Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sabin gave an easy smile with a nod. "Pretty much." He continued in a vaguely accented voice. "Feral Laboratories, I am sure you have heard of the company, is a multi billion dollar organization. And if we can do some assistance with the federal government from time to time, then they tend to relax on some of the tax laws... I am certain that you know how that goes." He gave Nicky a knowing wink.

"I have read over the information regarding your arrival, and from the sounds of it you will be here for an extended stay, all things considered. We have a housing unit set aside for you, all of the basic amenities will be provided. I am sure that things will not be quite what you are used to, unfortunately. This is hardly a city, and it is a small enough community where you will likely be knowing all of your neighbors by the end of the month. Most of them are good people, but there are always a few bad eggs." Sabin seemed to be preparing a vial and a syringe as he spoke. It had already been sitting out on the counter when Nicky had arrived, next to a file folder.

Sabin, as much as he was trying not to let his hand show, was extatic about this particular arrival. It was almost enough to distract him from some of the other issues at hand. This was the culmination of a lot of research he had been doing for the past few months. Making the serum he had devised with Vasile's dog so long ago into a viable serum to be used on humans - and to develop new heads along the mold of the serum as opposed to just the original host's DNA. If all things went according to plan, he would have a wonderful new addition to his menagerie. But, beyond that, Sabin had wanted to wait for an ideal canidate for his experiment. Moreau had already fore-promised to be lenient with some of his own private experiments in exchange for the dirty work he had done for him... and besides, had at least admitted an interest in the viability of this experiment when he had first devised it. But more than that, Nicky here was an interesting archetype - a man willing to work for the "wrong" side, and show a substantial degree of loyalty. And right now, that might be exactly what Sabin needed. So he had to be careful with this. If Richard was right about what Moreau was planning... he needed people on his side. And without having to devise on mind-altering chemicals. Although.... a canine serum on top of it all couldn't hurt...

"Something to help you become more acclimated to the island." Sabin picked his words carefully. Technically, it was completley the truth. He had been distant with almost all of the subjects previously. And he had even already been stung when he had let that guard slip before with Sayuri. Exactly the thing he had been trying to avoid since coming to this island - seeing the islanders as people, and making any kind of emotional connection to possibly open his guard for the floodgates of guilt and other associated annoying emotions.

But this was different, or at least ought to be. Sabin was begining to recalculate his objectives on the island. It was no longer merely a playground, but the ante was being upped. And things were moving in a decidedly more confrontational direction. He could see the players gathering and the storm brewing. He did moniter duty more than any of the other higher ups, and he saw the tensions, saw the signs, and knew that Moreau's control wasn't as watertight as he liked to think. And then, of course, there was the issues amongst the staff themselves. Sabin knew that he needed to be in control and in a position that he liked when the chips went down.

Sabin drew the clear liquid into the syringe and flicked the plastic tubing a few times to get out the air bubbles. "Despite all appearences of being a tropical paradise, I will be honest with you, Nicky, you will likely find more here reminiscient of your old life than you would expect. And I would like to be able to give you a leg up in the system here, if you will let me. I can't tell you everything up front. Some of it you will need to find out on your own, but you can trust me in that you will be starting play with a distinct advantage."

"I don't think there is such thing as a free ride." Sabin gave a small smirk as he wiped down a spot on Nicky's arm and injected the serum. It was like a liquid fire that spread through his system with a strange tingling, but it disappated after a few moments, leaving Nicky with a sore arm and feeling vaguely uncomfortable.

Sabin tossed the materials aside and leaned against the examination table as he continued the conversation.

"Well, for one, you have an innate advantage with this very conversation. And while many of the residents here are of an ilk that you might be accustomed to, many don't have a respect for the authority. And... visa versa. You strike me as an intelligent fellow, Nicholas. And... I can't be too specific as far as how I will help you up front, but know that I will be looking out for you. In fact, I have already started. But that will be revealed in time."

And maybe, someday he could tighten the connection even further. While Sabin had bided his time and selected what he hoped would be an ideal canidate for the serum, he hadn't picked Nicky to come to the island itself. That selection was prearranged. He was a potential problem to the company, and Moreau had flagged him for retreival. While that alone wasn't necessarily a problem point, it was the reason for his removal that was. The truth he had almost hit upon. And the truth that, if Sabin was careful, could secure that edge that he needed to keeping Nicky on his side, and against Moreau's. But now was certainly not the time for that. He would need to learn things first.

Sabin gave an approving smile with a nod. "I am glad to hear that Mr. Bartels. And I will see to it that you are as comfortable as possible here in our care."

He paused before hailing the guard to escort him back. "And... for a little bit of information to start you out... you can probably find a good source of information and possibly an ally with an individual by the name of Richard Harrison... though I would not put your implicit trust in them... Same goes for Zachary. Awen is also a good person. There are others, but those would be my reccomendations.." He paused before continuing.

"Your upstairs neighbor is going to be one Gaius Harper. Keep an eye out for him. He likes to think of himself as a good samaratain, but he pushes his nose into other peoples' business, and is a bully to boot if he does not agree with you. He will continuously antagonize and harass people, thinking that he is looking out for people."

Sabin shared a conspiratory grin with him with a final nod. "You will find a roster of the names and duplex numbers of all of our residents hanging in the cafeteria if you need to find anyone. And the intercoms in your room can dial out to any room by putting in their room number and hitting pound. And... I will see to it that you are put through to me directly if you have need to call the labs, as long as I am available. Just dial Zero to reach us."

Sabin tapped the button to summon the elevator, and a moment later it dinged open, empty.

"This will take you back to the ground floor, and the man who escorted you here will take you to your duplex. If you need anything else, or want to know anything else after aquainting yourself with the "village"... don't hesitate to call."

While Nicky was being lied too and, of course, setting up the dominoes for the life-altering events that were to take place over the next couple months, Eugene sat in the waiting room, his fancy briefcase in an empty seat and more important looking documents in his lap.

"Hee hee...Just think, Jacky," Eugene said cheerfully, "In a matter of hours we'll finally get this Moreau b*****d right in the a**."

Yep. And I'll be your hero. The one man who never left your side. Eugene thought, imagining Jacky and him together in a rather intimate nature. Mind you, in these fantasies he was always at least 7 feet tall and Brewster was 6 feet under ground.

Eugene had decided, from that moment he realised he loved her, that he would wait until after he won her case before admitting his feelings.

"Just a couple of hours..."

Can't even focus on...DAMNIT WOMAN WHAT DO YOU CALL FLAUNTING YOURSELF INFRONT OF THAT GOOD FOR NOTHIN' GREASEBALL GUY WITH GREAT HAIR AND A CRAPPY SUIT?!

"Well, it is Moreau's own private island. I'm sure you can get your Martini mix, Jacky. And I'm sure Brewster can watch his Jazzercise videos." Eugene said, swallowing his screaming monologue. Hell, he was going to be able to tell Jacky how he felt so very, very soon. Hell if he was going to be upset!