[Transmission 06][Omni Malfunction]

[subject_013]

[CW: Resident Evil-typical violence and mild gore, canonic character death, pain referenced.]

[Red and white static fills the screen, then clears on a view of a basement laboratory space, a life support tank containing a monstrous humanoid figure, which some of the Sleepers may recognize as the creature that broke through in April. The view shifts back to a lab work top terminal, someone wearing tactical-looking black leather half gloves typing what seem like access codes.]

[A dark-haired, fresh-faced young man in drab green tactical gear, pistol in hand, hurries into view, ready for anything, but from the look of shock and dismay in his pale grey-blue eyes, he hadn't braced for what he sees.]

[A confrontation, a first-person view of a scuffle, ending in the viewer holding the young man on his back at gun point, looking down into his eyes and noting the fear and dismay in the other's eyes.]

[The fluid drains from the tank. The beast comes to life, striking the glass with the heel of its hand, cracking it in one blow, then shattering it in the next. Its other hand, larger and thicker with long, bony-looking claws whips out. The view swings up, looking down at the beast as if the beast has lifted the viewer clear of their own feet. The edges of the view turn slightly grey and blurry. Blood spatters through the range of sight. Everything tumbles, chaotic, a whirling view of the lab space that stops abruptly, as if the beast has tossed the viewer aside, as an angered child might toss aside a broken toy. The view shows the basement ceiling, ductwork and wiring and metal stringers, all growing more and more blurry, then fading into darkness.

[The view cuts to red and white static, then the image of Wesker's face, almost painfully close, fills the screen.]

Did the device record any of the procedure? [A harassed sigh and he glances slightly to one side as someone off-link complains noisily about lost data.] Cypher, did you have a hand in that?

I didn't do a fing, boss. It just... did that.

Yes. And now the whole town saw it. [He reaches in and taps at the edge of the screen.]

[The view goes to red and white static again. Then the display fills again with a confused view: first person on

[A plastered ceiling fades into view, blurry, clearing, then blurry again before it finally clears. He looks down, along himself as he lays atop the covers of a comfortable bed, then peers about the room: a wicker basket and a metal briefcase on the bureau.]

[He sits up slowly, looking down at himself. Reaching down, he untucks his cashmere jersey-style shirt and lifts it almost to his armpit, uncovering his badly bruised flank, which he stares at for a long moment, as if expecting the bruises to fade.]

[Except they don't. He lowers the shirt, then lifts his forearms, sleeves rolled to the elbows, before his face, revealing a set of antlers freshly tattooed on the skin, the skin red from the recent work.]

Is this someone's idea of a bad joke? What have you done to me? What do you hope to accomplish? [He speaks, his voice slightly deeper than some may recognize.]

What and where is this place? [He asks with an annoyed sigh.]

[Then the door opens and a cheery young-looking man with spiky brown hair and soulful brown eyes far older than the face that holds them enters.]

"Deerington. You're in Deerington."

[The view goes to red and white static again, then an angled view of Wesker looking away from the device almost thoughtfully. Or embarrassed. Or both.]

That was something no one needed to see but persons involved.

((OOC: And another casualty of the memshare player plot. If you want a random memshare to break through, feel free to ask, just specify if you want canon, personal canon, or Deerington CRAU things.))

Comments

[fogsong]

You’d be surprised at what some Sleepers want to talk about. Some people, no matter how interesting their lives are, are surprisingly normal.

I don’t like anyone or anything that tries to control me. Or underestimates me. The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can’t. Not that I’m like that with everything. I mean, when my dad told me to stop drinking, I did. When he told me to not rescue him from the cult that took him, I said fuck that and immediately went to do it.

[subject_013]

[An indulgent, even fatherly chuckle of approval.]

Bit of a contrarian in a protective manner? I respect that. Your family's lucky to have you, though I suppose... we're all making our own circles of people we consider family or something like it here.

[fogsong]

[ her voice warms at his words ]

I think I’m the lucky one when it comes to my adoptive parents, and maybe doubly so given that I have Rose here. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to come to this place and have to build a circle myself.

I mean, I kind of grew up on the run. I couldn’t get close to people without risking everything my dad had done for us. Even now, I still have trouble getting close to people.

[subject_013]

It's no simple matter, letting people close to you, particularly when you're accustomed to keeping people at arm's length. Or if you were programmed to keep humans at a distance. [He's learning to break through that, but so much has changed in him, it's going to take time to rewrite what he has become.]

Dare I ask what put you on the run? I've known a similar life. [Thus there's an understanding after a fashion.]

[fogsong]

[ the similarities between them may be minor but they make her feel far more at ease with him when it comes to more personal discussions. they’re both having to learn to live in a new way and knowing that brings some comfort. ]

There’s this cult back home, the Order of Valtiel, that had been after me. My mom saved me from them when I was nine but it… it had been a choice between my safety and hers. [ and given the kind of driven mother Rose is, there’s no doubt of the choice she’d made. ]

She got me to my dad and then… then I never saw her again. My dad made me cut my hair and bleach it so they wouldn’t recognize me and then we were on the run. For nine years before they managed to really catch us.

[subject_013]

I take it they were a religious cult? Devotees of some fallen angel?

... And so she traded her safety for yours? 'Greater love hath no one, but they lay down their life for another', I've heard it said. But it's not so simple for those left behind.

I apologize for the dark talk. I'm nothing if not prone to questioning things.

[fogsong]

Mm, kind of. Their god disappeared and is meant to be reborn some day but until then they follow one of her attendants. They’re fucking crazy though so… [ there’s an audible shrug. she does not subscribe to their brand of nuts. ]

Yeah. It’s unique kind of awful and I’ll probably always wished she’d chosen herself.

[ at the apology, she chuckles warmly ] You’re good. I’m the same way honestly.

[subject_013]

A semi-apocalyptic group, albeit a non-Christian one. Hm, original, but no less dangerous, no doubt. It's been my observation that many people involved in cults are frighteningly rational, however, they've hitched that rationality to something insane, which is probably the more dangerous way to be crazy.

[A note of fatherly approval.] Maintain that mindset: it will serve you well, particularly in this place.

[fogsong]

I don’t know if they were any more rational than your average group of rabid religious fucks but their determination was almost admirable if weren’t so frustrating to deal with. They were driven.

I’d like to think there isn’t a thing in this place that would change that about me. I mean, you’re still kicking with it and you’ve been here longer. [ she’s still young enough that she can’t see or understand how the world can change a person. ]

[CW: Body horror, cult activity, and deliberate infection via parasite referenced]

[subject_013]

That's about the only appreciable aspect of people like that: their drive. Besides the scientific cult which shaped me, there was another in my world of origin: Los Illuminados, or 'the illuminated ones', a group centered in a village in the Gallician district of Spain. They'd infected themselves with a mind-altering parasite peculiar to that area: for some, it made them stronger and more resilient, for others, it made them susceptible to manipulation by the more resilient, who would send them to defend the village against any threat. I discovered them when I was studying that parasite: it was a bit outside my usual specialization, but it helps to diversify

[He chuckles, deep in his throat, amused, but with an affably dangerous note as well.] I doubt it would. You seem capable of rising to whatever this town can throw at you. Yet take care not to get over-confident. There's times this world's predecessor brought me to the brink, and while it hasn't happened here, there's always a 'yet'. Make sure you have plenty people covering your back, but also, make sure you can cover yourself in a pinch. Someone's teaching you defense tactics, yes?

[fogsong]

A fucking parasite? [ there’s a distinct eugh in her tone. she’s imagining a tape worm or something equally disgusting and horrifying. ] That just sounds like a whole mess. I can see how studying that could be useful but… Yuck.

Mm! I’m learning karate, actually, and working with a man named Maul on… other things. I’ve also got a pistol and I’m not a completely awful shot. [ she’s been trying to cover all her ground. close combat, her powers, and long distance. ]

((OOC: I apologize for the delay: Life got interesting >.<))

[subject_013]

We were trying to isolate the aspects that raised a person's resilience. Luckily, the cult largely collapsed, thanks to a young man named Leon Kennedy, taking out their illustrious leaders. They may have reorganized, which creates its own problems, though I doubt they've regenerated to their previous strength. Or they may have been contacted, deprogrammed and treated by an organization which works with survivors of bioterrorism acts.

[A pleased, even indulgent chuckle.]

Ahh, you know my adoptive elder brother by adoption? You're in highly capable hands if you're training with him. If you want a spotter or some assistance with your pistol proficiency, I'd be honored to assist you.

zero need to apologize! you're fine!

[fogsong]

It sounds like a lot of possibilities there.

Wait, Maul's your brother? [ there's something bright in her tone. she has a certain amount of adoration for Maul, largely in part due to the similarities in the horrors they've endured, and it pleases her to know he's formed such deep bonds. ]

You know, I'd appreciate any help I can get with the pistol. I'm not bad at it, dad made sure of that, but I could always use the advice of someone more skilled than me.

Re: zero need to apologize! you're fine!

[subject_013]

We've known each other since Sodder's Nightmare, when he rescued me from my own folly and when I stood with him when several Sleepers misjudged him. He was among the first I met on the shore when we were called to this rare new world. I take it you know him well? [A dark brightness of his own: clearly, he's pleased to find she's crossed paths with someone whom he deeply values and trusts in.]

There's a shooting range at the Gate where I practice in the afternoon, every other day. You're welcome to join me there, if you like. I'd better warn you: I'm a meticulous trainer, though I do try to be fair. I was in the Army for five years and in law enforcement after that: that colors a person's technique.

[fogsong]

He was kind of the first person I met here that I felt could understand what I've been through and not judge me. I can see how others might not get along well with him, he's a little rough around the edges, but he's important to me.

[ the warning just makes her more certain he'll be a suitable instructor for her ] That sounds damn good to me. I'll be sure to come by then. Thanks, by the way.

[subject_013]

He knows what is to be judged and found wanting, and as dark and dangerous as he may be, that is one thing he won't stoop to committing.

[A pleased, if closed-mouthed chuckle.] Sounds we shall be meeting soon. [More serious now.] I'll have something for you that I lent to your mother. It's fitting that you have it.

[fogsong]

I know. It's why I trust him.

Oh? [ there's a note of curiosity in her tone ] You don't have to do that but can't wait to see it.

[subject_013]

All right, I shan't keep you in suspense then. It's a handgun that's extremely effective against Beasts. I pulled it from the portal back to my world of origin. It seems to have been devised to deal with bioweapons there, and it serves a similar purpose here.

[fogsong]

That sounds like it's a useful weapon to have. You sure you want to give it to me? [ she certainly won't turn it down but she wants to double check. ]

[subject_013]

You'll need it more than I, in a place like this: I'd been remade into stern stuff, so I'd rather you had it. I think your mother would want you to have it as well.

[fogsong]

Thanks, I... [ hmm. she's not used to being gifted anything. ] I really appreciate it.

[subject_013]

It seemed fitting, given the dangers all too common in this place.

[fogsong]

I'll cherish it. Honestly, I don't get things very often so it's... it's nice.

[subject_013]

I'm tempted to spoil you a bit, when you put it that way. [Said with a teasing yet fatherly and even indulgent note.]

[fogsong]

I would never discourage that. [ she's definitely grinning ]