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 Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:33 pm
No reply was given as Hellbane answered the call. Maximillian heard the facility head's voice, understood his words, and hung up. There was work to be done; the chair was soon occupied only by a labcoat wearing old technician, who's old features held only a fragment of the striking form it had borne mere seconds before.
In the depths of level ten, the noise obscured the presence of the creature. It was unknown to most that dwelled this deep within the earth's embrace. It was one among many, a single aspect of the brood that held their silent vigil amidst the penned in victims of the continued studies. Well though these poor souls were treated, few took well to confinement and their inevitable fate. Some tried to break free, others broke down. Some even managed the impossible, and pursued escape. It would never help, though; this far down, escape was a figment of the imagination. Even now the brood was borne on unseen wings, allowing eyes to cover the whole of the sector with almost peerless efficiency.
This one set down lightly behind the group bearing the estranged butler. Razor-edged claws clicked softly forward, giving way to a brilliant form of a truly statuesque man. Clad plainly, he rounded the guard to inspect the new acquisition.
Were he not so "dangerous", he would not be so valuable. Your soldiers performed well enough. File your report, Issa. He will not trouble us.
The smooth, flawless smile of the man was nothing short of disturbing. He offered this smile to Issa, but quite rapidly thereafter his attention was taken to inspecting the new plaything from their side of the cell. Shrewd eyes played over every contour of Jan's person, demanding information from even the most minor of details.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:42 pm
Understood sir.
*issa saluted smartly. Maximillian... was technically a civilian. So far as records showed, he wasnt a doctor, in fact.. he wasnt anybody form what she knew. But, mostr people in Ishiimura treated him like Hellbane's second in command, which to most intents and purposes, he was. Thus, she did not back chat or question his observations, merely stared straight ahead, thus seeing Hellbane as he approached with his honour guard*
Good evening Max.
*The walking plague spoke quietly, yet his voice carried, his own quick and clever eyes playing over the scene as the foremost two of his guard dropped their hands to their weapons, whiel taking an 'at ease' stance.
Hellbane moved past them to look into the cell, smiling wickedly at the figure, small and feeble, on the floor, the massive blow to his temple easy to see now, still oozing blood*
Dismissed, Issa. Make your report. I will want to read it within the hour. You will send it to my system. Check in with your team leader and requistion replacements for your men.
Yes sir, thank you sir.
*Nodding to Jackie, Issa recovered her two men and headed out of the level, glad to be out of Bane's presence. He made her skin crawl, despite the fact he was why she had been so successful in life thus far. Maximillian was almost as bad, and the two together...*
What would you have me do with him sir?
Hmm. He is wounded, and that is not conducive to my needs as yet. Your thoughts, Max?
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:56 pm
The salute went utterly unnoticed. Maximillian was fixated upon Jan, at the expense of all else. Her petty display of loyalty and submission meant little, except that she was useful still. Further input was....inconsequential.
And to you, Bane.
Hellbane's arrival was the sole thing worthy of distraction. Jaqueline...she was little more than a thug, just as Issa was a useful soldier and little more. Hellbane was the only one present Maximillian would consider remotely his equal, he was the only learned soul among those present.
Slowly, the olive-hued orbs that scrutinized the fallen butler drifted to the employer. It was Hellbane that maintained this facility, who expended the resources to make it functional and productive. And he wished for input.
He is bleeding. A tainted sample, perhaps, but initial analysis of the contusion may provide interesting developments. Of course...we would need to duplicate the injury for scientific value, and you do need him conscious, don't you...perhaps a stimulant would be in order, to see if his properties would permit above the norm regenerative potential. He IS of a potent blood, according to your own intelligence.
Pulling the potential uses of the limp body in the cell from numerous minds throughout the facility, Maximillian was presented with a great wealth of potential studies and findings that could be made with the fallen butler. Ever eager to add to his own repertoire of knowledge, he bore quite the flickering interest in what Hellbane would decide for Jan's fate.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:10 pm
*Hellbane walked right up to Max, stood next to him at the bars and gazed down at Jan. Tendrils of poisoned darkness teased out of the edges of his shirt's cut off sleeves as he smirked darkly at teh captive, then shook his head clear of the thoughts within*
He must tell us all he knows. He must walk out of here whole and in one piece. It is a shame we will not get to take a FULL bredth of knowledge from him at this time... but the quarry we will get in return will be a much greater vault of discovery, information, and samples...
*Fervour marked Hellbane's eyes. His work was so simple. Oh so simple. Infection. Contagion. Mutation. All these years, he had birthed illness after illness, but the human race seemed specifically designed to thwart him, to cope, to adapt almost as fast as the strains of virus he had released.
It had not taken him long to realise he needed either a virus that was so deadly it could not be resisted and killed ALMOST as fast as it transmitted, to prevent resistance building, or he needed a sleeper virus that would wear subjects down.
Influenza and AIDS had been the greatest two trials for the former, Cancer and the Bane virus the latter. The Bane virus had been most successful, though when he;d experimented with it, on an angel no less with the assertion if one of THEM couldnt withstand it, no human could... he had not made it too contagious.
He had bene FURIOUS to then find Corbin had 'cured' it. These undead, one of whom was of his own lineage, threatened to become a worse threat than humanity. Especially when his attention had thusly been turned to the female, Roan.
HOW could his virus be dormant? The only answer was surely mutation. And thus... he needed the test subject. Needed time, and answers. He was not so foolish as ot assume he could just take her. Jan, lying on the floor, breathing shallowly, was the first key to the chain of events he would unlock, with Max's help.*
Yes, the larger prize will be worth letting this one go unfinished... her blood will run within him. A sample, for now, and clean him up Jaqueline. Send the blood work up to the labs for full analysis and have floor seven start cultivating growths.
As you wish sir.
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Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:15 pm
There was no fear, no disdain in Maximillian's stance. He knew who Hellbane was; more importantly, he knew WHAT Hellbane was. He longed to bring the embodiment of disease under his scalpel, to examine through spell and steel what made the malign creation tick. But such was a goal for another time. The brief glance the employer was afforded quickly gave way to the piercing scrutiny of the clinically dispassionate.
Such confining boundaries. I could craft new flesh should the need arise...this one alone will need to endure...much. All in the name of information and accuracy. No doubt he will resist, and require a delicate touch. The long term can only be accomplished with the short term, Bane. The larger prize is not yours yet. Let us take what boon we have for the time being. I shall ready the good doctors on level four to receive their newest subject. There will be much preparation to tend to, to insure that he does not pose a danger to the staff.
With that, the beautiful face of the immortal mortal dissolved. All that remained was a cluster of glowing, multifaceted eyes. The horrific insect stood easily as tall as an adolescent man just short of leaving puberty. It's carapace shifted, as it's hide adopted the light bending properties that made it such a useful creature, until it vanished from sight. All that remained was the glowing orbs suspended in the air, and a slight haze where it stood, perceptible only to the keenest of senses. With a soft hum, gossamer wings lifted the obscenity of arcane science back to its position within the brood's formation.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:37 am
*Watching Max leave, unpreturbed by the insectoid left at his side, which swiftly rejoined its hive mates, Bane nodded to Jacqueline and turned on his heel, falling in between his guard*
He is to heal before he is released to Max and Level 4. Use some of that stimulant Level 5 sent down. I want him under Max's hands within 5 hours.
*Leaving the butler to the tender ministrations of his new carer, Bane headed for level 4 himself. He wished to make it clear to the staff up there the MINIMUM necessary was to be stuck to. He was WELL aware of the sensory networks Corbin possessed, and erred on the side of caution in assuming the other clan members had the same. Too much done would indicate all to easily to them something was up, and from there... it wouldnt be long before someone came looking.
It could not be allowed to happen. The integrity of the sample he was after HAD to be preserved.*
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:23 am
Within level 4, Maximillian was already seeing to it that the labs were prepared and security measures were set in place. He issued that only two guards be present to tend to Jan at a time; two HAND PICKED guards. All others would be present only when interaction was dictated. The more important part would be to arrange for the restraints. The holding area for the subject in question was a beehive of activity now that there was something of such value immediately present to be worked upon.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 11:43 am
*Rita was overseeing work in the first section of the level, clearing space around one slab in particular, where the restrainints for Jan's first stay of study was due to begin.
Already she was setting about securing the tools of her trade, well aware she would not be allowed to cut open and look at the brain she was due to work on, only scan and, basically, guess from it.
Three technicians from other floors were also present to work on Jan's bloodwork, alreayd taken from the headwound he bore, and relay results real time to Rita as she worked to understand the mind she was to be presented with.
In area two, NGF stimulant was under production already, to match the bloodwork Jan was showing. It was into this choas Hellbane walked, taking station at a pc himself, the familiar tri-helix of the Ishiimura project loading on his screen as he waited.
Within three hours, three staff from level 10, including Jacqueline, appeared, bearing the captive between them. Cursing and struggling in a manner most would not suspect Jan capable of, the old butler struggled against the chains and brutes that manhandled him, making forwards progress slow and irritating... but he WAS being brought forth*
I DEMAND you put me down this instant! Visigoths! Honourless cads!
...Britishisms at a time like this?
And YOU are the worst of them sir! Dont think Ive forgotten you! Or the wounds you left on the Lady!
Ah yes... haloween, was it not? Wont you come and tell us about it..
*nodding to the three struggling to keep Jan still, no easy feat when he was fighting to use his Disciplines and no one had thought to use Haemox because TECHnically, Jan was human... Hellbane gestured fr them to strap him down on the bench awaiting him*
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:33 pm
The scientists were prepared by the time Jan was dragged to the chamber. Each manned their station with the dim anticipation that came from new work to engage in. It was through their eyes that Maximillian observed. There was little need for his personal presence; the specialists hand selected and crafted for the task they engaged in were suitable. More importantly, the pair of masked figures meant as guards stood on either side of the bench. When Jan was pulled into the room, both stepped forward to assist. Their lean, bare arms held exceptional strength as they roughly wrapped fingers about Jan's limbs and heaved.
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:53 pm
*In a manner previously unbefitting of a butler, Jan snapped his head to one side, then roughly back to the other, Potence fuelling his actions as he got just enough room to reach out and BITE... swiftly followed by spitting the disgusting lump of material he ended up with in his mouth to the floor.
One of the regenerators would take the 'damage', meagre as it was, and the butler knew he couldnt prevent what was to occur. To say he was TERRIFIED of the implements he saw around him, and the veritable SEA of curious faces, not one showing compassion, was somewhat of an understatement.
The furious, if ultimately doomed, struggles he made were testament to the line he served and fought with everything he had until he was bound thoroughly, un able t move, at which point he finally subsided, breathing heavily, heartbeat thundering in his ears.
Then, in a calm, stoic, much more Jan like voice, he spoke as if nothing had happened*
Would one of you gentlemen care to tell me what this is in aid of?
...fascinating...
*murmurs of interest were passing around the room - partly from the preliminary blood work, revealing ACTIVE Cainite geneology, despite the butlers clearly human nature, and partly from the man's actions. it was Rita herself who spoke though and came closer, to look down into Jan;s face, as if he were a set of results, not a human being*
...such a change in mindsets, neither outwardly displaying fear. Pupils are dilated, showing inner conflict, however no flickering of focus. Heartrate and breathing attributable to previous exercise, not trepidation...
*As she murmured to herself, Bane moved up on the other side of Jan, staring down hungrily at the first stage in his plans*
You are here to tell us about your master. You will do this either willingly, or with aide to prompt your memory. I wish to know everything about Roan DeSeer, her history, her current situation, her childer, the events following halloween several years ago, the virus... everything you know, old butler.
Im afraid Im disinclined to acquiesce to your demands old bean. So sorry.
Your thoughts on the best method of progression Max?
*Bane knew perfectly well it was HIGHLY unlikely to ever deal with Maximillian in the flesh, but that he was always around and everywhere. Meanwhile... Rita continued poking at Jan, who remained stoic and still*
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:05 pm
The guard's sickly pale flesh split beneath the crushing force of Jan's jaws. The masked creature (for certainly something so strong and unflinching could not be human!) made no sign of pain. The butler would taste of something particularly foul, that began to writhe in a most horrific fashion. It was as if the small scrap of torn flesh was, in and of itself, living and fighting with a will of its own. When it fell to the floor at their feet, tendrils of meat snaked outward, flailing, before whatever force animated it succumbed. Slowly it dissolved into nothing.
The wound on the creature's arm did not remain. Wriggling tendrils wrapped about the wound from within the torn flesh, knitting back together rapidly and with efficiency that would make most Cainites envious. The response prompted was simple enough...any pretense of being gentle with the restraints was gone as the guardian creatures lashed him to the bench.
The examination had already begun. Eager eyes were regarding the terrified old man with such scrutiny as to be utterly inhuman. Each of the amber orbs that lay fixed upon him was relaying information to their master, whom was soaking in the data like a bloated parasite of the mind.
Through one doctor's tongue, he made his own thoughts known.
"Let us leave this task to those we have selected for its undertaking. It would be a waste of good subordinates to deny the specialists their privileged work."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:12 pm
I leave him in your hands, Rita. I expect updates hourly.
*Acting on Max's advice, Hellbane turned his back to leave, the silent, malignant forms of his guard falling in around him as usual as he left, heading tohis own quaters to continue assimilating new strains of virus, incubating and worsening them in his own body, the core of his work never over.
In the mean time, Rita worked alongside her aides and Max's, testing Jan's endurances, reactions, drives and Pavlovian responses, attempting to understad tha nature of the mind they were dealing with to best gain information from it without damaging the host or causing too many chages. Every step of the way, Rita adjusted the formula for the NGF she'd eventually be giving him, having the labtechs check it against the blood samples for reaction and potency*
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:52 pm
Listen to me,
Listen to me, my children...
Modern music never had been Maximillian's thing. But the tune fit as he observed the proceedings. The mortal labtechs and scientists were all his selected staff. It left Jan surrounded by a mob of statuesque faces with inhuman amber eyes. Each glowing gaze was surreal and unnerving, though it only enhanced the striking beauty of those that flocked to Jan as their own roles came around at a time. First, blood was drawn. The sample taken from his head wound was all well and good, but it was hardly sterile. A proper sample was needed, with no outside contaminants. It was taken from his arm, while a second scientist initiated the audio and video recording devices that would capture every second from virtually every angle.
A third pulled up a seat beside the bound old man's bench.
"We shall begin with the simplest procedures first. I will ask things of you, and you will answer. Your cooperation would be of immense value, particularly as it would reduce the time you need remain bound and captive."
The young woman cleared her throat, and with a nod from Rita, whom was already scribbling observations of her own on her notepad, she began.
"What is your name?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:03 pm
...and to think one had believed they cancelled 'The Twilight Zone' many years ago.
*Jan watched the 'clones' with passive eyes, not even wincing as the needle was pushed into his arm to take blood. It was certainly not as painful as the initial plunge of fang into flesh after all. Sadly, there was no following feeling of euphoria, and that made him sigh with regret.
He rolled his eyes as he was spoken*
A young lady such as you should have better etiquette my dear if you wish to get ANYWHERE in the world. The correct methodology is thus..
"My name is "x". Would you kindly give me yours good sir?" Or something along the lines. Modern society is truly a travesty. No manners these days, you younguns. My name is Jan Vincent Hendrek, I am of Swedish descent. My blood type is AB, I am 5ft 9" tall, I weigh 12 stone. I was born in the 1400's, to Swedish parents, on English soil, in Devon. My preferred past times are swimming to stay fit and listening to classical music. I particularly like listening to Handel while walking among the rose gardens.
I have had most horrendous childhood diseases from my era, and was lucky enough to catch chicken pox from Roan thus preventing me from suffering small pox in the outbreak that claimed most of our settlement. I fractured three toes and a finger in life, I have many sword scars. I believe I MAY be deveoping something akin to carpal tunnel in my left hand, possible rheumatism in my shoulder. I blame this on shield warfare during the War of the Roses.
I think thats about everything pertinent. Would you mind kindly giving a chap something to drink? Im parched. I must say your hospitality leaves something to be desired.
*Though his tone stayed that same old english proper butler, it was as if he was mocking them, almost bored with proceedings. Or maybe it was just the stiff British upper lip, making him seem as if he didnt feel the restraints that promised he'd endure whatever these madmen had in store for him*
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:12 pm
Though Jan did answer several of the questions that were due to come after his name, he did not truly make an effect. The woman was perfectly composed throughout his answer, as his every word and expression was captured for dissection by the psychological and neurological staff in another room.
"Well then, Mr. Hendrek, if you must have it, my name is Lauren Ayers. You mentioned a "Roan"; would you please explain who this Roan is?"
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