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Post by nuclearstorm on Mar 24, 2013 21:24:11 GMT -5
It has been 5 weeks since Yorick first set foot in his new lab. Everything was progressing nicely. Due to a deal with Owl and Sultan, Yorick now had around the clock bodyguards. Lilith had become quite an avid mutant hunter, providing Yorick with research material. Throughout the lab Yorick had set up tanks with suspended snorks and bloodsuckers, as well as cages for tushkano. In the deepest lab area Yorick kept his most prized mutants, ones that had nearly killed his niece while trying to obtain: the preserved corpse of a dwarf as well as a partially damaged controller brain. Yorick had recently begun to realize that without help he would pass away long before achieving his goal.
"Lilith!" Yorick called out from his lab. His niece entered shortly after, looking groggy.
Lilith sighed and replied sarcastically, "Yes, uncle?"
"Go find Lisbet and bring her here. It is time to expand our scientific base. Oh, and bring two of the goons with you."
Lilith grunted. She was annoyed at being woken up earlier than she had liked, but respected her uncle far too much to complain. "Let's see... where is she..." Lilith mumbled to herself while looking for Lisbet's PDA signal. "Figures, science bunker. I'll be right back."
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Lilith walked up to the science bunker, followed by two men. The mercs outside gave a whistle, one of them calling out to her. She ignored and went inside.
"Hey, is Lisbet in here? I need to see her." Lilith barked at the man behind the counter in her usual rude tone, not that she ever intended to be.
"Yeah, hold on I'll get her." He replied plainly before walking away.
Lilith took a seat and waited for Lisbet to show herself. She always expected the science type to be slow to respond, as was her experience with Yorick.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Mar 24, 2013 21:57:57 GMT -5
“Professor Fossen,” called one of the Mercenaries at the base, the said woman was busy adjusting the knobs and setting on a microscope.
“If you are go to ask what I’m studying or how this equipment works you will be the test subject of my next experiment ,” the woman exclaimed annoyed tone to her voice, “if it is something else speak quickly I have little time.”
“Some stalker said that she wants to see you.”
“She…hmm very well I’ll be right out… touch a single piece of equipment and there will be much hell to pay.” With that the man jumped slightly, for he knew this woman was near untouchable. After a few moments Lisbet left the small section of the bunker and entered into the main area. Due to how the lab was set up Lisbet and the merc conversation was heard into the front part of the lab.
“Ah Lilith so good to see you,” said the woman in a rather cheerful tone, “how is your Uncle…I assumes you are here to escort me to him lab, yes?”
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Post by nuclearstorm on Mar 24, 2013 22:04:16 GMT -5
"Finally..." Lilith muttered to herself as Lisbet walked out.
“Ah Lilith so good to see you,” said the woman in a rather cheerful tone, “how is your Uncle…I assumes you are here to escort me to him lab, yes?”
"Good guess. Sounds to me like you're ready. Tired of the stupdity around here?" Lilith said loud enough for the mercs to hear. "Hand whatever you need to the grunts here and let's get going so I can get back to bed."
One of the bandit bodyguards outstretched a hand to Lisbet. "Pleasure to meet you ma'am, the doctor has been looking forward to having you aboard."
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Post by blackpapermoon on Mar 25, 2013 21:40:59 GMT -5
The Asian raised an eyebrow to the bandit; she had never experienced such refined manners in this desolate backwater. Well save for that one aptly named assassin that the Doctor Yorick had employed.
“Why thank you,” she said, “now gentlemen if you would not mind I have some creates of equipment in the that I need to have carried, if you’d be so kind as to get them.”
Walking over to the a case where the Ecologist their suits. With hast she equipped her SSP-99M and obtained the basic Walther P99. Compered to others in the group the tiny pistol was woefully underpowered.
“Worry not, you shall be tucked back into your bed soon,” said Lisbet pulling up the veiled hood of the environment suit the whole time rolling her eyes.
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Post by nuclearstorm on Jul 24, 2013 19:57:00 GMT -5
Lilith led Lisbet to Yorick's lab; an uneventful trip. Passing through a hallway, previously blocked, many cages holding live mutants lined the walls. The few not in suspended animation snarled through the tight bars at the two women as the bandit guards had returned to their previous posts. Lilith beat a snarling snork in the face with the butt of her shotgun, temporarily silencing most of the snarling creatures. Passing through the doors at the end of the hall brought them to the main laboratory. Yorick looked up from some notes he was jotting down.
"Ah, Lisbet. Great to have you with us. As you can see, the lab still has some work before becoming fully functional, but is sufficient for the two of us until we manage to find a few more bright minds." Yorick turned to Lilith. "You may return to rest now, Lilith, and thank you for the errand."
Lilith yawned and left the room without a word, her body language neither rude nor polite.
"Please excuse my niece, the vast majority of the specimens you see here were acquired by her. She hunts at night, leaving her very tired during the morning hours. Now If you will follow me I will show you your temporary setup." Yorick led Lisbet to some tables and equipment setup against another wall in the main room. The setup was small and basic, but included at the very least one of every item needed for moderate experimentation. Beakers ranged in quantities and even in measurement units, but were mostly intact and usable. A sole microscope and burner were available, neither of great quality, but both would suffice.
"This is what we have managed to scrounge up that I have not taken. It may not be much, but new shipments will be arriving from the local bandits daily; they say we may have professional lab equipment within the month. Now, as for the research we will be conducting. With your specialty with the brain, human or otherwise, I would like you to attempt to find a way to connect though processes between individuals. Take any samples you need from the mutants you have seen. If you prefer not to touch the beasts, simply pull over a guard and he will collect or pacify the creature for you. Any questions?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Jul 26, 2013 0:05:13 GMT -5
The small woman awed at the live specimens, sure the mobile lab in Jupiter had newer tech but the Mercs had deemed that taking live mutants would be of to much risk. Having the ability to study the living breathing creatures would hopeful allow her to understand just where these beasts originated from and just how they came to be.
They continued on to the main lab, and its meager equipment. Indeed a rather humble set up for such a great mind, still it would have to suffice for the time being.
"Please excuse my niece, the vast majority of the specimens you see here were acquired by her. She hunts at night, leaving her very tired during the morning hours. Now If you will follow me I will show you your temporary setup." Yorick led Lisbet to some tables and equipment setup against another wall in the main room.
"-Your niece is very skilled then," Lisbet remarked, "the so called professionals that my colleagues have hired feel that there is too much risk involved with live specimens."
"-This is what we have managed to scrounge up that I have not taken. It may not be much, but new shipments will be arriving from the local bandits daily; they say we may have professional lab equipment within the month. Now, as for the research we will be conducting. With your specialty with the brain, human or otherwise, I would like you to attempt to find a way to connect though processes between individuals. Take any samples you need from the mutants you have seen. If you prefer not to touch the beasts, simply pull over a guard and he will collect or pacify the creature for you. Any questions?" The gray haired man rambled out, much like one of her professors from her college years.
"- I brought a good deal of interments with me," she stated as some of the bandits hauled in the metal boxes, "I'll have them set soon, but before I get into any research I'd like to free myself of this suit."
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The white haired Freedomer, marched up the steep embankment that led to the old soviet era road. The wind blew aloft the swamp lands carrying along with it the local's distinct scent.
The man pulled out his PDA and checked to make sure where he was headed.
"-Almost there," he said with a smile as he pocketed the electronic device. He had traveled from his faction's headquarters in the Military Warehouses and the ever dangerous and always gloomy Red Forest. Not tarring in Jupiter, he crossed into the norther swamps where he stood now. The increase of mutant active had hinder his progress, and had depleted his ammunition supply. However he had come a cross a pair of very unlucky loners that had been victims of Snorks and had been carrying the NATO verity of weapons.
He restocked but did not find the nasty jumping beasts anywhere about and had continued on his way. Sadly not to far from where he was, retorted the crude and unmistakable roar of a Bloodsucker. The roar was accompany by four others of it's kind and heavy breathing from what seemed like all sides.
Ferret knew that he could not out run the hungry tentacle face freaks, his powers had stolen most of his strength from him. They be on him long before he could 'ghost'. He would have to rely on cunning to escape with life and limb.
Jumping over the guardrail he felt air rush past his back just as one of the Bloodsuckers failed to swipe a chuck out of him. He rolled down the hill the five chasing him, hitting the murky water he submerged himself. The mutants ran around in search of their pray that clung to the bottom. One of the beast drew too near, the pale haired stalker grabbed hold, with a knife he sliced the beast form lower torso to the start of the neckline. Taking a deep breath he dove back under the muck and swam to safety.
"I had hoped not to get wet today," he mutter as swamp slime clung to his body, shaking it off the best he could, the mutants still looking for him on the other side. He continued on to the iron forest anomaly and the lab of Doctor Yorick.
Nearing the base he entered the small building near the crashed helicopter. Following down a hall he came to a metal door and hit the intercom button.
"Ferret of Freedom, requesting entry" he remarked after a beep, "The doctor told me to stop by."
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Post by nuclearstorm on Jul 26, 2013 12:10:40 GMT -5
"- I brought a good deal of interments with me," she stated as some of the bandits hauled in the metal boxes, "I'll have them set soon, but before I get into any research I'd like to free myself of this suit."
"Of course, your room is just down the hall there," Yorick pointed toward the back of the lab, "Next to mine. You will find a basic bed for now; more furnishings will be arriving soon. Oh, and one more thing. Glad to have you with us, Lisbet."
Yorick watched the attractive asian scientist head down the hall. He caught himself pondering his seclusion, occasionally missing the touch of a woman. Still, his work was his passion and such pursuits only left an unfulfilled life in the end. Besides, he would have time to pursue such pleasures after his research was complete.
The intercom buzzed. Yorick rarely answered it himself even though he made sure to have the option available in his lab. This however was quite the rare occasion.
"Ferret of Freedom, requesting entry" he remarked after a beep, "The doctor told me to stop by."
Yorick was surprised the mutant had actually come to him. He had hoped for this, but never expected a man as cautious and fearful of experimental scientists as him to accept his invitation. Yorick rushed to the intercom and held the speaking button, "Ah, Ferret. Glad you decided to come," He began both excitedly and politely, "Open the gates and wait there, I will be right up." Yorick did not want to risk scaring the mutated man away with the initial view of his lab and specimens.
Yorick came down the hall towards the entrance walking quickly, eager to meet his potential test subject. Rounding the corner he saw Ferret slouched against a wall, obviously exhausted in addition to being completely soaked.
"Again, glad to see you here Ferret. Must have had a rough trip, hmm?" Yorick helped the soaked mutant up onto his feet, "Come, we will get you some nice dry clothes and patch up any wounds you may have." Yorick began leading Ferret towards an unoccupied room after turning toward the guards and ordering them to bring clothes and medical supplies. "So, any reason in particular for you making the rough trip here?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Jul 26, 2013 13:50:49 GMT -5
"Of course, your room is just down the hall there," Yorick pointed toward the back of the lab, "Next to mine. You will find a basic bed for now; more furnishings will be arriving soon. Oh, and one more thing. Glad to have you with us, Lisbet."
"-It is good to be here doctor," said Lisbet then entered her room, it was rather nice to have a sleeping area to herself instead of sharing it with her fellow scientists. With hast she removed the green environment suit, and smooth out her normal lab attire.
Meanwhile Ferret leaned on the wall, truly exhausted from hims hike and his late afternoon swim.
"-Again, glad to see you here Ferret. Must have had a rough trip, hmm?" Yorick helped the soaked mutant up onto his feet, "Come, we will get you some nice dry clothes and patch up any wounds you may have." Yorick began leading Ferret towards an unoccupied room after turning toward the guards and ordering them to bring clothes and medical supplies. "So, any reason in particular for you making the rough trip here?"
"-The population of mutants has sky rocketed recently," the Freedomer remarked, "That's part of the reason why I'm here, my leader has sent me around the zone to collect data on the increase of mutant active."
"Let's just say that the cordon has more than blind dogs and boars running about now, " he continued with a light jest, "on a brighter note Bloodsuckers can't swim. I don't need any medical treatment, only received a few bumps and bruises."
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Post by nuclearstorm on Jul 26, 2013 23:02:38 GMT -5
"Let's just say that the cordon has more than blind dogs and boars running about now, " he continued with a light jest, "on a brighter note Bloodsuckers can't swim. I don't need any medical treatment, only received a few bumps and bruises."
Yorick made a note to himself. Sure Ferret had intended humor, but it still implied that bloodsuckers had some difficulty with water. As for the increase in mutant population, Yorick had noted that for himself.
"Yes, i've noticed the mutant increase. Between the guards and my niece we have managed to keep them at bay here. But you are tired, go rest, take a shower. When you wake send someone to find me so that we may talk further."
Yorick left the mutant to rest and headed back to his lab to find Lisbet unpacking her equipment. "Good news, Lisbet. The mutant from freedom, Ferret, is here. It would seem he intends only for rest, but if we are lucky he will allow us some experimentation. For now though, shall I bring you up to speed?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Jul 27, 2013 17:03:48 GMT -5
"I'll take you up on that shower now," the Freedomer remarked, "and thanks."
Taking the clean set of pale green scrubs that one of the bandits handed him, he was then shown to the wash area and left to himself. He striped off his uniform and suit and removed his old soaked garments. Pushing then off to the side he then began to scrub himself of months of dirt and grime.
Elsewhere the Asian had been setting up the mass spectrometer that she had managed to requisition from the bunker. They had a new state of the art one that had just arrived last week, and thus had allowed her to part with the old one. Sure it could not get readings on the nanoparticle level but it was clearly better then the basic on that was currently at the base .
"Good news, Lisbet. The mutant from freedom, Ferret, is here. It would seem he intends only for rest, but if we are lucky he will allow us some experimentation. For now though, shall I bring you up to speed?"
"Yes, please do," Lisbet said as she carefully handed the internal components of the mass spect following along with the instruction manual, " I manged to requisition a mass spect and a ultracentrifuge for the lab, I'm just setting them up now."
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Post by nuclearstorm on Jul 28, 2013 17:53:43 GMT -5
Yorick gathered the report he had prepared for Lisbet detailing both current state of affairs for his lab as well as the progress made on his research including from before entering the zone. "This is the complete current state of my research, I trust you know how valuable this is and assume you will not share this with anyone. Besides myself only my niece has seen anything within those pages and she neither particularly cares nor understands most of it. You will find that most of it deals with natural mutation and evolution as well as how individuals and cells repair themselves. Other than that I have dabbled in genetic engineering, robotics, neurology, psychology, and toxicology, as well as other minor areas. Please familiarize yourself with my personal findings before adding to them. Now, as for our goal here. I aim to take organic matter formerly left to decompose, restructure it to the point of mobility and usage, and assert control over the resulting form. Some may consider this unethical and as such we will need complete secrecy. If some dissemination of information is needed for resources or survival, I trust you to decide which areas of our findings will be least problematic to release." Yorick sighed, completing his small speech, only to find himself much more nervous than he expected. Allowing another human to know his work was much harder for him than even he expected, but still he needed the help to complete it. Only time would tell if Lisbet was the right scientist to trust.
"As for now, please review my reports. Should you need anything else, find one of the hired bandits." Yorick then retreated into the back part of the lab.
He had begun to calm down, telling himself that Lisbet was the correct choice. He had seen her actions, efficient, intelligent, and ruthless. This was what he needed, someone to advance research at all costs, while knowing where to use cunning and deceit. A loud noise took Yorick from his thoughts. The old man had forgotten he was walking by the live testing chambers and a snork had jumped at the viewing window. Bulletproof glass reinforced with iron bars was a good decision. Mutants did not seem to tire, or if they did, they did not show it.
After a few minutes Yorick reached the test chamber with his most powerful capture yet; a dwarf. Watching the mutants and taking notes was almost soothing for him now. No matter how much they thrashed, the window held. Eventually, the ones with any intelligence would give up. The ones without would simply throw themselves on the glass until unconscious or dead. Luckily these unintelligent ones were generally easy to come by. The dwarf had quickly realized he did not have the power to escape, resigning to his fate. This left the creature sitting in the corner staring at the window while not feeding on the rat meat given to it daily. Yorick had repeatedly noted that this was not a stare of an animal, but the stare of an imprisoned man full of hatred. Deciding to attempt to communicate with the mutant, Yorick pressed the intercom for the holding room. "My name is Professor Yorick. Can you understand my language?" Releasing the button, there was only silence on the other end. After a few minutes, however, the dwarf stood. It slowly walked to the window, directly up to Yorick. It glared with even more hatred than before and opened it's mouth letting out a deep guttural sound. It did this a few times and Yorick even began to notice a pattern. Over the next few hours Yorick continued to attempt communication with the mutant, noting everything he said, as well as every sound and physical move the mutant made.
Lilith woke up around the late afternoon. After getting dressed and eating her prepared breakfast, she went to the main lab to find Yorick. Instead she found only Lisbet. Before Lilith could even ask where her uncle had gone, Yorick rushed into the lab with a clipboard screaming, "Lilith! Lisbet! Go grab some of the lab technicians! We have a discovery!"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Jul 29, 2013 23:22:00 GMT -5
Lisbet accepted the task laid out before her, it would much like her early years in med school, long nights of studying and pain staking notes. She fished her work with the lab equipment, and settle back into her quarters and began reviewing Yorick's work.
Having little in common with the Zone's stalkers she found that she could not easily relax after even such a short and uneventful trip. As such she found it hard to focus on study, and thus retreated from the matter for the time being. Following a long the hall she came to the area that had been set aside for a dining and cooking area. A table held a small dented microwave and a humble camp stove along with a small assortment of pans and a kettle. Non - perishable food was stored below the table in a large Tupperware container.
Although Lisbet did not give much lover to nation of origin she did however enjoy the matcha tea that it produced. Not being of a traditional nature Fossen enjoyed the bagged verity of the powdered tea.
She turned on the camp stove just as who was to enter, other than the mutant Freedomer. Dress in the basic clothing given to him a long matted hair still wet from his shower.
"I would suppose it would be to much to ask for a sample now would it ?," she asked as he entered the room. The woman began to throw on airs to seduction. She was not beyond using her body to get what she wanted from a man.
"-Yes, it would," was the shout reply, "I'm in committed relationship with a girl."
"-That would be my luck," said Lisbet giving up the ghost, "then perhaps after food and tea? I'm under oath not to 'harass' or 'upset' you "
"-That's comforting," he said taking up a seat at a table, "throw in a haircut and then we'll talk."
"Deal".
After the hot beverage and food, the Asian had disappeared down the hall to fetch a pair of calipers. Leaving Ferret to himself for a time. He had had't had any time to really explore the base nor did he want to with preying eyes about. However due to being marked by the zone he had been granted just the power to do so without being seen. Let his mutation take over he slipped away from the confines of his body and began to explore the bunker. He soon realized just why Yorick had wanted him to stay with in the dormitory and living area of the lab. He ghosted passed cages of live Snorks and a Bloodsucker or two. Blind dogs, and Pseudodogs paced be hide metal bars, however deeper into the lab he could sense the presence of something much more powerful. Not wanting to find out what said thing was the Freedomer returned to body just before the woman.
As was the verbal agreement, Ferret got his hair cut and Lisbet got her buccal swab form him. He had to admit that it felt better to have short hair, still it would take some getting use to. Going from a matted shoulder length cut to that of only a few inches long, was rather drastic. If anything else it looked better.
The Freedomer retired just as Lisbet was finishing cleaning up the mess left behind form her work, who then returned to the main lab. She was soon joined but Lilith but before either had time to greet each other Yorick came into the lab.
"Lilith! Lisbet! Go grab some of the lab technicians! We have a discovery!"the old man called wildly.
"What has happen Doctor," the woman with the glass asked herself become excited on what the doctor could have found, as she quickly got on to her feet.
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Post by nuclearstorm on Aug 5, 2013 21:33:50 GMT -5
Yorick was panting. The sprint from the spectating rooms to the main lab was more than he was used to as his body was in poor shape. "Mutant.... Signs of intelligence... Lisbet come now, Lilith go grab the lab techs." Yorick began to sprint back toward the dwarf, leading Lisbet. Reaching the dwarf's cell Yorick stopped only to see the creature back in it's corner, silent. He attempted to communicate with the creature again, but it did not respond. "Dammit, it came up to the glass earlier and responded to me with some sort of guttural language. Take a look Lisbet, I recorded the conversation using phonetics to describe the sounds it made."
Lilith ran off to grab the lab techs. She found most of them in the pre-lab doing their work. "All of you! Come with me now! Yorick has made a discovery!" Lilith demanded they follow and ran back toward Yorick.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Aug 7, 2013 11:21:51 GMT -5
"I believe you doctor," Lisbet replayed, "communication would explain why Stalkers have difficulties with pairs of this species of mutant. Perhaps some kind of connection was made between you and it?"
Meanwhile Ferret stood in the hall of the dorm section as a group of lab techs scrambled about, Lilith barking ordered handed down form Yorick. The commotion had woken him from his sleep, not that he minded much, being so far in the north was always problematic for his sleep.
"- Something happen around here or is it always like this," he asked as the woman passed by as he then recognized her, " you go by Lilith right?"
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Post by nuclearstorm on Aug 11, 2013 18:35:13 GMT -5
"Well, I have been studying it for days now. This is the first time it has shown any recognition of me besides attempting to attack in vain." Yorick rambled on about his study of the mutants he had captured.
"Oh right, the mutant man Ferret." Lilith responded before realizing calling him a mutant may be rude. "I apologize if that came out rude, I meant no insult." She may not care for manners or the thoughts of others, but being polite to this man would help ensure his cooperation with her uncle. "As for these lab techs, I am not at liberty to say. It would be Yorick's decision to share any information with you. If you'll excuse me, I must return to my uncle."
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