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The Human Equation; Part II
Topic Started: Nov 9 2005, 09:27 PM (505 Views)
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Am I fool for going back?

I can’t help but think…

The thought never finished itself; she wouldn’t let it, not this time. The jet would be landing within the hour and Diana had forgotten how long it had been since seeing her home. Did it even matter anymore? It was just ground, rock, earth, an unemotional platform to stand on with a name. Somewhere along the way, she had lost the need to care. Her thoughts drifted inward more and more with each passing minute, and with each passing minute, she came closer to arriving. However, it wasn’t home any more, just a place, just a superficial fantasy. Her home had no set location, no building to represent its existence, just a feeling, but she was happy. Settled comfortably in the overly large seat of a jet she listened to the turbines, trying to pinpoint some sort of melody in the noise, but nothing there either, just noise, just a jet, just another day to live and another obstacle to overcome. Yet, here she was rationalizing, trying to break down everything in to it’s smallest detail.

Peculiar that someone with such dark thoughts could hold such a pleasant smile, then again, Diana was never an open book for anyone. Almost a year ago, she had left her father’s home and arrived at AHS. Lost, unsure, totally stoic and unable to explain her own thoughts let alone her emotions. In the span of a few months, she learned a great deal though. Mostly about people, they weren’t always what they appeared to be, but she’d known that all along hadn’t she? Once the memories came back, and she found herself again she realized that she didn’t even know herself like she should and still didn’t. Then there were people like Leon, people like that made her forget her own troubles. The thought alone made her smile brighter. If only the world could learn more from people like him, he was so innocent, so untouched by the harshness around him. Not like her, no, not like her at all. These hands were soiled. There was blood on them. There was anger in her yet. Unrequited and she feared the temptation of revenge would be more than she could resist. That’s why she was so controlled, so careful with herself. These were her reasons, the only way she knew to live and for now, it was working.

As the jet moved on she let her thoughts do so as well, going over the past few months and coming up with some interesting revelations. She had something other to think about beyond herself. There was the issue of family now. It had taken time for her to begrudgingly admit to being any relation to Alex. Loving her dearly now as she did, her mind found a plight as she worried about her. She was such a torrent of emotions and thought, but if that were the case, then there was no denying Alex her birthright. Maybe it was just the mantle of her bloodline? Whatever it was she certainly hoped the girl figured it all out. Life was only but so long after all, and wasted time could never be taken back, it just kept slipping away…

It was then the stewardess made it a point to tell the white haired girl to buckle her seatbelt, Diana did so without much thought, feeling the jet descend not long after. The turning in her stomach did little to upset her, just a reaction to the change in altitude; her ears were popping too, typical. What happened next was all an emotionless blur. The in and out of getting off the jet, she never entered the terminal itself. Instead she slipped nonchalantly in to the backseat of a rather ominous looking black car. The door shutting quietly behind her as she leaned back and let her eyes roll up to gaze at the headlining. She never noticed the sharp blue eyes that looked back at her from the rear view mirror, until he spoke.

Evan: “It seems out Little Miss is no longer little anymore.”

Diana: "..."

Confusion set in as she blinked and looked up coming face to reflection with Evan. He had been her father’s right hand for some time now, as long as she could remember in fact. Though his voice sounded worn and gruff she knew there was a spirit behind it, something she admired about him and he hadn’t changed in the least, still the same chipper old geezer he had been before she left. Jut as sarcastic too.

Evan: “Apathetic as ever and she has not changed a bit.”

Diana: "Well you haven’t changed a bit in my absence, and I’m sorry for my attitude, but the flight was long and I am tired. I just want to go home and rest now."

Evan: “No, I haven’t and it’s quite alright.” tipping his chauffeur’s cap her grinned cheekily. “You’re father’s waiting for you at the lab.”

Diana: "Lab!? So I’m not going home then?"

Evan: “No, afraid not. He gave me specific instructions to deliver you to him at Foresight Genetics. You remember that place don’t you?”

Diana: “Yes, quite well.”

Evan: “He would be cross with me if I disobeyed him.”

Diana: “Very well, there’s no need to get you in trouble, though I can’t say I am very thrilled about the whole idea of seeing him.”

He thought he could hear a thread of unease in her voice. There was something off about her response but Evan ignored it. Diana had been a strange one from the very beginning, and he knew exactly why, but how he knew well that was his little secret now wasn’t it? For the girl in the backseat it’s a long ride, leaving more time for thought and reflection. Her normally vivid alizarin eyes become vacant as the car draws closer and closer to Foresight Genetics.

I can’t move forward without going back

~ ~ ~

Foresight Genetics was built in a secluded and natural setting, standing as a testament to everything Doctor David McClure and his team had worked for. Far off from the main highway and nestled within a dense forest of sorts it was quite the sight to behold. Natural ponds littered the property; a stream even ran straight through the building from one side to the next. The aesthetics alone made the ominous twelve story building that much more pleasant to look at. Inside the rooms were exceptionally clean; the upper levels had been remodeled as living areas. The front lobby was inviting, and gave nothing away of the blasphemous experiments going on behind closed doors. High ceilings and bright lighting made it look more like an upscale hotel then anything. The scientists and technicians, or “white coats” as Diana liked to call them were busy hustling and bustling about when she set foot inside.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

McClure: “Dammit! Clean it up, now!”

Annoyed Dr. McClure stood on his observation deck overlooking yet another failed attempt. His nose pinched between the forefinger and thumb of his left hand. The deck itself is more of a control room. Various boards and monitors litter the walls and there are several empty ‘command’ stations. Down below in a room that can only be described as an arena the clean up crew work diligently to restore everything to normal. In its center a hideous creature stands unmoving, watching the crew as they run around like ants obeying the Doctor's orders. Off to the side what appears to be a body bag can be seen as a pair carry it out and away from the room. Back up on the observation deck a door slides open behind Dr. McClure, revealing a brunette woman with glasses dressed in a lab coat. Dr. McClure keeps his back to her as she enters, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Her gaze as well as her message prove to be informative.

Alicia: “Excuse the interruption Doctor.”

McClure: “Yes, what is it Alicia?”

Alicia: “Your daughter... Diana is here.”

Dr. McClure turns to face the woman. He is silent as his mind relays exactly what she has said to him. Alicia stands, meeting his gaze as the silence between them grows. Then out of no where Dr. McClure smiles strangely as he walks past her.

McClure: "I need you to take care of Unit 01."

Alicia: "Yes Doctor."

Mumbling to himself, he leaves the room.

McClure: “Well then, I guess now I should go down and greet my daughter."
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*Beep*

Hard to believe such a small sound could cause so much discomfort but to the unsuspecting body on the bed each beep was like a hammer to the head. The sound carried in her ears rings as the girl starts to awaken from her semiconscious daze. Slowly she regains her senses. Lifting her eyelids is like opening an iron curtain. Her vision still blurred from just waking after an incalculably long sleep. She turns to view at the monitor registering her heart rate with a confused and yet vacant look in her eyes. A choking whimper of total agony escapes her lips as the girl slowly becomes aware of the residual nerve impulses assaulting her fragile senses. That whimper soon becomes a desperate cry as her form twists under an unknown pain. Her muscles tense and spasm, it’s then she feels the bindings at her wrists as the metal cuts against soft flesh only adding to her misery. Clenching her teeth it’s all she can do to keep from crying out again as a wave of dizziness sets in, coaxing her to give in to the curtain of darkness and escape the torment the wracks her frail frame.

<Calm yourself Diana.>

The voice rang in her mind, all too familiar, and Diana found a means to focus, landing her crimson eyes on the form of Alicia. The woman was a mystery, and she couldn’t place her at all. She concentrated little on the woman’s movements before registering something cold filtering through her veins from one of the IV’s. Seconds passed like minutes and minutes took an eternity before she was able to relax again. With her mind clouded, she could barely recall what had brought her to this point. The last memory she had was of dinner, then nothing, but even that seemed so far away. Casting a pitiful look to the ceiling, she nearly choked on her sob.

Why did I even bother?

<Because… you wanted, closure.>

Alicia walked up closer to the girl, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. The room was empty save for the two of them. The doors locked tight from the inside. Looking down at the pitiful sight of a mind broken and a body abused. Sighing heavily she couldn’t bring herself to even think of what was happening. Had she known that this is what McClure had meant she never would have let Diana walk through those doors. It was too late now. He’d already started.

<Do you know who I am?>

…no…

Without warning a series of images flashed through Diana’s mind. There was a woman, blonde hair, red eyes, gentle embrace, and a commanding voice. Images of things long past. As it all fell in to place Diana felt her heart sink lower in her chest. It all came clear. She knew this woman, not in this form, but all the same. The rage that flashed through her would have sent grown men scrambling for cover, but nothing happened. Cold steel embraced her neck, and the horrifying realization sunk in. She couldn’t use her powers.

I should have known you would have something to do with this. Why won’t you leave me alone… find someone else to torture.

Her thoughts reeked of a venomous tone, weak as she was. If Diana could have gotten up from that bed Kurtz would have been in a world of pain, but unfortunately she was stuck. Casting a spiteful gaze on the woman, it was all she could do not to tell her exactly how she felt.

<I didn’t know Diana, believe me.>

…just kill me… please. I can’t take this.

There’s a moment of silence when the woman regards the girl again, this time her gaze much different, almost hurt. She’s known this child for far too long. Seen everything from a sideline stand point, but never has she heard such desperation. There was such hopeless ness in her words. Shaking her head, Alicia, better known as Kurtz, doesn’t know how to respond to a plea like this, not from her, not from the fearless one. Watching her sob now is all she can take.

Not again… just let me die!

“You don’t mean that…” Kurtz actually chooses to speak this time.

I hate you.

It’s a pain like none she’s felt in a long time. Slowly, the woman backs away from the girl. Watching her slip away in to her drug induced sleep isn’t exactly settling. Glancing to the numerous IV lines she only shakes her head as a sort of foreboding doom hangs over them both. For Kurtz, it’s the knowledge that Diana feels betrayed and there’s long road to be traveled now. Once upon a time, the girl trusted her, solely. Now, there’s nothing in her thoughts but a chaotic anger and plea for closure. However, she’s only one person, and with little in the way backup at the moment they’re both helpless.
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There was a time…

…I wanted to believe.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Diana: “Let me out of here!”

Her fists pounded against the plexi glass prison for what felt like the millionth time that day. Diana had awoken to find herself in a small cell, more for observation that holding really, or so it seemed. Though her body ached from head to toe she couldn’t help but pace back and forth like a caged animal along the perimeter of her prison. A highly aggravated scowl painted across her elegant face made for a painful expression for such delicate features. They were ignoring her, the people in the white coats did little of the way of acknowledging she even existed. Some would look at her, but only long enough to observe and take notes. She hit the wall again, more fiercely this time, each minute only making that much angrier and her hands more sore.

Diana: “I said… LET ME OUT OF HERE!”

McClure: “Now, now dear, I can’t do that until you’re stable. It isn’t safe, you may do something drastic.”

Turning sharply to her left she watched as the one person she hated most in this world walked through a pair of sliding doors and stopped only mere feet from the see through wall of her cage. He looked smug enough, standing there with his arms crossed oh so carefully and the serious yet arrogant smirk on his lips. She’d would have loved to rip that expression from his face personally could she have gotten her hands on him.

Diana: “Stable!?”

She looked at him with a blank expression that soon melted in to one of pure hatred before she continued pounding her fists on the plexi glass. She barely noticed her nails extend as she clawed at the wall, shredding thin slivers from it’s outer coating. Rage set in, mixed with confusion and he eyes became frantic, the slits in her pupils narrowing so much they became thin as paper.

Diana: “I am stable! Stable enough to know I hate you, and want you dead, what the hell did you do to me!?”

David McClure chuckled deeply, straightening his lab coat a bit before moving over to a computer. For a moment, Diana had thought he ignored her, but soon found she had a front row seat to some sort of exhibition. Watching him carefully she let her gaze venture to the screen before realizing that he was going to show her something. given that when a map of the human DNA popped up she withdrew a bit, disgusted. Side by side they sat, two strands of DNA, one looked normal, the other however… it was strange. Something Diana had never run across, casting a confused look at the monitor she wasn’t too surprised to hear what came from his mouth, and not exactly accepting of it either.

McClure: “I… improved you. Thanks to me, and little help from our feline friends you can perceive things on a completely new level now. You should be thanking me.”

If she hadn’t been upset before she certainly was now. Clenching her hands in to fists, she forgot to retract her claws, cutting in to the soft flesh easily before even realizing it. Her mind paid no head though, she was far too enraged to even let the pain register. Betrayal wasn’t the word for this. She knew the truth now, she knew what her life meant to him. She was just a toy, just a doll for him to poke and prod. There was no love here, no chance for a healthy relationship and now… Now she wondered if she’d even live through this, let alone get out.

Diana: “Thank you!? You want me to thank you!? You’re a monster!”

McClure: “No my dear, I’m afraid that by society’s standards, you’re the monster here, not me.”

With that, he turned on his heels and left. Diana just stood there, bewildered by what she had just heard, and strained to find a single rational thought. Her only goal was slumping against the back wall of her prison and pulling her legs up to her chest. Burying her face she could do nothing but cry, and pray to god things would end swiftly for her here and life would go on without her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was late, way past what would be considered a decent bedtime when the light sound of footsteps registered. Diana didn’t make a move though. Curled up in a fetal position on the floor with her hair strewn about in a most unkempt manner, her body had gone completely numb. There were no more tears running from her eyes, no more sobs raking across her body, just a blank stare from a pair of ruby eyes. Slowly the sliding doors creaked open. The small silhouette in the door way looked to be clutching something unidentifiable but she hardly noticed. The dim lighting in the room gave little in the way of viewing and Diana’s eyes were blurred from crying too much. Sore and swollen so when Echo stepped through the door all she could make out was the long white hair and petite figure, no actually features came in view, not from this distance.

The child in question stopped a foot away from the barrier and sat down on the cold floor, not uttering a word for the span of a few minutes. Her white hair shown brightly against the dark backdrop, even more surprising was the vibrant red hue of her eyes. Diana never moved though, just lay there, clutching her knees and staring at the girl with empty eyes. The child held a stuffed animal tightly to her chest, a small velveteen rabbit it looked like. Well worn and soft its upper half slumped over her tiny arms. Fidgeting slightly it was easy to tell she was growing restless, but Diana refused to say anything.

“Mommy?”

Something cracked, like a floodgate worn down over time. Stunned beyond comprehension the simple task of breathing became a burden. What a world it had become, men stoop so low as to use children as their weapons, as their tools, just another piece of equipment, the only difference being the shelf life. For Diana the girl is unknown complete, but addresses her with a title she can’t recall earning.

“…”

Echo: “It’s me mommy, Echo. You remember me… right?”

Diana: "…"

Echo: “Grandfather says you’re still sick, that you won’t remember a lot of things, but I know you remember me.”

The child’s voice is almost desperate, asking questions with a fleeting urgency. It’s almost enough to get Diana to respond, but she’s too taken aback. The shock sets in slowly, leaving the older girl breathless. This girl, she looks exactly like her, younger, but everything’s in place. The sound of her voice haunts, her facial expressions find a way to wearing down the barrier she so carefully set up and Diana finds something new building up in her now. It’s not pity, not even anger, something different mixed with confusion. She knows there’s no way she has a daughter, but there’s a part of her that wants to reach out to the girl and comfort her, even still she lays there, unmoving.

Echo: “Mommy, say something.”

Diana: "…"

Echo: “Was I that bad?

What stirs her actions is unknown. What force drives the first is at best unbeknownst to her. It’s little more than an impression as she is well aware of the delirium beginning to set in. However, she finally stirs, doing little more than managing to sit up and look the younger one squarely in the eyes.

In her mind she can almost hear it.

The sound of a heart sinking.

It seems to cry out.

To sigh.

To need.

Diana puzzles over it for a moment, but it’s brief . In and out like the whisper of a thought that was never supposed to be. Her eyes falter, betraying any training and giving way to expose the exhaustion. And despite the pain and confusion, she smiles.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Until that moment…

…I had almost forgotten that…

…it had been a long time past…

…since I lost faith in forever.

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Alicia: “Sir she’s not ready. Her vital signs are low and pushing her will only-”

McClure: “Preposterous. Diana’s a resilient girl and stronger than you give her credit for, besides with the enhancements I’ve made there’s no way this can go wrong.”

He went back to his controls, looking down in to the arena at the two standing there like a couple of toy soldiers. To his right, his latest experiment. A ghastly arrangement of genetics and all the loyalty one could expect. With Unit 01 under the mind dulling effects of its control collar McClure had a prominent weapon at his beckon call. Thought the creation hadn’t been a complete success he could still rely on its loyalty. However, the contradiction to that very being stood to his left.

The creature in question didn’t appear to be a creature at all, just a girl. If one disregarded the faraway look to her eyes then they would see that she appeared quite normal. However, this was none other that McClure’s estranged daughter, Diana. Unlike the monster across from her, this girl had emotion; she had a pint up rage, something that kept her mind on edge everyday she was breathing. What else would one expect? Contrary to his words, McClure’s actions seemed to hold little in the regard for the girl’s well being. Case in point, she too had been subjected to the collar that held Unit 01 at bay, the intricate lacing of the controls to her very nervous system had not only left her a zombie, but her body was suffering quite horribly. It was quite clear the match between these two would be most unfair.

McClure: “Was she given the mutagen?”

Alicia: “Yes, almost a week ago, after the DNA fusion was complete, but it’s showed no signs of taking effect, and there's a lot of unstable cerebral activity.”

McClure: “Hmm... Alright then, lets see if we can’t unleash her, shall we?”

The two beings down below were immune to the conversation above them, both standing as still as statues starring a t each other with empty eyes. The control panel lighted up under McClure’s command. His fingers ran across the buttons and knobs typing and twisting in an intricate dance that was only shadowed by the amused look on his face. The technician took her spot next to him monitoring the screens and run off from the printer.

Unit 01 was still quite unresponsive; the intimidating beast stood well over 7 feet tall, dwarfing Diana easily. Armored in plates of blue to protect it’s innards it was better equipped for combat than most tanks. The collar around its neck was the only thing keeping the creature at a stand still. Across from it, Diana stood just as detached. The collar around her neck humming softly as the signals to her nervous system demanding her obedience to perform things she would never do consciously. However, her mind was working, if only barely.

Alicia: “Sir, explain to me again what it is you’re hoping to do.”

McClure: “In a minute, first I want to go ahead and initiate this, and then we can talk.”

After all the monitoring equipment was set up and ready to go he pulled out two small remote controls. Each programmed to send signals to the two different collars around the necks of his ‘pets.’ First he activated Unit 01. The creature blinked a few times, looking from its left to its right before focusing in on Diana. It regarded her for a moment, slowly beginning to understand what its mission, and who the target was now.

Simultaneously, Diana’s conscious roused. Her dull ruby eyes focused slowly, the pupils narrowing to accommodate the bright lights above. Even in her re-animation there was nothing in them, she just stared at Unit 01, detached. Nothing, there was nothing there, just a space, and there wouldn’t be anything until she was commanded to feel, and to act. Both were at the mercy of their creator, slaves by chance, and daughters by creation. McClure leaned over and spoke in to the microphone.

McClure: “Disengage secondary.”

The mindless drones that they were now heard the command loud and clear. Though there was nothing they could do physically, subconsciously they disengaged their powers by activating their wristbands, defaulting all energy that would serve to bring either of them any form of advanced power. This meant Diana was without her shield, and her shape shifting. All she had was herself, and the senses provided to her by her new DNA. A guard stationed on the sidelines among the seats tossed a small metallic object at Diana. It landed, rolling to the girls feet. Mechanically she picked it up, looking at it with no apparent interest. Gripping the thing in her hand it quickly extended from both ends elongating and revealing itself to be a retractable bo.

From his perch in the observatory McClure smiled, this had all been planned, and he did enjoy it ever so much when his plans went on without a hitch. Back down below Diana’s subconscious was allowing her to get a feel for the weapon, twirling it around, exchanging the grip from one hand to the next before eventually stopping the bo gripped firmly behind her in her right hand and her left outstretched palm facing Unit 01 in a defensive position. McClure’s grin deepened turning almost sadistic as he gave the final command.

McClure: “Initiate combat.”

SKRAAAAAAAGH!

In the few seconds that followed his command there was a pause, then Unit 01 shattered the silence with its distorted battle cry. Charging forward like a wild animal, the creature closed the distance between it and Diana in little less than a couple seconds. Both arms outstretched, its razor sharp claws were at the ready to pierce the delicate flesh of its target right where she stood.

McClure: “Biological weapons have been used for years, I’ve even perfected some myself, but none are as glorious or as complex as them.”

She never moved, not even an inch. Starring blankly at the approaching form before her for a brief moment she closed her eyes. All that was left was the sound Diana heard every movement, every heartbeat, every muscle. The Dull sound of the creature’s feet hitting the ground, as it got closer.

McClure: “They’re the perfect vessels. The human equation embodied.”

Alicia: “The human equation?”

McClure: “Yes… power, plus emotion, equals a weapon.”

Her target was focused and as Unit 01 came in to slash at the girl with its massive claws, she struck. The blunt point of her bo found the center most spot of its chest, an area no bigger than a quarter completely vulnerable to attack. It all seemed to go in slow motion as the creature stopped in mid stride, the breath knocked out of it so easily by one little movement. From its chest to its chin the end of the bo rushed up under Diana’s command knocking the head of Unit 01 back as if it had been punched. Bringing it back down she used it as a prop to gain momentum and kicked its mid section.

Unit 01 fell back, a thundering sound as the beast hit the dirt covered floor. She wasted no time in continuing as she closed the minor gap between them. She manipulated the weapon and used it in accordance with a swift jump to semi pole vault over the creature. Unit 01's claw shot up wrapping around Diana’s ankle and sending the girl slamming down to the ground. The bo flew from her hand as she lost her hold on it, the sound of the metal object skipping across the room could barely be heard over the ringing in her ears. From there the massive claw moved up, pinning her entire upper body with one claw, pressing down on her form to hold her in place. She felt the air in her lungs leave her and gasped.

McClure: “I’ll install in them everything I can and from them bring about the next generation, but first I have to test my theories.”

Alicia: “You speak as if they’re machines.”

McClure: “Oh no my dear, you have it all wrong. They aren’t machines,…just… tools.”

Diana grunted against the sheer weight of the thing as it threatened to crush her, a sharp cry left her lips as Unit 01 increased the pressure. The sound of cracking ribs, followed by a mind numbing pain was all it took to make her scream a horridly blood curdling cry for a second time. She scratched and kicked against the creature as best she could, but it was no use. Unit 01 leaned down, growling in her face with its hot breath before wrapping its other claw around her neck and lifting the girl off the ground. Its red eye stared blankly forward at the white haired girl before tightening its grip. A muffled gasp escaped Diana’s lips again as she struggled against the beast as it was choking her.

Up on the deck Alicia hadn’t been paying attention, not until she heard the cry. Eyes frantic in worry she knocked the chair she was seated in by standing up so quickly. Slack-jawed and wide eyed she looked pleading over at McClure, whom just stared on with a glorious look of pride.

Alicia: “Sir! It’s going to kill her! We have to stop it now!”

She reached for the controls but found her hand caught in a tight and painful grasp. McClure never even bothered to look up at her as he spoke.

McClure: “This is what needs to happen”

Alicia looked on desperately as she was helpless to do anything save for sit there and watch. Unlike her, McClure remained calm and collected. He looked as if he were enjoying every minute of this battle, looking on like a proud father. She hated him for this. If Diana died, she’d place a bullet in his head with no concern for the consequences.

Down below Diana was still struggling. Gasping for the much needed oxygen her lungs desired. Strained breaths, that seemed to only get harder to take by the second, echoed around the room. Now she was fighting for pure survival. The edges of her vision started to blur before eventually darkening, the lack of oxygen was starting a shut down in her body and her resistance was useless against it. Feeling the last strands of life she brought both hands to wrap around Unit 01's wrist in a final and trivial attempt to will it loose.

Then it happened. Something in the back of her mind snapped, a restraint was broken, setting free and awakening a horrifying power within her, a repressed rage she had long since stored away in hope of never seeing again. The sound of blood rushing filled her ears. Her grip tightened around Unit 01's wrist. Her eyes snapped open; the red of the iris seemed to bleed over taking out the pupil and sclera leaving only blood red orbs in its wake.

GRRAAAAARRGH!!

The unspeakably unnatural sound came not from Unit 01 this time but from within Diana, something one would think to hear from some prehistoric creature. An abnormal wind kicked up the dirt around the two began circling in on Diana as her form shifted. Her hands change to claws, her skin in to impenetrable plates of white. Her forehead seemed to split as a bright red jewel pressed itself out. Her face distorts to match and mirror that of the hideous creature before her, skin begins hardening, and long sharp teeth extending and overlapping each other makes for a gruesome snarling trap. As the dust settled there stood Unit 01, its blue claws colliding and crashing frantically against the white ones belonging to what was once the girl, Diana, now a perfect white replica of the blue Unit 01. The beast inside finally released, McClure stands from his chair slowly. His expression is unreadable, but clearly, he’s pleased. Alicia on the other hand is disgusted.

Alicia: “Sir she’s...”

McClure: “Yes…she’s awoken.”

Alicia: “Sir…?”

McClure: “… absolutely beautiful.”

McClure in his excitement grabs Alicia by the shoulder, forcing her face dangerously close to the glass. Pointing, his voice is excited, proud, something one would expect to hear from a mad man.

McClure: “Look closely at them Alicia, my daughters, my creations. This is evolution! This is the future I hope to create!”

As if by some strange twist of fate, Diana’s claw reaches up and pries Unit01’s off her neck. Bending the arm back until it cries out in pain, swiftly the other goes up and wraps around Unit 01’s neck. She stands slowly, lifting the creature off the ground as she does so. Snarling Diana tosses the creature like a rag doll across the room. It slams in to the wall of the arena; bring the rubble that’s left from the impact down on top of it. Diana remains standing for a moment longer before she recoils. Dropping to the floor on all fours a pitiful cry emits from within her before her whole body goes limp and returns to being the girl it was before.

Up above, McClure is hysterical in his triumph his maniacal laughter can be heard from all corners of the arena as his self-indulged victory carries on.
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Her grip tightened around the sphere at her neck.

Still clinging, Alex?

Hmm…?

It would have been a suiting wake-up call, had she been asleep. Eyes closed, and head down. It gave her the appearance of being napping, but Alex was far from a peaceful slumber. Reminiscing of things past she could hear clearly the helicopters blades cutting at the air. She was prepared, physically, and she believed, no, expected the rest of the squad to not only be physically prepared, but mentally. They respected her, she knew that much, it showed in their eyes. Even though she was young, female and clearly still sorting out just how grave the situation was, they seemed to look up to her. It was too loud for them to hear each other without the headsets, but that was okay, not as if she had anything to say to any of them really. Some of them would die today, and she wondered just how many she’d lose. A shaky breath found her in the air charged with tension and the scent of masculine sweat. It could have been unnerving but she’d been here before. This wasn’t her first assignment, not like this. Somewhere between playing field intelligence for her own time’s special tactics and rescue squad, she’d done something similar before.

“But this is just too personal.”

It isn’t long before they reach their target. The building’s tall and ominous as the helicopter hovers many feet above. One by one they all drop down, like so many spiders on threads. Compared to the others Alex looks tin and childlike buried beneath the mound of her black B.D.U. and body armor, blond wisps of hair escaping from under her Kevlar helmet. The look is both natural and yet unnerving. She knows that down below the ground crew moved in just half a minute ago. With a rifle strapped to her back and the 9mm in her hand ready to go with the safety off, she gives the signal to move forward, not knowing what lies beyond the threshold, but hoping that whatever powers above that may be that they all make it out of here alive.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Deep with in the confines of Foresight Genetics a lone white haired girl lays deathly still, and completely unresponsive. Fed intravenously from plastic bags suspended on the bedpost, her form is completely silent and to the rest of the world, Diana Elaine McClure appears within an instance of death’s grasp. There is no sound in the room, save for the subtle hints of shallow breathing and the hum of the RHLM, which sits on the far side of the bed near the wall. Seconds upon minutes pass and the girl in the bed remains still. Beside her the frustrated form of Janet Rish Kurtz, known by most as just Kurtz, stands. She’s been here for hours now, watching the girl lay there in her catatonic state. A tirade of thoughts plaguing her as even her telepathic connection draws a blank. Physically there’s nothing wrong with the child. Whatever wounds she sustained have healed up nicely. Yet Diana’s stagnant, her thoughts have even ceased, and being one to know what she does it scares Kurtz terribly. Diana’s deepest wounds never lay upon the body to begin with, they are in the mind, and currently there’s not enough doctors in the world to help her now.

Kurtz: Diana...

Diana: ---

Kurtz: Diana!

Diana:---

Shuddering now Kurtz leans over the bed looking down on the girl in question. Then again, this isn’t just any girl. This is family, and she has the documents to prove it, but not memory to guide it all with. Which leaves her frustrated and somewhat irate that she can’t no more explain it let alone get Diana to listen. The mental barriers the child holds are strong, and controlled by only her subconscious, another defense mechanism meant to keep intruders out. Unfortunately, it only seems to work when she’s unconscious.

Kurtz: You always shut down...

Diana:---

Kurtz: Stubborn… You always hide…

Suddenly wrapping her fingers around the base of the girls’ neck, Kurtz begins shaking her relentlessly. She starts shouting out at Diana, knowing fully well the child can’t hear her. It doesn’t stop, the shaking, the choking, or the shouting.

Kurtz: WAKE UP!! … DAMIT, …WAKE… UP!!!!... STOP THIS...!!

Her eyes widen and she realizes exactly what she’s doing now. Distraught by her own actions Kurtz loosens her grip, looking down at her own hands on the girls’ neck before she collapses in the chair beside the bed. For several moments, the only sound aside from the previous are quiet sobs.

Kurtz: You... you don’t... have to...act so alone. You don’t have to hideaway.

Diana:---

Kurtz: Please wake-up.

Diana:---

Kurtz: Please move.


Diana:---

Kurtz: Please, stop hiding

She waits for a moment, and of course, nothing happens. The only sounds are the hum of the RHLM that sits on the other side of the bed and the sounds of swallow breathing. Finally, Kurtz stands once more, looking at the girl. There’s a deep rooted pain in her eyes. The same pain that’s been there since she saw Diana within the confines of Foresight Genetics. There’s no rescuing her now, chances are she never wanted that in the first place.

Kurtz: Please... at least.... say something

Several more seconds pass and the girl remains still.

Slowly, almost unknowingly, she grips the girls shoulders, pulling Diana towards her and shaking furiously once again. Diana is unable to put up any defense to this in the state she’s in. Her body flails about uncontrollably as Kurtz continues to shake her unmercifully. At that moment, something screams in the woman’s mind. Her grip loosens and Diana’s form falls back on to the bed, completely silent. In that space of thought something happens, a decision is made in the woman’s tormented mind. Taking a step back she stares at her own hands again. Her eyes belying a searing degree of deepening self-hatred as she recalls the silent message, it will forever be burned in her mind, haunting her.

Kurtz: I’m... I...

She swallows hard--shuddering with thoughts of the levels of sheer desperation, she has fallen to due to a flare of emotions. Finally, without another word, the woman slowly backs in to the door, fumbling for the handle, she exits... shutting it quietly behind her. She clutches the knob for a moment, shutting her eyes with a disquieted sigh. With this, the room becomes silent once more.

A moment later, however, a faint sound can be heard, it is there for only the briefest instance as the body on the bed shudders.

Diana: M... Mama

Like a toddlers first words, it’s faint and unsure. It drifts in and out of existence like a whisper. There’s no one to hear it, no one to experience the sound. The girl in the bed remains still, unresponsive, as the RHLM hums and the sounds of shallow breathing are all that can been heard within the room once more.

It is only then that Kurtz is vaguely aware of the gunshot going off around her. The sound of slow, stealthy footsteps can be heard in the silence that follows. He mind races, thinking of every scenario save for the one she’s in and about the last thing she expected to see was a 9mm come around the corner, held by an attractive and yet serious-looking young woman who moved in fast and low, aiming at Kurtz before she could blink. For a beat they stare at each other. Kurtz doesn’t need eyes to see that the girl will shoot her without a second thought, and is fully ready for the assault, but then she notices the uniform and her guise drops. There stands the blond haired, red-eyed Dakoso technician, smiling no less; seconds later a name enters her mind, followed by a swift barrage of images.

“Alex…?”
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“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I wouldn’t ask for your help if I didn’t.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Kurts possessed a few unique abilities among the many quirks in her personality. One of which was the ability to link creatures together mentally. Alex had found that out from her case study and profiling. Now under the guide of the stern telepath she found herself entering an unexplored world, Diana’s mind. There was no way of knowing what she’d see or hear. Diana had always been the guarded one, keeping everyone at arms length. However, the constant cycle of push and pull had to give way to a happy medium at some point, and hopefully, that would happen today.

Her first impressions were of a bitter cold. Not the kind that made one shiver, but the kind that made your skin crawl and your muscles tense. This was definitely the inner most recesses of her psyche. She had expected something dark and gloomy, much like her own void she passed through time and time again, but it was nothing of the sort. The dim lit room looked like a well-kept parlor, Victorian and renaissance impression littering the room. Everything from the soft glow of the lanterns on the pale yellow walls to the soft feeling of the rug under her feet was deceiving. If they hadn’t been so connected, so in tune with each other she would have been fooled.

“So you finally decided to show up.”

Alex turned sharply, the rustle of clothing following her movements. Looking down at herself, she blinked a few times. Since when had her BDU changed to a full-length gown? Moreover, when had she had time to fix her hair? Maybe Diana was the one with all the strange quirks after all. Casting her gaze back up she strained in the light to see the figure seated at a small yet richly dark wood table, sipping at what looked like a teacup. Moving forward the person came more in focus the closer she got. Of course she knew who it was, or who it wasn’t for that matter.

White hair, red eyes, this image had all of Diana’s physical qualities, but it wasn’t her. Just a s sentinel, a defense mechanism Diana’s brain had constructed to deal with things of this nature. The girl had always been resourceful Alex would give her that.

Diana: “Please sit, we have much to talk about.”

Alex slid down in to the chair opposite the other girl. Her expression blank as ever, trying to maintain a sense of realism in another’s mind wasn’t easy. Diana however, well she looked rather content, very relaxed, almost… happy?

Diana: “Would you like some tea? It’s very good, just made it this morning.”

Alex: “Cut the crap Diana, you know damn well I didn’t come here to have tea with you.”

Diana’s face soured as she lowered her cup back to the saucer then the table silently. Her delicate white eyebrows furrowed and her lips drew in to a flat line.

Diana: “You’re being rather rude.”

Alex: “You’re avoiding the subject.”

Alex shot back. She was a little ticked off that Diana would even throw this at her of all the people. They were supposed to family, friends even. Sighing she straightened her posture, leaning back in to the seat. Maybe this was the wrong idea, the method of getting through. Diana wasn’t exactly stable at the moment, so naturally she’d have to cope whatever way possible. However, did it have to be like this?

The white haired girl sighed to echo Alex’s, her expression changing to a more curious one. It showed in her eyes as she looked back at Alex, she was up to something.

Diana: “You always were the one to get right down to business. Do you really think I’m doing all of this for my own pleasure?”

Alex: “You tell me. Do you really like making people worry about you?”

Diana’s face dropped, she shook her head slowly from side to side. Well at least they were getting somewhere.

Diana: “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t partially on purpose.”

Alex: “What are you talking about?”

The setting changed so quick Alex hardly had time to feel the shift. Once again she was back in her BDU’s, Diana stood across from her, draped in a white cloak with a pale blue strapless dress underneath. It was dark, too dark, but their bodies seemed to glow against the backdrop, like a pair of freestanding flames. Behind Diana, high enough that they looked like they hovered over her, images began to play out. Things she’d been through, people she’d met, sound bites filtering in and out like whispers from ghosts.

Diana: “You’ve no idea how hard it was.”

Alex: “How hard what was?”

Diana’s eyes were haunted when they met the yellow of Alex’s. The look in them chilling her faster than any cold front dared.

Diana: “Living.”

Alex couldn’t find words. Her silence and thoughts would have to suffice for now, cutting through everything and wishing to wrap a warm embrace around her sad counterpart. Out of nowhere Diana smiled, her head tilted gradually aand her eyes closed as if she were remembering some nice dream. The images shifted too, not so random anymore, all focusing on a single theme, Leon.

Diana: “But then someone found me, and I wanted to try, I wanted to make a change, but it was so hard.”

Like a cool breeze, thoughts and emotions entered Alex. Thing she couldn’t find a name for, some she couldn’t even comprehend. It was love, she knew that much, the love Diana had for her great grandfather, and it was beautiful yet frightening.

Diana: “My intentions, were never to hurt anyone, but sometimes I think I forgot how easy it was, and now…”

Her voice cracked, a pitiful sound from one who was usually so strong, so set in her ways. The emotions played across the white haired girl’s face so quickly that Alex had to keep her eyes keen to catch them all.

Diana: “I’m doing what should have been done a long time ago.”

Alex: “And what are you doing?”

A smile, coy in it’s birth and knowledgeable in its death.

Diana: “I’m changing again, but it’s a long lonely road.”

Alex: “It doesn’t have to be, you have people that are here, willing to be there for you.”

Diana shook her head solemnly.

Diana: “Actually it does, you already influence me so much, but I have to stay true to myself. Please understand, I’m not trying to be difficult. It’s just that…”

Her voice trailed off as if she didn’t want to finish her sentence. Alex stepped closer, getting a better look at Diana’s face. She was crying.

Alex: “Diana?’

Diana: “It’s just that…” her voice shut up quickly, rushing the remaining words out as if they were difficult to say. “… he deserves so much better, everything. I can’t allow myself to give him any less then that. I love him too much to just let things go on like they have been.”

Alex: “But Diana, you’re in no shape to be doing this sort of thing.”

Diana laughed lightly, not exactly a happy sound but there was a lingering of amusement.

Diana: “I hate telling you this, but that’s not really your decision to make now is it?”

She wrapped her arms around Alex, still cold, but comforting nonetheless.

Diana: “Just give me some time, let me find myself. I promise that when it’s over things will be better for all of us.”
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