Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

OOC: Finally, we'll be getting to Tuesday morning soon! Tests and Education can begin.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin was in a long hallway. It was old and rundown, a think layer of dust covering everything in sight. There was a door at the end of the hallway and he walked towards it. He was at the door and it slowly opened to reveal a dingy room splattered with grime and gore. But Austin ignored that. He ignored everything but what he saw, the most cruel and disturbing image his mind could conger. There in the middle of the room, hanging by her wrists, was April. She was wearing tattered rags, and covered in blood, bruises, welts, and wounds. He slowly walked towards her, tears streaming down his face. Her eyes opened and she stared into his eyes, into his soul. "Why, Austin? Why?" She said. Austin tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth. "Why?" She kept saying over and over as Austin stood in helpless silence. "You did this!" She screamed.

Austin woke up with a startled shout. He saw April curled up next to him, looking at him in confusion. "Are you ok?" He asked, feeling tears streaming down his face at the memory of his nightmare. "I'm so sorry." He said before doubling over in a fit of coughing.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin was in a long hallway. It was old and rundown, a think layer of dust covering everything in sight. There was a door at the end of the hallway and he walked towards it. He was at the door and it slowly opened to reveal a dingy room splattered with grime and gore. But Austin ignored that. He ignored everything but what he saw, the most cruel and disturbing image his mind could conger. There in the middle of the room, hanging by her wrists, was April. She was wearing tattered rags, and covered in blood, bruises, welts, and wounds. He slowly walked towards her, tears streaming down his face. Her eyes opened and she stared into his eyes, into his soul. "Why, Austin? Why?" She said. Austin tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth. "Why?" She kept saying over and over as Austin stood in helpless silence. "You did this!" She screamed.

Austin woke up with a startled shout. He saw April curled up next to him, looking at him in confusion. "Are you ok?" He asked, feeling tears streaming down his face at the memory of his nightmare. "I'm so sorry." He said before doubling over in a fit of coughing.

April wasn't sure what he'd dreamt. She knew she'd been awakened by his screaming in his sleep. Her unconscious mind had harkened back a few days ago, to when they'd fought like cats and dogs, to when he'd punched, headbutted, kneed, and kicked her. She'd relived every hurtful touch in her dream and woke up more sad than angry. His apology now that he was awake held different meaning for April than Austin in this moment. Their dreams had brought up a serious issue left unresolved between them. "Austin, I was thinking about when you...beat me up, before..." April held him, kissed his cheek, and whispered, "You...I love you...But, you can never, ever, EVER, do anything like that ever again. I'm serious, not even a shove. I'll leave you if I think you will hurt me again. Whatever it takes, we'll get you help to get better. I want that for you. And, I want to be with you. But, I won't take abuse for love. I deserve more than to be somebody's punching bag. Ok?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate stretched and yawned. Her room was lit up brightly and a MeRP hovered beside the bed sounding a melodic alarm. "Mmm, what time is it?" She murmured, snuggling beside the sleeping bear in her bed named David.

MeRP chirped, "It's time, Kathryn. You will be having breakfast at your pre-exam briefing on the bridge. Get dressed in something comfortable to move in. You're due on the bridge in ten minutes."

Kate groaned and kissed David. "Ugh...I've got to go, Lovie. I guess I have Commander-y stuff to do."

 

[slippedhalo]

Aziz was up early, breakfasting and reading up on things he suspected might be further delved into today during the accelerated education program. He looked forward to it, actually, as he'd heard of this new technology and had been curious about it in the past, plus, he admittedly was kind of a tech nerd and thought the whole, accumulating four year's study of a subject in a few hours to be really awesome and exciting.

When Yuet entered the quiet eating space he smiled, remembering her sweet, endearing gesture the night before. "Good morning, Lovely Lady." He said, making her giggle in response, which made his heart dance to hear.

"Morning, Aziz. You ready to study your head off today?"

He pointed to the tablet. "I'll give it my best. You ready to become a real Medic?"

She looked slightly overwhelmed by the concept of it but nodded, "I hope it goes OK. I want do this well. I want not suck at medicine. I want not brain butchered by stupid computer either."

Aziz patted her hand supportively, "None of us want our brains scrambled. Let's hope these MeRPs know what they're doing."

"Kate left already?"

"She's headed to the bridge. They're giving her special instructions. I think she's going with the ones being tested later but she won't be tested the same way as them."

"Command stuff."

"Yeah."

"She can have it. I would not want be in charge of everybody here. These people sometimes too crazy."

Aziz laughed, "I wouldn't enjoy command either. But, if nobody else took charge, then, maybe I'd do it. Only then."

Yuet shook her head, "I'll just keep you all alive. That fine with me."

 

[Othermoose]

Austin stated at April while she spoke, her face crystal clear despite his tears. He stared at her, the first person who'd ever awoken such strong feelings within him. He loved her more than anything, he knew it deep down in his bones. He'd kill for her. He'd die for her. And he knew her happiness meant more to him than his own. "You're right. You deserve better than me." Austin said. He quickly stood up, pulling on a pair of pants, before running out the door. Austin kept running, his eyes blinded by tears. He felt the cold metal of the ship change to soft grass underneath his bare feet.

When Austin finally stopped running he didn't know where he was. He was in the garden, but in a part of it he'd never seen before. It seemed to be an orchard of some kind, ending in a wall of shrubs. Austin walked forward, ignoring the clawing branches as he pushed his way through the wall or shrubs. He kept pushing until he found a small space between the plants.

"I felt the hate rise up in me. Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves. I wander out where you can't see. Inside my shell I wait and bleed." The song echoed in his head as he fell to the ground, burying his face in the grass and smiling despite the sobs that racked his body. "That's the perfect song for this moment." He thought, feeling the familiar sting of cuts and scrapes on his arms, caused from his push through the shrubs. "I wish I had a knife." Austin thought as he continued to sob in his hiding place, mourning the love he had for April.

 

[Othermoose]

David kissed Kate goodbye as she left with the MeRP. He stayed in bed for a little bit longer before getting dressed and making his way to the dining area. He grabbed a cup of coffee and greeted Aziz and Yuet. "Morning guys." He said sitting at the table. "How're you feeling? I'm a bit nervous." David said sipping his coffee.

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin stated at April while she spoke, her face crystal clear despite his tears. He stared at her, the first person who'd ever awoken such strong feelings within him. He loved her more than anything, he knew it deep down in his bones. He'd kill for her. He'd die for her. And he knew her happiness meant more to him than his own. "You're right. You deserve better than me." Austin said. He quickly stood up, pulling on a pair of pants, before running out the door. Austin kept running, his eyes blinded by tears. He felt the cold metal of the ship change to soft grass underneath his bare feet.

When Austin finally stopped running he didn't know where he was. He was in the garden, but in a part of it he'd never seen before. It seemed to be an orchard of some kind, ending in a wall of shrubs. Austin walked forward, ignoring the clawing branches as he pushed his way through the wall or shrubs. He kept pushing until he found a small space between the plants.

"I felt the hate rise up in me. Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves. I wander out where you can't see. Inside my shell I wait and bleed." The song echoed in his head as he fell to the ground, burying his face in the grass and smiling despite the sobs that racked his body. "That's the perfect song for this moment." He thought, feeling the familiar sting of cuts and scrapes on his arms, caused from his push through the shrubs. "I wish I had a knife." Austin thought as he continued to sob in his hiding place, mourning the love he had for April.

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" Said April but she couldn't stop Austin from running away.

In a flash of annoyance, she picked up a chair and threw it at the stereo system still playing his music. It didn't stop the music or make her feel any better. So, she cleaned up the place thoroughly before dressing for what would be a busy day.

Heading into the dining room she nodded a greeting to the others there and got herself some waffles.

Yuet asked, "Where Austin?"

"I don't know. I don't have him collared and tagged like he's my dog or something." April snapped.

Seeing the shocked expressions all around, she softened and added, "Sorry. I'm on edge. Didn't sleep well..."

 

[slippedhalo]

"All Test Subjects not scheduled for Rapid Education today must report to locker room A in fifteen minutes." Droned the intercom.

"Rapid Education Students are to assemble in Med Bay in twenty minutes." It continued. Then, it was quiet again.

Aziz and Yuet shared a silent, "This is kind of scary." look.

 

[Othermoose]

"I guess that's your call April." David said, placing a comforting hand on the young woman's shoulder. "Good luck, and be carful." He said in a tone that indicated he was talking about more than just the training simulation.

=============================================================

Austin had stopped crying, and he simply laid face down in the grass in silence. He wasn't asleep, but didn't have the energy or will to move. "Austin Greene, please report to locker room A." Said a computerized voice from above him. Austin didn't even have the energy to whisper "fuck off" he just stayed rooted to the spot.

"This is your final warning, Austin Greene. Please report to locker room A, or you will be assisted." Austin continued to ignore the voice until he felt something wrap around his waist and pull him out of the shrubs. He turned and saw two MeRPs carrying him through the air via some kind of metallic wire that connected the two machines.

Austin hung limply between the two machines until he was deposited on the floor of the locker room. He rolled onto his back and stared blankly at the celiling, the metal of the floor cold against his bare back. Austin heard a noise from somewhere near him, but he ignored it, choosing instead to focus on the ceiling.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate had been given an implant on her left arm between wrist and elbow and shown how to use it. It was her own personalized computer, a command centered, tiny computer in the upper layers of her skin, always there just for her to use with the flick of her thumb base (the on/off switch) then the "screen" projects itself on the cream white expanse of her skin.

They'd also given her an implant inside her left ear. If she tapped the cartilage beside her jaw joint it opened a channel and she could say, "All" for everyone to hear her via their ear implants, or she could say a name and just that person would be able to hear and speak with her. They all had intercoms all along but hadn't known it.

The instructions and purpose of the day were explained to her. Once Kate understood and accepted the job, she was brought to the locker room and given what looked like army uniform and survival backpack, but no gun...Then, sent into what looked, sounded like, and felt convincingly like a forest far from civilization. Her ear buzzed with an android voice telling her, "Find your station." It said.

A map appeared on her arm computer, directing her in a way the others would have the challenge of finding on their own, led Kate to the waterfall at the base of a large hill where she would be stationed to observe the test. Once up there, she tapped her ear bud and said, "Bridge: I'm ready. Send them in."

 

[slippedhalo]

Natalia and Erik came to the locker room after being awakened by a MeRP with breakfast. They were rushed through that, and dressed simply, ushered into the locker room to put on survival gear for the big test. They were about to enter the testing room when Austin was dropped in forcibly by two MeRPs who forced him into a uniform and shoved him through the door ahead of Natalia and Erik. They'd noticed April also enter and stood back, waiting for her to join them. April said nothing to any of them and dressed quickly, joining the other two behind Austin.

The door closed behind them, then it seemed there was no door anymore. They were in some forest.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin scanned the forest around him, noticing Erik, Natalia, and April behind him. He wanted nothing more than to go up to April and to hug her, aplogize, and beg for her forgiveness. But he knew he couldn't. Before anyone could say anything Austin took off, running away from the group and heading deeper into the forest.

"Hey! Where are you going!?" Erik shouted as Austin ran off. "Dammit!" He cursed, as the teen disappeared into the trees. Erik turned to Natalia and April. "Is he always like that?" Erik asked on confusion.

 

[slippedhalo]

April just nodded, "Yeah...I'm hoping he grows out of it. Meanwhile, what are we supposed to do in here?"

Natalia walked around them in a circle and shrugged. "I guess now finding Austin might be one thing."

"Hey, isn't Kate supposed to be in here too?" Asked April.

Suddenly, all of them, including runner Austin, heard an audible click in their left ears and Kate's voice say, "April, Austin, Erik, and Natalia. Your mission is to find me and collect useful survival items along the way. Please be careful. We're not alone in here. I wish I could tell you more but the androids instructed me that you'll test better if I let you figure things out for yourselves. Good luck. See you soon! Kate out." -click-

 

[Othermoose]

"Yea, that's what I thought." Erik said looking around. "Maybe she got a head start?" Erik said when he saw no sign of the redheaded woman. After a moment Erik looked at April. "So um... Is there any particular reason that Austin ran off? That kid seems..." Erik paused uncomfortably "...off." He said hoping not to offend April.

Erik paused listening to Kate's broadcast. "Ah! Well that explains it then." He paused then in a loud voice called out: "Kate? Can you hear me? If you can, what exactly are we searching for?" Erik asked, wondering if Kate could even hear him.

 

[slippedhalo]

Ooc: please check my edit and edit accordingly. Sorry. We posted simultaneously.

 

[Othermoose]

OOC: it's fine. I just edited mine

 

[slippedhalo]

Oh, she heard them. She could see them from all angles too, using her forearm implant. Kate simply smirked and shook her head, chuckling at Erik' s cheekiness.

Austin was apart from the group, though. This meant it was him they heard first as he ran straight into the first test...

 

[Othermoose]

As Austin ran forward through the woods he came to a large clearing. In the center of the clearing was a large platform with a rack holding five rifles. "Sweet." Austin thought, running forward. As he made it half way to the rifles he felt the ground give way under his feet. Austin jumped forward, his hand catching the edge of the platform the rifles rested on. Austin looked down to see a pit of spikes below him. He assumed that the pit surrounded the entire platform, making it an island in the middle of the pit. Austin grabbed the edge of the platform with his other hand, and tried to pull himself up, but he wasn't strong enough to pull himself up. "Fuck me! I don't want to die like this!" Austin though in panic, as he clung to the edge of the platform.

 

[slippedhalo]

April heard a sound to her left and took off at a run, "This way, I hear something!"

Erik and Nat followed, though Natalia stopped short, seeing the clearing, and hole, through the trees. "Stop!" She yelled, getting April to stop short just in time to not also lose footing like Austin apparently had. He was hanging onto the edge, barely staying up.

April knelt by him and grasped his hand, and nearly got pulled in with the weight of him. Erik seemed to be keeping April from falling as she held tightly to Austin. "Shit!" She gasped, "Austin, see what trying to go off on your own and be self involved has done? When the fuck are you going to get it into your head that what you do, what we all do, affects everyone. We need each other. Stop being a fucking child about everything. Come on and try climbing up. I've got you...Erik, got me? Don't let me fall!"

 

[Othermoose]

"Just keep hold of him." Erik grunted pulling April back. Austin managed to hang onto April and was pulled out of the pit. "Don't run off again, kid." Erik said walking over to Natalia, giving April some privacy to yell at Austin. Austin just laid in the grass next to April. He finally looked over to her, and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want to hurt you more." Austin whispered.

 

[slippedhalo]

April hugged him back. "Then, don't. Ok? Anytime you feel the urge to do something, picture me, my face, Kate, Nat, even Yuet...imagine how it could affect us. Know that it would. Face it, we're stuck with each other." She teased, kissing him. "Let's try not to hurt each other, ok?"

Natalia rubbed Erik' s brawny arms which she imagined might be aching from his recent strong man feat. "You're quite strong, Thor." She teased.

The cute bonding moment was ruined in a split second. Kate winced as she watched the action on the skin screen, knowing what was about to happen. The whole tree lined scape shook as a roar sounded above the forest. Naturally, the four of them looked up...And, the improbable sight of an actual dragon overhead was quite terrifying to behold.

April looked to the rifles, out of reach, knowing that if they were loaded, if even one was loaded, it would give them a chance against this beast. She said as much to the other three.

Natalia and Erik joined Austin and April near the edge. "We need to get a gun." Announced Natalia, "True. But, how?"

 

[Othermoose]

"I've got this." Erik said running to the edge of tree line. He dropped his pack on the ground before running full throttle towards the pit. As he reached the edge he lept forward. He sailed through the air and landed on the edge of the platform. He quickly scrambled to the center of the platform before smiling and shouting over to Natalia. "Thor has nothing on me!" He tossed all five rifles across the pit to the others before tossing the rack into the pit. He jumped down onto the rack then pulled himself up onto the grass next to the pile of rifles. Erik picked up a rifle and grinned cockily at the group. "So how badass was that?" He said loading the rifle with bullets that were attached to the rifle's strap.

 

[slippedhalo]

They all loaded up their weapons. Erik got the supreme honor of carrying two for the time being. April was starting to notice Erik could be handy in battle..."Aha! That's what they're trying to find out. Erik, your a shoe in for the extra Security post if you keep that Rambo stuff up, mate." She said.

Natalia, patted April's shoulder, "You're a good morale booster. You keep people moving. Maybe Second will go to you."

"Why not you?" Asked April, touched by the compliment but not believing it. "You're good with people..."

"I fuck people well." Corrected Natalia with a hint of bitterness to her joke. "...I like the farm. I'd prefer to work with the animals if the bastard androids will let me."

Erik and Austin indicated that now would be a good time for the ladies to get quiet and follow as they carefully looped through the woods, uphill, trying to find a good spot to shoot the dragon from.

 

[slippedhalo]

They weren't far from the falls or Kate's perch above them. She could now see the group with her naked eye. She also knew she was a sitting duck for the dragon without a weapon or cover...But, this is where she was told to stay until at least one of the others came to retrieve her. She had to put her life in their hands and trust they'd find and help her.