Asher of Aureniss entered the Hospital through the lobby. He was clad, as usual, in his burnoose, headwrap, goggles, and boots.
Lex Berikk wandered up to the entrance and slid through the door right behind Asher. The customary ruck sack was carried across his shoulders. He walked across the slick floor, the tip of his staff tapping a counterpoint with the soft thump of his boots. The security detail lackadaisically waved both of them in, recognizing them from previous visits.
Elliot's optical sensor that was trained on the main entrance pivoted a bit, to track
the approach of Lex and Asher. The ever-cheerful voice rang out from a nearby speaker. "Good evening."
Lex glanced up at the camera, more with than a technical interest, rather than the feeling of being watched. "Ah, good evening Elliot." He slipped the pack from his shoulders and flexed them a bit to work out the kinks. "Elliot? How are the new 'ponics sensors I installed two weeks ago?"
"All seem adequately operational thus far, Lex."
"Good."
"Hello, Lex." Asher greeted.
Lex turned, pleased to see familiar face. "Hello again."
"Up for a trade, perhaps?"
"I was hoping to see you again, my friend. I'm still interested in any electronics items you may uncover, working or not."
"That's what I was wondering. It may not be of use to you, but did I show you the music machine?"
"No, not that I recall. What kind of music machine?"
"Quite interesting. The battery I found, along with its case, was modular. It fit in with different equipment. It just slid in with a case I found."
"Yes, I remember the batteries. Standardization was common before the War."
Asher reached into a pouch and removed a chipped and slightly melted piece of electronica, retrieving the battery case as well and handing them both to Lex. "Slide the case in the back of the music piece, then hold it to your ear."
Lex took the item and examined it closely.
"It can't hurt you." Asher assured him.
"Heh, one never knows." Lex held it to his ear, staring vacantly down the hall as he listened. "Hmm, what do you make of the music? Sounds like some of the old
sound recording that my parents used to listen to, but the medium is different."
"I think it's wonderful music, for all I've heard. But as for the medium, I think it's on a disk. See that slot on the bottom?"
Lex nodded, "Probably some sort of digital code, scanned and converted into analog sound, yes."
"I think a memory storage piece was shoved up there, and maybe there was a button or lever or something on the back to pop it out. It's destroyed, now."
"Amazing that it still plays music."
Elliot's cheery voice was directed to speakers close to Lex and Asher. "Portable musical device, gentlemen?"
"Yes, Elliot. Have you any references in your databanks of such?"
"Certainly." Processing. Several models were produced by assorted companies before the onset of the war. Historical data indicates, Lex, that such devices were very fashionable, especially with youths."
"I see." Lex responded to Elliot then turned to Asher. "Do you wish to trade your music machine? I'm not certain how we might use it. Entertainment for the children, perhaps."
Asher looked up at the ceiling, despite Elliot's omnipresence.
"Though, doubtless they would tire of it soon." As Lex mused on that, his attentions turned to the cloaked form of the priestess, Sabryenna, as she slipped silently into the lobby from one of the attached wards.
The priestess carried an expression of concern upon her deceptively youthful face. "There are too many of late," She thought to herself. She was referring to the bombing of the school several weeks prior. One of the instructors still remained hospitalized, her wounds quite serious, and Sabryenna visited her as often as she was able.
"Good evening, Priestess." Lex politely greeted Sabryenna, his eyes sliding over her garb in search of any designs affixed or adorned. He bowed slightly.
Glancing towards the voice, Sabryenna's green eyes flickered, a smile curved her lips. "Good eve, Sir."
Elliot's optical unit pivoted again, this time following Sabryenna as she strode along in her noble manner. "Good evening, Sabryenna."
Sabryenna turned her gaze upwards. "Evening, Elliot."
"Asher, have you more of those devices?" Greetings completed for now, Elliot turned his attentions to the two men.
"Records indicate they were once quite commonplace in society."
Lex returned his own his attention to Asher and the sound reproducer
as Sabryenna passed by them, moving with mystery and grace towards the cafeteria. Long slender fingers pressed against the door and she slipped through.
"No. I found only one." Asher replied. "I could locate more, probably. I can read, so I can tell where certain stores might have been."
"I see. Yes, such devices would more than likely be located in the remnants of the various department stores in New Rydynn."
"Music had advanced to a highly developed art form." Lex mused aloud.
"Well, from a few magazines I've seen, it seemed that it developed like most media. Some was artistic, but most was the same."
"Nowadays, it has been reduced to singing, mostly, although we have a small woodwind group at Malenn'drraa."
"Lex, though it is of little or no true value, do you know what you could be willing to
trade for such a piece, along with its batteries?"
"Well." Lex rubbed at his chin, pondering.
"Especially if I could find more for you?"
"I have an old electric torch without batteries. Perhaps you could find some that would fit it. Let us adjourn to the cafeteria, Asher, I would like to quench my thirst and get a bite to eat."
"Perhaps. All right, though I must go soon."
Lex picked up his pack, which he had deposited at his feet and moved in the direction of the Cafeteria. "I am looking for useable communications equipment."
Asher nodded as he followed. "Well, if you could get a live feed in that slot, perhaps after prying the disk out, or if I get you some new ones."
"At the moment we have an old multi-band receiver that was brought into the caves just ahead of the missiles, but we need a transmitter as well." Lex pushed open the door leading into the and stepped aside, allowing Asher to pass through before him.
At the door of the red-skinned girl's containment room, there was a soft scratching as she noticed it was sealed shut. She did not understand why. Thumping her head twice against the sealed portal awarded her with the door sliding open with a hiss, allowing Penny to edge into the hallway.
From her position against the wall, she could notice shadows playing in the lobby down the hall, so she headed in that direction. Carefully, she edged up to the doorway and glanced inward, her eyes wide as she looked at the others in fear. Slowly, she edged into the room, unaware that Quent had spotted her and was making sport of following on his hands and knees.
Elliot's optical sensor pivoted again, tracking the girl. "Good evening, Penance." The camera pivoted further, following her progression as she skulked along the wall.
Lex happened to notice movement out of the corner of his eye and turned from his conversation with Asher to see Quent crawling nearby.
Penny also noticed Quent and jumped, darting under the main desk where it was dark and safe, banging her head several times as she skidded to a stop.
Quent hopped onto his knees and waved to Penny, smiling and attempting to move in closer.
Penny just stared at Quent from her dark spot, her hand rising slowly in
preparation. Quent puffed out his cheeks and crossed his eyes at her, giggling maniacally.
Penny blinked her large blue eyes and puffed her own cheeks out, thinking
she was about to get something to eat.
Quent apparently grew rather bored with the game and began to spin himself around in a circle on one knee, chanting, "BUBBA BUBBA BUBBITY BUBB." He then looked up to the ceiling as he continued to spin. "Camera Man?
Do you play music?"
Penny pushed herself back further beneath the desk, befuddled at Quent's strange actions and stared at him, her blue eyes wide.
"Camera man?" Quent stood up and stomped his foot, vying for Elliot's attention
"Yes, Quentari?"
"Can you play music?"
"Certainly."
"Do you have any circus or carnival music? Could you play it here in the lobby for me and Devil-girl?"
"As you wish, Quentari."
"Thank you Camera Man, you're my hero." Quent smiled and hurried over
to kiss the wall.
At that, there was a small tone over the lobby speakers followed by the well-known refrain of music from a circus.
o/` Da da Dadadada Da da da... o/`
Quent sat down cross-legged and looked in towards Penny, waving and smiling at her.
Penny blinked slowly and edged into the light, barely looking at Quent out of fear.
Quent jived a little dance to the music while he sat staring at the girl and Elliot's optical sensor in the lobby recorded Quent's dance for posterity.
Quent waved a hand, a gesture in offerance for Penny to join him. The red-skinned girl edged out further still, one hand poised for a claw swipe should Quent move any closer.
Quent was undaunted and hummed with the music, making a funny face at Penny. It was a sort of squintey-tonguey-scrunchy type face. He stood up and began to dance with less restraint.
Dr. Jansenn had been in his cube and began to wonder how things had been going in the ER. He made his way down the hall and strolled into the lobby
"Good evening, Dr. Jansenn." Elliot's ever friendly voice greeted the doctor.
"Good Evening Elliot, how are your systems running this evening?"
"Adequately enough at the moment, Dr. Jansenn."
"Good to hear Elliot." Jansenn grabbed a cup and filled it with water and then moved over to a desk to examine the charts for the evening.
A scarred hand reached out to push open the front door of the Hospital, but they hissed open before him. Light spilled into the evening beyond, but not
before it highlighted the imposing figure hesitating at the threshold. The tattoo of an atom twitched near the right corner of his eye as a muscle spasmed.
Heavy steps announced the entrance to the lobby as the doors slid shut
behind him. Small eyes glanced over the lobby before a heavily accented voice rolls out from a gravely throat. "Elliot."
Elliot's optical sensor pivoted, deviating from Quent, who had been happily dancing about the lobby, to examine Cyrus as he entered.
Cyrus shrugged his shoulders in the harness that crossed his back, holsters chafing near his armpits.
"Good evening, sir." That happy sing-song voice filtered out from speakers closest to Cyrus, the sound of circus music permeating the lobby area.
Cyrus turned to the speakers and nodded. "Evening. Church needs medical supplies." His curious accent stumbled over the one "R" he spoke. Again his shoulders shifted and his small eyes glanced over his shoulder, managing a fleeting observation of every face in the lobby.
Penny edged out a bit from beneath the desk and the arrival of the Churchman caught her attention. She froze. What fear she had was soon replaced by stark terror at the sight of that uniform.
Quent's gaze followed Penny's and then laid to rest on the Churchman. He stopped dancing.
Penny's small form was visibly shaking in terror, fingertip claws
scratching at the floor reflexively. The small silver padlock at her throat swayed rhythmically in time to the rapid beating of her fear stricken heart.
Quent moved over to Cyrus, a glare on his face. "Hello, ...can I help you?"
"I'm afraid, sir, that Mirandahh is currently unavailable to barter with you. I am unable to directly procure goods myself." Elliot spoke up, his camera staring at the man.
Cyrus's dark eyes settled on Quent and the bald held swiveled away as he
answered the computer, ignoring Quent's question."
"When will Mirandahh be available?" The name was almost lost as his tongue slurred over it.
"She is currently nursing a slight viral infection but should be available in a day or two. I would return then."
"I said, can I HELP you?" Unafraid, Quent poked the man in the chest.
Penny fell into her familiar crouch, her limbs working and she growled a low, near silent sound. No, she would never go back to them, she had to stay free.
The Churchman elbowed Quent sharply in the chest and one hand reached up to grab for the butt of a pistol at his chest. "No. I suggest you remove yourself before I help you."
"Hey Quent, it's okay." Dr. Jansenn looked up from his papers and then greeted the Churchman. "Hello I'm Dr. Jansenn, what can I do for you?"
Elliot's camera swiveled quickly. "Sir, I must remind you ... this is a demilitarized zone."
Quent moved a step away as he heard Jansenn and he cast a glance to the doctor over his shoulder.
Cyrus turned back to the speaker and gave a faint nod, his hand
falling away from the pistol. "My apologies, Elliot. I will return in two days time." He ignored Dr. Jansenn.
Penny suddenly made a wild bolt for the uniformed man. She wouldn't let him take her, not now, not ever. She was a mere streak of red skin and claws as she leapt toward the Churchman's chest, claws leading the flight. Her small red lips were curled back in a mixture of terror and hatred at the sight of the uniform itself that he wore.
Quent tried to grab Penny as she sailed past him, but failed. The Churchman was knocked backward by the force of Penny against his chest and a snarl broke from the thick lips as he tried to knock the creature off him.
The voice of the computer, while still ever-friendly, issued a general order throughout the hospital. "Security team to the Lobby area, STAT."
Quent grabbed Penny by the armpits, trying to tear her off of man and Dr. Jansenn moved into the fray as well, diving to attempt to pull her away.
Penny's claws struck out in wild slashes toward the Churchman's throat, her eyes closed tightly.
Cyrus froze, his small eyes widening as Penny went for his unprotected throat. "Project Penance . . . " He could say no more, his voice drowned in a wet gurgle.
Penny slashed out at anyone near her, including Quent and Dr. Jansenn. Cyrus wheezed through his damaged throat as he tried to crawl out from beneath his attacker while she was distracted by the two men. Penny fought harder, pure terror welling and rads increasing accordingly.
Three burly looking types rushed into the lobby with their tasers drawn. "Please cease these hostilities. We don't want to hurt anyone."
"You did this?" Quent let Penny go and stared down at the Churchman before glancing up at the security team and hoping that they didn't confuse him for the attacker.
Cyrus's small eyes were locked only on the face of the Project.
As Penny found herself being released, she slashed out again for the blood that was already visible, lost to the frenzy of fear she was caught in. Dr. Jansenn howled in pain as a claw caught him across the chest.
Cyrus choked out one last gurgled cry as Penny ripped through his throat, blood bubbling through the trashed turtle neck. Yes, he always hated running errands for the Church.
His annoyance for having been the one selected for the duty this night faded as blackness dropped before his eyes, his throat something only of memory,
the bone of the spine the only thing attesting to its previous existence.
Quent shoved the bleeding Jansenn out of the way, trying to hold Penny by himself and was rewarded with a slash of his own. He held brave and hung onto her tightly, trying to keep control.
"Please, I ask you all to cease and desist at once!" Elliot ordered and one of the security yelled out, "Forget it, guys. This is getting out of control." All three of the security team pointed their tasers into the melee, but were unable to get a clear shot. They kept their weapons poised, waiting.
Fear was the only thing in Penny's mind and she didn't even notice Quent was holding her, she just lashed out at everything near. He struggled to grab her wrists, crying out in fear and pain. Dr. Jansenn fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood just as one of the security finally got a clear shot at Penny. The taser was fired and the small projectile stun dart impacted into the red skinned girl's back, delivering a jolt of electricity.
Quent was still holding firm onto Penny so he received a fair share of the zap. Penny's body spasmed against the shock of the tazer and her limbs shook as the charge rolled through her.
Dr. Jansenn's white scrubs were now soaked with blood. He pressed his hand to a deep wound in his arm, attempting to stem the flow.
"Doc, you Okay?" One of the security team asked him with concern.
Dr. Jansenn nodded and indicated that he was in need of bandaging. Security Two fetched the needed supplies and Jansenn managed to get himself taped up and the blood flow stopped.
Penny staggered under the electrical onslaught and fell into a crouch, ripping the wires out of her body painfully. She looked at them all in fear and pain.
Security One ran to the fallen Penny and stuck her with a sedative and she slashed out at him, losing her balance in the attempt. The sedative was taking it's affect and she lay still, watching Quent crawling over to her trying to see if she is all right.
"They never shoulda let this freak loose." Security One muttered as he watched Penny fall to the floor with a thunk, out cold.
Security Two and Three lifted Penny and carted her off in the direction of a containment room, her arms and legs securely bound with some packing tape.
"Yanno, I am gettin' tired of having to do this to this one."
"No kiddin' ... what's with this girl, or whatever you wanna call it."
The two could be heard mumbling to themselves as they made their way down the tiled corridors.