|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:49 am
Cody Archer
Cody was half asleep in his new accomodations, idly floating bellyup. It wasn't a bad place, though it was far from being as conforting as his duplex
He had been moved to the large tank last night and after a quick inspection he realised it was like a glass wall aquarium with no place for him to sit and rest. But compared to the water bed he was rather happy with it, despite feeling like a zoo animal. At least he had enough space to swim Robin Fergusson Robin stood on the other side of the tank, ever writing notes. She had watched him for a good long while, taking notes on how he rested and how he moved, recording with videos, stills, with transposed digital meters. Finally, though, she came out across the platform in a black one piece swim suit, her dreadlocks all pulled back into twin pigtails that stood up in the air like bundles of oats. "Good morning!" She set the bucket down beside her. It had been twelve hours since she had offered him the sardines, and a good twenty four hours since he had been unhooked from his introvenious feeding. Fish, fat, silver and quivering flopped in her bucket noisily Cody Archer Cody woke up and turned to see who it was, his body sinking back into the water as a counterbalance to his head rising above the water level. It was that woman from last time, though he was rather curious on why she was wearing the swimsuit. Maybe not to get herself wet when he approached
The bucket was another thing that caught his eye, but he didn't make the connection with the fish. He couldn't see them from that angle and he didn't recognized the flopping noise
"Morning" he was trying not to laugh at her pigtails, though he couldn't help to chuckle Robin Fergusson "Are you hungry?" She smiled down at him enthusiastically, sitting on the edge of the pool far up high above him, leaning on the railing. Cody Archer Cody's stomach answered before he did with a quite loud reply. One of the reasons he had been snoozing to begin with was to keep the hunger at bay
"Yeah" Robin Fergusson "Well, then I think you're going to like the game I have to play with you today," Her smile widened, almost feline like as she gave a chuckle Cody Archer
"Game?"
She first talked about food and now of games? Was she crazy or something!? Robin Fergusson "So you like swimming? How good are you? Can you do any tricks?" Cody Archer "Yeah, but what do you mean by tricks?"
Cody was starting to get suspicious and not liking the direction this was taking Robin Fergusson "You know... things you couldn't do befor they you can do now." She smiled, harmless as could be Robin Fergusson "Like... how fast can you swim? You'd know better than me," She folded her arms and rested her chin on them, lookign down at him. She was patient. "Any nifty things you can do with that talented tail of your's?" Cody Archer "I dunno. I never measured it!"
Cody was getting rather bored with this conversation, mostly because of the complains coming from his stomach. And the mentioning of the tail only helped shortning this patience
"It's stupid! It only brought problems!!!" Robin Fergusson "I don't know, I think you could have a lot of fun with it. Did you ever watch Flipper, Cody?" She replied, calm as could be as she reached into the bucket Cody Archer "No, I didn't and I don't think I want to!" this was mostly his hunger talking. His stomach kept saying 'enough nonsense, where's the food?' Robin Fergusson "Do you know how Dolphins can dance along the top of the water? Up on their tails? Have you ever seen them do that?" Cody Archer "Yeah, but I can't do that"
To tell the truth Cody could barely get any decent jumps out of the water. Most it was fault of the still existant leg structure merged with his tail. It didn't allow him enough flexibility to propell him fast enough. And he also had problems keeping the stability of the jumps, but that was lack of experienc Robin Fergusson Robin wanted to see him try, though. She moved to stand, in one hand holding up a nice fat flopping fish up over the side of the tank, and in the other, she held a remote control that controlled the camera system to collect all the data she could. "If you try for me, I'll give you breakfast Cody Archer In another occasion Cody would say eating whole fish like that was completely discusting, but considering how hungry he was his dolphin side took the best of him. That fish sure looked delicious and the way it wiggled only made it look more tempting
It was a good thing that Robin wasn't holding the fish up like a treat to tempt a dog to walk on 2 legs and beg, otherwise he would have refused no matter how hungry he felt. If there was 2 things he had was stubborness and pride
Cody tried to remember the move she asked and understand how the dolphins did it. From what he could recall it was just "walking" backwards really fast
Of course it wasn't as easy as it seemed. No matter how much he tried, all he could manage was a clumbsy series of splashes and falls. One of them even made him hit the head on one of the sides of the tank Robin Fergusson Once she was sure she had enough data on the movements, she tossed the fish into the water, "Bravo! Bravo! That was a good attempt, at least!" She encouraged with an excited round of applause Cody Archer Cody wasn't so proud of himself. His head really hurt
But he caugh a glimpse of the silvery fish swimming in the tank and he quickly went into hunting mode. Usually that meant a lot of frustrating attempts to grab the slippery thing (his hands weren't really meant to grab them and his teeth were far from being suitable for the job), but this one was still recovering from being exposed to the air for so long, so it was an easy catch Robin Fergusson
And Robin took pictures of the whole ordeal, throwing a second one in while he ate the first to give it enough time to recover befor he had to give chase. She stepped back, reaching for a swiveling flat-panel review monitor to glance over what footage she had captured thus far Cody Archer Cody was splitting his first caught fish apart and swallowing when the second one entered the tank with a rather loud (to him) splash. He was too famished to process what he was really doing, but as soon as he finished his small meal he proceeded to grab the next one
Because it had time to recover, Cody found himself in a load of trouble to catch it. He was faster and cornering it agaisnt the sides of the tank wasn't very hard, but every time he tried to grab it the fish dodged him like wet soap. It was a good thing he couldn't talk underwater, otherwise he'd be swearing and cursing all the time
But after a while he finally managed to tire the fish down enough to splat it against the glass surface. The hits it took against the sides of the tank over and over again during the chase probably helped as well
He immediatly proceeded to eat his well earned food. He was tired and hungrier than before after all that work Robin Fergusson "Very good, Cody! Very well done!" She cheered him on, clapping her hands in excitement. For doing such a good job, she turned the bucket over, spilling the rest into the tank with him. It was fascinating to watch how he moved, how he was able to navigate, and how he went after the fish. She wanted to see more of that instinctual behavior Cody Archer Cody's face was a mix between awe and horror. Loads of food, but all living and swimming around like mad butterflies. He didn't felt like he had enough energy to chase him all down, not after spending more than he gained. He swam back to the surface, with an irritaded expression
"What the hell are you doing!?!" Robin Fergusson
"Seeing what you're capable of," She smiled back easily, watching the handfull of fish scatter about the tank Cody Archer Cody wished he could just swim up, grab the legde and apply a good shove on that woman and make her fall in the tank. But sadly, as he had tried earlier, his arms couldn't hoist himself up, not without the help of the now unexisting legs
Annoyed, hungry and frustrated, he proceeded back to his swimming breakfast. But instead of chasing down the fish again, he contended himself with the few fish that were dead or halfway there. He was not going to give her the satisfaction Robin Fergusson She didn't seem to mind, stepping back from the edge to riffle through her data. She had collected a lot, and would need to sort through it befor performing more tests. The boy needed to build up his streighnth. "Those should keep you busy for a while," She nodded, pleased with herself. She'd let him go once he finished with all of those fish, to make sure she got as much data as possible. Cody Archer
Cody waited until that horrible woman left. He was still hungry, but he managed to control the urge for a while. But in the end hunger won and he was forced to hunt again
After what it seemed forever there were only a few couple of fish that had managed to evade him, but the rest were no more than piles of fishbones and a few remainers of flesh and scales
He was tired and discusted with himself, but his stomach no longer ached. So soon sleep came over and he dozed off on one of the corners of the tank, occasionally coming to the surface for air Robin Fergusson She let him sleep naturally for a little while befor having him buzzed. His wounds were checked over once more, a final protective salve rubbed on them befor he was transported back to his duplex. He would awaken in his duplex the next morning, all in one piece with the addition of a curious band clipped around his wrist. It seems to be of some sort of plastic, but is too strong a material for sissors or a knife from the cafeteria to cut, with a bar code printed along an inch of it. Robin likes keeping track of her experiments
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:37 pm
A Dinner Two Days Before Valentine's...
He wanted to be well dressed, but not as much as to make Aubrey uncomfortable. He put on the nice shirt, leaving the top button unbuttoned to give it the casual look he wanted. Moreau took the elevator down to get Aubrey.
He'd already had a nice dinner prepared, and instead of trying to show off luxary, as he'd done before and Aubrey was used to he had instead arranged a more casual atmosphere in the main room. After only a few minutes of travelling across the labs he showed up at her office and gave the door a small rap.
Aubrey was expecting him and had made a point to look nice herself. She had to keep up appearances, at least, until she figured everything out. She answered the door with a nod and a smile. "Hey."
"Hello there, one nice dinner as promised. I thought maybe we could sit and enjoy a movie together. If that's okay with you?" Moreau gave a small smile.
"I also have something to show you before we ea,." he then offered his hand to Aubrey.
Aubrey gave a nod, "Sounds nice." It wasn't a total lie...it wasn't that Aubrey didn't enjoy his company. Especially when he was there with her, holding her hand..
She felt her resolve waver and she hated herself for it.
At the mention of the surprise, Aubrey lifted an eyebrow curiously. "Oh?"
"Yes, you'll see... it's in the mansion." he gave a half smile and lead Aubrey on. "It took some rush work, but I decided that it was worth postponing my research just another day longer to cordinate this."
After only a few, Moreau took Aubrey back up to the mansion, to one of the many unused rooms, but it didn't look cold and desolate anymore. Moreau had had the whole room decorated, with animal wallpapers and various dangling items. All very colorful, and highlighting the beautiful crib that he'd had painted to match.
It was actually quite stunning.
The room also featured an intercom system, that would stay on, and link right into the bedroom, or whatever room it was programed for, having many buttons conviently set up. So that the baby wouldn't be unattended.
"Oh my..." Aubrey stepped into the nursery, eyes widening. "Oh, Nick this is...."
She focused on that baby, just the baby. That's all she could. Don't get hung up on Nick, or whether or not she would even be able to use this room at all. For now, though, she just wanted to pretend.
"This will be perfect," she said after a few minutes of stunned silence. "We need stuffed animals. Lots and lots of stuffed animals..." she was already planning it out in her head. "And pillows, of course. We could make plushie-nets out of green rope to look like vines..." She motioned to the corners and flitted about the room, a blissful look on her face.
[20:36] Moreau slipped behind Aubrey and kissed her neck. "Of course... anything you need. All I want is to be a better father to my son than he ever was to me. I don't want to be distant from this child." Moreau sighed, "And on that note, I have another decision to discuss with you."
Moreau brought her a step closer to reality as he kissed her neck and she shuddered - not a bad shudder. The comfort and familiarity actually felt good. Really good.
"What's that?" she said, with just an small hint of hesitation.
"I don't want to become my father, more involved with his business than his life. My research can be consuming, but I will have to place importance on my son too." Moreau smiled, he was proud of his decision.
"I'm going to allow Feral Labs to become public, but with some provisions that should protect my interests in it. I should be able to retain controlling shares, making my word no less powerful than it was." Moreau understood that as long as he owned atleast 50% of the company stock, he had the majority vote and kept him where he liked to be, ultimately in charge.
"In exchange, I'll be able to leave the details to the other board members who want to run things. Though anything that requires a vote will ultimately come down to my decision. In exchange, they'll leave me to my research for the most part." Moreau clenched his hand.
"Ultimately, I know they want me out, but I should be able to satate them this way, and perhaps turn the tables on them." Moreau gave a wicked grin.
"If everything works out I won't have to return and we can get ready for the wedding you deserve. I've already prepared the offer for delivery. But... I wanted your opinion." the question was an honest one, or atleast it seemed so.
[20:50] Aubrey's eyes widened a bit. "Oh..." she was not a businesswoman of course, but she wasn't a fool to these kind of issues.
"Public...?" She pulled back a litle, crossing her arms. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, yes you'll have control. But going public... " She shook her eyes. "That seems to be inviting a lot of public attention. Any significant holders might want to know ... details. We have expense reports that would raise a ton of red flags. its hard enough keeping this place low-key when its soley your property already."
"I know, but I believe I can put things in place to protect us. The expendatures are mostly examined to account for false profit reporting, if we try to keep things convincing we should be okay." Moreau sighed, "We may have to be a little more low key, but... I want to be here with you and my child, and my research. This is my passion. I am not my father."
Aubrey chewed on her lower lip. "You'd be breaking up a family tradition, though. I just..." she looked slightly away, not even really believing she was encouraging this, "don't think you should make any rash decisions."
"So you would rather that I not spend my time here with you and my child?" Moreau sounded almost insulted. The expression on his face turned a bit sour and cold, he was slipping into the personality that radiated indifference. "You were upset with me when I had to leave? I thought this was what you wanted."
"I've tried repeatedly to change for you." Moreau said.
"I'm not upset with you," she insisted, putting her hand on his arm. "I'm just worried. Obviously our future, and our child's future, hinges a lot on this company. We have to be careful."
"Fine... I'll try to find another way to quickly bring this to a close then. Now that I'm back I intend to finish what I started... with my research, and with my marriage." Moreau had a look that indicated when he was determined and unwilling to bend. Aubrey obviously had seen it before.
"I trust your judgment," she said, soothing him. "Forgive me, I'm just being protective. Its probably the hormones."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:38 pm
heart Valentine's Day heart
When Aubrey entered her office the next morning. She found the suprise that Moreau had taken care of during the night, he'd ordered the supplies when he ordered the babyroom suplies. As her first suprise of Valentine's Day, the entire office was decorated in roses of different colors, laid out in intricate patterns. They covered the cabinets and walls and litterally spun around the entire room. Though it might make working a bit difficult, it was quite a sight. The only thing not covered on some level with roses was the center of the desk, the workspace. That spot on the desk was reserved for a very classical, but expensive, large box of chocolate truffles.
Aubrey was impressed, she had to admit. She laughed good-naturedly and helped herself to one (or three) of the chocolates before rushing out to find Moreau. She pinned one of the red roses to her shirt before heading out.
Moreau had left his office door unlocked, but everything important was of course filed away and locked. The reason he'd done this though was to light the entire office with candles, no lights were turned on inside but the room had a warm but dim tone to it. A white box sat in the middle of the desk. Of course, he wasn't in his own office.
Aubrey placed her hands on her hips and gave a wry smile, looking around and up at the camera. Wherever Moreau was, she knew he was watching her.
She sauntered over to the box and looked at it curiously, lifting up the lid carefully.
Inside was an expensive looking pretty but sexy cut dark red dress. It obviously had been designed to Aubrey's size and once investigated revealed the designer was a Michael Kors, a famous designer for Hollywood fashion.
Aubrey pulled out the dress and purred her approval. Not finding any note or special instructions she wondered if she should change now or if this was reserved for later. And lay the dress back in the box carefully and held it close, peering out of the office for any sign of Moreau yet.
Moreau was nowhere to be found, nor did he show up anytime shortly after.
Aubrey made her way back up to her room, then, to change into the dress after dressing up her hair. She even put on her contacts and make-up for the event, loving the excuse to really dress up. She smiled at herself in the mirror, smoothing the dress over her stomach, impressed with how flattering the maternity dress was. She headed back towards her office, still wondering when Nick would show himself.
When Aubrey headed up to her room in the mansion, Moreau had an almost overlookable suprise in the same room with her. A yellow diamond was set in the middle of a neckless some smaller diamonds lining the silver colored neckless. A note was included in the box "Keep looking." is all it said. It also had a heart next to it.
Wow, Nick was really pulling out the stops. She had to swallow down the guilt as she donned the necklace, making her way back out of the bedroom, heading into the dining room.
In the middle of the table was chocolate flower. Obviously hand crafted and made from an assortment of different chocolates to create the color and a variety of flavors. Petals of it could be broken off and eaten without destroying the entire thing. A small label included beside it labeled it was a "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not". Another note was on the other side that simply said "Nope."
Aubrey chuckled, hoping there wasn't anything crypic by the note. She ate a few of the petals before taking off again. She tried the nursery this time.
Moreau had obviously made good on his promise, and the room was decorated with stuffed animals. They littered the entire room. Another note was left there saying "Not occupied yet." on top of a rather large stuffed elephant.
Aubrey flitted about the room, squeeing over several stuffed animals before wondering where else to look. She back towards the labs, stopping by the lobby, before heading back towards the main offices.
As Aubrey entered in the elevator to head back downstairs, the same one she'd taken up, a sealed envelope was sitting in the middle of it. With a red heart shaped wax seal closing it. When opened, it mearly had a brochure for Venice, Italy inside it. Apparently highlighting a romantic dinner on a boat that toured the waterways.
Aubrey blinked, surprised. She headed to the lobby, wondering if there was an escort there to take her to the helipad.
Even the guards were dressed up in cute tuxes, and looking disgruntal about it for the event. They were waiting downstairs, of course armed, which would be enough to throw off the mood, if it wasn't so essential lately. They were ready to escort Aubrey out to a jeep to take her out to the helipad.
Aubrey chuckled, straightening the bow tie of one of the guards in a matronly manner. Despite everything, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Not right now. She covered her hair carefully with a scarf and made her way out to the Jeep.
The guard rolled his eyes a bit but didn't voice any complaints. Aubrey was driven out to the helipad, the guards that weren't driving obviously keeping their guns cocked and watching for any signs of danger. The jeep arrived out at the helipad, where more guards protected Moreau as he waited there, with the helipad. He was wearing an expensive tuxedo of course, it appeared to be made entirely of silk. In the helicopter even James had gotten tuxed up, though considering his normal taste in clothing, it didn't look that different. Except for the bowtie.
Aubrey hopped out of the Jeep the moment it came to a stop, rushing over to Moreau and slipping her arms around his waist. "Been busy?" she said, flashing him a toothy smile.
"A bit, I didn't get to sleep much last night, I didn't delegate... most of it. My only hope is to make up for missing Christmas." Moreau grinned and took her hand and kissed it.
"It's beautiful," she said, touching the necklace around her neck. "And the dress, thank you!" She reached up and placed a tender kiss on his cheek.
Moreau smiled, he then bowed and offered the helicopter to Aubrey. "I assume you can guess where we are heading?" he asked knowing the answer. "Happy Valentine's Day, Aubrey."
"Sounds perfect," she said, heading up. "I can't wait." She prayed the flight wouldn't upset Junior. At least she could still fly for a few more weeks/
Moreau took Aubrey up in the helicopter, and out on the expensive date he'd planned for her. The helicopter leaving the island and flying at a more careful speed to avoid anything happening.
Aubrey made herself comfortable, sitting close to Moreau and leaning against his shoulder during the flights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:36 pm
The blue towel was wrapped around his neck coupled with the bermuda-print patterned swimtrunks and flipflops were the only adornments Sabin wore as he clacked down the hallway towards the elevator that led to the swimming pool. He didn't mind the suprised - or resentful - looks that the other labtechs shot him. If anything, they tickled a small part of him, pleased to get reactions out of his co-workers.
But he didn't let them keep him. He needed some time to himself and to just try to relax. And he had been spending enough time already holed up in his room and needed a change of environment. He had still heard hardly anything from Aubrey since Moreau's return.... save for business papers forwarded to him that needed to be read, or signatures, and then there was nothing out of the ordinary.
So when Sabin saw that he was not the only individual seeking out the pool for a respite, he was caught by surprise. There was the very woman who had been lingering on his thoughts. Perhaps he shouldn't have been surprised. Since Annie and Jamal, most of the staff who could avoid leaving the complex had kept to its safe confines. And with no beach bar (not that Aubrey could visit it due to her... condition) or beach for that matter, the pool had always been a close substitue for the woman to relax at. They had had many interesting conversations there in the past, thanks to the benefit of the water in concealing voices.
Sabin finally shook himself from his pregnant pause and continued towards the brunette with a strange smile on his face, and eyes seeking hers questioningly.
Aubrey was in the hot tub, head back propped up on a few rolled up towels. She looked like she was about to nod off, until the sound of someone entering in the pool room made her lift her head. Her heart immediately jumped to her throat when she saw Sabin approaching her, and she quickly averted her eyes. She had the oppurtunity to really approach him since Moreau got back, which made her feel guilty. That guilt just made her want to avoid him more, which just compounded the problem into a vicious cycle. She sat up as he approached, and ran her hand through her thick hair nervously.
: Sabin seemed vaguely hesitant, but continued on to the hot tub regardless, not uttering a word until he was seated beside her in the hot water. He looked at her, eyes scrutinizing her expression before wetting his hands and running it through his hair.
"It has been a while since I have seen you."
"Things have been crazy," she said, still not meeting his eyes, though they did linger on his bare chest. "That's not really an excuse, though."
: Sabin shook his head slowly. "If anything... I would have liked to see you. I wish I knew more of what has been going on." Things had certainly been frustrating in the lack of information, and Sabin had been seeking out... distractions.
"Well, obviously you heard that Nick's back..." she rolled her shoulders. "So there's that." She looked up, scanning the room for the cameras with a pointed frown
.
: Sabin grimaced. "Who has not. And even if I had not heard... your absence for the past few weeks would have been enough to tell me that." He glanced down at the water and back at Aubrey, emphasizing the significance that its presence indicated for the purposes of a candid conversation. "I also saw the masses of roses that appeared around the labs on Valentine's day. Just.. as I assumed. He throws money at you to show off and pretend that nothing is wrong."
Aubrey's arm crossed in front of her. "He hopefully has no reason to believe anything is wrong."
: "If he does, then nothing has come from me. But you should know as well as I that there is more 'broken' about the relationship than Moreau's less than temporary lapse in morals."
"Obviously," she said finally meeting his eyes, "but you made me promise not to say anything about it. I have to be careful here, Sabin. I can't just decide I don't want to be with him anymore. He's given no reason recently to ... I mean... " she hissed through her teeth. "He's selling making the company go public, so he can be a better father.."
: "I know... I know. But I don't know anything about what is going on with the two of you. I haven't seen you since he got back. And I have seen in the past how he has the miraculous ability to disappate all the righteous anger you have for the man with a show of wealth or meticulously planned kindness."
: Sabin tapped his fingernails on the tile side of the hottub. "Selling the company...? That... sounds like a very poor idea." His mouth formed a thin line. "Although I am no businessman... it just seems to be an invitation for problems. He is all about control... the only reason he would give up control in one area is to perfect his hold on the other..."
Her eyes narrowed/ "That's nice. Obviously all it takes is money or 'meticulously planned kindness' to get me into bed. Tell me, Sabin, is that why you came swooping in to tell me the painful truth like some tragic knight in shining armour?"
: Sabin scowled at the thinly veiled accusation. He was bitter. Bitter about Moreau's impromptu return, itter about Aubrey's subsequent disappearence, and bitter about the timing. "Dammit, Aubrey. That is not what I am talking about! You are being defensive, but you must know that you have a weakness for the madman. You have been angry at him in the past and all it takes is five minutes and you are in his pocket again." He crossed his arms. "And all I see is that something is happening between us, he comes back, and you disappear. What am I supposed to think?"
"Yes, I have a weakness for him Sabin!" she said, throwing up her arms. "I agreed to marry him! Goddammit, I'm carrying his baby,!" She took a breath and tried to calm herself down. "But I'm not some kind of gold digger, and I am not...'in his pocket,' okay? I'm trying to be careful, Sabin. For my sake. And yours. And the baby's."
: "I never said you were some sort of gold digger! But you are frequently in his pocket - meaning that you are under his control. And I know. You need to be careful. But not seeing me at all is not a solution to the problem. If anything, it is more suspicious."
"Suspicious? Of what? That I might be cheating on your with my fiance?"
: Sabin growled, crossing his arms across his chest. "No - when you avoid someone entirely it usually means that something might be going on - be it positive or negative. If you are so concerned of him 'finding something out' then avoiding me is NOT the solution." His eyes narrowed. "But perhaps this is a moot point. You are angry, and you are defensive. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you are happy with him." Sabin flicked his wrist angrily and dismissively and made to get up
"Dammit, Sabin, I just don't know what I'm susposed to do!" she cried desperately, hand reaching out to stop him. "Or feel... I'm scared."
: He paused, anger seeping away as he heard the need and fear in her voice. He sighed heavily and sloshed back into the water. He patted the hand that held him and glanced back at her eyes. "I cannot tell you what to feel. But you need to figure out what you want or else nothing can be done."
Aubrey's fingers entertwined with his as the slipped under the water. "I know, and I shouldn't have been avoiding you. Time is flying, I didn't realize how long it had been, there was no excuse."
: Sabin huffed with a nod. An apology.... good. That is more along the lines of what he had wanted to hear. Not an attack. "Yes... time is flying. And time is exactly what we cannot bear to waste. Before you know it he will be trying to squeeze you into a white dress and saying things like "forever" and "mine" and all that, and it will be even more difficult. And you have another timer going on.." He glanced at her swollen stomach "That will make things more difficult."
"I know," she said, averting his eyes. "He wants us married before the baby comes,and he has not seemed to like my hesitance."
: "There is a surprised. I thought that part of his excuse to you for delayign the marriage initially had to do with the pregnancy... or was that the only reason that you were alright putting it off? He certainly seems to be attentive to your feelings - and this is before the wedding. I can only imagine it after he has you in his wedlock."
"Yes yes, you've made your point. It just would be a lot easier if Moreau gave me some kind of legitimate reason to be angry with him."
: "And his long disappearence and attempt at controlling every other aspect of your life is not enough? But then again, I only hear of the repercussions and am not subject to the roses and sweet words - for which I am thankful. But regardless, take a step back, ignore how he says things and just think about what he is trying to get you to do. You may be surprised."
"Perhaps. I'm not budging on the wedding. Its 'modern' enough I'm pregnant before getting married, but there's no way I'm walking down that aisle in a maternity dress."
: "Well, I am glad to hear that. And it should be interesting to see how pissy Moreau gets when you tell him that he cannot get his way. I applaud you for standing up to him in at least one area - perhaps it can be a bridge to more in the future. Delight in the word "no". " he smirked. "That is assuming, of course, that he does not - now that he has made his grand return - does not just disappear behind the doors of his office and forget about the wedding and the baby until the day he is born."
Aubrey just shrugged. "You know, Dr. Frost's office is still basically left as-is. I'm going to be in there most of the afternoon going through her files.. see if I find anything interesting. Might as well get some use out of that abandoned office."
She said with a completely dead pan voice, but there was a definately impish twinkle to her eye and she started to make her way out of the water.
: Sabin nodded. "That does not sound like a bad idea. I still wondered if there was any ulterior motive to Moreau hiring her or what her particular assignments were. Although, I suppose that if there were any dirty little secrets, they likely would have been swept under the carpet long ago." Sabin paused, then, catching the look in her eye with a purse of his lips.
If she was implying.... it would be risky... dangerous... and wouldn't solve any problems... except showing perhaps where Aubrey's loyalties might actually lie... that or another distraction and something whose repercussions she didn't want to deal with. But it was more of an answer than he had been left with than after that one night before Moreau's prompt arrival.
"But perhaps I can help you look..."
Aubrey didn't respond, she just wrapped the large terry cloth towel around her expanding waistline and headed towards the woman's locker room. "You will know where to find me if you decide you want to," she said over her shoulder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:22 am
Surprisingly, it took Sabin a few days to actually figure out that Moreau had left the island again. It wasn't like he had left him a note. No, of course not, heaven forbid that Moreau actually keep in touch with his higher ups. He was so caught up with work that needed to be done and his... personal projects... that the sudden vacancy of the unmistakable redhead had slipped his notice. Besides... it wasn't like he saw Aubrey very much on a day to day basis since he returned. Which irritated him. Moreau's timing had been impeccable, and enough to leave many unanswered questions, even with a few sparing conversations slipped into the days since.
So when Sabin did find out, with a wry smile to mask his uncertenties, he prowled the halls of the labs until he found the certain brunette that he saught. Leaning against the doorframe of her office, he cleared his throat sharply.
Aubrey nearly jumped out of her chair, having been deeply ingrossed in the file she had open on her computer.
"Sabin!" she said, scooting her chair back and awkwardly hefting her bulk to her feet. "I didn't hear you there..." she quickly closed to program she was working on and slid the manilla subject file closed and slid it under her keyboard.
His eyes lingered curiously on the moniter for just a moment before he sidled up to her with a rehersed smile. "I figured as much." He responded smoothly. "Although I am surprised that you didn't let me know personally about Moreau's departure this time." His thumbs hooked in his pockets and he leaned against the desk by her.
"What has kept you so occupied since then. Or... have you been avoiding me?"
"Of course not," she said, resting a bit on the desk herself but avoiding looking directly into his eyes. "Just work keeps piling up, and, well, I dunno. I guess I just expected him to come walzing back in at a moments notice like he did last time..."
She glanced at him awkwardly, then looked away. "He doesn't know how long this time." Her hand went instinctively to her swollen belly, stroking it in an almost nervous fashion.
"Right. Of course. You do know, of course, that in your state Moreau all but ordered that you delegate most of your responsibilities to others. You are working because you choose to."
He huffed at her worry. "Well. Things are getting later. I am amazed, frankly, that he has not managed to rope you into marrying him yet. And of course he does not know. You think he woudl give you - either of us - a precise date of his return even if he knew? I surmise that he likes the element of surprise whenever possible. Merde, he did not even tell me he had left. I had to figure that out myself."
"Really?" A frown pulled at her mouth. "I figured you knew."
She tested his reaction and stepped towards him tentatively. "He hasn't talked about... that very much. He mentioned wanted to get married legally soon, before the baby was born, and having a reception on the mainland." She sighed, "I didn't really react well to that, and he hasn't mentioned it since."
Sabin snorted derisively. "Married before the child was born? My my, isn't he eager to get everything signed and sealed? Even though you already were able to delay the wedding once because you didn't want it to look like a shotgun wedding. Besides, now it's just a bit more obvious, do you not think?" He crossed his arms and looked pointedly at the swell beneath her shirt.
"At least he dropped it, I suppose. Though that surprises me. And to hold it on the island!? That is ridiculous. What, was he going to have Father Stewart marry you like the islanders are looking to do?" He barked a laugh.
Aubrey fell silent on the subject, just nodded along in agreement with Sabin as he ranted. She felt very awkward talking about Moreau in anything but a professional role with Sabin since... well. Since.
However, for Sabin, voicing his snide opinions on the good doctor were quite theraputic. For too long he had mostly bottled them in. Now, with a willing ear, he was able to let the niggling annoyances come to voice, and hopefully fall on sympathetic ears. Or better yet, ears that might be swayed by his opinions.
"When are you going to do something? What do you want for me to do, Aubrey? Last we spoke you seemed to insinuate that you still had feelings for me... and yet nothing has happened. You will not give me any instructions or even what it is that you wish other than pipe dreams of things like Moreau deciding to never come back or some such. The world does not work like that."
Aubrey knitted her brows, already not liking where this conversation was heading. "I don't know!"she snapped, knowing that answer wouldn't sate him. It never did, and that's all Aubrey seemed to come up with.
She crossed her arms and made her way to the minifridge, pulling out a bottled water and plopping down on the couch in her office with a pout. "Its so... complicated!"
And of course it didn't sate him. A scowl just dug into his features. "I know it is complicated. And it is getting ever more so as the child within you grows. I would think that you would have to, need to make a decision before the child is born and he can use that as even more leverage against you."
Sabin remained standing, though leaning against the desk. "You are just waiting for something to happen and repreive you from the decision." He gesticulated angrilly. "You know him for the man that he is. You have heard the orders that he has given behind your back, and still even if your relationship is a mockery you still follow along obediently, just silently disgruntled. How will things change if you cannot even decide what it is that you want? What you are willing to do? If anything, things are getting more difficult and complicated here. Jamal and Annie are still on the loose. Jamal has begun attacking other islanders. And now Thom is chipless." He gesticulated angrilly.
"Yes, I'm well around of the s**t piling up around me, thank you," she spat. "You don't seem to appreciate exactly how delicate of a situation I'm in! Moreau doesn't not know what I know, and God help me if he actually follows through with that he is promising! Not to mention no matter what happens, he is the father of this baby and that has to count for something. Plus I'm having to make decisions that are going to effect the rest of my life. There would be... no going back if I tried to break things off with Nick...and...and I don't even know how he would react..."
Aubrey felt her face flush red with the influx of emotions and stopped herself by taking a bit drink of water as she tried to calm herself down.
"Precisely! What you are doing now WILL affect the rest of your life. And I am well aware of your predicament, but I have yet to see you act! Or make any sort of decision! I am here to help you, but you have not made any sort of decision? What more do you need to know about your fiancee before it is enough to make you understand that he is not the man that you fell in love with? You have to ask yourself which is preferable? Not taking the risk and just following along with him as he tightens the noose around you more and more and more... or to take that jump and perhaps do something and take control of your life!"
He was breathing heavily, annoyed at Aubrey's irritation, and that this really wans't the foot that he had hoped to start things off on. But all of the frustration and silence from the past few weeks just exploded into accusations on Aubrey.
"You're not exactly unbiased council!" she snapped angrily. "I have more than my own life to think about now!"
"But by not making a decision, you ARE making a decision! And that decision is to let him win!" Sabin thew up his hands and stalked towards the door, then growled in frustration and spun back towards her.
"And of course I am biased! But apparently you do not care how domineering he is to you! That he will control every aspect of your life, and keep you too petrified to act against him! Congradulations! I knew it would be a bad idea that you would think that this child would be leverage against him! He has not even lifted a finger and you are already letting him use it against you!"
Aubrey glowered at him, looking as if she would have jumped out of her seat and attacked him has it not been for her delicate condition. Hot, angry tears slipped onto her cheeks and she lifted a pointed finger at him. "You have no given me any easy answers either!" she screamed accusingly. "I can't even confront Moreau about the baby to cover your a**, remember?"
Sabin's lip curled. "And what precisely would that accomplish for you either? What does it matter if you have justification or not to stand against him in his eyes? What would another argument with him produce? You already know that he had you chipped. You already know that he is keeping you here virtually a hostage. You already know that he has exiled you to to the other side of the fence for not always being on his side! You have had countless arguments with the man, and every time he feigns a bit of regret your anger melts away and suddenly he can do no wrong again. So what if you told him?! He would come up with some sort of justification, and once again another would take the fall for your transgressions. And then what? You would be alone against him. And you would damn me for making the 'mistake' of putting you before my own neck and telling you such information!"
"What you need to do - if you really do want to escape his grasp - is not something that can be solved with an argument, Aubrey! You know this!"
Aubrey softened a bit at Sabin's chastizing, anger quickly dissolving into dispair. "I'm scared," she said softly, turning her eyes from him. "About what he might do. He'll be suspicious of course. And I'm scared of what might happen to me, to the baby. To you, if he knew."
She looked down at her hands. "And I guess I feel a but guilty. I'm not longer a completely innocent party."
Sabin's lips stretched thin as some of his own irritation boiled away in the face of Aubrey's change in demeanor. "I know you are frightened.... but again, the more you just sit and worry and wring your hands, nothing will be done. And it will be the same as if you had just followed along with him. And Moreau was never innocent in any of this. I think that, all things considered, that your 'transgressions' would be more than understandable." Sabin muttered. "Look at this as if it were out there in the real world? A woman virtually held prisoner, all decisions taken from her hands? Would you blame her if she sought an out with another man who would treat her as a human being and not a possession?"
"No," she mumbled, barely audible. "I just wonder if its too late me for, that's all," she said in a tiny voice.
"It is only too late if you allow it to be. The child has yet to be born. Moreau is away. You have more power than I think you even give yourself the credit for. It is just a matter of how badly you want this freedom... and what you are willing to do for it."
"Maybe it will be easier for me to think without him here," she said with a tinge of hopefulness, looking up at him directly for the first time.
Sabin held her eyes as soon as they found him. "I hope that that is the case. But you need to be able to think even if he is here. Even if he comes to return. If you melt every time you are in his presence...." He trailed off as he knew she know the rest of the thought. "And you do need to think on it." He finished. "This is more important than the work of the labs that you are busying yourself with. Others can do it. Put your mind to the important things."
Aubrey rubbed her temples, nodding. "I've been distracting myself," she admitted. "Days are slipping by, I know. But I feel like my raging hormones might be influencing my decisions. Nick's been... so different since he came back. I would wonder if he knew something happened, but he would know by now if that was the case."
Sabin nodded slowly. "I would think, that if he did know, that his actions would have been different. Especially before he left again. We were careful, Aubrey. And I destroyed the evidence. But you are right, the days are slipping by and something needs to be done soon. Please. Let me know if there is something I can do for you."
"I guess I just have a hard time seeing a happy ending," she admitted with a frown. "Its like playing Russian Roulette or something."
"I know. I just suppose that you need to lay out the options. Keep in mind that there are many on this island who probably share similar sentiments about the good doctor. And you may have more allies than you think."
Sabin phrased that carefully. "Of course, ultimately, we do not want him even getting the slightest wind of anything. But he is just one man, and his power lies in his friends, and his technology. And he is even perhaps losing some of that influence as we speak back in the meetings. Not that we would likely ever really know if he truly lost power - at least, that is what he would hope.
Sabin had to question his own goals. This had been a truly, truly delightful game for him, and a delicious distraction from the dark thoughts that plagued him before he arrived. However the longer he was here, the more and more he saw of Moreau's megalomania and stranglehold on every aspect of power. He despised needing to ask for permission to do what he wished. And the overshadowing threats of punishment at even a perceived slight. It had become a power game, and one Sabin was tiring of. And beyond that, he had developed more than just a passing sympathy in Aubrey. From someone who was delightful to argue with, to a comrade, to a glimpse at something more and a painful reminder of just how much he had lost. Even the delightful distractions of the subjects was begining to dull - and while he loved his subjects as a creator, afficianato, and bringing his dreams to physical, breathing life... and his own power games with the other islanders, it was a fleeting pleasure. And it was succeeding in distracting him less and less from the other, more prevalent issues.
"I don't want to... destroy him. If its possible. I just don't know, that's where I'm struggling. I can't help but thinking someone's going to pay dearly for all of this."
"Ultimately, I think that someone will have to. I do not know if this masquerade, this secrecy can last forever. This is the modern day, after all. And you cannot hide something the size of an island forever, no matter how much money Moreau throws at it." He conceded. Sabin was willing to admit this, and had been thinking of ending scenarios and ways out since he had first arrived. It was going on two years now since the project started, though it seemed so much longer than that to him. Sabin had achieved his dreams, he had created his dragon, and had several other projects nearing completion. He had weighed his own options, and the choices between leaving the island or it being discovered versus the maintenance thereof...
And while as attractive as it sounded for him and Aubrey to rule over the island, to have that total power over the subjects and his devise his own creations with the building blocks that Moreau had developed without any strings attached... if there was no way to achieve that realistically... then he would prefer to either leave or blow the cover on the island and escape than to continue under Moreau's thumb. At least that way, perhaps Sabin could pull himself from this self-destructive cycle that he was fully aware came hand and hand with the island as his plaything. But ultimately that might prove just as difficult, if not more so.
"You're right... and its not like Moreau doesn't know the risks..." she looked around her plush office and heaved a sigh. "But I don't want to be the one throwing the switch."
She plushed at the fibers of the couch. "And I will never be able to escape my connection to this place. What will become of me? I can't ever really escape it, can I?"
"Why not?" He asked simply. "Someone will have to. Something will have to happen to Moreau for you to be free of him. You know this. You know he would not abide by you just moving on. And he would not trust you to leave the island. He would trust no one. So either the authorities find out... something... happens to Moreau - be it death or injection.... even severe injury may not do the trick.. or you find some way to cut him off from his power both from the computer systems and his connections. Other than that, unless you manage to distract him with another female - which it is getting quite late to do, especially in your 'delicate position' as you put it. " He crossed his arms.
"I suppose it boils down to if you would want to stay here with this place with more decisions in your hand... or if you would want it to be discovered? Unless you can think of other options that I have not."
Aubrey seemed to pale as Sabin talked, not wanting to hear what he was saying. "Maybe he would. He's broken the engagement once before... its not impossible..." Aubrey snorted. "And pregnant or not, Moreau wouldn't fall for another woman. Its just not like him."
Sabin nodded slowly. "Probably... you are right with this. He obsesses. He focuses... it would not be very much like him to be distracted. At least not with another romance." He snorted. "Of course he has other distractions, but unless you can figure out how to get him completely off of his control kick with just his projects, then I do not know other options. And do you seriously think he would just let you go? Obsessing as much as he does? You need to know your ideals, but at least keep a note of what we can plausibly fanangle."
Aubrey rolled her shoulders. "He's already said that the marriage was more for my benefit that his. He wants my loyalty more than he wants me" she snorted. But her expression softened thinking back on how he had been acting recently. "I don't know. I can't make a decision about what to do right now. There's a lot of soul-searching needing to be done."
Sabin scowled, but nodded. "I think that you are correct in that." He huffed, and then nodded. "Then... please do. It has been many weeks since I last brought this up. And as you said... that clock is ticking." He crossed his arms and sighed. "Action, of some sort, will need to be taken."
He pushed himself back to a full stand and headed back towards the door. "I will let you think of these things. Please do not forget all of the transgressions in your considerations, or the resources at your hands." Sabin had already been thinking that perhaps having more allies on the side of the islanders may not be a bad thing.
Aubrey just grunted her replay, watching him go.
"What are you prepared to do?" she called after him, just before he got out of sight.
He paused looking back. "Whatever is necessary." He said with conviction.
"If....if I have to do something," she started, "I'll need to know I have someone there to help me recover."
He nodded seriously. "Then you have him, Aubrey." Sabin summoned a smile - the first genuine one since the discussion started. "You have an ally, and a friend in me."
Aubrey smiled back. "You know I come with baggage, right? Physical and mental." She placed a hand pointedly on her stomach.
The smile remained, softening. "I think we all come with baggage. And I would welcome the chance." He nodded at her pregnant stomach. He would likely need something like that if he ever wanted to dredge himself out of this cycle. What would Samantha think of him if she saw how much he had fallen since she passed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:42 am
Sabin ran his hands through his hair for what was probably the twentieth time in the past hour. He wasn't even really aware of his actions, it was merely a physical manifestation of his anxiety and pent up restlessness. He had already finished the paperwork for the day, checked up on his team of scientists - who were on track - but he had barked out criticisms anywhere he could possibly find something. He needed someone to yell at. And now, he was flipping through the islanders on the monitering devices. Nothing was happening. Things were stagnating. And nothing was happening that he wanted to happen... and yet there was much more that needed his attention that he didn't want to deal with.
He huffed in irritation, scritching beastie behind the ears to calm his nerves. Aubrey's due date was creeping up - only about a month away and yet she still had been avoiding any of the important decisions. Sure, he had seen plenty of her, and little of Moreau recently - which theoretically should be a good thing...
Jamal and Annie were still at large, recently joined by Thom - who at least hadn't been attacking islanders. And Nicholas and Richard had not contacted him with any new information regarding Jordan - which did nothing to alleviate his anxieties. And yet, while everything seemed frozen... there was a creeping forboding that this was just the calm before the storm.
Aubrey tapped on Sabin's door, heaving a huge sigh and already wishing she had given into the temptation to just page him to her office.. . she eventually talked herself out of it, because she had no real reason she needed to see him. She placed her hands on her hips and leaned back, waiting for him impatiently.
Sabin's attention was immediately snapped to Aubrey's presence in the room, his mouth still slightly agape before he collected his wits enough to pull it closed. Curiousity piqued - why was she here? Did she need something? Had she maybe, just maybe, reached a decision?
"Aubrey... hello there." He was on his feet, offering her a chair. "You shouldn't have had to wander all the way down here. Is there something I can help you with?"
Aubrey took the chair happily, fipping off her shoes and wishing she could lean over far enough to rub her swollen ankles. "Uh... not really," she said, wishing she thought of a better excuse.
"Well.... that's alright..." Sabin filled the silence with words. He hopped up on his desk, sitting conspicuously close to her and eying her stomach.
"So it's what.. about a month left now, yes? How have you been feeling?"
"So it's what.. about a month left now, yes? How have you been feeling?"
"I am... so ready for this to be over," she sighed. It was partially true. On one hand, the impending birth of her son was being built up to be this huge, momumental event that signified a turning point in her whole life. It was going to change everything, and that terrified her, mostly because she had no idea what she was going to do about it. On that hand, Junior could stay in there forever. However, she was well past the 'joy' of pregnancy. Her vitality and glow had been replaced by swollen joints and back pain, and more than once she had come close to just hacking off the majorty of her hair. Thankfully, so far, she had refrained, instead opting to usually pull it up in an unflattering ponytail.
Despite how hot and uncomfortable Aubrey felt, Sabin still saw her glowing with her pregnancy and the promise of a new life soon to be brought forth.... He didn't notice the sloppy hair, the constantly sweat-plastered brow and lack of makeup. However, as she grew bigger the niggling reminder of Sabin's trangressions against the unborn child seemed to nag at him more frequently, despite how many times he justified it to himself.
It had seemed so long, already like such a distant life when Sabin last was around a woman so often through her pregnancy. Only then, it had been Sabin's wife. With Aubrey, things were so.... confusing. He had grown from a colleague to a confidant to... something more - and yet nothing was set in stone - especially recently. he helped her - both picking up the slack work-wise as well as personal needs while she was pregnant - but their relationship had been on hold. As a matter of fact, the subject had almost seemed to become taboo since Aubrey promised to think on what she wanted to do and as her pregnancy was becoming more of a burden to her. And yet every moment it reminded him of her. Of the closeness he had had before and lost. And of what he was lacking. It threw into perspective how 'permanent' this haitus and sabatical had become. How serious. How controlling Moreau had become and how much a part of their lives he had become even when he was absent. He couldn't leave. And there was the threat of that secret project of his.
"A child changes everything... and... it makes all of the pain and aggravation worth it in that one shining moment when you hold your baby in your arms...." He trailed off, the sentimental smile fading as the cloistering atmosphere of the island seemed to crush in on him, stealing the fond memory from him.
Aubrey forced a smile, but her expression was dark. The coming of her son held so many uncertainties, even the idea of holding him in her arms didn't fill her with the joy that it should - in fact, at that moment, Aubrey felt a sinking feeling in her hear, the first deadly signs that she was already beginning to resent the little life inside her. She swallowed a sneer and tried to think of a change of subject, but found nothing.
Sabin sat in silence for a moment watching Aubrey's emotions on her face, wishing he could decipher exactly what she was thinking. He wished he could get any concrete decision from her for the future. He knew she was worried. He KNEW she was unhappy, but she refused to make any step, take any action that would deviate her from the path she was on. She had more than enough reasons to be upset, and he was trying to find more to finally tip the scale... but even that was going frustratingly slowly.
"Aubrey...." Now what? What was he trying to say that he hadn't already? That she didn't already know. "We've barely talked in the past.. what? Few months. I mean really talked. I know that there has to be a lot on your mind. A lot of.... decisions to make.." He was trying to be subtle.
Aubrey's face was already reddening, when showed how close she was to tears already. "Tell me what to do, Sabin. I just... I just don't know anymore. I'm so lost.."
Sabin chewed the inside of his lip. How could he forget how precarious the emotions of a woman in this stage of pregnancy was. "I.... I want to help you, Aubrey. You just have to let me."
"I'm in over my head," she said, her arms going around her stomach protectively. "I just have to admit it."
He nodded slowly. Beastie, who at least seemed to have the animal instincts of how to handle a woman on the verge of tears alit softly in her lap with feline grace and began purring.
Sabin sighed, eyes lingering almost enviously on the cat before returning to Aubrey. "You don't want to do this alone. It is hard enough for anyone let alone someone with as many.... complications.... as you are faced with. I have been trying to help you, Aubrey. Since before you were even pregnant. But you keep going back to him, and despite how many times he's hurt you, you are too scared to do anything but just going with the flow. And things are just going to keep getting worse until you break this cycle!"
"I know you've been helping me, Sabin," she reached up and stroked Beastie. "I just really don't see what my options are. Realistically at least, Sabin."
He scowled and shifted his position. "We've been through them before..." He said with a sigh. "There ARE no easy answers. But you need to put yourself higher than him... and be willing to place your happiness... and your child's future... ahead of Moreau."
"I'm pretty convinced my happiness and my child's future are mutually exclusive," she said defiantly, crossing her arms. "That's the problem, and I know where the sacrifices has to be made."
"I wouldn't say that specifically... more like your and your child's happiness are exclusive from Moreau's. As long as he is happy, no one else is. That's.... just the way it is with him. he has to be in total control."
"Wouldn't it be nice... if I could just leave. Just go... book a flight to the Bahamas and never look back..." she moved her hand in a mock jesture of a jet plane. "But see, that's just fantasy..."
Sabin had reached the boiling point. They had been down this road, circled it a hundred times it felt, every time they spoke seriously all Aubrey was doing was dreaming and refusing to take action. With a quick, decisive - and angry- motion he launched himself off the desk.
"What if what if what if. Dreams dreams dreams! That is all you do and yet you refuse to take action to make them real. Because you are still tied to that madman no matter how much he hurts you!" He was angry. He was sick of seeing Aubrey continuously beating herself up even when he wasn't there. "Apparently Moreau has already shattered what little free will you had left, because I mgiht as well be talking to him now with how much you refuse to even consider something minutely bad to him. He has done a thousand times worse to you already, and he will continue to do so. I have heard rumors that he has been working on some sort of loyalty serum, too! I did not want to come to you with this until I had evidence, but Hell. By that time you may already have had his child and be under its influences. But I will not be Moreau's dog. So help me. I at least have the clarity of vision to see that Moreau's ultimate goal is complete dominion and it is going to crash around him. It is up to you if you will go down with him. I have offered you my help many many times. But I can not stand by and do nothing indefinately. Something is going to happen, Aubrey, and you can stand back and let it happen, or you can try to sway it to a result that might actually leave you happy."
He took a deep breath, face colored and surprised that he had snapped at her before huffing again to himself and heading for the door.
"******** over Moreau for your benefit isn't going to make me happen!" she snapped, before her brow creased in consideration. "What do you mean a 'loyality serum?'"
"Are you blind to what has been happening on the island, or are you just entrenched in denial?? There have been chipless islanders on the loose for months on end. And we still have been uncapable of even capturing them. Even if I do nothing, this experiment can not continue on indefinately." A dark smirk crossed his face. "You have read Jurassic Park, yes? Things are already breaking down. Three chipless islanders on the loose. Power outs... failed experiments... I do not think that I have to do anything for Moreau eventually to get his comeuppance. But he is blind to any failures, or at least quick to send blame out without fixing anything."
He was gesturing wildly, letting a lot of pent up aggravation loose. "And loyalty serum. I have head that that is what he has been coddling that Jordan fellow for - why he has been having such strange behaviorial notes - he apparently has said as much to other islanders who are trying to dig up evidence."
"Well that makes sense," she said defiantly. "Moreau wants the islanders to be loyal to him. So he's not eaten by Annie or Jamal...which is obviously what you think's gonna eventually happen anyway, huh? Like the movies?"
Sabin scowled. "It is not the islanders that I am worried about him using the serum on. He is trying to test their behaviors and reactions to the serums, that would be pointless if he alters them. It is the people who he is worried about betraying him." His eyes lingered pointedly on Aubrey.
"And at this point, I think that it is unrealistic to think that this project can continue indefinately. It is getting too big. We are requiring too many staffmembers and pulling in too many crew to moniter the islanders or act as guards - who are being eaten, by the way - for this to remain a secret forever. Something will give, eventually. Either one of the chipless islanders will eventually make it into the labs and wreak havoc, or someone on mainland will put two and two together and shut us down. After all, why do you think Moreau has been having to spend so much time away to settle business deals unless there were problems? He wouldn't leave this island if he had the choice. And as much as this has been a fascinating experiment.... and as rewarding as it has been.... and as much as it would be nice to see it through the generations and fill in my menagerie...." Sabin paused, looking regretful for a moment.... " I do not think it realistic that we can keep the project going for that long" And then, almost a guilty admission... "Nor do I like the implications for my sanity."
"Yeah, its really amazing why you haven't swept me off my feet," Aubrey scrowled. "You're nothing but Moreau with a guild complex. You care nothing for those people out there, or what we're doing. You're just getting nervous that you're going to get caught!"
"At least I am being honest about it! And at least I actually hold some respect for you - although mind you that is starting to slip beause it seems that you are incapable of standing up against the man who has been subjugating you! Maybe he already gave you the damn serum!" He snarled.
"******** you," she snapped, but still couldn't find the effort to get up. "Just because I'm a little scared...because I'm not ready to betray my fiance' for a man that I'm not even fully convince is even that much better!'
"'A little scared' my a**! How long have we been beating around this bush?? Two months ago you promised me you'd at least think about what you wanted to do - and nothing! And if you see me as the same as him then..." He stumbled. "Then... you obviously do not know me very well." He countered weakly.
Sabin, though recently he would not admit as much to himself, had at least started out viewting the island as a delightful project, totally detached from his humanity and delving into a veritable mental vacation from his problems. Delighting in his darker desires and manipulations. Though recently, when he realized that Moreau might actually pose a threat, and the permancy of this situation was beginign to honestly sink in along with the gnawing lonliness, Sabin had begun to mentally turn Moreau into his scapegoat for his own actions. Vilifying him for the "real" problems on the island. Much of it was the truth, and Sabin was starting to glean a new perspective as well as enough of his pre-island personality to begin to perchance feel guilty about some of his actions - so before it ate him alive with the problems before, it was deflected on Moreau.
"No, I don't!" she said, flipping up her hands in desperation, pushing Beastie off her lap. "That's part of the problem!"
"Well." Sabin said, still trying to find the confidence in his voice that he was bolstering a moment ago. "Perhaps if you would make up your mind about us then I could feel like I could change that!"
"How am I susposed to make up my mind about "us" when I don't know you!" She finally got up, looking not nearly as graceful or confident as she would have liked. "I am not going to give up one Moreau for another! You are not exactly a knight in shining armour, Sabin. Sometime I wonder if you want Moreau out of the picture just so you don't have to listen to him anymore!"
Sabin was fuming. His face was virtually purple at the implications and his fists were clenched at his sides. "I am Not Moreau!" He said, forcing an evenness in his voice.
"I would have thought that you would have realized that by now. When was the last time Moreau ever spoke to you as an equal? When was the last time you didn't have to watch what you said to him for fear that he would hurt you?"
Aubrey had no answer to that, but wasn't about to concede the argument. "You are not exactly alike, but I wonder if your goals are the same. I don’t to be part of... of this anymore. I'm sick of this island, I'm sick of the projects. We are not helping anybody here! But you ... I know you and your projects. How is that any better?"
"Moreau is so dangerous because he is a man obsessed. And unfortunately, not with you. My goals are not the same as his. I know when to walk away. I have said as much. I have seen the things that I wanted to see, and I will be honest enough to admit that it has been fascinating, but it has lost its magic. And if Moreau cannot keep control of his projects, then I do not think that I could. I told you already that at this point, I would rather leave while I am ahead than go down in flames."
"Then let's leave," she said suddenly, stepping up closer to him.
Sabin looked frankly surprised at the impulsiveness. "Now? Without a contingency plan? You said yourself Moreau would find you, especially with that damn chip in the back of your neck."
"You're the one saying to make a decision... I mention contingency plans and I'm appareantly not making a decision. I try to be realistic and you look down on me. So you do it. You figure out a way to magically leave, where Moreau can't find us. Go ahead."
"Alright. Fine. So that's your decision? I find a way to leave and you will go? What if that way involves making a way that Moreau is incapable of finding us? Then you get cold feet?"
"That depend on what you mean by that. What abuot my family? I don't want to be running my whole life. Afraid."
"And you don't want to be stuck here your whole life afraid either, no? You have had just as much a hand as I in dooming countless people, and yet you are unwilling to do a fraction of that to the man at the head of it all, who is imprisoning you." He shook his head.
"Maybe I don't want to be as bad as him." She squared off her jaw, but she knew that wasn't why.
"In not defying him, you are already an accomplice. You have been involved in this project longer than I have been. And something tells me that if the situation were reversed, Moreau would not hesitate to do even worse."
"That's my point. I dont want to just beat him at his own game..."
"Then what? Just let him control the path your life takes? If I am wrong and nothing does go wrong, then you are signing your life over to him, and eventually all your decisions and perhaps ultimately even your free will. If I am wrong, then eventually Moreau will lose. Be it to his company or to the islanders, and you will be right there, likely caught in the crossfire. If you just wait for him to fall, then he will pull you down with him."
Aubrey turned away from Sabin, crossing her arms and letting them rest on her buldging abdomen. She signed under her breath, so low that any other man probably could not have made out what she said. "Maybe I deserve that... I chose my fate long ago."
Sabin threw his hands up. "Fine. Great. Play the martyr. It will make no one happy. When you think on what I said, then come back to me. Meanwhile, I am going to start doing something about all of this."
Aubrey scrowled as she made her way to the door, slamming it hard behind her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
