IC: Falling Down Options

[mister__joshua]

@Kyra Benson
[February XXth, 2073, XX:XX AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

You awake in your bed. You feel sore and stiff, like you've overslept. You're really hungry.

[mister__joshua]

Dumlat McAndrews
[February 15th, 2073, 6:00PM; Research Lab 4, Evo Corporate Office, Downtown Seattle]

You've spent a long and somewhat productive day in the lab when your floating HUD indicates that the working day is over and it's time for home. You've been wrestling with the clay for a few hours, getting some good feedback and information but also cursing your lack of artistic talent. The knowsoft helps to a degree but it can't compensate for having a craftsman's eye. The musculature seems to be coming on ok even if the more desired and expensive components are off the table for now. It's going to be a long project and you can't hope to build Rome in a day, as they say.

Dr. Nakamora is still sitting at his desk, almost robot like in his posture and stare. You assume he's reviewing notes in AR, though his poker face doesn't give anything away.

When 6:00 ticks around his head snaps up for a second. Some people are already packing up to leave.
"The Lab will remain open all night for those of you who want to stay. Its not compulsory yet at this stage in the project, though an overtime schedule will be put into place later on. I'll be around for a few more hours, but I'm off to get some tea if anyone wants to join me"

It's an interesting proposition. Is it a test? A chance for a bit of one-on-one time with the project manager. Either way, it is certainly a chance to demonstrate your commitment to the cause, if you've got nothing better to be doing....

[Aria]

@Kyra Benson
[February XXth, 2073, XX:XX AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

She rubbed her head, dazed and feeling slightly sick on top of a gnawing hunger...what the frag? Where was her comm, she looked around the palatial bedroom and then giving up on that for the time being headed towards the kitchen. The AR feed was presumably flowing over her, providing all sorts of useful information about what the hell the time was and possibly what day it was but without something to translate it she only dimly felt the loss...food, that was the key.

The large bowl of pasta still looked edible. She sat at the counter and forked the penne into her to stem the pangs. That done, time to find out what the hell was going on...

[Phatpug]

Dumlat McAndrews
[February 15th, 2073, 6:05PM; Research Lab 4, Evo Corporate Office, Downtown Seattle]

After Dr. Nakamora's message I take a few minutes to save my notes and tidy up my work station so its ready when I return. I stand up, stretch out the kinks from being bent over the workstation all day and take a quick look around to judge what the other worker in my lab are deciding to do.

Not that it matters what they are going to do. I've already made up my mind. I take one more stretch and drape my lab coat over the workstation chair before heading off after Dr. Nakamora.

[mister__joshua]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:35 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

You find your comm sitting on the book shelf in the living room, next to the CHN. It's flashing madly with queued up messages. On the small coffee table by the sofa there is a box you don't recognise. PillPal is emblazoned on the top and it has 28 separate small compartments, each one with tablets in it.

As you cross the room to retrieve your 'link the sensor on your CHN kicks in and fires up a Trid, the image being thrown into the middle of the room.

There is the woman in the lab coat, the last person you remember seeing.
"Hello Ms Benson. I apologise for any distress caused by your circumstances and can only hope that this whole ordeal has not inconvenienced you too greatly. The Richmond area is experiencing something of an epidemic at the moment and as a result extreme caution must be exercised. Our initial tests show that you are not in any immediate danger although we can't issue an all clear warning this early. Please find on the side a 4 week course of medication after which we will review your situation again. Again, the Richmond authorities would like to offer our sincere apologies. If you need to contact us a direct line has been programmed into your link. Thank you for your patience.

[mister__joshua]

@Dumlat McAndrews
[February 15th, 2073, 6:10PM; Research Lab 4, Evo Corporate Office, Downtown Seattle]

You enter the canteen. The department canteen is shut at this time so you're using the large central one that stays open for the evening. Lots of people would resent having eat at work but the food at Evo is restaurant standard and a lot better than your Soy processor can muster. You look around but no-one seems else seems to have followed you. Dr. Nakamora is taking his tray up to the pass. You're not used to eating here in an evening. It's busier than you'd have imagined. There's a number of office staff, other researchers from different projects that are closer to deadline, and a very stressed group of people from the finance department eating quickly so they can get back to work. Your tea should be more relaxed.

As you stand next to him in the queue Dr. Nakamora starts talking to himself idly, without looking up from selecting his dinner.
"So, just the one this time eh. Hmm" His tone is hushed, speaking under his breath, but you think you were meant to hear. He looks to be musing over something. Maybe just his dinner.

"I'll have the pie please"

He tilts his head up towards you. "The pie is good. It comes with my recommendation" he says with a smile. "Good work today. You came up with some insightful ideas"

"Treacle sponge and custard thanks Betty"

You figure he eats here often, such is the corporate life.

[Aria]

Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:35 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

An epidemic? What the hell? Confused and more than a little upset Kyra flopped down into the embrace of the cool leather sofa and scrubbed a hand through her hair. Ignoring the messages she instructs her ‘link to tune in to the local news to see what is being said about Richmond…why the hell hadn’t she heard about this before? She hoped that White Lodge had been able to shut itself off from the world but what about her fellow seniors?

While the matrix bombards her with news she turns over the pill packet…so one a day or what…?

[Phatpug]

Dumlat McAndrews
[February 15th, 2073, 6:12PM; Central Canteen, Evo Corporate Office, Downtown Seattle]

Thank you Sir.

I take a seat and scan a list of offered pies.

"A slice of Cherry please. Thank you, Betty."

I begin to sip my tea. Its not the strong flavor of soycaf that i am used to, but mellow and somehow relaxing. After taking a moment to enjoy the first hot sips of tea I look up to Dr. Nakamora.

"Sir, if its not to bold, what kind of timeline are we working on for this project?

[mister__joshua]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:36 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

The news is quiet, unusually so given what you've been told. You get the usual celebrity gossip that is prevalent in wealthier areas, and some fluff pieces on the upcoming '10 years pollution free' celebrations next month. Scanning through older stories for info it seems that the coffee shop incident got a very short mention a couple of days ago. Apparently "a man has been arrested, and a female in shock but unhurt". It's accompanied by a photo of someone who could easily be mistaken for you, and one who to you seems like the man that attacked you, minus the crazy.

As you digest the information run your fingers through your hair you notice that it seems thinner than usual, and some hair has come out in your hand, sticking between your fingers. Maybe it's time for the medication, though it could be nothing but a few days without washing.

You're starting to panic when there's a gentle knock on the door

[mister__joshua]

@Dumlat McAndrews
[February 15th, 2073, 6:15PM; Central Canteen, Evo Corporate Office, Downtown Seattle]

There's a short pause while he chews on his pie before replying. "Ah, A thinker. I like when people look ahead because it makes my job so much easier"

"Obviously, as with anything of this nature we're looking for As Soon As Possible for any developements, but really we're looking quite tight. I've been asked to get a working prototype to marketing within 3 weeks. Now, this is coming from people who have no idea how hard it is to do what they're asking, but that's just management for you. I can probably push them to a month but after that I'll need to show some results."

He pauses to take a drink, then looks up at you to talk more personally.

"I must say..." he pauses for a mouthful of pie leaving a momentary suspense. "I must say you're proving to be refreshingly different than your personnel report suggested. I was told to expect commitment issues, and I even asked for a psych evaluation before accepting you on. Continue like this and you may see yourself go far."

He continues munching on his pie before dabbing his mouth and starting on dessert.

[Aria]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:36 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

Kyra started at the knock on her door…who the hell would be here at this time in the morning, and perhaps more importantly how had they made it all the way up to her apartment without her noticing? She mentally shrugged as she realised the house node had probably been pinging her ‘link for the last few minutes and she wasn’t wearing it… but if she was sick should she see anyone? She hurriedly wiped her hands clean of hair and shook her head to try and clear the disturbing thoughts, surely it was nothing…if she was really ill she’d still be in the hospital, clinic, whatever, right?

She engaged her ‘link and accessed the vid feed from outside the door…who was calling?

[mister__joshua]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:37 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

Standing in the hall just outside is Tom, your new neighbour from the coffee shop.

"Hi. Is everything alright?" he asks, looking concerned. "You didn't turn up for the party the other night, which is fine, but then I hadn't seen you in a few days and you're normally so busy..." He sounds a bit unsure of what he's about to say. "...then I noticed the people coming into your apartment, three or four of them, coming back and forth and I was worried. I know that's stupid, I don't even know you really and if I'm intruding then please just tell me but I wanted to check that you were alright." He stands there with a slightly awkward smile on his face looking at you.

[Aria]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:37 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

She engaged the vid so that Tom could see her...she didn't feel ready to open the door just yet

"Hi. I'm not sure really...I'd come out but those people said I might be sick and I don't want to risk giving you something nasty. They've given me some medicine so I'm sure I'll be ok, guess I just need to lie low for a bit. I'm sorry about the party, I was looking forward to coming..." feeling just a bit rebelious, and slightly miffed that Lucas hadn't tried to contact her - or so it seemed - she asked "How about meeting up online instead? I need to let some other people know I'm still alive but after that I'm all yours..."

[mister__joshua]

@Kyra Benson
[February 18th, 2073, 10:38 AM; Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

"I'd like that" he says, and turns to head back to his apartment. You notice your vision start to blur followed by a piercing headache that makes you cry out and fall to the floor.

There's a loud banging at the door, echoing around inside your skull. "Kyra, are you ok? Kyra? KYRA?" followed by louder and louder thumps and a splitting sound as Tom drives his shoulder into the door over and over. The door gives way and he come stumbling into the room, tripping over you and sprawling onto the floor.

You can feel a cold sweat running down your face and you start to shiver.

As Tom gets back to his feet he puts an arm around you to help you up. He asks if you need anything but you can't find the words to reply. All sound is gone to you now, replaces by a high pitched ringing. You can see that he's shouting something but there's no noise. Through your blurred vision he seems to have a strange glow surrounding him as he scoops you up off the floor. As you close your eyes unable to keep them open a moment longer you notice the ghostly figure standing over his shoulder.


[February 19th, 2073, 9:30 AM; Not Her Apartment, Richmond, London]

You wake, your eyes slowly peeling open. Tom is carrying a tray with bacon, toast and tea on it. You're in a bed. It's comfy, but it's not your own.