The Saurian Adventure Episode 0: Prologue

[Naza Sutera]

Amelia inwardly scoffed at that tampon anecdote. She didn't too much of think it was cute. But that's okay; it's not like he was talking too her specifically, so there was no reason to take offense in that way anyway. She doesn't too much of know him, she hasn't really spoken to him while on the shuttle, and perhaps that was just a glitch in The Matrix, but she'll simply pay it forward for right now...

...In any case, she stowed her make-up doohickies back in a small plastic kit and put it in the front pocket of her fancy Louis Vuitton backpack. Standing up, she slipped the bag onto her shoulders, collected her hand-held recording device and followed everyone else as they exited the shuttle. Holding up the smartphone-looking thingie, she tapped the touchscreen as she navigated the device to find the video recording app. Hitting the record button, she started yet another video blog.

"Guys, it's me again! What, has it been, like thirty minutes since my last post? Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that we just docked, we're currently leaving the shuttle. I spoke with a couple of my team members--who I initially thought were going to be fellow scientists, but that's okay. I like a motley crew. But, um... I am ready to conquer the world at this point, mkay? I'm ready to do the damn thing, do the damn dew like Mountain Dew, or be like Nike and Just Do It! Wish me luck guys!"

With that, she ended the recording.

[Fedora]

Eurydice got off the shuttle and looked around, somewhat in awe, somewhat in the realization that she'd probably get lost in here. She ignored the tampon joke as someone clearly forgot there were actual ladies on his team. Hmph! The sudden product placement brought on by Amelia's post also made her head spin for some odd reason. At this point she knew this much about Amelia, she had an amazing amount of energy.... for a scientist.

She took an opportunity ti double-check what she had. The Heracles gauntlets, now folded into a compact form and inactive. Her Amazons, kept in a case so spaceport security wouldn't think she was there to shoot up the place. She sighed as a held up a now-broken Zip-Locker. The little device had been super useful in the past but broke nearly as soon as she signed up on this mission. Builder couldn't even explain how it broke so suddenly. He said maybe some higher power was the cause of it. She blamed that same " higher power" for the fact that she couldn't get it fixed before the mission. She held onto the thing anyway. No use for it now but what the hell? Maybe it was lucky.

[Gene Inari]

Gene let off a low whistle when the sheer size of the station came into his view. Gene didn't waste time making his way off the transport, wanting off to regain his sense of personal space. Gene was also travelling light, he didn't need much. Not like his profession needed tools, or gear, or equipment like the soldier types. The only thing that stuck out in his mind was the pistol hidden on his person. Gene felt under his clothing where it was tucked away and holstered. Gene would have come unarmed if it wasn't for a certain coywolf he knew.

It didn't really give Gene peace of mind, but he supposed the thought was what counted, considering who it came from. Now it was just a matter of waiting for everyone else and for this Jami Monroe to arrive.

[Renardfrost]

Renard was put off rather than impressed at the size and styling of the space station. to him it looked more like this scientist was trying to show off his higher knowlege to the others. (Or atleast his significantly higher paycheck.) He was quick to leave the shuttle, standing at attention with the others. Even if he weren't accepted for the mission, atleast he would have a place to stay and doctors to study him in relative peace rather than the silent commotion and secretive bustle of the cornerian labs. He would follow both orders and protocol... no point in making anyone here angry or even mildly unpleasant. He had enough of that... Quite enough. He just hoped that Mr. Monroe was as kind as his wallet was deep. he looked around the impressive space, searching for any sign of the person they were to meet.

[russiandog38]

Ryan didnt know what to think of the space station. It was impressive,yes, but maybe just a little bit to fancy. Besides, he thought this was suppost to be some plain boring research station. But that dosent really matter. What matters is that they finally arrived. He stepped off the transport with the others, holding his duffle bag in his hand. Inside it contained all his equipment and the parts to his sniper rifle. His cybernetic eye already started to pinpoint possible exits and cover positions around the hanger.He rubbed at it and sat back in silence, waiting for Captin Monroe to arrive.

[Gene Inari]

Gene looked around at the others. Tensions and anxiety still ran high in the small crowd, but it shifted from pure stress to anticipation, especially so in some more than others. Gene was mostly relieved at not being in such close proximity to so many intense feelings in the emptiness of space where it was the only sensations coming in. Here at this large station, he could sense others feeling less high-strung.

One thing that stuck out to Gene was the height differences among each other in the group. The smallest among them was the rodent, coming only up to Gene's shoulders. All the others of relatively even height to Gene was all the females composing the team, and even then, he was on the short end of that comparison, and finally the rest of the men in the group all towered head and shoulders over everyone previously mentioned. To say the crew was diverse was putting it lightly.

Gene shifted his attention from the group as a whole, to a certain chatty scientist. "So, what exactly is it that you are doing? Talking into that.... device. I saw you doing it when we were in the shuttle. I am curious."

[manthony_Higgs]

Manthony took a look around at his unit. Wouldn't have thought there would be so many noncoms on this kind of op. Psykers and scientists and little girls... heh, looks like my tampon joke wan't too far off. But are they gonna be able to defend themselves in the field? I don't wanna babysit anyone.

Then manthony felt a small twang in the back of his head.

Aww shit. I left my guns on Corneria. Oh well. This place probably has a kickass armory. Can't wait to dig through that. See if they have any sweet ballistic guns...

[Fedora]

Eurydice spent quite the amount of time looking over her things. She always tried her best to be meticulous, though her brother would just say she was being picky or something. She could see it now.

"Aw come on! You already looked over that thing like, five times!" Doggy would whine. "I have to be sure it works as intended. Unlike someone else's junked up piece of trash pistol" Eurydice would retort. Doggy would then look taken aback while holding his Palladion pistol in his hand. " Hey hey HEY! That was one time! ONE! TIME! Palladion has failed me!" he would nearly shout. "A hah. Oh really? My Amazons have yet to fail me." Eurydice smugly returned, giving as close to a cat smile as a dog could get. "Oh yeah, well you're stupid" Doggy immaturely said. "Nuh uh!" Eurydice said just as immaturely. "Hah! Run outta words Didi?" "DON'T CALL ME DIDI!"

That last part she nearly yelled in real life. And even before that, people looking at her may've assumed she up and started an experiment to see if she could burn holes in the space station hull with her powerful glare. Eurydice laughs nervously if anyone saw her and fidgets a bit in place as she tries to stand straight and act as if that imagine spot never happened. Somewhere else in the universe, Doggy sneezes.

[Naza Sutera]

She didn't personally speak to everyone on the team, and therefore didn't really have everyone's number dialed in, so to speak. But for the couple of people she did actually speak to, she was pleasantly pleased. Eurydice and that construction worker guy seemed like what they were giving was organic and real. Gene, though at first he was giving her the most--'Yoo syentiss thank yoo REEL smawt, don choo? YOO THANK YOO REEL SMAWT, DON CHOO?'--he did a 360 turnabout withing the first thirty seconds, so she likes him. She thought that his trick was interesting, and plans on grilling him for answers about it later.

...But what I will say though; that lizard guy may have made that joke, which was a little rancid--and that's fine. But if he keeps giving that off-color frat boy realness, we're not going to get along...

She also had one burning question: What was the story behind that one guy who made that random outburst? She thought he was a little weird, a little bit of an attitude problem, probably socially inept on some level. Though, in all fairness, she knew she wasn't perfect either. She figured that anyone, to include this guy, might have a slightly sideways opinion about her.

Rummaging through her bag, she pulled out the leather case. Inside was a pair of prescription glasses with black designer horn-rimmed frames; on either side, "PRADA" was in silver relief in a serif typeface. Donning the specs, she touch the screen of her device to find the camera app, which she used as a mirror to check her appearance. She wanted to make a good impression on The Legendary Mother named Ja'mi Monroe, and part of her itinerary was making sure her appearance was En Pointe.

"So, what exactly is it that you're doing?" Gene asked her, just as she finished primping herself. "Talking to that... device. I saw you doing it when we were in the shuttle. I'm curious."

"Um..." She gave the device in question a once-over, then double took, noticing a crack in the alumino-silicate glass casing on the back of it. Crap. That's what she gets for being cheap and not buying a ballistics case. At least it's still under warranty. Anyway, she answered the question: "I'm recording video web-logs. More or less a video diary of sorts. Something I've been doing since I was a teenager."

[Renardfrost]

He looked around, looking at the other members of his potential crew. (all Italics are small flashbacks within this post)

The other psychic seemed kind enough, but he was too enigmatic to trust completely just yet. He'd fought too many other psychics during testing to not know that.

"Easy stargazer... you kill him during the test, or he kills you.. win or lose, it's all data to us."

The short rodent seemed a little of a loner, much like him, but with a little more fire. Could be trouble if caution has to be exercised somewhere. he was definitely a peculiar character. They'd get along, as long as he doesn't go all "holy knight" on him.

"Beliefs are for fools and the weak, boy.. your mind, skills, and bloodlust are what it takes to survive as a soulsmith."

The lizard was a standard soldier. Brilliantly visible aura with muscles and ego to match... He could work with him, as long as he didn't talk to him too much.

"The future of warfare, a soldier that needs no weapon, makes bullets useless.. a return to the age of the blade and the birth of "Magic"... That is you, Stargazer... that means offspring to continue our research.. we don't care what we have to do to you or your orientation, we're collecting material so we can begin research on making more of those like you.. these deathmatch tests are quite taxing on our supply, as I'm sure you understand. Not that your opinion matters, anyway..."

The girl with the gauntlets seemed to be rather independent. She could take care of herself and work in a team. No problems there.

" We're leaving you here so you can learn to survive and adapt to various environments... you're smart, it shouldn't be too hard, especially since the perimeter is electrified... See you in a year!"

The girl with the video camera was certainly nice, a bit scatterbrained, yes, but kind and knowledgeable. the worlds needed more people like her.

" So the implant makes you act a little younger than you should, but that's normal and should pass. Here Renard.... take this.."

"A book? ... Why are the pages blank?"

" Why, it's a journal, My boy. It's blank so you can write your thoughts in it."

"My thoughts... So you mean i don't have to make any more weapons today?"

" That's Right... we're done for today, and you did very well, so I'm giving you this. and a few pens and pencils and stuff."

"What do people use them for, Mr. Kondranki?"

"Oh my, lots of things. Scientists use them to take notes and record experiment results. Some people write stories, others use them to write down their thoughts or how their day went. Some people keep journals of their dreams, others do math in them, draw in them, and more."

"That's pretty neat, I guess."

" It must be hard being stuck in these labs with no one to talk to, so I figured having somewhere to document your thoughts would be very helpful."

"Sir..."

"Yes?"

"If I make more- I mean if I help you conduct more experiments, is there a chance i could receive more of these blank volumes?"

"Ah, splendid, your vocabulary is already recovering. To answer your question, Of course, i have plenty of extras lying about. You need not do anything, just take a few, if you'd like."

"Thank you very much."

"No problem at all!"

He subconsciously tapped a small bag on his shoulder, filled to the brim with books.

Then.. there was that sniper with the cybernetic eye.... that damn sniper... Personally Ren was hoping this mission would be over quick so he could feel no guilt when he took the pleasure of punching his lights out for being so prudish.

"Such a fiendish power!... It doesn't belong in this world. Come here boy.. it'll only hurt for a mere moment, but I shall save you and give you to the Lord in paradise above..."

One thing for certain, this operation was gonna be one hell of a ride.

[sroberson]

Freyr exits the transport, clumsily, after knocking his head rather soundly against the door threshold and dropping some of his gear.

M@%* F@#%#&% groans Freyr shaking the stars from his eyes as he knelt down to grasp for his stuff. Making a funny expression and widening his eyes a bit to look around, he begins to trudge off after his fellow ship-mates gazing around in mild confusion and awe. Pretty impressive base of operations for a seemingly low key mission. Where the heck did the money and man power come from to build this place? Maybe it's a small armada of those damn AI drones that were stealing the jobs back home. As a offhanded way of relieving the silence and tension, the jackal blurts out to nobody in particular...

"Well...glad we had such a warm welcome, eh guys? Anyone seen our tour guide yet? Any...ya' know...'You Are Here!' signs?" he rambled - becoming slightly more self conscious of his attempt to start some communication.

"Any concession stands?" Taking a final jab at lightening the mood. He was actually a bit hungry to tell the truth.

[Robert Monroe]

~-*-*-*-~

UPDATE

~-*-*-*-~

As you all clamor and gather outside the shuttle, you have a few moments while waiting for Jami Monroe to take in the sight of the docking bay you're all inside. It isn't much to the eyes, betraying the space stations extravagant, artsy exterior with a much more industrial, simplistic and pragmatic aesthetic. Panel lines, brown and grey metal plating, the busy noise of engineers and technicians working on docked spacecraft. The entire place was quite spacious, large enough to accommodate a small warship if arrangements were made ahead of time.

Among the noise and busy work ethic, directly ahead of your group is an access hatch. With a smooth mechanical swoosh, it glides open, and out walks several figures approaching everyone. As they draw closer, you can clearly identify the following: a female wolf, a small boy of about ten years in age; felineesque, and a squad of Cornerian soldiers in uniform, armed with combat rifles and standing guard around the wolf and child.

The lady stands out quite spectacularly. Her figure is that of a spoiled princess, almost, it is soft and delicate. She is garbed in a very exotic, and very expensive red silk gown which asymmetrically wraps around her hips with an intricate pattern, her blouse is beaded with golden decor and bares her plump midriff quite shamelessly. Her arms are draped with flowing translucent wraps which enhance her splendorous look. The lupine's fur is a dull brownish-tan, that of a desert wolf, her hair is voluminous and fluffy, a dark brown color that is neatly groomed. Around her neck is an emerald necklace, her wrists are decorated with bangles, and one of her ears sports a large hooped earring. To complete the look, her navel is pierced with a small collection of delicate looking beads.

"At last you've arrived!", she says in a happy, cheerful tone, her voice sporting a smooth texture that is pleasant to the ears. "I'm glad to see you all have accepted to look into this once in a life time opportunity. Welcome to the Monroe Science Station, every one of you. I'm Jami Al'Salma Monroe, the first lady of this fine station, and head of the humanities research of Sauria. Now, I'm sure you all have many questions, and we will be glad to provide answers, however we must stay on schedule, so please do follow me and I will escort you to the command bridge", she finishes. With her introduction completed, Jami turns on her toes gracefully and waves daintily for the group to follow her as she sashays back to the hatch, the child following her closeby. The Cornerian soldiers nod simply, and motion for you to come with them.

~-*-*-*-~

Current Music:

Current Setting: Docking Bay 11.22.02/M.S.S. passageway to the bridge

Posts Allowed: Unlimited

Days until the next update: 2

Objective: Follow Jami to the bridge!

Other Notes: Feel free to ask any IC questions your character may have! I also apologize for the belated post, and I think I'll be doing away with the post limitations for the time being, as everyone generally seems really responsible with them.

Also, on a more OOC note, Hidi, you haven't posted since the RP started. If you're having RL problems, let me know please! Otherwise, please post! Even if your character is a silent quiet type, you can post their physical actions, body language, their inner thoughts.

For the rest of you who have been shy about posting, don't be!

[manthony_Higgs]

Manthony took in the view. The clamor of the hangar was music to his ears. He took a deep breath, taking in the smells. Somewhere, someone was welding. With a smile on his face he followed the soldiers.

"Oh yeah, this place takes me back." He turned to look at his team. "You folks ever been anywhere more beautiful than a hangar? These places, they're like ballets. Everyone works together an' makes one swift, fluid whole."

Manthony chuckled. It's been a while since he'd been on a military base. It felt damn good to be back.

[Thu'um]

Axle was impressed, carnivors hardly caught his eye, and he ussualy turned his nose away from the Cornerian culture. To lavish in such things he though was unhealthy, But this wolf had a pleasent enough aura to draw him in. The soilders ;however, were an unwelcome sign. Why send them down, in less there was a lack of trust? Or maybe this was just some Cornerian procedure, they loved they're damned codes.

[Hidi]

Ea hung back preferring that she wasn't noticed. She had little interest in chatting with anybody. There was a crowd of other people in front of her waiting to get their first glances at Sauria and freedom before they were forced to their duties. Hers were things she didn't want to think about. She thought back to Corneria and the years she had spent there. How long it had been since she left her homeworld. Chances are she would never return, and if things went terribly, Sauria; a foreign planet, would be her resting place.

[Naza Sutera]

Amelia wrinkled her nose at the gritty musk of grease and the evocative fragrance of soldering metal. The cacophony of wrenches and pneumatic tools ratcheting, the technicians talking, along with the acoustics of the room as a whole as a bit deafening to her. Looking up, her photochromic lenses darkened under the glare of the fluorescent lights on the high ceiling. The lizard guy said something or other about coat hangers, ballets, and holes... Or something.

"Yeah. Uh-huh," Amelia said, not even knowing what she was 'yeah, uh-huh'-ing to. She didn't really hear what he said. It could have been because of the calamity of the workers in the hangar, or she could have been unconsciously tuning him out...

...Perhaps that tampon joke offended her a bit more than she wanted to admit to herself.

...Quite a bit more.

...You know? Let's keep it 100%. She though the joke was rancid. It was NOT cute. Tacky, classless, just--UGH! She seriously hoped that it wouldn't be a regular thing...

--'Cause if that's going to be the case, I'mma wind up going off on his whopper-headed ass...

Edited November 9, 2012 by Naza Sutera

[sroberson]

A quiet but audible whistle escapes Freyr's lips after catching a glimpse of the she-wolf - A whistle that caught the attention of one of the guards who looked over his shoulder to give him a threatening glance. Freyr simply winks back at them playfully causing the guard to look forward again.

I'd like to see you try...Used to smash a few heads like yours back in the day. An almost mocking expression crossing Freyr's face.

Turning to regard the lizard, he inquires. "Manthony is it? I gotta ask, where do you come from that you regard a ship hangar as a beautiful place? I've been in a few large scale garages that look a bit like this, not as large, but they always struck me as cluttered and consistently messy. I mean," casting a gaze around the ceiling height "I guess its an impressive structure to say the least...I can't even begin to wager what they had to use for the ceiling joists to resist the vacuum of space and the wide spacing of pillars. It goes a bit beyond my expertise anyways" He continues to ramble.

[manthony_Higgs]

Manthony turned towards Freyr. "Maybe I gave you the wrong idea there. You see, I was a member of the CDF for quite some time, and I've seen places not too dissimilar to this. Look around. At first it seems like total chaos, yeah? Men running this way and that, shouting at each other over the sizzle of a dozen welders. But that's not how it is. Every soldier here has their purpose, and they help each other get it all done. It's like clockwork. You see, they aren't just team mates, they're closer than that. More like family. All brothers and sisters in arms. It's not the room that's beautiful, but the folks in it and what they're doin'."

Manthony let out the smallest sigh.

"It just... reminds me of when I served, that's all."

[Renardfrost]

Renard straightened himself out, and bowed graciously to the female wolf before moving to follow the others, when lo and behold his little thought radar went -ping!-

I'mma wind up going off on his whopper-headed ass...

Following this, He tapped the girls shoulder. " Hey..." he said, trying to choose each word carefully, as if he'd get hurt if he said the wrong thing. " Don't... Let it bother you... Soldiers are usually a standard machine.. all ego... no tact... no tact at all."

As usual, there was one soldier who took his place in society a little society a little too and seemed to move too close, Renard rewarding this effort with a cold stare.. the girl he talked to was the only one who couldn't see it given the orientation of his head and face, but most of the mercs and soldiers could see it. Cold vacant eyes, ones that only assassins, Refugees, and recovered P.O.W's were known to exhibit. He smiled inwardly at the pulse that ran through the Soldier's aura; Fuchsia... Terror. It was all he could do not to chuckle as the solder actually stumbled a few paces out of formation before regaining his nerves and taking his place as usual... that small piece of business done, he turned back to the girl.. it had been a while since his last implant that he's ever felt anything but bored amusement, so he tried to force a smile that would seem real enough to reassure her.

" you can't hold it against them..They can't help it. It's much like a member of the clergy or a gangster... their programmed by their training or environment to act a certain way. Even Scientists, if you think about it..."

he just hoped his smile seemed genuine. " I didn't really catch your name earlier, I'm sorry... what was it again?"

[Naza Sutera]

Someone had tapped Amelia on her shoulder. Turning to face the person, she realized that it was that one guy who was immersed in his books. What's his name? Amelia though, trying to see if she could recall it.

"Hey," he said, carefully, "Don't... let it bother you... Soldiers are standard machine. All ego. No tact. No tact at all..."

She looked at him curiously, impressed by how he could pick up on exactly what she was feeling towards that lizard guy--Manthony, she heard Freyr call him. It was almost as if he read her mind. But she figured that he sensed the thinly veiled animosity behind the aloofness of her response to Manthony's statement. He gave her a reassuring smile.

She took this opportunity to give herself an attitude check. In all realness, SHE was the one being tasteless and "ugh" by having an attitude over nothing. She nodded in consensus with his thesis on how everyone has a mode of operating based on their conditioning, to include scientists.

"Thank you for the insight," Amelia said, adjusting her glasses. "Call me Amelia... Say, you're quite perceptive."

[Gene Inari]

Gene could sense Jami a ways off before she arrived, detecting her strong, well developed powers. Gene gauged that she was quite skilled, a cut above. The way she was dressed and carried herself reminded Gene much of a fine dilettante, mingling with prominent families.

Gene glanced aside towards Amelia and Renard. Ever since Gene first saw the tall fox, he could sense his powers, how strong they were. How he tried to peer into his mind on a few occasions, shutting him out. Gene was bothered by Renard, he could tell how... 'unnatural' his power was, artificially augmented by machines in his head. To have such technology and devices violate his spirit... It left a sour taste in his mouth. Gene could detect the damage it left on him.

Gene could feel every occasion where Renard peeked into the minds of those around him. Living with and regularly dealing with those that possessed telepathic powers made Gene familiar to it. To Gene, Renard lacked any sense of tact or respect for the privacy of others. While, so far, there was nothing malicious to Renard's noseyness, it still pushed one of Gene's buttons.

Gene inwardly sighed. He could tell that Renard was young, naive, and quite lacking in proper teaching of the use of his telepathy. He could not fault him for his ignorance. Oh well, may as well wait and see when he steps on someone's toes with his prying nature.

[russiandog38]

Ryan looked up as Jami and her escorts came in. Upon seeing the soldiers, his eye began pinpointing weak areas in their armor. What was the reasone for the gaurds anyways? Was it lack of trust?

If they dont trust us then why hire us? he thought. And then he remembered what Eli had said to him.

"Don't ever let your gaurd down, because you can never truly trust anybody. And I'm not just talking about your enemys, but your friends as well. You are always on gaurd around the people you work against. But there not always the ones you have to look out for. Sometimes you have to keep an eye on the ones you work with, or you could end up being killed by a person on your own team."

Perhaps thats why they have gaurds, because they don't truly trust us.

His gaze then turned to the fox he had had a silent battle with earlier. He definitly didnt trust him and would have to keep an eye on him. He slung his bag over his shoulder and followed the rest of the group from the back.

[Fedora]

While Eurydice did note the guards, she saw them as just another safety precaution. She didn't forget that she was still just a gun for hire for them as of right now. Trust was earned, not expected. She was also a little charmed by the lady and figured that as long as she was in charge, she wouldn't get shot by guards or do any shooting of her own. She placed some trust in Jami and her team if not the guards themselves. Trust is also give and take sometimes. To quote that old B-Movie she saw some time ago ( I haven't), she found the lack of faith on both sides, disturbing.

In the meantime, she allowed herself to slouch ever so slightly and went into a posture her friend once called “parade restâ€. Eurydice also forwent folding her hands behind her back, she just tried to look natural, if she looked tense like some of her teammates did, she'd look shifty and overall untrustworthy. As she walked with Jami (we are supposed to be right?), she thought a bit about the kid and had to ask, "Is the child your's? Are there any other children on this station?"

[Renardfrost]

I'm scared... Utterly terrified... i shouldn't be... I'm in complete relative control of the situation, so why is there the feeling of something breathing on my neck?

Renard sighed and smiled at Amelia. My Na-... er... My name isn't important. And yeah, I'm supposed to be Perceptive... The scientists who owned me at the time would either put something in my head or shock me when my concentration lapsed, as per my training.. Like i said.. Environmental conditioning." he said simply. " But now that I'm here, I'm Now part of the station's crew until I'm discharged... or decommissioned, so it's just a distant... "(I Don't want to be only a-)" ... A very distant memory now.. I'll probably not see the rest of you guys once all this is said and done, so that's why my name is not important... It's not like i need it anymore anyway."

His mind then found something... a visitor.

Oh... it's you... he vaguely directed at the other fox behind him.

I don't need to tell you my name... you already know it... and I'm sorry for prying so much... I can't help it... I still don't have good control of my telepathy or psychokinesis yet. I haven't trained with them that much... i have filters, but that's about it. Anyway... you're in here... so what do you want? Also... Can I have your name?

He thought inwardly and scratched the back of his head, revealing a small section of scar before he smoothed his hair back down.

I know this power isn';t a curse... i was born with it, so it's natural.. but still the machines and the conditioning... It hurts a little, but i don't feel it much. But still.... It terrifies me. What happens if they break or stop working?

[Naza Sutera]

The young man's colloquium left Amelia a little dissatisfied... And slightly wierded out. What exactly did he mean when he said that the scientists "owned" him and "put things in his head"? And them electrocuting him to make him focus was a bit extreme. Hm... Were they brainwashing him or something? Amelia though. She could collect that he'd spent a lot of time in a structured environment. She figured that he was exaggerating to some degree, though it may not have been as funny as she originally thought. She didn't like how he talked about himself, how he explained that his name wasn't important, as if he couldn't leave an imprint on someone that lasted a lifetime. Everyone had something to offer, and everyone was entitled to their own balanced sense of self-worth.

When Amelia was thirteen, her aunt was discharged after serving only thirty-six months the military. She had committed suicide after spending two years in and out of behavioral hospitals and a string of misdemeanors and aggravated assaults. Basic training was especially hard for her, and it just went downhill from there. She was never had a chance to actually because of the five nervous breakdowns that had, due to the innate and unhealthy need for perfection she developed. Before going in, Aunt Brie was one of the happiest and carefree people Amelia had ever known, always having an aloof love for life, but wanted to prove to herself and others that she could be responsible and find direction in life. That was all replaced with violent outbursts and the need to impress and please everyone. If she made any mistake or earned any kind of demerit, she became terribly depressed and masochistic.The military wasn't for everyone, and it certainly wasn't for her.

She was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and medically discharged, under honourable conditions, but felt as though she had lost everything in spite of that. It did strip her of her sense of joy and self esteem, but she felt that it was all she had to prove herself, and constantly blamed herself saying how she blew it. Amelia's parents and grandparents spent the better half of those two years trying to help her find her way after she left the military. No matter what they did, they couldn't help her and became frustrated and tired. She sent Amelia's father a text message, saying how sorry she was for making things so difficult for everyone, and wouldn't be a bother anymore. When he tried to call her, she didn't answer. When they went to check on her the next morning, they found that she'd taken the guard off of a circular saw and buried into her neck in the living room of her apartment.

Depression runs in Amelia's family, especially on her father's side. Her father used to take a pharmacology of antidepressants and mood stabilizers, though everyone is happy to say that he hasn't been on anything in a couple of years. Amelia is also currently on a regiment of medicaments, as she is very well aware that she deals with emotional diseases too, which secretly manifest as low self-esteem, and desire to be the center of attention sometimes; in that regard, she humbly considers her budget on clothing and cosmetics as a means of treating herself, and the posting of blogs as something fun and therapeutic.

Amelia though this and frowned when he told her how his name wasn't important

...Why did what he told her strike those chords inside her?

She's not really suggesting to herself that this young man may be dealing with a mental illness or anything like that... She just knew what she was dealing with inside and wanted others to have a decent sense of self. As previously stated, everyone has something to offer and deserved a good self-image

She sighed and said, "Well... I must have imprinted on you for you to want to know my name. What makes you think you're not worth someone knowing your name?"