Brave New World Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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bravenewworld2015-01-29 11:56 pm
bravenewmods) wrote in bravenewworld2015-01-29 11:56 pm
The Enhanced
"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."
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."
[Private]
Thank you, Feliks. I do understand what I'm doing and I am entirely prepared for the consequences, I assure you.
[He meaningfully downs another glass of something or another. If he's not demoted for spilling high security secrets, he's going to be lynched by Union. Such is his lot in life.]
[Private]
[In other words, coming out with this in spite of the personal risks has accomplished what politeness, the gifts he received after the tournament, and even the Caldera incident couldn't: he's actually won some sliver of Feliks's trust and esteem.]
[(Gigas, on the other hand, and the good Doctor...)]
...From what we're seeing out here, I think we're probably dealing with a Grass-type. Is there anything in your files you can tell me about that?
[Private]
[But as a matter of fact...]
Er.
...No, actually. Where are you at the moment and what are you observing?
[Private]
...Um, ok. So, like... I'm out in the Forest, with some other people from the city. We're getting closer to where I think the Shrine's supposed to be? Except it's like, way darker and tanglier and more... full of trees than usual.
Like. For the Forest, even.
The Pokemon are way spooked, they're hardly even coming near us.
[Private]
...Darker and tanglier.
[A pause.]
There are no Dark types, either. Could you readjust your band so I have a better view of the situation?
[Private]
[Huh.]
Sure, give me a sec...
[He moves the band to give a view of the area he's in -- the branches covering up the sky, the new growth of plants that seem to have overwhelmed everything nearby, the rather alarming thorns sticking out here and there...]
[Private]
[Rory frowns at the view.]
It looks a bit like something out of a fairy tale, doesn't it? The thorns engulfing the cursed maiden laid to sleep for eternity. ...I'm going to bring these to a more public area shortly. From there, we can figure it out.
You will need to remain in one piece for a rematch as well, Feliks, so do take care.
[Private]
[Feliks cracks a small smile, because he and the party out here with him have joked a bit along those lines, and because it's the sort of silly thought that occurs to him a lot and people so rarely seem to share or find as much amusement in as him.]
Yeah, but I already told the others, if she needs a magic kiss, I call not-it.
I've totally stayed in one piece so far!
[However barely.]
[Private]
[Private]
Well, Ky's from a better-off house than me! And he wouldn't have anyone to explain himself to after, as far as I know.
[Private]
[He always thought Feliks was like 15 but he won't mention that.]
Regardless, if I should meet an enchanted princess sleeping in a maze of thorns, I fear I should want to kiss her regardless of my other attachments. You are a better man than I.
[Private]
Sorry to break your heart, but come on, you thought I was living in that big of an apartment by myself?
[Not that he remotely imagines Rory cares one way or the other -- it's pretty obviously just a joke, from his tone.]
And anyway, maybe princesses kinda aren't my thing.
[A handsome prince... well, maybe. If he weren't so thoroughly attached.]
[Private]
I had, actually. You and your personal battalion of Pokemon.
At any rate, I should advise you not to kiss whatever you find in that nest of thorns.
[Though maybe that's what it would take to pacify them.]
[Private]
I guess they could kind of take up half a tower on their own, right? I don't know what I'm gonna do when Huzar evolves again!
But ok. Like, for the good of humanity, I'll try not to throw myself at any violently unstable strangers! As tough as that is for me.
[Private]
[Rory smiles.]
As for myself, I believe it would behoove me to make sense of this documentation as soon as possible - and, I suppose, to consult with Dr. Verdine. Take care in the meantime.
[Private]
Gods, I'd rather punch myself right in the face than trade you for that one.
[Right in the face.]
...I mean, good luck. I'll try, so you too, ok?
[Private]
[Rory downs the rest of the glass and signs off.]