearing didn't fully cover his body up if he moved forward or backward trying to reach his toes, showing off some of his furr as a result.
An idea popped in his head for something that could be fun, but it was depending on wether or not the others were into it. As with anything, there were recreational area's. So they would be able to some sports activity, it was even at times recommended. "So what do you all say if we make this into a fun match eh? The failures against the successes..." He grinned at the idea to show the sucesses that some of the failures could actually do good things also. "No powerts, just plain old soccer like the humans do."
-
04 shrugs. "Hmm...guess I wouldn't mind. Never really played before, but I'd give it a try. How does that sound to you guys?"
-
5 sat against the wall, head tiled down and eyes shut in an almost meditative state, smiling as he heard the sound of someone entering the ring but never actually opening his eyes, knowing only one other would have a reason to come in here.
"Subject number: 7.. Class: Herculean.. Seems to have some issues controlling his anger. Recently detained for assaulting a guard. Current standing:.." He finally opened his eyes and looked over at the mantis with a grin. "..Failure."
5 stood up and fastened the swords how he liked, one handle at his shoulder, the other at his side, facing opposite ways, easily able to grab both together if desired. "In case you don't know already, I'm number 5, Arenian class. Success.. You're a rare class, and it's a shame you put your skills to waste, but I'm interested in seeing how long you hold out here.." He makes his way to the center of the fighting ring still holding that smug grin. "You ready..?"
-
Rare breed? Failure? Who does this smug little punk think he is anyways? All big shot because he kisses up to the administration so much that they tied a fancy armband on him like a boyscout who earned a new badge. I nod at him to answer his question, trying as hard as possible to remain calm.
I jump down into the concrete pit that is the fighting arena and click my mandibles together in a threatening way as I wait for the match to begin.
-
"I'd be up for it. Kicking your butt like old times." There was a sort of sweetness to her voice, a lighthearted sense of competition. "And what do the Successes get if we win? What do we owe if we lose?" She knew what Three had originally been getting at, at least his true motives behind the game. She wanted to make him say it. She meant to talk to him in private about several issues, really. Something else to bring up, she supposed.
-
3 chuckled at the response from 13 as he walked over to her and grinned. "Well, if the Failures win, you guys need to admit that even failed subjects are of use. And that they deserve respect too... If you win, which I doubr." He said smirking and winked to the other before baring his teeth, "We'll admit it for you all... Deal?!" As the smirk grew wider this time.
Something in his mind was telling 3 that 13 was up to something. He was curios, very much so at this point. "Uugh, excuse me first. Need to go to the bathroom." It was a bit of a lie, 3 did need too, but he was wondering if 13 would follow, and prove his suspicions.
-
04 nodded, grinning at the plan for a failure victory.
"Sounds like a plan to me."
-
Thirteen never thought Failures were useless. She sensed his suspicion, as well as his deception. Nobody could lie through her. She nodded, getting up and excusing herself politely. "If you'll excuse me, One and Four, I have some business to attend to. It will not take me long." The cat exited from the mess hall, keeping her eyes on Three for a while before speaking up, sure they were the only subjects by the ebbed flow of emotions in her mind. "You know protocol, Three. You must be accompanied, considering your attitude and status." She made it perfectly clear she was joking. Well, half joking. "Besides, I've been waiting for a bit of talk time between us."
-
5 gets into a defensive fighting stance as the buzzer sounds to start the match, giving 7 that 'come get me' motion with a hand.
"After you, I insist... After all, I like to give my opponent at least one swing in before the match ends.."
He grins as he says that, then changes his expression to a much more serious one as he watches intently, waiting for that first move, that first sign of what attack to dodge and counter.
-
The feline was correct when he heard the other cat move behind him. Even if he wasn't socially well versed and made blunders from time to time, he wasn't a fool either.
The man walked down the hallway, again the same clinical white everywhere. Even the doors were the colour. "Dammed administration and their rules..." He sighed a little but faced 13 after that. "Owh, well go ahead I would say. What's on your mind?" He did not take offense to the joke, but snarled just at the idea his freedom was so limited.
-
Smiled and looked at the two as they had their exchange. "A match sounds like a brilliant Idea, I will however play for whichever side needs a player." a soft giggle escaped from her lips ."I haven't played soccer in ages." Standing up and stretching her arms a little followed by her tail she cracked her knuckles and wrists before speaking up once more "So no abilities...just plain skill right?" making sure that everybody understood that point.
Her stomach growled softly but she simply placed her hand on it before dismissing the sound hoping nobody had heard her. "I am actually looking forward to this, its been a while since I got to just relax and not focus on the tests."
-
04 nodded to the reptile. "Yup. Just plain skill. Should be pretty fun...heh..."
-
Thirteen picked up her pace, walking side by side with Three. "It's been a while. Have you really been treated fairly?" This of course was not the real question. No, no, the real question was coming soon. "Everything's been alright? You seem to be rather irritated. You resent them, don't you? Resent me because they deemed me a Success when we both tried so hard. You can't lie to me, really. So just tell me the truth. I promise I won't be sad." Seems she just wanted to know if he still liked her, just putting that undertone into a flurry of questions. Wonder if it worked?
-
Tilted her head to 4 before clearing her throat. "It will be interesting limiting myself again. I normally get told to go full out. Mainly to see how far I can get pushed..." she instantly became nervous and worried and she bit her own lip under the mask hard enough to actually draw blood before shaking her head. "Stop thinking about that One." she said out with a hushed tone. "So you are Four? I am glad I finally get to meet all of you more personally, I mean iv seen you around and seen the tests but I haven't really had the opportunity to talk." She looked out intot he hallway before motioning to Four. "Its this way..." She was still worried as she realized that today's test would either push her into the rank of Success or Failure. Dammit One, you screwed up...today of all days you had to go and break regulations...twice...Idiot She thought to herself.
-
I watch 5, looking for holes in his defence. I stare right back into his eyes, and watch as he looks into mine. He seems to stare into my eyes no matter how I move, possibly looking for the facial expression that mammals give before they attack. This seems exploitable.
I position my body as if I am about to sprint for him and quickly go forward about a foot when I lift up my right legs and slam them into the ground, creating a large indent and sending myself flying towards the arena wall.
I land there and kick my hind legs down on the wall, unfolding my wings as I do so. While my species cannot fly fully, we can get great bursts of speed from our wings. I launch myself at 5, forelegs outstretched, and intend to tackle him down.
-
04 followed the reptile, extending a hand to her shake. "Yup. I'm 4. Don't think I've really spoken to you either. You excited?" He turned his head to her, grinning.
-
5 watches with amusement was the mantis leaps around the fighting ring, his advanced ability to react and use a quick burst of speed alerting him to narrowly dive out of the way of 7 as he careens through the air towards him. He quickly gets himself back onto his feet and faces his opponent.
"Well, that was a neat little trick. I certainly didn't see that one coming.. Unfortunately.." He grabs the sword at his shoulder, pulling it free and pointing towards 7 "next time I will.."
He gets back into stance, and this time decides to make the attack, going for a standard head on charge with a side swing, always minding the mantis' movements in case he needs to dodge or is presented with a more opportune opening to strike.
-
I pound the other side of the arena and land back on the ground. Turning just in time to see 5 lower the sword, trying to hit me head. I barely manage to move my upper body in time, making him hit my more heavily armored abdomen instead.
The hit hurts, but not enough to stop me from noticing the obvious opening in front of me. I quickly grab the side of the mammal and try lifting him up in the air, intending to slam him down and pin him.
-
Figuring this seems to be one fight where distance leaves no advantage, he feigns an attempt at dodging, taking one big win or lose risk and allowing himself to be grabbed. Once lifted up, he makes what may be his last chance to win, using his speed boost again to swiftly and in one lightening fast motion draw his side sword and swing, aiming for the mantis' head.
-
I make the move to throw him down but am stopped halfway by a sharp blow to my head. Instead, I manage to throw him across the arena and into the back wall, not trying to hurt him but instead to give me a small amount of time to recover. I shake my head and recover to see 5 sailing towards the wall. The thin line of bright green blood running down my face doesn't go unnoticed.
-
5 was fortunate that he was only thrown as hard as he was, as this could have ended much worse. Still, this was certainly no gentle toss. He turned himself about in the air and braced for impact on the wall, landing feet first and feeling the impact travel through his legs. 'This is it..now or never..' He thinks to himself as he puts all his strength into pushing off of the wall, covering about half the distance between them before he lands, and sprinting the rest of the distance to his opponent, both swords ready to make one final attack. He pulls back for his swing, and in another attempt to catch 7 off guard, he uses his speed burst to dash around him, leaping into the air in hopes to bring one more, and hopefully last, blow down onto him to the back of his head.
-
3 looked at 13 as he suddenly stopped. He let her questions roll in his mind, analysing them. Trying to figure out what she wanting him to really say. But he already had his answer ready for her. His eyes connected with her own and he merely sighed, before smiling.
"Well, you know how they treat Failures. Haha. So to answer it properly." As the feline crossed his own arms. "According to your standards, no we aren't treated well. But to Failure standards? Ah it isn't too bad." Shrugging a little before looking up at the ceiling. "You know, if you want to ask me if I would dislike you for being a Succes then you are mistaken... Even sphychics can be wrong. No I am not disliking anyone." He said gently, how 3 wished he could show true comfort to 13 right now.
The male pondered, trying to figure out the correct words without seeming rude or anything. "Failure, Succes, it doesn't depend on what we find. But what those humans over there think of us... They decide, not us. Well I did not play that game of theirs." As he thought on memories long gone. "Failures would jump at becomming a Succes... Successes are afraid of demotion. But me? I don't dislike neither... True some are arrogant." With his mind shifting to 5. "But me?... I have had time to think. To to ponder and I decided for myself I wanted to accept Failure. The Administration first stated I was a Succes!" He said his voice showing some humor in the situation. "But I disobeyed on purpose... Honestly? I only feel pitty for the other Types and Subjects in our Unit." As 3 took in a deep breath. "I pitty everyone, for I have something that is worth more then a title and some luxury... I had made my own... Choice." As he smiled to 13, more so then before. He had chosen himself to be a Failure even when he could have been a succes. And he did it knowingly, not because he was bored, no 3 took it knowing what would happen and challanged the Administrators as such.
"I know stupid no? They would have me shot if I wasn't the only living Hadesian that evolved this well." As he grinned. "So no, I don't dislike you at all 13. You are still a good friend." As he winked at her.
-
This mammal just doesn't give up...
Right, It's time to quit fooling around.
I watch as 5 sprints toward me and prepare myself, expecting for him to try and poke me with his sword again.
However when he dashes around me , I am a bit surprised. I quickly turn and swivel my head to see him jumping into the air. A hint of a smile forms on my face.
I extend my spiked forelegs upward and quickly dash forward, half catching, half snatching him in mid air. I pull him close and hold him tightly between my forelegs, creating a vice grip.
-
Thirteen looked up at Three, on account of him being at least a good foot taller than her. She seemed to relax, and she lightly slugged his shoulder. "That foolish sense of pride will get you into trouble one of these days. Well, more trouble." She giggled to herself, her tail swaying thoughtfully. "As for psychic, I guess you could say that. I don't consider myself a full blown psychic though. I was designed to be an assassin. An inside-agent. If I was deployed I'd be able to take care of any target while questioning others. I'd know if they're lying. That's really the extent of it. Sometimes I wish I could read thoughts. It'd make the emotions that came with them much easier to figure out." Another pause as she gathered her thoughts. "I'm glad you don't hate me. The humans aren't so bad, though. They're like...our family. They feed and house us and let us discover our true potential. They want us to be all we can be. I've felt no reason not to trust them as of yet. I'm sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear..."
Thirteen gave the male a look. One of pity, but also one of caring and concern. She knew physical contact was forbidden, which is why she took her paw back when she reached to give some resemblance of a hug. "Remember when we could hug and wrestle and nap together? Before..." The cat shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Oh never mind. This moping around will get us nowhere. C'mon. Go pee so I can kick your butt like always." Thirteen was back to her old giggly self. Well, almost. She was glad at least HER emotions were private as she skipped down the hall and reunited with One and Four.
-
Walking with Four, she felt two hands hit down on her shoulder to stop her from walking further. "One...hold it." Turning around and looking at the two security personal now standing in front of her. "What is it now?" Nodding they told Four to continue on his business, before motioning to One so she would follow them back to some of the labs. "Subject 7-01 en route" was all they said to her at that point.
-
3 couldn't help but chuckle and sigh in relief when he saw 13 ran off. What she had said was true and a few memories of before they were altered into what they are now went through his mind. Memories of a more happier time, before the needles, before the pain and sorrow he now knew. It was gnawing at him at times, others might have noticed it or not, but to 3 this place felt more like a prison then an actuall home. True homes like in the movies were much more cozy, they shared smaller houses, didn't need to do surgeries and what not or become weapons of destruction.
The cat shivered as his ears drooped downwards, his face turning angry before he growled and walked towards the restroom.
After he had relieved himself of his bladder, the man just kept thinking on those feelings. There was so much he did not know, so many questions that were kept unanswered, whenever he did ask anything to the doctors or the likes, well he was met with nothing but a cold wall to talk too.
He shook his head trying to focuss on his suggestion he had given some of the others. As the male then walked down the hallway back to the mess hall, "With some luck we might get all 8 of Unit togheter. Now that would be fun... I hope." As he looked to the left to see a few guards again, making him a bit nervous. All these guns everywhere as if they were afraid of the Subjects. Well he couldn't blame them. 7 - 8 sadly was one of the people that, well, it wasn't pretty what happened to that furr.
3 moved to the mess hall to see that 1 was being taken away, or to him it seemed to be. Only himself, 13 and 4 remained in the room as a result. With one of the cleaning personel already having begun to take away the empty plates, giving a snare at them. "Uuh, so what now?..." He blinked kind of in the dark for their soccer match.
-
04 shrugs to the cat, oblivious to his own lack of ideas.
"We go to the game?"
-
Thirteen glanced at Four, giggling to herself. She glanced around, looking uneasy. "I could take you on. I mean, I can try." She didn't look so sure.
-
04 smirks at her, winking.
"Heh heh...ya think?"
-
"Well it is a bit boring to play with only two people now isn't it?" 3 said as he crossed his arms, staring at both the Succes and the Failure. Shaking his head in disbelief. "We can't rely on 1 then... But does anyone know here 5 and 7 are? I heard this morning they a training with one another." Scratching his chin, before he brushed a paw over one of his ears, purring slightly in delight at the feeling.
Whatever the deal was, they couldn't truly play a soccer match with less then a total of 4 Subjects. No matter how one would alter it. And 3 himself would rather throw himself in front of a bus, sort to speak naturally, then be stick inside again for an entire afternoon. He wanted fresh air and some running for once instead of the constant smell of needles, syringes and more. "Well, why don't we go find them and get this match going eh?... Now that I think on it I havn't seen 2 either today yet. Has any of you two maybe seen him?" Blinking slightly, wondering where the other guy could be. But wherever 2 was, they knew where 5 and 7 would be.
-
04 scratches his head, nodding.
"Oh...yeah, that's a good point. Any idea where they might be?"
-
Thirteen shrugged. "They're still taking their tests. We're the only ones around free for a while, anyway." She shrugged again, looking rather uneasy. She hoped One was okay.
-
04 looked around. "Hmm...you guys have any idea of what to do until then?"
-
The cat looked a bit sad by the fact nobody was around to join their little fun. His mind tried to think of something untill it hit him like a brick, but that brick did require the help of a Succes to succeed. He walkec closer to 13 and whispered softly in her ear the plan he had to go into the training room of the Successes to do some weight training and more.
Whilst the Failures had their own gym to keep up their physique, the Successes had a much larger and expanded assortment for such things. The Administrators did make sure that all subjects both Succes and Fail were taken care off. A healthy Subject was better for their experiments then the usage of someone that say obese or not able to function properly.
"Well, what do you say, care to slip us all in?... I could use a good workout!" As he spanned his biceps a bit, showing that the cat was muscular, not overly, but enough to have some good building. And it did help, as his body needed to be strong in order to endure the renegeration process. Even if he didn't need to 'feed' from another anthro, he was able to still heal himself if he had enough energy reserves. The healing was always done automatically, as was the feeding, but training his body had allowed 3 to endure more. And seeing the chance to work with some modern equipment, well it was too good of a chance to let pass.
"Yo, 4 you in for some training? We need to be stealthy on this mission however." He winked at the goat, hoping he would tag along, as the cyberhacker could proof usefull.
-
"Heh...I'm all for it." 04 smirked, crouching down in a sneaking position.
-
Thirteen nodded. "I can't stick my neck out for a while after this...I'll get caned again." She glanced around and walked to the workout room, nodding and conversing with the guard on post for a while. Then, with a simple motion of her head, he nodded and left his post. She looked back at Three and Four. "We've got at most two and a half hours. C'mon."
-
04 eagerly followed the cat in, following close behind. He snickered quietly with excitement.
-
3 grinned when he saw that 13 had been able to make the guard leave his post. Before walking over to her as quickly as he could, making sure none of the cameras were directed towards him. His feline features made such stealthy walks, much easier as he was light on his feet even with all the metal inside of him, 3 was still agile and nimble. New components allowed certain alloys to be as light as a feather, yet retain their durability and strength.
The feline looked over at 4 for a few seconds, "Come on dude!... We don't got all day. It's a damm Succes facility we are talking about!... They got salaaad!" As he was making a bit of a teasing joke to the goat, but they did indeed have better food. Succes Subjects were given luxury items to make sure they wanted to stay at the top. Regardless of anything else.
3 then whispered to 13 as soon as he had walked over to her and got close enough so nobody could hear it. "Thank you, I owe you one... again!" With 4 following quickly, all three of them hastily sneaked around the various halls. All of them the same white, but it allowed for easy recognising of the guards, who wore much darker attires. And compared to the white of the walls and the roof, they were easy to spot. 3 made sure he would remember where each of the guards would be patrolling, he had done this before. One thing at least his training had been good for. "We got 3 guards up ahead... One should move away within the minute, the others will remain. But look, that guy needs to use the restroom so we can wait and move ahead when he does ok?"
-
04 blinks a little, then leans over to whisper to 03.
"Uh...what about the other two?"
-
Thirteen giggled, walking inside. There were treadmills and various excersize machines. One for each part of the body. She eagerly turned on a treadmill and began to run. "C'mon sissies! I didn't get you in here for nothing!"
-
04 just runs after her, following her lead. He proceeds to the track, waiting for 03.
-
The cat blinked when seeing the other two go for a simple threadmill. It wasn't the most advanced equipment, but then again why would he complain on it. He made his way through a few rows of various devices. For safety reasons they had been altered so nothing could be use as a weapon.
Even Successes were monitored after all, less but the risk was still there.
"Well then you wanna race against me?" 3 said looking at 13 and then 4. His ears perked and the tail was swaying back and forth swiftly, eager to try this out. "Well then, first one to get a full kilometer's worth wins... How does that sound?!" As the cat stood ready to start the exercice.
A camera in the corner of the small gym had noticed activity and sprung to life, looking for the Subjects using the room and signalling one of the control rooms.
-
well that sucks.. 5 thought to himself as he saw the unavoidable grab playing out almost in slow motion. Being snatched our the air, he uses all the strength he can muster to test three group he's held in, but as he expected, a Herculeans strength is no joke. He strained a couple more times with no better results, them just let out a soft sigh and smirked.
"I was starting to get hungry anyways.. Go ahead and end this fight."
-
I take the remark as a surrender and extend my forelegs, releasing five. I look at him, "Not bad mammal." I extend my right foreleg in a sort of handshake gesture.
-
5 sheathes the swords and turns his back to 7, completely ignoring his gesture and making his way back to the entrance room/lab. "Yeah, you too.." He entered the room and pot the swords back on the counter for the techs to put away. He knew the drill from here. A quick look over, a few physical checks, restoration if needed, then the barrage of questioning.
He sat on that mattress bench thing and cooperated through his treatments, and grinned at the first thing one of the techs said to him..
"You threw the match.."
"Oh did I now?"
"You know it's harder to react in the air and you jumped right into his arms, so to speak."
"I suppose."
"So why?"
5 grinned again "I was getting hungry.."
"I don't need to be a psychic to know that's crap."
5 shrugged "Then I guess we'll never truly know.."
He sat through the rest of the post training treatments and headed out, pausing at the doorway. "Sometimes..it's just more entertaining to lose a fight. A bit of variety to spice things up for me.." And with that he makes his way out to the mess hall to get some much desired food.
-
I stand there, looking down at my outstretched foreleg. "That's what I get for trying to be nice." I think to myself.
I exit the training room, run through the standard post training tests, and head outside. The humidity is great today, and I soak it in, almost comforting myself. Looking around I see a particularly green patch of grass and I lay down, regaining my energy with an afternoon nap.
-
Two stops and sighs as the door to his psychiatric evaluator’s office closes behind him. He was finding the doctor’s responses particularly irritating with how casually he was taking this particular vision. The first time he mentioned it, the doctor was a lot more lively and responsive with his notes. Now it was painfully obvious that the casual dismissal of the vision meant that the doctor knew something pertaining to his vision and wasn’t going to do anything to put him at ease.
Though, in retrospect, that was hardly anything new to Two. Still, he found it to be no less frustrating. As far as he could recall, he had never had a vision as unsettling as what he saw in Ten, whoever she may be, and all he could do was hope that the higher ups were doing something to prepare for the monster that loomed over the horizon.
The entire trip to the examination room consisted of Two replaying the nightmare through his head and puzzling out what other steps he could take to do what he could to stop it from becoming a reality. While several ideas came to mind, none of them that were viable options that had any significant probability of success. He had little option at this point but to be patient and hope that he had already averted that future and that his next vision would be less terrifying.
It wasn’t a surprise to him when he entered the evaluation room to find that Six had not yet arrived. He had long since become accustomed to her chaotic mental state and the mannerisms that came alone with it. More specifically, it was that very condition that made his own abilities ineffective against her. With most people and Subjects, Two could gather a staggering amount of information about who they are, where they’re from, what their likely actions are to be, and to some extent what they are thinking. All this through their outward appearance and body language alone. Six’s insanity prevents any sort of reliable predictability and makes reading her a very involved ordeal.
With the distraction that was already on his mind, Two figured that the likelihood of his ability to beat Six in this particular trial to be slim. All the same, he made his way to one of the two chairs provided and waited to see if his opponent would show up for their ‘game’.
One would be led to the elevator that would take her to the lower levels of the facility where large procedures and operations took place. From there she would be taken to one of the surgical rooms that was already prepped for a rather intensive looking procedure given the amount of equipment and machines that stood ready with a team of medical personnel.
“There you are, One.” Said Doctor Consumed Oracle, a casually polite smile on his face with the genuine greeting. “I’m sorry for the abrupt change in your schedule for the day, but after the injuries you sustained this morning it is clear that your body cannot handle the strain of your current abilities. As a result, we’re needing to undergo this trial procedure earlier than expected while you still have the physical capacity to endure it. So if you please.” He said, gesturing towards the operating table.
-
Thirteen grinned, upping the speed on her machine. "You're on." She wasted no time in starting to run. She was on a flat surface, so her agility was of no use here. Even so, she simply ran as hard as she could, but at this rate she'd burn herself out before she'd get anywhere.
-
One silently stood in the elevator and counted each floor as they went lower into the facility, nodding as she knew that they were now quite deep into the restricted area. Stepping out into one of the rooms it was clear that whatever was going to be done was not just a simple check up, this was bigger...much much bigger. She collected her thoughts before stepping closer to Dr. Consumed Oracle offering her hand in greeting her response being equally polite to mask the slight fear she had. Did I fail so badly that they are going to scrap me? "Good afternoon Doctor."
Without a further word she sat on the table before laying down. Several medical personal stepping closer and strapping her in tightly making sure that her legs were completely immobile. Looking towards the mirrored pane that she knew was an observation room for a moment before she spoke up. "What is this procedure?" The doctor went quiet for a moment before nodding towards the window. "7-01 you are fortunate. If any other of the other subjects showed the damage you did when using their abilities they would be purged from the program. However it seems the administration has taken a keen interest in you and ordered us to do this procedure. If it succeeds and you survive you will be marked as a Success if not we have only weeded out a weak link in unit 7."
Closing her eyes she mentally prepared herself for what would most likely be pain, due to her mask general anesthetic didnt work, so instead the nurse started injecting local sedatives into her body until she felt quite numb. Listening to the procedure. "Subject 7-01 is now sedated we are ready to begin the reversal of hermian procedures. We will be administering 4 injections of compound XR-741 into her legs to reverse the original procedure." She felt the dull sensation of 4 needle pricks going into her thighs and calf muscles, the compound reversing the conditioning and strengthening that her muscles had experienced. "Good all vitals are still strong. Hold on One this next one is going to hurt." The doctor said softly. "As per standard Zuesian preparation we will be removing approximately 8% of her biological mass to make room for kinetic as well and bio-electric energy cells and storage." This next part would send One reeling in pain despite the sedatives as non essential bio mass got removed and replaced by the mechanical parts needed.
"Subject 7-01 seems to be in pain bu vitals are still stable , We will continue with the final phase of this surgery. Nurse please flip the table." Two of the nurses walked up and detached a few clips allowing the table to rotate Slowing flipping it around so One was now looking at the floor she could feel a cold alcohol rub on her spine. "Injecting nanite compound B-13A directly into the subjects spine to reinforce her nervous system against the electricity." Letting out a faint whimper in pain as she felt the warm fluid being injected directly into her spine.
Blacking out from pain she finally awoke but unsure about how long she had been out for. She was still in the room but had been untied. Doctor Consumed oracle stood there looking at her the polite smile on his face still visible as he spoke with a soft almost pleased tone. "You are awake, That is good. I am glad you made it." he was holding the armband that Successes were given in his hand, but instead of the hermian logo it now had the Zuesian logo on it. "One you will go back to your dorm, and wait further instructions about your orientation. Congratulations of a successful operation and test." He smiled and walked up to her before tieing the band around her left arm.
-
The male cat grinned at this as he accepted the challange making a small bow towards the other. His body readying itself for the run exercise as the machine turned on the same way 13's did.
The first stand wasn't too difficult as it was at a soft running pace, with 3 having had enough running practice to make this an easy ordeal.
He soon added extra speed making it so that 13 would need to increase her own pace as well. "Hehe... You getting... Tired already?!" He said trying to keep his breathing under control, whilst checking his heartrate.
The Successes their training room was amazing, high tech, advanced and actually nicely decorated! With the male going into a faster pace. His body began to sweat slightly from the challange now, he was not enhanced on speed or anything so everything was needed to be done manually. The fact he had a lot of mechanical parts didn't help him either. But in a challange like this he would give his all.
"Come on 13! Is that... *hufs a few times*... All you got?!" As he grinned to the other, a smirk on his face as he stared at the other with a smile enjoying himself.
-
Thirteen sped up, skipping a step or two to simulate rough terrain and enhance her performance. She huffed and panted, smirking at Three before slowly perspiring. "Heh...wimp!" She stuck out her tongue out to mock her challenger.
-
"Ohohoooh... You are... so on!" 3 said enthousiastic as he put the machine on an even higher stance, noting that he wouldn't be able to keep this up for too long. But his pride of beating his friend was all on his mind, his limbs just had to follow regardless of how tired he was. And whilst it wasn't the best of ideas to strain himself this much, the camera that had been recording everything however was very much interested in this little stunt of theirs.
The guards and doctors that had noticed the feedback that they were recieving, had begun to monitor and ask the specs of the machines they were running on. Letting the two cats enjoy their little time untill they had compiled enough data. It was rare to see Subjects competitive like this outside of official trainings, so the chance to get some raw untested data was like a bliss for the company to see the potential of both Subjects. It would also show wether the two would be compatable for perhaps future testing as well. Seeing as the creation of the ultimate soldier wasn't an easy task, not even for a pharmaceutical giant.
"Aaah, aah aah... Ready to... give up?!" 3 said as he ran as fast as he could, panting as his tongue stuck out of his mouth, trying to relief himself of the heat that had begun to build up inside of him. His body obeyed his command and he tried to use his healing to keep his muscles fresh enough. Well, his body did that by itself, still he tried to focuss on it and on winning. As the machine said it was only a few more 100 meters to go before he would finish and be able to claim the victory. But then he noted, that it wasn't good for 13's own selfesteem if he won. Not only that, but letting her loose might gave her a bad impression on the other cat.
And with that in mind 3 slowly began to slow down, his pace lessening to allow 13 to get ahead of himself.
-
Thirteen pushed as hard as she could, slowly beginning to overheat. She slowed, her tongue lolling out of her mouth, shivering as her muscles ached with lactic acid buildup. Just as she was going to meet her mark, she brought herself to a stop. She panted and wheezed a little, clearly knowing flat terrain wasn't her strong suit. "I give...I got beat by a Failure...who knew?" She gave Three a knowing smile. She wasn't going to get demoted or looked down upon for this. It wasn't an official test. "Dang...you can run."
-
Laying on one of the bed looking at the roof she held her hand up and moved her fingers, a little dazed as the nerve impulses where slightly altered. Glancing at the band now firmly wrapped around her arm she giggled softly. "Your not a failure." she whispered to herself. Her tail twitched a little as she looked around hearing the sounds of somebody else in the room. The doctor stood looking at her from the doorway. "How are you adjusting One? Any pain yet?" She shook her head softly "N..No Doctor, I just feel a little disorientated." He nodded and motion for her to get up. "Its to be expected. Now come I need to see how well you can run to do some comparative testing." Nodding and getting up she followed him until they reached the gymnasium for the successes. Unknown to her some of the others were already there. "One. Please get on treadmill number 4. I will be monitoring you from the camera."
She walked in still not focusing a lot and got onto treadmill 4 before noticing Thirteen and Three going it it racing."Hey you two seem to be having fun." she said before starting a slow jog, her body reacting strangely her muscles feeling oddly heavy and lethargic for her. Taking deep breaths as she started to get more used to how her legs moved.
-
04 had been watching the two subjects racing each other on the treadmills intently, standing off to the side. He walked up to 03, extending a fist for the cat to bump.
"Heh, nice work there! Ya really showed 'em what we can do!"
-
As the machine died down, 3 let himself fall to the ground, with a loud thud. The man was beat up tired, somewhat disappointed that he had won. Yet at the same time happy for it as well. It was an odd feeling for sure, that someone wanted to loose and win at the same time. But no matter what happened, it was indeed nothing official, so no harm was done and it was for fun after all. Regardless of how one would see it, it was pure fun.
"Hehe, well you are... dammed good yourself!" As he as he let out a loud sigh and a 'woo' afterwards.
The cat stretched his neck and was happy that it was over. "A minute or so more and I would have needed to stop!" He said thrutfully and began to pant heavily, his eyes scanned for anything remotely liquid. As long as it could cool him down, he would be content with it. "Do... do you guys have water or anything?" He asked whiping some sweat from his fur. He would surely need a shower after this workout and truth be told he hadn't had such a fun challange in a while.
Failures were pushed, but not to an extend that one could see as improving. They were punished severe and scolded if they failed or worse. But not in the positive sense that they wanted to compete. A Failure mostly wanted that mark for around their arm. That was what mattered, however after attaining it, it was even harder to keep it. Something most never pondered on untill they were within the Successes group. "So... this is what you do during your hours off? Damm! Haha." As the cat closed his eyes and let him fall onto his back, enjoying the moment and flow os adrenaline.
-
Slowly picked up the pace but was much slower than the others, she needed to pace herself and looked at the displays on the treadmill and watched her heart rate as it slowly elevated. She was still fit from her training as a hermian but had lost all of her speed and composure when running. her long black hair bouncing erratically with each step as she slowly upped the pace every few minutes. The running wasn't just to see if they had completely rid her of the hermian ability but also to help her nervous system adjust to the changed that had happened until her coordination was back to normal she would not be able to use her abilities. Her steps became more fluent as she adjusted to the changes.
-
Thirteen laughed, walking over to a fridge and pulling out bottled water. "It's all water but you can help yourselves." She smiled, giggling. "It was really fun though. I'll have to do this more often.~"
She sighed, cooling off somewhat. Then, she noticed the camera. "Oh crap. "
-
3 smiled at 13, blushing somewhat as she gave the bottle of water. He cleared his throat and did his best not to show this to the other feline. The last thing he needed was that 13 would figure out he was kind of happy too, more then he dared to admit to himself.
"Thank you, 13." He said soft before extending his paw to grab the bottle of water and eagerly let some of the fluids cool him down. He drank a good deal even before letting it pop out of his mouth letting a groan out as well to show he was more then refreshed and happy with the drink.
But not as soon as he had done that his ears perked and stared at 13, wondering what got her so riled up. "What's wrong?" And with that the male looked into the direction of where the camera was, his ears drooping downwards on his head and his tail curled inbetween his legs instinctively. "Ooh **censor**..." He gasped out, realising that the camera had been recording everything they did. There wasn't any point in hiding, they were manned 24/7 each day. So they had been caught in the act.
-
04 tilted his eyebrow in confusion at his companions' alarm. "Huh? What are you..." Then he spun around, looking in the same direction they were, and saw the camera on the wall, pointing down directly at him. He blushed, freezing in his tracks, standing still and rigid. "...oh...oh god..."
-
Thirteen braced herself as security blasted into the room, two guards going for Three and Four while Thirteen herself was shoved against a wall, the guards posted around her holding a baton and a cane, respectively. She whimpered, trembling.
"As you know Thirteen, you are indeed a success. However, you cannot continue to spoil the other Failures. You remember what happened last time and you must be punished once more. Hopefully, you will learn your lesson this time around." Without even waiting for protest, the guards had begun to beat her, the thuds and whacks echoing in the room. It seemed to last forever to her, and by the time it was over, she was close to tears. She didn't want Three and Four to see that.
-
3 was pushed into the ground by the guards, his arm twisted behind his back as to make sure the cat couldn't move. Still the young man tried his best to crawl from underneath the guard as he saw that they had begun to whip or with the cane on her backside. It angried the cat even more as he extended his claws and tried to move his arm to scratch the guard, hissing furiously at the other. To no avail to 3's horror, as the human proved stronger then he was in the grip that the cat was being held.
"Let her go!!!" He screamed, growling as his tail tried to distract the guard. But the smacking and the echo of the punishment made its way into the man's ears, carving into his memory the awefull sounds and sights he had seen happen before in his life. His heart raced in his chest as anger kept building up. "She didn't do anything! She...aaarrhhh" Without notice the cat was punched on the head forcing himself onto the cold more as he stared, his face that of a person who would kill if given the chance.
When the beating finally stopped, he relaxed a bit more, but the whimpers and the smell of tears could reach his nostrills, telling 3 that 13 was in pain. She would live however, and that was important as he felt sorrow and sadness. It was HIS doing that got them into this situation, he was the cause yet she was being punished. One of the guards went towards 3 as he was pulled upwards. "You are lucky 3... It seems that the good doctor has need of you as well. A... special type of project this time around." As the human guard grinned and punched the cat in the stomach. 3 merely gasped as he tried to gather his breath. "Failures aren't allowed here. Remember that. Or next time there will be blood. Got it?" As 3 was pulled by his hair, being forced to stare at the human, before he was shoved off towards the door.
-
"Three, I..." She started, choking back her tears. "I'm sorry..." She crumpled to the floor, trembling. "I'm sorry Three...Four..."
-
"HEY!" 04 also struggled against the guard, butting hard against the man to his side. The guard screamed as the goat's horn dug into his flesh, a gout of blood spurting from the wound. The other guard tightened his grip around 04's arm, shoving him back hard. "Let her GO!" He kicked at the guards, his hooves knocking back their knees. The guards around him stumbled, but their grip held firm. 04 felt that he wasn't as strong as he used to be, and he was losing energy quickly. He gritted his teeth in rage at his own weakness. The guard threw him to the floor, pinning him to the ground by putting his foot on his back. 04 looked up. He could see that another guard had entered the room, pushing aside his wounded comrade. The goat broke into a cold sweat as he saw what was about to happen. The guard pinning him had grabbed his pistol and was swinging the butt in a sweeping downwards arc, aimed straight at the subject's head. "13, I..." was all he could say before the crude club came down on his skull, and all went black. The guards dragged the unconscious goat out of the room by his legs, muttering under their breath.
-
My head twitches as I awake from my nap by the screaming coming from the nearby success training room. I swivel my head in that direction and sneer "Probably just some of the successes showing off." I lay my head back down and try to ignore it. However when I hear crying coming from in there I begin to think something may be wrong. I get up to investigate. I walk over and stand in the doorway, and watch as the guards beat the three subjects mercilessly, two of who I recognize as failures like myself. My eye twitches. I walk in and the guard notices me.
"What do you want some too?" eh says, brandishing a club.
I sneer "Actually I would love some." I dash at him and pin him to the floor, opening my mandibles to reveal some menacing teeth.
The guard whimpers as I let him go and he and his buddies leave the room.
"Is everything ok?"
-
Thirteen sniffled, looking at the new arrival through the doorway. He was a Failure, so it made sense that he didn't come in. "I just wanted to have fun," she whimpered, "but I was beaten for...bringing in Failures. Please, I don't want you to get in trouble too." She felt no ill-will from the mantis. Only concern.
-
The room was cold and dark, as the door opened. Two guards bearing their weapons went inside and turned on the light. The feeling 3 got was one of horror and anxiety as he saw the table in the centre of the room. It was one of the overview labs, commonly used to perform some type of surgery on the Subjects, for better or worse. The male remembered the room, as fresh as if it had been the day before yesterday. This was the room that they had used on him to make him into an Hadesian.
His eyes scouted the area, but there was no doctor or any medical staff. His ears lowered yet kept alert, this felt odd and strange indeed. Rather then feeling nervous he felt frightened, nothing was said to him not even the two guards, who were well armed, had anything to say.
"What's going on here?!" He yelled, knowing someone somewhere had the answers. They had too, he wouldn't be brought there with no reason. Yet perhaps he stepped on the Administrators toes too much? Perhaps everything he had begun to believe was correct, everything that he thought a lie after all. That he was merely mistaken. "Answer me dammit!!" He said growling as he hissed and bared his fangs, the curses kept going yet no response came what so ever. The male knew that he couldn't attack the guards, unless he wanted to get shot. Even he was not so foolish, but then his eyes saw a small tray of equipment. On it was equipment for surgery, his fears became reality they would indeed do something to him. But what... And why.
"He is an interesting one down there." A male voice said as he pointed towards the Subject within the surgery room. "Very feisty as well... Is this a common trait amongst them?" As a pale male, around the age of thirty, said softly to two others. All three of them had been watching the spectacle from above, behind a hidden glass plate, watching curious how the Subject 3 would behave. "So this is one of the Unit 7 units then." As the man scratched his chin, his blonde hair was wavy and fell towards his shoulders, moving towards the glass he took a closer look, noting the scar on the cheek, bfore grabbing a palet and watching over data that came on the screen.
"Shall I ask for more security? 7 - 3 has been known to cause havoc against the guards." Another man said, much older of age. His nametage displayed the name of Lucient Kincaid, head of security. But the third waved his hand off at this. "There is no need for this Lucient, 3 is merely afraid. At most concerned for his well being." Dr. Consumed Oracle spoke as he went to the window as well, watching the cat as some of the equipment was thrown off onto the floor.
"I want answers already!... Where is doctor Oracle?! Or anyone?!" He hissed as 3 looked again at the table. It had indeed been geared up for someone, or thing. As he shivered at the prospect.
The three men from above kept watching the actions. Dr Oracle soon placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "Do not worry Hawke, he cannot see, smell or hear us. It is always something special to first see a Subject. Especially the ones of Unit 7." As Oracle laughed softly, his eyes staring at the cat. He took the tablet from Hawke and browsed through it untill 3's profile appeared. "My apologies, I should start adressing you as doctor Hawke now shouldn't I? Haha... As you can see, 3 has been here since the first years of the project. A Hadesian... Alas, most that underwent that treatment, had failed to meet our expectations."
The other man stared at Oracle for a moment before watching the data in his hand. "I see. And that is why you have kept this one alive?" As Hawke arched a brow in response, somewhat curious to why such an unruly figure would be kept in the program.
Doctor Oracle merely sighed, "We believe that his behavior stems from post-traumatic syndrom. During the first years that the cat, Subject 7-3, was here the young lad was one of our most promosing achievements. Not only the first to survive the Hedasian treatment, but also his loyalty." A sigh came from the medical man's mouth, shaking his head. "But after an unfortunate, incident, we lost another one of our Subjects to an exprimental drug we had begun testing." "With incident you mean..." Hawke asked curiously, but dared not say it fully. "There were complications sadly. 7 - 8, died a very horrible and painfull death. We were not able to kill him in time." For a mere moment one could almost have seen some sort of regret on Oracle's face, as if he had felt guilt for what they had done towards the Subject. "Subject 8 had taken 3 into his care. Whilst not family, they were almost inseperatable... The loss came hard on the cat it seemed. And after that began to rebel. That cat down there is the result... However, he has proven worthy dispite his nature to us." As a smirk developed on his face, grinning at the idea.
3 was suddenly detained as both guards grabbed his arms and brought him to the table. The cat kept struggling regardless, one of his claws able to scratch one of the guards, who ducked away. But the response was the backside of a rifle to his jaw. "Arrghh..." As 3 huffed, groaning from the pain.
"We have some complications with the Hedasian that we will be adressing today. You Hawke, shall be my second for this operation." As Oracle made a gesture to follow him. "Owh and Lucient? Please make sure the others are watched more carefully... With 7 - 2's recent visions, along with 3's behavior, we do not wish for any isseus to arise." And with that, both medical doctors went towards the room where 3 was being held, the cat hissed as he saw the two approach. "Aah, good afternoon 7 - 3. Thank you for comming." As the sarcasm was clearly read in the doctor's voice.
"As if I ever had a choice." The reaction prompted Oracle to get close to the cat's face, stroking his cheek where the scar was. "Indeed... As if ever no?" Before he pulled back and looked at Hawke. "Today we'll be making sure that you can control your gift more, 3. Some of the Administrators would not like this. But you know we are , short, on your Type." As the doctor chuckled.
Hawke watched interested towards the cat. "Shall I give sedatives before we proceed?" Staring at the other doctor, awaiting the order. "No need for that. His body has regenerated this morning. No need to use valuable materials, besides. He would fight the drugs in his sytem anyways on a subconscious level." As a lever was pulled, several screens came from the ceiling and other material was brought in by some of the nurses.
"Experiment Hadesian version 2.5 ... Subject's number is 7 - 3. Preparing for the surgery." As both doctors put on their gloves and looked at the cat, who had begun to sweat. 3 widened his eyes when he heard that they wouldn't use any sedatives for this. This wasn't a simple surgery, no this was their way of showing who was boss. He would survive, they made sure of that. But at the cost of his will needing to be broken.
A syringe was taken as some dark blackish fluid was absorbed, 3 shivered at what would be in it, but couldn't say anything but a small howl as the needle was pressed into his arm. The liquid felt warm and his arm started to burn. He protested, shaking heavily at this sensation.
"Administration of the first drug of the Hadesian 2.5 successfull. Subject is in small amounts of pain, but stable. Starting vital recording and transmitting the data towards the datacentre... Doctors Hawke and Oracle performing the surgery."
The guards took their leave, as they heard the screams of the subject filling the room as the surgery began.
-
04 awoke slowly, his one organic eye adjusting to the light of the room around him. Everything seemed blurry at first, and the goat couldn't tell where he was. All he knew was that he was most certainly not back in the gym. He looked around the room, getting his bearings. The floor and walls were bare, windowless concrete, and the only furnishing in sight was a small wooden table in the centre of the room. Across the floor from the corner where the goat sat was an armed guard, standing in front of a barred door.
"W-where am I?"
"You have been assigned to detention in cellblock 9-A. You have been deemed a potential danger to the Administration and the staff of the facility. Your sentence is indefinite, and you will be released only when deemed appropriate or with written and signed permission from an Administration official."
"Y-you..."
The guard stood, not moving. 04 sunk down against the wall, letting out a long sigh. His head was still throbbing, and there was a pain in his arms from where the guards had grabbed him. The soreness from his rapid aging didn't help matters, either. "Goddammit....goddamn it, everything..."
-
Still keeping pace untill the PA system in the small training room she was in sounded. "1 there has been a situation, return to the dorm immediately." The voice sounded rushed and annoyed. Knowing she was under extra scrutiny now she quietly complied. Stepping out of the hall way and hearing a commotion coming from one of the training rooms down the hall she shook her head before running towards the sound. Skidding though the door she could see Thirteen badly hurt as well as Seven standing there."Oh god... Thirteen what happened?" she gasped out before nodding at Seven.
-
"They beat me," she explained, "but I deserved it." She had stopped crying by now, and had gotten up. "I broke rules and protocol. A Success has to respect the administration and their rules." She groaned softly. The ache in her back, backside and legs was strong. She looked at Seven and gave a smile, as well as to One. "But I'm alright. They're looking out for our best interests after all."
-
Looked at her with a frown under her mask "Protocol is protocol." She hissed at herself fully aware that right now shew as disobeying a direct order. "Seven. You better be getting back you know aswell as I do that they will be back with more force." She glanced over the mantid "You are strong but they have firepower." Turning her focus to Thirteen once more. "Let me help you back to the dorm before we both get into more trouble." She said holding out her hand for 13.
-
Thirteen flinched, taking the hand. She felt the disappointment and frustration from One. She tried desperately to change the subject, but couldn't figure out anything to say. "I'm sorry," she simply stated.
-
Shaking her head she slowly walked 13 to the dorm helping her to her bed and laying her down she took a few steps and sat down on her own. "They hurt you..." she mumbled to herself before standing up and walking to the door and looking outside. Her mind was clearer than before having grown accustomed to the changes but she was far from using her new abilities. Soon the time would come but right now she had to take care of Thirteen. "Thirteen, if you need anything let me know."
-
After nodding goodbyes to 1 and 13, I step back outside and smell the dusk air, now tainted by a hint of blood. The week I spent had softened me up, I almost began to forgive the administration, but tonight had set me straight. They beat those kids endlessly, for no reason other than they were using the pretty boy success gear. In 'Seven's book of law and order' that is a unforgivable offence. The winds of change are coming.
I return to my room, half expecting some guards to be there to cart me away again for attacking one of them, but the room was empty. No doubt that they would be entering my room sometime tonight to 'bring me to justice', but let them come. They won't break me again.
-
"I broke protocol..." She muttered. "I'll be alright." Since moving to her room, Thirteen had been hit with a wave of fear, anger and a desire for bloodshed. She shivered, hugging her knees close to herself. "Oh lord..."
-
1 Glanced back at 13 she couldn't read a person like 13 could but she could feel that something was wrong. "Thirteen..." she muttered. before walking up to her and pulling her into a close hug. "Breath sweety." She wanted her to feel calm risking her own skin she stayed with Thirteen to try and calm her down. "You were helping your freinds..." she said out loud. "There isnt anything wrong with that."
-
All the negative emotions swirling in her mind took away her ability to concentrate. Her head was swirling; she felt nauseous. She simply leaned into the hug, muttering any emotion she could identify, hoping they'd go away. She wanted to ask One if she was okay. If she was a Success or not, or even if she had been classified at all. She tried to speak coherently, but words failed her.
-
Simply held her close listening to her mumbling, this was one of the side effects wasn't it... Poor Thirteen... Shhh shhh shhh its ok." she said with a soft hushed tone. Gently brushing a hand though her hair just to remind her that nothing bad will happen while she was there to protect her. "Just try and relax Thirteen...just dont think about the emotions" she said trying her very best to help Thirteen overcome this overload she was experiencing.
-
Thirteen shook, trying to calm herself. "Are they okay?" She asked. "Did you get a label? Success or Failure? You're okay? Goodness I hope everyone's okay." She spat out a flurry of questions, her tail twitching compulsively.
-
Smiled at her and nodded. "I am fine, just a little sore from the surgery. " she pulled the band on her arm so that Thirteen could see it. "I am sure they will be fine, The Administration wont hurt them that badly...I hope." She could see how her tail twitched. "Thirteen try and calm down none of this was your fault, you couldn't have prevented it."
-
Thirteen smiled wide. "That's great! Oh wow that's so great! I knew you'd be a Success. I just knew it." She seemed to be distracted from her issues at the moment.
-
It had been some time since 3 had passed out from the pain. His body ached and was sore everywhere as he tried to open his eyes. He felt a bit more comfortable then when the doctors were operating on him. For some reason, it felt as if he was laying in a bed, it was soft and he was on his side. But the stinging sensation alongside his ribs was making it a bit hard for the male to try and get up. As if something was pressing him down.
He let a paw glide near him, able to move it fully. He was restrained anymore, which was a relief on its own. And he felt that his body was healing from the wounds that had been inflicted on him.
To his suprise however, the cat noticed that when he was thinking on it, that his body suddenly stopped a mere second later it started again. "Uuurrghh..." He grumbled, not truly fully understanding yet what had happened, or where he was. He felt disoriented, hearing a voice in the distance. "He woke up... Tell the doctor that the Subject is still alive." But the words only caused 3 to feel pain in his head, his ears ringing from everything. The last thing he remembered were two very painfull bursts in his backside, with a burning sensation as well. Whatever it was, it was gone now, yet he still felt odd.
He thought it best to try and sleep a bit again, get some strength and relax. He was alive, that was what mattered. His thoughts drifted to 13? seeing the scared look on his face like that he clenched a fist and sword to find her soon.
-
Hugged 13 close and smiled "Well for now, but im no longer a hermian" she said pointing the the different logo on her arm. "Thank you Thirteen I am sure you helped with that last test. I guess I will be getting a drom assighned to me aswell, we might even get to be room mates." she said with a friendly wink.
-
Thirteen smiled, then her headache returned. Confusion, hurt, anger, determination..."Hopelessness, frustration..." She whimpered, rubbing her forehead.
-
5 sat in the mess hall, eating his meal when he heard a whole lot of commotion a ways away. He sighed and grabbed the roll from his plate and left the rest behind, making his way to the source of all the noise. As he got to the training room he could early pick up the heavy smell of sweat and blood in the air, shaking his head and thinking to himself 'this whole scene wreaks of Failure incompetence..'
"What happened?" He asked, one human cleaning the area with another tending to a wounded guard.
"3 and 4 have been..detained.. And-"
5 cut him off, turning and leaving the room continuing on his way. "Of course it would be those two.."
He could hear a couple up ahead talking and trailed behind trying to listen, but when he couldn't hear anything he called from down the hallway to the cat and lizard walking together. "Don't tell me you two were part of that mess, too.."
-
Thirteen looked at Five. "They beat me..." She looked at his armband. Another Success. "I broke protocol though. I got what I deserved. How have you been, Five?" She smiled, warm and open. She always admired him in the field.
-
5 scoffed, realizing now what had happened.. "Idiot. Of course they beat you. You let failures in where they don't belong." He looked over the markings of her beating. "Oh well, not my problem. Anyways I've been fine.." He looks between 1 and 13. "You both tested together today, didn't you? So who won..?"
-
Stepped halfway in between Thirteen and Five noting the tone he took with her. "She was helping her friends. What they did was unfair, the punishment was not proportionate." she knew that if five wanted to fight hse would not stand a chance,
-
Thirteen nodded, miffed by his response. "I did, of course. I've gone uncontested for a while now. Just because I'm a bleeding heart doesn't mean I'm not worthy of the Success title." She puffed herself up, making herself look bigger than normal. She couldn't help but giggle. He was obviously larger.
-
After sitting in my room for a good thirty minutes, I start getting a bit bored and decide to go take a bit of a stroll.
I step outside and begin to head down the hallway when I see 13, 5, and 1 talking. I head over. "It wasn't your fault love, the guards had no reason to beat you like that. Simply escorting you from the room would have been sufficient." I cut five a look.
-
5 smirked as 7 made his way over and chimed in, unable to help but laugh. "No way, you too!? Hahaha wow..you guys are going to screw this entire unit over if you don't get your acts together.. But I'm curious.." He looked back to 7. "How did you get out of that? 3 and 4, the other failures, were 'detained' whatever that means exactly.."
-
He called her love. Thirteen felt herself blush and giggle a little. Then, something occurred to her. She excused herself politely and tracked down a scientist, asking about Three. He directed her to Three's room, and she knocked before entering. "Hey..."
-
"It means that they were taken away by the scientists, likely to become Guinea Pigs. And I wasn't in there when it happened. I just got the guards off of 13."
-
Shrugging it off she walked past five her voice a whisper of a threat "Just because your the highest ranked in Unit 7 doesn't mean your the strongest" her think slit pupils locking with this for a moment before she walked off back to her dorm. Clearly more aggressive than before, as evident by the small sparks of electricity that jumped from her fingertips as she walked off.
-
3 was still a bit confused and disoriented as he heard someone entering his room. He opened his eyes as he saw a familiar cat walking in. He smiled slightly at the sight of 13. "Hehe... I get visit?" He asked curiously, finding it odd that the Administrators would let anyone near him. But then again, they might have had their test results already from when they did whatever they had done to his body. He still felt very weak.
"I'm sorry." The man said softly, his voice still sore from all the yelling he had done before, trying not to sound too weird to her. "I am glad to see you. I wish I could have helped more."
The cat was laying in nothing but undergarments, the clothing was tattered and bloody, laying next to his bed. His upper body was covered in bandages, but had a bit of a strange lump near the shoulders. "And, you were right... Hehehe... Failures get punished harder." As he was able to laugh a bit at the irony, he tried to turn the subject a bit, not really trying to move. "We got a new doctor in the house too... Name's Hawke it seems."
-
Thirteen kneeled beside him, sighing and keeping herself from crying. Her mid-drift top and shorts did little to hide her marks from her beating. "They said you'll be okay...I'm sorry I got you into this...this was my fault..."
-
5 grinned and made a little kissy as the irritated number 1 scowled at him, turning and watching as she stormed off, noting the ability she seemed to have obtained. "Ooh, someone got an upgrade. Impressive.. Well, it seems this party has died." He steps his way around 7 and makes his way back to his own room. "Time for a little R&R I suppose."
-
The male cat smiled to the other feline, using almost all of his strength to bring and arm upwards and touch her face. He did this without thinking, but to his suprise nothing happened. He didn't tap her energy as he would have else done it.
"This... Is odd." He admitted, groaning as a nerve was sending out pain to his ribs and back. "Aah... Still hurts a bit." But chuckled slightly trying to comfort her. "Wh-what matters is, that you are safe you know?"
He couldn't get enough of this strange sensation. For so long he had never touched someone, it had been years. Not without draining them, or hurting the other. But this? This felt nice!
-
Thirteen smiled. "I'll be sore for a few days, but...it's okay. I'll come see you as much as I can. You shouldn't have...I mean...god..." She seemed to relax a little when she felt what he felt. Concern, caring and...maybe something more? She felt herself blush, and concentrate on his feelings. He was content, hopeful and almost relaxed. "They...locked up Four." Her smile faded, her green eyes darting to the floor.
-
3 understood it and blinked a few times, not really able to turn around. Which irritated him slightly.
"Mhhh... Trust me, he'll be out soon." As the male tried to comfort the other as much as he could."They'll keep him there for a few days and then realise! You'll." Smirking a bit
He suddenly growled as the bandages were altered a tiny bit. "Nghh... They may do what they want to me. But I will do my best for this Unit!"
-
Thirteen flinched when she saw he was in pain. She smiled at him. "Such determination..." She moved his hair from his face. "You look great, Three. Really." Biggest lie she ever told.
-
Sat down on her bed and tried to calm herself down a little. "You are too defensive with 13. Five is right but...dammit". She hit her hand into the bed before biting her lips. Laying down and looking at the ceiling she tried to clear her mind. "You cant act recklessly anymore, have pride in your armband One." she muttered to herself. Closing her eyes untill a loud sound disturbed her rest. "One report to sub-training section D"
-
5 makes his way to his room, not bothering to shut his door, he didn't care. He kicks back on his bed, picking his book back up and resuming his reading from where he left off earlier.
-
(I apologize for the many absences, I'm a very busy man.)
Watching everybody leave around me, I go onwards down the hallway and exit the building, taking in the night air. The smell of blood was less potent now, but still it lingered. "Damn it. Damn this place. Damn the administration. Damn it all." I said to myself as I looked up into the night sky. I often found myself out here at the ungodly hours of the night looking up at the heavens above, wondering if maybe somewhere outside these white walls there was somebody looking up at the same sky...
I took one last look at the sky and headed back inside. As I head to my room I see one heading off towards the training building. "Now where could she be headed?" I think as I pass by and enter my room. Inside about 5 guards are waiting for me. The head one speaks up "7, when are you going to learn your place, fool? You know what happens when you buck heads with the administration." He twirls the club in his hand and flicks his head, gesturing for the others to get me. I hiss in anger as the guards surround me. The one directly in front of me charges and I quickly counter, forcing him to the floor. I hiss in his face, spraying a fine mist of spittle onto him. I begin to beat him with my forelegs, ripping off his armor and eventually working down to his fleshy interior, leaving great scratches and gash marks. The others take this an opportunity and kick me over, flipping me onto my back. Two of the guards hold my forelegs down while another holds my body down. The head guard walks over and proceeds to beat me senselessly. I try to wiggle free but can't, and am forced to stay and just take it. The guard beats me until he is prompley covered in little speckles of bright green blood. He then gets up, spits on me, and leaves, his buddies following. I am left still on the floor, unconscious.
-
The male cat laughed at this, before grabbing to his ribs. "Haha... I do not need psychic powers to know that was a lie!" 3 said this with a bit of humor. "I have seen better days no doubt." As his tail brushed alongside 13 a bit.
But truth was that 3 had no clue what all happened. Dr. Oracle had only explained they would 'fix' him, but after having been able to touch 13 he somewhat smiled. "You know, this was all worth it... I was able to touch you again without hurting you." Smiling at the other feline. His thoughts went over to 4. "13, what happened when I was dragged off?" He asked gently concerned as well that she might have been whipped more, or someone else had gotten hurt.
He let his head rest on the pillow, breathing deeply before whispering something to her. Too soft for her to pick up before he whispered again. "Would you mind... Staying here tonight? If you are allowed that is." As he turned his head slightly to face the other cat.
-
5 flips through a handful of pages before hearing the intercom message for 1, then just a few paragraphs later another message "5, report to sub-training section D". He closes his book with a sigh and sits up.
"Twice in one day..? Guess I'm just not meant to have any 'me' time today.."
He heads out of his room and makes his way out to the training room.
-
Thirteen blushed, nodding and giving him a little smile. "I'd love to stay..." The cat paused, her purr and her smile fading. Her thoughts drifted to Four. She could probably pull some strings to get him out, but she'd face another lashing. She looked at the backs of her arms, the welts from her beating still very prominent. "He...he fought them and his horn stabbed one of them. They pistol-whipped him before taking him to detention."
-
One was already at the training room waiting. the area was different than most, instead of an open arena like the other combat training area's this one was enclosed and had a fine wire mesh covering the walls and ceiling. Talking to one of the Doctors there who was giving her a briefing about what exactly a Zuesian can do.
"Ah Five you have arrived I see." Said one of the doctors. "I apologize for calling you out twice in a row for testing, but as you can understand these are extraordinary circumstances. With Three and Four detained, You are the only one with the capacity to assist in this exercise." The doctor turned to One. "Now one Five is going to be assisting you in learning how to use your abilities."
One stood up and looked at five before walking down into the combat ring, trying to remember everything she had been told about her new abilities and how to try and control it. Once out of ear shot the Doctor turned to Five once more."Five your orders are to pressure her untill something happens, do not stop attacking even if she cant stand anymore. Is that understood?"
Whispering to herself as she seemed to be reading off a mental checklist "Interface with the neural implants, control the current." She cringed slightly wondering how she would even be able to properly generate current let alone be able to control and use it in a fight, especially one where she was outclassed, Five had superior strength and speed. "That doesn't matter" she told herself. "This is a test and I wont fail this time... I earned my status."
-
The male cat sighed in response, knowing that what 4 did was not the best action. Attacking guards like that could have been a suicide attempt on his side.
Most of the guards were armed to the teeth, along with weaponry to counter the specific gifts of each Type. Only the psychic ones proved difficult to take down at times. But all others had some weakness, a flaw that the guards could easily exploit. But was only needed when they rebelled or had failed certain tasks.
3 shook his head slightly. "Uugh... Why did he do that?! If he had just surrendered then he would merely have had a whipping!" As the male tried to get up, his muscles aching slightly, but after a while was able to move and sit up straight. The effect had costed him some energy, but he was now able to look directly at 13. "If you want to help 4, go ahead. You know that I would do the same in your shoes... Just be carefull yourself." As the bandaged male burshed some of her hair in place.
"Whatever they did to me, I'll find out I hope." His sentence died down as two guard stood at the door with one of the nurses comming inside. "3, please refrain from any actions... You too 13!" The nurse was strict and held something in her hand, a circular shape of some sorts as she approached 3 and he suddenly heard a clicking sound.
"Wha?... What is this?!" He said alarmed to the nurse, not wanting to get beaten up again he tried to stay calm. The nurse didn't say anything as she left the two cats.
-
Thirteen whimpered as he nurse gave her a strict scolding. Her ears dropped and she became overwhelmed with emotions as the nurse had entered. Anger and surprise and frustration and pain. She stared out into seemingly nothing, trying to gather her thoughts.
-
As the nurse left, 3 sat there with a very confused face and look. Was this another punishment to him? Or some sick joke. His paws moved to his neck, even if it required a lot of energy, checking out and feeling the cold metal. He scratched at it, trying to get it off but to no avail as it was shut straight around his neck. He looked at 13 and saw that she was zoning out, at which he tried to calm himself down as that always had worked in the past.
He took a few deep breaths and looked at her, trying to ease her own mind somewhat.
Still he was curious to what the thing was and why they had placed one on him. It wasn't a neuro-controlling chip. Those were much smaller and triangle in shape. Those little things were very very annoyed, voice activated to control the neural activity in the brain and the body. The Administrators deemed it ok if they used such controlling devices onto the subjects.
The cat, scratched again, not liking the idea that he was wearing something like this as if he was a pet of someone. It felt degrading in a sense. "13, can you see what this is?!" As the male lacked the strength to get to a mirror with his current level of energy. Whilst he could quickly recitfy that by absorbing some from another living creature, he wanted to refrain from doing that unless it was needed.
-
"A...A collar..." She mumbled, glancing about as her thoughts slowly cleared. "I'm sorry..." Was all she could think of to say. She was drawing a blank.
-
After some time I wake up, badly beaten and hardly able to stand. There are gashes all over my body where the powerful beating from the guard's clubs broke through my exoskeleton. A bright green liquid, which I soon distinguish as my blood, coats the area where I was laying. I slowly make my way out of my room, each step more painful than the last, and head down the hall towards the infirmary.
-
The cat noticed that 13 was having difficulties, he himself couldn't read minds or sense feelings the way she could. He knew this, but even so he had a heart and it told him that she needed someone to hold on too, for better or worse. They all went through a lot and 13 must be blaming herself for the faults that were actually 3's doing. The male looked away for a second, as he sighed narrowing his eyes by a bit before he placed an arm around the other and pulled her closer to him.
He gritted through his teeth as he felt pain in his back, but he did not care at all. He just held 13 close to him. "Shhh, it wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself... You are a Succes, it doesn't suit you if you cry." He said in a soft and caring voice to her, hoping it would sooth her even by a little.
The feline didn't have much experience on social aspects and tried to use what he had seen in 'educational' movies. Most of which were hero movies from the 50's to 70's. Ironically that it was from such movies that he knew a hug could help someone to feel better.
"Just know 13, I have always been here for you. I always will, regardless of how you or anyone of us sees this world. I made that promise a long time ago. That I would be there to help." As he cupped her cheek and gave a smile, it felt odd being able to touch someone else like this again. He had thought that by now 13 would have been in pain or agony by his power. Perhaps whatever that the doctors did to him, had made his powers dormant? Or perhaps he would be able to controll them? Or the collar was the reason for it all. But all that didn't matter for that one moment as he held the younger female close to him. "Stay safe, for me."
-
I walk into the infirmary and approach the front desk. The young woman at the counter looks at me in disgust. She quickly calls for a nurse, who cleans me up and places me in a bed to recover. I look up at the white ceiling from beneath my white covers, and rest.
-
Thirteen blushed furiously and nodded, but couldn't bring herself to hug him back. She managed a smile and nodded again. She could tell that he was genuine. He meant every word. She hadn't been accustomed to true feelings, and she felt like she could get quite used to it. Before being chased out by a nurse, she whispered to him. "I'll be okay..."
-
The cat saw the nurse chase 13 off before he was completely alone in the room again. He sobbed a little, having liked some of the attention he had gotten. But then again, having the other feline in trouble again was something he didn't want to have on his chest right now.
The male already had enough difficulty breathing currently and the burning sensation in his backside wasn't helping him either. "Perhaps I should tried and get these muscles working again." With that said, the cat tried to focuss on each of them to see if they would budge the way he wanted them too, still feeling rather stiff after the whole ordeal.
The memories of the operation before he passed out still fresh in his memory, the pain as well. He just knew that these doctors were not the kind people they tried to portray towards the others, snarling at the prospect. 3 knew that these men were by far much more manipulative and they would do anything to get their way, be it good or bad. That must have been the reason for all of this. Why else would they desire to make such a program as this? More questions went through his mind each day. More unanswered riddles and distrust.
If the company truly wanted them to be these super soldiers, the most prominent question was "Why?" The why of not letting them out and explore this world, that was being protrayed as under grave danger and threat. A world that needed saviors, a world that needed THEM. If that truly was their reason for being, why then were the Subjects denied any contact? And why this strange feeling of what 8 had said all those years ago to him, to not trust the company anymore.
He grabbed to his head and shook it away, this was all becomming too much on the young man.
-
5 grinned as he was given his order to not let up no matter what. "Oh yes, I understand."
"Good, but no weapons today." The doctor handed 5 a pair of gloves. "These are some insulating gloves. Non conductive. They'll be your only means of defense, and offense, during this training exercise." 5 slipped on the gloves and flexed his fingers into a fist a few times, testing them out. They were comfortable and didn't hinder movement much of at all. When the doctors had nothing more to say to him, he made his way to the room the training would take place in, looking in amusement at the wire mesh that surrounded it, then to 1 who was already there waiting.
"Well first things first..." He gave a half smile half grin to 1, "..congratulations on the status of Success."
-
One smiled at five under her mask, reaching up and adjusting it so it sat more tightly against her face, making sure that one or two blows wouldn't dislodge it. "Thank you five, I am finally glad to be able to be able to be recognized." She wouldn't admit it but part of her looked up at 5 he was respected and favored by the administration, he was truly her ideal. "Better watch your back, I am going to be clawing at it." she joked with a half jealous tone. Looking at the gloves on his hands she smirked. "Hand to hand... no weapons, isn't that what you are good at?"
Taking a stance she brought her hands up defensively her palms half open as she waited for the buzzer to signify that the fight had started.
-
"'Recognized'.. Everyone here is 'recognized'. Just know that much more is going to be expected from you from now on, so don't slip up." He looks at his own gloved hands after her comment and just smirked. "I'm flexible.." He casually looked up towards the ceiling as the buzzer sounded, then back over to her with a grin. "Well then, go on. Show me what you've learned so far.. Impress me." 5 just stood there in his place, not taking a stance or anything, just waiting to see what, if anything, she could pull off so far.
-
Shifting her weight slightly she quickly ran at him ducking low and using her small agile frame to close in. Still not sure how to use her new abilities she reverted to standard hand to hand combat she learned as a Hermian but clearly lacking the explosive speed of before, Stepping past him she spun around and used her long tail as a weapon attempting to slam it into his midriff. It would be clear to five that she still hadn't learned to control the electricity and would need to be pressured until she used it by instinct.
-
After a while of laying in the infirmary room, a fragile looking rabbit walks in, whom I recognise as an Apollonian from group 6 who often helps out around the infirmary. I look up at him as he approaches. He looks down at me with a slight look of pity on his face, but says nothing as he gets to work. He places his hands on my abdomen and my wounds begin to heal, showing up on him instead. After he finishes, he turns back around without a word and exits the room, a slight limp in his step. I stand up from the bed and exit the room, feeling much better. I exit the hospital and remember hearing about 1 and 5's training session. I decide that would be better entertainment than just sitting around in another bed, and head to to sub-training section C.
I enter the observation deck and place my forelegs on the railing surrounding the training pit.
-
Making a quick leap to the side, he dodges her spinning tail attack and makes another leap towards 1, planting a palm right in the center of her chest and giving her a hard shove backwards. "You'll never win like that. Focus and use your abilities. I said impress me!"
-
Growling softly as her tail simply sails though the air without making contact, she can barely react to the sheer speed he has as he leaps at her, bringing her arms out to block she is just to slow the palm hitting her center chest sending her stepping backwards a few steps before coughing heavily. Taking a moment to catch her breath she closes her eyes as a few sparks starting jumping between her fingers, still very weak but visible non the less. Running to the side before turning and closing the distance once more she thrusts her open palm at his shoulder, the very small current crackling around her hand.
-
He stands casually in the middle of the ring giving her that cocky grin as she prepares her next maneuver, though he grabs her wrist just before her hand makes contact, close enough for a few small sparks to hop from her fingertips to his shoulder. "That won't work. I'm not going to just let you touch me, you know.." He turns and pulls her arm along with him, letting go as he brings a kick around towards her side. "You're going to have to do better than that. Keep trying!"
-
Hissed in annoyance as her hand got grabbed before it could make contact there wasn't enough current to even cause damage at that range,but a knowing look in her eye said she was starting to grasp something. Her entire frame got pulled to the side before the heavy kick send her tumbling to the ground and the wall. "This is nothing..." she hissed defiantly as she stood up and dusted herself off. Tensing her muscles several sparks jumped out around her body. Most of them centralized around her right fist.
Slamming her hand into the mesh that surrounded them the entire cage became electrified. Stepping closer to him as she charged current into her hand once more she ran straight at him, ducking low before launching herself upwards her fist aimed for his jaw as she used her entire body to put more force into the uppercut.
-
5 smirks as he leans out of the way of the fist coming up at him, dropping to the ground and propping himself on a hand as he drives a foot upwards into her stomach with a good amount of force. He gets back onto his feet and casually walks his way over to her, his face yielding a much more serious expression now. "I told you you won't be able to touch me. You're going to have to learn to use your abilities without relying on getting so close..!" He dashes towards her, again planting a foot to her stomach and shoving her back into the metal grating of the wall. "Or maybe..you're still just a failure after all..?"
-
"You are a fast bugger." One growled out as once again Five beat her in speed and power. Yelping out in an audible protest to the pain as his kick knocks her back a few feet. Gasping for breath as she tried to recover only to see him already launching a followup attack. This time causing her to hit the metallic grating sparks arcing over her skin and up though the metal. "I am not... I refuse to be called failure she growled out as a massive surge of current burst out around her. Leaving scorch marks on the floor around her feet. Holding out her hand she smirked, glancing up at the roof for a second before a bolt of energy shot down from the metallic grating, her left hand gripping the cage behind her as she charged more and more current into the "shielding" around the arena, causing a thunderous discharge every few seconds. "If I cant get close then I will use my surroundings."
-
Smart girl, you're learning.. He thought to himself as she charged up the whole grating around the arena. He acted quickly though and made a couple dashes back in front of her, grinning as he again placed one of his gloved hands at her chest and pushed her back hard against the charged up grating and held her there. "Sorry, but I'm still not impressed.." He yanked her from the wall, ripping her grip off of the metal and tossed her into the center of the ring, out of reach of any edges, and delivered another swift follow up kick to her side before she could fully regain herself. "..and if you can't even land a single hit on me, then you're still nothing. Still a failure. You don't deserve that armband you wear.."
-
Breathing much heavier than before as his attack landed on her chest, almost knocking out her wind. She felt her self being ripped from the side before landing in the middle of the arena. Her arms starting to twitch as it was clear that she was pushing herself harder than before. The kick to her side did break a few ribs this time as she collapsed onto one knee. "I..Am not a failure anymore..." she hissed and started to reach for her mask, protocol or not she wasn't going to give up. A massive surge of electricity surrounding her body she giggled weakly. Several arcs crackling towards him, this attack was clearly taxing her body beyond what she could handle.
-
I watch as 1's body is crackling with electricity, and click my upper mandibles, an expression of confusion. "Wasn't she a hermian?"
-
Three kept stretching his muscles, each time a bit more as the cat felt more control flowing in them each time he did it. It wasn't so easy and at times he felt a surge of pain going through his body when he overused one muscle group too much. The male sighed, his recovery was taking longer then he expected as well as the burning heat in his back wouldn't go away. It was bareable however, normal persons would have already complained on this sort of pain but a Hadesian got used to their body being in onstant agony after a while.
"Your body can heal itself at a very quick pace, any injury will be easily healed by your quick cellular regenration, Three." He remembered the doctor telling him when they had administrated the treatement to him when he was about 8 years old. Even if he did it without too much joy, still if he haddn't accepted they would have killed the cat regardless of how usefull he might have been. Thus Three had complied with the process. The medical staff had also told him only afterwards, which was a very bitter pill to swallow, that his body due to his constant regeneration would overuse his natural limits rather quickly. And as such he was forced to 'borrow' energy from other living creatures in order to replenish his own.
He stared towards the iron barred windows, sunlight was creeping through. And from the looks of it, it must have been about 4 PM. The whole operation hadn't taken that long, perhaps 3 hours maybe 4. Still it wasn't dinner time yet, or they would have either brought something or made an announcement about it on the speakers. The light reflected some on the green leaves of a plant that was staying on the shelf near it. It was only when Three saw that flower was blooming that his mind got an idea, something he had never tested before. And neither had other Hadesians as well he figured. Else they would have tested it on Three also.
"Plants are living creatures too... Perhaps." As he used all his strength to force himself upwards, his feet barely able to support the weight. Had he gained some weight? He felt heavier then before, but he didn't remember them adding any extra metallic parts in his body. Whatever it was that had happened, he slowly paw per paw moved forward, untill he fell over onto the ground. The feline gasped for air as the plant's pot broke next to him giving him a small cut on his arm from the shards. The wound didn't heal as it normally did, still tired and focussing on healing the rest of his body no doubt.
Luck was on his side, when he saw the small plant laying next to him. He brought a finger towards it and pressed it on the leaf. To his horror, the plant began to shrivel and turn more brownish, but the wound on his arms began to heal and he felt a small amount, not much, return into his body. As if the plant was rejuvinating him somehow. The small bush had several flowers blooming on it, but the one he had stared at had begun to wither and die. "..." Three said nothing at this as he grabbed the dirt, not trying to touch the plant. A fear struck into him as he remembered he had been able to touch Thirteen without any difficulty.
"So I can control it... If I find out how." As the cat grumbled softly, he went to his cabin and took from it one of his shoes placing the dirt and plant in it, before back onto the shelf. "Thank you little plant... I'll make sure you get your pot back."
He felt better but still weak, yet the pain in his back was less now as well which felt oddly good. The cat began to soflty walk to the door, making sure he took it step by step. A nurse saw him and shook her head at this. "Three, you should rest!" As the female human brought a support for him. "I'm fine!..." He grumbled and stared at the nurse. "I need a walk for my muscles!" His voice stern and strict, the female just tapped her foot on the ground and shook her head. "Fine... Doctor said you shouldn't however. But if you wish to be as stubborn as this, you should know I will not assist next time!" As she let go of the cat, Three found himself wobbly again and barely was able not to fall. "Humpfff... You Subject Failures are so stubborn. Fine then, if you want to you can go watch the training match between One and Five. However do not expect me to assist you in any way for the rest of the day. I shall however inform doctor Hawke and Oracle on your wherabouts and make sure a guard covers you." As she snapped her fingers and let a guard approach. "Guide this one to the training facility... Make sure however he doesn't do anything stupid. Doctor Oracle's orders." As she walked off, shaking her head. The guard then pulled up his weapon and guided Three to where One and Five had been dueling.
-
Five took a couple hops back and took just a quick moment to survey the scenario. He had done his job, One had tapped into her abilities, but it was obvious she was pushing farther then she could handle right now. There also seemed to be a few other subjects that have come in to observe the fight as well. It was the perfect time to put an end to things. He closed his eyes and clenched a fist with a soft sigh, then looked towards One again. "That's enough. We're done here." And with that he made another dash towards her, intending to end this fight with one last unrestrained blow to the head..
-
Growled loudly as the current arced around her form, several jolts of electricity jumping between her and the walls. Still pushing herself further as she did not want to fail or be reclassified. Her body starting to twtich and tense up as teh overload of current started to effect the neurons in her body, causing her to yelp out in pain and grit her teeth, loosing sight of Five as he launched his final assault. His blow landed where he intended, her mask shattered and send her flying backwards once more, but not without her getting some form of retribution , part of the current jumped from her body and into his arm. Collapsing down as her entire body tensed painfully and twitched. "D...Dammit"
-
"Nngh~!" Five groaned and fell to a knee, his muscles tensing as the current pressed through his body. He stayed knelt for a moment, catching his breath as he recovered from the painful shock, then stood back up slowly and looked around the room, ending his scan looking at One for a moment before turning his back to take his leave of the arena. "They'll send an Apollonian out shortly.."
-
Giggled softly despite the pain she felt coursing though her muscles "Not as....*cough* worthless as you thought." trying to stay as still as she could as her entire nervous system overloaded as it wildly sent signals though her body, causing a mild seizure. Whimpering softly in pain as she waited for somebody to call an Appollonian out to come repair some of teh damage he had done.
-
Five looked back over his shoulder at One just before exiting the arena area, a slight grin on his face. "..not entirely worthless, no." His expression turns serious again. "But you've still got a long ways to go." He turns back around and walks out of the arena. "Don't let me down."
-
Three arrived with the guard to where One and Five had been battling. He catched a glimpse of the male skunk to see him walk off away from the metal cage. Several nurses and doctors had been writing down and monitoring the fight, making sure they collected all of the data that was to be gathered. The feline, shook his head pittying Five for having been forced to fight against One.
It wasn't however untill he saw the cage in full view that horror struck over him, One had been laying in the middle of the arena, her mask seemingly broken or something at least was wrong with it from what he saw.
The guard staying near Three was immediatly called to the arena, as other security personal had also been warned that One was without a mask or protective gear. Not as soon as the guard had jumped over the railing did the man grab his mask and protective gear. The nurses nearby had already done the same but stayed their distance from the creature as her blood was very much toxic to anyone. And the cuts she recieved did show that.
"Warning, warning... Subject 7 - 1, venom class, without protective gear in Sub-training Section D, security personal be advised." As the speakers issued their warning.
Three stayed there watching as he saw Seven not too far from him. Before seeing that the male had his eyes focussed on One, which confused him slightly. Not in the way of being concerned for safety, but a more questioning look. WHen Three himself checked, he saw small sparks comming from the body as well as her limbs twitching irregular. "Wait... When did she get the Zeusian ability?" Recognising the blue sparks of electricity that were dancing around her body.
The guards had taken precaution using rubber gloves and sticks, as well as head gear to protect them from the acid that One could produce. Three watched as the securty personal and the nurses quickly administrated a new mask for her and tried to get her stable. Even an Apollonian of the other Units, if they were even allowed in the sector at all, would have great difficulty taking care of a seizure, as it could potentially damage their heart and brain.
Three looked at Seven after he was a bit less worried for One, "Nobody told me... That you were here too." Three said, before grabbing his waist something grunting from a burst of pain in his side. "Curse that Five... He could have done less damage to her to get a point across!"
-
I don't look at you when I speak, instead I keep my eyes focused firmly on one and the situation below.
"Five has no limits. He will do whatever it takes to please the administration."
-
One seemed dazed as the flurry of activity blurred around her the warnings from the PA system seemed distant and dull. The sparks died down around her and she attempted to stand up, but her body refused the seizure had passed but her muscles were tired and sore. Placing both palms flat to the ground she eventually managed to pull herself into a seated position. Hand holding her head as the headache pulsed deep within. "I need more control but I think I understand now." she mumbled to herself.
In the observation deck Doctor Oracle smiled as he and a few colleagues looked over the data gathered from the fight. "Still a bit unstable but One seems to have a very high resistance to the abilities negative aspects. Strong voltage aswell, no damage to her dermis either. I am giving the green light on further testing and will be contacting the administration with news that the surgery was a success."
-
Three looked at Seven before he nodded and grumbled himself a bit. His claws extended partially and he grabbed the railing, scratching it slightly. His face showing some malcontent towards the other. Even if it was an actuall fight, Five had no right to do this to One. She could have been killed even! It wouldn't have suprised Three, if the other would have actually made a fatal wound when he would have fought against a Failure. Not that it ever mattered to Five according to Three. The skunk saw himself above everyone else anyways.
"Seven, can you keep an eye on One untill they bring her away to the infirmary?... I need to visit... someone." As the cat grabbed the stick and slowly but surely made his way to where he had seen Five walk off too. It wouldn't be too hard to find, but still the feline hoped that the skunk didn't move into any restricted zones. Even if he had a surgery behind him, rules were still strict. but he had the intension of giving the other a piece of his mind if he needed too.
Not that he would go as far as make it into a fight, fighting in this condition was a suicide even for him and was generally frowned upon unless it was official contest.
At the observation room, Oracle was pleased with the testing results that One had given them. "Make sure she is patched up as quickly as possible and bring her gear to the Successes area. As well as instigate the codes for her to use. I want this done before dinnertime..." The man said as a few nurses and guards nodded, quickly moving off to gather said equipment. "Has Three shown any progress as well?" As Oracle watched to the nurse who had left Three previously. "None, his healing seemed to have been faster then expected however." Which make the doctor arch a brow. "Faster?... He was already up and about?!" This made the medical person move to the window to see Three stroll off towards where Five had been. "He should have been out of commission for at least a day!... Gather the data. I want to find out how that is possible. As well, prepare Six and Two. I want them to do their training before dinnertime as well, if need be directly after it!"
-
I nod in reply as you leave the room, and yell down to where one can hear me. "You alright down there, love? You gave us quite a scare."
-
Looking up at Seven she smiled weakly and nodded. "I am fine..." tugging at her armband for a moment before standing up, the nurses protesting a little. "I can bloody walk myself to the infirmary." she hissed out as she very shakily walked herself to the infirmary. Sitting down on the bed she looked at her arm as one of the nurses pushed a needle into her vein and connected it to a IV drip. "This is just to help you recover some strength. We have send for and Apollonian to come help mend some of the bones that might have been damaged from Five's attacks." One hissed softly. "I am fine,I took more damage as a hermian". The nurse gave her a stern look. "yes but you don't have the treatments to repair the damage anymore."
Soon after an Apollonian her way into the room a young lynx smiled softly at One before placing a hand on her chest. The bones quickly healing as the lynx bit her lips and gasped as the damage got transferred to her own body. One looked at her "I am sorry it hurts, I should have taken more care to not get as much damage during the test."
-
Five stepped into the training prep room, removing the gloves and handing them out to one of the techs who takes them back and puts them away. They give him a quick once over look and when seeing no permanent damage has been inflicted, permit him to carry on his way. Upon stepping out of the room, he sees Three headed down the corridor in his direction, a look of frustration on his face, and the glance he shot Five making it obvious it was regarding him. He already was not impressed by the attitude he was sensing from the feline and turned to walk in his direction, stopping directly in front of him and staring straight into his eyes. "Can I help you, boy?"
-
Three snarled as he saw the other male approaching him. The surgery wasn't still fully healed and he felt rather weak still, even if he was able to heal himself decently. He shook his head in disgust when he noticed the other talking to him. He clenched his free hand into a fist as the other kept him supported on the cane as he tried to make sure he didn't fell over. His fangs were a bit bared and he stared at the other.
Five was younger and smaller then Three was, but the feline knew what Five could do having seen him being raised from when he was young. Still, the skunk had potential, he did not become a Succes for no reason. But even so he wouldn't let this go without speaking his mind to the other Subject. "I saw what you did to One back there..." He spoke with aggitation in hi voice. "You may think you are the topdog Subject when it comes to such fights, but that does not grant you to do such damage onto her!"
He knew that Five would no doubt not care in the slightest on this. Even so he wanted to make sure Five knew he wasn't on good terms. "Orders or not from the doctors, that was uncalled for. I don't care if they say you are a Succes or not. But if you pull something like that again, I'll make sure you are the one eating the floor tiles!"
-
As I watch one leave the room, my mind begins to wander off subject. I think about the approaching dinnertime, and my stomach growls slightly. I always seem to be hungry these days. After a bit of thought I decide that I ought as well start heading there. I stand up straight from leaning on the railing and exit the door looking around as I do so when I spot three and five dangerously close in the hallway. The anger scent that the mammals are giving off is almost palpable. I head down the hallway, the thought of food forgotten, concerned for three. He is in no shape to be picking a fight, especially not with five.
As I walk up I speak to them, "What's going on here?"
-
Five smirked at Three's first few words, calling him out on his opinion of himself. He was right, and he was also right that Five couldn't care less. He snarled at him, however, when his words became more aggressive at him. "Boy, don't you go thinking you have the right to tell me what's right or not. I'll be damned if a Failure is going to try and tell me how to run my show around here."
He clenched his fist in frustration. The feline was so weak and fragile looking, limping about wrapped up in all those bandages. Man, how perfect of an opportunity it was to deliver the swift backhand of a fist to him right now.. But Five knew better. Unlike most of the other disrespectful ingrates around here, he knew better. "Look, I did what I was told to do. I did what I HAD to do. And you know what? Yeah, I did what I wanted to do. But it worked. I got the job done. I tried just pushing and it wasn't enough, so I shoved, then hit, finally she got the message and tapped into her abilities..a hell of a lot faster than your nurturing baby talk type of crap would have done.."
He looked over at Seven as he approached, smirking as he butts in in his attempt to intervene. "Oh, we're just having a friendly chit chat, that's all. None of your business, now move along.." He waved a hand at the mantis in a shooing motion. He was starting to become rather irritated after what he'd call a job well done, and he was was starting to really enjoy the idea of passing the emotion around to everyone else, tenfold, if they didn't back off.
-
The feline snarled at the comment that he was given, more so at the fact he was being called a boy. His paw grabbed the cane more ferociously almost making it crack a little bit under the pressure he was adding to it. His eyes narrowing to the skunk, as he looked at Seven for a moment. "Indeed, we were just a 'friendly' chat." As he arched his head a tiny bit, growling softly. Five was known as a good fighter, plus in his condition such a brawl could end badly for Three. So he tried not to antagonize the other too much.
"However." The feline spoke, as he turned around slowly, walking a few steps away from the other two. "Pray to whoever, or whatever you hold dear that they don't put you against me in a match..." As the cat stared infront of himself, before turning his head, his face menancing and angry, as if he was a demond himself. Suddenly finding the strength to pull the cane upwards and pointing it to Fives face. "For I swear I'll do to you what you did to One and more... That I promise." Before letting the cane move back to the ground and walking away from the other two, intending on getting some rest before having to go for dinner.
The cat couldn't help but feel sorry for One, but she would survive. However how her own sense of pride, her own respect for herself would be now, was something he did not know. And that worried him, to loose faith in yourself was the last thing Three wanted One to loose. And that was due to Five's actions then Three would make sure he set things right. One way, or the other... Administration or not.
-
Five just stood there and grinned at Three as he ranted at him. He was plucking at Three's nerves, and he was loving it. He waited for the feline to finish his rant, and gave him a little wave as he walked away. "Bye bye now. Try not to get yourself into any more trouble, boy!" He smirked at Three's back "..less they hook a leash onto that collar or yours too.."
He waited a moment longer to see what reaction such a comment would spark form the feline, then turned and started heading down the hallway in the other direction. He was quite certain that even if he pushed a little more, Three wouldn't risk lashing out at him, at least not in his current condition, so he had little concern about simply turning his back on him like that. He also intended to go to his own room to hopefully actually see some down time today before dinner time, but he didn't particularly care to take the journey the whole way there with Three, so he took a more scenic route, during which he decided to step outside for a breath of fresh air. While outside he actually decided it was quite nice out, so he sat down laying on the ground at the base of a tree, closing his eyes and just relaxing for a while and reflecting a bit.
Five actually was quite pleased with what he saw out of One in that match. She showed a lot of potential, but lacked control. Control which of course would come in time. Seven.. He actually shook his head a bit when Seven popped into his mind. He didn't know what to make of him exactly. He could really be something impressive, he thought, if he'd just not be so stupid. His blind rage against everyone around him is going to cost him dearly someday.. Thirteen.. She cares way too much. She tries too hard to do everything for everyone and at her own expense. Stupid girl.. Four.. He had mixed emotions about that one. He respected his eagerness to be a success, yet he gives up every test and fails, and then pulls stunts like earlier today. He just needs a good push in the right direction. Maybe a shove even.. Three.. "Three..." he snarled and muttered as the feline popped into his head. They would be butting heads for a while, this much was certain. This one just didn't set well on his good side at all. No respect for authorities or the system, or even some of his own unit. What he needed was a good hard backhand of a fist to set him straight..
He took a deep breath and sighed as a breeze passed over him, then stared up at the sky.. "This unit is such a mess..."
-
Thirteen stretched herself out, rubbing her head and walking down the halls, her eyes glancing to various subjects. Her mind was swimming and she couldn't think straight. She needed something--anything to do. Her tail flicked from side to side, and she ended up at the door to her room. She sighed, shaking her head. No, not yet. She turned on her heel and walked back down the hall, simply staring off into space. Since she was a success, and had proved herself many times over, she didn't get many tests from the administration lately. "Everything's so dull..."
-
Three walked down one of the many hallways of the facility, he was amazed at how large this building was. Then again, from what they had learned the Unit was that a lot of the facility was located underground, with portions aboveground. For safety reasons however, all Units were kept in seperate area's and only permitted to acces other zones when it was needed, or no other option was available. This was often accompanied with what Three thought was half the security force!
As if someone would be foolish enough to brake out of this 'frotress', he thought by himself for a moment. The walls were so much reinforced that even Herculean types needed time to breach it. But at least they were able to go outside at times. What lay beyond those first walls however was a mystery to all.
Yet from the highest room of their little area, Three had been able to see a sort of church, at least if what they teached them was correct. The pointy rooftop of a small church, with the bell ringing several times a day. More so on sunday, wether that was due to some festivity he did not know however.
As the feline walked further down the halls, he suddenly saw Thirteen, his tail swaying more from left to right as he walked towards her and tried to support himself enough. He called out to the other Subject, but got no response. She must have been in thoughts of some sort. "Hey, Thirteen?! Hello?..." As he blinked at her not reacting to his presense.
-
"Three..?! You're okay? You don't need help..?" She was snapped out of her trance and looked him up and down, concerned about his well-being. "I heard some stuff went down with Seven and Five...I haven't been able to find anyone. It's been so empty..." Her voice sounded wistful. She enjoyed calm stillness as much as anyone, but the Unit was so scattered. So apart. It was almost unsettling.
-
He grinned at her response, bringing a hand to rest on her shoulder. "Don't you worry, they need to ditch out more before I can't do anything anymore." Winking at her, but sensing some concerns with her. "With Seven and Five?... I think you mean One and Five." With the male arching a brow confused, then again Thirteen might have been wrong, or she knew something that the male did not. He placed himself at the wall, somewhat gritting his teeth as his back went against the cold stone.
"Five and One had a training... Well, I use the word looseley with Five however. He pummeled One into the ground almost from what I saw." As he shook his head in discomfort. "It seems they asked him to get One to use her new powers. They altered her to a Zeusian I think, well if there are any other class types that shoot lightning I might be wrong however."
"But..." He spoke to her calmly, somewhat alarmed. "Are you ok?... I am a bit worried for you as well, you were staring awefully long into nothing. Tell me anything this cat can help with? A listening ear at times can do wonders." Smiling at her. If it wasn't that he could get into trouble, he would have almost dared to take a kiss from her. But then again, his feelings for concern on her outweighed those by a large margin.
-
Watching as five and thirteen walked away in different directions, I sigh. It seems that any attempts to start a conversation today have been shot down and stomped into the dust. It must just be one of those days.
I walk back the shorter path, not wanting to delay the bit of peace that my own private room can offer me any longer, and don't even bother closing the door when iI enter. My mind was soley focused on getting a bit of silence to myself in the only way I knew how.
Sleeping.
Today has been a very sleepy day.
-
"Right, right...Five. Sorry. Damn, though...Everyone's been pushing everyone else. Something's going to happen. I'm not entirely psychic, but I...I guess it's just a hunch. I dunno. There's just been a lot of pressure building up...from the Unit and the administration. I can always feel it. The stress. I'm sorry, really. Feeling these emotions makes me want to console everyone. I can only take so much, I guess." Her attention was stolen by Seven walking down the hall, down to his room she assumed. Her head swam with his emotions. Frustration, loneliness, stress. It was all there, all building up. "Oh man..."
-
He looked with care to her, concerned. He cupped her cheek and brought his face close to her, mere iinches away. His pure black eyes staring into Thireteen's as he began to whisper softly. "You are too kind... Just go to Seven. I'll be fine." He said gently to her. He knew that whatever he would say or do, she would no doubt go to the mantis.
Three was no fool, he had already known Thirteen for his entire life. And letting her do and deal with her emotions was the best thing. She was correct however, stress between Failures and Successes was high up. Maybe less in other Units? That Three did not know, but figures as Five were seen as the cause by the cat. It was people like that one dammed skunk that caused frustrations. Perhaps he himself did it too? Nah, that wasn't the case... He had the best for all in mind, all but the administration. And he especially wanted Thirteen safe.
-
Thirteen blushed, leaning closer to his chest. His care, his...it was almost overwhelming. She felt drawn in, like a metal to a magnet. She really cared for him. Ever since they were little she'd wanted to be a Success with him so they'd always be together. But back then her feelings were little more than a strong friendship bond. Now, she had started to feel...maybe something more? She leaned into his hand, not wanting to leave just yet. He knew her type, though. He knew her ability. He had to know that she knew about his feelings.
"You know they'll probably never let us..." She stopped herself. She had started to talk without thinking, and now she'd probably made him upset. Damn it all.
-
The feline blushed at this response. Staring into Thirteen's eyes, what she had just told him. His eyes widening at this revelation as the words sank into his mind. Her face was still being cupped by his hand. She didn't let go, not even after he said that she could go to Seven, she stayed. He felt his heart race and his body become warmer at this notion. But then crude harsh reality sank into his mind. The knowledge of where they were, the cold harsh truth of what they were. She was right, even if both of them cared for each other more then they would even dare to admit, even with Thirteen having spoken those words, the Administration would never allow it.
Fraternation with anyone could lead to harsh crude penalties, something which he would not want to see happen to Thirteen. Three would gladly throw everything away to make sure that she as well as his Unit, even creatures like Five and Six would be able to be free of these cursed chains that were put around them. In response to what the female had said, he began to brush a hand over the collar.
The cold hard steel felt strange beneath his paws, but underneath he felt the warmth of his body. A warmth that was pulsing more stronger then before even, as even the collar began to feel nicer around his neck. Three knew that he could not give Thirteen a life that she would have wanted if given the choice, not the way he was now. But he knew he could at least make her feel loved, even if it was for this once time. Even if after this guards would shackle him and probably torture the cat for going against such rules. He did not care at this point.
"Thirteen..." He spoke softly, as Three cupped her face more, slowly bringing his own head closer to her. His other free paw, placed above her hip, trying to figure out wether she wanted too or not. What then were mere seconds became minutes hours, as he brushed his lips onto hers, feeling her warm skin against his, as his paw stroked her cheek tenderly. He closed his eyes, letting the feeling and the sensations flow over him. He knew she needed to feel something too and by God, or anything divine even if it didn't exist, this felt so right and good.
Adrenaline rushed through his body as they kept their lips locked. Three wished that this moment would never end, and purred in delight and joy.
-
Thirteen didn't put up a fight. She returned the notion, her own arms wrapping around the male's frame. Right then and there, she knew. She had always known, really. But now she knew more than ever. Seconds seemed like minutes and minutes seemed like hours as she stood with him, never wanting a single moment to end. The cat's tail swayed from side to side before she regained her thoughts and stopped the kiss. She wanted to, really, she did. She just couldn't. She sighed, backing up and turning down the hall. "I'm going to visit Seven. Stay out of trouble, Three..."
And with that, she made her way down the hall, down to Seven's room where he kept the door open. She knocked on the wall. "Hello..?"
-
Inside of the room there wasn't much to behold, just a small dresser where various personal belongings were kept and a large pallet on the floor, almost like a bed for a very large dog. As thirteen knocked on the wall I looked up from the pallet where I was taking a short nap. Seeing her in the doorway I stand up and head towards her.
"What brings you here, girl?"
-
"I heard you've been having a hard time...well...I felt it, more or less. Was it Five..?" She seemed to be concerned with his well-being. In fact, she was.
-
I give something of a slight chuckle. "I'm always having a hard time, love. Thank you for your concern though, it means alot. Also, what could five done to upset me? I'm used to his attitude with everybody else." At that, I give you a slight smile, at least you think it is a smile, and change the subject hastily. "How much longer until dinner?"
-
Smirked having watched the exchange between Thirteen and Three, stepping out of one of the side hallways she looked at Three as Thirteen turned to head to Sevens room. "Arnt we just mr Romantic.?" She hissed out almost teasingly at him as she leaned against one of the walls adjusting her mask as was her custom. "Have you seen Five?" she asked rather casually stepping closer to him as tiny sparks flared up around her tail with a soft crackle. The small charge wasn't produced in any aggressive manner just a small trick she had taught herself to learn how to control it. "I see Thirteen is just as caring as she always has been...maybe a little more than usual when it comes to you."
-
When Three noticed the voice of one of the other Subjects, his body froze. Someone had seen it, someone knew what he had just done and that would be very bad for him. He turned himself to see who this person was, relaxing more when he saw One's face, sighing in relief. His tail however showed he was still nervous and a bit uncertain, regardless of who it was. He blinked a little when he saw her adjust the mask, as if nothing had happened at all. And her comment on him being mister romantic had made the cat blush, if it wasn't for the furr on his face, she might have noticed it.
"Uuh... Well, I only saw him walk off to one of the exterior parts of the complex." Three said honest, he did not truly have an idea where the skunk was. And he would rather keep it that way. But his curiosity was triggered, "So what, you want to pay Five back for what he did?..." Whilst making a little move with his head and eyeing the sparks comming from her, "Seems like you are from the jest of it. Correct me if wrong."But the last sentence the lizard like creature said made him stumble on his own words.
"Well, uh I... Just, please don't tell anyone ok? They might beat her up for something like that." He said softly, his ears drooping to his head, showing he was caring for Thirteen and concerned that what happened might get them into trouble as a result. "Look, Five might be outside even, he tends to enjoy the outside air. But I have no real clue where he might be add... Just know we got dinner soon. The guards won't allow anyone outside when that is happening."
-
Stepping even closer to one she giggled the tone of it would set most peoples nerves on edge. She was smiling under her mask even though he would not be able to tell. "I have no quarrel with Five, he did what he was told to to help me learn how to control it." The sparking died down as she looked back to see one of the security personal walking around, her eyes glancing up to one of the many security cameras that were around. "Oh don't worry I wont tell anybody, but what makes you so sure that I was the only one who saw that?"
"You are right, No point in hunting the hunter when I know where he will be shortly." turning towards the direction of the mess hall her long prehensile tail lifted up and brushed over the cats chin almost teasingly. "Watch yourself three,it would be a real shame if Thirteen had to see you take a beating. I would so hate to see a success be heartbroken." For some unknown reason One seemed colder and more distant than before. She wouldn't say it but after her fight with Five she had started to look up to him, perhaps if she acted more like him he would become her friend. She thought to herself.
-
Three eyed One with a curious look. The way she spoke and talked to him about Five, it felt strange, different from how she usually thought and acted on the skunk. He took a step backwards, somewhat intimidated by this sudden twist if her character. He had known One also since she was brought into the facility. And she was almost very reserved, a somewhat solitary person, probably due to her venom-like blood. But now the cat couldn't put heads to tail with this.
His eyes shut wide open when she mentioned that others might have seen it, however it wasn't the fact that she said it, but the way. It felt somewhat amused in a way, Three could not help but shudder slightly at the fact that One would or could get some sort of gratisfaction from this ordeal. She and Thirteen had always been close friends, very close even. So why would she talk like this? Was she happy for what he had done wit Thirteen, or was there more behind it? He wished that he could see behind that mask. Her face covered up with that bloody metal, which made it impossible for him to read the female decent enough. His own abilities didn't grant him insight into anyone's mind, so he was at a loss.
Suddenly he gasped somewhat when he felt her tail brush his chin, the way that One did this. Was there something she wanted from him?! His face became concerned for One, as he brought his head a bit more turned in, as if trying to shelter himself somewhat. "Are you feeling alright One?" But he didn't get the answer that he hoped for, he even got the opposit of it. As his eyes widened again and his heart raced at the words that began to burry into his flesh as if it were needles themselves. One was actually being sarcastic to him in a very degrading manner even.
That once so friendly person that he knew was suddenly being cold to Three. More so, she seemed to enjoy even what she said. The cat began to wonder if whatever happened during that fight wasn't what might have caused this. It couldn't have been the fact she was granted a Succes no?... Most Successes he had seen or heard off, were by their nature very cold and intimidating. They wanted to win and it showed, then you had natural talents like Thirteen... But now Three was wondering where One belonged.
He gulped once when he saw her move off to the mess hall. He brought his thumb to his mouth and bit on it hard, trying not to say anything back. He would wait and see what would happen. But in his mind he prayed and hoped that One would not loose that kind sweet attitude she has always had. Not because she was granted a Succes, it was not worth it to sacrifice what made her, her. Just for being able to be seen a Succes.
-
"Soon," she smiled. She extended a paw in a friendly manner. "Would you like to eat with me..? I don't mind sharing with Failures..."
-
I give a bit of a chuckle. "Wow, I get to sit with a sucessful sucess. My dreams have finally come true." I say with sarcasam and follow you out the room.
-
"Gotta hand it to me, I'm more hospitable than Five. I've been meaning to talk to him. He feels stressed." She smiled at Seven, giggling to herself. "But it's good to see you making light of things. It's good to see anyone enjoy themselves or anything, for that matter. I've been feeling more stress lately. I feel like something's gonna happen. But I'm no psychic, so I wouldn't trust my hunches." She giggled again, making her way to the mess hall.
-
I sigh, shaking my head slightly. "I've had that feeling for a long time now. Tempers are at an all time high, it's almost like waiting for a kettle to boil." I give you a look of sincerity. "Always trust yourself, love. In here you're the only person you can really trust."
-
"You're right," Thirteen muttered, glancing at the floor. "Especially with my ability. Nobody can lie to me. I mean, they CAN, but I'd know it was a lie. I have to be paranoid about everyone, about what they're TRULY feeling and plotting. I mean-" She turned as she was tapped on the shoulder by a guard. He whispered in her ear and then turned away from her. The cat looked at Seven. "I'm being called for something, I'm sorry...I'll meet you in the mess hall, okay?"
She followed the guard to a separate room. A detention cell. Several other guards and a scientist filed in and blocked the door. "What's going on," she asked, "why am I here?"
"Well," the doctor started, "to be frank we are fed up with your treatment of the Failures. They are labeled Failures for a reason, Thirteen. They have not earned the privileges that you have. As such, you cannot continue to spoil them."
"You're not...demoting me, are you?"
"No no, dear. We're here to simply teach you a lesson. Stay with your fellow Successes and do not spoil the Failures." The one in the lab coat made a motion with his hand, and the armed guards closed in on the cat. She knew she couldn't defend herself. Not against the administration. Loud smacking sounds echoed against the four walls as she was taught her lesson. She was kicked, whipped, her ear was even nicked. Blood trickled down her ear and to her head, matting in her hair. She whimpered and cowered, and simply took it. There was no way out for a long while.
-
I watch as the guards take thirteen away, wondering what they want with her. Dinner is usually the time when they bother us the least.
Things just don't seem right around here.
I try pushing the thought to the back of my mind and head to the cafeteria, where ,after balancing a tray on my two forelegs and having the workers place food on it, I go to the end of one of the tables, due to sitting on the tiny stools being a bit awkward, and eat my food in silence.
-
In the detention room next door to the cat's, 04 stirred. The goat was curled up tightly in the corner, his back pressed up against the wall as he pressed his knees to his chest, trying his best to sleep. Suddenly, he heard commotion from the room next door. He jerked himself to his hooves, shaking his head to cast out the tiredness that had clouded his senses. He turned to the guard, glaring at him. "What's going on?"
Unflinchingly, the guard raised his gun, pointing straight at the subject. "Nothing concerning you. Return to your previous position."
04 stared down at the ground, grumbling. "Yes, sir..." He sat back down in a huff. He knew something was amiss, but after the incident that had gotten him in here, he knew better than to stand up to the guards.
-
One strolled into the mess hall and looked around a little, she knew she wasn't allowed eating just yet not unless she was alone and there would be no risk of contact with her saliva. She nodded at Seven as he sat down and started eating in silence. Biding her time until Five, Three and Thirteen would arrive.
-
Five sat up as a guard had interrupted his time of relaxation to inform him that it was approaching dinner time and he would have to go inside. He got up, stretched and yawned, and made his way inside without a word back. He eventually arrived in the mess hall and found that a couple had already arrived. Without paying anyone much mind, he got a tray and made himself a meal of meat, vegetables, and a roll, and took his dinner over to an empty table to eat.
-
Three had been staring off into the void for what seemed to be ages. He couldn't help it, the way One had acted to him, what Five had done. He was starting to wonder if this truly was how things needed to be. He began to have doubts about himself and what Eight had told him so many years ago. Was he truly correct in defying the Administrators? If he accepted his role as a Succes he at least knew he would have a better quality of living, but was that worth throwing away what he believed himself?
The rumbling of his stomach noted to the cat that the operation had drained some good amount of stamina from him. Not to mention it was nearing dinnertime, not that Three was particurarily interested in it. Heck he was disliking the entire ordeal as he knew they would just give him some weird ooze or something like that. But his ears perked upward at the thought that Thirteen would be there. Not in the least even if the food would be horrible, he was able to then get some extra energy back for healing.
Three moved towards the mess hall then and hoped that even Two and Six might join, well Two? Yes... Six? No.
-
I watch as three enters the cafeteria and I begin to get worried. The administration shouldn't have taken thirteen away for this long. Something must be wrong. I empty my tray of any left-over food and place it on the counter where the workers would wash it, and head over to three standing in the doorway. "Have you seen thirteen?"
-
The cat saw the mantis talking to him and thought on the question. "I have seen her, but after that she went over to you Seven.... So no, I do not know where she is currently." The feline was getting a bit stressed at this, "Why?... Did something happen?!" Eyeing at the other male, hoping that Thriteen had been ok and not in any dire situation. "Where did you see her last then?!"
The cat tried to keep himself steady with his cane, but began to get more shakey with each passing second. If something happened to Thirteen he wouldn't forgive himself at all. But then again he might be overdoing it and tried to relax. As a paw went to his forehead rubbing it a bit. "Uugh... I worry too much I think. Let's just wait untill the others arrive." Untill he saw that the mantis had already eaten. "You already ate?... Didn't know they served the food already without everyone being here."
-
I nod, "yes, they do, but that's not important. Last I saw her we were heading here and she got called over by a guard, then they headed off, she said she would meet me here but she has yet to come. I'm going to go look for her."I hold back that I had seen the guard taking her towards the detention center, three obviously cared for the girl, no need in worrying him more.
-
Thirteen stumbled into the hallway, her ear scarred, her body wracked with marks and bruises. Some more serious wounds had been healed by a medic already, but she'd been left this way for a reason. She needed to be an example. Her footsteps were uneasy; walking seemed almost foreign to her, as if she were still an infant. Soon, she bumped into Seven on her way to the mess hall. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light and the other being. Then, they went wide as she realized who it was. "Oh," she muttered, "hello. You ate?" Her tone seemed different; there was almost a forced detachment to it. Her tail flicked. She obviously wasn't acting like herself. Not around Seven.
-
I look down at the small cat, her body obviously more scarred than it was before. My right eye twitches slightly. "Thirteen did they hurt you?" I say, a sliver of genuine care in my voice.
-
"I'll be alright," she muttered, dodging the question as she continued to the mess hall. "It's just a scuffle, that's all." She seemed...distant. Thirteen seemed like she was spacing out quite a bit, almost as if she was trying not to cry. She felt Seven's concern, which made it harder on her. She didn't say anything though.
-
One was simply sitting looking at Five she wanted to go up to him and talk to him but she knew how he was, even if she was a success now she was just another number to him, just another tool to gain favor with the administration. Listening to the conversation between Three and seven made her raise an eyebrow. Hearing footsteps coming closer to the mess hall. "I wonder who that could be?"
-
I look back at her, my emotions quickly turning from concern to slight anger. "You cant let them control you, girl. Don't be a puppet in their show. Show them that they cant just control you, that you are not a machine made to follow commands."
-
"I am," she stated. "They fed us. Clothed us. Housed us and gave us abilities no others on the outside have. They help me find my potential and hone it. I feel nothing but trust for them. If they want me to do something, I'll do it. You F...Failures need to learn your places." The girl seemed to have stuttered. She was forcing herself, indeed. She gave him a sorry look before entering the mess hall and grabbing her own food. She asked for a tall glass of milk, and having pity on the poor thing, the cafeteria worker obliged. She muttered an apology under her breath.
-
Suddenly, the guard walked over to 04, grabbing him by his shirt and hoisting him to his feet. The goat looked around, perplexed at what was going on. "H-huh?"
"It is time for dinner," the guard said flatly. "You will be escorted to the mess hall. After you eat, you will be returned to this room. We will be monitoring you closely so that we may determine the threat level you pose. Do not cause any trouble."
04 perked up a bit, walking to the door as the guard swung it open. He continued down the hallway, the guard following closely behind him, gun pointed straight at his back. 04's mind raced. He knew that he was only being freed for a little while, but it was good enough for him. Soon, he would be able to see his fellow subjects again. That was certainly better than the emptiness of the detention room. He walked carefully, with his back straight, on guard so as not to do anything that might be seen as a sign of danger. He knew that he was being presented with the opportunity to get out, and he would not squander it. At last, 04 entered the mess hall, the guard still watching him closely as he stepped into the line.
-
Three walked slowly into the mess hall, he was a bit suprised to see that some of the others had already been allowed to eat. Perhaps they didn't wish to wait on everyone for some weird reason. But whatever the case was, the feline saw Thirteen and smiled. To his suprise, Four was also there if accompanied by a guard, he raised a brow with this, finding it odd that the guards would even post someone near Four. If needed they could just shut him down partially, or use a sort of EMP on the goat. Making any movemeny impossible. Then again, he himself faced the same type of issue to a certain degree, even if it were just reinforcements to his own body, Three needed these in order to stay healthy.
As the man scanned the mess hall more, he also saw One, but of Five he hadn't seen a trace yet, which made him a bit more cheerfull. He walked past Thirteen on his way to get some of the daily food, and smiled hoping to get a small response back. He was worried for her, "Got some milk for today?" He spoke softly and smiled.
-
Thirteen didn't answer. She simply took a seat and began to eat, her eyes darting around the room. She scratched at her hurt ear and downed her milk, fidgety and uneasy. Even though she ate good food, she looked like she might be sick at any moment. She gave Three and Four a sympathetic look, but soon returned to nibbling her steak.
-
Three blinked when Thirteen said nothing and then noted the wound on her ear. He got away from getting anything to eat and walked over to her, staring at her as she ate her steak. "Thirteen, are you allright?... You don't look so good." As he lowered his eyelids a bit more, a face of worry and care came onto his expression as he was hoping that the other feline was not hurt somehow.
"You know you can tell me right?" As he made a gesture towards her, hoping she would respond.
-
She gave him a look, her ears drooping. "I am fine," she said curtly, taking another bite. "I'm not concerned of anything other than what They ask of me. You failed to listen, failed to honor the ones who gave you everything. That's why you fell out of favor. That's why you're a Failure." She seemed to be forcing this fact, forcing her tone and her distancing from them. She tried to hide it, however. The more emotions that swirled in her head made her mind clouded and unfocused. She just wanted to be herself.
-
Those words pierced Three, was this how she was thinking off him?... Was what they did before in the hallway nothing but a ruse then? One had also been acting strangely today. The cat couldn't put his mind too it as he looked at Thirteen with a caring look. "Thirteen, what are you saying?" As he got closer, concerned for her safety yet also wanting answers. "You don't mean that do you?... Do you truly see me as nothing but a Failure? As nothing more then that?"
As the seconds passed, he felt himself getting more saddened by it all, he wanted to share that one soft moment with her again. But then this came to the forefront, as if he was nothing more then a means to an end? Did she truly meant it from before, was she just acting it up? His own emotions were making it difficult for the cat to see what was going on, yet he felt some sort of betray. "Please, Thirteen."
-
Thirteen looked at him, as if she were going to cry. She had no idea what to say. Her paw lightly touched his for a moment. His emotions and her own whirled in her head. The cat started to cry without noticing, and she wiped at her eyes. She didn't feel that way. "No...I h-have to be what they want of me, though..." She muttered under her breath, quickly losing her appetite.
-
One had been watching every single action that had been taking place as she fidgeted with her mask, it was easy to tell that the administration had gotten to Thirteen although the serious wounds were healed the way she moved and acted showed that she was in pain. Slowly getting up and walking past them she stopped, placing a hand on Three's a faint whisper in the air. "You thought failures have it bad....The Successes sometimes have it worse when they...when we disobey."
She glanced at Thirteen for a moment feeling sympathy for the cat, all she wanted was to help her friends but to do so she broke the rules. One was confused knowing that those rules now applied to her as well she simply let out a soft sigh.
-
Three understood it then when she spoke those last words. The Administration wanted her to be like this. But that was not how the feline knew she was. Three knew her better then that, regardless of what the others said. But going directly against 'them' would mean pain for Thirteen as well.
He looked at her with care and concern before getting close to her, a paw on each side of her body as he leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Regardless of what they ask of you, regardless of how they want you to be... Never loose, that kind heart of yours." Before he gave a soft kiss on her cheek, not caring if the others saw, before moving off to get his portion of sludge.
-
Thirteen wiped at her cheek a moment before collecting herself, taking deep breaths and finally smiling like her old self. She smiled at One, giving a knowing nod. "I know better now, though. It's alright." She was close to finishing her meal. "Have you seen Two? Oh, how'd things go with Five? You're okay? Of course you are, dear, look at you!~ You look great."
-
04 filled his tray with the same old vegetable paste, carefully under the eye of the guard. He was led over to a small empty table in the corner, where he sat down, the guard still watching over him. He looked around at the scenes around him, trying to figure out what was going on but knowing better than to speak up.
-
Five gets half way through his meal and sets his utensils down, staring down at his tray with just a straight, serious expression, having been listening to the conversations going on around him. He paused for a moment before speaking up. "It seems some of you are finally starting to get it..." He turned his head sideways, his back still to the group, but he could look at some of the crowd over his shoulder. "You play their game by their rules. There are no other options. Disobedience - punishable on whatever terms they choose. The sooner the rest of you start to realize this, the better off the whole of you will be.." He turned back forward, and picked up his utensils to continue eating the rest of his meal.
-
Three took a plate and eventually was served with some of the food. He shivered as the smell reached his nostril, sticking his tongue out in agony from the very unpleasant smell. But food was food and a growling stomach would not complain if it filled him up.
As he moved towards one of the empty seats the cat took place and slowly starting on his 'feast'. The food was eaten with some hesitation, but his appitite was being settled and that was what counted.
The feline ignored what Five had said, even his own ears picked up on what the other had said. Three smirked at this, he and Five were complete opposits. Ying and Yang in what they believed in. Three, fervent in believe of his own choice and the denial of the Administration on what they wanted. He would obey the orders in the end, but never with the respect others would give them. But Five, Five was one that was pure for the project, as a Subject fully and utterly obeying his 'superiors'.
"Fool." Three said shaking his head, as he whispered it softly over towards Five, wether the other heard it, he did not care. His mind more towards Thirteen and One.
-
One offered a friendly smile to Thirteen before nodding. "I haven't seen Two in a while. My training with Five went as well as you would expect, He is truly a challenge when it comes to hand to hand combat, even managed to shatter my mask, but then again I am not longer the speed demon I used to be so I am sure it was easy." Her gaze brushed over Fives back as he spoke, almost nodding in agreement. "Thirteen...you should eat and get your strength back...I cant eat at the same table as you guys but I will be around." She spoke and walked to get some food before making her way to a far table and removing her mask, setting the black mask next to her glass she took a deep breath and cut a small piece of steak popping it into her mouth with a soft murrrr, this was after all her first meal as a success.
She tried to contain her thoughts knowing that Thirteen would pick up on every single one she started thinking of training or the surgery anything to mask what she felt when looking at Three, Five and Thirteen
-
After some time spent with my chin equilivent hitting the floor, I collect my self and begin heading down the corridors toward my room. What was thirteen's problem anyways? So she got beat by some guards, so what? We all get beat, some of us more than others. I sigh in anger. Just because they roughed her up doesn't mean that she should just forget about her moral values! Our personalities is the only thing shows that we are evern sentient anymore. I open the door to my room and close it quickly behind me, settling for the fith, and hopefully last, time today for a nap.
-
It didn't take Three long to finish the sludge and he sighed in annoyance. Even if his appitite was filled, the cat wasn't happy with the taste. To him it was still nothing but cement poridge with some sour flavor. It tasted horribly in other words.
The male looked around to see if he could notice anything of interest, but Thirteen had been eating still, One was doing the same. Five, well he didn't care for that guy. Seven had left already and Four was guarded, so no way he could move to the fella to talk.
Seeing no other option, he took his plate and brought it to the dispensing area and bit farewell to the person in charge. Even if he only got a weird smile to him, the feline moved to the door and walked further down towards his room. The itching in his back had begun to get worse and he was hoping it wasn't some sort of rash. At the very least they could have given him something for it. Even if he was Failure and he could heal, itching wasn't truly damage, his body could not regenerate cells on that level. So he tried to scratch the area as good as he could finding it somewhat impossible where the spot was. "Aah damm it all!" As he grumbled and got into his room, laying onto the bed in annoyance. The itching still becomming worse. He tried to shift his mind as good as he could, but sooner or later he would need to find something decent to scratch with or someone, or he would go nuts.
-
Thirteen sighed, finishing off her food with a sort of lackluster swallow. She scratched at her ear a bit more, feeling it twitch of its own volition. She dropped off her plate and stretched her arms, her tail idly swishing from side to side. She gazed at the crowd, giving a smile to Five and One, her fellow Successes. She giggled to herself, as if she'd forgotten about her little accident earlier. She honed in on some emotions. Boredom, frustration, depression, but there was something else. Something strange and yet familiar. Oh well, no use dwelling on it, she decided. The cat shrugged and headed outside, sitting on the ground and gazing up at the evening sky.
-
Five finished his meal and turned around in his seat. He saw Thirteen give him a smile and responded with one of those silent, acknowledging, single head nods. It seemed about half of the group had finished eating and would take right off. He had nowhere in particular to be, so he just leaned his back against the table, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes with a shallow sigh, taking the moment to relax a bit more, thinking maybe he would hit up the rec room for a little bit after, assuming the mess of earlier was cleaned up..
-
Three growled and tried to scratch his back as the itching became more annoying. His paws ripping open the bandages, not caring currently what was beneath except that dreadfull itch. "Aaah damm this hurts!" He said as he was beginning to being driven mad by the skin's irritation.
Before Three knew it the bandages were ripped off and lay in front of his feet, he growled a bit in pleasure as the furr and skin was able to feel the cooler air stroke over it, allowing him to breath a bit better then before.
As the feline kept scratching the itching began to get more intens around his centre back, almost painfull. He stood up and went to the wall, rubbing it over it, purring in joy at the friction he recieved. His muscles seemed to have a mind of his own as they went faster and faster, the skin and furr began to turn reddish by the pressure Three was putting on them. Yet all his mind was thinking on was being able to get rid of that itch. A moment later he yelped and fell to the floor. Gasping for air as he widened his eyes a sudden stinging in his back made the cat feel very sick, another and another sting came. This wasn't a normal itch, far from it!
"Ah it hurts... it hurts!" He said, trying to get the pain away. But for some reason his body couldn't heal it, the pain remained. He felt something pushing at his skin and he began to wonder what the doctors had done. "Arrghh... what is this?!" He said as he clamped on to the sink, before he felt his skin rip itself open. Pain and agony filled his body as Three screamed his lungs almost out. He could feel something emerging from his back, but had kept his eyes closed because of the pain. It was so intense.
The cat stumbled down to the floor as the smell of blood, his own blood could get to his nostrils. The pain began to subside as his body restored itself, yet a weird sensation stayed as if he felt something outside of his backside. With the last bit of strength he had, he pulled himself upwards and stared into the small mirror above the sink as his mouth fell open at the sight he then saw.
-
My sleep is interrupted, for the second time today, by screams of pain. I grumble "I better go see who is making so much noise." I stand up, exit my room, and head out into the hallway, where three's door is open. Quickly, I stride down the corridor, slightly angry at the cat waking me up. I walk in the doorway "Three do you have any idea how loud- oh good god." I say as I look at the puddle of blood on the floor. "Mammal what did you do?"
-
Thirteen yawned, her tail brushing itself against the cold ground before she stood. She was, among other things, completely bored. That was, of course, before she was hit with a wave of...pain. She shook it off soon enough, however, and headed back inside, making her way to the rec room after speaking with a posted guard. She idly played with a ball of yarn before making her way to the agility course.
-
One watched as the mess hall emptied before finishing her meal. It was quiet but she was used to the silince of having to eat alone. Relieved that Thirteen had left she let our a soft sigh as she didnt have to hide her mind anymore. Finishing her meal she stood up and placed her mask over her mouth once more, tightening it alot more than usual before she silently walked out into the hall and wondered what she would do. She decided to go for a evening job around the grounds.
-
Meanwhile Three tried to steady himself in the room. The cat had heard that someone had entered, but the pain and the shock that he had was too great to think on who it could have been. His eyes were wide as he looked in the mirror not understanding what he saw, trying to deny what he saw.
Behind him, having sprouted from his backside, the source of his pain and agony, two pure black feathery wings had emerged. Fresh blood still dripping from some of the feathers on the floor beneath him as they stretched themselves outward, taking almost the entire window in their reflection.
The feline gulped as he went with his hand towards the mirror, hoping this was some sort of trick that the Administration was playing on him. But to his horror, the wings moved as well when he went to go and try to reach out for the glass. The pain and itching he was still feeling gave the male a good signal that this was indeed real. They had given him wings, actually wings. Black and dark like a raven had. But beautiful to behold.
It was then that he understood why they wanted to such an extensive surgery on him. They had tampered with the male, however they did it, he was now sprouting wings. His body suddenly collapsed as the feathers engulfed him, his strength still gone for the most part, as blood poured into the new limbs and tried to feed the numerous feathers that begged for nourishment.
The cat growled as he tried to stand up, his voice whimpering somewhat. "Help me."
It would be no doubt that the administration would have noticed this and send in someone to check up on the cat. Even if they did not like the male particuraly, this was unique to all Subject of the Unit.
-
I look at three, who Just spouted wings before my eyes. I blink in disbelief and grumble "I must be dreaming." before turning around promptly, heading down the corridor, entering my room, and laying back down on the bed.
-
Thirteen shook with a wave of something new. Fear. It was coming from somewhere close to her. She felt a disturbed smile tug at the corners of her mouth, and she found herself rushing down the hall to the source, Three. She blinked, staring the new form he had. She didn't care. She wanted to take in his fear, almost as if it were a drug. She loved that feeling, the adrenaline rushing through her blood almost like she took meth gave her an unbelievable high. The girl's smile went wider. "My, my..."
-
04 had finished his vegetable paste and was quickly and rather brusquely ushered back into his detention cell by the guard. Hearing commotion, he turned to the guard, confused. "What's that?"
The goat's question was followed by a sharp jab in the back by the barrel of a gun. "Move. You do not have permission to leave my sight." 04 sighed, continuing on down the halls.
-
Was sprinting as fast she she could around the outer courtyard she loved the light of the moon more than the sun as she felt the beards of sweat drip down the side of her face. This is nothing she grumbled as she started to run more and more laps. "You didnt see anything..." she mumbled before she came to rest by a tree. Slamming her fist into the wood she growled out. "Dammit three." Calming down she started to go back into the complex wanting a word with Three about his conduct she was surprised to see Thirteen already there but something felt off. "Thirteen? What are you doing here? What smells like blood...."
-
Thirteen looked at One, a rather dreamy smile on her face. One's anger, irritation and concern made the cat's fear feel stronger, and the girl found it hard to concentrate. "Three..." She mumbled, her tail swaying rather contentedly. She wasn't all there.
-
After a while of laying in bed, sleep wouldn't return. Sighing, I stood and exited the room, deciding that i'd better go check on the mammal. As I approach I notice that three had attracted a small crowd of one and thirteen. One had anair of concern about her, while thirteen looked as though she had been doing drugs. I sigh and push past them, obviously still angry about the incident between me and thirteen earlier. "Alright three, why do you have wings?" I say with a sigh.
-
Thirteen felt herself be pushed and she stumbled back, that sick smile plastered on her face. She chuckled, leaning on the wall. "He had surgery earlier...didn't you notice?" She giggled again. "They did this. Because I got him in trouble..." She trailed off, rubbing her head. She looked like she was about to cry. "I got everyone in trouble...I was so stupid...god...I'm sorry..."
-
I turn my head to look at you' "You ought to be, you let this position as a success get to your head. I expect it from five but not from you. You're better than that." I turn around, placing my right foreleg on your shoulder, "Just because the administration made you a success, doesn't mean that you cant be my friend, or three's."
-
Thirteen flinched, whimpering to herself. Everyone here was so harsh. It wasn't like she didn't want to be close to everyone. She couldn't sneak them special privileges, that's all. She took it too far. She started to cry, her tail tucked between her legs. Everything had been too much for her. Now this.
-
'What the hell?" I think to myself before shaking my head in disapproval. "I tried to calm thirteen down, but it isn't my responsibility to change her diapers" I think with disgust before returning to the problem at hand. "Three are you alright?" I say, standing over him.
-
The male cat merely panted, as he tried to keep himself from hitting the floor fully. His fur was coated with some of the blood as the wings stretched out more, as if comming to life. The entire ordeal whilst gruesome to an extend also held beauty. As the feathers began to shine almost, reflecting the light back to the ceiling, slightly.
Three panted more as one of his paws became a fist, he used up a lot of strength to try and stand up decently on his feet. His mind raced with questions not even having heard that Seven, Thirteen and One were all there. How could he have been when sensations so immense were coursing through him.
He felt his wings, as if it were two new arms, they tingled and itched a little as blood began to fill it up. How Three was supposed to keep this from harming himself or stay alive he had no clue, he had no answers to this. But he knew that the Administration had done this, they had too. Nobody else could do this and it explained why they had the operation in the first place. Allowing him to control his power when to tap life-force from others, their energy and feeding it to these new wings had been their goal. Or that is what the cat made off of it.
Suddenly words began to reach him, as he held onto the sink his eyes adjusting to the bright light. "... I am fine..." Yet he still held fear, as it became very much clear to him that he was indeed nothing but an experiment, just like his friend Eight had been all those years ago. "... Please bring me something to eat. Or let me drain some energy." As his body shivered all over. The wings had been taking a lot of energy from regardless. In the mirror he saw that it were Thirteen, Seven and One that had gathered. Five wouldn't bother, Four would probably still be detained and Six and Two? He had no clue where they were.
"...Thirteen..." He whispered softly, as he smiled a bit seeing her, yet the smile soon faded as he tried keep himself calm. Yet knowing that these two Successes and Failure came to look at him, gave him hope. A small bit of hope but still enough to make him smile yet again. "Thank you." He said softly, hoping that the others might have heard it. Regardless of what they thought on him now.
-
One grunted she was still pissed at Three but knew that in his state he wouldnt last long she pushed past the dazed thirteen and Seven before grabbing Three's hand and pushing it against her sternum. "get this over with, before i change my bloody mind." she grumbled out almost aggressively. This was her own punishment she thought for keeping her distance for this long. She hoped and prayed that Thirteen asnt reading her emotions at this point the mix of anger and jealousy. One took a deep breath and waited for Three to do this thing as she mentally prepared her body for what would probably be quite a bit of pain.
-
Thirteen gave him a look. Give energy? He did look like he needed it. She looked at One, putting her paw on her shoulder. "Really...don't put your neck out for him." She could feel the emotions swirling through One's head, and gave a light smile. "Really...I'll be glad to do it. You look so pretty...I don't want to see that dulled for any amount of time. Okay..?" She smiled wider, trying to take some pressure away from the situation.
-
One smiled at Thirteen "No thirteen, It doesnt take a doctor to tell you are still a little off and dazed and injured. Having energy taken like this would...It could kill you" she bit her lips softly before smiling. "I wont let you get hurt anymore." She giggled softly before closing her eyes once more and adjusting her mask to make sure that no matter what it wouldnt come off. "I am not putting my neck out for him, I am only making sure a subject doesnt die when he doesnt need to."
-
I watch as one takes charge of the situation, thinking that if she wasn't so ignorant, she would make a good leader. The way she seems to have a natural sense of power about her is astounding, no wonder she was chosen as a success.
I chuckle a bit at her words, "Sure you are Mrs. Cold and Content. Sure you are"
-
Thirteen sighed, but nodded, knowing One couldn't be moved. She smiled again, her tail uncurling itself and lightly brushing the ground. She looked at Three, smiling warmly. "Glad you're okay..." She gave Seven a look. She wasn't about to let his earlier insults slide. But now wasn't the time to cause even more of a scene.
-
Three looked at Thirteen as he turned, he gritted his teeth as the sensitive wings hit the wall slightly, making him yelp somewhat and giving him more fear for once. But after that the cat began to try and relax more smiling at the other feline and the mantis. "Y-yea..." He said a bit uncertain. The male was somewhat uncertain on what to do and looked at them. "Please someone... I need something to eat. Anything would suffice!"
He pleaded with them before collapsing to the floor. "This drained my strength too much."
-
Growled out loudly as Three was spacing out grabbing his shirt she hissed out. "Three focus, you dont need freaking food to heal up." She lifted him up pulling by his shirt as she looked at him. "Use your ability..." her eyes were cold yet she didnt want him to suffer. "Take what you need." She knew from the ones that had gathered she had the most strength and the least existing injuries. "Forgot about what you feel and focus... theses injuries are nothing for a subject of your type." she aggressively growled at him if the boy wasnt going to respond to her she would force him to come back to a lucid state.
-
The cat looked at One and thanked her for this, somewhat smiling as a result Even grinning sort off! It was an odd sight. "Heh... you do still have a kind heart, One." The feline spoke gently and soft before he extended out one of his paws.
It was taking a lot of his strength to do this, but he felt a bit better knowing that the other Subjects would still show some kindness, still have some furinity in them. A kindness that could not be erased by anything the administration would have done.
His paw grabbed the arm of One, as he slowly began to drain some energy. His eyes widening at the surge of it as his body began to regenerate quickly, replenishing his deposits. He knew he couldn't do this for long or One would be in serious pain. He quickly let go and panted. "T-thanks... I... needed that!" He spoke softly, before making his way slowly to the bed. "I am sorry to have you worried." As his wings stretched out uncontroleable. Three was still trying to adjust to this. It was odd and strange, yet once he fell onto his bed he smiled. "I'll be fine. Don't worry!"
-
One kept silent and grit her teeth as he started to drain her energy, she knew his ability and how much damage he could transfer. Her scales started to dull a little as she aged differently than the others. Stepping back as she finished draining energy from her she gasped out softly before leaning against a wall for a moment. She didnt say anything as she turned around to leave, crimson stains developing on her shirt just under her shoulder blades, as she could feel some blood starting to drip from the fresh wounds. Walking out of the room and heading towards the rec room once more.
-
Thirteen followed close behind Three, looking back at Seven with a sort of burning glare before turning back to the other cat. She sat in his room, on the floor, of course, and just kind of looked him up and down. He was different. Captivating. Of course, she still wanted to make sure he was okay. She couldn't find any words to say, so she said nothing.
-
Three looked at Thirteen and smiled softly."Heh, does it look so bad?" Chuckling softly afterwards, the sight indeed would look very weird. Seeing a cat with wings. He extended a paw and brushed over the feathers near the tip. They felt strange, soft and gleamed even in the UV light a bit. Three couldn't help but smile a bit as a result.
"Do you think I could reach new heights now?" Smirking as he winked, obviously making a stupid joke, but he felt content to see the other near him. "Thank you for staying Thirteen, it means a lot to me." He said purring.
-
I look back at thirteen, clicking my mandibles rabidly. "What's that look for?" I scoff, "If you want to say something I'd prefer you did it where I can hear you."
-
"Not sure," She muttered, "but they do look...beautiful. Much more than my plain fur..." She sighed. She had always had some self-confidence issues. She curled her tail close to her legs and just kind of looked. "It's no trouble staying for someone I care about..." She sighed, getting up and walking back out to Seven, excusing herself politely.
"What'd I do to piss you off?" She looked at the mantis, her tail puffed slightly. "I don't know how I can fix it if I don't know what I did. The administration made it perfectly clear I can't 'spoil' the Failures anymore. I'm sorry if I came across as stuck-up. I do NOT want to be like Five. I've never wanted that."
-
"And you aren't like Five!" Three assured her as he breathed heavily. His tail was slowly swaying left and right. "Look Thirteen, you are a beautifull person!... Don't let anyone ever tell you you aren't." As he smiled and chuckled. "Or do I need to prove it infront of Seven for you, to get a point across?"
However even if the cat wanted too, he didn't want Thirteen to get hurt. It wasn't his style to want. "And no, you aren't like Five. Thankfully you have a kind heart and it is a shame they use you like this... Damm the Administration to hell!"
-
I look at the cat. "The administration uses everybody, kid. They experiment with everybody, they control everybody, and they beat everybody. We are but their playthings, and if we don't do anything about it, we always will be." I say before exiting the room, trying not to kill anybody.
-
"What did I DO!?" She shouted, falling to her knees and simply sitting there, beginning to cry. She'd messed up bad. That's all she seemed to do was mess up lately. It was a wonder she wasn't demoted by now. She sighed, trying to force herself back to her feet.
-
Five had made his way to the rec room, passing by the weights - he had his 'natural' strength to rely on, he didn't feel too much need to hone that. He instead went to his usual place to train, more stamina than anything else. Those long body length punching bags, occasionally running on a treadmill or the track, and his favorite little toy - where he made his way to this time - a neat little (though really not so little) contraption that, once activated, could send these sort of appendages in and out, up and down, and around from different directions and angles. He'd set the difficulty meter a little on the high side usually since after all he had 'naturally' gifted reflexes. Dodging and blocking were the main objectives with this machine, and he could handle the challenge fairly well. Dodging one appendage while blocking another with an arm, bending back to dodge two simultaneously, using an arm and leg to stop two coming at him from opposite directions. They'd swing fast, they'd swing hard, and he'd run this for maybe 10 minutes before he heard the faint remnants of what would be a loud commotion from a good ways away. He grabbed the two appendages coming at him and held them firmly at bay, snarling a bit as the machine made a few whirring noises, trying to either follow through with its swings or pull back, which he wasn't allowing either. He hit the stop button and looked towards the doorway with an irritated expression. He didn't know for certain, obviously, but he had a pretty good idea of what he was hearing: more Failures doing stupid things and getting in trouble for it most likely.. He shook his head, thinking that routine was starting to get really old already. He turned up the difficulty meter one more notch and fired the machine back up, training himself that much more intently, wanting to drown out the irritating noises and mental pictures that came with them by just focusing on his own task at hand..
-
One walked into the rec room to see five training hard. She stood there and looked at him for a good few minutes seeing how he dodged and moved in the machine made for subjects like him. Smiling before heading to a normal punching bag and starting to vent on it. She would duck down before Delivering several strong jabs to the heavy bag, causing it to move back slightly. She knew Five wouldn't pay her mind so she could go full out on the bag and get her frustrations out. Pivoting on her foot she spun around to deliver a side kick to the bag with enough force to causing it to swing heavily. Sparks arcing over her hands and feet as she continued her rather feverish attacks against the bag. Each attack causing a larger discharge of current. She grabbed the bag once more before trying to calm herself down. The wounds started to bleed once more as she growled out. "Damn it...Damn it all."
-
Three felt sorrow for Thirteen and the moment Seven had exited his room, did the cat stand up. he had some strength, enough to at least walk over to Three. The feline smiled and grabbed her paw. "Hey there. Don't be sad." As he rested the other on it as well, cupping it in his warmth. The male smiled as he got closer, bare torso, but he didn't mind the chills. He wanted to make sure Thirteen didn't blame herself so much.
"You know Thirteen, you are a wonderfull person. And I am so glad to know you." As he gave a small tear for her. "Do not let what Seven or Five say alter or touch you. It is you that has dragged many of our Unit through troubling times, just like you did for me today." As he brushed her cheek and then her neck tenderly. "If it wasn't for you, I would no doubt have turned out way different then I am now. Probably like Five, emotionless and cold. But that didn't happen... due to you." He didn't want another issue with camera's picking up on a kiss or anything, so the male did, as good as he could, to fold his wings around the other.
It wasn't easy, but at eventually he was able to wrap them around Thirteen and hold her close to him. "Feeling better?"
-
I quickly stride down the corridor, my thoughts raging with anger. Everybody in this unit is so nieve, they never seem concerned about what's happening around them, only what is happening directly infront of them. I feel as if I'm surrounded by children. Especially that female, everytime somebody says anything to her she cries, she needs to get it togeather or she will be eaten alive. I sigh, and head to the rec room, where I am allowed to release anger in the healtiest way possible, projection. I quickly head over to one of the ceiling hanging punching bags, wrap my forelegs arround it, and pull it down, breaking the chain holding it up with my herculean strength, and tossing it aside.
-
Thirteen smiled, nuzzling into Three's chest. "Thank you...I try my best." She purred softly, yawning to herself. "I don't want to mess up anymore, that's all..."
-
"You don't mess up anything, Thirteen." As he kept rubbing her cheek and purred. Holding her head to his chest. He stared down at her and grinned, "Besides, can't have the prettiest girl in this room be sad no?... If they would allow it, I would say stay the night and sleep with me." As Three blushed slightly at this. "But I doubt they will however..." As the cat suddenly twitched a bit and gritted his teeth, as if a sudden burst of pain had gone through him. "I want you to have this." As he presented the black feather to her.
It was a gift from him to her, something unique that he wouldn't have been able to give to anyone. "Just keep it close and know I am watching you."
-
One hissed more as electricity sparked around her she didn't care if Five saw her like this despite being injured and having her energy taken from her she would still be a formidable sight. Her normally bright screen scales seemed faded and dull. Pure electricity gathered in her left hand which she held partially open, crackling and whistling as it got forced into a dense mass of power. "Bloody son of a...." her words drowned out as she slammed her hand into the bag the electricity ripping open and scorching the bag.
-
Thirteen smiled, taking the feather with great care, as if it would shatter by her mere touch. She braided it into her hair, the black accenting her stripes wonderfully. She smiled wider, nodding and nuzzling him a bit more. "I can't thank you enough," she mumbled before getting up, wandering the halls until she found herself outside once more, feeling the wind in her fur. She felt alive, though she could feel the pent-up emotions emanating from inside the facility. She pushed them from her mind. This was her time.
-
Five continued his training workout on the machine, catching glimpses of One at her punching bag occasionally in some of his maneuvers, but didn't pay much mind to her, until he heard the crackling of electricity. He stopped his machine and watched her with amusement as she was clearly frustrated and venting on the bag. He grinned as he watched. He rather enjoyed watching people when they get like this. Not in a sadistic enjoying their pain kind of way, but the fact that this is usually when people hold back less and really let themselves go. He liked seeing that. He made a silent facial expression that normally would have been accompanied with an 'ooh' as her last punch lit the bag aflame. He approached her with a few slow claps, looking her over, noting that she was obviously not in the best condition to say the least. "Impressive.. You haven't even had your new gift for one day and you are already pulling a stunt like that. And in your condition, no less." He folded his arms across his chest. "So you're pissed off and you look like crap.. What's your story?"
-
One took a deep breath as the charge dissipated around her, Taking a more casual stance as she turned to look at Five with a small blush hidden behind her mask. "Letting my emotions get the better of me." she said softly before looking at the floor. "I had Three take energy from me after his little incident. Seems the guys upstairs decided to give him a little gift. Bloody bugger has wings now , A cat with wings...really." She shook her head for a while "but that isn't what pisses me off, I saw him doing something and its been bothering me since then..." She looked to the side keeping what she saw a secret for now as she promised not to tell for Thirteens sake.
-
Five scoffed as soon as One mentioned Three. Of course it was Three. It's always Three. He gave the matter a dismissing wave. "Will whatever you saw him do, it's none of my business. I don't care." Five turned to go back to his machine and start cleaning up the area. "But wings..? What that boy needs is an attitude adjustment, a few firm backhands. Not...wings. But..the Administration knows what they're doing, so we'll see in time."
-
She nodded to Five before looking at the partially destroyed bunching bag. "They really need more durable equipment, or they gotta let us out I am itching to get into the field and do what we are meant to do."
Leaning agaisnt the wall before cringing in pain and remembering that she did have two rather painful cuts on her back she bit her lips.
-
I look across at the broken punching bag. "No doubt I'll get in some sort of trouble for that, but oh well." I say quietly to myself. before exiting the room and heading back to the main building and through the winding corridors leading me to my room. I enter, close the door, and drink some water from a faucet inside before laying down on the small bed on the floor.
-
Three however had stayed in his room, taking this time to be alone and reflect on these strange wings. He had a few ideas that he could do with these. But then the question that kept stalking his mind was; why. Why did they give him these wings? Is there a purpose behind it? He had no clue.
Still he would find it out eventually and was already very happy to have known what happened with Thirteen wasn't just some prank, but she actually cared for him. For Three! It was an amazing feeling.
The cat laid himself down on the bed and yawned, it was getting late and they would most certainly shut down the facilities soon. As if on cue when his thoughts lingered there, the communication went up.
"Attention all Subjects... Attention, curfew is now in effect for all Subjects of all Units. Return to your dorms and go to sleep. That is all."
-
One looked up at the PA system before rolling her eyes then turned to Five. "Rest well Five...Thanks for today." she turned and raised her hand in a half wave before making her way to her dorm. Stopping at the new dorm she cringed once more before dropping down on one knee and standing up again. Grabbing a spar shirt she pulled off the blood stained one and pulled the white t shirt over her head. Looking at teh blood stains on the other shirt she growled. "Blood shed to help a failure...what a waste One."
-
Thirteen perked up, nodding and walking back to her dorm, waving at anyone she passed. She yawned, curling up in her soft, comfy, warm sheets. She purred softly, lulling herself into a deep slumber.
-
"Hmmh.." Five nodded in agreement. "I agree." He too was patiently yet anxiously awaiting the days when he could put all of this here to use in the outside world. Five opened his mouth, about to say you're welcome, but paused for a moment.. "I'm just doing what I'm told.." He paused again and let out a light sigh, then looked back over his shoulder at One. "You showed good progress today. Keep it up. Don't let me down, though. You're one of the few capable ones around here, it seems.."
Five finished cleaning up the area and headed out of the room some several minutes after One had already left. He made his way to his room, closing the for behind him, and kicked back on his bed once more with his book. He thought about what One said about helping Three and hoped this want turning into yet another Success privileging the unprivileged. He shook hit head and opened his book to where he had left off, reading for a little while until he was tired enough to sleep.
-
04 heard the announcement over the intercom, slowly getting to his hooves. His legs quivered a little under his own weight, but he walked to the door. The guard pushed him aside, pointing the gun at him. "You do not have permission to leave this room."
"But..." the goat stammered in reply.
"You are still on detention. You may not leave this room."
04 sighed, hanging his head. "...y-yes, sir. Sorry." He returned to his corner and curled up against the wall, trying to lose himself in thought so that he could drift off into sleep.
-
A groan resonated softly in Isoke’s utilitarian adorned quarters as the form under the bed sheets finally stirred. Easing himself into a sitting position, the fox once again found himself in the typical morning routine of verifying reality from a vision or a dream. Looking around his room he noticed nothing was unusual or out of place, which was a good indication it wasn’t a dream. He was pretty sure by the splitting migraine that it wasn’t a vision, but the presence of pain didn’t necessarily debunk a vision.
Isoke winced as he felt something pull the fur on his arm and noticed an IV had been taped in place. Following the line he looked at the familiar bag of essential nutrients and hydration, using that clue to piece together how he had gotten there so he could best bookend fantasy from fiction. Working his way back, he recalled several memories involving his fellow Subjects. Some of it reasonable, particularly the trials and the typical strife with guards; likely candidates for visions or reality. The bits where Three grew wings and One wielding lightning were rather farfetched, dreams for sure. Did the facility lose power at some point? Then there was the Counter-Intelligence exercise with Six. Wait, no. There was a problem; Four was detained and the test couldn’t be conducted. Then… Oh, right. Then the doctors decided to put me under for prolonged precog testing.
Looking at the clock next to his bed, he had to check a few times just to be sure. “They put me out for nearly two days?!” So blinded by his introspection and migraine, he hadn’t realized just how hungry he was and how badly he needed to use the restroom. With the latter accomplished in short order, he squinted his eyes as he entered into the sterile white light of the hallway and began making his way to the cafeteria.
-
Three had eventually fallen to a deep sleep, dreams would haunt him over what had happened. The sight of demonic wings from his back, clamping on his flesh and shredding it as the other Subjects merely laughed and shook their heads. A deep dream that brought about the foul taste of despair and anger to him, where no love could be felt from anyone. It sickened him to know what they had done to him even as he was dreaming, Three felt the anger in him go up.
His mind calmed a bit when he saw a flash of Thirteen, but it quickly faded away into the mist before him. He called out to her, stretching his paw but no answer came. Nothing but silence, untill he saw the image of Eight. His long friend from when he was younger, he smiled and went to hug the older creature, before he felt his furr get moist. He looked at his paws and saw they began to dig into the other, Eight just kept smiling. As if nothing was going on, even as his bodied began to wither away into the murky pool of water at Three's feat.
He soon found himself wheeping, alone and lost...
"Aaaah!" He shouted as he pushed away the cover over his body, grabbing at his head and trying to figure out what he had just dreamed. His back felt odd again, not painfull just odd. It took Three a while before the cat finally stood up and walked over to the sink. And as he saw his reflection he was shocked. "Gone?..." Yet his paw could feel the scars on his back, but the wings had vanished for some odd reason. Truly one's mind would shatter in a place like this.
Without warning did he smash the glass of the mirror and went to put on some clothing, 6:30... "Huh... I didn't sleep much then did I? Blasted dreams." As he shook his head and went for a simple walk. Even the guards wouldn't mingle with this, why would they?... They were here to keep peace, keep the Subjects in line...
-
One had trouble sleeping the wounds on her back from her little stunt to keep Three from giving up in front of Thirteen did hinder her sleep but she was too stubborn to have the medics use a subject to heal her. These were her scars and her lesson she had to learn. Standing up she pulled her shirt over her head and looked at the stains on it before cringing and moving a finger over the stitches. Grabbing a darker shirt she pulled the black fabric over and got ready for a new day.
One her way tot he rec room for a morning run she walked past two who seemed to be in a slight daze she hadn't seen or hear from him in several days. "Two...Hey Two.. Where have you been?" One waved a little smiling behind the mask wondering what had happened to him but not wanting to probe. She turned slightly towards the rec room before walking towards Two and the cafateria.
-
Thirteen yawned, rubbing at her eyes and getting out of bed. She'd slept well, and smiled wide, ready for a new day. She wondered what was in store for her as she exited her room and giggled to herself, looking at the other bustling Subjects.
-
The silhouetted doctor moved to one of the many pieces of equipment placed around the operation table and manipulated one of the control panels. Once he did so, Ten’s body tensed and went rigid as though she had just grabbed hold of a live wire.
“Calibration twenty percent complete. Forty percent. Seventy percent. Ninety- what the hell?”
Without warning the operating room was cast into darkness as electrical components powered off. “Guard, what is happening?” There was a murmured conversation between a male voice and the electronic squawk of a radio. “The power is out in the entire facility. Technicians are already switching over to the backup generators. Power should be restored in a few minutes.”
With an impatient grumble, the doctor relented and waited. Sure enough, five minutes later the lights flicked back on and the various medical components came back to life in a myriad of chimes and beeps. “Alright, let’s rerun the calibration software once more just to make sure it took.”
"Two...Hey Two.. Where have you been?"
Two blinked in bewilderment upon hearing his name as it snapped him out of his introspective thoughts that were attempting to recall his visions from the prolonged sleep. This one involving Ten had been different from all the others and was disappointed his concentration was jostled before he could piece together the entire scene. At the same time, however, he was afraid to see how it would play out and a part of him was thankful for the distraction.
In a somewhat bleary haze that was as much a result of his migraine as it was the sedatives, he looked around until he spotted One. “Oh. Hey One.” There was still a faint slur to his speech that would still be noticed without difficulty. “Six never shown up to the trial two days ago, so they decided to put me under for a prolonged vision. I just now came out of it and am trying to sort it out and…” The fox blinked groggily a few times as he saw an inconsistency that he suspected was a result of his current state of mind. Despite doing so, however, the band around One’s arm remained consistent.
“Hey, congrats on the Success! I knew it was only a matter of time until your accomplishments were recognized. What the?” Taking another moment to observe the armband portrayed a symbol that was not the one for a Hermian, rather one he had not seen before. Though given the symbol that was there along with a vision he had originally written off as a dream, he quickly made the connection. “Wow, you got a new type and everything. Let me guess… Electricity manipulation? Would that make you a Zeusian?”
-
One smiled at Two knowing there was no way he could see that it didn't stop her from doing so. "Prolonged vision...that sounds unpleasant." Leaning back against a wall and tugging at her arm band as he noticed. "You should go eat something you still seem rather dazed. I'll come with you." She said as she walked with him to the cafeteria. Grabbing some food and sitting down she started to explain. "I had my test with Thirteen the other day, after the test I got pulled to the side and told that being a Hermian was starting to degrade my body and that i would under go an experimental procedure... Fast forward and here I am...Zeusian."
-
The repetitive sound of the alarm clock blares throughout the room, waking me. I stand up from the bed on the floor and stretch my forelegs out in a sort of yawn. Afterwords I begin the daily task of cleaning each one of my legs to prevent fungal growth from leftover food crumbs and excess moisture that may be locked in between the natural armor plating of my exoskeleton. I run each limb through my mouth, my mandibles moving furiously, cleaning the appendages with my natural anti-bacteria saliva. I find it best to do this in the privacy of my own room, the other subjects seem to view it as disgusting. For what reason I don't know, but I always fail to understand my mammalian peers.
Upon my completion I open the door to my room and exit, heading down the winding corridors to the cafeteria.
-
"Heh, as far as testing goes it is very easy. They just load me up with sedatives and put me to sleep for a number of days. The only hard part about it is determining what was a dream and what was a vision. That and determining whether or not I am actually conscious; that could get rather disorienting. I'm fairly sure I'm awake now, though admittedly you being a Zeusian now makes me a little less confident than I had been a little earlier. I try to be on the look out for anything that is out of place or unexpected to help me determine when I've finally returned to reality."
Even as he explained the evaluation, the two made their way to the cafeteria where the smell of cooked foods caused his stomach to voice it's impatience. His mouth was watering as he began piling up his plate with food and he had already started in on it before he was even seated.
"So tell me," Two spoke between ravenous bites, "what caused them to so promptly and drastically modify you?" That question was as much for his benefit as anything else. Despite how vivid and realistic his dreams were, he had found that details tended to be rather inconsistent. One of the best ways for him to ground himself was by using logic and reason as anchors, most specifically through what is perceived in others. So he listened to One's explanation while he continued his meal. While it was simple and to the point, it was enough for Two to reassure him that he was indeed awake.
"I guess the more important question is, how are you liking your new talents? Do you miss your old abilities or is it too soon to tell?"
-
Three had been awake longer then any of the others. And had secluded himself to a corner in the mess hall where he was eating the dreadfully gruesome poridge. Or as the cat loved to call it 'Poridge of Despair'. He took another spoonfull of the sludge and brought it to his mouth watching as he saw in the distance One and Two talking. He couldn't understand Successes, they were blinded by their pride and status to see they were being used. The cat knew he was, it had been made clear to him with those wings.
But those wings, for some reason Three had figured out that they were back inside of his back. The scars on his back were prove of it, as they healed up again. It burned his skin and he pondered how it was possible, perhaps some mechanism to make the wings disappear? Whatever the case was, other Subjects wouldn't be able to see it anymore. And he was somewhat glad for it.
Three looked over at One, even if she was deemed a Succes, from a Failures perspective she was indeed a succes, at being a Succes. But for most Successes, she was a failure or an upcomming succes at being a Succes. The cat just shook his head, the way she had talked to him yesterday still send a shiver down his spine. It almost felt as if that armband had some sort of hold on her. How idiotic and irrelevant such a thing was. By giving their labrats a hierachy amongst themselves, if that would push Three to better acts anyways. He merely shook his head and started eating again.
"Damm this life..." He thought to himself, perhaps if he had some control over his wings he might try and escape. He had done it before a few times. But each time the guards were able to catch him and tranq him.
-
Five awoke from his slumber, a dreamless sleep. He often would go through a night without having any dreams, or at least not remembering them, perhaps from his detatched and shut down attitude. He preferred those nights, though, since the times he would dreams would hardly ever be pleasant. Usually some form or haunting reenactment or reinventing of times and events from when he was much younger, when he still hadn't maintained full 'control' of himself..those days before he shut himself down emotionally..
Such dreams often depicted near fatally injured lab techs and his own blood stained hands, the results of several training sessions where he was pushed too far and too hard. Though the most haunting symbol of his past in the dreams that shook him up more than any other, was the cage that quite literally transformed him. The lab techs most cruelly effective way to prevent any further damages from this subject; the cage. When no other methods seemed to be effective at controlling the rage that lingered within Five from the experiments, they resorted to this extreme measure, a small cage that was lined in a sort of barbed wire. Five would be provoked into a raged frenzy by any physical or emotional means it'd take, and this time there would be no tranquilizers. The only thing to stop Five from lashing out at anyone who got close to him and his cage was passing out from blood loss. He would then be bandaged up and his wounds would be left just long enough to close up and heal a bit, then he was right back in the cage. It wasn't long at all before Five developed a deep seeded fear of this cage, and with each session it became harder and harder for the Administration to push him beyond that threshold. Finally they would achieve their goal. Five shut down. He stopped caring about what people said to him, or how they acted towards him. It was the only way for this cycle to end and to hopefully never see that cage again. A total disconnect, a total shut down of emotions. They couldn't succeed in pushing him to breaking anymore if he simply stopped caring..and he was right. His raging ended then, and he never had to see that cage again, outside of the occasional nightmare, that is.
Fortunately however this was no such night. He sat up in his bed for but a moment before pushing himself off the edge, getting himself situated for another day before heading out to eat some breakfast.
He entered the cafetaria and saw that most of the others seemed to have already been there for at least a short while. He grabbed his plate and sat at the same table as the other Successes, but leaving a seat between himself and them. "Well look who's finally up and about again.. that must have been some test they had for you.." Five spoke to Two, but never reallly looked over to him or addressed him in any way, merely gazing at his plate and starting to eat. He glanced over at Three, noticing something 'missing', then glanced to One, then back at Three again, taking another bite of his food. "So..wings, eh? ..that's quite the story.."
-
Looked at her food for a moment thinking before shaking her head and moving it away for the time being. "Its taken some time to get used to. Moving was a little weird at first, my body still tired to move fast even though my body cant anymore. Thanks to Five and the training they had us do I got the hang of it. "
Looking back at Five as he seemed to imply that she was making things up. "I swear he had wings last night...How else would i get theses scars on my back?" She looked back at her food before standing up and taking the tray. "Five, Two if you would excuse me I cant...I am not allowed taking my mask off infront of other subjects...I will be the next table over if you need me." with that she did a small bow and moved to the other table before taking the mask off.
-
Thirteen smiled, taking her food and sitting down, waving to the other successes. She was as lively as ever, her tail bouncing from side to side as she ate. Everything had returned to normal for her. She felt her thoughts cloud with the emotions from the others, but she had been getting better at sorting her own feelings and thoughts from others'. She giggled, savoring every bite of her food.
-
I walk slowly into the cafeteria, sighing as I take a look at the other members of my unit. All the successes were at their special little table as usual, joined by Two today. Three was by himself, being the only failure in the room besides myself, seeing as how Four is locked away in the detention center. However regardless of all the other subjects in the room, it was one that caught my eye. She had removed the hard plastic mask that kept her poison from corroding everything. She was like an entirely different person, Her cold, hard eyes is what I have come to associate with one, but now that her entire face was shown it is like she is something... Different. Something more. This was not the first time that I had seen her without her mask on, but it was the first time it had affected me in this way. I eventually snapped out of the trance she had put me into and caught myself staring at her, quickly looking away before going to sit down next to three, no longer hungry.
-
Five’s comment about one of the Subject’s having wings caused another familiar pang of déjà vu. Two realized he had missed a lot during the past two days he was out and that he would have to look more closely in his memories and be less dismissive between what he initially perceived as a dream. Feeling out of the loop, he turned his attention inward as he attempted to extract that particular vision to see if he could get more clarity out of it. His efforts yielded different results as a different vision played through his mind.
”Neuro-override chip has been successfully connected to subject 7-10’s cerebrum and is running parallel to the psionic amplifier. Incisions are closed and sanitized. Nurse, prepare to run the calibration software.”
One of the masked nurses moved to the operation table and carefully connected an electrode to the base of Ten’s skull, taking extra care to make sure it was in the correct place.
“We are ready for calibration, doctor.”
The silhouetted doctor moved to one of the many pieces of equipment placed around the operation table and manipulated one of the control panels. Once he did so, Ten’s body tensed and went rigid as though she had just grabbed hold of a live wire.
“Calibration twenty percent complete. Forty percent. Seventy percent. Ninety- what the hell?”
Without warning the operating room was cast into darkness as electrical components powered off. “Guard, what is happening?” There was a murmured conversation between a male voice and the electronic squawk of a radio. “The power is out in the entire facility. Technicians are already switching over to the backup generators. Power should be restored in a few minutes.”
With an impatient grumble, the doctor relented and waited. Sure enough, five minutes later the lights flicked back on and the various medical components came back to life in a myriad of chimes and beeps. “Alright, let’s rerun the calibration software once more just to make sure it took.”
“The Subject’s vitals are returning to normal levels, Doctor. The anesthetics are wearing off; she’ll be regaining consciousness soon. Neuro readings are within safe tolerances.”
“How are her psionic readings?”
“Steadily increasing, well above what we recorded before the procedure.”
“Excellent! So far, the Persephonian trial has gone without incident… Just to be safe, check her restraints once more and stand ready at the override.”
……….
“Restraints are all secured, Subject neuro-override is ready.”
“Doctor… You may want to take a look at this.”
“What is it, Nurse?”
The figure in a white coat walked towards a nurse who was observing a machine the clicked in a similar fashion to a Geiger counter. The frequency of the clicks was rapidly increasing.
“Her latent psionic readings are starting to spike; they're much higher than initial estimates predicted…”
The doctor let out a worried grunt of introspection. “This is looking a little too similar to the Athenian report. Nurse… Override and lock down Subject 7-10’s body; I want her conscious but unable to move or see us.”
“Alright, Ten’s body is locked...” Before she could finish the announcement, Ten’s body convulsed on the table as several of the monitors attached to her began chirruping in alarm. “Doctor, there has been a malfunction with the connection between the amplifier and the override!”
“Shit! It must have shorted! Nurse, put in the mouthpiece before she bites off her tongue!”
“Her vitals are exceeding safe parameters, she’s dying!”
“We need to induce a coma before-“
Without warning, all the chaotically toning monitors abruptly regained their steady rhythm apart from device monitoring her psionic levels, which had reached a point where the clicks were indistinguishable between one another.
The Subject’s eyelids snapped open, revealing obsidian irises that would have been more appropriately placed on a feral animal than a young female black leopard in her mid-teens. In that instant, the room was filled with a blood-curdling scream as she began to thrash against her bonds.
“GET HER SEDATED, NOW!”
One nurse struggled to hold the young girl to the table as the other retrieved a syringe. Ten howled as the fine needle neared the flesh of her arm. The nurse screamed as she was engulfed in a plume of psionic fire. Although the flames lasted less than a second before dissipating, the nurse’s flesh was charred black and covered in deep burns. She fell to the ground; her screams and movements were feeble, but still indicated the agonizing pain that covered her entire body. A hungry grin spread across Ten’s maw upon the sight and another burst of fire silenced the injured nurse. Panic filled the room as staff scattered away from the Subject’s wrath; bursts of flame filled the room, either erupting in empty air or striking close enough to living flesh to entice an agonized shout.
“GUARD! SHOOT HER!”
Barks of gunfire echoed around the room followed by the sounds of bullets ricocheting. Instead of sinking into exposed flesh, the metal slugs struck an invisible barrier just inches from Ten deflecting them in a shower of sparks. Streams of smoke began to escape from the seams of the psionic counter as the circuitry began to overload. More bursts of fire, each bigger than the last. Ten’s rage escalated as she continued to fight against her bonds like a trapped predator.
Something pulled Two out of his trance before he could recall the all too familiar ending of a reoccurring nightmare that was only slightly modified. The disturbing vision had been far more vivid than the rest; so much so that he could swear that the scent of charred flesh and sulfur was still fresh in his nose. Terror shown in every aspect of his demeanor from his quick, heavy breathing to his wide and panicked eyes, all the way down to the fur on his back struggling to stand on end despite the clothing he wore, and even the white-knuckled grip he had on the edge of the table. Adrenaline flooded through his body prepping him for a fight or flight response while his mind was screaming in terror to run. Run far and away from that… thing.
It took him a long moment to recognize his mundane non-threatening surroundings and several moments longer to reign in the bulk of his fear. Once the portions of his brain that were in charge of higher thinking managed to regain control of Two’s cognitive functions, the tactical side of him kicked into gear.
There was a Persephonian procedure in the works, of that he was sure. Furthermore, telling of his vision and the danger that loomed over the horizon did nothing to change the outcome. Subject Ten will go under the knife and the consequences of it will affect all of them. While he did not recognize Ten, he recognized enough of the aftermath to see that it was the same facility, just a different unit and a different wing. But when? Two risked another dip into that memory and with another jolt of fear recovered the date and time on some of the lab paperwork. They had until noon on the day after tomorrow.
Two’s first instinct was to tell his therapist and allow him to pass on word to the rest of the staff. That course of action was second guessed as he remembered that did nothing to derail the procedure from its current fate. They were going to go through with the procedure, of that he was confident. With that in mind, he had one of two viable options. First, either find a way to prevent the loss of power immediately before the procedure, or two, run. Use the outage as a chance to escape and put as much distance between him and the Persephonian as possible.
But what about the others? The staff seemed set on their course of action and Two already did what he could to save them. But what of the other Subjects in his unit, his friends? They at least had a right to know and be given a chance to escape with him. Plus, the outside world was a mystery. Two had no idea what awaited him and it was only logical that he attempt to secure allies rather than facing it alone.
-
Three saw the mantis getting at his table as the cat kept eating, not paying too much attention at first to the male. It wasn't untill he finished his plate that Three looked up at Seven.
"You know, she is a Succes right?... Don't even think of going there." Before staring the mantis straight in the eyes. "I can make it work with Thirteen as I know how her good... But One seems different." As the feline was giving advice to Seven, hoping that he was correct in assuming that he liked the other.
As he gave the advice, his gaze focussed to Two. The male seemed to be daydreaming and somewhat annoyed or in pain. Three nodded to Seven and walked over to the Successes. "Two?..." He asked, a bit concerned, yet he smiled to Thirteen. Three knew that he might not be allowed here, but still. "Did they keep him sedated still?!... He looks like crap at the moment."
-
One simply sat quietly eating her breakfast she had to do so much faster than most other subjects and had to make sure she cleaned everything she placed to her lips well before giving it back to the staff to clean. Glancing up just a few times during her meal her fringe always covering her left eye. She offered a smile to Seven as he looked at her and a nod to Three simply letting them know that she did know they were there.
Taking the cloth mask she wiped down rim of the glass as well as the knife and fork making sure that her corrosive venom didn't have time to settle against the items and dissolve them slowly.It was a strange effect that her saliva produced, it wasn't as strong as an acid but it was corrosive and could eat though metal in time but it would take some time to reach that point. It would eat though cutlery in 15 minutes after use if it wasn't cleaned, on skin and biological compounds her corrosive effects were much much more visible. Instantly burning and irritating the skin it touched, although not deadly the sensation would be that of having a hot iron being held against the skin. Lucky for her it only became deadly when reaching another creatures blood stream, the venom would mix with the hemoglobin in the blood and corrode their cardiac muscles rapidly leading to heart failure within a hour.
Having made sure that the cutlery were clean she slid the black cloth over her face and making sure it covered her mouth once more before the picked up the heavy plastic composite mask and clipped it back into place so that she would not get into trouble again. Taking a few deep breaths though the heavy black mask she nodded to herself as if shew as reviewing some mental checklist. Standing up and carrying her plat and cutlery to the drop off point she went back to the table where the other successes were seated.
-
I nod in acknowledgement at Three as he gets up to go check on two. I simply just stay seated, waiting for the usual morning announcements to see what training I had today.
-
Thirteen waved over to One, smiling wide. She had always admired her face. The reptile was pretty, she thought, more so than herself. She was jealous at times of her sleek design, but was gracious enough not to let it show. She purred seeing her friend, and hoped that she would get to speak more with her before being assigned her test for the day. It was as if yesterday had never happened. As if she had never been beaten or punished. The only sign was her ear, still having a chunk ripped from it, but she thought it gave her character. Like her stripes. It made her an individual.
-
Sitting down close to Thirteen she smiled under the mask "Hey Thirteen." before turning her attention to the dazed Two. "What ever they gave him its definitely still in his system. Two...Oi! TWO!" she called out before leaning back and looking at Thirteen again decided that hse would make some conversation and wait for Two to snap out of it,besides once training started for the day there wouldnt be much time for idle chat chat.
"How did you sleep Thirteen? You were very...stressed yesterday." she said not really hiding anything as her eyes glanced over the feline's face, the slight grin on her face visible as she poked at her side before glancing back at Seven just to make sure he was still doing ok.
The reptile's scales were still a little dull from the events of the day before but had gotten back some color, her attention turned back to Thirteen though. She could see that hse had a better control over her abilities at the moment that yesterday.
-
The cat began to notice that the others were avoiding him, or not truly recognising his presence. Not that it minded, most were Sucesses so they wouldn't really have an interest in talking to him.
Even Seven got more response then Three got. As a result he just shook his head and walked back to his previous spot.
He pondered on the wings still a little and on the nightmares he has had. Perhaps it meant something, or he was just overstressed, whichever of the two he couldn't say...
-
Thirteen reached around to pull One into a hug, purring to herself. "I'm great!~ I'm just lad that you look as good as ever. You've always been the prettiest of all of us, y'know. How's life been treating you this morning? Anything new? Who do ya think you'll be testing with, if you'll test with anyone? Ooh, I hope we get to test together again! That was really fun!~" She giggled to herself, almost bouncing with energy.
-
Blushing slightly as she felt Thirteen pull her into a hug, the scales on her face visibly getting tinted a pale shade of rose before she giggled with a smile. "My My Thirteen you really are the bundle of energy in the morning." She looked over at Three for a second in acknowledgement of his presence as well as to taunt him ever so slightly. "Hmmm I wonder how we will get paired" completely ignoring the compliment or at least not reacting to it since she didn't truly agree with it. "Since im not longer the same type im not sure what pairing they will think off for me, but I wouldn't mind if it was you again. Yesterdays training was really fun."
-
"I hope I didn't hurt you too bad..." She sighed, her smile fading for a brief few moments. She followed One's eyes for a brief moment, but shrugged. She didn't see anything out of the ordinary. "Man I am so excited. I love stretching my legs!" She stretched her arms a bit for emphasis. "You think we'll ever, like...graduate from training or something? Like, actually be useful..? I'd be okay at assassination I guess."
-
One giggled softly as she looked at Thirteen. "Hmmmm trust me you did hurt me too badly, it was my own power that did the damage. That's why im no longer a Hermian." Looking around before tapping on her mask for a moment thinking. "Maybe, I do hope so, but the administration knows what they are doing. Isnt that right Two?" she called out trying to snap him back to the land of the here and now.
-
"I suppose." She shrugged, smiling at Two. "You alright, Two...?" She knew that he was a rather spacey one. He often would have moments where she couldn't read his emotions at all. She figured it was a vision or something.
-
"You alright, Two...?"
“No…” He replied absentminded to Thirteen’s question, but revised himself once fully returned to the reality around him. “Er, I mean, yeah… I’m fine. It’s nothing. Just got lost in my thoughts there.”
The fox’s eyes flicked around the room, his body still edgy from the fading rush of adrenaline that still laced his blood. Eventually his gaze landed upon Three and held there for a moment longer than it had the others. It was then he decided who was going to be the first of his peers he would confide in. Of all of those present, he was surely the most eager to break out of the facility; or at least had been the most eager before Two had his vision. Not only that, but Three was the least likely to sell him out to the doctors or guards. Not because he was a Failure, rather because he resented the staff so much that he was willing to embrace the hardships of being one when he could just as easily be a Success. Whatever his motivation for doing so was irrelevant at this point, so long as he had his support and discretion.
Two lifted his hand in a casual friendly wave to Three, accompanying it with a matching smile. A polite gesture intent on averting any miscommunication that resulted from his lingering gaze. Now was not a good time to speak on this matter, but he would be sure to track him down in the immediate future.
-
Three saw the wave from a distance as he was snapped out of his thinking. He looked a bit confused that Two suddenly waved at him for no reason. Perhaps the male had some drugs in him that made him react much more slowly then normally.
Not wishing to seem rude or anything, he moved his hand upwards and made a small gesture to note he had seen the other. Bit when Two just remained stationary, the cat looked back to his own paws before sighing softly. "I'm done here." He said irritated before standing up and moving across the messhall.
He nodded towards Seven, winked at Thirteen, growled a bit at Five and waved towards Two and One, before leaving the facility.
As the walk to his room wasn't too far off, the feline pondered upon taking a shower. They were public showers, but at least it was better then nothing. And one of the few area's where no camera's were. At least when one used warm water, the thick smoke it created was enough to obscure anything that might be spying anyways.
As the decision was soon made, the cat walked to his room grabbed a towel and some gear. Pulled off his clothing before wrapping a towel around his waist and made his way towards the showers.
-
One smiled when she noticed Two snap back to it, looking at the odd gesture he was making at Three she smirked before getting up, and walking towards the door, just behind Three. "I need to go attend to some warm ups, will see you all on the testing grounds." her voice was a little distracted as she made her way out of the mess hall and directly to the rec room.
Getting on one of the treadmills she started a brisk jog with bursts of speed mixed in between, her usual practice but of course this time around the bursts of speed were much lower than the days before. Her mind swirled with random thoughts as she didnt really focus on anything in particular. It wasnt ideal but when running and practicing she felt at peace.
-
Thirteen edged closer to Two, her tail swaying with concern. She knew what his plan was. It was her gift, after all. She tensed with his stress and adrenaline, and gave a knowing nod. Her finger hovered over her lips. She wouldn't say a word. "I know what's eating at you. Kind of. I don't know exactly, but...well...it's safe with me. Three, too." Her voice was nothing more than a whisper, and she reached out to give her friend a gentle hug. Her ability to know motives and emotions made her a living lie-detector, but it also made her someone to talk to. She just wanted to help. That's all she ever wanted, really.
-
Two went rigid with dread when Thirteen revealed that she had figured him out. He instantly berated himself for having been so reckless by not taking the mind-reader into account. Not that the situation gave him any opportunity to do so, it was still a significant flaw he had overlooked in his tactics. No more than five minutes into his plan and somebody already had him dead to rights.
Only when she revealed her intentions were to assist rather than impede did the tension in his body start to ebb away. The accompanying hug put him even more at ease and did wonders to reassure him that whatever was to happen in the near future, he would at least have the support of one of his peers. Though he did not want to make a scene that would catch the attention of the staff, Two allowed himself to lean into the embrace as a subtle way of returning the gesture. Thank you. He thought aloud, figuring that would be the best way to communicate with her. I still don’t know how everything is going to play out, but I will let you know once we see who else supports this plan. I will talk to Three. If you feel that there are others you can trust with this sort of information, let them know that something very bad is going to happen in two days. That if I cannot figure out how to prevent it, to be ready to take advantage of an opportunity to escape.
With that, Two excused himself from the mess hall and set about addressing the next pressing issue of the day. The need to bathe. He was going on day three of not showering thanks to his prolonged vision and was feeling grungy. Meeting with Three could wait long enough to do that at least.
By the time he reached the showers, a hearty cloud of steam greeted him upon opening the door. It took him a moment to identify the lone silhouette as Three, which Two found to be very fortuitous. Two turned the door’s deadbolt locked with a distinctly audible *clack*. It wouldn’t be something that could keep the guards out since they would almost certainly have a key, but at the very least it would provide them ample warning to cease the conversation they were about to have.
Two occupied the showerhead adjacent to Three’s, turning it on to add to the din and mist that filled the room. He allowed himself to savor the feeling of the hot water on his body for a long moment before he realized he was stalling. Despite his confidence in his read of Three and the likely reaction he’d have of his intentions, it was ultimately Thirteen’s reassurance that gave the fox the push he needed to lay it on the line.
“If I were to tell you that I had a vision of an opportunity to escape this facility in two days’ time, would you be interested in hearing more about it?” While Two’s tone was casual, a side glance towards Three would reveal a conspiratorial grin on the fox’s muzzle.
-
The feline had been enjoying the warm water for a while now. Even as a branded Failure, this was one of them few things they gave to all of the members, simply as cold water was bad for their health. The water soaked his furr completely, as it dripped even to the floor below him.
His ears perked as he heard a clicking sound and he looked, buy did not see anything due to the fog of the shower. But as his ears pinpointed soft footsteps more, he became aware that there was indeed someone else in here. He ignored it for now as he began scrubbing his lower regions more properly, making sure his fur was groomed well enough as to not make any knots when he was drying himself off. But he was suprised to hear Two's voice sounding through the fog, as he suddenly saw the other male next to him.
He had never showered with the other male before, as he looked to his side, seeing the other enjoy the water as much as he did. Scanning the red furred male's body up and down fully, somewhat chuckling at the eyesight he saw. But that was not as big as the shock that he recieved after hearing what the other propose. At first he couldn't believe what he heard. This seemed to good to be good as he laughed softly. "Hehehe, good one dude..." As he looked at his own feet and shook his head. "Nice try wit that one. Who asked you for this? The administration?" Before he turned to face Two, arching a brow.
The male sighed softly, "How can I believe what you say is true? And not some sort of prank or fake vision eh?..." As Three growled a bit at this. "You are a Succes, you get visions that sometimes aren't true or heck could even be implanted." As he grew a bit bold, knowing fully that the Administration knows he dislikes the place. "Heck you should know I dispise this place... You even saw in one of your visions that I would escape. And what happened? For some weird reason my entire plan was known to them... No Two, I would love to brake out. But you know? I need proof... Solid proof."
Before he turned around and showed the two scars on his back. "See these?... A little gift the doctors gave me, along with this blasted color." As he extended his claws and scratched at it. "I don't even freaking know what this thing does. Or why they even gave me wings, it took me up untill now to figure out they actually went back into my backside." As the stress and anger in his voice was becomming enough to summon the black feathers out, making him gasp in pain as the feline fell to the floor, cursing.
"Aaah.... gawds that hurts!" As he panted and stared upwards at the naked male. "I would do anything to get out of this hell.... anything. But I need proof, something I can grab. And a dammed way to get this color off, cause for all I know it is recording everything I say."
-
Thirteen smiled, but it quickly faded as she made her way outside, simply laying in the heat of the sun. There was One, but she knew that she may go to the administration. She adored the reptile a d looked up to her greatly, but would she believe her? That something bad was to happen soon? Her tail swished slowly, indicating her deep thought. She wasn't sure what to do. She smiled once again, though, when her thoughts begn to run away with her. What was out there? Would it be like those black and white movies? Big cities with "neon" lights and gambling and fun? She always wanted to visit Las Vegas. To gamble or own her very own casino. She would be great at poker, she thought. She decided then and there that she would help if she got to get out. If she had to go her own way to see Vegas, she would. It'd be worth it.
She turned over, smiling to herself. She would really like to take Two and One and Three with her. She liked them a lot. A lot a lot. She would do anything for them, as long as their intentions were good in the long run. She tended to trust them wholeheartedly, since they usually never thought of betraying her or anyone else. That's something she can't stand. Betrayal. She would kill anyone who was a traitor. She decided long ago, after learning about motives and how to read them. She spent hours on the lawn. Just thinking in the warm sun.
-
One kept pushing herself on the treadmill each minute increasing the speed at which she ran, her thoughts not focused on anything other than the occasional thought of why Two was acting strangely. She understood that the prolonged testing did make him a little drowsy and strange but it seemed different this time. He bore a much darker countenance, something was worrying him deeply but One didnt know what. Stopping the treadmill she stepped off, a few drops of perspiration already dripping down the side of her face.
Walking directly to one of the punching bags she swung a few times, simple jabs and hooks. She thought about her training about how she needed to excel now more than ever. Not only was the administration expecting more from her but Thirteen and Five probably expected the same, the last thing she wanted was to disappoint them. Each subsequent attack made a faint crackling noise on impact and the movement of her body produced a soft "bzzzt" noise. One again the more she thought about her emotions the more her ability came to the foreground.
-
Two’s expression went flat as Three vented his frustrations and loosed a few slights that questioned both his capabilities and his loyalty. Still, he remained passively looking over his shoulder while never once flinching away from the tirade. The only change to his deadpan demeanor was a slight quirk of an eyebrow in tightly restrained interest as he watched wings tear out of the feline’s back.
It was only once Three subsided that Two allowed a long second of still silence to pass before turning to face him directly for the first time since he entered the room. Nothing in the fox’s demeanor gave away even the slightest nuance of emotion; his steel blue eyes exuded a compassionless coldness that stood in stark contrast to the steam that hung all around them as they looked down upon his prone companion. In just a few slow strides that splashed lightly on the water laden tile, Two had made his way closer to Three until he was looming over him. Without a word he crouched down and looped a finger under the collar and began inspecting it in a very clinical fashion while not registering that he was so far within Three’s personal bubble that the droplets from his damp fur were falling atop him.
After a full minute of inspecting the intricacies of the device around Three’s neck, Two finally stood and paced a few casual steps away from the feline inwardly satisfied with his observations. The foremost of which was that the collar was not bugged and had no way of transmitting his words to anybody outside of the bathroom. “You can rest assured that the sole function of the collar is to deliver a nasty shock should it be triggered. A likely safety measure on the doctor’s behalf to ensure you don’t try to use your new appendages to escape…”
“If you wanted me to try to disable the collar, you could have just asked!” That statement came out as a whip crack that revealed the offence he had taken to some of the things Three had said; a drastic change to the clinically detached tone Two used to deliver his observation of the collar itself. Two took in a breath to collect himself and reestablish neutrality to his tone. “What have I ever done to you to merit such distrust; is it me or the armband? So what if I’m a Success? It not only makes my life easier, but it also gives me opportunities to make your lives easier as well. If the price for that is being viewed as a facility lapdog, then so be it. Regardless of what you may think, I’ve always put the well-being of my fellow Subjects before anything else and would never sell any of us out.”
“It’s true; my visions are not infallible since the slightest deviation in fate can disrupt the entire thing. Even something as minor as me knowing what is to come could alter the timing I do something by a second, which could cause the entire chain of events to unravel. I don’t know how your plan was found out, but I never told a soul. If you are trying to insinuate otherwise, feel free to ignore this conversation ever happened because there isn’t enough time for me to rebuild your trust. Disabling that collar will be a kindness from one friend to another that I will do whether or not you choose to come along.”
Two let that hang in the air for a few moments as he went back under the showerhead and allowed the warm water to wash over him once more. He spoke after a few moments of massaging the water into his scalp, this time his tone was softer and somewhat haunted as he kept his back to Three. “Of all the visions I have ever had, this is the one that I would give anything to be false. The doctors are playing with fire; they are about to perform a procedure that will create a Subject that they won’t be able to control. In truth, my intention is to prevent the power outage that will give us the opportunity to escape for the sake of stopping the birth of a monster that has haunted me for weeks now. If I prove to be unsuccessful in that endeavor, then I want to do the next best thing and get those that I care about out of the monster’s path of destruction. For that to happen, they will need to be ready with the knowledge that there may be no opportunity to escape in the first place.” Two looked over his shoulder to Three. “I can take care of that collar, but the only physical proof I can offer you is the smoldering remains of this facility and everybody within should my vision come to fruition. Of course, by then it would be too late to be of much use to you…”
-
Three gulped as he saw Two comming closer and inspecting the collar that was set around his neck. The male tried to stay still, not liking the intrusion in his personal space too much. but he let Two do his job, if the other was so interested in how the collar worked, perhaps it was indeed worthwhile for him to see it. Three looked at Two and just thought about what he had said before, he had been acting on impulse and rubbed his temple with a paw for a moment.
When Two was done with the inspection, the other feline listened to what the psychic had to say to him. And he lowered his ears a bit in shame and annoyance of what he had done. He had been indeed acting like a kid, more so he had insulted the other in a few ways, if unintentionally. If what Two said was indeed true then he had a chance to escape! An actuall chance to get away from this horrid place and get a life that was worthy to live.
Three looked at Two when he was showering again and had spoken his words. The cat extended his hand and placed it upon the other, sighing a bit as he did. "Two... I am... sorry." As he let his head hang low, with his tail between his legs. "I did not mean to insult you, it has just been a few rough days for me you see." As he let a wing move to the other, so he could realise that that is what was bugging him. "These wings, this collar... How One has been acting towards me. Even Thirteen at a point. I am just at a breaking point dude." As the male almost began to shed a tear, normally he was so confident and strong and now he was breaking down.
"Look, I'll help you... If it means we can get our freedom... get away from... THIS... I'll be happy to help." As he turned to face the other and stared in his blue eyes. "I despise this place with all my heart. So you can bet your furry naked redd behind that I'll help you."
The cat growled a bit and looked to his side. "What would you like me to do then? I might be a failure, but I know where the guards are stationed. As well as their rosters... It is a bit too easy to hack their systems if Four has been giving you information at times." As Three grinned. "If you can get this collar off... And provide me with a link to their system. I will do what I can."
-
Two shook his head remorsefully. “Three… I only offer a chance for an opportunity to make an escape and only as a plan B. The priority objective is to do what we can to prevent the blackout so the doctor can control over their experimental Subject, even if it costs us an opportunity to escape at this time. The simple math of it is that if we get out, then that… thing also gets out and a lot of people will suffer because of it.” Once again his mind recalled the horrific deaths Ten unleashed upon those around her and the glee that was shown in her feral eyes upon doing so. “I don’t want innocent blood on my hands if I can prevent it from happening. If I can find a way to get you out and allow them to leash their Persephonian, then I promise you I’ll do it, but I don’t think that is an option…”
“Leave it up to me to figure out how to prevent the blackout. I want you to use your familiarity of the sentry routes to get you and whoever you trust as close to the perimeter walls as you can. If I fail, then that means the power will go out. No cameras, no electrified wall, no automated traps. You’ll have a five minute window to get out and clear of this place undetected so long as you can avoid the occasional patrolling guard. Just make sure to get as far away from this place as possible; if Ten gets out, you will want to avoid her at all costs. It’ll do my best to catch up, but do not come back for me. Worst case scenario should I get caught during my own attempt to get out is I’ll lose my Success status for all of the few hours remaining before Ten reduces everything around to a smoldering crater.” A bittersweet smile spread across his lips. In all of his years of using his tactical insight, this had been the first time actual lives were at stake, and certainly the first time his own was in the column of acceptable collateral damage. The notion was sobering to say the least, even if it were a worthy sacrifice.
“I will need to scavenge some tools, makeshift or otherwise, but we can reconvene here tonight an hour before lights out. From there I will disable the collar and enable you to take it off at your leisure, though it goes without saying that it is best to leave it around your neck until you’ve made good on your escape.”
-
Three understood the isseus all too well. "Alright then, I will make a deal with you Two. You help me with this dammed collar tonight. And I will do what I can. However... Nobody will believe me." He said a bit annoyed and looked at the other as a result. "I'll make plans anyone willing to join can follow... But I will not share them unless they are trustworthy." He said and spoke in a soft caring way. "You also better make it out alive or by my furry fur, I will come in there and drag you out!" Before winking and grinning as he started to wash himself fully this time.
"Could you perhaps arrange a few guns?! You know just incase of an emergency."
-
Five rolled his eyes as he ate his breakfast, just keeping his gaze towards his own tray of food as Thirteen made her outwardly and openly secretive seeming comment to Two just a couple seats next to him, waiting until they had both left to mutter to himself 'Hey, sure, don't mind the person sitting right next to you while you whisper little conspiracies..' Five just as quickly shrugged off the whole scenario just as quick, though, finishing the last of his food, turning in the tray for cleaning, and departing the room as well, apparently one of the last few to leave.
Figuring a shower sounded good about now, Five headed to the showering room, only to find the door to be locked when he tried the handle. It was obvious at least one person was already in there from the faint muttering voice as well as the sound of running water. "Really? Locking a COMMUNAL showering room? Someone is really THAT self conscious..?" He growled a bit at the inconvenience of someone on the other side of the door, then sighed and figured he'd just get a breath of fresh air and relax outside like he did the evening before. Along his way, however, he heard the sound of someone using equipment in the rec room, so he made a pit stop out of curiosity, peaking in to see One at one of the punching bags again. He decided, with nothing better to do, to take a few steps in and lean back against the wall just next to the doorway and watch for a bit, his arms folded across his chest. He watched one beating on the bag for some few minutes, figuring she must have something on her mind again as her powers started to shine through just a little more as the swings continued. Finally he made his presence known to her.
"You're not going to burn that one down, too, I hope..." He said with an amused smirk on his face.
-
One stopped her assault on the bag that still had electricity arching over the suface from the built up static charge in it, the charge around her body slowly fading as she looked at Five. She blushed slightly and smiled under her mask ."Five...No...I I didnt realize I was using my ability against it, I was just practicing my punches, warming up you know." She scratched her head before wiping some of the sweat from her scales. "So it was nice seeing Two again, but hes always so... distant or distracted. I guess that comes with being able to have those visions right?"
-
Thirteen made her way back in after a long while, rubbing her eyes and knocking on the door to the showers. Locked. She shrugged to herself before making her way to the rec room to find One and Five together. She froze for a moment, sensing Five was on to her just a tad. She relaxed soon enough, however, and smiled warmly at the two before hopping on a treadmill. She decided to stick close to a select few. She had to know what they were thinking. Then Seven popped into her head. Yes, she thought, he wouldn't rat them out. He could be trusted. Only...where was he?
-
I eventually grew tired of standing around in the cafeteria, and exit it. Heading down the winding corridors of the complex, I make my way to the failure training room and eye over the equipment. I eventually decide on the combat trainer, and head over to it. The machine starts up and begins to throw punches at me with it's padded arms. I block them in quick succession, hardly even thinking about it. Instead, different thoughts fill my mind. Thoughts of Two, and his sudden attitude change. The male was a weird one though, always having visions of what was to come. He isn't on my list of the most trustworthy people, but he's not bad.
The machine takes one final swing at me before I hold it's arms down while I turn it off before heading over to the drinking fountain and having a bit of a drink.
-
Thirteen stopped after a short while, excusing herself to the adjacent room. She needed to find Seven, and here he arrived. She knocked on the door before peeking her head in at the mantis. "You have a minute?" She offered a tentative smile.
-
I look up at find Thirteen standing in the doorway. Wiping my mouth with my foreleg I head over to the door, addressing her. "Yeah, what's on your mind?"
-
Thirteen glanced over her shoulder, sensing no dark motives within Seven. She stepped in, guiding him to the back of the room, where they couldn't be seen. Nobody ever cared enough to check inside the failure room. She seemed tense, looking at Seven with earnest eyes. "Something bad is going to happen. Two saw, and...he says if he can't stop it, our only option is escaping. I trust you a lot, Seven. This is our chance. But you can't say a word, okay? If someone seems trustworthy, then you can let them know. Three knows as well." Her voice was barely a whisper, ensuring only Seven would hear. She blinked, not taking her eyes off of him. "I trust Two. He's never lied before, and I didn't sense anything false about his words. If something is going to happen, it'll be bad enough to get out."
-
I tilt my head slightly, surprised by what Thirteen said. "So Two thinks we have a chance to get out of here? Did he say when this is going to happen?"
-
Thirteen paused. "In about two days." She edged closer, putting her confidence in him. "I told you this because I trust you. Five is just...unreliable. And I'm not sure about One just yet. Please, this can't leave this room."
-
“Heh. You know as well as I that they keep those locked up tighter than us. The most we can even dream of is getting our hands on one of their tranq guns, but even that is a long shot. I imagine there are several red flags that go up should any sort of firearm become unaccounted for.” Two shrugged. “We’ll just have to rely on our abilities should things get dicey, but our best bet is to get out unnoticed to buy us the most amount of time should it come to that.”
The fox cut off the water to his showerhead, retrieved his towel, and began drying his damp fur. “The best we can do is offer those we trust a chance to get out should that be the way things play out. If they don’t believe you or rather not risk it, then that is their call and we would have done all we could. So long as the facilitators don’t catch wind of this that is.”
As he finished drying himself, Two paused for a moment in consideration of what his objective was. “So One can control electricity now?... Do you know how much of a handle she has on her abilities and do you think she’s trustworthy enough to share this information with?”
-
Three pondered on the question that was given to him. She had shown some skill when fighting Five, but her attitude change. That is what he currently was fearing. The way One had been acting towards him, how she tried to become a Success like Five, that was what he had on his mind right then and there. He couldn't dare say fully yes, but saying no would also make the cat think twice.
He sighed softly before looking at the other, as Two was drying his furr, giving Three a full view on the other, as he too closed off the water to the shower and starting to dry himself.
"Honestly, I don't know yet... She has some control over it. But not enough that I know off. Neither if she wouldn't rat us out." As Three spoke softly, clenching a fist. "One has been uuh... changing... her attitude recently since she became a Success a day ago. It might be small, but she seems to want to impress the administration. She thrusts Thirteen the most however. If she talks to One, she could persuade her. Five I would not tell it too, or he would most certainly tell it.... Seven?... Huh, he's a tough one to think on. And Four is still in detention." As the cat began to dry his tail off at the same thinking and pondering. "Look it is simple Two, if you can arrange a fight with One and anyone else, you can see for yourself wether she is good enough for what you would want with her... As I think you want her to keep a portion of the facility lit up no? To prevent the blackout."
But Three then suddenly realised something. "But so..." As his ears drooped a bit. "It will be either this event happens... We escape... and are free." As he gave a smile to himself. "But have that Subject go free as well. Or else, nothing happens and it was all false hope then?"
-
I chuckle slightly at thirteen's remark. "Relax love, you can trust me. Besides, who am I going to tell?" I walk past her and exit the room, heading down the hallway and exiting the building, walking up to the wall that surrounds the facility. This, surely, would be their biggest problem. The wall was electrified at all times. They would have to blow the power to the whole facility to bring it down.
-
Thirteen felt a blush come to her cheeks. She always got flustered when he complimented her in any way. She left the room, smiling to herself. Now for One. She wondered how to break it to her. And how to get Four out of detention. She walked down to the detention ward and stopped at the edge of the hall. She drummed her fingers on her thigh as she thought. The cat looked around before abandoning the area. She would get him out later, she was sure of it. She made her way back to her room, leaving the door open as she thought her plan over.
-
Leaving the training room with Five in it she walked to her dorm knowing she would have to walk past Thirteens room to reach hers. She wanted a shower now and thought after training would be the best time. Smiling as she peeked into Thirteens room before offering a wave and heading to her own room. Picking up a towel and some fresh clothes she headed towards the bathroom.
-
Thirteen paused and followed One, grabbing her towel and acting like she intended to join in the showers, which she did. She smiled and purred, offering her company. "I figured I'd join you. It's probably bath day for everyone." Once inside the female's baths, she tossed her clothes aside and turned on the warm water, her fur dampening almost instantly. Her stripes seemed to disappear, and she turned an almost misty gray. "How's everything going?"
-
One smiled as she heard Thirteen behind her as walked into the bathroom, heading to a shower she offered a soft greeting. "I would love some company Thirteen." Walking to the showers she turned on the warm water and waited for some steam to build up around them, before shedding her clothing the green scales shimmered and reflected the dull light though the misty steam, her head hung a little lower as the water washed though the long raven black strands that fell over her face. Reaching up and throwing her head back a little her hair flung backwards revealing both her eyes for the first time in a long time. She offered a glance towards thirteen with her different eyes, Crystal blue and emerald green orbs looked over the cats body for a second before she went back to washing herself. "I am doing well thank you and yourself?" she said a little distant but still friendly.
Small sparks flickered in the air around her as she bit her lips and tried not to think of what she saw Three and Thirteen do the other day, mumbling to herself. "I am fine..."
-
Thirteen tensed, feeling the uneasiness in the air. She edged closer to One, giving her an earnest look with her large, emerald eyes. "Good. Good...you ever wanted to see the world? The one outside this place?" She had to be subtle.
-
The sparks died down as she heard the voice closer to her noticing Thirteens large eyes looking at her, her mind going clear for a moment as her scales flushed a pale shade of rose. "Outside of the facility...I think about going out on missions and using my abilities to be a hero or helping the world, but the videos make it look interesting... not sure how I would do out there." She smiled under her mask and continued to look at Thirteen. "Why do you ask? Do you think about out there?"
-
"All the time. Especially that bright, fun place from the movie. Vegas I think. It'd be a lot of fun!" She giggled washing the soapy bubbles from her fur. "But I think we'll get an opportunity to go. I wanted to bring you to Vegas with me!~" She smiled wider, giggling. This continued for a short while before she looked serious, her large eyes looking worried. "But...I don't know at what cost. Two says something bad is going to happen in two days. I don't know what it is, but he's not lying. I can feel it. He told the truth." She leaned in closer, trying to emphasize her point. "I knew I could trust you, One. You're one of the best people I know." She did, indeed, look up to the lizard, and not just because she was rather short. "If you won't come, just...promise you won't get us in trouble. Though I'd love it if you'd come with us..."
-
One looked at Thirteen and laughed softly. "Vegas looks like fun, but i doubt we would ever get any missions there." Her face did change when Thirteens did, although she wasn't that much taller than her ,barely an inch to be honest. "Two told you this? You know that if his vision is true we need to tell somebody..." her voice trailed off before she took a deep breath. "Look Thirteen... I..I like you...your somebody I... I care for. I wont tell anybody about this." she bit her lips and swore underneath her mask, trying her best to not open her mind and what she was feeling at that moment to thirteen. "Two will need to speak to me before i can make my decision but i wont tell anybody."
-
In that moment, she threw her arms around One. "Oh thank you! Thank you! I'll tell him." She smiled wide, unable to contain her happiness. "I like you, too, One. I'd do almost anything for you." She giggled to herself before finishing up her shower, turning the warm water off and drying her fur. She puffed up once dry, looking like a gray cotton ball. She giggled again. But then her face turned somber again. "If something does happen...I want you to know that I've got your back. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." She smiled again. "You know I mean it, right?"
-
One blushed heavily as she got hugged holding Thirteen close she nodded, Continuing her shower she smiled underneath her mask. Closing the water she grabbed her towel and dried herself off her scales glistening in the light before she got dressed again. "If anything does happen I will be the one who has your back Thirteen. I would rather get killed than see you sad." Drying her hair she smiled and let it fall over her left eye showing just her emerald iris like usual.
Adjusting her mask she slipped it off for a moment placing it next to a sink and drying her face, the smile visible on her slip as she checked her teeth and the mask to make sure it didnt show signs of wear. "God how i hate this thing."
-
"Me too. You have such a nice smile." She giggled, throwing on her clean clothes and purring to herself. She giggled again, feeling her own tail. She liked her fluff. She skipped out, waving a goodbye before going off and back to her room. Of course, she let One know where she would be, first.
-
One smiled and nodded to the cat before replacing her mask. The more time she spent around others the more she hated that single restriction. Stepping out of the bathroom she took a deep breath and relaxed for a little before walking to her dorm mind filled with a million and one things.
-
Two pondered Three’s assessment of One as he gave it. There were too many unknowns with this plan, but he was aware that they were not spoiled for choices. He would need to observe One’s control over her new power firsthand to see if she would be able to help him stabilize the facility’s power supply.
”But so…”
Three’s change in tone and topic pulled Two back out of his introspection to listen to the feline’s realization. With a grimace on his muzzle, Two strode over to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We have the rest of our lives to find a way out of here; even if this opportunity doesn’t pan out, I am sure there will be others. Given what I have seen in my vision, there will be no second chance to cage the monster that is about to be created. Within the first minute of waking to her new abilities she will demolish this entire facility. I dare not think of what would happen if she is allowed to refine her control over her power without safeguards in place…”
With a brief squeeze of Three’s shoulder, Two removed his hand with a renewed smile. “But think of the bright side…” He started even as he turned away towards the bathroom door with towel around his waist. “Either way the one device keeping you from flying the coop will be disabled before lights out tonight.” There was a metallic clack as the door was unlocked and Two departed, content with leaving Three that ray of reassurance.
-
Lost in thought she walked towards her dorm and past the mens shower just as Two stepped out, almost bumping into him she looked up. "Hello Two." her face looked for some sort of answer to what Thirteen had shared with her. Before shaking her head. "Glad to see your back to the land of the lucid."
-
Three grinned slightly at those last words. More so even because of the tone that Two had been speaking with. It wasn't so neutral, nor static as he used to talk. No, this felt more honest and warm even? It was odd to hear the other speak in such a way, normally Three was used that the tone was monotonish in nature and always strict and stern to the point as if a thousand variables were being deciphered by the other man. But that was not the case now. Which only made Three smile more.
The cat followed the other with a towel around his waist and went to gather his clothing as well, before heading to the door. "You do realise however if this collar doesn't come off that I'll need to hunt you down right?!" As the cat spoke with a wide grin, as if he was enjoying this little game that was going on. Well it was serious business no doubt, but a few small humor jokes here and there can lighten the mood of any situation. "Or else next time I'll need to drop the soap!" Before he bursted in a laughter, forgetting the fact he had his wings still out. Not that it mattered at this point, if the male was able to get free of that chain around his neck then surely it was worth any punishment.
"Yo Two?... Let's just hope that whatever you saw isn't caused by our own actions. You know? The whole 'you cannot alter the future, only take notice' of it crap that they fed us during the lessons." As the cat somewhat gritted his teeth as the wings slowly began to make their way back into his back. He hated this feeling, but walking around like a giant chicken of sorts wasn't a good option either, not to mention the hallway was much colder and Three did not like cold that much.
The cat noticed One suddenly almost bumping into Two, as he stared at her and looked a bit curious. "Speak of the devil." He thought in his mind.
-
No sooner had Two stepped out of the shower room than he had to take a sudden dancer-like stride aside to avoid colliding with One. For safe measure he gripped the towel around his waist to make sure the maneuver didn’t unfasten it sending it falling to the floor. “Oh, hey One. Heh, as much as I can expect to be at any rate.” He replied somewhat timidly, the sudden encounter having caught him flatfooted for an instant.
Two couldn’t help but notice the way she was looking at him; almost as if she was searching for something. In response, he looked over her in a similar manner in an exchange of unspoken inquiries. His own wondering if Thirteen had already spoken to her and whether Three’s concerns regarding her gradually changing personality were founded. A quick glance at the ceiling reminded him that the facility had eyes and ears upon them, making it foolish to discuss anything openly. As a result, Two revised his tactics.
“I’m actually glad I ran into you. Curiosity has gotten the better of me and I’ve wanted to see your new abilities in action since this morning. Three here has suggested I do so first-hand by challenging you to some informal sparring. Truth be told, spending the past two days bedridden has left my muscles a little stiff and I could use a little exercise to work out the kinks. What do you say, could I interest you in some friendly competition?”
-
Three followed what Two said as he went outside of the shower room and looked confused at this. "Wait I never sugges-..." As he then realised what Two was trying to do. And the man smirked. "Well off course, she has a new gift, best way is to see how it goes against you no Two?" As the cat patted him on the back, teasingly somewhat. "Besides... You two, if memory serves me right, havn't had a fight for a very long time. And some sparring will be fun for all to see no doubt!"
With Three then walking off towards his room. "I'm going to my chamber to get dressed and get fresh clothing. And who knows you two might be sheduled for this afternoon! Lemme know alright." As he chuckled walking off and leaving the two others to their little chat.
In truth, Three was going to check out the guards locations as well as gather information on how to best move. He knew the facility well, but that was it.
-
One smirked under that cold unmoving mask before letting out a happy giggle. "Really two, you want to spar with me?" she noted the seriousness on his face before shaking her head a little ."Oh god your serious...Well fine then but dont think I am going to go easy on you just because you've been asleep for the last two days. Well ill give you some time to get dressed and such and then ill meet you in the training/ rec room, ill be running a little on the treadmill to warm up." Glancing at Three for a moment before silently making her way to her dorm dropping off her towel and heading to the training room she agreed on with Two.
-
Five stood in the rec room, almost taken a bit aback to find that as soon as he had initiated a conversation with One, he was just as quick standing alone in the room. He walked over to the punching bad she had been using and eyed it for a moment before giving it a hard sideways kick, putting all of his strength into the kick. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and just stared and watched the heavy bag swing in a rather wide arc on its chain. He noted a few little burn marks from One's abilities over the surface of the bag, and lost himself in thought a bit.
She didn't even realize she was using her abilities here. Does she not have control yet..?
Five was gaining quite a bit of respect for One. She seemed to be one of the few who actually cared about this place and bettering herself for it. The bag had almost stopped its swing, so he gave it another hard kick, shoved his hands back into his pockets, and stared some more while drifting off into his thoughts. He wanted to know if he was right, and if he was, he would see to it she improved, one way or the other. As the bag slowed its swing to another halt, he gave it one last kick, and after being alone in the room for a good fifteen minutes, he finally left to try the showers again and seek out One.
He wound up rather fortunate, crossing paths with the reptile on his way out as she seemed to be headed back in that direction again. "One.. I was actually going to look for you in a bit. I thought about what you said, about not realizing you were using your powers. I'm curious to see how much you've progressed since before, and would like to help you improve. I'm about to hit the showers, though, but how about a spar and training after I'm out..?" Of course, Five was asking this without realizing she had already just gotten and accepted a similar proposal from Two.
-
Two grinned at One’s remark. “Nor would I want you to. I’ll see you there.” The three parted ways and he mused on how it had eluded him that it had been a good while since the last time he was properly assigned to spar with anybody. He was actually looking forward to his match with One, particularly the part where he would be able to remind her how tricky it is to fight with a precog. After a quick stop to his room, he excitedly trotted to the rec room where One would be waiting.
“Oh, hello Five. Hey One, give me a few moments to warm up, ‘kay?”
Without another word Two grabbed the pair of fighting gloves that was provided for the Subjects and strapped them on, flexing his fingers to adjust to the altered rigidity. He stood next to the ring and took several practice swings to warm up his muscles and prepare his mind for the fight. There was little in the way of reliable information regarding One’s tactics and fighting style, labeling all of his previous analyses of her compromised as a result of her Zeusian procedure. He would have to use those as little more than loose guidelines until he managed to comprehend her new fighting style assuming it was different. After a minute of that routine, he approached the center of the ring where One awaited.
“Good luck, One” Two’s voice was sincere. The outcome of the fight didn’t really concern him and was ultimately a smokescreen for him to talk with her despite the cameras. Granted, in order to do that, they would have to start off in earnest and from there he would look for an opportunity to converse mid-spar. Two assumed a ready stance; fists upraised, feet ready to react, but most importantly, eyes ready to read his opponent. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Right jab followed by snap kick.
As envisioned, One’s opening attack was a fast jab which was easily parried. The jab was followed by a kick, which Two ducked under by the slightest margin and darted to her exposed flank to strike with a powerful hook aimed for her kidney. The Zeusian flinched in time to absorb most of the impact of the punch, but there was enough force behind it to encourage One to disengage for a moment.
Left cross, uppercut.
When One reengaged, Two had been ready to deflect the first punch and did so deftly. What he hadn’t expected was the surge of electricity that came with brushing off the punch, stunning him long enough for the uppercut to catch his jaw and force him to take a stagger step back. He brought his hand up to his lip, felt the tenderness, but was glad to see no blood. The fox smiled at his opponent. “Heh, didn’t see that one coming. Well done.”
Two filed that technique under important information and made it a point to dodge her attack rather than deflect them. This time, it was him who took the offensive as he charged forward in a flurry of powerful jabs and kicks that either threatened her to keep her from squaring her stance or actually landing in earnest to keep her on the defensive. Two figured that if he didn’t give her an opportunity to focus on her abilities, she wouldn’t have a chance to effectively bring them to bear against him. To her credit, she managed to block a majority of his punches allowing only a few of them to hit her jaw and ribs. It was the last shot to her ribs that she finally made her move. Once the punch landed, she trapped it beneath her arm. Expecting a traditional counter, Two went to block his opposing side from the attack that would have come had it been any other opponent. Instead, he was met with a jolt of electricity that hit him like a stun gun causing his body to lock and him to fall to his knees. With a flash of insight, he quickly yanked his hand free and rolled away to avoid the blow that was coming for his head. “That’s a new one.” He said, popping back to his feet and shaking his arm to get rid of the tingling sensation that remained.
So far, he was pleased with the control she had over her new abilities. Still somewhat rough around the edges, but it might actually prove handy in keeping the facility powered.
-
Smirking once again she glanced back at Five who seemed to be watching them "Your turns after i get done with Two." She giggled before focusing once again. Taking a step back as he made some space that was just what One needed. Breathing deeply the air around her started to crackle with energy as she started to build a charge around her, sparks jumping between her fingers and scales before she rushed at Two. The double stepped rush closing the gap very quickly before she send an open palm thrust at two's midriff her every movement producing a "Bzzzzzt" and crackle sound as the change seemed to be stable and controlled around her. Holding the change at a level that would sting but not do any damage if her attacks landed. "Come on Two cant predict my movements under pressure? At least Five gave me a hard time due to his speed."
-
Two quirked an interested brow as he watched One begin to focus electricity around her body. An effective technique to be sure, but everything has a weak point. Even before she rushed in for the charge, he had already found a few potential flaws to exploit. When she did close in for the attack, Two was ready and narrowly avoided the opening attack that caused the fur along his stomach to stand on end. By the time the follow-up strike was sent, Two’s head was already turned out of its path before springing away to grant himself another margin of distance.
"Come on Two can’t predict my movements under pressure? At least Five gave me a hard time due to his speed."
The taunt caused a grin to form along Two’s maw even though no words were spoken in return. Rather, his stance shifted and his gaze seemed to unfocus slightly. When One renewed her assault, Two was already on the move as he darted, feinted, and weaved his way fluidly around the electrified punches and kicks. For the better part of a minute One’s attacks found nothing but air as Two maneuvered around them and always seemed to disappear into her blind spots no matter how quickly she moved or what tactics she employed. All the while, Two was testing the limits of her endurance with her ability and was impressed she was able to keep it up for being so new to it.
Satisfied with the demonstration of One’s new power, Two decided to take the offensive and ultimately close in with her to have a discussion. The next attack the vulpine managed to sidestep, he followed it up with a jumping kick that was planted between her shoulder blades. As he had hoped, there was no stunning jolt of electricity from the contact since he was not grounded. Two finished the kick by pushing himself away from her with his foot, breaking the contact before he landed while shoving her off balance. Using that window of opportunity, Two jumped forward and wrapped an arm around One’s neck so that the moment his torso connected with her back and completed the circuit, the stunning effects of the electricity caused Two’s body to tense in a way that tightened the sleeper hold. The both of them dropped to their knees as they locked in to their standoff between who could endure the longest.
“Hold up.” He spoke in a whisper against her ear through his gritted teeth, body still struggling against the electrical current. “We need to talk.” Even as the current subsided, Two still maintained his tense posture for the cameras and Five even though he loosened the pressure from around One’s neck. “Has Thirteen spoken to you?”
-
When Three had gotten to his room, the male quickly threw off his towel in favor of some better fitting clothing. He found a good stretch type of fabric that fit nicely around his body. More so as it improved his agility more than anything. He added ontop of that th same type of vest over a white shirt. And fitting black gloves with holes ontop for letting the fur breath a bit better. The entire attire, was nicely black in colour, with hints of blue and yellow on the rims.
He grabbed a watch and put it on, one of the few items they were allowed to actually use, before syncing it with the clock in his chamber. The camera turned and looked at Three, they were indeed watching each of the subjects still.
"Figures." He said as he gave the camera the finger, before walking out and placing his hands inside of his pockets. He just began to stroll, softly from his chamber towards the showers he had passed, then the training rooms, the mess hall and going over to the fighting area's as well as then the wall for the outside. Simply put, the entire grande tour, where he was allowed to go in. The watch however was put on in reverse, so that his paw could close over it if needed. Everytime he saw a guard stationed, did he made a soft click with the watch. Counting upwards, to see how many guards there were. And how long it took him from each point.
The cat made sure he was checking out everything, and chuckled when he passed by the area where One and Two were having their little brawl.
Each time a click was made when he passed a guard. Each time he memorised where the camera's were. When he finally reached the room, he checked the watch and smirked. "So from my room it takes me 8 minutes... And a total of 26 guards. Along with 40 camera's throughout the facility. Mhhhh..." As he scratched his chin, looking up at the wall and the freedom that awaited him. "I would so love to fly over that..." He said softly to himself, before making his way back to his room. Taking a different route, this time moving through the Successes area, knowing he could get in trouble. But he needed to map it again... After each of his escapes, they altered the system.
Three had succeeded once to get over the actuall wall outside. But it was shortlived however. But that day still showed him it was possible and if what Two said was true, he would grab it with both paws.
-
One hissed and growled softly in annoyance as she missed her attacks the aggression causing more of a current to build up sparking and discharging into the metals bars of some equipment and the floor, she might have had control over it but emotions caused her ability to increase in power quite dramatically. Not expecting Two to take the aggressive offense against her, between the wild discharges and her aggression his first kick knocked her off balance and down onto one knee without harm to one but by the time he had grabbed her neck she was one again generating a current though her body, painfully arching into the for and back into her.
His grip on her neck loosened but it was still strong enough to have the sleeper effect eventually. "She did...She only mentioned that something would happen and that they might plan an escape...though why a success would go against the administrations is beyond my understanding. I wont tell on her, but i need to know whats going on here."
-
“The actions that made me a Success were for myself and my fellow subjects, never for the administration itself. That by going along with their tests and procedures, I made my life easier and was in a better position to help the rest of you.” Two shifted slightly to ease up on the pressure around One’s neck even more while still holding up his charade; it was not his intention to knock her out. “It is by those same motives that I am now getting those I can trust ready to evacuate a potential disaster that will level this entire facility and everybody within. I’ve seen this vision more times than I can care to count. The doctors are about to create a new Subject type that is powerful beyond belief and just as insane. As things stand now, something will go wrong with the thing they will use to control her and if we can’t prevent that from happening our only hope for survival is escape. I’m not going to force anybody into this; I’m simply tossing life preservers to those I can and hoping they use it to get off a sinking ship.”
-
One gasped softly as the last of the current around her dissipated, Two's grip loosened as well as she breathed deeply and closed her eyes knowing that this fight was all just so he could confirm what Thirteen had already told her . "Look,i trust you and I appreciate the effort your putting into this. I dont understand the reasons for it, but I will help stop whatever it is thats going to happen, but im not doing it for you. I am doing ti because Thirteen trusts me and to keep her safe...if anything happens to her, I swear that i will personally hunt you down." The reptile was serious as she flicked and hissed under her mask, before pushing him back a little.
-
Five watched as the two climbed into the sparring ring together for a match. He leaned back against the wall as he had not long ago, figuring he could just watch the two of them and see what he wanted to without needing to get his own hands dirty. He watched their fight, taking amusement in each time One would catch Two off guard with her abilities. He smirked as she even taunted him in the middle of the fight. She was much more in control of herself, more than he was lead on to believe, though it was obvious her emotions were still driving her along at some times. What struck Five as odd, though, was how long it took for the fight to end. Two had bested One and had her in a hold that should have ended the match much quicker than it was going on for. Five took a few steps around the ring to find that they weren't fighting anymore, but just talking! He couldn't make out what they were saying, as they were obviously making sure to not be heard, but he quickly came to a realization in his own head..
He could account for everyone's whereabouts after breakfast except for Two, Three, and Thirteen, and the only two of them that could be in the same shower room at the same time without causing a scene was Two and Three. It was them talking before. Plus Thirteen had her moment just prior to that, and now this. Something was going around to everyone, and either Five wasn't on the list or it just want his turn yet. Either way, he wasn't going to wait to find out.
He couldn't make out what they were saying from where he stood, but he couldn't get much closer either without one of them surely realizing he was trying to listen in on them, so instead he devised a different plan. He'd wait until their little game was over and he'd tell One he saw what he was looking for and there was no need for a fight, and give her some recognition on her improvement. However he would then turn his attention to Two, offering that a precog fighting someone who's one day old with their abilities was hardly fair, and that he'd offer him a real challenge.. Of course Five would have ulterior motives behind this offer. So for now he waited for them to finish their 'match'.
-
“Rest assured that if it were my intention to harm Thirteen, all I would have to do it sit back and do nothing.” He said rather indignantly in response to One’s pointed threat before releasing her and effectively ending the match. While he had the upper hand, he wasn’t sure that there was a clear victor to this fight. Not that it mattered, it was all a means to speak to One and that objective had been achieved. The results of the discussion were less than reassuring in his mind and he realized what Three had meant in his assessment of the woman.
”A precog fighting someone who's one day old with their abilities was hardly fair; how about we see how you do against me?”
“Funny. I would have sworn you had challenged her to a fight just moments ago and from the sounds of it, you fought her yesterday. Tell me, did you at least wait for her to climb off the operating table before laying into her? I also couldn’t help but notice that she also has a new mask and wonder if you had any role in that necessity.”
Two stepped out of the ring, keeping Five in his peripheries as he undid the fighting gloves. He could tell that Five was up to something as well and reasoned he was on to the chat he had with One. “The main difference between my interest in fighting you and fighting One is that she understands restraint. Truth be told, the only way I’d feel comfortable with taking you on again is if there was the team of guards armed with tranquilizers that typically oversee your matches. The last thing I want is another trip to the infirmary because you got worked up and forgot when enough is enough; that is assuming I survive your bloodlust in the first place.”
-
Five smirked as Two was calling him out regarding his match with One. He owned every bit of what Two said, and came back, at first, with a smartass remark. "Yup, that was all me. And of course I waited.. Where's the fun in beating someone while they're strapped down to the table?" His face took a more serious expression as he continued. "I did what I had to. And in case you didn't just notice, it was quite effective. You think she'd be that far along if I just patted her shoulder saying 'come on you can do it'? The only way to be the best is to work and push for it..so I pushed her. Interestingly enough, for all the crap being said about that match, she's the only one that hasn't complained.. Heck, I'm pretty sure there was even a look of amusement on that maskless face at the end of that fight.."
Five tossed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes as he only half listened, letting the rest of Two's rant mostly go in one ear and out the other, until his remark about his bloodlust. Five growled and shot Two a death glare. In his own head, that was an incredibly low blow..
"Don't you EVER throw that in my face like that again! You have no idea what I went through, the life altering changes forced upon me, to maintain control over that! You lecture me about restraint. Half the people around me are STILL ALIVE because I've dedicated my LIFE to restraint! But I'll tell you this, of you want bloodlust, you're pushing all the right buttons so far.." Five growled again. He had enough of this nonsense. His evidence wasn't solid, and his suspicions were more speculation at best, but Two took his swing at him, and now he was swinging back, and going for the throat.. "Something is going on around here, and all the signs are pointing straight at you. Care to explain what this is all about?" Five took a couple steps closer to Two and lowered his voice just enough, but still speaking in his irritated tone. " ..or maybe I should report suspicious activity within the unit..? After all, I'm not involved yet, so what harm to me is in a few extra guards roaming our halls..? Tell you what, you can tell me or you can tell all of 'them'.."
-
Three walked back through the building, entering the area he wasn't really allowed acces too, but most guards knew that the cat would just go through it wether or not he was allowed. That is, if the guards took notice of him being there in the first place that is.
The feline sneaked stealthily, glad he was a cat. One of the reasons they had choosen to give him this set of powers was indeed that a cat was more agile, nimble and effective when it came to infiltration.
A few guards were walking along their route, as other voices could be heard. Softly but definatly ones that Three knew about. But the guards were an issue he couldn't get that past them unless they moved and he waited them out. As his ears perked he could hear Five's voice, that tone he could recognise everywhere. Was he already being told of the plan Two had?... No that would never be the case. Two would know that Five was the least trustworthy on such things. But why did he have a feeling then on this?
As the guards finally moved further down the hallway, Three took this chance to quickly sprint through the white hall, his outfit wasn't good in light areas, but with his fur inside of it, he did gain some speed due to aerodynamics. Some things in the science lessons did pay off! As did all the technology lessons. The Subjects might be sheltered, but they needed to know ICT. A reason why all of the computers were kept safely away from them. Even more so from subjects like Four, who could hack remotely.
Five's voice became louder, as he heard Two's and even One?... What was going on there was something of interest. As the cat sneaked around a few corners and hid himself, able to hear into the conversation itself yet hidden from sight. "Let's see how good this training actually was." He said to himself, smirking.
-
Two remained as impassive as stone during Five’s short rant, feeling no more compunction for his words than if he had announced that it was raining outside. He simply laid out facts and observations regarding the physical challenge without the slightest embellishment and it was on the skunk if he couldn’t cope with the cold truth of the matter. “We all suffer from the side-effects of our respective abilities.” Two interjected during Five’s pause without any emotion to his words as he again pointed out facts. “You’re unique affliction ultimately makes you no more special than the rest of us or any more of a victim. It is on all of us as individuals to either work with or against our abilities for the safety of whomever is around us.”
"Something is going on around here, and all the signs are pointing straight at you. Care to explain what this is all about?" Even as Five crept closer, Two made no effort to turn to face him directly, still keeping him at his side and never faltering from his neutral demeanor. " ..or maybe I should report suspicious activity within the unit..? After all, I'm not involved yet, so what harm to me is in a few extra guards roaming our halls..? Tell you what, you can tell me or you can tell all of 'them'."
Two couldn’t help but marvel at the irony of the situation that credited Five’s statement. His restraint was wavering somewhat and as a result he was essentially endangering everybody’s life because he was not in the know. Ideally, he would have been able to tell Five once the power went out so that he would have been too late to stop the others from fleeing or otherwise put them in harm’s way. The question was, does he take his chance with the heightened alertness of the guards based on a Success’ suspicions against another Success or make him privy to the situation now and hope he doesn’t take it to the administration.
He came to his decision almost instantly. If Five was planning on going to the administration based on perceived conspiracy, then he is just as likely do to so once he found out a jailbreak was in the works. The main difference being that the latter would prevent the evacuation from happening while the former would just make things a little more complicated. Once again, Three’s assessment of their fellow Subjects seemed sound and it was far too much of a risk to tell Five this early.
“I have no idea what you are talking about and I don’t see any good coming from where this is going. Excuse me.” With that, Two would continue to make his way out of the rec room at a casual pace.
-
One stood back up and adjusted her mask before glancing back to see the exchange between Five and Two. It was clear that the tension was rather intense even to the extent that the reptile ducked down a little lower into a defensive posture before trying to make her way past them. Stopping for a moment to glance at Two and then at Five. She respected them both, Two was a brilliant tactician and his visions were rarely incorrect, and Five was everything she strived to achieve in being a success. "Guys..." she said in a hushed tone before lowering her head and making her way outside of the rec room.
-
Three saw One move away from the group and exit the area. Not soon after Two followed as well, which was perfect for Three. He waited untill the male was away from Five and One's viewrange before he quickly sprung forward and pulled the other into the dark with him. The only little spot that wasn't properly lit up and made "shhh" sound towards the other.
The feline was trespassing after all, so it was in his best intention to not be found. And if he was, Two hopefully could assist him in getting out of trouble.
"Sorry, don't want to get busted in this here section of the building." As Three grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "So, you had a talk with One and Five just now? I only heard the last part... Mainly Five's rant. Just let the guy be. He isn't worth it." Before he looked at the other and began to arch a brow. "So did you get your curiosity sated on her abilities? What do you think?... I know that she is getting stronger, but is One truly strong enough. Or loyal for that matter!"
-
Thirteen yawned, coming out of her room and exploring the hallway before making her way to the cafeteria. She had obtained permission for a snack, that being a glass of milk, so long as she worked it off in the rec room after dinner. She smiled to herself, her striped tail swaying contentedly.
-
One adjusted her mask as she made her way outside, well aware that she was being monitored she needed some time to think about what Thirteen and Two had told her. Stepping past the cafeteria she barely noticed Thirteen as her mind flooded with thoughts and the threat she had made to Two. Making it outside she walked to a sunny spot and sat down crossing her legs and resting her palms on her knees. Closing her eyes she took a few deep breaths religion wasn't really a big thing among subjects but she found some comfort in reading about Buddhism and similar religions, she found sitting like that and meditating on her thoughts made them more clear to her.
-
Alex roamed the halls in his usual dark outfit and tinted glasses, glancing back every now and again to see if he was being tracked. This kind of freedom was new to him, and therefore, he didn't entirely believe it was real. It was also because he wasn't sure if he should be in this section of the building, but he was getting too restless to not take advantage of this chance. Besides, if they do catch him and reprimand him, he'll just say that he was curious and got carried away, it worked in theory, he thought. As he was coming to a corner he stopped, hearing someone scream and instantly went on the alert. Alex had never dealt with angry people, but the tone was enough to awaken his baser instincts that prompted caution in him. It died down several moments later and Alex peaked around the corner, zooming in to see if there was anything going on in the halls. Someone stepped out of the room and then was pulled to the side which intrigued Alex, but it seemed to be another Anthro. Before he could go up to the room one of the figures left and Alex pulled back letting her stroll on by. Alex bit his lip and looked back then decided to follow the figure who'd walked by him outside, stopping a comfortable distance away. "Hi." Social exchange, the one thing they found no need to train him on. "I'm 9, who are you, and what happened back there?"
-
Thirteen stopped just before the cafeteria. She seemed dazed, almost unresponsive. There were only two others there, yet she felt her mind being flooded with emotion. She couldn't focus, she could hardly see anything in front of her face, which contorted to several different expressions as the cat tried to process what she was experiencing.
-
One's eyes shot open, yet only the left eye was visible the right one almost always hidden behind her fringe. Before standing up, her frame was small but very toned. "Nine...I have noticed you around but it has been a while, then again i dont really pay that much attention to the going on's that is Two's specialty." One shifted slightly as her tail swished heavily to the side. "Since it seems you never learn your classmates names. I am One. Oh you mean the Success training room? Just a d**k fighting competition." She knew why they were fighting but she was not just going to say why, and instead down played it to just being the boys releasing some tension.
-
Alex squinted behind his glasses, yet another advantage of them: he could give looks of suspicion with no one being the wiser. Losing the glasses could be damning to him. Of course he had noticed them before, but never knew them personally as he never seemed to have the time to focus outside himself and his own trials. Alex turned back and looked to the complex wondering if he could make it back and listen to the conversation going on between the two. Alex turned back to One and wondered what was going on. It seemed that he had just gotten the chance to know others, finally had the chance to socialize and it all meant nothing.
"They're just like the administrators. All secrets and lies. They're hiding things from me."
Alex's jaw set a little tighter before he took a deep breath and let it out, relaxing his face. "So why was only one of them screaming?" Alex couldn't say for certain that only one person was screaming but it seemed that way. If he was right, he might glean something new from the situation. If there was one thing he learned to do it was lie and only tell half the truth. It was one of his greatest tools against the administration.
-
"Two touched one of Five's nerves, and Five got angry. Simple really." She said softly before adjusting her armband and looking at the sky for a moment. "Then again Two wasn't really justified in going after such a delicate topic. Being what Five is cant be easy, I heard that subjects of his type have some of the most... difficult of complications, but Five is a good guy, heck hes probably one of the Administrations favorite subjects...an ideal to strive towards" She mentioned bluntly with a slight blush hidden behind the black mask she wore. Glancing over Nine rather coldly she smirked. "Unless you are like Three or Seven. I really dont get those two, instead of striving to be the best they can they just anger the administration they will never become successes like that and will keep this unit down."
-
Alex eyed One and turned her words over in his head, they didn't seem deceptive but Alex's instincts were always to mine for data and information. Perhaps it was part of his engineering, maybe he just developed the instinct through training. Though working with computers was a lot like working with people in ways. You had to be careful, poke the wrong spots-or poke the right spots too much, and the security will shut down on you.
This is what Alex was made for.
"I feel like I know them in a more than passing way. Especially Three and Seven, what with us all being.. well, Failures, thus far. Describe them and I might remember them." Alex's brows furrowed and he wore a genuine look of contemplation. Her cold look didn't bother him much, it just made her seem more like the administration to him. So much less guilt in picking her brain, he just hoped he was being subtle enough in his approach.
-
Thirteen snapped out of her stupor and made her way inside, picking up her glass and downing its contents. She smiled warmly, purring to herself. She had not gotten to know Nine as much as the others, and she could hardly contain her excitement from coming up as a kind of gush; almost word vomit. She sat at a table and drummed her fingers on the table, her fluffy fur masking the sound only slightly. She filtered her own thoughts from those of the others, though the mean spirited remarks coming from One surprised her. Amongst the Successes, Thirteen had gained a reputation of not being selective. She was nice to everyone, Success or Failure, and tended to spoil both with handmade or gotten presents to keep them happy. The petite girl shrugged, keeping her sweet, honey smile, singsong laugh and emerald eyes upon Nine and One; Nine in particular. He was more well-structured than Four, she thought.
-
One closed her eyes for a second as she tried to calm her own thoughts for a moment, something had happened in her mind giving her two sides, one simply wanted to prove her worth and prove she could be the best, the other still cared for her fellow subjects, less so than Thirteen who risked alot helping the others.
"Three. Feline, average build, I am unaware of his physical strength, failure,he can transfer his wounds to others.Close to the other failures, and too close to Thirteen" she said as she basically read her own mental evaluation of the subjects "Seven. Mantid, Herculean, very strong and very sleek, his physical strength out matches even Five but he is slower and less disciplined than Five is, Failure." Shaking her head a faint smile developed under her mask. "I still dont understand them...You...Why do failures not strive to be better?" her voice was softer and filled with more concern than before.
-
Five stood in the room, once again alone as One and Two took their leave, snarling to himself. Well that didn't work. He didn't really intend to take things to any authorities, he wasn't going to stoop that low when he didn't even have solid proof, but he was hoping his empty threat would have made Two talk. Guess not.. But Two was wrong. In Fives mind, he was very special. He was the best around and sacrificed more than anyone else had, and more than anyone else realized, to get to where he was today, and not just for his own good either. He didn't expect thanks or gratitude from anyone, but he at least deserved far more respect than what he was being given right now..
His breathing got heavier as he felt the urge to chase Two down the hall and beat him senseless, along with anyone else who'd cross his path, rising up inside him, only to be momentarily interrupted by the sound of a drip hitting the floor. Looking down, he saw a small drop of blood at his feet. He brought his hand up to inspect the source. In his anger, he had been clenching his fists so hard that he had punctured his own palms with his nails and drew blood. He found it soothing to look at, and couldn't help but think that seeing even more would feel even better, looking through the doorway, again considering giving chase before averting his gaze over to a camera in the room. He had already made a scene a moment ago that he was sure got peoples' attention, and he knew he was losing the plot in his head. He had to regain control over himself or this wasn't going to end well for anyone. He made his way to.the hallway and checked both directions. One and Two were both long gone it appeared. Good. He darted out of the room and made his way to his own, ignoring anyone that might have been along the way. He was very tunnel visioned in his mindset now. Fresh clothes, fresh towel, shower finally. He could relax and calm himself down in the solitude of a hot shower, figuring most everyone else had theirs already, and he needed to be alone, lest one more stupid comment push him over the edge he lingered dangerously on the edge of right now...
-
Four groaned, rubbing his head as he slowly woke up. He blinked a few times, adjusting to his surroundings. Everything around him was still blurry. As he looked around, he saw that he had fallen asleep where he sat in the detention room, slumped against the wall. No wonder I feel like shit, he thought to himself.
"Ah, you're awake," said the guard. He held the goat by the collar, lifting him to his feet.
"Hmm?"
"The detention period has ended. You are free to go now. Let this serve as a warning not to interfere with official Administration protocol in the future."
"Yeah...point taken." Four sighed, scratching the back of his head, and stepped out into the hall. He looked up at the clock, noticing the hour. He had been asleep for longer than he had thought. On a dime, he felt his stomach growl, seeing how he had missed breakfast. He headed over to the cafeteria, tracing his way back through the halls.
-
Alex listened to One go on about the failures. Alex had hoped that he would have heard about Two and Five but hearing about Three, Alex closed his eyes and focused.
"One figure walked into the hall walking away from the corner I was at, red fur, appears vulpine. Another figure pops out and grabs him, pulling him around the far corner. No great details on second figure but was feline in appearance... I need to speak to this Three."
Alex came to as he realised she had asked him something, something about failures? Yes about why failures don't try. "Sometimes.. some of us grow tired of trying to live up to 'their' expectations." Alex made a wide gesture, referencing the facility as a whole, "Me, I don't want to be a failure. I hear whispers and rumors. They tolerate us to an extent. I don't want to die-or worse." Alex spoke somberly then his head twitched up and he shook his head a bit as if shaking off a leaf or bit of dust. "I should go, it was.. interesting to meet you, One." Alex nodded curtly and walked away heading into the cafeteria. Alex couldn't shake a bit of excitement. Part of his brain couldn't shake the feeling that this was his own personal exercise. No administration judging him or pushing him, it was his own game of data mining and surveillance that he could play at his own pace. Tail and ears twitching Alex walked into the cafeteria and didn't realise that he bumped Thirteen. "Oh! I'm sorry, I was distracted."
-
Thirteen simply smiled and nodded, as if the armband wasn't existent to her. "It's quite alright, Nine. It's great to see you! We never really got to talk." Should he have continued his way, she would have followed, keeping her honey-sweet smile all the time. "How have you been? Nothing bad from the administration I hope. They've been getting onto me a little but I'm alright. As long as you guys are happy, I always say!~ Oh, say, you mind having dinner with me and Three? I think Four might be coming too." Her fur bounced weightlessly as she walked, though her tank top didn't quite cover the bruises on her back.
She smiled, again, up at Nine. She giggled, a sound that was almost like a song, and tilted her head. "You've always been very introverted, haven't you?" That offshoot remark seemed to come almost out of nowhere, but Thirteen had always known. "It's good to see you talking with others. Even if things get a little heated." She hadn't heard the conversation directly, no, but she could read others as easily as he could. Easier, even. She couldn't control what she felt or 'heard' from others. She simply dealt with it.
-
Alex had indeed meant to simply apologize and keep going. Hoping to catch Three either still talking to the foxlike person or somewhere else where he could gently probe the situation. When she followed him and quite directly engaged him in conversation Alex spun on the spot, one eyebrow arched.
"I'm not sure what to make of this girl.. she's nice, sweet, but she's a bit.. forward."
Alex simply listened and nodded, she seemed to be very in tune with the people around her, possibly more so with her fellow anthros. It was nice, Alex supposed, that there was someone there who could truly understand him-them, it was nice that she could understand them. Alex was gong to curtly nod but then she mentioned having dinner with Three and everything shut down for a moment.
"No way.. I can't be this lucky-wait." Alex stopped all thought on the matter and smiled admiringly to her, "She has the most beautiful eyes."
"Well thank you, I'd be more than happy to have dinner with you and Three, and if Four can come that's alright, of course." Alex nodded curtly to her, this time not trying to walk away.
-
One stepped outside for a moment smirking underneath her mask at Thirteens invitation towards Nine. Taking a deep breath she made her way back to the rec room making sure to use a separate path than Nine and Thirteen, walking past the dorms where Five and two would be staying she didn't really try and look for Five but could smell the scent of blood in the air. "Pathetic." she hissed to herself before barging back into the rec room and instantly going for the heaviest punching back she could find.
-
Her wide, green eyes grew even wider, and her smile could hardly contain her excitement. She giggled her usual giggle, her long-furred tail swaying in delight. "Oh thank you so much!" The cat purred quite audibly, her ears twitching with her growing glee. "Say, you can really read people. Plus, I thought that you'd want to see Three. Well, I knew. Oh dear, just listen to me going on and on. I'm nothing special, really. Just because I share emotions and know motives and hear intentions and thoughts, to some extent. You, you're much more of a marvel. You have an enhanced...everything, really. So cool. Oh dear I'm rambling again.."
Thirteen looked very self-conscious, and her sugar sweet smile faded for a few moments. "You want anything from the Success bar? I never finish my meals, so if you want some real meat I'd be more than happy to." The smile returned, and she edged a little closer to him. She admired everyone but herself, and strove to be better constantly. Though she did spoil the Failures, she was usually careful. "Last time I snuck food and favors I got beaten. But I guess I deserved it. Though the others didn't deserve to get in trouble like that." Again, the smile disappeared. She was quite hard on herself, it seemed. "But it's worth the risk for friends, y'know?" She looked up at him expectantly, eagerly, sincerely. "If you need anything, just ask." Again with the smile. She can't seem to pick an emotion. It's almost as if she's preoccupied with thoughts. Even she didn't know why he thought her eyes were pretty. She just thought they were boring green.
-
Alex watched and listened as she continued. When she had burst out in thanks he didn't know if it was to the compliment that he only thought, or to agreeing to having dinner with them. If it was the former he needed caution, if it was to the latter, he had some lee way. When she spoke about being able to read thoughts to some extent he banished any lingering thoughts of his investigation and just smiled to her, trying to keep her from dropping into some sort of melancholy. Hearing her offer he smiled a little more sincerely. "Well tha-" but then he heard of the consequences and he stopped, his face turning to a look somewhere between disbelief and abject sympathy, "No.. not if that's what you're risking." Alex felt himself becoming.. protective of her? Yes, this girl spends so much time looking out for others she doesn't care about herself. She couldn't help it, her reading of other peoples feelings must cause it.
"More 'side effects' of the administrations experiments.. those disgusting little-"
Alex shook his head softly and then nodded to her, "Dinner with you guys would be nice, I'll get my food and meet you here then?" Alex didn't let that she knew he was looking for Three bother him. She didn't show any sign of knowing why which was good. Alex had no way of knowing how much, or little she knew about the secret, best not to risk anything around an empath.
-
Thirteen nodded, getting her own food and returning the table, her smile slowly returning. She felt nice that she could make him smile. She waited for the others before eating her food. She thought to herself about the intentions she felt. Though, she felt like she should wait things out. She trusted Nine, to an extent. She kept her eyes on him, though it was a friendly gaze. She purred to herself, though she felt her concentration slipping as her own thoughts escaped her. She kept an eye out for Three and Four, hoping they'd arrive soon.
-
Moving across the room Alex started to realise how hard it was to censor your own thoughts, especially when he never had before. Watching what he said was easy, he'd been lying and embellishing the truth to the administration for as long as he could remember. Though that was easy, speaking was a conscious action. Thought was a bit involuntary, it was Alex's understanding that people often mused about things without really thinking about it. Already Alex felt a bit of anxiety bubble up in him but Alex took a deep breath and relaxed. When he got nervous in the administrations exercises it made him fail. Here.. what would it do? Could they get mad if he was trying to get at their secret? Would they take drastic measures...? Alex blinked and shook his head, realising that thinking about getting nervous was making him nervous. Getting his food and heading back to the table he cleared his head to the best of his ability, the anxiety now being an easy to ignore buzz somewhere in the deep recesses of his mind. His dinner was the usual for failures: unseasoned 'meat' that was mostly a substance Alex had come to know as 'pink goo' which tasted like meat. It wasn't though, and Alex didn't dare so much as look at Thirteen's plate, best not to even recognize the true look of meat. Besides the pink goo he had some beans and potatoes. The potatoes were supposed to be something nice like the 'meat' but from what Alex heard it was nothing special. Alex didn't let it show though, smiling as he did his usual procedure of scooping up some meat and potatoes then stabbing some beans and chewing it all together.
-
The girl dug into her own food, glancing at Nine and feeling his anxiety. It was there, and she could feel it. "I won't tell anyone, you know. I keep thoughts a secret." She offered another smile. "Though I can't stop you from censoring yourself. I don't mean to intrude, but I can't help it. Sometimes I can't tell which thoughts and emotions are mine. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." She finished her meal relatively soon, smiling once more. She felt herself stretch, looking Nine up and down. She felt like she overstepped a boundary somewhere, and she couldn't place where. Her big mouth had probably gotten her in trouble again. "The administration can be so mean to you guys. So I usually step in and take blame. I don't mind it. They treat me nicer because I'm in their good favor. But sometimes I wonder what Outside is like." She tried to mend her mistake by switching the conversation.
-
Alex blinked and stopped with a fork full of food halfway between his mouth and his tray and his mouth open just a crack. She had noticed his anxiety, his holding back, his self censorship. At first it frustrated him-was there no way to keep these things to himself? Then the frustration seemed to collapse on itself and then everything seemed to collapse on itself. "No one? .. A secret.." Alex muttered the last two words and stared at the fork of food as it just slipped from his fingers.
"What is life alone? Not life, self imposed exile. The life of a pariah. Maybe.."
Alex looked over at Thirteen with an expression only masked by his tinted glasses, "You couldn't hurt someone if you tried, I don't think. If you did, you'd feel horrible. Even if that person did everything to deserve it. Don't hurt yourself for me though. Cause then I'll know you're hurting because of me.. and I'll feel bad. Okay?" Alex bit the inside of his cheek feeling something he'd only ever reserved for himself bubble up: sympathy. Of all the things about this girl she was pure as fresh snow, not even the most cynical parts of him could pin anything to her.
-
She nodded, smiling. "Anything for a friend." She felt herself lean over to give him one of her patented hugs. A hug she had given to everyone, save for him. She was gentle, and her fur she kept soft. She almost didn't touch him, yet she did all at once. A comforting, warm gesture she wanted everyone on earth to feel. She leaned back in her seat, back to her old self. "Hope you've been doing well! I didn't see you much, so I worried about you. But now I know! And, hey, maybe we'll be testing together. If they test today. Who knows, maybe we'll have a class or go outside. I like it outside. The breeze feels nice."
There was something under her ramblings. A hint in her voice. Anxiety. Nervousness. Uncertainty.
-
Alex smiled softly and returned her hug, though not as enthusiastically as some would. It was comforting though, to feel a kindred spirit such as herself give him this happy exchange, it made that buzz of anxiety go away and made him feel warm inside. Just a little, but Alex could feel the usual disinterest in life and the goings on of the world lift.
"This is care and compassion, I think.. and I think I like it."
Before he broke the hug he gave a quick squeeze then swallowed nervously and blushed softly beneath the white fur on his cheeks. "I hope we do end up in some class or exercise together, going outside would be.. nice. I haven't appreciated it in a while.." Alex looked to her and though he was quite perceptive it was mostly based on visual cues, tone of voice, things the five senses could pick up. Alex didn't have her abilities though part of him thought perhaps she was still feeling his anxiousness. Maybe he was being paranoid but he'd keep watching her to see what he could deduce from it all
-
Thirteen smiled sweetly. "I've wanted to get to know you for a while." Especially in more recent times. She giggled to herself, eyes darting to a window. "Outside is...big. Vast and welcoming, even the little bit that we're allowed to go to. I have a feeling though..." She trailed off, taking a few quick breaths. She couldn't say it. Not yet. Not until she knew he wouldn't tell. "After dinner, can we go out?" She asked him earnestly. "If we're not called upon for something. I like talking to you. You really listen, you know..?"
-
Four scooped some standard-issue herbivorous failure vegetable paste onto a tray and waved hello as he walked up to the table where Alex and Thirteen were sitting. He was glad to be out on his own for once, and even happier to see Thirteen happy and unhurt.
"Hey, guys! Mind if I sit here?"
-
"Oh, hey. Sure, Four." Wait. Stop. Rewind. "FOUR!" Thirteen bolted up, hugging the goat tight, mindful of his arm. "You're okay! Oh god I'm so sorry about...then..."
-
"Whoah!"
Four staggered back, surprised by the sudden hug. He had to carefully rebalance his tray to keep it from falling.
"...it's fine, really..."
-
She looked as if she would cry. "No! I got you...god, I'm sorry. You want me to get you a salad or something..? I can...oh god I have to tell you. Oh god I messed up bad didn't I?" She tapped her fingers on the table, her leg shaking. Nine or Four? Or...maybe both? "You should find Two. Or...come with us outside. I don't know, I...I can't think straight." She rubbed her head. "More are coming, I...I'm having trouble focusing. I can't go running my mouth. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
-
Four blinked a few times, then started to back away.
"T-Thirteen?...I'm sorry...I can go if you want..."
He looked down at the ground, shyly.
-
"No no no! Really, it's fine. I'm just freaking myself out, I'm okay." She smiled. Then it was gone. "They didn't hurt you, did they? Are you okay?"
-
He shook his head.
"No, I'm not hurt. Just a little kink in my neck's all..."
He turned his head to the side, trying to work it out.
-
"Yeah..okay." The girl tugged at her shirt, trying to cover her own bruises.
-
Four sat down at the table and began eating, turning to Alex.
"Who's this?"
-
"Nine." She smiled a little, thinking back on the moments she shared with him recently. "I like him. He's cool."
-
"Hey there, Nine. Four, pleased to meet you. Haven't seen you around."
Four held out his hand to shake.
-
Alex watched the exchange and felt his heart sink. Thirteen was in on this whole thing, and was keeping things from him too. Alex felt like if he went outside with her later he could find out what it is without any subterfuge and while part of him wanted it cause it was quick and efficient and had high probability of success. Another part of him wanted to meet with Three to keep up the challenge. "Outside.. I have a feeling," Alex muttered bits of Thirteen's last sentence to him then looked to Four and gave a very slight nod and shook his hand with a gentle grip.
-
Thirteen felt her heart sink. She looked at the table, and thought for a moment that maybe she should retire to the outside early. Though she wanted to see Three. They hadn't seen each other in a while. She sniffled, taking a deep breath. She kept things because she had to. She couldn't risk their safety, yet not telling them would also put them at risk if Two was right. And she believed he was. She looked at Nine, her wide eyes sparkling with sadness and restraint. She wanted to say she was sorry. She wanted to just blurt everything out right then and there, for everyone to hear. But she couldn't. She couldn't because it'd hurt their chances of leaving, if they had one. And that threat. The Persephonian, as Two had so generously thought about. If that was let into the world...no. She wouldn't let that happen. She would help stop it or die trying. Her hands balled into fists as she grew tense.
-
Alex looked up seeing Thirteen's expression and realised that she was being forced to feel his regret, his doubt, everything. Alex glanced to Four and nodded again, trying to choke back all his worry. Even if Alex thought of his motives how could Thirteen know that those motives were true. Alex thought of everything he could, but it was all twistable. "Excuse me, it was nice to meet you Four, and Thirteen," Alex looked at her with a sincere smile, "It was a true pleasure." Alex stood and turned to leave, he needed something to distract him, and he needed to get away from her so that he could spare her his feelings.
-
Oh no! Not this, not now! Thirteen bolted up, reaching for his arm as he got up. "Wait! You have to trust me, it's important..! I just...we have to go out, really. It's...I wish I could say here." She let go and bolted down the hall. "I'll meet you outside..!" And indeed, she exited the building to the lawn, huffing to herself. It had gotten dark early. The air was growing cold. Oh lord, what was this called? Winter. Yeah, that's it. She smiled, looking as each breath came out as a puff of white against the growing night. She almost forgot the urgency of the situation.
-
Alex stared confusedly after Thirteen and bit his lip, unsure. Alex wanted to clear his mind, contemplate things. Though perhaps Thirteen was going to tell him about the secret? Alex felt a twist in his gut as he forced himself to follow her. It was now or never, and Alex preferred now. Walking outside Alex was happy he had his heavy jacket on, seeing his own breath come out he remembered the name he'd given to this time. "It's almost the Dead Cold. The plants and animals either die, or they sleep like the dead. The humans hide from the Dead Cold, staying awake, always working.." Alex seemed to trail off as he stared into the distance, wondering if the humans outside the complex hid from the Dead Cold too. If they worked like these ones did.
-
"It'll snow soon." Thirteen smiled, though she shivered. Her thickish coat of fur kept her slightly warm, and she sat on the lawn, making sure nobody else was around. "Nine...I don't want you to he left behind. Something bad is going to happen soon, and..." She motioned for him to come closer. She couldn't risk anyone else hearing. "Everyone else always left you behind because...you never talked to anyone. I don't want you to be left behind anymore...I want you to at least have someone to be your friend and think about you and not leave you again. Especially if it means you won't get hurt or worse..!"
-
Alex's ears twitched to her words and he turned to her and stepped closer, sitting down. Listening to her closely he turned things over in his head. Certainly he had heard that Two was a precog, meaning he got visions of things to come. If he had gotten a vision of bad things happening-WAIT! "'Left behind'?" Alex echoed her words and squinted a little then sighed. Alex's paws moved to his face stopping for a moment then stopping again as his fingers found his glasses. "Thirteen.." Alex took his glasses off, leaving his dimly glowing, glacial blue eyes unobscured, "be straight with me, please. What danger? And why did you say 'left behind'?"
Alex's pulse was racing so hard he could hear the rush of blood in his ears. Alex had fantasized about some scheme to get back at the Administrators but in reality he'd only thought it would be some petty gossip. Maybe Alex was taking what he'd heard too far, but the words 'left behind' suggested something even bigger.
-
Thirteen leaned, whispering into his ear about everything. The vision, what she heard, the power going out, the threat, the plan to escape. "It might be our only chance. I don't want you to be here with that threat. You could be hurt or worse..! I just...I've been thinking about staying. I'd protect everyone or die trying, but...I want you to be safe. You and everyone else. You can't tell Five or...the administration. They'd hurt you, and then..." She looked at the ground, the air around her snout a constant cloud of cold. "I want you to be okay..."
She wiped at her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner...but please, you have to swear you won't say anything to the higher ups. I'm sorry..."
-
Four blinked a little, confused by his companions' sudden departure. He finished his vegetable paste in silence, then walked out into the hall, following where they had gone. He came up to a window and watched them from outside. They appeared to be talking about...something, but he couldn't make it out. Four scratched his head, musing to himself that he had been out for longer than he would've cared for.
-
In the moments Alex spent waiting for Thirteen to explain he thought that if his heart pounded any harder he would pass out from exhaustion. By the time Thirteen was halfway through explaining Alex had rethought his previous estimation. At this point if his heart beat any faster he feared it might explode. The sound of blood surging like a raging tempest nearly drowned out Thirteen's words. Alex was happy he was sitting because he was already close to collapsing from the shock.
"There's.. no way.. Could the Administrators really be that reckless? Sure they loaded me up then set me loose with no real idea of what to expect but this is different. Can we really walk away and let this happen? Then again, if we stay.."
"I need more data," Alex finished his thought out loud. "I need to know more. If you have this much arranged.. perhaps. I need to know the procedures for a blackout. There has to be some way to maintain the systems in the case of a catastrophic power failure. There are things I need to know, things I want to know.." Alex thought of the possibilities. The whispers of technology he heard, the technology it would take to make the Persephonian. Alex's eyes were bugging out as he thought of all the data that could be at his disposal.
-
Thirteen felt herself begin to panic and threw herself into his arms. "You'll be at risk! Please, don't be reckless..! I can't have you get in trouble or worse because of me..." Her heart beat against her ribcage, and she began to tremble. "Please, I can't lose you. Not now, I want you to come with them! If anyone deserves to suffer, it's me...! I caused trouble, sent Four to detention! I deserved to get hit, I deserved it all...I'm horrible. I'm sorry I got you mixed up in this, Nine, I'm sorry!!"
She had let go of any barriers she had and let herself cry. "I'm so sorry..." This, she repeated over and over. The administration had broken her with her las punishment. She saw herself as a threat, as a danger to others around her. She never wanted to hurt anyone ever again.
-
Alex looked down at her with confusion spread all over his face, he didn't understand what was going on with this whole ordeal, or Four. All he knew is that with all they had taken from him he needed to take something back. First priority was his file. The files of the others if it was doable as well. They deserved to know what was done. Every last thing about them. After that was any trace of the Persephonian. Then research and enhancements. Still Alex realised that Thirteen might not be willing to let him.
"Listen, if you hadn't told me then I would have been stuck here and they would have tortured me thinking I knew something about it. I'm better off knowing about this whole idea. As for my plans.. we need to mine whatever data we can from this place. The less we know the worse off we are. With this data who knows what we can accomplish. If I can get to the right spot I won't even need to risk anyone else's life."
-
Thirteen nodded, looking up at Nine and calming down. "Okay. Okay. I trust you. I'm sorry." She forced a smile. She reached up to ruffle his hair, purring to herself. "Thank you. At least for listening."
-
Four sighed, feeling relieved. It hurt him to see Thirteen cry, but at least she was doing all right now. He kept watching, still hoping he might be able to figure out what was going on. He was confused, but curious.
-
Alex smiled and ruffled her hair back and gave her a true hug. Nothing awkward or forced. Alex felt truly at peace with himself, he was still on pins and needles. Anxious for this chance, though he supposed he'd have to talk to Two since he appeared to be the one who knew everything about this danger and was logically the center of the operation. Alex leaned his head down and smiled to her, "Thank you, and.. when there's no one else around.." the hybrid slipped his glasses back on and backed up just a step. "Call me Alex. It's the name I more or less chose for myself, and I trust you perhaps as much as I trust myself."
-
Thirteen smiled, nodding. "Okay...Alex." She whispered his name, her purring growing in volume. She got up, dusting herself off, and offered him a hand. "Be careful."
-
Alex smiled to her a little more warmly and took her hand gently and leading her back in, "It was nice talking to you Thirteen, perhaps we'll get to meet again.. enjoy the outside, again." Alex's expression was warm, his eyes behind his glasses were light, shining, and not just with the artificial light.
-
Thirteen nodded, giving a small wave before leaving toward the Success rec room. She hopped on the treadmill, amping the speed to 90. A nice jog.
-
Alex smiled and as she walked off he turned and found two guards walking towards him, "Hello boys, I don't suppose you're here for cards. I do want a deck at some point. I don't usually have a lot to do." Alex was referring to the card games he heard the guards talking about, he knew that there was a 'deck' and some rules. They scored it based on who had the best 'hand' which confused him, much to the amusement of some of the guards. Knowing that he could be outside he wanted a chance to learn these games.
"You oughta know better," the guards seemed to be more relaxed today, good. "It's time for your next exercise, Nine." The guards turned and led him to the testing room. Alex sighed and walked along behind them. "I hear today is going to be different than before. They're gonna harden you good."
Alex was taken aback by the last statement, he knew that questioning them was useless though.
-
Four darted into the halls as the two approached, afraid he'd be in trouble if they saw him. He walked back to his room, hoping to pass the time.
-
Once they were at the test chamber Nine-as he so thought of himself when in exercises, sighed and walked forward but was stopped by two of the guards crossing their gun barrels. "No, we're waiting for another. Besides you have equipment you need to get on." This guard sneered a bit when he said it and a suit was brought to him. Slipping it on Nine was aware that the suit had some sensors in it and once it was on good and snug Nine felt he could feel the suit a little bit. "Do I get a sneak peak before the other guy gets here?"
The guards stood mute and Nine threw up his paws, obviously abandoning that route.
-
Three looked around when Two didn't answer his question. It did not bug the feline so much, knowing what the other male was and as a result that his mind couldn't always be present to a conversation. However for Two things could become ugly.
He was already trespassing. More so the fact he was talking to Two could be something suspicious to the guards. As a result it would be better for him to leave quickly, as the thought lingered in Three's mind.
"Two listen, I'll make this short. I do not wish for any of the guards to find out I am here... They are already not too happy with me. And thankfully they havn't upgraded the cameras to all the new areas yet." As the feline smirked and looked in the hallway not seeing anyone. "If you do hear this, just look me up later today or tonight... I want this collar off you hear me?" Before the cat quickly ran through the hallways.
He moved trying to avoid most of the guards. But he knew that this day and the next to come wouldn't be easy. The more people knew, the more the other Subjects would tell others... The worse holding this secret would be. He thanked himself however that only he and Two knew of this ordeal. At least in detail.
However unknown to Three, the actuall knowledge on their plan was spread much further then he would have hoped.
And with this, chances of being discovered would grow much.
He eventually reached safer grounds as he panted. The cat wanted to do something, but tried processing everything that had happened thus far... Even if they succeeded in this 'escape' what then? Three had never succeeded except for once. The small glimmer of the outside world, the knowledge and memories of his friend Eight. It all began to come back. Slowly dripping back into his mind. "What happens after?" He thought to himself, wondering wether what he had seen and heard and knew would be true to what he expected.
-
One didnt even notice that Thirteen had joined her in the rec room as she simply discharged attack after attack into the dummy. Each punch causing the heavy sand filled bag to swing backwards and then back into another heavy punch that canceled the momentum. Stopping for a second One breathed out deeply, her fists clenched tightly, if she was going to help Thirteen and protect her she couldn't be weak or uncontrolled. Closing her eyes sparks started to flicker and arc across her body, she could get into trouble for using her ability this freely, but she had to be sure she was up to it, she needed to know she could protect Thirteen by helping Two.
-
Thirteen watched One in awe, not even bothered about the use of the ability. She was a little jealous, even. She wanted to be that powerful. She wanted to protect everyone, even if it meant getting hurt. Or worse.
-
One smirked under her mask before exhaling heavily the electricity arching over her body increasing rapidly before she bit her lips in slight pain. She needed to push past the pain if she was going to be strong enough to stop this crisis from happening. The electricity formed into two wing like shapes behind her as discharges of current jumped from her hands to nearby metallic structures. "I need to hold more than this." she said softly.
-
"You're great..." She mumbled, rubbing her brow of slight sweat as she upped the speed to 120. She couldn't help but feel her determination, and push herself to match. She started to pant a little, listening to her own heartbeat.
-
One glanced back at Thirteen for a moment before the charge faded away quickly, wiping some sweat from her brow she softly smiled and spoke up. "But still not quite there." Focuing her thoughts to be clear enough to read. She mentally spoke "If i am going to keep the power on for this entire place i need to be stronger and more focused."
-
"And I have to keep fit if I have to keep that thing at bay." She said in a matter-of-fact tone. She was determined. Nobody could keep her from protecting her friends.
-
Two had to muffle a yelp of surprise as a pair of hands pulled him into a side room. He had been focused on preparing for five to charge him that he hadn’t been ready when Three ambushed him. Fortunately Two had managed to restrain his counterattack against Three long enough to identify his target and stop the assault before it started. Instead, he let out a long calming breath to help shake off the surge of adrenaline as Three presented his discovery and asked about One.
With those questions, Two descended into his mind to make the judgment that he was putting off long enough to make sure he wasn’t going to be further harassed by Five. It was a lot more complicated than he had initially anticipated it would have been. Being awarded that armband seems to have made One innately more cynical; she seemed to be following a similar path as Five towards being a loyal Subject to the administration. He suspected that the only reason One was even tentatively siding with him was because of her admiration for Thirteen. Now that Five was on alert, and possibly even alerting security to suspicious activity, further steps would need to be much more cautious.
Countless scenarios, variables, and calculations ran rampant through Two’s mind as he did his best to consider the new complexities to the situation and how best to use them to his advantage. It was so consuming to his mental facilities that anything external received only a miniscule amount of his attention. Even Three’s update on the status of the security was filed and promptly thrown into the mix of computations without any sort of overt acknowledgement until Three reiterated his need to have the collar removed, to which Two responded with only the slightest of nods.
By the time Two came out of his head, Three had already left. It was becoming painfully obvious that trust was more scarce than what would have been ideal among many of those involved. He decided he would have to prioritize making preparations for Three’s collar before anything else. With a glance towards a wall clock and a sigh of weariness, he set forth into the hallways looking for what he would need to craft improvised tools to get the job done.
-
As Four walked down the halls, he passed a guard, who stopped him and pointed him in the direction of a test he was needed for. Nodding, the goat ran back the way he came, eager to return to his usual routine. He came up behind Alex, waving.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late." He took a suit, looking down at it for a moment before putting it on. "What are we doing here?"
-
Nine looked up to Four and nodded the guards sighing in exasperation. Apparently they'd been waiting far less than patiently for this. "You two will be in an infiltration simulation. Get to the terminal with the correct data archive and load it to the 'offshore server'," the guard made air quotes as they would only be transferring it to a dummy server and the archive was junk files piled up to simulate the volume of an encrypted file. "There will be digital," the guard smiled smugly then continued, "as well as physical protection. Now head through those doors." Two guards opened a set of doors that swung open quietly and two guards behind them shoved them forward. Nine staggered a bit then adjusted his jacket and walked in. Immediately switching to a more stable and sneaky stance turning back to Four. "I'm Nine, I don't know if you remember me," Nine spoke quietly, "those guards seemed a little too happy, I think they got something in it for us. Let's just be careful and try and find the right terminal. How much work have you done with data mining?"
-
"It's my specialty, really. My enhancements are built to interface with computers like this. So it sounds like I understand this pretty well. Just...what do you mean, 'something?'" He eyed the area ahead shiftily, as if anxious after Alex's comment.
-
Nine put a finger to his lips and crept up to a corner and stuck his head out. Looking up he saw a balcony-that meant two floors to search. Though on that balcony walked a guard with what looked like a rifle. Nine had never used one but he had a fundamental understanding of some guns. Leaning back he looked to Four and sighed softly. "Me too, technopathy, some call it. There are guards, they are armed. Though it's probably some special weapon, nonlethal, still painful. Let's move." Nine was all business now. There was no identity or time for emotional investment. The hybrid had a tunnel vision focusing everything onto his goal: getting to the terminal preferably unharmed.
Alex moved through the open room keeping behind some pavilions so that the guard on the balcony couldn't see him. There was a terminal a few pavilions over.
-
Four nodded and followed closely behind Alex, looking back over his shoulder for any signs of the guards. He remained as quiet as possible.
-
Nine moved to the edge then over to the next pavilion and stayed low his paw moving up over the keyboard he established his connection. Carefully probing the system, Nine detected a few security measures. Carefully creating a dummy target for the Monitor to watch over Nine spent a good deal of focus on bypassing the firewall rather than take it down. This kept anyone who may actively be checking the security from noticing anything. "Not this one," Nine said softly. Turning around the pavilion Nine blinked and turned to Four. "Other side of the room, another terminal. Bypass security where you can, only disable once you're certain you have the correct data files. I'm going up. Check the halls around this room if that console isn't right." Nine moved out of the open area being looked upon by the upper floor and headed into the hallways looking for the stairs to the upper floor.
-
Three kept wandering around the base, a bit aimlessly as hismind was on various things at once. Mostly on what would happen, what if they did get out. How would the outside world treat them? Would they even be accepted? The idea of being able to get free was driving the cat, he wanted to taste it again like he had a few years ago. He wanted to experience life as in the movies he had seen. But he wondered wether or not the administration had fed them lies, or perhaps they were being truthfull?
"Aaah... " He cried out in annoyance and agony. He wanted answers, he wanted to know wether or not his life was a lie, or if he was wrong himself. An image of the other Subjects flew through his mind, which made him smile, even with Five's face came to view he still chuckled slightly. How different things would be if what Two predicts is correct. Mayve he would be able to get a job, make a good wage, start a family!
"Who am I kidding. I'll be lucky if Two keeps his word!" As he shook his head. He had doubts, everyone had. But Three was just so close to getting out again he could taste that delicious freedom. He fortified his resolve by going through what the doctors had done over all these years. There could not be anything worse then the facility he lived in. Why else would they not show live images? Like the cameras did, or let them out?... No, Three would see this to the end this time. "I have too... For Eight, Thirteen... For them all. I need to know!"
-
Thirteen made her way down the hall, looking at Three. She had to steel herself against his emotions as she approached, her arms wide to embrace him gently. "Three...have you been alright..?" She purred a little, trying to soothe him.
-
The tanned cat hadn't noticed Thirteen untill she was right in front of him her paws extended. The feline walked straight into them as he was a bit alarmed by the sudden change of enviroment, his thoughts having had lingered on the things before.
He looked to see Thirteen hugging him and he smiled softly, almost blushing. "You think they don't mind you doing that?" Brushing a lock of her hair away. His thoughts being more positive suddenly.
"Do not mind my thoughts, I just thought on a bad memory from when I was a kit." As the feline stroked Thirteen's cheek before slowly loosening the embrace. "How has your day been thus far?" Three did not know who else knew on this plan so he tried to keep his thoughts on this hidden not wishing to involve others yet.
-
Thirteen snickered, leaning into his hand a little. "They can deal with it. And you're a bad liar, Three. But I've been okay." She nuzzled him, letting out a breath. "A little nervous, but I'll be fine. You just work on keeping the lights on." She smiled at him knowingly, lightly running a finger over that collar. "I'll keep it back." Nobody would miss her was the conclusion she came to. Though she could have been wrong in that endeavor.
-
Three smiled more as he cupped Thirteen's face more. He blushed more as the other felin's actions were having very much effect on his body.
He wrapped both his arms around her and pulled the other closer. He did not want to risk not doing this if what Two said would be true.
The administration could see it all for all he cared. And what he did care for truly cared for, was right before him.
"Thirteen..." He said softly having figured out a little she knew off the lights, the power. He brought his head closer to hers, almost kising her as Three's lips were an inch from her. His eyes showed warmth and compassion as he suddenly pressed his entire body against hers. Kissing her deeply as his tongue pushed to meet with hers.
He had wanted to kiss her again, as ears perked and his tail wrapped with hers. He didn't realise how long he had been with her like this. Seconds, minutes or hours? It felt like more even.
As the kiss ended, did the cat blush more as he looked down to his pants, showing very much that Three had something 'intimate' on his mind. "Oowh uuh..." He wasn't able to even finish the sentence as his eyes stared into Thirteen's beautifull ones.
-
Nine moved to the edge then over to the next pavilion and stayed low his paw moving up over the keyboard he established his connection. Carefully probing the system, Nine detected a few security measures. Carefully creating a dummy target for the Monitor to watch over Nine spent a good deal of focus on bypassing the firewall rather than take it down. This kept anyone who may actively be checking the security from noticing anything. "Not this one," Nine said softly. Turning around the pavilion Nine blinked and turned to Four. "Other side of the room, another terminal. Bypass security where you can, only disable once you're certain you have the correct data files. I'm going up. Check the halls around this room if that console isn't right." Nine moved out of the open area being looked upon by the upper floor and headed into the hallways looking for the stairs to the upper floor.
"Right, got it."
Four slipped down the wall, hugging close to it to avoid being seen. He carried his mechanical hoof carefully - any forceful impact on the ground would give off an audible clunk. Finally seeing the coast was clear, he darted behind the next terminal down, keeping watch and only coming out when the nearest guard had already passed out of sight. The goat placed his mechanical hand on the keyboard. The tip of his pointer finger popped off on a hinge, and a cord slithered out, connecting with a port on the terminal. As it locked on its target, Four's replacement eye diluted, a list of files scanning by rapidly on its interface. The goat searched for any names that looked familiar, but eventually he came to the end of the list without seeing it. Retracting from the machine, he slipped back into the shadows, heading down towards the next hallway.
-
Shrugging her shoulders One decided to start wondering the halls randomly her own mind drowning itself in thoughts and plans emotions flaring but she controlled them, this of all times was not the time for her to loose her cool. Her mind wondering to five, and Two, to Nine and Three to Thirteen and four,this made no sense to anybody but herself. Even walking straight past Three and Thirteen without even as much as an acknowledging motion her face set in stone and distant even as she noticed them.
-
Nine moved slowly up the stairs and as he reached the landing and was about to look around he immediately took a step back as a guard walked past the landing. Nine's breath caught in his chest as he watched the guard go past and he forced himself to peak around the corner.
"Another guard heading into an outer hallway. If I head behind the guard who just passed me I can make it to the next terminal, try it out, move to the next one."
Nine crept out and got probably a little closer than he should have to the guard, but as the guard continued down that hall Nine turned and found the next terminal. Walking to the next corner he peaked and saw a guard rounding the far corner. Nearly running back to that terminal Nine placed his hand over the keyboard and he repeated the process of bypassing security and checking files. Satisfied with his check Nine hurried around the corner after the guard he'd followed to that terminal. The hall being clear Nine moved down the hall, seeing a terminal at the far end.
-
Thirteen pulled back, giving the cat a stern look. "You know better, Three." Even so, she couldn't hide her blush as she turned to go back outside before it got too late. "Be careful, Three." She whispered as she left the building. She felt the tensions slowly rising, and even one case of bloodlust from Five. She pitied him more than the others, really. He always had to keep that in check, and even though he could be snarky at times, she genuinely felt happy when he smiled at her.
She sat down in the damp grass, her tail wrapping around herself to keep her warm. Her breath came out as puffs of white against a darkening sky, and she found the perfect opportunity to goof off. She pretended she was a dragon.
-
Three looked at Thirteen confused when she suddenly left and was so short to him. True, it was a bit uncomfortable and somewhat embaressing, but he was a male in his prime. 'wood' happened no? Especially with someone you truly cared for, even speaking of love in that particular situation.
The male merely scratched his head and blinked as the other feline left him. He felt a sort of void entering his mind and thoughts. "Was it something I did or said?" Bringing a hand to his forehead before slamming it on it. "Gah I'm just stupid!... I messed up a good moment with her!" As he cursed the fact that at times he was oblivious to his own emotions and more so to that of others.
When Thirteen was out of his view, did Three place his hands into his pockets and sobbed slightly. Walking down the hallway to see if there was anything to do perhaps in the gym that the cat was allowed to use. Wether or not it would be punching a bag, or anything of the sorts. It was better than nothing, even more so letting off some steam and laying low was probably a good idea for him right now.
A few blocks away, some levels below the ground, doctor Hawke was inspecting the machinery for an operation that would indeed be of great importance. The man was overlooking the entire procedure as per request from doctor Oracle. His eyes scanned the table where the newest Subject creation would proceed and he could not help but smirk a little. "Make sure the safety measures are doubled. We do not wish for new incidents, lest I need to bring up our last failed projects as well?" With this Hawke Felno walked slowly over to the machinery and checked the values, before writing in a few passwords and coding. A computer voice let the room know that security protocols were installed and had been activated. "Shielding containment in progress... Level 1... check.... Level 2 check." Felno grabbed in his pocket a small device and looked at the reading. The signal which normally was strong even this deep below the ground was now completely shut off. "Good, this means the facility can go on lock down should something happen... Have the backup generators been placed in the next sector?" A soldier nodded at this as several scientists did the same as well. "We have made sir, doctor Hawke, that should anything arise this entire room alongside with the two levels above will be sealed off immediatly should anything happen. Alongside the removal of oxygen to a low level with the insurging of sleep gas, neural toxins and as per request the 9 feet thick steell enforced doors... But does it not seem a bit overly done? Sir?" To which the other waved his hand. "Oracle himself stated this Subject is far more dangerous than the ones we have... Gentlemen, we are trying to form greatest super soldier here that our nation can even think off! All subjects based into one perfect, flawless being... Under our control!" As the man smiled and grinned, in a few days they would have it finished. And then, pending succes, the real fun would begin.
-
Four plugged into the terminal and scanned through it, still not seeing the correct file. He darted out and looked around for the next one, seeing Nine approaching it. Looking to see that the coast was clear, Four dashed down the hall, coming up behind Nine and whispering in his ear.
"You had any luck y-"
His question was cut short by the sound of footsteps from the hall outside of them, getting louder as they turned the corner. The goat hugged the side of the wall, falling silent.
-
Nine went to work on the console as Four approached him. Nodding softly to him Nine ran a quick scan but couldn't quite finish before hearing footsteps coming up to the far corner. Nine thought quickly and dragged them both around the other corner and stayed pressed against the wall. Looking around Nine's eyes went wide as he remembered that there was a guard that would be coming behind him-right where they were now. Dragging Four around to the next corner Nine pressed them again against the wall.
"The patrol looked thin, but the pattern chokes down on section after section in some sort of pattern and right now, they're choking down on us."
Nine went to check the corner they'd just rounded when suddenly he felt an incredible pain go through his leg just below his knee and he gasped and bit down hard so that the only thing that came out was a strangled groan. Dropping down to his knees Nine turned his head to see the guard who'd been eying them up in the prep room coming at them with a sickening smile. Pointing the gun at Four he just shook his head as if to say 'Don't even try it.'
-
Four stood still, holding his hands up.
"Fine. I submit. Just let him go."
-
The guard smiled and chuckled seeing Four give up. Though if it ended here then the fun was gone. Aiming the gun down the guard pulled the trigger and a very soft hum was heard then the suit caused the patch of flesh underneath to sear with the feeling of hot metal ripping through his mid-thigh. The guard shot again at the other leg and Nine tried to get the jump on him only to be 'shot' in the hip which caused severe pain due to the 'bullet' hitting his hip bone. Biting his lip till it bled
"Come on.. just call it.." Nine almost begged the guard.
The guard just shook his head. "This is the part where the captured intruders are grilled for info. Except you don't have anything to offer me, so instead of hurting you till you spill your guts. I'm just going to hurt you till I'm made to stop. Now.." The gun shifted back and forth from Four to Nine. "Decisions, decisions. Both of ya are scrawny little data miners. Both failures. Both caused us trouble. This is a hard one."
-
As the guard’s weapon scanned from one subject to the next, an effeminate voice spoke over the exercise room’s PA system. “Exercise terminated, objective failed. Officer Hastati, report to my office. Now.” The cold, harsh tone was clear in the woman’s voice that suggested the guard was about to undergo a verbal lashing at the very least.
Officer Hastati looked up at the nearest speaker as the announcement was taking place, wincing when he realized he had been caught in his abusive treatment of the Subjects. Again. “Shit.” He muttered to himself, lowering his weapon to his side and departing while forcing himself to not look at either of the Subjects as he did so.
-
Just as Nine was getting worried he started to formulate a plan. As the guard started to point the weapon back towards Nine he was ready to lunge and slam the butt into his face but then everyone stopped, hearing the voice. His heart skipping beats Nine's expression was borderline ecstatic though still painted with disbelief.
"'Objective failed' due to broken testing parameters would have been more accurate but at least they wouldn't count it against them."
Alex took a deep breath and relaxed now. Two more guards found them and peacefully escorted them out. They seemed exasperated but it wasn't an urge for malice. It seemed more annoyance at the repeated malice that the officer showed towards them and how it interrupted with the testing. "Fun times, eh Four?"
-
Four groaned, rolling his organic eye. This constant abuse was beginning to get bothersome. He looked over his shoulder at one of the guards. It felt good to be able to complain to the staff and know that they were on his side.
"How'd an asshole like that even get this kind of job, anyway?"
-
Alex sighed and walked out, a residual ache still in his legs from the very twisted game of laser tag they were on the receiving end of. Looking over to Four he chuckled a bit. The guards simply sighed and glanced sidelong at one another, but otherwise didn't respond to Four's question, Alex was used to this, though. "Don't expect much of a response, if they're bored or sure they're not risking anything they'll give you something incredibly vague." Alex leaned over to Four and whispered, "At least, around me anyways. I think they're starting to trust me again." Once they were out into the halls the guards shut the doors behind them and they were as free as they were before. "Well that's done."
-
Four blinked at Alex, tilting his head in confusion.
"Again? What do you mean, again?"
-
Three walked down the hallways towards the Failures gym area. It was basic in what it had, but that was the onlything it needed. He moved to one of the benches that had been put near a few of the lockers. The area wasn't too large, and sported a few punching bags, some threadmills and a few weights. It was enough for Three to do what he wanted. He stripped off his shirt and pants, before putting on a simple short, the type that the doctors and administration had set up for them, sporting the logo of the facility. A triquetra with within the centre sporting a dna string.
The cat never understood why they used that particular symbol. Perhaps as it was a meaning towards the genetic manipulation they did, trying to create equality in a way by diversing it, yet keeping the core structure the same. He shook the thoughts from his mind, too much mumbo jumbo in his eyes. He would gladly just rip it off, but the last time he was forced to sew it back togheter.
With the shorts finally on, he proceeded to the punching bag closest to him. It was already rather beaten up it seemed and a replacement would be needed soon enough. But it could still function well enough, as Three started hitting it from the sides before punching lower blows as well. Each time the bag moved, the cat began to see the face of the two doctors that had performed the surgery on him. "We owe you!" Those words were what he heard in his head. "As if!!" grunted the male, he wasn't owned by anyone. He made his own choices, or would try to do so!
Wether or not the plan that Two had in mind would win, at the very least it would shake things up and the man was determined to see this through.
-
Alex cursed softly under his breath and contemplated whether he wanted to dredge up his past but ultimately decided against it instead offering up some simple and vague response. "The guards used to like me, as much as they can like one of us anyways. I messed that up though. They're wary around me but they used to be outright paranoid. I'm gonna head off, alright? I got.. I don't know I.." Alex drifted off and stared up and down the hall.
"What do I have to do? They're done with us for now. What is there to do? Go to the gym? I'm in an okay condition and my specialty isn't physical. I can move quickly and that's all I need. Oh but when we escape there'll be more! There'll be cars and TVs and games and decks of cards to play card games with. There'll be more to do once we're-"
"Outside." The word came out resolutely and refreshingly, a stark difference from the anxious and uncomfortable tone he'd had before his sentence had drifted off. "I need to step out onto the lawn." Alex walked down the hall with a very blank look on his face which was miraculous given how much was running through his head. Alex stopped and blinked startled when a cloud appeared in front of his face and he realised that in all his thinking he'd made it out to the lawn. Sitting down he sighed and cupped his face in his hands.
"The dead cold is closer than I thought.. We can't waste time.. I want to be free from the scientists, free from the corrupt guards, free from the administration.."
Not for the first time the images flashed through his mind. Sobbing hysterically and clutching his head the hybrid turned and watched as smoke came from a terminal he was meant to run advanced cyberwarfare procedures on. It was too much for him and his brain was overtaxed. Even overclocking his systems it was too fast. Then as guards moved in to take him out of the room some exploded and glass flew at them. Alex was terrified and upset-he hadn't meant for them to be hurt but the stress made it happen again and some more guards got hurt then suddenly he felt something hit him hard on the side of the head and there was a knee pressing hard-too hard-into his back. The scientists told them to calm down but they were scared too and hurt. "This is exactly why we have failures like you under closer supervision, you're a bunch of evil, destructive monsters." Then they dragged him out. The therapists tried to undo the damage and it worked, mostly..
"I want to be free from everything," The words slipped from his lips quietly as he buried his face in his knees.
-
Thirteen gasped, freezing as the flood of information and pictures entered her mind. Emotions swirled with one another and everything blurred into the background. Cold air swirled from her nose and mouth, her eyes seeming to fog over as she became lost in her mind, trying to sort out everything. Tears poured from her eyes, but not of her own volition. It burned against the cold air, but she couldn't bring herself to wipe them. One word escaped her lips. A single word, spoken as soft as the hoot of an owl. "Nine..."
-
As Three was panting from all of the working out he had been doing, the male went to his locker. And then to the shower of the room. His clothing was placed aside as he quickly went to take a shower letting the sweat and heat vaporise thanks to the nice wet water that soaked him. Two showers in one day was a bit much and normally he wouldn't do it, but being messy and smelling like sweat and testosteron wasn't particurly fun.
Once he had cleaned himself did the feline move to grab his gear and put on his clothing. He stared at the gym and somewhat smirked as an idea popped into his head. The administration allowed everyone they had in the complex, as far as Three knew, play with simple card games. The guards themselves were also always playing games and Three had learned something they had referred to as Patience... A simple game, but something to bring his mind to ease, as his room was not too far he decided to go there and grab a set.
The door opened and he placed his filthy gear on the bed, it would soon be taken away anyways. As the administration did tended to their needs, if poorly. The deck of cards was quickly taken and seeing his chance to go outside and enjoy the nice weather was enough to motivate him to do so.
The camera's seemed to have been tracking Three, but then again they always tracked movement. A standard issue or something he imagened. They became normal and he had ^them all mapped out. Seeing an oak tree and a small desk, he put himself to it and laid the cards down. A guard that was stationed outside kept an eye on any of the Subjects venturing out. But in Three's case, the fact he could now fly was more than enough reason for the guards to be extra carefull.
The cat did not let it bother him as he spread the cards and smiled. He had once seen a few of the security watch a poker match when he was younger and he would just have loved to learn to play it. Heck, it would be a good training method for the mind. Even chess! Something the successes had, was one of the few things he was jealous about and would love to try his hand on.
-
Alex drew in a cold breath and let it out, warmed from his body heat it fogged in the air before him and for a moment he was tempted to just run, as he always was when these things came back to haunt him. Now it was so close, he'd never seen much point in going out onto the lawn since it represented a small piece of something he'd never get. Like giving someone love and adoration then making them live the rest of their life jaded and alone. Now it was something close, so close he thought he could just take it. Somewhere deep down though he knew he couldn't do it alone.
Echoes drifted through his mind.
'Failures.. evil.. destructive monsters.. evil.. evil..'
Always that one word above all else. Alex had been told that to be evil was to be vile, hateful, irredeemable. Then he'd been called it and he'd started to believe it. The therapist taught him about the nature of evil though, and some things stuck. Sometimes Alex wasn't sure about it, but he cleaved to it nonetheless. It felt like he was caught in a raging river and those words, those ideas, were a solid rock jutting from the riverbed. If Alex didn't cling to that rock, he'd be carried away somewhere far away, and Alex knew where it was, too. Towards true evil. Sometimes when Alex felt cold and hated by the looks that some gave him he just wanted to give in.
"If you think I'm so evil then let me be evil! Let me show you what this idea of yours truly is.."
Even as Alex said it his face grew tight and his lips tugged down but he shook his head and hugged his knees a little tighter. No, don't indulge, never indulge. Alex simply stood and rubbed the heels of his handpaws into his cheek and rubbed at the damn fur then walked back towards the facility, stopping only when he saw Three, he had a deck of cards. That was oddly enough the first thing he noticed, however he soon put together what he'd learned from One. Going over the details-his fairly light build, felid genus, it all matched. Suddenly shifted back into his planning mode he walked over. "Hello Three, I don't think we've met."
-
Three stayed focussed on his cards as he played a queen on a king. As he heard the voice he chuckled slightly.
"Havn't I? I have met all of my unit Nine... I do admit it has been a long time at that." As the cat made a gesture to the other side of the bench. The guard held his weapon sturdy not wanting to lower his attention.
"So tell me, to what do I owe this suprinsing visit?... It is nice to see someone else who has some standards." As he brought his head up and smiled. Taking the cards togheter and shuffling them. "Care for a match? Or was there something on your mind?" As he arched a brow, yet smirked softly.
"I come here to relax you know. This may not seem much, but this small garden lets me put my mind at ease."
-
Alex nodded softly, remembering that just because he didn't pay much attention to them doesn't mean the reverse was true. "Formally met.." Alex corrected himself. Alex found it would be simpler if everyone were on the same level with him as he were with them, though Alex would simply have to live with that, adjust.
"Say I did want to play, I've heard a few things about this game called Tex-us Hold Um?" Alex sounded the name out phonetically and it was only somewhat noticeable that he wasn't entirely clear on it. "It's a game about luck much like our lives, and deception, much like everything in this facility." Alex made an exasperated show of it but when he sat down and adjusted his glasses he shielded his face from the guard and gave Three a very pointed look, trying to communicate to him that he knew.
Hopefully Alex would find a subtle way to communicate through the game.
Blinking Alex looked up to him, "Standards? What do you mean?" The words suddenly registered in his brain as odd.
-
Three smiled, the hint wasn't super subtle but he understood what the other wanted to talk about.
"I know some of the rules indeed. You try to break free from the gaze of your counterpart in order to get the best hand and win the game." As he started to divide the cards, he knew the basics of the game and tried his best to explain.
"We keep our best cards with which we think to win... The useless ones we put back and draw from the pool to test our luck... Then comes the bluffing part in order to decieve and then bet our stakes." As the tanned cat grinned and looked at his companion.
-
Alex leaned over the table and squinted behind his glasses and nodded soflty. "I think they called this five card, but I think it's the same general thing. You don't need to have the best hand.." Alex paused and the corner of his lips twitched, "You just need to make the other person think you have a better hand. If they fold, you win." Alex was enjoying the coded conversation. It reminded him of using IP masks to send a counterhackers attempts to a dead trail or to make them think you're someone harmless when you're actually gleaning information from some source that they think is well guarded and supervised.
Alex tapped the table and smiled, "Come now, if we want to be done in time to eat we don't have too long do we?" Alex arched his brow and glanced over his glasses. Alex was well aware that all had to be ready in two days or else this mysterious project could end them all, along with everyone inside.
-
"Well then we differ in our approach... The goal is to get as much profit from your deception." As he grinned and took another card into his hand.
"If you have the better hand you can fool the other in believing it is worse and be certain of your winnings." As the cat smirked softly seeing the extra ce in his hand. "Knowing which cards have been used... Which ones you hold and so forth. That will all determine your chances." Before he pressed them down showing the four aces.
His tail swayed back and forth with this. He didn't had another failure that could talk or wished to think on this type of level.
"Also... Know who is playing the game. Which I thankfully do."
-
Alex simply looked down and shrugged, tossing down a truly crap hand two twos, a five, a nine, and a ten. Alex waited for his hand to be dealt to him then considered his cards while replying. "Of course that's all part of the game. You have to know who you're playing with to start. Some people have more to play with so you have to be very careful. If you have enough people though, you can whittle down the big spender." Alex puts down three cards and picks up his three. Arranging them he pushes his glasses up his muzzle and sighs softly.
"What do you have three? It's not like we've got anything to bargain with or for unless you can think of something."
-
Three chuckled at this. The other wanted to try betting actuall things?! It felt odd to do so and no doubt that the doctors would disapprove.
"Aah we don't need to place anything in... Heck one of us would be losing and that I do not wish." As he showed his two pairs in his hand. "So I wonder... What have you been doing for the past few years then? They let Four play out in the yard. Yet you they did not." As his curiosity grew towards the other person.
-
"I've been self improving." Alex stared at his hands and anchored himself there. The pattern of clubs on his first card. The royal figure on his last card. The inside of his covers as lay tangled in them at night, eyes wide. Without batting an eye Alex tossed down his hand, a full house, tens full of kings. "I think this is a better hand, since it's basically two hands in one." Alex glanced up to Three and smiled slyly.
Without even knowing it Alex had been preparing himself for this game for years. Carefully masking his feelings, letting others see what he wanted. Only Thirteen was a problem, his everyday poker face was like a great window to her. She saw right through him. Suddenly with a bit of a start he realised something.
"Oh no.. she could have felt and seen.. Everything about my past. God dammit. I don't want to talk about this and I don't want her talking about it."
Alex coughed softly and looked back up to Three, quietly hoping he wasn't as attentive and perceptive as some others. "So yeah, just spending time on my own, honing my skills and such.
-
Three arched a brow when he saw Nine suddenly alter his attitude if merely slightly after throwing his hand. It was strange as normally one would not be so extatic to throw their cards on the table only to alter their attitude as if they had made a huge mistake. And whilst Three was not like Thirteen in sensing, he had been trained to infiltrate, see emotions and more. He was a silent infiltrator, ble to blend in better then the others. Especially in crowded spaces.
"There is one thing in this game you need to realise... Never alter your poker face." As the cat grinned and showed his hand was lower then the other male. "Doing this move in real life was bad..." As he kept staring at Nine, something was off on this furr. He couldn't pinpoint it fully what it was, yet he kept looking at him. "So tell, me what is bugging you... And don't think I couldn't see it." As he folded the cards togheter. His voice was neutral almost monotone in what he had said.
-
Alex kept his eyes well hidden behind his shades which made it easier for him to openly eye up Three as he spoke. Looking down at the cards Alex nodded and glanced off towards the facility then back to Three and nodded softly, "Yeah, I know-or I figured, anyways. I wasn't really changing my poker face just realising something, so in all honesty I would have only made you think I was vulnerable when in truth I was at an advantage. Distress doesn't always equal vulnerability, keep that in mind." Alex was back to giving coded messages though he knew that Three wouldn't drop it without a definitive answer, so the hybrid gave him one.
"Since I can't convince you it's nothing I suppose the best I can do is assure you that I'm going to tell you nothing. Next hand." Alex didn't like being short but this was still something he was struggling with and he didn't want pity or sympathy or a shoulder to cry on. Alex was more than happy to periodically relive the pain and horrors of Subject Nine then go back to living his life as Alex, someone different from the traumatized child he saw every now and again.
-
"That is fine by me Nine." Three said softly to the other. He stared at the other grabbing his arm quickly and sternly he spoke to the man. "Just know that when the time comes I need you to be ready alright?!" He said this in a somewhat demanding tone, not wanting to risk anything or anyone to that possible threat of a monster.
It was bad enough that they couldall die from this event, but wasn't freedom worth that price?
Tio dealt the cards again and looked blanc to the other male. If Nine wished to play the game strategically then so would he. He picked his cards and looked at them. They weren't great, but neither bad. His expression kept purely blanc and emotionless, as if devoid of any life. "I have lived here longer than most. I know what goes on and happens as much as I need too. Even an advantage means nothing if it is not grabbed properly or executed... You point blanc played your hand. A dumb move as I could have easily put the stakes higher making you force everything you had on data you did not posses. Especially as the 4th king was still in play and could have given me a royal flush."
-
Alex nodded softly as he listened to Three's words then slid his glasses down his muzzle and gave him an equally plain and blank look. "Everything you say is true, save for one thing." Alex paused and looked down to his cards, considering them for a moment, arranging them, before continuing. "You couldn't have raised the stakes as you'd refused to bet anything, therefore I was at no risk of losing anything. With a negligible or non existant cost risks can be taken. Of course once there is something at stake we must be very careful.
Alex smiled softly, satisfied with his vindication of his own choices and actions. It was never nice to hear critique but Alex almost never acted in contradiction to data or on a lack of it. "You still haven't explained what you meant by finding someone who has standards."
-
Three smiled. "Simple, you merely act when you have data... Calculated it... And know what the options are." As he shuffled the cards again. "Unlike most you do not act on impulse. In my book that gives points."
The cat dealt the cards and smirked. "We are very much alike in how we act and are. Albeit different on a few areas, I do give you that." With that the cat smirked seeing the cards given to himself. "We won't see everything eye to eye, which is logic... But you act at least on and with logic."
-
Thirteen sat outside for the longest time, the only clouds in the darkened sky being those of her breath. She shivered like an earthquake, and it looked like her nose almost turned blue. She stood shakily on her legs, her shoeless paws aching under her as she trudged inside. She looked spacey. Like she wasn't all there. She roamed the halls and it was almost as if she was looking for someone. Anyone. Someone happy and content, someone she could cheer up and get their mind off their troubles, but everywhere she turned she felt it. Tension. Stress. Panic, almost. Rage and frustration and a horde of other horrible things. She just wanted her mind clear, she wanted her thoughts and emotions to herself.
She didn't even notice when she walked into the cafeteria out of sheer habit. She looked around blankly, looking for someone. Anyone. Were she not successful, she would trudge back toward the rec rooms. She just needed something.
-
It took Two longer than he had expected to gather the makeshift tools that he needed to disable Three’s collar. This was mainly in part to him making certain he would have everything he needed and even backups should something not work as he had intended. Even though he felt confident that he presently had acquired all the necessary things, on a whim he decided to make a quick detour to the cafeteria to commandeer a fork.
The vulpine wasn’t too concerned about the watchful cameras around the facility; figuring that not only was there not enough staff to monitor all of them all the time, but also knowing that he semi-frequently engaged in what could be perceived as quirky activities to an outside observer. Between that and being a success, he felt the only true complication that could arise would be if Five had actually alerted the administration. Something that Two felt was even odds of Five actually going through with it, but still knew that the risk still needed to be taken.
Just as he had found a fork with a bent prong in the stack, one of his triangular ears twitched towards the door in reaction to the sound of soft footfalls. Two maintained his casually calm demeanor, genuinely feeling that there was no need to stress and doing so would only work against him. He had just finished pocketing the utensil when Thirteen wandered into the room looking unnaturally subdued as compared to her otherwise vibrant personality. “Hey Thirteen.” Two said in greeting before tilting his head slightly to the side. “Are you okay?”
-
Thirteen looked at Two, a smile coming to her lips. "Just trying to sort my emotions from the others. Still, things are beating up. Frustration and stress flies about like bees in my head, and they most certainly aren't mine." She stepped a bit closer to him. "Is everything alright?" Saying this was merely a formality. She already knew what he was up to. Everyone's thoughts and motives betray them. "Anything I can help with? Or do you need company?" Even in her own turmoil, she never hesitated to offer a hand. "It's quite cold out." Back to her usual ways, it seems.
-
A friendly amused grin tugged at the corner of Two’s muzzle as he moved closer to Thirteen until he was close enough to engage in conversation. “You’re so eager to help others… I’m concerned you’re not doing enough to help yourself. Even with everything that has happened, is happening, and may happen, you take on so much.” He paused for a moment to place a hand on her shoulder as a reassuring gesture. “If you ever find that you’ve taken on more than you can bear, never hesitate to ask me for help for a change. To answer your question, I think I have a handle of things on my end at this point.”
Two removed his hand from her shoulder as he glanced up at the clock before looking back at Thirteen. “I do, however, have a bit of time to spare if you were wanting company for yourself for a little while.”
-
"Me? Oh I could never...I can't impose on you, dear." She smiled wider. "I can't be a burden, sweet pea. Still...it would be nice. I never was allowed to play games with others. They thought I always cheated." Still, the cat felt herself purr for a short moment. "Actually, I was meaning to talk to you about the vents. My specialty is stealth, as you know. Maybe I could...ambush it to slow it down. If worse comes to worst." She looked grave, but also had an air of determination. Even if it meant her end, she still wanted to put others fist.
-
Alex got spacey again and stared blankly at his cards, thinking things over. The usual well oiled machine that processed his thoughts was firing off in abstract ways. Everything had been so simple, scheduled. Could he live in a world where things changed so fast?
"Everything was so confusing when things started speeding up when I was younger.." The images of the incident flashed through his head for a fraction of a second. "Though I was younger then, I'm older now-and I did eventually adapt.. but do I have the time to just wait to adapt..? Time time time two days before the rest of my life changes. Am I excited or terrified.. or am I both!? I need time, I need space, I need to think, I need-"
"Data.." Alex's fractured thoughts seemed to always come back to gathering data or processing it, maybe he needed a hobby? Outside that would be easier, what could he do inside? Playing cards seemed too slow and it started to feel like an exercise after a while. Maybe that would wear off but not now. Standing up and tossing down a broken flush of clubs Alex nodded to Three and looked back towards the building. "I need to go, I need.. I need to figure somethings out." Alex bit his lip, quite uncharacteristically wearing his feelings openly he started to trudge off towards the facility.
-
Three looked confused as Nine suddenly stepped off. "Hey I understand your isseus you know." He said, not caring if the guard heard this or not. "But still at times you won't have control over everything..." As his voice went quiet for a whil reminding himself on the wings they had given him along with the collar.
The cat stood up and tried to grab Nin his arm."You prefer to have data, just like I... Heck I bet I would have been a good hacker, but that is not how things turned out. At times you got factors you can't determine. And what then? You'll crash on sight?!" As he eyed the other Subject waiting to how the reaction would be.
-
Alex looked about and only vaguely recognized what the feline was saying to him. Though the bits he did pick up didn't ring right in his head. All he could do was shake his head softly at him.
"Understand my issues? How could you!? Do you struggle with the feeling that deep down you're just a destructive monster? That you're evil-?"
"Is just a word.." The words came out as a whisper and he gasped softly and threw his paw to his muzzle and pulled away from his reaching paw. Three just didn't understand, though it wasn't his fault. Alex just wasn't ready to share this pain with anyone. No one, though he may already have on accident. Stepping away Alex shook his head. "I'm sorry, Three, but you don't understand, you-you don't have the data necessary, to understand.. trust me.." Offering an apologetic look was all he could do before he turned and wandered back inside and stumbled into the cafeteria and glanced blankly at the two standing there, not sure how to start things off.
-
Thirteen spun toward Nine in an odd way. Her tail thrashed side to side. How dare he think himself a monster. Though, she kept a cool demeanor, while her mind was spinning with how to handle the situation. Surely, hearing of her martyr would do nothing to alleviate his worries. "Oh. Hello...Nine." She called him by his number for being in the presence of Two, a fellow Success. "Is everything alright?"
Again, merely a formality. She already knew.
-
Two felt a momentary flash of exasperation of Thirteen’s eagerness to sacrifice herself for what she deemed the greater good, when in reality she would only be delaying the inevitable by an insignificant fraction of a second. Not only that, but in her doing so he would instantly lose One’s support and likely cause her to lash out against him. How was he supposed to protect a martyr from themselves?
Nine’s arrival cut their conversation short and Two got the impression whatever was going on between them, it would be best if he excused himself and gave the two of them some privacy. Before doing so, he stepped closer to Thirteen and whispered into her ear. “The best way for you to ensure the group’s survival is to make sure you get out with them should that moment arise. Staying behind will only make it more difficult for One and me to make our own safe getaway. Take care of yourself, Thirteen, and don’t take any unnecessary risks; your survival is just as important as anybody else’s.”
With that, Two stepped away from the woman, gave Nine a friendly nod, then vacated the cafeteria to make his way to the showers to meet up with Three.
-
Thirteen blinked, yet held her ground. She sat at an empty table, beckoning Alex closer. "Dear...nothing is right in your mind."
-
Three looked as Nine stepped away, somewhat confused as to why the man had been behaving the way he had. But then again, most Subjects had a few bolts loose in their head, as did Three himself. He shook his head and just sighed as a result. These people that were his 'friends' if one would be able to call it like that. Because truth be told, their relationship was different due to the administration and their unique powers and abilities.
The tanned cat thought for a moment to go after the other but reckoned to himself that it probably was not the best choice to do. He opted to just wander about a bit and see if he would bump into Two or anyone else. He had a good time outside, but he didn't want to give the guards the impression he was up to something, which most of the time the cat actually was!
Once inside, did Three walk down the various corridors, everything was white and just bland. How he would love to see houses in various colours and more. Spain for instance was very much vivid in colours to their homes and mansions, same as France! He would most certainly love to see those nations, heck all nations for that matter. If the list that Three had in his head for things he wanted to do would be printed, the number PI would be ashamed by how long it was. "Now let's see what we can find to do around here... There must be something!"
-
Alex stopped and looked from person to person, his eyes locked on Two and he eyed him up.He'd never gotten a description of Two but whoever this was, by the way he was whispering to Thirteen, he was either important to her or the group as a whole. There were things he wanted to ask him, though if he was actually Two was first and foremost. Unfortunately he made a hasty departure and left the hybrid wondering. Turning to Thirteen he nodded softly to her and stepped closer sighing deeply hearing her words.
"This is nothing new. The fact that I'm closer to you and you can easily pick it up is the difference. I suppose since I've burdened you with my pain you deserve some answers. So," Alex spread his arms in the way one might welcome a guest to their home, "ask away."
-
"I believe I have some grasp. Fear of something that is not so, or rather, something that occurred once before. Yet, I must ask why you consider yourself in such a light. After all, you've proven anything but a beast." Her manner of tone has changed considerably, something she is quite skilled at when needed. She moved closer, hoping to comfort him in any way she could. Though she felt he could use an outreached ear more than anything.
-
On his way to the showers, Two saw Three walking along the halls as if searching for something. Their eyes met for a moment and Two just nodded before continuing on to the showers. He figured that would be the most clandestine way of passing on a message that he was prepared to disable the collar to avoid raising any suspicions from onlookers or eavesdroppers. Even if the message was too vague to be conveyed, they had already established when they were going to meet up and he doubted Three would be late to this sort of meeting.
After undressing once more for the sake of appearances should anybody other than Three enter the showers, Two made his way to the showerheads with pants in hand. He took a moment to hang his pants (and makeshift tools within) from one of the hooks nearby before turning on one of the showers as hot as it would go to build up a nice curtain of steam and sound.
-
Three walked through the hallways as he looked around and catched a glimpse of Two who made a gesture to follow. The cat himself was not minding a conversation or just some talking to another subject as he followed the foxlike creature.
When he saw the male had gone to the showers it hit him that Two might be able to take care of the collar. He went inside and saw the other was undressing, finding it odd the other did so, but figure it was a scam... Still a good shower was always fun!
"Hey Two." Three said as he went to a cabin and undressed himself. As he took a shower to himself he let the water coax his fur fully wet and smiled. "I met Nine today. Something troubles him greatly... Seven and Four I have no idea where they are however."
-
“Hey Three.” He said in reply while retrieving the things from his pants pockets. “I wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about them just yet. Seven and Four are bound to turn up sooner or later and as for Nine.” Two shrugged indifferently. “Thirteen is talking to him, so we’ll see if that helps. Either way, we have a lot more pressing things to focus on. Have a seat over there.”
Following him to the spot on the floor that gave him plenty of light and space to work, Two crouched behind Three and set to work with a length of stripped wire and paper clip. “Tensions certainly seem to be high out there. One seems able to help out with the power and tentatively willing to help. Doesn’t seem too fond of me; seems she’s only going along with it for Thirteen’s well-being. How many of them do you think are willing and able to go over the wall with you should that time come?”
-
Alex sighed and sat down in one of the cafeteria seats and gestured her over. "That wasn't all of it, you probably heard whispers mixed in with it all. The stuff that stoked the flames that were burning me down from the inside out. Those were the things that people whispered afterwards. Some guards understood-hell some of the ones I injured understood. Some of them though who particularly hate us.. they used it to fuel paranoia of our danger. Some would say that I seemed better and others would say that the destructive beast was just lurking under the surface."
The whispers flashed through his head stronger now. "He seems better, maybe he was scared?" "Are you kidding? They probably drugged him, just wait till the rabid beast rears it's ugly head again. It's there.. right inside his skin, lurking just under the surface.."
Alex sighed deeply and looked to her. "I let something personal slip out there, I hope Three didn't hear, he'd ask questions, I know he would. He's like me, inquisitive. The thing that my therapist, Dr. Liszt, once told me. 'If there's one thing I've learned from studying people of all races and species, it's that evil is just a word; under the skin, it's simple pain. If ever you feel you are evil, remember that it's only pain. Pain trying to escape.' It seemed like he knew from personal experience. Like a lesson he was passing on. I asked him how we stop our pain from consuming others."
Alex drifted off and stared at the floor.
-
Three listened to what Two had to say and ask. He began to think on the answer to give the other male. This wasn't very easy to do. "Mhh..." As he sat down to let Two do his work on getting the thing disabled properly. "I believe that almost nobody would do it just to get free... Perhaps only Nine would do so. But Thirteen, she seems more worried about the rest. One wants nothing but to see Thirteen safe, so she would be a no. Five?" As the cat chuckled and laughed. "If he would even dare go against the administration I would eat a sock with mayonaise!... Seven would want too, but he would more likely kill everyone first. And Four wouldn't dare move a muscle!"
Come to think of it, as Three's brain began to wonder off on the idea of who wanted too. Almost none of them would actually wish to get out without sacrifing themselves for someone else. As if it had all been programmed for them to do such actions should someone important be in danger. Instead of staying as a group and finding a good solution and exit where they didn't all get killed or would need to put themselves in danger. "Uurgh... Even the Successes are being stubborn with this. And the question is what Five would do if he knows!"
-
Thirteen nodded, sighing. She sort of understood him, in a way. Her powers let her on to emotions, among other things, and she often came to love her enemy just before defeat. "I've often wondered if I'm really a Success, you know. The constant fear that I can't do what I was designed to because of how I feel. Or, more accurately, what the other feels. I often find myself thinking of how they lived, and when faced with the decision, if I could do it."
The girl leaned in a little closer, smiling with a hint of sadness. Her eyes began to well with tears. "You're more of a Success than I ever will be. I just get in the way. So please, try not to think of yourself as a monster."
-
Four sighed, leaning back against the wall. He was curious to learn more - especially considering how he saw a bit of himself in the hybrid's statement about losing the Administration's favour. But apparently, it would have to wait. The goat popped a cable out of his fingertip and plugged into the wall, accessing the computer systems. After a minute of loading, a simple tennis-type game appeared on his replacement eye, and he began playing. To most people it wouldn't be the most exciting of things, but it was enough to amuse him while he passed the time. He tilted his head back and forth to the motion of the ball as he waited for further developments.
-
Alex listened to her slightly a drift then caught on to her words before he could open his mouth to speak. "There's nothing wrong with not wanting to kill someone. I don't wanna kill people. The difference is I can accept it as a grim inevitability, which is easy for me to say, but you have to feel their pain, regret. I-" Alex stopped lost in her comment. "No, no Thirteen there's no way, I appreciate the kind words but I have only just really mastered my powers and even so they haven't upped the ante really.." Alex stopped and chewed at the inside of his cheek, then sighed deeply. "Thirteen, is there.." Alex turned and looked at her and trailed off then turned away and stared off desperately blotting out even the thought.
"Is there an-NONONO-in y-NO!-fe? No no no focus data, later."
Alex turned back with an apologetic look for the rather violent self censor. "I'm sorry I need to figure something else out first, I need data." The hybrid focused solely on his words and didn't let his mind drift, oh but it ached to and it was so taxing to focus so heavily. "You wouldn't happen to know where One is would you?"
-
She seemed to wince against the screaming in his head, but shrugged in answer. "Sorry...I haven't seen her or Five around." She rubbed at her head, trying to sort everything out for a moment. An assassin who couldn't kill. What kind of failure is that? She looked at her armband, and then out the window, which was flecked with little white dots. Snow. Her green eyes went wide with wonder. Even though this happened regularly, she saw it as a treasure. A gift from the outside. First snow of the season, it seemed, as well.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more use." Thirteen turned back to Alex. "I can tell you're still troubled...I wish I could do more. At least take care of yourself, okay?"
-
Two listened as he continued to probe the locking mechanism to the collar until he felt the wire catch. With a slight twist, the latch gave way and the device sprung open. “There we go.” He said before taking the collar from around Three’s neck so that he could begin tampering with it more freely.
“As much of a risk as it is to tell Five, I cannot simply leave him here to die if it comes to that. Just to be safe, however, I’ll wait until you all have a chance to get out and I am executing my own escape to tell him so he at least has the choice. If he wishes to join us, then all the better; if he wishes to stay behind and even rat us out… well, I don’t know how much time they’d have to arrange a proper hunt before Ten wakes up. Either way, the best we can offer the others is an opportunity; what they do with it is on them.”
After a few more minutes of tinkering, Two handed the collar back to Three. “I’ve disabled the electronics within as well as the latching mechanism.” By demonstration, Two closed the collar then opened it with only a slight resistance from the lock. “This should keep it from falling off at an inopportune moment, but at the same time allowing you to take it off once it’s safe to do so regardless of whether or not I manage to catch up with the rest of you.” Two handed the collar back to Three. “I would still strongly advise you not go on any flights unless the time comes to evacuate. If the administration catches on that your collar is not working, then our entire plan could very easily unravel.”
With that task done, Two made his way to the shower and quickly rinsed himself to give his fur a freshly washed appearance. He had just finished his task when a familiar chime sounded over the facility’s PA system indicating it was time for Subjects to return to their quarters.
-
One was sitting on her bed, eyes closed and legs crossed almost as if she was meditating. Her mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and she needed to calm herself down, barely moving as the PA system chimed, there was no need to move she was already in her quarters and would eventually drift off to sleep even if she was still seated like that.
-
Three smiled a she was given the device. "Aah thank you Two. At least now I can get out without getting some nasty suprise! And it will be a good distraction for the others." He said smiling more, before noticing the other showering.
The feline himself was already wet so there was no use for him to actually do the shower again. He actually didn't like the idea of doing it for a fourth them in one day honestly. As the cat stood up and walked over to his clothing, putting it on after he had dried himself off using a towel. "You know, you can't win if you stay here by yourself even if you wish to save Five. If you like I can easily... well more easily... take care of the skunk and make sure he survives. He might not enjoy it, but at least he'll be alive." As the feline looked at the other Subject before hearing the notice.
"Uugh... Locked in our rooms already for the day. This day is getting better and better." And with a soft groaning, Three made his way to his own chamber. He did not like the idea of being trapped, but then again within two days it wouldn't matter anymore. What would happen, would occur. Wether he wanted to or not.
-
Alex went to open his mouth to speak to her but stopped and grumbled at the bed time chime. "Don't worry Thirteen, it's not really your fault I'm still troubled and it's not a terribly bad kind of troubled anyways." Alex smiled and hugged her tight and let out a soft purr then walked off to his quarters taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly as he walked away, focusing on the floor as he walked away. Laying in bed he thought of how close it was to the day. Alex truly didn't have time to prepare but here it was, so soon.
Waking up Alex had things that were urgent in his mind. Things he needed to know but the administration seemed to be conspiring against him, keeping him busy all day though he was so urgent he was insanely focused on his work. At one point he thought he was going to have some free time but over the loudspeaker he heard 'Subject 9 report to Dr. Liszt's office immediately. Subject 9 to Dr. Liszt's office immediately.' Grumbling the hybrid made his way there and came in without knocking as he had for quite some time now.
"Good to see you here, Nine. I must say, I've been keeping an eye on your results and let me first say I'm sorry I wasn't being more attentive yesterday. That was uncalled for and I'm glad the guard was taken care of. Now, today's results were absolutely brilliant. You keep this progress up and you'll be shifted to a success in no time."
Alex smiled softly looking at the kind young looking psychiatrist. The shock of platinum blonde hair on his head and his bright blue eyes seemed to happy to deliver good news. "Thank you Dr. Liszt, I must say though, it's not as important to me as it once was. It just doesn't matter anymore." Alex bowed his head slightly and smiled a bit wider. Suddenly he blinked and looked up. "Doc.. I gotta ask, are you gonna be here tomorrow? If so maybe we could talk again?"
The doctor chuckled and shook his head, "As much as I'd like to be. I asked to be part of a new project they were working on but they said they had everyone they needed so I'll be home tomorrow. As to your attitude towards being a success, I hope you haven't lost your drive. Though it seems that the real cause is a renewed sense of self. I trust you've been speaking to Thirteen." The doctor chuckled then looked up to Alex again. "I can be here to talk to you if you want, Nine."
Alex nodded softly and admitted to talking to Thirteen then held back the urge to gasp in horror. "No! I mean just because I don't really have a personal life outside of here doesn't mean you shouldn't." Alex sat back and considered for a moment then stood. "I should get back, it will be bed time soon."
Dr. Liszt looked at him concernedly then gave one last parting comment. "Thirteen is very nice isn't she? Nice people are always in high demand."
Alex sighed deeply and nodded. "I know, goodbye Doctor." Without another word Alex walked back out and the chime sounded telling him it was the end of the day. Alex realised now more than ever that he was not ready, but he'd have to fight nonetheless. Alex did need to at least speak to Two before they were fully out. Looking around Alex loitered in the halls hoping to catch a glimpse of him, not expecting much success.
-
Five had gone to his room and gotten a towel and fresh change in clothes, and made his way to the showers. He spent quite some time beneath the shower, at least a full hour, letting his heightened state of frustration wash away as much as it could before he risked bumping into anyone else. With a hand on the wall and the water hitting his head and cascading down over his body, he hung his head, watching it all spiral around and then down the drain, as if taking notes on some metaphorical analogy. Something big was going on and he was being left in the dark. Even when confronting Two about it, he outright denied Fives claim, outright lied to him as far as he was concerned. But Five knew he was becoming a big risk in this state of mind, for the first time in a long time, and watching the water swirling the drain, he knew the safest way to get through this with everyone intact at the end of the day was the same as always. Suppression. After a while, he let out a heavy sigh and simply muttered "whatever..." He couldn't keep stewing on this and certainly couldn't continue trying to pry anymore. The last thing he, or anyone else for that matter, needed was more rejection and lies to strike even more nerves. Eventually things would play out and reveal themselves, and Five was more than capable of handling anything that would be thrown at him, even if this was some big plot against him. Of course he can handle himself, he's the best of the best, after all..
Five finished up his shower and got dressed, not more than half an hour prior to when Two and Three would make their way in. He was running late for dinner time, but couldn't be bothered. He wasn't hungry right now after all this, plus he knew others would be there, and he still wasn't willing to deal with any of them. Instead, Five just made his way to his room for the night, laying back in bed and reading some more of his book, hearing the PA chime signaling time to call it a night. He stayed up in his room reading for another hour or so before putting the book down and rolling over in his bed. The next day would be bound to be a bit awkward, seeing as he wouldn't be going out of his way to avoid people then, and certainly wouldn't be in any mood for friendly chatter having this scenario still lingering over him. If anyone confronted him, he wouldn't hesitate to give them a bit of attitude back. Not enough to be offensive, but enough to show that he was not happy with what was going on around here regarding him. Eventually Five finally drifted off to sleep..
-
Thirteen trudged her way to her room, her mind racing. No no no. The day was drawing closer, and all she thought about was Five. She couldn't leave him behind, even if he may foil the plan. Even if he risked her death if she went back, she couldn't leave him. She couldn't risk a life lost in her Unit. She had climbed into her bed expecting a night's rest, but instead she had gotten torturous nightmares brought on by the Unit's collective tensions. First thing in the morning, she resolved, she would speak to Five. Even if he wouldn't receive her well. But first, she had to devise a way to stop waking up in cold sweats. By the time morning came, her pillow was soaked, and she had gotten so little sleep that it started to show in her. Her posture was slumped, and her eyes were sunken and a bit bloodshot. But what did it matter? They were just dreams, right? After all, she wasn't Two.
-
Four was so engaged in his game that he almost didn't hear the chime, but he still was able to tell the time by the shuffling of feet out in the hall. Reluctantly turning it off and unplugging himself from the wall, he got to his hooves and headed back to his quarters, throwing himself down on the bed.
-
Alex sighed and turned, walking through the door and letting it close behind him quietly.
"Everything is going to change now. Everything is going to be real. Can I survive?"
Drifting off into a troubled sleep he seemed to be in the perspective of a spark rushing through a circuit and then suddenly everything got bright and when the light faded he was standing at a terminal. The lights were dim and there was shouting and then he was rushing off down a hall. Suddenly Thirteen was ahead of him and looked back and said something he couldn't hear, it was just the pulse in his ears. "Why did you wait?" Alex felt his mouth form the words but did't hear himself speak. Out onto the lawn-the cold air burning in his lungs. Somewhere ahead of him Thirteen caught up to the others and then his ears twitched and there was a voice calling behind him. Turning back his optics zoomed and he was staring down a gun barrel. Zooming out quickly the bullet it fired almost beat his zoom out. The world slowed down and the bullet zipped closer until it whisked up over his muzzle and just as it touched his forehead he awoke and immediately shoved his face in his pillow to scream.
Sitting up he found his pawpads sticking with sweat as he panted quickly. "God damn.. maybe I shouldn't.." Alex shook his head and layed down and went into a dreamless sleep that was only interrupted once he opened his eyes to the sounds of morning. "It's time.." Alex stood and blankly got dressed, gathering little things from his room.
-
Two awoke after a night of restless tossing and turning. The day had finally come that would decide the fate of everybody he knew; whether a catastrophe could be averted, the evacuation takes place, or they perish in a gout of psychic fire, they would all know in a matter of hours. The previous day had been productive, having spent much of it to figure out the key code that would grant him and One access to where the generators were housed. He just hoped that the others were as prepared for the Plan B if it was needed.
Pulling himself out of bed and changing into his training clothes, he made sure the contents for his bailout bag were handy. With as cold as it had gotten, Two wanted to make sure that he wouldn’t freeze to death out there while they looked for shelter or civilization. With that detail checked, he left his quarters intent on coming back for it once he met up with One to tend to the generators. For now, he was on his way to the cafeteria where he would be sure to eat his fill.
-
Thirteen pulled herself up, rubbing her head and making sure her own things were in order. A heavier jacket and some rations she had snuck from the cafeteria. She nodded, stretching herself out before heading out to the cafeteria. She was tense, and desperately needed to see Five. She looked around, but didn't see anyone but Two yet. She got her food and filled up quickly, the tensions habit reached a peak, and she could hardly hear herself think. Her finger drummed the table, her leg shook and her eyes darted about from sheer fatigue. All she could think about was everyone else. Making sure they would be okay.
-
Alex walked into the cafeteria realising that he'd need to smuggle some food out and decided that the best way would be to take somewhat small size platters and set bits aside then go back for more and repeat. When he went to sit down with his first tray he saw Thirteen looking erratic and anxious and realised that everyone must be driving her nuts at this point. Taking a deep breath he focused on the plan and turned everything into formula. Slipping into the mechanical mindset of Nine, the living breathing supercomputer, was easier than he'd liked. It did help him process and make sense of things, though. There were many variables so he wasn't too comfortable with his figures, never mind that they kept shifting, but it calmed him enough that he felt comfortable enough to sit next to Thirteen. "Need a break from the noise?" Alex looked over and smiled at her
-
The girl nodded frantically, downing another glass of milk. "These emotions, th-they're...well...god it's j-just so...everyone thinks of doomsday. All I can think about is making sure everyone g-gets out s-safely...even if it m-means...that..." She trailed off, calming down a little. She smiled at Nine, her bloodshot eyes looking calmer. The green shone in the light, and it almost drowned out the red. "Never mind that. I want to make sure you're ready...meet me outside. It's time to see how you fare in hand-to-hand. I'll be able to traverse the vents, but you and Four must be ready in case you're pushed to fight..."
Thirteen looked tired. Weary. She felt like she would fall over the moment she stood. "Five...have you seen Five?" She glanced nervously. "I can't leave him behind..!" She began to shake again, her thoughts slowly becoming foreign to her. She looked like she was in a haze. "Oh no...no no..."
-
Alex smiled faintly at her and simply listened to her ramble about the thoughts racing through her mind. It was only fair given how much she had done for him already. How much she'd listened to him, understood. His smile grew wider once she started focusing on the calm, clockwork nature of his thoughts sharing in his peace. When she asked to see his skill in hand to hand combat he arched a brow and wondered just how skilled she was, herself. Getting up to follow her she heard him ask about Five and he blinked and searched his mind. "Eh, no, I don't even know who exactly Five is."
Alex sucked in a quick breath and grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at her, "Thirteen, what is it?"
-
Thirteen felt her cheeks grow hot before she calmed down, thoughts ticking through her head like clockwork. "It's...nothing. Nothing. C'mon, we have work to do." Thirteen gave him a brisk hug before she exited, stretching herself and waiting out on the lawn. On occasion, she would look behind to make sure Nine was there. "C'mon, you make the first move."
-
Alex smiled and hugged her back, following her out onto the lawn and rolling his shoulders looking at her a bit uncomfortably before carefully closing the distance. "I hope you're certain about this, just tell me once it's enough, alright?" Alex's careful analysis told him that no one would invite violence upon themselves unless they were at least fairly certain they could go toe to toe with the person, though Alex just couldn't attribute hand to hand combat with the angelic tabby.
Looking her over Alex decided to make a snap jab to her left shoulder and then quickly open his paw after the somewhat soft strike to grab her shoulder. The spare paw was hovering between them, ready to swipe away any attack to his upper body.
-
Thirteen felt her training overcome her, and all at once she dropped to the ground. The cat's pupils narrowed, and she resembled a hardened predator. "Remember, I'm built for stealth and speed. What we'll be up against will be all-around strengthened," she started while moving to roll between her opponent's legs before taking a swipe at his ankle with her tail. "Don't loose sight."
The cat, provided she was successful, would then stand, though still crouched low, ready to dart away at a moment's notice. Her ear twitched and she restrained her instinct to climb the building to find a small space to hide. "I am the ultimate assassin, the Living Lie Detector. Let's see how the Supercomputer fares." Oh now she's just teasing.
-
Alex was, admittedly, taken aback by how quickly the soft eyed tabby sprang into action, however Alex had already shifted into his computing mindset, so when he realised that action and quick thinking was needed, Nine was swift to turn and shift into a narrow profile which left far less of him in reach and just as little vulnerable to direct attack. "Alright, I made the mistake of letting my empathy belittle your threat. Once a computer corrects bad data, though. It doesn't let that happen again." Nine smiled knowingly and started to analyze her stance, then sprang into action. Running through counter-tactics and shuffling his thoughts to leave him less vulnerable to her mind reading as he made to kick out at her then tucked the leg and instead spun around and went for a hook kick-a reverse roundhouse-with his other leg.
-
Thirteen tumbled forward, tucking her head under her legs as she brushed off the blow. She smiled, nodding. "Good." The cat sprung forward with surprising speed, her head aimed straight at his abdomen. With luck, she would tackle him to the ground and attempt to pin him. "But I don't lose easy."
-
Nine stepped backwards and turned his back foot and crouched low to make himself more stable. Even with his sturdy stance the hybrid still had to stagger back a step, however vulnerable he might have been he still had the wherewithal to realise that she had put herself into a tactically compromising position and reached to get a firm grip of the back of her shirt. "I doubt you do Thirteen, but you can still lose." Nine sneered a bit as he also moved to get a grip of her shoulder.
-
As he gripped her, her own grip on him tightened. Her feet planted firmly in the ground, and her small yet fit muscles flexed as she not only prepped for his plan, she planned to flip him. Just as she started, however, the cooler air had begun to sap at her strength and ability. She cursed herself. She was made for hiding and acrobatics, not head-on confrontation! The girl tensed, preparing herself for the worst.
-
One still sat on her bed having spent the entire night like that, her eyes opened weakly to reveal that she had slept next to nothing. She looked around the room before throwing a few sets of clothing into a bag. Tapping at her mask she shrugged and placed the bag just by the door she probably wouldn't come back for it but having it there wouldn't hurt right. Looking down at her hands she shrugged away the nightmares she had before making sure her mask was on tight and walking towards the cafeteria, she would eat as much as she could to build up her strength knowing full well that stabilizing a current would be a very hard task indeed.
-
Analyzing security. Vulnerable port detected. Accessing compromised area. Launching malicious data hack. It was a system that worked in the exercises and Nine saw that it worked well in hand to hand as well. Hoisting her up off her feet and sliding the paw on her shoulder closer to her neck he was in the perfect position to slam her down and crack the back of her head against the ground, providing she had no other tricks up her sleeve. However realising that such an act would have no point and that this itself was merely an exercise the hybrid stopped and looked her in the eyes. "Are we done Thirteen?"
-
Three yawned as he woke up and began to slide to the side of his bed. He needed to get something to eat. It was strange normally people would have been called out already for trainings and more. Was it because of what Two had said? That special program that the Administration wanted to start up would be cause that nothing had occured?
The feline didn't bother at this point, he was still tired and wanted to get some food in his stomach.
His clothing was soon fetched and put on as the male made his way into the hallway. Several personal walked by but did not glance at him. He was happy with this, why would the feline want to socialise with humans anyway. They were the cause of much discomfort. He rather wished to find some of hs fellow subjects and just have a quick chat or merely just enjoy their company.
-
"Yeah." Thirteen felt herself blush. "You're lucky I didn't have any vents." More joking. It was to hide her apprehension, though. She didnt feel certain about herself. She shook a little. "You think you can make it over when it happens..?" Over the wall, that is.
-
Five woke up fairly well rested, and fortunately another dreamless night sleep. Or at least he had no recollection of any dreams. He made his way out of bed and did his morning preparations exactly as he normally would before making his way out of his room and to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. Glancing out a window, he saw two subjects having a little spar outside. Looked like Thirteen and someone else he wasn't too familiar with. He shook his head though as the match barely seemed to last that long at all, muttering to himself some condescending statement about how neither of them are really trained for truly fighting like that, then continued his trip to the cafeteria as the match was clearly ending there.
Upon entering, he saw a couple other subjects had already made it. He grabbed a tray of some foods and took a seat at a not yet occupied table.
-
Four woke up, stretching. He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, for a little while before finally deciding to get up, shower, and brush his teeth. He then headed over to the cafeteria for breakfast, spotting Five at a table. The goat waved to him, coming over to the table with his tray.
"Mind if I sit here?"
-
Thirteen smiled before walking back in, spotting Five with Four. She smiled wide, waving over at them. She couldn't believe it. Still, away from Nine, she felt her thoughts begin to cloud as emotions whirled through her. Tensions rise so high, and she couldn't hold it back. She hoped she could keep it together long enough.
-
Nine let her down and nodded to her as she walked off back to the facility and stood around for a bit. Looking away from the facility he could see a bit of the fence off in the distance and stared at it longingly, his optics zooming in to look at it more closely. It seemed that there were fewer guards than he recalled. Could it be that most were being equipped to guard the lab where they would do work on the Persephonian? Looking back to the facility and walking in Nine cleared his mind and sat down next to Thirteen, his still placid thoughts hopefully washing back over her. Once he had numbers, even very rough figures, he could be much more at ease. Nodding to Four Nine considered asking something for a moment but then realised that not everyone at the table knew-or at least he didn't know who knew.
Turning to Thirteen he forced the thought with some amusement and hoped she could pick up on it.
"I wonder if I could snatch a pot of some of the Success food during our escape? Just as a little take that for them never letting me have any."
-
Thirteen felt herself giggle, her cheeks growing hot and blushing through her fur. Why, if he'd only known her sooner, she would gladly sneak him some. She giggled again, her green eyes lighting up with amusement. Her tail flicked from side to side, her lips curled into a lovely smile. Her shoulders lowered, tension releasing bit by bit. She stood softly on her shoeless paws, lightly tapping her toes on the cool tile. She liked it. She glanced outside, then at the clock. Some tension returned. She didn't know how long it'd be. She kept close to Nine, but wanted to be close to everyone. She felt her eyes begin to water. She didn't want to lose her family. Not yet. Not ever. She wanted them safe. She wanted to feel them, her arms around them in a hug as she took time with everyone individually.
The cat looked at Nine, muttering. "I wouldn't be of use...if I stayed behind it'd be better." Now, Nine would know of her plans for martyr. Two gave her a stern scolding, yes, but what would Nine do..?
-
Nine looked at Thirteen with an astonished look, and all precept of order and planning fell into the background. "What do you mean?" Alex's voice was a loud whisper. The hybrid wanted to shout his astonishment and concern to the high heavens but this close to operation time nothing could be risked. Alex looked around and sighed deeply looking her dead in the eyes and focusing his thoughts into clear concise words.
"You can't just stay behind they will torture you to know end. They will pry at you for information-they will use you in horrid ways-" Alex remembered a guard talking about lewd things they wanted to do and how upset they were they never saw any females in detention so they could 'supervise' them. Shaking his head furiously he focused again. "Listen, if you want to hold out till the last moment fine. I want to mine this place for whatever data I can. We can work together. I'll mine data from terminals and you check for stragglers. That's my only offer. If you stay behind you're either dead, or you'll be wishing you were dead.." Alex swallowed a hard lump in his throat as one thought slipped free as he turned partially away from her. "I can't let anything happen to you.." The words came with a dull ache in him and he turned and spotted One and walked over to her, leaving behind the harsh news from Thirteen for something that was at least pressing to him.
-
One had her mask removed and placed next to her plate, as was her custom she took meticulous detail to cleaning and wiping her fork and spoon each time she took a bite of food-which was incidentally pilled onto her plate much more generously than usual- each sip of juice she took she made sure to wipe the rim of the glass. Noticing Nine walking towards her she reached for her mask, "If you want to talk give me a minute." she mumbled before placing the thick heavy mask over her mouth and securing it. "What do you want Nine?" she said coldly.
-
Thirteen shook, now alone with her, and everyone's thoughts. Images, colors and feelings flashed through her head, and she felt herself claw at the table. He didn't understand. She would be dead. She would take on the threat, and most likely end up like many scientists. She absentmindedly watched the room, hoping they'd all be safe.
-
Alex felt his lips twitch at her cold attitude. The fynx had done nothing to deserve bitterness or hatred from the somewhat mysterious One. Still he had to take it from her, and he would because he felt that she had some of the greatest concern and therefore investment in Thirteen. Carefully quieting his thoughts, hoping they were lost in the sea of commotion Alex sat down next to One and leaned in. "Is.. god.. Is Thirteen involved with anyone?" Alex spat the words out and almost instantly regretted them, quickly adding to them, "Don't tell her I asked this!"
-
One felt her lips curl up under the mask, baring her teeth even though the gesture was lost underneath the pitch black mask covering it. Her tail tensed up and wanted to swing to the side to slam into what ever she could find but she needed to be in control now more than ever. Taking a deep breath she quieted her mind and her voice until it was a barely audible whisper muted by the mask "Short answer: Yes. Long Answer yes I know who it is and no I wont tell, for the sake of Thirteens safety and her happiness I promised to keep what I have seen to myself." Her eyes looked away before snapping back towards Nine. "Do anything to upset her or hurt her emotionally or physically and I will personally show you why they force me to wear this mask around other subjects." Her threat was very very real, despite everything and despite what she herself felt there were a small number subjects she would protect with her life, and Thirteen was at the top of that list. "Now if you will excuse yourself from my table I would like to finish breakfast before anything happens." Her hands went up and started fidgeting with her mask, it was a bothersome rule imposed on her, especially during the times they had to eat.
-
Alex listened to her and sighed deeply hearing her words, honestly he should have figured. The hybrid just nodded mutely and bit his lip harshly till her feared he would break his own skin. Hearing her threat he looked up and spoke softly so that even One would have to truly listen to him to hear her. "Don't worry One.. I wouldn't hurt her to save my own hide. It's not something I think I could bring myself to do. I'm sorry One, I'll leave." Alex stood and turned from the table, not really knowing what to do. "Well actually.. One, I thought you should know that Thirteen plans to stay here while we escape."
-
Thirteen froze, tears that had welled in her eyes has overflowed upon her cheeks. Her actions had hurt more than one person, people she cared about. She stifled her quiet sobs with a hand over her muzzle, attempting to look inconspicuous. Her gaze was straight ahead, but her mind was on the damage she had done. She messed up. She always messed up, she told herself. She always just caused trouble.
Why? Why must I keep doing these things?! She was sorry. Sorrier than she had ever been. She deserved to die, she kept telling herself. So her actions would be then rationalized and vindicated. She had a purpose. To get everyone out at the cost of herself. Lead everyone through the vents and over the wall. She would help the way she knew how, and most likely die trying.
-
Alex looked to One and cleared his throat, "Just thought you'd like to know that is all." Alex made his way back to Thirteen and for all her attempts to be inconspicuous she still seemed incredibly distressed. Placing a paw quietly on her shoulder and smiled warmly and sincerely to her. "Thirteen, look, I know I wouldn't let you stay behind. I'd tie you to me if I had to. There is just no way I'd let you stay behind to be killed or worse.. I know there's got to be someone else who would do the same if not more, as well." Alex kept his thoughts vague, still under the assumption that through the cloud of anxiety his question and reaction had been unnoticed. "Don't do anything stupid, alright?"
-
Thirteen shook under his paw, whispering through the gaps of her fingers. Her voice was shaky and soft, and she looked up at him. Her eyes seemed to quiver with all her attempts to keep calm. "But I...I messed up and...let you down..." The girl stood, her gaze on the floor as she excused herself as politely as she could. She almost sprinted down to the success rec room, and she took her place in front of a sparring bag.
She let out a weak jab. Then another. And another. One right after the other until she became more confident in her blows, each one a little stronger than the last. She had to prepare. To toughen up. To make it up to everyone and show them that she was useful.
-
Alex blinked and cursed softly under his breath. Could she have picked up on what he found out? The hybrid opened his mouth to tell her he wasn't as torn up or destroyed as she made him out to be but she shrugged away from him and stalked off. Alex followed after her as best he could without giving reason for alarm and eventually wound up somewhere down the success area. "Thirteen? Please, it's not that bad, I promise. Just talk to me alright?"
Sighing deeply Alex turned and punched a wall in frustration. The sharp twinge of pain that shot up his knuckle not even registering at the moment. What a pain it was to comfort someone who was basically made to empathize and focus on the feelings of others.
-
Thirteen peeked her head out, trying to keep it together. She wanted to explain. She didn't know what she felt anymore. She wanted him to not be angry. She wanted to tell him what he wanted to hear and make everything okay. She timidly walked up behind him and hesitantly wrapped her arms around him. She wanted to just make everything okay. "This is why I'd be better off here...you deserve freedom, happiness...I don't..."
-
Staring at the wall Alex hadn't even noticed Thirteen come up behind him. When he felt those arms wrap softly around him he sighed and spoke softly to avoid being overheard. "We all do, you more than others. You don't realise but the fact that you are such a good, pure person is what makes you so much more deserving to make it to the outside. We-screw us-the world needs people like you. If people like you were all over the world making everyone feel better about themselves and easing peoples burdens, why do you think the Administration made you the way you are? Obviously people like you are something rare. As for me, don't worry about me. I suspect you know what I was talking to One about.. and, it's alright. As long as we can at least be friends I don't care. We do need you though. All of us. Hell you need to get with us so you can have a chance out there to make yourself happy for once. I'll be damned if the last thing you do before you die is be tortured and just taking our escape as your victory. Okay?"
-
Five made a gesture with his hand towards Four, silently letting him know he didn't care if he sat there, and ate the rest of his meal keeping relatively quiet. He listened to what was going on around him as he ate, the only real interactions of interest seeming to come from the new face, Thirteen, and One. Though he couldn't really hear what was being said with One, but he caught bits and pieces of what was said between him and Thirteen, the words 'stay behind' peaking his curiosity quite a bit. It wasn't too long after, however, that Thirteen had excused herself from the room, which was almost immediately followed by the new face. Five sat in the room a short while longer, taking his time to finish up his meal before returning his tray and making his way out of the cafeteria.
He figured he'd start his day with a bit of warming up to prepare for any tests the administration might have him do, so he made his way to the rec room, though just outside he passed by Nine, the face he hadn't seen around very much until recently, being held by Thirteen. He gave him a bit of an eying, and upon passing by them simply said "Getting a little close there, are we?" before turning into the room and going to the same machine he trained on a few days before.
-
Three had been goofing off for once, something he almost never did. and the reason was clear, he did not feel like doing anything. He would go to get some food soon... But heck, however this day would end, why should he have needed to worry about the Administration any longer? One way or another it would end.
And the stranges thing to him was, he liked it. He was actually enjoying the idea to either get out or die. In the weirdest event that nothing would happen and things would stay the same, which he was thinking were slim, he would continieu going on for how he had lived for over twintyfour years.
"Let's see Two... Wether your gut feeling you always have is so accurate." And he strolled down the hallway towards the messhall. Ooh what a glorious and interesting day that would be come for them all. Wether he wanted too or not, something would happen. But as he gave a smirk the question popped into his head: "What"
-
Wait a minute. Five. That was Five. Thirteen looked to Nine, letting go and looking back into the room. "I'm sorry," she muttered, "I have to talk to him. Take it easy, Nine." Without waiting for an answer, she followed Five in. She smiled at him, coming up beside him.
"Just trying to comfort someone, hon," she replied. She resumed hitting the training bag next to his, mustering all the strength she had. "How have you held up?" She wanted to keep the smalltalk short. It could happen any moment.
-
Four got up after Five and began to follow him down the hall. He couldn't think of much else to do, so he felt it as good enough as anything. He stopped when his partner turned towards the rec room, not wanting to get into any trouble, but when Thirteen followed Five into the room, his interest was piqued. He stopped at the side of the door, sneaking up against the wall, and seeing if he could make out what was going on inside. His eye zoomed in on the scene, keeping their conversation in focus.
-
Alex smiled softly and was about to open her mouth when she tore herself away. Silently his brain started putting things together.
"She rushed off the moment she saw him, that means either he is important, or there is something about him that is important. This person seems too snarky and angry to be her mate. Given the way he flew off the handle the other day he would must likely have had a greater reaction to their closeness. Not mates, not likely. Could he be a crucial part of the plan? Possible. Brute force could help in the escape but his very rough temperament made his very personality toxic. Though that is the kind of person Thirteen would take on. "Wait. I didn't know about the plan. Though I was just out of the loop on that because I was out of the loop on everything. Is she telling him? Oh, a genius move though. He must be so unpredictable that the only way she'd feel comfortable telling him was at the last moment. Whatever it is it's about the mission."
Nine finished his calculations and looked up, seeing Four eavesdropping he walked over and pushed his shoulders back against the wall. The hybrid put a finger to his lips and spoke very softly. "Listen, I can give you the skinny on what's happening with those two but I need to know that you'll stand with us, your fellow subjects, no matter what."
-
Four spun around, in shock. He did not see that coming. Pressed against the wall, he nodded to Nine, then continued in a whisper of his own. He glared at the hybrid slightly, taken aback by his promptness.
"Look," he began. "I just see that something's going on, and I don't know what it is..."
-
Nine rolled his eyes and sighed in frustration. "Of course you don't, from what I heard you were in detention for a while. Look, long story short: the Administration has an experiment planned for a new subject type. The subject is going to be unstable and tear the facility apart, killing everyone and everything human or anthro in the process." Placing a paw up to quell any potential interruptions he continued, "This is what Two has foreseen, and I'm tempted to believe him. My therapist Dr. Liszt mentioned something about a special project that he had been interested in happening today but he was told he didn't need to be here."
Sighing inwardly as remembered that he continued. "Now listen, okay? We're leaving. It'll probably happen soon, and I want to mine as much data as I can from this place. Now from videos and discussion I've heard of giant web servers called 'Google' and 'Skydrive' if I can make a connection to outside networks I might be able to offload some data to these servers and hopefully retrieve it at a later time. You can help. Even if you don't wanna take the risk of getting shot with me, you should still have the chance to escape with the rest of them." Nine watched him carefully for signs of recognition and some reaction to the news.
-
Four blinked his organic eye a few times. His mind raced with the shocking thoughts of what was going on, and what his potential role in the matter could be. He stammered a little at first, trying to find the right response. Every thought he came to seemed to have a caveat, and nothing worked. At last, he cleared his throat and shook his head, grounding himself back in reality. He whispered back to Nine.
"So...if this new subject is going to destroy the whole facility...can't we just alert them to this? If we have the Successes in on this, they should listen to them. I don't think you're looking at this right."
Four stared ahead, gulping slightly. As he considered the possibilities, it began to dawn on him that this could be his big chance to redeem himself. If he helped stop the total destruction of the facility...well, there's no telling what might happen. But he was confident it would be good.
-
Nine sighed in frustration at him and spoke more sternly. "Don't you think Two would have done that first? Why do you think we're trying to escape? Because they doubt him, that's why. Or they think they can just add more security. Hey." Nine caught a look in his one organic eye and glared at him. "If you even think of trying to stop this. I will make you regret it. We're escaping because they won't do anything about it. They're trying to make some psychokinetic god and this god is going to be very angry when she wakes up. You, a failure, like myself, are not going to change their minds-and if you think you can stop her? Two's vision shows her annihilating the facility with her mind, alright?"
-
Four grumbled under his breath. At last, he sighed and gave in to the hybrid's demands. "Fine, fine...I'll work with you, but it's not like I have any choice in this. If this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you."
-
Three kept walking through the hallways hoping to at least find one of the other Subjects around. Whilst he did like silence, having nobody around for a good portion of the day was becomming a bit botthersome. Not to mention he did prefer to have someone with him when all of thise shit could happen. Mostly for if he himself would get hurt that he could heal, or assist someone else in the process as well. "Where is everyone anyways?!" He said grumbling softly.
-
Nine smiled softly and let go of him, backing up and sighing in relief. "Look I'm sorry, like I said you don't have to come with me. Find one of the other Subjects, preferably Two, or Three, or Thirteen, and they'll get you out. You'll know when it's time, they've managed to get access to the power systems. About blaming me.. well." Nine smirked a bit then eyed him over his glasses. "That's a relief cause if we're caught we're dead, so I won't have to deal with your blame."
-
Throughout breakfast, it was painfully obvious that the other Subjects were tense. That, combined with their less than clandestine conversations caused Two to become even more anxious for this day to be over. Every now and then he would look over to the staff working the kitchen and was thankful that they seemed oblivious to the conspiratorial environment and chatter.
Once his meal was finished, Two returned to his quarters in a means to isolate himself from the building tension outside. He needed to maintain a clear head and stay focused on the objective; there were too many unpredictable variables out there. The ‘human element’ to any plan was always built on a flimsy foundation and yet was the cornerstone that often time made or broke a plan. Plus, if word did fall on the wrong ears he would have some minor measure of deniability enough to smokescreen long enough for the big moment to come and go.
After an hour of meditation, Two decided it was time to get his plan into motion. The first order on the agenda was to track down Three and let him know it was time to enact his phase one. It didn’t take him long to find the feline wandering the halls. “It’s time to get everybody you can to the courtyard, but make sure everybody knows to act casual. The administration will definitely know something is up if there is an anxious gathering of Subjects huddled together. Remember, don’t do anything until you are sure that the power got knocked out. If it doesn’t happen, then have everybody disburse at their leisure. If it does, find a way to get everybody over that wall and away from here as quickly as possible.” Two gripped Three’s shoulder in a gesture of support and companionship. “I’ll see you on the other side.”
Two has started on his way, but stopped after a stride after a crucial detail flashed into his mind. “Oh, yes, and keep an especially close eye on Thirteen. She seems rather keen on the notion of needlessly becoming a martyr, which will likely inspire others to take unnecessary risks that could cost more lives. Try your best to make her among one of the first to be over the wall. A lot is riding on her survival and this entire thing could unravel quickly should she put herself in harm’s way.”
Knowing that Three had his work cut out for him, Two left him to it and proceeded to the next step in finding One.
-
After finishing her meal one avoided the areas where the other subjects had gone to. She needed her mind clear and her body ready. Sitting in her room in her usual meditative position she slowed her breathing down and cleared her mind, the only information going through it being approximate numbers of the voltages she would need to keep stable. Small sparks would occasionally jump between her fingers and her body and the bed posts. She wondered where two was and at what time he would arrive to ask for her help once again.
-
Three nodded at what Two told him. He understood the risks and was prepared to make sure Thirteen was one of the first to be given the safety of the outside world. "I'll do my best in order to find her." Three said smiling and giving a hand to Two. The feline was hoping that everyone would make it out, but knew from his childhood that such dreams were never true.
He walked down the halls in search of Thirteen, hoping to bump ino others along the way as well. For if he didn't get them out of the building or closeby, then it would all be for naught!
-
Five started up his machine and switched it to a medium setting, something to just warm up to. He listened to Thirteen as he started casually blocking and dodging the machines appendages as they were swung at him, leaving a short moment of silence between her question and his response. "You and I both know that you already know the answer to that.." He was referring to her abilities of course as he said that. He let another brief moment pass as he dodged and blocked a few more of the machines swinging arms before adding some of his own two cents in. "You need to stop worrying about others so much. Just because you can sense emotions or whatever doesn't make it your responsibility to fix everyone. Take care of your own self sometimes. If you spend every moment of every day minding everyone but yourself, you're going to end up a useless mess before you know it.." He raised an arm to block another incoming swing, hitting the machines appendage a bit harder as he took a deep breath and exhaled. "..in fact, I've half a mind to think you're already headed down that path, aren't you?"
-
"...whatever."
Four stepped away from the hybrid, rolling his eye as he turned down into the hallway. He still had his doubts about whether or not this was such a good idea, but if the entire facility was going to be destroyed, it's not like he could say no to it. It was, at least, no doubt preferable to dying.
-
Thirteen nodded, her own punches growing in force. "Getting there. Is that concern, dear?" She kept up her onslaught, sweat dripping down her brow. "I understand where you come from. And I'm still perfectly capable of killing a target if need be. Yet I wish the best for my Unit and that includes you. I sync up with you during those episodes, y'know. It's so strong that I pick it up like a satellite dish. And I want to be like you sometimes. You're strong and capable and...well...I suppose more of my hero than anyone else here. That's why I'm not going to leave you behind." She stopped, her big, green eyes seeming to stare right through Five. She smiled a little. "I've wanted to help you the most. You are most, and least deserving of my efforts and pity. If that makes sense." Her voice carried no hostility. Only concern and caring for Five, and even that was of the deepest sort. She opened her arms a little. A small gesture for a hug. "You're the best, Five. You don't deserve to be stuck here alone..."
-
Watching Four walk away Nine cursed softly and leaned around the corner, his enhanced optics zooming in to see the exchange more clearly. His keen sense of hearing picked up the discussion better than any human could, but his vision wasn't superhuman-at least, not without the binocular optics, anyways. Watching the exchange Nine was getting anxious. What if Five got outraged, or went to the administration? Or hurt-. No, Thirteen wasn't provoking him. Despite pushing away his feelings for her sake Alex couldn't help but at least care for her as a little sister. The innocent little sister still blindly fighting atrocity with understanding.
-
Five continued on his machine as Thirteen replied. "Concern? Call it what you want, I'm just telling you what I see. I don't particularly care if you chose do listen or not, it's your own problem to deal with. Though I'm not talking about your ability to kill. I'm talking about your mental stability..." He got in a few more dodges and blocks, before hitting the stop button what would be likely perceived by others as unnecessarily hard.
'Again with bringing that up!?' He thought to himself at the mention of his 'episodes'. He turned around and gave Thirteen a straight, stern stare. "Look, the other day was NOT an 'episode'. I haven't had an 'episode' since I was much younger, and you do NOT want to be anywhere near me if I ever do have an 'episode' again. I don't need help. I don't need pity. I don't need a hug. What I would like, however, is to know why I've heard 'left behind' twice now today, and what the hell this big secret is that I swear everyone in this whole facility knows about except for me!?" His voice was quite raised by the time he had finished his little outburst there, and he was starting to wear something of a scowl as he stared Thirteen down, starting to get sick of seeming to relive this same scenario day after day now of secret keeping and mysterious talking and being left out of the loop from everyone else.
-
Thirteen snarled right back, her tail puffing up. "Your side-effects prevented me from saying anything, Five, but I thought you had a right to know! The power is going out because of an experiment gone wrong. Two saw it. You can't just be left here to die. We're planning to leave. But if you don't want my help, then fine!" She took a defiant step forward. "See if I care."
The cat turned on her heels, fuming with frustration. A low hiss escaped her as she turned back to the bag, and slammed her heel into it. It swung back with ferocity, slamming the wall before swinging slowly to a stop. Her pupils were narrow, animalistic slits. She fed off of the male's anger and frustration, her paw swinging forward and her knuckles meeting with bare concrete. "Maybe you're right, Five. It's not my place to care about others. Especially someone who rejects help."
-
Alex stood there on edge, wanting to rush in but knowing that doing so could be perceived as a threat. Five may not be in an episode but he was getting pushed in that direction, and Alex didn't like it. Pushing back his worry Alex took deep breaths and let out bits of his anxiety on each breath until he was his usual calm calculating self. Hoping that she could sense his calmness and hold onto it he watched and muttered to himself, "Well you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink, I only wish you'd employ that more often.."
-
Five was a bit taken aback by Thirteens sudden shift in attitude, never having really seen a side like this to her. He couldn't help but smirk a bit though as she turned to vent on the bag and then the wall. It was amusing to see this pseudo reflection of himself in the normally very timid creature. It was so unlike her. He knew exactly what was causing it, and took a deep breath and sighed to try and relax some for her. He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him, then put his other hand on her other shoulder, staring over at her. "I'm sorry.. Now calm down.." He let go of the feline and folded his arms in front of him, trying to make sense of things. "I don't understand, the power goes out and everyone high tails it out of here? What's this experiment that's so dangerous that everyone would abandon our home so easily over it..?" At least to him this place was home.
-
Thirteen took a deep breath, nodding. "It...she'll destroy everything. With her mind. If we stay, we'll almost certainly fall victim as well. They don't know what they're creating this time. I'm sorry I didn't say anything for so long, I just...they thought you couldn't be told." She managed a little smile, breath still heaving a little. "We were never that close, but...I still can't let you die. I can't make you come with us. I just want you to take care. And, well...I don't plan on leaving. I mean, what if it got out? If I can at least slow it down, it'll be worth it."
The girl glanced uneasily, rubbing her head. She glanced at the vent for a few moments before returning the emerald gaze to Five. "And...I'm sorry for bringing up you-know-what. I was being stupid."
-
One sat perfectly still her breathing as slow as she could get it. Her mind flashed with numbers and data occasionally an image of Thirteen, Three and Two would appear occasionally a thought about Five entered her mind. On the inside it didn't affect her, however for whoever was looking at her sitting on her bed each thought hard a clear effect on the current around her, certain thoughts made the voltage drop, others increased it to dangerous levels, making sparks dance between her and any metal objects around her, and yet others made the sparks move and shift strangely. "When is he getting here?" she wondered silently all she wanted was for this to be over with and Thirteen to be out of harms way. To hell with the rest, the only reason she was going though with this was because Two was honest with her about the risks of failure and the fate of everybody. "I am not going to fail, I will keep her safe." she said rather loudly as she clenched her fists, and opened her eyes. Her determination echoing around her much stronger than it had ever been.
-
Three was nearing the training area where Five and Thirteen were. His ears perked at hearing familiar voices and for a moment he was glad to have finally found someone. He walked to the place to indeed see both of the subjects, they were talking to one another. Three was not completely sure wether or not to disturb them both. But Two had asked to at least get Thirteen out of the way, or she might do something very foolish.
The cat himself knew that the other would try to help others anyway she could. But to him and the others it was better if she stayed alive... It dawned to Three that Thirteen might underestimate how valuable she is. Not in combat mind you, but as a decent scout, a person that could help them in the outside world much better then anyone could without risk of being caught.
He gathered the nerve to interrupt the two as he moved forward and eyed at Five, waiting for their response.
-
Thirteen jumped a little, surprised by Three's intrusion. She coughed, trying to look natural. "Hey." She smiled wider, eyeing the vent and growing more tense by the minute. One moment with him, and she knew his plan. She was supposed to be the first one outside so she couldn't go through with her plan. Two was smart. Her tail swished from side to side, and her smile grew into a knowing one. She blinked, reading him as easily as an open picture book.
-
Two eventually made his way to One’s quarters after a quick detour to his own to grab his impromptu bailout bag. He reached for the door knob and felt his fur stand on end the moment he touched it as a result of the electrical charge that was dancing around on the other end. Huh, she certainly seems to have been practicing.
With a quick, yet gentle knock on the door, Two entered her room and closed the door behind him. He couldn’t help but grin upon seeing her displaying her talent. “You take to your new abilities like a fish to water. I take it you’re ready? The backup generators are in the mechanical room behind an electric keypad lock. That shouldn’t be an issue though, in the event of an outage, such locks are designed to open so a quick short should allow us to bypass that without difficulty.”
Two would wait for any response before continuing. “Before we begin, I just wanted to say that I appreciate your help with all this, even if it isn’t me that you are doing this for. I’ve done all I can to uphold my end of the bargain and gave Three the means and explicit instructions to make sure Thirteen’s safety is the utmost priority and to make sure that if anything goes wrong that she is the first over the wall. Anyways, I’m ready whenever you are.“
-
Hearing the knock on the door One smiled up at Two for a moment. "I think its because, my muscles were already sued to transmitting and working at a high speed. That coupled with my scales means I can hold larger voltage than most other Zuesians." Nodding at him before standing up and stretching grabbing her bag and adjusting her mask. "I am as ready as I will ever be. I wont let anything harm her." The determination on her voice was clear her eyes fixed on her mental goal.
Holding her hand up several sparks danced in the palm of her hand. "One short is child's play. I respect you and your judgements. I trust you as i do the administration. You know the reason i didnt let them in on this, and i wont go back on my word because you have kept yours. Lead the way Two" Following Two down the corridors until they reached the door. Silent sparks danced over her hand as she placed one on the keypad and the other on the locking mechanism. "I'll fry both ends at the same time that way an alarm should not trigger." A nearly silent crackle filled the quiet air before the keypads lights died down and the door swung upon as the locking mechanism released a small puff of smoke coming from it.
Walking to the generators she nodded "Two be careful around me." Reaching up she un clipped her mask the heavy plastic polymer mask dropping to the floor as she inhaled deeply though her mouth. "I did the math in my head i wont be able to hold it for long if my mask interfered with my breathing."
-
Three looked annoyed at Thirteen, more so for the fact she knew what he wanted to ask, yet did as if she didn't. Wether she was good at reading feelings, she was not the best of liars. Not to him at least. As the feline walked forward and looked sternly at Five. At this moment the man did not care what Five wanted or thought on as he looked at Thirteen and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Thirteen, could you please do me a favor?... I fear that Four has done something to get himself in harms way. And seeing as you can feel other people their feelings. Could you please get Four to the courtyard outside? I want to make sure that he doesn't do anything stupid." Wether this was true or not was something he tried to mask, as the cat merely wanted her to have a goal in order to move ahead and get herself along with Four or anyone for that matter to the wall. It didn't matter how Three got people over there, he just wanted to get it done.
After he talked to Thirteen, he turned to Five and just growled.
-
Alex leaned against the wall more casually now and blinked as Three just walked right by him. It seemed unnatural for the feline to just not notice someone but perhaps he was in a rush. Sighing deeply with relief Alex began to walk away, confident in Three to get Thirteen out of harms way. Alex couldn't shake the feeling that it was all going to happen soon. Too soon he thought to himself. However time stops for no man, or anthro. Alex simply thought to himself as he walked then chuckled and stopped by his room and stacked his few belongings onto his bedsheet and wound it up. The fynx also took his pillowcase and held it tightly as he waited for the power to go out. "Alright guys, let's do this.. I can't wait any longer."
-
Thirteen thrust her arm between Three and Five, keeping her smile. The girl nodded, looking to Five and nodding as well. It was about that time, after all. "I'll need to grab a few things from my room first. I'm getting a headache. I'll find him and be out as soon as I can, promise." The girl started down the hall to her room, piling bottle upon bottle of pills and medications into her pouch which hung from her belt. She would need them. The small facility was one thing, and she could mostly handle the influx of information, but out there? She would need her help. The girl looked around, tilting her head. She walked down the hall, almost an odd calm coming over her as she exited to the lawn. Should she have bumped into Four, or anyone, she would have told them to meet her outside. Just a little fun was her cover. Had to look natural, after all.
The girl stood outside in the chilly air, realizing that her short top and shorts weren't going to be enough. Once out, she would have to keep warm any way she could.
-
Five looked off to the side a bit at Thirteens comments. "No one is very close to me. That's how I maintain control, I keep myself distant. That might sound selfish, but trust me, its for the sake of everyone around me." He unfolded his arms as he looked back at the feline. "Look, you're a good person. Stupid, at times, but a good person. Don't-... Three.." Five turned to face Three as their conversation was interrupted, backing out of the talk for now and just listening. He watched as Thirteen left the room and just stared through the empty doorway as he addressed Three.
"Nice cover up.. Four getting into trouble. Very likely. But Thirteen told me everything, and I know what you're doing. Trying to stop her from doing what she loves to do most. And for once I think we actually see eye to eye.." Five stared sternly at the male. "Keep an eye on her. She has every intent on doing something incredibly stupid and getting herself killed.." Five turned and started walking to the doorway to leave the room. "I wouldn't let her leave your sight a second time, if I were you.. At least not without saying goodbye first." And with that he left the room, heading towards his own. He had preparations of his own to make, just in case any of this was actually for real.
-
The feline blinked, was this the Five he knew? No remars, no insults, no constant nagging at his head about how superior a Succes was. The man almost felt normal to Three during that small moment. but he shrugged it off, he needed to get to the wall. Wether this was true or not, the fresh outside air would do him good. The only question now was, if the guards would find out what then?
Trying not to think too much on the matter, Three walked through the hallways greeting the guards when they noticed him. He just went through the daily habits that he did, nothing special. Nothing unique and it worked. Why would any human concern themselves with the boring activities that a Subject did anyways? And with this the cat walked slowly to the garden area, intent on being first near the wall. And who knew, he might just relax a bit before the show might start. If nothing happened so be it... But if it did a new future would await.
-
Four passed Thirteen in the hallway, hearing her request to head outside. He instantly knew what was going on - and although he didn't exactly like it, there was nothing he could do about it. He rolled his eye, deciding to follow the cat outside. The guards watched him carefully after the previous incident, but didn't make any moves, easily falling for the ruse. Even though Four was quite evidently nonplussed, it was reasonable enough that he and Thirteen would get along less than perfectly after all that had happened.
The goat followed her outside, walking out into the courtyard shortly after she did. He took his place by her side at the wall, grumbling quietly under his breath. "This still isn't going to work..." he muttered in a soft voice, not really directed at anyone.
-
Alex walked into the hallway and left his small bundle of belongings sitting in the doorway, careful to not let it bee too visible that he couldn't just kick it back in if a guard came around. Looking either way Alex played with his tele-optics and looked as far down each hallway as he could. Overly satisfied that the coast was clear, he walked down the hall a few steps and then looked around. Continuing out he scouted farther and farther until he was satisfied that the halls were practically deserted. Walking casually back to the room he grabbed the small bundle and stuffed it in his coat. Walking into the cafeteria he smelled something particularly delicious and eyed the Success part of the kitchen.
"Oh you're coming with me.. but first," Alex walked out the doors and sat down at the table and looked around before stuffing the bundle under the table that he'd played poker for the first time at then staring back at the cafeteria. Suddenly his ears perked and he looked over seeing Thirteen standing outside. Alex couldn't help but to smile. "Someone figured you out besides me, eh?"
-
She nodded, sighing. "Everyone wanted me outside. Can't see why, but I aim to please." She shrugged, rubbing her head. She shivered to herself, sniffling. The cold grew worse as time went on. She rubbed at her arms, trying to keep warm.
-
Three walked out into the cold as his breath became visible to him when the door opened.
He acted normal and suprised when he saw Four and Thirteen in the distance, the feline grimaced and walked over to them seeing that Thirteen was shivering a little bit from the temperature.
"Hey you two! Also enjoying the nice weather I take it?" He said as if nothing was going on, before embracing Thirteen with his arms trying to warm her up a bit as he whispered softly. "I am glad you came here." Before he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
His vision then turned towards Four, "Hey dude, how have the tests been going today?" The cat asked in a serious tone, but his eyes were keeping a close watch on the building. When would it happen?!... In a few hours maybe? Minutes? Seconds? Three somewhat cursed the fact Two had not given a time or anything. But still he was glad to know two people were already out.
Heck the poweroutage could even have an explosion and who knows what else! This was dangerous, but a risk that was worth it.
-
Thirteen felt herself blush, warming with Three's body heat. She took two pills from her sash, feeling her thoughts clear in a short while. She needed to focus. She couldn't be occupied with others at the moment. Her tail hung limply behind her as she waited for the inevitable. She simply waited.
-
Four hugged his arms closer against his body. He, at least, had the advantage of wearing more layers, although he didn't bring anything with him out of sheer skepticism. He rolled his eye again as he stood off to the sidelines, not even responding to Three. "Look," he said, "we're just gonna die anyway..."
-
"Don't say that! I'll get you o-over..." Thirteen sniffled from the cold, trembling. "We're gonna live. P-Promise..." The girl managed a smile at Four, rubbing at her arms. Her fur was starting to fluff more; to provide more warmth. It wouldn't be long before it was more manageable.
-
Alex sucked in a breath and looked over hearing Fours comment. Honestly the fynx had been worrying about it ever since his dream. Alex had pushed it away after he resolved to escape over gathering data. It turned out to be a good decision as Four was in no condition to be helping him if that was his mindset. Seeing Thirteen shiver he reached into his bundle and got out one of his knee length jackets and walked over to her and handed it out to her. It might come down much farther on her but at least it would help.
-
“Fair enough.” Two responded standing aside to give One plenty of room to work before glancing at a nearby display’s time readout. “We have just over a minute before the outage is supposed to occur. Best get in position and I’ll let you know when to start giving it power.” He watched as the seconds ticked on, waiting for just before the time he saw in his vision.
“Now!”
The vulpine looked over his shoulder to watch One beginning to pour power into the generators as arcs of lightning danced around her. The strain in her expression was obvious and he wondered how much longer she could hold it. Turning his gaze back to the clock, there was only a few more seconds to go; she just had to power them for just a few seconds after the time from his vision. “Just five more seconds, you’re almost there!”
“Four…”
“Three…”
Once again he looked over his shoulder towards One whose struggle had intensified, but something about her expression told him that it wasn’t solely from the use of her ability. “Two-”
Just as he got the last sound of that number out of his lips, One cried out as a bolt of electricity got away from her and struck a nearby junction box. The result was a cacophony of snaps and pops amongst a shower of sparks that leapt from the electrical panel just before the entire facility was cast into darkness. Two froze, realizing at that moment of darkness that he hadn’t prevented his vision from coming to fruition, rather than he had been the one to facilitate it. A few heartbeats after the power died out, low clicks resounded through the facility as the dull emergency lighting kicked in and electronic locks sprung open.
In the pale light, Two was able to make out One who lay prone from where she stood, her body twitching and spasming in what could only have been a seizure. He ran over to her and gently rolled her on her side while keeping his hand under her head so it wouldn’t hit against the concrete floor. The seizure passed in a few short moments and not long after that One woke up in a daze. “One… I don’t mean to rush you in this condition, but we need to get out of here. Are you able to walk on your own or do you need me to help?”
-
Gasping softly as the seizure passed, enough for her to be helped up kneeling on one leg and being help up by Two she bit her lips, still a little dazed she nodded. "Y...Yeah *censor* I screwed up." Balling her hand into a fist and slamming it into the nearby metal of the generator with enough force so tear part of her skin between the scales open. Getting up and looking around in the dull lighting as her senses slowly sharpened her daze wearing off quite rapidly as she looked at Two. "I messed up, I lost focus..." Her eyes spoke of how angry she was at herself in that moment how she hated her failure.
"Get out... we need to get out." she parroted Two's statement and grabbed her bag, not even caring for her mask as she looked at him. "You know the routes. I can take care of any resistance we encounter it wont be enough to kill them in my state but it will slow them down." Still breathing rather heavily as small spams still made her arms and legs and other muscles tense and jerk painfully, it would make her movement slower than it could have been but she would be able to move on her own.
"Thirteen.... where is she?" One suddenly demanded to know, her mind flooding with what would happen if Thirteen didnt make it out, or if that thing in Two's vision made it outside before they did. "We need to get there now!" she hissed out.
-
The fynx smiled seeing the two warm up and then when he saw the power go out and the lighting shift he bolted inside and dove over the counter to the kitchen with the pillow cover in paw. Quickly using his excellent sense of smell to pick out the pot that the smell of beef was coming from he picked it up and found that it had some sort of latches that held it shut. Messing with them for a minute she got it closed and stuffed it in the case and grabbed some spoons and ran out.
"Time to book it! Let's go!" Alex caught at the bundle of clothes and looked towards the fence then the small group outside.
-
Thirteen yelped, her tail puffing in surprise. Instead of booking it over the wall, she ran back toward the facility. "One! Two! They're still in there!!" The girl felt her mind race with Nine's worry, Three's concern and her own fear for her friends. Her family. She shouted for them, prevented from entering by, hopefully, someone outside. If she had the chance, she would book it inside to help her friends still trapped. Two, One, anyone else, they needed her. They needed her now. "ONE! TWO!!!"
She hollered, still trying to clear her own mind.
-
Alex dropped the hot pillowcase in the snow, quickly dampening the pillowcase as the melted snow soaked into it. Grabbing Thirteen by the arm he held her fast not letting her get free of his grip. "THIRTEEN! Stop! You have to remain calm and have faith in them! It hurts to think about it, but you CAN'T SAVE EVERYONE!" Alex looked over to Three hoping for reassurance in his words but also his hold on the girl. Alex had no idea how strong she'd be when she was in this kind of panic and didn't want to find out the hard way.
-
"Of course I can!! We can't leave them behind!!! YOU can run off, but I'M going back!!" The girl pulled against him, trembling to herself out of sheer panic. She yowled, her lip curling into a snarl. If it wasn't for her medication, she would be losing it even worse. "Don't you dare leave them! None of you! Betrayal is NOT acceptable!"
-
Alex sighed in exasperation at her words then blinked and snarled back at her, his own lip pulling back to reveal his row of sharp teeth, the teeth of a predator. "Don't you DARE paint me as a traitor! If you want to call anyone a traitor then find a mirror! They're doing this all for us! They're risking their lives all for us! Do you know how much Three and One care for you!? How much they want YOU above even THEMSELVES to get out of here alive!? They're willing to risk it all just so you can escape and you're willing to throw it all away." Alex eyed her up with a look that bordered on contempt. "IF you REALLY want to worry about others then worry about the hopes and the efforts you're about to crush by trying to go back inside."
-
Thirteen froze, hissing through her pointed teeth. Her eyes welled with tears, her hands clenched into the tightest fists she could manage. She tore her arm from his grip, tears streaming down her cheeks as she shut out all thoughts but her own. She turned to the wall, and leaped up to the edge, pulling herself on top of it with some struggle. But not much. She was trained for stealth and speed in any emergency, and coupled with her feline reflexes, it didn't take much to hop up. "I am no traitor. I wanted everyone to come out alive, but you know what? By preventing me...I can't believe you'd just turn your back on them and let them die. And you've forced me to, now. I wish I didn't have to hear everything you thought! Because I know when you're lying! Maybe sometimes believing a lie would be better." She sat with little effort, keeping watch over the doors.
-
One started running with Two, the older male guiding her down the hall ways. One still blamed herself quite heavily although the only person who would pick up on it would be Thirteen, on the outside she seemed cold almost frozen as she kept her focus. Turning down one of the corridors a singular guard was looking around the chaos of the power having gone out, doors left open and the dull emergency lighting making seeing a little harder than usual. One instantly bolted ahead of Two her body much better trained physically than his, not that two was weak or unfit just her own body due to her past training was a little faster than his. "Get the hell out of my way!" she hissed clearly much more aggressive than she had ever show to be.
The guard turned and raised his tranquilizer gun but it was a futile effort as One was already ontop of him before he even finished the movement. Instantly bringing her fist into his stomach sparks jumping around them both before the force of her movement slammed them both into the wall. Sparks still danced around them both as the human slide down slumping down the punch acting like a stun gun as One let out a rather angry growl. "Two where is the exit?" she demanded to know .
-
“Like I said, Thirteen should be outside with Three. By now she and most of the others should be on the other side if things are progressing as smoothly as they need to.” Two continued to navigate the maze of hallways in the dim illumination with as much haste as he could safely muster. He allowed One to charge past at the intervening guard, figuring she had both the means and the motive to dispatch him marginally quicker than he could manage. The vulpine never broke stride as he continued past the now incapacitated guard and One who had little difficulty catching up.
All the while, Two was kept track of time since the outage and had just passed the three-minute mark. “In less than two minutes the power will be back on. It will get a lot more difficult to escape once that happens.” With any luck, the others would be over by now save for Three who would be ready to airlift the two of them. Finally they rounded the last corner and all that remained was a long hallway with a brilliant white of daylight beaming in through the windowed door just at the other end. “That’s the exit!”
-
Three wasn't too pleased at all by the remarks the others had been making whilst he was outside with them. They acted as if he wasn't even there. As if he did not care for the others either, but at least it wasn't directly spit in his face. He had never thought that Thirteen actually thought that he would not care for One or Two, or any of the others still inside of the facility. Not to mention the various of other Units and their Subjects as well.
The cat sighed in response as he looked at what the others were doing. He would have easily told them that he could help them over the wall, but how they were waiting for the others he feared they wouldn't care for it regardless of what he said. But the time was kicking and he needed to do something at least. Or else this entire breakout was for naught. "Hey guys, sorry to burst your bubble, but I don't know how long that this outage will be... Not to mention, we'll be getting a very pissed, very strong new Subject over here. Remember?!"
With some gritting of his teeth alongside the needed pain that came with it, did Three force the wings out of his body, panting and grunting heavily as the black feathered mass began to develop and expand. "Let's just hope this collar is indeed shut off. I don't want a nasty shock or blow up." The cat said to himself, not really enjoying the idea as he tried to get over to the wall. It was a bit clumsy, but he was able to get ontop of it, albeit with difficulty. "Ok... Who wants to try this?!"
-
Alex looked down the hallway and squinted seeing two figures running towards the doors Alex's heart skipped a beat and he quickly ran towards the wall. "There they are! They're coming out Thirteen so get down to the other side they're fine!" Alex stopped and looked back to Three as he approached. "I'm game, just drop me halfway down I can take, what? Ten feet?" Alex stood and held his arms a bit out from his side, not sure how Three would need to grab him to get him up and over.
-
"Someone might need help! One! Two!! I'll help you over! Hurry!!" She crouched, her arms outstretched to help anyone up. She tensed her legs, her shoeless paws gripping the edge of the wall and preventing her from falling. Thank goodness they're okay, she thought as she waited with bated breath.
-
Three landed down on the floor and looked over at Nine. "Just hold on. I'll do my best." He said, before trying to lift himself up with his wings. It was one thing to do it with his own bodyweight, but another person, especially an android type, proved to be rather heavy to lift as it took the cat a lot of effort to even get halfway up.
The feline started to pant but was able to eventually get up on the wall, avoiding some of the barbwire by inches. "Sorry... about that." He panted more as he folded the wings. "Give me a second to catch my breath!"
-
Alex swallowed nervously as he felt the extreme discomfort of watching the earth drift away from his feet. Looking back to Three he saw the discomfort on his face and felt his chest tighten. Once up to the wall Alex crouched carefully and gripped Three tightly with his free paw. "I'm not pushing you Three, just take your time, we're no good to anyone as stains on the ground. Alex dropped the bundle of clothes to the ground and watched them bounce an inch and thought of how his body would react. "Like I said, halfway down should be good my clothes should be enough to cushion the small fall."
-
"C'mon, c'mon! We gotta go!!" Thirteen looked over at the two males, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She felt as if she would fall apart at any moment, like no matter what she did that she couldn't be of use. Why even have her there? Her tail curled against herself as she glanced around, trembling. They had to move. They had to go, and fast. She needed something, anything, to alleviate her tension. Her medication was beginning to wear off due to the strain on her mind, and the others' thoughts slowly crept back into her brain. She started trembling, fearing more and more as seconds ticked away.
-
Four has been standing away from the goings-on, his head placed firmly against the wall. He shook it slightly in disbelief. He had thought the plan was stupid before, but what had happened between Three and Thirteen was enough to convince him that it was a complete lost cause. If they were going to do something as ridiculous as getting away from the facility, then there was no way that they'd be able to accomplish anything while dealing with this kind of madness. "Just forget it..." he said quietly, to no one in particular.
-
"FOUR! You get your mechanical BUTT UP HERE before I come down there and end you myself!" Thirteen hissed, her arm extended. She looked as if she would cry, trembling to herself. Not from the cold, but from fear. She didn't want to lose anyone. Not now. It was so close, and they could actually make it if he just listened to her! "Please!!"
-
Four groaned, stepping upwards. He thought to himself that this was exactly why he wasn't getting his mechanical butt up here, but didn't say it. Not that it mattered. He pressed his hooves against the concrete, digging them into any small gaps in the surface, and eventually hoisted his way up, coming up by Thirteen. He sighed.
"Look...I'm sorry, but I just don't see this working...the odds are stacked against us..."
-
"If you trust me, you'll give us a chance...I can't leave you behind, Four." She looked sad, almost to the point of tears. She was beginning to become disheveled with worry, and she couldn't contain her tears any longer. "We have a chance to be our own! We can make something of ourselves...we can do what we want once we get out! But we have to make it, first! If you stayed here, you'd...most likely die."
-
Four looked down at the ground and sighed, then glanced back up at Thirteen. It pained him to see her sad, no matter what he thought. He frowned, reaching around to hug her.
"Look...I'm sorry...I just-" He stopped himself before continuing, not wanting to upset his fellow subject any further.
-
Three made certain to grab Nine decently in his arms as he spread the wings and jumped with him. The extra weight brought him down quicker than he wanted too and he ended up hitting the ground with his right foot a bit too much, growling in pain from the fall. He bit through it and let the first Subject out. Thankyfully for him, there were bushes nearby alongside a street with a few buildings. Not many people were about, so chances of someone seeing this were slim to say the least.
The cat moved again, hoisting himself in the air as he felt the pain in his foot growling a bit larger as he got near Thirteen. "Want me to help you get down?... Don't worry Thirteen, I'll make sure I get the others out as well!"
-
Thirteen shook her head at Three, looking to Four. "Help Four. I can get down on my own." The girl readied herself, her hands between her feet and flat against the wall. She dived off the edge, arms outstretched to catch herself, and roll over her head in an expert move. Well, almost. She tumbled more than anything, but still managed to make it out alright.
-
Alex crashed down on his bundle of clothes with a thud and looked over to Three who seemed to have sprained his ankle and bit his lip before looking back and touching the wall softly.
"I'm over.. my dream won't come true, not today it won't."
Sighing deeply with relief the fox hugged his knees and smiled then started to shake as he cried tears of joy at the sweet revelation that he would never have to live in that place of nightmares ever again.
-
Three looked at the other who had begun to climb the wall himself. "I can't pik him up like that... I already got an injury on my foot from Nine!" The cat said, not enjoying this. Normal biological furrs were heavy enough, but the mechanical ones were a completely different league. Even with the whole light metal usage and what not they used in those people.
-
Four shook his head and got ready to tell the others to leave him behind, but then caught himself. He shook his head, not wanting to hurt Thirteen any more. He looked down at the side of the wall beneath him.
"Look...I can try to climb down after you..."
-
Thirteen positioned herself under him. "I'll catch you! Jump!" She braced herself the best she could, thinking to herself that the boy was a goat. He could just jump himself, but she wanted to prevent any injury if she could. The cold was starting to get to her, as she began to tremble to herself once again.
-
Stepping into the cold One looked around at the others already making their escape, her breathing was still rather heavy as each breath created a small puff infront of her face. Looking at Two she thought for a second. They didnt have much time, as it stood the power would kick back in less than two minutes. "Any ideas Two?" She was thinking of using her toxic status to help but not sure if there was enough time for it to work.
-
Five had gotten to his room and say on his bed, just reflecting for a moment and started realizing just how rediculous this all seemed. The humans weren't as stupid as what everyone was making them out to be. They always take every precaution to ensure everyone's safety. Or at least their own. Nothing like this had ever happened before, something so major it shuts down the whole facilities power...at least that Five could remember. Something just didn't seem right here..
It wasn't long, however, before he suddenly found himself sitting in darkness with just a few emergency lights dimly lighting up the room. He didn't waste any time with more questions and thoughts, and treated this as a real emergency. Despite his usual preference of clothing, he didn't care to stand out in the cold for who knows how long, so he quickly threw on a shirt, boots, and a trench coat, and made his way out of his room and down the halls. He walked at a quick pace, but upon seeing One and Two fly by an intersection of hallways he was approaching, he decided it'd be a good idea to at least keep up. He made it out the front doors just a few seconds after they had, just in time to catch One asking Two if he had any ideas. "Yeah Two, got any ideas?" Five asked in a mocking tone as he walked past them from between the two of them, intentionally bumping both aside as he passed. He spun around to face Two while stepping backwards and put a hand on his forehead, tilting his head back a bit as if he just remembered something . "Oh wait, right, it's probably a secret, isn't it? My bad.." Five spun back around and headed over to the rest of the group, each scrambling over the wall in their own choice ways.
-
"All right...here goes nothing, then."
Four sucked in the cold air and pressed his hooves against the wall, then sprung forward. He closed his eyes, not daring to look down. Wherever he went, he wouldn't know, but hopefully he'd still be in one piece when he landed.
-
Two clenched his jaw in frustration at both the lagging evacuation as much as Five’s petty remark, though he didn’t fire back with a retort of his own. Time was precious as it stood and there was none to spare for squabbling until everybody was over. Instead he moved towards Five as he stood next to the wall looking for a way over. “Help me get One over.” He said in a tone that was not a command, but rather stating something that needed to get done. “Go like this.” Two said while demonstrating the placement of his arms where one hand gripped his forearm at a right angle leaving the other reaching forward. When Five eventually did the same, Two used his free hand to grip the forearm and Five mirrored the gesture until their interlocked arms formed a solid square.
Two crouched down and lowered their arms before calling out. “One, stand on our arms and use our shoulders for support. On the count of three we’re going to throw you up high enough to reach the top and pull yourself over.” As One worked on getting herself in position, Two continued to give instructions. “You have a minute to get over the top before the power comes back on; so don’t linger on the wall any longer than you have to. Ready? One. Two. Three!” With a combined grunt of effort, Two and Five hurled One’s lithe frame high enough to reach the wall’s edge and begin pulling herself up.
There was a shout off in the distance and Two looked in that direction to see that two guards had spotted them and were rushing forward with their tranquilizer guns drawn. They still had a few moments before they would be in range to make a targeted shot with darts; enough time to get one more over. “Three, I need your help!” Two called out, figuring the feline was just over the wall. “Get Five over then rendezvous with me at the East Wall. Everybody else, head towards the tree line and keep going; once the power comes back on they will start mounting a chase.”
With that, Two took off away from the wall to dash between some buildings causing the guards to divide their attention as one pursued the fox while the other remained focused on the skunk, rapidly moving closer to firing range.
-
"Got it." One said as she got into position on Five and Two's arms, hearing the count down she crouched a little her muscles tensing slightly as she prepared to kick off as they hoisted her up. "Three." she said as Two did the same feeling herself being pushed upwards she kicked down and sent herself flying upwards rather rapidly, hand reaching up as her clawed fingers dug into the top of the wall. Pulling herself up cringing a little as her body still had not recovered fully from earlier.
Looking down at the rest of the group already down. "Three get up here now." in her mind the seconds were counting down. "50...49...48" she couldn't stay close to the wall not when it came back online. Licking her lips before moving her tongue over her claws coating them in her caustic corrosive saliva before sliding backwards a little digging her claws into the wall and starting to slide down it, the acid and claws leaving a visible gash on the wall as she slowed her decent and landing on the other side.
"Lets move." She called out her mind taking charge in the absence of Five or Two "Head for the trees, stick together and keep moving"
-
Three grumbled as the others were barking orders to him. It felt like they were acting as humans towards him, do this and that... Heck now he needed to even get Five over the wall, instead of having One just zap them? He couldn't understand their logic at times. But with no real time to waste at the moment, the feline went over to grab Five. The cat landed down near the skunk and tried not to put too much pressure on his feet. "Uuh yea, Five. Sorry about this, but I believe you have to come with me... Well it is that or die it seems."
As the two guards that had noticed the Subjects leaving had actually called for reinforcements. A few other guards stationed nearby had heard the call of their comrades and went in to subdue the Subject, trying their best to raise the alarm around them. Not everything was using electricity as in case of emergencies, they still used handdriven sirens. With one of the guards running off to fetch one of the devises to howl its music throughout the facility.
Three's ears perked at the soundsand he remembered what Two had told him would occur. "Ok that is definatly not good. Five it is either you go with me over that wall so I can help Two. Or you can stay behind, it is your choice dude... You know I don't see eye to eye with you, but this time make the correct choice!"
-
Thirteen braced her thin legs, meeting the falling goat with her own body. She rolled backwards with the force he applied to her, but managed to cushion his fall and prevent him any serious injury. The cat groaned, standing on her own. Her head was spinning, the stress mounting making her medication less and less effective by the minute.
Wait a minute. Trees?
The girl looked behind her, seeing many clustered trees, and smiled. Trees! She could hop along from one to another, scouting ahead if needed. This was it. At last, she would be in her element. "Everyone, c'mon! I'll scout ahead if I'm needed, but we need to get everyone going the same direction, and fast!"
-
Four rolled off from on top of Thirteen, getting to his hooves. He groaned again. This was seriously starting to get old. Seeing Thirteen trying to compose herself, he thought to ask her if she was all right, but the next words out of her mouth were enough to convince him that it was nothing he needed to worry about.
"All right," he said, a grave look on his face. "I'll stay behind, then." He didn't want to admit it, but a part of him started entertaining the notions that they could survive without the Foundation after all...
-
As Five refused to give an answer to Three, the cat decided it was best to act quickly and grabbed the other male tightly in his grip, before taking off. His foot was hurting like hell still, but in the air he did not feel anything from it. Thus he made his way over the wall and let Five down to the ground, smirking severely at this as he flew off even faster than before. He had an appointment to make at the east wall of the compound where Two no doubt was in serious trouble. Heck, perhaps he would be able t suprise the guards and drain some much needed energy from them. As the whole flying business, even if new, was very tiresome on the male as well.
-
Still breathing rather heavily One shook it off and clenched her firsts a few times before nodding at Thirteen, and the others that were on the other side of the wall. "Lets get moving. By my count power is coming back in less than 20 seconds. A search will be mounted within 10 minutes maximum." Starting to run towards the trees, One could finally breath properly while running or exerting herself physically. Although unnoticed by the others she enjoyed the rush of oxygen though her body. The cold barely affected the reptile as her tail followed her movements. Her long hair flowing behind her in the wind, aswell as the trench coat she had grabbed from her backpack. "If need be I can send a signal to Three and Two if they cant find us but we need to get out of the open."
-
Thirteen nodded, moving to tug Four behind her as she started up a tree and kept pace with One. She felt herself smile down at her partner. Just like old times. She felt happy, free. Like she could go anywhere she wanted any time she wanted, and nobody could do anything about it. She traveled from branch to branch, keeping up to the trees. "We need to get as far as possible, then it might do us good to set up camp when we're exhausted or we find a safe place."
Soon enough, she felt her lungs begin to burn. The cold, harsh air invaded her chest, and she felt her limbs grow heavy. Still, she pressed on. She was trained better than this.
-
Four followed closely behind Thirteen, using his adept climbing skills to clamber up the trees. He was quite a bit heavier than the average goat thanks to his mechanical appendages, but he was still a goat. He looked ahead, scanning the area his companion was looking towards.
"Get as far as possible? If the building's blown up and everyone's dead, I don't think-hey, wait up!"
-
Alex looked up from his reverie and realised that the others were making their way into the woods and he quickly scrambled to his feet. "HEY! Hold on!" Looking back Alex thought about the others still stuck in there and cringed a bit. Alex was torn in half about what to do; the hybrid didn't want to leave them behind but he knew that he lacked the physical skill to do anything about it. Biting his lip hard he stared at the wall and thought about the apocalyptic nightmare being created in there and then gasped as he realised that one of his canines had punctured his lip. Sucking on it softly his ears went back and he whimpered a bit as he picked up the deep pot of stew still held in the pillowcase. "I'm sorry.. I.. I hope you all make it out.." Alex turned and ran.
Only a truly evil person would abandon those who worked to guarantee him freedom.
Whining softly he shook his head. "No, I'll just get in the way. I have no way to get back to them anyways.. just, stop.." The hybrid focused on his running and the difference in this fresher more natural air as he ran pushing out regret with each huffing breath.
-
Thirteen sped along, looking at the growing company and smiling back at Four. Just then, she felt the flood of her partners' thoughts enter her mind, though she didn't really care. Most were less than enthusiastic about this entire endeavor. The cat felt her paws begin to ache, though she pressed on.
-
Four merely sighed and continued following after Thirteen. It was clear to him that he wasn't going to be getting anyone to listen to him tonight, so he might as well not try to be the voice of reason.
-
Already Two could hear shouts coming from the buildings nearby as the manual alarm was enough to summon backup. It was some measure of relief knowing that without power, they would not be able to open the main gate and give chase to the others. Of course, that meant he was likely one of the few left for them to focus their attentions upon and given the calls coming from around him, they were working on boxing him in. All he could do was keep running towards his objective and avoid getting nabbed along the way.
A hissing sound flashed by his ear and the flash of motion in his peripheries made him realize just how close he had come to getting hit with a dart in the back of his neck. Daring a glance back the vulpine was able to see five guards were in hot pursuit of him now, one of which raised his weapon and took a shot. Without the chance to properly square himself, the shot went wide, but Two couldn’t help but flinch away from it all the same.
Just as he exited an alley between buildings and came in direct sight of the east wall, lights in windows all around flicked back on in their usual fluorescent luminance. It couldn’t have been a second later that the droning facility siren began to sound, signaling lockdown of the lower levels and prompting staffers from deeper within the facility to respond to an escape attempt in progress.
There were a few more popping noises from behind him and this time Two felt a sting in his right arm that quickly began to lose feeling. Gritting his teeth, he reached over and pulled the dart from his tricep without losing stride. Even without the missile providing a supply of the tranquilizing agent, numbness began to spread through his arm and shoulder like ice water flooding from where he got hit. He had finally reached the east wall and glanced both ways before seeing Three in the distance and instantly began running in the opposite direction parallel with the wall. He couldn’t stand and wait for him; Two knew that doing so would make him an easy target. At the same time, running towards him would only make his presence known and begin firing at him as well. Running away would keep the guards’ back to Three allowing him to fly over and pick him up on the run before they had a real chance to respond to the change in situation.
Continuing to run as fast as he could manage, Two raised the only arm that still had feeling in it and hoped it would be enough for Three. Between the sharp turn and throwing off his center of gravity that was optimal for running, the guards had caught up enough to take aimed shots. At least that was what the vulpine figured when he felt a number of stings in his back. There had to be two, maybe three hits and he could already feel the toxin beginning to slow him down as they invaded his central nervous system. In the matter of a few heartbeats he felt gravity double and redouble upon itself until it became all he could do to hold his arm up and himself standing.
-
The cat had been flying over the facility, glad they had no power on anything on. As with power activated, tracking Three down would be much easier due to lights and various other, more nasty, experiments the base had in order to prevent Subjects from escaping. The wall itself was merely the last line of defense. However, with the power out and Three not having an active collar anymore, this meant the feline was given free roam to fly about however he pleased.
His wings were stretched far and he Three glided over the wind as he looked for Two. It wasn't easy, his vision was still the same as before and flying made things look a lot different than on the ground.
It was only after the lights, the sirens, the whole facility in fact, came back to life that Three saw where various guards had been running off too. "That must be Two!" He said to himself, seeing a lone creature running to one of the walls. The cat began to make his descend, hoping to get the other up in time. His foot was acting up still, but in midair that nuisance was nothing but a small itch for him. The real issue would be to sweep the other up before something bad happened. He had one shot, if he failed to grab Two, or not able to ascend quickly enough Three knew what would be the end result of his little rescque attempt.
His body began to lower, merely a few feet as the buildings to his left and right were far enough away that he could stay near the wall and quickly fly over to where Two was. He saw what the other had done, luring the guards to him so he was comming in from their blind spot. Wanting to make sure they couldn't get aim in time, Three whistled to the bunch of humans, making a lot of noise. And it worked, as the guards turned their heads to see Three flying in, who passed over their heads, hitting two with his feet before extending his arms and grabbing the male. Two was barely even conscious when he grabbed him, standing on his feet by pure willpower alone. However, Tio snarled as he felt a dart hit him near his pelvis. One of the guards had managed to still fire something.
"Aah shit..." He snarled as he began to feel his lower body going limp by the second. The man forced all his strength to his wings, clamping hard around Two as the two themselves barely made it over the wall, Three's pants was torn by the sharp edges as he let himself and Two fall down to the ground below as soon as he was over the last defense the facility had. His body hit the ground with a thud, as he panted from all the exercise, not feeling his legs anymore. The plus side was, his foot was also numb. And not long thereafter did the cat laugh. "Hahaha... Wooo! That was... amazing!" As he let his arms spread out and panted heavily.
-
Alex heard something off in the distance and managed to get clear of any trees and use his tele-optics to see the events. Three flew up and over the wall but a dart napped him just as he cleared it and he was crashing down to earth with Two who had a few in his back. Biting his lip and turning back he shouted to Four and Thirteen. "THREE AND TWO CLEARED THE WALL BUT THEY GOT TRANQ DARTS IN THEM WE NEED TO HELP THEM!" Without waiting to see if Thirteen in her happy go lucky state would even have the presence of mind to turn back Alex started off towards them.
Here's your chance, Alex. Show them, and more importantly, yourself, that you're not just Nine the Demon Hybrid. You're good.
Getting to the two Alex cursed softly under his breath then quickly went to Three and plucked out the single dart and then the few darts out of Two. There was no way the fox was going to be walking out of this. "Three can you stand? Should I.. do that snake venom sucking thing that they did in that one movie?"
-
Four jumped, hearing an unexpected cry from Alex. He spun back around to Thirteen, calling for her.
"Thirteen! WAIT! We need to turn back!"
-
The cat skidded to a stop, turning on her heel and dashing back the way she came. She would vault over Four if she needed, but she knew this was dire. "Nine! Two! Three!" She skidded to a halt when she reached them, her sides huffing, but she payed it no mind. "C'mon...I c-could...maybe carry someone. Probably. I hope."
-
Four nodded to Thirteen, following her over to the other subjects.
"I can too...I'll try, anyway..."
-
Five was a bit taken aback to find that these supposed wings three had were indeed real. He took a look back to see the guard headed towards them, debating if there was time to act or if that situation needed to be resolved first, but it seemed Three wasn't as concerned, as he grabbed Five and lifted him up and out. He could control his abilities. Another bit of news to Five, and another issue that had crossed his mind that was no longer a concern, it seemed.
Upon making it over the wall, Five looked around to see everyone making their way to the woods. He still wasn't 100% certain about everything, but he was well beyond the point of return now, so he tucked his hands into his trenchcoat pockets and made almost a casual, leaping steps jog following behind the group. They all chose up in the trees for some reason, but Five found it easier to just stay on the ground, weaving around trunks rather than dodging around all the branches, but to each their own.
He paused when Nine called out about the other two making it out, and turned to follow to the scene, stepping up along side the others. He was breathing a bit heavier as well, but as far as he was concerned of course was the least worked up and best still fit to take on the task. He gave Thirteen a look.. "Again with that..? You look like you're barely keeping your own self up right now as is.." Five let a bit of a sigh out. "....I'll take one.."
-
Three laughed a little in a sarcastic tone when he saw the others comming back for him and Two. He tried to move, but it proved nearly impossible except to crawl some. "Damm dart tranqualised my lower body." He said grunting and annoyed unable to properly move as a result. The feline yelled for the others as he saw them approaching. "Get Two out first! He has been fully darted." As the feline crawled closer to the other. His body felt heavy and very much useless right now. Flying was even out of the question because of it. He wouldn't be able to get enough lift to adjust himself.
It seemed like they were all being in a panic sort of state right now with the sight they saw. And Three was not in the mood for that as he grumbled to them. "Let Five and Four and Nine carry... The robotic features they have and Five's strength make it easiest and won't slow us down much." The cat said as he adjusted himself to get onto his elbows. "Thirteen, you best scout ahead... You are nimble and we need eyes before us. The forest is the best way to hide for now. And One? Everyone else I missed gets the rear." He chuckled when Five got near. "Hehe, nice suprise no?... Besides you don't want to be there when that thing gets free. Trust me!"
-
Thirteen smiled at Five, purring to herself for a fraction of a second. She coughed, sniffling to herself as the burning cold tried to take complete control of her lungs. Though she knew Three was right. Still, she looked over at Two for either a confirmation or denial for a few moments. And then realized that what she was doing was stupid, and scampered up a tree once more, jolting ahead. She kept an eye out for anything that could be used as a landmark, anything that can be used as shelter. As she got further away, the thoughts of her companions grew more faint.
The silence was unnerving.
-
One nodded and took a few deep breaths a cold calm slowly seemed to spread over her. "Get them to the forest, if anything tried to get close to us from behind I will take them out." She seemed to have recovered and the cold air did not seem to effect her despite being cold blooded. In truth she was sending small bursts of electricity though her muscles forcing them to stay warm at the cost of tiring her nerves out quickly.
-
Four nodded to Three, then bent down to scoop up Two and drape him over his shoulder. He strained a bit, but his mechanical arm was strong enough to hold him without any major problems once he had properly balanced the load. He then started off after Thirteen, looking back over his shoulder to make sure that the others were following.
-
Five let out a little sigh of frustration. Of course he gets to babysit Three.. But Five shrugged it off since both were 'evils' and neither were lesser. He picked Three up and draped him over his shoulder, with Three's head behind Five's back. "No talking unless it's important, and don't even think about using me to heal yourself. I -will- drop you and leave you.." And with that he started back in the direction Thirteen was scouting off in, caring the feline along with him..
-
As Thirteen surveyed ahead, in the distance she would be able to make out a number of red brick buildings peeking just over the tree line in the horizon no more than five miles away. Though none of them would know it yet, but she was looking upon the village of Bluebell. It is the downtown area of an otherwise rural county, home to around 3,000 residents. Main street is home to a majority of shops that the area has to offer as well as apartment complexes that reside in the upper levels. It is the epitome of a quaint small country town. Here, opinions of anthros are largely a mix between awkward acceptance to outright contempt, with a few outliers in both extremes.
-
What's that? What are those? Thirteen climbed higher, huffing against the sheer cold. There was something. Her eyes darted about until she identified it. Buildings! They were pretty far off, yet very close. She could hear the faint murmur of thoughts, but only if she tilted her head right. Kind of like "bunny ears" on old televisions. The girl smiled to herself and scampered back in the direction she came, hoping to meet up with her group.
-
One dashed as fast as she could keeping up with the rest of the group as they made their way though the trees. Glancing back in the direction of the facility she knew as her home, tears welling up in her eyes as she came to the realization of what she had caused. Cringing in pain as sparks arched over her body, she was getting too emotional again she needed to stay calm but her mind was filling up with thoughts of the facility and how she grew up. "The administration...." she mumbled to herself.
-
Thirteen skidded to a stop when she saw them, smiling from ear to ear. "Guys! I found something. I could make out buildings in the distance, over the trees. They weren't very big, though. About...five miles, give or take, from us. We did it. I can't believe we did it!" She forgot about her aching legs, her burning lungs, everything. The girl had been filled with a new spirit, one of adventure and discovery and interaction. She could meet people, others like her, even. It was to be glorious.
"Is everyone doing okay..?"
-
Four raised an eyebrow, confused but at the same time seeing the prospects before him. He scratched his head, adjusting the subject on his shoulders, and glanced at Thirteen.
"Buildings? You...you mean..?"
-
The group managed to put some distance and flora between them and the facility before the administration could so much as coordinate a hunt for the escapees. A few minutes later they may notice a momentary, faint vibration on the ground beneath them that was followed by the soft dying rumble of what could have been mistaken for distant thunder that rode a noticeably warm gust of wind. If any were to look back from above the forest canopy, they would see a thick plume of jet black smoke flecked with red embers from where the facility most assuredly stood just minutes before.
All the while, Two remained in his drug-induced slumber and oblivious to the world around him.
-
"It's a town." Thirteen confirmed Four's suspicions, climbing over the treetops to look again. She ducked back down. "Like I said, about 5 miles away. Maximum. It's so close...we're SO close!" The cat purred loudly, almost unable to contain her excitement.
-
Four blinked. "So...I guess we really do have a chance after all...damn, I had no idea..." He stood there for a moment, trying to process this thought. He was so used to depending on the Facility that he had never even considered survival without them to be a possibility.
"...so, shall we move?"
-
Three was enjoying his piggyback ride via Five. The whole situation was funny to him as the male began to laugh softly and he couldn't help bit think in himself how hilarious it would be to just make fun of the whole situation. It wasn't just the fact that was literally happening either, but also the fact that he was correct on so many levels and he couldn't wait to rub it into the other male's face. The whole issue with the base, the fact that the administration wanted to do nothing more than make them into weapons.
Even Five's so called 'loyalty', seemed to have been shattered through this experience. "So Five, tell me... If you are so loyal to the administration?... Why not drop me and go back over to them mhh? Or is the fact Two's vision was correct enough of a deterrent to have altered your vision on the world?" It wasn't untill he heard Thirteen yell out there was a village, that the feline smiled. He yelped in pain for a moment as he tried to get the wings back into his body, suddenly hanging over the other has shoulder as he panted heavily. "That... still hurts!" Three said softly, before trying to grab the groups attention. "Do... do not go into the village yet guys." His breathing was heavily, as his body tried to combat the toxins. "We don't know... anything on that place yet!"
-
"It's our only option for shelter against the cold. We have cold-bloods, we can't survive in the elements. If it makes you feel better I can go and scope the place out when we get closer. Ask questions, get a feel for life there. But I wouldn't advise staying too long." She cast a glance back toward the facility, shivering rather harshly. "But, in any case, we must keep moving."
The girl hopped to the ground and started to lead the way back, occasionally clamoring up a tree to get a feel of their direction and placement. She would smile back at Five, One, Four and Nine, trying to reassure them the best she could. She popped two more pills, bringing her gift down once again. She could still hear, but if she focused she could hone in on specific thoughts.
-
Alex kept pace with them and just acted as rear guard using his tele optics to keep track of the facility till even to him it was just a smudge a midst the trees causing him to heave a sigh of relief. Seeing them stop up ahead he took the chance to slow and walk up to them. Working past them he caught some words that meant nothing to him. "Town, what? What are you talking abo-" the fynx cut off mid-word and just stared. In the distance there were rows upon rows of red buildings. They looked nothing like the walls of the facility and that made them more appealing.
The fynx's ears twitched madly and he himself kept making little twitch like movements as if he kept trying to move but stopped. As the others pressed on the hybrid suddenly bolted past them, running headlong towards the town for a few minutes before he stopped and leaned on a tree.
'You don't even know what a town is, you moron, and you're running right at it. It's a miracle you haven't lost that stew.'
Ears twitching again he looked down and indeed not a drop had been spilled, the fynx looked back and realised he'd gotten a bit ahead and simply set the stew down and then groaned. "God I didn't know how sore I was from carrying it till I put it down.." Sitting back against the nearest tree he let his whole body rest. His hunger to see this town thing and their odd shelters was playing into his natural hunger for data.
-
One kept running as best as she could even as sparks dances across her features. Stopping and turning back before feeling the faint tremor followed by a distant rumble, almost instantly she jumped up into a tree and glanced back at the facility, her eyes went wide as she felt the heat and could see the faint light and smoke of a raging fire. Jumping back down she dropped down onto her knees her mind going blank for a second. "My home..." she whispered out softly before picking herself up the sparks instantly going away as she pushed forward. Looking at Thirteen as she knew the cat was trying to reassure them. "We dont have a choice anymore.There is nothing to go back to." she said rather coldly glancing back in the direction of the facility.
-
Four nodded to One in agreement. "Yeah...like it or not, this is the only thing we have. We can just hope it'll work out..."
He adjusted Two on his back, trying to balance the load before continuing. "We should probably keep moving. We want to get these guys some place safe. They can't defend themselves in case we get caught in the elements. Or worse."
-
Thirteen pressed on, her numb paws crunching through the snow. She felt as if she would collapse by now. Her chest heaved for air, looking for a single breath that wouldn't burn her insides with the sheer cold to no avail. The girl's tail pressed to her body, and she felt exhausted. Still, for the good of the others, she kept walking. She kept going, despite her brain screaming at her to stop. Her own thoughts, not anyone else's, shouted and pleaded with her body to stop walking. To simply sink into the snow and stay there. But she didn't.
She just kept going.
-
One noticed that Thirteen faltered slightly. Moving forwards towards the cat as fast as she could. "Thirteen...are you ok? Cold?" she said softly while taking her coat off, her scales shimmering slightly as they were exposed to the cold air. "Take this...please." Tiny sparks dancing over her skin once more. "I can keep warm like this for a while so just please take the coat and keep warm, okay?"
-
Thirteen huffed against the cold, looking up at One. She shook her head, determined to press on. "I-I'm f-f-f-fine...honest. You n-n-need it more. I c-can make it out to the t-t-t-town..." She lied through her teeth to keep One okay. To keep everyone okay. The strain on her from the elements wore down her medication quicker than she would have liked, and as the group drew nearer, she could hear the faint thoughts from the people living there grow louder and louder in her head. She shook it about, trying to ignore everything and just press forward. That's all that mattered.
-
Four kept moving forward, following the procession closely. He could see how Thirteen was straining herself and breathing heavily and picked up on the stutter in her voice.
"Do you think we should stop at some place with supplies..?"
-
Three was still being carried by Five, a bit to his dismay as he noticed what was occuring before him and he grunted slightly at the others their reaction. "Do you honestly think that wise?... Look at us! We are in tattered clothing. A whole group of us. We look like escaped convicts if you ask me." As the feline shook his head trying to shake his tail to no avail, before his eyes tried to pinpoint Two. "We need decent clothing and some food. And we got no money no nothing... How do you guys think we can get supplies?!"
-
Four looked back over his shoulder at Three. "Exactly! We just...there has to be like, stores or something around here, right? That should be our first stop. We can't continue on such little. If we find a place that's empty, we can try sneaking in...god, what am I talking about any more..."
-
Look, there it was. She made it. They made it. Her aching paws rejoiced, and she allowed herself her reward. She slumped forward, collapsing into the snow. Her heaving breath barely shone against the white blanket upon the ground, her expression every kind of relieved. Her eyes grew heavy. She just needed to rest. Here. Yes, here, it's alright. No more walking. It's okay.
-
As the group finally emerged from the tree line, they were able to see the light bustle of the townsfolk carrying about their business. Sunlight was now able to shine directly upon them, though its radiant warmth ultimately did little to combat the chill in the air and the single two-lane road separating them from being in the town proper might as well have been a moat for those who were pressing the limitations of their endurance against the cold.
It was to women hares who noticed the half-frozen group as they exited a building together. Immediately their eyes went wide with concern and they hurried their way across the road. “You poor dears are nearly frozen to death. Come, come; we need to get something warm around you and inside you.” The pair did what they could to put a little more life into the sluggish steps of the group as they led them back into the building which they had just recently left. The building itself turned out to be a community center that had just finished their weekly Sunday lunch and though only a fraction of the volunteers remained, the building was still unusually warm from all the bodies that had occupied it until only recently.
The remaining workers set about reheating a pot of soup and shredded chicken sandwiches as the two women that found them retrieved blankets from one of the store rooms draping them over shoulders, ignoring protests with unyielding insistence.
“Oh no, this one is out cold. Maeve, could you please give Doc Hammons a ring and tell him to come quick to check some hypothermic wayward joggers?”
One of the younger volunteers in the back replied with an affirmative before the woman returned her attention to the group. “Is your friend okay?” She said, referring to Two as she put an extra blanket over him. “How long has he been out?”
Meanwhile the other woman hare came out with a tray of coffee mugs containing an unknown and unfamiliar semi-hot brown liquid that had white things floating on its surface. Each of them was given a cup of hot cocoa and told that the food would be ready shortly, apologizing that the best they could offer under short notice were leftovers. Once they saw that their guests were taken care of, one the woman began introductions pointing out her and her hare companion and Bonbori and Suzumi, the young human girl in the back as Maeve, and her parents Michael and Janet.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen any of you before and in a town this size, it is safe to say that you don’t live in these parts. I don’t mean to pry into your affairs, but it isn’t often we get visitors this time of year and it is normally the summer that we need to be concerned about joggers getting lost in the woods.”
-
One gasped before dropping down on one knee, forcing herself back up her mind flooded with determination to keep going strong for the rest of the group. She was staving off the cold but the cost was starting to show as she gasped and cringe in pain. Seeing the trees end she looked at the road and the houses, even though it wasn't a large road she knew in their physical condition crossing even that distance was a heavy undertaking.
Seeing the hares approach One instantly turned slightly defensive but she was too drained and couldn't even muster the strength to case a light spark to jump between her fingertips, besides it would not be wise to refuse help at this point she thought. Helping the hares carry the others as much as she could. Once inside of the building she just leaned against a wall before collapsing, sliding down in and bringing her knees up to her chest and sitting holding herself like that. Slowly warming up she kept looking around.
"He...He will be fine, the effect should ware off soon enough. He is tougher than he looks, but hes been out for a while now.... 10 maybe 30 minutes. I lost track of time." One replied from her position, looking down at the strange liquid placed next to her she rather cautiously reached for it before feeling the warmth of it wash over her hands. Her eyes followed each of the people as they were introduced. "I..its a pleasure to meet you." she forced herself to say not really sure how to interact,and clearly not even stating her name since she didn't have one. Saying anything about what they were would just cause problems she thought to herself.. "You could say that we aren't from around here." She replied trying to no cause a scene. She tried her best to grip the cup but the method she was using to keep her cold blooded body warm finally caught up to her as her muscles twitched and spasmed painfully in protest. Setting the cup next to her before even able to take a sip she cringed in pain as the muscular cramps and twitching continued.
-
Thirteen felt her cheeks flush as the warmth met her, her already brittle legs turning to jelly as she sat, curled in a blanket. She remained quiet, feeling as if her jaw had frozen itself shut. She could hear their thoughts ringing in her head; they were all she had to focus on when she found she couldn't reply. She managed to smile, absolutely falling in love with the kindness shown by everyone here. It was when she attempted to focus on specifics that she became afraid. They had no names, no pasts. What do they say?
Her mind raced with thoughts of her own, as well as those of everyone else. She hesitated to take two more pills. Partly for fear of overdose, partly in trying to avoid a confrontation. She looked at her family, or what she considered to be family. She worried for Two, One, Three; everyone was in her writhing thoughts. Her jaw clamped tighter as she kept quiet, her bloodshot eyes dancing about the room.
-
Four looked down at the table at which he sat, confused at first. He hadn't expected to be this well-cared-for outside of the Administration, having accepted that living with them was the only way he could possibly survive. But this...this was different. If places and people like this really did exist in the outside world, maybe he - they - had a chance after all. He began to smile a little at the corners of his mouth, letting out a deep sigh of relief. He hugged the blanket around his shoulders closer to him, taking in its warmth. As the cup of strange liquid was placed in front of him, Four prodded at it at first. He was unsure of drinking anything he was unfamiliar with, especially when it had smoke rising from it, but when he looked around he saw the other subjects drinking it happily - and these didn't seem like the kind of people who would poison him, either. He took a drink himself. The heat startled him at first, but when he felt it trickle down his throat and warm his insides, it began to grow on him. He turned to the next seat over, ready to praise the drink, only to see that One was spasming in her seat.
"One! Are you okay..?"
-
Alex had been trudging along after the group had caught up, but when the two hares caught sight of them he sort of stood frozen. Once it was clear that they were being helped Alex stepped forward-and groaned. It was only once the adrenaline and the anxiety of their predicament wore off that the reality of his condition sunk in. The hybrid was shaking with cold and he ached right down to his bones. Walking after the group he lugged the pot along with him and when they got in he sighed and curled up, hugging his knees tight with his pot still concealed in the pillowcase. Quietly nodding to the one that gave him the blanket he looked at the pillowcase holding the pot of stew.
"You risked your life for that food, maybe you should hold on to it?" "They are being nice.. and don't you have to put food in some cooling device?"
The fynx held up the pillowcase which was only lukewarm with the cooled pot of stew in it. "I want the pillowcase back.. and the pot. Though I suppose the stew should be shared. It should be good it was from the Suc-" WAIT! Alex's brain caught him, Success and Failure were commonplace in the facility, but it was gone now. The fynx hadn't even bothered to turn around when he heard it crumbling down, but the labels the practices stuck in his mind. A beat had already passed and any longer and he would garner suspicion. "the successful head chef of our local diner." Diner was an eatery right? Yes! Taking the cup he sniffed it. Was that chocolate? Some of the guards had eaten it and he swore it smelled like it. When he started to drink it he quickly let it fall out of his mouth and into his cup. That was hot! It did taste like the chocolate had smelled though.
-
Three grumbled slightly as he was laid down and one of the females came over to check up on him. He tried not to show anything, but this was rather new. He did know these people were not with the administration, so things were more safe than in the compound. As the female approached him she asked him how his legs wouldn't move. And a more annoying question what his name was. In his ignorance the feline answered, much to his dismay afterwards. "I am Three." He said, before closing his eyes realising what he had said. "Uuh I meant..." As he listened to hear with his ears what Nine had spoken. "I am the third one of this group... Yes! He is Nine and I am Three. Sadly the long jogg and snow made it so my feet a bit frozen. We were caught off guard due to this blizzard. Lost most of our gear too!"
He hoped the trick would fool them and make it easier for him to go about. His legs were feeling better, the heat notably doing well for him as well. "I just need some rest that is all."
-
Thirteen sipped her cocoa timidly, choosing to seclude herself in the corner while she ate. She wasn't sure of what to say, so she simply observed those around her. She smiled, happy everyone was okay. She purred softly, feeling her eyelids become heavy. She was in no shape to support her own weight any longer. She attempted to stand, but she quickly fell back on the floor. She rubbed her bottom, and leaned back against the wall.
-
One just remained seated on the floor against the wall hearing Four speak to her and calling her One her gaze locked onto him, a rather aggressive glare in her eyes as she really softly spoke up knowing that if anybody heard them call each other by numbers instead of names it would cause a lot of problems. "Dont...call me that." The words were faint enough to not be heard by others, the spams still persisted but they weren't dangerous nor was she having a seizure proper. Biting her lips once more and leaning forward "I...I will be fine...Dont worry about me." she gasped out and clutched the blanket in her arm and tried to ride out the pain.
-
Four jumped back in his seat.
"S-sorry...I just wanted to make sure...oh, god..."
He took a deep breath, then took a sip of his hot chocolate and let it out in a sigh after he had swallowed. They would have to figure out what they were going to call themselves once they were by themselves if they wanted to avoid suspicion.
-
One glanced back to Four before mouthing. "Sorry...I am just a little tense." Her spasms started to lessen as she took deep breathes and glanced over at Two who was still out cold and at Thirteen who seemed to be relaxing a little in the kinder atmosphere that was in the place. Listening to Three as he tried to hide his slip up and hoping the ruse would work with the furs and humans that were around.
-
Thirteen's mind raced with solutions. They'd get suspicious and fast if she didn't produce a name for them. She looked around the room, smiling at One and Four. She finished her bowl, gently placing it on the floor beside her very neatly. She looked out the window at the dark of the evening. Wait. Evening. Eve.
"I apologize for my rudeness...I'm Eve, ma'am." She looked at her caretakers, hoping her completely made up name was accepted.
-
Bonbori looked bewilderedly at the group as she tried to keep up with what they were saying, sensing a fair bit of tension and confusion among them. Given the situation they likely just got out of, it seemed reasonable enough in her mind and simply remained passive long enough for them to gather their collective senses. Eventually one of them provided a name rather than a number and the hare smiled at the notion that some progress was being made.
“No offense taken, Eve. I’m just glad you and your friends made it out of the trails before the blizzard really set in. It’s supposed to be a bad one from what I hear.”
With that, Bonbori left them alone only returning long enough to provide a tray of hot sandwiches. After a few more minutes there was a howling sound as the exterior doors opened and an older man with spectacles and silver hair stepped inside brushing some snow from his bag and shoulders.
“Doctor Hammons!” Came Bonbori’s voice from the kitchen, “I’m glad you could make it on such short notice, the group of hikers are over there.”
The doc looked to where the hare was pointing and proceeded toward them with a purposeful stride to his step. With a cursory glance, the man quickly decided that the unconscious one of the group was going to be his first patient. “Y’all chose a bad time to go on a hike. They’re calling for two feet of snow overnight with sub-zero temperatures; it is a miracle that you found your way here when you did. Though, you are hardly the first group of people I had advised to check the weather before going into the wilderness and you will certainly not be the last.” As Hammons spoke, he was occupying himself by taking Two’s vitals. The clinical poking and prodding caused Two to stir dazedly, much to the doctor’s satisfaction.
“Can you hear me son? Can you tell me your name?”
Two weakly tried to avoid the continued prodding in his semi-conscious state, not even having the energy to open his eyes or state of mind to comprehend anything around him. In an attempt to stop the prodding, Two responded as best he could to reassure whoever was examining him that he was fine, albeit with a heavy slur to his words. “It’sokay”
“Well, Isoke, your temp and pulse are looking good. Just make sure to keep warm under those blankets and you’ll be just fine.”
As the doctor went down the line, questioning the others and checking their vitals, Suzumi came into the room and asked if they had any place to stay the night. When the response to her question was a negative one, she only seemed grateful to be able to offer more help. “I think it is safe to say that you all aren’t in the best condition to be driving anywhere. That is, assuming your vehicles are nearby. But we have several cots in storage from when we do blood drives here and you are more than welcome to wait out the night here. Alternatively, there is a bed and breakfast a few blocks away if you prefer more accommodating rooms for the night.”
-
Alex looked from person to person and looked towards where the person came from with the sandwiches. Thinking things through the fynx ran through past observations. Nine had heard of subjects trying to keep food in their rooms and how the guards laughed at them when their rooms started stinking-hell it had happened to him during a fit of rebellion. The guards had commented on a refrigerator and that Dr. Liszt had told him that a refrigerator-or fridge-was kept in a kitchen to keep food cold and preserved. Following the logical chain of thoughts and events, Nine walked into the kitchen once everyone was busying around Two, or Isoke as it seemed now, and found the cold box fridge. Shoving the pot into the way back and moving things around it to hide it he kept the pillowcase and crept back out.
Looking around he grabbed a sandwich, happy that he had long ago chosen a name for himself to escape the depersonalizing feeling of being a number. "I'm Alex," he said with no hesitation or uncertainty, "nice to meet you all."
-
Four glanced around the room, noting how his fellow subjects were taking on aliases. If they were trying to hide, he thought to himself, that would probably be wise...but what was he going to do, he asked himself? When he saw that the workers were focused on Two, he found the perfect opportunity, leaning over to Thirteen. Or Eve, or whatever he was to call her.
"Psst," he whispered to her. "You have any idea what I should pick for a name..?"
-
Eve shrugged, looking at him earnestly. She smiled, leaning over to pat his shoulder. She whispered. "I just used what came to mind first." She purred softly, still clearly out of it. "I wish I could be more help..." She rubbed at her eyes, curling up more.
-
"Hmm..." Four rubbed his chin. He had to admit that he was so used to thinking of himself as a Subject that he never really thought that names were important. "Four" served him just fine - it was all he had known, and it worked for him. But it was still clear that this situation called for a change.
"Well...I think Adam would probably be too easy...hmm." He thought back to his number, playing it over and over in his head. "For-Forrest? Would that work?"
-
"I think it suits you well." She smiled at him, almost blushing. "Adam and Eve, huh? Are you coming onto me, sir?" She giggled to herself, her tail swishing.
-
"I n-never..!" Four jumped back, blushing through his fur. "I j-just...it made me think about it, okay..?"
-
One stood up and rather coldly walked to one of the windows and just looked out across the snow, trying to look in the direction of the facility. Her attitude seemed to have shifted quite dramatically over the course of the escape and her words seemed to ring hollow for a moment, carrying a chill never before heard in them. "Shizune..." her voice trailing off into a whisper she struggled to hear herself "Not that a name changes me..."
-
Just then, there was a scraping at the door, followed by a rather irritated sounding voice. "What the &$%# is that? Do I twist it? How am I supposed to twist that!"
After a few more moments of struggling from behind the door, it slowly opened, revealing a rather under dressed Mantis man. "I'm not built for this weather.." the man said under his breath as he walked in, shutting the door softly behind him.
-
Seeing his fellow (former) subject return, Four waved excitedly, calling him over.
"Hey, you made it! C'mon over here, we're just settling in!"
-
Seven nodded and strode over to where Four was sat. He retracted his forelegs against his body in a relaxed state and began explaining how he managed to escape.
When I saw you and the rest of the gang trying to get out, I decided that I would try and hang back a bit, distracting the guards while you lot escaped. However, when I saw the facility overheating, I stopped playing hero and got out while the getting was good. From there it was a simple matter of following the pawprints away from the facility." he said, looking around at his friends.