[IC] 'How does it feel to be different?' [Dioxide x Caits]

[Dioxide]

Agent Dioxide maintained himself, not to offer gestural composure so as not to betray the professionalism being observed – as they were being surely watched. He was being to feel more confident with Agent Caits. It was a matter of time before he would let in on his secret intentions. One would normally not do this under any circumstances given the cutthroat, dog-eat-dog personality types in services like this… but the way Agent Caits carried herself just now made Agent Dioxide believe her – made him want to believe her.

‘Come on, let’s go get a coffee.’

---

Gershwin looked at those pale-white eyes. A sightless young man who was gifted with the piano is stuck here with her? She refrained from waving her hand in front of her – even if he couldn’t see it, it’d still be rude.

‘No no, it wasn’t bothering me. That was really good.’

She caught herself staring at him eye-to-eye, and though there was no obvious effect to it, it still made her uncomfortable. It’ll take some getting-used-to. She walked closer to Cody, side-by-side at the piano chair. His gaze followed her. Did he have good hearing? Or could he actually see?

‘Gershwin. What do you mean 29? You’re 30? Where are the other 28? What are you even doing here?’

[MarshiestMallow]

Laying his hands on the keys, Cody tilted his head as if in thought. He smiled again, brightly. Gerswhin didn't really seem to know much, nor what to do with him.

'that's what they call you, when they talk about you. I hear them. I imagine they don't think I do. After all, there is several walls between me and them. I haven't heard any sign of any others here.

As for what I am doing here...I do not truly know. I believe they wish to study us. Apparently we can do things. Well. I knew I could already. They're scared of you, by the way"

That seemed important to tell Gerswhin. Important to tell the woman who screamed with utter fear.

'meanwhile, you are wondering if I can actually see, right? Not truly, in the sense that you can see. You're bright, so very bright'

He began to play once again, a slow melody.

---

Agent Caits watched Cody and Gerswhin, but for now things seemed alright between the two. She looked back to Agent Dioxide, who seemed to almost be having an internal debate.

'alright'

She spoke softly, and sought to maintain professionalism, standing up straight and schooling a blank expression on her face, and resisted looking at the cameras. She wanted, very much so, to flip the big boss the bird-as she was sure he'd be watching. She resisted doing that, and instead glanced again at the subjects, as the music began to play again.

[Dioxide]

‘I’m… bright? Is… that what you do? See things differently with light? Sorry I’m a little confused since we- ’

Gershwin struggled to find the appropriate word to describe normal-seeing people. Given the queer situation of everything here, she chose to be out-front with it.

‘We healthy-seeing people do already see with light.’

Then a thought occurred.

‘Do you know what I do? Did you hear anything about me?’

She turned to take in the entire room again, noting the available TVs and computers.

In turn of waiting for a reply, she walked to one of the computers – only intranet access and no browsers except for an encyclopaedic app.

She turned next to the TV; no broadcasted outside channels, and only source inputs for players and connections.

‘Shoot.’

---

Agents Dioxide and Caits walked to the SRD cafeteria. The other buildings had their own cafeterias and were filled with their own crowd of people. The two have been here for a while now that they regularly, and only frequented in SRD. The two could walk to the other buildings, but with work taking prominence, there was little time for leisure and choice.

Two grandés in the Starbucks afforded to the staff. Job benefits.

He sat opposite her, and hoped to bring back a topic from before. Though the cafeteria at the moment was more crowded now, loud enough to mask their conversation from eavesdropping ears, it was still a thorny topic to discuss.

‘Have you asked the attendants about the other 28? I was never close to them, so asking now will be more difficult. What about 28 himself, our most recent guy?’

[MarshiestMallow]

"You see. You see shapes and figures as they are, solids. I don't. I see light. Some people are brighter then others. Some have a different...well, I guess flavor. It's hard to explain"

Cody struggled to find the right words to explain, but felt like he fell short. It was hard to explain to someone who didn't know, couldn't see what he saw, just like he imagined it would be hard for someone who could see to explain to him what they saw. He listened as she fiddled around, coming to, as he had, the conclusion that they were quite literally cut off from the outside world.

"I know they are...carefully with you. I know that our tests are abnormal. I know...I know they will keep us here forever

He didn't add until they died. That seemed quite dramatic, and he was tired of drama. He rose, walking over to some of the other instruments, running his hands over them, and picking up a guitar. It's weight was reassuring, and he slung the strap on.

'I know they will try and limit your pain, they think that has something to do with what you can do. How did they get you here?

---

Agent Caits stayed silent as they made their way to the cafeteria, thinking. There seemed to be a lot to think about lately, and a lot of questions they didn't have answers to. She held her coffee in her hands, and stared at it at Agent Dioxide's questions.

'They never really speak about the other subjects. I don't think they know either. The ones I am friendly with seem...skittish about them. I don't know much about Subject 28. One minute he was here, the next he wasn't. There doesn't seem to be any record of the subjects departure

Despite the loudness of the cafeteria, Agent Caits stiil spoke softly, worried about being over heard. They were taking a huge risk, and she knew that meant death if they were caught out.

[Dioxide]

‘I don’t remember how I got here.’

How could Gershwin begin to understand Cody? If they were truly not normal, of course it would be difficult to try and fathom the impossible. Yet, it did not stop the hearer’s want to imagine the improbable. They were living, breathing, superhero comic book characters, and depending on the perspective that was quite cool – not so much so in their predicament.

Her pain…? They did put her in a straitjacket and had her room all padded up – anaesthetized at one point, even.

Was she a delicate person? Was her skin paper-thin? Were her bones as fragile as thin glass? She had the audacious thought of pinching herself to see what happened – but in hindsight she knew she wouldn’t be let loose to move freely if they weren’t confident that she wouldn’t “be able to do what she could do.”

Still, she braved through and with her nails pinched her forearm’s skin.

Nothing.

Cody walked his own way to the instruments, choosing and picking up the guitar. Gershwin walked around for any more information. If there were cameras, they were inconspicuously hidden well. If there was a way out besides the door from which they came, nothing in the room betrayed that knowledge. They’d probably be shot on sight upon reaching for the door, so that was out of the question.

So she sat, and watched as Cody settled himself to play.

‘So… tell me about yourself, fellow prisoner.’

---

Agent Dioxide tuned his keen ear to listen out for people, his paranoia was getting to him. Healthy as it may be to be cautious, it took on his one physical condition – a heart that would beat so fast that it required medicine to slow once at a certain rhythm. A condition he had dealt with his own life, he used it to his advantage to always plan ahead and to think strategically, so as to not have to exert himself. He may not have been the most active, but he was the most attentive of his immediate surroundings.

‘I can’t believe we’re out of donuts again’ ^{‘Probably Big Boss and his fat ass again’} _{‘Dude shut up they can probably hear us’ ‘and what’s he going to do, roll himself here?’} 'I swear to god, shut up.'

Suddenly, Big Boss’ booming voice was heard on the PA system.

‘Agent Matheson, my office, now.’

If only Agent Dioxide had been attentive to where the Subjects had gone. But he can’t truly fault himself: some things are just out of anyone’s control.

‘I’ll… see you tomorrow, Agent Caits.’

[MarshiestMallow]

No, cody imagind she didn't remember. Some of his capture was blurred, things standing out, others not in his mind. He listened as she appeared to be processing what he had said. He hummed as he thought, shrugging when she asked him about himself. He was silent for a time, as he pondered that. Who exactly was he?

'Well. There isn't much to tell, really. I struggled my way through school, was told I couldn't do sports, couldn't play like a normal kid, so I...I listened and learned. I didn't really have friends-kids don't really understand blind, and how could I play computer games, or soccer, or card games? So I listened to music. I listened to talking books. I absorbed all I could. I survived school, because of music. It's life to me, really. My father did all he could, to help me, my step mother is brilliant. She can't play worth a damn, but...she was there, every recital, every practice. I know she loves me, as my father does, as my mother did. I went on to continue my studies in music, and I've been working on my own compositions. At the moment, I work at a bar, playing music, and I just got a puppy. I don't know where he is, if he's alive.

BUt I do know I'll find a way out of here'

He placed his hands on the strings, and played a few notes, nothing in particularly, just let whatever he wanted to play flow. It was soft, and there was nothing much to it, but still, the light in the room seemed to glow brighter.

'I'm nothing special. I can just play music

---

Agent Caits watched Agent Dioxide, as he seemed to flush, his pupils seeming to dilate a bit. Was he panicking? He seemed to abruptly decide they had finished. She frowned slightly.

'Yeah, see you tomorrow

She wondered how much digging she could do without bringing about any suspicion. Probably not alot. She frowned at her cup, knowing she should go back to the suspects, as the tie clicked by. She would take Cody to exercise, and imagined that he would need a bit of a hand, despite his ability to see.

She left her half drunk coffee, and rose, starting back to the recreation room.

[Dioxide]

‘Well, I’m no one special as well – just a typical law undergraduate, summa cum laude who thinks she can change the world because everyone around her says she can. Someone who is undertaking this arduous, painful subject because she’s in it too deep with no turning back. Yup, that’s me.

Sorry if I sound terribly unappreciative of my life: you and I have different lives, I can tell – but I guess there’s we’re destined to the same fate.’

Gershwin noted the lights glowing brighter as he played. She was beginning to accept the supernatural now, and assumed the result to be caused by Cody’s playing. The two stopped talking for a while, and they tended to their own.

A little while later, she noted the clock on the far wall behind them just above the door. It was almost time to leave.

‘What are we just doing here? This is ridiculous.’

A statement said so nonchalant despite the gravity of its reality – a reflection of Gershwin’s inextinguishable hope, but with heavy resignation.

She walked to the door, turning one last time, one nod to greet goodbye.

‘Agent Dioxide told me that I could stay here or go exercise in…. Logistics, if that’s right. I’ll see you soon, Cody.’

That was a lie.

---

Agent Dioxide returned back to the Recreation room. Something that accommodating comes part and parcel with a stressful job like theirs. The rationale is that ‘all work no play’ is an unhealthy lifestyle and anything new besides a computer screen or life-threatening fieldwork is inviting. It even has its own toilet so you didn’t have to leave. However, people of these types often stick to one lifestyle and never cease to work at it. It becomes one with their life and it’s difficult to live without it. So it was so unused and is usually empty – except the occasional Subjects.

Agent Dioxide opened the door and immediately noted the lacking of one Subject. He sighed.

‘She just went out, didn’t she?’

---

Gershwin just managed to duck out of the way into a hallway, out of her caretaker’s cone of sight. Everything was ad hoc now as she plans to escape her place. It was so dangerous as she’d never even seen the entirety of the facility they were in. Was she even able to leave after exiting the facility? Was she even in the United Kingdom?

The more she thought, the more she realized the stupidity of her idea, and stood back in the main hallway to walk back to the recreation room. She saw Agent Dioxide standing halfway into the room.

At the same time, she heard the elevator doors open before her: the same agent from earlier.

[MarshiestMallow]

'You are special. Everyone else, really. You can change the world. Perhaps not the way you think, but you can'

Cody spoke softly, unsure if Gerswhin even heard him. He changed the tune of his music, and listened as she spoke, as she walked towards the door, and stopped, almost briefly. He knew a lie when he knew it, and suspected she would try and escape.

'Good luck'

He whispered it, expecting quite highly that Gerswhin would see the fault in her plan to try and escape and that she would soon be back. But luck was always welcomed.

As Agent Dioxide entered the room, Cody knew he was accessing the situation, and seeing Gerswhin gone. He set the guitar down, and laid his hands on his knees, leaning forward.

'Oh, yes. Just a few moments ago. Don't worry. I suspect she will be back. She isn't stupid'

He spoke in a easy tone, as if they were just talking over a cup of coffee, instead of captive to guard. He glanced up at the lights, as they dimmed, as if only just aware of them. He blinked, and looked back to Agent Dioxide.

'If you people crush her light, you'll really see what I'm made off'

He said it so pleasantly, as if asking for the weather, before leaning back, and looking past Dioxide, to the hall way.

'Ah. Here she comes. Oh, and Agent Caits as well. I guess that means music is over'

He sighed, and rose, stretching.

---

Agent Caits stared at Gerswhin, standing in the hall way as if she was making a choice. Agent Caits sighed, and stepped out the elevator, the doors closing behind her. She put her pass away, and was silent another moment.

'Hello, Gerswhin. We haven't quite met yet, have we. I'm Agent Caits. Did you get lost? I know the bathroom can be tricky to find here'

She spoke as if she wasn't aware that Gerswhin had been seeking an escape route, wishing she'd had to courage to leave the elevator doors open, but then where would that leave Gerswhin? In an elevator possibly entering a lions den, and she herself most likely learning what happened to the other subjects up close and personally.

[Dioxide]

Agent Dioxide nodded to Subject 30, and turned to leave. As expected, there she was in the hallway with his partner. She looked frail and weak, cowering over the much taller Agent. It’s hard to think that what had happened just a few days ago was caused by her.

He took Gershwin by the arm, and she obliged, though with resistance. He gave a sympathetic glance to Agent Caits that said: ‘yeah, another one of those moments.’

…

Gershwin did not reciprocate a reply to Agent Caits nor Agent Dioxide after she was pulled into the elevator. They were several floors up, so the silence was suffocating. She knew she’d messed up and she figured there would be some kind of repercussion. Halfway down, she thought back to Cody – a handsome lad with a gift for music. What he said kept ringing around in her mind: ‘You’re bright, so very bright.’

Mildly touched, she also thought if it had anything to do with her being (supposedly) abnormal. She thought not to bring this up with Agent Dioxide.

‘So, how much in trouble am I?’

‘You’re not in trouble – you’re not the first one to try. At least we stopped you before you got out of the building. Only then would you have been in trouble, but not by us. We’re here to take care of you two because you’re important to us - to potentially be able to save and change the world.’

Agent Dioxide said that with such indignation and hatred, yet his voice did not expose that, at least he hoped it didn’t.

‘Somehow I don’t think you believe half of what you just said.’

She got it.

More silence as they neared the first floor.

‘I’m not saying you have to go exercise every day, but it would be preferable since…’

He stopped himself.

‘Since they’re going to be examining me, right?’

‘You aren’t as exasperated as before.’

‘Why should I be?’

‘You should be, though.’

‘I now realize that there is no way for me to escape this place. The least I can do is be resistant to your every way, but I won’t fight back.’

‘Gandhi.’

Had it not been for the very quiet lift, their nervous snickering would not have been heard.

‘Keep that uniform on. That’s the only way you’ll get food at the cafeteria I told you. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

The two parted separate ways, as Gershwin headed for SRD, Agent Dioxide Communications. She watched him walk away before finally tuning in to her surroundings. Despite her ability to wander around, her mobility was strictly limited with cameras, guard posts, and patrols everywhere. She made the smart choice early in Communications, but it was definitely a depressing revelation that her confirmations are all true: she was not going to leave.

---

The Subjects’ cells are activated only with specific hand-prints. Not even the sanitation staff can enter to clean up. Only two sets are allowed access: the caretakers, and the subjects themselves.

Two panels are present on both sides of the door. Subjects and Caretakers are able to enter, but only the Caretakers are able to exit. A subject may only exit through the authorization of a present Caretaker.

With this knowledge in mind, Gershwin put aside the thought of briefly napping. She instead decided to travel up and down the elevator to different floors, walking to wherever she wasn’t disallowed access. This amounted to very little; there was barely a window to look into and a doorway that isn’t locked without key-cards.

An hour had passed. She went to the floor where the cafeteria was. It was almost full, but people made no effort to conceal their fear and apprehension for her, moving themselves away. Some chose to stand and eat. Had they not been told that the Subjects were valuable, they would have shot her on sight. Surely they were all trained professional killers, and nothing was stopping them. But it did feel awful to know that she was hated out of spite.

She took a tray of food, and sat herself down. Around this time, Cody should be on his way. She ate slowly, hoping to catch him before the allotted time was up.

[MarshiestMallow]

Cody stood there by himself a moment, then, with a sigh, he started out the room. He supposed he couldn't be there forever, although it made him happy. It gave him piece in this place. He approached Agent Caits, assuming she would lead him back to his cell. While he was confident he could find his way back, letting them believe he was just a little bit helpless would probably work in his favor.

He didn't speak to Agent Caits, and suspected she didn't particularly want to speak either. That was fine by Cody. It gave him time to listen to his surroundings, and to memorise the path.

As it was explained that he would be given freedom, he blinked.

'No offense, but freedom for me isn't exactly being able to walk around. I need to be shown around, before I can walk about by myself, otherwise'

His tone was cheery, so cheery that Agent Caits wondered if anything ever damped that easy going nature. She sighed, but took the time to show Cody where he could go, and how to get there, before leaving him.

Given his freedom, Cody merely returned to his cell, leaving the door open by standing in it, he studied the hand pad on the inside, humming. It wasn't really seeing it. He stood there a moment, before shrugging, and then heading out the cell.

He began to go where he could, making note of the camera's and sensors he could, by sound and by the light that surrounded them. He didn't make a fuss, and occasionally he used the wall, as if he needed a guidance. He knew he was being watched, and this was another chance to make himself seem helpless.

He imagined it fooled some of them, but not all. He eventually made his way to the cafeteria, stopping in the doorway, he listened. It was clear there was some unrest, and he scanned the crowd, easily picking out Gerswhin by her light signature.

He got some food, ignoring the people there, and headed over to Gerswhin, sitting down.

'Hello. How are you?'

[Dioxide]

Cody was the only figure that approached even close to her, so Gershwin knew who it was immediately, and smiled as she watched him sit.

‘Tell me. I have this assumption. Do these people around us glow as bright as I do?’

---

United Nations Anomalies Research Mission

Date and Time: 09/03/2016, 1807

Analysis Report – Subject 29(6)

Big Boss’ orders: more blood analysis is required of the Subjects.

We tackled the problem with Subject 29 first because it had the most scientific of basis compared to the other. We consulted several historical biologists and even anthropologists to help us on the matter of Subject 29’s primeval gene.

The species Homo sapiens is known to have been the descendant of a lesser being, our unfathomably long distant cousins. What is also known is that there lies in the modern man’s genes some traits and DNA sequences that are no longer used but are somehow still copied and passed on through reproduction. We have incredibly rare cases of people growing an abnormal amount of hair, and in some instances even a tail. Subject 29’s case is the result of drawing the jackpot of probabilistic evolution.

Our initial observations that there are active ancient genes in Subject 29 were correct. These genes are linked to a spontaneous mutation that occurred around the time the first human beings were spawned. This mutation led to several of them being highly resistant to pain reception. Whether this reception is tied to their overall somatosensory reception is unknown – but it is known that this group of humans were larger, stronger, and faster. Their life expectancies were so short because of their reckless and dangerous nature. They were isolated from their common man because of this. Though there was intraspecies reproduction (the argument is that they were so different from their common man: as if they were the first Anomalies), the group died off: the irony that though they were physically stronger than the common Man, and they were capable of immeasurable feats, their own nature destined them to die off early.

Conjecture, yes. But very convincing conjecture.

We keep finding more and more about her blood and her genes, but we have yet still to find any convincing evidence about her red glow.

To recount, as recorded from Subject 29’s supposedly being shot down and killed, bright red light glowed from her wounds – as if a phantasmal restructuring of what was destroyed of her body.

Light…

I have scheduled an appointment with specialists on this, to find out more about Subject 30’s abilities. Perhaps then we will finally gain insight.

File#39

[MarshiestMallow]

Cody smiled, almost shyly, and gave a shrug, stabbing a piece of cauliflower, he ate it, chewing thoughtfully. He put his fork down, and leaned forward slightly.

'Well. There's...no, not really. Some are dimmer, and that generally means they will die soon, or...they just aren't living truly. Some are bright, which generally means...they have a strong character. You...You are very bright'

He hummed, and leaned back, tilting his head as if studying Gerswhin.

'You are wondering if we glow brighter then normal people, aren't you? I can't truthfully answer that, as I don't know if I've ever met other anomalies'

He picked up his fork again, and stabbed a carrot.

---

[quote=File #40]

United Nations Anomalies Research Mission

[right]Date and Time: 09/03/2016, 1830

Analyse report-Subject 30

Analysing Subject 30's abilities is proving to be more difficult then imagined. The subject is aware that we are watching him, and aware that we know he knows we are watching them. At times it appears he is playing with us, and it becomes difficult to tell when he is. Is this merely a way for the subject to test boundaries, or something else? The subject also appears to be testing the limits of his powers, but at times this is subtle and we are unable to catch it.

Further Analyse of the subjects blood shows that, despite initially being normal asides from the light particles, there are abnormalities. The subject's blood, despite being in containment to prevent clotting (Heparin used primarily for this), the blood has clotted and studying this shows the active ability of the blood to clot to prevent loss, despite, in this case a lack of need.

Why is this so? Does this support the theory of the subject being able to heal himself? A bloody hand print left on the wall of the subject's cell does also seem to support this, but has yet to be proven conclusively. The use of specialists in this case is required, and their report is forthcoming.[/quote]

---

Date and Time: 09/03/2016, 1900

Analyse report-Subject 30, Specialist

In many years of study, blood like this has not been seen. While it is not abnormal for the blood to clot, doing so in containment is unheard of. Earlier reports state that there were particles of light in the blood, but this is now absence. We can theorise that this absence is due to the blood clotting-wanting to, in theory, heal itself.

How does the subject generate light?

The remaining blood was enough for a DNA test, something originally overlooked. This revealed that while the subject's DNA is mostly normal, there are a few abnormalities, which have been theorised to be the keys to opening these abilities. DNA is, always, a tricky business, but we believe we have unlocked most of its secrets, and know the sequences of normal human DNA< along with many animals. The subjects DNA has some sequences we are unfamiliar with. Why is this so? A freak of nature, perhaps, or a random collection of DNA from the subjects parents? Or merely a form of evolution?

There are ways we can answer this questions, however this may prove difficult as it is believe the subjects mother is deceased. Testing her DNA will prove difficult, but not impossible if we can exhume her body. This should be simple. Retrieving DNA from the Subjects father will be most difficult, but again, it can be done.

What is need most right now is a fresh sample of the Subjects blood, which can be anyalsed every hour or so, to determine how the blood is clotting. Further testing has been scheduled for the morning.

File#41

[Dioxide]

Gershwin only nodded in reply, and watched back as intently as she was being watched. At this point for now there really was nothing to do. Even eating seemed like a chore compared to the grand scale of things such as figuring out who they were – who they really were, and why they warranted capture like this.

Even if their stay right now was not as bad, there was nothing that could hold them back in terms of what they could do to them.

She continued eating, only because she felt like she was forced to, under the scornful gaze of eyes immediately around her, and the digital through the invisible cameras. She showed cooperation out of cooperation sake: compliance to ensure not safety, but avoiding unnecessary harm.

To be frank, she wasn’t even sure if the people she’s come to know here are entirely trustworthy. There was a lot more to these people that meets the eye. But to keep her guard up the entire time would be unhealthy and impractical. Not to mention, it’s groundless to make the grandest of assumptions if the contradictions are present. Agent Dioxide, Agent Caits, and Cody… are the only people worth giving a damn in this place. Gershwin needed to make sure she got that.

Time had passed. It was time to return to their cells.

‘Big day tomorrow, I guess. …I’ll… see you.’

[MarshiestMallow]

Cody was content to sit in silence. For him, silence wasn't silence, he could hear the conversations around them easily, but he had grown use to the chatter of it all, and knew how to block it out now. It was nice just sitting there, with someone. He continued to stab his food, as if he needed to make sure it was secured on the fork, before eating it.

He gave Gershwin a smile when she spoke and nodded, pushing away from the table to stand.

'Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow'

He stayed where he was a moment, looking about the room, taking in the different shades of light. Light had its own spectrum to Cody. After a moment, he gave a sigh and started back to his cell before he could be escorted there.

He laid out on the bed provided, and closed his eyes, willing himself to drift away into sleep.

---

Cody was not sure if he slept, if he slept long or even decently, but he was aware when someone came to his cell. He rose, smoothly, and quickly went over to the hand scanner.

He laid his hand lightly on it, and beneath his palm, light glowed, copying the pattern of the last successful scan out, and in a few seconds, the scanner flashed green and the door opened.

Cody stood, as the footsteps stopped, and smiled almost shyly.

'Im sorry, Agent Caits, I just had to see if that worked

---

Agent Caits stared at Cody, who appeared pleased with himself, despite appearing shy at the same time. He had just opened his cell. Her mind flicked through what this meant. Cody could, essentially, escape through any scanner. That meant they couldn't not take their eyes off him.

Well that would be Big Boss's Job. And she wished him well with that little headache, of organizing more people to do so. It pleased her slightly, that. Cody behaved as she escorted him to further testing. She took a moment to speak with the researchers, mentioning the scanner problem as Cody settled himself happily in a chair, appearing at ease with the fact he was being tested.

---

date and time: 10/03/2016, 0630

analyses report-subject 30

The subject does seem to be testing his abilities, and the limits to just how far he can go, before we discipline him. The subject does not appear to have any intention of escape, but we are alert for any.

Further testing of the subjects blood was conducted. Despite the subject unease at touch, and distress, several different samples were taken, in different anti-clotting agents, as well as a placebo sample that was not placed in any such Agenr. All samples showed the light substance in the blood.

Further DNA testing will also be conducted.

In order to cover all bases, a bone marrow sample was also taken. The subject took this wel, despite being in considerable distress. After, the subject was silent, and reserved. He seemed to be fighting himself, and we got our first proof that he can heal himself, at least slightly. The injection site from the narrow sample healed before our eyes, with a flash of light, and we can assume the puncture in the bone healed as well.

The subject was given further IQ tests, conducted verbally. The subject appeared to have no troubled with the questions asked. Daily tests will be conducted in measuring his scores.

file#42

---

From: Agent Caits
To: big boss

Hello, sir.

There is a security issue with subject 30, Cody. The subject can access scanners, and using his abilities successfully open them. There needs to be another way to secure the subject.

file#43

[Dioxide]

Gershwin awoke to the sound of Cody’s voice just faintly audible through the hard metal walls of their cells. It was early in the morning, and in the relative silence and desolation of the empty hallways, everything was louder than it was. Her sleep went unperturbed, and it was comforting that she did not wake to any of her nightmares – a moment of temporary solitude and dignity; she knew the dreams will come back. She did not look forward to them.

She waited for Agent Dioxide to open the door for her. He did not keep her waiting any longer than necessary. The two met under the doorway, and both watched the looks of Cody and Agent Caits – a concerned look on the latter, and the former donning an unreadable expression.

---

In Big Boss’ Office

Date and Time: 10/03/2016 – 0800

Big Boss understood that there was only so much that could be understood with blood of Subject 29 and Subject 30 – history and data analyses of previous Subjects confirmed this. It was time to move on to the next stage: to study the manifestation and processes of their abilities, they have to be activated. In other words, stimulation of a considerable kind has to be given. Live field tests, power displays, and ‘motivation'

From: Big Boss
To: Agent Caits

Do remember that you must come to my office to talk to me. I have important things to deal with, and you are responsible for your Subject’s actions.

Remove him from his current cell. Transfer him to Cell 50, where there is no scanner.

Contact the ‘motivation’ team – 8-men strong. Waterboard him.

File #44

[MarshiestMallow]

Agent Caits read the message, giving a soft sigh. She hadn't forgotten about the meeting, but figured the big boss could wait while she made sure Cody was secured. Transferring him to cell 50 would be a stop gap. She had no doubt Cody would figure out a way out of that cell as well, but for now, that wasn't her problem.

Contacting the motivator team took a few moments, and Agent Caits was reluctant to do so. Then she took it upon herself to escort Cody herself, and to watch as he was, essentially, tortured.

---

Cody knew something was up when he was taken to a new cell, one that didn't have a hand scanner. Perhaps he shouldn't have tested the scanner out, but he'd been so damn curious.

He knew when the men turned up that he was going to get ruffed up. As they opened the cell door, he made an attempt at an escape, not getting very far, but he managed to slip passed them, and down the hall way, before one of them tackled him to the ground. He let out a yell, and twisted about, struggling with all the strength he had, light coating his skin, burning his tackler.

He fought, and fought hard, but in the end, he was shoved back in the cell. One or two of the torturers had cuts, bruises, scarps, and burns, and in the case of one, a broken nose. Cody didn't care.

As they started on him, it was worse then it should be, as every touch, cut, and hit radiated around his body, his skin burning with each one. He promised himself he wouldn't scream, but in the end, he did.

He screamed, the sound echoing around the cell, and seeming to echo around the building. Lights flickered, flashed on and off, computer screens flashed and flickered, even the light on a microwave wavered. Light crawled over his skin, giving him a few seconds respite as the pain was taken away, before it all came rushing back.

He screamed. It was a heart breaking sound, one that was made all the worse because it seemed so intense, like the treatment was digging into his very soul.

He eventually stopped reacting, and seemed to disappear into his own head, and was eventually left. Alone, his wounds healed, his skin glowed, and Cody curled into a ball.

---

Several times Agent Caits had been about to walk out, but she stayed. She wanted to, by not even the end of it, to kill every last motivator there. She stayed, watching Cody for a few moments, as he curled up, and was very close to walking over to him, before she left.

She decided she had tested Big Boss's patience's enough, and made her way to his office, knocking, maintaining he composure, just.

[Dioxide]

A group of large men had passed Agent Dioxide and Gershwin. With reluctant acknowledgement, he knew what was going to happen.

The ‘motivation’ team was a sinister but effective measure in quite literally getting the powers to work on the most bare, physical level. These heartless men get paid with benefits for their striking efficiencies in ’persuasion’ while some seemed to somewhat enjoy torturing defenceless victims. Agent Caits and Agent Dioxide have both had to call them in, orders from Big Boss. Hypocritical, heartless, immoral, but orders were orders.

…

Everything electric was going haywire around them. People rose from their chairs to look around. Crowds and busy men would stop dead in their tracks to observe what was going on. Some moved along as if they had experienced the like before. There was no need for confirmation; Gershwin knew:

‘Cody! Where’s Cody!?’

‘I… don’t know.’

‘What do you mean “you don’t know”? What are you people doing to him?

‘You… can’t help him.’

‘You people are monsters!’

Gershwin had to go find him, save him, stop whatever was happening to him. Even now, far away from their floor, the whole building seemed to vibrate, echoing Cody’s screams of pain. She jolted to the side, hoping to run past Agent Dioxide.

Agent Dioxide caught her by the arm, holding her back while he pulled out a case. With his one free hand, he deftly opened its lid to pull out a fabric, coated with chloroform. Anaesthesia via needle was avoided to prevent her abilities activating. He had always taken this precaution ever since caretaker duty. If he were to let her go, she would be shot down on sight by the motivation team, where upon she would come back from the dead and kill literally everyone here. This was for her own good.

Gershwin had been pulling on her arm, struggling effortless to break free, when a fabric came covering her mouth and nose. Her exertion exhausted her, and her heavy respiration led to huge inhalation. Soon, she passed out, taken back to Cell 29. She will not wake for another few hours. Everything’s going wrong.

‘Fucking hell…’

---

In Big Boss’ office

Date and Time: 10/03/2016 – 1000

Big Boss did not like having to ask people to sit down – precious seconds and neurons wasted for such a ridiculous gesture. Agent Caits knew to knock, enter, and sit immediately.

‘You are responsible for your Subject as Caretaker. So I am putting the blame on you for his escape. You are privileged to know that I have not decided to fire you on the basis on you having to email me on what to do.

I guess it can’t be helped – your performances and profile statistics were always so… mediocre. Five attempts to capture Subject 15, Six on Subject 16, and you failed to capture 14 and 17 yourself.

I am glad that it was tortured. Our surveillance cameras have learnt so much from him now. His wounds and scars may heal, but he will always know – that doubt in the back of his mind – that the pain will come back for him.’

Big Boss straightened himself in his chair, now facing Agent Caits. His towering, hulking frame hovering menacingly over her, his arms and chest foreboding an emanation of hidden, surging strength, and rested on his torso, a head donning a face unforgiving, yet methodical – furious, but collected.

‘I watched you watch him the entire duration. Did you enjoy the show? Did you feel sorry and pity for him – itching to stop the motivators? Do you not agree with our methods?

Where does your allegiance lie, Caitlynn Dashwin – to us, or them?’

[MarshiestMallow]

"Well, givin that I was under the impression that perhaps you'd want to do something different with Subject 30, I decided not to act without first asking you, as now the subject cannot be left alone, at all, around hand scanners. I also have no doubt that the subject will find a way out of the cage he is currently in, despite the motivators"

Agent Caits could not say what forced her to speak out like this, but she knew she was not going to be known as inadequate. And she was tired, heart sick. So she spoke out, instead of keeping it in.

'And Respectfully Sir, the subject will remember that, but I think you misunderstand him. He will simply become more crafty, and perhaps less foolish to do something in our sights again. Effectively sir, ordering the motivators on him will not only cause us more grief, but I learned on the way here that his screams has sent Subject 29 off. This may have just taken the progress made with subject 29 and flushed it down the drain.'

She stopped herself, just from continuing. She took a breath, and laid her hands in her lap. She was curiously unafraid, and she sat up straight, staring directly into Big Boss's eyes.

'As for the subjects I have had difficulties with, let me remind you that they do have special abilities, and all the planning in the world can't account for what we do not know about them. Perhaps if I had more time with my teams before hand, I could account for their stupidity.'

She rose, hands by herself, managing to keep her voice level and at a low volume.

'As for where my allegiances lie, I think I've made it quite clear they lie with this operation in my service here.

Caitlynn stayed standing, refusing to show any sign of weakness in front of the big boss, as she just about stared him down.

---

After a while, when Cody was absolutely sure he was alone, he sat up, eyes landing on a camera nearby. A flash of light, and the camera shattered as the ball hit it. It was an act of defiance, if only a small one. He rose smoothly, smoothing his clothes, and grimacing at the feel of dried blood. His own blood. Again.

He laid a hand against the wall, and he began to sing, low toned, face paced, and loud. the song was furious, one of passion and danger, and anything that used light around him flickered once more. Some lights even blew, showering glass down on whoever was below. He wanted attention on him, and he wanted them to know that he could do damage, even if he was locked in a cell.

He might still be learning what he could do, but what he knew so far was more then enough to cause problems. He wanted back into his cell, near Gerswhin. He didn't want to be alone.

[Dioxide]

Big Boss stared Agent Caits down just as hard, not as shock of realization of her stark bravery, but as to observe every subtle, subliminal gesture, to find the bullshit that accompanied her speech.

Many Agents caved under the deplorable conditions of this line of work, and many fail to match their action to words when facing Big Boss. He did not even have to do anything remotely physical; incredible oratory, and the linguistic strategies of pragmatics play into his favour very well. He did not let down, because he did not have to.

‘Good. Then you will regard what we have accomplished today as a fruitful event.

We will always make progress. Those wretched rats will cooperate because we make them cooperate. We will watch them, record them, and dissect them, to get to the truth.

I have assembled 24 hour armed-guard duty to watch over Subject 30, effective immediately. He will not know a single taste of freedom because he does not deserve it. He is not an evolution of a higher order of man; he is a mutation, an outlier who deserves to be put in his place, and we will share his abilities for the good of all mankind.

You may leave.’

---

Even in the digital age, many organizations run the risk of storing vital information in cloud storage bases, allowing hackers and unofficial eyes to gain access to them given the skills of computer and software engineering. UNARM had the foresight and capacity to store both digital and hardcopy versions of information. People say that the White House is the most well-defended place on the planet, that is wrong; Logistics is, and for the right and wrong reasons.

There are rumours that Big Boss has written and read every single document that has ever moved around in UNARM, and that he remembers all of them – but even he has to supply factual data on printouts for his higher-ups. This is proof enough to know that such evidence exists, and therefore information on the previous Subjects’ disappearances.

Agent Dioxide knew that there was no way of getting more information from the Attendants without raising suspicion, but given the ridiculous bullshit that displayed itself just now, desperate times call for desperate measures – about as desperate as the security measures to keeping the information vault safe.

Deep underground, entrance and exit through one tunnel, security cameras, microphones, heavily reinforced doors only openable by daily changes to passcodes, and guard duty rotated on a weekly basis that involves Agents as well – the one positive that can be gained from being short-staffed in UNARM.

Getting into the vault is actually simpler than it can be explained: just a few steps. Only one of them was very hard: getting the passcode. The Agents don’t get them – the SRD staff do. Dr Baoning.

If UNARM cannot be taken down internally, then it has to be done from the outside world. Controversial information will be exposed: the existence of Anomalies, their illegal captures, the unethical abuse, and the – presumably – murdering of innocents. Everyone, including him, will be tried in court, but at least there will no longer be torturing and suffering.

Agent Dioxide had to go through every trusted connection he had within his department to figure out who was on guard-duty.

Agent Caits.

The moment he read that name, he rushed to her office and slipped a note under her door – this time as discreet as possible.

I’m breaking into the information vault and I need your help. Are you in?

File #45

End of Chapter 1

[MarshiestMallow]

Chapter 2: Taking a chance, and breaking the norm

It took a lot of strength of will to not say what she wanted to say to Big Boss then, but Agent Caits knew she had come up to the line, and practically stepped over it. She should count herself lucky, and she headed out the office. But she couldn't help thinking, Cody's higher then you, Big Boss. I'm not even sure you even know what it means to be human.

The Big Boss might have bitten off more then he could chew, with the two subjects.

Agent Caits had lied. She assumed if Big Boss knew she had, she wouldn't ahve walked out that room alive. She had lied when she said her allegiances were to the project. No, they were always to herself. And right then, Agent Caits knew it was in her best interests to make sure the Big Boss believed her. Right then, all she wanted to do was find a way to get Cody, and Gerswhin out.

She went to her miserable excuse for an office, and sat down in her chair, dropping her head into her hands, she stayed like that a moment, before reviewing the guard duty for Cody. She flinched as the light above her smashed, showering glass over her and her desk.

'Perfect. Just perfect. It will take months to requistion a new globe'

she gave a heavy sigh, rising just as the note was slipped under her door. She stared at the written note, unable to believe what was written there. She opened the door, and glanced outside, looking for Agent Dixoide.

---

Date and time:10/03/2016, 1030

Analyse report-Subject 30

The use of the motivator team on Subject 30 has given us valuable data that we may never have gotten before. The subject appears to have control over his abilities, a significant amount, to resist healing himself during the motivation exercise. The subject appears to have massive control over how he heals, happening almost at once when light coated his body. Does the light heal? Accelerate the cells to grow, to heal?

The subject does not have any sign of injury, not sign that he was cut, no sign of bruising. There does not appear to be a single mark on the subjects body. Harvesting just how the subject does this could give us a fascinating leap in medical science. More demonstrations will have to be conducted to conclude just how the subject heals. Perhaps a complete live culture of the subjects blood, skin, will show us the answer.

There has been an interesting change in the subjects behavior. Rather then subdue the subject, the motivation team appears to actually have angered him, provoking what appears to be little more then a tantrum. Yet the subject still continued on with it, shattering anything that used light. Camera's near the subjects cell have been replaced, although it is expected these will not last.

What is the range of the subjects ability with his light? Those on the motivation team report that where light touched them from the subject, they received burns. These appear almost like an electric shock mark. It is expected that the subject will resist further testing, showing the need to be careful.

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