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 Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:39 am
"I'm used to the heat in summer, but damn, this is a much different environment to what I'm used to. For a start it's tropical, probably much closer to the equator than where I lived. And summer in Melbourne is much less humid than this. At least my hotel room has air conditioning." He grinned for a moment. "Man's ultimate triumph over nature, I say."
He was silent as Dr. Duvert spoke about the specimens.
"Great," He said, his tone suddenly hopeful. "Took a bit longer than I expected, but I'm glad to hear that you got it finished, and that it's genuine. So, when should I expect to be out of here again? I don't want to hang around here too much longer at all, and I've got plenty of things to do once I'm gone."
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:53 am
"Yes, this is true. The tropical weather can be killer. But at least it's growing later in the year - it should be cooler soon. But you can't get by here without the air conditioning - I will certainly drink to that!"
"Ah, and now the perpetual quandry. Once again, Sabin was asked up front for the truth, or at least a segment of it. Unlike many of the others, this Seth fellow had some fairly deep roots for suspicion. It likely wouldn't be long until he figured things out... should he push it longer...? Or watch his world fall to pieces around him now?
"As far as your departure date... well, there's been some rain cooking up recently, and it's not very safe to fly the chopper. I'm sure you're a busy man, but we're talking about money here to fit you for life. But we can wire the extra money to that account... does a sum of... oh... 12 million sound fair to you?"
Sabin pulled the number out of his a**, waiting to see how far the greed would aide to the man's gullibility.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:03 am
"Rain?" Seth asked, eyebrows raised. "I've been here a few days now, and there hasn't really been many clouds in the sky at all."
"Twelve million sounds just fine," Seth answered quickly, not wanting to sound ungrateful. But there was something nagging him in the back of his mind, and he bit his lip for a moment, going silent. He debated it feverently in his head for a moment, then just gave up, deciding to just come out with it.
"Er, I've a question for you, Dr. Duvert." Seth began, the cautious tone returning to his voice once again. "I met a Custodian on the path just outside the hotel room block, area, thing." He was grabbing at random words now as he tried to form the question in his mind properly. He was probably sounding unintelligent, but he didn't care. "And he was... er. I'm not going to mince words - he was a giant bloody frog!"
Seth was quiet again for a moment before continuing. "He said he used to work for the labs. What I want to know is, what the heck is the situation there? Do you know anything about that guy? I didn't catch his name, but it seems pretty messed up to punish ex-employees that way."
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:11 am
Ahhh... so he met Newt... Sabin tapped his finger on the desk, debating where to take the story next.
"Ahh... Mr. Filinas... yes... he was a rather... unfortunate incident." Sabin let a note of concern tinge his voice. "He never was the most competant individual... I am sure... that his ticks and stuttering were noticible even now, yes? He was working closely with some of our serums and... well... there was an accident. We're working with him, trying to rehabiltate him.... and there have been some fascinating results that some of our work has been able to affect the human condition... But... yes..."
How many more people had Seth met...? Had any others 'spoiled' him to the truth? Newt's paranoia and mannerisms didn't leave him to be the most reliable of informants.
"Of course... that money... and with our dealings... the projects that you see here are NOT to be spoken of off of this island."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:24 am
"Wait a second," Seth spoke in a low tone. "Are you offering me a bribe now? Because, you're not doing a very good job of it." Seth was tempted to badger him more about that, but let it pass for now. There were still more pressing matters he wanted to address.
"I heard some stories about this place," He continued. "From a kid, and this older guy with a cane. His name was Sid I think. The kid said he was being experimented on too, and the bloke with the cane as well. Both seemed awfully accepting about that. Seeing the frog-dude only made their stories seem a bit more valid. Either way, it seems really messed up, farfetched, and outright ridiculous."
He wanted to ask if he was stuck here too, but didn't want to press that just now. He tried something else he was good at - bargaining.
"Look, if you can just assure my ride off this place as soon as possible, I won't say a thing." Seth said in the most assuring voice he could muster. "As long as I get paid and I can get out of here first thing tomorrow morning, or whenever the storm passes, I'll forget about whatever I've seen here. Does that sound good to you?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:30 am
Sabin chuckled darkly. "No... no I don't think you understand. I'm not bribing you... I'm already paying you handsomely.... I am highly suggesting. Keep in mind that Feral Labs has a very far-reaching influence, Mr. Callaghan... and just as easy as we give you this money, we can ruin you. and of course they are accepting of it. they are here for the project."
"But... yes. We will get you off of here soon. The storm looked like it was going to hit tonight or tomorrow... beyond that, the weather here in the Bermuda Triangle is quite unpredictable. You wouldn't want to risk that sort of weather."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:48 am
"Ah, highly suggesting. Silly me." Seth had to grin in amusement at Sabin's tone of voice, and choice of words. "Of course, of course. I can understand how influential your company is, and I won't say anything when I leave, because I don't want to get into the s**t on that one. I don't want some hired goon to come along and break my kneecaps when I'm not looking."
"Project? What project?" Seth stopped dead in his tracks as it was mentioned. "The chaps I met in the cafeteria mentioned 'animal people' - is that it? Both the kid, and Sid said it was going to happen to me too, that it was going to happen to everybody. But..." He stopped again. "That's not going to happen to me, right?" His voice was a little desperate as he asked the question.
"I brought what you wanted." He began to quickly reason. "You're pleased with it, and you're paying me for it. Good enough, right?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:52 am
"I think you get the picture." Sabin purred at Seth's elaboration. "But... of course, we part here, exchange the money, and there will not be a need for such.. extreme measures."
"And nooo, no of course not. Not everyone on this island is becoming an animal-person, as you put it so colorfully - though I assure you that in most cases it is not nearly quite so dramatic. Again, Mr. Filinas had a rather... unfortunate - though admittedly fascinating - mishap."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:10 am
Seth seemed somewhat calmer and rose to his feet, twizzling the phonecord in his fingers. It was something he did out of habit when he talked on the phone sometimes. He did not know why - but it was probably partially because he had nothing else to do.
"I suppose how you could see that interesting, if you're a man of science..." Seth had to admit. "But I don't get it - the people I met in the cafeteria, even the frog guy himself. They all said I wouldn't be leaving this place. Why would they say that if you're saying it was an accident? Clearly somebody here is telling a lie."
"As long as I get off this island again as soon as possible, I'll pretend I didn't see anything." He said finally, shrugging. "I don't see any signs of a storm brewing anywhere nearby, but I'll take your word for it..."
"Oh yes," Seth said as a thought suddenly struck him. "Can you tell me where I might be able to find a wireless internet access point, or any access point at all, really? I've taken my laptop to a few places around this place, and it hasn't been able to pick up on a single connection. I really want to get onto the internet, but I've not been able to get on it once since I arrived here..."
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:18 am
Sabin was tempted to crack a joke about not wanting to leave because it was such an island paradise, but he held back. "Well, they're not going to be leaving... at least not for a long time. The project is utter secret, you see. Maybe they thought you were part of the project. You see, most of the residents in the "village" are."
"And sorry, the only network we've got is a LAN for the scientists - no connections to the greater web. I'm sure you'll be able to go a couple of days without the net." He finished with a chuckle.
"So, unless there's anything else..?"
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:26 am
"Yeah, I suppose I'll go a few more days without the internet," Seth replied, his tone a tad glum. "Especially if I won't be here much longer. I don't like hearing that news because I like to be connected. But I'll put up with it for another few days."
"I suppose there is one thing," Seth replied upon being asked if there was anything else. "If I'm to stay here a bit longer, I'm going to need some sunglasses. I didn't bring any with me, you see. Just a pair of Ray-Bans, or Oakleys would do the trick, nice ones that block out the glare. That would be pretty much all I need for now."
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:29 am
Sabin rolled his eyes. Even if what he was being told WAS true, heaven forbid being away from the internet for a few days when he was going to be receiving almost 20 million dollars. Supposedly.
He shook his head with a chuckle. Of course, he'd be seeing none of that.
"Of course, we can get you a pair delivered to your hotel room door soon." That, on the other hand, he could do.
With a few keystrokes, he saw to it that it was flagged for delivery - he was sure that they had a pair or two around the facilities.
"And I wish you a pleasant stay here, Mr. Callaghan! We'll give you details on your flight home after the weather clears and we hear from our pilot."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:16 am
"Thanks very much, Dr. Duvert." Seth replied. "I look forward to hearing from you again. Cheers."
With that, he hung up the phone, and lay down on his bed to think, resting his hands behind his head as he relaxed out on the bed. He kicked his shoes off and stared up at the ceiling, his eyes focussing on nothing in paticular. His mind still wasn't at ease just yet, but Sabin had put some things into perspective for him. Even if it was a skewed perspective and his answers were lies, Seth had bought them for the time being.
"I hope he brings me good sunglasses," Seth mumbled to himself. "And I want my internet back. Damn it."
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Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:35 pm
As promised, a small package is left by his door a couple of hours later with a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Women's Oakley's... but Oakley's nonetheless.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:06 pm
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