The Enhanced

[bravenewmods]

"Good evening, Union."

The Warp Band flickers on tonight to display a subdued scene. Whether or not he intended it, Rory is seated in his temporary lodgings such that his face is only partially illuminated by the dim lamp at his side. His tone is a mixture of weariness and resignation.

"This is Rory Donnachaidh, Lead Director of Field Research with Team Evolution once again. I am here tonight to... brag about a colleague of mine. Amongst other things. ...Several days ago, I believe I agreed to speak of these things if it became relevant.

"At this time, I deem it relevant."

He takes a sip of something from a glass and smiles. He has not, of course, been deaf to the idle speculation and the open accusations of dishonesty.

"Dr. Crystal Verdine, you should all know, is one of the leading intellects of our land. She's very humble about it; she would prefer that you not recognize her talents at all. Amongst a multitude of other topics, she is the foremost expert in the world on what you call 'the Enlightened' and what others refer to as 'Earthkin' or 'Magi' or any other number of terms. The point, of course, is that some amongst us are... differently advantaged and some amongst us are not."

He puts down the glass and leans back again in his chair.

"Gigas, I will say, has no natural Enlightened for one reason or another. Its scientists have long sought to rectify that. Many years past, they stumbled across a process by which to induce Enlightened abilities within a normal individual. The science of it is quite incomprehensible to me, but it was a miracle breakthrough in many ways. Though the technology was initially unstable, in the last several years, Dr. Verdine has risen to the task, partaking in exhaustive studies to perfect the technique. In time, it came to be known as 'Enhancement'." A pause at this point. "Team Evolution was extremely interested, of course - our goal, after all, is to propel humanity to the peaks of its potential, and we soon adapted Enhancement for our own uses. All respect due, we have benefited greatly from the work of Dr. Verdine and her collaborators.

"...Of course, no leap forward is made without a few steps back. Amongst the early Enhanced, there soon arose... issues of a grave and alarming nature. I have alluded previously to a particular trait of Gigas in that its people feel they have... certain rights. Wars and land aside... that includes the right to progress despite the costs."

At this point, where he treads upon shakiest ground, Rory assumes his most benign smile.

"Suffice it to say, early tests were not conducted on a strictly voluntary basis. In many of these subjects, the lack of finesse resulted in tragedy. Unfortunately, the process was too much, and their minds were severely damaged. In the end... Gigas created a group of incredibly powerful individuals with incredibly unstable personalities. We did not... necessarily approve when we learned of this. Our interest is in promoting the welfare of humanity - all humanity, regardless of arbitrary distinctions."

There is a quiet intensity in the way he says this.

"However, we lent our aid in keeping these Enhanced under control; their instability was a threat on a global scale. Medication and treatment was effective to some extent. As you may already have guessed, our previous companion, Ms. Sakina, was one of these early Enhanced. ...I believe some of you observed the means by which Dr. Verdine kept her stable."

At this point, he turns to look out the window with a sigh.

"The conclusion of this tale is likely obvious. Around fourteen days ago, Sakina's particular issue reared its head - she suffers from rampant bloodlust. You may exercise your imagination as to what happened, but she was unable to be restrained, and in the process, the building that housed many of Gigas's most unstable and dangerous Enhanced was destroyed. We agreed to provide aid - we have no interest in seeing indiscriminate devastation. We thought it likely they would travel south... Away from Gigas and towards Union. And so we are here."

A wan smile.

"I feel now it is in your best interests to know that it is quite likely you have 10 extremely dangerous individuals in the proximity of your city." ...A slight pause. "Allow me to stress that point again. Do not be misled by any sympathy you may feel at this story. While we would greatly prefer it if they could be convinced to return peacefully... they are self-destructive and highly volatile."

Rory reaches down into the darkness and emerges with a handful of what appears to be manila envelopes.

"...None of this, of course, concerns you at all, but we would beg your assistance if you care to give it. We wish them to be pacified - Dr. Verdine, in particular, is very attached to Ms. Sakina on a personal level. We do have dossiers concerning these 10 individuals and their idiosyncracies; it may be worthwhile to study these documents. Though we could handle this ourselves, I fear Dr. Verdine and I would not inspire much trust. If you cannot calm them... there is only one recourse."

He leaves this notion hanging, though the blank is clear. They could not be allowed to continue this way.

"I am not authorized to speak of this, so if you need me, I suggest you search between the jaws of Dr. Verdine's Drapion." A slight smile. "But as long as she digests me feet-first, I can probably manage to answer questions in the meantime."

Comments

[warriormouse]

[Oh man.

Oh maan.

Martin is usually a calm sort of person but this?

This pisses him right the hell off. He is barely controlling his anger right now.]

Not only did you abuse and torture innocent people without a care for their well-being, you didn't think to tell us that we might be in danger for nearly two weeks?

[worldmother]

[ Just watching this for now. Son of a bitch. This was bad. This was so bad. ]

[naturaldissension]

Please do not conflate my organization with what Gigas chooses to do in their spare time.

[Rory reaches for his drink because he has a feeling he'll be desperately needing it soon.]

As for the danger, it would have been highly imprudent to speak of when we hadn't the least idea where they were. For all we knew, they were hiding in the caves underneath Gigas.

Private.

[worldmother]

[ You might not know who she is, but she knows exactly who you people are. ]

You let ten unstable Enhanced soldiers go missing, and you chose to keep that to yourselves? Why. I want to know.

Private

[naturaldissension]

The existence of these soldiers is hardly something we wanted to make general knowledge. Why should we alarm people unduly? Under ideal conditions, we would have determined there was no threat to be found and returned north.

[Of course, they've spread out across the entire damn continent. Of course they did.]

[rainsrespite]

[You know that voice you hear? That voice that your mother uses when she's really, really, really angry? That quiet, deadly dangerous voice that speaks of paddlings and worse?

That is exactly what Yuuna sounds like right now.]

You're telling me that you knew what was going on. And that you did not tell us first. You aided a hostile nation to contain tormented slaves. And that you expect us to help you sort out your own mess. By killing these people?

[naturaldissension]

As it so happens, we have an ongoing agreement that escaped Servitors - the word you're looking for - are not to be returned to Gigas if they make it safely to one of our bases. That is the best we can do. As for the Enhanced, there is no possibility that they can live a normal existence. They must be contained.

But we do not wish them killed. That is precisely why I am explaining it now.

[Video]

[niepokonany]

You know, I'd say this is exactly what I was worried about, but no, somehow? It's actually way worse!

[God, he feels like he did when he realized about the Pokeballs all over again. Not on a strictly voluntary basis --]

Savior...

[And they've been loose for two weeks -- nearly a dozen violently unstable, powerful quasi-Enlightened, and who knows what they've done in the meantime, or who they might have --]

[There's really no time for the panic that dwelling on that line of thought is going to get him.]

Well, I guess we're gonna have to deal with it now, aren't we?

[naturaldissension]

[Rory is quite for a moment.]

As a matter of fact, no. You can choose not to sully yourself in these affairs if you wish. I would not blame you.

It's simply that... a more desirable outcome can be attained with your assistance.

[faithfulflame]

[On the best of days, Rei's temper is pretty heated. On the worst of days? And particularly since her evolution? Oh, it's positively explosive.

Her forehead mark is blazing, a heart with an arrow through it, and her hair's ends are very much ablaze. Heat shimmers in the air all around her video feed, and even the Arcanine in the background is backing up.]

You knew? You kept this from us, and let us go into the wilds knowing nothing?!

[naturaldissension]

We did not know, as a matter of course.

[He can practically feel the heat through the Warp Band.]

Now that we are reasonably certain, I have determined to speak. We have never seen these... anomalies happen before; it was a surprise to us as well.

[bejustorbedead]

You.

[His eyes flashed, as sparks of electricity arced from his body. Then he stops, taking several deep breathes, to get his electrical output down to a level where he couldn't short out his Warp Band. When he speaks, his voice is brittle - barely holding back his anger]

You. Your people, did this? Do you not feel remorse for the pain and suffering you caused to those people? Did you not think we should have been informed of this the moment you had arrived? I don't give a damn about what is and isn't authorized, the priority should be doing what is right.

For Savior's sakes, many of us are 'Enlightened' but not all of us who volunteered to search for answers are trained or experienced in combat, this withholding of information could've cost even more lives then what had already been lost as a result of your experiments!

[naturaldissension]

Again, we had no involvement with the state of these individuals. We're aiding in their recovery.

[Rory sighs slightly.]

What is 'right' is not whipping your city into an outroar for no reason. It was exceedingly unlikely that they would head this far south - this was not expected to turn up results, but it seems Sakina remembers the time she came to this place.

[evokedorpheus]

Authorization be damned, you should have given us at least some form of warning.

[His eyes are narrowed, his tone clipped and cold.]

[naturaldissension]

...This is your warning.

[Rory responds simply.]

We have been here only a few days. It would have been folly to announce this without satisfying ourselves of its possibility.

[text]

[bladeisme]

[WHAT THE HELL.

This entire thing makes Ichigo sick - trying to make enlightened was one thing, but forcibly making them without their consent?! The thought turns his stomach - or, well, whatever passes for a stomach when he's in his Aegislash form.

He wants to yell. he wants to demand better answers and ask why the hell he doesn't even seem like he really cares. but after a moment of collecting himself, he tersely types out one thing:]

There's really no way to save them?

[naturaldissension]

There may be.

They are mentally unstable, but they are not entirely unreasonable, I do not think.

congrats i haven't had a reason to use this icon yet.

[underwearfortomorrow]

I'll refrain from touching on what most others have in regards to your experiments.

[Eiji is so angry, he's shaking. His voice is quiet, measured, but there's a tremor beneath it and the warp band hides the way his free hand is clenched in a fist.]

But it is absolutely inexcusable that you chose to only now tell us just what was waiting for us outside the walls. That several innocent people have been put in unbelievable danger because it was not authorized for you to tell us.

[naturaldissension]

[There is only so many times he wishes to have this conversation.]

I cannot know what you do not tell me. We did not believe it to be likely, though we feared. They are not actually likely to ambush and murder random strangers; the fact that no one is hurt should speak to that.

Please sum this list of explanations up and pass them among your friends.

[iamthatis]

[There were a lot of things Matthias could say. There were a lot of things the young Sword WANTED to say, but none of those words would make a bit of difference guys. His anger was inert, replaced by a calm logic he was forcing over the painfully upset expression on his face; this was officially a state of emergency and as a Sword of the Savior, he had to act accordingly. So with the emblem of his station in clear view, he initiated a video feed on his warp band.]

Whether or not you can handle this situation hardly matters at this point, for all we know these individuals could attack at any moment. I'll take any information you have on these individuals, and if you have any inkling as to where specifically they may be, I'd like to know.

[His words were crisp, clear, and concise; purely and strictly business. Right now, all he cared about was ensuring the safety of those in Union...any of his personal feelings could wait until later, but his absolute fury and disgust were all too visible on his face if anyone needed a solid hint as to how he was feeling.]

[naturaldissension]

That is extremely unlikely. They are not on a bid to conquer the world, nor are they generally keen on random murder.

[They just want to be left alone, is what he would say, but his prudence will prevent him from mentioning that. It was impossible for them to be left alone given their condition.]

I will prepare a place where the documentation can be examined. As for their specifics, I have heard that there are issues in several parts of the areas surrounding Union. They are likely to be there.

[makeitquick]

Y'know.

[ Inhale... exhale. ] Every time we've run into you you've been going on about evolution that or humanity this or somesuch stuff. Not like we're slouchin' there either. Union's been through it's biggest year in more time than anyone can count, 'N if you're counting on us being weak, that's not lasting long. [ Sparing them this, or whatever other excuse ]

So yeah, chances being, we'll clean this up too. Not saying people aren't owed what they're due for Caldera, but not Caldera here. And if every time you show up Union ends up in a mess, maybe next time you'll end up crushed.

[ Well, now she's got all the more reason to dedicate herself to this next mission. Fighting humans... this is nonsense though. Madness. Savior's bright golden breastplate, that's what was up with that woman? ]

[naturaldissension]

If you can 'clean this up', I will officially revoke any and all negative statements I have to make about Union. ...Although I don't recall making many in the first place.

I do wish that it were not so. We seem to be inconveniencing you greatly at intervals of about once a year.

[allergictoloveletters]

[That Ami is angry is an unnecessary statement. This goes against everything to her very core. People were tortured, used, abused, and from what she has seen in this conversation, they would only be "contained" and returned to that abusive life-style.

But, before she can get angry, she has to get information. Anger does not allow for the acquisition of knowledge. If anything, anger inhibited knowledge, it clouded judgement. All these people were angry and yelling, but she only saw one person actually ask a question she thought to be relevant. Anger was something to be reserved for later and after the issue was handled, not before, and certainly not during. As a medic, she even had to make sure people didn't try and go lynching Rory.

For now:]

If you want our assistance, then please make those dossiers accessible as soon as possible. Furthermore, you stated earlier you've exhausted your knowledge on those in question, then perhaps your doctor will provide more, since she worked so closely to the issue.

Additionally, I would like any further information you personally can provide on the matter.

[naturaldissension]

I will shortly prepare a space where they can be examined at your leisure. I do not claim familiarity with these particular patients myself, so I'm afraid I cannot give any personal insight into their nature.

[Rory coughs slightly.]

Dr. Verdine could... but I am uncertain if she will be forthcoming. I will see if she is interested in communications later.

[He will be very careful to avoid eating anything she might offer him.]

What sort of further information? Concerning Enhancement?

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Time for Lenna to break out the Noble Voice.]

This was very irresponsible of you. All of you. If Team Evolution is truly concerned about the welfare of humanity, you should have intervened on humanity's behalf instead of helping Gigas with this project. You may have had the best of intentions in attempting to keep the damage contained, but in so doing you've endangered the lives of countless others. That makes you directly complicit in all of this, and you have a share in the blame for whatever consequences result.

[naturaldissension]

[Irresponsible is probably not a good word for what has happened here.]

Pardon... But are you saying you would have wanted us to kill these people the moment we became aware of their existence?

[biteoutofcrime]

...Sick motherfucking fucks.

[Fuyuhiko spends about eight-five percent of his waking hours pissed about something or other. He's used to anger. It's horror, though, that settles leaden and cold in the pit of his stomach, like he's swallowed a frozen stone.

He's a criminal, but this is sick.

It's easier to cling to the outrage.]

If you were gonna ask us to clean up your damned mess anyway, couldn't you have released that information before people left the city to investigate? The hell are we supposed to do, run back for your little dossiers? We're practically already in the mountains! Savior fuckin'...!

[He growls with feeling, but then shakes himself, eyes hard.]

Forget it. There a trick to 'pacifying' the poor bastards? You know 'em better than we do.

[naturaldissension]

Had I known you were preparing to rush headlong into the wilderness, I would have spoken earlier.

...That sounds like mockery, but I assure you that we did not expect troops of civilians to go trekking out without care for their own safety. It is very noble of you.

[though also quite stupid.]

I don't know if there's a 'trick'. I don't believe there is besides a tranquilizer gun the size of a Donphan, which we have neglected to develop. But I do not think they are utterly unreasonable yet.

[childoflove]

Well. You certainly screwed up. And your oh-so-gracious offer to 'clean up this mess' don't exactly seem to be doing you any favors. Perhaps you should just admit you fucked up and leave us to deal with things?

[Piper's not as angry as a lot of people. Not that she's not upset, but she has a lot of faith in the city of Union and its people to protect themselves. So this is said in a tone of almost friendly advice.]

[naturaldissension]

...

I am not sure exactly what you took from that tedious speech but I do believe the conclusion was precisely what you just said.

[outtahere]

[Banzu is walking along a balcony over some larger interior as the feed starts.]

I'll skip the unhelpful accusations here; sounds like you're getting enough of those and your reasons for your actions aren't invalid as far as I'm concerned.

[He's not exactly delighted with the situation right now, but he's doing a good job of putting on a professional face as he begins to ascend a spiral staircase, passing another balcony on the way up.]

Other people will likely want to see the information on all ten Enhanced, but personally I'm only concerned about one of them in particular, considering that they're having a negative effect on my livelihood. There's been some damage caused here already, though no one has been injured yet, and I'd like to keep the damage and injury list from getting any longer and more expensive to deal with.

[He emerges from the top of the staircase in a windowed room that likely would give a good view if he focused the camera elsewhere, and continues outside through an open door.]

My priority is information about whichever one is likely to be doing this.

[With that said, he rotates the camera, passing over someone in a Ranger uniform standing at a railing and letting the subsequent view speak for him.

The end of a peaked roof and the small ship bobbing madly at a stone pier provide some context for his interest in this, but the real sight is the view of the waters extending to the horizon, waters covered in whirlpools and giant waves, one of which the camera tracks as it races towards the shore farther up the coast and goes uncomfortably far inland.]

[naturaldissension]

[Hm. Well, that's certainly alarming.]

I will venture an educated guess that the one you're looking for is one of the resident Water-types.

[thank you rory]

Did they reach the southern ocean? ...Incredible that they could have traveled so far without being seen. On behalf of the team, I will apologize that your livelihood has been interrupted. We never thought it would become so severe...

But then, we have never seen them roaming free in the wild, either.

[celebrity_commentator]

You guys...you don't care, but I have to say it! You guys and Gigas are monsters!

[Rise he doesn't even know you.]

Not only that, you're monsters who just dump your problems in someone else's laps and expect them to take care of it for you! What were you going to do if your victims had wandered somewhere else, huh? Beg a different town for help?

[naturaldissension]

We have nothing to do with their victimization or lack thereof. Please direct such complaints towards the proper avenues.

[go bother crystal]

And yes, we would have requested the aid of any city they might potentially have harmed, though we hoped they would not get anywhere near other civilizations.

[commissionergrump]

[There is a quiet quality to Gordon's anger. His upper lip goes stiff beneath his mustache, and he lowers his head, the reflection on his glasses making it difficult to read the eyes behind. There is a long pause, roughly long enough to slowly count to ten, and he looks to the warp band, his old eyes intense and stern.]

There are going to be questions, and I am going to want them answered.

[He lets that sit for a moment, staring at his band with the same quiet intensity.]

For now, we're cleaning up your mess. Do NOT leave town.

[A quiet pause.]

Or we might just have to ask our visitors for help tracking down some wayward scientists.

[The old cop stands up then, grabbing his jacket with one hand, glaring at the band on his other wrist.]

Do we understand each other?

[naturaldissension]

While that is intended to be an idle threat, I would hasten to reaffirm that you understand the situation - those 'visitors' will not be inclined to do anything you request, so please do not attempt to use them as leverage.

I have no intention of leaving.