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 Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:35 pm
Scientists didn't get paid more than bakers these days.
That is exactly how Maximilian found himself trudging along the gritty path to the bus stop, irritably kicking off the dirtied snow that collected on his boots every couple of steps and swatting a fly off his left ear. It was filthy in this town; most of the civilians had died in The War which left the village besides Lake Saltaire see a reduction in its population from over 8000 people to a possible maximum of only a fraction of that. All the men operating the Sweepers had been wiped out, among with the rest of their peers, the ignorant, uneducated mass of the population whom didn't contribute much to begin with.
It seemed only the cream of the crop had survived, secret aristocrats with their stashed gold and bomb shelters who would never see them reduced to such lowly professions, which was probably why the streets remained in such a condition in the first place.
It had only been, what, five years since the two sides of The War had retreated, and Maximilian still loathed the never-ending duty to his country he had as one of the world's finest scientists. He hated the profession that had been passed down to him by his father, and his father's father and so on to some ridiculous generation of cavemen from the 25th Century.. And yet it was probably his abnormal exposure to radioactive toxins and layers of lead paint in the 500-year-old establishment he called work-at-home that had allowed him to survive the fallout from nuclear warfare. Ironic, a bit.
Maximilian's fingers closed around the lever protruding out of the bus stop sign and pulled; instantaneously, a ridiculously happy-looking hologram protruded from the streetlight adjacent to Max, with a stupid grin on its face like someone they drop pianos on in cartoons, complete with a floating speech bubble changed to politely requesting any buses that passed by to stop at the station.
Thank God humans like Percy the Passing bus Sign had died out in Saltaire, the scientist concluded. Maximilian's distaste for human beings did not extend to every last two-legged homosapien on the earth--Only really to the government, stupid people, and stupid greedy people. What these three categories did not know, however, and what Maximilian was counting on that they didn't know, was that he had a plan to exploit every single last one of them.
As a one-man official appointed Environmental Conservation Agency, Max's "official" duty was to restore balance to the ecosystem so the two sides of The War could continue their bloodshed before one was declared a winner, or they would retreat back to their respective sides to restore the world's balance all over again. It was a stupid system, ridiculous at best, and for what he was getting paid, Maximilian wanted no part of it.
There was a benefit to the profession though, and you could tell by Max's wry smile as the bus halted noisily in front of him and the scratched, dented doors slammed open to greet him, that he was eager to exploit every second of it. While he was still alive, of course. Something he had discovered, a glitch in a human's generic makeup, a most peculiar irregularity, would ensure that when he died, it would be pockets full of gold and a fur coat on his shoulders. Before his selfish neglect of more important matters would drag the world down with him afterward.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:36 pm
Beneath a heavy down comforter and sprawled widely across the bed lay a brassy young woman with deep violet hair. At this point her hologram alarm clock with personalized messages would've gone off for the second time, but Miss Adelle continued to snooze through the noise. Adelle worked in her own home: an office-slash-studio space with minimal living room. She ran her business here, often designing suits for the remaining wealthy population. Although she was running this prominent business, she wasn't exactly rolling in the dough, particularly after the collapse of Saltaire.
Despite her present occupation, Ms Adelle was actually once a well known scientist in the genetic field. A surviving, modern citizen however, would have never known this. In that previous work force Adelle had developed a bad reputation through an alleged affair with a colleague, facing either massive humiliation through the press or the loss of her job. Too proud to let the world assume she was guilty, Adelle chose the latter and used what remained of her salary to start a business. A business that is, in fashion. Sure it was trivial, and perhaps hopeless to anyone of lower economic stature, but Adelle made it work. Ironically enough though, Adelle's sketchy record did not hang around her in this new job.
Needless to say, Madam Adelle all but embodied the concept of promiscuity. The woman was very revealing when she wanted to be, yet somehow able to maintain class. Very likable at parties, at least back when she still attended them, Adelle knew how to amaze.. in various ways. In the fading out of the war she became more reserved in her studio and only left when it was ultimately necessary of her.
Finally, the alarm went off a third time, only waking Adelle slightly from her sleep enough to reach over and shove the obnoxious instrument off her nightstand and turn to face the edge of the bed. She groaned, eyes shut, and lay there in a slightly awake stage enough to open them. When she finally managed to fully stimulate her senses, she slowly pushed herself up, and squinted at the wall on the other side of the room, her window so old and frosted it made it difficult to see outside. Adelle pushed the covers off into the disarray of blankets, sheets, and scrap material that scattered her bed then adjusted her skimpy little nightgown before getting up to start her uninteresting, mundane ritual of life.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:37 pm
The trip on the bus wasn't that unbearable (for the most part). For Maximilian though--the scientist hobbled off that clumsy convulsing contraption the second it stopped. He despised public transport and felt a tad ill whenever he rode on those turbo-charged beasts of the street. Maximilian paused to catch his breath, leaning on the holographic Bus Stop, the image of Percy the Passing Bus Sign half-projected out of his back and various onlookers at that bus stop eying him curiously. It always felt like too big a risk for him, riding on the bus, and he frequently wondered as he looked outside the bus' window at the pedestrians leaping aside to make way for it, whether today would be his last day. He could barely wait for that slowly approaching day when he would be able to milk a car out of a noble so he could firstly, learn how to drive, and secondly, never have to ride on public transport again.
That thought was soon pushed out of his mind as he rightened up and adjusted his coat, looking left and right for that familiar residence. A flash of panic temporarily spread through him as he wondered whether he'd been dropped off at the right stop, but those worries soon ebbed as he spotted that townhouse, the only one standing on the street with even a hint of culture, reflected from the tasteful, yet peeling paint job and the flower pots of surely a couple of wild and uncommon breeds sitting on her windowsill. He let out a small, sly grin, at the prospect of finally meeting with this woman again--She was no ordinary woman, but one of the finest genetics scientists in England, possibly the whole of Europe. Adelle had been enrolled in the same university as Max and they eventually became friends, and they had shared many a sleepless night engaging in passionate, passionate... biology homework.
He sought her out today for entirely different reasons though, for as well as being a gifted scientist, she had also been the only known inventor of a particular fabric he needed for his project to survive. Among the many nucleic burns units that were set up, Adelle had been responsible for ensuring the survival and recovery of burn victims and this fabric was key to keeping moisture against the wound and yet prevent infections from springing up in fungi's paradise between the material and the skin, or something. It was all a very involved and highly boring process, he was sure, and the military had underestimated her usefulness and given her the boot for some reason or another, but Maximilian was not one for underestimating her talents. He needed this material, he needed Adelle.
Stepping up to her house, he eyed the password-protected door and scratched his face, contemplating whether to break in or simply knock. Not favoring the look of the electrodes lined up the stairs he was standing on, he decided to go with the latter and his gloved finger touched the bell; At once, a beam of light shot from the ceiling above his head and he could hear the computer calculating the greatest heat source within the house (which should have been Adelle's body, of course) and stream a projection of his body directly in front of that location. While he knew that this was happening, he couldn't see a blooming thing inside, of course, and so the scientist's protection ended up in front of the internal water-heater, appealing to "Adelle", his voice projecting through the speakers.
"Hello, Adelle, do you remember me?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:39 pm
Life had grown increasingly dull for the talented mind, dragging her motivation to a skimful low. Perhaps Adelle was not in the same situation as Max, but their questioning of the future and their fates was almost identical. Would one day human kind forget she existed? Would she be once again cast out as a has been through some unpleasant twist? She could not be bothered with such a feeling right now lest she wanted to curl back up in bed and mope pointlessly. On her way over to the bathroom she dipped her toes into her house shoes and took a long elaborate stretch. It was light enough in the room to not turn on the electric bulbs overhead when she started to brush her teeth and splash her face with some cool water, unaware that she was going to have a visitor soon.
When the bell rang signifying a guest at the door, Adelle quickly spat out the tooth paste and put the toothbrush down, looking around her everywhere for the hologram of whoever was at her stoop. With a confused gesture, she turned around to heda back out of the bathroom, only to find the digital image of her old friend speaking to the water heater. She snerked a bit before crossing her arms and deciding to humor herself.
"Why yes, Maxamillion, I do." she said and smiled. "I remember you quite well..."
Once more she adjusted her nightgown and shifted her weight on her hips, as if the scientist would be able to see her.
"Need I let you in or are you just.... you know, stopping by?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:39 pm
Maximilian was pleased to hear that even after almost a decade, the woman still recognized him, though it was barely a surprise. The man looked almost exactly the same now at 35 as he did back in their day (give or take a few extra wrinkles and with the addition of glasses)--same blond hair, same baby blue eyes and still that bemused smirk on his mouth like he was always up to something only he knew about.
"Come now, you would deny your dear old friend entry into your home and perhaps one of those nice warm drinks you're famous for?" Max joked, though he couldn't filter out the undertones of excitement laced throughout his voice--he was itching to gain the younger professor's hand in his project (and perhaps elsewhere too). It was no secret that Adelle was one of the most beautiful scientists in the field (many a man wanted to work alongside or, you know, above her in general), but that particular reason for appealing to Miss Adelle was of no consequence, at least not yet.
His finger tapped the door, that simpering smile still plastered over his lips as he spoke again, "Won't you let a friend in to see how his old colleague has been doing?"
Getting in past the door was the first step, that would be easy, it was convincing that proud, stubborn head to join in his efforts which would probably prove the hardest to do. Yet without Adelle, there was nothing, there would be no project, no riches, no nothing, and Maximilian wouldn't accept that.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:41 pm
To Adelle, Max wasn't exactly the average looking man, nor was he any bit unattractive, even after the number of years they had been apart from each other. In truth she was absolutely thrilled to see him again, especially during a time in her life that needed a bit of sprucing. Trying to withold a chuckle from the position hologram Max was in, Adelle pressed the button on the wall that would unlock the door to her apartment and allow the scientist entry.
"Just get in already," called that velvetine voice, and tried to do a momentary straightening up of her place, but clearly to no avail.
Miss Adelle was not very modest in inviting her guest while still in sleepwear, but when was she ever really modest anyways? While Max would be making his way in, she would start brewing some coffee for herself with a bit of secret ingredients to give it a good kick. She really wasnt a fan of coffee but she needed something to unknowingly prepare her for Max to completely change her future.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:42 pm
Hearing the little electronic click of the door, the scientist grinned in delight, pushing through it and bursting into the room like Aunt Ermentrude used to do when visiting her "favorite little nephew" to do various things such as pinch his eight-year-old cheeks, stuff him with fragrant biscuits and suck up to his parents for loans. His motives weren't that seedy, thankfully enough, though he was good at playing enthusiastic when he wanted to get his way.
"Adelle! How have you been, my dear?" He stepped further into the townhouse, slipping off the coat and folding it over an arm; that day, he had chosen to dress himself in the most expensive clothes he owned (which didn't mean very much according to his salary, but that was besides the point), which, asides from the shabby coat which happened to be the only one he had, a coffee-colored vest over a cream undershirt with his father's gold cuff-links and a rather dapper pair of long trousers. He really felt like it made a difference to how he would appeal to her in the end--everything was important when you were about to persuade someone to break the law and potentially get thrown into prison alongside them if they ever got caught.
Details, details; Max soon waved the thoughts out of his head before he approached the kitchen bar and sat down in front of the girl on a stool, resting his elbows on the counter-top in childish delight, his sparkling eyes quickly taking in every inch of her attire while her back was turned.
"I believe the last time we spoke, you were having some fun with that new invention of yours... Madexilin? Maddox?" Of course he knew exactly what the material was called, but he was trying to coax her into saying it herself and perhaps a little more about it, so he didn't have to randomly barge into the conversation with details of his plot like a hungry Tax Collector.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:42 pm
Of course Adelle really wasn't expecting a wildly enthusiastic Max to burst into her home, but she treated it normal and as such just grinned while she walked around her small kitchen. She, however, notice his extensive efforts to appear top dollar on this dull morning. Something had to be up she could taste it in the air around him... but what could it possibly be to make her old friend this giddy and excited?
"Fine, Maxy, and you?" she replied, her nickname for him perhaps a little too playful. "Well... I take that back," she started before he would speak again, returning to the coffee maker to start pouring herself a mug, "It hasnt been the most exciting time of my life- and you know I enjoy being up and about." Fortunately Adelle really made nothing of the feeling of Max staring at her, and in fact made an effort to move about flirtatiously, that is, until he spoke again.
"Madexo?" corrected the woman with strong enunciation. "Oh, dont get me started on that stuff again- reminds me of my old job and what wonderful crap came from that," she said, lips curling almost spitefully, though not enough to make it a dangerous subject yet. "Well... not that I loathe working with it, its perhaps one of the most unique and versatile fabrics Ive ever tinkered with for non practical use," added the woman cheekily, "... but why do you ask?" Adelle's hand was now on the counter, her body leaning close to Max inquisitively towards what he was getting at.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:44 pm
Max would have to calm down before he prematurely gave himself away, though he couldn't help but let out a little chuckle at the old nickname--not that he minded it, of course, there once was a time when he regarded the young woman as his best friend, after all. He leaned forwards across the bar-top, fingers laced together as he listened to Adelle, well, not really listened, more like "heard", but you couldn't blame him with the way the woman was moving herself around the small kitchen with the grace of a dancer. To Max though, it may as well have been "exotic dancer" for how his eyes followed her every move.
"It always looked like you enjoyed your job, you know," Max persisted, when he heard that her tone wasn't exactly thrilled when he brought up the fabric again. Adelle wasn't really like him, or at least he believed, she genuinely looked like the kind of person who enjoyed helping people. Oh, perish the thought. The scientist couldn't help but shrink back when she leaned towards him over the counter in what he interpreted as a rather suspicious stance. He gave her a grin at the question, that same sort of grin that a child who had broken something would give to their parents in order to avoid a spanking (knowing Adelle though, he never knew how far that comparison reached).
"W-well, I know you were quite proud of your invention, and I always did tell you that they never appreciated you for it, nor used it to its full capabilities..." He was getting there alright. "We both knew that you were capable of much greater things with your invention.. Now look at us, we're both living in the same squalid conditions and neither of us are reaping the benefits of our genius!"
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:46 pm
After Max spoke, Adelle let out a distant sigh and reached for a chair to pull towards the counter and sat, staring over her coffee mug and daintily blowing the surface before shed dare take a sip of the painfully hot liquid. "Well I actually did and for a long, long time too, but after that ridiculous little mess with the guy from the administrative department..." she trailed off and shook her head. "But anyways, I do miss being around so many brilliant people- working by yourself is a drab," she concluded with a roll of her eyes.
Although she was dismissive of many thoughts, Adelle seemed to be attentive and in agreeance to what Max was saying about their potential. "Damn right we were capable of much greater things.." she said with a raised brow and a catty turn of her head for a moment. "And yeah, I'll say... at least not as much benefits as we could be. I cant say that I hate doing what I do now, though as frilly as it may be.." she giggled. If it were not for her already strong attention towards fashion and her own appearance, most would not assume Adelle to be big on the world of looking fierce and sexy... it simply didnt seem to match someone with such a high education in science.
"I must ask, has you work done you any long term good, or are you still pretty miserable with life? I probably wouldnt believe you since youre here so bright and chipper though." she smirked.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:47 pm
If there was one thing about Adelle that Maximilian loved, it was how easily it was to fire her up--he loved that passion in the responses she was giving him and he knew that could eventually become the key to persuading her to join his side. She probably felt some enjoyment in her present career but he knew science was her life, it was both their lives, so where was the harm in convincing her to help establish their return to the former glory days? The corrupt scientist certainly didn't see the harm.
"Days have been different since the retreat," the man sighed wearily, in a small flicker, that cheerfulness was replaced by a rather bitter sense of resentment, a brief look on his face as though there was something particularly foul-smelling settled under his nose. Soon enough though, it was replaced with a grim smile and Maximilian shrugged, brushing it off, "The pay is terrible, my family's laboratory is falling apart, and I've been appointed head of the Environmental Conservation Agency. Not a position I'm too thrilled about, to be frank. Though.. I have my own little projects at a go, and.. actually.. that is what I came here to talk to you about."
Biting the bullet, he briefly looked around the room before leaning closer. It was a known fact that The Military had voice-monitoring security systems installed in almost every household in Saltaire, not because they actually needed them, but to gather intelligence on enemy trespassers and the like, though Max still was not eager to divulge any further information unless he was back in the comforts of his laboratory, an establishment that had been barely touched by Government hands for nearly a hundred years.
"Can I possibly convince you to accompany me back to the lab to show you a few of my little experiments, per chance? You may find some of them truly.. fascinating."
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:48 pm
Indeed science and the thrill of discovery was something Adelle enjoyed, though most especially the fame and notoriety that came along with it. When she had first invented Madexo, she was hailed for it, even though it was during very early testing. Unfortunately the spotlight caused enough issues to get her the boot, but Adelle still knew everything there was to know about the miracle material.
"Aw.." Adelle said, or at least mouthed as Max relayed his suffering. She took a few sips of coffee then furrowed her brows, "Oh dear.. Im sorry to hear that.." When Max started to lean forwards she did the same assuming well that he was trying to keep something he wanted to say quiet. It was true that at one point in time even Adelle's home had been installed with said devices and although she figured they had been worn down and unused, she respected Max's wishes.
But as he spoke, her eyes lit up interestedly. The answer was quite clear- of course she wanted to see these experiments. "Most certainly I would, Max," she murmured excitedly.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:07 pm
The enthusiasm with which the woman all but leaped out of the chair surprised Max, though he couldn't help but to grin in delight--If the both of them needed excitement in their life, this was going to be the catalyst that brings it, he could sense already. Watching her disappear up the stairs, he picked up her coffee mug and eyed the contents for a second, but upon the sound of her voice upstairs, he made a face and quickly downed the rest of the liquid. Maximilian hadn't ridden in a car for half a decade and he didn't quite remember exactly what the experience was like. If it was anything like riding on a bus, then he was going to need a lot more coffee than this. The scientist knew that the streets were cracked and damaged enough to make even the most cautious driver wary of their passage through, let the seemingly oblivious bus drivers who was racing around Saltaire in gigantic... death machines.
Slipping on his coat once more (it was frightfully cold outside) he glanced out a nearby window, and soon tightened the comforting garment around his body, noting the light sleet starting to rain upon the streets outside. Well, at least he wouldn't have to wait for the bus again.
"You ready?" he called goodnaturedly up to Adelle.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:08 pm
When Adelle finally returned downstairs she was wearing a thick, fur-lined (polyester mind you) coat and apparently some sort of dress and leggings beneath. "Hell yes, Im ready," smiled the former scientist, passing Max by and grabbing her purse and keys. She truly was ready to get out of that place- it could not be recalled, the last time she had gone somewhere of significant distance from her home.
"I would hope this thing is running, I havent gotten much use out of it this week..." she teased, waiting ahead for Max to get settled in and buckle up. Adelle was a good driver at least, though that wouldnt change the unforgiving surface of the road- they were in for a bumpy ride anyways. "Er, I have to admit I dont quite remember the way to your place so please feel free to shout out directions."
Adelle then started the vehicle and pressed a button that appeared seperate from the dashboard as the garage opened and the car was rotated to face the outside.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:10 pm
Max's eyes brightened as the woman descended the stairs, well-dressed and beautiful as always, which was a surprise to him because his mother would normally take hours to get dressed and the result wasn't nearly quite so stunning. The scientist absent-mindedly picked at a frayed patch on his coat (damn this economy to hell) before shoving his hands into his pockets and following Adelle, cogs in his mind twisting in an effort to think of ways to possibly persuade her into joining his side. He knew she must have had some sort of grudge against the government for getting kicked out of her job, but was that enough to drive her towards this sort of revenge?
Focusing back onto the present, Maximilian let out a soft groan and creased his brow when she brought up the subject of her car's health--He was distrustful of most technologies (that he or his family didn't create) in the first place, he wasn't sure how well riding in Adelle's car was going to go down with him. Nevertheless, he eased himself into the passenger's seat and jolted a bit as the car turned, grinning lightly and blinking almost incredulously at her when she told him her need for directions.
"You haven't heard the news?" the man murmured with a chuckle as he pointed at the mountain range towards the North and continued, "Head in that direction for about ten minutes.. you should begin to see sign of my laboratory. I don't have a "place" anymore, per se; I sold it for what little money I could get, to support some of the new projects I've taken up.."
The laboratory was easily the biggest building in Saltaire and had been heavily criticized as the single most toxic hazard to the surrounding environment in that village, with thousands of gallons of biochemicals and other hazardous waste poured into that river annually, killing almost all flora and fauna that once grew inside it.. (Asides from the appalling Winter weather,) it was no surprise that nobody swam in Lake Saltaire anymore. Smoke billowed from the chimneys and merged with the great swirling mass of dark cloud overhead that seemed to continually haunt the little city, giving it the worst, most temperamental weather the country had ever seen.
Maximilian had always believed that building's reputation was the sole reason he had been bestowed with that godforsaken duty of his. It gave a reason for the laboratory to remain fully operational, and Max's highly sought-after skills as an epidemiologist (one of his many skills, he would often preach to anybody who'd listen) would always remain more useful when the war commenced so long as they remained in check and centered in a convenient location where enemies could not venture into the territory and put him out of commission with a well-placed bullet between his eyes.
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