The Search for the Link
~BLACKDAGGER~
Dreams. Even in his most awake moments they haunted him. Voices
of ghosts. Their evil corrupts everything. ...Thoughts which
never surfaced before and rang through his mind echoing things he
was so familiar to him. ...If you have such faith in your powers,
why don't you just use them? ...Themes and symbols that were so
foreign, and native to his tongue. ...Just as I thought you are
not fit to carry out any assigned task. ...Quietly, to himself.
-=- Liar! That's not true. -=-There was something that continued
to escape James. Some voice that seemed to fall layers beneath
all the others. ...You have come this far with good intentions;
you wouldn't be here without them. Those intentions are the key.
Think of the battles that you fought the obstacles you have
overcome. Think of what it took to come even this far. Look to
your friends, and the tremendous power of the human spirit. Don't
be afraid. You see even you have made a grave miscalculation, and
that miscalculation is your own hope. Hope for a brighter place.
A brighter future. ...Instead a warm feeling? -=- Mother? -=- He
failed to hear that voice because it was the voice of reason. It
was the voice of truth in his chaotic world. His anger, and his
emotions. His deceptions. If man was not supposed to kill man,
what did that make him? Less of a man? Less than a human? And
what if he were never to have been born Unnatural? Would those he
killed still be alive? And those who were killed would they have
killed? Things that could drive a sane man insane, or perhaps
they already had. And perhaps it was harder on an anniversary of
her death. Perhaps all his anger orbited around that point. It
was a focal on which all was poured into. And screamed out of.
Instead of swelling on this too long, he awoke from his brief
doze in the base library, looking over files and other things
that required his attention. -=-
~VENIN~
*Silence fills the room, broken only by the occaisonal sound of
moving paper as she devours report after report...rereading those
which she had read a dozen times already, seeking within each,
tiny details which she had previously missed...perhaps somewhere
within them is a clue, a hint..something which will let her know
when it had happened, when she had been reprogrammed...When her
life had been taken from her..something that will show where her
weakness was, how he got inside her head...but still, she had
come up with nothing...silently she closes the final report and
lays it on the stack of others beside her....she leans back in
the chair, still no sound issuing from her except the soft
popping of the vertebrae....she clears her throat as she pushes
back the chair and gathers the stack of papers....then turns
towards the door* Door open *the door slides open and she steps
into the hallway and turns down towards the library...she nods
briefly at a few whom she passes then pauses briefly in front of
the libray door* Open *As she enters the library she turns
towards the report room... she stands awkwardly balancing the
huge stack while she looks around for the file clerk, not seeing
one she carefully slides the pile onto a nearby counter*
-=- Fully awake and debating another short nap before heading
back to his room for more work outs, and advanced hunter
training. He looked towards a sound near his left, seeing someone
struggle with a huge pile of papers. Getting up a bit sluggishly
saying offhanded. -=- Here let me help with. . -=- Before
blinking and seeing ...her.... It was still uncanny to see her
out and about in the base, unharmed. Not in a cell. Now one of
them. He narrowed his eyes a bit, wondering what his side of the
team actually did to her. Instead he allowed those thoughts to
slip away before they surfaced again and again, like a bubbling
spring. He helped with the leaning tower of paper work, an empty
chuckle. -=- Who knew you were a brain . . . -=- The joke was
completely dull, and he didn't care. He felt a lot better since
talking to Pole, but not about this. He still felt awkward.
Taking some reports to a near-by table, kiddy-corner to his as he
set them down. -=- Um can I ask what you are looking for? Maybe I
can help? -=- The offer was sincere and quiet. He was really
trying to make an effort here. Not killing, or embracing. A
...real...effort he pulled off flawlessly.-=-
*she can identify him by his voice even before she sees him*
Thanks *she is grateful for the assistance, the weight may not be
too much, but the stack itself was unwieldy...perhaps she should
have taken less files, but she wanted... needed to find out what
happened, when it happened...all the reports were hers, ones she
had written...* Just trying to figure things out *she glances
around the room* Everything is different...where can I find the
old reports written on deceased RUNners?
-=- Yvette was so utterly casual, he watched her and nodded
towards the room again. -=- Those are the paper ones, ones that
survived the base attack, be thank full we fill them out in
triplicate. -=- He sighed. -=- They are in the process of making
them all electronic, they have been for a while so any files that
you don't find back there you can get to through the computers,
if you have proper clearance . . . -=- He glanced towards her,
daring to ask suddenly. -=- Whose file were you looking for? -=-
Walking towards her folding his arms over his chest. He wondered
vaguely if she remembered he wanted to talk to her, or even that
look he gave her. She probably was too wrapped up in her own
searches to remember something so trivial. So instead he looked
back to the records room and towards her for a brief moment.
Saying quietly. -=- Two heads can be better than one.
I remember hating all the paperwork, guess it does serve a
purpose though *she glances over towards the indicated files* It
would be wonderful if it was all electronic, make my life a lot
easier *she sighs as she walks towrds them, glancing briefly to
see what filing system they used* I'm looking for any that I ever
wrote..I've found most, but I'm still missing some of my earlier
encounters, and my training missions...*she glances back towards
him* a few of the training missions I led seem to be missing
too...*...she remembers he wanted to talk to her, but she figured
he forgot or changed his mind, or whatever because he never
sought her out...after all, he was the one that wanted to talk*
Where do they keep our personel files now too?
-=- He watched her and then decided to collect his own paperwork,
most of it was about Piranha, and her powers, filing formal
complaints and such if it ever came down to such. He sighed
filing some papers underneath others. -=- Out training work
mostly burnt, and personal files are all electronic now and
access is denied unless you have proper clearance. I suppose
though . . . -=- Knowing she did not have any clearance he took a
gamble. -=- I could look up what you needed, you could always
visit me at a certain time, and look. But only for files I know I
could trust you with. -=- He glanced back towards her his voice
deathly low. There wasn't anything that was terribly wrong, just
not authorized. People did it all the time on the personal files.
And the red tape sometimes took eons. He knew all too well. Like
after he looked up things on Exit, his best friend, Atttait let
him see a few files when he asked. As long as it was a commanding
giving permission it was okay, wasn't it? -=- And the files I'd
trust you with is more than GUARD will ever at this point. -=- He
tossed that out there in case she was interested. Looking back
once as he filed another legal book away and tucked the last of
his papers into a manila envelope. -=- I mean if I have to work
with you, even if it isn't on the field, I might as well try to
get along with you. . . -=- The words were completely empty as he
spoke. An act he was frankly sick of.-=-
Damn! *she runs a hand through her shortly cropped hair* I was
hoping to find something in those files *she studies him as he
asks he makes his offer..was it a trick or an honest offer?* Why
would you want to help me? after the last time we met I was under
the impression you wanted nothing to do with me *she shrugs* not
that I would blame, I might do the same if things were reversed
-=- He sighed and looked at her shrugging, as he wandered back to
his table. -=- I told you if I have to work with you, even if it
is off the field I might as well ...try...to get along with you.
Aside from which, -=- He allowed his sentence to drop and finally
just looked at her shrugging honestly. He hated this act. -=- I
can't be angry with you. Scared of you hell yes, angry? No I
don't have the energy, the will. For a while when you were caged
here I almost felt a kinship to you. -=- He shook his head and
shrugged. -=- Sounds strange, I don't hate you, even though you
kicked my ass. I in a way allowed it all to happen. -=- Glancing
towards her and then back to the table straightening out the
folder, and tucking it under his arm. -=- And if the situation
were reversed I would have done the exact same thing you did, but
with more casualties. -=- He was being honest. Utterly honest.
-=- In fact Yvette, I'd say it's safe to say I even like you. I
can't work with you, I can't trust you but I like you. -=- He
turned towards the library his chest nearly heaving. A weight a
great weight, no more pretend. No more make-believe. A
resolution, if she accepted it, if those listening accepted it or
not, a resolution. He smiled inwardly, and outwardly just a bit
as he moved to leave. -=- Well the offer still stands.
Well so far you're the only one trying *shrugs and vaguely
gestures over her shoulder, indicating the whole base* and in my
books your showing a lot more guts than them because your stating
your views and have actually gone to the trouble of filing a
grievance *She looks at you strangely* afraid? Kicked your ass?
*the memories of the escape play freely in her head* what all do
you remember of that night?......*her gaze wanders to the
computers* Yeah, I need to know..one way or the other I have to
get to those file, I need to see.
-=- A small smirk, a sturdy shrug., -=- I remember exactly what
the files said I did. Those are pretty much public files. -=- He
watched her carefully, as if to say he remembered everything, and
wasn't about to say so. He then looked to the computer and said
lightly. -=- Not here. I'm not comfortable here. We can go to my
room. -=- Pausing in his strides and looking at the piles of
papers that she had offering another suggestion., -=- If you want
we can check those out too, and I can help you carry them. I mean
not to be nosy in your going ons and such, . . .and I am not
brave. As I said I am scared to work with you, that's why I put
in the file. But unlike some followers, I said I can't work with
you, I'd assist in any way if needs be. Or emergency, even
training. People were surprised I didn't boycott you. -=- He
watched her trying to make chit-chat. There was a lot he wanted
to tell her, but as he said he could not trust her. He was
actually taking a gamble enough to look at files. . . not that
she'd really benefit as a RUNner from them. -=-
*she shrugs* I suppose I should read them sometime *she shrugs*
If you prefer...*she too glances at the pile of papers* I've gone
through them all about a dozen times, but a fresh pair of eyes
might help *she looks over at you* If you say, generally it takes
guts to state what you want *she chuckles lightly* others are
trying to avoid me
And they have every right to. -=- He digested what she had to say
and quietly added. -=- For the first time in a long time I am
saying what I want to, and it's tearing my world apart in a lot
of ways, but it feels good at the same time. -=- He mentioned all
of this as he swept over and grabbed her papers, swiping his
GUARD ID to check them all out. Gathering them all up and then
glancing at her again. -=- It might help too if I knew what I was
looking for. -=- He strolled out of the room an arm full of
papers. Taking a moderate pace, the papers not heavy at all, but
awkward, and well his larger frame carried them better. -=- I
usually do what people tell me, well most of the time. The times
I don't is when things always botch. It's . . I don't know. -=-
He shook his head he was rambling again. -=- I feel really open
around you, no I want to fell really open, and at the same time I
can't. It's a very odd potion. -=- He stepped into the hall. A
few onlookers seemed very astonished. ....To hell with them. -=-
yeah, they do...everything always turns the world, get used to it
*she reaches to grab a bunch of the papers from you* Thanks *She
glances over at him* I'm looking for my life...I want to know
when 'He' *...the one word filled a venomous scorn she once
reserved for Scratch alone now tinges all references to Aerik, he
is now the complete focus of her hatred* got in my head...I need
to find my weakness....*she too notices the onlookers, but
ignores them...shes used to the extremes around here now, either
the gawkers or those that avoid her...there doesnt' seem to be
much mid range..but then she went from highly respected Guard to
Public enemy number one and now here she was once more wandering
their halls as one of them*
-=- As they wandered down the hall James dared to ask. -=- He as
in Scratch, or he as in . . . -=- Leaving the option open, almost
hoping she'd say Scratch. Almost praying a silent prayer. That
would explain everything. That would put some order to this
sanity. Or to something he near refused to accept. Someone here
messed with her brain. How else would she hug Scratch? How else
would she be back? Remembering words, that he somehow secretly
hoped were true . . . "Even if they brainwashed me to be
GUARD again, I'd find the same reasons to become a RUNner. "
I hope so, for your sake Yvette, He walked the way in silence
awaiting an answer, waiting to get to his room. Pressing a few
buttons allowing the safety features to kick in. -=-
*shakes her head* No, not my Father...A RUNner, 'Aerik
Winters',*..a growl taints her voice as she issues his name...*
he's the one that turned me from GUARD to begin with...He took my
life, I need to know when ... * a smile sits on her face, one
that looks strangerly natural on her yet contains a viciously
feral quality...like a wolverine about to kill its prey*...and I
want his in return
-=- Stopping at his door and fumbling for a moment. A slap in the
face, an utter slap in the face. He never thought of that, Aerik
was powerful enough to turn her, Powerful enough to . . . he
turned to her and nodded, backing from her feral grin. -=- I..
I'll help you look then. In the base explosion all information
about him was erased. . -=- Stumbling over his words and stepping
into his room. -=- Lights on. -=- He placed the papers on an end
table and some on his bed. Opposite the room from his bed, was
his computer and a chair. He offered for her to sit his thoughts
quieter than hers under the snap-back field. Why would someone do
this, why this RUNner Aerik? He was not about to go and find out.
He pulled the chair for her absently and wandered to his animal
room, to notice the cages were indeed full. A small sigh of
relief as he walked back and looked at the computer. Tossing his
manila folder aside the monitor. -=- But our operative, um has
learned a lot about him. You might want to ask Jesse Raymond, she
was captured about a week ago. In the Medical ward, severe
Psionic shock, she should recover soon. . .-=- He said this
absently as he keyed a few things into the computer. -=-
I realized that 'his' files are missing, some of it's *she
lightly taps her temple* up here, but how much is true I don't
know...thanks *the thanks murmurred absently as she accepts the
seat her attention already focused on the files in her
hands*...for now I'm starting with my files, trying to determine
where and when I had encountered 'him', when 'he' changed me. I'm
looking for anything behavorial patterns, change in writing style
anything..and I can't find it..*she starts flipping through a
file* Yes, I've met him, Rikky...almost killed him too...he's
lucky Scratch came along...but I get to study him once a week,
I've been assigned to Wreck Room with him. *she glances up
startled* Ei-Que? here? captured? *a brief glint of delight
enters her eyes* she may have answers, those two were close, too
close....what about the others? Abyss and Gild? *..she makes no
mention of Zak...for some reason still she protects him, even her
reports negleted to mention him, passing him off as a mere friend
of Geoffs, one she didn't know*
-=- Shaking his head as he keyed in a few more things to retrieve
her total personal file, saying quietly, -=- I've looked at this
a hundred times before, there is nothing there. -=- Glancing at
her again saying. -=- I didn't know you very well, but you didn't
really change Yvette, you uped and left, from all I heard. I
don't even think you fumed out of here. ..If it was Aerik
Winters, perhaps the whole thing was a ploy to rustle your
father's feather's so to speak. Yes Jesse Raymond is here. -=-
Still looking at the screen leaning over her and keying in a few
more codes, swiping his card, imprinting his hand, retina scan
minor clearance requirements. -=- And we were hoping you could
lead us to Gild, and Abyss, perhaps even Jesse at the time, but
she's here now. That's all I know, or am authorized to know.
Speak with Psiclone, he's the one who brought her in. -=- With
that absent chit-chat out of the way he handed it over to her
moving to the files over his bed, glancing at them. As much as
the news seemed to startle him he remembered Scratch had
mentioned it before. He sighed, knowing there would be nothing
she could find in those files. Nothing that would be of use. -=-
I suppose everyone has been over it a thousand times.....public
enemy number one *she shakes her head* there has to be
something...some point just before that...some encounter
somewhere*she moves in front of the computer her gaze greedily
raking in everything every note, every detail* I want to talk to
her...if they'll let me....*she scrolls down through file*
Psiclone I intend to do a lot of talking with, he's 'Eclipses'
clone.. I should be able to learn a fair bit by studying Psiclone
*she smiles* Gild and Abyss I will gladly help
capture...especially Gild, he is close to him.*A sigh of
exasperation leaves her lips* I don't see anything here...there
has to be something somewhere...an encounter report maybe with a
higher clearance to it....something somewhere...sometime 'he' got
to me, got through my shields..and I need to know when...I have
to eliminate that weakness